Time To Roll The Dice ;

[obscurus_phantasma]

Who: Damien Brenks & Melinoë (featuring a mention of Merlin).    // + Viridi & Mel
What: An overdue argument post-Dream World.    // Lamenting being de-powered again.
Where: Merlaut Apartments; Room 108/-9     // Takoba Beach
When: Within a few days of Awakening and returning to the Void.
Content Warnings: Language, sexual references, arguing (for the Dae/Mel portion).



Without her ghosts and abilities, life after the spell of sleeping has returned to being rather dull for the Goddess. Though there are the flower shoppe and garden to occupy time (and how strangely relieving it is to have such a concept returned, even as oddly kept as it is), it compares not to the gifts of divinity. For that, Melinoë has entered a slump of sorts, hardly venturing out and resorting to staring out the window forlornly or filling apartment 108 with things collected from the beach or gathered in the woods. Some materials have been used to recreate the adventures enjoyed within the dreamworld, one section of wall turned scrapbook. There are 2D ghosts, a cello, and the floating fortress from Merlin’s world.

The mage himself has recently departed and she’s simply hovering in the doorway with a vacant expression, debating leaving for fresh air or something, or returning to moping within her home.

Comments

[abeautifulgame]

Damien hasn't had a particularly pleasant last couple of days, either, though that's had less to do with him losing his 'powers', that much something he took in stride that surprised even him. No, this is more -- every fucking thing else. Ren getting Akechi killed, or at least not being able to save him. The fact that he's almost afraid to go see Tifa, now, for the fact that she featured in one of his personal nightmares. The list goes on. He's mostly just exhausted, at this point, resigned and wrung out, and not in a way that sleep, for all that it's a thing now, will fix. He needs a drink, is what he needs. He needs a cigarette, for all that he quit more than a year ago, now. He needs --

-- anything other than to see Merlin slip out of Melinoë's room. Of course he assumes the worst, that the story of his life, and well. Maybe that upset of his isn't so wrung dry, after all.

"Friend of yours?" Damien asks, stopping short of her and her door.

[obscurus_phantasma]

What small smile was developing at the sight of her other lover halts (though Merlin is more akin to a fuck buddy, honestly), instead adopts a more careful and concerned air. Because Damien looks like fucking hell, and this after having left a place that was likely hellish for nearly everyone else involved.

Choosing to answer him first, though, Mel says, "Something like that." She's helped him with his garden, and there's been an exchanging of stories. There was the mischief they got up to during the slumbering. But there's also a sense of a...divide, sometimes.

The Goddess cants her head and does another once-over on him, the concern present by way of a furrowed brow. "Where are you off to?"

[abeautifulgame]

"Something like that," he echoes unkindly, hobbling past her and her door, that all the impetus he needed. At the question, he glances back at her, answers, "To find out if this place has figured out alcohol poisoning yet or not."

Or at very least, the concept of being drunk.

[obscurus_phantasma]

She flinches at the tone, even retreats a step back into the safety of home and her own space, not at all comfortable with his tone.

When it seems he won't explain the reaction, that he's going to try and drown himself in drink, Mel moves out of that safety and takes another step, this time towards him. "Damien."

In the usage of his name are the silent questions; what the fuck was that? why the need to be drunk? why are you looking as awful as I feel? They haven't discussed what all occurred after the would-be train hack and feline summon, after they were separated and Melinoë constructed the theatre, conjured ghosts for company, ghosts to fight, ghosts to scare. And then she's no longer upset solely because of the Chicagoan's actions, she's pissed about being Dulcinea again. She's irritated at herself for not seeking Damien out sooner, because they should have been supporting each other during a low point.

[abeautifulgame]

"Oh, what?" he hisses as he wheels back around to face her, a sneer tugging at his mouth. "Don't pretend like you don't know what this is about. I know you're fucking him."

And he does, doesn't he? He doesn't just suspect, he knows, if he's being perfectly honest with himself, and he's known for some time. He's just been in denial, moreso as this relationship has actually started to mean something, but if she wants to know what his problem is, well then, there it is. He doesn't appreciate getting sloppy seconds; he demands devotion just as much as she does, and isn't getting it. He's got 99 other problems, too, but she asked, she asked for one, and that's the biggest part of his upset, right now.

[obscurus_phantasma]

Melinoë doesn't retreat this time. Looking indignant, she manages to restrain her voice to an almost monotone, both hands gripping the doorframe. "It's literally to pass the time in this forsaken place. Zero feelings involved.

"Furthermore, we never discussed being exclusive. If you've known, then why the fuck didn't you bring it up sooner? If it bothers you as much as it so clearly does?" She's not yet sympathetic, this being acceptable and, frankly, normal behavior for deities. But that's the thing, right? Damien isn't divine, and Mel isn't certain of the last time she dated a mortal. Sure wasn't recently, hence the lack of insight at present. Of her problems, this is not one...in her mind. Yet.

[abeautifulgame]

"Because I thought it was a fucking given!" He gestures with both hands, to emphasize his point, before dropping them back to his side. "The most interesting thing I could do for months was go sit in the fucking bar, but you didn't see me start sleeping with anyone who stood still for long enough 'just to pass the time'!"

Never mind the fact that there's no one here he's really interested in bedding, beyond her. Never mind the fact that he's not sure any of them would be interested in him, for his age. He's not nearly as young or as pretty as any of the rest of the people around here, and that stings as much as his lack of real, tangible power in comparison to everyone else. The point still stands. He, the supposed bad guy, has been nothing but faithful. This is the second time that's bitten him in the ass. He should have learned after the first, after his ex-wife.

Hover translation

[obscurus_phantasma]

It's not until he insinuates she's a whore that Melinoë puts herself in his space, eyes darkened and narrowed, and he's fucking lucky she's without any ability to use as a threat. "Porca miseria, why would it be a given?! We don't even know where we are! Or why! And you expect merde to -- no one was monogamous at the academy."

When has that argument ever worked? But Mel is entering that loop of illogical thoughts fueled by anger, where things said are later regretted, where insecurities are projected in poisonous manners. How does she properly convey that while she's having sex with two people it's fucking versus love making, especially when they're on different pages about the topic? She hasn't felt the level of emotions with Merlin that Melinoë does with Damien.

[abeautifulgame]

He doesn't move, doesn't flinch. He likes to think that he wouldn't, even if she had some power to back up that invasion of space, fueled as he is by his own anger, that his balls are made of brass. It's hard to tell if he could really maintain his indignity, his righteous anger if she had a real means of threatening him. It's a moot point, anyway.

"Does this look like your goddamn academy?"

He scoffs, takes a half-step backwards, then, though still without giving up space, and reaches to pinch at the bridge of his nose. When he drops his hand again, he starts, "My God! I don't -- "

He doesn't know where he's going with that, but he should have known better. Women are nothing but trouble, people are nothing but trouble, and he has a storied history of being hurt by others. He never should have gotten involved with her -- him and his fucking ego. He never should have gotten involved with anyone here, romantically or otherwise. It makes you fragile ...

[obscurus_phantasma]

Apologies to anyone who hears their argument escalate.

Because now, now Melinoë screams at him, "Non, it doesn't look like my academy, because if it had, if it was, then I WOULDN'T BE SO FUCKING USELESS!"

She's panting from the effort, teeth gritted and the hand not waving madly for emphasis clenched so tightly that the nails are biting pale skin, skin that wouldn't break as easily 'at the goddamn academy', skin that was worshiped and relished.

It's remembering who was at the school that begins to get Mel seeing things from Damien's perspective. Discussions of exclusivity in relationships wasn't a given there. And neither were mortals with their limited ways and hearts.

[abeautifulgame]

"Welcome to my world, sweetheart!" he snaps back. His phone still does nothing, ultimately, even if works now. He's still outclassed by everyone here -- or would be, if they had their powers back, even if he had his. He couldn't stop Akechi from getting killed, even if the boy's apparently fine, now. He hasn't ben able to do anything about Hornet. He still gets shot in the fucking head, if and when he ever goes home. Oh, and his girlfriend is apparently fucking around on him.

She thinks she has it bad? At least she fucking matters in some way to someone, somewhere. He apparently doesn't.

[obscurus_phantasma]

Her quick laugh is devoid of any mirth or joy as she grabs at her hair while shaking her head. Mumbling 'Jesus fucking Christ' in Italian, Melinoë groans, "What are you even talking about, Damien? Is this...is this the fucking leg? Or that you can't hack the world yet? Things that have actual solutions if you'd be patient or stop hating yourself for two fucking seconds??!"

[abeautifulgame]

"Pot, kettle."

Maybe if she'd just ~be patient for two fucking seconds~, maybe she'd get her powers back. Maybe she'd stop feeling completely useless.

"But no," he continues after a beat, "this isn't a 'fucking leg thing'." It might admittedly be a self-loathing thing (or maybe more a misanthropy thing, right now) but he'd never cop to it. He's not feeling particularly open in his upset. He tried that and look where it's gotten him.

CLOSED to Viridi

[obscurus_phantasma]

[ some legends are told, some turn to dust or to gold ]

Without a means to communicate more conveniently (messaging system, animal carriers, robot carriers, so on and so forth), Mel had tracked the nature Goddess down the previous day to plan a meet-up on the beach. It served the dual purpose of further bonding as well as gathering random decor for the apartment.

Barefoot, Melinoë is making different prints with said feet, seeing how high she need travel before the waves no longer wash shapes away. She's decided that, once Damien begins to introduce her to his group of friends, in turn she'll attempt to form friendships with some. Ghostly company might be the preferred sort, but until the world introduces ghosts, the Goddess will have to settle with what is present.

[forceofnature]

"Mel!"

Viridi had not asked permission to call her by a nickname. She does it anyway. The girl appears on the beach in a considerable state of excitement, so much so that she'll even break out into an undignified trot (when is she going to get levitation back???)

"Big news! Did you feel it, too? I..." She pauses for emphasis and twirls. "...can feel the prayers of the unwashed masses again."

Further pause.

"Not that anyone's offered me prayers yet. ...So, you know, it's more like 'I can feel the gross feeling you get when your temple's in disarray.' Anyway, that's like, the least desirable part about being divine, but it's half a rung up the ladder."

[obscurus_phantasma]

Having already been called that before the Void and since (also, Meli; another resident calls her Meli), she barely bats an eye, not minding one bit.

Melinoë she nods jubilantly and jumps in place once with hands clasped to her chest. "Sì! Even if it's not to us, it's still something! And it can only mean that there may be offerings in the near future. I think that once my powers are restored, I'll offer my services to the others. If Parsee can have a shrine, surely we can as well?"

Shrine, altar, temple, anything.

[forceofnature]

"I saw that! ...It was kind of sad."

Top three Viridi traits: bluntness, honesty, insensitivity.

"I don't want to sit around begging for offerings at a ramshackle shrine. No offense to her. ...Definitely did that ten thousand years ago and it was not a good experience."

Nowadays, Viridi has mostly transcended relying on humans for prayer. If that were the way it worked in her world, it would... probably have unpleasant results for poor Thanatos or Hades. Not that she cared about them.

"We could join forces! I mean, between us, we have life and... existence after life covered. What else could you need?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

"Exactly," she exclaims, looking out onto the shores and waving a hand. "I came here to collect items for when the time comes, because I'll be claiming that straight away, thank you very much."

Still not knowing what 'that' will be, of course, but it doesn't hurt stockpiling and preparing. Should nothing suddenly appear, the Goddess will construct something herself.

With a hesitant glance back at Viridi, she carefully asks, "You didn't happen to wake up with anything restored, did you?" Mel's tone is as doubtful as the look she's wearing.

[forceofnature]

"Ummmmmmmm."

Viridi gives a shrug.

"I can do this now."

She points at Melinoe aaaaaaand -- nothing whatsoever happens.

"...Wait, I don't think I can give my favor to another goddess. That probably doesn't make sense. ...Weird that I've never thought about trying it before." As if there were any way she was giving Palutena any divine boons. "But yeah, that's it. I think our specific areas of expertise are going to take a little more time."

A faint pause.

"Uh, what exactly are you looking for in the beach trash again?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

Melinoë waits...and yes, nothing happens beyond being pointed at. She sighs with a nod that reads 'I thought as much'. "I haven't been able to summon or anything, either."

Looking back to the piles of items, she explains, "I was going to collect decor for the place I -- well, that is, we set up for the others who wish to receive our services. Places to sit, things to put plants into, so on and so forth. But I can come back to it later, if you're wanting to be elsewhere?"

[forceofnature]

"Oh, I don't care. You can grab whatever you want."

Viridi seats herself on a small sand lump that just about fits her rear end.

"Technology is evil, nature is the way, etc. etc. None of these junky machines work without a lightning storm, though - which I guess means they're fueled by nature now, so it's a real identity crisis for me, I can tell you that."

A faint pause before she speaks in an altogether different tone of voice.

"Who's 'we'?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

She smiles before rummaging, first finding a sled-like thing to place her treasures on, and then looking for pots or other fun items that could work to house whatever friends Viridi wants to home in them.

Head down, Mel lifts it with a somewhat confused tilt as she answers, "Us. You and me." It almost sounds like a question as uncertainty begins to creep inwards and she pushes through it by tacking on, "Which, our little establishment will need a clever name that incorporates our opposite natures."

[forceofnature]

"Oh!"

...Duh. Somehow, it's still so foreign to think of working together with somebody instead of just carrying on with a chip on her shoulder and a grudge against the world. Slightly pink-cheeked, Viridi clears her throat.

"Of course. I thought you were... talking about -- never mind."

It's not often that Viridi gets flustered.

"Well! If it's for us, then I want an opinion in our decor, too. Of course it must have lots of flowers and plants. But as a name..."

Viridi will begin to wander down the sands herself.

"Life & Death? Yin & Yang? Ethereal Nature?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

"That one!" she shouts and points one finger at Viridi and places the other on her own nose. "'Ethereal Nature', I really like that. I'm not artistically inclined, so unless you are, we'll have to find someone to make us a lovely sign."

She's placed a watering can, a copper chair without the seat, and a less than stately wagon.

"That's the second time you've shown surprise over my interest in you; do you not have many positive experiences with other deities?"

[forceofnature]

"Erm."

She makes a noise that can be generously described as 'doubtful.'

"Like I said. We don't interact a huge amount back home. It's generally for the best. The only time I have reason to -- say, seek out the Goddess of Light for a tête-à-tête is when her little servants start interfering with my plans. It's usually more 'conflict resolution' than it is 'friendship.'"

...Not that this is friendship! It's just... a partnership.

"The Shrine to Ethereal Nature it is, then. I can draw, but it's going to be pretty cartoon-y."

She can recognize that Mel is choosing objects suitable to her aesthetic. Viridi pauses and looks doubtfully at a black butterfly wreath and a rather angular sort of table.

"Do you like this kind of thing?"

Death gods like black, right?