Gaia shows up on occasion. You know, comfort cookies. But she always seems like a type to handle a lot of stuff on her own and not bothering the local god with every little thing. Even if Charlie keeps office hours.
But she's here today.
Bundled against the cold, transformations coming along but being managed, Gaia taps the bell.
Her expression looks troubled, pensive. She's worried about something.
Charlie emerges just a moment later, a stack of books in hand that he sets on the front desk.
"Hello, Gaia!" He seems tired, but he smiles regardless to her. "What brings you by today? Do you have need of anything? Perhaps something I can help with."
For all his apparent exhaustion, he seems quite eager to serve. Once he takes in her expression however... his smile cools.
[ooc: Forgot to mention, this would have been somewhere near the end of the lake effect weather timing wise. Related to how Gaia references things. ]
"Yes, it's... sorry to trouble you." Gaia hasn't really had a problem talking to Charlie like... well, a person instead of a god. Sure there was uncertainty whether doing so was proper etiquette yet no one told her differently. Thus she carried on.
Charlie does get a faint smile. Not because she isn't happy to see him; quite the opposite. But it's clear whatever has her worried doesn't bring cause for levity.
"...Sephiroth has gone missing." A pause. "The younger one to be clear. I haven't been able to reach him on the sending stone. Or... trace him."
Or find him. Now that she seems to have traction, Gaia begins to speak a little more swiftly.
"He might not show up all the time, but he isn't the sort to break his routine. The last time I saw him was during that heavy snowfall." She crosses her arms and looks away.
"And he'll be quite cross if he's off by himself and I trouble his family with worry. So I was hoping you might be able to... help. You know, check. Just to make sure he's alright."
The all happiness drains from his face when she tells him of what has come to pass. He's already taking up his staff that has been leaned up against the wall in a corner.
"I'll look for him right now. It's no trouble. I'll just need a moment of silence..." He's quite used to the feeling of those in his care. Their individual presence. Points of light that glow brighter than the stars in his vision, made brighter still by the souls of the dragons that have chosen them. He feels the world around go dark as he searches for one specific light.
Not anywhere in Town. He presses his vision to areas further out. He's getting used to doing this still, but with each passing moment he broadens his search. Wider. Wider. Far beyond what should be possible for even his earliest charges to achieve.
There is only a trace... a trace hanging near the summoning spot. The pace where they came from. Opening his eyes at last, Charlie's shoulders drop.
"He's gone." He says at first, realizing how that might sound, he adds, "Not dead. Not anywhere in the land around. Not further. It seems- it seems like he's gone home? Somehow. I don't know how he managed it, but the last trace of him was where you were all originally summoned." He knows this likely offers little comfort.
Anxious though she is, Gaia's features show a fleeting hope that with Charlie lies an answer. She knows he's able to bring the dead back so if the cold or something else had killed Sephiroth or he was lost, those things could be handled in a very matter of fact way.
Even if it was weird to think of death as a 'matter of fact thing' to handle.
What? What?. "Gone?" Gaia repeats, her voice and features stunned. The wings which had been carefully folded on her back are spread to the extend that they've developed thus far; not too much since they only recently appeared. Still it's clear she's alarmed. And one must forgive if there's just the slightest stream of chlorine gas escaping from the corners of her fanged mouth. She hasn't lost control of her breath. Yet.
"What do you mean gone?" she demands. "Gone home? Why? He hates it!"
That's what she presumes. He'd never go willing back to what she highly suspects was a very, very terrible situation for her fellow teen. Not him! She wants to believe he wouldn't just to not be a burden to...
"Did something pull him back? Because there's no way he'd.... ugh." She slams her foot down and this time a cough of gas escapes. It's not enough to be a true risk unless someone is foolish enough to stop right into it, but it's just as well there's no one else present to test that or what else might come.
"Well, can you get him back?! And what about Earenk?! What's she doing through all this?!" Not stopping someone from kidnapping Sephiroth back home clearly!
...Yes, Gaia was close enough to feel somewhat familiar with the green dragon in Sephiroth's soul. At least by her phrasing.
One might expect someone like Charlie to shrink at such an outburst. He doesn't balk, but he seems to wilt somewhat. Not with apprehension but... acceptance. Like he is a sponge for such grief and ire. He can understand why she's so upset, after all.
"I can't say for certain, but likely the same fluctuation in time and space that brought him here sent him back whence he came."
He lets his eyes slide shut briefly, seeming to center himself.
"I cannot, as I did not bring anyone here to begin with, I have no such power to transcend the boundaries of the realm. Especially not in my current form with so little power." She is right, he thinks, to take this out on him. He is a god after all. The most powerful of gods, allegedly. And yet he is but a leaf on the wind. Useless. He does not voice any of these ugly thoughts.
"Earenk... likely was returned to the Dragon Well. The draconic afterlife, where all your patrons originated from. I could attempt to commune with her, but it could take some time, and I am not certain if she would be able to tell us much. I can try though. I will try."
It's the least he can do. Hells, it's all he can do.
Gaia's starting to notice the gas and that her anger is possibly burdening Charlie. It's not his fault. And while he doesn't flinch away, there's the slight wilting and maybe, just maybe a gentle nudge from Kellen to pay heed to her ire.
She's struggling to rein herself back under control while giving the god a chance to answer her questions.
"I'm sorry," she says after he concludes. While she's struggling with her emotional state, Gaia does appear sincere. "I... know you're just as lost on some of these things as we are. I'm upset because I'm worried. It's not fair to take that out on you."
Not when he's trying to help. There's an easing at the thought that Earenk wasn't lost or cast adrift. Though... perhaps that is sad in itself to realize she might not be with Sephiroth where he went.
"I'd... really appreciate anything you can find out. Truly. I understand answers might not be easy or quick." She turns her gaze to the side and crosses her arms. It's a bit of shame. If not part of the silent apology.
Thankfully, Charlie is not one to hold any kind of ill will, and his expression moves back towards a soft kind of sadness.
"That's all right. I understand what it's like... to feel similarly. Not exactly the same perhaps, but close enough. I will do whatever I can for you, dear Gaia." For his part, despite being so anxious most of the time, Charlie does have an oddly soothing presence and voice.
Her fears and worries, her embarrassment at taking it out on Charlie who has been thrust into his lot just as they have. And maybe it makes her just a little be more ashamed when he's so kind and gentle and understanding.
But as he offers her a hug, Gaia looks up with a little bit of surprise in her features. And studying him for a moment, the teen nods and steps forward with her arms open.
Maybe she wouldn't normally take or need a hug to move forward. But honestly? Charlie looks like he needs one too. So in an exception to her usual manner, she accepts that offer.
But also seeks to return something to the godling. This isn't just for her.
Charlie envelops her in the long sleeves of his cleric's robe, bringing her into a snug embrace. Say what you will about his effectiveness as a god, but he does give utterly divine hugs. In fact, Gaia may find herself feeling more at ease and able to sleep better in the coming days. An effect of proximity to whatever it is that makes up Charlie?
Perhaps a spell? Impossible to tell, but after a good moment he releases her, hands resting on her shoulders.
"I cannot promise that I can fix everything, but I can promise that with my power, I will do my utmost to make sure that things are okay." Whatever okay means, clearly not without hardship... but there is clear intent in his eyes.
If it was a spell or just the nature of Charlie's divinity, Gaia won't mind too much. It's... well at least it's not eating away her memories or a source of additional tempering. It's just... an effort at comfort with a bit of a supernatural twist.
Gaia is grateful though. She'd been on the verge of tears and this had saved her from them at the very least. She didn't want to cry in public. She was already showing too much in her opinion.
There were times she missed her defensive walls. But she wouldn't really wish them back, given what opening herself up to the bonds of others has gained her.
Gaia looks up with a faint smile.
"I know. And you better remember to take care of yourself too."
"Good." She manages a smile more in keeping with her usual manner. To Gaia, Charlie really is mostly just a person. A very powerful person, beyond mortal ken. But that's just some of he friends and powers that aren't naturally presumed divine to her. Not being able to fix everything at the snap of a finger, simply hard work is a given to her.
However, paperwork isn't. Divinity and paperwork doesn't really seem to go together. Or rather, is it that she's being asked to help with it?
"...Please tell me you're talking about what's needed to run the town and not some divine form of bureaucracy?"
Charlie can't help the laugh that slips out at that description.
"No, just the regular, mundane kind of bureaucracy unfortunately. Much and more is needed and the world is still healing from the calamity that befell it." Though some of it could be kind of divine? Mostly dealing with some of the other planar relations.
He shrugs at last.
"Do not feel obligated, but it's there if you wish for something to busy yourself with."
"Wh- no! No absolutely not. That would be a fool's errand. But there is still a great deal of things only I can ensure get done." Like those planar divisions relations. He is honest at least, no he isn't fool or confident enough to take on everything, but there is nonetheless, much that falls on his shoulders.
His nervous laughter cools to his regular smile.
"Your concern is noted however, and the care is appreciated. Thankfully you have no such thing to worry about."
Though the nervousness in the laughter might have made her suspicious at first, this eases as Charlie's answer ends with the impression of honest assurance. The severity of her expression lessens and she returns a faint smile.
"That's certainly good to hear. Though I think I will stop by from time to time. To help out with this paperwork of yours."
Look, Charlie. You're not lying. But she's also seen how you get when you feel you're not doing enough. And maybe at the same time she recognizes she could use a distraction.
"Though speaking of work. I should let you get on with it. I wish I could start helping now, but I need to take care of a few things."
Such as telling folk about the disappearance and making... well, adjustments.
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ophiuchusrising) wrote2024-10-15 04:07 pm
Walk In
But she's here today.
Bundled against the cold, transformations coming along but being managed, Gaia taps the bell.
Her expression looks troubled, pensive. She's worried about something.
no subject
"Hello, Gaia!" He seems tired, but he smiles regardless to her. "What brings you by today? Do you have need of anything? Perhaps something I can help with."
For all his apparent exhaustion, he seems quite eager to serve. Once he takes in her expression however... his smile cools.
"Is there something wrong?"
no subject
"Yes, it's... sorry to trouble you." Gaia hasn't really had a problem talking to Charlie like... well, a person instead of a god. Sure there was uncertainty whether doing so was proper etiquette yet no one told her differently. Thus she carried on.
Charlie does get a faint smile. Not because she isn't happy to see him; quite the opposite. But it's clear whatever has her worried doesn't bring cause for levity.
"...Sephiroth has gone missing." A pause. "The younger one to be clear. I haven't been able to reach him on the sending stone. Or... trace him."
Or find him. Now that she seems to have traction, Gaia begins to speak a little more swiftly.
"He might not show up all the time, but he isn't the sort to break his routine. The last time I saw him was during that heavy snowfall." She crosses her arms and looks away.
"And he'll be quite cross if he's off by himself and I trouble his family with worry. So I was hoping you might be able to... help. You know, check. Just to make sure he's alright."
no subject
"I'll look for him right now. It's no trouble. I'll just need a moment of silence..." He's quite used to the feeling of those in his care. Their individual presence. Points of light that glow brighter than the stars in his vision, made brighter still by the souls of the dragons that have chosen them. He feels the world around go dark as he searches for one specific light.
Not anywhere in Town. He presses his vision to areas further out. He's getting used to doing this still, but with each passing moment he broadens his search. Wider. Wider. Far beyond what should be possible for even his earliest charges to achieve.
There is only a trace... a trace hanging near the summoning spot. The pace where they came from. Opening his eyes at last, Charlie's shoulders drop.
"He's gone." He says at first, realizing how that might sound, he adds, "Not dead. Not anywhere in the land around. Not further. It seems- it seems like he's gone home? Somehow. I don't know how he managed it, but the last trace of him was where you were all originally summoned." He knows this likely offers little comfort.
"I'm so sorry, Gaia."
no subject
Even if it was weird to think of death as a 'matter of fact thing' to handle.
What? What?. "Gone?" Gaia repeats, her voice and features stunned. The wings which had been carefully folded on her back are spread to the extend that they've developed thus far; not too much since they only recently appeared. Still it's clear she's alarmed. And one must forgive if there's just the slightest stream of chlorine gas escaping from the corners of her fanged mouth. She hasn't lost control of her breath. Yet.
"What do you mean gone?" she demands. "Gone home? Why? He hates it!"
That's what she presumes. He'd never go willing back to what she highly suspects was a very, very terrible situation for her fellow teen. Not him!
She wants to believe he wouldn't just to not be a burden to..."Did something pull him back? Because there's no way he'd.... ugh." She slams her foot down and this time a cough of gas escapes. It's not enough to be a true risk unless someone is foolish enough to stop right into it, but it's just as well there's no one else present to test that or what else might come.
"Well, can you get him back?! And what about Earenk?! What's she doing through all this?!" Not stopping someone from kidnapping Sephiroth back home clearly!
...Yes, Gaia was close enough to feel somewhat familiar with the green dragon in Sephiroth's soul. At least by her phrasing.
no subject
"I can't say for certain, but likely the same fluctuation in time and space that brought him here sent him back whence he came."
He lets his eyes slide shut briefly, seeming to center himself.
"I cannot, as I did not bring anyone here to begin with, I have no such power to transcend the boundaries of the realm. Especially not in my current form with so little power." She is right, he thinks, to take this out on him. He is a god after all. The most powerful of gods, allegedly. And yet he is but a leaf on the wind. Useless. He does not voice any of these ugly thoughts.
"Earenk... likely was returned to the Dragon Well. The draconic afterlife, where all your patrons originated from. I could attempt to commune with her, but it could take some time, and I am not certain if she would be able to tell us much. I can try though. I will try."
It's the least he can do. Hells, it's all he can do.
no subject
She's struggling to rein herself back under control while giving the god a chance to answer her questions.
"I'm sorry," she says after he concludes. While she's struggling with her emotional state, Gaia does appear sincere. "I... know you're just as lost on some of these things as we are. I'm upset because I'm worried. It's not fair to take that out on you."
Not when he's trying to help. There's an easing at the thought that Earenk wasn't lost or cast adrift. Though... perhaps that is sad in itself to realize she might not be with Sephiroth where he went.
"I'd... really appreciate anything you can find out. Truly. I understand answers might not be easy or quick." She turns her gaze to the side and crosses her arms. It's a bit of shame. If not part of the silent apology.
no subject
"That's all right. I understand what it's like... to feel similarly. Not exactly the same perhaps, but close enough. I will do whatever I can for you, dear Gaia." For his part, despite being so anxious most of the time, Charlie does have an oddly soothing presence and voice.
He pauses, and then opens his arms to her.
"Would you like a hug?"
no subject
But as he offers her a hug, Gaia looks up with a little bit of surprise in her features. And studying him for a moment, the teen nods and steps forward with her arms open.
Maybe she wouldn't normally take or need a hug to move forward. But honestly? Charlie looks like he needs one too. So in an exception to her usual manner, she accepts that offer.
But also seeks to return something to the godling. This isn't just for her.
no subject
Perhaps a spell? Impossible to tell, but after a good moment he releases her, hands resting on her shoulders.
"I cannot promise that I can fix everything, but I can promise that with my power, I will do my utmost to make sure that things are okay." Whatever okay means, clearly not without hardship... but there is clear intent in his eyes.
no subject
Gaia is grateful though. She'd been on the verge of tears and this had saved her from them at the very least. She didn't want to cry in public. She was already showing too much in her opinion.
There were times she missed her defensive walls. But she wouldn't really wish them back, given what opening herself up to the bonds of others has gained her.
Gaia looks up with a faint smile.
"I know. And you better remember to take care of yourself too."
no subject
"I will, I promise. We are all in this together, for better or worse. Even if you need for some company, know that I am here and happy to offer mine."
He wishes he could offer more. To be able to fix everything with the snap of a finger, and yet-
For a god, he feels rather powerless.
"My home and office is always open to you should you need a place to be. I can always use help with paperwork if you desire a distraction."
no subject
However, paperwork isn't. Divinity and paperwork doesn't really seem to go together. Or rather, is it that she's being asked to help with it?
"...Please tell me you're talking about what's needed to run the town and not some divine form of bureaucracy?"
no subject
"No, just the regular, mundane kind of bureaucracy unfortunately. Much and more is needed and the world is still healing from the calamity that befell it." Though some of it could be kind of divine? Mostly dealing with some of the other planar relations.
He shrugs at last.
"Do not feel obligated, but it's there if you wish for something to busy yourself with."
no subject
"Charlie."
Uh oh. That tone.
"Are you telling me, you are handling the bureaucracy of the entire world on your own?"
And we're not even talking about the planar divisions here.
no subject
His nervous laughter cools to his regular smile.
"Your concern is noted however, and the care is appreciated. Thankfully you have no such thing to worry about."
no subject
"That's certainly good to hear. Though I think I will stop by from time to time. To help out with this paperwork of yours."
Look, Charlie. You're not lying. But she's also seen how you get when you feel you're not doing enough. And maybe at the same time she recognizes she could use a distraction.
"Though speaking of work. I should let you get on with it. I wish I could start helping now, but I need to take care of a few things."
Such as telling folk about the disappearance and making... well, adjustments.
"I'll come by tomorrow if that's alright?"