The Mountain Top: Grasshopper 25

[voidtreckermods]

After the strangeness of their second day on the island for some, with memories and conversations in a cave, the third day goes calmly.

At least until mid afternoon. As the day winds on into evening all of those who have been sharing memories with others will feel a pull.

A pull to climb the mountain in the north. It is a good feeling, that mountain is where you need to be. A sense of belonging, friendship, camaraderie. You don't need to be alone, just climb the mountain.

For those that climb they will find worn wooden benches spaced around the lip of the caldera in concentric circles, the centre set up like an amphitheatre. The Jema syrup spills from crevices around the edges, running down from the peak in well-worn grooves and channels.

The sun sets slowly on Jema’grethy, slowly sinking into the ocean over a period of a couple of hours. During that time pairs of Voidtreckers will feel drawn towards the syrup, to touch the surface.

When they do they will receive a memory and find themselves back in that cave once more. For those watching it is as if they are in a trance, lasting a few moments.

People feel moved at different times and so there are always people aware, sat around the mountain top. It might be that there are other friends they wish to speak to about what they see. It might be that they wish to sit silently and avoid everything, if only their friends will allow it.

But it is a place to be together nonetheless.

Comments

[springforth]

No--no I'm not. I'm not done.

[She holds up her hands to ward her off and wipes at her eyes. Then she looks down and away, hands clasped so tight in her lap] You won't want to hug me when I'm done.

I went and found the mortals who were destroying the sacred flower fields.

[unfavorableinstigation]

Try me.

[But there's no aggression in it, and Nita sits back down.

She cringes; it doesn't take much more to paint a picture of what happened next. She can finish the scenario:]

And you killed them.

... If I were to say I couldn't understand, though, or even just that I'm disgusted, I'd be a hypocrite. I've-

[She almost cuts herself off, because this isn't about her, but then-]

I've taken my share of lives, too, while on errantry.

[... At least this explains why Persephone had been so nonjudgmental, after Nita had attacked the train.]

And... it's hard to feel disgust, either; seeing people you love die - it's horrible, no matter how it happened.

[And it's kind of hard to begrudge someone else being a murderer when you've done the same yourself, regardless of the reasons involved.]

[springforth]

You're giving me too much credit. [Persephone wipes at her eyes, trying not to cry anymore, trying not to eek out some sympathy that she doesn't deserve. She doesn't deserve any of this.]

I murdered them. Beheaded them with a scythe. But I didn't stop. It was--It was like the wrath and pain were all I was and I--I killed the whole village. Grew a thorn vine through the middle of town, tall as a skyscraper, and pinned them to it. I murdered them all.

[Her tears are flowing fast and free] I asked Hades if I could bring them back and he just told me not to worry, they're a dime a dozen, mortals. There was no way to take it back. And the worst part--they didn't get to be properly buried, they reached the afterlife without the fee for the ferry and now they have to wait. A whole mortal lifetime, because of me. I did this to them and now I can't--[She throws her hands out in front of her, then spread wide] Now I'm stuck here and I can't do anything for them! And then my mom covered it up, no one knows I even did it! I'm a murderer, I slaughtered mortals, and I'm sitting here worrying about plants having feelings like an idiot.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita doesn't know what to say to that - though she still gives Persephone a hug.

And eventually, she does find words, amid her friend's tears.]

That- that is horrible. All of it. And that no one else is recognizing that those were people you killed - that's wrong, too. But that you know something is wrong with it all... that's important, and you shouldn't forget it.

[But being the only one who really feels guilt for her actions - she knows what that's like.]

And there's no easy solution, I can say that - but if there is something you can do for them, still, I know you'll find it.

[Sometimes the only way out is through, after all - through the guilt, and the hate, and the pain.]

[springforth]

Shouldn't be so nice [Persephone sniffs loudly, sobs catching her words in her throat. It's hard to find the things to say and it feels wrong to just sit there, letting herself be hugged and comforted.]

I can't take it back. [She curls her hands in lap, head dipped. However long her hair was when this started, it falls in sheets around her, pooling on the ground beneath her.] I thought--maybe I could give them coins to get through, to take the ferry, but I never got the chance. If I get back, I have something to try. [A loud hiccuping sob] But no one knows and they just--No one knows how awful I am.

[unfavorableinstigation]

I'm going to tell you something, okay?

[She waits a few seconds, after Persephone's stopped talking, to give her friend's arm one more squeeze.]

I get wanting people to hate you - but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get any love, either.

[She wishes Persephone's life could be a bit more balanced in that respect, but that's not something Nita can change.]

No matter what else happens, don't forget that.

[springforth]

[Persephone might not be looking at her, might still have her head bowed and hidden beneath her hair, but she is listening. She raises a hand to wipe her nose, her eyes, and just--nods once. Okay.

It's not that she doesn't think she deserves love, but it's probably the secrecy that makes it harder to accept. She's done something awful and everyone treats her like--like a sweet flower goddess whose biggest concern is making sure the greenhouse looks nice. They don't know. And she couldn't--she can't tell them.]

Thanks. Thanks for listening and I'm sorry I'm crying on you. [Not. Literally on her]

Probably close to wrapping this one, given Perse's state?

[unfavorableinstigation]

I think I'll live.

[It's probably the darkest sort of comedy right now, how she's deadpanning it - but Persephone's grief isn't something Nita wants to shove away just so she can go about her day.]

But- I'll always be around to listen, okay? No matter what it is.

... Should I drop the shield, now?

This good for wrap up!

[springforth]

[Persesphone looks up and around suddenly, face a mess, hair tangling with her fingers and the rocks as she jerks upright.]

Ah--yes. Thanks. I should um-- [She ducks her head away from everyone and takes a few steps to the stairs] Um--bye. [Time to try to avoid everyone else]

/ties a bow on it

[unfavorableinstigation]

[That shield drops, and Nita watches her friend rush off in silence.

After a half-minute, her shoulders slump. So many rough feelings today - guilt, and horror.

What could possibly come next?]