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

[marriedanidiot]

"Tch." She shakes her head.

"You and I are friends, are we not? Friends look out for each other."

[springforth]

"I--of course, of course we are, I just hate worrying anyone. I'm not--I can take care of myself and I don't need to bother someone else with being upset."

The tears start to well up again and she rubs at her cheeks, blinking away the evidence. This isn't the time.

[marriedanidiot]

"Hush." Nerdanel shakes her head, and offers her a handkerchief.

"Of course you can take care of yourself! But that doesn't mean you should isolate yourself, either. People worry because they care."

[springforth]

Persephone bites back something self deprecating, mutely taking the handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes.

"It's nothing anyone can help with, really. I'm just getting all upset over the memory of something I have to deal with when I get home. If I get home." She takes a deep breath.

[marriedanidiot]

She hums softly.

"Well, memories are difficult to deal with, if you can't manage it now." She nods. "Either way, you're allowed to be upset, you know."

[springforth]

"I hate making a big deal. Being upset in private is so much nicer."

She takes a deep breath and tries on a wobbly kind of smile, "Sometimes someone asking what's wrong just makes you fall apart all over again."

[marriedanidiot]

"True. But it's harder, too, in some ways."

She looks, for a moment, very lonely.

"Without someone there to offer comfort afterwards. Shall we perhaps return and get ourselves a cup of tea or something warm?"

[springforth]

Persephone reaches out, grasps her hand tight and squeezes. She's never seen her look so very lonely.

"Yes, yes please. That sounds nice."

good end?

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel takes her hand and smiles for her - Nerdanel has been alone for a very long time, after all. She's ... adjusted.

"Come on then. I think we might as well leave this mountain behind us, hm?"