[ Fortunately nothing dangerous (yet) has arise for Salome to witness Momo being reckless, but his hard working attitude is noted; familiar, in the case that she was so familiar with Adolphe caring for Ceres. Though she doubts the man seated across from her has had to guard a loved one from witch hunts - or at least that's what she hopes. ]
You're bright for making that assumption.
[ She's at least done well to buddy up with people who are much easier to work with than Scien - the very image of that man causing her to bring a hand up to her temple. ]
Physically, yes... I may be younger than you, but my country and our people are a bit different than most of the outside world. And just about most other worlds, I'm beginning to realize.
[Not the literal kind of witch hunts, perhaps. But when it comes to what people in the modern era tend to refer to with that term...
He's always curious to learn more about others' worlds, though, because as they go his is on the more mundane side, in terms of lacking magical or supernatural factors. So he can't help a curious tilt of his head to her somewhat vague description of her country's position.]
In what ways? There's a lot of different kinds of worlds represented here, so it seems like it must be something pretty unique.
Isn't there? Just the other day I learned of a man who has lived for at least a hundred years, and apparently that is normal in his world.
[ There's a hint of envy in her voice, something that she catches as she clears her throat and quietly smooths out to wrinkles of her skirt. She looks at her hand and notices the crescents shaped into her skin, recognizing that she had curled her fist just an ounce too tight. ]
Arpéchéle is the exact opposite. If a person was healthy enough they could live to the tender age of twenty-three, but it would only be a matter of hours before they would succumb to the curse of our country. You see... it is an island cursed by Death itself, surrounded by black flowers and currents so unpredictable that it is impossible to actually leave. [ She breathes, her expression remaining calm. ] And to extend our lives we must die before obtaining a new body - but by doing so you are now registered as a Reliver.
[Momo gives a bit of an excitable grin and nod at what she first mentions, because he's met some here who are immortal or close to immortal himself. It's not something he can easily conceive of...but that tension in her body language speaks a lot even before she continues, and his expression settles back to something a bit more sober.
And then, as she describes her world's situation, it shifts even further, into a worry and something like surprise, something he hasn't yet heard of. This is definitely its own unique situation from anything he's heard from others here, and with how she ends it...
...there's a lot of questions that come to mind, but the first one feels obvious.]
So are you a Reliver, then...? That sounds... [Having to die in order to come back, to live, to know a hard limit exists on that life as well and it's younger than even Momo's age? It's a lot to digest, but he's doing his best.] What would drive Death to condemn a whole island to that, with no hope of escape?
[What does it achieve? Death is something he considers as more of a neutral, a fact of life, so hearing about something that seems calculated and sadistic like that is something he can't help but want to ask after. He always wants to try and understand the whys, even if he doesn't agree with them.]
[ Salome does not hunt for pity, when she notices Mimi’s expression shift she snuffs the shame that sparks in the iridescent blue of her pupils. She knows the circumstances of her country were vastly different than most; surrounded by violent currents and born with the fate of their lives predetermined.
What she hated was his question: why had Death cursed their island? What had her country done to deserve such a cruel fate?
When Salome dared to pose that question to the Royal Family, fear swelling in her chest as her frail husband’s health turned for the worse, her entire life fell apart for it. ]
I wish I knew the answer. I’m certain that there are powerful individuals who know why, but they won’t admit to it. I don’t even believe that “Death” is the one to blame for this curse, but that has been the story for as long as I have known it. [ Her attention is drawn away briefly, hearing the sound of children playing gleefully, and suddenly her shoulders grow less tense. ] … This body of mine only has two more years before symptoms of the curse begin to show.
[The coverup by people in power isn't particularly surprising - Momo has encountered similar things in his industry, though with very different stakes - and so a certain weighty understanding settles over his expression. If the only ones who know the truth refuse to admit to it, there's little point asking further after it here.
Turning his head towards the sound, children running about among the stalls, some clinging to their food offerings, his gaze slips towards her again at that admission.]
Have they told you if it progresses while you're here? [It'd be even more of an ask for her than others here, if that time she has left with her children is burned here before she can return to her world.] It's not fair regardless, but if they knew about it when they brought you...
[If it does continue, that's getting into callous territory.]
[ Salome wrings her hands in her lap, shaking her head as she looks down solemnly. The idea of lifting her gaze to see the sincere concern - the one that she can just hear in his voice alone - in his expression makes her heart sink.
She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be admitting to any of this. She needs to hide away again. ]
I'm unsure. I haven't spoken much to our kidnappers since we were brought here, only giving them any sort of attention when they call for us. [ She's stubborn and hates that she was brought her to begin with, but who doesn't feel some ounce of animosity to their captors? ] I may feel differently the longer we're here, but time will only tell.
[ Salome then stands, hands brushing the skirt of her habit. ]
But that's enough of a break for us both, isn't it?
[Momo is very much the type to struggle with accepting concern, so her refusal to look up at him is something he assumes might be similar at first glance. Still, he's not going to take that as a reason to stop expressing it.
Nor does he quite let her brush it off completely with that call back to work, though he does offer a smile that might have just a touch of knowing to it.]
I'd be happy to hear you out more. But I guess it'd be a bad look for the public if they think we're just chatting behind the table, so I see your point.
[He punctuates that note about public image with a bit of a wink. Even if a lot of people are sour towards Patho-Gen, that's not on the other locals.]
Salome knows that her condition is unfamiliar and strange to most, but a piece of her wants to keep just a half of herself restricted; distant. Because what more she has to say will likely shatter the image she's made. ]
Not without you telling me more of yourself. Not just of your job, either, but of your hobbies and favorite foods - I think it would be for the best, considering our living arrangements.
[Momo tends not to talk too much about himself beyond the surface, but hobbies and favourite foods falls under that, and he gives a good-natured laugh, arms folding behind his head in a momentary stretch. There's a few more people coming down the way, so they might have work again soon enough.]
Well, if you want the third degree we might have to go out for drinks sometime, but I can answer those two right here - sports and athletics cover most of my hobbies, and anything with meat in it is a favourite food.
[Is that ridiculously broad? Yes. Is it still true? Also yes. Momo is far from a picky eater.]
[ Her expression brightens at the mere opportunity of being able to gush about her children; an excitement that causes her still heart to jump. ]
He's growing to become more independent these days. He's a tad rebellious and I must remind him to make use of the manners I've taught him... [ Is this a jab? Certainly not. ] He causes some trouble here and there, but it's all because he wants our little family to be well taken care of.
[ The corners of her mouth curl into an evident smile as she clasps her hands together. ]
He just hit his growth spurt, too, so you're also both around the same height!
[ A handful of her children have made her - or Ceres and Adolphe - their only exception. ]
Hm... [ She doesn't seem to think of her answer too carefully, her response fluid like a warm rush of water. ] I do find myself so frustrated that I want to just tear everything apart. But only on rare occasions. Right now I'm perfectly fine.
[Now Wanderer would be the last one who would ever underestimate people or their strength but, in a way, he wouldn't mind seeing this motherly lady tearing the whole place apart. Just because it would be sort of amusing.]
Hmn. When you do, let me know.
[There's a small smirk around his lips.]
There's nothing wrong with listening to your anger from time to time. Just do not let it consume you.
[ There's a moment where her gaze softens, expressing sympathy, before she shakes her head - almost in shame. As if it were her fault that their bodies were now hoarding something that she can only describe as a parasite. ]
I don't believe that there's an adequate way of preparing for it. At most you may notice the changes quickly enough to have someone you trust be there with you - to avoid going through it alone, at least.
[ She doesn't want the breadsticks to go untouched, so she reaches out to grab one for herself. ]
Is there anyone here that you're familiar with? It's apparently not rare for people of the same world to end up here.
[ To avoid going through it alone, huh? He knows it's more in his nature to resist the company, to weather through it alone. But he also knows that's not going to aid him here. So, when she asks about who he's familiar with, he considers his options. ]
There are... a few, but I'm not inclined to asking them for help.
[ Gojo and Geto, neither of them would be someone he'd lean on for support in his time of vulnerability. But the third — Yuji. That would be selfish of him, to ask for his company, but he might be willing to do it. He'd need some time to prepare himself to make such an ask though. ]
I'll be able to manage though, I'm sure.
[ And because he feels strange just talking about himself, he'll follow that thread of conversation at the end. ]
[ His answer earns a raised brow; a mix of mild concern and curiosity.
It stays for a split second longer than it should, before Salome mentally kicks herself for being a hypocrite. Familiarity in this situation would often bring people together, but she would be a liar if she said that she would perfectly content with showing such vulnerability to either her children or her worst enemy - Ceres especially.
So if he's sure that he'll manage on his own, she will not argue. ]
No. [ She breathes out, relieved. ] Thankfully. My daughter has gone through enough, the same for my son... And honestly while I have no doubt that there's a certain man that may be helpful in this situation, I can't say that I would ever go to him in case of emergency.
[ Pointed, as if she's hoping her words will pierce through worlds and somehow reach that man in particular. ]
But like yourself, even with the people I have met here, I'm not much to ask for help.
[ A daughter and a son? Huh. He wouldn't have thought this woman old enough for that but looks can be deceiving. So, he nods his head in careful understanding and even though that pointed barb at someone he has no idea of her history with them, it gives him curiosity, he does not ask about it. ]
Mm, I get it.
[ They're in mutual understanding here, at least. ]
Do you know what your Natural Soul is?
[ He doesn't and that's another question he's had for the other fellow Augmented. It might seem like a pivot of a conversation topic but he's curious, of course. And it seemed like any other questions he was going to ask about her personal life were, well, too personal for him. ]
[ At least he doesn’t outright question her age or the liability of her being a mother, so he’ll at least get some brownie points. ]
Mm, it’s a Terra-type. More specifically, it seems to be similar to that of a flower from my home country.
[ She doesn’t sound exactly thrilled, but she looks to him with a small cant to her head. ] With you being so new you haven’t experienced any shifts, so I’ll advise you to take note of any noticeable changes. Physically and mentally - even if you aren’t the type to reach out… it’s difficult, when there’s another soul in your body that may want the opposite.
[ She’s been fortunate that her Soul hasn’t craved contact, physical or otherwise, but she has seen what it’s done to other people. They’re lonely, afraid and petrified as their bodies morph into something entirely unfamiliar. ]
[ For a moment, he listens to her and reaches out to eat a breadstick. Chewing slowly on the buttered bread, he considers what she says and can't help but think she's correct. He's going to have to be very careful. ]
Terra... so does this mean you'll take on traits of this... plant? How does that work?
[ Is she going to turn into a plant? What the hell. ]
I will do that though, thank you. I'm not looking forward to the changes that might come to me but I'll be braced for anything extreme.
[ If only it was just her being turned into a plant... that sounds a lot easier than what is actually going on. ]
I'm beginning to enjoy lazing out on the sun, and I've noticed that I lose track of time more often. I also suddenly grew roots not too long ago. That wasn't an enjoyable experience.
[ Salome suddenly feels bashful, as if she just described herself as becoming more lazy. ]
Do you have any idea what yours may be? I would hope that they would at least develop something to make it a little more obvious for those that are just being brought here, but I guess that's just wishful thinking.
[ Roots....... how does one grow roots? That's a little concerning. But he doesn't appear to judge her on the other traits she's describing. It seems like a natural development.
For him, he considers what his natural soul might be. There's some stirrings in his chest that are unrecognizable to him but he's only been here a few days, it's so hard to tell. ]
I think... it might be some sort of animal.
[ That's the closest guess he can make based off of what he's felt so far. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
overflow.
yesdoubt.
[ Fortunately nothing dangerous (yet) has arise for Salome to witness Momo being reckless, but his hard working attitude is noted; familiar, in the case that she was so familiar with Adolphe caring for Ceres. Though she doubts the man seated across from her has had to guard a loved one from witch hunts - or at least that's what she hopes. ]
You're bright for making that assumption.
[ She's at least done well to buddy up with people who are much easier to work with than Scien - the very image of that man causing her to bring a hand up to her temple. ]
Physically, yes... I may be younger than you, but my country and our people are a bit different than most of the outside world. And just about most other worlds, I'm beginning to realize.
no subject
He's always curious to learn more about others' worlds, though, because as they go his is on the more mundane side, in terms of lacking magical or supernatural factors. So he can't help a curious tilt of his head to her somewhat vague description of her country's position.]
In what ways? There's a lot of different kinds of worlds represented here, so it seems like it must be something pretty unique.
no subject
[ There's a hint of envy in her voice, something that she catches as she clears her throat and quietly smooths out to wrinkles of her skirt. She looks at her hand and notices the crescents shaped into her skin, recognizing that she had curled her fist just an ounce too tight. ]
Arpéchéle is the exact opposite. If a person was healthy enough they could live to the tender age of twenty-three, but it would only be a matter of hours before they would succumb to the curse of our country. You see... it is an island cursed by Death itself, surrounded by black flowers and currents so unpredictable that it is impossible to actually leave. [ She breathes, her expression remaining calm. ] And to extend our lives we must die before obtaining a new body - but by doing so you are now registered as a Reliver.
no subject
And then, as she describes her world's situation, it shifts even further, into a worry and something like surprise, something he hasn't yet heard of. This is definitely its own unique situation from anything he's heard from others here, and with how she ends it...
...there's a lot of questions that come to mind, but the first one feels obvious.]
So are you a Reliver, then...? That sounds... [Having to die in order to come back, to live, to know a hard limit exists on that life as well and it's younger than even Momo's age? It's a lot to digest, but he's doing his best.] What would drive Death to condemn a whole island to that, with no hope of escape?
[What does it achieve? Death is something he considers as more of a neutral, a fact of life, so hearing about something that seems calculated and sadistic like that is something he can't help but want to ask after. He always wants to try and understand the whys, even if he doesn't agree with them.]
no subject
What she hated was his question: why had Death cursed their island? What had her country done to deserve such a cruel fate?
When Salome dared to pose that question to the Royal Family, fear swelling in her chest as her frail husband’s health turned for the worse, her entire life fell apart for it. ]
I wish I knew the answer. I’m certain that there are powerful individuals who know why, but they won’t admit to it. I don’t even believe that “Death” is the one to blame for this curse, but that has been the story for as long as I have known it. [ Her attention is drawn away briefly, hearing the sound of children playing gleefully, and suddenly her shoulders grow less tense. ] … This body of mine only has two more years before symptoms of the curse begin to show.
no subject
Turning his head towards the sound, children running about among the stalls, some clinging to their food offerings, his gaze slips towards her again at that admission.]
Have they told you if it progresses while you're here? [It'd be even more of an ask for her than others here, if that time she has left with her children is burned here before she can return to her world.] It's not fair regardless, but if they knew about it when they brought you...
[If it does continue, that's getting into callous territory.]
no subject
She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be admitting to any of this. She needs to hide away again. ]
I'm unsure. I haven't spoken much to our kidnappers since we were brought here, only giving them any sort of attention when they call for us. [ She's stubborn and hates that she was brought her to begin with, but who doesn't feel some ounce of animosity to their captors? ] I may feel differently the longer we're here, but time will only tell.
[ Salome then stands, hands brushing the skirt of her habit. ]
But that's enough of a break for us both, isn't it?
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Nor does he quite let her brush it off completely with that call back to work, though he does offer a smile that might have just a touch of knowing to it.]
I'd be happy to hear you out more. But I guess it'd be a bad look for the public if they think we're just chatting behind the table, so I see your point.
[He punctuates that note about public image with a bit of a wink. Even if a lot of people are sour towards Patho-Gen, that's not on the other locals.]
no subject
Salome knows that her condition is unfamiliar and strange to most, but a piece of her wants to keep just a half of herself restricted; distant. Because what more she has to say will likely shatter the image she's made. ]
Not without you telling me more of yourself. Not just of your job, either, but of your hobbies and favorite foods - I think it would be for the best, considering our living arrangements.
no subject
Well, if you want the third degree we might have to go out for drinks sometime, but I can answer those two right here - sports and athletics cover most of my hobbies, and anything with meat in it is a favourite food.
[Is that ridiculously broad? Yes. Is it still true? Also yes. Momo is far from a picky eater.]
littlesilhouettoofaman.
[ Her expression brightens at the mere opportunity of being able to gush about her children; an excitement that causes her still heart to jump. ]
He's growing to become more independent these days. He's a tad rebellious and I must remind him to make use of the manners I've taught him... [ Is this a jab? Certainly not. ] He causes some trouble here and there, but it's all because he wants our little family to be well taken care of.
[ The corners of her mouth curl into an evident smile as she clasps her hands together. ]
He just hit his growth spurt, too, so you're also both around the same height!
no subject
Well, the big difference is that I am not a child.
[Perhaps, 500 years ago, when he was still an unwritten piece of paper, he could be considered a child.]
And I do have some manners, I just don't like people.
[But here he is, amongst people talking to people.]
Is it correct for me to assume you are still not happy about being here?
[He isn't either but its not difficult to shrug and blame it all to fate instead.]
no subject
[ A handful of her children have made her - or Ceres and Adolphe - their only exception. ]
Hm... [ She doesn't seem to think of her answer too carefully, her response fluid like a warm rush of water. ] I do find myself so frustrated that I want to just tear everything apart. But only on rare occasions. Right now I'm perfectly fine.
this is terribly late, I've been on hiatus
Hmn. When you do, let me know.
[There's a small smirk around his lips.]
There's nothing wrong with listening to your anger from time to time. Just do not let it consume you.
nonexempt.
[ There's a moment where her gaze softens, expressing sympathy, before she shakes her head - almost in shame. As if it were her fault that their bodies were now hoarding something that she can only describe as a parasite. ]
I don't believe that there's an adequate way of preparing for it. At most you may notice the changes quickly enough to have someone you trust be there with you - to avoid going through it alone, at least.
[ She doesn't want the breadsticks to go untouched, so she reaches out to grab one for herself. ]
Is there anyone here that you're familiar with? It's apparently not rare for people of the same world to end up here.
no subject
There are... a few, but I'm not inclined to asking them for help.
[ Gojo and Geto, neither of them would be someone he'd lean on for support in his time of vulnerability. But the third — Yuji. That would be selfish of him, to ask for his company, but he might be willing to do it. He'd need some time to prepare himself to make such an ask though. ]
I'll be able to manage though, I'm sure.
[ And because he feels strange just talking about himself, he'll follow that thread of conversation at the end. ]
Do you have others here from your world?
no subject
It stays for a split second longer than it should, before Salome mentally kicks herself for being a hypocrite. Familiarity in this situation would often bring people together, but she would be a liar if she said that she would perfectly content with showing such vulnerability to either her children or her worst enemy - Ceres especially.
So if he's sure that he'll manage on his own, she will not argue. ]
No. [ She breathes out, relieved. ] Thankfully. My daughter has gone through enough, the same for my son... And honestly while I have no doubt that there's a certain man that may be helpful in this situation, I can't say that I would ever go to him in case of emergency.
[ Pointed, as if she's hoping her words will pierce through worlds and somehow reach that man in particular. ]
But like yourself, even with the people I have met here, I'm not much to ask for help.
no subject
Mm, I get it.
[ They're in mutual understanding here, at least. ]
Do you know what your Natural Soul is?
[ He doesn't and that's another question he's had for the other fellow Augmented. It might seem like a pivot of a conversation topic but he's curious, of course. And it seemed like any other questions he was going to ask about her personal life were, well, too personal for him. ]
no subject
Mm, it’s a Terra-type. More specifically, it seems to be similar to that of a flower from my home country.
[ She doesn’t sound exactly thrilled, but she looks to him with a small cant to her head. ] With you being so new you haven’t experienced any shifts, so I’ll advise you to take note of any noticeable changes. Physically and mentally - even if you aren’t the type to reach out… it’s difficult, when there’s another soul in your body that may want the opposite.
[ She’s been fortunate that her Soul hasn’t craved contact, physical or otherwise, but she has seen what it’s done to other people. They’re lonely, afraid and petrified as their bodies morph into something entirely unfamiliar. ]
no subject
Terra... so does this mean you'll take on traits of this... plant? How does that work?
[ Is she going to turn into a plant? What the hell. ]
I will do that though, thank you. I'm not looking forward to the changes that might come to me but I'll be braced for anything extreme.
no subject
I'm beginning to enjoy lazing out on the sun, and I've noticed that I lose track of time more often. I also suddenly grew roots not too long ago. That wasn't an enjoyable experience.
[ Salome suddenly feels bashful, as if she just described herself as becoming more lazy. ]
Do you have any idea what yours may be? I would hope that they would at least develop something to make it a little more obvious for those that are just being brought here, but I guess that's just wishful thinking.
no subject
For him, he considers what his natural soul might be. There's some stirrings in his chest that are unrecognizable to him but he's only been here a few days, it's so hard to tell. ]
I think... it might be some sort of animal.
[ That's the closest guess he can make based off of what he's felt so far. ]
But that's all I can tell.