synflux | ( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[ Ereshkigal had been so engrossed in the mistletoe, she jumps and turns around with wide eyes when Elysium approaches her! Blinks blinks. Oh, she thinks she recognizes him... He's been around for a long time and they briefly conversed during that super embarrassing "hot or not" post, right? To see him here is...

... S-so awkward!!

Nobody should know she's looking for Christmas stuff. Mistletoe least of all! What is he going to think of her? That she's trying to lure some unfortunate souls under it just so she can get free kisses? T-The mere thought is so shameful! That's something Ishtar would do, and that's not at all her intention. ]

N-Not for myself, no!

[ She shakes her head and her face quickly becomes just as red as the berries of the mistletoe she's holding. ]

I am working on organizing a Christmas party, and... W-Well, I heard they are a crucial part of the celebration. Nothing more!

[ "I heard," she says, as if she hadn't sparkled with happiness upon learning of this custom and daydreamed about meeting her destined love under it. ]

[ … Oops. Considering the impression she'd made, he'd figured she'd be easily flustered. What he didn't expect was how easily flustered—and he feels maybe just a little bad for it, averting his gaze to take the heat off of her.

Plucking a piece of mistletoe from the shelf for himself, it's… plastic? As expected. After Brașov, he kind of misses how surrounded they were by natural fauna… But it is what it is, and he'll make a show of inspecting it at multiple angles to bide his time. ]

Even if there is something more to it, there's no shame in getting into the holiday spirit. [ … it's hard to hold back the banter sometimes!!! he stifles another sound of amusement with his hand. ] Sorry, sorry. I'm just teasing.

[ A beat, as he shelves the plant to regard her again. ]

But, you too? I was thinking that everyone could use some levity after Seoul… one thing led to another though, and now those plans have realistically turned into Christmas plans. [ mildly wryly. ] For your close circle, or were you thinking grander?

[ Even if there is something more to it? W-Why would he have to word it like that!! It makes it sound like he suspects there may be more to it and doesn't dare say it outright. When, absolutely not! She's an innocent goddess with nothing but the purest thoughts.

... R-Really! ]

P-Perhaps, but there is truly nothing more to it, I assure you!

[ Deep breathes, Ereshkigal!

Okay, she's starting to calm down. Hopefully he won't do any more "just teasing", there is only so much an old gloomy goddess can take before she passes out. ]

I was thinking of something on the scale of the gala we had a few months ago... [It's a blessing she was wearing a mask, even if he attended he won't be able to recognize her as the drunk menace who forced half the gala into dancing and threw Tezcatlipoca around!] B-But with a Christmas theme to it. I didn't know there were others with such plans...

[ The lady doth protest too much, he thinks…

Fortunately, thinking about it is as far as it goes when he's yet to really know her, between that and being in his best behaviour era. These thoughts and the way his mouth quirks might suggest otherwise, but he is exhibiting a great deal of restraint not going for the low-hanging fruit like he's tempted to?! Not that it's anything to be particularly proud of, but at least he isn't making any more verbal comments about the mistletoe or her embarrassment.

As for the matter on hand, ]

Right? It's a lot of work for one person so I've been deliberating the scope of it myself. Even the gala had multiple minds put to it, I'm pretty sure.

[ Luckily again for her, he'd about done all he can to avoid the gala… so anything outside of the clown prince's notoriety hasn't quite reached his ears. Maybe one of these days, he'll get the BDSM lore… In the interim, ]

So with that said, shall we collaborate? [ Grabbing a strand of tinsel and giving it a playful spin on his heel—he eventually settles, draping it over his shoulders like one would a feather boa. Tadaaaaa!! ] Rey de los parties at your service. Seeing as our interests appear to align, I don't see why we shouldn't. It's no job for one person!

[ S-She only protests as much as is needed to protect her reputation (or what's left of it)!

Regardless, did the gala have multiple minds to it, she wonders...? She has a hard time imagining Callisto working with other people. But she has an even harder time imagining him successfully putting a gala like that together on his own! She may have to ask him on his next training session... ]

Collaborate...?

[ H-He has a very dramatic disposition, it seems! She would applaud his use of the tinsel if only she wasn't still recovering from the high emotions brought about by his teasing. ]

I suppose this would be to our advantage... [She has never organized any kind of event before... She must admit the prospect was a bit daunting, having a co-organizer would be a blessing. And he can probably ensure nobody at the party will have to deal with meals made of dust and clay!] However! Before I accept, I must know who you are.

[ They did talk briefly once, but that's hardly knowing who he is. What if he is actually like the greatest evildoer amongst outsiders?! And under the guise of working together with her for a Christmas party, he plans to use her to unleash a calamity upon the outsiders for the holidays!

Granted, the odds of that happening are pretty low. But after she was brainwashed and nearly turned into a cultist last month, she has to be careful and take necessary precautions! ]

[ If only that were the extent of his teasing… she has such a time ahead of her. Maybe after they've secured the nitty gritty and she has no choice but to put up with the antics he oft puts others up to he'll reveal more of his colours, but for now! … She's spared.

He's about the definition of chaotic neutral—no real calamities here! Probably! ]

Talk about by the book! Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[ Now that he's adorned with tinsel, it's only proper that his (potential!) fellow party planner is too. Just as one might wrap a scarf around someone, he drapes red tinsel over her shoulders, grinning all the while. ]

It's Elysium, resident communications and fields specialist. [ As he fixes the tinsel into place (granted she doesn't resist or throw it to the side entirely, which she's completely free to!): ] And you? Let's see to it that we get to add 'Goddess of Christmas' to your titles this go around, Miss Goddess of Death.

[ T-Tinsel on her...? She wonders how it looks. She absolutely doesn't resist, she just looks somewhat bewildered. E-Extroverts are really on a whole other level, huh! And it feels like he's definitely on the upper strata of the extrovert hierarchy! Probably next to March.

Resident communication and field specialist... ]

I am...

[ W-Wait... With that tinsel and the mention of her titles. Y-yes, it's only right that she does it. It's been a long time beside and she's missed doing her full introduction. She wonders how much she's improved...? ]

A-A moment please...

[ With that said, she nods apologetically to him and just... Leaves. He's left alone, since there aren't any other customers around! That's a shame. ]

[ But then... A thick dark mist falls over the place, covering everything and plunging him unto utmost darkness! And from the depths of the void does a voice rise: ]

I am she who tramples the sacred mountain...

[ T-That's very clearly Ereshkigal trying to sound a lot graver and drawing her words out a lot in an attempt to sound cooler. And it's totally cool, right?! ]

[ And lo: the goddess emerges from the darkness! Her golden hair shines in the darkness, red orbs barely visible behind her bangs. She takes the cage that's dangling from her hip. ]

All who live fear me for all paths lead to me...

[ And lo (again): little green-blue lights emerge from the cage and swirl around, dotting the darkness as if they were stars shining in the night sky. ]

I am the dark mistress of the Underworld where the dead sleep....

[ A cold wind suddenly starts blowing and sends her hair flying most dramatically, as if she was the main character in a bad commercial for hair dyes. She turns around most dramatically, more little lights surging from the cage and swirling around her. ]

I am the Queen of Kûr and the personification of the beyond... I am...

[ All the little lights suddenly flare up and explode like fireworks, the darkness dissipating with Ereshkigal being left in the center of it all, arm thrown dramatically to the side.

... S-She is sparkling, too. Please do not mind that. ]

Ereshkigal, the Goddess of Death!

[ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

T-That was cool, right? She felt very good doing it at the very least, she hopes he'll approve! ]

[ If there's one thing Elysium's good at, it's… going along with the bit! So, Ereshkigal disappears. That's cool. She told him to give her a moment, so he'll give her the moment! She doesn't seem the type to just stand someone up given her apparent consideration for their teammates, so he'll just stand around with a hand on his hip in the interim, eyes curiously trained in the direction she'd disappeared.

If anyone shows up, if anyone asks, maybe they can just say they're filming and not to think of the special effects going on too deeply. Anyway.

Waiting… ]

[ … Waiting… ]

[ …and then, there she is!! Or, well, not quite. There's the cue she's about to show up. If nothing else? He looks visibly impressed by the effort, hands clasping in front of him in genuine awe once she does make her appearance.

Damn.

If only his Arts could be half as dramatic. Then maybe, whenever he saw fit to introduce himself as Iberia's #1 Hottie, he could make it at least twice as bad as it already is. A wind blowing where it shouldn't be, tousling his longer strands of hair? Flecks of water and rays of sunlight highlighting key features that need to be brought to attention? He will mind the sparkling very much, because, hello? He'd like to sparkle too.

But she finishes with flair—and his dreams are neither here nor there…. A round of applause, first things first. If more gods and goddesses were like her and Yato based on what he does know of her so far… maybe he wouldn't mind them as much as he does! ]

Pfff—hahah! Now that's how you make an impression! I should be taking notes from you on introductions. [ A tilt of his head followed by a bow. ] Pleased to meet you formally, Miss Ereshkigal. For a Goddess of Death, you're certainly lively.

[ Aaah, he appreciates it! Ehehe, she still got it! Maybe if she goes back to rehearing her introduction regularly and introduce a few new touches involving flowers and Christmas decorations... Yes yes, the ultimate divine introduction is within reach! Ishtar will be absolutely put to shame if she ever sees it.

And the sparkles continues. She does that whenever she's particularly happy, and yet somehow she is absolutely unaware of it. It's best not to question it. Some things can not be explained through logic and reason. ]

Well, I am a gloomy and dark goddess most of the time-- [Clearly.] But I have been making efforts to change it a bit!

[ It's good that this is his first (real) impression. It would be a catastrophe had he caught her while she's crying or panicking or completely losing it over the stress of social interactions! ]

It's a pleasure meeting you, Elysium. [He appreciates her theatrics, that must mean he's a good person. Mostly.] I think we will be able to do wonderful work for Christmas together!

[ An intrusive thought, perhaps… but he can't help but wonder what would happen if he were to bat a hand through one of the sparkles? If they're freely floating in the air, that is. Will they disappear like smoke? Are they tangible?

… Just once. Just this one time, he's going to follow through by giving the one furthest away from her an experimental poke. Hm. Would he… would he be able to grab one for himself?! ]

Change always starts with an earnest desire. Heheh. [ … shortly after his detour of a science experiment. ahem. ] Ever consider introducing yourself as a goddess striving to be bright and lively rather than prefacing it the way you have? The language we use for ourselves goes a long way when it comes to our self-perception. In some cultures, death is considered a sweet and warm embrace.

[ He'd kind of like to think of it that way, too. As much of a biased perspective it is coming from someone who'd decided to name himself 'Elysium,' that's neither here nor there…… ]

Anyway, let's see. We've got mistletoe, tinsel. [ A tap tap tap of his chin in consideration. ] Think we might be able to get our hands on a tree that reaches the ceiling?

[ What an inquisitive and brave soul. Nobody has ever tried to resolve the U.S.P. (Unexplained Sparkling Phenomenon) before! When he reaches to poke at one of those sparkles, his fingers goes right through it as. It remains floating as if he hadn't done anything.

But something does happen. While it doesn't move, having his hand go through it feels like putting it under a direct ray of sunlight, one that shines upon the cold world after a long night.

Meanwhile, Ereshkigal is evidently unaware of the sparkles even though he's clearly proven they have an existence that affects reality when you touch them... What could it mean? What is the secret behind the sparkling? Alas, the results of his little experiment have brought forth far more new questions than it has answered!

Regardless, the sparkling dissipate the moment she answers him. ]

I have considered it but I feel it might be dishonest... If I introduce myself as what I aim to be rather than what I am, the person I'm talking to may feel deceived.

[ It's a conundrum. ]

A tall tree should be possible, yes. If not, we'll have the possibility to use projections to make up for it. If only Santa Claus was here...

[ She's a friend, she could make all of those decoration appear with a snap. A shame, really. ]

[ Wow. Really takes him back to basking under the sun back in Okinawa… those days were nice while they lasted, even if recent events have tinged those memories with a bittersweet feeling that'll recede with time.

As for the logistics, the how matters less to him than the what—especially when his world's magic system is practically built on the power of imagination. Still, he can't help but feel mildly disappointed when the warmth slips from his hand, letting out a small huff in response. ]

Is it deceptive…? I feel like the disclaimer that it's a work-in-progress is enough of a heads-up; it's only dishonest if you aren't actually making an effort to change. But at the end of the day, it's all up to you. Complicated stuff!

[ … He'd know a thing or two about old habits dying hard. Anyhooooo… ]

… Mm. Looks like there's a store that stocks plastic ones if we want to check it out? [ from a cursory search with his oculars. but the mention of a name has him flicking his gaze over in curiosity. ] And I'm assuming that's a friend of yours. The actual god of Christmas?

[ Mhm... So she should also put in her introduction a disclaimer that it's a work in progress...? She's not sure about that. She feels like people are going to judge her hard over this! Besides her intro is long enough as is. But she really does want to change though. ]

I-I suppose... I may have to think about it.

[ Regardless, she nods at the mention of the plastic one and heads that way. She'd rather have a real one, but a plastic one will do for now. ]

Not quite. Santa Claus was a heroic spirit with questionable tastes in clothing and riding a sheep as her reindeer. [That? Is just the tip of the iceberg of the absolute madness that is the Fate/ universe.] Unconventional perhaps, but she fulfilled her duties to the perfection.

[ Turns out the sparkling may just be the most logical and reasonable thing to have ever happened there by comparison. ]

[ me gingerly putting a hand on your shoulder don't worry a thing re: fate/ ridiculousness… i get you……

that description does seem to ping something in him, though! ]

And let me guess, by 'questionable tastes in clothing,' you mean she'd wear bright red, crossing endless snowy tundras to deliver life-saving supplies and fulfill people's simple, heartfelt wishes?

[ leaving this store and turning the corner to enter another. they'll end up having to go all the way to the back for this one, but before they do he will get distracted by the many aisles of ornaments…… ]

It's always been interesting how cultures could be so similar across different worlds; I had no idea the same applied to figures. Where I come from, we have someone called the Icefield Messenger, with Christmas, verbatim, created to honour them. Their name and gender? Completely unknown. But I wonder if it's possible for that to have been your friend. Isn't it fun? Thinking about how this might tie into the idea of alternate selves.

[ … following that, he's going to hold out this ornament, looking surprisingly. thoughtful. can they talk about it next. can they. ]

[ The Icefield Messenger..? There does seem to be a commonality between them. Their name and gender being unknown makes sense if she's the one she's familiar with. Every year a new heroic or divine spirit is chosen, after all. ]

This is quite possible. I imagine she had a lot of work after she left the Underworld... [A pause.] Though while she did indeed wear bright red clothes, what concerned me most was... How lacking those clothes were.

[ It can't be convenient to cross snowy tundras while wearing so little in the way of clothes. She'd put even Ishtar to shame, which is an exploit in itself.

Thankfully, what he holds out catches her attention so she can't think too much about her sister. ]

W-What is this unsightly horror?

[ It is so damn ugly, why is this in a Christmas store?!? ]

( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

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