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[ilda]

[ Call it intuition, but after seeing and responding to Pepper's post, dread settles in the pit of Ilda's stomach and she goes off to look for Yato. She's been told that their stay in this realm isn't permanent, and she's actually had a few friends disappear in the past — Lobco, Tony, Eiji — but Yato's a different case entirely. Best friend in Aifaran aside, he's a god, and gods can fade out of existence if nobody believes in them...

She spends hours searching the city for him. She texts him, calls him; she even goes to to the beach, to the spot where they first met, a heap of copper rhinn in her hands, screaming that she has wishes for him to grant.

When he still doesn't turn up, she resorts to a public video broadcast. She looks exhausted, but it's the worry in her eyes that's alarming. ]

H-Has anyone seen Yato?



[ ooc: Worry not, Yato's just in the Dreaming! But, as someone from the Far Shore, interactions with Yato tend to fade from memory... it’s up to the player, but the characters may or may not remember him. Please refer to this post by Li for more info. ]

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[ilda]

[ Well. That makes sense. Ilda visibly relaxes, and she manages a small smile. ]

It just seems strange to forget someone as loud and melodramatic as Yato. [ Her smile turns a bit impish, having realized she’s also just described herself. ] But you’re right. Maybe he’s just on an undercover job or something. Thanks, Rutile.

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[rutility]

[ Rutile raises an eyebrow when Ilda points out how loud and impish Yato is until she realizes precisely what she's said. Still, they are not too critical. Ilda is simply worried, and she's not very disciplined to begin with.

Then they turn somber. Dreamfolk being snatched away again is not unlike gems being snatched to the moon: in some ways, it may be worse. At least when shattered, the partners they leave behind can hope for and work toward their return. There is no way to fight the Dreaming. Rutile folds their hands, holding Ilda's gaze with dark, unmoving eyes. ]

Ilda... you should prepare yourself for the possibility that he won't come back. Never give up hope, but let yourself mourn, as well. That is the only way to deal with this kind of thing.

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[ilda]

[ Let yourself mourn.

She pales at their words, and she purses her lips together to steady herself. Their advice is well-intentioned, but unfortunately hits a little too close to the things she's been trying not to think about. Her sister's illness, and how much worse she's apparently become. Tolunai's reading, both a warning and a prophecy. The one idea she's had of a way out, but which comes at great cost... ]

How is that even possible? To accept defeat, but not also lose hope?

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[rutility]

It is not accepting defeat. It is acknowledging reality, and giving yourself permission to move on, if you need it.

[ No one knows better than Rutile what it's like to struggle in the face of insurmountable odds. It is regrettable that Ilda be confronted with such things so young, but even in Aifaran, the world is not kind. ]

You'll find that you are capable of incredible things. Try not to put yourself through more hardship than is required of you.

[ Hypocritical much, Rutile? ]

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[ilda]

[ Ilda frowns as she tries to reconcile the idea; it's a bit of a struggle for her, because she's at that stubborn point in one's youth in which she believes, with all of her heart, that everything will be alright one way or another. That even death can be defeated, if one tries hard enough, because there are things such as miracles and magic.

Then she finally says, with a small smile: ] You're like my mother. I don't get the things she says sometimes... [ She laughs lightly at that. ] But I know she's been through a lot in life. You have too, haven't you? You're very wise.

[rutility]

[ Rutile is silent for a time. There is no way they can ever explain twenty-seven hundred years of adversity to Ilda. There are no words for it.

Their smile back is small, and one without warmth, though it does speak of sadness and sympathy. ] A lot, huh?... yes, you could say that.

I wouldn't call myself wise, but that you seem to think so means a great deal. All I hope for is that my words have helped you somehow.

[ It is probably too much to ask whether they were comforting. ]