lingeringhope | ic inbox

[It takes Hope some times to reply, and when he finally does, it's short and to the point.]

I am not able to help currently. Confusion might be your best choice to speak to.

You were forced to be strong from a young age. We, as well, are not very old according to our species' concept of age.

Right. That makes sense. [ Being. Weak, or something, and all. ] I'll do that.

[ Then, hastily: ] Hope you're able to recover before long.

[Oscar decides that the best way to approach Mr. Hope is to be transparent.]

Hello, Mr. Hope. You can be confident that we are doing all we can to maintain your emotion of choice. Is there anything else we might be able to do that could possibly aid you in your recovery?

[He is concerned, first and foremost, about what will happen to Hadriel's residents should Hope's state of health deteriorate any further. But his concern for Mr. Hope's condition is genuine.]

[It takes some time for Hope to reply, and when he does it's terse.]

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Understood... Mr. Hope.

[Hope mentioning that reminds her of a couple of things she'd wondered about the gods but never bothered asking about.]

Are the forms you chose for interacting with us intended to be an indication of your ages?

[Given that they were able to delve into memories and Hope's grasp of anatomy, it's not out of the realm of possibility to think that their forms were chosen deliberately based on their hosts' perceptions of age.]

Also...pardon me if this is a rude question, but how does your kind reproduce? I imagine it's a rather different process than the human way.

[That's about the best way she can be direct and still somewhat polite about asking Hope where baby glowclouds come from.]

Not exactly. We chose forms that were around the same size and appearance as the majority of you.

[He didn't really know the difference between children and adults until a few months in. They were just smaller humans and larger humans.]

We reproduce by taking part of ourselves and making another being out of it.

Are you feeling a little stronger yet, Hope-san? I hope this is not too soon during your recovery, but I am in difficulty and would like to request your help, if possible.

I have little power at the moment. What do you need help with?

I'd like your advice, even if you cannot spare much of your power.

You see, there is someone here I have recently become acquainted with, and even have come to consider a friend. Yet, he has a low opinion of himself, believing himself unworthy of any kind word or mention of praise. He has no hope for his own future, and believes he only exists to be a stepping stone to others' hopes and dreams.

I tried to create a beautiful painting to express that he is indeed worthy, but I fear I could not convey my intentions powerfully enough. Perhaps it is merely my failings as an artist. Yet I must persevere... What do you suggest I should do?

I am afraid I have very little insight into how any of you think. This has always been one of our weaknesses. You would do better asking another human.

However, it is unlikely that you will be able to convince him of his worthiness if he doesn't want to be convinced. Perhaps you can trick him into it, instead of confronting him.

[Hayden knows where the temple is, of course, so it isn't too much of a struggle to make his way there. Knowing that Hope is weak and recovering, he hasn't wanted to bother him--but things feel different right now. Hayden feels agitated and alone and Harlan left him and now what does he have? He paces in front of the temple, his thoughts erratic and unlike what he's used to. He can't place this angry energy.]

Mister Hope? Lord Hope? Sir? Are you here? Are you, are...

[He turns and turns and turns the empty jar in his hands.]

I have a gift...a gift for you. I've been working on it for since when you got hurt so that it can help you get better. I need to see you, please don't be gone!

[Hope doesn't appear instantly, like he has in the past. It takes a few minutes before he can muster up enough energy to appear. He doesn't look tired though - which makes sense, because this is a projection rather than his true form.]

I am here. Are you all right?

I am great because you are here now!

[Hayden's face lights up as soon as he sees Hope. It doesn't matter how real he is as long as he can see him. There's an impulse to fling himself forward at Hope but he at least remembers that Hope is an important person and he has to be respectful. Even looking relieved and happy, there's still an edge to his movements, like an itch under the surface of his skin he just can't quite get to.]

Please do not ever leave and be here forever so I can always do a really good job to help make you feel better.

[Right! Job! He forgets and then remembers the jar in his hands very quickly.]

This is full of wishes of people from all over the city! I collected them! It's all things that people look forward to the most, either big things or littler things, and I thought, I thought, um, I thought it would be a good present just for you!

I have no intention of going anywhere, even if I could.

[He's curious about Hayden's sudden appearance, but the truth is that Hope doesn't understand human-shaped people enough to be able to tell that something's off. He takes it all at face value - if nothing else, he's too tired to read into things.]

That is very thoughtful of you. You must have worked hard - I hope you know that I appreciate all that you've done.

[This is going incredibly well! In high spirits, Hayden lets out some energy by running in a tight circle before putting the jar down at the front of the temple.]

You do? You mean it? I did really super good? I am so happy that you are going to stay forever and ever because you are the best part of my whole life! I will work even harder next time! I'll work so hard, the most hard, and then you will feel even better and we can both be each others' favorites and there won't be any reason to think about anything else and that means nothing can get in and hurt and nobody will ever be gone!

I'm sure that I am not the best part of your whole life.

[Out of everything, that's what stands out to him - it's rather unbelievable, considering the amount of folks here who absolutely loathe him.

Still, flattering.]

You do not have to work so very hard, though. I am on my way to recovery.

[At least at the moment, it's the truth. A scarily presented, clung-onto truth. Anyone who loathes you is wrong and Hayden loathes them right back as much as he can in his little Hayden-y shaped heart.]

Yes! You are! There might as well not be anybody else at all!

[For the first time since he's arrived, he goes absolutely still.]

I want to help you recover more than anybody else but I don't want to have to go away from where you are to do it. What if somebody hurts you again? You shouldn't be alone ever. It's not nice to be alone. When I'm alone I feel like there are needles inside of my skin and that is why Mister Harlan is dead to me. But that won't happen with you!

I see... So even though you are akin to a deity of hope, you do not know how to inspire it in others. There is almost something tragic about that...

[Yusuke pauses, thoughtful.] Trickery? I suppose that is an intriguing option. I will see if I can think of any effective means by which to do so.

[Wow that's... a lot. But maybe that's just how people are sometimes? Hope still has so much to learn about the emotions of the creatures here. He hasn't really been paying attention to what's been going on, anyway - maybe one of his colleagues has caused this.

But hey. Not really his problem, when he just doesn't know the reason for this.]

I do appreciate the thought. I very much want to recover as well. But for now, at least, I am safe - and I am not alone. The other gods are here, and now you are here as well.

[Maybe his friend leaving has upset him?]

You can stay as long as you like, if you feel alone.

[Now that...that is what he definitely wants to hear. His face brightens, happiness into an adoration and thankfulness bordering on obsession.]

I can? I really can? I would love it if you let me stay! Forever!

I wish you luck. I'm sorry there is little I can do for you.

It will probably get very dull. Most of the time I am not here at all. But of course, you can stay regardless.

[It doesn't cost him anything to let someone hang out. And Hayden seems fine. Everything's fine here.]

That's okay! It's your temple so it's your place and that's good enough for me!

[It's absolutely fine. Completely.]

Thank you thank you thank you Lord Mister Hope!

ic inbox

voice;

[Action]

voice;

[audio] backdated to 12/28

[audio]

[audio]

[Action]

[Action]

voice.

voice.

voice.

voice.

February 20th; Action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

voice.

no subject

no subject

voice.

no subject

no subject