IC INBOX: STORYTELLER

[story_teller]

   IC INBOX: THE STORYTELLER

The Storyteller's temple on the central island of Ensō is, unsurprisingly, where your local deity can most often be found. Those seeking to strike up a conversation or pursue the Storyteller for answers are not guaranteed an immediate answer, but they can certainly try. If one waits for long enough after posing a question, their expectation for a response from the deity in question may very well prompt them to happen along...eventually.

If you're looking to request an item, this is not the place to do it. Our Item Requests page is where you ought to pose those inquiries!

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[piercetheheart]

[didn't hear a word of it

His stomach drops into his feet, a lead weight and for a moment he feels like he might honestly be sick. It's all too much, the emotional whiplash making his head throb and he's not entirely sure he can-]

Do you not-

[He closes his fingers, sliding two of them against his thumb, the ink still thick enough to be tacky, if not slick any more.]

There's ink everywhere.

[story_teller]

[The Storyteller shakes their head, quietly bemused. It's plain they're struggling to make some sense of what's being said, and failing miserably.]

I'm afraid I don't quite see what you mean. Unless you mean - the blood and bone of the world? We are all made up of stories, in a sense, but...are you speaking metaphorically?

[piercetheheart]

Metapho-

[A huff of frustration and he kinda wishes he could actually reach up to shove his hands into his hair for a moment. He's not usually one for wanting to pull his hair out but this mess is pushing him there fast.]

Do I sound like I'm being metaphorical, Tory? You were right here. We were talking. You were-

Fucking hell.

[story_teller]

[There's a flash of annoyance; they're only going in circles, here.]

Well, then it wasn't really me, now, was it? Mu is a capricious beast, and I am not exempt from its trickery.

[piercetheheart]

[It isn't until Tory mentions Mu that he even considers it. And then hes cursing sharply.]

And Mu's been on a fucking roll lately.

Shiva's tits, Tory I was so scared.

[story_teller]

Well, then I'm...very sorry for the scare. It wasn't intentional on my part, I assure you. Aside from being...very tired, I am quite fine.

[A bit on the shrunken side, as they have been since Umui, but...nonetheless, quite unhurt.]

[piercetheheart]

[Slowly, Gladio nods, still watching them with obvious concern. ]

You... didn't remember who I was.

[Of all the things to latch on to, for as terrifying as all the shifting was, that's what sticks out the most. They've talked about loss, about the importance of remembering. Was there really some version of Tory out there that would forget them? Forget him?]

[story_teller]

...well.

[They do seem to find that troubling, though, again they seem...fine, besides.]

I cannot say that does not fill me with concern. Nonetheless, a great deal of what you have been seeing of late - it is not real. It might seem real, but...

It will not last.

[piercetheheart]

Like my sister...

[He knows that, knew there was no way it could possibly really be her. Iris would never blame him for this reprieve, for not fighting harder to get back to her. Not when, here at least, Ignis...]

It seemed pretty damn real. My hand's still tingling from the... I dunno, overload. Mu's kinda kicking your ass isn't it?

[story_teller]

I suppose it is real in the way dreams are. Real enough to hurt.

[The Storyteller sighs.]

It is not...my domain. I have done my best to maintain it to the best of my ability, but my sway over it is...limited.

[piercetheheart]

Well if it would stay the fuck out of your domain then things wouldn't be so rough.

[A faint growl in his tone, he's so frustrated with all of this.]

[story_teller]

It's not that simple. You've seen what happens when no one maintains it.

[They can't stop. They can't let their focus slip, not for very long at all.]

[piercetheheart]

Is there anything we can do to help you? I mean, there's gotta be something.

[Let. Him. Help.]

[story_teller]

[The Storyteller laughs. It is a tired, defeated sound.]

Do you happen to know any deities who have a proclivity for the metaphysical?

[piercetheheart]

[That laugh hurts, makes Gladio flinch and look away.]

... no.

I'm sorry.

[story_teller]

[Their sigh sounds like pages ruffling over one another, like paper being spilled out across the flagstones.]

Don't be. I recognize that you only wish to help, but...we all have our roles in our stories, do we not? Like it or no, we cannot change so much that our stories do not recognize us.

[piercetheheart]

[Their sigh makes him shudder, absently scrubbing at his hands like he can rub the ink away, glancing back over his shoulder at the few scattered pages that haven't been caught up on the breeze.]

Yeah, I get it.... I just don't like it.

[story_teller]

Yes, well. There are few things I like doing that I must now do.

But they are my job regardless.

[piercetheheart]

[That at least gives him an idea.]

What is something you like doing?

[story_teller]

Come, now. Surely that isn't all that difficult to guess.

[They are the Storyteller, after all. They stretch, a tired ache of muscles that look as though they must be very cramped and weary - nonsensical as it may be.]

Who does not enjoy hearing a good story?

[piercetheheart]

Well I know you get somethin out of it but you could have other hobbies y'know.

[He can't help reaching out when they stretch, stroking his hand along the soft fur, hating that the reach burns through his shoulders but needing the reassurance of a little contact.]

[story_teller]

[Their fur is a little less soft than usual; there are still buds poking up through the skin. There always will be.]

"Hobbies" implies an abundance of free time.

[piercetheheart]

Maybe we should find you some then.

[He gives Tory a look something that's teasing and playful and just shy of actually sticking his tongue out at them.]

You make me keep saying it but you need to take a little time for yourself sometimes before you burn out.

[story_teller]

Taking time for myself is what leads to distraction. And Mu does not take kindly to my being distracted.

[Mu, among other...things.]

[piercetheheart]

Maybe not a two week vacation but an hour or three Mu can fucking deal with.

[Just please don't become the thing he just watched burst at the seams.]