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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[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.]

[story_teller]

This island is my home. It is not meant to be unattended for vast periods of time, and I cannot afford to leave it unattended.

In...more ways than one.

[piercetheheart]

An hour? C'mon Tory. Even if there's a story in it for you?

[Look he and Iggy get date nights whenever they can squeeze them in but to make sure Tory isn't killing themselves he will set a standing time for weekly hang outs godsdammit.]

[story_teller]

Now...isn't a good time for me.

[They glance off to the side, as though focusing on something that isn't there. Or perhaps listening to something only they can hear.]

An equilibrium has to be reached. And things are...very, very far from that.

[piercetheheart]

and you are not a god of balance... [Thank you very much.

at least this Tory isn't yelling at him. ]

Later then. I'll check back in in a couple days. Gods know I'm not good for much else right now.

[story_teller]

No. I'm not.

[Is it any wonder they're always so tired?]

...if that is your wish.

[piercetheheart]

You know it is.

[He will be your friend if it's the last thing he does, dammit.]

[story_teller]

Then who am I to deny that?

[It's hard to put an emotion to the words - whether they're resigned, or grateful.]

[piercetheheart]

[Y'know what? Gladio's totally okay with it being a little of both.

For a moment he considers just... asking for one more hug, snuggling the poor little godling in comfortable quiet and just letting himself come down from all the panic.

But Tory doesn't have time for that.]

Least you're not going to argue with me.

[Ear scritches will have to do.]

[story_teller]

[They weather it for a moment, but...only a moment. They're distracted. Can you blame them?]

I really do need to be getting back. I have quite a lot of work to do.