Day 150 // Open

[fuckthemancers]

Who: Zulf and anybody
Open: Open
When: Day 150
Where: Near the Monument
What: Sometimes it helps to just revisit old memories.
Format: any
Warnings: none planned

After the Festival, Zulf had immediately been busy. As someone with such a dedication to the Gods, it didn't seem right to just leave a mess behind. They'd been given a very fortunate gift; he knew for a fact that the Gods could be much worse in their tempers. The least he can do is make sure the place looks rather decent again. So he'd been hard at work along with a few others.

Of course, he had seen the book (and socks) left for him at the Gazebo, and he had just as quickly stored them away in the place he had taken residence. He'd been very busy the next day after- at least that was the excuse he made for himself. In truth, he had been almost... tentative to see what waited for him in that book. It was hard to avoid the simple fact that every other gift given so far had been very personal to the receiver. No doubt he was overreacting, but- he was still somewhat nervous.

Still, he does't plan on running away from it. Well, not for long, anyway. Today he can finally be seen at the Monument, settled down and starting up his pipe. The thick book is on his lap. He takes a deep breath from his pipe and opens the book...

He can be found there for most of the day, just going through the book carefully and slowly with so many emotions playing out across his face. Nostalgia and heavy sadness are the most prominent players, with the occasional flicker of a weary smile. Anyone passing by close enough might be able to notice that the book is full of photographs. Of course, anyone close enough to see that is close enough to notice, and Zulf will try and compose himself for a quick greeting.

Comments

[followsthevoice]

So that's it, huh?

[A sudden, soft voice came from behind the monument as The Kid walked from around the other side; his head cocked to the side quizzically as he gazed at the journal, looking all the stranger with his apathetic frown still in place despite the curious movements he was making.]

Last time I found this thing, damn thing started another war.

[fuckthemancers]

[Whatever comes out of Zulf's mouth certainly isn't Caelondian- definitely Ura, definitely an exclamation of surprise and a bit of flailing since he nearly drops his pipe. Huffing, he glances over at the Kid.]

Were you always this light footed, or have I simply been smoking for far too long? [There's a slight grimace at the mention of the journal.] Ah, no, this isn't it... [He keeps his voice low. He knows what Kid's opinion is of the whole thing and what they should do, but Zulf still wants to keep this somewhat... controlled. If they can keep things as calm as possible, there's less a chance that something like- before will happen.] I believe Stuart still has it, although I've had a chance to see it from time to time.

This is... something else entirely. What was left for me in the Gazebo on the day of rest. [A pause and he gestures besides him.] Why don't you sit down? There's some things I'd like to show you in it, actually.

[followsthevoice]

[Well, that made him feel a little better...if not a little more curious as he took a seat next to Zulf.]

I lived in the Wilds, remember? Gotta keep your feet light out there, plenty o'things with good ears and big teeth. But what's in this book that's s'interestin'?

[fuckthemancers]

[It's a bit hard to see just what's in the book for a moment- Zulf starts to flip all the way back to the beginning. When he finishes, it's one of the first pages. The pictures, as it turns out, aren't the kind that are drawn. Instead, they're photographs of extremely high quality, taken apparently in the moment. Zulf isn't certain how himself, but... Well, sometimes you don't bother questioning things when the Gods are involved.]

[This page has three pictures, two at the top and one at the bottom. Each one is focused on an individual in particular.]

[On the top left, well, the Kid should be more or less be able to recognize the dress even if some of its design are just a little bit different than those he's fought against. It's a warrior of the Ura, clad in blue and black typical of those who wield halberds. There's something familiar in the way her dark eyes seem to burn, although the expression is still fairly calm. Although it's not a part of the picture itself, there's obviously the glow of a fire warming her. Camp, it seems like. Resting on one side of her is a halberd, her hand near it just in case, and the other side... That certainly is the same exact pipe between her fingers just like Zulf has between his this very moment. The smoke is drifting lazily from her lips, curling about in the air over her head.]

[The man in the picture across from her is dressed similarly and also wields a halberd. Instead of being at rest, however, he's upright and gesturing to somewhere with it. There's a large rock wall at his back, and just the hint of a tunnel near him...It's night on his end too, his pale skin standing out in the darkness. There's just enough moonlight for there to be something in his profile like Zulf's own. It's easy to spot the relief in his face- the kind that comes from someone who's been on duty for far too long and has something important waiting for him elsewhere.]

[With those two matching as well as they do, the last picture stands out as the oddball of the bunch. For one thing, it's not at night but at daybreak, or perhaps day's end- hard to tell. The much more noticeable aspect, however, is that the man in the photograph is Caelondian. It's obvious in his eyes, a warm brown, and his hair, a kind of dirty blond with streaks of white in it. He's older than either of the Ura warriors, wrinkles all across his face. The bow in one of his hands should be sign enough, but in case there's any doubt, the sigil etched into his light scouting wear shows his alliance to the Caelondian Breakers. For whatever reason, he's in a tree, a scowl twisted across his tired face as he pokes a Pecker with one of his arrows. The Pecker doesn't seem happy to see him either.]

[There's a tired but content smile on Zulf's face as he gestures to the three individuals pictured.]

These are my parents.