LII

[wilder]

[Zelos can be found out in the city center, sitting on the fountain that's currently off due to repairs. He's been helping out through the morning, and is currently taking a break. Like everyone else, he's been marked by this plot. There's inked wings on his back, and words crudely etched onto him all over his body in an ugly fashion, like a knife did it- the most prominent being "TRAITOR" across his cheek.]

[He's been flipping through the journal, noticing all the entries about regret. Man, people sure got hit hard. ]

[Normally, he doesn't like to speak up about this sort of stuff. As loud as he is, he likes to keep to himself more when he doesn't feel like being a goof ball. But honestly, living with a lot of regrets? Is his expertise. And so...with a bit of hesitation, he'll actually speak in a rather plain manner.]

I think it's pretty clear by now we got a lot of regrets or things we don't like about ourselves or our pasts. I'm not about to tell people how to handle that stuff..everyone's got their own way. I know one guy that wears handcuffs all the time as a reminder of his crimes! It's weird, but it works for him. As long as you don't hurt anyone in the process, I don't see a problem in people going their own path with managing this stuff.

I'm also not gonna tell you that everything's okay with what you did, because maybe it's not. Maybe it'll never be okay. That's just something you have to learn to live with. If you want forgiveness that badly? Take it up with the people you've hurt or your own personal religion - I don't really care.

I will say that for some, sitting around thinking about this stuff just makes it worse. Right now, there's an entire town that's recently been hit by an earthquake and could use the extra hands. Clearing rubble, helping in the clinics, making repairs - even raising money to help pay for things goes a long way. Maybe they're not the people you've maybe hurt...but they're still people, right? That's gotta count for something. And it's a good distraction!

So if you feel up to it...maybe just come to the town and ask the townspeople what you can do to help. Ink or fake blood or whatever, I'm sure they'll take the help.

If not, well I guess good luck in handling this newest castle thing in your own way.

That's...all.

[OOC: Dictated or open post!]

Comments

Dictated

[cyan_maid]

I think that sounds like a wonderful idea! If I didn't look like I'd been impaled, I think I would do just that.

[Because no matter what, nobody wants to be helped by someone who looks like a horror show.]

Dictated

[wilder]

[And he...doesn't care]

Oh wow! That's terrible!

Maybe you can wear a sign saying you don't need medical aid? Or maybe do something that doesn't require being on site?

Dictated

[cyan_maid]

I...still don't think it would be wise to approach people like this.

Dictated

[wilder]

Hm...maybe.

Oh! Can you do anything like sew or cook? They could use some emergency supply. Just get someone else to deliver them!

Action and tl;dr ahoy

[is_mafia]

[Giotto has spent yesterday in his room, and really, he was already sick of it. He'd never been one to wallow in self-pity, just instead just tried to force his way through it. So what if he had problems with his self-consciousness and practically looked a fright? The town had been destroyed and some of the townspeople had lost everything. If nothing, he could at least go down there and move rubble. He would be helping people, which is more that he could say that he had done since he arrived to help.

Also, he didn't want to worry Tsuna any more than he already had. If he was out and about, Tsuna wouldn't worry as much. In theory, at least.

So, Giotto was out in the city, and actually walks by Zelos. Of course, his clothes and his coat are wrinkled beyond repair, little blood flecks staining through them and his hands are in his pockets to hide what was written on them. He sees Zelos out of the corner of his eye, and turns to him slightly, so he can finally see his right eye, which is mistamtched from his left. He offers him a small smile. If you don't mention it, he won't?]

Hello, Zelos.

WOOO!

[wilder]

[Wow you look like he came out of some horror movie. He'll glance at him before shrugging it off. Because yeah, he sure isn't going to mention jack. Not about the TRAITOR on his face or any of his other markings. Because yeah. Not something he ever wants to talk about]

Yo, Giotto. Decided to come help?

[is_mafia]

[Good, because Giotto isn't going to pry either. He walks over, sitting down on the fountain as well.]

I figured I had wallowed enough for a while and people actually need help. That's more important than whatever issues I have.

...Anyway, I'm hoping Tsuna stops worrying about me if he sees me out and about.

[wilder]

[He nods]

Right. That's a good attitude to have.

[he chuckles] Probably not. He's been coming out here to check on me too.

dictated;

[gottaknockhard]

[Wow, people are surprisingly talkative about this whole thing. He won't say anything about it though, everyone has their own way of dealing. Something.]

It's too bad we can't donate some of the ghosts.

dictated;

[wilder]

[Sadly he used a lot of words just because he knew it'd be hypocritical to go "shut up and help people" after yelling at Once-ler yesterday :x ]

Aha...I don't really use the ghosts.

dictated;

[gottaknockhard]

... What, you just send them away?

[He didn't know people had the option -- but he's also not the quickest one to pick up after himself.]

Action

[luxe_can_kill]

I have been hearing about people's complaints over the journals about this. I've closed it ever since.

[Mitsuru sighed and sat on the fountain in the city center, taking a quick break from helping out all morning]

Action

[wilder]

[Oh hey it's her again! He straighten up]

Heh...I probably should've done that. Normally I don't say anything, but...well, it's not like we don't need the help out here.

[luxe_can_kill]

Agreed. We can't force them if they really wish to stay indoors and wallow. We'll just do what we can.

I never got your name.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler very almost responds to this, but his words die in his throat. He knows he's upset Zelos a lot, and he knows it's something to do with...well, the Once-ler being the Once-ler. Still, he WANTS to fix this, desperately so. Zelos is one of the few people he trusts in this stupid place, and the damage he's caused to the guy is starting to have those unsettling Lorax vibes. He understood the planting of the seed was part of bringing the forest spirit back (not that it seems to have worked in Paradisa, he's been a little upset to learn) but how do you fix something you don't fully understand the root cause of?

He even briefly entertains the thought of going down into town to help out, but he soon dismisses it. What would it prove? Unless someone likt you cares a whole awful lot.... No. Zelos wouldn't want him there. He's certain Zelos is done with him. Maybe done for good. Maybe it WOULD be better to step away now, and go into avoidance mode. As much as the Once-ler wants Zelos in his life, he can't help but wonder if it'd be better for Zelos if he wasn't. It would one less person he could inevitably hurt.

And so, he says nothing, he'll keep the journal open a while longer, listening to the chatter and trying to ignore those horrible prangs of GUILT coming back, but he remains silent on the matter. He might have come a long way in learning how to deal with people in his time here, but he still has a long, long way to go]

[wilder]

[Once-ler...]

[This about sums it up.]

[whistles_the_blues]

[He's received this little talk twice now since the quake hit. Once before all these marks appeared, and now again. As much as it would be easier to just hide away and not have to explain the graffiti on him. He couldn't just ignore that people out there were hurting.]

You're right, I'll be down in a moment.

...Thanks.

[wilder]

[Oh cool it actually worked!]

Uh, no problem! We'll be happy to have you!

[That's something you say right??]

[whistles_the_blues]

[That's right Zelos, you done good. A little while later he might he catch sight of a robot covered in blue and cyan graffiti clearing away some rubble while trying to avoid getting near anyone else. He's already had an incident with his core while helping out, he doesn't want to have a repeat event.

The words "Son of Light" are the most noticeable on his back, along with "I was a fool," ""Broken and Forgotten," "Ran Away," "Replaced," "My Name is Blues" in other places.]

Dictated

[princelyspirit]

[That's... a really good way of looking at it, actually, and exactly the thing she needed to hear. Utena takes a deep breath and speaks]

You're right, sitting around and moping doesn't help anyone. But... well, it's hard to remember that, sometimes. The guilt just - it seems so heavy, you know? Like you can't do anything right, so you sit there beating yourself up, and that just makes you feel worse...

...sorry, I didn't mean to ramble on like that. It's like you said, there's better ways we can spend our time. Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say is that we all needed a reality check. So, thanks for that.

Dictated; sorry for the late!

[wilder]

[Wow, she sounds kinda cute~ ]

Heh, it's fine! It's not like I didn't talk a lot.

But that's what I'm here for! Zelos Wilder: Reality Check Extraordinaire!

It's fine! <3

[princelyspirit]

[laughs]

Well, it's nice to meet you, Mister Reality Check. I'm Utena Tenjou. There's no fancy title or anything, just plain old Tenjou. Anyway, it sounds like you know a thing or two about town. What-

[She takes a deep breath. When she speaks again, her tone is serious, and a bit worried]

Do you know what places were hit the hardest?

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena's moving slowly towards him--not out of hesitation, but because she's not completely healed--having only used enough gels to get her mobile. The rest she had wished for she gave to others to use and to give to those in the city who still needed it while ignoring her own markings of blood on her hands and in her hair, and the constant appearing/reappearing of "Corrine" in blood on different parts of her body.

A life gone as quickly and unexpectedly as it arrived in hers.

Her eyes narrow in concern when she sees the Chosen, not liking the word TRAITOR on his cheek. As far as she's concerned, he's redeemed himself, but she still speaks quietly when she comes up to him.]

Zelos? How long have you been out here?

[wilder]

[He'll look up when he sees her, frowning a little. It's more out of concern than anything- since hey didn't she break her leg]

Just sine this morning.

What about you? Shouldn't you be resting your leg?

[rose_of_battle]

[Yes, she did. But this is Sheena we're talking about. Smiling, she shakes her head.]

I'll be okay. I managed to get some gels.

[But she takes a seat on the fountain, leaving a smear of red as she touches the stone. He had looked tired as she had approached, but she doesn't mention that.]

Any idea how long the repairs will take?

[Her voice is a little distant, remembering Luin...]