[DR-CANON] IM Interaction - New Year's Reunion
Mastema: *Though the Mall seems to be having its own celebration, Mastema is moving away from it. He's heading towards the door marked with a white ribbon, Meshullam's world. He'd invited Zelenin along, and hopes she catches up to him. She's such an important part of his life now, it seemed natural to include her.*
Zelenin: *she brought along a belated Christmas present... She wasn't exactly sure what to get him, but the most natural seemed to be something to make his life a bit easier. Meshullam had mentioned wanting to stick to himself and not bother anyone in the strange world he had come to inhabit, so she immediately thought of seeds. He would need food after all. She meets Mastema by the door, the presents tucked into a basket.* Sorry it took so long.
Mastema: It's all right. *He has his own present, a warm winter cloak, draped over his shoulder. He would have brought it to him when the weather started getting cold, but his malnutrition prevented that.* Shall we? *And he opens the door.* Hopefully, he will not be far.
Zelenin: *nods* He'll still need water...maybe he's by the lake. *she walks into the quiet forest, all covered in snow... immediately greeting them is a sign that Meshullam is definitely nearby...or someone humanoid, at least. There's a snowman in plain sight.*
Mastema: *Well, he can't fly them to the lake. He's still got incomplete pinfeathers where too many of his flight feathers should be. The cold stings, and he draws the blanket around his wings tighter.
He laughs at the sight of the snowman, making his way towards it immediately.*
Zelenin: *stares at it, amused. It has pinecones for buttons and a nose, and some twigs for hair and a mouth. ...and branches for wings. Definitely Meshullam's handiwork.* I think he's bored...
Mastema: ...Perhaps one of our presents should have been some form of diversion... *He looks at Zelenin's basket. Maybe gardening will be that diversion?*
Zelenin: *come spring, sure.* Let's find our way-- *gasps as a lightly packed snowball collides with Mastema's backside. It's not enough to sting, just enough to annoy.*
Meshullam: *laughing from not too far away.*
Mastema: *Oh, he hears you. He growls playfully and stoops to scoop up his own light snowball- but before he can do so, the blanket slips from his back. Hissing at the sudden chill, he straightens up and settles the blanket over his wings again.
Well...now you know why your dad was on foot, Meshullam.*
Meshullam: *there's a long silence before he finally emerges from the woods, far more suited for the weather than either Mastema or Zelenin. He's been keeping himself busy after all--his boots and new clothes are all made from animal hide. He breathes as he stares from the brush.* ...are you.... what happened?
Mastema: I...I returned again. *Unconsciously, he steps closer to Zelenin.*
Meshullam: ....to... *oh. He steps forward, moving toward them, and when he reaches Mastema he pulls him into a tight embrace, mindful of his horns.*
Mastema: *He knows to be mindful of the horns. He had to be for thousands of years, after all. He returns the embrace, trying to stand strong for Meshullam's sake. He doesn't want him to see how pathetic his father has become.*
Meshullam: *finally releases his grip, uncertain of how to proceed.* Ah... I have a fire going at home. You're welcome to join me for-- *he eyes the presents that Zelenin is carrying* ...Is it that time already?
Zelenin: A few days past.
Meshullam: *sighs* I need to figure out how to keep track of time.
Mastema: You could craft a sundial and mark the days to make a calendar. It will be a new year at midnight, so that works to your advantage.
Meshullam: A new year already... *he smiles* Perfect for a fresh start. Come on-- Let's get you both warmed up. *he leads the way in the direction of the lake on foot, taking a slow pace for Mastema's sake. He's built a small house into the side of a small hill overlooking the lake, half buried in the earth. Doesn't seem like it would be very warm, but once he opens the door the convection effect is incredible. There's a small hearth with a fire inside, the smoke escaping through a mud chimney. There's smooth, flat stones sitting beside it, heating some dried meat and fish.* You caught me when I was getting some snow. *he sets a leather bag near the hearth* Best source of water in winter.
Mastema: *sighs at the heat, sinking to rest on his heels.* You've been doing well. I was unable to visit sooner, forgive me.
Meshullam: .... *takes him by the arm and helps him rise, sitting him in a chair instead.* Don't worry about it. I'm glad to have you here. *he takes some of the meat from the stones and offers it to Mastema.* Here. Zelenin, you too?
Zelenin: *smiles* It smells delicious. Thank you.
Meshullam: *offers some to her too and crouches by the fire, watching Mastema to make sure he eats.*
Mastema: Thank you. *He's eating, gosh. He's in a good mood, so he actually has an appetite.* What have you found of this world?
Meshullam: It's abundant with life. And yet...very lonely. I haven't seen a human settlement yet. I'm beginning to think that I'm all alone here.
Mastema: ...I...I'm sorry.
Meshullam: Then again, I haven't done much exploring. I realized that it was close to autumn, and I had to rush to finish this house and prepare for winter. *he smiles* I'll look around more when spring comes.
Zelenin: Oh, that reminds me... *she offers the basket* It's a bit late, but...Merry Christmas.
Meshullam: *stares at her a moment, but takes the offered gift.* Thank you...
Mastema: *takes the cloak from his shoulder and hands it to Meshullam as well.* I have a gift for you as well, to make the cold more bearable.
Meshullam: *takes it, feeling over the fabric* You're both too kind.
Zelenin: Nonsense. Go ahead and open them.
Meshullam: *chuckles, but takes one present from the basket and opens it* ...this is... *an entire box of seeds. Radishes, tomatoes, lettuces, soybeans, corn, even a few small potatoes to plant in the ground.* Thank you. *he smiles* This will help immensely... All these gifts will.
Zelenin: There should be a few more in there. Gifts, I mean.
Meshullam: Oh? *looks in the folds of the basket's cloth and takes out a book. A rather large one on self-sufficiency and a smaller one, to identify wild plants that are edible.* ...thank you.
Mastema: I cannot be too kind to you, Meshullam. *He laughs and gets up to embrace his son.* I am your father, after all. *Looks like he's not all that different from human dads, as far as being awkwardly embarrassing goes. But like human dads, he means well!*
Meshullam: *isn't embarrassed, though! He embraces Mastema in return, smiling.* I know. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Zelenin: *will let them have their moment. Seeing the two of them reunited again, after all that's happened...this is the best medicine Mastema could ever have.*
Mastema: *is smiling brightly when he backs up and returns to his seat. So far, things have been looking up for him.* When I am in better health, we should scout together from the air. Surely there is some form of intelligent life here. *He looks at Zelenin. The smile hasn't left his face.* Nadya, would you be willing to come along, as well? I could carry you.
Zelenin: Of course. *she smiles* It would probably be better to see a human in the company of two angels. People tend to fear the strange... Meeting them would be easier with a familiar face.
Meshullam: M-meeting them...?
Zelenin: You did plan on reaching out to the humans here, yes?
Meshullam: Er...yes. Of course. *...he's nervous, haha.*
Mastema: Odd, I never thought you to be shy. *He laughs.*
Meshullam: *HE HAS NO MASK stop making him blush, Dad. >:I* I'm not...!
Zelenin: *chuckles, checking her watch* We still have some time before midnight. What shall we do? ...Besides poke fun at each other, amusing as it is.
Meshullam: *his feathers are a bit fluffed. Haha.* Well, I don't have many ideas myself.
Mastema: *give him a second to suppress the urge to laugh.* Ah...I'm afraid I have little idea. Being removed from human society we did little to celebrate- *there's the proverbial lightbulb. He turns to Zelenin.* How would you normally pass the time on New Year's Eve?
Zelenin: Normally, just talking. Mostly about what we planned to do in the following year. ...and then you had the relatives who complained about politics, and in the case of my family we had one uncle who always went on and on about reinstating the monarchy in Russia.
Mastema: *chuckles. So much for that idea.* Some sort of game, then?
Zelenin: I don't know many games for New Year's... My grandmother told fortunes sometimes. Of course, they always turned out wrong. *she laughs* But it was fun.
Meshullam: And ones not for New Year's?
Zelenin: Well....while we were waiting for the go-ahead to enter the Schwarzvelt, some of the other scientists made up a game. Someone would name a letter and others had to name the basic elements that began with that letter.
Mastema: *his expression is rather unreadable. That would put him way out of his element. No pun intended.*
Meshullam: *y-yeah him too.* Maybe we could change it for everyday objects?
Zelenin: Of course! ...someone else introduced me to "twenty questions". It's aptly named. You have twenty yes or no questions to find out what object the other person is thinking of. Except the first.
Mastema: The first being "animal, vegetable, or mineral". *he chuckles* I've seen this one played. ...How does it sound to you, Meshullam?
Meshullam: It...sounds rather silly. But it's something to pass the time, I suppose.
Zelenin: *chuckles* I've already thought of something. Want to give it a try, Mastema?
Mastema: Of course. Animal, vegetable, or mineral?
Zelenin: Mineral.
Mastema: Is it a metal?
Zelenin: No. *she's pretty confident in this. He shouldn't be able to guess it...*
Mastema: *So, not metal...* Is it considered valuable?
Zelenin: Yes, very much so.
Mastema: Hm... *he's thinking hard about this one.* Is it larger than an average television remote control?
Zelenin: *laughs. Coming from Mastema, that sounds absurdly funny.* Yes... a bit.
Mastema: I could think of little else to express those dimensions. *Mastema can't help but laugh with her. It felt funny to say, after all. He was thinking so hard it helped him keep a straight face.*
Mastema: *Okay, dimensions, texture, and value...maybe what kind of value?* Is it valuable for the joy it brings to people?
Zelenin: No. *not really. But it certainly helped them in the long run.*
Mastema: ...is it a food or something that has flavor?
Zelenin: *laughs* Definitely not!
Mastema: *chuckles.* A lamentable waste of a question, then.
Is it something capable of changing its color or other aspect of appearance?
Zelenin: No.
Meshullam: That's seven. *He's keeping track!*
Mastema: Is it heavy?
Zelenin: *thinks for a while. Was it?* No. Not especially.
Mastema: If not metal...is it made of some other mineral found in mines?
Zelenin: *now he's getting warmer. She smiles.* No. It's not.
Mastema: Can it be found in several variations?
Zelenin: ... *can it? He did ask for two specific demons...* No.
Mastema: Does it serve a specific purpose? *he does not have much of an idea yet, despite how close this one is.*
Zelenin: Yes. *more of a smile now.*
Mastema: *laughs.* From your expression, I'd say I nearly have it. Is it flexible?
Zelenin: *chuckles* Not in the least!
Meshullam: Twelve. Eight more to go. *he's curious too, at this point!*
Mastema: Is it something that can be bought?
Zelenin: No. There's only one like it.
Mastema: It is unique...is it native to the world of man?
Zelenin: No.
Mastema: *smiles.* Hmn. Is it made by processing forma?
Zelenin: No. But something very similar.
Mastema: It is made from demons or demon byroducts, then... Was it something you yourself held?
Zelenin: *smiles* Yes.
Mastema: Was it made by human hands?
Zelenin: *getting warmer...* No.
Mastema: *So she held it, it was not made by human hands...he doubts she would have taken anything made by any other demon...* Is it the Shibboleth?
Zelenin: ...yes. It is. *she thought he would run out of questions before he realized...*
Meshullam: *looks between them oddly* What's the Shibboleth? Besides the obvious?
Mastema: *smiles.* That was a good choice. I did not at first consider what I had made myself. *He turns to Meshullam.* The Shibboleth is the artifact I made for the purpose of driving off Horkos, who had latched onto one of the iron ships in such a way that ordinary weapons could not harm him.
Meshullam: *winces* Such a glutton... Although it sounds like he bit off more than he could chew.
Mastema: Indeed. It was the result of the Shibboleth combined with human technology that forced him to part from the ship. *chuckles.* Though it was a path of events I expected, the more I think on it, the more certain I am that it is proof we are right in working together...in seeking compromise. *This last part seems more to himself than anyone. Or maybe himself and Zelenin.*
Zelenin: I agree. Though I believe that now includes some demons as well. There are more options available to all of us than complete and utter destruction of each other...
Mastema: *Which demons, he wants to ask...but there's no need to bring that sort of mood here.* True, the entirety of the Megami race lends their support, as well as some others...we are not so exclusive that we would turn down offered allegiance.
Meshullam: I'm certain it would be a lot more effective than...what was planned.
Zelenin: *quiet--she's still disturbed by her predetermined role in all of that.* I am too.
Mastema: I....*There is very visible fear here. He's afraid to admit this now.* I believe the original plan would be more efficient and secure, but...but that considers only the Earth... *And why does he still feel saddened when she dismisses her role as an angel?*
Meshullam: *doesn't bother him much. He knows his father's limitations.* Let's change the subject. A happier one.
Zelenin: ...yes. Let's.
Mastema: *gives Zelenin an apologetic look.* I did not intend to...ah... *okay, change of subject. Something happy.* .... The Mall had a masquerade ball for Christmas. *There, that's something happy.*
Meshullam: ...really? I didn't know that those were still common.
Zelenin: *chuckles* They are in the Mall, apparently.
Mastema: I did not stay for very long, unfortunately. I wish I could have enjoyed more of it. *smirks* I'm certain you would have been amused by my attempts to dance.
Meshullam: ....you? Dancing? As in, ballroom dancing?
Zelenin: *chuckles* Very well, as a matter of fact.
Mastema: *laughs* Come now, it's a wonder I avoided tripping over your feet. Or my own, for that matter. The shoes on my costume were...heavy, for my tastes.
Meshullam: A costume, huh? *grins. He's going to have fun with this, Mastema.*
Zelenin: The Phantom of the Opera, to be exact. The Mall chose it for him. My own wasn't so terrible.
Mastema: Her dress was very lovely. *quick smile in Zelenin's direction.* As for me...haha, you've heard already. Yet another joke on the Mall's part.
Meshullam: *trying so hard not to smirk.* You are so completely smitten with each other. You do know that, right?
Zelenin: Ah.... *she's trying not to blush now. Haha.*
Mastema: How could I be unaware? *he laughs.*
Zelenin: It's...not something that was intended, that is for certain.
Meshullam: Haha... I'm just teasing you, is all. Don't mind me. Just take good care of him. All right? My father can be completely ridiculous about some things.
Mastema: Hah! Such as?
Meshullam: *reaches over and pulls off a feather that has been dead for much too long, letting it flutter to the floor.* Properly preening yourself. You never were very good at it.
Mastema: *He sighs. Another empty spot.* I occasionally miss feathers. All angels do.
Meshullam: Most angels don't fall asleep while preening themselves. *lalala, more preening~*
Zelenin: I thought that was a common response...
Meshullam: There's a difference between relaxation and complete unconsciousness.
Mastema: I hardly fall asleep preening myself...
Meshullam: You did once. *snickers* Let me have my fun, would you?
Zelenin: *trying not to smile too much* I'll have to try that sometime.
Meshullam: It doesn't take much. Believe me.
Mastema: *laughing* Truly, it does not. I admit that much weakness... *He spreads his wings. Oooh, there are pinfeathers starting to grow for the primaries now!* There will be plenty of opportunity in the future.
Meshullam: *he smiles* Take care of yourself. It would be bad if they broke now.
Zelenin: ...? *stands up to take a look--and smiles at the sight of the new growth.* Why would it be bad?
Meshullam: *gently touches one to draw her attention* You can see they're still filled with blood.
Mastema: At this rate I should be able to fly again soon.
Zelenin: ...so they're delicate.
Meshullam: And they bleed much if they're broken. The same is evident in birds. *he grins* You might have to keep him from scratching so much!
Mastema: *He sighs.* It is not something I look forward to. Having so many will be uncomfortable... *And then all the chaff...well then Zelenin can try and preen him to sleep. That doesn't sound so bad.*
Meshullam: *In the meantime, keeps pulling the dead feathers away from his skin so that more new ones can take their place. After a while he looks up.* What time is it?
Zelenin: *checks her watch* Ten minutes to midnight.
Mastema: *He tries to see what Meshullam is doing. How many more dead feathers can he have left?*
Meshullam: *not very many now that he's gotten to them. He's brushing them out of Mastema's robe.* There. That should do it. It's not a very New Year's drink, but there should be plenty of water now.
Mastema: *smiles* I would not mind water at all.
Meshullam: *gets some basic little cups carved from wood out and pours them all some.* I apologize for it not being especially spectacular, Zelenin.
Zelenin: It's fine. I don't think I would trade this for all the spectacle in the world.
Mastema: Indeed. I would rather come here than to any grander event.
Meshullam: *he smiles, crouching down near the fire again* Thank you both. Very much. I... To be honest i was hoping you would visit soon. That's why I made the snowman...
Mastema: Well anticipated. *He smiles warmly. He taught the Nephilim well.* As I said, I would have visited earlier, if...if I could have. It was only recently I was allowed to leave the clinic.
Meshullam: It's fine. I would be more worried about your safety. I'm fine here. It's a harder life than I imagined, doing things as a human would, but....I think I like it.
Mastema: *Chuckles. There's an element of sadness to it.* We all drift towards human...
Meshullam: ...for me... it's part of who I am anyway. It helps me remember Mother. How I would help her...how we lived... That was so long ago, and yet I feel closer to her like this.
Zelenin: ...your memory had faded?
Meshullam: Can you remember everything you did when you were five, Zelenin? As time marches on, more and more memories of mine fade. It's just another reminder that I share kinship with humanity.
Mastema: Your mother....I remember that moment... I was convinced as the other Watchers you were some sort of monster. And then Shula...even as you were trying to attack her, not yet knowing right from wrong...she scolded you. Scolded you as if you were a human child. You responded. I saw, then... *He tries to smile through what he's just said.* She was a good mother. I regret not knowing...
Meshullam: *cringes* I was kind of a spoiled brat at the start, wasn't I...
Zelenin: *laughs* I think we all are. Why were you trying to hit her?
Meshullam: ....I didn't want to go to bed. *sheepish look*
Mastema: Was that the issue at hand? *He laughs.* I had only heard her shouting at you.
Meshullam: *even more sheepish.* I really was tired. It was part of why I was so irritated.
Zelenin: *she smiles* A typical child. It's...part of why I can't abide parents who talk down to their children. Not only does it insult their intelligence, it treats them as less than what they are. Human beings.
Mastema: Many of the other parents of Nephilim ran from their children, or were killed by Nephilim who knew not their own strength. We were few that...tried treating you as children.
Meshullam: And I owe you a debt of gratitude for doing so. *...this reminds him. Next Father's Day he should do something special.*
Zelenin: ...three minutes to a new year.
Mastema: You do not need to. It is only what a father ought to do.
Meshullam: *smiles* For the new year... I wish the both of you happiness and health.
Zelenin: And you the same, Meshullam. And I hope to at least get a taste of what you've grown once summer comes around.
Meshullam: If I manage not to kill anything. *he laughs* A toast! To a glorious 2025!
Zelenin: *laughs* In the Mall, it's only 2011...
Mastema: *joins in the laughter* Then we will ensure we are correct. To the new year.
Meshullam: I can go with that. To the new year it is!