[Thread] Fancy Meeting You

[takion]

Characters: Takion, Saetan
Where: Gardens
When: Evening
Summary: Two old fellows wander out into the garden.
Warnings: Senior citizen nookie?

Comments

[papa_high_lord]

Saetan almost always took a stroll through the garden once the sun had set; it was peaceful and quiet, unlike the rest of the compound, and it gave him a chance to collect and compose his thoughts, as well as greet anyone else who happened to be out at the late hour.

Today, though, he had more than usual on his mind. In the space of only a few days, so many people had disappeared that everyone in Econtra seemed affected by it in some way. Part of the family he had formed around himself here had suddenly vanished, and he knew he would miss them. Grief was something he had become intimately familiar with over his very long life, but that did not make it any easier to bare.

Sighing quietly to himself, the High Lord glanced around, wondering how many more people would vanish before this war was done. Rounding a corner, his golden eyes landed on the only other figure in the garden. He and Takion were acquaintances, but had never spent much time together, despite his son's friendship with the other man. Well, he might as well try to get to know him.

"Good evening," He greeted with a polite nod and smile.

[takion]

Takion turned his distant gaze to see an older man. For a moment he wondered if this fellow were really there, or if he was a figment born from the writng he'd done. It was hard to tell sometimes what was real and what wasn't when he'd spent a long stretch writing.

This fellow was someone that Takion recognized, having met him once. It was Daemon's father. Takion cast his mind back, but couldn't remember hearing that Saetan had disappeared. That meant that the man was really here. Even if he had been a figment, Takion would have still given him a greeting. "Good evening, dear fellow."

[papa_high_lord]

Saetan eyed Takion thoughtfully; he looked worn out and distracted, as though his mind were a thousand miles away. Perhaps he was as upset by all the disappearances as Saetan himself was.

"Are you alright?" He asked, eying him with concern.

[takion]

Takion took off his glasses to rub at his eyes. When he settled his glasses back on again, his expression was slightly more grounded in reality than in his imaginings. And Saetan was still there. Not a figment, then.

"I will be," Takion answered. His lips curled upward in a faint smile. "I've spent all day filling page after page after page with everything I could remember about those who have left us. It's a daunting task that's left me not completely here at the moment."

[papa_high_lord]

Saetan sighed, looking both sympathetic and saddened by the reminder of everyone they had lost as he placed a comforting hand on Takion's shoulder. Writing down memories was a good idea, he decided. People did not deserve to fade away and be forgotten, and everyone honored their memories in their own way.

"I'd like to see those, someday," He said, adding quickly, "If you don't mind, of course. It's hard to believe so many people we card about are suddenly gone."

[takion]

Takion reached up automatically to rest his hand on top of Saetan's. It wasn't often lately that someone was trying to comfort him. More and more it was the other way around. It was nice, really.

"I would not write them if they weren't meant to be shared," Takion murmured. "Some memories are private things, meant to be hidden away. But the memories of those we cared for should not be scuttled out of sight."

[papa_high_lord]

Saetan brought his other hand up to rest on the other shoulder, fingers unconsciously beginning to massage the muscles. It was not something he was really aware of anymore; it was just what he did when people were feeling upset or needed to talk, whether it be Mephis or Jaenelle at home or a relative stranger here. He had noticed that many cultures in this place were not as comfortable with physical contact as his, but he had decided he was too old to be bothered to change his ways.

"I agree," He replied quietly. "Some memories can never be shared, no matter how much they should be, but others are meaningless if they're kept private."

[takion]

Takion let out a contented sigh as Saetan began to rub his shoulders. The older man was proving exceptionally good at kneading away the stiffness that came from sitting still too long, hunched over a book. The last time anyone had rubbed his shoulders had been months ago when he'd been home with Liddell.

Shutting his eyes, Takion let himself just enjoy the moment. With so much sadness lately, it didn't hurt to relish whatever small pleasures came his way. "I've spent much of my life encouraging people to steal precious memories to accomplish my own ends. It's strange to be working towards sharing memories."

A pause and another pleased sigh. "I'll be put out if you stop that."

[papa_high_lord]

Saetan chuckled quietly, long black nails continuing to brush against Takion's shoulders. Nice to know he was good for something around here, he reflected with dry amusement. "Steal memories?" He asked with mild curiosity. It was something he would have had no problem with as a Black Widow, but he had never done such a thing.

The second comment got another gentle smile. "Well, we can't have that, can we?"

[takion]

"Never did the dirty work myself," Takion murmured. "Not when there were plenty of girls willing to do it for me. I needed the most secret stories locked away in thier hearts to create a rather special book with the power to grant wishes. So many years, so many stolen memories... And the book was never completed."

[papa_high_lord]

Generally, Saetan would have been upset by this sort of thing, and demanded an elaboration on the story. Child abuse in any form was not something he tolerated. Instead, he forced himself to stay quiet. At the moment, he was not in the mood to yell, and, after all, Takion had not exactly said whatever he was talking about had been harmful.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Was all he said. "We all do things we are not exactly proud of, I think. There's no use in talking about them, though." Not in his case, anyways. He'd rather remember those who had vanished recently, not old memories.

[takion]

Takion cracked open his eyes, tilting his head so that he could watch Saetan. The older man didn't look pleased. "And it is easiest to do those things when you say you're doing it in the name of love," he murmured before letting the subject drop.

The stiffness was gone from his shoulders now, and so Takion stepped slightly away so that he could turn to face Saetan full on. "I owe you, friend."

[papa_high_lord]

That comment hit too close to home for Saetan to remain upset at Takion. It was a justification he himself had used more than once for things he had done. "So very true," He agreed, his golden eyes thousands of years away.

Pulling his thoughts back to the moment, he eyed Takion thoughtfully, a small smile spreading across his handsome face. "Well, I'm sure I'll think of a way for you to repay me." He murmured jokingly, almost sad the contact had ended.

[takion]

A glint of amusement flickered in Takion's eyes. With his slightly skewed sense of humor, Saetan might not welcome Takion's ideas of repayment. At least he likely wouldn't if the author were feeling mischievous.

But mischief could wait a bit. Takion instead offered Saetan his arm. Surely he could be just as steadying as a cane, and he would certainly be a better conversationalist. "Perhaps we could keep each other company since we're both out here. That way we can make sure that neither one of us fade away."

[papa_high_lord]

Saetan almost laughed at Takion's expression. Hell's Fire, if he could handle the coven, the boyos and Jaenelle, nothing the author would do could throw him too badly off stride, he decided.

He vanished the cane, accepting the arm gratefully and leaning against Takion. "I'd like that very much," He replied quietly. "Even with so many people here, it can get very lonely sometimes."

[takion]

"Indeed it can," Takion murmured. "At least you've family here. Surely that eases the sting of loneliness a little."

Saetan certainly wasn't any great burden, and it was nice having this sort of closeness with another person. Takion's mind was mostly back from that distant place inside his own head, mostly due to Saetan. His gentle touch had been enough to draw Takion back to reality.

[Ooc: Mwahaha! I might just take that as a challenge to have Takion try to brainbreak Saetan now. XD]