Una questione di divinità.

[refantasma]

Sender: Nico
To: Everyone.
Subject: Gods.

Okay. How many gods are here? I've met two and there are three demigods myself included.

and demons while were at it. my father works with demons all the time and my children are demons so no judgement there.

Im just trying to figure out how this place works.

Comments

[book2thehead]

I see... I'm sorry you had to go through all that. It must've been quite hard on you.

[refantasma]

Things are starting to look up at least.

[book2thehead]

Back home? Or by you having returned here?

[refantasma]

both. This is a nice getaway.

[book2thehead]

It really is, isn't it? I'm quite fond of it, too. :3

Out of curiosity, did you remember anything about this place when you were awake?

[refantasma]

[There's a noticeable pause.]

... itd be easier to say in person. Coffee?

[book2thehead]

[Interesting. There's only a moment's pause on Heizou's end.]

Coffee sounds wonderful! Pick a place and I'll meet you there~

[refantasma]

Dreambucks?

[book2thehead]

I can be there in ten minutes. :)

[Maybe not exactly ten minutes, but that is about how long it takes for him to get to Dreambucks!]

[refantasma]

[Nico got there pretty early. He shadowed traveled there.

He's got an indoor table and a frappuccino in front of him.]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou finds him easily enough, perking up with a smile and waving as he goes to join him at his table.]

You got here quick! It's been a while, hasn't it, Nico?

[refantasma]

I shadow-traveled here. It's always pretty quick. It can be pretty draining if I do it too much, though.

[Nico toys with his cup.]

Yeah. I was awake in November, and then Christmas is always busy.

[book2thehead]

Oooh, that's convenient! Though- Please don't tire yourself out if you don't need to.

[He's going to watch Nico do that for a bit, head tilting curiously. Is he nervous?]

Ah... Apparently I slept through pretty much all of December, so I missed that one. [What's a Christmas? They don't have that in Teyvat...] Did that help ease you back into the rhythm of this world, at least?

[refantasma]

Sort of.

[He let out a sigh.]

I didn't remember anything from here when I was awake.

I... not sure, how I feel about that.

[book2thehead]

And you said you were awake for a year, right? But only a month had passed here...

[Heizou looks thoughtful for a moment, watching Nico's expression carefully.]

It must've been terribly disorienting, then. Did the memories of your time here come rushing back all at once?

[refantasma]

Sort of. I've had my memory messed with before, so it was kinda like that.

[He frowns, bites his bottom lip.]

It was... well. Here, Jason and I started dating, and then we both woke up; he woke up a little bit before me, and we didn't remember it. Neither of us got to see each other again.

And now he's dead. And I have a boyfriend in the waking world, and I completely forgot about being with Jason here. It's...

I hate how it feels.

[book2thehead]

[He listens very intently, completely focused on Nico with a sympathetic look on his face. Only when he's finished does he even dare to move, shifting to lean forward on the table on his arms while he speaks, his tone soft and earnest.]

I'm... so sorry about that. It's never easy when something you know in your head doesn't agree with what's in your heart and vice versa. And of course there's the unpredictable nature of this dream world, ever changing who we meet and what we remember from our respective waking worlds...

[He shakes his head with a sad sort of sigh.]

I can only imagine how awful that kind of conflict must feel. Does it still bother you, or has it gotten easier with time?

[refantasma]

[Does it get easier? Grief has been a constant companion of Nico pretty much since he entered the world of Greek gods. It doesn't get easier. You just learn to live with it.]

We knew when we got together, this would happen. That'd we'd forget, and he would die. There was a prophecy, and Leo spilled the beans when he woke up and came back.

But knowing didn't make it easier. But I guess we assumed if we woke up, we wouldn't come back here.

No, it hasn't gotten easier.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou nods in understanding, reaching over to give Nico a consoling pat on the hand. Of course it hasn't. He often still feels his own loss as acutely as if it had just happened, even though it's been years since then. There's a reason he never talks about it.]

I'm so, so sorry, Nico. I wish there was more I could say or do to comfort you, but...

[He trails off with another little sigh. What else is there? He knows - maybe better than anyone - that there's nothing he can really do at this point.]

..I assume the one from your waking life isn't here?

[refantasma]

Thanks.

[He allows himself the luxury of a sigh.]

Getting out is a big help. I can't really talk to Percy about this stuff since he's only loved one person ever, so he wouldn't understand. And it wouldn't be fair to Leo since he and Jason were best friends.

[He gives a shake of his head.]

No, Will's not here.

[book2thehead]

I see...

[His waking life boyfriend not being here is probably for the best. It would only hurt both of them to see Nico grieving and feeling guilty over his love for someone else.]

If you have a hard time talking with any of them about it, I don't mind being the one to lend an ear! Only if that's something you'd find helpful, of course.

[refantasma]

Thanks, Heizou. I appreciate that.

[After a minute, he turned over his hand and took Heizou's hand, squeezing it before pulling it away as he stood.]

Let me get you something. What do you want?

[book2thehead]

[He gives Nico a reassuring smile.] You're very welcome, Nico. Feel free to come to me any time.

[And with that, Heizou is back to looking a little more like his usual, impish self!]

I'm quite fond of the lattes here, actually! They do sweet drinks well~

[refantasma]

I think latte's a little bitter for me.

[Nico had a major sweet tooth.]

I'll be right back.

[book2thehead]

[That comment seems to make Heizou brighten ever so slightly. Clearly he's gotten too used to being around someone who only wants the most bitter drinks in the land.]

Ooh~! I'd love to try whatever you get for yourself, then~

[And with that, he will patiently wait for Nico's return, looking out the window and observing the people who're walking by.]