what_happens_after [Curious Coeurlian RP Repository]

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====== What Happens After - 12/07/20 ======

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

It was a quiet day outside the Lily Hills complex. Birds were singing, the sound of water below the just ungodly long brige burbled, and seated on a bench outside the door, Tretesta sat patiently. He appeared fully relaxed, staring up at a blue sky and humming softly to himself. A closer look might reveal something amiss, though. There were bags under his eyes, a light twitch at the corner of his mouth, and his hands, if they weren't clasped together, had a tremor. He yawned wide suddenly, shook his head, and then resumed his smile. Waiting for something or someone to happen. It was bound to eventually, and this way was far more polite than kicking in doors until he remembered/found which flat Vinalo and Mimisha shared.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

The doors to the Lily Hills swung open as a green-robed Lalafell stepped out. They paused and took the time to take a deep inhale of the fresh air of the Black Shroud, sighing contently. Vinalo Mabunalo was carrying a tiny flowerpot with an appropriately tiny flower planted in it. Ready to head off down the long bridge to the rest of the Lavender Beds, the sight of a certain blue-haired Hyur caught their eye before they made it more than a yalm down the path.

"Tret? Is that you?" they asked, tilting their head to the side. "How... how long've you been sitting out here?"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

Out of politeness, the man absentmindedly raised a hand in greeting towards the newest person to exit. Surely they had to come out of their apartment someti- just a sec. Tret rose to his feet quickly, though some awkward seconds after he was called by name, and spread his arms to his sides. With a beaming grin, he called back and approached slowly "Vin! Funny running into you over here! Oh... I was just in the area, needed to sit down for a moment, neh? A few moments... ahhhh hm." He looked up at the sun high in the middle of the sky, then down at the tree line. Back up, and then down to Vinalo again, blinking the sunspots from his eyes "Since 9ish? give or take. Not long, no. Where are you off to, dear friend?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Since nine? That's... well, a while." they said, chuckling a bit, their face revealing an amused smile. "Me? About to head off to return this little flower here. Owner nearly killed it with overwatering. Was almost swimming in mud when I got a hold of it. But, a little care and careful tending and its right healthy again!"

Vinalo looked quite pleased with themself and held up the tiny flower to show Tret. "I know you wanted to meet up, though. You... didn't forget which was my apartment, did you?

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

Tretesta crouches down to get a look at the plant, then nods approvingly "Perhaps you should suggest water lilies for their next plant. hard to drown those, I'd think." he straightened up and looked up at the tall building nearby, falling silent for about two beats too long. Then he'd suddenly turn back and resume as if he hadn't been nearly comatose in that time "I sure did! Nothing suuuuuuper important, but I've certainly had a few questions boring rather deep in my mind. I do hope you might have some knowledge, with your... magical background! Shall we walk? Glad to escort you!"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

Vinalo laughed at the suggestion, bringing the flowerpot back down into a easier carrying position. "You'd think so, but I've dealt with people that maybe could." They smirked at Tret's obvious deflection. "Well, it's not too far of a walk, and I wouldn't have said 'yes' at the Grindstone if I wasn't willing to help. And... suppose I've the right background for it."

A smile and nod. "Let's be off, then!"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

"Oh, its not so much a matter of willing, Vinalo. No no no." He started across the bridge, leading the way!  as they reached the mainland, he'd stride off some distance before stopping, wheeling about, and then jogging to catch up after the botanist who was obviously going the right way. There was another silence, and then small talk began "Late night berry collecting went well, I hope? sorry to have kept you so long that evening, fretting over my worries"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Went quite well. Gathered enough for a couple jars. Got some ideas for later. Found out that Misha can't resist fresh rolanberries," Vinalo said, looking up to Tret with a grin. They turned a direction at a fork in the road, glancing back this time to make sure he was following. "So. What're you wondering about?"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

"You know, I learned something similar about Blue and chocolate covered espresso beans. Just loves them. Loses her mind if I can find them." he chuckles softly and shakes his head, following dutifully after Vinalo now "Ahhh you know. the small things. Life... Death... What happens to us when we die. Mostly that last one.  Unless you're not terribly familiar with that."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

Vinalo paused for a moment, not quite expecting a question like that. Without looking back, they continued walking. "Ah. Well. Spent a lot of my time trying to keep it from happening to people, but I know as least as much as anyone else, I suppose. And the specifics depend on who you ask, but..." they said, audibly taking in a breath, "When someone dies, their soul's binding to their body releases and it returns to the Lifestream. There, it joins with the great mass of souls for some time, eventually returning to a new life. The time there... washes away memories and such, so every time is a new life to live. Sometimes souls can... persist here after death. Vile magicks involved, usually."

The healer looked back to Tret, inquisitive look on their face. "Not to pry, but... reason it's on your mind?"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

Tret is very quiet for some time after the lengthy explanation. His expression blank, hands making small gestures, and if one listened very very carefully, they would hear a hamster losing its mind in the man's head. Eventually he brightened back up and nodded "Really now? returning to another life... Reincarnation... that adds up...Ahem." He looks down to Vinalo finally, studying their expression for a moment and then shrugging "Honestly? I didn't understand it, and never asked before. I've seen people die before, but never thought about what happens to us when we do... What do you mean about...specifics not being the same?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Specifics... Well, some different faiths in the Twelve believe more happens than that," they respond, walking pace slowing down a bit. "Lot of people in Ul'dah believe that Thal judges souls before sending them along to an... appropriate afterlife. Favors wealth, supposedly." Vinalo shakes their head a bit before continuing. "Halone is said to favor those who keep her faith and fight for justice. Though, Luna'd probably be able to tell you more about that. And, well... reckon every culture has their own stories, right?"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

Tret nodded slowly, thoughtfully, through the elaboation. And then for a few seconds after that. "Ah, right, no, I get you, I get you. I was thinking the actual process had... differences. But... we die, we join the stream, and we come back again, but not really. usually. usually. Neh? Oh hey-"

Through some combination of deep thought and deep exhaustion, the hyur missed an ankle high rock on the side of the path... directly in his path. So down he went. But, like a circus clown, he tumbled over, sprang back to his feet, and turned around to walk backwards, facing Vinalo now and speaking as if nothing had happened "So, what happens if I don't want to go yet? Or someone else doesn't want to let go of me?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

Vinalo gave an affirmative hum to Tret's first statement, only to watch the man do a comical tumble and spring with the grace of an only slightly intoxicated performer. They couldn't help but snirk as he turned around to face them. "You really are tired, aren't you?" they asked, not expecting much of an answer. His follow-up questions made Vinalo stop entirely.

"You... we usually don't decide that. We die, and our soul leaves. There's rumors and stories of powerful or special beings that can keep their soul from returning right away, but I reckon that doesn't include any of us here. Otherwise, there's horrible magicks that can manipulate and control souls," the healer says, voice taking on a clear tone of distaste. "Powerful voidsent can too, I've heard. Though... I'm lucky enough to not've seen it happen."

"Very much hope you're not looking into any of that," Vinalo finishes, in a tone both inquisitive and serious.

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

"Tired? Maybe a little. Some early chores at the stables. Little restless last night." And the day before. and the night before. Chancing a look over his shoulder in case there was more tripping hazards, he'd turn back, hook his thumbs into his belt and shrug "Death is a scary thing, Vin. Finality, everything just...ending. I very much doubt I'm the first one to think about how to avoid it. That's a story old as time. Man versus fate. Challenging Death to a game for your life, or simply avoiding meeting with Death."

With a sigh, Tret spun on his heel, facing away and slowing his pace until his shorter strided companion caught up, then continued "...At what point does 'Horrible' become 'Tragic?' A mother desperately wants to keep their child who is fatally ill. A soldier falls far away from his family, whom he never got to say goodbye to. Offer these people the chance to cheat death, they will take it... I know I would..." He trails off, looking back up into the sky. He rolled the final statement around in his head for a few moment, then spoke finally "Looking into it? No. I don't get a chance to think of life and death much. Sometimes one considers their own... smallness. Own horrible things done. We die and our souls leave... maybe to become part of something new. We are ourselves, but we are many, too...."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Trying to keep people from dying in dire situations is something I've devoted my life to, Tret. You don't need to lecture me on things like that. And it is a tragedy when it's not... enough, or there's no help at all," they responded, tone still serious. "It happens. Just and unjust, it happens. But healing someone isn't 'cheating' death. I don't much believe in fate, so it's simply preventing the... preventable."

Vinalo resumed their pace once Tret turned around and began walking normally again.

"Different from keeping a soul of someone who's died from returning to the Lifestream, though. That's messing with the cycle of life entirely."

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

"... Not a lecture, by any means, Vin. Not from me. I'm out here learning from you. Questions... trying to put it all together. Thinking out loud, neh? If you could... Hold someone's soul for a bit longer. a patient who was just too hurt to heal. a family member. If a soul had a second chance at its most recent life... when is it too long?" Tret stopped in his tracks, crossing his arms over his chest and staring hard at the ground in thought. "...When do you get to the point that preventing the preventable is cheating the life cycle?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Hold it in what? The dead body? Corpses respond right poorly to healing aether, Tret. Believe me, I know." they said, their tone taking on one of slight frustration. "And the soul's own aether could be damaged if kept in one. And if you... trapped it outside the body? Then you're dealing with same vile magicks or... whatever that could hold onto one as long as they wanted. And then you'd have to force a soul into a body. Dealing with terrible things."

Vinalo stopped and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. They looked at Tret right in the eyes. "All mortals eventually die, Tret. Do chirurgeons and healers like me delay that a bit? Suppose we do, for the sake of hope and happiness and joy. But, it'll eventually happen, and the cycle'll continue when it does."

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

"Hm. Well, that does certainly make for a problem." Tret's stance relaxed, and he crouched down, getting on level with Vinalo. Smiling at them now, he nodded "Vinalo, I promise you. I have neither the desire or the ability to stop death. I am a man afraid of his own life ending sometimes. Afraid of others ending." Tret then sighs, and hangs his head, shaking it gently. "...I very much appreciate your explaination. Your humoring of my own struggle to stop what cannot stop. Just... One more question. Vile magic aside, whatever that may be... Would you bring back Mimisha? No right answer, no wrong answer. Just... Would you? Could you?" Tret raised his face again, looking the healer back in the eyes. Just a weary, serene expression across his features.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

Vinalo's eyes went wide for a moment as they processed Tret's question. Hesitation. They turn their head down and close their eyes. A deep breath and exhale. The Lalafell opened their eyes (which seemed to be slightly glossy now) and smiled weakly.

"No, I wouldn't. If... if Misha died, then she's gone. Her soul would return to the Lifestream, waiting for her next life. And I would mourn and cry and scream and curse the gods for letting it happen. But..." they stopped to take a breath, their voice shaking a bit. "B-but I'd live on, and eventually... die myself. And just maybe we'd meet again in our next lives, and fall in love again. I'd... we'd like to think so, anyway."

Vinalo wiped their eyes and nose, taking a moment to compose themself before looking back at Tret.

"Besides. Even if I would... even if I could... Misha'd never forgive me."

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc>
 
Reaching out slowly, Tret gently took the potted plant from Vinalo so that they could take their time and use both hands to compose themselves. He had briefly considered hugging the little healer, but that time had not come yet. "Very strongly said. While I feel different about the question, I understand you. Its a good answer, Vin." He straightned up again, rolled his neck, and took a closer look at the plant he was now in charge of  "So, you have absolutely been patient with me. I believe I nearly broke you a few times, but you didn't quite bite my head off. Is there anything you'd like to ask me in return? An information trade, if you will. Believe it's the only thing I have on me that I can offer you for your time today."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

The healer did indeed make use of both their hands to pull themself together. Vinalo shook their head a bit and patted the sides of their head. A short sigh. They looked up and let Tret hold onto the plant. For now.

"Information? Reckon you know by now that I don't care to pry much, but if you truly want to make this equal, suppose this'll have to do," they said, now tapping their chin. A thoughtful hum. "Tret. I'm not blind. You look like you haven't slept since the Grindstone. Asking questions about death and souls and such. And how to keep them from passing on. That's past random curiosity, Tret. Tell me, truthfully, what's going on?"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc>
 
"Truthfully? I don't believe I've lied yet. Not yet. Not to you. Don't have a reason to." He looked down at Vinalo for a few moments, and then shrugged "I haven't slept since Grind Stone. I've been.... Trying to understand. But you were my only chance to learn. So I waited. Of course you had a prior engagement, and I wasn't going to let some silly questions ruin a fun time..." Tret began to pace slowly across the path. Four steps, turn. Four steps, turn. Still carrying the plant, looking down to Vinalo occasionally "Last night might have been fine, but I lost track of time. My own fault. Should have just left Tod and pulled you to the side... But late as it was, I couldn't keep you out all night to ask some meaningless crap." There was a manicness creeping into his tone as he went on. "So I get home, figure I have early work, time to sleep. But it won't come of course. Questions to be answered. So we drag ourselves to work, deal with the birds, and shortly after I go on break that I'm due back for about........ 3 bells ago? Yes." Tret then stopped, turned, and sat down hard infront of Vinalo, staring them in the eyes. As if into their soul. Plant secure in his lap, of course 

"Vin. Everything I've told you is true. Look at me. I'm throwing myself at trained warriors on a weekly basis. For fun. I spent most of my life as a mercenary. I still do things that are very much against your healing magics in my free time. What's going on? I'm going to die, Vinalo. Blue is going to die. And I don't get to control that. I don't get to control what happens to my soul. Understanding how it works... It's a small comfort that I needed to know. Couldn't read about it, so I waited and thought and waited and thought and thought and...well... Asking an ignorant man gets you no answers, friend."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Gods, Tret..."

It was all they could say after his rambling explanation of the past few days. Vinalo attempted to compose their thoughts quickly, trying to find the right combination of words to do something. They opened their mouth to speak, but nothing came out. They shook their head a bit and tried again. Maybe it'd work now.

"Suppose I never had much trouble accepting that I'd die someday. Seemed as natural as anything else that happened. My worry, especially before I left my parents', was I'd never manage to find myself, or any purpose at all before it happened. But... things changed when I came to the Shroud, and heard the music here," Vinalo said, trying their best to sound encouraging. They smiled a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Changed more when I threw myself into becoming a healer, learning the flow and feel of the aether and everything around us. And when... I became true to myself. And even more in the last year. And... I still have plenty more I want to do, of course!"

The healer sat down, despite their companion already sitting to meet their eye level.

"I do what I do because it brings hope and comfort to those who need it the most. Changes lives for the better. Lets people live, or give them more of a reason to live. Even though every one of them'll die someday, even though I'll die someday, that hope and happiness gets passed down. Has meaning, you know?" Vinalo continued, smiling slightly. "I'm not you, Tret. Can't pretend to have every answer to make you feel better about it all. But... reckon we just have to try our best."

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

The intense stare continued, unblinkingly as Vinalo poured their being out. He then suddenly breathed in deep and blinked three times, head lowering slightly when they sat down. A smile crossed Tret's lips again and he nodded slowly the entirety of the last bit. "I don't want all the answers, Vin. Just a few in particular. I got what I needed." With a grunt, Tret slowly pushes himself back up to his feet, brushing himself off one hand at a time and then checking himself over "Urf... I'm almost curious what you expected me to say there. But no matter. You have your worries, I have mine. I'll still throw myself face first into fists on the weekend, because I want to. Should something terrible happen to me because some fuckwit didn't listen to the rules? At least I don't have to go alone. So, which way were we going again?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

~~"Didn't expect anything. Was just hoping that it'd help a bit with thinking about death. But.." Vinalo says while getting to their own feet. "If you've got what you needed, then that's good enough for now."

They take a look around, having slightly lost track of how far they've gone during the conversation.

"Three houses down, right at the fork, and then just a bit further. And I can take the flower back, now."~~

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

~~"I don't fully believe that. You were quite upset with me towards for a bit there, like i might have been lying to you. But don't worry about that. I know how i get when I start... learning? Sure." He stepped out as directions were given, stopped mid first-stride, spun on his heel, and  swept the potted plant out and down on one hand to be taken. Once relieved of his burden, he spun back around and started off with Vinalo again. 

"Have not gotten all that I need. But that's not your fault, it's mine. Lets go yell at this poor soul for a little bit about drowning their plants, maybe show them what its like to really drive the lesson home, and then we can go back to enjoying our respective days, neh?"~~

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Asked because people usually don't stay up for days and start asking about death because they woke up a bit curious. Good reason to think something happened, or you saw something to make you start thinking about it," Vinalo responds, getting to their own feet. "And maybe just didn't want to talk about it. Either way, figured I could try and help some more. It's what I do."

The Lalafell takes a look around, having lost track of how far the duo had gone during all that. They silently count off the houses to the side of the road. A quick nod to themself and they look back to Tret.

"Just a bit further down this way. Right at the fork, and then we'll be almost there. And I can take the flower back, now."

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

"I've seen a lot of things that should have made me think about it before, Vin. Maybe just a... existential crisis? People keep telling me to be careful and worrying about me between rounds and after losses at the grind stone. the things I do out there could get me outright killed, when it matters." He stepped out as directions were given, stopped mid first-stride, spun on his heel, and  swept the potted plant out and down on one hand to be taken. Once relieved of his burden, he spun back around and started off with Vinalo again.

"Not everything is done of course. But the next few bits I'll need to do myself. Unless you really wanna come snuggle while I have a small nap. large nap."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

Vinalo took the plant back and managed to chuckle at the man's 'suggestion.' They gave a little dismissive wave. "Hah, think I'll pass on that." Their regular smile seemed to return as they spoke. "Already have someone for things like that, you know." They kept smiling, but their ears might've been a tiny bit red. For just a moment.

A few houses passed. Fork reached the successfully navigated.

"I worry because I worry about any of my friends when something happens. And... having a crisis at all means you're thinking about it more than some people. Just depends on what you do with it."

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc> 

He looked back over his shoulder and winked at the embarrassed healer, then Tret would turn back, once again trying to ensure that he was not needed to pull anymore tumbling tricks. as they reached the fork, he pointed one way, the other, then back to the first, and then started down the previously indicated path 

"I'm the last person to worry about, Vin. As far as what I'll do with it... Well, like I said. Still gonna go out and get hurt, that's not gonna change. But now I might feel a little better if someone doesn't get up afterwards. They get to be part of the cycle all over again, and maybe they'll have better luck the next time! Like this dumb bastard who's drowning plants... This their place up here?" He pointed at a nearby house, mischief and a small amount of malice tinging his last few words

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc> 

"Don't think you'll need to do that, Tret. I'll just make sure to give them a stern talking to," the botanist said, now taking a last look over the flower. They blink a few times and look back up to Tret. "And I can be stern! If I want to be, anyroad."

Vinalo looked to the house their companion pointed at, seeing if he did actually guess right. A tiny chuckle and they pointed to the house just next to it.

"Almost had it, you did. Would've been a right lucky guess." They grinned , their mood seemingly recovered. "So. Figure I can take it from here. You gonna head home and try to get some sleep now?"

<fc #122887>''[Tretesta]''</fc>
 
Tret frowned as he was corrected, looking then to the house where the client lived "You know, Vin, there are many things I don't need to do. But sometimes, they seem really fun to do anyway!" 

||(Noncanon - With a mad grin, Tret took off like a bolt. Hopping the indicated home's fence, he charged at the door and made a flying drop kick at the door jam. With a bang and a hyur falling to the ground on the front step, the door exploded inward and a shriek was heard. Tret got up,  shook his head, and darted inside, yelling "SOMEONE'S BEEN NAUGHTY. DON'T YOU RUN FROM ME! THAT'LL JUST MAKE ME MAD!" Mad laughter echoed from the house, as well as a string of unintelligible but certainly rude words. Vinalo had best hurry before a soul was sent off to rejoin the circle of life and death)||

He paused in the middle of the road, as if considering his next course of action. Turning to look back as Vinalo came up beside him, he sighed wearily "But, I suppose fun can wait. I've got some things to muse over, work to return to, and a nap to wrestle into submission. Maybe I'll do something.... I don't know... Crazy to the next person you have to scold. Leave a lasting impression on them. Make sure they learn your lesson well. We'd make a good team like that!" Tret raised a hand in farewell allowing for further parting words before he'd turn and head down the path towards the ferry dock.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>
 
Vinalo snirked at Tret's clearly faux disappointment. "Save that for something really bad, I reckon. Take care of yourself, Tret! If you hear from Blue, make sure to send my well-wishings!" 

They gave their unexpected companion for the day their usual friendly wave, and started up the stairs to their client's house. A brief glance back to see Tret walking away. They looked back and knocked on the door.

"Maybe I will suggest lily pads," they said quietly to themself as they waited. A small chuckle. "Maybe."

----

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