MINGLE - Post-Op(era) Recovery

[pumpkinhollow]

On this night we drink to the death of Sorrow.

After the Fall of Efrain With the Prince of Sorrow's Song dead and gone, the opera dissipates, spitting its victims out on the summit of Crane's Ridge where the Dance of Celestine was held some months before. It's getting late, and there is no one yet in town to run the train. Some will brave the trip home simply for the sake of collapsing into their own beds and achieving some sense of normalcy. Others will do so with the hope of returning with help. But many others will simply say "fuck it" and camp out on the mountain, still fitted with extra firewood from the festival and the means to build temporary structures in nearby storage sheds. The journey down will be safer in the morning, and there's solidarity to be had in a cool spring night spent under the stars.

Oh, look, there's even some non-perishable food and wine from the Dance. Combined with what can be hunted or foraged, as well as snacks and drinks stolen from the concession stand, there's plenty to go around. This might even be a little bit fun! Anyone up for another game of Never Have I Ever? Maybe a little Truth or Dare? Or perhaps you just want to chat and unwind with your friends. Whatever the case may be, have fun. This is your time. After darkness, there is a dawn. At the death of Sorrow, there is joy.

Comments

[elvaquerito]

Aw hell yeah. Godpoke immediately whips out Megapon, which inhales sharply in a way that seems to carry the sound away from Leon. With a pop, like swallowing, the suction stops. They now have a "howdy" to go with their "yeehaw" from Radar! Perfect.

To answer Leon's question, they hand him a printed card, courtesy of Pinhole:

KELAIAH VOXX
"Godpoke" or "Pokey" | They/Them
Selective mute, messenger of the gods
Megaphone is called Megapon and it is a tool for capturing and
transporting verbal language, used for messenger duties and as
an accessibility tool.
Can also use ASL.
Thank you for understanding!

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Leon shies back away a bit from Megapon as Pokey points it at him, surprised and unsure of what to expect. When it just... carries his voice away, though, he relaxes, satisfied that it's nothing sinister. He takes the card.

"Thanks," he says, reading it over. "That's handy. I should probably put some effort into learning ASL, huh."

It's a thought he's been having on and off for a while now. He's seen a few people around town using it, and even aside from just being a good way to bridge communication gaps with people who prefer or have to use it for whatever reason, there's some advantages he can think of to knowing a language that doesn't require you to make or hear sound. That's a pursuit for later, though.

"Anyway. I've been here since last year," he explains. "But I got lost in Paradesium for, uh. Most of the winter. Is that about when you got here?"

[elvaquerito]

Godpoke nods. Right after that Givingstide holiday, they think. The market was still open. What was he doing down there in the jungle, they wonder? They tilt their head thoughtfully. Was he off on some grand adventure, wrestling giant beasts? Exploring? Is he an archaeologist? They begin envisioning Leon as Indiana Jones unbidden. Cool.

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

"Gotcha," says Leon, unaware of how cool Pokey is making out his adventure in falling down a hole and getting lost for three months out to be in their head. "I've technically been here since last spring, so if you ever have any questions or need any help, let me know. I don't know everything, but usually I can at least point to someone who'll be more helpful if I can't figure something out."

Which is maybe a little less true than it used to be, given how people have come and gone in the time he was away, but he's still confident enough in his ability to network to offer.