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[demonicbeauty]

((ooc: CW for a brief mention of recreational drugs.))

[For two months, more or less, she's been in mourning. She hasn't shown her face much. And there's been a lot of crying.

But sentimental though Ariadne can be, she's also practical. Which means she recognizes when it's time to try moving forward.

So behold. Not Padmé, not Jane. Just a sad Ariadne, her hair in a loose braid, with a few tendrils curling around her face.]

I've decided it's time to clean through the rubble that was the Winchester cottage. The ground needs to be cleared so someone else can build there. And I'm sure a few things survived the fire which need to be sorted and placed.

I guess...I mean, I'll do it myself. But if anyone would like to help I would...appreciate it. I can pay you in fruit or herbs from the orchard.

[Her face is like porcelain. She's not letting a single crack show, even though it still hurts.]

I'll be there for the next week or so. Please let me know if you'd be willing to join me. At the very least, I think some of his--some of Dean's--marijuana plants survived. I'd like to try to replant them in my garden.

I can pay you with that, if you like.

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

[She smiles slightly.]

Thank you. That's kind of you.

Perhaps you'd like some dried cherries instead?

[onerthes]

Now those I can put to good use. I would be happy to take dried fruit off of your hands. And, honestly, I'd just be happy to help. That's not work you should have to do alone.

[It wasn't the danger, or the labor itself. One shouldn't have to clean up memories like that alone. It was draining emotionally.]

Have you been alright, considering?

[demonicbeauty]

I'm trying to be. It's all very strange. It isn't as if I haven't lost people before. But this time was different.

[She shakes her head.]

I don't want to make it all about me, but I think I've changed, somehow.

[onerthes]

This time was closer and more important. I understand. It doesn't lessen the losses in the past. But it's still something painful to lose someone you care about so deeply.

[She smiled softly.]

This world has a way of tempering us to loss and pain, I suppose, doesn't it?

[demonicbeauty]

I suppose it does.

[Ariadne sighs.]

Maybe that's why Dean grew the marijuana. Although, I must admit, I've never enjoyed the benefits.

[onerthes]

So... when Chloe was still here, I used to partake. A lot. I had to give it up because of some medications I was on in the nightmare. And I think... I preferred myself without. But!

It's very good at sort of, how do I put this? It takes the edge off of everything. It makes the world feel very relaxed. Mellow. It helped her nerves a lot, and it helped mine at some of the most stressful. Strong smelling stuff though.

[demonicbeauty]

Like alcohol?

[onerthes]

A bit...

It's hard for me to describe. There's a fuzzy-headed cloud like that, and the body sort of melts and relaxes completely. I think ... I would say that it is much more relaxed than alcohol can be. There's less desire to move about, and time seems to slow down a little bit.

They're similar, in that they both sort of relax and ease the person, and remove some inhibitions, but it feels different if that makes sense?

[demonicbeauty]

Both must be linked to the body's metabolism, somehow. I've been told mine's incredibly high.

All Alastrians are.

Which I guess is why neither one works for me.

[onerthes]

Ah, well if that's the case I suspect it would pass through your system a little faster than it does most humans. It probably gets metabolized very quickly. My people are long lived, but we metabolize such things as fast as humans do.

Well, there's always different ways to relax are there not?

[demonicbeauty]

Of course. There's music.

[Although she hasn't felt much like playing likely.

Mostly, because she's afraid of sad songs.]

[onerthes]

Music? Well, I certainly wouldn't say music is a bad thing. It probably can help sooth the heart. If that isn't quite enough, you could also include some of that incense we burn now and again...

[demonicbeauty]

Incense?

[She scowls thoughtfully.]

I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean prayer?

[onerthes]

No, I was thinking more along the thought of meditation. Are you familiar with meditative methods to try and relax?

[demonicbeauty]

I've heard of them.

[She shrugs.]

Never tried it, though. Always too busy to sit still, I guess.

[Like a hummingbird, which is appropriate, seeing as her Omen is one.]

[onerthes]

Ah yes. I believe I do actually understand. Perhaps you can try a few minutes here or there. At the very least it might help you settle your thoughts on a given day.

[demonicbeauty]

I suppose it's worth trying.

There's no harm in it.

[onerthes]

Stop by my place sometime and I'll show you some of the methods thaat I know, anytime you want.

[demonicbeauty]

Yes, thank you. I think I will.