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[003] video | un: lyreplayer

[ It's early November when Orpheus posts to the network again, this time sitting cross-legged on the floor of his bedroom with his guitar in his lap and the Omni propped up in front of him. The camera catches him leaning back after having set it to broadcast, and he waves as the recording starts. ]

Hi, everyone! I'm Orpheus, and, I thought of something that might be nice for us to do together? I know we're all busy building new lives here, but I don't think that means we have to forget the places we came from completely, or leave those memories behind. Unless you want to? That's fair too.

[ He pauses briefly, looking thoughtful and a little solemn as he considers that, before shaking his head and getting himself back on track.]

But! In my experience a big part of any place a person calls home is the stories that people tell there and the songs they sing, and it seems like it might be nice to share those with each other, as a way of giving each other a glimpse into where we came from, and of preserving them for the future. It can be anything you want to tell us about, whether it's a piece of history or a legend or a song or even a nursery rhyme you like. You don't have to share anything if you don't want to, of course, but I'd really love to hear anything and everything people are willing to add.

[ OOC: This is a mingle post! Please feel free to comment on other peoples' additions and otherwise tag around. ]

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[ Orpheus frowns, brow furrowing as he tries to get his head around what Varian is saying. ]

So it's... tilted? [ He gestures with his hands, making the shape of a ball and then tipping it to the side slightly as he tries to imagine it. ] That seems really confusing. What happens at the equator, then? Where winter and summer meet.

Yes, like...on an axis. That's uh...just how it is.

The equator is pretty much hot all the time, so instead of the seasons we'd get it's more like...the wet and dry seasons instead.

Oh, okay. That makes sense? It's like that back home, too, just without the difference on one side or the other.

Y-yeah pretty much! You can see where these sorts of things can cross over in different worlds.

Yes! It's still strange, though. Do they count the years and months differently, in the north and south? Or does it end in winter in one hemisphere and summer in the other? I guess it would have to be the second one, since that would get really confusing really fast, but it's hard to imagine Hekatombaion being midwinter.

The months are the same, it just means in the north hemisphere where it would be winter in December, in the southern hemisphere it would be summer.

[Oh but hey, at least he understands that word!]

Hah, I know right? But that's pretty much how it is. The planet's pretty cool when you think about it.

It is! Especially - um, the idea that it could act mostly the same when it’s left to its own devices just spinning through the cosmos, as when it’s a symphony of gods and spirits acting in tandem. Both are really strange and beautiful to think about? But that they can be so similar is really incredible.

Hah yeah, I know right? I mean, I'm always gonna be science-minded, but I've seen enough of higher powers to know I can't completely discount them, either. The idea they work in tandem is weirdly comforting.

[ Orpheus nods, enthusiastic. ]

The gods of my world don't always get along, but when it comes to keeping the world in harmony they all take it really seriously. Sometimes still go wrong, but - Michael told me you still have storms and floods and earthquakes without them, so...

[ And that he's a little less enthusiastic about, but it does make him feel - not better, necessarily, but it's something, knowing that his world isn't uniquely blighted by his family's flaws. ]

But it's also really comforting knowing worlds can spin on with no gods handling everything! Just set into motion and working through the interactions of the air and land and sea and sun themselves, and not anyone's intervention. I think that sounds really beautiful.

Hmm, they're all like- siblings and relatives and married couples, right? It makes sense there would be some bickering. Families do that, even God ones, I guess. But yeah, we still have all those without them, that's...that's definitely a thing.

[It's just non-God worlds don't have a specific person to point a finger at when a volcano errupts.]

It is! The science of it is really incredible. And then people invent better technology to try and predict these things better- so that fewer people are affected by how destructive they can be.

Mostly! Some aren't really related to any of the rest and have only ever taken mortal husbands and wives, but for the most part. It's complicated, and I guess being around for so long would only make it more complicated. But, yes! We can sort of predict some things with technology, too, like - no one can tell for sure when a storm will come, but once it forms they've got devices that can tell where it might be going, or how severe it might get.

[ All that goes out the window if the god responsible changes their mind, or another god intervenes, of course, but it's something! ]

Oh definitely, can you imagine being alive for basically...forever? It would make everything complicated. Like mortal lives can be complicated, add immortality to that and it's crazy!

[He nods. He understands THAT as much, even if he's on less even ground with gods. ]

Oh, like a barometer?

[ Orpheus nods. ]

Every time I asked Mister Hermes about it, he told me something different that made it really complicated. Learning new languages, new fashion, new customs and cultures. And that's just keeping up with mortals, not trying to keep track of your whole family. He said the people made it worth it, though. And the music, the art.

[ He smiles a little bit, thinking about his uncle and what he must be up to now, before moving on. ]

But, yes! Barometers, and weather balloons, and that kind of thing. I don't really understand most of it, but they can be really helpful for getting warnings out. Every now and then we can even placate the gods before a storm hits land, if we know it's coming.

[ Not often, but. Sometimes. ]

I guess that's true! If you wanna keep up with mortals in general, all over the world, it would take a while. Though it sounds like Hermes is definitely the people-person kind of god. He's the...uh messenger one, right?

[Look, he's doing his best to pay attention and learn!]

Oh yeah, weather balloons are pretty good too! Though I guess knowing exactly what to do if a bad storm is on the way does help. More than just "get to shelter" anyway, more a "well, we can try this first". It'd be a lifesaver when it comes to protecting crops.

[ Orpheus nods. ]

Yes! Messenger of the gods, god of travelers and beggars and thieves. I think he spent a lot more time around us mortals than most of the others.

[ And whether that's because of his domain or such things are his domain because he was predisposed to sympathize with the neediest of mortals is up in the air, but either way it worked out for Orpheus, at least. ]

Right, and sometimes oracles can tell us when a storm is coming before any machines can pick up on it? But... usually if it's big enough for one of them to notice, it's not the sort that can be averted. Just prepared for.

Oh wow, yeah. With a title like that, it makes sense he'd be much more used to spending time with mortals.

[And it means, at least, Orpheus did have one deity looking out for him, which was...good. Comforting. ]

That makes sense. I mean, if they're looking into the future, they'd probably see something...really dangerous. Like all you can do is batten down the hatches and hope for the best. But still better than being taken off guard completely.

[ Orpheus nods, enthusiastic. ]

He liked to say he wasn't a kind god, but I think he worked harder for us than he liked to pretend. [ he says, fondly. His smile goes a little melancholy, though, still present but clearly tinged with sadness. ] I miss him. I know he'll be okay, but. Still.

Most of the kindest people don't want to take credit for it. I've noticed that.

[Varian, you're like that. ]

Oh, I'm sure he'd be fine. God and all, but we still miss the people who matter a lot to us, regardless of if they can handle themselves or not.

It's true. And I think it's also... hard to feel kind, when you're responsible for so many people, but there's only so much you can give.

[ Hard to call yourself kind when you always feel like you could be doing more, and better. Easier to call all the ones who slip through the cracks indifference, rather than admit that you cared but couldn't reach them in time. Of course, Orpheus doesn't know for sure that this is how Hermes feels, but enough nights spent up late watching him alone at the bar or with his friends and followers in the cities have given him a rough idea. ]

He'll have an easier time without me than I will without him, I think? But I hope he'll remember me well. I couldn't have asked for a better uncle.

[Ooof, that hits close to home. Isn't that what happened to Rapunzel, after all? She couldn't help him, she had to put the needs of the many before him, and look where it got her. Guilt nips uneasily in his stomach. ]

...Yeah. You can only stretch yourself so far.

[Spending enough time with a person does give a strange insight into their inner workings, Varian has found. Quiet observation can be worth a solid conversation any time.]

I'm sure he will, Orpheus. You're one of a kind. There's no way he won't remember you well, you're the best.

Thanks, [ says Orpheus, smiling through the lingering melancholy. He's quiet for a moment, before glancing out the window and noticing that the sky is dark and the streetlamps are lit. ]

Oh! It's getting late. Maybe I should let you go, so you can go have dinner if you haven't already. [ Just a gentle nudge to remember to eat. ] But thank you for sharing your stories, and for listening to mine! This was fun.

[He really needs that little nudge, his stomach grumbling at the thought of food. Ah, right, he should...do that.]

Sure, I will definitely eat food. And you're welcome! This really was a lot of fun.

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[003] video | un: lyreplayer

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