[ Nodding Caelus off towards the kitchen for the last remaining items they need, Subaru lingers in the area between while he does so. Maybe the red door really is lucky, he thinks, gaze poring over the apartment's interior still holding strong against the rot of the outer world. Not everything is touched by her ruin, but it's uncommon enough that it stands out to him.
He notes it in the margins of his awareness. Perhaps he'll revisit this place to take his own pass over the books, the wares, the traces of a home long fallen but clinging to existence. It's nearby to the lot and a park where his birds fly free in practiced script. Later, he thinks. When there's more light.
Stepping closer to the entryway again, he calls out: ]
[ With excited hops, Caelus eventually returns to Subaru's side while carrying not just two, but maybe five cups! The cups are as aesthetic as the rest of the apartment, noted by their colorful designs that match the interior. He shows them off proudly. ]
They were nicely kept in the cupboard! The original owner of this place must've been a very tidy person.
[ Only two of the cups are filled with water, though. As instructed by Subaru. ]
[ Briefly surprised by the appearance of so many cups, Subaru's expression fades into a pleasantly dry warmth. He reaches out to take the two cups of water from him so that his hands aren't so full. ]
It seems so. [ Which is a blessing, in these circumstances. ] We can take a better look later.
[ With that, he guides them back out of the apartment and shuts the door safely behind them. Down the steps, onto the sidewalk and back into the lot where the trailer sits against the oncoming backdrop of night. He goes about the last of the preparations: he connects the two sticks with a loose length of twine. Then, he sets the cups of water on either side of the "gate" he's made. Standing back, he pulls a length of paper from his pocket, its surface already imbued with ink and magic. ]
I've never attempted this without onmyoudo before. [ What a strange world still, to not have it, but something that feels as if it was crafted in its shadow. ] But the steps should work the same.
[ Curling his arm and releasing it in a quick snap, he flicks the paper at the gate and it flies as if alive, the rune on it casting a thin wall of magic for it to stick to. ]
[ It really is getting dark out here⦠Thankfully, the sunset is still bright enough. While Subaru is making his final preparations for the ceremony, Caelus approaches the pocket-sized device connected to the fairy lights above the trailer. It's actually a tiny generator that he's managed to create using salvaged parts, though it's nothing impressive, and it can only be charged up by an Artificer like him.
The tiny device can temporarily power the fairy lights, but it won't last the whole evening. Maybe around an hour at most. However, lighting up the area isn't the point. The main purpose is to see its beauty: the soft, glowing lights which set the mood, even if only for a short while. Caelus wants Subaru to witness that soft glow, so he decides to sacrifice some of his energy to charge the generator tonight. It'll make him a little dizzy after, but it's worth it. Besides, this is good practice for him to become stronger.
Just in time. Once Subaru flicks the paper and casts his spell, Caelus's own spell on the generator completes as well. Both of their spells glimmer together, then come fully alive. The fairy lights brighten, shining down on the trailer and within the reflection of their eyes. The full display of Subaru's completed gate. A soft sanctuary in this darkened city. ]
It's finally done.
Edited (caught a typo π¦) 2025-12-08 10:05 (UTC)
[ So it's not only his light that protects this place, but also Caelus's. Subaru's gaze upturns to admire it, features cast in that warm gold.
In the faint glow of entwined spellwork between the two of them, the spell completes when the water flows upwards from the cups. It curls in soft, quick shapes, then coats the ground. The streamers shudder slightly, and the thread snaps. The gate becomes a conduit through which any remaining malevolence leaves. All at once, the air calms. It's as if some greater energy sighs out beneath the gentle gaze of the lights. All the unease, the maliciousness, the dread — doesn't disappear. But it does soften.
A sanctuary in this darkened city...
Protected by magic. But built by someone's own two hands. ]
[ The air⦠feels clearer. Breathing comes more easily. Caelus can't remember the last time he's taken in such fresher air. Because even during his time in Amphoreus, that world's environment was also⦠ruined. Ash. Dust. Fire. The Black Tide. How long has it been, truly?
The way Caelus can barely remember the date makes his eyes water just slightly. The eternal loop in Amphoreus, what Lygus did to everyone⦠Ah, but what is he doing, getting lost in his thoughts like this? This is a precious moment, and he wants to remember it that way. So he wipes his eyes, then smiles once more, especially as he turns to face Subaru.
And a nervous, soft laugh, waving his two hands quickly. ]
N⦠no! Please, lift your head. I'm returning the favor. You saved my life, Subaru. I wouldn't be here now, if it weren't for you⦠But, I'm really⦠glad.
[ Very glad that Subaru seems to like it. It was all worth it, especially to feel this kind of comforting environment again. ]
Edited (ONE DAY I WILL STOP MAKING TYPOS) 2025-12-14 05:16 (UTC)
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no subject
He notes it in the margins of his awareness. Perhaps he'll revisit this place to take his own pass over the books, the wares, the traces of a home long fallen but clinging to existence. It's nearby to the lot and a park where his birds fly free in practiced script. Later, he thinks. When there's more light.
Stepping closer to the entryway again, he calls out: ]
How is it? Any luck?
no subject
They were nicely kept in the cupboard! The original owner of this place must've been a very tidy person.
[ Only two of the cups are filled with water, though. As instructed by Subaru. ]
no subject
It seems so. [ Which is a blessing, in these circumstances. ] We can take a better look later.
[ With that, he guides them back out of the apartment and shuts the door safely behind them. Down the steps, onto the sidewalk and back into the lot where the trailer sits against the oncoming backdrop of night. He goes about the last of the preparations: he connects the two sticks with a loose length of twine. Then, he sets the cups of water on either side of the "gate" he's made. Standing back, he pulls a length of paper from his pocket, its surface already imbued with ink and magic. ]
I've never attempted this without onmyoudo before. [ What a strange world still, to not have it, but something that feels as if it was crafted in its shadow. ] But the steps should work the same.
[ Curling his arm and releasing it in a quick snap, he flicks the paper at the gate and it flies as if alive, the rune on it casting a thin wall of magic for it to stick to. ]
no subject
The tiny device can temporarily power the fairy lights, but it won't last the whole evening. Maybe around an hour at most. However, lighting up the area isn't the point. The main purpose is to see its beauty: the soft, glowing lights which set the mood, even if only for a short while. Caelus wants Subaru to witness that soft glow, so he decides to sacrifice some of his energy to charge the generator tonight. It'll make him a little dizzy after, but it's worth it. Besides, this is good practice for him to become stronger.
Just in time. Once Subaru flicks the paper and casts his spell, Caelus's own spell on the generator completes as well. Both of their spells glimmer together, then come fully alive. The fairy lights brighten, shining down on the trailer and within the reflection of their eyes. The full display of Subaru's completed gate. A soft sanctuary in this darkened city. ]
It's finally done.
no subject
In the faint glow of entwined spellwork between the two of them, the spell completes when the water flows upwards from the cups. It curls in soft, quick shapes, then coats the ground. The streamers shudder slightly, and the thread snaps. The gate becomes a conduit through which any remaining malevolence leaves. All at once, the air calms. It's as if some greater energy sighs out beneath the gentle gaze of the lights. All the unease, the maliciousness, the dread — doesn't disappear. But it does soften.
A sanctuary in this darkened city...
Protected by magic. But built by someone's own two hands. ]
It is. Now, the ground is blessed.
[ He bows his head just slightly. ]
Thank you, Caelus.
no subject
The way Caelus can barely remember the date makes his eyes water just slightly. The eternal loop in Amphoreus, what Lygus did to everyone⦠Ah, but what is he doing, getting lost in his thoughts like this? This is a precious moment, and he wants to remember it that way. So he wipes his eyes, then smiles once more, especially as he turns to face Subaru.
And a nervous, soft laugh, waving his two hands quickly. ]
N⦠no! Please, lift your head. I'm returning the favor. You saved my life, Subaru. I wouldn't be here now, if it weren't for you⦠But, I'm really⦠glad.
[ Very glad that Subaru seems to like it. It was all worth it, especially to feel this kind of comforting environment again. ]