014 ✿ Video

[occulthymns]

[When the feed starts Euri's bracelet is focused on the ground. Specifically, what seems to be some kind of wreath comprised of branches, stems and a lot of mushrooms, all dried. It then flicks up to show, about fifteen feet away, a pile of plants (herbs, possibly?) smoldering slowly. A lot of smoke is being released, mixing in with the early morning chill.

Anyone who fought in the war or saw Freyr's post will recognize it as the spot where he exploded. How pleasant.]

So... it's normal back home to cleanse an area of land where a lot of people died. You know, to purify it, to try and prevent any future necromancy. Or restless spirits.

[It feels awkward explaining this. Even if she's used to being around humans there's still a sour pang of a Witch explaining sacred rituals to inferior humans. She tries to ignore it, though.] I'm not sure if that's how things work here, but it can't hurt. It's better to prevent necromancy than have to deal with it later, and these herbs are supposed to help protect things. Maybe it'll help the flora grow back faster, too.

[Thankfully since her bracelet isn't on her anyone watching this will miss the shiver run down her spine. She hopes to every single one of her gods that this will actually do something. To a Witch necromancy is one of the few things worse than a razed piece of land that's unable to grow any vegetation.]

Oh - and - [More awkward uncomfortable explanations.] There's another ritual back home. Singing to mourn and honour the recently dead. But it doesn't seem appropriate to sing any of the Witch funerary songs, since no one who died was a Witch, so... I have a CD with this other song on it. A book in the library said this song is used for funerals often. I hope it's okay.

[Then she'll launch into a surprisingly good rendition of Ave Maria. Despite the awkwardness before her voice is now confident.]

Comments

[video]

[clockeyes]

[The post is good, it's what is needed for this time when people are bound to be mourning the dead, but it's really the song that gets Cheriour's attention.]

[And as she sings, he'll start singing along too but more softly, under his breath. It had been a while since he had sung with his brethren, and to share in such a song with someone...it feels good. It really does.]

[video]

[occulthymns]

[It's fairly common for Witches to sing together outside of solo curses and hexes, so Euri doesn't mind softening her own voice to match his. It really reminds her of home, and that's comforting.

When the song is finished she'll sigh lightly.]

You know that song, Cheriour?

[voice]

[dragonspeak]

[He's in no shape to talk to anyone through video, so...voice it is. Even through that, his voice is rough and strained.]

It's beautiful, Euri. I'm sure he would appreciate it...and the wreath, too.

[video]

[occulthymns]

Thank you.

[Oh Merlin don't think she isn't noticing the change in his voice.]

... Are you okay?

video;

[darkbreak]

[He doesn't sing, doesn't know the words to the song. If he did, he might have joined in with her. It's a nice sentiment and ritual for what it's worth.

But he has bigger concerns right now. Bigger, exhausting concerns.]

Hey. How are you holding up?

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[occulthymns]

[Aww Riku, it's the thought that counts.]

I'm okay. [Exhausted and stressed after the war and dealing with Kaz and Vanitas, but slightly better than she was feeling yesterday thanks to Alastair.]

What about you?

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[extradite]

What's... necromancy?

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[occulthymns]

It's the worst kind of magic in existence. It allows someone to raise the dead and control them....

[There's a frown in her voice.]

And it isn't like resurrection. The souls are forcibly dragged away from their resting place, they aren't brought back to life.

[Audio]

[burntviolet]

[ Hanako waits a while, not to interrupt Euri. She doesn't want to disturb such a mourning moment, but...

... there's specifically a part she needs to know, because that has her confused. So once Euri finishes, she speaks. ]

... Plants can't be regrown there?

[Video]

[occulthymns]

I'm not sure. [Asgard's got a lot of weird rules.]

Back home if an area was infected with necromancy it would need to be purified before anything could grow back. Otherwise the land would just keep looking like this. [She's focusing her bracelet on the blackened earth. The sight of it gives her goosebumps.] Scarred.

[Video]

[fishdouche]

So. Ghosts an' apparitions an' shit are a universal thing, huh.

[He laughs dryly.]

Wwonder if Ara knowws that. She wwas a ghost for awwhile, you knoww.

[Video]

[occulthymns]

[Wait.

What.]

... Who?

audio;

[bloodypocket]

[Given some time, and Euri may be able to hear the soft playing of a piano to accompany her song, even if somewhere in his mind there was acknowledgement of the irony behind his playing it, especially in such a situation.]

video;

[occulthymns]

[It's a wonderful sound regardless. Euri is happy to see another person chiming in, and she's especially fond of the piano, so she'll do her best to sing along with his playing.]

video;

[halflived]

[Both possibilities she had presented, or necromancy and flora perhaps not growing back, send a cold, sick feeling in his stomach, but he tries to push it aside for now nonetheless and listen to all of her performance. The song felt familiar and a natural part of him wanted to join, but he wasn't about to botch it.]

Do people actually practice those things in this world?

video;

[occulthymns]

[She answers when the song is finished. Singing it made her feel a little better, but she's still pretty tired.]

Which do you mean?

[Private Audio]

[key_illusion]

[??? listens for a moment before chiming in--]

Hey, while you're out there, can you grab my swords? They should be by an overturned chart.

[Private Video]

[occulthymns]

You lost your swords??

[Oh ??? that is not reassuring at all.]

You didn't get hurt, did you??

[Text]

[talking_dead]

[If only he had his real sight back; he'd be pretty useful with helping the ghosts move on then...]

Loki told me that Freyr would be able to move on. I don't think he'd stay as a ghost.

[Text]

[occulthymns]

[That's very good to hear.]

Did he mention the other people who died?

[video]

[trinitylimit]

Are you supposed to mourn your enemies too?

[video]

[occulthymns]

Not...

Not usually, no.

video;

[deadcenter]

Cheh! If that ritual was around in my world- they'd be doin' it all the fucking time.

[way too much death man.

Oh yes, and this is one of the many days Senji isn't wearing a shirt. In his other hand he's lifting a weight while talking to her okok.]

video;

[occulthymns]

[... Don't mind Euri as she just kind of stares for a few seconds.]

Ah - ... that's depressing, Senji.

[video]

[wasthemaster]

[So what will happen here is that Draco's bracelet will click on to reveal him sitting up in a tree as he talks to her.]

Is necromancy common where you're from, or are you always able to prevent it?

[video]

[occulthymns]

[Euri has to squint a little at that.]

I wouldn't call it common, but when it happens it's... a huge problem.

... Why are you in a tree?

[Video]

[5thchild]

[ To the screen comes Kaworu's face, with the red bright eyes focused on the bracelet. He isn't smiling, but holds an expression filled with curiosity ]

How does an individual hold such importance when they are gone? Why is the one that died so important?

Re: [Video]

[occulthymns]

Because they aren't around anymore. You can't just go talk to them whenever you want anymore, so it's important to show that you won't forget them and that their life had meaning. That kind of thing.

video;

[whitechocolate]

[Singing is a passion of Sam's and he wants to sing along out of respect for the dead, but he doesn't know the words so all he can do is listen intently.]

I think that was more than okay... That was really nice.

Re: video;

[occulthymns]

[She sounds a bit awkward as she answers.]

Thanks, it comes from a lifetime of practicing.

text

[supurrior]

[Now, all of this is relevant to Kuroneko's interests.]

Necromancy? Do tell me more.

text

[occulthymns]

You don't have it in your world?

Necromancy is forcibly raising the dead to do your bidding. It's the worst kind of magic in existence.

[video]

[likethelight]

[...Oh.]

Would you like any help? [Softly said. It's more that he means he wants to.]

Re: [video]

[occulthymns]

Sure, Allen. [Help is always appreciated.]