Ceremonial curiosity

[heirtothearcane]

In the past few years the Nexus has become more of a home for Viatorus than his own world, despite its strange and changeable nature. So then perhaps it is not so odd that he finds himself feeling more comfortable here than there, able to talk to strangers with nary a stutter. Mostly. Though whatever nerves remain they're still a far cry from how he was when he first came here. Now he can sit and think, his head clear and undisturbed by the passers by.

He sits and watches the crowd flow through the streets, shuffling the ring on his ring finger in slow circles. For once he's without a book in hand, not even with a tea nearby. In fact, he looks quite composed for someone so easy to fluster. Perhaps it's the distraction of speculation, for he certainly sounds like he's been mulling over this a while.

"Do you think that ceremonies hold power? Do they influence anything or do you think they're purely symbolic? Are they an expression of hope, or a way of channelling power?"

Comments

[grantuseyes]

"Runa!" Micolash chirps the name in echo, trying to commit it to memory. As this is a name that he would care to recall later, he repeats it a few times as he grasps the left hand instead of the right now, so he can examine the ring. "Runa, Runa, Runa..." he murmurs thoughtfully and fondly.

"Did you know the Yharnam marriage tradition was gleaned and originated from one held by the Pthumerians? A great and ancient race?" He talks as he continues to eye the ring, using his thumb to turn it slightly so he can see how it glints in the light. "A ritual where a woman of great importance was betrothed to a god to carry His child. The tradition of the ring especially was borrowed from their practices. Lovely, lovely."

Though that may explain why Micolash is excitable about marriage in general, at least his enthusiasm remains genuine. He gives the younger man a broad smile. "Congratulations. I do hope you will remain together for many a year to come."

[heirtothearcane]

The unexpected excitement does make Viatorus' smile come more easily. Seeing his friend so approving of it all taps on a small well of pride he doesn't feel all that often. It is an accomplishment to have found a wife as lovely as Runa, but he doesn't often realise that.

"I didn't, no." His own family has traditions surrounding wedding rings, too. They're... not quite so pleasant, however, so he lets them remain unspoken.

"Thank you," he says honestly and mirrors Micolash's smile. "Did... Did you ever think of getting married?"

[grantuseyes]

Micolash's expression drops just briefly in surprise at the question. And then he looks away, smiling once more and embarrassed. Resting a palm against the side of his cage like you would your cheek when you're feeling abashed. "Oh my. My career and my research never made it viable, but. You did ask if I ever thought about it."

His expression grows dreamy as he lapses into thoughtful silence. Imagining something, perhaps, while simultaneously looking back.

"Maybe when I was younger, I thought someday, I would- aheh! Ahh, how silly, to recall the daydreams about it! But sometimes, I would imagine what it would be like, to secure a ring from the labyrinth's tombs, with all the right blessings and bloodstones. And if I had such a ring, what would occur had I presented it to Rom one full-mooned night..."

Micolash trails off again, going a little pink in the face as he clearly once more dwells on whatever this imaginary proposal entailed. Then he laughs again, embarrassed and shaking his head while resting both hands on either side of his cage now. "Ohh, how embarrassing! To admit something like that! How inappropriate!"

[heirtothearcane]

It's always nice to see Micolash excited, but the fact that it's about something so whimsical and romantic makes Viatorus smile all the more. Even if that romance does involve delving into tombs, stealing from the dead and offering the ring to… Didn't Micolash say Rom wasn't human?

Viatorus isn't as good at being unfazed as his sister, but he can hold a smile, and by Hera he'll hold this smile as well as he can. It's an innocent daydream. It wouldn't do to ruin it.

"It…" Sounds lovely? Viatorus knows he's not that good at lying. Instead he says, "It's not embarrassing. It's brave and lovely to talk about your dreams. Rom probably would have liked it, too. But… maybe you'll find someone else to marry. The Nexus is full of possibilities."

[grantuseyes]

Thankfully, Micolash continues to have the social unawareness necessary for Viatorus' strained smile to happen without notice. Instead, he keeps acting like a giddy teen being asked about his crush. His weird, non-human crush.

"Oh no no no, I'm much too old to think about marriage now, aren't I? And at the very least, it was far from uncommon for the members of Mensis to be unwed. We were all too collectively involved with our studies to give it any thought. And besides, Rom is-"

His smile falters and his embarrassed swaying and posture comes to a slow stop. He makes a soft, uncertain laugh as he continues, "She is still existent. In some form or another. Perhaps adrift in the Dream without Her body. Or reforming, or sleeping, in the labyrinth of Lower Pthumeru." He laughs again, the sound a little self-depreciating. "I daren't imagine what She would think, were She to see me again! Not after the Mensis Ritual."

[heirtothearcane]

"Of course you're not. You must be about the same age as my uncle, or younger, and he's still going to be married and have children. Besides, you're never too old to fall in love and marry." It's Viatorus' turn to have a dreamy smile on his face. As much as he adores his work, it's impossible to dissuade the romantic in him. Even if it does involve being in love with an eldritch spider goddess.

The change in demeanour is understandable. It must be hard, remembering just how far from Rom he is. Still, it's a little strange to hear him bring up the Mensis Ritual. "Why…? Don't you think she would have approved?"

[grantuseyes]

"Falling in love..." Micolash echoes it quietly to himself, as if tasting the words carefully and with a little wonder and confusion. What a funny thought, that. Abysa is always insisting the power of love is something powerful and unshakeable, but Micolash simply can't wrap his brain around it. It's such a frivolous emotion that taints ambition at best. A distraction. Brain chemicals to facilitate reproduction. A silly human want.

But Micolash miraculously doesn't say any of this out loud for once. Perhaps even someone as dotty as him can still understand how strange or impolite it would be after congratulating someone on their marriage. Though marriage doesn't always equal love, does it? Couldn't you just do it for the sake of the ceremony? Like a contract. That makes sense to him. It is a show of devotion.

He's let himself get lost in his thoughts again, eyes going unfocused as he follows this mental thread. But the scholar comes back to reality eventually when the question is asked of him. "Ah? Beg your pardon, what did you-?" Oh, wait, Viatorus' words have meaning now that he's had a few seconds to catch up. Shift gears to answering them before the enormity of said answer makes him pause again. "...I. Oh, it's. It is trite, I know, but. It is. Complicated. It would require explaining functions of the Ritual itself. Rom Herself. The nature of the Unseen Village. Oh, I doubt not your ability to follow along!" Considering how many hitches Micolash has had conversationally in just the past five minutes, that's actually high praise if you think about it. That and how convoluted everything to do with Yharnam always seems to be.

"It would just be...terribly involved. That's all."

Micolash looks just slightly furtive as he concludes so; he DID say it was complicated. It might just be more than mere technical complications.

[heirtothearcane]

Micolash becoming lost in his thoughts is no new thing to Viatorus, but this does strike him as strange. It's almost as if he's confused by the idea of love, or of experiencing love. Now, Viatorus hasn't experienced much in the way of romance himself, but he isn't confused by love. How could anyone be confused by love when they have dreams? How could Micolash, knowing dreams as he does, not hope for love, or admire it from afar? How could he adore dreams and not love?

"I don't mind listening to a long story." The words are out of his mouth before he stops to consider them. It's only then, of course, that the sight of Micolash sinks in. The hesitation. The reluctance. He clears his throat and adds, "O-Or you could visit some day soon and tell me. It would be better to hear a long story over a cup of tea."

LATE LATE LATE ALWAYS LATE

[grantuseyes]

Micolash looks relieved to be off the hook, even making a small 'phew' sound and resting a hand on his chest. Don't be so OBVIOUS with your body language, Micolash.

"That would be splendid, actually! And, ah. I. Aheh." He toys with his fingers, looking uncertain and embarrassed about bringing up the next point. "I hate to sound overbearing or that I'm avaricious, and my memory is sometimes spotty." Sometimes, he says. "But was there mention once, about perhaps...securing a place of study for myself? Perhaps I imagined it!" he hurries to add. "If you do not...ah, recall the same? It's hardly a bother one way or another, I just thought, wouldn't that be a lovely place to have a prolonged chat...?"

We're all late here

[heirtothearcane]

Obvious does make it easier for Viatorus to navigate the terror that is social interaction. Although he's a little put off by the thought of Micolash being so very desperate to avoid the topic. Nevertheless, it's better not to have offended his friend.

The reminder of plans made in the past makes the young scholar jump and flush with embarrassment.

"Oh! Yes, yes that's still the plan, if you're willing." And if he can wrangle Isidor into actually cooperating with him. He squirms on the spot, rubbing his knuckles. "There was just a lot of distraction. With the wedding, and contracts, and now Isidor's engagement. But I'll have a contract sent to you right away. If you need anything to help you move, tell me and I'll have something arranged."

Because if the older man tries dealing with Isidor directly surely nothing will be done.

[grantuseyes]

"I am terribly willing! Another friend," he pauses to quirk a smile at the corner of one mouth, as if that's funny to say. Another friend! He has more than one! "They had suggested I find a spot that is. Just mine. Someplace I can be if I would wish to...step outside of Kin Abysa's watch for a time. Not too long! But just. Sometimes."

He doesn't want to sound like he's desperate to get away from his keeper, lest that be alarming! But he's a grown man, isn't he? Shouldn't he have a right to a spot that's his own? Maybe if he can prove he'll remember to feed himself and bathe.

Micolash looks cautiously and furtively excited at the prospect, however! Imagine! His own STUDY again! A flat that's his own! When was the last time he even had a flat? HAD he ever? The past get hazy sometimes. Already, his mind is starting to fill rapidly with the idea of THINGS he can put in such a place. Charts, maps, books, shelves FOR the books, globes, specimen jars, more shelves for those too...

He suddenly recalls he should express his gratitude, so the scholar pulls himself from his daydreams and stiffly thrusts out one hand for another shake. When taken, he'll clasp the second hand over Viatorus' as well and shake quite energetically. "Thank you, Viatorus. Thank you ever so much. You've no idea what this means to me!"