☆01 || video

[menphina]

[ The video opens to a cat-eared lady sitting under a tree! (Her duck has her device balanced on his head) ]

Probably an odd enough question, but are there others who have jumped multiple worlds before ending up here?

[ And she begins to explain, hands moving animatedly. ]

Thing is, I've ended up in two absolutely different worlds before this one, and gone home- but my memories are so fuzzy about who I met there that 'tis hard to recall some things. Sometimes they clear up when I meet some of the people, but... I know I'm missing some memories...

[ She sighs and sinks back against the tree then. ]

Name's Megumi, by the by. Matriarch of the Utakata family- and don't call me a cat-girl. My kind are called miqo'te, and I'm of the Keepers of the Moon clan! And I suppose I'm a Warrior of Light, too, but 'tis normal to have plenty of those in every world I've been to. Hullo, friends...

[ A little wave. ]

Honestly, I'm missing a lot of friends and my children too... wish I could see them and know how they are, but- sometimes they end up here, and sometimes they leave and return -

[ Her ears flick up, as there's a noise above her. Then a crack and she blinks and lifts her head, only to shift back quickly, eyes wide- ]

What th- Alphinaud?!

[ And a very boyish yell sounds from above! The camera staggers, but catches a blur before it focuses on a silver-haired boy falling into her arms from what seems to be the top of the tree, and both end up staring in shock at each other. ]

That was the fastest I've had a wish granted!

[ And the feed ends!! Welcome little Alphinaud, again! Replies will come from both Alphinaud and Megumi! ]

Comments

[menphina]

I meant an Eternal bonding. You know. Promising your souls to each other in this life and the next many you'll return in.


[ This time, her smile is a bit mellow. ]

I think even Azem would want that for you. And I know plenty of other Warriors with part of them in them who may agree!

[ktizo]

Oh. Oh.

[He seems... surprised. Like he'd never thought of marriage. Truly, he'd never considered marriage an option for him even back home. He had never expected Emet-Selch to love him, nor had he expected to love anyone else the way he loved Emet-Selch. It simply was not meant to be. But here? Perhaps.]

Do you think he would want to...?

[menphina]

Hythlodaeus, is that doubt I hear from you? Whenever Emet-Selch speaks of you, there's nothing but love in his voice, and when he looks at you, you may as well be the only thing he can see! I'll eat the tip of mine tail if I'm wrong about him wanting to! And you know how much I love mine tail!


[ Her tail is fluffy and beautiful! ]

[ktizo]

[He warms at the admission, for once seeming genuinely moved.]

Ah, well... if you truly think so, perhaps I could suggest it to him...

[Would it be too soon, though? They've only just confessed their feelings. He doesn't want to move too fast, but at the same time... he doesn't want to lose more moments to insecurity and doubt.]

[menphina]

You've spent this long without having let your feelings be known. If you want to take time to be as you are in the now, then do it- but if you feel 'tis something you want, why not go for it? Can't call it rushed if you've felt things for this long!


[ She beams then. ]

Besides, as the Matriarch of my clan, I'm allowed to officiate too!

[ktizo]

I simply- I had never thought it would happen to me.

[To get married, that is. Since the day that he realised he was well and truly in love, he knew that if Emet-Selch could not love him back, then he himself was simply doomed to a life of loveless flings and nothing more. And he'd never felt unfulfilled that way! But he had pined for Hades. Countless years of wishing, wanting, waiting for a confession that would never come. He'd gotten used to it. Contented himself with friendship. It all seems so surreal to now be thinking of something like marriage.]

But should it happen- well, I would like nothing more than to have you there to make it official!

[menphina]

[ As much as she had longed to see them- to see Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus again- and as much as perhaps the sundered little part of her soul that was Azem had desperately ached to be by their side knowing she would lose them yet again- she, as she is now, couldn't begin to imagine the weight of how heavy their longing must have been for each other.

Even if that little part of her soul gives her an idea of it.

But the thought of it makes her sink inside. Being in these worlds, she knows one thing that always humbles her desires. She isn't the only one who feels this way. There are so many others who love these two the way she does, in their own existences. So who is she to even put her own want against theirs?

The worry never shows on her expression, because she is determined to make it happen for them. No, she has to make it happen- because it is a wish she has for them.

(And it would be Azem's.)

So her ears flick up and her smile brightens. ]

Then you'd best not hold back now, my darling. Talk to him. I can guarantee that his thoughts align with yours. And you'd best promise me you'll let me do it! When you want to make it official! As a devotee of Menphina, 'twould be wrong if I didn't celebrate your love as brightly as you deserve!

[ktizo]

OF course. Then I will speak with him. My thanks... I will let you know how it goes!

[If Emet-Selch truly wants to, then Hythlodaeus will be happy to join hands with him- he still is a little bewildered by the idea admittedly, but it's certainly a good feeling.]

[menphina]

Good! And when you do- there are presents I've got for you both. I want you to put your own spin on them to seal the deal when the time comes!

[ They're bonding bracelets she was weaving to give to them from her when the time was right, but it looks like they're going to have a new purpose now! ]

[ktizo]

Oh?

[He tilts his head, curious.]

A happy accident, or have you perhaps been convinced you would need these for a while?

[He wouldn't be surprised... Megumi knew how Hythlodaeus felt, and she seems to have known how Emet-Selch felt, too.]

[menphina]

You could say that.

[ She smiles then. ]

You know already that Emet-Selch and I began a relationship in a world we were in before this one- a world between dream and reality. But he never forgot you, not even once. And seeing you here again- knowing you and I had something more in yet another world beyond our own- well.

'twas only important I make something to bind you both together. If I made it- that way, I could find you both, and you both would have each other, no matter where you went. Sentimental, isn't it?

[ktizo]

I suppose it is.

[He likes the concept well enough, but sentimentality was more Emet-Selch's thing, not his own. But surely that simply means that Emet-Selch will love this gift? He would have accepted it if only for that, but he does like the idea of being bound to him.]

Hades will love it, and if he loves it then so too shall I. Besides, how could I possibly turn down a gift from someone so dear to me?