Mneme was gone. She was gone and Cloud wasn't sure how they were supposed to cope with that loss. When they were at their lowest, she had been there to help them. They were sure that she hadn't realized just how much of an impact she had made on their life, but it was there through every decision they made. Even when they had felt there was nothing left, there was Mneme. She never talked much. That was something that they were sure Melpomene was aware of. The two of them had been tethered together until that trip into the Otherworld. Cloud had jumped into that hole for Aegnor, but they would have been lost without Mneme, too. And she was gone now. A hand pressed against their shoulder as they tried to push any sadness away from their being. They had a job to do and they hoped that, as Melpomene had said, they would meet Mneme again in another life. Their hand pressed to the goddess's own on their shoulder. "She was with me in both this life and she will be with me in the next. I will..." They paused, a shallow breath leaving their mouth. "I will hold her with me until I die."
"Cloud," Melpomene put her hand on their arm, meeting the shield's gaze. "Our grief is love with nowhere to go," she murmured, thinking of her sister, now. She had many, she loved them all, but she'd taken Mneme with her willingly. Memory had always been more gentle, taking up less space than tragedy ever did. "She lives, but barely. It's better for her to be hidden away. Her death would mean the end of us all, right now." The spellplague would absorb this realm, as it had so many, "You are strong, and you are brave. She will be with you. Memory will never leave you."
This battle would not be as it had been during the rebellion. No, this would be much worse. There was already so much more that was at stake, so many more lives that hung upon the balance. And though he knew that he would be needed with his siblings, Azrael wished only to stay in this moment. To remain with Mel, hidden away from all of it. He had been made for battle, however, and war called out to him as if it were a forgotten lover. But he wished, truly wished, that he could ignore its call. "Then we will not speak of her," he breathed, gaze focused purely upon her features. Ones that had always been familiar to him, that had shifted through every memory that surfaced once he had returned to the mortal realm. "Please, do not speak like that. I spent far too long without you, searching every corner of this realm. I cannot lose you again."
Melpomene knew what it was like to wander. What it was like to be aimless. But sheâd always had Mneme, sheâd always had someone with her, even when Azrael could not be. Perhaps theyâd have a future, in another life, in another eternity. But all she saw was tragedy. The war would take everything from them: that much she could see. The muse pulled the seraphim close, feeling his Grace, his warmth â until she took a step back. Ancient words left her mouth, a promise of love and of eternity, âUntil I see you again.â
"I've forgotten nothing," the lethality in her tone boasted little of the war that surged around them, the destruction of Rome as it was reduced and decimated to rubble. Tragedy and Memory swirled around them all, a potent elixir as worlds and generations were pitted against each other, as the Inferno was opened to unfurl into the Otherworld. "Rot swept over our home and your ancestors did nothing," her hand rolled upwards to encapsulate the smoke that choked the air, the crumbling city around them and the miasma of potent death, "They do nothing still." Darkness and shadows furled around Melpomene, an empty threat which spoke of Nyloth's position under Lloth's favored hand; this was not the Devout's war to fight and so she stood and merely prayed.
"Because you know nothing." Melpomene tutted, magic swirling around her as all the seasons swarmed at once. The muse would bow to no one, and she would never yield until she took her last breath. Nyloth was pushing her luck, and she laughed, "And you threaten me? My sister risked her life to reverse what was done. And you want to complain about our ancestors? Continue, Nyloth. Speak to me when you understand what was done. Maybe then someone will finally listen and you won't have to waste your breath any further."
closed starter for @melxmneme
location: wherever mneme is at
note: :fancycrey:
Mneme had been a sort of safe haven for them, someone to speak to about everything. Now she was...well, Cloud wasn't even really sure what was going on with her. They wished nothing was happening at all, that she would just wake up and everything would be okay. That was too wishful of a thought process though. Cloud knew that wouldn't help so they simply stuck to being at her bedside. Even if she didn't wake up, they would make sure to be there. There were times they would leave, but it felt like most of their time had been spent here. Their eyes gravitated towards her closed eyes for just a moment before they heard the door open. Melpomene. The two of them had seen each other in passing, but Cloud wasn't sure that they had ever had a full conversation with her. They didn't move to get up regardless. "You know, I feel like she's still kind of awake. She didn't talk to me much anyway. Just listened." It worked for the two of them though. They still really wanted her to wake up though.
Melpomene had understood Mneme's conflicted feelings. Her sister had never been good about expressing them, had never understood the intricacies of affection. But Cloud had pushed their way in â yet it had not been their time. The warder had sat with Mneme for days, even Melpomene could not wrench their hope away from them. She held onto it as well, even now, as she was covered in blood and shadow, the forest burning around them, Melpomene found the same sort of affection in her heart. "Cloud," she knew the warder would not have much time, their death played out in Melpomene's mind. Tragedy never rest, and she was forever surrounded by it. "Mneme felt heard with you." Perhaps that was the only thing she could say; Mneme hardly spoke to anyone, and her fear was always being left behind because she was not as outspoken as her twin. Grief was worn like armor, and she put her hand on Cloud's shoulder, "If not this life, then the next." Her sister laid buried, now. Far from where the battle above raged on. It was Melpomene's last gift.
where. outside the forest somewhere
who. @melxmneme
Times were quickly changing, a war just upon the horizon. It sung to him, called him to its warm embrace. To the clash of swords, the smell of gunpowder, and the exhilaration that came from giving into the very thing that he had been created for. It burned through him, begged for him to draw forth his seraph blade. To allow his wings to spring forth from his back. Yet, Azrael refrained from it. He quieted that need as he strolled under the canopy of the trees, his sights upon the fey forest that was not far from him now. Melpomene would be waiting for him, as she always did when he came to see her. "How are you? How is Mneme?"
Mneme was safe. Melpomene had ensured no one could get to her, but it did not stop the grief that overwhelmed her. She was tragedy, even now as she looked at Azrael â she knew his fate. She knew the fate of all of those around her. Death was rampant, yet death would not take them. She put her hand on Azrael's cheek, brushing her thumb over his features, "I'm fine, for now. But my sister...I don't want to talk about it." She couldn't let Mneme go. She'd carried her for so long, and now? Now she had nothing. Looking at the seraphim, she met his gaze, "I love you. Even if I don't see you at the end of this, we have prevailed, Azrael. Don't forget that."
a gift for @melxmneme,
location: wherever mel be
note: hello ex-step daughter
"If you have not evacuated your sister from New Rome, there will be no hope left for her," it was void of compassion, it translated to an omniscient warning, an inevitable as she revered to her once step-child with cold disregard. There was no warmth for one who left her to the metaphorical wolves as rot took over Hyperborea; they showed her no mercy and the Devout would not allow them the notion, either. Nyloth had materialized besides Melpomene, a voracious smile, void of life, upon her expression; it had been so long.
"Aren't you sweet? So thoughtful, so caring." Melpomene laughed, the sound as musical as it was amongst the other muses. Tragedy did not let go, and it did not forgive. The unfortunate fate of Lloth, of her endless need for vengeance, passed down onto the pathetic void of Nyloth. "No one will find her, no one needs to. Memory is present everywhere. You've forgotten so much in that dusty head of yours."
Time:Â Evening
Location:Â Wherever they're keeping Mneme
Characters:Â @melxmneme & @wintersaurora
Notes: Three elf ladies in the forest now, but one is napping
"Is there no hope for her?" The words were spoken quietly, ground frosting where Aurora stood. Unlike the usual crystalline frozen fractals there was only tiny pieces of jagged ice lifting from the ground as though to reflect her somber mood. Melpomene was a warrior in her own right and an altruistic goddess. But Mneme had been like a kindred spirit to the once-winter-fey: blunt, logical but somehow also hopeful towards an unlikely future. Their people had lost enough, losing Mneme as well despite the fact she was alive hurt the Chancellor just the same. She remembered the way her cousin Cloud would look at her; it only made the reality that much more grim.
It had been centuries upon centuries since Mneme and Melpomene had been two entities. Now, Melpomene watched the still figure of her twin, unsure what to say or do without her nearby. Without the two of them, Tragedy and Memory, it was awfully silent. Aurora's presence was welcome, but Melpomene did not feel the need to do much but shift her gaze to the Chancellor, "There is always hope. My grandfather could have helped her like they had my sister. But they didn't. So I have to do it myself." She waited a few moments, "Do you need something? How are your people?"
@melxmneme
location: Aerie, Arvandor
notes: hereâs my number, so bubble with me maybe?
From the aerial palace a strong wind whipped through the throne room, crystalline sides allowed the purview of the double-topped trees atop the clouds below while giant beasts of the air rode the currents around them. The rocs and the royal gryphons that called this domain their realm alongside the highest of the Seldarine, King Corellon. Silver hair swayed gently despite the viciousness of the wind while eyes as bright eyes that held the sky itself looked towards his granddaughter as she approached.
Melpomene absent Mneme was a sight and a tragedy, but she had stolen that which she was not meant to hold. Or so Corellon had been told. That she was here now meant that at long last he could spoil his granddaughter just as he had done her sisters for all these years. Naturally, he knew why she was here, the elven God did not require clairvoyance to knew that Melpomene, like Titania, had come here to beg for the life of FaerĂťnâs final, withered branch.
As she stood before him he wove a delicate hand back and forth as he wove air and magic together to craft his latest instrument: an abominable cross between what a mortal might recognize as a clarinet, a cello, a kazoo, and the grandest organ ever made. It wailed loudly through the air the most beautiful but atrocious song imaginable. When he spoke, his voice was carried over it and delivered itself clearly to Melpomeneâs ears. âAsk granddaughter, it is why you are here.â Very typical of these relations to only come around when they needed something, she hadnât ever come to see him before. Was it so much to ask that she visit? Melpomene wasnât like these poor, broken creatures that sheâd travelled with, she was strong enough to make the journey here with some direction.
-
There was a strange feeling within the goddess, an absence that she hadnât felt in centuries. She was worried, but certain that she would feel whether or not Mneme had passed. At least, thatâs what she wanted to believe. The goddess of tragedy was rarely able to be happy, it seemed. It followed her like a second skin, and while she had embraced her lot in life centuries ago, it was almost nostalgic to be amongst her grandfather. Her sisters. It was overwhelming, and yet â she did not envy them. They remained stagnant. âGrandfather,â she held little regard for most things, always had. A warrior in her own right. Melpomene moved forward and embraced Corellon, moving away after a moment.Â
âI have done so much to give up now,â she began, thinking back on the centuries upon centuries sheâd spent within the Otherworld, finding her way back to Elysia and amongst the gods there. Melpomene turned now, a hint of sadness in her normally fierce eyes, âI have carried my sister for so long. I need to heal her. Youâve done the same for Titania, yet Mneme did not get the same chance. Tell me what to do, grandfather.â
@melxmneme
location: The Astral Sea
notes: a gift for Mneme
The party was loads of fun, Hermes was very entertaining when he was enchanted, and while Thanatos would return soon, he stepped aboard the soratamiâs vessel with an easy inflection of his magic. The Astral Sea was where heâd scattered so many, it was both afterlife and garden. Thanatos appeared at the dark elfâs side as she sat and watched the warder harass the talented, albeit young bard. âIt wonât be long now,â Thanatos whispered as he actively used his magic to suppress her lighter half from taking hold; Mneme should have joined him in Ălfheimr by now, but her sister refused to let her go. It was true that only some became dark elves, high elves whoâd fed on ambrosia as she had in Elysia. Thanatos could just as easily cast Mnemeâs ether into the stars, but things were drawing to a close, Mneme, daughter and goddess of memory: she would have an important place in Ălfheimr, a destiny waiting for her. âare you ready?â
-
Mneme stared straight ahead, the presence of Thanatos beside her not going unnoticed. Peaceful death, a welcome sight to everyone. The elf wasnât quite sure why people feared him, or hated him, perhaps. There was violent death, or perhaps non existence. Death was always an adventure. Some memories trickled in from all around, view of Ălfheimr, and thatâs when she turned to look at a very old friend. âI thought you were having a nice vacation?â The words were lilted; Mneme didnât make jokes often, but she felt content for the time being. Serene, almost. The god asked an impossible question, but would they be gods if they didnât ask such ones? âI could say I am, but I donât think there is an answer to that. No one is ever ready. I fear more for my sister. For those I leave behind when I still have so much I feel like I need to do.â
To Celebrate with Song
Location: Sky Home
Notes: Mel & Mneme chat
"Why do you get the daggers?" Her tone was lilted, Melpomene's presence always a bit more forward than Mneme's. Their minds were one at times, but could be siloed when one goddess decided she wanted to be alone. Mneme stayed where she was, surrounded by familiar fluffy clouds, a memory of Elysia where their sisters remained. She wished to join them, to be there once more, but there was too much at stake.
"They know you are brash. You've burned a lot of bridges. Maybe it's better that they don't give you what you want." Mneme's tone was quieter, her dark hair shining under the moonlight of Sky Home. Already they'd shared between them the grief of this place, Melpomene's visions of tragedy never to be ignored or stopped. But sometimes, Mneme simply wished to not see it.
Melpomene sat down now, across from her twin who still refused to look at her. "You're still upset about that? We saved them. The fey that would've been taken over by the mindflayers. We've met many â you know they cannot be saved because there is nothing left of them." She sighed now, leaning forward, "And now we are back in the Otherworld. A lot further away from where we started."
Mneme could only look up at the moon, her gaze finally flickering towards her sister, "You saved Aurora and what has she done? What have any of them done?"
"It's not our place to interfere with this," Melpomene waved her hand, an old argument that she always won by ignoring it. She knew of the grief they carried, of the fact that they were always one â but without Melpomene, Mneme would die.
They had endlessly searched the Otherworld for answers, ones that would give Mneme her powers back â her life. Melpomene felt like they were in the right direction, while Mneme wished for peace.
Mneme took a breath, "These worlds belong to Titania's people, as much as they belong to us, to the Soratami â this realm is stagnant. All the realms were taken by the rot just shows that perhaps the stolen power of the gods can fix these things. Titania doesn't need to hold on any longer." Melpomene stood up, appearing in front of her sister now. Identical pairs of eyes met, but Mneme did not falter. "Melpomene, this has gone too far. You should have let me go a long time ago. Perhaps I could've given my life forâ"
"No." Melpomene cut her sister off immediately, the idea not one she could stomach. Her hands went to her sister's shoulders, "You will not throw it away. Not after all of this. Don't you understand? I see tragedy everywhere. I can't â I don't want to see it when I look at you. When we have come so far. Done so much â"
"We will not be one forever. Our sisters would always have you." Mneme had thought about this, had written down story after story within Elysia, had continued to do so in the realm of the mortals. She'd saved some for the Pilgrim, the one who liked to flaunt all his travels, but she'd seen his memories. Ones that were similar to hers. They'd traversed the Otherworld for centuries. Realms that remained hidden to many would continue to do so, but she'd shared some with Laer. If only to humble him.
"Shut up, Mneme. Your endless prattling is exhausting." There was a dead beat of silence, both the sisters managing a smile because â well, all Melpomene did was talk.
"You asked if these tears would work on me," Mneme could see it, the way Melpomene clutched Akadi's Tears to her chest. "Save it. For the seraphim you love." They never spoke on love, could hardly manage it when Melpomene was the only one who'd felt such a thing before. Mneme felt too old for it, but she cared for Cloud. They seemed to enjoy her company, and while the aspect was certain nothing more would come from it, there was a nervousness that she couldn't explain.
"Fine. But only if I get to borrow the daggers eventually."
closed starter for @melxmnemelocation: the otherworld
note: kisskiss fall in love
Luckily, Cloud had been able to get out of that battle relatively unscatched. A stone elemental was something they had never come into contact with, but they were sure that was because Theneras had never been one to delve into the Otherworld like this. Or so they could assume at least. They had begun to realize that the deceased eladrin had not been entirely truthful with them. Perhaps that was the only reason why the summer fey had not been able to protect him as well as they would have liked. That was a thought that they didnât want to think about though. Mneme had told them to find themself first so that was what they needed to focus on. Maybe this whole thing would be useful. Well, it certainly wouldnât really be if they lost Aurora, too. That was something else entirely though. They were never optimistic, but they were about the fact that their cousin would make it out of this alive. Worry was something that wouldnât help anyone. They instead decided to focus on the fact that Mneme was not entirely all there during this expedition. One second, it was Melpomene and then, in the next, it was the woman they had grown to care for exponentially. The brunette head of hair was the only indicator that this was Mneme now. âDo you, uh, need anything?â
Melpomene was the fighter. She was the one who had fought for the sisters, at every point in their history. Mneme was the one who could tell someone as it was, but also, she could see the memories of those they spoke to, which made her the best one to speak to those they came across. Diplomatic and truthful, Mneme sat as Melpomene rested. These worlds were ancient, stories carried from Elysia, from those that used to inhabit them. She knew many stories, so many places that Mneme had only heard of. Sheâd read about many, as the keeper of so many memories, she wanted to ensure they persisted. But for now, someone needed to know the truth. Cloud was there, assisting Aegnor, and now they were asking if she needed something. âNo.â The conversation seemed to be over with that, but she was feeling rather isolated, strangely. Cloudâs presence brought a bit of content to her, so she glanced at the fey, âIâm dying.â
It had been anticipated, to be barred from the forest that had become a sanctuary for her kind, had become one of the only protections that the fey had at their disposal now. He would respect the choice that the fey king had made, but that wouldnât particularly mean that Azrael appreciated it, not when that meant he could not get to Mel if danger arose. And danger would be on their heels from now until Leviathan and Ayiâig had been dealt with, until the fallen had been properly put down. It seemed the former were the only ones that Mel worried herself with, as the words spoken from her washed over him. His anger had never truly been his, gifted to him by Ulthar when he had been created, but Azrael had carried it with care. âIf that is what you need, I will be there. To find those who can help, and to fight with you against Leviathan,â he promised as he looked into her eyes, âand I will leave this hatred behind me.â Even after all of this time of carrying it with him.
-
Melpomene turned her lapis lazuli gaze onto Azrael, the muse of tragedy more somber than ever. It was hard for her to remember a time where she didnât have to look at someone and know their death. It was easy to disconnect herself, to not remain close to anyone because theyâd die one day and it would be another one she would have to mourn. Either way, the elf pushed away for a moment, thinking once more. âIâll need your help here, first. War is rampant here, you know that. But you are more than that.â She looked down at her hands, sighing once more, âI ruined our chance at getting the source of power from beneath Ayiâigâs court.â
âI think questions are pretty normal when the situations are unusual, though,â she points out softly, even as her words lose strength. She hadnât meant to annoy her, but her words seemed to imply that she had, even if she had done so in the most accidental manner. As such, she keeps quiet even as she is hit with a frankly baffling set of sentences. âNothing more than the propaganda they want us to belief. I assume there is some truth to it, but what part of the stories is true is not something I have tried to divine.â
Melpomene looked at the drow once more, the one who had fought her way out of a society that had lifted her up. It was strange, but not unheard of. The drow had a choice to make, but so many knew barely any difference than the Underdark. A cruel world bred cruelty in its people, and Melpomene and Mneme wished to remind them that there was more than the hatred Lloth had come to know. âThey say even the spider queen had something to believe in, once. There are so many stories of who she was.â Melpomene knew he was going on a bit of a tangent, but what else was there to say. âRevenge turned into darkness, but no one knows why.â She turned once more towards Andruil, âYour blade is a welcome addition, but donât give up so easily on a society that has only known hatred.â
Itâs becoming increasingly clear to Andruil that the fey enjoy their cryptic ass behavior. It is also becoming increasingly clear that while it baffles her to end, she doesnât hate being given more questions than answers in every conversation that she enters. Itâs interesting, a change of pace from the Underdark, and she appreciates the distinction.
âI donât know that just yet,â she admits with a shrug. âI donât think I will for a while. I spent millennia on the Underdark and I fought to escape what I knew, and in a way, this is what I desire, but I canât call this place my home yet. That is something that will come with time.â
âThe only people this place was meant for were Ultharâs humans. This mortal realm is only mortal because of mistakes made by others.â Mneme was still staring straight ahead, but she was grateful for the company â even if she didnât show it. She knew the drow would have a lot to figure out, but amongst the fey, they werenât all that different. Echoes and shadows, the darkness to light â because without one, there could not be the other. Just as Mneme could not currently live without Melpomene. âYou will figure out what you want from your life in time.â
Mneme didnât talk a lot, but they knew that, when she chose to spoke, she was going to say something important. They often found themself talking while she listened. Now Cloud felt like they were in opposite positions. They didnât exactly want to hear the truth though. It was so much nicer to just live in ignorant bliss. That was easier. It helped when they didnât want to think about everything that went wrong. Now Mneme was laying it all out on the table and they just had to accept that everything she was saying was just true. A short sigh left their mouth for what seemed like the hundredth time. âI donâtâŚâ They stopped because they simply didnât know what to say. What could they say? âI feel lost. I donât know. just donât think Iâm worth anything to anyone if Iâm not a warder. Thatâs all Iâve ever known. Thatâs all I was told to know.â Cloud watched the snowflakes falling, the warmth that naturally surrounded them melting it as soon as it met their head. Then they looked at Mneme again. âI know none of this is my fault. I just wish I couldâve done more for him.â
Mneme glanced at Cloud now, reaching out to place her hand upon theirâs. She was not usually one to provide comfort. Many found the elf off putting, something about how she could see into everyoneâs head and read into memories that were not hers. She could only control it so much, but the rot of the Otherworld was what poisoned her, and one day, she, too, wished to be free from that burden. âThen you find yourself first.â She removed her hand, standing up now. âCome, Cloud. We have a journey to prepare for.â
