fireindreams

The cross of life fountain is pretty empty this time of night. I'll be just finishing up my playing there. If that's alright with you.

Certainly. I'll be there in a moment.

[It actually does take Grimm a little bit to get there, longer then one would think for someone who can teleport.

But he wanted to make sure the Grimmchild was comfortable first. Still, eventually there is the tell-tale crack of the Troupe Master teleporting into the area.]

Good evening, dear Héctor.

[Dear Héctor. Reference to the old joke makes him smile. He finds, he needs that.

The moment that crack had sounded in the air (after a slight jump) he'd set his guitar aside. He leaves room beside him on the fountain's edge.]

Buenas noches to you too, mi amigo. I'm afraid this is less a call for company than it is that I... had some things to discuss and tell you. And ask.

[He takes a seat beside Héctor. He'd have liked to hear more of the man's music but it seems like he has a lot on his mind.]

I do not mind. What is it you wish to speak of?

[Although given the conversation Grimm had with a certain someone, he has a feeling.]

[Maybe later. Maybe after.

He sighs.]

I haven't been entirely honest with you. It's not something I tell people, not if I can help it.

[But little by little things have unraveled. Now, more of those he cares for know than not.]

I told you I see the dead. I never told you why. I'm not a candle. I didn't make a contract or uncover anything.

[He lifts a hand. His power lights from beneath his skin and dissolves it away until the bones show. He moves his fingers idly in the dust before letting it reform.]

I died. I see the dead because I'm one of them.

[Grimm waits quietly for Héctor's explanation. And it certainly is one. He watches with amazement as the man's skin dissolves until nothing is left but bone.

It is like Ekkehardt, although Grimm doesn't say it. He doesn't know if Héctor knows.]

I see. However I do understand why you did not bring it up and I am not offended.

[There was a distinct...dislike towards undead. Grimm personally found the reasoning for the most part to be flimsy beyond a handful of people who had a good reason.

And they don't know each other that well.]

But may I ask why now you have chosen to speak up?

[He is curious.]

[He smiles bracingly. The understanding is a relief. He hadn't thought Grimm wouldn't get it, but it just shows the kind of world they live in.

He hums at the question. It's almost a laugh but not quite. Why now indeed?]

I saw your ghost. Alderic, he said his name was. When the fog came up. He was hoping for direction with some words left by you. I had to tell him I could not help him.

[It settles heavy in his heart. He raises his eyes to Grimm, worried.]

Is something going on with you, Grimm? Is there a reason I saw that?

[Ah. He knows exactly what Héctor's talking about.]

Yes, his name was Alderic. That was me prior to becoming a vampire and joining the Grimm Troupe. I was sixteen back then.

[He is much older now. But that's probably not what Héctor wants to hear about.]

Within the Grimm Troupe we have something known as the Ritual. When it comes time for the Master to retire, he or she shall perform the Ritual with someone of their choosing. If they pass then they become the Master and are gifted with a treasure.

And their predecessor will wake from their dark dream.

[Grimm leans back and looks up at the sky.]

The letter Alderic possessed was something I have been meaning to write for some time now. My own time is coming to a close soon and I desire for you all to be known to him. I...when the Ritual completes, I will lose my memory of you all.

[It hurts. He wasn't expecting it to hurt like that. He can tell that Grimm is content with his fate. He's happy with it, even. But it reminds him what it is to feel breathless.

There's no changing Grimm's mind. He's not going to ask. But, it still takes time before he can respond.]

... That... puts us in quite a spot.

[He looks to the sky as well. Perhaps for different reason.]

I'm dying, Grimm. Fading, my kind calls it. Imelda and I are trying things but... [His mouth presses. He breathes out through his teeth.] Memory may eventually be all I have. There won't even be a body. I just have to hope those I love will know.

I know. Alderic passed on your message to me.

[That he should write down about Héctor's family and be there for them when Héctor's time has come.]

I intend to hold onto your request you made to him. Even if it will not be 'me'.

[It may be strange that Grimm seems to consider Alderic a separate person when it's still him, but the differences between each other should be obvious.]

But while I am here is there anything I can do for you, my friend?

[He wasn't sure if that part was a product of the mirror. It could've been. It might have been that Alderic had never really seen Grimm at all. It's better that's not the case, he thinks.]

Thank you.

[His voice is quiet there. He does note the strange differentiation but in a way he understands. That kid who ran around with his youthful face never quite settled the same in his heart again to make him entirely one alone. Memories changed people. They made up who a person was.

Which brings him to the very last thing, something Grimm asks of now.]

Yes.

[He brings his eyes down, forces himself to look at Grimm, even as much as this all tears at him.]

I wanted to ask you... in that place, you let him know what you could of everyone else. I can understand wanting a clean break or even if it's just how things are always done. But I ask you to consider; let him have you too. More of you, of who you are now. At least of what I knew of you.

The others will be able to preserve you in their hearts. But I don't know if I can. Letting my friends disappear is... difficult for me. It's not something I've ever been able to help, until now maybe. I ask you, please leave him more than what you did. He should get to be proud of you. Or fond. He should get to know what I thought of you too.

[He has stop. He takes a breath, sniffing, rubbing at his eyes. But this time, at least, he mostly maintains composure. He adds one more thing.]

And if you haven't left as much of you as you could to your child, I swear Grimm, I will find someone scarier than I to shake sense into you.

Edited 2019-12-24 12:58 (UTC)

[He listens carefully and without interrupting. Grimm knows what Héctor is talking about. He too was able to read that letter.

It wasn't intentional. Grimm knows himself and even if the letter did not physically exist in this world, he knows full well he would phrase it that way. Friends and family are more important then the writer. It is not out of self-hatred or anything of the same sort.

It just was the way Grimm was.]

I am ultimately a performer. The Master of the Grimm Troupe. Never the audience, save for once in my long life.

[Grimm stands and walks a little way before turning on his heel and bowing. Like he would do at the end of his shows.]

It is inevitable I will walk off the stage. The price to remain untouched, unchanging, terrible and immortal is one I will never pay. So I will not speak of it. [Terribly, terribly unfair to starve a life just because he wanted to stay in the limelight. Never. Never.] But this dark dream will end and my flame will go out.

[All fires burn with the knowledge they will run out of kindling. Grimm's life, Héctor's life and humanity as a whole.]

But you give yourself too little credit, my friend. A heart does not vanish because the body is gone. Still, I do understand what you mean and I will amend the letter to include myself.

And as for my child...[He straightens up and smiles, laughing a little at Héctor's threat.] They will be given all I am. My memories and my heart. That part has not changed.

[Maybe if it was self-hatred he'd have worried more, both about his friend and about his request being heard.

He does still worry when Grimm speaks of his time. He is at peace with many parts of death. But, with others, he still has fear. To go entirely without fear would mean only terrible things.

He would hate immortality. He knows it to his core. He knows that all will die, everyone in the world. It does not make things easy. Just a little time, not eternity, is all he wishes.

And Grimm gives some, in his small way. He breathes out his nerves and smiles up with gratitude. He think to thank the man but instead shakes his head. He gets to his feet and walks over and wraps his arms around Grimm.]

It won't be the same. They're all going to miss you terribly. Break all their hearts. You've set poor Alderic up, you know? Even if they'll love him too.

Perhaps. But I made an inclusion to that letter for him and him alone.

[Grimm returns the hug easily even if he was not expecting it. He's always liked hugs, giving and receiving them.

Perhaps it's because he missed the hugs his family would give. But even then, he liked them.]

Alderic is his own self. Just as my child is not me, Alderic will not mold himself to be me again. It would cause stagnation and to us that is truly death.

[It would condemn Alderic to something terrible. There was a reason why the Nightmare King was so hands off when it came to his vessels.

So terribly easy to mold someone into what you wanted. But to Grimm that is as much murder as killing someone is.]

There is no easy answer. I accepted my fate a long time ago. But I will not stop people from missing me. That too, would be unfair.

[He nods his head over Alderic's shoulder. Alderic being new unto himself makes Grimm's loss all the more like death. But's kinder, in a sense.]

Then he'll be okay. And they'll get through it. They won't ask him to be you either. I'm sure.

[He pulls back a little, releasing the hug if not entirely letting go as he steps back.]

I don't regret having met you. I don't know that I'll ever have to face that kind of grief but I don't think it would change that.

[It is death, a willingly desire to end an existence for the sake of two people. But it's fine by him. Alderic and the Grimmchild will live out the rest of their lives.]

They are good people and I do not doubt they will accept him when given time.

[Because Grimm trusts everyone he knows. The Troupe to let him go when the time comes and for his friends at Daybreak to mourn Grimm and then move on when they're ready.]

And I do not regret meeting you as well, my friend. Even if our lives are destined to fade, I hope you still live a long and happy life.

Si.

[He says it quietly and nods.

He wonders if he can expect the same. Maybe if he too could be at peace with it instead of busying himself seeking an out.

But if he didn't, he'd never get what Grimm wishes him.]

Thank you. Truly.

If... if I get so lucky, then know that Alderic will always be welcome.

As you will be with him.

[Grimm knows himself well. How he will grow from when he wakes up from the dream, the Troupe Master cannot say. But the desire to be with others will not.

That he is certain of.]

And of course you are always welcome to visit myself and the Troupe. We would be happy to meet you, on stage or off.

[How strange it is, to be promised a friend in the (still dubious) future and know that it's not mere kind words. He knows without a doubt that he'd grow fond of Alderic. Alderic had already been too kind to him.

He smiles wider.]

Mi amigo, should they ever stop by or should I have the means to find and see them, I would love to meet them all.

Inbox

no subject

[action]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject