Ikkaku - The Mourning After (5/26)

[22:16] Occultism rages.

Even the Regent is not immune to the effects of dark magic from time to time. Upon entering their study it spews out hatefully, can be felt in the air. It is only due to personal willpower that there is no lashing out at the world around them, but it is rather clear he will be rather easy to set off.

Rotting blood levitates in the air, a miasma spinning and threatening to rot anything that attempts to get too close. Ikkaku moves across the room to the council chair. They sit in the middle, and they close their eyes.

The feeling of benevolence is focused on, a feeble attempt to calm themselves. Meditation.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[22:18] Canna looks around, then down at the ground, her ears drooped, witha quick flash of lightning, she was now over on one of the pillows, she just wanted to be somewhere quiet.. where shecould try and get rid of the screams that echoed through her mind.. every time she closed her eyes all she saw was death, it took everything within the tiny girl to keep from throwing up..
(Canna)
[22:22] Alia would move over to take a seat at a table off to the side.

"I read of something in the past. A festival, to honor and mourn those who have passed. From war. From age. From all sorts of things. I read of it in a journal left. And well.

I believe we should hold a Watanagashi festival. Speeches held by those of higher ranking. Of those from the Illuminated and the likes. Lanterns made of paper with small candles within. Messages wrote on them to the ones we lost. To our loved ones. Prayer and the likes will follow...before finally. Letting the lanterns go within the waters. Due to situations...well. It will have to be altered some." Taking note of the nagual girl not looking so well. And so, she would scoot over, before hugging her gently.

"We have to be unified. Together. We can't split apart due to faith being lost...we should be together, as one. As Ardent, to fight together. And so, we must mourn together as well." She had to try.

"You need not answer now Ikkaku. I merely wanted to offer the idea." And so, she would go quiet. She felt she didn't do so well of a explanation, but when Ikkaku was feeling in a better mood, when he was in the right mind. And calm. She could go into more detail.

She wasn't sure if the festival was forgotten in time, which is why she went into detail as well. She just hope she said the name right.
(Alia Astraea)
[22:28] It is said that Arcane users feel more emotional pull then most, that it makes them emotionally fragile.

That was true evidently. The strings that connected everything felt as if there were strains on it, as if it might pull everything appart. The urge to destroy was strong, one could feel it in the air.. Yet there was something stronger. A willpower, a focus. The lashing out didn't happen towards anyone in particular despite it all..

But.. It was close. The blood almost functioned as a shield, threatening to melt anything that might want to touch them. And there was no reaction to the words said. Indeed, perhaps he couldn't even hear it in his own anger.

But despite the loss they closed their eyes and attempted to harmonize on the world. They were going to be a force of good. They were going to protect people..

But it had cost so much..

Selflessness... Wasn't easy.

Not at all.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[22:34] Nerzan says, "Sir, I can.. put your things away."
[22:34] Nerzan pats him on the shoulder, obviously trying to stay strong.
(Nerzan)
[22:35] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "<There is rotting purple blood in the air surround Ikkaku, as if a physical wall to prevent them from being touched>"
[22:35] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "<it feels like a bad idea to touch it>"
[22:36] Nerzan touches it anyway, risking his limbs to comfort him.
(Nerzan)
[22:36] Nerzan the hand sizzles lightly, but he doesn't move it.
(Nerzan)
[22:37] Nerzan says, "S-.. Stay.. strong, Lord Regent..."
[22:38] Shizuki hadn't rushed after him like the others, but she wasn't going to let him wallow in his own feelings alone either. She quietly made her way into his office, approaching his desk with caution. The Officer had heard Alia's suggestion about the festival, offering a nod in her direction, as well as Canna's.

"Your suggestion is a good one, Alia, but we must remember that spirits are low. A festival in which we mourn those who were lost in war might not be the best course of action. If we think on our losses, our defeat, it could only lower the peoples spirits."

Shizuki glanced towards Nara, offering a smile in his direction.

"Instead, I suggest we push back. We don't wallow in despair, we don't allow bad thoughts to take root, since that's exactly what Gaiar wants. They know that these losses, the people who fell, will affect us. It's psychological warfare, in a sense.

We respect those who fell, allow them proper ceremony, but we must keep our efforts focused on evacuating the innocent. Protecting the pure, remaining steadfast in our faith, our beliefs."

Upon seeing the Lord Regent's barrier, she frowned.

"We need to remember the Fourfold path. In family, we find purpose. In honor, we find guidance. In judgement, we find wisdom. In spirit, we find strength.

Her light shines upon us, his Majesty stands beside us. With you at the helm, we will persevere."

She didn't attempt to touch him like Nerzan did. She figured it wouldn't be smart to cross that boundary yet.
(Shizuki Minamoto)
[22:40] Nerzan pulls his hand away, having deemed his action enough for now. Purified Sarradian water wraps around the wound as he plops down beside him.
(Nerzan)
[22:40] Nara makes his way out with out words
(Nara)
[22:46] Alia would pat Canna on the shoulder, before standing up. And walking over. Aiming to take a seat next to Ikkaku.

Only a nod given to Shizuki. Well, she wanted to help. And at the moment, pain is something she could follow. She remembered the Spirit's words. It was foolish to harm oneself. But, she felt that at times. It was right to push through. And this, well this was a time where she wanted to push through and try.

And so, with a soft humming. It all began. First, a soft melody emanating from her. Sound magic, and well. It was soft and gentle.

And soon, a soft humming from her. A lullaby beginning, as well. One thing she took from her mother, one lesson. Was that, in the toughest of times. In the most sorrowful moments. Music was able to reach all, one way or another. It was a bit silly, and well. She always knew that some people wouldn't be effected by it.

But, the childish side of her believed that it would work.

As for what was going on inside, well her mana circuits began to burn in areas, some growing cold and feeling icy. But over all, immense pain coursing through her. Yet, she would push through. With the hopes of helping.

If only things could go back to how they use to be. Back before all of the wars.
(Alia Astraea)
[22:47] Canna looked up, her ears pointed towards the sizzling sound of Nerzan's hand on Ikkaku, Canna quickly sprung forward, landing on the other side of Nerzan. She places a hand on Nerzan's shoulder and says "Stay strong.. both of you.. I believe in you both with all my heart. We did good today. We saved many people from being harmed, and I could not be more proud of either of you, than I already am. Ikkaku, you did what had to be done, had he been captured, everyone would have been at risk. Thank you. Thank all of you."

Canna cast a hand out to everyone in the room.

"Thank you all, and all of our forces, for defending those who can not defend themselves. Without each of you, our world.. would be black as the night skies. You all are the light that brightens everything for us. You have much to bear.. on your shoulders. So thank you.."

Canna slowly scanned the room as she sat on the floor, her tears had faded, her hands had steadied. A smile formed on her face. Even though they had lost, they survived. They could grow. They could honor those they had lost.
(Canna)
[22:49] Awá says, "Err. Alia. I think I killed your sister."
[22:53] Oh god, they were getting near the rotting blood, what made them think this was a good idea.

It is only due to armor that Nerzan's flesh does not rot upon contact, but there is a snarl from the Regent. A hand slams downwards upon the table around them, hatred, lashing out but not yet at the people around them. Labored breaths leave Ikkaku as they turn to face those nearby.

"Leave me alone.. I came here to mourn. My friend.. Kayn.. The person I knew.. The second person I met after leaving my home town.. He's dead. My childhood friend is dead." Tears drip from the eyeholes of the mask. And then a force like weak strings moves against any who had attempted to touch them, a feeble attempt to force them backwards.

"Leave me alone.. I'll be strong later.. But leave me alone.." Ikkaku lowers their head to the table.

And the Regent sobs.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[23:01] Alia heard Awa's words. A yank at her heart being felt. But, well. There were more important things to do right now.

It was only natural, her sister had fallen to extremist views of Saekanis. All she could pray for now, was that Asena would give her one last chance within the afterlife.

Slowly picking herself up, her music and lullaby continuing as she would grab the letter. Holding it tightly. A memory of her sister, to say the least. Taking a glance to those present. Trying to let them know that she would do her best to handle this. And well, she would even stop her lullaby for now.

"I believe...it is best if we all leave Ikkaku for now...the clinic needs help...and make sure that any who lost family...are checked in on." Pausing for a moment, she honestly didn't know what else to say.

"I...will make sure he is ok. It is the least I can do." She seemed to be in pain, but she wouldn't let that effect her. Nor would she let it stop her. People were injured in the war, people died in the war. She couldn't let an injury like this stop her from helping. It didn't feel right.

Of course, if anyone protested. She wouldn't argue. This is just what came to mind first on how she could help.
(Alia Astraea)
[23:04] Nerzan says, "It's time to go."