Thirteenth: Killing the Mood (Video; un: Caster/forward dated to 14th)

[colchismagecraft]

[tw death/afterlife talk]

[Unlike last Valentine's Day, Caster didn't come to the network late that evening looking for a distraction- instead, she used the chance to shatter romantic moods, and ask a question that had been playing on her mind for some time.

Of course, the video was dark, poorly lit and as suspicious as was traditional with her- the lower half of her face only visible by the gleaming of a strange potion brewing nearby.]

Good evening, Avalon. For those I haven't met yet, I go by 'Caster' here.

For anyone else who's grown tired of the day's festivities and would like to humour me- I have a question. Tell me, what is the afterlife like in your worlds? There are so many legends, after all, and I'm always interested in hearing in how they differ.

[A pause for thought, before adding, by way of deflection: ]

Ah. I'm working on some new potions at the moment- do come by if you're curious.

Comments

audio; un: hypnos

[verytired]

Hm...I wonder what it's like where I'm from~

[ He's teasing, of course. ]

I think you know my answer. How are you, though?

Audio

[colchismagecraft]

I couldn't possibly guess.

[Oh hello cousin. Despite the teasing, it was good to hear from him.]

...Mm. I'm keeping myself busy. And you? I'm surprised you don't have other plans occupying your attention this evening.

[She assumed he'd be busy with Jane today, after all.]

audio; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

[Caster is treated to... a song? It sounds strangely upbeat for the subject matter, though.]

Living in a land that’s dark and blinded by the frigid cold,
Creeping through the loneliness for ages untold!
In your heart you’re desperate for the sweet embrace of light,
Pushing through and crawling with all of your miiiiight...

Audio

[colchismagecraft]

...Well, it's been a while since someone decided to serenade me.

[A half-muttered remark. She won't stop him if he continues- but well, this was not quite the response she'd been expecting.]

audio; un: mogget

[themogget]

[The voice that comes over the device is rough and scratchy, and sounds like it's somehow made up of a series of cat-like sounds twisted around into human words. It's entirely understandable while giving off an odd sense of the uncanny.]

Would you like the short answer, or the long one? The long one might keep you here for a while.

[colchismagecraft]

[What a strange voice...something about it just seemed off in a way she couldn't quite place.]

Well, I have no plans for tonight- the long one will suit me fine, if you are willing to tell it.

text | un: octavinelle

[dottedline]

It varies from place to place. I was told that when we die, we turn to sea foam if we misbehaved in life.

Text

[colchismagecraft]

so amongst the regions of your world it varies as it does in mine

sea foam hm
how do you feel about that

it sounds a little lonely but not unpleasant

video, un: cherrypit

[polterguide]

Y’know, I’m not really sure? All I really know is a lot of people don’t end up there when they die.

[They prop their chin on their hand, looking down at where they have their phone propped up for this car.]

Death isn’t really the end, where I’m from. There’s things like vampires and other kinds of undead, from all the ambient… whatever going on in the world. [They wave their other hand.] But most people who stick around are less corporeal and can’t talk to anyone who hasn’t developed the ability to communicate with the dead. It’s a pretty lonely life, but if you have something tying you to the realm of the living…

[They pause.]

But I guess that doesn’t really answer your question, sorry.

[colchismagecraft]

So instead of going to the afterlife, they become something else...I see. That is something possible in my world, but not a common occurrence.

...You're right, though, it does sound lonely. I take it you were would who could communicate with them?

[It wasn't too dissimilar to Heroic Spirits in her world, but she at least could choose who could see her.]

Not at all, it's an open discussion.

video; un: tartaglia

[commediadellanime]

Depends on where you’re from. Every country’s got a different idea of what death and the afterlife is like.

[And we don’t have any lore relevant to Childe, smh.]

And people will always argue which version is better or if they’re true at all, regardless of which Archon they follow. I mean, nobody can even agree if dying is part of the deal to ascend to Celestia or not. Hard to know when you haven’t died, I guess.

[colchismagecraft]

That is the problem, isn't it? Different regions have different Gods, Underworlds, beliefs- and they will never agree which is true. It is the same regardless of age, to an extent.

...What is 'Celestia', as far as you're concerned?

Video / un; Berserker

[beewulf]

I think we both already know what the afterlife is like.

[A pause.]

...But I wouldn't be adverse to telling you a little bit about the Northern afterlife. Not that it differs all too much from the Greek's.

[colchismagecraft]

I know what the afterlife is like as far as my own fate is concerned, yes...

[A pause of her own- and a small frown. She didn't want to elaborate on her fear for her Master's fate, but perhaps as a fellow Servant, he'd realise the unspoken implication.]

...But regardless, I would be curious to hear that, if you would be willing to tell.

un: music2myears | Audio

[afoolshope]

I don't know what the afterlife is really like back home. [He didn't quite make it that far.] In my world, every culture has their own. In Shinto belief, Yomi isn't really anything special.

It's not like a paradise like people believe Heaven is, but it's not a terrible place like people believe Hell is. Just kind of a place were the deceased go, like lots of culture's Underworlds, I guess? It's kind of gloomy really, now that I think about it.

But I don't really believe in much religion these days, so I couldn't say where my soul would go.

Audio

[colchismagecraft]

[Ah...she knew that voice. But judging from their talk at the Equinox, she knew he didn't remember the first time he'd been in Avalon. Even so, it was pleasant to have a chance to talk again, without the pressing urgency of a battle.

Shinto belief though- that sounded like a useful lead.]

It is the same in my world- the cultures differ. The Gods of one domain do not interfear with those outside of it.

...Yomi. Yes, I've heard the name before, but I cannot say I know much beyond that. I only had a little exposure to Shinto beliefs before now. Tell me, what can you say for the Gods who rule over it?

It sounds like your own fate is something you've given quite some thought to, Minato.

video; UN: firstfallen

[corruptedsave]

I can tell you that the afterlife in my world sucks.

[They have a little grin on their face as they say it.]

It's a black never-ending void of nothingness, no one else is there with you either.

[colchismagecraft]

...how horrible.

[A pain twisted into what could be seen of her face at that.]

Just...nothingness?

audio; un: jean

[rustyhonesty]

I doubt afterlife exists in the hell I come from. We don't really have a concept of "gods" or anything the like.

Still, death there is better than turning into a literally mindless monster forever.

Audio

[colchismagecraft]

...Yes, I'll give you that. Death is- more peaceful than such a cruel fate.

[She could think of a few who deserved such a thing, though.]

So you have no real concept of 'Gods' in your world?

Video / un; Chasseur

[resistetmords]

That's a good question. Back home I think it largely depended on what you believed in. Heaven is real though, I know that!

...Or at least I'm pretty sure it is.

Oh! But any chance we can get a sneak peek at the potions you're making?

[colchismagecraft]

Heaven, hm? The concept of a paradise like that, I suppose it isn't too dissimilar from the Elysian Fields, in a way.

...Ah, yes of course-

[Caster moved the camera to point at a small, unlabelled bottle- when she shakes it, the red liquid inside starts to glow.]

This one...honestly, I'm hoping to make something to keep my hands warm in this cold weather. I haven't worked out the best way to carry it, yet.

Text | UN: Anonymous

[mayoninofukucho]

[Caster... after she participated in Maribelle's revenge and put him through the wringer Hijikata is hardly inclined to converse with her, but the flame of vengeance is burning inside him. This witch really didn't have to take so much glee in it!! So he impulsively responds - though this time, unlike on Maribelle's call-out post, he has the good sense to go anonymous, even though he's really just sharing information she asked for. Right?]

In Japan we have heaven and hell, like in many other Earth cultures. Hell is split in 16 levels - 8 warm hells and 8 cold hells. Different crimes will land you in different hells, so murderers, for example, go to the Reviving Hell (warm). There demons will beat you to death, torture, mutilate and dismember you, and each time you'll revive to go through it again and again. Forever.

[That man she loved and whose death she kidnapped Darin over and set the Brocéliande on fire last year was Japanese, right? Much as Darin advocated for them both, right now Hijikata is in an extremely biased and uncharitable mood. That guy must have been a rotten bastard to be Caster's ally and lover! Maybe he wasn't a murderer, but if he was he had it coming, and if she's going to fret now it's well-deserved!]

Video -> Audio/Text

[colchismagecraft]

[Caster didn't switch over to text immediately, so he would be able to see something of her expression as she read over what he had sent- with bored curiosity at first, but then she started to focus.

This person was talking about Japan, after all, so they might have the very information she'd been hoping to get out of fielding questions to the network: Reassurance that her beloved Souichirou-sama wouldn't have suffered too cruelly after his death.

Instead, though... her expression twisted as she bit her lip, the hand that was drawn in close to her chest starting to tremble. A quiet fear she rarely let slip it's way out.

...And then the video was clumsily switched off. Sound was still coming through, though, if the bubbling of potions in the background was anything to go by.]

that cant be rightt
your
rdiculous childrens horror stories i wont

liar

[...Her Master had rarely spoke about his history, but she at least knew that even before he'd met her, he had blood on his hands. Would this- would this cruel punishment really have been his fate? Caster wanted to believe this was just a prank, but the fear was like shards of glass twisting it's way into her- and it wouldn't take much needling to shatter that fragile denial she was clinging onto.]

text; un: wolfcountry

[impostorsyndrome]

Mind if I stop by?

[Seems like maybe someone could use some company on a rough evening. And also, yes. Yes, he is curious. Potions are cool.]

Text

[colchismagecraft]

youd be welcome to

[Part of her thought he'd have other engagements to attend to, but perhaps he too had been avoiding relationships of that nature in this world. Either way, Medea couldn't deny that the company would be appreciated.]

video, un: shenwangye

[yearofthepeacock]

[This peacock is fumbling with his phone for a moment, still having some trouble operating this device. Touchscreens aren't great with feathers. But once Shen has managed to return the video call, Caster is treated to an unflatteringly frontal view of a large white bird. He's frowning at the camera, but once he realizes she can see him now he settles into a more aloof expression.]

Oh I'm so glad you asked! Mine is apparently populated almost entirely by big, savage, mangy apes! Who would have thought, am I right?

[It's perhaps obvious from his insincere and patronizing tone of voice that this isn't so much a genuine exchange of ideas as it is a long awaited chance to air his grievances, of which he has about as many as he has feathers in his magnificent tail.]

[colchismagecraft]

[Yes, that was a peacock on the end of the call. One who apparently struggled with these devices as well- that was always comforting.]

Apes, you say?

[Did he mean humans? Well, she could understand the need to vent, so didn't intend to shut him down.]

video; un: selcouth

[sulit]

I'll come by, but only if I can bring snacks~

[Despite Klaudia's professed dislike of this day's festivities, she seems to be in an exceedingly cheerful mood. Even people being gross about "love" can't bring her down today.]

It's hard to know how to answer your question, though. There's as many afterlives as there are gods, so it all differs.

[colchismagecraft]

I certainly won't complain about snacks.

...But it is the same in my world- many different countries and Gods, many different afterlives. Where you're from, would...people who followed different Gods in life end up in different places after death?

voice; un: rokumon

[garyoutensei]

A lot of different people have a lot of different ideas about what awaits us when we die, where I come from. I was raised with Buddhist beliefs, myself, but I'm not really a religious person...

[ There's the sound of a long, soft exhale... she's smoking, obviously. ]

But if there's anything out there, I'm definitely bound for Hell, whatever form that takes...

Audio

[colchismagecraft]

Our worlds share some beliefs, then...I spent a fair bit of time in a Buddhist temple at home.

...from what little I've heard about that Hell, it is a grim place.

[Hijikata's account had been just a little traumatising.]

text; un: 𓃩

[suetekh]

It's the Underworld where i come from and where your soul goes so you may live eternally

[colchismagecraft]

live eternally hm

would you be willing to tell me what your underworld is like

text; un: tuge

[yunxiguang]

[What an ominous person... And an ominous question. Though Sizhui is a little curious... Practices are different here, but can the afterlife really be that different between these worlds?]

Are there really other kinds of afterlives? I've only heard about the practices from my home.

Text

[colchismagecraft]

from what ive read of the messages there are similarities
differences as well

tell me about the practices in your world if you wish
i would be curious to hear