video; kazoo 18

[happyends]

[ Guess what, train. If you happen to look at the ICPs, you're greeted by not one, but two cute kid faces. Both of which are smiling. ]

Um.. hi, everyone! [ Okay, maybe smiling slightly shyly, in Madoka's case. It's a lot to realise the whole train can hear you talk.. ]

I know some things have.. um.. maybe been a bit rough lately. But that's why we wanted to do something fun that anyone could join in on! Near the end of the month, on the 27th, we're planning on holding a fun art day! You don't have to bring anything, since we already took care of everything..

[Romeo's grin is a lot more confident though he thinks Madoka is doing great talking to everyone like this!] Yeah we bought lotsa art stuff already, we got paper and pens and paint and glitter and even paint with glitter in it already!!!

[Isn't that the most exciting thing?]

We can do whatever type of art you like, painting, drawing, even paper folding because that's fun too. Everyone is welcome! [Big grin before he remembers something.] Oh yes! It will be in the garden carriage!

[ Madoka nods once Romeo is done talking. ]

Y-Y-Yes, it's going to be a lot of fun, so please make sure to be there that day if you'd like to join in! And, um, I guess if someone still has questions, they can ask us now..

(ooc: expect responses from both madoka and romeo!)

Comments

[controlsthedie]

Well, I was here before him, and he explains some things to me too.

[ Some. There's a lot Thanatos thinks Zagreus isn't telling him. Being from the future and all. ]

No one but the Fates could possibly know everything, and even that could be up for debate.

[happyends]

[ .. Fates.

This person is saying that like it's a name or something, rather than a concept.. ]

The.. fates? Do you know them? Are they people?

[ She looks over at Romeo. ]

Have you ever heard of them before?

[myblueskies]

Are they like gods?

[Fates... Fates... Oh!]

No I did hear about it before! It's when two people have a string on their finger and it connects their hearts and that means they are meant to be together!

[Right? It has to be that! He and his special friend were connected just like that!]

[controlsthedie]

The Three Fates are my older sisters--

[ Thanatos was going to explain more about his sisters, and then Romeo completely sidetracks him. ]

What? The Threads of Fate aren't connected to peoples fingers. They're woven by the Fates and are connected to the soul. That's why I cut them.

[happyends]

[ Thankfully Madoka is here to kind of solve this misunderstanding - or at least to understand where it's going wrong. ]

Oh, no, Romeo, those aren't literal strings! It's, um.. just something people say, like a metaphorical thing! [ Does Romeo know what metaphorical means.

It's too late to take back now, anyway. ]

It means two people are just that perfect for each other. Um, maybe a little like the nice mister and his special friend here!

[ .. though there's something about what Thanatos is saying.. ]

But.. maybe they're a little bit more literal in his world..? [ How else could he actually cut them? ]

[myblueskies]

What does metaphorical mean?

[But how were the strings connected to this mans sisters? This was all very confusing.] Your sisters make the strings? The not real strings? Why do you cut them? Isn't that mean if your sisters made them?

[Not a good brotherly thing to do!]

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos is being bullied by small, well-meaning children! ]

It's my job and by design. They're the ones deciding how long the threads are. I just cut them when it's time. And I only cut those who die peaceful deaths.

[happyends]

[ Oh gosh.

Is this appropriate conversation material around Romeo?! Madoka isn't so sure of it, so she's quick to answer her friend first. Maybe he'll get distracted by it enough that he doesn't think too hard about this whole cutting strings and death business.. ]

Um, metaphorical is like.. like a saying! Like when you say 'a watched pot never boils'-- eventually it'll boil, of course, so it's not literal!

[ Did that work.

Please let that have worked to distract him. ]

[myblueskies]

[So much information all at once! He listened to both of them, nodding at Madoka. Metaphorical was like a saying, so it was a saying that people were connected by strings but there were real strings as well made by this man's sisters and he cut them when people died peaceful deaths.

Why did he cut them?] Are dead people not allowed to have strings that connect them to other people?

[controlsthedie]

The strings aren't connected person to person. They're connected the tapestry the Fates weave.

You could say they're connected in that way...

[ But his voice trails off because he has seen how he separates people, the pain, anger, and fear they feel. Even if they may reunite in the Underworld, he separates them in the way the string metaphor suggests.

His job's important. It has to be done. It's the reason he was born. He helps free people from their pain, allow them to rest. He... shouldn't start to feel guilty for it. ]

[happyends]

[ Talk about trying to navigate an awkward topic. Somewhere between Romeo's sweet, naive obliviousness and Thanatos' awkward trailing off of his voice, Madoka is really trying to pull the conversation back together in a way that won't make it roll straight off a cliff. ]

It sounds like your job is very important, sir.

[ See? She did it, without using the d-word! ]

[myblueskies]

[He's still very confused, the strings connect to a tapestry and the Fates weave that too? They must be very busy!]

It does sound very important and very tricky...

[controlsthedie]

It is.

[ ... ]

I'll let you continue organizing your event. I'm needed elsewhere.

[ No, he's not, but it's as good of an excuse as any to leave a conversation when one is Death. ]

[happyends]

Okay, sir!

[ Of course Madoka isn't going to question it at all. Instead she just smiles. He's getting away with it. ]

Good luck with what you have to do..!

[myblueskies]

Yes sir! I hope it goes well! We'll see you soon!

[At the art day! He hopes!]