Inbox

[hypomeneo]

[The recording begins regularly enough. A deep voice intones with all the enthusiasm of a call center operator giving their rote pitch:]

Hello, this is Waver Velvet. Leave a short message with date, time, and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...

[Suddenly there is an excited voice in the background clamoring for Waver's attention and not going to let up until Waver completely gives them exactly that.]

Stop! Idiot! Can't you see I'm trying to record something?!

... hold on! Hold on!

[This thing still on? Yes? Okay then...]

Give me your number! I'll call you back when I bloody well can!

[More excited cajoling and Waver squawking before the recording goes click!]

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

[Oh dear. Oh dear. ... Waver hasn't gotten around to changing this, has he? You're hearing it, after all. Maybe you should... remind him to change his voice mail message. After you leave your message.

Remember! Leave a number!]

Comments

March 18

[defensivematrix]

(( ooc: Guess I'm kind of too late for top-leveling on the current event, but I want a thread with Waver-- soooo inbox is the obvious choice ))

[ A surprise text from Satya comes around the mid-day ]

Did you go to the festivities today on Asakusa?

[ That's it, that's very succinct. ]

[hypomeneo]

[After all that, Waver might be having a bath in blessed water just to be sure he's completely unblighted as a safety precaution.]

I did. To say they went well would be a misnomer.

[defensivematrix]

Sounds like you've got quite a story to tell.

I don't wish to interfere with whatever business you might have, but are you still around the Senso-ji grounds?

[ She is lost in the parade, there is no lie. She will never admit to it. Just like she will never admit that the sheer amount of people make the whole deal of staying calm for the sake of their god kind of... challenging. ]

[hypomeneo]

Yes. Do you need me to come now?

[These are what tracking spells are for. Now, did she give him anything earlier he can use as a focus?]

some time after the power shitshow

[chibisu]

[Waver might not exactly work in the temple of Ebisu as a regular employee, in many meanings of the word... but there is a business relationship which occurs between them. That means it's only proper for the temple to have his contact information on hand, along with an email of his own to use within the temple. Not to mention "Jitsumi" speaks very well of him.]

[So, he'll be getting an email.]

From: Aomi
To: Velvet Waver

I apologize for interrupting you during what I'm sure is important work. I wish to invite you on a brief trip to Kanagawa. Your god and the rest of your temple are invited as well, although it would only be for a day. This is an annual tradition of sort on my end that my god, Ebisu, is also attending with me for this year.

As Jitsumi has spoken highly of you, I thought it only appropriate to extend this invitation to you. I understand if you have too much on your schedule, however, so please do not feel pressured to attend.

Thank you for your time.

[hypomeneo]

[Waver's had a lot on his plate. Researching the roots of magic of the Far Shore, prayers, detective work, dealing with a relationship upgrade... simply surviving something best described as existential horror distilled in its purest form... he's been a busy boy.

So a break sounds great.]

From: Velvet Waver
To: Aomi

Thank you. I would love to attend.

I will speak to him and the rest of the Temple about our schedules and get back to you on everyone's availability.

[chibisu]

From: Aomi
To: Velvet Waver

The young master and I will look forward to the response from your god, then. If any of your temple does decide to attend, I recommend having hiking boots prepared.

Text | April 11th

[unlucky7]

Hey, I realize this is a longshot, but you get magic stuff and you're smart.

Do you know what happened to the crystal or dolls in the compound after the fight? It's been on my mind.

[hypomeneo]

[Oh... something he's going to have to be careful in answering, given discussions about what to do about that, but he can certainly speak to what happened right after.]

Everyone had to leave them there. The Heavens secured the compound right after the assault wound down.

[unlucky7]

[Oh. This is why Ginia held off looking for an answer despite knowing better. It's not quite the answer Ginia wants to hear, though she doesn't know what she was looking for either.]

Is the compound still under Heaven's control? In the sense they're guarding it and cultists haven't come back?

Text from Romeo

[myblueskies]

Dear mister Waver

You are invited to Gegute's library (Elfnein's temple) on the 29th of April for a party! It is going to be a book party so you can bring your best book or even dress up as your favourite character!
I invited mister Islander too and you can bring other friends! There will be tasty food to eat (including apples) !
See you there!

Romeo and Elfnein

April 26th - [Action] (continued from the Somewhere Else)

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar finds Waver looking at the screen. After his remark about Chikusa Iskandar just nods with a smile. ]

So do I but he has Hakkai to take care of him.

[He goes to sit in front of Waver. Even if that means sitting on the floor he doesn't mind. He has a question to ask and he wants to see Waver's reaction to it. But before he's able to do that his hand goes to brush away that one loose strand of hair from his face. That became his habit very fast. Waver has the most gorgeous hair but they can be quite unruly sometimes.

Only after that comes the question.]

It's not only Chikusa that worries you, hm?

[hypomeneo]

[About Hakkai...]

That he does, but mmm...

Hakkai's in the same boat a lot of people here are.

[Applecarts.

Waver's eyes fall closed and he leans into that touch like a cat. Ah, no hiding behind his hair? From his core flickers a command for sleep, and when he opens them again, they are dull with fatigue for just a moment before they clear. His expression is soft.

Yes, he had been expecting that one.]

There's a list, certainly. [There's the smallest self aware tug of a smile.] I don't think that would surprise anyone.

[towards_okeanos]

Hakkai is a God of Fortune! His name carries more weight than most.

[He didn't want to sound so ... Angry? He's not angry. Not jealous either. Just don't ... He's not...

A sigh. There's a list. Of course, there is. How could it not be?]

I suspected as much.

[He smiles. His hand stays where it was as Waver closes his eyes. Such contrast. Waver has a complexion of someone who spends much more time indoors than out in the field. Pale and smooth. Touching him is like holding precious alabaster. He is like alabaster. Even the light shines through him the same. In comparison, Iskandar is dark and rough and covered in scars. He has scars even on his fingers. Such contrast and yet ...]

Will you share? Maybe we can find a remedy for your worries together.

May 27th

[unlucky7]

[Whatever business Ginia was going to message Waver with is immediately forgotten when she sees the name change.]

Um

Zhuge Liang?

[If it's the same number and their conversations haven't changed, then she knows it's still Waver. But she has to hear it from him too.]

[hypomeneo]

[... this is the awkward that results in having too many names, everyone knowing a name that's literally become dead to you over the years and now you're in the process of coming to terms with again, and this.]

It's Waver. Don't worry.

This is going to be awkward to explain, but yes, I'm Zhuge Liang as well. You've always been speaking to Zhuge Liang.

[unlucky7]

Okay.

Before we dive back into how you're Zhuge Liang, can you confirm something else for me?

Are you a god now?

Voice message [June 15th]

[towards_okeanos]

[The message start with a small chuckle. Yes, Iskandar loves that you have never changed that message. He remembers very well the day when it was recorded. The name in the address book may be Zhuge Liang but the message still bears Waver's name.

The chuckle is followed by a long sigh.]

Waver, love, I know you're probably busy but I need to tell you something. Noctis is gone. I didn't know him but he was from our generation and now his shinki has nowhere to go.

[There's a pause.]

So I proposed I can take her in. I invited her to the Temple, she's coming and ...

[Another sigh.]

I don't know if this would work out, I don't know if she agrees or if she stays or ...

[Not that he has an exceptional record of keeping shinki at his Temple...]

I just don't want any of the new generation shinki to be forced to go begging the old gods to take them.

[He took Ada thinking he would never accept another shinki. He knows he said as much. Still, there are situations he can't just stand and watch. He made this mistake once and that's one too many.]

You don't have to come here, I just wanted for you to know what I'm doing.

Voice message [June 15th]

[hypomeneo]

[He's just finished with a prayer in Kyoto when the voice message comes in. Waver frowns softly as he listens. He didn't know Noctis either, but he's met his shinki. She had a somewhat wary, calculating air about her... like she was still on survival mode, asking questions and carefully evaluating the situation even while being friendly. Very practical.]

Nesir? I've met her. She's an interesting one.

[It's not a dismal record either. Waver ascended, Satya disappeared and that wasn't by anyone's will. She would have wanted to stay. No one's wanted to leave and that's far better than many gods.

Still. Breaking bonds leaves scars on the heart. He knows better than anyone how much that hurts. As well as the helplessness. Being shinki is not like being a Servant, despite what it looks like on the surface, but godhood so far is uncomfortably close to being a Master. Iskandar didn't want another shinki after Ada. Waver didn't think he'd take any shinki other than Eirene, due to his many issues around the Name...

But. Then Judar.

They're the same, aren't they?]

Me neither on that. I've heard too many goddamn horror stories from Lord Ebisu's shinki to ever want one of us to have to be Named by any old god but Lord Ebisu himself. [Ebisu has proven himself worthy countless times over by all their estimation.] But, if you're worried about things working out, why don't you give it a couple days before the Name and just concentrate on getting to know her? That way both of you see if you're compatible before dealing with the next step.

[Iskandar was immensely comforting when he was Naming Judar, especially when he snapped out of the visions, though. What Iskandar needs though...]

Got it. If you need anything, though, just let me know. Anything at all, love. Don't hesitate to ask.

[He knows you're aching over Satya. He'll drop everything to be there if you need him there at any point.]

[voice]

[towards_okeanos]

Hearing your voice was enough. Thank you.

[He wasn't expecting an answer. Not that quickly. But that's Waver, it's obvious he'd reply immediately. They're both absolute priority to each other. Unless the world is literally on fire they'll both literally drop everything else to come to each other's aid. Though Iskandar is quite sure they'd do it even if the world was indeed on fire. He knows himself. World be damned, he couldn't care less if Waver needed him.]

I heard no horror stories but saw enough on my own to form an opinion that's not exactly a favourable one. But, yes, you're absolutely right about Lord Ebisu being the exception. They all could learn a lot from him if they weren't so obstinate.

[There's a slight pause, then an almost inaudible sigh.]

As for shall I wait with the Naming or not. I thought about it. This woman needs a home, Waver. A roof over her head, food, shelter. I can't deny her this even if we end up not liking each other too much. [Yes, he knows it is so much more than that. Doesn't change anything.] If I have any doubts they're more about her reaction than mine. If she's willing to accept a Name from me when she hears what I think about the Nora question. Everything else I can work around. This one thing I will not.

[Yes there are wounds that don't heal that easily. As there is an empty room in his Temple that not a person other than the one who occupied it once will ever be able to use. But he's a King and a warrior. He can handle discomfort.]

I'll tell how things went after I speak with her.

cw: NSFW -> continued from Book party, April 29

[hypomeneo]

[A terrible, terrible mess of an already messy room. Waver marks where empty spaces of stone floor are absently; it's be a shame to ruin those papers and whatever's on them. He never looks; avoids them even.

It's just a flicker of attention at best. All of his focus is narrowing on the man who carried him in here and is underneath him now.]

All mine? Whatever I want?

[Waver cards his fingers through Iskandar's thick crimson locks as he savors every kiss and bite and hums thoughtfully.]

Speaking of plans, I'd say someone was looking forward to something like this...

[I think people being bossy of you is a turn on, hm? How many would have dared in your life?

Waver's skin feels like it's on fire underneath the soaked chiton clinging to him like a second skin. Droplets of water trickle down him as he stares down at Iskandar with increasing hunger and he licks his lips, uncaring of how wet the bedspread is getting beneath them. Whatever he wishes? He smiles slowly as he deliberately grinds his hips against Iskandar from where he's straddling his lap and slowly palms Iskandar's chest before pinching a nipple between his fingertips and his lover's own soaked clothes. Waver rolls the nub between his fingers, curious about how the friction of the wet fabric would feel against Iskandar's skin.]

Re: cw: NSFW (I'm sorry it's so late, I lost it)

[towards_okeanos]

All yours.

[Iskandar chuckles. He leans down but not to kiss Waver this time but to bite lightly his naked shoulder.]

What if I did?

[Then you wouldn't be wrong. But none dared. None were allowed to. Save for one. You're in a good company.

A hungry but content smile is the response to Waver's exploration of him. Iskandar does nothing, apart from voicing his appreciation for his lovers efforts by a low rumbling sound not far from a purr, allowing Waver to do whatever he whishes. The nipple under Waver's fingers hardens. Iskandar leans down to whisper to his ear.]

I noticed you like to play with my nipples. And now I wonder what else is that you like?

[There's no need for hushed voices, he just wants Waver to feel the heat of his breath on his neck and ear.]

[skiateras]

[There's a man, dressed in a black suit, in his garden when Waver leaves the Temple. The man is sitting under a peach tree, slowly eating a fruit and observing the entrance.]

Welcome, Caster. I was waiting for you.

[Those that don't know god Zhuge Liang very well or only in passing could easily take that stranger for him. If only Waver was a little more tanned. He does look familiar though. What's even more surprising he definitely is a Servant. So how on Earth did he get here without raising alarm?]

[hypomeneo]

[... those are spooky Servant vibes he's getting and he doesn't recognize them. Which is starting to instinctively raise his hackles inside as a Servant in a defensive manner, before he breathes, wonders if the Heavens is yanking in new Gods and shinki again, and scrubs his face.

Okay... calm down. If it's a shinki... calm down. Don't walk outside expecting murder-death-kill. ... even if it pays to be prepared for it just in case. Waver breathes and makes for his door.

... uh...

Waver blinks as he steps outside and sees a stranger that could easily pass for a brother with how similar he looks to him. Just a little more tan... and... he's seen him in the Reality Marble.

He's not a shinki by that opening statement. No one here addresses him by his class name. God? Or just summoned here by Iskandar?]

Oh. I see.

I hope it wasn't too long. [My, this is awkward. Eumenes. He's been compared enough to know this is Eumenes. Now what class is he? Caster? He did get past his wards. Or can he get away with using the True Name... most Heroic Spirits are touchy about that one.] Would you like to come in for tea?

[Some basic hospitality is called for while he adjusts to having his comrade on his doorstep. Comrade. Yes. With his death, he should be joining the Ionian Hetairoi when he and Iskandar return. Comrade. Wrapping his head around having comrades, even knowing he's part of the army, is hard. Chaldea was his first experience with anything approaching that. Concepts he's still learning.]

... I admit, this is a little surprising. Have you woken up on these shores? Or have you been summoned forth?

[skiateras]

Not that long.

[Eumenes, for it is indeed him, flashes a smile that could rival Iskandar's.]

Tea? I'd love to!

[He stands up throwing the peach pit behind him and saying words too quiet to be audible but Waver has heard enough of Greek from Iskandar to recognize the language's rythm and melody. In a split second he realises what he did and raises both hands in apology.]

That was not a spell, I was just blessing your garden. It is beautiful.

[And yet he does not reply to Waver's question. At least not directly. He came her for a reason that can serve as an answer.]

Do you know where the king is?