i do not want this / leaving

[Hope Arcanium]

The winds of change had been calling to the hybrid for the first time in a long time, building frustration within the goddess’s chest. She hadn’t seen her fiancé in a while, and it had been bothering her. A strange hare had been following her around Elysium the last few days and she didn’t understand why, but she felt as though it had been looking for something-

Or someone. Just like her.

It was strange to be followed around by what one would consider a prey animal, but it seemed to have some kind of intelligence and sentience. Hence the reason Playerone left it alone to do as it pleased, and was surprised no one else had gone after it either.

Something within the hybrid tugged at her, urging her to move on to something new, and so she packed up her things and left quietly in the middle of the night. But she would leave behind a few letters to ensure that those she cared about would understand the reasoning for her disappearance, or so she hoped.

To her beloved’s forge, she left one note:

Arisidie,

I miss you, darling. You’ve been gone for such a long time it seems, and I can’t help but answer the call to search for you. I know you have other duties to attend to at times, but this is unusual.

If you happen to return and find this note, you will likely find me visiting Alithis Evgenis, or another smaller group. I feel they could use my assistance at this time. Elysium appears to be able to handle themselves without me at the moment, and there are others who need help.

I love you, have always loved you, and will continue to for eternity,

Playerone.

That note left with the forge would have noticeable tear drops on it, leaving behind a strange light blue, sparkling residue within them.

The last note would be delivered to Warringkingdom’s door, this one having some words or phrases scribbled out. The feline-fox had been having trouble writing this one it seems, too.

To Rin,

I don’t know what to say, except that I appreciate all that Elysium has done for me, and all of the friends I have made, especially you. It’s taken me a while to think about what I want to do with this life and where I want to go, but I think the best course of action is to follow my instincts. They’ve always been my best guide.

Elysium has been able to handle itself extraordinarily well for the circumstances it has faced, and I know it will continue to prosper under your leadership. I feel however that my presence here has overstayed it’s welcome, and that I must move on to other places that could use my help.

I hope you understand my reason behind leaving Elysium for the time being, and that you won’t be too angry or hurt over this. I don’t want to lose the friendship and trust we have built over time since The Ascendants, and I plan on visiting a few times to check up on everyone and spend time there again. Help where I can.

I’m not leaving forever, and I will be back, but I want to help other groups or individuals in any way that I can.

You may find me in Alithis Evgenis, or in another smaller group. It’s likely I might move around a lot, however I’m sure our paths will cross again many times over.

Thank you for being patient with me, and having my back during the hardest moments of this lifetime. I will continue to have yours, despite the distance. Trust in that.

-Playerone.

With the letters left with their respective receivers, the hybrid vanished into the night, however, the hare that had been following Playerone stayed behind, sitting near Kade’s forge.

[Warringkingdoms]

  [font=trebuchet ms]The dream from two nights ago continued to occupy her mind; though the details had faded, the general sentiments still remained. They want you to think you're something you're not. As she'd settled in last night, she had wondered if perhaps sleep aids would prevent any further intrusion. Anything to get them to leave me alone. She wasn't sure how much more of this "disguising-as-a-dead-loved-one" nonsense she could take. Anything to not have to listen. Her thoughts had wheeled her in circles, the steady patterns eventually dulling her senses.

  Before she knew it, she found her eye opening to early-morning sunlight. Squinting slightly from the sudden brightness, Rin rolled over onto her front and slowly stood up. She... felt more well-rested, at least. That was something. Stretching out with a yawn, she glanced out the window. The sky was dotted with clouds that would probably become rain-bearing in a few hours, but otherwise appeared clear.

  She took a deep breath, then headed for the door of her house. It would probably be most efficient to patrol before the rain started. If she could find familiar company, even better- Clony and Mistrim were likely busy with inventing and showing Zane around, respectively, but maybe Play or some others were available.

  Opening the door, her breath caught in her throat as a note fluttered to the ground below. That wasn't for her, was it? Notes left for her to find without an in-person explanation consistently bore bad news. Swallowing, she took the note in one paw and began to read.

  Overstayed its welcome. She gritted her teeth, her ears pinning back. Don't be too angry or hurt over this. No, no, no- the last time this had happened, there was- it was a disaster. Everything had gone wrong. Was this why the Skyborne had visited her? Was this what they'd been alluding to? They won't remember her. They believe in you. The problem was you all along.

  If she'd just done more to help Play with her sudden apotheosis, this wouldn't have happened.

  Sucking in a breath, Rin retreated into her house, shutting the door behind her. Count the floorboards. One under her left paw, one under her right paw- that made two. Three, four beside them. Five, six- that's the one with blood on it. The reaper's blood. Lemy's blood. Messages, left in a frenzy.

  Sinking her claws into the floorboards, she lifted her head towards the ceiling. Count the ceiling beams instead. One beam, two beams, three beams... she's going to be fine. Alithis Evgenis- Rin recognized the name. Play had a plan, and intended to come back and visit. She'd been lucid enough to cross out words that she (probably) thought wouldn't fit right. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment, despair-fueled snap judgment.

  Play knew what she was doing.

  "...If anyone can protect themselves, it's her," Rin mumbled to herself, sitting back against the wall and shutting her eye. Was it likely that one of the remaining gods would target Play? It was impossible to be sure. All four of them were unknowns at this point, minus the Skyborne- though they were too busy hanging out in Rin's head, it seemed.

  She still wanted to run out and find Play, and apologize for not doing enough, but... apologies would have to wait until Play came back to visit, most likely. Rin wasn't sure where Alithis Evgenis had settled, and wandering around to try and find them while an unidentified murderer and multiple gods were on the loose was a terrible idea.

  You have time to think it over. Just breathe.

  Curling her tail around her paws, Rin heaved a long sigh. Making an immediate judgment call was the worst thing she could do right now. Once she'd had time to process, everything else would follow. The last creature that attempted to kill Play was fried for their troubles- she would be alright for long enough that Rin could deal with this logically.

  Folding up the note, Rin stared at it for just a bit too long, then carried it over to her bedroom. Tucking it inside the recently-repaired bookshelf, she took a deep breath.

  You owe it to Play, and to all of Elysium, to handle this properly.