mpxesther

[mpxesther]

YU SHUXIN / ESTHER YU 虞书欣 | Samsonite Brand Event

Yu Shuxin: more photos here brand event: more photos here

[mpxesther]

There were a lot of words that came out of Minry's mouth. Words that simply hurt the demigoddess. She found the whole ordeal outrageous. Had she been so naive to allow herself to be used like this? Esther thought she had developed a good friendship, but in the end, Minry had only betrayed her. In truth, she had not known how long the other hid the secret of her affair with her ex, by now that did not really matter. All that was left was bitterness and heartbreak.

Whether or not Minry was being faithful to her words, Esther had absolutely no trust in her. Though, it was not like it mattered. She did not find any urge to forgive her from her explanation. Had she had any gusto, she would have grabbed Minry by the hair and thrown her out of the apartment, screaming obscenities and threats to never return before her! But, this was Esther after all, and even if she had the ability to argue, that was the expanse of her courage.

"Minry." She stated, pausing for a moment. "Everything you have ever done was based solely by yourself, out of your own selfish greed. You did what you wanted to do." Esther did not skip a beat, even if her hands were lightly shaking in her lap. She had saw the tears welling in Minry's gaze, and she felt a strange combination of sadness and anger. After months of sobbing herself to sleep, it was Minry's time. She wanted the other to feel an ounce of what they had put her through. Was her ex husband just as guilty? Absolutely. In no ways did Minry become the main culprit. However, she was the one before her, trying to save face.

Pulling her hands together, she clenched. She had more words than coward, but she bit her tongue. "My marriage was not just about love, it was business too. And, there were many ways I could have been told. Instead, you merely did what you wanted to stop. You poisoned my life. And, I am now left to deal with the aftermath alone." Trust issues, sadness, heartbreak, it was the true outcome for Esther.

Looking at Minry, she paused once more. The other did not deserve an explanation. "I can see the future, but if I were to change it, I lose my memory." She spoke, bitterness clearly in her tone. However, as words followed, her voice grew stronger, sharper. "So, yes. I knew you both were cheating on me months prior to the wedding. I distanced myself but let the future happen. You too were so busy fooling around that you never noticed. But, I was miserable. Betrayed. Deceived. And here you are, doing what you want to without any concern about me and how it will effect me."

Esther finally stood back up. She had given the other her time. She had listened to her pitiful explanation. All she wanted was her gone, out of her sight forever. "Remember, you are poison." She spoke harshly, pointing at the door. "If you stay any longer, I swear I will be ill."

Surprise Attack

Even though the moment deserved tension, Minry's posture remained at ease. Esther wasn't someone to engage into heated confrontation, which didn't mean the other wouldn't push back or talk back at Minry. But at very least the Greek demigoddess knew Esther's softness would allow the two of them to talk further about the immense mess ups from the past. There was no denying that Minry had been a rotten person throughout her life, with Esther starting as another target, but things got complicated. Everything would be easier to handle, if only Minry never truly cared for the other.

Minry listened to the other, making no attempt to interrupt even when she had things to comment on. But it was Esther's turn, this was the very bare minimum Minry could do given everything else. "Hidden hero. If I sounded like I want to be seen like that, then I have explained myself rather poorly." Esther's first words did not pass by unnoticed, but Minry decided to comment firstly on the easiest topic Esther brushed on. "Your kindness and dedication were much greater than I expected. And I was a piece of shit that took advantage of them."

She had no intention to make herself the target of pity. That exchange's purpose was solely to bring Esther the truth about their past, even if it revisited a open wound. Minry was ready to say more, her own eyes stinging with the need to let tears out but she absolutely refused to let them run free. She had no right to be the one crying, even if the tears came from a sudden feeling of self-disgust. Vision? The term brought her internal affliction to a halt, being replaced by intricate curiosity. But Minry wouldn't delve into that topic just yet, considering how Esther started to distort reality with accusations.

"I never hated you. I did not hate your life and above all, I was never jealous of you." Minry's voice was slightly more stern. She could handle being cursed or yelled at. She had no problem if Esther would lash out and use the most abhorrent (but accurate) names in the world to describe Minry. But one thing that irked the Greek demigoddess, was to be accused of untruthful things or people throwing assumptions regarding her intentions. "I couldn't let you marry him. But I couldn't simply go to you and say, hey I can make him fall in love with me easily which means he is not in love with you. Also, I couldn't keep poisoning your life with my presence…"

Minry crossed her legs, and straightened her back while her hands held to her knee. "I took care of two problems with one action. I am no hero, I chose to do it in the most vile way and out of cowardice. For a couple months I did think high of myself for doing it. But in the end, I was just an insufferable coward." With her words coming out and distancing themselves from Esthers previous comment, Minry's curiosity only grew larger. "Vision? That's something you can do? You knew all along?"

[mpxesther]

Esther's head tilted, still in thought as she sat down on the chair. By now, she was quite aware that she had used her powers. Even if she had no clue what had happened for the past few hours, she knew that she had unveiled something to him that changed his future. Was it urgent? All she could assume was that it was, and so, though she hated that she had used her powers, she felt comfortable in knowing that she had at least been of some use.

Hunter. She nodded her head, reminding herself of the name. And, she didn't immediately answer. Instead, she took the second to follow his finger as he had requested and finally, she answered with the date. Pausing for a second, she followed up. "I am really fine. A bit of a headache.. But that happens when I use my powers."

Taking a deep breath, the demigoddess picked at the cloth on her fingertips, a safe barrier. "I am a daughter of Skuld, so since you touched my skin, I saw the future. But, since my words have caused something to change.. Well..." She paused for a second, chewing lightly on her lower lip. "I think I only lost the last two or three hours of my memory. So, nothing really!"

⚜️

    The reaction she gives grows more and more concerning as Hunter watches confusion and pain dance across her face. What was happening? She takes the offered seat at the table and he’s grateful for it as he was half sure that if she hadn’t, she might just succumb to whatever was afflicting her. Still, her choice of the nickname that she had taken to calling him made him laugh a bit. Whatever had happened hadn’t wiped the humor from her!

  “Yeah,” he laughs. “It’s me. Hunter. You alright there little lady?”

   Hunter lowers down to kneel beside her and give her a look. Something almost brotherly is in the way that he peers at her to check that she hadn’t concussed herself somehow before entering the shop. He brings up a hand and points a finger ceiling ward. “Can you follow my finger and tell me what day it is?”

    He thinks it’s not so much that she hurt herself but something connected to the things she was just rapid-fire telling him that must have tripped some internal wire in her. This thought though, he’ll keep to himself for a few more minutes until he’s sure that she’s not in need of immediate medical attention. “Are you hurting anywhere?”

[mpxesther]

Esther Yu for Hello Saturday

[mpxesther]

Esther felt bad to have made the man cry, even if it seemed to be a happy one. She was so used to the one having to stop herself from tearing up, or at least lately. So, it was odd to be in this situation, no matter how happy she was to have him back in her life. He had been a hero in a day of crisis, one that she did not quite remember all the details due to conflicting recounts from her parents and the madness of it all. For that, she was forever grateful to him. Now that he was on the island, she had a chance to repay him.

She did not comment on his thanks, though she appreciated it. However, she did not find it necessary. It was a simple action, one that everyone should be allowed. Glancing to her fingers, she saw the small layer of dirt on her gloves, but it did not bother her. She had expected them to get dirtied anyway being in a garden, and that was their purpose regardless.

Intertwining her fingers with his that he was holding, the demigoddess looked up at him. "My name is Esther." She offered to him, having not even realized they never exchanged names. "I'm a daughter of Skuld. So, I am in the Norse pantheon." She patiently explained. She did not know how much he knew about the various pantheons and gods/goddess on the island. So, as she followed him, the demigoddess wondered whether she explain her powers. Esther did trust him, but she did not want him to feel required to do so to her, even if she had an idea of what his were.

If only she knew the rather significant impact she had on his life! His uncle may have argued that it was a negative impact, however; Xiao Sun would have insisted that if Lian had never healed that poor girl, then no one would have ever discovered the boy's ability to heal others, they would have never have had to leave, never had to work for the Lu family and thus a child would have never been held captive and exploited for over a decade. Lian saw it differently, though. Lian saw her as a girl he had saved, someone he had healed, a first real positive impact he had made on the world. To Lian, this girl--now a woman--was a symbol of hope.

The kindness she showed him even now--just by holding his hand, just by smiling--it was more than enough to rekindle something in his heart, something he thought he had lost a long time ago. He sniffed quietly as she cleaned the smudge from his face and murmured a meek "thank you" in response--though how much of that gratitude was for her cleaning his cheek and how much of it was appreciation for her being nice?

"...not in the way..." he assured her as he stood, still holding her hand while his other grasped the basket of discarded weeds to carry with them. It was weird though, standing beside her--he'd been much smaller last time they met. He motioned with his head in the direction of the greenhouse as he started them in that direction. But finally, he spoke. "...I'm Lian...by the way..." Back then, he had never actually introduced himself, nor had he learned her name.

[mpxesther]

Esther was quite surprise to see the emotion that he fought down. Concern flickered over her gaze. She had not expected he would be pulled to this when he saw her, not expecting she had any real impact on his life. However, it did not seem in any means that he was unhappy to see her, and she would welcome any role he wanted of her in his life to continue some type of positive impact for him.

Nodding her head, she kept on hand on his before letting her other hand move to clean away that smudge he had left when wiping his tears. In moments like this, she wanted to strip off her gloves and have true physical touch. However, it was for the best that she not stray. "A greenhouse? How lovely." She warmly states. "I'll accompany you. As long as I do not get in the way."

Slowly, the demigoddess stood up, hand still on his helped him to get off of the ground. She waited for him to stand before her. Softly, she chuckled to herself. He had grown quite a lot since they last met, though she was quite different than she was then too. "Lead the way, please. "

When it came to his life before, even when living at the resort, with all the guests who came through, he never really expected to see them again; there had been a few regulars who came back every year for tea ceremonies--since the oolong tea of Wuyishan was what made the area so famous--but for the most part, when it came to visitors, he had come to accept they would just come and go.

But this time...

This time, he had seen her again, well over a decade later--someone from his past; someone associated with a positive memory; someone who had been kind to him--and honestly, the emotions he felt in that moment were overwhelming. He could feel the tears welling up as she took his hand within hers; but oh, those were nice silk gloves, wasn't she worried about getting them dirty? Still...his fingers instinctively curled around hers.

"Oh...uhm...no?" he stumbled slowly over his words, unsure of how to answer. He wasn't busy--well, he was in the middle of weeding, but it could wait. "Uhm...you wanna...I mean...we can go...to the greenhouse?" he asked carefully, lifting his free arm to wipe at his eyes with his sleeve, leaving a faint smudge upon his cheek. "I'm...I need to...check on the...herbs..."

[mpxesther]

Despite Esther's sadness, she had been rather excited to finally get to meet Leto's mother. From their first meeting with Leto, she found the woman to have sounded absolutely amazing. A potential source of wisdom, Leto's invite allowed her the opportunity to find that with her own eyes. So, when she stood before the woman, Esther found her to appear to be that kind and welcoming woman he had described to her.

However, the excitement drained away from the demigoddess, much like the color from her face, when Madeleine clearly indicated that they had already met. Esther could not even form a response to the woman. Racking her mind, this beautiful place and her sweet face were not there in any space of her mind. Had she used her powers on Leto's mother? Or maybe one of her guests? Esther had to have done something, because there is no way she could have ever forgotten her without the curse of her powers.

A frown pulled on her lips, unable to hide her features. However, Leto's entrance helped pull her mind away from having to truly process any of this. Their interactions were sweet and genuine, the picturesque loving family that Esther always had wanted. But there was no jealousy or envy, she could only admire from her spot, happy that her friend could have such a loving relationship with the people he cared for. The frown disappeared, though the guilt was not gone.

When they were left alone again, Esther noticed her offer. "Oh!" She spoke, and she took a moment to pull off her jacket, adjusting the long, silk gloves that remained on her hands and arms. Esther handed her jacket over to his mother with a quickly following 'thank you.' "Yes, please. I can handle my things. Please lead the way."

Truthfully, he was glad he could provide Esther with the friendship and support she needed to get through such an emotional upheaval. Sometimes, just getting away, just a change in scenery with some fun activities with the right company were just what the soul needed to recover; of course, that did not work for everyone, but he did hope that these welcoming environments would be a healing experience.

One such environment was certainly his home at le Jardins. As much as Leto had traveled the world and found all sorts of places that stirred peace within his soul, there truly was no place like home and the people that came with it. One of those people...was his mother; her kind smile and sparkling eyes made many visitors to the bed and breakfast feel at ease Sure, Madeleine's familiarity with the young woman could have easily been written off as her son telling her all about his new friend and that he had shown her a picture of Esther--but that was not the case, not in this instant. No, Madeleine truly remembered the young woman from a stay ages ago...and Madeleine Leroux never forgot a face that stayed in her home!

There was a brief moment of confusion, though, when Esther appeared not to remember her. Unfortunately (but also expectedly), Leto hadn't informed his mother of his friend's memory loss since that was confidential and not his information to share with others. So this left Madeleine a bit befuddled. "Esther, my dear, you don't remember me? I mean, I know it's been years, but..." she paused as she watched her son enter with the bags, setting them by the door while simultaneously stepping out of his shoes.

"Mom, Esther. Esther, Mom," he said as he sat down the bags and wandered over to his mother to press a soft kiss to her cheek which the woman promptly returned.

"Welcome home, sweetie. Your room is yours, as usual."

"Thank you. Where's Gregorie?"

"In the kitchen--ah ah! Where do you think you're going?" she began as he started to move away, only to be caught and snapped back in a tight embrace, Madeleine squeezing him with a hum. "Mmm...that's better. Coat," she continued as she released him, prompting her son to shed his coat and hand it over. "Okay, now you can go."

"I'll be back in a bit," he reassured the both of them with a soft smile before he wandered off in the direction of the kitchen to speak with his bonus dad.

Folding the coat over her arm, she looked to Esther again and offered her hand. "I'd be more than happy to take your coat, too, and help take your things to your room. And then perhaps we can enjoy some nice hot drinks and snacks by the fire?"

[mpxesther]

Esther understood completely. Lately, she had to force herself to come out of her apartment. The park had been one of the few places she would visit frequently, either to perform or to get a breathe of fresh air. Even when crowded, it never felt stifling, and she appreciated that. Plus, whoever designed the island, they made a beautiful little escape in the middle of what could be a bustling city. "Well, if you ever need an excuse to come here, we can always go for a walk together."

Looking over at the demigoddess, she offered a small smile. She had to ponder for a second what she had consumed. There were a few treats that came to mind, but a sweet, decadent cake with fruit on top of it. "It was one of the individual cakes. I cannot remember what it was called. But, it had a vanilla cake base with the sweetest fruit on top. It was absolutely delicious. I had to stop myself from going back the next day!"

When the other offered to come to Noonas, the demigoddess was glad. Esther quite enjoyed playing for an audience. She cared to play beautiful music to help complement the guest's already delicious meal. "Let me know when you plan to come. I will make sure you have the best table and the nicest waiter, though they all are rather kind." She spoke, rushing to add clarity at the end of that sentence.

The view was a lot lovelier than she imagined it earlier, but when tears had blurred her vision earlier, it did quite make for a different view. Plus, Eirwen's kindness and companionship seemed to make everything a bit better and her outlook was part of it. So, she was pleased to walk the path to the stall.

"I am quite the homebody too. Even going out for groceries can be a pain, but I make do. But the island does seem to have some interesting people and things. So, I hope that can change." She considers. "Truthfully, there is not much that really stands out. Well, I guess other than the people. It is still so odd to see powers in play. It's like I have been transported into a movie."

Esther smiled at the other. She provided a quick head nod. She had been through the park several times so far, and as she chose to eat out more than in, she had frequented the stall quite a bit. Whether the other would enjoy it, she could only find out. However, she was hopeful. "No problem." She states warmly, and once she knows that the other is ready to go, the demigoddess moved her arms behind her back as she started walking into the direction of the stall. "I tend to spend a lot of time in the park. It's rather pretty. So far, no matter the season, there is either something to do or some sight to see." Circe? That sounded familiar. A goddess likely in a story she read during her college studies. Though she was rather curious to know more of the powers, she chose to let that happen down the future. "Wow! I've been to the bakery a few times. I have not been let down yet!" She praises warmly. "I am a musician for Noonas. I play most nights, so if you are ever planning to make a reservation, try to aim for then so you can see me." Esther offered her a light smile. Nothing beat yummy food and her music together. That was a fact. "Are you new to the island?"

Eirwen listened to the other demigoddess with a light smile on her face, as she could see that Esther was, at least temporarily, released from the grip of her own misery. 

“You’ve just made me realize that I should come here more often,” Eirwen commented, matching her pace with that of her new friend. “I’ve been walking past this place several times, but rarely spend time here, either because I’m too caught up with things or don’t have enough energy for it.” 

What Eirwen had read about  Skuld in mythology got her curious, yet it may not be the best time to ask one of the goddess’ demigod daughters about her. As Esther had just recovered from an emotional breakdown, Eirwen assumed it would be better to keep their conversation light-hearted.

“Thank you, I’m glad that you’ve got good experiences at Black Forest.” She responded with a bright smile, her words may appear to be over-professional, but Eirwen’s joy was genuine. “May I ask which products of the bakery are your favourite?” 

Her eyes opened slightly rounder in nice surprise as Esther revealed her occupation and workplace. Despite not showing up at many musical events, Eirwen enjoyed music, and she had grown deep respect and appreciation for singers and performers. “That’s so cool! When I find a chance to come to Noona, I’ll definitely check with the restaurant to catch your performance!”

Eirwen noticed just now that they had gone out of the park and got on the way leading to the night market. The streets were moderately busy, most stores were still open, and she realized it had been a while since the last time she went out at this time of the day. It was a rather inexplicable feeling, but it was not bad at all, especially when she got a new companion. 

“Hmmm, if we’re talking about how long I’ve stayed here, then I’m not really new anymore,” she explained to Esther, finding it slightly embarrassing to admit. “But if you mean my experiences on this island, then yeah, I’m still new to it. I’ve spent most of my time at the bakery and in my apartment, quite boring, I know.” 

She quickly scanned over the surroundings, gazing at the blinking neon signs of the stores, before a question came to her mind. She turned to look at Esther, asking. “What are some interesting things you’ve noticed about this island so far?”

[mpxesther]

Esther did regret breaking up his song. While she thought she had a decent voice, she did not have any confidence in singing herself. Lian appeared to sing well with little effort, a natural talent. Appreciative, the musician hoped to hear more in the future, but her budding exciting allowed her not to worry too badly about her interruption. Just seconds after she finished her question, she could tell he recognized her. What started as feeling a bit odd, the unease melted away, and Esther happily look on to him.

While her parents never were kind to those they considered 'the help,' Esther had never been that way. Lian had taken care of her in the past, and the whole ordeal had been one that was never forgotten but overlooked for the true severity of it as a hallucination from the fall. Yet, since she had realized of her own godly blood, Lian had popped up in her thoughts from time to time. So, though she was shocked to run into him in this moment, his presence here was not necessarily a shock. Those subtle suspicions just were correct.

"I know. It must seem so odd!" She spoke with a brightness reflective of the woman Lian had met those years ago. Gently, the demigoddess reached out to take one of his hands in both of hers. She had no care about any dirt that might get on her gloves. "Are you too busy? Do you have time to talk with me? Maybe, somewhere out of the sun." She asked, hoping for a more private spot than the open farm with people were passing by.

Lian was most content when in the garden. Getting dirty as he sat on his knees, staining his jeans and feeling the soil between his fingers as he sang softly in that haunting tenor; the plants just...felt happier when he sang around them. That, in turn, put him at ease.

Around his waist, he had tied an apron in which was filled with gardening tools, his spade in his left hand to break up the dirt around the roots while the right tugged the weeds free of the soil to toss into the basket beside him. Not to worry, the weeds would not go to waste, likely to find themselves among the feed for the goats.

This bed in particular did not look like much just yet, just some long but lush green fronds as the bulbs had sprouted; however, come the autumn, the space would be quite lovely with tall stalks of pink belladonna lilies. He had become accustomed to people walking by, just admiring the view or on their way to pick some fruit or vegetables, mostly ignoring his presence, but he was NOT accustomed to someone suddenly crouching beside him, pulling him out of his little song.

He looked up from the bed to gaze upon this woman's face...a face that looked familiar, to the point that it SLAPPED him in the back of his mind. HE KNEW THAT FACE!!! But the last time he saw it, the expression it wore was a lot of pain...so much pain--that had been her, the girl who was nice to him, the one he healed so long ago. He had passed out after...and life had become rather crazy after that, but he had always wondered...if she was okay.

And she was there! She was right there! For the first time in a long time, some life returned to the peridot eyes, his smile reaching his gaze. "Yes...!" he answered with a soft excitement. "....hi!" he finally managed to sputter out, happily shocked. "...you're here...?!"

[mpxesther]

March Writing Challenge: Covering Tears

For this month, write a scene that describes a specific memory of your muse that directly resulted a in specific behavior, belief/attitude, or fear that impacts your muse's daily life.

trigger warnings; abuse (physical and verbal) , corporal punishment

March 10, 2009

Though Esther had a long day of school and studying, her mother still had scheduled a tutoring session for her once she arrived home. The older lady tutor had a sole purpose: to help Esther train to be the perfect wife. The foretold marriage maintained the two company's connection, preventing their parents from having to do much trouble in negotiations. Though her parents took care of her needs with no fuss, Esther, in the end, was to be a well-tuned investment. A perfect wife furthered the company's needs.

Without a valid reason, the tutor seemed to despise Esther, no matter how kind or sweet she was. Esther, clumsy at times, seemed to be her worse in front of the tutor, and her tutor's response included a variety of ruler slaps and lines writing until her hand turned numb. Day after day, Esther grew to dread the evenings, knowing it will just be another night of failing to meet their standards. Tonight had been different but not for her benefit. Accidentally spilling the drink she was to serve the tutor, the tutor's punishment escalated, a strong slap to her right cheek.

"Useless." The tutor muttered, and as tears swelled in the demigoddess's cheek, a maid, who overheard the noise, pulled Esther out and went to report to her mother. Esther finally broke down as she waited outside door, and it would only be a few moments before she was summoned to see her mother.

Esther appeared quietly, looking in her large office as the woman stayed devoted to her work. While Esther tried to stop, tears still streamed down her cheeks. "Go to your room. Stay there till you can be a good girl again." Her mother demanded, eyes fixed to the report she truly devoted her time to her. Voice drenched in irritation. "Wait." However, her mother spoke, and she looked up to see her daughter with a swollen red cheek and the aftermath of sorrow. "Crying makes you look ugly. Fix your face."

Out of sight, out of mind. In no way did Esther dare retort back, for in many ways, she believed that her mother was under stress yet still trying to be helpful, something she clung to as she would find the next day that the tutor was fired and replaced with a sweeter lady who did actually end up helping her etiquette. For now, the demigoddess did not utter a word, instead going to her room to stay until she felt comfortable that she would not cry again nor look unsightly to her mother.

-----

Outcome: Leaning toward isolation, Esther prefers to show negative emotions in private for fear of being a nuisance, especially insecure on how she looks as she does so.

[mpxesther]

Old Face / New Spaces

@lianmp

As the snow left the island, the demigoddess found a bit of relief from the cold weather. Though the island still was rather cold, the lack of ice seemed to make things at least feel a bit warmer. So, with spring on the horizon, she felt it was a good time to see what produce might be blooming in the new gardens on the outside of the residential district. So, the demigoddess dressed comfortably as she was sure there was going to be a lot of walking but warmly.

When she got there, she was blown away by how beautiful the gardens were and how reasonable the entrance fee was for such delicious looking produce. The demigoddess took care as she searched to see what all the gardens held. And while she had been there for vegetables and fruits, she found herself frozen in place when she overlooked a man on his knees, weeding from what she could tell.

Could it be?

Esther took a few more steps before squatting down beside the man. Her head tilted, and her eyes widened with the look of recognition. It was! But, for the life of her, she could not remember his name. It had been ages ago. But, she did know him, and in that, it was a miracle.

"Hey." She speaks quickly in mandarin, a light crimson pulling on her cheeks as she knew she may have been a bit odd. Well, now, this was a bit awkward. "I'm sorry. You looked so familiar, cause you are! Do you remember me?"

[mpxesther]

Esther watched the god with interest. She had heard of Leto's father, knew a bit of his powers. Though, she never did pry. She only soaked up what information her friend willingly told her. Esther had not imagined that she would run into his father this soon. For a friendship that was just several months old, Esther felt rather blessed to meet and learn (and re-learn) his family.

Morpheus did quite remind her of Leto. Definitely, the visual likeness aided in that, but that natural kindness and warmth was hard to ignore. The brightness of the pair were undeniable, and she flocked to it after so many months in the dark. Morpheus's good mood helped lessen her anxiety with little effort.

"Oh, yeah! I am sure the planning and traveling has consumed all his energy lately." Moving her hands behind her back, gently holding onto her wrist with one, she nodded her head. "Well, I don't have to worry about Leto falling in love with Milan so much that he doesn't return. He definitely has a reason to." A soft breathless chuckle at the joke. Milan did seem like such a lovely destination, and she knew Leto was going to have so much fun. The demigoddess was rather happy for her friend to have another chance to travel, but she was even happier that he would get to see his father soon in person.

"I just got done with a class. I was going to grab lunch. You are welcome to join me!"

Perhaps oddly enough, Morpheus did not view this chance encounter as awkward at all. In fact, he found it rather charming--and fitting. Hadn't this been similar to how she met his son? Though, in that scenario, there had been physical contact and a loss of memory. This accidental 'bump' had resulted in no visions, no rescues, no amnesia--but really, overall, absolutely no harm done. Morpheus just smiled warmly at her with kind eyes shimmering with starlight.

When she called him 'Leto's dad', the god actually laughed--a haunting but rich sound, tones melodious as though from a distant dream; nevertheless, he was glad to see that smile reach her eyes, not just a mask that she wore but rather an emotion she truly experienced.

He chuckled a bit more to learn that his son had told this woman all about the king of the Oneiroi. Why didn't that surprise Morpheus? "Admittedly, I did not give him much warning that I would be arriving. Besides, I thought to sneak in just as he was preparing to leave for Milan with his...what does he call him? Adventuring buddy?" He shook his head with amusement. Friendly as his son may be, he knew that it was difficult for Leto to truly open up to anyone, let alone make two very good and close companions like Esther and Haoyu. He hadn't seen Leto that excited and happy to have friends in a very, very long time. "He can deal with the chaos of dear ol' dad being on the island when he gets back."

He motioned to the hall in the direction she had been traveling. "Would it be acceptable to join you on your journey to...wherever you were headed?"

[mpxesther]

ESTHER YU as YUE QI Sword and Fairy  祈今朝 (2024) | Episode 1

[mpxesther]

Esther watched the male as he pondered over the talisman. Esther had probably would be in his same shoes if she had not given credit to the deities who likely added this to the many selection of their stalls. Her trust partly caused such an issue for her to settle on one specific wish for the new year. She wanted to believe that it would come true, and maybe, thanks to a bit of a placebo effect, she could naturally chart that course through this belief.

"Could it feel bad? I guess if you wished for something bad. It would not be pleasant. Though, I doubt many people do wish that for a new beginning. So that same feeling of achievement when you accomplish something difficult, it is the same with this." She reasoned. And everything she wanted was not easy to come by. Not bothered by his questions, she appreciated the opportunity to take her mind off of her present. "Well, you start a new year. We aren't wishing for something that is easy. It should typically take months. And then, if we accomplish early, we merely enjoy the product of our efforts."

When he asked her about hers, she paused for a moment. "Hmm." The demigoddess pondered. Chewing on her lower lip for a split second, Esther tilted her head back, closing her eyes as if it would possibly help that wish come to her mind. Paying no mind to the few stray snowflakes that landed upon her face, she finally spoke after some moments. "Cleansed and healed. I have let people walk over me and take advantage of my kindness my whole life. I want to be free of the dirt and wounds they have covered me in."

A small dusting of a smile pulled on her lips just momentarily. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked over at him. Was that too much? Esther did not think she cared. Healed? It meant her being unapologetic in her behaviors. Maybe, that was the wish, and now, it was her start. "Your turn. What do you see?"

Liu Wei listened with great intent, trying to see what he could use of her offered knowledge and what was better left to be hers. Pessimistic stances were not natural to him, because as a child he found a lot of wonder and positivity in the world till he had to face the reality he was actually in. Now it was a comfortable coat he wore not to get his hopes up too soon and watch them be dashes, thus instead expecting the worst and being pleased it didn't go as badly. Looking at the talisman selection, he finally picked up one that read hope and oddly enough he could not put it aside.

"So," he finally spoke, staring at the red talisman glued to his hand as he slowly turned it around with his fingers. "Does it feel good when these new years new beginnings are successful? What do you do when they do? What is the larger benefit?" Liu Wei was generally curious about it, looking at Esther with a curiosity in his eyes that seemed to indicate he was for once betting on something positive as well. His eyes, usually stormy and uncomfortable to gaze into, turned softer and curious like a puppy for the first time realising playing with a ball is life changing.

Taking a moment to pause, scanning the stand once more and then her, his head cocked to the side with his blond hair falling into his line of vision. "What do you want? If you close your eyes and let your mind wander, where does it end up?"

[mpxesther]

the word freedom is too extravagant.

YU SHUXIN as YUN WEISHAN

my journey to you, 云之羽.

[mpxesther]

She was relieved that the man did not seem annoyed or irritated at her for accidental... whatever that was. Once she finally got a good look at him, there was a feeling of familiarity, and it was a rather immediate understanding of the other's godhood. She was quite perceptive at times, though she reasoned what demigod walked around like this. Regardless, there was some embarrassment at another god that she had encountered awkwardly in the beginning, or at least awkwardly in her eyes.

When he spoke, she nodded her head with a polite smile until she became aware how strange it was for him to know her name. Her eyes flickered up to him, searching his face for something that would connect them. Was he someone as well that she had forgotten? But, as he continued, everything made sense, and there was a sense of relief that he was not another person lost in the missing archives of her mind. That feeling of familiarity was because of his son, someone who very quickly became someone she cared immensely for.

"Oh! Leto's dad!" She exclaimed. Finally, that smile touched her eyes, and what had been merely out of politeness now transformed into something with more warmth and interest. "The pleasure is all mine! Leto's told me all about you, but he hadn't let me know yet that you are here. What a great surprise!"

Leto's dad was enjoying a break, just moseying around campus, exploring on his own time while Athena was busy with a class of her own. Things seemed to be going fairly well his first few days at the university. He had only just finished observing another professor's class--ensuring that substitutes were teaching what they were supposed to be teaching and all that. As the class was dismissed, he seemed to stand taller than any of them, and yet none appeared to notice, as though in their minds they did not make contact with him. But Morpheus had been momentarily distracted with bidding farewell to the adjunct professor, not realizing that as he turned around, a woman's arm just...passed right through his--oh, if he had known, he would have avoided her entirely--showed how often he was actually in the Waking world.

There was a pause as he stood there, ethereal being shrouded in a midnight fabric that seemed a cross between a long waistcoat and a cloak of flowing, soft cloth adrift, floating as though he was suspended in water, locks of hair that dared escape his messy bun succumbed to the same fate. His attention focused upon the familiar woman and, yes, she was very familiar--her visage plucked from his son's memories on more than one occasion. The recognition occurred as the daughter of Skuld spoke her apologies, a warm smile dancing upon his lips, his eyes filled with stars, reminiscent of when his son experienced moments of joy.

"Not a worry, Miss Esther. Not a worry at all." And just how did he know her name? "I was hoping to...bump into you eventually." Dad jokes. He had them. "I am Morpheus. It is a pleasure to meet such a good friend of my son."

[mpxesther]

Mr. Leto's Dad

@morpheusxmp

Esther had just finished a lesson at the university. With her friend now back in her life and her memory, Esther knew she needed to take lessons in Chinese sign language to make their communications easier for him. It was the least she could do for her friend, and she knew she would do it. Her vision had already shown her that future. So, pleased, she had been on her way out of the large building.

Yet, her timing was not ideal. A large class let out just in front of her. Several bodies filled the hallway, and the demigoddess had to be careful to make her way though. The trip was a bit intimidating. So busy to get to their next classes, Esther had several moments she had to dodge contact, but she had been successful. Once out of the crowd of students, she had thought she was in the clear until her arm passed through another man.

Halting, the demigoddess looked up at him, with a mix of shock at the lack of touch yet still apologetic that she had crossed into his personal bubble. "I am so sorry!"