37 (Yes I've started counting. Shut up)

[lamb_of_gold]

[So Mu appears, amidst a pile of what looks like dull, metal rubbish, along with three large stone jars, the Aries Cloth and what look like a hammer and chisel in his hand. He sets the latter two objects on one of the jars, then kneels down and begins to sort through the crap, making about 6 piles into which things seem to be placed indiscriminately. When all the pieces (some no bigger than a fingernail) have been sorted, Mu sits back and sighs very heavily. He reaches towards the pile closest to him, sliding it closer and grabbing at the pair of tools. He spares a look for the Golden Ram standing next to him, smiling a small bit.]

This could take awhile.

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

As I said, only time knows anymore.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

What are you going to do with them?

[lamb_of_gold]

Repair them, so one may claim them sometime.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Looking at all the tiny pieces and, well... all the pieces in general.] You can do that?

[lamb_of_gold]

I can. It takes time and care, but it can be done.

...My cloth has certainly taken a shining to you.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

How many do you think there are?

[... a-ack.] Has it?

[lamb_of_gold]

Here? Six. I'm not sure if there are more down there - I'd have to look thoroughly.

[Smiles] It has. Like it's known you awhile.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

That seems like a lot already, though...

[._________.] Is that... rare?

[lamb_of_gold]

Out of Eighty Eight, it's not much.

I'd say so. Aries normally isn't friendly unless it's known someone awhile.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Eighty-eight?

[Hiding some sadness and guilt here. Just... augh. He didn't really think the Cloth would remember him while Mu didn't...] I see. I guess... I'm just lucky then.

[lamb_of_gold]

One for every constellation.

Hmm. Perhaps. [Totally notices, but isn't going to push it]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

But... they're not all broken, are they?

[Nods. This is... awkward. :\]

[lamb_of_gold]

By Athena, no. It's rare enough one is damaged enough to require my skills, but complete rebuilds like this are incredibly uncommon.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Then... six is a lot.

[lamb_of_gold]

Only the probability of it. Numerically, it's not bad at all.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

But, that means six Saints are dead, too...

[lamb_of_gold]

[Cynical little smile] There are less than thirty alive in my time, Ryoutarou. These Cloths have been masterless for a long, long time by now.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

... ah. I'm sorry.

[lamb_of_gold]

[Headshake] No need to be. They died for what they believed was right.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Kind of curious about that... but more contrite than anything.] If you say so.

[lamb_of_gold]

[Sighs a bit, and sits back, looking at Ryoutarou squarely] You must understand this. A Saint walks with death every day. It is not something to fear, but nor is it something to embrace. It is something we are prepared for, but not resigned to. Saints fight until their last breath for Athena, and we do so without regret or remorse. Few of us see our thirtieth year, but that is just how it is. We live and die for Athena, and for the safety of the world.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[He listens, but then looks away when Mu is finished.]

Is it normal? ... For there to be so few, out of so many.

[lamb_of_gold]

No. Especially not at this time - we're nearing a Holy War, and if history speaks true, we've usually a fair deal more.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

A Holy War?

[lamb_of_gold]

Every two hundred and fifty years or so, Hades, god of the underworld, reincarnates into the body of a chosen human and wages war on Athena. We Saints stop him.