oc_nexus | 4.1

4.1

I can't believe this... I actually like these.

[these being reference to what clothes she's picked at within the room they're holed in for hours indeterminate. she's pulled on a pastel gown and finished fiddling with the fiddlier bits, smoothing out the drapery in front of the floor-length mirror.]

The color is a shame, and I doubt this'd be of use if I get dropped in that bloody maze again, but still...

[it's nice. it feels nice! no more denim and excess buttons...

gads, the rhinestones making cactus blossom patters are kind of tacky, though. she oughtn't complain; it's a step in the right direction.]

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Hm. Hmm... [she lays her head back down, idly tracing a finger along his chest.] Protecting that sense of normal...I'm quite invested in that, I think. I do hope whatever nonsense or madness lay ahead will respect it as well.

...If we have to fight for it then...I'm ready.

Let's try hoping we only need to negotiate this time around; perhaps Palamedes and I can make some headway with...with any spirits which may linger here even still.

Though...maybe that has changed, too. [add it to the list of things she needs to check on later! sigh.]

Mmn...you're...gonna be okay? With Pal?

[quieter:] Question ought to be...if he'll be fine with me, isn't it?

Why wouldn't he be?

[she shifts so she can sit up; it doesn't feel right to talk about such things while laying as she is. feels...disrespectful to the memory, somehow.]

Well, consider that it was his visage that did the carnage...and I'll be a walking reminder of that, won't I? You can say that's why I should be disturbed, and yet...I already knew.

I won't be the one walking with the guilt in this case. [the way she walks with it for Flynn's sake. for Yuri's.]

Yeah...he'll...probably be more wary of me than he will be of you...

[He sits up as well and runs a hand through his hair; a nervous tic.]

[she watches him with a faint frown.]

Was that moment...the last you saw of him? That whole time.

...We didn't cross paths after. I don't know what happened to him.

[He fiddles with the bed sheet.]

Pretty sure watching someone pick apart the person who looks exactly like you is gonna be a hard thing to gloss over.

[softly, pained:] Oh, Darin... [she puts a hand on his arm in a consoling fashion.] I wish such a terrible thing...didn't happen. [because of her lack of foresight.]

I just...the anger was so intense.

It was focused and pointed. There's killing someone and then there's...

...What I did...

[she can't fix it. she can't cast a spell to heal it.

...maybe, should she honor the role she'd sworn to on that epitaph, he could be free of the memory. but the cost would be great - maybe greater than she'd be willing to pay for him.

as if she has a right to! those are his memories, his torments...]

My carelessness...led to that. And I'm sorry. I know you won't let me share that burden, but frankly...that's not entirely your call.

What was your call, though...was coming back from that anger. Back here. And thank goodness you're a strong enough man to do that; I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here, scars and all.

...I...I didn't do it alone. I had help...

Emerald and Ruby...Aizawa...they gave me some perspective when all I could see were my failures...

...You and I both know that this place is the real cause of the pain. We're gonna make mistakes...

[her hand slides down to lay atop his wrist, letting her lean against his arm, head against his shoulder.]

And we'll suffer for them. But we must get back up, help each other up, yes.

... ... ...

When I woke up and clawed my way out of the grave...after I remembered the promise I made to my brother...I started to wonder what was the point...

I started to wonder who I even was...

But...they told me that...

That I've helped people here...I've done some real, tangible good...

[she gently squeezes his wrist.]

And you'll do more good. I'll be around to see it and remind you.

...I've helped you too, right?

I know it seems like a stupid question but...

You have. I told you before, didn't I? You're the one I feel safest around.

[beat.

lighter:] But, if you mean more tactile examples, well...you did make me that beautiful satchel. [...] I do hope it made its way here...I'd hate to have lost it.

[That draws a bashful smile from him and he lowers his head to hide the blush.]

I...yeah...I did make that, didn't I...

I'm glad it's so precious to you...

Mn. [certainly, emboldened by his bashfulness:] One of my treasures. I can't stand the idea of having to carry things around as I was before now.

How did you manage before?

By hand! By hand, I carried everything by hand, Darin.

[beat.]

...Except when some of the skirts inexplicably had pockets. That was rare, however. [and almost always the denim ones. ugh. denim.]

Yeah, I don't think any of your new clothes are gonna have any pockets like that unless you want me to sew them in...but I think that'd just look tacky.

[He has a little fashion mindfulness! At least when it comes to others. Never himself.]

While I do love and trust your craftsmanship...I agree. Leave the clothes alone, dear.

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forgeabettertomorrow - 2023-11-03 01:23 (UTC) - Expand

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