4.1

[sighsheavily]

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.]

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I missed all of you too...

Sleeping alone...I don't know if I can do it anymore.

[sighsheavily]

No? [she opens her eyes and tilts her head to peer his way.] You sleep so lightly as it is... I take it there was little of that to be had near the end there.

I'm sorry. Not that it was my responsibility to fix, just... [that he endured it at all.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It's not your fault I just...I hadn't realized...

I hadn't realized how comforting your breathing is...the sound of your heartbeat...

[sighsheavily]

[what about the way it skips at those words.]

"Comforting" is...not one of the words that jumps to mind when I think of myself.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, it's the truth. No matter what craziness we deal with out there...

When we're in bed it feels almost...normal.

[sighsheavily]

Which means... So long as I keep around, you'll continue to get a proper night's rest?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It definitely seems that way, doesn't it~

[sighsheavily]

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.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

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

[sighsheavily]

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.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

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

[sighsheavily]

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

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why wouldn't he be?

[sighsheavily]

[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.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

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.]

[sighsheavily]

[she watches him with a faint frown.]

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

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...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.

[sighsheavily]

[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.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I just...the anger was so intense.

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

...What I did...

[sighsheavily]

[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.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...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...

[sighsheavily]

[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.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

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...

[sighsheavily]

[she gently squeezes his wrist.]

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

[forgeabettertomorrow]

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

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