waking the dead 2.0 | 3rd of samhain, de sathairn (saturday)

[clayce]

WHO: Aidan and whoever wants to drop in.
WHAT: Courtyard shenanigans
WHERE: The Main Square of Northern Gardens, Imperial Palace, Lightless Lands
WHEN: 3rd of Samhain, De Sathairn (November, 3, Saturday) - Between 3 PM and 7 PM
SAFE FOR WORK? Yep.
OTHER NOTES: '^'


[ This one ambled downstairs, shifted out and simply sprawled over the Main Square, prompting many curious - and awed - looks. It wasn't too long before curious fae were coming around to admire him, to have a quick word, or leave an offering. He is, after all, a functional god, especially in a place like Arcadia.

He'll be here, moon-bathing until dinner time. The lanterns in the area have all been lit, and anyone else in the gardens is giving Aidan his space. ]

Comments

[clayce]

[ Quiet for a bit, as his thoughts turn towards the same direction that your own mind is meandering through at the moment. ]

He's all right. [ A beat. ] A little wound up and very concerned, but that will fade.

[larue]

[ He's glancing up at you at that, lips pressed together in a worried line before he nods quietly. ]

I think I've developed a habit of chasing after him when something doesn't go right.

[ He isn't proud of the moments leading up to the Hounds' fight, but he does have that terrible habit of being harder on himself than anyone else.

A shake of the head now. ] Sorry, Father. I guess it's post-engagement jitters.

[clayce]

NO need to apologize over something that is perfectly natural.

[ Amiable and understanding as ever. ]

If you need someone to talk to, though.

[ This dragon's all ears. ]

[larue]

[ A sheepish chuckle now: ] Thank you, Father Aidan.

[ He falls quiet for a bit, content to bask in your steadying presence. He knows it hasn't been a very smooth year for you, but he can't exactly say that you haven't been -- at least, as much as you've tried -- a solid presence all on your own.

Hiccups aside, of course. ]

I guess I'm just worried about him. [ A weak laugh. ] I do that a lot, apparently.

[ He even worries that his worries can be smothering ( which he likes to believe that he tries hard not to do ) and that others might think that he frets too much that it's almost indulgent. ]

But... yeah.

Sigh, accidental extreme capitalization in that last tag of mine, u_u

[clayce]

[ While you're getting comfortable, he's settling down even more in the spot that he has comandeered for himself. He rather likes the Lightless Lands, inasmuch as he could like any part of Arcadia.

Cracking an eye open again, though, and peering at you when you speak. ]

It's normal to worry about someone you care for. [ A beat. ] I have also learned, though, that one tends to worry about their loved ones even more when one isn't feeling all that stable himself, particularly if the party in question happens to be rather compassionate.

[ Like you. ]

itokai ilu all the same

[larue]

[ That is one Joshua LaRue ducking his head rather helplessly now, but his shoulders have relaxed a notch. ]

Is that how you feel sometimes?




[ Wait.

He probably should not have voiced that thought out loud? ]

[clayce]

[ Blink.

In retrospect, he should have expected you to say something like that. ]

Yes. Sometimes, I do feel that way.

[ It's been worse as of late. You've probably seen the effects of that firsthand. ]

[larue]

[ His shoulders relax a little more still when you say that, but his eyes remain on his hands. He has seen the side-effects of it, had been there to overhear, thanks to Brianna, what he and the Hounds could of the fight from weeks ago. ]

I... don't want to smother him, you know? [ He says that earnestly and hopes that you understand that he's not implying that you do -- even if... well, you did, rather. ] And I know I don't have the monopology of caring about him, but I'd like to able to do more for him. Prop him up and share the weight of things, because I do love him.

[ He knows it was spoken in the heat of the moment, but sometimes truths come out that way. ]

[clayce]

[ Gently now. ]

I am sure that you must hear this a lot, but... I think that you do a lot for him as it is. [ A beat. ] In fact, you have, for a mortal, gone well and beyond the distance that many others have.

[larue]

[ You're right about that; him getting told that he does a lot for Hikaru. It's nevertheless humbling to hear it again. ]

Y... you guys said as much.[ A small, tremulous smile. ] I remember that little sit-down after the TFV takedown. [ All the parents -- then and now -- at one table, had been more than just mildly nervewracking. ] Not that it's something I'm likely to forget.

[ He pauses a bit. ] I guess I spent so long being the solid one, I'm so used to carrying the weight so that everything turns out okay.

[ There's a look that crosses his face, one that flickers and goes. Taking responsibility for others was something he took on at an age where most of his peers were concerned with their own lives, so he got good at managing that responsibility so that it's proven more than a little terrifying to admit these days when he realizes he's in over his head.

Softly, at that: ] I want things to be okay for him.

[clayce]

[ Quietly listening to the (far) younger man, not saying a word. He can relate to what you are saying rather well. There's a lot of proof of that in his previous actions, ones recorded in Vigil history for everyone with a discerning eye to read and see. ]

You are a big part of what is making things better for him, as he is for you. As for the rest... well, you are not alone in wanting that.

[ Nor are you alone in using what means you have at his disposal to push the world into becoming something that you approve of. There is your blade, for example. ]

Still, the most difficult lesson to learn for a man who is used to being the dependable one is to know when it isn't necessary, or when to ask for help. But it must be learned.

[larue]

[ He falls quiet again at that, turning over those words and letting them sink in. It's a difficult lesson to learn, but like Father Aidan says, it's gotta be done. ]

Is it... [ a breath. ] Is it okay if I stay here a while?

I don't really feel like staying cooped up inside.

[ He's also not to keen on wandering too far, and he knows that if anywhere at all, he's likely going to wander back to the chambers he's currently sharing with Hikaru. ]

[clayce]

[ Turning a bit towards you with a smile. ]

Of course.

[ And should you ever feel the need to talk a little more, he's your dragon man, as always. ]

[larue]

[ You're rewarded with a relieved smile then, then he's fishing out his cigarettes and offering his pack your way.

You won't be able to smoke whilst in dragon form, but you know -- just in case you want to. ]

[clayce]

[ Making an appreciative noise, but shaking his head. He'll wait until dinner, when he can smoke in good company while in a more, ah, portable form.

It's going to be nice, being able to have moments like this with you for a little longer. Living this long has only given Aidan a greater appreciation for things - people - who will not last. ]

[larue]

[ That's fine. He'll just tuck that pack away and then light up, quiet for a few moments before he turns your way and gives in to asking. ]

Um, Father Aidan?

[ He knows it's only been a couple of days and there likely hasn't been all that much time that's passed in the Fifth World, but-- ] H... how is Rethe doing?

[clayce]

He is quite well, last I checked. Getting acquainted with the movements of your sister's blade.

[ All warmth and fondness. ]

It is... nice, for the lack of a better word, to see Rethe on the field again, and with people other than the Kings.

[larue]

[ He's having a momentary flashback to a conversation he had with Rethe in what seems like ages and ages ago. It's been a pretty busy year. ]

I told Rethe um, before we ended up participating in Brother Death's Hour, that I'd never seen him fight on the field. [ There's a fond smile as he tells you that. ] He told me that maybe we'd get a chance to accompany him one time.

[ His sister gets to do that now, which is great. He'll probably grill Cindy about sometime. ]

I'm looking forward to that.

[ He has no idea how this year in Arcadia will go. But he plans to make it out in one piece. And to make sure that everyone else does too. ]

[clayce]

I don't doubt that the feeling must be mutual. He really likes you.

[ And you've been very good to him. Better, in some ways, than he has.

...Yeah, let's not think about that too hard, and focus on the present. ]

[larue]

He was one of my first friends. [ Saying that softly, fondly.

Looking up back at you now, Father. ]

He really loves you. [ Worrying a little on his bottom lip at that. ] It was one of the first things he ever shared with me. Even if he didn't say it. It just showed.

[clayce]

[ Ah. ]

He does. [ Then, a little softer: ] I am not always deserving of such devotion, but I suppose the same could be said for anyone who is loved by another.