4ᴛʜ sᴇʀᴀᴘʜɪᴍ [ open ]

[martelapproves]

Who: Mithos and you!
Where: Next to Lamufao.
When: Backdated to July 31st.
Style: Will follow you!
Status: Open!

[ Mithos has been sitting next to the Coral for a while now. Every day for the last week, he's come back to his little bench near the coral, sitting there for hours at a time, staring at it, as if he were hoping someone he knew would be there. He knew it was the time of month when people started arriving, but... once again, he was disappointed, and saddened. She still wasn't here. She still wasn't going to arrive.

And he was still terribly alone.

Today was the last chance he had, until next month. And of course, Martel wasn't there. Fighting back tears again, Mithos slowly, reluctantly, gets to his feet, and slowly starts to walk away, back towards his apartment, his eyes glued to the ground.

And he might just walk into your character. ]

Comments

[chosen_gigolo]

[In fact, he just might walk into Zelos as he's carting a box of costumes to the host club. A few of the tricorne hats tumble out with the impact.]

Hey, watch where you're-

[Oh, it's Mithos. Shit.]

[martelapproves]

[ Mithos watches as the hats fall to the ground. Looking up at the red-haired chosen, who dared to actually think about yelling at him, Mithos fumes for a moment. He wasn't in the mood to deal with this, right now. But still, this was Zelos, so Mithos will just send a quick, unmistakeable message.

A ball of light energy forms in Mithos' hands, and he casts it outwards, the ball splitting in three directions, hitting the hats with enough force to send them upwards, the hats being reduced to ash in midair. With that, Mithos turns, and walks away. ]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Well that's just...

You know what? He's had it. Guy's gone. Zelda's in a coma. He's got more work than he knows what to do with around the host club, and Seles' birthday was fast approaching which always put him in a strange mood. No, he's not going to stand for this on top of everything else. He kicks the now empty box in his frustration, sending it skittering across the plaza.]

Where do you get off!? I know you're used to being little mister high-and-mighty but this isn't Aselia, this world isn't your plaything and neither are the people in it. People've got more important shit to worry about than your little temper tantrums!

[Not his best work considering he's sort of throwing a tantrum himself, but damn it kind of felt good to let out and actually yell at Mithos for once. Even if he is aware he'll probably pay for it pretty presently, but the mood he's in? He's not sure if he's wary of it or welcomes it.]

[martelapproves]

[ Mithos stops for a moment, as Zelos begins his own tantrum. One part of him is happy to hear him get so angry over something like that, but the other makes him want to remind Zelos why he never tried to break out of his deal with Mithos back on Aselia (at least, that he knew of). But he doesn't... not yet. ]

You've never seen one of my tantrums.

[ Mithos snarls back. Careful, Zelos. You're playing with fire. Mithos then resumes walking away, but has a feeling Zelos isn't smart enough not to try to get the last word in. ]

[chosen_gigolo]

[He's fully aware he's treading on paper-thin ice here but the Chosen seems to be in a masochistic mood this evening.]

Pretty sure the last four thousand years counts as one.

[Low blow. Low blow and he's certain he'll be punished for it but that doesn't make it not true. Mithos, for as long as he's lived, still keeps the mentality of that kid who's mad at the world for being how it is. The only problem is that kid now has enough power to bend that world around his little finger. But not here. Not here and if it was to be believed he wouldn't remember anything when they finally returned either, so fine. Why not actually speak his mind for once?

He just hopes he won't end up looking at his own intestines spilled out on the pavement, but death has little meaning when it's not permanent.]

[martelapproves]

[ He froze in place as he heard that. Was Zelos... did Zelos actually want a fight? Mithos began shaking, his fists clenching, until his wings burst from his back. ]

You wanna see a tantrum?

[ Mithos hissed, slowly turning to face him. ]

I'll show you what a tantrum looks like.

I think Ky's gonna intervene and save Zelos? But not before he gets injured.

[chosen_gigolo]

[Ah-haha... right, okay, this... is scarier than he remembers it being. Probably because he's facing a pissed off Mithos alone. He really should just stick to antagonizing Kratos. He never fights back.

Zelos doesn't let on to any of these thoughts, though. He's already in for a penny; might as well be a pound. Zelos pops his wings as well, grinning in what he knows is a horribly fake grimace but he'd rather face his doom upright.]

And you call Humans immature.

[Oh goddess I'm gonna die...]

[martelapproves]

[ Already Mithos begins glowing, spectral feathers dancing around him as he begins tapping into his vast, and possibly limitless supply of magic. The amount of mana radiating off of Mithos right now just might remind him why Mithos is the only person in Aselia who can intimidate both Kratos and Yuan into submission, into fear. ]

My only regret right now...

[ Mithos says, raising his hand... ]

Is that I can't show you what it's like to lose a sister.

[ With that not-so-subtle threat against his family and a hint at why he's upset right now, the spectral feathers around him burst as his spell completes. ]

Holy Lance!

[ A glyph appears underneath Zelos, with seven lances appearing on all sides around Zelos, with a larger lance directly above him. The lances begin coming at him from all sides; this spell is extremely dangerous when focused on a single target, instead of several. ]

Ky is gonna come in and rescue super injured Zelos this next tag I believe

[chosen_gigolo]

[If Zelos hadn't gotten a Guardian up at the last second, he would have been toast. As it is the attack still does a considerable amount of damage, enough to cause Zelos physical pain beyond what the crystal can dull. He grits his teeth, coat shredded, bleeding from various lacerations. He's not even entirely certain how he's still upright, though he may very well fall over if he takes a single step.

If Mithos decides to finish he job, there's really very little he can do about it...]

[closedcircuit]

[Ky doesn't like going to the coral. It's a necessary fact of being in Vatheon but it feels too much like feeding this place -- or worshipping it -- for him. But not liking something has never gotten him out of doing it before and scheduling a specific time and day of the week for it makes the whole thing a lot more like it's something in his control.

So it's the will of God -- or luck -- more than anything else that has Ky in the area when Mithos launches the attack at Zelos. The magical force of it is obvious from what the distance is, enough for Ky to quickly look for source. When he sees the figures facing each other, magic still bleeding from the air, he runs to close the distance before there's the opportunity for another attack.

Some small part of his brain catalogues that it looks like a one-sided attack and that the person on the receiving end is Zelos, but the latter part doesn't matter because it isn't like Ky is going to treat the situation any differently, no one would make him do that. He focuses his attention on the other blond, lightning gathering near him if he needs it but very clearly staying away from any offensive posing.]

Stop this and step back.

[Ky does his best to radiate authority and control over this situation -- he doesn't have a problem with calling in the Defense Force or one of the other people he knows who would be able to match anyone in force, but for now he's going to give Mithos the benefit of the doubt.]

[martelapproves]

[ Actually, Mithos was about to finish Zelos off. He was already charging up another spell, his wings pulsing with energy, when Ky showed up. His first instinct was to attack him, as well, simply by virtue of being human. But he didn't. Something in the back of his mind made him stop, telling him that somehow, leaving Zelos alive in this condition would be worse than finishing him off.

So that's what he's going to do. ]

Look at you. Pick a fight with me, and some human has to come to save you.

[ Mithos's wings flutter a bit, as he lands on the ground softly, his wings disappearing. ]

I was right to agree to make your sister the Chosen. Martel would never want a body as weak as yours.

[ And with that, Mithos turned, and slowly started off towards his apartment. No doubt Kratos sensed the outburst of power from him - no doubt anyone attuned to mana did - and would have some choice words for him. Honestly, Mithos didn't care. He let off a lot of steam just now, and it felt great. ]

[chosen_gigolo]

[Even in his torn up state, even knowing Mithos could very well do him in right there, Zelos almost lunges, almost opens his mouth for a wicked retort. He's seeing red. His sister, his sister. How Mithos could be so hypocritical and threaten his sister like that makes his blood boil.

It's a good thing even the small step he begins to take sends him sprawling, the small breath he takes to snap starts him coughing and groaning on ground. Once again shown his place by Mithos. Once again rescued, one way or another.

By Ky of all people.

Damn but he feels stupid. So stupid. Why can't he keep his mouth shut? What happened to sitting by and letting the world turn, throwing his weight behind who was likely to win? Lloyd really had changed him but he wonders, as he's continually wondered since that day on Derris Kharlan - no, since that night in Flanoir when he'd finally made his decision - whether the change was for the better or the worse.]

[closedcircuit]

[ Ky bristles at Mithos' words, lightning crackling a little louder around him. The insult to him is clear -- and apparently based on his humanity, as if being human isn't the only thing that Ky's had reason to be. Yes, he's an imperfect creature, but he was made in the image of God, and Ky wouldn't trade that for any greater power or anything at all. And for him to imply that Ky should be ashamed of himself, or that Zelos should be ashamed because it's Ky, is stupid.

Ky's been a soldier, he knows how it means that they forget about who owes their life to who by the end of the first month, because when there are so many debts to keep track of it becomes time to understand that they all have an obligation just to do what they can. There's no shame in trusting someone enough to let them watch his back when it means that together they can do something they otherwise wouldn't be able to.

He swallows his anger as Zelos goes sprawling. Mithos is on his way out of here anyway, so Ky bends down to take a close look at Zelos and the damage he appears to have suffered. His voice is soft, bits of electricity in the air slowly fading as Ky focuses his attention on the redhead.]

Can you still breathe?

[chosen_gigolo]

[He tries to say he can, that coughing obviously means his lungs are working, but it hurts so he simply nods. There's not much else he can do, not really. It hurts too badly to even concentrate and cast his healing artes, and so he manages to croak out one, single word because his pride in asking for Ky's help isn't worth his life.]

Coral..

[closedcircuit]

[Ky had already thought of that direction -- Zelos didn't have to ask for help because Ky's already offered, and wouldn't do anything but. Ky isn't aware that Zelos can heal -- if he were in any state to -- and Ky certainly can't, so the coral is really the only option, and it's not a bad one at that.

Ky isn't sure whether parts of Zelos might be more injured -- and thus sensitive -- than others, so he's just generally careful but resolute. Even if this hurts, it's for the long-term good, so Ky's wrapping an arm around the other man and helping him to stand.]

It's not far.

[Ky knows that Zelos knows that, and even worse Ky is in fact talking just to talk, but many people find that reassuring, and anything that grants him a measure of control in this situation might help Zelos, might make him know that he can relax and let Ky take care of him.]

[chosen_gigolo]

[The state he's in, Zelos makes no complaint about the extra pressure on his wounds. Actually, it's helping to staunch some of the bleeding despite the pain. Breathing labored, leaning on Ky out of necessity, the Chosen attempts to start for the coral.]

[closedcircuit]

[Being able to hear Zelos' breathing is almost reassuring, in some ways, although Ky does wish it didn't sound quite so strained. He's quiet as he supports Zelos in the direction they're going. There are words flashing through his head, but he doesn't think that there's any point to say them, not just now, and not when he can't organize them into anything that he's sure he should say. Zelos, in some unconscious ways, reminds him of Sol, and Ky responds to the feeling that his very presence is irritating Zelos, and perhaps he should refrain from aggravating it further with talking. For as long as he could, at least, there is still that urge to say something.]

[chosen_gigolo]

[It seems an eternity but Zelos finally rests a hand on the coral, breathing easier almost immediately. He indulges for a long moment, eyes closed and coral glowing faintly under his hand as it knits him back together. He stands on his own when he finally withdraws from it.]

Thanks.

[It's a low bark, somewhat gruff and grudging, but nonetheless grateful. Zelos has no desire to die again, though upon reflection it's hard to tell considering who he ends up picking fights with.]

[closedcircuit]

[Ky doesn't need Zelos' gratitude, he dismisses it with a shrug as he makes sure that Zelos can stand on his own. His concern is still all-enveloping, he wants to talk to Mithos, but Zelos is more important.]

What else can I do to help?

[chosen_gigolo]

I don't think there's anything.

[It's not simply a brush off, it's an acknowledgement of Ky's want to assist instead of a "get lost". Zelos was in a precarious mood to begin with but this thing with Mithos just tipped it over into 'bad' territory. Only... not the kind of bad that makes him snap and be an ass, the kind of bad that makes him quiet and evasive. He knows that was stupid, he should have let it go, gotten more hats and been on his way.

There's a lot of things he should do but doesn't.]

[closedcircuit]

If you'll be fine on your own, then I should go speak with Mithos.

You can still call me on the SFC if something comes up.

[chosen_gigolo]

Don't bother. I provoked him.

[Normally he wouldn't announce it so readily but Ky had helped him and the last thing he should get for his trouble is Mithos' wrath. Nope, better to take the blame so Ky wouldn't do anything foolish.]

Just leave it.

[closedcircuit]

Even so, his response was clearly disproportionate. And he was willing to do worse.

[chosen_gigolo]

[Zelos heaves a morose sigh.]

Look Ky, I get that this whole love and justice busybody thing of yours is your way of trying to take care of people and that's fine and dandy but believe me when I tell you there isn't a damn thing anyone can do about Mithos and his disproportionate responses. If you try you'll get hurt. It's that simple.

[closedcircuit]

And if I don't do anything, then what? You get hurt? Inaction is rarely the right response.