008 - How can I even express my mind?

[fistfullofmagic]

Who: Dhaos and you
Where: the Library
When: Sunday
Style: brackets
Status: open



[One week. Nearly a full seven days since he had been convinced not to do something rash. Since that night, though Zelda had succeeded in preventing him from attempting to harm the Lamufao, he could not be near her for the time being. Even had he wished it, Zelos had effectively evicted him from Ordo 2&3, and Zelda could not find it in herself to truly argue the point.

Thus the entirety of the past week had been spent within the walls of the Library. Day and night he had thrown himself into research; perhaps nothing could be done to improve his people's chances at the moment, but that was no reason to remain idle, even in a state of homelessness. He had promised his assistance to both Zelda and Lloyd (though not directly to the latter), and he would not allow himself to fail to honor those promises.

...Still, with the way the librarian eyes him every time she passes by, he gets the impression that she would not tolerate someone continuously living in her domain for much longer.]

Comments

[fortheempire]

[Ioder visited the library once a week, or as often as he could get to once a week. Sometimes work interfered, but for the most part he could be counted on to turn in a stack of books, and leave with another one at least once every seven to eight days.

It happened with such frequency that the librarian even knew him by name and greeted him as such.

Today he noticed there was something a bit off about her greeting of "Good afternoon, Mr. Heurassein." as he entered, but he merely gave her a brighter smile than usual and went on his way in to the library, completely unaware that some one he knew had been camping out there.]

[fistfullofmagic]

[Dhaos would normally take note of the name, but he's currently very absorbed in a book about Hylian physiology and magic, occasionally cross-referencing it with another about his own people. Thankfully, he has yet to find any significant differences that would hinder the ability to gain wings similar to his own.

He's chosen a relatively out of the way chair towards the back where few go so as not to disturb anyone and remain relatively undisturbed himself. It would be a bit difficult to ignore anyone who gets close however.]

[fortheempire]

[Ioder did well to keep to himself while choosing his books for the week, but often times he caught himself humming a soft tune once he was further away and out of the librarian's range of hearing.

He was doing so now, running a finger along the spines as he moved around a corner, shifting in to view of the chairs at the back. He hadn't noticed Dhaos yet either, but he was vaguely aware of another presence near by.]

[fistfullofmagic]

Mm?

[Its the humming that catches his attention more than anything. He recognizes that voice...

Sure enough, when he looks up he sees a familiar head of blond hair attached to a body wearing slightly too-large clothing. He's not quite sure why he's surprised by this.]

...Ioder?

[fortheempire]

... Dhaos?

[Ioder turned as soon as he heard the voice, breaking in to a wide smile. It had been a while since he'd seen his friend, and while he'd been plenty worried about him, he had kept quiet, not wanting to be nosy if it was something minor.

So he was happy to see that the other man appeared to be just fine. But of course, Ioder wasn't aware of what had transpired during the nightmare curse...]

It's good to see you! I've missed you around the host club.

[fistfullofmagic]

Ah... [How to explain this?] ...I was in a coma for a time, and the curse was... I did not react well.

[He smiles thinly, with more than a little self deprication.]

As of last Sunday, I no longer work at Golden Victory.

[fortheempire]

[Ioder's smile faded, then fell away completely. He set the book down and moved over to Dhaos, not even bothering to comment on the first part of that.]

Are you... alright with telling me what happened?

[fistfullofmagic]

[Dhaos is silent for a moment, choosing instead to put the book he had been studying aside. When he speaks again, its very soft. Not once does he look away, however.]

...I will not say what dreams chose to manifest that week; this is neither the time nor place. However, they reminded me of home...

[A pause. Then...]

...They reminded me of the dying world I was unable to save when I perished. Thus, to save my people, I attempted to destroy the Lamufao.

[fortheempire]

... I see.

{It was upsetting to hear, but not because Ioder thought he would have succeeded. That a curse could do something so awful to some one, to drive them to that level of madness and desperation...

It pained him just to think about, but more so to know it was some one he cared for so much.]

Had I been aware of it, I would have tried to help...

[fistfullofmagic]

[He slowly shakes his head.]

Even had you known from the beginning, the best you could have done is delay the inevitable. I am...not as stable as I might appear. The past cannot be changed, so what matters now is preventing a reoccurrence.

[fortheempire]

Even unstable people benefit from having friends close by. You have always been there for me when I needed it... the very least I can do is return the favor in kind.

1/2

[fistfullofmagic]

2/2

[fistfullofmagic]

...Thank you. You are...a good friend.

[fortheempire]

You are, too, Dhaos. You don't deserve the things that have happened to you...

... might I ask why you're no longer at the host club?

[fistfullofmagic]

[...A good friend? Him?]

...How can I honestly call myself a good friend when I seriously considered harming Zelda for attempting to stop me? It would have been foolish for Zelos to allow me to continue to be near Zelda or the host club.

[Not that the other angel could have forced him to go if he had not wanted to.]

[fortheempire]

A... ah... that's--...

[Unsettling, but given the context of the situation he understands.

He moves closer, putting a hand on Dhaos'.]

We rarely see reason in our worst moments. I know even I've been guilty of that, even if I have no possible way to hurt others in the way you can.

You've been hurt. Badly. In ways I couldn't possibly begin to fathom. I'm sure even if Zelos has turned his back on you, some part of him understands that.

Whatever happened... and whatever happens from here on out, I won't abandon you. I swear.

[fistfullofmagic]

["I won't abandon you..."

Those words repeat in his head as he stares at the hand on his own. How small it is in comparison; far more delicate than the Seraph's. Almost in spite of the hand's small size, it feels very warm.

Still, Ioder's words lift his spirits just enough to allow for a small smile.]

...You are too good to me.

[fortheempire]

[Ioder returns the smile brightly, even letting out a small, quiet laugh.]

You've said that before.

Though... since you brought up Zelos not wanting you around Zelda... is it safe to assume that you've been without residence for a while?

[fistfullofmagic]

...Correct. I have been using this place as a temporary dwelling.

[...Where was Ioder going with this?]

[fortheempire]

I thought so...

That won't do at all.

[He lets out a thoughtful sigh at that.]

Well, I suppose then I have no choice...

[fistfullofmagic]

...?

[Is this going where he thinks it is...?]

[fortheempire]

I can't very well leave my friend to live in a library!

[Yes. Yes it is.]

[fistfullofmagic]

It is hardly the worst of accommodations I have experienced over the centuries...

[If he's completely honest with himself, had he been born a simple scholar, his house would look much like this.]

...Still, I do not think the Librarian would appreciate my continued presence any longer than necessary. What do you propose?

[fortheempire]

It's still not a home, Dhaos. And I happen to have one that wouldn't be harmed by having another resident.

[fistfullofmagic]

[Even having seen this coming, Dhaos is still somewhat caught by surprise. He had expected to spend the rest of his time in Vatheon much the same way he had most of his life: alone, moving along the fringes of civilization as needed. ...Except he wouldn't have been entirely alone, would he? Zelda would not have allowed him to return with her to the place he once called home had she wanted to break all ties with him, and Lloyd had sought him out despite Zelos' warnings. And Ioder... dear, kind Ioder who never seemed to judge him despite knowing the danger he poses, having seen the darkness in his heart on more than one occasion.

'I have... such wonderful friends...'

All of them are such kind and determined people that even were he to find a way to adequately separate himself from the rest of Vatheon, they would simply find a way to drag him back. Though he knows he doesn't deserve any of them, they make it impossible to refuse.]

...If you are sure I will not be a bother...