at the light, at the light

[inaclearing]

[Well! That happened, and for once, no one seems to be holding any kind of Group Sorrow Activity afterwards! Have fun doing whatever it is y'all wanna do! There's not many people left, and an awful lot of open space; we're probably all perfectly capable of being alone, if that's what we want.]

Comments

bathysphere;

[visiblepattern]

[Well, Forrest will not emerge from that direction but he'll be here, in different clothes and he's carrying Rain but. Yeah.]

...Gaius? What are you doing out here?

[howveryglib]

[he actually starts a bit and turns.]

…

Forrest?

[visiblepattern]

Yes...?

[...um.]

Is... Is that all right, I understand if you don't want.to speak to me...

[howveryglib]

[this is probably a bad idea because Forrest is holding a cat but you know what he’s not really thinking much other than SON BOY??? SON BOY ALIVE????????? MUST GIVE SON BOY FATHERLY HUG!!!

so yeah you know what he’s going to do that]

[visiblepattern]

[...Forrest thankfully thinks to kind of drop the cat before that happens, and good thing too because that hug is getting returned really violently, um

which doesn't necessarily mean much but on the other hand apparently this boy uses battleaxes so]

[howveryglib]

[it’s cool gaius can take a pretty intense hug.]

I… I am sorry, I should have done something…

[visiblepattern]

What do you mean, I don't...

[...he doesn't know how to finish that, honestly

just

so much hug, okay]

[howveryglib]

I…

[right. he can’t just lay all of his insecurities on Forrest. not after he’s already been through so much. just bottle it up and deal with it later. when is later? idk maybe when he’s dead.]

…something. I am not sure.

[visiblepattern]

...Gaius, it's fine. I'm asking because I'm worried, all right? I worry about everyone.

[he just wants to know you're going to be okay??]

[howveryglib]

[he… he pats Forrest’s shoulder.]

I will be fine. It has simply been a long day.

[…he patted with the bandaged hand oops uh]

[visiblepattern]

[...you sure did...]

...What happened? There, I mean.

[howveryglib]

...it was a training accident.

[he says it a little sheepishly. he doesn't want to talk about being kind of embarrassing...]

[visiblepattern]

Well, if it starts bothering you, let me know and I'll help take care of it.

[Just saying.]

[howveryglib]

I doubt it will be much of a problem, but I certainly will.

[...]

Is there anything you would like? I could get you some tea. I will try to be more reasonable about it than last time.

[visiblepattern]

No, that's... That's all right, I just...

[...He's kind of shaking again, and he clasps one of his hands over his mouth and squeezes his eyes shut as though trying to keep himself from crying or screaming or something, and what comes out is just a muffled- ]

Why are you being so nice to me, I don't...deserve it...

[howveryglib]

I care not whether you deserve it. You were right, at the beginning; we are all desperate, and the stress has only gotten worse over time.

...

I am simply happy you are with us still.

[visiblepattern]

[He's quiet for a long time. Just sort of standing there shaking and trying not to cry.

When he finally does speak, his words are quiet.]

Is it...weird...or bad...to say that I wish my father had been like you?

[howveryglib]

[...]

I do not believe so, no. I am aware things tend to be complicated within royal families, but... I do not consider that to be an excuse.

[he feels kind of awkward about just... kind of watching everything go on with garlemald's royal family and saying nothing. but the empire's special, okay.]

He should have been happy to have you for a son, I think.