sandalphon | inbox / recourt

[There's going to be a portal instantly where Anaxa's at, with Reaver stepping out of it, looking around frantically.]

[ He'll find him not too far from where he opened the portal. Anaxa himself looks fine physically, but he's clearly a little out of sorts and his gaze is not entirely focused even once he notices him.

It takes him a few moments to actually walk up to him, but he reaches for his hand as soon as he's close enough ]

[The hand that meets Anaxa's engulfs his, massive- Phainon is too out of sorts to think about correct height ratios or anything. He's already bending down to scoop Anaxa up.]

Are you hurt? How are you feeling?

I'm not hurt.

[ Once Phainon scoops him up he will bring his arms around him, holding himself to him ]

But my mind still feels scrambled.

[It takes less of a thought to open a portal, and Phainon carefully carries him through it - it opens back at his apartments, which are suspiciously tidy. Mostly because he spent the last couple of hours vibrating out of his skin and stress-cleaning.]

How so? [He finds the ratty couch and lays Anaxa on it, before kneeling next to him, mask melting away into a look of concern.]

[ He is silent for a few seconds longer than normal, eyebrows furrowing as he clearly has to focus on Phainon's words to even register them, let alone answer them ]

Like I had a concussion.

[ There is another pause, and then he adds ]

I did not wish to worry you so.

[Phainon doesn't seem to be listening, as he cups the whole side of Anaxa's face with a hand, turning his face this way and that.]

Who established the Grove of Epiphany?

[ There's a small noise of discomfort at that, and again it takes some effort for him to focus, but— ]

Thalesus, the First Scholar.

Okay, I think you should stop thinking for now.

[To be honest he might as well have told Anaxa to stop breathing.]

[ He might be out of it but the look he gives Phainon probably says it all already. ]

If I wanted to stop thinking, I'd just die again.

[Phainon stares back at him. Through him, for a moment, and then he focuses Anaxa a covetous look with the weight of endless, unfathomable years behind it. A great hand rests over his chest, holding him against the couch.]

I really don't like how lightly you think of your death.

[ Maybe it was not the right time for such a joke. He's quiet for a few long moments, reaching for that hand - not to push it away but just to hold it ]

... I have never thought of it lightly. It is precisely because of how heavy it has always been on my heart that I have been chasing it.

But you can shed your worries. I will not be doing this again.

Why not? I have never been able to convince you to stray from what you want, and I'm under no illusions I ever can.

I only needed to experience it once, in this place.

[ It would be nice to be able to say it's because he's taking Phainon's feeling in consideration. But he is right. No one has ever been able to convince him to stray from his wants - and especially not when he is on the path of discovery ]

And the experience was not pleasant. Though that, too, was within my expectations.

[The heaviness in his tone disappears, replaced with concern.]

Do you want to tell me about it? I could write it down for you. [A pause.] While... it's still fresh.

... I've no doubt that those memories will remain fresh in my mind for a very long time. And I do not trust the fog that's surrounding my thoughts now. But I appreciate your offer.

[ If he'll let him, he'll move his hand so he can lace their fingers together ]

Stay with me.

I'm always with you.

[How he manages to make that sound romantic and a threat at the same time is a mystery. But he laces their fingers together, sitting on the edge of the couch, next to Anaxa's waist.]

What do you need?

...mm.

That is enough.

I simply do not wish to see you go.

All right, let's get you to a proper bed then.

[He picks up Anaxa again, holding him a little tighter than he had before.]

Are you going to tell me who did it?

[ Being held tight seems to suit him, since he is also maybe uncharacteristically clingy. ]

Are you going to hunt them and punish them for doing what I asked them?

[The air around them seems heavy for a moment. The edges of reality blur out at the edges into pixels, the scent of ozone strong and cloying. Phainon's hands tighten almost painfully under his knees and side--]

No I. I trust your judgment more than how much I want to destroy whoever it was.

I do not wish to betray their trust in me. If I tell you, it will be me putting that trust back into your hands. You would eventually know their name, see with whom I'm spending my time with. That you would find out their identity is inevitable.

And so I will only tell you myself if you give me your word that you will not harm them.

[Phainon doesn't answer the entire time it takes to lay him on Phainon's bed, looming over him, the shadows of his face cracked with violet flame.]

Honestly? I can't promise you that, so just don't tell me.

[ He will bring his hand to Phainon's face despite the flames, despite those cracks. Gentle, like he means to soothe him ]

What is it that troubles you so? I am here now, with you.

inbox / recourt

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

1/2

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34

Re: Day 34