Lazy Man's CMO 2018

[bloodand]

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[scourgingstars]

[Holding on to his brother with whatever limited strength was in his arms, the sobbing tapered off into something quieter before beginning to fade entirely. Ardyn was quiet again for a minute once it was over, again to the point of 'if he slept, he might have passed out'.]

...s-sorry. I'll--I can control it. I'll--m'not a daemon, I won't hurt anyone, please--

[founderinglight]

[Technically, those words are unfortunately not true - the way Ardyn responded to the light is proof enough of that.

But that's a hurdle they can cross later.]

I've got you, it's okay. I won't let anyone hurt you. We'll make it work somehow.

[scourgingstars]

[The worst of the blackened miasma that passed for tears began to evaporate and fade, Ardyn curling up against his twin's chest and gripping his shirt as tightly as he could.]

...do anything you want. Just don't....don't. Please.

[founderinglight]

You're okay, Ardyn. You're safe, I promise.

[Izunia shifts them just a little, so that he can lean back against the wall of the hallway with Ardyn halfway in his lap. The red light continues to bob in the air beside him.]

We'll find some way to fix this. There's... a lot of other people here, and I'm sure that between all of us, we can figure something out.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn answered with a slight nod, leaning his head on his brother's shoulder and closing his eyes, very slowly starting to relax as if he was trying to remember how in the first place.]

[founderinglight]

[Izunia just keeps holding him and it makes the fear easier to manage, the way Ardyn sinks gently into him and starts to ease.

He just runs his hand through his twin's hair, gentle, calming, like nothing else in the world matters.

(There are other things that do matter, now, but they can wait.)]

Some of them are going to be very scared of you, but they don't mean any harm. It's just... really complicated.

[scourgingstars]

...don't want to hurt anyone.

[founderinglight]

I know. I believe you. But for other people, it's going to take time.

[At least he's mostly coherent, now, that's a start.]

We need to get you a shower and clean clothes, first.

[scourgingstars]

R...right. That...sounds good.

[Ardyn wiped at what faint traces of miasma still lingered on his face, hesitant to let go.]

[founderinglight]

It's okay, we can use my room. You'll want to shield your eyes - I can't exactly turn off all the lights in the public hallways for you, unfortunately.

[Don't worry about standing, Ardyn, your bro is just going to lift you. No need to go anywhere at all.]

[scourgingstars]

[Another slight nod of acknowledgement, Ardyn content enough to hide his face against his brother's shoulder.]

...you don't hate me?

[founderinglight]

Not in the slightest.

[He squeezes Ardyn's shoulders as he adjusts the weight and gets ready to lift.]

I love you. No matter what else happens, that will always be true.

[scourgingstars]

[That seemed to be satisfactory enough, Ardyn lacking energy enough to do more than let his brother carry him.]

[founderinglight]

[That's fine. Izunia's got the skinny buff, he can handle it.

Luckily they don't run into anyone else on their way down to room eleven by virtue of handwave, potentially because it's late in the evening. Izunia has to slightly juggle Ardyn to punch in his key code, but soon the door slides open and they're greeted by -

A meow?]

Vee, darling, back in with you.

[scourgingstars]

...you have a cat?

[founderinglight]

Why is this always so surprising to everyone?

[There's the faintest hitch of a hesitation before everyone. Who knows what that might mean?

Izunia sweeps inside with kitty following after - the lights in his room are still fairly bright, but as soon as he can get Ardyn settled on the couch he'll go dim them down.]

Her name is Verity and don't be fooled by her size, she's still something of a baby.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn rubbed at his eyes once the lights were turned down, the worst of his injuries and the resulting miasma having finally faded. He blinked a few times, trying to find something to focus on and settling on the cat in question.]

...she's cute.

[founderinglight]

[Said kitty is currently sniffing investigatively at Ardyn's feet, tail held high and twitching just a little at its very fluffy tip. This dad smells funny, is he friend?]

She's very good company, though a bit demanding of attention. It's probably only a matter of time until -

[Hop! Up Verity goes, apparently having decided that yes, this is a friend. She climbs into Ardyn's lap without an ounce of fear and bonps into his hand.]

- until she starts to demand affection.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn flinched at the sudden motion, but gradually relaxed as Verity bumped against is hand.]

[...A little hesitantly, he carefully started petting her.]

[founderinglight]

[Okay, good. Brother and cat successfully settled.

Izunia watches them for a moment as Verity settles in to get pettings, a slow and gentle purr starting up as she curls up on Ardyn's lap. Then he slips into the bathroom, dimming the lights there as well, and returns with a damp cloth.]

Here, at least wipe your face.

[And don't mind if he just settles in right next to you to check his phone, Ardyn.]

[scourgingstars]

[He took a minute or two to wipe away the lingering dust and dirt from Angelgard, along with whatever traces of scourge still remained.]

[Then he slumped against his brother's shoulder, one hand resting on Verity.]

[founderinglight]

[No answer still. Presumably has his phone in his Armiger like a dumbass. Izunia types out a quick update - "Handled for now. He's in my room." - before shoving the phone in his pocket and leaning against Ardyn in turn.]

You're okay. I'm so, so sorry.

[scourgingstars]

...m'sorry too.

[founderinglight]

You -

[A pause, in which the only sound is cat purring.]

...I won't say that you didn't do anything wrong, because I'm still incredibly angry at you for not ever telling me. But you didn't do anything that merited that.

[scourgingstars]

Didn't want...you involved. Didn't want you to worry.