psl with noah!!

[rainshaveceased]

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[rainshaveceased]

[the Warrior of Light dreams. it is a dream of Elpis, all green grass and blue skies and beautiful forests teeming with creations. though the surroundings are somewhat vague in the way of dreams, something about the touch of the breeze on one's face and the scent of flowers it carries feels real, making it feel like something about this dream is special.

a familiar white-robed figure stands nearby at the edge of the island, gazing down into the clouds as if trying to see through them to the city that must lie somewhere far below.]

[waywardsong]

[being in elpis always brings back vivid emotions--some happy, some pained, all complex. it's not the first time the warrior of light has dreamed of the floating facility, but it is the first time they've felt so lucid and in control.

(most memories of elpis tend to come with a sense of helplessness.)

ahrun'ya walks slowly, one hand splayed out to feel the brush of tall grass through his fingers and the wind on his face. it's beautiful and serene, still, after all that's happened. for a moment, ahrun'ya is tempted to lay down in the soft grass and just listen to the sounds of creation--but he sees the figure, and his heart skips a beat.

he opens his mouth to say something, and then stops. what could he say? to elidibus, of all people? and moreover... is this a phantom, the same as the one lingering inside the crystal tower? or a dream of ahrun'ya's, recalling memories of his erstwhile enemy--and friend? or something else...?

in the end, he just watches... intently, as though fearful this image/phantom/whatever could disappear at any moment.]

[rainshaveceased]

[several moments pass before the figure shows any kind of a reaction to ahrun'ya's presence - perhaps he hasn't heard his approach at all?

but eventually he does turn to look, a complicated expression dawning on his face]

...Ah. So that is how it is.

[waywardsong]

[seeing elidibus have the same kind of complicated emotions about this scenario actually relaxes him a little, and he can't help but smile, somewhat helplessly]

So it is. We meet again.

[it's easier to feel at ease when elidibus is wearing his normal face, and not borrowing the body of someone else]

[rainshaveceased]

'Tis not an unknown phenomenon, the souls of the dead straying into the dreams of the living. And yet, I must admit, it comes as a surprise to me.

[accounting for the facts of the situation, approaching it as a problem to be solved, is far easier than openly acknowledging its deeper complexities. it's a chance to put off having to decide how to feel.]

[waywardsong]

Yeah.

[ahrun'ya takes a seat at the edge of the floating island, letting his legs dangle over the side]

This doesn't feel like a normal dream. I've had a few dreams like this before... but not many. And usually...

[he trails off, and glances up at elidibus]

Guess we're more connected than we thought.

[rainshaveceased]

...It can scarcely be denied that we had an impact on each other's lives. Even if I forgot the measure of that impact for a long time.

[waywardsong]

... even before then, perhaps. Or I guess it would be after.

How much... do you remember?

[rainshaveceased]

[glancing at him with a raised eyebrow]

I am no longer burdened by the weight of the souls that once empowered me. As such, my memories have cleared - though the events of millennia past are somewhat clouded by the passage of time.

[waywardsong]

[nods]

... I'm glad. That your memories are clearer now. I wouldn't want you to forget.

[rainshaveceased]

[he looks away again, quiet for a long moment]

...It makes little difference.

[waywardsong]

[shakes his head]

It makes a difference now. It makes a difference to me.

[rainshaveceased]

Is that why I am here? To assuage your concerns? With that done, perhaps I may now return to my rest.

[waywardsong]

I don't know why you're here. I mean, I have an idea... but...

Would it be so bad to stay? For just a little bit?

[rainshaveceased]

[now he does look back]

What reason is there? Do you wish to gloat over a defeated enemy? Or perhaps you would prefer the deeper insult of attempting to rekindle a friendship long since past?

[waywardsong]

[his ears pin back and he narrows his eyes]

I made a promise. To remember. You, and Emet-Selch, and Lahabrea, and Erichthonios, everyone. I can't hold the memories of all the Ancients, but I won't let your legacy be forgotten, either.

... if the only way you feel you can face me now is as my enemy, then I'll accept that. But we were friends, once. I don't believe those feelings are gone completely.

[rainshaveceased]

[the sharpness in his gaze fades away and he exhales deeply]

...No. It would be foolish to cling to animosity now. For better or for worse, our legacy does indeed rest in your hands now.

But though the bond we formed in Pandæmonium may remain, I cannot forgive you. Emet-Selch is dead. Lahabrea's soul is gone forever. Erichthonios will never be made whole. For their sake, and countless others besides, I cannot forgive you.

[waywardsong]

Yeah, well... I can't forgive you either. For what you did to Ardbert. For hurting my friends.

[he doesn't say "for hurting me", because there's a part of him that wavers on that part]

So it sounds like we're on the same page. If we're not enemies, but we're not friends either, what does that make us?

[rainshaveceased]

...

As the victor, surely you have the right to decide? Whether you wish to remember me as your friend or as the villainous Ascian is up to you and no one else. I am content to fade away and let your ruling become the truth.

[waywardsong]

[makes a bit of a grumpy face]

Obviously, I remember both. You're not one or the other to me. You're just... you. You're Elidibus. You're Themis. You're... complicated.

And are you really? Content to fade away, I mean.

[rainshaveceased]

[startles a bit because it has been a very, very long time since someone just casually called him by his name]

What else is there left for me to do? Etheirys is saved and my duty is finished.

[waywardsong]

You know, you can do things that aren't just for the sake of duty. You can want to do things for yourself, too.

[it's a bit hypocritical coming from ahrun'ya, honestly. he sacrifices a lot for the sake of duty]

[rainshaveceased]

[just looks at him like

????????????????]

[waywardsong]

[blinks]








Oh, this explains so much about you...

[rainshaveceased]

You say that as though it's a bad thing.