psl with noah!!

[rainshaveceased]

Comments

[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.

[waywardsong]

Elidibus, when was the last time you did something you wanted to do? Not because it was necessary, not because it was your duty, but because you wanted it? Can you think of anything?

[rainshaveceased]

Are you implying that my duty was not what I wanted to do? Ridiculous.

[waywardsong]

No, I'm implying that you don't have any personal desires beyond your duty. Which... makes sense, I guess, since you dedicated your life to it, but...

[rainshaveceased]

...But what.

[waywardsong]

[closes his eyes for a moment, a rueful smile on his face]

... I'm not that much better, myself. I... only recently learned that it's okay to want something... for myself. Not because it's the right thing to do, not because it's expected of me, not because it'll help people... just because I want it.

[rainshaveceased]

And you will have many chances to do the things you want. Short though it may be, you have a lifetime to enjoy and share with others. But that has nothing to do with me.

[waywardsong]

Actually, I think it does.

[ahrun'ya gets to his feet, stepping towards elidibus--he's all of a single inch shorter]

Something keeps you anchored here, to me and my soul. Something in your soul resonates with mine. There must be some way to release you, so you can rest and return to the aetherial sea... what if it involves mending some of the divide between us? Sharing our hearts with one another, coming to find common ground?

[rainshaveceased]

That...

[sounds extremely plausible, actually. damn.]

It would be difficult.

[waywardsong]

[smiles, and thumps his fist against his chest. /me emote]

It would be worth it. Besides, I never back down from a challenge.

[rainshaveceased]

[sigh]

Indeed, you never do.

How would you suggest we begin, then?

[waywardsong]

Well...

[glances around them]

We could start with a walk around. Despite the dangers lurking about, this place really was beautiful. And given where we are, and the fact that we're in a dream... we could probably change it to be anything we like.

[rainshaveceased]

...I did enjoy visiting Elpis. Very well, let us walk.

[is this a date]