absent_without_leave [Curious Coeurlian RP Repository]

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===== Absent Without Leave - 03/07/21 =====

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine was hanging off the couch, upside-down, her long hair pooling in a haphazard coil below her head. Having already been to the Grindstone and waiting to see if the punctual man would show, she found herself disappointed yet again. It was too long now since she last heard from him. Over and over and over again throughout the day she was activating a linkpearl, talking into it, getting angry at it, shaking it, yelling at it. She was creating quite the ruckus the more frustrated and upset she got. She grumbled and simply dropped the pearl to the floor, swatting at it with an aggravated swipe of her hand, sending the little device ricocheting off the wall by the newly installed bed toward the wall near the fireplace, the pearl eventually rolling back to her as if it was teasing her. 

Snatching the pearl up and grasping it in her hand, she rolls clumsily off the couch onto the floor, pushing herself up and moving over to the stairs to where her Father was sleeping. It didn't look comfortable, exactly, but he seemed peaceful enough. She sat next to him on a step and reached out, poking him on the shoulder firmly several times. 

"Hey! Father! Wake up!" she wasn't exactly loud, simply insistent.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Eligor opened his eyes slowly, ripped from whatever dream state he’d found himself in. Rest had become more of a priority now, and true to the nature of his luck for the fourth time now he has been interrupted mid nap.

“....What is it? I don’t sense anyone here but us.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Yeah, no one's here or anything. I just wanted to know if you'd seen Tod at all. I can't reach him, n' it's weird. Linkpearl's dead. He's not the kinda guy who just ignores you when you wanna reach him either so... I dunno, I figured maybe you saw him about the sword thing n' might have an idea."

She was clearly hiding some kind of anxiousness about not knowing where he was judging from her focus, but she attempted to be collected, innocently asking the question.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Seen him? Well...”

He begins chuckling.

“I suppose I was the last to do so, yes.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She practically freezes as she looks down at his prone form from her own perch, attempting to pin him down with a stare. 
"Why're you laughing about it?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I was just thinking that it might have been too much for him after all.”

“The linkpearl is not broken at least, there is just far too much interference for it to possibly work.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"....Where is he then?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Very deep underground.”

“How deep depends on his speed really.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"And why's he deep underground?" She crossed her arms as she kept her suspicious vigil over him.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“He lost, and has been losing at the grindstone for some time now in a manner he did not find satisfactory.”

“Rather than have him mope about being a distraction, I gave him the opportunity to salvage his worth and potentially grow stronger.”

His smile widened.

“So I put him in the deadly ruin that was the death of many of my companions. Alone. With no real information beyond the entry level.”

“He should be having quite the fun time by now.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She shakes her head in disbelief, back and forth, clearly lost for some kind of reply in the moment, but it was clear she wasn't pleased. 

"And you didn't think any of that was worth telling me? You know, the person he's supposed to be guarding?" she asked in a strained voice, clearly a step away from losing it.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“He chose to go and stay on his own, and without informing you beforehand. It’s not as if he did not have time. He did give me a message for you, but that was on the condition he died, and I remember refusing him.”

“Besides, are you so weak you need protection from someone who doubts themselves so? I do not wish to hear excuses about why my daughter was cut down because he simply was not good enough.”

“You should be overjoyed that your sword wishes to sharpen itself.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"No," she snapped back defensively. "N' I am happy he wants to get stronger. That's good. I like when people wanna get better at stuff." 

"I dunno... it's just good to know what's going on n' stuff." She hugs her legs, resting her head on her knees with a sigh. "I don't have a lot of friends, n I'd like to keep the ones I find n' all. He should've told me. You should've told me. I thought we were gonna do this whole honesty, openness thing!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I did inform you quite ahead of time that I was thinking of having him work to get the materials for the blade he wanted by his own hand. That he did not inform you of his exact moment of departure is something you will be wanting to discuss with him, not me.”

“Or should I be similarly upset not to be informed of your every action and decision?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She makes some kind of annoyed conciliatory noise that signaled that she knew he was right but didn't want to admit it directly. 

"Guess not," she concedes simply. "What kinda place is it?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

"Terrible. Killed a lot of my friends and coworkers, and was so dangerous that myself and the other survivors decided that it was better to seal off any conventional form of entry out of fear that the beasts and peculiar technology inside might escape onto the surface."

He lifted a finger. 

"Ah...when I decided to put myself to sleep I sealed myself in the deepest layer, if that helps draw a better picture for you. Quite the place overall. Even Alkaid's sleep tank was kept in another sector."

"In short, without a key there is no getting in or out, and once you are in the conventional standards of what could be considered safety no longer apply. Rather than a safe spot, there are safe times that cycle, and the pattern and conditions change erratically for each new layer."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine drops her hands from around her legs and lets them hang like dead weight to either side of her, resting them uselessly on the stairs as she keeps her head against her knees, turned toward her father. 

"So you've gotta let him out then?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Yes. No need to be so worried. As I said he is likely enjoying himself.”

“Whatever happened to that doll you were playing around with?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She grumbled again. "I assume you mean Zozo? He got busy doing a bunch of work, but he found me in Gridania awhile ago though working on my magic stuff. Watched him change some rods in his arm. It was pretty neat. He has to cut his arm open with a knife and really get in there, and the technology was really elegant."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Elegance that requires ripping your way into something....I’ll take your word for it.”

“Ah yes. Has Lami contacted you yet?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She lets out another frustrated noise. "No, she hasn't, but y'know, you do that a lot - decide to move on the conversation when it's not something you're interested in I guess. The technology is elegant! The way his skin is indistinguishable from the real thing except for aether composition and how it's not linked to muscle is a really nice development! It's more secure that way if he's trying to blend in! It's a beautiful creation."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I’m just experienced enough to know when to avoid a meaningless argument. I do not agree and I do not wish to be convinced. Seems a waste of time to watch you get upset over trying to convince me your doll friend has positive traits.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"It's not like it has to be an argument! It only turns out that way 'cause you don't wanna listen. Learning why people like stuff isn't meaningless. It's like it'd kill you to actually not rush through conversation and find something out about someone or something the way you talk about stuff."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“A creation that cannot last is hardly elegant. I’ve created things meant to decay and break over time. I also happen to have a fairly simple way to refer to these things: trash and refuse.”

“Your friend came to me in a state that seemed barely functional, and with no real means to properly repair or self-care.”

“The worst of it is the potential danger this creates. What if this thing breaks down while you are present somewhere public? Will you be able to feign surprise properly on the spot? Will it stop others from noticing or suspecting you? What about the panic that would ensue simply from it causing this uproar in public?”

“Why do you think I emphasized your own ability to blend in from the beginning? This friend of yours compromises that, and speaking on the matter honestly and openly—as you claim you want—would be unpleasant for you.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Yeah, sure! It's not pleasant to hear the truth sometimes, y'know? But that's what it is, so you learn to listen to it n' just... now I don't have to wonder or pretend or make up my own reasons why. N' I don't have to think you're keeping weird secrets, or there's something you know that I don't know. Now I know, and I learned something, and now I understand you better. Is it that much of a tragedy? Does that feel like a waste?"

She sighs and stretches out, leaning back on the stairs now. 

"All that stuff makes sense. I still think it'll be fine. Most people decay and break over time anyway, so I don't see how it's different from making any other organic friend from that perspective."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Death is not normal to the supposedly normal people. It creates an unnatural curiosity even if it is a known and common thing. People will want to know why.”

“Maybe my inclination when you are upset is to not jump to another subject that will keep you upset. Moreover what Lami wants from you is more important and less irritating than a discourse about the relevance and craftsmanship of a decaying doll.”

“You are so sensitive about hearing about harm coming to me, it seems reasonable that you might have similar reactions to things you call your friends. Even if I do not necessarily care about them.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Well, you're different. Family's different," she said in a sort of abashed way. "And you don't talk about my friends dying all the time, or me maybe killing my friends, or stuff coming to kill my friends, n' my friends aren't being hijacked by things that pretend to be them telling me about how much I actually REALLY wanna kill them, so I don't have to worry about 'em. And they're mostly not involved in that much dangerous stuff so... y'know. It's easy not to worry about 'em. Feels more like hypotheticals instead of possiblities I guess."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He sighs.

“I’m tired. Too much work.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Fine. Change of subject," she says with an eyeroll. "What does Lami want?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“No. Speak what you wish to speak about. If my voicing that several days of trying to rest being repeatedly interrupted by someone or something bothers you, then you will simply have to swallow that ire. You literally woke me up on the off chance I knew where your friend was, I’m allowed to gripe and complain about my physical state.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Oh." She paused with another sigh. "I thought you meant tired of the conversation. I was more or less done anyway...." She sounded a bit guilty pausing yet again. "...Sorry."

".....You should rest somewhere comfy."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I am up for now, and I can listen.”

“Your voice is not unpleasant.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She sits up, the compliment doing a lot of heavy lifting to her mood. 
"Well, okay then. I really did say just about everything I wanted to about Zozo really. But I guess I just don't get why you're not curious about stuff too. Like you seem to like knowing things, n' you know so much. Surely to get there you ask a lot of questions."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

"Yes, there are a lot of questions. Not sure I get the line of thought."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Aren't you curious about what people think?"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"I wanna know more than just stuff about the world. I like to hear ideas too. Perspectives."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

"I am not sure you could understand what it is you are truly asking me to describe to you, because despite the similarities our starting points were....different enough to make my explanation seem alien."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Well, thing is, being curious, you just made me wanna hear it even more. That's why I get all annoyed when you avoid stuff. Like I REALLY wanna know!"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"And I like hearing about stuff from where you were from."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

"Words are not sufficient is the primary problem."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Oh. Well that's annoying," she says with a laugh. "Have you ever wanted to just... hop in someone's head and see what's going on in there?"

"That's what I wanna do, 'specially in moments like this. N' that's why I end up talking instead."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He sighs again.

"Imagine waking up without a clue about anything at all. No idea what you are, who you are, where you are, what the world even is or the concept of a world at all. You just are, like an empty nothing. But there are echoes. Scars of what was. Pieces of what was left behind clinging to you and choking you. Forcing you to never forget even when your eyes are blinded and your body broken."

"Then you meet people. things to fill in the gaps, purpose to fill that void of what once was inside you."

"It is not that nothing is interesting, it was that everything was so interesting that it was impossible to care about it all. Years and years spent doing nothing but learning and snapping together the broken pieces of what you were. What you could be."

"Then you discover truths that somehow everyone else ignores. You notice that the world is wrong. Reality is wrong. There is an....emptiness in the logic of the world that is like a book without pages. A dried up ocean that no one seems to care is gone."

"You look for someone--anyone as you drown. Surely you are not alone. You cannot be the only one who noticed. You cannot be mad!" 

"But the only ones who noticed are mad. Was this why? Is knowing to invite insanity? Was it wrong to want to know? To care?"

"By then it is too late. You have seen so much, gone so far and learned so much that you can no longer go back. You know everything about the soil you need to know in relation to your bigger questions. The questions that have yet to be answered. You can infer the smaller things--they no longer matter. You do not have time--you will surely go mad but you cannot stop now. There must be a way to stop this world--"

He stops and takes a breath, rubbing at his eyes. 

"...Forget it. Not like it makes any sense anyhow."

"See? Words do not help here."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She shakes her head and slides down a step or so, making to attempt to find some kind of comfortable position next to him on the stairs, rather intent on trying to get close and snuggle despite the stairs being designed to not be a place to do that at all. 

"I dunno, I think it helps. It might not be exactly what you want, but it's more than I had. Some of it makes sense to me. Some of it doesn't. I wasn't really a blank slate, but there was a lot missing so... I get pieces of it. Even if they're small." 

She attempts to wiggle in close. "That was one of the things I got asked before I became aware of anything but how I used to be. Someone asked me if knowing the truth was good even though you wouldn't be able to go back - if it's better living in ignorance or if it's better to know truth even if it's hard. I wasn't really sure then but... I dunno, I think I am now. Truth's addictive!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“That is because you do not yet see the weight of truth. The disinterest that arises as a result. Cherish your feelings now, but do not become addicted to them. For all the time you might have, truth is still finite.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Well, I guess the truths of nature maybe. But the truth of thought and innovation are always new. Imagination... I once thought I'd seen everything there was to see but there was another layer of truth and now there's new mysteries. Who's to say there's not more? Could be infinite"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“You give people too much credit.”

“You will realize how things with worth can become truly worthless someday through sheer persistence.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Maaaybe, but I wanna be the one creating truth eventually. I'll make it so that the state of things is that people won't disappoint me cause they don't want to. I want 'em to understand the truth in possibility! That if you can think of how something can be done, it can be made."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He opened his mouth to say something, but opted against it.

“I would love to be wrong about it.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"I'll make it so you are!" she says with a giggle. "Hopefully your words are tasty cause you're gonna eat 'em. A biiiig feast!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Mhm. Well while you’re at it be sure to talk to Lami. I would hate for mutual procrastination to create unnecessary conflicts.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"What's Lami want anyway that's so important?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“To rejoin your sister’s religion as a true priestess. But her aims will inevitably put her work in contact with yours.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Oh. Weird. Why does she wanna do that? Doesn't seem the type to wanna be pinned down. And she's bossy."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Once, she was going to be my second apprentice. She has the potential to become a hero if she truly wanted it....but I doubt that is the case. She ultimately only cares about what is within her reach, not the ideals of heroism. If I had to make a wild guess, she has recently strengthened herself and extended her reach, but similarly feels the gap between herself and the monsters around the world. Therefore, she is seeking more power. What better power to aim for then than what she felt during your sisters birth? The divinity that courses through her must have left quite an impression. Enough at least to make even the responsibilities of a priestess seem attractive.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Ah. Yeah, I guess I could see that. Not that know her all that well to be fair. I don't think she takes me seriously."

"But what's that got to do with my work? It's not like I'm doing all that much with that stuff. I guess I have some part in it, but it's not like I'm expected to do things there."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I suppose you’ll have to talk to her and see then won’t you?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Guess so!" she says with a sigh. "She better not start telling me what to do though."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Then I suppose you had better wear your crown properly.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Yep! I'll have to show her who's boss! Do you know if she's still in Eorzea, or did she go off on her boat?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Not really. Was days ago.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Hm. Okay. I'll do that soon. When's Tod gonna be let out?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Whenever he makes it to my layer, I will be notified. He is alone so danger is reduced, but so too is progress. Feel free to make bets.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She took the offer literally, her face screwing up into an expression of calculating projection. 

"If he's done by the end of the week, you've gotta make me a bunch of that candy."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“A bunch isn’t an identifiable quantity, but very well.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"I dunno how fast you can make it, but whatever feels like a lot to you! Enough to feel like you're spoiling me."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“More than you already are?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She lets out a little mischievous hum of a laugh, giving him a squeeze, clearly in a good mood that the interaction was going well.

"Yes!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He stands up, stretching a bit.

“I should test my armor again.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She lets him stand up, figuring she probably got a proper dose of cuddling out of him for the time being. She hops up and hops down each step rather loudly until she reaches the bottom. Looking up toward him she puts her hands on her hips like a stern mother enforcing his curfew. 

"Shouldn't you sleep more instead? I won't bug you anymore."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“It keeps getting interrupted by something so I figure working is a good replacement.”

“Not like I have pleasant dreams anyway.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"I could stand guard! If anyone comes to bother you, I'll tell 'em to go away."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He turns his head, chuckling a moment later.

“Seems like you’ve won your bet already.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine's eyes slowly grew wider and the biggest grin broke out onto her face before she she released a satisfied, joyous laugh, literally jumping for joy and hopping around in a circle of victory at the foot of the steps. 

"I knew it! I knew it! Caaaallled it!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Yes yes. Are you actually coming along or are you waiting here?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She stops her jumping and freezes in place, blinking at him. "I get to go?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He did not answer, instead offering her his hand.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She takes his hand without hesitation with a triumphant little giggle.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

He pulls a necklace-like device from around his neck and makes some adjustments before grabbing Novine’s hand and dragging her into the aether.

||A little earlier, within the ruin...||

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Not content with waiting, especially for an unknown time, Tod had set about scanning the perimeter of the building, ensuring his surroundings were safe. After the tension of the other floors, the slow waiting was equally nerve wracking. He had half a mind to explore the floor despite not seeing a building, but decided against it until pressed to do so.

Satisfied his surroundings were clear, he returned to his small camp near the building, reminiscing in the trial he had gone through.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Eligor and Novine arrive some several islands away, deep within a facility. Novine might have felt stress similar to very long distance aetheric teleportation, but regardless the room seemed to be a much larger version of Eligor’s basement laboratory. There were many bits of odd machinery everywhere, perhaps most notably being a series of vats that seemed ready to house people inside.

Eligor walked to the far side of the room, tapping something on the massive terminal there several times until finding what he was after.

“He’s not too far from here. Thought he might land much further off than this.”

“Are you perhaps at all confident in your ability with healing magicks?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

When they left the aether, Novine took a moment to gather her bearings, the momentary discomfort of the travel fading as she shakes off the feeling, looking around herself as she turned on the spot to examine her surroundings. 

"Hmmm, fairly. Can't say I've honed 'em to the point where they'll feel nice and warm, fuzzy, n' comfy to whoever's on the receiving end, but yeah. I've used 'em on myself enough to patch some wounds that probably should bleed but didn't to feel comfortable usin' 'em when they're needed."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“He should hope he is relatively unharmed then. We need but one more small movement. Your hand?”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"I could fix 'im just fine!" she says stubbornly, taking his hand again.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

There is one more, much smaller jump and the two appear nearby on a somewhat mountainous terrain. A miniature aetheryte was hidden beneath a hard layer of ice. Eligor let go of Novine’s hand as they appeared, looking around for Tod and any creatures.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She looks around hungrily as she always does teleporting somewhere new, digesting the details with wide eyes.  There seemed to me an air if anticipation about her, excitement and anticipation, perhaps a slight touch of anxious energy as she was searching for a Tod that wasn't incapacitated amongst the rugged landscape with both her eyes and her aether senses.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

The world around them appeared to be another dimension of sorts. Red skies decorated with searing arcs and bolts of levin, green stars, and purple clouds filling in the skyscape.

There seemed to be an uncountable amount of floating islands in the distance, each connected with glowing light blue and thick cables that seemed to radiate with a dangerous energy. Satisfied with his checks, he turned to Novine again, shrugging a bit.

“Well? I’m sure he would be happier to see you as a reward than myself. Go find him.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Hm... Yeah, probably. ...You're not going, right?" she asks, turning after taking a few probing steps forward, making sure she wasn't being left behind as some weird test.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I’ll follow behind quietly. You seemed sick with worry so I assumed you wanted to say things out of my earshot.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Hmph! I wasn't sick with worry!" she insisted stubbornly, continuing her progress now that she had word from her Father.
 
She walked on, following the feel of Tod's aether with relative ease, even going so far as to temporarily expose the crystals that normally remained hidden in her arms to amplify her ability. She felt relatively safe with her Father being so close.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Eligor did not bother retorting, instead following behind quietly.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Settling into the bushes near his camp, he watched the embers of the fire die down, before withdrawing a whetstone from his pack, and seeing to his weapons. Once he began the familiar task, he eyes would scan the horizon, checking to see if any wildlife had been drawn to the fire and smoke. Satisfied, he turned his gaze back to the knives, ensuring that they remained nick free, scanning the horizon at changing intervals.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She keeps scanning the area, but walks fairly confidently forward now, feeling his aether grow closer and closer. She felt a shiver roll over her, the amount of aether she could feel all at once feeling a bit overwhelming since she wasn't too used to using the other crystals, but they led her onward until she saw the building that would serve as a landmark to Tod's encampment. 

Gazing upon the building, she could see it - bright and brilliant within the bushes, that familiar presence she was used to only enhanced by the amount of it she could perceive. 

"Tod!" she calls unabashedly, having not seen anything on her way that necessitated needing to be quiet. She waves toward the bushes before running over toward them.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

He heard her coming before he saw her. Turning slowly towards her footsteps, he reached for a knife, and sized her up. Noticing the extra crystals on her arm he released his grip on the knife, and emerges slowly from the brush. Tilting his head, he asks "Did Eligor send you?"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She nods enthusiasically, looking over her shoulder to see if he was there behind her as he said he would. "Yeah! I was asking him where you were and he told me all about how you came here to find stuff for your sword. I even bet you'd finish sooner than he thought and he said you finished so he asked if I wanted to come see you." 

She keeps walking toward him, seeing him relax his grip. "You okay? Hurt at all?"

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

He looks towards the building and then back to Novine. Indicating that they should sit by the fire he seats himself and shrugs. "I am not really hurt. I have been patching up any of my wounds, but okay I don't know. It's been... a long... however long it has been. How have you been?"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She moves with him to his encampment and sits down by the fire. 

"Well, if I wasn't thinking you just up and died for like a week 'cause you didn't tell me where you were going any linkpearl didn't work, then I might've been better. But yeah, been fine otherwise. Been looking for you."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Eligor finally appears some short time later, scanning the surroundings before looking Tod over.

“....Was it fun?”

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod raises his left hand in greeting, revealing a bandage wrapped around his palm. Looking at Eligor, and then Novine, and then back, he pauses to think. Finally, he turns to Novine. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have left without letting you know." Then, he turns to Eligor, "Some floors were enjoyable. Others were tolerable. A few were miserable. Overall it was a good reminder of what fighting for your life feels like."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine moves to snatch his arm into her lap. "Gimme that - no sense keeping it all bandaged up when we can heal it instead."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“And you are not dead. I’ll consider that you’ve earned the materials I’ll need to be using then.”

“She was ready to light me on fire over your absence you know. Perhaps you have more value than you realize.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She turns over her shoulder and gives him the glare that a teenager gives their embarrassing father. "I was not! I woke you up nicely and asked normally!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“I never said anything about how you asked.”

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod allows Novine to see to his hand, and smiles slightly. "Apparently I do. What is there left to do?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“For you? Specifying once again what you want from this weapon. Your ideals might have changed on your way down here and I want confirmation about what you actually want from this blade. Beyond that....leaving me to my work.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine takes his arm into hers, grasping his forearm and letting his hand and palm lay against her own forearm, cradled there before allowing her other free hand to hover close over Tod's bandages. She doesn't bother asking about the type of wound or anything, not that experienced of a healer, simply channeling a stream of curative aether his way. It was perhaps a bit too much for the task at hand, a bit too sudden, lacking targeted finesse. Assuming Tod wasn't particularly sensitive to aether, he likely wouldn't be able to feel those things, but Novine's tongue poked out of her mouth as she tried to more finely control it, seeing the waste, the delicate work requiring a bit more focus from her.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Watching as Novine heals the mostly healed wound, he reflects on his time here. He turns to Eligor, "I want a katana that will help keep those I care about near me. To help give the power to keep them near me, so that I can defend them." He laughs, "Too philosophical. A katana that will allow me to channel aether into it to. Preferably with flower designs on the sheath. I think the rest is up to my skill in using it."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Hmmm...”

He states at Novine.

“I suppose I know what I’m doing then.”

“Are you both ready to return?”

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

"Can I come back?"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Why would you?”

“This place is....mine. And your need to journey here has concluded no?”

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

"There are floors I struggled with, and I want to do better. If you would rather I not, that's fine too."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Even when you have seen the concern you caused? Do her feelings mean naught to you?”

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod looks down admonished. He looks at Novine and then back to Eligor. "We can go." Turning towards Novine, he says, "I am sorry for making you worry. We can talk when we get back."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She stops her healing, poking at his wound to test it curiously. "I just didn't know where you went. You can do stuff, just....y'know, it was a long time," she explains sounding abashed with her concern being aired out in such a way. "I'm all for people doing what they think will make 'em stronger n' all." 

She stands up and dusts her self off. "And yeah, I'm ready!"

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Then grab my hand. I’ll activate the key here.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She moves over to Eligor and takes his hand without hesitation.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Looks amused at Novine poking his hand, and nods. "I am sorry I didn't consider your feelings." Flexing his hand he smiles. "Much better, thank you." Then, he takes Eligors hand as well. "Thank you both."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Eligor removes the key from around his neck and activates it, pulling the both of them into the aether with him again. One exceedingly long journey later and the group reformed outside of Novine’s estate, a familiar Lalafell woman in a suit waiting nearby.

Eligor snapped the key in half after this, handing it to the woman who swiftly and quietly removed it from view in one practiced motion.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

With the familiar estate now in view, Tod lets go of Eligors hand, and falls back onto the grass, finally letting his guard down. Staring up at the sky, he takes a couple deep breaths, content with being safe once more.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine stretches a bit as they emerge from the aether, looking to Tod. "You alright? It was a long way. Probably felt pretty weird. Takes a bit out of you!"

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod sits up to look at Novine, before laughing. "It's not so much the travel as the lack of a need to be hyper aware of my surroundings. I doubt anything will try to kill me on sight here, aside from maybe the house if I am rude to it." Leaning back on the ground again, he sighs. "I need a nice bath and then sleep..."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“And I have work to return to—“

The Lalafell waiting quietly nearby coughed into her hand, prompting Eligor to pinch the bridge of his nose.

“I’ll have something to eat and leave.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Well, there's nothing comfy like that here. Kinda designed to be uncomfy so that people will wanna do their work instead of lazing around."

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod raises his eyebrows, and shrugs. "I can go in the river, I wasn't expecting a bath waiting for me. Can we go up to your room after?"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Yeah, sure. Again - not a comfy room, can't stress that more. I could put you in the treatment bed downstairs though if you want it to be comfy. I rest in there sometimes! Might be kinda... claustrophobic for some though."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“What do you need in her room exactly?”

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod laughs. "You say this every time. I know not to expect much."

"Nothing particular? Time alone with her? Why do you ask?"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She rolls her eyes. "Not like anything weird's gonna happen. He's all tired and stuff."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Men have several sources of energy depending on purpose.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She wrinkles up her face. "Gross."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

“Mhm, it would be gross to die that way.”

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"No one's gonna die," she says with a sigh.

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Smoke begins to filter out of his mouth, but the woman in the suit quietly grabs Eligor by the ear and drags him into the house while he protested somewhat loudly.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She shakes her head and sighs. "It's sweet n' all but it's annoying. Makes a girl wanna sneak around, y'know?" She stands up and offers him her hand to help pull him up. "If that last teleport weren't so long, I'd suggest going to a hotspring or something but... I dunno, probably should give it a rest."

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod accepts her hand and nods. "I will content myself with the river then." Tugging off his mail and gauntlets he nods, and prepares to head down to the river. "You going to come with or wait here?"

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"I'll come. What if you  muscles decide to die and then you drown n' no one's there to pull you out?" She starts heading down there herself.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod looks at her, and then smiles, before following down to the river. "Sounds like a plan."

<fc #cd5c5c>''[Eligor]''</fc>

Eligor did not reappear, but somewhere plans for death were being made.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She walks mostly in silence, but eventually breaks it. 

"Father exaggerated a bunch but.. yeah. Don't do that again. Disappearing without saying anything. Freaks me out. You can do what you want, just y'know... I wanna know what's happening. It's one thing if you can't help it, but it's when you can."

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod stops to look at her, a frown forming on her face. He bows deeply. "I am sorry. It shouldn't be an excuse, but I have been alone for so long that I am not used to thinking about how others feel." Rising from his bow, he continues. "I missed you too. I should have let you know, and I will in the future."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

She kept walking, apparently that being enough for her. 

"You don't need to do all that. The bowing and stuff. ...I get it though. The alone thing."

"ANYWAY, how do you feel now? Learn anything cool?"

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod looks away, a little sad. "I don't need to, but it feels right. I need to apologize." Continuing to walk he shakes his head. "Not really anything new. Mostly just reminding me of the past. When life and death were separated by an ilm. That things should flow together."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Hmm... Do you feel stronger then?" She asks following the hill down and letting the downward slope pull her at a faster clip as they neared the water.

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod takes a moment to think as they near the water. Tugging off his armor, he sits on the edge, feet dangling into the water. Leaning back once more he shrugs. "I don't know. I hope so. I can't say for certain without fighting again, but I was reminded of a lot of things. Perhaps they can reinforce what is already there."

With that he slips into the water, diving below the surface and resting on the bottom, enjoying the weightless feeling swimming brought.

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

Novine stayed near the edge of the water, closing her eyes and tilting her head back as if basking in something. The crystals in her arms emerged again, having earlier disappeared and retreated back into her skin. 

"Hm. I see," she answers simply. "...Father didn't trick you to go in there or anything did he? Like you had a choice?"

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Upon hearing the question, Tod lazily floats to the surface. "I don't believe so. When we originally talked about forging the katana, he had mentioned that he didn't have the materials. I offered to get them, and he said it would be challenging, but it might help me train." He pauses, thinking some more. "I probably should have told you at the point that I was getting myself into trouble huh..."

<fc #9400d3>''[Novine]''</fc>

"Ah, was more wondering if Father was being... difficult. He doesn't seem to like the guys I hang out with. Weird and protective, so I wanted to make sure it wasn't some dumb reason he was sending you out." 

She settled into a comfortable position on the ground, her crystals facing upward as to not touch anything, wiggling into place. "Lemme know when you're done - All that travel's got me feeling a bit zapped so I'm gonna recharge a bit."

<fc #ff00ff>''[Tadashi]''</fc>

Tod pulls himself up to the shore, before sitting next to Novine gently, and carefully wraps an arm around her. "I don't think so. It seemed dual purpose, but perhaps there was a dumb reason. And we both need to recharge. I haven't slept right in ages..."

----

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