⚔ // stress in solitude

[discutio]

[Once Saturn had left, Ignis took a slow breath to steady himself before standing and speaking again.]

I think we have a fair amount of things to discuss, after that. But we'll also need to rest and recover here; We may be able to take it at Saturn's word that he won't alert Cyrus to us, but overstaying our welcome by more than a couple of days is unwise--that means we need to take advantage of this as much as we can.

[Strategy was easier. The words came naturally, and he was able to hold focus.]

If anyone needs me or wishes to assist, I'll be in the kitchen. I'm aware we just ate, but I presume we'll all be more comfortable if one of our own makes breakfast in the morning.

Comments

Pool

[takestheblame]

[A Magikarp comes by, swimming in the pool. Not too long afterwards, Kiryu appears, looks like he's following the fish]

It's the most beautiful skies I have seen in a long time. When you're in a city you can't see the sky so well.

[takestheblame]

Are you trying to get him to leave a footprint?

[Well that seems like an easy deduction, given the ink and the paper on the floor. What Kiryu can't guess is why Kayneth would want this]

[discutio]

...I rather thought it would be a large amount, yes. Are you alright?

[takestheblame]

I better start working, then. [Kiryu rolls up his sleeves] Got anything specific in mind or are you cooking anything that's crossing your mind?

[Kiryu's fine with cooking whatever Ignis wants, although he's not that good at cooking yet. That's supposed to happen in a few years]

[hyruglyphics]

[ Thud, it's on the counter. Well, not thud more like heavy bag of rice shifting. ]

Y-yes! I just thought to be sure.

[hyruglyphics]

It was all I could manage not to have my own outburst.

[ and she sort of did at the end, even if she gussied it up. But she responds with that gentle voice of hers, trying to sound ... you know, reassuring. She's got Miphanus the Beldum out of course, but also the Lickitung. ... Who might be trying to use its tongue to fish for the Magikarp. ]

[semistableman]

Thanks. It'll be better than my vegetable stew.

[Because, of course, his "vegetable stew" had been made with rice, beans, and bitter berries. He takes a moment to stand up, moving towards the table, taking a seat, and trying to at least make some noise when walking.

It's hard to remember, moving silently is so hardcoded into him.]

I'll be fine.

[It's not the same thing as saying he's fine, and he knows it, but Bucky's too proud to say anything else.]

Pool

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael's here too, just sort of lounging with his Pokemon. His tie's undone around his neck and his suit jacket's off; even poolside, that's about as undressed as he ever seems to get.]

It's weird not to recognize any of the stars, isn't it?

[anythingforyou]

Really? That's about the same time I started to cook...was it simply out of interest in such things, or was it expected of you?

[discutio]

...likewise.

[Admitting some fault or hesitation was nigh impossible for him--so Ignis just folded his arms and leaned back against the wall.]

That was...an ordeal.

[discutio]

...

[Ignis paused, as if the question itself was one he'd never actually considered.]

A...bit of both. It wasn't strictly expected of me, but I took on the responsibility.

[discutio]

I'm thinking garden curry--straightforward, simple, and vegetarian. How does that sound?

[semistableman]

It was.

[He sighs.]

I understand what he's going through, some of it. I was more like him than myself four years ago.

[discutio]

Thank you--I do appreciate it, truly.

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla does seem to rise up a bit when she feels the fish go by, but she smiles once she sees Kiryu. She'll bring her feet a little higher, then, so the poor thing doesn't bop into them.]

It's truly dreadful, isn't it? The stars are such bright, wonderful little treats of the night sky; it's such a shame to be unable to see them. The lights of the city are terrible, but it's even worse when it's cloudy all the time...

[discutio]

I-...yeah.

[The words caught in his throat despite his best attempt, the thought ending well before it could be articulated.]

I meant what I said--I can understand the devotion if absolutely nothing else.

[hyruglyphics]

I said that I would help.

[ And she can do more. She can cook? But right now, she'll just play ingredient girl and that's fine. Or they could talk but . . . she's not sure what to address Ignis on. If anything. ]

[discutio]

And I'm extending my gratitude for it.

...Are you alright, after all of that?

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla sits up when Michael speaks up, thinking for a moment...]

...You know, I actually hadn't considered that. It's a little rare to see the stars in Nohr to begin with, but you're right; I haven't been able to make out any of the constellations from home at all.

It...really emphasizes how far away we are.

[hyruglyphics]

I am, yes.

[ Comes her quick answer. She shifts a little here, glancing at Miphanus, who is just sort of floating there in the kitchen. ]

Honestly, those negotiations went better than I might've hoped.

[eudaimonikos]

I doubt they all are. Though I can't imagine what their deal would be, to be genuinely into all this...you know, independent of all the weird Cyrus worship.

[eudaimonikos]

It's not something I used to think about a lot. But I do know what the stars look like from Earth. Think I could recognize them from most angles. We're so completely apart from anything we might have known.

[discutio]

I was expecting more tension as well, yes. That wasn't all that bad, ultimately.

[eudaimonikos]

You're confident, still, that you will?

[semistableman]

Yeah.

[Bucky doesn't know what else to say.]

Stripping you down until you're nothing, telling you they're the only one who can help you, that you're damaged and need fixing...

If the other leaders are worse than he is, we have our work cut out for us.