IC: After Cheshire/Jabberwock's game

[stigmateyes]

[So one mage might've overnighted the clinic to ensure his stupid king actually slept amid the chaos. Did he sleep himself? Who knows? But, this fine dawn finds him up and hard at work CLEANING ALL THE THINGS.]

Comments

[madasahero]

[Ryner's stupid king is awkwardly lying in one of the clinic beds after a not!nap, following the man's activities with dumbfounded eyes]

[stigmateyes]

[You know what these floors needed? A good scrubbing. Yep.]

[madasahero]

[:Oa]

...I thought I'd never utter these words in my entire life, but maybe you could use some rest.

[stigmateyes]

What are you talking about? I feel great! Man, I never realized how much there's to do in this place.

[madasahero]

[laughs]

There, there. Are you planning to be the new Sion Astal?

[stigmateyes]

Hey, I'm actually in shape for it. Speaking of that, how was your rest? You better not have half-assed it. I worked pretty hard to cover things for you.

[madasahero]

[It sucked, but Ryner is trying so hard it's breaking his heart. :(]

Ah, it was better than usual.

[stigmateyes]

[Coming over there, even more disheveled than usual and probably scuffed up from his work. Taking hand.]

I guess that's something, huh?

[madasahero]

[Spontaneous touching, how does one react?

S-squeezing his hand back.]

You are terrifying me.

[stigmateyes]

Haah, sorry, it's pretty weird for me too, you know. Feeling all these crazy impulses when I'm used to just complaining and hiding someway to get some sleep. But...

[Leans forehead against his.]

I guess it's not completely bad. Sion doesn't have to worry as much while I'm like this. And the other stuff... it seems a lot quieter right now.

[madasahero]

[Sighs, feeling very conflicted. He leans forward to meet him midway, touching his shoulder very lightly.]

Do you wish it was always like that?

[stigmateyes]

[A flurry of uncertainties linger at the edge of his mind, but whatever interference has resulted from Cheshire's game, it overpowers any doubts, leaving only confidence.]

... Right now I do.

[madasahero]

[Leaning a little closer]

I could make it true.

[madasahero]

[...And then pulling back]

But ahhhh, later you'd accuse me of taking advantage of you.

[stigmateyes]

Definitely.

[madasahero]

[Curling a strand of black hair around his finger.]

Deep inside, you will regret that I didn't, though.

[stigmateyes]

[Swatting hand.]

That doesn't even make any sense.

[madasahero]

[Using his now free hand to toss his own hair sideways and then pausing to give him a lingering look.]

Doesn't it.

[stigmateyes]

I'm pretty sure I'm not going to regret you saying something perverted. And it's not like I know how Sion could make it true.

[madasahero]

[Lying back again and staring at the clinic's ceiling]

Ah, what I meant is... I could make it true. The way you feel now. It doesn't have to be just a Persona's trick. It could be our choice, it could be real.

[But then he is the one who sent Luke after him and Froaude after all those nobles. Is it alright to want to believe his words so much that they feel almost real? Then again, if it is for Ryner, maybe he could...

Maybe he could believe those useless words a little too, and make them their destiny. In fact, it would be unthinkable to not do so.]

[stigmateyes]

Our choice... ?

[madasahero]

You could simply choose to be with us, to be completely with us. And no matter what they did to us, they would never win, they would never stop us from seeking what is best, and what is right. Isn't that what you wrote about during those two years? Isn't that what you wished for everyone else? Those things...I wished for you too.

[Softly]

I know I have no right, but for the two of you, I certainly would never stop moving forward until I achieved that goal...Until you could just choose to be. Until I saw Ryner as he is now, and that became real.

[stigmateyes]

[Reaching forward to push back some of Sion's hair.]

Ahh, I just want everyone to be happy. Sion too. If that means I have to be there too, I guess I'm all right with that. I'd give anything to keep that. Anything.

[madasahero]

[Blinking at more spontaneous physical contact, but leaning towards towards his hand]

Not anything, I hope.

[stigmateyes]

[Awkward laugh.]

Ahh, well, you know...