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Car Battery!

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[umbralsound-xiv]

An Unexpected Friend.

Idle steps wander down the hall, Vex idly tapping her fingers against a cloth wrap she had woven around an item she was carrying, gaze trailing along the doors of the hallway before settling upon the one leading to the infirmary. With a small flick of her ear, her steps lead her to it - a hand settling on the door's handle and pushing it down to open it up and slip by, letting it close behind her. ".. Helloo?"

Sat on the bed at the most distant part of the infirmary, Q'kura's breath catches in his throat at the sound of the door, and a voice he'd not expected; Neoma's gentle tone he'd grown used to, and any other had immediately set him on edge. This voice, however, he knew. "…Hello…?" He calls back, nerves threading his tone, slowly closing the book he'd held in his hands.

Neoma? No... No, it doesn't sound like her. But then, it doesn't sound like Bexy, or Sayuri, or... ...Vex?

Vex's ear flicks again as it picks up Q'kura's voice, her steps leading her further into the infirmary to find him. "Just me." She tries to reassure, leaning against the wall with her shoulder. ".. How are you feeling?"

He seems to relax a little as Vex pulls into view, and upon noting there were no other footsteps with her, gives a small sigh. "As well as i can be, considering. I'm practically confined to an infirmary either here or back at the compound, and people seem fit to yell at me in either one." His words are a little sharp, but he swallows back, a little jittery. "…But it's quiet here, at least. And the food is better." Glancing down, he almost murmurs; "The people, too…"

".. Yeeah.." Vex exhales a small huff, grimacing slightly. ".. I mean. At least it ain't yelling at you without cause. Like Eanwin." She snorts. "..She's one loud, mean fuck." Her gaze sinks to the wrapped up item in her hand, which she slowly extends over to place it on the table, in Q'kura's reach. ".. Speaking of food, I brought you some. Y'know. If you get hungry later. Or now. Choice is yours."

"Gods, i could be a hundred malms away and i swear i can still hear her damned voice…" Midway through his complaint, he spies Vex as she nears, sitting a little further upright to nudge his glasses further up his nose. Though as the bundle of food is settled down with a little explanation, his lips part to say… Nothing. Instead, they downturn to a little frown, looking back up to her. "…That… Answers a question i have had for a little while…"

...She brought me food? I... Why would she... ...It was her. Wasn't it? When Bexy let me free, and i woke in the shade with my pockets full...

"I mean, I swear I've heard her in the arena while she's been in the infirmary. Wouldn't be too surprised if I heard her all the way here from the Compound." Vex flashes a little grin, only to tilt her head curiously. ".. What question?"

"When i--- When she--- When they let me go. I walked out of the cell, and then it all went dark, and i woke up propped against a tree in the shade. My pocket---" He takes the small bundle, ears lowering as he looks up to Vex, eyes a little wider. "…That was you. Wasn't it?"

Vex pauses, but offers a nod in response. "Yeah, gathered up some scraps of things to, y'know.. Make it seem like you scavenged things in a hurry, if you were found before you woke up." One ear tilts back a touch. ".. I would've given more otherwise."

"That was… Kind." Q'kura replies, words spoken carefully with a waver. Taking the fabric, he slowly unwraps the bundle to reveal a sandwich. The very notion of it brings a flicker of a smile to his lips, before he brings his attention to her more fully, then. "…Why? I, of all people. You know i don't deserve it…"

"I have my moments. And-- I wasn't sure what you like.. but I like cheese, so there's cheese." Vex grins, tilting her head. "Well.." Her voice trails, grin fading a touch. ".. You're far from the worst one. And I.. believe you want to change. Hard to change if no one gives you a chance, though."

Her little proclamation about her favoured food brings a small huff of a laugh out of him, though it's quick to fade away. "…I still don't deserve it. The others--- The Distrusted. They want nothing to do with me, and who can blame them? Bexy, Sayuri… What i did…" Slowly, he shakes his head. "…It was wrong. I know that… Not just because it all blew way out of proportion, but…" He sighs, swaying only his good leg. "…Thank you, Vex. For… At least giving me a chance…"

"Well, you're getting it." Vex pouted, almost childishly. "Hey, half the Distrusted didn't want shit to do with me either, and I am one." She snorted with some slight amusement. ".. They have their reasons to be mad, I won't deny that.. But if they can see that you're really trying to be better.. I think they'll be more willing to listen." She pauses, ears tilting back. ".. I'd suggest trying to apologise to Eir but I really don't know how that'd go, and Sayuri might get pissed about you being close to him.." She half-mumbles, furrowing her brows. ".. Hey. You're not as bad as I thought. So, uh--.. I'm sorry I said you had a shitty personality."

"…I always thought you kept your distance on purpose. Can't hurt you if you don't care about anyone, hm?" He raises a brow over the frame of his glasses, before quietly shaking his head. "I… Still don't know what to do. I can't show i'm trying too much, or the others will catch on. But not enough, and they won't think me sincere…" At the suggestion of an apology, Q'kura thins his lips. "…What am i supposed to say? Sorry for orchestrating your kidnapping so we could use you as bait for your wife?" Cringing, the expression mellows into some muted sadness as he sighs again. "…But you're right."

The whole thing is just... Such a mess. And it's my fault. If i'd not had that idea... If i'd not done what i did... No, no there's no use thinking about it now. I just have to use this head of mine to... Try and think of a way out. Not just for me, but for the rest of the distrusted.

".. I did. All the trouble I caused made folks avoid me, which was what I wanted. Couldn't hurt anyone because they weren't my friends, hurting me directly was nothing new." She gave a small shrug, then paused. ".. If you can get Matoyan out to meet me, I can talk to him, vouch for you.. He'll trust me." Her head leaned against the wall, crimson eyes resting atop of Q'kura as a low hum escaped her. ".. If being around Matoyan make folks suspicious.. D'khoreh can be a middle-man. He's a fellow healer, afterall. Nothing weird there." She paused. ".. If he dares, anyway." A grimace took to her features at the apology, shoulders drawing into a shrug. ".. Fuck, I don't know."

"I don't know him well enough, but i wager he'd go if he knew it was you. D'khoreh…" Q'kura's features soften at the name. "…It's not that i don't trust him, but i worry if he's caught. No offense to the boy, but… If this is what's left of me…" His bespectacled gaze darts to his wounded leg, a little pained in his features for doing so, "…There'll be nothing left of him, if Vairg gets hold of him."

Gods, anyone but D'khoreh. He's a sweet kid. He doesn't deserve it.

".. I mean. Matoyan stepped in between me and Ariq more than once, so. And tried to keep me quiet on more than once occasion when I was about to get myself into shit." She drew her shoulders into a small shrug, grimacing. ".. Don't know if Vairg would go directly for him, or target D'nhehli. Chances are he'd fuck both of 'em up.. But D'khoreh is good at keeping a low profile." Another pause. "… When he doesn't overheal patients he isn't allowed to." Her gaze trails to Q'kura's leg, a small frown growing on her features. ".. Fuck, Vairg sucks."

"I don't think you need me to tell you how terrible Ariq was. A brainless imbecile, yes, but at least you could see him for what he was. Vairg is…" A shudder dances down Q'kura's spine, tail writhing beside him. "…He's got a brain, and knows how to use it. And a mean streak a malm wide. It's just…" Q'kura sighs, wavering a little as he turns his gaze to Vex again. "…If i didn't have to go back i… I don't think i would."

"Oh, I got pretty familiar with how shit Ariq was." She grimaces, arms rising to fold before her chest. ".. Starting to think I should've waited with killing Ariq until after Vairg was dead." She lofts a brow at him, but sinks her head into a small nod. ".. Can't fault you there. Sadly, they're not fond of.. quitters."

"…The only way you get out is through some immense stroke of luck, or in a bodybag. And there wasn't nearly enough of Ariq left to put in one, after what you did to him." The words leave with another grimace; Likely, Q'kura had seen the aftermath firsthand. "…No, it was deserved from you. Better you got to him before someone got bored and decided to stir things up. I… Have an awful feeling Vairg would have become left hand, one way or another…"

".. Diiid leave him a bit crispy. And sliced." Vex muttered. ".. He deserved what he got, would've made it worse if I had the time to." One hand raised to idly rub her nose, retreating back to its folded state. ".. Getting as chummy with Grym as he was, chances are he'd aim for it even if Ariq wasn't dead yet." She wrinkles her nose. "..Someone has to like him, I guess."

"Grym, Sukh, and whoever else in those halls who's devoid of taste." Q'kura's nose wrinkles so pointledly he has to adjust his glasses to keep them in place. "…At least it was you." A long, almost awkward silence passes, as Q'kura glances down to his sandwich. "…Vex?" He asks, a little quietly. "…Do you think… By the end of all of this. If… I somehow make it through…" His words trail, hushed, as though anxious to speak them. "…Do you think she'll truly let me live?"

It had crossed my mind more than once. What if it's just a ploy to use me, then kill me when i've done what i've been asked...? ... I'd probably deserve it.

Vex's own nose wrinkles in unison with Q'kura's, head shaking slightly. ".. Well, it was the least the universe could grant me after everything." She huffs, lifting her gaze a touch as he speaks her name. ".. Well, Bexy left your fate to Sayuri, and while she's mad at you.. I think she'll let you live, as long as you do your part."

"…Mist didn't seem so sure." Q'kura replies, a little uneasy. "…Her Husband, Vex. I orchestrated his capture and whilst -- Yes -- I did keep him from death's door, and ensured he could walk, which is more than i'm capable of doing for myself… If it wasn't for me…" Q'kura allows the rest of his sentence to hang, feeling as though he didn't need to finish it.

".. I know. I was at the wedding." Vex's lips thin. ".. You cured her aether troubles, too. Sure, most of these things.. probably wouldn't have happened, but not even that can be sure considering.. They had already been seen, and I think the entire Compound knows Grym has a fucking obsession with Sayuri, they'd still be hounded."

Q'kura sighs. For a long moment, he doesn't reply, but a small flicker of a smile tugs his lips regardless. "…You know, Vex…" He picks a little at the bread of his sandwich, before he raises it to take a bite. "…You're a lot smarter than you're given credit for."

Vex pauses, giving Q'kura a prolonged stare before she cracks a grin, a faint laugh passing her lips shortly afterwards. "Thanks?" She grins. ".. To be fair, people usually assume I'm an idiot because of how I am, but I'm not actually that dumb."

"Smart enough not to leave in a bodybag. You're… People smart. You seem to know who to trust, who to make allies with, and who to keep as enemies. So…" Taking a deep breath, as though some important announcement would shortly follow, Q'kura continues. "…I trust you when you tell me Matoyan will trust me. That… Sayuri won't kill me when this is all over. I don't… I… Don't really have anyone else in this world i can trust, but… If you can trust me to try and be better then… I have to trust you. Right…?"

".. I mean. Did try to get 'em to kill me, but.. They wouldn't." She mutters. ".. It ain't the easiest to figure out, who you can or can't trust.. A lot can be seen through actions, if someone's willing to stick their neck out for you, or if they just said they would and left you to the shit on your own." There's a small pause, as a surprisingly genuine smile settles on Vex's lips. "Matoyan knows I don't trust easy, so having me vouch for you should be enough. He may be suspicious, at first.. But he'll warm up to you. Ain't as scary as he looks." Her ears wilt a touch at Q'kura's words, the smile fading. ".. I will argue it, if Sayuri starts getting other thoughts. I don't think she will, but fuck knows what'll happen." There's a small pause, her tail tucking a little closer to herself. ".. You don't have to trust me, trust ain't a thing that can be forced.. But I'd like you to."

"I'm… Choosing to. Thank you, Vex." One half of the sandwich is offered to her, as some kind of cheese flavoured peace treaty for them to eat in solidarity. Though, soon after Q'kura sinks his teeth into another bite of his own, his head tilts. "…You… Tried to get them to kill you? So that you could leave…?"

Vex flashes an appreciative smile as she accepts the offered half, pushing herself away from the wall to instead approach the nearby chair and, in a fashion most common to the Seeker, seats herself and yanks her legs up to fold them. She took a bite of her sandwich half, tilting her head at Q'kura and giving a nod. "Never asked to be there, no matter how many times I ran away.. Gala'ra and Burwenna always found me and hauled me back. I riled up Ariq as much as I did because I hoped he'd snap and just kill me." The words are spoken significantly more casually than they should be, accompanied by a small shrug.

Q'kura gives a pointed frown, mid-sandwich bite at her words, ears lowering atop his head. "…I've… Seen your infirmary record, Vex. I know you've been in plenty of scrapes, but…I never thought that was your intention, that you'd just…" Shaking his head, his skin prickles at the chill that dances down his back. "…I… Can't decide if it's more brave, or more… Sad. But for what it's worth i'm… Glad you got out in a kinder way."

...That's terrifying. She's been just a kid through most of it. To have such dark thoughts to escape all of this... ...I'm a coward, and even i'm too afraid to consider it. ...Fuck, Q'kura. What the hell were you thinking, joining these people, being a part of... This? I... Never wanted this. Too blinded by power, i couldn't see what i'd done... Too high and mighty even to care. ...I'm going to be different. I'm going to change.

".. Stupid, probably." Vex offers a small shrug. ".. I was prepared to jump off the cliff at the Burning Wall when I got cornered that sun, only to discover it fucked with my collar and I could fight back. Then Bexy and one more found us, helped me." She manages a small smile. ".. I appreciate it, Q'kura. And I hope to get you out, as well."

"I… Hope so too. I'll try. If nothing else, i'll promise you that. Mist says i can come here so long as i have an escort -- That is, someone can bring me through the aether to lessen the chance of me being followed. I'll bring news to Matoyan, and… Hopefully, he'll trust me enough to follow me and talk to you."

Vex sinks her head into a nod. "That's good, at least. I know you won't be able to be here too frequently, partially because of Eanwin.. But it's still nice that you can get away from that for a bit." She smiles faintly. "Well.. Matoyan hasn't seen me since Eir and Sayuri's escape, since Grym locked me up afterwards, where I stayed until Ket let me out. So here's hoping he won't ask too much, and will just go for it."

"Here's to hoping…" Q'kura trails, finishing the rest of the half sandwich he'd been given. "And… Trusting, too. Neoma wants to look at my knee a little longer, but once she's done, i shouldn't stay too much longer. Suspicion and people coming looking for me is the very last thing i want, for a vast number of reasons."

Vex glances over to Q'kura's knee, ears folding back. ".. I hope it can be fixed. And yeah, that's.. fair. Really don't need that."

"…I hope so too. But i…" Q'kura sighs, trailing his fingers over the wounded knee beneath the fabric. "…I doubt it. Improved is perhaps the best i can hope for."

Vex frowns weakly, forcing the expression aside shortly thereafter to flash a small grin instead. "Well, if I ever get the chance to, I'll return the favour."

"Hah! I should like to see that!" Q'kura gives a smile of his own, but that too fades just as fast, ears wilting at even the prospect of it. "---From a considerable distance away, perhaps…"

Vex tilts her head, grinning widely. "If anything, hear about it later when another healer has been thrown at the task to fix it."

"…That too, but i'd prefer if neither of us had to encounter that bastard at all. Still, he's likely going to want an explanation for my absence. I'd be tempted to tell him i was avoiding his ill temper, were it not for the backlash i'd undoubtedly get."

"I'll fight him one day. I hope." Vex hums, idly drumming her fingers against her calves. ".. M'yeah, maybe… not say that. Hm.." She lightly rocks from side to side, head tilting. ".. Take a detour to Ul'dah, get some medical supplies?-- If you need them. Fuck do I know, I'm not a healer."

"You know plenty, just not about healing. But yes, perhaps i will. I'm of rank enough that simply telling them i was attending to some personal matters should be enough. None of them bother to ask much about my life anyway. I can use that to my advantage."

Vex offers a quick nod. ".. Sometimes, folks not knowing shite about you is pretty good."

Q'kura nods. "…True enough. I learned a little about you, at least." He makes an attempt to offer a friendly smile. "…You're smarter than you seem." He pauses. "…And you like cheese."

"That's about all there is to me." Vex grins, ears twitching. "I'd like to get to know you better, too. If you're willing."

"…For all my smarts, i can't say i'm terribly interesting. I could bore you to death detailing the inner workings of arcanima and the like. Hm." He nudges his glasses up his nose, once again. "…My favourite colour is green. And i… Also like cheese..?" He's trying.

This conversation is... I don't know. It doesn't feel like i'm trying to justify myself, or she's trying to learn anything to hurt me, it's just... It's... Nice. It's like i have a friend in this world, even if... That's probably a stretch...

His attempt is enough to bring a wide grin to Vex's lips, clearly appreciating it. "Can't say I get much about arcanima, I'd probably barely know how to use aether if it weren't for me learning a little to control my condition better." She hums. "Green is nice, and hey! Liking cheese is very important information."

Q'kura lightly rolls his shoulders. "I like all food. Cheese is one of the better ones." He says with an awkward, faint smile, before he glances over Vex again. "…Condition. You're… Aspected, as it's called in the occasional journal. Others call it misaligned, tainted, corrupted, or cursed. Where i've seen the damage it's done to Bexy and Sayuri both, you seem to get along with your aether… Just fine."

"I haven't found a food I dislike yet either." She pauses, thinning her lips. "… Unless I don't peel oranges but no one told me that." She huffs, but grins. Her head tilts, then sinks into a nod. "Many names for it, most of them negative. And, well.. I guess I haven't reached a point in using it enough. Both Bexy and Sayuri use theirs often, like when they fight.. But I avoided using it for the slavers, and only really started using it against them.." She pauses, shrugging. ".. No clue if it's connected or not, to be honest."

"…It could be. It's not exactly a field people have had much chance to study, considering the ethics of testing." Q'kura gestures vaguely at Vex. "I only know as much as i do because of helping Sayuri. Fascinating subject… If not a little terrifying."

"Yeeah, I don't think most of us would enjoy being tested on.. and judging by all the negative names for us, chances are that many are.. distrusting." Vex idly taps her leg, body swaying in a faint rock from side to side. ".. I was lucky, to land be born to people who still loved me, and thought to teach me to control it better. I know.. Sayuri wasn't." Her ears droop a touch. ".. It'd be interesting to try to find the limit what we can do, but.. I'd also worry about it hurting the one doing it."

"People fear what they don't understand. And… Well, suppose i do understand it and that makes it somehow that much more frightening, but you get what i mean." As she speaks of her family, his ears wilt a little. Rather than speak on it, he simply offers a small, slow nod. "…It would be interesting to observe from a distance. Perhaps--- Perhaps if i'm ever free, if i ever get the chance to become a doctor again… I could try to specialize…"

"..Frightening because you understand it, or because you know that someone with that power is pretty mad at you?" Vex tilts her head. ".. Hey. You're on the list of folks I want to get out. You're getting out." She flashes an awfully confident grin, which slowly fades as she mulls over her next words. ".. Why did you join 'em?"

His ears wilt near immediately. "---Gods, you don't have to remind me. But both. Aether that should by all accounts be deadly, but to people like you it proves anything but. But even then… It alters aspects, be they more obvious like colouration, or less so, like the inner workings of a body." Realising he's half rambling, Q'kura clears his throat, nudging his glasses upwards once again. Though Vex's question seems to have him less at ease. "…I… Well. They… Saw what i could do. For once, i was valued for my knowledge. They offered me a place to live, regular food - I'd never have to miss a meal again - And… Power. Back then, that's all i could have wanted…" "-- Wasn't meant as a reminder, sorry." Vex grimaces. ".. I don't always word things the way I should, but.. I'm working on it." She huffs, one ear lifting as he speaks. ".. I don't even know if I've been altered in any way, kinda hard to tell when you've always had it and it ain't obvious, y'know?" She pauses, tilting her head at Q'kura's answer to her previous question, ears tilting back a touch. ".. For once." She echoed. ".. Were you not.. before? You're, like.. Probably one of the smartest ones in the Compound." There's another small pause, before she continues. "..Granted many of them are real fucking dumb, but.. Even next to those who aren't, you kinda stick out." Her fingers idly drum against her leg, nodding slowly. ".. Not starving is nice. And.. I guess power does have some appeal to.. most, in different situations."

I remember the sun they asked me. My stomach had growled like a coeurl the whole sun, sitting empty for almost a sennight, it was a wonder i could stay conscious. I was... Desperate, but i was hungry. For food, for power. They offered both in spades... How could i have ever refused?

"Perhaps… Though it's not like there's exactly many people to ask. I know Bexy and Sayuri's element is the same, but there even still plenty of differences between them, besides." A small, pained expression brushes over his features, clear discomfort taking his expression. "…No, not really. My tribe, my family were…" He doesn't really finish the sentence, merely crinkles his brow in recollection, before shaking his head. "My mind is all i've ever really had. I wasn't… Just --- Strength is all that mattered, and there was no room for someone like me. When you've spent your whole life answering to people like that, and someone offers you a sliver of power… It was hard to resist. I couldn't."

".. I know there's someone with lightning, but I haven't met 'em myself. Only know that Grym knows of her. Don't know how willing she'd be to chat." Her ears wilt at Q'kura's expression, and then words, head lowering a touch. ".. I'm sorry that's the kind of shit you grew up with. I.. get why you struggled to resist."

Q'kura seems to brighten at the prospect of others to speak with, to study… Before he seems to simmer, somewhat reluctant. "…I don't know. But i think it's best if… I don't drag anyone else into this mess. I already didn't mean to come here. Perhaps if…" He glances to Vex, then. "---When i am free." A small pluck of his shoulders, then. "I knew it was wrong. But i didn't care, back then. I was drunk on power, on authority. I'd not blame people if i was never forgiven. I don't deserve it."

".. I mean. Grym sent folks after her. She's in this mess whether or not she wants to be." Vex shrugs lightly. ".. But, yeah. I haven't met her yet." Her head tilts, and nods sharply at the 'when'. "..If folks weren't deserving of being forgiven, we wouldn't need forgiveness to be a thing. You're far from the worst, and you want to change." She pauses, lofting a brow. ".. Some people are beyond forgiveness. Like Grym, Vairg, Ariq.. But I think you can be forgiven. With Sayuri in particular, it.. will take time. A long time."

"…I do. I didn't think there was a way out, before. Just to keep climbing, and climbing, to ensure i'm not at the bottom. But you escaped; So have others. And i just…" Taking a deep breath, he calms his nerves, some. "…I want to just… Be a doctor. Or something, or someone useful. I want to help, just like i always did." A weak smile is given to Vex, then. "…Thank you for not just… Seeing me like all the rest."

"I did, but not on my own. Neither did the others who got away. Eyja ran into Bexy, who helped her fight off the ones chasing her. Haldahct and Hongorzul fled before the second wave of folks ran after Eir and Sayuri when they escaped, having been a part of the first." She leaned forwards and settled her elbows on her knees, gaze resting upon Q'kura. ".. Climbed, to make sure no one could step on you. Or, well.. A very limited amount of people could." Her head tilts, a small smile settling on her lips. ".. Knowing more about you is helping. I don't think you're a bad person, just.. that you made a stupid decision. And hey, we all do those."

"Oh, and someone did step on me, in a much more literal way than i really, really would have liked…" He takes a sharp breath, which leaves in a disparaged sigh, finally culminating in a nod not too long after. "…No, they didn't escape alone. And… You're already helping me. I'm not alone." Q'kura nods, though his ears are still wilted. "…A catastrophically stupid decision, but… Yes. I… Want to be better. And i'm trying to be…"

".. Yeeeaah.. Vairg just.. really fucking sucks." She huffs. ".. But hey, that's.. someone Sayuri's more mad at than you..? Did bite off two of his fingers.." Vex flashed an almost hesitant smile - she's definitely trying to put a positive spin on it, but has no idea of she's wording it in a way that truly does. "Damn right, you're not alone. And once I've gotten to talk to Matoyan, you'll be even less alone." The grin she gives to this is significantly more confident. ".. I mean, yes. But a worse decision would be not wanting to change, and you do - and you're working on it. Everyone ends up doing something stupid that we regret at some point in our lives. It's if we don't regret it that it's a problem."

"Considering i simply got her Husband captured, and Vairg very nearly killed him, i think you might be right. I did heal him, after all! Several times…" He trails, and opts to stop digging that particular hole, moving on. "…Suppose you're right, about the whole… Regret thing. As soon as i'm back, i'll try to find Matoyan. I'll do it in the mess hall - It would be easy enough that it would look like i'm talking to D'khoreh, which is plausible, and Matoyan isn't usually too far away…"

Vex offers a rapid double nod. "Vairg's definitely higher up on the shitlist." She flashes a smile, nodding. "Considering Matoyan sticks particularly close to both D'khoreh and D'nhehli, it shouldn't be hard to reach him."

"Then… That's what i'll do." Q'kura nods, affirmatively. "…And as soon as i have some sort of arranged meeting and time, i'll be back here to let you know. As soon as i can, anyway. You know how the infirmary is, and we're not exactly replete with healers, at the moment…"

Vex nods, and grimaces faintly. ".. Yeeeah.. Sorry about that. Did hear that Saran found her way back. Cahvi'ra was complaining about something and said her name, the sun, uh… Bexy reminded him why they do not touch Sayuri. So.. That's one healer back, at least?"

"…True. And she's competent. And quiet." Q'kura remarks, though his skin prickles. "…I don't trust her an ilm though. She's Vairg's little lapdog, always bringing him food or whatever else she does during her visits…"

Vex's features scrunch up, ears folding back in disapproval for whatever popped into her head. ".. I never managed to place her. Fuck knows she was around Ariq enough that I should've been able to, but I really couldn't figure out what her deal was." She grimaces slightly, shaking her head. ".. Now she's.. around Vairg. Willingly? Because she has to?"

First Ariq, now Vairg. Maybe she just has a thing for Left Hands. Or powerful men. Or assholes. I don't know. She keeps to her business, i keep to mine. Hopefully, it stays that way.

"No idea. Perhaps she just has a thing for powerful men." Q'kura wrinkles his nose in disgust. "She doesn't seem too upset about it when people confront her. But i have no idea. As long as he doesn't come chasing after her into the infirmary, i don't plan to make it any of my business."

".. Ariq sure had a thing for her, but she didn't give any obvious response. But fuck do I know." She thins her lips, drawing her shoulder into a small shrug. ".. I have no memory of ever seeing her upset, mostly just.. blank. But, fuck knows. If she wants to have shitty taste, then that's her business." She pauses, and despite her previous words she immediately grimaces. "..But really? Vairg? Eugh."

"Taste truly does elude some people." Q'kura grimaces. "I'd rather not think about it. As long as she can do her job." Taking another sigh, he glances out of the window, ears lowering a little. "…Hopefully it isn't too long until i can return with news…"

".. Yup." Vex grimaces, shaking her head. ".. I hope so too. I also hope the others will be able to be around you more without raising suspicion.." She pauses, ears wilting. ".. Being alone.. sucks."

"…I used to enjoy it. Or i told myself i did. Now it's just…" Q'kura sighs, a little melancholy. "…I don't know. But… I've enjoyed our talk, Vex. I mean it."

".. Different, if you choose to be on your own. Being forced to be alone, or just.. feeling alone, sucks." She flashes Q'kura a smile. "As have I. It feels good to have gotten to know you a bit better."

"And… You too, Vex. You're a… Good person." He gives her as much of a smile as he's able, which is more than he gives to most. "…Thank you. For the company. And the sandwich."

"I try to be." Vex beams, unfolding her legs and slipping off the chair, raising her arms into the air to stretch. "And you're welcome! I can always come back somewhat regularly to chat while you're here, if you want. For now, I got something to take care of."

"I'd like that, if we have the time." Q'kura smiles, and offers the very faintest twitch of his ears. "…Be well, Vex." He curls a smile. "Try not to get into too much trouble."

Vex flashes a wide grin, beginning to head for the door. "No promises, but I'll try. See you later, Kura." Soon, she slips out the door, and it gently shuts behind her.

No sooner does the door close, than Q'kura simply stares in the direction of it, unseen from the bed he was sat on. He mouths the sound of the word, 'Kura', eyes quickly welling with tears. Still, he reaches to pull away his glasses and rub at his eyes with a sleeve, though he can't quite help but smile behind it.

She... She... She called me... Kura. She dropped the letter. It's such a silly little thing, Seekers do this all the time, even back when i was a child, but... I... ...That's... The first time anyone's ever done that, for me.

[sayurifellfrost]

Warmth

Someone killed Haeferic, apparently. Grym decided it was my job to check it out.. I just wanted some fucking sleep.

Vex quietly wanders the area, gaze glued to the shrubs below as she kicks around in the dirt - moving the occasional bush with her foot seemingly in search of something. The ground by her is stained with blood, dried and at least a few suns old and weather worn. She seems to be stuck in her own little world, for now.

Mahi'a had stuck close to the cliffside for the vast majority of their journey, taking what protection it could offer while avoiding the main roads through Thanalan as well as the shade provided in the hottest part of the day. Only once catching sight of the waterfalls did they veer away, semi-certain of the direction they were headed - more so at the sight of a figure not far off, an indication of civilisation once again. They kept their distance for the most part, pausing once catching sight of the stained ground at her feet. A little more caution thrown to the wind, they move closer to get a better look. "Are you alright?" they eventually call out, both the ground and Miqo'te given looks of mild concern.

Vex's ears swivel as a voice calls out, head lifting and gaze scanning the area before she turns herself to look in the direction the voice came from - a look of surprise on her features. “... Yes.” Her response is brief, her gaze moving down to the stained ground before returning to the Keeper a short distance away. “.. It’s-.. not.. mine.”

.. I didn’t expect any company. Maybe a Brass Blade or two to harrass me until they saw Grym’s mark.. Or maybe Gala’ra and Burwenna to check on me to ensure I was actually working.. But not this person.

Mahi'a nods, drawing closer still - a response enough of a friendly gesture for their liking. A frown appears on their features as they're able to get a better look at the bloodstained earth. "I should hope not, that seems like a fair bit of blood," they muse. "I can see why you might stop to look. It could be an animals at least?"

Vex raised a hand to her neck, lightly scratching at it. ".. It was a guy." Her hand dropped back down, her foot shifting in a small swing to kick a nearby pebble across the shrubs. "-- I'm not involved, for the record. Was just.. someone I knew of. Folks weren't sure what killed him so.. here I am."

"...Oh." Mahi'a stares a little longer at the old blood, slightly more uncertain than they had been beforehand. "That is... sad. I wasn't going to assume you were involved, though! No, don't worry. I mean, they do say criminals return to the scene of the crime, yet I always assumed that was something they made up for stories. Easier for fictional investigators to catch them..." they trail off, looking back to her with a small smile. "Then I suppose you are the investigator in this case."

"It's good that you're looking out for them."

Vex grimaced slightly, a hand rising to rub two fingers under her eyes. She looks quite weary, up-close. ".. No? People tend to be quick to jump to assumptions in these parts. I'm sure a Brass Blade would've harrassed me for being here." A small shrug followed, Vex's tired gaze settling atop their newfound company. ".. Not by choice, admittedly. Guy who's dead was.." She paused, thoroughly considering her next words. ".. A bit of an ass. Kinda had it coming."

..”A bit of an ass” doesn’t bloody cover what Haeferic was. One of Lumir’s initiates. Torturer. One can only hope whatever - or whoever - killed him made him suffer.

"Thankfully I am not a Brass Blade!" they say brightly, before pausing. "Do they know this happened here? A fair way from the road, but even so, it could indicate the area is less safe than they're aware of..." Mahi'a dwells on the thought for a few long moments, tuning back into her explanation afterwards. "Enough of an ass to warrant being murdered? What did he do?"

".. They know. One of them.. let us know." A faint look of distaste settled on her features, albeit it quickly faded once more. Her hands shoved into her pockets and her brow furrowed, a prolonged silence lingered as she considered her words much longer than she probably should've. "..Hurt people." Her attention settles upon Mahi'a anew, head tilting. "..What are you doing out here? Most people.. tend to stick to the roads."

.. I fucking hate refering to them as ‘us’.

"That's good, probably," Mahi'a reasoned with a nod. "Apart from the fact that means they may send more people down here, don't get harrassed by them if you can avoid it!" They spare a look beyond her in the presumed direction of the road, thankfully no Brass Blades in sight as far as they could tell. Her explanation is given yet another frown, gaze remaining thoughtfully on the foliage ahead until a question is directed back to them in turn. "Well, I am starting to get an idea of why."

"In theory it's a shorter way through, and spares me the embarrassment of struggling with the heat where everyone can see me on the roads," they explain with a shrug, loose as fast with their focus on the question. "And I have to hope that my previous assumption was correct, and you won't take the opportunity to make more of a mess here!"

".. I mean-.. fair." Vex couldn't help but to offer a weak smile, albeit brief. She shakes her head, then, letting a small frown settle on her features. "No, I won't hurt you.. There are enough people like that in the world.. Granted the word of a stranger isn't much go to by, I suppose."

Mahi'a returns the smile, seemingly having no deep doubt that they were in any danger to begin with. "It is enough, and I will take it! I assume it would have happened before now if it was going to anyway, I doubt most attackers stop and have a chat in the middle of nowhere if they don't have to. It may even deter anyone who would dare to see two here instead of one!"

".. Kinda dangerous, don't you think?" Vex lofted a brow, shoulders drawing into a small shrug.  ".. Some people bide their time. Let your guard lower.. Then strike." She paused, eyeing the staff Mahi'a kept with them. ".. You can probably defend yourself, though."

I know enough people who use that as an M.O... Lull victims into a false sense of security and fuck them over when they expect it the least.

... Lets hope that staff isn’t just for show.

"A bit! It's hard to avoid every bit of danger, however, plus that would be rather boring. If a murderer decided to attack me after talking for half a bell or so, wouldn't that make for a better story to tell afterwards? Assuming I lived, anyway," Mahi'a added after a brief thought. "I would like to think so! Nothing to worry about, you see. The same for you, obviously, your own weapon is... interesting." Their head tilts, observing what they could of the shape of the sheathed weaponry.

".. If it's a murderer. Could just as well be a kidnapper." Vex rocked lightly on her feet, hands still on her pockets and her posture relaxed enough that she probably doesn't consider Mahi'a a threat. ".. Telling someone that someone tried to kill you.. is an interesting story..?" She questions, a curious brow lofting. ".. It's.. a scythe. Not the most.. common weapon, I suppose."

Mahi'a grimaces at that thought, ending up shaking their head dismissively, more so to rid themselves of it. "Unlikely, I'd like to think I am more trouble than I am worth," they quickly joke lightly. "It could be, it would depend what happens. And everything would be equally as good for bragging considering my survival!" They talk on while continuing to examine the scythe from where they stand, eye following the length of it passing behind her back. "No, not really. Why not a sword? Or... axe?"

".. That makes two of us." The words left her as a sigh, brows furrowing just a touch. "I.. suppose..?" Another rock, back and forth. ".. It wasn't by choice. A scythe was simply.. put in my hands. I was told to learn how to use it as a weapon."

They dip their head in a nod, smiling despite their curiosity over her own expression. "Told to learn to use a scythe," Mahi'a says to themselves thoughtfully. "How does that work? Who would tell anyone to use a specific weapon like that? Especially such a unique one. Does that mean you had to learn all by yourself?"

Vex's ears pin back, gaze directing elsewhere. She spends a prolonged time quiet, taking another moment to consider her words which leave her with some hesitation. "..Scythe put in my hands, then me in front of an angry beast. Someone nearby to keep the beast from killing me if I failed." Her gaze returns to them as she speaks. "None specified in the weapon to help me learn, just someone to watch me."

Her answer prompts a period of silence, Mahi'a staring at her as they process it, landing somewhere between faint horror and outrage. "What - why?" they ask, once words start forming again. "Why would anyone do something like that? Even with someone nearby that's... all far too much."

.. I couldn’t fight them. Ariq was unwilling to have the mark’s grip eased of me..

Azeyma knows I’d burn him alive the moment I got the chance to.. Even back then.

A hand leaves her pocket and rises to her face, scratching at her cheek ever so slightly. Another silence follows, as Vex carefully considers her next words. ".. Didn't.. care." She mumbled. ".. I couldn't f-.." Her voice halts abruptly, a faint grimace of pain taking to her features before she turns her head aside, the hand which had bee scratching at her cheek moving to instead scratch at the back of her neck, a finger cramming in between the collar and her skin. She stays quiet for a little longer, before exhaling a sharp breath. "..None that I could.. spar."

.. I hate this fucking collar.

Mahi'a concern rears its head once again at her grimace, yet without any noticeable danger in the area around her they slowly let it go - for that thought alone. "Are you well out here?" they end up asking, examining her expression. "Or have I - I'm sorry if I've made you answer what you'd rather not dwell on. It all just... seems terribly unfair from what you've said so far."

Vex's gaze dipped to the ground at the question, head shifting into a slow shake. "You've not made me answer anything, I could've chosen not to if it bothered me." She once again, rocked on her heels. ".. And you're right. It -is- unfair.. But there's not anything that can be done for it."

They seem a little relieved by that at the very least, diverting their attention away from her in an attempt to help, eyeing the blood on the ground instead. "Are they people that you still see now? If they are, maybe something -can- be done about it, somehow," Mahi'a offers. "Though if you've moved on, best not to dig these things up again."

".. Not by choice, but yes." She grimaced, then shook her head. ".. No. I have tried.. They're not keen on.. letting things go."

.. Or people.

Mahi'a gives a quiet hum, frowning to themselves. "Even if someone else helped? With... whatever could be needed. Was this guy one of those people?" they ask suddenly as an afterthought, a hand gesturing with a wave down to the blood.

".. The said person would put themselves in danger." Vex's gaze lowers to the blood at the gesture, a brief pause lingering before she nodded. "He was."

"But they could help, maybe? Some danger to stop it from continuing is hardly a poor trade, it sounds rather worthwhile to me," Mahi'a determines, looking back up to her briefly with a smile. "I understand even more why you considered him an ass. Yet you still need to come here and look into him?"

".. Danger for an attempt that is likely feeble." She frowned. "They won't.. let go.." Her head lowered, frown deepening in a more saddened manner than anything else. ".. Yes."

"It's hard to say unless someone tries, right? And even with what little you've said, it doesn't seem right just to... leave it all and not bother. Not when it's a situation you so clearly don't want to be in." Mahi'a shifts their weight from one foot to another, frowning to themselves while they think. "I mean, I could ask... friends. I am not saying it could only be one person trying to do something."

.. It kills me to turn away offered help when people understand my situation.. But with the numbers Grym have, I-..

I do not want to be the cause of someone’s death like that.

Vex shook her head slightly. ".. Too many. I appreciate it, truly.. But you, or your friends, would.. likely suffer dearly for it."

Mahi'a frowns further, for a moment they almost launch into another argument, yet pull it back before it can be voiced. Instead they hesitate. "Will you be... reasonably safe? Are you going to be hurt?"

".. Safer than normal, but.. I'll probably get hurt, yes." She rocked back and forth once more, gaze settling on the blood. "..Worst of them is.. occupied with another."

.. Grym himself is busied with X’llaya’s presence. He’ll leave me alone for the most part, but.. I dread what he has in store for her.

"...Right," they say quietly, disappointed yet unsurprised by the answer. Mahi'a's interest is piqued further, however, and they tap their fingers against a hip while thinking. "Someone else like you? That they won't let go?"

".. There are many like it. Stuck." Vex's explaination seems.. a touch vague, brows furrowing in thought for her next words. ".. We are.. alike, yet not. I am allowed outside." Her hands connected in front of her, fidgeting as she again glanced at the blood.

Mahi'a nods once, more so in acknowledgement than understanding, the vague answers both frustrating and unnerving. "Why can't they go outside too? Can none of the others who are stuck come out here?"

Vex furrows her brows, seemingly struggling to put her words together as she again lingers in a prolonged silence. ".. Some. Members can. But-.. not.." She exhales a sharp breath, frowning at her own limited speech of the matter. ".. Caged."

.. People like me, who have been made to join the ranks by force..

.. Or people who have been caged, meant to be sold as slaves.

.. But I can’t tell you this. Not in as much detail as I’d like.

"He was a member?" Mahi'a asks to clarify, pointing a hand towards the blood. "Or... different? Worse?" They chew on the inside of their cheek meanwhile, putting together what they can. "You can't talk about this very much. Because of these people? Would they do something?"

Vex nodded slightly, gesturing towards the blood. "..Willing." She stated, then motioned to herself. ".. Not." She looked over to Mahi'a, pausing.. Her brows furrowed and she took a deep breath, looking as if she was about to regret -something-. "..Sl-.." Her voice cuts, as it had done once already - pain taking to her features and both her hands raising to grip at the collar around her neck, yanking it several times in an attempt to show that it is preventing her, and won't come off.

... Slavers.

.. I can’t even say the word. They made sure I couldn’t. I can’t explain what this collar does.. but I could show it.. even if just a little..

Mahi'a gives a faint sigh. "Right, I see," they murmur. As she speaks again their gaze returns to her, only for their eyes to widen at her reaction. There's no misunderstanding her explanation, as wordless as it is, and they take a few worried steps closer. "Can I not do anything about that, at least? Can it be broken? Stopped?"

Vex shook her head slightly, letting her hands release the collar and fall back down to her sides. ".. Have.. tried.." She exhaled, her tone hinting at the pain that had been caused by her attempt to speak.

Mahi'a expression falls further, the collar gaining a glare as they briefly examine it before returning their attention to her. "I - I'm sorry. There has to be something, though, this can't be forever," they insist.

A pause lingers, brows furrowing slightly. "Already.. been.. a long time.." She sighed, lowering her head. ".. I will.. endure."

"There'll be a way to stop it, to stop them," Mahi'a says with a nod, as well as a faint smile. "I'm sorry that I made it hurt you, I won't... ask anything else about them. It's not going to do it again if I ask for your name, is it?"

".. It's okay." Vex forced a small smile, ears drooping. ".. No, it won't. My name is Vex."

Mahi'a appears relieved, smile brightening a bit even if hers may be forced. "There's that, at least. The... unfortunate circumstances all around, it is still good to meet you, I'm Mahi'a. Hopefully your investigation is going a little less painfully than answering my questions."

".. Nice to meet you too, Mahi'a." Her smile turned a touch more genuine, at that, although fading quickly. "Yet answering your questions was more preferable.. I don't.. care what happened to him.. But they want answers."

"How are you meant to find out in the end? It feels as if they've given you an impossible task, unless that was the point of sending you out here in the first place," Mahi'a says with a shake of their head.

".. It wouldn't be the first time." She peered down at the blood. ".. The Brass Blades have already been here, stomping all over it.. anything I could've found was probably removed, or ruined, by them."

"Can you go back and explain that? Or will they be angry? That's probably a fairly stupid question," they sigh.

"It won't satisfy them.. But at least being out here lets me be away from them.. for a time."

"Yes, that's true! A desperately needed break, even if it does mean staring at an old patch of blood on the ground..." Said helpful patch of blood is glanced to. "Hopefully you can draw it out as long as possible. A -very- thorough investigation, even if it may not lead to anything substantial."

"I've already come back several times the past three suns or so since it happened.. Any trail is long gone, and already was the first sun.. But I will keep coming here until they realise."

Mahi'a grins at that. "You are very good at wasting their time. Do you not get bored, though? Or is the quiet enough to enjoy it?"

Vex manages to flash a genuine smile, then. "Wasting their time. Pissing them off. Always been good at it." She rolls her shoulders slightly. ".. Sure, I get bored.. But the silence is good, and.. I can have the occasional nap, as.. my sleep keep getting disrupted back there."

.. Vairg enjoys tormenting my neighbour too much..

Twelve, I hope someone wipes that bloody smirk off his face.

"Important traits, I wager! Little victories, yet I hope they don't get you too hurt if they rise up to them," they add, with another small amount of concern. "I'm glad you can find the benefits to it. As long as the Brass Blades don't catch you napping beside a bush and suspicious pools of blood, anyway..."

".. I live yet." Her shoulders dragged into a small shrug. ".. Better hope it's the right Brass Blade, take one look at me then leave me alone."

"That sounds like it's happened before," Mahi'a points out with another grin. "I... hm. I should probably continue my journey at some point, unless I really am destined to come across the same fate that this ass did. Are you going to be alright out here?"

Vex nodded slightly, before tilting her head. ".. Don't let me keep you. If you're lucky.. it's someone seeking these." She raised a hand to her red marked cheek, tapping at it. ".. So they won't touch you. And yes, I.. will be fine."

Mahi'a gives a hesitant nod. "If I'm lucky, maybe, not so lucky for yourself," they comment, adding afterwards with a small smile: "But you've been out here, I'm sure you can be careful. It has been good speaking to you, and I... really do hope that there is a change for you in the near future."

".. I'll be fine. I'm a decent enough fighter if someone decides to attack me.. I appreciate the concern, though." One ear flattens, while the other perks up. ".. It's been good speaking to you too, travel safe."

"I will do! Enjoy your silence, or a nap, whatever you choose to investigate next!" Mahi'a says, dipping their head in a small bow of farewell. The blood on the ground is given another look, briefly, though they don't linger and continue to head off.

.. Good bye, Mahi’a.

I pray they leave you be.

[cherrieflavouredheadcanons]

Hi can we please have fluff w Aventurine where reader and him reunite after 2. 1 and just fucking elope start a new life etc? Please I need it.

God yes. This is what we all need after 2.1. I'm aware he is in a coma-like state technically now but for the sake of fluff and this headcanon he is awake from that coma and is now reuniting with you. CW: Spoilers for 2.1 and Aventurines actual name, starts angsty but then turns fluffy, Gn reader, pre established relationship hurt/comfort

I am still accepting requests (especially for aven) btw so if you wanna see something send it in!

Back in your arms

You had lost track of how long it was since Aventurine left for his mission in Penacony. Has it been 2 months? No, probably more. It had been months since you last had been able to make contact with him. Your messages no longer went through, unable to be sent.

Looking at your textlog and scrolling up, you came across the last message he had sent you. It had come in while you were asleep, and it simply read “I love you”.

Waking up to that message would have been a sweet message for most people, but for you it had made you immensely worried.

 Aventurine was never someone who professed his love openly, so such messages were quite rare. Receiving such a message, especially unprompted, made you send him a barricade of texts, none of which went through and even now months later none were able to be sent.

If you were honest you were starting to lose hope of ever seeing him again, who knows what happened in Penacony after all? He could be…dead for all you knew, you had no way to verify whether that was true or not after all. 

You tried continuing your life on as you would normally, what else could you do? It was hard though, everyday you missed him more and more. Sometimes you imagined his face in a crowd somewhere but whenever you would take a closer look he would vanish.

Sighing you closed your phone and looked around your apartment, it felt so liveless ever since Aventurine was gone. Tears were falling down your eyes as you wondered how much longer you had to live with the uncertainty of where he was and if he was even alive.

Exhaustion was taking over as you began falling asleep. A common occurrence nowadays, since at night you were restless, unable to fall asleep as you worried. Just as you were beginning to fully doze off, you heard the door to your apartment open, immediately waking up.

No one but you and Aventurine had the key, and with him being absent panic coursed through you thinking someone was breaking and entering. You grabbed the nearest heavy thing to defend yourself with.

“For fucks sake…” You muttered as you made your way to where the noises were coming from. Cursing every entity out there for piling even more shit onto you as if your significant other being possibly dead wasn’t enough.

Readying your weapon (probably a heavy book) you stepped foot into the room where the noise was coming from ready to attack and hit the intruder. But once you saw who it was that was in your appartment, you dropped your makeshift weapon, a sob escaping your mouth.

Before you stood Aventurine, alive and breathing. You rubbed your eyes, making sure that this wasn’t your mind playing a cruel trick on you again. Aventurine watched you with a smirk on his, albeit very exhausted looking, face and his eyes held a new found softness you had never seen before.

You fell into his arms immediately, holding him tightly against your body, feeling his warmth. Desperately you grabbed at his clothes as you held on to him, scared this was all just a dream and you would wake up all alone once again. Tears were falling from your eyes, unable to hold them back, the relief washing over you making you let out all of your emotions.

“Wow you missed me that much?” He asked, in his usual teasing tone. Though there was something in his voice that usually wasn’t there. Desperation and a bit of fear. Was he afraid you wouldn’t have missed him? Or was there a deeper reason for it?

Moving away from the hug you grabbed his face in your hands, the tears still falling from your eyes as you took a good look at him. His face had fallen in, and he seemed exhausted. But there was also something in his eyes, his beautiful eyes you were so sure you would never see again, that you couldn’t recognize, having never seen it on him before.

Before you spoke your first words to him, you pulled his face closer and gently kissed him. The feeling of his lips on yours felt like you were floating in heaven. They may have been more chapped than usual, but fuck was it nice to feel him again.  Breaking the kiss you finally were able to muster up your first words to him.

“Fuck…I was so worried about you…I…When my messages stopped being able to sent I was…so sure you…Please…never worry me like that again Aventurine…”

You leaned your forehead against his, your words jumbled together from the adrenaline coursing through you.

He took in a deep breath, and held it for a moment before letting it out. A gesture you saw in many people before they needed to say something important and heavy, but one you never saw in your lover.

“...Kakavasha…” His voice seemed unsure and meek as he spoke. 

You, of course, had no idea what he was saying, so you looked into his eyes confused.

“Wha-”

“Kakavasha…it is…my given name. The one my mother gave me” He inhaled deeply before he continued.

“It is a long story but the short version is…I am no longer affiliated with the IPC, they probably think I died or something. So I no longer go by Aventurine, and…with how close we are and how much you mean to me. I felt like it was appropriate for you to know my true name...”

His eyes refused to look at you, flickering about unsurely as he spoke. Though he tried to sound confident, his voice wavered, scared that you would not accept him for who he truly was and reject his true self.

You looked at him gently and with all the love you had for him, gently pulling him close again and kissing his nose.

“Well then…It is nice to meet you Kakavasha…” You smiled brightly at him, showing him you accepted him as he was.

He felt relief course through his body and could not help himself but pull you into a passionate kiss. He kissed you like you were the oxygen he needed to stay alive. As if he would die without you.

Breaking the kiss he whispered “Marry me.” It wasn’t a question but a request. One that you were too stunned to answer to, looking at him with wide eyes.

“I mean it. Let’s get married, run away from everything and start a new life just you and me.”

His eyes were pleading with you to agree. He knew that he wanted to start over, but he knew he needed you with him.

“...yes!!” You once again fell into his arms and kissed him. The two of you holding each other so closely it was as if you were one.

Kakavasha knew that he would need to tell you everything that happened in Penacony at one point, even the part where he tried to end his life. But he knew that if he explained everything to you, you would still stay by his side and be with him. 

You were his family after all.

[kuwapowr]

NEOZ (my neo metal sonic kinsona) and oomf's sonic kinsona (@TEXTLOGS on twitter)

hypnotizes u into drawing NEOZ oooo ooo

[kitkatyes]

i'm very bored rn so ramble time :]

so,,, octo expansion is like, peak Zoraxis activity

we got the mysterious phone guy who literally wants to eradicate everything (cough cough, death engine parallels cough cough) and agent 8 being the person to stop it. THE FACT THAT THEY'RE CALLED AGENT !!

We also got the random tasks. like, i can imagine fabby putting that together. i mean when WOULD be sadistic enough to make the stupid 8-ball levels

can I talk about the agent 3 fight,,, they're literally being controlled against their own will

it givies me hivemind vibes,, his mind control and all that

and like agent 8 is SO phoenix with amnesia,,, and like pearl and marina act so much like reggie. they literally communicate with 8 using textlogs an stuff hhhhh they can be reggie and prism, as a treat

anyway, its like,, phoenix escaping from the grasps of Zoraxis before being recruited for the agency

[pawborough]

Dev Update

06/25/2024

All applications have been sorted!

Item pool logic and seeding has been implemented! We now can control what drops where and at what rarity

Errand / combat fixes have been pushed, notably a textlog.

Starting on mockups for cooking/crafting. Site-hosted shops are done!

[tf2heritageposts]

reporters need a copy+paste version of the textlogs as proof for the hotline, you can add to this

cough: You didn't delete what the other members sent tho A Little Beast ♡: yeah, its their own bodies A Little Beast ♡: theyre allowed to do whatever they want with them cough: from what he told us, those were minors

(separate chat) blucheavy: When you [illegible] you are basically saying you dont care about age of consent A Little Beast ♡: why are you equating law with morality A Little Beast ♡: ive known finn for nearly two fucking years and ive spent nearly every day of those 2 years talking to him A Little Beast ♡: we are both emotionall mature people who are in control of our own bodies

(separate chat) A Little Beast ♡: yeah youve been a little bit rude about me having sex with finn, you keep bringing it up for no reason blucheavy: hey finn how old are you again A Little Monster ♡: 16

thank you kindly

[paperandpencilsandskips]

Up until I graduated highschool I had no friends, no one really liked me

I was in a bad place because it seemed like everyone hated me, I'd probably cry every morning because it sucked alot, I'd get kicked and shoved and hurt really badly because it felt like the other kids legitimately wanted to kill me

I remember liking reading homestuck because it felt like I was John,Rose,Jade, and Dave's friend

All their textlogs felt like I had friends for real when I was 15

It felt really nice, I think I read hs 7 times over back then

I can't really do that anymore, I'm still super grateful I got to read it because without it I wouldn't have met my bestest friends ever, it's kind of nice

[dol-confessions]

I dreamt that Sydney was my lover arghhhghh ensnsj I'm so happy and they even treated me right in that dream. Too bad I couldn't remember most of it,,, I just love Sydney so much pure And corrupted , boy and girl I just love them so much

how you manage to do that? I dreamed about Kylar, Sydney andbWhitney too but uust can dream like...textlogs??? Obvs not text but like i was staring at blurry words on my phone screen and reading the actual thing with my voice's head?

[glumbat]

Please all applaud Professor Chugs he learned how to unleash the textlog.

Seriously this man‘s sheer commitment to this bit is amazing. I‘ve been rolling on the floor laughing.

[cloutchase]

when 4chan gets better someone PLEASE draw her as the "i lived bitch" meme pretty please

UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT KNOW IF 4CHAN WILL BE GETTING BETTER THIS TIME!

:-(

FAQ

[umbralsound-xiv]

Innocent Mistakes.

Hunched into a ball, the rain pelts down onto the coat of a curled up Seeker, one leg outstretched as he rested his head on the knee of the other. A staff settled on the rock nearby, ears wilted as he barely moved save for uneasy shudders as he bit back sobs. Not even seeking shelter from the torrent of rain, he seems far too defeated to contend it.

[Q'kura] It never gets any better, does it? Even when i try to find some kind of... Peace, something always ruins it. The rain, my knee, or that bastard that broke it in the first place. Everything feels like a punishment, but then... After everything... Don't i deserve it?

With the dangers associated visiting the eastern parts of Thanalan, Neoma had made sure to gear up for any potential threats, even if she hoped she could avoid any confrontations. She made sure to stay clear of the area where Grym's compound was located, keeping close to the road that lead back to the Shroud. Thankfully what she was looking for was not difficult to find as the desert marigold flowers were so vibrant against the sand. While bending down to pluck some, she noticed the shape of someone sitting by the water. It caused her to be somewhat wary, but at the same time curious. She decided to carefully approach, getting concerned that perhaps the person was wounded. "Hello? Are you alright?"

Q'kura Tia pulls his head up with a gasp, blinking back tears, which he quickly raises his arm to wipe away from beneath his glasses; Though his sleeve is just as sodden from the rain as the rest of him. "H-hello? Yes. Yes, i'm fine, i'm…" He squints, trying to make out the woman who called to him. His face is red. He doesn't look fine, ears pinned flat against his head.

The way the man was acting along with the unsteady way he was speaking only made Neoma further concerned. She started to carefully make her way down the cliffs that had gotten quite slippery because of the rain. "Don't be alarmed, I'm coming down. I'm a healer, I just want to make sure you're okay."

[Q'kura] ---What? I... I didn't expect company out here, on a sun with miserable weather like this. What... Is she planning to do?

Q'kura Tia blinks as the woman approaches, shuffling back a few ilms to take his staff in hand. "N-no! I'm fine, i'm just… It's just…" His lower lip trembles, but he swallows back the expression. "A… Healer?"

Neoma Eltanin continued to carefully slide down the cliff, giving him a soft smile to try and further ease him. "Yes, I am. I was collecting desert marigolds when I saw you, and got worried." Finally she reached the rock he was sitting on and she carefully got down on her knees next to him. "You're completely soaked… Have you been sitting here a long time?"

Q'kura Tia: "I---I…" Q'kura wrinkles his nose beneath his glasses, nudging them upwards as his eyes well again. "I came to read, to get away for a little and it… It just started raining--- And i can't walk fast because of my -stupid- knee, and the cold makes it worse, and i'm just… I can't fix it…" The more Q'kura babbles, the more it's evident he's only just hanging in from breaking down completely. "I came to read, and then the blasted rain came and soaked my book, and now i can't even do -that-!"

Neoma Eltanin gave the man a worried look, clearly he was distressed. "Hey, hey…" she softly tried to soothe him and scooted a little closer. "I'll help you, okay? Is your knee wounded? I could have a look at it."

Q'kura Tia: "Unless you're a better healer than me, i… I don't think there's anything you can do. It… Was damaged badly." He lightly lifts the cane. "…I tried. This isn't just for decoration. Or walking…" He huffs, quietly.

[Q'kura] It's nice of her, it really is, but it's not often i meet a healer who can surpass my talents, least of all out here in the wilderness. Still... What harm could trying do? ...At least she's kind. I don't think she's up to anything suspicious...

Neoma Eltanin glanced at the cane, then the leg that seemed to be the one with the injured knee. "… I take it you have already examined it. Is it an old injury?"

Q'kura Tia: "…Less than a moon, but… Yes. Suppose i should be lucky i can still walk…" Q'kura utters bitterly, though he frowns. "It still hurts, yet no amount of aether seems to soothe it. Like a constant, niggling ache…"

Neoma Eltanin studied his expression before her gaze fell to his leg again. "… May I have a look? Perhaps if I knew the extents of your injury I could do something to help… Is it alright if I feel it just with my hand?"

Q'kura Tia clutches the staff a little tighter. "…Why do you want to help me?" He asks, more than a little guarded. "I don't have anything to give you."

Neoma Eltanin: "You don't have to give me anything," Neoma said with a warm smile. "I'm not a healer because I want to gain. I want to give. And right now, you look like you are in more need than me… So may I help you?"

Q'kura Tia gives a small, almost defeated sigh from his nose, looking away. "Just… Be careful. It really does hurt. I… Repaired what i could…" He swallows, anxiously. "…What was left."

Neoma Eltanin nodded. "I'll be careful. I'm going to feel around your knee with my hand, it probably will cause pain and discomfort. I'll try make it quick." She then reached out her hand and gently placed it upon his knee, getting a feel of the injury through the cloth by moving her hand up and down and carefully squeezing now and then. "… Missing bone fragments…" she mumbled, mostly to herself.

Q'kura Tia hisses in pain, wincing, but he doesn't pull away nor ask her to stop. Still, although she's able to feel the extent of the injury, she's also likely to feel the extent of the repair, too; Clearly talented, though unable to repair that which no longer existed. "…It was broken bad enough that bone left skin. I had to concentrate on stopping the bleeding, first…"

Neoma Eltanin: "Gods… I understand why you have been unable to repair it." She lifted her hand and rested it back in her own lap. "It is an extremely severe injury, but I can tell you did what you could to fix it. It would probably require surgery to lessen the pain and improve your walk quite a bit…" She lifted her hand to pinch her chin as she considered her own words. "… Ah, forgive me, I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Neoma Eltanin. What should I call you?"

Q'kura Tia: "Just call me Q'kura." He answers, brow furrowing. "Well, it's not exactly like i can simply cut open my knee and start poking about in there with a scalpel! Or, well, i could, but…" A grimace takes his expression, wincing at even the thought of it.

Neoma Eltanin: "Ah- no no, not here..!" she stressed. "Do you… have someplace to go? Somewhere you know you can get help? I could get you there if you like."

[Q'kura] No one would help me, there. I'd be a waste of resources, even with my position. I can walk. That's all that matters to them. And no one would risk pissing off Vairg even further by mending my injury...

Q'kura Tia: "Oh yes, because performing surgery in damp clothes in the middle of the desert is a -wonderful- idea…" He trails, rolling his eyes. Though, a small pang of guilt rises in the back of his throat. "I… Sorry. I've just had… It's been a really, really bad sun…" He dips his head in apology, shaking his head. "…Hah, no. No… No one that wants to help me, there. I… I'll be fine. I walked here, didn't i?" He adds, in a touch of optimism that falls a little flat.

The comment only made Neoma more worried, evident by the way she was looking at him with compassionate eyes. "I see…" She got quiet for a moment, glancing again at his knee as she pondered her thoughts. "… Then, would you like to come with me? I have access to an infirmary I work in. I understand that you probably do not trust me as we just met… But right now you look like you are in need of someone, Q'kura. We have exchanged names, at the very least."

Q'kura Tia: "With… You?" Q'kura asks, a little unsure, and almost bewildered. "Are you -certain-? You have a whole infirmary? What, all to yourself? I… I couldn't--- I mean…" At the comment of him needing someone, his ears lower, admission writ plain on his face. "It.. It… Would be nice to have somewhere quiet, f-for a change…"

[Q'kura] It sounds like a joke. Like a trap. When is anything ever this good, for me? ...Though, i can't imagine it could get much worse. Sure. Why not?

Neoma Eltanin smiled reassuringly at him and nodded. "I am part of a staff of healers, but I tend to be one of the more frequent users of the infirmary for patients. It is located within the Shroud, near Gridania. Have you ever been to Gridania?" She looked over her shoulder at the wet cliffs leading to the ground above them. "We can get there by walking along the path through the Shrouds, but it might be too hard on your leg… Are you familiar with teleportation magicks? I could get us there quick."

Q'kura Tia: "…I can teleport, yes. And i've frequented Gridania before. What kind of healer would i be without some passing familiarity with the Conjurer's guild? ---Though i'm more talented with arcanima, it's… Hard, to try to walk and focus on a grimoire. At least with a staff, i can defend myself if i have to…"

Neoma Eltanin: "Ah, of course," Neoma said with a soft laugh. "Well then, it should be easy. Take my hand, I'll get us to where we need to go." She held out her hand for him to take, waiting patiently for him to feel ready.

Q'kura Tia: "…Okay." Q'kura replies, taking her hand, and his staff in the other, ready to brace himself when he inevitably appeared on the other end.

Neoma Eltanin smiled at him when he took her hand before closing her eyes, conjuring a teleportation spell that soon saw them swooped up into the stream of aether until they arrived in front of the Merciful Bough.

[Q'kura] There's something to be said for Shroud air. It's always so much more refreshing that the dusty dry hear of Thanalan. It feels less... Hostile.

Q'kura Tia firmly finds his feet as he reappears through the aether, Neoma's hand in one, and his staff firmly stuck into the floor with the other. "…This is… Quite the house. You say you're all healers…?"

Neoma Eltanin: "Ah no, there are many different positions here. Fighters, healers, retainers, and so on. I've been here for quite some time and it is like home to me now. You'll be safe here, don't worry. Come." She tugged his hand a little to urge him to follow, letting him decide when he felt comfortable enough to let go.

Q'kura Tia follows along comfortably enough, though he has a pronounced limp, staff aiding in keeping him aloft. "…Quite the eclectic group of people. I wager you've seen quite some injuries in your time here, hm?"

Neoma Eltanin opened the door to let herself and Q'kura in, greeting Naino who stood by the door as usual. "Quite some, yes. Both while employed here and when I was a traveling adventurer. The infirmary is this way, not much further now."

Q'kura Tia widens his eyes in awe at the surroundings, slowing a little as he walked through the lobby. To the fish tank, and the insignia beneath the waterfall, he has to blink back the adjustment in his eyes for how bright it is. "It… All looks very official. What do your people do, here…?"

[Q'kura] It's so... Nice. Clean and comfortable. ...Things like this only make me regret my decisions, more.

Neoma Eltanin stopped in her steps to allow Q'kura to adjust to the environment. She smiled gently at him as she observed his reaction. "We're mercenaries, taking on jobs for hire that requires capable people within different fields of expertise. It looks like this was not what you were expecting to see?"

Q'kura Tia: "Well… No, actually. It's… Different, than what i'm used to. I wouldn't expect a hall of mercenaries to be so clean, but suppose looks can be deceiving."

Neoma Eltanin laughs, a light and warm laugh that fits her smile. "If we do not keep it clean Naino will reprimand us all." She smiled to Naino over his shoulder, waving a little to apologize for the joke. "Do you feel ready to continue to the infirmary?"

Q'kura Tia: "Yes, of course. I'm curious to your facilities, if this is just the lobby…"

Neoma Eltanin lead the way through the wooden corridors until they reached the infirmary, opening the door for them both to enter. "And this is the infirmary, where I work most often." She turned around to see how Q'kura was doing, quietly watching him and letting him take in the new environment.

Q'kura Tia: "It's so… Cosy." He looks around, taking a few steps to familiarize himself. "…And clean. And well organised, and… So… Quiet." He turns his head over his shoulder, giving a faint hint of a smile. "That's a good thing, by the way."

[Q'kura] Anything is better than the din of Eanwin yelling at everyone over stupid, trivial things. I'm surprised we don't have more treatments for hearing loss.

Neoma Eltanin smiled, genuinely pleased to hear his satisfaction. "I'm glad you like it. Let's get you out of that wet coat, now. We have spare clothes to use if you want to change."

Q'kura Tia unbuckles and unbuttons his coat, sliding his arms out of the sleeves with a sigh. "…No, this… This is fine. Far better for being a little drier, hah…" He already looks a little more relaxed, though hair sticks to his cheeks from the earlier downpour. "…This is… This is very kind of you. Neoma, was it?" He finally offers her a more genuine smile. "…Thank you."

Neoma Eltanin takes the coat and smiles at him before hanging it to dry. "No need to thank me, Q'kura. I'm happy that you trusted me enough to follow me here. I was genuinely worried seeing you sitting there in the rain all by yourself…" She gestured to the empty beds. "We don't have any patients here at the moment, so please choose whichever bed looks most comfortable. I'll prepare you some soothing potions to help you relax and for the pain to dull."

Q'kura Tia: "You have already done so much for me, you don't need to---" He winces a little as the cold still bit into his knee from his sodden clothes, but they'd dry out with time. He limps to the nearest bed, to at least take the weight from his feet. "It's nice to have the company of a fellow healer. Are there many of you, here?"

[Q'kura] Healers. Actual healers, who know their job and respect others of their standing. Maybe... Maybe i could... ...No. You made your choice. You can't leave.

Q'kura wincing was enough of a sign for Neoma to get to work preparing the potions. "There's a few of us, not as many as would be needed to keep up with the injuries sustained on missions… But everyone here is very good at what they do. My colleagues are some of the most talented healers I have ever seen." She walked over to Q'kura with two bottles of potions, handing them to him. "I'm always happy to meet other healers. Are you an adventurer or are you employed somewhere as well?"

Q'kura Tia: "Hah, there's never enough of us, true enough. Forever in short supply… And high demand." He brightens at the potions, taking both and opening the cork on one and downing the contents with little complaint. "I'm employed, yes. I work in the trade industry. Adventuring sounds exciting but… A little dangerous?"

Neoma Eltanin took the empty vials, glad Q'kura didn't object to drinking them like so many of her other patients were wont to do. "It is dangerous… and exciting." She smiled. "I quite like traveling and helping where it is needed, I still do from time to time. Trading industry, you say? I can imagine you must be quite busy." Neoma glanced at his leg for a moment. "I'll let you settle in a bit before we take a look at your leg. Are you hungry? I could get you something from the kitchen."

Q'kura Tia: "Yes, yes. Quite busy. Tiresome, too, but--- Adventuring sounds much more fun than the dreary bells that fill my suns." He looks around the room in some small appraisal, exhaling slowly as he found some semblance of peace - Head whipped almost too quickly in Neoma's direction at the mention of food. "---I…" Even he can't protest, head sinking a little in his shoulders. "…Yes please."

[Q'kura] How could i have refused...? I was hungry, and who knows what time i might be getting back to the compound...?

Neoma Eltanin laughed softly and nodded. "Alright, I'll get you something filling. Try to rest in the meantime and warm up, okay? I can assure you the blankets are very soft." Giving him a final kind smile she soon headed out of the infirmary towards the kitchen, hoping that Auro'usk had made something that would be a suitable meal for Q'kura.

Neoma Eltanin smiles at you.

S'vexrha Tchuma quietly pushes the door open, peering around the corner of the door with a small squint before slipping inside. Her gaze trails to the medical supplies before she heads in that direction, glimpsing someone in the corner of her eye as she moves, briefly glancing over to register who before she continues, her words leaving her automatically. "Hi Q'kura." Her steps lead her up to one of the cabinets, before her mind completely registers who she just saw, and she slowly turns to stare in Q'kura's direction.

Q'kura Tia twitches an ear at the sound of the door. He'd expected Neoma to return, and thought to offer a smile in gratitude; She'd been kind of him, of course, and the offer of food was something he wouldn't soon turn away. Though, as another familiar Seeker wanders in, Q'kura's eyes widen, leaning back in almost abject horror. He doesn't say anything, just a strangled squeak leaves his throat. If he were a more mobile man, he'd have surely tried to run. "….V… -Vex-?"

[Q'kura] Wh... What? Vex? Why is she... Oh... No. No no no...

S'vexrha Tchuma 's lips thin into a line, eyes fluttering in a rapid blinking motion a couple of times. "…What the fuck are you doing here?"

Q'kura Tia: "I--- U-uh… I'm…" Q'kura stammers. He makes some attempt to stand, heart beginning to race, panic on his features as he departs the bed. "I'm--- I was just---" He clears his throat, eyes narrowing an ilm. "What are -you- doing here, hm?!"

[Q'kura] I--- I have to go! I have to leave! Wherever Vex is, Sayuri and Bexy aren't usually far behind, and if they see me--- If they--- What is Vex doing here?!

S'vexrha Tchuma: ".. I -live- here." Vex pouts, her own eyes narrowing as she takes a few steps closer to Q'kura, eyes darting along him. "..Why are you wet?"

Q'kura Tia: "You---" That little thread of knowledge sees him step back, away from her, somewhat fearful as his ears folk back. "No… No no." Stepping back towards the bed in an effort to retrieve his staff, he stumbles. sending him backwards into the floor with a thud. "---You can't--- I--- I have to go---!"

[Q'kura] She LIVES here?! Oh Gods, what have i gotten myself into? I only meant to come here, to accept this woman's kindness, not to--- not to find them! They're going to think it was on purpose, that i'm trying to track them down, but it's not! It's a mistake!

You cringe with pain before S'vexrha Tchuma.

S'vexrha Tchuma's ears pin back as Q'kura falls, her steps quickly bringing her up to him - arm stretched out to offer a hand. ".. Fuck, easy.-- Uh.. n-.. no. I.. can't let you, you realise that, yeah..?"

It was right then that Neoma entered the infirmary, carrying a tray with a plate of food and a drink. She blinked surprised as she had not expected to see Vex in the infirmary today. "Oh, Vex! It's good to see you. Is everything well?" Her eyes shifted over to Q'kura, still the same friendly look on her face as always though she did look a bit confused. "Are you alright, Q'kura? Goodness, did you fall out of the bed?" She went to set the tray by the bed where he could easily reach it.

Q'kura Tia hisses and buckles with pain, clutching his wounded knee as he's almost doubled over with pain. The offered hand he doesn't take, but not out of any want to not be helped. Already far, far past breaking point, it's simply the icing on the cake with the words that leave Vex. "Vex, -please-! I… I have to! She'll kill me! You know she will!" Tears already fill his gaze, lip trembling as Neoma pulls into view. "I--I--- I have to go! I'm sorry, but--- I can't stay!" He babbles out, trying to reach for the bed, though he'd not the strength to pull himself up.

[Q'kura] She knows Vex, she knows the others... Vex... She's not lying, and i'm in incredible danger if they find me here--- She has to let me go! They'll kill me if she doesn't!

S'vexrha Tchuma's ear turns upon hearing Neoma's voice, peering over her shoulder to blink at her. "… Hi--.." Her eyes dart back to Q'kura, head shaking slightly. ".. She won't. You still got your part to fulfil, yeah?" Her ears flatten at the sight of Q'kura's tears, and despite her previous words, she still aims to help; moving to hook her arms underneath his in an attempt to help lift him up to at least get onto the bed. "--Can't go. I'm sorry."

The apparent distress in Q'kura's voice immediately got Neoma on high alert, quickly moving around Vex to get on her knees by his side and try to calm him, perplexed by the fear in his expression. "Q'kura, what is the matter? What happened?" She looked between him and Vex, trying to understand what was going on. "Do you two know each other..?"

Q'kura Tia: "S-she's---! We used to---!" Half sentences given in favour of a proper explanation, he winces in pain as he's lifted to sit again on the bed by Vex. Teary eyed and ears pinned to the back of his head, he sounds like he's about to hyperventilate. "---I can't-- I can't----!" He half sobs, terror lacing his tone, hands hiding his face in grief.

[Q'kura] I'm going to die. They're going to kill me here. Someone's going to tell them, and they're going to come and kill me. Nothing ever goes right for me! All i wanted was... Was something nice...

S'vexrha Tchuma's lips thin into a line, gaze trailing over to Neoma, brows furrowing at her question. Peering back to Q'kura, she realises his hair covers the mark she knows is present, a deep breath being exhaled through his nose. ".. Yeah. He's.. one of Grym's."

Neoma Eltanin turned to stare in shock at Vex when she confirmed his identity. So focused had Neoma been to help him that she had not noticed the mark. "…" Her eyes fell upon Q'kura again, watching with worried eyes as she could see he was near a panic attack. Pursing her lips, she decided to try and comfort him still. She got on the bed by his side and gently put an arm around his shoulders. "Q'kura, breathe… Inhale, and… Exhale… And again…" She spoke softly to try and soothe him.

At that, Q'kura simply bursts into tears. It's not a quiet, mournful sort of weeping, but the full bodied, distraught shudder that was barely controllable. He leans into the arm around his shoulder, sobbing into his hands. Only after he's had a good long moment of crying, does he heed her advice, slowing his breathing.

S'vexrha Tchuma raises a hand to the back of her neck, awkwardly rubbing at it as she shifts her weight from one leg to the other.

Neoma Eltanin kept demonstrating for Q'kura how he should breathe, taking slow and deep breaths as she continued rubbing his shoulder for comfort. As she studied his face a little closer she could indeed see the same red mark that branded Vex's cheek… The red mark she had been told to look out for. But right now what she saw first of all was a terrified man crying for help. "Q'kura… I think I understand where you are from. But that doesn't matter right now. You are my patient, first of all."

Q'kura Tia: "Y-you… You know? You know where i'm from, and… And what i was… A-am… A part of…?" He blinks, teary eyed behind his glasses. "A-and you s-still… W-want to…" It sets him off crying all over again, though he recovers much more quickly, this time. Ears pinned back, he looks to Vex, swallowing a lump in his throat. "Vex, -please-. Y-you have to let me go, i… I swear i won't tell anyone… I… I didn't know. I didn't know…"

S'vexrha Tchuma arches a brow at Neoma's words, lips thinning a little further before her gaze trails back to Q'kura. ".. Q'kura, you blabber your head off when you get stressed, whether or not you want to.. Right person stress you out back at the Compound? Sayuri's fucked."

Neoma Eltanin: "No one is going to hurt you, Q'kura. I give you my word on that. I know them, I will talk to them." The arm remained around Q'kura to help him relax as she turned to Vex. "I'm… sorry that I seem to have been causing a bit of a mess. I understand you must feel quite shocked, Vex…"

Q'kura Tia: "Neoma… Neoma promise me. Promise me you won't let them hurt me…" He looks to her, big sad eyes blinking back tears. He doesn't move from her embrace, though turns his attention to Vex. "…S-so you're saying i can't leave…?" Another pause, before horror takes his expression again. "---No! Please don't let them put me back in there! I--- I don't want to go in the dark again! Vex!" His voice trembled, hands clutching the mattress. "I--- I'm scared of the dark… I… I c-can't do that…"

Q'kura Tia: "N-not again. -Please…-."

[Q'kura] N-not in the cell, please not in there! It was so dark, and i could barely move... I thought i was never going to leave, that i was going to die in there, and now... Now they want me to go back?! No! Please, Neoma. Please don't let them hurt me, please...

S'vexrha Tchuma: "… I wouldn't be so quick on that promise." She glances over to Neoma. ".. Q'kura here is.. -kinda- the reason for Eir and Sayuri's captivity.. And something I've learned about Sayuri.. she holds grudges." She shoves her hands into her pockets, idly rocking back and forth on her heels. "… You still got your part to do. That's.. probably the one thing that'll keep her from killing you.. Probably. As for what Bexy will do.. I.. can't tell."

Neoma Eltanin had a very determined look on her face as she responded to Vex. "I am not saying I am absolving Q'kura of whatever crimes he may have committed. But right now, he is my patient, and under my care. I won't see any harm being done upon him." Her gaze lingered a bit on Vex before she turned to Q'kura. "I said that you have my word, Q'kura. You still do. I promise that no one here will hurt you."

Q'kura Tia: "I -know-!" Q'kura half yells at Vex. "I fucked up, and i know… I know that i did something… Horrible…" His skin prickles even at the idea of those two icy Miqo'te being in the same room as him. "I… I'm trying, Vex. I… I -want- to, but i… I don't know how…" He glances to Neoma, tension seeming to ease a little. "Do… Do you know them…?"

S'vexrha Tchuma: "--Patient?" Vex raises her brow at Neoma, only to peer back at Q'kura. "-- Hey, don't yell at -me-. I don't want to murder you." Her ears pin back a touch.

Neoma Eltanin: "I know them. You mean Bexy and Sayuri, right? I am good friends with them, I can talk to them." To Vex's question, she nodded. "He has a knee injury that is pretty bad… I was hoping I could do something about it here."

Q'kura Tia: "…Sorry." His ears fold back a little, the word a little quieter, intended for Vex. The reassurance that at least two people here don't want him dead seems to settle him, somewhat. "…I… I hope they'll listen to you. Just… Please. Don't… Don't put me in that room again…" He whispers. The mention of his knee makes him fall silent for a moment, hand reaching subconsciously to his staff for comfort.

S'vexrha Tchuma's ears droop, a glimpse of concern falling over her features as she peers down towards Q'kura's knee. ".. What happened?" Her gaze lifts, lips curling into a faint smile. ".. Hey, you can't help the others locked in there.. I'm sure it'll be fine.."

Neoma Eltanin: "You can stay here in the infirmary, don't worry." The genuine fear Q'kura displayed hinted at severe trauma, causing Neoma to frown in concern. She knew how ruthless Bexy could be to those not on her good side. As Vex asked about the knee, she remained silent, wanting to hear the answer as well.

Q'kura Tia: "…Vairg. Vairg happened." Q'kura almost whispers; as though the man himself was lingering close enough to hear. "I… I was told to look for a small group of ours who'd gone missing, not so long ago. We… We found them, alright. Your handiwork, i believe." He inclines his head, peering over his glasses. "…And Bexy's. Cahvi'ra's wounds were so bad, not even -i- was able to save him. Vairg told me to look, and i… I didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, so i told someone else to do it-- And… He came for me. He… He punished me for not telling him, myself. He…" Those tears well anew, averting his gaze as his ears flattened to his head. "…He broke my leg. Not… Like he usually does. He… Crushed it. Th-there wasn't anything left to put back together, but… I… I tried…"

[Q'kura] I've healed enough of that bastard's broken bones on other people that i aught to know what they look like. But no, he made a... Special effort, with me, to ensure i'd never be able to fix it even with my considerable talents...

S'vexrha Tchuma offers a small frown at the name, the sigh that follows is certainly not a surprised one. ".. Yeah, well. Cahvi'ra shouldn't have planted an arrow in Sayuri. Kinda pissed Bexy off." She huffs. ".. Did hear him mention Saran, which.. is a name I haven't heard in a while." She pauses as Q'kura keeps speaking, ears flattening a little further. ".. Fuck. I-.. I'm sorry.. Gods, that bastard fucking sucks.."

Neoma Eltanin recognized the name 'Vairg'. She had seen it mentioned in the records regarding the compound. Worried eyes studied Q'kura's face, then his knee. "This… 'Vairg' is quite dangerous, right Vex? I recognize the name."

Q'kura Tia: "He's… He's only getting worse, Vex. Ever since they made him left hand… He's killed people. -Our- people!" Q'kura pats his chest, clutching the fabric. Brows furrowed, he looks to Neoma, then. "…Whatever you've heard of him, it's… It's worse."

S'vexrha Tchuma glanced to Neoma, offering a nod to confirm her question before peering back to Q'kura. ".. Has he-.." Her voice trails, seeming a touch uncertain with how to word her question, shuffling on the spot as she pins back her ears. ".. Has he hurt any of the distrusted..?"

Neoma Eltanin remained quiet for now, listening to what Vex and Q'kura had to tell. Any information about the threats of the compound was valuable.

Q'kura Tia: "…He… No. They know to stay out of his way, which is more than i can say for some of the others. But… No. They… Haven't been hurt by -him-, at least…" Q'kura's gaze flees away, swallowing a small lump in his throat.

S'vexrha Tchuma's eyes narrow, the smallest flicker of a flame curls along her jaw. ".. But someone has been hurt, judging by your answer.."

Neoma Eltanin looked at Vex with concern, noticing the anxious flame. "… You had friends in the compound, right Vex?"

Q'kura Tia lowers his ears somehow further at Neoma's words, allowing a long, uncomfortable silence to hang. "…Matoyan." Q'kura manages, glancing up to Vex. "…He… He was blamed for your escape. They think he did it. He's--- He's okay. I…" He swallows the pang of anxiety, once again. "…I made sure."

[Q'kura] He's never been unkind to me, but we've not exactly been on good terms, either. I'm one of the trusted, after all, and he's practically the opposite. I think the only reason he tolerates me is because i'm nice to D'khoreh. He's a sweet little idiot who's too nice for his own good. It's hard not to be nice to D'khoreh. Unless you're Vairg, or one of the other parade of assholes i work for...

S'vexrha Tchuma: ".. Didn't call or treat 'em like it, but.." She grimaces faintly, and offered a small nod. Q'kura's words make Vex's ears fall flat atop her head, hands balling up into fists as little embers spark around them. "… Matoyan had nothing to do with it.."

Neoma Eltanin looked at Vex's fists in silence. "… Q'kura…" She lifted her gaze to look at him. "You.. will probably have to remain here in the infirmary until we have sorted things out, but… I take it that afterwards you will be going back to the compound? To… where you are stationed."

Q'kura Tia: "He didn't cave, but… There was never any proof. But---" Q'kura's eyes narrow over his glasses. "…If not him, then who? One of the others? It would make sense, for him to take the blame for it, knowing him…" Trailing, he looks to Neoma, giving a small, though uneasy nod. "I… Have to. They will hunt me down if i don't return, and… Trust me even less than they probably do. If i'm here too long, i won't be able to get back in…"

S'vexrha Tchuma holds a long silence, the only word that leaves her being to reveal something likely unthinkable to anyone within the compound's ranks. "…. Ketenblaet."

Neoma Eltanin nodded, opening her mouth to say something but soon shut it again as Vex mentioned a name. She looked between them, remaining silent to again listen for information that could be valuable.

Q'kura Tia: "…What…?" Q'kura breathes. His expression is incredulous, but it's clear that he has no reason to disbelieve her. "---Ket is--- He's…" Scrunching his nose, he shakes his head. "Why…?"

[Q'kura] What the fuck...? No. There's no way it was him. What motive does he have? Why? He's not one of the hands only because he doesn't want to be, but he's Grym's best friend!

S'vexrha Tchuma: "… All he told me was that he was sick of shit." Vex rolled a shoulder into a shrug. ".. Also, when Sayuri and Eir were escaping, and Ketenblaet said he hadn't seen 'em over the pearl? Outright lie. He was watching us."

Neoma Eltanin kept listening, only speaking when the silence told her she would not disturb. "Then there are more trying to get people out…" She pinched her chin in thought. "… This is an opportunity. Maybe he could help."

The realisation seems to settle heavily on his shoulders, judging by the way his face had still retained the furrowed look. Glancing to Neoma, he seems to shrink away at the idea. "---There's no proof he's trying to get people out, but… I can't just walk up to him and ask! What if you're wrong? What if it was just you and Sayuri?" He asks Vex, ears lowering. "…We all know the chaos caused by the both of you, i had to see to plenty of the aftermath myself! What if… He just wanted the two of you gone…?"

".. I don't know. Ain't exactly a secret that Ket and Grym has known eachother since they were kids, so.. Him betraying Grym is a weird fucking thought, but he did." There's a small pause, Vex's gaze darts between Neoma and Q'kura. ".. I'd say have someone else ask for you, but… You said you had no luck talking to the distrusted yet, yeah?"

Neoma too kept looking between Q'kura and Vex. "I… take it he is not approachable? Is there someone else there that you know wants to get out of there that could talk to him? The more on the inside that can get involved with this, the better the odds of organizing escapes."

"Approachable? He's -Grym's best friend-! You don't becomes friends with someone like that by being a nice person. I can't talk to him!" Q'kura huffs, though gives a small frown, shaking his head. "…I… No. I've tried. A little. I… Don't even know where to start, Vex. Who's to say if i said something, they wouldn't turn me in? They don't trust me. They don't like me, either…"

"Not.. the most approachable, no.." Vex grimaces, then arches a brow at Q'kura. "Turn you in? You're mistaking 'em for folks who are there by choice. If anything, they might think you're trying to get 'em into shit. And.. you can't exactly blame 'em for distrusting you.." She folds her arms before her chest, furrowing her brow in thought. ".. D'khoreh is most likely to trust you, but because he's a sweet little idiot by nature.. his word won't hold much sway.." She mumbles, speaking her thought process aloud.

Neoma kept pinching her chin in thought. While all this information was indeed valuable, there was little she could offer in terms of suggestions due to her lack of knowledge of the inside works of the compound. She sighed, letting her hand fall to her lap along with the arm that had been wrapped around Q'kura's shoulders. "Either way… With Q'kura here and.. not as a prisoner…" She paused to glance a little worried at Q'kura before she continued. "Maybe it would be more feasible to come up with a plan, together. You both know what it is like to be there. Rank determines your privileges, right?"

"D'khoreh is… The one i had considered. But we both know he'll run right to his sister as soon as he's able! What if she says something? Does something? Thinks i'm going to hurt him? I know they don't trust me and i… I can't blame them. But where am i supposed to start…?" The stress begins to lace his tone again, as though some reminder of his predicament seemed to settle more strongly in his thoughts. "…It does, yes. Being a Trusted and a healer gives me considerable access to things that others otherwise wouldn't have. But you… Can't keep me here forever." He swallows the anxious lump in his throat once again. "…You'll let me stay in this room, until i can… Go, though…?"

[Q'kura] The thought of staying in the infirmary is a lot nicer than in that dark cell. At least here it's... Familiar, in it's practise. Maybe they'll let me help! At least the people are nice...? ...Oh, Q'kura, what have you gotten yourself into now? Bexy and Sayuri will find out soon, and then what? Neoma, i hope you know what you're doing...

"Hey, as much as I am down to just sit and talk this through.. I don't really know what our icy friends think." Vex grimaces yet again, brows furrowing. ".. Yeah, D'nhehli would be on your ass real fucking quick." She idly taps her foot in thought. " .. What about Matoyan..? If.. he's reachable.."

To Q'kura's question, Neoma nodded. "Yes, of course. You're not imprisoned, Q'kura. You're here because I brought you here." To Vex's words, Neoma's lips thinned at the truth they held. "… At least Mist should be made aware of this. We… need a plan for what to do now that we are in this seat."

"…I could try. But he won't trust me…" Q'kura glances away, looking somewhat mournfully to Neoma. "You promise they won't hurt me…?" He asks, more than a little anxious. "…Who's Mist?"

".. I mean. I -am- going to tell Bexy.." Vex stated, at least she's honest. She peers at Q'kura, pausing for a moment. "… If Matoyan can still leave the Compound, I could talk to him.."

"I promise, Q'kura. I'm not going to lie, knowing them they will most likely be angry to hear that you know where this place is. It is a threat, after all. But the blame is on me, not you. I won't let them hurt you, I'll stay by your side." She lifted a hand to rest on his shoulder for a moment as extra comfort. "Mist is responsible for the Merciful Bough, everyone employed here and the details regarding missions. She is one of our leaders." The hand dropped back in her lap and she turned to look at Vex. "Vex, I take it you are going to contact Bexy right away?"

"He… He'll talk to you. I can tell him--- When i go back. They -will- let me go back, yes…?" Neoma's comfort seems to settle him, though he still held tightly to the staff on the bed. His ears fold at the impending thought of icy Miqo'te, but he doesn't make an outward comment, instead nodding quietly to Neoma's description, and committing things to memory.

Vex shoots a stare of some amount of disbelief at Neoma, lips thinning into a line at the information the Raen happily gives. "… Feeling like I should've done so earlier, now." She raises a hand towards her ear, but waits for a little moment, in case either Neoma or Q'kura has something to say before the call is made.

Neoma glanced at Q'kura for a second before turning to Vex, nodding that she could go ahead and make the call.

Q'kura practically sinks in his seat, eyes honed in on the floor. Panic begins to bubble up in the pit of his throat again, but he swallows it away with a waver, making some muted attempt to stay calm.

Vex exhales a small sigh through her nose before committing to press her finger down against the linkpearl nestled in her ear. "… Uhh.. Bexy? I… need you to come to the infirmary.." She pauses. "… Preferably ten minutes ago."

Neoma watches Vex as she makes the call, glancing a little concerned at Q'kura. She exhaled through her nose, turning her head to watch the door and waiting for it to slam open. She'd be ready to physically get in-between if she had to.

The pearl rings at the other end, and it's only a few short moments before she deigns to answer. "…Vex?" She pauses, before the words sink in. "---What happened? Is everyone alright?" Already, the sound of boots on wood, and the sound of a door closed behind her in haste.

[Bexy] ...Did something happen? Someone's hurt? If they need me, it means it wasn't just a simple injury... That there's something to it. ...I'm on my way.

Still, Q'kura keeps his quiet. Every breath threatens to hitch in his throat, hunched into his shoulders as he glances anxiously between Vex, Neoma, and the door that the others would surely soon arrive through…

Vex's lips thin into a line, casting a glance towards Q'kura before she answers. ".. Q'kura's here."

When Vex confirmed the reason for calling Bexy to the infirmary, Neoma lifted a hand to again place on Q'kura's shoulder. "You'll be okay, Q'kura. She won't hurt you."

[Q'kura] ...What if Neoma's wrong? What if they'll simply decide i'm too big a risk and kill me anyway?

"What?" Bexy's voice is equal parts disbelief and fear, quickly smoothed over by some icy sense of calm. "---I'm on my way." A pause, then, before she asks. "…Have you told Sayuri?"

"…How.. How do you know?" Q'kura asks Neoma, clearly worried. "…How well do you know her…? Do… Do you know what she's capable of…?"

"… Nope." Vex utters the word with a pop. ".. Just you."

"I know Bexy. I know very well what she is capable of. But she is also one of my dearest friends. She would never want me to get hurt, and I won't let her hurt you." She managed a soft smile towards Q'kura before her attention returned to the door, understanding that Bexy was on her way.

"…Then i'm bringing her too. She deserves to know. I'll be there soon." Bexy's pearl cuts off to Vex, before she shuffles in a small pouch for another. Activating it, the first thing heard through is a sigh. "…Sayuri? Apologies for disturbing you, but it… It's important."

[Bexy] Sayuri deserves to know. She's going to be so angry, and she has every right to be. Why is Q'kura at the company house? How the hells did he find us? Is he trying to get himself killed? I thought he was supposed to be smart!

"…I… I don't know much about her. She kept it that way on purpose, i think. When she… When she…" Q'kura breathes, but every exhale seems to shudder, as though the chill she'd brought was already here. "I… I know she's protective of her friends. I… I think if anyone in the compound knows anything about her, it's… It's that. That, and she's relentless…"

".. Alright." That one piece of information, Vex keeps to herself, her hand lowering back down as she glanced towards Neoma and Q'kura. ".. I mean. You did fuck with the woman she considers her sister.-- And by that I mean the Compound as a whole, not.. you, specifically."

A brief silence lingers before Sayuri seemingly manages to reach her linkpearl. "Bexy..? What's going on..?"

Neoma could only agree with what Vex said and nodded. "To those she loves, Bexy is kind and endearing… And fiercely protective." Her gaze fell to look at her hands in her lap. "… Grym made himself a formidable enemy by targeting the Merciful Bough. I am well aware that Bexy is responsible for many deaths among your ranks."

Bexy pulls her painted lips into a line. "…Q'kura's in our infirmary. In the company house." The quiet that hangs is an anxious one, but she continues. "I don't know how he found us, or why he's there. But i'm going, and i intend to find out."

Q'kura's ears may as well be stuck to the back of his head, chest tight, hand gripped on the staff so tightly as he slowly began to freeze up. "---But i did, Vex. With Eir, and with everything i did, and… And…" He stares fearfully, between the two of them. "---Grym only wanted X'---" He shakes his head, brow knit. "---Sayuri. He only wanted her back, not the company-- I don't think he even knows they exist, except for maybe Bexy… I… Try to stay out of his way…"

Vex slowly raised a hand up to settle a finger across her lips in a silent 'hush' motion as Q'kura very nearly speaks Sayuri's birthname, even if he managed to halt and correct himself beforehand. ".. And it's gonna stay that way. Right, Q'kura? Grym can't know. -Can't-."

There's a long, almost uncomfortable silence on Sayuri's end as she processes what she has been told, the hint of a snarl taking to the next words that leave her. "..I'm on my way."

Neoma's gaze was still lowered, frowning just a bit in concern. "… If Grym found out about this place it would lead to more people getting harmed. Or worse." She sighed, lifting her head to glance at the door. "Maybe I should contact Mist soon as well. She would want to know about the current situation, as there is a link to the Merciful Bough now. Even if unintentional."

"I'll see you there." Bexy replies on her pearl, before slipping through the aether. She'd be there, before long.

"--I won't tell him anything, i promise! I swear! I… I didn't even know you were here, this was just… It… It was an accident. I didn't mean to come here, didn't mean to find you…" Q'kura stammers, staring at the door again.

[Q'kura] I don't want to tell Gyrm anything. I'll just pretend i never came here, i... I don't want them to kill me... I... I just want someone to trust me...!

".. I believe you. I just hope they will, too." Vex furrows her brows, glancing towards the door before peering back at Q'kura.

"None of this is your fault, Q'kura. If someone is to bear the blame, it is me. I brought you here, and I still do not regret bringing you here." She paused, studying Q'kura's expression. "… You really needed someone, didn't you? Not just for your leg."

"I-i…" Q'kura's voice breaks at Neoma's words, immediately crumbling into a sob. All he can do is nod as an answer to her question, diverting his gaze to the floor as he wept.

[Q'kura] I just... I just wanted someone to treat me like a person, just for a little! To be listened to, not discarded or written in the footnotes of history as someone who didn't matter, i just... I want someone to just... ... Just someone to... Care. Even just for a little bit...

Though only a few more moments pass, until the dreaded footfalls sound. A purposeful, heeled march across the floor brings Bexy to the door of the infirmary, pushing her way in with some urgency, and holding the door open behind her for someone to follow. Nodding to Vex as a greeting, she smiles faintly to Neoma, before her eyes narrow in on Q'kura…

Vex's ears droop at both Neoma's words and Q'kura's reaction to them. A small sigh heaves from her nose, clearly feeling sympathetic towards him. An ear turns at the sound of the door opening, prompting her to turn to face Bexy as she enters, lips thinned into a line.

Sayuri is not far behind her, with her features drawn into a scowl, and ice lacing her fingertips. Her eyes swiftly seek out Q'kura, narrowing as her steps sped up a little further, clearly intending to get closer to him - and quickly.

Neoma meets Bexy's eyes and gets up, ready to speak to her before she had mind to scare Q'kura even further. However her eyes widened in surprise seeing Sayuri approaching. "Sayuri..? Ah- wait!" She quickly gets in front of Q'kura, one hand held in front of herself as a signal to try and halt Sayuri before she tried hurting him. "Don't hurt him, it is not his fault he is here!"

Q'kura's ears are pinned flat, staring to Bexy as she entered. That fear only turns into horror as Sayuri slips out from behind Bexy, claws brandished - His eyes wide as a cry of terror leaves him, now a sobbing mess behind Neoma as he began to beg. "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I---I DIDN'T MEAN TO--- I DIDN'T---!" He clutches onto Neoma's shoulders so tightly that she can feel him shaking, eyes squeezed shut and head dipped away to hide.

[Q'kura] NO, NO! I KNEW BEXY WAS GOING TO COME HERE, BUT SHE--- SAYURI! I SWEAR I DIDN'T KNOW! I DIDN'T KNOW!

Bexy had no intention of moving any closer; looking remarkably calm, if not a little worried. As Sayuri moves towards Q'kura, she reaches for a forearm, hoping to hold her back, or at least make her think. "---Not until we know why he's here." She states, aiming to catch Sayuri's eyes.

[Bexy] ...I want to know why he's here, first. No use killing him if there's something we can learn, first. But he's terrified. He either knows damn well he's made a mistake by coming here, or there's something else at play.

Even Vex places herself between, serving as another annoyance to get through should Sayuri decide she's feeling particularly murderous this sun. "-- Easy. We still need him, remember? The folks inside?" She presses, trying to remind her.

Sayuri is brought to a halt as Bexy grasps her forearm, a hostile snarl passing her lips. "It's bad enough that he's even here in the first place!" Her mismatched glare moves from Q'kura, to Neoma, further to Vex, and then settles on Bexy.

Neoma did not move from where she stood, determined to keep herself between Q'kura and the others. "I'm the reason he's here. If you want someone to be angry at, it is me." There was no hesitation as she spoke, looking at both Sayuri and Bexy without avoiding their eyes. "I met him in Thanalan. He needed help, so I brought him here to treat him."

[Bexy] What the fuck, Neoma!? After everything i did to keep him from here, everything i did to... To protect all of you, and you just... ....Agh! I swear, your kind heart is going to get you and others killed, one sun!

"You -brought him here-?" Bexy adds, eyes widening as they darted to Neoma. "--Why? Needed help? You couldn't have just done it in the field?" She looks to the cowering Q'kura, and even she can't stop her aether from bringing a chill to the room; though compared to the likely severity of Sayuri's, it's hardly able to be felt. "--After all i did to keep him from us? Did you know, Neoma?" Her tone is scolding, but she makes no move to draw closer, instead trying to pull Sayuri back, meeting her gaze with some quiet levelheadedness.

Q'kura holds his quiet, and doesn't open his eyes. He decides the smart thing to do is hold his breath and stay hidden, sobs pushing their way out of his lips every so often.

Vex remains silent, staying right where she is.

Sayuri's eyes dart to Neoma, then - offering a look of disbelief and betrayal. The ice on her fingertips expand further along her hands and begin to crawl up her forearms, her chill definitely increasing in severity. "..Are you -trying- to have me found?" While Sayuri certainly knows the true answer, it seems her mind has removed the ability for her to reach a rational conclusion as her emotions are running high, and were before she had even entered the room.

Neoma let out a quiet breath. It was clear just how upset Bexy and Sayuri were, but she did her best to remain calm and collected. "I did not know he was one of Grym's men. I did not notice the mark on his face because of the rain, and I was careless. I'm sorry." She glanced a little over her shoulder at Q'kura who was still trembling behind her. "He did not know who I was and willingly followed after I convinced him he needed his leg examined. It is severely damaged and has not healed properly."

Bexy takes a breath in kind, allowing her to slowly measure the situation. "…You found him. You didn't know who he was, didn't see the mark. You brought him back here… He's hurt?" Bexy narrows her gaze a little at Q'kura, then. "You're a healer. Why take her aid, when you're capable enough on your own?" She asks, and does not let go of Sayuri's arm for a moment.

"I--- I tried! I tried, and i… I can't…" Q'kura is almost hysterical from fear, and won't so much as look Bexy or Sayuri in the eyes. "---I--- I never meant to--- I-it was an accident! I swear, i won't tell anyone! I won't!" Some small pang of desperation sees him glance up, tear stricken, to Sayuri, "---I don't want them to take you back! You have to believe me! You have to! Vex--- Vex, you know i'm telling the truth! Please!"

[Bexy] The thing is, i believe him. I do. I've watched him enough to know his tells, and though i can't deny his intelligence, he's not reserved enough to hide his emotions from me. He's terrified we're going to kill him. I don't think he meant to end up here, but... Gods damn it, putting an arrow through his head would be so much easier, if it wouldn't condemn so many of the people still inside to death.

"… Vairg broke his leg." Vex speaks up, and glances to Neoma. "-- His knee, right?" She then peers to Q'kura as he speaks her name, ears flattening a touch. ".. I believe him. Like.. The way he reacted when he saw me, it was clear he had no fucking clue we were here."

Vairg's name being uttered certainly does not make Sayuri any calmer, the mere mentioning of it causing her ice to sprawl up to her biceps, fangs gritting in a snarl. Despite the murderous glare she returns to Q'kura, her anger seems to have been just a touch redirected.

Neoma nodded to Vex before her attention returned to Sayuri and Bexy, anxious to make sure Sayuri especially did not get her hands on Q'kura. "… When he realized where he was, he got terrified. He does not mean us any harm, and only came here because I brought him with me." She paused to sigh. "… I'm sorry, Bexy. Sayuri. I understand the severity. But he does not deserve to be hurt because of this."

Bexy gives a steady nod to Vex, but her brow knits to Neoma as she spoke. "I never mentioned laying a finger on him. If anything, that makes it a lot more difficult for him to achieve what we want. But i believe you. At least you, Neoma, and Vex. Q'kura didn't mean to find us, here." She releases Sayuri's arm, trusting her enough to at least not lunge for him again. Though, her expression doesn't soften so much, giving a sharp sigh, stress clearly working it's way into the knit of her brow. "---Neoma. Do you… Realise, the danger you've put us in…?"

"I… I didn't know… I didn't know…" Q'kura sobs, withdrawing onto the bed. "I… I j-just--- She she was nice to me. J-just for a little, i wanted to… W-wanted to…" Tears pour down his cheeks, finally looking upwards. "F-for once, i… I didn't mean to cause problems…"

Vex quietly watches Sayuri as Bexy lets go of her, seemingly intending to remain vigilant, just in case.

Sayuri surprisingly enough stays at Bexy's side, even when she's released. Her gaze peels off of Q'kura to instead lock on Neoma. ".. I will remember you're sorry when he opens his fucking mouth and I end up in a cell, again." She snarled. "Why not just tell me that Grym deserves to live too?"

[Q'kura] They aren't going to let me go, are they? They're going to kill me... Oh Gods, they're going to kill me!

This time Neoma's gaze fell, lifting her hand to rub her other arm as guilt gripped its hold of her. "… I know. I know apologizing isn't solving anything." She pursed her lips, remaining quiet for a short moment before looking at Sayuri. "And I understand if you hate me because of this, Sayuri. But I cannot undo what has been done." Her eyes lingered on Sayuri before she turned to look at Q'kura. "… Judging by what I can see however, he too has become a victim of the cruelty of that place. Was it not so that we would help those who are trapped there?"

"We won't let him take you. Not again." Bexy's words are half snapped, though not directed quite at anyone, more in response to Sayuri. "---He lives if he manages to free the Distrusted. We kill him now, they have less of a chance of getting out." Her icy gaze moves to Q'kura again, giving a sigh that sounded more pitiful, and somewhat resentful. "I never wanted you to find this place. You couldn't give them knowledge you didn't have, Q'kura. I know how prone you are to babbling under pressure…" Her tail swats, wavering. "…I learned that myself."

"I w-won't… I won't tell them, i…" His voice fades, trembling as he hid behind Neoma. His thoughts wandered along the same path as Bexy's; it wasn't difficult to figure out what she was thinking. "I didn't mean to… I didn't… But i…" He sobs, hanging his head. "Y-you're… Not going to let me go. A-are you…?" Gripping the bed, he shudders with grief. "J-just… M-make it quick…?"

".. They've avoided him, but we got an idea for how to make 'em talk with him." Vex voices. ".. Yeah, he babbles, but as long as there's no suspicion about him, it should be fine. They got no reason to stress him out enough to get to that topic."

Sayuri in turn offers no words, simply stood with her hands balled into fists and teeth locked in a tight grit.

The anger in Sayuri's eyes felt like daggers in Neoma's heart. She struggled meeting her glare and carefully swallowed before she dared to speak. "It will be more dangerous to not let Q'kura return. They might grow suspicious if he is gone for too long." Eyes shifted to Bexy as she continued talking. "Mist should be made aware. I can contact her right away."

Bexy flicks her gaze from Q'kura to Vex, then to Neoma, remaining quiet for a long moment. "…Suppose you're right. Both of you. Though helping him wasn't part of the bargain, i know you want to get those on the inside free. As for Mist…" It's almost a grimace given, as Bexy sighs. "If you must. It's not exactly a private matter now, considering."

Q'kura shifts his attention from Bexy to Sayuri, then. Tear-stained spectacles perched on his nose, and he seemed to be… Waiting, for something, though dare not make a mention of what.

".. It wasn't, but with the distrusted avoiding him, unlikely to trust him or trusting him and having your sister refusing that trust…" How very specific, Vex. "… I'd rather help him reach 'em, to make sure something can be started. Besides.." A small frown settles on Vex's features, ears flattening. "..Someone I care about, a lot, was accused of getting me out. He's been hurt."

Sayuri's gaze drifts away, lingering somewhere that isn't on any person - the anger and hurt in her eyes not subsiding one bit.

Neoma glanced to Sayuri before she nodded to Bexy, lifting her hand to press on the linkpearl hanging from her horn. "… Mist, are you available? Could you come to the infirmary? No one is badly wounded, but… it is rather urgent. We have a… situation at hand."

[Mist] ...Well, this isn't exactly the afternoon i had in mind. What now?

"A… Situation?" The response is almost immediate-quick from Mist's end, followed by a long, laboured sigh. "Right. One moment." No sooner does the pearl cut short, does the sound of a distant door in the hallway close…

"…I'm not opposed to it. But my opinion and feelings aren't the only ones that matter." Though she'd responded to Vex, her gaze had narrowed, settling on Neoma with such scathing words. Though the look doesn't linger, glancing to Sayuri with concern.

Q'kura manages to speak, though his words waver in fear. "…I want to help. N-not just… For me. I know how it feels. I know what i did, what i've done, and i… I just want to help. I promise…"

Vex offers a small nod in response to Bexy's words, gaze trailing to Sayuri.

Sayuri kept quiet a little longer, only for her mismatched glare to find its way back to Q'kura. "You know how it feels?" She half-scoffs, half-snarls. "What you have had was a bloody kindness in comparison."

The directed words from Bexy's lips did not go unnoticed to Neoma, and she did not meet Bexy's eyes. The hand that had been lifted to press on the linkpearl fell back to her side, while her other hand was busy tugging anxiously at the fabric of her sleeve. "… Mist is on her way."

It didn't take long for her to arrive, pushing her way into the infirmary, tucking her glasses into the top pocket of her shirt. She glances between Bexy and Sayuri, rounding them to eventually find Vex and Neoma, and behind them, peering around… A face she'd never seen before. She lofts a brow, and heaves a sigh. "Explain."

[Mist] Oh, for fucks sake. I know that mark. In the company house? Really? ...I knew something like this would happen eventually.

"He's one of them, Mist." Bexy replies, as even toned as she's able. "…Our situation is compromised. They know where we are. Whether you want it to be or not, this is a company matter, now." Though it was something she'd asked her for, this clearly wasn't the terms she'd wanted it on.

Q'kura keeps his quiet, now looking upwards towards Mist. He's still hiding behind Neoma, unsure of the new arrival to the room…

Vex peers towards Mist, lips thinning a touch before she offers a gesture Q'kura's way. ".. This is Q'kura. He is, uh.. A high ranked healer from the Compound.."

Sayuri glances at Mist as she enters, only to look away from everyone once more, staring at some far-off corner in the infirmary instead. The scowl remains, along with the shimmering mixture of anger and betrayal in her eyes.

One of Neoma's hands lifts to hold her other lower arm, looking troubled. "Hi, Mist. Sorry for calling you here so sudden." She sighed, pausing to glance at Q'kura for a second before she continued. "I brought him here to look at an injury in his knee. I… I'm sorry. I did not realize he was one of Grym's men." She anxiously glanced at the others present in the room before her focus returned to Mist, tensing the grip of her arm just a bit. "The fault lies entirely with me, not with him. He had no knowledge of who I was or where I was taking him."

"---A high ranked healer from the compound, and the man responsible for kidnapping Eir, and in turn, Sayuri. The man i hunted down and imprisoned in my home for several moons." Bexy clarifies, not wanting for anything to be missed.

[Q'kura] Please... Please don't remind me...

Mist looks flatly to Bexy, then to the others in the room, settling on Neoma. "Our cover is compromised. You understand if he leaves and tells them, they could storm our home and kill the lot of us, yes? Camp outside. Take whoever they please?" It's delivered almost matter-of-factly, but without any real anger. "…If they were stupid, anyway. They might win, but not without heavy losses. The Twin Adders wouldn't simply sit by and watch, and they aren't in his pocket like the Flames. Neoma, what you did was… Well intentioned, but incredibly foolish. You have to know this, yes?"

As Bexy reveals the more scathing information, Q'kura shrinks away, terrified of looking into Sayuri's icy, murderous glare that was no doubt going to be seen in his nightmares again. "I'm sorry, i'm sorry…" He utters like a mantra, starting to rock anxiously on the edge of the bed.

Vex gives a small nod as Bexy clarifies further, then opts to keep her silence, glancing over to Sayuri.

Not a single word leaves Sayuri, who has seemingly decided to withdraw emotionally. The expression she had held fizzles into a certain blank canvas and she merely stares to the side. The ice yet clings to her, and gives no suggestion that it may fade anytime soon.

"… I know. I'm sorry." Neoma dipped her head slightly. "Had I known he was a member of Grym's, I would not have taken him here. But… I did take him here, and I cannot change that." Glancing at Q'kura over her shoulder, Neoma lifted her gaze to face Mist. "But as it looks now, he is also under severe threat at the compound. The knee injury was caused by Vairg, who from what I have heard is one of Grym's most dangerous men."

"So i've been informed." Mist responds, looking over the Q'kura, and heaving a sigh, rubbing her temples. "…Right. This is… This could be better, but we can use this. If you're willing to co-operate with us." She regards Q'kura directly, then. "…Now Vex is free, we don't know much of anything that goes on in those walls. How much information do you think you can pull from there and bring to us?" She asks, before her expression darkens a little. "---You're smart, so i've been told. You even think of betraying us and i won't hesitate to let Sayuri do to you exactly what she wants to. Are we clear?"

[Mist] I really hate using people as threats, but i meant it. I'm not fond of killing people unless i really, really have to, but even i'm not so naive to think that's not an occasional necessity. Besides. It's nice to threaten someone with someone other than Bexy, for a change.

"I… I can try!" Q'kura nods, emphatically. "---I swear, i won't go back on my word, i promise--- I… I promise. Mist, yes? You tell me what you want to know, and… I'll bring everything i can!"

Bexy gives a similarly long sigh out of her nose, and instead moves to stand by Sayuri. She reaches over, to gently touch her arm, in attempt to offer some support.

[Bexy] Twelve, she's pissed. I can feel it in the air, and i can't blame her one bit. I'm sorry, Sayuri. But i'll keep my promise. They won't take you again. And if they somehow manage, i'll tear them to pieces to bring you back.

Vex passes a glance to Neoma, lips thinning a touch. "… I mean. Vairg almost killed Eir. And what, he's Grym's new left hand, right?" Her gaze trails to Q'kura, brows furrowing. "… Two fingers less than he was, but he still fucking sucks."

Sayuri only briefly peers in Mist's direction at her words, trailing it over to Bexy instead as she touches her arm. She keeps her quiet, ears glued down flatly atop her skull.

Neoma looked over to Bexy and Sayuri for a moment before looking at Q'kura, keeping silent at first before speaking. "Q'kura, do you… want to get out of the compound? If you could leave your position and everything else behind… Would you?"

"---O-of course i would. I would have already, had i not known i'd be hunted, which…" He steadies himself a little, coming to the conclusion he was most likely going to live to see the end of the sun. "…I wager i have a sun or two, before they start getting suspicious. I… Don't want them to look for me, but i… I swear, i'll find out anything you want to know. Vex, i'll… I'll try to talk to Matoyan. He's allowed out, but… Not for long. I…" He fights back tears, to some degree of success, looking to Bexy and Sayuri. "…I know you don't forgive me. But… Please. Please let me help."

[Q'kura] I... I just... I just want to be better... Please. Please let me try...

Bexy simply glances to Sayuri. This isn't for her to speak on, seeming at least put at ease by Mist's course of action.

"…Then until you leave, you're to be confined to this room. Fed and watered upon request. Neoma, you brought him, he's your burden until he leaves." Mist states, matter-of-factly. "But i will be here to speak with you further when i've compiled a list of things i want to know."

".. Well, you do kinda work directly under one of the shittier fuckers present, I wouldn't wanna stay either." Vex huffs. ".. Sun or two, maybe a little longer if they settle for pearl calls as check-ins, unless that changed since I left." Her attention settles a little more fully on Q'kura. ".. If you can't talk to him, figure out where he'll be and tell me, yeah? I'll find him."

Sayuri doesn't offer a single sound or look in Q'kura's direction, simply keeping her silence.

To Mist's orders, Neoma nods. "Of course, I brought him here as a patient first of all. I'll look after him." She turned to look at Vex, a hint of concern in her expression. "… Matoyan is a friend of yours, right? Maybe we can get him away from there, too."

"Eanwin is awful…" Q'kura mutters, ears lowered. "…They will, but i wager they'll get more suspicious with me, considering… My last… Disappearance." He tries to at least not glance to Bexy when speaking those words. "…I… Can. Does that mean i… Can… Return here with the information or…" He hesitates, a little. "…Will you… Find me, instead?"

"…You come here, and you'll come here alone. I'll ask the Karahli to watch wider bits of the Shroud, and some of us will be on rotation keeping watch in the Lavender Beds proper." A disparaged sigh is given from Mist, as she paces the room a little. "…This is such a mess. Neoma. This won't happen again. Yes?"

Vex looks over to Neoma, ears flattening a touch before she sinks her head into a small nod. ".. Matoyan fought to keep me out of trouble. Didn't work much, but.. He always looked out for me, ever since he first learned of my arrival. He, uh… won't leave. Not before the others."

Neoma studied Vex a bit, concern still evident in her eyes, before her attention is swiftly brought back to Mist. She dips her head, rubbing her wrist as she pressed her lips together and nodded. "Understood."

"Good." Mist replies firmly, turning away to heave a sigh. "Has anyone got anything more to add? Anything else they'd like to bring up about this whole…" She gestures vaguely at Q'kura. "…Situation…?"

Bexy remains silent, and shakes her head. Brow knit, she looks to the floor.

Q'kura simply shakes his head. "…I will tell you everything you want to know…" He murmurs, ears flattening on his head.

Vex shakes her head, nothing to add.

Sayuri seems intent to hold her silence.

Neoma looked at everyone present in the room. The air felt tense, no one looking the other in the eye and keeping silent. It was unsettling, to say the least. A heavy weight nestled itself in her chest and she quietly sighed, before turning to Mist with a shake of her head. "… No, I think all the information has been shared."

"Right. Wonderful. Back to… Whatever you were doing before this mess happened. Neoma, he's under your watch, pearl me if i'm needed. I'll be back soon enough to speak with you." The emphasized word was directed at Q'kura, as she moved to the door, opening it to usher everyone out.

[Mist] I have a lot i need to ask him, and a lot i want to talk about. I won't admit it outright, but i really hope that he actually wants to redeem himself. Gods know my bleeding heart has got me in trouble enough.

Bexy casts her glance around the room. First to Q'kura, a little narrowed, then to Vex with a nod. Her eyes settle on Neoma's a little too long, as though she might say something… But she simply departs, ensuring Sayuri would follow after her.

Q'kura just sits in the quiet, watching as the procession of faces leaves, slumped as the weight seemed to hang heavy on his shoulders.

Vex slowly reached for Q'kura, aiming a gentle pat atop his shoulder before she heads for the door.

Sayuri's eyes finally moved from the location they had been locked upon, giving Neoma a final look of hurt before she turns on her heels and makes a swift exit from the room.

Neoma remained where she stood, watching as the others left and keeping quiet until the others were out of the infirmary. She sighed and turned to Q'kura, studying him up and down with concerned eyes. They looked a bit more tired now after the chaotic gathering. "How are you feeling, Q'kura?"

Mist departs soon after the rest, closing the door behind her, leaving only Q'kura and Neoma within.

"I…" Tears welled in his eyes again, bringing a sleeve up to wipe them. Even Vex's comfort was unexpected, though welcomed. "…I'm sorry. I… I… Didn't mean to get you into trouble…" He blinks the tears back, composing himself and reaching for the tray. "But i will be fine, thanks to you. I just need a little something to eat, and… To rest." Guilt settles in his gaze, peering up to Neoma. "…You probably should, too…"

[Q'kura] I knew they'd always be angry at me, but... Neoma's their friend, and now they're upset at her, too. And while usually i wouldn't care, because why should i? I feel terrible.

Neoma smiled softly, shaking her head. "This is not your fault, Q'kura. You don't have to apologize. I'll be fine, I just want you to recover." She glanced at the food on the tray. "… It must have gotten cold by now. Do you want me to get you another portion?"

"No, no, it's fine. You've already done more than enough…" He trails, picking up his utensils and digging into his meal. Only quiet seemed to follow, then. He'd much to think about.

She watched him for just a bit before deciding to leave him alone for now. "Alright, I'll let you have some peace and quiet. I'll remain here in the infirmary though, don't worry." She turned to distract herself with preparing potions, anything really to keep her mind occupied as the uncomfortable feeling of guilt still had its grip of her heart.

[barbwillbrb]

What kind of texter is modern rackal? How does he respond to random memes being sent to him? Does he prefer phone calls

Rackal is not the best texter and much, much prefers phone calls/voice messages/Facetime (he's always worried about coming off too stern/serious and drops 'lol' at the end of every text). He's generally too busy, especially during the week, to respond immediately to texts unless it's the early morning, evening, or late at night (basically, when he has a break between work/school; he doesn't have a lot of free time). You would likely text him when he's busy, then in 3 hours when he gets a break he would spam reply to everything you sent him, apologizng for missing the messages (doesn't matter if you said it's okay he still feels like a jerk).

He will respond to everything though and responds to memes in kind.

Also, he and Clairice have a textlog composed primarily of pictures of stupid things they find (overturned trashcan, freaky maneqquin in a store, etc.) or memes. Each image is sent with "this you?"

[ask-order-asterios]

[Textlog begin. Texts between: TemporalTempest (TT) and AstrologicalGlitch (AG)]

[TT]: hrlo [TT]: gettifng chansed [TT]: eyeds gonbe [TT]: greyscaklae [TT]: [image of an alleyway in crossroads]

[conversation ended by TemporalTempest]

---

*Asterios looked at his phone when he was on his self-appointed break and spit out his coffee. he ran as fast as he could to dom and valk (@ask-order-flipside) and had a look of sheer panic in his eyes*

× "I NEED SOMEONE TO GET SOMEONE IN CROSSROADS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THIS IS A FUCKING EMERGENCY" ×

*okay yeah judging by his tone this really is an emergency-*

[frontierpodiatrist]

rune factory 2 barrett x kyle fic ad

hello small subset of rune factory 2 fans: if you would like some content or are starving for something, i wrote a very long (91k) story i've been working on for the past several months, that goes through the entire events of rf2 with a lot of character introspection into kyle and barrett in particular, along with other characters

it is entirely canon compliant with my own personal interpretations of dialogue and headcanons, but many of it was done with canon dialogue i pulled and used from my own playthrough of the game and the rf2 textlogs; you can read it if you're familiar with rf2 and see many references! or if you've never played it and would like to know what goes on roughly in the games, with my own spin!

i worked very hard on this so please consider checking it out if all of that interests you 🙏

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56993104/chapters/144934393