INBOX

[time5kip]

[ Use this if you need to contact him for whatever reason ]

Comments

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

Apprise me of the latest gossip of your life then. We need not stick to the heavy topics.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

Well. Right now the hottest gossip is the matter of my marriage during that game, which I'm already being teased about at length.

But I'd rather not discuss that one either.

[ a pause, then he adds ]

Fox is learning how to make tattoos. Hades is getting one.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

[He sits up a little, propping his chin on his hand.]

To match yours?

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

[ he nods ]

I asked him.

It's all I could think of that would match the significance of the mask he gave me. And I would like him to have a reminder.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

Good. I am glad. He will be happy for it, I think, though I doubt he's made that a mystery at this point.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

Especially now.

[ considering the mess with everyone else he trusted ]

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

Mm. We are both lucky to have you.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

You are, but the same is true for me. I'm glad we found each other.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

I am as well. Hard to imagine I was so offended you had captured Hades's heart not so long ago. I did wonder what he saw in you.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

[ he laughs at that, genuinely amused ]

I do believe you insisted on my being charming even back then. I suppose I'll have to accept it given the end result.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

You were, infuriatingly so.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

Well.

I'm glad you gave me a chance.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

I had little choice in the matter! But I am glad as well.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

[ he smiles at that ]

I can only imagine how much he must have insisted on it. He's done the same with me.

Not for you, just to push me to open up to other people.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

Indeed. He was insistent.

Which is why I worry about him now. The game was one thing but the actions of those in it...

Vergil and Absinthe especially, but all of them really. They have broken his heart. Wounded him deeply and I, with no hope in others left to me, do not know how to soothe him.

[He drapes a hand over his face.]

I know you both worry I may do something rash. But I cannot. Not while he lives. So I would ask that you keep a close eye on him, that he be your priority while the wound to his heart is this fresh.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

[ He's quiet for a few moments at that, but eventually he nods ]

I'd already planned on keeping a close eye on him. I understand people likely simply thought of the game and not on any long term difficulties, but that's not going to change anything for him.

He's been burned too many times already and he loves too deeply.

I'll do my best to take care of him. Even over you.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

[He drops his hand from his face and smiles weakly, but with genuine gratitude.]

Thank you.

He loves deeply, over and over, no matter how many times it wounds him. I have not his strength. But he is like my own heart, and when I see him so wounded, it is an arrow to my breast.

He will put our needs and those of others before his own. I am frustrated with my own state that I cannot even stop him from that right now.

So I must ask your help instead.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

For the record he did also ask me to take care of you. You two really are quite the pair, aren't you.

[ he sighs ]

He's better than I am at diverting attention from himself, and so far I've hardly ever been a match to him. But I'll try to get him to take care of himself.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

[He laughs a little, fond and tired.]

Look how much we both rely on you. My, how embarrassing.

But I am... while not all right, I am resilient. He is as well, really but... I would rather spare him feeling alone even for a moment. Even if you cannot get him to talk, if you are just there with him he will be the better for it. He takes great comfort in your company.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

I'm starting to think my being a quick study is becoming a curse. Everyone's expecting me to be far better at emotions than I am. Though for you two, I hardly mind.

Being there is about the bare minimum I can do, but I know not many clear even that simple bar, so. I won't discard the importance of it.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

Being with him is all I do expect. It really is enough, whatever you think of it.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

Well. Objectively I know the presence of someone you love is a great comfort, and hardly anything more is needed.

I've been alone for most of my life, after all.

But I admit part of me still would like to be able to do more. For the both of you, actually. It's not rational.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

I do understand. Trying to figure out what to do for those you love... that is just part of loving them.

Even I hardly know the right answer for how to do more.

And I do wish I did. For Hades and you. Vergil as well, when I am not so furious with him.

Re: Day 272 early

[time5kip]

So you are angry with him.

Re: Day 272 early

[temperedinpride]

Yes. Not for untempering me, though I do wish I know why he did, but for taking me from Hades at the last.