text;

[discutio]

If anyone else felt that, don't be alarmed. We spoke to the student council president, and I believe Etoile and myself now possess this layer's Authority.

We were able to discern that the previous president was the Authority before we arrived, and presumably through this place's stagnation became...well. We'll likely meet her in the underside, let me leave it at that.

It was a complicated situation, but I believe both this layer and the rest of us will be able to move on very soon. Make sure you are all prepared.

Comments

[discutio]

I didn't ask Achilles, now did I?

I'm not afraid of you, Chiron. Whether that's the right choice or not remains to be seen, but I have no reason to think you're going to hurt me.

[schardynfreude]

I'm...I'm afraid that I will. Perhaps not today. Not tomorrow, either. Not with the next memory or the one after that. But. [The gentle rub turns into a hold, tight.] Eventually.

[discutio]

Perhaps. And perhaps not. Should you try, I think I am perfectly capable of defending myself.

[He shook his head, hugging Chiron a little more tightly.]

...I don't believe that you will. Not purposely, and not in any lasting fashion. I don't think that who you are now.

[schardynfreude]

I don't think I know who I am now. But your faith is touching.

[discutio]

Consider it the observation of a trustworthy third party, then.

[schardynfreude]

Mm. I'll try to hold myself to that ideal. So long as you don't pretend that you can't run yourself straight into the ground.

[discutio]

I can only promise to try.

[schardynfreude]

Then that's that, we'll both be trying what seems impossible, uplifted by the other. What a strange pair we make.

[discutio]

[Phoenix raised his head enough to face Chiron, with a small, exhausted smile.]

I don't think that sounds so bad, do you? It's a good deal better than fighting.

[schardynfreude]

Only because I'm fairly certain you would destroy me in a fight. [beat] Currently. Given I soundly thumped you without breaking a sweat in our living lives.

[discutio]

Oh, I've no doubt we can hold our own against one another. Perhaps next layer when all this is settled, we can have a light sparring match to determine that.

[schardynfreude]

I can't do nearly the same nonsense as I could before. [A light frown.] Hm. Though you'd think I would, given I at least remember it.

[discutio]

I don't believe I always used a sword, for whatever it's worth.

[He tilted his head slightly, looking thoughtful.]

Peculiar, really.

[schardynfreude]

Fairly certain you had a pair of flaming daggers. Or were they icy? Or...also electrified? But to be fair, you did still have your sight at the time.

[discutio]

Mm, something like that.

[He sighed quietly, a hand finding its way to Chiron's shoulder as if seeking to better ground himself, or at least determine if he was facing the right angle.]

...Thank you. Forgive me for being...whatever this is, right now. This layer has been a trying time.

[schardynfreude]

Stressed out, exhausted, somewhat melancholic? I doubt there's a soul here that would think ill of you for it.

[discutio]

Perhaps not, but all the same...I would appreciate it if what transpired here were kept between us. Keeping up appearances and all that.

[schardynfreude]

I'm afraid my own appearances have been rather horrific of late, but yours? As flawless as ever.

[discutio]

I fear I wouldn't know the difference. You're the same to me as ever, Chiron, regardless of how terribly ghastly you seem to think you look.

[schardynfreude]

Medic took samples, though I am fairly well assured that whatever ails me is in mere appearance only. Or at least, not contagious. No blemish on your appearance from me.

[discutio]

I already told you--you don't frighten me. And I don't exactly care what any of us look like.

[schardynfreude]

I really should frighten you. You're a reckless fool. [And yet he sounds not at all put out by Phoenix's statement.]

[discutio]

Perhaps I am.

[He laughed softly, raising both hands to frame Chiron's face--thoughtfully silent for a moment as though he were evaluating something.]

...No, seems nothing's out of order here. You're the same Chiron as ever, no terrible skeletal face or monstrous claws. Isn't that a relief.

[schardynfreude]

[He tenses, unsure...unsure if his appearance today is more gruesome or more normal. But Phoenix's hands seem clean, at least.]

That...may not always be the case. I will, ah, endeavor to warn you if my visage is besieged by a foul material I'd hate for you to touch.

[discutio]

Do as you like. It won't change my mind; I can hardly think of any terrible monsters that would warn one they look a bit upsetting on a particular day.