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

[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.

[schardynfreude]

You're ridiculous. Truly and utterly. Simply a madman in a sensible person's disguise.

[discutio]

...You talk far too much sometimes.

[He'd done plenty of reckless things today; confronting an Authority, taking on a power he didn't fully understand, and with his stress levels only barely lowered Phoenix decided on one more mad and careless thing.]

[After all, what could get even Chiron to stop talking faster than simply leaning forward and kissing him?]

[schardynfreude]

[oh?? what??? what is happening what does this man think he is dOING-

On impulse, Chiron finds himself warping away, back against the door, bewildered. Also on impulse, Phoenix comes with him, given he is in fact still holding Phoenix and did not (impulsively) decide to not bring him along.

So. Phoenix will feel that he has quite suddenly moved locations, with Chiron scrabbling to get his hands under him to keep him upright and not falling on his ass. Still kissing, mind.

panic???? ?]

[discutio]

-?!

[Phoenix made a startled noise, swiftly finding himself trying to get his legs back under him while also wrapping his arms around Chiron's neck to stop from landing on the floor.]

[...Of course, being significantly shorter than Chiron wasn't exactly helping him.]

[schardynfreude]

[It's fine! It's okay! He can fix this! Just. with hands on Phoenix's backside and thighs and trying to draw his legs around Chiron just so he doesn't drop.]

Er. Ah. I, ah. Hm. Apologies! Everything is fine? I swear this never happens to me-

[discutio]

[It was perhaps a little undignified to be clinging to Chiron like a koala, but that was apparently where today was going.]

Forgive me, was--was that a bit too forward?

[schardynfreude]

I.....wasn't anticipating that kind of reaction. I'm flattered! I'm not...this might not be good for your health? Or your death-health. Your. Hm. [maybe kiss him again! to shut him up!]

[discutio]

...Well, that's what we have Medic for.

[you know what, so long as he's clinging with no earthly idea of where the hell in the room he is, why not kiss him again for good measure.]

[schardynfreude]

[Oh! This is happening. And it's pleasant! He's not entirely certain what to do. But--he does know how to kiss. It's the culmination of all the flirtation that Chiron mostly has done, and it's rather like a car that chases cars and then finally catches one. What does he do know that he's accomplished the goal?

Hmmmmm. Turn and press Phoenix up against the door. Maybe that's what he does now.]

[discutio]

[This had, admittedly, taken something of a turn. He couldn't place why he'd kissed Chiron once, let alone twice. It felt...not quite right given the disjointed history they'd clearly had in life, but it didn't exactly feel wrong either. Phoenix wouldn't have bothered if it wasn't something he wanted to do for one reason or another.]

[Maybe he'd wanted to for a while. It was hard to say for sure, with how his mind was ever occupied with one catastrophe and Authority after the other.]

[...Either way, he clearly wasn't complaining.]

[schardynfreude]

[No, certainly better not be complaining. Maybe it was wrong, or something like wrong, with the history. Not just theirs--things still feel complicated given what he thinks he knows about Aera. Maybe the wrongness makes it a little more exciting?]

Is this how you relax, hm?

[discutio]

Hm...not ordinarily.

[All in all, this wasn't that bad. Complicated? Maybe. But who they were mattered far less to Phoenix than whoever they happened to be now.]

[(The former certainly wasn't without meaning. Just less.)]

What about you?

[schardynfreude]

...I don't know. Contrary to somewhat popular belief, it hasn't been while I've been down here, at least, no matter how many times I've been told to get a room with Achilles.

[discutio]

Well, I-...haven't exactly...

[ahem]

[schardynfreude]

...What, kissed any of your fellow Executors before now? Because I feel as thought Lion and Ruin are quite the only ones that have done some discovery with one another.