new year, new you

[cancrymods]

It's been some time since the Executors made their way down to the Gula layer and while things have been quiet, that doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been busy. The snow that had been falling steadily for the past week or so has finally eased, even if a thick blanket of the stuff seems to remain in all the Layers you've travelled to. The ever present threat of an Authority has been mitigated somewhat by Gerda being... well, Gerda and though her intentions and the full scope of her motivations are still a mystery, she at least seems to be willing to assist the Executors so long as they do the same for her in turn.

All the errands they've been running have done a lot to help the Undercity – the kitchen is stocked, and the communal areas feel fuller and livelier. Music often rings out from the stage and all in all, things seem fuller and warmer here.

And yet, that quiet hunger continues to nip at you every moment you spend in Gula. Even if it weren't for the Gluttony Layer's effects, though, there would be answers aplenty to be hungering after – the mysterious butterfly accompanying Ariel, the question of Rei's lack of memories... and of course, the mystery girl who seems determined to see you all returned to mindless Specters once again.

Do you still believe you have what it takes to travel to the bottom of Purgatory and restore things to their natural order?

There's only one way to find out for sure.

[ ... And we're back! After our holiday break, the Gula chapter of Can Cry's metaplot is now continuing! Happy New Year, Executors - let's see what you make of it! ]

Comments

[twibeast]

[ PETS!! The petted head’s going to nuzzle happily into Chiron’s head and the other is going to look at him expectantly. Pets for it too please? ]

[schardynfreude]

[Well, gosh, someone else can do some petting, you know. But. He can't say no! Pets for the second head, too. They both get ear scritches.]

And my point stands. Quite insane. Or--hmmm, Achilles, do you want me to use your proper name, or your...here name?

[discutio]

[well geez give him a second]

[Since he was sitting right here anyway, Phoenix reached out to put a hand on Achilles' side. Someone took both heads like a jerk.]

[twibeast]

[ Listen, puppy dog eyes are only going to work on Chiron okay. But he is not going to complain about getting pets from both of them. ]

Ah-- well, whichever is fine. Though now I've realized that I forgot to tell Phoenix about it in the midst of all of this... beastly business of mine.

[schardynfreude]

Hmmmm...

[He will briefly stop petting the heads, just so he can take Phoenix's hand and direct it to the nearest head. Right on the snoot, so he has a general idea of where his hand is at.]

Well. Orthrus has some idea of what we've been through, you and I. I do hope that's all right. Our fight in the rain was quite something. I know you've explained yourself many times now as to why you've chosen to care in spite of our history, just as I've refused to believe it many times now.

Still. I'm glad for it.

[discutio]

... [He smiled slightly at the mentioned name, moving his hand to scratch Achilles behind the ears.]

Perhaps I'd have to be a bit insane to do the sort of things I have. [most sane people didn't set themselves on fire] But I'm quite fine with that.

[twibeast]

[ With Phoenix’s hand guided to his snout, he pushes himself into it, nuzzling him as well. His tail is wagging happily as he gets attention from both boyfriends. ]

So what now then? I am no stranger to relationships between more than two people of course, but are you both all right with that?

[schardynfreude]

I do not have such experience to my current knowledge. But that does not mean I am unwilling to try. I do...still have certain doubts and fears. I still have love in my dead and decayed heart for my fiancee. And I do not know what I would do should I ever come upon her visage in these terrible places.

But I'm more than willing to give space to the both of you as well.

[discutio]

There's...there was someone else, I think. But I can't remember well enough to know for certain, and I doubt we'll be encountering him if we haven't already.

All that to say, as new an experience as I presume this is, I don't find it a negative one.

[twibeast]

[ He lowers his heads for a moment. ]

I am much the same. There was someone - multiple someones even, who I still hold love for. Who may even still be somewhere down here.

[ And then he’s nudging at them both again, one head each. ]

…But they would all call me foolish if I did not act on the feelings in my heart. They would want me to be happy, and being with both you makes me happy.

So I am also more than willing to give this a try.

[schardynfreude]

So long as we're all in agreement. I think I much prefer this to an eternity alone.

[discutio]

I find it preferable to a great many things, myself.

[want some headpats? he's got two whole hands for that!]

[twibeast]

[ !! More head pats!! ]

I as well. Though you should know I can be quite annoying with my affection when I am in a relationship such as this.

[schardynfreude]

[And? Mayhaps some chin scritches?]

I don't imagine one could ever truly find your affection annoying.

[discutio]

Not in the slightest. I don't quite know if I'm the most openly affectionate individual, so it couldn't hurt to have the reverse.

[twibeast]

[ !!!!!! Chin scritches!! Yeah, he is absolutely loving those, his tail thumping the ground. ]

Oh? You're both sure? I'm very cuddly you know, even when I'm not like... this. Goddess forbid you ever share a bed with me, you might find it hard to get me to let go.

[schardynfreude]

Orthrus, my dear, you're only making more of a case for yourself.

[discutio]

I've been made well aware that I have an infuriating tendency not to rest unless basically forced to. That might be a useful trait you have.

1/3

[twibeast]

Oho~ I will have to keep that in mind then. [ He nuzzles at Phoenix again ] Knowing that I'll just be even more tenacious once I'm back to my normal self.

[ ... ]

2/nvm it 4

[twibeast]

Whenever... that happens, I suppose.

[twibeast]

[ ....... ]

done

[twibeast]

...Is it... really okay? That I might be like this for who knows how long...?

[schardynfreude]

[He takes one of the heads between his hands to look very seriously at that pupper doggy face.]

You are very clearly still Orthrus. Your form has changed, but your mind, your personality, are still the very same as we've known all this time. Rest very much assured that this isn't a mere physical connection.

Plus, you're much cozier to nap on.

[discutio]

I can safely say I don't see a problem with it.

[phoenix.]

[twibeast]

[ Phoenix, please.

He’s stunned silent for a moment though, his dog mouth hanging just slightly open. He can’t help but think back, back to when he first transformed into his humanoid form, when he was so afraid he wouldn’t be able to stay with Patroclus because he was a beast. How he focused so hard all night to change into someone who could be with him without any problem. He thinks about how scared he was to show this form to Odysseus, that it might change her feelings as well, and yet when she finally saw it she said the exact same thing.

You’re still you.

He closes his eyes then, feeling them starting to water a little. ]

Th… Thank you. That means—

[ …but as reassuring as it is, he still remains frustrated. All he wants to do is right now, more than anything, is just hold their hands. One in each of his, like the way he, Odysseus and Orpheus used to—

He doesn’t even notice that with the swelling feeling of warmth and affection in his chest that his body has been covered in a soft light. Or that once it’s gone the face Chiron is now holding is his familiar human one again. ]

—more than you know.