cancry | New Wounds, Old Wounds [Locked]

New Wounds, Old Wounds [Locked]

[Lion had been looking for Ruin after the show with no luck- it was worthwhile thanks to Chiron's advice, but the actual goal was fruitless. Ruin was nowhere to be found.

The next most obvious place to look was back in Limbo- and Lion intended to return anyway. Sleeping in that woman's home seemed a bit too morbid for his tastes. He doesn't find him in the Executor house, but he finally finds sign of the man in the park. A bit of torn up earth that suggested a lance. Hoofprints. He follows the mud to the fountain... and the passage to the Limbo Underside.

... that was concerning. But perhaps he wanted to train before their upcoming mission? He arrived after the last one, after all. So Lion makes his way down, his armor appearing like a second skin as he does so, on guard against the beasts that still lingered within.]

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[Shit, Lion, don't legitimately make him laugh when he has broken ribs... And possibly a puncture or two.]

Sparring, hah-

[More coughing but that is not surprising. What might be is the way he can't quite stop himself from leaning into the hand on his forehead, like a battered alley cat that still just wants pets despite the fact that it should fear people.

For as much scolding as he does though, Chiron's hands are gentle and Ruin cautiously banishes his armor so the older man has more of an idea what he's working with. Without the help of the steel plates to keep everything neat and still he does end up gasping out a pained little yelp as he sinks into the couch more.

It's a shame the adrenaline has worn off, really. ]

...an attempt was made, yes.

[When Ruin gasps he moves to his side, looking a bit frantic but unable to help in any way- just hovering awkwardly]

Shh, I know it hurts. [His brows knit together, looking like he's exerting some actual effort. Like many Executor abilities, it needs that effort. Maybe with even more practice-]

I can see to you later, if you need. I'm doing us all a favor and assuming you do. Medic, I am sure, would be thrilled, if you don't want to wait.

This may take some time.

I pushed. Don't give him a hard time about it.

[It's really not Lion's fault. Ruin went out of his way to push every button the man has. It's not fair that he'd get in trouble for this.

As much as he hurts Ruin is nothing if not stubborn and... well it seems strangely natural to ignore his body screaming at him. So if Lion does move to follow Chiron's advice, to go seek out Medic, Ruin's going to snag his sleeve before he can get too far. Nothing insistent, nothing to deter him if his shoulder is as damaged as he thinks it's liable to be. Just a subtle request that, if he's up to it, he stay.]

[he had started to move to do just that, less because of his injury, but to give them both space. And so Chiron could... perhaps see if Ruin was lying out of fear of Lion. He wouldn't blame him for being suspicious.

But when Ruin grabs him he hesitates... then sits near by, looking miserable]

I suspect my arm was dislocated at some point, but it is back in its proper place. I will be fine.

Then I'll get to you. [He takes a deep, steadying inhale. Exhale.]

I believe these wounds to be more...extensive than what I normally have dealt with. But I am going to do my best.

[Another steady inhale. Exhale. Patience and effort.]

Have you cleared the air to your satisfaction? [Both of you.]

Sorry...

[Immediate and guilty. Once again being thoughtless and selfish, only thinking of what would make him feel better, not the people that would have to clean up the mess.]

Don't worry too much about it. [Surely just patching up any internal bleeding is sufficient.

If it were anything less than that he'd probably have argued burdening a healer anyway. They had better things to do than deal with his stupidity.]

You've apologized for more than enough.

[Lion says softly before turning to Chiron]

As for apologies, we both did- I... can not say for him, but I feel satisfied.

If this happens again, I'm letting Medic see to you both. [Something said so mildly about future potential medical treatment should not sound so menacing, and yet. Ruin should be glad the milder injuries are healing. The worse are...well, the pain is ebbing, some.]

Though I suppose in some circles, 'beating the unholy shit out of one another' is a time-honored tradition of young men to settle emotional scores.

[He should be glad, even if some part of him had been determined to leave the cut in his lip. A reminder, maybe, of words more than the action itself but...]

Is it? Well then maybe I don't feel so bad.

[A weak attempt at joking, a forced laugh but it doesn't bring up more pneuma this time, just hurts like hell. So it seems the pneuma that is smeared and drying on his face is going to be the end of it. Small favors.

Though Ruin does reach out for Lion once more, a light touch, just an acknowledgment of his answer to that question and the barest of nods. Yeah. Yeah, they're good.]

[The small affirmation makes him smile softly and nod, pleased. After a moment he turns to Chiron, awkward but hopeful]

Chiron... this may seem out of the blue, but if you'd be willing to indulge me- how did you go about picking your new name? Did you find it difficult in any way?

Ah? [It is out of the blue, and if he weren't a little busy, he'd adjust to it without a second thought. As it is, he needs a few moments.]

I didn't pick it at all, actually. Mona picked it out for me. A mythological figure, apparently. Wise and kind and skilled with medicine, as it were, and she seemed to think it appropriate.

[It is absolutely out of the blue and Ruin is a few steps behind Chiron on following that topic shift. He recalled Chiron mentioning the whole "your majesty" thing but he hadn't given it much thought beyond that.]

I think she was right. [Clearly, kind enough to go to all this trouble for someone like him.]

[Lion isn't sure he's ever felt this sensation of getting something no one else does- Chiron at least has the excuse of no context, but Ruin... hm. Should he just be direct?]

She has a good sense for these things. I ask because Ruin was considering something similar.

[he lightly squeezes Ruin's unharmed arm so he's not completely gobsmacked by Lion's sorta-lie]

Is that so?

Hm. If Mona is up for such a task, I'm sure her rummaging through the library will lead her to something suitable. Or we could assist. Several of us have taken up new names, dissatisfied with what our scant memories provide. And leave us with so many questions.

And it's something that is ours, in a place such as this. As few things here that are ever truly ours, thusfar.

I- [Ruin cuts himself off but the look he's giving Lion may as well finish the question. I am?

But he looks back to Chiron as he explains, considering, feeling somehow more guilty for this than the fight itself. It's hardly fair, is it? Changing his name when... Maybe it's not about him. Maybe it's meant to be a warning. People deserve to know what they're getting into. ]

[he nods along with Chiron- as usual his counsel is wise. But Ruin's confused and pained look is clear enough that Lion can read it, so surely Chiron will too]

Ah... well I... hm. I simply worry that it might feel heavy, having a name like that.

If you want it, it's an option. Something that can be yours, in a place where so very little is truly ours. Wolfsbane is fine with her moniker, as is [with a quick glance at Lion] Kingslayer. [Who has not been seen for Some Time but let's not talk about! that! right now!] Monarch seems somewhat startled by his, and I can't blame him, but he hasn't expressed any interest in changing it yet. I think the young lad's waiting to remember everything.

[Ruin is quiet for a long moment after that, letting Chiron work, taking fuller breaths as the damage to his ribs subsides, clearly thinking hard about what they've said.

Finally he looks up at Lion, a huff of bitter amusement on his lips.]

Maybe it's meant to.

[Feel heavy, that is. A cumbersome weight to remind him of what he's done, even when he can't remember it.]

[the mention of Kingslayer makes a pained expression cross his face. They had found a little bit of peace before they vanished, but not any real resolution. And the guilt is a real, heavy thing. And for once over something LION failed at- not this other person he once was.

He doesn't say anything though. It is what it is- he just prayed they were well.]

Chiron is right, you know. Something that is ours is precious here- things that can not be claimed by those people in our memories or who's actions sometimes echo through our bodies.

Sorry, I'm pressuming too much. It's not my place to try and lecture you.

[He smirks a bit at Chiron]

Chiron is very good at that though, he gave me quite the talking to before I found you.

I'm becoming downright fatherly, or even grandfatherly. I can feel it in my terribly old bones and in every creak of my ancient joints.

[He manages a rumbling chuckle at least.]

Mm, you know, I find the idea of a name as a warning to be a bit offensive. You don't even know what it's a warning for. Yourself? [He tuts.] We all barely know ourselves. That one should feel so strongly in the negative about oneself without even the slightest reason why is distressing. Why do you feel the need to drag a weight around as though the name were heavy shackle and chain?

[Between the two of them, there's logic there. Something he can see and follow the thought process of and.... it makes sense.

And it feels so unsettlingly, viscerally wrong that makes him feel ill.]

I... don't know why.

[Their right. He doesn't know why, but it's something he just knows deep in his gut. It's perfectly fitting and he doesn't deserve anything lighter, easier. Shackle and chain sounds strangely apt, though.]

What does it matter? I'm sure I'll remember eventually. Going by something else until I remember why and making everyone go back to it seems stupid.

[Because he honestly cannot conceptualize a world where he doesn't deserve it. Even now with no reason for it.]

Now Chiron, you are not old. Not even close to old enough to be my or his father, at least.

[Then to Ruin, as casually as if he was saying the sky was blue]

It matters because you matter.

...Hm. [He'd argue You Don't Know That, but honestly, first, it makes him feel better, and second, literally none of them know anything, so.]

Going back to an older, discarded name after getting used to a better one is stupid. So clearly you won't be doing that. Terribly nonsensical.

You're not that much older than me.

[It... It's the only safe thing he can say? It's strangely unsettling, people saying things like this to him. It feels... surreal. He doesn't know how to disagree with either of them without devolving into logic circles that sound so stupid, even to himself. It wouldn't be remotely convincing to voice any of it.

It's just a feeling he has, deep-seated and unmoving.]

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