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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

[He makes an agreeable sound]

Not that any of us know our age, of course.

Of course.

[He can feel the progress, the ease of the bones stitching back together--he wasn't sure he could do that, before.] And how is my first patient feeling physically in the midst of all this?

Oh, I'm...You'll just ignore me if I say I'm fine, won't you?

[A pause, a suspicious look between the two of them. A heavy sigh.]

I can breathe alright now. I ache, a lot. Bruised up inside still I'm sure. But I don't feel anything that's not supposed to move moving when I breathe.

[Lion just smirks a little and nods]

Good. Just a bit longer, then. Would anyone care for a lecture, meanwhile? Being the voice of reason seems to be my strong suit lately.

[A chuckle. Clear and unhindered this time.]

I dunno... think either of us'll listen?

[And maybe, just maybe, he'll answer that little smirk with one of his own.]

[This makes Lion laugh as well, then hiss- his side is VERY bruised, and while it's nothing compared to broken ribs it doesn't feel GOOD]

Goodness no, we wouldn't want to make you feel even older, Chiron.

Well, some of us had to die at a more respectable age.

[He...regrets saying that so casually, a moment later. Or saying it at all. But he does not apologize for it. Lets the moment pass, and then barrels on.]

And, after all, you're both fighty and impetuous, you certainly couldn't stand to heed any lengthy and meandering lecture of mine and take it to heart. Put you right to sleep.

[It's a morbid thing to say, sure, but.... well he's not wrong and Ruin just huffs a quiet noise of acknowledgement.]

It's been a hell of a day, though. Maybe sleep is exactly what we need.

[Because really at this point it's probably well after midnight. Not that time means a whole lot down here.

Ruin reaches up to pat the hand on his chest, appreciative but also nudging the other man to draw away so he can sit up finally. He's not perfect but he is, in fact, fine. Leave him a little bit of an ache to remember his lesson, come on. Besides...]

You need the attention far more than me, now. [And, if they'll let him, he pats the couch, offering the space beside him to Lion.]

Oh... thank you.

[He takes the seat, looking a bit awkward]

If you need to rest first Chiron, please, say so.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject