έντεκα; [dictated/action]

[lioneyed]

I think I'll stay with watching the stars, rather than floating out among them, all things considered.

I have tea and some food in the gardens if anyone else wants the fresh air as well - you're welcome to join me.

Comments

[written]

[thraxios]

Considering the stars from afar does seem to be the safer pastime, for the most part.

Were you asleep for the duration?

Re: [written]

[lioneyed]

Unfortunately not. Were you? I didn't manage to keep track of everyone.

[thraxios]

You have my condolences, then.

I was.

[He considers for several minutes before collecting his tablet and stylus and heading for the tower stairs. A few minutes later, he arrives in the gardens and approaches Thamuris with a hesitant smile.]

[lioneyed]

[Thamuris smiles back]

It's good to see you.

[thraxios]

[He takes a seat near enough Thamuris and flips open the wax tablet. It occurs to him that he isn't sure Thamuris knows he's mute; he's done his best not to mention it in any of his communications in the journals. It doesn't matter, of course--it's hardly something one can hide--but it leaves Gideon feeling a bit overly conscious of himself as he writes.]

Likewise. I'm glad to see you came to less harm than some of the castle residents.

[lioneyed]

[It does come as a surprise - but Thamuris spends enough time with Duke that he manages to cover it up pretty quick, and he's not about to comment on it because that would be Rude]

...I know. I wish I had been able to do more to help, but my magic wasn't working - nobody's was, I think.

[thraxios]

[Gideon would prefer it went unremarked-upon in general; he relaxes when he realizes he won't be fielding questions on the subject.]

I wasn't aware that magical abilities had been dampened - are there theories as to how?

[lioneyed]

[Thamuris is sorry so many people are rude here. He shakes his head in answer to the question]

I don't think so - the Castle's magic is stronger than anyone else's here, as far as I know. So what it wants, it... gets.

[thraxios]

[Gideon's had little to no trouble here so far, but that's in great part because he's been reticent to meet strangers in person. He nods, considering this.]

Reasonable enough - it wouldn't draw in anyone able to challenge its power. It's rather concerning nonetheless.

[He's got the beginnings of a smile on his face as he writes that last sentence, though.]

[silentrunning]

[Chell had been supposed to stay in the clinic. But being boxed in wasn't to her liking. Never had been. Never would be. So when Thamuris's message had come across the journal, she's slowly dragging herself out of bed, arm in a sling, bandages and all, and carefully making her way toward the gardens. To heck with being cooped up and to hell with anyone trying to stop her.

She doesn't even tell Thamuris she's coming. She just opens the doors of the Castle with her good arm and totters outside.]

[lioneyed]

[Thamuris has found a nice wide area in the garden, and laid out a blanket and some sitting cushions along with the plates of food and the tea. It's a refreshing change to be somewhere open and sunny and calm. He's brought along a book to read, but he looks up at the sound of footsteps]

...Chell!

[His expression passes somewhat obviously through 'surprised', 'worried', and, not knowing what to say that isn't meaningless platitudes, he finally settles into a small smile that's a little worried around the edges, but he's trying]

It's good to see you again.

[silentrunning]

[She slowly eases herself onto a cushion next to him, and smiles back, as best she can. It's a little wan around the edges, that smile.]

Glad to see you too.

[She means it too. He's a calming presence on her frayed nerves, and he'd been a comfort to her when everything had started to go wrong. Taking some food and a cup of tea for herself, she just enjoys the sun on her hair, the sounds of birdsong, the companionship, and tries to remind herself that the Event Horizon is behind her. Presently, she looks over at Thamuris.]

Thank you... Back there... You were a huge comfort.

[lioneyed]

[His tea is suddenly VERY INTERESTING because yes, he's blushing again a little. But he's smiling, too.]

I'm glad. I wish... I wish there had been more I could do.

[silentrunning]

[So is she. Admitting this sort of stuff is hard for her.]

You did what you needed to. I wouldn't have wanted you to be stuck in that madhouse.

[And tentatively, she wraps her good arm around his shoulders, giving him a gentle hug. Those work better for her in showing gratitude than words anyhow.]

[lioneyed]

[That really catches him by surprise, and he almost pulls away in instinct - but manages to rein himself in in time. Suffice to say most of his friends here - cough Felix cough - are awkward about displaying affection in touch.

He shifts a little, so he can return the hug, very carefully. He's got a few bruises here and there from the hard landing, but he's physical fine - she, however, isn't, and he does what he can to hold her without aggravating any injuries]

I didn't want you - or anyone else, really - stuck there. It sounded awful.

[silentrunning]

[She's usually as awkward as Felix. Heh. But right now, she'd just needed to hug someone, to reassure herself the world's still spinning on.]

It was awful. I was telling people they should give up and die. That's not like me. I looked back through the journal. Saw my own words. And it looked like they were written by someone else. I don't know how to deal with that.

[lioneyed]

[It's an awkward hug-slash-cuddle, then, but he's not going to be the one to break it. It's... comforting. Nice.]

Maybe that's the best way to think of it - that it wasn't you. Maybe a you-that-could-have-been, in a different world or a different life - but not you, here.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix doesn't even answer. He just goes. He's already slept for what he now knows is four days - helpless as people died without any hope of intervention. Ashura is safe but far from well, and he's too wound up to sit still. Fresh air is appealing but mostly it's Thamuris himself - his only voice of reason left, especially since he cannot talk about Ashura to Gideon.

He shows up looking rather drawn and tired. He hasn't even bother to queue his hair or dress to his usual standards - his coat and cravat are missing entirely. Worse, he can't even smile for more than a brief moment before it dies.]

[lioneyed]

[It's easy to see how worn Felix is, even if he can only guess at the reasons. But he's alive and whole and right now, that counts for an awful lot. He returns the attempt at a smile with a small, careful one of his own]

It's good to see you awake.

[lord_wizard]

[He finds himself a seat, attempting a modicum of grace despite how he feels, and there's a worried glint in his eye]

Awake? Were you on the ship, then?

[lioneyed]

[He forces himself not to completely drop the smile, because he's tired and worn out but all in all he's doing alright, and Felix looks closer to a meltdown than he is.]

I was - the slightly nicer of the two, I think.

[lord_wizard]

[He nods solemnly] Small favors, then.

Though I wish...maybe if I had...[He gestures emptily, knowing what he was saying was likely a useless desire, but he cannot shake the guilt of having done nothing]

[lioneyed]

If you'd have been there - and please don't take this the wrong way, but I do know you - you would have been a wreck. Either stuck with us watching and hearing all the horrors unfold, or lost in them yourself. And... I think your life has had enough of that already.

[lord_wizard]

[He stared down at the ground for a moment]

I wish I could disagree with you. But it's no pleasant feeling, to think I was spared.

[lioneyed]

No, I can't imagine it would be. Nobody emerged completely unscathed, I suppose - but dwelling won't really help. It's a nice day out - have some tea.