δυο; [written/action]

[lioneyed]

[The handwriting is plain, a little oldfashioned, but neat. Also brand new to anyone who didn't see his replies to his first 'entry']

I apologize for the mess I made on the journals the other day - I assure you, it was not intentional. Had I know of these books' rather unique properties, I'd have endeavored to be a little more careful. But thank you to everyone who expressed concern.

I suppose I ought to introduce myself properly - I am Thamuris, formerly of Troia, although given how different things are here, I have no idea if that means anything to anyone.

[And he's awake and at least partially upright for anyone who wants to run into him in the clinic. Not up to getting out of bed, but he's peering around as best he can because, well, everything here is so different]

Comments

[lioneyed]

[The lack of rings doesn't catch his eye - Felix hadn't had them on last time they spoke anyway]

I find life in general rarely is.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix glanced away for a moment]

No.

[He gathers himself again]

Now, what was it you were saying about the rubies?

[lioneyed]

That you took them out of the Khloidanikos. Which, from your reaction, I assume you don't remember doing.

[And there's a small, bitter sigh]

Or why.

[lord_wizard]

I could tell you if I knew, but it's something I have heard happens in this place sometimes. My guess is, for me, that event hasn't occurred yet. The last time I recall we spoke was after...

[He quieted a moment, lost in the memory

'You can’t treat a spirit-ancestor like a contagion'

'That's what he is!'

Felix blinked.]

- after I placed the rubies there in the first place.

[lioneyed]

Oh.

[And that had not been a good conversation, either, he remembers that]

After you left them there, briars started springing up all over the place, briars that fed on their power.

They were killing the Garden. [And then, in a slightly smaller voice] They were killing me.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix winces and nearly almost visibly staggers, were in not for his grip on the end of the bed, which tightens even more.

Of course. He knew it. He'd suspected something would go wrong the moment he did it, but he hadn't stopped himself because he'd needed to be rid of the rubies.]

Thamuris, I...I never meant to hurt you.

[lioneyed]

[And Thamuris winces a little at that reaction, because he hadn't meant for that to sound so bitter, and hadn't meant to guilt Felix any more over the matter. He gives him a small, sad smile]

I know. You apologized rather profusely about it. And you had... other things on your mind.

[Because he realizes a little belatedly that if Felix doesn't know about his lover's death yet, it may not be a kindness to forewarn him]

[lord_wizard]

[He glances up at the other wizard.]

Yes. I suppose that means you know about the exile.

[Because he hadn't sought out the gardens since then, and if they'd spoken, it must have been after he'd reached Corambis]

[lioneyed]

[Thamuris nods]

You told me about it, after you took the rubies back. I'm sorry you had to deal with all that.

[lord_wizard]

[He makes an unhappy dismissive gesture with one hand]

I brought it on myself.

[lioneyed]

[He sighs a little]

You're being too hard on yourself.

[lord_wizard]

Tell that to Isaac Garamond. Or Mildmay, for that matter.

[lioneyed]

[He actually perks up a little]

Mildmay? Is he here too?

[lord_wizard]

[Frowns at him]

No, he's not. He simply had to suffer the indignity of following me out into the wilderness. And perhaps is better off there. I am sorry the castle decided to pull you here instead.

[lioneyed]

[He glances down at the bedspread - perhaps a bit too quickly for it to be casual, because of course Felix would rather have Mildmay here than him]

...Oh.

[He manages to hold together, though, and not sound too pathetic]

I think... I'd rather be here, though.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix sighs]

Listen to me. I am glad to see you, but you don't understand. You don't deserve this place and neither does Mildmay.

[lioneyed]

[There's a small, bitter smile]

Mildmay, maybe, but my alternative is to slowly waste away over the next few years in between being used as an object lesson for new celebrants.

[lord_wizard]

Options you have here, I will give you that. But you should know...you can't get to the Khloïdanikos from here. The castle won't allow it.

[lioneyed]

[He nods]

I tried, the other night. But... when I talked to the healer here, he said they had better drugs, now. Ones that could... make me better, instead of just letting me die slower.

[lord_wizard]

Good. They have good doctors here. I hope it helps.

[And he meant that truly. It was hard to see Thamuris suffer]

[lioneyed]

I hope so, too. It may just be wishful thinking, but I feel a bit better already.

[lord_wizard]

[He smiled, though a little sadly]

How long do you expect to be confined to the clinic?

[lioneyed]

I'm not sure - only a few more days I hope, it's dreadfully boring. Particularly as I'm not as sleepy. But he wanted to make sure everything was actually working.

[lord_wizard]

I'm afraid I can't influence the doctors here quite as well as might have been able to back in Nephele, so I hope you're right.

Is there...anything I can do for you, though?

[lioneyed]

I'm sure you're plenty busy here, but... if you could bring some books by?

[He sounds a little more desperately hopeful than he meant to. But the idea of being able to read and not having to worry quite so much about whether he can focus or remember or not fall asleep is rather tempting]