[ He was already on his way after the first message, so it doesn’t take him long to get to Alisaie and Prompto’s shared house. It’s a strange feeling, knocking on the door and knowing that Prompto will not also be there to greet him. ]
[ somehow, she still isn't quite prepared for him, when the knock comes, but then, she supposes that she is as prepared as she could ever truly be.
sadly, x'rhun's welcome is not quite as warm and jubilant as it would generally be. alisaie is quiet when she opens the door, pale with red-rimmed eyes, though she is more or less composed, only a bit.. grey, as if much of the color has been washed out of her life. and it has been. without prompto, this house that once felt so warm and bright and cozy now feels too big, hollow, cold. she feels so small in her bed, and it will be quite some time before she does not set out two place settings at every meal simply by rote. being here is.. difficult.
from 'round the corner, peo comes tearing toward them, his nails skittering on the hardwood as he darts forward, clearly excited. every time the door opens he leaps with excitement, always hopeful that it will be prompto on the other side, but it never is. while he still looks happy to see x'rhun, his ears and tail droop nonetheless, his disappointment quite obvious in his posture.
alisaie does her best to offer him a lukewarm smile, stepping back from the door to let him pass. ]
[ He has seen Alisaie cry more than he ever cares to, and there’s a part of him that wants nothing more than to storm the station and demand that the Natha undo this heartbreak. That would do none of them any favors, but once again he’s faced with something he can’t fight. ]
I was trying to be polite.
[ He steps inside, turning to face her once he’s through the door. ]
[ while she is so very tired of bringing all of her pains to him, neither does she want to lie, and the answer she gives is the nearest approximation to the truth. both of them know how very much prompto means to her, how painful his loss is, but she carries on, one foot in front of the other.
for now, at least. perhaps it has not yet fully hit her.
nevertheless, she is not the only one hurting. prompto was close with so very many, a warm beacon of light that others simply could not help but flock to - x'rhun among them. no doubt his heart aches just as hers does. so she offers a smile, while closing the door behind him. ]
[ Ah, it’s almost cruel, having to watch their dog come bolting around the corner only to be met with disappointment.
It’s true that he, too, feels Prompto’s absence. A gaping, empty space where there was once lighthearted jokes and an abundant kindness. There’s no denying the fact that his tail is uncharacteristically still, or the way his expression is tinged with something sad, even when he smiles in return. ]
Cocoa sounds lovely.
[ To the kitchen, then! He’ll wait for Alisaie and walk along with her. ]
[ his mannerisms certainly don't escape her notice. prompto's unexpected absence has left a.. void behind, a cold emptiness where there had once been happiness and laughter and love. not only did they lose a companion, they have lost a warmth in their lives, and it feels as if a cloud has passed over the sun. everything is duller, more grey than it was before he'd gone.
but they must go on. prompto is not the first she has lost, and he certainly will not be the last, and she knows very well that x'rhun is no stranger to grief as well. but their lives cannot simply stop, much as she might want nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep until the pain stops.
instead, she pads into the kitchen, stopping only to scoop peo up into her arms and carry him along with her. this little dog has been more of a comfort to her than anything could be, even if looking into his face is nearly as painful as seeing prompto inside of that cold glass tube.
at least the kitchen smells lovely, like sweet chocolate, and it's warm and cozy. she kisses peo on the head, sets him by the back door to go out, then begins to pull down mugs for the two of them. ]
[ The kitchen does smell lovely, and he can't help but be reminded of their Starlight dinner together. If being in this room, in this house, is bittersweet for him, he can scarce imagine what it's been like for Alisaie. ]
[ the parallel certainly isn't lost on her.. alisaie remembers that night fondly, the warmth and company, the singing, the food. it is not something she will soon forget. whether it pains her or comforts her in this moment she cannot rightly say.
alisaie fills both mugs to the brim, dropping in a few fat marshmallows and carefully handing one off to him. ]
[ He takes the mug with a small nod of thanks, heading to the table to sit. ]
It's certainly not a decision you need to make now, but I would go with you no matter where you choose to go. In the meantime, if you have need of someone to fill the empty space, well... I don't mind spending my nights on a couch.
I would.. like that. If it is not too much trouble for you.
[ though surely he wouldn't have offered, were it too much trouble. but her tired smile is acceptance enough; staying under this roof without a familiar face to keep her company does not sound appealing.
dropping into her seat across from him, alisaie wraps her hands around her warm mug. ]
And we do have a guest bed.
[ we. it won't come easily, abandoning that word. ]
[ He would have offered regardless, even if it meant moving from Olympia to Wyver or the reverse. He doesn’t wish for Alisae to suffer loneliness more than she already has. ]
Ah, that is good to hear! These old bones will appreciate a mattress.
[ He chuckles a bit, and there’s a slight sway to his tail. ]
I suppose that may play a part, yes. Would that I could continue to travel this world, but I’ve a feeling it will soon not be so easy to cross borders from one nation to the next.
[ well, if there's one thing that can help her to momentarily forget her grief, it is bringing up foolish politics. alisaie sighs hard, and rolls her eyes. ]
Aye, I am of a mind to agree with you. How nice it much be, to enjoy the privilege of warring with your neighbor.
[ it's not like there's a world-eating storm out there or anything. ]
[ alisaie's expression gentles, the hard edges of her mouth and eyes going soft, and her eyelids flicker low for a moment, a new rush of grief rising in her throat, pricking at her eyes.
for all she might be aching inside, her heart chafed raw, she knows full well that in many other ways, she is fortunate. thank the gods for x'rhun, that he remains here still, by her side, as stalwart as ever. ]
Thank you, Rhun.
[ she says, softly, mustering for him a weary yet warm smile, lifting her eyes to his face again. ]
The same goes for you, of course, should ever you need it.
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[ not necessarily true, but she will be fine, and.. gods, she's so very tired of crying on his shoulder, of crying on anyone's shoulder. ]
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Would you care for some company, at the very least?
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Yes, I would like that.
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[ Chocolate? Ice cream? ]
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No, there is nothing that I need, thank you.
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[ He was already on his way after the first message, so it doesn’t take him long to get to Alisaie and Prompto’s shared house. It’s a strange feeling, knocking on the door and knowing that Prompto will not also be there to greet him. ]
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sadly, x'rhun's welcome is not quite as warm and jubilant as it would generally be. alisaie is quiet when she opens the door, pale with red-rimmed eyes, though she is more or less composed, only a bit.. grey, as if much of the color has been washed out of her life. and it has been. without prompto, this house that once felt so warm and bright and cozy now feels too big, hollow, cold. she feels so small in her bed, and it will be quite some time before she does not set out two place settings at every meal simply by rote. being here is.. difficult.
from 'round the corner, peo comes tearing toward them, his nails skittering on the hardwood as he darts forward, clearly excited. every time the door opens he leaps with excitement, always hopeful that it will be prompto on the other side, but it never is. while he still looks happy to see x'rhun, his ears and tail droop nonetheless, his disappointment quite obvious in his posture.
alisaie does her best to offer him a lukewarm smile, stepping back from the door to let him pass. ]
I should think you hardly need to knock anymore.
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I was trying to be polite.
[ He steps inside, turning to face her once he’s through the door. ]
How are you holding up, sweetheart?
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[ while she is so very tired of bringing all of her pains to him, neither does she want to lie, and the answer she gives is the nearest approximation to the truth. both of them know how very much prompto means to her, how painful his loss is, but she carries on, one foot in front of the other.
for now, at least. perhaps it has not yet fully hit her.
nevertheless, she is not the only one hurting. prompto was close with so very many, a warm beacon of light that others simply could not help but flock to - x'rhun among them. no doubt his heart aches just as hers does. so she offers a smile, while closing the door behind him. ]
There is cocoa in the kitchen.
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It’s true that he, too, feels Prompto’s absence. A gaping, empty space where there was once lighthearted jokes and an abundant kindness. There’s no denying the fact that his tail is uncharacteristically still, or the way his expression is tinged with something sad, even when he smiles in return. ]
Cocoa sounds lovely.
[ To the kitchen, then! He’ll wait for Alisaie and walk along with her. ]
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but they must go on. prompto is not the first she has lost, and he certainly will not be the last, and she knows very well that x'rhun is no stranger to grief as well. but their lives cannot simply stop, much as she might want nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep until the pain stops.
instead, she pads into the kitchen, stopping only to scoop peo up into her arms and carry him along with her. this little dog has been more of a comfort to her than anything could be, even if looking into his face is nearly as painful as seeing prompto inside of that cold glass tube.
at least the kitchen smells lovely, like sweet chocolate, and it's warm and cozy. she kisses peo on the head, sets him by the back door to go out, then begins to pull down mugs for the two of them. ]
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Are you planning to stay here?
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alisaie fills both mugs to the brim, dropping in a few fat marshmallows and carefully handing one off to him. ]
I.. had not considered that, honestly.
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It's certainly not a decision you need to make now, but I would go with you no matter where you choose to go. In the meantime, if you have need of someone to fill the empty space, well... I don't mind spending my nights on a couch.
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[ though surely he wouldn't have offered, were it too much trouble. but her tired smile is acceptance enough; staying under this roof without a familiar face to keep her company does not sound appealing.
dropping into her seat across from him, alisaie wraps her hands around her warm mug. ]
And we do have a guest bed.
[ we. it won't come easily, abandoning that word. ]
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[ He would have offered regardless, even if it meant moving from Olympia to Wyver or the reverse. He doesn’t wish for Alisae to suffer loneliness more than she already has. ]
Ah, that is good to hear! These old bones will appreciate a mattress.
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Now, those bones are in better shape than you would have me believe.
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[ Though it’s very true he doesn’t act his age. All that red magic and swordplay have kept him fit as a fiddle. ]
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[ she says, smiling softly over the lip of her mug. ]
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I suppose that may play a part, yes. Would that I could continue to travel this world, but I’ve a feeling it will soon not be so easy to cross borders from one nation to the next.
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Aye, I am of a mind to agree with you. How nice it much be, to enjoy the privilege of warring with your neighbor.
[ it's not like there's a world-eating storm out there or anything. ]
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[ This, with a sage nod and a sip of his drink. ]
The tension seems to have ramped up in the wake of the winter holidays, as well.
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I suppose it was good while it lasted. We must needs take care, moving forward.
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You know, if you should need anything— anything at all— all you have to do is call.
[ She has called him before, so it may be a redundant offer, but he wants her to know that she is not alone, despite recent losses. ]
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for all she might be aching inside, her heart chafed raw, she knows full well that in many other ways, she is fortunate. thank the gods for x'rhun, that he remains here still, by her side, as stalwart as ever. ]
Thank you, Rhun.
[ she says, softly, mustering for him a weary yet warm smile, lifting her eyes to his face again. ]
The same goes for you, of course, should ever you need it.
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