aefenglom | ♞ 1.

That's, uh...you know. Don't think too hard about that.

[He doesn't want to tell Konoe that it's been hurting ever since they went out into the woods. The pain was intermittent at first, but now it's constantly there.]

Not long. You don't need to worry about it.

[If wishes were horses, horses wouldn't nag. Or something.

Konoe's irritation is rising, but he really is more worried than anything else. Maybe they haven't known each other all that long, but he likes to think he knows Dylas a bit, and asking stuff like this on the network is definitely suspicious.]

Of course I'm going to worry about it.

[Sigh. Some nags...]

Are you going to tell me about it, or do I have to rip your clothes off and look for myself?

Then don't worry about it. And don't rip my clothes off, either. That's...

[Lewd.

He's quiet for a moment. As firm as his voice is when he tells Konoe to stop pestering him, it might be a little surprising to hear him relent, but here he is.]

We can talk when you get home, okay?

[Don't be a pussy, nag.]

Fine.

[Which is a reply to the "talking when he gets home", and only to that. Dylas can tell him not to worry a billion times, but worrying isn't a thing you do by choice, is it? It just happens, even if you don't want to.

So Dylas can bite it.

It's not entirely a coincidence that Konoe heads home all but immediately after that conversation. But then, it's not like he was doing anything important, probably.]

[By the time Konoe gets home, Dylas still isn't expecting him—he's not expecting the cat to come rushing back just to confront him. He's seated upstairs, on his bed, poking through his pocketwatch and fidgeting. His ears in a permanent down position, suggesting the same emotions they always signify—worry, fear, anxiety.

Given the size of the place they live in, Dylas doesn't even hear Konoe come in. It's not until he hears footsteps that he looks up and waits for the face to appear in his open doorway.

Naturally, he has some kind words to share.]

What the hell? I just finished talking to you! At least come home later!

[To be fair: Konoe isn't rushing home. He does go there right away, but he's not running or anything, just because he doesn't see the point. He's worried, yes, but a few minutes more or less isn't going to make a difference. Besides... having a little time to think things over is good. Maybe he'll end up less worried.

Except that he doesn't, really, and then he predictably gets chewed out for his trouble. All his fur stands on end instantly. That damn nag...!]

I'm not coming home later just because that's what you want.

[Not that he'd be opposed to that under other circumstances, but the house is more than big enough that he shouldn't need to give Dylas space - and that's even disregarding how he has a legitimate reason to be worried, here.]

Are you going to show me your arm, or do I have to rip your sleeve off?

[Lewd or not, those are the only two options you have, buddy. He will seriously fight you.]

[To be fair, Konoe dropped what he was doing and came home right away, but it's definitely not rushing. 😉 It's okay, Dylas speaks tsundere. He shakes his head right when Konoe quips back.]

Come on! And why is that when I don't want you home you don't get lost on the way back?

[The universe is out to get him. He swears. But all the yelling, Konoe coming into the room, it makes Dylas move his arm just enough to feel it press against his clothes more. He immediately winces, eyes flicking back.]

I'm not going to take off my shirt for you, Konoe.

[It's on his upper arm, so bunching the sleeve up that high isn't an option. He's going to explain why. In a minute. This is hard for him.]

...! Don't act like I always get lost!

[... He definitely always gets lost, though... But, look, they've been here for a while, and even Konoe has been able to make out some landmarks close to their home to make things that much easier on him. (He's also been working on "homing magic", but he can't claim to have gotten very far with that, yet. Prepare your equine booty for when he does, though!!)

Meanwhile this may be hard for Dylas, but with an attitude like that, Konoe isn't going to have any sympathy. He's already stated his terms, so if there's going to be an explanation, it had better come fast, or he'll do exactly as he promised.]

Fine. [He extends his claws. Have it your way, nag.]

[There's not a quick explanation, no. As much as Dylas wants to tell Konoe what he's really feeling, as soon as he opens his mouth, he can't find the words. Would it be selfish if he let Konoe claw his sleeve off, revealing that the cut from their little adventure never healed and left a spreading grey spot in its place? Would it help Konoe to know that Dylas has been hiding this for weeks?

His tail lashes uncomfortably behind him. In the end, he's going to let Konoe discover the greyness on his arm for himself, but he's not going to put up a fight for it, even if means Konoe is making that spot hurt just by trying to get access to it. He's only going to say one thing.]

It's pretty bad, Konoe.

[And he's ashamed of himself. His own stubbornness got him here.]

[Dylas admitting it's pretty bad is enough to make Konoe want to hold back - but that desire to hold back itself frustrates him, when he'd finally made the decision to push through regardless of what Dylas wanted. There's a moment of hesitation, but Konoe makes himself push past it, though Dylas attitude at least persuades him not to just claw off his sleeve, pulling his shirt out of the way instead.

In terms of avoiding pain to the spot in question, it's probably not the best way, in retrospect.

Revealing the grey spot should offer the satisfaction of success, but there's nothing like that: he can only gasp in shock. Knowing is one thing; seeing is quite another.]

That cut... The bird shades?!

[Suddenly, he feels sick. This has been going for all that time?! Not to mention... that makes it all his fault.]

Edited 2019-06-09 11:00 (UTC)

[It does hurt. It hurts a lot, actually. Konoe has surely never seen Dylas flinch or wince the way he does as his arm is tugged and his sleeve is torn off. He feels like a jerk for making Konoe do this, but words are difficult for him! And he knows that's a horrible excuse. He wants to be more honest, but all he wants to do is blow it off like everything is fine. Everything is a weight he can carry except for when he can't.

He nods. The cut is just a mark left behind now, a scar bigger than it should be for such a wound, but the area that's gray is much larger, extending an inch or two up his arm in each direction.]

The people I asked for help...they said I'm infected by the Cwyld. I figured it was just more changes for me, but...

[He hasn't told Konoe about those, either. He's never explicitly told Konoe that he's becoming a monster, either.]

It's not.

[To be fair: Konoe hasn't asked Dylas if he's becoming a monster, either. He hasn't seen him at any of the magic classes he's been taking, so he kind of presumed, but it's not information that he would bother Dylas for, unless and until it became urgently relevant somehow: it's up to Dylas to share what he wants about himself. If he changes, he changes. It's a bridge they can cross when they get to it.

With the infection revealed, and the story that follows, he just stares at the spot, processing everything. He lets go of Dylas' shirt, his arms going limp. This is all because of him. Turning into a monster is one thing, but what if Dylas turns into a shade?

There's still time, though. There has to be. With that decision made, Konoe finally feels like the world is moving again, and he makes amends for the way he practically froze up just now by moving and talking overly fast.]

They can heal it, right? You have to go to a healer right away!

That's what they said. The other people I asked. Someone was just over here, actually. You missed him.

[He goes to lift his arm to run his hand through his hair, but at bending it the pain strikes him again. His ears flatten, and once more he winces, hissing a little at the pain that wrecks through his nerves. It's a display of weakness he's not happy to make in front of Konoe, but this where he's at right now.

He moves right onto his next topic.]

When do you want to go? In the morning, or...right now, I guess.

[When do you want to go, Konoe. Expectant eyes look to him for an answer and then fall to the floor, staring instead at Konoe's feet.]

[Konoe flinches, himself, when seeing that display of pain. He finally lost his empathy, and, what, he gets more intense feelings to make up for it?! He didn't sign up for that!]

Right now, obviously!

[Everything about this frustrates him. Dylas' pain and borderline meek attitude; his own guilt in this. He hates himself for what he caused, but he can't bring himself to apologize - at least: not yet. One thing at a time.

He really wants to grab Dylas and pull him along, but he's worried that he'll hurt him, so for now, he curls his hands into fists, trying to hold back that urge.]

Or do you want to turn into a shade?!

[Yeah, this is definitely how you express your worries. Gold star.]

What's obvious about it?! It's not going to just...get worse overnight, not when it's been like this for weeks!

[Dylas huffs and stands up straight, glowering down at Konoe. He can go to the Coven whenever, it doesn't make a difference to him.

He moves away from Konoe and over to the dresser against the wall. He pulls out a shirt with shorter sleeves, something he can put a jacket over. Konoe just tore up his shirt, and he's not going to go out looking like he was mauled by a wild animal.]

If I turn into a Shade, I'll just turn right back into me. I've done it before. Turn around, I need to change my shirt.

You don't know that! And you don't know that you'll turn back, either.

How can you be sure that you can be un-monstered again when you don't know how it was done in the first place?!

[Calling horse shit. And also inventing words like unmonstering I guess.]

You turn around.

[... Okay, now he's just being petty and childish, but who honestly cares? He's angry and worried and for all he knows Dylas is all shadow-y everywhere under his shirt, too. It could happen!]

I do know that! It's been getting worse slowly, not quickly. The...the discoloration only gets a little bigger every day.

[Except it's covering his upper arm and shoulder by this point, so it's clear he's been hiding this for a while. As best he could, anyways, but even he was starting to worry.]

I'm not that weak! And I know how it was done, dammit!

[He doesn't want to undress in front of someone else, but he's angry enough that he's not going to get too flustered about it. He discards his shirt, revealing the small scars that dot his arms and back. Nothing major, just normal scuffle scars from fighting monsters. He reaches for a black shirt with short sleeves that he can throw a jacket over.]

You're being dense.

[So many little scars... It's to be expected, of course, and it's not like it's weird or even bad, but it makes Konoe feel something in spite of that. Sympathy, maybe? No - why would anyone want his sympathy in the first place!? What a selfish and borderline insulting thing to feel!]

Then enlighten me. Tell me how it was done. If not -...

[His voice fails him suddenly, anger giving away to doubt and worry for a stupid horse who's as stubborn as a mule.

If Dylas doesn't tell him, then how is Konoe supposed to do the thing, if Dylas does turn?]

Edited 2019-06-22 10:17 (UTC)

[He sets the shirt on his dresser and does turn around. By now his tail is swishing angrily, and he doesn't want it to. He wanted this to go nicely! He's telling Konoe everything, and he doesn't know what else Konoe wants from him.]

If not, you'll scratch up my pants yet?

[He huffs. He. Hopes Konoe doesn't, actually, he doesn't want to explain the changes to his legs today, thank you. There are probably lewder reasons to be concerned about someone clawing up his pants, but he's not in the mood to think about that right now. He stares at Konoe, then turns his head away a little. Being honest is hard.]

It's because those Shades made me bleed. That's what the person on the phone said. That's how it happened, so if I don't let it happen again, it won't be a problem. I'll have to hit harder next time.

What kind of answers do you keep in your pants!?

[Actually, maybe don't answer that. And while you're at it, please ignore the way Konoe is as close to bursting into tears as he is to kicking Dylas' ass. (Not that he'll do either, but it's a close thing all the same.)]

...

[It's a clear enough answer: Konoe can't complain about that. But how are they supposed to avoid being made to bleed in a fight? They won't always be able to simply avoid confrontations with Shades, either - not unless they want to hide in the city for the rest of Goddess knows how long. That's something Konoe refuses to do, both for practical reasons and out of stubborn determination. Given that, he can't exactly tell Dylas to behave any different, either.]

... Just be more careful.

[Konoe is just going to study abjuration like a madman, as well as anything else he thinks can help protect Dylas.]

That's...that's not what I was trying to say! Don't twist my words around! I'm not your damn scratching post.

[He can't believe Konoe has the audacity to tell him to be more careful when Konoe was the one who left him to fend off the Shades. In his own recollection of events, if he'd run, they'd have gone after Konoe next. What was he supposed to do? One thing remains that he's absolutely sure of—he's glad it's him with an infection and not his roommate. He wants to be supportive with one hand, and he wants to push Konoe as far away as he can with the other. He'll invite him to the Coven with him, but he'll lash out at him at the same time.

It's the only way Dylas knows how to deal with people.]

I won't let it happen to me again.

[Famous last words, considering he gets infected again later in the month, but you know what? Whatever. He pulls on his shirt and looks at his arm. Part of the infection is showing visibly, peeking out from under the sleeve.]

Let's go.

[It's fine. That's what people have two hands for, right? One to push and one to pull. It's not like Konoe does much better with that, himself, and he'd rather that people be honest about their desire to push when it pops up, than to compromise their true feelings.]

... At least put your coat over it before you go outside.

[That was the plan anyway, probably, but Konoe can't resist the urge to say it. He's not sure how people will look at Dylas if they notice the infection, but he knows it won't be good, and Konoe doesn't want to deal with the anger he'd feel at that.

He's not sure he wants to keep looking at the infection himself, either.]

My coat's by the door.

[Is Mother Cat nagging him, or is there more meaning to what Konoe is saying? Dylas doesn't know. If he had to guess, he'd figure that Konoe doesn't want other people to see it. Hell, Dylas obviously doesn't like looking at it. Just the feeling of fabric resting over it leaves him wincing with one eye until he gets used to the feeling.

He starts walking. To the door, to the top of the stairs. He can listen for whether or not Konoe is following him, he doesn't need to watch him or call after him like he's a kid. Dylas stops at the top of the stairs to let Konoe down first.]

Does it bother you? That I'm not going to be a Witch?

[He's.

Not entirely sure where that question came from. He looks to the side.]

[Konoe follows quietly, lost in thought, and honestly wallowing in guilt a little. He knows there's no point; he knows he can't undo what happened. But he can't help but feel responsible for the state that Dylas is in, and that's not a good feeling, even if Dylas can be healed.

That question comes out of nowhere, and Konoe is sincerely confused by it, pausing at the top of the stairs before making himself continue to walk down them. This is a mission to get Dylas healed, after all.]

Why would that bother me?

[He really doesn't get it. Why would he want Dylas to be a witch?]

[He pauses when Konoe pauses, he follows when Konoe walks. He's letting the cat lead the way entirely, because he's in no hurry to do any of this. At the same time, he's not going to drag his feet, either. Dylas is committed to getting this taken care of.

Predictably, he's less committed to this conversation.]

Forget I asked. It's not important.

[Which, of course, means it's very important. Dylas is a little scared, a little anxious, a little pissed off all the time now because he's going to be a monster again. He hides it, but it's there.]

♞ 1.

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> action?

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that was supposed to be 'next' not 'yet' fuck my life

typos happen to all of us, they're like farting for your fingers

wow I never want to hear you say that again

don't hate me because i'm beautiful, because i'm not. hate me because i'm always right, instead

i hate you because i can

😿

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idk I guess we should handwave the rest, I don't want to thread out a Coven visit