uhmani | TDM #14

If the main hub and its features don't appeal to you, that's perfectly fine. This is the perfect time to configure your Digitized Technical Friend or your DTF status. A DTF is similar to a dæmon from His Dark Materials in that it is connected to and a reflection of a character's soul. These DTFs take shape accordingly and are projections similar to the NPCs. Think of them as your own personal Clippy except less annoying. Hopefully.

Once that's set-up, there are other locations of the main hub to investigate! You can visit the training grounds, music lounge, library, and onsen. Also, feel free to leave an offering for the deity of sleep (Hypnos) at his shrine! You can even visit The Peacekeeper themselves on the second floor. They're always happy to have visitors! They're also conveniently where you might place a complaint about that status of the main hub and its amenities. Even if you do complain, The Peacekeeper will encourage new inhabitants to set off and find their own place to live out in the simulation.

Granted, the housing market in the afterlife isn't exactly robust. It doesn't help that nearly every place you find has a leaky roof or broken window. No, unfortunately, that will need to be fixed the peaceful way. If you'd like more lighting or even cozier clothes, simulation inhabitants are reminded that 'peaceful interactions' are very important!

It might be a good idea to stick close to someone you know, for now, since even the smallest amounts of intimacy might see subtle changes occurring where they're staying. Perhaps that broken window is now fixed, the grime and dust seem a little less, or the floor doesn't creak quite as loud.

Larger changes, however, will only come after demonstrating more powerful peaceful interactions. If you want new hardwood floors or a fresh coat of paint on the walls, you're going to have to demonstrate how well you 'get along' with others against them first.

THE SEXY COMPENDIUM

Upon arrival to Amani, new inhabitants will be notified almost immediately of the sexy compendium that's uploaded to their DTF! This compendium lists all of the flora, fauna, unique geography, and miscellaneous items in Amani that might be worth looking at.

This database will update with seasonal highlights or places and items that might follow a theme! For example, the current theme is love for Valentine's Day and dragons for The Year of The Dragon!

While established inhabitants already know about all these things, it can't hurt to be reminded of what this simulated afterlife has to offer!

The Dragon Onsen

outdoor pool

dragon statue

blue tint

They suddenly look a lot more draconic than they did before.

Heart Jellies

jellyfish shaped like hearts

Wyverns

Taasunni Beach, and can range far into the Aditus Grasslands

Love Blossoms

gorgeous, pink flowers

pheromones

SEXY STAMP CARD

If you're wondering about these 'peaceful interactions' that keep being mentioned or what the kinks of the month are for... Here's your answer! Upon arrival, all characters will receive a digital copy of their very own sexy stamp card.

Sexy Stamp Card

Issued by: The Peacekeeper

1 2 3 4 ♡

6 7 8 9 ♡

❤

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<div style="width:100%;padding:0 10px 10px;">Issued by: The Peacekeeper</div>

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<div style="max-width:300px;width:100%;margin:-10px auto 0;text-align:right;font-size:10px;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#eee;">❤</a></div>

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Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it! NOTES

★ Feel free to check out the sexy compendium and also use whatever is listed there as you like! What's mentioned on the TDM are just suggestions and not only what's available! We want interested players to be able to make their own fun with what Amani has to offer and not feel limited to just the prompts provided here.

★ We are currently at 24/40 slots taken! Anyone wishing to claim a character must have an invite from someone currently in the game and follow the proper rules in place to be accepted into the community!

NAVIGATION

F.A.Q. ★ RULES ★ CHARACTER CLAIM ★ LOCATIONS ★ MAIN NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he's never thought about it before now— mithrun's hand is bony in his own; like a bunch of dry twigs, tied with string. he links their fingers, equally without thinking; his own palm settling against the elf's with a warmth that causes him to glance over. he'd never realised how fine the elf's hands were; how well made. it's the air itself that makes him run a thumb along mithrun's forefinger— but it's not, is it. it's kabru too. it's a reassurance, a quick gesture to account for what happened back in the tavern; the tension, the sudden reintroduction, his confusion, mithrun's lack of confusion. a second— outside of time periods, or simulations, or anything, really, that says, in no uncertain terms: it has been, and will be, the pair of us.

he's taken mithrun's hand before— many times. their hands are well-acquainted.

kabru himself seems to have calmed now, and he follows along, doesn't react when he sees the lamb spring to life, his cat following at his heels. it lopes towards the creature, sniffing at the thing's tail, pulling its head back in shock when the lamb turns to blink at it.

he gives mithrun a tug as the other starts to tow him along, dragging the elf back, so that they're now walking together, kabru's arm tucked behind mithrun's. ] Feed you? Were you planning on telling me what kind of bakery that is? I hope you haven't fallen into the hands of an establishment of ill-repute. [ mithrun.....did you sell out......be honest

kabru seems bemused now, brightening a bit, losing an edge of that tension he'd worn earlier. he's starting to relax, with mithrun nearby, and while he's joking, he stays close, holds a curious affection in the way he slows his pace to accommodate the elf's. he watches the former captain's profile, thumb doing that thing again— like a reminder. ]

We do need to talk. [ people pass them by in casual droves, and kabru notices an odd thing— his cat; a creature that has proven so problematic and feral that he figured he'd need to find a way to get rid of it, is walking brushed up against mithrun's lamb. he huffs a laugh. ] Seriously? They like each other?

[Kabru's hand really is oddly familiar, by now - even with the months since Mithrun last saw him, and even with how little attention Mithrun had really paid to his hands in the time they spent together. Now, he can better notice how much bigger Kabru's hand is than his own, the callouses on his palm from training with a sword.

He lets Kabru pull him back without complaint, and glances up at him sidelong.] The bakery is perfectly fine. We're just holding an event right now, since hand-feeding is one of the kinks of the month. [Normal sentence.]

Mm. We do. [About a lot. About how this place works, and the fate of their world - and about what they each remember before their arrival.

He looks down at their DTFs when Kabru laughs.] You're surprised?

[ it should just be familiar; walking with mithrun like this. it should be a comfort to them both— being far from home, having each other again, like they did in the dungeon. maybe the rest of the adventure before them— if it ever becomes that, and isn't just the disaster of the saga with the demon— stands to be less fraught, because mithrun; dependable and serious as ever, is back with him. and sure, it's that, but walking through unfamiliar streets with mithrun's hand in his feels curiously like the epilogue of a story, rather than the start of one.

the city itself is like nowhere he's ever seen back in their world— an amalgam of architectures, of plant life, of new and old. kabru doesn't pay it too much attention.

he turns, meets mithrun's eyes too, as lamb and his cat slot themselves close too. ] Well, yeah. She hasn't liked anyone so far. And she tries to attack the other animals too. I've actually been having some trouble.

[ what does that say about his soul, huh.........

as for this business about the bakery and these "kinks"— he knows enough about how this place works; rosie had been pretty specific, and of course, the information has all been supplied via his cat. ] Everyone has to participate in that stuff, huh. You're fine with it?

[ it's a stupid question, he supposes. he readjusts their hands, but rethreads his fingers through mithrun's, giving it a companionable squeeze.

he's quiet for a time, as they walk to the bakery— ] I suppose, I don't mind it.

[ with— mithrun? with— some arbitrary girls? in general? it's vague. but, it's the elf's hand that he's holding, after all. what further interpretation could there be? ]

Hmm. [Mithrun shoots Kabru a glance, just barely raising an eyebrow. Yeah, there's nothing he can say to Kabru about his soul cat attacking other DTFs that Kabru couldn't determine himself.

He looks away again.] Lamb is usually friendly enough. It's a judgmental asshole, though.

[He wonders, if he were still capable of faking the "friendly" part himself, if Lamb would be more like Kabru's cat.]

It's more or less unavoidable. Much of the time, it's not all that obtrusive; we'll probably get a couple stamps each for this walk, since we're holding hands and I'm wearing this costume. Anyway, it's fine with me, yeah.

[Of course, Kabru would know to expect that answer, but... there's a bit more to it than that. For a moment, the faintest hint of a smile flickers over Mithrun's lips.] I've... actually started liking some of it.

[Even though he doesn't know what all Kabru has experienced since Mithrun last saw him... Mithrun knows Kabru will know how significant that is.]

[ he huffs a laugh as they turn a corner, following after the lamb— whose name, apparently, is lamb. not exactly surprising considering well, mithrun. he gives the elf another tug, half-leading him along. ] Not so fond of it, hm? We can trade.

[ the cat glances back at both himself and mithrun, and crowds closer to lamb, as if kabru had threatened to separate them. souls, wasn't it— he supposes something fundamental in himself does feel close to mithrun. and lamb appears to be as sweet on the cat as the cat is on it.

i've actually started liking some of it— kabru doesn't answer this, there isn't so much as a shift in expression, either.

it's good. he should agree, and congratulate him.

the walk continues now, after that, with that odd silence hanging over it— there was space for kabru to reply, and he doesn't. he should say something— he knows.

as the bakery comes into sight, kabru adds, as if commenting on the weather: ] Do you think you'll like it— when it's with me?

[ he squints a little at the high tops of the buildings, eyebrow quirked at mithrun, as if he didn't just say the most— arbitrarily bold thing on earth. but also— he knows that this is what is expected of them, this is the nature of this place. dungeons were like that, at times; there were circumstances, and those circumstances had to be dealt with. and, it'll be the pair of them. just like it was then. it's fitting, he supposes. ]

[Whether that brief, faint smile from Mithrun fades only as quickly as it was always going to, or if it guttered out under Kabru's underwhelming response, is impossible to say. Not even Mithrun could be sure - not that his having trouble reading his own feelings is anything new.

His eye stays locked on the animals leading them forward, until Kabru speaks again.

"When", he says.]

That's certainly forward. [He tilts his head slightly. He knows what Kabru wants to hear, but... he can't give him that answer so confidently.] It's... hard to predict. But, I don't see any reason it wouldn't be possible. It tends to take some time with someone, and I at least already know you.

You will. [ he watches the animals too, fingers shifting lightly against mithrun's as he readjusts his grip. it's just a mutter— that statement, but he sounds so oddly sure of himself in this that he doesn't add anything further. it's said mildly; again, his commentary on the weather. a prediction of rain under his breath.

it's strange— to go from having such agency over another body, to finding that they have been separated, brought to a new world, and that a life has begun without him. one that he doesn't even know the finger, more specific details of. it's just— odd. maybe, somewhere deeper, there's a curl of anger at the whole situation; to be left out, to have to play catch up. to lose his home, his rapport with mithrun there, where they were slowly but surely growing closer.

to be swept here, with all of this surrounding him— he feels set adrift. at sea.

he tightens his hold on mithrun's hand, walks that much closer.

he pauses, tugging gently on the elf's hand to stay him. the lamb has stopped, and kabru's cat too. the creature looks up at the pair of them— a mild look passing between it and lamb. ] I think we're here.

[ and look— kabru's been carrying that cake for you so. technically he is now the delivery boy. he looks expectantly at mithrun, brows arched. ] I don't need to come in with you to make the delivery, do I?

[ their— hands are still joined, though. ]

[That gets a faint raise of one brow, as Mithrun glances at Kabru again.]

You sound confident.

[Well. He supposes they'll see. And the chances are probably good; he's noticed he tends to like being peaceful more with people he's invested in in some way, and... there's no doubt he's invested in Kabru. As much grief as that's caused him.

He looks up at the sign for Rosie's.] Ah... right. [He glances over at Kabru, in turn.] ...You don't, but you'll have to give me the cake back. And my hand.

[ he doesn't return the cake, or mithrun's hand yet, instead meets the elf's eye, watching him closely. there's a beat, and then another, and kabru says, voice still quiet: ] Not confident. Certain.

[ it's not about confidence, maybe. it's the aftermath of their strange acquaintance that makes him sure, that if they were back in that golden city, it would have happened in the coming months. that golden city held all kinds of equally golden futures— he resolves that it's better to not think too deeply on what is lost. utaya's scar now has another beside it, this one fresh and open. but— there is a stitch across it. he holds onto that hand for one more moment, and then nods, allowing mithrun to go. ] Sorry.

[ things feel amorphous and vague, here— even mithrun feels somewhat different. kabru has the sense that he's lost time, that the months of separation have further separated them. he's all smiles as he hands the cake over, but seems downcast— he has a canine way of revealing how he feels; bad at faking it around mithrun, his demeanour seems to wilt. if he had ears, they'd droop.

when mithrun returns from the delivery, he'll find kabru sitting on the bench outside, a little blank-faced, hands clasped in his lap. this man is so wrapped up in his thinky thoughts that he hasn't noticed his cat— purring, and grooming the lamb's pelt. why are those two so... stupid about each other—? the cat has shown only an inordinate hatred for anything and anyone (even kabru at times; it bit him), but this little sheep seems to bring out its gentlest side.

he brightens when he sees mithrun, standing to greet him (he's been sitting on the designated 'bored husbands' bench......giving dad at the mall energy). ] All done?

[Hmm. Kabru is still being weird and sad, and... well, Mithrun can partially guess why. This wouldn't be the first world-altering cataclysm Kabru has survived; no wonder it would weigh on him.

That his mood might have anything to do with Mithrun himself doesn't quite occur to him. Kabru asking to live with him was a surprise, yes - but Mithrun isn't quite at a point of thinking to investigate that beyond thinking it doesn't quite make sense... and probably has to do with those pesky timeline discrepancies

He can figure out more when they get to talking properly, anyway.

For now, he delivers that cake - which is pretty quick, now that he's actually at the right storefront, just a matter of confirming to the staff at Rosie's that he has the cake and they can tell Angeal he didn't wander into the ocean or die or anything - and returns outside to Kabru. ...And to their DTFs. He gives Lamb a look. Traitor.]

Yeah. The bakery is... [He trails off and looks at Lamb, who just... tilts its head pointedly to a building right across the street.

Mithrun turns around.] ...Oh. It's there.

[ ...seriously mithrun—? kabru follows the elf's line of sight all the way across the road to— yeah. the bakery. incredible feat of directional awareness. it's on lamb, though, and his cat, weirdly cryptic thing that it is, seems to be looking up at kabru smugly. just because it's made a new friend that it's obsessed with, doesn't give it license to be rude, surely.

the cat doesn't listen to kabru, though, and the odd pair strike off across the street in the direction of the bakery, not paying too much attention to their masters.

instead, kabru turns back to mithrun, reaching to tug that jacket more securely around the other's shoulders. ] It's a pity that you have to work at all today. I'd rather take the time to— you know. We need to talk.

[ yes, mithrun said they can talk at the bakery— but does kabru have any interest in a performative stunt in front of a store full of people, while eating baked goods; none of which he has much of a taste for? no. obviously not. pastries and cakes are the sugared nonsense of elvish tables, and he'd never liked them— something about that recurring thing here again now; after another tragedy. as a child he'd come to associate them with the first days of his new home; milsiril was always staring at him as he swallowed obediently.

there's no move from kabru to go towards the place, and no move to retake mithrun's hand. he looks— out of place. like someone has dropped him there, to stand against the outline of this curiously cheerful city street. ]

[At this point, Kabru, can you truly be surprised that he can't find a building across the street without the help of a sheep-shaped externalized piece of his soul?

Mithrun stares, almost curiously, at Kabru, looking so lost here in the street. He can't know the extent, of course, of what Kabru is thinking - but even if he could, assuring him that, say, the bakery has things other than sweets probably wouldn't do much to help the core issue.

What he is getting is that maybe talking at the bakery isn't the best course of action after all. Mithrun tilts his head, humming quietly.]

...How about this. The library is nearby, and has some soundproofed rooms. I'll ask Angeal to take my break now, and we can go talk there.

[ there's a skeptical look for mithrun, and he watches the former captain's face for a serious moment. ] Since when have you ever asked for permission to do something, captain? I think there's quite a lot that you need to fill me in on.

[ there's a flicker of kabru's eyes over the other's outfit again, and while he'd joked about it earlier, he now wonders what sort of change this world has brought about in the elf. to see him brought down to wearing the trappings of a cabaret girl, going door to door with deliveries— kabru has a certain amount of scorn for whoever runs this establishment. he keeps it to himself, though, and now reaches out again, offering his hand to mithrun. it's not needed— they're close to the place already; it's less out of need, than out of breaching what seems like an un-breachable chasm between them. ]

Come here.

[ no question mark there— his voice doesn't rise with it.

his fingers flex, inviting mithrun closer again. ] Let's just leave.

[ consider: your man here might be a little higher on the manipulate, mansplain, manwhore scale than he likes to appear. but— he's going to try his luck regardless.

this, too: let's just leave holds a stranger note— leave the town? leave the simulation? kabru can't do either, but there's an echo of contra mundum about that tone he's using. ]

[Mithrun waves off that look, unconcerned.] It's not like he'll say no. [If anything, he suspects Angeal finds it a relief when Mithrun does ask for his break, instead of just working continuously until he's physically removed to the break room.

He stares at that offered hand, and looks up to Kabru again without taking it.] I'll be right back, Kabru.

[ there's a moody sigh for mithrun at that, and he watches the elf's face, gaze flicking across the familiar features. mithrun seems— well enough. he hasn't been uncared for here. there must be people who have stepped in to help— kabru knows he's not privy to that, as intrigued as he is to find out more about the time that they've spent apart.

finally, he nods, and offers the former captain a smile. ]

Okay. I'll wait here for you. Maybe you can introduce me to your new friends once we've had a chance to talk about things. [ gentler, now.

odd, he thinks— there's something that feels like tension in the air between them. probably shouldn't have admitted that thing, earlier, but that's the nature of this place, right?

he nods towards the bakery, meeting mithrun's eye afterwards once more. ]

Don't get lost on your way back here. [ was that. flirtatious. was it. ]

[That sigh gets a faint, barely-there raise of Mithrun's brow. He supposes there's probably something to say there that Kabru isn't saying - but they can address whatever it is in private.]

Sure. I'm sure they'll want to meet you.

[And... after a moment of hesitation, he reaches out and sort of... sets a hand on Kabru's shoulder for a moment. It's not much, as comforting gestures go, but-- it's also Mithrun.

It's not a slap, at least?]

I should be able to see you, but if I can't I'll have Lamb lead me back. [Said very seriously. If he understood that as flirtation, he's not showing it.

Either way, Mithrun turns to find the bakery again (with a helpful bleat from his DTF) and makes his way over.

The actual conversation, which Kabru can doubtless see pretty much in its entirety through the storefront windows, goes pretty quickly. An absolutely massive tall-man, with most of his chest exposed by a white button-up, hurries to Mithrun, looking him over with hands tapping anxiously over his shoulders and arms and a general attitude that one might expect if Mithrun had been missing for much longer than an hour. Mithrun, in turn, responds to that flurry of concern as if it were just a normal, everyday greeting, before asking something and nodding toward Kabru waiting outside.

The tall-man looks up, and seems to study Kabru for a moment. He looks back to Mithrun, and asks something in turn, to which Mithrun seems to hesitate, glances over his shoulder, and mutters a reply.

After a moment of consideration, the tall-man gestures for Mithrun to wait, and steps behind the counter, only to return a few moments later with a sizable transparent container, packed with bread and sandwiches. He passes Mithrun the container with a few more words, and sends him back out the door. ...Not without a quick, one-handed ruffle of the former Canary captain's hair, which Mithrun also responds to as though it's completely normal.

Mithrun leaves the bakery again, container in hand, and returns to Kabru in the street with Lamb at his heels.]

He said it's fine, [He announces, perhaps a bit pointlessly.] And that it's your and Lamb's job to make sure I eat my share of lunch.

[ look, he was going to go for casual here. he was going to just loiter around on the street corner with his cat (who wailed pathetically when lamb walked away from it? what is this clingy, pathetic behaviour? why were the DTFs fawning over each other so much— embarrassing display actually). instead, naturally, kabru has managed to drift across the street to the pavement outside the bakery, and he's— yeah, he's spying. it's fine; he's technically just keeping an eye on mithrun— the guy gets himself into all kinds of trouble the second he's out of sight, and kabru's suspicious of an establishment that has him in an outfit like that (it's undignified okay).

there's also the matter of that narrow hand on his shoulder; he can still feel the press of it where it had lain against his shirt. kabru's passingly aware that he and mithrun seem to— touch each other all the time. it's a habit, maybe, it became a habit back in the dungeon; running his hands over the other's limbs as he helped him to dress and undress. hand-combing his hair, positioning him this way or that. it was care, wasn't it?

he'd just seen him, back in their world. but for some reason, all of that feels very far away. and mithrun here— who has been here for months— feels far too. it's natural to want to be close to someone who represents home, surely.

he meets the eyes of the tall-man in the bakery, a preternatural flicker moves with that gaze. blue, he notes— but a blue that glows.

they seem friendly, kabru thinks, and nods at the pair, then goes back to pretending he wasn't absolutely not minding his own business. his cat struggles from where he'd picked her up, shoving her back legs into his stomach and throwing herself towards lamb and mithrun. he'll pick mithrun's brain about his new colleagues when they're alone; for now, kabru's all smiles at the staff there. charming guy, right here!

his cat is all over lamb the second they're reunited, as if she'd thought they would be separated for good.

he steps around the DTF's and comes to stand in front of mithrun again, conscious that the bakery's staff are watching them now, through the windows. he doesn't make a move to touch mithrun (is he.............shy suddenly.........pathetic), and instead gives him a nod in greeting, offering the elf a smile. he reaches a hand out. ] Here, I'll carry that for you.

[ their lunch.... he looks over at where lamb and the cat are being weird at each other in public again (tmw your pet embarrasses you). ]

I assume your lamb knows the way to the library, Captain.

[The moment they're back outside, Lamb goes bounding toward Kabru's cat, too, bouncing around her and nuzzling her with its little muzzle. Mithrun just watches them for a moment before turning his attention back to Kabru.

He lets Kabru take the box of sandwiches, and answers with a nod.] It does.

[Lamb takes that cue and sets off down the street (making sure Kabru's cat is close behind), and Mithrun follows it with the same confidence with which he sets off in completely random directions. At least... he's being directed this time.

The walk to the library is a short one, at least, since it's another part of the main hub. When they get there, Lamb leads them to one of the "reading rooms" - a small, comfortable space, furnished with a single chaise and an assortment of books and pillows.

So, y'know. Very workable for reading, even if that's... not necessarily the main reason these soundproofed rooms are here.

Mithrun nods to it, closing the curtain behind them both.] There. We can talk here.

[ it's as if lamb and the cat have been separated by some kind of tragedy on the level of teen lovers aboard the titanic. it's actually a little pathetic to witness. these are their— supposed— souls, acting out some weird cat-lamb k-drama reunion. kabru scratches his head at them, and even does a bit of a salty hey knock it off you two gesture at the pair. he turns back to mithrun, shaking his head, before following along to the library, staying close to the former captain's side.

the reading room is— pretty much what one might assume a reading room to look like. the soundproofing does register (he's aware of the nature of this place overall— so he has the suspicion that things happen in here; not going to think about the state of that chaise too deeply). their sandwiches are set down on the short table nearby, and kabru himself finally— finally sits down, for what feels like the first time since he arrived, jolted to life in that hospital bed.

he tips his head back, eyes shutting, head tilted towards the ceiling. between the dim light, the comfortable presence of their DTF's, and— having mithrun back, he feels as if he could nod off at any second.

but— no. blue eyes open, and he watches the elf, his brow creasing as he stretches a hand out— an ambiguous gesture; come here, sit too, take his hand—? any number of those, and any combination. kabru himself hasn't settled on which. ]

We'd have been happy to find a room like this back in the dungeon, huh? There are a few at the palace too, but I don't think anyone uses them except Marcille.

[ his smile fades somewhat. he's fond of his colleague— was fond. he waits for mithrun to join him on the chaise, and on the carpet, the cat has curled itself around lamb's body, resting its head on the thing's back. ] You seemed pretty annoyed with me earlier.

[ his tone isn't accusatory, though, just searching. as if he doesn't want to quarrel with mithrun at this point. ]

[Mithrun stands by while Kabru gets settled - he does half expect Kabru just to fall asleep, honestly. That might make talking things out difficult.

Kabru opens his eyes, though, and... reaches out toward him. Mithrun stares at that offered hand for a moment before making a guess and going to sit next to Kabru on the chaise.

He stays quiet while Kabru reminisces... about the dungeon, and about this palace he mentioned before. About Laios's party member - the new dungeon lord. But that's not how he talks about her.

There is, obviously, more Mithrun is missing.

He stares at the DTFs, arms crossed and resting on his legs.]

...Do you remember helping Laios's party get away from Lycion?

[ mithrun sits beside him, and something in the atmosphere, kabru decides, feels very faintly— strained. he's not interested in bickering with the elf, of course— more than anything, he's pleased to have found him at all, to have found anyone from his world here. that it is mithrun is— probably one of the best case scenarios; but this mithrun, who is still, absolutely mithrun, doesn't seem to— remember. it's hard to tell, kabru thinks, but there's a disconnect.

they're close, back in the golden kingdom. oddly so.

it doesn't seem quite the same here. close, yes, but not like there.

he sits up straighter now, and shifts a little closer to the former captain, laying a hand against his upper arm. there's a smile there, though, and kabru shrugs at him. ] You were furious at me, yeah. Of course I remember that. But everything turned out okay, in the end. Why are you bringing that up?

[ a slight squeeze to that narrow arm. ] You mentioned Laios earlier, too.

It did, did it...

[He says it mostly to himself, even if Kabru can doubtless hear him, in such close quarters.]

And how long ago do you remember that being?

[ a tilt of his head, and he drops his hand from where he'd laid it on mithrun's arm, leaning back against the chaise in order to watch him. ]

About— ah, three, three and a half months now? You'd left the Canaries, our birthdays passed. Yeah, three. [ cute that he remembers their May birthdays, right. ]

Why? [ he's concerned again, sitting back up abruptly, and moving to sit close to mithrun once more, knee propped on the cushion, brushing mithrun's thigh. ] What's that got do with this place?

[Three and a half months. Mithrun knew it had clearly been a while from Kabru's perspective, but... that long? And he'd left the Canaries?

There's no hiding the surprise that flits over Mithrun's face. He hesitates, lacing his fingers together - but his pause doesn't last long.]

This place is... detached from time, in a way. Others here have already found that those from the same world can come from entirely different points in time, in memory and body alike. People who recall dying at one point and ending up here, who must therefore assume their world died when they did, have spoken to others who knew them - and who remember years passing after that point, with their world alive and well.

In my memory... the last time I saw you was when I found out you'd helped Laios get away. I went to fight the new dungeon lord. I lost. I found myself here.

Laios remembers making a deal with me - apparently after I was revived from that death. He arrived here before he could follow through.

...And you remember another three and a half months.

[ the look of surprise gets its due consideration from kabru, and though both concerned and nursing a sinking feeling, he listens to the former captain's explanation without interruption. he nods, watching mithrun's face closely, a crease forming in his brow as the story goes on. those three and a half months were— vital, for mithrun. for mithrun and for himself. they grew closer. mithrun stayed.

but you and i are lucky, marcille had parroted to kabru once, copying mithrun's monotone after the former dungeon masters' support group, we have people around us whose love can fill the hole that was left by the demon. love?, kabru had repeated, eyes wide. faint heart that kabru is, he'd assumed platonic love— in his gut, he'd known differently; an elf doesn't forsake his homeland for some fair-weather friendship. marcille had watched his reaction, and then she'd smiled, and refused to tell kabru the reason for it. that woman and her romance novels, he'd thought, simmering.

—the fact remains that those three months are not theirs anymore. kabru's, but not mithrun's.

kabru's kind of torn up about it, but also he's going to fake his way to the top. there's a laugh from him, and he sits back, doesn't touch mithrun again. ] Hah, that's going to be a little awkward, right? A lot of things happened in those three months. It was a really good time. The best, I think.

[ a flurry of activity, yes— but there were banquets and balls, feasts for the summertime festival, and the end of spring.

blue eyes meet mithrun's, and kabru offers the elf a smile. ]

We spent a lot of time together, after things cleared up. You and Pattadol stayed in Merini. And the prisoners went back to the Elven continent, so. But, it was you and me after that.

Edited (wear glasses while tagging @ me) 2024-02-28 13:37 (UTC)

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