aionlogs | [CLOSED] lizard times

[ Give him his rites? Okay, that's an offer that's too amusing not to take him up on. She shifts her gaze from Abel down to her attempt at recreating the likeness of a whale. Not Tako, unfortunately, as she didn't think she could get his shape quite right with the tools she had available, but she did her best. ]

I think he deserves as much, yes. Shall we call him...Blueberry?

--Ah! Don't give him a name, Himeka, now I'll feel guilty about eating him...!

[ it won't stop him, of course. but he'll feel guilty.

mildly.

...deliciously guilty. ]

But, I suppose it's only right. Mr -- or Mrs? -- Blueberry deserves a proper send-off, and that includes their name, of course. Alright.

[ he very gently deposits the remaining goodies on the corner of the nearby desk, giving Blueberry here his full attention as he makes the sign of the cross. ]

Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up, my child.

[ and then, like a savage barbarian,

he snaps Blueberry in half, ]

[ Her normal rule of "if it doesn't have a name it's fair game" is overruled here because Blueberry was literally created to be consumed. No harm, no foul, she hasn't broken any rules.

Abel's send-off is apropos. Himeka even closes her eyes and bows her head with both of her hands placed flat against one another in front of her chest in solemn reverence to the very edible being they are about to consume. Yea, may his soul find peace in that he's fulfilled his great purpose--being delicious.

She claps them twice before raising her head with a smile and accepting half of blueberry. ]

And now...you first!

[ Abel will find that the pastry isn't quite as puffy as one may like, but the flavor is good, sweet to offset the the fruity filling which is naturally--

--something closer to raspberries, obviously. It's more of a thick jam that has been mixed with a bit of cream for structure. Mostly she was working with limited dairy from what she could import from Godsblood and wanted to safe most of it for the pastry.

She watches him, eyes hopeful.

Is it okay? ]

[ poor Blueberry is now in twain, but his sacrifice won't be in vain. (heh, that rhymed...)

Abel isn't hesitating any further now that the Last Rites had been offered his defeated friend, taking a bite out of his half of the cookie, and--

oh.

......oh, his face immediately lights up in surprise-- which rapidly dissolves into delight. ]

This-- may be the single best whale I have ever eaten in the entirety of my life.

[ Ah! There's instant relief in seeing that he likes it--Blueberry, that is. The treat, not the fruit. (Although he does seem the sort who would also like blueberries. if she can find any...)

But she does have to laugh a bit at how raving the appraisal is even after the first bite. ]

I'm glad you like it, though now I think you're just flattering.

[ She then takes a bite of her own and gives a thoughtful hum. ]

The dough didn't quite rise like I was hoping it would...

[ She is talking while she's chewing like a true lady. ]

--Forest humidity, you know? Really changes the bake. But I hoped I picked the best ones out of the batch. Normally I'd like to have a full cream filling but I improvised a bit since milk isn't something you see a lot of when you're surrounded by scalekin.

I haven't the foggiest idea about baking, but you know what, Himeka...? You sound like you could absolutely bake circles around me, and I'm quite content to trust your superior palate. Even so...

[ he's already got the rest of Blueberry in his mouth and, like a heathen, spitting crumbs in his enthusiasm since he isn't swallowing, still chewing as he talks. ]

--He's very good!! I haven't had a cookie in so long...?! I feel like it's been boring porridge and maybe a fruit here and there, lately... this hit just the spot!

[ She laughs a little as she finishes her first bite. Well, as long as he likes it, that's really what matters, even if the technique was subpar. Though this does just raise a greater challenge--if she could get herself a proper kitchen, imagine what she could surprise Abel with...

Thoughts for another time, mayhaps. ]

I'm glad to hear it!

[ She takes another bite of Blueberry after a pause. ]

Though I have to admit...I haven't been entirely honest with you.

[ oho~? oho... oho; that has Abel's brows immediately lifting in curiosity - and one can definitely see the light beginning to brighten, gleam in his eyes. ]

What's this...? Himeka...

[ he touches a hand to his chest in feigned shock!! horror!! ]

Do you have a confession to make? --Please. Take a seat, my child. I am here to absolve you of your sins; fear not my judgment, only the mercy of God and speak freely.

[ A confession? Himeka blinks once, tilting her head to the side. ]

...I suppose so?

[ In that case, she looks around--

--and plops right down on the bed he was trying to hide lacy unmentionables under.

And looks at Abel expectantly. ]

[ Abel's adjusting his glasses in such a way that they Menacingly catch the light before he slowly, methodically, comes to lower himself beside her. dramatically. ]

Yes. Confession... I can sense a horrible burden weighing your soul down, preventing you from being free. You have a deep secret, don't you?

[ absolutely. he feels it. it definitely isn't because she just said she wasn't entirely truthful this is coming to be, no; it is all his perfectly honed priestly instincts. ]

A deep secret?

[ Well. Several, but who doesn't? She's starting to get the feeling he's going to be disappointed with her true purpose, here. Maybe she should come up with something more exicting?

--No, no. The circumstances really aren't one to be taken lightly. ]

Okay, well. I was really wondering...

[ But she will pause as she lays her hands in her lap. ]

...How are you?

[ oh. ...oh? wait.

.......huh??

he is quite obviously a bit Confused, replacing all efforts at feigned Coolness for befuddlement. ]

Um-- how am I? I'm-- fine, of course! I'm just fine...! You're fine too, right?

[ is this like

some kind of.... trick question?? is she setting up for a joke? math lady meme time... ]

[ She regards him for a moment as if to try and catch him in a lie. He is the sort of person to say he's fine regardless, isn't he? That's the impression she gets. But eventually Himeka takes him at his word and nods in agreement. ]

I am, but I've been more concerned about you.

[ She won't leave him hanging for long, though. She moves to lean forward a bit, lacing her fingers together. ]

Ernesto told me the other day that there were Kenoma found wandering around here.

[ Surely Abel noticed? ]

[ suddenly... the pieces fit together again, and a tiny bit of tension fades from Abel's shoulders. his smile is quick to return and it's a reassuring sort - sincere and with all the usual warmth behind it. ]

Please don't worry... I'm quite alright. A little uneasy, maybe-- it's a bit unnerving, you know? Seeing the Kenoma wandering so close to the places we call 'home' these days, but... none of them were unkind to me, I promise.

[ he's a bit touched she thought to worry, honestly - but he is genuinely glad to be able to dissuade any anxiousness she's feeling in that regard. ]

...There were quite a few of them. It's... worrisome, mm.

[ perhaps they had grown complacent for the absence of the "enemy" this far from Achamoth. Abel can't deny that his heart has sunk a bit to know that this solace might not last forever, might be coming to an end sooner rather than later. ]

[ If Abel had just said he was alright and waived it off, Himeka would have greater reason for concern. But admitting to unease and the delicacy of the situation is enough. She knows he's a source of strength for others, both on and off the battlefield with his caring nature, so he must fear for the other Aions in town as well.

Himeka nods in agreement. Compliant indeed. Godsblood is one thing now so far on the other end of the continent, but Greentruth is isolated from everything else. As far as she understands, it's the one place that remains untouched by the Regent's power in this world. A place where they can openly be Aions and work side-by-side with the other members of the Resistance.

Sure, there are a few man-eating scalekin and mobile man-eating plants, but...that's certainly worth the risk, right? ]

It's easy to forget that this place is under the Regent's realm of influence too.

[ The locals don't seem to hold them with reverence from what she's seen. ]

It isn't just one from what he said. I'm worried that they may be planning something...or at least scoping out the area for points of weakness. Or--or something.

[ For all the war she's been a part of, Himeka is rarely at the head of strategy or intel. But she's trying. ]

Have you seen Dokja recently?

[ she's right to worry, he thinks; maybe one or two Kenoma wandering these regions might be a coincidence, but...

something is happening. whatever 'business' they had been attending to surely can't spell anything good, Abel figures.

but mention of Dokja's name has his smile slipping just a fraction; of all the concerning developments as of late, the matter of Dokja and Gen closes in near the top. ]

Ernesto told you about what happened, I take it?

[ that man... ]

We went on a bit of a... um. Vacation? I guess you could say, mm! To get out of the city for a while after that. I'd like to say he's doing alright, but...

[ ...but that would be a lie, so says the apologetic look in his eyes. ]

[ If it were just one or two she may pass it off to coincidence, but not so many at once. That reeks of some direct order of the Regent or some other high-ranking member, she would assume. But she doubts many would divulge that if asked, even if she does believe a good number of the Kenoma are not as in alignment as they may seem.

Though it likely goes without saying, she still nods to confirm, appreciative that Ernesto thought to tell her at all, really. It's been some time since she's seen Dokja, but it does offer some comfort to know that Abel was already on the case. (Of course he was, no surprise there.)

She smiles a little despite herself, somber though it is. Kind Abel. ]

It's good that he has you here.

[ Very good. ]

Why would a Kenoma call him one, though? As...cover? Or do they want him on their side?

[ it's a good question, and one Abel is still trying to work out - decide - himself.

he's heaving a quiet exhale, gaze shifting to some indistinct point on the carpets beyond his feet; it's clear he is giving this some due thought before he manages to answer her. ]

The two of them-- Gen and Dokja?-- have been at one another's throats from the beginning. I think Gen decided that outing Dokja wasn't enough... painting him as one of the Regent's - someone completely unsympathetic in Godsblood - was the best way to hurt him without being able to resort to violence.

[ and... it had worked. Dokja had been extremely dejected by the time Abel had found him in his home; the damage had been done. ]

[ Ah...so it's a pointed attack. A personal one. That makes this far more delicate.

The name isn't one she's very familiar with, but when Abel says that they have been at each other's throats since the beginning, she has to wonder... ]

Abel...is Gen the one that nearly killed Dokja a few moons ago?

[ ...ah.

he supposes it's a bit hard not to put the pieces together now, isn't it? and now that Abel knows Himeka isn't the sort to act recklessly or callously in the affairs of others, he feels more confident in affirming this - trusting her with this - now.

so he nods his head, eyes sliding back toward hers, his quiet worry clear in his gaze. ]

He did. And I fear it's only going to get worse from here. Every time their paths cross, it's like a powder keg, Himeka. The fault lies with both of them, too-- Dokja isn't making this any easier on himself by purposely provoking that boy. Like he can't... help himself.

[ m-maybe he is vaguely frustrated on that point. just a little.

he's really worried about them, okay?? it's bad!! ]

[ It makes sense. And from what little she does know of Dokja, somehow being a equal partner in the mess also strikes true. Himeka looks away for a moment as she nods, offering a quiet but affirmative hum. ]

He was a terrible patient.

[ Though not the worst she's had by far.

Still...sometimes people are their own worst enemies and need a little more help than they're capable of asking for. She shifts her gaze back to Abel and turns to face him a little more appropriately as well. ]

He can come back to Greentruth with me, if you think he might. Gen won't find him there and he wouldn't run the risk of running into a fight where he can't back out.

I've encouraged him to consider it.

[ heading to Greentruth seemed a decidedly wise idea after Godsblood became densely populated with Kenoma, and ones that were antagonistic to boot. granted... neither Ciel nor Gen had made any moves toward physical violence in their time in the city - but that didn't guarantee anything for the next time. what if they're caught unawares in some sort of well-laid trap? it a risk Abel doesn't want any of their companions to take.

his eyes find Himeka's with more focus, trying to shake off the uncomfortable gnaw of that worry. one thing at a time, right? ...right. ]

Ultimately, I'm not sure what he'll choose to do. But-- I know that he could benefit from being with others. I don't think solitude is good for him, so... wherever he ends up, I hope he doesn't try to go it alone.

[ And he hasn't taken the suggestion? Well, at least not in any way that Himeka has seen, though she's hardly all over the settlement. She sucks her lips in slightly as she thinks. ]

Well...I haven't really seen him since that first incident, but I could extend an invitation?

[ Yes because he will definitely want to go hang out in the forest with the woman who gleefully knocked him out and forced bed rest on him. ]

...Would you?

[ the more Abel thinks about her offer, the more he thinks he finds it a good idea. the more people that reach out to Dokja, the less he can justify his efforts for loneliness.

that, or Abel will just kick his ass and force him to socialize against his will again, whatever. ]

I think a bit of your company would be good for him, personally. Maybe even just what the doctor ordered...?

[ haha. get it? because she's a healer? like a doctor. haha. ...ha. ]

[ She nods readily in agreement. Of course she wouldn't have offered if she wasn't willing, but Abel knows Dokja much better than she does.

It may be overstepping her grounds but an offer won't hurt. The worst that can happen is he'll turn her down, but it'd be better if it was a choice he made for himself, she thinks. A little bit of agency in the situation may do him some good as well. ]

I'll see what he has to say, then. If he doesn't want to, well...I plan to be in town for a few days, so mayhaps there may be another opportunity to keep his mind off of things there too.

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doctor, doctor. give me the news, i've got a--