EVENT #1: THE EMPTY THRONE (PT 2)

[aionmods]

The Empty Throne Pt 2

ESCAPE

As more and more of the prisoners awaken to the Pleroma's power, it soon becomes clear that conflict is inevitable. Strength that was locked away blossoms once again, and simply waiting is no longer an option; those that remain in the cavern have made their choice, and they will not be kept there so easily.

By means that may not be immediately apparent, the Pleroma have found themselves able to cast a spell that will ensure their freedom... but only if they can last the half hour it may take to complete. Whatever this power, Xishen, the Aion orchestrator of the Kenoma's ritual, seems able to sense it. As it begins, she will appear at each of the Kenoma's sides.

"The Pleroma has taken hold of them," she says. "Stop them now, or when you see them again, it will be as your mortal enemies. If you believe in the Kenoma's promise, take a stand. The Regent is watching."

For those that heed her, it will not be hard to find the congregation of Pleroma, the first seeds of their teleportation magic taking form. What's more, the fires of their hope have been stoked by this new chance at survival, granted them a surge of energy born of the Pleroma, compensating for the poor state of their bodies. The tension comes to a head, between those that would follow the Regent's path towards a better universe, and those that would seize the wild power of the Pleroma to escape.

Whatever violence ensues, eventually it will come to an end. Despite the Kenoma's efforts, the teleportation spell will come to fruition, enveloping the Pleroma in a sea of light and warmth. The Kenoma can only watch as fractals of blinding color whisk the Pleroma away.

VALLEY OF INNOCENCE

You will find yourself at the Shrine of the Innocent, surrounded by a valley of flourishing wildflowers. As you step from the shade of the monument, you will find your arrived here just in time to enjoy a warm spring spring morning, the sound of birds and gentle breezes tickling your ears. The sun slowly drifts past the horizon, its rays reaching out to you, as if in comfort. The air itself is alight with a strange aura of peace, as if committing violence here would be a sacrilege. There are no man made structures as far as your eyes can see.

Flowers of all shapes and sizes can be found here, and so can fresh water and various fruits and berries. All of them are safe to eat, and seemingly grow in abundance. There are animals here as well, all the common types one would expect from a place like Earth, with the occasional odd addition. While you can try to hunt them, you will find yourself unable to follow through on any attempts to hurt the creatures here. In turn, they regard you as familiar, and will fearlessly wander close as they inspect these new arrivals. In the distance, you may even catch sight of what appears to be a unicorn, only for its ephemeral shape to disappear from sight just as quickly.

The Pleroma will find safety and comfort here for a time, before they recover enough to travel onward. At some point during the afternoon of the first day, they may spot the occasional humanoid figure moving in the distance; when attempting to move in their direction, they will find an assortment of clothing set out across the grass as if in offering. It will come in many sizes but in mostly plain colors, fitting a general aesthetic of 'things a fantasy peasant might wear'. There will also be some blankets, wrapped cheese, jams, jerky, and bread left alongside them.

While there are trees and brush enough to find shelter, the Pleroma will find they hardly need to while resting here. The weather will be picturesque, a comfortable temperature even at night, and there will be no disruptive rain or aggressive wind. Of course, nothing lasts forever, and even though there could stay here for days, what if the Regent's forces are on their way? Once again, they must find the strength to carry on.

THE TRIWATER

As the Pleroma vanish, those claimed by the Kenoma are left in the darkness of the throne room. The Hylician soldiers are clearly agitated by the fighting, but Xishen herself seems unflustered. She will only sigh before quietly coming to the aid of any Kenoma that still need it, providing some light healing magics and explaining that their work here is over. With the Pleroma gone, all that's left to do is to return to Achamoth.

Things move quickly from there. The camp grounds are packed up, and soon enough the Kenoma will be ushered towards the river at the edge of the forest, to board a particularly large river vessel. As the Hylician soldiers prepare to go their separate ways, you will be told that you are to take the Triwater river to the capital city of Achamoth, where you will finally meet your new master, the Regent. The vessel is big enough for all of you, and it will set off the moment everyone is boarded. Suddenly, the world of entrapment and ruins you've been living in since your arrival will be left behind, leaving you to ponder the nature of your future.

The boat itself is well equipped and comfortable for what it is. A variety of colorful hammocks are hung in the lower decks and are open to be claimed for the journey back, which will take a day or two. The Kenoma will be offered a change of clothes of a similar style to what they already have if necessary, and there are plenty of blankets and cushions available to make life in the hold more comfortable. There are dice available for games of chance as well as some mystifying decks of cards that seems to have twelve suits with five cards each, themed around the Legacies. The twelfth suit is for the Regent.

Though the sailors controlling the vessel will mostly keep to themselves and leave the Kenoma alone, one of them will occasionally play harp music on the deck. Though they probably don't actually need help running the ship, they will let the Kenoma help them with chores and ship running tasks if they are so inclined; generally speaking, these sailors just seem like normal people, albeit a bit shy of their passengers. If you're polite to them, they may even gives you a river tour of Horos. On this ride alone, you'll get to see several magnificent bridges spanning the Triwater's width. At night, you are treated to a clear spring sky filled with stars.

As you make it closer to Achamoth, you'll notice the landscape shift, becoming mountainous and dotted with more and more military watch posts. The land becomes increasingly lifeless in a way that's hard to put your finger on, nature giving way to man-made creations of impressive architectural prowess. Soon, you will meet the person behind it all.

QUESTIONS

Can my Kenoma character fight against other Kenoma and/or help the Pleroma?
Yes, though if you do this you must describe what your character has done in a reply to the "Committed Actions" top-level below. This way, the mods can be aware of what happened and have your character treated accordingly. They are unlikely to receive immediate consequences if they don't hurt their fellow Kenoma, but their choices will follow them into Achamoth. If a Kenoma vs Kenoma conflict escalates into serious violence (attempted or successful) committed by the Kenoma rebel, Xishen will intervene and consequences will happen immediately which may restrict their actions until the next event post.

Can our characters leave the valley?
They can, yes, but really this event is just meant to cover the day or two they spend recovering before finding a more permanent place to go. You are free to have your character investigate the valley and probe the spaces beyond it, but please save any plans for large scale travel to the next event, which will be happening on April 2nd. The game will move into a 1:1 time ratio as of then.

Can our characters leave the boat?
Technically yes, but any Kenoma who wander too far will get in trouble. You are expected to report to the Regent, and behaving as if you are considering doing otherwise will not make an good impression.

Does the hope-based Pleroma boost last into the valley?
The boost to Pleroma characters will fade shortly after arriving in the valley, like coming down from a high. They'll have to recover the normal way from there.

Comments

[baltimores]

[ Yeah, Gen's out of it. Amos has been there before. The fact that he recognizes him, though; that there's enough of him still in there to get snarky and demanding — good signs. He'll gladly take them. ]

Yeah, that's a good idea.

[ He speaks loud enough so that Gen'll hear him, but hopefully not so loud that he'll hurt his brain even more. Amos shifts, re-angling Gen's body so that he's got one arm draped over Amos' shoulders, Amos using the rest of his body to steady Gen, keep him upright as he's left to guide him. He's just a little shorter than him, but more than strong and solid enough that maneuvering him somewhere doesn't take much effort on his end.

He glances in the direction it looks like Gen had been trying to go to before bumping into him, and yeah, it looks like a quiet corner — another good sign, that even as out of it as he is, he'd had a pretty good idea of where he wanted to go. So Amos starts taking him in that direction — a nice, tucked away little corner, even complete with conveniently smooth rock that's perfect for sitting on. So Gen's gonna sit there now.

Amos lowers him down, making sure he at least won't slump over and fall off, before descending into a crouch himself. He tilts his head, giving Gen a once over. ]

Shit, someone sure did a number on you. You jumped in 'cause that woman asked, huh?

[ Which... yeah. He's looking fresh as a daisy specifically because he hadn't done that. Maybe he should've, if only to make sure the kid didn't get so beat up. Hell of a decision on his part to jump into the fray like that. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Oh his end, Gen is impressively docile as Amos leads him over to that quiet corner. Mostly because he's tired and light-headed and in pain, but also because Amos is the one of the few people he feels is a little safer to let his guard down around. It's a dubious honor at best, especially since it's in part because Gen doesn't see Amos as someone who requires his respect, but still -- at least it makes him easier to handle during this arduous process. He allows himself to slump against Amos as he's guided over to that flat rock and sits down without complaint, closing his eyes with a weary sigh as he leans back against the cavern wall. ]

... yeah. [ Pause. He's a moment or two slower to process everything than he usually is. His words come mumbled because the inside of his mouth is cut to ribbons and his jaw hurts like hell. ] -- on someone beating me up, I mean. Some asshole who can use magic or something. S'unfair.

[ Gen groans as he sits back up, feeling a dull ache crawl all the way down his spine and seeping through his sides. He's normally in good shape, which is probably the only reason he's even managing to stay lucid and moving despite his entire body hurting so badly. And as his thoughts continue to melt and waver, he tries to stay focused by working to open the flask of water he'd taken from the guards. ]

Not like I'm raring to be that creepy bitch's attack dog or anything. But ... didn't wanna risk it. Dunno what they'll do if we don't at least pretend to listen. M'not dealing with another round of being stuck in this shitty cave. Then some shit happened. [ This flask is hard to open when his field of vision keeps wobbling. Gen sighs, muffles a frustrated grunt, then holds it out to Amos. A silent demand of 'open this for me.' ] Dunno if you made the right choice sitting it out.

[baltimores]

[ The lack of fight is appreciated; Amos is pretty sure if it came to it he could easily throw Gen over his shoulders into a fireman's carry, but why go through all of that if you don't have to. The fact that he can still walk, even if he needs help, is good.

(The fact that Gen will let him guide him is... maybe good. Either he's too out of it to object, or somehow, some way, Amos got through to him when they met.

The latter is a nice thought, so he's not entirely sure he believes it, more of a doubt in his own ability to be even somewhat personable than if Gen is just Like That towards everyone. Either way, it doesn't really matter right now; the important thing is he's gotta heal.)

He listens to Gen intently, and actually, it's a good thing he holds out the flask for him to open, since Amos was kinda considering just taking it from him and doing it himself. He takes a small drink for himself before passing it back to Gen, kind of like a reflex. Like, what, he's got a fresh flask of water, he's not going to have any of it? ]

Eh, I'll be fine.

[ He's completely unbothered by the idea that he might face consequences later for not obeying. It isn't so much confidence as, well, nothing's happening to him now, so there's nothing to worry about right now. ]

Gotta be careful who you take orders from. The Regent? If we meet them, yeah, sure, probably. Don't know this woman though. Don't know what her deal is, but pretty sure I don't like her. [ Creepy bitch might be a little strong for him, but not like he's gonna disagree. ] I hear you, though. They're not bad odds to play. Except for, you know... this.

[ And he gestures at Gen in general. Dude, you got beat up pretty bad. That sucks. ]

Not like I know magic either, so I doubt I would've been able to kill anyone. [ He shrugs. ] Besides, I talked to some of them when they were still down here. They really didn't wanna join us. Didn't want to die, either. Wouldn't have felt right forcing them into one or the other.

[epiprocta]

[ Were he fully lucid, Gen probably would've bitched more about Amos drinking from the flask instead of getting his own goddamn drink. So it's probably for the best that he's too tired to care about something of that caliber, reaching forward to take it without comment when Amos hands it over; he takes a long drink before coming up with a hard gasp, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He's still clearly disoriented and exhausted, but at least he's regained a little bit of the clarity and focus in his gaze.

Which, honestly, is sorely needed at the moment, because he fixes Amos with an incredulous stare as he blurts out, ]

-- you would've tried to kill'em?

[ Notably, he doesn't sound horrified or scandalized by the prospect. Just dubious. And there's only a brief pause before he corrects himself at a brusque deadpan, lest Amos get the wrong impression that he's weak or soft. ]

Seems hasty. I assumed she would've wanted them alive, after spending all that time keeping'em trapped in that cave. [ Does he sound defensive? Maybe just a little bit. After all, it's not like he has any real experience with serious fights, anything beyond the level of what small-town thugs and delinquents would be dealing with. ] I figured just beating the shit out of'em and handing them over would've been enough.

[ Which he failed at. Embarrassingly. Thinking about it is mortifying now that he's starting to regain the ability to piece together his thoughts, and Gen sighs as he slumps back against the cave wall. ]

... whatever. No skin off my back if she gives you shit for sitting around doing fuck-all during this, I guess.

[baltimores]

[ Alright, yeah, Gen's gonna be fine. He's still beat up and out of it now, but that's the kid Amos remembers hanging around with in the camp before all of this.

He unceremoniously sits down on the cavern floor now that he doesn't feel like there's anything here he actually has to do — Gen might need a babysitter for when he decides to move again, but that's not now — and looks up at him. ]

Nope. [ No skin off his back; Amos agrees. ] I can handle that on my own. I'll be fine.

[ He doubts the consequences of that, if there even are any, won't be anywhere as bad as the experience in the cavern in the first place. So he really does believe he'll be alright, an easy belief to hold.

He's just as at ease when he moves on to address the earlier points made. ]

And she said to stop them. Most surefire way to do that is to kill them. They held out as long as they did; something else got to them, she said? So I don't really see what else they were gonna be able to do to get them on our side. Kinda just leaves that one option.

[ Amos speaks clinically, like he's laying out a basic math equation. It's good Gen doesn't sound horrified or anything; it makes it that much easier to explain things. Killing someone stops them. Cuts out of all of the middle bullshit, gets you right to the end. It's so much easier, and he's been through it a fair number of times already that his opinion has never really changed.

He just assumed the defensiveness is about Amos having raised a different interpretation of the order, so he shrugged it off right away. It happens with him a fair bit. ]

I mean, I've been wrong on that front before, but something as high stakes as this? Beating the shit out of someone doesn't do anything. You kill them. And I didn't really want to do that. So.

[ He shrugs; it's that simple. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Yet again, Gen's reminded of the fact that there's something fundamentally wrong with this guy.

Who the hell talks this easily about killing people when they haven't even explicitly been ordered to? Even guys in the yakuza don't go that far unless there's good reason, right? And here this guy is casually saying the only he didn't forge in with the full intent of murdering a bunch of people was because he didn't feel like it.

There's something ironic about how Gen's the one who'd waded into that skirmish and gotten his hands dirtied, both dealing out and taking his fair share of blows, now sitting here with his own blood still drying on his face, and he's the one who gives Amos a wary look. Even as he raises the flask to his mouth to take another slow sip, trying to calm his flaring nerves, he can't quite shake the feeling that there's something distinctly fucked up about the conversation they're having. ]

... I can do whatever I need to. If they order me to kill and I don't have a choice, then I will. S'not like I'm afraid of it. [ He gives that answer quietly, after a long moment of thought. But despite his pretense at calm, it probably says something that he insists upon his lack of fear and his capability despite Amos never questioning those things. ] But I know I'm out of my depth here. [ A highly reluctant admission, the words gritted past clenched teeth before he realizes tensing his jaw hurts a lot. Gen gingerly rubs at his sore face as he continues. ] So I'm not about to do anything hasty.

[ And then a brief pause before he finally gets to his real point, trying to play casual: ]

... what did you say you did before you ended up here? Since you seem real used to maybe having to kill people.

[ If this guy says something like 'contract killer,' he's going to bail so fast, concussion be damned. He's too tired to be dealing with that bullshit right now. ]

[baltimores]

[ He vaguely wonders if this whole experience is what's taught Gen that he's out of his depth here, because it sure seems like he jumped right into doing something hasty from the get-go. But, hell, that's how you learn, right? You get thrown into the fire, and if you survive it, then you come out of it that much better prepared. Amos can remember being that age.

Speaking of. He sighs, a long exhale that trails off; runs a hand through his hair, vaguely embarrassed by the question. ]

I'm a mechanic. That's not a euphemism for anything. I really did just make sure ships didn't break and fixed them when they did.

[ And he pauses, sensing the need for further clarification. Or at least more context. ]

Told you I grew up in a shithole, right? It was run by gangs. Oftentimes, they were in the only game in town. You get in too young, good chance it's gonna fuck you up. [ He tilts his head, looking at Gen through a slightly different angle. The youth is obvious; the insistence that he's not afraid different from his own experiences. ] I would've been younger than you.

[ Just simple facts. It happened to him. His childhood sucked; he's irreparably broken as a result. Amos would be the first to admit there's something very wrong about him. There just isn't anything he can do about it, so why dwell?

His voice softens a touch, dropping from cold, hard facts to something that could almost be considered empathy. ]

First time I knew I killed someone, I thought I'd come down with a cold or something after. Someone had to tell me I was probably having a traumatic reaction. So, I mean, I get it if you're not afraid. I wasn't either. But if they tell you to, and you do it — and you should, if you think it's the right thing to do — and it fucks you up after? Just know you've got at least one person here who gets it.

[ A beat, and then: ] Probably a good thing if it does fuck you up after.

[epiprocta]

[ He'd been listening quietly to Amos' words, struggling to focus past the lingering ache ringing in his ears and trying to ignore the distracting thought of how different gangs in America sound from the yakuza matters he knows about, but Gen's expression hardens the moment Amos gets to that last bit. ]

The fuck are you talking about?

[ There's not much warning before he lurches forth from where he'd been leaning against the cavern wall, hand shooting forth even before he can think his actions through. ]

'A good thing?' Are you really that stupid? How the hell would getting messed up be a good thing? You think I --

[ It's probably for the best that he's really not in any state to be pulling off his usual threatening delinquent act, and it's especially for the best that a wave of incredible vertigo hits him before he can finish that thought. He'd been reaching forward to grab at a handful of Amos' shirtfront and yank him forth, but it turns out hand-eye coordination is really hard when you're still recovering from a concussion or three. Gen ends up clumsily grabbing at Amos' shoulder instead, and thrown off-balance by his own sudden movements, he's forced to lean against his own 'victim' for a moment until his vision stops swimming.

Surely that physical discomfort is the only reason his breaths are coming a little ragged and fast, a low groan stifled at the back of his throat. Surely, it's not that Amos' words have struck some sort of chord with him. ]

... whatever. [ A hard swallow. It feels a bit like he's going to puke, and he fights back that persistent prickle of nausea tickling at the back of his throat. ] I get it. You're fine with killing. ... good for you.

[ He really does sound especially his age when he's trying this hard to be tough. ]

[baltimores]

[ That hadn't been the reaction Amos was expecting.

He's not sure what he was expecting; it's not like there's a blueprint for this sort of conversation, even in the best of times. Being met with violence when discussing it isn't so abnormal on its own, but the specific thing that Gen takes objection to, combined with how messed up he still is...

Amos blinks as the hand comes for him, and it's almost like watching it in slow motion. There wouldn't have been any harm coming to him, regardless, but as Gen completely misses whatever he was going for, Amos instinctively brings up his own arm around Gen to hold him in place, turning the whole thing into one hell of an awkward hug.

He wouldn't have bothered at all if he didn't like Gen on some level; would have shrugged him off and let him hit the ground without much thought. But the scared kid is fully on display now, and he's easy like that.

Amos turns his head to look at Gen as best he can, do his best to establish eye contact. ]

Careful.

[ His voice is flat. There's a lot in the single word: don't make sudden movements when you're already hurt. And maybe don't attack known murderers while you're at it.

Amos gets up then, and in the movement pushes Gen to sit back down, neither gentle nor rough. He's not trying to give him another brain injury; at the same time, maybe he needs more of this right now. He looks down at him and wonders if he's going to have to put his own hand on his shoulder, make sure he stays down this time. ]

I get it, too. You're here now, you have no clue why, and you think you've got something to prove. [ Xishen had said as much to him, early on, when all of the fighting had broken out. Only Amos doesn't really think he has anything to prove; he knows who he is, what he can do. And yeah, he is fine with killing. And in some ways, it actually is a good thing for him. ] Only this doesn't prove anything to anyone. It makes you an easy target. And I'm guessing you wanna avoid that, so it's probably for the best if you rest up now.

[ Just some friendly advice, is all. He can keep it friendly. Hell, Amos even bends down to pick up Gen's abandoned water flask and hand it back to him. You know. Get something good in you; rest. ]

[epiprocta]

[ He hates it. Hates this place with its inscrutable logic, hates all the fantasy bullshit he has to put up with, hates how everything is completely foreign to him. Hates how much everything hurts, now that the adrenaline rush of combat has long since faded and his injuries are really settling into his bones. Hates that they leave him no choice but to quietly listen to what Amos is saying -- and hates that for all his unsettling qualities, Amos isn't wrong in what he says.

Gen does promptly bristle in response to that brief warning -- 'careful,' like he's a child being told not to touch a hot stove -- but it's notably silent, just words caught at the tip of his tongue as he grits his teeth. It's obvious that reacting with hostility is practically second nature for him, that Gen sees any suggestion that he's been weak as a reason to respond belligerently. So the fact that he settles for just a sullen glare and huffed breaths is probably a testament to how unwell he's feeling at the moment.

As well as being a small indication that Amos has a point, even if he'd die before admitting it. ]

-- 'm not an easy target. [ Of course that's the first thing he says as soon as he's settled back down in place and caught his breath. Gen makes no move to get back up or lash out at Amos again but maintains that defiant note to his words. Even when he knows his retort is lame at best: ] I'm ... not.

[ He knows he is, though. That's not exactly what had rankled at him so badly. Gen is furious to be rendered so powerless and pathetic here, certainly, but something about Amos' comments about trauma and gangs, in particular, had grated at his nerves like nails on a chalkboard. ... maybe it was the way Amos seemed to assume he was some innocent party here, to be sheltered from something dark and scary.

(Like he's not years too late for that.) ]

... don't treat me like some little kid. [ He mumbles, probably sounding younger than ever. ] If there's something I need to do, I can manage. I will.

[ He opens his mouth to continue but the words catch in his throat; even knowing that his old life no longer matters here, it's still hard for him to speak honestly. There's a moment of obvious hesitation before he gives up. Gen's quiet for a moment where he's reluctantly settled back against the cavern wall, staring darkly at Amos, before finally dropping that sullen glare. ]

You're not that special. Learning to do fucked-up shit.

[baltimores]

[ Amos is pretty sure he wasn't like this growing up. In some ways he was the opposite, pliant and easygoing, once he'd figured out how to cope with his lot in life. Not that he didn't know guys like Gen — just that he's never been on this end of the dynamic before, the older, more experienced party. It has him trying to figure out how to frame his point of reference to the kid in front of him, leaving him to stay silent as Gen gets out everything he feels he has to say.

There's no point in refuting him; that much is clear. They're just going to go around in circles while Gen finds some reason or another to object, even if Amos knows he's right. If they both know he's right. And he's always been the type to skip all of the middle bullshit, jump right to the end.

So, he'll just do that. ]

Okay. [ His voice is soft and easy when he speaks again, less out of any gentleness and more like that's just a natural cadence for him. ] I believe you.

[ On some level, he does. He'd never really felt a need to prove himself, but he can remember some of the frustrations he felt as he transitioned from victim to violent. They hadn't lasted that long, the depths of what he felt acceptable remarkably clear very early on, but they'd been there. And if Gen wants to take that same step — fine. He's not exactly one who can argue.

And if Gen finds he can't manage, Amos already made his offer on that front. No need to repeat it.

He tilts his head, looking down at the kid. ]

And nope. Neither of us is special. We're disposable. [ We, because he'll treat Gen like they're on equal footing, one and the same, until it's evident that's no longer an option. And it's so easy to fall right back into that gang mentality — from being a part of a real family that's all dead now to understanding that, as much as he thinks he's going to believe in this new cause, he's still just a cog in the machine. ] We got uses until we don't. Or until we're dead. Either or.

[ He shrugs, unbothered by the concept. And then tilts his head back in the direction of the cavern's exit, since they're gonna have to leave at some point, and coddling is officially no longer an option. ]

You good to get out of here yet?

[epiprocta]

[ Hypocrite that he is, Gen flinches when Amos says that. 'We're disposable.' And though he averts his gaze for a moment, when he looks back up to Amos, it's probably the first time the hurt in his expression outweighs the aimless anger and frustration.

It's not like he disagrees with any of what Amos had said. It's all stuff that's fundamentally true, and he's aware of it. He has a role to play, and once he's completed that role -- regardless of whether he's been successful or not -- it's all over after that. His value outside of the obligations he's meant to fulfill is questionable at best. He knows all of that, he does, but ... ]

Don't. [ The word's gritted out quietly before he looks down once more. ] You shouldn't say that shit so easily. ... not out loud.

[ It's not normal, is it, being able to say those kinds of things with that utter lack of hesitation? And Gen's not sure how he feels after hearing those cutting words coming from Amos' mouth like he'd been reading out a fucking grocery list. A little uneasy, maybe. A little unnerved. (And maybe, though he'd never put it into words, a little worried for whatever the hell would reduce a man to talking like that.)

Dwelling on those thoughts leaves a slimy sort of aftertaste, bitter on the tongue, and Gen gives a stiff shake of the head -- wincing as a final pang of headache lances through his temples, though it's greatly subsided by now -- and takes a drink from the flask. Coughs, wipes his mouth on the back of his hand, then mumbles, ]

... I can leave.

[ Maybe a change of location will help him shake off the discomforting feeling of what Amos had said.

That said, it's easier said than done. At least he's recovered enough to get to his feet without just falling over, but he still feels a bit like a car ran him over. And then backed up a few times to finish the job. Gen has to stifle a groan as he arduously finds his balance, wavering where he stands for a moment before starting to make his way back towards the cave entrance. And while he does shoot Amos a sideways glance to see if the man's following, he's determined not to need any help on the way out.

Whether it's to preserve the remaining dregs of his own pride, or if it's because he needs a little distance after what Amos had said, he's not sure. ]

[baltimores]

[ Amos isn't entirely sure where he went wrong.

Gen made it clear he wanted to be treated like an adult, so that's what Amos is doing. And somehow he's gone and hurt the kid in the process. He meets his words with a stare that's confusion and a mild distress, if that much can even be visible.

Why not say it out loud? Keeping it quiet doesn't make it any less true. He'd point that out, but Gen already seems to have a problem — a significant one — with what he's already said. And he really isn't trying to make his life any worse. Just pointing out the realities of their situation. If the kid can't handle them, then... well, shit, that's going to make the future kinda tough, isn't it.

Just gonna have to cross that bridge when they get to it. So it's a relief when Gen says he's good to go. Amos blinks, and the confusion is gone, replaced with a muted sort of concern, but he's also not going to argue. ]

Alright.

[ He doesn't move to help Gen, getting the sense that that's not the best idea right now. He does follow, close enough that he'll be able to catch Gen if he falls, but nothing more. That's not his place right now.

Maybe it never was. He'd had it for a bit back home, but for the most part, there was a reason he had to move on a fair bit. Which is gonna be tough if he has to here, considering they're all under the same boss now, and Amos is pretty sure he's going to stay on until the end. Hell, if he thinks about it, he knows he's looking forward to it.

Maybe Gen just needs to sleep it off, and he'll go right back to telling him off after, more bravado and less whatever this is. And if not, well, Amos will figure that out later. ]