[Action, forward-dated to this evening]

[knightofratatosk]

[Sunset finds Emil trudging back to the village after having spent the previous day and a half trying in vain to break the barrier in an attempt to get Richter and Tenebrae back. He's obviously exhausted, and his shoulders and upper arms are covered in bruises from where he slammed himself against the barrier once he realized hitting it with his sword wasn't going to work. Clearly he's not his usual cheerful self right now; in fact, he seems almost on the verge of tears.

Feel free to run into him as he heads back home.]

Comments

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

What is it?

[knightofratatosk]

Why did the Malnosso take them both?

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

[...]

I'm not sure.

[knightofratatosk]

Neither of them had ever been kidnapped before, and now both of them at once...

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

Emil...

[A pause. How was he supposed to answer that?

He scoots a little closer and awkwardly gives him a hug, considering this is what most people did to comfort others, right? He didn't want to make excuses for the Malnosso or give Emil any false hope, but he wanted to at least reassure him.]

[knightofratatosk]

[That's enough of an answer for him, since he wasn't really expecting one anyway. Don't mind if he clings; he kind of needs it right now, and his usual target of hugging isn't there for him to cling to. Ted will be able to feel that he's shaking a bit in the hug as he swallows hard.]

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't mind, as long as there's still some oxygen flowing through his system. He'll just be awkwardly trying to comfort you then, since he's never really done it before.]

I'm here.

[knightofratatosk]

T-thank you...

[The warmth is comforting, at the very least, as is the feeling of being held. It lets him know that he's not alone.]

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

[He'll just continue trying to soothe him, never mind that the stew will get cold at this rate. Poor kid. :(]

[knightofratatosk]

[Emil won't mind cold stew at all. He's just happy to have someone there with him instead of being in an empty house.]

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

[Hey, he's a friend! Ted wouldn't just abandon him.]

You can stay over here tonight, if you want. Tir and Gremio shouldn't mind [maybe] and you can take my bed.

[knightofratatosk]

T-thank you, but I wouldn't want to get in the way. It wouldn't be fair to Tir and Gremio to just let me stay here without asking them.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

Then we'll ask them! I'm sure it'll be fine. [Besides, he doesn't want to leave you alone in this state.]

[knightofratatosk]

But I...

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it. I'm sure they'd understand.

[knightofratatosk]

You should at least ask them first.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

I will! They'd get mad otherwise. Well, Gremio might, at least. Tir's too nice for that.

[knightofratatosk]

If it will cause trouble for you, I really don't mind staying at home.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

... Do you even want to stay at your home right now?

[knightofratatosk]

[Looking down, he swallows hard.]

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

[A frown, before he shakes his head a bit and sighs.]

You don't have to worry about me. I just don't want to see you going through this alone, you know.

[Years of experience of being alone certainly made him aware of how hard it can be sometimes.]

[knightofratatosk]

Thanks. I just... I don't know what to do with both of them gone.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

... Right now, the best thing I could think of is making sure you're all right. It wouldn't be good for them to return and see you beating yourself up like this.

[knightofratatosk]

You're right. Richter would probably just scold me for doing things without thinking about the consequences.

[300yrswandering.livejournal.com]

No reason to worry him, right?