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[ Hello??? ]
Mr. Dokja...?
[ There's a palpably stunned silence as Gray tries to process this in the middle of laundry, or whatever she was doing when he called. She frowns, grips the hem of her cloak, tries and fails to stop her anxiety from leaking through their connection.
What happened?
Mr. Dokja...?
[ There's a palpably stunned silence as Gray tries to process this in the middle of laundry, or whatever she was doing when he called. She frowns, grips the hem of her cloak, tries and fails to stop her anxiety from leaking through their connection.
What happened?
[ One day he will learn to be normal but today is not that today. ]
I killed him.
[ That explains everything, right—
He doesn't know why he admits to that right away, other than the fact that he needs the truth of his actions to be known. Even if it had been done out of mercy, even if Dokja had agreed to it without question, it still doesn't change the fact that he'd murdered a man. ]
He—agreed to it. He would have died anyway.
[ It doesn't make things any better. It certainly doesn't make him feel any better saying that, misery and grief threatening to burst out past his usual wall of composure. ]
I'm at the Tree. I can explain everything there.
I killed him.
[ That explains everything, right—
He doesn't know why he admits to that right away, other than the fact that he needs the truth of his actions to be known. Even if it had been done out of mercy, even if Dokja had agreed to it without question, it still doesn't change the fact that he'd murdered a man. ]
He—agreed to it. He would have died anyway.
[ It doesn't make things any better. It certainly doesn't make him feel any better saying that, misery and grief threatening to burst out past his usual wall of composure. ]
I'm at the Tree. I can explain everything there.
Edited (my typos x2, i am so sorry to your inbox) 2023-09-16 14:17 (UTC)
[ It would have been bad enough if Dokja had been killed by some random creature or a Zenite. That Eustace had to do it instead sobers her shock, and presses more deeply into her heart like a knee into flesh. ]
I'll be there right away.
[ She doesn't ask why he can't just tell her like this. She'd rather be there anyway.
It won't be long before Gray comes jogging up to the Tree, propelled by the bleeding grief that lingers from their Communion. She doesn't call out as she nears; the area around the Tree is mellow and still, hers the only footsteps that tap against the serenity of the place. She can imagine why Eustace is here; though this is called the Tree of Life, it serves nearly as much as a graveyard. As such she steps lightly until she reaches him, careful to disturb as little as possible. ]
Mr. Eustace...
[ She looks at him closely, trying to get a read. She already knows that he feels unhappy, but to what extent? ]
I'll be there right away.
[ She doesn't ask why he can't just tell her like this. She'd rather be there anyway.
It won't be long before Gray comes jogging up to the Tree, propelled by the bleeding grief that lingers from their Communion. She doesn't call out as she nears; the area around the Tree is mellow and still, hers the only footsteps that tap against the serenity of the place. She can imagine why Eustace is here; though this is called the Tree of Life, it serves nearly as much as a graveyard. As such she steps lightly until she reaches him, careful to disturb as little as possible. ]
Mr. Eustace...
[ She looks at him closely, trying to get a read. She already knows that he feels unhappy, but to what extent? ]
[ By the time Gray arrives, Eustace is at least a little more put together, seated cross-legged in front of an unassuming spot in the dirt as he wipes away the last of the blood off a dagger with a torn piece of cloth. It'll be need a more thorough cleaning soon if he doesn't want it to rust....or he could just throw it away and never have to deal with the proof of his actions ever again.
He looks up when Gray arrives, setting the dagger off to the side. ]
Gray. [ Once again, no 'hi' or 'how are you'. ] Sorry for making you come all this way.
[ It's not like he couldn't have explained over Communion, but the thought of being alone right now makes him feel even more miserable. ]
He looks up when Gray arrives, setting the dagger off to the side. ]
Gray. [ Once again, no 'hi' or 'how are you'. ] Sorry for making you come all this way.
[ It's not like he couldn't have explained over Communion, but the thought of being alone right now makes him feel even more miserable. ]
[ Gray glances at the dagger, its presence like a curse, before quickly shaking her head. ]
It's okay. I want to be here.
[ She takes his requests seriously, and she'd be much more worried if he'd hidden himself away. If anything, she's grateful that he asked her to come — or as grateful as one can be upon news of a friend's death, temporary or not.
She pulls her skirt from under her before settling onto her knees next to Eustace. She eyes the unassuming spot in the dirt. ]
Mr. Dokja's Shard...?
It's okay. I want to be here.
[ She takes his requests seriously, and she'd be much more worried if he'd hidden himself away. If anything, she's grateful that he asked her to come — or as grateful as one can be upon news of a friend's death, temporary or not.
She pulls her skirt from under her before settling onto her knees next to Eustace. She eyes the unassuming spot in the dirt. ]
Mr. Dokja's Shard...?
[ He nods once, confirmation of her words. ]
It's there.
[ Buried in the dirt like some sort of seed waiting to sprout...which isn't that far from the truth. Weird to think that this is how they're reborn in this world, but he supposes the metaphor makes sense.
He waits until she sits, until it's just the two of them on the cold ground while the far-reaching roots of the Tree fan out overhead. ]
You knew he was experimented on. [ An abrupt beginning, but a beginning nonetheless. ] Apparently there were side effects. Rising Discord, for one.
[ He's not sure how much she knows, but it can't hurt to lay out all the details. ]
It's there.
[ Buried in the dirt like some sort of seed waiting to sprout...which isn't that far from the truth. Weird to think that this is how they're reborn in this world, but he supposes the metaphor makes sense.
He waits until she sits, until it's just the two of them on the cold ground while the far-reaching roots of the Tree fan out overhead. ]
You knew he was experimented on. [ An abrupt beginning, but a beginning nonetheless. ] Apparently there were side effects. Rising Discord, for one.
[ He's not sure how much she knows, but it can't hurt to lay out all the details. ]
[ It's strange how normal Shard life has become, the miracle of rebirth taken for granted. Yet the emotional toll of death remains (for the most part) as it should. She would be far more disturbed if death felt pedestrian.
She gazes at Dokja's little spot in the dirt, undecided on whether it looks more like a burial plot or a planted seed. ]
The person who was experimented on with him mentioned something similar, but her Discord has seemed to stabilize.
[ At the very least, Rin has been able to manage it so far. ]
Mr. Dokja never said anything to me about it. There was no way to stop his Discord from getting worse? And if there wasn't... might this just happen again once he comes back?
She gazes at Dokja's little spot in the dirt, undecided on whether it looks more like a burial plot or a planted seed. ]
The person who was experimented on with him mentioned something similar, but her Discord has seemed to stabilize.
[ At the very least, Rin has been able to manage it so far. ]
Mr. Dokja never said anything to me about it. There was no way to stop his Discord from getting worse? And if there wasn't... might this just happen again once he comes back?
[ If he comes back at all.
It's a bitter thought that he keeps to himself, because there's no point in making a depressing situation even worse by lamenting over what-ifs. Figures Dokja never said anything about it though, to either of them. In that regard, they're too much alike: more concerned with the well-being of others than their own, and willing to conceal any hardship in order to reassure the people around them. (Not that it had ever really worked.) ]
The usual methods of managing Discord didn't work for him, or so he said. [ In this he's inclined to believe Dokja. ] We didn't talk about the possibility it might remain even after [ he waves one hand towards Dokja's little plot ] this, but he seemed convinced it would go away after death.
[ Whether or not that hope will actually turn true remains to be seen. ]
I don't know how long it'll take for him to come back, but you don't have to stay the entire time.
It's a bitter thought that he keeps to himself, because there's no point in making a depressing situation even worse by lamenting over what-ifs. Figures Dokja never said anything about it though, to either of them. In that regard, they're too much alike: more concerned with the well-being of others than their own, and willing to conceal any hardship in order to reassure the people around them. (Not that it had ever really worked.) ]
The usual methods of managing Discord didn't work for him, or so he said. [ In this he's inclined to believe Dokja. ] We didn't talk about the possibility it might remain even after [ he waves one hand towards Dokja's little plot ] this, but he seemed convinced it would go away after death.
[ Whether or not that hope will actually turn true remains to be seen. ]
I don't know how long it'll take for him to come back, but you don't have to stay the entire time.
[Dark has been dead for a little bit now. Rin has effectively been living out of her shop. Hopping from "friend" to "friend" asking for showers or to wash clothes.
When she reaches out to Gray she is tried. Exhausted physically and mentally. But hey, at least she's reaching out at all.]
Gray, I would like to ask you for a favor.
When she reaches out to Gray she is tried. Exhausted physically and mentally. But hey, at least she's reaching out at all.]
Gray, I would like to ask you for a favor.
[ If dissipation will solve Dokja's Discord problem, then that will be a small mercy. Maybe Aetos told Dokja something that made him certain about it. ]
I'll stay a while longer.
[ She wouldn't feel right leaving right away for a number of reasons. Even if Dokja isn't permanently dead (they can hope), there's a place still for grief. She breathes, looking up into the vastness of the Tree. A prayer wouldn't be appropriate, but a bit of remembrance might be. ]
How did you meet Mr. Dokja?
[ After all this time, Eustace's social life is still a bit of a mystery to her... ]
I'll stay a while longer.
[ She wouldn't feel right leaving right away for a number of reasons. Even if Dokja isn't permanently dead (they can hope), there's a place still for grief. She breathes, looking up into the vastness of the Tree. A prayer wouldn't be appropriate, but a bit of remembrance might be. ]
How did you meet Mr. Dokja?
[ After all this time, Eustace's social life is still a bit of a mystery to her... ]
[ He's grateful for her steady presence, even if he doesn't say as much aloud. But there's a slight drop to his shoulders, not out of any sense of relaxation but of comfort.
The answer to her question is easy enough to give, a couple of seconds pass before he finally replies. ]
We met when I first arrived in Horos and had no idea where I'd woken up. [ Bumbled around the remnants of their crystal cocoons together naked as the day they were born, like god intended. ] I thought he was a gigantic asshole back then.
[ Pardon his language. At least he doesn't sound angry at all, only factual.
They hadn't gotten along at all back then, a year and a half ago, constantly at each other's throughts over the smallest of things. Truthfully he's still not sure whether they get along well or not, only that the shared experience of surviving everything both Horos and Kenos have thrown at him has been enough to trump those petty disagreements.
He looks thoughtful as he stares at the dirt. A little regretful. ]
It must have been hard. To have been here since the very beginning and stayed behind as everyone else leaves, one by one.
The answer to her question is easy enough to give, a couple of seconds pass before he finally replies. ]
We met when I first arrived in Horos and had no idea where I'd woken up. [ Bumbled around the remnants of their crystal cocoons together naked as the day they were born, like god intended. ] I thought he was a gigantic asshole back then.
[ Pardon his language. At least he doesn't sound angry at all, only factual.
They hadn't gotten along at all back then, a year and a half ago, constantly at each other's throughts over the smallest of things. Truthfully he's still not sure whether they get along well or not, only that the shared experience of surviving everything both Horos and Kenos have thrown at him has been enough to trump those petty disagreements.
He looks thoughtful as he stares at the dirt. A little regretful. ]
It must have been hard. To have been here since the very beginning and stayed behind as everyone else leaves, one by one.
[ This is fine... ]
It won't be as refined as your cooking, but if you don't mind. Let me know when you'll be close.
[ Now that a guest is involved, she'll get started with the cooking right away!! And then she'll give the resident dog a heads-up and ask him not to drool on Rin too much when she arrives. ]
It won't be as refined as your cooking, but if you don't mind. Let me know when you'll be close.
[ Now that a guest is involved, she'll get started with the cooking right away!! And then she'll give the resident dog a heads-up and ask him not to drool on Rin too much when she arrives. ]
[ Ah, plenty of time to get the cooking going then. ]
Okay. See you soon.
[ When Rin arrives, she'll find the house in a familiar neighborhood. Gray's new location is in fact two houses down from the original house Rin visited her at. There's a huge Neapolitan mastiff lounging on the porch, gently drooling. When he spots Rin his tail will start a-waggin', though he politely stays put as requested. ]
Okay. See you soon.
[ When Rin arrives, she'll find the house in a familiar neighborhood. Gray's new location is in fact two houses down from the original house Rin visited her at. There's a huge Neapolitan mastiff lounging on the porch, gently drooling. When he spots Rin his tail will start a-waggin', though he politely stays put as requested. ]
[When Rin arrives she no longer needs a parasol to visit Springstar. All her physical signs of Discord are gone thanks to Mordred taking the hit of accepting a full tier from her. In Tohsaka's hands are a leather bag (probably with her change of clothes?) and a tray of custard-filled egg tarts. Because her hands are full she reaches out to Gray via communion once more.]
I'm here. Please open the door.
[The dog gets a short glance from her. It's... cute, in the "it's ugly first" kind of way. And at least it doesn't go after her.]
I'm here. Please open the door.
[The dog gets a short glance from her. It's... cute, in the "it's ugly first" kind of way. And at least it doesn't go after her.]
[ Dokja, an asshole? He's always been nice enough to Gray, but maybe it's easier to get into quarrels with someone like Eustace, who can be a bit stoic. And uncommunicative. And curt. And back when they were all new to their new lives as walking Shards, they were under quite a bit of stress...
As to Eustace's other point, Gray is silent for a moment, thoughtful. She vaguely remembers that exodus, which was somehow both long and sudden. In a way, it's still happening. Except for a handful of people, Eustace included, the people who were impactful in her life a year ago have already gradually disappeared without a trace.
If Dokja was the last of them to leave Horos, then surely he suffered. For that to hang in Eustace's mind now, he must be deep in his guilt. ]
When he gets back, we should do something for him.
[ It might make Dokja feel better, but more importantly (sorry Dokja) it might make Eustace feel better too. ]
Is there anything you think he'd like?
As to Eustace's other point, Gray is silent for a moment, thoughtful. She vaguely remembers that exodus, which was somehow both long and sudden. In a way, it's still happening. Except for a handful of people, Eustace included, the people who were impactful in her life a year ago have already gradually disappeared without a trace.
If Dokja was the last of them to leave Horos, then surely he suffered. For that to hang in Eustace's mind now, he must be deep in his guilt. ]
When he gets back, we should do something for him.
[ It might make Dokja feel better, but more importantly (sorry Dokja) it might make Eustace feel better too. ]
Is there anything you think he'd like?
[ The dog's tail wags three more times hopefully when Rin glances over, but when she doesn't do anything more, the tail sadly settles back down.
Gray's voice comes from within the house — "Coming!" — and shortly, the front door opens. Gray is wearing an apron... over her cloak, of course. She smiles in greeting. A richly meaty smell wafts out the door. ]
Hello, Rin. [ And glancing quickly to see that Rin is free of drool, ] Good boy, Raisin.
[ She gives the dog a pat on its massive head, which prompts some more tail wags, before stepping back to let Rin in. ]
No one else is home at the moment, so please feel free to use the shower and laundry as you like.
Gray's voice comes from within the house — "Coming!" — and shortly, the front door opens. Gray is wearing an apron... over her cloak, of course. She smiles in greeting. A richly meaty smell wafts out the door. ]
Hello, Rin. [ And glancing quickly to see that Rin is free of drool, ] Good boy, Raisin.
[ She gives the dog a pat on its massive head, which prompts some more tail wags, before stepping back to let Rin in. ]
No one else is home at the moment, so please feel free to use the shower and laundry as you like.
[Oh... the smell of a homemade meal makes her stomach rumble a little, but Rin is quick to try and cover that up with conversation.]
I brought egg tarts, and made enough for the house. I'll show you how to store leftovers before I leave.
[Since this is a different residence than before she assumes there's housemates? Ah, she has to smile a little bit though. Raisin is such a perfect name for a dog like that...
At any rate, she steps into the house and will first find a spot to set down her tray. After that she'll want to set the laundry going, and take a shower last. Perhaps after dinner?]
I brought egg tarts, and made enough for the house. I'll show you how to store leftovers before I leave.
[Since this is a different residence than before she assumes there's housemates? Ah, she has to smile a little bit though. Raisin is such a perfect name for a dog like that...
At any rate, she steps into the house and will first find a spot to set down her tray. After that she'll want to set the laundry going, and take a shower last. Perhaps after dinner?]
[ Eustace is the problem here, it's true....
Gray's question is easy to answer, at least on the surface. ]
Books.
[ He replies immediately, without even blinking. There's always at least one within easy reach and a few more piled just a few feet away. The guy owns a bookstore, for crying out loud, even if he had inherited it from someone else. He's a nerd through and through. But it's endearing in its own way. It's good to have enthusiasm for a hobby.
Past that....Eustace falls into a thoughtful silence, trying to scrounge up what else he knows of the man. He thinks about the little bits he knows about Dokja's history, and the brief conversation they'd shared during the last Oracle. Unlike when he'd answered before, there's less confidence in his voice. ]
Maybe an outing, with all of us. Something where we all spend time together. [ Something where he doesn't have to be alone. ] A picnic?
[ He's not good at this whole social thing, please send help. ]
Gray's question is easy to answer, at least on the surface. ]
Books.
[ He replies immediately, without even blinking. There's always at least one within easy reach and a few more piled just a few feet away. The guy owns a bookstore, for crying out loud, even if he had inherited it from someone else. He's a nerd through and through. But it's endearing in its own way. It's good to have enthusiasm for a hobby.
Past that....Eustace falls into a thoughtful silence, trying to scrounge up what else he knows of the man. He thinks about the little bits he knows about Dokja's history, and the brief conversation they'd shared during the last Oracle. Unlike when he'd answered before, there's less confidence in his voice. ]
Maybe an outing, with all of us. Something where we all spend time together. [ Something where he doesn't have to be alone. ] A picnic?
[ He's not good at this whole social thing, please send help. ]
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