[CLOPEN] through the light that illuminates everything

[sunderings]

Who: Sion Astal & You!
When: 10/3 - 10/8.
Where: Gammon & Caissa!
What: Kingly failure on the job, singing, and domestic affairs (oh my).
Rating: PG?!



October 3rd - 4th ⇰ Cochrane, Gammon | Photo Tour (Job/Open!)

[ He flies on high, La Vista's wings of light ablaze at his back, a camera in his hands as he photographs Gammon's natural treasures from a bird's-eye view, sailing effortlessly over the Emerald Lakes until....! There is murmurous protest from La Vista itself, and though it is far from the first time he's received complaint from his Hero's weaponry (it seems the curse of Kings, to be subject to tantrums of the weapons which they wield), this surely marks the very first instance when he hasn't been able to quell them...!

And so: he plummets, wings of light dispersing into a thousand filament-fine strands of aetherous nothingness as he falls, silvered hair streaking behind him.

Apologies, Hero, if you were enjoying a lake-side picnic directly below, this scenario may end in one of three ways: broken bones (yours, if Sion should land atop you—thank goodness he can heal!!), an expert catch, or the King's own show of grace (a wind spell, with which to break his fall, and accidentally blow your picnic away?!). ]


October 5th - 8th ⇰ Coastal District, Caissa | M-m-manaplay?! (Open!)

[ Mana streams may catch the errant Hero's eye, should they find themselves wandering Caissa's coastal district in survey of the autumnal flush of color. The farmland nearest the coast is a patchwork of deep golds (barley, bending in the wind), brighter yellows (sunflowers, resilient of seasonal cold), and orange (marigold and an array of harvest gourds), all hues encompassed by mana-threads gathered not by the windmills, their sails catching mana from the ocean breeze, but by a King's song—an incantation which holds him still, amid the flowing, perpetual motion of farmland and field. Above the sussurating wind and distant sound of sea, his voice rises, and the world resonates with his melody—

(I see a spark of life shining; I hear a young minstrel sing. A beautiful roaring scream of joy and sorrow, so extreme. There is a love in me raging, a joyous magical feeling!)

—and the mana streams dance, coalescing into a magic which gathers the zest of fallen, dead vegetation and sees it flourishing within the bounds of the spell, and all those Heroes within its healing circle rejuvenated. For this is the power of King's rank magic: drawing upon mana from nature to revitalize allies...!

...even if acting as a channel, a living, breathing, conduit, should be more taxing than Sion had initially realized. His song cutting short, he falters—swaying—but catches himself (with grace), turning the motion instead into a pivot with which to face present company!

Why, of course he noticed you. ]

Shall I sing another song for you?


October ??? ⇰ Coastal District, Caissa | CLOSED TO ALICE

[ He draws.

Inked quill taken to parchment, the Hero King's thoughts are elsewhere, far from the seaside cottage he shares with his Lady (his Lady who has been curiously absent for the vast majority of the day—wherever it is that her adventures have carried her, he knows that there will be a story to tell when she returns home, safe and sound!), adrift in a landscape which has come to life beneath his fingertips, illustrated with a cartographer's accuracy and an artist's flowing script.

He draws, and he thinks of how, nearly eight months ago to the date, he'd stood upon the edge of the Southern Country of Ali with all his Empire's might at his back, poised and at the ready to take the territories of the Republic of Belis. His campaign to see the world of Menoris united by love, all countries come together beneath a great flood of renewal, his kingdom's banner of white and blue...

Would he return to it? The vision which he'd glimpsed, burned into his mind's eye (as his own men had been, by his own hand; his own order), had it truly come to pass realms away from here?

Golden eyes narrowed, sharpened to gleaming knives in a fit of what could only be described as King's fit (of brooding), he does not sense his Lady's presence until Alice is close, beside him at the table, and there is the softest, sweetest sound--...

A kitten's mewl???

(If his eyes go wide, round as saucers in childish surprise, at least no one but Alice will glimpse the sight...!) ]

Comments

[sugegasa]

"Sion..."

The word was more exasperated than anything else. He'd perceived quite a bit, but it was nothing new. Mimihagi was a dark god, and having woven himself so completely into Ukitake, that darkness had often leaked through during the man's own attacks. The familiarity of it now was jarring, but not at all because of Sion himself nor what he'd felt in his mana.

"I truly wish you'd come sit with me again. I think no differently of you than I did before the attack, but you need mana desperately. I can't give you enough to put you back to rights since all that will manage that is rest and good food, but I'd like to at the very least carry you home."

Sion would absolutely hate the idea, but he'd done this enough that he wouldn't allow him the choice.

"Your darkness is safe with me, have no fear. I would not burden a Lady with such a tale, and it isn't my place to do so with anyone. But I'm afraid I must insist upon helping you home and sharing what took place. It will take time for you to recover, and she deserves to know. I will offer her my assistance in caring for you over the next few days."

Yep. Captain's voice. And that speech? He'd said it far too many times to hear any arguments.

But he softened as he pulled a small wine pouch from his kimono. "Come, try to drink some of this. It's merely fruit juice, but you need the sugar and I'm sure your throat hurts. It's diluted a bit so it shouldn't burn too harshly.

You're quite lucky, when my friend was alive this was filled with alcohol. I started to carry another with me at all times for him, but I haven't since he passed. It's a good thing I've given up drinking, eh?"

[sunderings]

Safe, the man says, and I must insist he continues on, going so far as to say I will offer her my assistance in caring for you, and it is in that instant when Sion can tolerate it (this kindness) for no longer, his obstinacy—and what a force it is, for the King's will has always been iron-clad, strong enough to sunder the world—moving the broken thing that is his body just as it has always done. With a burst of motion (and it hurts, the simple action of drawing breath; of standing upon his own two feet as his limbs give protest, muscles burning) he rises, golden eyes fiercely bright for all that the color has gone from his face, gleaming with defiance in one moment, then softening in the next as he reaches not for the flask of juice, but for Shunsui's hand, his fingers coursing with fine tremors as they brush against the backs of the man's knuckles in an odd caress—a gesture of comfort for someone who...

"You were left behind, weren't you?" Silver lashes lowering to veil over gold, Sion focuses upon the link of their hands as though it were his only tether, the little latch of warmth and of mana the only thing keeping him from true collapse. Still, the flask is ignored. Still, Sion seems determined to run himself into the ground. Still... his voice breaks when he speaks next: "I am sorry, that you lost your friend."

More than a friend, the words seem to suggest, for it seems that Shunsui is always with him, that ghost, the spirit of someone he'd loved and knew not how to let go.

Bowing his head, the King allows the fringe of his hair to obscure his eyes, solemn as he stands, swaying upon his feet, his hand enveloping Shunsui's own. "Will... you tell me of him?" Of that man who'd inspired the gift of a snowdrop pendant, of the hope which Sion clings to even now by standing, turning, and walking on out of his own volition, even if his footfalls should be as clumsy as a baby colt.

(If he can manage this, it is proof that his body is still his own. The pain which comes with the motion is proof of that.)

"I will... walk with you to the cottage. If you will support me."

It is as much of a concession that he is able to give.

[sugegasa]

It was obviously a diversion tactic, and Shunsui would have chided him again had he not felt the emotion in their mana connection. Not just the curiosity about Ukitake and the compassion felt for Shunsui, but that determination not to let the malady win that hit him harder than he'd been expecting, simply because it was such a familiar feeling that he'd forgotten the familiarity of.

"I will."

It was in answer to both, and he was on his feet immediately, arm going around Sion in a gesture nearly as old as he was - although much lower, this time! He had to stoop a bit, and it took several seconds to find his feet, to his embarrassment! - and starting off, his steps slow, but not enough to make the King think that he was going easy on him. He definitely wasn't, as shaky as he was, and soon...!

Sion stumbled, would have fallen had Shunsui not had such a strong hold, and he wasted not even an instant considering before he swept Sion up into his arms.

"It hasn't beaten you, you know. You stood and walked when it wanted you dead, but carrying on in this state would be nothing more than a fool's errand. It does not make you weak to accept assistance in the aftermath. It makes you wise, and a King must be that, eh? There is far more strength in wisdom than in physical prowess."

He stopped, needing to navigate a bit before turning slightly.

"Ukitake Juushirou, was his name. He was everything. I can't do justice to him with words, he was far too strong and beautiful for me to have that ability.

I knew from the beginning that I would lose him someday. He fought against a force inside him placed there to save our home, and we both knew it would kill him. Still, I'm a romantic old fool and I hoped for a happy ending. That was what he taught me. What he taught everyone.

I should be upset with you for attempting to walk in this state, but he did the same thing many times. Drove me crazy, but I understand why. The darkness that resided in him was different from the little I've felt of the one that resides in you, but I'd venture to say that they're close enough to count."

That was based on intuition alone, of course, but Kyouraku Shunsui had learned to trust his instincts.

And now they were telling him to shut up, since the cottage was in sight

"I can support you if you wish to walk the last bit, so as not to overly concern Lady Alice. I'll not be a bother, merely stay to be sure she and the home are all right while you recuperate."

Yeah, sorry Sion. It was a good attempt, but when Shunsui had a goal in mind, well, it was happening.

[sunderings]

Uncanny, that Shunsui should have loved and lost someone—this Ukitake Juushirou, beautiful and strong—to darkness; that force which both safeguarded and destroyed in turns, the night which proved necessary for day to break and all things to begin anew. In a way, it unsettled him (the circumstance is too similar, so akin to his own that it is startling), and in others, it set him at ease (undeniable to the ears, the emotion in Shunsui's voice; the sentiment there enough leave golden eyes glassy with tears), for all this while, some part of the King had scorned the Knight for being anything but human.

Though he'd been unable to truly identify the man's origins, from mana exchange alone, he'd known his rose-colored guardian to be in league with the denizens of the Other Realm, and as such Sion Astal, the enemy of the Gods, had been unable to reconcile the fact. But now, beyond any shadow of doubt, the King knows Shunsui to be no true threat, for the Gods and Goddesses, and the monsters which dwelled in their realm, lacked one thing: the equation (emotion) known as love.

And it is with only the highest adoration, the most profound devotion that Shunsui speaks, Sion's head resting against the man's chest as he canonizes some great man that the Hero King embodies in glimmering facets—even now, he wonders what had prompted Shunsui to support him, to carry him even after he'd stumbled—and so much like that man, revered and hailed, Sion will...

Disappear. And though there shall be no happy ending for himself, he still (is moved, curling into Shunsui's chest despite himself, much too tired now to fight the warmth of him and the gentle exchange of mana between them) cannot help but say, "Perhaps you do have a happy ending... I am certain that the life you lead now is Ukitake's dream, one where his friend is safe and well."

(More than anything, the one wish, the one dream which Sion struggles toward is a peaceful world, not for himself, but where one sleepy-headed man and peerless beauty might be able to live out the rest of their days without worry or care. If, by sacrificing his life, he could grant them such a thing, then... it would be all right, if he vanished into the vast sweep of time. He'd only ever been a monster to begin with.)

With the cottage in sight, he turns his face away from Shunsui's chest (how he'd pressed himself against the man, as though he meant to hide, fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket), blinking back the moisture which leaves his eyes glassy and over-bright, a fit of coughing (bereft of blood) finding him again as punishment for forcing himself to speak where he should have not.

Still he, turns his body within Shunsui's grasp, making to free himself—yes, he wishes to walk—before finding himself precariously balanced once again, absent of his usual grace, the elegance which has always seemed intrinsic to him. But with Shunsui at his side (gratitude resonating through the mana-link), he is able to to approach the entryway of the cottage without faltering, opening the door to allow both himself and his escort inside.

Alice, perhaps she is not at home, instead in the Capital proper, working at Heaven's Feel. If she should be, then Sion is grateful, for surely then he will be able to shoo his great, rose-colored guardian away before she returns.

"My thanks, for your aid, but from hereon..." Lifting a hand to his lips, he brushes away the traces of blood which linger there, shimmering and incandescent. "...it will be all right."

[digophelia]

The first one near the door isn't Alice herself, but Cheshire, the little kitten, acting like another cat as he sprinted through the main entrance, footsteps following him. Both the door open and the kitten zooming around the house, Alice is frantically on her feet right after him. The kitten has been outside before when she did find him; there's still a potential that he may bolt out altogether from his own curiosity.

Alice is determined to swoop in after him, nearly sliding on the floor in her bare feet, instantly swooping in before he has the chance to even get near the doorway. "Oh, no you don't! You're much too small to go outside!"

Cheshire's only response is a disappointed mewl, as Alice shifts her gaze onto Sion and Shunsui. Her green eyes shifting between them, Alice sets the kitten down into the opposite direction. "What's this about?"

Fortunately for Sion, she has just come into the room, missing Sion brushing away any sort of blood that may have lingered or whatever he's said to Shunsui. But he doesn't look well, Alice sees, and that's enough for her to swoop in, closing the distance between the both of them, her hands lingering as if she wants to take his. No surprise, she can't, not yet. "Sion?" She looks at him, she gives him a look before turning up to Shunsui, hoping that he'll provide an explanation. Something tells her Sion may not. "What happened?"

[sugegasa]

"Ahhh, well, that's my hope. Although I fear he'd be rather disappointed in me. My adoration of life has dimmed a bit, since he's no longer able to light the way with me."

Shunsui simply held him throughout the storm of emotion, coursing through their mana connection so very much like words carried in reiatsu...the familiarity was startling, although he could understand very little. The mana here was a dialect of magic he wasn't yet fluent in, but enough to catch the more prominent things Sion was feeling. Perhaps it was because the Hero King was so drained from the his attack that his vulnerability was visible in its aftermath, but Shunsui wasn't bothered by the reason. He was simply grateful that Sion had let down his guard, even if it was only a little.

The communication was not so much in words, although some came through anyway, but more composed of images, one bleeding into the next. It hurt him to see how much pain this man was in, and he tried to exude comfort.

It was a bit jarring, feeling it, communicating this way once again. He'd ceased all manner of this method after that day, having met with his dearly departed friend for the last time. There were too many ghosts in it, but rather than haunting him now, Sion was helping to exorcise them. He could do nothing but hug him securely, overtaken with emotion himself, and moved his head down to place a kiss on a temple still covered with a cold sweat.

You are no monster, he sent as strongly and deeply as he could through his mana, hoping that Sion would catch at least the sentiment. Because while Shunsui did indeed know love, it was obvious that the Hero King of the Roland Empire did as well. Shunsui had no idea who these two people were who featured so prominently in the images of Sion's mana, but he obviously loved them...

He would probably ask about it. But not now, when the man in his arms was coughing again and making to stand, to walk the last bit to his home. Making good on his promise, Shunsui didn't try to stop him, only following close behind.

He had to grin when he saw the kitten, and the Lady of the house sliding after him. Her concern was immediately evident, and he smiled gently, holding the small bag of pastries - of course he hadn't forgotten them! - out to her as he stepped into the room.

"Please forgive my intrusion, Lady Alice. Everything is all right; our friend here simply had a bout of sickness. I'm quite familiar with it, and have a great deal of experience in helping someone who had something quite similar, so I was unable to leave him on his own to walk home. He will be perfectly fine, but he will need to rest for the next few days, and have as much food as he's able. I wouldn't want to leave his care to you alone, although I'm sure he would prefer that. I will do my best not to make a nuisance of myself, and will be more than happy to cook for the both of you as well as keep the house clean until our King is well again."

[sunderings]

Alice, tumbling about after Cheshire, her feet running bare against the flooring and her skirts, impossibly full of petticoats, swirling about her in artful motion—it is a sight which would bring a smile to his lips regardless of circumstance (even if he'd wished she would not have to see him, not like this), because here, where Alice's voice echoes through the entirety of the cottage (oh, no you don't...!), Sion is ...home. Unsteady, yet, upon his feet, the fringe of his hair matted to his brow with a cold sweat that has inspired a series of shivers, when his Lady looks to him, he finds that he cannot help but meet her eyes, making to reach out for her where she shows the barest signs of wanting to take him by the hand, when...!

The mountain of a man standing watch behind him so cares to speak, and Sion is only able to listen with abject horror. Leaving no room for interruption, Shunsui asserts himself as some manner of live-in maid with such efficiency that Sion can only believe that the man had mentally reiterated the lines of his gracious speech for the duration of their journey to the cottage, all while carrying him. Golden eyes spark, going startled and wide (just as they had when he'd felt the brush of the man's lips against his temple, the same swell of bewildered sentiment rising in him upon hearing the words our King... just what is Shunsui thinking?), and after regarding the man with a look of (mild) distress cast back, over his shoulder, he turns to his Lady once again, reaching for her hands.

"What our friend has said is not untrue," words rasping and much too tenuous, Sion gives pause, schooling his voice into something even before continuing on, "though now that I've been escorted home, I am well."

And more than able to cook and clean for himself and his Lady both...!

(Ever-so-slightly he sways upon his own two feet.)

...though perhaps after reclining for a time.

"I am humbled by your kindness, Shunsui, and grateful for your concern, so please do allow us to send you off with a cup of tea in thanks."

Shunsui, of course, is hardly as stubborn as Sion is—the man with a relentless will knows not when to give up! He will not lose!!

Breaking tag order because old man cannot let this stand!!!

[sugegasa]

Not as stubborn, eh? Sion would be rather surprised to learn just how set on things Kyouraku Shunsui could be, when he believed in them! He'd nearly turned all the world black not terribly long ago in his rage and loss, after all.

But this was mere silliness, and what was more, it was exactly the type he'd dealt with for as far back as his memory stretched. Oh, Juushirou had gotten better about it as he'd aged, but he'd never quite stopped, and it was with an appraising expression that he looked into Sion's eyes as he moved around him, further into the cottage.

"You are not at all well. You're barely keeping your feet, and you and I both know it will take several days for you to be at full strength. I highly doubt that the Lady Alice would enjoy seeing you fall, and I'm afraid I cannot abandon her to your care before you're well enough that you can move about freely without risking an even worse attack."

He stopped, then, smiling at Alice.

"I must insist you keep to your bed, at the very least for the rest of today and tomorrow. It is either this or I call for healers. The choice is yours."

Please don't think him cruel, Alice, he's only doing what he thinks best!

[digophelia]

She watches them, her eyes bouncing between the both of them, as her expression grows grimmer. Already, a slight surge of protectiveness and possessiveness overcome her. Alice's hands reach out to Sion, holding her hands over his. Guests were inevitable, despite any initial protests that may follow. "Wait-" She starts to speak, falling silent as Shunsui insists that Sion keep to his bed. Eyebrows furrowing, Alice found herself starting to lose a bit of her patience with both of them.

"Wait just a moment." She rarely rose her voice while angry, even now. There was too much happening at once and Alice felt that she was missing out much more. "I do believe that Sion is capable of handling himself. Usually."

She locked eyes with him at that moment, shuffling closer, "If he's not falling on others."

She knew that thanks to Koumei and while Alice was angry, Sion's well-being was well above her own comfort. She would say that she doesn't need to be sheltered, too, but at this point, she kept her frustration bottled to herself, pointing to the general direction of Sion's room.

Now she meant business, "Go lie down."

[sunderings]

There.

Eyes falling briefly closed in the moment when Alice allows for her hands (her touch is warm, grounding above all else) to rest atop his own, all the King's protests are quelled, his retort of but I am a healer dying in his throat. It matters not, if Shunsui (though over-protective, though still nowhere near as stubborn as the Hero King himself) wishes to assert himself as the cottage's temporary caretaker, if Alice should see its benefit and allow it, but...

Ah? Alice's voice shifts, carrying with it not anger, not precisely, but a certain air of vexation which Sion knows now by route. His golden eyes open, only to meet with unflinching and unfaltering green, and perhaps there is (something of) a physical recoiling on his part when she intones the words if he's not falling on others as though they were a scolding. And they are, aren't they? She's caught him, and to perpetuate the lie that he is well, that everything is all right, would be too great an insult to her—Alice, who needn't be sheltered from truth, for she is strong enough to bear it.

(And it is Sion who is weak, who wishes to protect her still.)

And so: he bows his head, an apologetic smile playing upon his lips as he catches Alice's eyes with his own, offering two words (I'm sorry) before shuffling off to his bedroom, leaving his Lady in Shunsui's company.

(Though she is not entirely alone, for Cheshire is nearby, and Sion... well, his ear is pressed to the door, listening intently to the two voices echoing down the corridor.)

[sugegasa]

Shunsui watched their interaction and smiled. Alice reminded him so very much of Nanao, at times...

And he was glad for it, happy that this far too stubborn King had someone like her to keep him in line. At least somewhat.

"Please forgive me, I tend to be more overprotective than I probably should be. He just scared me."

But he smiled, because the attack had passed and Sion seemed all right. It would take some time for him to recover, but the worst was over, and for that he was thankful.

"I truly don't mean to intrude, and if my presence discomforts you I will take my leave. Sion-chan seems a very stubborn man, though, and I'd very much like to help."

He smiled down at the kitten, who had approached rather stealthily and was getting into position to pounce!

"Such an adorable little thing! Did he follow you home?"

Shunsui crouched down and extended his hand, cooing softly at the little ball of fluff.

[digophelia]

With Sion out of the room, Alice regained her distance. She would always be insistent about her space, taking the time to recollect herself and steady her anger. Just as Alice started to undo the ties of her apron and place it on a sofa, watching her kitten reenter the room. Alice, who never really had a proper room in either Houndsditch or Rutledge, treasured the cottage because it was the only real home and space in years.

"A warning would have been sufficient, Mr. Shunsui. I understand the abruptness of the situation, however, I do ask for a warning in the near future."

Besides, sometimes an unexpected guess along with a collapsing Sion was too much for Alice's patience. She couldn't say that rest would help Sion; whatever ailed him was much more complex than the mere flu or a stomach ache. She wasn't aware if anyone else possessed the knowledge of Sion's predicament. "I'm sure with rest, he'll feel better."

She hopes. She isn't sure what anyone can do in a situation like this; all she can do is reassure others that he'll be safe. She has to believe that he will. Once Alice has gotten a handle on most of her anger, she glances down at Cheshire and Shunsui. "No, I found him outside of Heaven's Feel by himself and I brought him here after that."

She starts to shuffle as she stands there, nervously running through her hands through her hair. "I would not decline your offer to help," What was Sion thinking, pressing himself like that? "But if you don't mind, I would like to see him and see if he's resting well."