Aurora - Rean Heart

[awakenerd]

You float in a void--darkness around you, above, below, in every direction, nothing. You stand on nothing, you even breathe nothing. But you do not feel in danger, you are not suffocating. You are simply existing in… Nothing.

Crow | Towa | Dusk | 80H | Rufus

Comments

[ruinatings]

Still an unacceptable amount.

[Ugh.]

Regardless. Let me go somewhere useful. People I care about will be upset if he doesn't wake up.

[awakenerd]

"How sweet. But you'll have to give me some vague idea where you want to go or it will simply respond to your own issues and wishes. That might interest you in itself, but you can pick your own path."

[ruinatings]

[Mrrgh no. That sounds unfun! Rufus doesn't need to think about his own issues at all!]

If what I do may change something, I'd like to see about his self-neglect. He should be more willing to worry about himself before meddling in others' affairs.

[awakenerd]

"That is a tricky one."

[ruinatings]

Am I always this annoying?

[awakenerd]

".............................."





"Oh no, never."

[ruinatings]

[He can't even be mad. He knows he would've had the exact same reaction if someone asked him that question...]

I shouldn't have asked.

[awakenerd]

"Perhaps not. However what I said wasn't to mislead you. How convenient it would be if there were a manifestation of "self-neglect" but unfortunately, it's a rather permeating presence."

[ruinatings]

Then send me wherever has the most direct connection to the problem. His desire to be nosy, perhaps...

[awakenerd]

The other Rufus just smiles.

"Well, turn around."

[ruinatings]

[Y'KNOW SOMEHOW I DON'T TRUST THAT FACE ON MYSELF...

But fine. Whatever. He'll turn around.]

[awakenerd]

You turn around.

A box made of light, with a thousand locks on it. And yet, for all it’s made entirely of pure light, it seems worn. Well handled and well loved. For all it’s secure, that is because it is precious. It radiates a chill, but somehow it’s a refreshing sort of cold.

[ruinatings]

[Oh, interesting.

He's immediately picking it up and poking it for weaknesses.]

[awakenerd]

Well about that... When Rufus touches the box it grows and grows until it's a scene and the scene is around him and he's... In a different place.

The town may be familiar to you, though there have been many changes. It’s snowing a little, and the baron’s mansion and the little garden in front is the same. The general store, the inn, the Phoenix Wings, the snowboarding course, the church, the foot bath are all there. There’s more modern additions, ones you wouldn’t recognize. But this place is a mix of unfamiliar and familiar. It’s certainly Ymir, and there’s a peacefulness to the sleepy village that seems not to change.

Something warm leans against your leg and a dog looks up at you, it looks like Badeaux. Or maybe one of his descendants. It’s hard to say, the features, like the village, are hard to pin down.

[ruinatings]

[Wow the last time I was here I was beating up children.]

[ruinatings]

[...Well. Might as well pet the dog.]

Of course it'd be something like this.

[awakenerd]

woof woof tailwag. At least the dog doesn't seem to hold anything against Rufus!

[ruinatings]

[GOOD cause he likes dogs.

He's gonna wander around, though. See if there's any immediately clear things he could fuck with.]

[awakenerd]

Well heading back into town leading his horse is... Teo.

"Ah. Lord Rufus. It's been a long time."

[ruinatings]

[Hey Rean did Rufus ask to be presented with complicated feelings? No?

He's thinking "fuck off" at Rean but he's also just smiling pleasantly.]

So it has. I hope I find you well.

[awakenerd]

Suck it up.

Teo smiles gently and inclines his head.

"I need to put Arthur to the stable, but would you like to join me inside for some tea?"

[ruinatings]

That would be most welcome. If you require assistance in the stable, I'd be glad to join you.

[Animals are better than people, anyway.]

[awakenerd]

"That would be welcome."

He'll lead the way, and the dog will follow. Putting Arthur up is just normal horse nonsense, and Teo doesn't bring up anything that isn't... Well. Horse nonsense. Asking Rufus for the curry comb or handing him the tack to hang up. Just mundane stuff.

[ruinatings]

[That's kind of nice honestly!

Goddess. Why did Rean get two cool dads and Rufus got none? It's SO LAME he's so jealous he could just die.]

[awakenerd]

Whether Teo notices he doesn't say, but he smiles when Arthur is in his stall and munching hay.

"Thanks for the help. Next time you should come hunting with me again."

But he's going to head for the manor.