a ray of light shone in my darkness

[bearshermark]

WHO: Eleven + various! YOU, if u want
WHEN: Late May
WHERE: The farm
WHAT: Catch-all for misc threads
WARNINGS: Violence, dark topics?

[ooc: prompts in comments. if you've got an idea for a thread outside of El's open thread that you think would work better here, go for it. If you'd like to work something out, pm or plurk!]

Comments

[bearshermark]

Eleven is shaken, but he's had time enough to regain himself that the clammy trembling and dizziness had mostly abated. His hands are still unsteady and his strength questionable, but he's no longer fighting the urge to be ill.

If Sizhui were a friend he'd known, he may well have hugged him. The man's voice remains admirably steady despite the tears running down his face. But they aren't friends- yet- and so he can't know how the gesture would be received. What he does know is that he doesn't want to be alone, not with half-panicked thoughts and doubts still plaguing him.

"Yes," he agrees without hesitation, swallowing heavily. "That sounds nice, thank you."

Eleven sweeps a hand through a gesture indicating that he'll follow wherever Sizhui wants to lead. "..I'm sorry I wasn't much help, after."

All he'd been able to do was offer apologies and quietly try to reassure through his own uncertainty.

"I'm grateful you were there."

[paperbutterflies]

Sizhui is not unfond of hugs, though he has grown where those are rare and reserved for very special occasions - not in the least because of the fact for the first three years of his stay in the Cloud Recesses, Hanguang-jun had been recovering, and touching his back was not a kind thing. Not that Hanguang-jun is very fond of being touched in the first place...

But Sizhui had been a child, and in many ways an exception.

So while a hug would have been good, he can very well manage without - and probably will not think to offer it quite yet. Tea and company, and perhaps music, those are what he will begin with for comfort.

"I am glad you were there, too. It - facing that alone, any of it, would be too much. And do not worry about being help - that you wanted to be with me and try to find a way out for them, that is enough." He shrugs very slightly. "I have had some encounters with... dealing with those who should be dead and at peace, and how they affect those who are left behind.

"It does not make it easier."

He is just explaining why he wasn't as profoundly sickened.

[bearshermark]

Eleven takes some comfort and strength from that- that his presence had at least been some help even after his mind and body had begun to rebel against him. He breathes a shuddering sigh and nods.

"I can't imagine it does." His own experiences with such things are limited to long-dead souls in need of a simple, more impersonal service.

His stomach churns, uncertainty spiking once more over wayward thoughts. "Erik..."

Eleven swallows down a wave of prickling nerves. "I- one of my best friends is named Erik. Blue eyes, like they said. Since Ery awoke there.."

[paperbutterflies]

"... oh."

Sizhui considers this carefully.

"I don't think they would have failed to mention if the person is new to their group. But if you want... they said he was out there where the skirmish was. We could go look."

[bearshermark]

It's unlikely that it's the same person; he knows that, and suspects Sizhui is entirely correct in that assumption. It probably isn't, but.. he can't be sure.

"If you don't mind," he manages after a moment, fingers taking up their trembling again as he fidgets with his baldric, because if they're wrong and it is Erik..

"No matter who it is, we could at least make sure he isn't eaten by wolves."

[paperbutterflies]

"Of course." Sizhui nods. "We can have tea later."

Sizhui pauses.

"Do you need to go take a weapon? We should be careful."

[bearshermark]

Eleven blinks, the question reminding him that for once, he isn't already wearing his swords. Going in to speak with the miners so visibly armed would have sent the wrong message, after all.

He rubs his face and breathes a sigh. If he'd needed proof he isn't as together as he hoped, that would be it.

"Yes, but they aren't far." He steps away to retrieve a pair of sheathed blades just out of view of the door and returns strapping them to himself once more. He hopes he isn't forgetting anything else. "Do you need a weapon?"

[paperbutterflies]

Sizhui's sword is... ... inside his qiankun pouch, which means he takes a white pouch that fits easily on his palm from a sleeve, unties it, and... the sheathed sword, pale blue and silver hilt and scabbard, is in his hand.

"Mine either."

He tucks away the pouch once more, with gentle care, and his left hand grips the scabbard with comfortable familiarity.

"I am ready to go."

[bearshermark]

Eleven frowns, certain he'd missed something when the sword appears. A magical summon, perhaps? In any case, it isn't important, not as his heart thrums with worry.

"Okay," he says, turning toward the woods in the direction he recalls the skirmish. "Let's go, then."

There's an unnatural hush to the forest as they wander through. Already ill at ease, Eleven keeps his hand on the pommel of his sword, eyes scanning the ground for evidence of the fallen they may have missed, hoping to never spot that familiar shock of blue hair.