Who: Percival (tzaraisen) and Clair cajolery + Yusuke tricksune and others! What: March and April catch-all When: March and April! Where: Everywhere! Warning(s): Likely some post-death discussions?
[ All things considered, it's as peaceful a day as any. The riots had left Olympia in a state of disarray, but with some of the cleanup and rehabilitation efforts, the city is beginning to look more like its former self. They've been hard at work at restoration efforts, but even Percival can take a moment to focus on something other than work.
Besides, taking this stroll around the park may help them take notes on what was still left to do in terms of helping the people.
He looks to her, watching her curiously. It's... surprisingly easy to speak with her and enjoy her company, even after the events that had happened between them. Perhaps it's because it was a surprisingly... happy memory, to share in her company like that and trust her completely. There had been outside influence, yes, but he is genuinely fond of Clair, and she doesn't seem to be negatively affected, either. It makes it easier for him to show more vulnerability around her.
So, he doesn't skip a beat when he offers her his arm as they walk along the path. ]
I am told there is a new ice cream vendor at the northeast end of the park that serves good fare. Would you like to try it? [ He's not big on sweets himself, but he wouldn't mind trying out a cone with her. ]
[ Losing her home and nearly everything she'd built up in the riots had been hard, but what hurt more was watching the city that took her in fall to such senseless violence and destruction. Since order was restored, she's been spending as much time as she can helping with the cleanup and rebuilding—helping the innocent people who were caught up in the chaos, which was nearly the entire city.
After so much devastation, it feels nice to take a little break, to spend time with... a friend. To remind herself of all the progress that was already made, of what still stands, of new beginnings that lie ready to bloom.
She takes his arm with a smile, her fingers curling in the crook of his elbow. He's warm, something that she's become frighteningly accustomed to now when touching him. Theirs is a curious courtship, if it could even be called one, though she finds herself not minding the ambiguity. What does it matter? She enjoys his company, in whatever form. She likes spending time with him. They understand each other. ]
Ice cream? [ Her expression lights up with excitement. By contrast, Clair loves sweets. ] Oh, yes, I would love to!
[ Clair has always been more of an outdoorsy person than not—even when she was young, she often tried to break free from her tutors and caretakers so that she could scamper around after Clive and Fernand, and, as they got older, join in on their weapons and combat training. So watching the children run around and play brings a smile to her face, brimming with nostalgia.
The weather is nice. The park is bustling with life. What could possibly go wrong?
The woman hands her a chocolate cone just as she feels a little prickle of... danger, wrongness at the back of her neck, and she tenses. Something isn't right. There's a faint scrape of footfalls behind them, much faster and closer than they should be, and she turns, her hand slipping from his elbow—
It's a man running towards them, hooded and cowled, his eyes fixed on her. Her mind works frantically—an attack? But she isn't armed—and in that split second, she reacts, calling up a barrier of hard light mere feet in front of her. The man is moving too fast to stop in time, and so he collides with it with a resounding crash. ]
Percival! [ Immediately, she turns to look at him—to make sure he wasn't attacked too. ]
[ This wasn't supposed to happen. Not on his watch, anyway. Percival has been in pursuit of the kidnappers and Clair, doing his absolute best to follow any trail they've left behind, but he had long since lost them. That didn't stop his frantic efforts of asking around the districts for any information, of retracing their steps and searching as quickly as he could.
Unfortunately, after he'd lost sight of her, Clair may as well have vanished into thin air.
He can't do this alone.
He races to Yusuke's dwelling as quickly as he can, not even stopping to shoot him a message. Once he arrives, he bangs on the door, loud and desperate. There are ice cream stains on his clothes, but he pays them no mind. ]
[ All things considered lately, it's been an ordinary day—lazy, almost. Moving had been a process, but the dust was finally starting to settle, even if the tensions don't. Maybe it'd been naive to expect things to continue de-escalating instead of spiraling off the way, straight into a fever pitch, but Yusuke's already had a wake-up call by the time Percival comes charging at their house. Things are amiss.
And he'd be annoyed by an unannounced guest at this hour (and while he's got other problems to deal with, frankly) if not for the obvious urgency. Their door pounds in its frame, and it's clear that there's something wrong before he even answers. ]
[ Perhaps he should have sought out other members of the guard. But given that there were spies among them, there's no guarantee that he'd be working with one of the perpetrators.
No, he can only trust his friends, specifically, someone who was also close to Clair and would understand the gravity of the situation. ]
[ Yusuke's taken aback by the sudden announcement, blinking as though Percival's thrown this news in his face like a glass of ice water, chilling and surreal. He'd be more arrested by shock had he not experienced something similar, scant minutes before—instead, he grabs a pair of charms off the nearby counter.
He'd help without question, of course. There's no reason to distrust him, and Percival's never been anything short of painfully honest. He could explain what happened on the way—wherever it is they're going. With Clair's safety at stake, Yusuke's not just following along; he practically shoulders past him to get out the door. ]
[ And as quickly as Yusuke moves, Percival is more than willing to catch up and quickly take lead. Perhaps Yusuke will have insight that he simply missed, if they go back to the scene of the crime. ]
We were overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Have you heard rumors of this so called "anti-Simwe" group? Without a doubt, this is the group that abducted her before my very eyes. For what reason, I do not know.
[ Even now, he keeps his hand near the hilt of his sword, just in case. ]
They have some sort of device that suppresses powers. It... greatly pains me to know that we were so easily bested.
[ He summons up his sword in advance, letting the blade hang loosely at his waist. It's still ready to be drawn at a moment's notice, though if they're as formidable as Percival says, it may not be enough to overpower a group.
...But as long as they aren't caught unawares, they should be all right. He keeps his guard up as they move swiftly, watching over Percival's shoulder with the occasional glance to their flanks. ]
Anyone can be defeated by the element of surprise.
[ He should know, that's how they dealt with most of their enemies back home. No one seems keen on jumping them anyway, their path unbarred and quiet as the night grows later. At their pace, it doesn't take long at all for them to weave towards the square where Clair was so brazenly abducted. ]
Like ordinary citizens. I never suspected a thing. There was no profile to fit the group— they could have just easily been anyone drawn at random from the people around us right now.
[ Still, he tries to remembers the particular features of the people who'd grabbed Clair specifically. ]
Be on the lookout for a tall woman with long auburn hair, and a heavy set bald man.
[ There's no one like that around them, but there is a tiny old lady who seems to be having a lot of trouble picking up her bags off the ground... ]
[ He nods, gaze darting about the first sign of a flash of red hair, or a hulking figure... but there's no one like that. The park is quiet now, disturbed and unsettled by the previous attack, and these assailants wouldn't be hiding out in plain sight a second time. If they were really that bold, Percival should recognize it immediately, so...
In his careful lookout though, he nearly misses what's right in front of him: a hunched little figure of an old woman, her bags almost larger than she is. He stops just shy of running into her. ]
—Ah, pardon me.
[ And the urgency is still there, but as Percival approaches as well, surely they can't just rush off and leave someone like this. Good manners sneak past his good sense, and besides, she seemed a prime target for kidnapping as well. ]
[ Well, if they can prevent someone else from getting into danger, the detour seems worthwhile. His concern doesn't abate any, but he does grab the other bag for himself, quickly trotting up besides the other two as the old woman coos and crones about her dashing helpers. ]
It's no trouble.
[ It is, actually, but politeness is a hard act to drop. He's quiet otherwise, trying to move as briskly as he can as they help her along her way. But as she speaks... as they walk, the bag feels heavier and heavier, some strange burden on his endurance. He pauses briefly to frown, shifting the weight a bit.
And then, out the corner of his eye, he spots it. A red-haired woman, standing by a nearby lightpost and checking her watch as a large man fishes around his coat pockets for some cigarettes. Perfectly calm, perfectly normal, but Yusuke bristles immediately, dropping the bag to try and draw his sword from his waist, calling out urgently. ] Percival—!
[ But somehow, his katana feels impossibly heavy in its sheath. He can barely drag it out before the tip dips to the ground, his strength leaving his sword arm completely. ] What on Earth...
[ It had been too many days. Too many days for Lancelot to have gone missing, and though Percival's mind did start to wonder whether Lancelot might have found himself at death's grip, like he had. But that was impossible— he'd returned to stasis a considerable amount of time before Percival had been captured, and all those who had fallen were now back on ground.
Perhaps he's gone for good this time. It wouldn't be the first time he would have to come to grip with this idea, but Percival still doesn't want to accept it.
He's thinking about nothing in particular as he sits at the dining room table, looking up only as he sees the knob to the front door turn. Vane must be back from buying groceries, or whatever it is he did during the day. Does Vane have a job??? Anyway. ]
[ Surprise, it's not Vane and there's nothing useful to the household being brought along like groceries.
Lancelot actually peeks in around the door once it's opened halfway, scoping out anyone in the immediate vicinity. He is hoping there's no one around— or at least no one is in the middle of something that he might interrupt just showing up after not being around for a little bit.
Maybe he really didn't take that good of a look, though, because he only pauses once inside and can very plainly see there is someone sitting there. ]
Percival. [ uhm. ] Are... you okay?
[ He asks for a lot of reasons, but one of them is in fact that the other man is alone doing what looks like... absolutely nothing. ]
[ Is he okay? That is quite the layered question, and Percival can't even begin to answer it. For all intents and purposes, he is "okay", he supposes, though even if he hadn't gone through that ordeal, who wouldn't be surprised to see Lancelot walking in after nearly a month of being back in stasis. ]
You finally decide to show your face again after taking a break for so long, Lancelot. [ He crosses his arms and stands, watching him with curious eyes. He seems to be completely healthy. That's a relief. He feigns his typical smug smile. ]
—What did you say that last part? [ The whole pretty innocent expression turns into one of annoyance as a small and momentary puff to his cheeks become visible just a little bit (because he's trying to keep his mouth shut to hold his tongue... it doesn't work, though.)]
I can't believe you still managed to keep track of that enough to say that to me in spite of everything that's been happening to all of you down here?! [ it's not even true, anyway! he was making a lot of effort to get caught up on things that happened while he was gone, which ended up being way more information than he expected (or wanted, really). that "catching up" included his coming to grips with what he's coming back to so he isn't left in any way compromised for the immediate future. ]
But, since you staring off into space by yourself must be part of something really productive and not part of your free time, I can come back later. [ for a moment, he just stares at the other before making any further move; and, while he's visibly aggravated, the emotion isn't deep enough be reflected as him glaring. It's actually not even really there at all past his eyes looking a little sharper at the surface. It's almost as if it's a moment of... simply double-checking to make sure he feels justified being butthurt. maybe he's trying to make a similar assessment on Percival as to his wellbeing (physically at least)?
... Lancelot turns, intending for his new destination to be the kitchen, rather than the originally intended table that Percival was at. ]
I'm hungry, anyway. Just tell me which stuff is yours in there so I can eat it!
[ ... because how dare you, you called him LAZY? You jerk??? ]
[ It may not be obvious to anyone but themselves, but this is Percival's attempt to return to a familiar dynamic between the two of them. Their interaction was always one of slight contention, but above that, a mutual understanding. It was times during which Percival couldn't get a terse response out of Lancelot that were the most worrisome.
He exhales with a small, smug laugh, crossing his arms and watching Lancelot make his way towards the kitchen. ]
If you must know, I was, in fact, contemplating how long I'd have to wait before proclaiming you dead and offering your room to someone else.
[ That is in fact, the worst and biggest lie. Who would they even offer the room to, when Vane shares it too?
He's also not going to mention that until being held captive made it unable for him to do so, he'd been visiting Lancelot on Thesa Station as often as he could.
He follows after him, not unlike a strange and fussy mother cat. ]
Do not touch my food if you value your life. [ Not really a threat when it's followed by: ]
Sit down. I'll find you something so you can regain your strength.
[ Lancelot in truth has some more heartfelt things to say to Percival about everything, but the ability to silently come to understanding on hit common ground between them again is comforting. Even if Lancelot ultimately fails here to convey the rest, he can still be grateful for the foundation being restored on Percival's own efforts. He had decided he wouldn't bring anything up about the time he was gone with the hostages to Percival, acknowledging that there are far better people to do it. So until Percival decides to bring it up himself or they somehow wind up in a situation where it's inevitable, he is fine with not prying over details he's too late to do anything about other than have them haunt him.
Even moreso, he can't see it putting Percival into any better place, either, which is the absolutely last thing Lancelot wants, right now. If the Lord of Wales is willingly so easily appeased here by the White Dragon Captain finally stepping forward to rekindle something that never should have been lost in the first place (and should have been done from the beginning), then all right, that's exactly where he will focus on for now. He's going to offer his support for the past weeks he was not there when he felt he should have been by promising a future again between them (where ever they both are, no matter whether it's Feendrache's or El Nysa). Going forward for them will be fine even if they have to make it fine. ]
Really? [ He turns around, still taking steps backwards in the process: ] Sorry, but, I won't be dying on you anytime soon, Percival. So, you can forget collecting any good Samaritan points by offering room and board. That's a promise.
[ besides, what was he planning to do, pay someone to live in the room with Vane?? How much crueler do you get to both the dog and a stranger than that scenario?
as he turns back around to place attention to where he's going again, though, there's maybe just a hint of relief and momentary contentment that crosses his face despite being still huffy in the faintest of smiles.
Lancelot pauses once in the kitchen turning back again and about to protest that it's fine, Percival doesn't have to actually get him anything he's not that hungry like where he needs to regain strength from been in stasis kind of—
Before he can say something outloud there is this terrible gurgling sound that breaks the moment of silence.
Oh. Okay, that... just happened.
Lancelot looks stunned before just... slowly pulling out the closest chair to the kitchen table to sit a little bit like a guilty animal now. At least he's nowhere near as pathetic as Vane— more like that cranky kitten that knocked something over and got spooked and now is hiding between mom's legs. He sounds like he's sulking a little bit (and he is because talk about your own body betraying you). ]
Just [ please ] don't give me something gross... Like no... fake egg... stuff [ ??? ] or anything.
[ He has no idea really what there is to eat here because he hasn't consumed anything Vane hasn't fed him (that's just sad but about as telling as it gets to how weird it's been with his attempt at adjusting here before going back to stasis). he has seen the options back at the station, though, and has since been maybe a little bit traumatized by the potentials.]
[ If nothing else, interacting with Lancelot like this, like they always did, provided a good distraction from the confusion clouding his thoughts. It wasn’t good to dwell on negative emotions and memories, and although it wasn’t good to repress them either, this was something familiar that helped Percival fall back into a routine. ]
I see. You’ve resolved to not die, but you’re perfectly fine leaving us just long enough to not be accountable for any rent payments. I’m onto your nefarious plan, and I will be collecting.
[ Well, he’s resolved to feeding Lancelot now, apparently, though he doesn’t have much in the way of kitchen skills. The solution is as always: search in the fridge for leftovers from something Vane has made before. He pulls out a container of what seem to be lovingly made rice balls, placing them on the table and taking a seat opposite Lancelot.
He takes one for himself, too, because Lancelot isn’t the only one lacking nutrition from being in stasis. ] Eat.
Oh? Can I not take you out someplace nice for dinner and entertainment as a "thank you for your hospitality, master of the household" and then you graciously waive this month's rent instead of being a monetary harpy?
[ Lancelot hears some people like to call this type of thing bribery sometimes. That isn't what this is at all—it's just rent evasion, plain and simple (that is totally justifiable??) .
Now that Percival followed through on producing something to eat, Lancelot has to follow through on eating it, too. At least the other is eating, also. He takes a rice ball, pausing a moment to take notice of the care put into them. Ah... well, that's their Vane, all right. It's nice to have little things that don't change no matter how much the world is shaken.
He breaks open the rice ball to peer in it idly, but it ends up catching his attention far more than intended. uh oh. ]
. . . [ Without a sound he puts it back together and leans over to put the rice ball carefully in front of Percival like a child moving their unwanted food items off of their plate and onto someone else's... or exactly like that.
what was that fleeting feeling of following through on eating because Percival gave him food? He's not sure because that feeling is long gone. ]
Here, eat this one, too, I don't want seaweed filling.
[ something that is not a plant inside please. like crab?? ]
That's not the worst offer I've ever heard. I'll consider it.
[ Percival knows just what Lancelot is up to, but he isn't even expecting rent in the first place, so if he can actually get dinner out of it, it will be a win.
Even if the offer of dinner itself is dubious.
He's resolved to a quiet meal now, taking his own rice ball with careful hands and nibbling on it while leaning back in his chair.
... And then Lancelot continues being difficult. ]
Stop being a child and eat your vegetables. [ He places it back on Lancelot's plate, though he also puts down the one he was eating, which happens to have a chicken filling. ] Here.
[ He will take Percival for the best night out with dinner included. Just... ]
Please choose the place should you accept, then. My knowledge is limited on the choices for the local cuisine.
[ There is a small frown as Lancelot stares at the returned rice ball. He is not being a child—well, okay, maybe a little.
His eyes widen at being given the chicken filled one, but in the end... he will be difficult according to Percival's definitions one more time. He ends up putting rice ball back on Percival's plate—half of each one, that is. ]
You, too, then. You need it as much as I do. [ He doesn't know just how true this is for a fact, but he would say he simply has a feeling in his gut on the matter. That, and, they're equals, so they can be equals in what they eat, too. (Even if his friend takes on the mother cat role extremely well.)
Although, regardless, Lancelot will let up just enough to smile with some actual sincerity towards the other man. ]
... Thank you, Percival.
[ —For (always) looking out for him and for putting up with his less than ideal difficulty level, as well. ]
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clair
Besides, taking this stroll around the park may help them take notes on what was still left to do in terms of helping the people.
He looks to her, watching her curiously. It's... surprisingly easy to speak with her and enjoy her company, even after the events that had happened between them. Perhaps it's because it was a surprisingly... happy memory, to share in her company like that and trust her completely. There had been outside influence, yes, but he is genuinely fond of Clair, and she doesn't seem to be negatively affected, either. It makes it easier for him to show more vulnerability around her.
So, he doesn't skip a beat when he offers her his arm as they walk along the path. ]
I am told there is a new ice cream vendor at the northeast end of the park that serves good fare. Would you like to try it? [ He's not big on sweets himself, but he wouldn't mind trying out a cone with her. ]
no subject
After so much devastation, it feels nice to take a little break, to spend time with... a friend. To remind herself of all the progress that was already made, of what still stands, of new beginnings that lie ready to bloom.
She takes his arm with a smile, her fingers curling in the crook of his elbow. He's warm, something that she's become frighteningly accustomed to now when touching him. Theirs is a curious courtship, if it could even be called one, though she finds herself not minding the ambiguity. What does it matter? She enjoys his company, in whatever form. She likes spending time with him. They understand each other. ]
Ice cream? [ Her expression lights up with excitement. By contrast, Clair loves sweets. ] Oh, yes, I would love to!
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[ They're not in any hurry, though, so for once in his life he takes his time and enjoys the leisurely stroll for what it is.
There are many children out and about today, finally letting out a lot of pent up energy after being cooped up inside during the riots.
Eventually, they arrive at the stand, where Percival greets the lady working it an orders a strawberry cone. ]
What would you like?
no subject
The weather is nice. The park is bustling with life. What could possibly go wrong?
The woman hands her a chocolate cone just as she feels a little prickle of... danger, wrongness at the back of her neck, and she tenses. Something isn't right. There's a faint scrape of footfalls behind them, much faster and closer than they should be, and she turns, her hand slipping from his elbow—
It's a man running towards them, hooded and cowled, his eyes fixed on her. Her mind works frantically—an attack? But she isn't armed—and in that split second, she reacts, calling up a barrier of hard light mere feet in front of her. The man is moving too fast to stop in time, and so he collides with it with a resounding crash. ]
Percival! [ Immediately, she turns to look at him—to make sure he wasn't attacked too. ]
yusuke
Unfortunately, after he'd lost sight of her, Clair may as well have vanished into thin air.
He can't do this alone.
He races to Yusuke's dwelling as quickly as he can, not even stopping to shoot him a message. Once he arrives, he bangs on the door, loud and desperate. There are ice cream stains on his clothes, but he pays them no mind. ]
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And he'd be annoyed by an unannounced guest at this hour (and while he's got other problems to deal with, frankly) if not for the obvious urgency. Their door pounds in its frame, and it's clear that there's something wrong before he even answers. ]
Percival? What's the matter—?
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No, he can only trust his friends, specifically, someone who was also close to Clair and would understand the gravity of the situation. ]
It's Clair— she's been kidnapped!
[ Short and to the point. ]
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[ Yusuke's taken aback by the sudden announcement, blinking as though Percival's thrown this news in his face like a glass of ice water, chilling and surreal. He'd be more arrested by shock had he not experienced something similar, scant minutes before—instead, he grabs a pair of charms off the nearby counter.
He'd help without question, of course. There's no reason to distrust him, and Percival's never been anything short of painfully honest. He could explain what happened on the way—wherever it is they're going. With Clair's safety at stake, Yusuke's not just following along; he practically shoulders past him to get out the door. ]
How did this happen?
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We were overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Have you heard rumors of this so called "anti-Simwe" group? Without a doubt, this is the group that abducted her before my very eyes. For what reason, I do not know.
[ Even now, he keeps his hand near the hilt of his sword, just in case. ]
They have some sort of device that suppresses powers. It... greatly pains me to know that we were so easily bested.
no subject
...But as long as they aren't caught unawares, they should be all right. He keeps his guard up as they move swiftly, watching over Percival's shoulder with the occasional glance to their flanks. ]
Anyone can be defeated by the element of surprise.
[ He should know, that's how they dealt with most of their enemies back home. No one seems keen on jumping them anyway, their path unbarred and quiet as the night grows later. At their pace, it doesn't take long at all for them to weave towards the square where Clair was so brazenly abducted. ]
What did these assailants look like?
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[ Still, he tries to remembers the particular features of the people who'd grabbed Clair specifically. ]
Be on the lookout for a tall woman with long auburn hair, and a heavy set bald man.
[ There's no one like that around them, but there is a tiny old lady who seems to be having a lot of trouble picking up her bags off the ground... ]
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In his careful lookout though, he nearly misses what's right in front of him: a hunched little figure of an old woman, her bags almost larger than she is. He stops just shy of running into her. ]
—Ah, pardon me.
[ And the urgency is still there, but as Percival approaches as well, surely they can't just rush off and leave someone like this. Good manners sneak past his good sense, and besides, she seemed a prime target for kidnapping as well. ]
I'm afraid it isn't safe to be out right now...
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Why were there still so many civilians out and about when danger was so prevalent in the city? ]
Allow us, woman. You shouldn't be out here while criminals are on the loose, it's downright foolish.
[ He's still impatient to get back to work now, but he leans down to grab a heavy bag into his arm and uses the other to guide her along gently. ]
We will take you home, immediately.
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It's no trouble.
[ It is, actually, but politeness is a hard act to drop. He's quiet otherwise, trying to move as briskly as he can as they help her along her way. But as she speaks... as they walk, the bag feels heavier and heavier, some strange burden on his endurance. He pauses briefly to frown, shifting the weight a bit.
And then, out the corner of his eye, he spots it. A red-haired woman, standing by a nearby lightpost and checking her watch as a large man fishes around his coat pockets for some cigarettes. Perfectly calm, perfectly normal, but Yusuke bristles immediately, dropping the bag to try and draw his sword from his waist, calling out urgently. ] Percival—!
[ But somehow, his katana feels impossibly heavy in its sheath. He can barely drag it out before the tip dips to the ground, his strength leaving his sword arm completely. ] What on Earth...
lancelot
Perhaps he's gone for good this time. It wouldn't be the first time he would have to come to grip with this idea, but Percival still doesn't want to accept it.
He's thinking about nothing in particular as he sits at the dining room table, looking up only as he sees the knob to the front door turn. Vane must be back from buying groceries, or whatever it is he did during the day. Does Vane have a job??? Anyway. ]
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Lancelot actually peeks in around the door once it's opened halfway, scoping out anyone in the immediate vicinity. He is hoping there's no one around— or at least no one is in the middle of something that he might interrupt just showing up after not being around for a little bit.
Maybe he really didn't take that good of a look, though, because he only pauses once inside and can very plainly see there is someone sitting there. ]
Percival. [ uhm. ] Are... you okay?
[ He asks for a lot of reasons, but one of them is in fact that the other man is alone doing what looks like... absolutely nothing. ]
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You finally decide to show your face again after taking a break for so long, Lancelot. [ He crosses his arms and stands, watching him with curious eyes. He seems to be completely healthy. That's a relief. He feigns his typical smug smile. ]
You've certainly turned lazy over the years.
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I can't believe you still managed to keep track of that enough to say that to me in spite of everything that's been happening to all of you down here?! [ it's not even true, anyway! he was making a lot of effort to get caught up on things that happened while he was gone, which ended up being way more information than he expected (or wanted, really). that "catching up" included his coming to grips with what he's coming back to so he isn't left in any way compromised for the immediate future. ]
But, since you staring off into space by yourself must be part of something really productive and not part of your free time, I can come back later. [ for a moment, he just stares at the other before making any further move; and, while he's visibly aggravated, the emotion isn't deep enough be reflected as him glaring. It's actually not even really there at all past his eyes looking a little sharper at the surface. It's almost as if it's a moment of... simply double-checking to make sure he feels justified being butthurt. maybe he's trying to make a similar assessment on Percival as to his wellbeing (physically at least)?
... Lancelot turns, intending for his new destination to be the kitchen, rather than the originally intended table that Percival was at. ]
I'm hungry, anyway. Just tell me which stuff is yours in there so I can eat it!
[ ... because how dare you, you called him LAZY? You jerk??? ]
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He exhales with a small, smug laugh, crossing his arms and watching Lancelot make his way towards the kitchen. ]
If you must know, I was, in fact, contemplating how long I'd have to wait before proclaiming you dead and offering your room to someone else.
[ That is in fact, the worst and biggest lie. Who would they even offer the room to, when Vane shares it too?
He's also not going to mention that until being held captive made it unable for him to do so, he'd been visiting Lancelot on Thesa Station as often as he could.
He follows after him, not unlike a strange and fussy mother cat. ]
Do not touch my food if you value your life. [ Not really a threat when it's followed by: ]
Sit down. I'll find you something so you can regain your strength.
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Even moreso, he can't see it putting Percival into any better place, either, which is the absolutely last thing Lancelot wants, right now. If the Lord of Wales is willingly so easily appeased here by the White Dragon Captain finally stepping forward to rekindle something that never should have been lost in the first place (and should have been done from the beginning), then all right, that's exactly where he will focus on for now. He's going to offer his support for the past weeks he was not there when he felt he should have been by promising a future again between them (where ever they both are, no matter whether it's Feendrache's or El Nysa). Going forward for them will be fine even if they have to make it fine. ]
Really? [ He turns around, still taking steps backwards in the process: ] Sorry, but, I won't be dying on you anytime soon, Percival. So, you can forget collecting any good Samaritan points by offering room and board. That's a promise.
[ besides, what was he planning to do, pay someone to live in the room with Vane?? How much crueler do you get to both the dog and a stranger than that scenario?
as he turns back around to place attention to where he's going again, though, there's maybe just a hint of relief and momentary contentment that crosses his face despite being still huffy in the faintest of smiles.
Lancelot pauses once in the kitchen turning back again and about to protest that it's fine, Percival doesn't have to actually get him anything he's not that hungry like where he needs to regain strength from been in stasis kind of—
Before he can say something outloud there is this terrible gurgling sound that breaks the moment of silence.
Oh. Okay, that... just happened.
Lancelot looks stunned before just... slowly pulling out the closest chair to the kitchen table to sit a little bit like a guilty animal now. At least he's nowhere near as pathetic as Vane— more like that cranky kitten that knocked something over and got spooked and now is hiding between mom's legs. He sounds like he's sulking a little bit (and he is because talk about your own body betraying you). ]
Just [ please ] don't give me something gross... Like no... fake egg... stuff [ ??? ] or anything.
[ He has no idea really what there is to eat here because he hasn't consumed anything Vane hasn't fed him (that's just sad but about as telling as it gets to how weird it's been with his attempt at adjusting here before going back to stasis). he has seen the options back at the station, though, and has since been maybe a little bit traumatized by the potentials.]
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I see. You’ve resolved to not die, but you’re perfectly fine leaving us just long enough to not be accountable for any rent payments. I’m onto your nefarious plan, and I will be collecting.
[ Well, he’s resolved to feeding Lancelot now, apparently, though he doesn’t have much in the way of kitchen skills. The solution is as always: search in the fridge for leftovers from something Vane has made before. He pulls out a container of what seem to be lovingly made rice balls, placing them on the table and taking a seat opposite Lancelot.
He takes one for himself, too, because Lancelot isn’t the only one lacking nutrition from being in stasis. ] Eat.
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[ Lancelot hears some people like to call this type of thing bribery sometimes. That isn't what this is at all—it's just rent evasion, plain and simple (that is totally justifiable??) .
Now that Percival followed through on producing something to eat, Lancelot has to follow through on eating it, too. At least the other is eating, also. He takes a rice ball, pausing a moment to take notice of the care put into them. Ah... well, that's their Vane, all right. It's nice to have little things that don't change no matter how much the world is shaken.
He breaks open the rice ball to peer in it idly, but it ends up catching his attention far more than intended. uh oh. ]
. . . [ Without a sound he puts it back together and leans over to put the rice ball carefully in front of Percival like a child moving their unwanted food items off of their plate and onto someone else's... or exactly like that.
what was that fleeting feeling of following through on eating because Percival gave him food? He's not sure
because that feeling is long gone. ]
Here, eat this one, too, I don't want seaweed filling.
[ something that is not a plant inside please. like crab?? ]
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[ Percival knows just what Lancelot is up to, but he isn't even expecting rent in the first place, so if he can actually get dinner out of it, it will be a win.
Even if the offer of dinner itself is dubious.
He's resolved to a quiet meal now, taking his own rice ball with careful hands and nibbling on it while leaning back in his chair.
... And then Lancelot continues being difficult. ]
Stop being a child and eat your vegetables. [ He places it back on Lancelot's plate, though he also puts down the one he was eating, which happens to have a chicken filling. ] Here.
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Please choose the place should you accept, then. My knowledge is limited on the choices for the local cuisine.
[ There is a small frown as Lancelot stares at the returned rice ball. He is not being a child—well, okay, maybe a little.
His eyes widen at being given the chicken filled one, but in the end... he will be difficult according to Percival's definitions one more time. He ends up putting rice ball back on Percival's plate—half of each one, that is. ]
You, too, then. You need it as much as I do. [ He doesn't know just how true this is for a fact, but he would say he simply has a feeling in his gut on the matter. That, and, they're equals, so they can be equals in what they eat, too. (Even if his friend takes on the mother cat role extremely well.)
Although, regardless, Lancelot will let up just enough to smile with some actual sincerity towards the other man. ]
... Thank you, Percival.
[ —For (always) looking out for him and for putting up with his less than ideal difficulty level, as well. ]