Kirumi Tojo's Palace | The Ultimate Maid's Failures

[kandata]

By now everyone may be used to find themselves in bizarre locations, between going into palaces and visiting Nekyia. It might not come as a surprise that it has happened again.

What might come as a surprise, though...is how empty this place is.

All around you there's nothing more than a large, gray, featureless expanse. In the distance there seem to be bars, curving upwards to gather so, so high above you, possibly hundreds of miles above, so high it’s hard to distinguish.

It’s a cage. So unfathomably large. You could escape, were you to get to the edges of the cage, but...it would take forever. No matter how you look at it, you're trapped. The atmosphere is so...hopeless. Devoid of anything even remotely positive.

Not that you want to hang around for long, do you? After all, this is someone's palace. Not a place to stick around at. What to do, though?

It’s all so...empty. Silent. Featureless. A flat expanse of hard gray tiles.

Gather together, everyone. Gather and choose a direction. North, East, West, South. All directions look completely identical, but could it affect your time in this place, somehow? Probably not. But all treks start with the first step. Perhaps, if you get moving, you'll progress?

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[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti hears the sound of Fray's approach - swiftly, enough for him to turn towards him, eyes softening. His expression is always warm for him, of course, though the red head also takes note of the emotions echoed in those eyes.

He feels the relief of healing over him after the embrace too, and brings his arms around him - well before then - holding Fray as tight as he does him, not letting go even after the spell settled well. ]

...I did not worry you too much, did I?

[ The Knight of Beauty asks, voice soft, because even if he is ready to rush into danger at a moment's notice, he is none so oblivious to the potential conflicting emotions that had laid in such a gaze. ]

[bloodweapon]

Of course you did, you fool.

[It's soft, with no real heat behind the words, and Fray's grip tightens on his knight.]

I cannot - will not see another die for me.

[It's soft, meant just for Argenti to hear. He's angry that Argenti took the risk. He's glad that Argenti saved them; he's terrified of what could have happened. He's just so, so tired after everything today has been and he doesn't want to stop and evaluate everything he feels right now, because it's all too damn much.]

I know I cannot ask you to avoid danger. It would be an insult, to say the least. But please... be careful, will you? If not for yourself, then for me.

[He's quiet for a moment before continuing.]

...I would never forgive myself, were something to happen to you.

[beautifulknight]

[ ...Ah. Argenti hears the words pointed, yet directed with no real harshness behind them - if anything, the emotion is a gentle one that reaches him. One that he swears he can hear in his heart, as secure as the hold Fray has around him at this very moment. Such as it is, he doesn't fault him for calling him as such, closing his eyes for a moment, even. ]

...It was not my intention to bring up such unkind memories for you, my dear.

[ His words are soft, though he feels as if there is a ghost of a smile on his lips. Not in mocking, of course, but for the name of this distinctly warm feeling blossoming in his chest. Argenti supposes he will prepare himself for his dearest's admonishments. Though he wishes not to make him feel so concerned, the thoughtfulness is touching. Still, he will do his best to soothe his heart in turn. ]

Of course. I am glad that you understand that avoidance of danger is not exactly entirely possible...

And naturally, I had no intentions of losing my life there. But, I do promise that I will be ever vigilant so that you have less reason to worry in the future. Or at least, far less than you do now.

For I plan to be ever the more careful - for you. I would not want to bring you sorrow, after all.

[ Things have changed. Argenti is not on this journey by himself anymore; and Fray is a constant reminder of that. One he is ever the more glad for. ]

[bloodweapon]

I know.

[He doesn't blame Argenti, exactly. After all, some people are just naturally inclined to heroics like that. So he understands it was never Argenti's intention to worry him, but he appreciates the reminder anyway. Fray's grip remains tight on Argenti regardless, though the words do help settle him quite a bit.]

I also know I can trust you not to do anything truly stupid. Yet seeing you run toward that thing... it was hard to keep that in mind.

[...]

Thank you, though. For the reassurances, for the reminder that I won't lose you.

[beautifulknight]

[ Argenti is ever the more glad to hear it, and to know that his words have more or less managed to reach the other man with ease is comforting - though his expectations remained that they would, somehow.

They've known each other well, even better, now. Of course they'd have faith in one's words - in each other. ]

I understand wholeheartedly.

[ He says gently, but it's true. ]

...It is truly no problem - I shall be always glad, and ready to remind you of this.

[ After all, Fray did remind him of the very same, not too long ago. ]

[bloodweapon]

...Hah.

[It's a soft sound that isn't anywhere near close to a laugh.]

I would hope I wouldn't need the reminder again, but... I would be glad to hear it, regardless. It means more to me than I can properly express, my beloved.