Warpost: An Ending

[maou_cupid]

[Day 19, 03:00]

The last of the paperwork is done and the soldiers are sleeping off the copious gifts of alcohol from the grateful people of Khrennikov. We leave tom- no, today but hangovers will likely be the most serious of our worries. The two bickering nobles have been in their tent for the whole night and I can only hope that they will have

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[sage_edwyn]

A soft sigh fills the tent along with the taste of sadness. Displeasure is the next feeling to wash over the tent and the occupant inside. The sound of a book closing, and not very gently, can be heard faintly.

:: Alone in the middle of a crowded camp, beloved and resorting to the dregs of the enlisted. A hangover will not solve your problems. It will only add to them. ::

[maou_cupid]

He manages not to drop the bottle but he does blink at it.

::You know, I did not believe this was strong enough to induce hallucinations. I must compliment the private on his distilation skills in the morning.:: He doesn't look around.

[sage_edwyn]

Again, a feeling of displeasure washes over the room and the earthenware jar shatters. But somehow, the splinters of delph all managed to miss Aki and not a drop of liquid spilled on Aki's clothing.

[maou_cupid]

He blinks down at the shards of the bottle and the puddle of alcohol.

::That was ill-mannered of you. Particularly for a hallucination of mine.:: He frowns at the bottle and it reforms itself. He sighs. ::Besides, it is not that much of a distraction.::

[sage_edwyn]

Just as Aki goes to grab the bottle again, the bottle breaks apart again.

:: A hallucination, is it? Damn, if that was the case I would not be able to do this... ::

The wind ruffled through the tent and before it subsided it again, a hand rested lightly on Aki's shoulder as a form coalesced behind the Shinou. It was ghostly pale and slightly transparent but it was undeniably the form of his husband, a book still in his hand. The figure dropped the book on what sounded like a table but it simply disappeared from view.

[maou_cupid]

He freezes.

The hand is almost tangible and his shields pull tight around his mind. His hands knot into fists and he forces himself to breathe, eyes sliding shut.

::This is impossible.::

[sage_edwyn]

A faint tinkle of laughter floated around the tent at that.

:: Beloved, you know your shields have never kept us apart... And as for impossible... What force in this world or the next could keep us apart for long. You would not sleep, so I had to take ... measures. But if you would like to believe this is an hallucination, far be it from me to stop you ::

The figure pulled back a little, seeming to lean against the table in the tent.

[maou_cupid]

::Not fair.:: he whispers but he can feel his shields expanding to include them both. ::Not fair.::

He lifts his head to look at the ghostly figure of his husband. ::A hallucination would hurt less. My eyes, my senses tell me that you are only inches apart but I cannot touch you, cannot even speak to you with my own voice.::

[sage_edwyn]

The figure sighs as his eyes are cast down, a look of sadness etched on his face. The figure fluctuates as it stands there, oscillating between the old form of Edwyn and the form of Murata, albeit a slightly older, more grown up version of the Murata he was used to seeing.

The hand reached out again, resting featherlite on his husband's shoulder. There was weight to it, but not as much as a real hand. It occupied space, displaced air but one could see through it.

:: I know, dearheart. I have been trying to reach you through dreams for days. I felt your distress, the stirrings of anger within you. I could see the war through your eyes as I slept. I needed to see you, to make sure you were unharmed and this was the only way. Forgive me, my love, for causing you pain. ::

The figure drew back again, leaving the distinct impression that he would fade back into his own world if the pain was too great and wait patiently until Aki slept again.

[maou_cupid]

He buries his face in his hands and laughs bitterly. He isn't strong enough to lose his husband, even if all he has is this projection. The bottle reforms, but this time it fills with water.

::Has something happened at home?:: Fates curse him for it, but he almost wishes something has gone wrong. Something that would justify him returning, something that would warrant his return.

[sage_edwyn]

A tinkle of laughter again. :: No beloved, apart from the advising staff being driven mad by my pacing. They swear that there is a groove in my private study from where my feet have worn through the stone of the floor. ::

Edwyn's hand brushes over Aki's cheek before he can think to stop it, the gesture familiar.

:: I was worried, dearheart. That is all. ::

[maou_cupid]

::Good, good.:: And it is. Good to know that he isn't missed, isn't leaving his people in danger.

He tilts his head into the contact, a reflexive gesture at this point and almost wishes he had not when the hand does not offer the resistance he expects.

::I am sorry. I did not intend to burden you with my problems, on either world.::

[sage_edwyn]

The figure sighs and shakes his head, a familiar smile on his lips.

:: Your problems are my problems, husband. ::

Edwyn steps back for a second and closes his eyes, concentrating for a second. The image flickers wildly for a moment before it stops again. The figure is more solid this time, more there. The oscillations in the facial structure has stopped, mostly, settling on the older version of Murata.

:: I apologize, beloved, but this is the best I can do for the moment... ::

[maou_cupid]

::You have concerns of your own. I should be assisting you, not adding to them.::

He blinks, brows drawing down as he studies the new face before him. The shock of the difference is softened by his knowledge of the current Sage of this world. They are not the same - Edwyn looks older but undeniably the same man.

The only comment he can this ::You have dispensed with the glasses, I take it?::

[sage_edwyn]

Edwyn selfconsciously brushes moves to push his glasses up his nose only to find them not there. He smiles.

:: The habit of too many years is hard to break. Yes, I got rid of them. A bit selfish I have to admit :: he blushed :: But the rule of the throne applies. Any handicap is an excuse for people to overlook you. A sad fact but a true one.::

He started to walk around the table, coming closer to his husband again.

:: Did you prefer me with glasses? ::

[maou_cupid]

Aki leans back into his chair. ::The vultures still cluster around the throne, then?::

He turns to follow his husband's movement and a bittersweet smile crosses his lips. ::You are beautiful in all your forms, my love, but the beauty of your soul surpasses them all. I am quite bedazzled.::