sheep_game | Winding down

[Takes his hand to squeeze it, still very gentle]

Fufu, the thought of your welcoming embrace shall keep me warm enough until I return, Roi du Poison.

[Rubato is leaving...

it feels weird. They really aren't in Pomefiore anymore are they. Of course he has other responsibilities to check in on, another team. He even corrected calling Apple his usual nickname. This is something he should get used to, isn't it? It's not like Belle or Rubato were going to be around after next year either. Apple knows this, but still feels unprepared for the reality of it.

Expressions he's never seen on their faces. Vulnerabilities so blatantly exposed. After Styx he felt so confident in facing everything with these two, but the pasture really is a different world.

Putting the towel around Belle's shoulders.]

A hot shower would keep you warm too, take care of yourself while you're checking in on your flockmates. I've got Belle, we'll be here when you're ready.

[his expression wobbles again, just a little, grateful and full of love]

Ohlàlà, you have become so dependable in such a short amount of time! I shall require a hug from you as well the moment I lay eyes on you again.

[ He's really not in the state to be reasonable but he knows he has to be- and Rook isn't one to break a promise. He returns the squeeze of his hand even if he doesn't immediately let go, but he does loosen his grip. ]

Then you'd best be thorough with whatever you need done, because I do not intend to allow either of you to escape when you return. I'll need your help for now, my Poison Apple.

[ He's going to be extremely selfish and he reaches for Epel's shoulder, inclining his head in Rook's direction. ]

Until then, my Hunter.

You heard our Queen, our fates are set.

[they're not in pomefiore anymore, but they're still them.]

See you back here when you've got everything sorted.

[reaching to take the lead with Belle]

What do you want first, Belle?

[Giving the back of Belle’s hand a kiss, and then he’s gone]

[ ♡ ]

[ Once Rook is gone, he'll squeeze Epel's shoulder. ]

A bath and changing out of these clothes is in order. You can wear something out of my wardrobe until Rubato brings something to your size.

[ Belle doesn't have much yet but it's nice stuff, what he does have. He's still in his clawed through outfit though he's noticeably healed in full now with no more bruising and scarring. ]

[well that's something. leading Belle by the hand to take a seat.]

Okay, thanks, I'll borrow a shirt. Let me raid your wardrobe and then I'll run you a bath. You got any of your fancy products here?

No, but I made a few things to get by. Were you able to get any rest at all in this time?

[ They do have fruits and flowers, juicing them and using them for his needs wasn't hard.

We can also skip the whole washing and dressing and move to when he asks Apple to braid his hair after drying it. ]

[glances outside at how dark it's gotten]

I think I probably slept the whole day. Don't worry about me right now.

[Apple is not nearly as skilled at braiding as Belle is, but he's learned a few tricks in Pome and will do his darndest to do it in Vil's usual style, braiding slowly and carefully.]

[ At least all the dirty clothes are separated and piled up to wash and they themselves smell nice and clean. Belle's sleeping space is also comfy, (complete with some cushions with gryphon down, donated by Muffin), and Epel need only plait his hair in a single plait like in his Yasmina Silk outfit- ]

Thank you. It's helping to fall into familiar motions here... you're lucky you weren't drawn into that sick ritual earlier like the other Weeds.

[he wants to try his fancy dorm braid at least!!

but after a couple of attempts it just doesn't look right, and he can't leave Vil's hair looking so mediocre, so he undoes it and goes for a simple side braid]

It sure looks like I dodged a bullet. Do you wanna talk about what happened?

Seems like the Wolf King's son - who we weren't able to stop like the rest of the flocks did with the other demons- did this ritual right after we returned. Clover was already ahead of us and in bad shape when we got there, and I can't say I know much or understand anything about those originally in conflict here yet. I didn't even know who we were up against when we went to rescue Leviathan.

[ He doesn't care what Apple is doing right now, it's calming to have his hands in his hair. ]

... I don't know anything about him either. I don't even know who this "wolf king" is or why his son is kidnapping people.

[ He is sitting at the edge of the bed so Epel can work comfortably behind him. ]

And the ritual itself... I was trapped in a bubble and we were with two weeds while Angel Devil and Leviathan were strapped to seats. We were told to pick flocks to enact vengeance on... which we couldn't do, so we rolled on it. Then we were asked which individual to harm, and we decided on Blossom- the answer was not accepted and...

[ He's gripping the edge of the bed. ]

[his hands still briefly in Belle's hair, wishing he could see his face right now, wishing he could do something more...

keeps braiding]

If he don't like the shape of your vengeance he should keep his damn nose out of it. You didn't ask to be involved in any of this bullshit they keep dragging you into.

This is the first I've witnessed anything of the sort in the twelve days I've been here.

[ He inhales and continues- ]

I wasn't harmed then. But Angel Devil and Leviathan's bodies... they were melted while I was made to watch. Until I gave an answer... of course I couldn't choose a flock to harm! We left it to chance again...

Leviathan, as a shepherd, was then given a dice to roll for my fate. That was when I lost my vision. We also didn't get picked by any other Flocks for those same questions... and from what I'm hearing, it could have been a whole lot worse.

[ He sounds tired now. ]

...Miss Flare and Warden were with us, the only ones able to help. Warden took care of me after I couldn't see and calmed me down. You picked a good replacement, my Apple... even if I wish you hadn't rushed off after I'd reassured Rose we had your aid.

[wow! horrifying! maybe somewhat comforting to know this isn't every day for everyone, but doesn't lessen the nightmare Belle and everyone else faced.

wrapping his arms around Vil from behind]

I'm sorry. I ran into Pegasus and Tart when I was getting my pen, and... I was still thinking of it like we were in school. Like at halloween, or when Aides got kidnapped by that ghost, we'd all be going together to the same place, so if I helped clear a path you'd catch us up.

But it's not like that here. The way all these different flocks get divided... I didn't even consider Leviathan would be somewhere else. It didn't hit me that going with them meant not going with you. It was dumb of me.

I'm glad Warden was with you though. That you weren't alone.

[ He stills and leans into the hug, comforted by Apple's presence more than anything and also wishing he hadn't been here to suffer this.

He brings a hand over his arm to squeeze, while another moves to the back of his head. ]

There wasn't much time to think, was there? You did what you thought was right and took initiative. I can't fault you for that. And the only reason I didn't protest was because I knew Tart would keep you safe if it came down to it.

[ He knows how fond he is of Apple. ]

I still shouldn't have left like that after promising to help you.

[Apple can't fix the rituals. He can't stop the demons from having tormented Belle and everyone else, he can't undo what's already been done, he feels helpless to comfort Belle in the face of that kind of trauma. But he can at least apologise for what he can control and try to do better.]

I know things aren't the same here, and I shouldn't think like they are... but no matter what, you're my queen and I'm your poison apple. Next time you need me, I'll follow through.

[ The hug is helping, at least. And those words do more for him than any potion ever could. He turns his head, and pulls Epel's face down close enough so he can kiss his cheek, lingering for a bit before turning his head back and squeezing his arms. ]

I'll hold you to it. You were hurt, though, weren't you? How is the pain?

[resting his head on Belle's shoulder when he's pulled in for that cheek kiss, he hopes the hug is helping, he wishes he could make Belle feel safe and comforted just by being with him. He's so used to Belle being this confident, strong, larger than life presence that he respects and admires and is intimidated by. Apple has seen Belle be weak before. Seen him in his truly darkest moments, and tried his best to support him, and seen Belle rise from those lows into the terrifying, awe inspiring queen of pomefiore every time.

He believes without a doubt Belle will rise from this too.

But he still wishes to offer all he can for him in this moment.]

It still aches like a bitch, but I think it's healing.

I can't use any more magic to ease your pain. Not with the way I know the blot was looking on me when I could see.

[ His pen is in view, and it looks pretty blotted up. ]

Let's try and lie down for a bit. You've been put through it already.

[ He's doing his best to be as strong as he can, even now, even if he feels no strength in himself emotionally at all. He does shift back so that they can move onto the mattress. ]

[laying back with him, and once they are both settled comfortably, reaching up to--

No, he doesn't have the courage to pinch Belle's cheek, even in his current weakened state he'd make Apple suffer for daring to blemish his perfect face, it would be too offensive a crime, he remembers Belle complaining about hands being the breeding ground for bacteria. The risk is too great.

His hand lingers there for a second before moving to tug lightly on his braid instead]

I'm not so precious you need to worry about healing me right now, relax. You've already done plenty to help me rest and recover.

[ They just washed up so he can be allowed, but it's probably for the best that he doesn't- the braid is enough to make him make a small sound of protest and then-

He grabs Epel's hand and searches out the back of his head to bring him in against his chest and hug him to himself. ]

That doesn't mean you need to do more than you should. It's late.

[ Plushie now. He'll just rest his cheek against Epel's hair. ]

... it's good to have you close. Even if this is the last place I'd rather you be in. These twelve days have been... disorienting.

Ah-

[tugged, he is plushie now. His hand hovers in mid air for a moment, then settles back down to Belle's hair, this time stroking gently]

This place is a nightmare, but it's hardly the first I've followed you into. I'm betting it won't be the last. If anything, I wish I'd gotten here for you earlier.

Winding down

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