[ Sucking in a breath, there's a pause. He can't see the way she looks down, uncertain. Pyrrha isn't sure she wants to answer either of those questions. She thinks, or almost thinks, what does it matter? ]
I'm fine. [ There's a tiny note of finality to it. ] It's good to hear from you.
[ Pyrrha doesn't tell him she missed him, even though she did, because a word like that is too small for how she's feeling. In fact, the last time he heard this tone from her - flat, perfunctory, defeated - was her (and their) very first days in Empatheias. ]
[ As if he wouldn't notice the evasive answer, considering how badly he wants to see her and has no clue which direction he should start walking towards. He'll definitely try asking again, but not immediately.
His mind is still trying to line up two different realities, both of which are true: he has seen Pyrrha two days ago, but he has also grieved her months.
Canon updates are a headache. ]
Yeah. You, too. ... I feel like I just... like I came out of a coma. ... I missed you.
[ Is that even weird to say? It's what he feels, in any case. ]
[ Another little flinch, heart hiccuping in her chest. It's difficult not to be stirred by the unapologetic nature of his sentiment. Her fingers tighten, coming together in lieu of reaching for his. ]
I - I missed you too.
[ She doesn't want to think about what it was like for him, returning to a world that's barred to her.
She does ask a question of her own, though. ] You were in Mistral, right? [ These are mental questions, so she can push the next one out despite the fear that tightens her throat. ] Did you... see my mother?
[ He still has every intention of doing that, but even so, he knows that he's letting her down with his answer. If only he had more time to search, but who knew that finding the Nikos residence would be a lot harder without an address?? ]
Mistral is a big place - I couldn't believe it when I first saw it. You really came from there?
[ And so... Asian-centric! Nothing at all Greek-Canadian like their star athlete. ]
Anyway, uh... a lot of things happened. I... I wanna tell you about it in person, if that's okay.
[ She can evade it, yes. Denying him is something else altogether, and impossible besides. Pyrrha only wishes she had something better to tell him, aside from running off to the only city that meant nothing to her, where no one was likely to find her. Grieving was best done in private, after all.
So, she tells him. ]
Actually, I'm in Briarlan. ... Sousen. The Oinking Piglet, on Boils Alley. Room two.
[ Briarlan is like fifty percent taverns and so many of them have downright weird names.
In any event, she isn't actually in her room right now, but she will be by the time he arrives. ]
[ The city where they said they love each other... and then nearly destroyed it! A fitting place for their reunion, although Jaune doesn't think about it in such a melodramatic fashion at the moment. Right now, he just has to see her - to hold her. ]
I can be there in an hour!
[ The only travel time will be between the teleporter locations, so that will speed things up considerably. ]
I... have something to show you. I'm kinda nervous, actually.
[ He's still not sure how to use The Thing at will, or if she'll even be impressed... ]
I love-- oh, okay! Hey, I'm okay, too, by the way! Made it another semester without getting stabbed, poisoned, shot, so yay for Jaune...
[ Despite the display of sass after she cuts the connection, it's still delivered with a sense of endearment. He doesn't hold any of this weirdness against her, he knows how rough it can be, which is why he's going to be strong for her.
(INSERT TIMESKIP HERE)
Evening rolls on, and Jaune shows up on his roughly estimated time. Thankfully, finding her is a lot easier than Mrs. Nikos, considering he has an address to follow this time.
Except he fucks up and knocks on the door of Room 3, which is thankfully unoccupied, but still... :') ]
[ Even if he isn't knocking on her door, his footsteps beat heavy down the corridor, through the thin walls, and his voice - his real voice - gets her up faster than anything. Behind him, her door opens quietly. For a long moment, Pyrrha simply watches. Leaning somewhat in the safety of the door frame, her expression grows melancholic. He looks exactly as she remembers him last. He sounds like himself. None of that keeps her heart from feeling torn, wondering at the world that moves without her; how much he might have grown, how old he is now. She's still seventeen. That means something.
How much has his world grown?
How far has he wandered, ignorant to her existence here? None of this is his fault, she knows. If anything, it's hers. That doesn't mean it hurts any less, leaves her feeling any less punctured.
Interestingly, the door Jaune was knocking on? Not quite as unoccupied as he thinks! A large, sweaty, reddened with exertion and very naked pirate opens the door. His beard quakes across his double chin as his stare bores down into Jaune.
... At this point, Pyrrha grabs her boyfriend's - boyfriend? - arm and pulls him into her room. ]
[ When he's pulled into her room, he just stares at her at first, then slips to his default Foot In Mouth mode. ]
... I'll be honest. For a second? I thought that might've been you.
[ Empatheias turned her into a monster and she ran from home, it all checks out. Thankfully, she's still the beautiful tree that he remembers. There are tiny differences though, he can see them clear as day. Even her voice betrayed her. Pyrrha is rattled by this whole thing, and he can guess exactly why. ]
I... I'm sorry, Pyrrha.
[ He takes a step towards her, wanting to embrace her, but will she even let him? Their first reunion, around this time last year, hadn't gone so well. A one-sided hug that haunted him for months. Whatever happens this time around, he knows better than to let it come between them. He's grown, yes, but all of that growth happened here, with her. She waited once for his wounds to heal, and now he'll wait for hers, however long it takes. ]
[ Briefly, her gaze slips away from his. His apology isn't strictly necessary, she knows this wasn't his fault, but Pyrrha doesn't argue against it. If it makes him feel better, she'll happily let it stand. Except - there's nothing happy about this - even their reunion is shadowed by what Pyrrha perceives as the widening gap between them.
It won't help to keep him at arm's length, even if she feels skittish enough to consider doing so. She's rattled, yes - scared, even. He's here. She ends up stepping close, into his arms.
Everything else can be addressed in a moment, such as whether or not he still wants to be with her.
She buries her face in the crook of his neck, and the soft folds of his hood. ]
I - I made this list of thoughts I had and jokes I wanted to save for you, but... [ A bit sheepishly: ] I think I misplaced it.
[ She swore to herself that she wouldn't crumple so, not when she has no many questions. He's an uncertainty, after all. Yet, here she is, only clinging to him tighter, fingers desperate to find something solid in his back. What if he disappears again the next time she closes her eyes?
[ At his little "joke", Pyrrha frowns - sad, not irritated. She wants him to take her seriously right now. In a way, her actions over the past two days are very much those of a child demanding to be on equal terms with an adult by acting out. By forcing severity into the situation, through roving feet, Pyrrha wanted to get away as much as she wanted to force him to come after her. Perhaps she's a manipulative girlfriend in that sense, Pyrrha thinks. She's certainly high-maintenance when she chooses to be. Later, she may (read: definitely will be) be embarrassed by her emotional flight.
It doesn't mean what she just said is any less relevant, even if she feels undermined by his little joke. Pulling away, Pyrrha wraps her arms around herself. It's a way to contain the warmth of him that risks seeping back out of her bones.
He keeps talking about roleplay. Her sorrowed frown only grows dour. ]
Jaune, please... Just don't.
[ The wind thoroughly diminished from her metaphorical sails, she sits down on the bed. ]
[ NOT THE ROLEPLAY, as he verbally made clear. He's absolutely taking her seriously and is only following her lead. If she makes jokes as a pirate, then so will he, if she has actual questions, then he'll answer, and if she doesn't want to talk at all then he'll just be here with her in silence. Whatever the case, he's not going anywhere.
Right now, though, he doesn't know what he's doing wrong. He's pretty sure it is his fault, somehow. It always is. Saying the right things are the wrong time, or even the wrong things at the wrong time. He wants to be the one to make it all easy for her, so why does it feel like he's doing the opposite? ]
[ Knowing she's being contrary, Pyrrha wavers a little. How not? He's trying so hard. She could at least make so he doesn't have to try too hard. These past few days weren't his fault, she reminds herself. The fault is still hers. ]
No, it's... I'm sorry.
[ The last thing she wants to do is exacerbate his poor self-esteem. ]
I - I do want to talk. [ A bit shyly, eyes hardly dry, she asks: ] Can you come sit with me?
[ An easy request, it's something he wants to do, but for some reason feels as if he needs her permission this time. He got it, and without hesitation claims a seat right beside her. Without thinking, his hand rests on hers.
He missed this... ]
You know, I thought... I believed that you were gone for good again. But... you're not, okay? You're here. I've said this before, but... all of this matters.
[ Underneath his hand, her own turns. It's not to push him away, though. Far from it. Palm up, her fingers link through his, tight enough to turn her skin white with decreased circulation. What will happen if she lets him go again? It's a sobering, awful thought. The emotional whiplash of him disappearing and then reappearing has left her feeling unstable, scrambling for purchase.
He speaks up, and his words cause her heart to hammer within her chest. Trying to be discreet, she turns her face away from him, only so she can use her free arm to rub her eyes dry.
He believed she was gone for good. All her fears recognised in a single line of dialogue, a world where she's irrelevant, part of his past and nobody's future...
... And her heart doesn't break to hear it. The world doesn't crumble to dust under her feet.
Pyrrha looks back at him, expression pained but not closed off. ]
So, you haven't— [ A brief pause, her voice catching, ] - changed your mind?
Changed my mind? Pyrrha, how could you think that...?
[ If anything, it's times like these that cement his decision. He had already made her a promise that there will be nobody else, he already made it clear at Selenium that this is what he wants. Is his word, the thing that's the most valuable an Arc has to offer, losing stock in her eyes? He's running out of ways to prove just what his best friend means to him.
Again, he swallows, not allowing himself to feel hurt, and squeezes her hand in return. ]
I love you in any world, any time, and any reality. I always have... even when I didn't know it. I just wish you knew how much you're a part of me...
[ Pyrrha knows she doesn't say it nearly as much as he does. She never wants him to think it's due to lack of reciprocation, or not feeling as strongly as he does. She's always been more careful with her words, but she needs him to know this. ]
You're the most wonderful boyfriend. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. No matter what, you're always there for me.
[ A pause. Strength gathers up in a breath. If this sounds like a break-up speech, that isn't entirely coincidental, but nor is it a completely accurate description. He made a promise, yes. She's skeptical on how effective it is when he can't remember it. The fairy tale of true love conquering time and space is merely that. When he goes back, he has his future. She desperately hopes he'll be happy within it. ]
To tell you the truth, I ran here because I couldn't escape my own thoughts. I was afraid when - if - you returned, you'd be different. Settled, perhaps. I was imagining you telling me about someone you met back on Remnant and how you wanted to start a family with her... [ Pyrrha briefly squeezes her eyes shut. It's a silly fear, yes, but that doesn't make it any less unsettling. ] I guess I'm a pretty jealous girlfriend, when it comes down to it.
[ He shakes his head rapidly and leans in, squeezing her hand even harder. This time, the squeeze is a little less than comfortable, and more borne out of resentment towards someone he actually met back home. ]
Pyrrha, I'm not looking for love in Remnant. My thoughts of you are what drive me every day. ... I'm looking for Cinder.
[ Whatever kind of life she's imagining for him in Remnant, it's so far from reality that someone in Jaune's position would almost wish it were that easy. He doesn't. He has made his choice.
He's not some kind of grand hero in Remnant, he's just a failure with a deathwish. ]
[ He knows that look, that tone... he's behaving like someone she doesn't remember, but he's unapologetic about it this time. After all those things Cinder had done, not just to him but all the Huntsmen and Huntresses with families, and laughed about it... he's more sure than ever about his mission.
[ If relenting means pulling his hand away entirely, Pyrrha doesn’t give him the full opportunity. Her fingers catch at his gauntlet, doing her best to keep him there. It’s as if he’ll disappear again if she lets go; for the first time, Pyrrha truly - empathetically - understands how he felt after their arrival here, justifying his paranoid preoccupation with her safety and proximity. She feels that way now. ]
Then you finally surpassed me.
[ With her free hand, she tucks some hair out of his eyes. ]
Is this going to be your life, Jaune? Chasing her down— is that what you really want?
[ If he says yes, she’ll accept it. If he says no, she’ll support that too.
She’s not trying to make him look closer at his choices. She simply wants to know. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice;
I'm fine. [ There's a tiny note of finality to it. ] It's good to hear from you.
[ Pyrrha doesn't tell him she missed him, even though she did, because a word like that is too small for how she's feeling. In fact, the last time he heard this tone from her - flat, perfunctory, defeated - was her (and their) very first days in Empatheias. ]
voice;
His mind is still trying to line up two different realities, both of which are true: he has seen Pyrrha two days ago, but he has also grieved her months.
Canon updates are a headache. ]
Yeah. You, too. ... I feel like I just... like I came out of a coma. ... I missed you.
[ Is that even weird to say? It's what he feels, in any case. ]
voice;
I - I missed you too.
[ She doesn't want to think about what it was like for him, returning to a world that's barred to her.
She does ask a question of her own, though. ] You were in Mistral, right? [ These are mental questions, so she can push the next one out despite the fear that tightens her throat. ] Did you... see my mother?
voice;
[ He still has every intention of doing that, but even so, he knows that he's letting her down with his answer. If only he had more time to search, but who knew that finding the Nikos residence would be a lot harder without an address?? ]
Mistral is a big place - I couldn't believe it when I first saw it. You really came from there?
[ And so... Asian-centric! Nothing at all Greek-Canadian like their star athlete. ]
Anyway, uh... a lot of things happened. I... I wanna tell you about it in person, if that's okay.
[ WHERE ARE YOU ]
voice;
So, she tells him. ]
Actually, I'm in Briarlan. ... Sousen. The Oinking Piglet, on Boils Alley. Room two.
[ Briarlan is like fifty percent taverns and so many of them have downright weird names.
In any event, she isn't actually in her room right now, but she will be by the time he arrives. ]
voice;
[ The city where they said they love each other... and then nearly destroyed it! A fitting place for their reunion, although Jaune doesn't think about it in such a melodramatic fashion at the moment. Right now, he just has to see her - to hold her. ]
I can be there in an hour!
[ The only travel time will be between the teleporter locations, so that will speed things up considerably. ]
I... have something to show you. I'm kinda nervous, actually.
[ He's still not sure how to use The Thing at will, or if she'll even be impressed... ]
no subject
Okay. I’ll see you soon.
[ With that, she extinguishes the mental connection between them. ]
actionnnn
[ Despite the display of sass after she cuts the connection, it's still delivered with a sense of endearment. He doesn't hold any of this weirdness against her, he knows how rough it can be, which is why he's going to be strong for her.
(INSERT TIMESKIP HERE)
Evening rolls on, and Jaune shows up on his roughly estimated time. Thankfully, finding her is a lot easier than Mrs. Nikos, considering he has an address to follow this time.
Except he fucks up and knocks on the door of Room 3, which is thankfully unoccupied, but still... :') ]
P-Pyrrha? It's Jaune.
actionnnn
How much has his world grown?
How far has he wandered, ignorant to her existence here? None of this is his fault, she knows. If anything, it's hers. That doesn't mean it hurts any less, leaves her feeling any less punctured.
Interestingly, the door Jaune was knocking on? Not quite as unoccupied as he thinks! A large, sweaty, reddened with exertion and very naked pirate opens the door. His beard quakes across his double chin as his stare bores down into Jaune.
... At this point, Pyrrha grabs her boyfriend's - boyfriend? - arm and pulls him into her room. ]
no subject
... I'll be honest. For a second? I thought that might've been you.
[ Empatheias turned her into a monster and she ran from home, it all checks out. Thankfully, she's still the beautiful tree that he remembers. There are tiny differences though, he can see them clear as day. Even her voice betrayed her. Pyrrha is rattled by this whole thing, and he can guess exactly why. ]
I... I'm sorry, Pyrrha.
[ He takes a step towards her, wanting to embrace her, but will she even let him? Their first reunion, around this time last year, hadn't gone so well. A one-sided hug that haunted him for months. Whatever happens this time around, he knows better than to let it come between them. He's grown, yes, but all of that growth happened here, with her. She waited once for his wounds to heal, and now he'll wait for hers, however long it takes. ]
no subject
It won't help to keep him at arm's length, even if she feels skittish enough to consider doing so. She's rattled, yes - scared, even. He's here. She ends up stepping close, into his arms.
Everything else can be addressed in a moment, such as whether or not he still wants to be with her.
She buries her face in the crook of his neck, and the soft folds of his hood. ]
I - I made this list of thoughts I had and jokes I wanted to save for you, but... [ A bit sheepishly: ] I think I misplaced it.
no subject
You seem to have left my amulet behind, too.
[ It's said teasingly, with a soft laugh. He suspects why his amulet wasn't with her. ]
... How's pirate life been?
no subject
[ She swore to herself that she wouldn't crumple so, not when she has no many questions. He's an uncertainty, after all. Yet, here she is, only clinging to him tighter, fingers desperate to find something solid in his back. What if he disappears again the next time she closes her eyes?
Pyrrha continues, ]
I don't want to be a pirate by myself.
no subject
[ THIS AGAIN...
...but okay, he'll take this seriously. It is a serious concern, and he wants to hear her out. ]
Pyrrha, I'm... I'm here now. We can talk about it.
[ If she has questions, he'll let her go first. ]
--n-not the roleplay, I mean!
I hated that last tag and threw it out.
It doesn't mean what she just said is any less relevant, even if she feels undermined by his little joke. Pulling away, Pyrrha wraps her arms around herself. It's a way to contain the warmth of him that risks seeping back out of her bones.
He keeps talking about roleplay. Her sorrowed frown only grows dour. ]
Jaune, please... Just don't.
[ The wind thoroughly diminished from her metaphorical sails, she sits down on the bed. ]
no subject
[ NOT THE ROLEPLAY, as he verbally made clear. He's absolutely taking her seriously and is only following her lead. If she makes jokes as a pirate, then so will he, if she has actual questions, then he'll answer, and if she doesn't want to talk at all then he'll just be here with her in silence. Whatever the case, he's not going anywhere.
Right now, though, he doesn't know what he's doing wrong. He's pretty sure it is his fault, somehow. It always is. Saying the right things are the wrong time, or even the wrong things at the wrong time. He wants to be the one to make it all easy for her, so why does it feel like he's doing the opposite? ]
...Sorry.
no subject
No, it's... I'm sorry.
[ The last thing she wants to do is exacerbate his poor self-esteem. ]
I - I do want to talk. [ A bit shyly, eyes hardly dry, she asks: ] Can you come sit with me?
no subject
He missed this... ]
You know, I thought... I believed that you were gone for good again. But... you're not, okay? You're here. I've said this before, but... all of this matters.
no subject
He speaks up, and his words cause her heart to hammer within her chest. Trying to be discreet, she turns her face away from him, only so she can use her free arm to rub her eyes dry.
He believed she was gone for good. All her fears recognised in a single line of dialogue, a world where she's irrelevant, part of his past and nobody's future...
... And her heart doesn't break to hear it. The world doesn't crumble to dust under her feet.
Pyrrha looks back at him, expression pained but not closed off. ]
So, you haven't— [ A brief pause, her voice catching, ] - changed your mind?
no subject
[ If anything, it's times like these that cement his decision. He had already made her a promise that there will be nobody else, he already made it clear at Selenium that this is what he wants. Is his word, the thing that's the most valuable an Arc has to offer, losing stock in her eyes? He's running out of ways to prove just what his best friend means to him.
Again, he swallows, not allowing himself to feel hurt, and squeezes her hand in return. ]
I love you in any world, any time, and any reality. I always have... even when I didn't know it. I just wish you knew how much you're a part of me...
no subject
[ Pyrrha knows she doesn't say it nearly as much as he does. She never wants him to think it's due to lack of reciprocation, or not feeling as strongly as he does. She's always been more careful with her words, but she needs him to know this. ]
You're the most wonderful boyfriend. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. No matter what, you're always there for me.
[ A pause. Strength gathers up in a breath. If this sounds like a break-up speech, that isn't entirely coincidental, but nor is it a completely accurate description. He made a promise, yes. She's skeptical on how effective it is when he can't remember it. The fairy tale of true love conquering time and space is merely that. When he goes back, he has his future. She desperately hopes he'll be happy within it. ]
To tell you the truth, I ran here because I couldn't escape my own thoughts. I was afraid when - if - you returned, you'd be different. Settled, perhaps. I was imagining you telling me about someone you met back on Remnant and how you wanted to start a family with her... [ Pyrrha briefly squeezes her eyes shut. It's a silly fear, yes, but that doesn't make it any less unsettling. ] I guess I'm a pretty jealous girlfriend, when it comes down to it.
no subject
Pyrrha, I'm not looking for love in Remnant. My thoughts of you are what drive me every day. ... I'm looking for Cinder.
[ Whatever kind of life she's imagining for him in Remnant, it's so far from reality that someone in Jaune's position would almost wish it were that easy. He doesn't. He has made his choice.
He's not some kind of grand hero in Remnant, he's just a failure with a deathwish. ]
no subject
His squeezing fingers bite into her own.
She stares down at that, then. ]
... Jaune.
no subject
With a small huff, he relents, then looks away. ]
I fought her, you know. Almost had her.
no subject
Then you finally surpassed me.
[ With her free hand, she tucks some hair out of his eyes. ]
Is this going to be your life, Jaune? Chasing her down— is that what you really want?
[ If he says yes, she’ll accept it. If he says no, she’ll support that too.
She’s not trying to make him look closer at his choices. She simply wants to know. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)