when ya thirst cross dimensions

[allweather]

[Amidst the latest pointless Empatheias crisis, Reim comes to the abrupt realization that this one might actually cause a problem when people start disappearing. There are hasty plans made and a lot of overconfident reassurances that it's going to be fine, they are going to be fine, but no matter how many times they say it or how tightly he holds onto Zelos' hand, there's nothing they can do except trust in fate. Or dumb luck. With their track record, dumb luck seems like the likelier choice.

Still, when Reim blinks and finds himself pulled from one familiar city street to another, more definitely familiar one, without the chaos of Verens falling around him, the quiet is the most alarming thing. Then his empty hand, with no Zelos in sight, and it's all he can do to politely ignore the looks he's getting from passerby about his clothes and force himself to walk down the street. There was no guarantee, of course. They're from different worlds, so there was always a possibility that one of them could wake up alone one morning and that would be that, but with the entire island apparently crashing to the ground, the likelihood of waking up alone on Monday and together again on Tuesday becomes much, much lower—

He ought to go home. He knows where he is now, and by his guess and stories about when this has happened to other people who came and went from Verens, little to no time has passed at all. Months, and to show for it he has these clothes and an earring and an empty hand. And another crystal in his pocket, which just seems to add insult to injury. He ought to go home. Gilbert will be properly wondering where he's wasted his afternoon, and he'll have to apologize and excuse his appearance and go find something to do before too many people find excuses to talk to him.

So, he will go home. That's the best idea. If this world has been put on hold, then all of the arrangements he put on hold are no longer on hold anymore, and he has things to do besides think about months—

A rustling noise and... some other, stranger noise from a tree above distract him from distracting himself as he passes under it, and he looks up.

Oh. Well never mind all that then, even if he can't keep the relief out of his expression.]

I was wondering where you'd gone. Are you stuck?

Comments

[luxuriant]

Haha... Okay, okay, next time I'll go for the closer trees.

[Ugh. Maybe it's the lack of emotion effects that make his heart in his chest seem that much more out of control, or maybe he really is just freaking out a little. Either way... He gives another long look around this spotless study.]

This is just like you. You've probably got some neat stuff hidden around here somewhere, huh? [He says it a little daydreamily, like he might dig through some drawers, but he won't, really. He's too afraid of finding old marriage plans...]

So, if you're introducing me as some relative to this guy, what are you going to tell the guy himself? Barma or whatever. And what do I get to call him? A guy's gotta know these things!

[allweather]

[His perfectly arranged drawers... no, don't.]

Well, maybe... [But, god, okay, there is apparently no time to be quietly relieved that they made it here together because they really have to work this out as soon as possible!! His shoulders slump some, but then he straightens back up and puts his hands on Zelos' shoulders. Plan time.]

Well... "sir," for now. I'm sure he'll be able to see the merit in it, if I explain it to him properly.

[Which might actually require him telling Duke Barma literally everything, but he's an eccentric, sick old man who no one likes and Reim trusts to the ends of the earth, so if anyone's told it might as well be him. He'll probably even see the romance in it, after he's a jerk with dad jokes about it.]

Master Rufus has no wife, and as such, has no heir... You must have noticed this manor is very sparsely staffed, as he is the entire family all on his own. That said, circumstances dictate that having a distant relative from his own country wouldn't be... impossible.

[.....okay, but entirely honestly,] It's a scheme, and he's very fond of that kind of thing.

[luxuriant]

The more you tell me about this guy, the sketchier he sounds.

[Zelos just wants Reim to be aware of this. He gives him a flat look for just a few seconds longer before reaching up to rest his hands over Reim's. His expression relaxes a bit.]

But I'll trust your judgement. If you trust the guy, then it's gotta be for a good reason, so I'll trust him, too. Still, isn't this just going to draw attention to this place even more...?

[allweather]

[Just wait and see if he appears as a meatball illusion.]

He isn't a very popular man, all things considered. It shouldn't be a problem.

[Is that encouraging? He says it like it's encouraging, he's smiling and everything, squeezing Zelos' arms before he lets go. He needs to make a circuit of his study now, let him do this...]

[luxuriant]

If you say so...

[That doesn't sound reassuring at all. Zelos lets his own hands drop away as he watches Reim head off, his own eyes glancing around the study. Eventually, he reaches up and touches at the heart in his hair, pulling it out to stare at it. This probably won't do anything for them now... but he doesn't have the heart (hah) to try it, either.

They're really here. He wonders what that means for time in his own world. Is it frozen, or is he just written out of things? Maybe Seles can be Chosen like she's always wanted. Maybe things would be better off, somehow...

He looks back up and takes a few steps further inside.]

This might be the first time I've ever felt out of place like this. I'm not the type of guy who gets shy or anything, but... [He doesn't want to mess up anything by being in a world he's not from... That sort of thing.]

[allweather]

[He needs to touch everything and make sure it's in the right place still. By all accounts, no one's been surprised enough to see him to suggest he's been "missing" for more than a day, if that, so more than likely everything in here has been left alone - but he still wants to check.

He's rifling through a stack of papers when Zelos speaks again, and he looks up with an inscrutable expression. He's— happy, he's delighted that Zelos is here, but that Zelos is here hasn't left the back of his mind since he found him in that tree. This is what they wanted, to be together no matter what, but it must be difficult...]

Oh— Zelos... [He pauses, then hastily puts the papers down and crosses the study again to take Zelos' hand and tug him further into the room. Come here, sit in his nice chair, be comfortable.] I know it's absurd of me to tell you not to worry, but- I think everything will be fine.

[Whether or not Zelos actually sits in the nice chair, Reim stoops some height to cup his face in both his hands.] We're both here, aren't we? You and I can do anything. [....] Within reason.

[But they can definitely tiptoe around politics! That's easy!]

[luxuriant]

[They're both here. Zelos has paranoid thoughts about it being some sort of temporary thing, or things messing up, but as Reim pulls him further in, he feels comforted by his very presence. He lets the heart slip into his pocket as he sits in this chair, and while one of his hands rest gently over Reim's, the other touches to the scar at his cheek.]

As long as it's you and me, everything will work out. ...I think so, too, even if I'm worried. [He can be here... He can keep Reim safe, too, so that's a reassuring thought as he swipes a thumb over his cheek here. He puts on a smile that much easier when Reim's looking at him like this.]

Gimme a few days and I'll be completely used to it. [Well, no, but he can try.]

[allweather]

[He won't be used to it... That's fine. They have time now, probably. Time enough for everyone to get used to this. Reim smiles right back at him, tilting his head up to kiss him briefly, as reassurance. They're good, they'll do this.

Or maybe they'll elope to the countryside and live like hermits, who knows? It's open!]

I love you. Don't worry so much about Master Rufus. The other servants won't pay you any mind, either. [As their King, he will make sure this is clear. Who else needs to be told... something-] Ah- I wonder if Gilbert returned, as well...

[luxuriant]

When you're saying sweet things like that, how am I supposed to stay worried? I love you, too.

[Ah, his heart still melts at both hearing and speaking those words. It's like a burst of energy, and his smile relaxes a little.] Gilbert... That's the guy who was back on the island, right? You don't think he'll remember, do you...?

[allweather]

[Being mushy saves the day yet again. He can only give Zelos one more sappy smile before he has to stand up straight again, though, ow.]

Yes... I'm not sure he wouldn't take his chances elsewhere, however. [Like, Reim didn't speak to him, but he noticed Oz floating around the city again, and how many times can Gilbert lose that boy before he starts doing whatever it takes to keep him? There's no place for Oz here, anymore.

But he'll skip that heavy stuff for now, before it opens up more things for Zelos to be sad about.]

Well, that's another thing we'll figure out... What do you think Mr. Kunikida's done to Dazai, for disappearing so suddenly?

[luxuriant]

Haha... he probably roughed him up real good.

[Yes, it's best not to make him too sad. He's already sad about not being able to see them again, and Kunikida not being able to see Lailah again, and so on. He leans to the side of the chair, resting his elbow there and his cheek on his hand.]

Somehow, that Dazai always gets out of the rough stuff.

[allweather]

[Reim knows how to manage this sad man... He leans back against his desk, chuckling. That Dazai.]

Mr. Kunikida must have found him, and he surely said something like, "Oh, didn't you know that would happen?" But of course... [He shrugs one shoulder meaningfully; of course Dazai is full of shit, basically.]

[luxuriant]

[Zelos laughs, and it fades off slowly as his eyes scan across Reim's desk.]

Man, I can't believe I'm actually going to miss those idiots. [He says idiots with the most affection possible, of course.] They'll keep each other outta trouble. At least there's that. None of us have to end up alone.