All The Hate. All The Love. All For You

A sage nod, relating so easily to that.

"And how to manage."

A defeated shrug.

But now? Now as her friends and family pass she'd have to sit there with memories of them for as long as she was able to. She'd have to sit there missing them and knowing they weren't going to come back, at least not the way she knew them, and even if they did there was no guarantee they'd remember her in their new lives.

Placing his cup down, Sevren rose from his seat so that he may reach out and place a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm happy that we can work together now. To protect the Dreamscape, and the Timeline."

He beamed, lowering himself back down.

"It's something to celebrate."

"Because I'm glad as well. Like you, I assumed that in the end, I would always be alone. Even otherworldly beings weren't quite the same as I. You're the closest I've ever come across, and I've been around a loooong time."

"Hm."

"I can taste your worry in the air. Though all of this is my fault, you know? You were involved in something that has been an issue I have unsolved for too long."

Her, and the town. It's his own inaction that has caused it. All because he does not wish to kill Showman. It's dragged her into this, and caused her much distress. She was forced to witness the town come to an end, the undead crawl all around them.

He's become so used to it all, but he makes a point to keep in mind how much it can still weigh on others. It's an awful power which leaks nothing but darkness.

Sevren rubbed his arm before pointing towards a nearby table.

"I am fine, I assure you. Come and sit down with me. I'll say it once more, you're safe here. All I can do now is try and make this all up to you. So you can stay here as long as you like."

"Mmmm, he's seen your face but I don't think he'll be coming after you again."

"Please, don't ever scare me like that again."

It's a soft plead as arms attempt to keep them both steady.

"I have no idea what happened. I was at my cafe and then I felt a Shift. All I knew was everything felt wrong, so I came out to look for you and I found you going full serpent. You couldn't remember me, you didn't know who I was...."

Now that it was over she felt those fears and pains swelling inside of her. How terrifying it was to have nearly been forgotten by someone who meant so much to you...

"Come on. Let's hurry and get you to my place. You can sit down and rest there."

And be out of public eyes since the space around them would soon be back to normal completely. The last thing she wants is to have a scene going on in the midst of other mortals going about their day.

Warmth, a much needed feeling as his mind recoils from the strain he was placed under. Perhaps her hold was the only thing stopping him from slipping away from the physical plane.

He doesn't speak right away, only listening.

"Ah, I see..."

Sevren's vision is still split between the echoes of the Dreamscape and reality, but he can see her clearly.

"I haven't been that close to Zalelaus in a long time. What an awful feeling of... nostalgia."

It reminds him of how he used to be in the past, when he was always so close to that eternal snake. The being itself was not evil, but getting that close to it only sparked insanity.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? There is a chance that time will keep twisting around me."

He pulls back only to try and steady himself, dragging a hand down his face.

"Yeah... Well, I think so."

"I don't feel the ground under me right now. My physical body has been affected by this, and I'm partly merged into the Dreamscape."

Too far. It's a harsh reminder that he has his limits, and it's for everyone's benefit that he stands by them.

“And I need you to believe me when I say this: I would never, ever leave you. You’re my friend. I can’t lose you too.”

She let the words sit between them, hoping they would sink in. They were the truth, and he needed to know that.

When he finally broke the silence, she responded softly. “Thankfully, no one suspects anything. From what I’ve heard, they just think it was a late frost. I used all my energy saving the crops on the farms, but I’ll be fine after a meal and some sleep—which, with this pay, we can afford for a few days.” She offered him a small smile, hoping it might ease some of his worry.

Slowly, she rose to her feet and made her way to the bed, collapsing onto it with a quiet sigh.

“And I’ve found a lead on the tree,” she added after a moment, “but we can talk about that another time. I don’t want to pile anything else onto us after what happened.”

"..."

"I feel the same. I just don't expect you to place yourself in danger just for my sake."

He promised he would help her find the tree, certainly. But he also has his own goals. One day, he wants to return to his homeland in the hope he can save them from the curse they carry.

"That's... good," he took a deep sigh. "I've been chased out of towns before, I would hate for it to happen here before we're ready. We were already so low on money before we arrived."

Now he's rested, he's also hoping that the inn will allow him to help in the kitchen again for some more gold before they set out.

Pushing himself up, Vincent walked back over to her.

"No, no, tell me. I've been resting all day, so it's the least I can do. And I'll go get us some food as well. It's my turn to help out now," he proclaimed, pointing to himself.

"You're right," she murmured under her breath.

Hikari knew Sevren was a patient person and wouldn't force the information out of her. Perhaps after having some tea, as suggested, she would feel more at ease and tell him the truth about her peculiar situation.

"Yes. Let's have our tea. Hopefully, it hasn't gone cold."

She gave Sevren a smile, but shook her head and turned away from him to prepare the tray. As she spoke she poured tea into the two tea cups. A faint breeze entering though the window carried the scent of the blossoms throughout the house.

"You're kind to offer, but you are my guest so please let me. Your keeping me company in the kitchen is more than enough."

She couldn't ask anything from him. Between his dream visitations all those years ago to his offer of escape, what right did she have to ask for his help with such menial tasks?

Finishing up--tea cups, milk, and sugar placed on the tray along with spoons--she took the full tray in her hands and led the way back to the table in her little study area. She set the tray down and gestured for Sevren to have a seat as she took hers.

With that in mind, he doesn't plan on moving from the goal he came here with. Before he even entered this place, he drew a runic circle around the home.

He hummed. It wouldn't be long now... The snake can feel the tug of his magic, and the strain which will soon follow. It's a risk, of course, and perhaps not the best idea to steal her away but he hardly cared about any of that.

Stepping forward into the study, his eyes widened as he looked upon the older books on display-- Some he knew from so long ago.

It made him wistful.

A feeling he's more than used to suppressing as he took his cup from the tray.

"It looks, and smells beautiful," he winked, taking a seat. "Just like you."

Silence followed as he tried it. As much as he has travelled far, even within the timeline, he's not tasted tea like this one before.

No matter how much time passes, there is always something new waiting for him...

"It's perfect, Hikari."

"And so, the Sun fell in love with the Moon, and from their union, the Evening Star was born.”

21+ ; independent, semi-selective, fandomless half-god oc ; mutuals only, multiverse, multiship, original fantasy world and lore, inspired by Heian and Edo Japan, and Japanese and Greek mythology ; . blessed by Yoshi — 28 —she/her