自信がない

"I-It's not that I doubt you, but..." Suzu's tail sags sadly. "It's because... I like you, too, that I don't want to... take advantage of you. I smell an unfamiliar magic on you..." Soshiro leans away, but Suzu reaches out and scoops him up into his arms, tugging him into a tender hug. He wants to comfort him, even if these words are simply a consequence of a spell. Suzu rests his chin atop Soshiro's head, feeling his own rapid heartbeat in his chest. In spite of his reservations, being told that he's liked by the very person he harbors affection for... well, it's impossible to not react.

Soshiro melts into his touch despite his grief. "...Maybe there's a way to prove it," he whispers desperately. "One of the professors, or... the nurse, or someone... can check if there's still lingering magic from her, and... and if you have proof that they purge it, right in front of you... then you'll believe me...?" Miserably, he blinks at Suzu. "Maybe... maybe things won't work out with Kisa-chan, but... I'm not alone, and I don't like the way she treats me sometimes. Not like you..." It's hard to admit that when he's supposed to be loyal.

Loyal. Yet he's still lying to Suzu. "The magic you're sensing might not be hers, anyway... it's possible it's Momonashi-kun's. We've been practicing together..." His tail curls up in shame. "I don't like working with him like I do with you, but he's smart, and... I just want to be stronger so I'm a better familiar, and better... friend." Kisa isn't the only one he wants to protect anymore. "I... gave him permission to hurt me, Suzu-kun. It's not a great public look if he's on my side... but I didn't expect you to get involved and try to protect me. I really thought I would be fine up until then. Then you had to care about me, and remind me what kindness was like... now my agreement with Momonashi-kun is hard to endure."

When Dahut touches her hand, though, Nadia can't help herself, and her eyes start to well up with unshed tears. "I was worried about everyone... my brother, Miss Ceres, and you... I thought something terrible happened." Ah... she wanted to be strong, but it seems like her tears come too easily in Dahut's presence. It's reminiscent of the first time she met him, too. She resolved to never show her tears in front of Lucas and Ceres, who were so happy together... Dahut will keep her secrets, though.

Bringing up Ceres makes him feel even more guilty. The poisonous woman would have been integral to his plan... but she is, in fact, innocent. If Dahut had managed to succeed, and Ceres died, he would never have faced Nadia again for her own good. Does that mean things are better this way?

"...If it wasn't for me, Capucine wouldn't have been able to hurt your brother so much," Dahut admits quietly. "You're right that he's terrible, though... I didn't want to let him hurt you. But... yes, it's a little strange, I think, that you're not scared." Being so serious around Nadia makes him sad, too. He had always tried to cheer her up, but right now he doesn't feel like that would be genuine.

Dahut leans forward with a chuckle. "Pinch away, if you'd like..." Honestly, he's lucky Lucas has survived so far. If he had perished due to his decision to allow Capucine to run rampant, Nadia would have found him unforgivable, deservedly. And it would have been awful. "You're not selfish, Nadia... or, rather, if you are, you're allowed to be. You're the strongest person I've ever met, but it's okay to be weak, too..." One thumb swipes under her eyelid to wipe away her tears.

"S-Sorry!" He stutters out. "You don't want someone like me doing this to you... b-but, um, it'll be over soon." If it feels nice, it means that he's healing well, right? A pang of guilt overcomes Suzu, in spite of everything. He can smell magic lingering on Soshiro... there's probably some lingering aftereffects of that love spell that's causing that tiny spike of arousal that he smells in the other's scent. At the same time, Soshiro... smells lovely. And tastes delightful. That could get addicting if Suzu isn't careful.

This man is so gentle with him, it hurts his heart. Soshiro closes his eyes, allowing the warmth of Suzu's dutiful movements to wash over him. If this was real, he'd be really happy. Ah, his lips... soft... The almost kiss against his skin makes him shiver. "Suzu-kun, thank you. I..."

...Suzu will never believe him if he confesses those feelings. He won't reciprocate either, but that part's fine. Soshiro isn't trying to force anything. But he wants to believed. He feels so alone. Momonashi is isolating him... but it's Kisa's fault too, isn't it? Soshiro isn't used to feeling angry with her, like it's something he's not allowed to feel.

"Could you help my heart?" Soshiro smiles listlessly. Actually, it doesn't matter what he says if he's not believed anyway. So the words spill out, uncharacteristically, knowing that he'll be shoved away and everything is pointless. "I like you, Suzu-kun. No one's ever treated me the way you do... I liked you before Kisa-chan started messing with me. It's nice being close to you. But Kisa-chan ruined that for me, since you'll never believe me now... but I wanted you to know anyway. Even if you doubt me forever..."

There's a gentle knock on the door, and Salome turns her head in time to see Ankou carrying Nadia (and tiny Capucine) into the kitchen. The older witch gives her greetings towards her son and new guest, and Nadia lowers her head in a bow.

"Hello... thank you for looking after my brother and letting me stay here," Nadia says politely.

"It's quite late, isn't it?" Salome tilts her head. "I prepared a bed in the same room as your brother. Ankou should have—"

"I, um, asked for him to take me here. T-To give my greetings." Nadia covers her mouth to cough a few times, though she doesn't let her symptoms hinder her cheerful smile. "I said hi to my big brother, though he's still sleeping. Then we smelled cookies, and..." She tilts her head to peer around Salome slightly, giving a wave at Dahut with a smile. "I wanted to see Dahut. It's... been a while, so I'm glad you're safe."

Ankou gives a nod of polite greeting to Salome as well. "Mother. Lucas is still unconscious, but this creature said that he would like to look over his condition in his regular size, if you will permit it." He gestures with a slight upturn of his nose towards the jar in Nadia's hands.

Salome arches an eyebrow. "Hmm... well, I suppose we should set something up for Lucas and Nadia, if we're going to be opening a small clinic here. Very well." She takes the jar from Nadia, bringing Capucine to eye level. "I should have you drink a truth potion... that'd be safest."

Capucine gulps quietly, trying to mask his fear. "Just... don't hurt me."

Salome sighs. "Well... goodnight, Ankou, Nadia... Dahut. If you need anything, I'll be in the side wing."

As she departs, Ankou walks over to Dahut with an unreadable expression. "Young witch. I sense that the magic allowing me to maintain a corporeal form is fading. I do hope you can catch Miss Nadia before that happens."

"Eh?" Nadia blinks up in confusion. "Oh, Mister Ankou, are you not a — eep!"

Ah, there she goes.

***

"Really? I thought it was a good effort." Adolphe snorts, though he can't hide the tiny grin on his face. If Yves wanted deliberate optimism, he would've gone to someone else to vent. Not that anyone around him right now would be capable of that kind of demeanor right now. Adolphe wonders what kind of advice Mathis would have offered Yves. He somehow gets a feeling that Mathis might scold him for the way he's been jabbing at Ankou, though. Be kinder to Ankou... and yourself, he might say. Or maybe Ankou's not the only one who can get obsessive, hmph. (... Hopelessly, he's already missing Mathis this much, huh).

"Well... I promised you and Mathis I would do better. I plan to uphold that." Adolphe nods subtly, finishing off the rest of his wine. Though he grimaces at the request Yves makes, more so out of disgruntlement rather than true irritation. "Ugh... you want him to be jealous of me? That's a pain to handle. What if he possesses me and makes me do something embarrassing?" Adolphe sighs. "Fine, I'll do it in the morning. I'm not going to call you a manipulator... even if he should probably be made aware that you're a sly person sometimes."

How is he supposed to explain himself? "I don't know what you were told, but I'm sure whatever was said about me was true..." Dahut smiles wryly. "I haven't been a very good friend... or person, really. But I hope to make it up to you from now on." The collar around his neck is a painful reminder of how much he's failed. Yet as long as he's alive, he can help this one person, at least.

He shakes his head. "Let me carry you to bed." Dahut brings her to her room, gently laying her own with fondness and guilt. He doesn't deserve to be friends with someone so pure... but he will continue to try helping her. Facing reality doesn't change what she needs. "I'll be right back." He returns to the kitchen to gather the tea and cookies onto a tray, bringing them into her room.

Her youth does not make her ignorant. Dahut is not going to keep anything from her. "I was willing to do some terrible things to help this world... to help you. Things that would have harmed your brother, too..." Honestly, it's a miracle that Lucas is still alive. It's not directly his fault that Capucine had used him in such a manner, but he certainly hadn't done anything to stop it. "It's a miracle I'm able to see you again like this. I should have been put away for my crimes, but..."

Selfishly, he leans forward to brush the bangs from her forehead. "You don't have to forgive me. You can ask for more details... or not. But I'll make sure to be... different from now on. While you're being treated here, I won't leave anymore. I'm sorry, Nadia..." His remorse wouldn't be genuine if directed at anyone else. "I did a lot of lying to you... but I know how strong you are. However you choose to judge me, I know I can accept it." With his other hand, he takes hers in his own and gives it a squeeze. ***

Yves can't help but smile at the thought. Ankou would not possess Adolphe if he couldn't help it, since he'd probably call him gross or something. "He should be aware... he's been following me around forever." He shrugs slightly, his feathers rippling. "I should probably check on him... it's been a while since we did the ritual, and his magic has been depleted after everything..."

Before he can admit to something stupid, Suzu has changed the subject to something equally dangerous. "I... gah?! That kinda..." Tickles. Also, his neck is kind of sensitive, and it doesn't help when he's been thinking about Suzu a lot lately. "R-Right... I should have known I couldn't hide anything from you..." If he truly wanted to hide his injury, he wouldn't have bolted straight here. Part of him wanted Suzu to know about it, deep down.

"They're not for me," Dahut says, but she can think whatever she wants about him. "Fine, you can watch to make sure I don't try anything, I suppose." Salome must know since she's also a witch that Dahut is just staying in this form out of convenience. He's an adult man despite how he looks. He doesn't love that her maternal instincts are kicking in, as though he's just one of many children she takes care of.

Dahut sighs. Her desire to bond with him is a bit pesky, now that he realizes that they don't see eye-to-eye at all. "I work for Scien," he says with a shrug. "His followers are all some combination of worshippers who also study science. As you know, he's curious about the denizens of this world... and other worlds. Not for any altruistic reason. Just to test what's in and out of his control. He likes causing more complications for this country... he delights in the people here turning into ghosts, so he can continue to study the afterlife. He frequently tortures people who have been condemned for a crime, beastfolk or otherwise... then continues to torment them after death, too. Anyway... I can't say exactly what he wishes to accomplish. I've helped him run tests, but it's not just that. When there are dissenters, I'm the one who has to feed them lies to calm them down. People come banging on the doors of the Institute to complain about Scien's cruelty, that his experiments have made this country worse rather than prosper... and I do my best to turn them away, since he can't deal with the consequences of his own actions."

Without a smile, he glances at Salome. "I don't have much relationship with Lucas," Dahut admits. Other than allowing Capucine to torture him, admittedly. "I visited Capucine's hospital to see how bad the protests against Scien there had become... if there's a problem, I was the person thrown at the problem. Nadia is a lovely girl with a weak constitution, yet she never complains... despite the fact that the beastfolk refused to take care of her, or study her illness... not that I was able to do much either. My only relationship with her is as a friend... I don't have any other agenda when it comes to her."

As he speaks, he begins to mix the ingredients in a bowl. "Why did you give up on revenge...? If those beastfolk knew you were alive, you could have done something. Maybe even stood against Scien. Now that human you call your son is stuck in a place where he'll never be safe... surely you feel at least a little guilty for your inaction?" ***

It's almost cruel of Adolphe to pile on compliments after anything. It makes Yves feel more despondent somehow, especially about Ankou. Knowing that Ankou harbors some of these same thoughts... it's hard not to conflate one with the other. They're the same, but also not at all, in some ways.

"...I just didn't want you to see it. Isn't that enough?" He didn't want his friend to recoil in shock. Yves is a little vain, but his trepidation regarding his scar runs deeper than that. It's almost embarrassing how unbothered Adolphe is.

Well, he deserved to have his hair ruffled for lecturing him. Still, Yves scowls a little. He wants to be seen as reliable no matter what, but Adolphe has seen him for what he is. Also a poor kid, huh? "I do like being busy," he admits quietly, "but more than that, I don't... want to be alone again. Without my friends..."

Yves turns away, fiddling with a strand of his hair. "If I go home, I don't... think he'll want to come back with me," he murmurs. "No matter what I do, he just doesn't..." With a swallow, he brings his knees to his chest, feeling lost. "Both of you, I don't get it... just think you deserve to be alone. But I wanted him to fight to bring me back to him. Is that a childish thing to say? I hate that he just gave up... why wasn't he begging you to make sure I came home to him? I..."

If Dahut will focus on making cookies, Salome decides to brew tea to go along with them. Sifting through the leaves, she sighs quietly as the reality of the duties she's shirked come around to taunt her in the form of a son she formerly thought deceased. "If beastfolk cared about other species, perhaps Nadia would have better treatment... I see. You're very kind to look after others like that."

Salome considers the question carefully. "I was... never interested in revenge," she says. "I was too caught up in my grief of losing you... after time passed, though, my ambitions shifted more towards protecting others. Giving non-beastfolk children a place to call home and protecting them from the society that's rejected them. I was weak back then, so I wanted to improve my magic and get stronger..." Now, she's certainly at a level where even Scien is wary of her power.

The witch presses her lips together into a thin line. "I do... feel guilty. But I wanted to focus on the children I could protect rather face a regimen that would have overpowered me." She sighs. "Well... Adolphe's a stubborn one. He could have been safe if he had never left the forest... but he's not the type to stay idle, I suppose." Her children are all busybodies. "In the weeks that he and the others went missing, I realized I couldn't stay cooped up in the forest forever... and now, meeting you again, I realize the full weight of my negligence. I don't plan on letting things remain the same now..."

Salome smiles wryly. "Well, if that bastard will get in our way, then it might be necessary to figure out a way to appease him while restoring this country..." She shakes her head. "Nonetheless, creating a world where everyone can live in harmony shouldn't be done at the cost of innocent lives. You've met Mathis... and Yves has told me about his friend, Hugo. Amelie and her husband, they supported my orphanage for as long as possible. Not every beastperson will jump at the chance to tear each other apart..." She glances at the younger witch. "We can imprison the violent ones or even hand them off to that jerk if they break a law... but if we contribute to this cycle of violence, then it'll never end. If you had succeeded in killing all the beastfolk, then another species would have replaced them. Then another, and another, in the belief that killing and tearing each other apart is the only way to have a peaceful society."

***

Curling into a ball like that, Yves really does look the age that he's supposed to be. Adolphe sighs, placing his wine glass on the coffee table as he leans back against the couch and listens patiently to Yves' grievances. Not surprising at all to hear, really. And aggravating, when he thinks about the similarities between himself and Ankou.

"It's not childish to want the person you love to come running to you," he says quietly. "I guess... like you said in the other world, maybe the type of love the two of you have is incompatible. There's nothing wrong with your brand of love... I do believe you'll be able to make the person you love happy, no matter what."

Without teasing, now, he places his hand on top of Yves' head and rubs it gently. A comforting gesture at the sight of his friend's tears. "For you, loving someone is fighting to keep them by your side... and for him, loving someone is letting them go. He could spend a hundred years watching over you without expecting anything in return, as long as you were alive and happy. And... well, you're right. About Mathis." Adolphe rests his other arm on the couch armrest, propping his chin up as he glances sideways at Yves. "The way I saw it, he had a happy life where his parents were alive, and he didn't have to be tortured by ghosts and the reality of his existence being tied to the murder of other people. I... was going to be happy as long as he was happy. Though I know now that it isn't as simple as that."

With a bitter smile, he glances at Yves. "Ankou was already starting to die... well, die again, I guess, when he asked me to keep you in that world. My best guess is that he figured it'd be better for you to stay in a world where he saw that you were content, even in ignorance, rather than force you back to a reality where he'd just make you sad. If I know that guy as well as myself, at least..." He sighs. "Our existence will only bring misery to the people we care about... I used to think that way. Ankou probably still thinks that way, and he's about a hundred times worse than me when it comes to how he thinks about himself."

“This was my way, too… of protecting the weak.” Or maybe not. Maybe it was just his own arrogance. Even having this conversation is exhausting. In an ideal world, if Dahut had lost like this, he would have just died. There’s no practical reason to be alive, other than being constantly mocked by the reality that his mother was alive all this time. What does she expect to do now, after so much time passed? Make up for the fact that Dahut didn’t grow up with her and they’re practically strangers? In a horrible way, it would be easier for her to have been dead after all.

“You and your nuance,” Dahut says dryly. “And it depends on what you consider innocent. But I don’t care to have any more of this moral conversation with you.” Certainly it doesn’t feel like a bonding experience more than a lecture. “You get that tea ready, and I’ll be normal around the children… that’s as much as I can promise for now.” Despite his chipper personality being a mask, he does miss it now and then. Made him feel like a better person, fake or not.

***

“Somehow, calling me childish isn’t exactly the comfort you were hoping it would be,” Yves says, though it’s lighthearted. “I’m strange too, you know… I obsess just as much. You’re just not privy to my thoughts.”

Still, he smiles. “I’ll take your words to heart, as long as I see you take your own advice sometimes… I hope you understand.” Adolphe shouldn’t hold Ankou to standards he can’t uphold himself. “I appreciate your honesty, though it would be nicer to hear that you believed we could make it work, rather than we’re not compatible… but that’s just your pessimism, I suppose.” Your meaning both of them.

“Can you do me a favor, Adolphe…? Pass on some of what I said for me. He’ll hate it, coming from you… but that frustration might be enough to change him. Make him jealous that I opened up to you. You can even tell him I’m trying to manipulate him, if you’d like…” Yves shrugs. “Since you said I was childish anyway, I may as well be immature and make you help me out. You owe me for lying to me, after all.” He winks. “Thanks for your help.” Adolphe hasn’t agreed yet, but he will.

... His brain kinda hurts, though. Hanging upside from his bed, Suzu stares blankly at the blurry words on the page until the distinct smell of sandalwood breaches his nose, and a polite knock on his door which is very characteristic of one Yonaga Soshiro. Suzu grins, bounding over to the door with his tail wagging at max speed. "You can come in without knocking, Yonaga! There's a reason why you have the key now. Come come, look." Without thinking, per usual, he grabs Soshiro's wrist and tugs him over to the bed, where multiple books are sprawled out. "I was reading... err, trying to read, about relationship stuff between witches and familiars. I have good news! It's not impossible. Um, but a lot of these are fictional... but still! You know how fictional stuff comes from real stuff and—" He pauses in the midst of his yapping, blinking slowly as his gaze flickers down to Soshiro's neck. "Eh? You're hurt?" Leaning down, he presses his nose against Soshiro's neck and takes a big whiff. "Some light bruising... smells like snake."

Before he can admit to something stupid, Suzu has changed the subject to something equally dangerous. "I... gah?! That kinda..." Tickles. Also, his neck is kind of sensitive, and it doesn't help when he's been thinking about Suzu a lot lately. "R-Right... I should have known I couldn't hide anything from you..." If he truly wanted to hide his injury, he wouldn't have bolted straight here. Part of him wanted Suzu to know about it, deep down.

"Well... I know you'll try to find a way to escape if given the opportunity. But I suppose I do have confidence in my restraints on you." With a sigh, Salome taps the top of Dahut's furry head, and the young witch transforms back into his human form. "Cookies, this late at night...?" She laughs. Despite the fact that he's grown up without her, maybe at his heart, that piece of his childhood that she yearns to nurture is still hidden there. "Very well. I can show you around the kitchen so you can pick out what you need. I hope it's alright that I help." She's fine with observing, too, but there's a part of her that wants to make up for lost time.

As she guides him to the kitchen in the main building and shows him where the tools and ingredients are, she takes a step back to give him some personal space. To anyone else, her hovering would appear as if she's keeping an eye on her prisoner. But... well, that's not the reality. "Would you... tell me a bit more about what you've been doing these past few years?" She asks, wondering if he would be open to conversation. "Or... anything at all that you wish to talk about. Perhaps how you met Lucas and Nadia...? He's never mentioned you, but I suppose my correspondence with him centered around my other children instead..."

***

"Eloquent, you? Could've had me fooled." Adolphe chuckles lightly. He's assuming that Yves' role in helping others calls for a manner of speech that's disarming and gentle. The complete opposite of Adolphe's brusque and crude way of speaking. "Of course they'd miss you. You're not someone that people can forget that easily. And... well, I may not know Hugo that well, but from what I've heard, giving you hell is probably his version of care and concern for you, too."

Though the little discrepancy between Yves' demeanor between the worlds supports his assessment of significance behind his scar. To that effect, Adolphe isn't making a big deal out of intensely keeping eye contact with Yves to prove a point, but he's completely unbothered by the way the scar pulsates and moves. Keeping up with the casual way he gazes at his friend, he then shrugs. "I can believe that. I assume you had a different reason for wanting to hide your face from me earlier."

Quietly, he lets out a heavy sigh. "No, you're right. He actually said something similar in the other world. Becoming the very thing I want to protect him from... the irony isn't lost on me. I'll make sure to patch things up with Mathis... I still do love him, even if I've been stupid about it." Not that he would compromise on the way he wants to love. But as for the overprotectiveness, he could learn to lighten that significantly.

"They're not for me," Dahut says, but she can think whatever she wants about him. "Fine, you can watch to make sure I don't try anything, I suppose." Salome must know since she's also a witch that Dahut is just staying in this form out of convenience. He's an adult man despite how he looks. He doesn't love that her maternal instincts are kicking in, as though he's just one of many children she takes care of.

Dahut sighs. Her desire to bond with him is a bit pesky, now that he realizes that they don't see eye-to-eye at all. "I work for Scien," he says with a shrug. "His followers are all some combination of worshippers who also study science. As you know, he's curious about the denizens of this world... and other worlds. Not for any altruistic reason. Just to test what's in and out of his control. He likes causing more complications for this country... he delights in the people here turning into ghosts, so he can continue to study the afterlife. He frequently tortures people who have been condemned for a crime, beastfolk or otherwise... then continues to torment them after death, too. Anyway... I can't say exactly what he wishes to accomplish. I've helped him run tests, but it's not just that. When there are dissenters, I'm the one who has to feed them lies to calm them down. People come banging on the doors of the Institute to complain about Scien's cruelty, that his experiments have made this country worse rather than prosper... and I do my best to turn them away, since he can't deal with the consequences of his own actions."

Without a smile, he glances at Salome. "I don't have much relationship with Lucas," Dahut admits. Other than allowing Capucine to torture him, admittedly. "I visited Capucine's hospital to see how bad the protests against Scien there had become... if there's a problem, I was the person thrown at the problem. Nadia is a lovely girl with a weak constitution, yet she never complains... despite the fact that the beastfolk refused to take care of her, or study her illness... not that I was able to do much either. My only relationship with her is as a friend... I don't have any other agenda when it comes to her."

As he speaks, he begins to mix the ingredients in a bowl. "Why did you give up on revenge...? If those beastfolk knew you were alive, you could have done something. Maybe even stood against Scien. Now that human you call your son is stuck in a place where he'll never be safe... surely you feel at least a little guilty for your inaction?" ***

It's almost cruel of Adolphe to pile on compliments after anything. It makes Yves feel more despondent somehow, especially about Ankou. Knowing that Ankou harbors some of these same thoughts... it's hard not to conflate one with the other. They're the same, but also not at all, in some ways.

"...I just didn't want you to see it. Isn't that enough?" He didn't want his friend to recoil in shock. Yves is a little vain, but his trepidation regarding his scar runs deeper than that. It's almost embarrassing how unbothered Adolphe is.

Well, he deserved to have his hair ruffled for lecturing him. Still, Yves scowls a little. He wants to be seen as reliable no matter what, but Adolphe has seen him for what he is. Also a poor kid, huh? "I do like being busy," he admits quietly, "but more than that, I don't... want to be alone again. Without my friends..."

Yves turns away, fiddling with a strand of his hair. "If I go home, I don't... think he'll want to come back with me," he murmurs. "No matter what I do, he just doesn't..." With a swallow, he brings his knees to his chest, feeling lost. "Both of you, I don't get it... just think you deserve to be alone. But I wanted him to fight to bring me back to him. Is that a childish thing to say? I hate that he just gave up... why wasn't he begging you to make sure I came home to him? I..."

If he told Suzu, he would just get him expelled. With a sigh, Soshiro returns to the school, making a beeline to Suzu's room without thinking. Honestly, his life would be better if he could just move in with Suzu forever. And never come out.

The implicit request is heeded. Ankou knows a bit about what Capucine has done for and to the Proust family, so he scoops up the fallen god in a jar. "We shall travel on an unfortunate journey together," he mutters. Capucine can't do anything with Salome's ward on him, so he resigns to his fate, only spewing a few muttered insults as the two head off to retrieve Nadia.

Salome turns back to Dahut. "If you don't care what happens to you, then that means you won't mind if I keep you alive. Asking after the well-being of someone else rather than yourself..." She doesn't mind the distance he's placed between them. She hasn't been a good mother towards him. "I'm glad you've retained your caring heart," she says. "I know... this isn't the ideal outcome. But I do believe we can change this country without killing hundreds of innocent people. Not every beastperson is as cruel as the royal family."

Mentioning Scien causes her to sigh. "I won't deny that that bastard is useless. I don't understand why he chose to save me that day..." That's going to leave a bitter mark on her legacy. "But... we don't need him, even if he could resolve everything with a wave of his hands. Uprooting the royal family requires power... but also wit." She tilts her head. "We happen to have two skilled witches under this roof... as for wit, I believe the Claude family will be helpful in restructuring society. But..." She smiles gently. "Well, you probably aren't amenable to a conversation with the woman who failed you as a mother. I won't address you by your former name if you desire to be known as Dahut. But I'll always... see you as my son." Perhaps Nadia will have better luck. If he decided to save her over himself, she's hopeful that this young woman might be able to inspire Dahut to use his power more reasonably.

***

Sleep certainly won't come easily to the human that's been turning over in bed restlessly. He's relieved at the respite by Yves' presence, allowing the tengu to come inside. Adolphe moves to lay out a spare cot adjacent to his bed, then gestures for Yves to sit on the couch next to him. "Give me a sec."

After rummaging throughout his room, he pulls out a wine glass for himself. As for Yves, he tosses him a bottle of water. "You should hold off on drinking for now. I'll pour you some later. For the record, I'm not drinking in sorrow." Even if Adolphe has poured himself wine, he holds off on drinking, allowing the nostalgic texture of the glass against his fingers to ground him instead. It's been a while since he's been able to indulge. Adolphe gestures to the side of Yves' face that's covered by his mask, nonchalant per usual. "Wanna take that off? I won't force you, but since we're winding down, I figured you could allow yourself to relax more."

***

The hospital that Nadia is staying at is truly haunting. Ankou stares down at the jar judgmentally, to which Capucine huffs and rambles on a paltry defense. It's not his fault that beastfolk have hoarded resources! Honestly, it's a miracle that Nadia herself hasn't perished from her illness given the limitations in what he's been working with.

"Although, if you're amenable to negotiation, I really would like to show you how wonderful her genes and compare them to yours directly." Capucine sighs dreamily. "The two of you are especially unique, a ghost and a selkie. If only I could have combined the two of you to-"

Ankou shakes the jar, and Capucine screeches as his head smacks against the top. "It'd be wiser to keep those disgusting thoughts to yourself. The only reason you're alive is because you're useful... unfortunately."

Capucine rubs his head, nursing the sore bump. "Well, as long as you don't torture me, I am amenable to cooperation. That witch is terrifying..."

Ankou sighs, navigating his way through the hallways until he finds Nadia's room, with Capucine's guidance. The sound of her frail coughing can be heard through the door, and he knocks on it gently before announcing that he'll be entering the room.

"Hello...?" Nadia's eyes widen in surprise at the sight of Ankou, but contrary to expectations, she doesn't scream. He can tell she's unsettled by his grisly appearance, but she smiles kindly at him nonetheless.

"Greetings, young Nadia. I am called Ankou... I apologize for intruding." He approaches her bedside. "It is a long story, one that I will share with you on our journey." It seems like she isn't strong enough to walk, so the unfortunate reality is she will have to hold the jar while Ankou carries her.

She... should probably be more wary of Ankou. But strangely enough, she doesn't get a bad feeling from him, even if she's confused by the miniature Capucine that he's placed in her hands. "Um..."

Capucine sighs. "Your treatment will have to resume at the orphanage. This creature will explain everything."

It's... embarrassing to be hoisted up in Ankou's arms like a child, even if she... is one. Still, she's always taken pride in her ability to be the reliable, younger sister that others don't need to worry about. Lucas, Ceres, and Dahut haven't been around to visit her, though, and Nadia's loneliness has become nearly unbearable. Ankou has no warmth emanating from his body, but she begins to tear up at the mere fact that she's no longer alone.

Ankou begins to relay to Nadia the events of what's occurred over the past few weeks. He doesn't give any more details than necessary, but he doesn't want to shield the unpleasant truth from her, too. Nadia, ever patient, listens carefully without interrupting or asking questions.

The forest is quiet, even with the trailing sounds of Ankou's voice that's akin to a storyteller. A stray wind blows their long hair against their faces, and Nadia looks up at Ankou with a smile.

"Thank you for being honest with me," she says. "I... might need a bit more time to process everything. But..." With the jar resting on her lap, Nadia clasps her hands together, resting them against her chest. "I... don't hate them. Dahut... and Doctor Capucine. Even if they haven't done kind things, I..."

Ankou chuckles quietly. "I am not here to judge, Miss Nadia. There are people we care about, against all odds. And people who... care about us, even if we do not deserve it."

"Do you care about someone, Mister Ankou?"

"I do."

"How do you show it?"

Ankou falls silent briefly. "... Perhaps not well," he admits. "I fear that the pain I have inflicted upon him is irreversible. So, Miss Nadia, I implore you to not follow in my foolish footsteps, lest you be faced with having to let them go. Your brother and all these people who wish for you to live... allowing them to know the full weight of your true feelings and your desire to be a part of their lives, will allow you to attain true happiness with those you care about." If only Ankou could take his own advice.

Nadia considers his words carefully. "... Alright. Um, I want to see big brother for a few moments, even if he's unconscious. Just to see if he's okay... then..." She stares up at him with conviction. "Please take me to see Dahut."

"As long as we both hate him, there's something to still bond over," Dahut says dryly. Adolphe may have called him a hypocrite, but it really is true how much he hates Scien's tendency to play around with lives for no reason. "You're going by a different name, too... though I suppose I don't care what you call me in the privacy of this room. If you're going to keep me alive, I would prefer you call me by the name others know me by in front of them." A sigh. "At the very least, if they manage to bring her back, I would appreciate you letting me return to my other form... I'm not stupid enough to try to fight back when you have magic attuned to restrain me." He nudges the collar. "And if possible, I would like permission to use your kitchen to bake some cookies." Yes, he's aware how absurd this sounds from someone who was hellbent on murdering many people. Oh well! ***

"Not fair that you get to drink and I can't." Yves gently bumps Adolphe's head with one wing. "I get it. I don't think letting loose would be a good idea for anyone right now." This is the closest Yves will ever get to being self-reflective about his alcohol intolerance.

The suggestion makes him freeze, but only for a moment. His vanity truly doesn't matter anymore. "Right... I suppose I will." Quietly, he unties his mask and sets it down on the armrest of the sofa. For good measure, he also fiddles with the ribbon in his hair, allowing his long hair to drape over his shoulders. He feels a bit unkempt like this, but again, it doesn't matter.

"I don't know that I have the energy to talk with much eloquence," Yves admits quietly. "But I appreciate that you're letting me share the space... thank you." He leans back. "I've been wondering if the people who live in the mountains are worried about me... Hugo is probably going to give me hell for vanishing. It was really weeks, huh...?" Yves sighs. "Contrary to what that world seemed to say, I don't think this scar was any great turning point in my life... whether I have it or not, I'll always be the person that I am. There are a lot of people in this world who have treated me very kindly... I wouldn't give that up for anything."

Unfazed by his anger, Momonashi merely inclines his head into a tiny bow. Not enough to fully convey true remorse. "The point was to scare you," he reminds him. "Panic was the appropriate response. In that case, I am glad we confirmed the utility of this rune. Now you can freely use this to protect your master." He claps his hands together once, unperturbed smile never reaching his eyes. "I would never want to kill you, Yonaga-kun. You're... important to me. Plus, I'm confident in controlling my strength. However, if I had told you that you weren't in true danger, the rune would not have activated."

That's... reassuring, Adolphe thinks to himself as they're transported inside the new building. He wasn't big into the idea of having Capucine anywhere at all near the children, and he had initially been surprised Salome had agreed to take him prisoner. Seems like his mother will always have a contingency plan.

Salome shows them the rooms that she's assigned Camille, Yves, and Ankou, and gives the rest of them a small tour of the place. After that, she situates her conscious guests down in a room that would serve as a small clinic, inspecting them briefly and taking the Capucine-jar from Ankou so that the minor god can do his own inspections. Apparently, he's somewhat of a doctor, and with his frightened guidance, Salome is able to prepare a recovery remedy for Yves, Adolphe, Ceres, and Camille.

"Now, I hope you all get some rest," she tuts. "I'll be looking over Lucas and Liam. Ankou can help me, since he doesn't need to sleep like a regular creature."

Well, at least that much is true. Capucine gives a wary glance to the ghost that's standing on the opposite end of the room, the farthest from Yves he could possibly be without being in a different room altogether. Oddly enough, the undead creature hasn't shown any sign of fatigue or pain even when he's certain that the substances running in his system must be active. Maybe Scien had cleared it from Ankou out of the kindness of his heart...? Capucine rolls his eyes at the thought.

Adolphe nods, then turns to Yves and gives him a firm pat on the back. "Rest sounds good. I'll find you when we wake up so we can go on a walk." He turns to Ceres and ruffles the top of her head. "I know you're worried about Lucas, but he won't be assured if you're up at his side all night with dark circles under your eyes, hm?"

"... Alright." When Adolphe says it like that, Ceres has a hard time arguing back. As Yves leaves, Ankou quietly says goodnight to him, hoping that a small greeting will be tolerated.

Before Adolphe returns to his room in the main building, Salome taps him on the shoulder. "Wait, before you go. Here." She places a rectangular piece of paper in his hands and a quill pen.

"What's this?"

"Worship paper. These wishes get sent directly to his room." Salome smiles, but Adolphe recognizes it as one of her smiles where she wishes nothing but misfortune on the receiver. Doesn't take a genius to see that it's for Scien. "You can send Mathis a message, if you'd like."

"Thanks, Mother." Adolphe gratefully takes the materials and retreats to his room, sitting at the desk. He inscribes a brief message, not wanting to seem too clingy, but wanting to convey the full faith that he has in his partner to return. hey, i love you. and... i trust you, so i'll be waiting patiently. i'll make sure things are okay over here too.- a In regard to Camille, at least. Adolphe watches as the paper disappears, arching an eyebrow in intrigue. Well... he probably shouldn't abuse that, or else he'll annoy Scien.

Adolphe nods to himself and slips into bed. That peaceful sleep won't be coming so easily, but he feels a bit more confident than usual that he'll be able to handle Mathis' absence as long as it's temporary.

Meanwhile, Salome places Dahut on a table. The collar hasn't shocked him yet, but she decides to keep him in this temporary, humiliating form. Salome drips a potion on him that'll allow him to speak, beckoning Ankou over to her side.

"Now, Liam..." Salome tilts her head. "You're... worried about something. I can tell. If you won't tell us willingly, then I'll have Ankou here enter your mind."

The ghost blinks slowly, but nods to show that he'll heed Salome's request.

"No more of that ghost in my body." Dahut grimaces, which just looks like a slight snarl when he's a puppy. "It's... Lucas's sister. She's still at that horrible hospital..." He was grateful when Capucine had been torturing Ankou, as it meant his focus was distracted from Nadia. And since she wasn't beastfolk, that was the only place she could be treated, despite Capucine's corruption. Despite everything he's done, Dahut truly does care about her. "If one of you has a chance, just take her away from there..."

Tired, he curls up on the table. "I don't care what happens anymore... Salome. At least to me." Pointedly, he avoids calling her Mother. "This country has gone to hell... I can only hope stopping me was the right choice. Scien only does what he wants and never puts his power to use for the greater good... even though he could have. All this time..." He tucks his head against his paws. "I won't do anything else... I lost." Honestly, if he was in his other form, he may have found a way to end his own life. But since he's probably going to be executed anyway, he may as well leave that effort to the others. ***

"Goodnight, Ankou..." Yves nods at him with a sad smile as he leaves. His feelings are still mixed up, and he's not sure what he wants. Would it be better if Ankou ran into his arms begging for forgiveness? He's not sure.

No matter what he does, Yves can't sleep. Adolphe had mentioned taking a walk with him, but it's too far away. Right now, it feels like all of his barriers and adult strength had been torn away, leaving him a defenseless child... it's been a long time since he's felt like this. Since before the fire, maybe.

With some shame, Yves slips out of bed and knocks on Adolphe's door. "...Can I stay with you?" he murmurs as his friend opens the door. Adolphe is the only one who could possibly understand what he's going through... despite being some of the cause of it, himself. But he truly can't face Ankou right now. ***

Surprisingly, Scien winds up almost complimenting Mathis on his organization after he explains how he's rearranged the bookshelves. He doesn't feel like he's being held here in prison, just that he's helping to repay a debt. Hearing that Scien used his power to restore Ankou makes him relieved, like he did the right thing after all.

Scien offers to start his research, which requires a strange mixture of science and magic. Before taking his blood, he suggests that Mathis head downstairs to the kitchen to get some food for his mortal body. Mathis can't fully get a sense of this facility, other than that it's swarming with researchers who worship Scien, like a temple where every priest is a scientist. The other researchers ignore him mostly as he makes himself (and Scien... do gods eat?) a few simple sandwiches, though someone approaches him at one point to gush about Scien working miracles. The people here are all assorted species, but none of them are beastfolk. Since Mathis has Scien's approval, they don't regard him with any suspicion.

Mathis eats his lunch quickly, hoisting himself onto an operating table so that Scien can take his blood. As he situates himself, the god hands him a piece of paper. "From that human." A shrug. "Read it quickly so I can get to work."

After skimming the note, Mathis sighs. At least he trusts that Adolphe will take care of things like he said. Whether or not he trusts Mathis... he'll have to prove that later. "Am I able to write anything back?"

"Gh...!" Wasn't there something part way between startling him and trying to kill him?! Soshiro chokes out a protest, his legs kicking out as Momonashi's fingers tighten around his throat. This goes beyond just teasing or bullying him...!

Yet the thought of being strangled doesn't fully trigger the rune. He's already feeling despondent enough that the idea of dying right now isn't as awful as it should be. It's only when Momonashi leans down and threatens to bite him that he panics, scrabbling to push him off until he's finally released, the rune and the space between them glowing.

How is he supposed to make sure Nadia is okay if he's a dog?! Dahut snarls and flails for a while before giving up. Nobody is on his side, despite Scien and the beastfolk being the reason this country is rotten... so be it. He'd rather his "mother" kill him than humiliate him like this.

Salome sighs. "I'm sorry, Liam... it's best to keep you in this form until that thing goes away." Another subtle jab at Scien. "I'll return you to your regular form once we're all back at the orphanage." Though she has to wonder about the tiny sense of urgency that she suddenly senses in Dahut's behavior.

Adolphe doesn't understand why Ankou is trailing after him, but he does his best to not call attention to him... lest Ankou say something to antagonize him or Scien. As far as he recalls, Ankou hasn't really been a fan of Scien... right? "Well, uh... I'd like to repay you for your help, too. I'm good at chores." Definitely not an excuse to try and be near Mathis.

"I... appreciate your help with Ankou too." Adolphe has no idea why he's playing mediator with everyone all of a sudden. Exhausting. Despite the fact that Scien certainly means his query in a sarcastic manner, Adolphe nods briefly. "I'm glad that I met Mathis here," he says sincerely, despite his expression being flat. "To that degree, I really do have a lot to thank you for. I'm sure this guy feels the same way." He gestures to Ankou behind him, who merely nods quietly. "I'm not... uh, mad at you for dumping me here. Though it's pretty confusing as to what usefulness you expected of us... considering the whole human-has-no-power aspect."

Salome walks over to them. "We should return home," she says. "Everyone needs to rest and recover. I'll be preparing remedies." Camille, still in his fox form, is trailing behind Salome as well. He knows who to stick to in order to stay alive, and he fully intends to follow after the witch. Capucine... well. Salome is going to capture him as well, since he'll know about Lucas' condition the most. Conveniently, she's shrunk Capucine into a miniature size and stuffed him in a jar, handing him over to Ankou.

Ankou sighs. "Mother... this is quite inhumane of you."

"If he's beat up like this, he probably deserves it. I sense his magic all over Lucas." Salome shrugs. "You can shake him around, if you'd like." Ankou... will not be doing that. Capucine looks quite pathetic in the battered form that he's in, even if Ankou doesn't really feel sympathy for him either. At least being a warden for Capucine will serve as a distraction from how despondent he's feeling right now.

Scien regards Adolphe with disdain. “There’s nothing I’d like less than having to deal with both of you. I made a deal with that creature, not you.” Hearing Adolphe speak to him so gratefully is actually kind of sickening. “You have power,” Scien says with a shrug, “though as you’ve noticed, your usefulness to creatures with magic is entirely out of your control.” One of these days, Scien would love to cut him open a little and see how potent that blood of his truly is. In front of Salome, he wouldn’t dare express that.

He raises an eyebrow. “Hmm… no. I don’t want you there. I’ll tell him the rest of you are safe.” There’s nothing Adolphe can offer him right now other than a headache, so with a scoff, he returns to his lair, disappearing like he’d never been there.

Yves hopes Adolphe can keep it together if he’s apart from Mathis for a while. “Let’s just go,” he manages, his voice a bit weak. “No need to hover over him… he can manage his own negotiations.” It seems like Mathis’s proactive attitude had saved Ankou, so Yves will have to thank him later. He doesn’t think Mathis would have agreed to something if he didn’t feel safe, so he is inclined to leave him alone. “Just trust Mathis… all right?”

What does he mean, he's not susceptible to fear? Momonashi is really implying he's never been afraid before? "You don't have to pick on me when we're alone," he mutters a bit dryly. "But fine... if you insist. You can test it on me."

She trails off, immediately annoyed when Scien's voice filters into the room.

As the god has descended down to perform his miracles, Ankou... is disgruntled. However, he isn't going to say anything about it, muttering a tiny thank you as he crawls over to Yves. For as much as he dislikes Scien, it's not like that guy has done anything egregious... to Yves, at least, so. The argument about being spirited away to here can be saved for another time. Anyway, even if his energy has recovered, the feeling of fatigue that Ankou only experienced when alive is tugging at his soul. Quietly, he scoops Yves up into his arms, wanting to cling as closely to the tengu as possible, and smoothing his hands over Yves' knuckles, checking for wounds from his earlier punch (as if Capucine isn't the one writhing from a broken nose and, now, broken ribs thanks to Scien).

Adolphe... also conveys his gratitude by a quick thanks, but he can't help but feel something is off. There's no way that aloof god that Salome described to them would have come here willingly, if he's been hands-off this entire time. Mathis...? He... doesn't have proof, more of a gut feeling.

"Hello, dipshit." Salome greets Scien back politely, her eyes twitching as she keeps her gaze on Dahut. "Put him down...? My son isn't a dog." A pause. "... Yet." With a sigh, she summons yet another shock collar and snaps it onto Dahut's neck. Then, she pours a potion onto him, which transforms him into a tiny, snarling puppy that has splendid green fur. The potion she made to tease her other children is being used to punish her first child... the irony isn't lost on her. The vines adjust themselves accordingly to hold Dahut in place, wrapping around his snout to keep him from barking at Scien.

"I am aware... keeping him alive is a fool's errand. However, I'm confident in my ability to keep him under control." Finally, Salome glances at the god. "Stay out of this, like you always have. He will be my responsibility to judge."

How is he supposed to make sure Nadia is okay if he's a dog?! Dahut snarls and flails for a while before giving up. Nobody is on his side, despite Scien and the beastfolk being the reason this country is rotten... so be it. He'd rather his "mother" kill him than humiliate him like this.

What does he mean, he's not susceptible to fear? Momonashi is really implying he's never been afraid before? "You don't have to pick on me when we're alone," he mutters a bit dryly. "But fine... if you insist. You can test it on me."