𝕍𝕀𝕍𝕀ℙ𝔸ℝ𝕆𝕌𝕊.

"Oh... that guy. You didn't hear of what happened to him, didja?"

It wasn't the first time he'd met someone who had known his predecessor since being whisked away beyond the firmament, thrusted into a strange and bewildering universe he was just coming to grips with. And this just seemed to be another in what he assumed would be a long string of mistaken identities, each with their own baggage he'd somehow have to sort through. Rubbing his nape awkwardly, he offered Lierre a conciliatory and sympathetic look.

the journey of self-discovery is a long and arduous one. he thought he'd found it with the masked fools, after being awakened to the elation following his brutalization and repair at the hands of a bounty hunter who wouldn't listen to reason. he'd been wrong... so very, very wrong. plunging into nihility after aha had left him shattered, strings cut like a discarded puppet, didn't do him any favors either.

it's been a long road since then... since he last saw the man he felt was responsible for the wake-up call he got. ruthless as it may have been, he won't deny he needed it. like he's sobered up from the most addictive thing known to man; joy. unfortunately, such acknowledgement of the reality at hand doesn't make him feel any less dejected and angry. that's why, when he sees a man bearing a striking resemblance to him, he's not entirely sure whether it's real or not.

it almost feels like he's seeing a ghost. or like maybe aha's playing another trick.

clear. ' samvel. ' whatever the fuck his name is. he can feel his blood start to boil at the sight of him, even if there's a twinge of bitter longing somewhere beneath the surface of it. he's got half a mind to clock him across the jaw when he calls the memokeeper's name, tone laced with barely concealed venom.

" y'know, you've got a lot of fuckin' nerve, showing your f— "

frankly, he's floored by the question the man in front of him puts forth. the follow-up of his awkward gesture, the sympathetic expression on his face... that's real hard to fake. as a man who's spent more of his life telling lies than he has telling truths, lierre would like to think he's become adept at sniffing out falsehoods.

this doesn't feel like one of them. somehow, part of him still wishes it was.

" what do you mean, he... died ? " his voice gets uncharacteristically soft. quiet. like he had back when he first learned about... nevermind that. " ah. i see. you're pulling my leg now, right ? you see me after all this time, and you don't know how else to respond when i call out your— " he runs a hand through his hair, quickly turning his body to face away as he mutters to himself. " no, that wouldn't make any sense, why the fuck would it... get your head together, li. "

self-talk aside, he turns back to the memokeeper. " so let me get this straight; you're seriously not fucking with me ? he's... gone ? then— " the thief gestures to him. not aggressively, but still rather dramatic. " who the hell 're you supposed to be ? a clone, a doppelganger sent to pull a prank ? memetic entity, mimicking a dead guy, sent to deliver me the news in the weirdest way possible ? "

      mouth twisted in displeasure , almost sneering at the way he spoke. she could not place it but it almost was as if he desired to go on suffering alone than take any help. maybe she had read into his demeanor too much ... she had been irritated at the way her market sales went earlier in the day. if she were innocent &. pure , she should not take it out on a poor soul who lapped water like it was ichor from the gods , ❛    it's elodie &. you do know everyone who has wandered these parts have said they are wretched.    ❜ rolling her eyes , her head shook. was that a bit too harsh ? hmm. fine ... fine she would continue her kindness. finger pointed at the inn at the top of the hill , the dark building with its lit windows shining like a beacon. ❛    come on , i'll help you get to the inn in one piece , there's a storm rolling in &. you do not want to be this close to the wood if you truly are as wretched as you say you are.    ❜

      he desperately needed a bath ( the smell strong from travel or just exhaustion ? ) &. more than likely a physical examination. there was something wrong but she could not tell what in the darkness. her hand grasped around his his elbow pulling him up off the ground , ❛    you fight me , you'll have much worse to deal with than whatever is plaguing you now.    ❜ her blue gaze , glowed fervent in the night , her hair a beacon to follow. ❛    may i know the name of the supposed unclean soul i am helping ?    ❜ they walked up the path together , slow &. steady since she did see he had a cane on his person. a true healer she was not , but she did know her way around herbals &. bandaging wounds. as long as he wasn't gravely injured ... she could possibly be of help.

       frowning she realized something that hadn't occurred to her until now , ❛    how in the world did you end up out here anyways ?    ❜ the inn &. the village were remote so all the locals knew of everyone's coming &. goings. so with her keen ears she had not heard of anyone new passing through. ⸻ that was indeed suspicious. however , she would give her apprehensions rest for the night. she too was exhausted at having her walls held icy for today. tomorrow was another story. if this ended in another death , at least she wasn't going to be in the rain but at a warm cozy inn. ❛    come along now , i'll get you a room &. a bath drawn.    ❜

" do they now ? " he challenges, voice light for once. " then i suppose it makes sense, why nobody's paid me much mind. i fit right in. " it's navarre's attempt at humor, though jokes have never been his strongest suit. if anything, it's only remotely successful because it borders on self-deprecation, something he's exceptionally good at doing without even trying. " as for the incoming storm, i appreciate the assistance in getting away from it before it's too late. the inn actually turned me away because my reserved room wasn't yet ready. " he scoffs. " so much for having a booking in advance. i'll have to give the staff an earful if i have the energy. "

his elbow being grabbed is enough of a shock, but he manages to suppress the noise that comes from his throat when he's hoisted back to his feet. this woman's certainly stronger than she looks. " i've no intent to fight you, unless you're hiding some ulterior motive for helping me. " navarre takes notice of the borderline reflective quality her eyes, her hair take on in the pale moonlight. a reflection of a reflection, as it were. how poetic. though, that's his younger self talking. " ah— it's navarre. formerly doctor hyasinth, if you're of the inclination. " for once, he sees little reason to be catty or hostile towards someone, even if she is a complete stranger. probably because he's simply too exhausted to muster up the willpower.

" i was waiting for my room to be ready. unless you're inquiring as to my reason for being in the area in the first place, which... " he pauses. " you'll have to forgive me if i opt not to divulge such information. it's rather personal. " his father passing away during his time off, traveling the world to pursue his research habits, certainly wasn't an expected thing to hear of while abroad. of the three parental figures he's had in his life, he could at least say he disliked desmond the least. this had been his place of birth, and as such, he's been wanting to take in the sights, see what his father had once called home.

what a bizarre thought, he thinks to himself, giving a single damn about the view in some backwater place like this. i'm getting soft in my older age.

once they reach the inn, he tries his best to ignore the noise from the patrons inside. it's why he didn't want to wait inside while his room was finished up. with a punctual tap of his cane against the wooden floor beneath them, he clears his throat. " let's just leave it at me needing to travel for my work. i'm researching ways to better the bodies and minds of my fellow man, in my own way. " which isn't entirely incorrect, in all fairness. she'd likely disapprove of his methods for doing so, though. " listen, i do appreciate your help, but... i meant it, when i said i'm unclean. it's only a matter of time before my reputation catches me here, too. it's with no joy that i say this, but you truly would be wise to keep your distance from me, miss elodie. "