My path is my own to decide!

The moment Mydei said he was looking forward to their spar, Castorice shyly glanced down - she hardly believed her time on the training grounds would be worth a glance. Her eyes went to Phainon, where she found him looking... distracted. He must have sensed her attention however, because a heartbeat later, he was looking back at her with a reassuring smile.

Little Ica flew back to Hyacine as she spoke :

"No sparring for me today, but I'll patch you guys up if you need it. Do we even have straws here?"

Mydeimos lowered his voice, trying to save even a little of the Outlander's dignity. Caelus was still pretty sensitive when it came to others knowing about what happened. Even the Kremnoan didn't believe he knew all of what set the Outlander Deliverer onto a crash course with self-destruction.

"I kinda wanted to spar Phainon."

Caelus sighs once said Heir was out of earshot, only to be elbowed in the arm by Mydeimos.

"You have to beat me to win the right to choose who you go against."

An itch begging to be scratched.

It was a shame Caelus' interposition worked, then. Even more of a shame when Mydei's words missed their target. One silver eyebrow raised as if to say really? because... because there was a lot to unpack there. Phainon had ways of showing off without having to bring others down; Caelus didn't seem like a man who would love that kind of aggressive display; why was Mydei so intent on calling Caelus Phainon's?

By the time the Traiblazer had left with his teleslate, pride had turned into confusion.

Once Mydei turned his attention to the girls, Castorice waved at him while Hyacine sent Ica flying his way with a treat in its mouth - whether it would arrive safely in the Kremnoan's hands was anyone's guess. It was Hyacine who answered him :

"Actually, Caelus asked us to join you guys." "It has been some time since we last enjoyed each other's company. Ah, and forgive my impertinence, Mydeimos, I have asked Phainon for his first spar."

Mydeimos nods sagely. It was a good thing that the Outlander seemed to be comfortable around a greater number of people. Then again, Castorice and Hyacine were two of the more calm Chrysos Heirs so their presence was probably something of a balm to Caelus' inner turmoil. A slight smile curves the Kremnoan's lips, a quick shake of his shoulders accompanying a snort when Ica inhales the snack sent along with the chubby pegasus.

"As for the spar... I'm quite looking forward to seeing it."

Caelus wandered back after sending off another quick message. Mydeimos noticed the more relaxed posture the Outlander returned with and offered him a quick nod. Something that said 'you're doing good'. The Trailblazer seemed rather pleased with himself, managing a bright smile.

Phainon stood next to the girls, cocky, one hand on his hip. Hyacine and Castorice shared a quick glance at each other, the ghost of a smile on their lips. They knew the boys' dance well enough now to know what would follow.

Caelus glances between Mydei and Phainon with his hands raised. Arguing didn't get anyone anywhere, and knowing Mydeimos might get baited into something... And with the look on the Kremnoan's face- Caelus felt he was right. Thankfully the fire that had blazed in his eyes faded into a frustrated ember.

"So you've resorted to trash talking in order to try to look good in front of your Outlander, huh Deliverer?"

A palm meets Caelus's face as he looses a groan. He wasn't sure how to deal with these two on a regular day... One at a time? Sure, by all means- but both? At the same time??

"Oh, that's right. Here."

Mydeimos produces the Trailblazer's teleslate which he promptly grabs with a large smile and a thanks. The Kremnoan cracks a grin when Caelus starts messing with the item, surely letting his fellow Express Crew members know he was alright. While he was busy with that, his attention turned to his fellow Heirs.

Hyacine was the first to act :

"Alright Ica, enough! Leave some food for us too~" "Drrooot~"

"Alright let's go!"

The Trailblazer punched the air excitedly, doing his best to keep the energy high as they made their way to the training grounds. The moment they stepped foot into the arena Caelus caught sight of Mydei and hurried forward. The Kremnoan takes note of the small group before his and Caelus' closed fists bump in greeting.

Hyacine and Castorice shared a look after Caelus' invitation. Meanwhile, Little Ica searched the bag of food that had been forgotten on the table... and wasn't that an idea? Maybe they could tag along the boys, and train and snack together. It would be a shame to waste all that food.

"A bother?"

Caelus questions as his head turns towards Cas, then towards Phainon. He simply stares for a fraction of a second before chuckling and smiling back at Castorice.

"How is it a bother if I'm the one asking? I think the more of us are there, the more fun we'll have."

The blue of his irises turned yellow which, this time, felt controlled. Mydei was to thank for that : he told Phainon of the way his eyes betrayed him. So of course the white-haired man would take it as something of a challenge to overcome. His proud expression softened when Caelus winked and he let his eyes turn back into their natural sky blue.

Hyacine did not seem as amused as the boys however, her mouth a disapproving pout ; she had just checked Phainon and there he was, playing with literal fire simply because he could. At least he had the decency of looking guilty after that.

She sighed.

Caelus freezes the moment Phainon's eyes change. In that second he's uncertain, simply staring as if afraid he'd started something. So when they revert, he releases a breath he didn't know he'd been holding onto. Nor did he realize his hand had grasped Phainon hard enough that his knuckles turned white.

"Oh- uh- right-"

Hyacine's voice snapped him out of his momentary lapse, Caelus having forgotten he'd asked a question. He clears his throat and puts the smile back on his face. It takes him a moment to steady it, but it's more or less genuine.

It was a question Castorice couldn't completely answer. First of all, they weren't exactly in a normal situation. The Chrysos Heirs lived their lives dictated by their destinies. Knowing that - and the fact one of their friends had gained Emanator-like powers - feeling anxious didn't feel like a stretch by any means. She gave Caelus an understanding, tiny smile.

"Yes. We can only believe in our comrades to do what needs to be done." To move forward, to heal, to venture into this new world together.

Castorice took care in looking at the returning Heirs, although both knew how to cover their troubles a bit too well. It was essential for Hyacine to know how to hide her emotions, Castorice supposed. She was a healer. Her patients would worry if the one taking care of them appeared troubled. Even now she seemed normal. She gave Castorice an easy smile as she went back to the table where food could be found. Castorice followed herafter seeing Caelus close the distance between himself and Phainon. It felt a bit too invasive, staying close while they were whispering between themselves.

Phainon didn't react immediately to the hand on his arm. He did end up putting his hand over Caelus', squeezing in a manner he wished comforting.

Cas's words were truth even if the uneasy feeling lingered like ice in one's chest. Of all of them, Caelus knew he was bad at hiding his true feelings when it came to those he was close to. Though, he also knew when something wasn't quite right with others. Whether that was a 'blessing' of the Harmony, or Cyrene's lingering influence, he didn't really buy it when Phainon tried to reassure him.

"Just so you know, I have my ways of finding out if you're fibbing."

Caelus shakes a playful finger at the Heir, accompanied by a wink. A rather Cyrene-esque gesture that he hoped would at least make his partner's smile warm up a bit.

"So is he cleared for sparring with me and Mydei later?"

Golden gaze moves from Phainon to Hyacine as the Trailblazer turns his body. The hand on his partner's arm, however, remains where it is. Whether it's to reassure himself that things are alright, or to offer Phainon some sort of comfort- or a mix of both- all Caelus knows is that it's helping him in some way.

"Don't worry, we're fine!"

Castorice let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She felt a bit guilty at that - betraying worries she shouldn't have, fed only by the memories of past lives. That burning, summer sun had belonged to her executioner, yes, but it was also a dear friend's warmth. One who had cried tears of joy alongside her when they finally could hold each other.

Slowly the heat abated. As they were closer to the door, Castorice could hear her fellow Heir's hushed voices and, while she couldn't (or wouldn't) make anything out of it, it was enough to know when footsteps approached. She took a step back just in time for Hyacine to open the door, Phainon a few steps behind. He was wearing the same guilt she had felt moments before - yet he found both hers and Caelus' gazes.

"Is it normal to feel this anxious?"

He gives Castorice a look that's one part sheepish to two parts pure confusion. That heat meant something was wrong, whether it was strong emotion towards the negative, or something happening... The former was more likely- of course... But that didn't stop him from worrying.

A breath of relief is released when Hyacine emerges, but his smile only returns when Phainon makes his appearance. The step forward is taken absentmindedly, the act not registering until his hand rests against his partner's arm. Even then he doesn't pull it away. Instead, the Trailblazer lowers his voice into a murmur meant for his dear partner alone.

"You okay?"

Castorice had never felt obliged to cheer Caelus up. She simply wanted to. Yet seeing how he reacted to the idea of it - well, it didn't seem like the invitation was welcome. Before she could say anything else she felt a quick rise in temperature, a now telltale sign of Phainon's emotions. She turned towards the door where he and Hyacine had disappeared into minutes before, worried something bad was happening. Of course, the worst that had happened in the past was a boiling bath or two. Nobody had been hurt. But before yesterday, he had never burst into the sky in his Emanator form either.

"Y-Yeah- probably. Better safe than sorry, right?"

Caelus offers a smile to Castorice before his knuckles strike the door-- a little harder than he meant to. A soft curse slips as his gold eyes slip back to Cas from the door, expression a mixture of sheepish feelings and incredulousness. He could have punched the door and probably have been quieter.

They said losses were a constant in the Flame-Chase journey. Caelus, tragically, was no exception.

"I remember a life in which you alleviated my sorrows with an embrace."

Memories of past cycles were like butterflies, fluttering at the edges of the mind. Sometimes, scenes or sights were enough to awaken a dormant memory. Sometimes, they did not need to be woken up at all. In Castorice's case, the warmth she had felt from the Trailblazer was akin to a flame. She put the plate down.

"I-I didn't mean to make you feel like you had to cheer me up!"

Hands lift to dissuade but pause and slowly lower again. If he denied the aid of a friend... He'd be lying to himself... Phainon was getting help from Hyacine... The least he could do was get some help too, right? That could help Phainon in the end- not having to deal with him...

A hand lifts further, holding his head as he tries to shake the encroaching dark thoughts from taking root. Why was it so difficult to go some time without one popping back up?

"I-- yeah... That'd be okay..."

"Oh." Her thoughts interrupted by Caelus' question, she met his gaze with her own, lips turning into a kind smile. "Thank you for your concern. You've always been so thoughtful."

She slowly closed the distance between them, offering Caelus the plate of fruit once he was within reach.

"I have been doing well. Death no longer waits in my embrace. My days are spent guiding souls to their final rest and helping Lady Aglaea with Amphoreus' rebirth."

As such, it wouldn't be fair to say Castorice hadn't seen Phainon in a while. He hadn't shown up to meetings in the past few days, not since they concluded exchanges with the IPC. Before that, they usually enjoyed each other's company quite a lot ; eating together once a week, exchanging discoveries in the Hero's Bath, learning how to navigate their new world after everything they went through. Not every Chrysos Heir reacted the same to their Deliverer also being their murderer, after all.

She knew, however, that a day - if tragic - could become more lifechanging than a decade of peace.

Caelus chuckles, a light-hearted sound that almost mirrors his prior playful nature. Just hearing that dear Castorice was faring far better in this reborn Amphoreus... It made his chest feel warm. Until the focus turned back to him, however.

"I... Ah--"

Smile faltering, Caelus lowers his gaze- a hand absentmindedly playing with the toy dromas tucked into his borrowed clothing. He didn't want to lie to her, nor downplay what happened... But sharing what he'd been through... It made him feel dirty. Shameful. Embarrassed that he couldn't even do a little more to defend himself.

"I've been managing. Mydei- helped me through a lot... Though, I feel bad bothering Phainon like I am. Thankfully he- doesn't make me feel like a burden..."

A hand shoots up to rub the back of his head sheepishly and he offers an apologetic grin. Good thing he'd caught himself before spiraling, Castorice didn't need to see that.

"I'm glad."

"I hope he's okay."

Even with his own power of Remembrance, Caelus wasn't very good with healing the mind. Though, he could empathize with the multitude of memories thrust upon Phainon at the end of the cycle... He'd seen them all as well. The heartache it brought...

"Well,"

If talking in circles made for the Trailblazer's peace of mind, the Chrysos Heir didn't mind if it made him sound like a broken record. He would repeat himself a thousand times if this meant Caelus would feel just a bit better.

"Yeah, thanks."

Caelus opened his eyes again, the light back in place as if it had never faded. His gaze then flicks over Phainon's shoulder, signaling that he should attend to the guests. He didn't want to worry Cas and Hyacine, plus Phainon needed to be checked over. That worry for his partner overrode everything else in that moment.

"Phainon..."

Caelus sighs through his nose then allows himself to smile a little. It's small and tired, but it holds his thankful feelings all the same.

Guilt stabbed at his heart at first, worried he'd made a mistake welcoming the girls inside his home. Wounds were still fresh inside the Trailblazer's heart, wounds he would never have had to deal with if he did not try to help Amphoreus. Yet, those thoughts would not be of any help right now.

Phainon reached for Caelus, softly taking one of his hands in his - he met his gaze then, willing his eyes to hold reassurances.

"I'm just-- worried about how Mydei might be feeling..."

Was that really it? He didn't even know anymore. But it didn't feel like a total lie, so he went with it. Though, when he finally registered that his hand had been taken- Caelus couldn't help how his shoulders sank a little. As if some sort of weight was being dragged off of them. A glance towards Cas and Hyacine was taken, then he looked back at Phainon and lowered his voice.