#grisshound

❝ Then make me understand. ❞ It wasn't a demand, nor a plea. It was simple and open, and another way to say he was absolutely more than willing to learn about the other without judgment, as long as Griss was willing to share. And if he wasn't? Pandreo wouldn't keep pushing the subject. The door would always be open a crack, however, to let the Hound come in as he pleased. ❝ What you wanted from the Fell Dragon, how is that any different from everyone here when it comes to their own reverence for the Divine Dragon? ❞ The clergyman genuinely asked, wondering why and where the initial divide came from, at least in terms of followers. As he mulled over that thought a moment, he sat himself down on the edge of the fountain by the gazebo, indicating he was serious about continuing their discussion. ❝ I mean, hey, you switched sides. So obviously there's more to it, right? You had to have realized that instead of, y'know, just being unwilling to die. No one forced you to come along. And look, I may not know you well, but if I may be so bold, you don't seem like the kinda' guy who'd flop sides because you're afraid to die. Seems totally out of character to me. ❞

“It may well spell your end.”

“You must have wanted some affection all this time but don’t worry, I got you.”

"I wasn't followed but we should make this quick, yeah?"

❝ ARR-ARR-ARRROOO! Alllright, buddy! Ahaha, you actually made it! ❞ Golden eyes glistened mischievously by light of the bonfire as Pandreo pumped a fist victoriously in the air at Griss's appearance. The clergyman quickly shouldered past partygoers to properly greet his guest of honor. Truthfully, he hadn't expected the elder to show, not with the dynamic on the Somniel still being a bit strained. It wasn't too long ago they were tossing spells at one another on the battlefield, and while he himself was penitent, well… Pandreo had no clue as to how the former Hound felt, how his mind worked. Yet. ❝ Eat. Drink. Be merry, ❞ he playfully commanded in a faux noble accent as he sidled up beside Griss, elbowing him in the ribs. With a chuckle, the charade casually dropped. ❝ But most importantly, blow off some steam. By dancing, I mean. None of that freaky-deaky stuff you get into. ❞

❝ But what constitutes as bad is subjective, isn't it? Everyone has their own moral compass that they live by, and the only thing that truly gives an overarching definition of what good and bad are, are the elite creating the rules. Even then, though… ❞ Trailing off, Pandreo let his chin drop hard in his hands, the topic worming its ways into his skull. There was more he wanted to say, yet somehow, he couldn't find the right words. They all seemed to coalesce at once, rendering it difficult to piece them together in a cohesive order. But, simply put, he agreed with Griss, to an extent. His gaze drifted off, landing on Mauvier in the far distance, a perfect example that he couldn't seem to look away from. ❝ I mean, take Mauvier. You can't really say he's bad in any sort of way, can you? ❞ he asked, more to himself. Head tilted, giving the Fell cleric a once-over… and then once more, and another, again, trying to find fault. ❝ Even if his methods weren't particularly righteous, his heart was in the right place. No one can argue with that. He has time to make things right. Maybe not everyone will accept that penitence, but… ❞ A shrug. ❝ When it comes to you though? Ha! I hate to say it, but being bad makes you bad. ❞ Quickly Pandreo turned on Griss, a cheeky grin appearing. A sign he was at least half-kidding. ❝ Please. Stop stealing from the corpses after every skirmish. Even that's beneath you. That goes a little beyond your reputation, don't you think? ❞

❝ That's never gonna happen. ❞ An instant response in the form of a tired drawl to the stars above where he lay. How many hours they'd spent beside the fishing pond, he'd lost count, time ticking by with their typical back-and-forth of arguing and debates, rounds of questions and threats and stupid jokes, filtered by occasional silence that was oddly comfortable. Yet now the silence weighing on them felt heavier; liminal; dawn was coming. His voice almost seemed intrusive. ❝ Fogado needs me… ❞ Not that Pandreo had seriously given it thought. Not that Griss had either. There wasn't any doubt that what the elder said had been in absolute jest. He had to chuckle to himself, sharp and succinct, as he ran a hand down his face at the thought of what that could mean if genuine. To Griss, surely poetic insanity entailed double homicide, a blade between each other's ribs, twisting to see who'd breathe their last first. To him, it was as simple as running away, like he'd always wanted to as a child. But they weren't serious. Definitely not. A joke, that's what it was, in response to the recent conversation of where they'd be at the end of all this. ❝ You've already lost your mind anyway, ❞ Pandreo playfully chided, pushing himself to sit up. Maybe he was crazy though, with the way he inched closer to Griss who'd been sitting at the pond's tiny shore. Typically, the priest was cautious, never one to seek any sort of physical affection, even if the former Hound had a knack for putting his paws all over him. The only instance from himself was recent; a quick kiss that Griss had asked for, and yet it had been met with a snide remark, not reciprocated. Still, as Pandreo spoke, he found himself looping his arm through the elder's and unceremoniously dropping his head onto his shoulder, eyelids already fluttering closed even if he'd get shrugged off in a second. ❝ How's that in any way fair to me, having to play catch-up with you? Nah, I think I'm alright… ❞

The book met its mark, colliding full-on with the side of Griss' face. Once again, a heavy silence fell over them, until moments later their allies could be heard in the distance, questioning ❛ what was that? ❜ and ❛ is everyone okay? ❜ to ❛ did they summon reinforcements?! ❜ Even the corrupted gurgled amongst one another in confusion, trying to find the source of the sound. Taking advantage of the pause in battle, Pandreo harshly shouldered past the former hound, and in words befitting Soren, commanded, ❝ Stay out of my way. ❞