#ruza

The room Thyon inhabited was rather a mess, though Ruza was unable to discern how much of the clutter was caused by anxious alchemist and how much by half the city caving in. Thyon himself was currently gingerly picking bits of shattered glass off the floor muttering faintly to himself. Though Thyon had left the door propped open- which Ruza took as a silent display of newfound trust- he had obviously not noticed Ruza, too distracted by his current task. Ruza felt a grin stretch his face as he leaned against the doorway. He had half a mind to simply wait until Nero noticed him, but there were matters to discuss, and Ruza had never received any malinations for his patients so he rapped his knuckles against the door to get Thyons attention.

Thyon startled and the chunk of glass he was holding nearly slipped from his hands, just barely being caught by the very tips of his fingers as his head jerked up. Ruza ignored the twinge in his chest at the way Thyons face shifted from startled surprise to a genuine smile, eyes lighting up as their gazes met. Despite the heat of the room, the longs sleeves of his shirt remained firmly rolled down, pinned primly in place by pearl buttons, but he had forgon his usual waistcoat, and the collar of his shirt was missing cufflinks, allowing Ruza the briefest glimpse of gold-tanned collarbone. His hair was loose and falling in his face in limp curls, made frizzy by the heat. Ruza noticed his hands were still wrapped in the bandages that he had given him, and made note to find new cloth to fix the wrapping later.

“Hello, Ruza.”

Ruza made a show of not staring at the Golden Godson, and instead, made a performatively disdainful sweep of the room. “Goodness Faraigi, you made an awful mess of the space we so graciously gave to you. Is this how you thank your barbarian hosts?” He exaggerated his accent to perpetuate the joke, which caused Thyon to roll his eyes, but not stop smiling.

“The mess is from the earthquake, and I never called you a barbarian Ruza- stop laughing- that was you.”

“Eh, you say it with your face.”

“That’s just my face.” Thyon replied in a fox stern voice. “Judgment cheekbones and whatnot.”

“Whatnot indeed.” Ruza said agreeably then glanced around. “Was all this really caused by…?”

Thyon schooled his face. “Well, glass does tend to break when it falls.” he said in the tone of someone imparting sage advice to a particularly stupid child. It was a deliberate mockery of his old self-importance, and Ruza found his smile widening of its own accord.

“Oh really? Tell me more of your wondrous secrets, oh glorious frangi.”

Thyon snorted in a very undignified manner and Ruza was delighted to get such a sound from him. Thyon prodded him in the arm with an elbow, and he yelped indignantly. “Oh, cut that out.” He cast his gaze around the room and his smile faltered. “And I was trying not to leave the space I was given to use such a mess. It’s not their fault Drave was an imbecile"

“Yes well, you know the old saying.” Ruza grinned like it was an old joke Thyon was already in on. Thyon's eyebrow arched again.

“No, what?” He looked like he already very much regretted asking.

“Exploisenist and earthquakes: they're shit at interior design."

“Oh, people say that, do they?”

“Eh, it sounds better in our language, which you would know if you bothered to learn, fraingi, our language is much…” He trailed off, seeing the mirth had fled from Thyons face and he was left looking rather…

Thyon turned around before Ruza could properly assess his friend's expression, setting down the shard of glass on the workbench with far too much tension in his shoulders. Ruza felt the humor leave him too.

He knew he had a tendency to do this, push a joke until it stops being funny, and though he knew he had right to be pissed at Thyon when he was still acting arrogant and superior, he also knew Thyon felt quite bad about that behavior now and he hadn't meant to poke a wound.

“No, I suppose you're right.” Thyon said, and his voice was carefully neutral. “In anycase, this will most likely take a while.” He turned around, his expression as deliberate as his tone. “How can I help you, Ruza?”

Ruza was not anticipating the sudden shift in conversation, from their playful banter to Thyon's sudden careful and deliberate no-nonsince attitude. Still a little startled by the sudden tension in the room blurted a “What?” before he could think of a witty retort to lighten the mood again.

“What do you need? Why are you here? Or was this a simple social call?” Thyon delivered the last two words with contempt, as if the idea was outrageous.

“Er- yes?”

Thyon seemed unreasonably started at the response. “What?”

“I haven’t seen you in two days, Nero. Someone had to come by and make sure you haven't melted your stupid eyebrow off.”

“I- oh, well.” Thyon tries- and fails- very hard to smother a smile. “My eyebrows remain intact, but thank you for your concern. To be honest, I had thought you too busy to come by- aren't you preparing to leave soon?”

“Yes, and that's exactly why I came! You haven’t been around at all! You’ve come to none of the meetings!”

Thyon frowned “I couldn't imagine what you need me there for.”

“Becase-” Ruza faltered. "Aren't you coming with us?”

Thyon blicked. “I- am I?”

“I thought so! I mean-”

“-I- I… didn’t realize I was invited.”

“I understand if you wouldn't want to.” Ruza said, feeling foolish, “I mean obviously not- you have, everything back home-”

“Oh! No! God no- I would like to! But- I’m not sure I would be… welcomed. Still, thank you Ruza.” He gave Ruza another smile, though this one seemed forced and a little sad.

“What do you mean, ‘not welcome?’”

Thyon grimaced. “I have not done much to… cultivate popularity. I would understand if the others would not be overexcited to be stuck with me for an indefinite period of time.”

Ruza snorted. “Oh, that. Don’t be an idiot. Of course you're welcome.”

Thyon did not look convinced. In fact he looked to Ruza almost offensively dubious. Ruza sighed. “Look, even Calixte was asking after you. No one would be upset if you did come, in fact, some of us would miss you if you didn’t, including me, though only the gods know why.”

The pinch in Thyon's brow smoothed slightly, but he still looked… doubtful. Ruza wished he were better at the important words, wished he knew just what to say to reassure Thyon that his company would not be minded and in fact welcomed, but the truth was that he could not speak for everyone.

He knew he would be very disappointed if he never saw the Alcaemist again, and so would Calixte, though she would never admit it. Tazra was always one to defend him, even before their new friendship, and he very much doubted Lazlo would have any objections. But there was always the chance that one of the others, who Ruza did not know and could not speak for, would raise objection to his friends' presents.

“it's up to you, in the end. If you have unavoidable princely duties…”

Thyon sighed “Not a prince. But I see your point. My father, of course, would be undoubtedly pissed if I never returned.”

“Good. I love pissing off Royalty.”

Thyons smiled partially returned. “I’m going to assume that that was directed at me, and I assure you you're successful in your endeavor. But… If you're sure- I would be honored to come along. I would have to ask, as it really up to Laz- Strange, but-” Thyon’s brow pinched again, and the self-doubt looked so wrong on his face that Ruza decided that something must be done about it immediately.

Ruza grabbed Thyson's wrist "Actually, I’ve decided. You're coming.” Thyon opened his mouth and Ruza tugged him to the door before he could object. “At least on a walk with me. We’re meeting Calixte and Tazra for lunch. You cannot hide in this dusty attic forever.”

Ruza was mildly surprised that Thyon didn’t argue the point and allowed himself to be pulled out the door.