Wandering Scientist

I’m having a fucking stroke

*vaguely scottish noises*

EVERYTHING WAS LAID OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND YET I WAS NOT READY FOR A SINGLE SECOND OF IT

“The closest one?” he  asked hopefully.”In case I… need to get up. Early. So no one wakes up.” He nodded along for Ienzo to lead the way, though it was then he was struck with a curious thought.  “Wait, why do you have so many rooms?”

He held the glass lightly between his fingers and turned it, just enough so that he could follow the little design along the brim.  He didn’t look at Ienzo this time.  “Vexen.”

“…Even, now. He’s as different as I am. …But I won’t tell him. I promise.” Even if his fellow apprentice would apologize, and perhaps be a help in making sure the replica was ok.

“Doesn’t matter,” he was a bit quick to reply back. No amount of apologizing from Ve– Even, could make him feel any semblance of peace. Not when every memory of the Nobody he once was was so deeply rooted in his trauma. “And… Thank you. Don’t tell any of the others, I… dunno who I can trust.”

Ienzo nodded. “I understand. I just want you to know.” It might make him a little less nervous. “And Aeleus and Dilan aren’t going to be back for a while, so that won’t be a problem either. …Do you think you can stand?” If he could, Ienzo would get him somewhere he could actually rest.

“They’re gone?” The very mention of it did pique his interest, but he found himself not quite so thrilled as he probably should have been. He braced one hand against the cabinets, and held out the other, hoping Ienzo might take it and help him up. He was feeling a little better.  “W…where did they go?”

Ienzo took the replica’s hand, slowly putting him to his feet. “They’re out patrolling on the outskirts of town. We still have problems out there.” He paused, letting the Replica find his feet. “Better?”

He nodded, thoughts still bouncing between what he was doing now, and what the others could possibly be up to. Safe to say his mind did tend to wander to the worst-case scenarios.  “Y-Yeah…” he murmured. Especially now he was off the floor. He was starting to get a little cold from it. He looked Ienzo over, up the pristine labcoat and at the puff of brightly colored fabric near his neck.  “You’re… taller?”

Ienzo blinked at the comment, then looked down at himself. “I...suppose I am, a little. Not by much, though.” He looked up and tilted his head. “...So will you stay in a room here for a while? You could use the rest.”

With you. -they need quiet- -kisses his hair-

He held the glass lightly between his fingers and turned it, just enough so that he could follow the little design along the brim.  He didn’t look at Ienzo this time.  “Vexen.”

“…Even, now. He’s as different as I am. …But I won’t tell him. I promise.” Even if his fellow apprentice would apologize, and perhaps be a help in making sure the replica was ok.

“Doesn’t matter,” he was a bit quick to reply back. No amount of apologizing from Ve– Even, could make him feel any semblance of peace. Not when every memory of the Nobody he once was was so deeply rooted in his trauma. “And… Thank you. Don’t tell any of the others, I… dunno who I can trust.”

Ienzo nodded. “I understand. I just want you to know.” It might make him a little less nervous. “And Aeleus and Dilan aren’t going to be back for a while, so that won’t be a problem either. …Do you think you can stand?” If he could, Ienzo would get him somewhere he could actually rest.

“They’re gone?” The very mention of it did pique his interest, but he found himself not quite so thrilled as he probably should have been. He braced one hand against the cabinets, and held out the other, hoping Ienzo might take it and help him up. He was feeling a little better.  “W…where did they go?”

Ienzo took the replica’s hand, slowly putting him to his feet. “They’re out patrolling on the outskirts of town. We still have problems out there.” He paused, letting the Replica find his feet. “Better?”

He held the glass lightly between his fingers and turned it, just enough so that he could follow the little design along the brim.  He didn’t look at Ienzo this time.  “Vexen.”

“…Even, now. He’s as different as I am. …But I won’t tell him. I promise.” Even if his fellow apprentice would apologize, and perhaps be a help in making sure the replica was ok.

“Doesn’t matter,” he was a bit quick to reply back. No amount of apologizing from Ve– Even, could make him feel any semblance of peace. Not when every memory of the Nobody he once was was so deeply rooted in his trauma. “And… Thank you. Don’t tell any of the others, I… dunno who I can trust.”

Ienzo nodded. “I understand. I just want you to know.” It might make him a little less nervous. “And Aeleus and Dilan aren’t going to be back for a while, so that won’t be a problem either. ...Do you think you can stand?” If he could, Ienzo would get him somewhere he could actually rest.

He held the glass lightly between his fingers and turned it, just enough so that he could follow the little design along the brim.  He didn’t look at Ienzo this time.  “Vexen.”

“...Even, now. He’s as different as I am. ...But I won’t tell him. I promise.” Even if his fellow apprentice would apologize, and perhaps be a help in making sure the replica was ok.

*is so tired*

-picks up- -and gently squeezes- I need a break. Have time to relax in the gardens with me?

*sliiight startle, but not enough to care*  *wraps his arms around Ienzo and lays his head against him* *quiet* Definitely do, yeah. You’re working too hard.

-smiles- I’m trying not to. -rubs his back- Where do you want to go?

*still quiet* You always do. I know.  *is definitely not going to say no right now* …back corner near the water? It’s quiet there.

-hums- I think that sounds wonderful. Want food, or just rest?

*…* You hungry? Otherwise I just want to sit with you. *nooot…exactly…in the mood for food himself right now*

Nope, not hungry at all. We’ll just sit, then.-which is fine-

*is so tired*

-picks up- -and gently squeezes- I need a break. Have time to relax in the gardens with me?

*sliiight startle, but not enough to care*  *wraps his arms around Ienzo and lays his head against him* *quiet* Definitely do, yeah. You’re working too hard.

-smiles- I’m trying not to. -rubs his back- Where do you want to go?

*still quiet* You always do. I know.  *is definitely not going to say no right now* …back corner near the water? It’s quiet there.

-hums- I think that sounds wonderful. Want food, or just rest?

*is so tired*

-picks up- -and gently squeezes- I need a break. Have time to relax in the gardens with me?

*sliiight startle, but not enough to care*  *wraps his arms around Ienzo and lays his head against him* *quiet* Definitely do, yeah. You’re working too hard.

-smiles- I’m trying not to. -rubs his back- Where do you want to go?

*is so tired*

-picks up- -and gently squeezes- I need a break. Have time to relax in the gardens with me?

He wasn’t sure how to further debate Ienzo on this. He was already going into this under prepared and probably hoped he’d just pass out for most of his visit here and then disappear when Ienzo left the room. So much for that plan.  “… You’re… confusing,” he said quietly. He glanced down at his emptied glass. “… Could I have some more?”

That got a smile out of Ienzo as he picked up the juice again. “I’ve been told that before. I’d say I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to help it.” That said, he knelt and steadied the glass so he could pour. “Are you feeling better?”