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Post by Ziya on Sept 9, 2018 14:33:01 GMT -5
As soon as he emerged from the Corridor into the hanger he lashed out with his fist, leaving a three foot wide crater in the thick concrete. The pain brought him back to his senses a touch more, and he dropped back out of Aspect before sinking down the wall to put his head in his now shaking hands. It had been four years since Castle Oblivion, and not once had he come that close to falling back to that. If Conrí hadn't been there...
His breathing sped up as his thoughts raced into a full panic attack, something he'd never shown to anyone before. He'd moved on from his past, but it still found ways to haunt him somehow. Would he ever truly be free of it? Could he ever say honestly that he wouldn't become that monster again? He drew his legs up against his chest as he spiraled into his own thoughts.
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Post by Conrí on Sept 9, 2018 14:54:29 GMT -5
Conrí landed deftly on his feet from jumping into the portal. His smile instantly vanished. He looked at the crater in the hanger, wondering just how the hell it got there. His own mind raced a bit, because he didn't know what to do here. Still, he couldn't bear to see his love like this. The wolf boy cleared his throat. He carefully and quietly walked over to the crimson eyed man.
Conrí didn't speak. He barely breathed. The would be king knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to cry and scream. Part of him also wanted to walk back through that portal and hunt Tori himself. But, Conrí knew this wasn't about him right now. The wolf boy tried to think of how Fen would help him whenever he got like this. The would be king sat next to Jason, still scared to speak. He reached out with his hand. "If you're angry with me, I understand," he said, finally. "If you want to talk about it, I'm here, but, if you can't, that's okay, a stór." Conrí watched Jason carefully. He also wished he could tell the man just how much he loved him, but, the wolf boy knew now mightn't be the time for that.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 9, 2018 19:13:33 GMT -5
In the depths of his thoughts, Jason barely heard Conrí enter through the portal after him. His voice however, cut through the panic and despair like the keyblade he wielded drawing him back to the present enough to see the wolf-king sitting next to him. An instant later he was clutching him tightly head resting on his shoulder as he whispered fiercely to his love. "Not at you. Never at you. You saved me from myself." The Corridor vanished as his mind finally began to slow.
Several minutes passed before he could bring himself to finally let go, coming to a decision as he looked into Conrí's eyes. "You know me as I am, but I want you to know who I was too." He raised his hand slightly, palm up, and Darkness began to emerge from it in a sphere, taking on an oddly mirrored appearance once complete. "This orb can share my memories of a time four years ago where I fell into myself deeper than today, where I almost fully gave in to the assassin again. If you want, I'd like to show them to you, so you can know what you just saved me from. All you have to do is touch it, but I'll understand if you don't. This is an offer, not a request."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 9, 2018 19:59:19 GMT -5
Conrí focused on his breath for a moment, to calm his own buzzing mind. When Jason quickly embraced him, he exhaled sharply, slightly shocked. The wolf boy turned a little and placed his arm around Jason, still remaining silent, though he managed to smile when Jason explained that he was not, in fact, mad at the would be king. When Jason let go and looked into his eyes, Conrí had to force himself to keep from crying. There's so much...pain. Rage. Sadness. Suddenly, Conrí realised that his body was tense and shaking.
As Jason offered up his memories to the wolf boy, he reached out to the orb, but his hand was shaking. "I can't unknow this, chuisle. Not only that, but...there is something I should tell you, too." He bit his lip, and nodded. Conrí at least had the understanding that Jason wouldn't have offered this if he wasn't sure of his decision, but, everything passed through the wolf boy like a blur. The sirens started to blare in his ears, and it took the would be king a minute before he knew for sure he was back in the hanger. He could feel the tears slipping down his cheeks. "You're better than that now. You can't hold onto this, either. Otherwise, what you fear will take you over." Conrí chuckled a little. He kissed Jason softly on the cheek. "Who you were helped you change into who you are. That's strength, because you changed in spite of it." He pulled Jason into a brief hug. "But, what's really cool a stór, is that I get to be there for what you will become, and, I believe who you are now will win."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 9, 2018 21:09:57 GMT -5
Conrí's reaction was all Jason needed to start crying with relief and release of the fear. He had already told him about his past, but hearing about it and experiencing it were two different things. His smile hopefully removed any chance that his love would interpret the tears badly, but he didn't speak yet for fear of his voice breaking. Suddenly the Alyson's speakers kicked on by themselves, soft static before switching to a familiar song. Jason listened to the intro before chuckling through the first few lines, finding his voice for the second part. "♪No one told me I was going to find you, Unexpected What you did to my heart. When I lost hope, You were there to remind me This is the start...♫"He stopped then just as the chorus began, choosing instead to kiss his love once more. Maybe the ship liked him a bit after all...
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Post by Conrí on Sept 9, 2018 21:25:42 GMT -5
Conrí saw that Jason was smiling and crying, too. The wolf boy forgot about his own tears and started to wipe away Jason's with his thumb. When a song started to play, the would be king stared at the ship quizzically, but didn't think about it too much.
He smiled a bit at the song, realising that it was fitting. When Jason kissed him, it wasn't fiery passion that burned through Conrí, but understanding and connection. He paused for a moment. "Wait, a stór." His voice sounded off.
"I don't think I can show you this without Fen, and he's a bit...miffed at me at the minute, though he hopes you're doing well." The wolf boy blushed a bit. "Anyway, you know that I understand your fears. That's not just because of what happened to my world. Actually, if I don't keep my darker impulses in check, I turn into a dark wolf."
He grabbed Jason's hand. "It hasn't happened, but, Tori nearly made me make that mistake." Conrí breathed a bit. It was his turn to be nervous.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 9, 2018 21:38:59 GMT -5
Jason listened to Conrí carefully as he shared his own secret, one that Jason could relate to fully. They both had their inner demons to fight it seemed, but at least they could fight them together. "I understand, lilulf. And if you want, I can try to help you with that Darkness. I am a literal born master of it, after all." He smiled again at his joke, hoping it would help his love to know he accepted him completely.
After a moment he spoke again, slowly at first. "You know, Lucia used to have a similar issue before she could use Twilight. Back then the Light and Darkness in her were tied to her emotions, forcing her to stay neutral or risk death. Even after she made it past that point her Darkness would occasionally spiral out of control into what she called her Darkside. Once you two start training you might bring this up with her, since that seems to mirror you so well."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 10, 2018 3:35:18 GMT -5
Conrí had closed his eyes and was still shaking, despite Jason taking everything in stride. The wolf boy semi barked out a laugh, nd for once kept his witty comeback to himself.
The would be king nodded a bit once Jason mentioned what Lucia had gone through. "I guess between the two of ye, maybe I'd be the world's first dark wolf who could heel on command." Conrí winked,and then remembered his vision right before Jason got hit by Tori. The thought made him start crying again. He grabbed Jason into a hug, and whispered in his ear, "Tá bron orm, a stór." His apology made him cry harder. "All that stuff with Tori. I tried. I tried so hard, and, it just feels like it's all my fault."
The wolf boy let go of Jason, laughing a little. The song from before repeated, and, Conrí took a deep breath. "I know that was absurd for me to say. It still hurts, but, I have you, and so far, you're pretty good about easing that pain, chuisle." The would be king leaned in toward Jason and kissed him hard, enough so that when he pulled away, Conrí felt dizzy and needed to catch his breath. "If memory serves, we were about to watch a movie with popcorn, and, it was going to be the scary one," he said with a wink, wondering just how fast his crimson eyed love would call the bluff.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 10, 2018 7:50:25 GMT -5
Jason grinned at the wolf-king, as he winked at him, only to suddenly be hugged once more as his love burst into tears again. He rubbed his back soothingly as he listened, speaking comfortingly once his worries were made clear. "Hey, nothing about that was your fault. And," he let out a sigh as he decided to be honest with himself as well, "it really isn't her's either. Memory magic can be horrible to deal with, and there's clearly something that even she doesn't know going on. But I don't blame you for failing. How could I, when I failed too? Nearly ten years I've been traveling the worlds, and even I couldn't help her. We'll just have to trust the sisters. They're both far more powerful than me anyhow, so I doubt we need to worry."
Jason was rewarded for his efforts with a passionate kiss, making the heat rise within him again in a different way before Conrí mentioned their date. "That's right! The clone was smart enough to toss that popcorn in the stasis box before we left, so it should still be warm too." One of his eyebrows rose at the mention of the scary movie though. "The horror film huh? How about we don't go for the one that'll make us feel something I at least have had enough of for a while?"
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Post by Conrí on Sept 10, 2018 9:45:51 GMT -5
Conrí smiled, and wiped at his eyes to remove the tears. He was about to stand, happy that Jason's face seemed to light up when he was reminded of their date, and Fen's voice came to him like a sledge hammer. The voice was loud enough that the wolf boy had to rub his head.
WARN ME THE NEXT TIME YOU'RE GOING TO GO OFF ON YOUR OWN! Ye aren't a damned newborn pup anymore, well, at least, any time I start to think that, ye do something stupid, eejit of a boyeen. The wolf just popped out from his world, and growled at Conrí. This wasn't the first time the would be king had seen Fenrir this angry at him, but, it was enough to give him a start. The wolf sat in front of Conrí and placed his head on the boy's shoulder. I'm sorry. I was worried, too.
I'm sorry, too. Conrí hugged the wolf, expecting him to go back to his realm.
Instead, Fenrir trotted over to Jason. He looked into the man's crimson eyes, and pressed his forehead against Jason's. He whimpered a little, his tail wagged a bit, and then he licked Jason's cheek. Fenrir kept his forehead pressed against Jason's for a minute. Lad, I hope you can hear me, if not, I'll have Conrí relay this, but, for a pup, you are strong with a good heart. Suitable for my king, and suitable for my companionship. I know he's scared of himself right now, because he's heard the stories from me of the hell wolves that just lose themselves completely when they transform, but, you will be able to bring him back from it. With that, this wolf should let the pups play in peace.
Fenrir looked at Conrí again and growled a little, but, the wolf boy was too shocked at what just happened to see the flames of mischief dancing in the wolf's eyes before he left. The would be king cleared his throat, stood to his feet, grabbed Jason's hand and helped him to his feet. Conrí laughed a bit when Jason had raised his eyebrow and shot down his horror movie idea. "Fair enough. Ye're too sharp, a stór," he said as he led them back to the living room, "You probably figured out by now that I was just using it as an excuse to squeeze you tight and not let go. I'd probably be a good source of craic for ye like that, though."
Conrí knelt down in front of the TV and movie collection, he put the box with the ring on it back in its spot. He looked over the movies again, not sure if he wanted a comedy or an action movie now, but, he did put back his initial option. The wolf boy turned to Jason, and, instead of asking him what movie he wanted to watch, like his intention was, he asked, "So, are you an option yet?" He kissed Jason's forehead, backed away, winked, and said, "Sorry, you're distracting. In all seriousness, I can't narrow the options down, so, why don't you pick some, and I'll see if something from that list jumps out at me."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 10, 2018 14:48:19 GMT -5
Jason very nearly used Darkness Falls to shrink into the ground when Fenrir approached him, only to completely shock hi by showing affection and somehow managing to communicate with him. The surprise kept him from reacting until the wolf had already left again, at which point all he could do was look at Conrí in confusion. "Um, I think he just gave me his blessing or flirted with me. Possibly both."
He allowed the incident to fade to the back of his mind as the wolf-king still before him helped him to his feet and they headed back toward the living room. He grabbed the popcorn out of the stasis box as they went through the kitchen, still hot and slightly soft from the butter. "While the idea of you all over me is appealing, I don't want to be reminded of what just happened, and," his voice softened, becoming tired for a moment, "I've seen enough death for a while, after last week."
His somber mood didn't last long, quickly being lifted by his love's casual flirting and kiss. Once Conrí looked through the selection again and tried to put the decision on Jason he knelt down and separated out the comedies. "Let's watch something happy. I usually don't watch this kind of thing though, so you'll have to find one for us." He ended with a wink, having successfully deflected the choice back again.
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Post by Conrí on Sept 10, 2018 15:27:03 GMT -5
Conrí's jaw dropped a little when Jason explained what Fenrir did. "He--he what?" the wolf boy finally asked once he could take in what happened. He gave Jason a weird look when he mentioned what happened last week. The would be king could tell that it was extremely troublesome, but, because his love didn't open it up any further, Conrí just placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and looked at him with empathy.
He sighed,sticking out his tongue at Jason's wink. Just comedies, which, Conrí even admitted was hard for him to focus on. I don't watch comedies, either, but, I've a feeling if someone doesn't choose, we'll be stuck here all night passing the choice back and forth. For once, calling on Fen felt weird, and, to Conrí's shock, the wolf didn't respond. Eventually, Conrí pulled out a few of the movies that had a goofy, charismatic actor on them. Something about the actor just made the would be king happy. One had the man with a mask, another had the man with a really ridiculous hairdo, and the last one had his face split in two. Once he made his selections, the wolf boy slid back to Jason, gesturing with his hand at the narrowed down movie. "No more deflections, whichever one you pick is the one we watch."
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Post by Ziya on Sept 10, 2018 16:21:52 GMT -5
Jason grinned at Conrí's choices as the memories came back from his childhood. "How could I have forgotten about this guy? Even I used to love his movies." As he looked between them trying to decide he kept coming back to the one with the ridiculous hairdo, finally grabbing it and putting it in the player. "Let's go with this one, since you've got your own animal side."
He quickly grabbed a bowl of popcorn, making sure it was the one made for him, since his had garlic mixed into the butter, and sat on the couch to turn the television on. A dozen hidden speakers in the walls came to life with the screen, nearly too loud before Jason adjusted it and started the movie. He had fought through many, many things the past few weeks. Sitting here, with Conrí, he could believe it was worth it.
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Post by Conrí on Sept 10, 2018 16:55:13 GMT -5
Conrí waited patiently on the couch, watching Jason closely. In truth, he was somewhat fascinated by the technology a bit, but, he tried to let his marveling stop. It wasn't like he'd never seen a movie -- the druids made sure to educate him on how to interact in the strange human world, in the hopes that being able to connect with his human side would drive back the other beast-like urges--but, it was a rare thing, to be able to hear something hum to life.
The wolf boy chuckled when Jason sat down next to him, "You're lucky I'm not part vampire," he said with a wink, looking over at Jason's popcorn. He dug through his own popcorn, munching on it as the film came to life. Conrí unconsciously laid his head down on Jason's chest, and snuggled up close to him. Laughter would be good for them both, just going off of what had happened earlier that day, not including whatever had happened to Jason in the weeks prior. The actor in the film really was quirky, and the would be king quickly realised what Jason's initial comment meant. He chuckled a little and waited for a not crucial part of the film to say, "Well played, a stór. But, I'm not a lap dog."
He couldn't remember laughing so hard throughout a movie before, and, being with Jason just made it better, because his crimson eyes danced, and his laugh filled Conrí's ears like a song. He didn't want this moment to end. Not just yet. Even Conrí could tell there had been too many battles lately.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 10, 2018 20:37:09 GMT -5
The film was just as funny as Jason remembered, even though he quickly remembered most of the plot by the time the first scene had finished. By the end of the movie he had put aside his worries, fears, and memories. Watching it had brought back memories of years ago, before everything had changed, and juxtaposed with now brought him a strange sense of closure. It was as if he had finally come full circle in life, at least for one day.
As the credits rolled he looked past his empty bowl to Conrí, recalling what he had said during the film itself with a smile. "No, you're definitely no lap dog lilulf. You're a wolf, and I wouldn't have it any other way." He bent his head in an attempt to kiss his love, but the angle proved to be too much and he fell between Conrí and the back of the couch instead, roaring with laughter at the mistake. Somewhere in the fall his hair had come loose as well, but he didn't care as he stared at the wolf-king with his left arm over his forehead and a gentle smile on his lips. "As much shit as we've gone through, it was worth it to meet you."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 10, 2018 21:08:09 GMT -5
Conrí looked up at Jason when he made his remark about the boy being a wolf. Conrí wanted to move, but noticed Jason was trying to move, too, only to fall off the couch. A roar of laughter followed, and, when the would be king turned to check on his love, he was distracted by Jason's hair.
"Aye, it was a right hoot we dragged ourselves into, but, ye seem to be worth it." Conrí stuck his tongue out at Jason, then joined him down on the floor. "Way to change the meantime of let your hair down, chuisle." The wolf boy winked, softly kissed Jason's lips, and brushed some of his hair out of his face.
It dawned on the wolf boy that he might want to ask about staying in the guest room, but, he eyed the movie collection again. "One more, or did you have something else in mind?" The would be king cleared his throat, with a bit of a blush on his cheeks. "Also, a stór, should I plan to go soon?" He knew the question was slightly stupid, because he had no where else to go, but, if Jason wasn't comfortable with him spending the night, he wanted to know. "It's just...I know ye have a guest room, but, if ye would rather me not stay the night...if we keep watching movies or other things." Conrí realised he was fidgeting with his fingers and covered with an awkward heat.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 10, 2018 21:53:40 GMT -5
Jason loved the was Conrí looked at him before teasing him and laying down. After that the kiss was just icing on the cake. "We can watch another if you want, but you're picking it this time." He glanced over at Conrí as he cleared his throat, then looked at him strangely as he asked quite possibly the oddest question he'd ever heard. It would have made sense, if Conrí had anywhere to go and they weren't already so close. And as for the guest room...
Jason waited until he stopped talking and blushed before replying with a chuckle. "Lilulf, you don't need to go anywhere. We aren't teenagers living with our parents after all. But," he chose his words carefully as a faint blush appeared, "I'd rather you stay with me tonight instead of the guest room." The color in his cheeks dramatically increased as he rushed to continue. "I don't mean that in a suggestive way, not unless you want to! I just... don't want to be alone tonight."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 11, 2018 5:04:02 GMT -5
Conrí nodded a little, moving away from Jason to have a look at the movies. His eyes fell on the animated section, and, he spotted one, pulling it out to reveal two people standing on a pathway with a rather strange and round purple two headed dragon next to them. "This one?" He asked, showing his love, who was giving him quite the perplexed look.
It dawned on the wolf boy that Jason knew he had nowhere else to go, and, he hung his head a bit when Jason explained that they weren't teenagers or children. When they crimson eyed one mentioned the guest room, Conrí had nearly nodded before he heard the rest of what Jason had to say.
Once it clicked into place, the would be king thought back to his mental come back earlier, in regards to what Tori said, and knew he had to be blushing furiously. He could understand not wanting to be alone, because it wasn't that uncommon for new druid trainees to huddle together at night like a pack, but, Conrí was still in a bit of shock to hear Jason be so forward.
Finally, the wolf boy calmed enough that he simply nodded. "Okay, chuisle mo chroí." After a brief silence, he whispered, "Thank you, because I really didn't want to figure something else out."
He opened the movie player and put the first movie back, put the new movie in, but didn't close the disk tray, in case Jason wanted to have him pick something else. It also occurred to Conrí that he was hungry again, but had had his fill of popcorn. "Ah, a stór, do you think we can order some food? All that running around made me want more than popcorn, and, as much as I enjoy your cooking, ye're taking it easy," he said rather sternly. "Besides, I've never really had anything like that happen before--food just appearing at the door." He pulled out his munny pouch, and said, very much exaggerated, like a kid in a candy store, "I can pay for it, so, can we, le do thooooooil?" Conrí had put his hands together and bounced up and down a little as he said please.
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Post by Ziya on Sept 11, 2018 13:34:31 GMT -5
Jason's blush most likely matched Conrí's for once as he nodded at the selection, but to his relief the wolf-king thanked him instead of teasing him. "Like I'm going to kick you out? You're stuck with me, and eventually the others, for a long, long time." He decided not to bring up exactly how long, remembering the reactions when the three found out they were functionally immortal. He also decided not to tease his love the next chance he had, out of gratitude for his own stumble.
That resolve was immediately tested once Conrí mentioned ordering food, suddenly acting like a young child at Christmas. He resisted though, standing instead and opening the drawer of the nearest end table and pulling out several delivery menus of various food types. "Sounds good, but you won't need to pay. Most of the places around here let us order once or twice a month free as thanks for protecting them a few times. Here," he handed the menus over to him, fanning them out to show the variety, "I like something from just about everywhere, so you get to pick this meal."
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Post by Conrí on Sept 11, 2018 14:13:58 GMT -5
Conrí closed the player, and took a minute to really take in what Jason said. "No, I guess I just wasn't thinking and wanted to make sure I wasn't cross any boundaries."
The wolf boy noticed that his love didn't respond to the obvious opening he'd left the man. He sighed slightly when Jason explained that Conrí wouldn't need to pay for the food. "What if I want to pay? This is a date, isn't it?" The would be king looked over the menus. In truth, it all looked good, but he settled on a spicy curry, and then passed the menu with the curry in it to Jason.
Conrí settled himself on the couch again. "I hope you don't mind calling in the order, a stór, I wouldn't know what to say."
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