Week Six

[letsplayamod]

You've survived, for lack of better wording, the latest week of trials and tribulations. This one had been more costly than most: Typhon's machinations have brought your group to nearly half the size it was when Athena first brought you to this island. Whether it ends with him or with you is still too soon to make out. One thing's for certain. Things cannot be allowed to continue as they are.

Speaking of continuing, the next floor has been revealed to you. Just how far down this island goes is a bit of a mystery, but you get the feeling that you're close to something important. Maybe that thing Athena wanted you to find before Typhon does. You can ruminate on that as you watch the waters below. Waves still lap at the cliffs, but it all seems lower than it did weeks ago. Like the ocean itself is shrinking...

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[stringup]

I-it doesn't matter when their voices are magically alluring!

[markofnobility]

Hmm, if you say so my dear.

[Clearly he would be immune!]

[stringup]

I'm serious...!

[ Normally she'd take it for the teasing it is, but one doesn't fuck around when there's Fair Folk (or something similar enough to them) about. ]

[markofnobility]

I won't go close, I promise! We have enough monsters showing up here without going for a swim with them.

[stringup]

[ That seems to have placated her, judging from how she leans against his shoulder. ]

And here I was thinking about sharing more of those scripture poems with you...

[markofnobility]

[it's probably a good thing he stopped singing, he thinks. He hasn't finished writing anything for a real serenade yet, after all! Stress is the killer of creativity, it seems.

But she knows him well enough to know that this is like a treat for a hound, and he is practically wagging with interest]

Oh?

[stringup]

[ Velvet, oblivious that Ferdinand has plans for that future serenade: ]

I found a book with all the Maiden scriptures in the library. Like the one I told you before.

[markofnobility]

Oh! How exciting! I would love to read more of them.

[stringup]

I'll share it with you later.

I just...well, remembered one that reminded me of you...

[markofnobility]

['I found a poem that reminded me of you' is such a classic romantic thing that he turns a dusty pink]

You did...?

[stringup]

[ Seeing Ferdinand turn pink is starting to make her turn pink herself. ]

Y-yes. If you'd like to hear it.

[ ...Which, let's be honest, she knows he definitely would, but she doesn't feel bold enough to recite it without a bit of prompting. ]

[markofnobility]

Please, I want to hear.

[stringup]

Then...

"Once, there was a maiden...
...who fled a shadow, in the company of a friend.
They travelled through strange places, and among strange people.
'How can you trust me,' he asked, 'with such horror behind you?'
'Love endures,' she said."

[markofnobility]

[His breath sticks in his throat, his expression so so soft]

Ah... that it does.

[he hopes at least. He hopes.]

[stringup]

...It's called the Scripture of the Bride.

[ Which she hadn't realised until just now, but she will just leave it hanging there for however Ferdinand wants to interpret it. ]

[markofnobility]

[Oh. His eyes are bright but also oddly sad. He snakes his arm around her, squeezing tight.]

And you deny being the romantic one.

[stringup]

[ She allows it, resting her head on his shoulder. ]

Certainly it pales in comparison to your romanticism.

...Yet why do you seem sad, dear?

[markofnobility]

[he doesn't answer at first, chewing his lip]

I fear I will disappoint you, once all of this ends.

[stringup]

[ She quietly reaches over to hold his hand, if he'll let her. ]

How so?

[markofnobility]

[he does, squeezing it]

Here in our little bubble, it is easier. If you ignore the deaths and threats on us. One day we'll leave. And I fear you might not like the man I am once you see more of me.

[A few weeks love affair fueled by trauma is not the same as months or even years.]

I fear one day you will resent me.

[stringup]

...You're sounding like me right now.

[ It feels almost bizarre, considering how she's normally the morose one, but...

...Yes, Ferdinand is an anxious man in his own way too. She's seen it in the times he suddenly grows self-conscious when he flounders while socialising, and in the way he always tries so hard to be Ferdinand von Aegir, as opposed to just Ferdinand. ]

What do you think I'll come to resent you for?

[markofnobility]

[Again he doesn't answer right away, brow furrowing]

Some foolish choice I might make. Or thing I will say.

Ha... after what you said to me in the channeling room I should not worry, I know. I think the last few weeks are simply grinding on me.

[stringup]

Better still that you voice them, instead of stewing in them for days and weeks until the pot spills.

[ She runs her thumb over his knuckle. ]

Would you resent me over some foolish choice I might make, or thing I will say?

[markofnobility]

No! No of course not...

[stringup]

Then why would I ever resent you for doing the same?

[ ... ]

I can't say we'll always be in agreement or never argue. We're both still different people at the end of the day, after all. But as long as you're still the man who wouldn't apologize for harbouring such affections towards me...

I will never fall out of love with you.