ellipsanet | un: 76 || text

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un: 76 || text

Take this as more a confirmation being made if need be, but—

What does it mean when a Command Seal, or whatever you might call it, vanishes completely without a Spell being used?

[Sure, there'd only been one left out of three, but he was damn sure he hadn't used it. The other two only used when asked- well, the second only used when asked since the first had been to save the guy's life.]

If it makes it any easier to answer, I'm the guy Napoleon calls Grandpere.

[... Still felt as if he already knew the answer, but rather not leave it to just a feeling.]

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Fortunately I was going out on a job with Napoleon- he literally carried me home.

[And was a big factor in to why the man hadn't said anything to him about going out when-]

Trust your word on it. Might take a bit, but I've got the time to let it work; no rush on my end.

No, seems like it missed him which is good. Better just one of us than both.

[ Napoleon literally carried 76 home? Knowing how solidly built 76 is, that's no small feat. It's a testament to their bond, too—a bond severed by what is hopefully only a temporary death.

He's relieved that the disease missed Turo, agreeing, ]

Yeah. It's not the sort of thing you want to see a loved one suffer.

I'll stop by as soon as I grab those groceries.

I'm just grateful he could take time off work to help make this easier to get through. Usually I don't get sick easily, but when I do it can take me down hard and quick with how my body reacts.

This has topped some of those times for sure.

[Fortunate still that being carried counted towards helping it slow down, too.]

Alright- and don't mind any barking when you knock. That's just Jacq and Grant, the winged huskies we've got.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll take their barking as a friendly greeting.

[ Soon enough, Reiner finishes grocery shopping, retrieving even the odder supplies. With those and a potion tucked securely in sturdy bags, he makes his way to 76's house, knocking firmly.

The barking that greets Reiner brings a little smile to his lips. Winged huskies, huh? He's eager to see them. ]

Edited 2023-08-16 01:18 (UTC)

More or less what it is- certainly don't need doorbells with a knock gets them going, which isn't a bad thing.

[The dogs could be heard coming from some other part of the house, as they barked all the way to the door. At least it was clear there was nothing aggressive about it; energetic yes, but more in the way of Door! Door! Someone at the door! than anything else. Not as loud as they could be, but loud enough, quieting down once they were shushed—]

Hey, kid.

[—and there was that warm greeting when 76 opened the door. Pale, tired- he'd definitely been going through it with the Frozen Heart ordeal, but hadn't been letting it stop him from doing things at home.

Still, Turo wasn't that far behind given the agreement being close was better to help deal with it.]

[ Turo was right behind, peering slightly over Jack's shoulder as his hands brushed along Jacq's head. He had met the young man once or so, just a wave while he was on his way home, asking about him to Jack later. It did not take too long to put together it was the same young man who had asked about Legendary Pokemon-- ]

[ --All already looked fully grown, but still was just a teenager, apparently. Yet the way he held himself reminded him of Jack's own usual stance... A military one, apparently?]

Sincerely, thank you for coming and bringing along this medication for us, along with the groceries. I have not felt comfortable leaving Jack alone, so we were somewhat in a bind to procure them ourselves.

[ Don't mind the Froakie climbing on the professor's shoulder and peering at you too. Ribbit. Meanwhile, Turo glanced at Jack. ...Maybe a visit from a friend was just what the Doctor ordered. ]

--Would you like to come in for a visit? I do not know if you brought your Turtwig with you, but you may as well join us for some tea or coffee.

[ Reiner smiles when he lays eyes on 76, although blond brows pinch slightly in concern. The state of the older man isn't pretty. Reiner is familiar with the frozen heart affliction, having suffered it himself and witnessed many others from his world dealing with the same. He knows how painful it is.

"Kid" is a title Reiner wouldn't tolerate from many. But from 76? It feels affectionate, not demeaning. ]

Hey, [ he greets, his eyes moving from 76 to Turo. ] Really, it's no trouble. My cousin and I both came down with the same thing; I know how rough it is.

[ And he knows how much touch can help, easing the worst symptoms. It's no surprise that Turo was reluctant to leave 76's side. Reiner would've been, too, if his touch had been able to genuinely help his cousin. ]

Coffee would be wonderful, thanks. I've got Panzer [ that would be his Turtwig ] in her little ball.

[ His eyes move back to 76, smile fading. ]

Let's get the potion in your system ASAP so it can get to work.

[ He'll just need to set down the bags so he can retrieve it. ]

Seeing how you're doing, glad that you both got through the end to get the cure. Ain't been fun, that's for sure.

[Grant, the winged husky with reddish-brown and white fur pushed up against the side of Jack that was free, panting heavily and staring up with ears perked at their 'guest' and tail wagging while the feathers of wings were a bit fluffed. No surprise that they held a little more left over energy than normal, given they couldn't be given the proper runs that the old soldier usually gave through the neighborhood- and then some.

Really had been a good idea to teach them both not to jump unless invited-]

Can set those bags down on the table inside and get to it- c'mon boys, give some room, you'll get attention soon. [Already moving to make room for Reiner to come in as he gestured for both Grant and Jacq to back it up as he spoke and moved.]

Howie and Flora are just inside, too.

[No fear of any animal or pokémon running out, given that was one of the first things he was sure to go over.

His head tipped towards Reiner, and there was a faint even if tired smile-]

And, so you know, in here you can call me Jack. No place safer than 'home' as far as I figure.

[Reiner was one of those he trusted enough, after all.]

yes that is an awful lonely heavy feeling its hard to see beyond it but i cant not remember in my case pushing forward is the only chance i have of reclaiming that happiness however much i have to fight and whatever magics i have to call upon that is all i can do keep going as long as i can hold my manifestation together

[She...hated fighting. The Holy Grail War, the Holy Grail itself and the Master-Servant system that allowed others to trample over her will, and hated jumping into worlds such as this one, so far from home- but it was all she had. It was the only way she could ever hope to reclaim her happiness.]

perhaps people only care so far as their voices are heard and so long as they have someone they can point their fingers at i have always said that the naive little girl i once was died the moment the gods twisted her heart but i wonder if part of her is still here somewhere she would be horrified if she could see that she became a witch mired in darkness like myself

[In the last world she'd been in, she saw an illusionary version of her childhood self- an illusion who had said as much. Was...part of that young Princess still sleeping inside her, all this time? Medea had long thought she had disappeared.]

they sought to cling to the symbol of a hero whilst in my world they condemned me as a symbol of the evils they suffered i couldnt go back he promised me everything i was ii was foolish to ever believe a word he said alone and with nothing despite everything after all of it was taken

[She still remembered those painful days at the end of her lifetime, where she wondered the world alone as a true witch-

Medea took a moment to write down the intel he provided into her notebook- that was definitely useful!]

i see thank you finding people to trust with such a thing is difficult isnt it have you been able to find reliable allies i have no intention of making a pact with anyone yet but if you need the support of a servant whilst yours is out of action then you have my number you are welcome to call on my power

[Not a formal pact- he already had a Servant, after all, and Medea was too paranoid to forge one with anyone immediately- but she could at least look out for him in Napoleon's place.]

Even broken memories can be important, no matter how the twisted points may hurt to pull through. Can be stronger, even with the hurt, and carry it through for why you keep going.

Some might call me an old fool if they knew what I was doing, chasing ghosts. Hasn't stopped me, and I can't let anything stop me

Back home I can't, at least. Makes me antsy here, restless.

[But here? He had somehow stumbled and fell into something that felt too good to be true, a few people he felt he could trust. Someone he cared for and cared for him in turn. Reason he wasn't solid ice at the moment, even. Peace he had given up to be what the world needed and wanted him to be.

Even now he didn't know what he did to wind up with it. Despite the restless anxiety... he'd fight to keep it, even with that bit of inner conflict of being here and the need to finish what he set out to do in his world.]

I hate to say it, simply because it means the same might hold true for me, that she may still be there. No matter how much we want to bury it- as if it's better to never face who we once were with who we are now.

I grew up on my family's farm, had a normal life, until a Crisis started that nearly wiped out all of humanity. Met a man in a program that enhanced me that I would have followed to hell and back.

Trusted him with my entire being, and overlooked too much because I believed him when he made a choice to do what he felt was needed. Defended him, acted as a shield

until I couldn't.

He was the last thing I saw before everything literally exploded around us, and I had to drag myself out of the rubble of everything we built together.

[Fear and realization, both had hit him when that bomb went off. Felt the heat and impact of it all.]

Very difficult, especially when there isn't anyone you know and do trust from your world around.

I've found a few; I live with one, and Napoleon is another. He has told me I could probably work with others like him because of my enhancements- be able to keep up and hold my own well enough to not slow them down. I also keep an eye on those who take up quests from the board, watch how they carry themselves and so on.

I appreciate the offer a lot, and in turn once I'm back to my usual I can offer my strength if you might need it.

Even if it's going into some places to help find something hard to get around here, or if you just need a hand to hold for a bit. My company sometimes comes with food since I can cook.

[And he meant it, better to reach out and know there may be a hand waiting. The weight behind her own offer understood.]

we cant afford to stop neither of us can if we dont keep going to achieve our wishes then there will be nothing left that does not make us foolish at least here i feel there are things i can do but it is overwhelming knowing where i should start

[In a way, it felt to her that if she ever stopped trying to fight her way home, the grief would shred her very Spirit Origin to pieces. She was still new to this world, and it would take time for her to build a base and find allies once again. Jack was ahead of her, in that regard.

As for his story...that made her wince, gripping her phone just a little closer as a swell of anger for his experiences rose up in her chest.]

and then you realised what sort of person he truly was im sorry nothing i can say will ease a wound like that when someone you trusted hurts you that deeply i was born the princess of the kingdom of colchis georgia as it is known now i trained in magic under the goddess hecate as her priestess and supported my family as best i was able and i was content with that but one day a greek hero favoured by the goddess aphrodite came to colchis on a quest for personal glory seeking the kingdoms most precious treasure my father refused his demands of course and presented him with impossible challenges to earn it but the goddess would have no such thing for her favoured hero she twisted my heart so that i would fall blindly in love with him so that i would betray my family and my homeland and aid this hero id never met in his wretched quest in turn he swore that should i help him then he would make me his wife when we returned to greece that i would have a home security and happiness at his side i gave up everything for him killed for him murdered my brother for him called on all of my dark magics and curses for him and once he had everything he wanted he tossed me aside insisting he could never make a murderous witch his wife one who wasnt eveen greek no less how could a foreign woman whod committed all that bloodshed possibly find a place in that land if not at his sside but icouldnt return after evertying i hadd done i shouldnever have trusted a wretched cowrd of a man to keep his word to me i burned everything he had and everyone he careed about to the ground and it still wasnt enough

[It was only after Medea had said all of that, that she began to wonder if she should have cut it back a little- or shouldn't have said any of it at all. Jack was someone who seemed to be fighting for the greater good- or, at least, was made to- whilst she...she was just a wretched woman, one who'd viciously betrayed her own family and killed numerous people for the sake of a man she had a deep, supernatural devotion to.

She was known as the Witch of Betrayal, after all.

And it stung to think of how he might react. But perhaps she should be used to it, by now, with the distain and suspicion that was normally afforded to her.

...She was overthinking, she knew it- giving herself cold feet from a lifetime of being treated as some awful witch.]

i only ask if you intend to condemn me efor that you atleast keepp whati have said to yourself

[Medea...probably should take a moment, get her typing back under control and respond to the rest. Even if he were to rescind his offer to support her after all.]

most of the people here from home are my enemies so i suppose for both of us it is a case of finding who we can trust and work well with here i would i would appreciate that

[Should the offer still be open.]

Coffee then. Allow me to prepare it while you go to the living room.

[ Turo offered a small smile, before turning himself, to head to the kitchen--

His eyes widening a little though as his steps slowed, hearing Jack... reveal his given name to the young man. The professor glancing back for a moment, towards their guest.

Surprised... but then relaxing a moment later, that smile now a bit wider as he continued on to the kitchen.

Jack must feel he could trust the young man, then. Or... perhaps Napoleon's loss made him regret not telling him his name? Regardless... Turo would take it both as a good sign, and that the young man was someone to truly trust. ]

Edited 2023-08-19 06:45 (UTC)

No matter what gets in the way, or sometimes who if they won't help.

Maybe stubborn, though.

Finding something you're good at, close to something you know, and then branching out from there can help a bit at least. Reason I started with quests, know I'm a good combatant and can track things down well enough.

[This... was the other side of a story he had read once, the name being familiar clicking into place as he read along. There were always two sides, and only one ever tended to be what was written down and remembered; history and myth alike.

The situation- even if it took a moment for him to continue his reply—]

I did, and that there were so many more willing to tear it all down and had rotted from the inside. gotten deeper than I thought.

You had choice taken from you, and were manipulated in more ways than one from the very start. The heart can make you do so many things when you are made to think and feel certain ways, capable of causing tragedies around that may not have happened otherwise.

Anger can do just as much, and turn into something dark and ugly- more so when hurt and all of that manipulation is suddenly there and the cause of it all

Because victors are who get to write the story, those will only see that.

I'll keep it locked up, and not going to close off anything on my end. I can understand, the lengths willing to go and the anger with it.

[There was a much bigger picture, and while with his own he narrowed it down, for others... no. Couldn't do that.]

I hope you can find some, trust is.. heavy and fragile after so much. If I can manage a few, you got a chance.

Just a call away, and I mean it about food, too. I'm best with meat dishes, but I know recipes from all over with how I traveled as a younger man and there was time to pick them up.

[That was-

Medea had been bracing herself for judgement. To be shut off out immediately, once he'd had time to read the truth- but that never came. Instead, all that came out once she'd waited long enough for his reply, was the same sincere understanding that Jack had given her this entire time. Understanding of her situation, the renewed offer for support, and the promise to secrecy-

And for the moment, it was all a little overwhelming. The first message coming through just a short one: ]

thank you

[A little time to compose herself later, and she finally took the time to respond to his message properly.]

i think focusing on learning the magic of this and keeping to my potion brewing is perhaps the best approach i can take for the time being after that perhaps look into those quests

[Although her Magecraft was powerful, she was in no hurry to rush into combat quests the way he had.

And once again, as she re-read what he had to say on her legend- she felt that little tremble in her hands. There was an understanding of the fate that had befallen her- one that she cursed, even now.]

And that is why you kept finding more names ? my name was written in legend when i finally took my vengeance on him when i became the witch of betrayal in the truest sense but yes it seems all my life people have exploited me for my magic tossed me aside when they have what they wish i know we cannot fight the whims of the gods should they chose to destroy our lives then there is little we can do you understand if it werent for that i doubt i would ever have become drenched in such dark magics as that

[She rarely took the time to defend herself- as she'd said at the start, there was little point to it when people had already made up their minds about her- but here...just a little slipped out.]

it is difficult but if you have succeeded so far and found trustworthy people here then perhaps i will be able to do the same allies who wont stab me in the back thank you again to tell you the truth my cooking is terrible so that would be most appreciated and do not hesitate to call on me if you need my magecraft or my power as a servant in the meantime

[Perhaps she was being overly cautious in thinking he would be at risk without his Servant- a little hint of the mindset from back home creeping back in- but well, Medea wanted to do what she could for him, all the same.]

[With everything he had seen, even done in all of these years in his own life as it was? They were things he could understand, the lengths gone to when believing wholeheartedly they were done for the right reasons... and how ugly reactions could be when it all finally crumbled.

Even knowing they weren't right, the weight it all seemed to carry for her now. What was turned to- well. He would take the thanks for what it meant, and keep it there.]

Better to get familiar with the magic here is a good thing to focus on. I tend to be more hands on and at this point I'm pretty alright with breathing fire and a few other things- I'm a Summer aligned.

The guild for the Season you're aligned with will have a lot more information on what you can do, and grounds you can practice on to help there. If you join that guild, they will give you access to a room there only you can enter- and only those you give access to it as well. They're pretty convenient.

[He used his for some of the longer quests, and for keeping some gear he didn't mind not being in immediate access that was better to keep in the Summer Guild room of his.]

It is. From other agents to handlers, and too many others. Someone got to a few of them first.

I was either a source of political gain, or political threat depending on the person and the day. Use me, or try to destroy me without coming off a making the attempt. I just wanted to help people, to recover from life as we knew it nearly being destroyed and give the best chance to prosper.

The you others can build up in their heads can be a dangerous thing all on it's own, no matter if they see you as good or bad when they've got a personal agenda.

Doesn't stop us from trying- even if it's just building back up from what's left of that.

There wasn't much, if anything else, for you to do. Similar circumstances, given what I've turned to back home- could have done the same as you.

[Took him a year to get his feet back under him, but the moment that he had Jack had broken into whatever facility he needed to; get the gear he needed, and did what he felt he had to do.]

Might take time, and get frustrating, but I hope someone surprised you- and you find others that will stand by you.

Knew someone who had the same trouble with cooking. Good meal can sometimes do wonders, and I cook in large servings out of habit- so you'll get leftovers to keep here and there. My offer will stand even once he returns, so you know.

I'll keep that well in mind, grateful for it.

[ Reiner can't guess the full significance of the offered name, "Jack" in place of 76. However, he does recognize it as significant. Something to use only within the safety of Jack and Turo's house. Something with which he has been entrusted. ]

Jack, [ he repeats, as if to solidify it. ] Got it.

[ Both the name and that it's something to only use here, not on a quest or over the network. 'No place safer than home,' indeed.

Reiner gives Turo an appreciative, ]

Thanks.

[ Then he steps inside while avoiding any paws, more focused on managing the groceries than on greeting the many-legged friends. He'll appreciate them soon enough. For now, his mind is on his current objective: getting that potion into Jack as soon as possible.

Reiner follows to the living room, setting down the bags and immediately fishing out the potion. ]

Here you go. [ He holds out the bottle. ] The smell alone started making me feel a little better.

[ Once opened, Jack will be hit with the scent of a warm fireplace during a winter night. ]

Thanks, Turo.

[A nod towards Reiner, letting the door shut and locking it just out of well kept habit. Would be walking towards the living room with him then, ruffling the fur between Grant's ears.

The Eevee perked up from he spot on a pillow she had claimed on the couch as the two of them entered, head settling on paws as Flora watched curiously. The rowlett was still very much looking like a sleeping ball on the back of a padded chair, not yet disturbed by the sounds of a visitor. A little nap after a snack, really. Howie would wake up soon enough.

Jack took the bottle, looking it over briefly.]

Thank you, too. Turo's been worried about this, and I can't blame him. Be in the same mess if it were him instead of me. [Jack could still manage a smile there.

The scent certainly hit him, in a good way. There were some good memories attached to that smell; he still had to take a breath before holding it up-] With a scent like that? Yeah, don't doubt it.

[Wasn't going to be an issue getting him to drink it down either.]

Yeah, I was pretty messed up when I realized my cousin had it.

[ Messed up enough that Reiner didn't hesitate before turning to the Scouts for aid, relying on their affection for his cousin, Gabi. Maybe he would've behaved differently if he hadn't also been sick. Then again, maybe not. For all that Reiner still believes there shouldn't be any affection between Gabi and their enemies, the fact remains that Hange—the Scout's Commander—is a certified genius.

If Hange couldn't whip something up in the nick of time, Reiner doubts many people could.

With the potion successfully handed off, Reiner turns his attention to the many-legged friends on all sides, a smile stealing across his face. ]

Oh, you're all so handsome, aren't you?

[ An immediate shift in tone, his deep voice switching to the soothing coo belonging to pet owners everywhere.

Sure, he's met most of them at least briefly while bringing his Turtwig over for playdates. But they remain handsome! ]

I can imagine, yeah. Was fortunate Turo was able to take off work for me, too. Would've been harder without him here with me.

[Of course there had been a fondness that took to some of Jack's tone, and the expression on his face when he looked towards the kitchen where Turo was making up coffee for them. Really...

He didn't know what would have happened if he didn't have the other to know he could lean on like this.

The bottle was set down as he let out a breath, hand idly moving over his chest and just- yeah, no. Reiner was right. He was already feeling a little better, but he figured it would take a moment or more to feel it more. Just enough of a noticeable, albeit subtle change he could notice with how bad it had gotten for him.

Grant and Jacq were both absolutely thrilled all the same, and Reiner was going to get that enthusiastic greeting they knew they were allowed once attention was on them. Happy dogs, with wings and on the larger side already as they grew.]

Looks like they're clearly happy to see you again, too.

[Flora would be there in a moment, she had to make a show of stretching and fluffing out fur, first.]

[ Without a hint of hesitation, Reiner squats down to give everyone a proper greeting, scratching heads and ruffling fur. The somber expression that took hold when he saw Jack's state gives way to a grin, cooing nonsense as he greets the dogs just as enthusiastically as they greet him.

When he looks up again, the smile remains, making him look more like his eighteen years. Noting the hand on Jack's chest, he asks, ]

Feeling a little better?

[Grant was right in there, tail wagging and feathers ruffled in that happiness while leaning into scratches and ruffling, and Jaqc not at all far behind. They were affectionate, and that fluff was there.

Soon enough there was even Juliana, the octocat peeking from where she had been napping high up on a shelf and making her way over with those eight limbs and paws to meow greeting from the nearby table. Fur a calico-like pattern of colors, and quite awake now. Even then there was Flora the Eevee joining right next to her, fluffed and almost chirping her own greeting- all of it waking up Howie as he made his way over with a ruffling of feathers.

Good to know they really did enjoy Reiner's presence when he came by for those playdates with Panzer.

Jack chuckled, the sound soft but so very warm, hand dropping away as he spoke.]

Definitely, and really- thanks again. We were in a pinch when it came to trying to get ahold of the stuff.

That's good. You should continue taking it easy and wait for his thriumphant return, then.

All I can do, really. That and plan a meal for that return.

[Upset? More than a little, but that didn't mean he'd do anything less so the man knew he was welcome back.]

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