exsiliumlogs | [closed] WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS FAMILY TOGETHER

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[closed] WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS FAMILY TOGETHER

Date & Time: 02/02 morning
Location: Koltira's cabin
Characters: Bariyan e Kodhi (

stonefaith), Martin Darkov (

theguideless), Koltira Deathweaver (

deadelfwalking)
Summary: awkward undead reunions after those pesky living timeswaps have left
Warnings: N/A

[ Bariyan knocks on the door. Then, expecting Koltira to be uncooperative, he immediately says: ]

I was going lock myself away for the whole day and drink, but I decided to come see you instead. And I will see you. You'll have to open this door eventually.

[ Bariyan pauses. He'd already started drinking earlier and had only stopped halfway through the trip here and he may still be a little bit drunk, okay.

He looks down at Martin beside and a little behind him, and sighs. ]

Martin's here, too.

[ you are not turning Martin away, please ]

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[HE IS ABOUT TO OPEN THE DOOR, but then he hears that Martin is there, and he stops, hand hovering over the doorknob. He mutters.]

Turn around, you two. Go home.

[ah...

Martin tenses a little, trying to keep his face as level as he can, but truth be told he is nervous. nervous that he's not going to be able to set things right.

he swallows. a breath. it keeps the rattle out of his voice.]

Please let us in. We want to see you.

[ Bariyan steps back and crosses his arms, unimpressed. ]

No.

[ THAT'S ALL HE HAS TO SAY. He figures that Martin's plea will get them in, if everything. ]

[He frowns VERY DEEPLY, but both of them sound pretty stubborn. At length, he unlocks the door and opens it, though his expression is neutral as he steps back to let them in.]

If you insist, then.

[he holds his breath at the click of the door, eyes shooting right up to Koltira's face the second he sees him.

it's him – the him he's known all along. he...was expecting it, given Bariyan's back to the way he was, but expectations and reality...

his mouth quirks a little. he's...shamefully relieved. but it's a feeling that's liable to die right quick under that heavy atmosphere.]

Koltira...

[ Bariyan hesitates to stare, too. He understands that he's been gone for a bit... and so had Koltira. That was the last thing he remembered -- Brightdawn.

Bariyan sighs. Not that he'd been expecting to find Brightdawn out here. ]

Martin asked to come. [ said pointedly, as Bariyan steps inside, past Koltira. ]

[Their looks don't do much to help his mood. He sits down heavily at the table in the center of the room, then gestures for the two of them to do the same.]

Like everyone else, I am back to way I always was. Koltira Brightdawn died years ago.

[once he's trailed in behind Bariyan, Martin takes a moment to glance about. he does a bit of double-take at the gesture before understanding it.

he quickly moves over and climbs into the seat, fingers clutching the edge of the table.]

I saw you that way, too. You and Bariyan.

[ Bariyan takes his seat, keeping his hands in his pockets. ]

As I figured. I hope no one told him that.

[ NO COMMENT ON HIMSELF. He doesn't remember anything, he's not sure that he wants to. That's a problem that a sober Bariyan can deal with later. ]

No one told him. [he turns his eye on Martin, nodding.] Yes, I recall. I recall the whole week.

[It's difficult for him to look at Bariyan because of this. He keeps remembering the skittishly affectionate man that Bariyan used to be--and what they did together. It's making his stomach churn. He clears his throat.]

But that's all done now.

You do? [Martin's surprised. no one else had, as far as he knew.

it's kind of a relief. but...strange. his fingers tense and ease their grip on the table, and he flickers a glance to Bariyan. he didn't.]

[ Bariyan raises an eyebrow. ]

Well then. I hope whoever came to take my place treated you well. [ would have probably acted better than Bariyan himself had, anyway. He holds his past self in rather high esteem. PAST SELF WAS USUALLY NOT DRUNK AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY. ]

[if by 'treated well' you mean 'almost had sex with', then yes. Koltira shuts his eyes.]

As I said, it is in the past now. Let's leave it there.

[a lapse.

but the longer it goes on, the more antsy Martin gets. he sits up a bit, propping some of his weight up on his hands. it's been building up for a long time, this thing.]

Koltira, can I– [whoa, a little loud. he grimaces a little, toning it down, sitting back down.] I...I wanted to apologize. Please.

[ Leaving things in the past sounds like a good idea to Bariyan, at this point -- though Koltira's non-answer worries him a little.

He looks to Martin, instead. He hadn't been sure why Martin wanted to come along. Hadn't asked. So this is all a pleasant surprise to him.

Bariyan glances back to Koltira, briefly, and then gets up. GONNA JUST help himself to some of your alcohol in the meanwhile thanks a lot Koltira ]

[Koltira stares down at the woodgrain on his table.]

That's not necessary, Martin.

[He glances back at Bariyan.] Bring me one as well, if you would.

[Martin looks pained, kind of ducking his head in an attempt to catch his glance before it's gone away.

why?

he slumps in his seat, fingernails scratching a little at the table, looking down unhappily.]

[ FROWN. Obviously disapproving frown at Koltira. Come on, man, he wants to talk to you, don't just shut him down like that.

But Bariyan refrains from saying anything for the moment. He grabs two bottles, and tosses one to Koltira before sitting down again. He reaches out and ruffles Martin's hair as silent encouragement before setting to work on his drink. ]

[Koltira looks from Martin to Bariyan; exhales slowly.]

Martin ... what is it?

[the contact is comforting, getting Martin to look up – Bariyan's way first, then Koltira. his mouth twitches a little as he works to think to make...the thoughts words.]

Mmh, well, I... [look at him go, unable to get what he wants out when given the chance.] I remembered. I remembered what you did to help me. [flickering a glance to Bariyan.] Both of us.

I forgot about it for a while. That's why...I was afraid.

[ Much better, Koltira. Bariyan leans back in his seat, drinks steadily, and listens. For a bit.

He knows he oughta just shut up and let Martin talk, but he can't really help himself. ]

You're not afraid anymore, then?

It's all right, Martin. You have reason to fear. I am ...

[he takes a drink; stares into the bottle.]

It's not safe to be around me.

[he watches for a length while trying to get some structure out of his thoughts. lots of bustling notions, not a lot of straight talk.]

But there's...reasons to not fear, too. [his hand reaches up to scratch at his forehead.] The ones I forgot, I mean. I didn't know I forgot until I was called again. Then I remembered. [his fingers pinch a length of hair for a moment before dropping, looking from Bariyan to Koltira again.]

That's...why I'm sorry. That I didn't remember. I won't let it go away again. I mean, I don't want to... [his face flushes a bit, starting to get a twinge in his stomach, making him feel foolish.] I'll write it, or...I mean, I'll just remember this time. So that even if I get scared I can remember there's still a lot to not be scared of.

[he flickers glances between his hands on the table and Koltira, licking his lips.]

I just...wanted you to know that. I couldn't stand not being able to say...

[Ah, Martin; always so distressed. It pains Koltira to see. He doesn't blame the boy for anything, and never has.]

I understand what you're saying. You don't need to work so hard for me.

[He sets his hand on the table, palm up and open.]

I only want you to be comfortable, Martin. To be happy.

I will be! [as he says that, Martin sits up to reach over and grasp at the hand, around icy fingers. it's not so bad if he squeezes tight enough to justify the cold to his skin.

besides, he's energized.]

I'm working hard for that...To be so much better than before. So you don't have to worry. Or be unhappy. When you see me.

[his glance flickered to Bariyan during that. you, too. neither of you have to be sad on my account.]

[Whoah, little buddy, he hadn't meant for you to touch his hand! But he stays still regardless, leaving Martin free to pull back whenever it becomes too uncomfortable.]

I'm never unhappy when I see you. I like to see you. [He smiles weakly.] Very much so.

[ WELL Bariyan's finished his drink by then, and the bottle sits empty next to his elbow on the table. He watches the exchange between Martin and Koltira in silence, having no input of his own -- having no part to play, really. Except that of a vaguely pleased observer.

Koltira really does look much nicer, smiling like that.

Bariyan sighs, leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms. He offers Koltira a slight smile. ]

Come and visit more often, then.

Yes. [it's a little delayed, distracted by the need to look at Bariyan at the sound of his voice, but no less eager. Martin sits back in his chair proper, letting the hand go and sending his back to the edge of the table.

the smiles are a big help.]

If you come by, you can see what I've been working on. [his eyebrows lift with an idea.] Or...I could show you, I think. Do you know about cranes? [he looks at Bariyan quickly to see if he remembers. back to Koltira:] Do you have paper?

Ah--certainly. One moment.

[Koltira shoves back from the table and gets up, disappearing briefly into the adjoining room. When he returns, he's carrying a stack of cream-colored parchment.]

Will this do?

[ Bariyan remembers, vaguely. He shifts his empty bottle all the way to the edge of the table in order to allow Martin more room to work. ]

You should explain the cranes again, I think. [ For Koltira's benefit. And also to refresh Bariyan's own memory. ]

They're birds. [he plucks a sheet off the stack, pressing it flat against the table.] Madoka says they're from her world. I don't know if they're everywhere. [his mouth tugs; he wouldn't know the difference between one or the other.] I don't know what they really look like, but she showed me how to...make one out...of paper...

[his voice staggers a little at the end only because he's trying to do two things at once – not something he's all that good at. so he gets quiet a minute once he's made a couple and stops, trying to remember what was next.]

Uhm...And then, she said...you make a thousand of them. And you get a wish.

I've heard of them. They weren't common where I lived, but I read stories. Long-limbed, elegant birds. [He watches Martin work, thinking.] Do you know what you'll wish for?

[ Bariyan watches Martin make the crane, small fingers folding through paper, all single-minded concentration. He picks up one of the cranes. It's a little heavier in his palm than expected. Probably the paper's fault. He tries to catch Koltira's eye, pushing the crane across the table towards him.

As he waits for an answer to Koltira's question, Bariyan asks his own. ]

How many have you and Madoka made so far?

[it's more a crane if you know what to look for, given how, uh...crooked and crinkled some places are – Martin's done a lot of double-backing and second guessing, not a hundred percent sure of the process on his own.

but second time's a charm, right? he thinks so...wait, no, he needed to fold it the other way.

slightly distracted:] Uhm... [he stops, just to answer, smiling small and crooked.] I think so, maybe. But I have a lot of time to think about it...

[his eyes flicker over to Bariyan, and his expression gets blank for a moment as he's forced to math. math...]

Uh... [maaaath.] I think I did...fourteen? I think. Madoka did more. She's really good at it.

You have a ways to go. [He examines Martin's product with a critical eye, nodding.]

But I'm sure you will get there soon enough. You can take this paper, if it suits you. It was just something I had on me from when I was brought here.

[for writing letters to Thassarian. Obviously a moot point, now.]

I think we have paper enough back in the apartment. [ gently. COME ON, YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE A DUDE'S PAPER going straight for his drinks is a-ok though

He frowns at Martin. ]

Does that... actually work? The wish thing? [ magic...? magic...?? ]

[Martin opens his mouth to reply, but Bariyan fills in for him – and well enough; he would've felt bad, taking his stuff, even if offered. he nods to Koltira to confirm – yes, plenty of paper!

as for the wish.] Uhm, well...

[he is quiet for a moment, trying to get a particularly tricky bit of folding done – almost done. but he stops so he doesn't mix up steps or words.]

I don't really know. She said it's a legend...So, maybe? [he squints at the both of them, not sure.]

[Koltira's ears bend at their tips, because he is a fancy elf and it is rude to refuse gifts, but he only murmurs.]

Legends often have truth to them.

[ True as that may be, Bariyan really doesn't about this legend. But he figures he's got a long enough time to try and gently let Martin down -- if Martin actually starts to believe in it.

He settles for vague. ]

Maybe. [ a wry smile. ] You'll find out if you keep at it long enough, anyway.

[he makes an absent sound, face scrunching up without thought as he tries pressing the whole thing down so everything's as creased as he can get. when he bends the wings and gets it in what he's sure is good order, he turns it...and pulls another face.

this one's got a gimp wing. oops. he disowns that one quickly, leaving it on the table and bringing his hands to the back of his neck, sucking in a long breath.]

I should get better after a while, I think... [more like i hope.]

[Koltira picks up the discarded crane; turns it over in his hands.]

May I keep this one?

[ Bariyan laughs lightly at Martin's embarrassed reaction, then stuffs his knuckles into his teeth to muffle himself. Oops. RUDE. ]

You'll have to teach us, once you get better.

That one? [but...it's all janky.] I can make a better one for you, though...[he loses whatever else he was going to say with that, looking to Bariyan, blinking.]

Oh– [another blink, looking between them.] If you want me to, I can try. [looking up with thought.] I can write it down...[smaller:] That actually might help me better anyway...

[still holding the crane.] I would take another as well, of course. But I think I'd still like to keep this one, if it's all the same to you.

[ Bariyan glances idly around the apartment, trying to imagine where Koltira would put the cranes. To Martin: ] Go ahead.

[his head dips a moment, feeling a bit self-conscious.] It's fine. But I'll make a better one, too... [so ~~that sad-looking thing has something to look even sadder next to~~ he doesn't seem like a cruddy gift-maker? something like that.

he folds his arms on the table, almost dropping his head against them, but thinking against it. he's not bored, just...all craned out, certain they'd just get sadder if he went on trying with an audience.

his mouth quirks for a second, thinking on how strange it is to be sitting around playing with paper after all that's been said and done up to then.]

[The cranes will be placed on his bedside table, of course!! He smiles at Martin's permission, and sets the crane aside for the moment.]

I'd be happy with whatever you create, Martin.

You'd better be. [ Bariyan raises his eyebrows at Koltira as if just daring him to say otherwise, but there is, of course, no actual threat behind his sentiment. Koltira might be sweeter on the boy than Bariyan himself is. ]

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[closed] WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS FAMILY TOGETHER

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