zenitsu.

[oathic]

Comments

[swordflash]

[that makes luna's condition out to be worse and more worrisome. inwardly, zenitsu frets. nic is strong and will surely make a swift recovery, but what about luna?

and what about . . . ]

Is she okay? Brilith, I mean.

[oathic]

You didn't attack her, if that's what you mean.

[swordflash]

No, that's not it. Lately, she's had a strained look about her. Is she going to be all right?

[oathic]

... You're very kind to worry about her, Zenitsu.

[swordflash]

[that doesn't answer the question. he slumps where he sits.]

I guess I should be worrying about tomorrow first.

[still . . . ]

[oathic]

[brilith is not okay and probably never will be but agni can't exactly say that.]

Everyone is rooting for you.

[swordflash]

[so fix it.]

They are? Really?

[or is agni making that up? he isn't so sure these days.]

[oathic]

[they're? kind of beyond fixing?]

Of course. No one wants you to die, Zenitsu.

[swordflash]

[fix it.

but he already died.]

As long as we locate the source and stop the house . . . If it won't stop Anya, Ayabe, Isaac, and everyone else from coming back, I'll accept whatever happens tomorrow.

[if he ends up dying even after doing his best, that's fine. never mind that he's started shaking again.]

[oathic]

[...]

I think your mentor would be proud of you right now.

[swordflash]

[maybe it's the mention of his grandfather. maybe it's the proposed fact that said grandfather might be proud of him. either way, fresh tears collect in zenitsu's eyes as his expression scrunches into one of unadulterated grief, then fall.

he cries. just like the night he regained his sense of self and cried until he couldn't cry anymore for the people he hurt, he cries.]

[oathic]

[...

there isn't much he can do, given zenitsu's imprisoned state, and so for now, he waits for zenitsu to let it all out.]

[swordflash]

[it's not like his usual cries, where he screams and yells. it isn't a silent crying spell, either, but it's subdued for a multitude of reasons. eventually, the waterworks lessen and he wipes his face rather ineffectually.]

Sorry. You came to talk and all I've done is cry.

[oathic]

You have more than enough reason to. Don't feel the need to hold it in.

[swordflash]

But it's weird . . . I'm letting it all out while you're still holding everything in.

[isn't he? isn't agni? it's not the place of a child to pry into a grownup's affairs, but didn't they both suffer a traumatizing night the other day?]

[oathic]

[...]

This isn't a time where you need to be worrying about others, Zenitsu.

[swordflash]

[maybe he doesn't need to. tomorrow is important, after all. but he wants to.

he lowers his head, because all this trembling is starting to get to him.]

I'm always worrying about myself. Can't I worry about others, too? It's not like I can do anything else in here.

[oathic]

[... it's funny how the world works, sometimes. zenitsu, who has more reason to be furious with agni than anyone, is also one of the only ones to say kind words to him tonight, rather than harsh ones.]

Well, I'm pretty old, you know? Maybe all my tear ducts have dried up.

[swordflash]

Have they really? I mean, you were on fire yesterday. Now your hair's long.

[he doesn't understand all that happened, even though he remembers everything. but he does understand that agni saved his life. whatever happens tomorrow, yesterday he was saved.]

[oathic]

Ah, so it is. [he reaches up to tug on a strand.] I regained one of my powers as a reward, so that's what happened.

[swordflash]

There was a reward like that?

[that explains a lot.]

It felt like you were fire itself. You really are a god, huh . . .

[oathic]

Well, that's not wrong. [he literally is the fire of his universe, so.] But yep. Surprise!

[swordflash]

[that wasn't a surprise. he's known for weeks. don't try to be funny now.]

You're not what I would've pictured for a god of fire. But if it's you, I think we'll definitely be all right.

[oathic]

I get that sometimes.

[he blinks, surprised.]

What do you mean?

[swordflash]

You're here.

You didn't have to come. But you did, because you're always looking out for everyone. You won't leave anyone behind if you can help it.

[he's not very smart, so it's hard for him to judge whether agni's plan to thwart the monster was ideal or not. he can understand the intention, though, and that agni has a kind heart.]