letsdeadaland | Wouldn't you like to use more than words?

The last thing you recall is likely your own death. Whether it was fast or slow, it's over now. And you're... where are you?

One moment, you were among the living. The next - you may be one of the unfortunate ones who actually died. In which case, you've found yourself flowing in the lazy rivers of the river Styx, unfathomably deep underground. Just for a moment, mind you. It's not long before your consciousness is yanked from the waters by some scary monsters, shoved into a healed body, and pushed through a portal.

Or, maybe you were caught red-handed and sentenced to your doom. But, instead of a proper death, you were whisked down into the Veins of Tartarus. And there's really only one place that could lead to... Or is it?

You've been tossed down here by the will of the Titan, but what you find is A helping hand swooping you up - possibly literally, and potentially out of the grasp of the Titan himself.

Not a moment after, you're whisked through another rift, this one a shimmering gold. Into a realm of slightly more stable platforms and a lot more shit to look through. The area is practically littered with the ill-gotten goods of a thieving God (who is happy to note via pop-up illusion that you are touching his stuff). Here, however, you are safe; assured that Typhon cannot find or hurt you here.

For the moment, you can breathe before the next part comes.

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[As though he'd ever let Seymour fall? As though he'd ever let Seymour down again, when he's finally reached an understanding of why he did what he did and why those actions and words hurt Seymour so much? No. Never again. If he's learned one thing throughout the duration of this game, it's that Ivilezlei had the right idea... sort of. It is important to better oneself - and he won't ever let Seymour down again.

But for now, let's make our way over to Fenyx. Zvei's smiling again, though the expression is a little worn.]

We're ready to go. Seymour needs a little support in order to get back, so can you drop us off... somewhere secluded. Away from the others.

[He doubts he needs to elaborate on why given the trial and everything else. Best not to make waves with the other dead, but more importantly, Seymour needs to rest. Let him have some time to recover before facing them.]

[Hop, skip, and Fenyx is entering the scene. An outside force stepping into this positively tragic scene.]

Excellent. I'll open the portal and we can go. [She turns and, well, there's a lot of finger wiggling but eventually the portal opens back to the base of operations.] I've got plenty of healing potions if you still need it, but for now let's get you somewhere a bit more comfortable, okay?

You have my thanks.

[More than he can even express. Neither of them truly deserve the kindness she's offered them both, but he'll be sure to thank her for it again later regardless. For now, it's an easy walk to the portal and then...

Well, the place we end up certainly is different. The spot Fenyx chose is further away from the others, though it's not like avoiding them forever will truly be possible. Still, for now, this is good enough.

Zvei helps Seymour out through the portal and over to a spot that's good enough for now (though will require him to go find some blankets or something later) and moves to sit beside him. Leaving isn't an option right now.]

We're safe from Typhon here. The others are... somewhere around here.

[It's as much a warning as it is an explanation.]

But I'll be right here with you.

[Once Zvei states out loud that they're safe here, that's all the incentive needed for Seymour to sink down onto the ground and just curl into himself like an animal trying to protect its most vulnerable spots. He's exhausted and on edge at the same time, his entire body humming with tension like a live wire; though he's lying down now rather than trying to keep himself upright, he's shaking very slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Even so, there's one very important thing that he needs to voice before he does anything else:]

... thank you.

[Despite how quiet and wavery it still is, the gratitude in his voice is genuine.]

[Zvei joins Seymour on the ground; he hasn't slept since dying and has no real interest in it, particularly now that someone might come looking for Seymour to yell at. But he's certainly not leaving the man alone here, and he reaches out to brush his fingers against the side of Seymour's face. The touch is still light, gentle, as if asking for permission for even this much.]

You don't have to thank me. I want to be here for you - more than anything else in the world.

[Easy to say now that he has his memories and he's had time to really sit with them and think about what they mean to him, but no less true.]

I'll be right here when you wake, I promise.

[Just a few weeks earlier, the two of them had crammed themselves awkwardly into Seymour's bed after the first time they were intimate. That night had been a constant balancing act of trying to sleep without too much physical contact - something neither one of them had particularly wanted - and the second time around, they had opted not to share a bed after they were finished to avoid a repeat of something that felt far too intimate for what they were. They weren't lovers; there was no reason to cuddle or embrace when all they were doing was mutually sating physical desires.

This time, however, when Zvei lies down beside him, Seymour is immediately melding himself against the other man, pressing up along him as though Zvei's entire body is an anchor to keep him moored. He doesn't say anything else-- he doesn't need to. He just wants to be assured that Zvei is right there even as he sleeps.]

[Zvei has never really liked physical contact. What little he gives usually is because Fiona socialized him into it (before he killed her, because she got in his way). But his memories reveal a different side; the same hesitance, uncertainty, and to some extent, discomfort with touch, but a willingness to learn. It helps that Syzi was incredibly open about such things and exceptionally patient with Ivilezlei.

But truthfully, it wouldn't be fair to say that any of those past experiences are what cause him to cling to tightly to Seymour - it's entirely because of today, of seeing how much he's been struggling on his own and watching him die. Seymour needs the comfort, sure, but it isn't as though it's entirely for the summoner's benefit. Zvei wants the contact just as much.

His arms wind easily around Seymour and the tentacles are quick to follow. Usually he prefers sets of two, typically drawn from his lower back up to the top of his back if he has all six out. Right now, there's only two, but from the sides so he's not lying on any. They are just as sensitive as the rest of him, after all.

He'll remain right here for as long as you need him. May Seymour get some rest after today's horrific events.]

[Some rest... perhaps. Much rest, unlikely, as there is one particularly terrible thing to haunt his dreams now that his mind is piecing itself back together.

But for now, the sensation of being enveloped and embraced is a welcome one, and he'll allow himself to drift off wrapped in Zvei's arms (and tentacles).]

[Yeah, he knows. If there's any mercy for Seymour, he won't have to deal with it right now, but... Well, Zvei's prepared for the worst, just in case. He remains awake, grip still tight on Seymour, but loose enough for him to fight free if he needs the space. Regardless, he wants Seymour to know that he isn't alone.]

Wouldn't you like to use more than words?

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