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 Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:04 pm
Michael was full of smart ideas, of this Devyn was certain.
“Costume jewelry? No, of course not. I do like the idea of treasure hunting, though. It sounds exciting. I could use someone to help me go through the artifacts on Alastor. If Peter’s interested, I have a trove of them and I do need help. I don’t think most of them have any magical properties left, but some of them used to be dangerous. I don’t know if any of them have any use anymore, or if they’re too dangerous at this point in time.”
He could be careful with bringing things to Earth, in small batches, too. If that’s what it took. It’s not like he could bring that much back with him every trip, and if he were being honest, the paintings and a few books were probably the most important things here. Probably.
“I have a lot of old documents that talk about how they were made, and their history. If that’s the sort of thing he’s interested in. I have quite a few that were never identified. But I’ll really have to find some way to repay you all for your generosity.”
Michael was willing to move furniture, to make even more changes to accommodate him. It was more than Devyn needed, but he was moved all the same.
“I don’t need much to be happy, you don’t have to strain yourself. I hardly ever sleep in a bed. But, having somewhere safe has been–”
He exhaled and moved to pull one more painting off the wall. “Well, I suppose, it’s left me feeling very spoiled already. To have somewhere where I don’t have to worry about food, too. Really, are you sure you don’t mind? I’d like to stay,” he said, because he really didn’t have any reason to be shy about it, not if they were being honest. “Your house is very comfortable. And you’re very good company.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:42 pm
“Please don’t worry about it,” Sessrumnir said, sounding only slightly distressed, but sporting a small smile. “You don’t need to repay me. Besides, you’re helping me clean up here, so we’ll call it even,” he offered as he glanced around the room at the work they’d already done, but also at the dust still settled heavily everywhere else.
He was also trying not to seem too unnerved about being considered good company, and even more so as very good company. Michael was pleased, of course. He wanted Devyn to feel comfortable. If he was stuck in a place that he knew nothing about, he would want someone to be kind to him and give him a chance. He also wondered if he felt some kind of obligation to help Devyn, since his past life was Devyn’s spouse.
But beyond that, Devyn was very good company, too. There hadn’t been a moment yet that he’d gotten frustrated with him or upset about anything Devyn did or said. He was considerate and patient and kinder than Michael thought he deserved. He hadn’t gotten angry with Michael when he found out the truth about what was going on, and he continuously expressed gratitude for everything he was given, material and opportunity.
“I’d like you to stay. I promise I don’t mind. Hopefully I’ll continue being good company.”
He cleared his throat as he worked on dusting off the latest painting that was pulled down, before taking a step back to let Devyn hang it back up. “Peter would probably enjoy anything that’s dangerous and magical. We can ask him. A distraction would probably be good for him.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:00 pm
Michael didn’t want him to worry about it. Almost even seemed concerned about him worrying. Devyn wasn’t going to press the matter if it was just going to upset him. “Does it really count as helping you clean up here when you just told me that you were doing this for me?”
He seemed more relaxed about it, and wore an easy-going smile once more.
Once more, he carefully hung the painting back on the wall.
“I’m sure there are a few things around here that he might be interested in. I probably have a few packed up in my bag that I brought from home. I don’t want to take him to Alastor,” he said, and then clarified, “Yet. But I’d be happy to trust him with a few of my artifacts to look after and see if there’s anything he can glean from them. If their power has been locked away or diminished, I’d like to know. I don’t know if that’s something he’d like to study, but if I could get weapons to work on my world again, it might help me fight the Chaos. Either that, or maybe I’ll just have to ask you to help me install lights everywhere to keep the shadows away.”
If he was going to stay with Michael, they’d have a lot of time together. They could figure something out.
…And even if Michael wasn’t asking for Devyn to repay him for all of this help, Devyn was going to figure out how to do it, anyway. He just had to figure out what he could do to make Michael’s life easier.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:16 pm
“I’d do it with or without you here, so you helping definitely makes it easier,” Sessrumnir pointed out, but there was no tension in his voice. Not when Devyn looked so relaxed about all of it. He just didn’t want him to have to worry about coming to his room and seeing it covered in dust. It was too important to Devyn for that.
“Probably a good idea to keep Peter away from any Chaos right now,” he said as he moved away from the last painting so he could continue dusting various surfaces. “Not that I think he would ever want to be corrupted, but it’s been a rough past… half year for him. He was almost forcibly corrupted during the battle on the hilltop. Others weren’t so lucky.”
It had been a very rough fight. Some of them didn’t make it.
“Those scars on his hands and forearms? He fought really hard to save someone that almost everyone else had given up on. I think it’s shaken him a little. We’re used to fighting together when we have to, but everyone was willing to abandon Caedus so quickly. Oh, I guess we didn’t really explain to you what happened or who anyone is. Sorry, it could be a long story,” he said with a frown, carefully moving a few trinkets out of the way so he could dust under them.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:37 pm
With the paintings finished, he moved to some shelves and began to work there. He was only half turned away from Michael but he wasn’t the slightest bit on edge, and hadn’t been at any point his back was exposed to him.
“I’ll be around for a while this time. You can fill me in on it when there’s less dust in the air. I want to know everything I can about Earth. About what you’re dealing with here.”
He didn’t know where to start as it were, but he was willing to learn. Even if he just needed a bit of time for everything to process and settle in his mind. For now, they were dealing with the important things.
“For what it’s worth, I’ll try not to bring any Chaos into Peter’s life. Or yours. I’d like to take Chaos out of your lives, ideally. I think it’s nice, though. I haven’t been here for long but I can see how much you two care about each other. Is he the only Senshi in the family? Did you awaken before he did?”
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 6:09 pm
Sessrumnir felt a weird sense of relief knowing that Alastor planned on staying around for a while. That he wanted to know everything he could about Earth. That he was invested with what they were dealing with, and with wanting to get rid of Chaos from their lives. Sessrumnir kept his eyes focused on the dresser, making sure not to put anything back too out of place after he was done dusting it off, but also so he didn’t have to reveal any more of the emotions that he was already wearing on his sleeve, so to speak.
“He’s the only one in our immediate family, yes,” he nodded, picking up what looked like a string of crystals to look at, before gently wiping the dust from them. “Mom and dad adopted two Senshi and a knight who had been rescued from the Negaverse. You met two of them at Christmas. But Peter awakened after me, and I awakened after Chris. We didn’t know that at the time. It took a couple years for us to figure it out. Mostly thanks to our connection to Paris,” he explained.
He did care about his family, even if he was often pushing them away or doing his own thing. That was one of the reasons he tried to keep his distance -- in case something happened, or in case his association put them in danger.
“You know, I was almost corrupted during that battle. Or it felt like the Chaos really wanted to take over. It was like a poison that infected everything. I could feel myself slipping as it overwhelmed the field,” he admitted, but instead of looking over at Devyn, he reached up to touch the necklace at his chest. “I don’t know if I would still be here if I wasn’t wearing this at the time. The steady pulse calmed my own heart, and… I felt like I could hear a voice telling me I was okay and to just breathe.”
He looked up to glance over at Devyn then, part of him wondering why he would bother to say anything about it, except that it seemed important.
“It wasn’t a voice I’d ever heard before… So, in a way… everything I’m doing now is to repay you.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 6:34 pm
All of it took Alastor by surprise, and this time he did turn completely away from what he was dusting.
Maybe there was a bit of alarm at the idea that Michael thought he was almost corrupted. The necklace was a dead giveaway that this distressed Alastor, even if the expression on his face wasn’t obvious enough. He frowned, not in displeasure but in what appeared to be simple worry.
“I don’t know if I can take credit for any of that. I’m glad that you had it, if it helped.”
Even if he didn’t understand it, he could be relieved that Michael found enough comfort in it to pull himself away from the brink of corruption. “I hope that it will serve you well in the future, too. My world is very strong. Even a little piece of it. If it gave you any strength, I’m glad for it. One day, maybe, I’d like to take you to the Core. It–”
He paused, and then clarified, “I only ever took Percy before. But if you’ve had that necklace, and if Alastor extended any sort of protection over you, I think it’s only fair that you see where it came from. Chaos is a horrible thing, though. I’m glad you were able to fight it off. And, I’m glad that necklace found its way to you. Really.”
…Better it be somewhere useful, with someone who could use it, than collecting dust, here.
Only, there was really only one person in the entire universe that Devyn could accept having it, and if it wasn’t going to be Percy, it should be Michael.
Who was different, he knew this.
But not so different that his world forgot its promise to protect him, apparently.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 6:55 pm
Sessrumnir hadn’t intended to upset or worry Alastor, but he could feel the way the orb around his neck quickened in speed. And he tried not to smile, because he wasn’t happy that Alastor was worried, but there was something sweet… something very endearing about his concern. Then again, Sessrumnir suspected Alastor would be worried about anyone who had almost been corrupted.
Maybe… Although he didn’t have the same reaction when Sessrumnir mentioned Peter almost being corrupted.
“I’m glad it was more stubborn than I was the day I found it,” he sighed, and then shook his head because he needed to correct himself. “Or… it found me. It was going to start storming, and I just wanted to get back home before that. I asked Almadel -- that merchant who scavenges worlds, apparently -- if he had something to keep the rain off. But I kept feeling this. It was hidden under some things, so I didn’t see it right away, but… it wouldn’t let me accept anything else.”
Of course, an explanation like that made him laugh softly, feeling a little silly for it.
“We’ll clear the Chaos from your world first. And then I would like to see the Core. Especially since I would like to properly thank it. Although… I’m not sure how to thank it, but I will try.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 8:00 pm
It was obvious that Alastor didn’t think it was silly, and he might have even looked a little proud after hearing the whole ordeal with the necklace. “It’s a good idea to wait,” he said, and only then turned back to finish what he was working on. “I haven’t been to visit my Core in a very long time. I was afraid some shadow would cling to me and I’d accidentally guide it right there.”
He was working with what seemed like renewed vigor, not quite as hesitant to move things to clean under them. Sometimes, he’d smile. Most of the time it didn’t leave his face, anyway. Michael had given him enough reassurance that it didn’t hurt to be in here.
Of course a part of him was going to be sad when he found something that reminded him of Percy, but it wasn’t painful right now. He could be upset later, for now it just felt like finding old treasures he’d thought lost forever.
“But, I can feel it. I’ve always been able to.” Briefly, his hand rested over his heart, just to feel the pulse. The necklace had the same constant, steady beat. “Even before I awakened, I think. But that’s very ancient history, and easily attributed to the overactive mind of a child. I always respected my world. The Core is just where it’s at its strongest. If something were to happen to it, I don’t know if it could sustain itself. I don’t know what would happened. Catastrophe, probably. That’s what I was always told, at least. Once, my Council told me a story about a Senshi that tried to steal the power for himself. They say he damaged the Core in doing so. And died, but. That’s to be expected. The next senshi didn’t awaken for decades, and when he did, his magic never worked right. The planet suffered, we had a bad famine, and bad storms. mY Council said time healed it, but. I mean, this is very, very distant history. Distant for me, even. I don’t know what’s the truth and what’s a story to scare a little boy into behaving. But it always stuck with me. Storms are common when the world’s hurting. I hate it, you know.”
He paused, and turned back to Michael, maybe a bit impassioned.
“I worked so hard for my world. I did everything I could. I wanted to heal it. I wanted to make sure my people were safe. I wanted that more than I wanted the prestige of conquering worlds. I wanted to be different from the other Senshi. And I’ve done the worst damage to it. Centuries of storming. Haven’t seen another living soul in so long that I can’t even remember who I saw last. Haven’t seen any life. Only shadows. I thought I was different from them. But in the end, I brought destruction, too. A lot of it. So much that I can’t even figure out how to start undoing the damage.”
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 8:50 pm
Sessrumnir thought it was smart that Alastor hadn’t visited the most important part of his world while Chaos was still controlling it. But he also didn’t think it was his fault that things turned out the way they did.
“Dev,” he said gently as he watched Alastor work on cleaning the centuries of dust from the various surfaces and items left behind. “You being alive means you haven’t failed your world. You could have given up. You could have let Chaos take over completely, but you didn’t. And you aren’t going to. I know someone who is as stubborn as I am when I meet them.”
Stubborn, but patient. Willing to learn. Willing to adapt. Devyn was resilient in a way that Michael never thought he could be. He was just pushing himself along, making it to the end of the day when he might be able to see a kid who talked about the newest game he was playing, or what he and his friends did over the weekend. He was making himself get up because he wanted to try and correct his failures in not being able to protect Ganymede or his father or his brothers.
“Everywhere else was taken over. Everywhere else needed to have starseeds reborn on Earth because there was nowhere else for them to be born. You survived. And you are more equipped to help the rest of us figure things out and get rid of Chaos.”
Michael was certain of this. For someone who hated giving credit to destiny and fate there had to be a reason Devyn was still there. They could easily look around them and see what happened when a wonder or world was left to decay.
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2022 5:32 am
Once more, Devyn planted his hands on his hips; this time, he tilted his head back so he could look up at the ceiling.
He inhaled, held it. Exhaled, forcefully. Maybe a bit dramatically. It just seemed like that was how he was.
“Maybe,” he agreed, but it was with a bit of reluctance. He wasn’t going to discredit those that had been fighting a very different war on Earth–for at least ten years. The Chaos was different, and he was still learning what it was. Not that he was even an expert of whatever had tried to take his world.
The shadows just swallowed up everything they could. Sucked the life out of whatever they touched. Took whoever they could. Devyn didn’t know why, but there was never any doubt that it was bad.
“I don’t know how to give up. I’m protective of my world, I wasn’t going to let someone, anyone, take it. Alastor is practically undefeated in every way. Actually, I should say we’re entirely undefeated, always. Who’s alive to dispute me?” He huffed, and lowered his gaze to Michael, but whatever mood he had was buried away enough that he could deal with it later.
He wasn’t going to burden Michael with his doubt and guilt, not when he had so much else he had to deal with.
“I won’t let Alastor fall. Even if I die, I won’t go to the Cauldron. I’ll just find some other way back. I will save Alastor. And I have more confidence than ever, with you by my side.
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:27 pm
He could tell that there was more there, but Michael wasn’t going to push the topic if Devyn didn’t want to talk more about it. And he knew there was more to it, because Michael felt as though he always had something more to what he was admitting to, when it came to what he had and hadn’t been able to do with his life. He could understand that struggle.
What he couldn’t understand, was why his heart decided to quicken just a bit as Devyn stood there, doing absolutely nothing besides looking up at the ceiling with his hands on his hips. Devyn was handsome -- anyone who denied that would be fooling themselves. But Devyn was also a thousand year old alien who was still deeply in love with his deceased spouse, so it was easy to ignore any kind of attraction he might have felt.
Except doing silly little things like being dramatic and putting his hands on his hips like that was… cute?? Whatever it was, it was enough for Michael to look away and focus on pulling at some of the blankets on the bed. Not harshly, because he didn’t know what kind of state they were in and he didn’t want to damage them, but he didn’t want to send dust into the air, either.
“You’re not going to die,” Michael said, maybe easier than it should have been for him to say it. “Not unless I go first. And I doubt you’d let that happen.” Devyn had promised to keep an eye on him and watch his back, after all.
Michael paused when he got to the head of the bed, carefully folding up the blankets as he went. Something rustled from under the pillow --
“This belong to you?” he asked as he pulled the piece of paper with very intricate handwriting scrolled across the page.
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:39 pm
Devyn had resisted the urge to mutter ‘apparently not’ under his breath, because he hadn’t died yet and it didn’t seem like that was going to be changing any time soon–and, Michael was right.
Devyn wasn’t going to let him die. He would do absolutely everything in his power to make sure Michael lived a very long, very happy life, because that’s what he’d promised he’d do for Percy and he hadn’t been able to finish that promise and–and, yes, they were different people!
But what was he supposed to do, just not look after Michael? What was the point of promising Percy that he’d always be there to look out for him, in this life, and any other, if he wasn’t going to do that?
Oh–wait, what was Michael holding.
Which one was that.
“Yes,” he said, and then corrected, “No. I don’t know, let me see it. I’ll prove to you I can read something,” he said; he held his hand out, not at all demandingly, but instead with great curiosity. Honestly, he didn’t know which one that was.
He just very badly wanted to find out.
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:32 pm
Michael was polite and didn’t try to read what was on the page. It looked like it had taken some time to write out, although there were places that seemed a little squished together, like the author was excited about something, or maybe just had more thoughts than time they had to get it all out on paper.
Not that Michael could read it, but there was something warm about it. Maybe it was the emotions that surrounded whatever the letter was, regardless of its content.
He held out the piece of paper to Devyn and turned his attention back to collecting the rest of the sheets while Devyn was inspecting the letter.
“It’s easy to claim you can read something when I can’t read it to check,” he said, but couldn’t stop himself from smiling in amusement. He was not trying to give Devyn a hard time. He had a hard enough time as it was. But it was so easy to joke around with him. Devyn was a good sport about it all so far.
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:45 pm
”I’ll teach you,” he said, but paused, pursed his lips, and then looked at Michael. “Oh, that’s a frightening thought. Not me teaching you, but that there’s no one here to correct me if I make a mistake. I think they’re all in hiding. It’s too dangerous to travel with these shadows and storms. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that we find someone better suited for such things soon.”
He accepted the letter, stood up straight, and began skimming. It took him a few seconds to really react, partly because he kept rereading the same lines just because they still felt so fresh in his mind. Blurry, at first, but quick to recover.
“Oh, I was going on a diplomatic mission. I was lying to Percy about how I was so confident it was going to be quick and painless. Nasty lot, tried to poison me twice before. Had the audacity to insist it was food poisoning,” he scoffed. “It was food poisoning, it’s just that they put it there. I could taste it in the meat. I ate two servings of it, though. Just to make a point.”
He lowered the letter so he could peer over the top of it. “Which is that, you cannot poison me. Any harm someone could do to my body, I’ve already done it to myself.”
Back to the letter. “Oh, I was encouraging him to take some time off and relax. He was working so hard and had just finished a big project. I knew he was going to try and bury himself in work if I was gone–he did, by the way–so I’d set up this whole list of errands I needed help with. Marius was in on it with me. I sent them to Arista to ‘help’ with a festival. They didn’t need help. Although, Marius was technically helping the mayor, but only because he was trying to learn how to manage social events. Percy went, to ‘keep an eye on him’. And also because I insisted I was worried about him and the mayor overworking themselves.”
Another little sigh. “And then, Marius got sick. For ‘overworking’, I’m sure. But that meant Percy was going to have to relax and dote on him because that’s what he always did. Marius got healthier, but he was always prone to sickness. I came back to him tucked under a few blankets, resting against Princess. Percy playing with his hair, practically spoon feeding him soup and telling him a story.”
He huffed, but there was nothing but absolute fondness in his voice.
And, a little sadness. He was on the last lines of the letter, and reread them again, just because they still felt so familiar and fresh.
It wasn’t easy to move between the past and the present when time felt so fluid and unreal. Devyn did his best, and he didn’t regret the memory. He had only fondness for such things, even when he was reminded of the hole in his heart.
“It’s a bit sappy here, at the end. But that’s pretty consistent. Talked about how much I was going to miss him.”
For a week and a half long trip.
Back then, when an hour was too long. Now, he couldn’t even count the lifetimes they’d been separated.
He was probably never going to stop missing him.
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