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Albite'd enjoyed dozing, in and out, dips into a half sleep space where he'd occasionally drift awake for new sounds; the creaking of a beam, his own breathing. Slit glassy eyes open as he registered the creaked warp of thin sheet metal that made up the stack; shiffing with a dip in pressure. Small spike of fear that resonated through him over the idea that the thing would go down under them - send them toppling below and into an imagined blazed inferno....

Released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding when he saw that it was only Faustite. Awake. Alive.

"You're okay..." murmured sigh for that, tired relief as he shifted slightly where he lay, enough to sling an arm over his eyes and briefly squint at the streaked moon beams filtering through. Content to remain laying where he was, for what the makeshift sheet metal bed lacked in comfort it made up for in spades by being blessedly cool to the touch.

"Safe...beige warehouse..." a huffed sound as he licked dry lips, ran his tongue over the cracked skin and wanted for water, chap-stick, something. Shuffled it away to the back of his mental list with all the other little wants that paled beneath all the little hurts. Something to keep his mind busy in the dimness between things; a negligible little catalogue things for Albite to do and tend to once he was home. <******** up, m'sorry." it felt important to say that, offer up an olive branch before anything else occurred. Apologize now for having been stupid before. Frustrated and impatient, careless in ways that'd caused his friend some sort of harm - though Albite couldn't understand the how of it. Only that Faustite had been an inferno one minute, on the ground the next. For all his examination of the scene, of Faustite. He couldn't puzzle out why it'd happened, was only sure it'd been his doing, somehow...

Some sort of Senshi bullshit no one had answers for, or half youma things he barely understood....

The soft snort for Faustites comments on that - they were safe enough by his own measures - however stupid and foolhardy they may have been. He had no qualms about killing anyone who would've dared to come too close. He had a living furnace next to him - simple enough thing to find something flammable - his scarf, his hair, the sash. Light it up and add it to the pile of any stored thing that looked as if it'd burn.

Of course it would've been quasi suicidal - keeping their imagined enemies out by trapping themselves in behind a burning barricade, into a smoke filled box. Albite considered the skylight, wondered if he could've made it up through it with Faustite in tow. Wondered again if he should've called for someone, anyone, and was surprised for his lack of trust that anyone of worth would've answered it. Wondered more about his lack of faith in the organization, and how it made him seek independence outside of that connection. Maybe it was just that he'd never had a need to make that sort of call before? That it was outside his modus operandi to do anything that wasn't detrimental to himself, the whole of his survival based on sheer luck and crazy ideas for so long.

"You're such a vampire firebrand.." starved thing, for touch, for food, for company, and Albite liked him hungry. Would've eagerly offered himself up for succor. Wished it were so simple as opening up a vein for Faustite to feast upon and feel better with.

Except that he was so ******** tired in that moment.

Grunted briefly in annoyance at the act of being nudged. Blinked at the new pale skinned be-sandaled creature before him. His features immediately softening in appreciation, to see Eion, to see Faustite was well enough to be prickly and demanding again. Grateful beyond words for that sign of rightness. Faustite's clipped statements as good as a balm for his soul; an 'all's clear' sign that everything'd be fine.

The meager act of sitting up made him hiss "Alright - ahhl-right firebrand - you ask a lot of me, yanno? Fighting and thinking? I've got limitations..." easier to smile and engage now that Faustite was talking, now that he could look at him and understand that he'd be okay. Even if he had little context for what overdoing it meant for him. Entertained the vision of his boss being like a maiden who had fainting spells; trailing bustle and voluminous skirts all tucked into a corset - fainting couch at the ready. Imagined that it was more like his eternal fires made him anemic somehow?

That he'd burned through everything so quickly was concerning. He had to have a talk with Faustite about keeping more snacks on him, later maybe.....

"I've got places in mind...there's this one I took Nemb's to..." pondered on the caloric intake Faustite'd need, no qualms at all about buying. "Unless you like sweets? There's some outdoor dinners around, kinda like drive in places, but they've got seating too?" scrubbed his hands over his face and through his dreads - itched - and knew he'd want a shower badly after. Was loath to drop his guise for all that it felt like the charred crisped trappings of power were holding him together still, far better than his own skin could've. Knew he'd have to ditch it once they left - to be people - blend like people - and honestly? ******** people. The order and all else. That they couldn't simply go about as they should've. Draped in power, more than human; better by design -

"Do you want me to carry you outta here fair maiden style? You're kind'a freakishly light for being, yannoo.." and now he smirked, teased softly, gentle waggle of fingers in Eions direction.

Eion couldn't teleport people as people - even though he wasn't really people - not all the time. Probably wouldn't have had the energy for it even if he was. Still, Albite would chalk on another point for the world being full of ******** and annoyances, the fact that Faustite couldn't eat as himself when and however he wanted to.

The chuckle that followed, loose sound, looser grin, a flash of teeth. To hear Eion snark so easily, and sometimes every word out of his mouth sounded like song lyrics. Made him want to tease with increasing intensity just to see the slightly pinched look on his face cast in moonlight; beautiful to him. The little line he imagined appeared just between his pale brows while he had to deal with him being infuriating.

How his own smile almost hurt on his face, the way it pulled, because it was funny that Eion was trusting him to think at all, after the mess he'd made of things. A battle worthy visual of how poorly he thought at times, especially under stress. It was nice to know he still trusted him though. "You'd be the light of my life, with or without 'em firebrand. S'just extra meat - don't think it'd make you that much heavier." Last he'd checked metal was heavier than flesh; even hollowed out, filed down, and thinned. Who the ******** new about the properties of magical metal though? What kind Faustite was made of, or how dense it really was? Everything hurt enough already, no reason to stress his brain with asking about it.

"Alright - you Jane. Me Tarzan - " standing was a slightly precarious adventure. A lesson in slow even breaths and finding his knees again. Making sure they held along with his vision before he approached Eion. Sidled up close him and wrapped him in an embrace. Bent enough to scoop him up into his arms like a bride waiting to be carried across the threshold, and winced at soreness for motion of it; because they'd all gotten overzealous as ********, fun as it'd been. "Me carry pretty things - hunt big eats." It'd be easier for Eion to hold on that way, easier still to keep him close and held tight, not wanting to drop his precious cargo any more than he wanted to break his own knees and ankles by unbalancing himself and plummeting straight down.

He readjusted his grip briefly as he sidled up to the edge of the sheetmetal laden pallet. Peered over the side and whistled softly into the low lit darkness - summoned up the luminous orb that pingponged towards them with cautious floaty grace - lighting over the levels just below - beams, siding, a pallet of bricks and beneath that timber. Cautious hovering glow just in front of Albites face, seemingly subdued in it's checking of the pair. The silent creature bonked him gently, nuzzled across the top of his head before showing Eion similar treatment. Fuzzy lighted gloam across the pale boys cheek and black strands - before plummeting down again. Repeated motions up and back; like a bouncing candle flame lighting the way for its master.

"Good babies" whispered coo followed by an equally hushed "Hangon firebrand." sharp intake of breath hastily released before he took the plunge.

Even with the way lighted, the landing was a little rougher than he'd have liked. Made him clutch at Eion and pant for the unexpected strain of it. It'd been easier to make the way up when the adrenaline had been fresh, making it down without it had him trembling and holding Eion that much closer. Thoughtless of the motion even as he carried him towards the gapped warehouse doors.

"I know a place nearby - if you bear with me for a little longer? We can get a nice view of the city in on the way."

“You can look while we move too, ‘nless it makes it worse.” If Faustites gnawing flames made Eion nauseous, consumed what parts of him were left for fuel; like how enzymes ate the muscle first to feed the more vital parts of a person. Ate at all else to save the mind, and the organs - his firebrands eternal hungry flame. The curious line of thinking run through with horror at what would happen if Faustite ever ran out of things to consume completely.

Nope. A firm, resounding, ******** - NOPE. He’d let that particular image live and die in his mind.

He’d be quick instead. He could do quick.

Blew his wisp a kiss when it hovered close and then darted ahead like a hound eager to race after a rabbit. Kept Eion tucked in and up against him. Safe, secure, and Albite tried not to jostle him too much as he broke into a jog - fell into a run. Made for the fences that lined the place - leapt them like they hadn’t ever been there at all, like anything smaller than a house was an invisible barrier; nonexistent.

It was alright to ache for it. Ignore the way the movements pulled at absolutely everything - let the wind rush in and steal his breath and run his mind on automatic. Like a rat in a maze. His body knew where it was going, and it was an easy thing to play pack-mule. A giddy a** willing to carry the slight burden that was Eion.

Over new thresholds, one block, then another, to finally skidd over a tiled roof, old and worn - knock a few red ceramic pieces loose carelessly to shatter below as he slipped into an alley along side the patchwork stucco building.

Waru shed Albites power like a shudder - like a fever had caught hold and snatched it from him. He felt wretched without it.

Was further dismayed to see his blessed baby orbie blink from existence. They were smart babies though. Knew when to hide and when to head home.

Waru carried Eion a bit further, skirting around a corner and gingerly setting the boy to his feet near a convenient bench.

Approached a glassy eyed woman and grinned at her. All smiles and cocky ease despite the fact that he looked to all the world like he’d lost a fight.

“Hey mama bear? Got any good eats going tonight?”

The look the woman gave him could’ve curdled milk and culled whole herds of cattle. Buxom, burly, bent thing. She hung out of a partitioned door. Hung over it. Looked like she wanted to smack his face off with the errant ladle she held in her gnarled, dark hand.

Instead she grunted and disappeared inside. Slammed the top of the partition for good measure. The dangling signage smacked back against it - read “Big Dipper” in faded gold paint.

The sign for food was all about the kinds of hodgepodge and garbage plates served up at the Big Dipper.

Staple street fare that was cheaply priced to feed the masses. Cheap beers, free water. The place only had the two things - a heap of whatever boiling stew was on - or a heap of whatever ended up on the plates. Plastic cutlery that was all sporks, and if one asked for a napkin?

“Don’t ask for napkins, give the Mama Bear a second and we’ll be eating like kings.” and Waru sat before he fell. Hands in his pockets and knees splayed as he found the bench; slanted his gaze at Eion as he tilted his head back against the wall behind it.

Had he learned anything?

The laugh for that, a rough surprised burst of sound quickly quelled into a soft 'ow', though the surprised smile stayed. He held a different grin for Eion than anyone else and he was more than happy to say <******** it' to propriety and niceties. Eion looked as miserable as Waru felt and he wanted to touch, seek base soothing comforts, indulged himself in it.

Even if the gesture was as simple as him running his hand over Eions shoulders, brushing the ends of silky black hairs that trailed there. He would've offered to rub his back even; like he'd done for countless friends before. For all the world Eion looked to him, like he was a boy suffering the worst hangover in existence.

"Did I learn anything?" and he knew the food would be fast, it's why he'd picked here, over all the places that needed cooking, everything here, at this hour? Shoulda been ready to go. "Yeah firebrand..I think I did.." A whole plethora of things. Was it worth it, was it all useful information? Waru thought so.

Fire was hot, Senshi magic was weak, Generals - his general - were powerful ******** not to be toyed with. "You want I should give you a list of all the things I learned? Rattle off some new concepts that are gonna stick?" like his shirt to his skin and he wondered for the sweat and mess that would lay waiting for him just beneath that once he peeled it off...

Words and ideas cut short as the top of the partition swung open again, and the steaming piles of food were presented. Set precariously atop the little counter just beneath the parted doorway. Thick paper containers - clearly Dixie brand items - each laden to near overflowing. One an overlarge bowl of spiced stew, bread laid across the top like shingles. The other overlarge paper plate piled high with proteins, starches and sauces. Beef, fried potato's, onions, beans, layers of food. The meals screamed mess, screamed flavor, and most importantly? Screamed high calorie intake.

The woman said nothing, gave Waru a look over crossed arms, then gave an impatient sort of gesture before depositing a few sporks amongst the heaving paperware and turning away.

Waru cupped the back of Eions neck and squeezed gently, in lieu of threading his fingers up through his hair. Was being polite about his errant need for closeness after everything. Let the gesture be quick before he was hauling himself up and into motion - the hiss for that - because *oww* and <********>. Being still after so much activity - shitty.

He was going to make the bench his home, set the paperware in the space between them, offered Eion his choice of either - or. Didn't care if he took from both, if he ate it all, so long as some of that wan misery that graced his features abated with the eating of it.

"Dig in firebrand. N' then maybe I'll go off on all the finer points of your teaching method."

“Only kinda reports I ever give are the ‘oral’ kind, just - hell Eion - can you imagine me trying to put whatever’s in my head down on paper?” In writing, typed, whatever. Just a thousand times no. Too much work and he knew he’d never get it out. Hated that kind of drudgery, doing it, seeing it. Better to speak it and let someone else water it down into clearly understood clinical language.

Shook his head at the very idea of it, and settled in to watch Eion enjoy the food briefly before digging into his own. There was a carnal pleasure for him in doing it, the primitive knowledge that he’d provided something enjoyable for Eion to consume. The very same pleasure same that lay in watching Faustite eat. Like curled wisps of smoldered embers and wood fired flames. Warmth beyond the heat of the food and the evening that settled in his body for the sight of it.

Seeing such a perfect individual get messy.

Waru snorted at his own ridiculous desires, the stupid little things that made him happy. Used the thick sourdough crusts of bread to sop up the broth of the stew, soak it in, then scoop up bits of vegetable and gristle’d meat into his mouth. Earthen and animal all in one, dark cuts of fatty roast floating in their own collagen; he loved it. Licked the drippings from his fingers before scooping up more, occasionally snagging a potato wedge into the mix with a delighted low humm of want.

Late night food was the best.

Waru allowed the silence to linger amicably, licked his teeth like a predator slow on its way to satiation, for as tired as he was he’d always have time for Eion. Would always want to touch and speak and tug out every little semblance of more he could get his hands on. Greedy for it. The bright little pieces of warmth he could assuage himself with later on; bits of comfort for his soul.

“Not a report then, not a critique either. I had fun, and the lessons? Pretty ******** sure their gonna stick. It’s ridiculous how ******** badass you are. M’jealous.” Made to brush his fingers over a pale wrist, purposeful, reverent even.

Gaze full of admiration as he made a show of snatching up a starchy fired bit of something, a slice of dark meat, slashed it through a redder sauce - something peppered that burned enough to make him sigh for every bite of it.

Sucked the spice and grease from his fingers and hummed around them, gaze turned thoughtful as he took in Eions words. Internalized them, like rocks in a tumbler that was the shape of his mind.

“Oh…ohhh..uh, so I failed then? The lesson? I mean, I know I ******** up at the end, yeah? That’s - I’m sorry about that - I am.” stressed the words, winced around them and rolled the expression off his face; because ******** it.

It was fine.

They’d do it again, or he’d train until he got it right, or met whatever bar and standard his firebrand held for such things, because he thought he could. Knew he could. It wasn’t a pop quiz, it was a fight, and all the parts that had been frustrating would be the parts he would focus himself on because he could remember it well - physically - the feel of ******** up and the how of it. Would sear it into his mind and flesh as one.

“We can do it again - this - later? Right?” He hoped for it, after he healed up a little, just enough so every pull didn’t sting, and ******** if burns weren’t annoying as hell for that. Not as bad as busted ribs by his own accounting, but still! He wanted there to be an after. Had always healed quickly from such things, so long as he took care with the process of it.

“I can be good at this, I won’t die…” Assurance, and maybe if he promised, or begged? Except no, because he couldn’t stand to. Wouldn’t put that burden on Eion and tell him white coated lies. There were no guarantees in this, he knew that much. Wasn’t so dense as to be completely unaware of the reality of things. “…or…how about, I’ll try to do better? I want to get to Eternal yeah? You just chip away at all the parts that’re standing in the way of me being that, and I’ll try my ******** best not to die before I get there - cause uh, you laid out some really good motivation for me Eion. M’not gonna piss on it.” He could learn - did learn, the hard way, always, but he did.

Could prove that to him if he put in enough time, was given a chance to show all the things he’d learned in form.