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 Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:30 am
Takes place after: From the Ashes
The water was nice–warm, and just enough to make him feel a little floaty.
He’d shown up aware of aches and pains, and things that would get worse as his adrenaline came down–probably when he powered down, too. For now, he didn’t feel so bad.
A little stiff. He’d have some bruises on his back but wouldn’t be able to check until he got home.
He’d have to be careful with his ankle. He did take his boots off; they were haphazardly tossed across the room. One ankle was significantly more swollen than the other–black, and blue, and purpling. The water helped. Lyon had to fight not to massage the swollen flesh, so instead he just sat with his good leg stretched out and the other folded across his lap.
The sports drink bottle was empty next to him but he hadn’t found the motivation to get up for a second bottle.
He felt eyes on him–not uncomfortable, but constant. He ignored it for a moment, until his curiosity finally got the better of him and he picked his head up.
Oh–Riker. Well, Reims.
He blinked, and then flashed a standard, nonchalant smile when their eyes met. “Whatcha lookin at?”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:31 am
“Just making sure you didn’t drown,” Reims scowled, except his voice didn’t match the expression. It came out quieter than usual. He shifted closer, hovering at the edge of the springs, arms crossed loosely over his chest. Protective. Every small movement caused his ribs to ache.
He probably should’ve been resting too, but the quiet had gotten to him. Everyone else was either asleep or tending to someone who was. The thought of sitting still felt worse than the pain in his chest.
“You looked a little too still,” he added with a shrug that he winced at with regret, but kept his lips pressed tightly against any full reaction. “Didn’t want to explain to anyone that I let you slip under while I was, uh… standing right here.”
He glanced up at the glowing crystals along the walls instead of at the bruises or swollen ankle he couldn’t help notice.
“You, uh… doing okay?” he asked after a moment. He hesitated, and then crouched down near the waterline, expression softening after a wince from the movement. “I know it got bad back there. Wasn’t exactly had in mind when I sent that invite.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:31 am
Lyon watched Reims for only a second before he laughed–and regretted it, judging by the little wince that followed. “Me, drown? What a boring way to go. I’m fine.”
To prove it, he unfolded his leg and stretched it out, letting his swollen ankle breach the waterline. “A little black and blue. It’ll heal. Not even my worst night, promise.”
His gaze drifted to Yvoire contemplatively, but if he had thoughts about his night, he kept them to himself. His attention returned to Reims. He looked him up and down. “I can’t help but notice you’re completely dry. Are you afraid of the water or something?”
Lyon lowered his foot back into the water, keen on absorbing as much healing as he could soak up. Offering a hand, he insisted, “Come in, it feels great. I know you’re hurting, Mr. Tough Guy. Sit with me for a minute. If you feel bad, you can answer all my questions.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:31 am
Reims gave a quiet scoff, the kind that might have sounded dismissive if not for how long he hesitated before moving. “You don’t give up, do you?”
Still, his shoulders sagged a little. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe it was the stubborn steadiness of Lyon’s hand that did it. After another pause, he sighed though his nose and reached out, his touch careful as he took the offered hand.
The water ripped quietly around him as he stepped in. Each movement was slow and deliberate, and his jaw tensed against the pressure against his ribs, but he didn’t make a sound. He tried to ignore the way the water made the drying blood on his clothes spread into the white fabric.
Once he was settled beside Lyon, he exhaled slowly, a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He didn’t look at Lyon right away, only watched the soft ripples in the water.
“Guess it does feel pretty good,” he admitted after a moment, voice low. “...Thanks.”
He rested his arms against the pool’s edge, leaning back just slightly. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked again, glancing over at Lyon. “That ankle should probably be wrapped.”
And then he paused, a faint flush covering his ears as he huffed. “Guess I owe you a better first group trip next time.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:31 am
Lyon laughed softly, and though it wasn’t quite humorless, it did lack a bit of cheer. “To be honest, no, I am not known for giving up. I’m glad you didn’t make me fight you for it. I’ve been told I’m quite annoying.”
He did not sound like someone who took any offense to the claim, and lazily smiled at Reims as he made himself comfortable.
“This was a pretty exciting group trip. Zero out of ten, though. Would not recommend. We should just do minigolf next time.” There was something almost bitter in his voice when he said, “I guess nobody could have known how dangerous it was going to be. I’m glad we all made it out.”
He didn’t say ‘okay’ and he didn’t say ‘alive’ because neither of those things were completely true.
“But,” he drawled, “I’m okay. I mean, if you’re offering to wrap my leg, it’s all yours. But I’ll be fine. I know how ankle injuries work. I’ll go home, keep it propped up, wrap it in the morning. I know, I’m supposed to ice it, but the warm feels good.” Probably just whatever minerals were in the springs. “But tomorrow, I’ll be good. I’ll spend the day off of it. Or see if anyone can squeeze out any last healing before we go. But,” he watched Reims closely. “I’m kind of thinking you could probably use it more than me, huh? What are you hiding?”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:32 am
Reims snorted softly. “Nothing I can’t handle,” he said, which probably would’ve sounded more convincing if he weren’t still so stiff in his shoulders. “Ribs are just bruised, I think. Wounds mostly closed up.”
He shifted his arm along the pool’s edge, pretending not to notice how the movement made him wince. “Probably just need a few days to stop feeling like I got kicked by a horse.”
When Lyon kept looking at him, Reims cleared his throat, his ears darkening a little as he glanced to the far end of the pool.
“But yeah, definitely keep that ankle taken care of. Don’t want it getting worse,” he gestured vaguely toward it, more to divert attention than anything else, since Lyon had already listed out everything he planned on doing.
“I wouldn’t say no if someone found one of those bones again, though,” he mumbled softly, almost like an afterthought. And a little awkward, but genuine.
He leaned back, letting the warmth sink into his chest and shoulders. “Guess I should be grateful this isn’t worse. I’ve had worse nights.”
After a moment, he glanced over at Lyon again. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked quietly, like he hadn’t asked twice already. “You sound like you’re trying real hard to convince yourself.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:32 am
This time, Lyon smiled sweetly. “You’re cute,” he said, but–for Reims, didn’t tease him too much. “I’m trying real hard to convince you. Me? I know I’m fine. When I get out of here, nobody’s even going to notice that I got busted up. Some R&R, some DoorDash, some trashy movies–I’m not going to be anybody’s problem for the next day or so. You don’t have to worry about me. Trust me, if there’s anything I’m good at, it’s pampering myself. And whining. And if I wasn’t so sure that you’re actually pretty beat to s**t, I would be whining my a** off to see how much attention I could get out of you.”
Tilting his head, Lyon tried to sneak a peak at Reims’ neck.
“I’ll keep an eye out for any weird bones. For next time. You were really cool, you know? Even if you got busted up pretty bad. Yvoire’s really lucky to have you. Is he doing okay?”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:32 am
Reims’s face went red almost immediately. He ducked his head, huffing a quiet sound that was half scoff, half an attempt to cover his embarrassment. “Yeah, well, You don’t have to go that far,” he muttered. “I just did what anyone would’ve done.”
He shifted where he sat, using the motion to hide the fact that Lyon’s words had more weight than he’d like to admit.
“You were the one holding your own out there. The sword-- uh… did it help at all? I remember tossing it your way, but it was kind of hard to tell what was going on with all the fog.” And the piercing pain in his chest, and Yvoire falling apart on top of him.
He finally looked over at Lyon again, although his expression had softened. It was less guarded… more tired. “I’m glad you’re alright,” he said quietly.
When Yvoire’s name came up, he glanced away again. The faintest crease appeared between his brows. “He’s… resting. Rose and Cynthus are keeping an eye on him.”
He exhaled slowly, the sound heavier than he meant for it to be.
“He and I go back a ways,” he said after a pause. “Well… a lot of us met pretty early on after we first awakened. Yvoire was one of them. He always looked so sad, you know? Anyway, he’s still here, so I guess I can’t complain too much.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:32 am
“Yeah, I can tell how much you care about him,” Lyon said, a little twitch at the corner of his lip. Jealousy was unbecoming and incredibly selfish right now so if there was ever a spark of it, he shoved it down, deep enough to drown it. Yvoire had almost died–had died–and he was Lyon right now, not Cassidy.
It wasn't like Lyon was planning on telling him tonight, but even if he had been, he could tell this was not the right time for it.
Reims had enough to deal with, no need for dramatics.
“Tell me if there’s anything I can do to help. For him, for them, for you. Because, you know. You can say ‘I just did what anyone would’ve done’ but that’s not quite true. I don’t know if most people could have done that. And you were still thinking about protecting everyone else even when you had all that going on? Your sword helped, yeah. I don’t think I would have been able to do anything without it–except throw my spade? That wouldn’t have done much. I hit him in the face, I think. It was when everyone was using their magic. Right after Dering grabbed his cape, when he was distracted, I just jumped up and hit him as hard as I could. I mean, everyone had the same idea.”
It was pretty obvious that doing nothing wasn’t an option, not with the way he’d been stalking towards Lyon and Rose. And if he could hurt Knights so badly, what could a few Pages do?
“Thanks for that, by the way. For trusting me with your sword. It’s heavier than it looks. So I guess you’re really strong, huh? Definitely the kind of guy I want to stay close to.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:33 am
Reims stared at Lyon. Dering had what? There was a flash of alarm in his eyes, but he managed not to say anything. Instead, he pressed his lips tightly together, as if doing so would convince his heart to settle back down. He was grateful that a lot had been going on at the time, because if Dering was seen as a menace to the General, well… he could only imagine him ending up worse off than Yvoire.
He sucked in a breath that he regretted, wincing when his lungs filled too much, but it helped push the image away of what carnage might have followed if, for whatever reason, the General hadn’t suddenly decided to disappear.
“Yeah, well… see? Everyone was doing what they could. You, Dering, everyone,” he grumbled.
And when Lyon thanked him, Reims’s ears burned red. He cleared his throat, looking like he wanted to argue but couldn’t quite figure out where to start.
“It’s… not like that. It’s the magic, you know? Just makes me seem stronger than I really am. That goes for everyone with magic.” He gave a small, awkward shrug, careful not to jostle his ribs. “Without it, I’d probably just get in the way.”
The quiet didn’t get to stretch nearly long enough for things to get awkward, because Reims was suddenly aware of another set of eyes on both of them. Deep teal stared unblinking from a stone that was as dry as it was going to be in the steam. Lucien’s tail flicked lazily, his gaze flat and unamused. The Mauvian’s ear twitched like he was already halfway through composing a scolding.
Reims’s face flushed this time.
“What?” he snapped, more in defensive alarm than aggression. “We’re both resting!”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:33 am
Lyon tilted his head, amused by Reims’ outburst. “Hi, Lucien,” he said, waving at the Mauvian. He met Lucien a while ago, the first time he went over to Atticus’ house. Of course, he’d always said that Lucien was very smart and very clever, and not just because he liked to curl up and rest against Cassidy.
But he was Lyon right now, and Lucien didn’t seem to recognize him–and if he had, he’d surely have come over to say hello.
Lyon hadn’t been aware that Lucien was a magical space alien until about an hour ago, and he wasn’t really sure what that meant. Ephesus was off napping with his parents and Amarynthos right now.
“Why does he look so annoyed with you?” he whispered, glancing at Reims. “Did you step on him before or something? Or does he just get mad when he hears you talking poorly about yourself?”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:33 am
“Good,” Lucien said finally. “At least you’re sitting still, now. That’s a start.”
He flicked his tail, eyes narrowing slightly. “Though I’d prefer if you did it without the self-deprecation, Reims. You have an irritating habit of dismissing your own survival, and while I suppose that’s one way to cope, it’s hardly productive. I trust you can rest without trying to convince yourself you don’t deserve it.”
That, apparently, was the extent of his lecture. For now, at least. The Mauvian puffed up his chest as if indicating he was more interested in business now.
“Ephesus found a USB, and Rose found a set of keys. I believe Dering recovered a cache of starseeds. Did either of you see anything else worth reporting? Notes? Strange items? Anything specific about those plants? Amarynthos had pictures,” he clarified.
“Ephesus has been worrying about his friends. He’s asleep now, and I’d rather he stay that way,” he said as he stood and stretched, but his gaze softened briefly, then sharpened again. “So if you insist on talking poorly about yourself, do so quietly.”
Reims sputtered, his face burning as he was scolded. “You make it sound like I do it on purpose,” he muttered, more resigned with shame than irritation.
He didn’t think he was being self-deprecating… and he had an irritating habit? What was up with that? Lucien wasn’t even around him that much. Unless Ephesus and Amarynthos were gossiping about him. Probably deserved-- oh…
He leaned back against the pool’s edge again, careful not to move too quickly. “We didn’t get to look around much. The place was too full of toxic smoke or whatever. I tried collecting some of the black tar stuff. I can give it to you later.” Or someone who would be going home with the Mauvian.
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:34 am
Lyon stared at Lucien blankly. His smile was fixed perfectly in place but his eyes were open now, much different from the usual half-lidded expression he wore. He blinked once, twice. Slow, deliberate. Almost comical.
Because of course cats could talk. Of course, that made so much sense.
They were having a conversation.
Reims and Lucien spoke effortlessly, no different from any other conversation. Except Lucien was a cat. Or, cat-shaped.
Lyon listened. He heard what they said, it just took a few seconds extra to sink in because he was thinking about all those times he’d told Lucien how smart he was, how handsome, how clever–and he’d understood?
And he was nagging at Reims? Oh, the audacity! He was so cute saying such snobby things. Lyon wanted to drag himself out of the pool and pick Lucien up, in part to hold him, and in part to soak him.
Reims didn’t seem too upset, so Lyon didn’t rush to bully the Mauvian in return.
“I didn’t get anything,” Lyon reported after a slight delay. “I just opened the desk. I wanted to get to the file cabinet but I didn’t get a chance, sorry. It probably won’t help you in your research or anything, but roots had grown all over the chair. They were pretty easy to tear.” Or it had been the adrenaline. “The desk was really clean. The youma didn’t really even get too close to it, I don’t think? It might have been Dering’s shield. I didn’t get a chance to look at anything too close, sorry–oh! Wait, no! I remember something. The computer was old, like geriatric. And it wasn’t plugged into the wall or anything. I wanted to turn it on but I didn’t get to, but it seemed like it had its own power source. Like, it wasn’t connected to anything. I don’t remember anything else though, sorry. Dering kept looking at the corners of the room. I don’t know if he saw something. But he seemed jumpy the whole time so maybe it was just shadows”
Lyon looked at Reims expectantly, and then back to the Mauvian.
“I’ll let you know if I remember anything else. But I did more breaking than browsing, sorry.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:34 am
Lucien’s whiskers twitched, his eyes narrowing curiously at what Lyon shared. “Wireless power,” he murmured, mostly to himself. “That’s… fascinating.”
He paced in a slow half circle, tail flicking in thought. “No visible cords, no energy cables. For a system that old to run independent of the building’s grid suggests a custom core… something designed to draw power directly from another source remotely, or it has an internal power system. The Negaverse is certainly full of mysteries.”
Unfortunately, those mysteries didn’t help them.
He glanced briefly to Lyon, curious about him since he was new to the group, of course. But he seemed to take things in impressive stride. “And you say the youma didn’t approach it? Curious. Perhaps there’s a reason they weren’t interested. Or maybe there was something about it that kept them away. Good work, both of you. Details like that matter. Even if you think it’s nothing.”
His attention then was back on Reims. “As for Dering… if he was looking at the corners, I doubt he was just shadows. He strikes me as someone who is very intune with their instincts. If he thought something was there, something was.”
Reims glanced up, watching Lucien pace. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. There was this… hum. We thought it was coming from down below, but we could hear it through the air vents. Not sure if that has anything to do with the mysterious power source or if it’s something else entirely.”
He let out a quiet breath, his head hurting too much to think, but he was doing his best. Maybe he was just hungry after having the wind knocked out of him.
“Dering isn’t paranoid, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he said with a glance over at Lyon. He wouldn’t blame him if that was what he thought. He was new and didn’t know Dering very well. Or any of them. “Damn… we should have paid more attention to what he was spooked by. I didn’t even think about it.”
He should have known better. Dering had an internal sensor for things that might be overlooked by others. Reims had been too distracted by the plants and muck and, well… youma.
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:34 am
Lyon watched as the Mauvian paced, trying–and failing–not to stare at him. He didn’t much understand the Mauvian’s musings, but he was still absorbing the fact that he could speak at all.
He had nodded in agreement when Reims spoke, but it wasn’t like he needed someone to support his claim about the weird noise. When Reims mentioned Dering’s not-paranoia, he stopped nodding. “I didn’t say I thought he was crazy.”
No, crazy would be just accepting that the cat you liked to cuddle with and baby-talk was not only able to talk, but he was actually smarter than you.
“He’s got a ring, doesn’t he? Can’t you just ask him?” Lyon asked. Probably better than questioning, ‘Can’t you just ask him when you get home?’ and outing himself. Reims might not notice if he slipped up here and there but he suspected Lucien was a bit more clever.
“Or I guess, if you don’t want to bother him, did Amarynthos get pictures of the corners? Maybe there’s something there instead.” Dering had spoken to Reims briefly before he left. Lyon hadn’t asked where he’d gone, or why, but if Reims would know better than anyone else here what was going on with him or what they could rely on him for.
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