vermified | [Action / Voice]

[Waking up in a patch of grass in the middle of the woods is more of a relief than it might normally have been for Edward, or anyone else for that matter. The last memory he has of himself in his right mind is of the Malnosso, and their strange and terrifying ability to summon Lunar Rain seemingly out of nowhere. After that, he'd...

...He'd done terrible, shameful things, and he had far too much to apologize for. Which he should get right on doing.

Except he's completely lacking the level of courage needed to do that, so for a while he just sits in the grass, legs tucked against his chest, and watches the sun rise through the trees. It's... the east, right? So that means he's...

....

He has no idea where he is. Where's that journal...?]

...I... I'm in need of assistance.

[He finally returns and all he can do is ask for directions? Pathetic.

Though it'll take him some time to get home and then find the courage to do what he knows has to be done, over the course of the day he'll be attempting to visit two spots: the smithy and Winry's house, specifically, if he can't find her in the plaza. If he happens upon anyone he attacked while he was vermified, he's definitely going to apologize, too.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[But even Sigmund doesn't get a response he might expect.]

My lord, you may order me to do whatever you need. That has never changed. [....] But never presume to tell me how I feel.

[Sigmund is audacious indeed, and he's not done yet. If only he'd stop being arrogant long enough to think of the people he's mowing down with his good intentions...]

When I am taken from this place, you will 'not care'? If I indulge you first, you will still 'not care' then? Stop being unrealistic.

[As if the hard questions could get in the way of Edward's stubborn nature.]

I would care, and it would grieve me. Just as much as when- ...when you died. [If not more.] But that doesn't mean I'll hesitate in the time we're allowed.

It should. If you were wise, you would distance yourself now.

I'm not wise. I'm young, and reckless, and never think things through.

It is good for you that one of us will.

...Are you really doing this because you think it's what's best for me, my lord?

[Because he's pretty sure he already told you how he feels about you making those decisions for him.]

[...Okay, maybe not entirely, but Veros forbid he also have his own interests in mind. Oh, wait. He did.]

I believe it is best for everyone.

[Sigh. Edward can't really argue that one- Sigmund can do whatever he wants for himself, and he has Capell to watch over now, too.

He's fighting a losing battle,and it's pure selfishness to push it. Why would he want someone unwilling, anyway?]

If you feel so strongly about it, I won't ask you again. I won't even mention it. But know that I won't change my mind.

[Sigmund almost wants to object, but not so long ago he was the young fool with the crush insisting that he wouldn't be changing his mind.

Instead, he turns away. Despite himself, he's suddenly lonely now that he's forcing Edward away. Edward, who's always served him loyally, who has been his most constant company this whole time, who was always overjoyed with his hopeless attempts at friendliness... But it's for the best. This is how it needs to be.]

...My armor needs repair.

[And it's business as usual. Edward can't say that's particularly surprising, and merely closes his eyes, shifting back to take to a knee, bowing as a servant to a master.

"This changes nothing."]

I'll begin at once, my lord.

[Sigmund gestures to where he left it, a pile by his bed. It's been cleaned since their fight, but little else. His sheets are also curiously crisp and clean, for belonging to someone that's been injured and bedridden for a week. Why, it's almost as if he didn't sleep here at all.]

I have the other. Work at your leisure.

[Edward glances at the pile, considering it for a moment, then his gaze shifts to the sheets. ...Speaking of that.]

My lord... my sheets were bloody.

[...Ah. Sigmund's first reaction, as usual, is to lie; but that would just be insulting Edward's intelligence. No one is that stupid.]

I didn't have time to change them.

[Don't ask, don't ask, don't ask, don't-]

Why were you in my bed?

There were fewer stairs.

[Is that not the saddest excuse you have ever heard?]

[That is pretty pathetic, actually. So pathetic that Edward doesn't have a response for it. Does Sigmund really not want to explain himself that much?

Yeah, Edward's pretty much reaching the limits of this conversation. He can only take so much in one day.]

...I'll take care of it, then.

[Yes. Because saying "I missed you and felt guilty about what I did" would just be encouraging Edward to get closer.]

You may leave.

[Expecting that, Edward rises wordlessly, bowing as is his custom and heading out to try and find his own room again. He'll take care of Sigmund's armor once he can collect it without Sigmund around. He doesn't want to spend another minute in the room.

...First time for everything, apparently.]

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