idealism sits in prison

the bastion

How do I learn my dreams to mold
To lay them bare in the morning cold?

With a bottle of homemade gin in one hand and his husband's clasped in the other, quite why it felt as if the pair were walking into some unknown battle rather than strolling towards one of the nicest brothels in all of Caido, Remi wasn't sure. Perhaps it had something to do with the pinkish blush of the clouds that threatened any moment to turn blood red with the setting of the sun, or the unsettling quiet of Meadowreach, but whatever it was the Bastion found that his thoughts felt entirely too loud.

"I really didn't think it was going to feel this weird." He admits, glancing over his shoulder and raising his eyebrows. They'd of course let Sunjata know that they were coming, had booked a room, and had asked the Flood to meet them for a drink that evening so that they could all talk. It was a wonderfully adult thing to do, and having had several days for them all to collectively wrap their minds around it, why it should still feel as though it had crept up on them, Remi didn't know.

Having very recently been to the House of Midnight the Taliesin's were able to check themselves in and find their way up to their room without any issue.

If they're still out there then the chasm grows
For all you know, for all you've known

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

"Me neither," Ronin admits, furrowing his brow as he gazes up at the House of Midnight - a place they've been recently, so it really shouldn't feel as strange as it does. Nevertheless, keeping pace with his husband and giving his hand a gentle squeeze, the Knight leads them through the main doors and lets Remi check them in, before following after the Bastion to the room he's booked. 

Letting an arm move automatically around the other man - so sue him, it's a brothel and Remi is the finest thing in it according to Ronin - the Knight glances around with much less ease than the last time they were here, eyes peeled for he has no idea what. "This almost reminds me of that dinner party we had with Tobi and Finn," he admits, smirking and leaning in to kiss Remi's curls.

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

the bastion

How do I learn my dreams to mold
To lay them bare in the morning cold?

Turning into Ronin's touch, the Bastion smiles a touch bashfully as he tries to keep himself from adding subtle touches to their room that might otherwise encourage them to blow off their meeting with the Flood, or at the very least be quite late for it.

"Gods," chuckling under his breath, Remi gives his head a little shake. "Didn't we have sex in their bathroom...?" And didn't I accidentally take home one of Finn's napkins? Raising his eyebrows suggestively, Remi's green eyes wander a touch mischievously up towards the ceiling as he loops his arms around the Knight's shoulders. "I wouldn't want this room to go to waste, but...you say the word and I'll meet you in any bathroom you like."

When the pair eventually do make their way down towards the bar, it's in clothes that Ronin has picked out for them and with a bottle of gin for Sunjata and a letter for Hotaru. "It...it's a message from someone." He explains to Ronin as they slip into a booth. "Someone dead. I'm not entirely sure who, but..." Shrugging, he places the letter on the table next to the bottle.

If they're still out there then the chasm grows
For all you know, for all you've known

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

"Mm, I believe we did," Ronin says, smirking at the memory and letting his fingers wander down Remi's side as he also takes in the room around them and everything it might be capable of providing. "Ah, the night is young. I'll meet you in some bathroom downstairs and then take you back up here for a really good time."" Grinning, it feels easy to make those sorts of salacious plans; it distracts Ronin from what they're actually going to be doing.

Nevertheless, they do eventually sidle into a booth at the bar, the Knight having dressed his husband in a soft linen shirt and a burgundy vest, while his own outfit is darker, his midnight blue shirt adorned with a spray of silver patterning. "Oh, I see," he says of the letter, tilting his head as it's set down beside the bottle, even as his hand slips to rest over Remi's knee beneath the table. "I forgot you could receive messages. I suppose I was caught up in everything else." Aoife, he means, obviously.

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

temporary fleeting thrills, keep me bruised and make me ill
my skin has lavender tones

To be honest, Sunjata has zero idea what to expect when it comes to the letter he receives. Whether it’s a certain kind of conversation, an attempt to become friendly toward one another again, a conversation about Starfall…? The Flood is at a loss. What he does know, at least, is that they’ve decided to meet at the House of Midnight, and that they’ve booked a room to stay the night.

Being that it’s Flowerbirth again, Frey’s demigod has forgone the sweaters and warmer clothes in favor for truly looking the part again. Hair cropped short and pushed back out of his face, a soft button up shirt that’s a deep blue (and starless, thankfully, otherwise either he or Ronin would have to change, obviously) and only buttoned up halfway, leaving the reaching fingers of his lightning scars and the navy edges of his tattoos on display for anyone to see.

He’d been notified as soon as they tracked him down about the pair’s arrival, and so it’s with Sunjata finishing up bringing a crate toward the bar for the bartender — of whom a playful nudge is granted — that Sunjata notices Remi and Ronin in a booth. Making his way over after wiping his dusty hands off on a rag at the bar, he straightens his already ruffled shirt and flashes them a polite smile of greeting as he slips into the booth opposite of the couple, steel eyes taking in the letter and the bottle of booze, before he lifts them to Ronin and Remi. “Hey. It’s nice to see you two.” Sunjata’s accented tone rumbles, a genuine hospitality to it, if not a touch awkward. “Can I get you guys anything?” Small polite business talk to keep him from stubbornly feeling too unsteady.

the flood

tell me i'm a loaded gun, tie me up and come undone
i can cover it up, i can cover it up

totally sniped from odd ilu

the bastion

How do I learn my dreams to mold
To lay them bare in the morning cold?

"Hopefully whatever it says won't get us in trouble." Remi murmurs quietly as he fits his hand over the Knights that they might both drift in the same uncertain midnight blue seas.

Luckily they aren't kept waiting long, and while Remi rightly guesses that Sunjata was likely made aware of their arrival the second they'd stepped in, he is a bit relieved that the Flood hadn't made them wait too long. A bit like pulling off a bandaid, he thought the sooner they all just started speaking to one another, the sooner they might be able to cut through the last bit of tension between them.

"Hey, it's good to see you too." Not feeling up to a hug but also feeling like a handshake might be a bit too formal, Remi settled on lifting his hand in as warm of a greeting as he could. "Thanks for meeting with us. I know this is...' Glancing over at Ronin, Remi rolls his eyes as if embarrassed for the three of them before chuckling under his breath. "..I know it's awkward, but if we keep waiting to bump into each other at random events, it'll be another few years before we speak properly."

If they're still out there then the chasm grows
For all you know, for all you've known

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

With Ronin's luck it probably will be some incriminating letter or other, though he does his best to put that at the back of his mind in lieu of brushing his thrumb across Remi's knee - at least until Sunjata appears. His once best friend looks better than the Knight has seen him in a long time, something that has some of the tension dragging from his shoulders already, and he echoes Remi's greeting with a smile and nod. "I love what you've done with the place," he quips to the Flood, as if the writhing bodies and shots of liquor are just part of the intentional decor.

Remi takes the lead, though, and it's with a pulse of affection and gratitude through their bond that he lets him, resisting the urge to reach out and plant a kiss on his lips that says all the things words can't. "I know no one here at this table is really able to get drunk any more, but if there is any liquor going I won't say no," he adds with a smirk to the Flood. "Gives our hands something to do at least."

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

temporary fleeting thrills, keep me bruised and make me ill
my skin has lavender tones

“Thanks, Ronin.” Sunjata says softly, before his steel gaze focuses on Remi to hear — thankfully — that it’s the same way for them. Immediately, tension bleeds a bit from his shoulders as the Bastion mentions it being awkward, glad that he isn’t the only one that thinks so, allowing him to puff out a sigh of relief that spreads into a soft laugh. “Yeah, true.” He agrees with a light sigh, turning his attention back to Ronin at the mention of drinks, to which he plants an arm on the back of the booth and twists toward the bar, making eye contact with the bartender and a nod. He’ll know what to do.

Flashing a crooked smile that bunches up the scar back to the two demigods, Sunjata glances at the items on the table before his steel gaze dances between the two men opposite of him. “I uh, heard that you two aren’t Ludo’s or Safrin’s anymore. Congratulations.” And if there’s the briefest hint of a snarl under his breath as he says the starry goddess’ name, well, he can’t help it.

Thankfully, three glasses arrive and a variety of bottles — a savory red wine, a bottle of rum from Torchline, a bright and refreshing gin, and a smoked whiskey. Options we’re important to have, after all.

Sunjata immediately reaches for the bottle of smoked whiskey, pouring a decent amount of the amber liquid into his glass, gesturing for the two men to help themselves to whatever they liked from the flight the bartender had brought.

the flood

tell me i'm a loaded gun, tie me up and come undone
i can cover it up, i can cover it up

totally sniped from odd ilu

the bastion

How do I learn my dreams to mold
To lay them bare in the morning cold?

Nodding emphatically at the mention of something to drink, Remi does his best to try and settle in the booth. He doesn't want it to feel as if it's them vs. Sunjata, but equally he can't quite pry himself away from his husband's side.

Mention of Safrin and Ludo has the Bastion snorting under his breath as he shoots a wry glance in Ronin's direction before giving his head a little shake. "And not a moment too soon, honestly." Pausing politely as the bartender arrived, Remi grinned appreciatively at the offerings before predictably sampling the gin.

"That reminds me. This is for you—my private batch, and this-" Sliding both the gin and the letter across the table, Remi nodded to the latter. "-is for Hotaru. It's nothing, uhm, well it is personal, but not from me." Remi badly explains, frowning at the words leaving his mouth before ruffling a hand through his curls. "What I mean, is that it's a message from someone in Mort's halls. I'm not sure who."

If they're still out there then the chasm grows
For all you know, for all you've known

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

It's true - perhaps they ought to have chosen a circular table rather than a booth for this get together, but it's a bit too late for that now. Instead, forcing out a sigh and letting himself settle a little more against his seat, Ronin smiles his gratitude as Jata goes ahead and gets some booze together for them to sample. And as he chooses smoky whiskey and the Bastion goes for the gin, Ronin migrates towards the wine if only because he's sampled Torchline's rum enough to know it's good, and he wants something different.

"Gods, you can say that again," he blurts at the mention of the two heralds, a rough laugh erupting from his throat, and without thinking about it he holds out his glass to clink against the others'. "To not having to go through that anymore," he toasts.

Sitting back to enjoy the wine as Remi explains about the gin and the letter, Ronin can't help but let his brow furrow. When he speaks it's still awkward, but the feeling behind it is genuine. "I hope it's the kind of letter that brings more peace than hurt."

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

temporary fleeting thrills, keep me bruised and make me ill
my skin has lavender tones

Relief already begins to spread through the Flood’s shoulders as the other two demigods relax under the weight of no longer being the herald’s chosen, and gladly he lifts his glass to clink against Ronin’s and Remi’s in a silent agreement. “It was the best decision I ever made. Even if she tried to kill me.” He admits with a soft huff, until he winces a little toward Ronin and his smile twists a bit more lopsided. “Thanks for uh, bringing me off the brink that day.” Hanging on by a literal thread, without Ronin’s intervention, he would have died that day.

Taking a generous sip of the whiskey, he hums contently as it burns the back of his throat, focusing on the gifts as Remi describes what they are. The liquor is always appreciated, but when it came to the letter, he plucks it from the table with his dominant hand, the glint of Nate’s ring still shining amongst it in the low, heady light of the bar. “Ru is nothing if not resilient. I’m sure that even if it hurts, it’ll bring more relief at the end of the day.” Lips quirking into a soft smile at the mention of the Valkyrie, he slips the letter into the inside of his shirt, into a pocket there so he knows he won’t forget it.

But it brings another memory to light, and he blinks a few times before his steel gaze lifts to Remi’s face, his smile faltering into a shell of a thing. “Ascended made it to Morts Halls, right? I saw Rexanna last Festival of Lights. Do you… know if the Voice’s demigods made it too?” Did Nate make it?

He’s assumed but never wanted to ask, and yet a part of him wonders if the confirmation will help that occasional yawning pit in his gut.

the flood

tell me i'm a loaded gun, tie me up and come undone
i can cover it up, i can cover it up

totally sniped from odd ilu

the bastion

How do I learn my dreams to mold
To lay them bare in the morning cold?

"Who hasn't Safrin tried to kill." Remi says with a laugh, knocking his glass against the other two before taking a small sip and letting it sit on his tongue. "And now he can bring you back even if you do go off the brink." The Bastion says proudly, clapping his husband adoringly on the knee.

Smiling a touch as Sunjata spoke about Hotaru, not quite knowing how or what he was supposed to (or allowed) to feel about the Valkyrie these days, the Bastion simply nodded. He knew what the letter said (obviously), but hadn't understood the context at all. It had been a man who'd wanted his message delivered and while parts of it certainly sounded like it had come from a lover, Remi knew better than to make any assumptions.

Meeting Sunjata's grey stare, the Bastion nods gently. "They did. They all did." Tension stops his smile from growing to the point where it would cause dimples, and it's only in the interest of them all properly starting over that Remi continues on. "It could be because of how everything ended that he hasn't sent you a message through me." He didn't mean to imply that Nate's hated of the Bastion overshadowed his love for Sunjata, but perhaps only that if the pair had been able to say everything they needed to at the end, it wasn't worth the pain it might cause Nate to seek Remi out.

"Actually though, that's partially why I wanted to come and meet you in the first place." Setting down his glass and sitting up a touch straighter, a boyish flush colours Remi's cheeks as he smiles a touch foolishly down at the table. "I brought back Vai, during LongNight." He explains in a low, joyful voice. That it was the witch who'd once part of the inciting incident of the trio's divide, it was perhaps fitting that she was also the cause of their being together now.

"She mentioned that she'd be happy to see you as well, if that's something you wanted...?" Grinning, knowing Sunjata's answer wouldn't be anything but yes in all likelihood, Remi took a small sip of his gin.

If they're still out there then the chasm grows
For all you know, for all you've known

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

we shall heal our wounds, collect our dead

"Oh, she tried to kill me towards the end too!" Ronin says, grinning and taking a long sip of his wine as if he's managed to join some kind of prestigious club. "Granted, it would have been a pathetically slow, drawn out death, but..." Wrinkling his nose and shrugging, it's neither here nor there now, he supposes. "You're welcome," he adds in a quieter voice to Sunjata. "And Remi is right, though I guess you had to unfortunate pleasure of seeing it first hand." When he'd revived Mel, of course.

Talk turns to Hotaru's message and Ascended souls, and Ronin - following another sip of wine (it's very good) - shifts to let his arm slip around the Bastion, suddenly feeling as if he might understand a mere fraction of the Flood's loss just by imagining what it would be like not to be able to perform this simple act of affection again towards Remi. "Perhaps he also doesn't want to cause you any more pain, if you are starting to heal," he hazards gently, though the shake of his head says he doesn't wish to speculate or put words in the Ranger's mouth, even now that he resides within Mort's halls.

He doesn't add anything to the offer given when Vai's name leaves Remi's lips, though his warm smile is just as pleased, for both his husband and for the Flood, should he decide to see the witch again.

THE WHITE KNIGHT

and continue fighting

temporary fleeting thrills, keep me bruised and make me ill
my skin has lavender tones

Snorting to the mention of Safrin and her murderous intent, he winces a little as the smile widens. “Hey, mine too.” Until Ronin’s healing had granted him breath and life, even if his body was still damaged by it. It was somehow worse than when Frey had burned everything of Safrin out of him, when he was uniquely aware of each and every nerve ending to be scrubbed clean of her.

Either way, he nods and flashes that same crooked smile toward Remi, fully intending not to meet that fate (thanks immortality), he cocks his head a little. “Thanks for saving Mel.” He can’t remember if he said it in the moment, but gods if the thought of losing her didn’t burn against the same hollow pit in his gut.

It’s that pit that yawns as he makes his question known, fingertips running along the edge of the glass, steel eyes meeting seafoam. “It’s okay. As long as he got there.” Whether or not anyone else understood, Sunjata did. And with Ronin’s addition, it sparks a soft snort from him as he shrugs a tattooed shoulder and leans back. “Yeah, maybe.” It doesn’t matter, though, not as relief wars with the sudden realization of words spilling from the other two demigods lips, at the unfortunate time that he’s sipping the whiskey.

Nearly choking on it (read, he did choke on it he’s just trying to play it cool even as it tears up his throat), Sunjata’s scarred brows pinch together and he stares between the two of them as the pit of his stomach drops. “I, uh, fuck.” He curses, each and every scar on his body lighting up in a white strike like lightning, setting the glass down and trying desperately to clear his throat and hide his emotions through the attuned bond, but sure that the two demigods would be able to feel the stinging surprise and sharp pit of sorrow. “Uhm, yeah, of course I wanna see her.” He starts to say in case it gives the wrong impression.

“I didn’t know she died.” He admits a bit quieter, muscles feathering in his jaw as he stares at the glass.

the flood

tell me i'm a loaded gun, tie me up and come undone
i can cover it up, i can cover it up

totally sniped from odd ilu