34 - [voice]

[stargathering]

I hope yesterday's curse doesn't repeat itself any time soon. As amusing as it was at first, it really got old fast... Was there any lasting damage from it?

[ Private to Presea, Yuri, and Rita ]

Thanks for your help; I took care of what I needed to. Sorry for any worry I caused.

[ Private to Klarth ]

How are you hanging in there? Do you need

Comments

/niiiinjas in 8D

[axeofoath]

[Gremio, who doesn't need to speak with communicators when they live in the same apartment, is knocking on Tyr's door! Surely his appetite is back now, right?]

Young Master, are you awake? Have you been feeling any better?

[stargathering]

[ If there was one thing Tyr legitimately procrastinated on, it was telling Gremio the truth of why he was alive again. Hearing Gremio's voice at his door was enough to make him shove that aside, though. Shoving himself off his bed, he opened the door for Gremio with a small smile. ]

Yeah, I'm feeling okay. [ If he had blood circulation, he might have a bruised cheek. It wasn't even red, though. He takes a step aside, inviting Gremio in. ] I've wanted to talk to you, though...

[axeofoath]

[Gremio still doesn't suspect a thing despite his utter confusion over the restoration of his life. For now, he's relieved that Tyr claims he's better as well as curious as to what this could be about. He takes a few steps into his master's room and, remaining standing for the time being, turns to Tyr.]

Of course, Young Master. Is there something you need?

[stargathering]

Not really...

[ He closes the door behind him, but doesn't move any further. There's hardly a need to speak quieter when the most important person here was going to find out now.

Now it was just how to break it to him. ]

[axeofoath]

[The quiet bothers him and gets him already fretting about the possibilities. Something must be wrong, even if he isn't sure what it is.]

Then--are you sure you're all right? Has something happened?

[He starts moving a little closer to Tyr out of concern.]

[stargathering]

[ He was practically asking him to tell him everything.

Tyr takes a step closer to Gremio, he takes hold of Gremio's hands for the first time since he made the trade. ]

...It's a long story... But I'm okay, I promise that.

[axeofoath]

[Gremio doesn't really register the promise--not when his focus immediately goes to Tyr's ice-cold hands.]

B-but, Young Master, you're--your hands-! You should be in bed!

[stargathering]

[ He simply squeezes Gremio's hands a little tighter. He did this so he could feel him being warm again, so he'd be alive; he can't pull back now.

Shaking his head: ] That's not going to change anything. This is how it's going to be for a few weeks now...

[axeofoath]

[And with his own hands now warm, Tyr's feel so horribly cold, so unlike they were before. He's both utterly confused and worried.]

I...I don't understand, Young Master. If this is some sort of illness, you must rest, or else...Y-you already feel as cold as death!

[stargathering]

[ "Cold as death"... Tyr almost couldn't stop himself from smiling just at that phrasing. For as easy as it was to admit he traded his life for Gremio's, he didn't want admit he was actually dead. He didn't feel dead - How could he feel dead when he was still perfectly conscious?

Even if it would be harder to not look Gremio in the eye, Tyr kept his head up and his eyes on Gremio's face. ]

Gremio... It's not an illness... It's part of the deal I made for you.

[axeofoath]

Deal...?

[His confusion persists for a moment, slowly replaced by growing horror as a sinking feeling develops in his chest. It occurs to him that their states are reversed, but...it can't be.]

Young Master--S-surely you didn't...!

[stargathering]

[ He got it now, Tyr was sure. Tyr takes another step closer to Gremio. ]

It's only temporary--I had to do it.

[axeofoath]

[Knowing that it's temporary might bring him some relief later. But right now, he's just in shock and at a loss, holding Tyr's hands tightly.]

Y-you didn't--You didn't have to do anything, Young Master.

[stargathering]

[ He knows that's true. His expression drops a bit, returning that hold. ]

...I wanted to. You deserve to be alive like this, Gremio...

[axeofoath]

Not at the cost of your own life!

[He's almost shouting--upset, but not angry. Afterwards, though, he tries to calm down and soften his voice.]

Young Master, please...I know you must understand. Your life is more precious to me than anything, including my own. Y-you didn't have to give that up!

[stargathering]

[ Gremio's words sting, making Tyr's eyes shift down to Gremio's shoulders. This should be the reaction he expected. Even if he knows the words to say, that doesn't make it easier. ]

I-- I didn't give it up completely... It'll return. [ Even if he was prepared to give it up forever. ] And I'm still here. I'm not...I'm not dead.