awashlogs | [ Closed ]

[ Those thorns had come at a very bad time, what with him spending most of his days incorporeal, despondently floating about town as he considers his no doubt inevitable demise. The sight of Maya hanging around nearby only brings about painful memories of his promise to her, made some months back. Will he truly be unable to keep them…?

Ah, but he can’t worry about that now, can he? These thorns are a huge cause for concern as they are, and so he decides to just quietly attempt to pass through them to get at the source—

—whereupon he feels a sharp prick and immediately pops back into corporeality in a shower of golden sparkles. ]

Oh! I’m— [ He reaches up, to touch a tiny cut on his deadly-pale cheek, his eyes cracking open in surprise. ]

It can’t be…

[ Over the past few days, Xie Lian would no doubt have realized that his roommate was getting more listless than melancholy, and was wont to vanish at every opportunity—whether literally or otherwise. Tristan would take any pretext to avoid Xie Lian altogether—indeed, he seemed to be going out more often, as if he feared to be in the same place as his roommate.

And that’s perhaps not an entirely unfounded fear, especially given his pallor and his new tendency to respond in monosyllables. This time, when he’s about to head out for the day, he merely nods to Xie Lian in greeting, before making his way outside— ]

[ She had no idea he was right there. Maybe because her Persona knew this spirit wasn't a threat. But all the same, he bursts back into existence right in front of her, and only years of journalism and some days of demon-fighting keep her from shrieking. ]

Tr--

[ Oh, right. ]

Archer?!

[ Xie Lian might have successfully convinced him into staying home and getting some rest for the day, but that doesn’t mean that Tristan still won’t be roaming restlessly about. In fact, he’s the one who answers the rapping at their door today, to… ]

Wei Wuxian? [ Raising his eyebrows. There’s little he can do to hide his unhealthy pallor and his general state of fatigue, but still he carries himself with his usual dignity, betraying nothing from his expression beyond his usual melancholy.

He could have at least spared a smile, though. ]

Have you upset Saber again?

I apologize for startling you, Maya. [ Just let him get back up on his feet— ]

I was only looking for the source of these vines.

... Invisibly?

[ Actually, now that she looks more closely at him... ]

You don't look that hot, either...

[ He quickly turns away—but really, that just makes him look all the more guilty, doesn’t it? ]

Please pay it no mind. I am more concerned about these thorns invading our homes.

[It's pretty hard to miss your own roommate getting quieter and more avoidant by the day, especially with Xie Lian being well-versed himself in the art of Pretending You're Fine. Coupled with his resignation to the fact he seems to be stuck in Chroma for the unforeseeable future, the man's old nosy nature has grown harder and harder to ignore as well--

So today, instead of quietly letting him go as he usually does, Xie Lian reaches out to grab onto Archer's arm.]

Wait. Don't you think it would be a good idea to stay inside, for the day?

I'll be concerned about both of those things, then.

Did something else happen?

[ You're lucky he bothered to knock. ]

Again?

[ He waves his hands. ]

Look, how was I to know those were her—

[ .....wait. ]

Archer. Are you all right? You look ill.

[ He's just going to be inviting himself inside okay? ]

[ He’s so close to that thorny entrance, the air around him thick with the soporific enchantments that have plagued the town.

Which is of course where he finally collapses, his limbs finally giving out from the numbness and the overwhelming fatigue. Already his body has been racked with layer upon layer of poison, from his roommate’s cooking to the acid blood of the demons that had infested the town not long ago.

And now there’s this—this strange sleeping drug from the thorns, which he of course succumbs to because despite being in full armor and with a handy sword to hack his way through the powers-that-be that had summoned him fully-fleshed into the presence of his master had neglected to throw in a helmet to top off his armor.

Because Fate just likes to shit on him like that. So he lies despondently on the ground, the castle gates just literally inches away from his dramatically outstretched hand as he murmurs— ]

I see…this is truly the end…oh, Iseult…

Inside? [ Yes, of course. It would be the least exhausting option, but… ]

But I cannot. I have my duties to the Defense Force. With our leader gone… [ Well, he doesn’t try to pull away. Mostly because he doesn’t have much strength left in him to do so, anyway. ]

Ah, my friend, we hardly have the luxury of being idle these days.

Nothing that should add to your concerns… [ Did I mention that he’s a terrible liar ]

I am fine, but… [ Really, he’s sure Wei Wuxian’s fine too, no matter what Nero’s reputation as an emperor is. But it’s hard not to seize on that chance to change the subject— ]

But it is not healthy for you you constantly provoke her like this.

I understand. Duty is important, and without a leader your unit must be in disarray. [And yet he isn't letting go...]

I'd think an army in disarray would only fall apart further though, if its members were to work themselves to exhaustion.

[And you're looking pretty bad, sir.]

[ He bows his head in contrition. He knows when he’s been caught… ]

Oh, but…I do not wish to trouble you with my… [ He doesn’t really want to say it outright and worry him!! ] …condition. I will be fine, Xie Lian.

... Didn't anyone ever teach you that you shouldn't lie to a journalist?

[ Tristan, you suck at this. ]

[ At least he tried…welp. ]

It's only an illness. I am sure that it will pass. [ ~~With death.~~ ]

[ For Archer to be harping on his health is a bit much, looking like that. He unceremoniously slides an arm under Archer's, on purpose to coax him to a chair and sit him down. ]

We're fine too, don't worry. How long have you been like this?

[ Tristan has no choice but to comply, too weak as he is to really put up a fight on this. ]

Not very long. [ He rallies one more time— ] I thank you for your concern, Wuxian, but I assure you that I will be fine. Already, my roommate insists on looking after me…

... If it's an illness, then maybe I can heal it.

[ She's been able to shove back thorn curses, at least. If nothing else, she can do that much. ]

It is not so simple as that. I've already been to a healer. She could close my wounds…

[ He sighs, pressing his fingers to the cut on his cheek. As of yet he doesn't realize that a new poison has already entered his body. ]

But for the poison coursing through my veins…nothing.

[ He frowns. Archer's sorrowful nature and his enduring guilt probably make it very difficult for him to ask for help, or even feel that he deserves help in the first place. Which means, of course, that he can dismiss all protests.

He sets about massaging Archer's shoulders. ]

Have you injured yourself lately? Tell me truly, have you been hurt? Even the smallest scratch could be important.

[ As nice as the massage feels, it just…doesn't sit well with him to be fussed over like this. Why must people be so concerned? It's not as if he's unused to misfortune… ]

I have seen a healer. [ Fight him. ] So please don't worry…

[ Closed ]

For Maya!

For Xie Lian!

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For Wei Wuxian!

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For Mogget!

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