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[After the events of the previous week, the mature thing to do would have been to would have been to take the awkward stares and deliver his humble apologies like a man. Yet after spending a week steeped in the most negative emotions he'd indulged in even the darkest of fantasies, it was easier to keep to himself.
He'd been spending quite a bit of time along the southeastern banks of the river running outside the village, staying outdoors to avoid the all-encompassing yet entirely oppressive forgiveness that awaited him at home. He would make amends and pay his dues in time, but for now, there was still the matter of coping with what was within him that the experiment had tapped to affect his actions.
The man lying faceup on the riverbank would still be visibly bruised despite sharing living space with a mage proficient in the healing arts. He'd been grateful to have been pulled from the precipice of death, yes, but wished to let the tender achy muscles, dark bruises, and angry gashes heal on their own as penance. It was in this way that he watched the sky begin to darken, chronicling the sun's slow journey towards rest.]
He'd been spending quite a bit of time along the southeastern banks of the river running outside the village, staying outdoors to avoid the all-encompassing yet entirely oppressive forgiveness that awaited him at home. He would make amends and pay his dues in time, but for now, there was still the matter of coping with what was within him that the experiment had tapped to affect his actions.
The man lying faceup on the riverbank would still be visibly bruised despite sharing living space with a mage proficient in the healing arts. He'd been grateful to have been pulled from the precipice of death, yes, but wished to let the tender achy muscles, dark bruises, and angry gashes heal on their own as penance. It was in this way that he watched the sky begin to darken, chronicling the sun's slow journey towards rest.]
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The curiosity became horror quite quickly, though, as he noticed the telltale green hair that indicated the woman he'd planned on watching wasn't just any woman. He scrambled upright, turned his back to her, and frantically considered the traumatic implications of what it meant to know what Rydia's wet, nude figure looked like.
So far, it just meant that he needed to find a way to reverse time and throw the fight with Kain so he could manage to be dead right now instead of just wishing he was.]
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Rydia stretched and waded back out a little...only then spotting Cecil just as he turned around. Where it almost anyone else, she would have shrugged and continued as she was. However, this was Cecil and considering what had happened between them lately...she eeped, then froze.]
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I...well...I'm better? Uh, you?
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As well as can be expected. [Dead silence. When he did speak again, it was in a smaller voice.]
Thank you. For stopping me.
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You're welcome. I had to, you weren't...yourself.
You can turn around now, if you want.
[Just the leotard, but at least it covered the important bits?]
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You've gone to a healer, I hope.
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I am a healer, now. Not on par with Rosa, but the local healing spirit taught me. So, I'm...recovered.
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Congratulations. I remember how much you'd loved it before. [His thoughts drifted to the games she'd make over healing his light wounds, and how much gil he'd wasted on the little treats and whims she'd demanded. The memory made him smile and chuckle softly, which in turn reminded him of the pain, and the fact that laughing wasn't very pertinent of him. The mirth petered out.]
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Cecil...I don't want us to avoid each other forever. We shouldn't be doing that here anyway, not when greater forces are set against us.
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But I do forgive you. What happened...that wasn't you, don't you think I know that by now? You would never have behaved that way, where it not for the manipulations of our captors.
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You've always been too quick to trust me. Though I thank you for it.
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[Rydia shook her head and smiled a little. She took a step closer since they finally made eye contact.]
I made you earn that trust, remember? As for...recent past, I can't blame you for what was beyond your control. Let's place that blame where it belongs and not let Them tear us apart.
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[Aw, Rydia needed that hug. She happily returned it, relieved now that the awkwardness was past them.]
Cecil....
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I've been thinking...perhaps it would be easier to defend ourselves and each other, if those of us who were interested snagged one of the houses here, instead of being scattered. I haven't asked around yet -only spoken about it with one other in passing- but the idea's growing on me....
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I could let him know that he's welcome...but I have doubts he would agree to it, as well. Perhaps it's for the best, as long as he's not left to himself too much. No running off to the mountains for weeks on end without so much as a word.
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(ooc: Aww, cute icon. <3)
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((OOC: Nowhere NEAR as cute as Rydia/Cecil DRAWING awwww ;_;))
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At least we can show him that we care, and are around if he needs or wants us. You know he won't say it, but he doesn't always want to be alone....
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He endured her hug patiently.] If he seeks solitude, his wishes ought to be respected. It is his decision alone. All we can do is support him upon his return.
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