this day should be for me

[promittere]

WAXING GIBBOUS FINALE

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[impacter]

[Forty minutes after Ithaqua collapses onto the floor, the other half of the pair tucks into the sage room entrance with exhaustion heavy in his posture. It's a brief and silent visit, taking a glance at who is there, looking for the violet-colored shard to make sure it made it in one piece. The blood and charring on his clothing is 1) alarmingly abundant and 2) still remarkably fresh, but enough of his wounds and bruising are patchworking together to show he's at least had some measure of healing despite his rough appearance.

If Ithaqua is still napping on the floor - congrats, he gets the small bag filled with the handful of mana stones Solomon had grabbed plopped right in front of him.

He's not taking any more than he already has to survive that little stunt. Enjoy your spoils, Ithaqua.]

[lustro]

Again?

[ He's talking about Solomon in this state twice in the same day. But it looks like the man's about to leave, so he'll keep it short; he just wants to make sure Solomon is okay enough to move about like that and that he's heading toward their healers. ]

Need a little boost of energy to get to the med room?

[impacter]

It's not as though I strolled into either of these, you know...

Mm, those charms work pretty decently, by the way.

[There's no bite to it. Really, he's just exhausted and not in a particularly joking mood after two laser beams to the face, but their end of this mission had been done without Ithaqua evaporating at the finish line. That's all he really cares for now. That, and that this room and its inhabitants are still in one piece.]

I won't say no, if you're offering.

[lustro]

Good to know.

[ He offers his hand. ]

Starting to think we need one of the healers up here, after all. Can you send someone up?

[ Once Solomon takes his hand, he murmurs his incantation and works an enchantment similar to what Solomon had once taught him. There's no steaming mug to gently ease it in, Ginger sends Solomon what he needs directly. A firm, but gentle push of magic, strength, encouragement - good luck.

He's a little wan after. Giving everyone some of him adds up. ]

[impacter]

Akira is with Bruno. I can see if Comet is mobile and willing. [It's tangential as he extends his hand, taking in a sigh at the feel of the enchantment.

After all this, and still this one tries to encourage him, when others have fallen to hatred and disinterest. Mm. How strange.

He doesn't withdraw his hand at first.]

May I give you something in return?

...Don't worry for my magic in your answer. It's become a slowly bottomless well for me, with this power we've been given.

[lustro]

Never mind, I'll ask them.

[ Because honestly, why is he asking the elderly?

He doesn't answer the offer immediately. He hasn't forgotten everything that's made him unhappy, but acting normal is... his way to deal. Solomon will eventually leave - soon probably, soon he'll be gone - and then what? Why bother taking out his unhappiness on the man? It - they - Ginger's feelings - don't matter when there's a goodbye on the horizon. ]

... Okay. What is it?

[impacter]

[Well, that solves that!

Ginger might notice that the mildly distracting angelic presence that normally floats around Solomon is strangely missing as he lifts a hand to momentarily rest against Ginger's hair.]

...You're doing a phenomenal job. I would give you a tether to my power, if it were necessary. But... I genuinely believe you've exceeded the need for it.

I wish for your happiness, Ginger. Please make it through, so you may enjoy it.

/2

[lustro]

[ ... What? ]

[lustro]

[ Right now? Those words spell a goodbye. The sentiment is proud, like Solomon cares - and he hates it. This damned man. First he threatens Mika, then Ginger, then he -

(Gone. He's going to be gone.)

Ginger hisses a breath, eyes angry and damp. ]

Stop. [ Don't do this. He ducks away from Solomon's hand, rather than brush it off with his arm. He refuses to understand that Solomon's time with him with finite. He doesn't want to think about the others being the same. He wants things to be constant and eternal. ] ... Just go. And don't you dare die out there.

[impacter]

[Ginger ducks away, and Solomon's hand hesitantly curls back. His smile is faint, eyes pained but resigned.]

...Please. After all of this, do you think I'd want it to end now?

[Against one very angry man with a lot of explosives and mana stones? Psh!

...]

There are too many stories left out there to call it quits. I don't intend to be another one of them just yet.

[lustro]

[ He'd said it to Akira once, but Solomon's way of caring is unfair - or maybe Ginger's just demanding too much. They're both unfair, then. He is, after all, incredibly selfish when it comes to relationships. So used to halves, but always needing more.

Ginger debates asking if Solomon will come back to continue this story, but decides... no. They should just end here, he thinks. ]

Take care, Solomon.

[impacter]

[He'll nod his consent. That was that. All that was left is to finish what they started.

He'll dip away to share some words with Mika, brief, before slipping back out into the fray. May this good luck sit well with them both.]

[shortleash]

( Mika didn't consider that being put on sage duty would mean he'd be subjected to a buffet of flavors in the air... like being stationed in the kitchen when you're cursed to be always hungering.

He swallows, but studies Solomon pensively. Ginger has already helped him out, but... )

Do you need more help?

( He can drain something from himself to help Solomon recuperate, but it's obviously not ideal in this situation. )

[impacter]

[He shakes his head.]

I managed over a dozen wizards attempting to end me. I can manage another short walk.

You are the ones I would like to make sure are okay.

[Like... not Itha, he'll survive, but this is kind of an important spot that Ginger and Mika are in, and once Solomon starts to fight, he isn't sure he'll be able to come back down here.]

[shortleash]

... Were the Northern wizards there like vultures?

( Sounds like it. Nevertheless... )

We're fine, so far. As long as I can focus on maintaining my roses and Ginger's backing me up, I think this room should stay pretty protected. ( They'll do their best, anyway. ) The rest of you can focus on getting that guy out of there.

[impacter]

Hm. More like ravenous wolves torn from their easy prey.

[So he isn't going to take any argument for his distraction being unnecessary. Any time he saved for both Ithaqua and for keeping those wizards from trailing down those threads was worth the battering to his body.]

You'll call for us if it comes down for it, I hope. A lot relies on the two of you.

[shortleash]

( His lips purse finely - clearly uneasy about the danger coming Ginger's way (well, the danger that could be coming to this room, but Ginger is the most important thing stationed here, so). )

We'll reach out, but we won't wait on it. If you're busy, you're busy.

( Despite how curt it's phrased, it's at least a willingness to rely on others - a biggie for him - but also an understanding that people may be preoccupied, and may not be able to provide backup.

He's willing to make sure they - and the sage - don't go down until help can make it, if it can come at all. )

... Worry about yourself more. Ginger would be upset if you come back any worse.

[impacter]

Then I'll trust in your confidence.

[He glances shallowly in Ginger's direction, where the nephilim has already briskly, emotionally ducked away from him and requested him to leave.

His expression tightens, unreadable, before shaking his head.]

There's nothing else I can do for him, or for his feelings. [He feels Ginger may be upset no matter what he chooses, simply because he cannot choose an option that will make Ginger happy. An inherent split in their paths and desires, just like his apprentices of old.] But I don't plan on making myself a martyr.

Will you watch his heart, in those places where this old man failed? Will you let him watch you?