[It's...a long night. It's not necessarily that he's moping, but as Ion sits in his quiet, empty dorm room...he can't shake himself from his many, many thoughts. But his door is open, anticipating visitors, and when he hears Rapunzel approach he'll turn toward her with a soft smile.]
[Her presence and her hand on his is warm and comforting. So much so, it makes him want to cry. But he blinks back the tears as he turns his hand over to touch their palms together. His voice is so small.]
I knew that I could handle it, so...I wasn't thinking about how it looked from the other side. But, after what Sandalphon said...about how this was all...
[That he'd come up with this plan to protect him. To be the only one who would end up dead...it breaks his heart.]
[Ion nods before blowing on the hot cocoa and carefully taking a sip.]
I wish I knew who it was--I'd love to thank them somehow. Of course, I can understand needing to keep themselves hidden. It must be frightening, to have such a critical position.
[He raises his hands, growing more flustered. He's, like, definitely in love with certain people but, he's so pure, so...]
It's not about me...I was actually told something interesting about the Tiger and Dragon...apparently, they've indicated that they're romantically involved with one another but...have had some kind of disagreement. I was asked if I had any thoughts on what to do but...
[He doesn't really need a hug but hugs are always nice so since she looks like she wants to give one he will absolutely smile tiredly and come in for a hug.]
Yes...I wanted him to know that I'm okay, and that...
[He looks sad, but, at the same time, happy. Thoughtful. Conflicted.]
Well, all that matters is that he got what I sent him. What we both sent him. I didn't expect to get anything back at all. I'm encouraged to know that none of them are alone, where ever it is they've gone.
[ welp, looks like their positions are reversed!!! rapunzel doesn't really have any interest in talking to anyone right now, but she'll make an exception for celadon. ]
[It's continued role-reversal time because without preamble Ion makes his way over to her and wraps his arms around her. She's always been there for him...so tonight, he's going to be here for her.]
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Week 2, Saturday Post-Trial
Hello. How are you feeling?
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[ she crosses over the room to sit down next to him, putting a hand over his gently. no hugs... yet. but they're probably coming. ]
How are you, really?
[ don't try ioning your way out of this, sad pope. ]
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Very frightened.
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[ a beat. her fingers intertwine with his. ]
For you.... or for Sandalphon, and Natsuo? Or all three?
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[He stays still for a long moment, and then he squeezes onto her hand.]
It's so hard to feel...alone.
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You aren't alone. They aren't either --- not if I have anything to say about it.
[ and she does, she has a lot to say about it. ]
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[He feels so terribly cold.]
I keep thinking, tomorrow, if...if it doesn't...
[If Natsuo doesn't come back. If Sandalphon's plan doesn't work. If he...has to die. Ion lowers his head.]
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[ she doesn't, she's praying for it, but she tries to sound as confident as she can to assure him. ]
And... we know your ability works, and so does mine. So.... so should Sandalphon's.
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[Except...]
It's just really hard not to think about the worst possible outcomes at a time like this, I suppose. I'm sorry about being negative.
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[ but she wants to be positive, for both their sakes. ] Okay! What can I do to help? What if get some tea or something?
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If...if you could just stay for awhile...that's all I need.
[He doesn't want to be alone.]
Just for a little while.
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[ gives his hand a little squeeze. ]
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[His voice hitches, and he sighs out a breath slowly, his brow furrowing.]
And...I'm sorry. For how much I've been worrying you and everyone else.
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Gosh, Celadon, how many times do I need to tell you not to apologize? It isn't your fault.
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[And there's the apology for an apology. He manages to catch himself this time, but he looks miserable in his embarrassment.]
I know...but I...I realized today how I was making everybody else feel, when I was putting myself in harm's way in order to help.
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[ by taking everyone's miasma :/ :/ :/ ]
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I knew that I could handle it, so...I wasn't thinking about how it looked from the other side. But, after what Sandalphon said...about how this was all...
[That he'd come up with this plan to protect him. To be the only one who would end up dead...it breaks his heart.]
It just hurts so badly.
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[ she's guilty of doing that herself, so she's just slightly a hypocrite. ]
He really cares about you.
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[He wasn't actually sure how much Sandalphon cared, so it only hurts more to find out just how much he did.]
I'll never be able to do anything to repay his kindness and care.
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[ with friendship!! ]
week 3, monday
Celadon, I am so relieved you and Natsuo are alright.
[ offering a cup. ] How are you feeling? Better?
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Yes.
[He wraps his hand around the cup and holds it close.]
I'm...still very sad. I miss Sandalphon very much. But...I'm happy. I feel grateful.
[It's hard to stay too upset, too, with a partner like Natsuo. If nothing else, he's good at causing a distraction.]
Thank you for coming to check on me.
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[ drink this sugar and be less sad, ion. ]
But they came through -- whoever's saving the partners --- they came through like they always do. I'm so grateful.
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I wish I knew who it was--I'd love to thank them somehow. Of course, I can understand needing to keep themselves hidden. It must be frightening, to have such a critical position.
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[ she smiles sheepishly, taking a sip of her own cocoa. ]
I wish we knew more about how the role worked. I'd like to help, if I can...
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[But there's a pause, and he seems to remember something.]
Oh...can I ask you something?
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[ domestic princesses! ]
What is it?
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[He does not know how to bake. Anyway, he starts to look flustered, shifting where he sits.]
Well, um...do you know much about...
[This is! Embarrassing!]
Do you know much about being in love?
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I do, actually! I love my boyfriend Eugene more than anyone. Do you have someone special in your life?
[ sing about it, binch. ]
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[He raises his hands, growing more flustered. He's, like, definitely in love with certain people but, he's so pure, so...]
It's not about me...I was actually told something interesting about the Tiger and Dragon...apparently, they've indicated that they're romantically involved with one another but...have had some kind of disagreement. I was asked if I had any thoughts on what to do but...
[He's just a baby.]
Well, you were the first person who came to mind.
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[ too bad she will die before ever giving them relationship advice. ]
Well, I'd be happy to help with that. Do you know what the disagreement is about?
week 3, friday
Could I ask you something?
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Of course. What is it, Celadon? -- And, are you okay?
[ she's concerned about the other ion with a capital c. ]
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Did you try and send a letter to Sandalphon?
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[ she hesitates. ]
How did you know? Did something happen?
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[He's not sure he's quite call it something. But he steps back to pull a piece of paper out of his pocket, presenting a letter.]
I got this from an owl.
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Did you.... also try to write him a letter?
[ she wonders what others are with him --- aside from ann. ]
So, my message reached him....
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[He looks sad, but, at the same time, happy. Thoughtful. Conflicted.]
Well, all that matters is that he got what I sent him. What we both sent him. I didn't expect to get anything back at all. I'm encouraged to know that none of them are alone, where ever it is they've gone.
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[ she was semi-testing but it worked. ]
So-- me, too. I'm encouraged too.
Week 3, Post-Trial
.... Are you okay?
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I don't know how this happened. I'm so sorry.
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Who did you vote for, Celadon?
[ she doesn't think he voted for yasusada, but. ]
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[Which He isn’t proud of either.]
No choice felt like a correct one to make. I should have just voted for myself, but...
[There are two of him. He’s afraid of what that could mean on a piece of paper.]
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You're right, though, no choice was the right one.
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Is there anything I can do?
[There has to be something.]
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[ she strokes his hair again. ]
And.... well, worst comes to worst.... we ca still communicate. Right?