[Video;] 01

[auxiliary]

[The Ψiioniic had figured out how to work his bracelet long ago, but had yet to actually make a post to the network himself. He'll admit, he's more of an observer than someone who would take action, but his curiosity isn't going to take the backseat any longer.

…Sheesh, this is going to be awkward. He's not used to speaking to a crowd of people.]

Hello, ah… people of Athgard.

Thince losing my abilitiesth… I'd like thome athithtance in practicing with the new abilities we've been given. Any voulenteersth would be appreciated.

Comments

[adherent]

[She tries to figure out the best way to start, the least horrible outcome, but really, there is none. She bites her lip, steeling herself.]

They killed him.

1/2

[auxiliary]

[Again, he knew this. This isn't something that he should take as a surprise, but it still hurt regardless.]

[auxiliary]

Did they not kill all of uth?

[adherent]

[She shakes her head, picking at a splinter in the wood of the bench.]

They sold the Dolorosa into slavery.

[auxiliary]

What?!

[This is the first time since arriving that he's risen his voice, and if he still had his psionics, his eyes would be sparking. No, no fucking way, not her. She raised the Signless-- she raised them all as if she were their lusus, the absolute fucking disgrace of an Empress ...]

[adherent]

[The Disciple feels her throat tightening with tears again. It's been a little over a sweep, and she still can't bring herself to talk about it without crying. Sometimes, she wished the Condesce had just killed the Psiioniic and the Dolorosa. But that would have been far too merciful, wouldn't it?]

[auxiliary]

[His hands shakily ball into fists, and at the same time he deeply misses his psionics, their ability to destroy and how he wishes to wring the life from the Condesce's neck, but is also appreciative that he doesn't have them, in fear of destroying something here, out of mindless rage.]

What of you? What did she do to you??

[adherent]

[She understands that feeling--it's how she felt at first, too. Sometimes she still does. She squeezes his shoulder in a lame attempt to comfort him, though she knows there's nothing she can really do to make him feel better.]

I was supposed to be killed as well, but my executioner took mercy on me.

[auxiliary]

...

[ There is that, at the very least. Although his next question, he fears to ask...]

Do you ... know what happensth to me?

[adherent]

[The Disciple drops her gaze and lets out a shaky breath.]

...The Condesce made you her helmsman.

[auxiliary]

[The Psiioniic stops breathing. He turns to stare at the Disciple, to stare at his good friend and wonder why she's lying to him. How he could ever... ever wind up there, there of all places. He wouldn't waste his own saliva to spit on the Condesce, let alone serve as her Helmsman.

He still hasn't taken a breath, it's still caught in his throat as he grips his own arms tightly and drags his sight away from the Disciple to glare at the ground. He can't go back to being a slave. He really, really can't.]

[adherent]

[She bites her lip, reaching out in an attempt to pull his hands from his arms so she can hug him again. There's absolutely nothing she can say to make it better, and she knows it.]

[auxiliary]

[After a few seconds, he relaxes. Well more like, at the very least his muscles do, and fall limp at his sides. He wants to ask her if maybe she heard wrong, maybe something else-- but he knows, somehow, that she isn't wrong. He allows her to wrap her arms around him, and slowly, he does the same and feeling tears beginning to prick the corner of his eyes.]

[adherent]

[She hugs him tightly, rubbing his back in a desperate attempt to sooth him.]

I'm so, so sorry, Ψiioniic.

[auxiliary]

[He doesn't want to cry. Such a trivial thing to waste tears on, when they haven't even happened yet. Wouldn't it make sense to do so, after experiencing said terrible things? He attempts to reign his emotions in, and sighs into the Disciple's hug.]

It'th...

It'th okay.

[adherent]

[She wouldn't blame him--she's crying all over again, too. Her voice softens when she responds.]

It isn't.

[auxiliary]

[



No, it isn't.

He buries his face into her shoulder and holds her closer into the hug, still trying to keep his tears within. He keeps them back, with one or two exceptions.]

[adherent]

[OH, ΨIIONIIC, YOU ARE BREAKING HER HEART. She sighs softly, leaning her head against his and continuing to rub his back. It isn't really difficult to feel his tears soaking through the shoulder of her dress, and she almost wishes he would just stop trying to hold it in and cry.]

[auxiliary]

[Unfortunately, he doesn't. He just keeps it in, and eventually calms himself down. He doesn't stop hugging her, though.]

...It won't happen. Not while we're here.

[adherent]

[That's exactly what she thinks as she toys with his hair absentmindedly.]

You'll be safe here. Everything will be okay.

[auxiliary]

Alright...

[He doesn't sound totally reassured, but then suddenly, he snaps upright.]

We need to find Thignleth.

[adherent]

[She nods as he pulls away, looking suddenly determined.]

What house was he assigned to?

[auxiliary]

...



I don't remember. Freya, I think. Or Freyr. Their namesth are thimilar...

[adherent]

[Considering... This...]

Do you know what his power is?

[auxiliary]

...No.

[God, he's so useless. He hadn't thought to ask at the time--]

I think it'th Freya. Almotht certain.