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Who: Leon (

discard) and you people who have to put up with him, starring: two Stahnbots
When: IC: 6/25 - 6/30 ; OOC: 4/19 - 4/30 ; event 28
Where: All around Cerealia, but especially the Residential and Entertainment Districts
What: Life is really hard when a) your sense is touch and you hate touching people and b) there are two robots of your best friend demonstrating some really worrisome behavior. Uh oh.
Rating/Warning: Probably disgusting levels of Dumb in here, also robot murder

a. [ 6/25 - 6/28 ]

[The problem here is that Leon's sick of both robots and people. He's tense and uncertain already from everything that's been happening, even if it's seemed harmless so far, he's paranoid enough to think that things have to go wrong eventually.

As if that wasn't bad enough, he's been feeling the urge to...well, touch people more and more, in little harmless ways like reaching for their hand or sleeve, and that's extra bad because he knows he doesn't want that. He doesn't like touch. He doesn't like being touched. He needs his personal space bubble, which is why when he bumps into either you or your robodouble, somewhere around Cerealia, at first he's actually legitimately grabbing onto your arm--

Though it's to steady himself, he lingers there for a moment longer than necessary before he catches himself, flustering and...shoving either you or said robodouble away rather sharply and rudely.]

Get away from me!

[Leon, you were the one who grabbed on in the first place.]

b. [ 6/29 ]

[So.

Stahn activated both robots for both Leon and himself, which means there are two Stahn robots wandering around Cerealia--except they don't seem to be wandering so much anymore as actively stalking Leon. He has no idea why they're so fixated on him, but he's definitely stalking away as quickly as he can without outright running (because he's not retreating, he's just trying to get away, that's all), as the Stahnbots attempt to stalk him in their completely obvious way, hiding behind walls or trash cans but peering out so obviously as they do so.

They're not stealthy at all.

Of course, if someone tries to stop them, they might go ahead and do what they were planning on doing to Leon all along and squeeze you in a hug.

Death by affection--hey, it'd probably work on Leon. It looks as though he's rather rumpled in appearance already, cape askew and hair a mess, which means he's probably gotten dragged into a hug or two already before he was Prepared.

So if you're in the way, he's going to go ahead and snap out, rather tensely:]

Get out of the way. Don't slow me down!

[Stahnbots are coming, okay!!! He'll shove people out of the way if he has to--because he really does sound more panicked than angry at this point, even if he's trying to keep it under wraps.]

c. [ 6/30 ]

[But, ultimately, Leon can't avoid the Stahn robots forever. It's been a really exhausting week, and things have only gotten worse and worse. So honestly, Leon's picked a really bad time to slip up, but that's the story of his life, so here he is, in the middle of the sidewalk in the Entertainment District, probably totally in the way.

But can anyone really blame him, when there's a Stahnbot attached to each arm, and they're each pulling on opposite directions?

He's trying to reach for his sword, but it's honestly impossible for him to break each of their grips on his arms, and so he can't reach--he's almost pathetically helpless like this, even if he's struggling. One Stahn he might have been able to handle, but two? There was no chance.]

Don't touch me!

[He's certainly unhappy... but wandering a bit closer will reveal that that's because said Stahnbots seem to be fighting over...who gets to kill Leon first to prevent the other from having him. That sounds healthy.]

I'm going to take you to pieces! [How, Leon......... you're kind of stuck.

...help.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm.

[stahn falls quiet at that; he's not bothered by how quickly leon let's go, though. he knows that despite every connotation it carries, it's still leon. this isn't about being sentimental or holding hands, or something like that.

he was being helped to his feet when he needed a friend to support him. that's enough.

stahn's still shaky as he resheathes dymlos, causing dymlos himself to hiss—more out of concern than anything else. it's definitely been a while since stahn's been so shaken up, but he'll drawn in another breath to follow leon's lead—though not before his eyes catch the two frauds that remain lifeless on the ground.]

[Leon sure hears that...but he doesn't know how to fix it any more than Dymlos does. What Stahn had to deal with was difficult--it was difficult for Leon too, even if he physically did not heavily participate in the battle. Hearing Stahn talk about wanting to kill him... it was an experience, that's for sure.

But he says nothing there, and instead he just calls out sharply when Stahn lingers--]

Stop dawdling.

[It's hard, certainly... but mostly, he thinks that the sooner they get away from these, the better.]

Right... I'm right behind you.

[he's somber as he speaks; normally he protest that he wasn't dawdling, but he doesn't have the energy to do even that. he expended so much of his energy in that fit of rage that he's just as tired as he is shaken.

he feels like he's made of lead as he walks, which is why he doesn't walk by leon's side as he normally would. he just can't, and it's not like he knows what to say otherwise to right now. his sunshine is definitely at a huge low right now.]

[A huge low indeed...and Leon doesn't really know how to fix this, either. He's never been particularly capable of that. But nonetheless, Leon knows that Stahn lagging behind isn't normal at all, which is why...

...he reaches back to grab his arm.

This is obviously not something he would ever do if he wasn't still under the influence of the effects for his sense, but nonetheless here he is, firmly grabbing hold of Stahn's arm to tug him along.

At least there's that.]

[at least stahn isn't going to make a big deal of it. well, not of the fact leon is grabbing is arm anyway; he knows why at this point. but still...]

I'm okay, Leon... I can walk on my own. [he says, just in case leon is really only doing it to make sure stahn is following behind.

(though with all that's doing on, he doesn't really mind too much, it feels like it could somehow hold him upright.)]

[...R..right.

Yes.

Slowly, Leon pries his hand open, now that he's realized that's a thing he did.

A-ahem.]

... We are nearly there.

[That's...all he can really say because he's...embarrassed and awkward all over again about this damn effect.]

[stahn doesn't want to call attention to it anyway, considering everything else that's happened.]

Yeah... that's good. [he feels like he's going to just drop, anyway. and knowing that leon probably doesn't have much to say, stahn makes another important note.]

I'll get you cleaned up as soon as we get back, Dymlos. [sullying his blade with the blood of people had always been bad enough, but this—somehow, in some ways, it felt worse.]

[...Hm.

Leon doesn't really have much to say to that; Chaltier's clean, for once. He's ending a fight with Chal clean, and Dymlos covered in what may as well have been blood if not for how inky black it was, and it feels entirely wrong.

He looks away, frowning tightly to himself. The more it sinks in...the more certain he is that he should have been able to handle this situation without any hesitation at all.]

[stahn can't know what leon is thinking—and that includes not knowing that leon thinks he should have been able to handle that.

it's contrary to what stahn himself thinks; as much as he hated everything that happened, he's still relieved that leon didn't have to get blood (...oil?) on chaltier for this.]

Leon... [stahn starts, mostly because he just hates the weight of the silence.

but he doesn't know what to say after that, so he just falls quiet once more.]

[When Stahn speaks, Leon glances over at him--but he doesn't continue to speak, and thus Leon ultimately just returns his gaze straight ahead.

He can tell that Stahn wants to break the silence...but it isn't as though Leon knows what to say any better than Stahn does after something that heavy.]

...What is it?

[he didn't really expect that leon would respond, especially not in a way that sort of puts him on the spot.]

Ah... [what does he say? he wants to apologize, but he's done that so much already that it feels like it's going to lose all it's meaning. he falls quiet again, then shakes his head.]

It's nothing. Never mind.

[It obviously isn't nothing, but there's not a lot Leon can do about that.

He's never been good at this, after all. It only gets more and more difficult the longer they walk, and the longer this silence drags.]

... This was not your fault. [He shakes his head simply, frowning.] Rather--you were an idiot to activate these robots.

[That much is clear, and he won't argue it.]

But you are not the sort to ever activate something dangerous on purpose.

[he can't (and won't) argue that it was foolish of him to do that. he really wanted to give ceres the benefit of the doubt—mosley seemed to have been trying to make amends for their trouble.

he was wrong, and he should have been more skeptical; he still wants to believe just a little that much like the oberon managers, there are good people within ceres. but that didn't happen this time, and it's weighing on him, even if leon is trying his best to make things a little better.]

I put you in danger... I— [he sucks in a breath, still trailing just slightly behind leon.] I really screwed up this time.

[Leon's quiet for a moment at that, looking out into the distance instead of at Stahn. Of course, all he can see is buildings, more and more and more city buildings, and it's tiresome. But...

He's never had any faith in CERES.

It's just like Stahn to try to, though. Whether that's good or bad... Leon doesn't think he really has the right to say.]

You did not put me into any sort of danger. [It was the robots, but even so--] I was more than capable of handling that situation on my own.

[P...robably.]

But yes, you messed up. Keep this in mind for the future. You should not so easily trust what is given to you here.

[he knows there probably isn't much point in arguing over whether or not leon was in danger; stahn knows he was just based on how the bots were acting. he knows leon is capable of handling things (right?), but all the same...

it wouldn't have happened if not for stahn, so he can't help but feel like he's to blame. he screwed up in every way.]

Right... [stahn agrees with a quiet sense of defeat. all that fire from earlier has given way to the fact that his concern for leon trumps everything else.]

I wanted... to think they were trying to do better. I wanted to think that they really meant it about making it up to us. [he knew the risk was there, but he didn't think it would turn out like this at all.] I wouldn't have done it if I knew it would get this bad.

[It's...Stahn's typical levels of optimism and hope, and Leon can't really say much there. It's the world they're fighting for, honestly.

A world where Stahn can have that sort of optimism, and believe in that.

But Leon knows his role, and it's to reel Stahn in when he's getting too hopeful and optimistic, because sometimes, it's just not valid.]

You have to assume the worst occasionally here. I am aware that it does not come naturally to you, but you must try. It is more than just yourself at risk if you do not.

[Leon doesn't really mean himself, naturally; he's still...well, dead, so he still doesn't think it really matters. But Otome, and Stahn's friends--they could have been harmed too.]

I—

[the truth is that stahn doesn't really know when he's supposed to assume the worst. things like that do not come naturally to him at all.

it's not like stahn thinks everything is sunshine and rainbows; he's optimistic, but it's not unfailing and it's not as if he hasn't learned of some of the worse struggles that exist in the world—whether it's their native on or cerealia. but assuming the bad before anything else is just difficult for him. stahn can't argue that leon is wrong, but what is he supposed to do?

especially when he brings up what really resonates with him.]

I know. It could have been you, or Otome, or anyone else. Even Dymlos wasn't safe this time. [he felt guilty enough, but the idea of not only leon getting hurt, but otome, kashuu, yata—any of his friends—it's downright terrifying. this is probably not making the situation any better.]

[It's really not, and Leon knows it. But on the other hand, Leon's never been good at comfort. He's there to keep everyone grounded. He's there to make sure they don't get too optimistic, but also that they don't get too beaten down. So after a long pause of inspecting Stahn like that, he simply shakes his head, turning to continue to walk and fully expecting Stahn to follow.]

But it wasn't.

[Stahn can dwell on what could have been all he wants, but--]

We are all still here, and we are fine. While you should learn to expect the worst, do not dwell on what could have been. We are fine.

[Leon's still here somehow.

And that's thanks to Stahn--he thinks that counts for something, even if those words won't cross his lips.]

[sometimes, comfort isn't what he needs.

maybe it would be nice to have comfort, but stahn has grown pretty well accustomed to not having that to a point where when it does happen, it feels pretty strange. this isn't like things back in leane; from the moment he made that contract with dymlos, he became responsible for the fate of many. comfort isn't part of that.

it's about being strong, it's about being able to have the strength to face even the hardest of trials. dymlos doesn't comfort, rutee hardly had either. and leon is the last person he expecting something like that from. so hearing those words from leon—words meant to ground stahn, words that exist for the sake of reminding stahn of what's most important—it works. and strangely enough, it does provide a strange sense of comfort as well.]

...You're right. [even if there's still something in his tone that isn't quite confident in that, leon is still right. they're fine. stahn was able to put an end to the bots before things went too far... that counts for something.

he'll follow when leon does start to walk, of course; his stride isn't as it normally is, but he keeps pace.] You're safe... I was still able to stop them before it was too late.

[He is safe, yes. Stahn was able to do something--Leon hates to admit that he needed the help, but it's pretty obvious here and now that he did. There's no doubting now that he never would have been able to handle them on his own, not unless he had absolutely been pushed into a corner--and even then, he can't be sure.

It's disgusting in a lot of ways.

Quietly, Leon continues to walk, and the heavier tread that signifies that Stahn is following and keeping pace is enough for him.

Stahn saved him here.

It would probably make him happy to know that even Leon knows it, but...those words taste like bitterness on his tongue, so he doesn't say anything at all.]

... You are uninjured, correct? [Did he already ask that? He can't remember. It's difficult for him to remember--everything's a little fuzzy right now, and he's struggling to find conversational topics that are safe.]

[leon did already ask that question, though in the immediate haze of taking out the second robot, it seems neither of them really remembers that much.]

Just a few scratches... not anything else. [maybe a few bruises too, but there's not really any way of knowing that just yet. he knows nothing is broken or severely wounded though—it's probably about the average amount of damage he would normally sustain in a shorter fighter. stahn had managed to dominate most of it just thanks to his willpower, but fighting against himself didn't leave him completely unscathed.

it could have been worse—a lot worse, and stahn knows that too. he falls quiet again after he says that though, conversationalists, they currently are not.]

[That makes sense. Stahn had been fighting like a whirlwind. He'd been...furious on Leon's behalf, he remembers that much.

... That's unsettling too, though. He knows why Stahn was that protective, even back in the labyrinthine area. Leon... needs to stop putting himself into these situations, doesn't he? It's not like it was on purpose, but on the other hand... he knows he hasn't been as careful as he could have been.

It's difficult though.

It isn't as though what he does in this second life really matters that much.]

... I could have handled it. [...Maybe.]

I know.

[stahn knows that, or at least, he chooses to believe in leon's ability to the very end. it's not like there's really any question of leon's capabilities; he's still one of strongest and most talented swordsmen that stahn has ever met.

he still admires those abilities.]

It wasn't your responsibility, though. You shouldn't have had to go through that at all, or had to handle it. [he stands firm in that belief. stahn is taking responsibility for his mistakes.]

If anything went wrong—if anything else happened, it still would have been my fault. [he activated the bots, and he failed to keep them contained until things got out of hand. that wasn't leon's job to handle.

besides, he didn't want leon to have to raise his sword against a friend again, even if it wasn't really him. but that part he can't yet bring himself to say.]

[It wasn't. Stahn isn't wrong. It wasn't his responsibility at all, it was Stahn's. It was Stahn's fault, and Stahn had to deal with it in the end. Leon can respect that.

It doesn't seem to be fixing anything, but... he doesn't have an argument against that, either.]

... Perhaps. But as I said--it did not go wrong. I am fine. You took care of the problem.

[With a lot of fierceness and skill at that. The only thing Leon could possibly have left to pick on is--]

In the future, remember to keep your head. There was no reason to be that furious.

[Even if there really, maybe was to Stahn.]

[there was, so for stahn... he can't just ignore that.]

...You can't decide that part for me, Leon. [there's something a little dark in the undertones there. he can deal with leon scolding him. he can deal with leon blaming him.

he can deal with being told to try and stay calm.

but he can't sit there and be told that there wasn't a reason for how he felt. that's one thing leon doesn't have a right to do; he doesn't get to decide other people's feelings for something. stahn would never dictate what leon should or shouldn't feel, especially not over something that's obvious important to him.]

My reasons... my feelings...

Even if I should have been calm—maybe you're right about that. But how I feel, and why I feel that way...

[isn't it a little unfair to tell him he's wrong?]

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