IC CONTACT
...this is the neatest thing I've ever seen. I want one for home so bad.
-Right! This is Sorey, please leave me a message so I can get back to you!
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-Right! This is Sorey, please leave me a message so I can get back to you!
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It's the second part that gives him pause. He remembers a few things Zaveid had spouted off before he joined up with them, about traveling alone as he killed hellions one after another. Because he'd promised, and because he believed there was no other way for him to save them...and then he'd joined up with the Shepherd crew and purification had suddenly become an option.
Sorey clenches his fist.
I won't ask you to come back-
No. No, that's the opposite of what Zaveid needs right now. And Sorey is never again going to use the excuse of protecting others to hide how he wants to protect himself.]
...I'm going to make a world where you can do that, without making promises you hate. That's still true.
If that's something you want, then...I want you back. [Sorey looks up at Zaveid, determined.] Come back and lend me your strength. [He bows his head, knuckles pressed to his knees.] Please.
[Last time Zaveid had bullied his way in and Sorey had only reluctantly agreed. He had been a replacement, a necessary one but not entirely welcome by those still grieving.
This time he should do this right. Zaveid should be asked to help, the way it should be, for all seraphim. Zaveid needs to be shown he's just as cherished as everyone else who has lended Sorey their power so he can achieve his dreams.]
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He doesn't want to hide things anymore. It's too hard. He feels like he's wandering around in circles trying to find an answer to a question he hasn't even been asked, and it leaves him on edge and uncertain because he genuinely doesn't know what to do. He knows he has to talk to Lailah, of course, to figure things out, to make sure this is really going to be okay, but until then...
Zaveid breathes out, looking down at Sorey for a moment.
It's hard not to feel so desperately old when he remembers just how young Sorey is, but for his age... He's strong, and bright, and brave, and maybe that's all that matters for now. ]
...
[ He doesn't have to think about it anymore. Slowly, he wraps his arm around Sorey's shoulders and ruffles his hair. ]
Jeez, if you need me that badly then I guess I can't say no.
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Plus, that grab and hair-ruffle means the world to Sorey. Lailah told him that he needed to trust himself just as much as he needed the trust of others, and it's going to be a long road but having Zaveid back with him will help everyone, in the end. If Zaveid is willing to throw in with him again- hell, even if he needs some convincing, Sorey will do what he can.]
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He knows how he feels. He knows what his place was, before, when he had first become a Sub Lord. Things are different now and his reasons have changed ever so slightly - he's not just there to fill a void, or to endure something until his mission is complete. It's... Voluntary now, and he... Doesn't know what else to do. ]
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But Zaveid doesn't need any more begging from him. Sorey's made himself clear. And Zaveid's probably got a lot to discuss with Lailah, not to mention Sorey gets more on edge the longer he's away from Mikleo...] I should probably go make sure Mikleo's all right. [he's literally fine] I left a note, but...
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(It's enough to make him feel sick, remembering, but he can't let that show on his face.)
Nodding, he pushes himself up, stretching his arms above his head. ]
Yeah, yeah. Can't let him wake up worried and go wandering around in his condition.
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Thank you, Zaveid. I feel better knowing Lailah's got you to support her. [He said he would protect everybody, after all. Sorey doesn't think Zaveid's ever said a single thing truer than what he told him in that clinic.]