Palace Game 6/5

[fujimaru]

The Dreamer In The Grand Temple
Humanity Foundation Value: ????

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Comments

[derailer]

Please do not come uncoupled from us in a place like this.

[likewinning]

I— I will not.

[derailer]

[Ingo is doing his best to tolerate this situation but he is doing so purely with the physical reassurance of both Emmet and Da Vinci being here. He is trying to steady his breathing, even though it is on the edge of hyperventilation.]

[likewinning]

[ Emmet shifts his grip on Ingo's hand a bit so he can lace their fingers together. ]

I am Emmet. Focus on me.

[derailer]

I am...

[He wants to be reassuring as well, but he is prioritizing stable breathing too much to ruin it with too many words. It is a long moment before he can add:]

You, too. Stay focused on me.

[likewinning]

Yup. That is what I am doing. It is helping.

[derailer]

Good...

[sure wish there wasn't some dude laughing maniacally right now but well, wish a lot of things about this situation were different]

[likewinning]

[ He sucks in a bit of air, sticking super close to Ingo. Nothing about this sounds great, but we gotta do what we gotta do. ]

[derailer]

[At least an easier path is being cleared now. He will drag Emmet along it readily.]

[likewinning]

[ Emmet walks alongside Ingo, opting to look at him rather than anything else. He's walking slowly. It's fine. ]

[derailer]

[He has stopped even processing Da Vinci and Avenger's conversation. He is storing the information in his brain so he can process it later. His expression has gone completely flat, even by the standards of Emmet's more insightful observation.]

[likewinning]

[ Emmet quietly bumps his shoulder against Ingo's. ]

[derailer]

[His thoughts are turning increasingly to static, but he turns back to face Emmet, a faint question in his eyes.]

[likewinning]

Talk to me.

[derailer]

Now?

[But, although he is exhausted and incredulous, that is still more emotions than he was showing a moment ago.]

[likewinning]

Yes. Now.

[derailer]

I don't think it's a good time to say anything...

How are you managing?

[likewinning]

Focusing on you helps. It always has.

[derailer]

You can focus on me and I can focus on you, but that makes it harder to talk to each other...

[He sounds more lucid explaining this at all, though.]

[likewinning]

I just want to make sure you are still here with me.

[derailer]

Of course I am here! I am not going anywhere!

[likewinning]

Good. Stay with us. Stay with me.

[derailer]

I wasn't... Nnnnnn.

[He can feel the difference now, in how much harder it is to tolerate the feelings of hatred, when he's more emotionally present.

But there's no point in being physically present when he can't be emotionally present for Emmet and Da Vinci. That's what he's here for! Emotional support!!]

Ahh, my apologies...

[likewinning]

No. You are fine. It is hard to focus.

[ He squeezes his hand again. ]

But . . . you are making it easier for me. Thank you.

[derailer]

I'll try to...

[He doesn't have a good ending to the sentence, and abandons the thought.]

You are welcome.