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[siriusly]

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[aetherweaver]

... Thank you. Some of those items are... really important to me.

[He did leave his bag at the... wherever that was. His memory is fuzzy, but he remembers putting all his stuff away.]

I...

... I was a fool... I'm so sorry.

[siriusly]

[there's a slight pause.]

So you remember it all?

[he remembers telling Manabu he was fine? decking him?]

[aetherweaver]

... Not everything. Not after... I changed...

[siriusly]

...So... You don't know who stopped you.

[hhh.]

[aetherweaver]

I remember... flashes. And my omen told me that he told you where to find me.

I... you did what you had to. If you feel bad about that, you... shouldn't.

[Could he have been brought to Sanctuary? In theory, yes. But probably not at that distance...]

[siriusly]

Ryunosuke was there, too. And Kazuma.

[there's signs of an edge in his voice that he's trying to keep bitten back, but there's a clear telegraph that this is a man who wants to get angry.

he takes a breath. lets it out slow.]

Don't. Make them go through that again. [gritted:] Believe me next time.

[aetherweaver]

I was... already pretty far gone when we met up in the forest. But I... that's not an excuse.

You're... mm. Are they soldiers like you?

[siriusly]

No. [and they shouldn't have to be.] No, we... They came to find something for the Tower, not-- [not murder fellow Sleepers in feral states.

his next exhale is sharper.]

Now you know what it feels like. So don't let it happen again.

[aetherweaver]

... Mm.

[Not used to fighting, not used to killing. Gods, he doesn't even know them but their guilt must be...]

I'll... try not to let it... get to me again. I think part of it was... due to how my aether was out of whack when I came back from... home. I was in one of those cocoon things....

[siriusly]

[none of that makes any sense to him, and Manabu's not in a mind to pleasantly converse just to gain knowledge he knows he won't retain.

he hates the ugly feeling of wanting to punch something when he's already exhausted of fighting as it is.]

Carry weepers on you. Take them whenever you go to the woods. Even if you feel fine. It doesn't matter where you're from. What your...powers are or were. It doesn't matter, okay?

[aetherweaver]

I know, okay?

[He keeps his voice calm, even as much as he wants to yell or cry.]

I know we're all vulnerable to this stuff.

[siriusly]

[there's another long beat while Manabu's trying this whole count-to-ten thing. it's hard. it'd be nice to not feel any of this at all, you know? like throw it into a void?]

...Your stuff'll be at the Roost.

[aetherweaver]

... Thanks. I...

Will I see you there?

[He's not sure if the other man wants to talk or not.]

[siriusly]

Probably. Trying to keep the place open nightly, so there's somewhere people can hide from zealots.

[as for talking? it might be prefaced with a punch. it's just how he's raised.]

[aetherweaver]

That makes sense. If I see any, I'll clear the area out for you.

[He's definitely going to try...]

I'll see you then.

[siriusly]

[there's a hitched sound - one that's bitten off by the gritting of teeth. Manabu's big mad about that offer...

stupid. stupid. stupid.

he just turns the omni off.]

[aetherweaver]

[It doesn't take too long for him to show up at the Roost, having thankfully avoided zealots on the way. Which is good, because he's... not got a job stone on him. They're all in the bag.]

[Probably should have thought of that.]

[He opens the door slightly and slips in, clearing his throat.]

... Manabu?

[siriusly]

[Manabu is seated at the edge of the bar furthest from the door, his chin resting in his hand, eyes downcast on something he's reading. Magnet's the one who reacts to the door first, hopping out of a booth seat and trotting over, tail up and wagging slightly, coming in for a sniff.

at the creak of the door, Manabu lifts his head and looks over, eyes wide and alert. the sclera of his blind eye's a little darker than usual.

when it hits who it is...]

Hey. Get inside. I'll get your stuff. [that'll prompt him to get out of his stool and vanish into the back.]

[aetherweaver]

[Nara'a kneels and offers his hand to Magnet, petting him gently if it's accepted. He stands, his own omen dangling on his shoulder as it's wont to do.]

Yeah. Thanks.

[Nara'a's bag is relatively large - an adventuring pack rather than a simple messenger bag or backpack. But it's got pockets galore, and that's where the good stuff is. Not that he expects Manabu to have taken it. He's... just glad the other man got to it before someone like Dabi.]

[He sits down and sighs, propping an elbow up on the bar and resting his chin in his hand. What a mess...]

[siriusly]

[while Manabu may still be very upset with Nara'a, inwardly he gets it. he's been the beast, he's been the one put down by friends...and now he knows both sides. Magnet, full of that knowledge, can offer the consolation Manabu himself isn't ready to give properly, licking at fingers and accepting pets in a much more docile manner than his more excitable, normal state.

Manabu returns with the heavy bag on his shoulder; he tilts himself to let the weight of the thing slide off at Nara's feet, all the while:] Hey, get up a sec? Grit your teeth.

[because the second he does, Manabu's punching him in the jaw without much more warning.]

[aetherweaver]

[He looks surprised for a moment, but then nods, gritting his teeth. He doesn't need the Echo to see this attack coming as he gets up and -]

[Gods, Manabu can punch hard. He staggers a bit and shakes his head, ears flicking wildly.]

... Yeah. I deserved that one.

[He's not going to pretend he didn't. In his right mind or no, he still hit Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[he's a short guy, which puts him at a bit of a disadvantage in a lot of ways. but just because Manabu's short doesn't mean he can't throw his slight weight into a hit - and he does. there's frustration backing the blow, tightly controlled into one shot. just one. no more. so even though his fist remains tightly clenched, and though his hair is sparking at some ends, Manabu steps away. one and done.]

It's not about deserving. It's about remembering. Next time your blood starts acting up...your jaw better hurt and remind you to do something about it.

[aetherweaver]

... I'll do my best.

[He's not going to promise, not in a place like Trench that can warp them so wildly. He rubs at his face and... yeah, he's probably going to bruise from that. It's fine.]

You're... a good friend.

[Not the kindest, but bluntness is appreciated.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu nods. that'll have to do, and he'll have to settle for it; the anger he will need to manage on his own terms himself.

while walking around the bar:] What do you want to drink?

[aetherweaver]

I trust you not to poison me, so whatever you've got a lot of.

[It's a valid concern, okay? Or it was, at least.]

Are you taking the time to rest, too? You can't be on edge all the time...