[ CLOSED ] into an ocean

[godshattering]

Who: Claude and various
When: January
Where: Cadens, Aquila, TBA
What: Catch all
Warnings: Threads for the Tier 1 and Tier 2 quests related to the island have been marked accordingly


( closed starters below. find me at indech, by PM, or on discord to plot something! )

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[godshattering]

[ It's only after the words are out of his mouth, the quietly horrifying thought of what it'd mean to exist without someone for who who he values beyond any words he can find when they fall well short of the loss even briefly described here - that Claude realizes he said had goals as if all of it is past tense. As if those goals, those dreams he's always kept his eyes on are also some alternate reality to what they have here in the splinters of timelines they've pieced together here. Even with in speaking with Altaïr about what was left behind, it feels unsettling.

Now isn't the time to dwell on it when the two of them already have much before them here as Steve sighs and Claude feels that exhale down to his bones. It applies to so many things in this conversation and other ones they've had, and it takes him another moment to once again consider his words. ]

I've learned more from those who have been here and left than what was already heavy enough on its own before getting here. [ After speaking Claude runs a hand down his face before sitting back in his own seat, and now finally looks up to find Steve already considering him. ] But you're right. There's nothing we can do about that except reconcile it with everything else since I'm sure there's more to come yet in what will happen here... though hopefully it's not another island.

[ The joke falls mostly flat, if only because it feels too close to tempting fate with all they've been through since arriving. Maybe in another year he'll find some sort of humor in it. It's also not really what he's aiming for here when it feels a bit too much like deflecting something important Steve's said, so he shakes his head slightly after. ]

Add it to the list of things we wouldn't believe we made it through but in reverse this time. [ A small pause since that's a little too morose. After it comes a thought of something else worth revealing to Steve, though. ] It took me a long time - too long of a time, really, to put trust in others and the idea of working together rather than working on or through something on my own. But that did change, and here especially I have to believe we're better for it.

[assembles]

Hopefully not.

[ Steve's voice comes out mirthless as he shakes his head, then takes another sip of his drink. It might be morbid to joke about it or even tempt fate in that way, but on the other hand, Steve isn't all that superstitious. This place has put them through their paces in more ways than one, and he's sure that will continue because it appears to be inherent to their connection with the Singularity, but they've always made it through. He sees no reason why they wouldn't keep on.

But then Claude opens up in a different way, and it's nice to hear another way that Abraxas has been good for something, as it's allowed him to realize that he can rely on others. That, and that he can have nice things — like what he's started with Hilda and Sylvain.

They need to enjoy all that for as long as it lasts. If there's one thing Steve knows, it's that nothing is forever, and you have to learn to be okay with that. ]

Maybe that's what it comes down to, then. We take the good with the bad in this place. For what it's worth, I'm glad you've learned that lesson. It's easy to think that it's you against the world, but I've always done best with people I could trust at my side.

[ And naturally, that includes Claude. Steve nods to him as he finishes off his drink; he's pretty sure that part goes without saying. ]

we can wrap here or on yours if that works!

[godshattering]

[ The part that's unsaid - Claude hears it loud and clear all the same and confirmation of that can be found in the smile on his own face considering that yes, that extends just as easily to Steve in return. Something far better to focus on above anything else when there's plenty of time to consider everything which might follow another time.

Better to hold his glass up in the briefest cheers after Steve finishes his drink to drain his own glass and then glance over to the bar. An old habit to clean up after himself from all those shifts not long after first arriving before he'd branched out into other ventures, but it'll be quick enough to do as he holds a hand out for Steve's empty glass as well. ]

You're right again, even if I would've counted doing chores around here as some of the things more on the 'worse' side. Can't say that now, but it's good to know that I can count on you to sort through it all with me. Thanks for always being there, Steve.

[ Though it starts out teasing, there's no lack of sincerity in the last part. Claude could wax poetic about that for a bit, but: on this occasion, it feels right to leave it as a simple statement with the weight of the sentimentality within it. No need for something overwrought lest it seem like it's not to be believed or obscuring something else, rather than the simple truth that Steve is a close friend, a shoulder to lean on through the difficult times they've shared or otherwise, and most importantly - someone he trusts more than he can truly find the right words to say. ]