When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time

[magicalarchaeologist]

WHO: Istredd and some people!
WHAT: Istredd is held with Kyle in the dungeons for a bit and questioned, and then let out.
WHERE: Imprisoned and then back out in Thorne
WHEN: July
WARNINGS: Nothing!





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[ushiri]

[ Kahlil has a tendency to get competitive, so any cooperative game is probably best. As much as he is sure they'll have difficulty truly annoying each other, they're still cooped up in a relatively small space for an uncertain amount of time, so, best not to tempt new problems.

He seems genuinely interested, at least, when Istredd proposes his string game. It's not one he's played before, but it's simple enough to learn, and he understands the calming nature of repetitive action well enough from his own training. ]

Did you learn this when you were a boy? [ He asks his question as he loops his fingers on each side and pulls them from underneath the 'cradle' as instructed, taking the strings and stretching them into a new shape. He answers the same way: ]

Viktor, Wanda, some others in the Free Cities. [ then, with a small frown ] The Singularity still reaches for me in Horizon.

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Istredd was raised in a competitive culture growing up and it made him go the opposite way, despising that feeling even in something as simple as a game, although it does depend on the opponent. But cooperation is much more comfortable for him, and he figured of all people, Kyle would understand the soothing nature of this. He's never lived with someone for an extended period outside of Lucifer but he's truthfully unconcerned. It's Kyle. ]

No, Lucifer taught me. I don't know where he learned, but he does it when he's stressed. And now, when I'm stressed.

[ A little detail that Kyle may notice if he spots Lucifer with the strings, or if he even sees him making a pattern with his fingers from memory, as if imagining the strands there between his fingers. He won't mind Kyle being let in on that fact though. Istredd would say maybe he learned when he was trapped in the cage for so long, but he's fairly certain he had no access to anything that would have made that experience better.

Istredd appears as calm as ever, but it is a nod to the fact that internally, he's more conflicted. He doesn't like their situation, but it's good he's not alone. His mind would get ahead of him, imagining the worst. ]

An unexpectedly dramatic beginning to a cross-territory relationship. A coup, a biological attack, and then a detainment.

[ That is said dryly. Kyle has already indicated to him that things worked out with his conversation with Viktor, so he assumes it's fine for him to tease him a little about it. The Singularity is a slightly more sour topic for him, but he's still interested.]

Rhy said it does that with those it favors. Have you answered it?

[ushiri]

[ His mouth curves upward at the edges. ]

That makes sense. I think. [ A beat. ] It's good that he's taking things so well.

[ And not, you know, attempting to kill every guard between him and Istredd. Kahlil is at the point where he doesn't believe they're in any true danger from the new regime, but he has time to do little else but think lately. Should it come down to either him or his friend, one of them is more integral to the stability of this little community. It's a rational assessment he can't speak aloud, not wanting to cause argument over a worst case scenario that likely won't come to pass.

He gives Istredd a rueful look. ]

It's not how I hoped things would start.

[ Istredd is one of maybe only three people that know he's with Viktor to begin with, as well as the uncertainty leading up to the decision. ]

I did. I've tried not to encourage it too much.

[ Wanda had urged caution. He can't disagree, knowing his own susceptibility to it's call in at least one possible future. But that doesn't change how soothing its presence has become, or his actual desire to seek it out when he has the time. Better to be kept busy with meetings while in Horizon. ]

[magicalarchaeologist]

He thinks it would only make things worse for us.

[ And as much as Lucifer's instinct was to kill everyone standing between him and Istredd, his fear of causing them damage was higher. It's a different type of panicking but one nevertheless. He has mellowed a great deal over time but he's never lost his killer instinct, only learned to curb it. Istredd was grateful because he didn't want to be afraid of more than one direction being a problem. ]

And I couldn't have him be in here.

[ Istredd doesn't know if Kyle's aware of Lucifer's deep trauma and past time in a cage, alone for so long that it would drive anyone mad. He barely handled being in that safe room, being trapped. Istredd would much rather the two of them be here alone, with no one else making enough trouble to end up here with them. It only makes things more destructive.

Istredd also thinks they are likely safe, that this is more symbolic or information gathering than anything else, which is why he probably won't hold his tongue as much as he should have. But he is, down deep, afraid. It reminds him too much of Vilgefortz and what is ahead of him there. This entire experience has led him to relive Thanedd, an unpleasant reminder. ]

You have the Horizon at least for now.

[ Istredd is too clingy so he probably would struggle with a relationship mostly in the Horizon, but since he does not believe they are here forever, an occasional Nocwich trip will again be an option. He couldn't bear the thought of even going to Nott without Lucifer, that level of clingy. ]

Why? I would, but I am also desperate to create that anchor with it, if possible.

[ Istredd can admit that his desperation is very real, he's not thinking as logically about it as he should, but he needs that security of hooking people who want to stay in. ]

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil nods. As much as he makes a point of mentioning Lucifer's more unhinged and violent tendencies, Kahlil has come to trust him more than he could've predicted. They've come a long way since Lucifer nearly killed him in those mountain woods for getting between him and the doomed acolyte.

And though he doesn't know the extent of Lucifer's fears, he understands Istredd's desire to keep his loved one insulated from these consequences, and far from the dungeon - even these relatively nicer accommodations. As much as any of the others might argue, it's better this way. ]

It helps. But I hate making him worry more.

[ While forcing more distance on them. It was his choice not to run, but it still feels deeply unfair that all this happened so quickly after they'd barely settled in. ]

It's your turn.

[ He holds out his hands with the string, a rueful edge to his voice. ]

Because of that vision of the future. By the end I was
confused. I worry about that happening again.

[ That he'll mix up his connection to the Rifter with the Singularity. There are ways that that line is already blurred for him, when it comes to the divine nature of the monolith and how he's had to reorient his own beliefs around it. But what he began to believe in that vision went too far, and it caused him to lose pieces of his history that belong only to him, replaced with a version of Ravishan's life. After fighting so hard to keep both separate, it scares him. ]

thank you for your patience

[magicalarchaeologist]

Do you regret not going?

[ If he did, he could have seen Viktor in Nocwich, no doubt. Still not the easiest of situations, but he'd be looking at far more freedom than he'll have staying here. Istredd selfishly was glad for Kyle staying, he has few people he can rely on as steadily as his friend, but he would have understood if he left to. And never complained about it, never said otherwise, because he knows it's selfish. He would rather Kyle be happy than responsible.

For Istredd there was no other choice. There is no option where leaving Lucifer happens. And even if he could bring Lucifer with him, they would have had to worry about Wilhelm and River, so it's why he instantly knew the answer. No real consideration was needed. But Kyle, Kyle had reasons he could go, with Istredd and Lucifer here to look after Jack and the others. ]

You are alarmingly good at picking up skills like this.

[ It's good for them to have some kind of out-loud conversation so as not to confuse the guards. It would be fine if they did do this silently, and the two of them can comfortably exist without talking, but it's a cover all the same. He is skilled enough at this to smoothly transition to the next.

Istredd understands better now than he did before, the variety of things that plague his friend. So he nods. It's not as if he wants him to end up like that again, or even worse like Cassian did, with no sense of when or where he is. ]

I understand. You need to keep a hold of yourself. An entity of power like that, it's overwhelming to anyone.

no worries! we might be able to wrap for event stuff

[ushiri]

No.

[ This was the only choice he could make. But he might have a few grey hairs by the end of it.

An eyebrow arches, and his grins. ]

I've always been quick with my hands.

[ With his knives, with the Gray Space.

He watches Istredd twist the string into the next form, thoughtful. ]

I'll be careful.

Yes let's wrap and do something in the event :)

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Istredd has no reason to disbelieve him. Kyle is, as always, the type to consider his actions deeply before taking any. Istredd's the same way. Every time he's acted impulsively it's been a bad idea, with one notable exception with Lucifer, but he nods, accepting Kyle's answer. It's reassuring; he's quick to find reasons to fault himself for the choices other people make. But he's glad Kyle is there. ]

I'll have to tell Lucifer that he can start getting good games out of someone else now.

[ Kyle is very careful. That is one time Istredd might not have been, if he could speak to the Singularity, and maybe that is one of the good reasons that he doesn't have that connection. He'd go too deeply into it, prioritize it too much. ]

Put your sanity first ... but if you do make a connection, let me know.