Who: The resurrected and the escorts What: You sure did die a week ago. Time to come home. When: Forward dated to the end of the month Where: The Garden Warnings: death, mentions of mutilation, potential mentions of torture
[ His arm forgotten, he steps forward to reach up, then switch hands to grab his brother's upper arm with his left instead. It's awkward, unused to using it, but he makes do. The wet sound tells him everything he needs to know. ]
Damnit, Joshua...
[ His voice is soft despite the words and he moves his brother onto the couch instead. It may be his left hand but his grip is strong enough to tell him not to argue, before letting go to move to his medicines. ]
You haven't been taking care of yourself.
[ Invoke Tarja AND the disappointment of an older brother. Well, no, not really disappointed. Worried. He brings his brother a vial, kneeling down in front of him and using his teeth to pull the stopper out, spitting it off somewhere. ]
Can you grab it?
[ As if Joshua is the one with the dead arm, but the last thing he needs is Joshua to cough while holding onto the vial and spilling it everywhere. ]
[ Clive easily moves him into sitting, partially because Joshua is in no position to argue anyway, but the coughing doesn't leave him much room for it regardless.
As Clive gets up to retrieve his medicine, he pulls his hand back from his mouth, looking at it. Blood on his glove... and leaves, again. Tiny things, but they're there, just as they have been since he came back.
He curls his hand, keeping them hidden for now.
The coughing fit has at least worn down to nothing by the time Clive returns with the medicine vial, so it makes it easier when Joshua reaches out to take it with his other hand. No coughing, no shaking. ]
I'm all right.
[ Look, he doesn't even complain about the medicine. Down it goes. ]
[ That gets Clive to sigh heavily and give Joshua a look that clearly states he thinks his brother is full of it. Then it softens into a little smile. ]
The Rosfield Anthem. We missed an opportunity having that on our livery.
[ He reaches up - damnit, switches hands - and grips his brothers chin lightly. Shakes his head softly. ]
No more missing your medication. Tarja might not be here, but I'm sure I can convince Pure Vanilla Cookie to lock you in the clinic. Or his wife, she seems far less likely to be swayed by your pleas for mercy.
[ Don't make him lose you. Not again. Not for something as preventable as this. He moves his hand to rest it lightly on the back of Joshua's head to just gently hold him so he can bonk their foreheads together, then stands slowly. ]
[ There's a soft snort to that. Honestly, for how often they both say it...
But he leans easily into that touch of foreheads, closing his eyes and focusing on breathing without triggering the cough. ]
No more missing. I promise.
[ He's been scattered this week, understandably.
Clive pulls away, and Joshua sits back against the couch cushions, resting his head and keeping his eyes closed. Speaking of things he's been missing... ]
Or slept much, for that matter. It hasn't come easily.
[ He's silent for a second, gently clenching his closed hand into a fist, then lets out a soft sigh. ]
But before any of that, there is... something I should tell you about.
[ Joshua looks tired. Running on adrenaline and little else. Clive understands it all too well, but he's not going to let it continue. He vowed to protect his brother, and that includes from himself if he can help it. So while Joshua rests on the couch, Clive moves to the bed to begin doing it up for him. He can tell it hasn't been touched, so it doesn't take much to pull the covers back.
Only to pause to those ominous words, his heart clenching. Founder, let it be good. By the flames themselves, let it be good. He turns back towards Joshua and sits on the end of the bed, facing him, his hand holding his arm instead of clasping his other hand. ]
[ There's another second of silence before Joshua begins. He doesn't need the moment to organize his thoughts. He needs it to settle his throat, so he doesn't cough more.
But before he says anything, he holds out his hand, the one he'd coughed into. A splatter of blood on his glove.
And small leaves, almost like ivy. ]
I've been coughing these up since we-- I returned from the temple. One of the Cookies, Affogato, found marks on me that looked like the vines that the Fallen Sun used to bind and control me.
[ Blood he expected. Small leaves, though? He pushes himself back up to quickly close the distance, grabbing his brother's wrist to bring his hand up to look. His expression darkens as Joshua talks, brow furrowing dangerously.
Corrupted. They both know what that means, they've read the journal.
He controlled me.
Clive doesn't see any marks on Joshua at face value, which means they're hidden under his clothing. And unlike a certain Cookie, Clive won't go degrading his brother by manhandling him. ]
Oh, Joshua...
[ His voice is caught between rage and grief. And so much guilt. This is his fault. If he had been more mindful, if he had focused on defense, if he had protected his brother... ]
[ Thankfully, with Clive, Joshua doesn't mind. He pulls off his soiled glove and unwraps his cloak from his shoulders, pulling apart the laces of his shirt and exposing his chest. There, across his chest, are dark, vine-like marks. ]
Affogato Cookie said to visit Zahliya. I'm not certain how the corruption is cleansed, but he can do it.
[ He hasn't felt... inspired to go, though. The thought of going makes him want to stay in his room, where he just keeps coughing up the occasional leaf. ]
Until it has been cleansed, he advised not to attend any strategic meetings. Apparently, he can see what I see and hear what I hear.
[ Across his chest. Reminiscent of Ultima's mark on him. Clives fingers clench tightly against themselves, only his own glove preventing his nails from biting into his skin. Zahliya... he thinks he remembers the name, but he's not really thinking of it. He's thinking of marching right back to that temple and challenging the demon. He can be injured, Ifrit did damage - the other's did damage - they just need an upper hand. ]
We'll find him then, we'll get you free of this. He won't have his hold on you.
[ Is this how Joshua felt, coming across Clive about to be taken by Ultima? The burning need to see their enemy absolutely annihilated for daring to touch his brother? He sighs hard and rubs his face, trying to relax himself. Breathe, Clive. ]
You need rest, first. I don't know how taxing it will be on you.
[ Ah. He knows that look. Joshua doesn't doubt he'd worn a similar one when trying to go back into the temple, or back into the forest. Or when he'd approached Ultima five years ago, with Clive and Jill prone on the floor.
He's already had this talk with Clive before, about doing things alone. Hopefully, he won't have to have that same talk again.
The suggestion of rest sounds wonderful, honestly. He doesn't know how easily it will come, but his body needs it badly. Joshua sighs, pushing up on his feet. ]
I will try... but you could use some rest, too.
[ He's already kneeling on the edge of his bed, but he's turning to look over his shoulder at Clive first. ]
But, please. Promise me, Clive. Promise me that you won't run off into the forest.
[ "Not without me," is the unspoken addendum. Not alone. ]
[ Too much for his liking. Despite the curse, he feels brimming with energy. He glances around the room for his sword, frowning lightly that it's not around. Damn. Okay, fine, he can do swordless practice.
The request for a promise makes him glance back to the brother, and he sighs. A soft huff of a noise. His weakness. It does make him smile a little though. ]
Fine. I promise I won't go running off into the forest.
[ Joshua pauses, as if considering Clive's answer, and then huffs out a soft laugh, shaking his head. Founder, he'd missed this. ]
If you insist.
[ But it's good to have that promise. He appreciates it. He knows Clive couldn't say no to him asking, but he has to make sure. He doesn't want to lose his brother again. ]
[ That makes him pause again and his heart aches. Joshua had to go on without him. He put his brother through that again. ]
I'm glad to be back. Rest. I'll be here when you wake. I promise.
[ Because he knows how that first night goes. Getting up to check, to make sure it's not a dream, that they're where you left them. He picks up his brother's sword with his left hand, testing the weight with a little wrinkle of his nose. Too light but... ]
[ Indeed, Joshua has lived that life for the past week. What little sleep came was interrupted by every tiny noise, his brain wondering if Clive had returned on his own, only to be disappointed upon waking.
But now, Clive is here. Clive isn't going anywhere. He can rest easily. He curls up beneath the blankets, head resting on the pillow but his eyes locked firmly on Clive. ]
I know that it won't. For I have the finest Shield a Phoenix could ask for guarding my bed.
[ That gets Clive to chuckle and he turns towards Joshua, pointing the rapier up in a salute, before turning it around to grip it with it pointing downwards. He can't use both hands, so forgive him that the gesture isn't quite proper. ]
On ... ah, your sword, I swear; to shield the Firebird's flame forevermore. Your shield will let nothing through. This I vow.
[ His smile crinkles his eyes with the force of it, and he tilts his head gently, playfully. ]
It's such a sweet gesture, and Joshua is so, so exhausted that it makes him giggle softly, mouth hidden behind a handful of blanket. But now that he's laying down, it's very hard to deny the fact that his eyes are burning with the need for sleep, and his brain is already starting to check out just a little. The past week is catching up with him in a moment of vulnerability, and his body is saying, "Well, it's about time."
Within half a minute, Joshua has thoroughly drifted off. ]
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no subject
[ His arm forgotten, he steps forward to reach up, then switch hands to grab his brother's upper arm with his left instead. It's awkward, unused to using it, but he makes do. The wet sound tells him everything he needs to know. ]
Damnit, Joshua...
[ His voice is soft despite the words and he moves his brother onto the couch instead. It may be his left hand but his grip is strong enough to tell him not to argue, before letting go to move to his medicines. ]
You haven't been taking care of yourself.
[ Invoke Tarja AND the disappointment of an older brother. Well, no, not really disappointed. Worried. He brings his brother a vial, kneeling down in front of him and using his teeth to pull the stopper out, spitting it off somewhere. ]
Can you grab it?
[ As if Joshua is the one with the dead arm, but the last thing he needs is Joshua to cough while holding onto the vial and spilling it everywhere. ]
no subject
As Clive gets up to retrieve his medicine, he pulls his hand back from his mouth, looking at it. Blood on his glove... and leaves, again. Tiny things, but they're there, just as they have been since he came back.
He curls his hand, keeping them hidden for now.
The coughing fit has at least worn down to nothing by the time Clive returns with the medicine vial, so it makes it easier when Joshua reaches out to take it with his other hand. No coughing, no shaking. ]
I'm all right.
[ Look, he doesn't even complain about the medicine. Down it goes. ]
no subject
The Rosfield Anthem. We missed an opportunity having that on our livery.
[ He reaches up - damnit, switches hands - and grips his brothers chin lightly. Shakes his head softly. ]
No more missing your medication. Tarja might not be here, but I'm sure I can convince Pure Vanilla Cookie to lock you in the clinic. Or his wife, she seems far less likely to be swayed by your pleas for mercy.
[ Don't make him lose you. Not again. Not for something as preventable as this. He moves his hand to rest it lightly on the back of Joshua's head to just gently hold him so he can bonk their foreheads together, then stands slowly. ]
I bet you haven't eaten either, have you?
no subject
But he leans easily into that touch of foreheads, closing his eyes and focusing on breathing without triggering the cough. ]
No more missing. I promise.
[ He's been scattered this week, understandably.
Clive pulls away, and Joshua sits back against the couch cushions, resting his head and keeping his eyes closed. Speaking of things he's been missing... ]
Or slept much, for that matter. It hasn't come easily.
[ He's silent for a second, gently clenching his closed hand into a fist, then lets out a soft sigh. ]
But before any of that, there is... something I should tell you about.
no subject
[ Joshua looks tired. Running on adrenaline and little else. Clive understands it all too well, but he's not going to let it continue. He vowed to protect his brother, and that includes from himself if he can help it. So while Joshua rests on the couch, Clive moves to the bed to begin doing it up for him. He can tell it hasn't been touched, so it doesn't take much to pull the covers back.
Only to pause to those ominous words, his heart clenching. Founder, let it be good. By the flames themselves, let it be good. He turns back towards Joshua and sits on the end of the bed, facing him, his hand holding his arm instead of clasping his other hand. ]
... All right, let's hear it.
no subject
But before he says anything, he holds out his hand, the one he'd coughed into. A splatter of blood on his glove.
And small leaves, almost like ivy. ]
I've been coughing these up since we-- I returned from the temple. One of the Cookies, Affogato, found marks on me that looked like the vines that the Fallen Sun used to bind and control me.
Affogato Cookie said that I'd been corrupted.
no subject
Corrupted. They both know what that means, they've read the journal.
He controlled me.
Clive doesn't see any marks on Joshua at face value, which means they're hidden under his clothing. And unlike a certain Cookie, Clive won't go degrading his brother by manhandling him. ]
Oh, Joshua...
[ His voice is caught between rage and grief. And so much guilt. This is his fault. If he had been more mindful, if he had focused on defense, if he had protected his brother... ]
We can fix it. Can't we?
no subject
Affogato Cookie said to visit Zahliya. I'm not certain how the corruption is cleansed, but he can do it.
[ He hasn't felt... inspired to go, though. The thought of going makes him want to stay in his room, where he just keeps coughing up the occasional leaf. ]
Until it has been cleansed, he advised not to attend any strategic meetings. Apparently, he can see what I see and hear what I hear.
no subject
We'll find him then, we'll get you free of this. He won't have his hold on you.
[ Is this how Joshua felt, coming across Clive about to be taken by Ultima? The burning need to see their enemy absolutely annihilated for daring to touch his brother? He sighs hard and rubs his face, trying to relax himself. Breathe, Clive. ]
You need rest, first. I don't know how taxing it will be on you.
no subject
He's already had this talk with Clive before, about doing things alone. Hopefully, he won't have to have that same talk again.
The suggestion of rest sounds wonderful, honestly. He doesn't know how easily it will come, but his body needs it badly. Joshua sighs, pushing up on his feet. ]
I will try... but you could use some rest, too.
[ He's already kneeling on the edge of his bed, but he's turning to look over his shoulder at Clive first. ]
But, please. Promise me, Clive. Promise me that you won't run off into the forest.
[ "Not without me," is the unspoken addendum. Not alone. ]
no subject
[ Too much for his liking. Despite the curse, he feels brimming with energy. He glances around the room for his sword, frowning lightly that it's not around. Damn. Okay, fine, he can do swordless practice.
The request for a promise makes him glance back to the brother, and he sighs. A soft huff of a noise. His weakness. It does make him smile a little though. ]
Fine. I promise I won't go running off into the forest.
[ Alone. ]
no subject
If you insist.
[ But it's good to have that promise. He appreciates it. He knows Clive couldn't say no to him asking, but he has to make sure. He doesn't want to lose his brother again. ]
... I'm so glad that you're back.
no subject
I'm glad to be back. Rest. I'll be here when you wake. I promise.
[ Because he knows how that first night goes. Getting up to check, to make sure it's not a dream, that they're where you left them. He picks up his brother's sword with his left hand, testing the weight with a little wrinkle of his nose. Too light but... ]
And nothing will come for you.
no subject
But now, Clive is here. Clive isn't going anywhere. He can rest easily. He curls up beneath the blankets, head resting on the pillow but his eyes locked firmly on Clive. ]
I know that it won't. For I have the finest Shield a Phoenix could ask for guarding my bed.
no subject
On ... ah, your sword, I swear; to shield the Firebird's flame forevermore. Your shield will let nothing through. This I vow.
[ His smile crinkles his eyes with the force of it, and he tilts his head gently, playfully. ]
no subject
It's such a sweet gesture, and Joshua is so, so exhausted that it makes him giggle softly, mouth hidden behind a handful of blanket. But now that he's laying down, it's very hard to deny the fact that his eyes are burning with the need for sleep, and his brain is already starting to check out just a little. The past week is catching up with him in a moment of vulnerability, and his body is saying, "Well, it's about time."
Within half a minute, Joshua has thoroughly drifted off. ]