[Well what the fuck does he say to that one. This is why he's not the advice friend. He's the beat-it-with-your-sword friend. He's the friend who hugs and says weirdly, profoundly soft shit, but he sure as hell doesn't know how to fix problems. This is not a problem he can beat to death.
Uhhhhhh.]
...maybe there's a way to contact her somehow. You could leave a note. Try to stick it underneath the fog. ...Can you even do that...?
[ugh why couldn't it have just been a huge forest monster that kidnapped her instead of this, then maybe his idiot friend would have better advice]
I know where she lives. I think. [thank El he got that out of her early on, otherwise he'd be screwed right now] I... also have something to get there. Through the fog.
[but if it doesn't look like he's jumping at the chance to chase after her... well.
to get to her, he'd have to go back into the forest. this is the closest he's come to the fog wall since his return.]
Maybe. It's good to give people space when they're upset.
[That's sort of why Elsword didn't immediately run out after Add. Clearly he needed time to process; it seems like it was time well-spent, in some ways. He's at least saying what's on his mind for once, which is a step in the right direction.
But, he thinks something more important has to be said here. Nevermind the thing Add seems to have that'll let him get through the fog, nevermind knowing where she lives. Elsword has parsed by this point that the fog is dangerous — it wasn't hard to tell that much, even on his first day here. The fog is keeping them in, and keeping other things out.]
Hey. [His brow furrows.] Promise me you won't disappear on me completely again if you go. I don't... I don't want to lose you again. It was hard enough the first time.
[Right. It's okay for him to give her space... but he doesn't want to leave her alone, either. So he shouldn't wait too long... but then there's the forest...
he sighs, again, the heaviest thus far, face in his hands. what a fucking mess he's gotten himself into.]
... I already promised a dozen times. I won't. [and he really, truly means it, because going back into that forest by himself sounds like a terrible idea. he doesn't want to say it, but he's scared. he's not sure if he even could go in there right now.
that, and... he spreads a few fingers, peering through them to the splinted leg still sticking out towards the river. yeah.
[No, promise him more, as El Search Party members it cannot be understated how stupid and reckless the both of them are. Someone's going to find himself in danger somewhere. A promise isn't going to prevent anyone from getting gored by a monster, but still.]
Let me help you. ...oh! Add. [Vague excitement!!] There's a map of the Grove in my room, and it includes a bunch of stuff that we can't get to. Would that help you? You said you know where it is, but it might be good in case you get turned around.
That... would be very useful, actually. [he said he knows where she lives, but it's more like she told him to get the glasses to navigate the woods and find a church... she didn't actually tell him where in the woods the church is. he kinda hoped it would just be obvious.]
I'll make a copy of it with Dynamo. And perhaps a backup in paper wouldn't hurt... I can try to map out some of the paths as I go. It could come in handy later.
There's a temple and an ocean on it, too. I didn't know we were close to an ocean.
[It's hanging up on the wall in his room, so Add might've seen it before in passing. Fun facts, Elsword is not waiting, they are going to go look at the map now. Add said it would be useful they're getting up.
And by "they" obviously I mean "Elsword scoops Add up off the forest floor and just carries him off".]
Let's go look at it now. It's best to get an early start, right?
[He makes an embarrassed squeak at being picked up, but he's not immediately wriggling for freedom, so... progress? He is, unfortunately, getting used to being princess carried.
He can tell Elsword is trying to distract him, though. It's... kind of nice? For some reason it feels different from when Add is the one trying to change the topic. Is it because he actually spoke about something openly for once? or... is it because it's Elsword?]
... About what I said before. I'm sorry.
And... thank you.
[he feels a little dizzy, heart pounding softly in his ears... he must've been sitting out here too long.
Add clears his throat, tilting the brim of his hat back down.]
If anyone asks, this conversation didn't happen... actually, just say we discussed what happened at the meeting. I already forgave you so it's fine to say that we're on good terms again. Everything else is a personal matter, so no one needs to know about that. And don't mention anything strange that might give people ideas. I don't want to leave a bad impression.
I can't believe they actually thought we're in a relationship... ridiculous. I'm too busy for frivolous things like that.
[Elsword slightly tightens his grip on Add, pointedly staring ahead as his footsteps slow down a small bit. Something hurts somewhere deep down; he's not sure why.]
Ha, yeah. I never thought you'd be interested in something like that anyway.
[Add was long gone by the time everyone pointed out that Elsword might, allegedly, probably, be harbouring some not-friends feelings somewhere deep within. Maybe that's for the best; Elsword doesn't need to be scrutinized for it. He's not supposed to be feeling things anyway, even though their last several encounters have led to him feeling a bit... odd, he supposes is the word he'd use.
Here they are now, and Add is putting that distance between them. A firm no, and Elsword respects it. Of course he does. He has to wonder if he's just got ideas in his head because everyone else does, or...
...
Well, it's not like he... wouldn't... kiss Add if Add wanted— brain stop that.]
You... uh, you probably wouldn't ever want to do something like that, huh?
[He hasn't checked Dynamo's meeting notes yet... but when he does, and gets to that part of the recording, he'll probably shut it off and wipe the clip from his systems. Elsword's gay thoughts are safe.
Add wheezes out a laugh, trying not to sound anxious (sounding really anxious).] Me? Romantically involved? Of course not. You're my patient, that would be wildly unprofessional, not to mention the power imbalance. It was just a simple misunderstanding, don't let it bother you so much.
[Besides, it's not like Elsword is strapped for suitors. He's seen the way Aisha ogles him. Eve, too... he spent years trying to make her look at him like that, so he'd know. And Elesis would probably kill him if he ever...
—not that he would. He's a scientist. His is a purely scientific interest.
... it's a pointless thing to dwell on, because he's sure Elsword doesn't think of him that way. He calls Add a friend, sure, and he's overwhelmingly kind and thoughtful... but Elsword is like that with just about everyone. It would be foolish to interpret his kindness towards Add as anything more.
That must be why Elsword sounds so awkward. His kindhearted nature is being misinterpreted as something romantic, possibly even sexual...
Ugh, they desperately need a topic change. Add clears his throat (again).]
Do you find the accusation embarrassing? ... That is an emotion. You're making good progress.
[Yep. Figures. Elsword takes the rejection (he wasn't really asking) easily, and does not think about the "???" emotion that's trying to escape containment right now. He cannot. He will not. There are ideas in his head, seeds planted by people who had the wrong idea. That's it, that's all, Add is firmly not interested in anyone else (other than like, maybe one chaotic, virus-infected robot girl) and he's certainly not interested in a guy who has maybe 2% of his brain functioning at any one moment.
His face feels hot. Same thing happened when BB kissed him, but now it's worse somehow. That was just momentary fluster.]
It's against medical code to date a patient, yeah. [Surely Elrios has some ethical code like that or something.] It doesn't bother me.
[Lying he's lying the boy is a liar—]
I guess I do feel kind of embarrassed, yeah. I... [Still not looking at Add, still looking elsewhere. Kind of off to the side now, actually.] ...a lot happened, that's all. I found some more mirror shards when I left.
[And neither of them have been helpful in identifying the ??? that he's been experiencing since their little rendezvous on the fucking floor.]
[He says he's not bothered, but it's not hard to pick up on the signs... this is Elsword, Knight of Few Emotions, after all. Showing pretty much anything is a total giveaway.
Curiosity starts to get the better of Add, tipping his hat back up by juuust enough to peer through the visor...]
More of those mirror shards, huh? [he's trying not to sound irritated... he still doesn't completely trust that Trader, though. but moving right along—] What sorts of things did you see, then? As your doctor, you need to keep me updated on these matters.
[They're quickly approaching the house, and if this were an ordinary day — like, Elsword scooping Add up because he Can and not because Add's leg is broken — he might've already set Add down. Unfortunately, someone has a broken leg, and that means he's getting carried all the way up to the front door, where Elsword has to sort of shuffle him around so that he's sitting pretty on the knight's forearm while he unlocks the door. Sometimes he wonders if there's a point to keeping the house locked up, like he doesn't live with four other people and Caoimhe isn't regularly in their chandelier sleeping, but he's doing it anyway.
With the door open, it's just a matter of kicking it closed behind him, putting his key on the end table next to the door, and heading upstairs. To the map they go!]
Well, one of them was when you guys were teasing me over something. [Just. Deadpan. You guyz r mean 2 him :(] I didn't get to see what it was, but Elesis put me in a headlock and gave me a noogie, and you were doing that thing you do when you're trying not to laugh. Aisha was keeled over laughing...
[He wishes he knew what the hell he said or did!! But he got two shards, and he hasn't explained the second one quite yet. Just as they make it to Elsword's room and he actually deigns to put Add down at the desk, he murmurs,]
...and then the other one was you all pulling me from the El. That one had a lot of weird... warm fuzzy feelings attached to it. I guess I never expected you guys to come get me, somehow.
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no subject
[Well what the fuck does he say to that one. This is why he's not the advice friend. He's the beat-it-with-your-sword friend. He's the friend who hugs and says weirdly, profoundly soft shit, but he sure as hell doesn't know how to fix problems. This is not a problem he can beat to death.
Uhhhhhh.]
...maybe there's a way to contact her somehow. You could leave a note. Try to stick it underneath the fog. ...Can you even do that...?
no subject
I know where she lives. I think. [thank El he got that out of her early on, otherwise he'd be screwed right now] I... also have something to get there. Through the fog.
[but if it doesn't look like he's jumping at the chance to chase after her... well.
to get to her, he'd have to go back into the forest. this is the closest he's come to the fog wall since his return.]
... maybe I should give her some space first...
no subject
[That's sort of why Elsword didn't immediately run out after Add. Clearly he needed time to process; it seems like it was time well-spent, in some ways. He's at least saying what's on his mind for once, which is a step in the right direction.
But, he thinks something more important has to be said here. Nevermind the thing Add seems to have that'll let him get through the fog, nevermind knowing where she lives. Elsword has parsed by this point that the fog is dangerous — it wasn't hard to tell that much, even on his first day here. The fog is keeping them in, and keeping other things out.]
Hey. [His brow furrows.] Promise me you won't disappear on me completely again if you go. I don't... I don't want to lose you again. It was hard enough the first time.
no subject
he sighs, again, the heaviest thus far, face in his hands. what a fucking mess he's gotten himself into.]
... I already promised a dozen times. I won't. [and he really, truly means it, because going back into that forest by himself sounds like a terrible idea. he doesn't want to say it, but he's scared. he's not sure if he even could go in there right now.
that, and... he spreads a few fingers, peering through them to the splinted leg still sticking out towards the river. yeah.
he's not hiking through the woods any time soon.]
I need some time to think. Make preparations...
no subject
Let me help you. ...oh! Add. [Vague excitement!!] There's a map of the Grove in my room, and it includes a bunch of stuff that we can't get to. Would that help you? You said you know where it is, but it might be good in case you get turned around.
no subject
I'll make a copy of it with Dynamo. And perhaps a backup in paper wouldn't hurt... I can try to map out some of the paths as I go. It could come in handy later.
no subject
[It's hanging up on the wall in his room, so Add might've seen it before in passing. Fun facts, Elsword is not waiting, they are going to go look at the map now. Add said it would be useful they're getting up.
And by "they" obviously I mean "Elsword scoops Add up off the forest floor and just carries him off".]
Let's go look at it now. It's best to get an early start, right?
no subject
He can tell Elsword is trying to distract him, though. It's... kind of nice? For some reason it feels different from when Add is the one trying to change the topic. Is it because he actually spoke about something openly for once? or... is it because it's Elsword?]
... About what I said before. I'm sorry.
And... thank you.
[he feels a little dizzy, heart pounding softly in his ears... he must've been sitting out here too long.
Add clears his throat, tilting the brim of his hat back down.]
If anyone asks, this conversation didn't happen... actually, just say we discussed what happened at the meeting. I already forgave you so it's fine to say that we're on good terms again. Everything else is a personal matter, so no one needs to know about that. And don't mention anything strange that might give people ideas. I don't want to leave a bad impression.
I can't believe they actually thought we're in a relationship... ridiculous. I'm too busy for frivolous things like that.
no subject
Ha, yeah. I never thought you'd be interested in something like that anyway.
[Add was long gone by the time everyone pointed out that Elsword might, allegedly, probably, be harbouring some not-friends feelings somewhere deep within. Maybe that's for the best; Elsword doesn't need to be scrutinized for it. He's not supposed to be feeling things anyway, even though their last several encounters have led to him feeling a bit... odd, he supposes is the word he'd use.
Here they are now, and Add is putting that distance between them. A firm no, and Elsword respects it. Of course he does. He has to wonder if he's just got ideas in his head because everyone else does, or...
...
Well, it's not like he... wouldn't... kiss Add if Add wanted— brain stop that.]
You... uh, you probably wouldn't ever want to do something like that, huh?
no subject
Add wheezes out a laugh, trying not to sound anxious (sounding really anxious).] Me? Romantically involved? Of course not. You're my patient, that would be wildly unprofessional, not to mention the power imbalance. It was just a simple misunderstanding, don't let it bother you so much.
[Besides, it's not like Elsword is strapped for suitors. He's seen the way Aisha ogles him. Eve, too... he spent years trying to make her look at him like that, so he'd know. And Elesis would probably kill him if he ever...
—not that he would. He's a scientist. His is a purely scientific interest.
... it's a pointless thing to dwell on, because he's sure Elsword doesn't think of him that way. He calls Add a friend, sure, and he's overwhelmingly kind and thoughtful... but Elsword is like that with just about everyone. It would be foolish to interpret his kindness towards Add as anything more.
That must be why Elsword sounds so awkward. His kindhearted nature is being misinterpreted as something romantic, possibly even sexual...
Ugh, they desperately need a topic change. Add clears his throat (again).]
Do you find the accusation embarrassing? ... That is an emotion. You're making good progress.
no subject
His face feels hot. Same thing happened when BB kissed him, but now it's worse somehow. That was just momentary fluster.]
It's against medical code to date a patient, yeah. [Surely Elrios has some ethical code like that or something.] It doesn't bother me.
[Lying he's lying the boy is a liar—]
I guess I do feel kind of embarrassed, yeah. I... [Still not looking at Add, still looking elsewhere. Kind of off to the side now, actually.] ...a lot happened, that's all. I found some more mirror shards when I left.
[And neither of them have been helpful in identifying the ??? that he's been experiencing since their little rendezvous on the fucking floor.]
no subject
Curiosity starts to get the better of Add, tipping his hat back up by juuust enough to peer through the visor...]
More of those mirror shards, huh? [he's trying not to sound irritated... he still doesn't completely trust that Trader, though. but moving right along—] What sorts of things did you see, then? As your doctor, you need to keep me updated on these matters.
no subject
With the door open, it's just a matter of kicking it closed behind him, putting his key on the end table next to the door, and heading upstairs. To the map they go!]
Well, one of them was when you guys were teasing me over something. [Just. Deadpan. You guyz r mean 2 him :(] I didn't get to see what it was, but Elesis put me in a headlock and gave me a noogie, and you were doing that thing you do when you're trying not to laugh. Aisha was keeled over laughing...
[He wishes he knew what the hell he said or did!! But he got two shards, and he hasn't explained the second one quite yet. Just as they make it to Elsword's room and he actually deigns to put Add down at the desk, he murmurs,]
...and then the other one was you all pulling me from the El. That one had a lot of weird... warm fuzzy feelings attached to it. I guess I never expected you guys to come get me, somehow.