sranks | we are the cursed we came from fire and ice

[Oh. Oh no, she wants to make sure he's okay—

Well, it's too late. Camilla absolutely gets to see his rather stunned and flushed expression; he can't say he's all that bothered by it, really, but it is a bit embarrassing...

And then she's pulling him back and he settles against her easily.]

Don't push yourself too hard. I will be right here beside you, no matter what. Don't try to rush to feel better.

[He knows she wants to, but this isn't the sort of thing you can rush, right? Either way, he's prepared to be patient and do what he can to help her.]

Thank you, sister. For all you've done for me. Let me help take care of you for a little while.

I know. I wouldn't want you to have to worry too much for my sake; I did promise that I would at least...try to avoid getting hurt again. For your sake. And I intend to follow that to the last.

[Camilla knows that this much is only staving off the inevitable, really--the nightmares to come, the slightest bit of panic that'll likely come when she's in a space too dark--the paranoia, everything. It's going to be a lot to sort through, and...

...

Well okay, Camilla absolutely glad she's pulled him in close because being called sister is something she's always wanted and she's trying very hard not to tear up again????]

...If you'd truly like to help, I would be remiss to deny you. But I ask that you not over-exert yourself either; I would not want to have to worry over you more than usual, if you do.

[...]

But please, try to stay by my side if you can. Not all the time, but... [Mmm. She's gotta address it--] ...I don't want Xander to get any ideas again, even if I worry he likely has many as it stands...and I'm afraid I did not help in one such regard.

[It's that pause that worries him, and her words do nothing to abate that worry. The fact that she's actually stating it outright and acknowledging how badly this messed her up, even somewhat... Well, it isn't a good sign.]

I understand, and I will endeavor to be by your side as often as possible. In the event that I cannot be, I will ask Claude to stand in for me.

[...never mind that the last time we talked about Claude we agreed he belonged in the pond?? Listen, his opinion of Claude has skyrocketed since then.]

We will not allow him - or anyone - to get close to you. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe, and I will not allow anything to hurt you again.

[That isn't something he can promise, but that isn't going to stop him from trying.

Something occurs to him then, though, and he frowns.]

Would you... prefer to spend your nights alone? I could ask one of the girls if they would remain in here with you if that would help...?

[But he knows Camilla - she won't want to risk upsetting any of them.]

Ideally, I would prefer to stay with you, but I'm not entirely sure how to arrange that...

[Seteth will probably kill him if he finds out??]

...I would like that. Thank you, my dear brother.

[...But he's not getting the point, Lorenz really needs to understand this before he winds up finding out the hard way that she's fucked up--]

Ah...no, no, it's fine. I'd rather not burden any of the other girls with such a thing, nor you. I've never been a heavy sleeper at all, and I'm afraid this may only...exacerbate the issues more. I wouldn't want any of you to have to deal with me in such a state.

[...Honestly it'd be embarrassing too, she's really not sure how she'd handle another person in the room while she's sleeping...honestly, it'd remind her too closely of her mom, she thinks, which is...where most of the issue is..........]

...But my lord, please, I need to stress this--it's about my crest. I...I messed up--I tried to kill Xander with magic, when I chased after the both of you. And...well, they tested my magic many times over when they experimented on me, and...

[...Y e a h...]

...I apologize sincerely, but I...I'm afraid I did mess up dearly.

[He doesn't really like the idea of leaving her alone at night, but he nods anyway. If this is what she believes is best, then he will trust her. He has no doubts that she's going to lock the door and possibly even push something up against it to keep anyone from getting in.

But Camilla moves on to something more pressing, and Lorenz draws back so he can get a better look at her, frowning.]

I see. I... I'm terribly sorry that they did such a thing to you.

[The experimenting, of course. He sort of figured that had something to do with it, but...]

I understand your concerns, and I am not trying to dismiss this as unimportant. But I promise you, we will find a way to face it together. Should House Krakenburg do something with this, I will do everything in my power to ensure that no more harm comes to you. That is my primary concern. Everything else is something we can handle, I have no doubts about that.

[It could prove disastrous for House Gloucester, depending on how it's spun. But if that is the way things play out, then so be it. His concern is with Camilla's safety, not his family's name and honor. "Honor" is a bit of a stretch anyway, given his father's actions.]

[...Okay, that much is...good, at the very least. Camilla's eyes soften a bit, even if they're just...kind of going to be really dull for a while, but it'll be fine. Surely it'll be fine.]

You needn't apologize my lo--my brother.

[As far as she's concerned, if he's not going to allow her to take blame, she's not going to let him, either. Camilla and Lorenz can unite under the banner of "FUCK HOUSE KRAKENBURG", and be in solidarity...]

...Alright. If you're certain. I simply don't wish to put you in harms way--I'll never allow that again. I'd sooner wage a one woman war against that entire house than allow such a thing to happen again.

[...CAMILLA, YIKES?]

When we do find a way, though...I promise that I will do everything to support you. I'll give all that I have left in me to fight for such a cause, and I'll use all of my strength to bolster it. I swear.

Understandable, I certainly would have marched to House Krakenburg myself if I thought I had the power to handle it on my own.

[WELL OKAY THEN??]

Thank you, though. Together we will make it through this - no matter what comes our way. I have complete faith in that.

[OH BOY SAME VIOLENT HAT]

I'm certain that with enough time, we'll be able to eradicate the dastards involved and grant them no quarter.

[oh my god what have we done]

I...I believe so too. It will take time, but...I do believe in that much, as well.

[At any rate, Camilla is glad to be back--as long as her lord, her brother is by her side...she'll be able to take on the whole world. She's sure.

It'll take precious time, but it'll be worth it. She's sure of that.

The evening doesn't go the most well, due to Camilla's state of being a lot more jumpy and anxious than usual, even with the Deer by her side, but...there's much to adjust to; Camilla refuses to let this destroy her. That's a promise.]

we are the cursed we came from fire and ice

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