i'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly

[dromi]

[Nights in Abyss are much the same as days. Oh, sure, they're less noisy and there are less people milling about, but an underground labyrinth full of those who can't fit in with Fódlan's society is bound to have at least a few shady individuals still up even this late. It's well past sunset, with several hours left until dawn. The passage of time remains a constant even in these shadowed depths, and Yuri doesn't need the church bells to tell him the time.

Of course, he's sure his companion is a bit less pleased to be up so late when hers is one of the most consistent schedules they have down here, but Hapi usually ends up dragged into things the other Ashen Wolves need her to. Now is no exception. Night watch is never a pleasant duty, but considering the increased attacks lately, it's for the best if there are two of them patrolling.

It's been quiet since they started a little over two hours ago, but that doesn't mean it will remain quiet. They're currently passing through the nearly-deserted marketplace; they'll loop by the entrance again before going through the route a few more times, just to be sure nothing strange is happening. It's a bit of a bore, but Yuri always puts his all into protecting the people of Abyss, and now is no exception.

He's quiet as he walks, never straying too far from Hapi's side. If there is trouble, it will be easiest for them both to handle it together instead of being split up.]

Just a bit longer and I'll let you head back to bed. Wouldn't want to mess your schedule up too much, now would we?

[It's light; not quite teasing, but not quite an apology either. Hapi knows how important this is, and she likewise knows that Yuri will absolutely inconvenience the other Ashen Wolves if it means keeping Abyss safe.]

Comments

[disighstrous]

[Hapi snorts; it's light, but it's clearly just a joke between them. Nothing more, nothing less.

Still, Hapi's look does shift up again; it's not like there's much to do here while Yuri catches his breath, so the stars are an obvious thing to look at. Even now as they stare from this giant blue orb they call their home, the stars are moving around them ever so slightly. That's what she's always learned, anyway.

Still, when Yuri brings it up, Hapi's look drifts over to Yuri and she shrugs a bit.]

The view's not as good as it could be. We'd probably have a better one up on that hill.

[...]

It's not bad, though. Stargazing's kind of a waste of time, but it's...nice. [It's simple enough to say, and honest as Hapi stretches out her arms.] After being stuck down there so long, it kind of feels like a treat.

[dromi]

[Yuri glances up at the hill when she mentions it, but his gaze returns skyward quickly enough.]

It does. It's strange how something like this can be so enjoyable after so much time in Abyss.

[It's a bittersweet feeling to get to experience it right now. Yuri shakes his head a bit and moves to stand.]

But you did say the hill would be better, so allow me a moment to test that out.

[And then he just. Leaves. Ascending the hill is perhaps surprisingly easy, but Yuri's always been light on his feet and he makes his way up quickly enough. Once he's there, he stands overlooking the edge and... Well, Hapi's going to feel a slight tug - it's magic, the sort that is innate to Tricksters and more or less unrecognizable as anything specific to most people simply because it's there and gone in a flash. And speaking of "there and gone", Hapi will find herself on top of that hill while Yuri raises a hand in greeting from below.

Give him a moment to scale the hill again and he takes a seat beside Hapi once again.]

Not exactly the most efficient way to travel, but it'll work well enough for now.

[disighstrous]

Yeah.

[Hapi nods in simple agreement at the first bit, though she looks at Yuri when he moves to stand and tilts her head. Oh, there he...goes...well, maybe he's just going to get Balthus. Hapi doesn't like the idea of being down here by herself, but if something happens, it happens, she supposes. Worst come to worst she can summon a monster--

But then Hapi feels a strange tug, and she jolts for a brief moment--only to look down and see Yuri back down where she was, from her new viewpoint on the hill. By the time Yuri gets back, Hapi's trying to hold back from laughing entirely. That was actually pretty cool?]

Where'd you learn that trick? Never seen you do that before. [...Okay, yeah, she's openly tittering a bit. Still, her look does go back up to the stars at that, and after a few seconds consideration...] Guess I was right. It really does look better from up here. You can see a few more of the stars peeking out like this.

[She's not sure if he's gonna join her, or how much that's taken out of him, but they can enjoy this for a bit longer before they have to go back, right?]

[dromi]

[Don't worry, he's definitely joining her. At least until he's caught his breath.]

Just something I picked up somewhere. Pretty handy, but not always the most useful skill.

[It just so happens to be useful in this one instance, but it isn't nearly as efficient as warping around. It's technically something he knows how to do, but he isn't nearly as consistent with it as he'd like, and he certainly isn't going to try moving Hapi along with him with something that could injure them both.]

You're definitely right, though. There are quite a few we couldn't see from down there.

[He can't pick out any constellations, and the few things he's learned aren't quite springing to mind at this moment. Still, he leans back on his hands and watches the stars in silence anyway. This is... nice. It's nice, despite everything that led them here and Hapi's injured ankle. Once he's caught his breath he'll move her closer to Abyss, but for this one moment...

Well, it's nice.]

[disighstrous]

[Hapi definitely knows a lot about the stars, from what's been taught to her; she lets herself be at ease for just a bit, and one of her hands come up to trace a few constellations out. It looks like there's at least a few of them in the sky tonight...]

Guess most of the constellations are out of sight tonight. But there's a few good ones out here.

[It's more idly said, and Hapi looks over at Yuri for a moment, considering. She's quiet, at least for a bit, just kind of looking without saying anything.]

Makes me wish we could come out here more often. It's nice.

[...Hapi, pick some words other than nice, please.

Her look goes back to the sky, though.]

Do you miss seeing them?

[dromi]

[Yuri glances over when Hapi begins tracing the constellations. He can't see exactly what she's doing from where he's sitting, but he has a fairly good idea.]

It is nice. [It's a good word for this.] I suppose I do miss seeing them. Just a little bit.

[It's such a strange thing to miss, when it isn't something he gave much thought to before moving to Abyss.]

Not that it matters all that much, in the end. Abyss is home now, and I'm going to continue to look out for the people there. Seeing the stars is nice, but ultimately not something I think about often.

[So he misses it, but not to the point of it being a distraction.]

And you, Hapi?

[disighstrous]

[...Huh. Hapi can't actually say she was expecting that answer, honestly. She blinks a little at it, her reaction as minimized as ever, but then he speaks again and that makes more sense. There's really no time for that kind of stuff when they're defending the people of Abyss, and it's a bit silly to get caught up on something like that, isn't it?

It's why Hapi decides to minimize her own feelings about this, too. It really is nothing; she's nostalgic for something she can't have anymore. It's dumb, and she's not going to bug Yuri-bird with it.]

...Same here. It really doesn't matter all that much. We've got more important things to worry about.

[And that's that, as far as Hapi's concerned. It's just nostalgia, at this point, but she isn't looking at Yuri when she says that; that's probably more of an indication than anything she's not saying something.]

We should probably get going.

[dromi]

Precisely.

[He glances back up at the stars again for a moment. If he were a sentimental (and hopeful) man, maybe he'd vow to take Hapi stargazing someday. Maybe he'd ask her to point out those constellations again, so he can learn everything she can teach. Maybe it'd be nice to do this for fun, with nothing resting on their shoulders.

Good thing he isn't sentimental.]

Of course. Give me a moment, I'll get you back to Abyss.

[Thankfully, Yuri's rested enough to manage that. He makes it to the entranceway and then swaps places with Hapi again, using the same magic as before. It's probably less jarring now that she's expecting it.]

Only one more and you'll be safe. You trust me enough to leave you alone for five minutes while I find a healer?

[Aelfric will undoubtedly be by to visit sometime soon, but until he can fully patch up Hapi's ankle, it'll be best if someone can at least make it so she can limp on it if need be.]

[disighstrous]

[Maybe she should tell him. If anyone would be able to understand, Yuri-bird might; it'd be nice to be able to get all of this off her chest, and have a weight off her mind. But no, it's silly, isn't it? So, Hapi won't. It's as simple as that; she'll minimize it, much like everything else.

Hapi nods her head when Yuri speaks up, and she waits before feeling that familiar tug put her where Yuri is. It's not so jarring when she expects it, now, and she's able to sit patiently when he comes back over to her, and she gives a nod to Yuri when he asks the question.]

Yeah, I do. I know you'll be back. And if any of those guys comes back, I'll try to stop them.

[...She obviously can't promise anything in her state, but she'll at least try not to sigh if she can help it.

Still, Hapi...smiles, just a tiny bit before Yuri leaves.]

Thanks, Yuri-bird. Sorry this got kind of messed up, but tonight was...nice. For what it's worth. Which probably isn't much.

[dromi]

Certainly not the worst run-in with mercenaries I've had.

[Even if it did end in his clothes being ripped and Hapi's ankle injured. At least it's not in so much pain that she can't smile. It earns a small one from Yuri in return before he holds up a hand and moves past Hapi and deeper into Abyss. He uses the same trick again, bringing her further down and right to where the Abysskeeper has returned to his post. Yuri joins her shortly afterwards.]

You should be safe here. Think you can hang in here until I can grab Balthus?

[Not that his faith magic is any better than Yuri's (it isn't) but because Balthus can carry her over to someone who can tend to her injury better, and moving Hapi like this is exhausting work.]

[disighstrous]

[Hapi was honestly content to wait down there; she figured that Yuri would be able to get someone here before anyone else tried to get in, and even if someone did, she wouldn't hesitate to fight them.

She's a little surprised when she's brought further in, and she eases considerably. She's definitely safer here, especially with the Abysskeeper nearby this time. Still, she isn't missing the fact that Yuri's definitely working himself quite a bit, so she nods her head.]

Yeah, I'll be okay. Thanks.

[...]

Try to get some rest after B gets here, though. You probably need it.