regarding Retrace 99 spoilers

[abysmalsight]

... So after all this time that's enough to make you finally bring me back?

Comments

(just ignore me if this is too old!)

[eroico]

Back from where?

I would never ignore an Elliot <3

[abysmalsight]

[Well this is... Awkward. Maybe Elliot won't notice the new haircut.]

Doing nothing productive, really.

omg <3

[eroico]

That sounds like you most of the time.

[frowwwwwwns and leans forward, peering just a little too close for comfort at Leo's face]

D'you lose those glasses already?!

[abysmalsight]

Nonsense, I'm always productive.

[Backing up now and you're lucky he's not in a bad mood or you'd be getting punched.]

... I didn't lose them. And it's not polite to stare, you know.

[eroico]

Maybe when it comes to finishing books. And spoiling the endings for me.

[straightens up, but he's still frowning.]

Your hair's different.

[abysmalsight]

It's not my fault that you read too slow.

[... Ah. Damn. He shrugs casually, playing it off.]

Vincent cut it a bit.

[eroico]

Maybe if you didn't always interrupt me to spoil the plot...!

[huffs and crosses his arms over his chest, finally tearing his gaze from Leo's face.]

...It's not bad.

I'm surprised you'd let my brother near you with scissors, though.

[abysmalsight]

I can't help that I like to discuss the plot but you can't keep up with me to make decent conversation.

[Another shrug. How can he explain the reasoning? It's not like he can come out and ask how Elliot is even standing in front of him. So he's... Treading carefully.]

Even he listens if you kick him hard enough.

[eroico]

Pssh. Do I have to challenge you to a book-reading contest or something?!

[he may sound frustrated, but he's genuinely glad to see Leo, even if things seem a bit... off.]

...Huh. I never tried that.

[abysmalsight]

We both know you wouldn't win so that would just be a waste.

[Things are off, and even as dense as Elliot can be Leo knows he isn't THAT dumb. He smiles, but it's the one he gives the Baskervilles because it's been a while since he's had a reason to genuinely smile.]

I definitely suggest it then.

[eroico]

[HUFFS and his frown grows deeper but for possibly the very first time in his life Elliot manages to restrain his temper. Something is very odd here and he wants to know why. Leo certainly has his strange moods but this...]

...Leo.

[abysmalsight]

[Wow they should mark this as a holiday, then. But for the moment Leo is busy tensing just a bit because he's inwardly hoping that Elliot isn't going to ask questions or demand answers but at the same time he knows he won't get so lucky.]

Hm?

[eroico]

[hesitates a beat longer, still frowning, then reaches out and takes Leo's hand firmly in his own. He says nothing, fully expecting a punch his way.]

[abysmalsight]

[Well that was. Not what he expected. Especially not from Elliot Nightray, of all people. But it's... Nice. And something he never thought he would get again. Suddenly he feels tears welling up and he turns away a bit but doesn't remove his hand.]


... You idiot.

[eroico]

Like you're one to talk.

[It doesn't seem like he's about to be punched, so he gives Leo's hand a light squeeze. As much as he wants to demand Leo tell him what the hell is going on, he'll refrain.

For now.]

Is there a piano around here?

[abysmalsight]

[The punch can wait for when Elliot actually deserves it. For now just this is more than enough to make Leo less moody. Plus it shuts the voices out, even just for now.]

Probably. These sorts of places can be extremely convenient like that.

[eroico]

[Elliot will certainly do his best to deserve that punch soon enough, knowing him.]

Wherever the hell we are.

At least I found you.

[Everything's ok, it has to be, because even if Leo is acting strange, he's here by Elliot's side.

Elliot passes him a quick grin before turning and dragging the boy off to explore.]

[abysmalsight]

[Leo doesn't respond, just giving a small (and pretty unconvincing) smile in return and letting himself be dragged along. Maybe he's dead now, too... Although that's incredibly unlikely.

Oh well, whatever. He's not all that bothered by it frankly, whether this is death or the Abyss, because at least Elliot is here. That's enough to make things seem almost normal and tolerable.]

idk if there is a design to this place so i'm gonna make stuff up lol

[eroico]

[Elliot is fairly quiet as they poke around, though his mind is spinning. Could this possibly be some sort of nightmare...? But the smell of smoke and congealing blood is missing, and the weight of Leo's hand held tight in his makes him doubt this is some mere dream.

A door in front of them leads to the outdoors, and Elliot raises his free hand to his forehead, blinking in the sudden sunlight.]

Huh. None of this looks familiar.

I don't think there is so anything goes haha

[abysmalsight]

[Leo never spent much time exploring the place since it was tedious to do alone and ultimately yielded nothing interesting, so he had no idea what to expect. He blinks at the bright light hitting him suddenly, squinting slightly before looking out towards what seems to be an expansive garden.]

I didn't know we could get outside.

[eroico]

[Elliot glances back over his shoulder at Leo, quirking a brow.]

You've been here awhile, then?

[His grip on Leo's hand hasn't lessened, and he gives his servant a gentle tug before trotting over to peer at the garden.]

[abysmalsight]

Yeah, it's been a while.

[He gives a nod before huffing softly at just being tugged around everywhere like a child. But at the same time he can't really bring himself to yank away just yet so he continues allowing it, managing a small teasing smirk.]

I'm sure you know the names and meanings of all these flowers, right?

[eroico]

[grumphs, finally releasing Leo's hand as he crouches down to get a better look at the flowers.]

Most of them. I told you, it's my sister's fault.

[he pauses, going quite still, eyes focused on a large red flower a few feet ahead.]

...Look, quickly. There's a hummingbird.

[abysmalsight]

Of course it is. [He teased softly before blinking and following the other boy's gaze to the flower and the bird.]

I'm surprised this place has animals and plants like this... I always assumed this sort of thing wouldn't show up.

[eroico]

[grunts irritatedly, though he's doing his best to keep quiet and not scare off the little bird.]

My sister taught me all those terms, what's your excuse anyway?

[the hummingbird abruptly darts off, and he rises to his feet, taking in a deep breath of the scented air.]

Does this place even have a name?