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[devoutish]

Yeah?

[That's it, that's all you get.]

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[bywolves]

I will, but you'll notice. [ Royce murmurs back, closing his eyes. ] It's hard to hide.

[devoutish]

Yeah, but you're also good at hiding. Even from me, sometimes.

[bywolves]

It's second nature. [ Royce murmurs. ] I'll tell you. For right now, I'm fine. Just cold.

[devoutish]

Very cold, yeah.

[He rubs Royce's arms, trying to get some feeling into them.]

[bywolves]

Weather didn't bother me, before. When I was in Elan. I never got cold like this. [ He leans into the rubbing with a sigh, trying half-assedly to return the favor. ]

[devoutish]

I doubt you had temperatures this low, did you?

[bywolves]

Not nearly this low, but it was still cold. Never felt it. Never felt the heat, either, never was uncomfortable by it.

[devoutish]

An elf thing?

[bywolves]

Must be. I don't have any of that anymore. Can't hear or see like I used to.

[devoutish]

Yeah, you've told me. Heightened senses. Would've been useful.

[bywolves]

[ He tucks his head under Alfie's chin. ] Feels like losing a limb. A part of me cut off. I've gotten used to it, but it was jarring at first.

[devoutish]

[He doesn't ask if Royce will be overwhelmed trying to get used to them again if he ever gets them back - three guesses why.]

I imagine that was rather the point.

[bywolves]

Mm. Probably. They mean to keep us beat down.

It's working.

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[A heavy sigh.]

But they haven't won yet, eh?

[bywolves]

No. Not yet. [ But they probably will someday, Royce thinks. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie continues to pet Royce's hair, and falls silent.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce is about to fall asleep, if Alfie doesn't say much more. He's finally getting a little warmer, the petting is soothing, and he's exhausted. Right before he drops off, though, he mutters something unintelligible and reaches up for Alfie, patting his face, and starts up the prayers, expectantly. Come on. Every night. ]

[devoutish]

Should say 'em standing.

[But he doesn't get up. He follows along, saying them, no longer translating them into English. Royce probably knows what they mean by now.]

[bywolves]

[ They probably should, but Royce is tired, and they're warm, and so he doesn't stand. Instead, he murmurs the prayers with Alfie, tucked up close, and soon enough, he falls asleep. It's peaceful, too - it's good sleep, because he's just warm enough.

And then it's the next day, and they're traveling again, and he feels good. Not excellent, but. Good. He's okay. It's kind of a nice feeling, being out from under the haze, but it does also come with a sensation of being lost. Royce hasn't cared where they've been going for so long that he has no idea where they're at.

So he just follows Alfie, alert and attentive. ]

[devoutish]

These buildings are bad.

[Alfie gestures to the skyscrapers around them, hoisting his messenger bag up a little higher on his shoulder.]

They might not be good for you right now. If you wanna stay out while I search--

[bywolves]

No, I'm alright. [ Royce says, shaking his head. ] Two of us searching is much faster anyway. Lead the way. I'll follow.

[devoutish]

[Alfie gives him searching look, but nods, and leads him towards one of the bigger buildings.]

We can go up this one. On the map, there's a walkway that stretches down there--

[He points northeast.]

[bywolves]

Mm. [ Royce gestures a little, like go on. ] I'm right behind you.

cw: torture aftermath and general grossness

[devoutish]

[For people entering in at the top of the building via the skywalk, each level down gets progressively more hellish. But Alfie and Royce are entering at the ground level, and so they're thrown into the thick of it right away. Alfie opens the door, and they're immediately confronted with a piece of leather made from human skin hanging on the wall opposite. Alfie pauses, and makes a stifled little sound in the back of his throat.

He's fine. He's fine, he'll go on, he just needs a moment.]

cw probably the rest of the thread actually

[bywolves]

[ Oh. That's... a thing.

Royce probably isn't as horrified as he should be. He's seen some pretty horrible stuff - done some pretty horrible stuff, and this isn't the worst of it. But... human leather. He can't let himself think about it too hard. Instead, he looks away, and moves forward to rest a hand on Alfie's back. ]