[ Several days after a fitful slumber was shared between two people, something appears in the vicinity of wherever Noah has since taken shelter. It's an unmoving rabbit, relatively normal in appearance with the exception of a bifurcated jaw full of rootless teeth. It has no visible wounds, but it's clear enough upon inspection that the creature has passed. It will not bleed if cut into, and the internal flesh itself also exhibits a pallor of bloodlessness.
There is no sign of who placed it here, but a single word is scratched next to it. ]
[ The connection cracks on like a lightning strike.
There is panic digging deep into nerve endings. There is anxiety caving in his core like a dark whirlpool. There is a sense that something profound has occurred. Oddly, there is gratitude too, and a boundless fondness.
Vastly more emotion than Ivan has ever allowed to escape from his void before. ]
[ Because that increases the odds of it being fine, right? The fact that this isn't some insect, but a completely normal-looking person? The incident with Sunny still lives rent-free in his head. Till and that boy might even have something they can talk about together, both having been tortured by him. ]
We've butted heads in the past a bit. Besides, I don't have any sort of shelter prepared that's particularly well-suited for regular humans.
[ The memory of lights streaking across a sanguine sky. The thought that it was a childish dream he had that day that never could have succeeded. The much fresher sensation of clinging to someone to physically prevent them from doing something self-destructive. ]
I don't understand these questions, Noah. Don't you want to help?
[ that feeling is certain. settled in his bones. but noah knows the intricacies of help. it's more than just an offer. there is something at stake here. motes of light in the sky. crys' eyes. ]
[ How much can he ask Noah for when this is already so much? He's done things for Ivan like offer him his hand twice, and sat in sorrow with him that should've been too much to bear without shrinking away.
In light of that, he only hesitates a little. ]
Can you... have something to eat ready? I'll replace it when I go hunting again.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cw: dead animal intended as food
There is no sign of who placed it here, but a single word is scratched next to it. ]
ＨＯＰＥ
no subject
There is panic digging deep into nerve endings. There is anxiety caving in his core like a dark whirlpool. There is a sense that something profound has occurred. Oddly, there is gratitude too, and a boundless fondness.
Vastly more emotion than Ivan has ever allowed to escape from his void before. ]
Noah.
[ His voice is calm; his mind isn't. ]
Can I trust you with something important?
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Of course. What is it?
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If I bring someone by your place, will you look after him for a while? He's a bit jumpy, though.
no subject
But why wouldn't he want to stay with you?
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[ Because that increases the odds of it being fine, right? The fact that this isn't some insect, but a completely normal-looking person? The incident with Sunny still lives rent-free in his head. Till and that boy might even have something they can talk about together, both having been tortured by him. ]
We've butted heads in the past a bit. Besides, I don't have any sort of shelter prepared that's particularly well-suited for regular humans.
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Are you sure this is what you want?
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I just want him to be safe.
[ Till is tired, hungry, and has seen such death. No more. ]
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And he wouldn't be safe with you?
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I don't understand these questions, Noah. Don't you want to help?
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[ that feeling is certain. settled in his bones. but noah knows the intricacies of help. it's more than just an offer. there is something at stake here. motes of light in the sky. crys' eyes. ]
I want to help you both. So I want to understand.
no subject
did you think I was unaffectedunaffected
I make him want to run away.
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after all N was — ]
All right. If you're sure.
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[ How much can he ask Noah for when this is already so much? He's done things for Ivan like offer him his hand twice, and sat in sorrow with him that should've been too much to bear without shrinking away.
In light of that, he only hesitates a little. ]
Can you... have something to eat ready? I'll replace it when I go hunting again.
no subject
Yeah. Shouldn't be too hard to prepare something. May not be fancy, but it'll do.
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A not-insignificant amount of time passes, before: ]
At the door.
[ Said just before there's a knock at the stairwell access. ]
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[ and that's all he can manage for now. he has to focus his attention on till. ]