empatheias | ( closed )

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Who: Warrior of Light and Squall
Where: the Warrior's cottage
When: couple days before Helisium
Format: [ meow ]
Open/Closed: CLOSED
Summary: Just a couple pre-Helisium things and maybe a surprise or two.

[ Helisium.

The festival had come to an end shortly before he had arrived and so, this marks the first time that the Warrior will be seeing, let alone attending, such an extravagant event. He's heard a couple things regarding the festival and knows that there is proper attire that one is to wear to the grand masquerade in the evening that follows the festivities throughout the day. So, with not being all too sure what one should really wear to such a dressy sort of event (a mask is needed?), the Warrior has asked his good friend Squall to stop by and look over his outfit he has chosen from a specialty shop he had purchased his Flower Festival attire from earlier in the year. That, and, to be honest... he's still adjusting to living on his own since the departure of a dear friend.

With a familiar looking kitten playing with a ball of yarn that's been tossed to them while the Warrior stirs his cooking in the pot on the stove, he glances over to the clock that gently ticks and tocks above the fireplace that is not burning, the summer weather making it too hot for the comforting sound of the crackling fires.

He doesn't worry about any knocks or the like coming to his door considering Squall seems to have a penchant for crawling in through whatever window he chooses. Funnily enough, the Warrior doesn't mind, which is why he always leaves them open for him. ]

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[ And just like usual, Squall starts to climb through the window with a bit of a struggle this time. He lands with a thud as his boots touch the floor and slowly he starts to make his way toward the smell of delicious food. ]

Griever...?

[ The smell meant that Warrior was slowly getting out of his bad place, which made Squall really happy. ]

[ Perhaps his dream sharing with Noctis earlier in the month had helped some, though there are times where he still finds it rather strange to be within this cottage and not hear the complaining of another's voice over the cats and their "doing as they please", as it had been put, or hearing soft mutterings in the garden out back over how to make this or that grow. The thought causes a sad smile to touch his lips as he continues to stir his cooking, wondering how the other man is doing since his departure from this world and if he is even remembered.

But it's the sound of Squall's boots making a thud on the floor that has the Warrior snap himself out of his thoughts and glance over his shoulder some. ]

Yes? I am here.

[ Squall comes in closer, his injured wrist sort of dangling there with his other hand shoved into his pocket. ]

What are you making? Smells good...

A recipe that Firion used to ma-

[ But his words trail off as he comes to see Squall... and the injured wrist and eyes of crystal blue blink in confusion. When had this happened? Dropping his spoon against the pot, he reaches out to gently touch at Squall's arm. ]

What has happened?

What happened..? Oh...! You mean

[ He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and glanced off to the side. ]

I just got a little over my head, that's all.

[ Got in a little over his head? But his hand... ]

How did you manage that?

A friend... had a bit of a bad reaction to something. He's fine now, but I sort of took a lot from him.

[ Fingers still gently touching Squall's arm, the Warrior looks concerned with the admission and only allows his gaze to drop when he notices the kitty with a round little belly crying up to Squall; someone clearly wants to say hello. ]

He hurt you?

[ Squall doesn't mind the way Warrior is touching him, but he can't just leave the poor kitten alone, so he awkwardly bends over to pick him up. ]

I... don't really mind. I knew what I was getting into when I saw him like that.

[ Watching the way in which the kitten is carefully taken into Squall's hand, the Warrior allows his gaze to drift back to that wrist before he comes to look up at Squall. ]

Do you wish for me to heal you?

I... appreciate your concern, but I don't want it healed... I failed so... this is a reminder of my failure.

[ For Squall to say such a thing... the Warrior remains silent for a moment before, carefully so, he allows fingers to gently wrap around the other's arm. ]

I understand. But you yourself are not a failure.

Maybe not... but I feel like I need to improve a lot...

[ Gently, fingers slip away from Squall's arm and he smiles a little to the kitten just allowing themselves to be held in that one arm by Squall. ]

Do you wish to talk about it or should I simply show you what I purchased?

[ Squall moves to gently nudge Warrior with a tiny smile. ]

it's fine... it just... it's one of those "I failed to save someone important but someone else did" things and now I just... I dunno I feel like shit.

[ The Warrior nods in regards to Squall's explanation and pulls back to check on his cooking on the stove. ]

Do you feel jealous that it was not you to save them?

[ Squall slowly follows Warrior so he wasn't just standing in the doorway to the kitchen. ]

A little... but mostly I feel... worthless...

And what is it that would not have you feel that way?

[ As he asks, he stirs his cooking a bit before he turns the heat down a little to let it simmer, his attention falling back onto Squall. ]

I don't know... I mean... so-- the person eased my mind about one aspect, but I'm still plagued with this feeling of weakness.

Physically weak or emotionally weak?

[ Coming to grab a couple bowls from the cupboards, he sets them out along with some spoons for the food he's prepared for them. ]

Physically... If I were stronger I wouldn't have had to rely on someone else to save this person.

[ Carefully dishing out a helping of the stew he's prepared on the stove into each bowl, the Warrior sets them down on the counter and goes about fetching some rolls of bread. ]

Because you want to be the one to do that, correct?

[ Squall watches Warrior get everything set up. The least he could do is get napkins for him and Warrior, so he searches the kitchen a little for them. ]

...Yeah.

[ With the rolls of bread set in a basket on the table, the Warrior looks to Squall then. ]

And does this person think less of you because you were not able to?

Not even a little... but that only makes me feel more pathetic.

[ A conundrum indeed. With the food having been placed out, the Warrior pulls a seat out for Squall to take before he moves over to his own. ]

And why is that?

[ Squall gives him a nod of thanks before he slowly moved to sit down. ]

Because he can forgive me so easily, but I find myself to be disgusting. I don't feel worthy I guess...

[ Taking a seat himself, the Warrior hums a little. ]

I do not find you disgusting.

That's because you're too kind...

The same can be said for you with me as I am aware that I am something of a hermit who lives by himself here.

[ Smiling a little, he stirs his cooking in his bowl. ]

You are my only visitor.

I... am?

[ Nodding, the Warrior helps himself to some of his cooking then. ]

Unless you count the cats who come to visit.

[ And he smiles a little, looking down to his bowl. ]

I don't mind, I suppose. I... understand that I am not as others are nor do I really fit in well, though I have made strides since my first arriving here almost a year ago.

[ Again, he chooses to smile a little, stirring his spoon in his bowl. ]

I suppose I just... grew familiar with having another's presence within this house. The sounds of his chiding the cats or hearing him talking to the plants and flowers in the garden while tending to them... I find it... much quieter now.

[ And he looks up to Squall, perhaps a little sadly, though he still smiles a bit before he nods and looks back to his meal. ]

So, for you to feel disgusting... I do not think you are. I think you are fortunate to have those who care for you and who you care for in return, especially to have them with you here. Even if you may not always be able to help them in the ways you desire... to simply have them here with you and to know that you are loved... I think that is a very rewarding and special gift you have.

...So I shouldn't be complaining or as they say... Don't look a gift chocobo in the mouth.

What I am saying is that, sometimes even we have to accept that we are worth more than we are capable of seeing and to trust those who forgive us and care for us, despite our errors as we see them.

[ Squall stares down at the bowl of food Warrior had made for him, and just sort of swirls it in the bowl as he thinks. ]

I wish it were that easy. I know... it's stupid and it probably sounds egotistical of me to think " It should have been me it should have been me!!" but.. what if something like this happens again? If I can't help him now out of situations like this, what good am I for? I'm just a pathetic guy leaning on others to do all the work to save him.

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