1x1 between Lemon and Mage

[ggez]

< ( Curiosity, (knighted) companion to Tobyn, It / Its ) >

Curiosity moved to perch on Tobyn's arm again and looked at him. It couldn't fathom why he wasn't going inside, where all the shinies were. It leaned down and grabbed a pinch of his sleeve in its mouth, and tugged. It wanted him to go inside so they could go admire shiny things together!

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Tobyn Ambrose

"No, Curiosity." Tobyn said firmly, tensing up slightly."I'm really sorry, but I can't go in there." He stayed where he was, sat on the floor with his back pressed against the locked door. Just knowing that the emptiness was in there was making him uneasy.

[ggez]

< ( Curiosity, (knighted) companion to Tobyn, It / Its ) >

Curiosity decided to stop because of the tone of his voice. It let go of Tobyn's sleeve and perched on his shoulder again. It let out a quiet chirp before finally going quiet.

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Tobyn Ambrose

Tobyn closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the hard wood of the door, letting out a sigh. He carefully moved Curiosity to his lap, petting it's feathers absentmindedly. He tried to dissuade thoughts of the war from coming to his mind, part of him clinging to the useless hope that it wouldn't come at all. Perhaps the gods would have peace talks amongst themselves - that would be nice.

If it weren't for the cattle and Curiosity, he'd sleep until Leaxa returned - he'd sleep for years if he had to. It was a slightly troubling urge, and why he had taken up being a dairy farmer in the first place; being responsible for lives more delicate than his own gave him a strong schedule, and forced a reason to get up each morning into his life, even when the days felt frightening to face.

--

It was just over a week when Tobyn finally re-entered his home, having spent so long outside the front door readjusting to living with nothing but animals. As much as he hated to admit it, the time was necessary; he'd grown fairly dependent on Leaxa's presence at the home and recovering that tolerance for loneliness was a necessity, not a luxury.

Everything was where he had left it, coated in a thin layer of dust that he dreaded to clean up. He hadn't been cleaning or caring for it every morning like he had been his cattle - he was working on a schedule of wake up, do the morning's chores, tend to anything Curiosity needed then sleep in the field or outside his front door until the next morning. Sleeping was scary, but the emptiness was scarier.

Tobyn was swift to approach his altar, kneeling down and struggling to find the words that would have once flowed so easily. What should he say? What could he say, that wasn't some kind of guilt trip or pleading for his boyfriend's return? If the god even still regarded the immortal as his boyfriend, that was. Shoving the thought aside, he began to pray.

Dearest Leaxa,

It's been a while! Sorry for my lack of prayer - it felt disrespectful to pray outside, and I wasn't entirely sure what to say. Nothing of note has happened. The cattle are well, Curiosity has been enjoying my constant company and a few calves have been born. I'm grateful for that good fortune on the farm. I can only hope things are going as well for you, wherever you are right now.

Your faithful... Your faithful servant, Tobyn.

[ggez]

< ( Leaxa, God of Death, He / Him ) >

Leaxa was busy during the moment Tobyn prayed to him, but he still listened to what he had to say. It hurt his heart to listen to him - he felt guilty for his actions, but he had originally felt like this was the better way to go about his life. Leaxa shouldn't involve himself with Tobyn, and Tobyn should no longer involve himself in the business of gods. Especially now that Chaos has finally left him alone.

When Leaxa finished up with the task he was doing, he teleported back home. As there was still an extremely severe lack of furniture, he had nowhere to sit other than the floor. He sat there, in the living room, leaning against a wall. He had nothing to say to him and very little to do for him. Leaxa could go back, but after all that, he had done.. if anything, it would be more shots fired at his pride.

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Tobyn Ambrose

Tobyn sat silently at the altar for some time, heaving a sigh. He didn't know why he'd expected anything in response; it was the same as every other year before they'd met in person, when he prayed to the god of death. They weren't boyfriends, then - just an immortal and a deity, never destined to meet. And yet they had.

What was he protecting by not asking him home? His own pride, Leaxa's feelings? To hell with it. If all his doubts from before were true, if the god had grown bored of him and he was back to being just any other servant of the god- guardian? - of death...

He needed to know.

Leaxa... please come home. If you want nothing more to do with me, if you're sick of having that weakness or if I- if I did you so much damage by talking back to your spirit I understand.. but please, at least give me the dignity of telling me to my face.. else I'll continue to wait for you for an eternity, and many eternities onwards until I know for certain you're safe, happy and acting of your own will.

You told me once that you never wanted me to believe you'd just leave me and never come back, and yet... That very same conversation you assured me that you wouldn't lose me when it came time to make that decision of the war.

I watched you turn back on that myself.

So please, if you're done with me - tell me. And then you never have to look my direction again.

[ggez]

< ( Leaxa, God of Death, He / Him ) >

Leaxa was a traitor and a coward towards multiple people. He wasn't going to go back - Tobyn didn't deserve this, he deserved better. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to stand and teleport back to Tobyn's home. Leaxa didn't want to go back and speak to him; he couldn't bear to do it. He moved to be laying on the floor and hugged himself instead. Leaxa closed his eyes and bit at his tongue. He found himself to be pitiful just laying there but considering he was a coward, it should come as no surprise to anyone. Leaxa refused to allow himself to go back to Tobyn's home.

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Tobyn Ambrose

Tobyn got up and moved to his couch, mind swirling as he waited with baited breath. As time ticked on, with no sign of Leaxa, his thoughts began to swirl. What if he truly was in danger? Could a god hold another god hostage? Would Leaxa really just leave him like that...?

He glanced to the mantle where Ranya's pen stayed, fidgeting anxiously. She'd already done so much for him concerning Leaxa, including putting herself on the line to get Castor to lay off. At the same time.. what did her 'I'd do anything to keep you together!' sacrifice mean if Tobyn allowed it all to crumble to ash?

It wasn't his place to march out and start demanding things of the gods, he told himself, and yet he found himself clutching the pen tight before he realized what he was even doing. He didn't call on her, not consciously or intentionally at least - just stood and stared at his only true option.

[ggez]

< ( Ranya, Goddess of Love, She / Her ) >

Ranya felt a disturbance with one of her pens. Worried about whoever may be messing with their pen, but not using it, she appeared before him. The goddess let out a sigh of relief as she realized it was only Tobyn and he wasn't in distress.

"Tobyn! You were just playing with your pen, so I had no idea what was up... I can see that you at least seem to be fine? But since I'm here anyway, how are youuu??" Ranya spoke in an optimistic tone and she smiled.

[Lemon Tea Rain]

Tobyn Ambrose

Tobyn practically jumped out of his skin as Ranya appeared before him, though he was very relieved by her presence when he realised who it was. He glanced down at the pen and quickly set it back on the mantle, hoping it hadn't bothered her too much.

"Bad." Tobyn responded honestly. "I mean, physically, I'm fine- and I really need to do something for you eventually to thank you for getting rid of him, don't let me forget that - but I haven't heard back from Leaxa in... Over a week. I don't know where he is and I don't know if he's actually okay."