pullmeoutalive | Scattering the roses;

[ it was a blur, one Sharon had tried to latch onto, because she needed to know what had happened. It hadn't been long since her bond with Equus had returned, and she knew they'd been headed to Sablier, but whether they had been close and the Abyss' effects had come into play or whether it had been something else... she couldn't say. She had felt a tug (to put it lightly), and before she could call out to Break, she fell.

And kept falling.

Had she still had her ribbon, she would have lost it to the force tossing her in every which direction, but she can't bring herself to think of that right now, when it feels like she can't draw a breath under the weight of this pressure.

Then, abruptly, it ends. She has enough awareness to register that much, at least, that everything hurts and that the ground is hot-- but with the promise of something solid and a last thought towards her family, she loses consciousness.

Sorry, citizens of Xian Du, please don't mind that limp, somewhat battered blonde figure on the ground as you go about your day. ]

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[That would imply quite the connection then, wouldn't it? And from what he can remember of being told of the Abyss, he doesn't think that's an entirely good thing.]

That's the only lead we have right now.

[His home is small, but given that he rarely has company, it's enough. More than enough; Alvin himself is hardly there these days.

He leads Sharon over towards the corner suite, brushing aside the thin blanket strewn across it and sits her down. He doesn't linger, instead moving towards the kitchen, or what passes for a kitchen, and tends to the stove, igniting the kindling within to boil water. He's pretty sure Isla kept tea somewhere in the house... Just excuse him if it's over-brewed or something, he doesn't normally drink it, as Sharon would know.]

But we can talk about that when you're feeling better. [Sharon then gets a glance as he's poking around his cupboards for that tea.] Those scrapes... are they your only injuries?

[ she's more than happy to sit, hair fanning out behind her. She feels younger again, unusually small in a foreign place, but she'll remind herself that now isn't the time to feel vulnerable. She's in good hands, she knows that much. ]

It was mainly my head that was hit. [ she knows better than to touch the spot, so she keeps her hands in her lap, following his movements with weary eyes. ] The scrapes are just when I fell, so they should be easily taken care of.

Good. [And he means that in more ways than just the obvious. After Alvin finally unearths the tea, he comes back around and sits by her.

It's been quite a long time since he last cast Guardian Field, which is why it takes a moment longer to initiate. It starts with a soft glow between them, and pans out in a circle around them, and when the light fades, those little cuts and scrapes are gone.]

I think that should do it. Does anywhere still hurt?

[ she can't see what's happening, not entirely, though the glow makes her flinch a little in surprise. She can also feel that exact moment when the stinging ache on her face vanishes entirely, and she brings a hand up to feel the skin. ]

No, that... helped tremendously, thank you.

[There's a brief moment in which he allows himself a small smile.]

Don't mention it. I'm just glad it worked.

[Glad that she's here. Glad he's doing something again. But he doesn't allow himself the time to dwell on those thoughts. Self pity is something he himself had given up on long ago.]

Well, you've... probably guessed this is where I live.

[Can you tell he doesn't really have guests over? At all?]

[ even if she hadn't lived in a mansion--]

It's very cozy. [ well, it is! ] And you really do live by yourself?

[ perhaps not surprising, but Alvin seems like he'd do better having people around him. ]

[His eyes flicker over to the bed on the far wall before they return to Sharon.]

Yeah. Just me. It's lonely, but being a merc, what can you do, right? This place isn't exactly a five star resort, but it's home.

[And for the first time, he smiles.]

This is Xian Du.

[ somehow, seeing his smile makes her feel a little better about this whole situation. Lighter, at least. ]

From what I've seen of it, it's lively. But it seems to be your sort of location.

Really? People seem surprised when I tell them I live here. Guess they don't expect me to be out in the rocks. [Literally. But even then, those people never really knew Alvin beyond a few casual greetings. What could they know, right?]

Speaking of locations... I said I'd show you Fennmont, didn't I? The city of perpetual night.

[ okay so she might have just come from an awful situation, but she's already brightening. ]

I doubt you thought it might actually happen, but I would certainly like to take advantage of that offer!

[God, of all things, and of all the times to, it's Sharon's beaming that makes him feel at ease.]

It'd be a shame if you left without taking a look. We can probably head out whenever you're rested.

[He'll have to arrange for proper passage, but given the state of the country at the moment, that shouldn't be too hard.

At least they won't have to take the wyverns.]

Then you're... fine with me remaining here temporarily? If this city has an inn, or...

[ don't let her intrude Alvin gosh. ]

[A gentle laugh.]

There is, but don't worry about it. You can stay here. No sense renting a room when you can get one for free.

... Thank you. [ she looks down at her hands, then up at him, grateful but still determined. ] I'll find some way to repay you, so kindly don't expect otherwise, Alvin.

["You're doing more than you think, just by sitting there" is what he almost says, but instead:]

Hey now, you're here and keeping me company. What more could I ask for?

[It doesn't carry quite the same meaning, but that's something he would normally say in this sort of situation.

You're content with very little.

[ it's almost surprising, even if that answer is Typical Alvin. Sharon would remark further, but something prompts her not to.

It's fine, for now.

And then they went to Fennmont. ]

Scattering the roses;

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We can probs start a new thread + timeskip/go straight to Fennmont now?

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