[ She'd never liked the thought of it-- the fact of it, really. The Saints had always been willing to lay down their lives for what they believed in, and that cause tended to be (for the most part) to protect their goddess and the world they lived in. They had always been prepared to fight to the death, to live short lives (and she wonders if Dohko will forgive her, briefly) and when Sisyphus had swept into a kneel before her and sworn to protect her even beyond death...
She had dearly hoped it wouldn't come to that. But it had, and he had kept his promise, fulfilled his duty-- he had no further obligation to her. ]
You've been my support countless times, Sisyphus... but you have no duty to me anymore.
[ If she cries in earnest now, she isn't sure when she'll be able to stop. Before that happens... she wants to do this much for him, to gather up what strength she still has.
And so, even with watering eyes, she smiles. ]
I am no longer your goddess. Merely Sasha.
[ She's certain he's noticed by now, that the overwhelming and gentle cosmos she'd possessed was no longer there. ]
[ The words take him aback for a moment. It sounds like she's dismissing him. For a moment he wonders if it's because she's noticed his current state of powerlessness. Certainly she would. But, something seems off. Still, it's hard to work out the words to say when his chest feels suddenly so heavy. ]
... I suppose I wouldn't be much use, like this, even were I to return to the Sanctuary. Even with my eyesight back, I'm as good as blind. And... if that's your wish... I don't know that I can refuse it...
[ Ah, but he's watched over her for so long. Maybe he's the one that can't let go. ]
However...
[ He's not sure where he's going with this. It sounds weak, even to his own ears. ]
[ Sasha blinks rapidly, and so much for that smile she tried very hard to present to him-- because it's falling from her face as she shakes her head. ]
No, that isn't--
[ How could he possibly think she was denouncing him for being useless? That's the very last thing she wants him to think, so this time, she's very careful with her words, shaky as they are. ]
Sisyphus... please believe me, it isn't you. I just don't wish for you to feel bound to me through your sense of duty when my cosmos is gone. I no longer possess the power of a goddess.
[ It feels different than when Alone had sealed her cosmos before. That had been agonizing, rendering her pitifully exhausted at first. This... she's tired, but it's more of an understandable weariness, the sort one would have after a long battle. ]
[ It's more surprising than his own situation, and he's a bit frustrated with himself for not being able to feel it-- but, that can't be helped. He's not sure what it means, either-- what could have sealed it, and why. Maybe... It's possible that Sasha had done something subconsciously, for as fervently as she'd wished to return to a human life. But, he doesn't want to think about all these things right now, when they're both tired.
The war is over, after all. ]
... We're in the same situation. It's good fortune, then, that we're both here together. I could use your company. That is, if you have no other objections?
[ He still... wants to be with her? She's known Sisyphus long enough to additionally understand that he isn't the type to run off to tend to his own whims, so even without the relationship that had governed them as goddess and Saint, he likely felt as though he couldn't leave her alone.
But she's touched, nonetheless. Touched and tired and more emotional than she's let herself feel since she'd first stepped foot into Athena's chambers. ]
I have no objections at all. I'd like to remain with you, selfishly.
[ Sasha, there are still tears dripping down your face. ]
[ Selfish... she can only barely think of the beginnings of a desire, a thought she had shoved aside because to show any manner of weakness would have only discouraged her allies. And she doesn't think she can ask it of Sisyphus, either, not when he still seems so hesitant when it comes to--
Or so she thought, but he flawlessly proves her wrong when he suddenly tugs her against him. It's too gentle to make her stumble, but there's still a very small gasp of surprise that ends up muffled in his chest.
It additionally takes a few more seconds to assure herself that yes, this was something he did consciously-- and as Sasha exhales, she slumps a bit, bringing her arms up to wrap around him. ]
[ Sisyphus can feel her arms around him, this time, without the Cloth blocking the way between him. She's warm, and he can hear her muffling the sniffles in his shirt. That's fine, too. He patiently holds her until she decides to pull away on her own. ]
Well, I will try, even in this situation, but... we should figure out where we are, first.
[ He hopes they're not too far off from the nearest town, without cosmos to speed the travel. He does usually carry some money with him, and thankfully that still seems to be present, but it won't last them for very long. ]
And then, what we want to do from there... I wonder if anyone else is affected, or if it's only the two of us.
[ Only Sisyphus would be this patient about someone getting his shirt damp-- but Sasha can draw enough strength from this, no matter how brief (and she'll keep it brief, for his sake). As she carefully draws back, she turns her head to study their surroundings. ]
Shion and Dohko should still have their cosmos... but I don't know about the other Gold Saints. [ Of course not, she hadn't thought any of them would come back beyond that brief miracle. ] And Tenma, Alone, and I... we were together until--
[ Well. She woke up here. But from the softer way she says it, there's a fairly clear implication that she hadn't been expecting to wake up at all. ]
... Let's see if we can find some manner of civilization first. Can you walk without pain?
[ He's whole, yes, and breathing once more, but is he going to be able to make a trip? ]
[ He doesn't miss her implication, and it draws a painfully sad feeling from his chest. It should have been expected, from a battle like this, but he still feels regret. There's no point dwelling on it now, though, when the time has already passed, so he doesn't ask her to elaborate. ]
Shion and Dohko survived, then. [ He thinks that he knew that already... but the feeling is fuzzy and disjointed. It hurts his head, when he tries to recall. ]
I'm alright to walk. There's no real pain, just an... ache, I suppose. Do you think you'd like to return to the Sanctuary? Or...
[ He trails off, leaving it open for her. Once he seems sure that she's alright, he picks a direction and starts to walk. ]
[ Sasha falls into step beside him, taking stock of her own aches and pains. And truthfully, as he'd said, it isn't bad at all. It's an unsteadiness in her limbs, likely brought about by the exhaustion that feels as though it's weighing her down... but it's nothing she can't persist through until they're in a better place to rest.
There's the question she'd been waiting for him to ask, and even though she'd expected it, answering it... certainly isn't easy. She'd spent five years there, and it had become her home in a different way than the orphanage had been-- and of course, returning there wasn't an option. ]
With the way I am, and what I tasked Shion and Dohko with... I don't believe I'll be of any use to Sanctuary. Surely, if we were brought here... then there must be something I can do in a place apart from there.
[ She pauses then, glancing up at him. ]
Of course, should you wish to return, I completely understand.
I would be of no more use there than you. It's been my home for so long, though, that I admit it's a little strange to think of not going back.
[ And Sisyphus had really thought that his life there would be it, for him. He would live and die a warrior. In no scenario had he imagined that he would awaken, after the war, all of his cosmos gone. It's not something that he'd planned for. ]
But there are other things we can do, I'm certain... after we've gotten our bearings. I'll first have you banish this thought you have that I'd prefer to leave you behind to pursue something else, simply because you no longer have the power of a goddess.
[ It's far off, but he thinks he can see them nearing a road, and beyond that... He points. ]
[ Really, she thinks, both bemused and touched. Sisyphus had always been devoted to Athena, and while she'd known that he'd also acknowledged her as Sasha... this is perhaps the biggest sign of that recognition now, that he still wishes to remain with her. Especially when, as he'd said, the Sanctuary had been his home for much longer than it had been hers. Not returning to it is rather monumental for him.
She'll never not be grateful for that, and she reaches out to touch his hand briefly before she nods and sets her sights forward. ]
Then let's see if they'd be willing to offer us shelter, for the time being.
[ Considering that right now, they both need a very long rest. ]
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pullmeoutalive2017-01-11 05:55 pm
no subject
She had dearly hoped it wouldn't come to that. But it had, and he had kept his promise, fulfilled his duty-- he had no further obligation to her. ]
You've been my support countless times, Sisyphus... but you have no duty to me anymore.
[ If she cries in earnest now, she isn't sure when she'll be able to stop. Before that happens... she wants to do this much for him, to gather up what strength she still has.
And so, even with watering eyes, she smiles. ]
I am no longer your goddess. Merely Sasha.
[ She's certain he's noticed by now, that the overwhelming and gentle cosmos she'd possessed was no longer there. ]
presenting: a misunderstanding
... I suppose I wouldn't be much use, like this, even were I to return to the Sanctuary. Even with my eyesight back, I'm as good as blind. And... if that's your wish... I don't know that I can refuse it...
[ Ah, but he's watched over her for so long. Maybe he's the one that can't let go. ]
However...
[ He's not sure where he's going with this. It sounds weak, even to his own ears. ]
SISYPHUS NO
No, that isn't--
[ How could he possibly think she was denouncing him for being useless? That's the very last thing she wants him to think, so this time, she's very careful with her words, shaky as they are. ]
Sisyphus... please believe me, it isn't you. I just don't wish for you to feel bound to me through your sense of duty when my cosmos is gone. I no longer possess the power of a goddess.
[ It feels different than when Alone had sealed her cosmos before. That had been agonizing, rendering her pitifully exhausted at first. This... she's tired, but it's more of an understandable weariness, the sort one would have after a long battle. ]
no subject
Your cosmos is gone...?
[ It's more surprising than his own situation, and he's a bit frustrated with himself for not being able to feel it-- but, that can't be helped. He's not sure what it means, either-- what could have sealed it, and why. Maybe... It's possible that Sasha had done something subconsciously, for as fervently as she'd wished to return to a human life. But, he doesn't want to think about all these things right now, when they're both tired.
The war is over, after all. ]
... We're in the same situation. It's good fortune, then, that we're both here together. I could use your company. That is, if you have no other objections?
no subject
But she's touched, nonetheless. Touched and tired and more emotional than she's let herself feel since she'd first stepped foot into Athena's chambers. ]
I have no objections at all. I'd like to remain with you, selfishly.
[ Sasha, there are still tears dripping down your face. ]
he did it!!
I think you've held back enough. You're allowed to make some selfish requests, now... I promise that I will hear them all.
[ He gently tugs her forward, into his chest. A whim, maybe-- but, at one time, he'd been the one in need of comfort, and she hadn't abandoned him. ]
After everything you've done for me, it's the least I can do.
I'm so proud of him!!
Or so she thought, but he flawlessly proves her wrong when he suddenly tugs her against him. It's too gentle to make her stumble, but there's still a very small gasp of surprise that ends up muffled in his chest.
It additionally takes a few more seconds to assure herself that yes, this was something he did consciously-- and as Sasha exhales, she slumps a bit, bringing her arms up to wrap around him. ]
You've always supported me... without fail.
no subject
Well, I will try, even in this situation, but... we should figure out where we are, first.
[ He hopes they're not too far off from the nearest town, without cosmos to speed the travel. He does usually carry some money with him, and thankfully that still seems to be present, but it won't last them for very long. ]
And then, what we want to do from there... I wonder if anyone else is affected, or if it's only the two of us.
no subject
Shion and Dohko should still have their cosmos... but I don't know about the other Gold Saints. [ Of course not, she hadn't thought any of them would come back beyond that brief miracle. ] And Tenma, Alone, and I... we were together until--
[ Well. She woke up here. But from the softer way she says it, there's a fairly clear implication that she hadn't been expecting to wake up at all. ]
... Let's see if we can find some manner of civilization first. Can you walk without pain?
[ He's whole, yes, and breathing once more, but is he going to be able to make a trip? ]
no subject
Shion and Dohko survived, then. [ He thinks that he knew that already... but the feeling is fuzzy and disjointed. It hurts his head, when he tries to recall. ]
I'm alright to walk. There's no real pain, just an... ache, I suppose. Do you think you'd like to return to the Sanctuary? Or...
[ He trails off, leaving it open for her. Once he seems sure that she's alright, he picks a direction and starts to walk. ]
no subject
There's the question she'd been waiting for him to ask, and even though she'd expected it, answering it... certainly isn't easy. She'd spent five years there, and it had become her home in a different way than the orphanage had been-- and of course, returning there wasn't an option. ]
With the way I am, and what I tasked Shion and Dohko with... I don't believe I'll be of any use to Sanctuary. Surely, if we were brought here... then there must be something I can do in a place apart from there.
[ She pauses then, glancing up at him. ]
Of course, should you wish to return, I completely understand.
no subject
[ And Sisyphus had really thought that his life there would be it, for him. He would live and die a warrior. In no scenario had he imagined that he would awaken, after the war, all of his cosmos gone. It's not something that he'd planned for. ]
But there are other things we can do, I'm certain... after we've gotten our bearings. I'll first have you banish this thought you have that I'd prefer to leave you behind to pursue something else, simply because you no longer have the power of a goddess.
[ It's far off, but he thinks he can see them nearing a road, and beyond that... He points. ]
Look. I think there's a town over that hill.
no subject
She'll never not be grateful for that, and she reaches out to touch his hand briefly before she nods and sets her sights forward. ]
Then let's see if they'd be willing to offer us shelter, for the time being.
[ Considering that right now, they both need a very long rest. ]