folklorist | ϡ - Chapter TwentyFive; the price of battle [voice/action]

[ It’s almost surreal, really, how at one moment the person you cared deeply about is there next to you alive and well and the next moment not. If he had only been a little bit faster a little bit more conscious of where Giles was during all that chaos...none of this would have happened. Instead he’s sitting in his room and has been for the past few hours thinking of something to say. Something to notify everyone out there who knew him that Giles was dead. The pain doesn’t ebb or go away but only gets stronger and hard to focus on something else. The scene replays out in his mind on constant repeat until he has to shake his head and just focus on something else. This is real it’s not a dream or something equally as mythical. It’s nothing but real and nothing but the price one has to pay for living here.

There’s a shaky sigh and a deep breath that comes out on the other end for anyone listening into the broadcast. The voice that speaks next it not colorful or usual in its tone it’s not anything, really. Lifeless, dulled, colorless in its presentation. He wants to apologize, but refrains. ] For those of you…who, who didn’t know…didn't hear. [ didn't see. ]

Giles, he—[ another semi-profound pause. He told Buffy he would do this for her, for him. And he will make that one last leap. ] he’s dead. It happened yesterday in all the, the fighting. S-So he should be back in, in about a week. The twenty-fifth. [ He doesn’t know why but it’s odd saying that. Odd but true. He and many others are proof of that here. ] Please keep an eye out for him. If-if you don't know what he looks like...he’s a bit taller than me. Has a British accent, wears glasses, and has brown graying hair. He might need some assistance, even if he’ll say otherwise. Just help him...when he gets back I'm sure you all will though.

Th-thank you.

[ Shaken and exhausted he’s not sure which is worse. He can't stay here, not right now, he needs to walk and get away from the confinements of this room. And so he does, he'll be sitting on one of the bridges, the one near house P and G. And one might see Helios simply staring out over the running water and they recognize him as a man who lost someone, someone easily capable of being family to him. He'll wipe away at the stray tears every now and then and compose himself for those passing by. A brother…a friend…

They comeback. It's a mantra in his head; he can't help but feel the Malnosso will trick him again and do the opposite though. It puts him on edge, makes him afraid of just how badly Giles will return next week. More profound is the pain that stems from once again not being able to protect someone he cared deeply about. First Elise, and now Giles. He can't protect anyone from the aftermath of his announcement either, but they all had a right to know, a right which is not his to deny them. Or perhaps it was? He's not even sure himself anymore. It will be the toughest week Helios, and many others, will have to endure. It could have been avoided...and that thought alone sparks a small bit on anger in his otherwise tired mental state. ]

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[ she holds her breath throughout the news. it's worse, hearing it again.

of course, helios had told her already -- and she had fled to jack's house on the shore in a rather instinctive attempt at...what? finding comfort? getting answers about what death here was actually like? or just to hide?

it isn't until much later in the day -- practically the evening -- that she tries to contact helios in a heavily filtered message.

her voice is quiet and oh-so-carefully controlled: ] Thanks. The -- the announcement.

[ Helios would have filtered it himself but he can't read. He knows it's his death penalty now. No use denying it but there's no oomf there to tell anyone just yet either. So he's sorry about any undue unwarranted attention his unfiltered announcement might cause.

But he'll look up from his position still at the bridge; he's been there for awhile, just to collect his thoughts. The voice isn't a surprise. ] You don't have to thank me, Buffy. How...how are you doing?

...Do you want the honest answer or the brave one?

[ Honest or brave. What a funny question to ask. ]

You-you don't have to be brave. At least...not with me. It doesn't matter to me either how it makes you look or the weakness it might show. [ It's true. He's not even staying in the apartment right now because it kinda hurts. How brave can he be, right? That he can't even stay in a place that reminds him right now of Giles. A pause. ]

I don't care about any of that. I-I just hope you're all right, hope you'll show someone else then. If-if you need to.

He'd been -- [ she starts again, aching: ] Since I was fifteen. That's...that's ten years ago. It's not the kind of loss that allows for words like all right.

Even if he'll be back.

I know. It doesn't allow for many words at all. Or, at least, most of them would be unpleasant.

It still doesn't seem possible. But it is...but it doesn't take away from the pain. [ A pause. ] I don't think it ever will.

I just -- it's the simplest thing. But I just want to hug him.

[ the way he hugged her when she had come back from the dead. the way that had managed to make her feel alive. just for a second. ]

When he gets back. When he gets back you can. [ Helios will too cold skin be damned at this point. ]

He'll appreciate it. I did...when he did so last week. [ A simple thing can convey so many things after all. ]

It's only fair I return the favour. [ she admits. ]

Favor? Ah, I'm sorry. It's-it's none of my business. [ Helios doesn't think Giles would care about returning favors at that point. Then again Giles did repay him that one time not long ago for whatever reason he saw fit. But Helios knows a little about the rough patches Buffy and Giles have been going through so he understand to an extent. ] But I suppose I have one to return as well.

[ He admits also. Even if they'll keep up a cycle of repaying one another. ]

I just meant...when I -- when I came back, back home. It's...sorry, never mind.

No I should apologize. That's something between you and Giles. I-I don't have any business in that. [ A pause. ] Besides I was thinking we might do something for him when he gets back. If you don't have any objections that is?

[ Dying once is hard enough...dying twice, however, Helios can't even imagine. Giles probably deserves something in those regards...and in general. ]

...I'm objection-free.

[ Helios nods. ] A party perhaps. Or, or something to put this nastiness behind all of us. [ Because this month probably has been hard on just about everyone. ]

Just have to think about it see what we can come up with.

...He's not a big one for parties. Unless -- unless that's changed. I don't know.

Hm. He was rather enthused about the idea of a house party last week...I suppose it was an experiment then. [ This makes it a bit more clear. ] He never did come off as the type to be honest. Might be too much, anyway. [ There's a slight smile in his tone. ]

Not a party then maybe just...just a dinner or something like that.

You'll...you'll let me know, right?

Of course. You'll be the first.

...Good.

[ she can't bring herself to say 'thanks' again. ]

ϡ - Chapter TwentyFive; the price of battle [voice/action]

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