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.

Good God.

[There's a pause, as a drugged brain tries processing this.]

What fighting? What happened?

[ 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?

[ A small wince on his end. ] Archie?

It might have been one of the villagers? O-Or the third party. I don't know. She was attacking people, damaged some buildings and she destroyed the-the village clinic. I-I don't know who it was.

[ He doesn't know Noel or anyone else related to her. ]

[Frederic knew of what happened already and so went to find his friend, sure enough he eventually found him and walked up to the other.]

Helios, it's me.

[...]

How did he die?

[Good thing Archie's in the Battle Dome clinic, or he might have had an even worse day.]

He...[his voice seems to hit a brick wall, and there's a pause.] Please tell me when he comes back. I'm not likely to be on my feet by then.

...Damn it. I'll keep a look out.

[ 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.

Of course. If not me, someone else most certainly will. [ Wait. He heard that right, didn't he? Not likely to be on your feet? ]

Are you alright?

[It hasn't been that long since Kay was promising Giles that she would keep an eye out for Helios' return. She blanches at the news, staring at her journal like it might offer some further answer; when she does speak, her voice has none of its usual verve.]

I'll be watching for him.

[ He doesn't look because he knows the voice and who it belongs to. ]

S-Sorry. I just, had to leave to clear my head for a little. I-I should have left a note.

[ He doesn't want to detail it at all. ] He, he was protecting Robert. S-Someone, I-I don't know who she was, was attacking people. And she went for R-Robert...and Giles-- [ he just stops there. Not really wanting to go on anymore and not really pushing himself to do so either. ]

[He stands next to his friend and a frowns crosses his face.]

It's all right, I know why you left. It's because of what happened, isn't it?

Okay. [She stops him quietly, knowing how hard this must be. It might be cruel, but all she can think of is how much of an idiot he is. She told him that this would happen. That if he brought himself to the level of some martyr he would get himself killed sooner than later. It didn't happen during the Draft, but it happened here.] I'm sorry Helios, and I thank you. Delivering something like this must be difficult on you.

[ A voice he isn't familiar with. It is a bit strange hearing it. ] Thank you. It's very appreciated--Mr...ah, I don't think we've spoken before.

Doctor McCoy. I work in the battle dome clinic... he's a friend of my house mate.

Thank you, Kay. I-I'm sure he'll appreciate knowing so many people...are watching for him. For when he gets back.

Would it be anything else? [ Just a sad mirthless laugh. ]

If I was just...a little bit faster, he wouldn't have...none of this should have happened. [ But Robert and everything afterwards. He was actually angry at the other about it. ]

Rupert's a good man. I'm not surprised he's got a whole crowd of people looking.

[A pause.] How're you holding up?

[ Just a shaky sigh. Flatly: ] I-I'll be all right. It's just...a w-week. [ But after everything these last three weeks he's surprised he's holding up as well as he is. ]

No! What- what happened?

[Mulder would find it a hell of a lot more uncomfortable to approach Helios given the awkwardness of their fist, uh, "meeting". But Giles has been one of his good friends here.]

I'm sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances. House mate? [ Does he mean... ]

Yes he is. A good man a good friend. [ A small pause on his end. ]

Could be better. But, coping, you know? Just like...everyone else.

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

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