flameguard | mygod | pc catchall

[ iwatooshi can find rondo after the annoucement and the disappearing of the living out on patrol - more specifically, out fighting with a monster! thankfully, the faceless things are not Too Wild (this is not a pyramid head situation), and with a few well placed sword strikes, he manages to dispatch and vanquish the creature with relative ease, stepping back as it departicles or whatever monsters do in fucked up silent hill.

he exhales out, after - and then upon spotting iwatooshi, lights up a little. ]

Sir Iwatooshi...! [ trotting over!! despite the grimness of the moment, there's still a little emotional !! of happiness upon sight. ] So, it's really starting...

[ honestly he was probably watching on standby in case rondo needed assistance at any point, but he's relieved to see that isn't necessary. his own emotions are sorrowful, but overall even - the deceptive calm of someone ready for a fight at any moment. ]

Seems that way, doesn't it?

[ a quick glance at the blade of his naginata, like he's hoping to see the living in its reflection, but of course there's nothing. ]

We'll just have to have faith in those who remain.

[ the best mentor 🥰 ]

Mmm. I definitely do, and... they're probably hard at work, with what Nehan said about Miss Mumu. I know, after everything we've been through, they won't let it go to waste.

[ he sets his hand on the hilt of his blade and bows to him more properly in greeting. ]

I always feel so jittery the day before a big battle.

Mm, I believe that they'll be as ready as they can be for whatever is to come.

[ nods understandingly. ]

I do, too. It's hard to stay still when you know what could come at any moment, isn't it? Moreso when we don't even know exactly what to expect.

Right... in a sense, these monsters are a nice warmup.

[ dangerous but not too dangerous. it's something! it helps get all the jittering out. ]

You must be excited to regain your connection with yourself.

As long as we don't let them wear us out before the main event.

[ pacing themselves is key.

but at that... he can't help a smile. ] Yes, it's been far too long. I can't describe how unsettling it is not being able to feel my own weapon. It'll be a relief.

[ his emotions flicker warmly - affection and joy for what is kind of a reunion, for iwa... he can only imagine.

well. sort of. he puts his hand on his heart, briefly, and the emotions roil through some anticipation and nerves and a little melancholy before they fade away again. ]

It's a terrible thing that they managed to sever it, so - I'm really glad. I'm glad it worked out, with the rocks.

Even if it didn't, it sounds as if we would've been able to fix the connection later, at least. But I won't complain about restoring it a little earlier.

I'm sure you'll feel the same about your Flame.

Haha...

[ that he does. ]

I'm not really sure if it will be restored to me or not, tomorrow. I guess we'll see.

Because of what Sazantos did?

[ shakes his head. ]

I don't believe in your gods, Rondo, but I believe in the faith you have in them. I don't think it's going to be that simple for him to take that power from you for good.

[ rondo looks down at his sword. it's as i was writing this tag that i realized if they power items then technically rondo has BOTH flames and that's not good

its fine

anyway there's like an emotional rush of something touched, at first, and he huffs a little laugh. ]

...It feels a little like cheating. [ ruefully ] To just have it given back to me, after all that I did. I earned it, but - I lost it, too.

[ sisi. ]

I think your Flame is more powerful than you realize, Rondo. He can try to steal it from you, but he can't put it out.

[ IT'S FINE... LISTEN HIS PURE HEART WILL OVERTAKE IT (REAL)

there's something about that phrasing that - gets him, it really does. he's quiet, for a second, looking down at this holy relic that has become his, dressed in this uniform that is now his own.

and rondo murmurs, so quiet it could almost be mistaken for a shared thought - ] ...No matter how many times you try to stamp it out, my Flame shall never be extinguished.

[ and that was before, too. he lifts his head again, and smiles at iwatooshi, and it's more confident. ]

Maybe I've been thinking about this wrong. [ maybe?? ]

[ it may be quiet, but it still brings a smile to iwatooshi's face. ]

That's right. It won't. Even your Fisteralda knows, if our experience in your memories is anything to go by.

[ it's not but nice try. ]

So what do you think is the correct way, Rondo?

[ what does he think is the correct way?

hand still resting on his heart, he's thoughtful - stumbling down this path he's always barreled through. step by step, always making his way towards the light. ]

I... I've always walked the path of the Flame. There's never been a moment that I've strayed. No matter how difficult it was, or... how painful it was. And in the moments of my life where things were the most dire, I've been able to call on my willpower.

[ in aelfric's trial, facing a choice and refusing, or on the icy cold road to the knights ardante garrison in flamesgrace, laying nearly dead on the ground. look at him wobble, the bandits had jeered, but he got up anyway. with two children in trouble - bleeding half to death, he got up anyway, to protect them. to save them, and he pulled it off after all. ]

... So... maybe I still have it. Or... maybe I've always had it.

[ a thoughtful hum. ]

I remember when you were a child, you stood between your sister and a group of bandits planning to kill you both. Even though you were so young and afraid, you didn't let that get in the way of your will to protect someone you cared so dearly for.

That was long before you ever gained the power of the Sacred Flame. So I believe that you have always had it, and all your god truly did was acknowledge it.

mygod | pc catchall | iwatooshi

week 7, friday

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