Arven squeezes his eyes shut as if that's going to stop the tears. But it's like the dam holding back all of his grief and fear since Jordi's death has been let loose.]
Then you gotta stop this. Stop and let us help you.
Well...when I was in the same spot, I had to admit to myself that I needed help in the first place. It was scary, but it was the best choice I ever made 'cause I got that help and a best buddy along the way.
[Wait. After another sniff, he adds:]
A human best buddy.
[Because Mabosstiff has not been dethroned as the best buddy.]
Ha... Don' worry. I'd never think about replacin' the Boss as your best bud.
[ But Arven is, what? Offering to be that friend? Or is he hoping Eli will find someone better suited for a depressed, chronically angry werewolf?
I mean. If... someone wants to give it a go... I guess 's something I'd... try, at least? 'cause I know I'm messed up. I don' got to admit that too much more.
[ He can think of enough besides Arven. Celeste, Izou, even Yi Sing, possibly. Sunrise, although she might not have many answers to his problems, considering. Mafuyu...
Well.
He imagines she won't want to deal with him again. ]
I guess... the first step is to get off the... the damn roof. Without falling over again.
After taking a moment to dry his eyes for hopefully the last time tonight, Arven pushes himself into a crouching position and holds on a hand for Eli to take.]
I can walk! I can... just help me keep upright, just like that... don' even think of carrying me!
[ His pride really isn't going to allow it, nope. He can leave on Arven, though, and being able to do that at least offers him some semblance of balance. ]
[ Eli trails off for a minute, thinking it over as they inevitably attempt the stairs. There's some staggering, that's for sure, but Eli can manage with both of their help. ]
I. Yeah? It'd be nice to camp without... worrying 'bout demons showing up... I think... have I camped before...? Before... mm... I don' know...
[ The heck? Did Arven leave something he was reading on the wrong bed or...? Eli spots it once he steps in from who even knows, probably from taking a shower, and picks it up.
( it's exactly what you might expect! though there's no focal legend of the hound (at least, not any i can find), his history, and his purpose, are detailed, as are the few times he's mentioned.
[ Not a beast, but a guardian? A guardian of hell... or Hel. Whatever Hel is. Eli can't deny that sounds accurate. He fights demons. He protects people from them.
He turns the book over in his hands, flips through the pages, looking for any hint or sign of who may have left it. ]
[Thank god Eli didn't take a tumble down the stairs. He might've brought Arven with him.]
Wait, what do you mean you don't know? [The demons part would be more alarming if he didn't already know about those.] I thought you said you liked sleeping outside.
[ Eli is not known for his patience. If he got away with pulling Celeste into a kiss earlier, he'll surely get away with what he's about to do next, with the dire hope that Celeste finds the initiative attractive.
He'll shift how he is from his seat in Celeste's lap to a whole new position. This one has him turning to face him, knees going on either side of the vampire's hips to straddle him. He'll brace himself with a hand planted against the wide windowsill the little couch is set into, right next to Celeste's head, before going in for the next kiss. ]
His hope is rewarded. He does find the initiative attractive, and is quick to respond to it in kind.
As Eli shifts, he puts a hand on his hip, gripping tight. The other goes right back into Eli's hair, further mussing up the previously carefully placed style as he leans up to meet the kiss.
This one isn't as desperate and messy as the first, at least, impatience notwithstanding.]
[ joke's on you, flatviewers don't know how to click links or read
That tight grip pressing fingers hard through the fabric is both something that feels amazing and at the same time, frustrating, with how it separates such a touch from his skin. Regardless, it has Eli groaning quietly against Celeste's lips and encouraging him to take further initiative still.
He nips at those heavily painted lips to get them to open to him, desperately wanting to lick into the vampire's mouth and see just what he can taste there. Blood, he suspects, since Celeste can hardly have anything else, but there's something more exciting to that than anything else. ]
[It is both amazing and frustrating. Finally, they're allowing themselves this, they're allowing more than easy, casual affection... but it's here, at the ball, when they're both dressed appropriately for the occasion, but are also overdressed for the occasion, between the nice suit and the fancy clothes, the gloves, the corset-- At least their masks had been easy to get out of the way.
That groan into his lips is more than encouraging - and it is encouraged in kind when Celeste angles his hips up under Eli's, readjusts them just enough that his hand can slide forward, dipping onto his thigh and up to spread his legs open just a shade further, settling that firm touch at the dip between thigh and groin. Dangerous. Teasing.
But he has a kiss to pay more attention to, too. The nip at his lips does prompt them to open, welcoming the exploration this time and letting his own tongue twine with Eli's. He does taste of blood, fresh and sharp from the meal provided at the ball, yes, but then fresher, hotter, as he takes full advantage of being on the receiving end of such a deep kiss to sink fangs into the invasion.
It's not enough to feed properly from him - not that he'd want to right now, when blood loss would severely hamper their plans - but a bite is a bite is a bite, and he's not above using one to heighten and intensify sensation.]
a few days after Mafuyu palace but before Celeste Mini event
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