[ Not quite werewolf stuff, but... He won't mention Yuri being a werebear, however. There's probably no secret about being an Arcanwhatsis, though. ]
If there is, I got no idea. I can't even keep a job there, and the fucker in charge of the new ADDF isn't allowing people like me to join, neither, so I can't even... can't even be a proper military bloke. All I do is get too much free time to find trouble...
[Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.]
Well...I've got a thought, but it's not a perfect solution either. [He takes a breath and rests his head on his knees.] What about spending time somewhere else for a while after all this is said and done? You could...I dunno, come see my world. Or someone else's.
[ In his heart of hearts, he would love that, but? Drunk and upset as he is, all he can do is explode at the very thought. ]
What are you, Arven? Stupid?! What would my mom think?! That I ditched her for good?! And what if I flip out and bite people there?! Your world doesn't have anything to handle that! Did you forget what I got is infect... infectious?!
[Arven physically recoils when Eli shouts at him.]
That's- That's not--!
[You know what? If Eli wants to yell, then Arven will yell right back.]
I said it wasn't a perfect solution! I know you've got your mom back home and I know there'd be risks bringing you somewhere else! I'm just trying to help because I care about you, okay?!
[Tears prick at the corners of his visible eye as he starts to shove himself back to his feet. Mabosstiff raises his head, worried.]
But if you'd rather sit there and wallow with your booze and run away from all your problems, then just say it!
[ He's being yelled at, and his immediate reaction is to yell back more. This tends to be the root of most of his problems if we're being honest here. ]
Yeah?! I didn't ask... I didn't ask anyone to care about me! It'll all end the same way!
[ Eli struggles to his feet to follow suit in the whole standing thing, though for him, he staggers over, thumping loudly against the A/C unit, too unsteady at this point to handle so much motion. ]
[Eli falls back down, and all Arven can do is stare at him with a mixture of disbelief and pity for a moment as his anger fizzles out as quickly as it erupted.]
Yeah, well... [He sniffles and rubs at his eyes.] I didn't ask to care about you, but here we are.
[Mabosstiff gets up and pushes his nose into his Trainer's leg.]
'm okay, bud...
[He is not okay and Mabosstiff knows it. Another nudge gets Arven to let out a shaky sigh and sit back down.]
I just... I'm so freakin' scared by the thought of seeing you in the middle of one of those palaces.
[ look at these two crying losers on the roof, wow ]
...
[ Eli has to take a moment to recover from his fall back to the roof, head spinning. Ugh, an entire big bottle of flavored schnapps was a terrible idea. He can feel the threat of vomit at the back of his throat, and it's peach flavored. Horrid. ]
Arven... [ What the fuck does he say to that, huh? His voice has dropped back to a normal, if wobbly, level. ] I... yeah... I don' want to cause one of those... I don' want to hurt any of you...
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...
[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.
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If there is, I got no idea. I can't even keep a job there, and the fucker in charge of the new ADDF isn't allowing people like me to join, neither, so I can't even... can't even be a proper military bloke. All I do is get too much free time to find trouble...
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Well...I've got a thought, but it's not a perfect solution either. [He takes a breath and rests his head on his knees.] What about spending time somewhere else for a while after all this is said and done? You could...I dunno, come see my world. Or someone else's.
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What are you, Arven? Stupid?! What would my mom think?! That I ditched her for good?! And what if I flip out and bite people there?! Your world doesn't have anything to handle that! Did you forget what I got is infect... infectious?!
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That's- That's not--!
[You know what? If Eli wants to yell, then Arven will yell right back.]
I said it wasn't a perfect solution! I know you've got your mom back home and I know there'd be risks bringing you somewhere else! I'm just trying to help because I care about you, okay?!
[Tears prick at the corners of his visible eye as he starts to shove himself back to his feet. Mabosstiff raises his head, worried.]
But if you'd rather sit there and wallow with your booze and run away from all your problems, then just say it!
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Yeah?! I didn't ask... I didn't ask anyone to care about me! It'll all end the same way!
[ Eli struggles to his feet to follow suit in the whole standing thing, though for him, he staggers over, thumping loudly against the A/C unit, too unsteady at this point to handle so much motion. ]
...urgh, shit.
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Yeah, well... [He sniffles and rubs at his eyes.] I didn't ask to care about you, but here we are.
[Mabosstiff gets up and pushes his nose into his Trainer's leg.]
'm okay, bud...
[He is not okay and Mabosstiff knows it. Another nudge gets Arven to let out a shaky sigh and sit back down.]
I just... I'm so freakin' scared by the thought of seeing you in the middle of one of those palaces.
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...
[ Eli has to take a moment to recover from his fall back to the roof, head spinning. Ugh, an entire big bottle of flavored schnapps was a terrible idea. He can feel the threat of vomit at the back of his throat, and it's peach flavored. Horrid. ]
Arven... [ What the fuck does he say to that, huh? His voice has dropped back to a normal, if wobbly, level. ] I... yeah... I don' want to cause one of those... I don' want to hurt any of you...
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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.
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Christ... this is pathetic... I mean, I want to. I jus' don't know how.
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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.]
So...maybe start there?
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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.
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[Not after everything he and Mabosstiff have been through.
That aside, he's relieved to hear Eli making some progress. It's time to pay forward the help that Juliana extended to him.]
I wouldn't have stayed up here if I wasn't willing, and I doubt I'm the only one.
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[ 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.
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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'll help you down.
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...thanks.
[ He'll cringe about being so pathetic once he's sober, so, for now, he'll reach out to grip Arven's offered hand for the extra help up to his feet. ]
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Once he gets Eli to his feet, he wraps his arm around Eli's waist for support.]
How's this? Think you can walk with me holding you? Or do you need to be...carried.
[He can do it, it's just...he's got a feeling Eli's pride would argue with the idea.]
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[ 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. ]
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C'mon, have a little faith in your buddy Arven. I asked for a reason!
[He keeps a firm grip on Eli as he steers them toward the way down.]
Let's go, Mabosstiff.
[Woof. Mabosstiff positions himself on the other side of Eli for additional support in case things go pear-shaped.]
Say, Eli, something you said got me thinking... We should go camping sometime. I've always preferred the outdoors, too.
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[ 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...
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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.
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[ Arven clearly does not know. ]
For fun... I mean, yeah, I like. I sleep outside when I can. But it isn't part of some... activity or... it's just life?