title: folded cards when: post the tinkerer where: rome trigger warnings: mentions of suicide by chrysaor
There comes a point in an immortal’s life where they learn their limits, and do it well. Elijah learned those lesson’s as he followed Caius around like a dying sycophant. He knows when is enough, when he should stop and draw back, knows when to cut his losses and when not to.
He does not see the world end, dies too early for that, but he still knows enough.
He chooses not to remember. He would rather not remember meeting Caius as his lowest once more, would rather pretend he did not allow his own self-worth to be dragged and destroyed so utterly that he had chosen to kill himself and used Chrysaor to do so. He cannot remember, for if he does he will flinch before his hero, and he cannot do that. He would rather die a thousand deaths, rather suffer a thousand indignities than to hurt him with an instinct he can forget.
He hopes Chrysaor chooses to do the same, because for all they have parted on bad terms, he does not want him to live with the weight of his blood on his hands.
The Envious watches the world change with curiosity, head tilted as the shades of the buildings around him keep him anonymous to the crowds. It is a Brave New World, the one they are witnessing. One being built brick by brick, and he cannot wait to witness it at the very least. New species born from tragedies, new alliances born from pain, and through it all, demons remain on the Senate, standing proudly next to his father and species old and new. It is satisfying to see and to hear of the marshals Bebe has chosen, but despite the growing desire to step away from his self-imposed neutrality to perhaps lend a hand, there are worries on his mind still.
He has ten years before he needs to take another life, but he knows Konstantin does not.
In a world where every life is precious, how are they supposed to feed? How are they supposed to remain outside of the Inferno, when the Senate’s watchful gaze has been joined with the Eye’s and there is no longer a prey for them to stalk?
They cannot.
And so, Elijah supposes that he has ten years to settle his affairs.
He supposes that will be enough.
