clan.

a gathering of different minds.

[tongzu]

navigation.

indie selective multimuse roleplay blog.

adored by riri.

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[fuankyara]

"Side effects?" Yves tilts his head. He can't feel pain, but Adolphe sure can. So if that's a side effect, Adolphe will have to let him know. "It's all right. If they work for now, we can deal with all of that later. Time is of the essence... Lucas ran off pretty fast."

Mathis shifts on his feet. "B-But..." He's dealt with dangerous things before, and he's fought. Certainly nothing on the scale of Lucas and his power, but... neither has Adolphe. But that's it? No way to change his mind? And if they go off and never come back, then...? "O-Okay..." That paranoia is seeping in. He wonders if Adolphe is pushing him away because he promised to stay with Camille. No, he can't think like that. He shouldn't, at least. The fear seems to be getting to him, too.

"Did you hear that, Adolphe? I'm sensible." Trying to cut the tension, Yves nudges Adolphe. "We'll be safe... and if we get in a bad spot, then we'll run." As much as he doesn't want to leave Ceres and Ankou behind, he knows they're probably safer than the two of them will be trying to fight Lucas. "It's important to both of us that we live." With a pointed look at Adolphe, he tries to get his friend to say something else to Mathis.

Unfortunately, Mathis is too nervous to think rationally. "Please come back..." His voice is small as he looks at Adolphe. Just in case, he should say goodbye... but the thought makes his heart sink, and Mathis darts out of the room before he can say anything else. If he says goodbye, then that spells something horrible. But if he leaves it at that, then Adolphe will have to come home... right?

Feeling like a pitiful coward, Mathis returns to the room with Camille and closes the door behind him. If his brother starts to gloat that Adolphe is going off without him, Mathis seriously might claw him to submission, and there's nothing he can do about it with the collar on. Hopefully Camille has the sense to not make that mistake. "I'm staying here," he mutters. "Are you happy? I..." Against his better judgement, he sniffles. He's done so well to not cry in front of Camille recently, and he feels sick wondering how he might be mocked for such a display. "I promised," Mathis whispers. "That I'd stay with you...so please, just for tonight... b-be kind to me..."

Yves takes the potion first, waiting a moment for it to take effect. "Whoa...? I can hear your heartbeat... it's strange." He leans in to Adolphe, suddenly feeling like he's invading his friend's personal space. Each breath Adolphe takes makes his wings twitch... "How long is this going to last, Miss Salome? As long as Adolphe is feeling okay, we should go as soon as possible."

[tongzu]

"Mother's only saying that because she doesn't know how insane you get," Adolphe retorts quietly, keeping his gaze on the potion in his hands. The way that Mathis responds to him is heartbreaking, but it's really for the best. He knows Mathis would insist on coming if Adolphe hadn't been firm, and Adolphe doesn't have the confidence right now to face him, knowing that Ceres and Ankou were taken because of him. If he hadn't invited Lucas, then...

Mathis darts away before anything else can be said, which is good. Adolphe takes in the potion, grimacing at the taste. Immediately, he's overwhelmed by the noises and smells around him, which... sucks. This entire thing sucks.

Adolphe gets up from the bed. "Sorry for making you clean up, Mother..." Yves leans in, and Adolphe leans away with a scowl. "Hey, watch yourself." He places his palm on Yves' forehead and pushes at him, though realizes that Yves is going to have to carry him anyway, so his personal space very much does not exist for tonight.

"It'll last one to two days... maybe." Salome sighs. "I haven't been able to test the duration either. At least, as soon as it wears out, I'd like the two of you to return to me immediately."

Adolphe grabs the satchel and his sword, attaching the items to himself with a nod. "Alright... uh. Look after Mathis for me... please." Salome would probably smack him if he isn't polite after all this. He turns to Yves with a dry expression. "Would it be too inconvenient if I rode on your back?" Yves probably can't fly like that, but being carried in his arms is... embarrassing.

Camille, against his will, had been eavesdropping on the conversation nearby, of course. Follies of being a beastperson. His tail flicks at Mathis as his brother crawls into bed, wondering how best to handle this person's pitiful emotions. On one hand, Camille certainly is feeling smug that Mathis has chosen him over that decrepit human. Gloating is simply in his nature. On the other hand, he has the sense that he may actually go too far if he opens his mouth about that, and Mathis might truly give up on him. It's a precarious situation.

"I'm quite pleased at your ability to see reason. Clearly, that creature would have torn you to pieces if you had chosen to chase after it." Camille doesn't care if Adolphe and Yves get mutilated. They're going on a suicide mission, in his opinion. "Anyway, you should stop your sniveling. Don't you think you deserve a better person who won't make you cry?" Camille remarks flatly, sweeping his tail up to wipe away the tears pooling in Mathis' eyes. This... is his best attempt at kindness. "If you seek comfort from me, then change forms. I won't entertain anything else."

[fuankyara]

It's good to look after your family. It sounds almost like a mockery when it comes from Adolphe right now, even if he doesn't mean it that way. "But..." Honestly, he prefers taking care of Adolphe, because he loves him. Yet he can't just leave his shivering brother to be scared... it's frustrating.

Yves doesn't know what to do, silent as Salome enters. He thinks back to how Ankou called him a hero, but even now there's nothing he can do about any of it. "I don't know," he confesses when Salome turns to him. "There's always a chance that either or both of us can die... to be honest, I don't know that the two of us together can do anything."

Mathis wilts a little. "Then I'll..."

Yves shakes his head. "We could all put our heads together and fight him, but I don't think it'll be enough. Just a feeling." A shrug. "He's way too strong... I know that's a strange thing to say when he was in pain earlier, but... Mathis, you understand what I mean, right?"

Hesitantly, Mathis nods. "I don't think I can fight him," he murmurs. "Nor Camille... I think we'll both freeze up. But I don't want to stay with him if you both go..."

Yves wants to make sure Ankou is all right, of course. Mixed feelings swirl through him, because he doesn't want to lead Adolphe to his death, but he doesn't want to leave Ankou and Ceres alone. "...Miss Salome. Is there any way you could give me and Adolphe temporary heightened senses? Like night vision, hearing... things that beastfolk have. I think without that, it would be foolish to go after him... but if there's a way to gain those abilities, we could at least track him, and retreat if necessary."

[tongzu]

They absolutely cannot win against Lucas in a fight. Adolphe knows it's a futile effort, but he can't just sit around and wait for something to happen. At the least, maybe with the potions and tools that Salome has, they could incapacitate Lucas...?

Adolphe perks up when Yves suggests a solution. If he could evolve beyond being a weak and useless human, then maybe there's a chance that he can help Ceres and Ankou, and he wouldn't have to drag Mathis into danger.

Salome sighs, sensing the shift in Adolphe's demeanor. Sending one child to search for another feels like a cruel exchange, but she... can't leave the orphanage alone. "Yes, I can. I had developed something like that after I improved Adolphe's glamour." Hesitating, she waves her hand and then summons two potions from her alternate space. "I'm not sure if there's side effects. I've never had the chance to test it."

Now that Adolphe has calmed down, Salome gives him the healing potion to help him recover from his concussion. It's really nice to have these potions to rely on, though it doesn't take away the memory of fear or pain. "That'll work," he says. He then turns to Mathis, a stern look on his face. "I don't want you to come. It's dangerous, and you haven't been trained to fight. I'd feel more assured if you stayed with Mother." His voice leaves no room for negotiation as he turns back to Salome. "We'll use potions to find a way to incapacitate Lucas. Maybe we can get a collar on him, or knock him out with a different potion..." Seems like Salome has extras of the tools they were going to use on Camille. How lovely.

Salome decides she isn't going to dictate the decision that Adolphe is making, for now. A part of her wants to lock him up and keep him behind, but he's the only one she can rely on to help Ceres. In a way, she does feel like she's trading children... with a sad smile, she places the potions in Yves' and Adolphe's hands. "Alright. It looks like Yves is more sensible than you, but I'll trust that the both of you want to return alive."

[fuankyara]

"...I won't die without your help," Mathis mutters, but he doesn't pry himself away from Camille. Wouldn't have to listen to what? "I wouldn't mind if you were in your other form either," he adds, scowling. "I don't need to hear all this, either." Still, his grip on Camille tightens at the commotion. "...Camille, I..." He fidgets. "It's my problem... I'm going to check on Adolphe." With wobbly legs, he stands. "Look, I... promise I won't go far, and I... I'll come back and sleep in here. I don't want him... ending up like Rosalie." Mathis takes a deep breath. "I know it's a low blow... but it's the only way I can get through to you. I'll come back, Camille..."

Yves almost does exactly what Adolphe suggests, considering grabbing Adolphe without a second thought and flying out the window. But his rationality clicks back in when he sees Adolphe's current state, and he shakes his head slowly. "He said he's okay...?" Then he'll just have to trust Ankou for now. "Hey, let's not... go after him right now. You're not well..."

In the end, Adolphe is... just like Ankou, of course. He'll feel bad if his injury is the reason they don't catch up with Lucas, but Yves has to think of things reasonably here. Going after Lucas while Adolphe is in this state will just kill them both. "Lucas... loves Ceres, doesn't he? For now, let's... trust that they'll be okay. I know it sucks." He scoops Adolphe into his arms, then sets him down on the bed where Lucas had been suffering before. "I care about you. You're a good friend, and I'm not dragging you anywhere in this state. We can always regroup. It would be foolish to jump into anything when we have other people on our side who can help us."

As he's attempting to comfort Adolphe, Mathis nervously pokes his head into the room. "Adolphe...!" Not blood, but the scent of vomit makes him nervous in an entirely different way. "Are... are you okay...? Where's... something's wrong with Lucas after all, right...?" He gulps. "...I promised Camille I'd stay with him tonight... he's really scared, too. But you're... hurt, aren't you..." Mathis bites his lip. "Um, I don't know what to do. I'll go get Miss Salome." Conflicted, he darts out of the room, guilt threatening to overwhelm him. No matter who he decides to help, he's leaving either his partner or brother in the dust. It feels terrible.

[tongzu]

Camille narrows his eyes, his tail swiping out as if to grab Mathis back onto the bed. However, he invokes Rosalie's name, which deepens the scowl that's formed on his face. "Rosalie didn't have a witch to protect her," he says quietly, though makes no further attempts to stop Mathis. So long as he's promised, then Camille is aware that the mouse-beast will adhere to that promise with his dying breath. It's... how he had created him, but it's just simply the nature of that foolish kindness.

Adolphe mutters a weak protest, pushing weakly at Yves as he carries him to the bed. "Just a... headache. Goes away after a few minutes." He thinks that the nausea is due to the panic he had felt rather than the head injury. Aside from that, he can't stop replaying the encounter with Lucas in his head. Mathis and Camille confirmed that Lucas wasn't part of the beastfolk, but that form looked eerily similar to a beastperson, hadn't it? Something like a canine... then again, the sickening way that Lucas had transformed is nothing like the way Mathis or Camille transforms.

"I... I don't know anymore. He loves her, but... he took her..." The ringing in his ears won't stop. But he manages to pick out Mathis' voice amidst Yves' worried statements, and he exhales softly. "I'm... fine." He should speak slowly so he doesn't slur his words and concerned any of the two even further. "I'm not hurt. If Camille's scared, you should stay with him. It's good to... look after your family."

A few minutes later, Salome runs into the room when summoned by Mathis, her eyes wide with shock she takes in the ruined window and Adolphe's condition on the bed. Before she can ask about anything, Adolphe speaks up again: "Mother... a healing potion. Please."

Salome narrows her eyes. "Adolphe, what's going on?"

"No time to waste." If Camille is terrified, and Mathis has to stay with him, then they can't ask the beastfolk to track Lucas by scent. But if Adolphe heals himself, then Yves doesn't need to be worried about his injury, and they can utilize the skies to go after them. "Mother, he took Ceres."

"..." Salome frowns. "Alright." She departs the room to retrieve her potions and Adolphe's sword, sensing that her son may need more than just a healing potion. Later, she returns with a satchel and his sword in toe, sitting on the edge of the bed. Adolphe makes a grab for the potion, but she holds it just out of his reach. "...Wait, Adolphe."

Frustrated, he makes another attempt to grab the potion. "Mother—"

"Yves, Mathis." Salome ignores Adolphe and turns to the other two, a bitter smile on her face. "Am I sending my son to die if I let him be an idiot and chase after my daughter?"

[fuankyara]

"That's... not necessarily wrong, but..." Mathis doesn't think it's fair to judge Lucas before he's done something like that. "Some people do actually try to be kind for the sake of it..." Not that Camille would know about a thing like that. "H-Huh...?" Camille has never offered to sleep beside him before, other than the naps they had taken since coming here, and Mathis is thrown off for a moment. "I... o-okay, Camille, I'll stay here..." His brother is truly terrified. Perhaps he just wants Mathis to keep him company since he has no one else. Or perhaps he does care, but... that's a dangerous thought.

Hesitantly, he climbs into Camille's bed. "Y-You... aren't going to berate me, or pull my tail, or... or anything like that if I stay here, right...?" Instinctively, Lucas is the most terrifying creature here. But in terms of his logic and history, Mathis is still much more scared of Camille. "Or... um, maybe you would prefer if I was on the floor, or in... in my other form, so I don't take up space..." Amidst everything else going on, now he feels awkward.

A loud commotion, probably enough to be heard by non beastfolk, can be heard in the other room. Mathis freezes, wondering if Adolphe is okay. But instead of jumping out to check on him, his body reacts far more shamefully, and he finds himself clinging to Camille's arm. "Wh-What was... s-sorry..." Shaking slightly, he lets go. "I... I have to make sure Adolphe isn't hurt..." But he can't move. "...It's okay... I can't smell his blood, so... he's f-fine, I'm sure..."

Though he said he was going to sleep, Yves hadn't been able to, and instead lurked nearby with his ear pressed against the wall. Upon hearing a concerning amount of noise, he rushes into the other room to find it empty apart from Adolphe, a mixture of panic and helplessness on his face. "Hey, what happened...?" Yves tries to look at the scene logically. "...Did he escape from the window? Where... are the others?"

[tongzu]

Camille rolls his eyes as Mathis accepts his offer, albeit timidly. If he was going to be scared of it anyway, why did he accept? Whatever. Camille won't admit it ever, but he is pleased with that outcome. This way, he can keep an eye out on Mathis. He's one of the few who knows Adolphe's true identity, and that human would be utterly useless. If something happens, they can transform into their other forms and make a safe escape. "You'd obviously die if I wasn't here to look out for you," he says haughtily. "Besides, pulling your tail would activate this collar. It'd be much easier if you were in your other form, admittedly. I wouldn't have to listen to—" Camille trails off a loud crash echoes throughout the house. His ears twitch, and his tail stops moving as he attempts to listen to whatever had happened.

"Tsk. If I could smell his blood, you'd have more things to be concerned about." Camille doesn't shake off Mathis, though, not making any attempts to go outside the door. "Not our problem. Just stay here and it'll be fine, yes."

A little before the commotion had occurred, Adolphe had checked in on Ceres. She explained to him that Ankou had gone inside Lucas to look at his dreams, so Adolphe figures Yves had convinced Ankou to help, one way or another. Though Adolphe has a feeling that Ankou would have helped regardless, if he knows himself (gross) over anyone else.

It happens... a little too fast. One moment, Adolphe is waiting silently next to Ceres. The next moment, the nauseating sound of bones cracking fills the air with a snap, and Adolphe is thrown back against the wall.

Ow. He winces, the breath knocked out of him as, thankfully, nothing is broken or torn on his end. As he lifts his gaze, Lucas is no longer there. Instead, a familiar silhouette stands before him menacingly, an unconscious Ceres in his arms. The beast stares at Adolphe, and the weak human is rooted to the spot — unable to breath, unable to speak. Sheer terror crawls up his skin, a replica of the first time he had seen a shadow of this creature.

Adolphe.

Ankou?

Please tell Yves that I'm okay.

The beast throws his head back, howling with the moonlight illuminating his figure. Then he jumps out the window, the glass shattering into pieces as he shields Ceres from the fragments.

... Right. Okay. A strange feeling. Got it.

Adolphe holds his head, nursing a mild concussion as he miserably looks up at Yves. "..." He shakes his head, shakily getting to his feet. "I... have to go after them... ugh." Turning away from Yves, he immediately regurgitates the contents of his dinner to the side, body trembling from head to toe. How pathetic. "Lucas... transformed... and took... both of them..." He tries to remember what he saw last. "Ankou... told me... tell you... he's okay. But we should... go... with your wings, we can... catch up...?"

[fuankyara]

"Camille...!" Startled by his brother's movement, Mathis takes a deep breath to calm himself. "L-Look... we're fine, okay? It's not just me being a fool... Lucas hasn't done anything to hurt anyone." We'll be safe here. Camille is acting out of turn, but... he's including Mathis in that safety, and his foolishness is pleased to hear that. "Adolphe, he..." Mathis hesitates. He doesn't trust Camille, but he also wants his brother to know that his partner isn't an idiot. "He already knows there's... something... about Lucas," he admits. "That's why he stopped going to lessons... he's not stupid." His tail swishes. "But actions are more important, and he's good to the kids, and to Ceres..." Mathis swallows. "I... agree with you, he's a bit frightening... and I want... us safe too, so I'll be careful."

Yves frowns. "Maybe not, but... I can't help but worry. Still..." Ankou is so selflessly kind. He's not going to take that away from him. "Be careful, and... come back to me, no matter what." If Ankou worries about Yves and his recklessness, it's just the same in the other direction. "I'll get in bed to leave you be, though I doubt I'll be able to sleep well knowing what's going on. I wish I could do more..." But he's not a ghost, and he's not a beastperson who can smell things other people can't, and he's not a witch who can come up with a solution. He can grow plants... but not even in a magical way, like Ceres. Yves sighs. "Goodnight, Ankou. I love you."

[tongzu]

"He knows and he still allowed that thing to come inside?" Camille thumps his tail against the wall in frustration. "Of course, people will be good to the ones they wish to be good to. That creature doesn't know us, so he has no reason to be good to us." Mathis is being too naive, and so is his human. In this kind of world, where beasts tear each other apart for paltry reasons such as power and jealousy, they should trust their instincts first and foremost. "No matter. It's dangerous out there, so you'll be sleeping with me tonight." Seems like there's no room to debate. And Camille's fear is overriding any logic, so he's not even registering the underlying concern he has for Mathis.

Ankou feels guilty that Yves is worrying this much. He'll just have to do his best to ensure that things go well. "Yes, of course. At your side is the only place I belong." He reaches and presses his fingers in-between Yves' eyebrows, attempting to smooth out his frown. "I believe you are doing plenty. Providing support and caring for everyone else when they feel wrought with worry. I believe your presence will be their solace when all else seems lost, like it has been for me." He smiles. "I love you too, Yves. I shall see you soon."

Reluctantly slipping away from his partner, Ankou phases through the door where Ceres and Lucas are resting. Salome had left a remedy for him to drink, but it doesn't seem to be alleviating Lucas' fever. Ceres looks up as Ankou announces himself, eyes welling with tears.

"Hello, Miss Ceres. I will not delay any longer." He bows his head. "I wish for your permission to enter this person's dreams. I will investigate what is going on. Hopefully, I will be able to provide good news."

Ceres rubs her eyes. "Y-Yes! Please help him!"

Ankou nods, walking over to the bedside. "Pardon me, then..." Without hesitation, his body merges with Lucas in order to activate his ability. Ankou is cast into... darkness. Immediately, a shiver runs down his spine as he looks around, noting that the "floor" on which he's standing on seems to resemble water. Tiny ripples travel throughout the surface as he walks, calling for Lucas.

A howl echoes throughout the empty space. Ankou turns around, spotting "Lucas" hunching over the dark puddle. Oddly enough, only the full moon appears to be reflected in the water.

"Ankou...?"

"Hello, Mister Lucas." Ankou walks over to the blond man, sporting a thin smile. "Apologies for infiltrating your dreams like this. Might you be able to provide me information on..." His smile falters as Lucas lifts his head to look at Ankou. Rather than the sweet, gentle countenance that he had remembered seeing, Lucas' features are warping. His jaw... looks as if it's been dislocated, elongating bit by bit as his teeth slowly sharpens into grotesque fangs.

Ankou takes a step back as the sound of ripping flesh and cracked bones fill the air, all emanating from this man who looks to be in agonizing pain.

"I... don't want to... hurt anyone..." Lucas' voice comes out as a deep growl. "Ah... I... he's telling... he's telling me to grab her..."

Ankou's instincts are screaming at him to leave, now. But as he attempts to vacate Lucas' body, a sharp pain causes him to collapse to the floor. Ankou winces as he looks down, freezing at the way furry hands sprout out from the ground to dig their claws into his ankles.

That shouldn't be possible. Ankou is a ghost, and Lucas isn't. He shouldn't be able to—

"I'm... I'm sorry," Lucas murmurs, tail swishing back and forth in trepidation. "He wants you, too."

[fuankyara]

Thankfully, Ankou manages to take charge of the atmosphere before Mathis collapses with anxiety. Mathis helps them clean and get dressed for bed, but the motions feel mechanical, and he feels terrible. Lucas is suffering, and all he can focus on is his own fear. He can't even approach the man to ask if he's okay.

Once the children have made their way to their bedrooms, probably not able to sleep immediately, Mathis slips away to check up on his brother, who has holed up in his room. He knocks on the door before ducking inside. Camille will probably mock him for even trying, but... "Are you all right?" He was even talking to Adolphe earlier without directly insulting him. That's never a good sign for his mental health.

"It's no problem, Ceres," Yves says. Hey, he wanted to give her a head pat too! But he supposes that instinct should be reserved for the younger children. Yves barely knows her, after all.

They step outside, and Yves nods. "I suppose... that's probably possible. Though I know it was tough for Ankou to do the same with Mathis. Still, I think he'd do anything if I asked..." A chuckle leaves his lips. "Sorry, that sounds terrible. I'll go talk to him."

With a slightly self-deprecating smile, Yves heads into the other room, where Ankou still lingers after helping with the children. "There doesn't seem to be much change," he murmurs. "And Salome is confused by his magic... Adolphe had the idea that maybe you could enter his dreams, but... I don't want to ask if it will be hard on you." See, even he can pull back sometimes. Mostly because he doesn't want Ankou to disappear, which is still selfish. "Or... if you think something bad could happen, and you would be... harmed, or..." Yves frowns. "I don't really know how it works... I just want to make sure we don't lose anyone. That includes Lucas, but also you."

[tongzu]

The knock on the door startles Camille before he can even register Mathis' scent, and he growls as the mouse-beast enters. Once he realizes who it is, he sprints over to the door, locks it, and then drags Mathis over to the farthest corner of the room. "You fool," he hisses. "You should've gone to your room immediately...! No matter. We'll be safe here." His ears are as straight as they can be, alert for any sign of danger. "I don't understand why they let that creature stay. Nothing good can come out of it..." Camille glances at the door, clearly ready to run away at the first sign of danger. "Surely you told that stupid human about that creature's scent? He wouldn't listen to me, but he'd listen to you."

Ankou had been waiting for Yves, so when he sees the tengu approach, he smiles. Though there appears to be a tense and nervous energy emanating from his dear prince, perhaps a shared emotion in this household. Ankou tilts his head, reaching out and grasping Yves' hand. "It's never been dangerous before," he reassures. "For once, perhaps that... cat-beast has a good idea. If I can be of assistance to everyone, I will do my best to investigate." He owes it to Ceres to try, anyway. Ankou wishes he could explain how it works to ease Yves' worries, but it's more of something that he just knows how to do rather than putting together a step-by-step process.

He lifts Yves' hands to press a tender kiss to them. "I will ask Miss Ceres for permission. It may take a few hours, so please go to bed first. I'll join you shortly, my dear prince."

[fuankyara]

Of course Momonashi wouldn’t mind being cold as a snake. Soshiro doesn’t know why he’s so worried. Or, rather, he knows that his attitude comes from desperation to stay friends with the rare person who wants to talk to him , but he is also aware that Momonashi has things under control.

Soshiro nods along with the explanation. “I see… I’ll try to work on developing something. But, ah…” Awkwardly, he shakes his head. “I’m not going to do anything without her permission even if I’m stronger. That’s good to know, though…” In case he wants to affect someone else. Those words go unspoken, but they make him feel uneasy. “How much am I allowed to tell her…? I can’t just bring this up without an explanation. She’ll wonder where I got the ideas from…” He doesn’t think she’ll be against it. Just a hunch from all the crazy things she wants to do to him. “I won’t mention you specifically, of course… but I’ll have to talk to her eventually.”

[tongzu]

"Hmm..." It's a tall order to place all his trust into Soshiro from the get-go, but Momonashi likes to think he's good at reading people. Rather than the naive way in which a certain canine approaches trust, Momonashi is more logical. Soshiro doesn't have any influence in the school, but Kisa does. However, if Kisa had been insane enough to test on her familiar in public, it's unlikely that she would report their existence to the faculty. Momonashi will likely implement a back-up measure, just in case.

"I trust your judgment, Yonaga-kun," Momonashi replies evenly. "How much she should know versus how much she shouldn't know... loyalty to your master comes first. I understand that." The snake-familiar taps his fingers on the table once. "But I would hope that whatever you disclose won't put any of us in danger. I'm not the sole leader of this society, but I do take responsibility for the people that I recruit. It would be a terrible look if my trust in you becomes misplaced."

[fuankyara]

When Mathis wakes up, inevitably due to the clamor of children, he slips out of bed to help them get dressed and send them off to school. The way all these kids look at him so lovingly sets his mind at peace. Begging for Camille’s love is one thing, but there’s nothing purer than the affection of children. It makes him feel like he actually might be all right, if they like him so much.

Yves doesn’t manage to escape Adolphe’s raised eyebrow when they return. He’s sure if Adolphe actually was a cat-beast, his ears would be flicking judgmentally. There’s only so much he can put his appearance back together without a proper shower. Usually, Yves doesn’t love being out in public even slightly disheveled, so he pretends like he doesn’t notice.

Mathis is aware he probably smells like Adolphe’s, but he disregards Camille’s disgust. He has to focus on the task at hand, preparing for Lucas to arrive. More than just helping with dinner, he needs to steel himself for that presence he felt again. When Lucas shows up and seats himself at the table, Mathis is not only swallowing his own nerves, but he can both see and smell Camille’s terror… so it’s not just him. He wants to ask his brother if he knows what’s happening, but conspiring against Lucas with Camille seems like a betrayal.

Instead he listens in on Lucas’s conversations, a bit sheepish hearing that he’s getting credit for Adolphe softening up. All at once, Lucas seems to be suffering, and Mathis can smell blood, which doesn’t help with his terror. Camille is frozen too.

“Got it,” Yves says, moving to support Lucas from the other side. Unlike the beastfolk, he doesn’t feel scared around Lucas, even if he can sense something vague he doesn’t understand.

Mathis swallows. “I, ah…” How is he supposed to help with the kids while he’s scared himself? If they pick up on that, he’ll just make things worse. “O-Okay… I’ll help.” Forcing his body to move despite feeling as though it has turned to stone, Mathis rises from the table to approach the whispering children. “It’s all right… everyone will do their best to make sure Lucas is okay,” he murmurs. Milo, and the others, are looking to him for answers. “U-Um… Miss Salome helped me with my illness, so of course I believe in her now, too.” That’s the best he can manage.

[tongzu]

Naturally, the children have never seen Lucas like this before. Their teacher has always been the picture of health, teasingly cautioning them that they should never go out alone at night. The kids nod tepidly when Mathis tries to reassure him, and Milo reaches out to hold his hand, seeking additional reassurance. They're afraid Lucas will die, because coughing blood isn't healthy.

Ankou gets up from the table as well, skirting around the children and gesturing to the table with his sleeves, like waving a flag. "Come now, children. As Mathis said, Miss Salome will cure your dear teacher. As of now, why don't we ensure that they can focus on helping him? In order to do that, we must assist that good children help clean up and get ready for the night."

It'll probably be difficult to put the kids to bed after all this, but they sure can try. And cleaning up is a good distraction anyway, so they listen to Ankou and start tidying up the kitchen.

Adolphe and Yves manage to bring Lucas to an empty guest room, who had passed out on the way there. Ceres brings a basin of cold water and towels to help clean off the sweat and blood, so Adolphe steps back to have Ceres take care of Lucas. Salome inspects him, but of course, even if she's able to make potions, she isn't really a doctor. The most she can do is study his magic core, but for some odd reason, it seems obscured. Like she isn't meant to find it in the first place.

"I'll make a potion for his fever, but... I'm not sure why he coughed blood." Salome looks confused as well. "I didn't know sirens could get fevers, but let's hope that bedrest will help"

Maybe it's Adolphe's ignorance, but if a siren is supposed to be a fish, aren't they supposed to be unable to sweat, too? Ah, well, he didn't go to school, so what is he supposed to know? Even with this, he feels like he doesn't know what to do.

"I'll watch over him," Ceres mutters, shooting Adolphe and Yves a weak smile. "Um, thank you both for carrying him. If... there's any changes, I'll let you two know."

Adolphe pats Ceres on the head gently. "He's in good hands."

There's not much else they can do, is there? Feeling helpless, Adolphe sighs and stands outside the room for a beat longer. Then he turns to Yves. "Do you think Ankou could enter Lucas' dreams? Maybe he can find out what's wrong." He's hoping the ghost can find Lucas and speak with him, since the teacher is currently unconscious.

[fuankyara]

Mathis doesn't want to embarrass Adolphe too much, or he won't look at him, and he loves seeing that face of his. "How nice... though you can have both." After they dress, he snuggles happily into Adolphe's arms. "We both deserve to relax a little...it'll be nice when it happens."

Knowing that Adolphe is calmed by him makes him happy, too. "I know," he murmurs. "You've done the same for me... I was so scared of everything before I got to know you. Now I have someone I can trust no matter what..." He flicks his ear against Adolphe's cheek in response. "Night, Adolphe... thanks for spending time with me." Even if he is going to be sore and bruised tomorrow. Well, more bruised than he is already.

[tongzu]

It's warm and comforting to be able to sleep next to someone that's such a soothing presence. Adolphe doesn't think he'll ever miss the days where he slept alone. "Goodnight," he murmurs, closing his eyes. "Rest well." Even if a part of him will always sleep lightly, no thanks to his vigilance, he's able to fall into a comfortable slumber without having any disturbances for the rest of the night.

The next morning follows a similar routine like the previous mornings, with the kids corralling their guests to help them get ready for school. Adolphe prepares a letter for Ceres to give to Lucas, inviting him to dinner tonight if he's free. If he prefers a different night, then he asks for a response of which night would work best for him.

Ankou and Yves return shortly after the kids leave for school. Adolphe arches an eyebrow as he spots them from washing dishes in the kitchen but doesn't bother questioning them as they retreat into the guest room... likely to freshen up, judging by the subtle signs of disarray in Yves' appearance. At least Ankou looks as normal as ever.

Camille... looks very annoyed. Of course, he's caught the indistinct shifts in both of Mathis' and Yves' scents. All his hard work to cause chaos had backfired, it seemed. He's sorely tempted to try and poke at Mathis, but he remembers their conversation the previous day, and he refrains for once. Camille will need to take some time to figure out how far he can push at Mathis' buttons before his brother truly does give up on him (though this doesn't mean he's short of judgmental stares directed at everyone else when he gets the opportunity).

Salome takes over for dinner preparations, as she's excited that Lucas will potentially be their guest for the first time in a long while. She decides to have Adolphe help her, of course, and after a brief moment of consideration, she employs Mathis to assist as well. Something about wanting to teach him a few skills in the kitchen and teasing him that he probably has graduated from guest privileges to a degree. Ankou, noticeably less skittish than before, initiates an interaction with Salome and politely asking if he can be of assistance as well. Having replenished on magic thanks to Adolphe's blood and Ceres' flowers, it seems he's more than ready to tackle a few chores.

Salome considers it, since she sees Yves and Ankou as guests who probably shouldn't do work for free. But Ankou insists, as she's fed them and housed them without any expectations — arguably, Yves has paid his dues by helping the kids with homework and playing with them, while Ankou has done little work. Eventually, Salome agrees to have Ankou help out with cleaning the house to ensure it's in pristine condition.

Evening falls quickly, and the kids parade in with Lucas and Ceres in tow, cheering about their teacher agreeing to a rare invitation. Lucas looks quite amused, but he greets everyone with a bow and thanks them for the invitation.

Camille's fur bristles once he catches Lucas' scent. Tail tucked between his legs, he nudges Adolphe to the side. "You're aware that this man is not truly a siren, yes?"

Adolphe entertains the side conversation for a moment, since everyone else is busy setting up the table and chatting with each other. "I wouldn't know for sure. But I'm sure he's not any more dangerous than you are."

"Look at him." Camille scowls, ears flattening his head as he scrutinizes the way Lucas greets Ankou. "He didn't even flinch when he saw the mutilated ghost. In fact, he's even smiling at him."

"Yves didn't flinch when he first saw Ankou."

"Well, that tengu was dropped on his head when he was a child, so that's unsurprising."

Adolphe rolls his eyes. "Jealous of Yves too, huh? If you're scared of Lucas, then I can bring your dinner to your room."

Camille raises his hand, then decides that smacking Adolphe across the head will probably get him shocked. "I'm not scared."

Grumpy, but sporting his usual mask, Camille is forced to endure a rather terrifying dinner, avoiding looking in Lucas' direction at all costs. Lucas must sense the fox-beast's apprehension, because after his initial greeting, he had focused his interactions on everyone else.

"I must thank you for the invitation, Adolphe." Lucas smiles kindly. "It's truly nice to be able to see you again."

Adolphe coughs a bit awkwardly. "... Yeah. Thanks for coming." He doesn't actually know how he should interact with Lucas, given their previous history.

"Have you considered my offer for tutoring?"

"I have," he nods. "For now, I want to focus on other things." He deftly ignores Camille's scoff on the other end of the table. "But if I feel the need to brush up on some topics, I'll take you up on your offer."

Lucas laughs. "If you insist. I must say, you are much more friendlier than you were a few years ago."

"Hah?"

"How can I put this?" The teacher tilts his head. "When I first met you, you certainly held more distrust for everyone... like a cat-beast who would skitter away to a dark corner at the slightest intrusion. But it seems that your heart has softened, perhaps thanks to the influence of another... which is good. It's a compliment, Adolphe."

Adolphe debates sideeyeing any of the kids who may have mentioned his partnership with Mathis.

Lucas certainly is teasing, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "In a world like this, it's good for beastfolk to— ack." Suddenly, Lucas winces and holds his head, a piercing headache causing him to drop his silverware onto the table.

Adolphe is immediately on his feet, walking over to Lucas and pressing a hand to his forehead. "You're burning up."

"I-I'm fine..."

The slight commotion has Ceres scrambling to the other side of Lucas. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure. We didn't make anything he was allergic to, right?" They had double-checked with Ceres before starting dinner, but maybe something slipped through the cracks.

"R-Right, he's not allergic to anything..."

Lucas forces a smile. "Just a turn of the w-weather, perhaps... I apologize for the inconvenience." Covering his mouth, he coughs harshly. Even with his human nose, Adolphe can parse out the scent of blood from Lucas' cough. "I-I should go home..."

"Don't kid yourself. You're not going to be able to get home in this state." Adolphe frowns, tucking his arms under Lucas. But he falters. Apparently, Lucas is much heavier than he looks, contrary to his delicate appearance. "Yves, I need some help to carry him. We'll take him to an empty guest room. Ankou and Mathis, can you two help with the children?" It seems like the kids are started to get riled up, likely due to worry and fear. Ceres doesn't look like she intends to leave Lucas' side anytime soon, so he figures she'll be tailing behind. "Mother—"

Salome is already moving to her study with a stern nod. "I'll prepare some remedies right away."

[fuankyara]

Kisa doesn’t even want Soshiro to protect her, honestly. It’s not all that mutual. She knows she’s more powerful than him, and she wants to baby him… and use him. But that’s her way of expressing what she wants from him, and who is he to question that?

“I see… but if I apply a rune to myself, is it possible that other people will sense it? Like with you…” Blinking, he takes Momonashi’s hand with a nod, then jumps back when a deluge of water suddenly soaks him? “Ah? Sorry…” Apologizing even though it was Momonashi’s intention all along is just like him. The fur on his tail stands on end at the splash of water, too. In this form, he doesn’t mind getting wet, but there’s still a tiny bit of cat instinct that makes him want to flinch away from it. “Oh… hmm. I see. Well, you didn’t have to do all that…” Absently, he raises his arm to dab off Momonashi’s face with his sleeve, then hesitates. “Um, is there a towel somewhere? I could…”

[tongzu]

He doesn't flinch, quite the opposite of Soshiro's reaction. Momonashi tilts his head, intrigued by the remorse that's given to him even when it wasn't his fault. "I allowed it to happen, Yonaga-kun." He doesn't really understand that. On top of Soshiro's gentle attempt to help dry him off, it's rather puzzling. But Momonashi can't deny that a part of him derives great amusement from his own fascination with this person.

"You don't need to do that. I'm quite fine, you see. I'm in human form, but I've chosen to align the way I regulate body temperature with my other form. It's convenient." Momonashi crosses a leg over the other, placing the pen on the table. "Now, as for your question, the only one who will sense it is the caster. Until the rune is activated, of course. But you can adjust the requirements for rune activation... for the one I just showed you, I created it so that it would be activated with pressure." Momonashi shows his palm, where the rune has disappeared. "That was a temporary one, but you can make it last longer, of course. And... hm, you can make a rune invisible as well. That requires slightly more magic. Lastly... I mentioned that you need permission from Tachibana-san to place a rune on her, but if your own magic is powerful enough, you would not need anyone's permission to place a rune on their bodies."

[fuankyara]

Mathis blinks at the tease. “If you want me to do that, you’re going to have to be more direct…” He doesn’t think Adolphe is going to reveal any more preferences right now, though. With a sigh, he continues running his fingers through Adolphe’s hair gently as he washes the shampoo out. “You are cute… and handsome. And comforting… like a warm blanket.” He knows Adolphe is trying to deflect by teasing him, which is cute too. “I can hear you, you know…” Mathis brings his fingers to his lips, then leans down to press them against Adolphe’s chest, over his heart. It’s beating fast. “I do enjoy it… I’m not used to being loved like this… thank you.”

He stands to turn off the water, taking a towel for himself and wrapping one tenderly around Adolphe’s shoulders. “I would never be able to get through any of this without you. When I think I’m going to break from exhaustion, you’re there, and I…” A lump forms in his throat, and he sniffles. “Let’s get in bed. I know how you feel about my crying… another one of your perversions.” He chuckles. “I wish this could last forever… this nice relaxed feeling. But I promise… when things are settled, I’m going to get that lazy day in bed with you.”

[tongzu]

Ah... huh. As if the compliments weren't enough, then there's the allusion to kissing his heart. That was way too smooth — Adolphe wonders if Mathis picked up flirting techniques from a romance novel he read in the past (unlikely, Mathis just loves him that much, and Adolphe is an idiot in love). "I'm... welcome. You're welcome." A dash of politeness to try and navigate the stuttering of his poor heart.

Adolphe clears his throat to try and regain any semblance of maturity. As he tries himself off with the towel that his partner has graciously given him, he can't help but reach out to pinch his nose. "I'll always be here for you... perversions kept at bay and all." The two exit the bathroom and dress themselves into sleep clothes, before Adolphe tugs the mouse-beast into bed with him, looping an arm protectively around his waist. "I have to admit, the thought of a lazy day before all this made me feel restless already. Now, I'm looking forward to it than I ever have before." He sighs, resting his cheek against one of Mathis' ears. "... Aside from that, you've also kept me steady, you know?" That inexplicable ability for his emotions to calm in Mathis' presence is quite amazing to him.

[fuankyara]

"..." Soshiro is certain that if he told Kisa this was a way to increase their bond, she would be having sex with him for external outcomes. He decides he'll keep this bit of information to himself so he's not quite as tormented as he could be.

A rune linked to the speed of her heartbeat... no, he can't accept that, either. Sou-chan, I want to create one for you too, so I can keep track of you, she'll say, and then she'll know that his heart goes crazy around her. And then he'll have to just die. "I see... a tracking spell seems like it would work. Could you teach me something like that? Even if it takes a while... I'll study it." Soshiro nods. "Um, she... will. She wanted something like that on me anyway. This way, we can protect each other in a mutual way... I think she would accept that."

[tongzu]

"Of course. Rune magic isn't typically used for active movement, but why should we limit ourselves to convention?" Momonashi arches an eyebrow as Soshiro explains Kisa's relationship with him. Slowly, his eyes crinkle with amusement. "Ah... I don't believe I've heard of a master-familiar duo that's mutual. The two of you must be special to each other." Momonashi is envious already. Fortunately, he does well to hide emotions.

"I'm sure you know the basics to rune magic. Therefore, I will talk about what's not spoken in our academy books." Momonashi pulls out a fountain pen, quite elegant in design and clearly imbued with magic. "We use runes for defense and transportation magic... you might have seen some on the way here, in fact. However, precedent dictates that runes are only applied to inanimate objects. It's unheard of to apply to to a living being. That being said..." Momonashi opens his right hand and draws a rune on his palm, humming idly to himself. The magical symbol glows briefly before it disappears, a tiny shudder running down his spine. Then, he offers his right hand to Soshiro, keeping his thin smile. "A demonstration, Yonaga-kun. Please shake my hand again... ah, I promise I will not hurt you." It's much too early to mess with Soshiro like that. But Momonashi is not against messing around with himself. So, that being said, if he shakes his hand, then Momonashi will be doused with water.

[fuankyara]

Proving his strength to a bunch of children is almost laughable, but Mathis nods. He knows Adolphe is right. "...I shouldn't have to, but I do," he says, his voice serious. "I don't control Camille... but thanks to me, the children, and my friends, have all been exposed to him. He's staying here so that I might be healed. So... it's my responsibility to make sure he doesn't hurt the people I care about. It's the least I can do for the trouble."

Mathis sighs, taking a small dollop of shampoo into his palms and massaging it into Adolphe's hair. "I'll try not to pull." With a tiny flinch, he manages to meet Adolphe's gaze when he's fiddling with his hair. "Adolphe... careful." He won't even be able to put his hair up in public if Adolphe keeps nibbling on him. "I see... well... I think it'll be a while before I can... manage that kind of confidence all the time. But I'll try..." Mathis is glad to at least be able to have these kinds of conversations. "I like when you get flustered about it... you're cute when you, um, are at a loss for words." See, he can dish it back. A little.

[tongzu]

Mathis really has matured in mindset, hasn't he? Adolphe is certain that the previous version of this mouse-beast would have insisted to withdraw from society with his awful brother rather than face his problems directly like this. "I see... I'll accept your resolve then," Adolphe smiles. He didn't think it was possible to find even more things to love about this wonderful person, but he's surprised every day, it seems.

His hair isn't as long as Mathis', but it's a pleasant feeling to have his scalp rubbed. That being said, it's hard not to get a little embarrassed when they're face-to-face like this. Sex is one thing, but the quiet and peaceful intimacy of being in each other's space and lightly teasing each other is far more daunting to Adolphe. When the brunet retreats back to his original position, he rests his arms on Mathis' knees and leans forward with a huff. "You can pull my hair, if you're into that." He grins, kissing the corner of Mathis' lips as his own type of retaliation for the teasing. "Hm... you're the only one who can get away with calling me cute. Hope you enjoy that kind of power, sir Mathis." Don't let his smug ass grin fool anyone, he's very much trying to hide a flustered heartbeat underneath it all.

[fuankyara]

"Oh... hm." Soshiro flinches back, a bit unsettled by the idea that Momonashi can get that much information from him. "I see. That's... handy." He swallows. "Maybe I should do the same...? To have a better sense of smell, or... balance... whatever would benefit my master the most..."

The idea of allowing Kisa into his obsessive thoughts is absolutely out of the question. "I can't just ask for her blood," Soshiro murmurs, then balks at his suggestion. "A-Ah? Intimacy?" Like what Kisa was doing when he was in that other body, and...? "N-No, I wasn't intending anything like that... I just wanted to be able to... sense if she was in danger, so I could help her... something like that." Soshiro smiles weakly. "No telepathy, then... maybe I could help with potions? Or... hm. I'm not sure. I want to help her with everything..." He probably sounds ridiculous. "Do you have any suggestions, Momonashi-kun? You have so much more experience than me."

[tongzu]

"Hm. I don't see any loss in giving yourself heightened attributes. Cats are known to be agile alongside the increased sensitivity of the five senses." Momonashi props his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand. "I see. Unfortunately, a lot of magic that's done relies primarily on external outcomes. Something as romantic as having a soul connection to another lies more in the intertwining of magic cores... hence, intimacy."

Unfazed by the implications, Momonashi smiles. "Though I believe I can assist you in your predicament. If you wish to sense when she is in danger, you could create a rune that's designed to link towards the speed of her heart. The downside to that is the rune would get activated in situations where she's nervous or excited, and not necessarily in danger. Or..." He tilts his head, genuinely intrigued by the desires that Soshiro has which allows Momonashi to explore his own creativity. "A rune in conjunction with a tracking spell. The rune activates when it senses she's in danger, and the tracking spell allows you to find her location. Though that's a more advanced skill to learn... and it's difficult because it's not exactly subtle. Tachibana-san would have to give you permission to access her magic."

[fuankyara]

"...I don't always like that about myself," Mathis admits quietly. "That I'm small, and even the children treat me like some kind of damsel because of it. But knowing that those things makes you happy... helps." He still can't help but worry that Camille is right and that no one will take him seriously. In this space with Adolphe, it hardly matters.

"That's good. I..." Mathis sighs, flicking his wet ears at Adolphe. "I still get nervous when you don't want to share something with me... I've had so much kept from me, and I... I'd rather you tell me. Even if it's something embarrassing to you. Sorry." He gives Adolphe a tiny bow with his head. "And if you get worked up because of Camille, please do talk to me... he's my horrible family. I'm trying to be patient with him, but I don't want him to hurt you."

Mathis sighs. "Did you wash your hair while I was being pampered? Sorry I couldn't help..." A sigh. "...What about my hair up is erotic? Is it because my neck is exposed?" It probably embarrasses Adolphe further, but he's curious! What if he writes a romance novel one of these days and needs to know the reason?

[tongzu]

"You'll just have to show them how tough you are, then." Adolphe ruffles his hair lightly. "Kids are always impressionable... besides, you've proven your strength to me plenty of times. Someone like Isaac or Nina should be a cinch for you."

"Alright... no more secrets. Even if it's embarrassing." He might take a few extra seconds to confess, but that's just something he'll have to work towards. "Well... I can do that. But only for the purpose of keeping you informed. You shouldn't have to take responsibility for anything he says or does because he's your brother." His tone of voice is earnest, conveying the seriousness of his belief so that Mathis can alleviate some of his guilt.

"Ah, I forgot." Oops. Adolphe kneels in front of Mathis, leaning forward with a smile. "You wanna do my hair then? Makes us even... hm." Oh, he's still stuck on Adolphe's weird kinks, huh? Duly noted. With a flat look, Adolphe reaches up and moves Mathis' hair away from his neck. "Yes, part of it is because your neck is exposed and it makes me want to do this." He leans forward and bites the nape of his neck, leaving a tiny mark. "The other reason is because it... I dunno. It's like the same energy as when you're translating. It makes you look... confident and focused." Also very attractive to him.

[fuankyara]

"You're right... but that's good. I want to protect her from fault..." If Soshiro can use his status as a shield, then even if they are caught, she'll be able to do whatever she wants. They could throw him into a cell, as long as they didn't harm Kisa's prospects. The thought makes him a little dreamy, even.

"I have no desire to use you for any reason... I live to serve my master." Soshiro shrugs awkwardly. Befriending Momonashi seems like the quicker path towards helping Kisa, anyway. "Yes, it was a potion... huh?" His ears flick. "My scent...? So, you're like Suzu-kun, then? You have heightened senses even in this form?" That's a bit unsettling to consider. "Is there a way to... use magic to make my connection to Ki... my master even stronger? Like... telepathy? Without, um, without her having access to every thought..."

[tongzu]

That unwavering loyalty is precisely what makes Soshiro so attractive. The irony of being against this system is the fact that Momonashi, too, believes that a familiar's wholehearted duty is to their master. That's precisely why this system is foolish, limiting a familiar's prospects and abilities.

At the query, Momonashi chuckles and flicks his tongue out, exposing the forked tip briefly to "smell" before retreating. "You had oyakodon for dinner last night. It lingers faintly in your hair." He tilts his head. "Comparing me to Orimaki-kun is... quite interesting. But yes, I've learned the skills required to combine this form and my animal form." He's not very interested in turning into a snake in front of Soshiro though. "Hm... telepathy is an all-access pass to those thoughts, I'm afraid. The simplest way to strengthen your connection to Tachibana-san is by ingesting her blood." It's crude, but the most effective. "Or sharing your magic with each other, which does require a bit of intimacy." Momonashi blinks at him. "Unless I misread your intentions, and you truly did just mean something along the lines of communicating more with her."