IC Contact; Empatheias [CLOSED]

[bondsofsuffering]

[All messages via the crystal network or messenger bird go here!

Be sure to indicate the date and method of communication; messenger bird, text, audio, or image!]

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[bondsofsuffering]

[The first nudge garnered a rather gleeful response consisting of a deck of odd cards from that new card game that was all the craze. Apparently it was a good hand, judging by the sense of mischief that filtered through.

The second one, however, comes as a surprise. There's an instant feeling of concern when he senses the worry and the longing for comfort, and he sends over warmth, a reminder of the couch at home in front of the fire, available for curling up together once they're both free.

Those feelings fade slightly when he recieves the image of Rutherford.

Surprise comes first and foremost, followed by musing. So he'd returned... perhaps he ought to do a sweep for Kanon while he's at it. But first things first: reassurance, warm and confident.]

We'll figure something out. Lemme finish this up real quick-- I can meet you guys at home.

[He'd been planning to toy with his opponent for a while, but crushing them in an instant is certainly doable.]

[melodyoflogic]

[The attempts at comfort helps-- just a little. There's an echo of gratitude before Ayumu firmly turns his mind to business, wary as he was about the situation he wouldn't.... couldn't turn away from it.]

I'm going to take the walk home slow-- he only just arrived and he's not happy to be back. I'll pick up some groceries for dinner and bring him along.

[Rutherford would be even less happy to hear other things, and he didn't really like the idea of shoving Rutherford's face into everything at once.]

[bondsofsuffering]

I'll be sure to tone down the mushiness when you guys get here ♥

[Ayumu can practically hear - see that heart at the end.]

It'll be alright. And if he decides to try and run from it again, I'll go drag him back myself if I have to. A kid like that, without any of his resources from home-- someone's gonna have to look out for him.

[And he knows Ayumu will want to do that. And Hizumi will be there to support him through it.

The sentiment is earnest; unlike the last time, there's a sense of commitment to the task, without even an ounce of despair. After all, it wouldn't be much hope if it couldn't also be used to save the Blade Children, now would it?]

[melodyoflogic]

In our time, maybe it would have been different. But now--

[Now, this was a younger Rutherford, one who had no experiences with him. This Rutherford hadn't raked him over the coals until he'd started to act, had yet to lose and regain his brother in a battle of beliefs.

It would be a betrayal-- an expected one, from someone who'd never proven any sort of worth in which to trust.]

He won't trust me, Hizumi. I don't know if he ever will like this. But he needs someone to look out for him.

[bondsofsuffering]

You don't gotta tell me that.

[It's chiding, but gently so.]

Neither of us are the kinds of saviors he's expectin'. Heck, just meetin' me might cause him to despair, deep down inside.

[Because that's the role he is supposed to serve - and indeed, one he had fulfilled with ease in their own time, though Eyes is thankfully unaware of it.]

It'll take a while to convince him. But you've changed, since his time, and since we got here. We just gotta make him see that, too.

[Ayumu might feel the sensation of a hand brushing against his hair, comforting.]

If things get tricky, gimme a nudge. Least I can do is a little cheerleadin'.

[melodyoflogic]

You've changed too, you know.

[In a good way, and the warmth of appreciation can easily be felt through the link. He wasn't fighting alone now, and that meant more than he could possibly communicate in words alone.

Maybe, just maybe, Rutherford could find something to hope for in it all, too.]

Like this.... maybe he'll see there's another way, with time.

[bondsofsuffering]

I only changed 'cause of you.

[And there's a wave of appreciation right back.]

I don't think anyone can stay here for months without changin'. [Even if their own circumstances forced those changes- haven't others here had to adjust all the same?]

We'll just have to hope-- no, we'll have to show him our hope.

[There's a bit of amusement that slips in unintentionally. Speaking of changes, it's almost funny to not only think those words, but to believe in them, no less.]

[melodyoflogic]

[That's what he needed to hear, honestly. To know that Hizumi could still grasp onto hope even with Eyes here-- surely Eyes could do the same, eventually.....?

He had to hope that would be the case... and more than hope, he had to work to make it a reality. He'd show him.]

We will.

I love you. [Part of him just felt it needed to be said, right now-- that love was a huge part of his hope, after all.]

[bondsofsuffering]

I love you, too.

[There's a fluttery feeling of affection that passes through the link then.]

Hang in there. I've got your back if you need me.

[He'd always only be an amulet call away. They'll do this together.]