SCAWWY 😱 iwatooshi

[concoctive]

The cherry blossom symbolizes both life and death, beauty and violence. As the coming of spring promises new life, so the blooming of cherry blossoms brings a sense of vitality and vibrancy. At the same time, their short lifespan is a reminder that life is fleeting. While cherry blossoms can be visually appealing to the eyes, there are actually many medicinal and therapeutic uses to various parts of the cherry blossoms. These health benefits include anti-inflammation, reducing blood pressure, or even treating diabetes symptoms.

Comments

[naginota]

Of course.

[ if they're inside then it'll be easier for iwa to sit. these houses are so small. it's also affection week so he'll get as close to alfyn as possible without agitating any wounds. ]

Whatever happened has rattled you pretty good, hasn't it? I'll stay as long as you need me to.

[concoctive]

[ delightful, this makes him feel - a lot better, honestly. he doesn't do well with being alone in the first place, but being shaken like this has made him starved for company. ]

... plenty of people have said we were just gone for the day. But there was a long, long time - months - where I was just. On my own, in the worst kinda way.

[naginota]

Ah, I see. [ time travel. this tracks perfectly, so iwa won't ask about that. ] That's never easy, is it?

[ especially for humans - soft, loving creatures that they are. ]

But why were you alone? Weren't the other three with you?

[concoctive]

Haha, no, I don't think so.

[ it was not fun, iwa. he is a very soft, loving creature. ]

Mm. We got lost in the fog. All apart, at first, 'til me and Tot found each other and then saw Geto and Pickles. We were together, for a little while, before we got separated and I was just... I dunno what they went through, until I met up with Pickles again, but I thought what happened before we got split up, and everythin' that happened here, was just a nightmare.

I forgot that I wasn't from that place. And somebody... [ he hunches in on himself a bit, frowning bitterly. ]

[naginota]

I know they've told us that this place is in flux, but this... isn't what I expected. The fog is even more dangerous than we realized.

[ bad! but he listens, quiet, and shifts to touch alfyn's arm gently - maybe hold his hand, if it looks like he needs that. ]

So whatever magic is in place here can mess with our memories. [ ... ] But something still bothers you. What is it?

[concoctive]

[ alfyn is tactile by nature, and open to his own vulnerability - he will hold iwatooshi's hand, squeezing tight and using it as an anchor for a moment. ]

... I helped someone, back home. Someone that was badly hurt, and would've died from it. Another apothecary found him, first, and asked him what kinda person he was. He figured out quick that he was dangerous, and lyin' to him, so he left him for dead.

But I helped him. And he - he lied to me, said he had kids to feed and get back to. He wanted to live for 'em. Once he was healed, he kidnapped a kid from the nearby village for ransom and insurance, nearly killed him 'cause he was gettin' tired of listenin' to him cry - just this poor, helpless kid, man.

Told me the wrong number of mouths he had to feed, when I asked what the hell he was doin', and I caught him in his lie.

I had to kill him, after I'd spent sleepless nights over him to make sure he was on the mend. After I trusted him. I've killed people before, but I've never liked it, never took joy in it, like some people do. I had to, 'cause he would've kept hurtin' other people - and that little boy could've died.

[ he's crying, now, grief as much as it is bitterness, frustration. ]

And... and in that false memory, he betrayed me again, 'cause I didn't remember the first time. And a little girl had to die in my arms for it.

[naginota]

[ whatever magic is in this place is cruel, iwatooshi thinks, as the story unfolds. it's nothing he hasn't heard of before - someone taking advantage of another's kindness, only to turn around and abuse it. but it makes his heart ache, for one like alfyn to suffer for it. he is so painfully human, in all the best ways, but it's that open heart of his that leaves him vulnerable to heartbreak like this.

iwatooshi reaches out to place his hand over both of theirs, another layer of reassurance. ]

You are a kind man, Alfyn-dono, to try to save as many lives as you do. Very few can speak to the level of dedication that you show each day. I'm certain that she felt your care, even in her last moments.

...I know that doesn't make it any easier, knowing what happened. But you can't blame yourself, when all you were doing was trying to help who you could. Kindness isn't a mistake, especially when your memories and experience have been stolen from you. You are not at fault.

[concoctive]

[ he hiccups miserably, trying not to scrub at the cut on his face as he rubs at his eyes. it - helps, in some way. iwatooshi is very, very old, but he's not like the immortals that they've had to fight. he's een a lot, surely, and known many even before scawwy was having its foundations built.

it dulls the pain, if only a little. but every little bit of kindness is a gem to someone like alfyn. he will blame himself, but... he'll try to leave that path to let go of the feeling. ]

She... she didn't want to disappear. But Miguel, he was givin' me poisons when I was tryin' to make the medicines to help her - the woman that was... that was behind it all, she did somethin'. She was there, at first, when he brought me there. Asked me to try and treat her, 'cause nobody else would. She was...

Her magic was wrong. It made me want to leave. But I couldn't, not when she was so small, and scared. [ he shakes his head vigorously at the idea. ] But I think... it was an illusion. I didn't realize that it was - that anythin' was poisoned until the little girl was dead, and I was holdin' somethin' I'd never give a patient.

[naginota]

Of course not.

[ someone so young who had so much to live for... of course she wouldn't want to die. but iwatooshi listens patiently, frown deepening. taking advantage of someone is one thing, but actively forcing a healer to kill?

he's concerned about this woman and her magic, too, but alfyn is more important. ]

...Then it's no wonder you're taking it so hard. You were tricked, and your kindness made into a weapon. [ this is going to haunt him for the rest of his days, iwatooshi thinks. he's too kind not to hold onto it as some kind of personal failure, even if it really wasn't his fault. ] I'm sorry they did this to you, Alfyn-dono. Neither you nor the girl you tried to save deserved this treatment.