un: starburst, toward the end of this arc.

[valeas]

( Emilia di Carlo has seen better days, by the look of her. Her battle leathers are torn, soot and cuts still on her face — but she doesn't give in to the exhaustion just yet, nor the bile in her throat. First, she addresses the people of Alem, dignified and resolute. )

Prince Haiva sacrificed himself and leaves his sister, the young Cle-Florens, spared.

I was witness.

( A pause, then, as she allows that to sink in. )

Hell is sealed.

You fought with valor so others might live. I'm glad to have fought beside you, and will remember your fallen just the same.

If you've yet to evacuate, the time is now. Hassir awaits.

Comments

[somebadnews]

[ He gets it more than most. It's almost nice, having someone he can relate to, even if it's never been an aspect of himself that he's enjoyed. ]

Is that where you're headed?

[ Allison was next on his list to get an update from, but it's good to hear. While he'd like to just blink there and see for himself, he's tapped out and it's a long walk. Odds are, she might beat him there. ]

[valeas]

( Emilia gives the slight shake of her head. )

I will, but first I'd like to find Wrath. He went to the Room of Seals one last time to ... make sure. ( She would like to make sure as well, beyond the urge to remind herself he's in one piece.

If Five would also like to make sure... )

[somebadnews]

[ He's been meandering through corridors in the vague direction of the monastery, maybe, but he slows to a stop when she responds. They've both told him that it's been sealed, and he trusts their word, but the way she says that has him looking over his shoulder. ]

I'm not far from there. [ If he happens to run into her, he wouldn't mind a final reassurance. ]

[valeas]

( Emilia gives him another nod, considers not saying anything — but no, something in her disavows it. She is lying plenty enough. With those close to her, she would rather have the honesty, and what they went through at the gates is still fresh in her mind. )

Are you all right?

[somebadnews]

[ It's hard to answer that as he usually does when she was there and saw for herself how he was. He's not completely... fine, but he's had time to patch over the cracks in his sanity. He's been worse. ]

I thought the world was going to end, and it didn't. Can't ask for more than that.

let's pretend this has all been private tbh.

[valeas]

( He answers the question without outright answering, a talent in and of itself. Emilia is frankly a little surprised he's talking to her at all, wouldn't blame him if he needed distance from her, as Lan Wangji might. As Caitlyn. She's aware of all she's done in the hopes of protecting them, of saving what could be saved. Destruction and creation, kindness and wrath.

It's never just one or the other.

When she speaks again, her voice is quiet and some time has passed. )

You reek of anguish, Five. This world may not have ended, but it can still claim you. Don't let it.

( That is all she says, as she goes and finds Wrath. Maybe her husband will have better luck. )

yes hide your sympathies, five is obviously very together thank you

[somebadnews]

[ Emilia stops short of calling him a liability. If anything Five is attempting to show he's better now by talking to her, but of course she'd see through that. Hell was a tipping point, then seeing Ben, thinking the apocalypse was here... they both know that he can't take in any more anguish. After two years of carrying that curse he's better practiced, but it's too much for any one person.

He doesn't reply. After a few more steps, he finds a place to sit and hold himself together. He'll stay there for a while before he's suitable for joining up with anyone. Pretty soon he's going to have to do something he really doesn't want to. At least he still has time. ]