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Inbox (Empatheias)
You have reached the number for Regis.
Please leave a message after the signal.
Please leave a message after the signal.
[The image shows a part of a fence and a royal blue chocobo. One dark hand stroking the feathers on its neck. Jecht sounds normal enough, voice quiet and a little sheepish and cautious.]
... How mad is he?
... How mad is he?
'course my kid's mad at me.
I'm askin' bout Auron.
I'm askin' bout Auron.
[He huffs.] Sounds 'bout right. Always gotta bottle things up too long.
...
I wronged him too, y'know. Ten years ago. That's why I told myself I'd make sure he stays free of Spira's bullshit when I got here. But I'm the one dredging all that up.
[Between the Final Aeon and now this.]
...
I wronged him too, y'know. Ten years ago. That's why I told myself I'd make sure he stays free of Spira's bullshit when I got here. But I'm the one dredging all that up.
[Between the Final Aeon and now this.]
It is easy to bottle up when nobody will speak to you, you realize. When you think you're not allowed to talk about what you feel because nobody else does, either. Did you ask him what he wants? If he wants you to deal with any of it on your own, to isolate him?
Would it be easier for him if those things would never touch him? Possibly, though Spira is no less a part of him than it is of you. Would he choose to be free of it, if it means you have to hide from him?
I can't answer for him, Jecht. But neither can you. Auron may have been the youngest of you when you traveled together, but he has carried enough on his shoulders, for more than long enough, that he can, these days, decide for himself what burdens he wishes to take and what ones he would not.
... I apologize. This was not meant to be any sort of a lecture. Merely food for thought.
Would it be easier for him if those things would never touch him? Possibly, though Spira is no less a part of him than it is of you. Would he choose to be free of it, if it means you have to hide from him?
I can't answer for him, Jecht. But neither can you. Auron may have been the youngest of you when you traveled together, but he has carried enough on his shoulders, for more than long enough, that he can, these days, decide for himself what burdens he wishes to take and what ones he would not.
... I apologize. This was not meant to be any sort of a lecture. Merely food for thought.
I-- [He cuts that off abruptly, frowning. Something heavy lingering in the connection as he falls quiet for a long time.]
... I get it.
[He sighs.]
I know what I have to. Just... I'm glad he has you. Don't think I ever said as much. You've done a lot for him. And me.
... I get it.
[He sighs.]
I know what I have to. Just... I'm glad he has you. Don't think I ever said as much. You've done a lot for him. And me.
[ the header makes sense if you see the comment above
It takes about a week for Tidus to get over the temperature earned from the encounter with his father. Nothing worse than a fever, and probably not so severe thanks to Regis's prompt healing on the day (despite Tidus's lack of concern about things such as his wellbeing).
Following that, he jumps back into doing shifts at the inn. He doesn't do it out of any sense of owing it to anyone, nor because he finds it exciting, or even relaxing. It's just better than nothing, which being in Verens is still a whole lot of for him, and there's a buzzing in his head that he needs to distract himself from. Annoyance leads to frustration. Frustration leads to becoming a walking leak. There's no up from there.
Tidus manages to keep everything under control for about an hour or so. He doesn't get there early, but visitors from the other cities and the smaller towns outside Verens have their breakfast to enjoy before they go, and the still occupied rooms need to be cleaned and have their sheets swapped over.
The first thing that goes wrong is this: Tidus lets himself start thinking.
The second thing: He breaks the Verens equivalent of a hoover doing this. (And hides it in a storage cupboard--he'll let someone know later)
Third thing: Now he's leaking water on the carpet in his frustration.
Fourth: Deciding to go through the kitchen to the outdoors instead of going the way with less appliances (but also, more chance of bumping into people).
Fifth: Deciding to get a drink of water instead of going outside and breaking the glass just by holding it. And the biggest one--
Sixth: Throwing what's left of it at the cooker in anger and causing the elemental core inside to blow from the emotion on the leftover glass.
That's not a sound--like a small bomb going off--nor a piece of equipment Tidus can shove away inside a cupboard, and he stands helplessly, uselessly, not even sure if to move as water trickles down his skin, smoke coming somewhere from within the cooker....
He might not be near it, but Tidus doesn't even try to hide his guilt when Regis eventually comes into the kitchen, rigid and with fists clenched at his sides, avoiding Regis's eye with a turned head. ]
I'll replace it.
[ He sounds both wound up and tired at once. ]
It takes about a week for Tidus to get over the temperature earned from the encounter with his father. Nothing worse than a fever, and probably not so severe thanks to Regis's prompt healing on the day (despite Tidus's lack of concern about things such as his wellbeing).
Following that, he jumps back into doing shifts at the inn. He doesn't do it out of any sense of owing it to anyone, nor because he finds it exciting, or even relaxing. It's just better than nothing, which being in Verens is still a whole lot of for him, and there's a buzzing in his head that he needs to distract himself from. Annoyance leads to frustration. Frustration leads to becoming a walking leak. There's no up from there.
Tidus manages to keep everything under control for about an hour or so. He doesn't get there early, but visitors from the other cities and the smaller towns outside Verens have their breakfast to enjoy before they go, and the still occupied rooms need to be cleaned and have their sheets swapped over.
The first thing that goes wrong is this: Tidus lets himself start thinking.
The second thing: He breaks the Verens equivalent of a hoover doing this. (And hides it in a storage cupboard--he'll let someone know later)
Third thing: Now he's leaking water on the carpet in his frustration.
Fourth: Deciding to go through the kitchen to the outdoors instead of going the way with less appliances (but also, more chance of bumping into people).
Fifth: Deciding to get a drink of water instead of going outside and breaking the glass just by holding it. And the biggest one--
Sixth: Throwing what's left of it at the cooker in anger and causing the elemental core inside to blow from the emotion on the leftover glass.
That's not a sound--like a small bomb going off--nor a piece of equipment Tidus can shove away inside a cupboard, and he stands helplessly, uselessly, not even sure if to move as water trickles down his skin, smoke coming somewhere from within the cooker....
He might not be near it, but Tidus doesn't even try to hide his guilt when Regis eventually comes into the kitchen, rigid and with fists clenched at his sides, avoiding Regis's eye with a turned head. ]
I'll replace it.
[ He sounds both wound up and tired at once. ]
[ Regis actually warps to the kitchen door, something he does next to never indoors, which is why he opens the door in almost no time at all.
He hums in response to the defensive reaction, green eyes sharp on the boy, instead of trying to look at the damage. ]
Were you hurt, Tidus?
[ He has priorities and they are never things. Unless the thing is the damn Crystal, and Regis actually had no choice in that matter. ]
He hums in response to the defensive reaction, green eyes sharp on the boy, instead of trying to look at the damage. ]
Were you hurt, Tidus?
[ He has priorities and they are never things. Unless the thing is the damn Crystal, and Regis actually had no choice in that matter. ]
No.
[ That's a little less frustrated, more on the awkward side of guilty. Because he knows what he's about to admit, gesturing a hand towards the cooker. ]
I-- threw a glass, that's all! It was already broke! I didn't know I could magically break cookers now!
[ Who throws broken glass around, Tidus. But he knows better than try to lie his way out of it (ten years with Auron will teach you that), even if that doesn't mean he won't try to give excuses. ]
[ That's a little less frustrated, more on the awkward side of guilty. Because he knows what he's about to admit, gesturing a hand towards the cooker. ]
I-- threw a glass, that's all! It was already broke! I didn't know I could magically break cookers now!
[ Who throws broken glass around, Tidus. But he knows better than try to lie his way out of it (ten years with Auron will teach you that), even if that doesn't mean he won't try to give excuses. ]
Ah.
[ Regis breathes out, his shoulders lowering slightly, and he takes a moment to look over the situation.
Then he shakes his head, face easing. ]
It is difficult to adjust, a first, to how powerful an effect emotions, and emotional magic, have on everything here. There are ways to ease those effects, though those take time to make work.
If you give me a moment, we can go out to where the outbursts will be less of a problem?
[ AKA, take a walk with me? ]
[ Regis breathes out, his shoulders lowering slightly, and he takes a moment to look over the situation.
Then he shakes his head, face easing. ]
It is difficult to adjust, a first, to how powerful an effect emotions, and emotional magic, have on everything here. There are ways to ease those effects, though those take time to make work.
If you give me a moment, we can go out to where the outbursts will be less of a problem?
[ AKA, take a walk with me? ]
[ He wants to get defensive over it being an outburst, at the chance that the guy is going to start getting into dunamis, the word and everything about it becoming an irritation to Tidus's ears. But there's no real defence to give, and he can't be preemptively moody over something that isn't brought up.
... or really, he currently doesn't have the right to any of those reactions, half-soaked and with the faint burnt smell of metal in the kitchen because of him. ]
Sure, [ he agrees reluctantly, his head lifting, but his gaze looking nowhere in particular until he inspects himself. ]
I should probably change.
[ Well, he'll need to go back to the apartment for that. ]
... or really, he currently doesn't have the right to any of those reactions, half-soaked and with the faint burnt smell of metal in the kitchen because of him. ]
Sure, [ he agrees reluctantly, his head lifting, but his gaze looking nowhere in particular until he inspects himself. ]
I should probably change.
[ Well, he'll need to go back to the apartment for that. ]
Yes. I could probably find some clean clothes that will fit you, or we can meet outside town in about... twenty minutes?
[ Dunamis... important, but definitely not a quick fix, nor appropriate for everyone. Tidus seems to need to let things out now, and that is also important. ]
[ Dunamis... important, but definitely not a quick fix, nor appropriate for everyone. Tidus seems to need to let things out now, and that is also important. ]
[ Oh, was there maybe somewhere Regis actually wanted to go with him? ...which he did say, yes, but it hadn't registered to Tidus as that until then.
He peels some of his shirt away from himself. ]
It's better I wear my sports uniform when I get like this. It's water proof. [ He then lets it go, looking at Regis with frown. ] You don't have to do anything, you now. I can just go for a walk. I've already made you deal with enough mess.
[ He gestures to the cooker as he says that, exasperated. And now there's more (and that doesn't even include the hoover). ]
No one needs to deal with my problems. You or Auron.
He peels some of his shirt away from himself. ]
It's better I wear my sports uniform when I get like this. It's water proof. [ He then lets it go, looking at Regis with frown. ] You don't have to do anything, you now. I can just go for a walk. I've already made you deal with enough mess.
[ He gestures to the cooker as he says that, exasperated. And now there's more (and that doesn't even include the hoover). ]
No one needs to deal with my problems. You or Auron.
I know. You can deal with this on your own, and I could leave you to it, but there are some things which are worse in solitude.
Even if you don't find words to talk to me, I choose to stand by your side and help you work through it. And protect anyone who needs protecting from what happens - you, if necessary, too.
[ Slowly, Regis smiles. It's gentle, and a little sad. ]
There are many things we can do in solitude, Tidus. That doesn't mean that's the best way, or how all people who care will want it to be. And I say that as having left someone I care much about to deal with a lot without me.
This time, you need not do it alone.
Even if you don't find words to talk to me, I choose to stand by your side and help you work through it. And protect anyone who needs protecting from what happens - you, if necessary, too.
[ Slowly, Regis smiles. It's gentle, and a little sad. ]
There are many things we can do in solitude, Tidus. That doesn't mean that's the best way, or how all people who care will want it to be. And I say that as having left someone I care much about to deal with a lot without me.
This time, you need not do it alone.
[ Out on the front door step is a tupperware container, with the note ‘Christmas cookies--leftovers’ scrawled in Spiran handwriting--the only clue of who it might be from, when there’s no name attached.
Inside, it’s as it says on the lid...somewhat. There’s cookies alright, but such a mismatch of all sorts tightly packed together. There’s a couple of jammy dodgers in the shape of moogle heads, its nose showing as jam in the centre. Normal circular gingerbread biscuits, chocolate gingerbread biscuits, florentines, white chocolate and cranberry, almond and coconut. There’s also three raspberry and custard viennesse whirls with blue food colouring in the soft biscuit, because why not.
There’s another note inside listing the biscuits, without actually saying which is which. The only other note is a strip of paper attached to tissue paper, wrapped around something.
‘A girl called Serah made this’
Inside it is a cookie in the shape of the Zanarkand Abes logo, that’s gone soft by now and whenever it was originally gifted. ...it might be easy to guess who he wanted to see it, even if he doesn’t directly state it.Regis, obviously. ]
Inside, it’s as it says on the lid...somewhat. There’s cookies alright, but such a mismatch of all sorts tightly packed together. There’s a couple of jammy dodgers in the shape of moogle heads, its nose showing as jam in the centre. Normal circular gingerbread biscuits, chocolate gingerbread biscuits, florentines, white chocolate and cranberry, almond and coconut. There’s also three raspberry and custard viennesse whirls with blue food colouring in the soft biscuit, because why not.
There’s another note inside listing the biscuits, without actually saying which is which. The only other note is a strip of paper attached to tissue paper, wrapped around something.
‘A girl called Serah made this’
Inside it is a cookie in the shape of the Zanarkand Abes logo, that’s gone soft by now and whenever it was originally gifted. ...it might be easy to guess who he wanted to see it, even if he doesn’t directly state it.
[Taped to Regis and Auron's room door is a nondescript envelope that when opened features a series of tickets, some brochures and a custom flyer with lots of hearts and stars and shiny dots to replicate glitter (he was told including actual glitter would not be very romantic :|) and a dark motif with the text:]
'All-expenses paid romantic adventure getaway for Regis and Auron.
Please make your way to Shaarnath at your earliest convenience.
[And another note that's handwritten by Jecht 'Go crazy, lovebirds. Try to relax.'
Tickets feature access to use of a wyvern at the ranch, access to the games at Arcadia, written instructions to local-favorite pools, and the inn they'll be staying at.]
'All-expenses paid romantic adventure getaway for Regis and Auron.
Please make your way to Shaarnath at your earliest convenience.
[And another note that's handwritten by Jecht 'Go crazy, lovebirds. Try to relax.'
Tickets feature access to use of a wyvern at the ranch, access to the games at Arcadia, written instructions to local-favorite pools, and the inn they'll be staying at.]
[ HE HATES THAT HE EVEN LISTENED TO HIS OLD MAN IN THE END.
But on a table in the house in simple brown shopping wrapping is a Book of Dad Jokes, with such amazing works of art such as:
- 'Today, my son asked "Can I have a book mark?" and I burst into tears. 11 years old and he still doesn't know my name is Brian.'
- 'If a child refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?'
- 'When you ask a dad if he's alright: "No, I’m half left.”'
- 'A son handed his dad his 50th birthday card. You know, one would have been enough.'
And so forth. Should he have gotten a dad focused book? Regardless, there's a small envelope attached to the front with Regis's name across it, inside a small card:
'I'm doing late holiday gift giving and someone told me this is up your alley. Let me know if they work on Auron.
Keep bugging him with them even if they don't.
Tidus'
There's more he'd like to say to the guy married to Auron (or know. and know), but this as far as he'll go in a stupid note. Can't sound like we care too much, now. ]
But on a table in the house in simple brown shopping wrapping is a Book of Dad Jokes, with such amazing works of art such as:
- 'Today, my son asked "Can I have a book mark?" and I burst into tears. 11 years old and he still doesn't know my name is Brian.'
- 'If a child refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?'
- 'When you ask a dad if he's alright: "No, I’m half left.”'
- 'A son handed his dad his 50th birthday card. You know, one would have been enough.'
And so forth. Should he have gotten a dad focused book? Regardless, there's a small envelope attached to the front with Regis's name across it, inside a small card:
'I'm doing late holiday gift giving and someone told me this is up your alley. Let me know if they work on Auron.
Keep bugging him with them even if they don't.
Tidus'
There's more he'd like to say to the guy married to Auron (or know. and know), but this as far as he'll go in a stupid note. Can't sound like we care too much, now. ]
[ Sheena's looking a little unsure here, King!Dad-in-Law. ]
Hey, Regis? Are you free to talk? I need to ask you something.
Hey, Regis? Are you free to talk? I need to ask you something.
Well, sorta. [ She sighs and places a hand on her head. Hello, cast! ]
It's Machina.
It's Machina.
I'm always concerned about him.
[ It's how she rolls. ]
But this time, he won't stop feeling guilty about an accident I've forgiven him for.
[ It's how she rolls. ]
But this time, he won't stop feeling guilty about an accident I've forgiven him for.
Uhhh... well, not entirely.
[ And that would be a yes about the arm. ]
[ And that would be a yes about the arm. ]
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