and every broken heart will mend

[scourgingstars]

[Not too long after the trial, a note found its way under everyone's doors, all of them written in the same neat handwriting that had been asking after a ring not that long ago.]

If any of you would prefer not to be left alone after all of that, I propose we meet in the dining hall. Nari has taken up cooking at the moment, and should anyone wish to talk I will be present regardless of whether or not the group at large should choose to join us.

-Ardyn

[True to his word, Ardyn was at a smaller table in the dining hall with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him; lost in thought leaning his head on one hand as the other turned a silver coin over between his fingers.]

[King in an empty hall, and savior of nothing. All that effort to prevent bloodshed, and it had come down to a situation designed to force their hand from the beginning.]

Comments

[scourgingstars]

You need not concern yourself with me. I can handle myself well enough; it's the others that worry me. If you'll be insistent upon helping me, look after them as best you can.

[motherfucking_ghost]

[Oh look, it's Ardyn's good buddy, that look of vague skepticism on Church's face.] Even kings get tired. Hell, I think kings especially get tired. [Not physically, this one, obviously.]

But okay. I'll try and rally the troops. Squad leadership and all that.

[scourgingstars]

Come now, you know my lack of sleeping habits. [Ardyn smiled, but it did seem just a little worn out after everything.] I'm not capable of feeling tired anymore.

[And that...was really starting to bother him, not knowing why he was like this.]

Things are not going to be easy from here on. If the worst should happen and we go through this again, I need you to try and keep yourself as calm as you're able. I will not argue that to be a simple matter, but for everyone's sake as many of us need to be resolved as we can be if we all hope to survive this.

[motherfucking_ghost]

...I...can make absolutely zero promises on keeping calm. I'm, uh. [horribly self-aware when he wants to be] Kinda not the calmest person you'll ever meet. It helps I'm not surrounded by absolute morons, of course.

[scourgingstars]

Believe me, that did not escape my notice.

[at all]

That would be why the operative word is 'try'.

[motherfucking_ghost]

[what is emotional regulation, that's not a thing people do!]

I will try my hardest not to go into screaming ragefits. For the sake of everyone else.

[scourgingstars]

I appreciate the restraint. At this rate, I'll make a temporary Kingsglaive of you yet.