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INVENTORY
· His canon clothing.
· His canon sword, The Burning Thorn.
· His half of The Founder's Grasp, a pair of bracelets of which Clive possesses the twin.
    NOTE: Ydalir has enchanted this bracelet, allowing Joshua to assume the form of a small,
    cockatiel-sized Phoenix.
· His copy of the Journal of Moss.
· A photographed family portrait of his own family, in fine (but not royal) clothing and
    appearing happy.
· A stock of medicine for his coughing, supplied by Pure Vanilla Cookie.
· An ear cuff, custom made by Sesa and gifted to him by Dion.
    NOTE: Ydalir has enchanted this ear cuff, allowing Joshua to create a small ball of light
    similar to Dion's that fires three quick laser blasts before disappearing.
· A small stolas, requested from home. Her name is Willowisp, and she coos a lot and
    accepts snacks.
    NOTE: Pure Vanilla Cookie has now linked her as Joshua's familiar.

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[He's doing such a good job of it too. There is untold gratitude in the look that Luca gives Joshua, a thousand silent thank yous for him having even listened in the first place. It's all still difficult for him to say out loud, but he gets the feeling Joshua might understand that.]

I should hope that you would remain my friend. If I recall, we knew each other before I got to know Clive.

[His tone is slightly teasing, which might come as a relief considering everything. Luca isn't so lost in his thoughts to not give a gentle little ribbing.]

I did have one other concern, should you still feel willing to advise. I know I have already asked quite a bit of you.

[ Ah. It truly does come as a relief, honestly, and the words make Joshua laugh softly against the side of his hand. ]

We did, indeed. I'm afraid you cannot get rid of me so easily.

[ Teasing for teasing. It's nice, to be able to have this level of casual conversation. He's used to ribbing Clive, and now Dion just a little bit here and there, but expanding out to others feels... good. ]

Oh, of course. Go right ahead. I don't mind at all. What is it?

[It's said as a joke, but... Luca finds it relieving all the same. Reluctant though he might yet be to admit it, he does find himself in need of friends. He can't go crying to his sibling all of the time.

He draws in a breath, steadying himself a touch before he continues. This one is... a bit more intimate, and he feels guilty subjecting Joshua to it. But, he needs to get it out in the open, so he stops worrying about the possibility.]

Clive is a good man. Attentive. Gentle. Warm. [Is he gushing? He's gushing.] He is every bit the man I would have fallen for in my early years. And yet...

[His hands tighten against the mug. Vivid memories flash through his mind, ones that he can't bring himself to say he hates, even if he so desperately might have wanted to.]

In my travels, there... was a man that I frequently crossed paths with. He was, without a doubt, the most infuriating wretch that I came across, and yet... he and I kept falling in with one another. It was all very, ah. Combative. Bloody. Violent.

I suppose some part of me worries that anything less might bore me now.

[ ... oh. It takes just a second to realize what Luca means, but once it does register, his eyes widen and quickly glance away to the floor, his head turning to follow suit a second later. If the shells of his ears and his cheeks begin to turn a faint pink, no they don't.

Combative, bloody, and violent. ]

Well. I can't exactly say anything about... that part of things. Though, I do know that my brother is entirely capable of being, ah. Rather intense, particularly during combat.

[ He has fought alongside Clive enough to know that, at least. Whether it's just how he is, or some product of being Ifrit's Dominant, he cannot fully say. He doesn't recall Clive being so intense in their younger days, before he'd awakened as Ifrit, but he'd never fought alongside Clive back then, either. Only watched him spar in the bailey. And Clive had beaten Lord Murdoch back then, but to speak of intensity the way he sees it now... ]

I would include that in your talks, I think, if you worry it may be a concern. But you never know until you try, I suppose? Who knows, you might even surprise yourself.

[There's something about how Joshua responds that brings Luca to his senses. He releases one hand from the mug in favor of thunking it against his forehead. He's such an idiot, rambling about this sort of thing to Clive's brother. He wasn't likely to have any insight.]

I'm sorry. This is... highly inappropriate. Especially to discuss with you.

[He knows the sinkhole issue has been resolved, and never impacted the grove proper. But man does he wish one would open up and swallow him whole. Especially when he still manages to keep talking. Not exactly about that, but it's close enough.]

I just... worry. I have seen the way he responds to gentle affection. I think he needs a kinder hand, at least time to time. And I worry I may not be good enough to offer it.

[--ah. The moment that Luca says those words, Joshua understands, and all traces of embarrassment are gone. No longer is this out of his wheelhouse - it is a matter of his brother's personal well-being. And if there's anything he is qualified to speak of, it is that. ]

No, it is quite all right. I understand.

[ He shifts, ignoring his set-aside mug of tea in favor of facing Luca once more. ]

I think that we all need a kinder hand from time to time. But I do think that you sell yourself short, Luca. You worry about not being "good" enough, and yet here you are, caring enough about him to come to me to ask for advice. That tells me all that I need to know. You are concerned for his well-being, much as I am, and I could not ask for more.

I believe you will do just fine - and we can work together to help him. You are... capable of reaching him in ways that I cannot.

[ To put it lightly. Ahem. ]

[Luca chooses a terrible time to distract himself with finishing off his tea. Joshua's final words cause him to cough, then choke. He sputters for a moment before forcing himself to swallow. All the while, his feathers puff up, partially out of agitation from the coughing, and partially from his current state of fluster.

His eyes are still watering when he finally looks at Joshua again. He huffs once, hopes that it'll go unnoticed, and then gives a... rather stiff nod.]

I... hope you are right. It is as I said. I only want to do right by him. I have learned just enough about him to know that he was not dealt a kind hand. And... if he so decides to be kind to me in turn, how could I ever complain.

[He cracks a smile.]

You truly did prime him well.

[ Oh. Oh no, poor Luca. Joshua sputters softly, lifting a hand to ineffectively help his friend through the coughing, because really, resting his hand on Luca's back is all he can do. ]

My apologies.

[ But the corners of his mouth are pulled up as he says it, which makes him sound not quite as sorry as he truly is.

As soon as Luca is alright, he removes his hand, nodding. ]

Rosaria was founded upon kindness. I would be an awfully ill-fitting Archduke if I did not embody the same.

[Oh, Luca has reason to severely doubt that smile. He narrows his eyes, but says nothing outright accusatory. He is watching you though, Joshua. He doesn't trust you one bit.

(Untrue, Luca actually trusts him so much. Don't tell).]

If only more leaders were as kindly as you. I think a great many worlds would find themselves far better off.

[But hey, he's glad Joshua is here in this one.]

[ It's probably good not to trust him. He is, after all, a younger brother, and he might be full of mischief.

But he laughs at that, softly, kindly. ]

I agree. Though, I am not the leader of anything, really. Rosaria, as a place, ended long ago when the Empire broke down our doors. But the spirit of Rosaria lives on in the people that survived, and that is enough for me.

[ He doesn't seem upset by recalling it. If anything, his smile turns soft and wistful. ]

Clive is exemplary of that. He, too, embodies all that Rosaria is, was, and could have been. You will not find a finer man in all of Valisthea.

[ ... though, Dion is an incredibly close second. But Luca is not attempting to court Dion. ]

You may not have a banner, but you still have the heart of a leader. I have no doubt that you will at least help us find proper direction in this world.

[Granted, there are like 50 different leaders in the town, but he doesn't point that out. Their equal qualifications don't really diminish Joshua's own.]

I doubt I could find a finer man anywhere. If I am being honest, my younger self would be over the moon at knowing someone like him.

[His current self is also over the moon, but that's not the point.]

Thank you for your vote of confidence, Luca. I certainly hope that I can do something to help.

[ Because that's what he does best. He may be the suzerain of the Undying, but that's really all he leads these days. There are far better leaders here, and he knows it. But, so long as he can help, that's what matters most. It's why he's been throwing his all into learning how to heal without relying on his magic.

Luca's comment makes him chuckle, though. His younger self? ]

If you ask me, it seems that your current self is also over the moon.

[ But it's said with the same smile he'd given alongside the apology a moment ago. You just had a whole conversation with him that proves as much, sir. ]

[Luca responds only with a huff. He waves Joshua off with one hand, while finishing his tea with the other. He turns to the sink, carefully scrubbing the mug. Yes, he's ignoring Joshua's teasing, thank you.

... Not for long, though. He turns back with... something of a timid smile? Almost shy when it comes to addressing Joshua.]

I shall not keep you any longer. Your advice has been most welcome. I... think I have a clearer idea of what I must do next.

[ Probably for the best that he does ignore it, really. Joshua doesn't want to push, so it's the last teasing he truly plans to do. Luca had come to him in confidence, after all, and though he feels like the level of comfort between them has relaxed somewhat, he isn't pressing his luck.

But the eventual smile is returned with one considerably more solid and warm. ]

You are very welcome. If you need anything at all in the future, please do not hesitate to find me. I am at your service.

I'm sure I will. But hopefully for something less dire. This is twice now that you've helped me out of a pinch.

[Because dating drama and the nethersea brand are totally on the same level.]

You are a good friend, Joshua. I am grateful to have met you.

[And once the sappiness gets to Luca, and he realizes how cringe he's being, he's going to scuttle off. Help him, his ears are burning again.]

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