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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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You'll see.

[ And he will a moment later, as once Joshua has the ring on his finger, Clive turns and opens the door again.

And Torgal happily pads in, tail wagging contently as he moves over to put his chin on Joshua's knee. Clive grins a little and tilts his head. ]

Well? Say hello.

"Joshua!" [ Wagwagwag. And since Clive can't hear it now, he glances to Joshua to see if Torgal did or not. ]

Edited 2025-03-06 13:43 (UTC)

[ Well! Tonight is just surprises on top of surprises. ]

Wh-- Torgal!

[ Clive had requested him! They had talked about it, of course, but in the flurry of everything that's happened the last few days, he had all but forgotten. Joshua laughs, reaching down with both hands to gently ruffle the wolf's ears.

And when he so clearly hears Torgal say his name, his eyes widen, and he looks up to Clive. ]

He can speak?

With the ring, you're able to understand him.

[ Torgal scoots himself forward enough to sit down and get his ear rubs, mouth dropping open to pant. Clive closes the door finally and moves to sit himself down on a chair, tail curling to the side. ]

Ambrosia is here as well and she had quite a few things to say about the state of my everything.

[ Disheveled, in a good need of a preen, and then she saw the tomas chicks and promptly sat on them. ]

I'll take you to see her in the barn later, if you want, she's getting settled in.

And Ambrosia, too. Founder, we are slowly accumulating our entire home, aren't we? But I would expect nothing less from her.

[ Torgal gets a very good session of ear rubs, and Joshua looks down at him fondly. Home is less a place, now, and more a gathering of people, of beloved creatures. And the more that gather here, the warmer his heart becomes. ]

I would love to see her again. She can have my share of the carrots.

I'm hoping these are the last.

[ Because he hasn't heard of the animals getting injured or hurt here, so he's far more confident bringing in copies of them, than anyone else. He'd rather Dion not be here, after all, but the man also gets a second chance and also hopefully some mental healing from it.

After getting enough, Torgal stands to pad over to the window, turn a few times, then drop himself down with a huge huff, closing his eyes. Clives expression is fond as he watches him, before turning back to Joshua. ]

I'm sure she'll scold you too.

[ Watching Torgal flop to the floor with a huff makes Joshua laugh softly. Even if he is just a copy, it feels so... right, having him here. More complete. And even if he is just a copy, he felt so real beneath his hands. And hearing him talk!

But speaking of the ring, Joshua slides it from his finger now that Torgal is taking a break to rest, handing it back to Clive. ]

I can only imagine. I have feathers for her to preen now.

[ He takes the ring back and slips it back onto his finger, the ring adjusting to fit. And he smiles a little, thoughtful. ]

She already thought you were a bird, you know. "The chick is here too? Very good!" And then she said she hated my horns.

[ He shakes his head gently, glancing up at his brother. ]

Little bits of home...

[ She knows? Joshua laughs, short, soft, and surprised. ]

I suppose she did see me that night at Phoenix Gate... Unless she has always thought of me as a bird.

[ Now that they can speak to her, he may have to ask. He's curious.

But Clive's words turn his smile fond, and he looks back up at his brother. ]

Let's hope that no one else is drawn into this. But the pieces of home that we do have are comforting all the same.

You'll have to ask her yourself.

[ No one else. It makes him nod. He doesn't want Jill here, or Gav, or Mid. ]

As glad as I am we're making connections with others, it's good to have a little memory with us.

[ His brother, Torgal and Ambrosia now. Dion, and the side of him neither of them got to see. And thinking of Dion, he arches his eyebrow gently at his brother, his gaze turning teasing. ]

Though I suspect someone is enjoying having someone from home a little more than the other...

Edited 2025-03-06 15:13 (UTC)

I plan to.

[ He laughs as he says it. That ring could certainly come in handy, though... He wonders what else they might be able to speak to with it. ]

A little, yes. Particularly Torgal. How could we possibly go through our days without him?

[ Joshua angles his eyes to look back at the wolf laying dozing on the floor, knowing he isn't far enough asleep to not hear the praise.

Clive's next words make his brow furrow in confusion, though, and he turns to look back at his brother. ]

Well, I highly doubt that. We both love Torgal equally, do we not?

[ Yeah it most certainly makes Torgals tail thump against the ground, gentle thwap thwap thwap before it stills again, the wolf huffing softly. Clive can't help but feel amusement - ah, is this how it feels when he's on the other side, looking on in confusion.

This is Joshua, however, and Clive absolutely will bite. ]

That we do, but there was someone who came before, or did I merely dredge his ghost up from my memories?

[ Someone who came before. The answer comes to Joshua immediately, and the tips of Joshua's ears flush just slightly beneath his hair. At the same time, a lump forms in his throat, one that he has difficulty swallowing down. ]

Dion? Well, I-- Of course I enjoy his company. We have not had the chance to speak as friends in years.

[ That's all it is! Clearly. ]

Hm.

[ That's big brother for "got you". Clive rests his cheek in his hand, elbow propped on the table in front of him. ]

Couldn't help but notice a suspicious lack of the two of you at the bar. There's nothing untoward going on I should be aware of, is there?

[ The glitter in his eye is bright. ]

[ The blush is quickly bleeding from his ears to his cheeks the more that Clive pushes, and Joshua's feathers slowly begin to ruffle up in unconscious response. ]

Clive-- Of course there isn't. We simply walked back to the inn together, that's all.

[ His heart is hammering in his chest for entirely unrelated reasons. ]

[ Ah, the big brother is satisfied. He chuckles hard as his brother flusters, his tail slowly rolling along the floor in a sway. The feathers always amuse him. It's very much like watching Ambrosia get ruffled. ]

Together to the Inn.

While talking. And then we parted ways.

[ Really, Clive. ]

I... fear that I may have overstepped a couple of days ago while tending to his wounds. He did not come to the clinic for a change of bandages the next day, and at the bar, he told me that he would recover on his own and then tried to leave. I simply wanted to make certain that all was well.

[ Their conversation had gone well, at least. He still isn't certain where exactly they stand, but it's... better?

But Clive speaking about him leaving the bar with company just makes him think of where Clive has been all night, and he frowns, lifting his eyebrows. ]

And what of you? Dancing with Luca and then slipping upstairs?

Hm.

[ He does hope Dion is all right, though. The man has only recently had his Father torn from him, had his life turned upside down, and his views flipped on their head. It's going to take him a while until he learns he's got people beside him.

Oh.

Ah.

He knew he was leaving himself open for a return jab but it still makes his cheeks flare red. ]

We were discussing Chess strategy.

[ You didn't see them come downstairs and play chess after like it was really bad innuendo. Cause you weren't there, Clive battling down his blush - or trying to - to lock eyes with Joshua. ]

And did Dion take the advise of "his healer"?

[ He can see that blush, Clive. Don't think that he can't. ]

Chess strategy.

[ Said in the tone of "and chocobos can fly". But he finds himself smiling fondly at his brother anyway, letting his hand drip from his lips so that he can worry his fingers together at his knees. ]

I have seen the way that you look at him, Clive. I think it's sweet that you've found someone you like, and he seems to like you, too. If you want to spend private time together for any reason, that is your business, not mine.

[ But then Clive rebutts with that, and the smile vanishes from Joshua's face, that lump coming right back to his throat. ]

He said that?

[ Oh, Founder. ]

[ He huffs softly, this is not about him and Luca but you and Dion, SIR, but he does... take that to heart. He's pleased with Joshua's approval, it means a lot to him that Joshua is urging him to be happy. Not even asking him about Jill, though he knows they should probably talk about it.

And he laughs to Joshua's surprise, giving his brother a fond look in return. ]

He did. He thinks highly of you, you know.

[ Clive can see it, even if he can't sometimes see other things staring him in the face. ]

We don't know how much time we have here, so take what moments you can. Wouldn't you agree?

[ Mister I Think It's Sweet. ]

[ Oh. He'd thought that... that it wasn't something taken seriously. But for him to say it later, to Clive, means that Dion had been thinking of it after the fact.

Had Dion truly been flirting with him? He had dismissed it, especially after Dion had apologized for the wording, but now he finds himself wondering. After realizing that Ezell had been flirting with him earlier that night - and more than just the one night, at that, long before that night - it's entirely possible.

But... no. It's hard for him to fully believe. Dion doesn't seem the type. Joshua pulls in a breath, turning his head to look towards Torgal with a soft sigh. ]

... I think he has someone at home, Clive. Someone important to him. He said as much. And if that is the case, I'm certain he doesn't think highly of me in that way.

[ Clive has Jill at home, technically, but. Maybe he misunderstood, when he'd urged Clive to take Jill to see the flowers? Perhaps there hadn't been anything there after all. Clive certainly doesn't seem to be bothered by his interest in Luca. ]

I am content to be his friend. We were robbed of the chance long ago, but friends are one thing that could do him some good now.

[ That makes Clives brow furrow a little bit, thoughtful. Dion had someone? Not that Clive can talk, after all, his tail tip tapping against the side of the chair lightly in thought. He hums softly, folding his arms over his chest as he leans back in his chair, assuming a more comfortable position in thought. ]

I just want you to be happy, Joshua. And if Dion can make you happy, then take it with both hands.

[ It was high time they live for themselves, for their own happiness. Though he sighs softly to the idea of Dion having someone, adjusting a little in his chair. ]

And... if you're not sure, ask him if he's seeing someone. It might be like Jill and I. Clinging because we understood one another, and we were memories of a better time in the past.

[ And he knows now, at least, that his and Jills relationship wasn't healthy, nor - probably - truly loving. Stolen moments of comfort, "fate"... He shakes his head a little, looking up to his brother. ]

But I won't push, nor mention it again, if that's your wish. Because you're not wrong, he truly does need friends.

[ Clive does have good advice, really. Joshua sits as his brother speaks, watching Torgal doze, listening to the words of wisdom. Clive just wants him to be happy. That's all that he's ever wanted for him.

But he sighs softly as Clive finishes, closing his eyes. ]

No, I... I am glad to have your support, Clive. I truly am. Please, do not take my hesitation as a lack of interest.

[ The last thing he wants is to chase Clive away, when he only wants what's best for him. Clive cares about him, and he cares about Clive. It's hypocritical of him to support Clive's interest in Luca while shooting down Clive's support of him. ]

I... do like Dion. I enjoy being in his company. He is brilliant, and strong, and kind. But it has been a handful of months for us since our encounter with Ultima. For him, it is still so fresh. I do not wish to make him uncomfortable when I have already done so once.

[ There is a lot he is finding himself having to handle with kid gloves. Dion needs, and deserves, time to adjust.

But Joshua does sigh again, sliding his hand through his hair and between his horns. ]

It is like trying to coax a wild animal to trust you, in some ways. But I am trying.

[ And he listens, nodding lightly. He gets it. And he figured his brother did, anyone who watched him throw himself into Dion's arms after the one battle would have to have been blind not to see something. And he watches his brother with a soft fond look. ]

He'll come around.

[ He pushes himself off the chair and moves over to sit beside Joshua, Torgal instantly 'awake' - the liar - to come over to them both to hop up beside them and lean as well. Clive makes a noise that sounds like 'Torgal' before its cut off mid-word to the wolf-dog crawling into their laps to sprawl across them both, Clive heaving a sigh and laying his hands on the wolfs back to just pet. ]

In the meantime, be his friend. I'll do the same, but he's far more charmed with you. Remind him he's not alone. And should he wish it, he won't ever be again.

[ That soft, fond look is returned by one in kind. ]

Eventually. Perhaps.

[ Even if it's just as a friend, he'll be happy. Because Dion deserves happiness, too. Happiness, and an environment to surround himself in that isn't toxic and destructive.

But before he can say as much, here comes Torgal. He begins to say something, but like Clive, his words are cut off by Torgal just taking liberties and sprawling across their laps. He can't help but laugh, fingers reaching to gently scratch at his back. Torgal is so big these days. ]

... do you truly think he's charmed with me?

[ Someone has been blind. ]

[ And the wolf will take his due attention, tail wagging away and smacking Clive repeatedly. He gets the butt end, Joshua gets the snoot. Clive feels this is very unfair.

The question makes him blink and then glance up to his brother. ]

... Founder's Flames, Joshua...

[ This is truly what Jill must have felt, or Luca. He shakes his head at his brother and laughs, not unkindly, just in amusement. Leans in to knock their shoulders together. ]

Yes.

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