kingincognito | sticks inbox/inventory

sticks inbox/inventory

♡

code credit

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

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.

[ Snoot end just means that back scritches eventually shift to ear scritches, so sorry about that tail, Clive. Torgal is enjoying himself, are you going to tell him no?

The laugh and the exasperated response makes him sputter, ears flushing a bit once more. ]

It cannot be that obvious.

[ Can it? ]

[ Your brother is not going to give that an answer, letting his silence say just how much he thinks you're silly. You're absolutely silly, Joshua. Instead he talks to Torgal, scratching the wolf on the back. ]

Whose a good boy, Torgal? Wh- no it's not Joshua, it's you.

[ There's no need for a bone ring to know the answer, Clive shaking his head gently as he continues to be pelted with the tail. ]

He truly smiles with you, brother.

[ Joshua wants to huff at that, he truly does, but... Instead, he huffs out a soft laugh, looking down at the wolf-dog whose face he currently holds in his hands. ]

Thank you for your vote of confidence, Torgal. But you are a very good boy.

[ Still... If what Clive says is true, and Dion truly does smile with him... No. He won't get his hopes up. But it does give him hope that Dion can find happiness here, even if just in friendship. ]

I'm glad one of us has noticed, then.

[ Get licked, Joshua, he knows he's a VERY good boy but you guys are too so there. He drops his head down dramatically over the side of Joshua's lap to just lay there. Clive rolls his eyes and pats the wolf on the back.

Then laughs, soft and warm. ]

I think it's a Rosfield thing. I wonder if Father ever had similar issues. Because it certainly took me a while as well.

[ Joshua was there for his suddenly 3am stumbling back to the bar. ]

[ Oh, Torgal licks. He missed those. Joshua laughs softly, ruffling Torgal's ears and then letting go so he can be a dramatic dog. ]

I wish we could ask him.

[ His tone isn't sad. Just... thoughtful. But after a moment, he laughs softly, turning to look at Clive. He certainly was there for the 3am stumble. ]

... so, you and Jill, then...?

[ He won't press. He's just... curious. ]

[ It makes him smile a little, thinking of how their father might respond. The laugh makes him hm, glancing towards Joshua and getting whacked in the face with Torgals tail for his trouble.

He pushes the wolf off his lap, which just results in the slowest side off until Torgal is half on Joshua and half on the floor now. There, better. ]

I'm not entirely sure. I- [ A pause, his smile fading into a thoughtful frown. ] I'm not sure we're "in love" so much as we loved the comfort and the memory of the past. She reminded me of better times.

[ Wow, Clive, how cruel could you be? Look at this sad Torgal face. Look how awkwardly he's sitting now. ]

... that makes sense. No wonder you asked me to ask Dion.

[ It's possible, that maybe that's what it is. Or maybe Dion was betrothed to someone. It's hard to say. He won't make any assumptions - if Dion wants to tell him, he will. ]

No matter what, Jill is still someone very important. To both of us. If it isn't meant to be between the two of you, she will still be there.

[ He'll survive.

And he inclines his head a little in a half nod to Joshua getting it, rubbing his finger on his knee before shifting into a comfortable lean, his elbows on his legs and his hand clasped to his wrist. ]

I love her, there's no question of that. She loves me. No matter what comes, I know she'll be there, for both of us.

[ There's no reason to say the but. But neither of them got to live free until they met each other, neither of them got to explore a world. Neither did Joshua. Founder, he highly doubts Dion did either. So they all clung to stability. ]

I hope you find your happiness, Joshua, with Dion or otherwise. Let yourself live. [ For once. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject