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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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[ 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. ]

[ The lean is nice. Joshua shifts in turn, leaning more comfortably into it once Clive has settled a bit, letting his head tip against his brother's. ]

I hope you do, too, Clive. You, out of all of us...

[ They all deserve happiness. But Clive most of all. After all that he's been through, Joshua would fight to secure it for his brother. ]

It feels strange, being able to lead a normal life. I'm not even certain I know what that is supposed to feel like anymore.

[ He's glad he's clipped his horns down, the lean against his head making him smile a little again. It's warm and comfortable, and eases a lot of weight off him he didn't realize he was holding.

The out of all of us comment makes him shake his head a little, however. He's not had it any worse than they have. And then he laughs cause- ]

Truly. What are you supposed to do when you're not chasing down Gods, fighting monsters, or saving the world?

[ Founder, what a question. Joshua laughs, softly, as though the notion is ridiculous. ]

Attend parties. Explore your courting opportunities. Find meaningful ways to aid the people around you.

[ It's a lot like what he expects it would have been like to become the Archduke, once he came of age. Minus all of the paperwork and meetings involved.

But he does snort softly after a moment, just barely turning his head as though he can look at Clive that way while they're tilting their heads together. ]

Did you know that Ezell has been flirting with me? This whole time, I never realized.

Hm. I suppose I can do that.

[ Yes, they have a lot to do still. The library, bringing Beiwe's church to the grove, taking down Suri but he won't lie and say it's not nice to simply relax here or there. The turning of Joshua's head makes him turn his own a little, looking at him from the corner of his eye.

To blink.

Amusement floods his expression. ]

Ah, brother, we're both very hopeless. I knew, yes. He showed interest during the meeting, as well.

[ Joshua pauses for a moment, taking in the words in silence.

And after a handful of seconds passed in it, he sits up a little more, turning his head further to look at Clive. ]

You're joking.

[ Torgal huffs to the continued movement and finally just climbs onto the bed proper to curl up.

And Clive arches an eyebrow at his brother, turning to face him better now that they're free of wolf. ]

I'm not.

[ ... well, if Clive won't take the bed that he inevitably moves in here to try to coax him off the couch, Torgal most certainly will. At least it will go to good use one way or another.

Joshua hesitates, then presses his hand to his lips, turning to look at the floor. The flush is there again on his cheeks, this time slightly embarrassed. ]

Founder. How many have I missed...?

[ Was it just Ezell? Have there been others? He feels out of his element, suddenly. ]

[ Clive loves you, Joshua, but Clive is also a big brother. So as his brother begins to flush again and lament how much he missed?

Clive laughs at him.

Not meanly of course, and it's not like he has the right all things considering but he's going to anyways. Reaches up and claps his brother on the shoulder as he does, squeezing and shaking him. ]

I'm sure they forgive you.

[ The laugh surprises Joshua nearly more than the clap of a hand on his shoulder and the resulting shake does. His wings twitch out behind him - thankfully there is nothing within range to be knocked over. ]

Clive!

[ It is a very serious situation! He... has potential suitors now?? Founder, it really is as though the last eighteen years were a fever dream and he's awakened from it to find he's been crowned the Archduke of Rosaria after all.

He presses a hand to his face, making a highly dramatized put-upon sort of noise. ]

Rosaria no longer stands, and yet I still find myself in the Archduke's dilemma...

Ah, to be pursued by many a suitor. Fear not, your shield stands ready to vet every one that dares come calling.

[ He grins and elbows his brother softly in the side, before reaching out to sling the arm around his shoulder and pull him into his side, conking their heads together. Squeezes lightly. ]

My baby brother, all grown up and getting looks.

[ It makes his heart ache, in a way. Joshua should have had this opportunity years ago. ]

[ That, at least, gets a soft huff of a laugh. He knows that it's a joke, at least. Or so he hopes. ]

I am not the only one, though. Luca seems to be just as smitten with you as you are with him.

[ He has seen the looks from both sides, you know. ]

Do you think you might court him?

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