middaeg | open catch-all + closed prompts for August

[During the thick of his fever, he often had a tenuous grasp on who he was with and an even looser hold on when and where he was with them as centuries old memories mingled with the barest of perceptions of what was really happening. Needless to say, this left Ozymandias with a faulty memory for the better part of the past month. However, even with a fever muddling everything, he was aware that Giorno had paid him a visit a handful of times and eventually those visits stopped. He didn't have much tiem to be offended at the drop in visits, however, as once his fever was weakening and time regained some of its former coherency, he learned Giorno had ended up only a few rooms down the hall, struggling with an illness of his own.]

[Ozymandias, of course, then demanded to see Giorno. Although pharaoh continues to hold little direct meaning, no was not an acceptable answer. Before long, Ozymandias took his evening meal with Giorno every evening that the pair of them were not otherwise occupied with visitors or more interested in rest than conversation. And when that was the case, it wasn't uncommon for Ozymandias to send along his well wishes and prayers to the gods through one of the infirmary witches (un?)fortunately charged with tending to Ozymandias.]

[Today, however, is a little different. This time, his visit to Giorno comes in the morning. While Ozymandias still has a little ways to go in terms of feeling more like himself, he's improved enough that he no longer requires such close monitoring that he need be at the infirmary. They advise him, of course, to wait until someone is there to take him back to his home, but such a suggestion is ludicrous as far as he's concerned. Besides, he's wanted nothing other than to leave since the moment he arrived. That restlessness has only increased in recent days, especially now that with his physical well-being improving, the flow of his magical energy feels stronger than its ever been.]

[So, a quick visit to Giorno to share the good news and then he's gone. At least until he's surprised but immensely pleased to find Giorno upright as well. That merits a little more time.]

It seems the gods have smiled upon us both and you are restored as well!

[When so much of his more recent existence has been so entwined with magic, it feels alien to him to feel still not quite himself physically and yet surging with power magically. He's equally inclined to listen to the witches in the infirmary and take the next couple of days easy as well as to throw caution to the wind and slip back into the classes. After all, he is behind relative to others after a month of not studying, and he has so much energy that he just wants to blow it off...]

[But he is still a little tired. And that's what keeps him hovering near the entrance of the Coven rather than following after the small packs of students drifting in and out, headed off to their next class or off to practice privately. It was embarrassing and shameful enough that he spent so much time in the infirmary. Pushing himself too hard to the point he passed out or couldn't complete the class for the day would be a little too much for his pride to take right now.]

[Hm.]

[What if he were to merely observe? He could certainly pick up a few things merely from watching the attempts of others. The only question is whether or not it would satisfy this...this itch to do something with all this pent up magic. He's not certain it would and that the temptation to do more than observe would be far too great for even him to resist.]

[Regretable though it may be, it is with a resigned sigh that he chooses to at least heed this small part of the witch's advice and take his leave of the Coven. He will simply have to lean on Zelda for a short while to catch himself back up later. Opening the door, he allows another to pass through first, gesturing for them to either step inside or out first. It's not something he would normally do, but he's rather reluctant to be walking away from this.]

I'm afraid if you were hoping to pay me a visit, you've wasted your time.

[He's free to leave the infirmary, but that doesn't mean that Ozymandias is capable of putting a great distance between him and the infirmary quickly just yet. The still lingering remnants of the snow adding its own layer of complication aside, he hasn't fully recovered the whole of his energy. Progress towards home must be slower than is ideal as a result and he hasn't made it very far from the Coven. But any lingering signs of fatigue are nowhere to be seen in Ozymandias' smile.]

I told you that your worry over my health was unnecessary, Saber. Perhaps in the future, you will listen to my words and heed their wisdom.

[Ah, but it's not just fatigue that he is keeping at bay. He thought perhaps listening to his body's desire for a little more rest and acceptance in taking it easy for the day would have resulted in something calming that niggling feeling inside him, but he still finds uncomfortable restlessness warring against his better judgment. Ozymandias wills himself to remain still now that he's come to a stop to speak with Arthur. He's fairly successful, but he ends up folding his arms to avoid fidgeting with his fingers as the tips begin to tingle slightly.]

[Nothing can truly keeps Ozymandias away from revelry, especially nothing as ostentaious as this, and so it should really surprise no one that's met him to find him out taking part in the festivities of Lùnasa.]

[Though Ozymandias is typically loath to have anything demanded of him, he doesn't mind being roped into the ceremonies around the city. They are joyous occasions and seem a natural extension of the festival that came before. Besides, how could he possibly say no to the little girl that approaches him to be her dance partner? By the time they're through, she's clearly a little dizzy after all her demands to be spun around, but entirely delighted that he didn't say no. It's also not entirely within him to decline when he's given such a desperate look from such young couples, so clearly desperate for things to be just so.]

[But he notices some of the mirrorbound are clearly a little more reluctant, and seem to be seeking any and all excuses to escape. Ozymandias doesn't allow for it though. Instead, he nudges them with an elbow.]

It won't take long. Why not?

[ The pharaoh’s brave face gets a soft smile out of Arthur— who looks notably different since the last time Ozymandias saw him. His small white stubs for horns have grown out into a much, much larger pair, smoothly curving down and forwards, the ends coming to a sharp point around his cheeks. His scales have darkened in color from their pale yellow sheen into a vivid marigold and they are visibly harder, covering more of his neck and hands now. They still hold that glint of red flame to them though.

For his part, Arthur’s lack of a Bond has caused him to feel exceptionally agitated over the last month, his worry for Ozymandias only serving to feed into that restlessness. The last full moon was a nightmare and not one Arthur is eager to repeat. There’s still a lot of cleaning up he and Berserker have to do to the house and he doesn’t imagine Ozymandias being particularly thrilled to be coming home to a small trainwreck.

It’s only because he knows how terrible he feels that he has to wonder if Ozymandias has already found himself a Bond. He’s seen plenty of people come and go while he’s kept watch over his housemate. He’s spoken to almost none of them, but he suspects at least one of them might be the pharaoh’s Bonded or at the very least, someone he’s thought of Bonding with.

For some reason, the thought makes his stomach churn painfully with something that feels alarmingly like anger and he doesn’t know why. ]

No, I assure you, Rider, I have had more than enough of visiting your sickly hide. I suggest that you worry less about me worrying about you, because as long as our alliance stands, there is nothing you can do to prevent it every time.

I am here to take you home.

[Arthur's physical changes are difficult to miss, but Ozymandias opts not to comment upon them. He knows that if their roles were reversed, he would hate any mention of it. Unseen changes to their bodies that left them weaker than prior to their arrival was enough to leave a sour impression on Ozymandias. The notion of having more physical changes that were beyond one's control? Unacceptable.]

[Ozymandias raises an eyebrow at the "sickly hide" comment. Excuse you, Arthur...]

I have not forgotten the way, [he says with a shake of his head.] But I appreciate the gesture.

[ He was only joking... mostly. ]

I didn’t think you had forgotten.

[ He sighs quietly and takes a seat beside the bed, careful not to actually sit on his new tail as he does. That’s probably the worst of his transformations, in his opinion. It’s certainly been the most vexing and he’s smacked it several times on things just moving around. He’s glad it’s not as large as Berserker’s, but if how his horns turned out is any indication, that could very well change next full moon. He hopes it doesn’t. ]

How are you feeling?

[ He asks in a softer tone, the smile disappearing from his expression and mild concern replacing it as he looks back at Ozymandias. ]

Truly. You needn’t conceal the truth from me. It is not as though I would think less of you if you were not entirely healed yet.

[His skin doesn't exactly crawl at the question, but there's an obvious twinge in his expression to demonstrate his displeasure. It's not directed at Arthur. The fact he has the consideration to ask nor his awareness that Ozymandias is liable to keep what is private exactly that are not things that Ozymandias finds fault in. That the question need be asked at all is the source of his discomfort instead.]

[He's quiet for a moment, not immediately answering. Part of him, of course, is incredibly reluctant to say anything remotely close to what Arthur has labeled as the "truth." Such matters are Ozymandias' business and his business alone. Never mind that as the absolute pharaoh, he should be infallible and barring that at least seem infallible. But another part of him feels it would be disrespectful if not outright insulting to speak to Arthur as though he were not a fellow king or one who had once felled Ozymandias.]

Hmph. [What a frustrating conundrum.] I am well. I haven't had a fever in several days, but I still find myself fatigued easily.

[He cants his head to one side.]

Physically, in any case. Magically is another matter.

[ It says a lot about his feelings towards Arthur that Ozymandias actually does concede sooner rather than later and the King of Knights finds himself, again, humbled by the gesture. He was expecting more of a heated back-and-forth to be necessary and that Ozymandias seems to struggle with himself more than with Arthur is a pleasant surprise. It quells the upset in the fledgling dragon's belly and before he consciously realizes what he's doing, he's impulsively reached out to lay a hand over one of the pharaoh's wrists and is giving it a gentle, comforting squeeze. ]

It's this place— not you. If we were ourselves, this never would have happened.

[ "Magically is another matter"... It takes Arthur a brief moment to understand what Ozymandias means by that, but once he does, the squeezing on the other man's wrist gets a little more intense before the Saber catches himself finally and he quickly lets go, withdrawing his hand. That was... strange... Why did he do that? He shakes his head a little, mildly flustered by his own actions. It's this place, he reminds himself now inwardly too. It's got to the beast's impulses acting out. ]

You haven't Bonded with anyone yet? You've had many visitors over the last month.

Edited 2019-08-03 22:14 (UTC)

[Ozymandias merely glances at the hand on his wrist when it is placed there, but otherwise appears to ignore it. There was no sought permission for the contact prior to it existing, but it's such a minor thing that he doesn't feel the need to reprimand Arthur for it.]

[The reassurance, however, falls a little flat. He knows that Arthur's words are meant well -- hence his recognition of them as being words of reassurance -- but regardless of the source of change, if it was not his will to change his form, it is a problem. A weakness. A limitation. Ozymandias' jaw clenches slightly, but before he has a chance to respond, Arthur has asked his follow-up question.]

I haven't.

[He finds Arthur's assumption to be a fair one. Of those who visited, most were ones that Ozymandias is protective towards, having placed himself as a mentor of sorts. And there is at least one that he is exceedingly physically affectionate towards with no hesitation now. But even so, much in the same way that Ozymandias will not accept just any mage as his Master, he will not accept simply anyone as his Bonded. The fact it is far more intimate connection than even that of the usual contract formed between Master and Servant causes Ozymandias to be even more strict on who he would even consider. The inner workings of a king -- certainly not the King of Kings -- are not privy to just anyone.]

Those that visited me I am fond of and have deemed them worthy of my presence, but nothing further than that.

[ It comes as a relief when Ozymandias says nothing about the touch. The less Arthur has to explain about this new, impulsive side to his nature, the better. He’s still surprised though when the pharaoh confirms that he has, in fact, not taken a Bond.

When he turns over in his mind the words Ozymandias says, the more Arthur thinks he should have expected this of the man. His pridefulness might be more tempered by a genuine benevolence than that of other kings with similar temperament — such as, say, Gilgamesh — but he is still the God King, the King of Kings. He wouldn’t open himself to just anyone. His reasons for not having taken a Bond yet are in the same vein as Arthur’s, only laced with his characteristic self-esteem. ]

Huh.

[ He smiles wryly, closing his eyes contemplatively as he leans back in the chair and crosses an ankle over his knee. ]

It appears we are capable of easily agreeing on something together, then.

[That Arthur is still without a Bonded is no particular surprise to Ozymandias. The other Servant is generally resistant to establishing a connection with anyone beyond pragmatic alliances. And though a Bond in this case certainly serves a function necessary for long-term survival, it entails something more than Arthur is likely willing to risk.]

To be a king is to stand alone, Arthur. Regardless of how we may differ in our understanding of how that is so, that will always be true. It should come as no surprise to you that we arrive at the same conclusion on this matter.

No, you are right.

[ Arthur again hesitates briefly before elaborating, not entirely sure he wants to reveal even this much about his current mental state, particularly as it reveals how he currently regards Ozymandias in relation to himself. It's difficult to be this honest, but... Ozymandias deserves that honesty. ]

I let... other feelings color the conclusions drawn from seeing all your visitors stop by. I apologize.

[ Those "other feelings"? Jealousy, perhaps? Arthur isn't even sure, but it seems clear that he certainly thinks about Ozymandias more than he would like to admit. It's become more and more unavoidable, honestly.

At first, Ozymandias was someone who reminded him of a dark past, but the threat of losing him over the last month changed something in Arthur. He's had time to think about how the Rider is the only person here who actually knows him, who's actually fought beside him even before Chaldea. He's the only link Arthur has now to his world and he hasn't had something like that in such a long time... ]

It's becoming dangerous to exist alone though now. You've fallen ill once and I...

[ More hesitation. He frowns deeply and drops his gaze from Ozymandias' face. ]

...I was more beastly during the last full moon.

[Ozymandias isn't entirely sure what "other feelings" Arthur is alluding to. His discomfort at being in Ozymandias' presence has waned significantly since they first crossed paths in this place. What's taken the place of those feelings, Ozymandias couldn't name. He's not even sure if Arthur could name them by how vaguely he mentions them.]

To what extent?

[While his tone isn't soft, Ozymandias could have spoken with more harshness, turning the question into a demand for information. Arthur dropping his gaze, however, gives Ozymandias cause for concern and ultimately tempers the question. Though he does not exactly feel guilty for having not been there for the full moon given his reason for not being there, he still feels a measure of responsibility for looking after Arthur. Ideally, he would have been there.]

[Ozymandias with his personality had been very easy to notice their first month of lessons. And even more so, it was easy to notice him missing when he was gone for a month. So when he happens to pass by him in the hall, it catches Elliot's notice. ]

Oh hey, are you coming to class today?

[All right, yes. The gods have smiled upon them both. That doesn't mean he wants to be Koyasu'd at first thing in the morning. As it happens, his back is to the door, getting a few of his things together, when Ozymandias turns the corner, which means the Pharoah Shout elicits a small jump and a brief Ghibli hair puff before Giorno collects himself and turns around.]

[Despite himself, he's smiling. A little. He can't help himself. It's been nice to have a familiar face nearby while fighting this stupid thing off. He's not used to that.]

You don't have an indoor voice, do you?

[He tips his chin up to regard Ozymandias with a hint of mischief in his gaze. For the first time in weeks, his cheeks are pallid again instead of flushed a furious, feverish scarlet. Improve . . . ment?]

What, you're not waiting to be escorted out? [lololol]

[It takes only a moment for Ozymandias to realize he's being spoken to, looking about until his gaze meets Elliot's. The question only increases his temptation to throw caution to the wind, but he shakes his head.]

No, not today. Perhaps tomorrow.

[Just one extra day. That's all. How much more could he possibly miss? At least Zelda left him with plenty of notes to start catching up once he feels up to it.]

[Ozymandias can't help but chuckle at Giorno jumping over his sudden appearance. He's amused enough that he decides to overlook the comment on his volume. ~~Pharaoh gonna shout, son.~~ Besides, Giorno seems to be in high spirits and good(ish) health once more. The boy might as well have a bit of leeway.]

[He scoffs at the suggestion of being escorted, however.]

And why would I? There is no sense in pretending that illness did not take its toll on me at the time, but I have recovered. It holds no further sway over my capabilities.

Oh?

[He tilts his head a little curiously]

Is there a reason why?

[Elliot hadn't been in the loop for why this guy missed so much class]

[With all the life and energy in the air, it's hard to stay too far from festivities, even for someone with as many hang-ups about what strays alarmingly close to a wedding. Or maybe it's just that he's still just riding on the highs of the bizarre twists his own personal life has taken as of late. Either way, when Ozymandias catches his attention, he can't help but smile.]

It's been some time since I was lasted invited to something like this. [for so, so many reasons] Turning it down now would be bad luck.

[Saying that, the man next to him has the aura of someone entirely immune to misfortune. With that unassailable confidence and bold bearing, he could probably turn up to most celebrations and immediately become the guest of honour. It's nice. A lot, but nice.]

[ He'd made a lot of strides with her in getting Ursula to be more comfortable in her own skin, but she still tended to wallflower more often than not, content to sit back with some wine as she watched Ozymandias have enough fun for the both of them. But she also figured it wouldn't be long before he insisted, again, that she join in his revelry, and she found herself unwilling to put up much fight the more he insisted. With Fang being out with the Wilders and Kaede being significantly more socially adverse than her, it wasn't like she had a lot of other folks she could be spending this time with... ]

I should know better than to deny the Pharoh. [ She chuckles, sipping her wine. ] But as you can see, my hands are occupied.

[ A cheeky thing, to be sure, and hardly an actual insistence this time around. His insistence would definitely prevail. ]

There have been other matters that require my attention.

[It's not exactly a lie, but neither is it exactly the truth. Ozymandias dislikes that anyone possesses the knowledge that he's been so ill that he's been bed-ridden for a better part of the last month. There's no way he would willingly part with the blatant truth to someone he's only seen in passing.]

Tomorrow should be a better day for me to resume lessons.

[Sure enough, Ozymandias huffs a laugh at the mention of bad luck. Whether it is because he has long-since held the favor of the gods or his own divinity doesn't particularly matter to him, all he knows is that he's never experienced a bout of bad luck in his life.]

Come then! Let us bear witness as we've been asked and bring about a better fortune.

[Said fortune likely taking the form of a modest celebration of the ceremony involving drinks and decent food with perhaps some obligation to dance, but that is suitable enough as far as Ozymandias is concerned.]

[By now, Ozymandias has come to know the difference between when Ursula is trying setting a limit and when she is at play with him.]

You're correct, [he says with a grin, plucking her glass of wine from her hand.] It is rather unwise to deny me regardless of the reason.

[Ozymandias takes a sip from her glass.]

Yet you continue to foolishly risk my divine punishment again and again with these excuses. Will you provide me with another?

[ She had a feeling he'd do that, responding with a giggle and a tug at her hat. ]

How about the fact I'm not a very good dancer? [ Also a lie, but not one she was in any hurry to have exposed. ]

open catch-all + closed prompts for August

(closed - giorno)

(open - coven)

(closed - arthur)

(open - lùnasa)

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