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[the plan had been to go shopping for new boots and some other small things; stahn needed them pretty sorely after wearing his own out, and the general need to pick things up for the apartment just seemed to spell out that shopping together made more sense.

dymlos has other plans though, since he's taking it upon himself to address leon while stahn is still in the shower. nothing he has to say right now is completely new—they're things he spoke to stahn about already, so it's only right to fill leon on.

"Before we leave, I'd like to speak with you about something, Leon."

it's a pretty rare occurrence for dymlos to speak up as it is, and more so to want to talk to leon, but what's necessary is necessary. now that things have calmed down and much of the tension between the masters has subsided, it's easier to approach without the metaphorical walking on eggshells.]

[It's strange to be addressed by Dymlos, admittedly; the other Swordian rarely speaks up unless he has something important to say (or if he's all riled up), and for that reason alone, Leon arches an eyebrow, cocking his head. There are times to be fussy and difficult but this is honestly not one of them.

Besides, with things...slightly smoothed over, he feels calm enough.]

What is it?

[At least he knows that unlike some people, Dymlos won't ever waste his time.]

[it's fine this way; dymlos is more than aware that he's likely to get a better discussion out of leon than chaltier about this topic anyway.

"We're due to discuss some of the possibilities for the events we encountered on the other side of the wall. Much about what transpired and exists there is suspect, especially when considering both what we know of CERES and what they elect to tell us."

it's the first step towards finding a solution, and some of what he discussed previously with kashuu seem to be things leon should be aware of—or perhaps something he has similar thoughts on.]

[It's the sort of discussion Leon's interested in having, anyway, so it's going to happen easily enough. He just focuses all of his attention on Dymlos then, nodding quietly.]

I see. You're right, of course. There has to be a reason for a move as drastic as that--to put most of us in that decrepit part of the city...

[But why... Well, he trusts Dymlos' judgment, so he'll just start with:]

What are your theories?

["I'm not sure why we were brought there, or who is behind that. I suspect it's not CERES, though."

it's a missing piece of the puzzle for dymlos, honestly. the why is the part he can't figure out, though he's nearly positive ceres themselves weren't responsble for it.

"It appears to be a place they wanted to keep hidden from us, so it's possible that the ones behind our movement wanted to bring the location to our attention."]

[It makes sense, and honestly, it's along the same lines as Leon was thinking, so he nods as well.]

I believe that is likely. Whether those creatures were intended to be guardians of sort or something else entirely, it is nonetheless clear that that place had been abandoned. Why, I am not sure, though--

[There's a flash of memory to the altar that he'd stumbled across, and his expression grows grimmer.]

--hiding darker secrets may well be one reason.

["I believe much the same. We've heard that this city is fairly new... however, despite the remains being decrepit, it was very similar in structure.

I could easily believe that whatever CERES is attempting to truly accomplish with our presence was tried at least once before, and their failures led to sealing that location from our sights. What they hoped to achieve we can't be sure of—but there's undoubtedly a deliberate reason we were unable to access that location before."

he can't be sure about the altar, since dymlos hadn't come in contact with it. but they saw a great deal of the monsters above and below ground, as well as their fair share of buildings. most were empty, which leads him to his next statement.

"The abandonment appears just as deliberate, given how every building was devoid of any evidence to what had previously been in them."]

[He just nods along; everything Dymlos is saying is sensible and believable, after all.]

I would suspect so. From what I have heard, this colony has not been around as long as one would believe. That means that either that entire premise is a lie, or the broken down nature of that place is purposeful and not incidental.

[Someone fucked shit up there.... but why?]

If it was destroyed, and then locked and hidden away... there must be a reason.

["Right. And that reason may very well be a key component in finding the clues we'll need to progress here."

that's really all there is to it. it's not as if dymlos expects that they'll have much else to go on, especially without any knowledge of the altar or the conversations that others held with the masked flamine.

"I doubt the information will be easy to find, given how secretive CERES appears to be, but our experiences prove that there are openings. We'll have to be thorough in seeking them out."]

[It sounds like they're on the same page--and admittedly, it's a bit of a relief to discuss this with Dymlos. He's so...sensible. There's no diversions or people being ridiculous or anything along those lines. It's just purely discussing the issue at hand and their theories, and he's missed this sort of no-nonsense exchange.

Obviously he can't say that because that would be sappy and also it's Dymlos??? Ew. But. Yes.]

Then we will go digging for information. If it exists, it can be found. It may not be easy, but I am not afraid of work.

[at least leon knows he can talk business with dymlos when the situation calls for it, right?

"I'll give my assistance when the situation calls for it. In the meanwhile, I'll be sure to keep Stahn focused on the task at hand."

not that he thinks leon would falter on that, but he's also ensuring leon is made aware that it's not a burden to take on alone. stahn may get distracted at times, but dymlos is fully aware of how capable stahn is when it counts.

"He and I discussed this briefly already, so he's aware of what needs to be done."]

[It's nice to hear Leon won't be alone in trying to keep Dymlos on track, but... on the other hand, will their combined efforts even be enough??? It's so hard to be sure!!

Well. Hopefully they will be.]

I see. Thank you for that, then.

[Help is good! At least, when it comes to keep Stahn on track, help is good.]

[dymlos simply hums in acknowledgment—that's about all he's got to say right now. which works at fine, as stahn emerges from the shower... half-dressed.

he'll put his shirt on soon, but his hair is still wet, and he doesn't care for the blow-dryer because it makes his hair too fluffy (they should really invest in a diffuser). so wet mop of mullet while shirtless it is, then.]

Eh? Did I heae Dymlos? [maybe he was just hearing things? who knows.]

[Why wouldn't you hear Dymlos, Stahn??? Leon just blinks at him at that, arching an eyebrow.]

Of course you did. He is capable of conversation, is he not?

[Are you stupid or some...thing.........

And then Leon's expression immediately goes from mildly bemused to irritated.]

What are you doing? Get dressed properly before you come to pester us with your company.

I know that, but he doesn't usually talk much!

[sure, dymlos could point out what they were discussing—but dymlos is dymlos, and he doesn't really see the need when it's not important. especially not when leon's already moved on to the next topic, and it's pretty obvious that stahn will follow suit.

it's not like stahn can focus on too many things at once, after all.]

My shirt will get all wet if I do that though... [listen, he has a valid reason, even if that reason is "wild hair like a sheep's."] I'm wraring my pants anyway, it's not that big of a deal.

[don't be such a dainty maiden about it, leon. shirtlessness between best friends is no big deal, obviously. they're both men here. sort of.]

[Maybe he just doesn't have anything to say to you!!!

... Ahem. Right. The shirt thing. That just gets a scoff, because Leon is definitely a dainty maiden.]

Simply because you have an unnecessary mop of hair does not mean that you should wander around shirtless! If it is that much trouble, we may as well cut it all off.

[wekll, the dainty maiden is about to be met with a side of stahn that is only seen in very specific circumstances.

but leon said the magic words that can draw stahn's ire. so from mildly exasperated to surprisingly cold and flat go his expression and tone.]

I'm not cutting my hair. [the sorest of sore spots. it's not happening and he doesn't appreciate anyone joking about it either.]

It would be the quickest solution to resolving those issues.

[Hmph.

Whatever, he wasn't expecting much more than this because Stahn, he's always so weirdly hung up on this.]

That's not a solution at all.

[and he'll remain hung up on it, because he won't let leon think that's an option. it's not an option!! leave his hair alone!]

[Whatever, Leon's over it.]

I told you to put a shirt on. Find a solution for yourself or I will find one for you.

[Snip. Snip.]

[wow, this is so rude.]

Leoooonnnnnn! [obviously, the solution is to whine about it.]

I am not going to repeat myself.

[PUT A SHIRT ON.]

[but leeeeeeeeeeeeooooon...

okay, maybe leon actually getting that stern about it does concern him slightly, because he may turn his head and find that leon's grabbed a pair of scissors. he actually shudders a little before going to get a shirt.

...though he's none too pleased when he emerges, because the back of the shirt wet nearly the entire length and it feels terrible.]

There. [like a pouty little kid, that's how he says it.]

[Sorry, Stahn... sorry, your bff is a dick.

Leon's not entirely impressed by that solution either (someone for the love of god give Stahn a hairdryer) but he'll take it; he just crosses his eyes, huffing faintly.]

Then we may as well go and stop wasting the day away.

[It's not that late, Leon....]

[if leon wants to deal with the consequences of stahn's hair being bigger, poofier, and more unwieldy, he's more than welcome to get stahn a hairdryer.]

It's still morning. We don't have to rush... [it's kind of funny how the roles have reversed a bit, with stahn being more of a sourpuss right now. his hair is wet, his shirt is wet, and now leon is rushing him out the door.

seriously, his bff is a dick.]

idk when this is but it is

all that matters is that it is

it is now i just need to get my shit together and be timely

you and me both tbh

at least we suck together

as ever tbh, nothing has changed

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