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[Henry stands in armour, ever a proud knight. Yet this time his armour is stripped back to just his layers of mail over which he wears the blue sash of the Guard, a concession to the heat here above ground. While bearing a number of visible bruises and cuts, he otherwise seems hale. Yet his eyes are dark. He stands next to a shorter woman, but in a clear break from tradition, this time it's definitely not Maketh.

If it isn't clear enough that Kate is not Maketh, it's the fact that, despite standing straight backed and with her hair (long past the stage of having even the faintest hint of pink in it, all bleach blonde with steadily growing dark roots) pulled back into a bun atop her head, she looks rather like she'd prefer not to be hosting this on video. Which shouldn't surprise anyone who's been here long enough; her posts tend to be nothing more than text or audio. Suffice to say that the knight won the rock paper scissors match.]

We have survived with our hopes for a future yet intact. Though hard-fought, and at no small cost, I yet name that a victory. But let us not celebrate yet.

[Henry's voice changes; his next words come slower, and sharper. His pitch drops, and a trace of melancholy runs through both his tone and his expression.]

It grieves me to make it known that Maketh no longer numbers among us in Hadriel.

[It's only a small, momentary glimpse of the grief he feels at her loss. But he only means to get that knowledge out there rather than talk of it, so his expression quickly shutters as he returns to his previous composure. It gets him the briefest of sidelong glances from Kate, but other than the brief purse of her lips, she doesn't seem to react.]

There is more I would say. Henceforth, consider Nick Valentine my fellow commander of the Guard. Those who feel they cannot approach me may turn to him; it shall achieve the same end.

I ask that every guardsmen report in to inform me of their current state. I must know which of you are in need of respite, and who is available for duty. I have much work for those who are able.

[As he says that, he sets a hand on his hip and cocks his head at Kate.]

Kate stands next to me for good reason. Both the Clinic and Guard headquarters were destroyed in the Null's assault. We have decided to rebuild them side by side. As such, I expect all guardsmen who nurse no injuries to aid the the construction of both.

[It's at this point that Kate actually says something, clearing her throat before she speaks.]

Be built near the colosseum, like before. Anyone who wants to assist us is free to. We need both construction and supplies. Be posting a list of supplies the clinic needs when we begin construction.

[There's a beat of silence as Henry waits to see if Kate wants to say anything more than that, but when it's clear she's done, he simply nods once, decisively.]

I intend for the Guard to see a small number of watchtowers made and manned in addition to our usual patrols. Rest assured that you shall hear from us again soon.

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( And, as soon as that's done, she's just going to collapse onto whatever surface there is and flex her legs with a groan of discomfort. The invasion may be over, and her body may have forced her out of commission for the last two days, but the effects are still coursing through her body. )

Be easier having you lot closer.

( Not that she minded the walks to provide them with first aid packs, but recent events surely indicate that they'll be needing to up their defences on the clinic.

She doubts this is over. )

[Henry nods, his eyes flicking to Kate as she collapses and groans.]

In truth, perhaps we ought to have considered the prospect sooner.

[He walks over and crouches down next to her.]

All right. What have you done to yourself?

( Probably, but- )

Weren't much reason for it then.

( They'd always gotten by. The HQ had been near the armoury, because that made sense, and the clinic near the colosseum, because that made sense.

And, of course, Kate just shrugs. )

Been fighting for two weeks.

( Some of us weren't dead. Dead to the world due to exhaustion, maybe, It's just the ache of muscle due to too much fighting. Nothing that won't heal itself. )

[Two weeks. That's the trouble with dying; it's difficult to tell how long you were gone. Henry shudders at the reminder, then shifts to sit comfortably. He flicks Kate's closest ankle before turning his palms upwards.]

Let me see your calves.

[It's obviously not a medical opinion he wants to give, but it's no secret that he can massage. If her muscles are tight from overuse, he might be able to provide a measure of relief.]

( The pain and being dead is also kind of a problem. Maybe. Listen, Hotspur, you've gotta stop being attacked on the network. But, with a roll of her eyes, Kate stretches out her legs in front of him. )

Ever gonna set this up as a part-time thing?

( It sure as hell was popular back when they had that god squad contest. )

[Henry scoffs immediately.]

Absolutely not.

[That would be beneath his dignity. That said, he still does it for anyone who approaches him about it, and... he did just invite it now, but that's completely different. A knight should be charitable, and there's only so much that he can offer.

Henry takes hold of Kate's nearest leg and begins the task of diligently working out the knots and tightness in its muscles with his skilled, practised hands.

For all the numerous heavy and sombre things on his mind, it's something lighter at the forefront of his thoughts, made stark by the contrast. Having just spent all that time conversing with those willing to aid them in their rebuilding project, he still wonders at that small but telling smile Ignis gave Kate. Maybe it's because Ignis has been so smoothly composed and conscious of how he presents himself the whole time that Henry's known him that it stands out so much.

It seemed... helpless to contain.

Ignis is a man. And Henry knows what's it's like to be drawn to an attractive woman.

He doesn't think twice about commenting on it.]

For how long has Ignis desired you?

( Shame, really. A lot of people in this city could probably use it. Maybe she should just have him offer it as a health service, now they're going to be neighbours. Because she can't deny that it does feel good to get the effects of two weeks of fighting massaged down and out of her muscles. She leans back slightly, rocking onto the heels of her hands and-

Then gets asked that. )

... What?

( Her brows raise and the surprise that passes over her face is clear as day. Of all the things he could have got from their conversation, that wasn't what she saw coming at all. What's strange about someone smiling when they see a friend? )

Edited 2017-12-14 16:34 (UTC)

[Henry shoots Kate a put upon look.]

Truly? Is it not enough that I must despair of Saber in such matters, now you would join her?

[His hands continue their ministrations.]

Merely looking upon you made Ignis smile. On instinct, to my eyes.

( Okay, but can they talk about the important things, which is obviously the love life of a near-total stranger and not her own. Because they don't need to talk about her own and whatever awkward state that's in, right? )

...Who?

( Pls regale her with the tale of the awkward king, thanks. )

...You know not Saber?

[Henry is surprised by that. He just assumed they'd have spoken before.]

She happens to be the only other knight in this wretched city. Blonde hair, green eyes. Our fellow countryman. She stands shorter than even you.

[He parts his lips, like there's more he could say, but then silences himself. Kate simply must know who King Arthur is, but it's not his place to tell anyone Saber's true identity.]

Surely you have met her afore.

( Thank fuck, he's distracted

She knows the description from their respondents, and from a dream. Though in that dream, she was younger. She was destined for something Kate had long believed just a stupid story told to make royalty seem cooler than it was. )

Only spoke to her once or twice.

( That's about right. Whatever you consider encouraging a kid to pull the sword from the stone in a dream as. That can be speaking. )

Evidently Irisviel did not come up in your conversations. There are two women painfully in love and yet determined to ignore that fact.

[He's done everything short of directly telling either one that the other is clearly in love with them, because that would be too great an interference and would spoil their romance. But so much needless longing grows tiresome to witness after the first few months. Especially when the Door threatens to tear them apart.

Better to take the risk than wish you had after your chance is lost.

He is aware, of course, that it was a huge exaggeration to compare Kate to Saber in every aspect. But then, he recalls Kate and Faith and that erotic magazine: Kate does not strike him as remotely chaste. Surely she's beyond such obliviousness, unlike the 'married for ten years and still a maiden' Saber.

But he's said as much as he ever intended to say on the subject, so he moves on without a second thought.]

You should befriend Saber.

( The only thing that's come up in previous conversations is removing a sword from a stone and people trying to joust for the crown of England. But hey. )

... Why'd they do that?

( Kate this is not a question you should ask considering your current predicament.

(Also, for future reference, she'd like it known that there's a difference between sex and relationships. She's good at one of the two, and it isn't the latter.) )

Edited 2017-12-16 01:15 (UTC)

Do what? Deny themselves?

[Henry moves on to Kate's other leg.]

Because Saber refuses to seek more than friendship, and is determined to believe that Irisviel feels nothing greater. Irisviel would not burden Saber, I think. Saber's ideals of—

[He cuts himself off with an annoyed huff, realising that's he's saying too much. Really, if Kate would just befriend Saber, Saber might offer their fellow countryman the truth, and then he need not deal with the problem of secrecy.]

Her ideals are stricter than any I have known. To her personal detriment, I fear.

[Saber may be King Arthur, but, as her friend it concerns him that she denies herself true companionship because of her belief that a king must stand apart from all else and never show favour.

The Plantagenet version of kingship he knows seems much healthier.

And honestly, Henry calling something excessively strict should indicate just how absurdly restrictive those ideals are.]

( Yeah, that's a bit like Kate saying someone works too much. Her brows raise and lips purse back a huff of laughter at the concept. )

She know we forget everythin' when we leave?

( As Atem once put it, What happens in Hadriel stays in Hadriel. They may not wake up here tomorrow, for all any of them know. She certainly didn't expect to leave. Didn't expect Sam to leave, all that time ago. )

Easy to miss chances if you're too in your head.

( She's still a hypocrite, even after all this time. )

[That is news to Henry, somehow; stricken, his fingers dig into Kate's calf, the massage halted.]

We forget?

[He says in a jagged rush, as though the impact of those words have winded him. The thought of Maketh returned to her death, unaware of the fact that she is loved in her last moments, alone in her mind—

He grits his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut, and forces his grip to relax.]

( Henry what did her sore ass leg do to deserve this? Kate inhales sharply, leaning forward and reaching her hand out automatically to the affected area. )

'S what happened for me. ( Sure, there's always a chance that her experience isn't the norm, but how likely is that? )

[He opens his eyes, grimacing at Kate's reaction.]

Forgive me. I—

[Henry says, contrite. He remains still another moment to let her pain fade, before he carefully resumes his work. He lowers his gaze, his mouth twisting downwards.]

The Door returned Maketh to her death. A traitor betrayed. Alone in her last moments. Is it worse to think that she died unaware that she was loved? Or that she died hating the ones she loved?

( ... Ah.

The silence which falls after those words is a thick, heavy thing, where Kate doesn't have an answer to the questions posed. Honestly — )

I don't know.

( It's an awful time for Maketh to have left, with no closure or redemption. No way of resolving all the threads left untied. The irritation at Maketh, at her stupid ass decision, has lessened, a little. Not enough. But a little. It still bubbles there, under the surface.

But this is beyond Kate's own gut need to protect her staff and her people that made the decision so galling in the first place. )

Wish we knew for sure what The Door even does.

( Why did she have to end up with all these memories locked away, where she felt the urge to do things like pick up archery classes with no explanation why or how she felt so at ease with the weapon. Was that normal? Do they truly deserve to spend so much time here only to have it be taken away? )

[Henry exhales heavily. It takes him a moment to regroup his composure.]

Perhaps Sorrow shall finally deign to enlighten us after he is returned to life.

( Now wouldn't that be something. )

We can dream.

( Though, if Sorrow did tell them, it'd likely be informative. He doesn't exactly mince words.

Kate shifts, pulling her legs back and crossing one over the other. That does feel somewhat better. )

That... ( She catches the words that almost come out, the roundabout ones, on her tongue and smooths an eyebrow with a fingertip instead. ) Thanks for that.

You are welcome.

[He nods shortly, then pulls himself back up onto his feet, before he extends a hand towards her.]

We ought to get back to work.

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video;

action bc who's going to stop me.

not you

well no one ever said i had self-control.

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i have got to stop logging in as noctis and clicking hadriel links...

whoops

drag her

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today in tags that disappeared into the ether ty gmail

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