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[dragonsgrasp]

[Kain sounds exhausted when he speaks. He's still got some recovering to do, clearly. He ended up in a hell of a shape after being defeated by his double, and now he’s only just coming to enough to really think about what that battle had meant… Failure. He had failed to defeat his darker self, the one thing he’d devoted his life to achieving…]

[He's seriously wondering again if Hadriel is some sort of eternal punishment.]

So… it sounds as if the doubles are gone entirely? A shame. I for one wouldn't mind if mine returned. He owes me a rematch.

[No, it's probably not a good idea to even wish for such a thing, but he doesn't care. He needs this to happen, one way or another. He has so much to prove.]

Did anyone manage to defeat their other selves? If so… how did you manage it?

Comments

[dragonsgrasp]

[Kain is thinking over the advice she's given him, hoping that there's some truth to it all. He's not Cecil, and can never hope to be. Much as he's envied the man and often wished he could have his life... he can't. He never can. He must accept this, as best as he can. He's tired of waiting for his own time to come... but it seems he must still wait for it.]

This, it's nothing... I was just getting some rest, that's all, I... [He winces, struggling to sit up and prove that he's totally not aching all over, and in a terrible state. His attempt to move is a failure, though, and the pain is all too evident all over his face. He sighs heavily.] I had them looked at, they said I'd be fine... [Ok, well, maybe he was supposed to stay in the clinic but he didn't have time or patience for that, so he'd come home. But he'd gotten what he needed to keep from dying, that was good enough, right?] I just had an unpleasant meeting of my own, that was all. I'll get back at him, someday... I'll be... I'll be fine... But who burned you? It couldn't have been me- I mean him- my double... it wasn't, was it?

[Kain makes another move to sit up, he is definitely trying hard to get up entirely.]

[blessedmaiden]

[Rydia wishes she could help more, Kain, but beside calling out what she considers stupid and trying to offers suggstions this isn't a path she can help too much with.]

Try to rest, you don't need to prove me anything, okay? [She steps closer, placing her hand on his breastbone and simply keeping him where he is, no need to struggle when it's evident he should be in a clinic with medics taking care of him. Maybe she could look for painkillers, somehow?] how did you manage to climb all the way up here? I struggled and I'm fine but look at you. [Someone wishes she could just threaten the dragoon with a good "I will tell Rosa" but sadly the white mage is nowhere in the cave.] how long has it been since you changed your bandages? Have you had water and food? And- hush, I'm fine, I just had a unpleasant meeting with some weird purple haired guy who was probably jealous of my superior hair color, you shouldn't think about this. [And even if his doubled managed to hurt her a bit, most of it is perfectly hidden under her clothes right now.] I met your double, he just yelled for a moment and walked away.

[Aaaaand- she just pushes him back. Sorry, Kain, she's not allowing you to move wherever right now, not if the only reason is 'proving I'm fine'.]

[dragonsgrasp]

[Kain doesn't try to fight her, at least, realizing that he has to keep some of his dignity intact, to some extent. At the moment, he's definitely not strong enough to fight her off and he doesn't want to admit that. He makes a face, but he knows that he doesn't have to prove anything, to her.]

You know me... climbing is second nature to me, even... even when I'm like this. [Admittedly, he did have to stop and rest a few times, but he doesn't say that out loud.] I... I'm managing, though, I've been taking care of myself and eating... somewhat regularly... I promise.

[He looks at her more closely, yet again feeling... responsible somehow, for her current state. He should have been there to help fight that purple-haired person. He's going to need to go deal with this person, for Rydia's sake, he's already decided. When he's... healed up a bit more, though. Ugh. He looks even more shocked to hear about the double, though.] That's all he did? He... didn't try to betray or harm you in any other way?

[He falls back when she pushes him, proving her point for certain now. He's in really rough shape, and his expression turns pained for a moment, giving away how he feels.]

[blessedmaiden]

[It's not a matter of dignity for her, in Rydia's opininon the only thing that actually matters is making sure he doesn't die because he's trying something stupid... like trying to show around he's perfectly fine. Why are you such a problematic person, Kain?]

So you wasted the few energies you had just to climb up here... For your information, in case you're injuried again, I have two empty rooms in my apartment. You don't need stairs to get there and I am you ally, don't forget that. [Somewhat regularly, mh? Okay, she's going to pack food at least twice a day and pay him a visit despite the stairs...] Since I'm fine I will try to help you a bit in the next few days, okay?

Oh, Kain... you know how honest I usually am, don't you? [This is, indeed, one of those cases where she thinks a lie is necessary... at least for the dragoon's sake.] He only attacked me verbally. He was pretty rude but he only barked at me, I swear.

[dragonsgrasp]

[It all probably does seem stupid to an outsider, but for Kain? It makes perfect sense. If he acts like he's well, and believes himself to be well, then... he'll be just fine. He just has to push past the pain. It's a manly thing to keep going, no matter what. This is Kain-logic at its finest here.]

I- Are you sure you're fine? You're sure he didn't attack you or cause any harm? [He's still feeling unpleasant about the fact that his double bothered her in any way, especially after losing the fight against him. Not to mention the purple-haired stranger... He sighs.] I appreciate it, of course... I'm sure I can manage fine, but I won't stop you from doing as you want to. You are my ally, you're right. I just... I wouldn't want to impose.

[He really doesn't want to bring up just how painful that stair climb had been. That's not supposed to be such a problem for him, after all.]

[blessedmaiden]

[Oh, of course, please do try to explain Rydia abotu this logic of yours, Kain, she will probably be glad to have a solid excuse to hit you on the head or something...]

Will you please stop worrying? [She's avoiding the question because ugh, she hates lying in any case.] I'm fine, I just have a burn on my face, you're the one who needs help here. [She appreciates that but, really, there's no need to feel guilty over things that aren't your fault.] And I'm perfectly sure my other self caused troubles as well, but I know that wasn't me. [There's a small pause] Of course you can't stop me and stop thinking you'll impose. If I didn't want to be here I wouldn't sit here right now, trust me.

... so, is there anything you need? water, maybe? Help changing your bandages? Something?

[dragonsgrasp]

[Kain's idea of logic is the very worst kind. He sighs, but he knows he ought to stop worrying so much, she's right about that. Even so, he's... not too happy about knowing someone attacked her. She's his ally and... and maybe even friend... and he can't stand for someone harming her. He'll have to sort that out later, when he's in better shape.]

I can't stop you, can I? [And... she did climb all the way up here, that means something.] I met her, by the way. Your double. I definitely greatly prefer your company to hers. I'm glad all of that is over...

[He looks at himself, he's definitely not in great shape at all. It's hard for him to accept assistance, but he needs it at the moment.] I guess... I suppose these bandages are getting a little old. I've been dealing with them, but... if you really wanted to help...