[Soren had just packed up and taken off for a while there, leaving and not saying anything until he was well out of town with the Wilders. It felt better than way, to get distance from his father and the city itself. The Wilde might be dangerous, but that felt more like home and he was actually really good at his healing magic. It made him especially welcome out on the missions, not only a warrior, but also support? They just can't say no to that!
Still, he can and only wants to stay out so long. Exhausted, Soren is returning to town and thinking of little beyond get home, get into bed when he sees the Cirque set up. Hears the party going on, too.
Why not? He can get an eleventh or twelfth wind!
Not that he actually does. Despite all the ruckus all around him, Soren sits down to watch the festivities and immediately knocks out while still sitting up. Most mistake him for a slumped drunk who partied too hard and leave him be, at least...]
[Juza's interested in most performance art anyway, so it's not so surprising that he can be found watching this happen. There's a piece of mochi in his paws as he does a double take, noticing his bonded apparently passed out.
Did he just get back from a mission? Makes sense that he'd get caught up in the party atmosphere and pass out right here. It's been a while since he's seen him, but that's what happens when Soren goes out on missions.
It doesn't take long before Juza makes his way over to him and tries to gently shake him awake.]
[The shake is really all it takes. Soren's head lulls just a bit too far forward with it and he kicks awake. Jolting up straight, Soren snorts as he's awake, if disoriented by the place and sound all around him.]
What-!? Wh... Huh? [he's at a party? Right, he didn't go right home- he rubs his eyes before looking to Juza]
H, hey, man, what gives? [yeah, that's the greeting he's going with]
[He's still got a hand on Soren's shoulder, even with the way he jumped awake.]
You fell asleep in public. You good with that? Or do you wanna get back?
[Juza thinks Soren should probably go home and not fall asleep in the middle of a festival, because really who knows who might try to pickpocket him out here.]
Uhg... you ever stay up so late you're not even tired anymore? [but like, he is, he's just been going so long it felt like he should keep going. His stomach grumbles in irritation and while it's probably not audible over the sound of the party around, Soren also grumbles aloud with it]
I need something to eat, first. Surprised I could knock out this hungry.
Something filling! I don't care what... [he reaches to give Juza a pat on the back and a firm shake to his shoulder. "Missed you, buddy" is the vibe in the bond, though he doesn't say as much, it's there clear enough]
Sorry I sorta ran off. [a yawwwwn] With no, like, notice...
City... Right! Yeah, yeah... th- [YAWWWN, he tries to wave that one off a bit faster, more pressing thoughts on the tip of his tongue] The Wilders... talked a lot about that. Some of 'em went missing. I wasn't near that uh... expedition, but we were looking for them, like, after. Did that work out?
They... usually do! Wait... why didn't I eat..? [Soren has to ponder this himself, because he's really not one to skip on meals. And he stress eats. So that also wouldn't have been a reason he forgot a meal-]
Oh! Right that... well, one of the Wilder's got hurt before we headed back. I was trading off with another guy keeping him healed enough to make it back. Focused on that, don't think I really had time for a snack. [at least it drained his magic, so he's not a bundle of energy... but also, he's too drained to be out at party that's for certain]
Good work but... You're gonna end up passin' out if you stay here, man. [He'll nudge him slightly in the direction of their home.] Can't take care of other people if you ain't takin' care of yourself.
[At least he's not feeling that stress in their bond. Now it's just a matter of convincing Soren to go home.]
[he will be devouring those meat buns, thanks pal. Once he takes a bite he's practically ravenous, scarfing them down in too few bites and needing to proud his chest to get them down. No choking, he's fine!! He sighs with relief after they're gone]
Yeah? ... Yeah... [the second is a bit more defeated, he should pack it in. Standing, he'll yawn and stretch out once more before he'll start following Juza home. A guide is basically required, he's not sure he's awake enough to navigate the city, especially not at night with crowds and a party. He'll stick close]
It was fine at the house, right? My... dad didn't come by or anything?
[Juza stays exactly at his side. He doesn't trust Soren not to collapse. Magically drained, exhausted, and without much food in him, there's every chance he could fall asleep on his legs. The least he could do is pick him up and carry him home if that happens.]
Didn't see him. Somethin' happen between you guys?
Uurh... yeah. Yeah, I told him about something really bad. [Soren sighs, letting the admission escape because he's too tired to hold in the secret any longer. Besides, it's Juza! He trusts Juza, he really does. He doesn't want him blindsided by family drama...]
We got... a bit of a walk home. I can tell you... [He rubs the back of his neck all that same, still torn up about it. How to explain this to Juza, too? He lied to Viren, but he shouldn't to his bonded. They're bros! He can rely on Juza]
Viren, you know... he's kinda an intense guy. All the time. He used to be a really good dad, too, but... when our King died, he just lost it. A lot happened really quick and, well... this Viren, the dragon one here? He doesn't know about a bunch of it. But I do. [a deep sigh, the kind that's tired well beyond the sleep deprivation of the current moment.]
I lied to him, about... about how he dies. I told him that I did it, that I kill him. [so dramatic!! Urg!]
Soooooo! He! Is! Pretty mad at me? About that? I don't know if he believes me, but he's sure mad. Duh.
[He nods. Okay, so Soren's in a situation kind of like the one Juza and Omi are. Where Omi's further ahead in the timeline and so their knowledge of what's happening doesn't exactly match.
Wait what?]
You lied about who killed him? Is it uh... better than how he actually dies? [What a thing to spring on a guy. The worry is practically radiating off of him at this point.]
I don't- [oh god, that's so much worry in their bond. He didn't mean to cause that! Of course he did, though. Because that's all a lot to be very worried about. Hence the outrigh running away...]
I didn't... want him to focus anger on anybody else. He needed to be stopped, no matter what, I promise... and the people who did that are my friends. If they show up here, I gotta look out for them. I owe them that.
[Soren really convinced himself this is his responsibility, long before leaving. Thinking on it all that time only allowed him to convince himself of that as a fact]
If he's mad at anybody, it should be me. He's my father.
That's a lot, man. [That's the first thing his mouth can come up with when it's going faster than his head.]
I can't really say I get it. [Because life and death matters are simply not involved in his own family relationships. There's no framing he can conjure that would make this understandable to him. Still, he trusts Soren's decisions on the matter. That he thinks it was a good decision- Juza can't make that decision for him, and wanting to protect others is something he can wrap his head around.]
Sounds like you did what you thought was best. I dunno if I can help, or do anythin' for you with this. But... 'm on your side. Whatever happens. Got it?
["That's rough, buddy" is about all there is to say towards all that, Soren gets it. He reaches of to ruffle Juza's hair like Claudia would always do to him when he was caught up in being worried. It's a sign of camaraderie, though]
Thanks, Juza. I really mean it. You've had my back this whole time, I'll always have yours, too. [he echoes, wry to stop from sounding sappy sincere, which is more the bond vibe but shut up] Got it?
[He only looks a little grumpy when his hair gets ruffled] I ain't a little kid. [Despite the grousing, the fondness bleeds right through the bond.]
Yeah... That's what it means to be a team. [That's not so embarrassing to say. Their relationship isn't built off of any intense rivalry, but it still feels like he'd be right at home in Autumn Troupe. It's not weird for him to say that.
Soren feels a lot like his little brother, but when it comes to this and all his family issues, he really wonders how much he can help. If nothing else he can be a sounding board, or somebody to listen to Soren's worries. Even if he doesn't really have any advice for something so severe.]
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Juril 5th
Still, he can and only wants to stay out so long. Exhausted, Soren is returning to town and thinking of little beyond get home, get into bed when he sees the Cirque set up. Hears the party going on, too.
Why not? He can get an eleventh or twelfth wind!
Not that he actually does. Despite all the ruckus all around him, Soren sits down to watch the festivities and immediately knocks out while still sitting up. Most mistake him for a slumped drunk who partied too hard and leave him be, at least...]
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Did he just get back from a mission? Makes sense that he'd get caught up in the party atmosphere and pass out right here. It's been a while since he's seen him, but that's what happens when Soren goes out on missions.
It doesn't take long before Juza makes his way over to him and tries to gently shake him awake.]
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What-!? Wh... Huh? [he's at a party? Right, he didn't go right home- he rubs his eyes before looking to Juza]
H, hey, man, what gives? [yeah, that's the greeting he's going with]
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You fell asleep in public. You good with that? Or do you wanna get back?
[Juza thinks Soren should probably go home and not fall asleep in the middle of a festival, because really who knows who might try to pickpocket him out here.]
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I need something to eat, first. Surprised I could knock out this hungry.
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You look tired.
What d'you want? Somethin' sweet or savory? Lots of options around here.
[Lots of familiar options. Juza's a fan.]
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Sorry I sorta ran off. [a yawwwwn] With no, like, notice...
Everything cool while I was out?
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There's a part of him that wants to know what happened, but that should be saved for when Soren isn't half dead on his feet.]
There's an underground city nearby, that's the big thing. And this festival.
[A pat on Soren's arm before he goes and returns with a few meat buns for Soren.]
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[Anyway, eat the meat bun, Soren.]
How'd you come back starving? I was pretty sure they fed you.
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Oh! Right that... well, one of the Wilder's got hurt before we headed back. I was trading off with another guy keeping him healed enough to make it back. Focused on that, don't think I really had time for a snack. [at least it drained his magic, so he's not a bundle of energy... but also, he's too drained to be out at party that's for certain]
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[At least he's not feeling that stress in their bond. Now it's just a matter of convincing Soren to go home.]
Party'll be here tomorrow too.
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Yeah? ... Yeah... [the second is a bit more defeated, he should pack it in. Standing, he'll yawn and stretch out once more before he'll start following Juza home. A guide is basically required, he's not sure he's awake enough to navigate the city, especially not at night with crowds and a party. He'll stick close]
It was fine at the house, right? My... dad didn't come by or anything?
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Didn't see him. Somethin' happen between you guys?
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Like really bad. From home.
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What kinda bad? Or do you need to rest first?
[He's fine waiting on an answer, but he wants his friend to make the decision to share in a better state than absolutely exhausted.]
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Viren, you know... he's kinda an intense guy. All the time. He used to be a really good dad, too, but... when our King died, he just lost it. A lot happened really quick and, well... this Viren, the dragon one here? He doesn't know about a bunch of it. But I do. [a deep sigh, the kind that's tired well beyond the sleep deprivation of the current moment.]
I lied to him, about... about how he dies. I told him that I did it, that I kill him. [so dramatic!! Urg!]
Soooooo! He! Is! Pretty mad at me? About that? I don't know if he believes me, but he's sure mad. Duh.
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Wait what?]
You lied about who killed him? Is it uh... better than how he actually dies? [What a thing to spring on a guy. The worry is practically radiating off of him at this point.]
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I didn't... want him to focus anger on anybody else. He needed to be stopped, no matter what, I promise... and the people who did that are my friends. If they show up here, I gotta look out for them. I owe them that.
[Soren really convinced himself this is his responsibility, long before leaving. Thinking on it all that time only allowed him to convince himself of that as a fact]
If he's mad at anybody, it should be me. He's my father.
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I can't really say I get it. [Because life and death matters are simply not involved in his own family relationships. There's no framing he can conjure that would make this understandable to him. Still, he trusts Soren's decisions on the matter. That he thinks it was a good decision- Juza can't make that decision for him, and wanting to protect others is something he can wrap his head around.]
Sounds like you did what you thought was best. I dunno if I can help, or do anythin' for you with this. But... 'm on your side. Whatever happens. Got it?
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Thanks, Juza. I really mean it. You've had my back this whole time, I'll always have yours, too. [he echoes, wry to stop from sounding sappy sincere, which is more the bond vibe but shut up] Got it?
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Yeah... That's what it means to be a team. [That's not so embarrassing to say. Their relationship isn't built off of any intense rivalry, but it still feels like he'd be right at home in Autumn Troupe. It's not weird for him to say that.
Soren feels a lot like his little brother, but when it comes to this and all his family issues, he really wonders how much he can help. If nothing else he can be a sounding board, or somebody to listen to Soren's worries. Even if he doesn't really have any advice for something so severe.]