[ This is indeed a momentous occasion, especially after the last time he had seen the State of Dextera. At least someone is doing better? Dokja can't say the same after returning from the dead.
Semi-dead? ]
Sorry if I caught you at a bad time. I just wanted to say goodbye.
[ Keep it short and sweet. It's not like they'll never see each other again. ]
[ dextera tries to echo the word before his throat stops him, disallowing even the surprise. gently touching his throat, he frowns at dokja instead, clearly asking him to explain further.
it wouldn’t surprise him if dokja was trying to run away, since dextera himself has entertained the thought, but he didn’t expect it now. ]
[ dextera knows that the aions have been under scrutiny even before the arrival of those from the kenoma. he heard from a faeyr that an aion aligned with the pleroma was even discovered, but as far as dextera himself knows, it’s neither him nor anyone he knows personally. that may have changed with recent events. ]
…
[ dextera takes a step back to invite dokja in, and then moves to retrieve his notebook off the desk. he should use his shard, but he doesn’t, instead flipping to a page of phrases. ]
[ After a slight pause, he steps inside at the invitation. The notebook is preferred over Communion, so Dokja definitely does not mind when it's brought into the picture.
As for the why... it's a little harder to answer, if only because that would mean explaining his massive fuck up, but... as a Pleroma living in Godsblood, Dextera has a right to know. ]
One of the Kenoma Aions lied and outed me as a fellow Kenoma Aion to the public.
[ He tries not to grimace too much as he explains. ]
It was my fault. You can imagine the looks I get when I'm spotted outside.
[ that’s worse. that’s distinctly worse, considering everything that just went down in godsblood. he offers a sympathetic grimace even as dokja tries to suppress his own. ]
…
[ he nods and takes a pencil, flipping to a new page to scrawl a more personalized message. ]
You can’t stay here. [ even so, ] But you shouldn’t travel alone.
[ dextera hadn’t been, but it’s not something he’s unaccustomed to. truthfully, he hasn’t really been able to settle down since returning to godsblood and meeting with makoto—there’s some nervous energy not yet worked off now that the guilt has really started to bury itself deep, and perhaps an escape is exactly what he needs. ]
[ dextera has never gone camping intentionally before. each time he’s ended up in the wilderness has been mostly by accident, or it was temporary enough that overnight preparation wasn’t such a concern. ]
Um…
[ he picks up his sword. then puts it down. the valley is a place of peace. ]
[ dextera does, in fact, have clothes. none of them are very fashionable or flattering, but they’re practical for the price dextera has paid. he has a small sack he’s been keeping assorted items in, and so in go a few of his sturdiest belongings… and two pairs of underwear. he’s been moving up in the world.
he does also attach his sword to the strap over his shoulder, on his back, but he doesn’t expect he’ll need to use it. ]
…
[ he throws in a stale piece of bread for good measure, and turns to face dokja. ]
[ TWO.... You know what, that's better than one so we'll take those.
At this point, he doesn't even question the stale bread that gets in. Honestly, he's just happy it's not moldy. This is who Dextera is... and Dokja has to accept it sooner rather than later. ]
Great. [ Is it really? ] Let's head out.
[ Don't start regretting this already, Dokja... But he'll lead the way back out the door. ]
[ the stale bread makes sense to him, you see, and it will all be revealed when they actually reach the valley. he makes sure everything in his room is in order—and his rent has already been paid until the end of the month, as he’s made it clear to the owner that he’s a long-term tenant—so there’s no harm in just disappearing for a few days. ]
Mm.
[ he slings the bag over his shoulder and across his chest, and follows dokja out with his notebook in hand. at least until they’re out of the city, this is probably a better method. ]
[ And out they go! Dokja takes them down the streets of Godsblood into a entirely too sketchy area of the city. Is Dextera familiar with it? Because the first time Abel brought him here, Dokja thought someone was going to stab him and take his kidneys.
In fact, they're getting quite a few stares now from some of the more brazen-looking folk. Keep your belongings close, Dex... ]
It's around here somewhere.
[ ... Oh yeah, did anyone mention that Dokja is really bad at directions. ]
[ …right, dextera hadn’t considered the possibility that dokja’s sour reputation could extend to dextera just by association, and being down here in a part of town that dextera doesn’t often go to means that they’re both in trouble. it’s probably best for them to skedaddle as quickly as possible. ]
…
[ therefore, dokja’s mumbled comment doesn’t inspire much confidence. ]
Um…
[ dextera attempts to shuffle dokja on, seeking a landmark that can orient them both while they both scour their memory. ]
[ So. It was definitely in a building? The issue here being that there are lots of buildings...
Unlike the first time he'd been brought to this seedier part of the city, he doesn't pay attention to the glares of the onlookers. He's already on his way out, what's one more bit of trouble should it come to that? ]
Okay, I think it's this one.
[ Points to a random building... ]
Or the one right next to it. [ Sweats. ] We'll check them both out.
[ HEADS INTO THE FIRST ONE... It looks like a rundown tavern and upon entering, all eyes will turn to them. ]
[ dextera’s breath catches in his throat with such a small sound that, mercifully, likely only dokja can hear the squeak. his whole body, too, goes tense at the sudden observation—normally, he would just keep his head down and ignore it, but with the knowledge that dokja is sort of a persona non grata in godsblood right now, this could all go sour very quickly.
without looking away from the crowd staring at them, dextera slaps dokja’s arm. not this one. it can’t be this one. ]
[ Oh, yup. That smack on the arm really wasn't necessary because Dokja immediately realizes this is the wrong building. There wasn't anything like this when Abel had taken him to the portal...
With a bit of a nervous laugh that sounds more like a choke, Dokja quickly spins around, tugging Dextera along with him. ]
[ there’s a beer thrown at their heads on the way out, shattering above the doorframe and sprinkling them both in what dextera hopes is more beverage than broken glass. the door shuts behind them just in time for dextera to hear a muffled cheer. ]
…
[ he shakes some liquid out of his hair, just mildly distraught by how quickly he’s gotten dirty again after just taking a bath. he had been so clean…
but his sympathies do lie with dokja. if this is the kind of reception he’s getting on this side of town, it’s definitely better for him to get out and lay low for a while, at least until people forget the look of his face. dextera checks the next house over, and at least this one isn’t immediately teeming with hostility. ]
[ Beer and bits of glass in their hair... It could be worse? But oh man, Dokja's starting to have second thoughts about bringing Dextera along with him. He hurries into the next building which is a lot emptier and quieter than the previous one and a spark of recognition lights up Dokja's eyes. ]
This way.
[ A couple of glances go in their direction but no one stops them as they head toward a staircase leading to a basement. It's creepy and dark and there's no hint of a light down there. ]
Be careful with the stairs. They creak.
[ And he'll lead the way down, sliding his hand against the wall as he goes to help guide him. ]
he flicks away the smallest shard of glass he can find from his bangs, and then he slowly follows dokja down the stairs. the steps do make the cautious entry obvious to anyone listening in, but dextera has to believe they haven’t been followed—and if they have, it’s not like this portal is taking them anywhere secret. the valley of the innocent is the safest place they could go. ]
…
[ the last time he was on a set of stairs with dokja, it ended badly for the both of them… but, at least this time, there’s mercy had on them both and they manage to reach the bottom with no tripping, and finally, the portal is within distance. ]
[ Thank goodness no one fell to their death. These stairs are absolutely going to take someone out one day.
But with the portal coming into view, Dokja breathes a sigh of relief. He doesn't necessarily know what it takes to maintain it, but having a reminder of Abel is both relieving yet agonizing. Relieving because he forces himself to believe that it remains stable so as long as the priest is kept alive, and agonizing because he can't do anything about the situation. ]
Go on through. I'll follow.
[ He gestures to the portal. It'll lead to a thicket in the valley, somewhere safely hidden among the brush. ]
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Semi-dead? ]
Sorry if I caught you at a bad time. I just wanted to say goodbye.
[ Keep it short and sweet. It's not like they'll never see each other again. ]
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[ dextera tries to echo the word before his throat stops him, disallowing even the surprise. gently touching his throat, he frowns at dokja instead, clearly asking him to explain further.
it wouldn’t surprise him if dokja was trying to run away, since dextera himself has entertained the thought, but he didn’t expect it now. ]
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But Dokja's quick to pick up on the need for an explanation and hey... As long as he keeps out the gritty details, he can offer up on that. ]
It's becoming harder to stay in Godsblood. I was thinking of taking a break in the Valley of Innocence for a little while.
[ He has to mentally regroup before hitting up his final destination with the tree people. Practice living in the wilderness Bear Grylls style. ]
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…
[ dextera takes a step back to invite dokja in, and then moves to retrieve his notebook off the desk. he should use his shard, but he doesn’t, instead flipping to a page of phrases. ]
Why?
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As for the why... it's a little harder to answer, if only because that would mean explaining his massive fuck up, but... as a Pleroma living in Godsblood, Dextera has a right to know. ]
One of the Kenoma Aions lied and outed me as a fellow Kenoma Aion to the public.
[ He tries not to grimace too much as he explains. ]
It was my fault. You can imagine the looks I get when I'm spotted outside.
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…
[ he nods and takes a pencil, flipping to a new page to scrawl a more personalized message. ]
You can’t stay here. [ even so, ] But you shouldn’t travel alone.
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Dokja's brain: Static noises. ]
I don't think anyone else is looking for a chance to camp in the wilderness for a week.
[ Wow, that's really what he's planning to do, huh? The reality of it is just now settling in. ]
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…
[ he points to himself. ]
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Well then.
Dokja hadn't been expecting any company because why would he?? He's so used to always doing things on his own so this is a surprise. ]
Really?
[ Not that he'd mind. He likes Dextera! But this is... such short notice. ]
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Mmm…
[ he considers it again when dokja tries to re-confirm, but ultimately, he offers a nod. ]
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Alright, then. There's a portal set up not too far from here we can use to get to the valley.
[ They Are Really Doing This, huh. ]
I guess we can start with packing what you need for the trip?
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Um…
[ he picks up his sword. then puts it down. the valley is a place of peace. ]
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Why don't you start with clothes?
[ And bring more than one pair of underwear, please. ]
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he does also attach his sword to the strap over his shoulder, on his back, but he doesn’t expect he’ll need to use it. ]
…
[ he throws in a stale piece of bread for good measure, and turns to face dokja. ]
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At this point, he doesn't even question the stale bread that gets in. Honestly, he's just happy it's not moldy. This is who Dextera is... and Dokja has to accept it sooner rather than later. ]
Great. [ Is it really? ] Let's head out.
[ Don't start regretting this already, Dokja... But he'll lead the way back out the door. ]
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Mm.
[ he slings the bag over his shoulder and across his chest, and follows dokja out with his notebook in hand. at least until they’re out of the city, this is probably a better method. ]
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In fact, they're getting quite a few stares now from some of the more brazen-looking folk. Keep your belongings close, Dex... ]
It's around here somewhere.
[ ... Oh yeah, did anyone mention that Dokja is really bad at directions. ]
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…
[ therefore, dokja’s mumbled comment doesn’t inspire much confidence. ]
Um…
[ dextera attempts to shuffle dokja on, seeking a landmark that can orient them both while they both scour their memory. ]
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Unlike the first time he'd been brought to this seedier part of the city, he doesn't pay attention to the glares of the onlookers. He's already on his way out, what's one more bit of trouble should it come to that? ]
Okay, I think it's this one.
[ Points to a random building... ]
Or the one right next to it. [ Sweats. ] We'll check them both out.
[ HEADS INTO THE FIRST ONE... It looks like a rundown tavern and upon entering, all eyes will turn to them. ]
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[ dextera’s breath catches in his throat with such a small sound that, mercifully, likely only dokja can hear the squeak. his whole body, too, goes tense at the sudden observation—normally, he would just keep his head down and ignore it, but with the knowledge that dokja is sort of a persona non grata in godsblood right now, this could all go sour very quickly.
without looking away from the crowd staring at them, dextera slaps dokja’s arm. not this one. it can’t be this one. ]
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With a bit of a nervous laugh that sounds more like a choke, Dokja quickly spins around, tugging Dextera along with him. ]
It'll definitely be the next one.
[ PLEASE be the next one. ]
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…
[ he shakes some liquid out of his hair, just mildly distraught by how quickly he’s gotten dirty again after just taking a bath. he had been so clean…
but his sympathies do lie with dokja. if this is the kind of reception he’s getting on this side of town, it’s definitely better for him to get out and lay low for a while, at least until people forget the look of his face. dextera checks the next house over, and at least this one isn’t immediately teeming with hostility. ]
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This way.
[ A couple of glances go in their direction but no one stops them as they head toward a staircase leading to a basement. It's creepy and dark and there's no hint of a light down there. ]
Be careful with the stairs. They creak.
[ And he'll lead the way down, sliding his hand against the wall as he goes to help guide him. ]
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he flicks away the smallest shard of glass he can find from his bangs, and then he slowly follows dokja down the stairs. the steps do make the cautious entry obvious to anyone listening in, but dextera has to believe they haven’t been followed—and if they have, it’s not like this portal is taking them anywhere secret. the valley of the innocent is the safest place they could go. ]
…
[ the last time he was on a set of stairs with dokja, it ended badly for the both of them… but, at least this time, there’s mercy had on them both and they manage to reach the bottom with no tripping, and finally, the portal is within distance. ]
Ah…
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But with the portal coming into view, Dokja breathes a sigh of relief. He doesn't necessarily know what it takes to maintain it, but having a reminder of Abel is both relieving yet agonizing. Relieving because he forces himself to believe that it remains stable so as long as the priest is kept alive, and agonizing because he can't do anything about the situation. ]
Go on through. I'll follow.
[ He gestures to the portal. It'll lead to a thicket in the valley, somewhere safely hidden among the brush. ]
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