5th sin - [action]

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos is met with confusion when he awakens in the forest, clad in only the white pants and shoes given to men who arrive in Luceti.

What happened? He doesn't remember. There was the draft... both him and Yuan had fallen ill... but what after that? Nothing. Had he been killed? He's out here like this, so it was a possibility. Or was it? He has no recollection of being killed. So maybe--

--maybe he had been. As Kratos props himself up, he quickly realizes that he can't feel the ground beneath him. Shock floods him, and he shakily stands up. When he has to lean against a tree for a moment, he notices that he can't feel the bark, either.

He had been struck down. He doesn't remember it, but it had happened. And the penalty appears to be his ability to use his sense of touch.

It's disgustingly fitting, considering how many Chosen Ones he had led to become the exact same way.

The man allows himself to let the shock pass a bit before making his way back to House Eight. One may bump into him as he makes this journey, but while he'll be polite, he'll also act very rushed.]

[Yuan Only]

[After Kratos returns to House Eight and fixes himself up, he'll see if Yuan is actually home. He's probably caused the man... concern? Frustration? Who knows, with how complicated their friendship is at the moment. Either way, he should make his return known to the other man.]

Yuan?

Comments

[Action]

[childofthefullmoon]

[Estelle is walking through town when she notices someone familiar in new feather pants. She blinks and immediately goes towards Kratos.]

Kratos? Are you all right?

[It's been a while since she saw him, although she did catch a glimpse of him among the other draftees. But... the fact that he's in new feather pants isn't usually a good thing.]

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

[He turns to face Estelle's direction.]

...Estelle. [He nods.] Yes, I'm all right. There's no need to concern yourself.

[He needs to get home, but he wouldn't feel right rushing her off.]

[Action]

[childofthefullmoon]

Are you sure?

[She blinks, tilting her gaze down towards Kratos' new feather pants and looking back up at him. He remembered her though, so that's good.]

What happened to you?

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

I'm certain. I've been with the Malnosso, but it does not seem like I've returned with any side effects. [A blatant lie.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Asbel spotted the man while he was traveling through on his own errands. At first, he pauses and stares from a distance while the man drew closer. He seemed familiar. That long messy mop of auburn hair and blank expression seemed so familiar to him...

...And then it hit him. Of course. This was... that man from the draft. The one he had to kill. So he was a resident of Luceti. He must've been brought back then. He couldn't hold the man's actions against him. It wasn't his fault, after all. The virus had driven him to that primal, almost beast-like state. And if he was back, it must have cost him something in return.

In a way, Asbel felt responsible. No... He was responsible for this man's death, regardless of the circumstances. The least he could do was try to be hospitable, despite whether the man recognized him or not.

He jogs up to Kratos now.]

Ah, hey! Are you alright?

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

[...this face isn't one Kratos recognizes, but he is aware of Luceti's population of particularly kind strangers. He stops.]

Yes, I appear to be fine. [And he does appear to be far as he knows, aside from his state of undress. But he knows he isn't all right.] I appreciate your concern.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[He doesn't seem to recognize Asbel... but Asbel was never very good at reading people, so he'll just have to keep playing it lowkey.]

Think nothing of it. Are you new here? Or just returning?

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

Returning. I've been within the closure for a little over a year. [A year... it hasn't felt as quick as it usually does back home, either. Perhaps because his body requires the things it did not require for thousands of years, mainly sleep.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Ahh... Well, I can't say I know the reasons why you're returning like this... [Except he totally does, W H O O P S] ...But if you need any help, I'd be glad to offer it.

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

I'm grateful for your offer, though I'm not sure if I'm actually in need of any assistance. [Or rather, he'd just like to get home before anyone questions how he's managing in this weather in his... current state of dress. Or lack thereof.]

[House 8 action]

[fortunefail]

[Normally, Yuan would've emerged from his room the moment Kratos stepped through the front door, but he's a bit preoccupied. That is, he's fast asleep. While his schedule is still a bit off, just as it was before the draft, he's found that he no longer lies awake for hours on end. When he does sleep, he has a perfectly good night's rest. Or afternoon's rest, as it is in this case. Whatever it was that had caused his insomnia over the past half year, it's gone. Now it's just a matter of going to bed at the right hours.

Kratos can find him in his room, fully clothed but out like a light.]

[House 8 action]

[shiningbinds]

[Kratos opens the door of Yuan's room, actually surprised by the sight. Perhaps a little amused, even. It's rare to see Yuan like this, isn't it?

He moves over to Yuan's bed, shaking him a little. He'd let the man rest normally, but considering the circumstances...

It's so abnormal, to not be able to feel himself attempting to shake his friend awake.]

[House 8 action]

[fortunefail]

[Kratos may have lost his sense of touch, but Yuan sure hasn't. The moment fingers close around his arm, he wakes with a start, eyes wide and alert. However, the realization of who's standing before him sinks in almost immediately and he lets out the breath he was holding.]

Dammit, Kratos. [He sits up, rubbing his face with one hand.] Just knock next time.

[House 8 action]

[shiningbinds]

My apologies. [He moves his hand away from Yuan.] Normally, I would have. However, I suspect I've been gone for a while. [...] And how long has it been, exactly?

[House 8 action]

[fortunefail]

It's been over two weeks since the draft ended. ...Almost three. Apparently the Malnosso weren't in a hurry to get you back in the enclosure.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

[It takes Emil a moment to even realize that this is Kratos, given the fact that he's currently clothed in New Feather pants rather than his usual outfit. But people don't usually come back from kidnappings dressed like that, do they? Something else must've happened to him.]

... Kratos? Are you okay?

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

[...Emil. He nods in recognition.]

Good afternoon, Emil. [He attempts to not sound too hurried.] I'm all right, I've simply returned from the Malnosso.

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

They kidnapped you? I'm sorry.

[It's still a little strange that they returned him dressed like that, though.]

They really didn't do anything to you while you were gone?

[Action]

[shiningbinds]

So far, I haven't noticed any drastic changes. [None he's willing to outright share, in any case.]

[Action]

[knightofratatosk]

That's good, at least. Maybe you were lucky and whatever they did to you didn't have any lasting effects.

[noexit]

[Misato was on her way to work when she saw Kratos up ahead, and she decides it doesn't matter if she runs a little late. She bustles up to him.]

Kratos... You look a little under-dressed for the weather. [Words that should be joking, but she says it in all seriousness. Had he been kidnapped by the Malnosso? He looks unhurt, but...]

[shiningbinds]

[Mn, Misato. Kratos is actually a little unnerved by her serious tone, it's not something he's used to from her.]

I was recently returned from the Malnosso. [A quiet sigh.] I'll dress myself in weather-appropriate clothing when I return to my residence.

[...if you'd call his normal attire "weather-appropriate," anyway.]

[noexit]

Don't give me any of that "stoic man" crap, it's freezing out here! [She's tugging off her scarf and looping it around his neck for him. Deal with it, dude.]

[shiningbinds]

[Is it really that cold? It isn't as if Kratos can tell. He can't even feel the material against his neck.]

This isn't necessary. [He smiles a little. Perhaps that will reassure her.] But I thank you, Misato.

[noexit]

Isn't necessary my ass... [She takes a step back from him, done tying the scarf.]

It never gets this cold where I'm from. [Her tone and expression lose a little vibrancy.] Not anymore, at least. [And 15 years is more than long enough to grow unaccustomed to the cold.]