[ Arriving in a strange new world would be startling for anyone, but for Ardbert it was doubly if not thrice as alarming.
For starters, his last memory as 'himself' was his farewell to Seto, the blessed chance granted to him by Ahri to share a moment with his dearest friend. He has been vaguely aware of things through her perspective, but unless he tries to focus, much of the remainder had been a blur.
He was happy for respite, honestly. One hundred and thirty one years was long enough for one man to live through, if one could call him living. The rest was welcome indeed.
Which is why he finds himself troubled now, separated not only from his Warrior of Light, but from death and his prior existence as well. The staff from the ship had picked him up and brought him to the medical bay thanks to his disorientation, but once he was found to be clear of injuries, they set him on his way.
Of course, nothing makes sense and Ardbert is still wearing his armor and axe so he looks about as lost as one could be. But he generally just needs a moment to adjust. To get his bearings. He is so very lost. Please help him. ]
[ The moment she'd stepped foot in this place--well, the world itself, because she'd rather not go back to the place she arrived--Ahri had felt that something was... off. She hadn't been able to place it. It was like an itch she couldn't scratch, unbearable, infuriating, incessant. When she'd thought she'd been rid of it, there it was again, rearing its head and bothering her to the point where she's not exactly pleasant to be around.
At least she can catch a break here. She feels guilty for thinking that, because she's needed back home. She's the Warrior of Light, after all, and even if time there has stopped--convenient, she thinks--it's still bothersome.
Needless to say, she can't exactly enjoy her unintentional break. It's a new place, and Ahri is primed to expect danger wherever she goes. It's almost too quiet and peaceful here, and a large part of her expects some invisible, looming threat to come crashing down on all of them.
She isn't expecting to see any familiar face; it would be welcomed, yes, but--
Of course she'd think that thought, and then see a very familiar face. Ahri had made her peace some time ago. She'd accepted that she would likely never see him again--Elidibus aside. Seeing him, solid and steady and standing and here nearly knocks the breath out of her. She shouldn't get her hopes up. ]
... Ardbert? [ she calls out. How steady her voice is surprises her. ]
[ Ardbert does not expect to be perceived by many, but hers is a voice he had at least grown used to in the last few months. He looks to her when he hears it -- quickly running towards her if only to confirm that she is real, not some figment of his active imagination. ]
Ahri? You're here too?
[ His only logical thought had been that this was some manner of afterlife. That perhaps his consciousness had fled her body... but seeing her now, he stops short. Surely... This was real? ]
[ Give her a moment, because she's sure having one. Ahri takes a deep breath, steadies herself, and looks up at him. Yes, it's Ardbert--really him. Unless this is some dream, equal parts heartbreaking and wonderful. Ardbert's important to her, after all. She feels like an idiot for not realizing just how important, not until he was gone.
Well. Not gone, but not present, either.
She remembers that she needs to say something, and she takes another deep breath. ]
I'm not sure. This isn't a dream, is it? Mayhap you should pinch me to make sure.
[ Seeing her on this side is certainly strange, and the fact that he's living and breathing is perhaps even stranger. He'd rationalized it by assuming this was some part of the process of rebirth, perhaps, or at least it could not be anywhere the Warrior of Light was, too.
Imagine his surprise now, as he sees her clear as day. Her words make him smile though, it's quite the suggestion. (One he'd thought of as well.) ]
I... no, I've pinched myself several times over to no avail. This is real.
[ She lets out a laugh, slightly breathless, but completely open and bright. She has no reason to doubt him--it's a measure of how deeply she trusts him. ]
Then... there's only one thing to do, isn't there?
[ She lifts her fist and holds it out for him. C'mon, Ardbert, finally a proper fistbump! ]
[ Better than being mixed up with Elidibus, at least! Though the Ascian had been so terrible at impersonating him, it's no wonder. ]
Ha! Of course. You know me best.
[ He grins and meets her fist with his, happy to see that there isn't some burst of light or that he's well, re-absorbed or whatever. If he'd thought this through he might have worried, good thing he never does that. ]
[ He smiles big and wide, words a little deep for all that he doesn't seem bothered by it. Of course he'd worried that perhaps he was still a ghost, but if Ahri is here, and he can touch her, then he's surely alive. ]
It's great to see you. I'm glad I'm not alone in this strange place.
[ He's just as earnest as ever. Ahri's smile matches his, bright and wide, and she lets out a laugh. She tries not to think about how warm she feels around him. ]
As if we could ever get rid of each other! [ She bumps her fist against his shoulder. ] I'd follow you to the end of the world, you know. I've been told I'm pretty damn stubborn.
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arrival
For starters, his last memory as 'himself' was his farewell to Seto, the blessed chance granted to him by Ahri to share a moment with his dearest friend. He has been vaguely aware of things through her perspective, but unless he tries to focus, much of the remainder had been a blur.
He was happy for respite, honestly. One hundred and thirty one years was long enough for one man to live through, if one could call him living. The rest was welcome indeed.
Which is why he finds himself troubled now, separated not only from his Warrior of Light, but from death and his prior existence as well. The staff from the ship had picked him up and brought him to the medical bay thanks to his disorientation, but once he was found to be clear of injuries, they set him on his way.
Of course, nothing makes sense and Ardbert is still wearing his armor and axe so he looks about as lost as one could be. But he generally just needs a moment to adjust. To get his bearings. He is so very lost. Please help him. ]
no subject
At least she can catch a break here. She feels guilty for thinking that, because she's needed back home. She's the Warrior of Light, after all, and even if time there has stopped--convenient, she thinks--it's still bothersome.
Needless to say, she can't exactly enjoy her unintentional break. It's a new place, and Ahri is primed to expect danger wherever she goes. It's almost too quiet and peaceful here, and a large part of her expects some invisible, looming threat to come crashing down on all of them.
She isn't expecting to see any familiar face; it would be welcomed, yes, but--
Of course she'd think that thought, and then see a very familiar face. Ahri had made her peace some time ago. She'd accepted that she would likely never see him again--Elidibus aside. Seeing him, solid and steady and standing and here nearly knocks the breath out of her. She shouldn't get her hopes up. ]
... Ardbert? [ she calls out. How steady her voice is surprises her. ]
no subject
Ahri? You're here too?
[ His only logical thought had been that this was some manner of afterlife. That perhaps his consciousness had fled her body... but seeing her now, he stops short. Surely... This was real? ]
But how?
no subject
[ Give her a moment, because she's sure having one. Ahri takes a deep breath, steadies herself, and looks up at him. Yes, it's Ardbert--really him. Unless this is some dream, equal parts heartbreaking and wonderful. Ardbert's important to her, after all. She feels like an idiot for not realizing just how important, not until he was gone.
Well. Not gone, but not present, either.
She remembers that she needs to say something, and she takes another deep breath. ]
I'm not sure. This isn't a dream, is it? Mayhap you should pinch me to make sure.
no subject
Imagine his surprise now, as he sees her clear as day. Her words make him smile though, it's quite the suggestion. (One he'd thought of as well.) ]
I... no, I've pinched myself several times over to no avail. This is real.
no subject
Then... there's only one thing to do, isn't there?
[ She lifts her fist and holds it out for him. C'mon, Ardbert, finally a proper fistbump! ]
i'm so sorry for delay!! ;;
Ha! Of course. You know me best.
[ He grins and meets her fist with his, happy to see that there isn't some burst of light or that he's well, re-absorbed or whatever. If he'd thought this through he might have worried, good thing he never does that. ]
How's that?
pets ur head
As she smiles up at him, it's warm and affectionate, and she lets out a laugh. ]
Well worth the wait, I'd say. And for you?
this time Gmail will give me the notif... pls
[ He smiles big and wide, words a little deep for all that he doesn't seem bothered by it. Of course he'd worried that perhaps he was still a ghost, but if Ahri is here, and he can touch her, then he's surely alive. ]
It's great to see you. I'm glad I'm not alone in this strange place.
looks at my hands.... five months later
As if we could ever get rid of each other! [ She bumps her fist against his shoulder. ] I'd follow you to the end of the world, you know. I've been told I'm pretty damn stubborn.