[2:09 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻 ima eepydeepysleepy but I made a thread for later 😴

[10:38 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros returned to his room, sitting on the bed and taking care of his viol, polishing it and all the other things you do with a musical instrument. He had a whole meticulous routine for it to make the viol look its best - he'd done all the necessary parts to keep it functioning and keep it looking good, but this routine made the viol practically shine and look as close to brand new as a viol that was older than him could. By quite a bit too. He was engrossed in what he was doing, distant from the world. Autism alert.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:43 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto entered the room and ducked not to hit his head on the doorframe. He, too, seemed to be somewhat lost in thought, but noticed his roommate at least and granted him his signature sorrowful smile.

"Heyo Ekmeros. Nice to see you here too", he greeted, and went to pull his luggage bags out to the open. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:48 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros didn't notice Taisto entering or even greeting him, but it was as he finished running his thumb along an engraving in the hip of the viol that his attention waned enough for him to be thrust back into the real world. "Oh, hello Taisto," he said, eyebrows raised - to him it was like Taisto had just teleported into existence. "I didn't see you come in."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:52 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Oh? I've been here for a moment", he chuckled. "I guess a spirit can be pretty inconspicuous."

He began to open his bags and the drawers to pick out his things and pack them up.

"How have you been? We haven't had a moment to properly talk in a bit." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:55 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros glanced at the viol and started to put it away as Taisto continued to talk. "Perhaps..." He set the viol on his lap. "I should be asking that to you - the fight, I worried that you were seriously hurt." Not just worried, knew. But he didn't say that part out loud. "But I suppose they managed to heal you?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:58 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Ah... Yeah, that was. Something." The spirit frowned and continued folding his clothes.

"I honestly didn't know I could faint. That's never happened to me before. I feel a lot better now, don't worry, but... I think that was an unnecessarily dangerous way to go about the fight. But... it's fine now. I'm fine, and I hope that boy is okay too." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:02 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros wasn't sure he believed Taisto but didn't press on it. He hadn't met the boy and didn't really care. Sorry Ren. "I hope the boy is all right as well." Watching Taisto fold his clothes, he frowned, tightening his lips. "It's a shame you're leaving so soon - you have been a good roommate." Truth be told, Ekmeros worried about being alone again - not because he didn't like being alone, but because if Yeonaixho was right, he risked not being alone again, in a roundabout way. He ran a hand along the viol case and took a deep breath, as if to speak, but didn't.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:08 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Yes... I wish I could stay for longer. I don't really eat, so I wouldn't be spending the island's resources either. I would like to stay and cheer for you and my other friends here. I would have liked to meet more people." He sighed, paused his work and sat on the bed. He looked at Ekmeros with a faint, worried frown.

"...Do be careful here, okay? I don't know how badly you want to win this competition but... it can't be as important as your life. Don't risk it for something like this, okay? I don't know how sturdy tieflings are, but I'm not supposed to be mortal, and yet I got really hurt out there. I don't want anything like that to happen to you." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:14 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros hummed agreeably as Taisto spoke, then frowned himself as Taisto looked at him. He hesitated, then spoke, "The thing I want most in the world, a tournament cannot bring to me and no one can help me with. I am here to see how far I can get and that is all." He paused again, considering whether he should tell Taisto that he'd be staying on the island longer - but he eventually decided that would just worry Taisto. "I will be fine. As will you be."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:17 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto smiled, wistful as always, but relieved. His tail brushed the bed.

"That's good to hear. I wish you luck then, with everything", he said warmly, stood, and continued folding the rest of his clothes and putting them into his bags.

"At least there will be one less person for you to clean up after", he said in jest, and chuckled lightly. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:21 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros chuckled with Taisto, relaxing slightly. "I suppose. I do like cleaning, so perhaps it's another negative to you leaving," he said, his tone light. "...would you like some help packing?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:24 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Well dang. I guess I'll have to trash the room before I go so you'll have something to do", he laughed. Then, he looked over his shoulder to Ekmeros.

"Oh, um. You've already helped me a bunch, but... if you want to, I'd appreciate it. I got a bit distracted, so I don't know if I'm in a hurry to catch the boat." He smiled. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:27 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros smiled at the thought. "A goodbye present, I suppose," he mused thoughtfully. "Though our hosts may not be too happy with you..."

At the acceptance of his offer, Ekmeros put the viol case's strap around his hips and walked over to help Taisto pack, being neat and efficient but clearly trying to not overstep, following his guidance. He was good at packing.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:35 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto chuckled with a bright grin. "Yeeah, I'll have to give something else, I guess."

Taisto's tail swished lightly from side to side when Ekmeros helped him pack. He really appreciated it. Everything seemed to fit in much better than they had when he had packed his things for the trip the first time, and it went much faster as well.

When everything was in the luggage, Taisto sat back on the bed and looked around the room. It would be the last he would see of it. He felt a bit sad about it, but couldn't help but feel excited to go home at the same time. His forest was calling for him. It had been this whole time, but now that he was going back, he could feel it pulling him.

He turned towards Ekmeros. "Thank you! It seems I have some time left. Would you like if I tried to draw you?" @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:42 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was very focused on the task at hand, eyes fixed on what he was doing, not talking. It was only once they were done that he shifted his gaze, following Taisto's around the room. Honestly, it had been stranger for Ekmeros to have a roommate - yet, since he had started his time at the tournament with one, imagining the other bed empty seemed impossible. He doubted he'd be alone for long, though, unfortunately. That 'ghost', after all, seemed to be plaguing both him and Zerada - and it was his fault it wasn't just him.

As Taisto spoke again, he blinked in surprise, both at the words and the offer. "Oh. Um. I suppose if you would like to."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:48 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto's tail wagged.

"I want to give you something. I'll try to make it as nice as possible." He picked up some of the papers that he had gotten from the library, and a book to hold under the paper. Then, he lift his legs onto the bed and sat cross-legged, holding the book and the paper against his lap. "You can sit on your bed if you want, or wherever you're comfortable", he instructed, holding a pen ready and smiling at Ekmeros expectantly. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:51 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros stared but just nodded, then sat on his bed, awkwardly moving his viol so it didn't press into his stomach, though he didn't undo the strap because that would be a whole other awkward movement. He nodded again and just... sat there.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:59 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto smiled encouragingly, and started drawing. He scribbled onto the paper with swift, confident lines, lifting his gaze every now and then to take reference from his model. His expression softened and he seemed relaxed and neutral, not smiling nor frowning. To think of it, he was possibly kind of mirroring Ekmeros' expression as he drew the man.

After some time, Taisto tilted his head, looked up at his roommate, back at the paper, roommate, paper, roommate, paper... And then he smiled, and handed the artwork for Ekmeros to look at.

"I think this is finished. I hope you like it!"

The drawing was Taisto's realistic style, having a lot of hatching and scribbled lines, that brought out the depth and forms of Ekmeros' head and face. The drawing was a bust, including the man's shoulders and part of his chest, and Taisto had used some creative freedom to emphasize some of his features to make the drawing extra pretty and nice. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:38 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros just sort of sat there, unsure of what to do with himself. Then he decided to take the viol out of its case and continue his routine of making it look its best and that's how he truly relaxed, the world dripping away as he focused on his task.

He finished shortly before Taisto finished and gently took the drawing, his eyes widening as he stared at it. "It's incredible," he mumbled, holding it delicately as he stared it. "You're talented." He was so good at compliments.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:54 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto's ears shifted back bashfully, and his tail brushed the bed as he smiled brightly.

"Aw shucks, thank you, I'm so happy you like it! Keep it as a thanks and a goodbye present. If you ever come to Elkland on your travels, come say hi!"

He bounced slightly on his seat, excited and delighted that Ekmeros liked his gift. Then, he remembered something, opened the book that he had held under the paper while drawing, and quickly skimmed over some text. His brows furrowed in concentration. He soon picked up his other book and did the same thing, going back and forth through the pages, and checking the other book as well.

"Ah, I promised Zerada I would check if I could find anything useful for her from my books, but I don't think these can help her" , he mumbled partly to Ekmeros, and partly to himself.

"Hmm.. Oh well..." He took another paper, and quickly scribbled on it, before tearing the piece of paper off and folding it in half.

"Could you give this to Zerada the next time you see her? I don't want to leave it on tables or anything where it can get lost." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:33 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded. "I will have to find it on a map and hope my travels naturally take me there," he said, quietening when he thought about how he wouldn't be travelling for a while. He shifted the case on his stomach. As he mused, he was only vaguely aware of Taisto moving around but wasn't paying that much attention until he was once again addressed. He stared at the note but took it, nodding. "I will do that when I see her," he said with a firm nod. Nodding man.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:57 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Thank you! It's nothing super important, but I'd like her to have it", Taisto smiled. Then, he put his books back into the luggage, tidied up his bed a bit, and tapped his chin in thought, trying to think if he had forgotten anything. Since he didn't come to think of anything, he turned back to Ekmeros and returned to the earlier subject.

"Elkland is in Northern Europe. I live in a town called Tammela. I can give you my address if you want, but even if I were to move at some point, the most reliable way to find me is to go to the forest, Ulvskog, and call for me. I'll be able to tell you're there, and I can come find you", he smiled, swishing his tail. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[4:36 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I'll make sure that it gets to her." Ekmeros tucked the note into his pocket. He watched Taisto mill about on his side. He'd probably tidy up the bed himself later, once Taisto had left. A strange thought. At least Ekmeros knew what had happened.

He nodded, understanding geography. "I can make no promises when I will visit," he said, knowing it'd be at least a few months considering he'd be staying on the island. "But I will try to visit, at least. It'll be nice to see you. You're a good person to know." That's 'we're friends' in Ekmeros speak.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[4:43 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto smiled.

"There's no rush. Ideally, I'll be around for a long time, and it's okay if you can't make it after all. But it'd be really nice to see you again too, it's been nice knowing you, too", his smile became warmer. Then, his ear ticked towards the hallway. He could hear someone approaching the room, and from the sound he couldn't recognize the person. He figured it was someone coming to fetch for him. He sighed lightly, and looked at Ekmeros wistfully.

"I guess this is a goodbye for now. I'll miss you, and everyone I got to know. Hopefully we'll meet again", he said, and opened his arms for a hug, but didn't take the step to scoop the other in his arms yet, waiting for his approval. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[4:48 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros just nodded, his gaze flicking toward the door as he saw Taisto's ear move, then he met his eyes again. His eyes widened at the offer of a hug but nodded, standing from the bed and allowing Taisto to initiate the hug before awkwardly putting his arms around him as well. And patting his back. Pat pat. "Hopefully."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[4:55 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto hugged Ekmeros and wagged his tail. He held him for a moment, before there was a knock on the door. He pulled away, glancing over to the door, before smiling sadly at his friend. "Alright, guess that's my cue. Take care Ekmeros. Goodbye."

Taisto sighed lightly, took one last look around the room, grabbed his things and headed to the door.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

( :sobcat: he gone;;; bye bye baby girl)

[4:57 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Once Taisto was gone, Ekmeros busied himself cleaning the room - there wasn't much to really clean so he was just repeating steps, but he did it anyway, making Taisto's bed a few times.