deernet | video, un:charon

[Lysithea appears on the screen in front of a doorway painted mint green, looking grim, but resolute. Her arm is in a sling and she has obvious scars and cuts across her face and neck, but at the very least, she is in one piece. She couldn't say the same for some of her friends.]

I am one day late.

I am pleased to announce...

[And here she makes a gesture with her good hand, and it becomes clear that this is a recording through the eyes of her Omen. The bird flaps back a few feet to reveal a recently renovated building that looks, if not grand, at least, well... intact.]

The grand opening of the Patisserie Lysitherie. Located in the Willful Machine, [address here], five minutes' walk from the closest Lamp Friend.

[Lysithea steps inside and her Omen follows to showcase part of the interior.]

...I'm sure I've prattled on about my business long enough, so I won't bore you with more details. Just know that our trade rates are exceedingly reasonable, and we seek to procure only the finest ingredients from the docks. It is winter, of course, so temper your expectations accordingly. Additionally, all purchases will come with a package of Weeping Wafers, our first in-house concoction. The taste is nutty and earthy with hints of nutmeg and almond. It's delicate - and not excessively sweet.

Most importantly, it is made with raw, diced Weepers.

After the... occurrences of the previous month, I imagine we could all benefit from their magic. If you seek mental stability, come by and we're happy to provide you with free samples. Don't take too many, though - I don't know what the effects are if you overdose.

...Well, that's all. Thank you for your business.

[...It is evident that Lysithea has no idea how to end this. After a moment, she looks around awkwardly and then dips her head as if in a bow before the transmission cuts.]

[action, ota, at the Patisserie]
[Lysithea will be manning the sweets shop during business hours. Her employees are welcome to join her when they're free - she could use some extra help, given her dislocated wrist. Drop by to sample normal baked goods, Weeper products, or simply strike up a conversation.

On slow days, Lysithea can be found eating her Weeping Wafers and fingering what appears to be an old research journal of some sort.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm literally watching your hygiene improve in slow motion, Yuri.

[Lysithea does not suffer to entertain anyone's delusions, no matter if it is a friend. After a few more moments of watching him chew to ensure that he's getting it all down, she returns to her counter.]

If you want another one, you can help yourself. Just note it as a transaction in the records.

[i.e. she wants pay]

Anyway... can you make those apple gummies reliably? Can we sell them?

My hygiene is just fine.

[ He retorts lamely, then rolls his eyes ]

Sure, sure, boss. Thanks for the one.

[ He doesn't need any, anyway. He's fine. No corruption here at all ]

I, yeah. I can make them. Dunno if we can sell them on their healing properties. Might need some alchemist or mage to give that part a try.

I'll make a batch to try and sell tomorrow.

You cannot seriously say you didn't notice your nails catching on everything. [She responds flatly.] I've tried growing out my nails before. It was unpleasant.

[This is actually a deep and meaningful confession from her, not that Yuri would know. Lysithea formerly eschewed all manner of frivolity in regards to her appearance, believing that it would detract from her reputation as a serious scholar.]

But we don't need to market their healing properties, that's fine. We just need to market their addictive and wholesomely chewy properties.

[ Yuri looks down at his hands, the claws still there, but smaller ]

Eh... didn't really notice them. Guess that explains why I kept puncturing the dough.

[ It's not that he usually cares this little about his appearance, but the corruption made him care even less. If only he knew, it would be such good fodder to tease her with. Maybe he can use it later ]

Yeah, probably a good idea. Had to keep them away from the kids at home. They weren't cheap.

[ He does feel a certain level of pride that she thinks they're addictive. Nodding his head ]

I can make more.

No one wants to eat dirty-fingernail-bread, Yuri.

[Who knew what manner of dirt and germs he was picking up in his corruption claws? This was clearly a health hazard on top of the mental concern.]

You do that, thanks. And if it works out, we can work on seeing if some of those other flavors are feasible. There was lemon, right?

[Lysithea turns to wander back to her position behind the counter, but pauses partway with her back still to Yuri.]

...

Look. I know you don't want to talk about it. But I want to ask.

What... happened after I left?

[ Yuri would talk more about gels (pineapple are his favorite), but her question leaves his quiet. He heads into the kitchen and starts to put things back in their places, which is unusual in and of itself.

What should he say? Should he even answer? But he owes her. He owes her big.

Letting out a breath, a long minute later: ]

Got caught. I lost a few minutes there, but, yeah. Next thing I knew, I was being tied up.

They didn't... get you too, right?

[ The corruption got too bad, and those minutes in that last room, when the zealots found them, are gone from his mind.

He has faith that she got out the same way Flynn did. He didn't find her, when he and Kaeya were trying to escape ]

No. I found myself outside the tower. Some of those we rescued - they were with me, though I lost track of the others.

[Lysithea's back is still to Yuri as she straightens some objects that don't need straightening. She abruptly turns.]

I'm sorry.

I hate this. That I abandoned you. That I was so... caught up in my own mind I could barely speak or be coherent. It was my fault we were in that room in the first place, and I just... disappeared.

I am ashamed of my conduct.

Did they hurt you?

Hey, you didn't leave on purpose. Just like Flynn, right? You were just... gone.

[ Taken out of that place, while Yuri was left behind. At least, that's what he assumes happened to her. It's easier than assuming she abandoned him ]

I'm alive. It's... [ He only remembers snippets of those days, flashing in and out of consciousness, in and out of a corrupted state, that led to this, the ragged hair and sallow skin and claw-tipped fingers. He doesn't quite look at her when he speaks again ] Good, that you got the rest of them out. I only got my own ass out, in the end.

No.

I didn't leave on purpose.

[She shakes her head.]

But I still left - and that's what matters in that moment. That's what... you felt.

[The tower was a nightmare she would never forget until the end of days. To be left behind while all others were saved - that... would leave a scar that cut almost as deep as the ones she had suffered as a child.]

On the battlefield - in war... it would be unthinkable. So even if it were not my choice, I must beg forgiveness.

Good thing I'm not your soldier.

[ He mutters it, but-- she's being sincere. He can try to be sincere too. He sighs, pushing a hand through his hair ]

Look, it's fine. It's-- not fine, but you wouldn't've done it if you had a choice. That's what matters. I'm not holding it against you.

But, if you need it, you have it. [ His forgiveness, even if he can't quite look at her when he says it ]

[Lysithea says nothing for a moment, before she offers a slow nod in response.]

Thanks.

[She is aware that he is not making eye contact. She will not force the issue.]

That's why... I hold myself responsible for your well-being now, you know? So don't go neglecting yourself.

Don't do that.

[ He laughs humorlessly, glancing up at the ceiling, a hand on his hit. He lets out a long breath. Having Flynn worry about him was bad enough, he doesn't need more. People stacked up at home, and now here, too. Even if he cares about Lysithea, wants her to be okay, it different. ]

Just glad you got out when you did.

[Lysithea smiles wanly. Naturally, he was one of those types.]

You can't utter those two things in the same breath. If you worry for me, then you understand that I must reciprocate.

It's unpleasant. I know.

[She does not elaborate further.]

...Well, thanks for the work on the gels. If you want to celebrate your success, you can clock out early.

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