No matter what...? This isn't just... another one of your flattery attempts, is it? (Even if it was, it worked. Illuga felt as light as a balloon, a light blush dusting his cheeks.)

To be honest, Sir Flins... there are often times I want to invite you out to participate in hobbies like these with me, but I hesitate, since I know you're far busier than I am. So, I'm really happy right now.

(Something to look forward to. Illuga smiled, bright as the sun.) Really? You will?

Hahaha, well, since you're offering... (Illuga rubbed at the back of his neck in an attempt to downplay his reaction as sheepish surprise, rather than over the moon as he really felt. ... He knew Flins would be able to see right through him either way...) That doesn't... sound so bad at all.

(The hug he offered in return could have been seen as an awkward one. It was a difficult task to provide any sort of comfort when he was afraid of applying any unnecessary pressure, lest he aggravated Lohen's wound and caused him further pain. But, in truth, it was cathartic to give his support. +

(Now Illuga was troubled. Should he just come out with it?) Um... (He debated internally for a moment - before deciding to bite the bullet.) I think hobbies are better when there's others involved.

(Illuga cupped his chin, deep in thought.) ... Like cards? (He offered - and the look he gave Flins in that moment was filled with a quiet sort of hope.) Or fishing...

Dad keeps telling me to pick up a hobby or two now that the Wild Hunt is mostly contained. ... I just... don't know how to focus on anything else. There's always the chance of a resurgence, even if it's slim, and I want to be as prepared for the worst as humanly possible.

Another nightmare... (Groans, and hangs his head.) I'm so exhausted. Even with the Wild Hunt under control, this happens...

Let's skip that first one, thanks. (Sighing at Lohen's antics. He doubted it was all the blood loss leading him to saying all this crazy stuff. Somehow, Illuga was sure this guy would be saying even more unhinged nonsense if he was fully lucid. Gingerly, he helped support Lohen's neck and head +

(Yawns.)

(Blinks.) You... should be lying down. (Mutters, mostly to himself, a grimace covering his face. The blood was... fine. At that moment, adrenaline kept him powering through no matter what.) What do you wish for? (If... if this helps, then... he won't move. For now.)

Whatever you're going through... (Illuga eyed the gauze-packed wound - the blood-stained nailbeds of the fingers that had dug into it moments prior. Recalling a harrowing past, a chill ran down his spine.) ... it's temporary. It's not worth all of... this. Look. I'm right here.

// it's nearly 6 AM, i took melatonin hours ago, and i have no idea how i'm still awake

(For the first time during this whole ordeal, Illuga visibly softened.) ... No, I'm not leaving. Don't worry. Are you in pain? I have medicine. (One glance at Aedon sends the golden nightingale flying away.)

...? (Illuga was about to send Aedon off with a message when he felt a tug on his sleeve. His eyes fell to Lohen, searching for answers.) What do you need? Is it hard to breathe? (He wasn't unconscious yet... good.)

(Good thing his mouth wasn't working, or Aedon might peck it shut with gauze. The blood loss, though extremely concerning, seemed to be working in Illuga's favor. He took little time at all packing the wound just as Ivar taught him. But this wasn't enough. Lohen still needed a doctor...)

Moron! (Adrenaline as his driver, he yanks at Lohen's wrist, intending to pin it to the floor. Aedon flutters out of his lantern and immediately looks for a way to help.) Snap out of it. Think of the consequences! Only the Wild Hunt would make someone this stupid...!!

Yeah?! And whose blood is that, then? Thought so. Shut up. (He'll restrain him if he has to. Gauze out - time to pack this wound.)

I need to... find a medic! No, there's no time for that - I'll do it myself, damn it! (Already grabbing first aid and dropping to his knees.)

??????????????????????????????????????????????

// liar

Now that that's out of the way, how about I make us all something for dinner?

// boy do i hate formatting. ok finally found something acceptable

ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤᴀ 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐞, ʙᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴀɴ e̳m̳b̳e̳r̳ ɪɴ ɪᴛꜱ b̳e̳a̳k̳, ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤꜰʟᴇᴡ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ d̷u̷s̷k̷. ㅤㅤㅤ

// ............. goodnight

(Looking left and right. Sir Flins was nowhere to be found... Again? They agreed to meet up here an hour before Aino's class, but here it was about to begin, and there was no sight of him.) @hyperpinkmecha.bsky.social

⊱··𖤓─·𖥸·─𖤓··⊰ 𝒜𝒾𝓃𝑜 - 𝐹𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒞𝓁𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝒞𝓁𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝒦𝓇𝓊𝓂𝓀𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒞𝓇𝒶𝒻𝓉𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓅 "𝒟𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒷𝑜𝓂𝒷!!" "𝐼𝒻 𝐼𝓃𝑒𝒻𝒻𝒶 𝒹𝒾𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝒾𝓉, 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝑒𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉."

// there is a severe lack of official art for illuga and i desperately want to fix up his layout but omg hello... ahhhh it's so hard to find a nice illustration from an an artist who allows reposts w/ credits too... wahwahwahwah i love illuga so much i think he will be a long term muse for me

(His gaze whipped up to where the senior Lightkeeper stood, indigo and crimson eyes wide with surprise.) Sir Flins! (Crap. How much did he overhear? Illuga 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 have been relieved, but the chances that the object of his affections might have learned of his deepest and most personal emotions +

... (That seemed to garner Dottore's approval. Maybe a diplomatic approach was possible... At the very least, it was better if Illuga was underestimated when he was disadvantaged to begin with.) It's true that I don't know anything about the Fatui's internal affairs. +

(A chill ran down Illuga's spine. Second of the Fatui Harbingers... Previously (?) in possession of the Trilunar Authority... and the one responsible for cursing Sir Flins. Scary, surely. He meant business. But the Wild Hunt was scarier.) A-and what about you? (Illuga stood his ground, +

Wha—?! (For whatever reason, that was the last straw.) Shut the hell up! Why do you care so much, anyway?! Are you lonely or something?! This has nothing to do with the Fatui's research, right??? Oh, and stay away from Sir Flins, or you'll sorely regret it! (He finished his rant red in the face.)

// illuga's so fun to write... i want to explore his angstier sides at some point with his PTSD & survivor's guilt/savior complex but tbh his character development pushes him towards being this normal guy in a high fantasy setting lmao i love him sm

I'm... n-not sure what you're referring to. (This guy was terrifying. Sir Flins *fought* him? Illuga was certain that if this exchange ended in any sort of combat, he would be dead where he stood. He was long accustomed to staring death down in the face, however.)

No matter what sacrifice I have to make, I'll do anything to protect everyone.

What does Sir Flins have to do with any of this? (Was he in danger? Was that what was going on here? Maybe The Doctor was using him to gain access to Flins... Was it because Flins wasn't human?!) I don't get it. What are you after?

How... (No, bad question! That would give it away! Illuga's expression hardened - he mustn't let his feelings come out under 𝘢𝘯𝘺 circumstance.) No, where are you getting this information from?

(A gasp. He could tell?!)

I'm proud of you for coming out, but aren't you a wanted criminal?!

What's going on?

... Is what I told him, too, but my father is pretty stubborn. (Another long sigh. At least the letter is now safe in Flins' hands, and he doesn't have to think about it until next time.) I don't think you're the type to get lonely often, Sir Flins. You seem to find solace in your solitude. +

(Illuga folded his arms over his chest.) There you go again with your flattery... I snooped in your mail, you know? What kind of 'Young Master' would do that to a 'Lord'? Anyway... My father's still trying to pass that puppy off to you. Seems he left *me* the letter so it would find its way +

(His smile only brightened at Flins' offer.) Hehe... It appears that sticking to the closest leaf is working in my favor, after all. Maybe I should feel bad that you'll spend your day off working, but to be honest, I was really relieved just now... (Illuga's eyes flickered to where the +

// ok i might tweak my last reply

(It took a couple breaths to calm himself down, but soon enough, he smiled up at his senior colleague as if nothing strange had happened. After all, it was not an 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 occurrence for Sir Flins to act in a way that wasn't quite human. In fact - Illuga 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 it.) Here. +

(Blink. Blink, blink. And then, as he raised a hand to hold over his racing heart - an exasperated sigh.) You know... (There was a slight pout upon his lips as he shook his head, thinking better of it.) No, forget it. Good day, Sir Flins. You've made one of my tasks easier, at least.

(That 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. Illuga nearly jumped out of his skin as he twirled around to face its source.) S-sir Flins?!