ALPHINAUD CATCHALL

[branches]

Fun fact every time Alphinaud talks I forget about his accent and it hits me like a freight train every time.

Comments

week 3 post trial

[branches]

I hope you're keeping off of your leg like I told you to.

good

[arcsplainist]

[ He's actually surprised about getting a text. Huh. ]

Of course. I have dutifully followed your instructions thus far. Otome has assisted me back to our dormitory.

[branches]

[Listen he is a good doctor. Or well. He's not a doctor. He's a feral child that rubs herbs on people. But you know.]

Good. You should keep off it for at least a couple days. If you keep it elevated above your heart that can help prevent swelling as well.

[arcsplainist]

Bedridden again, it seems. I never used to be so injury prone.

[branches]

Maybe the universe is trying to tell you something.

[arcsplainist]

That I make up for my lack of reckless acts over the years?

[branches]

Is that how you've apparently gone your whole life without making a single mistake?

[arcsplainist]

[ ... Hah. ]

No, I have made mistakes. Many of them.

[branches]

Then I really don't get how you could say what you said last week.

[arcsplainist]

[ There's a long, several minutes that pass before a response comes. ]

Perhaps we should talk. If you are able to come to Summer, I will let you inside.

[branches]

[Conversely, another long pause on his end.]

Sure, I guess it's not like I have anything else to do.

[And a few minutes later he will arrive at Summer Dorm!!]

[arcsplainist]

[ Howdy, neighbor. So in this time, Alphinaud was able to get a crutch, so never fear, he is still not using that foot when he gets to the door! ]

Thank you for coming, Tsuyukusa. [ He shifts off to the side. ] Make yourself comfortable, if you wish. We have an ample amount of tea, if you want any.

[branches]

[Tbh he's looking around with some level of curiosity since he's never been in someone else's dorm before.]

Oh, no, I'm fine.
[Right. He's here to talk.]

[arcsplainist]

[ With a nod, Alphinaud shuffles back over to a nearby sofa, sitting himself down; he picks up his own cup of tea—an everyday sight, for those who reside within Summer. ]

I am sorry for having you come this way, but I feel an apology would be more sincere with mine own words, rather than over these phones.

[branches]

[Oh. He seems genuinely surprised that he's apparently here to get??? An apology???]

I... sure I guess?
[He is BAFFLED.]

[arcsplainist]

[ He is! Wowie. ]

So... I am sorry—genuine and true. In my grief and in my anger, I spoke carelessly during that trial.

[branches]

[Ah. Fair. Tsuyukusa of course understands that as he does it all the fucking time.]

... It's not like I think killing people isn't bad. It's just that sometimes there's a lot of complicated reasons behind why someone might've done it.

[arcsplainist]

And you are right. Regardless of what Rupert's true motive may have been, there were many of you who considered him a dear friend, and I... I failed to take the feelings of you all into consideration.

[branches]

[Stares at him a long moment.]

Sounds like someone already chewed you out for it, huh.

[arcsplainist]

... Hah, only half the room right then and there. It did not take long for me to realize I had misspoken.

[branches]

[Nodding.]

Blanket assumptions like that don't really work in real life, I think. I used to think like that. I thought all humans were the same. I chose to hate them for what just some of them did.

[arcsplainist]

[ A familiar scenario. ]

'Tis an easy trap to fall into—one I have seen for myself. One we are all guilty if falling into, to some degree or another.

[branches]

Yeah. Though. I guess you're not human like most of the people here. Your ears are different. But you don't seem like an ayakashi or any equivalent of that.

[arcsplainist]

Oh—no, I am not, nor am I an... ayakashi, you said?

[branches]

Yeah. Ayakashi, or demons, spirits, whatever you want to call them. Things like me and Mollymauk.

[arcsplainist]

[ He nods ]

Then I can say with more confidence that I am not. My kind are called Elezen, our most defining traits being longer ears such as mine and our greater heights compared to humans, as you call them.

[ Says the shortest guy around. Details. ]

[branches]

[Looks at Alphi....]

So are you not finished growing?

[arcsplainist]

Hah, hardly so! Give it another summer or two and you lot will be craning your heads upwards instead of down.

[branches]

Hmph. You're assuming I don't grow just as much!

[He's not human after all. Maybe tree spirits grow really tall.]

[arcsplainist]

I suppose I shouldn't assume... Will you?

[branches]

I-I could? The only other tree spirit I've met isn't any taller than a human, but he's a camphor tree, so that doesn't mean anything!

[arcsplainist]

[ A... tree. ]

That you possess a form so indistinguishable from man is quite a surprise to me, especially since you are a spirit born of nature.

[branches]

I have different teeth!
[Instinctively. It's the one thing he has!! Don't erase his little fangs!!]

Anyway, I have another form besides this, plus my tree, which is separate.

[arcsplainist]

[ look, miqo'te have fangs, you're not special :/

jk, fangies are extremely valid. ]

A different form? How does it look?

[branches]

Mm... A bit like a bird with tree branch antlers and then hooves?

[You know. Like a tree!]