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[beaumains]

SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY text / audio / video / action "It can just store messages, then? Neat!" code credit

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Video; un: Caster

[colchismagecraft]

[It had been just over a week since her catastrophic meltdown across the network- since then, Medea had been spending most of that time resting as best she could.

By now her wounds were well on their way to healing, and although she was still wracked with grief, the sleep was helping settle her mood. It wasn't as if she got much chance for that in the week of trials, after all.

Gareth was one of the few people she knew she wanted to contact as soon as she had the strength for it- but truthfully, she had no idea what to say to her.

So when she finally video-called her, she looked a little lost. And with her hood down for once- would this be the first time she'd let Gareth see her face, or had the 'her' that existed in Chaldea shown her?- the redness in her eyes and tired expression was all the more apparent.]

Gareth, I trust you're well...?

I'm... I gather you spoke with Morgan and Homura. I was more exhausted than I realised, but- I'm alive. I'm safe.

[A hesitation, as she gingerly fiddled with her blankets.]

...I don't know if you wish to speak with me, but do not feel obligated to until you're ready.

I did mean what I said- I do not wish you hurt by all of this.

[Medea sighed, before ending the call there- leaving it up to Gareth whether or not she'd return it.]

[beaumains]

[ It did take Gareth a moment to respond to the message, more than she'd have liked. She, herself, still felt herself holding up heavy chains wrapped about her chest, that had been growing heavier for some time. But that weight seemed to ease, at least a little, at seeing Medea alright, recovering and...

When Gareth responded, she made no circumstance of her appearance. It was late, and she was just in a sleep shirt, holding a pillow to her chest, but above all, she was... smiling. It was weak, it was strained in some ways, but it was there.

The sun hadn't gone out. ]

I remain here, unburned, my lady... I'm just... [ A small sniff. ] I'm so glad you're still here.

tw suicidal thoughts

[colchismagecraft]

[Medea watched Gareth's reaction quietly, a distant confusion in her face as she saw that smile, heard those words.

In something that was probably painfully obvious to anyone but Medea herself...Gareth truly cared for her, didn't she.]

...thank you. I- Kadoc and Homura took it upon themselves to make sure I wasn't killed out there. I can't say I was in a state to-

[If she'd been killed in that fight- in the state of grief she was in, that would have been fine according to her.]

Well. That isn't important at this point. I lived.

Although... truth be told, I don't know what to do now.

[beaumains]

You needn't do anything but rest, for now, my lady...

[ She could tell that Medea was still...very much drained. Who wouldn't be? Gareth herself was only barely holding herself together. But it was... so relieving to just know Medea was okay. It eased so many of the things that sat on her.

It felt like... ]

I feel as if... my voice has finally reached you. [ Another sniffle. She was just on the edge of tears. ]

[colchismagecraft]

...Yes, it did.

[The blistering heat of her grief that blinded her to everything else had faded in the aftermath- the pain hadn't truly left her, of course, but for the first time since she'd gotten that horrible news, Medea felt she was actually hearing Gareth's words.

Her words and...the pain in her own voice. One that was no doubt her doing.]

I'm sorry. You were burned by all of this, after all.

[beaumains]

My lady, I said unto you, I am here, not burned.

[ In truth, of course she'd suffered in the wake of what had happened. It had stabbed its way into parts of herself, dark places of her heart that she had been so content to simply shine past before. But Gareth could not find it in herself to in any way blame Medea for that. Medea, after all, carried her own pain.

They all did.

She could never find it within her to resent, not Medea. Instead she'd only resented her inability to find her voice, to find the way to mend Medea's heart in some way... as if it were her burden to carry.

She was just like that.

Still, she managed a smile, despite her tears. ]

I only wish to see you heal... To lift your heart, just as I had promised I would. To be here to catch you...

[colchismagecraft]

...Well. If you insist.

[She wouldn't press the point any further- she'd made her apologies already.]

You're too kind to me, but I suppose that's in your nature...as this madness is in mine. I- I appreciate that, I really do.

[beaumains]

Whether I am "too" kind or just the sort of kind you deserve, I aim to be your friend, regardless.

[ That madness... born from a loss of one's beloved... She'd seen what it could do to people. She'd forsake who she was if she turned away from it now. She... couldn't do that. Even if some thought she should. ]

As you rest, know I will be at your call, should you have need of me.

[colchismagecraft]

...I thought after this I would lose most of my allies, I didn't expect-


[She trailed off, remembering how lonely her life had become after she'd unleashed her wrath upon Jason. After she truly became the 'Witch of Betrayal'- ]

I'd been prepared to wander Avalon alone as a true witch, just as I had in my lifetime. But I'm glad you still- that you still wish to ally yourself with a wretched woman like me.

[A weak, tired smile.]

...If you want to talk for a little while, I'd like that.

Or- I suppose- if there's anything you wish to ask me please, go ahead.

[beaumains]

...

[ Gareth took in a deep breath, sighing, shifting in place for a moment. ]

Well... I obviously know who you are. I've read the play that Euripides wrote about you. I met you in Chaldea.

[ And another version of her, more in line with the Argonautica, but she... figured that was best not to be brought up just yet. ]

I kept all of that to myself, out of respect for your identity, but I suppose that's also why... I didn't believe you were just a wicked woman, and hadn't since the beginning. We weren't at all close in Chaldea, but I still gave you the same trust I gave any comrade in arms.

[colchismagecraft]

[Medea, thus far, had avoided learning of Medea Lily's existence- she'd probably die on the inside the second she found out.]

...So you really did know who I was from the start. I appreciate you respecting my wishes, all the same.

I don't know what the 'me' of Chaldea was like, so I don't know what she experienced, or how alike she and I were, but- was she summoned by your Master, also?

If...if you have no objections, I would like us to remain- to remain friends.

[beaumains]

I've no objections at all... I will not forsake this friendship, upon my honor as a knight... but also because of who I am.

[ The person that, by now, Medea would have realized was a pillar of steel when it came to her resolve, despite her small stature. ]

However similar you were to that Medea I met, you are the Medea I know. And that's all that matters.

[colchismagecraft]

[Gareth- full of resolve, loyal, and Medea- known for her betrayal- she couldn't help but feel she was being a little unfair, holding onto the knight so tightly.

...There was part of her, though, that thought Gareth was not unlike her younger self. A girl who had been fiercely devoted to her family, who would give everything so that her loved ones might feel less pain.

Ngh...that was a strange thought. She pushed it aside for now.]

...I see. Then, thank you.

[A small, tired smile. For now, she still had Gareth as an ally to stand by her side. That was something she was grateful for.]