IC INBOX | RYSLIG

[standless]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, JOJO. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 336.66.256.63 *** JOJO has joined 336.66.256.63 <JOJO...?> Technically this message doesn't exist. Jonathan doesn't actually have a laptop. I just needed an Inbox.

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[riproduzione]

[ Jonathan's voice causes him to wince. He's waiting for it, for the inevitable, but… it doesn't come. Instead, Jonathan sounds concerned for him, for his wellbeing? And, what's more, he's approaching him. Something snaps. Abbacchio bristles, wings loosening around his figure — not enough to unfurl and spread out, but enough that it's visible — he shifts his posture too, leaning forward and positioning himself so that he's blocking the body to his side. ]

Don't! [ Eyes flash green, his lip curls. ] Just don't.

[ Despite the long-since faded adrenalin, there's a part of his brain that is still active, still treating this like a hunt. Territorial urges slowly claw their way into his mind, to stand his ground and chase off any interlopers, but it's not anger on his features, it's fear. Fear that he could lose himself again. When the flickering flame in his eyes fades, he almost looks like he's pleading with Jonathan. ]

whispers to the wind 'i swear he's not being stupid,'

[standless]

What..?

[Jonathan hesitates, certainly- but his drive to support those he cares for is too strong to simply stop and turn away. Ears pinned back, he reaches gently toward Abbacchio anyway, his eyes full of nothing but concern.]

...Abbacchio. ...What happened, here? What drives you to such panic?

[riproduzione]

I don't know.

[ Except, he does. he remembers following the man, remembers every instinct that pushed him forward. He just doesn't understand why. It shouldn't have happened, he's been so careful, he isn't even hungry. If he can't trust himself, can't trust his own ability to keep himself in check, to control impulses, then he's a danger. Slowly, cautiously, his wing folds in towards himself, revealing the body behind him. ]

This wasn't supposed to happen.

[standless]

It wasn't...

[Jonathan has to squint at that to start, mostly because he's not sure how that can exactly be possible. Except, yes it is possible isn't it- it's the exact thing he went to Mana to avoid, it's the exact thing that so many others warn monsters about-

Jonathan swallows at the sight of the body, but rather than judge, berate, or anything of the sort-]

Do you need help moving this, Abbacchio?

[riproduzione]

[ Immediately, his expression shifts, something like shock settling on his features, because it was not the question he was prepared for. It doesn't ease the shame — he doesn't think anything will — but it doesn't make him feel shamed. There's a difference, maybe, a subtle one, but it's there. His jaw clenches, he can't bring himself to give a verbal answer. Instead, he dips his head forward in a nod, stiff, a silent plea for the aid. As much as this should be his and his alone, he doesn't think he has the mental strength to handle it alone — he could easily lift the body, move it off of the streets and leave it at the morgue or the soup kitchen — but the toll on his already frayed emotions would be severe. ]

… I'm sorry.

[ For being like this, for ruining their plans, for thinking the worst of Jonathan and snapping the way he did because of his own fear. That all goes unspoken, even if it's visible in Abbacchio's downcast eyes, the way he can't meet Jonathan's own. ]

[standless]

Please, you have nothing to apologize for, [Jonathan quickly insists, and he is immediately at work helping the other up all while trying to pick up the corpse.] Come now- I believe we can reach my apartment through these alleys if we're careful. I shan't insist upon the main street when you've no wish to be seen. Please Abbacchio. It shall be alright.

[And even his smile is honest. It's encouraging, and reassuring. He means every word he says.]

[riproduzione]

[ Jonathan has a kind heart, this is not a new realisation for Abbacchio to make, but it is one that strikes him rather suddenly in the moment. From their very first meeting, he's always been like this. Reluctantly, Abbacchio allows himself to be aided as he struggles up onto his feet. ]

You don't need to— [ his words trail off. Of course Jonathan doesn't need to, but he's not doing this because he needs to, is he? Instead, Abbacchio relents. ] … Thank you.

[ It's difficult, to put his trust in others, but Jonathan is one of the few who has more than earned it. ]

[standless]

It is the least I can do, [he reassures, gently guiding him along the alleys.] And if you must conserve your energy, please, do so- we can speak once we've a place to sit at home, I can certainly assure you this is not the first I've returned to the apartment in such a state.

[His wife is, after all, a werewolf. Mongoose. Weremongoose.]

[riproduzione]

[ He allows Jonathan to guide him through the alleys, barely registers where it is they're going, mind much too pre-occupied. Conserving his energy sounds nice… he feels like he's somehow managed to wear himself out. ]

Is it… You're sure it's okay?

[ It's probably supposed to be a comfort, but it kind of makes him feel a little bad, that Jonathan has done this before. It comes with the territory, though, and he should know that by now, should be used to what has been reality for the past year. Though Jonathan doesn't mention her, Erina still crosses Abbacchio's mind. ]

[standless]

Most absolutely. There are very few things with which I am this certain of, in fact.

[And so, they will walk. The apartment isn't far after all, even if they must approach from an odd angle- specifically, once they're in range of the building, he moves ahead to carefully search along the wall for a metal pole.]

It might be a rather loud noise, but do bear with- I'm going to pull the ladder for the building's fire escape down, that we might make our way to the upper floor entrance.

[As he says so, he hooks the pole into the ladder's edge- and with a resounding clang and clatter, down it falls!]

[riproduzione]

[ As they walk, Abbacchio is all but silent, he steals glances at Jonathan now and then, tries his best to keep his eyes off of the corpse he's lugging with him. It's clear he's antsy, in the way he checks behind them intermittently to ensure no one else is around, and it's so stupid, because why would anyone think to follow two monsters with a very obvious dead human.

He barely realises they've reached the apartment building until Jonathan stops, and he doesn't quite hear what it is he said.

The loud shrieking noise of the metal ladder as it's pulled free makes his spine itch, has his ears flicking back and down as it clatters to the ground noisily. Once again, he's looking around to see if they've drawn attention. There's an awkward pause, during which he's unsure if Jonathan intends to ascend the ladder first, or if he's waiting for Abbacchio, but eventually he forces himself to move. ]

[standless]

[Jonathan moves with care- as such, he turns to Abbacchio first, and offers a hand.] Simply climb- they are stairs once up this ladder, so it should be rather simple a matter to get to the top. I shall help carry this, [He adds- naturally referring to the corpse.]

[riproduzione]

[ This, he says it with no ill-intent, and something turns in Abbacchio's stomach all the same. He is a man, had a life, maybe he wasn't a good person, but Abbacchio took that away. Hands grip the rungs on the ladder tightly, he can't stay here, he needs to start climbing, he needs to move. ]

… I'm sorry, for making you do this.

[ Before Jonathan has the chance to insist an apology is not needed, that Abbacchio isn't making him do anything, he begins climbing, turning his back on the corpse as much as he is inadvertently doing the same to Jonathan. ]

[standless]

[And Jonathan pauses. Abbacchio indeed moves too quick to hold him back with an apology, but Jonathan is the sort who isn't easily silenced by motion either. As he follows, corpse in tow, he says-]

Did I give the impression that I was being forced? [He asks softly, eyes nothing but kind if one were to look back and see.] I wanted to help- for indeed, I know for a fact that if our positions were somehow changed, you would have helped me.