The chamber remains quiet beneath its blue wards. Beyond the closed door, Caelan stops at the promised distance, while the sanctuary settles around Lucidus’s measured breathing.
Caelan
Lucidus, may I enter, or would you prefer the door remain closed?
He waits without touching the latch. In the infirmary, Mithria, Eltaor, and Maereth remain with the healing supplies; Wisp patrols the safe approaches while Valkonias guards the deeper refuge.
Caelan
Mithria can receive messages from those beyond the sanctuary and help them find safe roads. Eltaor can read the Court’s records and identify its brokers. Neither requires you to leave.
Caelan
The sanctuary can conceal waystones, shelter anyone you freely welcome, and send aid through chosen allies. You do not have to become responsible for every person the Court hunts.
Caelan
I can help plan, carry messages, or refuse a plan that puts you at its center. The choice remains yours, and no one here will turn it into a duty.
Caelan lowers himself to sit beside the closed door, leaving the bed and the quiet between them undisturbed. He waits there, offering presence without pressing for an answer.
“I let out a sigh as I answer "If you're going to be so annoyingly persistant then you should just come in." I stay laying down not bothering to open the door for him.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Lucidus
If you're going to be so annoyingly persistent, then you should just come in.
Lucidus remains lying beneath the blue wards, making no attempt to open the door. After a brief pause, the latch turns softly from the other side.
Caelan
As you command. I will try to make my persistence useful enough to justify the intrusion.
Caelan enters and closes the door behind him without locking it. He keeps to the edge of the chamber, leaving Lucidus’s bed and supported shoulder undisturbed.
Caelan
I will not ask you to decide anything tonight. I can sit here, speak only when needed, or leave if you want the room again.
He draws the nearby chair toward the wall rather than the bed and sits with his hands visible, his presence quiet beneath the steady pulse of the protective sigils.
Caelan
For now, you are safe. The waystone is contained, the sanctuary is hidden, and no one is taking you anywhere.
“"That's a relief however now the question comes to you. Why are you being so persistant in hanging around. I know your my friend and all but even my mom and dad aren't lurking outside my door like dog begging to be let in."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Lucidus
That’s a relief. However, now the question comes to you: why are you being so persistent about hanging around? I know you’re my friend, but even my mom and dad aren’t lurking outside my door like dogs begging to be let in.
Caelan’s mouth twitches at the comparison, but he does not rise from the chair. The blue wards continue their steady pulse across the quiet chamber.
Caelan
Because I know what it is to call something safe and still expect it to vanish. I am not waiting for permission to guard you. You already gave it by letting me enter.
Caelan
I stay because you were hurt while trying to protect this refuge, and because you keep treating rest like a trap. Someone should remain close enough to notice if that shoulder worsens.
He lifts one hand before the answer can sound like an order, keeping his tone gentle and his posture open beside the wall.
Caelan
But I am not your keeper, and this is not a vigil you owe me. If you tell me to leave, I will leave. If you let me stay, I will simply stay.
Caelan
Your parents trust the sanctuary to hold you. I trust you, but I also know you well enough to recognize when stubbornness is wearing the mask of independence.
“I stare him down trying to read his expression as I ask "There's more to it that just that isn't there?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Perception, rolled -1)
Lucidus fixes Caelan with a hard, searching stare, studying the set of his mouth and the guarded stillness in his posture beneath the blue wards.
Lucidus
There’s more to it than just that, isn’t there?
Caelan holds their gaze for several quiet breaths. His composure thins, revealing worry deeper than simple vigilance.
Caelan
Yes. I stay because the thought of losing you frightens me more than I want to admit.
Caelan
You are my friend, and that should be enough. But after everything we survived, I do not know how to stand outside your door and pretend distance feels safe.
He lowers his eyes briefly, then meets Lucidus’s stare again without disguising the admission or turning it into a demand.
Caelan
That is the more honest answer. I will not make it your burden, and I will leave if you ask. I only wanted you to know why I remain.