Welcome to another chapter sorta like Time and Water, but this time with actual speaking (with the characters). I was in the mood to write something like this, and wanted to write a chapter with Scriniarii and Firebrand sooooo, Yeah.
Scriniarii also Firebrand (Not meant to be a ship Oneshot, but if you want it to be that way. Then, go right ahead.)
Drip, drip
The pen never leaves the presence of the paper. Always acting as a little shadow to it, as it never strays to far from it. A few words can be read from the mostly full piece of paper. As many words seem to be smudged out with black ink, staining the paper with dark tears that can never be erased.
A potted plant sits next to the man sitting on a old wooden chair. It's many hard carven details still stained onto its surface. The plant faces the man with its bright petals, as if to shed some light onto his dull evening. Yet, this isn't the first or last time the flower has seen him like this. Even just recently being brought to life, it can feel a deep guilt built up inside of him. Which was slowly making him rot from the inside of his own body.
The flower might be able to feel what he feels, but books thrown around the room have seen him at his worst. They have felt his rage, and seen his curiosity. Which brought up the saying, "curiosity killed the cat." Seeing him at this state, it's obvious that the saying isn't a lie. People may say it to keep others from doing things, yet it has a powerful truth behind it.
The more ink that drops onto the paper, the more secrets that are kept behind bars. Screaming to be set free, yet the keeper won't answer them. The papers have kept many hidden words in the view of only their author. Knowing that nobody else would ever be able to view their cryptic work. Which they are proud of their ink filled friends, for helping them achieve this.
A soft sigh is let through his lips, as the dripping sound finally stops. The pen goes off to the side, as does it's shadow. The mans hands are brought to his face, as his head shakes back and forth. The plant seems to flinch back, and the books let out a silent watch of understanding.
A creaking sound is heard, as the oak door opens to reveal another man. This man had the same aura as the other one, yet instead of guilt, it was an over powering sense of sadness. His small white eyes look at the man still seated in the same chair, that he last saw him in.
The guilty man lets his face free, as he turns his gaze to his company. They both stare at each other, as the objects in the room let it become uncomfortably silent. The one at the door lets go of their hold on the handle, and walks over to the one on the chair, as if they were a frightened animal.
He stops, as the chair man is the first to speak. "What is it Firebrand. Can't you see that I'm busy?" A slight tone of annoyance was laced into the question. Yet, there was also a little bit of relief, to be finally let off of their never ending guilt. The one named Firebrand keeps his straight face, as if the others question didn't faze him at all.
Firebrand lets his hand rest on the others shoulder, as the other tenses up to the touch. The flower sees this, and then sees the other calm down a little. Enough for his nerves to settle, and to let out a little quiet sigh of relief. "Scriniarii, we've talked about this. You can't keep on locking yourself up into this room. You are just trapping your guilt in here, and you aren't get-." Firebrand doesn't get this finish his sentence, cause the other man had another idea.
"You just don't understand Firebrand." Scriniarii snaps, as all of his built up emotions are finally let out. Things like this are rare, yet the books know it all to well. "I'm tired of running from the Collective, and acting as if everything's alright. I live in this cloud of guilt everyday, knowing that I can't give the people the answers they seek. Maybe, if I work just a little bit harder, they can find out a way to end all of this." His rant fades off, as he slowly sinks down to the ground.
This isn't the first time Firebrand has witnessed one of these breakdowns. Yet, this time it was different to him. He sinks down to the ground next to the beaten down man. "Scriniarii, you can give the people what they seek, yet you don't have to work yourself to death. I may not understand your guilt, but remember that I live with a different type of pain. I have the bare the life of myself for many centuries to come. The sadness of the deaths I've had to watch still haunt me. So, if I can keep on caring for myself in this broken state. That means you can to, and change yourself for the better."
The flower turns its petals to the window, leaving the two men alone. The pen laying down, finally has its ink dried. With a crusty bottom, that seems to crack without being touched. Scriniarii lets his eyes land on Firebrands white pupils, and speaks after a few moments of silence. "I guess your right, like you always are. But, I can't do this by myself. So-."
His question was answered before he even asked it, with a hug from Firebrand. "Yes I'll help you. That's a promise that I can keep." A small smile rises from Scriniarii's lips, as he returns the hug. Lucky to have someone there in his time of need. Someone that will help him shape himself into the person, he has always wanted to be. A happier, and more carefree person. Oh, and can't he wait to start.
I decided to make this a friendship/Shippy ending. So, the people that view these two as friends, can see this as like a best friend helping his bro out. So, yeah, it's whatever you the reader want to see it as.
