NECROMANCE AU

[enigmaster]

Comments

[agoodname]

[Edward gasps, jolts, eyes open and there and aware and Oswald's reaching out to grasp his shoulders] Edward!

[his hands are tight, and he's looking down at him, eyes wide and blue and pale, throat tight--did he do it? Did he do it?]

Edward, you're safe. Breathe.

[he's...not sure if Edward has to. He's not sure how far this ritual went. He's not sure how alive Edward is.

He'll figure that out later.

Right now he just needs to know if it's him.]

[enigmaster]

[It's all a lot. He's a little stuck, right now, in that moment. Even Oswald's hands on his shoulders isn't quite bringing him back to reality yet. He's shaking like a leaf. The last thing he felt, after all, was absolute terror. And that feeling doesn't fade quickly.] W-what's... what... [He can barely get the words out. Breathe. He has to breathe. And he's trying, really, but he's so scared, still--]

[agoodname]

I've got you. [it's half-way whispered, scarcely daring to believe it--there still could be side effects, he doesn't know how much Edward remembers, or how much of him is actually there, but this is something. Oswald rests his hand against Edward's cheek--still cold, but no longer rigid.] You're safe, Edward, I've got you. Just breathe.

[enigmaster]

[Just breathe. Just breathe. Just do that one thing. That seems doable. It feels... odd, when he takes a breath. Not as it should. But he presses his eyes shut and just takes it slow, one breath at a time. In and out. It helps calm him down, even if everything feels so strange. He's still trembling, but the panic's lessening some.]

[agoodname]

Good. Just like that. Keep doing that. [his voice is shaking a little, even as he tries to hold it steady. He's simultaneously relieved and so so afraid but hopeful and it's a mess and he's a mess but Edward is

here?

He's here.

He's reacting.

That's a start]

[enigmaster]

[Edward reaches out for Oswald, clutching like a lifeline. He's so terrified, still, but... ... Why... Why was he so scared, again? He can't remember. He tries to think back. Tries to remember what it is he's so scared of, but right away there's this horrible pain in his head. Like everything in him is trying to push him away from those memories.] Wh-What's going on...?

[agoodname]

[Edward clutches at him--and Oswald shifts a bit, drawing him closer, half into his arms] You're--[...how does he even explain this] You're coming back. [that's the most non-frightening way to put it, maybe???] Do you remember who you are?

1/?

[enigmaster]

[Coming back? Back from what? He doesn't have time to dwell on it, though, that question quickly grabbing his attention. He almost wants to laugh. What a ridiculous thing to ask. Of course he remembers who he is, he's]

2/?

[enigmaster]

[he's]

[enigmaster]

[his name i̻̝̤͔͖͇͔s̡̫̬̣̩̰̞̺̥̱̘̪̹̪̮̱̻̦̹͟͟͠]

done

[enigmaster]

[There's a new spike of fear, at that, as he realizes he doesn't know. It's the simplest question in the world and he can't even answer it. Every time he tries to remember, he hits that same wall, his own mind pushing him out.] I... [why can't he remember he should remember] I-I... I don't... [His breath hitches in his throat, and he tries again, and again, and AGAIN, but eventually he just trembles and quietly shakes his head.]

[agoodname]

--it's okay. [Edward's shaking in his arms and he doesn't remember and that is

not good. It's really, really not good.]

It's alright. Don't push yourself. Take your time. [Oswald can't help but pull him closer, then. This is massively uncharted territory; he has no idea if Edward's amnesia is permanent or temporary. He hopes it's the latter, obviously, but....] Just keep breathing.

[enigmaster]

[He nods, at that, still quiet. He can... He can keep doing that. Right now, he doesn't know what's happening, where he is, who he is, but but it feels safe, like this, being held.]

[agoodname]

I've got you. [he repeats it, petting a hand over Edward's side--which abruptly reminds him that he's still stuck in those wet and dirty clothes] Keep breathing. I'm going to call Butch so we can get you into some dry clothes. [Oswald starts to release his hold and step back so he can ring the bell for his butler]

[enigmaster]

[Edward blinks at that, glancing down at himself. His clothes are... a mess. Wet and covered in who knows what. Oh. That must be why he feels so cold. Did... he almost drown, or something...?]

[agoodname]

[he's not going to bother going all the way upstairs, obviously--he's not about to leave Edward alone on his own, so he simply steps away and tugs on a pull chord in the wall to ring a bell somewhere else in the house, before returning to Edward's side]

Shall we give sitting up a try? I can't help you stand myself, but once Butch gets here, he'll be able to assist you.

[enigmaster]

[Sitting up... Right. Okay. Edward takes a moment, taking another breath, and just nods again. He doesn't quite... trust his voice, entirely. His throat feels weird. Painful. He'd rather not talk too much.]

[agoodname]

Okay. Here, lean into me a bit--[and he's going to gently wiggle his hand under Edward's shoulders to help him sit up, watching his every move]

[enigmaster]

[It feels weird to move. It's shaky and sluggish and weirdly numb, which makes it difficult. It's off. So it's a good thing Oswald's here to help Edward, because he'd probably just fall right over on his own. Instead, he just about manages to get himself sitting upright.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald is there to support him, half curled around him as he sits up to support Edward better. Which is about the time Butch comes down.

It's not the first time he's seen an animated corpse by any means. He is, after all, rather involved with the process. But it's the first time he's seen Oswald helping one sit up]

"...boss?"

[Oswald looks up from his focus on Edward] Ah, Butch--bring Edward some clean clothes, please.

[Butch's eyes narrow] "Sure thing."[....but he'll save questions for a bit later. Better to just follow Oswald's lead for the moment]

[enigmaster]

[With Oswald, Edward feels a sort of... innate safety. He doesn't know why. It's just this feeling of safe and comfort. There's nothing like that with this other person, though. There's not really anything at all, no familiarity or safety. And right now Edward's very on edge. So he ends up clinging to Oswald, closer now. Almost like trying to hide against him. He's pretty scared, still.]

[agoodname]

[Edward presses closer. Oswald can't help but swallow a bit, holding him, petting a hand down his back, trying to be soothing] It's alright. Butch is my butler. He's very trustworthy.

[enigmaster]

[Edward nods at that, but he stays close. Just... Just in case.]

[agoodname]

[that's fine. Oswald will just...hold him, for now, trying to keep those soothing motions. When Butch gets back, it's with a set of clothing]

"It might be a bit big on him, but overall it should fit." [he's coming closer, setting the clothes down on the table where Oswald had been doing his calculations]

Thank you, Butch. [he's still petting over Edward's back--and he shifts so he can look at him] Edward, I'm going to ask Butch to come over and help you stand, alright? So we can get you into some clean clothes.

[enigmaster]

[Edward nervously looks at Oswald, and then Butch, and then back to Oswald again. Just nodding. He probably SHOULD wear something else...]