[Oh Joshua, Dion most certainly has left significantly more detail. What Clive learned from the messages he returned to are part of the reason why he isn't pushing Joshua for more information, why he won't be pushing. Joshua has been cared for and is on the mend. That is what matters.
He does take pause at Joshua's answer.]
Joshua.
[He squeezes his brother's hand.]
We're getting you to the baths. It's been nigh on 5 weeks since the last mission ended.
[Clive stands, guiding Joshua and the thickest blanket Clive can find with him. He eyes his brother carefully, determining if the younger man can make it on his own two feet or not.]
[ Joshua’s eyes widen when confronted with the amount of time that has passed. The surprise is evident and he blinks a few times as Clive rises. Founder… It has been some time since he’s had a fever this bad. Has he been pushing his body too hard? Lady Tarja had urged him to be careful; she doesn’t think his body can manage another priming.
Running concurrently with this thought is the staggering realization that he has not cleaned himself in five whole weeks. That cannot stand. Neither can Joshua, not gracefully anyway. His legs wobble like that of a newborn fawn. Embarrassing. ]
Five weeks? That can’t be right, can it?
[ If that is true then where has Clive been? He’s said he received Dion’s messages, yet he’s stayed away from Garreg Mach for more than a moon’s time?? ]
[Clive steadies Joshua and gives him a quick once over. He knows Joshua won't like it, but he is certain there is no way his brother is getting from the greenhouse to the baths as he is. He'll at least give him the slight dignity of not throwing him over his shoulder.
While it isn't the most effective way to carry someone, it will also be the best way to make sure Joshua stays wrapped up and warm. With a quick 'pardon me', Clive scoops Joshua up into a princess carry before making his way out of the greenhouse and towards the baths.]
That was my response when I woke up this morning in my bed as though no time had passed at all. I wouldn't have known that time had passed at all had it not been for Dion and Vax's messages.
[ The noise that comes from Joshua upon being scooped up can only be referred to as a squawk. ]
UWA— Clive—!
[ He squirms and clutches at his brother’s shoulders simultaneously. Joshua is about to mount an argument against Clive’s behavior but is stalled when the older man speaks. ]
Wait, I’m lost…how did you lose time? Were you ill as well? Where were you—I couldn’t find you in the dorms here…
[ He would attempt to escape Clive’s arms, but these questions take priority and he doesn’t want the ensuing tiff to interrupt. ]
[ A look of genuine surprise moves across Joshua’s face at the news his brother had returned to Valisthea. How could this be when his user name has shown ‘active’ all this time??
That look had been melting into concern, but this is disrupted by the bounce in movement and Clive’s next words which cause Joshua to chuckle as well; a smile blooming on his face while his shoulders rise and his hand moves to block his mouth.
Joshua listens intently to Clive and before he knows it they’ve arrived at the bath house. He hasn’t even had the time to struggle out of the other man’s clutches…still he touched down gracefully enough. ]
That you had returned to Valisthea…how strange… Our communication devices listed you as present here in Etraya— how is it possible for you to be in two places at once, yet distinctly not? As far as I am aware no one has seen you…
[ Has it really been five weeks? That fever must have been terrible for him to not notice such a large amount of time passing. It all is making Joshua’s head hurt a little. As he is still shaky he takes a seat and begins disrobing for the bath. He has only managed his socks and has grabbed the hem of his shirt before he freezes, eyes darting up to Clive’s like he has been startled. ]
[Clive's smile widens at the sound of Joshua's laugh. He misses that sound. There aren't opportunities to laugh much back home, but here he may have the chance to hear it more. Wouldn't that be a treat?]
I was wondering why Dion and Vax were able to send me messages. I wondered if maybe they were trying despite my name not being active, but it sounded more like they thought I was missing and not... gone.
[But to be at two places at once... Clive was thinking he might finally have an excuse to talk to Aurora himself.]
I may have to-
[Clive stops as he makes eye contact with Joshua. He frowns.]
Joshua... what are you hiding?
[The sixth sense of a big brother with both a protective streak and a little brother prone to mischeif.]
no subject
He does take pause at Joshua's answer.]
Joshua.
[He squeezes his brother's hand.]
We're getting you to the baths. It's been nigh on 5 weeks since the last mission ended.
[Clive stands, guiding Joshua and the thickest blanket Clive can find with him. He eyes his brother carefully, determining if the younger man can make it on his own two feet or not.]
no subject
Running concurrently with this thought is the staggering realization that he has not cleaned himself in five whole weeks. That cannot stand. Neither can Joshua, not gracefully anyway. His legs wobble like that of a newborn fawn. Embarrassing. ]
Five weeks? That can’t be right, can it?
[ If that is true then where has Clive been? He’s said he received Dion’s messages, yet he’s stayed away from Garreg Mach for more than a moon’s time?? ]
no subject
While it isn't the most effective way to carry someone, it will also be the best way to make sure Joshua stays wrapped up and warm. With a quick 'pardon me', Clive scoops Joshua up into a princess carry before making his way out of the greenhouse and towards the baths.]
That was my response when I woke up this morning in my bed as though no time had passed at all. I wouldn't have known that time had passed at all had it not been for Dion and Vax's messages.
no subject
UWA— Clive—!
[ He squirms and clutches at his brother’s shoulders simultaneously. Joshua is about to mount an argument against Clive’s behavior but is stalled when the older man speaks. ]
Wait, I’m lost…how did you lose time? Were you ill as well? Where were you—I couldn’t find you in the dorms here…
[ He would attempt to escape Clive’s arms, but these questions take priority and he doesn’t want the ensuing tiff to interrupt. ]
no subject
A series of questions that will perplex both of them. Clive is quiet for a moment, trying to describe how what he went through felt.]
I went home. Where I am from, we're in Waloed now. I just parted ways with you so you could investigate some ruins.
[Clive gives Joshua a little bounce.]
You punched me in the face. [He chuckles.] I deserved it.
[Clive gets to the baths and nudges the door open with his hip before finally setting his brother down.]
When I came back, it felt... strange. Like I had never left. Time had passed both at home and here, and yet, it feels like no time has passed at all.
[He frowns.]
I should check in with everyone, let them know I'm here and that I'm okay.
no subject
That look had been melting into concern, but this is disrupted by the bounce in movement and Clive’s next words which cause Joshua to chuckle as well; a smile blooming on his face while his shoulders rise and his hand moves to block his mouth.
Joshua listens intently to Clive and before he knows it they’ve arrived at the bath house. He hasn’t even had the time to struggle out of the other man’s clutches…still he touched down gracefully enough. ]
That you had returned to Valisthea…how strange… Our communication devices listed you as present here in Etraya— how is it possible for you to be in two places at once, yet distinctly not? As far as I am aware no one has seen you…
[ Has it really been five weeks? That fever must have been terrible for him to not notice such a large amount of time passing. It all is making Joshua’s head hurt a little. As he is still shaky he takes a seat and begins disrobing for the bath. He has only managed his socks and has grabbed the hem of his shirt before he freezes, eyes darting up to Clive’s like he has been startled. ]
no subject
I was wondering why Dion and Vax were able to send me messages. I wondered if maybe they were trying despite my name not being active, but it sounded more like they thought I was missing and not... gone.
[But to be at two places at once... Clive was thinking he might finally have an excuse to talk to Aurora himself.]
I may have to-
[Clive stops as he makes eye contact with Joshua. He frowns.]
Joshua... what are you hiding?
[The sixth sense of a big brother with both a protective streak and a little brother prone to mischeif.]