Chapter Text
It was a rough night, far as the pain went. Type that made it hard to breathe, much less sleep, 'cause the air scratched like a briar all the way down when you tried.
Vinca's herbs ran out a few days ago, so the only trick he could think of at this point was hope some Alento tea could knock him out until morning. Even if it couldn't manage that much, maybe he could skip the worst of the clawing in his chest.
So Basilio uncurled himself from the cotton-bag and tried to keep as quiet as he could on his staggering path to the kitchen. He could only hope there was enough heat left in the runner to run a kettle and not wake everyone else up.
Neuras was either real clever or real stupid to have the sleep pods that close to the ladder and everything else. Most days he leaned the latter, if he was being honest.
Man might've been a "genius" but poor sap forgot to leave himself a bed in the end, so who's the real fool? Basilio was fairly certain the madman bounced between bunking with him and Heismay, and that sorta combination felt all sorts of unsafe.
He tried not to think too hard on how often the geezer was snorin' on Del's bag after… everything. Couldn't even say if he minded the intrusion or not those first few nights with what a blur the days that had followed it had been.
Could say the sight of a feather was hard to stomach with how soon Saint Rella had followed his brother. Might've been why Neuras didn't stick around in the end.
Basilio tried to get the kettle off the heat before it had a chance to whistle, but it did manage out a sharp peep in the end that left him doing more of the hissing. He popped a head out to check the pods and it hadn't looked like any curtains moved.
But giving the tea its time to seep proved he hadn't been as sneaky as he had hoped. Must've been the smell that gave him away; should've gone to the deck or something.
A sleepy little blonde was left rubbing the sleep from all of her eyes as she swayed her way to the lounge, though seeing him there made her a touch more alert.
He swore to himself softly before clearing this throat, ignoring how it ached from the effort. "Uh, sorry, didn't mean to wake ya. Just was havin' some troubles sleepin' meself. Would you, uh, like some, Eupha?"
Eupha nodded, still a bit bleary from the look of her, as she took a seat across from him after getting a cup of her own. "Is this Alento?" she asked as she gave her drink a sniff, "I got rather familiar with the smell from the ones guarding the Dragon Temple."
"You mean that tree blockin' the way in was a monster?" Basilio asked quietly as he clicked his tongue at himself, hoping she couldn't notice the way he was clenching his teeth to try acting "normal". "Shite, might owe the old fella an apology for sassing him strugglin' to scratch it."
"I don't think that's too necessary. I hear the one outside was particularly stubborn, as it needed an external treatment the ones patrolling Shinjuku did not." Eupha said with a small nostalgic smile. "I didn't fight them myself back then, but I did make an effort to gather what leaves I could to bring them back home with me."
"Already know the trick of it, I take it?" Basilio asked as he looked into the cup with a wince.
"As a sedative?" she asked with a slight tilt of her head before giving a nod, "Of course, it's a well known treatment in Eht Ria- ?" Eupha cut herself off as she looked at it curiously after taking a sip.
"Not as bitter as you expectin'?" he grinned at her with grit teeth and narrowed eyes that weren't just him being sly. "I candy 'em first so I don't need as much sweetener."
"That's quiet clever," she approved with a soft laugh, "I should have expected you'd have your own twist on it!"
Basilio gave a grateful tilted nod for the compliment as he continued nursing his cup. He tried to hide the way the next set of clawing along his ribs curled his lip behind his cup, but the worry on her brow showed he didn't quite manage it.
"Are you alright?" she asked gentle as the wind, and like a liar he nodded.
"F-fine, just… been one of those nights, y'know?"
The bite to her lip said no, and she looked more guilty than she should have as she looked away from him. Like she was both wanting to pry and not wanting to push.
Meant she was left looking at that little altar she made to her "god", which got her sitting straighter when she was willing to look back at him.
"If it's your mind that isn't as restful, perhaps some meditation could help?" she offered shyly.
"I dunno, never really been much for me," Basilio admitted with a wince pulling double duty.
"If… you're in pain, perhaps it will grant you some distance from it, for the moment," Eupha smiled weakly, which grew when his groan proved her guess wasn't too off the mark.
"I mean, maybe, but if it don't it's so boring that-"
"That it might put you to sleep?" she pointed out as her grin caused both her normal eyes to nearly close.
He went through the five stages of codfish trying to think of a good counter argument before giving a tired sigh, "You can be vicious when you wanna be…"
"Perhaps in your case it would work best to visualize a place that brings peace to your spirit," she suggested as she took a seat before her altar, patting the space beside her for him.
"A place, huh," Basilio swallowed as he crossed his legs, copying her since the one advantage of waking her up was that she left her cloak behind.
He figured for most folks it'd be their home or something, but he never really had one that'd fit the mark. Didn't help that the few ones that might would all be missing the most important thing that let them feel like "home" in the first bloody place.
Every day in the igniter facility had been hell, only the family he had or found there brought him any "peace". The Charadrius was kinder to him but every memory of it was tainted by the blood Louis left on his hands, even its kitchen.
This runner might've been the closest thing he had, but picturing the Stowage room felt like cheating when he could just sit down there and look around instead.
Though, Eupha didn't say it had to be a real place. So maybe a fantasy of one would work just as well?
So as he breathed he focused on imagining the ins and outs of an old could've-been.
He could picture it, though it was basically cobbled together bits of places he'd been. So he paired every bit of it a breath as deep as he could stomach.
Purple flowers hangin' off the ceiling beams like the Skyward Tavern in Altabury.
A big ol' fish tank as much for keeping some fresh for eattin' as they were to let folks just watch 'em swim around like the Greatest Catch back in Brielhaven.
Doors that spun from their centers instead of swingin' on hinges like the folks in Eht Ria liked 'cause the novelty of 'em never really being "shut" without beamin' 'em up like a castle had never quite worn off.
Stairs leading to a living spaces up above like the Hushed Honeybee Inn, and its nice cozy fireplace that helped the heat get up there.
The kitchen would always end up the blurriest bit.
Never could settle on if he'd rather a proper huge one like the Nau Filono Tavern had or take another note from Miss. Fabienne and have a smaller galley one so he could try running the front too.
Biggest departure from any of them was the stage. Just a simple thing, could be turned into more seating area easy enough if nobody needed it for a song.
"Told you it was grand, didn't I?"
Basilio had warned Eupha he'd be bad at this. He must've fallen asleep already, 'cause he wasn't trying to hear things that weren't there.
The smack to the back of his head should've proved it. But it stung and the dreams that came with pain were always the worst ones.
"… If I tell you I'm sorry will you stop ignoring me, ya muppet?"
Basilio swallowed as he risked a look behind him. But there he was, like nothing ever happened.
Del cockin' his head at him all smug like he was tempted to have a laugh at his younger brother's expense. No holes, no blood, just him. Not even his coat or his backpack, they were both on a little homey set of hooks by the front door.
"Wasn't expecting you back so soon, if I'm honest. Guess meditatin' isn't as useless as I figured," he shrugged with a grin.
"Del?" Basilio barely breathed out 'cause his throat was too tight for it.
"Should be, more or less," his brother rolled a shoulder as he took a seat at a random table, flicking a hand for Basilio to take the one across from him.
"Is… Is this real?" Basilio asked as he stayed standing, scared moving would risk making everything crumble around him. Feeling like something was jerkin' him around, hoping to make him watch as it took his family again for some sick laugh.
"This place isn't," Del admitted, "you've been changin' it plenty already and don't even have a spot to put the thing. Windows won't be helpin' you with that either."
Basilio couldn't get himself to ask the part Del avoided answering, but Del gave a sigh like even he could see he was being unfair.
"It's less real than me, though couldn't tell ya if I'm just bein' biased." Del smile softened. "But c'mon. You should know that part already."
Basilio wanted to believe him. Always did. But to try believin' him now felt like it'd be breakin' something he'd been trying to dam up.
Del gave a breathy huff as he flicked his head towards the ceiling, telling Basilio there was something he missed. But it wasn't like he could just miss the vines or anything, only bit that might've been odd was just how high up it was, like…
Like it'd been sized for something bigger than people.
Del's chuckled ran deeper, with the hint of an echo as he stopped looking like his big brother. Though there was something rather silly 'bout seein' something as right massive as the Berserker just sitting at a dinner table like it was just another bloke.
"Even if I'm not who I want to think I am, we can't really claim I'm nothing, yeah?" Basilio's Archetype asked as if Del was the one at its core instead of him.
Basilio gave a broken sounding laugh at that as he practically fell into his seat.
If meditating was about "getting in touch with yourself", he guessed this was as close as a blockhead like him could get.
"I thought this whole exercise was 'bout makin' you hurt less, you numpty," Del looked more like "himself" again as he leaned across the table to flick his little brother's nose.
But his breathing didn't hurt in here. His chest felt fine, every heartbeat was nice and normal and not like it was pumping crystals through his veins. No clawin', no dyin', just… him.
"You better be sure to thank the lass for the suggestion later, 'cause God knows how much the tea would've helped on its own." Del chided, and Basilio nodded along.
God, how is he supposed to thank her? He'd offer to help her with exercisin' or something, but there's no way in hell that'd be fair.
"Could help her with that Sanctor of hers," Basilio thought aloud, "though… their types are pretty fond of the sorta magic that don't mix well with us if he tries givin' her any more trouble…"
"We could try on somethin' different then," Del offered with a sly smirk. "I mean, obviously we've still got a lotta work with the Berserker left to do, but it's not like you can't ask your "boss" to put me in something that'll be a better fit there."
"… Put you in something?" Basilio parroted him as he cocked his head.
"I can't change what I am on my own the way Lady Junah's Archetype kinda can," Del gave a helpless shrug before letting his head rest on his hand. "But since it'll still be "me", thinkin' of all the others like masks I could be wearing feels right enough."
"… Would you want to be a Masked Dancer then?" Basilio asked as he tried to visualize it and his big brother hissed at him like a bloody animal.
"Don't even bloody joke like that!" Del spat in a panic, recoiling from his brother far enough he nearly knocked his chair over, "It's one thing if the twat decides it on his own, much as I'd love to smack him for it, but you've seen her! Lady Junah might be able to make it work for her, but me? Those stupid shoulders, the heels? GOD no."
"Persona Master looked a little cool," Basilio offered weakly but if Berserker had fire magic he was pretty sure Del would've lit him up by now for pushin' his luck.
"The fact that it's a more magic-y type means its garbage for us anyway." Del pointed out with a scowl, "Shame really, 'cause the Commander stuff would've prolly been more my speed, if things were different. Brawler might be the next best thing, since hand-to-hand and trading blood for blood sounds like a fair fit for me."
Basilio's throat went tight again, and Del gave a soft sigh. "I know I offered to say "Sorry", but it going any other way would've killed me and you know that." Del refused to look at him as he gave a ragged breath. "I wouldn't've gotten to keep you with me the way we got to this way. Vinca has less he can blame you for than me anyway. He knows I was the one that left him and the others behind, not you."
"I don't think he'd be that angry with ya. He still wanted to talk to you again too," Basilio said with a sniffle.
"Yeah. Yeah, I heard him," Del took a breath as he looked to the stage, "Only thing I've ever considered doin' different that night was stickin' to what I told Lady Junah we were gonna do instead of going back."
"Kid would've died protectin' that family if we didn't," Basilio reminded him and Del gave him a somber nod.
"Yeah. So, can't say I regret it too much. Nobody else would've stood as much of a chance against that cold-hearted bastard, just like Saint Rella said." Del tapped his bad foot as he turned to the window, "Still, it might've been nice. Wouldn't have wanted it up in Altabury of course, with how soddin' cold it was up with all them Sanctist tossers, so it's not like we had good options for it. You got any ideas yet?"
"… You know I wanted to run it with you, not on me own."
"And if you truly gave up on it, I wouldn't have this at all," Del replied as his tail thrashed in frustration. He paused as he crossed his arms on the table, scratching his ear as he pillowed his head on them. "I know I pressed you 'bout fightin' for the right reasons, but it don't mean I want to see you fighting forever, Bas. I'll be with you all the same."
"Can't in good conscience stop fightin' yet, 'specially not while Louis is breathin'." Basilio copied his brother, nearly knockin' elbows with him in the process. "I'll find a spot when the world's in a better place for someone like me to be runnin' a joint like this, honest."
"Fine. But you can't go dyin' on me with any of this "brigade" business before I get to see you get there, you hear me?" Del ordered as he held a fist to him.
Basilio punched it as a promise with a smile, "Who knows, might make enough mates with the sort of fools who'd be followin' the likes of me to be givin' 'em jobs."
That brought enough of a smile back to his brother's face for him to relax, "Good." Del gave a soft chuckle, "Can't say I'd figure much of anyone on your current crew would be much the type to settle for something normal like you."
Basilio pursed his lips as he tried giving it a thought.
Cap'n'd be right out, he'd be a king if the world's not gone to rot. And where he is, Gallica's gotta be too, you just can't picture one without the other somewhere nearby.
Strohl has that whole village he's wantin' to rebuild for his own mates. Hulkenberg and Heismay would prolly be back on their "knightly" business to stick close to the pup and keep his head on straight. Neuras could practically retire as it is, so he should be out unless Basilio could get him to catch the baking bug.
Lady Junah's got her own career to worry 'bout, and he'd never want to risk her walkin' away from it before givin' the world a chance to hear her like she wanted. Eupha's got her own island to be going back to too, with her big brother and all that, not that he'd know much 'bout what all she'd be doing for her priestess-ly duties now that being eaten by dragon ain't one of 'em.
"I could be at least seein' Strohl or Eupha around, if… if they'd be willin' to let me set up where they'll be." Basilio pointed out with a soft smile, "I'd need be askin' 'em o' course, and I don't really think it's a good time for that sort of thing, but…"
"But it's a thought," Del agreed with a nod.
Not sure how he'd be bribin' either of them to let him hitch himself to their own plans, beyond what he'd be whippin' up in the restaurant. Feels a bit more serious than something you'd be lettin' a friend do on a whim-like.
He's not even sure helpin' Eupha with her Sanctor would be enough with what she's already given him. Giving him a chance to talk to his brother and take the pain away.
"Could offer to keep the lass company on a night out like a regular person for all this," Del pointed out like he just got away with swiping something pricey.
"True, can barely leave her be for a minute before some creep tries sellin' 'er a bridge," Basilio chuckled, though the sound petered out under his brother's glare. One of the "you know what I mean, you idiot," ones.
Basilio blinked blankly back because he was pretty sure he didn't. 'Cause Del couldn't be meaning like a date-
"And why's that?" Del scowled like Basilio was trying to be obtuse when he wasn't. "Yes you are, you dunce, don't go tryin' to lie your way around it."
… Oh no Del's actually in his head, ain't he? Just… all the time.
"I do "live" here, for lack of a better way to put it." Del deadpanned at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Which… it maybe was. "I can try givin' you some privacy, but more you think 'bout somethin' the less promises I can give ya."
Basilio just focused on not thinking anything, getting his brother to give an exhausted sigh. "Fine, why not you try makin' her a meal or something then? You weren't considering that a "date" when you did it to make things even with the pup."
"'Cause it wasn't! Why're you trying to make this a "thing" anyway?!" Basilio blurted back.
"She said it 'erself didn't she? Our little priestess and Saint Rella weren't all that different. So if Lady Junah's not yer speed, why not take a chance to get closer to her?" Del shrugged at him, though turned his face away at Lady Junah's name.
"Don't act like you don't know," Basilio pouted back, 'cause everyone knew Eupha fancied their Captain. Even that third eye of hers could barely take itself off her "savior" when he was around. To say nothin' of how their future king could "hear" her in his head before they even met, and how practically fairy-tale that meeting was.
Basilio was just the bastard who made for the woods at the first sign of trouble, talkin' 'bout stabbin' her people in the back before even meeting them, and would've gladly left her to die as long as it meant his job was done, neat and tidy.
"There's more to life than first impressions, Bas. Practically held a blade to Lady Junah's throat when she sought out the count but she likes you just fine these days, don't she?" Del said with the sort of smile that was screaming how much he'd rather forget how they had been too. "It's not like Eupha hates you for any of that bollocks."
It'd still take a fool to turn a girl like that down and while the kid's mental he's not stupid.
"You think that like he ain't already spoiled for bloody choice," Del scoffed as he slouched in his seat. "Kid keeps drawin' folks in like a riptide, there's no way in hell he'll be able to keep all of 'em happy. So why not take a shot to see how things go?"
Basilio opened his mouth to object, but-
But he was back on the floor on the runner's lounge. A dainty hand givin' his shoulder a shake.
Wasn't really a surprise his face was wet, but his chest still didn't hurt anymore.
"I hope you pardon my intrusion, but I was getting worried. Were you having a vision?" Eupha asked, soft as anything. He barely remembered everybody else should still be sleepin'.
"M-maybe, yeah? It was… Del was havin' a chat with me, like we used to." Basilio admitted quiet as she was, and he caught her swallowing some worries down. "Wasn't a memory or nuthin', just… 'cause he's me Archetype, I s'pose."
"It's not uncommon for one to commune with the gods protecting you during meditation." Eupha said, more like she was hopin' to prove he didn't need to worry 'bout her thinkin' he'd gone mental.
"Like… Like the snake-eaten ones?" he asked, rackin' his brain for how exactly Lady Junah had tried describing that to him but… Well, the second she started talkin' 'bout "feeding their dead to snakes" he was more tryin' to not listen at the time.
… Del had been given a Sanctist funeral, yeah? Eupha weren't even there, was just him and Lady Junah. So there weren't any way his box had snakes in it, right?!
Something in his chest rumbled like a grumble, higher than his stomach. His heart?
… Del?
Is that him getting sassy over his thoughts getting too silly? Normally the Berserker only started getting opinions when he was about to mess something up in a fight.
Was that what Del had meant about "giving him privacy"?
The grumble settled to something closer to a purr, like Del'd only do if he couldn't help it or there weren't anyone else around to hear him.
"It's not like they become Archetypes, so his case would still be most unique," Eupha smiled with a soft giggle like his worries were painted all over his face. "I was just trying to reassure you that such a reunion isn't unheard of, so you don't need to try and brush any of it off as a "dream" if you feel it carries more weight than that."
"I think it did." Basilio grinned back, "He even talked some 'bout changing what Archetype we had 'im in if we need to, since that's more of the Cap'n's wheelhouse."
"Pardon, "had him in"? Was sir Fidelio wearing the Berserker's armor, by chance?" she asked with a tilt of her head like she was trying to picture it, and Basilio wasn't sure if he could've without laughing.
"Nah, he weren't any different than from how we are when we use 'em. Lookin' all normal right up 'till he don't," he corrected with a snicker, and the poor thing looked a bit put out by the news. "Sorry to be disappointin' ya there."
"O-oh, no I'm not-" Eupha waved a hand dismissively as she tried to deny the obvious, before her nerves clammed that up. "W-well… I… I mean, if you two wanted a more magic-inclined Archetype, uh, well, b-both Summoners have all of their vessels now so you'd have a full range to work with and not all of them rely on magic exactly." She said like she was tryin' to avoid something.
A something she couldn't keep runnin' from with a sigh, "I might have pictured sir Fidelio in place of the Summoner's body, with the, uh…" Eupha nodded to herself as she cracked one eye open at him with a weaker smile. "With the Summoner's cloak," she confessed as she splayed her own arms out like he needed the reminder of just how honkin' massive that thing was on the poor spindly bod of the rest of it.
Basilio's chest was warm in a way he didn't think was all him as he barked out a laugh way too loud for the hour, but even using a hand to help him belt it couldn't do much for his tail waggin' into the floor like it was tryin' to tap out of a wrestling pin.
"M-my apologies," she muttered quiet as a mouse and pinker than a beet, lookin' like she was right worried he'd split his sides from trying to keep from wakin' anyone up.
Basilio tried to wave those worries away with his free hand, to shake that there was no harm done like he had just dunked his head in a tub, but not being able to say so while his stupid wild tail kept up its racket prolly wasn't helping either ring true as she hid her growing blush behind her hands.
He had to give up the one attempt to hold the stupid limb down as he finally found a chance to take a much needed breath of air.
"Thanks, I think part of me needed somethin' to laugh at. We're well past the giggle hour, ain't we?" he asked with a soft dying snicker.
"I believe I am unfamiliar?" she confessed as she stopped her hiding.
"Eh, just a thing folks call it when it's late and brains start lookin' for a laugh in everything," he told her with a rock that bopped his arm into hers just a bit.
"Oh, well… It is nearly sunrise," she looked to the door like she had been hopin' to hide just how much he derailed her sleep. Eupha was quick to shake a denial when she caught the guilt on his face, "I don't mind! I'm feeling quite fine. But you would probably still need some rest, won't you?"
Much as he'd like to claim otherwise, real sleep sounded heavenly. He tsked to himself in thought, giving the kitchen a glance.
"Hmm, how 'bout this. You wanna give me a hand makin' breakfast for ev'rybody and give Lady Junah or the Cap'n a heads up while I try to get some shut eye after?" he scratched an ear as he gave a half-hearted attempt at a cocky toothy grin. "They both have an idea 'bout how I get so they'll prolly help make up some excuse."
"I'll be happy to help, but are you sure…?" she trailed like she didn't know how to phrase him keepin' something like his aches a secret.
"I don't want to go worryin' folks I don't got to. Besides, this is a village shoppin' trip sorta day, innit? So nobody should be needin' me for nuthin' big."
"Are there any painkillers I should be looking for?" she asked, and he didn't have the heart to tell her he didn't trust her to not get herself scammed to hell and back with half of the information she'd need for it. Even with Lady Junah keepin' an eye on her.
"Nah, not out here. I'll be fine," he got up to his feet with a groan from how stiff his joints were after being still like that for so long. He offered her a hand to help her do the same, lifting her up as easy as pulling a weed. "You helped more than I thought anythin' would to be honest. Not sure I'd be any good at focusin' on keeping my head clear on me own, but would you mind givin' me hand with this again sometime?"
"Gladly," she beamed, a bit blushy like she was getting nervous 'bout him offering a handshake to seal the deal like most mainland folks might. But he'd already heard some warnings 'bout how that goes for the mustari when Del had still been on the mend that's not much the paripus style anyway, as he held out a fist instead.
She was surprised for a second before steeling herself with a tense nod, waaay too serious-like, and from her posture she gave what should have been a straight right.
Definitely didn't feel like one as he held in a surprised laugh at it all, offering her a far more casual tap back with his own before she could take her hand back.
"Ah, I see…" she said to herself like she was taking some mental notes, "apologies, Edeni had a punching bag back home so I've seen him practice from time to time."
Her blush didn't sound like she just "watched" him practice as a grin pulled at his corners. More like it was one of the first times she'd tried punching around people.
"No worries, better one than Lady Junah could throw so you could have some potential with that if you keep at it." Basilio told her with a wink with his better eye as he cocked his head towards the diva's bunk. "Still, deal's a deal. So, what you feel like makin' everyone have for the day? Helpers get first pick."
"P-perhaps they might enjoy some Almighty Golden Stew? It should be fairly easy on digestion this early and promotes good health," she offered as she looked to the ground shyly. "And it is something of a personal favorite of my brother and I…"
"Sure thing. Want to try and make enough to save him a portion for the next time we see him?" Basilio grinned as she nodded up a storm as she beamed back at him.
Only felt right to do something nice for Eupha's big brother after seeing his own. Cap'n would prolly be in favor anyway, if he needed the chief to kill some clouds.
Cooking with her always went smooth as a dream besides, even when the restless night started catching up with him. Lass might not be much good at punchin' (yet), but she was more than able to keep him upright when he started wobblin'.
Barely got all their plates on the table before he slunk back down to Stowage, making 'er worry he'd nearly fallen off the ladder instead of an intentional slide.
She didn't need to know how close she was to have called it for what it was. Basilio's always been good at landin' on his feet, even if it mostly came from copyin' Del.
Del's empty bag stung less this time, even if seeing too much of him wouldn't be healthy. Even Basilio knew that much. Part of why he wasn't going to try meditating like that again on his own.
Using Eupha to keep him from going too far might not've been fair, but it didn't sound like she'd mind. She was a clever one with this sort of thing, she prolly already knew why he asked.
So, he'd be helpin' her back with makin' sure all them sick folks could be gettin' some proper care and at least one fine meal all to herself. Even knows her favorite now, and how she'd make it 'erself, and he didn't even need to ask so it'd be even more of a surprise. Just gotta find what else he could make that would help it shine even brighter, make it special, and not a date, DEL! Just bein' a mate. With a little m.
But nooo, somebody had to be making more purr-y warm rumbles from so much as thinkin' about it. And it wasn't Basilio. Couldn't be. Shouldn't be.
It'd just need to be something for him to sleep on.