Written Wonderland

((OOC: Shortly after the volunteers introduced themselves, here.))

Novelty didn't think that Philip's second flinch was a good sign. Perhaps he should let the man be. This had been an awful lot of excitement for the last few days. And while Novelty felt equipped to handle it, he recognized that he was one of few who likely could. And, Novelty hadn't just returned from the goddess of desire.

The soldier was surprised that Philip said yes, and Novelty wanted to act on it as soon as possible. He started walking slowly in the direction of Philip's tent, hoping the soldier would follow. While he would have preferred a different outcome with the rest of the volunteers, Novelty hoped that maybe he could at least get Philip to a less visible place and calm him down. Regardless, though, without Philip's direct intervention, Novelty determined that he would not try to interfere with the lieutenant's affairs any further. He had the impression that Philip did not really want him around. And maybe it would still be possible to catch up with the other volunteers afterward. Had Novelty heard something about cards?

He didn't imagine that the lieutenant would want to talk much, so Novelty walked in companionable silence.

((OOC: If Philip wants to talk at all, Novelty would be happy to chat, but he's not going to initiate. If Philip wouldn't do anything, we can post again, I suppose. Lol.))

Philip felt terribly anxious as he and Novelty walked in silence. Was this some kind of obligation that the soldier felt, for some reason? Philip was glad for the company, sort of, but not if he was being a burden.

Maybe that wasn't it, though. He'd flinched away from Novelty twice now; perhaps the other soldier was nervous around him. That would be pretty reasonable. Philip didn't feel like a very safe person to be around.

"I'm still... confused" he spoke up, the silence finally unbearable. "I'm sorry."

Novelty smiled, thinking it was a good sign that Philip was talking, even if he only apologized and said he was confused.

"That's understandable," Novelty said. But, now that Philip was talking, Novelty thought Philip might be ready to talk about if he even wanted Novelty there.

"If you want to talk at all, I'm happy to. I certainly didn't expect to have a whole other day to think about all this. But, I would also understand if you'd rather me leave you alone. I just... I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Novelty had a burning urge to ask why in the hells Philip had showed up as a volunteer at all, but he figured that could come later when Philip seemed more stable.

((OOC: Also, like, let me know when they get to the tent?))

Something in Philip's chest unwound, a little, when Novelty replied with 'that's understandable'. It was open and soft in a way that was relieving, although Philip certainly had plenty of nervousness still to get through.

Novelty offered to talk, and Philip liked that idea, but then the soldier kept speaking, and he felt a little overwhelmed. He wasn't sure he wanted to talk about tomorrow. He could barely see past right now. But, he didn't want Novelty to leave, he didn't think. This was just moving so quickly... but, Novelty finished by saying that he just wanted to make sure Philip was okay, which helped his chest relax again. Philip turned his gaze to Novelty, and he gave a small nod.

"Thank you."

He felt a little guilty, knowing that others had assuredly tried to make sure he was okay, and Novelty in some ways just happened to show up at the right time. But, that didn't stop Philip from feeling grateful. He would figure out how to make things up to Nathan and Chloe--though, gods, why was Chloe going? Philip faced forward again, his brow furrowing with some concern.

But, he should say something more to Novelty. He was afraid that the soldier might be one wrong word from peeling away. He didn't want to be alone, not really. He'd spent so much of the past few days alone.

"I really did appreciate the food earlier," he offered after a few moments, hoping that it would at least help reassure Novelty that Philip did want him there.

((OOC: I figure they're prolly walking pretty slow lol. But, then again, there are also long silences. Maybe I'll pull em up to Philip's tent in my next post, we'll see.))

Novelty was grateful when Philip thanked him, but he still wasn't completely sure Philip wasn't just being kind. But, then again, Philip wasn't telling Novelty to leave, either.

And then, after another silence, Philip thanked Novelty for the food. Novelty colored a little, and a mirth started to bubble up in him as he thought of that moment again.

Was Philip euphemistically thanking Novelty for the kiss or was it actually about the food? Better not to think about it too hard, Novelty determined.

"It was really no trouble. You helped me feel more confident in my decision." Novelty felt like asking about Philip's decision, but he also knew that was still likely risky territory. But, wasn't Novelty here to take risks? Why else would he be going to the goddess?

"Did anything... happen after I left?" If Novelty could at least rule that out, he could at least understand Philip's thought process better.

A bitter sort of amusement filled Philip's throat that he'd help Novelty decide to go. But, no, he'd said Philip had helped him feel more confident in his decision, which was different. Philip sighed softly, exhaling some of his nervousness.

Then, Novelty asked if anything had happened, and Philip furrowed his brow slightly in thought, but then shook his head.

"No, not particularly. Chloe tried to talk to me again, I suppose--" he looked to Novelty briefly to add as an aside, "--she and Nathan are both my soldiers." Then, he looked forward again, worry returning to his brow. "I don't understand why she's going. I never would have thought."

He realized they were approaching his tent, which made him feel a little sad. His pace slowed, and he looked to Novelty again, his eyes a bit wider than normal with a subtle pleading.

"Will you... keep talking with me a bit longer?"

Novelty listened closely while Philip talked, more confident by the moment that any additional word Philip got out of his mouth meant that he was doing progressively better. It made Novelty smile a little. It was also good to hear the lieutenant talk about his soldiers; it meant he was still, at least in his mind, playing and fulfilling his role to some degree. Novelty could understand how difficult it would be to lose two soldiers, but was that the reason Philip was going? To try to keep them safe? Novelty's knee-jerk reaction was that, no, it had to be more complex than that.

Novelty hadn't given Chloe much of a thought while they had all been together. She had as much right to be there as anyone did. He shrugged it off, deciding Philip would say more about it if it mattered to him. Whatever Novelty had to offer would be speculation anyway.

They were coming up on Philip's tent, and Novelty prepared to leave the lieutenant, but then Philip asked him to stay. Novelty turned to the lieutenant and smiled brightly.

"I would be happy to," Novelty said, although he wasn't immediately sure what they would talk about. He decided to let Philip direct the conversation's next step.

Philip nodded with gratitude, but shuffled a little awkwardly in front of his tent. Did he want to invite Novelty in? That seemed more hospitable than loitering, but it also felt heavy. Besides, he'd spent quite a bit of time in that tent, and now that he thought about it, he didn't particularly want to go back inside of it just then. After having cast his gaze down to his feet as he considered, he returned it to Novelty again.

"Is it alright if we keep walking?"

He leaned subtly in the direction of the river, but mostly as an offering; he wasn't particularly tied to any direction, he just wanted to move.

Novelty smiled as Philip looked about himself, patient and curious for what would happen next. The soldier was not altogether convinced that he could politely keep his hands to himself in the event that Philip invited him into his tent, so Novelty was equal parts grateful and disappointed when Philip suggested that they keep walking.

But, then again, it might be useful for Novelty to scout out the area a little further to at least get an inkling of where he might find the flowers he was looking for. He didn't expect them to last very long, but it would go a long way toward making him feel comfortable if he at least knew where to get them for the ceremony tomorrow.

Nodding, Novelty asked, "Mind if I lead?"

Philip gestured lightly with his arm as if to say, after you, his head bowing again in gratitude. He was deeply thankful for Novelty's patience with him, although as they began walking again, his anxiety started to bubble once more, uncertainty swirling as he searched for what he wanted to talk about. Ultimately, a long silence stood, which he hoped the soldier would be alright with.

Finally, he spoke up a little sheepishly.

"May I... make a confession?"

He worried it was an odd question to ask, but he didn't want to lay more at Novelty's feet than the soldier actually intended to sign up for, and this was the best way he could think to ask permission before saying what was most on his mind.