[After he and Sebastian had come up with a plan, and Sebastian had left to go inform everyone else, Ankh found himself with very little to be doing for a while. In fact, he quickly decided that if no one can say anything while he's around that he should avoid all the windows as much as possible until Sebastian comes to find him again.
So for now, he's in the kitchen, eating another popsicle. How many is that at this point? But he doesn't plan on stopping. He was always addicted to these things, and he likely won't see another one until he gets home. If he gets home. If home is even the right word.
This isn't a terrible substitute, he realises. For a moment at least, he considers the possibility that maybe there's no need to leave. No reason to solve the puzzles he dreads the results of or to ever get through that locked gate and into someone else's personal hell. He could stay here. Cous Coussier, with all the food, and even some people around to watch and to toy with. They aren't the ones he's used to, but maybe that's a good thing. He can't go back to them, anyway. They're the ones who wanted him gone, despite all their outward friendliness.
But he can't help thinking about them, or this place, or the last time he was there. Stupidly sentimental, but he had missed it. And then there was Hina, almost concerned, almost wanting him to stay. He'd asked her... and of course she said no. She always had her brother first in mind. How could have even for one second have thought...? (He almost feels the now contextless memory of his core shattering. If she had just said yes...)
He doesn't notice until he hears the snap and looks down that his fist has clenched hard enough to break the empty popsicle stick in his hand. He glares at it for a second, then throws the broken stick to the other side of the room. So now he's stuck here, where he shouldn't even exist, trapped in a memory without the ability to feel anything. And he was thinking about staying like this? What a joke. Stupidly sentimental, even now.
With a scowl, he goes and grabs yet another popsicle out of the freezer and leans against the counter with it. He pulls the Peacock medal from his pocket and stares at it while he licks at the ice pop. Five more of these, and he can be done with this place. What the hell's taking Sebastian so long?]
After solving the dungeon puzzle and talking to Sebastian
So for now, he's in the kitchen, eating another popsicle. How many is that at this point? But he doesn't plan on stopping. He was always addicted to these things, and he likely won't see another one until he gets home. If he gets home. If home is even the right word.
This isn't a terrible substitute, he realises. For a moment at least, he considers the possibility that maybe there's no need to leave. No reason to solve the puzzles he dreads the results of or to ever get through that locked gate and into someone else's personal hell. He could stay here. Cous Coussier, with all the food, and even some people around to watch and to toy with. They aren't the ones he's used to, but maybe that's a good thing. He can't go back to them, anyway. They're the ones who wanted him gone, despite all their outward friendliness.
But he can't help thinking about them, or this place, or the last time he was there. Stupidly sentimental, but he had missed it. And then there was Hina, almost concerned, almost wanting him to stay. He'd asked her... and of course she said no. She always had her brother first in mind. How could have even for one second have thought...? (He almost feels the now contextless memory of his core shattering. If she had just said yes...)
He doesn't notice until he hears the snap and looks down that his fist has clenched hard enough to break the empty popsicle stick in his hand. He glares at it for a second, then throws the broken stick to the other side of the room. So now he's stuck here, where he shouldn't even exist, trapped in a memory without the ability to feel anything. And he was thinking about staying like this? What a joke. Stupidly sentimental, even now.
With a scowl, he goes and grabs yet another popsicle out of the freezer and leans against the counter with it. He pulls the Peacock medal from his pocket and stares at it while he licks at the ice pop. Five more of these, and he can be done with this place. What the hell's taking Sebastian so long?]