#also wow I just realized I said tags instead of replies smh

[decadennce]

I think he should be allowed to be a little insane under the surface. as a treat.

[august-writing]

@hero-of-dork

Okay time to meta read. I'll do this scene:

I also don't know if this is gonna be true meta reading oof sorry if it's annoying oh man this is long oof...

Aithus squinting ahead at his comrade crouched further away from him in the long grass. He was a dismal sight with his drenched hat dripping streams of water.

Aithus is being just babey, has no idea what he's doing. Edmund is regretting this. He is so unhappy. Imagine a wet cat in the rain. Like the long fur type. That's him. But he's trying to pay attention and do this thing, cuz this kid is gonna die if he doesn't .

His comrade, Edmund, frowned at him and shook his head. He lowered his voice as he replied,

Aithus was a bit too loud, so Ed gave him a look lol.

"There's a watergate off in that direction, I believe," he threw Aithus a critical glance before continuing on. "we might be able to fit through, probably not the most comfy."

He isn't actually planning with him, he's just talking outloud. And has like, so little faith in Aithus's skills xD

"Oh, sure. Or we just move it out of the way. No big deal." Edmund wiped a stream of water coming down his hat off.

Slips into professional mode here, and his hat is paying a high price :(

"Move it?"

Edmund gave him a knowing smile as he rose from his position. He began making his way towards the gate as Aithus tagged along behind. 

Aithus being baby again, and Edmund realizing he doesn't know how to do this xD professional Ed activated.

Who knew a bard could be this quiet. 

I honestly just loved this line. It was funny, captured Aithus's thoughts. Edmund is a loud person, he sings a lot, talks a lot. You wouldn't expect him to be good at this.

After what felt like ages of tense lookout there was a gentle tug on his cloak and he turned to see Edmund gesturing silently to the gate.

Oho, Aithus the lookout just got snuck up on by the bard. Hmm I wonder what this means :)

Aithus did his best to catch up with him, but he quickly found that wading through water wasn't the easiest task to accomplish silently.

Once more he be inexperienced babey.

"We'll follow this waterway till we hit something we think might be our exit. Since neither of us have been in here, and don't know where we're going we're going to have to wing it." His quiet voice dimly echoed off the stone wall of the alcove. "Stay close around me, okay?" Edmund looked down at Aithus, his face firm and calm. "You don't know what you're doing so you might get lost."

Aithus nodded. 

I find this scene extremely fun because Edmund is in charge, he's making the plans and leading it. Aithus doesn't realize this. He's going along with it all and following his directions, but he thinks of it like "the bard is following along". But nope, Ed is totally in charge here and is keeping an eye out for this little kid who can't do any of this xD

Edmund turned back to the opening of the gate and smacked the draping cloth of his hat back over his shoulder. He muttered something to himself about "should have left it behind" before ducking through the gate. 

Too late to go back and put his hat somewhere so he's fussy about having to lug his fancy hat around during a heist

He held out his hand in anticipation, and Aithus handed over the blade. Using the tip he gently lifted it up before carefully placing it down again. Flipping the blade into a backhanded hold Edmund crossed his arms gazing thoughtfully down at the water.

Oho this bard sure is comfortable with this knife hmm. im sorry I'm teasing you guys, but im just :)))

"What's the problem, what are you thinking about?" Aithus glanced nervously from the lid to the darkly lit face of his companion.

"Nothing…" Edmund dismissively assured the lad with a shake of his hand. "Well," he turned to look at him, squinting in the gloom, "can you pick a lock?" 

Aithus like a worried kid trying to be in charge is nosy. He can tell something is up that Ed isn't sharing and he's uncomfortable. Ed just doubting his young friend again :( trying to problem solve

Edmund threw him helpful comments and grunts of disgust when his blade scraped wrong against the metal and jarred his senses. 

Aithus doesn't know what he's doing...and Ed is tired and wet and cold and wishes he could just do it instead of being tortured like this :(

"Okay, okay, that's enough." Edmund's voice cut louder than it had through their whole mission. He shifted his weight and Aithus bobbed along with him from his perch. "Give it a good solid push with your shoulder; but gently."

Ed is now done with this ear pain smh. Also giving confusing directions like the weirdo he is

He heard Edmund mutter to him to take his time and be cautious. The bard was right, if he made too loud of a racket getting this open they'd have the whole guard running on them.

Aithus just babey like :0 oh he's right wow. Has no idea smh

"Okay, you take to the left there and follow that light. You can probably find the records there and get the information that we need." Edmund bent down and whispered to Aithus, adding emphasis with his gestures. 

"Wait, you're going with me." Aithus interrupted with a judgmental squint.

Aithus suddenly realizing that he was supposed to be in charge and not Ed xD

Aithus grimaced and darted a worried glance about. "No, no, bad idea."

"Don't worry, you got this. You're a sneaky little lad."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

And now we have Aithus who has no faith in the bard and thinks he'll get lost, and Ed who thinks the boy is scared :(

Edmund's eyebrows went up. "Oh, well okay then. I suppose I'll just follow you?"

"Isn't that your job?" He said bluntly and unamused, an eyebrow raised at him. 

ED YOU GOT ROASTED. That's what you get for acting like an idiot u-u

Edmund took a breath in.

Irritated with this kid ugh :/

Aithus frowned up at him. "Alright, just, be quiet." 

Edmund gave him a half smile and shrugged before slipping into the shadows, leaving Aithus behind standing there startled.

Aithus sounds like some soft of half convinced parent and,,, that's totally accurate xD And Ed is just showing off smh

Okay I'm done. Sorry this was so long and rambly and like???? Wasn't very oof idk hope it was fun at least!