( open ) the chemicals are restless in my head

[nilhilistic]

Who: Rafal + You
Where: Around!
What: Glitches + Gnosia + Day in the life prompts
Warnings: Manipulation, violence, injury + death?? if you want

( prompts will be in the comments below. if you would like something specific, please reach out to me via DM / timmtams / quixotically @ disco. glitches will involve "nil" / endgame boss!rafal )

Comments

( ota ) "nil", around aldrip

[nilhilistic]

[ due to the glitches, rafal has now been replaced. where once stood a blunt, caustic dragon boy now stands a stuttering, cowardly person who seems to hunch his shoulders, making himself look as small and weak as possible. he manages a wavering, quaky smile before asking, a hint of desperation. ]

E-Excuse me, but have you seen my twin sister Nel? S-She looks just like me. With black hair.

[ who was this? surely not rafal. it must be a new person entirely. right? ]

[snowslip]

[ Rafal had always come off blunt and a little intimidating to her, so his change in behavior takes Marianne by complete surprise. But it must be him, right? She remembers when they last spoke, how he had mentioned his sister and how they had always been together. ]

I...I don't think she's here, I'm afraid.

[ She answers him after a worried pause. Does he not remember? He had told her as much himself. ]

[nilhilistic]

N-Not here? Oh, that can't be right . . . Nel wouldn't go anywhere without me.

[ she wouldn't. he's still nil. she has no way of knowing. damn, and he was so close. thankfully, none of this is apparent as nil continues to look down, unsure. ]

She must be somewhere.

[snowslip]

I'm sorry.

[ She apologizes on reflex to see that her answer had caused him such distress. His reaction continues to take her by surprise, but it's not the first time she's experienced strange happenings in Aldrip. They've become cyclical like the seasons. So perhaps it's the latest malady affecting Rafal now. ]

Um, when were you separated? [ And more importantly - ] What can you remember?

[nilhilistic]

Remember? Uhhh.

[ why would she ask that? is this a trick? is this person trying to trip him up in some way?

no. no one should know his true identity. he's been throughout. perfect. he's come too far to die now. not like this. not as weak and pathetic nil.

he would hate you for saying that, a voice whispers back at him, you loved him and look at you now.

so what? rafal thinks snidely. he's still alive. ]

We were in the old palace. Praying, I think?

[ nothing any person can confirm or deny. this is a safe answer. ]

[snowslip]

This is Aldrip. I don't think there's any palace near here, but there is a church...

[ Should she start explaining from the beginning? Maybe that would be for the best while he's lost his memories. She can remember herself feeling just as uneasy when she arrived. ]

From time to time, the gods take people from their homes and bring them here. I was also separated from the people I was with.

[nilhilistic]

The . . . gods?

[ what gods? not any dragon god he knew. who would interfere with fell spawn?

it makes no sense. he had best play dumb. he fixes a weak smile. ]

I'm so sorry. That sounds terrible. Where are you from?

[snowslip]

I'm from Fódlan. My name's Marianne.

[ It feels a little odd to be introducing herself again. She's not sure what's caused his amnesia, but she tries to offer a reassuring smile. ]

What about you?

[nilhilistic]

[ he gives a simple bow, nothing special. nil has his own rank and it is above kings and queens. ]

O-Oh, my name is Nil. I'm from Elyos.

[snowslip]

[ Nil and not Rafal? It takes her aback, and it shows in the crinkle in her expression, but she always looks a little worried. ]

It's nice to meet you, Nil. I can show you around Aldrip if you'd like.

[nilhilistic]

[ why that? it makes no sense and it puts him on guard. thankfully, he's done this for so long, no reaction shows. ]

That — That would be lovely, tank you. You're very kind.

[snowslip]

Um, are you tired or hungry? I could show you to the inn or to a restaurant. What does your sister look like? We can keep an eye out for her.

[ Though she knows it's unlikely they'll find her, new Chosen arrive from time to time. She herself is grateful to have been reunited with old classmates recently. ]

[nilhilistic]

[ "nil" beams, all brightness and sunshine. ]

Oh, we're twins, so she looks like me! Just with black hair.

[snowslip]

[ Look at him, how sweet. It makes Marianne brighten up as well. ]

It'll be easy to recognize her then.

[nilhilistic]

Y-Yes, I am sure she cannot be far.

[ the right amount of stutter, the right amount of twisting of his fingers. all to sell the illusion. would nel be here? he has no clue, but he can't afford to do anything less than be nil.

nil can afford to exist. ]

Thank you for your help.

( ota ) endboss dragon!rafal, cw: violence

[nilhilistic]

"Finally . . . I am free.".

[ a large vicious dragon hover above the ground before landing with a thud. his voice rings in the hair, vicious and vicarious. rafal is free. he has his dragon form. he has all his powers. nothing can stand in his way. he chuckles at the measly humans before, his tailg swishing back and forth. ]

Obey or be destroyed. I will rule this world. And all other worlds!