( open ) if we're all just cynics come undone

[nilhilistic]

Who: Rafal + You
Where: Around
What: Day in the life + Test Drive prompts
Warnings: N/A


( i. fun house )

[ rafal had wandered aimlessly through the carnival. the sweets and treats were fine, grabbing his attention but the rest seemed rather trivial. he didn't understand the enjoyment people received from activities like these. but then again, rafal knows he doesn't have the best sense of humour. he deadened those feelings long ago.

he pauses at his reflection. he looks the same as ever. thousands of years and he feels nothing has changed in his heart. he's still —

but the reflection warps. just slightly. the rafal that stands in the mirror is a softer version. smiles in his eyes, a cowardly bent to his posture. hands that rubbed together anxiously as he struggled to make eye contact. rafal's own eyes widened as he steps back in shock. ]

Nil?

[ at the sound of his name, "nil" looks back at rafal. his face takes on a mournful cast, tears running down his face. rafal swallows tightly at the sight of him, his brother and he nearly reaches out to touch him. but nil's next words freeze him in place. ]

Why, Rafal? I let you take my place. I saved your life. All I asked is that you protected my sister. Why?

[ rafal flinches openly, his expression turning into a snarl before he throttles it. ]

Shut up. You don't — You weren't there. I did the best I could. Living that lie for centuries.

[ nil shakes his head slowly, his gaze not leaving rafal. ]

That lie was the only thing that gave meaning to your life. You knew your worth. You knew. And yet you hurt her. Manipulated her. You got her killed. You think a thousand years of silence and heartbreak is enough? You think simply because you brought her back that you would change your fate?

[ those words hit him squarely in the chest. rafal struggles to speak, the grief and rage cloying his throat. ]

Don't — Don't do this, Nil. I — I loved you. I tried.

[ he turns on his heel, attempting to leave. but the reflection of nil pursues him throughout until rafal gasps, going on his knees. ]

Stop. Stop!

( ii. fortune telling )

[ this was not an art he ever gave much thought to.

seadall did fortune telling at night for the residents of the somniel, but rafal never attended those sessions. he generally kept his distance from the rest of the army. after all, it wasn't too long ago when he was their enemy. when he made them fight amalgations of themselves. destroyed a world in his wake. he rather not push his goodwill while he has it. curiousity pulled him to visit a fortune teller this time though. here in this artificial world, he's less sure of his oath. his direction. before, it was easy. he could follow alear. trusted alear.

here . . . who could he trust? especially when he cannot trust himself.

rafal wanders away from the tent, turning the tarot card he received. the card of justice. it was explained to him that he represented this card. upright, truth, clarity. reversed, it was dishonesty, unaccountability. was that his fate? in time, would he discard his truths?

he bumps into someone and the card falls to the ground. rafal sighs, bending down to grip it. ]

My apologies.

[ he picks up the card, still frowning. on a whim, he asks out loud. ]

Do you believe in fate?

( iii. flying around — dragon style )

[ there's nothing rafal enjoys more than flying.

finally having his own dragonstone, it's impossible to resist the siren call of retreating into his draconic form and take to the air. to beat his large wings and tower over the city as an omen of doom. it makes him chuckle a little. reformed he may be, rafal still believes in striking some terror in people's hearts. it affords him power.

he circles around the city, the beach and other areas of aldrip before landing in a field outside the city. rafal sits down, his tail swaying idly as he watches the scenery content. if you are brave enough, you can bother him for a conversation. ]

( iv. cafe time )

[ rafal doesn't care for bars and nightlife. the only thing he deeply enjoys are bakeries and cafes. he can always be found in one somewhere, with a mountain of sugar packets along with plates of desserts and drinks.

you can watch in horror as he dumps packet upon packet of sugar on his food, takes a bite and grimaces. ]

Not sweet enough. Not yet.

[ judge his eating habits. ]