[The door never becomes more clear to him as he comes to stand by Charles, watches him reach for it. Dimly he recalls that he hadn't opened it himself the last time he left this room either, and perhaps that should make him feel some kind of stuck and pathetic.
Stuck, perhaps. It remains true that he will always be in this room, at least in the cosmic sense. But Charles is here to open it for him, and his nephew and friends had done it the first time, and that feels—better. Warmer.
He considers the room for another few seconds before reaching out to take Charles' hand.]
[Even if it can't be changed... even though he knows it's unlikely—what harm can it do to try? So he squeezes Echo's shoulder to try to reassure her, if nothing else, that she's not on her own here.
If Zekarion lost control of his own powers, what would bring him back? ... he doesn't know. He doesn't know that he could be brought back. Even so... he doesn't think they have the time to stand here and strategize. He calls out:]
Oz! We're right here, tell us what you need!
[He doesn't know what that other girl is doing, but she seems like a minor concern—at least for the moment. His attention stays on the struggling creature, but keeps his awareness open to the surroundings. Anything could happen at this point.]
[Honestly, it's kind of neat watching those plants eat the bugs. A little like watching nature do its thing. Cool.
There might be a snide comment or two from Scott, his mumblings sounding something like 'why even have stairs' as he walks down the next set. Well, the fact that he's using them right now probably answers his question, but whatever. It's clear that Hiei never uses them like a normal person. Demon. He's going to give Kurama a stink eye if he also just jumps down to the next floor.
Scott really is getting the full tour though, huh? Maybe it's a sign of trust from Hiei. Kind of nice if he's feeling nice and charitable, which, he shouldn't be, after all the shit from earlier.]
...It's a nice place. [He idly comments, nodding as if telling Hiei to continue still.]
[She could kill her now. The thought is cold and straightforward. It's a matter of strategy. 2-- is distracted by the ominous machine light that shines down on them like some sort of judgment. An apocalyptic omen given a voice and a message. Humans spoke of these things in their theology. The machine light was an archangel, portending doom.
But the distress that she hears in 2--'s voice gives her pause. It's that hated empathy that they share — that YoRHa had tried so hard to destroy. Instead, A2 lowers her blade, and she stares up at the light in that gray sky.
A flick of her eyes in 2--'s direction.] What data? [...] The Bunker?
[Pod, ever obedient, attempts to retrieve the data. The data is an ocean, a flood of information. But it can't be read or understood. They scramble into incoherence.]
Data format unknown. Attempting decryption. ... ...... .......... Attempt failed. Access denied.
Starting attempt #2... ........ ..........
[A2's gaze is still fixed on the spotlight, and the voice above speaks again in the flat, empty intonation of a machine.]
Breach detected. Antivirus measures initiated.
[And then, softly, edged with condescending pity:]
[Comes the defensive response, but it quickly starts fading as he keeps his hand pressed against his chest. It hasn't gotten any better and keeping it in hasn't worked so far. Maybe he should talk about it? Ryoji is the new kid though... isn't it kind of lame for him to dump his worries and feelings on him? Probably. So, just be quiet, Summers.
...
His fingers curl harder against his shirt and it's becoming increasingly harder to not say anything. Scott bites his lip, his face contorting into something pained.]
I just. Keep thinking how none of this will last. Stupid, right?
[ There's something about his words that feels like ice has just been plunged straight into her stomach, chilling her to the bones. I can never save any of them, he says, and Ange thinks about turning back time, about making contracts with witches, about reaching her hand out to her family, but she can never, never--
She sucks in a breath.
This isn't the time. Not in the middle of someone else's dream. The girl does her best to push down any and all vulnerability, even though her eyes are a little wider than a moment ago, her breath having hitched for a moment. ]
What do you mean? [ There's even something a little more pressing to her words now, like she absolutely has to find out. Like it's even more important to her now. ] Why are you supposed to save anyone here?
[ At first she opens her mouth, like she's ready to say something. Mostly to wish the best for Scott and his brother, because Ange knows what it's like to terribly crave something you can't ever have again, a connection with a brother that was severed before it could fully bloom.
But then her gaze falls on Scott's face, and there's-- there's something there.
Ange doesn't know what it is, but it makes her look a touch confused. ]
I'm-- [ She starts, seeming to nearly stumble over her own words before she says: ] It's fine.
[ She shakes her head, even as the blood keeps flowing. ]
It's not.. important. [ Echo may in fact notice that there's even more blood now. It's not just coming from Ange's nose anymore. There's blood dripping down from her hairline underneath her bangs, moving down her face. It's coming out of her sleeves, running down her hands. ]
I'm-- I'm not important. Don't you get it, Echo? [ Her breathing is still kind of heavy too - but despite that and all the blood, she's still talking, still looking over at the other girl. ] I'm just.. a piece. I'm just a piece that has to finish its duty. Nothing else matters.
[ Claude shuts his eyes. In an ordinary time, in an ordinary place, he'd be filled with suggestions: to call them, to use any official means to track them down, to secure safe harbour. But like sand through his fingers, all rational thought seems to simply slip away from him. ]
Right. Well. [ He's a Duke, damn it. He has resources. That's the thing about being wealthy: it is much, much easier to be a good person than it would be otherwise. He loses nothing by helping this kid get a roof over his head and a belly full of food. ] Here's the plan. Come with me, and we'll get you someplace safe, somewhere you can get some rest and fill your belly. Then we'll... [ He flicks one hand. ] Sort the rest out.
You'll just have to trust me. But all things considered, I don't think you have any better options.
How in the world were you able to afford it? [ He says speculatively, never mind the fact that that's a horribly rude thing to say. It's just the truth of attending this school. Leonie's entire village had to save up for a year to send her here. ]
Well... maybe you and the Archbishop have some sort of deal going on. [ He looks down at the chess-board, the remnants of the last game still standing. Instead of being placed neatly to the side, rows of pawns have been strewn on their sides across the chessboard. The bishop is walled in by knights on one side of the board and on the other, the King has fallen, leaving the Queen standing victorious before him. There's a flash of something, so quick that one would question that it even happened: the peaceful courtyard set ablaze, students fleeing in fear, instead of strolling leisurely with their friends, the din of clanking armour --
Then it's gone. It's a beautiful, sunny day, and there's chess to be played. Claude shakes it off, picking up one of the pawns and pushing it gently upright. ] You'd get along well with Leonie. She's here aiming to become a mercenary. I can't imagine you enjoy the hours of dry theory getting shoved into our brains.
Oh! [ Claude's eyes light up. ] Well, I can't help you find your sister, but most Mages worth their salt are capable of performing spells like that. Normally it wouldn't undo magic, but they nullify others' abilities all the same.
[ It is a deeply irritating thing to deal with on the battlefield, Claude will admit; there's nothing quite as maddening as deploying a batallion of Monks only to have them hop around the battlefield fretfully wringing their hands. ]
It's easier to find one Mage than it is one person. But... I have to ask. Why did that mutant turn her to stone in the first place?
[ Sure, she's this guy's Mom, but that doesn't mean she couldn't have done something awful enough to necessitate such a reaction. Not that he'll get a truly accurate reflection of the matter from her own son, but some information is better than no information. ]
[His eyebrows scrunch in obvious doubt. Yeah, Ryoji wouldn't have let you leave it at that, Scott. People don't get chest pains over nothing! Thankfully he doesn't need to prod any further.]
I don't think it's stupid. It's something that most people would worry about after all!
[He fiddles with his own scarf, electing to stare at the sky rather than Scott itself. Maybe what he has in mind would hurt him, but it's a truth that they both have to accept.]
[Dream of not, Odasaku is still a trained fighter. And in a dream where Dazai believes Odasaku is stronger than Akutagawa, he will not be felled so easily.
He dodges the opening salvo, and responds by charging straight back at Akutagawa. He doesn't have the bullets to spare, so he'll just have to try and disarm him by trying to slash at his legs.]
Really? [He perks up at the possibility, but with a very desperate energy.] You have to introduce me to one of these Mages! They could be her only hope!
[Kurt seems less excited about answering his question, though.]
Does that really matter? I mean, I don't know the full story of how it went down, but basically she helped to revive him - and then he decided to double cross her. Simple as that.
[Clark pauses for a moment, not only because he's hesitant to reveal too much about his true nature to most people, but at this point in his life he didn't really know who he was. It wouldn't be until years later that he'd actually try to get some answers.]
Because the others like to use them. [ Hiei answers as Scott comes in to view - perfectly able to hear the other man's mumblings simply thanks to his inhuman ability to hear. Yukina and Kuwabara weren't the type to hop the stairs at all, though Hiei won't mention that much.
No doubt he'll get teased if he tells on himself for paying attention to the others' habits or something. He isn't really in the mood to find out at the moment. ]
Kurama's design. [ As if anyone else could be trusted to find plans like this, or think of anything like it. Hiei's still annoyed his favorite tree is now encased in glass, but.. it is nice to have everyone he knows and trusts in one spot, too.
Still, the fire demon makes a general motion left and right, before offering: ]
Yukina, Kuwabara, and Urameshi sleep here. I'm not going to show you their rooms, though you may be able to smell Yusuke's from here..
[Just as Dazai, Akutagawa doesn’t question the strength Odasaku possesses. The man was good at predicting the other’s move flawlessly. Thus, while he believes his aim is true, he as well believes that man will not falter easily. It still surprises the young detective how Odasaku avoids his attack easily. As the man now charges to him, the young detective takes a step back, trying to conjure a move, but the man was swift with a counter.
Akutagawa chokes from his own pain as he feels his legs giving out by Odasaku’s blow, falling back, his tailbone hitting the ground first with a thud. He refuses to let this pain escape his lips by clenching his jaws tight. Now, dark eyes searched for his sensei. This is a dream after all right? Then why does it hurt this much? Akutagawa was like an angry pup ready to bite despite the odds.]
[Douman takes one look at the lava and promptly decides that he wasn't going to try that jump. His physical abilities are barely better than an average humans, like hell he is going to risk that!]
The one from the showers.
[His hand snaps up to start forming a seal, but he drops it when it becomes obvious that Morph is already handling things. Lifting his mask to the side to get a better look around, Douman raises an eyebrow.]
What is going on and why are we being attacked by low-level Western demons?
[When they heard that, Morph visibly froze. A second later, they turn and walk right up to him, still in Colossus' form, taller than him like this and a good deal bigger. Whether or not Morph is consciously trying to be intimidating might not be terribly clear, but even with another person's voice, they sound a little panicked.]
Shroud, I don't know what you think you saw in the showers, but that was a trick! Mr. Sinister has something to do with this, I'm sure of it!
[On a nearby island of rock, a larger one where most of the team ended up, the member of the team that looks for all the world like a blue furry ape pipes up,] "While I share in Sinister's apparent affection for Dante's Inferno, I must ask how he's able to exert this much power over our perceptions of reality!"
[The one who answers first is the older Cyclops, in between blasting demons out of the sky,] "No, this is Jea- the clone!"
[Overhearing that makes Morph scowl,] That means... she's playing with our heads! None of this is real!
[He keeps his gaze on her, eyes dull with resignation. He takes in her change of demeanor, however minor, but for now his thoughts are too occupied with answering her question, and beyond that, remembering every life extinguished, to consider what those changes might mean.]
Because I could have.
[He sounds so certain. So solidly, absolutely certain, despite the weariness of his voice through each stabbing throb and the loss of blood. He takes in a wet, shaky breath.]
Because I survived... when so many didn't. [He turns his head to look at a body leaning up against a far desk, then another, prostrate and covered with broken glass.] A hardworking father signing for his family's first home; a brilliant graduate student, changing her documents to match her new name...
[All the while, his smile never quite disappears, even as it becomes more clearly bitter.]
But it's pointless, isn't it? Trying to... ascribe meaning to this. To anything.
[The tavernkeeper shakes his head while still smiling. But then he seems to pause and remember something.]
A stoic young man... wielding a polearm, perhaps? I have seen someone like in the outskirts of the city. He didn't seem to like the idea of joining the celebrations.
[Aether blinks at that description. Even if this is Caelus' friends, there's something... familiar about it. Like he's known someone like that, too.]
[ At first nothing happens. The blood is still flowing. Ange is just staring at Minato without moving, without saying a thing. She does allow him to hold her hand, but it seems to be a very passive thing - where she's letting it happen, rather than actually holding his hand in return.
.. but then.. her hand does move. Only a little bit, but it's clear that she's moving her fingers a bit more to actually hold onto his hand in return. ]
Do you think we can..?
[ Her voice sounds weaker. Not really due to emotion, since it's much more likely that it's because of all the blood. Especially since the girl is looking more and more pale in the face with each passing moment.
[claude is right, the only other option he has is to sit here and wait for fermet to wake up. and that's hardly a choice at all. there's no telling what the man would do to him in his rage. it's bad enough when he's in a good mood.
so czeslaw carefully slips off the bed, landing on bare feet. of course he has no shoes - he's never needed them. he's never allowed to go anywhere.]
I trust you.
[for now, remains unspoken. but that's neither here nor there, is it?]
[Family... kin. Visas had one, once. She is sure of that, even if their names and their lives are lost in the swirl of destruction that is her memory of Katarr.
She thinks of the crew of the Ebon Hawk, all intensely devoted to the Exile in their own unique ways... ways that were so often incompatible with each other. Still, for all their differences, they fought together, banded together against greater foes]
My kin are all dead. But I have found others in my life who... though strange and mercurial, are reliable.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2025-01-13 12:39 pm
Page 82 of 91