Expiation Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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expiationlogs2025-03-11 10:18 am
expiationmods) wrote in expiationlogs2025-03-11 10:18 am
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Mn. So not something that happened here. [ Well that's two for two on things not developing here in this world. Mentally, he's cursing. Outwardly... Hiei sighs.
He should be used to this reaction when so casually dropping things about demons, and yet here he is doing it anyway, without any thought. ]
Yes, demon world. I am a demon but not all of us... pass. I guess you could say.
[Tsuna nods. It's the one downside of the X-Burner, trying to get the levels right. And even with his contacts there's still a reliance on him to get it right.]
Almost...got...it...
[It's probably a second past the limit but there's a moment of pause before a rush of orange flame erupts from Tsuna's hand! And collides with the Beast's head.]
X-Burner Air!
Almost...got...it...
[It's probably a second past the limit but there's a moment of pause before a rush of orange flame erupts from Tsuna's hand! And collides with the Beast's head.]
X-Burner Air!
Yeah, I've heard all that before.
[He's known too many people eager to destroy everything, to bring things down to their level.
But he hears the secret wish. Somehow. Through his intuition, through the flames, it doesn't really matter. But that's the wish he knows is real.]
But I'll grant your wish!
[And the flames surge again, burning with cold as they start to freeze, ice slowly surrounding Fandaniel's body.]
[He's known too many people eager to destroy everything, to bring things down to their level.
But he hears the secret wish. Somehow. Through his intuition, through the flames, it doesn't really matter. But that's the wish he knows is real.]
But I'll grant your wish!
[And the flames surge again, burning with cold as they start to freeze, ice slowly surrounding Fandaniel's body.]
[ The icy cold touch of the shade's hand makes Shigeru shudder, but then he feels those things being slowly taken away, but Shigeru does notice it. He gasps a little, his own shadows springing to life around his person as he breaks away from Altius's grasp. ] No! I-I'm fine. I couldn't impose my-my problems on you like that.
[ Shigeru's expression is taut with worry and fear; he almost got caught up in whatever Altius has become, almost forgot that some people wished for things. ] What did you wish for, Altius?
[ Shigeru's expression is taut with worry and fear; he almost got caught up in whatever Altius has become, almost forgot that some people wished for things. ] What did you wish for, Altius?
[There's mild surprise and disappointment in his expression when the other puts space between them.]
It's not an imposition if I'm asking.
[It's far from difficult for Shigeru to pull away—after all, he's nothing more than a shadow. Anyone could move straight through any part of him and Altius could do nothing to stop it. Even if he could will himself to being more solid, there's no guarantee he could muster up enough for it.
His hand, held up as if still hoping to reach for Shigeru's shoulder, slowly falls to his side at the question.]
My wish... [The worry fades from his expression and leaves exhaustion behind, his gaze moving down slightly for a moment.] ... is to stop.
It's not an imposition if I'm asking.
[It's far from difficult for Shigeru to pull away—after all, he's nothing more than a shadow. Anyone could move straight through any part of him and Altius could do nothing to stop it. Even if he could will himself to being more solid, there's no guarantee he could muster up enough for it.
His hand, held up as if still hoping to reach for Shigeru's shoulder, slowly falls to his side at the question.]
My wish... [The worry fades from his expression and leaves exhaustion behind, his gaze moving down slightly for a moment.] ... is to stop.
[A ripple of emotion crosses over A2's masklike and cold expression: for a moment, she seems impossibly sad. She has to keep quiet to compose herself: otherwise she would lose her muster. 2B had been very much the same in her final moments, too relieved to have died as herself to feel anything but grateful at the death A2 granted her. And so, like before, A2 doesn't say anything. She doesn't say that it doesn't feel like a favor, that it was another burden to be added to her, until her mind finally buckled under the weight of it. And she wonders why: that out of all the things that could follow her, the only thing that was constant in this world and her own was death.
In the end, killing a human isn't much different than killing an android at all. In one sudden thrust, she pierces the girl's heart with her blade. It's brutal in its efficiency, almost too quickly to be felt at first.]
In the end, killing a human isn't much different than killing an android at all. In one sudden thrust, she pierces the girl's heart with her blade. It's brutal in its efficiency, almost too quickly to be felt at first.]
[He frowns as he looks at him.]
It sounds like you still feel something at least. And if that's the case, what you need is rest. Not... not this.
[Kurt gestures all around them.]
Come on, man. It's true that you can't stop suffering forever, but there is still suffering you can stop. And every bit - every ounce helps make the world a better place. Like you were in the clinic, looking after Fauna and everyone.
[With that, Kurt hazards to start coming closer.]
Please, Altius. Try- try to become yourself again. Get some rest, and then... come back to help us. We can beat this together, and we can do it while we're still us! You can be so much more than 'nothing'.
It sounds like you still feel something at least. And if that's the case, what you need is rest. Not... not this.
[Kurt gestures all around them.]
Come on, man. It's true that you can't stop suffering forever, but there is still suffering you can stop. And every bit - every ounce helps make the world a better place. Like you were in the clinic, looking after Fauna and everyone.
[With that, Kurt hazards to start coming closer.]
Please, Altius. Try- try to become yourself again. Get some rest, and then... come back to help us. We can beat this together, and we can do it while we're still us! You can be so much more than 'nothing'.
At least the girl knows better than to waste the opportunity Ethlyn is giving her. She steps back, just so she's slightly less likely of a target for the monster when Ethlyn is right there, and the next moment Ange sucks in a breath to concentrate. She starts gathering her energy - her hands starting to glow with a soft golden light that slowly seems to grow more intense, a magic circle starting to form underneath her feet.
Ange can feel her own growing impatience, but she also knows she can't rush this process. Even though it feels like it's taking an eternity, she needs to gather her magic in order to be able to do something that might hit the monster at all.
Though she's mostly focusing on her magic and energy, Ange still can't help but keep an eye on what's going on with Ethlyn as well. She's too worried to do anything else.
"Then what about you?!"
Look, Ange may think Ethlyn is impressive. But maybe not fight-off-a-huge-monster-all-by-herself impressive. She's pretty sure no one could do something that ridiculous on their own.
Ange can feel her own growing impatience, but she also knows she can't rush this process. Even though it feels like it's taking an eternity, she needs to gather her magic in order to be able to do something that might hit the monster at all.
Though she's mostly focusing on her magic and energy, Ange still can't help but keep an eye on what's going on with Ethlyn as well. She's too worried to do anything else.
"Then what about you?!"
Look, Ange may think Ethlyn is impressive. But maybe not fight-off-a-huge-monster-all-by-herself impressive. She's pretty sure no one could do something that ridiculous on their own.
[Czseslaw. Ethlyn hasn't heard a name like that before--though, there have been many names she hasn't heard the like of before, and many more people she hasn't seen the like of before.]
It certainly would be... we'll have to make it up some other time after this monster is gone, maybe over a nice tea. [She holds a hand out to him.] Here, let me help you up into the saddle and we can be on our way.
It certainly would be... we'll have to make it up some other time after this monster is gone, maybe over a nice tea. [She holds a hand out to him.] Here, let me help you up into the saddle and we can be on our way.
O-oh.
[Shigeru. The friendly, mild-mannered man with spectacles. Ethlyn takes a deep breath, embarrassed by her reaction, because as large and strange as his body is, the way he shrinks away is easy to understand.]
No, I'm sorry, I was just... well, I was startled. Is this... something you can do already?
[He does seem to be rational still, not corrupted like she's seen so many times before.]
[Shigeru. The friendly, mild-mannered man with spectacles. Ethlyn takes a deep breath, embarrassed by her reaction, because as large and strange as his body is, the way he shrinks away is easy to understand.]
No, I'm sorry, I was just... well, I was startled. Is this... something you can do already?
[He does seem to be rational still, not corrupted like she's seen so many times before.]
[and she'll also straighten up, almost as if she's also going to fight Phoenix. she probably would at this rate, given how foul her mood was and how tired she was of everything right now.
but then Scott speaks and the tension dissipates, and Vi looks back down at him.]
Well, I can tell that just by looking at you.
[she leans against the bed a bit, crossing her arms.]
Looks like you went too hard, though.
but then Scott speaks and the tension dissipates, and Vi looks back down at him.]
Well, I can tell that just by looking at you.
[she leans against the bed a bit, crossing her arms.]
Looks like you went too hard, though.
[The part of him that wants to argue is drowned out by his wish to stop. He lifts his head just barely, blearily watching Kurt's approach just past his clawed fingers.]
I don't want... to be more.
[He'd chipped away at himself for so long, only ever playing the parts he felt he needed to play, grinding away any aspect of himself that got in the way because it didn't matter, in the end—it was going to be over, anyway. Until he came here, and it wasn't. But still he continued as he has been, because... why?
Because... of people like Kurt, wasn't it. Young people forced to fight, never given a chance to escape that fate through no fault of their own. He'd wanted to end that, even if only for his own world. He thinks—Kurt reminds him of one of them, the children who've been put in his way. The fiery one who works so hard to be cheerful because so many of his friends can be so grim.
Despite his voiced rejection and the way his eyes slide off of Kurt's face to gaze at a spot in the pockmarked street, one or two wisps of shadow that rise off of him in small spots reveal something much more solid than shade—the familiar coloring of the man instead of darkness and absence.]
I don't want... to be more.
[He'd chipped away at himself for so long, only ever playing the parts he felt he needed to play, grinding away any aspect of himself that got in the way because it didn't matter, in the end—it was going to be over, anyway. Until he came here, and it wasn't. But still he continued as he has been, because... why?
Because... of people like Kurt, wasn't it. Young people forced to fight, never given a chance to escape that fate through no fault of their own. He'd wanted to end that, even if only for his own world. He thinks—Kurt reminds him of one of them, the children who've been put in his way. The fiery one who works so hard to be cheerful because so many of his friends can be so grim.
Despite his voiced rejection and the way his eyes slide off of Kurt's face to gaze at a spot in the pockmarked street, one or two wisps of shadow that rise off of him in small spots reveal something much more solid than shade—the familiar coloring of the man instead of darkness and absence.]
[Now that he’s no longer gigantic and menacing, he leans down to gently pet the little thing. He looks really cute up close, you know?]
Don’t worry, little one. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine! No wounds or scratches or anything like that.
[How could he explain that he’s more or less doing the same work this creature has been doing?]
I might be harmless, but I’m also, uh, durable? That’s why I had that other form around!
[And the fact that he has this massive sword and dark powers, but that’s not gonna help out his case.]
So I figured, I should help everyone out the best that I could instead of just hiding somewhere, you know?
Don’t worry, little one. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine! No wounds or scratches or anything like that.
[How could he explain that he’s more or less doing the same work this creature has been doing?]
I might be harmless, but I’m also, uh, durable? That’s why I had that other form around!
[And the fact that he has this massive sword and dark powers, but that’s not gonna help out his case.]
So I figured, I should help everyone out the best that I could instead of just hiding somewhere, you know?
Pass? What do you mean by pass? [ Shigeru's head tilts curiously, though in this form is looks bizarre, but he's doing his best with what he's got! ]
Is there like a test or something? You don't look like the demons I'm used to back home, so I was just surprised, is all.
Is there like a test or something? You don't look like the demons I'm used to back home, so I was just surprised, is all.
I-I understand. It's a bit...weird for me too. [ He sounds embarrassed at his own appearance especially. ] I'm sorry if I...scared you.
[ He can't exactly frown in his form, but his eyes and tone convey it well enough. ]
I guess it is. I-I came into new powers back home, but I never expected to be able to transform like this, being one of them.
[ He can't exactly frown in his form, but his eyes and tone convey it well enough. ]
I guess it is. I-I came into new powers back home, but I never expected to be able to transform like this, being one of them.
No. I-I think it's better if we focus on you. I think you're...hurting more than I am right now. Since you made a wish...
[ A wish that was to stop... ] To stop? To stop what? F-Feeling? Is that why when you were touching me, it felt like everything was disappearing?
[ No emotions, no self doubts, nothing. ] That's not a way to live.
[ A wish that was to stop... ] To stop? To stop what? F-Feeling? Is that why when you were touching me, it felt like everything was disappearing?
[ No emotions, no self doubts, nothing. ] That's not a way to live.
[Altius voices a quiet agreement as yellow eyes meet golden:]
No... it's not. That's just it.
[Living is what makes it all happen. But nothing—with nothing there's no pain, no hurting, no misery. The shade moves to approach again, reaching forward like an earnest offer, to try to touch Shigeru's shoulders even if he can't do anything to hold him in place.]
But I won't be hurting for much longer. Before I go... one last time, I have to try to help people understand. People like you, who deserve so much better than this horrible eternity of fighting.
No... it's not. That's just it.
[Living is what makes it all happen. But nothing—with nothing there's no pain, no hurting, no misery. The shade moves to approach again, reaching forward like an earnest offer, to try to touch Shigeru's shoulders even if he can't do anything to hold him in place.]
But I won't be hurting for much longer. Before I go... one last time, I have to try to help people understand. People like you, who deserve so much better than this horrible eternity of fighting.
[No scratches, yes, that checks out—and though the crystal creature has a few scratches of its own, it's mostly as smooth as it appears, its dangerously sharp edges reserved for its mouth and hooves. There's no damage or blood that it can see, so what is it going to do, not believe him, this generous giver of pets? It continues to listen, big blank eyes blinking.
Oh... ohh!
It takes a moment to consider this amazing development, then another long moment to consider what this means for what to do next, attention moving to the pavement. Then, it hefts its head in a singular, determined nod, then turns forward, looking back to Ryoji. Let's go, together! There are Chosen to protect!]
Oh... ohh!
It takes a moment to consider this amazing development, then another long moment to consider what this means for what to do next, attention moving to the pavement. Then, it hefts its head in a singular, determined nod, then turns forward, looking back to Ryoji. Let's go, together! There are Chosen to protect!]
[Sounding pretty doomed. Aloy may be poorly socialized, but she's seen enough of Ellie to understand what the lack of sass means. Shooting Ellie would be easier than the last time someone asked her to put them down, but Aloy has learned from that experience.
She doesn't want to do that. It doesn't sit right, not like killing someone she understands as an enemy.
She'd try to find an answer and fail like a firefly.
At least she moves back, too.]
You're not going to eat my face.
She doesn't want to do that. It doesn't sit right, not like killing someone she understands as an enemy.
She'd try to find an answer and fail like a firefly.
At least she moves back, too.]
You're not going to eat my face.
[He's throwing another bag of chips at Kakashi.]
I do have a visor. Warning you now.
[Would Scott actually shoot his optic blasts at his friend, even if he can control their output now? Maybe. Even if he'd never hear the end of it. The mutant lets out a sigh, before deciding to change tactics a little.] No getting up until you fully recover, got it? The more you focus on resting, the faster you can actually get out again.
I do have a visor. Warning you now.
[Would Scott actually shoot his optic blasts at his friend, even if he can control their output now? Maybe. Even if he'd never hear the end of it. The mutant lets out a sigh, before deciding to change tactics a little.] No getting up until you fully recover, got it? The more you focus on resting, the faster you can actually get out again.
[Double ah.
He wonders what a kid could've possible done, how much of it is bullshit but how much is it true. Scott continues to watch Czeslaw and the way he looks away from him, clearly showing some guilt about what happened. The shift in his voice only adds to it. The mutant remains quiet for a couple of seconds, as if letting that silence build, before he speaks.
There still isn't judgment in his voice, but he's definitely pressing him.]
What did it say?
He wonders what a kid could've possible done, how much of it is bullshit but how much is it true. Scott continues to watch Czeslaw and the way he looks away from him, clearly showing some guilt about what happened. The shift in his voice only adds to it. The mutant remains quiet for a couple of seconds, as if letting that silence build, before he speaks.
There still isn't judgment in his voice, but he's definitely pressing him.]
What did it say?
T-then we have to help her!
[Despite how badly hurt he feels, Scott attempts to sit up-- move closer to the edge of the bed because Kotone is still out there. Trapped in that mechanized form, probably still screaming. Hurting. He can hear her screaming even now, the speakers on Orpheus echoing out her voice and sounding so pained and confused. She just wanted to protect him. He knows that. It's just the transformation corrupted that feeling and. She just needs help.
The thought of her alone nearly overrides everything else he's feeling.
They can't leave her out there, surely Ryoji understands? He knows they have a special connection, something that long ago might've made him jealous, but Scott's well past beyond that. He's far more focused on the fact that someone is here that cares as much about as Kotone as him.
He shouldn't be watching over Scott.]
I'm alive, so let's go back. [His voice cracks, nearly pleading with Ryoji.] She can't... she can't continue like that.
[Despite how badly hurt he feels, Scott attempts to sit up-- move closer to the edge of the bed because Kotone is still out there. Trapped in that mechanized form, probably still screaming. Hurting. He can hear her screaming even now, the speakers on Orpheus echoing out her voice and sounding so pained and confused. She just wanted to protect him. He knows that. It's just the transformation corrupted that feeling and. She just needs help.
The thought of her alone nearly overrides everything else he's feeling.
They can't leave her out there, surely Ryoji understands? He knows they have a special connection, something that long ago might've made him jealous, but Scott's well past beyond that. He's far more focused on the fact that someone is here that cares as much about as Kotone as him.
He shouldn't be watching over Scott.]
I'm alive, so let's go back. [His voice cracks, nearly pleading with Ryoji.] She can't... she can't continue like that.
[There's a moment where he hesitates again, Altius's strangled cry still managing to reach his ears despite everything. It pierces against his already conflicted self, adding more stress and emotion to everything he's already feeling and it's so much. Maybe too much. He doesn't know if he's breathing anymore, all the noise suddenly fading from his mind and muffling into the background, because he doesn't want to do this and--
A strangled yell leaves Scott as something suddenly rams into his legs from behind, the mutant tumbling over and landing harshly on his back in a choked cry with everything returning back to normal for him. Well, maybe not normal. Phoenix lets out a screeching noise, a fireball shooting from her mouth to hit the crystalline creature as Scott gasps on the ground as pain continues to shoot through him in a way that is different from before, but it still hurts and.]
Augggghhhh! [He feels like he can't control anything right now. Red light flashes behind his eyes as Scott struggles to get up from the ground.]
A strangled yell leaves Scott as something suddenly rams into his legs from behind, the mutant tumbling over and landing harshly on his back in a choked cry with everything returning back to normal for him. Well, maybe not normal. Phoenix lets out a screeching noise, a fireball shooting from her mouth to hit the crystalline creature as Scott gasps on the ground as pain continues to shoot through him in a way that is different from before, but it still hurts and.]
Augggghhhh! [He feels like he can't control anything right now. Red light flashes behind his eyes as Scott struggles to get up from the ground.]
[The searing sensation stops—to an extent. There's the sound of a thud, a noise of pain that's not his own, a birdlike shriek. When the shade feels the darkness pooling to try to mend the crater of his back, he angles his head and sees...
A crys, loyally placing itself squarely between him and the boy, shaking off the largely-ineffective fireball before taking a defensive stance. Zekarion tries to reach for the magic to command them as he did before his transformation, but he finds nothing. They're outside of his control now, just like everything else.]
Move aside, [he manages, barely, the sounds stumbling out of him awkwardly as if dragged through mud—but the creature remains steadfast, standing strong as it prepares to defend the Chosen as ordered. It watches Scott and Phoenix cautiously, white eyes wide, and though its orders and nature drive it to want to move closer to check on the harm it's done him, right now its priority is clear.]
A crys, loyally placing itself squarely between him and the boy, shaking off the largely-ineffective fireball before taking a defensive stance. Zekarion tries to reach for the magic to command them as he did before his transformation, but he finds nothing. They're outside of his control now, just like everything else.]
Move aside, [he manages, barely, the sounds stumbling out of him awkwardly as if dragged through mud—but the creature remains steadfast, standing strong as it prepares to defend the Chosen as ordered. It watches Scott and Phoenix cautiously, white eyes wide, and though its orders and nature drive it to want to move closer to check on the harm it's done him, right now its priority is clear.]
[He doesn't join in Kurt's laughter, in fact, he really doesn't really react at all, his hands now still on the bag of chips.
The 'enemy', huh. Even though his enemy this time was his own girlfriend. It's not her fault though. He believes that with his entire being, even if it doesn't erase the pain and injured he feels. It hurts to hear Kotone being referred to that way at all, even though he knows Kurt doesn't mean it. Maybe that's the thing that gets his hands to finally curl around the bag, even if he doesn't open it.]
...It was just an accident. [...] And you said this happens. So it's okay.
[Like he'll recover, he'll be fine. Then he can reassure Kotone that everything is good between them.]
The 'enemy', huh. Even though his enemy this time was his own girlfriend. It's not her fault though. He believes that with his entire being, even if it doesn't erase the pain and injured he feels. It hurts to hear Kotone being referred to that way at all, even though he knows Kurt doesn't mean it. Maybe that's the thing that gets his hands to finally curl around the bag, even if he doesn't open it.]
...It was just an accident. [...] And you said this happens. So it's okay.
[Like he'll recover, he'll be fine. Then he can reassure Kotone that everything is good between them.]
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