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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Come closer and say that to me...
[Where he would try to stab her and finish the job she so desired. No, she left him standing there in the brothel and looking at his arm. Sprout shit? What did that even mean?
He tucked his knife away and moved to scrub the bite on his arm aggressively. She wasn't receiving a raise this quarter.]
[Where he would try to stab her and finish the job she so desired. No, she left him standing there in the brothel and looking at his arm. Sprout shit? What did that even mean?
He tucked his knife away and moved to scrub the bite on his arm aggressively. She wasn't receiving a raise this quarter.]
The sudden voice from right behind them makes Morph go tense, and it's only spreading their wings back out that keeps them from losing their balance. If it hadn't been such a familiar voice, Morph might've leapt right out of the tree, given how eerie the atmosphere here already is.
"Nura?!" They have the presence of mind to keep their voice down, looking back over their shoulder with a wide-eyed, startled expression. "What do you mean? What's going on?"
Morph knows from experience just how hard it is to find Nurarihyon when he didn't want to be found, so that he chose to show himself at all had to mean this was something serious... particularly when they hadn't parted on good terms. But Morph could focus in an emergency, if that's what was going on.
Movement down below catches their eye, and they look back down to the ground, frowning as they take in the sight of the fog starting to coalesce. And were those eyes? "Huh, looks like you're not the only one with spooky mist powers," they comment off-handedly. They just aren't that good at being quiet.
"Nura?!" They have the presence of mind to keep their voice down, looking back over their shoulder with a wide-eyed, startled expression. "What do you mean? What's going on?"
Morph knows from experience just how hard it is to find Nurarihyon when he didn't want to be found, so that he chose to show himself at all had to mean this was something serious... particularly when they hadn't parted on good terms. But Morph could focus in an emergency, if that's what was going on.
Movement down below catches their eye, and they look back down to the ground, frowning as they take in the sight of the fog starting to coalesce. And were those eyes? "Huh, looks like you're not the only one with spooky mist powers," they comment off-handedly. They just aren't that good at being quiet.
[She takes a cautious step back, then another. Escape was all she was thinking of — getting out of this machine's trap. This "simulation." How could she be sure that this creature wasn't lying to her? That all of this wasn't another form of torment. Punishment for destroying so many of the machines.
It's so hard to think... hard to move in the way she's used to, hard to remember the steps that had led her here. Distressed, she clutches her head.]
The machines, they... they put me here! [Yes, this made sense to her. What else could this place be?] They created all of this — this lie!
It's so hard to think... hard to move in the way she's used to, hard to remember the steps that had led her here. Distressed, she clutches her head.]
The machines, they... they put me here! [Yes, this made sense to her. What else could this place be?] They created all of this — this lie!
[He caught that hesitation, and the way he leans may give off the impression that he's scrutinizing her if the look he's giving her doesn't.]
I'm not the one going out and fighting things; I have energy to spare. Don't try to tough it out on your own if you need something.
I'm not the one going out and fighting things; I have energy to spare. Don't try to tough it out on your own if you need something.
[Guilty as charged. What else can he do but prolong the silence, prolong what is necessary for him to do? And yet Ryoji doesn’t want to make Scott feel helpless at all, even if…Well. Even if there is some truth to the matter.
In the end, hands overlap Scott's faltering ones, grasping them with a faint determination.]
I will go, but only because Kotone is in more danger than both of us. But Scott — you’re not a waste of time. Please remember that.
[Scott has done all that he could, must have done something to help out with Kotone already. This rest is well-earned, not a procession of defeat. If only Ryoji could convey such feelings to his friend.]
In the end, hands overlap Scott's faltering ones, grasping them with a faint determination.]
I will go, but only because Kotone is in more danger than both of us. But Scott — you’re not a waste of time. Please remember that.
[Scott has done all that he could, must have done something to help out with Kotone already. This rest is well-earned, not a procession of defeat. If only Ryoji could convey such feelings to his friend.]
Holding off the fanged mouth was not going to work, Ethlyn could feel it failing with each fraction of a second that went by--it was just a matter of deciding how much damage she could avoid, because taking something was inevitable.
But the many heads of the Black Beast could do what they liked. They didn't have to put their all into a single effort. If Ethlyn held off one, another could just pick up where it left off--and from the corner of her eye, she saw one doing just that.
There was no time to even think about thinking. Her legs moved, propelling her away. The fangs of the beast head, no longer blocked by her sword, slashed across her arm. Somewhere she had read about adrenaline and its responsibility for the remarkable feats that a frail human body could sometimes perform in desperate situations, shutting down unimportant considerations like searing pain, unlocking everything the muscles had hidden in their fibers to burst out in speeds they could never reach when thinking rationally.
That was how Ethlyn slammed into the second serpent head. Instinctually, she tried to thrust her sword into its eye. As before it simply bounced off, but the rest of her body followed, slamming into the beast with all of her weight--over a hundred pounds of determined human being might not hurt it, but it would stop it for long enough. Hopefully long enough.
It had surely intended to close its jaws over Ange and snap her up like a fish. Ethlyn had stopped that. The beast head seemed surprised as hell that it had grabbed in its teeth a different person instead. Ethlyn stared right back into it, awkwardly on one foot, half-suspended in midair, as the chemistry in her body drained away to let the screaming pain from her torso rush down her nerves.
But the many heads of the Black Beast could do what they liked. They didn't have to put their all into a single effort. If Ethlyn held off one, another could just pick up where it left off--and from the corner of her eye, she saw one doing just that.
There was no time to even think about thinking. Her legs moved, propelling her away. The fangs of the beast head, no longer blocked by her sword, slashed across her arm. Somewhere she had read about adrenaline and its responsibility for the remarkable feats that a frail human body could sometimes perform in desperate situations, shutting down unimportant considerations like searing pain, unlocking everything the muscles had hidden in their fibers to burst out in speeds they could never reach when thinking rationally.
That was how Ethlyn slammed into the second serpent head. Instinctually, she tried to thrust her sword into its eye. As before it simply bounced off, but the rest of her body followed, slamming into the beast with all of her weight--over a hundred pounds of determined human being might not hurt it, but it would stop it for long enough. Hopefully long enough.
It had surely intended to close its jaws over Ange and snap her up like a fish. Ethlyn had stopped that. The beast head seemed surprised as hell that it had grabbed in its teeth a different person instead. Ethlyn stared right back into it, awkwardly on one foot, half-suspended in midair, as the chemistry in her body drained away to let the screaming pain from her torso rush down her nerves.
[oh Scott... you haven't seen how much Vi's cried here.]
Ah, yeah. Trying not to, but sometimes it's the only thing I can do.
[at least she's self aware that she has a problem, especially after coming back. even if she's trying not to run straight towards a bottle every time she gets upset, it's... hard.
she shrugs.]
You can do that too, once you get better. But for now... rest. Learn from it, but don't beat yourself up too much. Trust me, it keeps you in one place more than it moves you forward.
Ah, yeah. Trying not to, but sometimes it's the only thing I can do.
[at least she's self aware that she has a problem, especially after coming back. even if she's trying not to run straight towards a bottle every time she gets upset, it's... hard.
she shrugs.]
You can do that too, once you get better. But for now... rest. Learn from it, but don't beat yourself up too much. Trust me, it keeps you in one place more than it moves you forward.
[well, if she wasn't sure he was up to something before, she definitely knew now. she still doesn't believe that he's not going to kill her, but she can't help it as she falls to her knees. her vision starts to fade, and she wonders -- this is probably how he felt when she strangled him, wasn't it? only, there was more of a physical aspect of it.
still, she looks defiant. she won't let herself look scared in front of Silco.]
still, she looks defiant. she won't let herself look scared in front of Silco.]
[Ethlyn presses her hands over her heart as though she is in pain. She is in pain.]
No. No I haven't.
Everything I've done has made things worse for my family. [She shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. She can't afford to let herself spiral into despair and guilt. She can do nothing to help her children, but there is someone in front of her she might be able to.] And what do you intend to do? What would be enough for you?
No. No I haven't.
Everything I've done has made things worse for my family. [She shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. She can't afford to let herself spiral into despair and guilt. She can do nothing to help her children, but there is someone in front of her she might be able to.] And what do you intend to do? What would be enough for you?
I am the danger! Me! You need--
[ panic seizes her as the urge to bite grows again, the sudden flush of -- fury? fear? she can't tell -- propelling her before she can stop herself. she has to listen.
one minute Ellie is arguing with Vi, the next she's hurling at herself with her full body weight, mindlessly clawing and biting at any part of her she can get. runners weren't the strongest of the infected, but they didn't need to be.
one of her eyes is slowly turning red and shifting in place, the slither of the fungus's spread visible under her skin and spreading out. the growls escaping her are as animalistic as the intensity she claws at Vi with. ]
[ panic seizes her as the urge to bite grows again, the sudden flush of -- fury? fear? she can't tell -- propelling her before she can stop herself. she has to listen.
one minute Ellie is arguing with Vi, the next she's hurling at herself with her full body weight, mindlessly clawing and biting at any part of her she can get. runners weren't the strongest of the infected, but they didn't need to be.
one of her eyes is slowly turning red and shifting in place, the slither of the fungus's spread visible under her skin and spreading out. the growls escaping her are as animalistic as the intensity she claws at Vi with. ]
Edited 2025-04-20 20:40 (UTC)
I didn't want him here!! I told him he'd get hurt!!
[It's her. She's the one hurting him. Hurting them both. There's a weird feeling, like tiny fists trying to beat at the inside of her chest. Her skull feels like it might burst from all the contradictory thoughts racing through it, leaving her gripping her head and shrieking.
If Ryoji wants to get Scott to safety, now is probably his opening.]
[It's her. She's the one hurting him. Hurting them both. There's a weird feeling, like tiny fists trying to beat at the inside of her chest. Her skull feels like it might burst from all the contradictory thoughts racing through it, leaving her gripping her head and shrieking.
If Ryoji wants to get Scott to safety, now is probably his opening.]
[He might leave that part out, but she's thinking it, just the same as he is. If Ryoji hadn't been there, she might have killed him. She could have killed him. She probably would have killed him. Her face scrunches up in spite of herself, and she ducks her head again, squeezing her eyes shut as she takes a deep breath to try to compose herself.]
I don't ever wanna hurt you, [she manages, choked through gritted teeth.] Not like this, not ever. You're... you're the most important person to me.
[She'd die to protect him, over and over again. And yet... she'd still done this to him. Cupping his cheeks gently with both hands, she forces herself to look him in the eye, trying to impress her seriousness upon him.] I gotta do something to make up for it. Please?
[Maybe it's selfish, but it feels like she has to do something.]
I don't ever wanna hurt you, [she manages, choked through gritted teeth.] Not like this, not ever. You're... you're the most important person to me.
[She'd die to protect him, over and over again. And yet... she'd still done this to him. Cupping his cheeks gently with both hands, she forces herself to look him in the eye, trying to impress her seriousness upon him.] I gotta do something to make up for it. Please?
[Maybe it's selfish, but it feels like she has to do something.]
"Looking for you, obviously. You disappeared without saying anything."
Given the state of the other demon, apparently the search was necessary. Yusuke frowns deeply at the leaves and vines that have broken through Kurama's skin, knowing that there's nothing he can do about it that Kurama hasn't thought of, short of just ripping them out, but contrary to popular (and personal) belief, Yusuke does in fact have some brain cells that he does occasionally rub together and he realizes that wouldn't be the best approach to this situation.
"How did this happen?"
Given the state of the other demon, apparently the search was necessary. Yusuke frowns deeply at the leaves and vines that have broken through Kurama's skin, knowing that there's nothing he can do about it that Kurama hasn't thought of, short of just ripping them out, but contrary to popular (and personal) belief, Yusuke does in fact have some brain cells that he does occasionally rub together and he realizes that wouldn't be the best approach to this situation.
"How did this happen?"
Scott does his best to take everything in, listening to what both Hiei and Kurama are telling him about the fox demon's powers. It's a thorough explanation and honestly not one that the mutant fully understands, but he still appreciates how open the demons are about this, especially the latter. These are his powers that are being influenced after all. So his actual form is more of a fox than humanoid, and it's stuff that Scott would actually want to learn more about at a later time. Right now, it's probably not the best idea to ask him questions that aren't connected to the whole wish seed thing. So...
"So your wish is for the farm's crops to remain protected from everything? It's a start, even if you're not sure. Besides, it would be good for that to be protected when we might have a food shortage later." So, to Scott, it's a win-win situation overall, at least when it comes to protecting the crops.
Although...
"Okay, so I'm not really helping you or Hiei out by being here. Hiei can keep you calm, but he's being drained doing so. In other words, maybe I can help with making sure that nothing gets to them? Or if there's some other area around the forest that you care a lot about."
"So your wish is for the farm's crops to remain protected from everything? It's a start, even if you're not sure. Besides, it would be good for that to be protected when we might have a food shortage later." So, to Scott, it's a win-win situation overall, at least when it comes to protecting the crops.
Although...
"Okay, so I'm not really helping you or Hiei out by being here. Hiei can keep you calm, but he's being drained doing so. In other words, maybe I can help with making sure that nothing gets to them? Or if there's some other area around the forest that you care a lot about."
I know.
[Something heavy lodges in his throat, but he does his best to push it down. Kotone needs him to be strong right now, right? Well, other than him being physically beaten down, but emotionally, yes. He can do that. She's the one that hurt him badly, there's no changing that, and he needs to reassure her in any way he can. It feels more important than ever.] You're the most important to me too. I love you.
[That's easy to say at least, without any hitch or doubt in his voice, letting her cup his cheeks as he looks at her through the protection of his glasses. This is one of those times he wishes that he could take them off, let her see the emotion and assurance in his eyes, but he can't. He just has to let it convey elsewhere, wanting her to read him as much as possible, when he might be trying to cover up otherwise with someone else. She's the only person that he's fully vulnerable with, they promised long ago.
He brings his hand over to one of hers, keeping it there.] I want you to take care of yourself, okay?
[...Is that not enough though? He knows how Kotone is. Probably because he'd react in a very similar way.] And stay by me. Having you near me helps.
[Something heavy lodges in his throat, but he does his best to push it down. Kotone needs him to be strong right now, right? Well, other than him being physically beaten down, but emotionally, yes. He can do that. She's the one that hurt him badly, there's no changing that, and he needs to reassure her in any way he can. It feels more important than ever.] You're the most important to me too. I love you.
[That's easy to say at least, without any hitch or doubt in his voice, letting her cup his cheeks as he looks at her through the protection of his glasses. This is one of those times he wishes that he could take them off, let her see the emotion and assurance in his eyes, but he can't. He just has to let it convey elsewhere, wanting her to read him as much as possible, when he might be trying to cover up otherwise with someone else. She's the only person that he's fully vulnerable with, they promised long ago.
He brings his hand over to one of hers, keeping it there.] I want you to take care of yourself, okay?
[...Is that not enough though? He knows how Kotone is. Probably because he'd react in a very similar way.] And stay by me. Having you near me helps.
[Aloy's not sure how far she's going to have to go to get to the end of the tracks, so she tries not to take her time with it. Not until she gets to that wrecked building, though. Was it like that before, or is it the result of whatever A2 has been dealing with, she wonders. In a way, what she's looking at as she approaches is a typical building for her. Broken, and holding...something.
No mumbling to herself now. Makes it harder to hear, and she is trying to listen to that sound.
Can't seem to make it out, though. Maybe if she just gets closer. The hunter tries to be quiet as she picks her way over rubble, hand near her bow as she enters, gaze darting about for the source of the speech.]
No mumbling to herself now. Makes it harder to hear, and she is trying to listen to that sound.
Can't seem to make it out, though. Maybe if she just gets closer. The hunter tries to be quiet as she picks her way over rubble, hand near her bow as she enters, gaze darting about for the source of the speech.]
[Ethlyn doesn't seem like the sort who's inclined to ruin things, much less for those closest to her—he'd be more inclined to believe any damage she did was through ignorance rather than simple failure or even negligence.
But she turns the question towards him.]
... I've been fighting for too long, [he says with a sad certainty.] I need it to be over.
[And the shade is willing to end things alone, if it comes down to that.]
But she turns the question towards him.]
... I've been fighting for too long, [he says with a sad certainty.] I need it to be over.
[And the shade is willing to end things alone, if it comes down to that.]
[ he doesn't need an apology — all he really needs is scott, back to himself, no longer trying to shut himself off, or push the world at large away from him, charles included.
still, the response almost makes charles roll his eyes... but he recognises it for what it is, a deflection, a desperate attempt to buy time. ]
Yeah, I sort of figured, [ he says instead, his own expression falling back to something quieter, concerned. ] Just like I reckon what happened is something you don't really wanna talk about. But, mate, you can trust me. And whatever it is... it'll feel better to talk about it to someone.
still, the response almost makes charles roll his eyes... but he recognises it for what it is, a deflection, a desperate attempt to buy time. ]
Yeah, I sort of figured, [ he says instead, his own expression falling back to something quieter, concerned. ] Just like I reckon what happened is something you don't really wanna talk about. But, mate, you can trust me. And whatever it is... it'll feel better to talk about it to someone.
Edwin won't be, [ he says, and there's a conviction stronger than the foundations of the earth in his voice. ]
He'll stay, too. The only way we'll go is if we go together.
[ and junpei... they're bound together, now, so even outside this place, they will find each other — and then it will be up to junpei to decide what he does, when his time finally comes. it won't be for a long time still, he hopes; but he will be grateful for what time they have, whether it's years or decades or centuries. ]
Besides... what does it matter what might happen in the future? I'm not gonna make my decision for now based on a possibility that might or might not happen. What would I do if they were both gone? I don't know. But for as long as they're not gone, well, who cares, yeah?
He'll stay, too. The only way we'll go is if we go together.
[ and junpei... they're bound together, now, so even outside this place, they will find each other — and then it will be up to junpei to decide what he does, when his time finally comes. it won't be for a long time still, he hopes; but he will be grateful for what time they have, whether it's years or decades or centuries. ]
Besides... what does it matter what might happen in the future? I'm not gonna make my decision for now based on a possibility that might or might not happen. What would I do if they were both gone? I don't know. But for as long as they're not gone, well, who cares, yeah?
[He looks over at their clasped hands with worn eyes, which is mostly hidden behind the visor he's wearing. Scott knows Ryoji is only trying to support him, but he can't help but silently gaze at their hands for a second before finally drawing his eyes to look at the worried teen. Scott doesn't feel much better about anything, that gnawing hopelessness and anger at himself still keeping subdued. Maybe he should try harder to be better, but he's upset with pretty much everything.
So, he doesn't directly respond to Ryoji's comment.]
I'll be fine. [So reassuring.] I'll be here when you bring Kotone back.
So, he doesn't directly respond to Ryoji's comment.]
I'll be fine. [So reassuring.] I'll be here when you bring Kotone back.
[...Maybe it helps just a tiny bit knowing that Vi is sort of a mess. Thanks big sis.
Scott doesn't directly acknowledge her advice, but despite the way he's curled his legs up to his knees and trying to be the picture of teen angst, he's still listening to her. She checked in on him and that's something he's been able to keep close to him. A small reminder of the people that care about him-- which he never doubted. But it's still big knowing they're here and they want to help.]
It just really sucks. [...] I think the worst part is knowing that she's going to feel really guilty about what happened.
[.....] You've had to deal with getting into big fights with the people you love, right?
[Scott's just going to assume that... seeing that Jinx is her sister.]
Scott doesn't directly acknowledge her advice, but despite the way he's curled his legs up to his knees and trying to be the picture of teen angst, he's still listening to her. She checked in on him and that's something he's been able to keep close to him. A small reminder of the people that care about him-- which he never doubted. But it's still big knowing they're here and they want to help.]
It just really sucks. [...] I think the worst part is knowing that she's going to feel really guilty about what happened.
[.....] You've had to deal with getting into big fights with the people you love, right?
[Scott's just going to assume that... seeing that Jinx is her sister.]
[It’s instinct more than anything that moves Ryoji in front of his new friend, putting himself inbetween the crys and Zekarion.
This does not have to end up in bloodshed. Not yet.]
What do you wish to ask?
This does not have to end up in bloodshed. Not yet.]
What do you wish to ask?
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