[He doesn't react to Altius, almost like he can't hear him. And maybe he can't, not with the noise of his optic blasts still resounding through the air and his own screams accompanying them. Those powerful beams glow brightly red as they continue to fire in the sky, not hitting anyone or really doing anything, but Scott still doesn't stop. It feels impossible to stop now, even as each moment drains him, but it's barely a passing feeling as everything continues to weigh down on his chest.
Maybe in a way, it's a relief. Just letting go like this.
Phoenix flaps next to Scott, out of the way of his blasts, but still keeping near. A cry leaves her throat, almost like she's mimicking him, unable to do much and influenced by the way her hosts feels. If she was her true self, she could actually help him... although strange, she doesn't know what that fully means either.]
S-stop hurting me!
[It almost sounds like he's responding to Altius, but he's not. A delayed reaction to recent events that he hasn't been able to fully take in.]
[Even as dazed as the circumstances have made him, Zekarion knows this is just the result of everything that's happened over the course of the past several days. If the crystal creature's attack didn't trigger this, something else would have. He wonders if it's better or worse that it's come to this with him, rather than someone else, as his creation pushes itself carefully to its feet, pieces of onyx breaking off and showing the white of its core.
His touch would do nothing to help, at this point. So—]
Help him, [he whispers to the crys, and though there's no power to the words, the creature lifts its head to listen—then, after a moment, it starts to make its way towards the young man, moving with a limp to keep itself from fracturing irreparably, its pace neither slow nor aggressively quick. If it can reach Scott, it will approach with softer steps and lower its head to nudge against his shoulder. But if not—then at least it will have given a Chosen the opportunity to escape.]
[At first, Phoenix screeches at the crys, the bird alarmed at seeing the creature who harmed her host nearing closer and closer to him. No, stay away from him!! She flies over and lands on its head, almost like she's trying to stop and claw him away, but her talons aren't able to penetrate its tougher surface and a mournful noise leaves her. She can't protect the boy!! She can't... she's failing again, but she doesn't stop with her attacks, still trying to peck at the creature even as it nears the trembling boy and--
Gently nudges her trembling host with its head??
Phoenix blinks, seeing the movement, stopping her attacks as a choked noise leaves Scott-- who thankfully has stopped his assault against the sky and has covered his entire face with his hands, shaking on the ground as he sucks in deep breaths. He doesn't react much to the bump itself and it wouldn't take much for him to start expelling his powers outward again, but Scott curls into himself, like he's trying to stop something from hitting him over and over again.]
[The attacks leave minor scratches in the creature that its eyes wince at, but they fail to do any real damage—definitely not enough to stop it in its new goal of making sure this particular Chosen can return to his feet and get to safety.
The creature's head is hardly soft enough to be an immediate comfort, but it is capable of being gentle. It presses its short snout against Scott's shoulder, rubbing back and forth in the hopes of calming him.
Zekarion, having managed to push himself halfway upright, watches with exhausted concern as wisps of darkness start to evaporate from his skin.]
[He can still barely think. Honestly, he feels like he can barely breathe, even though he's sucking in large gasps between clenched teeth as he continues to tremble on the ground. He's not sure what's happening, why he's acting like this, but his heart's rapidly beating in his chest and he just wants everyone and everything to leave him alone. He wants everything to stop-- for Kotone to be okay. For everything to return to normal. Isn't she still screaming through the speaker on her mechanical form?
He can't hear it, but he feels it echoing in his mind anyway. Someone help her. ...She's okay, right?
It takes Scott a while to notice the gentle press against his shoulder, at first flinching from the contact and pulling himself into a tighter ball. But eventually, his shaking starts to lessen. He's still not reacting much to what's happening around him, but it's clear that the mutant is finally calming down, those shuddering gasps becoming more infrequent.]
Certainly, in the sense that his wish manifested... but more than that, a shadow can do nothing to help in this moment. His strength has waned and exhaustion has fully taken hold of him, but he has enough power to escape, he thinks.]
Take care of yourself, Scott, [he says, low—maybe almost inaudible from where he sits, the darkness rising around him as he prepares to fade into it.
The crys only momentarily turns its attention towards the shade before it moves a little closer to the young man and sits, careful of its cracks as it lies one heavy front leg halfway over Scott's shoulder. It lifts its head as if to look at the bird still sitting atop its head, then turns to look at the discarded visor. Miss Bird, get the face thing. He needs that, probably?]
[There's a moment when Phoenix starts puffing up, her chest expanding, because how dare this strange creature tell her, the mighty Phoenix, what to do?! She listens to no one!! However, she sees what it's looking at and oh. Right. Perhaps the dull monster has a point-- she was just about to get to it, really! She didn't need its help!! With one last peck on its head, the bird flies off the crys to grab the visor with her talons, before returning to her trembling host with a sad 'coo' emitting from her beak. He looks so hurt and upset. The girl did this.
She should peck at her some more later on.
For now, however, Phoenix flaps close to him, pressing the eye accessory to his covered hands, like telling Scott to take it. Come on. It's okay. No one is attacking him now. Miraculously, the mutant slowly reaches to take the visor from her, hands shaking as he tries to slip it back on. He's still struggling with his breathing, almost like he's panting, but some rationality slowly starts returning to him.
[When he does, the new friend is the only one there, calm and patient like Altius always has been, resting its foreleg over Scott and keeping the jagged edges of the damage in its body away from him, even managing a little pat. Even if it were particularly eager to go find another conflict to disrupt, another Chosen to protect, it would be likely to fall apart if it moved too quickly or made too many missteps. It must rely on the others to continue their work.
So—here it stays with the boy and his proud bird, in the hopes that its presence might do some more good. Sometimes people need to be protected from themselves, after all, and that's still an important job.]
[With one final gasp, Scott slowly begins to move, body uncurling from his previous position and somehow cooperating enough until the young mutant is sitting up with more even breaths coming in and out of his chest. What... what happened? He was attacking Altius, right? With his powers. Shit, what happened with that?? Where is the other man??
Scott quickly looks around him, as if trying to find Altius, but he's nowhere in sight-- although he finally manages to take note of the strange crystalline creature sitting next to him. This isn't Altius, right? He... doesn't think so. So, where is he then? His worry for his transformed mentor is extremely high, but trying to find him now seems almost impossible. Does that mean he failed? Or is that okay? Or... did he actually kill him? No, he couldn't have.
His hand moves up to grip his chest, trying to fight back the panic of even thinking about that.
There's a 'coo' from Phoenix nearby, the sound somewhat helping as Scott watches her flap to his shoulder and nuzzle his cheek. She's here too!! Her and this simple creature that's still sitting next to her host.]
Uh, hi? ...Thanks? [Scott slowly comments as he looks more at the crys.]
[The crys blinks plainly as it watches as Scott sits up, shifting to move most of the weight of its leg off of him—it is quite heavy, after all, and it would hate to prevent him from recovering.
When addressed, it butts its head into Scott's chest where his hand moved, moving its short snout back and forth a bit more energetically this time now that he seems to have come back to himself, but still aware of the tension he hasn't seemed to let go of. No more of that, no more panicking! Afterwards, it sits back slightly and looks directly at Scott's face, white eyes wider with focus. Alas that it has no voice of any kind to communicate its questions.]
[With every little headbutt from the creature, almost like it's trying to comfort him rather than hurt him, his anxiety continues to ebb and fade. That panic feels less overwhelming, less likely to full take over, and Scott holds in a breath as he tries to settle his remaining nerves. It actually is helping though, having Phoenix and this crystalline creature nearby, one hand reaching up to ruffle the bird's feathers while his other hand slowly unclenches around the cloth that he's been gripping to lightly pat the head of the crys.
...What is this thing anyway?
But Scott honestly isn't thinking too hard about it. Between recovering from... whatever that was and all the shit that's been going on, he'll welcome this little guy. It's not a threat and that's all that matters right now when the Black Beast is still a danger. Something that he still needs to face soon, but give him a moment with his two pals. It's also when he finally notices the damage the creature is currently sustaining, a small frown pulling at his lips as he looks at it.]
Sorry... did I do that to you? [His focus is now on the cracks and broken bits of its body.]
[Ooh, a pat. This must be a good sign, it thinks in vague terms as its eyes squint in a pleased way. People like to pet things, but pets are reserved for calm times, probably, maybe. A double success!
It looks down at where its white interior has been exposed, but looks back to him with a little quick shake of its head to dismiss the worry. Just doing its job! It doesn't seem to be in pain, anyway, and it even starts getting to its feet again in the same careful way it moved to Scott in the first place, as if to prove it's not a big deal to it. Besides, it still might be dangerous out here, even with the shade gone... it will have to encourage Scott to move somewhere safe soon.]
[Guess Scott is adopting another weird creature. It's happening now.
Even if Phoenix huffs again at the crys, she's largely accepted its presence. She can tell that it's helping in making her host feel better and that's what she cares about the most. A dull, simple thing it is, but perhaps that's what the boy needs. So, a small 'coo' leaves her, warm head still pressed against Scott's cheek as he pets both her and the odd little monster in front of him.
It's strange though, it seems to understand him on some level. It's probably more intelligent than it looks, his mouth twitching upward for a moment, though it doesn't fully form. He's still... not great in a lot of ways, but he's glad that it seems okay. For now.]
What are you, exactly? [He asks, even though he knows that the crys can't answer. It's probably why he continues on without much of a pause.] But... I guess we should get to safety for now.
[With no possible way of giving an answer, all it can do is stand there as its crystalline self and let Scott take any guesses it will. But when he expresses his intention to go elsewhere, it straightens up with clear interest, perhaps even enthusiasm. Yes, safety!
It's determined not to slow Scott down, so it clacks its way forward at a pace that should still be reasonable, even if it can't nearly reach the level of its earlier dash. It pauses after a second and looks back expectantly to the boy, eagerly waiting. They'll make it to a more protected place in no time!]
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expiationlogs2025-03-11 10:18 am
no subject
Maybe in a way, it's a relief. Just letting go like this.
Phoenix flaps next to Scott, out of the way of his blasts, but still keeping near. A cry leaves her throat, almost like she's mimicking him, unable to do much and influenced by the way her hosts feels. If she was her true self, she could actually help him... although strange, she doesn't know what that fully means either.]
S-stop hurting me!
[It almost sounds like he's responding to Altius, but he's not. A delayed reaction to recent events that he hasn't been able to fully take in.]
no subject
His touch would do nothing to help, at this point. So—]
Help him, [he whispers to the crys, and though there's no power to the words, the creature lifts its head to listen—then, after a moment, it starts to make its way towards the young man, moving with a limp to keep itself from fracturing irreparably, its pace neither slow nor aggressively quick. If it can reach Scott, it will approach with softer steps and lower its head to nudge against his shoulder. But if not—then at least it will have given a Chosen the opportunity to escape.]
no subject
Gently nudges her trembling host with its head??
Phoenix blinks, seeing the movement, stopping her attacks as a choked noise leaves Scott-- who thankfully has stopped his assault against the sky and has covered his entire face with his hands, shaking on the ground as he sucks in deep breaths. He doesn't react much to the bump itself and it wouldn't take much for him to start expelling his powers outward again, but Scott curls into himself, like he's trying to stop something from hitting him over and over again.]
no subject
The creature's head is hardly soft enough to be an immediate comfort, but it is capable of being gentle. It presses its short snout against Scott's shoulder, rubbing back and forth in the hopes of calming him.
Zekarion, having managed to push himself halfway upright, watches with exhausted concern as wisps of darkness start to evaporate from his skin.]
no subject
He can't hear it, but he feels it echoing in his mind anyway. Someone help her. ...She's okay, right?
It takes Scott a while to notice the gentle press against his shoulder, at first flinching from the contact and pulling himself into a tighter ball. But eventually, his shaking starts to lessen. He's still not reacting much to what's happening around him, but it's clear that the mutant is finally calming down, those shuddering gasps becoming more infrequent.]
no subject
Certainly, in the sense that his wish manifested... but more than that, a shadow can do nothing to help in this moment. His strength has waned and exhaustion has fully taken hold of him, but he has enough power to escape, he thinks.]
Take care of yourself, Scott, [he says, low—maybe almost inaudible from where he sits, the darkness rising around him as he prepares to fade into it.
The crys only momentarily turns its attention towards the shade before it moves a little closer to the young man and sits, careful of its cracks as it lies one heavy front leg halfway over Scott's shoulder. It lifts its head as if to look at the bird still sitting atop its head, then turns to look at the discarded visor. Miss Bird, get the face thing. He needs that, probably?]
no subject
She should peck at her some more later on.
For now, however, Phoenix flaps close to him, pressing the eye accessory to his covered hands, like telling Scott to take it. Come on. It's okay. No one is attacking him now. Miraculously, the mutant slowly reaches to take the visor from her, hands shaking as he tries to slip it back on. He's still struggling with his breathing, almost like he's panting, but some rationality slowly starts returning to him.
He'll notice his new friend soon enough.]
no subject
So—here it stays with the boy and his proud bird, in the hopes that its presence might do some more good. Sometimes people need to be protected from themselves, after all, and that's still an important job.]
no subject
Scott quickly looks around him, as if trying to find Altius, but he's nowhere in sight-- although he finally manages to take note of the strange crystalline creature sitting next to him. This isn't Altius, right? He... doesn't think so. So, where is he then? His worry for his transformed mentor is extremely high, but trying to find him now seems almost impossible. Does that mean he failed? Or is that okay? Or... did he actually kill him? No, he couldn't have.
His hand moves up to grip his chest, trying to fight back the panic of even thinking about that.
There's a 'coo' from Phoenix nearby, the sound somewhat helping as Scott watches her flap to his shoulder and nuzzle his cheek. She's here too!! Her and this simple creature that's still sitting next to her host.]
Uh, hi? ...Thanks? [Scott slowly comments as he looks more at the crys.]
no subject
When addressed, it butts its head into Scott's chest where his hand moved, moving its short snout back and forth a bit more energetically this time now that he seems to have come back to himself, but still aware of the tension he hasn't seemed to let go of. No more of that, no more panicking! Afterwards, it sits back slightly and looks directly at Scott's face, white eyes wider with focus. Alas that it has no voice of any kind to communicate its questions.]
no subject
...What is this thing anyway?
But Scott honestly isn't thinking too hard about it. Between recovering from... whatever that was and all the shit that's been going on, he'll welcome this little guy. It's not a threat and that's all that matters right now when the Black Beast is still a danger. Something that he still needs to face soon, but give him a moment with his two pals. It's also when he finally notices the damage the creature is currently sustaining, a small frown pulling at his lips as he looks at it.]
Sorry... did I do that to you? [His focus is now on the cracks and broken bits of its body.]
no subject
It looks down at where its white interior has been exposed, but looks back to him with a little quick shake of its head to dismiss the worry. Just doing its job! It doesn't seem to be in pain, anyway, and it even starts getting to its feet again in the same careful way it moved to Scott in the first place, as if to prove it's not a big deal to it. Besides, it still might be dangerous out here, even with the shade gone... it will have to encourage Scott to move somewhere safe soon.]
no subject
Even if Phoenix huffs again at the crys, she's largely accepted its presence. She can tell that it's helping in making her host feel better and that's what she cares about the most. A dull, simple thing it is, but perhaps that's what the boy needs. So, a small 'coo' leaves her, warm head still pressed against Scott's cheek as he pets both her and the odd little monster in front of him.
It's strange though, it seems to understand him on some level. It's probably more intelligent than it looks, his mouth twitching upward for a moment, though it doesn't fully form. He's still... not great in a lot of ways, but he's glad that it seems okay. For now.]
What are you, exactly? [He asks, even though he knows that the crys can't answer. It's probably why he continues on without much of a pause.] But... I guess we should get to safety for now.
no subject
It's determined not to slow Scott down, so it clacks its way forward at a pace that should still be reasonable, even if it can't nearly reach the level of its earlier dash. It pauses after a second and looks back expectantly to the boy, eagerly waiting. They'll make it to a more protected place in no time!]