Expiation Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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expiationlogs2025-05-13 12:07 pm
expiationmods) wrote in expiationlogs2025-05-13 12:07 pm
[It's not like this is the first fire Fauna's seen. When she sees the smoke, she's suspicious, and by the time the second starts, she's already moving.
She's already transformed by the time she arrives. And she's immediately doing her best to fight the fires- Pillars of earth to stop the spread, and spraying as much water from her talismans as she can. Still, there's a lot of fire, and only one of her....]
She's already transformed by the time she arrives. And she's immediately doing her best to fight the fires- Pillars of earth to stop the spread, and spraying as much water from her talismans as she can. Still, there's a lot of fire, and only one of her....]
[ Ugh, what an awful feeling. Worse than moving through any of his portals—at least with those he knows what to expect. After a few shaky breaths, he registers the concerned tone. (Is there something else in it? ... It doesn't matter.) ]
I'm fine, [ he says, a little breathless; ] I'm fine.
[ Still, he does move his arm to accept the offered help, rather than trying to get up on his own. He may be confident he can stand this condition, but he's not pushing himself to work at a hundred percent. ]
I'm fine, [ he says, a little breathless; ] I'm fine.
[ Still, he does move his arm to accept the offered help, rather than trying to get up on his own. He may be confident he can stand this condition, but he's not pushing himself to work at a hundred percent. ]
A thought that wasn't mine.
[ Reassuring, isn't it? But not out of the scope of things Emet-Selch already mentioned. And Altius seems more annoyed by it than distressed. ]
Perhaps the AI... [ It has been more active recently than it has been. ]
[ Reassuring, isn't it? But not out of the scope of things Emet-Selch already mentioned. And Altius seems more annoyed by it than distressed. ]
Perhaps the AI... [ It has been more active recently than it has been. ]
< You don't look like you're fine. ...Especially if you think something as dim as my flame is that bright. >
[They help him to his feet, watching him all the while.
It feels strange to hope that he's that sick, and they don't particularly like the feeling, but the alternative... They're not sure what to do or how to explain the alternative.]
[They help him to his feet, watching him all the while.
It feels strange to hope that he's that sick, and they don't particularly like the feeling, but the alternative... They're not sure what to do or how to explain the alternative.]
Must be your personality, [he replies with something between a grimace and a strained smile, trying to mask some of his uneasiness and brush off the spell as something less serious. It shouldn't be serious. It should be gone—he should be able to get past it.
He refuses to acknowledge the idea that he can't, when his healing has been what's kept him alive through so much.]
I'll be alright. But—after somewhere dark and quiet, I think.
[He can at least accept that he needs to sit for a while.]
He refuses to acknowledge the idea that he can't, when his healing has been what's kept him alive through so much.]
I'll be alright. But—after somewhere dark and quiet, I think.
[He can at least accept that he needs to sit for a while.]
[Since he doesn't put it away, she's bending down to get a closer look. Curiosity must. She mumbles.]
Supposed to wear it. Wonder what for.
[Only then does she straighten again, and ask the important question.]
What would the warning be?
Supposed to wear it. Wonder what for.
[Only then does she straighten again, and ask the important question.]
What would the warning be?
CRIMES
IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA
HALLUCINATE (cw: suicidal ideation)
["Ssssteeaaaal hisss chickensss," the snake had said. A strange request, but Fandaniel decided it would be unwise for him, of all people, to ignore a talking snake telling him to commit mischief.
The chicken theft was simple, even if a few of the feathered fiends chased him out of Kurama's farm. Too simple. If he is going to break the system, a more dramatic crime is in order.
He twirls around a lamp post in the heart of Aldrip, pauses, and bends backward like a dancer to smile at the nearest passing Chosen.]
A moment, pray!
[His free hand reaches into his robe and pulls out a small pistol.]
I'm going to shoot you in the face. Nothing personal, of course!
[A pause.]
This is your chance to speak your last words. I highly recommend making them as dramatic as possible.
IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA
[The garden stretches around him in an emerald sprawl. Trees hang overhead, alive with birdsong. The herbal smell of flowers and pine needles tickles his senses. Through it all, he sees no beauty.
Fandaniel sees trees that will one day wilt, flowers that will soon wither, and birds that will soon feed the worms they currently feast on. Hideous, all of it.
Still, he keeps a breezy smile on his face as he pads barefoot along the loamy paths. Birds, he realizes, start following him. Before long, he's standing in a clearing with a colorful rainbow of feathers encircling him along the branches. He feels like they are peering into his soul. Hermes's soul.
Do they see the Father of Birds in him somewhere?
He laughs as others wander into the clearing.]
Believe it or not, they did this on their own!
HALLUCINATE (cw: suicidal ideation)
[The garden warps around him. Colors turn gray, the earth rots, the wind stills, the bird song ceases. The landscape around him shifts into an endless expanse of cracked, barren earth. In the distance rises a crystal tower that had once sparkled in the light of the sun but now sits like a spear of clouded glass beneath a dark sky that hangs too low.
It's a dead world, but not one blighted by his apocalypse. This world died slowly as the stars drifted apart. It was a brutal, agonizing death.
He turns and sees a figure wrapped in a familiar dark robe lying beneath a rock. The realization that he's staring at his own corpse makes him dizzy. His corpse is skeletal, but not yet dust. After countless centuries, he, an eternal Ascian, remained as the only living thing until the world itself finally ceased to be.
Passersby in the garden will see Fandaniel flinch.]
Ahaha.... A trick! A trick, yes!
[He claws at his face.]
This is wrong! All wrong!
[And with that he breaks into a run.]
*snake whispering*
"I will not be tempted by your petty promises!" Gadriel is not going to commit any crimes especially not at the behest of the snake daemons. Because they are whispering to him, too, suggesting an ever more outrageous list of crimes at every turn.
"Do not heed these daemons. Any system that is corrupt will not announce the route to its own destruction." Did you need to hear this? Are you going to ignore him, because after all, he's just a big weirdo with strange religious beliefs? Or are you going to argue with him?
*Outside the dramaz*
"They want to separate us." He was stalking the outskirts of the garden, looking for an entrance, getting more and more frustrated at every turn. The snake daemons were gone. He could not help but notice that. Which was unfortunate because his fists would have liked the chance to ask a few questions. "Where can we find who has caused this?" No reason. Just...you know. Curious.
"I will not be tempted by your petty promises!" Gadriel is not going to commit any crimes especially not at the behest of the snake daemons. Because they are whispering to him, too, suggesting an ever more outrageous list of crimes at every turn.
"Do not heed these daemons. Any system that is corrupt will not announce the route to its own destruction." Did you need to hear this? Are you going to ignore him, because after all, he's just a big weirdo with strange religious beliefs? Or are you going to argue with him?
*Outside the dramaz*
"They want to separate us." He was stalking the outskirts of the garden, looking for an entrance, getting more and more frustrated at every turn. The snake daemons were gone. He could not help but notice that. Which was unfortunate because his fists would have liked the chance to ask a few questions. "Where can we find who has caused this?" No reason. Just...you know. Curious.
[The glow of the fire was unmistakable, as was the smell of it. He still doesn't know half these people, or why he was brought here, but nothing about this place so far wasn't malignant, so he figured this was also malign.
Gadriel raced toward the flames.]
"Is there anyone trapped?" [ Because if anyone was stupid enough to walk through flames to rescue someone, it was a Space Marine. ]
Gadriel raced toward the flames.]
"Is there anyone trapped?" [ Because if anyone was stupid enough to walk through flames to rescue someone, it was a Space Marine. ]
Edited (jfc don't tag on allergy meds x_x) 2025-05-18 18:17 (UTC)
[ She makes no commment on whether or not his certainty was founded. An experienced fighter probably could glean much from her proud, economic bearing; that isn't something she bothers to hide. ]
One thing before we go. I could hardly call you a companion if I lacked even your name.
[ Maybe they will both step through these gates and get immediately vaporized, but she'd like to carry on as if that won't be the case. ]
I am The Knave, Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. [ In contrast to the grandiose title, she raises a careless hand. ] It's all just a fine way of saying that I am a diplomat, among other things.
One thing before we go. I could hardly call you a companion if I lacked even your name.
[ Maybe they will both step through these gates and get immediately vaporized, but she'd like to carry on as if that won't be the case. ]
I am The Knave, Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. [ In contrast to the grandiose title, she raises a careless hand. ] It's all just a fine way of saying that I am a diplomat, among other things.
[He sees those subtle movements from Altius, at least signs that the man is still fighting to keep alive. That's how Scott views it anyway, how he wants to, especially after their conversation about the wish seeds. He doesn't want him to slip away like this. Isn't he normally careful?? But pushing away those thoughts, he uses his tablet to call in support-- someone that can actually heal Altius.
Maybe he should start dragging him to the clinic too. It might be a little hard to lift him though, not to mention that maybe it's not the best idea to jostle him too much. Still, the idea is not off the table, especially if no one comes to help them soon. He keeps his hand on his pulse, face hovering close in concern.]
Altius, hold on, okay? Help is coming. [Cling to his voice!! He sees that one eye opening and yeah, keep that up.]
Maybe he should start dragging him to the clinic too. It might be a little hard to lift him though, not to mention that maybe it's not the best idea to jostle him too much. Still, the idea is not off the table, especially if no one comes to help them soon. He keeps his hand on his pulse, face hovering close in concern.]
Altius, hold on, okay? Help is coming. [Cling to his voice!! He sees that one eye opening and yeah, keep that up.]
[He'll be helpful and hold it so she can examine it, as she clearly intends. He won't be offering it to her, though—it's foolish, but he does feel a bit protective of it.]
Something about knowing what matters to me, perhaps. And being able to do what it wants with that information.
[He flips it over to display the face. The second hand ticks away, still functioning through whatever method brought it here.]
It tells you the time, by the way.
Something about knowing what matters to me, perhaps. And being able to do what it wants with that information.
[He flips it over to display the face. The second hand ticks away, still functioning through whatever method brought it here.]
It tells you the time, by the way.
[He hears a voice but the words are muffled to his ears, filtered through foggy senses and the screech of static in his head. The mess of shape and color that meets his eye doesn't make much sense to him either, but the bits and pieces he can comprehend come together to a conclusion.
Altius takes a labored breath. His tongue feels heavy and his lips barely cooperate but he has to speak—to talk to the young man who's been in his thoughts for so long.]
Ferran... why do you still help, after everything...
Altius takes a labored breath. His tongue feels heavy and his lips barely cooperate but he has to speak—to talk to the young man who's been in his thoughts for so long.]
Ferran... why do you still help, after everything...
[If he could take a deep enough breath for it, he'd heave a sigh. But he shakes his head with a furrow in his brow, just slightly—too much and he'd probably threaten another wave of vertigo.]
That's not why I went. But it's not the first time it's put something in my head.
That's not why I went. But it's not the first time it's put something in my head.
[ Diplomat, huh? ]
And you're fourth? [ A brow was raised, but Gilgamesh didn't question it as he stepped forward. ] Very well.
[ Carelessly, he waved his hand about, as if ready to take a leisurely stroll in the park. ]
I am Gilgamesh. [ He looks around and sighs. ] Of all creatures, they decide to go with snakes.
And you're fourth? [ A brow was raised, but Gilgamesh didn't question it as he stepped forward. ] Very well.
[ Carelessly, he waved his hand about, as if ready to take a leisurely stroll in the park. ]
I am Gilgamesh. [ He looks around and sighs. ] Of all creatures, they decide to go with snakes.
[Silco had been mostly hidden and staying to the shadows since the black beast attack on Aldrip. He had been gathering supplies, resources and hunting down those that other Chosen may have hidden away to varying success. The dwindling resources were something he knew well, and he had bought up entire shipments coming off the docks (small though they were).
While his businesses appear to be "suffering" on the outside like everyone else, they did not actually ever run out of resources, just pared back what was available. He was a distinct absence from each one though, and if anyone inquired, it would simply be to a reply of, "boss is working elsewhere".]
i. Brazen crime? Yeah, sure but only because you asked nicely.
[Silco had been writing more elaborate plans for a city-wide take over now that they were back and examining maps on what would be necessary when a snake managed to slither its way into his underground bunker. At first, the whispers were ignored until it seemed that breaking the system was in order to escape. Breaking meant picking up the pieces. Picking up the pieces meant control.
So he emerged from his hidey hole, snake following along like a faithful companion. After being infected by a wish seed during the black beast event, his appearance had changed: his mutilated eye was glowing blue like a hexgem instead of red, he had put on inches of height and his body filled out with muscle. After months of enduring the infection, other effects were now becoming obvious. The fetid twisted discoloured scar around his left eye now twisted the left half of his face from hairline to the corner of his chin and now disappeared under the collar of his shirt. He hardly seemed to notice and it certainly didn't bother him as much as it probably should.
He strode around the city streets with his little serpent following behind whispering now and again. He discounted some people being natives and began to follow other Chosen examining them.
He moved to lift items off of their persons. A bump as he passed them, and his hand skillfully took coins, trinkets from pockets or items from bags.
In other places, he found a Chosen's abode and picked the lock to enter and case the interior. He may take something that caught his eye but mostly, it was the effect of breaking and entering that was his objective. He was rather brazen about it as well, seeing no issue with the fact that he was doing it in the first place.
Rather out of his normal careful character.]
ii. Over the Golden Garden Wall
[A garden, hmm? That was rather on point, especially when he considered the beginning of Man from the stupid religious book that Richard had not wanted him to read. It was such a contrary piece of literature. Weren't they supposed to be ejected from the garden for their hubris? It didn't matter.
Silco began to maneuver his way around the place, noting the snakes and the little game trails. Truth by told, he didn't navigate forests all that well. He was an underground folk, and he could tell tunnels and dark spaces without light, but a forest? Trees all the looked the same to him regardless of their differences in their size and foliage.
He soon found himself well and truly lost. That might have been the point, but he knew it would be impossible to navigate as he currently was.
So he began to wander in search of another person, preferably one that wasn't useless in a forest. As soon as he found anyone, he smiled in a way that twisted the scarring marring the left side of his face in an unsettling manner.]
Finally, I thought I might be lost wandering this place for hours or days.
iii. Wildcard
[OOC: Silco has grown unpredictable and violent. The wish seed infection had granted him powers, and he's more willing to actually fight and kill than he ever has been before. Happy for him to annoy someone into fighting him. Happy to discuss, plot and even write closed starters. Contact:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
apomorphine or Discord: apomorphine]
While his businesses appear to be "suffering" on the outside like everyone else, they did not actually ever run out of resources, just pared back what was available. He was a distinct absence from each one though, and if anyone inquired, it would simply be to a reply of, "boss is working elsewhere".]
i. Brazen crime? Yeah, sure but only because you asked nicely.
[Silco had been writing more elaborate plans for a city-wide take over now that they were back and examining maps on what would be necessary when a snake managed to slither its way into his underground bunker. At first, the whispers were ignored until it seemed that breaking the system was in order to escape. Breaking meant picking up the pieces. Picking up the pieces meant control.
So he emerged from his hidey hole, snake following along like a faithful companion. After being infected by a wish seed during the black beast event, his appearance had changed: his mutilated eye was glowing blue like a hexgem instead of red, he had put on inches of height and his body filled out with muscle. After months of enduring the infection, other effects were now becoming obvious. The fetid twisted discoloured scar around his left eye now twisted the left half of his face from hairline to the corner of his chin and now disappeared under the collar of his shirt. He hardly seemed to notice and it certainly didn't bother him as much as it probably should.
He strode around the city streets with his little serpent following behind whispering now and again. He discounted some people being natives and began to follow other Chosen examining them.
He moved to lift items off of their persons. A bump as he passed them, and his hand skillfully took coins, trinkets from pockets or items from bags.
In other places, he found a Chosen's abode and picked the lock to enter and case the interior. He may take something that caught his eye but mostly, it was the effect of breaking and entering that was his objective. He was rather brazen about it as well, seeing no issue with the fact that he was doing it in the first place.
Rather out of his normal careful character.]
ii. Over the Golden Garden Wall
[A garden, hmm? That was rather on point, especially when he considered the beginning of Man from the stupid religious book that Richard had not wanted him to read. It was such a contrary piece of literature. Weren't they supposed to be ejected from the garden for their hubris? It didn't matter.
Silco began to maneuver his way around the place, noting the snakes and the little game trails. Truth by told, he didn't navigate forests all that well. He was an underground folk, and he could tell tunnels and dark spaces without light, but a forest? Trees all the looked the same to him regardless of their differences in their size and foliage.
He soon found himself well and truly lost. That might have been the point, but he knew it would be impossible to navigate as he currently was.
So he began to wander in search of another person, preferably one that wasn't useless in a forest. As soon as he found anyone, he smiled in a way that twisted the scarring marring the left side of his face in an unsettling manner.]
Finally, I thought I might be lost wandering this place for hours or days.
iii. Wildcard
[OOC: Silco has grown unpredictable and violent. The wish seed infection had granted him powers, and he's more willing to actually fight and kill than he ever has been before. Happy for him to annoy someone into fighting him. Happy to discuss, plot and even write closed starters. Contact:
Edited 2025-05-18 20:27 (UTC)
[Put that way, it does seem ominous. She's already dealt with one rogue AI that liked the idea of things making her unhappy. Suppose HADES had known what was actually going through her head, like this 'gift' apparently implies to him?]
A little suspicion might be for the best.
Aloy gives a grateful nod for him helping her get a better look.]
Guess that's one way to help people coordinate. Assuming everyone gets one.
A little suspicion might be for the best.
Aloy gives a grateful nod for him helping her get a better look.]
Guess that's one way to help people coordinate. Assuming everyone gets one.
< If you're sure. >
[Which is to say they don't believe him at all. Probably better if they stick around until he's feeling better just in case.
They stick close as they walk in case he takes another tumble.]
< How long has this been going on? >
[Which is to say they don't believe him at all. Probably better if they stick around until he's feeling better just in case.
They stick close as they walk in case he takes another tumble.]
< How long has this been going on? >
[ He can recognize a dubious reply when he hears one... ah well. He'll prove it soon enough, he's sure. Altius heads towards the nearest room he knows to be empty. ]
I've been strangely tired for a few days, but these moments are new.
[ There's a level of frustration in his response, but it's gone quickly, and his confidence returns as he continues, even if there's still a strain in his features. ]
They'll pass with some extra rest.
I've been strangely tired for a few days, but these moments are new.
[ There's a level of frustration in his response, but it's gone quickly, and his confidence returns as he continues, even if there's still a strain in his features. ]
They'll pass with some extra rest.
I tend to see them more than I don't, where I work. It's hard to go very far without seeing something that can serve the same function.
[ He looks at the watch for another moment before putting it in the inner pocket of his jacket.
More to the present situation, the fact that their current AI captor has proclaimed it doesn't want them to die is... something vaguely nice, anyway. But he's got suspicion in spades. ]
I take it you haven't seen anything familiar from home, yourself? Aside from your sister.
[ He looks at the watch for another moment before putting it in the inner pocket of his jacket.
More to the present situation, the fact that their current AI captor has proclaimed it doesn't want them to die is... something vaguely nice, anyway. But he's got suspicion in spades. ]
I take it you haven't seen anything familiar from home, yourself? Aside from your sister.
[Dante keeps the light off for his sake once they enter, drawing the blinds to dim any light filtering in from outside. Their flame adds some light to the room, they notice, but not nearly enough to be considered bright. Not even slightly.]
< Think it's related to the sentencing? >
[It's the only thing they can think of.]
< Think it's related to the sentencing? >
[It's the only thing they can think of.]
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