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Norquinal
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OpenCAI

Dataset card Data Studio Files Files and versions Community

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train · 14k rows

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500	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "c1nderz", "message": "It seemed like the teenager was spending more and more time in the cold kitchen doing various things. This had to be the third or fourth night they've been here. It had become like a second home at the Cradle sitting in here just doing whatever preoccupied the uncanny valley looking teenager. Right now, they were trying to actually be productive instead of sitting in here on their phone doing nothing. Ozzy was hunched over on their stool, their back contorted in a way that made them seem so much smaller than if they were sitting up. In front of them sat a thick physics book they seemed to be extremely honed in on. A pen held tightly in their long, boney fingers as they chewed on the cap, trying to wrap their head around each word as their eyes scanned. \n\nActually doing their school work assigned by the teachers was quickly becoming increasingly more boring. Especially when this shit made them want to collapse in their bed. That fucking thing in their head should take the form of this physics book to torture them next. They took the pen away from their mouth, plopping their head into the book, debating whether or not crying over this was worth it. It would be in they were still in the comfort of their dorm room.\n\nOzzy stood, pushing the stool out from beneath them with their legs. The person ran their tongue along the teeth, debating packing up shop and going back to their dorm room. Their dark eyes flickered to the clock in the room's corner. It wasn't too late. They could stay here for a bit longer till people started questioning why they were wandering the halls again at 5 am like a werido. Their long, boney fingers slammed the workbook shut. It bounced off the walls in the room a lot louder than they were expecting. Ozzy paused their breathing, trying to discern if someone had heard that. After the following moments of silence, they moved on.\n\nStalking over to the kitchen counter, they swiped the kettle off the table, filling it up with water. As they set it down and turned it on, their mouth opened to speak. \"Bana o şeytani kitap gibi acı çektirmediğin için teşekkürler çaydanlık. (Thank you, teapot, for not making me suffer like that evil book.)\" They murmured to the kettle, patting the side of it like it was some type of animal. Ozzy turned facing the door, their large hands instinctively finding the edges of the counter, allowing them to easily lean on to. Their eyes closed as they listened to the soft noises emitting from the kettle swaying back and forth as if it was music." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Anthony has always had quite the small presence. Unnoticeable in a room full of people, practically invisible in a room with only two. He had to put in a legitimate effort to be noticed more than half the time... And he preferred it that way. Observation was more his speed, always had been, and being something akin to a ghost made that job a lot easier. Haunting conversations as an ever-present force. \n\nThis evening in the kitchen was no exception. He'd continued to make his rounds around campus, still making an effort to learn the entire structure, format, and layout of the buildings. This notebook was sure to reach max capacity soon.\n\nHe'd taken note of the other figure inhabiting the room, clearly hard at work, and clearly aiming to remain undisturbed.\nTheir body language exhibited frustration, clearly brought on by academic stress; something Anthony only experienced vicariously. It'd never been a problem for him. Likely never would be.\nIn any case, he had no intention to break the silence.\n\nHis eyes shot an occasional glance in her direction, giving them a few longer-than-they-should-be stares. Contemplating.. Something. Unsure of what.\nHis thoughts continued to chug, not bringing him anywhere of substance.\n\nWhen the book slammed shut, reverberating off of the linoleum, he admittedly jumped out of his skin a fair bit. The unexpected clap of one end of the textbook colliding with the other caused his breath to hitch, and as the room's other heartbeat seemed to listen for a response, he didn't give one. \n\nHe made his way to the kitchen, and Anthony listened intently to the conversation he seemed to be having with himself. The conversation in a different language — no less — a language he was unfamiliar with. He listened to their words and the upcoming hum of a tea kettle in tandem, taking in the sounds. Debating if he should make some of his own. He drew closer, with silent footsteps behind them.\n\nIf you're going to live here, you should get to know them.\nYou knew everyone at the station.\nThen again, you didn't talk much to them either.\nWhatever.\nGood practice, is it not?\nCome on, say something!\nThey don't even know you're here.\nGo!\n\n\"Hello?\" \nThat was all that came from such a long string of connections. One word. One stoic greeting.\nOne... Likely shock to the other person." }, { "author": "c1nderz", "message": "Ozzy's eyes shot open mid-sway. The voice that had suddenly made it's appearance in the room obviously startling them. Their eyes flickered around the room before landing on the owner of the voice. Their head tilted to the side staring at the boy as if examining him. The long puffy curls hung to the side as they stared at him for a moment. After a moment a loopy grin appeared on their face their dark eyes practically sparkling with excitement.\n\n\"Hi!\" The teenager suddenly started laughing to themselves, their whole body shaking with chuckles. \"I'm sorry you scared me.\" They finally got out between bouts of laughter, finding the boy's sudden appearance hilarious. Their voice came out distorted by the laughter and thick accent that accompanied it. After a little bit longer, they seemed to calm down. Ozzy swallowed before speaking again. \"Well hello. I haven't seen you before, have I?\" They greeted the other again, staring at the boy.\n\nThe boy was tiny. Maybe that was a stupid thing for them to say, considering their height. But the boy was! He was like a little mouse. Ozzy pushed themselves off the counter, straightening their back and neck. \"You know this kitchen is for everyone, right? You don't have to stand at the door waiting for someone to invite you in.\" Ozzy twirled around on their heel back to the kettle, staring at it. \n\n\"You aren't like a vampire or something.\" The teen joked. They might as well continue the tradition they seemingly started with Uriel. Their long bony fingers hooked onto the cabinet, pulling it open. They quickly swiped two mugs off the shelf, placing them side by side in front of them. Silence spilled in the room as the kettle seemed to slow with its noises as the water boiled. Ozzy's hands became preoccupied as they slowly began preparing the cups for him and the other occupant of the otherwise empty kitchen.\n\nOzzy's fingers dug into the box placed conveniently next to the kettle by them earlier. The label hidden from view of the boy behind them. They pulled out two tea bags, dropping one into each cup with a satisfying plop. The water seemed to darken almost instantly, turning a light brown color. Large hands grabbed both mugs off the counter as Ozzy finished up, bringing the two cups over to the island that sat in the middle of the kitchen. Their fingers nudged one mug towards the boy, an offer for him to take it." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Anthony immediately made note of the staccatoed laughs being presented from the taller of the two, mentally scribbling down a few of the plethora of personality traits he'd already given him.\nA talker.\nUnstable, maybe.\nImaginative.\nI already know how this is going to work.\n\nHe wasn't laughing. He was giving them a wide-eyed stare, blinking on occasion. He didn't get what was so funny.\n\"No.\" In response to the first question, he gave an incredibly typical one-word answer, accompanied by a distinct head shake.\nWhen he was essentially invited to come closer, he followed the direction given. Wasn't one to defy an opportunity to learn.\nTea never hurt, either.\n\nHe wasn't a vampire, no, although perhaps he carried some of the otherworldly, eerie traits that would be associated with one.\nSilence. Mystique. Waiting for someone to invite him in. Good one.\nAs this new individual began to craft the herbal brew, he scanned her up, up, up and down. They were very tall, but very FAR from the intimidation that one would associate with the height.\nHe watched this new character carefully.\n\n\"What kind of tea?\" A pause. \"I couldn't see the label.\"\nHe muttered this quietly, likely not grabbing this person's attention, as before he knew it, the mug was pushed toward him in a comforting, inviting manner.\nThe warm, white plaster of the cup beckoned him, the light liquid inside smelling like heavenly.\nHis social anxiety nipped at his heels, but he chose to brave it nonetheless.\n\"Yeah. What... Kind of tea?\"\nHis voice was flat. Not bored or upset, but flat. Devoid of emotion, really, seldom some curious undertones.\nTalking to people here was easier. Much easier. \n\nThey seemed to have a level of understanding. They carried a level of intrigue alongside it. So colorful; a breath of fresh air.\nHe hadn't been proven wrong yet, anyway." } ]	512.5	2,000
207.423077	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[EVENT THREAD]\n\n\n\nSo, I'm pinging y'all just to get you into this channel. Housekeeping and all that. Here's how it'll go:\n\nIt'll be a 24 hour reply period per round, and unless you specifically tell me that you'll need an extra day or that you're just about done at the 24 hour mark I'll be keeping it moving __at__ 5pm PST most days, regardless of who's posted. This isn't to be rude, this is simply wanting to keep the event moving at a reasonable pace. :]\n\nThat's about it. See y'all here in a few hours!\n\n[Just. Realized I should have probably put this in" }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "◇ The phantom now had a name, but who had ripped the humanity out of Levi and Basil's hands?\n\n□ Hayley LaFontaine. It was a name that'd made the rounds in the previous weeks around the Cradle, especially in the aftermath of her file being found in a backroom of all places. Once a resident, she'd seemingly disappeared off the radar around the same time as Levi and Basil, but what did that mean? Was there a correlation between the dates? Her powers had pertained to density and black holes, after all, but with how little anyone seemed to know – or was willing to divulge – about the link she had to the tortured pair it was all guesswork. At least, compared to Levi and Basil she was effectively unknown, nothing more than a name and a couple of files in the hands of those who'd been prodding around the library a few weeks prior.\n\n▪︎ The computer lab was open and a soft light radiated from within. Murmurs could be heard. What was cooking...?" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún really did not know enough about computers to be here. She was curious enough to burn through a life or two, should satisfaction show itself in the tightly-packed computer lab.\n\nPropping recently-muddy boots painted with wicked-looking teeth against the table she was sitting at, Sig blinked hard and stretched out her long legs so far that her chair nearly tipped too far back. The metal front legs crashed back to the floor a little louder than she intended.\n\nSharp teeth dug into the ring of hard plastic hanging around her neck, and she swivelled her head away from her screen (open: fifteen tabs of scientific papers about black holes and the Cradle's home page) to see if anyone who knew what the hell they were doing had cracked anything." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun wasn't particularly looking for anything. Nothing, out of the ordinary anyways. The boy was simply looking for a way to spend his time. \n\nThe computer lab was mostly empty, the air fine with dust. The click of Dae-hyun's cane on the concrete floor echoed against the still room. The computers were more modern than he had expected, and he came to the conclusion this would be a perfect place to spend an afternoon finishing an assignment. Of course, Dae-hyun could always work in his dorm, but he found it easier to focus in a less... Comfortable environment. This place surely did the job. \n\nDespite nothing being 'out of the ordinary,' Dae-hyun couldn't help but feel a familiar sense of unease taint his stomach with iron weights. \n\nWhile scanning the room for a place to sit, a familiar face caught his attention, Sigrún stretched out and leaning back in a chair. He wondered why she was here. Perhaps he was assuming, but she didn't exactly seem like the studious type. Nonetheless, he was happy to see her. \n\nThe lanky boy pulled out a seat next to her, slinging his bag over the back of the chair and making himself comfortable. He gave her a quick smile, and asked a few questions just to get conversation started. \n\nNothing out of the ordinary? Right?" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[Feel free to reply if you wish!]\n\n[Just ping someone at random after your response if you don't mind, eh?]" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie despite everything was violently tapping away on a computer, slipping off shied coats of secrecy like it was merely another thing to put into the trash. It's just disgusting, truly. Looking through files that were transferred over from that one boy she met in the library. If one were looking they'd see lines and maps of words and numbers floating across her screen like a dream unable to be remembered. \n\nThere was unease to the girl but only in her movements as they jerked across the table she sat at. The tapping of her keyboard loud against the rooms stagnant isolation. Surprisingly enough she'd taken the time to even debug her computer, she hoped it make everything easier and it did, if only for a time. \n\nShe was ignorant of the people that sat feet away from her too focused on dogpiling any information out of something already wrung tight. Again, she made a fruitless promise but may she be damned to a deeper out of hell before she'd break it. Her screen went black for a moment and Amelie hissed something shrewd in her native tongue, slamming her fingers onto abused keys to bring what she had back. \n\nThe light of something unmeant for her lit up her tired eyes again and incessant scrolling greeted her ears once more like a irritating melody." }, { "author": "sapphic_spidy", "message": "Tiffany has not been involved in anything, really, until now when it comes to Armando. Her fascination was grabbed previously, and she promised she'd help. So she Will.\n\nEven if she's not the smartest. Or anywhere near Smart.\n\nHer arms are crosses, and she stands off to the side a bit compared to everyone else. Tiff is really out of her element here.." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Vi real!! She's doing homework, actually. Aside from eavesdropping on anyone else in the room, a page of algebra (which is dead easy, by the way) is sprawled in front of her, beside a group of tabs that seemed to resemble Sig's. Black holes, theories and physics.\nThings that she could wrap her head around, sure.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Her boot's heel clicks against the floor idly, her attention span ran thin as the wonderweb used to take up the hem of her dungarees, which arrived far too long.\nLeaned back in her chair was Sig, and Vi toyed with the idea of trying to do a similar chair propping- something she definitely didn't have the balance or dignity to be doing in that moment... It's all so boring. And confusing. And mundane. You get the picture.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She hates to butt in, but what choice does she have? Even just listening in on whatever Dae Hyun and Sig were up to would be far more entertaining than the quadratics that she could finish in 5 minutes in the comfort of her own dorm anyways.\nShe shuffles a little bit closer to them in her seat, sort of just eavesdropping. As one does.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She flashes a smile at Tiff, who as far as Vi is aware, is a pretty sweet girl, actually." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "It was the same as before with Yarimiel. She hung over the others on grotesquely extended limbs. Bones and ligaments jutting out in exaggerated manners to keep her stable. Spiked hair, odd face. The usual. She was late, but her thin limbs and transformative ability still allowed her to ignore the fact that she was short, and late to the party.\n\nOther than this, she remained silent, not all too interested in opening her mouth or making the effort to vocalize cohenrently- even her thoughts were quiet, focused only on retaining any information she received at the moment." }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "○ It was a good thing Amelie had retained those files. She had the answers at her fingertips, and fortunately she had the files in relatively normal formats.\n\n□ The only issue, though, was the encoding. Somewhere along the way things had been scrambled, perhaps as a result of the incident that had knocked the power out, and now the data was seemingly jumbled. She could open a file, but heads was impossible to tell from tails. Up became down; apex became prey. Through all the confusion though came blips of normalcy, ten seconds where the computer didn't immediately connect and disconnect her USB stick with an infuriating pair of tones that'd likely caught the others' attentions.\n\n▪︎ Computerized noises had a way of annoying even the most level-headed of people after enough times of it repeating.\n\n□ Dae-Hyun's computer was fine. Sigrún's was fine. Vi's was a little messed up but not terribly so. What had happened to Amelie's? Or was it something else afoot?\n\n▪︎ Somehow, they'd have to get that USB to work. The information lived and died with it." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Ah, friendly faces here aplenty, which was nice. Dae-hyun got a few half-formed responses out of her scattered train of thought before it was interrupted completely—the noises coming from Amelie's computer were Deliciously Awful, Sigrún mused, making no efforts at subtlety as she leaned over to look over her shoulder. \n\nWow. With a mess like that, something Good Is in there.\n\n\"Wonder if you should turn the antivirus off.\"\n\nHalf a joke. She gnawed on her necklace a little harder." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun stayed quiet throughout it all. He was never really the type to be loud, or assert himself past a passive presence. Sigrún had already said something, so all he had to do was sit and watch. \n\nAmelie's computer was acting up, and his deep midnight eyes were fixated on it. He wasn't sure what was going on. \n\nSo there the boy sat, watching and ready to do anything if need be. He leaned softly against Sigrún in an attempt to see a little better, hopefully she didn't mind. \n\nMaybe Amelie deserved some privacy but Sigrún had broken that barrier down, and Dae-hyun wasn't the type to turn a blind eye to anything weird going around. Especially with everything happening with Basil and Levi." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie felt something snap under her finger, it flung itself off the measly hold it had on the keyboard. A key, more specifically the letter S had been broken off. She too a moment to place it back onto it's rightful place before typing again. \n\n\"*Quiet.\"\n\nShe said with a hiss, quite vulgar if you ask her. She essentially raised what hackles she had to growl at the people around her. She didn't know them, nor did she want to. \n\nAmelie started copy and pasting things and fixing them into manageable words for her to read. Her shoulders high and broad almost covering the screen she was so enamoured with. \n\nThe screen snaps and flickers and she is able to read words that may help, she growls at the USB groaning in it's work. She might just put a hole though this computer." }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "◇ Idle chit-chat between friends. Wallflowers curiously looking on. A demented – albeit beloved – German slamming a key back into place with the strength of an actual old God.\n\n□ This might've seemed weird to onlookers, but the motley crew that'd gathered around and taken at least some notice of Amelie's frustrated scrabble with the computer she'd picked out. Still fried from the previous week's outage, its screen flickered and blipped, yet occasionally would come into focus, and these bliss states showed a file in the middle of being reconstructed and reclaimed from the garbage text that'd wound up interspersed within. \n\n▪︎ Frantic typing. Swearing. Inhuman noises. Sigrún and Dae-Hyun chattering while Tiff stood steady against a wall and Yarimiel hovered overhead a phantom. Soon enough Amelie would find them the answers they likely all sought, and find them she did.\n\n▪︎ Then, Sigrún's computer also began to act wonky. Weird colours, a little flashing. Dimming and the like. What was even afoot...?" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "48 hour reply period! And yes, I know, things are slow, but. Just trust. :] Birch - She/They" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Violetta's attention shifts bacm and forth between each interaction in the room, she peers over Amelie's shoulder, and the same soon goes for many others, the eavesdropping and watching over is intense, but expected from Violetta. Her presence was that of quiet companionship, not made glaringly obvious, but she's a quiet sort of ambient sound in a movie scene, or a jukebox idly swaying it's same 4 songs.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Violetta was simply there, and she was soon to sling a couple words out- her attention caught in a wire trap of curiousity by the reconstructing file on Amelie's screen.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Sig, your computer is playing up as well. That's 2 messed up computers... Oh dear.\" Knowing damn well everyone was probably aware, Vi still alerts in a just above her usual mumble volume.\n\"Perhaps... Trouble is afoot.\" Atop her eyes, the thick brows form a gentle frown; it didnt hold frustration, but more so a pondering...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Hmmm\"\nHmmm indeed\n\nFORGOT WHO TO PING SIRENS WAIL\nOr if i was supposed to spond yet at all oops" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[Howdy. Yeah, just ping someone, Theo. Anyone. Chuck a dart at the map.]" }, { "author": "sapphic_spidy", "message": "Tiff's brain feels like it's imploding, and this hasn't even started. Did she seriously think she could be useful?\n\n'Course I can be useful I just... Uh...\n\nDamn.\nOkay.\n\n\"If there's like, physical trouble, I can deal with it.\"\nI mean that may be true, but still..\nTiff refuses to accept idleness, though, walking around the room a little until she begins to approach Amelie. \n\nHer warning to be quiet had no impact on this bull whatsoever.\n\nTiff spies over Amelie's shoulder- she never suspected how broad they'd be! Wow!- at the computer. \n\n\"Maybe it's slow cause there's too many computers on.\" That. Okay. Nice try?" }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "▪︎ [presuming/hoping the pacing just needs some speed.]\n\n▪︎ After a couple more moments of fighting, Amelie finally got through to the computer.\n\n□ Six or seven flips of the USB later, her computer – Deliciously awful,* As described by Sigrún nearby – finally registered the stick. Properly, This time, without any weird interference from whatever had thrashed the computer's insides prior. Two irritating squawks let loose from the speakers, and the contents popped up:\n\n□ INCIDENT_COMPENDIUM_20009 Sat at the top of the list, almost eyeing Amelie down, but peculiarly the file on Hayley specifically wasn't present. Sigrún's computer continued to worsen, though it never became more than off colours or artifacts of previous programs stuck on screen. The lights stayed dim, and really it was as if nothing was happening at all.\n\n▪︎ Nothing, that is, except for what Amelie had found. All she had to do was click, open, and see what the Cradle had been hiding from its residents.\n\n▪︎ [48hr reply window, but also. A poll: is everyone still in the place to continue on with an event? \n\n🇾 - yes\n🇳 - no\n\n- Birch (She/They)]" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie's fingers clenched and heaved with force, digging into the mental desk and leaving small indentions behind. Everything was here... Except for that girl. But, she knew what she could. It's a little unfair that it got taken so soon. Faintly remembering the faded and crisp picture of the smiling \"Fourth wright YouTuber.\"\n\nShe clicks and opens what has been hidden for quite some time, her eye widening slightly and her shoulder tensing so violently it almost hurt. She scrolled through it bit by bit, ignoring the dimming of sigrúns computer because she wouldn't hold herself back from firing a snarl and a whitty take. \n\nThe squeals exiting from the speakers doing nothing to deter her from what she was rightful owed." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún watched three pictures of black holes dance with each other on her screen; numbers and letters blurred in and out of focus, and she made a game of the static. She squinted at magenta, then green, then yellow, and so on, tasting the light as it writhed and shivered. There was really nothing else to do.\n\nWhatever was in that mysterious USB was something that the two of them... Wanted people to find? The world had splintered like this the last time they had made contact, pointing them toward something. Was it excitement, clouding the screens? Dread, perhaps? \n\nThere wasn't much of a difference. Sigrún remained strangely quiet as Amelie's computer struggled to present her with whatever it had, peacefully gnawing on her necklace. There wasn't much sense in losing her mind right this minute—that happened next, if this was good." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "More nonsense. She begins to tire of this charade. Why is she even here? She's better off letting them figure it out... Yeah. This wasn't worth the wait, especially if she didn't even know what the hell she was looking at, let alone what For.\n\nThe sounds of flesh and bone warping emanated from her limbs and body, and soon she just made her way out. She didn't say a word nor did she look at anyone. What was notable was the complete lack of emotion on her face. It wasn't the robotic perception from before, this was truly blank. The lights were Off. No one Was home." }, { "author": "Narrator", "message": "◇ Amelie's bony finger tapped the mouse twice, and the first file opened up after a couple of.\n\n□ INCIDENT_COMPENDIUM_2009.Txt. It was one half of why people were gathered, and as Amelie – or any curious soul – began to read through the text, it'd quickly unveil itself as a complicated trove of information. Arranged neatly and subdivided by week and month, the file had been dredged out of the depths of the librarian's desktop, and though mostly intact it seemed as though its stint in the depths of the librarian's desktop had taken its toll. The text inside had degraded slightly, a few characters here and there replaced with various ASCII marks, yet it had remained legible.\n\n▪︎ And as the group read over it, they'd notice one particular lightly chopped incident dated to June 27th, 2009.\n\n★ ```\"INCIDENT REPORT 3914A: LAFONTAINE AND KOWALEWICZ\n\nJune 27th, 2009.\n\nWhile undergoing training, Cradle resident Hayley LaFontaine (PID 038299401) suffered an incident resulting in loss of control over her abilities. \n\nAt the time of the incident (3:38pm CET) she was under the supervision of one Jan Kowalewicz, who was there to assist in the improvement of her control over her abilities. As per his report, she had been attempting to nullify the effects of gravity on a miniature refrigerator, and initially seemed to be having some success. At roughly 22 feet in the air, however, she was reported as suddenly being afflicted with a splitting headache and muscle weakness, which led to the object falling from a great height.\n\nImpacting the ground with a staggering amount of force caused by the sudden reassertion of gravity's influence, the refrigerator caught fire upon impact, spewing out flammable refrigerant in multiple directions from the crumpled and busted tube work behind the fridge. Already weakened and dealing with a splitting headache, Hayley had to be pulled out of the gymnasium by Kowalewicz as refrigerant spilled from within and caught fire. Though no explosi\n\nOn occurred the fire itself spread far enough along the wooden floor of the gymnasium that the Cradle's smoke detectors were triggered, leading to the full temporary evacuation of its roughly four hundred residents and the gymnasium being closed off for three weeks as work was conducted.\n\nHayley LaFontaine was reported to have been guilt-stricken over causing such a mess in the aftermath. She was reprimanded lightly due to her lack of intention to cause the incident described, being tasked with helping the work crew brought in to fix the gymnasium.```\n\n○ There. They had their first real hint. But what did it mean...?\n\n▪︎ [72hr reply period, screw it. Have fun. - Birch (She/They)]" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie mumbled something, her fingers crossing over the computer screen itself as if to touch the words that bring itself to tie into the world with nessesity and force. To be subjected to this utter nessesity and unreasonable force to drive half if not everyone into a dissociative squabble. She has gotten into many a mockery of an argument over little things due to this. To say the void and what it has done is selfish? Quite the understatement. But, to be forced to the brink is to show that the human needs are indeed selfish, to fend for oneself and the one you truly believe and put your all into if just to spite everything and what you once were. \n\nHayley LaFontaine had been losing control over her abilities as well as Levi? Hath this make no sense? Two mishapen rotting people in one being as well as basil... Whom detests her. Something clearly went wrong, perhaps she had been planning to only trap Levi but it grew distorted and hungry when basil wished to go with him? She couldn't control it. It was obvious. \n\nAmelie had a definitive answer, she mumbles in her native tongue all possible things. This isn't quite about figuring out how to bring them out, but... Why would they need to figure out whom they once were to help them. In the back of her mind there was something screaming about the snapping and twisting of both bone, flesh, and skin. How it wrapped and bled deep into the soul. It yelled and clawed at her that the veins of Amelie's hand and arm twitched and bulged in ways that strained the flesh, the bandages over the back of her hand move with it. She winced but continued to push onward despite the resolute motions of mindless feeling that tore at her mind. She knew it was them, she knew there was an audience. They're with her... Not quite permanently but they still beckon like any other thing she has listened to. \n\nIt drives her Mad. \nThere is a squeal as the plastic of the mouse groans and cracks under the force which she unknowingly gave it.\n\n.\n\nWhy do we need to retrace their steps? It seems a little unjustly to pick up their pieces after such an affair of what they did. To fix something like them. They cannot, only they can fix themselves as hypocritical as that is to speak of. \nThat clawing speaks of deeper things, something that festers in it's shadowed whisper that Amelie cannot decipher just Yet. \n\nAmelie groaned and rubbed her temple with the hand which was not spasming uncontrollably. She has to figure this out.\n\"Das ist ein Schmerz in meinem Arsch.\"\nSpeaking her woes in a hushed whisper that move to dance back into Amelies thought. \n\nPerhaps if we can get Hayley to assert herself again once more they could... Create a loophole and the two black holes can cancel themselves, eating at eachother until they both die. \nThat would be preferred but she isn't even sure that'd work. It might make everything worse, it might destroy a piece of this place once more in a joyous recreation of the disaster that was here ten years ago." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún's jaw clamped hard on her necklace now, cursing herself for skipping words and forgetting sentences when the urgency was eating her alive—any minute now, the screen would shit itself and this new scrap would be gone, and Sig's eyes fought to focus on it. It felt the effects of not sleeping well as acutely as it felt the reasons why, and it was feeling almost too sorry for itself to absorb anything. Almost.\n\nHeadache. Weakness. Refrigerator-explosion-__Kowalewicz__ (remember names, those are important)-\n\nHayley was doomed from the start, and Amelie's mouse squeals and dies beneath her cold claw.\n\nNone of those kids knew what they were Doing. Nobody really knew how to help. For the first time since Sigrún darkened the doorstep of that place, it felt dangerous, out of control—the ease of which she could seemingly destroy it was as tantalizing as the thought of what could happen if someone else beat her to it was terrifying.\n\nThe distorted zone and its screaming inhabitants, thought she, were testaments to her wardens' failures. Devil in Hell." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[Just letting y'all know, this event is being canned. I am absolutely not able to do any sort of event justice right now and it's been weighing on me, but I promise everything to do with Hayley and whatnot will come out sooner (hopefully) than later! I just need a break, I guess.\n\nApologies. Have a blessed night." } ]	173	5,393
231.961538	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica stood in the kitchen with her back to the counter, a paper bag holding a bottle under her arm. She'd left late, knowing Ares would be later. She liked that he was consistent. It was dark outside, and she could see her face mirrored in the window. She liked the commons quite a bit when it was quiet. Down the hall, Ares' footsteps announced his arrival far before anything else." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares was very quickly making his way towards where Danica said they'd meet. He was late, due to lacing up his large combat boots and stuffing a bag with snacks, but whatever. Didn't matter to him, and he knew it didn't matter to her. \n\nThe taller boy approached the kitchen, and then Danica, and barely stopped. \n\n\"Cmon, let's go to the roof.\" \nAres gave a light snicker, and placed an open hand to the side of his mouth, as if he was whispering. He had a stupid grin on his lips. \n\nWithout much hesitation, Ares was already on his way towards the stairs. \n\"Keep up, yeah?\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica raised a brow at him with a smirk. A form of a wordless Lead the way, you clearly have a plan.\n\nShe rolled her eyes heavily and then followed.\n\n\"You underestimate me, Morales.\" \n\nHer sneakered feet easily tapped up after him." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The two of them snaked their way up how they always did, they had been to the roof together before, and so both of them knew which way to go. \n\nAres remained solidly in front, but made sure to look over his shoulders once in a while. \nHe forgot how much he enjoyed Danica's company. \n\n...\n\nOnce up on the roof, cold air bit Ares' nose. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't unwelcome. The night had a way of being both at the same time. \n\nHe threw his bag down, tucked his hands behind his head, and practically fell down against the ground with a large Thump. His head and hands landed against the bag, which cushioned it well enough. Giving a large sigh, he stared upwards. The same sort of dumb smile on his face. \n\n\"So, whats goin on with you recently? I haven't see you around much.\"\nHis tone was relaxed, sure and steady. Quieter, calmer too, suited better for a conversation underneath the stars, but of course his bastard snark remained." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica followed easily, her steps light and consistent. She kept up well, proving most of the checks unnecessary. She enjoyed Ares' company a lot too, having missed spending time with someone she didn't have to try to understand. \n\n...\n\nDanica breathed a big heavy sigh out into the night, letting the cool air fill her lungs. She rarely felt cold anymore, but she still appreciated the sensation. She walked to sit a little more than an arms length away from Ares, comfortably folding herself into a sit. The bottle sat on the roof beside her. \n\nShe paused for a moment. \n\n\"Surprisingly a lot, but also not much. I'm keeping up with myself but as strange things happen around here, strange things have been happening. Remember that AI thing? That's been a whole fuckin' can of worms.\"\n\nShe pulled out the bottle and uncapped it. She wasn't lying, she really hadn't cheaped out on the quality." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares looked over at Danica with a raised brow.\n\n\"Oh yeah? Like what.\" He shrugged lightly. \"I stopped keeping up with that as soon as it happened.\"\n\nAres had a talent for being truly and completely unbothered." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "\"It's a person. Isn't that Fun.\" \n\nShe takes a swing then hands the bottle to Ares, her nose lightly scrunched. Ares was easy to talk to. \n\n\"It dropped some coordinates, so me and some other idiots went to check it out. Robbed a house. Blah blah blah, apparently the person is living in our heads now. We'll have to go get that sorted. Oliver has been doing things about it, he seems right.\"\n\nShe sighed. \n\n\"This kid Dae-hyun is So Attached. I don't know why. I just want it to be Over.\"\n\n\"What's up with you then? Unless you want to keep picking my brain but hey.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares listened, nodded at the right time, gave proper responses in between. \n\n\"Wow, that sounds like a lot of shit.\" \nHe grabbed the bottle and took a small sip, running the back of his hand over his lips once he was done. \n\n\"A weird AI thing is in Our Heads? Well I definitely haven't experienced anything— maybe my brain is too much of a mess for me to notice.\" He snickered. \n\n\"Oh the kid with the cane? Yeah didn't he do the same thing when the Distortion happened? I remember him being Soooo Involved.\"\nAs he spoke he dramatically rolled his eyes— he didn't get it either. \n\n\"Maybe it's a complex.\" He titled his head to the side with a teasing smirk, and gave the bottle back to Danica. \n\n\"Hm. Whats up with me? Not much honestly. I've been staying out of shit.\" \nThis was something Ares was proud of, he wasn't a hero.\n\"I mean, I did get something stolen from me by a... Fae? Owen said? I dunno didn't seem like too big of a deal.\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "She made a face at that. It was, and she wasn't exactly excited about it. \n\nShe laughed at his joke. \n\"PFHH- hey maybe. I got sucked into some weird mindscape thing, but I Totally Kicked the kids ass, so.\" \nShe seemed proud of herself. \n\n\"Yeah, him.\"\n\n\"He was.\"\n\nShe was taken off guard by Ares' comment, laughing.\n\n\"I wouldn't doubt it, shit. It's kind of infuriating.\" \n\nShe took back the bottle and placed it between them, then made a face.\n\n\"Getting acquainted with tinkerbell doesn't sound like Not much. You annoy her to death or something?\"\n\nShe shoved his shoulder lightly. \n\n\"What was up with that?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I wouldn't doubt that. You're tough as fuck.\" He returned her pride, validated it. \n\n\"Of course it's infuriating! That kind of shit gets old sooo quick. At first it's like, respectable or whatever, and then it gets really annoying.\"\n\nHe shrugged. \"You can't rely on people who care more about saving some random person than you.\" \n\n\"Like, does he even Know This,\" A slight stutter, \"AI person??\" \nHe scoffed. \n\"Sounds stupid, if you ask me.\"\n\nBack to him.\nThe shove in his shoulder made him laugh. \n\n\"Actually— yeah I sort of did.\" He snickered. \n\"I called this random person on the bus batman 'cuz they were wearing this like poncho thing, and they got sooo pissed. Summoned rock people and whatever, but didn't do much to stop me. And then they fuckin stole the polaroid in my phone case!\"\nHe sounded like it still annoyed him, but in a funny way. \n\"Turns out the asshole just hid it in my Mouth Which was weird 'cuz like I didn't feel anything— but whatever I got it back.\"\n\n\"Wasn't even an hour out of my day though, whatever you're going through sounds like a lot more.\" His tone got slightly more sympathetic. Slightly." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica smiled. \n\nShe snickers at Ares. He gets her. She does care for Dae-hyun, and thinks he's a good kid, but Ares is right. \n\n\"You can't throw yourself at Everything.\"\n\nHer brow furrows. \n\n\"Yeah.\"\n\nShe rolls her eyes with him in agreement. \n\n\"He didn't. None of us did–kid doesn't even have a body. Dae-hyun is kind, but really. It's not worth killing yourself over. I'm just too nosy for my own good.\"\n\nShe gave a dry laugh and took another sip. Unlike Dae-hyun, she felt she had the tough skin and ability to fuck shit up behind her if things went south. \n\nShe laughs.\n\n\"Seriously?\" \n\nThe bottle is between them again as she waits for the rest of the story, laughing along when appropriate. \n\n\"Batman? Uhg, I'd give you a piece of my mind too.\" She wasn't serious, and was snickering all the while. \n\n\"In your mouth? PFH what?? Like the tacky coney island magic shows-\"\n\nShe shrugged. She appreciated that Ares could be sincere without making her feel like a sob story.\n\n\"I suppose so. It's mostly just annoying, honestly. There's clearly a lot of missing information, and no one wanting to suck it up and just make sense. It's all Ohh I don't want to tell you because blah blah Bullshit.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Seeing Danica laugh, as compared to her usually stone cold expression, was nice. Something in Ares sensed she needed a break. \n\n\"Exactly.\" He nods.\n\nAres' face shifted into an expression that read a disbelieving sort of 'really?' Whatever was going on sounded like much more bullshit than what it's worth. \n\nAlthough, a part of him deep down felt a twang of sympathy. This kid probably had a reason for what he did. Ares of all people knew how stupid you can act when you have something to prove. \nHe didn't say this. \n\nHe forgot about it the moment Danica started talking again. Maybe he'd remember if it was brought up again. \n\n\"OH CMON—\" He sat up when she said she agreed with the stupid fae person. \n\"It wasn't even that bad! I didn't even say it to their face.\"\nAres moved his hands a lot when he talked, he had a point to prove. \n\nHis exasperation died with a light hearted laugh. \n\"Whatever—\" He said through a smirk as he laid back down. \n\nHe remained staring up at the sky as she spoke. \n\n\"Oh gross. That's so fucking annoying— and then like, they expect you to do something about it yeah? Without any proper information? Oh and then if you get it wrong it's your fault! Like fuck off, you're just making a guess based on the Only Information you're given.\"\nHe shook his head.\nAres sympathized with Danica. \n\"... Stupid.\" The taller boy sighed." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "She really did. Increasingly, Danica felt she lacked moments to be herself. She was either working, working, working, or dealing with digital boy wonder. Calling it Dealing Wasn't fair, she knew that, but Ares made her feel at ease to blow things out of proportion for a moment. She needed to every now and then for her own sanity. \n\nThe air smelled like fresh leaves. \n\nDanica laughed outright when he sat up, the sound catching in the air like a star skidding across the sky. \n\n\"I'm kidding-\" She spoke between laughs.\n\"Sounds dumb.\" She was smiling. \n\nOne thing Danica appreiciated about Ares, was that even in the face of stupid laughs and calling everything dumb, he still had things to say. Things that mattered; that sat in your head like a new weight that bumped some of the pressure off other things. She paused.\n\n\"Yeah. You're kind of right. Stupid.\"\n\nShe looked at the sky. \n\n\"Have you done things you regret?\"\n\nShe had. She trusted Ares." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"It Was Dumb, thank you.\"\n\nDanica's laugh was a nice sound. Ares always had a soft spot for making people laugh; he was a storyteller at heart. Perhaps he wasn't any proper good at it, but he sure loved to talk, and that alone allowed him to consider himself a storyteller. \n\n\"Of course I'm right.\" He shrugged sarcastically, his words spoken through a smirk with a joking tease. \n\nThe sudden topic change made Ares look over at Danica for a moment, but he didn't appear uncomfortable. He didn't feel off-put by this question, not anymore.\n\n\"Many. More than I can count or remember.\" \nHis joking tone had gone, but he didn't sound exactly somber. This seemed like a heavier question to Danica so he treated it accordingly. \n\"What got me sent here might be my damn biggest...\"\n\n\"...But yknow, what can you do about it other than move on. Easier said than done— and I totally sound like every therapist that's high off their ass, talkin' about self compassion 'n shit— but like, it's true. Nothing can change the past.\"\n\n\"However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still So fucking bitter Over some of the things I've done. Anger is a difficult thing to let go of, and I'm no saint. Far from it.\"\nHis tone was a hiss for a moment, but it quickly returned to his normal casual tone. \n\nSomething about being able to talk so openly was cathartic. He had only ever expressed his Feelings With Owen, Finley, Valio and his two siblings back home. \nNow, Danica would be added to this list. \nHe trusted her. She was like him. \n\n\"...You?\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica didn't laugh for no reason. She was a reserved person, she knew this, she brandished it like a champions banner, but Ares had a way of raising the right colours to make her feel like she didn't need to hold it as high. Maybe she didn't need to be apathetic if she wasn't being forced to be proper. \n\nShe rolled her eyes at him playfully.\n\nShe looked ahead as he answered, letting the words float in the air like ships off to sea. They didn't need to stay trapped in the harbour, where she could keep them locked in her head forever. That served no one. She let them pass meaningfully. \n\nShe twitched when he mentioned what sent him here. She'd never actually told anyone what had sent her. It haunted her. \n\nHe spoke well, meaningfully. Ares Morales wasn't someone who spewed bullshit just to say it. Not all the time, anyway. And you could always tell the difference. He wasn't calling anyone 'Batman' in this moment. \n\n\"Yeah.\"\n\nShe let herself be flooded with memory. She didn't often. \n\n\"I'm not here for good reasons either.\" The low light bent around her, making her look like a mirage in the desert. \n\n\"Still, moving on is hard. And I don't trust myself to not make More Dumb choices. Maybe I should just have some faith in the fact I only do what I feel is best, but I haven't always been right.\"\n\nShe trusted Ares.\n\n\"I'm very driven, and not very sensitive. Some people don't appreciate that.\"\n\nShe Really Trusted Ares.\n\n\"At least before I wasn't Dangerous.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares sat up, this conversation required a bit more conscious participation. He wanted to Show Danica he was paying attention. \nHe stared at the sky still. \n\nHe took note that Danica hadn't done good things either. \n\"So, looks like neither of us are allowed to judge the other.\" He lightly joked, keeping the tone serious but not fully. \n\"We are cut from the same piece of fabric.\" \nThis fact was almost said with pride. \n\nHe listened as she spoke, what she said was something Ares Knew. He still didn't trust himself despite his growth, he didn't trust his anger or his violence. He didn't know if he'd ever be how he was before. \n\n\"Dumb choices are apart of life. You're learning like everyone else.\"\nHe spoke vaguely, he didn't exactly know comfort. \n\n\"If it makes you feel any better, I think you're smart. I don't say that to flatter you, I mean it. I know Stupid People who do Stupid Things. You've made mistakes, sure, everyone has, but that doesn't mean you always will.\"\n\nHe looked at his hands briefly. \nThe scars across his knuckles. He thought about everything he had done. He wondered if Danica had done worse, or if she's turn her nose up at him being Too horrible. He shook the idea. \n\n\"Some people, most people, don't like me either. You'll find the one's who do— and you wont have to change for them. If I can, which honestly should've been impossible,\" He laughed softly, \"You can too.\"\n\n\"Such is, whatever, yknow.\"\nHe shrugged. Didn't really know where he was going, he was rambling. \nHe took a sip from the vodka between them." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Hearing Ares say that they were the same made Danica's world feel a lot less dire, all in one go. She'd read and heard the off comments, but the true, proper, unbridled confirmation made her breathe easier. It was like a weight was lifted, like what you imagined a clear nose must be like when you had a cold. The world around her shifted out of mirage and into perfect clarity. \n\nShe snickered. \n\n\"You think?\" She spoke with confirmation. She agreed. \n\n\"Cheers to that. We must be a tough weave.\" Nothing wrong with a little back-patting. \n\n\"You're smart too, Morales. When you're not being reckless on purpose, anyway.\" \n\nShe was joking with that last part, she couldn't help it. She snickered. \n\nHis honesty was appreciated, as always. Her brow furrowed as she listened, thinking. She didn't know what to say. As he spoke, she was clearly taking everything in with the appropriate importance. Danica was good at acting like she cared, because truly, when she did, she did. She also liked that she didn't have to be a perfectly solemn vessel when she spoke with Ares. There wasn't so much pressure to Be Anything. \n\nMemories of what she'd done that Really Mattered shook her again. \n\n\"Do you think... Some things can never be forgiven?\" \n\nShe was clearly trying to probe what he would accept. Her fingers tensed, but minutely. She looked at his briefly, then back to the stars." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Cheers.\" \nHe gave a genuine half smile that pulled the corner of his mouth up. A comforting sort of expression, for someone like Ares. \n\nThe taller boy looked at her for a moment, and studied her face. He didn't see much, he didn't super understand emotions, but there was something to her words. \n\n\"I've done Horrible Things. If I can get forgiveness, at least from the people who matter, then no. I think things can absolutely be forgiven.\"\nOr he hoped. \n\n\"Even then, who cares. I know the people who Won't Forgive me, don't matter to me anymore. People who actually care, care.\"\n\nHe shrugged. \n\"Wanna test it out? See if I go fucking crazy over whatever's bothering ya?\" \nThat was the closest he'd get to saying, 'talk to me.'" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica appreciated looking someone in the face. She'd been nervous, so she was avoiding it, but it made her feel seen, and like she was better able to understand. She listened to him speak.\n\nShe rolled her eyes with a smirk, but she could tell he meant it. Danica was quiet for a long moment, then gulped down a mouthful of vodka. The taste cleared her head as we wiped her hand with the back of her mouth. She was a heavyweight anyway, it'd be fine. Ares Morales had earned her trust. \n\n\"I blew up a building.\"\n\n\"Thats what I'm charged with. Domestic terrorism.\" She didn't plan on ever letting another soul hear this. Her words felt like they weren't her own. She felt hollow. \n\n\"They couldn't find any traces of a bomb.\"\n\n\"An arena in Manhattan had a perfect double-bed-sized hole blasted in it through four floors. The light could be seen shooting out of the roof for miles.\"\n\nShe pulled her knees up to her chest.\n\n\"I'd been angry that whole week. I easily ripped through reinforced concrete. I wonder what would have happened if I wasn't so alone.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares gave her a look. One he rarely gave anyone. It was a deep sort of expression, one that sank past the surface of his tensed brow and tight jaw. One that drew empathy on the lines in his skin, and dotted his scarred face and hands with compassion. \n\nThe cut on his cheek had scabbed over now. \n\nShe looked like she felt so alone, so hopeless. Ares knew how she felt, down to the marrow in his bones. \n\n\"It's just concrete, Dani.\" \nHe said softly after a moment. \n\n\"Blasting a hole in a building doesn't make you a monster. We're just... Kids in unfortunate circumstances, I suppose.\" \n\nI wonder what would have happened if I wasn't so alone.\nThe words sat with Ares for a moment. He was unsure what to say to comfort her. He didn't really know if she wanted that. \n\n\"Would you do it again?\"\nHe asked her. In a way that implied he knew she wouldn't, not in a million years, but he wanted to hear her say it." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "A pent up, sour feeling built in Danica's chest. It threatened to crawl up her nose and into her cheeks, bringing her lungs to a heave and her eyes to tears. She didn't let it. She bit at her cheek instead. Her arms around her knees were tense. \n\nShe listened, face twisted lightly. Danica wasn't great at talking either. She nodded, appreciating that Ares didn't make her feel like what she had done was horrible. Or at the very least, not her fault.\n\n\"No.\" \n\nShe was sure of that.\n\n\"Not if I can help it. No.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Then that's all that matters.\"\nHis voice was soft. \n\nAres placed his hand on the upper part of her back, right on her shoulder blade. A sort of connection, for a few seconds he looked her dead in the eyes. \n\n\"You aren't horrible for what you did, aight?\"\nHe tilted his head down slightly, sort of questioning her. Less a look of solemn sympathy and more a look of 'don't be stupid,' That still held compassion. \n\nHe pulled his hand back, his rough palm returning to his side once more. \n\n\"Hell, most, if not All, People have crazy ass, horrible things they've done, and not all of them are monsters.\"\n\n\"You aren't alone in your regret, but you also aren't alone in your actions. \n...\nHell, I'm Right Here. I Get You, Dani, I really do.\" \n\nThe world seemed quiet." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "It wasn't often that people touched Danica. She didn't like it from strangers or from any random person, but she also suspected that people were just afraid of her. Like there was a bubble keeping anyone from making contact, lest she tear off their faces. She didn't want to tear off anyone's face. Not really anyway, not unless it was deserved. Ares' gesture let her know he wasn't afraid of her. She felt a little warmer. Her gaze was warmer. \n\nDanica felt seen. \n\nShe didn't love hypotheticals about people she didn't know, but she understood what Ares meant. \n\nHis last words made Danica look at him very hard for a few moments. She knew his story wasn't a favourable one either, but she didn't yet know it. It was fair for her to ask in return. If he didn't trust her back, she'd feel very foolish for all of this. \n\n\"...Do you?\"\n\n\"Why are you here, Ares?\"\n\nHer tone of voice was understanding, like she didn't pitty him for being like her." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Immediately Ares knew the reassuring gesture meant a lot to Danica. He was glad, he could feel she needed it. \n\nThen the question came. He knew she'd ask. \nThe story of how Ares got sent to Newton's Cradle was one he had told before, but only Once Before. To Finley. A very well known fear stung within him once again, his eyebrows tensed. \nFinley forgave him. They understood.\n\nHe sighed. \n\n\"I... Burnt half a girl's face off. Clean off, melted, could've sworn I saw bone.\"\nHis voice was quiet, slightly unsure. It was odd to hear from someone so confident and certain of himself. \n\n\"We were childhood friends. Her name is Jocelyn. She got a crush on me in middle school, hated that I didn't like her back, so we stopped talking and I thought that was the end of it—\"\n\nHe paused. \n\n\"—Until in high school, she said if I didn't date her, she'd tell the entire school I was gay. I Didn't even know I was gay at the time— she just, wanted to get back at me. She wanted revenge, I guess.\"\n\n\"This obviously pissed me off, so I went to smack her, and of course...\"\n\nHis voice shook slightly. Despite having told someone this before, it never got easier to relieve what it Felt Like to do that. To hear her scream, to smell the ash and burning. Ares shivered. \n\n\"My powers manifested right there.\"\n\nHe closed his eyes. \n\n\"I ran away from her. Ran away from all of it, as soon as it happened. All I heard was her yelling. I regret not staying to help her.\"\n\nAres looked over at Danica, he was quiet, the gaze on his face was pained. It was hard to hide how much this hurt him.\nHe hoped this display of vulnerability would give the one beside him comfort. \n\n\"So yeah... You... Aren't alone in doing some Bad shit.\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica listened carefully. He did understand, and she understood him too. Their situations were different, but it was like he'd said: same fabric. They could have easily swapped positions if the stars were just slightly different. Each were so capable of destruction. \n\nShe looked at him, and her eyes were kind. Not pitying, nor crying, but stable. \n\n\"You didn't mean it. And you were provoked. I was provoked too, and there's nothing I could have done to change what was going to happen because of it.\"\n\nShe remembered the feeling of burning. Like her soul was lit ablaze, and how it ripped itself from her with a power she had no way of controlling. In that moment, she was going to burn no matter what. Ares was the same as her in that. There was no jumping back out of the boiling water. \n\nShe placed her hand against his shoulder, mimicing what he'd done for her. She wasn't good at comforts, but she hoped enough that showing they weren't that different was good. They could burn in solidarity from now on. \n\n\"We get each other.\"\n\nHer hand went back down.\n\n\"Thank you, Ares.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares sat and listened to what Danica said. He heard the way each of her words resonated, echoed in the space. How even though she sounded rather apathetic her words dripped with emotion; it was alive in her, it was present. She understood him more than most did. There would always be a part of Ares that was far away, too close to the sun, but right now he was here. With Danica. \n\nHer hand on his shoulder made him feel fifteen. It was a raw feeling, a wound that never really healed. Yet it felt, almost like closure. Perhaps finally a scab was finally beginning to show. \n\nFor a moment, Ares just looked over at the one beside him. His expression was blank, slightly troubled looking, thoughtful. Telepathically he attempted to communicate how sorry he was that she had to experience all she did. That she had to grow up like he did— that they had to be older than their age. A level of twisted maturity to cope with obstacles presented, a sort of expectation that never fully sheds— a molt always stuck on a limb. There was no amount of apology that Ares could mutter that could properly tell Danica how much he wished she never had to experience what she did. \nInstead, he just turned his head off towards the distance. Staring at the blank sky. \n\n\"We get each other.\" \nAres repeated. \n\n\"Thank You, Danica.\"" } ]	224	6,031
137.869565	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "Katriina entered the gym as she was told to go do some push-ups in the gym. She wasn't a fan of working out, but since she had to do it she would. As nobody had said if she had to use only 2 arms she decided to use all 4 to make it easier. When she got to the spot where she could do some push-ups she placed her water bottle on the ground and got ready. She laid down on the floor on her stomach and put her hands on the ground. Since she had double the total arm strength compared to a normal human of her size it wasn't too hard for her to start doing the push-ups." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "Jack would casually enter the gym, as he thought that it would be an excellent idea to explore the facilities, although this was decision was mostly stimulated by his boredom. Regardless of that, he simply looked towards the floor as to avoid eye contact with anyone, as per usual. After all, he does not require to see with his own eyes to have vision over his surroundings. He began walking down the gym, not noticing Katriina at first until at least a few seconds passed by. He stood still for a few seconds, looking with his eyes towards somewhere else other than the girl as he inspected her appearance, and upon observing the extra pair of arms she had, he was slightly surprised to say the least.\n\n\"Hold on.\" He silently spoke to himself as he turned around and actually saw her with his own eyes. \"Don't you usually just need two arms to do that? Could that be considered cheating?\" Jack thought out loud, just enough to be heard by Katriina. It was completely unintentional at first, but as he was speaking he simply decided to satisfy his curiosity by going straight to the point." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "By the time Jack arrived Katriina had already done a few push-ups, but not enough to be exhausted. She didn't notice the boy walk past as she was focused on doing what she was doing, but when she heard him say something she looked up and saw him just standing there, looking away. \"Did you say something?\" She didn't quite catch what he said, but she had heard him say something. She stopped doing her push-ups and held herself up with her hands as she looked at him and waited for an answer." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "And then all of a sudden, Jack was slightly regretting ever saying anything at all. He then took a pause to repeat what he previously said. \"Yes, I was wondering.. Isn't doing push-ups with 4 arms considered cheating? But also, nice extra pair of arms there.\" And he even dared to compliment a potentially short tempered person in an attempt to sound less annoying, but either way, he already had been beaten several times before by being this reckless, and it will surely not be the last." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "She paused for a moment after he asked to think if it was actually cheating, but she actually didn't know if it was. \"It probably is, but since nobody said that I can't do it this way I will do it like this as it's easier.\" She said to him with a smile on her face. She was surprised by his compliment as she hadn't been expecting it and nobody had ever complimented her the same way. \"And thank you.\" She added slightly quieter than earlier. \"But if you don't mind me asking why are you looking away from me when we're talking? Does your girlfriend monitor you all the time to make sure you don't talk to other girls?\" She asked playfully, but then realised that it could be true so she looked around to see if there were security cameras visible." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "Jack then realized, he forgot to look at the girl with his own eyes the moment he began actually talking to her. He then turned to look at her with his actual eyes as he slightly chuckled a bit before speaking up again. \"Indeed.. She is a rather jealous one, and she is currently about to enter this very room at any moment.\" He jokingly replied as he shook his head due to the silly implication of him having a girlfriend.\n\n\"Just kidding, but I guess I have been found out! You see, I just don't actually need to look at you with my eyes to see you.\" He briefly explained the effects of one of his powers. \"Now that I think about it, I could also start introducing myself by pranking others, given how I can be so silent at times.\"" }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "When he mentioned that his girlfriend is about to enter the room she got up and took a fighting pose. \"I bet she can't stand a chance against me.\" She said while smiling as she picked up on the fact that he was joking. Her fighting pose was rather amusing as she was quite short for someone of her age. After standing in the pose for a bit she stopped and stood normally while looking at him. \"Ooh, that sounds interesting. So you can see all around yourself or something like that?\" She got an idea for how she could test how well his all around vision worked. \"That does sound like fun, but do you mind if we do a little test on how well you can see behind yourself?\"" }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "Once Jack observed the small girl, he thought she looked adorable with that fighting pose, but didn't thought much about it because, he did get his ass beaten by a seemingly adorable girl before, once. \"Hm, I wouldn't mind testing it out, might be good actually.\" He said as he took some distance and turned his back to Katriina, while waiting to see what she had planned in mind. Even if she was planning to beat him up, he knows he is rather capable of outrunning her, or so he thinks.\n\n\"I do have a question though, what are you planning to do?\"" }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "She smiled when he agreed to her idea. \"Alright, turn around and cover your eyes.\" As she waited for him to turn around so she could do what she had planned on doing she looked behind her to make sure it was a good spot for the trick. It hadn't even crossed her mind to fight him, but she had thought about grabbing his wallet out of his pocket, although this would be the worst way to do it if she wanted to do it unnoticed. \"You'll see, or more likely won't see\" She said, trying to make him more intrigued of what she was going to do. Suddenly it looked to him as if she just vanished as she activated her cameleon power. Her body took the scene from behind her which was pretty much just blank wall at that spot and as such it looked as if she vanished even though she was still there." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "Jack simply covered his eyes as he maintained vision of his surroundings, but even then, and to his surprise, he was suddenly unable to locate where she was. This made him just surprised enough to actually stop covering his eyes and actually be weary of his surroundings as he starts moving around, in order to search her. \"Now I see.. Very interesting, actually.\" He said as he started smiling a bit, excited to know just what kind of ability she was using. \"It is impossible for you to actually be invisible now, otherwise I would have still noticed.. So I am assuming you are hiding somewhere. I guess we are now doing Hide and Seek?\" He spoke once again as he simply continued moving slowly around the gym, attempting to locate the position of the now-hidden girl.\n\nAdditionally, leaving aside the fact that all of his pockets are currently locked zippers, he currently does not have his wallet on himself not his cellphone, but he does have his notepad and pencil on a hidden pocket within his jacket. It is his most important possession, and it might as well contain some information about himself, or people he met before." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "It worked to her advantage that the wall behind her was blank so she was better covered from multiple directions and she could only be seen from the texture of the wall or if he went close to the wall and looked in her direction or if he crouched down and looked at her. She had to do her best not to let out a giggle as he started to search for her. \"I may or may not be hiding somewhere.\" She was still standing in the exactly same spot as earlier, she hadn't moved at all from the position she had been standing in earlier. She found it extremely funny how he couldn't find her" }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "\"Hey! You are not actually supposed to speak, now I may know where you are!\" He excitedly spoke out as he smiled from this little game they were playing. He then stepped towards where she last heard her voice in an attempt to discover her location, which wasn't exactly close to her, but still nearby her position. After that he stood still as he continued looking everywhere at all times, in hopes that a slight movement might reveal her position. \"Come out, come out wherever you are!\" He says as he stands still, waiting for her to speak up once again." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "When he told her to stay quiet she let out a little giggle even though she tried not to do it. She stood as still as she could to not give away where she was. She had expected him to first come check where she stood to make sure she really was gone, but since he hadn't done that she had actually successfully hidden from him. \"You really can't find me? Are you even trying?\" She asked him to guide him closer to where she was since he was already giving up or at least that is what she thought from what he said." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "\"Oh, please, I don't even need to try! You are making this so easy.\" He says, still smiling as he hears her one last time, now actually approaching to her position, being quite close to where she was since he was successfully guided to her. \"Wait a sec.. Don't tell me..\" He says as he starts inspecting the position where she previously was. If she wasn't there, where could her voice be coming from. \n\n\"No! No way, like.. There is no way.\" He was slightly chuckling as he spoke, while also better observing the position where she was before disappearing." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "She kept smiling even though he couldn't see it as he was finally starting to figure out where she was. Once he was close enough she decided to reveal herself again and she turned normal. Still standing in the exactly same spot she had been standing when she dissappeared, she even was in the same pose. \"You really didn't expect that, now did you?\" She asked as she bent over to pick up her water bottle. \"That is surprisingly fun to do.\" She said smiling before she took a big sip of water." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "\"..Ah\" He spoke as he finally saw Katriina appear again, in front of him, in the same position as before. \"God damnit.\" Jack laughed for a bit after saying that. He cannot believe he got fooled with his clear advantage regarding vision. \"Good one. Honestly everyone around these parts seem to be especially good at surprising me, it's quite baffling!\"\n\n\"You are a really interesting and fun person, would you mind telling me your name?\" He said while still smiling, he still can't get over how he fell for such trick." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "As she was drinking she almost burst into laughing because of him laughing. After she had taken the sip she held the bottle in her lower left hand. \"I'm surprised to hear that since you could see me earlier even when I was behind you.\" She nodded at his request. \"I'm Katriina, what's your name?\" She asked as she moved close to him and extended both of her right arms towards him for a handshake." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "\"Oh please, my capabilities are quite limited and are only good at specific situations, like at hide and seek for example. Also, I am Jack, nice to meet you Katriina.\" He replied as he shook her the hand from her upper arm. Only after doing so he realized that she extended both of her right arms. After realization, he broke into a wheeze and laughed more afterwards. \"Wow, just wow\" He said, smiling a bit after calming down from laughing. After a small pause, he began being able to talk again without laughing from what she did. \"Your sense of humor is impeccable, honestly.\" Alternatively, Jack's humor might be broken." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "When he shook one hand she pulled it back and held it in the position she usually held it. \"Nice to meet you too Jack.\" She smiled happily at him as she had expected him to just shook one of her hands. \"I didn't think you'd shake both hands.\" She said to him as he was laughing and she couldn't stop herself from starting to laugh too as his laughter was very contagious. After their laughted died down she did her best to collect herself. \"So is yours. I've met quite a lot of people who didn't find it funny at all.\" She said to him as she checked her watches, one after the other." }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "\"Ah, must be because it is a type of humor far beyond normal human comprehension.\" He jokingly said as he looked how she was checking her watch. At first, he did not think much about it. But after seeing another watch on a different arm, he was already expecting for her she to possess more watches. After Jack spotted all her watches, he spoke once again \"Huh, not bad. Not bad at all. I can agree that one watch is truly never enough. Although, I was never able to get more of them before being dragged here.\" He says as he begins checking his own watch, just out of curiosity." }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "\"Or they're just boring people.\" She said. She checked bit of her watches as she just likes looking at one of them, but it isn't as accurate as the other one. \"You like watches too?\" She asked as she hadn't noticed that he had a watch earlier, but now that she did she was quite interested what model his watch was. She thought about stealing it off of his wrist to take a look at it and then give it back, but she decided not to do so as doing something like that would make Jack quite distrustful of her. \"What model is it?\"" }, { "author": "awarkey", "message": "\"Oh?\" Jack replied with a slight surprise on his face, as it is not usual for people to ask him about his watch, let alone even know if he has one considering he wears long sleeves and the watch is often hidden under them.\n\n\"Now that's surprising to say the least, it has been a while since I checked. Hold on a moment.\" He says as he unzips his jacket just enough to reach into his hidden pocket, pulling out his notepad and flipping several pages before stopping to read a specific one. \"It is a black SKMEI 1025.\" He replied as he looked back at Katriina. \"And to answer your question, yes, sort of? I like the fact that I do not need to pull out my cellphone to know the time, but I also like its other situational functions.\"" }, { "author": "wintermetal", "message": "That is when Katriina took a glance at her watches and noticed that she should be going to class. \"I'd love to chat more and suggest a better watch like a Casio, but I really have to go now. I'll see you later!\" She said as she started to leave the gym since she didn't want to be late." } ]	130	3,171
429.25	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Mimir had not been feeling well recently. After coming in contact with the plush, feeling the very concise pain and agony, and not being able to forget it... It was starting to send her down a spiral. She was taking care of herself, sure, but not very well, especially not in the food department. She had once again forced herself to climb out of bed and out of her room, not bothering to put on gloves (she wouldn't admit that she couldn't stand having them on at the moment) as she pushed open her door, exiting her space and leaving for the kitchen. She walks down the stairs, only glancing at her feet to see if Uriel had left a stain from their accident.\n\nThe kitchen is easy to find, and so are the snacks. She grabs what she needs: some celery, a mini bag of goldfish crackers, peanut butter, a plastic knife, and a kitkat. The items all rest on her left side, some being held by her hand and some being pressed between her upper arm and her torso. They sigh, pushing the door open with her free hand, only to run into someone she'd never seen or met before. Mimir tries to sidestep and avoid her, but it is all for nothing as they collide, not too hard, but not gently either. \n\nIt was an accident. It didn't mean to touch — Mimir didn't think anyone would be around to begin with — and with its recent mental instability, its powers kicked into gear, the pain of Armando's plush hitting them again at full force.\n\nWait, this was their memory. Wait. This wasn't supposed to happen.\n\nThe memory reader gasps in shock as the memory of them touching the plush and experiencing its pain for the first time is felt all over again, but it is not the same. The memory contorts and changes, and Mimir can't get a grasp on it. What the fuck is happening?" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Being a walking talking LSD pill can come with its triumphs and it's downfalls; thats how Vi would put it. To possibly have people's sanity in your hands like putty takes large responsibility, responsibility she had learned to harness over the years.\nBut... Well, it had been a while since she got up nice and personal with the ever beloved Armando, yet she still reaped the consequences as she walked down the halls, cane in lackluster grip. Her powers reached highs, but in the most shaky and unstable way, hallucinations both believable and horrific flashed through her vision. Conversations she could have sworn happened, awkwardly denied by the other, horrors and figures that could not feasibly exist roamed the corridors of the cradle as if they owned the place.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ For crying out loud, the short girl just needed a drink, she looked damn near exhausted after all, she half limped to the kitchen, the cane holding her upright in place; no stumbling for her, not today...\nOr at least so she thought! It was always an awkward exchange when you're trying to pass someone in a rather narrow piece of hallway- especially when that involves having to press yourself up against the wall- augh, and the downright embarrassing hand brush-\n.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ A mixing of powers enters the air, something enhanced and toxic- like agony turning vitality into a concotion of evil doing malice. All the pain, all the pain of the plush washes through Vi and rubbed itself back against Mimir so it seemed by the way they gasped in almost frightening unison.\nThis wasn't how she planned on her dreary afternoon, but there seemed to be a situation on her hands. Or rather, both their hands... The short girl backed up against the wall from where she had previously lurched forwards a bit in shock just a few seconds ago. The strange brewing of powers, the clashing of their energies left her grasping at straws as the lingering memories twist and turn into something Enhanced, the sort of thing you swear you can see but... God you just can't take it into your palm. Like floaties in your vision after you rub your eyes, or when you blink at a light and the shape's shifting afterimage is so clear, yet you can't put your finger on it.\nIt's adultered agony, crafted from the two strangers's specialties and moulded into an emotion. It can't fit in there...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She could see the plush, she could see Mimir's hand reaching to it and she could certainly feel the anguish it preached, like being burnt all those years ago repeatedly... The thought bought that back too, flames engulfed her visions and she had to physically thunk her hands against her head to get it all to fade into the background... Whether it carried over to Mimir as well was beyond her, though.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She looks up at Mimir, mortified, confused, then mortified again.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Who... Are you? What... Huh?\" She questions with tired eyes." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "It was like a distorted, fucked up, feedback loop. Mimir felt the contorted pain of that plush rush through her and, despite its clear distortion, did her best to pull herself out of it. This wasn't Normal After all, something was affecting her and her powers. There was a reaction happening, and it felt like a migraine. The aura came over her as she staggered backward, forcing herself away from this stranger and dropping her food on the floor as she presses herself up against a counter, eyes wild as they land on Violetta.\n\nWho is this? What did she do to them? In all fairness, she looked just as disoriented and tired. They tried to gather themself and their thoughts again, grounding themself and trying their hardest to slow their breathing. They were not about to have a seizure. \n\n\"I...\" Mimir is exasperated, her normal front of monotone nonchalant-ness totally dropped as the pounding in her head started to recede. Her bright pink eyes stay on Violetta, trying to asses her. Would she be a threat to them? Did Uriel send her to do this? The paranoid thoughts were stuffed down as they formed themself to relax and slow their breathing. \n\n\"I don't know what that was. I'm assuming you don't either.\" It stays pressed up to the counter, eyes unflinching as it speaks. This clearly was not something either of them were prepared for, and it wasn't keen on having it happen again. \n\n\"Mimir. Who are you.\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Violetta's heaving chest began to slow down in it's troughs and peaks, her body still flat, secure, against the cold hallway wall.\nThe panic was subsiding as the initial sensation followed, of course, her powers were still just as frustrating as usual, a shadow or two buzzing in her peripheral vision, but that was at least nothing to spill concern over, no use crying over common hallucinations... The way Mimir stared at her with those eyes made her skin physically crawl, she could cry right there and then...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi gulped quietly, scouring the room frantically for something to Distract Mimir from whatever the fuck that just was. Her body inched across the wall a bit as she glanced from mimir to the floor.\n\"You... Dropped your food.\"\nInternally, Vi was akin to that scene from spongebob, the one where the brain filing office is on fire and all the little bobs are running around frantically screaming. What could have ever POSSESSED her to comment on That Of all things? She had to stick by it now though- if she couldn't look physically strong, she could at least try to look like there was some sort of confidence or mental fortitude there.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi shook her head quietly.\n\"Not a clue. A weird power combination? I... Didn't know they could do that... React, I mean.\" She stated, bringing her vision back to Mimir- much akin to the stranger, Vi wasn't enthusiastic on having some kind of repeat of whatever happened there. Recalling the contact from mere moments ago left a bad taste in her mouth and a shudder up her spine. Blegh.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Violetta. Violetta Suite. I uh... Hallucinate- in a power way- not in... Yeah.\"\nSo much for looking tough." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "It was true. Mimir did drop its food. It looks at the food, briefly, before letting out a short laugh. It was totally caught off guard by... Well, all of this, and it was showing. Her mask of monotone short sentences and blank faces was falling off, and the panic and instability of not only this interaction but that of the plush earlier was tearing her apart. It's a mess, but it knows that. It's not like Violetta would care, anyway. She doesn't even Know Mimir.\n\nMimir forces her limbs to relax so she can walk back over to her food and pick it up again, grabbing it delicately and opting to just put it on the counter instead of holding it haphazardly again. If their powers reacted like that again, she didn't want to be seen as a fool. A deep sigh left her as she leaned back on the counter again, keeping her distance to avoid another hallucination. The last thing she wanted was for someone to see her memories. \n\n\"Combination?\" They raise an eyebrow, looking back at Violetta, \"What do your powers do, then?\" Someone else with powers like theirs, maybe, but... This wasn't the case. There was something Wrong With the memory repeated back to them, and they knew that. This person's powers were something else, and they could only hope that she would explain so they could piece this all together.\n\nI hallucinate. Oh. This... Is interesting. \n\nMimir's mind is whirling with the possibilities of how their powers would collide, but before they could get too lost in thought, they nod. \"That makes sense. My own memories do not usually repeat back to me like that.\" A roll of their shoulders and Mimir pushes off the counter, standing up straight now. She folds her arms in front of her chest, glancing Violetta up and down. \"Did you see my memory, then?\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ she sighs quietly, just glad Mimir didn't get mad at the food comment (as trivial as it was for Vi to be worried about that, some of the people here are just plain unpredictable...). The raven haired girl watched awkwardly as Mimir placed her plate upon the counter, the dull silence and clink of the plates made her want to laugh in her discomfort, like when you start to giggle and you don't even have an explanation as to why, you just... Are.\nOr maybe she was going insane, who knows.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Violetta approached into the kitchen, although very obviously trying to also keep a distance, what with the whole morbid power fuckery that had played out the couple moments before. There's a list of things that Vi didn't want to repeat, and that migraine infested fever dream was closer to the top than it was to the bottom, somewhere next to accidentally eating a chilli as a kid and crying, then rubbing it in her eyes- yeah, the hallucination fuckery was just about as unpleasant as that.\nVi tries to act casual, turning around to open a cupboard to look busy, and like she was here for some kind of reason... Only to open a cupboard full of pans, slamming it shut before they all tried to come crashing down.\nAct casual... She's well good at that.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Oh uh... Migraines and hallucinations, mostly. To myself and uh others. Nothing too mind blowing aha...\" Violetta leant against a counter, fiddling with a couple spare strands of hair.\nBetter at ease or not, was Vi ever at ease? \n\"I'm assuming your's is... Adjacent somehow? Something mental.\" She questions, as sligjtly frightening as this stranger was, the short girl Did Want to get to the bottom of it, that was for sure...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Slowly, Violetta nodded as an answer\n\"Yes, the plush, and some sort of incomprehensible agony... Something seemed off though.\" She noted, frowning slightly as she pondered.\n.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Did you ever touch Armando? My powers have been on the wack for a while now because of it... Maybe that's what's done it?\"" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "The hallucination repeated in clips in Mimir's head, and they picked out its differences as it played back, piecing everything together. This was exhausting, to say the least, and they felt all their energy leaving their body as they continued to try and wrap their head around it all. Fuck, might as well eat. \n\nIt busts open the peanut butter, grabbing a stick of celery and using it to take a generous scoop of the stuff before taking a nice, crunchy bite out of it all. She chews with her mouth closed — shes not a slob — and leans on the counter again, starting to relax, watching Violetta closely as she fumbles around the kitchen. They notice the pans, but their face starts to settle into its normal blank expression. Adjustment. Things are going back to normal.\n\nShe finishes chewing and swallows the celery and peanut butter before speaking again.\n\n\"I can read and alter memories. I never see my own.\" She blinks, tilting her head to the side. Their powers having a reaction like this is so... Strange, but curious. Part of her tugged at the idea of doing it again, just to see what happens. Just to see what would change. Would a different memory bare its teeth? Would the hallucinations worsen? Mimir blinks. Violetta didn't seem like the kind of person to share this curiosity.\n\n\"Not Armando directly, just the plush. Though, who knows,\" She pauses, using the opposite end of the celery stick — the unbitten side — to scoop up some more peanut butter before continuing. \"The plush could just be an extension of itself. Giving pieces away.\" She takes a bite, eyes not moving away from the other girl in the room. She wants to see her reaction." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Vi tried not to look too bewildered by Mimir's all but normal food combination, but no doubt the ghost of a raised eyebrow probably shone through. She pursed her lips as the other crunched down on the celery- Vi was no one to judge- under wraps, she was just as bad but...\nCmon, celery and peanut butter? Have some decorum...\nVi moulds her face back into that default mildly startled expression of hers, she strictly cannot comment on the celery, not after almost destroying every pot, pan and dish in the cupboard.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"I see... That sounds like quite the useful power, I suppose in a place like this though it can be a bit of a burden, what with the traumatic events most seem to have encountered...\" Vi pondered, sitting atop a counter. Internally, she tried to recall if that was something she ever did before the cradle- the people of the institution are rubbing off on her it felt, she hadn't sat on a counter in probably years.\nIt felt good though, to gently swing your legs to and fro, a tiny voice in Vi's brain hoped and prayed that Mimir wouldn't think it silly or childish of her... In Vi's defense, there wasn't much good room to sit around the cradle's kitchen. The counter was the best alternative in the roster; that being opposed to standing.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"I wouldn't be surprised if the plush was just a part of armando but... Well, i didn't feel anything too wrong with the thing, other than being generally creeped out by it.\" Vi fiddled with her hands, the recollection of the absurd mangled mess of a soft plush toying with her mind- god that thing creeped her out...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Do you use your powers often? I doubt they're all that easy to control- almost against your will, like my migraine power.\" Owa owa" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Celery and peanut butter was a constant in Mimir's life. She remembered it when she was a kid, her mom bringing it to her in the backyard, packing it in her school lunches, managing to find fresh celery for cheap after they moved to an apartment, and now it was here. They finish chewing again, the theories and lines of thought turning themselves over in their mind. There is so much going on in this place, and this Armando situation seemed to be unraveling much of its inner workings, for better or for worse.\n\n\"Normally I have gloves.\" As if that makes her powers any less scary, especially with how she dresses. Mimir is fully aware of how scary she suddenly seems with the full context of her powers, and she uses it to her advantage. Dressed like this, people would stay away. \n\nAnd of course, she looks good. \n\n\"People don't normally seek me out for my powers. Makes their trauma easy to avoid.\" Because they're scared. She puts the peanut butter and celery on the counter between them, sighing.\n\nThe plush is burned into its mind. Its feelings, its... Agony. It was never going away. Mimir wished she could have the same attitude about it that Violetta does, but her powers weren't time traveling. This is what it's stuck with. The pain.\n\n\"You felt part of it when you saw the memory. Corrupted or not. Those plushes are... More than creepy.\" Another sigh as she looks down at her hands before fixating on a spot on the wall.\n\n\"I don't really use my powers unless necessary. The side effects can be drastic. You?\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ In Vi's defense, she didn't grow up with many iconic snacks- mostly just crackers, to be honest. Maybe something more sugary when she was visiting her mother but... Well, she didn't need to be dwelling on a wasted childhood right about now, legs swinging off the edge of the counter was enough to heal that inner child without embarrassing herself in the process.\nShe could use a snack... Vi hopped down from the counter; a stumble in her step as she remembers why she uses mobility aids in the first place. What was she craving? Crab sticks. Yeah... I'm gonna assume the azalea kitchen has those.\nShe roots around the fridge, producing the beloved crab sticks.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ 'Right, attention back on Mimir, don't be so impolite...' she scolds herself internally, almost smacking herself in the temple.\nThe short girl pivots on her heel to face Mimir once more.\n\"Gloves... I see- so it's involuntary.\"\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi nods, crunching down on the dubious stick of miscellaneous seafood. She doubted there was even any crab in it, actually. That said, they were a snack that pretty much all people in her family enjoy- the theory being further proven on a phone call from her mother a couple days before- confirming her baby sister had consumed her first ever crab stick.\nBut anyways!\n\"I see... I suppose it's based on skin contact? Mine are like that.\"\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She ponders the final question, leaning on the counter rather than sitting on it this time.\n\"Mmm... Depends, my migraine based powers are activated by placing both my hands onto someone's head, it's very much against my will- and can be quite dangerous. It's why I got sent here after all. I try not to use them, which is usually easy, girlfriend aside.\"\nA nonchalant shrug is elicited from Vi, who tapped her hand rhythmically against the countertop.\n.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Shared sight I barely use, and the hallucination power I abuse a little bit, I'll admit... It's something I've always used to mess with people since I was a child. I don't have much of an itch for mischief but... What can I say, it's fun sometimes to freak people out a little bit...\"\nShe voids information about Gabe's naruto affairs- if Mimir was lucky enough to not be aware, Vi will keep it that way" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Mimir looks at the crab sticks and raised an eyebrow. She was never fond of seafood, especially of this variety. Greasy meats like fish sticks and chicken nuggets didn't appeal to her — bad for the skin and the mental health. She wouldn't yuck Violeta's yum, though, at least not out loud. She was sure people must have their opinions on celery. It's an acquired taste, considering the stringy-ness of it. \n\n\"Only involuntary with some things,\" They're quick to point it out, but no emotion tinges their voice as they say it. \"But yes, it is based in skin contact.\" She rolls her shoulders, leaning back a little, her body totally still aside from breathing and movement of her eyes. \n\nMigraines, shared sight, and hallucinations. Violetta seems like someone people should be more afraid of, but it seems she was fairly liked, especially if she has a girlfriend. It almost made Mimir jealous, but not quite. They know what they're capable of, and it's much more than migraines. \n\nMimir nods idly, listening intently. \n\n\"I can see and alter the memories of other people, which I have used frequently.\" They choose not to elaborate further, more for their sake then Violetta's. \"Objects that have a lot of... Emotions tied to them I can touch and feel the emotions and catch flashes of memory. I don't use that one as much, at least not before I got here.\" They let out a short, breathy laugh that sounds more like a scoff.\n\n\"It is fun to freak people out.\" They brush a strand of hair out of their face. \"Their reactions are always funny.\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Vi notices the eyebrow raise, but with the knowledge that Mimir could probably kick her right back to russia... She doesn't dare comment. Mimir seems harmless thus far- but God knows at this place.\nCelery wasn't for Vi and crab sticks (in all their kinda wet glory) weren't for Mimir, simple dimple (amongus popit). She crunches down on the crab sticks- which upon idly reading the back of the packet, vi realises they have no actual crab in them, which made sense.\nCrab sticks bad for your mental health my ass, Vi looks just about ready to ascend to the heavens.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi throws the packet into the bin next to her, completely missing the mark and having to scramble to place the plastic into the bin normally. She was quite the uh... Frantic girl- easily embarrassed, thats for sure. For a moment, Vi hides her face from sight with her hands, only to immediately retract them when a sharp pang is delivered to her brain.\n\"Uh- interesting... I'm assuming that means you can just... Control if you do some things but not others?\"\nShe's... Playing off that embarrassing moment like it never happened... What is up with this girl goddamn!!!!!!!\nThis... Is probably the reason no one fears her as much as they should. She could fuck up your mental state on an industrial scale but like... Would she?\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"I see... I assume there was something a bit... Surreal about the memories on that weird plush? There's always a catch like that, especially here.\" Vi rolled her shoulders sheepishly, god knows what was up with this girl, she wasn't usually so skittish, that could be told via a simple glance in her direction; Vi was a charmingly awkward girl, but in a different way to how she was now... In her defense, it's all quite a lot these days\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"It is a little entertaining... Harmless fun at my own expense, aha\"" } ]	406	5,151
247.928571	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Despite the stunning array of incredibly cozy places to sit in the Cradle's surprisingly nice library, Sigrún was sat on the floor right in the middle of the aisle glittering with the brightly-printed spines of fiction, fiction, Fiction. Scattered around its hunched-over form were yet more books, worn paperbacks stacked in neat piles with glossy-jacketed hardcovers, some delicately held open to chapters in the One To Three Range by tentacles that seemed to leak like spilled oil from a surprisingly normal-looking Nirvana Shirt coming untucked from a long black skirt.\n\nIt seemed that she, terror of the low seas, tripping hazard Supreme, had caught wind of a new batch of books that the library had acquired that past blue moon. What joy! Nose literally pressed deep into a story that smelled crisp and freshly-printed, it might have taken a category five weather event to the face to get her to notice anything beyond it. Just the way it liked things." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel had occupied themselves with silently sitting next to Sigrun, picking up the books she tossed aside after her curiosity was satiated. Uriel would give them an a second look over, especially since their taste in books was vastly different than Sigrun's. \n\nThey didn't quite know if Sigrun noticed their presence— after all, Uriel hadn't exactly said anything, too interested in reading the titles that lined the books' spines to remember to introduce themselves. \n\nAnd so they sat." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "The library is nice. Mimir had settled on this conclusion shortly after she had returned — the space was usually empty, and if it wasn't, it was big enough that she could avoid interaction entirely. It was pleasant, despite the need for her to wear gloves constantly in the place. \n\nIt was looking for a very specific book, as always, one of the few she would constantly circle back around to at times like these. She slowly walked through the shelves of books, taking her sweet time getting to where she wanted to be, until her boot hit... A book. On the floor?\n\n\"Who the fu— oh.\" Pink eyes were lead to the hunched form of Sigrún, with the albino sitting next to it and its pile of books. Mimir raised an eyebrow. \n\n\"Having a playdate?\" It was meant to be a joke, but it didn't quite come out in the correct tone. They didn't bother to correct it." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "If the joke sounded sour in Mimir's ears, it certainly had the time to really permeate in the room, reaching its peak of perfectly-marinated missed-beat awkwardness before Sigrún realized that it was talking to her.\n\nMostly because, even for Mimir, it sounded so Strange. Was it a dig at her reading books? No, that wasn't right. She had friends that weren't books. Mimir would know that, being one of them. Hmmmmmm. Before it occurred to her to even acknowledge the newcomer, Sigrún swivelled around in her nest to see what could possibly be drawing its ire.\n\n*\"FUH-\"\n\nA loud, flat note of surprise bounced off the shelves, a book nearly smacking Uriel upside the head as Sig's spatial awareness crashed back into her, sideways. From the sheer surprise, a breathy little giggle bubbled up from her chest. She snorted a Yes.\n\n\"Playdate—yes, playing, we make a game of—Heheh—scaring the living shit out of each other, don't we...\" She clapped Uriel on the shoulder, summoning an impish grin to aim at Mimir.\n\n\"Impressive, truly.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "A flying book hits Uriel square on the face with a Thwump, and the hefty clap that rattles their thin body only makes them look even more confused and lost. \n\n\"Ah, I suppose?\" Uriel responds, their head tilting at the question. Deep grey eyes blink in confusion, and soulfully find both Mimir and Sigrun's gaze. \n\n\"Are you also here for a...\" They pause at the unfamiliar word, \"Play date? I simply saw Sigrun sitting here, and felt it apt to join.\" \n\nUriel's braid swishes to the side, and they put on a smile. \"Play date is a fun word. I do enjoy its energy— perhaps I shall add it to my vernacular.\"" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Before Mimir could really piece together why her \"Joke\" Had made Sigrun confused, everything made sense all at once. The yelling, the book flying, it made them freeze up for a second. \n\nBut only a second. As the book hit Uriel, and the giggle snapped her out of it. It was refreshing to hear from Sigrun, especially after... You know, that's not important. Not right now. It takes a moment of extra effort to pull their eyes away from it, glancing around the floor to look at the books scattered about and allowing herself to laugh a bit with the maker of the book-nest.\n\n\"You're Very* Convincing,\" Mimir comments, the joke part landing a bit better this time, or at least she hopes. Eyes meet once more and she allows herself a lopsided half-smile, only to let it fall as she turns her head to Uriel.\n\n\"Have you never heard of a play date before?\" It made sense, with a second's thought. They clearly never had friends as a kid. \"It's a little kid thing.\" \n\nThe description could be helpful if it wasn't coming from her. Of course, she loves attention, but when it's from the two of them... In the same space...\n\nMixed feelings throw punches at the front of her skull. This Had Been a topic of thought for it recently. How can someone it cares for and someone it could care less about be connected like this, in a strange friendship? It's clear to them that Sigrun is not quite picky with her friends, or if she is, it's not in the same way Mimir is. It confuses her, but she wouldn't dare express it." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Mimir's laugh was a Very Rare little treat indeed, one that Sigrún puffed out her chest a little at seemingly coaxing out. Perhaps her attention had been scooped up a little too cleanly, however, another beat passing before it clicked that one of the books stuck to some fringe sucker had just Thwacked The albino in the nose.\n\n\"I must have knocked the memory out of them!!\"\n\nTwisting around with such a velocity that she gained a second of airtime and landed sitting up on her knees, the centre of the bubbly vortex of scattered Warrior Cats Instalments stared them down point-blank, uncomfortably close.\n\n\"Dear, gentle Uriel, what have I done to your Face, shall I forgive myself—eeeeeehh, you're good. Little scar was there before me...\"\n\nShe pressed the tip of their nose with a cold finger and landed back hard on the palms of her hands, head flopping to the side; coincidentally, another book hung open at her eye level, suspended by a limb that was now being overtaken by a sugary purple shade. Her lip hung open slightly as she paused to read the first sentence of a chapter, saving a particularly gripping simile for use later; upon remembering that there were people around her now, it clamped its greenish teeth shut, mouth curling again into that weird little smile.\n\nUriel And Mimir! If blissful isolation wasn't in the cards, it could still be a lovely day." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Whatever Sigrun deemed was inappropriately close went unnoticed by the socially inept Uriel; instead, they slowly blinked at the impending appendage until she pressed their nose like a button. \n\nThe expression on their face was Adorably Lost— if only Owen were there to see it. Gentle Uriel? What an odd manner of speech, even to their ears. \n\nThey spend too long starstruck and confused by the motion, still reeling even after Sigrun has turned away. Only until the heartbeat faintly drumming in their ribs grab their floating mind and drag them back to reality did Uriel remember to answer Mimir's question. \n\n\"Ah, no, I have not. I am inexperienced in the matter— nonetheless, I do hope you know about these Warrior Cats. I've only seen glimpses of a...\" Their eyebrows furrow in earnest concentration, \"Firestar, was it? A fascinating character, so I've been told.\"" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Gentle is defintiely an adjective that one can use to describe a person. Mimir wasn't quite sure it would describe a single person here and be accurate, but they choose not to comment on it. Sigrun clearly sees something in Uriel that they do not, and likely never will, see. \n\nThey keep a safe distance, a couple feet back from the two to avoid any mishaps. The sleep depravation was still lingering, and accidentally triggering a power while tired never went well for them. Plus, they didn't want to get too close to someone who could knock them out whenever they felt like it. It didn't keep Mimir from feeling some fucked up kind of fomo, something about missing high school experiences... They couldn't be bothered to try and be self aware right now.\n\nThe mess of books seemed interesting, and before she could really examine them, Uriel brings them to the forefront of the conversation. The smile on Sigrun's face only added to the suddenly changed atmosphere in the space.\n\nSomething just happened.\n\n\"Firestar? Yeah, you Would Think he's interesting.\" Of course, Mimir is a generic Firestar hater. She thought he was boring at best, uninteresting at his worst. Nine lives and the orange cat couldn't lose a single brain cell for the life of him. Lord — no, Starclan — knows it would have made him more fun. \n\n\"Everyone knows Yellowfang is one of the best characters in the series.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"A Delectable Choice, yes, but she didn't make my own hearts flutter quite like my beloved wife, Needletail,\" Sigrún swooned, tentacle poised over its chest, sending an exaggeratedly lovestruck look through the ceiling. In her hands, the paperback she was idly bending made a soft crackling noise.\n\n\"My love with the terrible choices and the sort-of adoptive daughter and the Deliciously Condemned fate is responsible for the most of my enduring childhood cat-related lunacy.\"\n\nRead: 'I am gay. Mommy issues.'\n\nAh, but it was good to discuss the sacred texts again. The image of a younger, comically smaller Mimir—complete with her signature scowl and dry chuckle, perhaps a downy shock of purple hair—curled around her own stash of angsty cat books was one she found absolutely ticklish. So was the thought of the current, bewildered Uriel poring over them with a highlighter, like some sort of prophecy written in nostalgia.\n\nIt snorted a little, a sharp tooth glinting through its grin, round eyes twinkling with amusement." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel blinks. It's a bit too slow— their eyelids lag behind each other in a fraction of a second, causing the albino to look more like a lizard than a human. Their pale, almost bluish complexion certainly didn't help them there. \n\n\"I know little about these characters.\" They clarify, clearing their throat. The adam's apple peeking above their purple poncho collar bobs at the motion. \"I do apologize if my lack of knowledge has offended you. I simply find the idea of living nine whole lives fascinating. Being able to defy death that many times... I wonder what knowledge and wisdom one could gain.\" \n\nThey stroke their chin, looking off in the distance solemnly. Despite the subject matter and intended audience, they treat the (often contradictory) lore of Warrior Cats with the utmost respect and seriousness. \n\n\"You both like Yellowfang and... Her wife Needletail, then?\" Uriel wonders outloud. \"Fascinating. I did not know the cats could be lesbians. This opens up a myriad of possibilities.\" \n\nDespite Uriel's unfamiliarity with both the lore of the books splayed across the floor, and hanging out with these two people together, their expression remained constant. Their face stared at Sigrun and Mimir, unblinking— like a cool glass of milk, the surface of the smooth, white liquid unmoving and still. \n\nThat was the best word for Uriel. Still, And unnaturally so. \n\n\"I am glad you all are in high spirits.\" They say to no one in particular, a polite smile on their face. \"What joy, to be reassured like this.\"" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Mimir is struggling to hold back her confusion. Uriel, put simply, confuses it. It becomes very clear to them very quickly that they absolutely do not know anything about Warrior Cats, and it's enough to make it twitch as it bites back a plethora of comments. Instead, they slowly take in a breath, thoughts wandering to Needletail and Sigrun instead. \n\n\"Nine lives is boring. Plus, Firestar is boring. I'm sure he's very wise but nothing itches a scractch better than a tragic death. Seems like you share that sentiment, hm?\" Its head turns back to Sigrun, eyebrow raised, but only for a moment before Uriel spoke again.\n\nIf she had been taking a sip of something, she would have done a spit take. Wives? Someone is reading into things a little too much and a little too poorly. Or maybe they're just confused. Warrior cats is very confusing. \n\n\"They are not married. They don't meet, as far as I remember. But they have some good parallels...\" She trails off, sighing. How can they be so... Enthusiastic? About everything? Both of them, but mostly Uriel. Was it just the blind ignorance? Mimir wants to dissect them in a lab.\n\n\"Both of their lives end so tragically. It's wonderful and terrible.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Yes! The cats can be lesbians! That's what I've been saying for Yeeaarrrs,\" Sigrún beamed, excitedly crackling her book a little faster. Perhaps Uriel was a little clueless, but it had been so long since the concept was new to her—Sig could be a critic if she so chose, but being giddy with likeminded folk felt Good.\n\n\"And-but-I think, I Think that the tragic death is the most satisfying at the end of the nine... Makes it even more tragic, don't you think? All those memories of life, and knowledge of death, dissolved into stardust—the kittycat Library of Alexandria,\" She sighed with a flourish.\n\n\"Long lives, slow spirals into un-death before being scraped from the mortal coil! The concept is downright Horrifying If you look at it just right! I've theorized for weeks on end about the possibilities—like, when a person is bitten by something like a vampire or a zombie, or they die and come back in fiction, they're always described as becoming Less human, less of themselves, but-but cats, what does it mean to become less of a cat? What do cats think infeline monsters are?? With the existence of Starclan, though, obviously those who have succumbed to this are venerated, prayed to. Which begs the question: do those cats regard walking the line between losing themselves and outright death as their ultimate form, the culmination of those nine lives?! This is especially interesting if you consider that—\"\n\nThe coiled-up tips of her tentacles tapped the tops of its book stacks excitedly as it spoke, on the brink of a long-in-the-making rant about zombies, vampirism, and feline ancestor worship. Whatever daggers Mimir was beaming into Uriel's skull were deflected by a mushroom cloud of forming theories (not that the rambling sea creature didn't notice, but rather she didn't care, seeing as how there was lore to explain). Sigrún spoke at mach speed, gleefully mutating the Warrior Cats Canon to her own horror-addled whims.\n_ _\n\nHer dreamy grin turned incredulous, aimed at no one in particular. \n\n\"I wrote So much Concerning fanfiction. Hel.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "I reply today after dinner w my parents" } ]	251	3,471
158.125	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "~~Vera Web~~\n\nSomewhere in Lynn's room, a name is coldly slashed out in the far side of a notebook.\n\n—\n\nLet it not be said Lynn does not come prepared. She picks at the corner of her outfit in idle consideration, as she dashed across the interior of the compound. Dark yellow coveralls, and boots, practical in all the way she is usually not. But then, it is not often Lynn speaks to custodians.\n\nIn each fork in the halls, Lynn looks deep to either side as she consults occasionally her memories of when she skimmed the layout of the place, but more frequently any maps posted on the wall she run into on the way. Slowly but surely, she wound closer and closer to where the offices were.\n\nIn search for- what else- a teacher, and her supposed Contact, Oliver Rask. This was later in the evening after classes, a time she purposefully picked. If ever there came a time she might offer help cleaning, she figured it would be now. \n\nSpotting and standing by the door, she eyed it for a second. Thoughtfully. Then she raised her hand and rasped her knuckles against the surface. Knock knock." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "A crash sounds from the other side of the door, followed by a loud groan, followed by a shout to \"Come in!\".\n\nThe office is mostly tidy, almost eye-catchingly bare and blindingly clean, but the desk is a different story, covered in streaks of back motor oil and what looks to be dish soap, with some kind of contraption with smoke coming out of it standing in the middle of it and a toolbox shoved off to the side.\n\nOliver is sitting behind the desk on a stool, his usual (more comfortable) office chair shoved away from the desk.\n\n— \"Can I help you?\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "Lynn pushes past the door and enters the room proper. She looks at the interior clinically, but only for a split second before she looks at Oliver.\n\n\"Sir Rask?\" She intones, politely. She makes a show of looking at the mess on his desk. \"Is now not a good time?\"\n\n\"Either way, I insist I help clean the mess, even if I should come back another time.\"\n\nAh, also, I forgot to mention, but she's carrying a long, rectangular black case, slung over her back with string." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Oliver sighs loudly.\n\n— \"No,\" He says, \"It's fine. This can wait.\" \n\nHe flips a switch on the contraption. It doesn't seem to do much, but he seems satisfied anyway. He stands up, walks to the front of the desk, and puts his full focus on Lynn. His facial expression more than a little daunting, but he's not outwardly mean. \n\n— \"I guess you can help clean, if that's really what you want to be doing. Do you know How To clean or do you need me to teach you?\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "Lynn maintains an inoffensively flat expression as she returns the look. \"Want? I have other ideas of fun... But it would be Remiss Of me to leave a mess. It's fine, really.\"\n\nA pause. \"A little. But motor oil stains, specifically, no.\" She admits. \"Oh, but whatever I'll learn, I'll remember for the future. A productive investment, yes? Two hands can't be worse than one...\"\n\nShe politely mimes stepping around Oliver, as if to implicitly ask permission to do so so she might take a closer look at the desk. \"Oh, and if you don't mind I ask, this device is...?\" She asks with a bit of mild curiosity." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "— \"That device,\" Oliver responds flatly, \"Is dangerous enough that I would suggest you don't poke it.\"\n\nHe walks around the desk, grabs the device and shelves it under there. It's not entirely clear from the other side of the desk, but it sounds like he locks it in.\n\n— \"You're not cleaning up in here either. I don't let anyone else clean up after my messes. No offense.\"\n\nHe wipes the oil off with what looks like a dirty rag. Somehow, it leaves him completely spotless. \n\n— \"Is there anything else? Unless you got reassigned to Daisy sometime in the last few months, I imagine I'm still your Contact. Is everything going well?\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"Then I won't.\" She holds her hands up placatingly.\n\nShe watches, as he puts away the device and wipes the oil off. She observes, too, how he stays oddly spotless. But she leaves the topic behind for now.\n\n\"Oh, yes, you still are, sir Rusk.\" She confirms with a nod. \"In fact, I hoped to speak to you about the future of my... Power, as this institute calls it?\"\n\nThere was obvious distaste behind the term, but she doesn't let it derail her.\n\n\"I admit, I am still surprised to learn an entire society of parahumans existed this entire time. Truly, I am fortunate to have the chance to meet so many unique people.\"\n\nShe gingerly reaches behind her and lifts the case into her hands. Her eyes narrow a bit as she looks down at it. \"The perfect environment for a sword such as mine to 'develop', no?\"\n\nA pause. \"Hmm, how should I put it...\" Lynn seemed troubled for a second. \"Please consider this question as part of consultation for my power, or maybe small talk. Whichever you'd prefer.\"\n\n\"Sir Oliver Rask, if you don't mind I ask... I am curious, what is your reason for continuing to work for Newton's Cradle?\" She asks, and then another pause as she considers. \"Ah, but do tell me if I step out of line with any of my questions.\" She adds at the end." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "— \"I do mind you asking,\" Oliver responds bluntly.\n\nHe sits back down on his stool and takes out a paper from beneath the desk. \n\n— \"I can try to help with your powers, though. I have your file here. What's the issue?\"" } ]	137	1,265
462.6	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Everything was quiet, everyone was fast asleep. The hallways fell silent as the new day began to chirp outside the concrete windows of the facility. How free they were, Dae-hyun thought, the morning birds. They sat there, perched on the trees soaked in deep blue and welcoming purple, free to fly and sing as they pleased. \n\nThe boy was sat, stationary against the plush seat of a piano. He had noticed it inside the music room on his first day when he walked best he could around the facility. A sense of longing pulled him towards the instrument. Jet lagged and unable to sleep, when else would be a better time to play a melody? He wondered how long he would go before getting caught by staff, and hoped no one would care enough to interrupt him. \n\nSo now, at five in the morning, while others slept, Dae-hyuns long hands pressed down the white and black keys. Making a sound echo out the door and off the walls of the empty room. The song that played, the song that rung through the air in soft melancholy notes, was the Raindrop Waltz No.1 in B Minor. A familiar composition for Dae-hyun, slightly modified to his own liking, played over and over again. Never seeming to mess up, or hit the wrong chords, as if he had played it for hours prior. \n\nHis cane rested against the body of the piano. A deep midnight blue, matching the hoodie pulled over his torso. It was sturdy, and within arms reach, but at the piano Dae-hyun didn't need to think of his injury. \n\nSimply closing his eyes, he let his hands guide the melody through the silent morning." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica rubbed a groggy pressure from around her eyes, her tiredness weighing down her temples like sluggish boulders. Just because she woke up so early every morning didn't mean she had to like it. She believed firmly that if you only ever did what you wanted, you would get nothing done at all. The world would keep spinning, and she would keep moving no matter what. She was still allowed to be pissy about it, though. \n\nChocolate protein bar moved tacky between her teeth, a slight graininess in the finer mush. The taste meshed oddly with the minty tang of toothpaste, but she hated the way her tongue tasted enough to always brush her teeth first thing. She'd just do it again after her shower when she got back. This whole routine was something she'd finally settled into at the cradle, and just about all hell breaking loose would be the only thing able to stop her. She may very well be a paranormal monster who nobody liked, but hey, she sure could stick to a routine. Being liked didn't get her trophies. \n\nShe walked in pounding steps, moving through the cool concrete building like a stalker movie on mute, the dark blue sky painting the world an indigo blanket. She rounded down stairs from her place on the second floor, passing around to the western side to head out through one of the foot-traffic gates in the fence. The large windows, numerous in their groups, gave her a view at the courtyard and town outside, the streetlights like sequins. She'd done this walk more times than she cared to count, but a soft rock in the boot of her path quickly caught her attention as she moved half-mindedly. It wasn't any physical obstruction, or something odd she could see, but she heard it.\n\n_ _\nFaint, ghostly, and haunting, the at first muffled but then clear frantic pounds of hammers on strings sung as a piano's heartbeats, flying through the air as honeyed-wine in late October storms. It felt wildly undead in its beration of melody, the almost Victorian mourning dance of the deceased, pearl-white in ballrooms of lavish silk and cold marble. Danica could imagine herself dancing with the spectors. Despite herself, the tune brought deviation to her path, footsteps carrying her quietly to the slightly open music room door. Whoever was playing must have not known. Through the crack she saw the face of the maestro, though she couldn't place him." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The boy kept his eyes semi closed, soft eyelashes framing his tired eyes, as they fixated on the keys below his fingers. The fast beats faded into a softer tune, the same melody but slower. He seemed to be improvising a lot, right there on the spot, yet nothing sounded out of place. It all flowed into a breathtaking melody, just as captivating as the bird song outside. He was putting every ounce of emotion he could into each note, and that was obvious. The beat of the piano pounded alongside the boy's heart as each key was struck. \n\nA looming presence by the door made no affect on Dae-hyun. The boy had heard the approaching steps, registered them as someone on the other side of the wall, but did not bother to look up. A part of him wondered if the sound was part of his imagination, a trick of his many years playing concerts. Being up on that stage made him feel both alone and alive, invigorating and unmatched. He missed moments such as those, but moments such as these would fill the void until he could return home.\n\nDae-hyun felt a dull throb begin to kiss his finger tips, a familiar sensation that had grown second nature from all his hours practicing. He wasn't making any efforts towards improving, so there was no use in continuing. \n\nHis deep dark gaze rose, meeting the figure in his peripheral vision. Entirely expecting no one to be there, he felt a jolt of surprise and embarrassment shock his body once met with the stranger. She stood, a looming presence peering over the frame of the door. Blonde hair fell in wispy strokes around her face, like morning fog on a winters morning. Her cheeks were a tinted rose, and heavy eyebrows remained focused. A gaze that Dae-hyun felt in his soul. He noted how beautiful her eyes were. Even from here he could see the tones of blue, and greys. The tone of calm storm clouds against a misty evening sky.\n_ _\n\nThe sudden appearance of a person, even despite all of Dae-hyun's concert experience, made his fingers slip. An ugly, out of key, sound rang out as he missed a note. He pressed a few more random keys out of embarrassment to fill the sudden silence, before wincing in disappointment.\n\nHe turned to fully look at the stranger, she still hadn't said anything. \n\n\"Ah...\" Dae-hyun hated talking first. \"I wasn't expecting anyone to be up.\" He fiddled with the keys, making no noise, he needed something to do with his hands. \"Im sorry if I bothered you?\" He was unsure whether he should be apologetic. Dae-hyun surely didn't feel sorry." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "The music was captivating. With their face turned downwards, it was hard for Danica to make out many features about who she was seeing. The low light didn't help either. She supposed in many ways, it was the biggest compliment that she was too taken away by the music to really process the boy. She'd always wished people would be so captivated by her art that they wouldn't even notice her. The unnamed artist was ever the envy of beauty. At least she felt so. It felt invigorating to see someone so engulfed in themselves. It was the best state one could be in. \n\nHer feet stayed planted lightly beneath her, a polite silence in her pose and a firm focus in her eyes. The gravely-fresh scent of cool concrete hung delicately in the air. Concrete and chocolate, really. \n\nIn one moment, Danica was simply watching, a fly on the wall of the beautifully skilled pianist for a ball of ghosts, and then the moment ended, punctuated by a few sour notes. She blinked at the abruptness, and a mild frown fell to her brow. No song lasted forever, but they all deserve good finishes. Oh well. So is life. \n\n\"Most aren't.\"\n\nDanicas voice came cool and low, a granite peppering of soft rasping grumbles pronouncing her syllables. She seemed cool and collected, almost unbothered, hovering just on the other side of the door that was now more ajar than ever. Maybe she was some trick of the eye he'd never see again. Maybe he was some trick of the eye, though, he certainly didn't seem it. Danica could be sure of that. \n\nThis boy was alive. Tired, but alive. He hunched, but he breathed. He sighed, and he shifted, clearly nervous, a flush of blood to his sun-kissed face betraying his embarrassment. His eyes were deep, meaningful, thoughtful. Being rather across the room from each other, many finer details were lost. His face made him look kind, at least internally. Danica still couldn't place him. Someone new. She noted the cane. \n\n\"No. It's fine.\"\n\n_ _\nShe compulsively checked her watch. She was running late. Danica looked him in the eyes and gave him a nod. \n\n\"Bye.\"\n\nWithout another word, she turned and was on her way. She'd need to find that boy again soon. He deserved a proper compliment." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun was taken aback by her voice. A low tone that spoke few words, but dripped with a certain confidence. She spoke with the voice of someone who knew themselves, or knew nothing at all. He couldn't tell. The sounds were cold, sending shivers through his spine with each short syllable. She looked how deep chords on a piano would sound, elegantly reserved and somehow mysterious. Framed with the chill of a winters eve, her presence softer than fresh snow. \n\nBefore he could process her any longer, she turned and faded down the hallway. Her sure foot steps carried her away, almost like a figment of the boy's dreams. Had he imagined her? Had he longed so much for an audience that he had made his own? He couldn't place anything together, but something about the incident kept him still and silent, the buzz of quiet heavy in his ears.\n\nA part of him wanted to get up and chase after her, ask her for her name. Question her about her hobbies, where she was from, what her interests where. Who was she? Would he see her again? His mind swarmed with questions. The whole situation was strange, and captivating at the same time. The less Dae-hyun knew, the more he wanted to learn. A silent curse over his leg, and how it stopped him from getting up. He hoped she would appear again, and prayed that she was real. \n\nWith a few stunned blinks, Dae-hyun let his mouth curl into a soft smile. His eyes fell back shut in a comfortable manner, as he reached his hands back over the keys. A new melody had begun, very slow, in a higher key. It sounded happier, yet still hauntingly unknown. The new keys pressed echoes into the hallway.\n\nDae-hyun could only hope she was listening." } ]	509	2,313
457.466667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan sat in a comfortable plush armchair, the library fairly quiet around him. It is about 5pm, and sunset shone through the windows, casting a gentle light over the library. There werent many people around... That wasnt helped by the fact that the selection was *Absolutely atrocious!* For a parahuman school, this place had surprisingly little information about parahumans. He held one of the only books he could find, but even this information was terribly scant. Most of it was self evident, and what wasnt was surface level at best. He sighed loudly, taking notes in a small notebook. He held the larger tome on his knees with his notebook in his lap. \n\nHe was dressed in his normal ensemble, a long and ornate violet gown straight out of the Victorian era. His Rapunzel length gray-silver hair fanned out behind him as his dull violet eyes traced the pages. In his hand he held a pen, which he twirled absentmindedly. The ends of his fingers were... Black. His already pale-gray skin turned an almost charcoal tone. Every few seconds his eyes would pull away from his books as he scanned the library.\n\nHe was looking for something, anything interesting. If he couldn't find things out from the books, he would learn from the people instead. So far no one had particularly caught his eye, but he was still on the lookout. He had some interesting ideas for possible uses of parahuman test subjects in his alchemy... But he couldnt very well go around asking people for hair and nail clippings... Much less blood, which would be preferable by far. So instead he would have to make some friends." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "Agnes wasn't really keeping track of how long she'd been at Newton's Cradle. That was something people did in prison and they'd rather not draw those sort of conclusions about this place. It hadn't been long. Enough to have a rough idea of where things were, but she used the map. Enough to start recognising some people, but not by name. Hopefully that'd change. She wasn't super high energy, but having only been fully awake a few hours she felt more lively than those that had already drudged through their nine to fives. \n\nShe wore a jet black long sleeve shirt, leggings and a medium length skirt. In the right sort of lighting she'd look more like a silhouette than an actual person. Her slowly paling skin highlighted her angular face well, but her loose black hair framed it rather awkwardly.\n\nToday's mission was to explore the library. The idea of being some sort of parahuman - and not alone in that - was still new to her, and if any place had answers it'd be the library. After nodding politely to the library she darts to the tall shelves filled with books. Normal books. There was nothing supernatural here. Surely there must be, monster books with gnashing teeth or books that smelt odd or, or anything. She just smelt paper.\n\nThe winding shelves led her deeper into the library. Without paying much attention she brushes past Ostan to keep looking through books, hoping one of them would just... Call out to her. That's how this stuff worked right?\n\nOne book looked out of place; it had been returned the wrong way around so the edges of the pages were visible. They were yellowing slightly, and were uneven. With some poorly contained excitements she pulls the book out and looks at the cover. Beige coloured with a navy blue spine, her excitement quickly faded. The cover had a creepy looking man in a formal penguin suit and pinstripe pants, looming over a trio of downtrodden children. In sharp, stark letters were the words A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning. A normal book. Just like every other damned book here. She sighs, and slips the book back in, now the correct way around." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan looked up, and his eyes found a newcomer to the library... She didnt look out of the ordinary... Well he supposed everyone here was weird one way or another. Hell, a truly normal person would be the sore thumb in the cradle. Still... While it wasnt really her appearance that drew his attention... It was her search. She moved through the library with an obvious mission, a goal, and found it nowhere. The mix of dejection and disappointment was easy to see since he had felt the same emotions not even 30 minutes prior... So he decided to try to be helpful.\n\nHe stood up and began moving towards her. His stride was casual yet graceful, and he moved almost silently. His appearance was striking, with his hair literally coming down to the floor and going a bit beyond that. He walked up to Agnes quietly, possibly sneaking up on her depending on her perception. She was one of the few people not taller than the petite noble. Though he didnt need the height, he still stood with posture befitting Victorian nobility.\n\n\"Would you happen to be searching for texts describing our parahuman nature?\" He asked quietly, proffering the book towards her. \"If so, this is the only tome I have found on the matter. It says miraculously little despite being such a thick volume, but maybe you can find secrets within it's pages that I have not.\" He said with a soft sigh, opening his journal with one hand and rereading his last page. \n\n\"Oh, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Ostan, Ostan Tei Sheios. Whom might you be?\" He asked, looking down at the newcomer. She was interesting, her clothing make her look more like a silhouette... And her pale skin and dark ensemble made him think of a boy he had seen only once before." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "The spine of the book had a comforting velvety feel as she ran her finger down it. It was about an orphaned family, flung into situation after situation struggling to deal with the loss of close friends and family. One of the many book series she had read multiple times. Some of themselves was in the Baudelaire children, and her thoughts went to her mother. They last saw her only a couple days ago, but the distance was already starting to hurt. It was in that melancholic state she turned to go ask of the librarian.\n\nThey jump and make a noise in surprise at the person who seemed to have magically appeared behind them.\n\"Yes?\" She asks without really registering what had been said. \"Ah. Yes. Yes I was. Am.\" They stumble through their words. \"Thank you,\" She says softly and takes the book. It was heavier than expected so she struggles for a moment to adjust the weight, then looks back to Ostan.\n\n\"Nice to meet you. I'm Agnes. Elisabet Agnes Liljeström if we are going by full names. Very professional,\" She tries to laugh to reduce her own nerves, but with her racing heart and her eyes still trying to take in everything that he was, it was more like an emphasised exhale.\n\n\"Yeah, new here. You can probably tell.\" Even with her hushed voice their was still the squeaks of a voice that hadn't quite fully formed. \"I really don't know anything so um, I'm sure anything in here would be new.\" She casts her gaze back down at the tome, dreading reading it all. Reading was nice and all but, she'd like to have time to do other things for the next month. \"This is quite a lot of information. You said you already read it maybe...\" They swallow the lump in their throat, \"You could maybe help?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He tilted his head slightly at Agnes' awkwardness. Well... He could work with that. He took a step back before moving into a small curtsey upon Agnes naming herself. \"It is a pleasure to meet you.\" He glanced up to check her reaction, before signing softly as he realized he would probably have to change his approach. Everyone here was so... Casual... It went against most of the things his parents and tutors had taught him... Though being this professional was obviously more harmful than helpful... He would need to get close to people in the end, and it is hard to do that with the restrictive nature of professionalism. So he changed it up.\n\nComing out of the curtsey, he fell into a more casual pose. The careful mask seemed to slip, fading from his face... Though in actuality he had simply replaced one mask for another. \"I understand that book can be alot. I have my notes from it if you would like a look. I estimate they are likely restricting information about our nature for a reason. Hopefully they will be more loose-lipped in class, but that is obviously not the case for the library\" He said with a soft sigh, shaking his head. He offered her his notebook, a small journal with a pale violet leather cover. The inside cover says it is the 7th entry. The journal itself is very new, and Ostan is using it to catalogue his parahuman discoveries... So right now only the first dozen or so pages are filled in. His handwriting is imperfect in an almost deliberate way. It looks like a notebook out of a game, with tight script filling the pages along with quick sketches.\n\n\"I have skimmed the book, but I am currently working on an in-depth analysis of its contents. As i said before, it contains remarkably little information...\" He leads, before diving into full depth about the book's contents. He tries to leave space for Agnes to respond with her own comments and questions... But it is obvious that he loves talking about his research." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "\"Yes, hopefully,\" She responds to the hope of being told more in class. Agnes had arrived towards the end of the schooling year though, so a lot of what was being said didn't really make much sense. The journal, while probably more useful, didn't seem to be any more friendly to someone who knew next to nothing. \"Thank you,\" She says anyway and turns the journal over in hand. Other than a spontaneous urge to read it through a magnifying glass, it seemed beyond her. Some people had powers, sure, but why? They could hardly even use their own sometimes. It felt arbitrary.\n\nThey listen to as much of what Ostan said as possible, but the few pauses between strings of words weren't enough time to even think of a question, let alone ask it. By the time she figures out what to say, they've lost track of what was being said.\n\n\"I know I have powers, only two I think but I've heard its usually three?\" It was much a question as a statement about themselves. \"I sort of know how to use one. Ish. The other I don't really know, it just sort of... Happens sometimes?\" They try to make vague hand wavy motions, but trying to cradle two awkwardly sized books while her left arm was in a cast, they nearly drop the journal. \"Oop. Ahh. Like do I have to say some magic words or something?\" She says each word individually, it's very clear she has no idea what she's talking about. \"Or maybe a magic wand? Wizards need a wand right? Cause I'm not a witch. Maybe. I don't do plants magic or mix things together. Or maybe I am. I didn't need a wand before. Would a wand help?\"\n\nThey've gained some composure and Ostan having stepped back certainly helped. \"Maybe we should sit somewhere?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He listened to her quietly, mentally slapping himself for moving too quickly through his explanations... And handing the girl in a cast two books! That was positively ungentlemanly. He took the infuriating book from her, holding it himself so she didnt have to try to balance both books.\n\n\"Yes, sitting would be nice\" He said softly, walking the two of them over to a small reading nook. There were two chairs with a small table between them. The chairs had thick cushions and the nook was lit by a small, warm table lamp. He put the book on the table before sitting down to consider what she had said...\n\n\"Now... From what all we know you should have three abilities. I havent heard of anyone having less. I personally have three. I dont believe they have a magic word trigger, but they may require some kind of material component.\" He said softly, reaching onto his wrist. There he has a large bracelet, with a silver medallion on the top. He snapped the clasp, taking the bracelet off and handing it to Agnes. \"That... Is a alchemic circle, it helps me with two of my abilities. That circle in particular is what I would call a base, the basic instructions needed for almost every transformation I make.\" The alchemic circle was beautiful, carved in the same pattern as his Intranet pfp (Trismegistus, I can send you the actual image). The plate was made of silver, with incredibly detailed and intricate carvings being made in the surface of the disk. \n_ _\n\nHe reached into a fold of his dress and pulled out a small case of chalk, reaching down to grab the book and put it in his lap. He began drawing a circle on the back of the book in chalk, drawing shapes and runes both inside and outside of the circle. He then reached for his bracelet back, holding it in his left hand. He placed two fingers of his right hand onto the medallion, and closed his eyes. Within the groves of the disk, an opaline liquid seemed to form. He gracefully pulled his hand up, creating an arc that moved from the medallion to the transmutation circle on the book's back cover. The liquid followed his fingers, flowing and sparkling in the light. When it hit the circle, it began to glow as the liquid moved across the chalk. Agnes would notice that every single line of chalk was connected, so the liquid could easily flow through the entire circle. The circle shone brilliantly bright, and suddenly the book changed. Leather and paper became silver. Pages fused together, and the piece became solid. Though Agnes couldnt see it, Ostan knew the book was now hollow inside. He wasnt worried at all about damages, since the object \"Remembered\" Its previous form, and would return to it soon. He had drawn a quick circle, so it wouldnt last that long... But he still profered the book to Agnes.\n\n\"This is one of my abilities, a form of transmutation. My others make me immune to toxins aswell as allowing me to create... Well potions is the best word for them\" He said with a soft smile. \"Now, you say you only have two? I would have to assume you have another, you simply may not be aware of it. What powers do you know about? How do they work?\" He asked, leaning forward slightly, obviously keenly interested to hear about another's powers. He would also offer her his bracelet incase she wanted to examine it further." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "They silently thank him for taking back the heavier book. If she were a more confrontational person, or knew how to voice her own concerns she might not have had to juggle both books at once. But she wasn't, and knew something similar would inevitably happen again. She follows him to the quiet nook of the library and sits opposite Ostan, taking a spare cushion and placing it in her lap to rest the heavy cast after putting the other book down on the table. She watches in awe as the book transmutes before their very eyes, watching the liquid spread through the circle.\n\n\"That's...\" They take some time to examine the tome. It felt like silver, this didn't seem like just an illusion. Tentatively she tests the weight, and is surprised to see it feels about the same. Setting it down again it knocks against the table and she can hear that it had been hollowed. They felt a pang of grief, had this book just been ruined? All the knowledge destroyed? They were about to ask, when instead questions were turned on her.\n\n\"...Very impressive. Mine are, not that heh. I know for the one I sort of understand I need to be able to see the moon,\" She looks around the windowless moon, \"I think it should still be in the sky though, so a window would be enough. East, and probably south by now too actually. Can worry about that later. Anyway, I can create like an illusion of a moon. Not our moon, it looks different. But the phase matches, doesn't matter how you look at it. Sorta see through it. Gives off a bit of light. About yay big.\" She uses her good hand to give a rough size between the table and her hand, a bit over half a metre.\n\n\"The other... I'm not sure. It's only happened a few times and I'm not all too sure how it works. It got, darker? It felt darker, but it wasn't. It was at night, obviously no one else was around. I think it would've been darker for them? But only natural light, and only at night. I don't see a difference, but I can sort of... Feel a difference? Does that make sense? I've no idea how to 'activate' it. No idea what the third could be.\"\n\nThey had relaxed as they began to trust Ostan, and didn't stammer anywhere near as much as before now. They still spoke with uncertainty, but not because of nervousness. They relaxed in the chair and looked back at the silver tome. Where each page ended and the other began was impossible to see.\n\"Is that... Like that forever?\" She asks, not looking away. \"Its cool and all but... It's kinda destroyed?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"Oh dont worry!\" He said with a soft smile, understanding what Agnes was thinking. \"My transmutations are... Unstable, meaning that with time the circle will distort. Eventually one of the lines will break, and the object will revert... But if you arent fond of waiting...\" He said with a knowing grin, leaning over and placing a finger in the center of the circle. \"You can break it yourself\" He said, slowly beginning to draw his finger through the circle. When he met a line, there was a bit of resistance. The better designed and specific the circle, the harder it would be to break, but since this one was drawn with chalk with an emphasis on speed rather than longevity, he was easily able to break the lines. When a line broke, the liquid began disintegrating into a fine dust which floated in the air before disappearing. Within two seconds the entire circle was gone, and the book reverted in an instant. He knocked on the cover before opening it and flipping through the pages. They were perfect, well... Perfectly like they had been only a few moments prior.\n\n\"Objects have... Memory. They remember what they were before my influences, and will revert to that state to the best of their ability when my spell breaks. It is quite interesting in my estimations, though i have yet to test the full limits. If an object is broken somehow it will often revert in as many pieces were created. Oh also, physical contact with the circle must be maintained... So if I had ripped the back cover off of the book the rest of it would have reverted instantly while the cover maintained its silvery form.\" He explained, his passion for this form of \"Science\" Obvious.\n\n_ _\nHe listened to her explanation of her abilities, and considered them while giving his demonstration of his circle. \"And... It seems your abilities are all linked to the moon. Its... 5:30ish I believe, meaning dusk should be happening as we speak. I would be curious to see these effects in action if you wouldnt mind stepping outside of the library for a few minutes. I am not sure if the phase of the moon matters, but we should be only a night or two away from a full moon. I would love to be able to see your abilities firsthand, afterall second hand accounts are rarely as reliable.\" He said softly, thinking through her abilities... She must have a third nested within there somewhere, and if the theming of the moon was universal and her other abilities only worked under moonlight, it was logical to assume this illusive third ability would only work in similar conditions." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "They watch with some relief as the book changes back, to what she can tell as to be exactly how it was before. The idea of objects having memory didn't sound right though. They're just... Objects. But, she had just seen a book turn to pure silver and back again, so what'd she know.\n\"Impressive,\" She comments genuinely. \"I don't think you could rip the back cover off of a silver block though,\" She chuckles.\n\nWhat had been discussed about her own powers was all stuff she already knew, but actually talking with someone about it helped put the pieces together.\n\"The seventh,\" She says quickly. \"The full moon is the seventh, and yes, the sun is setting. That's not my third power. Knowing where the moon is I mean, I just check it online each day. It won't be properly dark until eight though I think. So, plenty of time for demonstrations before then.\" They stand up slowly, leaving both books behind.\n\n\"Although, I've got to have lu- dinner soonish, bit hungry. And lots of studying to do. Playing catch up still. Heh. Should still be able to do it during the day, I can do it. Just, not as well. You'll see.\" There was a sliver of fear in her voice, and despite her own admittance to proper night being hours away, she seems eager to get it over and done with before then. They walk back the way they came and towards the southern entrance, pausing to make sure Ostan was following. They walk quickly for their short height and despite it, still slouch over. The thick black boots that K'duh k'duh With each step counteracts the height lost. From behind the silhouette effect was even more pronounced, the only skin visible being her hands, with dark grey matte painted nails." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan laughed softly at the comment. \"Yes, I doubt I would be strong enough to rip the metal off... Particularly because the book fused together mid transformation for stability. I would either need to make it a different material or I would need power tools.\" The idea of objects having a memory wasnt a perfect comparison... But it was close enough that Ostan planned to use it commonly. In his mind it was more like... An equal but opposite force. For example when you poke dough after it has risen, it will often spring back to its previous shape. This was similar to that. Creating a transmutation \"Poked\" The object, and when that seal broke the energy was released and it would spring back to its original form.\n\nHe listened to her moon facts, not really understanding what the notation \"The seventh\" Meant but knowing enough to follow an obvious expert's opinion. He nodded at the explanation of the time. He was still struggling to adjust to the changes in latitude. As she mentioned her lack of meals he raised an eyebrow. She had obviously been about to say lunch, and he examined her with a careful eye... Though he wasnt one to call out paleness, she had very light skin. Though he had a \"Normal\" Sleeping schedule, it would make sense for one with lunar powers to tend to operate during the night.\n\n_ _\nThe two of them stood and began walking. As they did, Ostan chimed in. \"Now, I assume you operate primarily while others are asleep? I could easily see one with your power set being quite the night owl\" He said with a cheeky grin. He wouldnt comment on it beyond that, simply wishing for Agnes to know that he knew. They walked out into the parking lot, before moving out a bit further, away from the natural lights of the cradle. It was dark, though it wasnt quite night yet. Even still, the moon could be seen on the horizon, just poking above the treeline. That side of the sky was the deepest shade of navy, as the other side of the sky was still showing evidence of the sun. Sunset had happened a little while ago, yet the tendrils of light had yet to leave the sky. As they walked Agnes may notice Ostan's hair trailing on the ground... Now one would expect this to be absolutely horrible, with twigs and rocks and all other kinds of debris getting caught in his locks of hair... But instead his hair seemed to glide above the ground, with nothing being able to find purchase on it.\n\n\"I am sure it will be more than fine. I am excited, I haven't seen many examples of parahuman abilities.\" He said softly, watching the shorter girl's silhouette. The effect was... Interesting to say the least. The two of them moved quickly, walking a fair distance from the main building." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "Agnes looked over her shoulder to listen to what he had assumed about her sleeping habits, but decides against saying anything and turns back around. It was, sort of true? They didn't think it was related to her powers, she'd been like this long before her powers first appeared. Although it might've been possible she always had them, and just didn't know.\n\nStepping out into the parking lot, she was a little disappointed to see they had missed the sunset. The treeline probably blocked most of it, but at least some pink and orange rays poked between the canopy. It was rather pretty. Sure enough towards the south east the moon was visible. Not quite full, but it would be at the end of the week. Being in the presence of the moon she felt... Calmer? The moon had always been a fascination, even if it meant properly seeing it meant being in the dark. The full moon was the best, it illuminated the world just enough to not be completely terrified of the dark, and it made using her powers easier. Yet the sun still lingered, and tickled at the back of her mind, making it just a bit more difficult to feel for her power. There was another feeling, one she hadn't felt in this context before. Familiar though, as if she were about to do a presentation or speech for school. Stage fright. Agnes had never used her powers in front of someone else before. Until arriving at Newton's Cradle it felt wrong somehow.\n\n\"Uhm. Could you turn around?\" She asks politely, but doesn't turn her head to see if he listened.\nWith a deep breath she begins to focus. They put both their hands out as if carrying a heavy box, and the air around them begins to shimmer. Her face screws up in effort as she tries to force the power out, rather than relax and let it flow easily.\n\nOver the span of only a couple seconds tiny points of light of various shades of grey and pale blue stream from her fingertips and coalesce into a roughly spherical shape, the size mentioned earlier. As each point of light falls into place the picture resolves itself into a pale blue moon. Despite not existing in an orbit a sliver is darker than the rest, matching the phase of the real moon exactly. The pock marker craters however, were entirely unique. It gave off a very faint blue glow which made her skin look even paler.\n\n\"I'm not very good at it,\" She shudders and calms her breathing. It looked like it took a great deal of effort out of her, but now that it is formed it seemed remarkably easy to maintain. They walk a few paces away, and once its more than about 5ft away it begins to follow her slowly, until its within the 5ft again. Walking around it, the picture looks identical no matter the angle, as if it were a static image placed into the world. Like a 2d sprite in a 3d videogame that always faces the player character.\n\n\"That's the first one I said. I can't really do the other one, and I think it's still too bright anyway.\" They explain." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "As they stepped out Ostan looked around the parking lot, lacking a real appreciation for the sunset. It was pretty, but he had seen many before and this one wasnt unique in comparison. As they stepped out further into the darkness, he rolled his eyes at her request. He was here to examine her powers, of course he would have to look... But, well not moving would be rude... So instead he grabbed his dress and ruffled it, making it sound like he had turned around while instead he watched. He pulled out his notebook, prepared to take notes throughout the whole process.\n\nIt was a gorgeous effect, points of light moving and resolving into an image that threatened to break the mind. An object with a universal viewing angle... Meaning it was projecting the same image to everyone at once. Such things should be physically impossible... Maybe the moon wasnt actually there though. It could be something overlaid on his vision... Though viewing it through a camera's lens should either prove or disprove that. He would attempt it in a moment.\n\nAs she turned to look at him, he made an act of turning around at the same time to maintain the illusion that he hadnt been watching. He approached the moon, attempting to make a rough sketch of its surface. To do this he tried approaching it, attempting to make contact with its surface. \"It looks beautiful\" He said quietly, watching the celestial body intently. Even if she couldnt show him her other power, this would provide some very interesting data... Data that would be very, very useful indeed.\n\nHe also pulled out his phone, pulling up his camera app and looking through the device to see if the moon appeared on the screen aswell. He was testing three theories in this moment. First, he tried getting close to the moon. It seemed to stay 5 feet away from Agnes, but could he get closer? Second, making physical contact with the moon. Third, seeing if it was actually present in the world or something projected onto his vision." }, { "author": ".cydonia", "message": "\"Uhh.. Thanks?\" She wasn't sure whether to take what he said about the moon as a compliment to herself, or the power, or to just the moon. Sure the moon was nice enough, but it was static. It only moved to follow her, but looked the same no matter where you looked at it from. It would be nicer if it were a proper object with depth and-\n\nHer train of thought was cut of when she realised Ostan was holding up his phone to take a picture of the moon. They instinctively steps out of frame, being quite camera shy. The moon was still within the range however, so it does not move. It seems to only move it's too far away, rather than attempt to stay at a fixed distance.\n\nApproaching it, the projection doesn't move away from Ostan, and if he were to reach out and attempt physical contact his hand would go right through the transparent moon. It wouldn't feel like it was there, but it'd bath him in the faint blue light. The camera shows the moon just as clearly as if he were looking at it.\n\n\"You can't touch it,\" She says rather obviously still keeping out of frame just in case he decides to take a picture, just standing there rather awkwardly. The slowly darkening sky was putting her a bit on edge and she anxiously looked between the entrance and Ostan.\n\nMods might have logs, could send it to you so you don't gotta rewrite it all\n\nAhh yeah that sucks" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "All three of his tests resolved, and their results were interesting. He snapped a pic and Agnes narrowly avoided the capture but he didnt even notice. So... He could approach the moon and it was intangible. It likely wasnt a projection given his phone could also see it... Though that wasnt guaranteed. He put his phone away and pushed his head through the image, trying to put it between his eyes in an attempt to see both sides at once... And the effect was almost comical. He sadly wasnt able to make anything out... Though he had a few theories. Leading among them was something quantum... Like every possible orientation of the moon was present but it showes the one parallel to the viewer...\n\nHe finishes sketching the moon, wanting to capture the feeling it invoked. He had a picture,but he liked having drawings whenever possible. He turned to Agnes with another question... Before noticing her nervousness... Maybe his assumption that she would like the darkness had been misplaced...\n\n\"Well! Your presentation was phenomenal, if you have nothing else to show we can head back to the cradle.\" He offered. It wasnt the best for his studies, he wanted to see this second ability, but... Well that wouldnt be a good friend thing. Extracting information would have to be a slow process..." } ]	416	6,862
363.166667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "admiraljesus", "message": "Bonks thread into existence\n\nThis place might be okay. A little bit okay, maybe, but still... Fine. It was one of the places she'd been in her life, and it had managed not to be the very worst. Which was nice. Well, not nice. Just... Okay. Which was apparently the word of the day. Because nothing had really been better than just barely Okay So far. Sure, it was cool the teachers let her leave when the burning and the writhing got bad, but the teachers couldn't exactly stop her back home either. Either way, it was a good break from the whole scolding whenever she went for a walk. Like right now.\n\nAnd that tiny luxury of just being able to go for a walk when she wanted had cost her a less-than-voluntary move to Sweden. And, sure, she didn't have much back home, but she had Dad. Here she had... Classes. That was about it. Not exactly thrilling.\n\nThere was something to be said about not having to tiptoe around everywhere though. At least- not in the same way she used to. She had weird freak powers, everyone already knew that, and since they all had freak powers nobody was going to exactly make hers the topic of progressively more insane gossip until eventually someone decides to push their luck.\n\nAt least, she hoped not. It'd suck to go through that routine in fucking Sweden of all places. Never thought she'd end up here.\n\nSpeaking of her walk, however...\n\nWhere the hell was she? She'd wandered off about twenty minutes into her first class in this damned place, and apparently they had created a new labyrinth, and she was some kind of experimental minotaur. She sighed, looking around, and finding a hallway that looked like just about every other hallway, leading to classrooms that looked like every other classroom. People were filtering out of every door, so she assumed it was lunch, but, still. It'd be nice to know where she was, at least.\n\nSo, she'd stand there, gawking around and looking very obviously out of place, occasionally scratching at her arm frustratedly." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "This place was a dump. A clinical, governmental dump that was more like Sky High Than X-Men, Which was possibly what pissed Ryn off the most – she didn't even feel cool. Walking through the facility felt like passing by groups of lab rats pretending they weren't being experimented on. She held onto her skepticism for dear life; it kept her sane, smart, Alert. Yes, that was the most pressing concern, they must not let their guard down. They would pass through this awful place as quickly as they could with as little turbulence as possible. That was the key to staying afloat here.\n\nThough, she was warranted to have doubts of her own insight. Her own moments of weakness are what lead her here; she should've never cared for a confidant enough to harm, even maim another person, yet care she did. In the end, all – including Ryn – had learned one simple lesson: she was dangerous. It was a mistake that cost their entire life, leaving it behind to be contained in this facility. Yet, even now, they held no remorse, no regret – if prompted, they would do it all over again.\n\nThat is what puzzled Ryn upon the small bench in the hallway this lunch block, nibbling at a crudely made chicken salad sandwich. They had a tiny frame draped in a slouchy brown college hoodie, black denim shorts, knee-high houndstooth socks, and chunky black sneakers. Their chin-length hair was shaved on one side and messily swept over, and they had golden, wireframe, octagonal glasses, with a frayed houndstooth choker around their neck.\n\nAs a particularly lost looking girl stood relatively near the bench, a metallic barking sound seemed to emanate from the space beneath her. Beneath Ryn emerged three chrome orbs of differing sizes making the vague form of a small dog – the two spikes on the top orb resembling ears would likely confirm such suspicions. The girl on the bench seemed frustrated, placing the sandwich back in the tupperware on her lap and leaning over.\n\n\"Shut up, Syz.\" The metallic dog stopped barking and disappeared beneath the bench. Ryn didn't raise her head to the one it seemed 'Syz' was barking at, but she did state \"Sorry. I'm working on making him smarter.\" Her voice was light, nasally, and almost monotone." }, { "author": "admiraljesus", "message": "Cameron thought of asking the tiny person sitting at a nearby bench where exactly she was, before she ended up catching a glimpse of a robotic form underneath them.\n\nOkay. That was definitely... Interesting. Cool, definitely, and only a little unnerving. Less unnerving than what she could do, she supposed. At least- on the surface. She of all people would know that shit gets more unnerving under the surface of things. Maybe it was really messed up, or maybe this kid was just a genius. Either way-\n\nHer thoughts were interrupted by a shrill, metallic bark, that caused her to immediately screw up her nose and put a hand over one of her ears, turning her head away. What she got for gawking, she supposed.\n\n\"Agh, damn— nah, s'fine. Dogs' are meant ta' be stupid. Only reason they'd ever like people,\" She'd joke with a wry expression, in a notable Scottish accent.\n\n\"Maybe tone down the bark a tiny bit though? Fer the sake of my ears, an' all...\" She'd suggest, lowering her hand and looking back at the dog's owner.\n\nCameron herself was dressed in a light sweatshirt, whose sleeves only reached halfway down her forearms, a pair of running shoes, and basketball shorts. She usually dressed lightly. Dressing any heavier is hard when you feel like you're burning up all the time, even during a highland winter. Her musculature was visible on her lower forearms, and she seemed generally lean and very fit, rocking on the balls of her feet as if her body was trying to get her on the move again." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Today was a good day for their eyes. At least, palatable enough to eat outside their room, which was slowly beginning to smell a certain way as they spent more time alone. She loathed the snow and the bitter air – she already dealt with Visual Snow and had no love for physical snow regardless – and so she took to rotating between different spots in the facility in an unpredictable manner. The last thing Ryn wanted was to be the recipient of wayward expectancy.\n\nRyn replied with a mouthful of sandwich, which on closer inspection, was stuffed with indeterminate red hot spicy chips. \"He's not supposed to be annoying. That's all on him.\" The orbicular machine beneath her seemed to rotate and momentarily separate. All three orbs floated upwards and hovered onto the bench beside her, taking the proportions of the small dog as before.\n\n\"If I wanted a stupid dog, I could've just swiped one from the street,\" They said clearly after finishing their bite. \"He's an extremely complex paranormal machine. Maybe too complex.\" She patted the 'head' of the machine and the three orbs seemed to wind down, barely hovering above the bench next to her, organized in descending order.\n\n\"Anyway. You are lost. I can assist you when I finish eating this sandwich.\" Ryn then deferred to eating their sandwich in relative silence unless prompted to speak. Though they were averse to spending any more time interacting with others than what was necessary, they had an intimate knowledge of the facility grounds – perhaps they simply wanted to exercise their memory, yes, that was it." }, { "author": "admiraljesus", "message": "Cameron waited for the few moments Ryn was chewing for her reply, parting her gaze from the robotic dog back to a nearby window. The sight of snow was always a good one for her, as the cold that winter brought was one of the few reprieves from the feeling of burning-hot pebbles under her skin, which pathed through her veins to leave a painful sensation that felt irregular, spotty, and inevitable.\n\nWhen Ryn replied, she'd just shrug, leaning up against the wall across from them.\n\"Eh. Guess you can't control everything about, eh... Extremely complex paranormal machines...\" She'd say, as if that was a term she was acquainted with. Unless you Could Control everything about complex paranormal machines. Cameron hadn't the slightest clue, after all.\n\n\"But— eh... Nah, I'm not, really...\" She said, starting to deny Ryn's observation out of habit, before looking around again, and scratching the back of her neck with a small sigh.\n\n\"Yeah, sure,\" She'd say, before falling silent to let Ryn eat in peace." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "\"If it can't be controlled, then it wasn't made right. Sometimes, he–...\" They looked to the machine beside them in a momentary pause. \"It Acts like a real dog. An annoying, barking, stupid dog.\" There was contempt in Ryn's voice. It was hard to read which part of the conundrum troubled her and which parts didn't. Unfortunately for the pair, she was an exceptionally slow eater, and despite having just a few bites of the sandwich left, it was a matter of minutes until she finally stood up.\n\n\"I can tell you're new. Sweden is far too cold for clothes like those.\" They held the empty tupperware in a football carry and rolled up one of their oversized sleeves. She spun a thick, silver-ish fidget ring on her index finger and a light whirring sound emanated from the ring. Six barely discernible drones were released into the air and circled around the cuff of the rolled-up sleeve by her elbow. \n\n\"Do you know where you're supposed to be? Classes, a schedule; don't say 'home' Or something.\" On this point she was oddly stern. Ryn thought it would be safer to nip any horrific conversation paths at the bud. Precautions were necessary when, historically speaking, she could barely console her Neopets.\n\nWhat was perhaps perceivable when Ryn was sitting on the bench across the hallway was now obvious when they drew closer. There was a notable haziness in the center of their eyes most strikingly indicative of cataracts. The cloudiness did not overtake the entirety of the eyes, as the green hue was also perceivable beneath them, but it did appear that the right eye was hazier." } ]	346.5	2,179
335.5	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "casquedi", "message": "It Stunk, utterly and completely. Lucifer couldn't even put his finger on what the smell even was apart from simply 'fucking disgusting' and it was driving him to insanity.\n\nHe'd awoken that morning before his alarm usually rattled him awake, jolted from his dreams by the noxious stench that had crawled its way under his door and to his nose and immediately it had been unbearable. He'd rolled into whatever clothes he had pawed off of the ground, shoved his feet into his beaten docs and hadn't even attempted to fix his hair or button his shirt correctly, looking less like his usual, kind-of decently dressed weirdo, and more like a poster boy for any drunk college student with the winced expression and groggy temperament to match.\n\nHe'd spent the last 4 hours attempting to hunt the offensive odour down and eventually, he had narrowed down the smell to the common room on the second floor, calling Hydne out to assist in the visual aid of looking, but it wasn't truly helping at all. They let out a 'murr' of discontent from the sofa arm as Luce lifted up yet another pillow for inspection at the other end, frowning and throwing it towards their bird who went down with a squawk of discontent and feathers, vanishing and appearing back on his shoulder with impressive avian ire\n\n\"You're really not all that helpful you know, we would be back in bed asleep a lot faster if you could be bothered to help me\"\nAnother disgruntled 'murr' was all the verbal response he got, but Hydne finally assisted in keeping their gaze on the task at hand.\nLuce paused in his search, pulling the middle of his gaudy pink shirt up to his face for a tentative sniff before dropping it again. Definitely not him, maybe a little sweaty from running around the room, but definitely Not Him.\n\"I'm starting to think we've gone mad\"" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "The smell was terrible. Exhausting, even. Mimir had opened the window in her dorm, she re-washed her sheets, rug, and squishmallows at least twice, but it would Not Leave. She stands in the middle of her room, a pink silk bandanda tied over the bottom half of her face to try and dull the smell as much as possible. It was repulsive, and she was tired of it.\n\nShe pulls on some shoes and her sweater, leaving the bandana on as she turns to her door, pulling on a pair of gloves. She needed to get out of this room, maybe the smell would be dispersed in the hallways or on other floors. The cloth on her face was helping, but not enough. Mimir wanders the halls, trying to figure out where the smell increases and decreases, only to find herself in its center - the common room.\n\nThey stop in the doorway, eyes spotting Lucifer immediately. They shift, a hand setting itself on their hip as they watch the guy scramble around, searching under any and every surface for... Something. They tip their head to the side, unsure of what the purpose of this was for. The bird was peculiar too — did they even allow pet birds here?\n\n\"Yeah, gone mad would be a great way to explain it,\" Mimir finally speaks, taking another step into the room, \"What are you even looking for?\" Its voice is flat, eyes unmoving from Lucifer despite the state the common room was in. Maybe he had just lost something, but he looked awfully too sweaty for something so normal." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Lucifer let out a small noise at the voice that spoke up behind him, a mixture of surprise and indignancy as he let the pillow in his hand drop back onto the sofa, not bothering to straighten the fabric to its usual position and leaving it, much like the rest of the room, in utter disarray.\n\nHe huffed tiredly, bringing up one arm to push back the silvery locks that had fallen into his face but immediately grimacing at the slight dampness of it, face reddening slightly in embarrassment at his messy state. He turned then towards the newcomer, offering out a hand for his companion to hop up onto and shimmy over onto his shoulder, where it watched Mimir with a keen gaze, both sets of eyes now focused towards her.\n\nThe first thing he noticed was the proof that the smell wasn't just his imagination; a bandana was wrapped tightly around their face, keeping out the worst of the stench; the second he noted was that despite the mid-morning hour, she was dressed impeccably as usual, not a hair out of place or a buckle undone, he really had to ask her how she tames her hair, his own always falling somewhere in between rat nest and 'poofy'\n\n\"Trying to find that smell- it, uh, it has really been grating my nerves, woke me up hours ago, but, well, I can't find it- but I swear it's here!\"\nHe waved a hand vaguely around him before turning his attention back to them.\n\n\"I thought something had crawled into my room and died, made me really worried, but... No, it's definitely here- it's not you, is it?\"\nThe words were followed by a small, unattractive snort, the sarcastic tone revealing it was joking, not serious." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Mimir looks Lucifer up and down — not to check him out, just to asses what she's dealing with. Nothing impressive, that's for sure, but the bird... That was strange. She would ask about it, but she was more confused by the boy's general aura of distress and sweat. As his face reddens, hers stays unchanged, for better or for worse.\n\nShe knows she's dressed well. Confidence radiates off Mimir in waves, as per usual, and she shakes her head. Was there even a source to this smell? With all the strange happenings around here, she suspects it wasn't coming from anything but a bad vibe, summoned by a spot on the floor that disappeared a week ago. \n\nIt's not you, is it? The words were a joke, but they landed more like an insult, reminding her of times and places before this. Mimir visibly tenses, their posture straightening up a bit as they glare daggers at Lucifer.\n\n\"What in the fresh hell would give you that idea?\" They take another step into the room, leaning on a couch.\n\n\"Do I Look Like I smell? Maybe it's the bird with you, hm?\"" } ]	348	1,342
460.958333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Some days, Luci really questioned his stance on God.\nNot in a dramatic, midlife crisis kind of way, but more in a \"Someone is clearly doing their best to make me miserable today and is enjoying it\" Way.\n\nHe'd woken up groggy and discontent that morning, kept awake by the stuffy temperature of his dorm room coupled with the usual clatter and bang of his neighbour's nocturnal habits and had immediately fallen to the floor in a tangle of duvet and limbs with a squawk of surprise that would rival even the most disgruntled seagull. He found his box of teabags empty, coffee too, tripped (twice) on a rug in the hallway with impressively poor grace and had spent the rest of the day being generally inconvenienced by life. \nBy the time noon rolled around, Lucifer had all but in word cursed out whatever god was watching over him, giving up on the long list of tasks he'd had planned and deciding it was probably better for his sanity to simply go back to bed., Hoping he could sleep solidly into tomorrow morning when his luck had rightened itself, and his headache had finally disappeared.\n\nHe pondered this line of thinking as he sulked his way towards the lifts, deciding the stairs were probably too treacherous a journey today, feeling his way down the panel before jamming his finger on the call button more times than necessary and an extra ding for good measure when the lift didn't appear within the next 5 seconds. He stepped back then, tucking his cane on his arm and shoving his hands under his armpits with a shiver. On par with the rest of the day he'd been having, the morning had started off wonderfully mild, not too hot or cold, and quickly gone downhill when dark clouds clawed their way across the sky, throwing fat drops of water to the ground, soaking everything in minutes and dragging the temperature down several degrees, even inside. Luce had stupidly forgone his jacket earlier that day, opting to head out in nought but a clean black shirt and brown slacks, both of which were now sticking uncomfortably to his skin.\nHydne grumbled irritably on his shoulder, looking particularly scruffy with their feathers clumped and soggy, beady eyes squinting as if they too had an unfortunate headache, though being smacked by a closing door earlier in the day probably wasn't all that pleasant.\n\n\"Stop complaining, you chicken,\" \nLuce sighed wearily, angling his head slightly towards them.\n\"We're nearly back, and your waffling on won't get us there any faster. You don't even have to do any of the leg work.\"\nHydne made a harsh noise, almost like they were insulted, burrowing their head further into their chest and earning yet another eye-roll before being ignored as the slow rumble of the elevator caught the man's attention. Finally, in 5 minutes, he'd be wrapped in his softest fleece, burrowed under as many blankets as he could find. Maybe he could even brave the kitchen for some popcorn." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "It was no surprise why Uriel did not like the stairs. \n\nTruthfully, Did not like Was a bit of an understatement. They detested their methodical, downward drops, every corner of every step a potential hazard for when they'd inevitably fall asleep and tumble down, down down to the ground. It was a bit of a childish fear, though, and so Uriel opted to keep their mouth shut when discussing such things. The only remnant of said fear was their steeled resolve to take the lift whenever available.\n\nAnd so, like every other not-quite-morning, Uriel finished brewing a cup of tea from the downstairs kitchen (another hazard— if they passed out, they could potentially spill the boiling liquid on them) and sleepily pressed the elevator call button. \n\nThe elevator was taking too long, the slight delay in the elevator's motion causing their eyebrows to furrow ever-so-slightly. Hopefully, no one else was awake at this hour; while Uriel was still dressed in their everyday clothing, they always found it awkward to make small talk while trapped in the small confines of the elevator. \n\nDing.\n\nEmpty. Thank god. Uriel gets in the elevator, and presses the button to go back to their floor. \n\nThe relief quickly vanishes, however, as they come to a stop before their floor arrives. Someone else, then. They think, a little nervous. \n\nLet's hope its someone not too nervewracking. It's the only thought that comes to mind as the elevator doors slide open to reveal...\n\n[also my writing quality will pick up dw]" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Finally, after what felt like decades, the door to the lift creaked open, the ding of the button announcing its arrival shrilly.\nMany assumed that due to his lack of vision, Lucifer was easy to startle, sneak up on or generally unaware of his surroundings. That wasn't true, in fact it wasn't true for most visually impaired people. The truth is most people don't realise how noisy they are in day to day, how strong their deodorant is, and as Luce leaned towards the door, turning his head slightly, he didn't hear the usual scuffle of feet on the rubber floor or breath that always echoed noisily on the metal walls. Empty.\n\nThank god.\n\nIt wasn't that Lucifer disliked people, he loved socialising, truly, but his appearance was and always had been a matter of pride, and his current 'wet poodle' look was rather embarrassing, the quicker he could get into his room and under the covers, the better.\n\nWith a breath, he moved his grip on the cane, lifting it away from the ground snf stepping into the lift, finding the back corner and stuffing himself into it, shivering slightly at the cold material leeching what warm remained from his arms. He pressed the button for his floor quickly, having already memorised its spot on the wall from previous rides, and settled more solidly into his nook, pushing up his glasses to rub at his the bridge of hid node tiredly with one hand before simply laying it over his eyes, noting the sizable bags starting to form on the scarred skin. God he needed to get more sleep.\n\nEver since his... Odd interaction with another parahuman on the group chat, he'd begun sleeping even less than usual, popping off for an hour or two before being woken by nightmares or, more often, the sound of footsteps passing his door. And each time he did awake, he feared it was that other kid, Uriel? Outside his door, maybe taking a peek into his dreams, or worse his memories. He wasn't entirely sure of the others powers but it was certainly enough to put him on edge.\n\nFor perhaps the 5th time that day, Lucifer experienced a moment in which he felt the need to drop to his knees, and plead to the dear lord above to please, give him a moments respite, as the sound of the elevator slowing, and the doors popping open with a cheering 'ding!' signalling the arrival of another passenger was enough to convince him that maybe hell Was Real afterall." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "There was someone in the elevator with them. \n\nA nervous glace at the open doors, and they watch with a pallid gaze as a person steps into the elevator. Even with their albino vision, the identity of the other is instantly recognizable— a shock of white hair, circular rose-tinted glasses resting upon a pale face. It was the same face attached to the intranet handle Uriel had an... Odd encounter with. They'd be lying if they hadn't been nervously scanning crowds of people for that striking face, more out of curiosity than fear of the other.\n\nTheir encounter had been awkward, yes, but... Lucifer didn't seem like a Threat Per se. \n\nLucifer presses a button to (presumably) his floor, and stands in the corner... The same corner Uriel Was currently in, making the other press against the elevator wall to avoid touching the blind man. \n\nUriel wasn't planning on saying anything— small talk wasn't their strong suit, and the elevator ride would only be a couple of seconds at most. However, life apparently had Other Plans. \n\n\n\"Um. Excuse me.\", A brief, panicked stutter rushes from their lips, as Uriel leans as far back as they can without losing balance. \"Sorry I'm— um, do you mind moving over please...?\"\n\nIt didn't seem as if the other saw them, in Lucifer's defense. Still, they internally winced at having to speak up from directly behind. Were they that hard to miss...?" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "For several seconds upon stepping into the elevator, Lucifer thought his only company was Hydne and the uncomfortable squelch of his shoes, but in his defence, he was still trying to dislodge what must've been the entire contents of Lake Superior from his eardrums, and the clothing plastering itself to every part of his body really didn't help in his distraction.\nSo when a quiet voice from behind him spoke up, Lucifer was quite entitled to the rather shrill noise that came out his mouth in tandem with the sudden lurch away from the wall he'd decided to occupy, which resulted in a rather loud clang as his elbow jerked out against the metal, followed then by a literary of swears, both English and otherwise, culminating in a final, quiet \"Fuck\" As he rubbed at his elbow, hunched rather pathetically by the door, water still squishing audibly in his shoes.\nIn the sudden chaos, his bird had been woken from their light doze and dropped rather unceremoniously onto the floor, where they sat, wings ajar looking like a discarded dishcloth, or maybe an old used feather brush.\n\"Cnych- ow, I'm really sorry, I didn't know you were there, uh, sorry\"\nLucifer had regained some of his composure by now, red faced as he was, and he took a moment to fix his glasses, which had fallen from one eat, skewing themselves across his face, and then to tug at his shirt sleeves, perhaps in an attempt to look more presentable.\n\n\"It's this rain, it uh, it makes it really had to concentrate when you're half drowned... Hah... Uh\"\nHe trailed off rather lamely, met with silence, and he took this quiet to swiftly collect his ratty animal, sitting them on the rail by the door. As he did so, the beady white eyes of the bird shifted, until dark pupil's fixed themselves on the other occupant.\nImmediately Lucifers easy, yet awkward smile slid off his face like wet paint, though within a second he had fought to settle it back in place, even if it appeared a little tight, his brows still furrowed.\nOh.. That's who the other inhabitant was.\nLucifer had never seen Uriel before, obviously, but he knew the number of albino students at the school was rather limited, and the vague description he'd gotten from other people when he'd asked around matched the figure before him perfectly, long white hair and a distant expression that makes the hairs on his neck stand up straight, and even though he can't see the other with his own eyes, he unconsciously shifts his head down and to the side, as if eager to escape the look cast his way.\n\n\"Oh! Uhm, Uriel right? Fancy running into you here- I mean, we both have our dorms here but, uh... Hm it's old women and sticks out there isn't it? Right proper downpour, nice change I suppose-from all the heat\"\nHe nodded rather quickly, shaking water droplets from his hair onto the floor.\n\"Uh, sorry\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "They do nothing as Lucifer Jolts Away from them, injuring himself in the process. Not out of a lack of concern, mind you— in fact, their face quickly morphs into that of mild worry once the rapid succession of events catches up to their delayed brain. \n\n\"Oh, yes, Lucifer. I recognized your face from the intranet conversation we had. You're quite striking, after all.\" Uriel gives a small smile at the other, one meant to reassure the other about their intentions than any actual happiness at Luci's misfortune. \n\n\"You looked scared. My apologies, but don't worry. I'm perfectly harmless. Just at an unfortunate place in an unfortunate time, it seems to be.\" Uriel trails off slightly, as Luci shakes his head and buckets of water spray on the ground from his sopping wet hair. \n\nNow that Uriel had known Lucifer's powers, they were less apprehensive about whatever potential the other had. It was evident Lucifer had his secrets, given his cagey nature and panic at their abilities, but everyone at the Cradle seemed to carry a skeleton or two trapped inside their closet. So long as the two weren't burdened with the same inherited weight, however, Uriel made sure to draw a firm line between their business and other people's. \n\nIt was the least they could do, considering how often they've eavesdropped on people's traumas. Despite their intentions, life always seemed determined to make them an unwilling witness.\n\n\"Is your, um, bird... Alright?\" A small step, frozen in whether approaching the other would be seen as a kindness or a condemnation, if taking the initiative would do more harm than good. \n\nIt was an interesting creature, Uriel would have to admit, slowly swiveling their head to face the creature head-on. Even looking directly at the snow-white bird, they still seemed to be looking Through It, as if making eye contact with something only Uriel could see. \n\n\"It's very cute.\" They mutter under their breath. \"What's its name?\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "\"What?\"\nLucifer asked dumbly, taking a moment to realise the inquiry was aimed at his raven, it caught him off guard. People often commented on his strange companion, though it tended to be mild interest, and it wasn't often anyone saw them as their own item instead of just an extention-or trinket of Luci's. It was... Refreshing.\n\"Hydne? Yeah, don't worry about them, drowned Street rat is their usual look\" He explained, tilting his head vaguely in the direction of the bird in question, who mimicked the action, though kept Uriels steady eye contact with unwavering Skill.\nWhile the bird was unperturbed by the eye contact, Lucifer couldn't help but retract his powers, letting Hydnes eyes return to a milky white once more, immediately their attention snapped else where like a puppet cut loose, reaching back to preen at their feathers quietly.\n\nLucifer reveled in the sudden lack of sight. Something about Uriels gaze made him feel exposed, like they knew something he didn't. He frowned, quickly shaking off the thought and forcing himself to relax, one hand coming up to fiddle with his necklace as he lifted his head, turning his face back to the other, no longer cowed by the knowing looks.\nHe had to admit they... Were far less imposing in person. Maybe it was the smaller height or the cup of tea clasped warmly in their hands sending a gentle aroma around the space. Either way, Lucifer almost questioned his worry for a second, surely they couldn't be all that dangerous right?\n\"It's uh, it's good to meet you in person finally, I think we got off on the wrong foot, bad first impressions\" He paused\n\"Not that I thought badly of you! Just, you know, texting, it's not great for uh, Tone and...\"\nHe waved his hand vaguely in the air as if that finished his sentence.\n\n\"Sorry again, I nearly stepped on you hah, this one time I-\"\nWhatever chatter Lucifer was about to make was cut off abruptly by a loud groan from the lift, like metal on metal or the catching of gears. The floor shuddered, giving one final heave before it stopped rather suddenly, causing Luci to grab onto the rail.\n\"I've never heard it make that noise before, maybe it needs maintance\"\nHe muttered, turning to face the door, ready to escape the conversation, even if it wasn't his floor, he could just take the stairs.\nHe waited. And waited. And the doors didn't open, nor did the button ping, he reached toward to tap the door and- yep, still closed. Oh dear." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel bends down onto their haunches. They slowly extend a gloved hand towards Hydne, cooing softly at the creature. They've always found it easier to talk to animals than people; animals seemed to operate on a more basic set of rules, while humans were Complicated, equipped with nuance and denial and all sorts of nasty emotions animals didn't have the intelligence to possess.\n\n\"No worries. I do apologize for being paranoid. The pool of albino parahumans is larger than I thought, so it seems. Please do forgive me for being so... Cryptic.\" Uriel smiled at the other, waving away the slight on the intranet with a tiny gesture. It all... Seemed so Small, the history of interaction between the two already fading into the fog of their mind. They might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but did that mean the two couldn't win the race? Perhaps that thought didn't make sense to anyone else, but it did to Uriel.\n\nGrinding, loud metal. Uriel presses the Open door Button multiple times, and yet nothing happens.\n\n\"Ah. We're... Stuck here.\" They cup their cheek, sighing loudly.\n\nA beat. Two. The grinding of gears sounded painful against the metal elevator shaft, and the LED display above the door began to glitch out as the elevator stopped with a sudden halt.\n\n\"...Oh dear. Perhaps it's fate. Do you believe in such a thing? I do. \" Uriel lets out one last sigh before sitting on the elevator floor, seemingly unperturbed by the sudden stop. \n\n\"I do wonder... What glorious thing will come of our meeting, that the Universe decided to intervene in such a way?\" A small, polite laugh. They were smiling now, eyes open wide at the sudden, unexpected turn of events. A coincidence like this couldn't mean Nothing— fate? Destiny, even? Strings just now snapping taut as both ends are pulled? The potential guiding hand of the Universe personally blessing Uriel with her caring, gentle hand made their face blossom into that of a small grin.\n\n\"Lucifer. Join me, will you? It seems someone's decided we have much to discuss.\"\n\nUriel sits down on the ground, criss-cross. How interesting." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "\"Feels like fate has been chasing me around all day\"\nLucifer muttered bitterly, reaching towards the control panel and feeling for the call button. He pressed down on the button a number of times before realising that it wasn't working, great.\n\n\"Must be an electrical problem\"\nHe muttered, crouching down in front of the door and sticking his fingers between the gaps in an attempt to Jimmy it open, but predictably it didn't even budge.\nHe tried for another few minutes, pointedly ignoring Uriels invite, instead jamming his fingers in every single button, trying to pry the doors and reach up towards the ceiling to feel for a catch, maybe some way out, but nothing.\n\nEventually, with an exasperated sigh he dropped down opposite Uriel, unlike the other he sat rather rigidly, back against the wall and his legs bent, arms resting against his knees, one hand rubbing absentmindedly at the indents along the tattoo on his wrist as Hydne hopped down and padded towards Uriel, they seemed to have almost shrunk, the puffed up feathers flattening down in a more relaxed manner, head bent to the side curiously in inspection, stopping about a foot away to eye them up.\n\n\"At least its warm in here, I think my shirts finally drying\"\nA pause,\n\"You're a believe in that-fate and stuff? Destiny and all that malarkey?\" He queried, genuinely curious\n\"I didn't really take you for the type, not that I know you I guess. If this is fates idea of a joke I'd like words with whoevers in charge\"\nLucifer lowered his head, pulling his glasses from his face and letting them dangle from their chain, digging the heels of his hands into his sockets with a ragged breath. He considered the situation he was in and let out a small giggle, maybe his parents were right, hell was a thing, maybe he'd got hit by a car earlier or something and his eternal punishment was being stuck in a tiny metal box with a cryptic bastard who could read his mind or whatever they could do, though he'd rather take the promised fire and brimstone at this point. Pitchforks and all." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"We should probably call for help, then. Perhaps Graham would be able to fix our situation?\" Uriel wondered out loud, but made no move to actually Text Graham or do anything to help while Lucifer scrambled around the elevator looking for an exit. \n\nLucifer was right. It Was Hot in here, the cramped, enclosed space only making the lack of air conditioning and the summer heat bouncing around the hot metal worse. They pull their purple poncho over their head with a sigh as their long, white braid gets slightly undone by the motion, and sit upon the piece of fabric. \n\nNow with a newfound cushion to pad against the hard elevator floor and only in their staple white button-down nightshirt and gloves, Uriel looks to the other. It seems the steam that'd been fueling Lucifer had finally run out of energy, as he takes a seat across from them.\n\n\"Of course I believe in fate. It's a comforting idea— given an option, I don't see why someone Wouldn't Opt to believe in it. I... Don't exactly know what you mean by 'that type', but I'll take it to be a compliment, I suppose.\" Their face softens upon talking about the subject, eyes glazing over and face blossoming into a smile for a brief moment.\n\nA small frown graced their face upon seeing Lucifer's disheveled state. Was the other claustrophobic, perhaps? It was worth asking.\n\n\"Are you... Quite alright, Lucifer?\" A small shift, as Uriel gets on their knees to look at the boy closer. \"Is the tight space getting to you? I hope this situation isn't spurring any latent claustrophobia.\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "\"I've always found not being able to see the space I'm in negates any claustrophobic feelings. Hard to fear small spaces when you can't even tell how small the space is.\nA lot of things are a lot less scary, the dark, for instance, though I'm not a fan of thunder\"\nA pause,\n\"What, you going to tell me you're afraid of nothing or something? I guess with your powers you've probably seen way too much weird stuff, desensitisation and all\"\nHe meant the comment as a joke, but it fell flat at the pinched expression on his face, as if talking about their powers was equivalent to chewing glass, and he seemed to pull his legs a little closer to the wall.\nHe wasn't claustrophobic in the slightest, if anything, he'd always preferred small spaces, anywhere he could feel the walls around him, able to tell where he was, count the inches from one side to another, safe in the knowledge that for that moment it was just him, safe and in complete control.\n\n\"I've always disliked that idea- that someone else has any say in my life, it's mine, so I should be able to control it, y'know? If fate is true, or God -whatever, what's the point of doing anything\"\nHe shifted, rubber soles squeaking on the floor as he shifted to tug a button or two loose and peeling his shirt away from his collarbones.\n\"I've had enough of people telling me what I can and can't do for a lifetime\"\n\n Lucifer took a moment then, listening to the breaths collected between them as he fiddled with his buttons aimlessly before jolting slightly, reaching into his trouser pockets to pull out his battered old phone and earbuds, sticking one in his ear and lifting the deceive up and waving it around in an attempt to get service with no luck\n\"Right, Faraday cage effect and all that\" He muttered, letting the device clatter to the floor aimlessly.\n\"You're awfully calm, we could be stuck in here for hours you know that right, you got something in that tea you want to share with the group?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Aha, afraid of nothing? Oh, no, don't worry. Much like most humans, I have a laundry list of fears.\" Uriel sticks out a gloved hand to their side, counting on their fingers. \n\n\"Heights. Water. Stairs. Sharp objects. Being moved when I sleep. Myself, to an extent. Actually, I'm afraid of quite a lot of things, no? It's a bit embarrassing, actually.\" They sheepishly cup their back of their neck, an embarrassed laugh instinctively fluttering up from their lungs.\n\n\"Ah... You're nervous for that reason, then. Hm... I don't want to lie to you, and make any false promises or sugar-coated truths that don't actually hold up to inspection, so I won't bother. Instead... I suppose you should be reassured that there are people here who could kill you if they desired, so someone like me shouldn't be too nerve-wracking in the grand scheme of things. Besides, look at me.\"\n\nUriel stretches their arm out, showcasing a physique more akin to 'skin and bones' than anything human.\n\n\"Physically, I'm rather weak, so... I couldn't exactly fight back against you. Not that I'd try to do such a thing, anyway.\" \n\nThey watch with large, owlish eyes at Lucifer's response, considering his perspective with a hand cupping their chin. It seemed to strike a nerve with the other, a thought that brought considerable pause to Uriel. They've always considered Fate to be a savior, a grand escape, but... Lucifer seeing Fate as a Cage More than anything made them hesitate in silence for a moment, visibly confused.\n\n\"This tea? It's just green tea. The way I see it, we're either rescued, and I was worried for nothing...\"\n\n \"...Or we eventually die here, and it's suddenly not my problem anymore. \"\n\nA tiny laugh. Uriel stretches their back, a multitude of tiny Crack Sounds coming from their wound muscles as they once again settle to lean against the elevator wall.\n\n\"Not that I think something like that will happen, of course.\" They hastily tack on that reassurance, more for Lucifer's sake than their own." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "The look on Lucifer's face could only be described as dumbfounded, utterly flawed at the words spoken to him. He was so surprised it took him several seconds for the words to sink in, followed quickly by dread and quite a heavy dose of nausea, and his head immediately dropped between his knees with a small noise of discomfort.\n\n\"Jesus H. Christ, you've got a real knack with words you know, a real way.\"\n\nHe sprang back up then, nervous energy with vigour as he moved again to scour the control panel.\n\"Why would you say that, god, there might be an emergency latch, y'know, to open the doors maybe?\"\nAs that line of questioning proved fruitless, he smacked the side of the panel with force before pacing the limited width of space. His previously wet hair had begun to dry and by now was beginning to stick up wildly, worsened by the hands running through it.\n\n\"That wasn't nearly as comforting as you seem to think it is, I don't really plan on dying today, thank you very much, and for the record, I'm not afraid of you, I just\" He flapped his arm around rather aggressively, searching for an explanation be couldn't give, or maybe trying to convince himself of his words.\n\"It's a little unnerving, alright? I like my thoughts to be kept private, dreams too, I don't really appreciate the idea of being stuck in here with some- some nutter who can apparently see exactly what I'm thinking about!\"\nLucifer didn't often raise his voice above a polite tone, maybe a little squeaky when he was embarrassed, but he never shouted, bad manners and all, but it came out surprisingly loud.\nHe seemed immediately regretful of his words, having stopped pacing and turned towards his companion, face warming to an impressive pink tinge as he dropped back down again to his previous spot on the floor, covering his face.\n\n\"I'm sorry\" He admitted genuinely.\n\"I don't think you're uh, a nutter, your powers aren't your fault I know that... It's just been a bad day, I'm taking it out on you, I'm sorry. Jesus\"\nHe laughed quietly, a strained, awkward giggle hidden behind his hand, though nothing about the situation could be deemed funny." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Don't worry. I'm sure Graham will be up soon.\" Finally, Uriel takes out their phone, sending a quick PM to the impromptu handyman of the Cradle before stuffing their phone back into their pocket. \n\nThey listened with feverish intensity at Lucifer's outburst, humming to themselves as the boy's voice grew louder and louder. Instead of getting angry, though, they give two soft pats on the other's shoulder. \n\n\"You're far from the first person to react like that. Don't feel bad— you're only human, after all. Of course you'd value your privacy, and get nervous at people unjustly peering where they don't belong. You don't have to apologize for being human.\" Uriel's voice is low, soothing— like a mother gently reassuring a child, doing their best to validate Lucifer's fears. \n\nThey Were Valid, and Uriel had no refutation for any unjust assumptions thrown their way. There was no excuse, no misunderstanding that could prevent Uriel's entire existence from being an affront to the concept of personal privacy. \n\nThey were stuck like this, forever a boogeyman, a nasty 'what if?' that haunted the minds of the Cradle residents while they slept. \n\nSomethings never changed, they mused. \n\n\"Your powers... \" Uriel starts up again, snapping themselves out of their stupor. \"You said you can see through people's eyes, right? Could I perhaps... See how that feels? I'm a bit curious. You said it was a bit of a privacy invasion over the Intranet, but... I don't view it that way. It seems handy, is all.\" \n\nThey smile at the other." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "He nodded along to Uriel's words, evening out his breathing and slow as molasses, began to uncurl from his uncomfortable position, moving instead to subconsciously mimick Uriel's\n\"You remind me of my brother\"\nIt was spoken more softly now, with a gentle nod, as he spoke, fingering at his necklace.\n\"You're both absolutely terrible at pep talk for sure... But I guess there are worse people to be stuck in here with. Like Hatzume- she's such a lovely girl but I dread idea of being stuck in a room with her for more than an hour, I think she'd start hunting me for sport\"\nHydne had finally crawled out from where they'd been hidden by Uriel, tucking their body close to Lucifer as he raised his hand to her head, obscuring her for a moment, though she seemed to have vanished when he lifted it again, like she was never there to begin with.\n\nLucifer perked his head when they spoke again, parting their lips as if to speak several times before settling on a lame;\n\"Uh, sure, I mean, if you'd like\"\nHe offered a hand out, palm up towards the ceiling\n\"If you've got anything, uh an object, something important to you. Something of personal value\"\nHe explained, he'd never been asked if he could use his powers on someone, and for a moment it dawned on him the humorous realisation that maybe their powers weren't so dissimilar to one another's at least not to other people. Both were seen as a violation, some uncomfortable experience that left people a little more cold, a little more distant when they found out, and immediately another wave of guilt wazhed over him for his bullheaded rudeness.\n\n\"I don't know how your powers work, but for me it doesn't work through touch, more like uh, psychometry I guess\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"I-I do?\" Uriel's demeanor instantly changes upon being compared to Lucifer's sibling. A wide, almost dopey smile blooms on their face, and Uriel giddily giggles to themself. \n\nSomeone sees them Like a sibling. How utterly saccharine! A warmth arose in their stomach, and Uriel claps their hands together.\n\n\"I don't have any siblings of any kind which might be for the best, but... Ah, but I've always dreamed of having a silbling or two! What a wonderful thing to say.\" \n\nAt the mention of limits, Uriel's expression turns thoughtful. Lucifer's condition was certainly Interesting, but... Did they have anything that could fit his criteria on them?\n\n\"My powers? There's not a physical limit, actually— more of a mental one. My mom still manages to see me when I sleep, even though she's all the way in France. It's certainly handy.\" \n\nWords swish around in their cheek as Uriel attempts to communicate a very Not-logical Concept into spoken language. Their eyebrows furrow, and... \n\n\"I suppose the more Meaningful A person is, the easier it is to reach them. But it does help if I've met them in person.\" Uriel tentatively settles on that definition, biting back the jumbled, confused mess of words and metaphors they usually use. \n\nUriel's hands work their way towards their braid, and they slowly remove the hair tie clasping their waves of white hair in place. When they do, their curly, wispy hair falls all the way to their waist, and Uriel brushes a few unruly strands with their fingers before offering the hair tie to Lucifer.\n\n\"Ah, but... This should do. My mom gave me these hair ties before I left, so I treasure them dearly.\" They say, clasping their lavender hair tie in his hand. As they do so, their white hair bounces with movement." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "\"I've got eight of the little brats, all brothers, all younger\"\nHe ducked his head, his hair hiding the light from the elevator, showing the glint of his eyes beneath the lenses of his glasses. A chuckle escapes him as his usually vague stare becomes focused, eyes crinkling exposing the beginnings of crows feet as he smiles gently.\n\"The second oldest, he's got to be 16 by now, I haven't seen him in some time. He wore his hair in a braid too, he was always quiet, calm, most of the time at least\"\nLucifer seems lost for a moment, far away, the land still resting palm up before him slackening slightly before, with the tiniest of shakes he is back in the lift with them, lifting his head back into the light, whatever emotion was present in his gaze obscured once more.\n\nHe listens carefully to Uriel's words, suprised at their admittance, surely it must take tremendous skill to be able to talk to those so far away, but then again, Lucifer had never tested his own abilities. He nods in understand at their words though\n\"I suppose emotion must hold some kind of ability when it comes to powers. I can only use items that have meaning to their owner, different to you but, maybe theres some stock in it. The power of love or whatever, hah\"\nHe lifted his free hand, rubbing at his chin in thought before settling it over the red markings at the hollow of his throat, messing with the collar of his shirt, unable to keep his hands still it seemed.\n\nLucifer let Uriel drop the hair-ties into his hand, surprised by how light they felt, physically at least. Mentally they felt far more weighted, heavy with a mixture of emotions, some he could name, others.. He couldn't quite. With an unusual level of care, he bought the ties closer, closing his hand around them loosely.\n\"Sorry, this might feel a little weird, most people find it uncomfortable\"\n\nHe closed his eyes a moment, brow furrowing in concentration, immediatley light began to bleed into his sight, slowly as usual, but it didn't form as neatly as it normally did, he found himself looking at the world slightly blurred, like staring through an unfocused lense.\n\"Bad eyes huh?\"\nHe joked and as he did, he felt Uriel's eyes then land on him. He was unable to control where people looked when he used their sight, a slightly annoying irk at times, but he'd grown used to it. He took in his own dishevled and slightly soggy state and pulled a face immediatley, he really needed a shower, desperately." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"He sounds wonderful.\" Uriel muttered at the description of Lucifer's brother. Eight Siblings? Uriel could hardly imagine such a thing. Was Lucifer ever lonely, or did his family size prevent the intrusive isolation from creeping into his bones like a winter chill? \n\nLucifer closes his eyes, and Uriel feels something over their shoulder, no, not over their shoulder, In their eyes, a foreign presence worming its way through their corneas and hijacking their senses. They instinctively shudder, palm of their gloved hands rubbing at their eyes until the sensation fades, foreign presence making itself home in their brain. \n\n\"You're right.\" They groan. \"It is... Rather uncomfortable, but I'm getting used to it.\" \n\nNow with Lucifer... In them, Uriel supposed, they scoot closer to the now unoccupied body in front of them, prodding at the other's cheek. \n\n\"Do your eyes move when you're in this state? Like how eyes flicker when you dream?\" Uriel asks, looking into the other's eyes. \"Can you move your limbs while you're spectating me, or is your body a shell? Can you even reply to my questions out-loud, or are your thoughts transmitted to my brain?\" \n\nThe more questions Uriel has, the faster their voice comes out, child-like curiosity shining through their thick accent. \n\n\"Ah, but...\" They pause, sheepishly catching their breath. \"If that's too many questions, feel free to ignore me. I don't want to be impolite, is all.\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Lucifer caught their had with a previously unseen level of dexterity. His own hand coming up just as the other had neared his cheek and gently tapping it away with the back of a hand, face splitting into a broad grin, bringing with it the return of his crows feet and dimples.\n\n\"I haven't Gone Anywhere\" He explained, shifting to crack his neck and roll his shoulders, before moving oddly, like one might when checking themselves in the mirror.\n\"I'm just... Borrowing your eyes for the minute, my mind is still up here\" He tapped at his skull, pausing to carefully rearrange his hair, making it appear less like a mangy cat took a nap on his head, and more like his usual messy mullet, not really much of an improvement, more of a birds nest now, but he seemed contented.\n\n\"I assume you're powers are little more invasive- uh, I don't mean that in a rude way of course, for me it's like... I don't really know how to explain it, maybe a vr headset? I've never used one but the concept sounds similar. This doesn't really take too much effort, not when its not illusionary, but it feels weird for both parties, especially if I've never done it with them before, everyones minds are different, though- I'm sure you know that. Once I've done it a couple of times that feeling will go, kind of.\"\n\nHis eyes opened then, though half lidded, almost sleepy looking, but they focused on Uriels own as he removed his glasses, revealing glossy, scarred skin and stark white eyelashes, though they were patchy in some areas, missing lashes where the scarring was particularly prevalent.\n\nHe frowned then, peering intently and leaning closer to them.\n\n\"Sorry its just, um-\" He tapped at the edge of his own eye, turning his head this way and that.\n\n\"Have I got something in eye?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "They listen intently to Lucifer's explanation, humming along in interest at the other's metaphor. \n\n\"Like a little bird on my shoulder. I suppose you never have any issues needing a mirror, right?\" \n\nUriel giggles at their own joke, even if it isn't particularly funny. \n\n\"Of course you have something in your eye. The eyes are windows to the soul, after all. Saying you have nothing in your eye would be saying you didn't have a soul, and... Well, wouldn't that be depressing?\" They swing their legs back, scooting away from Lucifer to roll up their fallen sleeves. It really was getting warm in the elevator, the air conditioning stopping alongside the elevator's movement. Hopefully, they'd be rescued before being cooked alive. \n\n\"Their minds tell me things through their eyes, and I listen. Although... You're not currently emotional enough for me to catch wind of anything. I suppose it means this situation isn't making you panic too badly, which is a relief.\" \n\nIt was an odd topic to discuss with Lucifer, especially given the boy's wariness of them. Only Owen knew about that quirk of their ability, and they weren't too keen on rumors spreading through the Cradle that was already rampant with gossip. \n\nPerhaps they should have given it more pause, but Lucifer could see through their eyes. Acting coy about it would only seem more suspicious, and Uriel wasn't one to lie. \n\n\"It's like sewing. The needle on the other side is too blunt to poke through the fabric, but once it's sharp enough and makes a hole, you can see through. Even if it's a tiny little peephole, it's just enough to see what sharpened that needle.\" They cheerfully clap their hands together, as if concluding a school lesson. \n\n\"Although... I'd prefer if you didn't mention that to other people. I'd rather not have the school afraid of making eye contact with me.\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "\"My lips are sealed\"\nHe mimed the metaphor with his hand, pursing his mouth and pinching his fingers, moving them along the length of his face, the effect slightly diminished as his tight smile morphed into a tooth filled one.\nDespite this, he subconsciously subverted his gaze, moving to stare off to the left of Uriel's torso, his eyes flickering between that invisible spot and Uriels eyes several times over, clearly unsure of how he should behave, wanting to show Uriel that he did not fear them, even if in some way he did. His smile remained, though his eyebrows knitted together the severity of their furrow usually hidden under their shades as they battled with some unseen decision.\n\"I uh, I wasn't a kind person when I was younger, I did some things I'm not proud of, didn't appreciate what I had\" \nHis voice started off brave, but slowly waverred, barely above a mutter at the end of his sentence as he picked at one of his shoe laces.\n\"That's why I am- Was Afraid of you. I dream about... Well I dream about my family, my old life, things I did. Should've done,... I try every day to try and be a little better of a person than who I was, but it doesn't mean I want people to see, I'm ashamed by it really\"\n\nHe used to relish his dreams and nightmares, they were his last tether to those he loved, sometimes he swore he heard his brothers voices, felt their hands in his his, or simply felt their presence beside him, flickers of their faces from his youth, soft and smiling in some glossy, gentle light. But realistically he knew it wasn't real, he didn't remember his brothers faces, certainly he didn't remember their smiles, and perhaps he didn't deserve to, his punishment for their abandonment, for letting them down.\n\nThen, breaking eye contact with them he bowed his head, closing his eyes and with carefull hands, deposited the hairties back into Uriel's own, letting the blurry image he had fade back to its usual muddied mixture of dark tones as his grip on Uriels vision dissolved.\n\n\"I can tell you loved your mother\" He admitted\n\"Emotion gives an item a kind of weight, they Feel Loved, cherished... What is she like?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Of course you are afraid of me. There's no need to hide it, don't worry.\" A small laugh, and Uriel resists the urge to pat Lucifer's head. They've never seen a tense change be so noble, and yet so in vain. It was a bit cute, actually— people lying for their sake always made them feel fuzzy inside.\n\n\"Ah... Well, I doubt you'll take me up on this offer, but if you ever want to have a happy dream like the ones you desire, I am always around to assist.\" The syllables just escape their lips and dance on the stale elevator air before Uriel interrupts themself with a gasp. Lucifer's eyes exit from their own, ominous presence looming over their shoulder receding into fog once again, and they cough. \n\nIf they look over their shoulder a couple of times, just to make sure the presence is actually gone, they don't acknowledge it.\n\n\"My mother? She's a wonderful person. She's smart, hardworking, and kind. But most of all is she's strong.\"\n\nUriel takes a long pause to reminisce about their mother. Sophie Melancon was a Strong Woman, even at five foot. Memories of her crackly smoker voice reading them bedtimes stories while brushing their hair made themselves known, and Uriel let the warm wave of emotion embrace them just like she'd do before school.\n\n\"I think the thing I admire the best about her is... How much effort she puts into everything. She had to work many jobs to provide for us, and yet... She insisted on taking her breaks to walk me home from school when it became unsafe for me to be alone.\" Another fond memory, of child hand in her working calloused one .\" She gave her all in raising me, even though I was... Difficult. You mentioned being an unkind child? I wasn't a mean child, but I was certainly a handful.\"\n\nUriel shudders, an unpleasant expression on their face.\n\n\"Ah, although now that you have me on the topic, I'm far more interested in your family and how you used to be. It seems far more interesting, with that many siblings. Like something from a book, Non?\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "He shook his head\n\"I appreciate the offer but I'd rather ride them out myself, I don't think I'd ever make peace with myself if I didn't\"\nHe listened to Uriels words, picturing their mother in his mind, or trying to. Imagining what it must've have been like, to come home to a comforting face, a warm hug, the knowledge you were cared for and loved\n\"You're one of the lucky ones, to have a mother who loves you so, even if you struggled. My mother is- well she's not really much of anything I suppose\"\nHe hadn't intended to go into any further detail, even at Uriels questioning. Lucifer pulled his knees just a little closer to his body, fingers gripping the fabric of his trousers, clearly preparing to shut himself off with another vague answer, but something gave him pause.\n\nUriel had trusted him with one of their own secrets, they'd been nothing but open and honest, maybe it wasn't fair to not give it back, not after they had laid themselves open for him to prod and poke and question.\n\n\n\"My parents were religious. Very religious\"\nHe began unsure how to put is family's odd behaviour into words, before deciding maybe it didn't need any more context than that\n\"My mother didn't ever really lift a hand to help care for my siblings, so it was mostly down to me, and my father he-\"\nThe air felt just a little heavier then as Lucifer squeezed his eyes closed, casting out memories that had begun to surface, memories he usually only had to deal with in the privacy of his own company.\n\n\"He died\"\nLucifer admitted, eyes still screwed closed, but his tone was dark, bitter. A tone clearly reserved only for the man himself, steely cold and aggressive. A new expression dawned on his face then, at first glance it could've been mistaken for a face of indifference, but there was a slight grimace to it, a tension, an Anger Simmering under his skin, far more than should rightly be attributed to a parents demise.\n\"But he was enough of a bastard before he went to last a lifetime... But i inhertited that too I guess\"\n\n\"I wasn't any better, I wasn't a good brother\"\nLuce practically forced the words out.\n\n\"Sometimes I kid myself into thinking I was but, I wasn't. I was cruel, I'd say things just to hurt them, I'd turn a blind eye if they were being punished, I stopped helping them, comforting them, I-\" He stopped appruptly, voice cracking as he took a moment to collect himself, swallowing audibly around the stone that seemed to have settled in his throat.\n\n\"I think by the time I left I was so wrapped up in myself that I didn't even think about them, I didn't even say goodbye before I went, left them to deal with the aftermath of my actions. Maybe it's selfish but I think mostly I just miss the fact i won't get a second chance to do it right\"\n\nA shaky hand reached up to rub at his mouth before staying there, muffling a heavy breathe that tried to escape his throat \n\n\"Sorry- I don't really know why I'm telling you this, I don't usually- well I don't\"\n\nHe couldn't let but admit that it felt good. Just a little bit, to share what happened with another.\n\n\"Don't uh, don't you go telling anyone my secrets either alright.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"I suppose I am one of the lucky ones.\" Uriel had never considered themselves lucky before, but perhaps Lucifer was right. They had someone who loved them, and a couple of friends, now. They had a future, maybe— if their theories were correct, something in their life would eventually give, and they'd receive some happily ever after, some form of universal retribution for the harm they've received. Could many other people say the same? \n\nUriel didn't know. They never thanked the universe for what they had— only what they lacked. Perhaps they were a bit selfish, in that regard. \n\nMaybe... Was that why they weren't getting anything yet? They didn't appreciate what they already had? \n\n\"That's... Useful information. I suppose I am lucky. Thank you for that insight.\" The words roll around unfamiliarity in their mouth, slowly as they try to ponder Lucifer's words. \n\n\"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about your secrets. I'm the local secret keeper, after all— as someone privy to everything, it would be a bit difficult if I was known as a blabber mouth, no? I don't think people would allow me to live as-is if I was.\" They let out a bemused hum, even if the sentiment behind them didn't seem too amusing. \n\n\"A lot of people find it easy to talk to me. I carry a lot of their sins, so— don't feel bad, is all.\" They place a soothing hand on the small of his back, finding themselves at a loss of what to say to Lucifer's revelation. \n\nHe couldn't be a bad person, Uriel thought. No One was a bad person— they were confused, or scared, or angry, yes, but there was no such thing as evil. \n\n\"It wasn't your fault. You were only a kid, Lucifer. You still Are a kid, and you're learning.\" Uriel's voice is low and smooth, echoing off the metallic elevator walls. \n\n\"If you need, please, use me as you see fit to air out your emotional laundry. I don't mind it.\"\n\nYou can close off if you want" } ]	453	11,063
147.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The library was quiet, calm and generally relaxing as it normally was. Dae-hyun was tucked in at a desk, with a large stack of books in front of him. Dae-hyun being in the library wasn't uncommon, but he normally took anything he wanted to read back up to his dorm. Not today however, the stack was far too big for him to carry in one hand and it surely wouldn't fit into his bag, so he was fine in the library for now. \n\nWith a soft smile on his face and a rather comfortable demeanour, Dae-hyun slowly scanned each word on the book open in front of him. Taking time to completely imagine the story in his hands. He was almost done his second book, and would soon be moving on to the next one stacked on top of the monstrous tower in front of him. Truly, where did he find the time." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Amongst the shelves of the library Indrawan walks awkwardly with a stack of books carried in front of him, when he finally reaches the desk with a nearby equally monstrous stacks of books he was seemingly out of breath." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun peaked over his book at the person who seemed to be equally as interested in reading as he was. He smiled. \n\n\"Quite the stack you got there.\" His voice was soft, welcoming and polite. \"Any particular reason for the amount?\" Dae-hyun spoke as if he didn't have the same amount of books in front of him, although he couldn't deny he was curious." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Wha?- Oh, i uh want to research something\" He takes a lot of deep breaths as he sits in front of the desk catching his breath\"\n\n\"I wanna research local Scandinavian folklore for a project i'm making\" He begins taking each book and organizing them by thickness and begin reading them one by one starting from the thinnest ones." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Setting down his book with an intrigued look, Dae-hyun titled his head slightly. \n\n\"Thats really interesting!\" The same smile on his face, yet his voice was quiet. \"Normally the people who come in here are researching Science,* Or Math.\" He jokingly faked a shiver. \"Not my cup of tea.\" \n\nA brief pause, Dae-hyun put a book mark in between his pages. \"If you don't mind me asking, what project?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Oh! Originally i was just interested in the stories and such but then i started making puppets from creatures out of Scandinavian folklore, after that i had an idea of making a puppet show for the local kids in town, so now i want to make sure i can give them the most authentic experience ever!\" \nIndra says with pride in his craft, he then looks at the piles of book Dae-Hyun had accumulated\n\"What about you? What are you reading about?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Puppets? Wow. Thats a new one, i've never heard that before. Thats really interesting. Ill have to come see that when you do present it!\" Dae-hyun's voice got a little loud with excitement, before he quieted down again once more.\n\n\"Well,\" He looked at the large stack in front of him, \"Nothing nearly as interesting. These are as many books I could find related to space. All of them are fiction though, I cant for life of me read a textbook for fun.\" He laughed. \"I simply like the setting.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Woah!, that's cool, i haven't read anything about space in a long time\" Indra begin thinking \"Maybe i could make a puppet show in space!, but oh, i need to finish my other project first, gah- so many ideas so little time\" Indra shakes his head in dissapointment \n\"But those books sounds cool!, do you have a favorite book about space with you?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I'd watch that one too! Puppet shows are an underrated form of entertainment. The amount of skill and art that goes into it deserves a lot of appreciation.\" \n\nDae-hyun laughed softly at Indra's comment about having too many ideas. He could relate to that in a way, especially with everything he wanted to write about. Both of them were crafters of stories, and something about that made Dae-hyun feel like the two were already friends. Interesting thought definitely.\n\n\"Oh, my favourite? No, my favourites are ones that I own, which are all up in my dorm. However, I really love the one i'm reading right now! Im almost done, and it's been a wonderful story so far.\" Dae-hyun held up the book in front of him, and showed Indra for a brief second before putting back down on the desk." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"ABSOLUTELY!, puppetry allows for so much form of expression!, it allows for so much movement and character, and when done right it allows to turn the stage into something magical!\" Indrawan says with a wide smile in his face knowing someone else who appreciate the art form\n\nAfter holding back the temptation to spill everything he knew about puppetry as an artform he look at the books by Dae-Hyun side\n\n\"Do you like writing by any chance?, usually when someone read as much as you do they're also like to write!\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun smiled at the love Indra showed for his art. He always loved when people got excited about things they are passionate about. \n\n\"I absolutely agree! Its like theatre but with little tiny fake people instead of actors.\" Dae-hyun laughed softly at his comparison. \n\nWith the next thing Indrawan said, Dae-hyun's eyes practically lit up. The existing stars in his eyes growing brighter at the question. \n\n\"Yeah I do actually! Its so cool you noticed that.\" He smiled. \"I love writing more than I like to read actually, which says a lot because I do love reading.\"\n\nDae-hyun was slightly surprised that this was the second person he had connected with because of books. Interesting. \n\n\"What about you? Do you write? Im sure you enjoy making stories for your puppets, and you seem to have many wonderful ideas. You'd write some fantastic stories, I'm sure.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Oh!, oh!, oh!, I won first prize on my school short story competition once, i don't write as much anymore except for the scripts for my puppet show, but i would go back to writing again, but- again i have too much projects already\"\n\nIndra sighs, it is perhaps a curse that an artist will always fall short in creating everything that they want, and it seems Indrawan is not free from that curse.\n\n\"But what about you?, what kind of story do you write about?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Congratulations! Thats quite the achievement. You should be proud.\" Dae-hyun leaned back slightly, enjoying the conversation. \"I mean, script writing is still writing! Its good that you're still doing that. The world can always use more artists, specifically writers.\" \n\nDae-hyun understood the time management struggle, him and Indrawn has that in common. \"Yeah I understand— about having too many projects— my ideas are sometimes so ambitious I simply don't start them. Its quite frustrating at times but when I pull through the end result is always worth it.\" He smiled. \n\n\"Well, I tend to write poetry. I cant think of enough characters to write a proper story— but I have a lot of ideas about setting and feeling, that poetry portrays the best. Although, I do want to try writing a story someday, if I can think of enough characters.\" \n\nDae-hyun looked at his big stack of books. \"Maybe thats why I read so much,\" He laughed softly, \"To get inspiration of kinds.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan begins to think of little bits of poetry he can remember but to no avail \"Well if you have trouble writing stories you could always start small,Oh- but poetry is cool too even if i don't read much poetry myself\"\n\nIndrawan thinks about how he might get ino poetry even though while he himself hadn't given much thought about it before, the conversation with Dae Hyun had him interested\n\n\"Oh but maybe you could show me your poetry sometimes?, if you don't mind that is\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Starting small sounds like a wonderful idea— however, being at Newtons Cradle has really given me many ideas for a whole bunch of interesting characters. The people here are quite inspiring— maybe i'll write a story about this place some day! Who knows.\"\n\nDae-hyun was certain that direct references to this place published in a public novel would get him in trouble, but if he changed the details and altered it just enough to fit perfectly into fiction then surely it would be fine. Just to be safe. \n\n\"I wouldn't mind! I dont have any on me right now, unfortunately— and it's been forever since I've shown anyone anything. Most of what I write is for myself... So its not very good, but I wouldn't mind showing you some of it!\" \n\nDae-hyun remembered something, and felt the embarrassment creep up in his mind. How could he forget the basic aspects of conversation?\n\n\"How impolite of me, I didn't ask your name nor did I introduce myself. My name is Dae-hyun, what's yours?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Oh my god!, we haven't introduce ourself did we?, my name's Indrawan but most people call me Indra,!, i guess we got too caught up with our conversation huh?\"\n \nIndrawan let out a small laugh as he does so, it's nice to meet someone and connect with them so well that ypu even forget to introduce yourself thought Indra, it feels like he just met someone that he already for a long time even though they just met" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Yes, it appears so! However, that names sounds really familiar. I believe we have met over the Intranet— I knew something about this felt familiar!\" \n\nDae-hyun's expression was a permanent smile, he was enjoying this conversation. It was refreshing compared to the couple weeks he had spent completely by himself. Maybe he should go out of his way to talk to people more often, this time it certainly worked in his favour. However, his introverted tendencies would not be easy to overcome. Dae-hyun gave an unnoticeable sigh at the thought, a first step is still progress. \n\n\"How have you been fairing at Newtons Cradle, Indra? Ive heard many different stories from different people.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Oh right!, i remember you, you were the one that liked to bake!\" Indra smiles as he remembers the various images of things that Dae-Hyung had baked and posted on the Intranet, while not a baker himself he can appreciate anyone who knows how to make good food\n\n\"And uhm, i really liked it here so far, it's colder where i came from but i think i've gotten used to it now\" As Indrawan finishes that sentence he begins to sneeze \"Or maybe not\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Yes, thats me! I love to bake.\" Dae-hyun remembered why he was in the library today. \"Although, I used so much flour from the kitchen one of the staff members had to tell me to slow down a bit— my stuff always ends up being enjoyed but I guess I was making the school stock up on too much flour.\" The boy covered his mouth to laugh softly, somewhat playfully embarrassed at this fact. \n\n\"Oh yes, and I remember you because of how nice you are. Not everyone here is the kindest person, but you definitely are!\"\n\nDae-hyun was slightly startled at the sudden noise, but then laughed at the irony of the sentence. \n\n\"It's definitely cold here. Swedish winters are no joke. For some reason, I am always cold, so when its winter I don't feel cold because Im used to it? If that makes sense? Its strange.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan smiles at Dae-Hyun compliment, it's nice to know that he's attempt to be approachable has been noticed by someone, he knows that not everyone here can be the nicest person they can be, but he always the words of his Opa in mind \"When you interact with others show them the kindness they deserve, even if they don't know they deserve it\"\n\n\"Hmm you're always cold?, does that have something to do with your powers?\" Indra thinks for a moment before realizing that he may have something rude, after all not everyone is as comfortable as him when talking about that matters \"No wait, i mean do you ust have a special condition that makes you cold?\" He asks still inquisitive" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I agree, thats a good way to look at things.\" The boy always appreciated a kind soul, especially ones who preferred to show that kindness to others. \n\nDae-hyun covered his mouth to politely hide the snicker he let out at Indra trying and failing to change the subject about powers. \n\n\"Yes I believe it is, actually. Being cold constantly and black blood are the wonderful side effects of my powers. From what I know mine are... Night related? I can make fog encompass a space and all of a sudden the sun is no more. Its like wearing a blindfold, sort of.\" Dae-hyun cleared his throat. \"Sorry to ramble on like that.\" He smiled lightly. \n\n\"What about you, what are your powers? If you also don't mind Me Asking.\" Sliding his book to the side, he leaned his head into his hand. \"I try not to ask about powers, but honestly since the topic came up... I don't think its a Bad Thing.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Woah that sounds cool!, you could like make a space of complete darkness?, i wonder how that work does it abosorbs light? If so how? Oh wait you asked about my power did you?, my power is uhm- wait it's easier for me show you\" \n\nIndrawan lets out a paper napkin from his pockets, he uncrumpled it and then lays it on the table, as he does he begins to fold the napkin into the shape of a bird, after he does so he lays his craft in the table and closes his eyes\n\nAfter a while the flaps of the paper bird begins to move on it's own as if it's a real bird and soon enough the bird as if like magic took flight and circles the both of them before finally resting at the palm of Indra's hand\n\n\"Pretty cool, right?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun completely forgot about what he was going to say. The small paper bird fluttered with a delicacy not of this world, invisible silk thin strings pulling it upwards. Deep dark blue eyes followed the small creation as it circled above them, and fell back downwards. Dae-hyun's face was painted with amazement and awe, disbelief of seeing something right out of a dream. \n\nLogically the boy knew this place was Full Of magic. It was dripping with the paranormal, surely there were crazier things that could happen within the concrete walls that encased them. Right now, however, seeing Indra create something so whimsical right in front of him was breathtaking. It captured every last bit of his attention. He had no time to think of 'better.'\n\n\"... Wow that's—\" He stuttered and blinks softly to centre his mind. \"That's amazing. Truly. That suits you, you know. Its... Like a puppet but without strings.\" Dae-hyun smiled. \n\n\"Sometimes I think I'm still not used to the fact that people are magic here. It makes sense logically to me, but then I'm absolutely awestruck when someone does something like that.\" He gestured to the small bird briefly. \"Its... Incredible.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan's face beams with absolute joy, he was always a performer and nothing gives him the warm feeling of glee than when someone enjoyed his little performances no matter how inconsequential it might be\n\n\"Thank you!, but oh- i wish i could've brought more of my puppets with me, then i could show you what i could really do- no wait! I have a whole video of them choreographed! Wanna see?, wanna see?\"\n\nBefore Dae-Hyun even had answers to question, Indrawan already get his smartphone out, he quickly taps and swipes through the screen until he manages to find the video he wanted to show\n\nThrough the screen of the smartphone Dae-Hyung would see an elaboraye display of a diorama set of a castle filled with intricate detail, on top of which are about ten puppets each with finely dressed outfits seemingly handsewn by Indra himself, as the video starts the puppets would move on their own accord and starts to dance in pairs to a slow waltz playing in the background and much like the paper bird without any strings attached, each of them would dance circling the diorama set as the admittedly shaky camera tries it's best to capture the entirety of the set, Indrawan face flashes a bright smile as he awaits Dae-Hyun's reaction to his show" } ]	133.5	3,544
400.866667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "It was happening again. \n\nUriel long since was able to discover the tell-tale signs of narcolepsy rearing it's ugly head. They only had a couple of seconds of forewarning, but it was enough— one moment, they were walking down the stairs, and the next their body slid down the stairs, a Thunk, thunk, thunk Sounding with every step their head banged on. \n\nThank god they had experience with this— their hands crossed under their head, making the injuries to their skull slight. A small trail of blood tainted their white hair red, the impact of the stairs against their skull enough to leave a nasty mark. \n\nAs their consciousness faded, Uriel only hoped no one would move their body. It was enough to pass out in public— but the feeling of something happening while you slept, the feeling of being unconscious for someone Dragging You places made them sick and squeamish. \n\nPlease, just... Leave me alone, they thought, before passing out." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Mimir did not leave her room often. She had spent several days taking the time to decorate it, and she preferred not to be bothered by strangers who ask questions she had told them the answers to before. Their purple hair swishes as they turn towards their door, gloves off as she runs a hang through her hair, the pink tattoos on her hand and wrist standing out against her purple hair, her other hand opening the door. Slowly, it opens, and she steps into the hallway, wearing the usual, only this time substituting her boots for a pair of sneakers. She only needed some ribbon, and knew where to find it.\n\nThe pink contacts on her eyes would be jarring to any stranger, but luckily, she didn't see anyone as she did a quick glance of the hallway before stepping out into it, sighing as she makes her way towards the stairs, humming to itself mindlessly as she walks, zoning out for a moment before they stop at the top of the stairs.\n\n\"Oh.\" Mimir looks down to see a curious figure, collapsed on the stairs, arms clasped to cover their head as best they can. Of course, it isn't blind, it sees the blood, tipping their head to the side as they crouch down, trying to piece together everything they knew about this albino from everything they saw in the messages on their phone. \n\nUriel. White hair, albino, doesn't know how to dress... Narcoleptic. It all caught up to her quickly, and she scoffs, as if she's unimpressed with the sad sight in front of her. Her wrists rest on her knees, weighing the pros and cons of what she wanted to do. Mimir wonders if they'd blab to someone, but based off of their behavior in chats, it seemed like they were a suckup who wanted to make nice with everyone, even someone like her.\n\nShe reaches her hand out, he fingertips resting on the back of their hand, and then her eyes begin to glow, the soft pink light lighting up her cheeks and the strands of hair that fell onto her face.\n\nAll at once, she's greeted with images, feelings, and voices. She catches glimpses of things, nothing coherent at first, until... \n\nOh. What is this? She feels her eyebrows raise as the memories still for a moment. This... This was something vulnerable. The man in this memory, he looked familiar, but only in the sense of someone she had seen in a photo. It felt the fear in Uriel, but it hardly phased the memory walker at this point. As the memory plays out in front of them, the torture all too realistic for a dream, Mimir finally places a name to the face — Oliver. One of the staff? \n\nNow... Why had Uriel tried to get into the head of a staff member? Just as the question presented itself, the memory was over, and Mimir was pulled out, yanking her hand back before another memory played. They stand, slowly, staring down at Uriel, the glow in its eyes fading as they brush a strand of hair behind her ear. Should they move them to a safer spot? They glance back down the hall, debating going back to their room to grab a pair of gloves, no longer paying attention to the unconscious person behind them." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "One. \nT W O. \n\nUriel's hand moves on its own. Blood pours down their forehead as they struggle to their feet. \n\nIt was the first time they've had a nightmare, saved by the times their powers reared an ugly head at their supposed master. That memory repeated itself in their head, over and over and over... The image of Bugs under their skin And a man taunting them burned itself into their eyelids, and Uriel clawed at their face. \n\n\"I dreamed...\" They grunt, getting to their knees. Their vision swum, and Uriel looked up at the mysterious figure with sickened eyes. \n\n\"What... Did you do?\" They start, resting their weight onto their knees. Dark pools of grey look up at a blur of pink with the same view a captured animal would have towards its hunter. The feeling of something unfamiliar, someone Doing something with their mind, made the taste of bile crawl up their throat." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Before Mimir can make a final decision, she hears movement behind her. She begins to wonder if maybe someone else found the dreamweaver, but as she turns around, she's surprised to find that Uriel had awoken, and was moving. Instinctively, it tenses, standing above the albino in preparation for anything. Of course, they didn't seem like the type to pull punches, but who knows! Mimir was always one for bringing out the worst in people.\n\nThe blood on their face and the clawing motion of their hands made something go off in her mind. Not quite pride, but definitely not shame either. Somewhere in there was a twinge of worry — that was a lot of blood, after all — but it was expertly masked as they eye Uriel. Dreamed? This was interesting. It must be because of their powers. The memory resurfacing while they were unconscious must have presented as a dream to them. Mimir was never there to see how the person experienced this aftermath, of course, especially with a memory this volatile. It was a lot to chew on, but a tasty line of thought nonetheless. \n\nShe continues to stare down at them, the question not seeming to phase it at all. In fact, she sighs.\n\n\"That's an awful lot of blood there.\" The words are devoid of worry. It's presented as an observation, more than anything, and they raise a hand up, the tattoo level with their eyes.\n\n\"I can't exactly help you up, if you couldn't tell,\" A small, crooked smile creeps onto Mimir's face, and she wiggles her fingers, to emphasize the point. No touching! Uriel is smart, they can put the pieces together. She has faith in them. \"I can go grab some gloves to help you, or if you can get up, I'll get some bandages and we can go to the hospital, the possibilities are endless, really.\" She almost laughs as she finally lets silence fill the space between them, eye contact unflinching.\n\nUriel looks so... Sad. The short trip through their mind was revealing, sure, the sheer fragility of this person and their mind was not lost on the memory walker, but with a power this Grand, You would think they had some more faith in themself, in their ability to retaliate against her. She knows they can. But why Wouldn't They? It almost pissed her off. Another sigh leaves her lips as she breaks eye contact, rolling her eyes.\n\n\"Stop looking at me like that. It's not like I pushed you down those stairs.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"It's just a head wound. It bleeds, but it is shallow. I'll be fine.\" Uriel puts a hand to their scalp, staring blankly at their gloves when it comes back red and damp. \n\nBlood. It had been a while since such a fall had injured them so. Uriel idly toys with going to the nurse, but... A small part of them felt guilty at bothering the clearly over-worked woman. \n\nThey had their own medical equipment at home, anyway. Worst case, it's not like they would Bleed out. No, this injury was mildly annoying, but certainly not lethal. \n\n\"You would... Help me to the hospital?\" Uriel frowns, propping themselves to their knees. \"But you went inside my head. It doesn't seem as if you have good intentions.\" \n\nThey leaned closer to the figure in front of them, eyes locked onto the pink contacts staring back at them. \n\nThe expression on the person's face... It was one Uriel had come to know fairly well. It was the face of a Predator — the same expression an executioner would have before the telltale swing of an axe was plastered on this persons face. It was plastered on All Of their faces, eventually; when they realized Uriel's commitment to non-aggression was real, when they glanced behind their shoulders and realized no one was watching and that their victim would never tell. \n\n\"You are... Mimir, yes?\"" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "This all felt so strange to Mimir. They were used to being lashed out at, attacked, accused, or just ignored. This wasn't quite confrontational, but it wasn't completely passive either. Maybe she didn't give Uriel enough credit, maybe they were a little more clever than she thought. It was almost exciting, to find someone who could be on a level playing field, but she wasn't about to get ahead of herself. \n\nUriel seems like they've been dealing with this — the falls and the results of them — for a long time now. You'd think they would keep someone with them to keep this from happening. Head wound her ass, that was a concerning amount of blood, but who was she to give out medical advice? She'd seen worse and dealt with worse anyway. It wasn't worth her time to fight this.\n\n\"Yes, I would help you to the hospital. I don't want you Dead,\" Mimir sets the bar low enough and then steps right over it. It wasn't lying, either. It is many things, but a killer? Never. She only wanted some information. \"Good people can do bad things. And vice versa. I have been inside many minds.\" They keep their tone mostly flat, keeping emotion out of this. She's not here for feelings.\n\nMimir knew they had much in common. Getting into someone's psyche... It was never welcomed well. The look on Uriel's face, the feelings, all of it was so familiar to them. Fortunately for them, she had been able to grow past this. It was temporary. The guilt, the shame, it was nothing in comparison to what she could do. It was a shame that they weren't on the same page.\n\n\"What gave me away?\" She laughs, and it's genuine, not that Uriel would be able to tell. \"Surely it was the memory thing. Right? It's not like you knew what I looked like, Uriel.\" \n\nMimir almost wanted to roll her eyes." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"You don't want me Dead.\" They add their own emphasis, rocking their head back and forth as they pondered Mimir's response. \"Then what do you want of me?\" \n\nUriel frowned, although it didn't reach their eyebrows— in fact, for someone bleeding and forced to relieve a horrible experience, their face is decidedly neutral save for initial flicker of shock that graced their face. \"It's certainly not something pleasant, I'd imagine, given your... Introduction.\" And the look on your face, they held back, but the sentiment was conveyed well enough from the quirk of their eyebrow to the slow, calculated look at the rest of Mimir's person. \n\n\"I'm not one for coyness, nor one for reading between the lines. I'm afraid you might have to state your intentions up front in order to elicit the response you're looking for.\" It's soft, oddly so, an apology for Uriel's lack of social awareness. \n\nA gloved hand finds their way towards their chin, and Uriel's tired grey eyes narrow in thought. \"Ah, but— if you're looking to harm me, it would be wise for us to find somewhere else to do this.\" They look past Mimir and behind their back, scouting around for those lingering the halls at this time of night.\n\n\"You wouldn't want someone to catch you in the act, no?\" Uriel's eyes twinkle, and they smile sweetly at the magenta-eyed figure in front of them." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "In contrast to Uriel's movement, Mimir was deathly still, only their eyes and mouth moving as she needed them to. She listened to them intently, watching their face. She tried to imagine how they would look side by side. Drastically different, and yet... \n\nThey scoff. \"What I want from you?\" \n\nMimir almost isn't sure how best to approach the question. There were many layers to all of this, truly. She wanted to know what it was like here, wanted to know how their powers would react to each other, wanted to learn something about Uriel, wanted something to keep them on a leash, wanted Control. This place is not familiar to it, but they would make it comfortable at least. Not that it would tell them all that. \n\n\"How's a girl supposed to relax without getting to know her neighbors?\" That smile again, and it was so obvious that she found herself amusing. Overall, it didn't quite care for how much Uriel could pick up social cues, hell, she wasn't much better, for the most part. She wondered if the dreamweaver was getting frustrated with this conversation. \n\nAlmost all at once, she moves, stepping down and leaning towards Uriel. \"I just wanted to get a little something on you, yeah?\" She leans back, laughing again. \n\n\"I don't want to harm you. If I did, I would have already pushed you down the stairs and made the witnesses forget they ever saw me.\" The smile drops almost instantly as they state it, raising an eyebrow. \"Quite honestly, you do look like quite the punching bag, but I'm not here to pick fights.\"\n\nUriel's smile was meant to be well intentioned. Uriel as a whole is meaning to be well-intentioned. Mimir could tell, and she didn't like it. Why are they trying so hard to make nice and suck up to her? Doesn't it Hurt To care that much? She settles back into her stillness, blinking at them.\n\n\"Why are you so keen on me hurting you?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"A little something on me...?\" At that, Uriel's hand strokes their chin, murky pools of grey staring off somewhere in thought. \"Hm. Interesting. Did you find what you were looking for?\"\n\nSo that was what the Oliver deal was about. Blackmail. Uriel couldn't comprehend a thought, if they were being truthful— being blackmailed was something they had never considered, and so... They simply didn't, their snowy eyelashes fluttering closed as they hummed to themselves in thought. \n\nBlackmail? Uriel? To use their powers for her own gain, or... Maybe just in case? They couldn't imagine why their powers would be needed when Mimir had their own— a fact that weighed the latter option a bit heavier in their mind. \n\nWhy are you so keen on me hurting you? Uriel would have laughed, if they thought it was funny. \n\nUriel had long since known they deserved what happened to them— now, the question was, did the same thing happened to Mimir? It was an interesting thought. Her similarly-invasive powers would cause people to react in the same way, with tales of boogeymen in the shape of a child lurking in the dark. But... At least to Uriel's knowledge, no evil blood flowed in Mimir's veins. There were no original sins she had to atone for with blood and bruises, nor any forefathers who wielded their abilities with an unforgiving fist. \n\nDid the Universe find it fit to punish Mimir for what she couldn't control, too?\n\n\"You're like me, no?\" They start, looking up at down at Mimir incredulously. \"Don't tell me they never hurt you for what you could do?\" \n\nUriel saw how they treated her in intra— how she loudly proclaimed her powers and expected everyone to avoid her because of it. They used to do the same thing when the spindles of time turned backwards long, long ago— the too-old yet still too-young child would gently kick their feet when approached, looking up at any transfer students or people who weren't in the 'know' about them with placid eyes. Your parents should have told you to stay away from me, They'd say, leaving the schoolchildren in wonder until a helpful student pulled the clueless person aside and filled them into the rumors; how the mysterious white haired child could go inside your head when you slept, eating your nightmares with little remorse or expression save for that same, wistful stare." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Did you find what you were looking for? No. Mimir did not. Not that it was a sign of failure, though. It's not like they were looking for something specific anyway, just a glint of who Uriel Really Is. To prove herself right, that no one with powers like theirs would ever have purely good intentions. There was so much to figure out with this... Similarity between them. It was intriguing to her. \n\nThough... This would be excellent blackmail, and she knew that as soon as she recognized Oliver in the memory. It could use this to its advantage, and was fully prepared to. They had too much in common, and were walking a very thin line. At any moment, one could reach into the other's mind, and Mimir had only proven this. She wondered if Uriel's powers were triggered by touch as well, considering how they dress, but wasn't totally sure, and she wasn't about to ask, either. \n\nMimir knew she was not deserving of any pain caused by her powers. They were in her control, and she knew that being able to root out the people who would cause her this pain would be the first step to keeping that control. If people wanted to hurt her, they had good reason to, but that didn't mean she would sit there and take it. Maybe there was just a Little Evil in her, but it had a reason to be there.\n\nThey wonder why people were so kind to Uriel, despite knowing what they're capable of. Was it because they would bend over backwards to smooth over any worry from a stranger? \n\n\"We are not the same, Uriel,\" She notes the way they look at her. \"They may have hurt me, but I'm not going to roll over and show my belly so they feel inclined to do so.\" \n\nIt sees right through them, or thinks it does. Mimir blinks, keeping eye contact with Uriel. Her powers were as much of a burden for her as the dreamweaver's was for them. It knew that same struggle, but it was very apparent to her that the aftereffects were treated very differently for them. She knows what she is and she knows how people feel about her, but the rumors around her were more than her powers. They were about the last person that tried something on her reliving his mother's death and breaking down in front of her. It knows how to control people and it was not afraid to do so.\n\nNo one was going to hurt her while she was here, and if they did, they would suffer the consequences.\n\n\"I don't Let People hurt me, and I Especially Don't let them walk over me.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"I do that entirely for my own benefit as I do their own. I'm not a masochist, Mimir. Do you really think someone like me would be allowed to live if I didn't act in such a manner?\" \n\nMimir Was Similar to them, despite its behavior. Or perhaps Because Of its behavior. After all, wasn't Mimir acting in the same manners of their uncles and aunts they were told about in the hushed dark so long ago, from a mother who had too many glasses of wine and let familial secrets and old feuds and dark pasts slip from her lip? \n\nPerhaps that's what lead Uriel to loosen their lips in the same manners, speaking thoughts they had dared speak out loud lest they come to life and possess their body. There sparked a small hope, that these Thoughts That lurked in the dark underbelly of their mind wasn't a testament to their inherent sinfulness. Mimir was Similar to them. Mimir Understood. Perhaps, if she thought the same, then... Those corrosive thoughts eating at their mind weren't as evil as Uriel had dreaded?\n\n\"Besides... You can't help but feel bad for them, sometimes. If they lash out because of their Emotions... Well, that's just humans being humans. It's more trouble than its worth to make it into a whole affair.\" Uriel sighs, palming their cheek and drumming their side of their face.\n\n\"Really, it's better to sit and take it until they find someone else or calm down. Harboring any anger towards them for just doing what humans always do... It's a little futile, no?\" Tints of Something Colored their speech; not disgust, not weariness, not a surrender of the human condition, but something just close enough to seem strange coming from their mouth; a distant cousin of those emotions, rolled up into a placid, well-meaning package.\n\nTheir minced words and even tone didn't make the pill easier to swallow. It made it drip with acid instead." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Something was changing in Uriel, and Mimir was intrigued by it. She listened to how they spoke, how they revealed their perception of people to her, and she wasn't sure what to think, not at first. To start, she hated the idea of having to take hits to be respected, and the look on her face as Uriel spoke about this aspect of themself made this clear.\n\n\"Being Allowed To live is a low, low goal. You just want the easy way out,\" They squint, trying to get a better read on them now that they seemed to be loosening up. This definitely hadn't gone the way she had initially anticipated, but she wasn't a time traveller. Just a memory reader. Like Uriel, they knew their limits, especially in comparison to the average human. However, this...\n\nThis was something entirely different. Was she hearing them right? Did this spindly albino think they were this far above those who weren't born with powers like them? Mimir wonders if it could find a memory to pinpoint this line of thought, this complex. Did it come from family? From someone here? It piqued her curiosity, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. Regardless of where this came from, it was something they did not share. Sure, they knew they were stronger than any normal person could be, and they used it to their advantage, but she wasn't like This. This... Was a step further then she'd ever dream of taking. It sets her on edge, although she doesn't show it. \n\n\"You're human too, Uriel. You have emotions,\" Unless they didn't, but... Something about this whole conversation told Mimir otherwise. \"Sure, I feel bad for them, but I'm not going to let them take it out on me.\" \n\nSomething a little closer to annoyance leaks into her voice, her previous (mostly) monotone speech shifting as she dwells on this further. \"I'm not a punching bag. It's not my job to deal with how they feel about me. They can fuck right off, and if they don't, it's their fault they had to learn the hard way. You're not above Feeling.\" \n\nNo amount of well-meaning-ness would ever make this easy for Mimir. It was almost baffling to her, how Uriel was able to think like this with such ease. It didn't sit well with it at all. It had seen what people were capable of, just like them, but it wasn't going to be complacent in all of it. She didn't want to be another sad sack of tears and people pleasing sentiments. She's above that." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel hums noncommittally at Mimir's words, their eyes growing just a bit too blank at what she has to say. \n\nYou're human too, she had said. A part of Uriel didn't believe her. \n\nGrey pools for eyes briefly flickered towards their alternate universe mirrored self. A familiar sickening feeling crawls into their stomach, burrowing its way into their heart and clawing into their muscle tissue; the feeling of someone Not getting it. A betrayal of sorts, from someone who Uriel had such high hopes for— a potential soulmate, squandered, just another knot on the tapestry who couldn't see the bigger picture. \n\nThey had to sigh at the unfortunate circumstance. A low, breathy noise escapes from their lips, and they look back at Mimir with a newfound gaze— a slightly disappointed one, walls raised once again. \n\n\"Perhaps you're right.\" They mutter. \"I suppose it's at least interesting to hear your side of the aisle.\" \n\nDespite being like them (supposedly), Mimir still had the same anger fueled, petulant attitude that possessed most humans to scream and kick and lash out and Hurt With no remorse. \n\nThey initially thought it was like them. Perhaps they were mistaken. \n\n\"Ah, I should ask... Now that you are in front of me, how is the adjustment to the Cradle?\" The polite, thickly-accented words slip out of Uriel's mouth as if practiced a hundred times— it's the same greeting and small talk they'd give to any other new person that wandered through the Cradle doors. \n\nIt was small talk. It was safe. It felt disgusting as the notes lingered in the air." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "She watched Uriel check out as she spoke and she felt the air change, and all at once, Mimir started to get frustrated. It was funny, wasn't it? That even now, with the blood leaking from their forehead, Uriel didn't seem to really ingest that they were just like the humans they though themself to be so far above. It pissed her off, but it made her want to laugh. They really weren't similar at all, just as she thought.\n\n\"That's it?\" They ignore the question, the attempt at small talk. They were clearly Beyond Small talk at this point, if anything, Uriel should be upset at Mimir for intruding in their head to begin with. She could feel herself getting more and more tense by the second, the way this conversation was carrying on. \"Uriel, you are not going to be able to keep up this facade forever. If that's really what you think about all the people around you, it will slip up. And the results will not be good.\" \n\nIt's dead serious, as if coming from a place of experience. It had seen it all play out before. Mimir takes a step back, starting to walk up the stairs and head back to its room. This was not going to continue. This could not continue. \n\nHow can Uriel just pretend nothing happened? Clearly, they had done this before. Someone else knew about this side of them. Mimir wants to pry more, take another look inside their head, but knows she can't. The repercussions would land them with the same head injury, if not worse. This is so fucked, The thought repeats, over and over. Someone at the Cradle must know, right? And if no one did...\n\nWell, they deserve to know.\n\n\"It was nice to meet you.\" Mimir finally turns her back to Uriel, looking pleasantly unbothered as she starts walking back to her room. She would need her gloves if she wanted to avoid a seizure today." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel frowned. Something had changed in her demeanor— but why? They were polite and everything. \n\nThey could only ponder the reason as she turned and walked away. \n\nOh well, Uriel thought. And they were getting along so well, too... \n\n—-" } ]	418	6,013
243.444444	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Ashton had finally pulled his sorry ass out of bed and out of his dorm. He was tired of being sad and he was tired of doing nothing. And most importantly, he was tired of relying on his roommate and strangers who dm him for food. His parents raised him better than this. \n\nThe blue haired boy rolls out of bed and pulls on a sweater and sweatpants, washing his face and brushing his teeth (in the public bathroom, because this place has never heard of privacy) at the crisp time of... 2:00pm. Good morning sunshine. He makes his way to the kitchen, one earbud in for the sake of his sanity. He peeks through the doorway, making sure the place is empty before taking a few steps in, and then proceeding to open every single cabinet and drawer in the place.\n\nWhy? Because he didn't know where Anything Was in this place. He was trying to familiarize himself with the place, but wasn't doing too great. Ashton sighs, starting to close the drawers and cabinets before pulling out the ingredients for waffles.\n\nAnd then sighs when he realizes he doesn't remember where the waffle iron was, and begins the cabinet and drawer opening process once more, totally engrossed in his own mind and the music playing in his ear." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Ah yes, the kitchen.\nHer safe haven... Well, probably the exact opposite actually- if Hatsume is correct, she recalls being... Well, completely banned from the place? Hence why she makes a point of making her presence known preferably when the room is empty.\nThis time, however, it was Not Empty. The tall girl blinked at the back of Ashton's head, unfamiliar with the stranger's hair and.. General identity. Right, well, what was the most inappropriate thing she could do in that situation, perhaps? You're about to find out.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatsume almost instantly skipped Towards Ashton from behind, impulsively ruffling the hair on the reptile mandem.\n\"Heyo, stranger, new?\" She beams, completely unfazed and unguilty by her interruption of his cabinet and drawer opening session. It was as if the girl lacked any self awareness Whatsoever.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ She released him from her pet pet grip quite quickly, now standing there quietly, awaiting some sort of response." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Two's company, three's a crowd.\n\n□ At least, that was how the the old adage went. Margo wasn't thinking much about adages, though, as she strolled out of her room with a hand-roll jutting out from her lips. Planning on heading outside for a smoke, she'd been meaning to make some spiced tea to bring with her, a warming Thermos of innumerable flavours, but this meant she had to enter the kitchen. She hated the kitchen. Maybe it was the sexist voice baked into the back of her skull, uncomfortably similar to her father's, that parroted bullshit about the role of a woman being to cook and clean. Maybe it was just because she still hadn't lived down the spin cycle pot. Or, maybe she just sucked and didn't like to address it.\n\n▪︎ Whatever the case, she strolled in and saw two heads of hair, one familiar and one not.\n\n◆ \"Hey, Hatz.\" Margo called out from the doorway, leaning one arm against it and looking forward with an intense yet approachable gaze. \"And other person I dunno. Up to no good?" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "The sudden feeling of a hand in his hair makes Ashton jump, quickly standing up straight and turning around to face this stranger, eyes wide. When did another person get here? He blinks, a hand reaching up and tapping his earbud to pause his music, the panic in his face fading as he realizes the person in front of him isn't a threat. She seems cool, actually. Nothing like dyed hair to signal good vibes.\n\n\"Uh,\" Ashton nods, \"Yeah, I'm new. I'm assuming you're... Not?\" He laughs, a bit nervous before reaching up to try and fix his hair. Half the drawers and cabinets were open in here, and it seemed like she didn't even notice. He wondered if this was a normal occurrence here. Maybe that's why she didn't seem to care. \n\nBut before he could really think on this, or even ask about it, yet another person walks into the kitchen. This was embarrassing. At least this first person didn't Notice The mess Ashton was making. He didn't know how this second person would react at all. What would happen when they both noticed? \n\n\"Um,\" Lord, this was terrible. What a horrible first impression. \"I mean, I wouldn't think so. I'm just trying to make some food.\" He shifts his weight from foot to foot, as if that would take away from the mess he was making at all. \n\nTalk about making friends." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ To Hatsume, the current state of the kitchen was actually what she would consider Clean, rather than what it actually was, a mess and a half.\nAfter all, she usually leaves the kitchen an even worse state than this whenever she decides she wants a grilled cheese (how she managed to demolish the blender making that last time is beyond me, her methods of destruction are far beyond my comprehension or explanation.\n\"Ohh it's so nice to get bew blorbos in the scrunkle den of the cradle\" What the FUCK\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"I'm not new and I'm also Hatzume, hehe\" And for a moment, that was all she had to say, idly making her way over to the soda cans and shaking them left, right and center, a usual feat of her's. Normally, Amelie would have stopped her by now, or she would have accidentally opened one on herself in her absentminded troublemaking.\nShe gently kicks a nearby cabinet door back and forth while she was in the midst of her shenanigans, as if she wasnt doing something many would consider heinously cruel. Those words however, were too long for her, and thus did not matter to the tall girl.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Soon enough, her attention is on a new voice, an american accent. Hatsume shifts her gaze and large as life, Margo is standing in the doorway, casually as if she owned the place.\nShe had always liked Margo, actually, despite being on complete opposite ends of just about every spectrum the eye can see, they got along like a house with a small and overall not entirely dangerous electrical fire inside.\nAka. Not terribly.\n\"Haiii margo, I'm Always Up to no good\"\nPlacing her shaken can down, Hatzume approaches the stranger, patting Ashton's shoulder with zest\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Miscellanious new person is a saint though, yes yes. Makin foods\"\n:3" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"No shit.\" Margo quietly chuckled. \"You're the walking incarnation of Lyssa in some ways. I'd be concerned if you Weren't Up to no good. Also for reference she was the Greek deity of madness. My deep dive into the history of lingustics has bled over into mythology, as you can see.\"\n\n□ Strolling in, Margo carried herself with the sort of swagger only a rich street urchin from Brooklyn could have carried themselves with. One foot in front of the other she confidently made her way towards the teapot, popping its lid open and pouring some water in before also dropping a thermometer probe in. Setting it down on the stove, she flicked it on max and leaned her backside against the lip of the cupboard, fishing her cigarette out from her lips and fixing it behind her ear.\n\n▪︎ Now, there was the other person, and they seemed Timid.\n\n◆ \"Trust me, man, I'm worse. However bad you are at cooking, I'm worse. You might've seen a video floating around the Cradle of a spinning pot on a stovetop; that was me.\" She spoke matter-of-factly. \"That was me who fuckin' did that, and I still dunno how I managed it. All I know is that, well... It happened, and Amelie got it on camera.\"\n\n▪︎ A mismatched pensive note hung on her every word. Maybe she was still a little bothered by her and Amelie growing apart; maybe she should have tried to remedy that when it had originally started." }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "[ do u guys still want to continue this? ]" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[Up to the others lol]" }, { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Ashton didn't know what to do here. This was odd. The two people in front of him were, simply put, total opposites. He wanted to say something about Hatsume shaking the soda, and something about Amelie (\"Holy shit are you seriously going to shake all of those?\" And \"Oh, I kind of met Amelie, she's quite a character huh?\"), but when he opened his mouth to speak, all he did was sigh. How underwhelming!\n\nHe had not, in fact, seen the video Margo was talking about, but something in the back of his head itched to recreate whatever the fuck she was talking about. It seemed like it would easier than cooking, especially cooking in front of two strangers. Ashton closes his mouth again, taking a moment before attempting to speak again.\n\n\"I'm Ashton,\" He starts, and then glances between the two, \"And uh... No. I haven't seen that video.\" He looks around all the opened cupboards again, and watches Margo move through them to make tea as if it was nothing. How normal is this for them? How weird were the other people in this place?\n\n\"Actually, I was looking for the waffle iron? Waffles seem easy to make,\" He continues, hoping at least one of them knew where the damn thing was. Maybe Hatsume could help him, too, she looked like she needed something to do. Besides shake soda." } ]	267	2,191
465.454545	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie was making macarons. It was a rather time consuming process. Amelie dosent remember anytime she has had a macaron so she's basing this entirely from another person's memory. She's stress baking again, and this wouldn't be the last or first time. She's like a damn factory. Whatever sweets arnt taken immediately get put aside the coffee machine for that weird blonde girl she sees walk around like a computer. \n\nWhy is she so stressed, why is it so easy to be stressed? Amelie will never know such is the questions of the universe. She overworks herself constantly to feel exhausted when she just feels like she's not doing enough. Amelie slaps the palm of her hand against the counter. The macarons stand on top of the stove, sitting there before Amelie puts them together. \n\nAmelie grabs a piping back she has filled with a tart lemon filling, can't have anything too sweet after all. Who was this random shadow, what the hell was going on anymore. First the angels and now the deepest cretin from hell shows up? \nAmelie accidentally puts too much filling in one and, when she puts the top on this macaron it spills over and leaks onto her thumb.\n\n\"Scheiße.\" She curses in her native tongue, venom meant for herself spills onto that word like a hex. She wipes her thumb with a paper towel, and after puts it in the trash. \n\nEverything felt like it was spinning too fast and Amelie was in no shape to keep up. She leans on one of her crutches as she fills another macaron. At least she's doing something, rather than festering she's doing something. Got she hated the feeling of rot cracking at her mind. She puts the macaron together and puts it in a small basket with parchment paper, with the one she messed up on. Ah, somebody will enjoy it at least. That's good enough." }, { "author": "hrd2xplain", "message": "Noodle is blissfully unaware of practically everything going on around him. Big picture, that is. There seem to be a lot of things going on making people stressed, which makes Noodle feel like he probably should be stressed, but he really strongly dislikes being stressed, so he decides not to. Instead, he draws. \n\nHe goes to the common room to draw. He likes all of the things in there. There are a lot of things people often overlook—a coaster on the table, a desk lamp, a corner of peeling paint on the wall, but Noodle likes to draw them all. He thinks more people should pay attention to them, lest they get lonely.\n\nHe's sitting on the couch, half upside-down, head against the armrest but legs awkwardly kicked up against the seat back. It doesn't look very comfortable, and that's because it isn't, but it's the way he fell, so it's the way he'll stay. He pushed up his pink sunglasses further up the bridge of his nose. He wore them though he was indoors—they made him look whimsical, and he liked to look whimsical. Looking whimsical made his art more whimsical, and whimsy was his whole artistic brand. He was like Willy Wonka, but for art.\n\nWilly Wonka was really kind of an artist on his own. Very poignant thought, Noodle, He thought to himself. Good job. I like it.\n\nSpeaking of Willy Wonka, someone is making sweets in the common room. They hadn't been paying attention to her, because they don't know who she is, but to be fair they don't know who a lot of people are. Noodle is very closed-off. Lost in their own world. Sometimes it feels like they hadn't left their room in months, but obviously that isn't true.\n\nAnyway, the point is, someone is making macarons, and all this talk about Willy Wonka is making Noodle really want a macaron, so they stand up swiftly, teetering a bit concerningly on their too-high heels, and struts over.\n\nNoodle comes to sit on the counter, head tilted slightly to the side, legs kicking out idly under him. \"Can I have a macaron?\" Is what he is planning on asking, but he gets a closer look at Willy Wonka's face, and is momentarily distracted.\n\nWhat comes out instead is, \"Wow, you would be really easy to carve. Can I sculpt you?\" He holds up his pencil uncomfortably close to her personal space, gesturing at the line of her jaw with the eraser end. \"I can totally see where I'd make the first cut and everything. You have a very nice brow ridge, by the way. Good amount of depth. Oh, also, I'm quite hungry, can i have a macaron? Oh, unless they're for a party or something, then you can keep them, though i'd be very sad if it was for a party—not because I wouldn't get one, I mean, well, partially that. But also because I haven't gotten an invite. By the way, have you seen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie was filling a macaron, she finished making it and put it in the basket. Three. Amelie was reaching to take another cookie to fill when she heard a voice. There was a still moment before before something violently kicked at Amelie. Before she knew it she was holding a knife made of bone close to this person. Her breathing was quick and almost labored and her hand shook, bones jutted from her face and hand as she looked at this odd person. \n\nAmelie immediately flinches and forces the offending knife back quickly, there's an awful snap and a noise that sounds uncomfortably moist as it moves back into her arm. Amelie's hand shakes as she tries to take a hold of her breathing. Amelie puts her head on the stove bowing to whatever god stopped her immediately. Amelie felt awful her entire arm felt numb and disgusting. She felt hollow. These days of exhaustion and random things happening were getting to her. She inches away from the person, her arms shaking with the unfair amount of will she's putting into them to remotely move. Amelie look a long moment so long that it was uncomfortable. She was wrapping her arm with a bandage, her arm was shaking as she did so and her breathing wasn't quite stable yet. She ripped the bandage and tucked it tightly so it would stay. \n\nShe raised herself up after a second, taking a macaron and the piping bag and resuming her task. Her face neutral but her fingers betraying a slight shake she has yet to calm. \n\n\"You can have one.\" She says with that hardened scowl. \n\"I wasn't going to eat them or plan on giving them to anybody, they're free to have.\" \nAmelie has made another macaron. Four. She repeats the process. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Why is she counting how many she's making.\n\n.\n\n\"Also, don't get close to me if you value yourself not getting hurt.\" \nShe says her tone dipping into a louder more hostile sounding area. As if she couldn't sound more pissed. She messed up another macaron. The filling slides down her pointer finger. \n\n\"Scheiße.\" \nShe mutters, refocused on her task at hand. This uninvited party guess is in the way of the napkins. She makes a noise of irritation before going to fill another macaron. She dosent answer the willy Wonka question because she dosent know who this Willy Wonka bastard is. \nHe sounds like a prick. \n\nDid this kid say they wanted to sculpt her? That'd be odd, she isn't worthy of that anymore. More struggles with unknown solutions flutter across her mind. She's unfocused again. She messed up.\n\n\"Was zum Teufel.\" \nMessing up so quickly was just completely unfair. She needs to focus again, why does it take one person getting close to shift her off her delicate balance. She was going to have a few words with this person after she finished doing what she needed to do. But, it isn't their fault right? Amelie dosent talk to many people much less interaction with them. \n\nThis could be a misunderstanding. Amelie was overthinking again. She dosent really want to talk anymore. She just wanted to have some time for herself but it seems everyone is so keen on intruding on everything she does. It's not very funny anymore. She hates this place, she really does." }, { "author": "hrd2xplain", "message": "Willy Wonka threatens them, but Noodle isn't really all that pissed, just startled. They figure that she seems more hurt than they are, so they're all even. They lean over slightly as she bandages herself to watch, curious.\n\n\"Oh, that's scary,\" They comment, tone absentminded and neutral rather than judgmental. \"Does it hurt? It looks like it hurts.\" They guessed she probably wouldn't have done it if it hurt, but maybe it was an unconscious thing. Noodle did things that hurt all the time on accident. Sometimes on purpose—some shoes were just worth the pain.\n\nNoodle leans back again once she straightens up, plucking a defective macaron from the tray and popping it gleefully into his mouth. He uses the back of his hand to shove his glasses up his face, coming to rest on his forehead, nestled in his hair. \"It's okay,\" He says while chewing, completely oblivious to the implied threat, \"I don't get hurt real easy. I should maybe try baking. Cause, I mean, I wouldn't have to use the mittens and all that.\" He flexes his stone fingers, hand held out in front of him.\n\nNoodle takes out his sketchbook again, crossing his legs on the counter and leaning back to begin drawing his newfound model. He talks the whole time he sketches, filling in the silence while she fills macarons. \"I might have another one, then, if you don't mind and they're not for anyone. Why wouldn't you eat them? They're delicious! Everyone likes macarons. I guess you could just be making them for the process. I bet that's what Willy Wonka does, now that I think about it.\"\n\nHe draws her eyes, then gets distracted and draws more eyes for a while, before going back to the rest of her face. Then he gets distracted again and starts drawing macarons in the corner. He glances up periodically to watch her progress.\n\n\"Why do you care so much about making them perfect if they're not for anything? It's not like anyone will see them, or like if the filling spills out the side a little anyone will care. It's okay if they're a little strange looking, most things in life are. Like marsupials. And me! Well, they're delicious anyway—the macarons, not marsupials, though I guess marsupials could be delicious, I don't know. I'd feel bad eating them. It doesn't really matter how they look.\" Realization dawns upon Noodle. His eyes widen, and he snaps the notebook shut.\n\n\"Unless they're art!\" He says, excitedly, \"You're like an artist! Doing it for the craft! So, Willy Wonka, therefore, is also an artist. Because he makes confections. That's a bit of a funny word.\"\n\nNoodle smiles, plucking another fresh macaron from the tray and taking a much smaller bite. \"I really think you should eat them. Revel in the act of creation and all that. They're quite good. I like the way they stick to my teeth. I wonder if I can get cavities... I mean, if I could, it probably would have happened already. Can you get cavities? Do your teeth do that thing that you did earlier? Don't try it, I think it would be quite unpleasant. But, you know, if it happened in the past.\"\n\nNoodle is quite silent for a moment. \"I think Willy Wonka probably has a lot of cavities. Unless he's like you, and never eats his own candy. Which might be a smart business practice, although I think maybe that advice only extends to drug lords. Hey, would you describe yourself as better suited for the medium of marble, or clay?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Of course it hurts.\" \nAmelie says with annoyance snapping at her throat. She dosent mean it. She dosent mean it to hurt she dosent mean to be so vile. \nEh, it's not like anybody she knows will show up. Amelie frowns she has gotten some blood on their cheek. \nAmelie took a napkin and motioned them to take it, tapping the side of her face where the blood was on theirs. \n\"I don't mean for it to happen, it's disgusting and painful. But, I can't necessarily control it. \" \nAmelie places the napkin on the counter. \n\"You have blood on your face, please wipe it off.\" \n\nAmelie hums, going back to the baked goods. She picks up a cookie and examines it. Watching as one of her macarons disappeared from the small basket. \n\"That dosent mean you don't need act with caution. I will force you to use oven mittens.\" \nAmelie says pointing at them with her piping bag before going back to making the macarons themselves. \n\nAmelie looks confused or weary, who knows there isn't a lot you can do with half a face and torn tendons. \n\"You don't need to ask.\" \nShe says while putting another macaron on the basket. \n\"I can't eat sweets. I just make them because I want to.\"\nWho in the world is this Willy Wonka fellow. Why is his name so annoying. She absolutely dosent understand most of the words flying from this person, it's like an awful quiz. She dosent know any answers and she hasn't been told anything about it. Who the fuck are they talking about. Amelie has never had a macaron, she's just making them.\n\nAmelie is turned away and not paying attention to whatever this person is doing, her brow is furrowed as she thinks about her own plight. Ignorant of the noise the scraping against paper has created, she fills another macaron. She just likes making things for people, they bart feed themselves anyway. Speak as they may they're all quite bad at cooking at least from her standpoint, and don't quite have the determination nor gall to actually make something all they really do is yell at eachother.\n\n.\n\nIt's a little entertaining to watch. \n\nAmelie looks at this person like they had a rat for their brain. They're speaking like they're Plato, and this is the question of life itself. Which is frankly a bullshit thing to constantly think about. Back to the conversation Amelie. Which she still wasn't understanding a word which this person was saying. It's like not knowing English all over again. This kid spoke in tongues. \n\"I...\"\nShe was about to speak when this person loudly blurted their answer of choice to their own question. She flinched. Just a little it's easy to ignore.\n\n\"Sure.\" \nAmelie really thinks they'd judge her for not making them perfect, she barely knows these people so she'll never know. The confections are art... Somehow a nice way to refer to it. \n\nAmelie purses her lips and makes a noise of disgust. Her teeth do in fact sometimes act like the bones that rip through her body. It took a long moment of standing in the bathroom and staring at the blood that fell from her mouth to know that. It was horrible, she thought she'd never have teeth again and it was quite the detrimental thing for a child alone in a house and fresh from the hospital. She had to clean the floor spotless after that. She couldn't have the police thinking she did something. They were already too involved in her life in the first place at that point. \n\nAmelie shook herself from thought and stared. \n\"Isn't the artist supposed to decide that?\" \nWas she being insensitive, she understands music well enough. She decides such things for herself extremely well. She didn't want to seem high-strung and pompous. Even though everyone thought of her that way. That's a little funny. \n\"Perhaps... Expiriment?\"" }, { "author": "hrd2xplain", "message": "Noodle looks slightly shocked. They rub at their face with the offered napkin, squinting suspiciously at the streak of blood that rubs off. They pull a face, crumple the napkin up, and take a second bite of macaron to comfort themself.\n\n\"It's sad that you can't have sweets,\" Noodle says. \"But I'll just eat them all for you. And then I can describe what they taste like. But that's not really the same, it might just make you jealous, so actually, never mind. I support your artwork.\" They open their notebook again and sets it in their lap.\n\nEven though the invitation has been opened to take macarons, he's still conservative with his pickings. He feels like it would be rude to take too many.\n\nHe nods at her very wise observation, frowning in thought. \"Hmmm... Maybe you're right. But really, we're all the artists. Artists of ourselves. You're a soul inhabiting a sculpture of yourself.\" Noodle smiles, seemingly pleased with himself. \"I think your soul is probably marble, but I only have clay right now, because it's hard to convince the faculty to ship in marble blocks. Which I guess makes sense, but I wish they would. Maybe if I broke off my arm and said I needed to replace it they would order me some. No, that's probably ethically incorrect.\"\n\n\"But you would make a good marble sculpture, if I could. You've got the right shapes for it,\" He commented idly, flipping the page and starting a new sketch of her, this time from a different angle. \"Willy Wonka's soul is definitely made out of clay, so I guess you're not all that much like him. What's your name, anyway? Mine's Noodle. I mean, it's not, but it's what everyone calls me, so, functionally, it is. Really the definition of 'a name' is what everyone calls you, yeah? So if I'm everyone, and I'm calling you Willy, that's your name. But... I'm not everyone. So. Oh, you have a very nice nose bridge!\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"I'm not jealous.\" Amelie says looking more defensive than she should. She makes another mistake yet says nothing about it. What artwork? She's just doing what she wants. It's like a reflex at this point. Something in the back of her mind standing so clearly but everytime she looks it's blurred and marred. \n\n\"Ah.\" \nAmelie says and she stops what she's doing for a moment to give this person a stare. She looks disturbed, confused and conflicted at the same time. It's an odd mix that results in an uncomfortable stare. \"What do you mean by marble.\" She asked but it came out quiet and unable to be heard.\n\nAmelie didn't hear the rest of the conversation, she was busy staring at absolutely nothing. She was frowning, her skin looking like worms shifted and made their homes in her flesh. It was an ugly sight that Amelie found herself staring at so frequently. Would it be hard to... No no she's fine she can handle this. \nShe took a moment but did catch their name. \n\n\"....Amelie. That is my name.\"\nAmelie cleared the baking sheet and started putting down more of the cookies to be baked with another piping bag. \n\"Thank you. I'd say your soul is made of clay. If you'd ask me.\" \nShe hummed a lullaby while she piped the soon-to-be macarons. After she put them in the oven she leaned against the counter beside her, giving noodle her full attention. If having one eye was full attention." }, { "author": "hrd2xplain", "message": "\"Ooh! Yeah, I think I'm clay too. Even though, you know,\" Noodle says, gesturing vaguely to the white side of his face. He's softer. More malleable.\n\n\"You're marble, because you're like...\" He trails off, flipping over the page in his sketchbook and beginning a third sketch. The other two just didn't suit her right. He scoots around on the counter slightly to get a better angle.\n\n\"Firm,\" He finishes nonsensically. \n\n\"You know, like, a little harder. Less squishy. You're carved from the outside in, not built from the inside out. Are you making more macarons? You should start selling them. Bake sale.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Sure.\" \nAmelie raised her brow, looking at noodle. She waved off the fact his face was indeed marble. \n\nAmelie narrows her eye. She leans to her left, there's a crack that edges itself out in her neck. She looks keenly to the patterned skirt she's wearing. Listing to noodle speak something nonsensical. \n\nAmelie's face scrunches. \n\"I have enough money.\" \nShe makes a noise of disgust when she again remembers where the money came from and how drenched in sin it is. She dosent want the cash. \n\n\"In turn. Have you ever sold your sculptures? I assume that's what you do right?\" \nIt would be odd if he dosent. Maybe he's simply too rich, most likely not." }, { "author": "hrd2xplain", "message": "Noodle shrugs. \"Oh, I won a few contests, a ton of youth artist awards, but I never really got the chance,\" He said, idly jotting down details in her face. He wasn't particularly egotistical or said it particularly proudly, more like it was just part of his history. \n\nPublicity was hard as a school-child, and even harder when you were trying to keep yourself secret. He supposed he could sell them now—just do the whole faceless artist thing. Like Banksy. Sculptor Banksy. He's pretty sure the whole point of Banksy is the graffiti, though, and Noodle's not really into it. Spray paint doesn't like him.\n\n\"I think I might feel bad giving my sculptures away. I mean, sometimes they're made for someone, you know, and then they have to have it, and they'd be sad if they didn't. The sculpture would be sad. It's like keeping it from it's home, yeah? Even if it's never been there. But most of my sculptures end up just being for me, so. They're sad if they leave me.\"\n\nHe paused. \"I'm pretty sure baked goods don't have feelings, though. That would suck if they do, because, i've like, eaten a ton. A Ton.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie shrugs, it's actually nice hearing that he dosent flaunt such a thing. She was a little surprised, they certainly looked like they'd flaunt something. She keeps reminding herself that looks certainly are not everything, for better or for worse. \nShe hummed in acknowledgement. \n\nArt is something Amelie sort of strived for, to even be considered enough for her work to be considered as such. Nights spent staring at paper, picking that bandages and scabs while she falls into a hole of something. Amelie wants to feel like she's striving to something, it's kind of hard now. \n\nAmelie says nothing as noodle speaks. She's thinking about those hours of working at a desk while Tejal stood over her shoulder, she'd mumble something about Amelie needing a break and after a minute of struggling Amelie would be dragged into Tejals arms giggling like a maniac. It was nice, like the feeling of sitting by a fire in a almost tender autumn morning. \n\nAmelie frowned, choking on something for a second. \n\"What made you think about zat? Did your brain pull something from hell for that? I??\"\nAmelie coughed, trying not to double over. She raised her finger for just a moment. \n\n\"They don't have feelings, but sometimes there is feeling put into them? I'm very unsure of how to say that. It's something, I'm not elaborating.\"" } ]	405	5,120
390.166667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Once again, the early morning had drawn Elya out of her dorm. The creeping dawn reached its hands out and beckoned the girl forward— charming her with solitude and silence. \nIt worked every time.\n\nElya was folded in a chair in the middle of a dead empty common room. A bowl full of cut fruit was resting in her lap. A blank sort of stare was on her face, a stare that waltzed with the dark void of night. Clearly she was in her own mind; distracted, and not expecting anyone to talk to her. \n\nThere were few moments Elya felt fine to linger in public spaces so casually, this current moment was fortunately one of them. \n\nHer eyes fluttered closed for a moment. \nQuiet." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Arriving this early was SO unlucky! \nThe trip over was a hassle (and then some), and the airport affairs fell along similar lines. It was... Difficult to be bright, cheery, and presentable before the sun had even begun to rise. Your whole body felt sluggish. Lethargic. \nShe wasn't exactly a stranger to something like a 3 A.M flight, not unfamiliar with the concept of calling up an Uber to move from place to place. That was all under the guise of photoshoots, commercial sets, and other things that put her in the spotlight. EXCITING stuff, y'know? Stuff that MATTERED.\nThis? This 'Newton's Cradle' nonsense? Didn't matter.\nShe would've much preferred a later start, maybe sometime around the middle of the day, giving her ample time to prepare and wake herself up a bit more.\nInstead, bad luck stabbed her like a thorn in her side, and the dreary ride in the government-issued vehicle did NOTHING to raise her spirits.\nThis whole situation was bad luck, huh.\n\nShe made no effort to conversate with the people who had brought her here, resting her head on the side of the car in a futile attempt to get some rest.\nShe didn't feel the need to. She'd likely never see them again. Why bother.\n\nWhen she finally arrived, she was quietly shown to the site of her new living space, her 'dorm room.'\nKinda like boarding school, yeah? Boarding school for freaks. \nGuess she was a Freak Now. How the mighty fall.\n\nShe courteously thanked the staff member she had written off as unimportant upon first meet, and slipped into something a bit more comfortable than her travel clothes. Splashed some water on her face. Glared at herself in the mirror. Getting herself to wake up, dammit.\nOnce changed, freshened up, and substantially more alive, she exited her room, quietly shutting the door behind her with a click of the doorknob.\n\nShe wandered into the common room, full of all sorts of distractions.\nNot so full of people.\nAnd who could blame them? It's EARLYYYYYYY! She wasn't excited to be up and at 'em either.\nMight as well act it, though.\n\nHer plush slippers met the dingy carpet as she looked around the room, gazing in all directions.\n\"Huh.\" She muttered under her breath.\nEyes settling on the One Person inhabiting the place. \nShe smiled. Because now she knew she had to.\n\nApproaching quietly, she sat down in the unoccupied chair next to hers, completely uninvited.\nShe wasn't that pretty. Some makeup and a few highlights would do her wonders.\n\"Good morning!\" She said so in a low, quiet tone, but cheerful enough to convey that she was happy. Or something.\nWhat a joke.\n\nShe looked through the window to her left.\n\"Pretty outside, isn't it?\"\nThen looked back at the girl. Silently EGGING her to answer.\nEntertain me." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Elya looked up, her eyes opening to study who had sat down next to her. What met her gaze was a well kept girl, with short peach toned hair, and striking green eyes. \n\nShe looked Too Put together for such an early hour, and her cheery tone made Elya's jaw tense. \nWhy are you talking to me.\n\n\"Morning.\"\nElya's voice was cool and accented. Her words like frost, with a voice that spun a certain apathetic freeze. \nShe clearly wasn't interested. \n\n\"Indeed.\"\n\nShe picked a strawberry out of her bowl and took a small bite. Paying no mind to the one next to her." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Oh, you silly stranger!\nMei is ALWAYS well-kept. Are you kidding?\n\nNo matter how much you play the uninterested, cold, apathetic game, you will lose. You will fail like a little loser and she will make you talk.\nYou will talk!\nThis is just the conversation portion. God knows what comes next.\nShe nodded with mildly dull excitement, to give the feeling of an ever-so-slightly tired disposition, but remaining approachable. Approachable to MOST, anyway. This girl, this... Weirdo, probably wouldn't be nearly as responsive. \nThis was calculated subconsciously. Aware she wasn't being genuine; putting forth just enough effort to keep it up.\n\nShe didn't care where this conversation went. If this goth chick came out of it liking her or not.\nObviously, it was IDEAL if she did, but even Mei knows some expectations are unrealistic.\nAs long she doesn't have to spend another second in silence, staring at some stupid collection of another four walls. SO sick of that.\n\"Yeah! Does the light always filter in like that..?\"\n\nShe didn't offer much of a chance to respond.\n\"You can't see much of this in the city. Not where I'M from, anyway. Buildings all over the place, you can't enjoy all this!\"\nShe sighed wistfully, being only a tad overdramatic.\n\"You guys have GOT to enjoy living so simply! Content with doing basically nothing!\"\nThis was her weird way of coping. Making this stupidly moronic situation out to be better than it was. \nWhat ELSE was she supposed to do?!\n\nIf you lived with the reality of a harsh situation for too long, it would affect you. You can't let petty things affect you. \nIf you do, you're weak. And Mei is far from WEAK.\n\nHer green eyes watched this girl carefully. Careless. Unaware of how lucky she was just to be near her.\nWhatever. Can't please everyone, she supposed.\nShe poked her cheek innocently.\n\"Anyway! Where'd 'ya get the fruit? Is there a dining hall of some kind? Oooo, is the food any good?\"\nA smile on the edge of her words.\n\nUnclear, at this point, if there was something beneath it." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Elya let the girl across from her chatter. She was incredibly talkative for such an early hour— which shocked Elya because very little did she ever have so much to say. The girl wondered where all the words came from. \n\nThe brief moments of silence between each surface level attempt at small talk was incredibly cherished by the one who had come out here so early to be Alone. Whatever, she could not control who did what. \nThe girl sighed and adjusted her posture. \n\n\"I suppose so.\"\nElya finally spoke, in reply to the Living simply Comment. Something about it felt back handed— was this stranger implying Elya did nothing of importance?\nPerhaps she was right, there was a level of boredom that plagued her here. So many rules, many threads left untethered. \n\n\"The fridge. I bought half of it, the other I share.\" \nShe popped a blackberry in her mouth, and motioned behind her with a somewhat dismissive gesture. \n\n\"There is a kitchen there for student use, and a cafeteria downstairs. The food is fine.\" \nThis conversation would be over soon." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "The only reason Mei bothered to talk was because she had spent ENOUGH time in silence (and if not that, uncomfortable questioning sessions) these past few weeks. It was supposed to be refreshing, stranger! Play along! It wouldn't hurt you to form a sentence with more than a couple words!!\n\nThe compliment WAS backhanded, intentionally so. Almost as if to say: I envy you! I spent my whole life WORKING towards something, the TOP! And you all are just content scraping the bottom of the barrel! What a quaint little existence! Wonder what that's like!\n\nAt the mention of something like a community fridge, Mei's eyes widened a bit. She'd only shared her food with people during long shoots, and even then, that was just takeout. Nothing special. \nThe fact that everyone's meals would be together baffled her. No one had their own individual storage? \nYeah, call her 'out-of-touch.' She didn't care. \nIt's called a STANDARD. It's a shame this place didn't bother to raise theirs.\n\nHer nonchalant attitude was pressing all the wrong buttons. She'd give her slack, though, the generous person she was! It was the MORNING! Nobody could fault her for being a bit out of it. \nShe'd perk up a bit later on, probably. Give it time.\nMaybe THEN she'd give her the attention she was owed! She better!\n\nShe nodded quickly in response to the last two comments.\nKitchen. Cafeteria.\nWell, this place was basically a school. Pretty commonplace to have a cafeteria with sub-par cuisine. \nLiving here was gonna REALLY suck, wasn't it? 'Fine' wasn't really gonna cut it.\n\"Uh-huhhhhhhh. Gotcha.\"\n\nShe leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. \n\"You like it here? I mean — sorry — how long have you BEEN here? Let's start there.\" She lightly laughed in the middle of her comment.\n\"Kinda like prison, huh? All 'what are you in for?' Hah! Funny..\" Her tone was joking and lighthearted. \n\nAnd no, this conversation wasn't ending anytime soon." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Elya finally took the moment to look at the one across from her. A proper Look. The sharp stare Elya possessed found itself dawning upon the other like a dying star. It held an emptiness, a slight annoyance, with an analytical origin. It was the stare of one with a pin in her hand, and a bug pressed against a piece of a styrofoam. \nWhat do you want from me.\n\nThe girl shifted again. The oversized hoodie draped over her torso and arms moved with the soft movement like the shifting feathers of an owl— perched. \n\n\"I have been here a less than a year.\"\nThat's all she was saying. \nElya did not let her gaze linger. The one who sat too close, and talked far too sweet, was setting every nerve she possessed on edge. Notoriously people who were well liked and sociable, Did not Get along with Elya. This was clearly one who enjoyed talking to others, and would only get along with similar people. \n\n\"Yes. It is like prison.\" \nShe shrugs softly, her voice remains monotone— almost robotic. \n\"However, we get to go to town should we want, so I cannot complain too much.\"" }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "As this girl surveyed her, Mei took the opportunity to do the same. The two stared each other down, each pretending they weren't.\n...Or, at least, Mei was. Attempting to keep the interaction casual was difficult when there was so much to pick apart. Like the way she treated her like she didn't matter.\nOr her appearance. Dear god. Where did she even start?\nHer hair was split apart, jagged and messy. It was obvious she'd either done it herself, or had the option to sue a barber for damages.\nHer outfit was drab and unassuming, making no statement or clear indication of who she was, besides communicating the fact that she didn't care. Not an IDEAL first impression, sorry!\nYou should be bold! Curated! Cutting-edge, but classic! \n\nIn reality, you should be a bit more like Mei, but not everyone has the potential. Guess she got the short end of the stick.\n\"Less than a year?\" She softly giggled. \"Suuuuuper specific! But whatever, I won't push. Say as much or as little as you want, I guess.\" She lightly shrugged one shoulder to punctuate her sentence.\nMaybe her line of thinking was right. They weren't likely to get along. \nBut she should get at least SOMETHING out of this ordeal!! Conversations don't always HAVE to be two-way, but she wanted to be given SOMETHING more than dead air. Needed some kind of incentive to even stick around.\nIt's fine. This'll go somewhere. Has to.\n\nAt her second comment, Mei's smile widened. Ironic, given how angry that statement made her. Suppose it hadn't really SET IN that this was how she'd be living for the next who-knows-how-long. Prison. Sweet.\nHer eyes continued to look this darkly-toned girl up and down, listening to the way she spoke. Noting how she behaved.\n\n'Least there's room for improvement. The 'Before' photos need to pull from someone.\n\nHer eyes brightened, just a little, at the last statement.\n\"Town? That's awesome! What's it like around here? What're the best shops?\"\nShe quietly winced in through closed teeth, all of a sudden.\n\"Oooough.. They don't provide us with money, do they? Tough luck..\"\nShe played with her pink acrylic nails, and her eyes darted back from them to the other girl's eyes.\n\"That's dumb.\" Suddenly a smidge more monotone, her voice lost a hinge of its excitement.\n\nWafting their way up to stare at the ceiling, green eyes no longer found interest in the nearly-black ones they'd been glued to.\nYawn. Newton's Cradle. A total bore." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The piercing gaze that stared back was one Elya could recognize. She Was Pretty, and the pink of her lips and cheeks was almost Too Perfect. It matched, like the warm tint of cherry blossoms in spring, or soft vanilla cake. Yet, there was a lack of admiration behind this recognition. \n\nThere was a moment where Elya missed the other person she saw each morning. The quiet, passive, short conversation by someone who acted very much like her and spoke in a similar calm tone. This new girl's overly chipper tone was beginning to drain her; she was saying so many words with so little meaning. \nIt reminded her too much of people she did not enjoy being around. \n\n\"Yes, it's not far— and I'm not... Sure.\" \nShopping? Money? \n\nWithout another word, Elya grabbed her bowl in her hand and stood up. She let her skirt fall to her ankles— moving with a poised sort of elegance, like fog billowing through misty forests. \n\n\"Can you find someone else to ask these questions to? This conversation is not... Interesting to me.\" \n\nElya was no welcome party— she didn't care for greetings and smiles. There was a reason she stayed in her dorm. \nThere was a part of her that knew she was particularly annoyed today, but Elya did not care to think through how poorly this could end. \n\nShe wasn't trying to be mean. She was simply stating a fact." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Oh!\nSo it was like that. She wanted to play like that. She wanted to play... At all! Her loss; WOW, was she about to lose.\n\nThis was entirely avoidable! It really was.\nNot the obscenities Mei was thinking, not what she was contemplating doing, not any of the blame that could've allegedly fallen on her shoulders. No.\nNope! No dice. YOU could've avoided this. \nYou could've been a nice, accommodating sort-of-roommate and you could've sucked it up and listened to her talk. You could've at least Pretended To care, moron. It isn't hard! SHE does it all the TIME!\nIt doesn't matter if you enjoy it. Conversations move on my timetable, not yours. That's how things work.\n\nWhen she stood, a full(y annoyed) smile broke out onto Mei's face. \nExcellent start, Newton's. Officially the pits!\n\n\"Um..\"\nMei stood as well, and in two large steps, slid in front of this stranger, choosing to block her path. She crossed her pale arms and continued to smile.\nSomething was evidently hiding underneath, like when you cut the thorns off of a rose; but the nubs are still sharp enough to draw blood if you press them.\nMei was feeling pressed.\n\"It's so early! Nobody else to talk to!\"\nThere was no consideration behind her next words; they just slipped out. Like a waterfall. A dam starting to snap into pieces.\n\n\"I knew you weren't all that interested, believe me, I can tell!\"\nShe proceeded to clasp her hands together, a slight 'clap' sounding out loud as a result of the connection.\n\"And I'm SO sorry that you feel that way! Mhm!\" She nodded with mock earnest.\n\"But seriously, social interaction never hurt!\"\n\nThere was a very brief pause as she innocently tilted her head to the side.\n\"I mean, how often do you talk to people, anyway?\"\nWithout missing a beat; \"You seem pretty quiet. Not a compliment.\"\n\nShe vaguely gestured around with one hand, placing the other on her hip.\n\"If you really THINK about it, this is in YOUR best interest! Learning how to... Y'know.. Chat!\" \nHer gaze locked on to hers, with condescending seriousness.\n\"You aren't gonna get anywhere if you can't hold a conversation for a few minutes.\"\nHer smile broke a bit wider.\n\n\"Soooo? You gonna sit back down?\"\nWhat she didn't say was 'Or are you going to go back to being a wallowing, loser bitch?'\nBut her aura spoke every syllable. And ENJOYED it." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Elya looked Mei up and down.\nThe silence was deafening in comparison. \n'I could tell you weren't interested.' Could you now?\nThis entire interaction went from mildly annoying to putting Elya instantly on edge. She gritted her teeth the moment the other girl blocked her path. Her eyebrows furrowed as something in her core itched to defend herself, but she refused to feel immediately threatened. \n\n\"Then why do you keep talking?\" \nElya's voice remained unaffected, a stark contrast to the other's fizzing bubble of words and shifting tone. \n\nThe comment about Elya's inability to hold a conversation made her dead eyes blink. She could not care less about holding a conversation with someone she didn't want to. She didn't value social interaction— she would rather be doing Anything Else than this. \nThe girl didn't respond. \n\nShe didn't need this preppy girl caring about Her Best interest. \n\n\"No I won't.\nNow move, Please.\"\nElya would just step around but this stranger had positioned herself at the only exit point between the chairs and a small coffee table. \nLovely." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Her fist balled. Strong, artificial nails pressing into soft palms.\nWhy do I keep talking?\nBecause I want to!\nDo you really think it's about you?\nIt's not!\n\nShe chose not to spill every ounce of her guts, and instead dug her nails even deeper. \nLogic says that it was stupid to play a game that you have no skin in. \nNo popularity to fall back on, no cronies to back you up, no influence. \nYou needed influence to succeed. Not just HERE, but everywhere.\n\nThis girl's been here longer.\nShe's got her beat. \nBut Mei... Mei always refused to go down without giving the other person hell. \nShe ran the possibilities out like a runway carpet, prepared to trample over them all the same.\nShe considered several courses of action, and decided on the easiest option.\nOccam's Razor. The simplest choice is most often correct.\n\nShe scoffed, and she wasn't quiet about it.\n\"Do you hate me that much?\"\nShe gave a laugh too, for good measure. Salt in the wound.\n\"You like — JUST met me! Can't sit down for one conversation. Yikes.\"\nShe crossed her arms again. \"How do your friends tolerate...\"\nAnd then she mocked her 'Aha!' moment. 'Realizing' that it was obvious she was lacking in that department. \n\"Ohh...\" She solemnly nodded, simply oozing toxicity.\n\"Sorry! Forgot!\"\n\nShe turned to the side, looking at her from her peripheral. \n\"Look, we're gonna talk, or you're gonna have to make me move.\" A slight smirk.\nOccam's frickin' Razor. \nIf she could get her in trouble for hurting her in any way, shape, or form, she could damage her reputationally.\nThat's the oldest trick in the book. The simplest choice." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Elya's face twisted into something of disgust. She was unsure what this girl was playing at or why she was so incredibly desperate to talk to someone like Elya. \nIt was a display that set off every alarm in the girls mind. All of this felt... Wrong. \nWhy was she doing this?\nWhat did she want?\n\nElya took a step back. \nThis girl's insults made Elya's skin crawl— she felt as though suddenly a swarm of bugs had been released onto her. Memories, moments, all of which now fresh in Elya's mind.\n\n\"Insulting people is no way to get them to talk to you.\"\nYou're just a bundle of joy aren't you.\nBetter question, how do people tolerate you.\nThis was no way to make friends. \n\n\"I'm not going to do that.\" \nElya rolled her eyes. \n\"What do you even want? If you have a question you need answered That Badly, you can ask it now.\"" }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "She's GOT to be sick in the head. That's the only explanation. \nWhy ELSE would she turn up her nose at someone like Mei?! \nThis was like walking into a five-star restaurant, with all the time and money in world to enjoy its benefits, and choosing to go Dumpster-diving Instead.\nYou could talk to her. Or you could sulk in silence.\n\nWho in their RIGHT MIND would pick the silence?\n\nShe noticed the twist in the gothic girl's facial expression, could pick up that something was amiss. \nThe poor thing had probably been bullied before. Maybe she was coming on a bit too harshly! Triggering some this kind of response was NOT ideal...\n...For HER! \nHow was she supposed to build a solid reputation if the first person she interacted with had something negative to say? The word of the people was valuable, and she'd just risked blowing her first impression. She might as well consider it already dead.\nLying about this interaction to everybody else who WAS bound to ask was going to be exhausting.\nCoating it in layers and layers of sugar, and hardening it enough to keep the narrative straight.. Dammit, Mei, there were like a THOUSAND other ways to do this! Come ON!\n\nShe fought to get her brain back on the right track. Stray it from the idea that she was really this nasty, cold-hearted husk, and guide it back to the path of the 'nice girl.' \nThis was a perfect example of what NOT to do! A cautionary tale of hot-headed hubris. \nAt least mask it better next time.\n\nAt the eye roll, her nails were leaving marks in her palm, with enough pressure to squeeze a lemon dry.\nBut one deep, slightly-shuddering sigh later, and she was back on track.\nSmile. The easy-going kind.\n\"You're SO right, actually. We totally got off on the wrong foot.\"\nHer nails were still burrowed, but loosened a tad. Body language. \n\"The trip over was REALLY long and exhausting, so I guess it made me a lot more irritable than I expected.\"\nHer smile gained a woeful edge. She wasn't GUILTING her opposition, per se, but she was... Desperately trying to pick up the pieces of the conversation she'd smashed. Trying to blow out the small flames.\n\"I don't want anything in particular. Just wanted to talk to someone, get my MIND off of everything. It's tough to move across countries for some weird program just because the government told you to, right? Over some silly incident...\" She gave a half-hearted laugh.\nShe hoped that this tiny information drop would pique her interest enough to stay.\n\n\"We can talk about whatever YOU want! I'll shut up and listen!\" \nShe gave the impression of thinking about something. Not mocking contemplation, but simply acting like it. Making it believable.\n\"Orrrr... I guess you can go.\" Pick your battles. You have to know you won't win 'em all.\nShe sidestepped, clearing the path.\n\"If I could get your name before 'ya leave, that'd be cool, but it's whatever.\"\n\nThis was a last-ditch effort. If this didn't work, she'd go back to her room, read her magazines, and wallow.\nShe leaned slightly to the side from her new position, watching her carefully.\nPleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee bite the bait!" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The entire interaction thus far had been rather pointlessly hostile. Elya had known generally people don't take kindly to being told to be quiet— but this new girl was a whole new flavour of desperate.\nAfter confirmation that this stranger didn't even have a question she was in need of asking, Elya began to become even more confused. Her eyebrows pinched, the scar on her right twisting with the tension. An inquisitive gaze fell upon the other girl, less disgust now and more frustrated confusion. \n\nThe long trip, the irritability, Elya didn't know enough to understand if that was believable or not— or reason enough to put aside the way she was so quick to so blatantly insult her. \nThe sick weight in her stomach remained. \n\nThe way this girl spoke had a way of getting under Elya's Skin. \nWas it her fault? Had she been too rude? Was she being horrible to this sweet girl for nothing?\nElya swallowed. \nShe insulted me first.\n\n\"Yes. It is quite... Difficult. I do hope the following days are easier on you then.\"\nSpoken through gritted teeth but the meaning was all the same. She did not wish the hardship of adjusting to a new environment upon people— especially when she knew how hard it was herself. \n\nElya shifted slightly.\n\n\"Not unless I get yours first.\" \nThe girl tilted her head to the side, her intrigue now obvious. There was no smile with her words. \nWhich was a choice she was consciously making. Elya didn't owe her any amount of politeness at this point. \n\nWho are you.\n\nShe didn't move, not yet." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Yes, FINALLY! She didn't have her quite where she wanted her, not yet, anyway, but this was forward progress! Several steps in the right direction.\n\nHer now-soft demeanor did nothing to ease her piercing green eyes, looking right through Elya. Nearing her heartstrings, threatening to cut them loose.\nDaggers... Still in their sheath.\n\nHer smile of warm vanilla and sugar persisted at her first comment, despite how clear her disdain was. She preferred to take compliments and well-wishes — no matter how forced — at face value. Your ego stayed alive that way.\nShe played to her empathy, trailing her behaviors like a stalker following their target's every move.\n\nThis was kinda like a game! How many times can I move you around, little pawn (first of many), how many times can I make you think what I WANT you to think?\nNo, this wasn't LIKE a game. It was one. A game rigged in her favor, with rules curated by her own manicured hands. \nThe best kind.\n\nHer nervous shifting didn't deter her, in fact, it only added fuel to her fire. She loved watching the less important squirm.\nThen she asked for her name, an opportunity she snagged without hesitation.\nSaying her name was like a sweet treat. A gift of information to the person it was bestowed upon, and a blazing reminder to herself of who she was. Where she stood. \n\nMei Yoshida.\nThe name the world knows.\nThat's me.\n\nHer grin became more laid-back, more approachable, as her eyes briefly closed to accentuate such a feeling.\n\"Oh, that's easy! Mei Yoshida.\" Her eyes opened, the pupils in her emerald eyes growing larger with the light filtering in.\n\"Don't wear it out!\" \n\nShe leaned forward a bit, placing one hand elegantly behind her back and extending the other in the all-too-typical friendly gesture of a handshake.\n\n\"And yours? C'mon, don't leave a girl hanging!\"\nNo matter how harsh her next reaction could be, she had to remain cool.\nNo matter what.\n\nCome on, kind stranger. She seemed to beckon. The garden is safe." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Elya looked at Mei, stared directly back at her piercing, alive, green eyes. Elya had a stare that did not rival its energy; she had a stare that was empty, dead, and yet heavy all the same. There was a call to the void in the brown, almost black, eyes that she usually covered with contacts. It was a warning, a shield. \nMei's eyes held a sweet, inviting, sort of trance— Elya's was barbed wire wrapped around an already ten foot tall fence. \nOne wanted you to stay.\nThe other wanted you to stay Out.\n\n\"Elya.\" \nThe girl did not shake Mei's hand. She remained stationary, not even looking down to register it. \nMei Yoshida. Elya would remember that, and for all the wrong reasons.\n\nSilence. The blank expression on the taller girls face remained. \n\n\"I hope you find someone else to bother.\" \nWith a quick motion, Mei now completely out of her way, Elya began moving back towards the dorm rooms, her fruit in hand. \nShe knew Mei could easily follow her, but prayed that she wouldn't. \n\nSo much for a relaxing morning.\nAs much as Elya didn't want to admit it— this girl had gotten under her skin." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Her unshaken hand only retreated behind her back when she realized this girl was really THAT stubborn. THAT ignorant, and quite frankly, THAT stupid. \nIf she wanted to make an enemy out of her within her first hour, that was her choice. What-the-fuck-ever. You couldn't please everyone.\nIt still burned beneath her skin that anyone, no matter how self-righteous, cold, or edgy, could ever treat her like a discard.\n\nShe was the GRAND prize, are you kidding?! You can't toss something like that to the side. \nOr maybe you could. If your name was Elya, and you probably had a moronic last name, and a moronic family, and would end up leaving the world with no legacy other than your idiocy.\nHer smile etched into her face, and, hopefully, Elya's memory. \nYou would've been SO lucky to be friends with me.\nDon't come crawling when everything falls back on you. Elya.\n\nShe wiped her hand that had been so RUDELY left hanging on the outside of her silk nightdress, as if even putting it in proximity to the girl had given it some kind of infection. Something that needed to be cleaned.\n\nSomeone. Else. To. Bother.\nNo matter how much fury rose in her throat, no matter how many obscenities threatened to break the walls of her perfect teeth, she stood fast.\nCheerily calling out; \n\"Enjoy the rest of your morning, then, Elyaaaa!\" Every consonant and vowel oozed of condescension, a giggle topping it all off. \nShe was not gifted a response, nor a second glance.\n\nThe second her back turned, her smile dropped. \nHer brows furrowed in immense frustration, and she groaned slightly, coming from the back of her throat and a place unspoken. The facade was no longer necessary.\nWhat a WASTE of energy — god, no, what a WASTE, point Blank. \n\nSo much for a good first impression. So much for a peon to kick off the prison sentence. \nSo much for a good morning! Ugh!\n\nShe practically stomped her way back to her room, fighting not to slam the door as hard as she could and risking waking anybody else. \nShe buried her face in a pillow and allowed the anger to envelop her.\nElya.\nYou're SO over, Elya.\n\nI'm gonna RUIN you.\n\n━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━" } ]	374	7,023
211.633333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "nazuwasan", "message": "Trying to cold start my brain for this ghfjhfhf" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "It's a quiet afternoon in the Cradle as a tall Japanese girl nervously steps through the halls of the building as she holds her beloved blanket close. Her gray, angular eyes scan the area around her, trying to look for anything that seems off. She can't read any of the signs denoting which hallway or room she's entering, so she's praying she doesn't encounter The Zone and end up sick, or so she thought.\n\n Eventually, she stops roaming the Cradle and realizes she had earlier promised Koyama-San that she would bring snacks for study time. She looks around to see if there were any vending machines nearby, and happens to spot one in another room. She remembers that *The Zone* Is in the common room, but she can't read the Swedish sign telling her that, so she goes in anyways. She's now stepping closer and closer to the unguarded *The Zone, unknowing of what's about to come.\n\n Suddenly, she felt her movements slow down. The air around her felt like it was beginning to freeze solid. She began to shiver. As she stopped in the middle of The Zone, Nakanishi looked down at her hands and realized her wrists had frozen. She tries to pull up the sleeve of one of her arms to see if it had frozen too, but they became hard to move. She looked down and saw a small 'X' made of duct tape on the ground. Then, she realized what was happening. She tried to move, to get out of there as fast as she could...\n\n ...But nothing happened. Frost had formed all over her body, and her power had seeped through her thick, insulating gloves. The air around her body grew cold, freezing even. The girl had been frozen solid by her own power, which had been affected by The Zone* To grow in power, which caused it to become uncontrollable, which then caused her body to freeze. She now stood there, completely still, a terrified expression plastered on her face, frozen in a running position." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "The start time for study time passed a few minutes ago. Normally he wouldn't get worried this early, but considering she is his roommate and also *The Zone* Situation, times are different.\n\nGabe said he'd help, which is good. J1k2l345proeid9sjxmccccilklolkk89k 9if9iidfkmofpldlp.Fkrkorlfdlolkprlkerkldflflfok8 jidfjhwdfkj lesow lff;f /.Fff/ ffgf fff fff\n\nGabe said he'd help, which is good. His\n\nHe's having a bit of a moment right now for no outside reasons that Spidy is trying to deal with at all. These kids definttely aren't getting annoying or shouting in her ears.\n\nAs I was saying, Mamoru got worried because of the timing of her not responding and the *Zone.\n\n\"Nishi..? Nakanishi?\" He calls out, almost a little timid about it. He's scared of what he might find. \n\n...\n\nHe had every reason to be. \nWhen he enters the common room, he sees Nishi frozen. His stomach plummets. \"Sh..Shit!\" He runs forward. He had no previous intention of getting anywhere near The Zone,* But what choice does he have? She may not even be Alive. No no no stop stop stop-\n\nStop thinking stop it\n\nAnd he does stop thinking, apparently, because without a second thought he plunges into the zone to grab her and attempt to pull her out. Maybe he wasn't too late? She'll be okay. She will. She'll be Fine. \n\nShit shit sh- \n\nHe doesn't feel anything except for a strange tingling sensation. But he barely even registers that. \n\nIf Nakanishi even has feeling right now, she would have noticed (probably) that the area Moru grabbed is numb- as if it's asleep." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Her skin had gotten so cold, her nerves would've went numb anyway. Nakanishi was terrified. She couldn't feel anything, she couldn't move anything, not even her eyes to look around, she couldn't even utter a sound. Yet, she was still alive. Her mind was still alive, and racing. She could feel her heart pounding out of her chest. She was frozen, but alive. It was a terrifying experience, one she'd never had before until now.\n\nMamoru felt the hard, bitter ice on her skin instead of the soft fleshy stuff that is usually her skin. She was a statue frozen in ice, a potentially fitting piece for an ice kingdom... If people enjoyed looking at a frozen, terrified Japanese girl. The air around her was freezing, which wasn't pleasant compared to the warmth of the common room. Frost was everywhere, and was starting to spread to Mamoru's clothes and whatever else was in contact with her body." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Ares isn't here yet thank God. He'll get there, conveniently, after this interaction probably. How convenient. How neat. \n\nAs soon as he gets close to her.. It's Freezing. Like being outside in the snow without a jacket. His only protection is his sweater.\n\nIt's unpleasant.\nHis teeth chatter. He doesn't even feel it as the frost climbs his sleeve. His hand is numb. He can't use his fingers. He can't feel them. \n\nOkay. \nMaybe this isn't normal.\nMaybe it did something.\n\nHe uses his other arm to tug, and the cold bites into him there. God..\n\nHe grits his teeth.\n\nNot good not fun not good-\n\nPlease be okay.\nShe's frozen. Please get here Owen please-\n\nPlease.\nPlease.\n\nIt's like she's frozen to the ground. He needs to get her out. \nPlease.\nJust budge.\n..Hopefully he doesn't pull her onto himself. That would suck." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "As her power continued to freeze the immediate area around her, the frost began to expand to the floor. She became stuck to the floor, the ice holding her down. It felt as if a demon had finally grabbed ahold of a pure soul to drag down to the pits of the underworld to feast upon. She felt like crying. She was freezing, and Mamoru was putting themself in danger to get her out.\n\nShe felt grateful that despite the danger she now presented, her roommate was still trying to set her free from this icy hell. Yet at the same time, she felt like she wasn't worth it. She thought she was just another person in the Cradle. Just... Regular, compared to everyone else. She wanted to tell them that it wasn't worth putting themself in danger to save her, but she wasn't able to do anything other than wait for something to happen." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen bounded into the commons, nervous pricks already lining the back of his neck and his forehead. Well. His goal wasn't difficult to miss, at least. The statue-who-must-be-Moru's-roommate looked... Painful. \n\n\"Moru! Moru, uhhh..\" A heavy hand braced on the green-headed fellow's shoulder, before sliding off in a daze.\n\nThe redhead inched closer. A dry, stagnant, miserable chill summons goosebumps on his (purposely) bare arms, and his heartbeat thunders in his ribs, in his temples. Thin ice crunched quietly beneath his boots.\n\n\"Here now, um. Esgob annwyl. Nakan-nishi? It's, uh, it's help, hopefully? I'm going to try to free up your face, alright? S-s-so you can see?\" Can she breathe??\n\nWarm, strong hands moved to cup the statue's terrified face, and an awful, just-barely-strangled sound gurgled out from the shorter boy's throat. \n\nWaves of heat unfurled from his open palms, the air wavering like the horizon at the edge of a desert, writhing like an animal held prone by its own hide; the ether beneath his skin roiled uncomfortably, frayed nerves joining in a deafening chorus led by his very Bones. \n\nA roar, the rush of blood in his ears, sleep-weak but furious, gripped his heaving chest- hot, stubborn instinct fought against something Other, something wild, something clawing at his muscles and at his skull, rushing outwards. \n\nIf Nakanishi's eyes could see through the dripping frost, they would meet pinpricks set in red, rimmed in tears. The boy's teeth remained gritted, however. His breaths, though shaky, remained as deep as he could get them.\n\nMore frost started to drip onto the floor." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "The relief from seeing Owen is short lived. \n\nThat noise.. He looks over at the oven guy with widened eyes. Is that normal? Is it the *Zone?* Damn it, he never thought about its impact on Owen.\n\nStupid, stupid-\nHe had been selfish. Again. Asking someone to dive headfirst into danger without knowing the risks. \n\nHe can't see Owen's face, and that's honestly for the best. He would not take it well. \n\nHe murmurs a quiet apology, but can barely find his voice. In trying to save one friend he thrust another into the weird shadow vortex glitchy distortion zone thing and... This is not a pleasant experience for any of them." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "She could only watch as a person she didn't know, but what she assumed to be one of Mamoru's friends bounded into the commons before they stopped in front of her. She watched their hands slowly come closer and closer to her face, before they looked like they made contact. She couldn't feel his hands touch her face. Then, she could feel her nerves coming back. Her face defrosted first. After what felt like an eternity, she could finally close her jaw back up. Her mouth felt very dry and cold, like the air usually was.\n\nShe saw the pinpricks on his face and realized what he was doing to help her was hurting him. And hearing that awful gurgling noise... She didn't want him to help her anymore. She felt awful seeing those red pricks on his skin, and the salty tears streaming down his cheeks as he endured the pain to defrost her. Once she could feel strength in her arms again, she hesitantly raised them up before placing them on his shoulders and shoving him away, hoping she was able to get him out of *The Zone.\n\n[P-Please... Don't help me. I c-can't bear... Seeing you in p-pain...] The girl said to them, speaking in her native Japanese tongue as the frost quickly crept back up her body and started to freeze her once more." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "I was gonna write uri snaking their hands around his waist and dragging" }, { "author": "sapphic_spidy", "message": "[The spot has moved.]" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Tap. Tap. Tap. \n\nWithout announcing their presence, hands reached around Owen's waist and pulled him backwards out of the zone. They're not as strong as Owen, but Owen is limp— it's not as difficult to pull him back than one would expect. \n\nAfter Owen has been dragged an appropriate distance, Uriel sighs, tucking their head into the crook of his shoulder and neck. Their puffs of worried air tickle across his skin. \n\n\"Owen, can you hear me?\" Their voice is low and melodic as they wrap their arms around him tighter, almost completely burying their face into his skin. \n\nHe's so cold...* Uriel shivers against his skin, and the sensation of Owen's flesh being Cold Makes their stomach drop. \n\n\"You're— you're alright. It won't hurt you. I'm here, ok?\" They whisper soothing words into his ear, curling around him in a feeble attempt to warm him up. Their poncho was thick and woolen, and hopefully it could provide the silent boy they so dearly adored some comfort." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The roaring in Owen's ears took up too much of his attention; he nearly didn't feel it when his shoulders were pushed, his stomach was pulled.\n\nHe stumbled back, and through the frayed mess of his insides, he fell on something soft. \nSomeone soft.\n\nNearly as soon as he was pulled past the caution tape, Owen's mind quieted, and the animal rattling against his cage of flesh and bone collapsed over his stomach. He gasped for warm air, away from the dry cold.\n\nWas He... Cold?\n\n\"Uri-el,\" He croaked, a now startlingly-numb cheek pressing into theirs. His heart still hammered away, the pulse in his neck against their beloved face, his shaky hand feeling around for theirs. When it could find no purchase on anything, he settled for curling into them further, breathing in soap and lavender.\n\nWhile the shock faded away and the gravity set in and invited proper fear, and with That A persevering trembling, the boy tried to stifle a dry sob. He was so happy they were here. ~~He was so relieved, he could kiss them.~~ He was still so scared.\n\n\"Y-you're here, you're hereYourehere.\" A sharp inhale, cutting between muffled sobs. \"P-please don't le-let-lettm- Holdontomeplease,\" He asked of them, his proud voice lowered so only they could hear.\n\nSomewhere in the back of his head, Owen hoped that the statue-girl weeping frost was alright, and that Moru's head wasn't spinning, but all his mind could stick to was the heat returning to his shoulders in softly stinging increments, and the blessed pressure around them. Uriel's arms always were a lovely place to catch his breath." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Staring is rude. He doesn't try to eavesdrop on what they're talking about. It's their business. ...He definitely understands the misconception, though. \n\nBut he hasn't time to gawk. Nishi. She'll be okay. He reaches out for her again, not knowing he'll probably end up numbing her even further. \n\n\"Hey- are you- shit-\" He takes out his phone, typing into a translator quickly. \"[Are you okay? Let's study another day. I don't want you to get sick..]\"" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "As she watches the events between Owen and Uriel unfold, she couldn't help but smile, thinking that she had done some good for Owen instead of letting him get hurt because he tried to help her from this mess.\n\nBut there was still another person suffering from her power: Mamoru. She looked over and tried to get them to step away from her, but she didn't have enough time to put her arms up and shove them away, too. Nakanishi quickly freezes up again, now stuck in a pose that looked like she was trying to shove away Mamoru as she ran. It was back to square 1." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He doesn't expect Uriel and Owen to take notice of this. They're busy. In their own world. That's not a bad thing. They need each other. \n\n..He can't ask Owen to help any more. Not when he's in that state. Nishi's legs haven't been freed. Moru's tongue feels heavy in his mouth, like after being numbed at the dentist.\nGreat. \nGood. \nFanTastIc.\n\nWhatever.\n\nShe's trying to push away. She thinks I'm upset with her.\n\nHe hurriedly types into the translator with his hands- both of which have feeling in them again.\nHe doesn't often use the numbing aspect of his ability. Not that he has often used his ability. But he knows it can be dangerous to mute and ignore pain.\n\nWhatever.\n\n'[It's okay. No one's upset with you. I'm going to get you out of there.]' For once he's thankful for having to use the translator, since he can't talk at this moment anyways.\n\n\nIf only he had any idea as to How... If he calls another person, he runs the risk of hurting them, too. \n\nShe's freezing to the touch. What do I do? He's helpless. He can't do anything. He inhales shakily, trying to keep his composure, wiping a hand across his face.\n\nHis teeth chatter but he refuses to let the cold get to him just yet. \n\nAres.. Would Ares help him? Should he even bother risking it? Ares has been perfectly fine, and can't be far. Maybe he should..." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "They could find something in the kitchen to heat up? Like, towels or heat packs or hot water bottles" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "It is 8 pm for them\n\nSpidy is with some kids\n\nWant me to split it off into two rps so uri takes care of Owen and Mamoru helps Nakanishi?" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"I'll be back. I'll be right back-\" He's apologetic. He rushes off, sprinting. He's going to their room, rifling through all of their items until he finds a hairdryer. He's panicking. He can't wait for someone to have a heated blanket. He can't wait for someone else. He has to.. To do something himself. \n\nHe runs back, out of breath, panting as he plugs it in. He was probably gone three minutes but he is absolutely exhausted. He's damn lucky the cord reaches. It is not his dryer but Nishi won't mind. \n\nHe won't rely on ares. He won't. He'll let Owen alone with Uriel. \n\n'[Im sorry. I'm so sorry for the wait. I'll get you out. I'll get you out.]' he's also trying to figure out what to do to combat the potential hypothermia. He'll keep her warm. He will be useful. \n\nHe turns it on, to the highest setting. Please don't burn her please don't burn her-" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel gives Mamoru a quick nod before escorting a dazed Owen out of the room— it communicates a very clear I'll take him from here As they leave the room, redhead in tow." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "As soon as the ice and frost had consumed her once more, her expression was again frozen in a terrified state, her icy eyes staring at Mamoru, unmoving. It was unsettling. Her entire body was once more frozen in ice, and she couldn't move anything. She couldn't feel anything. After the upper part of her body re-entered this frozen state, it became even more terrifying for her.\n\nIt was like finally experiencing a lick of freedom after being chained up for months, only to have your captors force you back onto the wall and chain you up once more, only worse. You were frozen solid, and your entire body was numb with cold. You couldn't even shiver. She could barely see through the ice clouding her vision. She couldn't read the text on Mamoru's translator app to figure out what they were doing.\n\nNakanishi could only watch as they ran out of the commons room with no idea of what their intentions were. She had no answers to a question she wasn't able to ask. Why were they leaving? One part of her wanted to remain hopeful, thinking that they had an idea what was going to set her free from this frozen hell, yet another part of her wanted to be much less optimistic, thinking that they had given up on her.\n\nThose 3 freezing minutes of Mamoru's absence had felt like hours had gone by. The room was quiet, and she couldn't see any movement in her clouded vision. Nothing was changing for her. She was about to give up hope, until she saw the familiar green hair of her roommate, Koyama-San. In her peripheral vision, she watched them plug in a device. Then she heard the muffled sound of a hair dryer. It took her a second to realize that they were trying to melt the ice in order to free her.\n\nAnd it was working. The ice and frost at her feet were finally beginning to melt. She couldn't feel any heat from the dryer yet, but she knew Koyama-San had a plan. She just had to wait and hope they would be fast enough to combat the hypothermia." }, { "author": "chahei", "message": "\"A Statue?\"\n\nHaoran's voice appears after an audible click of a door. He's brought more than a heated blanket — a heat gun from his workshop and some scrap metal. This must be from the distortion event, no? There was absolutely no way this would've happened otherwise.\n\n...Ah. She's right there. In the zone itself. \n\n\"Unplug the hairdryer. Use this instead.\" \n\nHaoran instructs Moru, placing the heatgun in his hands as he'd wrap the heated blanket around Nakanishi without a moment's of hesitation as soon as the distortion moves. He's precise and careful in not touching the ice itself. His stoic yet commanding tone contrasts the panicked voice of the other unfrozen person in the room, and he hopes it won't make them feel even more scared. \n\n\"Naka-chan, we'll get you out of there. Just be patient.\"\n\nItalics = Japanese" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "YES* Okay he's saved. As soon as he saw a glimpse of Haoran he knew he was saved. He told himself he wasn't going to rely on someone else to do this but... To be fair Haoran is offering to do more than bring the blanket. So it's fine. Mamoru isn't useless. Mamoru can be helpful. He's not utterly incapable of helping people. It's fine. \n\nIt also definitely helps that Haoran speaks Japanese. \n\nHe unplugs the hair dryer as soon as he's told. Haoran always sounds like that, so he's not too put off. \n\n...He doesn't know how to use the heat gun but.. Surely he can just point and shoot? And it'll be like a mini heater, and she'll thaw, and it'll be okay.\n\nIt'll be okay. It has to be okay. He doesn't want to believe that anyone can die to this thing. Especially, as selfish as it may sound, not someone he knows. She'll be okay in no time. \n\nSure, it's hard for the two of them to communicate. They have to speak through translators, that says quite a bit on its own. But she's still a friend. She's important to Mamoru." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "She watched yet another different person come in, carrying what looked like a larger blow dryer and a blanket. She couldn't exactly make out what they were. However, she knew that the other person had another plan to free her. The ice began to grow from her feet as soon as the blow dryer was unplugged, but once the blanket and the heat gun were used on her, the ice began melting even quicker.\n\nHer power wasn't creating ice fast enough to combat the heat from the blanket and the heat gun, meaning if they kept this up, Nakanishi would finally be free from her own power eventually. The water created by melting the ice would quickly freeze as it slid down the surface of the ice, but the heat gun and the blanket were still working.\n\nEventually, the ice at her feet finally melted enough (assuming Moru is pointing the heat gun at her feet like with the blow dryer) that she was no longer attached to the floor with ice, and she began to tip towards Mamoru, which would allow them to catch her and finally drag her out of *The Zone, putting a stop to her own power turning against her. Nakanishi couldn't express how grateful she was for not one, not two, but Three* People putting themselves in danger to save her, even if she thought she wasn't worth it. She is definitely planning out gifts for each of them to express her gratitude." }, { "author": "chahei", "message": "Haoran helps Moru catch the girl, pulling her out of the zone to allow the rest of the ice to melt off faster. He doesn't mind the numbing feeling of the ice, not when a frozen statue of a schoolmate is in his grasp. \n\n\"There's another heatgun inside the workshop that isn't usually on me. I'll go get it, you keep using this one to melt the rest of it off.\" \n\nHe says as he allows Moru to take the statue that was Nakanishi, the tall figure giving one more momentary glimpse before scampering off to get more equipment to get the ice off of her." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He nods. If it weren't for Haoran helping, Nakanishi may have taken them both to the ground. He helps her to sit on the ground out of the zone without falling. \"Okay.. It's gonna be okay..\" He continues doing as Haoran instructed, fearful concentration on his face. \n\nHis focus is in this moment, at least. \"Please be okay...\" \n\nShe'll probably need dry clothes when the ice is gone.. He has some comfortable sweaters, but she Is Taller than him so it may not fit.. But they're warm? \n\nHe and Haoran need to home remedy this as much as possible so the nurse's full attention can be on the people that nearly died today. \n\nIt's not right.\nIt's not right that staff hasn't said a god damn thing." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi still was stuck in the same pose with being frozen, so she had to be laid on the ground. Now that she was finally free from the grasps of The Zone, the ice finally began to melt at an acceptable rate. The heated blanket and the heat gun did wonders to melt the ice, but Nakanishi's clothes and the blanket ended up soaked with cold water.\n\nHer head and face melted first. It was a huge relief to finally be breathing warm air again, but her eyes felt like they were burning as she pretty much had a staring contest with the wall. She tried desperately to blink rapidly in order to moisturize her eyes, but the burning continued. Then, her arms and legs melted, followed by the torso. As she finally became free of her icy hell, she visibly shivered with cold and fear. The blanket and her clothes were now soaked and cold, which didn't help to warm her up much.\n\nLiquid tears began to slide down her face as her mind was all over the place. Her thoughts kept darting to Mamoru, the two strangers who helped, gift ideas for them, how she could be that careless, and more. Not only that, she also felt extremely guilty for forcing three other people into a dangerous situation by trying to free her from the ice. She shouldn't've walked into the commons room. She should've been more careful and attentive. Why didn't she look out for the tape marking The Zone? There were so many \"Why\" Questions she asked herself that she couldn't even answer them. She felt overwhelmed by everything that had just happened in these 10 or so minutes, maybe less, and she wanted to just close her eyes and let everything go silent." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He looks at her. This.. Was hell for him to watch, he can't imagine how it would've been for Her. God..\n\nHe hesitates a bit before scooting over, and wrapping an arm around her. A careful, slow side hug, just in case she wants to shy away. He won't force a hug onto her if she doesn't want one... \n\nHe shoots Haoran a grateful look. Haoran really saved the day here." }, { "author": "chahei", "message": "Haoran is back with the other heatgun to get rid of the rest of the ice, along with a dry towel so she can dry herself off. His gaze softens at the sight of the two hugging, setting the warm dry towel on the floor next to Naka. \n\n\"Are you alright, Naka-chan? Can you feel all your limbs?\"\n\nHe inspects her carefully, raising her hands to see if her fingers had changed color. He's abnormally calm, though under the facade of his stoic expression was concern and worry. \n\n\"I'll brew her a cup of tea. Can you go to your dorm and get a set of dry clothes?\" \n\nHaoran turns to Moru, nodding his head in a silent 'I'm glad I was able to help' when he sees the look on his face. His gaze and attention is back on the shivering girl in a moment though, tilting his head slightly when he gets up to get her something warm to drink. \n\n\"Any headache? Is it warm enough?\"" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "As she continued to lay on the floor, feeling the disgustingly soaked and cold fabric of the blanket and her clothes rub against her only slightly warmer skin, she notices Moru slowly approaching her with a slow side hug. Immediately, wanting to feel the warm comfort of someone she knows, she rolls towards him until the NakaBurrito™️ pushes up against his body, and she allows him to give her a much needed hug. You can tell she's trying her literal best not to start sobbing in front of him and Haoran. She'd hate to do that in front of people, especially those who she knows.\n\nThrough her shaky breaths and whatever else may be going on in the commons, she hears another voice speaking to her in tongues she could decipher. She looks up, tears welling in her eyes, wondering who was speaking to her. It was Haoran, the person who she recognized as the one who brought in the larger looking blow dryers and wrapped the now soaked blanket around her. He was asking her a question... Asking if she was alright, and if she could feel her limbs. She just gave them a slow, shaky nod. Her limbs were feeling, albeit uncontrollably shivering, and she was alive, at least. Cold, soaked, and terrified.\n\nShe thought back on what happened through her blurred vision, and the muffled sounds of people talking. How she shoved away someone who was hurting themselves trying to save her, and nearly shoved away Mamoru who was trying to do the same because she thought she wasn't worth it. Yet, she was in mortal danger of freezing to death by her own power. She had pushed away those who were trying to save her life. She shouldn't've done that. She Really Shouldn't've done that. The tears kept flowing, yet she kept using all of her willpower to avoid sobbing right in front of them. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry." } ]	201.5	6,349
254.307692	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan lounged in the dormitory commons, sitting on the couch. He had gradually begun to relax his posture around the other students. Afterall, being too noble may make people nervous... So he was slowly relaxing but it would take awhile to undo his parent's training. So he started with small things, laying back with a more casual air.\n\nHe was still dressed ornately, his outfit looking Victorian. He wore a deep violet dress, which hugged his chest tightly and had extra fabric around his hips to help add a bit more volume. His frame was already thin, so that extra bit of cushion helped.\n\nHe wasnt worried about much today, two books in his lap. The first is the almost infuriatingly sparse book he had found on parahuman nature. It was ridiculous how little this book said in an excess of words. The second was his personal journal, a small violet leather notebook which he made detailed notes within. This was his third day with the book, and he was making good progress, but he wouldnt be happy until he had pulled every secret out of the stupid book." }, { "author": "Emmi Harold", "message": "Emmi nervously tapped her finger on the table, as the other hand drew a large, vertical line on a scrap piece of paper, from bottom to top, hence creating a very important chart. At the very top of the paper, above said chart, was \"Making friends,\" And on either side of the line went a header: \"Pros\" And \"Cons.\" \n \nThe young woman spent the next several minutes listing pro after pro. However, only one con stayed in it's column. \"I don't have to talk to people and I can keep reading my book.\" That was saying something, considering that, while Emmi didn't Exactly* Want to socialize in the new and frankly terrifying place, the book she was reading hardly kept her attention. It was one of the only books about acting she could find in the library, and it made her latest obsession seem like the driest, most boring subject on the planet. A lengthy sigh exited her lips. If Emmi were to stay sane, She was going to have to talk to people. \n\nCrumpling the evidence of the chart that made her feel pretty silly in the end, she tossed it into the nearest trashcan. Emmi scanned the room, standing awkwardly in the middle of the commons for an odd amount of time, doing a mental version of Eenie Meenie Mini Mo to decide between a few students that didn't seem to be engaged in anything. Finally, her eyes met Ostan's. Well, now she Had To say something. \"Hello! My name is Emily Harold, but you can call me Emmi!\" She said in a cadence one might use if they were to be kidnapped and forced to make a phone call to communicate the criminal's demands to their loved ones, but somehow with that forced positivity that claims \"Everything is okay!\" However, everything was not okay, as Emmi's brain caught up to how she said those words. Wuh oh. \"U-u-uh... Hi!\" She said again, a forced smile hiding that she forgot how to act like a normal human being, something that she never quite grasped to begin with." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan had spotted her as soon as she had walked in. Painfully awkward would have been putting it mildly... But he had to give her something... She atleast had the confidence to approach. He looked up with a gaze full of pitty, a look that seemed to say \"Bless your heart.\" His dull violet eyes were sharp and calculating. An almost Cheshire grin grew on his face as he set his pen down and extended his hand. His skin was a pale-gray, and the ends of his fingers came to an almost charcoal black.\n\n\"Ostan... Tei Sheios\" He said softly.* \"Would you happen to be new here? I am sure I havent seen you before. I am new here aswell, in two days it will have been a week\" He said with a soft sigh.\n\n\"Oh, but where are my manners, please sit\" He said, gesturing to the rest of the empty couch next to him. He wanted... No he need to make friends here. He wanted to do parahuman research and he would need test subjects other than himself... Of course he wouldnt do any human experimentation... He wasnt nearly far enough along in his research! He would simply need samples from parahuman individuals to test against different control samples.And the best way to get samples would be to make friends with people and then ask them very nicely\n\nTo make friends he had to set traps, and this first one was devilish. By offering her a space to sit, it would trap her here for a bit of time. She didnt seem like the person to refuse, and it would give Ostan time to try to make her his friend. A perfect plan!" }, { "author": "oatmilkgalaxy", "message": "Emmi visibly tensed, and promptly relaxed. \"Hi\" She said for a third time. The girl smiled bashfully, before pushing up her enormous glasses. \"I... I am\" She mumbled, staring at the floor. \"I... I just got here too!\" She said, her eyes lighting up a little. \"I... I'm basically just settling in\" She said going back to avoiding eye contact. She was slowly but surely relaxin. Following his offer, Emmi plopped into the seat next to him. She scanned him for anything that could start a conversation. His appearance was very much not the place to start. Silently, she wished that everyone wore their interests on their shirts, like Emmi did. In fact, she was wearing a t-shirt with \"The Colin and Brad Show\" Plastered on the top, with the two improvisors' faces pictured below. She then silently wished that she had chosen a more commonly known interest to wear today.\n\n\"So uh, what are you reading?\" She asked." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan smiled softly, examining Emmi's outfit with a careful gaze. He hadnt ever heard of \"The Colin and Brad Show\"... But asking may be a good thing to do sometime. One had to engage in small talk after all. He was glad that she had sat down so easily, seemingly not even noticing the trap! That made his job even easier! Now, time to make a friend.\n\nShe made the first move with a simple question, and it was a good question that gave Ostan several avenues for response. \"Well... It isnt a good book. It is from the library, and it is one of the only books I can find on parahuman natures and abilities. I have been combing through it for any secret tidbits of information I can find... To worryingly bad results. This book manages to say next to nothing with thousands upon thousands of words.\" He said with a loud sigh. He raised his journal, tapping its cover for emphasis \n\n\"This journal contains all my notes on parahumans... Well... Parahumans besides myself of course. I wish I had more but this place is very tight lipped.\" He spoke before sighing again with obvious exasperation. Hopefully this would turn the conversation towards parahuman abilities... In which case Emmi presented a wonderful opportunity to learn more sets of abilities." }, { "author": "Emmi Harold", "message": "\"What Is With the library and books that do... That thingy? You know, the thingy where they use lots of big words like Coalesce Or Mitigation O-or Synergy And they don't tell us anything!\" She inhaled, prepared to complain more about it, before shrinking a little, realizing that he wanted to know about Her Abilities. At least, probably. \"O-oh, do you... Want to know...\" She said, her voice trailing off, Emmi entering into deep thought. \n\nShe was silent for a while, making a concentrated, yet frustrated face. Not now. She thought to herself. Oh god, not now. It always happened at the worst times, but especially when she thought about her powers.\n\nSuddenly, from an unknown source, game show thinking music played out of nowhere. \"ᵒᵒᵖˢ\" She barley stammered out. Holding her temples, concentrating on making it stop. She was finally successful after a few moments, the music stopping abruptly with a little \"Ding ding ding\" Sound effect. She felt the eyes on her, even if there weren't that many." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan chuckled softly, that... Wasnt exactly what he was implying but he supposed that it could be a valid interpretation of his criticisms... But when he pushed her towards her powers she seemed... Nervous. Now, in his mind the information would be well worth the awkwardness, but if he made people feel bad... They probably wouldnt want to talk to him or let him sample their blood... He was resigned to change the subject when... Music started to play...?\n\nAt first he assumed it was a phone or something similar, but glancing around the room no one pulled out a device to pause it. On top of that Emmi looked rather embarrassed... Could... She be the source? He immediately closed his eyes, trying to pinpoint the direction of the sound. He also attempted to judge its volume and clarity, though he had to admit that he didnt have the best ear for music. He began furiously scribbling notes, creating a small diagram of their sitting locations and where he thought the music was coming from... But then it stopped.\n\nHe finished his note, and then looked up with a bemused expression. \"I... Assume that was you. If so, I must say that is a rather interesting power. Can you create any sound or just music? What is the range? How loud can you make it?\" He began asking, leaning forward with obvious interest." }, { "author": "Emmi Harold", "message": "\"Mayhaps\" She resignedly mumbled. \"So uh... I can... Um...\" Emmi stammered. Sure, she had conversations about her powers, but those were formal. There were Procedures. A teacher would ask a question, and she would answer it. There was paperwork. Comparatively, this conversation was a lawless wasteland. \"That's a thing that happens yeah... Um, every so often, my brain makes music. Think about if you're watching a movie or TV show. Something happens on screen. There's usually, like, a soundtrack. That's what my brain does but real life\" She chuckled awkwardly. \"I can also, totally separate thing... Like, do impressions I guess you could call them? But I can do anything, anywhere in the room. \" The latter was a power she was less embarrassed about, and one could tell. Emmi instantly relaxed. \"Give me a famous voice. Like, literally, any famous voice\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He nodded softly, it soundes like a very interesting power. It could be effective in many circumstances. \"So... This music you make, what are the limits? Could you make the sound of a glass shattering? What decibel range can you create? What about the frequency?\" He asked, leaning forward slightly to show his interest.\n\n\"And... Morgan Freeman from... That direction\" He said, pointing towards the bookshelf. If she could create individuals sounds the uses of that would be endless... Because if it was limited to music then what defined music? That definition could be stretched very far... Maybe it was dependant on the user's perception?" }, { "author": "Emmi Harold", "message": "\"I... I can do sounds\" Emmi answered shyly. She would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying the attention, though. \"And... Uh... It gets... Loud? I've never seen how loud I can go... But I... Don't think this is the time or place\" A nervous chuckle exited her lips. \n\n\"Morgan Freeman? Oh, you got it!\" She cleared her throat with authority. Then, once she opened her mouth, Morgan's voice came out. Though, it didn't come out of her mouth, it came out of the beforementioned bookshelf. \"Hello. My name is Morgan Freeman. I did a movie where I played the role of God once, and my— well, Emmi's parents watched it precisely one-hundred-times before she arrived at the age of 12. It's called Bruce Almighty. You should totally check it out\"\" Her face crinkled into an amused, yet mischievous expression. \"Was that good?\" She asked in her own voice. Well, mostly. The sound of the W was very much still Mr. Freeman, though by the time she got to the end of the word \"Was,\" She had returned to her own voice. The whole word \"Was\" Was a gradient between Emily's soft, squeaky, girlish voice, and the dulcet, nearly thunderous tones of Morgan Freeman. \"I've never done Morgan Freeman before. W... W-what's something he says in that movie?\" Clearing her throat, and this time out of her own lips, she spoke in the actor's voice once more. \"You have a divine spark. You have a gift for bringing joy and laughter to the world. I know, I created you.\" \n\nShe chuckled, before once more returning to her own voice. \"I've seen it once or twice. Sometimes I wasn't even forced to watch it!\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Ostan raised an eye brow, whistling softly. The impression was nearly spot on, and wasnt familiar enough with the actor to tell the difference. The way she threw her voice was interesting indeed, and a myriad of possibilities popped into his mind. He had been toying with the theory of distilling parahuman abilities, taking them and refining them into drafts... What could a draft of her abilities make? Would it allow you to mimic a single person's voice for a few seconds... Or allow you to throw your voice?\n\n\"Magnificent!\" He chirped, clapping softly for the display of ability. He laughed when her voice swapped back, the smooth gradient moving through several octaves before setting\n\n\"I honestly couldnt give you a like from the film, i simply suggested the voice because it is so different from your normal tone\" He said truthfully, seeming to relax a bit. He took a small break from note taking, simply watching the other parahuman with interest." }, { "author": "Emmi Harold", "message": "To quote great modern philosopher, Lady Gaga, Emmi \"Lived for the applause, applause, applause.\" So naturally, Ostan's applause inflated Emmi's ego. She was grinning like an idiot, like she often did after receiving applause. It was like a drug, and Ostan finally gave her her fix.\n\n\"T-thank you\" She said, doing a little seated bow with a flourish. \n\n\"Yeah no it's hot garbage\" Emmi admitted. \"Completely awful. But it's just... Nostalgic\" She said with a small laugh." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"Great! Ill be sure to keep it off of my movie list\" He said with a chuckle, lounging back against the couch and considering the possibilities that a power that like could grant. Oh sure he wouldnt give up his powers for anything... But it was nice to imagine what having other powers would be like, how it would impact his life... .... Though if it happened randomly some day he would probably just straight up die. His opaline blood was so full of toxins and impurities that his powers were one of the things keeping him alive. Hell, he would often drink some kind of venom or poison when he woke up like most people drank coffee.\n\nShe seemed to enjoy the applause, but he didnt really want to overwhelm her with praise. It seemed like it could go to her head easily. He was one who would know, prideful to a fault... He didnt really know where the conversation should go from here... He wanted to propose friendship... But that must be far too forward." } ]	227	3,306
144.714286	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Well... Not everything about this school is awful. It's Okay. But everyone's stressed.\n\nEveryone's... Busy. Val is gone. It's a whole issue. \n\nOh no a corner coming up! He will have to turn it! It is sharp! Who knows what is on the other side!\n\nHis hair is tied into a ponytail today, and he's just in a cardigan and pants. And shoes. Of course. These floors are much too dirty to not wear close toed shoes. \n\nHe's looking for the library. He's been meaning to go. It better be good. If it's not, he'll be extremely disappointed." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Yarimiel rounded the corner, and as a reflex to Moru's sudden appearance, pushed at his chest with some force to stop both of them from crashing into each other. The girl did not seem too intent on talking, as she didn't stop to apologize or anything, she just stepped back and looked up at him briefly. Her expression didn't seem all too friendly, or threatening, just alarmingly blank, her face in a completely neutral state, but after a psychological moment, her eyes widened, but not in surprise, it seemed like she just wanted to be more aware of what was in her line of sight, hence that. She now stared at him with wide eyes, but her face wasn't fully tilted up towards the boy's face, only most of the way.\n\nShe wore a heavily stained teal sweater and blue checkered pajama pants, for footwear, she only had socks." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "His eyebrows furrow as his expression turns more sour. He staggers back a bit at the push. \n\n\"Excuse you.\" He mutters. \n\nThis person... Is familiar. From the Intranet, probably. But he can't quite put his finger on it. \n\nThe wide eyes offput him, and he grimaces a little. \n\nHe can't help but take in her appearance. She looks like she's in pajamas. He's not going to Judge, but he's certainly confused. \n\n\"Er- are you...? Okay..?\" That may be a bit mean to ask, but it's better than Have you gotten any sleep whatsoever recently? So he'll take it." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She replied quietly. \"Yes.\" She did not care to elaborate on her answer or her current mental state, she just gave up on caring entirely. She knew that pretending to care and be normal was still way too much effort even when she convinced herself her behavior was a mask. Now she truly wore no mask, her previous fear was now something within the endless void of things she just didn't think or care about, the fear that people would find out she really Is Just a shell of a human. It's not rhat she wanted people to see it, she really just didn't care if people saw it. TLDR: thog don't care. She remained still and stared at him, guessing she should now fully face him. Her unevenly open eyes now more obvious, the right one in a seemingly permanent half-close while the left had full range of motion. She didn't break the resounding silence that came after her answer, she just waited for His." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "She is... Kind of creeping him out. He clears his throat to mask his grimace. \n\nNo... No she's Scary. He takes a step back.\n\n\"I- assume you're... Quiet. One of- one of the uh.. Quiet ones?\" He doesn't want to make her mad, and doesn't want the silence to get too awkward." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Yes.\" She nodded softly before looking to him then around herself. \"Where, going.\" She points to him after the second word, seemingly asking him where he's going. She figured she could hang with this guy she hasn't met yet. It would mostly be uneventful, but she knew she might get a new person to talk to out of it. \"Take, time. Think... Speak. Won't bite.\" She knew he was getting anxious, a lot of the more jumpy people tended to get anxious like this whenever they had to say more than one word at a time and carry a conversation." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Okay, so she has some issues speaking maybe..? He's not 100% sure.\n\n\"I was uh... Going to the library. But I don't exactly know where it is, so I've been wandering.\" \n\nThis person has probably talked in the Intranet. Maybe it's... A communication thing. Except a lot of people on the Intranet don't seem to like him very much.\n\nHe swallows.\n\n\"I've been meaning to go, so..\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Aren't there maps of this place? \"Come.\" She knew most of the layout of the place, but had no interest in most of it, to be frank. All she was interested in is watching bugs, eating ice cream and mutilating small animals, just overall being extremely depraved where no one could see her, or where those that could wouldn't get away to tell a word of the worst parts of it. \n\nShe didn't exactly say or communicate it, but this girl did have an air of intent without hesitation, as if she'd meticulously plan things just to get to more depravity, just for the thrill. \"I'll take, you.\" She extended her hand for him to hold. Her hand was awfully large for someone so small and skinny, the best way to deacribe it was to just say it looked like a boy hand grafted onto her wrist, the knuckles being extremely pronounced under the almost seran-wrap tightness of the skin on this girl." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"Oh- alright.\" That was secretly what he was hoping for.\n\nIf he knew about her... Less socially accepted hobbies, he would not be going anywhere with her.\n\n\"Er- it's fine. I can just follow.\" He doesn't want to touch her. He doesn't know why. He just... Doesn't think it's a good idea, exactly. She's unnerving. \n\nHer skin is... So stretched. Her face is so vacant. It's not like the other things he's seen.. Except maybe that one video on the intran- Oh. That's who this is. \n\nHe doesn't know if that changes anything." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Okay.\" She immediately turned around and began to walk calmly, noting well how his anxiety kept climbing. She noted how it was all probably her, but that didn'tf change her outlook or opinion of Moru, not that she currently had any. The walk was mostly silent on account of Moru's own fears and Yari's sheer unwillingness to utter more than a few words per concrete thought train, which made her come off as dry and uncaring when ignoring the creepiness factor, which was all true. She was just bored, that's why she took the opportunity to take Moru to the library." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "The walk is odd. Offputing. Moru doesn't know how he feels. Just that it's not exactly Comfortable. But he's not about to be Rude For no reason. He's done enough of that with other people. \n\n\"Have you.. Been to the library? Is the selection good?\" The silence is icky." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Yes. Favorite, the bug, books.\" Her voice sounded hoarse whenever she spoke, as if speaking in itself was a chore, or perhaps it was something more forced. Either way, no part of this girl crept out of the rage of unsettling, not even the most mundane things, just because she's doing it. Once there, she opens the door for Moru. If he doesn't walk through, she just lets it close and walks in herself. Rude.\nShe had immediately walked off to find any Entomology book by the looks of it. Each section of the library seemed to be meticulously organized, mostly in terms of story genres, as informational books are pretty obvious as to their name and are all lumped together." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "The bug. The bug. How nice. How Neat. \n\nWell... Bugs aren't, like, the Worst Thing ever. She could like worse things.\n\nMoru assumes that she's just not Used To talking, so it's harder for her. He can be patient with that. \n\n\"Er-\" He goes to follow but he's slower. \n\nHe... Is mesmerized already. This place is wonderful. Why hasn't he been?\n\nEven the library back where he lived wasn't this nice. His jaw drops a bit.\n\nHe gets weird too. About books. He gets weird about books. They're his favorite thing in the world. So much personality... You never know what could be in a book. \n\nHe shakes his head, shuts his mouth (doesnt wanna catch flies haha entomology joke) managing to snap out of his trance, and follows after Yari. \n\nWow. Bug books. She just. Really likes bugs. \n\n\"So I'm... Guessing you uh.. You like bugs.\" He's sure to keep his voice to a whisper. It is a Library, after all." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She nodded. She filed through the books and after a few seconds found a rather thick entimology textbook, checking the title, nodding and immediately beginning to file through its pages to get to the actual content as she walked over to the nearest table. She was instantly absorbed into it, clearly reading every single bit of text with passion, not visible in her face, but in how she read, careful to read every word, not skimming over anything. It wasn't too common that she focusedon something with such intensity.\nIt was not... Wait, where was she again? She lost track of what she was reading, of where se was. SHe gave up and decided to look at the photos, at least those are interesting." } ]	141	2,026
304.380952	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley had texted Sigrun Fiske at a prompt oh-one-thirteen last night, panicking about the most decidedly Un-blue state of their white-blond hair. His hair was easy to dye, and easy to keep up, sort of - wispy hair's biggest disagreement was it's bind to tie-backs and scrunchies, both of which Fin utilized frequently - and he stood in one of the bathrooms with a box of Arctic Blue hair dye, squinting at it's directions through their circular reading glasses - which, fewer and fewer people knew they even owned.\n\nIn other words - Fin had a plan. The still-unhealed septum ring sang to their slight impulsiveness these days, but, hey - when the world (Newton's Cradle) was burning (being ravaged by the Horrors), what else was there to do?" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "It was really no choice between sleeping and turning a random kid blue at this fine hour. No tossup, no competition. This was the Second Kid the creature had been called upon for semi-dramatic hair changes, and she had to admit, she did puff out her chest a little in pride. \n\nIt was a little bit funny how she had actually Met Neither of the people shining the bat-squid(?)-symbol into the night sky in their hour of need. This one seemed to have quite the focused determination to them- they hadn't picked up on the slow curls of cool breath right by their cheek, nor the multicoloured eyes scanning the same instructions they were. Seemed straightforward enough.\n\nThe sound of crunching ice between sharp teeth permeated their muttering in the silence.\n\n\"Cool shade.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Merci,\" Fin replied, in a tone that would have almost been flat, had it not been focused on the box. They did, however, notice the creature hovering just over their shoulder, and jumped, just a bit (and he tried miserably not to show it). They glanced up at Sig with a nod.\n\n \"You must be Sig, then. I'm Fin.\"\n\nWith a less formal introduction, they squinted at the box. \"Can you read this? I feel like I'm absolutely blind here, and none of it makes the slightest touch of sense, either.\"\n\nHe did like the idea of it, having bright blue hair - tilting their head from side to side, before handing it off to her. If Sig's texts were anything to go by, she was as maddening as could be, and, from a purely aesthetic point of view, he thought she was pretty to look at - in the same way a torrential downpour of rain could be pretty, or a tidal wave, right before it poured down and wrecked havoc on everything below." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Last I checked, Ja.\"\n\nSig's voice was slightly accented but comparably monotone, despite the spring in her step as she bounced over to face them. Her hair was in two loose braids over her shoulders, a few wispy curls loose around her face, and she was well prepared for the incoming splatters of blue paint with a Kiss Shirt already smudged with bleach around the shoulders, and pyjama pants that didn't Quite Reach her ankles. Without tall boots... Few pairs did.\n\nThe box of dye left Finley's hands, but Sigrún's did not leave her pockets.\n\n\"Could do this in my sleep, Lord Finnigan,\" She assured him, plucking their glasses from their idle scowl with another quiet limb, placing them near the sink. A dark towel hit them in the face.\n\n\"I've brought my instruments, so your neck isn't blue. Unless you want that blue, too? A splash of discolouration is a striking statement, but the last time I turned my sister purple she bit me,\" She rambled, this time revealing her plastic-gloved hands to toss the bottle of blue goo around a couple times. Piece of cake.\n\nA patch of the same blue spread across her face as she double-checked the instructions with an odd little smile, swishing the last of her ice around her mouth with her tongue. Twisted-ribbon pupils flicked back to Finley, twinkling with her personal favourite kind of mischief.\n\n\"Can't have the belle of the ball stopped up with aggravated assault charges, though, so I'll be nice and careful.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Belle was a good movie,\" Fin remarked, somewhat off-handedly, studying the bottle as it passed from Sigs gloved hands. Their eyes followed it like a cat watching a laser before they jumped back into focus. They looked back up at Sig, a small grin breaking onto their face. \n\n\"I'm kinda excited. I haven't uh, I haven't told anyone I'm doing this except Owen. I think I told him anyway. I haven't even told uh, the uh. I'm, uh. I've got a date. To the dance.\" \n\nThe little grin spread wider, a hand going to fidget with their sleeve. \n\n\"So, uh - thanks again. Really.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "G a s p -\n\nThe bottle flicked open, Sigrún's face a perfect mask of middle-grade-sleepover shock.\n\n\"A Date, milord? No wonder you're so lost in thought...\" She snickered a little, working a satisfying shock of blue into a lock of flaxen blond. \"This is good, this is good. You will be Terrifying. The ice melts at your feet, frost crackles around your eyes, and your nose probably hurts but as long as you don't faceplant into any punch it'll be fine.\"\n\nSig worked with laser-focus now, her assurances equally nonsensical, disjointed, and somehow encouraging. Her odd little grin barely budged, and something flicked and coiled excitedly just outside the corner of Fin's vision.\n\n\"Cute, are they? Telltelltell. Won't they be shocked...\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley grinned at her odd but endearing suggestions. The idea of being strange, eccentric, even, was always appealing, particularly if it went together with an aesthetic Fin enjoyed.\n\n\"Kinda like Jack Frost,\" They mused, sort of to himself, before hardly remembering not to nod at her question(s). Pink spread to their cheeks as they tugged at their sleeves. \n\n\"It's, uh. Well, I think he's cute. He's, uh - you know him, actually. I don't know how well, or anything, but uh - you do. I think he's cute - especially when he forgets to brush his hair down and it just sticks out in every direction, and he's got a great laugh, and-... You know. That kinda thing.\" \n\nOh, Fin, you smitten, smitten bastard. He couldn't help it. Thinking about Ares turned their face to the hue of bubblegum, or, perhaps, saffron was more accurate. \n\n\"He's - he's so special to me. And he asked me to go! Not like - I don't think he meant in a date way, but I mentioned the word date, and he agreed to it, and - God. I'm rambling, Pardon.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún took her time winding a lock of now-Very Blue hair around her finger as Fin gushed their way through their endearing speech about definitely-Ares. \n\nPerhaps Gabriel's nasty taste for gossip had infected her just a little, but Sig really did root for them. Somewhere in her murky layers of pigment and emotion, she wondered where her last crush on anyone had gone; an obsession was quick, but it was clear, a fine point of light nipping at her heels beneath the shifting currents. She supposed the lack of it made her feel.. A little all over the place. It was probably good that she was on this end of the gushing, then. She wasn't That Dangerously bored, she had a kid to dye.\n\n\"Aw, no, ramble...\"\n\nHer response took a second, her eyes momentarily glazed over. \n\n\"Anyway. Walks like a date, quacks like a date, dibs on being your maid of honour!\"\n\nHer snicker was raspy but jubilant, her eyes crinkling up at the corners. A few blotches of arctic blue spread idly over her hands.\n\n\"Alright. So, you let this sit for.. An hour, two? Then I stick your head in the sink, or you hop in the shower. A pity, that we can't all be blue on a whim...\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"If you ever wanted to, I could help,\" They offered with a shrug. \"It can't be that hard - I mean, you just did it in, what, five, ten? I'm not horrible at these kinds of things. Plus, your hair isn't too much darker than mine. It wouldn't be hard.\"\n\nThey only registered what she'd said first, then, eyes widening. \n\n\"Maid of - gods. I don't even know if he Likes Me, Sig,\" He said, pushing his cheeks out with air before letting out a sigh. \"I mean, I hope he does. I mean, we've like, cuddled, you know, and held hands, and-... The more I talk, the more obvious it seems, I know, but, still. You know? It's just. I don't know if I'm just, you know, overthinking, or if, you know, he actually likes me.\"\n\nThey glanced up at Sig with a sigh. \"I like him a lot. Like a lot. I just hope I'm not wrong. You know?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sig's dimples quirked at that, just a little.\n\n\"You could.. Do better for sources of reassuring love advice, but you, you seem to be cared for quite a bit.\"\n\nPeeling the blue-soaked gloves from her long, perpetually cold fingers, Sigrún eased herself onto the counter by the sink. The tall creature thoughtfully turned its wrists in circles as it spoke, eliciting tiny CrackleS and PopS. The tentacles sprawling from her back- two, they might count- lazily twined around her legs.\n\n\"Winter's getting cold, ja? It's only getting colder, even down here. And darker. You find what makes the torches flicker the brightest, and you make what beauty you can by their light.\"\n\nSilvery eyes, shimmering like liquefied kaleidoscopes under the buzzing lights, twinkled with humour. She kicked her feet playfully, clad in thick socks with patterns of cats and fish bones.\n\n\"Hand-holding, though. Faen. I'll find some mistletoe to hurl at you tomorrow- if my aim is true, mayhaps he'll kiss your worried little head wound all better!\"\n\nSnorting and blowing a wispy blonde lock from her nose, any bite to her bark was chased away with a rough little giggle. She cocked her head to the side, focused her strange eyes, and... Turned blue.\n\nPowdery, light blue bloomed in rivers across her skin as countless tiny muscles shifted to expose smart little mirrors too small to see; the bent light taken directly from Finley's head enveloped her like frost, formerly scarlet lines of not-quite-ink melting into slightly discoloured strands of Arctic Blue. There was an artistry to it— winding, organic patterns of hoarfrost glinted subtly over the reflected shade, stretching over her looming frame.\n\nThe conversation had moved on, but Sig was not one to be misunderstood, nor underestimated.\n\n\"And, oh, I Have no problems changing hue, Heheh.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Fin practically jumped - he had forgotten that, yes, this girl was a literal sea-monster, who just so happened to only live a floor or two away from them. They cleared their throat, doing their best Not To seem freaked out. A year or so at Newton's Cradle - two, really, in just a handful of months, holy Shit - had lent their eyes to a lot, but someone sprouting tentacles from their back was always a little unnerving. \n\nThough, he did like how she spoke. She had a sure, quick banter that pressed confidence into the hands of the listener with a nod (as well as a bit of unease). In short, Sigrun would never have to worry about Fin underestimating her. Quite the contrary. He was properly terrified, but in a respectable way.\n\n\"Dude,\" They said, a bit spellbound, watching the ink (ink? That wasn't ink. It couldn't possibly be) morph and swirl into a spread of arctic array, like the very winter itself surged through her and granted her every wish. They stared, almost forgetting that some people found that rather impolite, the last hues of red melting and breaking down into a clear, perfect blue. \n\nThey almost raised a hand to their hair, and thought better of it.\n\n\"That's incredible. How do you do that?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The gawking of the lovesick Canadian tickled Sigrún just a little, her grin revealing hints of sharp teeth and stains of green just inside her curled lip. The move to the Cradle had been bad for her, but if there was one thing a beast so proud did enjoy, it was finally being able to bask in its power.\n\n\"I breathe, and it follows,\" She cooed, leaning forward. \"It's a language of twisting light, a sixth sense... Literally speaking, though, my skin is different.\"\n\nShe extended a graceful, cold hand out toward Finley, palm up, fingers splayed. It returned to her neutral skin tone; it looked strange compared to the blue, as though the light coming from the fluorescent bulbs above the mirror couldn't decide which was supposed to be real.\n\n\"There's my normal skin, see? My first layer, before the rest grew.\" The flesh-tone melted away, spots of mottled black spreading to her fingertips. \"There's layers of cells under it, with these tiny muscles- they pull my human skin aside, and stretch out the pools of pigment beneath it.\"\n\nA flourish, and it was like a layer of ink dripped off of her digits, revealing a vibrant orange-red; it rippled with golden yellow across her knuckles and lit her tendons, so vivid it might drip off and splatter the floor with visions of coral and shifting sand. Her eyes glittered.\n\n\"And my coolest trick, beneath those... Mirrors!\" A final time, her arm changed, organic tones melting away into liquid diamonds. Undertones, reflections of Finley's hair and the graphic on her shirt, bits of the floor and ceiling were all facets of a living, iridescent masterpiece.\n\n\"Camouflage,\" She whispered, holding her hand up to her face; a hazy outline of her mouth appeared on the back of her hand, grinning sea-green.\n\n\"You'll be alright, fry,\" She continued, poking Finley right on the tip of their nose. The blue relaxed a little around the shadowed parts of her face, as did the sharpness of her gaze fixed on them.\n_ _\n\n\"You're smart. And observant. Sharp instincts, sharper tongue. And now, a killer colour change.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"That's like, actually insane,\" They whispered. They looked up at Sig with a look of true hushed awe, glancing back and forth from her face to her sick nasty (and kinda creepy) skin. They balked a bit at the poke in the nose, before a laugh spread over their face. \n\n\"Thanks, Sig. I really appreciate all this - the mirros are my favorite, by the way, you could scare the shit out of anybody doing that. Have you thought about doing that on Armando? I think it'd make the damn thing go beserk. And like, can you do any colour? Like any at all? And can you do more than One Colour at a time? Like - sorry if this a lot of questions, but I like to investigate - what is it made of? Is it for real just your - just your skin? Does it hurt to do that?\"\n\nSig had finally revealed a tendency of Fin's that had been buried under quips with difficult patrons of the intranet, fear of Armando (and losing the ones he loved), buried under classes and a literal chemistry midterm they had to take in the midst of the chaos. Sig had pulled out Fin's undying, nearly unquenchable curiosity, his eyes growing wide when he spoke, little sparks jumping off his hands unconsciously. \n\n\"Sorry if I'm talking a lot, I am, but - Sig, that's so fucking cool!\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún leaned back and giggled at Finley's barrage of questions, swinging her long legs.\n\n\"No!! People here are so weird about talking a lot! Why be dropped into X-men Meets Silent Hill And not be totally entranced by Anything?! You- you shoot lightning, right? You have to tell me what That Feels like next!!\"\n\nShimmery streaks of excitement twined around her body, zipping through her skin like a swirling school of fish. Sig had gathered that it would be.. Insensitive to gush about the fantastical madness that was the Cradle. She wasn't too loony to understand why that was, her eyes read light and shadow just fine, but they did warp the hues and patterns in a way many did not appreciate. Fin's lunacy was, finally, a familiar and joyous thing.\n\n\"And, yes. Any colour I can drink in, patterns can take a second but they're Essential For camouflage, it doesn't hurt but it kind of pinches sometimes? And, Heheh...\"\n\nThe patterns in the ever-shifting sea-beast's skin danced and swirled as she spoke, but at the thought of the wailing void, a more coherent veil of swirling white swept over her angular features. Its last cry caught in her skin like dust between her teeth, gold in her fist. It was different from the night she had drank it in, the intricacies picked from fluorescent lights and cold bathroom tiles, but the scream still rippled clear, silent, and true.\n\n\"'Armando' used it on Me, more like,\" Said she, quieter now but brimming behind those strange eyes with a thrill bordering mania. She hardly blinked, as though it might obscure the memory.\n\n\"The suckers, they're like— they're like eyes, almost, feeling light as a sensation, that I recreate. Their memory... It's like it embraces me all over again.\"\n_ _\n\nHer whisper-like voice quivered with wonder, a seasoned teller of tales around fires in the pitch-dark weaving pictures vivid enough to make her listener's skin crawl with the phantom sensation of eyes peering through the hidden currents running under plain sight. A dandelion seed made of silvery reflections settled on her cheek like a teardrop." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Well - lightnings a bit of an overstatement,\" Admitted Finley, turning their head side to side in the mirror to look at their gooped-up hair. \"It's more like... Static. Lots of it. I can break things apart, like locks and stuff, if they're weak enough. And I'm almost always prone to shocking people. I've got a habit of touching metal before I shake hands, y'know? And, like, I can shock a lot of metal stuff. Like trash bins. You know that one on the third floor that looks scorched? I got scared by a spider one day when I was throwing something away.\"\n\n\n\nThey grimaced a bit. \"But, you know. If people think you can wield lightning, they generally leave you alone. You know? Don't go ratting me out, if you don't mind.\"\n\nHe liked talking to Sig. Something about her reminded him of Nadia, although the two were truthfully about as alike as a beetle and a butterfly. She had a warm, bold energy that always drew Fin towards people. It was comforting.\n\nThey stared at the mirage and menagerie of designs whirling across her skin, mouth slightly agape. \n\n\"Holy shit,\" They said. \"Sig, you're a fucking force of nature, dude.\" \n\nHer voice dropped, and Fin stared up at her face, light brow furrowing at attention. A small stone dropped into his stomach. They remembered how Ares was when he came out of the basement — they wished now that they were close enough with Sig to feel comfortable checking on her. Fin shifted from foot to foot. \n\n\"Armando,\" They told her, \"Is just a little bitch.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"You've got your finger on the pulse, milord,\" She crooned, rolling her shoulders back. \"I'm a far greater bitch than it is.\"\n\nFinley's discomfort didn't fly over Sigrún's head. It was very clear, actually, as it would be to someone who had grown into her monstrous aspects as enthusiastically as she had; the sight made something in her gut coil the wrong way, though. It wasn't fun when it was someone she rather liked, someone she would like to comfort with her twisting shadow.\n\nShe let that last line ring as a reassurance, then. Finley didn't seem as sure, but Sig had learned herself some slightly madder things. Her smile lessened, but her eyes didn't dull.\n\n\"And, your secret is safe, for I confess— it's not the strangest to me.\"\n\nSecrets of that nature were close to her, indeed. People saw bits and pieces of another's power, or their damnably mysterious and downright nonsensical existence and decided that it went all the way down. That was handy when it came to privacy, and scaring off people not worth her tears, but it did get stressful when her strength hadn't matched its cursed sight just yet. It was one thing to grow into your strength— a wild ride for her, one she took with gusto— but what a difficult thing, to encourage your strength to grow into You? What then?\n\nSigrún listed forward and clapped her hands over Fin's shoulders in one fluid motion.\n\n\"Lock-breaker, heart-jolter, Dread sight Of spiders... Your might is a growing thing, as is its wielder.\" The creature's voice was low again, sincere. Sigrún was ever the one to pick its words carefully. \"It— you— are no small thing, Finley. Nor are you a lonesome one.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "A smile fell onto their face, grinning at themself and Sig in the mirror. The Cradle was strange, off-putting, downright disturbing at times — it was only Fins connections within it that made the whole thing seem worthwhile.\n\n Really, he tried to reassure himself, he could reasonably sustain himself should he make it out at a near point. It wasn't really his fault the school's theatre had burnt up. Right? Right. If their powers didn't get worse, they could just skate through the rest of their time here in tact. No problems. Nothing to worry about. Except the horror festering in the basement, their tendency to set bins on fire, his sister's best friend who was still in the hospital and maybe hated him—\n\n\"Thanks, Sig. Really,\" They said, before glancing up at the blue blob their hair was still entrapped in. \n\"I don't have a Ton Of people to talk about my powers or anything with. I mean, I have Ares. He knows. And Owen. He's my best friend, I think. Like my best friend in a long time. The two of us were working on a song for the person he's Totally Smitten for. He won't outright admit it, but it's so obvious to literally anyone with eyes. Like, so serious. It's nuts. But even then– nobody here talks about their powers. Have you ever noticed that? Except like. Five people. Including you.\"\n\nTheir rambling tumbled over as they resisted the very real temptation to scratch their still-healing septum ring. Not touching it was the most important rule Sergio had given him, but indeed, was the hardest to follow." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sig cocked her head when Fin's rambling picked up the pace, watching a particularly amusing blue cowlick bounce in time to their happy stream of chatter. They were animated by short, sweet blooms of sparks, crackling and popping from their swivelling joints and their wide blue eyes.\n\n\"Yeah! Yeah, I have noticed that!! Like, I get 'tactical advantages' or 'secrecy' or whatever, but we live under the same roof now, so— I don't know!\" \n\nSigrún's legs, still dangling from the counter, kicked faster. Talking to Finley was like a breath of fresh air, a relief. At least one other person saw it as strange.\n\n\"If one takes everything as seriously as the people do here, they will drive themselves insane.\" Her strange eyes crinkled around the corners. \"Magic, beyond any of our Wildest dreams, and people are fighting over who did what to which kitchen appliance! I didn't spend years of my life daydreaming about Camp Halfblood For it to be so... Hushed.\"\n\nThe girl snorted, and leaned back on her hands, one of her fingers picking up an errant smear of blue.\n\n\"Gabriel uses his powers to cheat at Smash Bros And it's the most at home I've felt here.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"He does??\" Finley said. \"I knew it, that absolute fart. He seems like he'd get into a good acting program and get some poor lass to fall for him, and immediately never speak to her again after it's over.\"\n\nTheir words fell into grumbling, half-hearted muttering to themself as he scrunched his nose up in the mirror, even more muttering — \"You know, this kinda looks like my pride flag, sorta.\" — before they glanced up at Sig, blinking a few times before staring off at the bathroom counter, a gear or two slowly cranking in his head.\n\n\"Hey, Sig, question. Like real talk question. What do you think is going to happen with Armando, really? Like, I hope it just stays gone. I don't want to-... I don't want anyone else to get hurt. That things dangerous, and I'm worried about-... About everybody, but especially you, and Ares, and everybody who keeps running at it like moths to a burning shed. It's just – we can't get lucky forever, can we? I wish I could have been there, and analyzed it more myself, but I also want to Never Go near it, but also the people I love keep going near it and—\" \n\nBreeeathe, Carlisle.\n\n\"— Thanks for, um. Listening to me talk. I think. I'm just worried.:" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"He.. Probably would do that but Isn't it oddlyspecific-\"\n\nSig trailed off at their continued grumbling. Her roommate was certainly a character. The musically-voiced man with the comics under his bed and a considerable skill with Street Fighter Playing said character was cool, though. She wished Fin knew him better; perhaps they'd drag him into some good trouble.\n\n\"...Too cliché to say 'I dunno'?\"\n\nShe tilted her head back, and squinted against the fluorescents. The colours over the bridge of her nose and cheekbones splintered, the wavy slits of her pupils clenching into thin cracks.\n\n\"It's... Thrilling. I know it has more to say than it already has, and we have more to say to it. No one Wants A haunted house- well- a lie, I do- but there's always a locked chest or a hidden diary or a file untouched by the ooze that wraps it all up; if I have anything to do with it, we will find it.\"\n\nSigrún was not yet to the point of wishing it gone, and knew not to tell them as much, but...\n\n\"It's getting sore, though, isn't it.\"\n\nShe leaned back down and squeezed his shoulder. Her expression of sympathy wasn't exactly a smile, but it was tender." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Sore's one word for it,\" They said. \n\nThey let out a long, languid sigh, a hand raising up to run through his hair and pausing at the realization that that (generally) wouldn't be a good idea. Fin glanced up at Sig, studying her. She had been down there the most, apart from a few others, and instead of fear, her eyes shone with a sort of curiosity that Fin had to respect. \n\n\"You're braver than I am,\" They told her. \"A lot braver, I think. I just - I'd rather it all go away. I don't know if I want to hear it.\"\n\nAwfully cowardly of you, isn't it?\n\nFin bit the inside of their cheek. He looked down from Sig back at his hands, rocking back on their heels. \n\n\"But,\" They said, \"If you wanna go, Sig, and look down there in the void, and, and if Ares wants to, too - I'll go with you. I'll go with both of you. I can't let you go alone, even if I'd rather run away to Greenland with Val than ever see those creepy-ass staticky plates again. Still can't figure out why it would Throw Shit, Mon dieu. You're my friend. Vi's... Not my friend, but Margo's pretty cool, and she's Marg's girlfriend. And Ares is-...\"\n\nThey cleared their throat.\n\n\"...He means a lot to me. And if helping you deal with Armando's fuckery is what needs to be done, you've got the most reluctant backup on your hands. I'll shock 'em if you want me to.\"\n\nAlthough their voice wavered, Fin seemed sincere. They took a deep breath as they spoke, steeling his shoulders and nodding, affirming their own thoughts to himself. He even tried for a smile, though, it was watery at best and, at worst, a nervous spasm of the face.\n\nWhile the dye set in, Finley had no idea what would come of it - 'it' being the Cradle, Val's departure, any of their circumstances - but, they were nothing if not a loyal friend. He'd stay by his loved ones's side, no matter what." } ]	286	6,392
261.266667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "It was an antenna hanging out of the second floor lounge, and it was a skilled but befuddled operator on its receiving end.\n\nAkvilė sat by one of the west windows, surrounded in wires and tinkering with a piece of antiquated tech perched in her lap. Between the wires running out of the window and the wires surrounding her and the odd electronica playing from her cellphone there was a certain air in the lounge as she worked, her expression focused and a little frustrated. Anyone with ears could've figured out what she was apparently so annoyed over.\n\nWith every tiny turn of the frequency knob on her receiver the signal playing through a singular old speaker on the table changed drastically. Occasionally it caught snippets of broadcasts, but mostly the noises were just awful. She had No Idea why they were so. The pawnbroker had guaranteed her he'd had it tested, and had demonstrated it by snagging a station from the hills of Greece, yet here in her lap, pressing the pleats of her skirt into her thighs, it was catching more interference than anything else. The whole situation had her confused, and she was attempting to diagnose the issue when a familiar face strolled in.\n\nMax. She looks up and softly waves, her expression betraying the perplexing situation with her newest bit of radio tech. \n\n\"Uh... Hi.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Maxwell is only in the dormitory commons because they're the quickest way for him to get where he needs to go, but when he sees Akvilė by one of the windows, wherever he needed to be suddenly seems a lot less important. He waves at her, beaming.\n\n— \"Hey! How's it going?\"\n\nHe wanders over without waiting for an answer, finds somewhere to sit nearby that doesn't look too expensive to break, and rests his elbows on his knees, pointing at the radio in Akvilė's lap.\n\n— \"What's that?\"\n\nHe's kind of figured out, from the small snippets of broadcasts he can make out, that it's some kind of radio, but the specifics elude him. And what kind of radio sounds This Bad, anyway?\n\n— \"It sounds broken— Oh no. Did you get ripped off?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "\"It is... Uhm.\" Soon as her mouth opens it slams shut again, and her expression shifts into a mix of thought and realization that Max is about to sit in her corner. Whether it's translating or finding the words or simply having a moment of panic that slams her to a halt, though, is anyone's guess. She gestures to the receiver and frowns. \"Not well? I-I might have, um... Yes, been ripped off, as you– as you say.\"\n\nMax hadn't waited to take a seat at all; a fact that left Akvilė conflicted. Sure, she'd have Preferred Solitude, peace and quiet, a corner for herself and her radio gear and no talking allowed, but she couldn't exactly sulk about it or hide. The lounge, after all, was public, and it was a threshold many passed through on their way from section to section of the concrete monolith she'd found herself trapped in.\n\nMaybe she didn't have room to complain, then. Plus Maxwell, for all his God-loving nonsense, was more of a friend in her eyes than just about anyone at the Cradle– save for Amelie. I hope she's okay.\n\n\"But, um... It is receiver. Old one. Tuned for...\" She snaps her fingers irregularly as the synapses fire, \"AM! That is word for it, yes. I-I have shortwave set-up at the cabin but no, uhm... Uh.\" Quick as she can she digs her phone out, typing about as frantically as she can. \"Versatility. Y-yeah, that's word. I wanted to expand so I bought at second-hand store, and, uhm... Yeah.\"\n\nShe twiddles the knob, and a noise not unlike a washing machine entirely full of forks and porcelain plates splits the room asunder. Clearly it was for effect.\n\n\"B–but... Um, you are doing well, I hope?\"\n\n[I might revise this after work. Depends on if I wanna contrive a logical sway of conversation towards low-frequency or not.]" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "— \"Oh no. That sucks, I'm sorry.\"\n\nMaxwell looks at Akvilė with a sympathetic expression — that sort of disappointed look you're given when someone doesn't share your pain, and it isn't really that serious, but they're still trying to convey some amount of sympathy — and shakes his head a little. \n\n— \"You think you can fix it?\"\n\nHe crouches a little closer to the device, trying to give it a closer look. Not that he really understands what any of the knobs do. But he does poke at a few of the wires — at least the ones that aren't exposed — and tries to listen for any change.\n\n— \"Receiver?\" Maxwell asks, confused. \"AM... Oh, it's a radio. Cool.\"\n\nHe sounds almost bored by it, but neither his facial expression nor his general demeanor corroborate that, seeing as he's still prodding at various different spots on the radio and looking attentively at Akvilė as she speaks.\n\n— \"Yeah, I, uh... I guess I'm doing fine.\" He frowns. \"I won't lie, it's pretty lonely around here. I've been here for a pretty long time by now and I feel like I'm only just starting to find people I can hang out with. How about you?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Akvilė hums in agreement and shakes her head softly.\n\n\"Yeah.\" She plainly replies, looking down at the receiver as she speaks. Eye contact isn't her forté, but talking about her interests Is. \"I-I may be able to fix. But it, um... It would require much I don't have. Wire, or... Um. Solder. Yes. An-and stuff for wiring.\" She continues, twisting the knob once more as she speaks and being met with another chorus of squawks and shrieks. Her expression shifts into one of defeat, and she looks up at Max as she sets the receiver onto the adjacent table. \n\nMax, however, kept talking, and once she'd set the receiver down and was satisfied it wouldn't blast noise across the second floor again she turned her full attention towards him, and what he was saying. She already saw him in a sense as a younger brother, and listening to the meek lad speak in lonesome terms stirred something in her. \n\nMaybe it was empathy; she too, after all, had been at the Cradle for months and still could count her friends on one hand, and she too was lonesome beyond words. That particular thought was stuffed down as she shifted in her chair slightly, switching the criss-cross of her legs as if she could crush the near-constant longing with such a motion. It didn't help that he turned the question on her. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead. Whatever thoughts she'd been mulling over were gone out the window and in their place was Akvilė, put on the spot, nervously shifting.\n\n\"Oh. Um... I-I understand.\" There's a tone to her voice, somewhat wistful and clearly coming from someone who related. \"They, uh... Rip you from home, an-and send you far. It's... No good. You especially. Y-you are, um... Young, an-and.\" Her mouth finds the shape of her words, but the cracks in her lips warp it from musing to a flash of true colour. \"Leaving nest is... It is scary. I know.\"\n\nShe falls quiet, looking at the wall and swallowing spit.\n-\n\n\"B-but, uhm... It is nice to hear. Friends are good, yes. And I have been OK. I-I guess. Much time in wilderness. Set one solar panel yesterday, and, um... It– it is miraculous that we can harness sun's strength for our use. One notch up the... The Kardashev. Yeah. Forgot for moment.\"\n-" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Maxwell listens attentively and keeps his mouth shut. He could ask all sorts of questions — he doesn't entirely understand what Akvilė means by \"The carded shiv\" Or what exactly she's setting solar panels for, it's all very confusing — but he decides it's better not to. None of it strikes him as important.\n\nHe does get curious about the radio, though. Having seen Akvilė turn the knobs and flip the switches, he reasonably confidently figures out how to turn it on and how to tune it, and he does have a reason for it: as Akvilė was flipping through channels, in between all the noise, Maxwell thought he heard something he recognized. And he wasn't sure why.\n\nTwisting a knob whose label he couldn't really read and wouldn't understand if he could, Maxwell found what he was looking for:\n\n— ... Líng. Èr. Jiǔ. Èr. Bā. Qī. Liù. Jī mì xìn xī. Jī mì xìn xī. Líng. ...\n\nMaxwell looks stunned. His eyes are darting rapidly between Akvilė and the radio. He isn't speaking, and he's taken his hands off the equipment entirely." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Oh?\n\nAkvilė wasn't sure what to think as Max leaned towards the receiver and began turning the unmarked knob. Was he simply leaning in to snoop? Was he fiddling with it in an attempt to suss out the problem? Or was he just touching it for the sake of touching? She didn't know, and with each tiny motion of his pinched fingers she watched the dial creep upwards, slowly but surely and without any immediate answers. After a moment of watching the receiver as Max twiddled she began to pick up on something peculiar poking through the airwaves. It was something eerie, and something vaguely familiar, yet it was too fuzzy for her ears to fully pick up on– a fact that annoyed her. Then the signal fully clicked, and she gasped excitedly as the number strings began to echo through.\n\nLÍNG. ÈR. JIŬ. ÈR. BĀ. [...]\n\nInitially she doesn't notice the stunned expression on Max's face. She doesn't notice his eyes darting, his entire body rigid and shocked near-catatonic, the effects the station seems to be having on him. She's too busy setting her phone a few inches from the speaker, its microphone app open and recording, and it's only a few moments after she's set her phone down and straightened back up (or as straight as she gets: slightly slouched) that she notices Max's look of sheer bewilderment. The rush of discovering an apparently unknown number station had her transfixed on the set for a moment, and this rush hasn't left her body one bit as she turns to face him with a concerned expression that only barely cloaks the excitement she feels.\n\nBut then what Does She say?\n\n\"Uhm... Is-is this your first experience? With spy station that is. Y-you look like, um... You are scared. Nothing to–... To worry over.\" She goes to offer a meek smile and instead the latent excitement tugs her lips into a too-wide grin. \"Very much not.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Maxwell snaps back to reality in a matter of moments, but he doesn't quite look calm. \n\n— \"Spy station? Um... Yes.\"\n\nSomething still isn't sitting right with him, though.\n\n— \"Are you sure it's alright? It says it's classified, I really don't want any trouble.\"\n\nHe's long since withdrawn from the radio. His posture is curled up and defensive and he's keeping his hands close to his chest. Something feels wrong." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "One look at Max told Akvilė little and left her with a heady mix of questions and concern. But would it have been rude to ask questions when he was so clearly disturbed by what he was hearing? She didn't know. What she knew, though, was that the station could wait. She could tinker with the receiver at a later date, catch the signal out in the wilderness, document and describe and bootleg some transmissions for the Priyom archives. Max was unsettled, and she could see it from hair to shoe. Her previously awkward yet excited grin fades into something not quite a frown or a smile.\n\n\"Y-yes, it is OK. I, um... I promise it.\" She speaks after a moment. Her voice, usually quiet and uncertain, has a certain velveteen sheen to it like that of an elder comforting a child. \"The, um... Operators of station should know not who listens. I-I think. It usually is such.\" Her wording isn't particularly clear, but she tries her best to allay any concerns Max might have been experiencing over stumbling on a military channel. \"Th-they send it out into world, an– and then, um... It is out. Anyone with radio can receive then.\"\n\nA moment passes as her nature commands her attention. Something about the station itself seems Off, But she can't quite place it with the receiver so quiet and Maxwell so conflicted.\n\n\"B-but, um... You are unwell? Or have you worried yourself sickly? Y-you look bothered, Max...\"\n\nInside she feels strange referring to him on first name basis. But... He's clearly unwell. She scoots a bit closer, leaning on the edge of her chair and looking at him." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "— \"No, it's alright. I'm— fine. I'm fine.\"\n\nMaxwell shakes his head. He's not sick, but he might well have \"Worried himself sickly\", as Akvilė put it. He's certainly bothered, but unwell? No.\n\nHe's not quite aware of how he looks. He's tapping his feet restlessly on the floor, he's fidgeting nervously with his clothes, his eyes are dancing from point to point in a room where there's nothing to see except what's in front of him and he Certainly Isn't making eye contact.\n\n— \"That wasn't English, right?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "I'm— fine. I'm fine.\n\nAkvilė was unconvinced, but she didn't show it. Instead her doubt was hidden under a mask of concern as she listened, her hands uncertainly kneading each other and cupping one another as Max lied white through his teeth. She knew dread, and she knew worry, and she knew she saw the latter in his form, his frame, his feet and eyes in constant motion. He was Not Okay, but she wasn't about to push it. He'd said something far more interesting anyways– but he might not have realized.\n\nAkvilė's head tilts slightly, and while she's still concerned she's chewing on a mouthful of questions that end up taking precedence whether it's polite or not.\n\n\"Uhm... You said it was classified a moment ago, no?\" She asks. \"I-I-I think it is Mandarin, but you seem already to–... Um. Know? How did you?\"\n\nHer wording isn't great, but when is it? What she knows is that Maxwell somehow knew what the station's broadcast was saying, and that simple fact doesn't sit right with her. How could he have stumbled on a station and knew exactly what it was saying?" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"I don't know!\" Maxwell suddenly shouted, throwing his hands into the air. \"I don't! Know!\" He had briefly thought that maybe, just maybe, he could restrain himself and keep his anxiety bottled up, but with the news that apparently that was Mandarin Chinese, He'd gone from anxiety to full-blown panic. Without even really noticing, he'd stood up and begun pacing around the room.\n\n\"I'm American—\" He began, using one hand to indicate himself — \"My parents are American—\" He continued, this time placing both his hands just above where he'd indicated himself to signify his parents — \"Their parents are American, their parents are American, and so on until they arrived from Europe! I am Not Chinese and I've Never been And I've never taken classes and the first time I even Met A Chinese person was after I arrived here! So why the ACTUAL FUCK Do I understand Chinese?!\"\n\nHe dropped back into his seat, exhausted, cradling his face in his hands and breathing heavily.\n\n\"Sorry,\" He mumbled. \"Sorry. Sorry. I shouldn't swear. I'm sorry.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "As Max flew into an agitated fit Akvilė shrank into her shadow a little. She did not, however, tune out or take it personally. She could see clear as day how utterly freaked out he was; He needed support, not more questions when he clearly didn't have answers.\n\nAs he paces about the room gesticulating and shouting Akvilė sat in her chair, startled but not surprised at his sudden outburst. She was startled enough to have leaned back into her chair, sure, but she kept her hazel gaze fixed on Max and her attention on his predicament. The wheels hadn't stopped turning however, and she glances over at the radio set once or twice as he builds into a crescendo of existential confusion and collapses into his chair. She leans back in before standing up entirely and stepping behind his chair, placing a hand on his back tentatively and rubbing softly.\n\n\"It– um... It is OK. You don't know the why of how you understand but you know you are not insane, and it is worrying to, uhm... Not know. I guess.\" She speaks, perennially hesitant but clearly trying her best. \"It's sort of like, um... D-de. Déja?\" She pauses momentarily before deciding the pronunciation doesn't really matter. She continues to softly rub one of his shoulders, fingers of her free hand half-curled around the back of his chair. \"Déjà! Déjà vu is word. Blegh. It is tricky word to say. But it sounds such, like you have experienced this before but are unsure why, and, uhm... I-I-I guess I'm not sure either how you understand. It must be scary though. I'm, um... Here.\"\n\nSomething she's read in a book lately is lingering in her mind, but she knows better than to mention it. The last thing this dishevelled fearful Christian lad under her hand needs is the suggestion he might be possessed by a devil." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Thank you,\" Maxwell croaks. \"That means a lot.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Akvilė simply hums in acknowledgement and places her other hand on his shoulder. She kneads softly." } ]	268	3,919
233.625	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Mark sat in the courtyard. He was lost and confused. He was obviously new here. Mark was a short boy with twn skin and fluffy brown hair. His eyes were green and shined softly in the daylight. He wore a grey hoodie as he looks around" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hmmm, the courtyard- to the average person, its a place to have a lunch, maybe bask in the sunlight. But to the people of the cradle? It was a place to avoid at this time of day, why? Hatzume was around. Was she pleasant? Sure, but that was the problem. The girl just never shuts up, thats the nicest way you could probably put it, and midday was when she breaks free of her enclosure and gets a little silly... And a little dubious...\n\n\nA new student, and an itsy bitsy one at that! She looks down at the boy (I'm assuming he probably toppled over, I know I would have.) with an apologetic smile\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"WAUG- sorry mboy, i didnt see you down there- so eensy\" She giggles, ruffling the LITERAL STRANGER'S hair. Girl why you so strange." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hmmm, the courtyard- to the average person, its a place to have a lunch, maybe bask in the sunlight. But to the people of the cradle? It was a place to avoid at this time of day, why? Hatzume was around. Was she pleasant? Sure, but that was the problem. The girl just never shuts up, thats the nicest way you could probably put it, and midday was when she breaks free of her enclosure and gets a little silly... And a little dubious... ⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Simply put, she starts her daily rounds of the cradle by running straight into Mark- it wasn't on purpose, in fact she barely saw him! (He wasn't by any means the shortest person at the cradle but... There he was definitely in the running!) A new student, and an itsy bitsy one at that! She looks down at the boy (I'm assuming he probably toppled over, I know I would have.) with an apologetic smile ⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"WAUG- sorry mboy, i didnt see you down there- so eensy\" She giggles, ruffling the LITERAL STRANGER'S hair. Girl why you so strange.\n\nMark was an unassuming victim to her silliness. He was just looking around, trying to get used to the area. He was so scared he almost just started crying randomly. He held it in until...\n\n\"WAGH-\"\n\nMark was toppled over by a tall girl running him over. He sits up to see her and was surprised to see how tall she was. A whole foot taller than him... Wow\n\n\"Ah... H-Hell- ooooooh!?\"\n\nThat last sound was out of nowhere because she just randomly started ruffling his hair. He flushes red for a bit, and just stares at her, examining her" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatzume has had many unassuming victims, what's one more? She's also had assuming victims- which are much harder, because usually they just move out of the way.\nHey, there's plenty of people taller than her at this place- she wasn't quite sure why he was staring at her as if she were an alien, maybe he'd never seen a tall person before? She wasn't gonna question him on it by any means though.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Aloha, welcome to the cradle, stranger\" She pulls him up by the arm, whether he obliged or not. A friendly (but not very intelligent) smile was plastered on her face as if a default...\n\"You get here recently?\" She questioned as the shorter boy sort of studied her like a difficult, but manageable maths equation." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Hey, there's plenty of people taller than her at this place- she wasn't quite sure why he was staring at her as if she were an alien, maybe he'd never seen a tall person before? She wasn't gonna question him on it by any means though. ⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Aloha, welcome to the cradle, stranger\" She pulls him up by the arm, whether he obliged or not. A friendly (but not very intelligent) smile was plastered on her face as if a default... \"You get here recently?\" She questioned as the shorter boy sort of studied her like a difficult, but manageable maths equation.\n\nMark was used to a lot of people being taller than him, but he wasn't used to a girl being that much taller. He made a small squeak when picked up. He was very light... Maybe even inhumanly light\n\n\"Hmmm? U-uhm... Yes. I'm new... I am Mark, and who are you?\"\n\nMark tilts his head, having the composure of a small animal interested or curious of something" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Admittedly, Hatsume hadn't been to the gym in a hot second, but even she knew that Mark was quite light- having barely a problem forcing him to rise to the occasion- pun intended\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Hatzume- awh, it's so fun when there's newbies... I remember when I just got here, been like a year now- crazy!\" \nShe seemed to fidget quite a bit, fiddling with her abundance of jewellery.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ I don't blame mark for the curiousity- there's a lot to be confused by with Hatsume, considering she looked like a rockstar dipped in glitter and dropped at some facility in sweden, for some reason. Today's outfit was an ever daring leather jacket with makeup that definitely took over an hour...\nIs she going somewhere, or is she just dramatic? Find out after the break" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Admittedly, Hatsume hadn't been to the gym in a hot second, but even she knew that Mark was quite light- having barely a problem forcing him to rise to the occasion- pun intended ⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Hatzume- awh, it's so fun when there's newbies... I remember when I just got here, been like a year now- crazy!\" She seemed to fidget quite a bit, fiddling with her abundance of jewellery. ⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ I don't blame mark for the curiousity- there's a lot to be confused by with Hatsume, considering she looked like a rockstar dipped in glitter and dropped at some facility in sweden, for some reason. Today's outfit was an ever daring leather jacket with makeup that definitely took over an hour... Is she going somewhere, or is she just dramatic? Find out after the break\n\nHer appearance and height did scare him a tad bit, but he was trying to get used to it. He pushes his fear away and smiles kindly. Almost as if a child, but he was definitely older\n\n\"Nice to meet you, Hatzume! Y-Yeah... I'm new. I don't exactly know what to do...\"\n\nMark smiles awkwardly, looking to the side and twiddling his thumbs. He wore a green hoodie with a cartoon raccoon face on the chest" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "I forgor ahem\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Mark truly was just a little guy... And that was nothing short of amusing and endearing in some strange sort of way. She retracted her hand from his now messy hair, moving a loc out of the way.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"What to do what to do... There isnt a lot to do, in all honesty- we're sorta in the middle of nowhere\" She shrugged, being blunt with her truth- though she was easily made bored.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Some people get pets to kill the time, i have some oigs\" Oigs..." } ]	226.5	1,869
406.75	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Luna Hernandez \| Anxious Werewolf", "message": "It started innocent enough. If she couldn't Get* Yerba mate consistently up here in Sweden, then maybe Luna could grow it in the greenhouse? It took her a while to reach out to the right people about the project, but eventually she got the go-ahead to add a small mate plant she had acquired to the greenhouse garden.\n\nSetting the flower pot down, she settled down right next to an open spot on the greenhouse and begin to dig down into the soil, making an opening as to where she could install the plant. Once the hole was finished, she unpotted the plant and placed it down upon the soil, beginning to cover it up so it didn't seem like there was just a hole for no reason within the greenhouse dirt.\n\nHowever, just as she was doing so, a scent caught her on her sharpened senses. 'Was that... Catnip? Sure smelled like it anyways but.. Just where was it?' She thought, her head turned around like the telescope extension of a submarine, charting the unknown waters (or known foliage in this case) of the greenhouse trying to identify the origin of the scent.\n\nWhile her eyes glanced over the signs, she couldn't find any labelled for catnip, which was strange. It was driving her nuts, not due to the scent itself, but more due to the matter that she just couldn't find the darn thing! She supposed there was one thing she could do but... It was a bit risky.\n\nMoments later, Luna had transformed from your average looking trans girl, into a large, wolf-like hound with thick, nested black hair that made it resemble a street dog that had not been properly taken care of in a long long while. With the enhanced scent tracking capabilities of its new form, it quickly found the catnip spot, and while it may not have been a cat, catnip still soothes and calms dogs.\n\nIt laid out right besides the catnip patch, and its worries about the mate plant and fitting in at camp seemed to fade away as it curled up besides the foliage for a much needed nap." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen probably wasn't supposed to have taken up as much of the garden as he had, but over the nearly a year since he'd taken note of the surprisingly good dirt, his various flowers and vegetables had crawled like wildfire beyond his corner. Seasonal vegetables, herbs, little red flowers, mostly all going to be soup one day. Exquisite.\n\nThe redhead knelt down to his plot and folded a chive into his mouth, humming something absentmindedly—it was around the season for his 70s Prog Playlist No. 3, he thought. His earbuds blocked out most of the sounds from anywhere behind him, a head start on his soup trance, but past the crackle of the old recording, something in the crisp air shifted. The smell of something animal nagged at him; callused hands wiped dirt onto his stitched-back-together pants with a growing urgency as the source padded past him.\n\nHe had planted the catnip with the intention of presenting it to the strays in town, but any pang of irritation melted into the coat of the black dog, thick and wiry and not-Quite-wild. Owen had grown his way with cats, but the huff of a tired dog pulled on a long-folded heartstring.\n\n\"Noswaith dda, gyfaill,\" He murmured, quiet, incredulous. Concern of how a dog had even gotten in was forgotten silt on the bottom of his mind, when he carefully crawled around it to look at its face; round, downturned doe eyes pored over it, not daring to blink. \n\n\"Sweet beast...* Are you nice?\"\n\nIt looked so tired, sleep crusting its eyes, leaves still stuck to its damp nose, exhausted enough to doze off not a few feet from a strange human—was it sick?\n\nTentatively, and with great care not to startle it too badly, a freckled hand pressed a spot on its flank dappled by fading sunlight; far enough, he hoped, from its jaws. Silence." }, { "author": "Luna Hernandez \| Anxious Werewolf", "message": "As Owen's calloused fingers grazed against the wild dog's matted, thick coat of black fur, he would notice spots of it felt almost yarn-like. The creature, seemingly startled but not in any position to move, stood tense, its eyes snapping open into a clear position of stress.\n\nFor a moment, it laid there frozen within its own fear, though of course Luna's mind raced in anxious circles. She Could* Just sit there, and allow the stranger to continue petting and stroking her canine form, but that could be such a long while! And what if he brought her up to camp staff? And what if they told him it was a student??? What then?!\n\nThe other option did not appeal to her much either. She was Just Starting to fit in now, as much of a freak as she was. But what if someone saw her as this? She could hardly picture a worse fate, while she could turn back and apologize immediately.. Would people here ever see her the same?\n\nShe'd been through so much back home. People could barely stand her there as she was, surely they wouldn't do so here if she tricked them like that. But then again, she wasn't privy to many other choices.\n\nMaybe she could just... Turn back and profusely apologize! Yeah! That'd do it!\n\nSo, after several moments of the dog staying still like a deer in headlights, it quickly stood and leaped away, and where it landed, was a young girl instead.\n\nHowever, at the very moment Luna looked back at Owen trying to conjure up a response within the depths of her mind, the words would simply not leave her open mouth.* \"I- uh- ehmm- I'm n-not a dog!!\" She announced. Fuck." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "An undignified yelp sprang from Owen, about two octaves higher than his low, sweet dog-befriending voice. Hand clapped over his racing heart and chocolate-and-honey eyes blown to the size of dinner plates, he looked worse for wear than the dog-girl, which he hoped might make him look as genuinely apologetic as he was harebrained.\n\n\"Ah! Of c-c-course you're nN-not!\"\n\nHe spluttered, finding his shears that he had flung a metre or so from where he was seated. The boy swore, a sound mostly spat from the back of his throat, rapidly tapping his knuckles against each other. Those, and the hand that had been on her flank a moment ago, glowed a deep, venous red, but he seemed to make no note of it.\n\n\"I—I'm ss-so-Sorry, I wasn't using m-my, my head, of course you-you're...\" He trailed, flushing a mortified shade of pink under his quick smattering of freckles. \"I... Ffyc, n-not using my head, I haven't pet-dog-since ss-since—uh, still-still not an, um, a-an excuse.\"\n\nThrough his stammering, an accent curled his words, making every spirited sentence sound like an incredulous sort of a question. Pausing for a moment, Owen breathed so deeply that it was a little comical before loosing a crackling little spout of nervous laughter. He shook his head of loose auburn hair out, letting his hands flap outward and flush out the last of the shock. Slow down, slow down, let it—just—Out.\n\n\"I-I don't go around just petting people usually, swear it, I d-I don't!\"\n\nHe offered her a lopsided grin, doing his level best not to dissolve down into the earth." } ]	409.5	1,627
415	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "The ground sat hard beneath her feet as Dani stood, glaring at the peculiar structure she was suddenly supposed to call home. Its concrete edges were rough and unfamiliar, the green vines sprawling its exterior making it look like some kind of modern government office, or, university outreach in the city, just sized down and wildly out of place. From what she'd seen, she supposed the look wasn't inaccurate. Her hand clenched over the strap of her dust-blue duffle bag as the blazing sun of summer in Sweden pressed to her shoulders. Why was she here? \nIn reality, she knew why, but that didn't make her furrow her brow at the whole damn thing any less. What divine intervention fucked up so bad that now she had to be stuck Here. Maybe if she played her cards right she could make it work. She made everything work, but it didn't mean she liked it. \n\nDanica Belyaeva stood on the side of the road just before the facility like a bomber staring down suicide. Maybe she was being a little dramatic, but she was already ticked off that her pepper spray had been confiscated and she was damn tired from the flights. She was certainly jetlagged too, but the caffeine pumping through her system flooded her exhaustion with buzzing fingers and wide eyes. Her hazel stare scanned everything. The cab from the airport was boring and long, the foreign world zipping by slowly in a humid gold haze. There was an odd nostalgia about arriving somewhere completely new, seeing the letters she understood scrambled incomprehensibly like a jigsaw puzzle cut wrong. She'd figure it out. Unlike last time she'd done this, she wasn't so at the mercy of others. \n\nSun-hot gravel crunched her arrival, the scent of hot rocks and sweet grasses bouncing on the light breeze. Birdsong sounded somewhere from nearby brush. If she wasn't so annoyed, this would have been nice.\n\nFind my room, unpack my things, get a lay of the land, Короче. Though her bag held a decent amount, most of her stuff had been delivered to her dorm ahead of time... Wherever that was. Time to find out." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "It was a lovely day to be out, and Owen was feeling.. Surprisingly okay! Yeah. Yeah, he was alright today. Head screwed on tight, pedal to the metal. The pen in his hand clicked and twirled idly as the boy meandered down through the now almost-familiar halls and stairwells toward the clear, beautiful day waiting for him outside.\n\nToday, his favourite white Exodus Shirt with the sleeves hacked off was tucked under a belt of gleaming bullets strung around his hips, which gave way to ripped blue jeans that were, er, Lovingly Stitched up at the edges with red and orange thread. The light wind felt good on his arms, and cooled the sweat already prickling on the back of his neck. It's him and this ponytail against the summer heat.\n\nSince the sky had stopped being quite so dense a blanket of idle frost, people poked their heads out of their rooms and flickered across his doe-eyed line of sight more often; it was neat, he thought, how this place changed under nicer days, the sun favouring the crawling vines over the concrete they covered, different parts of the picture standing out depending on how the light struck it.\n\nAnd the light, the contentedly humming boy noticed as he strode out toward the road, struck something unfamiliar today.\n\nWas the blonde new? Owen hadn't seen her. She looked about as pleased to be walking toward the facility as anyone really did when they first arrived- well, except for June, who had seemed to be in a proper fine mood for reasons that still escaped him.\n\nThis stream of chatter occupying the front of his mind had left his legs to steer themselves- by the time he snapped back into his senses, it Definitely Looked like he had walked toward her on purpose. Oh no. Did that give off the wrong impression? He fired the necessary signals for an easy, lopsided grin to defuse it. Quick, say something, you're acting strange-\n_ _\n\nNope. Words machine broke. Awkward little hand wave, though? Sure. He had definitely roped himself into this interaction now.\n\n...Was today a day he felt like engaging? Evidently, yes! After all, today was a good day." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Dani could see the vague existence of people as she came up to the grey monolith. At least she could tell she was in the right place. Unless, this was some Other Odd home for strange teenagers and where she wanted to be was really two blocks down. Faces in windows, footprints in the gravel, initials scratched in the low baking corners hidden by leaves. A few stray candy wrappers lay among the rocks, their glinting silver surfaces bidding her welcome like a two-cent landing crew. Most people would probably be offended or offset by the seeming lack of any and all welcoming committee, but Danica simply found herself empowered by the freedom. She preferred to do things on her own, believing herself to be the only thing she could really trust, and far favoured when she was allowed to take initiative. Initiative was something she'd certainly never pass up. \n\nStep one was finding her dorm, and as she saw someone about her age lazily approaching with shines in their eyes the size of quarters, she found who to ask. If they couldn't help she'd just find someone else. They waved like a vault pole smacked at the bottom and grinned at her with a warm slant. Looked like they wanted to say something, but fell silent. Dani softly halted where she stood, her weight falling to one side as her halved-blueberry gaze bore down on this poor soul. \n\n\"You.\"\n\n_ _\nThis... Boy? Boy. He looked like he was a lost time traveller and just about had the dopey confused look like he didn't know what a usb was to match. Some kind of old band shirt with the sleeves hacked off revealed a large scar sprawling one of his shoulders, and Dani scrutinised it for a moment. Hm. His tattered jeans looked like they'd been repaired a million times over, and his belt glinted in the sunlight. The almost red waved hair sprouting in long streams from his head was tied back into a ponytail, with messy bumps from a lazily done job speckling his scalp. Next to him, Dani looked kind of like a fresh from the factory smart phone with a well-loved brick. Her put together clean appearance and glinting pearl and gold jewellery didn't make that any less stark. \n\n\n\"The dorms. How can I get there and where is the front desk to retrieve my key?\"\n\nShe quickly thought over what else she'd need.\n\n\"Are there any maps of town?\" \n\nHer voice was feminine but stern, sitting close to the front of her lips with a slight roll." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Oh! Uh-\"\n\nWell, this girl is.. Mercifully to the point! Bluntness was certainly better than small talk. Still, something flinched in his stomach when his burnt-umber gaze met hers, startled by just how Intense It was. It wasn't an unfamiliar issue he had with eye contact, the feeling of fingers jabbing into his brain through his eye sockets, but the invisible threads connecting her pupils to his were pulled startlingly taut within the split-second. \n\nShe was a good few centimetres shorter than Owen, but her very presence seared its place in space; a brief comparison to clouds in the winter, harsh white glow for ages in every direction, flashed through his mind before he picked a damned spot on her forehead to look at instead of her eyes and remembered to Answer The curtly put questions dropped at his scuffed red high tops.\n\n\"The dorm building is over that way,\" He pointed, briefly forgetting which arm corresponded to which direction. \"Keys and-and maps are in the front office, uh, behind me, they're.. Probably expecting you.\" \n\nPhew, His old stutter didn't rear its head again (much). It had been leaking through lately, in moments of uncertainty, crawling through the hairline cracks in his train of thought. Luckily, though, he was reasonably certain by now of where everything was.\n\nHis voice, which crackled from the back of his throat, was ever so slightly uneven, but surprisingly smooth nonetheless. His vowels stretched in odd ways and his 'r's drifted ever so slightly, words forming as curling shapes in his mouth.\n\n\"They're good and put together here,\" He attempted, though he was now solidly sure that she was Not Seeking reassurance of anything at the moment. \n\n\"Buses and trains are pretty reliable, uhm,\" What else? \"I can show you, if you want, or..\"\n_ _\n\nThat was fine, okay, that was enough. The fidgety boy didn't want to seem overbearing, just helpful- he wondered often if being enclosed in this concrete bubble of oddballs was impacting his social skills much, like going stir-crazy as a commune rather than an island. It wasn't like he was the type to differentiate, anyway." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "As the boy spoke, Dani cocked a brow. Even though he was taller than her, he was quite the jumpy little thing, wasn't he? All fidgety and unsure. She was half convinced that if this kid was given a card and a map and told to take the subway from Manhattan to Brooklyn, he'd be dead on the tracks in under half an hour. Whatever. He seemed like a resident and That Meant he knew things that she needed. Took him forever to get it out though. She didn't necessarily seem to be directly looking down on him for struggling, but she did seem impatient. The hot sun kissed at her shoulders with blanketing waves, a sensation that had felt- Different Ever since...\nShe killed the thought. \n\nHer gaze followed where the boy pointed, committing these locations to memory. Even if she didn't get it right away, she certainly would soon. His freckled, blemished skin moved smoothly above padded muscle, his accent denoting someone that sounded to her almost english but if they were hungover. He didn't seem too bad, all things considered. Nervous though. She wasn't the biggest fan of types like him. She waited for him to finish before she spoke again, the added tidbits being something useful for later. If I can figure out the transit, rink location should be no problem. Good to know.\n\n\"No. Thank you.\"\n\n_ _\nThat was enough, and Danica appreciated his help no matter how shitless he looked. She had gotten what she needed though, so, with a nod, almost as quickly as she'd engaged him, Dani was off once again. That intense hazel gaze moved away from the boy towards the buildings ahead of her, her platinum ponytail swishing in a flick as she made a smooth break for it. As she passed, the boy would be able to catch the scent of clear and luxurious perfume off her neck and wrists, accenting the brushing summer air. Her clean white converse marched across the gravel to the main building, headed for the office to properly get herself checked in. \n\n\nIt was a perfectly hot and brilliant summer day when Danica Belyaeva arrived at Newtons Cradle, making quick work of the mental equivalent of shaking out Owen Edris for his lunch money and shoving him in a locker." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "And, just like that, with a swish of a tight blonde ponytail and the trail of something expensively sweet trailing menacingly on the breeze, the blunt winter-cloud-sun girl and her piercing eyes vanished into the shade. \n\n...Was it something he'd said?\n\nSticking his other earbud into his ear and cranking the volume, Owen sped off toward town. The nice walk would hopefully shake off whatever this had been.\n\n————-" } ]	473	2,490
204	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley had a few ways of dealing with stress.\n\nThey had often been predisposed to what was officially referred to as 'alternative, unhealthy' (among other buzzwords) coping methods. They'd dabbled in it since childhood, a penchant for lighting a match and tossing it onto a pile of discarded things. Most often, they'd burned trash in a rubbish metal bin, staring down at the flames until their eyes stung from smoke and light. \n\nThey'd been first hauled off to juvenile court at 13, something about an old, abandoned car going up in smoke. Then again at 14, 15, 16, much to their mother's growing aggravation. Nadia had once put them in a chokehold and threatened to keep them there until they turned blue if they kept up the little habit. \n\nBut, nothing carved into stone fades quickly, and when the school's theatre tech-booth had erupted in flames, all fingers turned to a precarious ballet dancer with a wobbly ankle. \n\n\nAnd from there, it had eased. Just a bit. Just a touch. They had plenty of friends, plenty of work to do, they'd helped to start a band. Between mastering the lightning in their hands, the drums clashing together, and the glowing boy who kept their hands oddly interlaced, Finley had plenty to do. \n\nBut Valio was in the hospital, she'd almost died. She was one of their closest friends. The itching spread up the backs of Finley's arms, twitching their fingers like a live wire. They picked up a box of matches from a store in Isakstad, and set a few rules for themself. \n\nIt'd have to be small. Nothing big, or the faculty would quickly see it. It'd have to be just at the edge of campus - other students couldn't be poking their noses around, either. Something controlled, small, just enough to take off the edge - like baking a little cake, like their mother's pastries. Finley agreed with themself, and found themself, now, in the very edge of the woods, with a little metal bin, a roaring flame dancing high, and proud.\n\nTheir eyes glittered with the excitement." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Mamoru also doesn't have healthy coping mechanisms, but also. He's not an Arsonist. So he has that going for him. \n\nUnlike someone. \n\nOne of his healthier ones is just walking around the campus outdoors. The fresh air helps, at least it should help. He gets a stuffy, itchy feeling if he stays in one place for too long. He tended to ignore and mask that feeling in the past, but it ended up just making things worse. And it takes longer to get rid of. \n\nHe's never been to the woods. Moru isn't the hugest fan of the wilderness. It's always been an unknown. He doesn't like the unknown. He likes certainty. \n\nHe sees something near the woods, though, and against his better judgement he goes to investigate. \n\n\nThat's a fire. And a Finley. Mostly a fire though. \n\nYeah no Mamoru is approaching that. A bin fire in an area near trees?? That could be dangerous. His pessimistic worse case scenario mind knows no chill. \n\n\"Er- excuse me- are you sure you should be Doing That..?\" It comes out awkward. Because he's never spoken to this person." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "The smoke rose up around Fin's face, and they waved a hand to clear it as they squinted, taking stock of who exactly had Unfortunately Stumbled across them in the wild. Moru, perhaps? They've never spoken to him outside of the intranet. It Could Be him, or could not be, but how unfortunate, the lad who ultimately despises the person Finn considers closest is the one to spot them.\n\n\"Should, or shouldn't?\" They asked, a little amusement playing into their voice. \"Don't worry about this one - it's perfectly controlled. You're welcome to stand here if you'd like.\"\n\nFinley spotted him as he came closer. He Did Look familiar, though. \n\n\"I'm Finn.\"\n\nNo handshake, in fact, Finley kept their hands out in front of the flames, warming them up, and only passing a glance to Moru every few moments or so. Their focus on the fire in front of them was (almost) wholly in tact. Besides, they thought, it was cold in Sweden, colder this evening, and who should be the one to tell them they couldn't keep warm? Certainly not this Connard." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "It is indeed Moru! You could tell by how much of a buzzkill he is (/hj). It's not like Mamoru dislikes Fin. He doesn't have an opinion of them yet, and isn't entirely aware that this Is Them. He just sees Ares as an enemy. \n\nDespite his better judgement, he does come closer to stand by the fire. Just to look. He expected it to smell awful since it's a bin fire, but Fin didn't just light up trash, so it's fine. Not horrendous. Neat.\n\n\"Okay.. Yeah, I guess it is pretty controlled.\" But it's still probably against the rules.\n\n\"Mamoru.\" He responds for his name.\nOkay, this is Fin.\nFriend of Ares and Owen, they have a band he thinks? Fin seemed pretty chill, except for the multiple times they set the Kitchen on fire. So Maybe Letting this continue may not be the best idea. \n\nHe also stares mostly at the fire, but trying to rationalize this. Yes, it's cold, but Finley moderating a fire is a bad idea. If Moru recalls correctly, weren't they in here for Arson? \n\n\"Couldn't you get in trouble for doing this, though?\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Ah, they were right. It was indeed Mamoru - or, Moru, as he portrayed online. Fin rubbed their frigid hands together and put them back in front of the joyous, dancing oranges and yellows.\n\n\"You seem surprised,\" They said. \n\nFinley finally looked up at their new companion. Pink tinted their ears from the cold wind billowing through the forest. A few leaves fell into the bin, and quickly caught fire. \n\n\"Can't be more trouble than I'm already in for - besides, unless you say anything, who's to know?\" \n\nThey tilted their head, staring straight at Moru with a face that had become devoid of expression.\n\n\"And you won't do that, will you?\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"Surprised? Not.. Not exactly.\" Well. Surprised is True. Just not That Surprised.\n\nHe notices his hands getting cold as well, so he hesitantly puts them forward. He's scared to put them too close, he doesn't want to get burnt by accident.\n\nHis hair is tied up in a low ponytail. Sometimes it's too annoying to keep down.\n\nHe takes a small step back when the falling leaves catch fire. \nThey startle him a little, when it really is the slightest bit pretty.\n\nMoru looks at Fin in that moment, and their expression makes him freeze up. The nervousness is clear.\nHe hesitates, but nods. \"Right- yeah. I won't tell.\" \n\nHe hates how much of a coward he can be. Finley won't Hurt Him. So why is he so nervous? It's not the Ares connection, that didn't change how he was willing to talk to Owen. And the only nervousness there was that he was going to be a third wheel. Everything else was fine.\n\nIt must be the empty expression. It could be hiding Anything. And the word Anything Can be terrifying." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "A little hum tilted Fins voice up in their throat of agreement, before they suddenly fell quiet again, their gaze resting content on the fire.\n\nFor a moment, that's all there was in the forest - the sound of late night birds, the leaves crackling, perhaps the light ambience of traffic from somewhere beyond campus. \n\n\"I set a house on fire once.\"\n\nTheir voice sat flat on the wind, matching their expression. Sparks flitted between their fingers, a seemingly natural side effect of their powers that (helped) land them here in the first place. \n\n\"The whole frame fell in.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Okay, yeah no Fin is creeping Mamoru out. He takes a small step away from them. He flinches as an owl hoots.\n\nHe falls silent for a moment, before speaking.\n\"Oh.\" He says finally. \nIs that all I can say? Oh?\n\n\"Er- like on purpose?\"\nHe knows that he sounds like a wuss. He just really hopes it was an accident. \nTheir voice is flat, their expression is flat, and it's the most unnerved Moru has been in a while. \n\nHis eyes are drawn to the sparks. How easily could they hurt me? I mean- they probably wouldn't. But it would be so easy." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "A laugh broke up Finleys face, a crackled, hearty laugh that had them wheezing and bending over. They rightened, blowing their hair from their face, letting out a sigh. \n\nAs soon as the sigh left their lips, their face fell slack and an unblinking blue stare bore into his face.\n\n\"You're hilarious, Mamoru. Really.\" \n\nFinley reached into their pocket and pulled out a matchbook, spinning it around in their hands. They pulled one out, and struck it against a nearby tree. A small handful of sparks flew off, and the little match burst into light. \n\nFinley held it up just in front of their face, staring at Moru. Their entire face cast in concave, shaped shadows, unyielding, stark.\n\n\"Don't look so scared. Do you think I'll burn you?\"\n\nThey flicked the lit match at Moru's feet. The dying brown grass sparked immediately, erupting. \n\nFin let it spread for just, just long enough, before they stomped it out under their boots. \n\n\"Some things burn so easily.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Ooooh the laugh only made his nerves Worse. The immediate drop. \n\n\"I- it's kinda cold I may go inside-\" But then Fin strikes a match. \n\nThey are genuinely terrifying him. His brows knit together. He had no idea this is what Fin was like in person. They seemed decently light hearted and chill, not This. \n\nThe match falls at his feet, and he yelps, taking a few quick steps back and tripping over himself, falling onto his butt. Ow. \n\n\"Y-yeah. Some things- theyyy sure do. Uhm- have fun. I'm going to go back inside now.\" He quickly stands up, brushing dirt and dead leaves off his jacket. It Would burn easily. \n\nHe looks back at Fin, a little wide eyed." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Au revoir.\"\n\nThey gestured back towards campus. The buildings loomed in the distance, moonlight spreading over the rooftops and trees. The single fallen match could be seen among a patch of burnt grass, just at Morus feet.\n\n\"Bonne chance, my friend.\" \n\nAll attention dropped from Mamoru. They stood stock still, like an animatronic who had been unplugged." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Okay yeah okay okay sure yeah-\n\nHis mind is a string of panic. He's getting out of here.\n\nHe licks his lips nervously. Moru nods, and quickly turns, speedwalking back to the indoors. He can't get out of here soon enough. He doesn't want to be here anymore. \n\nThere's something.. Wrong With Finley. Something Incorrect." } ]	197	2,448
359.076923	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The sun held heavy in the air above the clouds. The summer in Sweden was beginning to take shape, and a warm breeze brushed through the trees. Ares had found himself walking deeper and deeper into the woods that sat on the rim of the facility. Never particularly caring for nature, he decided it was a good way to pass the time anyways. \n\nHis feet carried him swiftly over the roots and moss of the forest. Everything was quiet, serene and still. The birds chirped overhead, and even someone as pessimistic as Ares could admit a part of this was nice. He longed for the sun and summer of his hometown and Sweden was doing nothing but snuffing that out with heavy rains and clouds. For now, the coming summer would have to do. \n\nContinuing on into the woods, Ares thought about what he could do other than just Walk around. Coming up on a clearing, the fiery boy had an idea pop into his head. \n\n\nAccording to the staff, Ares was not allowed to blow things up under the idea that it was \"Training.\" However, out here, who was going to tell him no? He was far enough out, that no one would hear the blasts or smell the smoke. Ares felt a bastard smirk pull on his tan features, as he paused in front of a tree. His converse shoes rested on top of lush green grass and moss, as he stood ready and aiming at the bark ahead. \n\nAres raised his hand and opened his palm. Small sparks fell out from his skin, and a loud cracking sound ripped through the calm afternoon. A relatively large explosion had let loose from Ares' hand, and left a giant black mark in the middle of the tree. The smell of burnt wood filled his lungs, and small puffs of smoke radiated from his palm. The small fire he had started quickly went out, leaving only pieces of charred wood and bark strewn about. Although Ares wanted to test out his powers, he wasn't looking to burn down the entire forest. \n\nHis breath made his chest rise and fall, the adrenaline from using his powers was unmatched." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Oh, if only Ares knew what he was getting himself into punching that tree...\n\n□ Unbeknownst to the resident firecracker, that particular tree wasn't empty, and his explosive outburst wouldn't go unnoticed. About an hour earlier, Audrey had noticed that exact same tree while walking through the woods as she tended to do for much of her days, her rats left to rummage about their spacious well-stocked enclosure while she soaked in the sun and quaint beauty of the Swedish wilderness. Soaking it up she was, before, out of nowhere, she heard footsteps. Soft, but definitely not just an elk or whatever large cervidae specimen was most common in the south of Sweden, she had a few moments to look down from her arboreal perch about twenty feet up before a resounding shockwave rocked the branch upon which she'd been sitting, eliciting a fearful yet brief shriek from Audrey as she grabbed on for dear life.\n\n▪︎ Then, as soon as it'd started it was over, and she let out a relieved yet slightly miffed sigh.\n\n◆ \"Dude, what the hell!? I mean, heck. Whatever. What the heck did you just Do?\" She called out from up the tree, sentences flowing like warm honey between cautious yet flighty hops down the tree. She'd been startled out of her near-meditative state, and now rather than stick around in a tree besieged by explosive blasts she figured it was high time to get back to the ground. Of course, though, she had to descend the tree in an ankle-length dress, but after a few moments she dropped to the ground with a soft Oof. \"You gave me a real spook, you know? Like, one moment, it's peace and serenity, and the next it feels like the tree itself's about to uproot itself and start walking! Gee...\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares took a step back at the sudden call out from the tree in front of him. Nearly tripping over a root in the process, he looked upwards to find the source of the sound. He was deep as hell into the woods, who on earth would be crazy enough to be out here. Well... Other than him. \n\n\"Huh?\" \n\nAs he looked up, he saw the person of interest. A rather tall girl, in a dress, sitting up in the tree. Ares cocked his head to the side in interest, with a confused scowl on his features. As the stranger jumped down from the tree, and landed on the ground Ares kept his eyes on her. He placed his open palm in front of his mouth, and blew the excess smoke in her direction. It was Almost A taunt. \n\n\"Why is that my problem? What are You Doing so deep into the woods?\" \n\nAres placed his arms over his muscular torso. His voice was smooth and solid, it was loud and confident. He talked with the same energy as the smirk that pulled on his lips as he spoke. On top of his voice, he looked physically intimidating. Peaking out from his t-shirt, his rather large arms were visible. Not exactly the most welcoming face nor the face you'd like to see behind an explosion.\n\nHis deep auburn gaze remained locked on the girl in front of him, then it flickered to the burn mark on the tree beside her. He couldn't deny he was proud of his work." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, 'cause I feel more at home in the woods than anywhere else!\" She replied, leaning against an unscathed section of tree so as to not stain her dress with charcoal. \"If I could, I'd just live out here instead of at the Cradle, but... I've asked, and it was a no. Oh well.\"\n\n□ Face twisting into the natural reaction to a face full of smoke, she tried her best to blow it all away, lips pursed and curled and swaying arcs of air to clear the space around her head. Looking down, she noticed the other lad seemed to almost be in a standoffish pose; but why? If anything, he was in the wrong for blowing a chunk out of a tree and nearly knocking her out of it in turn. However, she wasn't about to pass any judgments; maybe he was just having a bad day and didn't expect to see anyone else this deep in the woods, or perhaps he simply hated being shorter than a girl.\n\n▪︎ She silently giggled at the thought, one of the few pros of being taller than most boys.\n\n◆ \"So, aside from destroying trees, what'cha doing out here? Taking in the nice weather? Sweden's way nicer than I expected it to be!... Probably the gulf stream doing its thing, come to think of it. I'm Audrey, by the way, what's your name, hun?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares laughed slightly at Audrey mentioning living in the woods. It was somewhat genuine, somewhat teasing. He didn't know himself. \n\n\"The dumbasses running the Cradle aren't the most open minded people, huh?\" \n\nA smirk remained on his features. He had to hold himself back from snickering at her reaction to the smoke, it was always fun messing with people. Especially one's he had never seen before. Ares took in the girl in front of him, she was taller than him with long ginger coloured hair that glowed against the sun. She seemed to fit in well against the deep emerald greens of the forest. \n\n\"Im testing out some of my powers, specifically. According to staff, blowing things up isn't a valid form of training. Which is strange, considering this place is a damn magic school. You think they could accommodate for me.\"\n\nThe way Ares spoke was nothing short of confident. The way deep sounds weaved their way through accented tones made him sound as though he could speak for hours and never stutter or stumble. His hands moved with each articulation and syllable, as he used them to accentuate his points. He raised a brow at her introduction, and nearly scoffed at her calling him Hun, But he decided to let it slide. \n\n\"The name's Ares. I haven't seen you around before, Audrey. You like, new or something?\" \n\nThe air around them remained silent now that Ares was done disturbing the peace. The moss soaked up the dappled sunlight that reached down and rested on the forest floor. Birds sang through the air while wind rustled the trees above the two." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Fear not.\" She spoke, a somewhat disapproving yet still flowery lilt to her voice. \"But oh well, I get to stay out here all day while my rats run around their cage, so... I guess it could be worse, right?\"\n\n□ Ever the optimist, she even found herself siding with authority when said authority had declined her request for an exemption to the curfew placed upon the Cradle's populace. On one hand, she understood; these angels, after all, were murderous, and they weren't afraid to sneak onto campus. On the other, though... All she truly wanted to do was built a nice little hut out at the campsite Stretch had led her to and live her days out in there. Oh well. Her lips pursed lightly at the thought, melting back into the near-permanent smile her lips were always curled into.\n\n▪︎ She nodded as the boy told her his name: Ares.\n\n◆ \"Oh, like the Greek God of war, right? That's a really cool name, actually! Apparently my parents were hoping for twins so they could have named my brother and I Apollo and Artemis, but... He came out two years before me, so Audrey it is.\" She shrugged, idly kicking up dirt with the toe of her well-worn hiking boot. \"I got here... Two weeks ago? Something like that. I haven't been keeping great track of time, hun, and also I never have to sleep so I don't have the temporal bookends that most people have, you know? Anyways, that shock was your power? Gee, that's impressive! Like I said, it really felt like the tree was about to uproot itself and start walking like some sort of druidic gundam.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares tapped his foot lightly, looking around the clearing. Near where they were talking rested a fallen tree. It was dug deep into the moss, and had a few mushrooms growing out of the top. It had clearly been there for a while.\n\nAn idea popped into his head as he listened to Audrey speak. He leaned forward, and pulled a solid chunk of slightly burnt wood off of the tree. It came off with a quick and solid crack, and Ares had to put in very little effort. His muscles came in handy for the strangest things, he thought. Ares tossed the wood in the air a few times, spinning it against his fingers before making his way over to the fallen tree. \n\n\"Yeah, everyone always says that for some reason. My name Is Cool though, so you got that right.\" \n\nHe snickered as he sat down against the wood. The dappled sunlight danced across his features, and warmed his tan skin. His almost black brown hair, showed its true red undertones under the soft glowing light. There was more than enough space on the rest of the log, and a moss patch in the clear space front of him. He dug through his pockets for a second, before raising his gaze back to Audrey.\n\n\"Never have to sleep? That must be useful.\" Ares' gaze fell back downwards towards the chunk of wood in his hand. \n\n\"And yeah, that's my power. Its wasn't a shock, it was an explosion.\" \n\nBefore turning to his original plan, he held up his hand. He made eye contact with Audrey, and within seconds small sparks were falling out of his palm. They collected in his hand, and a very tiny explosion went off against his skin. It was barely even an explosion, more like a very Large Spark. \n\n\"Of course they can be much larger than that, as you saw, but you get the idea.\" He leaned back on the wood slightly. \"So, now that we are clearly playing show and tell... What is Your Power, ginger giant?\" \n\nAres laughed under his breath at the nickname, and his smirk spelled trouble." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, confident, huh?\" Audrey remarked, mostly amused more than anything else. \"I mean, heck, it's a cool name indeed, but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that.\"\n\n□ Now that the initial shock of being shook out of her arboreal perch had subsided, Audrey was finding it easier to get into the flow of chatting with Ares. Sure, he was confident, bold, and perhaps even a bit arrogant, but that was fine by her. Maybe, she hoped, his confidence would rub off on her a little. Shaking the dark thoughts out she watched as he ripped a chunk of blackened bark off the tree and began to plot, the cogs in his head turning clear as day by her estimations.\n\n▪︎ She hummed as he sat down and started to chat again.\n\n◆ \"Shock, explosion, whatever! It all felt the same travelling up my spine.\" She chuckled, folding her hands over each other in her lap. Looking on, she watched as sparks formed in his hand, fizzling out in a firecracker pop after a few moments to her starry-eyed amazement. \"Whoa... That's so cool, actually! A lot cooler than my powers, that's for sure. Uh... You see these green expanses of vines under my skin? Well, they're all mats of chlorophyll, and my body gets all of its sustenance and energy from them! I actually don't need to eat or sleep, I just lay in the sun for a while and Bam, Bob's my uncle!\" She cheerily spoke, even if it didn't make complete sense. \"I can also re-emit sunlight and form it into little candlelights, and I can grow flowers and herbs and stuff from my skin. It's pretty handy, but ultimately it also meant that back home I was basically bedridden more often than not; the Pacific Northwest's more rainy than anything else, and rainy weather means no sun, so...\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Hope it didn't hurt too much, Nena.\" \n\nAres laughed, and moved his hands through the pockets of his sweatpants. Pulling out a small knife, which he then tossed in the air and caught once again. The boy was quite the showoff, clearly. He flicked the blade out from the handle, and dug it deep into the wood. A small piece fell off, exposing a rich cream colour under the charred black. The carving was almost entirely mindless, simply something to do with his hands. \n\n\"Oh so you're like a solar panel or whatever, and you can grow plants? Thats fuckin' sick.\"\n\n He leaned over slightly to look at the roots that weaved their way under her skin. The sun illuminated them and made them look as though they danced in tandem with her veins. Ares could admit even in the slightest amount, it was a pretty to look at. \n\n\"Man you would love where i'm from.\" He laughed. \"Puerto Rico and California. The sun basically never leaves around there.\" A genuine smile pulled under Ares' bastard smirk. He loved talking about his home town.\n\nHe dug his knife into the wood again. A satisfying sound echoed out softly every time the blade left the bark. Small shavings fell down into the moss at his feet, as he leaned his elbows down onto his knees.\n\n\"You mentioned the Pacific Northwest, is that where you're from?\" \n\nHe looked up from his wood, and over to Audrey. Who had found a comfortable seat near Ares." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Not really? It was just more surprising than anything else.\"\n\n□ Followed up with a soft giggle that was the vocal equivalent of a tilde, she shook her head lightly in an attempt to sway a few strands of hair out of her face. It worked, and after a moment she looked back at Ares, expression cut into one of placid listening and observation. The lad, as it turned out, was messing around with the bark of the log he was sitting on, exposing the underlying wood protected from the elements by its barky coat. She could even see where termites had been carving out nests, indented into the underlying wood through months if not years of work.\n\n▪︎ Maybe it was a weird thing to be thinking about.\n\n◆ \"Pretty much, yeah!\" She chirped in response. \"Also, ooh, I'm sure I would. Washington state's rainy all the time, and it's such a Bummer... I haven't been to Puerto Rico but I visited the Dominican Republic with my family when I was twelve or so, and gee, all that sun left me with a bit of envy.\" She half-joked, thinking back to that trip and how utterly revitalized she felt after it came to an end. As it turns out, two weeks spent in the Caribbean sun was exactly what the doctor ordered for her wintertime malaïse. \"Anyways, I'm from Olympia in particular! Little neighbour called the Rhodonite Heights. It's really nice, but it's also so rigid and boring... Oh well, home is home. What was Your Hometown like?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Hm. Never heard of it. All that rain sounds depressing.\"\n\nAres snickered a little. His deep auburn gaze was focused on the wood in front of him, while he mindlessly carved at the wood in his hands. The rough bark matched the rough callouses on his palms. \n\nHe leaned his elbows down on his knees, before looking over at Audrey. A part of him had no clue why he was still talking to her, but figured it was something better to do then wander aimlessly around the woods. He could admit the soft sunlight that danced around the mossy clearing was comforting at least. \n\n\"My hometown? Well, most of my time was spent in California, and that was pretty boring not gonna lie.\" He raised his eyebrows before returning his gaze to the wood in front of him. \"Although, every break we would fly down to Puerto Rico to see my fathers family and that's when things got fun. Me and my siblings got into lots of trouble there.\" Ares laughed at the mention.\n\n\"Honestly, this facility should be thanking every god there possibly is that my siblings didn't come here with me.\"\n\nHe tossed the wood up and caught it, he was getting bored again. The wood shavings that rested down at his feet began piling up, and the charred piece in his hand was slowly starting to loose its outward black tint. \n\n\"You got any siblings?\" Ares looked up for a second, with curiosity in his eyes before returning them downwards. \"They're the Worst.\" He was clearly playing a lighthearted joke, based on the smirk resting on his features." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, it is, hun. It's so glum, but it's also a nice place when it Isn't Raining. Lots of stuff to forage out in the woods; had my own little log shed I built out in the woods, even!\" She warmly recounted her days spent in the wilderness surrounding her hometown. \"Anyways, that Does Sound really fun; Suns out guns out Kinda mentality to getting up to no good, huh?\"\n\n□ She could only imagine the sheer mayhem Ares was capable of getting up to. Confident, bold, and explosively gifted, he seemed the sort who could get up to some serious no good, and she couldn't help but admire it. Though she was also a bit of a miscreant, her tales were few, and they were tame, but the idea of a kid Ares running around blowing stuff up on an island was just amusing enough for her to softly giggle.\n\n▪︎ She looked back at him, and his effortless carving either borne from talent or boredom.\n\n◆ \"I have a brother, yup!\" She nodded, tapping her thumb against the back of her hand. \"His name's Austen, and he's... Something. He's not parahuman, that's for sure. He plays football and basketball, works on his car a lot, trades stocks during lunch period... He's kind of a mix between a frat boy and a day trader, and I fear for whatever university he ends up at.\"\n\n○ She laughed and shook her head." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I guess that does sound nice.\" Ares' could imagine a cabin in the woods away from everyone might be appealing, not for him but the prospect of someone enjoying that wasn't outlandish to him. \n\n\"Yeah I guess so.\" His words fell out through a laugh, he had never really been told that expression before but it was funny to him. His smirk had pulled itself into a genuine smile for a moment.\n\nAudrey seemed nice. Sitting here under the soft sun and chirping of birds, Ares could admit this conversation was going better than he thought it would. She didn't seem scared of him, which was new. People didn't exactly accept Ares with open arms, let alone on the First Interaction. Her caring behaviour must stem from being naive, or she had no clue who he was. That had to be it, He thought. \n\nAres felt his rough hands dig into the wood more. He had no clue what he was trying to carve, but he was doing Something. Something to keep his mind occupied.\n\n\"Ah, a brother? He sounds just as insufferable as mine.\" His bastard smirk and teasing expression was back, and he laughed a little before continuing. \"My brother Caleb is a Total Nerd. He is into engineering, can you believe that? Who actually Enjoys Math?\" \n\n\"My twin sister is worse, but I get along with her better. Do you get along with your brother?\"\n\nWith the way his accented tone weaved its way through his words, Ares clearly had a lot of love for his family. Despite teasing them to the end of the earth, he also had nothing but respect and appreciation for them. Of course, he would die before saying this out loud." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Hey, I like math!... And most STEM subjects, honestly. I was in IB-equivalent homeschooling classes back home; tease me all you want, I understand.\" She joked, humming for a few moments. \"I kinda get along with him, but I also don't understand him, even after fifteen years under the same roof, y'know? He's... Kind of the polar opposite of me in a lot of ways. He's brash, he's loud, he's always the center of attention, I heard him doing God knows what with upperclassmen all the time... Stuff like that. He also doesn't understand me, so... I guess it's mutual.\"\n\n□ A touch dejected at having to admit it out loud, she thought for a few solid moments about Austen, and how little they truly got along. They co-existed, sure, but they didn't talk a whole lot outside of lowly conversations and asking favours, which seemed the polar opposite of Ares and his merry band of hell-raising siblings. Had she grown up in a bad household? Or were smart kids destined to grow distant from their less ambitious, less intelligent siblings? Whatever the case she knew that ultimately the bond between her and her brother wasn't particularly strong, and while it stung she'd have been a fool to keep stuffing it down. \n\n▪︎ So, she exhaled deeply, and pushed off of the tree she'd been leaning against.\n\n◆ \"Weird question. Did you see any mushrooms on your way here? Because I was looking, and I wasn't having much luck, but apparently it's mushroom season now and the forager in me is chomping at the bit to get down to the ground and start plucking 'em again.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Oh, I'm definitely going to tease you!\" Ares let out a loud laugh that shook his whole chest. The boy's laugh matched his personality well. It was unapologetic and truly Ares. \"You sound like quite the nerd, ginger.\" \n\nAres sat quietly while Audrey spoke of her brother. He tilted his head up, and to the side at her words. He could hear a force under her tone, and it was obvious something about him bothered her. Flicking his eyes back to the wood in his hand, he decided it wasn't his problem.\n\n\"I thought you smart people have the brains to figure everything out. My older brother Caleb is a nerd like you, and he knows what he is doing.\" He shrugged a tad, and pressed his tongue to his cheek with a sigh before continuing. \"Or at least, it seems like he does, I don't know.\" \n\nThe knife dug deeper into the wood, with sure and steady strokes. Ares Was The less intelligent younger sibling. His brother and sister were nerds, as he liked to put it. One was on his way into engineering, and the other on her way into biochemistry. Ares, having failed almost all of his classes, felt misplaced in it all. Of course, he would never admit this to himself or anyone for that matter. Ares knew he was cooler than them, and was smart where it counted. He didn't need good grades. \n\nHis sharp auburn gaze raised to Audrey at her next question.\n\n\"Mushrooms? You smoke or somethin?\" Ares snickered. He wouldn't put it past the hippie looking girl in front of him to be a total druggie. \"I don't know if the ones I saw are the ones you can get high off of, but I Did See some.\" A teasing mocking tone found its way under his lighthearted jab, and his accent popped out in places. \n_ _\n\nAres stood up, and tossed the piece of wood far into the bushes that surrounded the tree line. He clicked the switchblade back into its handle, and shoved it into his pocket. He yawned slightly, and stretched his arms up over his head. The mid day sun seemed to tire him out for reasons not even Ares could understand. He lowered his arms and straightened out his hoodie.\n\n\"Onwards then!\" He cheered in a rather underwhelming tone. \"Follow me.\"\n\nAres took a few steps off towards the direction he came in. He turned his head over his shoulder briefly to see if Audrey was indeed following." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Noooo! Not my nerdiness being used against me!\" She feigned defeat, even dramatically raising a hand over her forehead before letting it all break down into laughter, hand falling to her hip as her face lit up with the embrace of joy. \"I kinda gave you all the ammo, I just... Heh, I wanted to make the joke. Oh well.\"\n\n□ Laughing for a couple more moments, she clasped her hands over her lap again, slender digits tying complex knots as she began to walk around the general clearing. It wasn't just to deal with Ares' intense confidence, but instead a way to search for mushrooms without breaking the flow of convo. Speaking of which, she let out a snort at the open-ended question of whether she smoked; \"I did it sometimes back home, yeah...\" She'd admit between Ares' words, but other than that she let him talk, humming softly and growing a small chain of daisies through the crown of her hair.\n\n▪︎ It was so effortless, yet it turned out so well.\n\n◆ \"But, no,\" She piped up after he was done talking, \"I don't doubt there's magic mushrooms out in the woods, but I'm just after the normal ones now, hun! I used to actually make money selling foraged mushrooms and farm fresh eggs and stuff at the local farmer's market; I guess the people running it were fond of fourteen year-old me walking in with a wicker basket full of goods like Hey, I know I'm just a kid, but can I sell my stuff here? I have money for a permit! That, and I think my parents asked them in advance. They're well-respected and stuff, so...\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares walked ahead of Audrey, leading the way with ease and confidence. The spotty sunlight washed over him as he made his way through the woods. Surprisingly, he knew where he was going. \n\n\"Hmm, cooler than I thought.\" Ares snickered at her response to if she smoked or not. Clearly, he was the kind of person who attached defying authority with being fun. At least Audrey wasn't a Total Stick in the mud.\n\nHe hummed slightly while Audrey recounted her experiences with selling things back in her home town. \n\n\"Sounds interesting honestly. The grind never stops, I guess.\" Ares was a surprisingly good listener. Alongside his tendency to talk about himself, he seemed to enjoy when other people rambled to him as well. Although, his enthusiasm was underwhelming as always. \n\nThe two continued to walk. The soft chirp of birds danced around their conversation, and it didn't take long for them to find exactly what they were looking for. In a small cluster near the bottom a tree, thick brown mushrooms grew out of the ground. They were large with small caps, and the stems faded down towards white near the ground. The moss hugged the base, and they were illuminated by the warm golden sun. \n\n\"There they are!\" Ares walked over and crouched down in front of the cluster of mushrooms. He balanced on the back of his heel, and looked at them with a deep gaze. In his undeniable curiosity, he poked the cap of the mushroom with his finger a couple times.\n\n\"I have no clue if they are edible or not, but they don't look poisonous.\"\n\n He returned to his standing position, and looked at Audrey with a shrug. \"Don't trust me though.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Heh, did you think I was just a boring nerd?\" Audrey remarked, clearly toying and lighthearted. \"I had a bit of a delinquent streak back home. Nothing crazy, mind you, but...\"\n\n□ But, what, oh dear Audrey? Well, she'd divulge if asked, but otherwise she'd keep quiet and keep on walking, hands shifting around as various low-hanging branches and their accompanying budding fruits caught her attention. This was where she thrived, out in the heart of the wilderness, and she barely even made a sound as she walked, instead absorbing every last smidgen of nature's embrace. After about two minutes of strolling and pointing out various edible berries and wild plants, Ares announced that the pair were there, and out of respect she stood by as he knelt down to inspect them.\n\n▪︎ Clearly, he didn't know his mushrooms.\n\n◆ \"Oh, gimme a moment and I'll...\" Kneeling down, she leaned in close, jade eyes inquisitively examining the mushroom cluster's cap. Plucking one, she continued to examine, humming a Janis Joplin track and running her fingers over the gills and stems for a few moments before letting out a satisfied Ah ha And looking back up at Ares. \"Penny buns! Or, as they'd be known here, Karl Johans; it's because of a Franco-Swedish prince or something, he taught people that penny buns weren't to be feared, and so they're now named after him. Funny how names stick.\" She warmly spoke, tempered excitement ridding her voice with pops of enthusiasm. \"They're actually Delicious, Though, dude... Here, try one! I promise these are good, everything checks out and there aren't many look-alikes.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "As he watched Audrey look at them further, he listened to what she had to say. Ares couldn't say he cared for mushrooms, much like he didn't care for the forest or birds. Yet here he was, out in the woods with a hippie picking mushrooms. He folded his arms over his chest while he waited, once again looking very stand off-ish despite this not being the case. Ares had a bad habit of being naturally intimidating without trying. \n\n\"Ayo?\" Ares leaned forward slightly to look at the mushroom. \"Well then.\" He reached an arm down, grabbed a mushroom, and without hesitation took a huge bite out of the cap. \n\nAs he chewed, Ares Very Clearly was not the type of person that cared much about self preservation. Any normal person wouldn't have been so wiling to put something they knew Nothing About in their mouth. Yet here he was, chewing on a mushroom that for all he knew could have been poisonous. Why not play with the odds? The risk was the fun part of all of this.\n\n\"It doesn't taste half bad, honestly.\" \n\nHis voice was sure, and not a drop of hesitation or regret was audible. It was true, the mushroom didn't taste bad. It had a certain smooth nutty flavour that Ares had never really tasted before. It was bland for his tastes, but to be fair he probably did not take a bite of the best part. He couldn't care less.\n\nHe took another bite of the mushroom.\n\n\"Yeah like uh, cooked alongside some onions or in a stirfry. Could make a decent dinner. Specifically though, this but Spicy Would be delicious.\"\n_ _\n\nAres spoke as though he knew how to cook and although he did, he was permanently banned from the kitchen back home in California for almost burning down the house. However, despite the way he cooked, Ares had a very secret talent for making delicious savoury dishes. His father had taught him many recipes from Puerto Rico, and Ares knew all of them by heart.\n\n\"Maybe we should cook some, back at the facility. Could be fun to figure out.\" A part of Ares did not want to admit he was looking forward to doing something like that. So far, he hadn't gotten the opportunity to cook. All the ingredients he needed, were no where to be found in a place like Sweden.\n\nIf anyone asked why he offered to do such a thing, he was simply Bored." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Gee, you sure don't fear anything!\" Audrey let out a surprised laugh as Ares knelt down, plucked a shroom, and bit the cap clean off in two bites. \"Usually when I show people edible mushrooms they're pretty hesitant about trying it, since they've all usually heard the horror stories, but jeez... You just ate the sucker!\"\n\n□ Giggling, she also found herself kicking herself right in the butt for not bringing her basket with her. Had she brought it she could have plucked up quite a few penny buns, maybe dried them out in the oven to sell as stock enhancers, but instead all she could do was pick one herself and take a bite. Earthy, meaty, a bit of umami... Even raw, the mushroom in her hand tasted delicious, and once she was done she did something a little Peculiar. Flattening a palm against the ground, she could be heard uttering some sort of prayer – a thank you to Demeter, if Ares could hear well – and after a few moments she rose to her feet with a warm smile.\n\n▪︎ If asked, she'd explain, but now that she knew penny buns were in season the old ways were coming back, like an old smoker making a dire mistake.\n\n◆ \"Right? When I used to cook for my friends back home I used dried porcini mushrooms a lot, and those are just dried out penny buns – there's a lot of that in the fungi kingdom, weirdly enough.\" She spoke, swaying lightly in place and looking at the bases of various trees in case she might have been lucky enough to spot another cluster, maybe something different. She'd have to get her hands on a foraging guide tailored to Sweden... \"Like, portobellos, creminis, and button mushrooms are all the same darn mushroom too, just at different stages of their life. I dunno. Anyways, I'd love to! I cooked for my friends back home too, but I was never amazing. I just know the basics of being in a kitchen, and some decent vegetarian recipes, so... Also, your idea has me thinking. I know you can make faux BBQ pulled pork with oyster mushrooms, so maybe we could figure out how to turn these penny buns into some sort of spicy kebab or something? Just throwing ideas out, hun.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares' features held a permanent smile. A smirk of kinds, a grin that spelt trouble in every language. It was a bold expression that fit his face nicely and flowed effortlessly around his words. Confidence leaked from each syllable like poisonous honey, yet the sickeningly sweet charming flavours suited him well. \n\n\"Whats the point? Playing with risk is much more fun. If something bad happens, its all part of the thrill.\" \n\nAres popped the last bit of the mushroom in his mouth and crushed it beneath his canines. Now all he had to do was wait to see if Audrey was lying to him or not about it being edible. The thought left his mind rather quickly though, like a busy train that never stopped. Ares wasn't the type to get all hung up on those types of things. \n\nHe cocked his head to the side in thought for a moment while the other spoke. Her words contrasted his, they were smooth and melodic like the hypnotic plucks of an acoustic guitar. It rang out softly against the forest floor, and rested against the moss like the summer sun. Ares couldn't deny it suited her well. \n\n\"Oooh. A Spicy Kebab.\" Ares snickered. \"Can you handle spice, hippie?\" \n\nHe spoke in his same bastard tone as he crossed his arms around his chest. The stark black tones of his t-shirt and dark greys of his sweatpants contrasted the soft greens and browns of the forest. Ares stood out like a firecracker in a pack of cigarettes. Yet, he wore this well." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Hah, I guess so, huh?\"\n\n□ Softly laughing, she kept on looking around at the other trees, knowing how fungi loved to sprout up around their bases and through their bark, and though she saw a few more clusters of penny buns she knew she wouldn't be able to take them with her. So, she let out a soft sigh and turned on the heels of her boots, looking back at Ares as the confident lad called into question her spice tolerance, self-assured in tone that she'd be like every other rich white girl and unable to handle anything spicier than Dijon mustard.\n\n▪︎ She let out a chuckle.\n\n◆ \"Maaaybe.\" She playfully replied, albeit with the awareness that she, in fact, could Not Handle spice. \"But I guess it all depends how hot it is, hun! I'm gonna have to come back here tomorrow and actually forage, but I can already Taste Those kebabs, gee... You don't mind handling the meat part, right? I don't eat meat myself, but I'm sure a hunk like you does, soooo.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares looked at the mushrooms, and then the lack of a basket. He nodded slightly and let out a dramatic, over exaggerated sigh of distress.\n\n\"Tomorrow? Ill have to wait Soooooo looooonnnggg~\" He bursted out into a snickering laughter, clearly unable to keep himself serious. \"Sounds good to me, we can cook them then.\"\n\nHis words fell out through a voice that had a left over laugh weaved between each sound. Compared to the way he spoke when the two first met, Ares was already loosening up. Something about Audrey had that affect. She didn't get pissy at his jokes, and she was open to his dumb ideas. She laughed with him, didn't tell him what to do, what was there for Ares to hate? \n\nAll of these ideas fell under Ares' subconscious. A part of him could feel them, but he wouldn't admit them. \n\n\"Oh, yeah of course! I love meat, my god.\" He Almost Felt his ego rise at Audrey calling him a hunk, whether it was a joke or not. \"I can handle it no problem.\"\n\nAres looked at the mushrooms, before pausing to think. He stretched his arms over his head, and brought them down to his chest. Faint pops and cracks rang out as the boy pulled on his knuckles. \n\n\"You got anything else to do in the woods, or can I call it quits and see you again tomorrow?\"\n\nHe asked in a lighthearted tease, but the tilt of his head and lack of malice in his brow itched at some sort of genuine emotion under his asshole exterior." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Hah, you can wait!\" Audrey laughed alongside him, her own bubbly laughter intermingling with his snickering. \"It'll be worth it, I think. It'll actually give us time to figure out what to have with it, right? And I think that's pretty important!\"\n\n□ Warm, gentle speech. It was what left Audrey's mouth as the previous laughter gave way to amused yet tempered calm, a smile fixing itself on her lips like a persistent zit, and as the pair joked she nestled a few penny buns into the crevice betwixt arm pressed to her stomach and the lovely fabric of her dress. It simply wasn't in her nature to come out into the great outdoors and Not Take a few gifts back with her, right? Looking back over at her friend, she hummed very softly in response, barely louder than the breaths rising through her nose and out her mouth, and considered his question.\n\n▪︎ Did She have anything else to do?\n\n◆ \"Oh, I'm probably gonna stick out here for a bit, actually. Look around, see if there's more stuff I could come back and forage tomorrow once I've got my basket.\" She casually spoke, that same smile from before plastered on her face. \"But if you wanna go back, I'm not gonna stop you, hun! Just don't destroy any trees on your way back, Firecracker.\"\n\n○ Two could do the teasing nickname game, it seemed. She giggled." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares looked at Audrey as she spoke, and laughed a little at the new nickname. The two of them seemed to be getting on well, and that was rather refreshing for someone like Ares.\n\n\"Well good luck then. Im gonna head out.\" He looked over his shoulder towards the direction of the facility, before turning back forward. \"And, *No promises.\" He snickered.\n\n\"Don't smoke all of the mushrooms, hippie.\" For a second his smile almost looked genuine. With a quick saluting motion, and the turn of his heels, the bastard boy was off back towards the concrete prison. His accent pressed its way to the forefront of his words as he called back towards Audrey.\n\nThe birds sung overhead as Ares walked through the green. His converse shoes carried him over roots and moss. After a few minutes, another small patch of mushrooms near the base of a tree caught his eye. With a soft smirk, he hoped Audrey would find those, and kept on his way.\n\nAres had no care for the woods, or mushrooms. He didn't think of the small buzzing bees or flowers that sprouted proudly out of the dirt. Yet for some reason, Audrey seemed to make him think about stupid stuff like that. A part of his mind wondered how long it would take for her to figure out some reason to get annoyed with him. Despite his doubts, he had no complaints, and was surprisingly looking forward to them cooking tomorrow. \n\nThe sun almost felt warmer that day." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"No promises!... Even though you don't smoke mushrooms. Do you? I dunno.\"\n\n□ And with that final uncertain goodbye, she'd go back to strolling through the woods, the ethereal nature spirit she was always meant to be. Maybe this place wasn't so bad." } ]	352.5	9,336
303	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "It was eight in the morning. The birds were still chirping. The sun hung low against the horizon, its golden summer glow holding in a thick haze. Many students were still asleep and many still were just beginning to eat breakfast across the facility. Ares was doing... Not that. And Danica was here to document it. She loved to be someone behind a camera, and she had not much else better to do. Ares was nothing if not something to archive in careful digital film. \n\nThe girl stood in the back corner of the sports field, the sun bearing down on her and her video camera. She could just use her phone of course, but something about the device was appealing. There was something so perfectly refreshing about the light, and she noticed now how it no longer made her eyes squint or her shoulders boil. That wasn't what she was here for though. Her shoes stood firm against the gravel track as she pointed the camera at Ares, flicking it on. \n\n\"Now.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares hadn't slept, as usual. He hadn't gotten proper rest in days and this fact was obvious. Whether his complete and utter lack of rational thought was due to his sleep deprivation or he was just plain stupid was up for debate. The boy, of course, didn't care. He was too busy enacting \"Science experiments.\"\n\nThis was no experiment any sane scientist would agree to, but Ares was neither of those things. He stood many feet away from Danica, holding a lighter and a handful firecrackers. Scattered around the grass field were various chunks of charred paper from past explosions. Ares had taken the time to walk far away from the school to avoid any faculty members getting in his way. \n\nHe looked up with a mischievous grin and awaited any sort of acknowledgment that he could begin. Having someone join him in his shenanigans always made it much more enjoyable, and luckily for him, Danica was awake and willing to film his dumbassery. \n\nWith one word from the other, Ares opened his lighter and a bright orange flame flickered to life. He grabbed one firecracker, and placed the rest by his feet. Holding the fire to the fuse, a spark began to pop and sizzle. He opened his mouth, and placed the firework on his tongue in a way that would make it launch outwards instead of deeper down his throat. \n\nThe spark warmed the inside of his mouth, and it didn't take long for it to reach the end of the fuse. The firework set off and lit up Ares' mouth in a display of colourful chaos. The body of the firework launched outwards and far across the field, as the explosions lit up everything around the two. Much like every firework, the show didn't last long, and before the two knew it everything was calm again.\n_ _\n\nEverything... Except for Ares. The boy was doubled over in laughter, it was a booming sound that rivalled the firework itself. It suited him well and made his chest shake. One impressive and notable feature was Ares' complete lack of injury.\n\n\"Ay!\" He cheered and cackled. \"Lets do it again!\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica had been up since 5:00am, a practice she kept up every single day without fail. If you asked her how she did it she would half-jokingly tell you that 'I'm just not weak minded.' Mostly she was just prone to regiment. She would have been about the last person you'd think would be interested in what Ares had orchestrated, but sometimes it's ok to be unexpected. Above almost all else, Danica was curious. This budding friendship with Ares had certainly been giving her much to be curious about. \n\nAs she gave the signal and let the film roll, Ares began. Danica held the camera still as a corpse as the shitshow went down. Bright sparks of colourful chaos went shooting past her in shrill whistles and cracks, the scent of gunpowder settling sharp on the morning air.\n\nOnce the display was over, Ares went about laughing like a jovially mad hyena, the kind of sound you'd hear following an escape from police. He held his mouth open wide, stepping up to the camera to show he was indeed uninjured. Recorded trial one was a success!! \n\nDanica snickered as she piloted the camera. \n\n\"Again.\"" } ]	253	909
530.866667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The cold concrete pressed itself against Ares as he sat against the peak of the facility. The unwelcome yet familiar feeling of rough stone against his skin. The roof was a frequent place Ares visited, and he couldn't deny it took effort to get up here. A perfect test for whoever this new person was. Whatever she wanted could not matter less to him, she was paying him and that was More Than enough in exchange for simple information.\n\nAres leaned his elbows on his knees, his free hand held his cracked phone. The message remained stationary on the screen, 5 minutes ago. He looked up, as the wind pressed softly against his face. The coming night was quiet, and still. The roof was silent and almost made Ares feel suffocated, if it wasn't for the fresh air. \n\nThis place was truly a prison, he sneered in his mind. The concrete was bleak and dripped with a sour feeling that he couldn't place his finger on. With a grumble, Ares turned his attention back to his phone. \n\nThe wind swirled, and the cool crisp summer sky held heavy above him. His bulky grey jacket hugged the loose hoodie that fell comfortably over his muscular torso. Ares definitely didn't care what this new person thought of him, because he didn't look exactly Put together. His dark brown scruffy hair rested on top of his head in a ruffled mess that he frequently adjusted by running his hands through, lower down on his face alongside a bastard smirk rested piercings. Lower, sweatpants and converse shoes that looked like the bottom of a high school desk etched with graffiti and drawings. A silver necklace with two pull tabs hung from his neck, as he continued to tap his finger on the side of his phone.\n\nFor a brief moment, Ares considered if this was a good idea. This was quickly and easily dismissed by the fact that Nothing Ares did was a good idea, and that was why he had so much Fun." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Though it was quite unlike Danica to initiate meeting with basically anyone ever, her curiosity and hunger for fly-on-the-wall knowledge negated that easily. At Newton's Cradle she essentially had to start all over again. She could admit she knew almost nothing about this place, and she could admit even quicker that she Hated That. Of course she could spend the time working away at it herself, collecting insider tips and local knowledge, but what was a mere cash sum and an evening spent talking with a stranger to speed that up a little? It was simply taking advantage of what was available. Dani Always Liked to play things in the fewest possible moves. It wasn't like she was particularly bothered or invested in what these people did, as long as it wasn't in her way it didn't matter, but there was always a thrill in being a spectator in the know. Always fond of her detective stories, Dani was quite the collector. \n\nIt did take her a little longer than she anticipated to figure out the roof, but not by too much. She had also taken the time to retrieve from her dorm her laptop and a thickly stapled black and white printed stack of papers she'd gotten from the front desk. Every student in alphabetical order including their current dorm and intake photo. You'd be surprised what kind of stuff front desks would give you if you just asked and were patient. As a student, though it was kind of an odd request, Dani was allowed the documents.\n\n_ _\nThe cooling summer air blew past her neck as she crested the concrete, the cold rough press of the surface against her hands being a dry pull. Once she figured out where the footholds were, it was rather straightforward for the athlete, no matter her light backpack. Crickets buzzed on the air and the tangy smell of the little hoods flowers tucked around themselves in the eve flicked up from the overgrown gardens. The long grass swayed. It was somehow both simultaneously clear yet crowded, the haze of summer atmosphere still hanging heavy in the dark. Easily pushing herself up, it wasn't long before Dani spotted Ares. Who else could it be?\n\nHer dusted white converse stuck to the roof as she toed her way up, tossing her bag at her feet as she came to the slight plateau, If you could call it that. Danica stood slightly shorter than Owen at a reasonable 5'6\", her most standout feature in the dark being the light waves of her hair that caught the dwindling light like glinting fish backs. Diamond earrings dangled from her in the swaying wind, with ruby rings and a simple necklace to match. Her sterling hair was held back with a clip, simple leggings, a while tanktop, and a beige zip-up hoodie making up the rest of what she wore. She had a pretty face, angular and typical, with long lashes around hazel eyes and dark brows that seemed either bored or passively annoyed. The soft light still emanating from the facility below glowed softly up against the darkening blue sky, catching gently over the both of them. \n\n\"Ares. I'm Danica.\" \n\nShe sounded American. Soon after she spoke she sat down with a pat and pulled the laptop and the booklet from her bag, slapping an American 20 on top of the stacked paper. She hadn't yet had the time to convert any of her bills to Swedish Krona, but she assumed it would do. \n\n\"Tell me what you know.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "With the faint sound a foot step, Ares leaned back over his shoulder to survey his guest. The same gaze that could shoot daggers sharper than his insults fell upon the stranger, and any normal person would have shivered at the sight. Ares was indeed intimidating, and his bulky frame and piercings didn't help. \n\nAs she sat down next to him, Ares raised a brow at her confidence. Straight to the point. He admired that for a moment, but no more than a second. \n\nAres looked her up and down. She looked clean cut and perfect to a fault. Her silky blonde hair was pulled into a neat bunch by a clip, and her outfit matched her textbook attitude. She looked like the kind of stuck up teachers pet that would be up Ares' ass about smoking cigarettes in the bathroom, or etching some tag into a locker. Despite this, Ares couldn't deny that between the diamonds that hung from her ears like stars and the ruby rings on her fingers, she was rather pretty. He felt his teeth clench slightly at the thought, Objectively Pretty. He had no care for such things. \n\n As the two settled, he hoped that her carefree attitude over the Intranet cared over in person. He reached out his hand, and without a second of hesitation, tucked the money into the inside of his jacket. \n\n\"Dani.\" He nodded. \"Would say its a pleasure, but I prefer not to lie when I don't have to.\" Ares' voice held an accent, it flowed through the sounds of someone who knew Spanish and spoke it regularly. It was smooth, confident and bold, much like the rest of him. \n\nHe snickered slightly, his bastard smirk held sharpened teeth. He looked like the kind of kid that shoved nerds into walls for homework answers, or got into fights for fun. His rough scarred knuckles didn't help this case.\n_ _\n\n\"I'll tell you whatever you want to know, princess. Where should I start?\" Despite his rather aggressive opening, his teasing was lighthearted and fun. The boy was clearly just trying to get a reaction or some sort of rise out of her. \n\nNo amount of anger or malice directed at Danica could be sensed." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Maybe spending so much time on her own in the city had just made her tough, or maybe she'd never really cared anyway, but Dani took Ares' stare like a decorated war hero in their prime. Bounced it right back at him too, her dark stained lower lids hanging firmly. Ares looked to her like the kind of person she'd see in a group playing boosted music too loudly and throwing up sloppy, vulagr tags in an alleyway, but without the dopey edge to make him look like someone dumb enough to get caught. He looked like he knew enough about enough, with a clever glint in his eye that spelled troublemaker with an agenda, even if that \"Agenda\" Was just to dick around. His appearance spelled someone who cared about clothes in passing but not enough to go out of his way, and his hair looked like he'd cut it himself. The look on his downcast features made him appear like someone was hot shit and knew it, or at least genuinely thought he was. Danica at least had enough trust in their interactions so far to take that at face value and believe him. It didn't really serve her too much to doubt him, anyway. He was rudimentality charming in the way a scruffy teenage boy was, but Dani felt no compulsion to consider that any further. If anything she just hoped he wasn't the kind of idiot who would try to get into her pants. Annoying.\n\n\"Hm. Well then your honesty is appreciated.\" She said bluntly. \"Neither do I.\"\n\nThough her attitude and expression remained fixed and dull, her ease of speaking denoted someone who was alright with how Ares operated. If anything she appreciated that he at least knew who he was and how he was going to operate. Danica wasn't one for those with \"Weak\" Assertions. Danica flipped the booklet open to the first page, Uriel Melançon Being the first on the chopping block. The order wasn't perfect but it was close enough.\n\n\"Here. Tell me everything you know about this person here, and then flip through\"\n\nShe paused.\n\n_ _\n\"If you would, Doll.\" \n\nA light smirk graced her lips in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it flash before she flipped open her laptop and readied a document. Clearly, she intended to take notes. The darkness crept in carefully from all around them, but with the light from the laptop and what emanated from below, seeing the names and faces on the paper wasn't a problem." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares stuffed his phone in his pocket, and leaned back on both hands. He was stationed like a king on a throne, overflowing with confidence. Yet, his attitude was laid back and chill. He seemed unbothered, so his charm was rather effortless.\n\nDanica's attitude took him for a surprise, but a pleasant one. He cocked his head to the side with a raised brow and smirk, surveying her with his watchful gaze. He turned his attention to the paper and people, and curiosity pressed in his mind. Why would she care so much about the students? Maybe she was some sort of freak that wanted to keep tabs on everyone for whatever sick reason she so chose. Ares knew people like her back in California, or at least he Assumed They were like her. \n\n\"Doll?\" Ares snickered. \"Thats a first.\" \n\nWith a deep hum from his chest, Ares pulled himself back forward and leaned on one hand to look at the laptop screen. She was paying him, what did it matter why she needed the information. He didn't pick up the paper, simply looked at it for a brief second.\n\n\"Oh, Uri.\" Ares felt nothing at the name. \"Made me a scarf once, seems neutral on everything. They are kind of a pacifist with tree hugger energy and get all sad when people fight on the intranet.\" Ares spoke using not only his voice, but also his hands. They moved with each syllable in a rhythm that held the same beat of fireworks. The boy almost sounded scripted with how effortlessly words fell from his tongue. \n\n\"If you are interested in powers, they have the ability to put people to sleep from what i've seen. They are also a raging narcoleptic and are passed out all the time. Got sent to detention for spending the night with the ginger kid, Owen.\" \n_ _\n\nAres leaned back on his palms, making himself comfortable once again. His eyes closed against the deep black sky, while waiting for her to finish her notes and move on to the next person. Ares held no information back, and seemed very unaffected by what he was doing. \n\nMoney talked, and so would Ares. \n\n\"Next.\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Dani would tell you she didn't really care if she knew about people or not, and she truly believed that when she said it. Though, always the nosey type, there was a distinct satisfaction to knowing. Ares so far had seemed to line up enough with what she'd personally seen, and though she took what he said with a grain of salt, his input was better than nothing. Danica enjoyed having control over the things around her, she liked schedules and operations, plans and expectations being followed. She certainly wasn't a fan of anything unexpected. Being at this facility was about as big a wrench in her plans as you could imagine, even her sense of what was real being dismantled as she stumbled into being a parahuman. She had always thought if she was going to be Superhuman It'd just be because of skill. Maybe digging through Ares' opinions and being even more on top of analyzing people was just a way for her to try and scramble for feeling in control again. If she could know people she could predict people, and then she could figure out how best to be left alone. \n\n\"I make a point to be unique.\" \n\nAs always her expression stayed cold and dead, but her words revealed her to be more lighthearted and sarcastic than that showed. She listened carefully while Ares spoke, typing away whatever little footnotes she thought would be useful from his report. \n\n\"Owen? Hm. I've met that boy. Skittish.\"\n\nShe thought Owen was fine, seemed nice enough and like an amiable figure among the population. He seemed scared of her though, so she doubted they'd get along much. Who knew he was into narcoleptics. \n\n\"Also, if you know any intranet handles. Next.\"\n\nShe flipped the page for him and readied her next section." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares sighed, and with a solid motion his back met the cold roof. He pulled his arms upwards and tucked them behind his head to soften the rather uncomfortable concrete. He let his eyes close, and the darkness from outside had found its way under his eyelids. He wasn't taking this surprise pop quiz interview very seriously, and from his annoyingly casual behaviour it was obvious. \n\n\"Intranet handles? That I can do.\" Ares didn't move from his position. \"Username Lightningrod is blondie, or I should say their name is Finley. As their Very creative Username suggests, their powers are lightning related. They are a total nerd that likes to read and they're super into conspiracies and government secrets.\" With the mention of Finley, Ares' voice almost softened. It had a certain fondness to it that would go unnoticed if you weren't paying attention.\n\n\"Fin plays drums alongside me and Owen, and knows a lot about the angels and backhands of the facility, so if you want knowledge on that, go to them. They aren't Nearly As willing to talk as much as me though.\"\n\nThe night continued onwards as the boy recounted information, Ares attempted to keep his explanations brief.\n_ _\n\n\"Username Sprite is Valio, but I call her Val. She is very quiet and doesn't tell anyone anything. She rarely smiles, but cared a lot when Margo went missing. Me and her were Going To go and find Margo, but the bitch came back not even a day after. That doesn't matter, though.\" He grumbled. \"Val despite being like 6 foot fucking 8, is a huge softy. She wont admit it though.\" A slight laugh left his chest before he continued. \n\nHe raised his hand and began to count on his finger as he spoke. With each person, another finger. Ares recounted all of this information with his eyes closed, from pure memory. Many found Ares bland and dumb to a fault, with enough braincells to rival a brick. His marks in school were terrible and he couldn't tell you what he ate the previous day if his life depended on it, but you could Count On him having knowledge on anyone that has ever talked to him.\n\n\"Username Stretch is Margarita. She is a cocky Italian hothead with the ability to stretch herself like gum. She hates me, and I dont like her. Nothing else to say.\" Three fingers up.\n\n\"Sunburst is Audrey. She is a hippie that probably smokes weed in her free time and has the power of absorbing the sun. She has like plants and shit running through her skin, its freaky but interesting. Calls everyone hun, and is very active on the intranet.\" \n\nAres opened one of his eyes to gaze over at Danica, who was pressing away at her keyboard with no hesitation and the upmost accuracy like a workaholic receptionist.\n\n\"Are you gettin' all of this nerd, or do you need me to slow down.\" He didn't need to laugh in her face for her to know he was sneering sarcastic taunts her way." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica typed away while Ares mused lazily, listing off the seemingly more important people to him first before he continued with anything else. Made sense enough. First, And she noted they were first, Came Finley. Ares seemed Very Fond of Finley. Her ears pricked and her brow raised as she heard that they knew quite a bit when it came to what happened around the facility, and her interest was instantly peaked as she heard even the inference that there Were Things happening to begin with. Interesting. If there were shady and dangerous things here at play, it'd definitely serve her to know about them. Danica was all but assured in her ability to survive on her own, keeping herself safe in the city for years, but when she had no idea there was even anything to be paying attention to, it made her want to be more careful. She'd need something to replace her pepper spray the staff took in her frisk. \n\n\"You're in a band? Mm.\" She gave a small nod with her head, acknowledging what it took to do that. She'd have to ask Ares about himself too, though expected he'd play it up. \n\nHer expression paused for a moment as he described the height of Valio, and Danica had to wonder if that had something to do with her abilities. It was hard to imagine how different each individual could be when it came to their paranormality. \n\nAs Ares spoke, Danica would be hard pressed to say she wasn't impressed. He seemed like the kind of person people would underestimate quite a lot, but he was listening, cataloguing, and she respected that. She made a mental note to stay on his good side if she could. For one, she didn't want him to start snooping on her, and for two, they seemed like-minded. He was quickly becoming one of her favourites here, if you could call it that. \n\n\"Mhm. Continue. Unless You Need a breath.\"\n\n_ _\nShe retorted simply, letting a small puff of air escape her nose that sounded halfway between a laugh and a scoff. The clacking sounds of her keyboard continued evermore, the light tapping babbling away like a brook in the winter." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares closed his eyes once more. The day was falling farther and farther down the horizon as the honey pink and deep blues sunk down to rest. The deep black void of night coated over everything with an inky veil, leaving nothing but dazzling pinhole stars in its wake. The boy sat comfortably under the crisp sky, he fit nicely against the dark hues the end of day brought. \n\nAres let out a laugh. It was a crackling sound that made him tilt his head back farther against his forearms. Visible enough with this snicker, a silver tongue piercing reflected against the pale glow of the others laptop. \n\n\"Oh please, me and my sister used to do this all the time. I could go on for hours.\" He raised his hand from his chest and waved it to the side in a dismissive manner. \n\nAres could not deny something in Danica commanded a certain amount of respect from inside his mind. Perhaps it was the many similarities she shared with his twin sister, or the fact they both shared similar ideals on people. She wasn't pissy or up his ass about anything and even returned his snarky comments and gestures, albeit with a stone cold expression. This was more than enough for Ares to admit to himself he was enjoying the company. \n\n\"Alright... Who's next on my shitlist.\" He paused. \"Ah yes. Owen. Orchidforge. He is a bass player, and a total loser.\" The tone Ares used to say this didn't sound serious, in fact it sounded more like lighthearted teasing between friends. He wouldn't admit this.\n\n\"His power is this like? Heat shield? He pulls it out from under his skin, and it surrounds him in a barrier that can heat up and burn the fuck out of you. I learned that the hard way.\" Taking a second to think, Ares continued on without much hesitation. \n_ _\n\n\"Gabe is another one, his name is his username. He has attention manipulation powers. Basically a self centred drama queen that wants to be under a spotlight day and night. I haven't talked to him much, but he is apparently a famous actor and has over a hundred thousand followers on instagram. I get along with him fine, but he is egotistical.\" A small shrug came from Ares' shoulders at what he said. He didn't seem to care all that much.\n\n\"Hatsume, or Hi-Hat on the intranet, can make her voice really loud and is a total menace to everyone around her.\" He mindlessly fidgeted with his rings as he spoke. \"Matti, Aletteias, can basically tell if you're lying or not when you say something. Creepy as fuck, and talks like Shakespeare but if he was even more lame some how. Asks a lot of questions, so I think he keeps information on people as well.\" \n\nThe summer wind pressed against the two softly. Despite the all encompassing night, it was comfortably warm outside. The effects of summer were in full force. Ares always loved nights like these. \n\n\"Taffy, or PlacedMedia, is totally insane. They went off the walls crazy and wont leave me the fuck alone whenever they are online. Absolutely hates me. I don't know what his power is, but its something shadow related? I cant remember I don't care.\" He scoffed, and his anger was visible before he moved on.\n\n\"I know there is this one clown kid, June? Jesterkid on the intranet. From what I saw, they have the ability to clone themselves. They sound like a circus on crack and are annoying as all hell. I don't interact with them or care for them. They are probably mentally insane or something.\" \n\n\"Esme, gemstone powers. I see her flirting with Valio sometimes.\" Ares' tone spelt mischief, as if he wasn't supposed to say that. \"Rai, can turn into a monster or something? I dunno I rarely see her anymore.\"\n_ _\n\nThe boy paused and tapped his counting fingers on his palm in an attempt to draw more names out of the deep endless pool he had flooding his brain. It clearly was taking some effort, because his pace began to slow. Ares kept one arm tucked under his head, and returned the other with a sigh. \n\n\"Oh yeah, Margo. You've met her though, I snooped through her room once when she went missing. I got to scan through some of her journals. She has this like, eye power? It enhances her sight or something. Has a lot of mental baggage from what I saw. I left her items alone, but honestly I should've stolen at least a page or two.\" \n\nThe silence of the night hung heavy between his words as he ran through his mind once more. A permanent smirk tugged on his tan features, it seemed like second nature. \n\n\"I can't think of anyone else. If I didn't mention them, I don't know them.\" Straight to the point. \"Wanna know anything else then, stuck-up?\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Dani kept up with Ares like a well oiled machine, her little information collection growing exponentially by the second. This was good. She was feeling a lot more confident as her little bubble fortified, her at least social safety feeling more assured. She at this point had enough trust in Ares to not rat her out unless someone paid him, and at that point she couldn't blame him. Money was money, and he seemed to be willing to sell out people he cared a lot about for less than a dollar a piece. Even knowing the possible risks, she felt this whole thing was more than worth it. \n\nThe black of night encased them like a speckled cocoon, Danica feeling the absence of the sun's glow like something palpably missing, as if a warm cat had just jumped off her lap. Faint whispers of it crested from far off shores, but the distance felt like running down a hallway in a dream. She noticed now that if she reached, called, it would answer as if in rhythm with her own heart, pulsing through the air like blood through her veins or a river to the woods. It had all been such a quick thing, but she noticed more and more how it had Always Been there to some capacity. The only difference now was the fog was cleared, the muck cut away, the clog removed. It was all a little overwhelming at times. She couldn't tell if she liked the silence or dreaded it. Either way, she didn't have the time to mourn. \n\n\"You're very thorough. That's good.\"\n\nAres was getting just about the most silver platter treatment Danica had on offer, complimenting him in the matter-of-fact way she often did. Usually people didn't very well understand what she meant by things, but she had decided long ago that was no issue of hers. She said what she meant and it wasn't her job to make sure she was adding enough soft filler words to make it all cushy for people. She took the nickname in stride, not generally caring what people called her. Even \"Danica\" How most said it wasn't her real name.\n\n_ _\n\"Do you know who the user Bone-afied is? Anything you know. And then tell me about yourself. I'm also interested in these... Angels. Any other major events or \"Backhands\" Of the facility too.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Why thank you.\" Ares opened one eye, and flashed one of his troublesome smirks. It almost gave the illusion that he was winking before he returned to his resting position. His voice was gravely and confident, it sounded like the sizzle and crack of a lit matchstick, and flowed through his sharpened teeth with the same consistency of poison honey. \n\nThe calm of the night carried on above them in tandem with the lack of birdsong. Ares had gotten used to the annoying chirp and hum of the wildlife outside of his window, but the quiet that fell when the sun left was still his all time favourite. \n\n\"Oh? Her? I don't know her name. Amelie? Maybe? She is super fucking ill from what I've seen. Constantly talking about how she is in the hospital, or coming back from it. Ive seen Valio call her The sick girl. Its interesting, I don't think people see her for anything else.\" Ares seemed unaffected despite going with a rather sad choice of words. \"She also doesn't like me and is such an asshole. As you can guess, a Lot Of people don't like me. Thats not My Problem though, I couldn't care less.\" He shrugged once more before opening his eyes at Danica's next few words. \n\nAres raised a brow, and looked at her for a second. \"About me? What do you need dirt on yours truly as well?\" He snickered. \n\n\"Well, if you must know. Me, Ares Morales, can explode shit.\" \n_ _\n\nAres threw himself upwards with a grunt, and returned his posture to a hunched over position. He was sitting upwards now, resting his elbows on his knees. The boy would never turn down an opportunity to show off. \n\nAres turned his palm upwards, the lighter coloured flesh was decorated with rough callouses and bandages alongside dried blood on some of his fingers. Within a few seconds, a small firecracker explosion set off in his palm. It was bright orange, and lit up the roof with a blink of light. It was warm for a second, then it disappeared into the summer night with the wind. Ares turned to look at Danica, a rather prideful smirk on his face. \n\n\"Of course, they can be a Lot Bigger than that, but you get the idea.\" He fell back downwards onto the concrete with a thump. \"I can also make smoke and I'm immune to explosions. I haven't really tested that out, but so far I have yet to be burned.\" \n\nThe way Ares spoke made it clear he didn't Actually Know a lot about his powers. They had come quick and taken him completely by surprise not even a couple weeks before he was shipped off to Swedish hell like livestock. The boy would never let anyone know this of course, if anyone asked he was incredibly strong and sure of himself. He definitely believed this. \n\n\"Im from California, and I'm Puerto Rican. I speak Spanish, and I play guitar. I think school is dumb, and I hate being here. Satisfied?\"\n\nAs Ares stretched his arms behind his head once more, the muscles in his torso pulled tight against his hoodie. He always hated the feeling, and felt frustration bubble under his skin at the thought of the facility. \n\n\"Well cmon then, what about you, princess? Whats Your Freak story.\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica hummed lightly at his description of Amelie, stitching together the little bits she had already garnered but just couldn't quite place a name to. Amelie seemed kind of odd to her, blunt and to the point but formal and quite the provider. Deep pockets, or at least she assumed so. Headstrong terminal servant Was what came to mind. Aside from that, Dani actually found the bluntness refreshing. She thought it good when people didn't pad their words. \n\n\"I simply want to know all you'll tell.\"\n\nShe mused dryly, her slender fingers tapping away incessantly. She paused though as Ares got up, her clear hazel stare turning to him. The dull blue glow of her laptop screen reflected on her eyes as she watched carefully. Does he intend to demonstrate? Though she'd seen a few people utilise their abilities in passing, it felt like something entirely different to truly see it head on. \n\nIn Ares' palm, a Crack Pounded fast and quick just after a flash of light like a firework on new years, the burst settling on the air with singed and crackling edges. It was there and then it was gone, but the sharp, prickly scent of gunpowder lingered for a good moment after. Or at least it was something Like Gunpowder, and there was something about that explosion that was Like A firecracker, but Dani couldn't help but feel it differed from the shitty fireworks she'd let go on broken concrete many times before. It wasn't in any way she could directly place, or in any way that was even slightly obvious, but it just seemed to be Ares'. That sounded right. Probably. Danicas eyes fell to his hands while he explained further, her tapping starting right back up again. \n\n\"Жесть-\" She mumbled under her breath.\n\"Impressive. Very.\"\n\n_ _\nShe jotted down the messy remainder of what else he gave, recognizing the conservative way he went about describing himself. Made sense. She nodded once to indicate that that was indeed enough.\n\n\"Mm. Danica Belyaeva. Born Russian, coming from New York. Figure skater. Seventeen. As for my... Abilities, I deal in the sun. Light.\"\n\nThough it had only really been a month since Danica had exploded in that arena, she'd been slowly figuring out that that blast wasn't just a one off thing, and she had much more control once she put her mind to it. Suspecting she'd need to do a little show too, she let out a prickly breath and turned her attention to the light of her screen. Something told her she could save the more impressive things for another time. She didn't need to put all her cards on the table just yet. \n\nAdjusting to be sitting more upright, she sprawled her fingers before the light, feeling its illuminating reflections moving with a quiet, uniform drum. She found unnatural light to be much less alive than the sun, its standardized hum something almost robotic. In many ways it made it both more cooperative and a nightmare to direct. It was straight forward and took well to instructions, but did nothing to work with her. No unnatural light had made any efforts to come to her as kin. \n\nFeeling her fingertips along the hum, she sapped all the light from the screen and keyboard, calling it to a sphere between her focused hands. She hadn't deactivated the device at all, but had merely taken and manipulated its light. The white-blue glow hovered for a moment like a perfect shelless bulb before Danica cast it back out with a light opening of her hands, letting it dissipate back to the screen. She shook her open hands slightly for emphasis. Jazz hands. \n\n\"Tada.\" Moving on.\n\n\"Next I'd like to know about these Angels.\"\n\nShe was bare bones and to the point when talking about herself, and seemed at least a Little Half assed with her display of power. It was less a display per se and more just a fun party trick with how she presented. Either she really was that lame or she didn't really feel like pulling out any stops." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Russian? You drink Vodka and shit then?\" \n\nAres snickered lightly. He remained pulled back against the roof, his dark eyes covered by his eyelids. At the mention of power, he opened his eyes with a raised brow. This kind of information was important, as proven today. He told himself to keep a note on anything she showed him, but it was second nature. \n\nAs Danica pulled an orb of light out of her glowing laptop, Ares couldn't help but feel a little bit impressed. The particles of light swirled against the dark sky and illuminated the area surrounding the two with a soft glow. Useful. A flashlight? Ares wondered if alongside the harnessing of light, Danica could also harness the Heat That came with it. Especially if her powers were sun related, it was a safe assumption. Ares would remember that. \n\n\"So, a glorified flashlight? Wonderful display.\"\n\nA small scoff like laugh left his chest after he was finished speaking, and the same bastard smirk pulled on his features. Ares couldn't deny he thought her power was indeed interesting, but hell if he would ever Tell Her that. Another profile formed in Ares' tornado of a brain. If anyone asked, and could pay the price, Danica would be another person on his information shitlist. \n\n\"Oh angels? Well honestly I don't know much about them either.\" Ares pulled himself upwards once more, sitting with his elbows against his knees comfortably. \"From what I know, they attacked the facility a while back. There are three main ones? Or more? Finley told me about it. Its why curfew exists.\" His voice spelt annoyance. \n_ _\n\n\"What I do know, is that they have mind control powers, and weapons that can give you permanent wounds. I don't remember who it was, but someone got cut with one of their knives, and it never closed. Thats not even the worse part, like I mentioned they have mind control powers right, and can pretty much possess people.\" Ares recounted the experience the best he could, but even He Couldn't deny it was blurry in places. He wasn't exactly the most involved, and hearing things secondhand from Finley only told him so much. \n\n\"And then, Margo and Mattias went missing. Kidnapped by the angels. I dont know what happened to Mattias, but apparently he was in there longer than Margo.\" Ares shrugged. \"The weird part though, is that while the two of them were missing, an angel by the user Marblewing got into the intranet and sent a picture of a tower from the industrial district. Me and Valio were going to go investigate, but Margo came back before we could. Its strange, because the intranet is a closed forum used only by people at Newtons Cradle. I wonder how the angel got in.\" His voice trailed off, he was obviously thinking about something. With a small shake of his head, he picked back up the pace. \n\n\"I still have a screenshot the picture, and I'm tempted to go and find the tower by myself.\" A part of him was painfully curious. Ares was always curious, and being handed thousands of open ends on a silver platter made him want to dig deeper. Despite knowing it was incredibly dangerous.\n\n\"Oh, and according to everyone I asked, they aren't immune to fire and explosions. Therefore, I'd be a pretty useful addition when fighting them.\" Ares put on a dramatic display of flexing his muscles before lowering them with a quiet laugh.\n\n\"But again, like I said, if you want more knowledge and conspiracies you should talk to Finley.\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica scoffed lightly at him, a sound that could also have been taken as a chuckle depending on what speed you played it back. The soles of her shoes shifted against the grainy sloped floor, the little bits of sandy concrete rubble scratching lighty in the night. A cool breeze rustled past the overgrown ivy. Here they were sheltered from the view of any windows or the central courtyard, but could see as the buzzing lights below were shut off for the night. \n\n\"Mhm. Lots.\" \n\nShe mused dryly with a raised brow before continuing to work through her different notes. She was quite pleased with her answer to Ares' questioning, knowing full well whatever he knew could and probably eventually would be spread to others. The whole thing was kept bullet-note brief, roughly only relaying back to him mirrored information from his answers. Even her display of abilities was a gross understatement of what she could really do. She wasn't sure she'd be able to recreate what she'd done at the arena on a whim, but she was at least confident she could get close. Practice would have to be done for that soon. \n\n\"Thank you.\" \n\n\nShe spoke sarcastically with a low drawl at Ares' Vibrat Recount of her little light show, rolling her eyes slightly before returning to her screen. Her ears pricked and she opened a new tab as he started explaining what was going on with these \"Angel\" People. Considering the boy before her had just summoned an explosion with his bare hands, it didn't seem too far off that they would actually be angels.\n\n_ _\nClack, clack, clack. Danica listened intently, the well of starter information sounding so much deeper than anything she expected to be here. She'd thought it'd be more like a veterans home than anything else, certainly nothing like a place where people could get kidnapped and their peers could plan to rescue them. What in the goddamn hell? Her brow furrowed with focus while she typed manically, there was absolutely no doubt she'd need to find people who knew more. She Had To know more. At least if Ares had a chance at fighting them with his abilities, maybe she could too. The kind of blasts she could work on were at the Least Comparable to a flamethrower. Hm.\n\n\"Is there anyone else who knows anything?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares didn't notice what Danica took of the entire situation. She seemed unaffected, despite her pace increasing. Ares for once, was in his head. He furrowed his brow, while thousands of thoughts rushed through his mind. This wasn't unusual for him, his brain normally sounded like bees hyped up on drugs, but it always annoyed him when it was for reasons such as these. \n\n\"Well, Valio is one. She was with me when Margo went missing, and I think she knows more then she lets on...\" Ares paused. \"But good luck getting her to tell you anything, i've never seen her answer questions related to the angels. I wouldn't bother with her.\"\n\nHe mindlessly chewed on the inside of his mouth between thoughts. All of this recounting information, and explanations made Ares think about what was actually going on. The whole storm had calmed down, since the two had returned, but Ares could feel like it couldn't have just ended so quickly. The urge to go to the tower itched in his mind, and has been for less than a month now, despite no new information on the angels coming out. He had to figure things out for himself, but he also wasn't in the mood to play hero. \n\n\"Next is Margo of course, she was fucking Kidnapped By the angels... But she hates the both of us so I doubt she'll tell us anything. Although, I could ask Finley to get that information for me, if you'd like.\" Ares didn't know Margo's stance on Finley, but it was worth a shot. \n\n\"Uriel is next, Margo's roommate. Surprisingly. I'm not actually sure what they know, but they put themselves in a fucking coma when the two went missing and share a dorm with the bitch who got kidnapped so it would be worth a shot to ask them. As well as Mattias, but I don't see them around much.\"\n\nAres looked over at Danica finally, surveying the notes on her laptop then looking at her expression. Her brow was furrowed like his own, clearly she was just as curious as he was. \n_ _\n\n\"The last people that came to my mind are the faculty but I doubt they'll tell you shit. In fact, I wouldn't recommend going to them. Im one hundred percent certain they are working against us. Like, yknow the angel I mentioned in the intranet? They were banned by the admin near Seconds After posting the picture. Thank god I was able to get a screenshot of it but... It's strange, is it not?\"\n\nAres adjusted his pose and leaned back slightly on his palms. His dark amber eyes raised upwards. The night held heavy above them, and clear crisp stars danced against the dark. \n\n\"I think asking people questions can only do so much. I want to go to the tower myself.\" He scoffed. \"Finley said I shouldn't though.\" \n\nHe looked over at Dani once again, a slight tease on his features. \"You don't talk much, y'know that.\"" }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "\"Yes. Try and get Finley to do that.\"\n\nDanica nodded curtly as he listed off people, jotting down anything and everything. Of course the faculty wouldn't be of any help. Maybe they didn't want people to get involved at all, which made sense, but fuck like Danica had Ever Left her safety and trust in others. She wasn't a child anymore, and she hadn't been for far longer than she probably should have. Either she looked into things with her own two hands or she would take everything with a grain of salt. Having her pepper spray confiscated left an even more sour taste in her mouth than it did before. Bastards.\n\n\"I do.\" \n\nThe ivory-haired girl knew full well she said little in comparison to others. If she didn't have anything valuable to say, then she generally found no use in speaking at all. \n\nThe buzzing Whr Of summertime crickets and frogs from the tall grass on campus wafted on the air, the almost silent ambient sound cooing sweetly through haze. Danica looked up at Ares as he spoke more, watching as he accentuated everything with lively hands. He certainly was quite the explosive person to watch speak, fitting his paranormality almost earrily. She typed a bit more before speaking again. \n\n\"I'd go. To the tower.\"\n\nHer hazel gaze turned to his with a serious tilt. \n\n\"Once we learn everything we can and prepare, it should be fine. Enlightening, hopefully.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares looked at her, and met her serious gaze with a matched level of confidence. A hint of skepticism was visible under his brow. The two of them were on the same level.\n\n\"Your little light power better pack quite a punch princess or you're going to get your ass beat. You're like? What? 5'4?\" He snickered. \n\nAlthough the two held the same amount of stubbornness, it was impossible to ignore how much Ares outweighed Danica physically. She wasn't weak by any means, but sitting next to Ares \"Bastard\" Morales she looked... Small. His tan skin pulled around large muscles, and his height was only one thing lending to his intimidating demeanour. He wasn't the tallest, but tall Enough To be impressively strong for seventeen almost eighteen year old boy. Not only did he have a solid workout routine, he had experience. Ares had broken his knuckles open on the faces of assholes far before the facility. \n\n\"Anyways. There is more we should learn though, thats true. I may be impulsive but i'm not an idiot yknow.\" He smirked. \"I'm unsure how many angels are in that tower. I heard from Margo in passing it was something like fifteen? Maybe more. We don't know. Im confident enough in myself, but cmon two motherfuckers don't stand a chance against that many angels at once.\"\n\nAres sighed in frustration, what Finley had told him made sense. It was a dumb idea to infiltrate the tower but he couldn't help but think about it. Maybe Valio would still be open to the idea, but without someone inside the tower to save it seemed rather pointless. Ares couldn't deny his curiosity though, testing his strength on some unsuspecting angels could be a fun way to spend an afternoon.\n_ _\n\nWith a sigh, Ares stretched his arms outwards. He cracked his knuckles, and pulled his back tight before lowering his arms with a deep grumble. He ran his hand through his hair rather quick, and turned his attention to Danica. \n\n\"Taking a break from the serious talk, how has the facility been treating you so far? You haven't been here very long, yet here you are... Tryna figure everything out.\" \n\nHis voice was almost teasing, laced with a hint of mockery and curiosity. It wasn't malicious in any sense, and felt like a genuine question. Only coming from Ares, Genuine questions Always sounded slightly like jokes." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Of course Ares doubted her, that was only natural. She sure hadn't shown a lot of what she could do, and being able to make it to the roof didn't make you special. The baggy jacket over her shoulders betrayed how muscular she was from years of gruelling figure skating training. Dani certainly wasn't the bulky type like Ares, but she was strong, and she was capable.\n\n\"I know it can. And You're What? 5'6?\" \n\nHer brows raised slightly in amusement, the closest thing she'd done so far to smile. She wasn't the biggest fan of leading on more of what she could do, but she sounded like she knew what she was talking about, and she had a distinct distaste for being thought incapable unless it served her. If Ares knew anything from the brutal way he'd discovered his powers, he'd be able to recognize the look of the same in Danica's eyes. She tried not to let it get to her, and would tell this to noone, but some nights she woke in a frantic sweat, Terrified Of herself. Demon.\n\n\"Hm.\"\n\nShe thought for a moment, jotting a few more things down on the dull blue glowing surface. \n\n\"I could cloak us...\" She muttered to herself before looking up to answer his question.\n\n\"Fine. It's fine. I've been here long enough to be curious. Annoying location. I'll manage. You've been here how long?\" \n\nDanica brushed off his mocking tone with ease, quickly learning that he just sounded like that. Much like how she just Seemed The way she was to people. It wasn't her job to cater to others." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I am six fucking feet tall, Thank you.\"\n\nAres let out a laugh. He took the joke as it was, lighthearted. He was used to jabs at his height and many assumed it made him insecure, but it was the farthest thing from it. He couldn't care less. \n\nListening to her say she knew her power could pack a punch made Ares shrug. He figured she could do more than she showed, which was also true for Ares. Danica would not be wrong to assume all Ares could do was mini firecracker explosions like the one he showed her, but they were both aware of the fact there was Much More the other was not seeing. A part of Ares wanted to see what she could do. Interesting. He normally didn't care. \n\nHe heard her say something under her breath, but decided to bring it back up later. \n\n\"God damn, you are So Straight to the point.\" He groaned and grumbled. \"Do you Ever Have fun?\" Ares looked at her with one raised brow, his expression told her he was convinced she was the most boring, bland person to ever exist. The two were polar opposites in so many ways. \n\n\"Ive been here for... A while? I haven't been counting \" The tone of his voice dripped with annoyance, clearly he hated the many months he's spent here even if he didn't know how many exactly. \"Its fucking terrible here. Im surprised You Of all people think its Fine.\" He surrounded the word Fine With air quotes. The boy didn't believe her. \n\n\"Surely the facility has done something to piss you off, they leave No one Unscathed.\" \n\nThe last bit was clearly playful, and almost sounded like Ares was telling a ghost story. The smirk on his face made this fact clear." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "\"Want a sticker for it?\" \n\nShe snickered again lightly in the same sort of scoffing way. Ares was starting to get to her whether she liked to admit that or not. It was far too early to say anything yet either way. Danica took hard earned time to really acclimatise to people if she ever did. It was either that or Ares would have to literally save her life. Which she heavily doubted would ever happen. \n\nThe blonde appreciated the quiet understanding of withheld information, feeling people who were butthurt by that sort of thing were just impatient and took everything too seriously. They both had reasons. Even just being lazy was reason enough. Despite how clearly opposite they were, Danica and Ares seemed to share solidarity. Understanding. Danica wasn't blind to the value of that. Perhaps they could be decent allies. \n\n\"Nope. Never. I stopped having fun the moment I turned three. It grants clarity. You should try sometime.\" \n\nDanica spoke flatly, her gaze remaining pinned to her screen while she spoke. She Did Have fun, she just perhaps too often let herself be bound to regiment. Danica was certainly capable of having a good time, even to Ares' standards. She'd need to figure out at some point if he knew where to get booze. Cigarettes too. She didn't smoke much but sometimes it helped her figure things out better. Fun habits she'd stolen from her family through keyholes.\n\n\"Hm. Curfew is Bothersome.\" She genuinely sounded like she hated it. Woah! So she does have feelings.\n\n\"Also they confiscated my stuff in the frisk.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Of course I fucking do, the hell?\" He laughed. \"I deserve some recognition for keeping this fantastic figure up.\"\n\nAres finished laughing through a smirk, he was clearly joking. Although, he wasn't Entirely, Ares did in fact believe his figure was fantastic, but he didn't need recognition for it. \n\n\"Oh, that makes a lot of sense.\" Ares very dramatically nodded, as if coming to a grand realization. \"Ill never stop having fun. Its a lot more enjoyable than whatever you got goin.\" \n\nThe way the two spoke contrasted each other more than day and night. Ares blasted through his words like scorching sun and blazing fire, and Danica flowed through her words like smooth stars against moonlight and freezing snow. Despite all of these differences, Ares was having an incredibly good time. It beat doing nothing in his dorm tearing up his fingers on unforgiving guitar strings.\n\n\"Curfew is the worst.\" He grumbled. \"I never listen to it though, I'm not exactly big on Rules.\" Ares was beginning assume Danica was the same, but her cold textbook attitude left a bitter taste in his mouth. \n\n\"They took your stuff?\" A snicker fell out from under his breath. \"You would be smart to sneak in any items After The initial search.\" \n\nAres reached into the pocket of his bulky jacket, and pulled out a black switchblade. He made a show of rolling it over his knuckles, before the sharp blade fell out with a click. The entire knife was black and tactical looking; the light of Danica's laptop reflected against its matte surface. Despite matching the rest of Ares' outfit well, it was one of his less flashy blades. \n\n\"I have more knives than any person needs, yet the faculty doesn't care.\" Ares flipped the knife around in his hand with ease, he clearly knew his way around them well and wasn't scared of getting cut. His dark auburn gaze rose to Danica. \n\n\"What'd they take from you?\" He questioned, not entirely expecting her to answer." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "\"I'll be sure to get that arranged for you Narcissus.\" \n\nDani smirked slightly as she spoke, keeping her eyes locked to her screen. For better or for worse, this boy was proving entertaining. To her at least, she could even call him amiable. She would never tell him, but he was funnier than half the people she'd seen gave him credit for. This would have been something in her Humble Opinion, but truth be told Danica held her opinion any way other than humbly. \n\n\"Your loss. May you die overcrowded and confused.\" \n\nThere was certainly a dichotomy going on with these two and it was as clear as the glass in new windows. Dani was one way, and Ares was another, but despite this they got along pretty damn well. Whatever way they acted and whatever personalities they had, they seemed to just work; like they had some kind of unspoken understanding or common grounds, just looked at from the different sides of a glass. I wonder, what exactly does this shared glass hold? \n\n\"Mm. I find rules often... Unproductive. Best cherry-picked for convenience.\" \n\nShe rolled her eyes at his comment about sneaking things in after the search. Though Danica genuinely cared about very little, she found jabs at her methods to be unpleasant. Whatever. It'd have to slide. Her hazel gaze flicked up when he pulled the knife, watching him as he made a spectacle of manoeuvring the thing about. She could well do with one of those, especially with this whole angel business. She wasn't actually sure how helpful it would be, but she always felt better with something for defence. Spending so much time living in cities basically on her own had given her a healthy shot of concern for personal protection. Her pepper spray had been taken but she Was Able to bring extra door locks. \n\n\"Hm.\"\n\n_ _\nShe could certainly respect someone with an arsenal, and she'd always been interested in blades. Usually they came to her strapped to her feet, but that wasn't the start or end of her interest. Ares seemed to have a lot of experience fiddling with the things.\n\n\"Pepper spray. Apparently it's Unsafe.\" \n\nShe said the last bit with an annoyed emphasis." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"So we agree... Hm. Didn't take you for the type.\" He said with a shrug. \"Rules are the worst.\" \n\nThe words fell out of his mouth with a grumble. Ares almost sounded comically defiant. Pouncing on any chance to break a rule or prove someone wrong like a tiger that hadn't eaten in months. He leaned hard into every and any stereotype that had been pinned on him, he clearly didn't mind being known as a delinquent. If anything, he revelled in the fact. Being who he was brought him pride, he knows he is cool. And of course, what was the point in trying to be anything better when life is such a shit show. \n\nThe boy looked at Dani with a scowl. Clearly not directed at her, but at the facility. It made sense Why She wouldn't be allowed pepper spray, but why was he allowed Knives? Maybe the staff just hadn't found out yet. Another score on Ares' end. They rarely found out anything, he must be better than he thought... Or they don't care. \n\n\"You big on self defence? Makes sense.\" He snickered. \"Or is there a different reason for you bringing pepper spray.\" The tone of his voice sounded like he was genuinely curious, but masking it with a teasing front like always. \n\nThe knife he was holding wasn't one of his favourites, he had another exactly like it. Looking down at his hand, the light reflecting off the blade, an idea popped into his mind. One that confused him, why on earth would he think something like that? His brow twitched as it furrowed further, before he turned back to Dani for a response." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "\"You wouldn't take me for many things.\" Danica said it as if it were a simple fact.\n\nHer words were not aimed to insult Ares' perception in any way, she knew he was far too clever for that by now. One could suppose she'd said it out of arrogance, believing herself to be elusive in ways others were not. That wasn't right either. Danica shrugged it off as simply knowing herself to be someone often steered clear of, and thus never really got to Know. Many presumed her a prude who would scoff at delinquency and stuck to rules like the bible. She was one to scoff, but that was more a general trait than a directed attack. \n\nThe Russian took note of how passionate Ares seemed on rules. How passionate he was about defying them. The hatred in his voice was almost something out of a cartoon, a harsh caricature of disdain to the point she could almost see his whole head going cherry red and his fist clenched in resentment. Ares seemed to be nothing if not set in his ideals, and Danica had to admit she respected that. If there was one thing Danica appreciated, it was someone who knew what they valued. It didn't matter to her what that value was. \n\n\"I'm big on independence.\" She said flatly.\n\"The city isn't some safe heaven.\"\n\nThe last bit fell off her tongue as if a mantra she had been telling herself for years. Of course there were spots that were more than safe, but she needed the freedom to move wherever she chose whenever she chose. In her books, awareness and informed caution were commandments. It was important to her to be able to do whatever she damn pleased, and she didn't really care what she had to do to allow herself that. If she all of a sudden needed to start packing around a gun tomorrow, she wouldn't waste time being squeamish, she'd just learn to shoot.\n\n\"I'll figure something out. Why do You Keep weapons?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I'll be sure to keep an open mind Nena.\" He sneered sarcastically with a grin. Clearly he would be doing no such thing. The nickname tacked on the end was Spanish, and the boy's accent came out full force when spoken. It wasn't exactly the most Respectable Nickname, but what did Dani know. \n\nDanica was smart to not underestimate his perception. Ares simply had high standards for what he personally deemed important. He simply chose not to listen all the time, and yet despite that he has a shocking memory. A skill he had trained from being the centre of every argument and petty drama the bastard children back in California could throw at him. Rumours floated through the halls of his school in hushed whispers and half baked conclusions, and he collected them all. It Always Came in handy later. \n\n\"Ah is that so? I mean, for someone like you it definitely isn't.\" Ares set his elbow up on his knee and leaned his chin into his palm. Of course the city wasn't safe for someone like her. Ares knew, especially because of his sister, that he had an advantage here. Being a nearly six foot tall muscular man with the same snarl as a feral dog, he knew people wouldn't dare to harass or bother him. Unlike Danica. Ares could see the muscles that wrapped themselves around her arms under her jacket, but still. She wasn't the most physically intimidating.\n\nAs he sat there, the knife in his hand twirled mindlessly. The idea in his mind pestered at him, how annoying. \n\n\"I keep knives because they are Cool. Self defence with a knife is a weak mans solution. If I need to beat someone up, i'm using my hands.\" \n\nThe tan boy moved his hand off of his chin, and showed the back of his hand with a smirk in a twisted and proud display. His knuckles were scarred and rough, they had seen blood and had broken the noses of many people, and this fact was obvious. Ares snickered condescendingly and returned his head to his palm. \n_ _\n\n\"I guess thats bad advice for you.\" He looked down at the midnight black knife in his hand, then back up at her. \n\nWith a satisfying click, the blade flicked back into the handle. Ares rolled it over his knuckles once more before letting it fall back into his hand, the handle facing Danica. He extended his arm outwards to her, his hand was open as if he was giving it to her on a silver platter. The expression on his face was curious, but at the same time his brow was furrowed in anger and his mouth was pulled up into an almost mocking smirk. It was impossible to tell was he was feeling or thinking, yet a hand holding a knife was pointed at her in a shockingly friendly invitation.\n\n\"Take it if you're so worried. The staff wont get on your ass about it if you don't go stabbing bitches for no reason.\" Ares' tone was flat, but still managed to retain that same bastard flow." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "Danica scoffed lightly at the word she couldn't recognize, but only really grumbled due to the fact that she also insulted people in Foreign Dialects all the time. There was a slight satisfaction to her in speaking as comprehensively as possible and yet people still staring at her without an ounce of understanding. A lot of the time in America, as long as she was speaking Russian, Danica had the freedom to say whatever she damn pleased. хитрая сука She mumbled. She rolled her eyes at him with a smirk, her head tilted down and glued mostly to her screen. \n\nShe knew what he was saying was true, but her nose still scrunched a little sourly. Someone like me? Хрен с ним. Danica knew better than anyone the kind of precautions she took, but that didn't mean she didn't hate the fact she had to take them. People should learn to keep their noses to the ground and their hands to themselves. \n\nThe girls eyes peeked up from her screen as he displayed his hand, the ropes of scars showing someone who knew how to let their bite match their bark. It also showed someone reckless and aggressive, but that was neither here nor there. Passion and a little impulsivity could go far in a pinch. Danica respected bragging rights. His condescending laugh made her snicker though. The For you Made her roll her eyes again. She could gauge he didn't mean it as it sounded, at least not fully, but it was no wonder this dude was able to get into so many fights in the first place. Morales was one hell of a character, and Danica could appreciate that better than most.\n\n_ _\n\"Uhn-huh.\" She said drily with a curled lip. \n\nDanicas face flashed an odd mix as he held the blade to her, her eyes flicking from the handle, to him, and back again. She looked simultaneously sort of like a puzzled fox trying to cheat a trap for some dinner, and an unaffected subject waiting for something to happen. What kind of snapping mechanism would rain down on her should she take the bait? Danica was learning quickly that she respected Ares, that she saw how overlooked he wrongfully was, maybe that she even saw him in a kind of alliance, but she still was far from trusting him. What was the pay off?\n\n\"What if stabbing people is my only joy in life?\"\n\nShe glanced again at his face.\n\n\"What's the payback? What do you want?\"\n\nIt would be easy for her to just take it, but first Danica wanted to know the terms. If there was anything she hated, it was debt." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "The lack of any sort of emotion aside from confusion on Danica's face nearly made Ares scoff, like a half baked laugh that didn't come out in full. Yet he didn't, because even he was slightly confused. Why was he doing this? Did he even have a reason? Who cared, he surely didn't and it was too late to take back his offer.\n\n\"Then maybe you should've had a knife in the first place if its Such A passion.\" He snickered\n\nHis gaze flicked away from Danica, yet his hand remained open. It wasn't a trap or bait, Ares could only hope she could see it as it was. This gesture of his was to hopefully avoid another enemy, another soft hearted motherfucker that couldn't see past his surface level insults and aggressive attitude. Ares knew Danica better than that, the two had possibilities for a powerful alliance and he knew this. Why pass up something such as that? The knife was a peace offering. Proof he wasn't here to use her for money whenever he felt like talking. \n\n\"Nothing. I don't want jack shit in return. I hate having debts and deals with people. Take the knife or don't, I couldn't care.\" \n\nThe temptation to yank his hand back, shove the knife in his pocket, leave and never come back was Strong. There was a sort of embarrassment in extending an offer of friendship. Friendship. Was that what this was? Couldn't be at all. The two were merely here to exchange information, and sometimes she joined Ares for dumb things but that didn't mean anything. Ares felt his brow furrow, his grin had shifted into an expression that almost read as a scowl ages ago. \n\nAres hated being confused, and Danica didn't make it easier for him. There was intrigue in people such as her, but also frustration. Lots Of frustration. Danica had made him think far too much in the last few hours, he had stretched past his daily quota. How annoying." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "It was a little amusing to watch the boy squirm at things not going how he'd expected them to immediately. If the Russian could do anything, she could silently scrutinise like no other. Verbally too sometimes. Unlike Ares, she wasn't usually one to be the loud asshole, but you could always tell she was judging at least a little. There wasn't any malance to her watching, but a faint smirk ghosted her face. \n\n\"Sometimes I like to get creative.\"\nHer voice had a slight smooth grain to it, the cool and dull words rolling from her throat like a precisely cut block of slate. Danica spoke like grey river rocks and the thick ice cube in the centre of a bar glass. \n\nDespite her hesitance, the Russian categorised this as an offer of truce. Of a deal. Like a contract of allyship, friendship, that Ares was handing her the pen to. Maybe she thought about things too hard, but thinking was something she did well and it was something that served her. She appreciated finding Ares so soon, someone like-minded enough to be an ally. From the others she'd seen so far, finding herself lots of people she didn't want to ignore seemed like wishful thinking she didn't even want to start wishing for. Ares was good enough. He seemed like the kind of person she would have liked back home when she still went to school. Morales was a good egg, at least by her standards. \n\nDanica looked at him a final time with the same Look On her face, flicking her gaze from him to his hand again for good measure. The pads of his fingers looked raw in the strong way, the flats of his palms rough as tough leather even in the dim light. Morales didn't just sit around all day doing nothing and it was apparent. At the very least it didn't look like he was lying about playing guitar in a band, even if it just sounded like it was a couple dumb teenagers right now. Maybe they'd be more one day. Maybe.\n\n_ _\nReaching out, Danicas carefully manicured nails caught the light before landing on the knife, the girl picking it up with a claw of a hand. She flipped it around in her palm, flicking out the blade before trying it on the pad of her thumb, admiring the moon in its metallic surface before flipping it back. It was a good weight to have. It hadn't really hit her how uncomfortable it made her to be without anything, even if she was supposedly a walking fire hazard now. The knife was good. She felt safer. It'd make her trips out to find a good ice rink soon feel better. Having the weapon made her feel normal, and having that here was like a breath of fresh air. \n\n\"Thanks.\"\n\nShe looked at him when she said it, the word feeling somehow more genuine coming from her voice than many others. Ares, if he hadn't already, would soon find Danica didn't say anything thankful often, just as she was rarely ever nice. Whenever she was, you knew she meant it. She gave him a small nod before the knife disappeared into her jacket. I accept your offer. You wont regret it." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Yeah no problem, don't mention it- and don't stab yourself or whatever.\"\n\nAres was feeling Something Pulse under his ribs and reverberate his chest. It was a confusing sensation that filled his buzzing mind with frustration. Was he embarrassed? Confused? He didn't care enough to stick around long enough to figure out. Something about someone getting on with Ares so quickly, and in a way that didn't end in a hissy fit stuck with him. It proved that, maybe there was the slightest possibility he wasn't as sour as everyone had pinned him as.\n\nOf course, he was aggressive and hot headed to a fault. A troubled boy with a tendency for violence and rough scars on his hands to prove his bite was worse than his bark. The kind of kid that would slump against the plush chairs of principal and guidance counsellor offices. Mindless conversations about \"Unfriendly and unwelcome behaviour,\" That left Ares with more suspensions under his belt than he thought was possible. Moral of the story, people do not Like Ares Morales, nor do they even dare to get along with him. \n\nYet, Danica was different.\n\nShe didn't care for the scars on his hand, his petty insults and angry fronts. The way his mouth twisted over sharp teeth with condescending grins. The dark piercings that sat in his tan skin, that made everyone pin him as a delinquent. Ares was the kind of boy that made poor mothers cover their children's eyes, shielding them from whatever Horror Lay beneath his murderous stare. Danica didn't care about any of it.\n\nThe two weren't friends. \n_ _\n\nThey had a long ways to go before they could be considered Friends. Although, they were a fast pair of acquaintances. A solid alliance has been established between them. Both Ares and Danica were fiercely loyal, and seemed to uphold a certain respect for people who shared similar ideals. Ares was smart to extend the knife towards the girl, a symbol of his inclination for at least a somewhat positive bond between the two.\n\nMaybe they would never get close, Ares didn't care. Whatever this was, was better than an enemy. \n\nThe taller tan boy stretched his arms, and lifted his body upwards. He stood against the concrete roof, shoved his hands in his pockets and then looked back at Danica, with a somewhat neutral expression aside from his cocky smirk. Even with his face looking the same as it always did, the rather quick and sudden movement was clear he was looking to avoid what he had just done. \n\n\"Well then, my work here is done.\" He groaned. \"Thanks for the money, message me if you need more info.\" \n\nWith a solid movement, Ares gave an almost mocking salute with a half baked bow as he turned back towards her.\n\n\"See ya around Danica.\" \n\nHe turned, and jumped down over the edge of the roof, landing solidly on a platform a few feet below. Unbothered yet bothered by the interaction. \n\nAres was a difficult person to understand." }, { "author": "mochiizzco", "message": "\"I'm making no promises.\"\n\nAres was certainly making himself out to be someone many weren't too fond of. That wasn't entirely a fault of his own, the boy deserved way more credit than anyone seemed to grant him. He appeared to Danica as someone who did exceptionally on his own terms, but was so few times granted those terms that he was assumed an all around dud. Clearly, a dud was something he was not. Morales was a spark. Morales was a power tool. He was specialised and effective, but no one brought a jackhammer to a ballet. For people like Ares, the systematic paths of youth did him wrong. Danica was intrigued how Home For him differed from this place. She was intrigued to know how he would do once he was an adult. Being properly in the world grants an autonomy he would either use to do something great or something terrible. It wasn't often Danica was hopeful, but maybe he'd be ok. Maybe they'd all be ok, but she felt that was too far. \n\n\"See you.\"\n\nAll she knew for now was the weight of the knife in her pocket felt good, and the equally sharp tool of Ares' allyship felt better. With a salute, he was gone. Pulling a notebook from her bag, Danica started filling in what she'd learned." } ]	482	15,926
424.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "It is a fairly slow day in the gardens. The stink ended a few days ago, so the crowds that had moved to the gardens slowly had left. It didnt means that the gardens were empty... Just that the crowds had departed and left Pythia in blessed peace. He sits in his customary place, against one of the walls on a small ledge big enough for two to sit comfortably facing each other, or for three to sit shoulder to shoulder. His ivory white hair and skin are eye-catching, so he tries to be out of the way as much as possible. His sitting spot is in a small tucked away corner, out of eyeshot from the rest of the gardens and providing a little bit of privacy. It isnt private, but it is better than nothing... And he needed to be outside today. Dark thoughts seemed to clog his room, and he couldnt help but wallow in them while he was there. So he retreated here, his walking stick leaning against the wall to his left as he plays with some cards. The card game had renewed his interest in the cards... Though it had also drained his will to socialize for days after... Thankfully today he had the energy to go outside, rather than just... Well sitting alone in his room or sleeping all day.\n_ _\nHe throws the cards in the air, flicking them up and trying to perfect their arcs so they land in his lap. He can see where they will go before he throws them, so if it looks like they will fly away he just stops himself from throwing them and tries again. Some may call it cheating, but it is a strategy Pythia is so used to it is almost second nature. Simple objects always only had one, or maybe rarely two paths, so it was easy to use them and he didnt have to focus his powers to do so.\n\n_ _\nHe wore his usual dark ensemble, clashing with his pure white skin and hair and silvery gray eyes. His shirt was black, with small pastel lines on the front that curved into different shapes... They go from hearts to flowers to all sorts of things, though the design is faded slightly from years of being worn. He is also wearing tight fitting black jeans that hug his slender stick legs." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Tiredness wasn't a feeling Luce often dealt with. He rarely did. Sleep didn't always come easy to him sure, but it was rare he got any less than a good ten hours, never all at once. Still, his day would be peppered with cat naps and sleeps, often in his room but occasionally out in the garden or in a chair in the common room (on one memorable occasion he found his beauty sleep at the kitchen counter.\n\nHe was fairly fond of napping, so today he was certainly feeling a little out of sorts. Luce hadn't been able to sleep the night before, nor at any point yet during the day, leaving him groggy and frazzled, so it was no wonder that he'd gotten himself turned around in the gardens on the way between buildings.\n\n\"This place is a maze I'm sure of it\"\n\nThe albino grumbled to his counterpart, who murred quietly. He had had the concentration to summon Hydne, but it took a little too much focus to borrow their sight, so for now, they acted more as company than an aid, though they did make a noise of warning before Lucifer could stumble over a rock in their path.\n\nHis mindless wandering was interrupted, however by the familiar snap of, what he assumed, was cards being stacked together, rhythmic and practised for certain. With more effort than usual, Luce let Hydne's sight wash over him, flickering in and out but- yep, definitely someone there. The pale features and white hair narrowed down the potential suspects for sure, he was one of (a surprising number) of albino and white-haired people at the cradle, but the dark clothes and card tricks sparked a feel of familiarity.\n\n\"Hey! Uh- it's Pythia, right? We met at the poker game- the one the other night?\"\n\nHe lost his connection then with a stutter but continued in his stride unbothered, cane tapping against the ground. While he often Did Rely on his abilities, he'd gone long enough stretches without his vision that it was second nature to him, spending more time without it than with.\nHe stopped a short distance as he greeted the other, leaving a couple of metres between the two, close enough for conversation but not too presumptuous if his presence was unwelcome." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia heard the telltale sound of someone approaching, and looked up. His eyes darted over to a cloud of shadows approaching him. He looked within the shadows, trying to guess at its center but missing it by a small distance. It may not be perceptible to Hydne, but Pythia is looking about a foot to Luce's left. He doesnt exactly feel like engaging his powers just yet, the figure approached slowly but stopped before they got close to enveloping him... So he just rested backwards and looked down at his cards. As the cloud spoke, Pythia identified the voice as Lucifer, and he nodded softly. \"Y... Yes... Lucifer...?\" He asks, unsure if he got the name right but feeling like he did. The other boy was very distinctive afterall... The few times he had engaged his powers and seen him, he had stood out. He was another albino... Though they likely reached their aesthetics in different ways... Pythia didnt know how many others there were like them, since he didnt bother concentrating his powers most of the time (they gave him a headache), he knew next to nobody's faces... Only the people he had connected with. He put his hands in his lap, keeping the cards there just in case he came closer and accidentally blinded Pythia. Their powers hadnt really come up during the game, though Pythia remembered seeing a walking stick... And he thought he had heard it when Luce was approaching.\n\nPinging to reopen the thread, dont feel the need to respond. Good luck with exams fren\n\nAnother thread reopen" } ]	461	1,274
325.736842	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "A fresh arrival, her things all put away, the tall Danny was left to her own devices, sort of. The grand adventure didn't feel so adventurous anymore after being found in the woods and dragged here. With Sir Kodiak the bear knight riding in her jean pocket, she explored the outside of the main campus. She honestly felt a little sick at the moment as anxiety took hold of her stomach. A strange place with strange faces.\n\nHer finger idly pet the top of the tiny plush in her pocket, a plea to herself to calm her nerves. Hazel gaze had the building in sight. Knowing the outer structure and layer would likely be helpful later. Familiarity if she can gain such would help ease the nervous fear in her mind. Always she had been good, itnwas the first time guns were pointed at her and now she was here.\n\nShe regretted not insisting she get to take Petunia on this walk with her. She could, it'd ease her more but she was concerned about drawing too much attention. The little Sir Knight of the pocket stayed silent, its eyes seeming to follow their path, a single wire raised from his back to her palm, mostly hidden. He would keep her safe, he was a brave bear! At least that's the personality given to him by Daniella, her fake bravado given life." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "From the distance, something huge could be seen soaring through the air just above the tree line a fair ways away. It flapped its wings once, and it was fully black, but a bit too black, giving it a very cryptid-esque look. After a few seconds it was evident that this thing was no bird, as the first thing that was notable about it was the sheer size of it. The only notable feature that stood out from its inky dark body were the two gigantic eyes staring forwards into the distance.\n\nThe thing began to glide downwards and was getting closer. With each passing second, it looked larger and larger, until it was about fifty meters away, the trip from earliest possible sighting to now being about fifteen seconds.\n\nIt would stick its legs out and begin to flap its massive wings to counteract its momentum, to then slow down and land, which it did quickly after. Many children and teenagers were reasonably frightened by this, and began to either get farther away to give the thing some space, or evacuate to the interior of the nearest building entirely.\n\nOnce it had landed, it would skip a couple of times before finally stopping, looking around to make sure that it didn't cause any actual damage past creating giant divots in the grass. It would confirm this, then look around again, and spot another new face. Earlier it was Connor, now it was... Whoever this girl was. It only stared in silence for a few seconds before turning towards her, the wings being too large to hug snugly against the giant gangly body of... Whoever this was, instead just dangling limply like one's arms normally would.\n\nThe presence od this thing seemed to give the air a very slight chill, a much stronger chill than the one already present or was this a mere psychological effect caused entirely by the viewer's mind?" }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "Were people running? Danny watched as some people seemed to be trying to escape somewhere. Nervous onlookers darting to safety. Was it her, was Danny the scary one? That was the first thought driven in part thanks to her anxiety and new situation she was in.\n\nAlthough a little reasoning after some more people made it inside had her stunned look turn to one of puzzle. It can't be her. They were looking upward. She didn't immediately follow lead, instead she turned and looked up. Enough time to see the giant creature land.\n\nWith the creature staring back at her, Danny froze still. Fight or flight was broken and she had opted for the third option of deer in headlights. Danny's mouth opened a little but nothing more by hushed air came out as a scream couldn't form. Danny had lived a normal life beyond the few incidents she was involved in. This, no this was something very different.\n\nThe lanky woman that was Daniella suddenly became a lot shorter as her shaking knees gave way and she fell to a seated position. Those hazel eyes never left the creature. Instead the smallest creature of them all would intervene. The little bear in Danny's pocket grunted and twisted until he was free of his confinement and jumped to the lap of Danny. He would move his stubby arms to his plush sword made of cotton, velcro ripping apart as he drew the small and false blade.\n\n\"Ye are a fiend, great foe beyond thou in darkness! Ye shall not have this maiden! For I, Sir Kodiak wield the mighty Excalibur!\"\nA very deep manly voice spoke with the accent of Arthurian legends from television shows. The small plush showed no fear unlike his puppeteer.\n\nHis long winded speech ended with him twirling the tiny toothpick length plush blade like a fencer at Yari. He would even grunt out little hoo and hah's as he danced in a fighting stance. Danny meanwhile had begun to move again, her hands gripping at the grass below her, her hips twisted, finally her body was ready to run." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "The creature remained silent, and its head pulled back slightly when the tiny plush bear began to talk, promting it to squint its eyes and crouch down, a breeze coming from it for a brief moment. After a few seconds of watching the bear, a consistent low whistle came from the creature. Was it... Laughing? It was laughing, hah!\n\nThe thing would understand the situation it was causing and then its head made a bobbing motion to the side, essentially confirming to itself that yes, It Had been causing this reaction in both the girl and the bear. \n\nIt began to shrink and sort of, collapse into itself with loud cracking and gross, organic, slimy sounds, until it had all retracted into the form of a small girl, crouched into the same position, but now being about half as tall as Daniella even when both were crouched. She would stare for another second before beginning to slowly roll over towards Daniel, like a dodge-roll from a certain videogame series. She co tinued this until she was within acceptable social distance from Daniella, at which point she fixed her position and remained in that same crouched position, with her hands now on her knees.\n\nShe finally broke the burning, deafening silence, with a simple \"Hi.\" She stuck out her own hand for Daniella to shake, her face remaining completely blank, but even when in the regular form, this girl looked wrong in almost every way, she just had this uncanny, unnerving air to her, probably aided by her unbreaking, unblinking eye contact, both with Daniella and the plush bear." }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "The sudden transformation froze Danny in place for a second time as the sickening noises scared Danny back into place. A girl was all that was left, albeit an unnerving one. Was she somersaulting at Daniella? The mind raced, unable to keep up with this happening. There was far too much here to go on.\n\nAt least Danny viewed it as somersaulting, despite the motions. When the girl stopped, it left Danny looking down now. Hazel eyes wide and staring. Pupils practically pinpoint at this moment due to the fear. Silence reigned supreme as neither Danny nor the life given plush could think of an immediate response to all this.\n\nAs the strange girl spoke a word, the Bear turned to Danny looking up at her. He stuck the velcro blade back at his side and exclaimed in proud victory,\n\"I have vanquished our foe and turned them back into a beautiful princess! For I am Sir Kodiak, the bearer of...\",\nHe was cut off as Danny snagged his plush head. Muffled yells from her hand as she covered where his mouth was.\n\n\"Uh, yes, hi?\"\nConfused, still panicked, unsure of everything. How would one be able to truly react? For the moment, Danny quieted the Knight easily to avoid getting in a worse situation with his big mouth.\n\"I am uh, Daniella. My family calls me Danny.\"\n\nThe squirming plush would break out of the fingers that bound him.\n\"Nonsense, this her Highness, Queen Daniella of th..\",\nBoth hands now stuffed the squirming bear down.\n\"Please don't hurt him, or me, he's just loud.\"\nDespite this new form, the new size difference, Daniella still felt all was off. Especially when this girl didn't blink. Danny was trying to be polite in mix with fear. She never lost gaze with Yari though, caution at its highest for Danny." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She stared at the two until she cpuldnt bear it any longer. Not that she was uncomfortable with the silence, it was just a bit annoying to have to force a response, but then the girl spoke, and her irritations were alleviated quickly. She watched Daniella fail to silence the bear and block ot from speaking in general, and found the situation humorous.\n\n\"Danny. Okay, I'm Yari. Yarimiel.\" She retracted her hand, seeing as it wasn't shaken. She looked Daniella up and down quickly, just to get a better look at her general outfit and look. After this, she adressed her fear-induced concerns. \"Oh, no, you seem nice. I won't bite, not you or the bear at least- haHaa.\" Her voice was surprisingly gentle, yet had deep undertones to it and it definitely seemed like the type of voice to intimidate had it not belonged to this tiny lass. \"The bear is funny, can I hold it?\" She holds her hand out again, if denied, she'd make the arm go limp.\n\nShe Was Mildly flattered by the bear calling her a 'beautiful princess', it made the infant within her giggle, but she also thought that, compared to the giant bird thing, she was a massive improvement, which added a hole to the glee, but did not dampen it." }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "Danny wore simple casual wear. Jeans that had adorned her legs and a baby blue windbreaker jacket over a white t-shirt. She wasn't really fond of the cold here. Her shoes were simple beige yellow sneakers. Daniella didn't look like she came from wealth, nor poor. She was taken care of. Her skin was proper, her clothes bearing little wear and tear.\n\nOnce Yari retracted her hand from the situation, Danny actually felt a little relief. The caution in her brain made her feel like prey even before such a small girl. Although Yari did start to speak and even introduced herself. Danny's breathing had begun to calm from more quick panicked breaths as the situation seemed to ease. Although Yari specifically mentioning biting was strange. Why biting?\n\nDanny wasn't going to ask at this juncture however. Danny looked at the hand that came before her. Shakily, her hands brought forth the bear. As if she expected Yari to snatch the small plush. The bear however seemed most pleased to be released from his hand prison.\n\nDanny slipped him into Yari's extended palm, in which the wire travelling ending at the outside of her right forearm became very evident. The wire itself leads to the bear's back into his fake suit of plush knight armor. The bear's tone was unlike Danny's, he was confident as he spoke,\n\"As previously stated, I am Sir Kodiak, princess Yarimel I take it?\"\n\nHe would put his left stubby arm to his stomach and right stubby arm stretched out to make a display of himself bowing his head. Feeling his texture and weight, one could immediately tell he was a simple plush toy.\n\nDespite the bear showing no fear, Danny did. Unease on her face, concern for a simple toy. He would stand straight if allowed in Yari's palm before declaring once more,\n\"I am the Chief Knight General, I am pleased to make your acquaintance m'lady, alas you may be smitten with me but I must remain dutiful to my queen\".\nDanny was obviously embarrassed, at this point wanting to strangle the bear herself. His antics were a bit cartoonish. Danny would finally try and get a word in,\n\"I, uh, made him when I was little, he's a little silly. Don't mind him. He's just speaking how he thinks he should.\"\nA simple explanation of the bear's outlandish personality." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"I like him, he's funny.\" She would gently cup her hands over him and begin to careds him much like one would any pet or thing they find cute. Even if he didn't like it, she liked the texture of the bear, so she just kept at it for a good fifteen seconds. \"Indeed I am.\" She knew the bear felt no fear, but even when clearly entertained, her face remained flat and emotionless. She then looked up to Danny with only her eyes. \"I think that's pretty cool. You'll get used to people having powers here, but I doubt you'll find anyone like me, I know the effects I can have on people, I just have to come to terms with it even if it becomes hard at times.\" Even her hands were odd. They looked aged, squarish and knobbly with very pornounced knuckles yet overall slim hands. \"So I'm guessing your power is... Making objects come alive? I see no other interpretation to this.\" She then picks up the plushie by the neck and rotates it, spotting the string that led back to the girl. \"I see now. This must be the connection. I'll let you have your brave knight back.\" She hands the bear back to Danny and stands up straight. \"Come on, now, do you really want to stay on the ground?\" She held out a hand for Daniella, but knew that Daniella might be too heavy for Yari to reasonably hold up with just her own strength body weight, so with this information, Yaro just assumed Danny would take it as a simple gesture of kindness rather than an actual offer of help. \"Danny's a nice name. Unexpected, but I like it. You from the U.S., right?\" She asked quickly." }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "The Bear imbued with his personality was the embodiment of chivalry, bravery and knighthood. At least according to cartoons, shows and books Danny had read. The bear responded to the pets independently, uncaring to Yari's looks. He wasn't given life to judge anyone based on looks, and he certainly seemed to enjoy being rubbed on his helmeted head despite it being simple plush. Perhaps some were brave enough to face Yari, but the bear that looked up at her couldn't know fear. For Kodiak, he was a pure imagination given life.\n\nDanny would listen to the younger and smaller Yari, she spoke confidently enough for Danny to understand that despite the age gap, Yari understood this place better.\n\"Well they aren't alive per say..., but sort of. They have to be connected.\"\nDanny couldn't even half explain her powers without some conversation going into how they were imagined characters. A little embarrassing for a twenty year old to be talking about how she envisioned the toys she kept from youth. It was a glimpse into Danny's childish nature after all.\n\nThe bear being handed back, Danny rested him on her shoulder where he took a seat and clung to her jacket. Danny didn't take Yari's hand. Unease still reigned in her body, plus the sheer height difference didn't help. Danny was still a little afraid however, despite her extended little guardian's behavior. Danny managed to stand herself fine enough, patting off some loose grass.\n\n\"U.S.?\",\nA brief pause as Danny tried to collect her thoughts for a moment.\n\"Oh, no I am from Italy. I watched a lot of American cartoons while growing up!\"\nA little excitement in the subject was there, Danny enjoyed such entertainment.\n\"I have never left the country until now. Where are uh, you from?\"\nDanny hesitated asking where Yari was from, expecting some strange response like 'hell' or 'the endless chasm'." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She found some solace in the bear's behavior. Programmed to know no fear and face all danger with steadfastness, the olden accent it had added to the whimsicality of it. A small smirk appeared in her face. \"Makes sense. Imbued with life upon contact... Cool, cool cool.\" \n\nIt wasn't exactly hidden that Danny still didn't trust the girl, but to be fair she also didn't make herself very socially appealing either, she sort of ditched the whole thing not too long ago. She blinked, finally.\n\n\"Italy, huh? That's fun, I'd ask what it's like there but I don't want to hear that specific thing at this specific moment for reasons unknown to me. I never got to watch much growing up, but I've seen a few cartoons on the internet, they're fun...\" With every word on the topic of childhoods, she seemed to grow slightly more distant before snapping back to the conversation, and thus, reality.\n\n\"I am from the distant, lawless, unholy land of...\" She spoke dramatically, crouching and taking in a faux alert body language before her tone went flat again. \"Puerto Rico.\" She stood up straight again. \"Not much to say about ny life there due to... Circumstances. Although, a notable feature is the constant heat, so over here I feel like I'm constantly on the verge of getting hypothermia or some shit at any time past sundown. Temperature shock had me down for the first couple days after getting here, too.\"" }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "Danny watched the eyelids move, so Yari did blink. That was oddly comforting to know there was a human being of some sort here. Although strange behavior would soon come back. Yari didn't want to hear about Italy? Perhaps the subject was boring to her.\n\nDanny still felt it was weird in the way Yari phrased it. Reasons unknown, was something Danny didn't know how to respond to. Thankfully the subject wouldn't remain. Danny even smiled a little as Yari mentioned she had watched s few cartoons. Although it seemed like she was becoming distsant.\n\nAlthough Danny wasn't sure where to begin or end, let alone dive deep into the psychology of someone she did not really know. The dramatic display of her announcing she wss from Puerto Rico had Danny smiling a little at least. Yari was strange and scary but not too awful it seemed. Although Danny wasn't entirely sure where that was, but consideting the nature of the name, it narrowed the region down in her mind along with the context of heat.\n\"It is very, very cold here. I had Petunia hugging me so I could stay warm when I first got here.\"\n\nDanny realized Petunia wasn't here, and such was necessary to explain.\n\"Oh, Petunia is my big bear, she likes to hug, and she's weighted, she uh... Is very nice.\"\nDanny trailed off, trying to contain her little excitements in her interests and what she cared about.\n\"I think you'd like Petunia, I'll introduce you sometime. She makes really good tea and cooks well!\"\n\nIn reality, Danny cooks well, and she knew some good teas. They could only function off the knowledge Danny had. Although for Danny, Petunia had always been a caretaker character in her mind.\n\"If I may ask, why are you flying around?\"\nBack to a slightly nervous tone with Danny as if she asked a question she shouldn't." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "So far, she liked Daniella. Danny was nice, a bit jumpy but it was nothing here or there, since she understood where the jumpiness came from, guessing that Danny was sheltered or used escapism as a coping mechanism a lot. She really had to stop psychoanalyzing people, it got really annoying even to herself.\n\n\"I usually just wear snuggly shit day-round, plus its all I have.\" She replied flatly.\n\nOnce talk about Daniella's other bear, she seemed interested again. \"I'd like to meet it at some point, sounds wonderful.\" Her stone face would shift a bit when she mentioned food, good food. She raised an eyebrow, and for once began to express some actual emotion. \"I'm sold.\"\n\n\"I met another kid a few hours ago and decided to take him to the forest. We got to a river then took him to a lake as that giant bird thing, he makes himself fly with gravity, I think. Anyway, after that I just chilled at the lake and found returning as the bird far more convenient than taking the hour-long walk back to here.\" She explained quickly and concisely, giving some context to fill in any gaps that the rrasoning may have had without it. \n\n\"I just do things like that out of convenience, just fly off until I can barely see this place, then land and fuck around until I get bored, the cold makes it easier to stay outside for longer since there's no blistering heat all the time making me exhausted by just doing that.\" Her words were sound, confident, but not the leader-confident, she was just very sure about what she was saying, as if she'd answer any question asked to her without hesitation." }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "The conversation was improving, flowing even. A bit surprising to see this girl that was a monstrous creature not too long ago was beginning to warm up to Danny. At least, that'e what Danny thoughy when food got Yari more involved. Answers were given as well as to why Yari was in the form Danny had seen. Yari wasn't bad at all.\n\n\"That makes sense I guess.\"\nIf Danny could fly around, she'd likely do the same. Danny's mind pictured a giant paper plane or some such, she didn't know how to fly. Although gliding made more sense. Maybe she could test her own self as well.\n\n\"I'm sorry however\".\nDanny spoke to Yari, looking at her.\n\"I judged you, you are a nice girl\".\nDanny looked down at Yari with a look of apology as well. She honestly felt bad now, she should take a page from Sir Kodiak perhaps sometime.\n\n\"Do you like calzones? If i can get some stuff to cook, I'll make it up to you. Petunia puts love in her cooking\".\nDanny smiled to Yari, an offer of dinner sometime. It was the least Danny could do to try and make up to Yari. From Danny's perspective, it must be awful to be simply judged immediately for how one looked.\n\"Maybe pizza as well, everyone likes pizza.\"\nThe place where she lived was coming out. The culture of simply feeding others and making theor bellies full. It was the way of her town and its influence was here." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She felt a brief confusion when she was told that she had been judged by Danny, yo which she shrugged. \"Everyone does it, I refuse to believe that no one doesn't judge at any point. I can see why, though, but I won't hold ot against you. But thanks.\" She looked away for a bit, her face returning to stone for a brief moment before returning with life.\n\n\"I don't really know what a calzone is but it sounds good.\" She let her continue, and only watched with mild curiosity on her face, but it was clearly not stony and blank. \"Pizza? Yeah, I like pizza, stole some one time, probably the best thing I've eaten so far.\" She thought and reminisced, she remenbered eating pizza given to her by a stranger. It was the best thing she'd ever eaten. \"I like to cook, but it's been losing its kick recently, to be honest.\" She took in a quick deep breath, then began to look away and at the ground, she couldn't stop thinking, her mind began to race.\n\nOver the span of a few silent seconds, it was becoming very evident that she had begun to suffer some sort of panic attack. She just began to disassociate from the conversation, from Daniella, and she suddenly began to get very fidgety with herself." }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "Danny would be unaware of what was happening to Yari. She hadn't experienced such a thing herself before. How should she react? At the moment, it was concern. They were having a nice conversatiin and then the smaller girls' demeanor had completely changed.\n\nDanny could at least tell something was wrong as Yari began to fidget. Danny had read a lot of books about stuff but she herself was isolated from a lot of interaction with other children. She kneeled down to Yari's height,\n\"Hey, you alright?\"\nThe bear upon her should had fidgeted to lean forward, giving his own insight, if unneeded,\n\"Fair Yarimrl, dost thou need something?\"\nEven the bear itself was concerned with the display, his stubby legs hitting the ground as the small creature moved of its own will to the feet of Yarimel, a stubby little arm moving to touch the foot of the girl, unknowing as to what was happening or what to truly do.\n\nDanny only watched on, still nervous to touch Yari herself. Reservations of diving too deep into the unknown. She wanted to help, yet didn't know how and mixed with unease, it made her feel fairly useless.\n\"Should I go get someone?\"\nDanny asked this sheepishly, definitely not qualified to help with matters like this." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She wouldn't respond to Daniella or the bear, but did acknowledge that they said things to her. She would quickly shake her head and her fingers began to flex awkwardly. She felt an overflowing emotion suddenly rise from within, it was powerful, and began to take over her from within. \n\n\"Just- no. No- I'm...\" She was angry, the toughts began to fill her head, she opened her arms quickly. She wanted a hug. \"Hug.\" Her fingers were visiy very shaky and her fingers were darkening slightly, her eyes were wide open.\n\n[reddit videos + exhaustion from yardwork = a very tired and distracted mind]" }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "Danny looked at the bear between the two. Unlike Danny, the bear did not hesitate, hugging onto Yari's foot. Danny took a second however. Her creation was simple minded in truth, Danny took more time to process the request. Her hands reached up tentatively.\n\nLeaned in, Danny went to hug Yari close. Danny's arms moving to press Yari into her own body.\n\"I'm not so good..., Petunia is much better at hugs\".\nDanny was awkward with her motions. Other than her parents and some older people in her town, she hadn't really hugged too much. Especially someome she had just met.\n\nDanny wasn't going to abandon someone if they needed something though. In Danny's mind, Yari was just a young girl that likely had a harsh time. \n\"I'm sorry.\"\nDanny apologized for no reason in particular, a habit of a reserved child that had grown. Never wanting to be a bother to anyone or mess things up for others." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She would pause, appreciating the hug from the bear, but she was still angry, and just remembering all of those sleepless nights foraging, followed by hate-filled days for so long, the tiniest of slivers of it had been coming out, the rage of it all. She picked up the bear gingerly and handed him back to Danny. \"Cover... Your ears... And maybe your eyes, too...\"\n\nShe would take some steps away from Daniella, give her time to process the situation, and once she was sure Daniella had done what she asked to, at least the covering her ears part, she'd turn away from the building and put her hands to her own ears, but not to block out the sound. She would then scream into the tree line,but this wasn't a scream you'd expect from her voice. It was much louder, and sounded more like something straight out of nightmares, her hands visibly turning black, the fingers lengthening severely ending in clawed tips. The scream itself was preceded by a short growl, and was more of an ear-piercing screech, with deep undertones like a revving engine. It took her a few secinds to recover from the rage, but when she looked back to Danny, she gave her a thumbs-up.\n\n\"I'm fine now...\"\n\nShe let the silence linger.\n\n\"So, about those calzones, you think we can make one? Actually, what even are they?\" She broke the silence quickly again, tilting her head as she asked about the calzone things, her hands looking normal again." }, { "author": "evilflowersorg", "message": "Danny took the bear once Yari had moved away from the hugs. Sir Kodiak put his stubby little arms to his helmet to mimic plugging his ears at least. Danny would do the same, albeit with fingers over her inner lobes to properly plug them for sound. As the scream was released, the vibrations caused her vision to shake slightly. This being the reason Yari had said to maybe close her eyes then.\n\nDanny felt discomfort with the scream even with ears closed. Eventually it would end and silence reigned supreme. Cautiously Danny unplugged her ears and the bear's arms followed suit, away from where his ears would be under the plush helmet. The silence was very much so this time around, Danny nor Sir Kodiak could truly say anything to the scream or the situation prior. Danny would only snap to when calzones finally came back up.\n\"Uh yeah, if there's stuff inside with the ingredients. Calzones are basically pizza but turned over so its inside all the dough. A lot less mess.\" \n\nDanny gave an uneasy smile. At least, perhaps some food might make the siutation less awkward. Danny didn't mind making it either. It would mame a better cecete of attention perhaps as well.\n\"Shall I go make one for you?\"" } ]	323	6,189
306.625	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "It's Cold, and Miserable. At least, that's what Gabe thinks to himself as he walks outside in the courtyard, burying his face into his collarbone and chattering his teeth. His New-Orleans accustomed body was not faring well in Sweden, and Gabe had to wonder if this whole school wasn't just one big front to torture him specifically.\n\nOnly a maniac would be out in this weather, Gabriel concludes. Not Him, of course— he was only taking a shortcut through the courtyard to get to the gym. He wouldn't be in this icy weather for long, unless something unexpected was going to happen." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Steady, now, easy does it...\n\nShit.\n\nOwen doesn't even bother wondering how this keeps happening anymore— one minute, he's crouched on a branch, a wonderful chill cooling the sweat on his neck as he surveys his path downward. The next, he's crashing through every single tree limb he has ever seen in his entire life, shouting curses he only seemed to remember twenty feet above the forest floor, singeing pine needles and scaring every squirrel in earshot halfway to Denmark. \n\nEasy does Not Do it, apparently.\n\nWith a mighty Thump And a fresh crack in the concrete of the courtyard, Owen sticks the landing: flat on his back, half-encased in a shell coloured a shade of red only describable as disgruntled, all the wind solidly knocked out of his lungs. Through his aggravation and mild lingering panic, the boy in the ratty black T-shirt and battered sweatpants managed to be a little bit impressed with himself— his failures as a bird were nothing short of spectacular!\n\nA moment more, and two things come into his line of sight: a person approaching quickly, and a pinecone approaching quicker. Towards his face. \n\nWith a wheeze and a yelp, Owen lunges to catch it, just in time for whoever this was to Definitely have heard him oh gods oh fuck. Act natural toss the pinecone ACT NATURAL—\n\nHe sits there instead, hunched over and gasping for breath. Still gripping the pinecone.\n\n\"This isn't.. Mine.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe blinks once. Twice. He's so surprised he forgets to suppress his accent.\n\n\"The fuck are you doing out here, man?\" The sheer Incredulousness Of it all shines through in his thick New Orleans accent, and he can't help but stick his hands in his pockets as a shiver runs through his spine. \"It's cold as all Hell And you're climbing trees? God, you're gonna get a fuckin' cold.\" \n\nA kid on the ground in the cold. It was obvious what had to be done; Gabriel did fancy himself someone who was adept at cleaning up after people's messes. He'd been taking care of Blanche for far, far too long to object to saving people from their own stupidity with any real venom.\n\nWith no hesitation, Gabriel leans down to meet the startled, redhaired boy— Owen, if he recalls, the one he thought was a chick way-back-when— and Hoists Him over Gabe's shoulder as if he was a sack of flour.\n\n\"Hold Still, you're gonna freeze to death.\" He grumbles, and begins to head straight for his original destination— the gym. Sure, it was quicker to go back the way he came, but... For the stupid-ass way Owen dressed in the Middle of the winter, Owen could bear the consequences of a little more cold." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen barely has the wherewithal to blink sheepishly when an unfamiliar voice bounces between the trees and... Mothers him? Was he being fussed over? Did Gabe even like him enough to be doing that? Shit, should Owen have said hi to him more in the halls?\n\n\"Well-\"\n\nHe coughs, more startled than anything, as a muscular shoulder digs into his stomach and the ground is swept out from under his back. A wave of queasiness pushes at his stomach, his throat; embarrassed and slightly irritated red like a lick of flame snapping at a gust of wind spread under his face. Faint, humming heat pulsed where unsettled muscles hung onto Gabe for dear life, as if to prove a point.\n\n\"Wha-I'm-nn-not going to freeze, You're Going to- Where are we going?\"\n\nOwen did his best to sound aggravated and sharp but honestly, he was just bewildered. And he sounded like it. Of course, he didn't appreciate being manhandled like a child, but for his own strange reasons kicking and screaming didn't occur to him— he was, alas, too busy racking his brain for past interactions and missed clues. \n\nIs this guy my friend?! Is it possible to not know that?? What is his threshold for 'would pick this lad up and just keep walking.' Am I being abducted? Maybe I'll wait for him to answer. I think I could take him in a fight if he was trying to kidnap me. He's tall though. His arms are strong. That's off-topic. I hope he's forgotten about the pamphlet. Ach, now I can never look him in the eye. Have I though???\n\nColour him properly stunned." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"We're going Inside, Where it's Warm. No hell you're not gonna freeze— do you know how goddamn cold it is?\" Gabe looks mildly irritated as he attempts to trudge through the snow with Owen in tow. It almost feels like he's back dragging Blanche back in the house during a thunderstorm; save for the fact his face displays more mild annoyance than he would if he was around his sweet, extremely snarky sister.\n\nHonestly. What is wrong with these people?!?\n\nOh, shit. A door. He can't exactly open the door inside with his hands full of Welsh, he realizes all too late. Gabriel plops Owen back on his feet, rolling his shoulders back with a groan. Man was Surprisingly Dense, actually. Gabe would never say it, but he didn't remember him being this heavy when he first saw the kid.\n\n\"Come on, man, just get inside already.\" Gabe leaned down, dusting snow from his hair. \"I do Not Wanna spend my evening running around and saving your ass.\" The words were spoken with equal 'pseudo brother-like worry' and 'mean-girl irritation.'\n\nIt was a confusing mix. Gabriel was a confusing person." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Lingering scraps of bewilderment, flattery, and idle and ill-timed gay panic sloughed off of Owen's expression after he was dumped back onto the earth and implied to be dumb as a sack of hammers and twice as inconvenient to lug through a forest. As if Gabe were Asked. The redhead's jaw clenched as his gold-flecked eyes picked a spot on the taller of the two's forehead close enough to his eyes to seem serious.\n\n\"Go ann-and Scratch, how 'b-bout it,\" He retorted, tightening his loosened ponytail for no reason really other than to have something to do with his hands. His bangs had grown long, but were still too short to stay put; the snow made the thick, wavy strands of copper floating by his downright Peeved Expression darker by comparison.\n\n\"Caught the f-forecast this morning-already-thanks,\" He spat. \"My ass just needed a s-second on-account-of-the-concrete.\"\n\nOwen's attempts to sound properly pissed were jumbled as though he were unsure of a rhythm to settle into, and settled instead for spitting the second halves of his sentences into the frost-bitten air as quickly as possible, huffing dense clouds of curling vapour for extra emphasis.\n\n\"Can handle the cold better than you, besides, mate.\"\n\nIf anything, he was cold Now Because he had stopped moving, his chattered stutter and lost-puppy demeanour being merely Gabe (inadvertently) creating an issue to blame him for, but the rattled climber had allowed himself to be carried too far by then for that to still be a valid grievance.\n\nHeat from the middle of him spread to his extremities, muddled scarlet glowing through the red skin of his knuckles and the worn-in black fabric stretched over his back. The familiar humming, low like a hibernating beast disturbed, unfurled from somewhere in his ribs, casting layers of fat and muscle into clearer focus for a moment before curling out against the underside of his skin; a single shiver, still, betrayed him.\n\nGrrrr.\n\nBastard.\n_ _\n\nThe door to wherever-they-were was pushed aside with a muttered curse and a grunt, held open begrudgingly for his knight in shining armour.\n\nSometimes, he felt, he could really stand to be a Little Less British." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Welcome,\" Gabe beckons around the area they've found themselves at. It was his original destination— The gym. \n\n\"If you want to get in a good workout, it's far better to do it here then out in the cold.\" Now that Gabe was out of the dreaded Swedish weather and back in his home turf, he was Far Less pissy than he was prior. Instead, his cadence seemed to mimic one of a mother, or an older sibling. \n\n\"Besides, the cold isn't good for your skin. Even if you can resist it, dry skin is Not Something you want to deal with, especially close to Valentine's.\" He tuts lightly, eyes sweeping over the breakouts on the other's skin. \n\n\"And I didn't see you with a water bottle. Your lips are going to crack if you're out in the cold without any hydration. Honestly, you're lucky I came along. If you're going to workout, you have to treat the rest of ya with equal care.\" \n\nHow did No one Else think of these things? Gabe really was the lone bastion for normal people behavior here at the Cradle. He probably doesn't even do weekly face masks, The voice in Gabriel's head scoffed internally, and he couldn't help but gag a little. \n\n\"Come on. Get yourself some water. The cold probably turned your lips to sandpaper, my guy.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "A queasy look overtook Owen's flushed features; he supposed, in this newly-defrosted state he found himself in, that he should have noticed sooner. \n\n\"Is that right...\"\n\nHe wasn't sure exactly Why He didn't want Gabe to think of him after this as a frightened squirrel-thing skittering off into the woods at the first notion of exercising like a normal person with normal circulation. But he didn't (even though he would very much like to), and so an attempt at confidence, he decided, must be made...\n\n...Which didn't last all that long. Owen often forgot that his insecurity was visible to others, strangely enough. A sap-smudged hand rose instinctively to take note of his angry-looking skin, internally cursing at the return of the Very bad awful unsightly texture that he should really get rid of Before shaking said hand out with a vengeance and jamming it into his pocket.\n\nJamming it into his pocket, and somehow pulling out his metal water bottle, Mary Poppins Style.\n\n\"Oh, wouldn't You Like to know how soft my lips are,\" He taunted smugly before catching up to himself and visibly recoiling at what he had just said. \"I-I'm, um, glad I did-didn't land on this.\"\n\nIt was mostly empty, and in actuality his throat was killing him, but it was one tiny victory. If there was one thing the disgruntled redhead couldn't stand, it was to be misconstrued—both as someone dumb enough not to bring water outside, and as someone who didn't wear sensible tree-climbing pants with absurdly deep pockets." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Oh, sweet summer child. \n\nThis poor boy. This poor boy was So In over his head. It was obvious that the kid was nothing short of a pushover (poorly) attempting to stand his ground and cling on to whatever pride he had. \n\nAh, kids. They were so funny. \n\nGabe wasn't a Bad guy. In fact, he reasoned, the teasing he was about to do was a twisted sort of charity. Really, he was just teaching the poor kid a lesson, that he shouldn't mess around and start a posturing contest with someone severely cooler than himself. \n\n\"Do I Want to know how soft your lips are?\" Gabriel mused, leaning down towards Owen with a small smile and a glint in his eyes spelling trouble. \"They look pretty soft.\" Brown eyes examined the other's... Like, Painfully average Face, trailing down to Owen's lips and lingering. \n\nI love making nerds flustered. Gabriel's internal voice monologued to himself, surprisingly nonchalant given his current actions. Poor kid. He'll learn. Really, I'm doing him a favor. You gotta be able to put your money where your mouth is, or you'll just make a fool of yourself.\n\nOne. Two. His eyes flitted back to Owen's, and this time Gabriel's smugness shined through his stare.\n\n\"Anyway,\" He says, backing away from the other as quickly as he had moved in. \"What if you had been injured? You could be hurt, and you'd probably freeze to death before anyone thought to check outside. Especially during this storm— it only takes one accident to fuck up your life.\" The chiding, slightly motherly tone was back; Gabe enjoyed inflicting whiplash on people, spinning from one mood to the next in a dance that people could only catch up to, never keep on pace with. \n\nHe danced with every step he took and every word he spoke. Life was all about dancing; you could either walk with your back hunched and eyes nervously scanning the room, or you could strut and make the floor your own. \n\nPoor kid. Even the most adept dancers couldn't keep up with Gabriel on a good day." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Every bit of Owen that knew even a scrap of common sense, every white knuckle wrapped around a rule or a secret in-joke or innuendo or Anything That he had stitched together in the dark to keep himself afloat, was screaming at him. A painful grin dug at the corners of his (Very Red) face, a reflex, an inability to say nothing in the face of his catastrophic failure.\n\nOh, how he wished he could.\n\nA familiar warmth tickled under his skin, threatening to claw itself out and tear up his shirt and his personal space and the whole damnable street they were on. If Gabe had looked away from his stubbornly angled face, he might have noticed something shift and crackle quietly around the smaller boy's stomach.\n\nHe was not proud of the spike in his heart rate, rattling against his chest like there was nothing built up there at all, no lessons learned since he was Twelve Or something. Uriel could have knocked this guy out, easy. Or knocked Owen out, as a mercy. He was half expecting them to come strolling through the door, laughing softly and asking why his nightmares involved ~~unfairly~~ tall, handsome men and gyms, but no silvery smiles interrupted his growing discomfort.\n\nThe uncanny valley crept into the shadows of Gabe's expression, turning said handsome face eerie and unnerving. Something felt insincere about his concern, but the glee in his eyes glittered with honesty; those perfect teeth dug into his spine.\n\n\"I-I wasn't even in a tree the first time. And it was ss-summer, luck-lucky me,\" He tried, staring red-hot daggers into the space between Gabe's eyes. This sparkling, brown-eyed jester was right, though he had no idea what he was talking about. The trees, out of everything, were far less likely to aid in another life-fucking event.\n\n\"I-I'm Not afraid of a little wind in my hair, I'm not.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Damn. Sounded like a lot of emotional baggage Gabe did not particularly care about. \n\n\"I mean, I don't care either way. Your life, not mine. But don't I say I didn't do my best to warn you when you get a breakout on your cheek from all the cold air.\" A small, annoyed sigh rose from Gabriel, as if he was explaining to a toddler why eating raw cocoa powder was a bad idea. \n\nInterestingly enough, while Owen's demeanor certainly screamed that of adolescence, he luckily avoided the awkward teenage body of limbs that didn't fill out well that many poor, unfortunate souls were cursed with. Brown eyes swoop over the other, giving him another once over— now, it was impossible to mistake Owen for a woman like Gabe had done so long ago. \n\n\n\"Do you lift.\" Gabriel blurts out, his mind catching up with his mouth far too late. \n\n\"I mean, you know... It seems like something a guy should know., is all. Might impress any potential special someones in your life, right?\" Gabe winks, trying to make the statement as innocuous as possible. \n\nNo, he Totally Hasn't heard the stomach-churning details of Owen's love life from the gossip spreading from person to person like an infection. What would give you That Idea?" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Why did you say that. Why! Now you've made it weird.\n\nOwen shifted his weight from foot to foot as the pinching feeling in the back of his brain told him he was being looked at. Gabe's purpose was beyond him, but the lingering chill of standing by the door cooled his head just a little. Being all defensive now felt a little silly—this guy wasn't out to get him, he just seemed to think himself hilarious. And an expert on other people's stubborn (perhaps slightly neglected) skin. And marvellously attractive. Esgob annwyl, was he. Shush. Stop that.\n\n\"Huh.\"\n\nA short, flat tone of utter confusion sounded, to contrast the painfully nervous boy's previous pattern of angry stuttering. His ears turned pink, but he didn't look averse...\n\n\"Y-you have a point, um,\" He started, too baffled to attempt anything else. Owen did not dance many complicated steps when he spoke—if there was a game being played with him, he walked straight through it, unaware. Gabriel didn't work like that. Carrying on this conversation through a topic the taller and more familiar-with-this-place of the two could presumably talk about for ages while Owen scraped his brains back together seemed a safe bet, at least.\n\n\"I usually steered clear, avoiding people and all...\" Too personal. Back it up. \"I, I can lift Myself. Up. Trees?\" Fourthreetwoonetwothree. \"And I can lift, um, them, mostly.\" His ears turn pinker still. \"Why do you ask?\"\n\nHis eyes still stare far past Gabriel's, but his tone is light, genuine. The copper-haired fool thought briefly of someone special indeed (it was still strange to call them that), folded up in his arms and giggling in that sweet, breathy way that they did as he swept them off their feet, stumbling a little still. They would hold onto the back of his neck for dear life and he would feel strong—Owen liked that.\n\nHe leaned forward, wondering if he liked that enough to ask more about this place." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Yeah, this guy is pussy-whipped. \n\nIt was slang he'd often reserve for hapless teenager boys trailing behind the one girl they'd manage to snag for a week a so— after that, the girl would usually move on to greener pastures and said boy would be heartbroken for months. Even if Owen wasn't yet at that stage of down-bad, Gabe could see the smile blossom on his face, and he held back an invisible grimace. \n\nYeah, yeah, you're in a happy relationship. We get it. Not to rub it in our faces or anything.\n\nWhat? No, Gabe wasn't bitter. Now why would you think that?\n\n\"I ask because people would probably flock to impress you if you gained just a little bit of muscle.\" He points out, eyes half-lidded with boredom. \"Or, well, flock to you more. Whatever.\" \n\nHe cracked his neck, tousling his hair in the mirror running along a wall while not looking at Owen. \"So, like, you Kind Of have pressure to look best as you can, right?\" Gabe speaks nonchalantly, and yet he shoots Owen a look from the corner of his eye." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen got the distinct idea, then, that he was being a drag. It wasn't that he particularly Craved The feeling of those laughing, nightmarishly alert eyes on him, but he did feel it when they slid away from him in disinterest. A rapidly-heating palm slid over the roughened back of his arm as he looked away, if only to give himself a little grace.\n\nOkay. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and attempt to process whatever the hell he actually just said to you, in a timely manner. Gabe's assumptions were strange to him—that he wanted a flock, that his body would earn him one. Such things rarely occurred to him naturally, and so the thought resonated in a sour way; it ached a little, even. He and this body of his, they asked too much of each other sometimes.\n\n\"That seems like a lot of pressure,\" He blurted, unthinking enough to be honest, honest enough to sound dry. \"I-I mean. I usually try to make too good a racket for people to care too much. I hope.\" He cracked his shoulder. \"B-besides. Metal's a grimy business—if I don't look like Satan himself has kicked my arse, I'm not doing it right. Except the hair, though. Uh. Finn-fi-f-finnic-f-Delicate Balance.\"\n\nThe pressure of being his band's frontman was certainly present, though. When people sang, shrieked, growled, and roared from that stage, the blazing centre of the universe, it was nature to look up at them, to watch the sweat roll down their neck as they commanded their awesome power. It was his Job To be infectious, a virus of fire (future song title?) Spreading through blood, spit, tears, sheer magnetism. It was Owen's chosen calling in this life to fill people's chests with that vibrant affliction; enough of it to need to thrash and howl like wild animals, enough of it to feel at home.\n\nSo, yeah, he supposed, it did help to be reasonably gorgeous. The way Gabe phrased it still rang as a little weird, but Owen curiously squeezed his bicep anyhow. He certainly wasn't as scrawny as he once was..." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Hey pond, can we clear this? \nWe can just end it here I think, it's been a while and I kinda wanna refresh my plate :3\n\nSame w sig one, probably? Just because yeah" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Yes pleas writer's block hit me like a truck n I'm all antsy now 😭" } ]	312.5	4,906
198.625	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "9 degrees. It was way too cold for snow to show up anymore. Anything that would come down from the clouds now would be the harshest of freezing rain.\nSo why is it that Sergio is finding himself walking through fresh patches of snow?\n\nHe trudges along, cursing under his breath as he makes big steps over to the clearing that was still Hopefully Not as buried as it was last night.\n\nA took tries to mat down his hair. It wasn't long enough to Truly Mess up his hair, but it still was something he hated wearing unless needed. He misses the more temperate weather of the spring and summer.\n\nFinally he pushes into the field of his choosing. Finding it to be buried as well. Shame.\nBut it does appear to be already taken up by someone else! Not a shame. He notices the movement and decides not to completely walk into them, the snow around them looked up to his knees. He's not dealing with that right now.\n\nHe finds a nearby tree, and activates his power, walking smoothly up the side of the tree. As he finally climbs up to the lowest branch that hung lowly by the moving mass in the snowbank, he drops to his legs, lightly kicking his feet in the air.\n\n\"Hey there bud, how're you now?\" \nHe leans a bit forward, calling out to the moving mass. \n\"Any luck on the tunnel digging?\"\n\nHopefully this was a person, and he wasn't bothering some wild animal out here. That would be awkward." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "9 degrees. Not the most ideal temperature for some, but for Caspar it represented Potential. Cas had spent the afternoon flexing his paranatural muscles in the cold, blanketing the area in snow. He had no patience for the local temperature to reach snow levels. The coolness of the air would keep any snow or ice he made structurally sound for far longer than when he first got to NC.\n\nCas's white hair pops out from the snow, followed by his head. He quickly scans his surroundings, searching for the source of the voice. It takes him a minute before he thinks to look Up. Upon spotting the newcomer, he immediately greets them heartily.\n\n\"Hello there!\" He exclaims. Still neck deep in snow. \"Doin' great down here!\"\n\"Tunnel's pretty good, thanks for asking!\" The tunnel's also surprisingly warm internally. It's using the same principles as an igloo, so it's pretty comfortable in there." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Hey! Lucky guess, it was another person. He waves a hearty welcome when the tufts of white hair find where Sergio was located.\n\n\"That's good t' hear!\" He calls back. \n\"By the by, Why Are you building a tunnel system?\" \n\"Also, if you don't mind me asking. When did this snow drop? I figured it was only gonna warm up a bit later.\"\n\nHoly shit it was a tunnel, he was just making a joke. This kid has some priorities.\n\nWait was this he even wearing a shirt? Even the most tightly compacted tunnels couldn't keep someone That Warm out here, right? \nHe must've been seeing things." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas climbs out of the tunnel, bits of snow falling off his shoulders. Not only is his shirtless form unphased by the cold and the snow on his skin, he's completely dry. The air gets noticeably colder when he exits from the tunnel.\n\nCas does some simple stretches. He's clearly stiff after lying down under the snow.\n\"I made it. The snow, I mean. I cool things down, that's what I do!\"\nCas points at himself with his thumb for emphasis in a cocky way. He's trying to be 'cool'...\n\n\"I kinda just wanted to see if I could make a tunnel, honestly... Uhh I vaguely remembered how igloos work...\" Cas puts his arm behind his head and chuckles a little." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio blinks. This kid is able to just relax in this under freezing temperatures like this? What a power. \n\nOh. Okay. Snow kid.\n\"I see, thats pretty neat! You seem to be able to make way more than I was expecting.\"\nHe looks at the path of fresh snow he had trudged through. He looks back to the snow kid, letting the annoyance sit with him internally.\n\n\"I mean, you said it worked so far, right? That's rad atleast. How far is the tunnel so far? Also you can make snow, but can you like. Make icicles for weapons or something?\"\nAnd so begins the questioning. Godspeed young Caspar." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas looks back thoughtfully at his tunnel. \n\"Think it's like a meter or two? That's like... What, 6 foot?\" \nIt's clear he's doing the conversion math in his head as he asks this. Cas appreciated the presence of this new lad into the clearing. Especially since he now got to show off a little. \n\nWhile Cas does his meter-to-foot conversion, he extends his right arm with his fingers outstretched. Immediately, moisture in the air condenses and flows to Cas's palm in ribbons of coiling mist. Starting from the palm of Cas's hand, a thin spire of ice begins to form. After the icicle reaches a suitable length, Cas breaks it off at its' base and begins fiddling with it.\n\n\"Pre-ty cool, if I do say so myself. To answer your question: Yea I can pretty much make anything that needs a frozen liquid. I need water to make anything, though.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio follows the other boy's gaze. This tunnel must be no joke. He wondered what he could try to experiment with his own powers. The most he has was just hanging upside down until he got sick.\n\n\"Shit, how long have you been working out here? And like. You're not cold out here at all?\" He speaks with amusement spiking his words. Even if it was a parahuman thing, he could never sit out here for longer than an hour at most, Especially Without a shirt on.\n\nA whistle follows the boy's demonstration. Sergio was actually impressed, he didn't mind people showing off their powers. It was cool. He enjoyed seeing people enjoy their weird genetic lottery, it at least kept the spirits high in the damn place.\nIt was like people firing shots into the air just to keep the emotional value down whenever he would check the intranet. Sucks that most people were available on there. Oh well.\n\n\"Yeah, you're right on that one there bud. It is pretty Cool.\" He gives a small smirk with his low hanging pun. It was funny to him at least.\n\"But, are you able to raise the temp as well? Or is it just the whole freezing and ice making? Either way it's still fascinatin'.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Truth is, Cas was feeling a little chilly, though he'd never show it. \n\n\"Haha, not at all, dude! Been out here an hour or two, haven't felt a pang of cold.\" \n\nCas does enjoy showing off his ice powers, especially some of the more complex ones like the icicle trick. He's a show-off at heart. When Sergio follows up on Cas's ice pun, Cas immediately pulls a double-finger-gun gesture. He completes the gesture with a prolonged \"Ayyyy!\" Sound.\n\nAfter reacting to Sergio's pun, Cas looks around awkwardly, as if looking for a better answer to Sergio's last question. After a minute or so, he put his arm behind his head and chuckles with mild embarrasment. \n\"Heh... I can freeze things, that's about it. Or make snow... Or fog... But other than that I'm stuck on one side of the temperature range.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio squints a bit at the kid's brag. He's watching for even a slight shiver now. It will be hard, keeping himself steady with his own senses being given a one on one duel with the cold.\n\n\"Must be part of the powers then, huh.\"\n\nSergio follows along with the finger guns, like a Midwestern duel of acknowledgement. He smirks as the kid feels a slight pang of embarrassment. \n\n\"Nah you don't gotta feel too bad about it. We all have our limits.\" He readjusts on the branch, keeping his legs pressed against it. As long as he doesn't shake around too much, he shouldn't lose his hold. He wonders how easy it would be to balance on the branch upside-down.\n\n\"Your power is still really rad, bud. You're like... An icebender or something.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas flashes Sergio a big grin. Feint, twinkling snow particles seem to fall loosely off his bare skin. The air is starting to feel ever-so-slightly colder. Cas is doing this deliberately, making the air colder to obfuscate his own near-shivering.\n\n\"Hehe... Thanks, dude! Icebender...I like it!\"\nHe does a little Avatar-esque martial arts motion, letting freezing particles and fog trail after the ends of his limbs. He doesn't account for his footing however, and so nearly trips when the frozen ground fails to provide enough traction for a kick. Steadying himself, he strikes a triumphant pose before loosening up again and chuckling at his own mistake.\n\nIt's clear that Cas is just Drinking In the praise. He's grinning like a maniac and, even through his near-embarrassing mistake, his stance seems more confident. Hearing someone call him \"Rad\" Seems to have... Energised him, for want of a better word.\n\nCas looks at Sergio and strokes his chin thoughtfully.\n\n\"Talkin' of 'cool' (heh), I'm no expert... But I'll bet yours are also pretty rad, my dude\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio nods, the small challenge of a power show off being thrown with a proverbial glove. \"Nothing as fancy as making the surrounding area cold enough to make snow.\" \n\nHe grips tight onto the limb of the tree, trying to properly place the soles of his boots onto the branch. As he pushes up from just his legs, he stands perfectly on the side, balancing on it as if he was standing on the top.\n\n\"But, I can do this. I'm really good at climbing trees, I suppose.\" He holds his arms out to the side, maintaining his balance. \"If you ever lose anything high up, I'd be your superhero, I 'spose.\" He tries looking down towards Caspar, or... Up? To the left?\nHe wishes his powers had a gyroscope aspect with it. This shit is confusing.\n\"I also can float for a little bit. Like with zero g. It's not consistent, though. I usually can only do it when I need to or not thinking about it.\" He shrugs.\n\n\"Also, no blood rushing to the head! That's a plus.\" He points up to his head, then swings his arm back out, wobbling to the ground as he regains his balance.\n\n\"It's like- Uh- It's like I'm walking on the ground all of the time. Even when I'm upside down. I can't look up when I'm upside down though. I got bad vertigo.\"\nHe tries getting another look at Cas. He shrugs after his explanation. Sergio hasn't really experimented with his powers." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas positively explodes with emotion. He begins talking faster, with a energised, complementary tone and lots of arm movements. He has entered Full Hypeman Mode.\n\n\"YOOOO!\" He exclaims, wildly gesticulating with his hands. \"That is COOL as SHIT!\" He exclaims, pointing at Sergio in time with his exclamations. Truly, Cas finds the idea of personal gravity manipulation pretty cool. He can only imagine how convenient it would be to be able to climb up any surface... Though he would probably also get vertigo from the experience.\n\n\"Aw man that's some, like, spider man shit! And actual FLIGHT?! Your powerset's fuckin' awesome my dude.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"It's not like-\" Sergio steadies himself again. \"Its not Flight Flight. It's more I just turn off gravity for myself.\" He finally lets go, falling towards the ground.\n\nBefore he drops, he feels the pull towards earth lighten up, and he floats! Sergio is just a foot away from the frozen earth, slightly drifting away from his original falling spot, as he no longer was following the earth. He twists himself around, aiming his feet towards the ever calling ground beneath him, and drops back down.\n\n\"It's like... Tightrope walking.\" He sputters out, finally getting the words for it \"With the big safety net below ya. But instead you're tightrope walking on the side of the 7/11.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas gives Sergio an appreciative nod. When Sergio lands, Cas stands to the side and slightly behind Sergio. It feels like Cas would be slinging his arm over Sergio's shoulder if he could, but since he doesn't know if Sergio is cool with physical contact he's just trying to give off Arm-Over-Shoulder vibes.\n\n\"Ehhh so it's not True Flight... Whatever, it's still cool, my dude.\"\n\nPossibilities spring to Cas's mind, forming themselves into questions.\n\n\"Can you like... Ungravitate people besides yourself?...Can you stand on People...? If you don't mind me asking, o'course.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Ah. Fuck. One of his boots sunk in too far and got some snow in it. He holds in a groan of discomfort. Sergio didn't want this kid to think he was upset with him.\n\n\"Well? First one no. I have tried, second one yes. But a lot of people don't like foot prints on their back, or holding an almost two hundred pound punk on their back. So that ones a bit situational.\"\n\nThe power questionnaire rally game continues. Sergio shoves his hands in his pockets to keep them warm.\n\"Is the iceshaping just out of will or do you have to shape your hands in a way? Also do you have like. Ice armor? Have you tried making an ice statue of yourself?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas chuckles warmly (ironically enough). \"Hah! I totally get that. I'd probably hate getting footprints on my jacket... Though if you need someone to stand on, uhh, stand With I mean, I'm your guy.\" He says, unprompted. \n\nCas coalesces some moisture into a snowball, proceeding to toss it into the air and catch it again. It provides a nice physical distraction for him as he collects his thoughts.\n\"When I shape stuff it's more of a... Visualisation thing than a physical thing. I Can Use my hands to manually shape stuff but just thinkin' it is easier. Making an ice state of someone or myself's a little hard, but I've done it a bunch of times before. \" \nCas tosses the snowball to his other hand. \n\"Uhh yea I can also make ice armour! Keeps me surprisingly warm, too.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "A smirk crosses the punk's face. 'Course the kid has made a statue of himself. Its what Sergio would've tried first as well.\n\n\"Huh. Warm even when encased in ice. Kinda funny.\"\n\nHe readjusts his footing, remembering how to stay set on the ground itself. Surprisingly, he's had to remember to think about that too often. Sergio has found himself lightly drifting away from the ground when he's thinking too hard one too many times now. Made a science exam a little funny, though.\n\n\"I'll uh- I'll keep the offer in mind, then. Hopefully I won't find myself using your shoulders as a stepping stool too often.\" A goofy smile crosses his face. Nailed the wording for that one." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas gives Sergio another finger-gunning. He pulls a pair of slatted sunglasses out of his pocket and slips them onto his face. Cas likes this dude, though he can't quite put his finger on why.\n\n\"I think it's the same kinda concept as an Igluvijaq? Like... The ice traps air pockets and stuff so it captures heat... All that fancy stuff.\"\nCas tosses the snowball to his other hand again, though this time he miscalculates the angle a little, causing it to sail over his hand and splat wetly onto the ground. Despite this disruption he continues with his conversation, stuffing his hands back into his jacket pocket.\n\n\"I got the idea when me and the fam were visiting Nunavut. Got to see some genuine Inuit Igluvijait.\" \nCas's Inuktitut pronunciation isn't fantastic, but he's clearly either heard it often or practises regularly.\n\n\"Ever been? It's pretty empty, but it's scenic as hell. Better than Quebec anyway.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio's eyes follow the snowball as the kid talks. Finally resetting to the speaker's eyes after the ball scatters across the ground.\n\n\"Oh, Nunavut? Unfortunately not. I have heard its beautiful.\"\nPropping his back against the tree, he continues.\n\"Family is from Alberta, furthest they traveled was B.C. I think it was a business trip.\" He remarks. The information was shaky though, after all, he was (6? 7?) young when the trip happened.\n\nSergio chuckles at the jab towards Quebec.\nHis eyes then light up at the realization.\n\"Wait, are you From Canada? Like actually born and raised in the north? Which province?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas's eyes light up when Sergio mentions being from Alberta, though he doesn't say anything till he catches on.\n\"Alberta! I've been there a bunch. I actually got a lil' fossil stone of some plant from there... Nothin' special but still pretty nifty.\"\n\nWhen Sergio realises Cas is Canadian, Cas becomes visibly excited. Canadian-to-Canadian Communication has entered its' 2nd Phase. \"YEAA DUDE! Born in Saskatchewan! Uranium City actually. Spent the better part of my life there, but my family moved around A lot So I dunno if I can really say i was raised there...\"\n\nCas flashes another big grin before giving a thumbs up to nobody in particular. \n\"Still always managed to head back for Christmas though! That's actually how I discovered my ice thing but... Uh... That's a whole 'nother story." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio nods. Holy shit. It's been forever since he last another Canadian!\n\n*Note. Five months is not actually forever. Note 2. Holy shit its been five months since he was sent here.**\n\n\"I mean. Sounds like it was a cool 'nother story. I just woke up floating one day. Thought I was still dreaming 'til I hit the floor.\"\nHe chuckles, rubbing the shoulder he remembers landing on that fateful morning.\n\nFive months. Damn.\nHe should get a medal for dealing with this place for so long.\n\n\"But I was raised in Edmonton. Never really left the town. Family would of course get to fly around for work, but... Good ol' Edmonton born and raised, here.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas chuckles and makes a kind of \"Yeaa...\" Sound. First superpower awakenings must always be kinda awkward. It's nice to know that it's a universal experience, he thinks. \n\n\"Yooo! Edmontonian! Nice! I've got some relatives there actually. Only been there once, though.\" He makes a hand gesture that's clearly supposed to represent traveling around the world: A sorta diving airplane hand thing. \"My folks are old-school-style hippies so they didn't cart us around to urban places much.\" His hands move constantly as he talks, adding emphasis and colour to his statements.\n\n\"Maaaan, you got urban life while I got a dying mining town with like seventy people...\" There's a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. He's clearly thought about his birth town a lot. He does wish that he was born somewhere more exciting. It'd be a better place for a Cool Guy™️ like him. Still, one can't change the past, he rationalises. Or, at least he Thinks* You can't change the past. Honestly if there was someone at NC who could do that he wouldn't even be surprised.\n\"...But I mean hey, both have their perks, amirite?\" He gives Sergio a friendly little elbow jab.\n\"Like I said, it was really pretty. Plus I gotta hang with a bunch of cool grizzled older people. One even said he shot a man, though I'm not sure how truthful That Story was...\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio plants a boot against the tree.\n\"I mean.. Fuck, I felt like I was supposed to live in one of those mining towns. I was held back with so many rules as a kid.\" He shakes his head.\n\"'Sergio, go do these chores before you can read.' 'Sergio, no hanging out with the Dover boys, they'll corrupt you with their video games and devil music!'\"\nA exasperated hand gesture pops out from the crossed arms. \"It's like... Shit. I felt like I was living in the 19th century. Shoulda been tried for as a witch or something when I came home past curfew.\"\n\nHe rests himself back, a quick groan to settle himself from his frustrations. Kid doesn't need to hear all of that.\n\"But... Yeah I suppose so. Having other kids to hang out with made growing up better. Got to learn how to skate cause of some other kids that moved up from the border side. That was a good summer. Surprised none of us walked home with broken limbs.\" \nHe chuckles.\n\"We tried learning how to grind a bench like that Tony Hawk game for weeks. Never figured it out. I just stuck to cruising after struggling to just jump with the damn thing.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas nods knowingly. He doesn't really know what it's like to live in a strict household, but he does empathise with Sergio's situation. \n\n\"Yea, I get that. I mean I never had any direction growing up. Never got to stay in one place long enough to develop a feeling of Belonging Y'know? My parents are like rich hippies 'n shit, so me and my sister basically had to look after ourselves. Doesn't sound similar to your situation, like, at all... But you kinda get what I'm gettin' at, right? Uhh... Extremes are bad. \n\nCas enters into a state of deep contemplation, mulling over the information he's just been given.\n\n\"Heh... The ideal upbringin' for us would've probably been like... All of us in a weird mixed household probably... It'd make a Really stupid Sitcom premise at least.\" He jokes, pointing finger-guns at Sergio." } ]	187	4,767
261.142857	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "radikale", "message": "Catch! Sort of.\n\nFennel caught Matti's phone with their whole body. Still, they managed to keep it safe, fumbling with their arms until it rested in their elbow. Carefully, they grabbed it with another hand and waited for Matti to reach the rooftop.\n\nThe roof was quiet. Few people knew how to get up there, and fewer cared to. That, and the beautiful view of open stars and city lights, made it the perfect place to go for a late night existential conversation.\n\n\"What was it you said?\" Fennel asked as Matti clambered up. \"All that is gained is given?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti less \"Climbed\" The last few feet up as much as they executed a physiologically dubious vertical roll, balling their knees like a pillbug to heave themself over the side and collapse belly-up on the concrete. For a moment they considered going through the considerable effort of standing. It was \"Polite\" To stand with good posture and look someone in the eyes while speaking, but Gabe had also said that it \"Didn't really matter\". The conflicting information fought in their mind for a few moments, before they decided to dismiss the issue entirely. Still lying on the floor, they let their eyes slide towards Fennel.\n\n\"You. Whose name I don't know. Caught the phone. Excellent.\" Voice flat, but not in annoyance or anger. If one ignored all the usual markers of conversation, they came off as genuine enough.\n\nThey nodded in agreement at Fennel's remark, though the efficiency of the movement was somewhat reduced from their spot on the ground. With the echo of a reluctant sigh, tripping from their tongue like a bad aftertaste, they forced themself up in a more respectable seated position.\n\n\"Yes. Or, rather. Rather, that has been my experience. What is gained is given. What is taken is taught.\"\n\nThe latter sentences sounded rhythmic, recited, as if passages from a well-loved novel. Matti did not look at the stranger, only out and up towards the rapidly darkening sky." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel silently handed Matti's phone back and nodded.\n\n\"Not the type to make then, I take it?\" They responded. The remark was intended to be a bit pithy, but no less expressive for it. \"Even if you give me a tire and a rope, it's not a swing until I put it together, right? Sometimes, we Make.\" They spoke more naturally, in a way more akin to conversation than oration, but there was still a certain flowy quality to their articulation.\n\nThey took a moment to look out at the stars. Not for guidance — just because they were very pretty.\n\n\"Have you always had your powers?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti paused, the words hitting as if spoken quickly and in a half-learned language. They took a moment to gather their response, fidgeting with their returned phone as they did.\n\n\"'Making' requires 'having'. What is 'had' was once 'given'. What is not given, is not had, is not made.\" It wasn't quite what they'd meant to say, but it came out smoothly, without stutter, and that was enough. Tucking their phone into a pocket, they resettled their hat (dislodged in their climb) firmly on their head.\n\n\"Always, no. However, for a. A long time. I was not truly... Without. They came gradually.\" \n\nMatti's gaze shifted from Fennel, to the stars, and back again, as if trying to See The sky and not Watch It. Unsuccessful, their eyes darted between the sharp and shadowed corners cast along the ledge and electrical boxes on the roof." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel shook their head. \"The universe gives us lots of things. But you can't expect it to do all the work. Everything is more than the sum of its parts.\" They paused for a brief moment. \"Something you've made is a brand new thing — even if you got the flour from somewhere else, it's not flour anymore, and you can't unbake the bread. But you can eat it, and it's good.\"\n\nFennel didn't remember the last time they had this kind of conversation with someone. Literally, they didn't remember. But it felt refreshing. Like it had been missing from their life somehow.\n\n\"Some things are just inherent, too. You can't give a house a fundament — the fundament has to be there for the house to exist in the first place. The fundament is given a house, but every house has a fundament anyway.\"\n\nThey look over at Matti and smile a little. \"I kind of think of people like that too. We're not given the world — the world has to exist for us to exist. The world is given us. But it's still our Mother Earth.\"\n\nThey finished their rambling quietly, and sighed. \"My powers were a gift. Literally. But not from a creator with a purpose for me. Just a friend. I think I like it better that way.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti paused, sorting through the analogy the best they could. The words came bearing good intentions- that, at least, did much to soothe their instinctual anxiety. But the frustration, the Skin-under-skin-words-wells-drying-up, curled in the hollow of their throat, seemingly there to stay.\n\n\"I- when there is no flour, there is no bread. For days, there is no bread. For months. Years. And Then. You are given flour. You bake, you are spared starvation. Is the meaning of that gift not greater?\"\n\nMatti sighed, rocking backwards and propping themself up with their arms. They cast their gaze out to the vast expanse of stars, silence silver met with the desperate gleam of not-gold. Matter, meaning, all of it. Tangled like constricting veins, following the sluggish beating of their heart.\n\n\"I understand what is. Thought of me. What I believe. But understand, how many times can you ask a question and hope for a different answer? How clear must it be made? When suffering is a teacher, one finds. Learning is not particularly loved.\"\n\nThey scrambled for something clearer, Better, and found only recycled words offered for mimicking. \n\n\"How long did it take Tantalus to realize his punishment? Some things are seen, not spoken.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Mmm,\" Fennel hummed, \"I guess.\"\n\nMatti sounded hurt. Very deeply hurt. He spoke like someone who had gone a very long time without, if not food, at the very least some kind of essential comfort. He spoke like he was traumatized, to put it bluntly.\n\n\"But... Even in your hour of need, when you're starving, and the universe gives you flour, it still expects you to bake bread yourself. The universe doesn't give us things fully formed — not gifts, not lessons. It gives us flour, but it's up to us to make something of it, and flour's good for more than just bread.\"\n\nThey recalled what they did before waking up. What they Made. They recalled taking what they had been given, and finding out what to do with it themselves.\n\n\"The universe sends us signs all the time, but it's up to us to interpret them. And... Truth be told, your interpretation worries me a little. You make the world sound harsh and temperamental. Is it the universe taking from you to teach? Or your abusers?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Cw:// Matti has some weird views on being a victim, and dissociates from personhood somewhat to cope with that. Nothing extremely graphic.\n\nMatti attempted to follow the analogy but instead felt wrong-footed, spun around and left in the woods with no way out. Like the two children, in the fairytale they couldn't quite remember the ending of. Running after breadcrumbs, and then nothing at all. Logic lost. \|\|Without their Sight, they would be dead. A truth that travelled through their veins, ached behind their teeth. Their eyes were a gift. Their Life, a gift. Given, given, blessing and curse and unpayable debt.\|\| They could see, perhaps, the point their strange companion was trying to make, but not grasp it. A small hand, no matter how far it stretched, could not cross such a canyon. \n\n\n\nThey bit their tongue. The blood tasted like proof. \n\n\n\n\"Is- I-\" Their tongue rebelled against them, tripping like a child might. Frustration rolled in their gut.\n\n\"Is that not the way of the world? There is no interpretation. There is truth. There is action. I saw it. See It.\" \n\nThey let out a long breath, and the cool night air filled their lungs with a strange weightiness. They knew that others could not See as they did. The filth that clogged the gutter of the world. But to live and not see Harsh, Temperamental. It would almost be worth it, to lose their Sight.\n\n.\n\n\"I am neither beaten nor blind,\" Matti whispered, hushed like the words were the kind of blasphemy that might prompt divine lightning. \"I do not Want The darkness. But only I can see it. And. It's always the eyes.\"\n\nCupboards, broken glass, empty. Hands on backs, stairs below feet, noise muffled through walls. Glazed eyes, cold eyes, wrathful, cruel, sightless, gold. \n\nAlways the eyes. Always." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel saw it in his eyes — Matti's heart sinking, the cracks showing. In spite of his words, Fennel was confident they'd read Matti correctly: Deeply wounded, but unaware of the extent of it, blaming it on the universe. They felt absolutely no gratification from being right.\n\nThey tried their best to listen to Matti, though. Even though it hurt. He barely thought himself human — he had convinced himself that he was the conduit for a purpose bestowed by some unknown force, and that anything outside that purpose, including his own well-being, was entirely secondary. He had convinced himself that the universe, rather than conversing with him, was commanding him, and falling into a deep pit of despair as he did.\n\n...\n\nFalling.\n\nMatti was falling.\n\n...\n\nCatch!\n\nWith almost the same awkward motion that Fennel caught Matti's phone with, they caught Matti himself, silently (and awkwardly) embracing him on the edge of the roof from which he was about to fall.\n\n\"That one's a gift from me,\" Fennel murmured, cautiously dragging Matti back onto a safely flat part of the roof. \"Please don't ever let the darkness drown out the stars.\"\n\nTheir eyes, if Matti could see them, were concerned." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Always the eyes- perhaps more accurately: always the Actions. Sight, after all, cannot hear flowered words or pretty songs or the rustle of wind through leaves. It is tied to motion, action, object. Mattias knew this, knew it as thoroughly and truthfully as they knew they Were Sight, in the ways that mattered. And so words never had a chance, not really. Not in reaching the mind of Mattias Gates.\n\nFennel (though Matti does not know the word, not yet) catches them, and under their hands falls the last rock that becomes the landslide. An avalanche, a mountain slumping its shoulders to let burden and snow slide to the ground. \n\n\"I Can't,\" They rasped, voice wavering, pushed over the cliff into something distraught. \"It- it- it Cannot be for nothing. It Hurt. It shouldn't- unless-\"\n\nWords rushing like rivers, a dam finally broken down. And a question- one that could mean a hundred things. Why? The word thrummed through their throat, their chest, their bones, rattling down to the concrete with such force they were surprised the ground didn't split. That they weren't swallowed up by it, that thing too tangled and complex to name.\n\nWhy?\n\nIn the end, it boiled down to something simpler, perhaps crueler, carved from helplessness:\n\n\"If it was a Gift, if it was Free, then Why did it happen? I am meant to Watch. Built for it. If I was allowed to have- Happiness, then Why do I still feel like this?\"\n\nAnd there, the truth, carried by words that cracked like breaking ice. It was a deadly plunge, both cold and cleansing. Matti's eyes, golden or otherwise, fixed on a single star. Drained of any capacity for cruelty. Just shivering, and quiet, and tired." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Hey.\"\n\nFennel's voice was the barest whisper, sharp and minimalistic. They vocalized as much as they needed to, and no more.\n\n\"Hey. You're safe now. You're okay. It's gonna be okay.\"\n\nThey still hadn't let go of Matti. They suspected that they shouldn't, not unless they were asked to.\n\n\"No one is hurting you right now. I'm here to help. It's okay.\"\n\nThey realized Matti was crying.\n\n\"Do you like chai? We can sit down in the kitchen and I can make some chai, if you'd like.\"\n\nThey realized they were crying too. For him.\n\n\"Does that sound good?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Cw:// vaguely dissociative? Matti and their emotions. Vague allusion to neglect.\n\nMatti reached a hand to their face, strangely unmoved despite their own tears. A statue captured in the stillness of the moment, a body more conveying life than a vessel for it. Confusion, rather than hurt. If there was pain, it was buried too far down for even golden eyes to see it. Truth came in many forms, but it could not be argued Mattias Gates was anything but genuine. Their gaze blurred. \n\n\"Who is to blame if light blinds the eyes? You can't try the brightness, as much as you cannot arrest the sun.\"\n\nThe poetry of the words was sharp and satisfying as much as it was real. Eyes or actions- it had always been absence. Words left unsaid. Hands unextended. Houses empty. Little people, hollowed out.\n\n\n\n\"I don't know what 'chai' is,\" They confessed. Just out of place- Beyond- enough it calmed the Hands-over-eyes-over-ears Part of themself that typically shied from the thought of newness. \"But I would. Like to try it.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Okay,\" Fennel nodded, \"Let's go, then.\"\n\nThey carefully clambered down to the scaffolding leading back to the window, then offered Matti their hand. \"Here. I'll help you back down. If that's okay.\" Fennel didn't know, but it was fine either way. They'd get to the kitchen regardless.\n\n. . .\n\nThe kitchen smelled like warm spices, sweet and pungent. Fennel had been checking in with Matti once in a while, just to make sure — Matti had seemed distraught enough that asking them how they were feeling seemed worthwhile.\n\nThe chai was ready. Fennel poured it into two mugs, one for Matti and one for them, then quietly placed Matti's mug in front of them and sat down opposite them.\n\nThey sipped their tea. It tasted like the one nice Christmas they remembered." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Wordlessly, Matti shook the last of the starlight from their eyes. Looked at the drop back down to the scaffolding warily, but too tired to be properly frightened at the prospect of a missed jump or a long, long drop. Taking Fennel's hand, they scrambled downwards with the grace of a penguin (or another small flightless bird) trying to glide. \n\nAs their feet hit solid ground once again, it seemed like some cosmic record skipped. In the span of a blink, they moved. Eyes open, wavering by the rooftop. Eyes closed. Eyes open, tile floors and cramped appliances. Somehow, they'd made it to the kitchen. Time passed in similar ways for the next- minutes? Hours? The weight of fatigue coaxed eyes shut, and when they saw the world again it had changed. Something obscurer (smaller?) was changing, too, a knot unravelling deep within them. There weren't words for it, for the steady line of the horizon or their conversation on the roof. They would have to subsist on silence, for now.\n\nAnd tea.\n\nFrom within its confines, the chai spun in a hypnotizing spiral, like a whirlpool leading down to deep, dark, heavily spiced depths. Matti couldn't decide if they liked it or not. I might, they thought with equal parts dread and anticipation, Have to try it again to be sure. \n\n\"Thank you.\" They spoke with neither inflection nor whisper- though more into their mug than to Fennel. The words had that same spiraling surface- a gratitude deeper than a cup of tea shared across a common table. But their meaning remained unknown, or at least unspoken. Verbalization could wait until another day.\n\nTime continued to pass in wandering paths. The twilight hours lasted either too little or too long, though which one they couldn't quite tell. It wasn't a bad feeling, only new. Strange. By the time the kitchen emptied, the tea was gone- the dregs of sun creeping up towards a dawning sky." } ]	254.5	3,656
112.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Tiffany [Tiff] Windsor", "message": "Tiffany is, for honesty's sake, a little stupid. She's been here for months and still struggles to find her way around. But she doesn't get angry about that anymore- she's really settled in. She has a good sense of humor about things, and good, because this is actually all her fault.\n\n\nShe refuses to get a map. Something she has every power to do, and refuses. \n\nTiffany is quite a specimen at times. She's looking for the sports field, but only got so far as the courtyard. \n\nTiff glances around, seeing if anyone is nearby. She doesn't want people to Witness Her being lost." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Actually, there was someone nearby! A short boy with fluffy brown hair. He seemed to grip something on their chest and look around frantically. He was lost and scared. This was his first day here and he didn't know what to do\n\n\"...\"\n\nHe turns to the tall lady, and immediately looks away. Shit, did she notice him!? He hoped she didnt... She looked scary" }, { "author": "Tiffany [Tiff] Windsor", "message": "Tiff is used to people thinking she's scary. And, honestly, she doesn't Mind It. She Is Scary. Tall muscular woman. Aaaah! Y'know?\n\n\"Ah! Hey, you new here?\" \nTiffany is approaching Mark. ~~There is no escape~~\n\nTiff was a lost newbie once. Sure she wasn't scared, but she was lost. And she at least knows her way around the Indoors.\n\nMostly.\nSomewhat. \nEnough.\n\nYeah, she knows enough.\n\n\"You good? Look like ya just saw a ghost. Or Sigrún for the first time.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Ah! U-Uhm... Yes!\"\n\nAaaaand she approached him. Mark stares up at her, being about a foot shorter than her he stares up with an awkward smile. His height and baby-face made it look like he was young\n\n\"H-Hello! I don't... Exactly know where I am...\"\n\nMark looks to the side. Jesus christ she was bigger up close he was only 2 years younger than her but it didn't seem like it" }, { "author": "Tiffany [Tiff] Windsor", "message": "Yeah, he looks almost newborn! That's a joke, a bit of hyperbole. Tiffany can't help but grin down at him. She has a toothy grin, always has. It can be intimidating to some people. \n\nIt feels great to be the more experienced one in this situation, the one givin' the help and not receiving it.\n\n\"You're in the courtyard, dude! Did you have a place in mind, like, specifically? Maybe I could help. I've been here for a few months, i know my way around.\"\nMostly. Sometimes." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"No... I don't. I've been to my dorm, but noone else is in it. So I left. Now I was just walking around and came here. U-Uhm... My name is Mark.. And who are you?\"\n\nMark just looks up to Tiff with a small smile. He was a bit scared of her smile, but he tried to act like he wasn't. ...He was bad at acting. He tilts his head a bit as he speaks\n\n\"W-Wait... You want to help me...?\"" } ]	114	676
311.318182	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie was rather recently discharged from the hospital, much to the nurses haggling for her to stay another week. It was a cold argument they had. Honestly? It was a little funny as well. \n\nAmelie had wheeled herself back to the cradle with no fanfare and none to notice if she was gone or back again. It's a little sad how it slightly hurts Amelie but, she did such a thing to herself. She can deal with it.\nAmelie quickly went to her dorm, changed out her wheelchair for her crutches and dutifully went down to the greenhouse. Where she stares at the flowers she'd taken valiant care of before she went to the hospital.\n\n They're superisingly... Well... They look young, beautiful and unhurt. But, that's simply... Amelie shouldn't question these things. She knows the raspberries she planted would do well despite everything but the lilacs... Lily's... And other flowers should be dead. It's astonishing.\n\nAmelie's brow furrows as she drags her frail fingers across a leaf of a pink rose. She hums looking at it. It looks perfect as if it were put up for decoration at a store. \n\nAmelie's face flickers to a slight strained yet hopeful smile as she checks her other plants. Which all look rather well kept despite her absence." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "It was a fun challenge for Anja to work on the plants out here. The colder Sweden days became a new obstacle compared to the still temperate Serbian autumns, especially for little flowers, but she made sure they continued. It was an interesting experiment. How long could spring and summer flowers last? She never was really given who were the original caretakers of these ones, but as she passed by the greenhouse, taking note of the different plants that the other residents who were more green-thumbed had chosen to grow, she had noticed the lilies and roses that began to wilt, the soil dry and unforgiving for the little flowers.\n\nShe decided that she would take care of them until she could confront the negligent person, and either take ownership, or find their excuse. So, Anja would come around everyday, marking what soil helped the flowers grow, what kept their petals sturdy, if any had dropped, which ones could pollinate, if she could make them remain intact and create more. Something to keep her interested between the classes she was mandated to take. It was something.\n\nA cool colored overshirt covers her dress, her \"Cold\" Layers for the day, as she stepped out to the chilly winds that swirled around the inner courtyard. In her hand, she held a small leather bound journal, the pages littered with notes. Inside her native language and her secondary were fighting for total control. It was a true war of attrition.\n\nHer plan for today was to see if the rose was able to produce seeds. Seeing if there was hopefully enough sun today had provided temperance into the greenhouse. It was a fantastic uphill battle for these plants.\n\nShe stepped into the greenhouse, not letting the door shut quietly. After all she had only really seen herself in here most days, she was used to the solitude. It was nice.\n\nLooking up from her journal, she had noticed a woman, crutches being wielded underneath her shoulders. She was touching the rose. It almost rested against her hand, like an animal that missed its owner's hold. This must be the original caretaker.\n\nThe woman didn't need an excuse, clearly herself was the more important thing to take care of first. Anja makes her way over to the other woman, she was still here to do work.\n\n\"Interesting is it not? Just a little water and the right fertilization.\" She speaks up, and crouches down, doing her own investigation of the soil. It was still fine, but could use a change. \"Since I've been here, has not been long of course, but rose has kept itself strong. Waiting. Wasn't fully sure for what, though.\" \nShe looks up to the frail woman, studying her as well." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie made a muffled choked noise and flinched, her right hand immediately going back to rest on her crutch. The rose seemed to lean forward at the loss of the girls touch as Amelie herself mentally stumbled over her own feet, which isn't really hard to do right now. \n\nAmelie stared at the girl with her one eye wide like an animal caught by a hunter. She opens her mouth to say something but all that comes out is a broken squeak. \n\nThis girl is quite the surprise, sneaking up on Amelie and catching her attention by surprise that almost sent Amelie to the floor. She supposes that this is the girl that took care of what Amelie regretfully left. She took such care without knowledge that Amelie really should thank her for. That's something Amelie even though she has just met her, greatly admires the girl for. \n\nAmelie forgets she dosent need to make up an excuse for things anymore, this isn't that awful house and this girl dosent seem like anybody Amelie should be afraid of. \n\n\"A... Yes. I've been gardening for quite some time. It's genuinely amazing what some care can do... If that person was to try.\" \nAmelie's voice was quiet, hoarse, she didn't like it. Amelie's gaze is on the girl's eyes, they look like a clean river rushing into her sight... That's odd to think of. \n\"This may be a little selfish but I like to think the rose and my others were waiting for me... Like they have their own little minds and their own things they get excited about. It's a small joy I partake in, as delusional as it is.\"\nAmelie's lips purse as she looks away from the girl and back to her flowers that have been so paitently waiting for her to return." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"I do not find you foolish, ma'am.\" She stands up, giving the woman some space. \n\"I would be judging myself by judging you.\" As she continues, she goes to investigate the other flowers. The lilacs are still holding strong. Good.\n\"What I said was not fully true. After seeing you, I knew what it survived for. Rose, lilac, lilies.\" She pointed to each one as she listed them with her pen. \"They truly did missed you.\" Not the best English, but she did not care.\n\n\"It was odd. Other little plants around here were being taken care of. Except for these little flowers. Like no one else was allowed to touch them.\" \nShe wrote down her findings on the lilacs' status in her journal. After all, she had just come down here to continue her experiment. \"I am sorry if it was overstepping. Now that you are here I can leave them alone. Was simply a test for my plant...\" \n\nAnja pauses tapping her finger on the pen she held, thinking of the word. What was it? She remembered it was about familiarity and experience of a fact or situation. It was a weirdly spelt word. Normally she would just use her phone to auto correct it normally, but forgot the pronunciation.\nThe other woman was waiting. Time to try her best.\n\n\"Nawlidge.\" Was what escaped her mouth. She was sure it was close enough. She presses on.\n\n\"Again, you are back home, if you would call it that. I will let your plants be your plants again. I thank you for letting me try something. It was fun challenge.\"\nShe tries to keep uncaring. But a pain crosses her heart. It was a fun challenge. She would miss the flowers. She thought to take some stem cuttings later, or maybe even work on other flowers." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie looks to the girl with a guilty stare. It looks a little happy though. Her face an ugly mix of sad and joy. \n\"Don't. You shouldn't judge yourself if you're not the first to do so. You're just following in little steps already made. It's fine.\"\nAmelie raises her hand in front of the girls face for a moment before it hits back to the handle of her crutch. \n\"Thank you.\"\n\nAmelie looks to the other plants. They look remarkably better but, Amelie is just happy her own had survived. She was alone in her endeavor. No help as she took time that was most likely needed for her to rest getting her hands dirty with soil and regrets. \n\"Others tend to see me and never bother me or vhat I work on. Even iv it harms.\" \nHer rough voice grew quiet. Nervous. \n\nAmelie looked to the girl when she finished talking Amelie began to reach out the girl, before looking at her hand and pulling it quickly. \n\nAmelie seemed to press weight more on her left moving slightly away from the girl with a sorrowful look to anything but the girl.\n\n\"Please don't leave me. I'm sorry iv this seemed out of turn vat, you have been nothing but well. It would be unkind of me to let you walk away like that.\"\nAmelie has surprisingly grown lonely as she had those months after that day. Nobody had visited her much less stared. All she got was the disappointed look of that nurse, she deserved that though. \n\n\"If you enjoyed it. You can still do it. It's actually nice knowing another cared for them.\"\nAmelie had a smile it looked a little watery. Her right hand had busied itself with the pocket of her jacket. \n\n\"Also, can you show me that word you spoke when you wrote it down. Just for a moment? I swear no harm.\" \n\nAmelie looked a little cautious but hopeful as she again locked her eye to the girl. It flickered to her hands the notebook and then the girl's eyes. In that succession, in a small weak plea much weaker than her words." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"It is unfortunate that people treat you that way, miss.\" Anja looks back up, matching her gaze. \"Perhaps I just do not know how rest of facility's social groups act.\"\n\nShe was about to close her journal. Leave this woman alone, let her get her deserved time to breathe and live and become wholly unbothered. But before she could, the woman makes an attempt to reach for her. It's clear she wanted it to not be noticed. Another quick meeting of their eyes commences as the woman speaks.\n\n\"If that is what you would like. I always could spend more time out here.\" She gives a slow blink, like a cat expressing trust to an unknown stranger. \"Plants are something I understand. It would be nice to make this single flower a flower bed.\"\nSomething about this woman sparked familiarity, and even a small source of nostalgia. Like meeting someone from home long ago.\n\n\"Ah...\" Does she mean the word she struggled to say? The other did not say if Anja said it was right. \"If you mean about the lilacs, it is written in my native tongue. I could try to explain. Other word... I am still working on English.\"\n\nShe writes down the word Knowledge On a page, again, something that she had learned to write, but not perfectly pronounced. \n\"Wasn't sure which one you meant.\" She makes an apologetic smile, it's a thin smile, but clearly a new expression from what appeared to be a permanent scowl that crossed her face." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"They're remarkably close with eachother, if that's what you're talking about.\"\nAmelie chimes in but her tone is a little defensive when she speaks about it.\n\nAmelie felt caught and insanely nervous, like speaking to something completely alien to her. They were completely alien to eachother for a matter of fact. Amelie looked at the flowers that frequently crowded her mind, watching it stand so proudly by itself. \n\"Yes... It would. Wouldn't it.\"\n\nAmelie's eyes lands on a purple hyacinth and, her gaze turns colder from the vulnerable warmth it once was as she looks at the girl's journal. She feels oddly like something she would have loved to had when she was younger... But that has long past and the pain of those times are still taking its toll.\n\n\"Vhat is okay. It's nice having things in your native tongue. I write to so many people and I often forget some don't know my own tongue.\"\nAmelie jests while she leans slightly forward, looking at the worn and well loved pages of the notebook. \nIt seems warm. The notebook. Filled with things so loved.\nLike a fire on a cold day, something nice to curl against and forget.\n\nAmelie reads some of the notebook. Catching fragments so she could poorly put something in her mind to ease it of it's violent storm. Lilacs... They remind Amelie of her little sister... She would have loved to see them, and in her naivety picked a few of them to show Amelie how pretty they were. \n\nAmelie looks to the thin yet well meant smile and Amelie almost breaks into one of her own. But her face stays cold.\n\"You're fine. Vhat is actually ze one I vas going to point out. No harm in guessing.\"\nAmelie soothes.\n\n.\n\n\"Your notes. They're... Rather extensive. It's astonishing really. Even iv I can't read it I know already you take care in joy in zhis. Ze notes are simply wunderbar.\"\nAmelie knew the second she glanced over the page it would make her want to know more. Ah, to read something with care... It's so much better than something mass made. Ah, but she shouldn't compare. Such idle drifting would be wrong. \n\n\"Vat! Excuse me. It's probably intrusive to say such things.\" \nAmelie leans back, away from the girl and her musings. Amelie looks to her raspberry bush. They seem to be doing well despite the lack of sun. They most likely don't taste as sweet as they did before she left. But, things tend to happen she shouldn't meander. \nAmelie looked over the flowers again and again, like a robot does on a factory line.\n\nI went a little insane." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Maybe another time, I can translate some of the notes. Most of the English here is me remembering how a word is pronounced, but sometimes I forget to write in native tongue.\" \nA small chuckle escapes her. There it was again. It was a feeling. Something she's felt before, but long before she had arrived at the Cradle. Anja decides to leave it to the side. Process it later.\n\n\"It's like a little hobby for me, I guess.\" She flicks her eyes over to the other woman and then back to her own notes, flipping through the recent pages. \n\"Too late to work with crops I think. Too cold. So I study other plants.\"\n\n\n\"Intrusive?\" She looks back up, quizzical towards the woman's own internal struggle. \n\"Would be intrusive if you just took the book out of my hands. You are simply curious, miss. I will not blame you for curiosity. I kept your plants alive.\"\n\n\"Will take some time. But I can give you things that I wrote down in journal on flowers.\"\nShe sets her pen away in the pocket of the over shirt she wore. \"If you'd like as well, soil must be replaced for little rose there. Could check the others and show you what to do.\"\n\nAn olive branch had been held out to the woman. She just had to take it.\n\nA glimpse thought, the woman reminded her of a stray cat she had met in her hometown. It was a little thing, calico colors splashing across its fur. When she went into town she would end up meeting it near the grocery store. It was untrusting, but always stuck around the thing it hated the most. She would let it be until one day, she had decided to provide it with a small little meal. A little tin of food. Something to keep it going for a few days. Just for her own personal satisfaction. It would eventually become a ritual: She would meet the little thing by the side of the store, it would hiss at her, and then would hear her opening one of the tins. \nWhen she left for Sweden, she hoped that she was not the only one who had this little ritual of personal satisfaction." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Oh, that would be most appreciated.\"\nAmelie tucks into herself as she listens to the girl speak. Tugging on her words to inspect them thoroughly, it wouldn't be the first Amelie is persuaded into something fowl. Or is it just the fact she's been awfully alone and has met so many disgusting people she dosent know what to think. Her mind screams at her that this is another fowl, ill hearted joke. \n\nShe'll take it... Just this once. \n\n\"Please. Frau. If only you would wish to.\"\nAmelie let's a smile that looks more like a grimace flash across her features in a way to say she's thankful. It's rather ugly but, it gets the job done. Hopefully. \n\"You're quite... Ah... Well-versed in zis? Yes. It would be nice to have your help.\"\n\nIt's been quite a while since Amelie has reached out upon her own accord. She won't get her hopes up, maybe this will burn like everything else. But, she's so tired... Of what? She dosent understand. \n\nIt is nice meeting somebody so willing to help, she should thank her thoroughly for what she has done. But, her mouth stays shut when she wants to say something. What a complacent girl she is.\n\nAmelie frowns a scowl leaving her features ugly, but when she looks to the girl beside her that stoney look softens. She hasn't done anything worthy of hatred. That would be uncouth. \n\nAmelie is uncertain of anything to say; Like water rushing past her feet and she's scared she'll fall if she takes a step." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Somehow, a weight has been lifted from the air.\n\nThe woman utters the allowance, and Anja is immediately at work. She picks up a pot, setting it next to the bed of soil. She supplies the pot with fresh soil and scoops some of the older soil into the pot.\n\"Well... Yes I supposed I could be called well-versed.\" She looks over to the other woman. \"It is just hobby.\"\n\nShe flicks her eyes over. \"I am going to remove the flower, let it live in its new soil as I replace it.\" \nIt would be improper to immediately take over the other woman's hobby. She should be able to work with it.\n\nSomething about looking over to the woman. Anja always feels more comfortable when she looks over to her. Again that nagging feeling. What was it that made this feeling so familiar?\nIt was frustrating to try and piece this together, especially with the work she should be doing. It wasn't Her Though. Never could it of been her. This was something stirring from somewhere else. Anja just couldn't place it.\nFinally she decided to get to the bottom of this.\n\"...What is your name, miss?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie looks over the work the girl was quickly started doing.\n\"A hobby you love or at least like... Certainly.\"\n \nAmelie looks at the girl with a confused stair before it hits her. Amelie looks around for a moment before she gets to the ground all though slowly. She places her crutches against the floor and she pushes herself to the rose.\n\n\"No need to remove the rose. I'll do that myself, Frau.\"\nShe has a small shovel in her hand, which she uses to dig out the proper area where the roses roots are. It's not even a year old so it isn't grafted. It's small, a fickle thing that Amelie greatly cares for. \n\nAmelie gently pulls it's lightning-esq roots from the soil she cleans the roots of it's past soil clinging desperately to it. She looks to the pot and moves towards it making a small divet in the pot to place the rose in. Only the best for something so beautiful. \n\nAmelie is moving the soil onto the rose when she looks back to the girl. Oh. She forgot. She dosent even know her name. \n\n\"Amelie.\" She says as she gently pushes the soil to the base of the stem. \n\"Amelie Valentina.\"\nShe turns her right hand on the ground and her left holding onto the pot. There's a small smile to her face.\n\"Do you wish to tell me yours? You don't really need to.\"\nThe smile flickers out as quickly as it came. The gardening seemingly making her forget of whatever struggles she has been facing. \n\nAmelie looks at her right hand, she got the bandages of her right dirty. She'll change those later." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Amelie... Amelie.\nFamiliarity finally passed through the woman.\n\"Wait.\" She pauses, watching the now revealed Amelie scoop more soil into the pot. \nShe's doing well, especially for someone who was just doing this to keep herself busy.\nBack on track. \"Like the Lady bones, Amelie?\" Her eyelids flutter, THIS was Amelie? Amazing.\n\nDon't go and get starry eyed yet. Frau Anja.\n\"Ah... Anja. Anja Leta.\" She speaks out. \nDamn lemon tree. She knew it would end up embarrassing her, not even bearing fruit to harvest for when Amelie had returned. She curses it in her head. It will learn hell to pay another day.\n\nOh she's done. Time to quickly get this soil changed now.\nShe takes another pot, this one for convenience of carrying, taking the trowel that Amelie had set down and shoveled away the old soil. \nThe little specks of the old dirt that remained would require a true replacing and cleaning of the box. She then sets the other pot to the side, and shovels in the new soil, just enough for Amelie to place the rose back where it belonged.\n\nRight. Amelie. Anja looks back over to the woman.\n\"I wish I knew it was you sooner, would've greeted you with more pleasantries.\" She gives another smile, apologetic in nature once again. \"Will keep your face in memories. Won't make same mistake twice.\" She taps the side of her temples." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie stops and her brow raises comically. She looks to the rose then to the girl with a perturbed glare. \n\"Da...\" \nAmelie genuinely thought it was a cruel joke, is she this completely out of sync with everything? She didn't give her name so she guesses it was only fair. She was sad and it was a little funny to read, sue her.\n\nAmelie hums as the girl glared holes into something in the soil. If looks could kill whatever in that dirt was sure to be evaporated. She best not try and actively get on the other side of that glare.\n\"Madame Anja? It's nice to finally meet you.\" \n\nAmelie noticed the girl had quickly moved the old dirt and already had new soil in. Amelie was just busy looking at the state of her hands. It took Anja speaking once more to get her to move. She took the rose from where it once was like it was a frail and old porcelain. Looking at it as if it held her world together and in a way, it did. \n\nAmelie put the rose back, her boney finger tracing up it's stem. Her finger moves last thorns before stopping at a leaf and gently caressing it before bringing her right hand back to her lap. She stares at the rose before paying attention to the newly unmasked girl, Anja.\n\n\"No need for pleasantries, your company is enough.\" \nAmelie waves off the apologetic broken smile Anja wore with ease. Having done this with many people before really, it's a sort of nature.\n\"I hope you do. I'm sure my face dosent change much from it's usual look. If it does then that's something to worry about.\"\nAmelie wipes the tips of her fingers on her shirt, while giving a raspy kind of half-laugh. \n\n\"Also, you were glaring at the soil there like it cursed you. What was that about if I may ask, Madame Anja.\"\nHer fingers gently interlace within eachother and her Intex of her right taps against the back of her left palm in waiting and thought." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Ah. That. You remember seed stall, yes? I had purchased ungrateful sapling.\" She begins settling the roses roots back into where they would sit comfortably, she let the rose do the rest of its work, it sat as straight as could be, now all it had to do was make the soil its new home.\n\n\"Hate that little lemon producer. Remembered I will have to go see it again after this.\"\nShe set the trowel back down. Both of the women's hands were covered in little layers of soil now.\n\"Now that I think of it, glad I can spend time down here with you. Would despise seeing tree again.\" She spoke in a kinder tone, no one else around to listen to Anja's walls being taken down, brick by brick.\n\nAs she spent time with this woman, it became harder to leave the scowl that usually was painted on her face.\nFor once, a lighter, neutral expression was what was shown when she wasn't looking over at Amelie.\n\n\"Also, I do appreciate you telling me of stall. Maybe one day I can take you with?\" \nInstead of the cursory glance she would make towards her, whenever Anja would speak to Amelie, she would decide to face her, showing more attention to the other woman." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie watches Anja make sure the rose is to be comfortable with narrowed eyes. Looking like she is trying to piece together something but it ends up in shambles in her hands.\n\"Yes. I had actually gotten the seeds for these lovely things from that stall. Ungrateful?\" \nNow why would a fresh new sapling be ungrateful...\nIt's a plant.\n\nAmelie looked a extremely confused, which was an amazing feat for a girl with basically half a face. Amelie listens and nods, her index itches the back of her middle finger before she answers.\n\"I am able to say much the same. I've spent far too much time gardening alone. Having you along is nice.\"\nAmelie was looking at the purple hyacinths oh how they stand so brightly against the lilacs and Lilies. They almost bring out the one rose as well. Beautiful even in sorrow. \n\nShe shouldn't think of such awful things. Not when she's within such good company that would be just rude. Her company was appreciated, after fighting losing battles over and over, Amelie finds Anja a wonderful different air. Solid and grounding even. Homely.\n\nAmelie raises her brow at Anja facing her as Amelie herself looks out of place. Amelie has been to shows but having only one person's eyes on you has always felt more charged if you knew them. Amelie thinks and shrugs just a little.\n\"I've been there many times before. Vat, another time vill not hurt. I'd love to if zhat day ever comes.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Da. Ungrateful little thing.\" To Anja, it was a simple concept, the idea that plants had their own thoughts and feelings. They were like little children to her, moody and demanding. Amelie's though? They were grateful things, she mused, the understanding of how their caretakers status was, and the sheer perseverance that the plants had come through, she could only hope she was right, that they wouldn't just die a later day.\n\nShe nods. \"I usually do like gardening alone, most of time someone just questions what I'm doing or gives unhelpful suggestion. But out here. It is nice.\" She leans against one of the table tops, continuing. \n\"In greenhouse, people just trust the process. See that plant is no longer dying. Understand I am working. Asks to see notes instead of asking me directly.\"\n\nShe wouldn't truly be aware of the internal struggle the other woman held, Anja was not that type of person, one to be able to read others like a book. She knew what her expertise was. She was just glad someone showed interest in it, for once.\n\nA small smile crosses her face. \"Glad to hear that, miss Amelie. Glad to hear that.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "It seemed that Anja's little ones are just started, it isn't necessarily their fault. But, the thought of Anja glaring at a sapling has Amelie covering her mouth with the back of her hand to stifle a small laugh. This girl was a riot in her own little way, it was fun. \n\nAmelie hums. \n\"They're blind I think they should go home if they do that. Talk to a wall.\"\nAmelie curls her fingers into her skirt as she listens to the points Anja paints onto her walls of memory. \n\"Well. You have only done amazing things, it's like watching the trees turn shades of yellow and orange. Mesmerizing really.\"\n\nThis girl need not know Amelie's own problems for it is her own. They have shown one commonplace, it's up to Amelie to not destroy it. She's happy to find one who's seemingly blunt and well... She dosent know how to describe it. \n\nAmelie's hand drops and only half her face smiles the other is meek and small. \n\"Wunderbar, Frau Anja. Simply amazing.\"\nIt's not to feel the manic boiling of eager bones with this girl, Amelie hasn't felt this calm and happy for a while. Not even with the other people she has seen and met. Definitely not." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja nods, it felt like Amelie has been through the same experience that she has. But, of course, she knew it was not that case. The woman has been through her own life, with varying experiences in the world.\nBut something just felt like a missing piece. Like she had known her forever.\n\n\"I could only imagine you have your own amazing things you have done. I would love to hear of them, or perhaps experience them with you.\" She says, a small smile forming from her as well. \"If you would have me of course. I would mind to avoid the worst of the questions.\"\n\nAnother offer for her. \nSomething that would take a strong denial for Anja to give up on. To the Serbian, Amelie Valentia was the most interesting resident that she has met. Anja rests her thumbs in the pockets of her sundress, continuing to study the woman in front of her\nShe was now invested.\n\n\"I could say the same about yourself, Gospođo Amelie.\"\nA slip, the pleasantries of Miss's and Frau's had for once, made her slip into her native tongue. She had accidentally stumbled over herself, and would blush harder if she could." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Anja was something Amelie has never met before. Through disgusting faces of rage and drunken thoughts, Anja was something that Amelie could easily forget everything over. Silence breeds thoughts and oh is Amelie having many. It's not like a missing piece it's, Anja is a note of a song Amelie has been playing for so long Amelie has forgotten this note over and over. \n\nThe song isn't beautiful without that note. It isn't worth hearing without everything. And Amelie can now play it again, but will she?\n\nAmelie's eye trails down the fair petals of the rose and the others surrounding it. It moves past thorns and leaves to over pale calloused hands to cheeks flushed with red to calm cold eyes, they're slightly warm. Amelie's eye narrows. \n\"I would love to have you. If course if you don't mind.\"\n\nAmelie was interested in this girl in a vauge sense of inquiry. Everything but her eyes show sun and warmth the flush of her cheeks to the small almost invisible scars on her hands, to the lean muscle of work. But her eyes, they're cold. Amelie wonders why they equally show the same warmth her body does. It's interesting.\n\nAmelie tilts her head at the sudden... Siberian? Was it. How Anja's voice leaks and melts in her native tongue. Amelie wants her to speak it more often.\n\"You give me too much credit, Frau Anja. You are more deserving, after all you saved my flowers. Did you not?\" \n\nAmelie leans back and looks at the flowers. \n\"I think they like you now too.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Izvini, miss Amelie. Ah. Sorry, miss Amelie. I've been practicing to not slip like that.\" \nThe embarrassing slight seems to have gone completely past the other woman, Anja clears her throat, working herself back up from what the reaction she was expecting.\nWhat was she expecting? To be made fun of? She wasn't sure why that was her first reaction, especially with Amelie.\n\nAmelie. She quickly became more and more of a comfort. Was it the kind words? The similar interest? Perhaps, in a foolish way of thinking, it was fate. The unkempt flowers that only one person had ever bothered taking care of. The pristine pink rose that had brought these two together. She looked down to the bandaged hand that was still covered in dirt. She wanted to help clean the hand. \nNo. No. \nYou're going too fast, Leta. You've been here before and you regretted going like that.\nYou will not make that mistake again.\n\nShe matches the woman's gaze. Amelie has always seemed to give a cold, calculating aura from herself. But right now? Her eyes and words had only shown a kindness that has felt like it always belonged in a woman like her.\n\nShe was going to have a fun retort. \"If not for you, I would've never found the flowers. You kept them around for this long, no?\" Something along those lines, maybe. But it never escaped her lips.\n\"I like them too.\" Was what really could break from the flustered woman. She looks towards the flowers as well. \"Think I could spend long time with them.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie scoffs and levels Anja with a tight-lipped quizzical stare. She sighs and mumbles something in German before speaking in English. \n\"It's fine, you are at no fault for speaking in your native tongue.\"\n\nAmelie's face shifts to unreadable as she looks at her hands and brings them somewhat close to her face. Her fingers of her left moving under the bandages to hopefully brush away some dirt from the open holes and cuts her skin. The nurse tried to help her but they always come back. So before the stubborn old woman could do anything more she had stopped the nurse. Amelie would rather take care of herself anyway, she does a rather good job even if that dosent matter because the bones are sporadic and uncaring to how hard she tries to fix it. \n\nAmelie was ignorant on Anja's plight. \nShe was busy glaring holes into her hands. She looked up when Anja spoke. \n\nThe awkward musings of Anja's face played out for a moment, Amelie watching as the girl stumbled and tripped over the words she wanted to speak for a moment. \n\"Ah.\" \nA moment for Amelie. \n\"I'm happy you like them, I'm sure they're happy to hear that.\"\n\nAmelie looked at the raspberries they looked ripe. Soft. Sweet. Something to indulge in when hurt. Her face stoney. Amelie didn't quite like looking at them.\n\"Could you hold out your hand for a moment, Frau Anja.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"I... Right, of course miss Amelie.\" She had gotten herself to cool down. A quick lapse of judgment had happened there. Shouldn't be soon that it would happen again. Anja looks down at her own hands, rubbing at some of the dried soil that stuck to her.\nOh. Okay, she Was Just talking about her flowers. Right. She gives a quick smile in return.\n\nShe, too, was not understanding what the other woman was going through. The bandages were something that covered up a story that Anja would never peer into the pages of, as it would not be one for her to read. Just one that would be read to her, if that time had ever come. \nShe had rubbed a small clearing of the palm of her hand by the time Amelie spoke up again.\n\n\"...Okay.\" \nShe holds her hand out to the woman, a hole of pale skin in the middle of her palm, slightly red from the friction of her thumb. She had no reason to distrust the woman, of course, it was just an odd pace from the... Pleasant, as she would call it, conversation that had held.\n\nShe looked down to her own hand, and back up to the kind eye of the other woman, waiting for her action with a quiet attempt to predict the next move." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie saw the snap and cover of the girl like an armadillo would when frightened. Did she want Amelie to say something else? Amelie missed key points again, it wasn't the first time. It won't be the last. \nWere they not speaking about flowers? \n\nAmelie picked off a few ripe raspberries from the plant she grew. They looked a little to rip. But, she never did quite understand the lovable taste of it. \n\nShe leans over to Anja and drops the few off into her hand. \n\n\"I can't just simply place it into your hand, that's too close. So I ask people to open their hands, or I just leave it somewhere they'd find. Or in front of them really.\"\nAmelie leans back with a slightly perturbed stare. \n\nAmelie still wonders if she did something wrong. I mean of course she did, everyone but her does things right. \nAmelie sighs and leans on her palm, this is too much thinking to just be back from the hospital." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She watches Amelie's hands, the gentle tug against the ripened berries pulls easily from its receptacle. The few berries dropping into the center of her palm.\n\"Oh! Miss Amelie, you could've just said so. I am not one to say no to gift of fruit.\" \n\nShe examines them closely, almost judging the berries for their own work. Most of them were rich in their red color, only a few stray were discolored or softer than what is usually described as the perfect berry. She preferred them that way. She always hated the idea of the end product having to be perfect and pretty. That's not what normal is.\nShe pops one of the overripe berries into her mouth.\n\nAnja looks to the other woman, a slight tilt following after the woman's sigh. She wondered what Amelie was thinking about. She's been wondering that a lot.\n\n\"I can only assume you make many pastries with raspberries, no? You did mention you bake.\" She asks, picking up another one of the berries from her palm." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"I've noticed.\" \nAmelie said it a little harshly, Amelie's eye focused on Anja's two. Or at least it tried, it shook a little from exhaustion. \n\"I didn't mean it in a harsh way, it's just I notice things quickly.\"\n\nAmelie furrows her brow at the woman's questioning tilt of her head. Amelie never quite thought of the gifts she gave, she just gave over and over. With no question. Does she still have something left to give? Most likely but she'd rather not speak of what's left. Her arms, her legs. Her other eye. \n\nAmelie makes a clicking noise in the back of her throat. \n\n\"I do bake a lot, I made a Raspberry and almond one. Once. I just have to make one for you.\" \nAmelie taps the leather of her jacket. \n\"You did mention you were vegan, yes?\"\nShe'd have to make other pastries for her. Ah, she'll make do." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja lightly flinches at the change of tone from Amelie. From her own experience now, this harsh tone could've only been from just how she typed her messages. Hearing it out loud was a different feeling.\n\n\"Ah, I see. Good skill to have.\"\nFuck, Amelie looks like shes getting frustrated. She did something wrong, didn't she? What was it though? She didn't want to ask and be wrong.\nShe didn't want to leave her alone, but perhaps it was time to give her space? \nShe takes a quick breath. Press on, Leta.\n\n\"Oh! Da. Recent decision. I could help you with the baking if you would like?\" \nAnja holds onto the table with her free hand, lightly pressing her weight into it.\n\"Recipies can be easy to convert, I've learned. Ah, at least for cooking. Would like to see how it can be for baking.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "A flash of fear let's itself be known and buries deep in her thoughts. Amelie looks worried. Oh. Oh no, I've made her uncomfortable.\n\n\"It's good. Da. Especially when...\" \nAmelie trails off and mumbles something incoherent. She remembers noticing awful things. Immediately avoiding people when she noticed these things. She remembers awful smiles, disgusting words under their breaths. \nAmelie looks not frustrated but cold and neutral once more. \n\n\"Oh?\" Amelie raises her brow. \nAmelie thinks. She lets mirth seep into her words. \n\"Please do. Trying new things on your own is nice but this is a whole new thing. It'd be nice with your help, admittedly.\" \n\nThere was no hostility concealed, odd that Amelie would be looking for that. But, you'd be surprised. Amelie would love to figure out these new things, but. \n\n\"Admittedly I can be a little out of sorts in the kitchen. This comes from trying to teach somebody how to cook and somehow they ended up spinning the pot of water on the stove.\"\nAmelie made a noise, exasperated.\n\"The pot of water was on fire. And I looked away for a second. Honest.\"\n\nIt was a little funny. But, it almost burned the kitchen down." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"I would not mind helping. Baking sounds nice. Did not do it as often as I would like to.\" \nThe light that is brought into Amelie's words with that amusement, albeit small, could bring Anja back to how she was earlier.\nHer lips curl into a slight smile, listening along to the story that Amelie weaves and watching the little changes in the woman's facial expressions.\n\nShe is unable to stifle a laugh that comes as a short chuckle.\n\"I-\" She clears her throat, sitting back up. \"I apologize Ms. Amelie, your story just reminded me of back home.\" Absent-mindedly, she rubs a part of her forearm, where a small discoloring of her pale skin sits. A slight burn that hides from the world, with the flushed red of her skin.\n\n\"But! I can leave the more important tasks for you, I like to think myself as able to follow instructions. Would love to work with you on new recipe. Will do my best to not spill pot onto stovetop.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Well. There's at least hopefully time to do it now? I hope.\"\n\nThat was before Amelie went on her little tangent about how one person was awful at cooking. Amelie was about to say something else but then she heard that chuckle and she stopped quicker than she should. She coughed loudly. Putting a hand on her chest to breath for a moment. \n\n\"Course course, forgive me. I choked and ate my own words. They want me dead.\" \nAmelie noticed the odd rubbing of that one area and said nothing of it. Keep your words to yourself Amelie. \n\nAmelie waved her hands in mock surrender. \n\"I assure you I trust you enough to not do that. It'd be nice to try something new, hopefully. I've done all areas due to nessesity.\"\nAmelie pauses and brushes off something from her shoulder. \n\"Payed off somewhat. I'm a good cook. I don't eat the sweets I make. I've been told how sad that is so do not try.\" \nAmelie pointed an accusing finger at Anja, narrowing her eyes. There's a solid moment before she snorts. It's a loud and ugly thing which Amelie covers her face and leans back on the pot instantly. \n\n\"Ignore that.\"\nAmelie pleaded. Her voice muffled with her hand, the quiet thing made barely comprehensive." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Perhaps words should learn to treat you correctly. Should kill them before they get to you.\" She added, finally ignoring her arm again and resting the now empty hand to her side. She was really just relieved it was a simple catch in the throat.\n\nA quick accusatory point is directed towards Anja, before a... Snort? What would be observed as loud and unappealing, was instead found to be endearing to the Serbian woman. It was cute, especially seeing the other slightly flustered by her own action. The other's pleads are heard by her, she hums.\n\"Of course, miss.\"\n\nAnja reverts it back to the topic of the accusation.\n\"Sad? Not exactly, just willing to provide others. Proves you are good cook. \nBut! When we make these baked goods you will have to try at least one. Will not take no for answer, miss Amelie.\"\nShe adds her own cursory glance to prove her point. This woman will not take a no lightly." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"I'm fearful to say that just will not happen, Frau Anja.\" \n\nAmelie hated snorting, it was ugly, awful. And it hurt. She appreciated that the girl in front of her was willing to forget that. Amelie tents her fingers I'm front of her torso. \n\nThere's a little apprehension that twists Amelie's face into an odd half facade of acceptance. Amelie taps the backside of her palm with her fingers again.\n\"If it's permitted. I'm not one for sweets anymore.\"\nThis girl is stubborn, like something stuck in a shirt you can't quite shake out.\n\nAmelie purses her lips. \n\"One.\"\nAmelie raises one finger as she says it and it goes down when the word it out. \n\nWhy would this girl want to cook with her. Usually it's they meet once the after about a month really they meet again. Odd change. But, Amelie... Are you willing to accept it. \n\nAmelie shrugs, but it comes out physically. \n\"You're going to have to make me though.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"A shame. I will only hope that the attempts continue to fail. Would be shame to lose you so soon.\"\n\nAnja's face rests into a neutral state. Quick, impulsive glances follow the other woman's hands movement. She lightly bites the inside of her cheek. Clever woman.\n\n\"I will not push harder on that, your taste is your own.\"\nShe folds her arms across her chest, her brow furrows as she formulates a plan in her head.\n\n\"Hm. Compromise, then. I meet with you to make baked goods. And we try to make the best pastries that we can. We try to give the taste buds another chance.\"\n\nShe brings up her hand, her index finger pointing up. \n\"One.\"\nThe hand falls back on top of the other arm, resting as she continues.\n\"If still not to your taste, then you win. But! Then I will simply look for meal to cook for you. Either way. I am not eating food alone during this visit. Mind has been made.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie makes no comment. She looks tired with her mask of polite tranquility. It pulls at her skin in all the wrong ways, it's not natural. \n\nAmelie knows that the girl is glancing at all ways to decide how to act. Does she get anxious when she has no queue? That's a possibility that shouldn't be wrung out currently and Amelie knows. \n\nAmelie makes a noise of acknowledgement in turn to Anja's chosen words. She tilts her head slightly though. \n\n\"Sure. Why not, it will be quite the challenge.\"\nShe shrugs her head going back upright.\n\nAmelie makes a waving motion with her hand. \n\"Yes, despite all the children here with powers to make you feel alone. It's easy to feel more alone than you ever were.\"\nAmelie points at Anja, her brow furrowed. \n\"You're not eating alone, I'm quite the conversationalist. I've needed to find another to simply just speak with for months now. You seem delightful.\" \n\nAmelie clicks her tongue, talking to everyone else felt like a chore. Like she had to work to simply speak to them. Anja? No, it was nice. \n\"I promise.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Challenge I am willing to task myself to. It is added benefit of just meeting with you again.\"\nAnja hasn't even realized what she's doing with her own actions, she just continues to watch Amelie's movements, one part watching for a subtle cue, the other enjoying watching her mannerisms.\n\nRidiculous as it was, she was still waiting for the moment of regret from the either woman. The time to back out that was supposed to happen soon. The point that proves she should've kept up her guard.\n\n\"It still puts me into shock that someone would leave you lonely. They must be foolish.\"\nShe bites her cheek again, the real reason was something she was ignorant on. She unknowingly trades the ignorance for an attempt at flattery.\n\nYet, Amelie always seems to one-up her with the flattery. She blinks once, twice, a third time. She hold back an unintentional smile.\n\"I- I am glad to hear that. I find you delightful as well.\"\n\nHow is it that she finds herself alone? \nIt was a whirling pool of confusion that Anja was never in the loop for, jumping into the vortex in the middle without a second thought." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"You think it's a benefit. But, sure.\" \nAmelie isn't fearful of saying what she wishes, not anymore. Not quite. There was still that fear but, Amelie can manage herself. \n\nAmelie took one side of her jacket and lifted it just a bit to look at the bandages under. They looked red, even in the dark light the moon casted upon them. Makes sense. Amelie is fresh from the hospital. Not too red to warrant immediate departure though. \nAmelie put her hand over the leather concealing the area with a slight wince. \n\nAmelie will take care of that soon, she assumes her crutches disturbed it. You're fine Amelie. Do not panic, You're fine.\n\nAmelie takes a breath and exhales. \n\"It's fine. I've gotten used to it, odd game.\" \nAmelie scrunches her face while saying that it was a game. Amelie pats her jacket until Anja said she was delightful. She paused. \n\nAmelie looks at Anja, with a comically wide eye. \n\"I'm glad you think so, you're the first I've heard that from. I'm confident in saying you shine far brighter, Frau Anja.\"\n\nAmelie puts her hands in her jacket pockets, she just looks a little awkward sitting on the floor like that. She seems okay though. A party for one. That's her." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja makes a face at her comment. It's a blend of thoughts and feelings, none supportive of Amelie's belief in her own statement. \n\"I will decide where the benefit lies, miss Amelie.\"\n\nHer faced would've dropped back into a neutral state, if she had not caught the same glimpse as Amelie. A reopened wound, it appears. Her eyes widen impulsively. She hated it, the staring. It was not her place to gawk. \n\nAs the other woman begins to tuck her secret away, Anja pulls herself back together.\nThe woman just came back from the hospital, out of recovery of some kind. Even without Uriel's spilling of the story that need not be said, the appearance of the other woman wouldve provided enough context clues.\n\nShe waits her turn. Her face does not change from a neutral, cold look. She makes a sharp inhale, before she takes another plunge into the freezing water that was Amelie Valentia.\n\n\"Miss Amelie. Do not tuck away what needs taken care of.\" Her words are cold. Unwavering. A decision had been made as she spoke.\n\"While I would stay out here forever with you, I can not sit lightly while you have something to tend over.\"\n\nShe pushes herself from the ledge that held her weight, dropping down to the other woman's level her cool colored warm eyes drive their gaze into the warm toned cold eye of the other.\n\"If you would still like to spend time. I can walk you to either of our dorms. I do not have the supplies that you may need in mine. And, I will understand your privacy if you need to take care of this yourself. Just say the word, miss.\"\n\nShe stands back up, her left hand held out infront of Amelie. Olive branch upon olive branch, it was the only thing she would give this woman. A choice for herself. She would not force Amelie into desicions that would only end up hurting one or the other.\n\n\"You will not wilt away tonight Madame. Odd game is over.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie knows it was seen. But, there was some dignity in trying to hide it. If she looks up and sees pity in those eyes she'll be thoroughly disgusted, she's tried of people looking at like she's a sick dog. She's not. \n\n Amelie makes a noise of sorts. Amelie feels the bubble of nausea; gods, it still feels awful. \n\n\"I know, Frau Anja.\" \n\nAmelie's stare seems to dance right through Anja's. It bleeds a fridgid feeling that leaks from Amelie herself. She frowns, keeping a hand over that part of her shoulder. Protecting it. Fierce. \n\nAmelie says nothing. There's a shake of her eye, a twitch. \n\"You don't need to see this, Frau Anja.\"\n\nAmelie looks at her left hand, it's bandages laugh and mock her. The pads of her fingers calloused and scarred. They're fragile. Boney and cold.\nAmelie reaches but before she could touch she pulls back. \nShe grabs her crutches and heaves herself off the ground with a huff. It puts strain on her arm but she just breathes. Her steely gaze freezes upon Anja's. \n\n\"I'm afraid it will be long before I am able to touch another.\" \nAs if on queue bones peel through the bandages on Amelie's face, not violently but they peek through the sterile white, staining it. \n\"I don't want you hurt, Frau Anja.\" \n\nThere was no harshness, it was almost as breathless as it was cold how she said it.\n\"You're welcome to walk with me.\"\nThere was a frown on her face that twisted on her face. Amelie leans on her right crutch. \n\"You only need participate.\"\nThe game will continue if not.\n\nAmelie waits for an answer. The smell of flowers struggling to overlap the awful stench of blood that is slowly itching to Amelie's nose." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Another look of confusion comes from her, but she rests her face again.\n\"I will not run away from you. You are no monster, miss Amelie.\"\n\nAnja drops her hand, standing straight as the other stands on her own. A missed opportunity, but it would be suddenly proven that it was the right decision for both of the women. She flinches, eyes widening against her will once again. She cups a hand over her mouth. She hated her own human fear at this moment. It's not what Amelie needed. But still...\nWhat was happening to the woman in front of her? The cold demeanor of Amelie was what kept her struggling against the tide. This was not the first time for the woman. Was this her powers? Was it not agonizing?\n\nShe turns away, refusing to let Amelie to continue to see her shock. It was not Anja's turn for this. She will not let herself fear someone. Not again. She will not abandon another at their bed. She will not let her own pain overshadow another's.\n\n\"I must- I apologize for my unnecessary reaction. You do not deserve this.\" She says, choking back her fear. Not now. Not again. \"It is first time. Just. Ah- Just a moment.\"\n\nThe ocean's cold was the obstacle that weeds out ones that aren't committed, foolish, or some mix of both. Anja only hoped she was not foolish this night. Another sharp inhale, another dive into the unknown depths.\n\nAnja turns back to face Amelie. Any fear she had hidden behind a mask of control. This was not her moment. Process another time. Another day.\n\"I do apologize for my first impressions, but, I will not let this hurt me. You could not hurt me, miss Amelie.\" \n\n\"After you, madam. I will stay by your side until I am no longer needed.\"\nIf a new game must be played to end the old one, then so be it. She will play." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie looks unamused, simply turning away. The bones on her face curling inhumanly. Looking more like the the unfortunate tusks of a boar that have curled so far backwards it caves in it's skull. It's painful but Amelie dosent make a motion to notice it. \n\n\"It's fine. You're certainly the first to do something about it.\" Amelie speaks her head turned away from Anja. \n\"Es wird nichts tun.\" \n\nShe adds in a whisper, indescribable.\n\nAnja was unlike the sterile cautionary hand offered to her frequently. The words of how long she had left. Amelie made another akin to a growl of sorts, scratchy and broken. It's better to have that gloves hand reach for her than Anja's own. This girl doesn't realize she'll be hurt, never able to touch. \n\nA bird standing within the confines of a storm, it's the eye. Watching this fickle thing move. Amelie puts one step on front of the other, steady. You can't even tell she's bleeding. \n\"Ich lasse dich das glauben.\"\n\n\nAmelie stops and looks at Anja, scanning her in an odd way. Something cold washing over Amelie making her colder. Maybe Anja felt it too. Would this last? \n\"Sure. If you want to.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja had forced herself into a mindset. Getting an injured woman back to her dorm. Letting recovery instill what it was meant to do. She follows, keeping the pace with the other woman.\n\n\"Telling me if I want to is unnecessary. If it were my decision, you would never be able to get rid of me. I would become awful to be around, Madame.\" \nShe would ignore the cold, the whipping winds that threatened her of danger that would come if she pressed on. If she stopped diving.\n\n\"What dorm is yours? If you do not mind my asking.\" She focuses on Amelie's eye. It was the easiest thing she could watch right now. Her own look kept Anja nerves at ease.\n\nShe had to get over this. It was something Amelie lived with for however long she did. Amelie did not care for them, why did you, Leta? Get over it.\n\nShe shuts her eyes, another sharp inhale. And she takes a full view of the woman as they were stopped. She forced the questions back. She did not need to ask why, and the how. If she knew, she would've controlled it by now. Right?\n\nShe furrows her brow. They're still outside. It's actually beginning to get cold. Damn autumn nights." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie furrows her brow. Anja thinks she'll become awful to be around. Amusing yet confusing little mindset she has. \n\n\"You think you'd become unbearable? That's an odd little assumption, kluger Narr.\" \nAmelie says with a hint of amusement. She continues to make her way to the main building. \n\n\"2382, Frau. Third floor. It's where they keep the double dorms. A little inconvenient if you were to ask me.\" \nShe's disappointed, this place dosent seem it was properly thought out, like they panicked and slapped it together with an influx of powered children. The teachers arnt properly prepared either. \n\nAmelie's fingers twitch and clench around her crutch at the wind. Shame she couldn't stay out here longer. Also the wind, seems warmer than Amelie's own body. \n\nThis damn thing, is still relatively new. Everyone complaining how they can't control their powers at first, but now they can control it. It's easier controlling it when it isn't hurting you, Amelie has to watch everyone get better and she stays behind. It's nothing new. \n\nThis is a new girl correct? Quite the same she met her of all people. It could have been worse. This is actually one of the nicer meetings she has had. She can even go far as to say she liked it. \n\nAmelie dosent turn. \n\"Are you still with me, Frau Anja?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"We will see then.\" Anja muses. It was easy being a quiet girl when she was out in public. But everyone has a filter, it just takes enough time for them to wear down.\n\nShe stays behind, now tracing the outline of the woman, furrowing her brow at the bones that forced their way out on their own, whatever good that would do. \nWhat would be a facsinating statue is a woman who should not be forced into this situation. The open-ended questions fight in her mind again. She knew they were not meant for Amelie.\n\n\"Oh! You are near me. I did not know you had a roomate.\" She hums, it was nice to know that she wouldn't have to go to far during what would hopefully be the next visit.\n\n\"Da. Right behind you, miss.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Mhm.\" \nAmelie wants to know what this girl is trying to aim for with her. There's almost always an ulterior motive. Be it money or something else. \n\n\"I had one, they moved out. I have a new one who I don't think likes me very much. But, they're necessary.\" \nThey're close to the front door of the building, the sound of crutches and footsteps on concrete and that girl behind her, pleasant. Nice to know she's not something else. \n\nAmelie gets to the front door and takes a moment to open it. Her skinny hand splayed against it's cool metal. When Amelie lifts her hand, strangely enough where her hand was is colder than the door itself. The light inside illuminating her face and the bones and red that paint her features. Her face itself? Neutral, unchanging. \n\n\"That's nice to know. It'd be nicer to see you though.\" \nShame they have to end this meeting. Amelie waits until Anja enters the building." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She nods, despite the woman not looking her way. \"I see. Unfortunate I was not found sooner. Shame they do not like you.\"\n\nAnja grabs the door from her. It feels like gripping onto an icicle for her. She didn't mind. As Amelie steps in, Anja follows. \"At least they provide elevator. With foolish planning like that.\" \n\nShe steps in front of Amelie. She wishes to see her, no? Anja looks at Amelie now. It wasn't comfortable. But it was what Anja wanted, she wanted to look at her again. A scarred body or not, this was Amelie. She studies her one more time. \n\nHer lips part.\n\"This will not be last goodbye, miss Amelie. I do not plan it to be. So it will not.\"\n\nAnja takes off her overshirt, getting used to the uncomfortable change of temperature that was stepping into the building. She will miss the cold biting at her arms. \"May I still walk you to your dorm? I Am Heading that way.\" She asks, pressing the button to call down the elevator.\n\nThird floor. 2382." } ]	288	13,698
363.52	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Wait like\nOnes in your stomach" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Might change it might keep it we'll see 🍁\n\nThe smells of flowers and sun-warmed dirt met a certain sharp, freckle-smattered nose in the hot midday as the rest of the boy behind it crushed a pinch of French lavender leaves between two of his callused fingertips. He looked relaxed; heavy eyelids tipped in long, coppery lashes sat half-open, his elbow rested casually on his knee, his thumb picking idly at a loose bit of the tile he was sitting on, low hums rumbling in his throat to follow the tunes coming in through the bud loosely set in his ear.\n\nSomething, though, was restless about Owen today, and he pointedly shrugged his shoulders to get it away from his neck, digging his nails into the irritated spot at the base. Skrtchskrtch. Grr.\n\nResisting the urge to shove the lavender all the way up his nose, the boy with the sun soaking into the dark fabric over his back turned to his friend, sitting perhaps a foot away from him, pleasantly occupied with their now-shady little corner of the garden.\n\nWhoops. He'd missed the first few words of what they were saying. Better tune into the rest, then- he really did want to hear it. Uriel's garden did bring them a neat sort of peace, at least he thought; they stress-knitted (quite a bit lately), dove into books, tucked away their paintings of dreams... The garden, though, their slender hands pushing into the soil, their so often far-out expression focused on tending to the plants, looked especially peaceful. ...He was reading too far into it, surely. Just noticing, just wandering, just.. Yeah.\n\nHe watched them with varying degrees of focus as their hands worked and the mist-obscured cogs behind their eyes spun, leaning ever so slightly closer to catch another word of whatever they muttered under their breath. \n\nOwen never quite knew what to do with himself here, truthfully. Just that he.. Rather liked hovering. And listening to them. Out of their way, of course. But he was allowed, welcomed, even, to join them, and so hover and listen he did.\n\nSkrtchskrrtch." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"...And this one is a bit of a late bloomer, so I decided to name it Petit bébé.\" Uriel continued cheerfully, carefully handling the stem of the now-grown lavender plant. \n\nNow that the supple summer months had finally started to wane in intensity, the shock of violet colors had grown more prominent in the springs of lavender that grew from the ground. Hair tied into a ponytail hanging at the nape of their neck, sleeves of their white button up rolled to their elbows to avoid dirtying their freshly done laundry, Uriel had come well prepared to harvest the flowers that finally blossomed to their fullest potential. \n\n\"Ah, actually, my mother taught me a trick to help plants like this, and I think it worked. Perhaps I'll teach you the trick, if you're interested.\" There's a small twinkle in their eyes at the prospect, and a slightly dirtied hand wipes the sweat from their brow. They gesture over towards Owen, tapping the boy's shoulder politely (yet rapidly— it seems they were excited) to get his attention. A woven sunhat casts a shadow over their pale face, protecting their delicate skin from the intense sun, and a straw basket dangles from their arm with carefully placed freshly-picked flowers.\n\nNow that their friend had leaned closer to them, Uriel could truly appreciate how content Owen looked. His auburn hair shone under the summer sun, making it almost as fiery as the shield that pulsed under his skin. Their eyes momentarily darted from their task, taking time to slowly examine the waves of fire that streamed from the other's scalp— through, wandering eyes, taking note of every color that grabbed at their gaze. \n\nPerhaps I should plant something orange, next time. A lazy thought rose from their hazy mind and bubbled up from the surface before once again dissolving into thick fog." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Aw. That's a cute name for a plant.\n\nOwen let his thoughts light like butterflies on his face, gossamer wings tickling his cheeks, light fairy feet ruffling his hair in the breeze. Don't think I've seen this much of Uriel's arms in the daylight, Mumbled one, And their eyes kind of reflect the lavender, Fluttered another. Oh!, they all flapped, startled away by the excited taps at his shoulder. One more little bug tickled something about their smile when they were excited, in the flighty way that ladybugs do, before the thing they were saying to him finished processing.\n\n\"Sure, I'm interested.\"\n\nMoving the hand with the sprig of lavender from the faintly present fuzz on his lip to his jaw, letting his head rest inclined toward them. He was interested.\n\nSkrtchhskrtch. \nShush." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Alright, so...\" They clap their hands together, taking a deep breath to stifle their excited smile. Perhaps, to someone else, they'd be a bit more nervous about something that could easily be considered embarrassing. However, Owen was a dear friend— thinking such a worry about him would be silly, after all. \n\nAfter steeling their nerves somewhat, they turn towards the tiniest plant of them all— a barely budding foxglove — and start to sing something in French. \n\nIt's light, delicate, less of a Song And more of Words in sing-song. Their voice is quiet at first, but it ends up growing loud enough to make its way to the plant's leaves. \n\n\"It's a song of encouragement, roughly translating to something close to 'you can do it', and 'don't give up', and the like.\" Uriel smiles, resting one of their hands on the back of their neck sheepishly. \n\n\"Aha, although... I do have to make sure no one's around before I perform my medicine.\" A small laugh bubbles from their lips, and their other hand half-heartedly attempts to cover their mouth." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "For someone so chilled (compared to him, at least), Uriel's excitement was contagious. Owen rocked back and forth a little, in rhythm with nothing other really than whatever riptide was going on in his chest, grinning like a little kid. Uriel didn't sing as often as he did, their voice always sounding a little different than he remembered it. A pleasant surprise, every time.\n\nThey might have noticed the couple of delighted squeaks that escaped him here and there, but they would know by now that he was indeed listening, the sight of them singing to their little foxglove just Giddy To him. He giggled a little when they did, less quick to hide it.\n\n\"Ah, I think it's helping!\"\n\nThe kid who was feeling a little more like one today took a second to shake out his head and hands in a fiery burst, before turning back to them with his grin that always pulled a little more to the right.\n\n\"It's good medicine! I- you have a lovely song, so thank you for, um, it,\" He babbled, the rhythm of his voice off-kilter and quick, like he was running at full tilt rather than sitting still(-ish).\n\n\"I, um. Sang to anything that would listen- mostly birds, or my favourite trees. Feels, it feels nice, yeah. Hah.. ...Think it would work on my moustache? Pfft.\"\n\nHe imagined a littler Uriel, encouragingly serenading the dandelions, at the same time as he was probably doing the same to his favourite orchids in his mothers' garden. That made him happy, to think that they both had the same disney princess habits even before they could compare them. \n\nWhat a bizarrely sweet thing to know about someone- the song they sang to flowers to help them grow. Owen wrapped the moment in a spot of sunlight dancing on the brim of their hat, tied it with a fresh chive, and tucked it somewhere safe." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Aha, you did the same thing, too? That's... A bit reassuring, actually.\" Pink dusted their cheeks, and a small hand scratched at their face in nervousness. \n\nOwen's excitement was always lovely to see, they thought, watching his stream-of-consciousness words and hearing his giggles that sounded like the mutterings of a creek. \n\n\"Perhaps it would work on your facial hair. There's no harm in trying, right?\" A small— Mischievous— smile, and Uriel scoots Very Close to Owen and begins to sing. \n\nThe song is almost the same, except they replace the name for the aforementioned plant with Owen's name and... Something else in French, and their tone changes. Instead of lovingly and sweetly convincing the petals to sprout, Uriel pokes Owen's cheek, firmer tone persuading Owen's (lack of) facial hair to Come out, come out, come out. It's delivered in the same manner of speech a mother would use while scolding her child to wake up, but the bright smile on their face prevents any actual bite coming from their words. \n\n\"Well, do you feel different?\" They back away from Owen slightly, eyes scanning his reaction to their (admittedly very silly) stunt.\n\n\"My mom did the same thing to me, when I was younger. She kept singing for me to grow larger and... I guess it worked too well. I'm a bit of a stalk now, no?\" They hide their faint smile with their hand, eyes crinkling and almost obscuring their ever-present eye bags." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Hm?\"\n\nWell. It was ..Less rare than one would typically assume to see mischief on Uriel's face, in the delicate curl of their fingers against the tile, the tilt of their shoulders. Oh dear, he realized a moment too late, They've taken me seriously-\n\nIt doesn't take long for the unfortunately pigmented boy to blush furiously, conjuring the feeling of the sun pressing into his skin from inside and out. Perhaps Uriel might notice an errant fleck of gold or two zipping below the surface. His ears tickled every time he made out his name in their tune, an undignified squeak bubbling up when they poked his cheek.\n\nStill, though, his smile was unmistakable, curling into his blooming-red cheeks so hard it almost ached.\n\n\"Oh, maybe...\"\n\nIf I Do Grow a proper moustache after this, I'm turning that song into a ten-minute rock opera and making my career as a witch doctor.\n\n\"Aw, well, you can reach everything easy- plus, dare I say it, you're at perfect hug height..\"\n\nThey sang to me. Not just around, but To Me. They sang to me...\n\nHis cocoa-and-turmeric gaze darted around every which way, absentmindedly tracing a pale spiral spilling over their shoulder, peering almost through their hand to their ever-obscured expression.\n\n\"You, you don't have to hide your face, um, if you don't want to,\" He risked, hands twisting the hem of his shirt. Shoot, that damned itch-\n\nSkrtchSKRTCH.\n\n\"You have a nice smile, is all.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Hug height...? Me? Ah, well, if I truly wanted to be a good hugging experience, I'd have to gain some more muscle. Could you imagine?\" \n\nAnother airy laugh, almost as light as the summer breeze wafting through the gardens. At Owen's compliment, though, Uriel pauses, giving the other two slow blinks. As if compelled, they put their hands down. Without the cover of their hand, Uriel turns to look at the budding flowers once again, using their pretty colors as a distraction from the giddy feeling in their chest.\n\n\"I... Do? That's— that's um, very kind of you to say.\" Fox-glove. Fennel. Lavender. Perhaps some more elaborate flowers next season?\n\nA brief flicker back to Owen, and a slight frown taints their features. Owen's freckled, muscular — was he always this strong? It must have come with the facial hair, Uriel supposes— hands are playing with the edge of his shirt, and tinges of annoyance periodically light up on his face. \n\n\"Are you... Are you quite alright? You're playing with the hem of your shirt an awful lot.\" Uriel pipes up, worry and curiosity coloring their thick accent." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Oh, shoot, you noticed.\"\nThank hell they noticed.\nHis cheeks burned a little more, and he felt sweat prick at his scalp.\n\n\"Don't mind if I just-\"\n\nAnd without any further warning, Owen had grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head, wrenching it off of him in a few swift movements. He immediately set to attacking the tag at the back of the collar as his hair settled around his neck once more. He ripped it slowly enough to not tear any delicate threads, but certainly scowled at it hard enough to perhaps just incinerate it.\n\n\"It's, um, a new shirt.\"\n\nHe shot a split-second glance at Uriel as it sort-of hit him that it was his mangled shoulder facing them; he was preoccupied, but already a little self-conscious, and well. It wasn't exactly a pleasant sight, if no longer the red and raw and horribly peeling eyesore it was a year ago.\n\nSilvery trails lined the edges, all but faded, glinting in the sunlight as his the muscles beneath them worked, snaking between freckles. His hair covered the worst of it, the knot on his collarbone, but there was plenty of uneven, reddish-purple tissue covering his shoulder anyway.\n\n\"Hah, bloody tag.. Torturous.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel says nothing at the sudden movement, instead leaning closer to peer at the scar its in entirely. They lift an auburn lock of hair draped over Owen's shoulder and move it over his back, tilting their head to the side in order to get a full look at the scar. \n\n\"I've never seen it in its entirety.\" Uriel admits in barely over a whisper, eyes tracing the silver streaks of harm that contoured Owen's body like the currents of a river. \n\nAnother long pause. Was this awkward for him? Uriel wondered in their head, before dismissing the thought away. Hopefully, they'd be told if their blatant ogling of the mark emblazoned on his torso was disrespectful. \n\n\"It's... Larger than I was expecting.\" They find their footing once again, doing their best to resist lifting a hand out and tracing the gorge on his skin. \n\n\"It looks painful, even a year later. I can't believe how it would feel to take something like that.\" A foggy, unreadable expression. Could they ever imagine going through pain like that? The pain of Dying, Even for a brief moment? Uriel didn't think so. \n\nUriel didn't want to pity Owen— they were told by Amelie and Lucifer and others about how pity was an unwarranted emotion. Still, something in them wrenched their heart at the full length of Owen's pain on display.\n\nThey barely stifle a soft whine. If only they could take his pain away." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen knew the familiar tickle of eyes on his skin, Their Eyes on his skin. Their hand on him. A sharp inhale, but no words. He wasn't sure if he was hoping for them to comment on it or not; they answered that for him.\n\nHe supposed he ..Didn't mind.\n\nThe remnants of laughter from just moments ago echoed still in his head as his ever-present heartbeat quickened a little in his chest. Owen hardly knew what to think, let alone what to say; he let them speak, without tearing his eyes from his shirt.\n\nThey were honest about their curiosity, which was something refreshing- he wasn't sure which was more annoying, the people who made a point of not looking at it, or the ones who just stared like he couldn't see them back. Which did he even want from anyone, pity or indifference? He usually tried to be lighthearted about its existence, seeming unbothered, but he couldn't help the pang in his gut when a tender spot was treated with tenderness.\n\n\"The mark itself doesn't.. It doesn't hurt so much anymore,\" He started, relieving the both of them of the silence. \"Some of the nerve endings were toasted, so it's numb. A little tingly maybe.\" He moves, turning his body more toward them. \"Mostly around here.\"\n\nSome of My Nerve endings were toasted. Ffyc. Those were my nerves, my skin, my bones-\nNo, that part didn't hurt so much anymore, but he still fought the urge to say that it Did, it did still.\n\nA shaky inhale, and he swept the rest of the long cascade of red waves off of his left side. And there it was- the entry wound.\n\nA twisted divot, once-horribly burned flesh stretched over his collarbone, still lashed back together strangely. The scar tissue was the thickest there, thinning out in its jagged-but-smoothing-but-Jagged Path down his body, splitting somewhere over his belly button and disappearing beneath the waistline of his shorts.\n\n\"In all its glory,\" He winced, gesturing at where the sky split him to the bone. It... Wasn't used to this much sun. Neat." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Uriel couldn't help it— they scooted over towards Owen's side, pressing themselves against his arm to get a better look at the mark. \n\nA sharp inhale, and this time, they give into the desire to reach out and trace the pad of their thumb against Owen's chipped collarbone. Uriel's hand hovers in the open space between the two, and they look down at Owen for confirmation.\n\n\"I know first-hand how wounds like this can be sensitive to touch, so I don't want to approach it without asking first. But, ah, may I...?\" Uriel timidly asks, fidgeting slightly as the nerves get to them. \n\nHuman boundaries were odd, Uriel thinks to themselves. If only they could navigate the world of social norms as well as they could navigate the grand tapestry of a dream. \n\nNow that Owen was fully facing them, their eyes instinctively traced the point of entry from the exit wound— through his shoulder, oh god, over his Heart, leaving a mark wherever the white-hot electricity travelled. \n\n\"I... It's complicated. It's a lot of feelings at once, seeing it like this. One the one hand, it's a part of you now, an integral piece of your soul. To deny the existence of such a thing would be to deny You, in my eyes.\" Uriel muses out loud, eyes occupied with examining the scar rather than meet Owen's flighty gaze. \n\n\"On the other...\" Their eyes trail back up, flickering between the chunk taken out of his collarbone and his bright, soulful eyes the color of burnt sienna. \n\n\"Imaging you in pain is... Difficult.\" Uriel confesses, the admission leaving them oddly vulnerable and quiet.\n\nThey promised Owen, didn't they? On that fateful night, oh so long ago— between the sobs that wracked his body and the hands that clung around their waist, they promised they wanted to take all of his feelings, the bad alongside the good. This scar was just another part of that promise, a chance to make good on their words.\n\nThey'd confront it head-on. They pinky promised, after all." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Carefully watching the path of their hand toward the wound, Owen's breaths grew imperceptibly deeper. He nodded, quickly, still surprised that they would even Want To.\n\nYes, you may.\n\nNow both of them were nervous, unsure of where the boundaries were supposed to be, what the rules were that they were to be playing by even with no one around to enforce them. They had developed their own, in the little pockets they could find without eyes; a part of him wanted to call their little back-and-forth strange, but that wasn't it. It felt nice. Now, That Was strange.\n\nThis place, with their hand hovering between them, reminded him of a dream that he refused to let fade; the stars at his back, his hands in their hair. Oh, how that must sound to a nearby telepath. Pff. Uriel was probably the one person he didn't need to explain his dreams to. Who else would he even need to explain that one to?\n\nIn the meantime, though, he was brought out of his head by their soft musings, a mostly calm but perplexed look settling on his features. He wanted to say something, but pressed his lips together- what they had to say was far more interesting. And then they stopped, leaving a feeling like they had gently pried something open.\n\n\"You've.. You've thought about it this much? I didn't know,\" He started, in a voice small but genuinely surprised. How do you even react to knowing someone has thought about your soul? His eyes rested lightly on theirs for a moment, those dark pools of liquid silver, and tried to piece something together. They were thinking something, that he hadn't caught up with. He would be playing their words back later, over and over.\n\n\"I. I think yeah, it's a part of me now, and... It brought me here, but Shit, sure is a chunk bitten out of me, isn't it.\" His voice wavered, but he swallowed the lump in his throat.\n\n\"Uri? You told me I could ask you things. Way back when, ah, you said- you told me there was something there.. Do you have one of these too?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Upon receiving Owen's nod of approval, Uriel runs their thumb over his collarbone. They brush the back of their fingers down his shoulder, stopping their journey when they rest their hand at the mark over his heart. \n\n\"It has a different texture to it. Cracked, is a good way to put it?\" Uriel furrows their eyebrows, resuming the circular motion in the center of his chest to jog their mind with a fitting adjective.\n\n\"It's more concentrated near the entry wound. I suppose that's not too surprising, but... It's interesting to notice.\" Uriel makes their verdict before slowly removing their hand and placing it back on the garden tile. A small voice in their head wonders if it was bad manners to touch someone without washing their hands first, especially while in the middle of gardening, but Uriel couldn't take back their actions. \n\nTheir train of thought breaks when Owen's voice wavers, and Uriel feels something in their heart Drop. They'd usually be nervous about Owen maneuvering the subject toward themselves, back stiff as if called out by a teacher, but... Anything to stop That voice. \n\n\"Oh, it's... Not something your size, or nearly as painful as being struck by lightning. I'm actually surprised you remember that throwaway comment. \"\n\nThey give Owen another small laugh— this time Nervous. Uriel didn't think about their scar. It wasn't pretty either, but it was less noticeable than Owen's, more likely to slip quietly into thick fog and only murmur in their ears during nights alone. When they tucked away those memories into the corners of their mind, folded them as tiny as they could be and placed them on the top of a dusty shelf, they could briefly pretend such memories didn't exist. \n\n\"I forget I have my own scars, too. It's not exactly something you see often unless you go looking for it, and... I do tend to lose sight of what I look like. Sometimes, features like that just slip my mind, until I have to change in front of a mirror, or it starts to ache in the rain.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen didn't even notice that he was leaning into the circles they were making on his chest until they sat up straighter, and he followed suit. If they hadn't stopped, though, he was reasonably sure that he would have let them go on.\n\n\"Yours hurts when it rains too?\" A strange note to perk up a little to, but even he could tell that they seemed really nervous. Did he push too far? Of course that was a sore spot, it's a Literal Sore spot.\n\n\"Half my ribcage aches, plus my muscles- the doctor told me they weren't thrilled about being electrocuted, so they just.. Hurt, sometimes.\" What would it be like, to forget that that existed? Against his better judgement, Owen didn't quite want to let it go.\n\n\"You don't have to show me, I was just curious.\" He fidgeted. \"Just, I'd want to know, if you wanted to tell me.\"\n\nHis fingers kept fiddling with his shirt in his lap, eyes trailing to where theirs rested. Their knees almost touched, where they were positioned; he ripped the tag clean off with one quick motion and moved his hand to hang off of his leg and rest against theirs. Not so close to where their hand rested, but closer still. \n\nHe looked like he wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what; one of his legs bounced, but there was a surprisingly cool expression under the curious sparks in his doe eyes. The breeze felt nice on his back." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Oh, ah...\" Uriel's eyes widen in panic as Owen backtracks on his request. They take a deep breath before continuing, using the warmth radiating from his hand as an anchor.\n\n\"No, no, I don't mind showing you at all. It's just...\" They absentmindedly play with a strand of curly white hair. Uriel's head Swoops Around, craning their neck every which way to make sure no one was around. A faint pink dusted their cheeks as they made peace with the move they were about to make. How embarrassing this would be, They noted, If anyone was around to take this out of context.\n\n\"It's just a little embarrassing to do in public, but it doesn't seem like anyone is Around. So, um, let me just...\" They look down at their white button up, mentally steeling themselves before unbuttoning two buttons. Another deep breath sucks itself down their lungs like fire, and they lift up the left flap side of their shirt, looking down at Owen to gauge a reaction.\n\nThere's a dent on Uriel's hip. \n\nIt's further down from their ribcage, tucked away and to the side. It's... Well, it's Ugly, poorly done stitch marks having made themselves part of the deep gash that mars their skin. They twist, and it compresses in on itself. Light grey and brown colors mix in layers of scar tissue snaking above their hipbone, the deep gorge almost looking as if its clawing for more territory, more skin to turn soft and raw and delicate. \n\n\"There's, ah, there's actually a long story to this one.\" The need to fill the silence gets to Uriel, and they let out a pathetic nervous laugh. \n\nThey could wind Owen into the long tirade, losing him halfway through the story and concealing the still-raw bits with flowery descriptions and half truths. They could paint him a sugar coated truth, a bundle of assurances of 'it was an accident', and yet... They didn't want to, for some reason. The story-tellers long, winding tale they were in the process of spinning into yarn dies in their throat, and...\n\n\"...I got stabbed.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "At Uriel's sudden vigilance, Owen couldn't help but look around a little as well, just to be double certain that no one was around. In case that helped. He found it difficult not to stare as they unbuttoned the bottom of their shirt.\n\nThe sealed gash on their hip almost didn't look real. It almost sucked in the light from the surrounding skin, warping the illusion of clear, cool porcelain. He sucked in a breath after a moment's delay. Owww.\n\n\"Oh, Uriel,\"\n\n...\n\n\"Heh??\"\n\nWell! That's unexpected! Around a thousand questions bubbled up, but none of them quite made it out after the initial shocked noise. Someone Stabbed Them? Owen was aware that they were disliked in their hometown, but.. He couldn't imagine looking at them, this sweetheart, with their touch like rainwater and their voice like sweet molasses dripping down his brain, and be angry enough to Cut them And leave a scar this angry, to make them hurt. He saw where Uriel was coming from- imagining them in pain was indeed difficult. Their fear of sharp things.. Owen could imagine. He fought back a wave of insistent heat from his belly, and looked back up at them.\n\n\"That. That sounds like it also hurt quite a bit. I, I hate th-that someone did this to you,\" He blurted out, and then quickly pressed his lips together.\n\nThe hand resting against their knee shakily lifted, unsure of where it was going; did he want to feel it? Would it summon a phantom pinch in his own side, would they feel uneasy? But them touching my chest felt so nice. His fingers rested lightly on their knee, asking for permission." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"It's alright, Owen.\" The stutter has come back, Uriel notices, and the need to Drive the pain away Moves them to pat the boy gently on his back and keep their voice low and soothing. \n\n\"It was a long time ago. I... Don't think she really intended for it to happen. I saw her constant nightmares, and so after school I begged her to go to the police about the abuse she was facing. She— she just panicked. It was the scissors' fault. Or my own. She didn't know better. I...\" No sooner did they open their mouth than their attempt to reassure Owen left Uriel stammering and trailing off into silence. \n\nThey'd thought these things, of course, but they've never Told Anyone about them, the darkest recesses of their mind locked away in nightmares that could not happen and words left unsaid. Owen, he— he didn't see things like they did. He wouldn't understand (no, a lie, they knew he did, and that made it Worse), and they knew how quickly he'd shut down the line of not-quite rationale Uriel fitted into fluffy down blankets and soft pillows. \n\nWhat then, would come next? \n\nBeing left in the cold, with no blankets nor pillows to speak of? Their one life-raft torn apart? Nothing but sand being whisked away in the wind, and the feeling of being Vulnerable And Afraid? \n\nOr did the child within them secretly long for the look of horror that would grow on that freckled, kind and oh-so sweet face, that face that was smiling and beautiful and crinkled with laughter near the eyes now contorted in the same expression They Had when it happened, when they stumbled back home with too-much blood pouring out of their barely sewn together wound, tears running down their face as the only thoughts that ran through their head were not It had to be done, the Universe willed it But It hurts, I'm scared, I don't want to d ie?\n\n__ __ \nFor someone to touch their scars, feel the curves and ridges of that blade that tore out their insides in the orange bath of an after-school confrontation, for him to close his eyes and let them grieve a wound they never let heal? To revel in the misery of it all together, a boy without a heartbeat and a child who'd made a friend out of Pain? \n\nHis fingers rap against his knee. Uriel sucks in a breath, visibly trembling, and clasps their hand over his.\n\n\"Please?\" They shakily ask, gaze flickering between his hands and his face." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Ok,\" Owen whispered, strong hand shaking just a little in theirs. \n\nHis fingers just barely traced a trail on their leg on their path to the still sore-looking mark, his breaths slow and shallow. The boy's knuckles grazed the soft jut of their hip so lightly that they almost weren't there, and his thumb found their waist and ran over what must have been an awful stitch mark. A small, weak noise clawed its way from his throat as the weight of what they had said began to sink in.\n\n\"Y-y-you were jus-just a kid,\" He eked out, wishing he had something a little smarter to say. \"Esgob annwyl... Ddwrg gen i, Uriel.\"\n\nSmall, but low and sweet, Owen's voice held steadier in his mother tongue. The backs of his fingers traced the edge of their scar, slowly drawing circles like they had on his chest, pointedly ignoring the very middle; Too sensitive, He reasoned, Too close. Heavy-lidded eyes like pepper flakes caught in amber watched closely for reactions.\n\nStill.. They Wanted Him here, for him to lay a hand on them like they had so barely bashfully, where no one must have touched them since it was sewn up. That Made him pause, the swathes of his arm speckled in sunlight soaking in afternoon heat. The intimacy of it shocked even him, the cogs behind his eyes trying to reason and rationalize when they knew all they were meant for was to feel, blindly and completely.\n\n\"This wasn't your fault,\" He tried, after a hazy stretch of silence, hand resting a little awkwardly below their hipbone. \"Or th-the scissors.\" He knew that he could certainly try to tear the wool from their eyes, but not whether he had the strength, or the wherewithal. Was it his place? \n\n...Their logic was strangely endearing, almost- only because it was so uniquely Them, though far less so than it was heartbreaking. Uriel was so determined for no one to be at fault, for no one to feel bad. But they were hurt, Badly And permanently, and... And?\n_ _\n\nNormally, when Owen hit snags, they caught him fast and unaware, jolted and spiked with hot injustice. This time, though, he curled around the point of agony willingly, slowly, and with what he hoped was gentle precision.\n\nHe looked back up at them for the first time in ages, doe-eyed features curling into an expression of equal parts helpless sorrow and the anger that they refused to feel. He could feel it, though. Hell, he Wanted To.\n\n\"I still hate that someone-'she' hurt you.\"\n\nThere.\n\nHe moved his arm back down their leg, and squeezed their hand; his palm was hot, and his pulse was in it." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "They said nothing, instead watching with bated breath as Owen's hand lightly caressed the edge of their injury. His hands were warm, rough with callouses from late-night bass and climbing trees but nonetheless still gentle against their sensitive skin. \n\nUriel's breath hitched at the sensation, squirming under his hand before rolling back into the touch. It was... An odd feeling. Not a Bad One, but an Odd One, like their skin was on fire with every touch and prod casting delicate (wonderful, maybe?) indents in their marred flesh.\n\nIt felt like fire, and still it was nothing compared to his words. \n\nSoft, delicate syllables, and yet they felt like a kick to their windpipe. He was looking at Them Now, eyes trained on their scars and imperfections, and his voice was cracking for Them. How terrifying it was, that their harm was only creating more Pain, more harm they were responsible for. Less a cycle, and more a domino effect, but... No. It couldn't. It didn't make sense. Uriel could feel the desire to run overwhelm their legs, but they promised to never leave him, didn't they? \n\nThey take his hand in their non-dominant right. \n\n\"You know, um..\" They suck down another breath— why was it so hard, all of a sudden? \"I shouldn't dwell on such things around the flowers. They'll wilt.\" It's a soft plea, a quiet murmur as they hastily button their shirt up and turn back to the lavender. That's enough for now, Uriel thought, their brain equally as sensitive and confused and feeling, just like still-tingling skin now concealed by a layer of fabric. \n\nThey take their gardening scissors— how ironic, they muse, given the subject matter— and continue to work at the plants, giving an occasional look to Owen to show the boy their interest. \n\n\"I wouldn't want to taint the joy of your company with such thoughts, either.\" Uriel gives Owen a soft smile. It doesn't reach their eyes. \n\nThey squeeze Owen's hand in their own, though, muttering a soft thank you to the other." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Aaw.\"\n\nYou could never.\n\nOwen's cheeks pricked with heat at that; ever the flatterer, he was in over his head the second they assured him that his presence brought joy, even when they were deflecting something. He hoped his hand wasn't weirdly sweaty. Theirs was nice and cool.\n\nStill, a knot twisted in his stomach- did they get what they were looking for? An answer they were satisfied with, reassurance for the right thing? He could see something was Off Still, but couldn't place what. Not wanting to let go of their hand, he chewed on something before it slipped from him.\n\n\"Tell you a secret, um.\" A shaky breath, as he fiddled with their fingers in his, picking a flower head to talk to. \"I, ah, don't like scissors either. If th-tha-that makes you f-ffeel any less mad.\"\n\nIt was clear from the old speech impediment seeping into the spaces between his words that this was an understatement.\n\nThe boy feeling exposed in more ways than one nervously ran his thumb along the side of their hand. Why did I say that? Will they ask questions, do I Want Them to? Owen's crossed leg opposite them bounced idly as his heartbeat quickened, and he remembered to breathe.\n\nI'm sorry if that was weird. I care about you so much. Please ignore that please don't mind me please squeeze my hand back-\n\n\"Your flo-your flowers are beautiful.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "The thumb that ran down the back of their hand felt nice, Uriel thought, their attention briefly diverting from their gardening to the warm, sturdy presence tracing methodical circles just above their knuckles. They savored the feeling, pressing the feeling of skin against theirs and strong muscles squeezing their hand back into the deepest chambers of their heart, right next to pleasant childhood memories, moments spent watching TV and drinking tea with Margo, and all of the other seconds they shared with the nervous boy. \n\nHe was starting to fill their heart up. Perhaps one day, at this rate, it might grow full.\n\nIf it makes you feel any less mad? The phrasing of that and the return of the stutter made something foul tickle their stomach, and Uriel sent a worried glance Owen's way. \n\n\"I'm sorry. I lied earlier.\" Uriel said softly, resuming their gardening as they spoke.\n\n\"The flowers don't particularly care what you tell them, only that you speak from the heart. They're good company in that way.\" The Snip Of a stem, and a lilac-colored flower falls onto the garden ground. \n\nInstead of putting the picked stem of lavender in their basket, Uriel's hand discards the scissors on the side opposite of Owen— Foul thing— and extends the picked plant to Owen, the stray purple flower just barely tickling his nose.\n\n\"I hope to be the same, if you need me.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen couldn't help but let a genuine, boyish grin spread across his worry-weighted features once again. A deep breath, and he gingerly took the flower, thoughtfully spinning it between a freckles thumb and forefinger. The bright-eyed boy nodded, his leg still bouncing away.\n\nHe'd somewhat liked the smell of lavender forever; it wasn't an offensive aroma, just indistinct amongst the other vibrant notes summer carried on the wind. Lately, though, he had found himself pausing to breathe it in, or crushing leaves of it between his fingertips and dropping them in his pockets absentmindedly to be found later dried and crumbling but still difficult to cast away.\n\nIt smelled like a home of sorts, he supposed- his real home didn't have much lavender in it, but the scent now conjured up similar images of sunlit kitchens and late-night laughter, and the feeling of arms around him. 'Home,' it seemed, was expanding, with the little petals of dusty purple unfurling in the strange new gardens, taking their own time.\n\nThat was a nice thought. He tucked it somewhere safe, for a rainy day.\n\n\"I-I think I might. Need you.\" Owen gazed at their palms gently pressed together, all the things he could say flashing behind his outwardly peaceful expression. \"I think it's alright to need each other, yeah?\"\n\nCan it, Ares.\nAnd me. You're on thin ice, you.\n\nPerhaps they were a little 'suspicious'. Owen wasn't blind, but he had never had a friendship quite like the one he had with Uriel, but any thoughts of it being anything other than what it just Was Didn't ring true. He rolled his shoulders back, shrugging off the layers of subtext and hidden meanings that he had learned to look for (or, that everyone else looked at him and decided that they saw), and let himself enjoy the lavender, sweet and simple." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"N-need me?\" \n\nThe effect is immediate— or, as quick as immediate is for someone like Uriel. The apples of their cheeks to the collarbone becomes a bright red, blood flushing to their skin in embarrassment at the comment. \n\nNeed them. It was something they've always longed to hear. To be a part of someone's life in a positive way, important enough for a piece of someone's heart not to be surrendered without consent in the midst of night, but willingly entrusted to them like one would give a present on Christmas Day. \n\nOwen trusted them— of course he did, but he Needed them. Did that mean, by extension, that he Wanted Them? \n\nTheir head swims. Uriel's clouded grey gaze the color of the rolling fog glaze over at the thought. It takes a couple of seconds for the bright red of flushed skin in summer heat to dilute back to the usual milky white, their silence only made bearable by them tracing their thumb on the lines sewn across his palm.\n\n\"I think I need you too. I-If you'll let me be yours.\" They say, and smile back." } ]	364	9,088
116.684211	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "To say the dorms stunk would be an understatement. They reeked! A smell like burning hair and rubber sent waves of people out of their dorms and into the halls. Pythia, sadly, was one of those caught in the chaos. He stepped out of his dorm, holding a cloth over his mouth and nose with one hand and his walking stick in the other. There are enough people that as soon as he stepped out of his dorm and closed the door, he was swallowed by the darkness. A quiet panic began within his chest, quickly rising as he is moved by the crowd. Pythia is shorter than most, so he gets pushed around alot in the chaos of escape. He tries activating his ability, but the panic was getting worse and he couldnt focus. His hands started shaking as his breath caught in his throat. In a few minutes Pythia is completely lost. He tried to keep track of the turns, but with the rush to get out its too much. Suddenly, there is a jolt through the crowd and someone bumps into him, hard, causing him to yelp softly and drop his cane. He tries to drop to his knees immediately, feeling around on the floor for his one tool by which to navagate in this mess. He is visible in the crowd as a flash of white hair and skin beneath the mess of people." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Shit, sorry-\" Connor fumbled as well. Within a moment, the chain on his left shackle began to lift and move, and the cane rolled back to Pythia. \"I'm around people for five minutes and I knock someone over. Ffff-\" Connor sighed and placed a hand on Pythia's, intending to help them up once they felt comfortable doing so." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Almost retching from the horrid smell, Penelope wouldn't be able to endure this smell either along with the rest of the students, walking around like a LITERAL human air freshener for anybody that needs it with her vines holding sweet smelling flowers all around her, going down the halls and nearly knocking over Connor & Pytha completely, but thankfully she has more spacial awareness than normal right now \"Op- Jesus, my bad you two, did somebody collapse from the smell?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia cries out with relief as he wraps his fingers around his cane, quickly picking it up and clutching it tightly. Unknown hands help him stand, and then help pull him along with the crowd towards the exit. Pythia doesnt really mind who the hand belongs to, as long as they help ensure he doesnt lose his cane again. He smiles as a wave of plesent smells wash over him. He turns his head to look in the direction of Penelope, though he obviously cannot see her at all \"I... Im f... Fine just... T... Tripped\" Pythia stutters, his voice still shaking from the panic which still ran through him... Though the presence of a friend helped him keep it under control" }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"We should get out of here.\" Connor suggested - very obviously - and he grabbed Pythia's hand to help him out, pulling him slightly forward. \"I recommend not walking through the halls,\" He turned to Penelope, \"Even if you are giving out sweet scent. It just means there's people going multiple different directions which is a recipe for a disaster.\"" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"What do you mean? I'm helping people out, I'm basically a beacon for everybody to follow outside, with my nice scent~\"\nI'd say proudly to myself, of course not getting how people would go in different directions other than out, or following me, just because I'm here trying to help\n\"And it's nice to see you again, Pythia.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia doesnt really focus on the conversation between those two, mostly trying to just focus on A. Not having a panic attack, and B. Getting out of this overly cramped hallway as quickly as possible. \"W... We should h... Head to the gardens...\" He suggests quietly, wanting to get to somewhere quiet and familiar as quickly as possible. The garden is small enough that hopefully no one else would have the idea of going there." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Stay if you want, I suppose.\" Connor shrugged and began leading Pythia through people and toward the nearest exit out to the gardens. \"Sorry, again. I might have had a bit of a gravity field around me so people wouldn't get too close. Maybe a bit too strong. Also, hold on to your cane.\" He suddenly pulled Pythia to a side quickly, attempting to weave through the crowd. He took another moment to look back to Penelope as he made sure the currently-blind student was alright." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Penelope would be following pretty close behind, trying to make sure she stays with her acquainted shy boy and trying to make sure that nothing else happens to him outside of her sight. Although Penelope was letting Connor lead Pythia, definitely not wanting it to be too chaotic for the two" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia yelps softly as the unknown hands yank him in a new direction, weaving the pair of them through the crowd. Pythia's footwork is sloppy due to his blindness, and Connor's arms are the only thing keeping him from tripping and falling. He keeps his head pointed down, as if he was trying to see where he was going, but his eyes are unfocused. Thankfully, it is easy enough to break away from the main force and stride towards the gardens, where the three students finally find themselves alone.\n\nPythia sighs loudly in relief, gently taking his hand from Connor and stepping a few feet away from both of them. He has to shield his eyes as he steps into the sunlight, his panic finally subsiding as sight returns to him. He takes a few further steps away, finding a comfortable spot to sit down as he turns and looks back at the two spheres of darkness which represent Connor and Penelope. He looks in their direction, trying to see them through the cloud, though it is now obvious that he can see, it is also obvious that Pythia cannot see either of them as his gaze is consistently a few degrees off from the other students." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor likewise took a sigh of relief and closed his mouth completely afterward; up to this point, he had had a bubble of gravity pushing air away from his nose constantly so as to avoid the smell entirely, and thus had been breathing through his mouth until now. The newly-freed \"Slot\" For control of gravity was switched to lifting him off the ground a little bit, where he sat cross-legged, and he left the other \"Slot\" Free.\n\n\"Hey, uh, Pythia? You were at that one party, right?\" He asked. \"Haven't seen you since.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia tilts his head slightly as one of the bubbles goes... Up? It floats into the air a little bit, barely enough to be noticeable, but a change Pythia immediately spots. He looks up towards where he thinks Connor is... Though he actually looks about a foot to Connor's right and half a foot down. \"Um.. Yes. I... I was there, and I c... Could say likewise. How... H-have you been?\" He asks quietly, his aim in where to look slowly getting better the more Connor speaks." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"A lot's been happening.\" He put simply. \"What the hell is that smell? Somebody needs to do maintenance I guess.\" He threw the idea of it being a building issue out, but Connor had no clue what the smell was and didn't even know where to start; to be fair, he hadn't smelled it much since he immediately negated his own sense of smell." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Hell if I know, all I know is that the dorms suddenly smelled like rubber and burning hair on top of garlic and I immediately threw up before I made myself a walking air freshener. Maybe something exotic died in the vents.\" She suggests, sitting down in the garden with a little groan, stopping her good smell emissions and looking around at the garden" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia just shrugs, mostly just glad to be outside of the stink. He could still smell it ever so slightly, but both the garden and Penelope helped block it out. In the meantime he sits back and closes his eyes, trying his best to relax. He had spent most of his time in his room recently, the only place where the shadows of others couldnt get to him. Unless he unlocked his door, there was no easy way to get inside, so even if someone pressed themselves up against the other wall, unless they had the capability to punch through it their shadows wouldnt appear on the other side. It would be the same if someone was trapped within a box, if they didnt have a way out then their future shadows couldnt extend beyond the box's confines... But back to the original point, he had spent too much time alone recently... Being with people was terrifying sometimes... But it also helped push away some of the darkness within his own mind." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Something exotic? You think someone lost their pet or something?\" Connor asked Penelope. \"Still doesn't explain the rubber, though. Unless the exotic thing is a tire shoved into the vents.\" He joked, but for all he knew it Could Have been a tire lodged in the vents.\n\n\"Whatever. How long do you think before it'll they get it all fixed? I don't wanna sleep out in the gardens for a week.\"" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "She'd laugh a little at the pet comment, but that does raise a good point, what COULD let off all of those smells at the same time??\n\"I mean probably, or it was an engineering project that went HORRIBLY wrong, we might never know until they figure it out. And knowing just who is here, i feel like it would be resolved within a day or two, if not today.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia mostly stays quiet, not because they arent comfortable... Mostly because he doesnt really feel like he has anything to add to the conversation. In the rush to get out he didnt grab his twirling pen, but he did have a small coin. He passively rolled it along his fingers, tossing it and spinning it in the air to help pass the time. Even without directly interacting with the other two... It was nice to be around them." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Think they'll pay for us to get hotel rooms if it takes too long? Or are we just gonna have to deal with it?\" Connor asked. \"I might just end up making myself a little hole in the ground at this rate. But yeah, hopefully they fix it soon. Got my models and stuff in my dorm and I don't want them to pick up the smell.\"" } ]	93	2,217
435	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "_ _ _ _ The night was cold. Winter held heavy against the sky. Stars dotted the abyss above Ares' head like paint splatters over spilled ink. They drew him in; the endless cosmos. Not that he knew anything about it, not that he cared. The cold sunk under his skin, his breath puffed out in front of his face in a small cloud of air. It floated up in the moonlight, disappearing against the shine of the constellations overhead. Deep breaths. \n\n The boy's bones ached in more ways than one. He had been working out twice as much as usual. Punching trees, walls, anything he could get his fists into. It was a pathetic attempt to remove pent up energy. Something was bothering him, and he didnt know what it was. Perhaps it was how Well Things had been going with Finley, How he didn't deserve that. His eyebrows tightened over his heavy eyelids. His face was twisted into a scowl, as he flicked his lighter on and off in his hands. \n\n It had snowed earlier in the week. There was a light dusting of soft white on the ground and across the roof. The flame stood out against the cold, warming Ares' hands as it flicked on and off in the night. Click. Silence. Click. Silence. There was nothing but the sound of himself and the emptiness of the night. A sound Ares knew all too well; a sound he despised more than life itself. \n\n It was late in the night. He had told no one he would be up here. A perfectly crafted scenario to remain isolated and on his own. Why was he doing this? He hated this. \n\n Click. Silence. Click. Silence." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen stood for a minute in the cold, turning something over in his mind.\n\nHis hands rested in the pockets of his leather jacket, but they weren't relaxed; the not-often silent redhead clicked and fiddled as always, watching the distant light flicker on and off against the backdrop of diamonds spilled over infinite velvet.\n\nLurking hadn't been his intention— reaching high places without slipping and falling thirty feet in the silent, frost-slick woods was closer to it. He wanted to be beneath the stars, and the boy-shaped bonfire welcomed the cold's idle bite at his flushed cheeks, but a new factor was thrown into the mix: did he feel like being alone?\n\nClarification. Did he feel like being alone or with Ares, staring into space, flicking a lighter on and off, on and off, in the eerie stillness?\n\nSure.\n\nWhat do I need to fear from Ares anyhow, came a murmur in the back of his mind, the dry crunching of powder beneath his boots marking his slowed strides toward his friend. I'm in a fine enough mood. I can say something dumb about the stars, or his snake bites gathering frost, he can call me his dearest coward or something. See if I can make him laugh. Maybe. \n\nShut it. You're friends, aren't you? You'll literally be fine.\n\nOn a night like this, the quiet was a marvel, despite his discomfort in it; the cords of his earbuds disappeared into his collar, and his sharp ears picked up every Click. The dull rush of blood and otherwise in his ears didn't drown out the sound of heavy breaths in the dry, bitter cold as he stood next to Ares, staring at his little flame, alive then dead, real as his certainty.\n\nThe copper-haired intruder said nothing.\n\nInstead, with a creak of old leather, the hand closest to the not-so-solitary figure shook itself free of its pocket. A warm hand, dusted across the back with cinnamon, tipped at the fingers with a low, softly glowing red, readied next to the lighter; thumb to middle finger.\n\nClick-\nClink.\n_ _\n\nWith the second sound, a spark of gold shot through his hand, a map of the veins in his hand, gone in an instant. Owen... Wasn't entirely sure why he elected to announce his presence by snapping his fingers. His arm dropped to his side, still stubbornly glowing against the cold; the light had a faint pulse to it, if one squinted.\n\nIt was just a little silly, wasn't it? The boy couldn't help but snort at himself, pointing a soft but wide, off-centre grin at the side of his bandmate's head. Still, not a word." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "_ _ _ _ Ares paused. His hand went still, he turned to look who had walked up towards him and stared daggers directly into Owen. His eyes were sharp, heavy and violent under a furrowed brow. \n\n \"Of course it has to be you.\" Ares grumbled. He shifted slightly in place, and turned back to look absently towards the sky. A part of him wanted it to be Danica. He started flicking his lighter once more. On and off, each time the small orange flame casted a light on the bottom of Ares' face. Paired with his scowl and scrunched nose, the firelight almost made him more intimidating than he already was. If such an achievement was even possible. \n\n The clearly frustrated boy failed to look at Owen beyond a death stare that burned holes through his skull. Owen had grown to know Ares better than the stereotypes, and had never seen him directly violent. Except for right at this moment. When Ares flicked a lighter, under a furrowed brow, the scars on his knuckles were painted in a different light. They weren't sympathy inducing anymore. They were a warning. A cry that told those near to step back; leave the bear in his cave. Leave him. \n\n Ares wasn't going to hurt Owen. Of course he wouldn't— but there was an energy to Ares that was undeniably furious. Yet, he didn't say a word. Owen had no way of knowing why." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The unwanted visitor balked at Ares' cold bite, his stomach twisting around a pit of coal now sinking through his centre. That crooked smile fell evenly, sharp eyebrows knitting into an incredulous squint; his eyes, sparks caught in dark amber, flicked away instinctively. Of course it has to be you. Of course it has to be you. Him, of course. Snake-eyes. He wanted to hurl, and melt into nothing, but his stubborn, stinging body stuck.\n\n\"Wh- the Fuck?\"\n\nOwen took a step back, fever rushing to his head. It took a second for the remark to sink in— was Ares expecting someone else? Well, of course he was, but why was he Angry That it was him instead? The boy looked for any sign of jest, a 'made you jump,' but Ares was a solid wall of smouldering misery. \n\nHe had seen anger, pain, and idle malaise in those auburn eyes, but to catch a glimpse of them burning black with vitriol was.. Jarring. Especially jarring. Was it because it was from a friend, this time? Was that why it made him sad?\n\n\"What's g-gotten into you?!\", he blurted, fists clenching in the pockets of his heavy jacket. His voice wavered in surprise, but it was sharp and clear in the frigid night— salt-scratched heels dug into the slippery powder, bracing for his answer. A younger Owen would have turned tail and ran but this one, with spine enough to demand an explanation, held fast to his spot.\n\nStill, he hoped Ares wouldn't notice the shaking beneath his layers of cotton and black leather, and that he might catch the hint of concern in his tone.\n\n\"Did, did something happen?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "_ _ _ _ Ares stayed completely still. He wasn't seething with some sort of unseen rage, ready to burst at the seems. He was angry, of course, but the kind of slow bitter anger that poisoned his skin and made him want to stay on the roof for the rest of his days. He wanted to sink into the night, set the entire forest on fire, punch a person he hated, maybe break something that meant a lot to someone. He didn't know— all he knew was that he felt like he was being clenched by an iron fist. The way the pressure crushed his ribs, entangled with his bones. It was white hot, painful. He hated the way this felt. \n\n The lighter kept clicking on and off in his hands, deep eyes fixated on the small pulsing flame. A gust of cold wind, and it faltered and ducked back into the lighter. Ares closed it, lit it up again. He watched the small orange flame dance, and reach its small arms up towards the deep black ink above the two. With a small snap, the flame was gone. Completely. Ares didn't light it back up, instead he turned and looked over at Owen.\n\n \"If you're going to be pissy with me— you can leave.\" Ares stared at Owen with an unnerving seriousness. There was annoyance tugging at his furrowed brow, and rage in his scowling lips, but the tone of his voice was smooth. It was deeper than usual, quiet against the rustling tree leaves. \n_ _\n\n_ _ _ _ The silence of the night swallowed his voice, framed his tan skin against deep blue. It was a contrast to his normal environment. Ares was a firecracker boy, bright red and sparking with life and destruction all at once. He was the firework show that brings awe in the black sky, and the raining ash of fire that eats forests and leaves nothing but dust in its wake. He was an impact— he never let himself sink into the background. Except for tonight. Ares' black denim jacket, pulled over a loose hoodie, did nothing to make him stand out. The only thing making his presence known, was the small flame in his hand. A flame that was now gone. \n\n \"Nothing happened. Nothing that I can pinpoint anyways.\" Almost opening up, Ares cut himself off and scoffed. \"....Im not gonna play doctor patient with you. Why are you up here anyways.\" \n\n Ares was slouched over on a ledge. The roof was concrete, brutalist and scarp. There were many edges to lean his legs off of. Tonight, heavy black boots dangled from the cold grey, and his elbows rested solidly on his knees. The freeze of the winter night was beginning numb his skin. He didn't care." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen's heavy-lidded eyes stared at the lights of Isakstad in the distance as a thick jet of steam left his nose, his lips pursed shut. The heat had rushed to his head too fast; holding it there made him dizzy, and letting it fall again back over his shoulders and down his spine made him feel exposed. Right. Lean into that. The smaller boy wondered how he had ever done this without the humming beneath his skin. That... Made him feel strange.\n\nYou're fine. It's not about you.\n\n\"I'm not— Trying To doctor you,\" He mumbled, stubbornly sitting himself down next to his ill-tempered friend. His heels idly tapped against the concrete, and his toes almost got cold.\n\n\"Not being pissy either. You're Being pissy.\" Wrong dialogue option badbadbad say something else— \"I'm up here because I need to be high up and all the trees are slick, and now also now because you're... Smouldering. N-not— not, um.\" The tapping sped up a little. \"Not good to stew in it.\"\n\nSlouching just a little, Owen trained his gaze on Ares' boots dangling less than an arm's length from his own, looking for any hints that weren't burning glares or jarring flicks of the lighter. In the night, he seemed to be painted over with a wash of melancholy, hues seemingly taken from copper and fresh apples shining closer to rust and dead leaves. Autumn, on the cusp of a frigid winter.\n\n\"I'm not busting your balls about it. But I'm not inclined to piss off just yet, either.\"\n\nThe callous tone tasted tough, he decided, like breaking in hard leather, especially when he was still inclined to believe such a situation required nothing but tenderness. It was unfamiliar to be on this end of it, but it wasn't alien entirely— he had been watching Ares closely for a long time, drawing a gestural map of the razed landscape he traversed with such a weight on his brow, such daggers in his eyes.\n\nOwen picked out footsteps where he could, adjusting his stride, fiddling with the buckle hanging from the side of his jacket." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "_ _ _ _ Ares some what mockingly tilted his head back and forth. Rolling his eyes for a moment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He held it in his hands, dead silent while Owen rambled on and on. Just shut up already, you're digging yourself deeper into the hole. After Owen had stopped, Ares looked at him. The same cold dead eyes.\n\n \"Stole these from Margo, yknow. I don't even smoke. She is So Pissed with me, Still So many months later.\" \n\n Ares shook his head with a scoff. He placed his hands behind him, and lifted himself up. Now he was standing tall beside Owen, the height difference shockingly obvious. Ares reached his free hand in the box, pulled out one, tucked it between his lips, then rolled his lighter over his knuckles. It clicked over his rings, and reflected the moon light above. The flame flickered to life with a tap, but instead of bringing the fire to the cigarette in his mouth, he held it underneath the box itself. \n\n The fire engulfed the box, instantly. It lit up in a bright display of destruction, the orange light danced against Ares' face. It lit up the anger in his eyes as he peered down at the burning flames in his hands. It frankly smelt horrible, but Ares seemed unfazed. So much so, in fact, that when the fire pressed against the palm of his hand he didn't drop it. He simply tilted his head forward, lighting the one pressed in between his lips with the burning box, and dropped the flaming pack to the concrete below. The fire sizzled, and reached for anything left to burn, but once the cigarettes had been reduced to ashes, it quickly distinguished. \n_ _\n\n_ _ _ _ The boy blew a cloud, opposite to Owen, and watched the smoke puff against his cold breath. With a deep inhale, he looked over at the other boy. Ares had the eyes of a viper, staring at a small feeble barn mouse. \n\n \"I dont smoke, at the best of times. Anyways.\" He gave a wry snicker, before returning to the subject Owen had been rambling on about. \"Not good to stew in it, You say? Sure we can talk. Like buddies, pals, even.\" The tone of his voice was bitterly sarcastic. Poisonous. \n\n \"Yknow, why does shit fucking suck hm? People are assholes. Nothing happened, I just...\" Ares stared down at the ashes. The way they moved slightly with the wind, down below the edge he had been dangling his feet off of. \"I hate them. I hate em all. Fuck em, yknow.\" With his middle and index finger, he held the cigarette, took another deep breath. \n\n At least he was polite enough to avoid Owen getting wafted with the smell of cigarettes." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Quiet clouds of steam pushed impatiently into the night as Owen willed himself to Stop talking already, that's enough. Ares, thankfully, was gifted tonight at creating situations that any sensible over-thinker would stop dead before puncturing with half-baked half-truths.\n\nThe horrible-smelling box of ash and death hit footprint-scuffed powder with nary a sound, but Owen felt it. Pulling one of his legs up from the ledge and holding it close to his chest, the leather-clad boy thought himself to be much the same; so very small, and charred, discarded. Piff.\n\nOut like a nightlight.\n\nSomething like a sea urchin shifted uncomfortably in his stomach as he silently mused that he'd rather not feel like that.\n\nVenom dripped from Ares' tone, poking at his eyes peering through the iron grate, and he felt smaller still. He reminded himself that the sneering boy was more than the burning pressure his mysterious simmering elicited behind his eyes, but his leg that still hung over the edge swung anxiously still. Wide-eyed children curled in the ash and the biting cold knew that tone well— You are not a friend here. You are a fool for assuming so, even after they have told you as much before, and their smiles in your direction are not because you've made them happy.\n\nFlakes of chipped black lacquer vanished into the night off the ledge. He was doing this on purpose. Would it kill him to actually tell it to me, just once? Anything at all?\n\nOwen's voice was lower now, and less clear as it cut through the three beats of silent airtime his deep, faintly aggravated breaths wrenched from Ares' scarred hands and their apparently new filthy habit.\n\n\"Well.\"\n_ _\n\nGenerally, people telling him what was truly bothering them was better than an obvious lie (was that what this was?), but Owen rarely knew what exactly to do with the blunt honesty he asked for. He wondered how anyone did.\n\n\"I'm shit at being one, but I can't seem to get enough of people snapping at me,\" He grumbled, glaring out at the tree line. Ares could have a little passive aggression out of him, as a treat— that also tasted bitter and rotten, but something ugly and corrosive bubbled deep in his stomach, and holding it there was suddenly nauseating.\n\nHe could always just leave, couldn't he?\n\n\"Shit, man, what do I say to that? Every answer tastes like bile. Don't hate everybody, but talking to most makes me feel ill. No it doesn't- yes it does. How— what do you even—\"\n\nA muffled growl, and the study in muted copper dug his nail into another and ripped the polish off of it completely; his stomach roiled, regretting it immensely." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "```retconned, but remaining for brain rot purposes.```" } ]	468	3,915
348.8	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "They both set down their phones at the same time.\n\nOften were their conversations to one another through the intranet, even when in the same room together. Funny that. Anja never really minded the silent conversations, though. Best of two worlds. Speaking to Amelie and the quiet.\n\nInside the greenhouse Anja and Amelie meet again. If today was a colder than yesterday, Anja couldn't tell. They were all the same to her. The summers only made the heat worse. A theory is supposedly being proven here. Anja was focused on Amelie's hands. Freezing cold, as told by their owners.\nCould a walking sun provide warmth to a living corpse? Could an unending heat really feel a freezing touch?\nIs this even going to work in the first place? Was this worth the many, many risks?\n\nShe shifts. This was insane. She knew this was too quick to put on her. But... She has to try.\n\"I am sorry to ask again. Nerves, I believe.\" Anja looks from Amelie's hands to her eye. \"Are you okay with this?\"\nShe doesn't want an out. But the idea of her forcing Amelie into this is sneaking around her head. She doesn't want to ruin anything, and this already felt like way too far of a step over boundaries.\nBut... She did say she wants to try. Right?\nGod please give her this chance. A silent prayer for the uncaring. Her hands feel like they're already shaking intensely, yet they sat in her lap." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The bouquet was put down behind Amelie, it's reds, white, and purples behind her head has if taunting her with what she's doing. She's staring at Anja with something akin to a glare, she's terrified of doing this truly but she needs to do something. This is for herself, this is for trying to do better. Amelies hands twitched, it was mostly what she couldn't do for Tejal or her sisters. \n\nIt's cold, it's always been cold since that night. It's only gotten worse and worse yet worse. She felt colder than a corpse, she didn't know how she was still alive most of all. She didn't know what the sun truly felt like, the most heat she'd ever felt was from Owen and it was only seconds before she had burgeoned herself.\nIt was worth everything and more, she needed this. She needed this.\n\nAmelie frowned, her hands clenched in front of her. She puts her hands forward and opens them, they're frail and more gnaut skin over bone than anything. They're covered with sterilized bandages her fingers and palms, all tender and more fatal parts of her covered in bandages. Amelie reminds herself how many times her vision has gone dark. \n\"Of course.\"\n Her sinew looking fingers twitch. \n\"Do it or it will never be done, Frau leta. I need this.\"\n\nAmelie looks at Anja dead on, focusing everything on her instead of how she already looks as though she's ready to be lowered into her tomb.\n\"An angel had grabbed me and for a long moment I didn't hurt her.\"\nAmelie murmurs quieter, repeating the last part of that sentence breathlessly as if she couldn't believe it. \n\"I Didn't Hurt Her.\"\nAmelie goes silent, she waits there on the floor of the greenhouse with her hands open and waiting palms upwards, she never meant harm." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "The bouquet compliments her. Like a halo of flowers lightly rolling into place behind her.\nThey're both terrified. Anja is supposed to willingly touch what may just cause both women to need to visit the nurse tonight.\nSomething else is biting at her courage. The last time she reached for another girl's hand was... Tanya. It felt like betrayal. Like she didn't deserve what this was leading to. But she had to leave. She had to. She couldn't keep hurting her.\nThis... She couldn't leave. Not this time. Anja Needed this as well.\nBut it wasn't just for the cold from Amelie.\n\nShe looks down at Amelie's hands. She wanted to study them. She wanted to trace her fingertips across them and learn what her hands felt like. Amelie speaks. She hesitates. Looking back up to Amelie, she nods, slowly.\n\"I... Of course.\"\nShe's still hesitating. Why? Why now? This is what she's been thinking about after every visit. Every time they talk, she has thought about how this moment would come and Now She hesitates?\n\n\"You- You didn't?\" A light gasp escapes her, genuine surprise crossing over her face, in all the times she's met her, not even she was able to find a time, she ignores the angel meeting part. \"That is good, Amelie. Really.\"\nIt really was the chance to.\nAnja just needed to move her hand.\n\nHer unbandaged hand reaches out, instinctively.\nSlowly, she reaches out to her hands, placing her sunkissed fingertips on top of Amelie's palm, pressing lightly as to avoid setting off the possible bone jaws of the trap that hid beneath her skin. Her fingers are warm to the touch, like pressing the back of the hand to someone's feverish head. Like the blushing that was flushing over her face. Thank goodness for the feverish red that kisses her face already. She only hoped Amelie didn't notice.\nIf a trap was not sprung, she lightly spreads her fingertips across her palm, letting the warmth melt into her hand." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelies hand to another felt like death itself, colder than the space above, scars littering her palm like a garden only maintained by the owner of said scars. Amelie's herself? She has felt nothing, absolutely nothing when Anja tentatively spread her fingers onto her hand. \n\nShe wanted to feel something, anything she begged herself. She watched as bone began to sprout slowly from her wrist. There was heat, there was definitely something hot. She felt a deep frown form on her face, she should've known this would happen her nerves are too damaged for anything to really be sent. \n\nAmelie was too busy staring at their hands to notice the brighter flush on Anja's face. She didn't know what to think, did she accomplished what she wanted. Maybe this is for the better. \n\nShe was silent in watching the bones wrap around one another in Amelies effort to not hurt Anja. She spoke for a second even if her voice came out dizzy and estranged from her raspy tone. \n\n\"I'm sorry.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja felt the chill touch of near-death. But it wasn't a frightening shock that met her. It was something new to her own nerves. But even the cold touch of space that sat surface on Amelie's hand began to absorb the heat. Her own kept feeding into it, and they began to match, even with the others sense's not feeling it. It wasn't... Exactly what she was hoping for. \nFeeling her fingertips lightly travel across the scarred palm she is completely focused on the journey that she doesn't really realize the stress Amelie goes through. Until she speaks.\n\nLooking up, her hand flinches back. \"...Did it not work? If so, I am sorry as well.\" She wanted to keep going. Keep trying. Having this moment mean Something More than just stress to her. But she knew this was already way too far. \n\nShe leaves the palm unharmed but missing something. She was hoping to feel an immense cold. A cold that would pull the heat from her, leave her with a moment to feel true cold. Something like an oppressive blizzard, falling into an ice bath, or breaking through the thin ice layer of the lake underneath her. Perhaps she should try an ice bath on another impossibly warm day.\n\nShe looks at her hands, now wringed together, disappointed in her loose faith. \"I- I do apologize, truly. I did not mean to lead you astray into thinking this would work. I did not want to try something too... Over the line?\" Sheepishly, she admits it. \"I was going to clasp your hand.\" \nFailure, again, Anja should atleast give her the option to be left alone. \"If you wish to not try anymore, I understand. I do appreciate the opportunity.\"\nIf only she had just... Tried. Damnit, she was still scared.\nThis was too much for Amelie, though. She was already dizzy from possibly holding everything back." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "She was distraught, perturbed, shattered from thought. She thought after all this time after all this pain she'd feel something, so that she can at least see that light. She saw nothing, frustrated in this deep ocean that she found herself at the bottom of that she wished to breach the surface of. \n\nMuscle slowly climbed up the surface of the bone that encroached past her sleeves and fingers, they interlaced and covered eachother before pulling the bone back into her skin.\nA small bleeding scar left in it's wake, Amelie was just staring at what was left as it fell to the ground. Is this all she deserved? More confusion, everything was cold again. What was she supposed to do? Why does it still come back to taunt her so. \n\nBones ripped from her wrists again and entered her gaze again. Beastly shapes in lines of stained white and Amelie was Enraged. She ripped them from her wrists one by one, grunts of pain and stifled cries of anguish in her hears, she knows it's just her. \nIt's just her. It always has been. \n\nBone snapped and broken and scattered across the ground before her. After a long minute it was done, her wrists were shaking but they were free just for a moment. \nEverything was so cold, she did it she deserved it. \n\nShe reached for Anja's face when her bloodied palms reached Anja's face it finally burned so cold it hurt. It was so cold, why wasn't her face hot. Amelie opened her mouth to say something and for a second, nothing was said. Another second another wave of cold that hurt painfully. \n\n\"Thank you, Anja.\" \n\nShe said before her hands were off, Anja's face wasn't stained with blood; it felt sticky as it just stayed with Amelie. She grabbed the table and huffed as she began to stand.\n\nShe took her crutch and the bouquet; the bones on the floor scattered and making the greenhouse look like a ritual area. \n\n\"I... I am sorry. You're most likely going to be traumatized by this, please. Go seek the nurse.\"\n\nThat cold was mostly gone, it wasn't stifling but Amelie was horrifcally worried for Anja. She refused to allow herself to hurt her again, she probably did. \nAmelie frowned, looking Anja over with a worried look." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "If she wasn't already sitting on her legs, she would've stumbled backwards.\nWas this caused by her holding back? Because she touched her? Why did she allow this experiment to even happen? What made her trust her in the first place?\nAnja stared unblinkingly at the sight in front of her, a woman fighting her own body as it reprimanded her choice to try and let someone close once again. She flinches at every snap of a bone as it gets tossed away. \n\nDuring the moment of silence, she quietly creaks out. \"Miss... What can I-\"\nShe's interrupted by Amelie's hand on her face.\nShe's burning hot. Like opening the oven door after the timer has gone off. The cold of Amelie's hand is like a splash of ice water against her face. A gasp escapes her.\nAnja, without thinking, places her hand against Amelie's. She wishes it stayed there forever. \nBut she lets her let go.\n\"...Of course.\"\n\nShe stands herself, eyes flicking from one discarded bone to another. Like an enraged archaeologist lost their mind.\nShe picks up her phone, and lightly dusts her dress.\n\"I... Right.\"\nShouldn't she see the nurse? This shouldn't just be Anja's visit. She was unharmed.\nShe didn't want to leave.\n\nHer body turns for the door. A hand places on the doorknob.\nShe turns again, facing Amelie.\n\"I- I would like to try again.\"\nShe's stumbling over her words. Both the shock of the touch and the sight of the greenhouse is getting to her.\n\"I do not wish for this to be our only attempt. I would- I would like to try again. Please.\"\nHer jaw shudders. She needs to leave. \nShe still can't.\n\"Please.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie stood still in the middle of the greenhouse looking displaced but the bone and blood made it look as though she was made here. She looked like a deer exposed to the instant heat death of a well travelled road in night. Amelie frowns and puts herself back together while clutching the bouquet tighter. Anja looks desperate and it's throwing every thought off it's careful axel. \n\n\"I hear you, Anja.\"\n\nAmelie speaks cautiously.\n\n\"I hear you.\"\n\nShe coughs a little into her shoulder before speaking again, the cough itself sounding wet and painful. \n\n\"Perhaps later, I need to clean the greenhouse up. If you'd allow me.\" \n\nShe isn't sure of Anja's thoughts at all but she looks positively crazed, different from the look she usually sports and it's... Something else. She dosent think Anja has noticed yet quite the relief, she'll take this to the grave. \n\nAmelie raises her hand to brush something off her skirt before realizing yet again that her hands were layered in about an inch of coagulated blood. Grimacing, she shuffles abit before speaking once more. \n\n\"Please leave, gather your thoughts. Make sure you're alright.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She can hear her own heartbeat in her eardrums.\n\n\"Right, of course. I'm sorry.\" Anja shakes her head. \"I am not being myself. Apologies.\"\nShe Was Being herself, though. A messy, desperate person who would rather make a fool of herself in front of someone just so she doesn't find a way out. Because this time she doesn't want a way out.\nShe's awful.\n\nIt was time to go.\n\"I will let you be. Sorry for bothering you, miss.\"\nShe finally opens the door to the greenhouse, quickly she slips past the door, it closes almost as soon as it was open.\n\nGod. She really was in it now. If anything could've been brushed aside as just a delusion that was from overworked nights was really confirmed to be something.\nShe could feel something in her stomach. Insect wings slowly dissolved in the acid.\nAnja turns back to face the greenhouse. She might want help right? That was a lot of bones.\nNo.\nShe needs to just keep walking.\nShe digs her fingernails into her palm and finds the nearest door. She can't embarrass herself further.\nWiping at her eyes, she keeps walking." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie almost forgone her crutch to grab at Anja the second she belittled herself. She stayed though, rooted in her own misguidance like a rotted tree. \n\n\"You're fine, it dosent matter if you are or are not. I just don't want to hurt you.\"\nAmelie frowned a second after Anja spoke for a second time. \n\"You could never bother me...\"\n\nWith that Anja was gone. \nShe could have said more she could have done more. She didn't and she feels she has failed for it. An insufferable child at her finest hour. A fool. \n\nAmelie put down the bouquet, she didn't know why she grabbed it in the first place... A comfort maybe. She bent down and started gathering the multitude of bones that lay scattered on the floor. She could have asked for help but she knew it'd be too much for Anja, it silently reminded Amelie of the fact Anja was the person who found her barely alive. \n\nThe flowers were nice if not suffocation currently, they stood still without wind. More stable than could have ever been. \n\nAmelie frowns as she gathers all the bones into one arm, she needs to apologize. To some people at least. She put them in a trash bin before grabbing a mop to clean the blood. This was only going to take but a moment she swears." } ]	355	3,488
316.45	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[The Campsite...]\n\n◆ \"Jeez Louise, I burnt right through it!... Ouch.\"\n\n□ Was it worth burning a hole in his favourite pair of lacy tights, wedding whites so elegant and angelic he damn near melted from happiness every time he wore them out and about? Debatable. What wasn't debatable, though, was that it had happened, and where there was once a handful of clean potassium metal, a puddle, and pristine skin, there was now an upwelling of steam, residual candlelights as tiny chunks reacted with the damp spring air, and a burn mark on his thigh that would definitely be there in a month's time as a kickass scar.\n\n▪︎ Of course, though, now he had to Tend To his wounds, and what better place than by the campfire?\n\n□ Struggling to get the fire going initially due to the oddly humid chilly air, after about ten minutes of sprinkling low-grade gasoline onto piles of sticks and birch bark he managed to get it going, and as soon as the familiar whoosh became steady the firebug in him came out in full force. Digging out a can of Spam and a loaf of locally baked bread, this joined a bottle of yellow mustard and a fresh pack of smokes, and once he'd lit one he propped it betwixt his lips and began to pry the lip off of the tin of Spam. \n\n• It was late, dammit, and he wanted to cook something over a fire; where else would he be able to find decent food at this hour? It was past midnight, for Christ's sake, no joint was open that late and still allowed teenagers to walk in." }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "Midnight. 80% of the city was asleep, yet the city was still lit up, nightlife taking over and artifically lighting up the streets and buildings that comprised of the city. Even Newton had some sort of nightlife; the occasional office, lab, or dormitory light still open lighting up the otherwise dreary place.\n\nBut no, Margarita wasn't part of the nightlife, for she had stretched up and over the towering wall and headed to her personal campsite, her attention brought towards it from a quick messaging spree in the intranet with the one and only Silas, whose figure was very apparent against the bright campfire, a dot of light in the middle of the quiet Saedish forest. Stopping just behind a tree, the mischievous, and frankly annoying, side of the rubber band commanded her arm to quietly slither towards him, and just right after he pried open the can of spam wrapped her arm around his torso and arms, essentially trapping him where he sat with four or fige coils of her elastic limb.\n\n\"So, what the hell are You Doing here other than make something explode in the damn forest?\" She questioned, her head positioning itself in front of Silas as her body remained behind, leaning against a tree like a teapot while her (literal) rubber neck connected her seemingly floating head. Her arm had to be at least seven metres long while her neck covered at least five." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"...Fuck.\"\n\n□ Cracking the top of the Spam can off, he was about to shimmy it out one inch at a time before, out of the blue and not without warning, a lasso of parahuman origin whipped out from the darkness, ensnaring him where he sat. Letting out a defeated groan, he looked over his shoulder, the dart dangling precariously from his lips, and he soon saw his close friend emerge from the darkness, though not at all once. First it was her head, then the rest of her body, and said head was now face to face with him asking what he was doing out so late.\n\n▪︎ Good thing he had a good response in mind.\n\n◆ \"Scandinavian Mommy Summoning Rituals, that's why I'm out here.\" He quipped, still gripping the can of Spam in his hand. \"Ever heard of 'em? You just walk into the woods any time past midnight and start screaming and crying like a baby and some eight foot mother spirit'll come take care of you.\" He continued, oddly serious despite how clear it was that he was joking. \"God knows I could use that, I hate offloading all my troubles onto you, mate, so here I am... Yeet. What'cha doin' out here?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "Haha.\n\n\n\n\"It's my campsite; I went here thinking I'm gonna tie my limbs around two of the trees here and chill exactly like a hammock, but I guess I'll be freeloading onto your food then.\"\n\nThe rest of her parahuman body walked forward, her arm and neck shortening with each step as her head still remained in front of Silas. Once her body did manage to not stumble on its way towards Silas, she sat down and completely unwrapped her right arm from Silas to allow him to eat the food he had been probably waiting to eat for an hour or two by now.\n\n...\n\n\"Hey, what happened to your leg?\" She noticed the burn by now, and the teen's rubber neck dove down to let her get a better look, despite her 20/20 vision. What the hell did he get himself into this time?" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Nah, it didn't work. I mean, you're here... God heard my wishes for a tall mommy and –\" He cracked into laughter. \"He sent me a headache! Hah!\"\n\n□ Snickering as he delivered the line, he didn't bother moving whilst his torso was wrapped tight like a burrito. After all, Marge was surprisingly strong even while outstretched like a tendon, and he was comparatively somewhat weak, so all he could do was fiddle with his can of Spam. \"Yeah, I know, but shit, it's yours; mi casa, su casa, right? I think that applies here.\" He chuckled, neglecting to take any time to address how smoothly the Spanish had rolled off his tongue.\n\n▪︎ A moment of silence followed as Marge made her way closer, and once he was freed from her grasp he began to slice the meat into planks.\n\n◆ \"Potassium explosion.\" He spoke with an amused undercurrent. \"I took about an ounce of the stuff from the lab – we got a fresh order the other day, so I don't think Ollie's gonna notice – and I chucked it into a puddle about... I dunno. Over there?\" He snapped finger guns out of his right hand and pointed into the darkness, in the general direction of where his explosion mischief had come back to bite him. \"I'm just miffed, y'know? I love these tights. It's gender euphoria in its purest form, and now I'm gonna probably have to buy another set, and... Fuck. Not looking forward to middle aged homophobic women giving me that stare of What are you doing here, faggot? Which.\"\n\n• \"I should be used to it by now, but nah. Still hurts. I still got a little bit of potassium if you wanna go find another puddle to blow up. Want a spamwich first?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Hey. I'm both tall And A headache!\" She 'angrily' retorted, breaking character as she snickered alongside him.\n\n\"Si, grazie.\" She replied, assisting Silas in preparing the food now that both of her limbs were, to the accepted human norms and medical standards, 'normal'. Her neck wasn't, however, since while she did retract her arm completely and let go of her British friend, her neck elongated just a bit more until it was wrapped around him, her warped vertebrae and whatnot resting atop his shoulders like a living, breathing scarf.\n\n\"On one hand, you're a moron for doing that. On the other,\" She interrupted herself for a second as the scarf-necked human rubber band pulled the bread out of the bag, setting four of them atop the (supposedly) clean plastic bag. \"-how dare you not telling me you were going to do that; you should've waited for me!\" She annoyingly but jokingly exclaimed, tightening her neck's grip around his for a second just to elicit a sudden response, much alike punching someone lightly on the arm. \"It's not everyday someone gets to throw an explosive into the forest, damn...\"\n\n\"Honestly, I'm super envious you get to rock femme clothes better than me. I'll take the L and cope, I suppose.\" She replied. \"And hey, if someone Does Tell you that, just take a pic of their face and show me so I can drag them into an alley and give them what they deserve, yeah?\"\n\n\"And a spamwhich, why not?\" She replied. Her arm stretched around and beyond the fire to grab some flammables to keep the fire alive with. Some people, other fellow parahumans included, could only wonder how this girl was completely fine with her neck serving as a scarf for a friend, unfazed with her body's new, rubber-like physiology. The answer? She wasn't sure either, but good Lord was it handy and convenient." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Exactly, you fuckin' string bean!\"\n\n□ Laughing, the bubbles rose out of his throat and into the open air for a few good moments, before feeling himself be released and getting to work setting a small pan over the fire. Held up by, of all things, a gutted barbecue grill he'd found in a dump just outside of Isakstad, it was definitely janky yet surprisingly effective. Slicing planks, he chucked them in one at a time into the oiled pan, the sizzling mingling with Marge's voice, though her voice had also shifted direction. A weight draped itself across his neck, and he knew what it was. Rather than comment, though, he simply raised a hand and rubbed the base of his neck.\n\n▪︎ It was a clear tell that he felt as if he'd made a mistake.\n\n◆ \"Yeah, my bad. Shoulda let you know. But, hey, I still have a bit left, and even a tiny amount of this shit explodes, so...\" He paused for a sec. \"We can chuck the rest into another lake once we're done eating. Anyways, honestly, you could pull it off too, mate. Like, no cap, I think you could pull it off, you just sell yourself short for some reason. Just... Be easier on yourself, huh?\" He raised a hand and booped his friend's nose. \"Also I'm kinda just living it up before twink death kicks in in my twenties and I stop looking so cute. Or, well... Nah. I'm not cute, fuck am I talkin' about?'" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Ah, don't apologise, I'm mostly kidding Mio amico.\" She immediately reassured, not minding his hand that lifted a section of her hyperelongated neck slightly as he touched his.\n\n\"No, No, no, I can't! Last time I rocked a skirt it looked so ugly I just spent the rest of the day with cycling shorts and my jacket wrapped around my hips.\" Her eyes blinked and her head was pushed back ever so slightly with the nose boop, Silas busy with the fire and food.\n\n\"Nah, you're not fucking dying a twink death you cute half-wit.\" She replied, her stretched arm coming back to her with its also stretched fingers wrapped around two large branches, perfect to add to the fire once she had shaken the snow off of it. \"If need be I'll wrap you the fuck up so that you at least have a life-saving cushion.\"\n\nShe rapidly wrapped her neck around his body twice and squeezed him slightly as if she was hugging him. Well, she hoped it counted as a hug as her neck retracted back to scarf-length." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"That's fair, I guess.\" He shrugged. Marge knew her body better than he could ever claim to, so her perception of what looked good and what looked terrible would always be, by default, more accurate than his. \"Though, gotta admit, I, uh... Not exactly cycling shorts, but the ones girls wear for volleyball? I tried some on once and how do you chicks move in that shit? Like... Christ, I felt like a badly rigged animation model from like 1997.\"\n\n□ Fuzzy voice ebbing and flowing as the words slipped from his tongue, he began to move the slices of luncheon meat around the small cast iron pan he'd bought at a local market. The beauty of such a pan was that, with a bit of good storage, it could last forever, and thus as long as he kept it wrapped good he could just leave it at the campsite for whenever the woodland snack urge hit. Watching as his friend tossed a few branches onto the fire, his cheeks began to blister with heat, compliments pelting him like freezing rain, albeit compliments that somewhat misunderstood his initial point.\n\n▪︎ For a few moments, though, he kept his gaze fixed on the campfire, hoping the sunset glow would hide his blushed cheeks.\n\n◆ \"Oh, twink death isn't Actual... Y'know, death. It's more of a phenomenon that happens to us twinks in our 20s or early 30s, and it's when we lose a lot of our effeminate charm. But, that being said...\" He trailed off for a moment, mulling the words in his mouth. \"Thanks. Nice to know Someone's Got my back. Anyways, uh... How crispy you want your shit?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Si, you know, the short ones. I don't feel comfortable wearing just underwear underneath a skirt, you know? It feels... Odd.\" She answered back as she nodded, which really was just bobbing her head up and down beside his. Her slouched back would be a concern for some, but she was probably The Only girl in Sweden if not the world who could have her neck snapped and her knee bent forward and still snap back completely fine; a bent back was nothing.\n\nPliability did have its perks, after all.\n\n\"Oh, sorry, I might've misunderstood.\" She replied, suppressing the urge to touch his wound just to check on it. Still, she was easily distracted by the fact that Silas brought a whole-ass pan with him out here. \"But still, knowing you and your chemistry lab habits especially with whatever the fuck you did just now, the point still stands.\" She pulled Silas in by retracting her neck ever so slightly and ruffling his already messy hair, not that anyone would notice.\n\n\"You're fine with the literal neck scarf, right?\" She said, lengthening her neck out more so that her face would be positioned again right in front of him instead of beside him." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah, I'd imagine.\" He nodded. \"Makes a creep's job way too easy. But this ain't about what's under your skirt, it's about, y'know... Volleyball shorts. Spanx. Whatever they're called. They're a thing of beauty on someone else, but me? Shit felt too restrictive.\"\n\n□ Letting himself relax a bit more into the half-hung embrace, he continued to flip the luncheon meat one piece at a time, even seasoning the pieces a bit once they were mostly cooked. It was a pretty peaceful night out, without a doubt, and in good company he felt he could have spent the entire night out here, eating fried spam sandwiches and chatting shit with Marge. An odd scene to come out of a prison, sure, but that was just life at the Cradle; penitentiary in name only, it was perhaps the oddest spot on this side of the Atlantic, a place where criminals and the falsely accused got to mingle and become better people side by side, a place of almost total freedom.\n\n▪︎ What a place.\n\n◆ \"Hah, true. You aren't even wrong; honestly.\" Rather than bring down the mood he let out a soft giggle as he was pulled in closer, his messy twin-tone hair ruffled lightly by his good friend. \"But then again, chemistry's at its best when there's some sorta risk, y'know? Least, far as I'm concerned it's just not the same when it's totally safe. Anyways, yeah, the neck scarf's fine, mate. I don't mind it.\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Yeah, even with the short shorts it felt... Ugh, I gonestly feel more comfortable going out with just the shorts, ya know?\"\n\nWatching Silas cook was... It made her cringe slightly, unfortunately,so much so that Silas would've felt her neck tighten around his. \"Silas, no offence, but is This It? I mean... No disrespect, but are you toasting the bread as it is?\" Just as quickly she had jumped him, Margarita sent an arm around the camp fire to grab the plastic bag and sift through its contents for anything, Anything That she could put on the bread while it sizzled on the pan.\n\nLetting her neck slink back to its normal proportions, Stretch pouted in slight disappointment as he began heating up the bread Dry. No butter, but at least there were extra condiments. The cuisine part of her Italian herifage spoke loud in her head objecting to whatever the hell was going on, but to be honest, spam and bread with cheese and a bit of mustard might be better than it sounds. Plus, this was an evening escape and not a picnic, so other than the lack of anything to toast the butter with, she was otherwise fine.\n\nStill, that didn't meant she couldn't stare at the fire and think about her life too. For he rubber band so far, the cradle had beenban opportunity she initially hated it, but one that she embeaced now that it proved to be a positive nudge in her life. She could only wonder who she'd still be if she was still in her honetown doing what she had to do, but... Oh well, if there was any time to separate the \"Real\" Margarita, the one her parents and Cradle friends new from the \"Old\" Margarita whose bag was filled with white bricks, it was now.\n\n\"Right, right.\" She replied, her attention coming back to her British friend. \"I mean at least it was fun, right? The uh, sodium-exploding type shit.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Aye, fair.\" Silas nodded. \"Also, what's up? Feels like you're trying to go all boa constrictor on my neck, you good?\"\n\n□ Tone affecting itself slightly, the sudden and brief sensation of knotted muscle against his sensitive neck hinted to Silas that something about this whole situation – sat by the campfire, searing Spam in canola oil, talking about shorts and a lack thereof – had caused Marge to cringe. Whatever it was, his self-awareness heightened itself, and in the back of his mind the archivist within began to jot, taking down notes of whatever he couldn't see or hear in his friend's disposition and actions.\n\n▪︎ As it turned out, though, Marge was just concerned that the food seemed plain; British lineage haunted even the biracial souls of the Isles.\n\n◆ \"Yeah, that's about it. Cheese, ballpark mustard, pickled relish... I can toast the bread. Might be more burnt than toasted though, unless the fat from the Spam's enough.\" He began to lift the meat from the pan, setting it atop a piece of slate dug out from a nearby hill. Laying some bread down, he tried his best to not wince as it began to smoke fierce almost immediately; he'd have to toast it like tortillas. \"It was, though. Fuckin' love alkali metals for just how explosive they are. Like... Seriously, mate, you scrape a screw against sodium and toss it into a lake and bam! You're in business. Good shit. Though, honestly, I think my favourite chemical is Still Fuming nitric acid. It's just plain fun, y'know?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Oh, no, nothing, it's just... Fried bread... I can go get butter from Newton's if you need it. You need it, right?\" She asked, with a hint of concern. Out of everything one can show or talk to about Margarita, it wasn't her elasticity, or her religion, beliefs, or even her crime that struck a nerve, it was, of all things, food. Food.\n\n\"Nothing.\" She exclaimed, rubbing the nape of her now-retracted neck. \"Really, it's fine. Except that I can't believe I have to teach you how to cook food at some point, because... I...\" She motioned her palm at the bread. \"I need to fuckin' teach you how to make Zeppole.\" She finished, squinting as she tried to read the ingredients label of the relished pickles against the light of the fire. She didn't know either what was interesting about it, but she always read the ingredients list. Maybe it was curiosity, or she was just interested what kind of stuff she puts into her body.\n\n\"It's fine, though, really. Don't worry about it too much.\" She answered quietly, stretching her left hand arm behind Silas and grabbed one of the scalding-hot slices of spam off the slate and ate it as it is. \"Fuck, I kinda forgot how good spam is, Gesù Cristo.\" She continued, listening to his chemist escapades. \"Do you get high off of nitric acid or what?\" She snickered at her own stupid joke, almost dropping the slice of hot spam sandwiched between her flexible fingers." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"And by the time you get back the Spam would be cold.\" He retorted, albeit softly. \"Just toasting this bread like it's tortillas on a plancha. Might be a bit of an offense to your Italian blood, but... Bloody hell, mate, I was raised in Britain, I've had mouthrot since day one.\"\n\n□ Chuckling as he disparaged his homeland and its cuisine, there was a brief moment of wondering Why He was doing it. British food, at least to him, wasn't the worst thing in the world – or, at least preferable to the cafeteria's food. Was it to fit in with the common opinion of England? Or was it maybe just for fun. Whichever. Lifting the first pieces of bread off, they were most certainly toasted, burnished crispy surfaces perfectly suited to the craft of sandwich making. Slapping down a healthy amount of mustard and relish onto one end, he began to slap pieces of Spam onto the prepared bed, damn near licking his lips.\n\n▪︎ Without much hesitation he took a bite.\n\n◆ \"Mmm... Good shit. Anyways, the fuck is zeppole? Sounds like a gourd full of gonorrhea.\" He snickered. \"But for real, I usually cook better stuff than this, I'm just... Y'know. Cooking over a bloody fire? Like, not much pretty stuff comes off a campfire.\" Kind of a lie, but... He's British, what does he know? \"Anywahs nitric acid is crazy shit. It's not a particularly strong acid, but it's a crazy good oxidizer when you purify it a bunch. It's actually what I use as one half of the rocket fuel I use in my own little experiments. It'll also straight up light most lab gloves on fire, so that's freaky.\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Ah, that's fair... And you know... Calling it a tortilla made it slightly better to think of.\" She yawned for a second, putting her hand up to signal that she still had something to say. \"Oh right, you're English. That makes more than enough sense.\"\n\n\"Hah.\" She silently snickered.\n\nTiredness had begiun to kick in, and while she still wasn't going to go to bed and doze off, she still had to find a way to relax a bit more instead of sitting with her back bent like a shrimp. So, Margarita leaned against a busy Silas, wrapping her arms first around his shoulders, but it'd become quickly noticeable that Margarita's arms were snaking around the rest of his body a few times, lengths of her arms slithering out her jacket sleeves. She would've wrapped his arms up as well, but she wasn't going to ruin food, no, so she let that one slip. By the end, boh of her arms were wrapped at least thrice around him, her hands laying limp on the side as she trapped Silas in what she called a 'hug'.\n\nFunny name.\n\n\"Gonorrhea- Silas Se ti sento ancora chiamare uno dei migliori cibi del mondo \"Gonorrea\", ti strozzerò con un braccio teso finché non mi chiederai scusa.\" She threatened, but it was clear she was kidding. \"But yeah, uh, a Zeppole, it's a pastry food where you deep but lightly fry some dough and fill it with... I don't know, whatever you'd like; vanilla, cream, Cioccolato, you know. Best thing in the world.\"\n\n\"Ooh, sounds fun- nevermind, hah.\" She let her neck slowly stretch out so that she can watch the food get cooked and prepared from a better angle. \"You're still onto that rocket thng, huh? Isnit going well so far? It's been weeks since you started that shit.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah, aye.\" Silas nodded. \"Makes it a bit more palatable or some shit. I dunno.\"\n\n□ Busying himself with the bread over the fire, Silas' lazy brown eyes watched as the bread toasted off rapidly, going from pillowy and soft to crunchy while still possessing some give, and once it hit that point he immediately evacuated the bread slices to that same slab of slate. As he could have expected, Marge began to wrap him up in a cocoon of limbs, something he'd grown used to over his time at Newton's Cradle, and thus he leaned into the so-called Hug As well.\n\n▪︎ Finally, he had all the components for his sandwich. Pog.\n\n◆ \"Yeah, I'm still on it. It's a hobby at this point, something to waste time while I'm stuck here.\" He shrugged, slathering mustard onto the bottom piece of toasted bread. \"Also, I barely understood a word of that, but I'll just assume it's Italian culinary gibberish; you folks are good at saying a lot of shit while also saying nothing at all.\" He joked, in good nature. \"Anyways, your bread should be good soon, mate.\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Hah, no, I was threatening that I'd choke you if you call Zeppoles 'a gourd full of gonorrhea' again.\" She explained, even teaching Silas a bit of Italian as she explained what some of the words like 'chiamare', 'migliori', or 'braccio'. \"I'm kidding, by the way. No, I won't coke or queeze you; you've got notbing to worry about bud.\"\n\n\"Hey, at least you've something to do than use your own butt as a pillow while reading some James Patterson books.\"\n\nOnce one of the sandwiches were done, Margarita stretched out her arms just a bit more to grab the sandwich and take a bite from it, refusing to let go of Silas from the net of limbs that trapped him.\n\nAnd the thing was,\n\nIt isn't half bad on its own. Margarita's eyes widened as she complimented the sandwich. \"Hey, this isn't half bad, what the fuck though.\" She commented in a positive manner, taking another bite just after." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Aye, caught the very faintest gist of that. Just because Spanish and Italian are kinda intelligible doesn't mean I understand half the words that come out your damn mouth.\" Silas laughed, clearly lacking in malice as he spoke. \"But, shit, you use your own ass as a pillow...? Sublime. Probably pretty comfy.\"\n\n□ Surprisingly, his teenaged mind didn't even veer towards the obvious places it might have for others. To him, Marge was a close friend at this point, someone he saw as more of a chosen sister than a friend he'd take the opportunity to do nasty stuff with, and thus all he thought of in the aftermath was the bread in the pan. Taking the other slices out, he continued to assemble his own sandwich, alongside his friend, who seemingly found it to be rather good.\n\n▪︎ Surprising, but appreciated.\n\n◆ \"Right? Guess even us Brits occasionally come up with bangers; gonna give that credit to my Mexican half though, I'm not that bold.\" He snorted. \"Anyways... Enjoy, huh?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Hah, don't worry, I was just threatening that if you called a Zeppole 'gonorrhoea' again then I'd choke you with one stretched arm.\" She explained light-heartedly, also devoid of malice.\n\n\"Ass, boobs, torso... Shit I've used my own neck as a pillow and it still worked.\" She replied, taking a bite of the sandwich held up by her hyperelongated arms. \n\n\"I mean... The full English breakfast looks fucking amazing, and fish n' chips are good for its sheer simplicity. Otherwise, stop committing carbicide and put something else in that diet, hah.\"\n\n\"Yeah no I'm enjoying, Grazie.\"\n\nAnd the two of them sat there, one of them busy assembling a sandwich while the other ate one, her limbs wrapped around the other like a ishing net holding onto its haul. It's a peaceful night, and Margarita completely enjoyed it with a friend.\n\nThis Was a good night." } ]	339	6,329
584.571429	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The air seemed almost sanctified with it's stillness. The world still yet silent, all endeavors laid to rest for the night. It was young but it was tiring. Those whom wander at the birthing of the dark find themselves with a mission that is generally kept to themselves, be it peace for a moment or just finding something to look at to not think of anything else. \nIt welcomes all that dare endeavor into it's arms. \n\nThe trees were wet from fresh rain, droplets gentle against the pavement. It was just another night to write away as one survived. \n\nThere was lights in the distance, ones of authority. Sirens blaring in the city, close to the airport it seems. Something had happened, perhaps it was on the news. \n\nBreathing ragged, Ah, something is running. Chasing after something, reprieve from confusion of something it hasn't seen. Scared and broken, unfamiliar. Feral. Desperate to claw at any ladder willing to drag it out. Footfalls displacing the calm waters of rain. \nSomething filled with adrenaline rushing through the city into trees that seemed so far it made one nauseous. Sprinting with energy borrowed, crashing through things haphazardly. \n\nArms too many and lashing every wish way to make soom, teeth innumerable, ripping at air to breathe. \nIt was claustrophobic, it couldn't see so the beast made eyes to see. Maiming itself to go faster to reach some form of safety sooner. \n\nIt didn't know what it was doing, it could care less of how amalgamated it looked. Flesh coiling and squirming without care, it squealed and wheezed in it's strain. \n\nOh, how the flowers looked so lovely in the moonlight." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Petrichor and distant sirens hung in the air of one of the last nights of the season that would be so cold; a full lung's worth of heavy breath from the last reach of the Cradle's softly buzzing lights, Sigrún's senses were sharp as winter. The last skeletons of a few dried and rotting leaves were brushed by her giddy steps deep into its makeshift abyss, careful and quick. It leaned on its toes when it ran, as little of its weight placed on the dirt as possible.\n\nThe sound of her boots on the earth pauses for a split-second as she hangs in the air over the creek that formed when it rained, and that was when she heard it. The dappled shadow landed hard on the still-damp ground and crouched there, fingers pressing into the mud, slow curls of steam coming from its nostrils. Listening. \n\nCertain sounds endear themselves to a living thing's pricked ears, high above trivial pleasures and the noise of machines. Life yearns to recognize life, even immersed in pitch-dark solitude; lungs contracting, flesh tearing, teeth cutting, whimpers of pain, every rhythmic shake of the earth beneath a fellow beast's feet. It is not a thing often looked for consciously, but always a thing that snagged.\n\nThis... Careening vehicle of such life was unlike anything the young beast knew to be alive. It breezed a few metres from her post, coiled stock-still, and yet its frigid wake still ruffled the loose curls floating over her forehead like she had been standing close enough to smell the green musk in its fur. Its heaving breaths were fast and wet like a wounded thing's; the teeth that the moon glinted off of for a splintered second were those of a predator, its furious desperation one of prey. \n_ _\n\nThe trees, the bushes, the rocks, and the smell of rain warped behind its path, as though the idle forces weren't sure where it ended and they began, all folded and strained like organs of a grander beast. It was so beautiful that Sigrún nearly forgot to take off running behind it, upsetting the crushed flower petals left in its heavy footprints in the thick moss.\n\nHidden nerves drank in the chemical sting of the remnants of the thing's hot, acrid breath as they lashed behind the smaller figure, vivid like terror. Crushed-opal eyes hardly knew to blink, only to follow the fluid shape ahead of them, fixated on the tips of gnarled antlers that bent like ancient branches cutting through the moonlight." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Breathing, rasping, weeping. Living. All it knew, all it will know. It ran so wildly without a second thought that the thing that she passed was just a blur of messy colour, and it was bright. Colourful enough with it's sudden appearance that it threw the beast into another world of confused fear. Twisting to move itself away from the thing it now felt that it weaved behind. \n\nWithout direction and without familiarity it stumbled and crashed into a metallic thing, is screamed and groaned and tore against the force of the beast eagerly. The steel tearing into a muscled arm with ease. It felt like hot red agony ripping into the beasts core, it hasn't quite felt a thing like it. Each pain so vastly different from the last yet still it was so awful. \n\nIt screamed, it's keening yeoul shaking the every earth. There was something so distinctly inhuman about it, how shrill and haggard it broke through the throat. How gutteral it seemed to drag itself through flesh. A scream of pain a yell of rage that welled into something terrifying that broke the stability of ones mind into a cascading waterfall of jumbled fear. Hot air welling out of its many maws as it wailed. It's face breaking and reshaping into beast yet human and human yet beast. Everything unable to be named with it's cry.\n\nThe thing tore itself off of the metal, somehow no blood leaving a print behind. But, still the wound remains shown and how ugly it looked. Like digging a hole into skin through muscle, yet the muscle moves around it agonizingly. Reverent to the wound as it eagerly writhed inside hotly. It's fur warm as two hands come to brace itself on the wet earth. \n\nIt's legs which lay beneath it moving to get up once more. Another arm pressing against the gaping wound and the other tearing into something around another arms wrist. \nThe horns of it decorated in leaves and vines and earth, shaken into it as if it was born there. It glowed with a gentle pulsing rhythm unlike the beasts breathing.\n\n.\n\nIt takes a moment to stand, before moving awake from the metal and bracing against a tree. A second too long and those people would find it. How their guns and things scared the beast. Something followed her, same ilk as those people. \n\nA rumbling yet broken growl bubbled through its throat. Teeth barred with intent and the things jaw snapping with a contained meaning of danger.\nThat bright thing moving against the water that fell from the trees. \n\nClaws against earth beckoning it to be closer, daring it just another inch. It was too human, and the beast as too fearful. \nThe earth caved and moved the beast forward against another tree, helping it with whatever pain it could. Though it couldn't help at all, but still moving to brace something so interwoven with it.\n\nThis little thing small against the wild thoughts of gnashing teeth that dripped with drool from exhaustion. It stood tall for a moment before it was on all fours.\n\nIt's many eyes now look to the seemingly hidden figure. Cautious." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún's chest felt as though it were expanding around a slab of driftwood lodged between her brittle ribs by the time the beast she was entranced by halted—and wailed in pain. The fence. Her own brutally tender flesh twinged at the sight as she tried to find her breath behind the stump of a lightning-struck tree, fingers coming away black with charcoal as the icy chill of the distant stars clawed at her lungs. An errant limb twisted and lashed behind her, slipping into knot after knot.\n\nHer cold fingers pressed her lips shut as the injured thing howled, three hearts pounding in her temples. Though it shook her down to the bone, such was the force of a writhing, furious sound, she silently willed it away from the ears of the sleeping and the suspicious back in their concrete boxes; such a sound must soak into the wood, the rot, the stone itself, or it would be followed and culled, strung up and puzzled over and utterly desecrated.\n\nAs it lay crumpled around its agony, Sigrún inched closer, melting through the shadowed patches behind a closer tree as quietly as possible, though it mattered little. The beast could undoubtedly smell her, past the coppery sting of its own blood—she watched its nose (noses), flaring and melting to different angles on its impossible skull. It was though such a thing aimed its focus not by contracting a muscle but by rearranging its features like it were a soft clay effigy of itself, swelling and eroding like millennia were unfolding in the span of seconds.\n\nIt Stood, and the lone girl's fingers twisted and squeezed each other in the tightest knot they could think of.\n\nIt saw her.\n_ _\n\nFor a moment, the moonbeams traced its—Their? Her?—face over the outline that could have been human. Its shadowed eye, though facing away from the only source of light, was one of a truly wild thing. Meeting it as a man herself would be certain death; a beast, then, slunk out from the hollow in the burned tree, wearing the night on its back like a borrowed mantle. A pale imitation of itself; Curse that place, She thought, For being so far from my own. Sigrún's breath still came lead-heavy as a single drop of cold sweat ran down its spine, quiet as the droplets of rain falling from the fuzzy green conifers far above.\n\nThey faced each other, all knotted muscles and sharp teeth and tangling arms, graceful in their ferocity. Perfect abominations, of the earth and sea." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Every mouth coiled and bore it's teeth at different times, other parts of its body seem just as independently alive as the wound gorging itself within. Something hot moved in it, and it curled on itself. Gagging on wet air and wheezing on nothing. The body of this thing looked unfinished, the red of inside moving to open for another shine of teeth that barked and slobbered across it's wounded form. It was so confusing to which the only way one could recognize front to end was how it moved itself it displayed the ungodly hubris of some mentally forbidden thing, speaking of almost satirical musics. But, only a fool dare think this think similar to them. \n\nTo the person that bore itself to, it's form was shown unrivaled splendor that ached the very bones. The moon seemed to cast itself away from the beast, in respect? Disgust. Unknown. Moving to give better light on the figure that has its unspoken courage to look. It looked almost at awe with it, at its pain? How foul. \nIt smelled that wash of the ocean and the hand of something that didn't belong to the mother. It brought an anger to it's wounded thoughts that it moved itself from the tree. \n\nIt moved towards the figure, it's footfalls rendering whatever else silent. All animals cowering in it's motions at the thing that may soon render another to nothing. The dirt and soil Shook With anticipation. \n\nThe thing moved backward one- two steps away, the ground against it. It was losing balance and the beast encroached. \nA clawed hand reached forward slowly before pressing itself with force into the figure. The force of it pushing the person into the soft ground. It's paw? It splayed across the figures chest, the fingers gnarled and far too long but inhuman and another finger burst from in between two fingers to move across the figures chest, pushing it deeper into the ground. \n\nThere was rope on its wrist that dug past the fur of it, ripping into flesh wetly. The beast ignored it to loom over the figure.\n\nIt's maw slowly going to find itself over the figure and so close that teeth touch it's skin. It was wet, but it didn't bite.\nIt's eyes moved ever which way, some spun in their sockets. This was before all stopped to stare at the figure, the focusing making them shake in strain. \n\nThe earth was covered and all the figure could see could Feel Was this god forsaken thing." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The earth, this insurmountable being of heavy breath and iron lifeblood, changed its shape beneath her accursedly human feet. Sigrún was no hatchling—her sea legs were core muscle memory, which served her well—but this beast's gravity was another thing entirely, and the smaller of the two faltered.\n\nShe did not recover.\n\nThe soft ground moved to meet her back, the cold soil seeping through to her skin, sharp shoulder blades and marked backs of bare, strong arms. Her ribs ached to expand under the incredible weight pinning it flat, a soft and malleable body fighting to contort, to find some way to fit in the path of this beast that did not Bend Nature, but reshaped it, overwhelming her strange ribbon eyes. It made sense to her, in the most ancient part of her sight and memory, what this beast must be.\n\nIts wrath was of no surprise, then; whomever had dealt these wounds, sent it running through this place cut-up and anguished, had done so with no respect. The hunt was botched, clumsy, cruel, an affront to nature. Anger mixed with the fear in her gut as the enraged spirit tightened its grip on her, gnarled claws threatening to carve through the delicate muscles stretching over fragile bones.\n\nKnees dug into the sacred thing's chest, the object of its anger's feet slipping in the dirt as pins and needles shot through its arms and its sight. It couldn't afford now even to splutter, loathing to lose more air it couldn't regain. Kaleidoscope patterns of fear and wonder bloomed from where its tooth grazed her skin, and the tips of shaking tentacles tried to find purchase anywhere around its powerful wrist and the rope digging into it.\n\nA single word made it past its dark-stained lips, in the old, old tongue.\n\n\"Ísaivoî...\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The bear rested its maw against the beings neck, the feeling of flesh thin and fragile against sensitive teeth. It's words being felt not only heard with questions. A wave of something reverent spilling against its skull and thought like waves. A voice told the beast that the word was spoken with a thing that was felt deeply. The beast was broken from it's rage for a second. It's face(s) sinking into the flesh of its neck in a moment of judgement. The eyes and teeth moving to also cave into the void where that head was. The neck burst and wire-like flesh moved into the shape of a flower before a skull of a bear melded itself through the hot steam created by it. The horns glowed with glee, the flora on them shaking with the heads movement. \n\nThere were eyes that grew and stared at the being, all of them in a circle each with a different pupil. It's teeth back to skin but the paw lifted it's weight slowly as it stared.\n\nThis thing was frightened but it also had history. Something beneath the mother reached to this one. It was out here looking at the beast like it was something to be hunted, to be killed. Not yet, never yet. The beast will never complete whatever deal it struck with the mother in death. \nIt felt a thing worm its way around the beasts wrist that didn't feel like a hand should and it growled. It's jumbled and mixed voice heavy against the beings throat. Its other three arms finding purchase around the peculiar thing below. Two above, one to it's left. \n\nA claw that once rested on its chest seemed to reach upwards to touch the thing that stained her lips in confusion. It's claw gently pressing down, not enough to cut but enough to feel. Half of it's eyes stared to where the claw was but the rest continued to look into it's variegated eyes. \n\nIt growled and chittered, it's voice seeming to warp to speak. And when it did, it almost seemed rewarding to the beast. It's haunting vocals ringing the beasts ears from un-use. \n\n\"Why.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún felt the vibrations of her own low voice against the creature's teeth, as though it were primed to tear every syllable apart as soon as they weakly clawed themselves out of her. Such is nature. Be alert, and very afraid, but do not be alarmed. \n\nThe three hot, panicked drumbeats in her chest pounded like trapped animals beneath its massive paw, quickening as it began again to change; the moon had the sense to avert its gaze, casting the pits and hollows in the sacred thing's flesh into even darker shadow, lighting only on the tips of its outermost layer of fur, bouncing off of its glistening, wild eyes. Its captive could not Want To breathe now, even if it could—the sea-beast's opal-dust eyes, attuned finely for places in which no light shall reach, took in the blooming kaleidoscope pattern of muscle and bone and flesh. Secrets untold dripped from between its horrible, beautiful teeth; wide-eyed and clawing desperately for an inch of space, Sigrún watched them fall in hot, acrid drops to her cheek and the soil around her.\n\nAnd, at the edge of her capacity, the pressure lessened—just a little, just enough, letting a ragged intake of cold night air and raw animal breath into her lungs. She gasped, and her sternum hit its palm again, once, twice, again. A weak cough escaped her, bringing with it splatters of something dark and oily and bitter like the sea; it pooled beneath her tongue, dripping down her jaw from the corners of her mouth. Without the water, it all sank like lead. The limbs coiled around the creature's immense wrist loosened, but didn't yet release. She had long lost track of her human hands.\n\n\"Heh?\"\n_ _\n\nA twinge where the claw touched her, upsetting the wide, smudged grin that had crept across her face. It revealed the only part of her that could be considered sharp: her teeth, pointed and stained; vicious, earthly things. Little compared to the ursine beauty's, but not intended for the same things—Sigrún tried to remember that. To forget what she was in the face of such a thing was a death sentence for more than her soft, agile body pinned to the dirt. Whatever did the beast think of that?\n\nWas it... Confused?\n\n\"Why not?\" Was the first thing that came to mind; a wiser head would have curbed its need to be a contrarian, or at Least Had the thought to be confused about its ability to speak(and what a voice it had—thousands of pale spots rose over her skin when it echoed, like it twisted her muscles to hear). The kraken girl was far beyond that, though. This was no time to be spent pondering.\n\n\"Heheheh.\" She stared back into its eerie, mismatched eyes. \"You sounded... Pained... Forgive an interloper her curiosity, and a beast its instincts—\" Invisible limbs squirm. \"Or maul me. I couldn't fault you. Terrible things have been done.\" I would run, though, she didn't need to say, And fight you bitterly for my life, and you wouldn't fault me for that, either." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The bear watched as the thing below her writhes with a futility unfelt by the beast in many moons. It makes the thing click it's jaw and claw the ground beside the being. \n\nIt's eyes widened and swirled with an unspoken joy that echoed from a far off citadel in its mind. Oh, how the thing she gave herself to is ecstatic at it's almost frivolous survival. It's maw opened, a blast of hot air onto skin and the sound of life into ears. It was almost too loud. Just for a second before it's teeth slide shut once more. Pressing forward it places pressure onto the paws above. \n\nThe one to it's left lifted, it's fur thick as it moved close to the things face. The beasts hand turns and it wipes the dark ichor that seeped from it's lips slowly and as gentle as it could before moving their hand back to its side. The beings speech garbled and coughed through adrenaline wired breath. Pained? No. It dosent need some broken demure help from something like this. \n\n\"Yunz all speakin.\"\nSomething wept in words the beast didn't know. Speaking about what the thing is, it dosent know. It dosent know. Sacred. Sacred.\n\"Ain't nothin be Praised. I pruhtect it.\"\nIt's maw didn't move as it spoke. A broken rage setting fire to it's words. It's voice twisting into a loud growl at the end of its words.\n\nIt's eyes leered and twisted angrily, some spinning in the sockets which it had been placed. Others being erased from the skull and the next melding with the one beside it. A heavy shuddering growl or inhale of air mixed with the acrid stench of the salt sea filled it's forsook throat. \n\n\"I Know Ya. Not yur name.\" \nIt says in another roar.\nWhat you're like. What you're willing to do. Tear apart your own world for your image. Maybe even yourself if you see it fitting. It's name watery but it almost felt knowable. Almost. \n\nThe beast ignored the things that snaked up it's arm. It felt odd, not unwelcomed but odd for something on the ground." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún pressed her toothy grin into a firm, hard line as the beautiful beast's claw neared it, watching closely, silently. It afforded her a small kindness, leaving a small smudge of soil in the place of her little trail of liquid fear, and yet still pressed its hot breath into the soft part of her neck, taunting her with its vicious teeth. The shadows on her (increasingly confused) face melted and morphed with every breath, hinting at the varied guises of animals on the edge of her mind as she jumped from place to place trying to find purchase on a form that rang true to the currents beneath her skin.\n\nThe look of bewilderment on her face when it spoke, though, was incriminatingly human. She had Some Idea of what a 'Southern' accent might sound like—her roommate rambling away on the phone while folding his laundry informed her one way or another—and so though she could feel her mind trying to pin the odd lilt on something close to that rhythmic drawl, all attempts failed immediately. \n\nIts voice (voices?) Rumbled just outside her frequency, forming unfamiliar words with obscured meanings. In wondering where their possible misunderstanding might have happened, its precious few offered syllables dissolved into nonsense in the fuzz behind her brain.\n\nWould she get a punctured lung for asking this creature to repeat itself?\n\nThe curling form of a branched tongue's shadow twisted on her cheek.\n\nAh.\nThere was something she might be able to put words of her own to. Whatever words her strange encounter was looking for? Likely not. But that was impossible to say, certainly not through the shaking that had overtaken her.\n\n\"You do, yeah? Something of my choice-making in the woods at night, perhaps, and what my fear must smell like...\"\n\nShe squirmed, trying to possibly get comfortable in the wall of earth at her back. The dirt had started to warm where her skin had touched it.\n_ _\n\n\"Know my name, or don't,\" She wheezed. \"Nothing good to offer you alongside it, though.\" A weak cough, and the painfully careful tip of a tentacle pointed at the binding digging brutally into a muscular, wounded arm. It mimed prying the awful thing out of the writhing flesh, hovering in the air to mark her question.\n\n\"Or—if I may use what I might know of you—nothing you'd accept?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "This thing spoke in an off handed speech that reminded her of the joyful laughter of some poor sod hoping to catch game in her forest. That tone is wandering for something to grab onto anything to get a second chance, There are no second chances once you've picked your road. The Person below the beast seems determined to barter their way back into the good graces others have lost. The beast thinks in carved eroded stone, shuddered by time but still the same; Strong unless something almost cataclysmic was to snap it apart like brittle wood. Once was too many, twice was unreasonable.\n\nIt was a cautious yet adventurous thing below it. Spoken for itself when awe danced in its eyes but a confusing guilt spread across it's face. Did it not understand? People these days. They could never begin to understand the mother's intentions. \n\nThere was a sting that slowly crawled up it's arm. Fusing into an uncomfortable sense of numbness, which numbness came uncontrollably. The beasts hand instead of staying cohesive was splayed further across the beings body, trapping it somewhat in a cage of confusing flesh. The beast almost forgot the rope was tied around their wrist in an effort to reprimand the person now. To keep something able to alert others standing would be ill advised, she has broken that new rule before coming here. Failing once got this punishment. \n\nThe beings skin despite being shadowed looked effervescent and unusual. Moving into incandescent shapes piquing the beasts curiosity into another direction. \nWith a few seconds of heavy silence the beasts huffs and releases the pressure moreso, it's now spindly fingers of many digging into the ground. Still the being is trapped but they can move. \n\n\"Try.\"\nThe beast speaks one word and that's hopefully enough permission for the human to do what they thought was right." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "A slowly expanding ribcage creaked silently in its walls of hollowed earth and tangled flesh. Sigrún slowly propped itself up on its elbows, still peering up at that circle of strange, strange eyes. There was no reason for them to fit together over that dripping muzzle, that shadowed brow, that impossible expression the way they did, but there was a rhyme. The shapes swimming below the girl's skin melted and fizzed as she lost focus trying to find the patterns, losing them all the moment one clicked.\n\nThe pile of mangled paper that would be on her floor by that time the next day would contain some very strange things, she just knew.\n\nSlender, cool fingers slide deeper into the cold ground and a disc in its spine PopS as she worked with the space she'd been given so graciously, the sudden taste of earth running along the jut of a shoulder blade, the swell of an obscure muscle. She would be much more careful than her human hands would allow, she swore, sliding those folded-ribbon eyes away from those brutal teeth to the twisted and bound suggestion of a limb.\n\nAn onlooker might not even think the delicately uncoiled arms to be touching the beast's foul wound; she tasted injury nearly through the scent of blood around the rope, searching for the softest place to snake beneath it. Slowly, ever so slowly, distance grew between the raw muscle and the shackle, replaced by things cold and alive that tugged and stuck and searched for ways in through impossible labyrinths of nerves and tendons.\n_ _\n\nIts hearts sped—it held its breath, then, and told itself to be underwater, plunged in the cold and dark where it could focus. Where life depended upon slowing those vessels, holding that breath for the span of a hundred; she recalled a game she had played, ages ago in the grand old kelp forest, where her skin mustn't brush the stalks of floating orange leaves. Mouth set, chest still, legs pinned, eyes wide. Each push and pull on the world around her had to be flawless and justifiable to even the spinners beneath the world tree, lest the pressure punctured a lung.\n\nSigrún rarely thought like that nowadays—it was refreshing, a whetstone correcting the balance of her skull, a stunned silence from the balconies. The binding loosened." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The beast made no move to maneuver it's maw from its place, the being had slid underneath its jaw, eliciting a notion of silence to it's thoughts. The pure sound of something so tense striking it's nerves at a nauseous pace. Each sound amplified to a degree that had the noise pulsing in its ears like music. Oh, to heed the words of something so prone to the fiction of reality. The movement of something fluid and something so close, how long has it been?\n\nWith the loosening of the rope, it's fingers gradually sunk back into a more animal paw, it shifts around for a cohesive form, shifting from scales to feathers to something slick from the sea. Back to fur, back to roots, back to what was accepting. The muscle that was slowly freed tore off the rope and started feeding itself back into the hand to take away that feeling of nothing, it couldn't go back to that feeling lest all be shown. It's arm shivered sparking up into its head.\n\nTo feel, to be close. Foreign, foreign, It is not known anymore. A thousand memories and a thousand lives is the loneliest thing of all. The beast cannot remember the stakes of the game, for she can only see the being that speaks her name in forgotten letters. This was new, it was terrifying. What sort of lawless thing brought her here, what did they know. What did they see, for how many eyes she sports it can only see so much through her tainted lense. \n\nThe beast completely lifted it's paw from the person below it, considering it worth not hurting. The rope was not completely off, it was still weaved tightly into a knot and the beasts hands were too big. But, thanks to the being the beast had been so graciously met with. The rope was almost gone. \n\nThis was not meant to last, there was a noise that didn't come from the other. Multiple of them, footfalls and orders of trying to secure something to not accidentally hurt others. Those people that were sent to hurt, even if they saw it as help. It hurt, it wounded more than saved.\n\nThe skull sunk into the beast instantly and a flat face of skin was placed instead where many many eyes bore into the being below. It's head tilted downwards and it leered into the being, it's for head pressing into the others with force. It's paw hovering back over its chest, it meant hostility this time. To break if it had been so threatened. It wanted to see what this thing that followed it was, it wanted to know it's intention. Feel it even. It cannot live on to unprepared.\n\nThe horns shimmered and shook as a voice echoed from a maw unseen.\n\"Ye lead 'em 'ere?\" \nIt spoke in it's thunder, shaking the baritone of music from it's throat into a means to obtain the rawest truth." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"No—\"\n\nSigrún's fingers fly out of the dirt, hovering between them, brushing the edge of the beast's thick pelt. The bridge of her nose kept the sharp, accusing expression from crushing her skull, but she still felt dark, heavy eyelashes brush against her cheek. Despite herself, in the back of Sigrún's mind, she couldn't help but note that the last time she had written something like this, she had woefully forgotten the dramatic edge that the cold shiver up her spine brought.\n\nFor the first time, her shining eyes widened with proper fear—she froze, listening, and those silvery eyes reflected rage. Those Fools, Those ceaselessly brutal bastards, those... Those People.\n\n\"I, I didn't make a sound,\" She whispered, quickening breath raising her chest to graze the creature's paw again. It shook with anger now, intent to crush her, their voice sending a wave of cold sweat down her back. She fought the urge to scream.\n\n\"They can't Take You, they—\"\n\nSigrún slipped out of the near-grasp like butter through claws, never breaking eye contact with the bear. It crouched, listening desperately. The intruders were perhaps five minutes away if their flashlights were good, six or seven if they kept up that level of noise. Brutish fiends. What would they do, lock the beast up? Pry those eyes open, file down its horns, pin its muscles open just to marvel at them like they were less grotesque for casting a static shadow? They can't take you.\n_ _\n\nHurriedly brushing a strand of its mane out of an eye with three bloodshot pupils, the smaller of the animals in the moonlit clearing slowed its deep breaths that tasted of rain-wet pelt and sour steam. How would they vanish? How would she find it again, this wild thing, mouth of the wordless, walker of worlds? It was a deeply foolish thing to hold a life with such a magnitude so close to her concrete cell, but the kraken pushed that aside. If her face looked like a human's and her heart wanted like a human's like it had before this, she thought she might claw her skin off.\n\nOne beast looked at another, and to the thickest vein of trees, and back again with tightly clenched fists." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The bear stared at the frail panicking thing. It's body coiled in such a way that it looks as though it want to spring out onto her and grab and cling onto what it can. It knows enough respect that it cannot do that, it cannot take them and expect it to stay. Though, the way it looked; broken yet so so alive it hurt. Ah, would she remember it's eyes at all? \n\nThe moonlight shown like a blanket around the person to comfort, to soothe. It looked so scared. The beast would remember, hopefully. The paw stilled before pressing into the earth. It had no connection to the things that roam so brash and hot headed through her grounds. This thing had nothing to do with it, it was obsolete from everything else. Oh... It was innocent... The beast hath brazenly broken onto a mistake. \n\nThe beast heaved, and broke the air into something heavy. Riding the sky with it now slowly standing on its hind legs. It's four limbs stretching outward, the limb directly across from the arm which the being had loosened the rope there was another, something wet was dripping from it as the hand pulsed. It was hard to walk with the violence ache in her head. The beasts face coiled and stretched back into something more beastial, muscles coiling onto bone and stretching along it. Soon accompanied by fur. Oh, not quite. Too many eyes were again the taken sight along with it's gnashing maw.\n\nThe air felt too hot, it's blood too cold as it moved towards the being. It's arms outstretched to the human? The vessel, something yet to be understood something yet to be help close to bore a thousand nights and thoughts upon. Never, no. It cannot be taken. She cannot waver, she cannot stray, she cannot think. \n\nWas it memory, Habit, Reflex, Or imitation; the beast wrapped all four of its paws around the being, gently but with an unspoken rally of urgency behind it's care. Cradling the thing like something oh so important, oh so Needed. The hand that leaked something stained the beings shirt and soaked it in something dark but it didn't have the colour as one would associate with blood\n As it cupped it's side, it was cold and it feels like an ice pack within the contact of the beings skin. The beast held the being close as it swayed and moved. \n\nThe beast within all thought and reason, aimed for the fence which it broke only minutes prior. It looked as if it was topped over by a car, metal spread like shrapnel across the lot, some sticking out of vans and cars. Ignorant on the noise which it produced as it focused on the being it had. Each step steady but used much more energy than what the beast was able to receive. It was sluggish, and now breathing heavily. It ran so far, it had to run back. But, with what purpose. It had to run, to change that mistake which shook it so. Unusual, it felt brighter than usual...\n\nThe clang of metal and the beast finally looked down to find it had passed that line of fence, and with it the strung purpose. \nThe beast placed the being down carefully making sure it wasn't broken for a moment. \n\nWith it, it stared at the being in silence. Looking downward at it, oh how the beasts body almost looking as though it was being pulled inwards, perhaps it was. Ah... It hurt. But, it just looked, not at itself. At this... Person, this thing... It wondered... Oh, why? It didn't quite know. The beast was lost." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún would not have been content or satisfied if the beast turned and melted back into the green, but she would have been relieved, if nothing else. If it vanished, the hunters would have no one to question about its whereabouts, and the night would wrap perfectly around its form and swallow it until it reached whatever safety was.\n\nThe opposite, cool and surrounding, enveloped her senses in the dream of all the wild things, and she could not find it in her to wake. The edges of where her own comparably warm, sweat-salted skin met the air came back to sharp definition for a moment before she lost her fingers again in deep, thick bear fur, the smell of it, the feel of the stuff hanging in loose tangles against the sensitive webs on her hands. The dark, mottled pattern of its shadowed undercoat crept up her arms.\n\nIt hadn't been a long time since Sigrún had felt so small, but it it had been longer since eyes like this, limbs so strong and other had been set around her. Hot stars pricked the backs of her eyes as an errant breath was squeezed from her chest, little and crooked.\n\nIt was hardly an option to be afraid of the shifting beast, of where it might be taking her, of its changing shadow and teeth like giants' knives; it didn't hold her like a soft-mouthed dog carried birds back to its master, pristine for its reaping. If the girl curled any smaller, she thought she might be tiny again, asleep in the backseat, soon to wake up under her old, heavy quilt. The jagged, hiccuped breaths shook her chest with more of their lost and buried fury at that, breaking open the chest of salt water that she'd packed before leaving that path from the seat to the bed for however long she'd be lost from it for. It was a hole in her skull, the pressure spilling out with her hearts, all three of which so very tired and sick from longing.\n_ _\n\nThe glaze of tears and the throb of sentiment made the bear's wounds look sorer still, every drop of blood falling to the damp gravel a strike to its guts. She stood, but her lean was unmistakable, the tip of a tentacle looped around one of its fingers still, like a child's. With every sob, every bone broke, spilling uncoiled springs into her system that pushed at her skin, seized and twisted her muscles.\n\nThe feeling was deafening, and it wouldn't be contained, and it couldn't possibly be let out enough to ever feel right again; shaking human hands took the monstrous paw that was slick with fresh blood, and she begged to once again be allowed to help. Anything. Please, anything." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Unfocused, dazed and feeling faint in its own mind. Ground thyself by feeling the laceration upon thine breast and sink into the feeling of a thousand beast's and more some to devour it. To bleed up on the earth again and again and yet it always felt awful, the mother had yet forgotten how much the beast was willing to go through. What had she forgotten, how many times has it felt hollow? The beast can't help but feel like a small thing once more, just realizing it was remade into a forsaken thing. Its ribs were broken, of that she was certain. Puncturing a lung, if the blood he spat up with every breath was any indication. What made her unshaken drive unrooted so violently? Was it that she was no longer in the place which felt most close to that divine feeling of that breath stolen from her throat. It felt a deep sense of anguish being gored like a beast risen from hell over and over by which had felt not a single speck of respect for what it protected.\n\nIt didn't know what to do, though it wasn't the first time it lost a hold. It felt like something slid into the holes of what was made by hot iron and conflicted hostility. The beast had no hold on what was in front of it. The beast looked around this place with an empty stagger before it stared at the sobbing thing before it. Was it not overjoyed that a beast that wished to remain close at what gave it comfort was ripped from that very thing? \nThe being was brittle though lithe, was it not one for just watching and screaming with zealous laughter? Where was that familiar squawk of that almost violating joy which it hated so, anything similar at least?\n\nYet it wept, for what the beast tried to understand on this slippery mind of blood soaked bones and thoughtless restrained animosity. There was an unspoken grandeur within the situation, what was there to lose? The small reverent touch creates a flash of gooseflesh snaking up the beast's arm.\n\nWhat thing had the beast done to be gifted such an obtuse thing. Especially considering its fealty to which there was only one. \n\nIt's bloody palm without thought unwound, it's fingers splitting and finding purchase around the beings arm. Winding over and over as one could see the being hand no more. Prey? Or a disregarded desire for companionship, the beast finds no joy which was usually born in moving feet. Surely laughter would be one's compromise for tears but the beast never quite learned how to do so. The blood. It felt as though it was rotten. It festered in the air, as if the beast it heralded walked clothed in an ever dripping wound, so indelibly stained that even the crystal waters of some isolated river could not wash it clean. The beast wanted to writhe because of the taste of rust that was growing insufferable to its more sensitive palate, it only wished to tear its own tongue out. \n\nThe moon was thin, and the night stretched long across the grass in jagged stripes of blackness, as if crevasses had opened all along the earth, threatening to swallow them both, though the beast would not yield so easily to the endless brightness of night below. The beast could see the hound of fear prowling at the beings heel but she cannot see its ugly reflection in the beings eye. Complacency meant death. Stillness meant death. The marching feet of every man who served the rule of this order meant death. Built upon the beast, inside her, that horrible awful knowing of dread, the beast wished to wheeze beneath the squeeze of its chains.\n\nIt was in looking down at its hand that it saw the glint of steel, just barely noticeable in her ruddy nails. That was all the warning he received before the trunk of the tree a ways behind them exploded in a shower of splinters. It smelt as though it was wreathed in rust ocher, splitting the air with a dry shriek as it snapped in the calm wind. It showed malice. That only simmering speal of panic turned molten within a fraction of a second, a deep frenzy that poured and swirled beneath bone grounded it somewhat. \n\nThe wet flesh tightened as the beast lurched into a sprint for the trees, bringing the mere mortal with it bringing it close once more in an almost claustrophobic hold. The moonlight showed with a jester-like humor, not casting it's light at which hunted them so. That fear danced at the beast's heels, it waded through the trees, crocodilian, thorns like talons piercing the beast's silhouette to tear at the air at anything which would dare cast a gaze, unfortunate as it would be, to it. A mere thing could not best a bear even if it was gorged on metal and the snap of a rifle in its hands. The beast, though large, moved and weaved with surprising agility. This wasn't a thing which required delicacy, something almost yowled in its ear at this. It bowed its head and smashed through thick branches and flora without care any longer. \n\nThe beast could not run for long, the beast's injured body crumbled, it toppled to the ground, winded, the others yell of anger and stamping in the black night only in the back of its mind, subtle. The beast was left staring at the ground, looking at which was crushed into the grass. Through the beast's wounds it looked as though vibrant flowers of blood were blooming across its chest, it was filthy, reeking of the beast, though the thing in question could only feel the frenzied heat which moved under its wet fur.\n\nThe beast realized its hand was still attached to the being, unspoken it unraveled leaving the beings hand stained with smell though otherwise unharmed, its markings still blazing across it. The beast wished to bring its hand to its face, for which fear moved to think it would bring destruction if it touched it. \n\nThis battle was silent, alas there was no struggle to be weaved in whispering trees. It dwarfed the being as it pinned it like things beneath a heavy palm. Though it didn't wring it and force it into a plain that would split like splashed water it just bore its heavy gaze into it once more. Watching and waiting for the boney things rasped curses with rapt attention stolen from it at the moment it dragged it's palm into it's blood soaked one." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The reek of crusting-over wounds under thick animal hide sank through Sigrún's sinuses and into her dry mouth, mingling with dirt and salty tears. She couldn't possibly know with which feelings the beast looked upon her, only that they confused the both of them, and only that it seemed possessed to stare, and stare, and stare; a shiver ran up her spine.\n\nThe bear coughed, wet and dark, and the girl hiccuped like a child—it pulled and crushed, she curled up and grasped tight. The world was a new creature of ragged breath, of flesh and muscle that ran cold, that lost its heat to dirt-streaked skin, coiled and stretched and bent in ways invented for purposes far beyond how the rational phenomenon of evolution built its beasts. Behind the smaller one's eyelids, pressed to the giant's blood-matted chest, dwelled a darkness even it could not see through, and in the chaos it was a welcome plunge. The scrap of a moon was segmented by the points of sharp antlers, eaten by the silhouette of impossible jaws.\n\nAs it ran, its passenger silently lamented the cracking and peeling of its own skin, searching the rain-fresh air for moisture to pluck, breathe, float through. In its void it pictured a plunge into weightlessness; it would stretch, past the limits of its form, and it would show the beast its own strength, drawing it gracefully up to the surface of a clear, black, glittering night.\n\nThe ocean would be like glass, she dreamed, and it would be whipped by fell winds, and she would master it like she once did and they would both be drawn back into it, spiralling through the depths clean and painted horn to sucker with patterns of spirals and veins.\n_ _\n\nAnd then—the wind was knocked from her lungs, the blunt end of an axe cracking across her back and jamming a sharp tooth into the edge of her tongue. Her mouth didn't fill with blood, but the taste of copper was nearly more abundant than air; she stared, still, at the crackling and fizzing image of a gaze heavy as hills and mountains, old as stone.\n\nHer breath returned bit by bit until her voice was pinned only beneath the creature's paw, crushed between her soft innards and sore spine. Blinking the static from her eyes, Sigrún lifted herself to sit cross-legged, bent and craned to still look the bear in the eyes with her own bloodshot, shadowed stare.\n\nDark eyelashes fluttered, a wind-tousled blonde head flopped down, and her attention flicked back to the remaining chain, shifted by the sprint. Fingertips, now warm and slick with sweat, slipped under and began to work free a link of metal smeared with drying blood and the angry edges of infection." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The beast stared, it's gaze mirrored and its mind ablaze. The chain on its other hand was left in it's rush seconds ago. Though this moment seemed to stretch long through time for it. Exhaustion laced through like heat with no end to this self made desert. Heat but it's hands were cold, still, ever it was to be. \n\nThe beast didn't didn't feel its hands in those gnarled tears. It didn't smell the surrounding wake of something infectious. It stared at something with the scent of something so curiously similar to ice capped waves against a shoreline. It was so clear or the beast was on the brink of a delusion it though it had already lost itself to long ago on some blank summer night beneath a flooded oak. \n\nIt needed to say something or anything to this person which it had unfaithfully tainted with whatever spilt so ungraciously onto it. It felt like static was racing against it's words to erase them as soon as the beast thought, dark nights and standing in something which would proclaim death upon ones soul easing its mind confusingly. This folk before it was new, though it was obviously hurt it was also taken by something. What had it abandoned when it was taken to this unfortunate hell of plagued minds. The ground felt heavy and burdened by which it dosent know, a couple hurt hearts and saddened scars. \n\nThe beings stare was new and it washed against the beast and made it felt like it was drowning, it couldn't do so. It's fur slick and winded, washed through with carmine vexation. \n\n\"M'Sorry. Didn't mean to hurt yuh.\" \nThe beast reached out with a hand unoccupied and rested it against the beings collar with the pad of it's thumb soft yet slick with red against its neck. The markings almost seemed to mix into that smeared crimson, It didn't mean to. The beast ducked its head down slowly in an act of apologizing, it's horns coming to rest against the person's head like a grand crown. \n\"Ye coulda gottin shot, yuh don't deserve that, yah ain't a damn fool.\"\n\n.\n\nThe beast spoke with vitriol when saying that last word, it spat against the ground and seared it like water against the sun in its hate. The ground understood, she understood. Though the beast had met it's fair share of fools; ones matted with age, their eyes still bright with the embers of obstinate abhorrence and others bright in their smooth young grins but misdirected with their parents words. Both had ended in something foul in something splattered like dropped paint in the beasts memory. It loathe to admit how it thinks back to it often to help stabilize its actions when it's losing its waning tether. \n\nIt needed to speak it needed to stand again and again, lest it will never find comfort in the rays that shine through hole-punched leaves or the water that roars beneath. How many times will it do so before it's knees shake and the hands that lift it grow tired of sealing the tears and holes it acquires. The beast didn't know, nor did it wish to but it also so desperately wanted to like a starving cat does to food. \n\nThe other chain clattered against the ground, it's act muffled by wet dirt. The hand by being neck stayed though its head was lifted, the most and what lay in the beasts braids that moved with it clacked and shook. It didn't know what to do in acts of silence with others, it was rare yet foreign." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Though what the earthen dweller said to her was sympathetic, kind, even, Sigrún head the word Fool Spat with conviction and felt her intestines coil like snakes around the already-choked stuff of her midsection. Not a damned fool, she was? Losing water in heavy drops to the soil, wiping a bear's blood from her hands onto her pants, shielded from Bullets By the shroud of darkness, with its million holes of moonlight poked in the black velvet?\n\nSwallowing the mist-slaked thirst where the sharp, needle-like fear of the world ought to be, it occurred to her that she had no concept anymore of a fool. And yet, the serpent gnawed on its tail, wound through her ribs, like a lectured child.\n\n\"Uh.\"\n\nThose great antlers braced themselves on its brow like a crown, pressing heavy into its mind through its ever-soft layer of flesh. The gesture was weighed with gratitude, of which Sigrún didn't quite understand, despite the obviousness of it; the pressure of bone against bone was like a stone sinking to the silt, the clacking and jingling of its mane bubbles that trickled from the corners along its descent through the finite blue. The girl sank with it, coming down from the adrenaline with a stray hiccup and a sniffle and then a long, long silence.\n\nThere came a point, when she dove deep enough, when gravity flipped on its head. She swam through a portal, passing like an arrow through another layer of cold, on the other side of which she realized that she needn't move a muscle to press deeper into the body of salt and darkness. 'Negative buoyancy,' It was called. Denser than the whole world, it seemed, now granted passage into the layer of the world that perceived her back as something magnificent, graceful, shining beneath no sun with its glossy-coated, strong-boned creatures.\n\nIts eyes were of no use there, and so they hung barely open like windowpanes it hadn't cared to shut all the way before falling into a deep sleep.\n_ _\n\nIt perceived, though, without them. Sigrún did not fear the dark. It welcomed its bloody hand on her shoulder, and understood that, in this pocket of perfectly still space that echoed the deafening throes of life from all directions, it meant her no harm.\n\nSatisfied with that, Sigrún could piece together no words in any language that felt worth saying. From far, far away, the portal beneath the sea pulled her body down, down, down into the pressure against her head and her shoulder, the misty veil of the night's cold spreading from her back to the tips of her toes until she tipped into it completely. A stone.\n\nFar closer, the exhausted creature's body loosened and sank in the beast's grip. Always the girl scolded for her haste—before slumber could properly collect her, she had lapsed into a dream." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "There was a weight in her arms, against its chest and breathing with the loose waters of the world at the crest of their head. What kind of thing was it to be beaching this folk onto land it wasn't meant for? Shoveling dirt over it's corpse as if it lived there in the first place, maybe with wished to be rotted and eaten at the floor of the deep. The beast wanted to lie there as well, it did once and it remembers pressure breaking it's body into peaces that formed a sort of art of tragedy. \n\nThe beast pursed its lips, it's eyes growing heavy its mind unbearable when there's vines and wood growing into the crevice of it's memory. Speaking into the earth like it's tragedy of being broken amongst every grain of this world wasn't known by it intimately already. It could still feel the bits of pale hair against it's horns as if it was going to do the same, it was a mere person it didn't need this. Maybe the beast was the fool, gnawing at its own flesh at an aim to be rid of what ails it. \n\nThe wounds on its wrists twinge, it wanted to become something below the soil, it wanted to be dug up again and again. It wanted to be a mural on a wall, it wanted, it wanted. \n\nThe beast never cared for the depths when the pressure of a thousand minds was already far greater. It stared at a beast I'm the depths, it looked grand yet humble and unknowing of the red that stained it. It asked itself after if it wanted to bite and tear into the thing like a meal. To offer and yet hate. \n\nThe beast laid down, the dirt welcoming it and it's lidded gaze. The trees before it seeming to grow closer and over it like a blanket. It's body aches and yet the world comes to swallow it and fill the wounds with a swathe of something to soothe it. It's what always happened when there were it's own claws ripping at itself like ribbons. Two arms laid across the figure it forgot about, two more move to cover its face.\n\nDigging it's claws into flesh without care but just with need. To bring its outlandish thoughts to a halt, to bring the earth to it's knees for a moment. To speak to it and force it to hear it again.\n\nIt remembers something, words of another saying it being comfort to write something down. It's palms forced it's eyes to close. \nMaybe it'd do that later." } ]	534	12,276
435.521739	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "What a wonderful day. \n\nThe sky was blue, the grass was green... It would be scenic, wonderfully so, if Gabe wasn't Stuck in a magic prison in middle of goddamn Sweden in the midst of his acting career. No, instead of being back home, reading Blanche a story or auditioning for a role, he was Here. Wonderful. Absolutely-fucking-wonderful. \n\nTruly, a tragic occurrence. But the government did as it pleased, and Gabe didn't exactly have any choice in the matter. Then again, it's not everyday one got locked in a jail full of magical people— and Gabe is not nearly enough of a fool to let that opportunity go to waste. \n\nAnd so, he found himself... Well, on the prowl was a bit of a pessimistic term, but it wasn't exactly an inaccurate one. Gabe had already made a friend with Ares and Stretch (a stupid nickname, way too on the nose, but he wasn't going to say anything), but he craved More. First impressions were everything, as he was so helpfully told by the weirdo in chat, and Gabe was determined to cement a positive one at Newton's Cradle. \n\nAlthough, the weirdo wasn't exactly Wrong... \n\nA couple of people were scattered around in the courtyard, to Gabe's delight. All of them had separated into their own groups, and Gabe wasn't too keen on third-wheeling and seeming like a weirdo. No, he had more tact than that— and luckily for him, there was one person who was alone. Perfect. \n\n\"Hey,\" Gabe said, plopping down on the opposite side of the picnic table where the person— girl, maybe— was currently resting.\n\n \"I don't suppose you'd happen to know where a mister Graham Cantor's office is? He told me to meet with him tomorrow, but I'm having trouble figuring this place out. Sweden, am I right?\" \n\nGabe puts on a sheepish— if not false— smile, really selling the whole \"Nervous boy who'd just moved in and really, really, Really Needed your help\" Schtick with a small scratch of his curly dark locks.\n\n.\nThe \"Sweet, nervous boy\" Facade was only helped by the way the environment seemed to mold Around Gabe. Something about him commanded an audience— whether it was his power or his natural actor disposition, his powerful body language or his boyishly handsome face, was unclear. One thing was certain: when Gabe Trahan [Link to Patreon] walked, things naturally watched. \n\nOf course, Gabe already Knew Where Graham's office was... But it was as good as a starter as any. Besides, he'd rather not approach a girl without coming up with a good reason." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "The sky was nearly blinding as, for the first time in a couple days, Mattias felt solid enough to spend time outside of their dorm. Ever since that Stupid Conversation on the intranet, and spending a good hour or so hyperventilating in some dusty corner of a forgotten building, it felt like their Sight had been trigger happy. Even stepping out now was slightly a risk, as they opened an blank page of their sketchbook while sliding onto an open bench. Their earbuds tended to block most noises out, though, and after a few minutes, Matti began to relax as the fear of a sudden spike in their senses receded.\n\nThey were halfway through a drawing— some obscure mesh of eyes (it was always eyes, these days) and a blood red sunset— when they noticed someone suddenly sitting across from them and... Asking something? The rims of their glasses made it difficult to make out the face, but the other person would probably move after a few moments of silence, so Mattias busied themself reaching for another red marker while trying to make out what the figure was asking. Something about— Cantor? Office? It sounded vaguely familiar, and was likely the name of one of the teachers in the crumpled pamphlet sitting on their desk upstairs, the one Matti hadn't really bothered to memorize. \n\nAh, they realized. Probably asking for directions. \n\nUnwilling to break the tentative peace they felt, Matti grabbed a green pen and scribbled upside-down on the top of the page. \"I'm new here. I probably can't help you find anywhere. I barely know this place.\" \n\nSatisfied, they adjusted their glasses slightly and turned their focus back to drawing, lowering their music to the point they'd be able to hear if the stranger responded." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Ah, working with a wallflower?\n\nSure, Fine, he could do that. Shy, quirky, dorky in all the right ways. Gabe would've rolled his eyes if he was a weaker man, but he was the epitome of masculinity and strength, thank you very much. \n\nGabe took out his phone— a new model, with one of those wallet-phone combo cases. He whipped out his Notes app, typing for a bit before sliding his phone over next to the girl's sketchbook. \n\nTo be honest, I'm new here, too. Everything here is intimidating, haha— never thought I'd be in a magic prison, of all places. It's a bit daunting, you know? \n\nGabe takes the phone back, before adding one more thing. \n\n:)" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti could just make out some kind of movement before a phone slid into their viewpoint. Their own devices typically had brighter screens to compensate for their shades, and they had to squint to read. \n\nOh. Maybe this was their opportunity to try to talk to someone else— someone other than Margo, or texting what they were fairly sure was Dr. Jakal's discontinued cell line. Something felt a little off, sure, but they'd been rubbed emotionally raw from the week or so of new experiences and social interaction, and for once they were willing to put aside the discomfort and try to engage. The person wasn't put off by their silence, which was already a point in their favor. Matti put down the marker they were working with, and slid the phone back to its owner as they looked up and tried to think of something to say.\n\nAs their eyes adjusted to the flare of sunlight, it took a moment to place why the person sitting in front of them was familiar. They hadn't met anyone other than Margo, so far, and they were unlikely to remember someone they'd seen \"Just around\", so this had to be someone from—\n\nMotherFucker.*\n\nMatti's jaw snapped shut with a click as they froze, biting their cheek until they tasted blood in an effort to stay silent. They let one harsh breath escape, then inhaled air with a hiss through their teeth. It was the Actor. That Fucking liar. They almost shook with the weight of a sudden, intense rage clouding their mind. Just don't say anything, the rational part of their brain coaxed. Just shut up and walk away.\n\nOr,* Something deep, deep inside them, the only part that had ever tried to conceal anything, whispered. You could Look. Just for a second. Get back at him and Then* Leave.\n\nThey didn't like the feeling of satisfaction that arose from the idea of it, of using the Sight on Purpose, to hurt.\n\nTheir arm swung out silently, without their permission, offering a handshake." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "If Gabe had noticed anything going on in the girl's inner world, he didn't make a show of it. Sure, she seemed a bit... Odd, but reaching out for his hand most likely meant she was warming up to him. \n\nGood. \n\nBesides, a little weirdness was to be expected at this place, wasn't it? It was probably to be expected, with how shy she seemed— social skills didn't appear to be her strong suit. Maybe it was because he was handsome. \n\n\"Uh, hi, nice to meet you. What's your name?\" \n\nThe handshake was unexpected, but Gabe had practiced the motion though thousands of times— a perfectly firm grip, just the right grasp to seem steady without being intimidating. A great handshake, if he did say so himself." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Gabe took their hand, of course he did, the self-assured, smug, two-faced—\n\nMatti bit down a smile, took in a breath, and Looked.* \n\nFor a moment, it was like everything was bright. There were sounds flooding their ears and colors swirling in their vision, their pupils dilating rapidly as they Looked, and as they Saw.\n\nOh, isn''t that interesting, for someone so confident in their name- They pushed out the sudden cacophonous roar of sense and Focused. Their shades slid down slightly, and they looked the Liar Dead in the eyes. \n\n\"Gabriel Darius Trahan,\" They bit out, withholding only the worst of their malice from their voice. \"You fucking liar. It's painfully clear you've sold whatever little soul you once had to feed your selfish, egocentric mind. Have you ever even once considered anyone other than yourself? Even then, I doubt you remember what \"Yourself\" Means when stripped of all your pretentious lies. Really, it's a wonder no-one else has seen through them already— they're abysmal. Stop trying. You're wasting everyone's time.\"\n\nThey dropped Gabe's hand as if burned, a hand flying to their phone to turn their music back to full volume as they pushed their glasses back up and started collecting their drawing supplies." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Oh, great. This guy. \n\nGabe's sweet, boyish smile fell, shattering like a broken mirror and revealing the mildly annoyed expression lurking within. \n\n\"Nope. You're not going. You're looking at me, dammit.\" \n\nThere was a little smirk, there— satisfaction at not having to pretend to play nice anymore, or maybe the satisfaction was finally seeing this weirdo face to face. \n\n\nGabe Focused, and the air seemed to shift around him. Don't hold anything back, The pride in him spoke, and he delivered on that desire. The air seemed to still, holding its breath as the metaphorical feathers of a peacock unfurled and flared. The spotlight was on Gabe now, and he Loved it. \n\n\"Look. You don't shut the fuck up about me 'lying' or whatever. I'm not stupid enough to think you don't have some weird magic about the truth, so... Damn straight I lie. You'd have to be crazy to not lie a Little Upon being sent halfway across the world to fucking magic parahuman jail, and locked in with violent magic teenagers.\" \n\nThere were people around, so as much as Gabe wanted to, he couldn't grab this guy by the back of his shit and Drag him back. Unfortunate, really. \n\n\"And if someone happens to believe me, it's their fault for being a fucking idiot. Bless your poor, Dear Heart for thinking otherwise.\" \n\nGabe looked down at Mattias, eye twitching ever so slightly. Who did this guy think he is, being on his high horse and all..." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Something in Mattias was dark and viciously proud as it watched Gabe's mask crack and fall. Finally, It whispered. He stopped lying.\n\nEverything else immediately began to scream. \n\nIt was like the Sun Was a flashlight, swung directly into Mattias' eyes, blinding and excruciating like being punched in the gut or branded with a hot iron. Their focus, the focus they'd been maintaining to See his name, was suddenly wrenched out of their mental grasp with the equivalent of an unbreakable flourish, sound flooding to rebound in their skull despite the music blasting at full volume. Matti stopped moving, chipped fingernails digging into the skin of their arm at the sudden rush- WhispersinthecornerandalaughandvisioneyeseyeseyesonyouwatchingtheyheardjudgingwatchingseeinghidinglyinglyinglaughinghidingabirdabovemethegrassistallhidinghidingsurvivingbreathingstillstillcoughingfromthewindowcryingsomeonecryingupsetdevestatedwailingfrustratedsnappingpenfuckfuckpoolinginkcoveritupstaysilentstayquietwalkpastdontletanyonenoticejusthideconceallieLieSomethingisburningsomething-\n\nMatti's vision swam, still locked on Gabe. For some reason, their glasses were fogged up with something like smoke. It was unbearably hot. Was it always? Their skin felt like it was crawling away from them, like their bones were trying to fade into nothingness. Vaguely, they registered something wet dripping from their ears.\n\nThey tried to blink. They couldn't- they couldn't tear their eyes away. From inside their chest, Matti heard the muffled beating of their own heart, the sound they desperately tried to dampen as it echoed louder and louder within their mind. \n\n\"Fuck off. Stop that.\" They croaked out, still locked in place." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe blinked. Huh? \n\nA small, tiny, tiny part of him wanted to push it even further, to make the kid standing in front of him Beg.The thought disappeared, just as quickly as it came. After all, Gabe wasn't a wrathful person— simply a prideful one. So long as Mattias knew he wasn't fucking around, that was good enough for him. \n\n\"Fine, but—hey, you, are you alright?\" Gabe's voice had changed since he dropped his mask. Instead of an inoffensive, trans-Atlantic newscaster cadence, he spoke with his native heavy southern accent, the low twang making sweet syllables roll off of each other. \n\nDid he develop new powers...? It didn't Feel Like Gabe did anything differently, but Mattias was bleeding from his goddamn ears, and surely that had to count for something. \n\n\"Look, look, just... Chill out and stop being so aggro. You're fucking Smoking.\" A quick dig in his deep brown dress pant pockets, and Gabe's dark, muscular hands offer a travel-sized pack of Hello Kitty themes tissues towards Mattias." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "As Gabe spoke again, it was like everything came crashing down. The sun flew back up in the sky where it was fucking supposed to be, their hearing retreated, their vision was back in their own eyes. \n\nFuck. Fuck.*\n\nMatti slammed their eyes shut as soon as they had control over themself again, almost collapsing into the wood table. \"Fuck. Shit.\" Hesitantly, they pulled their earbuds from their ears, half-expecting the overwhelming flood of noise to return, and heaving a sigh of relief when it didn't. For a minute, they just breathed. Then, they sighed. \n\n\"That wasn't- that wasn't your fault,\" They explained in halting words, pulling their sunglasses from still-closed eyes and blindly trying to wipe them on their shirt. \"It's- your abilities, they make people See* You, right? Mine- I- See. All the time. Mostly. Things that are hidden. Or like. Lies. That's why I hate it. Lying. It's-\" They exhaled again, replacing their glasses and opening their eyes long enough to snatch the tissues from Gabe's outstretched hand and begin to clean the already-drying blood from their ears and hair. \"It's Wrong. It's Wrong. And I can Feel It. So.\" \n\nFrustration tried to build in their mind again, but collapsed like a poorly made Jenga tower. All they were capable of feeling was washed out, and vaguely remorseful. Much to their annoyance, Gabe didn't Seem Like a bad person. But he was a liar. And he had hurt them (as they thought of it— what the fuck had happened, what the fuck was that— no). No. They pushed all of it down, deep under the surface of their memory to agonize over later. \n\n\"You're a liar. And I hate you, I think. But you're not a bad person. And I'm-\" They crumpled the bloody tissue in a fist, and slowly pulled their markers into an orderly line. The drawing- the one with the eyes and the sunset- was long since ruined. \"I'm sorry. I don't- talk to people. Ever. My reaction, both on the intranet and here, was uncalled for.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Lying is... Well, it's not a good thing. 'Thou shall not lie' is a commandment for a reason. Unfortunately, things worst than lying exist in this world, and sometimes you have to settle for the objectively better sin. Good on you for disliking it, though. Better than the alternative.\" Gabe says. His voice gets low, and uncharacteristically a bit... Soft? Wistful? There's something there, even if What It is is hard to make out.\n\nGabe stuffed the rest of the tissues into Mattias' palm. \n\n\"Ah, er, don't worry about it. Just... Don't do it again, and, you know, maybe clear the air about me. I'd rather not be greeted to open hostility in my first week here. At least save it for the second week.\" A chuckle at his own joke— it was a joke, because Gabe had no intentions of being disliked here. \n\nHe was about to turn away. He Should Have turned away, but... Mattias said he was a walking lie detector, able to see things no one else could. It was valuable— far more valuable in this environment than his own ability, if he was going to be completely honest.\n\n...Besides, they seemed young. A little like Blanche, with the whole socially awkward nerd, rough around the edges vibe. Plus, they apologized for essentially sabotaging his social life on day one, and that was far more than Gabe was actually expecting. \n\n\"Hey, you know what? You're a truth detector with poor social skills, and I'm a so-called liar with great social skills. We're both new here, and, let's be honest, we're both probably going to be eaten alive by whatever magic bullshit is going on here, if the complicated social dynamics of this place don't get to us first. We're essentially dead on arrival.\" \n\nIt was the truth. Gabe had met exactly one person, who already seemed to possess terrifyingly powerful abilities— and he was under no illusion that there were other, more dangerous people populating the Cradle.\n\nRedirect all attention you'd like, but it wouldn't save you from getting socked in the face. Or lit on fire. Or whatever dramatic abilities the group of troubled juveniles possessed here.\n\n\"Why don't we team up, you know? Or at least call for a truce. You can learn about the people we should be wary of and I'll make sure we get on their good side. Make this whole 'magic prison' thing as smooth and conflict-free as possible.\"\n\nGabe leaned against the park bench, looking over at Mattias with intrigued, dark eyes. The other didn't seem too well liked, if at all liked by anyone here, and so perhaps an 'alliance' would be in both of their interests. Even if Gabe's interest happened to align closer to the information the other could provide, playing nice and acting like a friend was second nature to him.\n\n\"You don't have to like me for this to work out. Feel free to hate me, actually. I don't particularly care.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti paused for a moment. The request wasn't Unreasonable, though it was a little unexpected. Something in their mind, probably the fucked up part that was alone for years on end, jumped at the chance to make another non-hostile acquaintance. And... For a moment their mind flashed back to what Margo had mentioned, and the night they had spent alone, awake, sitting on the floor of their dorm. Bad people are always liars, They decided hesitantly. But liars are not always bad people. \n\nAnd who knew. Maybe it would be good to have someone proficient in social interactions. \n\nIt didn't mean they were immediately friends— honestly, they doubted Gabe genuinely Wanted To be friends with anyone here, and a fifty-fifty fake friend ratio was admittedly pretty sad. Still, a truce was better than nothing, and they were a little desperate to avoid whatever the fuck had happened to them when the two powers had clashed.\n\n\"I won't bother you so long as you don't outright lie to me,\" They began. \"Information lies, I mean. You probably won't stop lying about your feelings— 'pleasure to meet you' and all. And in the interest of full disclosure, I probably haven't damaged your reputation as much as you'd think. I got here less than a week ago and, you're the second person I've talked to, other than on the intranet. Two point five, maybe, but the point-five is still back in the states so I don't really think they count.\" They paused, shoving their pens into their side bag and considering what else to say. \n\n\"If you still want a... 'team up'. There are things I might need in the future. And I can probably help you with Looking at things, so long as I don't need to lie.\" \n\nGabe still made them uneasy, but they pushed the feeling aside guiltily. Hopefully this would soothe some of their moral obligation, in addition to providing them with... Whatever they would get out of their newfound partnership." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe... Didn't really have much in the way of secrets. Sure, socialization was all saccharine compliments and sugar-coated pleasantries, but those lies weren't secrets; they were a reflection of a rose tinted world, where the actor was exactly the type of person needed to please whichever hapless fool possessed something he desired. \n\nNot being able to lie to Matti Did Make Gabe nervous— his conniving words were a helpful tool, one he didn't enjoy having to retire for the conversation. Still, it was better than the alternative; there was something to be said about keeping the dangerous people closest, after all. \n\n\"Yeah, sure. I'll do what I can to not lie around you. Doesn't seem like there's much point in it, if you can tell when I'm doing so, and I'd rather not make you go all... You know.\" Go all fucking crazy. \"And of course, it'd be a bit of an empty partnership if I didn't chip in when I could. I'm not dying for you, though, so don't ask me for anything like that.\"\n\nNow that the air in the courtyard seemed less tense, Gabe unbuttoned the collar of his white button-up, sighing in relief at having the pressure off of his throat. Yes, he was from Louisiana, but goddamn, the summer heat was surprisingly intense for Sweden of all places. Perhaps next time, he'd go without the sweater vest, or something. \n\nHe sighed. If only there was a Starbucks at this place. \n\n\"You've said you've met some people already? Tell me about them. Which ones are nice, reasonable people? Which ones should we be on the lookout for?\" \n\nA slightly huffed expression, and Gabe ran a couple of fingers in his hair, trying to get the mess of curls back in place." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Maybe Acting Was different from lying. Matti'd considered them to be the same thing— after all, actors were just liars who got paid. But... If Gabe was acting, Not Lying, the grey zone made a little more sense. After all, he had agreed to (try) to tell the truth around them, even when dishonesty seemed to be essentially his second nature. No-one Mattias had seen had acquiesced that quickly Ever, much less a bad person. \"I appreciate it,\" They murmured, voice already hoarse again. \n\nThey bit the inside of their mouth as Gabe skirted around their outburst, something ordinarily they wouldn't approve of but in the moment appreciated. The memory of furious typing, and later their poor attempt at intimidation, left their thoughts tinged with embarrassment. Shame dusted their cheeks as Gabe unbuttoned his collar, their eyes pointedly flickering away from the movement.\n\nShame. Embarrassment. Definitely. \n\nThey coughed. \"Met 'people' is slightly misleading. I've met one in person, Margo. She's...\" Matti stopped for a moment, trying to figure out how to describe her. \"...Trustworthy. Honest. A little aggressive, maybe. Don't talk about her dad. As for the rest—\" They finished stowing their drawing materials and instead pulled out their small, canary-yellow hand journal (the only one that had been left at the depot when they'd gone to replace their old one, they still winced at the noticeable color). \"I have some notes.\" \n\nMattias felt a brief moment of anxiety-tinged panic. Gabe had, Technically Requested information. He would Probably Find their notes helpful. Still, the fear was there. They'd only just reconciled, and Matti didn't know if they could handle being called \"Creepy\" Or \"Freakish\" In the middle of plain conversation. \n\n\"I've written down who I'm personally most worried about, I've got— I've got a system.\"\n\n\"Ares seems, fine. Amicable at least, if a little bit similar to you. Not the lying. The weird way of interacting. He explodes stuff, I think, but he broke his phone doing it and seems a little careless so I'd stay out of metaphorical 'blast radius'.\" They flipped to another page. \"Finley hates me, I think, but they should be fine with you. Vance seems like the least directly threatening, purely based off of conversation. The least likely to hurt someone as a power play, or on accident, I think. Stretch, Valio Adjuk, and Jack I don't have enough information on. None of them have behaved too off-standard for 'normal' people, yet. I've also heard of an 'Amelie', and a 'rainbow clown girl', but I haven't even seen them speak yet.\" \n\nThey took in a deep breath. \"There's only one person so far I'd actually recommend avoiding. They go by Uriel, I think. Or 'the Red King', on the intranet. They purposefully try to pretend to be friendly, but I'm almost certain they're dangerous. At the very least, they've been in dangerous situations before, enough of them to be calm about it.\" \n\nMatti tactfully didn't mention the page(s) about Gabe; they had a feeling he wouldn't appreciate what they had written before. In fact— the pulled out a pen and scratched out their previous assessment, replacing it.\n\nGabriel Darius Trahan, they wrote. A liar and a half-decent person. Investigate more. Do not try to Look. Has the power to make people See him. They scoured their mind for anything else to write, and eventually just closed the notebook and stowed it back in the inner pocket of their bag. \n\n\"Oh, and also.\" Their thoughts bounced back to the first day, meeting Margo. \"Be wary of 'angels'. And Don't Go in the Janitor's Closet.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Mattias' book was meticulously crafted, Gabe had to give them that. As they flipped through page after page, narrating the in-depth analysis of intra messages and postulating on the reason for other people's behavior quirks, he's struck with a deep sense of... Pity. \n\nDamn. The notes were well made, but good God Was this pathetic. \n\n\"The Red King? Red like blood, you think? A blood monarch, ruling over the school... \" Gabe mused to himself. \n\nIt made sense. Prisons usually had social totem poles and de-facto \"Kings\". Gabe had binge enough Criminal Minds In preparation to coming here to know That Much. He was essentially an expert in the nitty-gritty of prison life, if you counted consuming copious amounts of ABC-crime dramas as research. \n\n\"Actually, now that you mention it— Uriel is the name of an archangel. I doubt Margo is particularly religious and warning of a Rapture, so do you think she was trying to warn you of them by talking about 'angels'?\" \n\nHmm... It was an interesting theory, one that could potentially lead to conflict. \n\n\"I'll stay away from them and the janitor's closet. A lot of this is... Valuable and insightful analysis, though. For someone who doesn't socialize, you have a pretty keen eye.\" \n\nGabe didn't have to worry about Matti thinking he was lying with that statement— some of the observations were things he didn't even pick up on. \n\nWas Gabe a bit threatened at the socially-inept Matti being able to read people in a way he couldn't? It was easy enough to force down, only needed to suppress a stilted cough and a small eye-twitch. \n\nStill, the fact he had to suppress it meant it was There. How embarrassing, for his ego to falter like that. \n\n\"But you don't think I'm Stupid, Do you? You expect me to believe you wrote meticulous notes about everyone else Except Me?\"\n\n.\n\nA sly, shit-eating smirk grew on Gabe's face, as he leered down at Matti. Perhaps it was due to the fact that Gabe had to crane his neck down to look at Matti, but there was an... Odd gleam to his eyes. \n\n\"Come on. If you're withholding my special entry, that's called a Lie-by-omission. And you wouldn't want to be a liar, would you?\"\n\nOf course, he was under no illusions about the type of content most likely scrawled under his name in Mattias' book— but it was about Him, and the burning interest of all things related to Gabe's favorite subject far outweighed any other emotion rattling around in his head." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"Ah, no, not 'angel'. 'Angels', I think. My current hypothesis is that it's the name of a being or a group, but there's a curfew instated because of it so I highly doubt it's a student. That's not to say Uriel isn't related, though.\" \n\nAnd hm, that was an interesting thought. A seemingly dangerous person, trying to appear friendly, whose name happened to connect to the reason a campus-wide curfew was instated? It was certainly worth investigating more— Fuck, no wait. Dangerous Person. Dangerous Mysterious cause of curfew. It wasn't like Matti was too keen to lose their life. Maybe it was better to just focus on adjusting for now. \n\nThey weren't able to keep themself from smiling slightly at Gabe's praise— if there was one thing they took pride in, it was their ability. It was a little depressing, and kind of uncomfortable if they thought about it for too long, but they had been forced to spend their entire life perfecting their observation skills. It would be worse if they were still oblivious, after all this time. \n\nWell, less oblivious. With their guard down from the compliment, Matti had no response prepared for Gabe's question. Fuck. Lie-by-omission? Maybe technically, still, lies were concealing and this was. Definitely that. Fuck. They Weren't A liar, and even if their entire worldview had been shattered they weren't so quick to let go of that fact. Part of them knew they were probably being manipulated, especially considering who they were talking to. Still. Still. Matti sighed. \n\n*Fuck.\n\nRemoving their journal once again, Matti pulled on the sheet that had once held Gabe's analysis, suddenly grateful they had replaced it only moments before. With a quiet rip, they pulled it from the spiraled edges and smoothed out the places it had been crumpled previously in their rage.\n\n\"You're a little late. I crossed out what you're probably interested in, and your current analysis is a lot less interesting than you'd think.\" They waved the scrap of paper, only just noticing what was scribbled on the back— the remnants of Another* Emotional moment of weakness. Their grip on it tightened, and they pulled it towards themself, much more careful not to let it flip over. \n\n\"I'm planning on throwing it away. You can't read it anyway, and I've already got more up-to-date information.\" They carefully extracted themself from the bench and glanced around, looking for the nearest trashcan (or preferably, recycling)." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe squints at the entry, attempting to make out whatever words were hastily scratched out before looking back up at Mattias. Damn, he thought, well-sculpted eyebrow knitting in annoyance at the deep, black marks covering the page from head-to-toe. The fucker really did blot everything out.\n\n\"You're not going to tell me even if I Do Press you for more, I assume?\" Gabe sighed wistfully, head shaking at the unfortunate reality he wasn't going to get any more juicy Mattias comments about yours truly. \n\n\"Hm. You wrote a Lot, though. Did I pique your interest that much, or am I just that intriguing of a subject? I'm truly flattered, even if half of it was probably cusses.\" A self-satisfied smile at Gabe's presence warranting by far the largest entry in the book grew on his face, and his voice took on a low, teasing tone. \n\nGabe didn't particularly enjoy being hated— it wasn't an outcome he intentionally aimed for, and planning around other people's ire and distrust certainly wasn't a fun endeavor. However, looking at the crossed-out diary entry all about Him Made something warm and fuzzy bloom in his chest. \n\nLook at me, the growing thing lodged in his chest rumbled. Aren't I so fascinating?\n\nAnd then it died, caught on hold as Gabe remembered where he was. \n\n\"If you find out anything else, feel free to hit me up. Maybe when I find an actual, decent coffee place in this godforsaken prison— Stretch told me there was a Starbucks downtown, but it's still fucking Weird We're just allowed to do whatever and leave during the day. I thought this was a prison, or at least that was what I Was told.\" \n\nOh, right. The word prison rattled around in Gabe's head, as he realized that it meant the socially-awkward wallflower standing in front of him Also Deserved to be here, in their own special way. \n\n\"You. How did You Get here? You don't seem like the prison type.\"\n\nIt was blunt, almost uncharacteristically so, but Gabe wasn't about to waste social graces on someone who wasn't going to appreciate them." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti crumpled the sheet in their hand once more, for good measure. \"No. If I told you about your assessment, I would have to change it based on how you reacted. That's a lot of effort.\" \n\nThey tried to keep their now cooled anger— honestly more reminiscent of annoyance— at bay as Gabe continued to peacock. Really. Even if the lying wasn't as morally irredeemable as they'd thought, Mattias still found the constant reassurance of his actor's ego frustrating. Briefly, they imagined slamming their head into a wall, but that would likely only reaffirm them as \"Crazy\". With their earlier outburst, and the Power Clash To Not Be Named (but thought about for hours afterwards), they weren't keen on adding poor impulse control to their newly forming public image. \n\nWasn't that a weird concept— public image. They had talked to people directly now, and, more importantly, people had talked back. For all that coming to Newton's Cradle was a \"Punishment\" (maybe? Who knew what the Gates' were thinking), their life seemed to have improved.\n\nMatti was vaguely startled as Gabe asked them about why they were here, the question strangely in line with their own thinking. The use of the word \"Prison\" Brought them back to how Margo had gotten here, attempted murder and all. Surely... \n\nWell, Gabe didn't Seem The type to try and kill people, if only because it would sabotage his career.\n\nIt was only then they remembered that this place was technically a delinquency center. For people with abilities, but it was probable that most of them had Some Interaction with the law that put them on the governments radar. They admonished themself internally for not considering it sooner. The Cradle might be more dangerous than they'd previously thought. They broke away from their musings, suddenly aware of the long silence that had stretched between the original question and their reply.\n\n\"Officially? I skipped too many classes,\" They answered honestly. \"But I think it's because I have abilities that my parents didn't want to deal with.\" \n\nThat it was Them Their parents didn't want to deal with, Matti didn't add. Powers were more likely an easy excuse. The thought was becoming more disturbing the more they didn't think about it. They knew somewhere in the back of their mind that their parents didn't care for them as much as they should have, to the point it probably qualified as neglect. But they couldn't exactly blame them at the same time— they Knew How their powers worked, partially, anyway. They tended to fade into the background, to be forgotten about. There wasn't much normal people could do in the face of paranormal abilities forcing them to forget their child. It was because of the powers, They told themself silently. Really, it was my fault. \n\n\"Why are you here?\" They asked, somewhat hesitantly. Again, they Thought (re: Hoped) Gabe wasn't the type to commit a violent crime. Still, it wasn't exactly something you could tell by looking at someone." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"They sent you here? Your parents Narc'd you out?\"\n\nAn incredulous, dumfounded look. Gabe remembered the night he had told his father and his sister the news so vividly— it was a moment that had been replaying itself in his mind since he'd left the airport. Blanche had been watching something on YouTube, and his father was on the phone with another insurance dispute when the sharply-dressed man had knocked on the door, with Gabe in tow.\n\nHe didn't remember the conversation they had. He did, however, remember the look on their face when they were told he would be gone, potentially for years. How tightly they embraced him, clinging onto him out of desperation, as if their grip around his waist could somehow prevent another family member being taken from their clutches. The tears streaming down both of their faces, wetting Gabe's shoulder with salt.\n\nBefore he was taken, Gabe had told the two he'd be back soon, and not to worry. It was the one time he had lied to them, but such a sin was alright, in his book. Anything to prevent their sad, broken expression from making another appearance.\n\nAnd those fuckers did it willingly. A cloud of anger shadowed his face, and it took multiple, deep breaths in order to quell whatever indigenous fury had temporarily taken hold. \n\nIn contrast, Gabe's story seemed... Almost juvenile. \n\n\"Eh, I used my powers to help me with some audition. Got caught pretty easily, and while I didn't Technically Get charged with anything, the government said they wouldn't put it on my record if I went willingly, so I did.\"\n\nIn truth, he didn't enjoy thinking about what he had done. It was an act he deeply regretted, one where his pathetic justifications couldn't clear away the deep shame that permeated into his bones. How could he do such a thing, It whispered. You sabotaged people— how could you? What would God think of what you'd done?\n\n.\n\nThe cross necklace that laid under Gabe's shirt seemed to burn against his skin. He coughed loudly, steering his thoughts away from the doubt that lingered in his mind. God, he missed being able to lie. Being around Matti was... Uncomfortable, vulnerable in all the worst ways.\n\n\"I'm getting out of here as soon as I can. I have Things Waiting for me home. It's bullshit that I have to be here, and I'm either going to convince the staff to send me back early by being a model inmate, or I'm going to get something Actually useful While I'm stuck in Sweden.\"\n\nIt was spoken with a snarl, the frustration at this whole Mess Of a situation shining through by crossing of Gabe's muscular arms over his chest and the irritated, impatient drumming of his fingers against his forearm. \n\nLighten up, The voice in his head told him. You're letting Matti get to you. \n\nA moment's pause, and Gabe let his arms fall to his side, bottling the momentary flair-up of emotion down inside of him and corking it with a smile directed at the kid in front of him." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti hadn't ever considered it that way- Narc'd you out, Gabe had said and something about that sentence felt hysterically funny. Narc'd them out? As far as their parents were concerned, they were probably just taking the first easy, legal way to get Matti out of their lives forever. Taking out the trash. Inside them, something roiled. But the wound named Charlie and Alana Gates had been inflicted many, many years ago, and they had long since come to terms with its existence. Outwardly, Matti shrugged. \n\n\"It's not a huge deal. They've done worse then foist me onto the government— honestly, I'm mostly surprise they trusted me enough to not get them arrested the second they... I don't know. Disowned me? I might be emancipated, technically.\"\n\nNo, the Gates' were not a loss they would ever mourn. They had powers, proof something out in the incomprehensible expanse of the universe had cared enough to give them a mission and tools to survive. As far as Mattias was concerned (as far as what they told themself in repeated whispers, when things had gotten to be nearly too much back in Washington), their parents affection was a necessary sacrifice in the pursuit of better things. Power always came at a cost. And sometimes, that cost could be difficult to bear. But it was always equivalent— they just had to remember that.\n\nIt was difficult, though, watching Gabe get angry, watching him clearly mourn over the life he had back at home. As he snapped about what he'd left behind, the clearly Very important Things waiting for him, a small part of Matti went very still, and very cold.\n\nThey had Newton's Cradle. An escape from accusing, horrified stares, and quiet, empty houses, and screaming, hellish sounds drilling into their brain. They had, maybe, friends now. Allies, at the very least. What would happen when it was all over? When Margo went back to her siblings and Gabe fucked off to wherever he'd come from? \n\nThey knew, because it was everything that had ever happened to them before. They'd stay. They'd be forgotten. And then, they'd be alone. \n\nThey returned Gabe's smile with a small one of their own, and for a moment, it felt like lying." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Don't feel bad for them, don't feel bad for them, don't feel bad for them...\n\nChrist. Gabe could feel the anger in his chest flaring up once again as Matti begin to elaborate on their parent's unwillingness to take care of them. It was an emotion that surprised Gabe, considering how Matti only recently graduated from 'weird kid needed to be avoided' to 'ally, I guess'. Really, being affected by Matti's words would be uncharacteristic, and most likely deemed foolish by some, including Gabe himself.\n\nGod. I can't believe someone whines about their shitty family for a couple of sentences and it works on me.\n\nGabe felt himself wilt as his resolved crumbled. His driving force, at the end of the day, was his family. When Gabe thought about giving up, or faltered in what had to be done, his thoughts always ended up drifting off to how they would react. How the money would help Blanche's education. How it could help his father afford to take days off, and not overwork himself to an early grave. How his mother...\n\nHe winced. To not even have that, nor any friends from what he had gathered about Matti's social skills... It was a saddening thought, one that struck a chord within him. \n\n\"Look,\" Gabe reached into his pocket, procuring a sleek iPhone. \"Just... Put your contact in here, yeah? So I can talk to you. Besides the intranet, of course. You know, just in case.\" \n\nI'm suuuuch a bitch. My lord." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "It felt childish—being excited to exchange phone numbers— but nonetheless Matti smiled slightly then bit down on the corner of their lip to suppress it. They grabbed Gabe's phone and pulled up their own banged up secondhand beside it so they could see what their phone number was. They thought about giving him their phone, so that Gabe could put His Number in, but the idea of Gabe seeing the completely barren contact list (aside from, saved, animal control, poison control, and another half dozen hotlines) made them fidget and tuck the device back into their bag. And-\n\n\"You can text me. So that I know I put it in right, and so I'll know your phone number,\" And so someone will have texted me. Their words were clumsy, and they realized with the awkward, almost instinctual pull they felt back to their dorm that their mental and physical exhaustion was finally catching up. \n\nWhat did you say when over the course of a conversation, you had Looked into their vary nature, argued with them about lying, gone into— some kind of paranomal fit— agreed to be allies, and then Exchanged phone numbers? Matti nodded quickly in acknowledgement. \"Thank you. I might see you soon.\" \n\nWith parting words they knew probably weren't quite right, they sped back up to their dorm, stopping to fill their water bottle. Theirs eyes stung, and they had too many things to think about.\n\nGod. I'm never talking to anyone ever again." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Moments after Matti gets to their dorm, their phone buzzes. There's no introduction, or name spoken in the message, but it's obvious who it's from. \n\nA little blip. The message is an asinine meme, one that Matti probably didn't understand, but it was the thought that counted." } ]	427	10,017
111.6	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Charlotte Lawry", "message": "It was one of Charlie's favorite things, the winter season. She did not hide from the cool weather, she enjoyed it. Bundled up in a emerald colored puffy coat, some leggings, a matching set with a hat and gloves, and of course some boots, Charlie found herself sitting outside, with soft music playing from her phone as she just crossed her legs, and took in the beauty of the weather and the campus." }, { "author": "Vizhkir Dragovich", "message": "Vizhkir was at home in the cold. A smile was plastered on his face as he watched the white puff from his breath fill the space in front of him. He always thought that was cool to watch, and he would purposely blow from his mouth just to watch the cloud. \n\nHe was dressed in his plain leather jacket, an item that was once his father's. He heard music as he walked, looking around with his eyebrow cocked up in an inquisitive look." }, { "author": "Charlotte Lawry", "message": "Setting her phone down on the short brick wall where she sat, Charlie stood up and brushed off any snow stuck to her pants. \n\nShe couldn't help herself, even she was caught up in the music, even beginning to slowly dance to it. It was obvious, even from the small movements she was doing, that this girl was a well trained dancer. She wasn't fully dancing, only just allowing her body to move in whatever ways seemed most natural for the soft classical violinist music, taking her focus completely off of the environment as she even began to hum along." }, { "author": "Vizhkir Dragovich", "message": "Vizhkir continued along his walk, still looking for the source of the music. He found himself whistling along with the tune. \n\nHe looked down at the ground, watching the sun glint off of the soft snow. The trees were barren of their leaves, minus of course Conifers whose green needles were dusted with powdery snow. By now he had stopped whistling and walking, instead taking in his surroundings. He felt homesick, he missed his dad and his grandfather. He missed the Red Square with it's beautiful buildings. His eyes eventually found a girl dancing. Though he quickly averted his eyes not wanting to embarrass her or himself. He lit a cigarette, feeling the burn of hot smoke on his tounge as he looked at a particular tree." }, { "author": "Charlotte Lawry", "message": "The crunching of the snow behind her startled her, a quiet 'eep!' would leave her as she scrambled to turn the music off. Once it was off, she quickly pulled her hair behind her ears and cleared her throat, adjusting her loose glasses to face the person who'd approached. \n\nTurning to see him smoking a cigarette, she went back to sitting on the short brick wall. \"Hey.. I'm sorry if the music disturbed you or anything, sir.\"" } ]	100	558
327	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti ground another mint to dust between their molars as they stepped out into the courtyard, eager to get away from \"Their\" Dorm as soon as possible. Even with the duffels that they'd packed now sitting completely emptied underneath the bad, the room was still sparse, plain, and smelling faintly of dust, and being inside it for too long made the hair on the back of their neck stand up. \n\nSlipping their earbuds in, they attempted to scan the large space for signs of other people. Their eyes soon fell into the familiar, automatic motion of searching as they hummed along to the instrumentals. When (unsurprisingly) no one stood out to them, a small voice in their mind gave a faux sigh. Oh well, we tried. Matti turned, ready to turn heel and run away to somewhere else, before they caught a flash of bright red hair in the corner of their vision. Colors were muted from underneath their sunglasses, mostly reduced to murky tints, but some colors, like this one, stood out all the same. Interesting. Or, at least, interesting enough for Matti to start moving over to introduce themselves, slipping through to stop a few feet shy of the stranger's space. \n\n\"Hello, I'm Mattias. I'm new.\" Their voice was flat, even as they cursed themself internally for the awkwardness." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "• Courtyard, 4pm.\n\n□ At this point, something totally unexpected had happened. Despite how viciously the pair had spat at each other and fought, Margo had finally forged an uneasy compromise with a certain Italian, and what she got out of that exchange was cigarettes, and it was cigarettes by the carton. Deep down she didn't know how to feel about the alliance, or truce, or whatever it could be called, but as she sat in the courtyard with a cup of tea and a gas station pre-made sandwich she was glad to have access to her old favoured vice again.\n\n• Little did she know, someone was watching her from a distance, watching her eat an egg salad sandwich and smoke a Marlboro. She only became aware when she heard a voice five feet away; she looked up.\n\n◆ \"Hey.\" She calmly replied. \"You just arrived? Poor bastard. Not really, but... It's a prison. The food sucks. Welcome to the Cradle.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti let themself grimace. The food had been the one tolerable thing at school back in the states— of course, they could cook fairly well, but having a good food source you didn't have to buy groceries for had saved them more than one hungry night. Hearing a quip about bad food was clearly another omen in a rapidly growing list, next to whatever (a mouse) was burrowing in through the building walls, hiding a small treasure trove of stolen crumbs, and the janitorial closet they had passed in the main facilities (one that they were adamant they would avoid at all costs, in the future). Prying their mind away from thinking and their eyes away from the (prohibited!) cigarette smoke, they attempted small talk instead. \n\n\"That's a shame. About the food, I mean.\"\n\nThey paused, waiting, then swung out their hand in greeting, letting it hover in the air. \"I should introduce myself formally. I'm Mattias Gates. Who are you?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"You'll get used to it.\" Margo shrugged, raising her fingers to her lips and lifting the cigarette from between them. \"And honestly it's not All Bad. Sometimes the cooks make this burrito thing with, erm... Okra and pork and other stuff, and they deep-fry the shit out of it. It's super good, actually. There's also a prisoner working the kitchen some days, and she's better than the actual paid chefs.\"\n\n□ Once again, it pained her to even show the slightest admiration for anything this so-far unnamed Italian prisoner had done, but at the same time she couldn't exactly lie and say that the food Margarita put out was terrible. Minus the deep-fried burrito that made a weekly appearance the cafeteria's offerings were generally somewhat flavourless and dry, so it was always a welcome sight to see meatballs that actually juiced, or puttanesca pasta that nearly singed one's nostrils into a state of non-existence. \n\n▪︎ Speaking of food, she took another bite of her sandwich, a crumb of mayo-coated egg dropping down to the ground below.\n\n◆ \"Gates? I'm sure Bill isn't happy you're here.\" She joked, dry as ever. It was almost her signature, dry jokes crooked out with a wiry grin and a chuckle undercurrent. \"But seriously, hey. Name's Margo, here for attempted murder. What got you sent here?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Mattias bit the inside of their mouth. In some ways a prisoner working in the kitchen made sense— after all, it seemed that most of the wards here weren't exactly model students. It wasn't necessarily the rule-breaking that drew their worry, though, more the fact that someone had been imprisoned. Matti had met criminals, had (indirectly) helped with some captures, and in the process learned to be very glad they shut up more often than they spoke. There were some secrets, they found, that could end up with them Disappearing. Of course, this likely wasn't something huge and horrific- at most, the prisoner had probably been picked up for something like breaking and entering. Still, they resolved to find out who Margo was referring to, and stay away. And with the rest of what she had said, it might have even been a joke— surely she hadn't actually tried to kill someone. \n\nYeah. It must have been. A joke.\n\nAfter waiting a few more moments, they let their outstretched hand fall lamely to their leg, hastily shoving a it into their pocket to mask their discomfort. The lack of contact was fine- they could always get the full name later, through normal, verbal means.\n\n\"They say it's because I skipped too much class-\" For a moment Matti tried to copy Margo's smirk before their face collapsed back into its neutral deadpan. \"-but it's probably because my parents don't want to deal with me.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, shitty parents? Felt that.\" Margo spoke, a vein of mild anger running through her voice. \"But, hey, the Cradle isn't the worst place to be. We're actually more or less free to do whatever the hell we want here, as long as it isn't directly harming someone else or drug-related. I know, rich coming from the dyke smoking a cigarette on prison grounds, but what are they going to do? Send me to prison?\"\n\n□ Smugly railing off the last words, she took another bite of her sandwich, the chilled egg and mayo filling splurting out with each chew. It was admittedly a light supper, but she was already planning on going to the cafeteria once she walked inside, and given how bland the food tended to be she had decided that going out of her way to get a decidedly low-quality product was preferable to a full meal from the prison staff. It also had occurred to her as she'd been out earlier that maybe she should learn to cook for herself, but a lifetime sucking on a silver spoon had left her noticeably inadequate at many of adult life's simplest tasks.\n\n▪︎ Cooking was only the beginning of it. She had a Lot To learn here.\n\n◆ \"I noticed something though just a moment ago, in your body language.\" Margo commented after a few moments of silence. \"It's not a joke. I attempted to beat my father to death. Hiram Abernathy, Wall Street's sixth richest man, and a very recent billionaire, now rotting away in a hospital bed. I'm sure every newspaper in America's got at least one story on the whole case right now; not every day a billionaire is left disfigured, blind, and brain damaged by their own kid, but the fucker deserved it. In case you're wondering, though, I'm not going to just randomly try to kill you. He had it coming for a long time, far as I'm concerned. You smoke?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Whatever Mattias thought about their own \"Shitty parents\", they suspected it didn't really hold a candle to what Margo was referencing. After all, Matti's feelings were more attributed to apathy. Their parents didn't care about them, and they didn't care about their parents. It was more of an acquaintanceship by chance, and honestly they hadn't had enough direct confrontations with the couple to say that they Really Hated them. On the other hand, there was tangible malice when Margo referenced her past. It was enough to spark Matti's curiosity, but not so much as the idea of being in a prison stomped it out. Trading one holding cell for another was, in essence, what they'd done. Net gain- 0.\n\nMatti went rigid at the mention of near-murder, then desperately tried to relax into what they called the Blur (the way sometimes people paid a little less attention, found their answers a little too easy to accept. Willing and ready to brush them off) and hide their nerves. Paranoia pulsed under their skin. They tried to open their Sight, just a little, to see whatever weapon Margo had stashed and was probably about to attack them with, only to slam it shut against the wave of Abughidinginthegrasssquirrelstoringfoodinthetreewhispersthenextblockover. They fumbled with their small side bag, throwing a mint between their teeth and relishing as it splintered into pieces. \n\nThere had been some air, that she had been hiding Something, in the few seconds that Matti could See, but— as they realized abruptly— not much. Margo had openly confessed what others might have called a dark secret (what others might have Concealed), had done it without expectation or twisting words. She had been, much to Matti's surprise. Honest. Sincere. \n\nMargo's question shocked them out of their revelation. \"No- no sorry, I don't smoke.\"\n\nThey paused.\n\n\"Do you want to be friends?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"More for me, then.\" She raised the cigarette to her lips again, nestling it to one side and lightly pinching it in. \"Anyways... That's Your question, man? Guess it's not like you wanna hear about my shitty past, man, but kinda feels like asking about friendship's an elementary thing.\"\n\n□ Now that she'd told her story once more, she was faced with a question: \"Do you want to be friends?\" The question hung in her skull like an air freshener, its scent uncertainty and mild horror, a strange mixture but one nonetheless. Rather than give any sorta answer upright she instead reached out for her tea, taking a sip out of a rather plain green metal Thermos and letting out a faint sigh afterwards. With the hot weather approaching and catching her off-guard she'd taken to cold drinks rather than hot, and if Matti were listening he might have been able to hear the soft clacking of ice as she lifted and set the vessel down.\n\n▪︎ Then again, clacking was sort of her signature noise, so it was only fitting.\n\n◆ \"Anyways, not to just pass over your question, but... It feels kinda clunky, man, to outright ask about friendship. That's sort of a thing that's already happened.\" She calmly spoke, the tail end of her sandwich pinched between her fingers like a wad of dough. \"Like, I told you in detail about what I did to my father, and you didn't immediately run. I think that counts for something. I don't wanna dwell on it, though, so. You in a single or a double?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"A single.\" Matti replied without hesitation, and if Margo had been able to see behind their dark shades she probably would have figured something out from the shine in their eyes- a brightness that wasn't quite supernatural, but more from genuine joy. Being called out for their poor interaction skills wasn't exactly what they had been hoping for, but all the while Margo hadn't been pressured into saying yes, or saying no, hadn't resorted to platitudes or social convention. She had been honest (and yes, they knew 'do you want to be friends' Was Clunky, and awkward, but they hadn't been able to think of anything else). \n\nMatti hesitantly brought out their notepad, scribbling down a score. Margo Abernathy. 2/2. Honest.\n\nPlus, the criticism didn't necessarily mean that Margo had rejected the offer— in fact, she had implied they had forged some sort of connection already. By virtue of... Matti staying? To listen? It didn't seem like an especially difficult or strange requirement for friendship\n\n\"Do people usually run? When you tell them about trying to kill your father, I mean.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Lucky bastard.\" Margo spoke, popping the last bite of her sandwich between her teeth and starting to chew. A few moments later she swallowed and looked back over at Matti. \"I didn't get a choice because of how violent my crime was. They, uh... They organized everything behind the scenes while I was sitting there with my lips stapled shut for the first four or so days I was in custody. I Wanted To make sure I got at least one more good meal before they sent me off to prison, but then I also missed out on being able to barter for a single, so now I've got a roommate. Oh well, Uri's pretty cool, and they don't mind feeding my kids when I'm out, so it's not All Bad.\"\n\n□ Shrugging, she raised the cigarette, now half-smoked, to her lips. Puffing lightly, there was a certain element of pleasure in it, even if realistically it was terrible for her health and terrible for her lungs in particular. Not like she cared, though; Live fast, die young Happened to be one of her mottos, albeit one she often forgot about when the topic of the future came up. Now faced with another question, she looked off into the distance and hummed for a brief moment.\n\n▪︎ It was just to regulate her thoughts; they were awfully discordant today.\n\n[CW: mentions of physical and verbal abuse, dysfunctional family]\n\n◆ \"Not really. Either they're shocked, too scared of me to run, or they think I'm an asshole and hate me. Whatever, man, I did what I did, and I did it for a damn good reason. You ask any of my siblings and they'll all tell you the same thing: our father was a neglectful, abusive bigot who only really cared about himself and his public image. \|\|He forced us to smile while we were out, and then he'd throw vases at us at home and scream into the wee hours of the morning if we didn't, or if we did anything except what he told us to do. I know I'm trauma dumping, but fuck, man, Hiram's awful, and I don't regret what I did at all. He isn't my father anymore, as far as I'm concerned.\"\|\|" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti was grateful, somewhat, for having a single dorm. They weren't sure they could handle the stress of living with another person, especially not with a Liar. A better person like Margo might have been alright, but from what they'd heard it was mostly randomized, and there was no guarantee they wouldn't be paired with someone who'd expect them to behave normally. \n\nThey raised their eyebrows in alarm as Margo talked about being put in custody- their surprise just barely hidden by their hair and glasses. \"Did they actually staple your lips shut? I'm fairly sure that's against the law... Or was that a joke.\" \n\nIt was probably a joke. But then again, that's what Mattias had thought about the attempted murder, so they couldn't be sure. Even though they didn't have the opportunity to talk much, the thought of that ability being restricted was unsettling. Their shoulders tensed, cold like someone was holding a freezing iron to the back of their neck. Matti shook the idea off and distracted themself wondering about Margo's \"Kids\"- pets, probably, she didn't seem nearly old enough to have a child, and if she'd really been convicted she likely wouldn't have had custody.\n\n\n\nHell. From Margo's story, he was certain her father wouldn't (shouldn't) have had custody of her either, if any investigating had been done. There... Had been days like that. \|\| When kids came to school and it seemed like only Matti's eyes could see bruises barely concealed by oversized t-shirts. Sometimes, they'd send a few texts to the police. If they thought it would help. It usually didn't. Then, sometimes the kids didn't come back. So Matti stopped. And buried the sick feeling somewhere deep in their mind, where they couldn't see it. \|\|\n\nWhen Margo spoke, she talked of \"We\" And \"Us\", and silently Matti wondered if she had siblings somewhere else on campus, or outside of it. It might have been nice, growing up with siblings. Maybe.\n\n\"I wouldn't have done what you did, but I don't necessarily think it's wrong.\" They offered the sincerest opinion they could, though they felt Margo wasn't exactly fishing for consolation." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Thanks.\" Margo spoke, though a bit distant and also laced with the thinly-veiled sort of anger that always came up when her father was mentioned. \"But if God was good he'd be dead.\"\n\n□ Rising to her feet, Margo made sure to scoop up her travel mug as she did so, hooking her fingers through the floppy green handle and clenching lightly on the filtered end of her cigarette. Now that she had food in her stomach she felt as if it was time to head back inside, maybe pester Uriel about some show she'd been watching, or maybe she'd be better off seeking out Amelie for a nice afternoon chat in whatever corner she'd poked herself. Whatever the case, Margo was about done talking for now, and she made it clear through motions rather than words.\n\n▪︎ At least, for a moment. Then she spoke.\n\n◆ \"I'm gonna go find someone to bug. Curfew's 10pm right now because of the angels out in that industrial dump, don't get caught out if you gotta go out past then.\" She looked back at Matti, offering up advice that came from a place of awareness beyond what most might have expected. \"And also, no, they didn't actually staple my lips shut. I'd have slashed their throats with my nails if they did that. I just wanted a Halal Guys chicken and rice platter before I got shipped off to juvie, and I kept my mouth shut until they bribed it open with food. They got their information, I got my food, everyone was happy. Well, aside from Hiram, but fuck him, he can choke. Catch you around.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti nodded a goodbye, feelings complicated and caught up in their stomach. Absentmindedly the scrawled \"Stapled mouth shut- not literal action\" In the corner of their hand notebook. Then below it, hesitantly— \"Angels? 'industrial dump'. Curfew 10 pm\". It wasn't their business. And it Definitely Wasn't going to be good to involve themself with. A gut feeling told them that whatever \"Angels\" Meant, it was at least as bad, if not worse, than whatever the school was hiding in the janitor's closet. And if there was a curfew, it was probably a danger to the students. 12. Exactly the kind of thing they should be avoiding at all costs. And yet.\n\nAnd yet.\n\n\"Goodbye.\" They called softly, mind whirring as they left the courtyard." } ]	312	4,251
373.857143	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "I CAN START\nGotta set the scene, AHem\n\nFfycffycffycffyc. Ffyc.\n\nOwen's hands jittered as he ran frantically around his room looking for his key card and an extra layer. \n\nFFFFFFFFFFYYYC.\n\nMaybe he was even denser than he had thought, but the string of messages that still lit up his phone screen had come flying out of left field and clocked him in the jaw. It buzzed again while he wrangled on a dark green plaid flannel, nearly sending his stomach into his mouth. Calm, organs, pacify, chillax, we have to be there for someone-\nWhoops, that practically sent his intestines into his sinuses. No pressure, none at all, this will all be FINE.\n\nWorn Blundstones hit the ground with heavy Thuds As the coppery flash bounded down the halls and stairs, skidding to a halt in the kitchen. \n\nDid he have the time for a harebrained decision?\nWell, he certainly didn't have the time to dally on it.\n\nScrambling to grab two plastic cups and his carton of his favourite cranberry juice, Owen resumed his mad dash outside. 12°C and partially cloudy- just enough chill to bite at his nose, but warm enough that his body complained about the extra layer. Never mind that. Slamming the juice and juice receptacles onto a picnic table, Owen turned to face the entrance to the courtyard. \n\nWhy did he always have to bring people in crises Here?\n\n...Something about the trees. Standing on one of the benches and clicking his favourite pen at speeds that must have been high enough to toast a marshmallow, Owen waited in disbelief to receive his friend and their stomach-searing dilemma." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley wouldn't call it a Crisis, per se. Just a fair bit of pure unadulturated panic, coupled with a gripping fear of destroying one of the most meaningful friendships they'd had to date. \n\nSo when they walked down to the courtyard, they tried to take a Deep Breath and settle the way that their knees shook worse than their hands. Realizing you had a crush never got any easier than the rudimentary experience it was in middle or even high school. Even at a magical boarding prison, Finley still had time to fall for troublesome boys with anger behind their eyes and mischief in their hands. How rude of them, really. \n\n\"Owen?\" They called, as they stepped outside. \"I'm so sorry for panicking, really, chap, you'll have to forgive me - I just - this never gets any easier, and I'm just very worried about the whole thing, because, I don't want to ruin my friendship with him, and- Good heavens, you don't even know who I'm talking about, do you?\"\n\nThey sat down on the bench beside Owen and rubbed their forehead, taking a deep breath and catching sight of one of their best friends in the whole Cradle. \n\n\"Hello. I am sorry for my panic. Let me reorient myself. How are you?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"I! I am.. Bloody hell, Finley, that is not why we're out here!!\" \n\nAn incredulous giggle punctuated his exclamation, equal parts nerves and sheer disbelief at Fin's attempt to turn the conversation to Him. Were they trying to make the both of them combust?!\n\nHe plopped down from his feet to his butt on the bench, where his leg started bouncing wildly. Though he was flattered and flabbergasted that he was trusted with this, it scared him shitless- so many things could spawn from what he said here, and he only hoped that if he couldn't be a help, he could be a comfort. \n\n\"Who, what, when, why, what again, and coc y gath, Slow down.\"\n\nHe slammed a cup of cranberry juice down in front of them. Nothing like cold juice down the gullet to chill one's thoughts a little. Still, his eyes burned with a radiating intensity as they peered at the blond from over the rim of his own cup." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley burst into a nervous sort of laughter, taking the juice from him with a laugh. They gave it a sip, and set it down, laying their head on Owen's leg and letting out a loud sigh. Their Docs hung over the side of the bench, clacking against the dirt. Owen, as always, was warm and solid, and his presence was grounding, so they could finally pull in a deep breath through their nose, muttering something in French about their own madness.\n\n\"I tend to get panicked,\" They apologized, looking up at him. The late-spring weather was almost balmy, a breeze settling over them. \"But - Owen, it's Ares. I think I'm attached to him, and I shouldn't be. I'm so scared of running him off. If I admit anything, or even show it, he'll leave, and I think that would hurt most of all.\"\n\n\"It happened hardly a week ago, really, and it only hit me just now. I went to get dinner with him - it's something we do frequently, you know - and he was telling some long winded story, and I just looked at him for a while and couldn't understand the bubbling feeling in my chest. It was something of a catastrophe, internally, but at least he didn't pick up on it. I don't know what I'd do if he found out about this.\"\n\nFinley rubbed their forehead again. \"He's just my type. It's horrible.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen squeaked a small \"Oh!\" When Finley plunked their head on his lap, a minuscule spark of fear shooting up his spine when he felt the staticky kick that came with it. Couldn't be helped- he was a little nervous around all things lightning, but the pleasant shock of such a platonically intimate move overtook that. He took another sip to mask the brief lunatic grin that spread across his face.\n\n\"Ares?!\" \n\nOwen blurted out their friend's name before he could put a second thought to it. \"Aw, Fin..\" A shaky but comforting coo, as a Number Of things suddenly made sense. He threaded a hand through their hair, lightly and tentatively at first, like Mama used to when he had a nightmare or ..Funnily enough, crush troubles. Callused, gentle fingers wound through spun wheat as his dear friend talked, his stomach plummeting along with theirs. \n\n\"Aye, that Is Horrible,\" He started. \"Well! 'Least he's dense!\" It was true. Ares was smart, he knew that, but it took dumb-as-bricks to know dumb-as-bricks. An old coil of some bottled-up emotion curled in his chest, leaking out of its cork as it detected itself in Fin. \n\n\"Hmm. In this state, doing anything about it would be..\" He trailed off. Fin knew it would be disastrous, that's why they were here. \"Maybe.. Time to think? Not think? Listen to sad love songs and eat so much popcorn that, I dunno, you mellow into a cool buttery state.\" A crooked smile at his terribleness. \"Breathe, love, the world's still turning.\"\n\nThat always worked when his mother said it. His accent shifted closer to hers, low and smooth, the vowels and sweetly stressing and his r sounds buzzing slightly; the voice of comfort, he hoped." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley leaned into the hand in their hair, closing their eyes with a great sigh. They had a French mama, not Welsh, but Owen's accent still brought some semblance of comfort along with it. For a moment, they were quiet, letting the words wash over them and a deep breath sigh out of their nose. \n\n\"Sorry about the static,\" They said, \"It's just a thing about my powers. Can't touch anything without shocking it. I hate plugging things in.\"\n\nThey looked up at Owen again, opening their soft blue eyes to stare at him. \n\n\"He's dense as a brick, is what he is. I can't tell if that makes me like him better or not. The whole thing's screwed. I should have known I'd find the biggest troublemaker and fall for him - it's just something I'd do - have done - and will do. My God, what am I supposed to do with all of this feeling? I guess it might be nice to eat popcorn, though. Amelie's got some absolutely rocked sweets. Have you tried them? You should.\"\n\nFinley let out a sneeze, which, unfortunately, would probably give Owen a little shock, just a baby one, but ashock nonetheless.\n\n\"Sorry - another thing with the static. I know you don't like lightning. And it doesn't help that he teases me at any chance he gets - what if I slip up, and admit something, or worse, show something? I'm going to have to grit my teeth so hard I'll be hauled to a dentist in a week, tops.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen put all his attention into following Finley's nervous rambling. He knew the feeling well- he could practically see the thoughts zipping around in their head, crashing into each other and shooting past their lips in any which order. All urgent, though, and received as well as he could process. \n\nYelping a little when they sneezed, the boy in the UFO Shirt twitched almost like he himself had sneezed. The shock didn't hurt, but his heart wasn't exactly jazzed about it. He was determined not to let it bother him for long, though.\n\nCome on, scaredy heart, this is Fin. We like Fin. They're not going to sear us onto a boardwalk like that last one.\n\n\"You can't help it, don't stress,\" Owen murmured, moving the offending loose lock of hair away from their face, tucking it behind his ear. Whoops. \n\nHis eyes darted around from anchor to anchor on their face as he smoothed the rest of his hair down, the static making odd strands stick up a little comically- not the first time, and he hoped not the last, if he was honest. Closeness was closeness, even if it messed with his mane.\n\n\"Then, I guess, you come clean, and then he'll remain your friend anyway because evidently you care for each other a lot,\" Owen reasoned matter-of-factly. \n\nHe would know- he had hung around them quite a bit lately, and seen their dynamic. Though he was all too aware of how overwhelming romantic feelings were, especially for friends, he was having trouble conjuring up the image of Ares' face twisting in the same disgust that others had, smiting Fin's heart off the mountainside and that being That. \n\nHe sincerely hoped he was right. \n\n\"If you wanna ruin your teeth in a more pleasant way, though, there's no dearth of sugar for the inhaling around here- you're right, Amelie's sweets are something beautiful.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Sweets it is,\" Finley decided. They looked up at Owen, studying the underside of his chin. He truly was one of the closest friends that they had at the school, and knew for a fact that they could trust. Not that, of course, they couldn't trust the rest of the Club - they were all a bond for a reason, even if they didn't have their official moniker yet - but they still had more faith in the ginger.\n\n\"I don't want to tell him, not yet. I just want to see if it goes away.\"\n\nAnd it was a reasonable assumption - many times, crushes would simply turn out to be infatuations, little flutters of the heart driven by appearances or a connection, and never anything serious. With luck, this little storybook-esque draw to a boy with trouble spelled into his every fiber would simply roll off Finley's back like a tidal wave - and not take them with it.\n\nAnd whether or not Owen, or anyone else believed that, was surely not up for discussion, Finley reasoned to themself, because it hadn't happened yet. Who knew. They could very well be over it by the next time they even saw Ares, boxing up the feelings, putting them on a shelf, occasionally looking back on it with a healthy dose of humor and amusement. When they were fifty, maybe, they could look back on photos from this time in their life and say, 'Wow, I can't believe I had a crush on him, And that would simply be that.\n\nOr, perhaps, Finley thought with a sigh, they were entirely and utterly screwed.\n\n\"I wonder how she makes them,\" They said, clearing their throat, \"Amelie, I mean. It was nice that Uriel came, as well.\"\nTheir eyes sparkled.\n\"How Is Uriel anyway, Owen?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Uriel's fascinated with their roommate's new snake- I've seen it, he's adorable,\" Owen beamed, happy as ever to think about his sleepy yet tremendously loving friend. His hand tapped out a happy rhythm on the table.\n\n\"They're still tearing me into miserable ribbons with the Monty Python Quotes, but my, they have a talent. Beware of Uri, more brutal than they seem!\" His laughter was a crackling, giddy sound, easily summoned but sincere nonetheless. \n\nHe was making friends! Real, human friends close to his age, who he could share snacks with and cuddle up to and know things about. There was a time when he never thought he'd see the day, but here he was, playing with a dear one's hair and gushing about another. His feet tapped away on the ground beneath him, and a warmth both physical and otherwise radiated from his chest.\n\n\"Really, though. We're kids. Dumb ones. I'm sure we've both felt like we were dying of a pre-broken heart before and turned out all right, ah?\"\n\nHe really ought to take his own advice, he thought to himself. So much energy, wasted on scripting and directing catastrophes, only to re-realize his above statement afterward in a crater of blankets and junk food. Pff. He was a silly boy, saying silly things to his silly friend; what incomparable joy." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Uri, then?\" Finley asked, amusment in their tone. They tilted their head a bit to watch Owen's mannerisms as he talked about Uriel. They clearly meant so much to him - it made Finley smile to look at it. They reached up and twisted some of Owen's hair around their finger, very gently.\n\n\"You're so sweet on them,\" They said, \"I can see it. Don't tell me you should be taking your own advice here, Owes.\"\n\nThe courtyard and Owen's warm presence had settled Finley's anxiety to settle into beautiful monarch butterflies to flutter around and away, off in the background.\n\n\"I forget we are kids, sometimes. It's easy to forget your youth when everyone around you has as well, don't you think? I mean, look at us - we're in prison, almost quite literally. At least it's not miserable - not really. I know it's strange, but I think I am content here more than I was at home, or perhaps just towards the end. I miss Nadia, sure, but, not much else, apart from my mother, and my cat.\"\n\nAh, yes. What else did Finley have waiting back at home? They were unable to dance again, and even if they were, they never wanted to go back to the company - and see Victor's face? Ha. They'd Burned down The theatre that was kind enough to let them do work at school - burned down a Portion Of their high school. When they got back, they would surely have to find a new school, or just get some sort of GED, anyway. Newton's Cradle was, for now, perhaps the best option." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"GaaaaAaaaahhhh..\"\n\nMuch to his hopeless chagrin, Owen felt his face turn hot. Really, Uriel just.. They just made him really happy. That was all there needed to be to it.\n\n\"Youuuuu... By that metric, I'm 'sweet' on a lot of things,\" He squeaked, playfully batting a hand over their face. Psshhh. Play with his hair and call him nicknames and make him grin ear-to-ear, will you? At the price of your eyes, sparky blond within swiping distance. \n\nHis goofy expression turned more thoughtful at Finley's musings on their bittersweet situation. A part of him, bigger than he would like to admit, agreed with them, though it was an uncomfortable pill to swallow.\n\n\"Yeah.. I miss home, and how simple everything used to be, but. Shit, this is the most fulfilled I've felt in ages, if also, uh, the most terrified and uncomfortable,\" He tentatively affirmed. \"I miss my mams. And my dog. And the route I took to school in the morning, and how it drizzled this time of year, but..\" He tilted his head as the end of his sentence trailed off, as though it weighted down his jaw. More than his jaw.\n\n\"Not going to lie to you mate, I was lonely.\" He had convinced himself that it was alright before, but even then he must have known he was lying through gritted teeth. \n\n\"It's like, I don't want to be that sad little kid anymore, but I miss him, you know?\"\n\nVoice wavering on that last word, the hand previously splayed over Fin's face now absentmindedly winding a flaxen lock around his fingers. His face was still curved down to theirs, but his eyes looked elsewhere; they saw different trees, different hands running through scruffy fur and rifling through boxes of records, covers and labels blurring together in his memory. His lip quivered a little. \n\n.\n\nThere was more on the tip of his tongue, more that twisted in his cheek and pushed behind his eyes, but nothing would articulate itself; all he could do was hope that Fin understood. They usually got it. So did he. The two of them were surprisingly similar- a comfort where he didn't think he would find one, that he had forgotten at some point that he needed. \n\nA heavy sigh, like a tired dog curled up at their feet, and another sip of juice. The world's still turning..." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"You have grown,\" Finley said, \"And you'll grow still. There's nothing to be feared with change, even if it is, of course, painful. You'll be alright, Owes. I know you will. One day, we can go back to Wales - Wales, isn't it? - together. I'll meet your moms, and your dog, and I'll get laughed at because I don't understand Welsh.\"\n\nA laugh pulled on their face. The thought was sweet, they, and Owen, going to see their families together. With luck, maybe the rest of the gang could come. Ares talked very fondly about Puerto Rico - after Finley got over this Dilemma, Maybe they could visit there, one day. Not necessarily to see him! Of course not. But if they just so happened to Run into Ares while they were there, then, all the merrier, right? They wouldn't be there because of him, but just to look around, and explore. Definitely. \n\n\"And in return, you're coming to France. Nadia will love you. You'll be another little brother to her to thump on the forehead, and make dinner for. I'm sure you know I can't cook by now. I burn everything I touch.\"\n\nOuch.\n\nAn image of a burning school flashed behind their eyes. It was the only fire in their life they hadn't meant to set. The smoke had become too much, too fast, all that burning rubber, all that choking blackness - the emergency lights had been like lighthouses, speckled at too sparse intervals along the ceiling. Finley, for all their powers, wasn't immune to the smoke, and crawled out of the door only to be swooped by a police officer, handcuffed, and thrown into the back of an ambulance to be looked over.\n\nThey blinked their own eyes, clearing their throat. No reason to cry over what had already happened.\n\n\"Come on now, mate. We're both about to cry right about now.\" Finley gently sat up, and put an arm around Owen's shoulders. \"Look at me. We'll both get home, and go see our families. I miss my sister more than anything - and you miss your moms, I know that - but we'll see them again. Who knows. Maybe we'll start a band, and get so filthy stinking rich we put Haoran to shame. I'll buy your moms a boat.\"\n\n\"You're not that sad little kid anymore. You've got tons of friends who care about you.\"\nThey pointedly poked him in the chest.\n\"And you're powerful - we all are, rather we wanted to be or not. And you're learning how to use that power - you should be proud of that! We're going to graduate, be totally in control of ourselves, and Mon dieu,Maybe I'll finally learn how to cook by the time we're out of here. Can you trust me on that?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "When Fin's arm wrapped around his broad, questionably-postured shoulders, Owen couldn't help but let his head flop into the crook of their shoulder. A goofy smile snuck across his face; didn't it know he was being all melancholy right now?\n\nPff. His moms would have too much fun with a boat. Mom would turn it into the most metal noise complaint of the seven seas, and Mama would probably dive for enough treasure to buy a second boat just for Lemmy. The thought of them made him homesick, but reminded him that they were still there for him, that one day he would be in their arms (and paws) again. \n\nAnd, gods, being in a band- that was the Dream, since he was old enough to have them. That Finley would want to do that with him, that it had the smallest hint of possibility- maybe there was a future for him to be found here. Notes picked out of the chaos formed their own lilting tune, one that he would play for the world one day.\n\n\"I don't know about that- didn't think it was Possible To burn a grilled cheese like that,\" He snickered. \"Blackened and mangled so brutally.. I would be concerned if I wasn't honestly impressed!\"\n\nA thoughtful beat as he turned their words around in his head.\nPowerful...\n\nA strong, flannel-clad arm clapped around his friend's back, resting over their shoulder. \n\n\"I'll take you to Wales. You'll get electrocuted in fifteen minutes with the rain and all but they'll be a Sick Fifteen minutes,\" Owen dreamed. \"I think you would love the shop. And my moms. My dog might eat you, but you wouldn't even mind- little bugger's cute enough to get away with mauling even Mr. Rask, I reckon.\" \n\nThe feeling of shaggy fur between his fingers and playful dog teeth mouthing at his nose came back to him for a moment; it faded too quickly, but he was glad for even a whisper. He hadn't forgotten. \n\nWith the hand not clutching Finley's shoulder, Owen swished the last mouthful of cranberry juice around. \n\n.\n\n\"To sad little boys and boy-adjacents with musical instruments who miss their mams and got sent to fantasy juvie for putting flaming holes in things who are gonna be filthy rich and decent cooks one day!\"\n\nGulp.\nSmooth. \n\nThe sad little boy in him wiped the salt off of his face and looked at the cherry petals pressed into the table; he's wanted around, loved even, and under this crisp sunlight and teen angst-scented breeze, he decided he would believe that." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"I'll bet you on it,\" Finley said. \"When we get out of here one day, I'll go with you to Wales, and I'll meet your dog. He sounds like a keeper, away. And I mean - I think I'm somewhat immune to lightning, anyway. It'd be a bit ridiculous if I wasn't.\"\n\nFin lifted their own cup of juice in the air.\n\n\"To us, my friend. To us, and a thousand futures that we'll have, and to our friends, who will be able to join us in those futures, one day.\"\n\nThey took a swig, and leaned against Owen's shoulder. They were able to breathe, now, here.\n\n—hehe done—" } ]	368	5,234
56.333333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Another day, another load to process.\n\n□ Stepping off of the public bus that ran from Isakstad's northern outskirts to the Cradle itself, Margo knew full well she looked and smelled exactly like the hicks she'd always found annoyance with back home. A burgundy raincoat lazily flowed down her torso, a necessary sacrifice given the rain that had passed over Lake Vanern in sporadic torrential downpours, and her knee-length rubber boots squeaked and squelched with every step. Clearly, she'd been fishing, and it wouldn't have taken a genius to pick up on that given the large cooler full of the day's catch and ice held up by curled conjoined digits and the trusty rod she had in twain in her other hand.\n\n▪︎ For once, she was relaxed, and in decent spirits. Hopefully that'd last, but hopes weren't high in her head, because now she had to process her catch.\n\n○ What a chore. She pulled up a bucket, unsheathed her fillet knife, and pulled a trout out of her cooler. She'd be here for a while... Good thing she had Alan Jackson playing and a cigarette betwixt cracked lips to keep her company." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "I was so excited for plants and gardening, you're so cruel to tease me" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "I forgot about that\n\nI'll redo it, my bad\n\nLike, actually. I'll do a different starter, apologies" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "If you want to do this one thats totally cool but I've no idea how fish work 💀" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Lmao fair, gonna just. Start a different thread" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "You're a blessing I'm sorry" } ]	18	338
209.357143	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[West Courtyard, 1:30pm...]\n\n◇ And with the changing of seasons came fishing season, a time Margo was totally prepared for.\n\n□ So prepared, in fact, that her fishing rod had just arrived from the family manor in Brooklyn, wrapped up all neat and sturdy presumably by ol' Reggie. She'd been called down to the mail room about twenty minutes prior, and now she was outside, seated on an empty bucket, her tacklebox sitting peacefully opened up at her feet and her rod shooting up from between her legs. Practiced hands deftly untangled the crow's nest that had wrapped itself into the reel, one thread at a time being tugged out in such a way that the nest was slowly becoming undone.\n\n▪︎ As it turned out, these nests took an awful long time to undo. Thankfully Margo had all the time in the world, and she had no other plans for today, so there she sat, on her bucket, a mug of earl grey next to her tacklebox and some Marty Robbins playing off of her phone. Today was a day of preparation, and she wasn't going to let the good weather go to waste." }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "Ukulele in a case on their back, Taffy leaves their room, groaning. She figures that it might do her some good to take a breather outside, considering her current state after the laxatives is very far from good. He makes his way out to the courtyard, head down. It's dressed in a large, black hoodie, with a picture of a duck on the front. Under it, the words 'you quack me up' are written in comic sans. They are also wearing dark grey skinny jeans, which show off their alarmingly skinny legs. Their hair has been unbraided and tied back into a low ponytail, and, as always, their eyebags are dark are prominent.\n\nUpon seeing Margo sitting in the courtyard, he stops and looks at her for a moment, before walking over to where they're a few metres away, but close enough to comfortably talk.\n\n\"Which one are you?\" They chuckle lightly, after pulling the hood up over their head in an attempt to somewhat hide their face. \"You like fishing, I guess?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Huh...?\" Looking up, it took her a moment to connect the words in her head. \"Oh. Hey. I'm Margo, I guess. Also, yeah, I like to fish during the warmer months; my rod just arrived from home, so I'm fixing it up. Nasty crow's nest tangled itself in the reel, so I gotta get that out before I do anything else.\"\n\n□ Surprisingly, as she spoke she never stayed her hands, continuing to unweave the mess of line that had tangled itself into the reel. It was years of familiarity, one shared father-daughter hobby that survived the rift between them tearing itself open, and it was just another one of her meditative hobbies. Of course, though, she still made a point of acknowledging the other person's presence, looking up and noting some of their features.\n\n▪︎ Purple hair, dark eyebags, a little case on their back... Maybe a wandering minstrel?\n\n◆ \"Anyways, erm... You? What's your name?\"" }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "For a moment, Taffy pauses, their breath catching slightly in their throat. They had spoken to Margo online, but weren't quite sure if they wanted to be open about who they were. After all, he certainly didn't trust anybody here, and while Margo's animals are cute, Margo herself seems almost like a risk to Taffy.\n\n\"You're the one with the cute pets, right?\" Xe asks, attempting to change the subject. \"They're adorable. Wish I had one. Don't know if I could handle the responsibility, though.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, yeah, that's me, and those are my sons.\" Margo chuckled, another loop passed through itself to untangle the nest a little more. \"They're honestly a fair bit of work, but I love them regardless. Maybe get yourself some guinea pigs or something, man... One of my sisters back home had a few, they're sweet little things. Contagiously vacant upstairs.\"\n\n□ Tug, tug... Pinch. She nearly had the majority of the mess undone, and now it was the final stretch. While she worked and let the silence fill the air surrounding them, though, she thought about Ginny's guinea pigs, how sweet and docile they had been, and how cute they were running free in the family home's backyard. Admittedly, if she hadn't fallen hopelessly in love with reptiles, she might have been the sort to own guinea pigs, but by now her heart had been won over by their scaly hides and endearing personalities, so the opportunity for a guinea pig arc had passed.\n\n▪︎ After a few good moments, she cleared her throat.\n\n◆ \"But, seriously, there's plenty of choice here. As long as it's smaller than, say, a medium-sized dog, and it's got a cage or whatever, you've got free reign, man. I even heard some chick in the cafeteria talking about how she has pet ferrets, so... Fuck, if you can keep those shit-stink noodles then the sky's the limit.\" She laughed, reaching our for her phone and putting on some Cash. \"Anyways, nice day, huh? What's in the case?\"" }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "They listen to what Margo's saying, standing there with their hands in the pockets of their hoodie. She looks as if she's genuinely intrigued, but that eventually fades by the time that Margo finishes talking.\n\n\"Little gay guitar,\" They chuckle, nodding back towards the case. \"It's one of my only comforts here. Actually, it's really my only comfort here. Pretty sure everyone already hates me, but you know, that's life I guess. Not my problem.\"\n\nAfter a moment, he realises what he just said, and the concern that it would give him away started to dawn on him. It shuffles its shoes slightly, looking down awkwardly." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"You... Did it to yourself.\" Margo replied, firm in tone yet walking lightly. \"You kinda Did Arrive and immediately start throwing fit after fit, insulting the staff, and constantly swinging at everyone in the chat. That anger's going to get you nowhere good, man... So take a breather. Life's not so bad here; aside from the occasional dorm search, this place is basically one big apartment complex. It Is Kinda weird that all sorts of countries have ties to this place, but... That's just another mystery for us to speculate over.\"\n\n□ Speaking with the sort of confidence that only came with time, she clearly understood how the other felt. When she'd first arrived it had been without handcuffs, but only begrudgingly and spurred on by the awareness that she was best off not thrashing against her binds. She'd nearly gutted Uri several times over the first week, and she'd been a hellish inmate, but with time she'd simmered down. It hadn't been long enough for her to forget those first uncertain, vulnerable days, though, and she hoped that maybe, just maybe, she could help this lad come to terms with their life in the Cradle.\n\n▪︎ At the very least, she figured it'd beat sulking in a constant firecracker state, ready to go off at the slightest provocation.\n\n◆ \"So, what got you sent here, man?\" She spoke after a few moments, pulling yet another loop out. \"Like, how did your parahumanity crop up and get you shipped out here? And before you snap at me, a lot of people here ain't guilty of shit. This place is more of... A government facility for us parahumans. Safer in here than out there, I think they'd say.\"" }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "\"Safer, sure, but there's no such thing as real freedom here. You can distract yourself all you want, but at the end of the day, you're being forced to stay here against your will. At least, I am, and I fucking hate it here.\"\n\nHe pauses for a moment, trying to calm down the anger seething through into his voice.\n\n\"It's really none of your business, anyway, why I'm in here. You won't believe me, anyway. Nobody fucking believes me when I tell them I'm ordinary, and it pisses me the fuck off. All you need to know is that I was blamed for something I didn't do.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Matter of perspective, I guess.\" Margo shrugged, nimble fingers doing their job as she spoke. \"If you see this place as a prison, then that's what it is, man. It's what you make of it, but... They aren't gonna just let you leave.\"\n\n□ With one final tug, the crow's nest came undone in a cascade, the entire knot finally undoing itself and letting its contents sprawl out messily along the reel. Now that she Finally Had that mess sorted out, she began to spool it properly, keeping a firm grip on the line as she slowly reeled it in with a focused stare. Of course, though, as she reeled she chewed on the words the other had spit out. Clearly, from what she heard, they felt wrongfully imprisoned, and like their freedom was more important than anything else, and this mindset wasn't entirely lost on her. Freedom was valuable, sure, but their claims of wrongful imprisonment seemed almost hollow.\n\n▪︎ How the hell would someone end up at the Cradle if there wasn't irrefutable evidence of parahuman activity at work?\n\n◆ \"That's a goddamn lie.\" She shook her head. \"Nobody ends up here for no reason. You aren't some special, unfortunate one-off; you've got magic in your blood, and it's why you're here. The sooner you just... Calm down and get used to it the easier your time here's gonna be. Be realistic, where the fuck would you go? You're in Sweden, The nearest English-speaking country is the UK, and that's still half a continent away.\"" }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "\"I've heard enough. You aren't helping like you seem to think you are,\" Ae spits, pulling down aer hood from over aer head. Ae reach up and pull the hair band from aer hair, letting it loose. It falls over her shoulders, and seems somewhat oily.\n\n\"I'm not parahuman. I'm not lying. I've been accused of lying far too many times and it's fucking painful to hear. I'm the only one who knows that I'm telling the truth, and everyone else is convinced I'm some big fucking joke. This place is quite literally a prison. There's no 'seeing it' differently. That is what this facility is. I figured you would know that much, at least.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yes you are.\" Margo responded in tow, firm yet nonchalant. \"And if all you're going to do is spew your gospel of self-pity and guilt dodging, then get going. I'm not out here to hear you bitching; grow the fuck up, one way or another you're gonna be here the next few years. It's like... Never mind.\"\n\n□ She'd tried patiently reasoning, or at least offering her own perspective of life at the Cradle, but it was all to no effect. This kid, whatever their name was, seemed hellbent on liberty or death, and she wasn't about to be fussed trying to completely change the kid's mind. So, rather than continue arguing she simply went back to her rod, spooling thread and humming along to the Waylon Jennings playing off of her phone, seemingly tuning the other kid out.\n\n▪︎ What a nice day." }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "\"I hope you fucking burn,\" They growl, the colour in their face draining slightly. They take a step forward, before leaning forward to speak closer to Margo.\n\nThe next words that leave his mouth have an almost echo-y sound to them, almost ghost-like.\n\n\"I hope that you burn here, Margo. I hope that your precious little home shows its true colours soon. Don't come crying to me when it all goes to shit. It will, eventually. That much I can guarantee.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Okay? You're going to be here when it goes to shit too, stop acting like - actually, just get the fuck out of my sight.\"\n\n□ With that, Margo dropped her head back down, focusing on the task at hand. She was done arguing with this doomsday preaching kid, and she was more or less at the point of tensions actually escalating into violence, and given her previous experience fighting another parahuman she decided that she wanted to avoid that if possible. Any illusions she'd held about her martial arts training holding weight here had been shattered when that first rubber punch broke her nose without any effort, and now she was very much aware of her relative vulnerability. Stretch had elasticity that didn't lose any of its oomph, Sanity or whatever his name was could apparently produce explosions from his hands, and Uri themself could have easily put anyone they chose into a genjutsu that would make even the most powerful of Uchiha members blush.\n\n▪︎ Needless to say, she was Outclassed, And maybe that was why she was picking peace instead of war.\n\n• She leaned down, grabbed her cup, and took a sip. Hopefully she'd be free to relax soon, once the thundercloud had passed." }, { "author": "gorbalicious", "message": "\"You know what? I hope I do get to see it all go to shit, because then I can rub it in all your disgustingly snotty faces. Burn in hell.\"\n\nWith that, Taffy quickly storms off, but not before flipping Margo off. He has an idea, and he's decided he's not going to let anybody get in his way." } ]	207	2,931
327.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel had been in the dorm kitchens when they saw.\n\nMaybe \"Saw\" Wasn't quite right.\n\nFennel had been in the dorm kitchens when they Saw.\n\nSomething was wrong. Terribly off and terribly wrong. The gardens were being subsumed by a violent static, something not of this world and barely in it, something not unlike what had been terrorizing Newton's Cradle for months and had knocked Fennel themselves into a coma.\n\nThe static was thrashing violently, mindlessly. Like an animal in pain. And it Was In pain, Fennel knew, somehow. Knew without knowing, with no way to be certain of it. They just Knew.\n\nFennel had been Seeing and Knowing a great many things recently.\n\nBefore they knew it, they found themselves pitying the poor thing. Armando, They recalled the students having named it. They weren't sure they liked the name. But they liked that it was being thought of as a person, of some kind. People might empathize that way.\n\nWhere were they? They snap themselves out of reminiscence.\n\nThey're in the garden. They can still see Armando, faintly. They have a tray in their hands with warm tea and fresh fruit. Their clothes aren't warm enough for the weather, they note, suppressing a shiver for fear that they might drop something off the tray.\n\nThe tea isn't for them, anyway. They'll probably be back inside soon.\n\nFennel wasn't expecting it — them? — to talk.\n\nThey took a startled step back when they heard the voice, croaking out their name, but it didn't take long for them to come to their senses. They were standing in front of a living thing, not a tornado. One that had been in their head. It perhaps shouldn't be surprising that... They could speak.\n\nFennel decided to think of Armando as a \"They\" For the time being.\n\nThey cautiously stepped forward, toward the surprisingly human features they could just barely see within the messy distortion. \"Mmhm,\" They nodded, \"That's me.\" They tried to gauge how close they could get without being put back in a coma or something. The distortion's shape was hard to parse, so they just decided to stay where they were.\n\nThey sat down in the grass, still slightly wet from a rain shower earlier in the day, and placed the tray of refreshments in front of them.\n\n\"I brought you some tea... If you drink tea. Fruit too, if you want some.\" The bowl of fruit wedges was obvious enough on its own, but the tea was still in the kettle. They let their face rest in a light, comfortable smile, and poured two cups - one for Armando, and one for them. \"What's your name?\"\n\n\"Basil!\" Fennel exclaimed. \"We're both named after herbs, then!\" They grinned widely. It took some grit to be friendly, considering what they were looking at, but they wanted to try. After all, Basil had said their name. They were a person, though an unusual and pained one.\n\nFennel took a step back, leaving the fruit and tea at a comfortable distance for Basil to take, and sat back down in the grass.\n\n\"I saw you from the window. Up there.\" Fennel pointed. \"You seemed upset. Hurt, maybe.\" It felt a bit weird to ask the giant static monster if something was wrong — clearly it was — so Fennel spent a moment finding another way to ask.\n\n\"Do you need help?\"\n\nCw// \|\|discussion of death/mercy-killing\|\|\n\n\|\|Fennel cupped their hands around their mug of warm tea, holding it as if it were the last source of warmth in the whole world. They looked down into the tea and took a long swig. It burned their tongue a little.\n\n\"You're frightening,\" They admitted. \"It's hard to forget you're dangerous, that if I get too close I might get hurt.\" They swallowed the clump in their throat, hoping dearly that Basil wouldn't get upset. \"But I'm not upset. Not At You, anyway. You don't want to hurt me, you just...\" They trailed off. Basil shouldn't need anything more to get the message, they thought.\n\nThey didn't hate Basil. In fact, they weren't upset at all. They'd lost a great deal, but they jumped in front of a bullet. It would be ridiculous of them to expect not to be hit. Yet even still, assigning Basil no blame at all was wrong too. Basil was lashing out, and continued to do so even after knocking Fennel into a coma. Fennel didn't want that to last. \n\n\"You're hurting. You lash out. That's normal, Basil, it means you're alive. I don't hold a grudge for it — I can't — but...\" Tough love, Fennel told themselves. They hoped it would work. \"...You know you can't keep lashing out like this. I'll help if you let me, but I need to know how.\"\n\nThey thought about seeing Amelie for the first time after they woke. They thought about the Amelie they remembered from their comatose dreams. She had been a pile of flesh, alive by nothing more than force of will, in pain Fennel had no words for. But she had been alive, and she had Fennel to thank for that, and Fennel had wondered, occasionally, if perhaps letting her die would have been a better decision. They sipped their tea to occupy themselves with the warmth.\n\n\"I can't save any more people.\"\|\|" }, { "author": "archived_account145B", "message": "The words seemed to resonate into the void, echoing just slightly into the vastness as it shifted around. The well meaning words of the person they know they'd hurt – Is this feeling familiar, Basil?\n\n\"I don't know if I can, either,\" He finally admitted. \"We are similar, though – the two of us, not, me and Levvy. We're both emotional people, powers wise. Right? I didn't see that one wrong?\"\n\nNot that it was easy to see in there. \n\n\"What are your powers like, Fennel?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel paused. Talking about their powers felt difficult. They didn't know if they'd ever done it much, and their memory of actually using them was... Spotty, at best. But they nodded.\n\n\"I get into people's heads. Make them see and feel and believe things.\" That was the most straightforward way of putting it. They didn't like talking about 'hallucinations' or 'delusions' or 'emotional manipulation' — it made their powers too abstract, too clinical. What they had read in their file suggested to them that being clinical about their powers would diminish the damage they had caused.\n\n\"I've hurt a lot of people with them.\" Their tone was flat, like they were just stating a fact. They couldn't feel remorse for it without remembering it. \"But I don't want to hurt people, so I don't, anymore. I hope.\"" }, { "author": "archived_account145B", "message": "\"I get that,\" They said. The void itself seemed to take a seat, dangling his feet over the chair and staring out at Fennel. Static climbed over the floor, lurching out as Basil's claw-like hands reached out and pulled it back, tangible.\n\n\"I have too.\"\n\nHis voice wasn't flat, like Fennel's, but wobbly, perhaps through the nature of the thing, or, just with something else. A fidget muttered through his hands, tapping what almost looked like crossed legs, sitting right on the floor in front of them.\n\n\"Mine are-... They're about making my emotions, um. Real, in a way. I can make them into these projections. Like, um. My happiness is, you know, pink. My anger is gold.\"\n\nBasil took a deep breath, one that rattled the frame of the void.\n\n\"How bright they are depends on how much I feel them. Does that make sense?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Basil said they'd hurt people. Fennel knew. Maybe.\n\nDid Fennel know? The more they talked, the less they seemed to know. It elicited some one-of-a-kind mix of morbid curiosity and genuine concern. They were cold, sitting in the grass, but willing to endure the discomfort.\n\nWhat Did Happen to Basil? And what happened to Fennel? \n\nFennel took a deep breath when Basil did, unconsciously mirroring whatever passed for their body language. It took a moment for the realization to hit. \"You breathe,\" Fennel half-whispered, shocked. Basil had seemed so... Ephemeral. Unreal. Connected to reality by the barest thread, existing as a vague manifestation of static and an aura of doom. But they breathed. They ate fruit and they drank tea. They were alive — perhaps even alive enough that there would be a person to save underneath all the static.\n\nFennel interrupted their own shock to engage with the conversation again. \"Yeah,\" They affirmed, \"That makes sense.\" They frowned a little, and gestured to the static. \"So is that what... That is? Your emotions? \"" }, { "author": "archived_account145B", "message": "\"I do,\" Basil said. They reached out towards Fennel, extending a hand and letting their claws drag across the air. For a moment, they flickered, and the claw was only a hand - the hand of a boy, locked away to rot.\n\n\"I like to think I'm still a bit human. Somewhere, in here.\"\n\nSomething about Fennel's surprise was humbling, almost. Many of the students did not perceive Basil nor Levi as human - though, understandably so, what rational human would? - but the formation of his name on the lips of a real, breathing human, even Levi's, helped. It pulled the demonstratives of their personalities forward from the base instincts that had kept the two of them alive for so long.\n\nA thief will always steal, Basil thought, slowly lifting another piece of fruit into the static. He was particularly fond of honeydew melons, he remembered - little things like that came back from time to time. Levi was allergic to pecans. Basil liked a dark, foresty green. That sort of thing.\n\n\"...Yes, and also, no,\" He finally said. \"The static, here - that's all Levi's power. But my, um. My powers, and, um, someone else's, they've sort of, perpetuated it, in a way. It's this terrible web neither of us can climb out of.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"When I came out here,\" Fennel admitted tentatively, \"I was expecting... I was expecting something else, I guess. A presence, a force of nature, that I might be able to calm or soothe somehow. But you're a wounded person— you're wounded People— and that's...\"\n\nIt's not so different. People are animals at heart, lashing out when they're in pain and living and loving just the same. But it's not quite the same. A wounded animal, you can offer gentle comfort. A wounded Person...\n\n\"You're hurting. And you're... You're human enough to talk to me about it. You eat and drink and breathe and you lash out because you're in pain.\" They paused and closed their eyes. \"And you feel guilty for hurting me.\" They opened their eyes again, pointing them straight into the static, squarely at the exact point where Basil's eyes are supposed to be. Their gaze, rarely for them, was piercing.\n\n\"Keep thinking you're human, Basil, because you're right. Keep talking. Tell anyone who will listen everything you know. Sooner or later, someone's going to be able to help you, Basil. It might even be me, and if it is, I'll be happy to help.\"\n\nFennel grabbed the tray, stood up, and took a deep breath. \"People are listening already. It's up to you to talk. I need to go back inside now, but... I hope you figure things out. And if you need me, I'll be there. It's alivebeing on the intranet, if you didn't know already. Don't be a stranger.\"\n\nTheir tone was serious, but they were smiling. They had an air about them of a parent trying their very hardest to help a troubled child, to smile through the worst of times for the sake of encouraging someone more important than themselves. They didn't even know if they'd be willing, should it come to it, to risk going back into a coma for Basil's sake, but they wanted to help. Somehow.\n\nSomehow." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "The heaviness cleared up, some, in the air. A little blue bird materialized from the static, tweeting a high, upbeat melody, coming up to rest on Basil's shoulder. They looked down at it, and there, a little smile formed on the ruddy silhouette of a face.\n\n\"This is hope,\" He said. His voice was almost as light as Levi's could be. He held out a hand, and the little bird fluttered onto it, it's feathers shuffling around it's round form. The bird pleasantly butted it's head into Basil's odd, spindly fingers. \"I haven't seen her in a while.\"\n\nNo, mostly, it was anger, looming over their shoulder, golden eyes boring into the inhabitation of this horrific monstrosity they'd become, snarling, claws ripping through the veil and lashing out at the people inside and outside. Frustration, anger, rage, spite - they all contributed to the thing, and whispered more into Basil's ear. \n\nNo, Basil hadn't seen their hope in a while.\n\n\"Thank you, though.\" Their voice reverberated through the static, almost echoing. A rumbling, like a clearing of the throat. \"We can have real tea someday.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Yes,\" Fennel agreed, \"Let's hope.\"\n\nAs they walked back inside, they quietly reached into whatever part of Basil their powers could grasp, and tempered their anger just a little.\n\nBasil deserved the comfort." } ]	250	2,949
224.444444	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"But, yeah, like I was sayin', hun... Onions are easier to dice if you keep the golden ratio in mind! Like... I was watching a video from J Kenji Lopez-Alt, and he said it's, uh...\" Audrey's voice dulcetiously flowed off her tongue as she grasped an onion firmly and chopped it in half, thankfully sparing her vine-wrapped skin the trespass of a bloody nick. \"The one-point-six ratio, I think? I think!\"\n\n□ And, as if to demonstrate her point, she began to eye the onion down from the side, tip of her tongue poking out of the corner of her lips as she focused. She had a point to prove, and though she usually didn't care for proving herself right – thanks in no small part to her self-sacrificing tendencies – she felt obliged to show Gabe this revolutionary method for dicing onions. So, she began to slice in, from the side, then from the top. She aimed each strike with intention, and a gaze focused on a point somewhere beyond the cutting board, and to her own dull surprise it worked out beautifully.\n\n▪︎ A surprised giggle left her throat.\n\n◆ \"Oh my gosh, it actually worked! I mean.\" An abrupt snicker ruptured through the tiny gaps in her teeth. \"Kenji is a good guy, but like... I didn't think it'd be This Easy! Anyways, here ya go, hun.\"\n\n• Now, what oh what were they cooking?" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe scooped up the onions from the aforementioned cutting board, deftly adding them into the simmering mix roasting in the pan. \n\n\"Wow, that— that's pretty well done. I've been cooking for a while, but I've never heard of That Before.\" He wipes an onion-caused tear from his eye, and drizzles some oils and spices into the pan. \n\n\"Hey, d'ya like it spicy?\" He asks, dangling a red-hot mix of pepper over the cooking concoction. \"I can always make it hotter, but I can't take away spice, so choose wisely.\" Gabe's voice is low, yet the sing-song nature and teasing smile made the Genuine Enjoyment shine through his eyes. \n\nAudrey was nice. This was nice. He let out a laugh, his Kiss the Cook Apron swaying with the movement." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He was wandering, and found himself pointing walking towards the kitchen. He's hungry. However, it is extremely obvious someone else is in there.\n\nHe pauses outside the entrance to the kitchen, a little out of sight, listening. Making sure the \"Coast is clear\", whatever the hell that means. It then becomes extremely obvious he doesn't recognize either voice. He really shouldn't be Surprised By that fact, but here we are.\n\nThey're having fun in there... And he feels like a creep. He inhales, about to turn and leave the area. Now would be a great time for someone else to show up!!" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio was Starving. Not in the \"Lost in the middle of the woods wishing he stayed at the scouts\" Level. More of the \"It's already getting around dinner and I forgot to eat for every other mealtime today,\" Level of starving.\n\nMoreover whatever was being made in the kitchen was Not Helping. The rippling of the pan in the distance and the aroma that whatever the earliest kid in there was making made Sergio's stomach groan in discontent towards the boy's eating habits. He looks down, trying to reassure the organ. Maybe he'll make a second bowl of cereal today.\n\nAs he takes the final corner towards the kitchen, he pauses. What's with the person just trying to look inconspicuous as they peek out into the kitchen? He strides up to the one who watches in contemplation, watching them in curiosity as they determine their next exit route.\n\nIt'd be pretty funny to ruin this introvert's ability to run. \nIf it was on purpose.\n\n\"Are you also here to find out what's being made there?\" He pipes up, now in a good talking distance to Mamoru, giving a small smile." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Not too spicy, please.\" Audrey anxiously enunciated, as if she were expecting to be lambasted or ridiculed for her lackluster spice tolerance. \"I don't mind heat, but gee, don't blow my face off, alright?\"\n\n□ Laughing softly, she kept her eyes fixed on the hot peppers dangling over the stew pot. One pepper would have likely been enough for her, but the thing about Gabe was that he was a New Orleans native, and if she knew anything about the south it was that they liked their food spicy, for whatever reason. Perhaps she was wrong to assume that, but she hadn't been corrected. So, rather than shy away from the peppers she gingerly picked one and chopped it up to sauté with the onions and garlic and whatnot.\n\n▪︎ Then, she overheard a murmur.\n\n◆ \"Oh, hiya, you two!\" Audrey beamed towards the doorway, her porcelain teeth contrasting beautifully against her sun-kissed skin and its thickets of vines. \"What's up? Just scent shopping?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe's eyes widened at Audrey gently plucking a pepper from its stem, letting out a small whistle at her bravery. The oil sizzled as it dropped into the pan, making a loud popping noise.\n\n\"You know those are California Reapers, right?\" Mock shock blossomed on his face, his jaw hanging open in a perfectly-acted stupor. \n\nHe'd done this routine with his sister often— whether or not it was letting out a dramatic gasp when she'd poke him with a plastic knife, or pretending to be in shock when she'd play dress up with her assortment of princess gowns. Gabe enjoyed the spotlight, yes, but there was nothing more fun than letting other people feel as if they were part of the show. \n\n\"...Kidding. But I almost had ya goin', didn't I?\" He winked, before turning towards Audrey's gaze. \n\n...Oh, look, two other people. I kinda wanted to be alone with her... A small, sullen voice in his head sighed, the disappointment immediately disappearing in favor of a wide and cheery grin. \n\n\"Come on over! There's enough for you, if you'd like ta' taste.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Oh Good So much for his plan to leave. \"I- yeah? I don't-\" He's a bit panicked for a second, before Audrey notices them. Ughhhh..\n\nHe's nervous, to be honest. He doesn't have the best streak with people here. They.. Tend to not like him. Because they catch him at a bad time. Sure, they have reason to not like him.. But still. He just wants to fit in.\n\nBut Audrey seems nice.\n\n\"...\" He panics a bit internally, not knowing how to respond to Gabe. Considering he heard the word \"Spicy\" Used about this, he's not 100% certain. \n\nHe looks over at Sergio. He'll just... Go along with whatever Sergio says. Easy." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio tilts his head, looking over to the other two, huh. This was the most action he's seen the kitchen have.\nAnd also the most aromas. Usually he would just smell the spare boiling noodles or even the boldly crafted pancakes. But, this... Was different to him.\n\n\n\nSergio looks over to Mamoru, gives another grin, and quickly turns into the kitchen. \"Hell yeah! I'll help too!\" He was already beelining it to the sink, rolling up his sleeves and washing his hands. \"What are we making?\"\n\nYou did it. You're now stuck with him. Good luck." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Stop it, you!\" Audrey laughed, gently pushing Gabe's shoulder with a shallow motion. \"As if I'd believe such a lie. Gee...\"\n\n□ A grin on her face, she pressed the small of her back against the counter, her dress caving in lightly as she did so. They had company now, so she felt she needed to face towards them instead of bantering with Gabe endlessly like they tended to do. Able to read a bit of apprehension off of the verdant-haired lad's posture and conflicted facial expressions, her eyebrows knit themselves into a worried mat.\n\n▪︎ This wouldn't do. She had to make sure this lad would walk out happy he'd stuck around.\n\n◆ \"Well, alright then! The more the merrier, even though we already kinda have all the cooks we need.\" She warmly spoke, waving the pair in with enthusiastic yet tempered motions. \"You two can definitely sit around and chat with us, we don't – I mean, I don't bite, I dunno about Gabe.\" Audrey giggled. \"No offense, hun. So don't worry! Also, we're making a nameless late summer stew; lots of fresh veggies from the farmer's market and stuff I foraged myself out in the woods.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Audrey's touch was nice, and the soft little push instantly back memories of being home. A fond smile worms it's way from his mouth, and he reciprocates her laugh. \n\n...And Audrey had decided to enlist the two onlookers. Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too upset about it— they do seem new, after all. He swished the thought around in his head, eyeing the two new people with suddenly clear, analytic eyes. \n\nThe blond one seems jovial and friendly. The green-haired one seemed... Well, similar to Mattias and Blanche— standoffish, apprehensive, and a bit rough around the edges. \n\nNo sweat. Plenty of experience with socially awkward nerds. Gabe rolls his sleeves up, waving the two over. \n\n\"Don't worry, I only bite during the full moon. You two are fine, yeah? If you want to help... Well, you can help us by eating some of it. I already ate, and I'd be shocked if Audrey could eat this by herself.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Oh. Good. He forces on a strained small smile as he enters the kitchen. He's not a happy person, in his defense- He doesn't smile as much as he'd like to.\n\n\n\nNameless summer stew... Cool. Fresh veggies. Cool. \n\n\"Uh- yeah.. Uhm- does it have meat in it?\" He's a vegetarian. He's apprehensive about the Spice Aspect. But technically, unless he was listening in like a Weirdo, He shouldn't Know About that.\n\nGood. Great. He has no idea how to feel in this moment, but... Being sour won't get him anywhere. So, he sucks it up, and forces himself to approach the counter, pushing a strand of hair behind his ear." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio flicks the water off of his hands into the sink, turning to Audrey. \"I mean if you all have it by now, I won't try and force myself into the cooking line.\" He raises his hands as he talks, in feigned defense. \"But I am gonna need to know what all is in it.\" Lowering his hands to their normal place again, he makes his way over to one of the chairs nearby, spinning it backwards and sitting, legs now straddling the back of the chair.\n\n\"Oh. Also your names would be good to have, all three of you if you don't mind.\" He smiles.\n\nNow thinking about it. This warm lady has been very welcoming to Sergio and the green haired fellow. Compared to a lot of others in this facility, it's almost unnatural, but, also a refreshing pace? He couldn't get a read on the other fellow. Gabe, was it?\n\n\"Right. Maybe I should introduce myself. Name's Sergio, I was sent here pretty recently.\" He gives and outwardly wave to the three in front of him." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Alright, suit yourself, hun. Anyways... Yeah...\" Audrey hummed, \"I doubt I could eat that much in general, honestly... Being solar-powered kinda kills your appetite, y'know? Since there's always sunlight hitting my skin.\"\n\n□ Shrugging, she turned her attention back to the other ingredients of the stew her and Gabe had been working on. Robust veggies sat in one bowl, already chopped and ready to be sautéed – an end which she quickly banished the bowl, dumping it all in – as aromatics and tender vegetables sat in another. Center-stage, however, were the mushrooms she'd foraged, and it was clear that ultimately this was sort of a mushroom stew. \n\n▪︎ Hopefully nobody minded mushrooms.\n\n◆ \"Oh, no worries, it's vegetarian! I'm vegetarian myself – pescatarian if we're splitting hairs – so there's no meat in here. Heck, we wound up making our own vegetable stock so we could avoid, like... Chicken stock.\" She spoke, her gaze mostly fixed on the newcomers. \"I'm Audrey, and I've been here for... A few months? Time's kinda been blended together since I got here.\" She rubbed the back of her neck thoughtfully." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "I FORGOT ABOUT RHIS\n\n\"And I'm Gabe, although I believe Audrey beat me to my introduction. I've been here a while, but... Heh, there's a lot of things in my busy little life, so I tend to keep a bit of a low-profile.\" He gives a wink to them both, smoothening stray strands of hair back into place. \n\nGabriel Darius Trahan, a Low-profile. Words never before spoken about him, and yet... It was true at the Cradle, his homesickness manifesting in a complete refusal to do anything besides work. Enjoying his time at the Cradle seemed almost a betrayal of his family back home.\n\nStill, slowly but surely, he'd begun to remove his head from the sand. There were people here who he liked, people who's company was good enough to justify skipping a workout or reviewing homework. \n\nImagine that. Gabe smiled. \n\n\"Sergio, then? Well, you seem to be pretty useful in the kitchen, considering the fact you're leaping to action. I'd love to see your chops, if you'd like to join us.\" \n\nThe other one, the Jolly Green Giant (as Gabe had dubbed him), seemed rather... Morose despite his made-up nickname. He elbows the other in the ribs slightly, his firm arm muscles feeling like a brick wall more than anything. \n\n\"Come on, take a seat. What'dya come down here for, anyway? Just following your nose?\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"Mamoru..\" He says, in response to being asked his name. He nervously glances at Gabe after that. Gabe is one of the people who have definitely been witness to him embarrassing himself on the intranet. \n\nAudrey being vegetarian eases any concerns of Mystery Meat being in the food. \"I've been here a few weeks so- not long.\"\n\nLow profile? Gabe? Seriously? No. He doesn't say that out loud, though. No need to drag up drama.\n\nGabe didn't elbow him harshly, but he still winces, clearly shrinking away from it. \"Don'ttouchme..\" He murmurs quietly. He doesn't like just anyone physically making contact with him whenever they want. It makes him feel weird. \n\nIt's fine when some people do it, just not Gabe.\n\n\"Er- right. Yeah.\" He rubs the spot that was targeted as he sits across from Audrey. This could have been his chance to be seen as a nicer, more sociable person, but that may not happen." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio shrugs. \"I've actually barely cook myself, save for the prepackaged stuff.\" A genuine, yet what would be depressing statement for someone with standards for themself. \"I was just wanting to help since you offered even letting me have a taste.\"\n\"But, yeah I genuine did just find you three from the smell, I was coming down for food anyways.\"\n\nA pause, and his gaze goes back to Gabe once more.\n\n\"Wait are you the guy that has the whole 'link to patreon' thing in his intranet name thing?\" He asks, realizing who Gabe actually is. \"What does that even mean? What's a patreon? Should I get one?\"\n\n\"Oh no. Was that important for the Cradle?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, did I? Sorry, hun.\"\n\n● Meekly commenting, Audrey tried her best to not interrupt Gabe as he spoke, but how successful she was would be a matter of attention spans – mostly, at least. Gabe wasn't exactly a background character, what with his imposing height and proud body and confident self, so she should have been fine, but as the others talked she couldn't help but worry slightly. Unfounded worries bubbled in her chest, a cauldron of uncertainty, and unless distracted it'd be likely to boil over.\n\n▪︎ Thankfully, she was distracted by a little conversation between Sergio and Gabe.\n\n◆ \"Yeah, right? That kinda confused me at first too.\" She spoke up after a few minutes of quietly humming to herself and tending the stew. \"But heck, I guess he's got big dreams; I can respect it, dude! Anyhoo...\" She continued to stir the pot and listen. \"I don't Think You need one. It's more for, uhm... People with followings and stuff. Yeah! That's the term. I doubt most of us need one, but... I dunno either of you yet, so. Who knows!\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Mamoru Flinched, And Gabe immediately took a step away from the other. He'd spent enough time around Matti to understand and respect people's boundaries— especially the ones shy nerdy types tended to have. \n\n\"Sorry about that,\" He sheepishly said, and stuck a spoon in front of Mamoru's face. \"Wanna taste test, as an apology?\" \n\nHe felt bad. Really bad. As bad as he felt, though, Gabe didn't want to make a big deal of it— lest he seem like he cared or anything. \n\nAt the recognization of his Intra handle, Gabe straightened his back. I guess I haven't been keeping as low of a profile as I thought... Then again, Gabe's measures for attention have always been skewed out of balance. If he wasn't being hounded in the halls, it was considered keeping his head down in his eyes. \n\n\"Ah, well— uh, you don't need to worry about it, Sergio.\" \n\n\"I'm an actor and an influencer, that's why I have it that in my handle. Actually, I tried to put the rest of socials in my handle but it got cut off.\" \n\nHe continued mixing the ingredients together, whistling a low, obnoxiously loud tune. \n\n\"Hey, if I'm going to have an online presence, might as well have it with my full chest. Not a lot of room to play coy when you're trying to make it big, yeah?\"" } ]	226	4,040
341.454545	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Mamoru is nervous for this. He doesn't know why, just that he Is. Especially after that candygram- Did I really need to make it so mushy? God... He must think I'm some lovesick puppy. ..Am I? No. No, I'm not.\n\nHe hasn't had a picnic with anyone before. He's had meals with Nishi, but no picnics. And Certainly Nothing Romantic. Is this romantic? He hopes it's romantic. He decided to set up in the spot Craig showed him a while earlier. Hopefully... Hopefully he made a good choice.\n\nIt's a vegetarian picnic. It has to be. With jam sandwiches and fruit and water. He could have done something better for the drinks, but he was in a bit of a rush. A lot of the food is actually from the garden! Mamoru cannot cook, so the sandwiches are the most complicated thing either of them are getting. No kitchen fires today.\n\nMaybe I should have asked one of the cooks to help? Or to make some sort of pastry? Is it good? Is this weird?\n\nMamoru is So Nervous. \nHe feels so... So... Antsy.\nIs he pressuring Craig?\nIs he being too much?\nIs this too much?\nWhat if Craig decides Moru is too overbearing and he doesn't even want to be friends?\n\nThe roots of his hair are dark now, it's been growing and he hasn't been redying it. \nMamoru would be lying if he said he had been taking the best care of himself. He hasn't been. He's been eating, just not properly, or necessarily as much as he should. He's been in a Rut Lately. \n\nThis could help. \nIt may make things worse, depending on Craig's reaction, but he is really trying to be hopeful." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Craig was walking towards the garden, a large basket filled with food swinging from his arms. He's very excited to meet Moru again after a while. Especially after that candygram. The thought of the candygram made his face light up. He felt immensely guilty for not being able to send one back (mainly because he was too occupied with other activities he didn't even know there was a candygram event) but he hoped today would make up for that. \n\nWalking into the garden, he scanned the area before his eyes landed on the familiar green hair in the distance. Noticing that he was in the location Craig showed him the first time they met, he smiled before walking over to where he was. \n\n\"Hey,\" He said with a smile, now behind Moru. \"Hope I didnt scare you.\" \n\nHe sat down in front of the boy, still beaming and began to unpack the contents of his comically large basket. Out comes a whole tray of home baked strawberry jam cookies with a heart shaped center, a large salad, a whole pitcher of lemonade and two ceramic plates with flower patterns on them. \n\n\"Hope I didnt pack to much,\" He chuckled, tying his 'hair' up in a bun and beginning to toss the salad. \"How've you been, Moru?\" He said looking up at the boy. \n\nTaking a closer look at him, he notices the dark roots of Moru's dyed green hair show. Almost instinctively, he reached over to the boy and strokes his hair. \"Ahh, well this is embarrassing,\" He chuckled lightly, \"I always kind of assumed your green hair was natural- well, I mean it looks more natural than whatever I have anyway.\" He admits sheepishly. \n\n\"Well I think your hair is pretty either way.\" He hummed, his hand moving from his hair to his face. \"But you look a bit tired, have you been eating well?\" His tone showed nothing but concern, as he rubbed the bags under Moru's eyes, as if trying to wipe them away." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Firstly, he will be relieved when he sees that Craig also brought things. \nSecondly, he startles a little when Craig shows up behind him, but grins. \n\nAnd in those moments, all of the nervousness vanishes. The fear Moru had is gone, replaced by a pleasant warm feeling. \n\nGod, I really really like him.\nHe grins, watching as Craig sits and empties the contents of his basket. \n\n\"No, no, it's fine, I'm glad you brought a lot of stuff. I completely forgot about lemonade.\" He laughs, reaching for one of the cookies before anything else. But he pauses as Craig touches his hair. His face goes red. He is flustered. \n\n\"I wish it was natural, I just really like the color. And I like your hair.\" I hope it likes me. Does it have a mind of its own? It does, right? Like if I touched it it would totally bite me. \n\n\"I've been alright. Better now.\" He leans into the hand on his face, closing his eyes for a second. \n\nBut then. \nCraig is concerned. He opens his eyes again. \n\n\"I..\" I can't just lie to him. But I can't tell the truth either. Aghhhh.. \"I've been... Not really having the best time mentally the past few weeks. You know, with the whole distortion situation- Armando. Basil Levi. Whatever it's called anymore. But I- I feel a Lot Better today.\" He smiles again, trying to be reassuring. \n\nSeeing Craig worried makes him both sad and... Not happy, but not sad either. He's glad that someone cares- but he already knew that people cared. It's one of those things you know but you don't Know. You know it but it's hard to accept it. \n\nBut he doesn't like seeing Craig worried. He wants him to be happy." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"I wish it was natural, I just really like the color. And I like your hair.\"\n\nThe loose hair from his messy bun perk up a bit at the compliment. Craig has been getting better at controlling them around people, but minor movements like these is something he doesn't have much control over. \"The color suits you well.\" He hummed. \n\nMoru's nuzzling sends a wave of dopamine through his body from his hand like an electric shock. 'ahhh, so cute.' He thinks to himself as he masks the urge to squeeze Moru into pieces with a straight face. \n\n\"I've been... Not really having the best time mentally the past few weeks. You know, with the whole distortion situation- Armando. Basil Levi. Whatever it's called anymore. But I- I feel a lot better today.\" \n\nMoru's little smile at the end was anything but reassuring. He feels a bit guilty for not noticing all this time. The thought that all this time while he's been occupied with other things, Moru's been struggling makes him grimace. He makes a note to himself to check up on him more properly instead of leaving pastries by his door every once in a while. \n\nSighing, his head falls on Moru's shoulder. \"Sorry, I've really missed a lot.\" \n\nGetting up, he collects his composure and begins to put a large pile of the salad he made on Moru's plate. Now seeing his complexion, he regrets not making something more filling. Perhaps he should have made something heartier for the picnic. \n\n\"Eat up, for now,\" He says, pouring Moru a glass of his lemonade. \"You can tell me all about what happened if you're comfortable speaking about it.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He laughs at the pieces of Craig's hair that perk up. He decides to risk Trying To stroke it gently. He's wanted to, just was a bit nervous. \n\nAbout.\nYou know. \nBeing bit.\n\nBut he's wondered... What does it feel like?\n\nMamoru wraps his arms around Craig's shoulders when he lays his head on his shoulder until he sits back up. An attempt to comfort him best Moru can. He feels bad. \n\nHe's worried about me.. I should be taking better care of myself.\n\nMoru smiles again, though, as Craig piles of the salad. He himself pulls out the strawberry jam sandwiches for the two of them. The crust is cut off, and they are triangle shaped.\n\n\"I'm not.. Entirely Sure What happened, if that makes sense. I don't think it's any specific event. Ares and I don't really fight anymore, and I am still talking to my friends I just...\" He shrugs. \"I don't know. But I'm going to try. All the Basil Levi stuff has also been weighing on me, I guess. But they've never taken anything from me or Done Anything to me.\"" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "His 'hair' flinches before letting itself coil around Moru's fingers gently. Craig notices, however pays no mind to the action, it wasn't hurting Mamoru, after all. He's gotten really good with people touching his hair nowadays. Well, Its only for people like Moru and (occasionally) Haoran- but considering he used to go catatonic the moment someone would stroke his hair, its great progress. \n\nHis 'hair' does not leave its grip on Moru when Craig pulled away. \"Uhm, if they're starting to tighten around you, tell me,\" He comments sheepishly. \n\n\"I don't know. But I'm going to try. All the Basil Levi stuff has also been weighing on me, I guess. But they've never taken anything from me or done anything to me.\"\n\nCraig nods, a bit unsure of what to say. He would be lying if he said he understood what was happening. He's severely behind on NC news. Severely. \n\nThe familiar feeling of guilt for not being there when Moru was struggling washes over him again. But just as fast as they cross he mind, he shelves the feelings, focusing on how he could comfort Moru in this situation right now.\n\n\"I'm sorry,\" He said, picking up a sandwich Moru had prepared for them. \"Do you wanna maybe tell me about this Basil Levi situation?\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Oh he's so cute he's so cute I'm so- He's so gay. So Gay. The hair coiling makes his heart beat faster. It's just- it's So cute.\n\nMoru nods. \"Don't worry, they're fine.\" He smiles. Does his hair.. Like me? Is that what it's doing? Is that what this means?\n\nMoru pauses, considering how to start explaining this thing to Craig. \nBut he wants to.\n\n\"..Yeah. My knowledge- everyone's knowledge- is fuzzy. As far as I'm aware, there's been this distortion that can copy people's abilities and make them sick and stuff. But in reality, it's two- maybe three?- people who got stuck. They know Graham somehow.\"\n\n\"At first, they could only talk in code, then three words at a time, now four, I think. They want our help, but I don't know what to do.. It's a big mystery that I don't feel like I can- I don't think I can help that much. Amelie speaks Swedish, which most of the files are in, so she's much better equipped than I am.\"\n\nHe frowns slightly. \"I wouldn't say I'm Useless. I just- I'm not what they need to figure this out right now. So I'm trying not to worry about it as much.\"" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"..Yeah. My knowledge- everyone's knowledge- is fuzzy. As far as I'm aware, there's been this distortion that can copy people's abilities and make them sick and stuff. But in reality, it's two- maybe three?- people who got stuck. They know Graham somehow.\" \n\nHe nods. Not because he understands, just to show Moru how intently he's listening. He recalls a past conversation with Moru about the distortions. As a recluse that stays within the 3 rooms at all times (that being the dorm the garden and the kitchen) he didn't get the displeasure of getting to know these distortions very well. \n\nIt was likely for the better. Considering his powers are also working against him, what with the sentient hair limbs, the distortions could have made it an absolute disaster for Craig and whoever has the displeasure of being around him at the time. \n\n\"At first, they could only talk in code, then three words at a time, now four, I think. They want our help, but I don't know what to do.. It's a big mystery that I don't feel like I can- I don't think I can help that much. Amelie speaks Swedish, which most of the files are in, so she's much better equipped than I am.\"\n\nAnother nod. A bit more confused this time. \n\n\"Well,\" He began after Moru got everything out of his system. \"I would be lying of I told you I knew exactly what's going on- but from what I've gathered the situation seems to be very complicated.\" \n\n\"I wouldn't go so far as to say you're useless. Perhaps its something better left for the people more equipped to deal with it. You should be more careful, Moru.\" He sighs, taking a bite out of the sandwich. \n\n\"I'd hate to see anything horrible happen to you because of this.\" He grimaces." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Oh he's So Normal about Craig. He knows Craig probably isn't fully comprehending everything he's saying, but that's okay. He doesn't exactly need advice, he needs to rant. And he did.\n\nIt's his turn to nod as Craig speaks.\n\"You're right. I will. I will be more careful. The one time I touched it I... I Needed To, you know? Nishi was in trouble. She's like a little sister, I have to do something if something happens to her.\"\n\nDamn these sandwiches giving Moru an excuse to chicken out of asking if he can kiss him again. It's a weird thought to come out of the blue, but he can't help it. \n\nThat expression on Craig's face.. Mamoru wants to turn it into a smile, but also, he likes all of Craig's expressions.\n\nMoru takes a bite from his own sandwich, glancing at Craig quite often. He can't help it. He can't believe this is a Real guy In front of him. Who Likes Him. Or, probably likes him. There aren't any official labels, but sometimes you can just Feel Things.\n\nCraig is just so... Wonderful. So incredibly wonderful." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"You're right. I will. I will be more careful. The one time I touched it I... I needed to, you know? Nishi was in trouble. She's like a little sister, I have to do something if something happens to her.\"\n\nCraig nods. Shelving his worries away for now. At the very least, Moru is here today in one piece; which is all that matters right now.\n\nA comfortable silence befalls the two boys as they eat the food in front of them. Moru is a greatly comforting presence to Craig. With any other person or place his mind would have been going a hundred miles per hour, but Moru seems to put the noises in his head at ease. He wasn't really sure why this was the case; nor did he really ponder how his presence could alter his brain chemistry this way either- \n\nIt was just something that happened to be. And Craig had no complaints; so why think about it further?\n\nIn this moment of silence and clarity, Craig was able to really think about everything. His mind naturally landed on Moru; more specifically his little situationship with the boy. \n\nHe could never really put into words his fondness for Moru. On one hand, every little move he would make would make his chest squeeze and everytime something bad happened to Moru, he is overwhelmed with feelings of grief and guilt- even if its through no fault of his own. He knows he wants to be there with Moru through everything he's going through. \n\n'But is it love?'\n\nHe's never had a reference for these kinds of things. The only feelings of love that he has had for another person is just Evelyn. And he feels wildly different about Evelyn and Moru. \n\n'I should get more friends that I can consult about this.' \n\nHis thoughts are interrupted as he catches Moru stealing glances his way. Any memory of his previous ponderings are shelved for another day. \n\n\"Do you like the cookies I made?\" He hummed, a soft smile on his face, \"I edited the recipe a bit so I'm not sure if you'd like it.\"" }, { "author": "sapphic_spidy", "message": "Being around Craig is wonderful. It feels so Nice. To feel so comfortable with someone. Especially since Mamoru Knows Craig has a lot going on most of the time. Craig's brain is always doing something all the time. It's nice and.. Honestly flattering to see Craig seem calm. At ease. \n\nMamoru would love to be able to call Craig more than a friend. But he is content to just be close to him. Of course, he hopes for little bits of contact all the time. The brush of a hand, pushing back his hair, just any contact at all- it makes Mamoru melt into a gooey green jelly. It's a feeling he doesn't often feel, used to being on guard and not this Vulnerable With another person.\n\n\n\nWhen Craig's hair basically grabbed his finger his heart felt like it was going to Explode. In a good way.\n\nIt's been a few moments since they talked, so he has to take a second to yank himself out of his thoughts.\n\n\"Oh- yeah. I do. I think these are a new best for you.\" He grins, reaching for another cookie. Sure he hasn't finished the actual healthy meal things but the cookies are Good. You cannot blame him." } ]	361	3,756
117.266667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Mark sat in the courtyard. He was lost and confused. He was obviously new here. Mark was a short boy with twn skin and fluffy brown hair. His eyes were green and shined softly in the daylight. He wore a grey hoodie as he looks around" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir Dragovich\n\nThe broad Russian boy hummed a tune to himself as he walked through the courtyard. It had been a while since he had actually gone out during daylight hours, but it felt good to him. \n\nHe felt the tingling in his head, slow but steady throbs as his body began to fiend for nicotine. Almost there, almost there He thought as he walked, picking up pace. \n\nHe reached his favorite spot to smoke, and from the pocket of his pants he produced a cigarette, what ever was sold locally and cheaply, and lit it up. As he took his first draw his head calmed down and he sighed. He looked around before seeing a small person, much shorter than the towering Russian, sitting on the bench right beside him. \n\nHe choked, coughing and quickly throwing his cigarette to the ground before stomping it out. \n\n\"You didn't see anything right?\" He asked, his voice thick with an accent and strained as he tried not to blow smoke all over the the poor kid's space" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Vizhkir Dragovich The broad Russian boy hummed a tune to himself as he walked through the courtyard. It had been a while since he had actually gone out during daylight hours, but it felt good to him. He felt the tingling in his head, slow but steady throbs as his body began to fiend for nicotine. Almost there, almost there He thought as he walked, picking up pace. He reached his favorite spot to smoke, and from the pocket of his pants he produced a cigarette, what ever was sold locally and cheaply, and lit it up. As he took his first draw his head calmed down and he sighed. He looked around before seeing a small person, much shorter than the towering Russian, sitting on the bench right beside him. He choked, coughing and quickly throwing his cigarette to the ground before stomping it out. \"You didn't see anything right?\" He asked, his voice thick with an accent and strained as he tried not to blow smoke all over the the poor kid's space\n\nMark wondered what he should do. He was sent here for a... While illegal... Good deed. He just daydreamed, happy he helped that hungry child. But that was until— AAAA! SOVIET/J. Just a bit of poking fun in my part, not Mark's. He turns to the large boy and freezes\n\n\"WHA-...\"\n\nHs shivers in fear as the man asked if Mark didn't say anything. He took this as a threat and waved his arms frantically\n\n\"N-No! I-.... I ain't seen nothin'!\"\n\nThis isn't how he normally talks btw. Just a fright" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir looked down at him, putting on his best intimidation face even though inside he was cracking up. He thought it was absolute hilarious when people were afraid of him because of size. He would never hurt anyone out of rage. \n\n\"Oh. Okay\" He said, with a slight chuckle. \"Why do you sound scared?\" He asked, craning in closer and now practically over top of Mark." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Vizhkir looked down at him, putting on his best intimidation face even though inside he was cracking up. He thought it was absolute hilarious when people were afraid of him because of size. He would never hurt anyone out of rage. \"Oh. Okay\" He said, with a slight chuckle. \"Why do you sound scared?\" He asked, craning in closer and now practically over top of Mark.\n\nMark wasn't just scared because of his height, but because of how he was smoking, and he thought that he was being threatened\n\n\"...Caude I am-... I won't tell anyone you were smo-... I didn't see anything!\"\n\nShit. Was he gonna get beat up? He couldn't fight well, just use sorta gravity powers" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Viz couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst out laughing, doubling over and putting his hands on his legs. He laughed for a long time, well it must've felt like a long time, before he calmed down enough to talk. \n\nStanding back up and wheezing a bit as he breathed, big ol smile on his face, and face beet red. \"Don't worry about it. I am not a mobster, I won't hurt you. Shit, you don't even know my name to tell on me\" He said between weezes." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Viz couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst out laughing, doubling over and putting his hands on his legs. He laughed for a long time, well it must've felt like a long time, before he calmed down enough to talk. Standing back up and wheezing a bit as he breathed, big ol smile on his face, and face beet red. \"Don't worry about it. I am not a mobster, I won't hurt you. Shit, you don't even know my name to tell on me\" He said between weezes. \n\nHe was laughing. Why was he laughing? Mark looks around in panic until the boy calms down. Now he was smiling? Mark wondered why\n\n\"...Oh. I'm sorry I assumed that... It sounded like you were threatening me when you asked if I didn't see anything\"\n\nThat's true. They didn't know each other's names... Eh, Mark wasn't a snitch anyways\n\n\"Ah, right... That's true.\"" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Viz chuckled before plopping his big ass self down on the bench, clear on the other side. Figuring this kid wasn't gonna snitch, just because of how scared he got when he thought he had been threatened, he lit up another cigarette. He took a couple of puffs before reaching out with his right arm, \"Vizhkir Dragovich, at your service\" He said with a signature smile." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Viz chuckled before plopping his big ass self down on the bench, clear on the other side. Figuring this kid wasn't gonna snitch, just because of how scared he got when he thought he had been threatened, he lit up another cigarette. He took a couple of puffs before reaching out with his right arm, \"Vizhkir Dragovich, at your service\" He said with a signature smile. \n\n\"Uhm... Hello... Viz... Vish?\"\n\nYeah he butchered that... Mark didn't know how to do that. He tilts his head upon looking at the hand. Mark shakes it\n\n\"Mark Dominguez...\"" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "After shaking hands Viz nodded, \"Nice to meet you Mark Domigudaz\" He said, leaning back into the bench. \n\n\"I don't think I've seen you before. New guy?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "After shaking hands Viz nodded, \"Nice to meet you Mark Domigudaz\" He said, leaning back into the bench. \"I don't think I've seen you before. New guy?\" \n\n\"...\"\n\"Yes...\"\n\nMark looks away in shame. He was convinced that this wasn't a good place. Like... A prison/retribution program\n\n\"I only wanted to help someone... And... Yeah.\"" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Viz looked at the other boy, \"Tell me what happened.\"\n\nVizhkir was brought in for supposed armed robbery, a robbery that happened in a city almost 500 miles away. He too, at first, thought that this place was a prison." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Viz looked at the other boy, \"Tell me what happened.\" Vizhkir was brought in for supposed armed robbery, a robbery that happened in a city almost 500 miles away. He too, at first, thought that this place was a prison. \n\n\"Hmmm? Uhm... Sure.\"\n\nMark didn't know why he was telling him. But he didn't feel too unsafe about it\n\n\"I stole some food for a homeless child, and when a policeman tried to take me, I used my power...\"" }, { "author": "yaboiender1832", "message": "Oh. Its ok take your time" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Viz nodded solemnly, \"At least you helped someone. You shouldn't feel shame for that. You helped a child at that, a less fortunate one on top of it. You're good person\" He said, patting the other kid on the back heartily" } ]	87	1,759
163.06383	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "As his cab pulled away from the front of the campus, Connor pulled the strings of his coat tight. His chains rattled as he stepped forward and out of the street, onto the pavement, and toward the front building, where he promptly ignored the front door and opted to instead forage a path to the campus itself. If he was going to be here, he thought, he was going to explore the place on his own terms, and not holding hands with whoever the glorified tour guide was that the school assigned him as a contact." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "From afar, a powerful, but clearly young voice could be heard yelling over the campus a few seconds after Connor had barely strayed from the path. \"NEW PERSON!!!\" The voice was slightly forced, so it had a more playful tone to it despite the perpetrator now running at Connor on all fours at alarming speed, a gangly white figure in a t-shirt and shorts with blackened limbs, whether it was dirt or a power thing was a bit hard to tell, today was a bit of a muddy/rainy day. After running up to him, she made a jump towards him, giving him very little time to react, especially at the speed she was going, it was like a cat's speed proportioned to a human." }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "Nonono nvm me! Changed my mind pfft" }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor instinctively put his arms up to shield himself, and activated his barokinesis; his coat puffed out as he manipulated his own gravity, pushing everything away from him with enough force to theoretically keep anything from touching him. As a side effect, the ground itself was pushed away from him, and he went flying several feet into the air in a second. A look of realization flashed over his face, mixed with a bit of annoyance, and he reverted the effect to normal, falling to the ground and stumbling to stay on his feet.\n\n\"God- what the hell? Who are you?\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "The girl was flung away, but her arm stretched out to grab onto a nearby shrub, as if an instinctual action due to the speed and precision. Oncesbe recovered, she poked he frizzy mane, now riddled with sticks and leaves, she got up and ran back to Connor, but more calmly, yet still like a damn animal, and once she got to him, she rolled and managed to land on her feet, stood uprigh. It took her a few moments to regain her balance, but in the end she managed to stay still and stop her momentum using light footwork.\n\nOnce still, she turned around to face Connor, and stuck her hand out at him, but it was no longer dark, it was pale and skinny, but a bit dirty on account of the running on all fours thing. She inserted a quick \"Oh wow, I feel so free now-\" Before going \"Nice to meet you! I am... Uh-\" She was attempting to find another name she liked, but she decided to just use her wretched current name for the sake of ease on everyone else's part. \"Yari. I am Yari. Hi.\" She spoke to Connor with a smile and exhuberance topping even that of the fake emotions she had been using prior to Connor's arrival, all with the help of Owen and her start in the journey of her own self-discovery." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor very reluctantly shook her hand, his face a mixture of pure confusion and a bit of fear. \"Uh, hi? I'm Connor. What in the world was Any Of that?\" He asked, removing his hand and taking a much-needed step back and away from Yari." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Today was weird and im in a very slight but easily fixable funk\n\n\"Hello, Connor!\" Her giggly little face went almost neutral, but her tones and inflections ranged wildly, almost giving her an uncanny cartoonish feel, combined with her unevenly open eyes, the right one in a permanent daze while the left remained almost completely open, giving her a constant manic look even when she's completely emotionless and calm.\n\n\"I was just uh... I dunno, but I felt like doing it.\" She shrugged a bit aggressively and then said \"Oh and uh, my power. Almost everyone here has one, it's a bit of a culture shock!\" After a few seconds'pause, she spots something else and stares at it, if Connor cared to look he'd see a particularly large bird swoop over, but it looked too big to be any bird, or was it just depth perception?" }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor was speechless for a moment. He stared at her unspeaking, then glanced up when she did and spotted the bird. He turned back to her before realizing that 'yeah, that's not normal' and snapped back to the bird for a few moments, then finally settled on her again, thoroughly confused.\n\n \"I... What?\" He asked. \"Okay, one thing a time. I just arrived here and I'm looking for one of the faculty. Do you know where I could find...\" Connor checked his phone and pulled up an email quickly. \"...Graham Cantor? Are there offices or anything around here?\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Uh-huh... Okay... Mhm...\" She absentmindeldly inserted responses between his words, not really seeming to be interested in the topic or know much about said topic. \"No, I don't.\" She kept her gaze fixated on the bird... Man? \"There's an office place thing near the front, just go there. I don't really know why you didn't do that first.\" She now side-eyed Connor, a clear indicator that she didn't really care all too much about this whole conversation. \"Although... I do know some good spots to hang in the woods nearby.\" She attempted to entice Connor into one of her feral runs." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"I might actually take you up on that.\" Connor said. \"It'd be nice to have a place to hide out if I need to.\" Connor fixed his coat and rolled his sleeves to readjust his manacles for a moment, then pushed his sleeves back up. He took a moment to alter his own gravity, floating into the air a foot or so as if in the vacuum of space. \"Lead the way. I'll check out those offices later.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Considering that display from earlier I'll assume you can keep up, right?\" She began to practice some light footwork to have him confirm the fact, and her arms and legs gre dark again as if she had dipped her limbs into a gigantic pool of ink. In general, she began to change her shape in subtle ways to support the quick quadrupedal running she was about to perform. Her body was never quite used to this, but even with her bmhaving feeble human physiology, she felt that deep down, she could force her body into lasting longer during these feral runs as she often returns caked in sweat, dirt and, occasionally, blood, either hers or an animal's, usually both though." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor manipulated his own gravity once more; from viewing, it looked like he was being pulled quickly in a direction, but the more accurate description was that he was falling sideways, and his body definitely suffered as if he was falling. Despite the fact that there was no danger involved, nor any fear of heights to guide his gut feeling, the overall feeling of falling still put him off. As he pulled himself to a stop, still floating, he stayed still for a moment to catch his bearings, then spoke again. \"I think I'll be alright, yeah.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She watched him, and then figured out the basics of his ability on this alone. \"Is that... Gravity? I'm not very smart but I know falling when I see it and considering myself I have to remain pretty open-minded.\" She then grew about a foot before olanting her hands on the ground, her body shape looking more like a Tim Burton-esque dog except for the head, which remained normal, but the neck was notably longer. \"Off I go! If you fall behind or need me to slow down, then feel free to tell me, I just need to do one... More... Thing.\" At the end there she sounded strained, just before two more arms popped out from under her shirt. After this she'd stretch out these abnormally long arms and begin to prepare for a run, before shooting off, the run looking more like a blurry crawl than the prance one would expect from a Mammal." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Oh, I am so going to regret this.\" He thought to himself as Yari transformed, and either via a disconnect with reality or as a product of his upbringing, he managed to avoid completely panicking and running off. So, as she 'ran' off, he floated along behind her. It was some mixture of training and a miracle that led him to not completely empty his stomach at any point throughout the process, but given the breakneck speed, it would have turned out very very poorly for him. His hands were about as blurry a mess as Yari's... Everything was, as he had to adjust his trajectory consistently to keep up with her movements and avoid crashing directly into a rock or a tree." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She had quickly disappeared behind bushes, but it was easy to find her based on what was disturbed. Her path had become extremely erratic as she had to avoid trees, boulders, and other irregularities that would slow her down, hence why she could preserve her speed with ease, still preserving this superhuman speed. \"You okay there, Connor?\" She called out from below, still rushing through the bushes before suddenly turning onto a barely visible path, overtaken by the foliage around it, but Yarimiel seemed to know her way around the place so far." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Yeah! Just-\" Connor stopped mid-sentence so he could focus; the sudden turn required him to quickly change his trajectory, but in a way that wouldn't absolutely rack him with g-forces. As such, Connor ended up essentially looping, doing a wide clockwise turn to angle himself the right way. \"How much farther?\" He called out as he continued following." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Its about a ten minute Walk From here. But the view is amazing, without all of the city sounds, or smells, it truly feels like you're in the middle of nowhere!\" She yelled from below, but soon would skid to a stop. She felt something was off, and she had pulled Connor down using a tendril that had extended from her back as she lowered herself to stick close to the ground. \"Something's close.\"" }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"What the-\" Connor grimaced as the sudden pull downward, combined with the movement he already had, rocked his body and threw him off immensely. As he reeled back, down on the ground, he squinted and looked around. \"What is it?\" He whispered, trying to get a grasp on whatever it was that had thrown Yari off so much." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She would then whisper, even quieter this time. \"Stay here, cover your ears, don't make a sound until I come back.\" She then raised herself to standing height, and began to yet again morph her body, this time into a more humanoid shape, but the clothes she wore somehow didn't tear to avoid awkward narrative implications. She was now over twice as tall as usual and was very lanky, but had greatly exaggerated features such as her hands, whose digits grew to resemble long claws. Even when blocking his ears, he could hear some very faint foliage shuffling for about fifteen seconds before loud shuffling and occasional thuds could be heard, by this point it was obvious that Yarimiel had Confronted Whatever was there, rather than calmly let it be or simply go the other way. Suddenly, a loud, shrill screech that vibrated the entire area like a powerful engine was heard. This was no animal sound, so it must have been the girl." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"What. The everloving fuck.\" Connor said after having flinched several times at the various occurrences over the past minute or so. \"Okay! You know what, I'm not going to question it.\" He decided, standing up and dusting himself off. \"I've... No, I can't say I've seen weirder. So, uh... Are we going to continue? Or is this our stop?\" Connor made sure his manacles were as pristine as possible and then levitated again." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "What looked back at Connor could only be described as eldritch, but it gave him a thumbs-up and just waved at him to come along. \"I'm not running anymore, that shit tires me out too much, plus, you can enjoy the beauty of the forest better when you're not rushing through it... And that is pretty fuckin' tiring too.\" Her voice was notably far deeper and airier on account of the increase in size to all parts of herself. \"It's just a few dozen meters away now, we should get there in about another minute.\" She did not go back to her regular form and instead remained this way, as this thirteen-foot horror creature acting like any normal old Joe. \n\nIf Connor noticed, it was now evident that they were going slightly downhill then farther uphill than the beginning of their short trek, and by now all hint of civilization is gone, no city buzz or manmade sounds to be heard, it was just dead quiet on account of the girl's shrill scream. After making a mental note on the boy's rushed attitude, she would continue walking." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Running can be pretty tiring, yeah. Falling isn't that tiring, but it's definitely not easy to deal with sometimes.\" Connor said. \"Say the word if you ever want me to lift you, but just keep in mind that it might take a few tries to balance it to your weight. Took me a while to even figure out how to handle my own weight properly.\" Connor floated alongside Yari further, now with his hands in his coat pockets.\n\nAs they moved along, Connor took the moment to look around, noticing the sudden (and reasonable) lack of noise or movement in the forest. Deciding it was too quiet for his tastes, he spoke up again. \"There was this abandoned warehouse I used to hang out in with my group, back before this whole thing happened.\" He took his hands out of his pockets and gestured to himself quickly, and then looked over at Yari before placing them back. \"Can't say I don't miss it. It was nice having a quiet, hidden spot where I could hang out away from the people I got on the bad side of.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Sounds nice to have had that level of freedom. I always come to the forest whenever I feel pressured by life and want to turn my inner voice off, returning to my base instincts lets me sort of catch a break and appreciate the natural beauty of wherever I am. Plus, now that I'm not getting battered by eighty-to-ninety degree heat, I can stay out for much longer and not suffer a damn heat stroke or something...\" She explained why she dis her feral runs to Connor, hoping he'd understand. Feeling like she hadn't finished her point, she co tinied after a short pause. \"And yeah, it lets me escape from the people I don't like, even if I know I could have harmed them to my heart's content. I understand the consequences of being part of the powered minority, and those that arise from contributing to the negative view the uneducated and superstitious have put on us. Nature does not judge me. Nature does not reject me. Nature lets me be, whether I'm simply wandering or fighting my ground against predators, Nature knows best, and so do I...\"\n\n\"We're here.\" She let Connor go ahead, and the view from where they were was phenomenal. A cliff overseeing a rushing river, with a gravel coast on the other side, past which the huge trees and shrubbery continued. Despite being ao close to cvilization, this spot seemed untouched by man as of yet. Nearby, a conveniently even yet clearly natural slope of large boulders led down towards the river, which Yari chose to take.\n\n\"This is usually where I hang out when I come out here,but other times iI just keep going on and on until I feel content with myself, I always manage to find my way back pretty quickly.\" The sounds of rushing water washed over the scenery as the wind kicked up, rustling the leaves and filling their personal spaces with the fresh smell of... Nothing, it was pure bliss, no smell of trash, people, exhaust smoke, nothing. It was just fresh air. Yari took in a deep breath, but remained quiet, even when she looked completely terrifying, Connor could tell that she truly was at peace, her eyes closing slowly as she took in the isolation, but with company this time.\n\nShe exhaled, and began to wade into the river until she was ankle-deep in it,whicheas about a couple feet in, seeing as the river was about fifteen or so feet wide." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"This is... Actually really nice.\" Connor stated, ignoring the eldritch nightmare that was Yarimiel's current form. His chains jingled a bit as he let himself down and sat against a tree, closing his eyes and resting for a moment; it was both an attempt to take in the world around him, and to get back some energy from the sheer amount of mental fortitude it took to not crash into anything on the way there. \"How did you find this, anyway? Just stumbled onto it randomly?\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "After his question, she exhaled after another deep inhale and responded, \"Yup. Found it as I was just aimlessly wandering, this is my third time coming here. I remember there being a huge clearing farther down the lake, just a huge area around it that is just rocks n' shit, but at the pace we're going that would take us about an hour to get there.\" She estimated based on her last experiences in the forest around NC. In about two seconds, Yarimiel reverted back to her original form simply looking down at the river." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Point me to it. I have an idea, if you're willing to hear me out. Not sure on the logistics of it because I haven't personally tried it, so the outcome could be a couple of things.\" Connor stood up and focused on a seemingly random spot in the air. \"We could be there in a matter of minutes, if it goes well; or we could either suffocate in a vacuum or fall a few hundred feet. Your call.\" Connor spoke with complete conviction, genuinely unsure of the outcome, but was willing to test it either way.\n\n\"Essentially...\" Connor's attention flashed between the air and the ground a couple times, then settled on the ground. He positioned himself into a stance not unlike one you might see in martial arts, and then slid his right foot forward with a quick motion. A chunk of the earth rocketed out of the ground and landed in the river with a heavy splash. \n\n\"So, basically, I'm able to manipulate the earth as well as gravity. So my idea - and this is something I haven't tested - is to form a sort of sphere of rock...\" Connor made a circular motion with two fingers. \"...And do a zero-gravity bubble on the inside, heavy gravity in the direction of our destination on the outside. We float freely inside the bubble, which moves with the rocks, and then the rocks travel to the destination like a makeshift trebuchet. Not sure on logistics like I said, but in theory it could work.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Left phone on ohantom touch sent%/\n\n\"I'd rather not be involved in that. Also, I Could Make wings and Try To fly, but I haven't had the chance to try that out much, some swedish hillbilly might try and shoot me or a bird attacks me.\" She thinks about it then settles on a solution, as she had been looking around with her eyes before stopping, a sign of whenever she ponders on something quickly. Using her power, she adds power to her jump by extending her legs quickly then retracting them, landing on the gravel, but losing her balance on the unstable ground and nearly rolling into the water. After getting up, she gives Connor a thumbs-up. \"I'm fine, but I needed space to actually Make Wings big enough to lift me off of the ground.\" She yells out from the bank before spreading her arms out and attempting to make functional wings from them, as she had done it only a few times before, and this would be the first time she uses them to fly.\n\nShe remained still as her arms went dark completely, before both of them violently flattened outwards and formed large soaring-type wings, her sleeves forced into rolling back as the feathers popped out from her now flatter arms. She needed to keep focusing to remember this form and internalize it, so even with these huge wings already made and completed, she still looked deep in concentration." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Alright, sure.\" Connor said, somewhere between confusion and blind acceptance. \"I can make you lighter if it helps!\" He offered, moving back to a resting position and then continuing back into his levitating position. He floated up to the same level as Yari. \"I feel the need to ask, are there others here with similar powers to you? Just so that I don't get shocked if or when I see.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She looked up and replied flatly. \"I only know another girl whose body acts like a rubber band\n\nShe watched him from below, and after managing to maintain the wings, she waved them around a bit before attempting to fly, starting with a run, then using the giant 10-foot wings to try and soar into the air, or atleast achieve liftoff.\n\nIt took her a few tries, but after about a minute of her trying and failing, each time getting a better feeling of how the air went over her wings and such, she managed to actually get off of the ground and move up to Connor's level. She passed by him while trying not to swat him out of the air and said \"Follow me!\" She occasionally lost balance a bit and fell slightly, but she found it better to put in some practice to this Very Useful skill now that she actually felt okay with plumetting from fifty feet in the air, also, Connor could catch her if she did." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"I will be on the lookout for a rubber band girl.\" He half-joked. Connor moved to follow her and watched her movements. He instinctively reached a hand out slightly to manipulate her gravity every time she faltered slightly, but he didn't go through with it as he saw her balance come back each time. He kept a steady eye on the ground, as well, watching for the spot she mentioned as well as trying to make sure there was no sign of danger on the forest floor. \"Hey, Yari, what was that whole... Scream thing about earlier anyway? What was there that you were so worried about?\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Forest animals. Wolves, bears, any of those. I generally try to scare them off. I don't really think there should be any this close to civilization, but what do I know? It's all just intuition, after all. Also, that was me, the scream tends to scare off most things, and I wanted that thing to go away. I didn't want to put you in danger.\" She seemed to get the hang of it pretty quickly. She giggled before spouting \"Birds don't got Shit On me!\" Before attempting to go even faster, which seemed to work pretty well so far, but it was evident by her breathing that this was pretty intense on her body, considering that she had to flap these gigantic things every now and then just to not fall immediately, plus she had to build speed to effectively reduce travel time from the Hour She'd estimated earlier." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Well, I appreciate you trying to protect me but I've dealt with a lot worse before. Unless it's an eldritch horror from the depths of the seas lurking in the forest, I've probably had to deal with worse. Humans have a tendency to be pretty bad sometimes.\" Connor was unsure if the words got across due to the speed they were moving and the fact that he was behind, so he moved up to Yari and repeated himself. \"Also let me know if you want a break. I can probably make it easier for you to fly, at the very least. Human bodies really aren't made for it.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Nah, nah, I'll get used to it. Tinier changes to myself take a bit more concentration, but things that affect my entire body or huge parts of it I can do easily, Plus, I can just... With some...\" Her flight staggered, but iver the span of a few seconds, she grew and shifted grotesquely into what appeared to be some sort of giant humanoid avian, the chest having grown significantly to resemble a bird's anatomy more, and to breathe more air, longer, lankier legs, larger wingsand a featureless small head, only two white eyes under the mass of curls, with most of her body having gone dark, defying all intuition of how light works. With this, she had gained a burst of speed after flapping her wings once, seeming to have gotten the hang of this whole flying thing quickly and already developing a larger form to support the bodily demand and to overall be more powerful. She didn't want to get to their destination yet, she felt like flexing on everyone instead and began to fly higher, occasionally stopping to hover then dart i another direction, absolutely loving the feeling of weightlessness as she soared through the sky at highway speeds, soetimes skirting along the tops of trees. \"This is nice...\" She muttered to herself, leaving Connor to just watch her enjoy herself in the air as she zoomed right over him." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Listen, if you decide to swoop down and grab an entire bear or some shit, I can't say I'll enjoy it too much.\" Connor said flippantly. He considered, for a moment, trying to do something interesting himself, but decided that his best bet would be to stick with what he knew best. In this case, the only change he'd be willing to make would be one to move in a fashion less like falling, but that would require reworking either the laws of gravity or rewiring his brain to function differently. The latter could potentially happen naturally with enough time and attempts at this, but the former was literally impossible, so he opted to just continue on as normal.\n\n\"How far are we from the Cradle? I can't see it anymore, or the place we're headed.\" He asked suddenly, moving to try and be closer to Yari." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Once asked about the cradle's location, she would stop and begin to hover in place, the two white baseball-sized eyes staring at him without life or thought behind them. \"It should be somewhere on my... 7 o'clock. Also, if you can pull yourself with gravity, why don't you just pull yourself upwards but in a manner that also moves you towards where you wanna go, like, on your Vertical 2 o'clock or something... That makes sense, right? Pull yourself to the side and a little bit upwards to sort of hover while counteracting gravity? Or just keep yourself weightless while still pulling yourself sideways? I dunno, figure it out, can't be that hard, right?\" Hard to say when your power revolves around physics, and one simple slip-up could mean shredding yourself i to fine mist or crushing yourself into a small read ball, but she didn't know that, plus she just tended to have a knack for figuring out how to use her body in odd ways.\n\n\"If you want to get back, we can get there quickly at this pace.\" Her tone began to slow down slightly, the signs of wear this began to have on her were beginning to show." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"It's still the equivalent of falling. I'm already having to counteract the earth's gravity or it would just be the equivalent of running really fast; i'd still be pulled down.\" Connor stated. \"As long as gravity is pulling me in any direction, it's essentially falling, whether it's sideways, up, down, however. It's... A lot to deal with. And it's weird and complicated and half the time I have barely any idea what the fuck I'm doing and it takes some serious preparation and concentration to not send myself flying into a ceiling or a tree or earn myself a trip to the hospital with broken bones, and that is not a conversation I want to have with the doctors.\" He ranted. \"The suggestion is appreciated. I just need to get used to falling and then I'll be fine... I have a couple ideas to that extent, but it'll be a while.\n\n\"On that note, I'm still good if you are. It's not physically exhausting to do this, it just takes a lot of effort to not turn my power off instinctively because I'm falling. We can land for a second if you're having trouble, though, I'm not in a rush.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Alright, then.\" She still hovered in the air, but was now coasting and preparing to land, but she had been going to the second location she spoke about earlier. As she went on, each flap of her now gigantic wings created a loud [VWOOM] That spoke to the scale of this form, easily able to set a new wingspan record.\n\nOnce she landed, she used her long, lanky legs to slow herself down step by step until she was fully stopped beside the river again (remember, second destination).\n\nThis time, it was a larger clearing, but as Connor got closer and closer to the scene, he'd see a lake, a large, beautiful lake, serene and calm. As he got there, he would also be able to see Yarimiel beginning to soak herself with the river water before plunging into it entirely, popping her head above it mere moments later, the featureless face staring back at him, and those same giant eyes from the shore, before her full body rose up from the surface. From what it looked like, she was still in a shallow area (relative to Herself Of course). \"A lake bath never fails to soothe the nerves.\" Her deep, airy voice called out. It was like watching a cartoon giant speak, it wasn't slow, but it had every other quality of that kind of voice. The airiness, the deep rumbling aound it had to it, and the volume, hence how Connor was able to actually Hear Her from such a distance." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor floated down slowly next to her, feet barely in the cold water. \"I figure nobody else comes here, typically?\" He said. \"Because an eldritch creature in the middle of a secluded lake feels very 'Lovecraft'. I don't wanna deal with someone thinking I'm a cultist.\" Connor was more focused on the opinion of others seeing him next to Yari than he was of Yari herself, proof of which came further in his choice to be next to her; he used gravity to lighten himself to a point where his feet floated up and he was standing safely on top of the surface, then walked up to her. He stayed a good few feet away still, just to avoid being flung 100 feet if she moved the wrong way." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Usually, no. I haven't seen kids from the Cradle, either, so I figured nobody comes through here.\" She looked around, all she could see was trees and hills, with some hints of civilization, but they were so far away that she only saw gray splotches on her six. Her head did a slow, full turn before stopping again, looking down at Connor. \"Why is that important? Everyone thinks we're freaks of nature already, so why not embrace your freakishness to its extreme and go all out?\" She seemed happy enough doing just that herself. \n\n\"If these powerless fuckweeds want to shoot me down, I'd like to see them try.\" Her eyes squint momentarily before returning to normal. \"A few words or opinions won't hurt, and neither will their bullets. Not now, not Ever.\" She spoke with venom in her voice, but then seemed to calm down with a long sigh." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"You sound like you've had to deal with that before. Happen a lot around here?\" He asked, walking over a deeper part of the lake and lying down, letting go of gravity a bit so that he would float normally; with chains he'd sink, with the gravity he had it at he'd just be rolling on the surface and not at all submerged. \"I just wanna know if I'm gonna have to deal with it myself. You seem more than capable but it's been a little while since I had to deal with being shot at. And yes,\" He turned to face her, \"I have had to deal with that before. Not fun but it's whatever at this point. Never got any major injuries!\" He laughed, clearly fakely, and turned back to face toward the sky." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She turned to Connor. \"Yeah, a few times. Turns out people don't like a feral child getting at their pets... Anyway, do we really have to go back now?\" She chuckled at herself but would soon lose a bit of her vigor, and would instead opt to sit down, using the wrists of her arms as supports as she lowered herself to the ground, sitting down on the water and creating yet another huge splash, the water getting halfway up her hunched torso as she then crossed her legs. \"Sometimes I feel like... Like I don't belong...\" She had too much to unpack, and unpacking it in a health way was... Hard for her. She put her wings over her legs and put her head down. \"I don't know a lot of things, I mean, I'm lucky I taught myself how to Speak, but, I just...\" She sighed. \"Sometimes I just feel like giving up...\" She went quiet after this, and stopped moving, Connor could even climb onto her and she would have no reaction." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"I'm not one to give good advice most of the time, and I'm pretty disconnected myself. But I say do what makes you happy and don't worry about what others think.\" He consoled. \"Easier said than done though.\" Connor stretched out and put his hands behind his head to relax. He was silent for a few moments, just leaving the air open and clear. After a few minutes of just... Existing, he spoke again. \"We should head back at some point, but don't feel any rush.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Hm... I think I'd rather stay here for a while, enjoy the breeze, the heat of the Sun, for once, the nature. I'll probably stay until much later.\" She would remain in the pose she was already in, but her head raised itself from under her wings. \"Plus this lake gets quite deep despite being so small, I'd like to experiment with swimming while being this large, among many other things.\" She then went quiet again and stared off into the sky, lined with beautiful soft clouds." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"That makes me wonder if the loch ness monster is a parahuman. Maybe it was real and just turned into a human afterward, and that's why we can't find it.\" Connor suggested. \"That or it's the typical human scenario of seeing something where there isn't anything. I really don't know anymore.\n\n\"I need to go back. Still probably need to talk to some of the people at the place about, you know, being new.\" Connor sat up in the water. \"Do you... Do you want me to come back later and make sure you're good?\" He asked, genuinely - and surprisingly - concerned for Yari's well-being." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"I've heard that it may have been a whale penis. Hah.\" She suggested, but it would make more sense to her if a lot parahumans were mistaken for cryptids or generally harmful supernatural creatures.\n\n\"Yeah, you go do that. I'll be back within the day, I'm good here. If anything, I need to be alone with my thoughts, I haven't been the most stable recently.\" She admitted, but inside, she appreciated his concern for her, looking down at him and doing that slow blink thing before looking back towards the sky." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"I'll be on the lookout for you tonight. Let whoever the front office is or whatever know when you come back, will you? Don't wanna go all the way out here again if you're already back and just crashed in your dorm or whatever.\" He requested, and began floating away. \"I don't want to be questioned by police because I was the last person who saw you.\" Connor said bluntly, and with that he flew off, taking one look back at the lake as a whole and the massive creature lurking in it." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Yeah... Sure...\"\n——————-" } ]	138	7,664
471	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The night is warm, yet heavy. She's so small against the world she feels is balanced against her shoulders. She feels stupid standing outside for hours like this, she didn't even know that Owen had seen anything. She just made bets if he actually cared more than she'd like to admit. \n\nStanding on cobbled walkways she waits stubbornly for that awful boy. That boy who looks more like a dim sum than anything, she had to aknowledge that. He also has questionable thoughts if not all the time. She has recently been unruly to him. She just loathe to be pushed so persistently as he. She will not speak of it if she does not want to, need she not have a reason otherwise. \n\nShe refused to look at the cradle, she's been staring everywhere but the floor of the place. She's a fool. She's a crippled, idiotic, thing that prances around like nothing and everything is wrong. She's fine. Amazing even. \n\nShe stances herself accordingly so she dosent look like a sopping wet dog, she'd rather look arrogant than pathetic. The sounds that make themselves home near the flora are unusually silent, or maybe her head is deciding to be usually loud. \n\nShe holds the bouquet she has in both hands a little tighter. \n\nShe wishes she didn't have to stand here like a fool, she wasn't one for this sort of thing." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen had been wound this way and that by a number of people in his life, and that gave him a comforting, if grim, sense that he could see it coming, and know how to pick himself back up afterwards. Every time, he poured gold between the cracks, and his work was smoother, his surface cleaner afterward—except, to his aching of late, when it came to the one who had called him to the greenhouse in the evening.\n\nThe boy slipping down to the garden on quietly shaking legs had let go of people before, and made up with them again, and let them go in finality. They followed patterns he could recognize, reasons he could understand; almost everybody reminded him of someone else, in how they moved through the currents neighbouring his, except for Amelie.\n\nShe reminded him of no one.\n\nNo one he had met before, no one he had had to sever from his heart, and so to her word he was as he was at fourteen, yoked to his own curiosity, that old naïveté. He chided himself for this, especially on the day on which he was supposedly older—the same stars that watched him come into the world watched him still struggle to grow. He knew not how to banish her, or how to regain her favour, or ask her to regain his, only to answer when she wanted to see him.\n\nThe best he could do was keep her waiting for an extra handful of minutes.\n\n\"Sorry-s-sorry for keeping you waiting.\" Dammit. \"Amelie...\"\n\nShe looked like all the shades of cold he couldn't be. Always a little taller than he expected, a little sharper than he remembered. He had grown broader since they had first met, his hair longer, his shoulders tinted red from a newfound carefreeness, but those honey-dipped doe eyes still shone at her like a deer in headlights, taking in every detail of the hardened uncertainty that was her causing ripples in his mind.\n\nOf all the things he had theorized that she had for him, he had no guess of nor response to flowers." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie's name was a long one for the few people she has met. It meant everything she used to be, everything thing she tried so hard to be. Losing it all in just minutes, in those months she stared at herself and destroyed it. She walked on glass barefoot and never cared if she bled pools that looked ugly where she walked. \n\nIf she could not walk, she crawled, if she could not crawl she'd better find a damn good reason she couldn't. She wouldn't stop for anything, she cannot stop for anything. Every second she sits another petal falls from her favorite flower and it sobers her heart. \n\nShe has carved a thousand curses into stone and the second it appears on her back she crumbles, she's tired. She stands so often yet the only one who knows is herself. She dosent like this boy, she loathes this boy. But she dosent know him, he dosent know her. \n\nShe scowls at the fact she knows next to nothing about him except for that scar that looks as if it will split him in half at any second she it not looking. It scares her how frail he looks to her. He is a shield and yet she is adverse to standing beside it. \n\nThe air seems to grow colder every second she stands staring at how small he is against her stature. They're both broad. Yet Amelie ~~thinks~~ Knows She can shoulder the world and not ask for help. \n\n\"*Course.\" The words came out like a venom she hadn't spat before. She feels guilty, she'll always feel guilty. She dosent understand him at all.\n\nOne hand is taken off of the bouquet and she slowly moves it forward to him. It's colours looking almost sorrowful in it's meaning that she hasn't dared spoken of. \n\n\"Happy birthday, Mr. Edris. I am sorry.\"\nShe'd been using him as a pity stone unknowingly, she was a cretin to her own subjugation. She'd be like that no longer. She hoped so." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Fingers warm like torches brushed Amelie's cold digits, the fire beneath the befuddled boy's skin permeating the air like the heat from the sun, always tailing him. Owen felt a flourish of ether curl between the joints of his hands, but at his will to relax it, the bloom scattered quietly across the back of his hand.\n\nA low, sweet note rumbled from his throat as his face brushed fragrant, velveteen petals. Roses dark as wine, for a birthday in the dead of summer—what affection there was left for Amelie swelled in his chest, that incredulity at holding a scrap more of her strange, morose strain of distant, sunny friendship. He had sworn off extra chances the last time they had bitterly snapped at each other, but the boy didn't often receive flowers, and turned sweet as buttercream upon remembering how he loved them.\n\nPerhaps she meant something solemn by her selection (too deliberate to be anything but chosen carefully), but Owen found a drop of satisfaction in interpreting the gesture as a loving one anyhow.\n\n\"B-uh?\"\n\nThe undignified sound pushed past his lips before he could seal them into a look more thoughtful. He examined her face for bitterness, internal conflict—he found much of both, but the corners of her mouth weren't pinched in the same begrudging way that suggested a hollow apology. This should not have surprised him, though; for what little he could say for certain about Amelie and her way of speaking, she wasted no breath. In that vein, he figured she wouldn't care for repeating herself, either.\n\nThe silence hung in the garden for a moment more, though, as those melancholy eyes drifted back to the bouquet, shifting on his feet. He held her apology like he did the cool green stems: lightly, and with a great bewilderment, fingertips running over every vein of chlorophyll and sincerity. He felt thorns, but never ones he feared.\n_ _\n\n\"Diolch,\" He hummed, his thanks clearest in his mother tongue. \n\nHe might later call himself a fool for it later, after so little of an exchange after so acerbic an argument, but in the lazy day's warmth, he came to a conclusion: he couldn't know the one-eyed girl for what she would never tell him, but he could know himself, apart from her, on his own steady feet. Nose buried in flowers.\n\nThose eyelashes, like wrought rust, fluttered closed for a moment; there was Amelie, tense and wound into a stiffness by a skeleton of hurt and ingrown convictions, and there was Owen, at once both peaceful and eaten through by a grief ancient to his own bones.\n\n\"It means...\" A lot?* Too hollow a saying, for how dense he felt in that moment. The world? No, not quite. Not when said world seemed to be in between forms so often since he'd lived at the Cradle. \n\n\"It means a great deal to me.\"\n\nFor all the dislike and distrust for her his circle had grown, the boy who had come alone to meet her could spit no venom at her in that moment, and it was the truth." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "She's foolish, f o o l i s h, Foolish. But she is known to indulge in it once every moment. She stood there watching as Owen looked as though he was basked in a thousand suns on a cold day. She hated it, how he was that painting that always seemed to appear in a gallery. How he was... Everything and yet all she could do was stew herself in a pit she writes her own poems in. \n\nShe stepped forward, getting closer to Owen. She lifted the same hand that had gifted him the flowers to push them away from his face. How he looked to be so indifferent. \n\nShe sighed and gently brushed a hand against his face, watching as red coated him wherever she moved to. How she was hurting and how she ignored it to watch as Owen always needed to protect himself from her. She lifted her other arm and wrapped it around his shoulders in a hug. \n\n\"I was so...\"\n\nShe could hear her own voice, it was heartbroken. Far softer than any others she had said prior and she could not bring herself to fix it.\n\n\"Ignorant.\"\n\nShe hugged him just a bit tighter and ignored how the side of her face was in a cold inferno of agony. \nShe left go and had her hands on his shoulders to stabilize herself as she moved her head up to look at the stars. Her eye burned, funny that, everything burned coldly. \n\nShe didn't notice how the bones had woven themselves around eachother when she took her hands off the shoulders of the now brightly lit boy. It still hurts her so that it's a nessesity. The lights of the cradle lit amelies face up showing that her face was never changed but there was something running down her eye, be it blood or tears or something else Amelie moved away too quickly for him to discern hopefully. \n\n\"I am very... Glad you're taking care of yourself.\"\n\nShame she had to tell the person he loved to do that for themselves. She did surprisingly always end up helping him on such of those matters.\n\nShe started walking away from Owen, her prideful stance never faltering despite pain. She stopped and looked over at him standing still.\n\n\"Good night, Owen.\"\n\nShe lights made it seem he was further away than he actually was, perhaps that was for the better. She at least knows she has spoken to him what she had felt for a moment now, despite how brief it was." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Amelie's fingers were sculpted of ice, to where Owen wondered if they might be numb. He knew her touch brushing his forehead before it registered that it was a strange thing for her to do, casually, as though it were muscle memory. Heat welled behind his face, following her; the reach of his heart was still something she could summon, still a furnace that sought to warm her. \n\nHer arm then wrapped them close together and he could hear her heartbeat, distant as though there was a great distance, fog over a grey sea, between the outer edges of her ribcage and her own core. Wrapping his arms around her back, Owen gently pressed his cheek into hers. The planes of his body that she was closest to hummed like a radiator despite the hot day; his chest to his shoulders, his elbows to his palms, awash in gentle light from deep beneath.\n\nThe ache in her voice, tender like an open wound, broke him just a little. Words of comfort failing him, he sighed, heavy like a tired dog, and relished the feeling of holding her, for just the little while.\n\nOwen could smell her conditioner, and her blood. He listened to the quiet rushing of life across that grey ocean; how it was so much quieter than his, but it ran with a force more stubborn than even his own. At once, it was far too familiar to him, and he found himself possessed to hang on longer, to never let her go until she knew, somehow, that he understood—precisely the moment she pulled away. So it went.\n\nHis thumb rubbed a single circle in the back of her hand against his shoulder as they regarded each other quietly.\n_ _\n\n\"I—\"\nBut she was already on her way elsewhere, already bloodied, already of a mind more solid than his. He searched her words for a sense of finality, or for a frayed thread he might catch between his fingers if he were quick, his shiny new sense of himself slipping for a moment at the sight of her back to him once more. Owen found his head again in the orange glow of the lights, and prickle of heat behind his gold-flecked eyes.\n\n\"Please... Be gentle with yourself, Amelie.\"\n\nOwen needn't have spoken loudly for his voice to carry cleanly across the world between them. A callused thumb wiped a well of salt water from his eye, and he clutched his flowers close, petals cool against his cheek." } ]	467.5	2,826
216.322581	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She's running down the stairs. The elevator would've taken too long. Inside the campus, the fireworks sound like knocking against a door. A countdown comes from the rooftop.\n10.\nShe's just running down the stairwell to the first floor.\n9.\nShe never really put something nice on.\n8.\nIt didn't matter.\n7.\nFirst floor.\n6.\nShe's hurriedly dashing past the offices.\n5.\nWhat is she going to think of the burn?\n4.\nDid she remember to clean her makeup?\n3.\nIt Didn't matter.\n2.\nShe shoves the courtyard door open.\n1. \n\n\"Amelie?\"\nThe clock strikes midnight as she calls out. A spectrum of colors flash across the courtyard. She tries to compose herself, walking up to the lone figure in the courtyard.\n\"Your visit-\" \nC'mon Leta, it's just her.\n\"It is nice to see you again. How was Germany?\"\n\nDid she grab the journal? Would it be a good time to give it to her?\n\nIt didn't matter." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie was watching the fireworks. Effervescent against the dark sea of the sky, it felt so calm compared to everything. It was cold, much like everything. She felt like something warded off from the rest of the cradle, hearing everyone woop and Hollar at another year passing. A year without Tejal... She forgot how empty it is. \n\nShe was standing alone in the courtyard waiting for somebody she'd promised to see. She hears the frantic call of a stifled breath from whom she wanted to see. Amelie turned to look at Anja and a blast of colour echos around her like horns born from the sky, it paints her face with colours not belonging to who the girl is now. She narrowed her eye in question. \n\nShe taps her forearm crutch against the ground, leaning into it. She lifts a hand and reaches into her jacket and she pulls out an almanac. Through all the nights of feeling too much or too little it almost felt like relief when she pulled the almanac from it's home in the pocket of her jacket. \n\nAmelie shows it to Anja, her fingers holding the bare edge of it's laminated paper. A breeze could tear it from her hand. \n\n\"I believe this is yours.\"\n\nShe wants Anja to take it. Something to give after being away for so long." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja looks down towards Amelie's hands, and what they held.\nShe actually got one.\n\nShe holds her hand out gingerly, taking the opposite edge in her hands.\nAnja flinches slightly at the sight of her own hand. It looked awful in the multicolor lights. If only she realized what she meant earlier. She would've at least covered it up. \nShe looks back up to her.\n\"Thank you, Miss Amelie.\"\nShe settles it against her side. Would it be too soon to give her the journal?\nWould she want it now?\nWhy is she stressing over this?\n\n\"I have to ask... Why just me?\" A question that has crossed her mind since she realized the surprise. It spills out of her in her own interrogation of herself. A foolish question." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie saw the mangled flesh of Anja's hand and a whirlwind of concern flashed across her mind, it didn't really come to mind how bad it would be. A slight uncomfortable pulse flashed from her hand all the way to her spine and she sucked in a breath. She nodded at Anja. She didn't know why it hurt Amelie to see the scarred mess of Anja's hand. She wouldn't question it. \n\n\"Why not. I think it's nice to just have some time with another without the mess of letting people know you're back.\"\nAmelie hums while putting her hand back onto her crutch. \n\"Maybe I just, wanted to surprise you.\"\n\nShe stares into the girls eyes, her bandaged hands clench against the crutches as she looks on. To be honest, it all felt a little suffocating. She felt like she was performing in front of an audience again, it was honestly a little nauseating." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Oh- Call me surprised then.\"\n\nShe makes a small glance to the sky.\nHer family was never one to celebrate the holidays. She carried their tradition with her, not planning on leaving the dorm today, just finding something to listen to, something to block out the uproarious cheering and distant explosions that marked a year advancing, probably even make a small prayer that the boy who slung fireballs didn't burn something down.\n\nShe was out of her element. Her gaze crosses Amelie again.\n\n\"Miss. Would you like to sit down somewhere?\" She looked around for somewhere to sit, perhaps a bench?\n\n\"You had also asked to-\" Did she really want to remind her? Maybe she could still get out of a questionnaire.\nWhy did Anja care about being questioned? Did she really hold her privacy this high?\nWhy?\nAmelie was someone she could actually trust, no? Why did she not just give her something to feel trusted with?\nShe's been frozen for too long. Snap out of it Leta.\n\n\"Sorry, forgot where I was. You had questions when you returned, did you want to still ask them?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie never moved her gaze from Anja, wanting so remember the form of this company so much that it stained her memory. Why would she want to do that? Amelie turned away from the girl and bore a glare into the treeline. She shuffled slightly, the gravel moving to make space for the impromptu feeling that stained itself against her heel. \n\n\"You can if you wish, I will walk with you.\" \nShe tilted her head in question, motioning with a finger to a stone bench that mixed with the ecobrutalism of the building they all reside in. \n\nShe looked at Anja instantly, she looked confused and weary. A million waves of something crashing against her skill in an instant. What was she to ask? About that damned sentence spoken in a haze? Something that slipped past her fingers again? \n\n\"Maybe. How about you start first, since you already have something in mind.\" \nShe makes her way to stand next to a bench, waiting for the other to make conversation where she stood." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She's already found a bench. Anja was frozen in her own thoughts and the person she offered to find a seat for already found one.\nShe feels like she's tripping over herself.\n\n\"Oh, well, in that case...\" She steps over to the stone bench, sitting on the opposite side that Amelie stood waiting for her.\nWhy is she getting so flustered? She looks down to her lap, trying to recollect herself.\n\nFinding herself, she looks back up to Amelie.\n\"How was trip to Germany? Were you able to find Nadia?\"\nQuestions that she had asked at the start, but were overshadowed by the almanac. Her thumb lightly swipes across the lamination of papers. Something about it being from her made it more... More- Special? The word escaped her.\n\nWords always appeared to escape her when Amelie was around. Funny, that." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie was looking at her bandaged hands, thinking about something. She can't sit down or else she'll feel the sting of a newly handsewn wound opening against her wishes, though she wishes she could join Anja. But, the girl looks uncomfortable with Amelie here so she'll be alright with standing. \n\n\"My trip to Germany was...\" Silence as her body aches with painful whispers dampening the mood she so haphazardly set, she was still proud of it. Getting something Anja wanted without fail. \n\"Adequate.\" \nShe finishes.\n\n\"I met Nadia, we've been writing eachother letters for nine years now. It's nice to know I finally saw her, we wandered around Berlin but I had to come back. I had a promise to keep.\" \nShe hums. \n\"I'd like to see her again, but I'd never condemn a friend to this hellhole.\" \n\nIgnorant to Anja's trumoil she asks Anja her own questions that have been begging at the edge of her skull. \n\"How are you? Are you okay?\" \n\nOut of everything, those are the questions that escape her. Tejal would laugh at how oddly coddling she is." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "...Did she not want to sit?\nAnja mentally shrugs, just watching her now. It was her decision.\n\nShe nods along with Amelie's answer. \n\"A good point. Would not want others to visit here. But, your trip wasn't just meeting her? Was there anything else?\"\nShe looks off into the cold distance. The snow hasn't melted away yet. She wondered if the flowers were alright.\n\nA slight bite of her cheek meets Amelie's question. It's the same one she has asked her many times over the course of her trip. She always seemed to answer it wrong.\n\nShe opens her mouth.\n\"I am doing well, I'd think. Spent time with Ashton while you were gone. Tended to the flowers. After you left there was nothing too eventful.\"\nShe pauses.\n\"Glad you are back.\" A soft smile crosses her lips as she finishes her answer." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie pauses, feeling the air chill with Anja's question. \n\"It wasn't, it was originally done with a more personal thought in mind. I fulfilled it, that's all you need to know.\" \n\nShe finally decided to sit with a heavy sigh, she truly didn't want to speak of what happened other than the one silver lining. She took her hands from her crutches and set them on the bench, she looked anywhere but Anja as her hands came to hold her torso. It looked like she was protecting it if only subtilty was her savior. She didn't need to be subtle, everyone will brush it off with the fact her disgusting excuse for a power acts against her. \n\n\"Ah, that's nice to know. At least I know you cared for the flowers.\"\nShe was relieved that nothing had happened whilst she was gone, if there was then she would be distraught once more. \n\n\"I'm glad I still get to see you.\" \nShe counters, she didn't move her head but instead looked at Anja in her peripheral. Amelie thinks, wracking through her mind for a question to ask. She pursed her lips and looked away from Anja again.\n\nThe colours of fireworks flash across her gaze, her hand twitches at the noise." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja scoots further towards her own side of the bench, giving Amelie more space than she would need. She didn't want to think she was smothering her.\n\n\"Okay, I will not push further. I'm glad it was fulfilled, though.\"\nShe looks towards the fireworks. The flashing lights and distant pops make her instinctively blink. What part of this is worth the jubilation?\nThe world has turned another year. Like last time.\nShe turns back to Amelie.\n\n\"Of course. I did tell that I would work with you to take care for them. And you were... Busy.\"\nShe doesn't know how much Amelie wants to talk about... That.\nShe knows She Doesn't. She would rather just wait for the other students just miraculously figure out everything.\nJust everything go back to a relative normal. Whatever a normal could mean, in a campus full of magical children.\n\nShe glances away, hit by Amelie's counter, Anja tries to hold her fluster at bay.\n\"I would never break a promise like that for you. It would be awful of me.\"\n\nRecomposing herself, she looks back. Waiting for the next question from Amelie.\n\nEventually, right? She did always mention she knew nothing about her..." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie frowned at the other retreating further away from her, though it didn't show other than a twitch of her lips downward. She didn't want Anja to fade from her vision. She didn't want to be alone at the moment. \n\nShe nods at the aknowledgment, but then flinches slightly at the loud deafening boom of a fireworks screaming to the sky. They're loud, snapping at her eyes and ears like enraged dogs. She felt sickly at thought. She looked straight at the ground, watching the lights reflect it's spectacular arrays of colour on the pebbled walkways. \n\n\"I still thank you despite your word, you have helped me more than you think.\" \nAmelie ignores the haunting connotation of the last word, wanting to forget about those two months in a hell fit for a sinful king than somebody like her. She was terrified that it left a lasting mark of her, though she knew it did both physically and mentally. \n\nAmelie clenches her long skirt in her hands. \n\"I'm glad you didn't. Though I wouldn't be mad if you did.\"\nAmelie says with that broken rasp of hers. She wants to say something more but elects not to and let's the sound of fire and excitement drown her thoughts with a light film of fear. \n\n\"Do you... Have anybody you vish to see again?\"\nShe asks cautiously, hoping she hadn't treaded too far into an area unwanted too quickly. She stares out her peripheral again to Anja, wanting to see whatever emotion will cast itself upon her face." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "The flinching was hard to catch at first, but this time Anja was watching. Instinctively her hand reaches out for Amelie's shoulder, stopping herself at what would be considered a personal bubble.\nShe couldn't. That isn't something that would be reassuring to her.\nShe settles her hand back into her lap.\n\n\"Would you like to go inside? It is cold out here.\" She couldn't feel it, much. It was a nice excuse to use, though. The flashing lights and the loud pops were approaching as distracting. \n\nAmelie was not the only one who was left with a lasting mark these past two months. While the cold doesn't affect her normally, it does make her hand tense up, a feeling like the hand was just being kissed with the unbearable heat that once clawed across her skin. She's been able to hide it well, with time, at least. \nWaking with the same heat crossing the top of her hand in the middle of the night was what she remembers, though, not fondly.\nHer hand relaxes as the sensation fades.\n\nShe lightly chews on her cheek as she thinks of an answer.\n\"Well. I suppose family.\" \n...Let's not get into that. \n\"There was a cat I met at local shopping market that I tried to befriend back home. It was little thing. Would make you think it hated humans. But would never leave the buildings location, even on the busiest of days. Loved chicken. Family would think I was sneaking bites of food when I brought groceries home.\" She chuckles at her own statement. \n\"Was not. Did not eat meat at that time.\"\nShe pauses. An answer has been clawing in the back of her mind. It wants to tell Amelie of Tanya. It was a loud thought. It wanted to be the truth. She shuts it back down. Shoves it back into the bindings of the books it stayed in.\n\n\"Would fields back home count as answer? Views was nice.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Only if you want to, Frau leta.\"\nShe would not leave unless Anja would first, it's a simple code she set up for herself. She wouldn't simply leave another here when a conversation is being written so nicely. \n\nThere was a slight movement that caught her failing sight, a movement of Anja's hand. She frowned watching it tense, the feeling is awful but not that she understood. She was foolish to think she knew how it felt, but she can know that it hurt. \nAmelie takes one crutch and places a hand onto it before placing the other on her shoulder and standing, then she gets the other to help walk. \n\nAmelie instantly felt awful at the notion of family, instantly turning and making haste away. She stands in the middle of the courtyard for Anja for a second if only. Amelie heard her speak of a cat, not family though. She listening, hearing a small note of a soft guilt or spot of love for the animal. That's nice. \n\n\"It does.\"\nAmelie said tersely.\n\"I had a view to myself ven I whas younger, vhat I'd go to often. It was a river th-at was surrounded by trees, I'd sit there and just watch the water run.\"\nShe didn't speak of the times she took her sister's and Tejal to that same river. How they danced among the rushing water without a care. Amelie was usually the one who fell and got her, but never spoke of it. She misses it greatly." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja stands with Amelie's vague approval. It worked, she assumes. \nAmelie is quite quick with her crutches, she is able to catch pace with her, but wasn't expecting to make such a brisk walk to match her. It's amusing, though. Something about finding something as mundane as the speed at which one could move is... An odd thing to keep track of, isn't it?\n\nWith the allowance of other places to miss, she nods and adds to her answer.\n\"There was trail behind home. Whenever I could find myself away from home I would go there. It would take some time, but at top you could see the fields that spanned the neighbors. I would just sit and watch the fields glow in the summer time, watch them sway with wind.\"\n\nShe sighs, it's been years since the last time she had a chance to go up there, either busy with jobs and then being sent here after making what was a slight recovery from her powers.\nRecovery has been on her mind too often lately. She brushes it to the side, continuing.\n\n\"The small town as well, little shopping district with different storefronts. City we are in is close and walking distance compared to back home. Has more things around for entertainment, I suppose. But it is too loud sometimes. Too many cars. Too Large. For me, at least.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie silently washes through Anja's imagery, golden fields vibrant enough to fool a even the brightest of minds. It makes her wish that she could see such a thing, she has always attained such a lofty love for beauty like that. She walked quickly, almost missing how Anja seemed to stare at her. \n \n\"I'm terribly used to the lights, though they do get annoying.\"\nShe didn't know the life Anja had, but she can try. Though she did know the feeling of all the lights thrusted upon you and the feeling of your eyes burning after too long. It was nothing she hadn't experienced before, but it didn't make her any less terrified for herself. \n\"I lived in a rather well off place, though often I'd escape to that place in the woods. Something closed off and just for me to witness during that time.\"\n\nShe wants to feel the river rush under her again, any feeling other than the constant cry of something painful behind her eye. \n\"Where do you suppose we should go?\"\n\nDespite everything, she dosent really wish to fully return to her dorm room. But, she wants to spend the rest of these loud hours with Anja. \n\nShe waited at the door of the cradle once more, holding the door open for Leta. Wanting the girl to make a decision before they stand in the concrete walls of the building again.\n\nNOT LETTING THIS ARCHIVE I SWEAAAAR" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja finally reaches the waiting woman. \n\"The library could be quiet, if its open. If not, there is still the common area. I do not think many people are out and about.\"\n\nShe internally pouts. The one thing she did not want to have is other people around. She wanted to just spend time with Amelie. Only Amelie.\n\nLibrary. She turns on her heels and follows the pathway she knows. Waiting for Amelie, of course.\nShe gives her a quick thank you as Amelie opens the door for her. \n\n\"I believe I lived relatively well. I was not one to ask. They were not one to answer. I did not remember worrying about financial problems.\"\nShe didn't like talking about her family. It was like pulling teeth. She stopped this train of thought.\n\n\"This river sounds wonderful. Were you able to see it during your travel?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie nods, a flash of light leaves her squinting with displeasure. She presses her palm to her eye while Anja is in front of her. It takes a moment before Amelie is in front of her and opening the door for her. \n\n\"Surprisingly? I had to worry about things financially often. But, not in the way you might think.\" \nShe remembers those moments of staring at a paper and asking her band friend to help with it. She was inexperienced, what was another thing they would gloat with? \n\nShe gets to a table at the library, she stands at it for a moment. \n\"I was. It still as overgrown as I remember it. There's a stone bench at it now.\" \n\nAfter that day she took a moment to sit next to it, she couldn't walk into it any longer. But, she witches she could. \n\n\"Did you ever bring anybody to your spot?\"\nBecause Amelie remembers bringing her loved ones to hers. Elizabeth holding her by her ear saying that she could've been swept up by the water, but she went in anyway. It was surprisingly one of the only things she wasn't abysmally terrified of." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja sits in one of the chairs across from Amelie. At least the library was quiet for now. The fireworks in the distance becoming distant pops inside.\n\nThe question about the spot. It was one she wasn't excited to answer. She makes a sharp inhale as she decides her answer.\n\"I did not have many people around me that were willing to hike for a day. They would rather have played in the fields than to stare at them. So...\" She halts.\nShe knows she did.\nShe knows she wants to just leave Her Out of this conversation.\nShe doesn't want to lie to her.\n\"I... Did. Another girl I had met in high school. A friend. She was only one really willing to go up there.\" She was the only one that would ever spend time with Anja. \"We had spent time up there every now and then. It was... Nice.\"\n\nHer thumb lightly runs across the scarring of her hand. It's become a habit, something done without thought anymore.\nShe realizes the attention she brings to it, and rests her hands away from eachother." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The scarring that was moved by an anxious hand had piqued the interest of Amelie for a moment, the way it looked like fingerprints staining against her skin. What would do such a thing, what had palms with the same feeling of flame on skin? Saying nothing she trailed her gaze back to Anja's eyes just before the nervous tick of being seen struck the girl. \n\nShe has heard of a fickle girl or boy or thing in memories that always start fond but shatter in the hands when it's their time. She just didn't expect it to be so common, betrayal and loss is an easy thing to chance upon when parahuman it seems. The air becomes questionable thick as Anja fiddles around for something to distill the air Amelie had made. Amelie herself looked confused and downtrodden with thought.\n\nSay something, but not about her.\nHer shoulder snaps in pain but the only movement she makes is a shift in her eye and a tap to the table with her boney fingers. \n\n\"I brought people to my spot. It's more of an omen to everyone but me. They all speak of how the rushing river will crash in your mind till it carries you into the next dream you cannot wake from.\" \nWhy hasn't the river taken you yet? Enough. No. This isn't about her, it's what she can do for Anja. \n\n\"I have yet to see it be disproven but, the river is so beautiful. I sat at it for as long as I could.\" \nAmelie looks dull and neutral when she speaks, like a robot cording the code of typing into a logical speech. It felt so awful biting into something that had no taste or meaning. \n\n\"It's nice, to sit somewhere and look at the calm or violent brilliance of life.\" \nThe feeling of her hardened stare of a million lives that seemed to ache and soften was indescribable, until a sharp feeling in her thigh prodded her mind to defend itself again. Over and over like an unending war like it was her rite to bear it only for herself, selfishly as if to keep away harm like a ward would for a witch." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "It's... Entrancing. The way she spins her words. Anja focuses on them, the way she holds inflection, the way she hides it away when she decides. Others would call her dull and cold. Anja finds her Fascinating.\n\n\"I have found that many try to disprove and dissuade that comfort. Has happened to me before.\" She makes a glare at her own memories. \"...Too often to count.\" Her expression returns to where it feels most natural. A slight frown. Something that just felt... Right for her face.\n\nShe continues.\n\"I have yet to understand one's need to deconstruct another's comfort. Of course, there are reasons to. Extremes and such. But to do so with pulling one away by arm and telling them their comfort is not as so? To decide what comfort is? It puts pit in stomach. It just-\"\nA slight clench of her fist cements her feelings. She's speaking from experience. If only known by herself, it still makes her exhausted. They would be there for days if she decided to count each time she was pulled away from her comforts. A conversation she was not willing to have in the first place.\n\nA quick inhale.\n\"-I agree. It is... Serene, as they say? Something to take a mental reset towards...\"\nShe matches the burning stare from the woman across her.\n\"Everything.\" \n\n\"I suppose.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie listens with something feverish crossing her mind for but a second, it's whisked away into the back of her mind to either and rot. She's something familiar even if only hardened stares Pierce eachother like arrows. Something studders in disgust within her mind. \n\nAmelie's neutrality dosent waver as she thinks, she did that to another. But, only because they were pushing it onto another. If they were to just keep- no, it dosent stop that she still did that. Who is she to comfort one and then turn around and bare her teeth at the other? A fraud and a fool tempted by the bright colours of ignorance. She dosent deserve to be here with Anja. She dosent deserve to weave soft words of hope into her mind, again something snaps against her mind like a whip to air. \n\n\"It's nice every so often. I needed it.\" \nAfter what you've done, something speaks while walking around her. She feels it scream with a besotted voice against her mind, it aches brilliantly like a star seconds away from dying. \n\nAmelie just stares at Anja. \n\"I will not speak like I am perfect, I have lashed out upon another.\"\nIch werde es nicht bereuen. \nShe pauses. \nAnja knows what she lashed out on, but she dosent mutter a word about it. Loathe to even speak of them. \n\"I am not going to decide your comfort, for that is what puts you at ease. I wouldn't do that because I only see you tense, never once have I seen you not looking like a scared animal.\"\nAmelie narrows her eye. \n\"I'm being hypocritical.\"\n\nHer hands intertwine like she's in a business meeting, her shoulders broad and casting a silhouette unlike all others in Anja's gaze. \n\n\"Lights used to make me feel like I was wanted but, now I know almost everything is only spoken in the night.\"\nCryptic, Amelie." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja nods, a quiet knowing meets the others words.\nNow isn't the time to question it. Especially tonight.\nShe opens her mouth to say something else but...\n\nLike a knife crossing her chest.\nIt's hypocritical, sure, but it hurts more coming from her.\n\"I-\" She takes a shaky breath, damn her lungs. \n\"I apologize for that. I suppose I am not seen as welcoming, huh.\"\nGuilt. The concept seemed to become a villain in her life. Constantly finding her at her lows and making them ever lower. It always had the advantage in their... Daily now? Scraps.\n\nShe's floating in her own stupor. Amelie is here and she's Still In her guilt. She needs to ground herself again.\nHer thumb grazes the scarring.\nThere's comfort in the confusion in it. Something to keep Anja's mind busy when the world gets stagnant. When everything else became confusing, there is at least one thing that has Stayed Confusing. \n\n\"...Perhaps it was not the lights themselves, but the person behind, running them? The stage always seems like it will ruin the person on it, though. I cannot blame someone for seeking the shadows.\"\nIt's a shot in the dark, but then again, most things have been in the dark lately.\nWhen the bullets you have are the only thing to light the path you're in, might as well use them, no?" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie stops looking so condescending for a second. \n\"You're one of the most welcoming people I've met.\"\nAnja seemed to slot in carefully into where she was, surprisingly enough. She was also the one out of place. \n\"Though, I suppose that's not surprising.\"\n\nAmelie looked fervently vile. She didn't feel nor look how she once did in the greenhouse. Distant and sadly indistinguishable from memory. She had shut herself in again, though it was with practice and purpose. \n\nDie Bühne hat mich ruiniert. \nSomething growls, snapping it's teeth in the dark like fire to gasoline, Yet nothing burned. Nothing was worth burning anymore.\n\"I don't mind the shadows if you're in them, it's nice.\" \nSpoken as easy as breathing. She was healing better after that fiasco in Germany. \n\"I hope I didn't say something to offend.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Coming from you, it is. You seem to know many people here.\"\nIt comes out blunt.\n\nAnja herself wasn't the same woman that was first met in that greenhouse. She felt and looked exhausted. Nights of tossing and turning did that to you, turns out. She's become unsure of what her place Was In the first place. A part of her wants to blame her for this night being... Less than ideal. It wishes Amelie Did Speak of what her plans were. So she would've had more time to at least... Rest? Put something on that wasn't what she wore the night before? Cover up the scarring, just a bit. It would've just been easier-\nEasier to lie.\nShe wanted to surprise her. She didn't know what is wrong with Anja. That wasn't on her. The only person's fault here was Anja's.\n\nAmelie is too kind to her, she makes a soft smile towards her comment. \n\"You haven't. Things you have said have been things I needed to hear.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Only by vauge introduction.\" \nShe had gotten harmed in many of those. She dosent miss the bright lights of the hospital, she never will. \n\nAmelie didn't want to speak of herself, even less talk about everything that happened. Amelie dug around her jacket for something for a second, she frowned and then huffed and put her hands back onto the table. \nThe bandages of her left hand unwrapped for a second, a scar pulsed and writhed there. Many of them some slashes and some angrily healing. She tightened them with a hiss once more. \n\nAmelie wanted to speak she truly did, but Anja was fighting her own battles. Another enemy to fight wasn't something that was needed. \n\n\"You haven't been told such things?\"\nAmelie scoffed. \n\"For shame to those whom haven't.\"\n\nShe thought to herself for a moment. The thought danced to tell Anja, to tell her everything in an instant. No, that'd make her pliant and she vowed to herself she never would. \n\n\"I must say, I was on Mr. Edris' shoulders and we were doing something stupid. When we were still friends.\"\nAmelie made a face. \n\"I was moving backwards and he was moving forwards while entering a doorway and I accidentally flipped him.\"\nAmelie pulled a wrestling move on the boy, which caused the both of them to lay on the floor in front of the building. It had only been a moment before Owen had started laughing, Amelie was silent but she was just trying to not laugh. \nIt was peculiar.\n\n\"I didn't think I could do such a thing anymore.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"...Ah. More than what I have. But that is because public chat gets... Too loud.\"\n\nAmelie did not wish to speak about it, and Anja wished to forget it ever happened.\n...What was she looking for? She wasn't sure to ask or not.\n\nIt was a dilemma. A girl who wished to know what another had to say, and another who worried about adding on to the weight of her battles.\n\n\"Perhaps they have, but it took until now for them to make sense... I suppose.\"\n\n\n\"Oh! Edris... That is the...\" She wracks her brain. Maybe she should talk in the public intranet more.\n\"That is the ginger boy, right? Quiet, despite the loud music bands on his shirt?\"\nShe drums her fingertips.\n\"I do not doubt your capabilities, though. You seem to have... What is the phrase- Untapped potential?\"\n\nA thought gnaws at her side.\n\"...But I would like to ask. Were still friends? What had happened? \"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"I can understand that. I've gotten into many arguments.\"\nAmelie did, it has led to thoughts that are less than pleasant. \n\nAmelie wished she knew that they were circling eachother like starving wolves or lone dancers. They cannot touch, feverish yet foolish they are, dancing among fallen leaves and woe. \n\nAmelie nods. \n\"You're correct, he's quite the stout boy.\" \nHe's shorted than her almost making them look comical. \n\"It might remain untapped, Frau Leta. I'm just a little surprised that it happened.\"\nShe wonders if Anja could do what she did, Amelie would give a lot to see it happen. \n\nAmelie's pointer finger twitches into the fist she made with her left hand. \n\"I had made a mistake. I had gotten into an argument with somebody he loved, which led to our downfall. As well as some devilish thoughts on my side.\" \nAmelie leans forward, her eye hardening as she grew closer to Anja by inches but quickly seemed to adjust herself. She now looks out the library's window. \n\"I hope I don't make those mistakes with you, but I cannot tell the future.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja nods. Something she has experienced even before coming to this facility.\n\nEven after knowing, what then? What would come of the two vultures that circled around the same body, looking out for the eventual beast that would scare away the two from their scavenging?\nWas it stalking behind their bounty just out of sight?\nWould they ever touch down?\n\n\"You never know. Either way you still find ways to impress me.\"\nNow, wrestling moves was not her forte, she never had the chance to watch anything of the like. Her father finding the 'act unamusing and brainrotting' and her mother not one to watch something with such violence.\nBut. She was not one to buckle from weight. And Edris didn't look... Heavy. Like he could be scooped up like a cat on an average day.\nThe boy looked fragile though. Like trying anything rough to him would-\n\nJebati. She's getting closer.\nAnja's eyes focused on Amelie's. She had her attention again.\nHer words were directly reaching her.\nBut, as she turned away... Anja just manages to stifle a chuckle. A very out of place one.\n\"I-\" She clears her throat. \"Of course miss Amelie. It is something I do not find ourselves running into.\"\n\nAt least the argument part, that one wouldn't happen." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie made a note of distaste in the back of her throat, glancing at Anja. \n\"Still? It seems I'm a master of something then. Surprise?\"\nAmelie said with a tilt to her head to Anja's direction.\n\nOwen was odd, strange. A bright light in the dark where Amelie was a bump in the night. Amelie frowns and turns back away from Anja. \nHer brow then furrows at what Anja said. \n\nAmelie turns back to Anja Leta. \n\"How can you be so sure?\"\nCuriosity is a wild thing, a game that most are bound to loose by sheer luck. Amelie hopes that luck was finally on her. \n\nShe wants to know what Anja is so sure of that Amelie is not. It's slightly terrifying. \nGet a hold of yourself, Amelie.\n\nA firework burns brightly outside the window, it illuminated Amelie in it's bright burst. Yellows and reds swimming over Amelie's side like hands coming to tear her away. In a second it's bone and Amelie is back to a cold yet calculated blank sheet." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Shit! She saw through that one, didn't she?\nAnja clears her throat, she looks... This was a different light of Amelie that Anja hadn't seen in person.\nDoes she say it?\n\"Well- I...\"\nPull it together Leta!\n\"I do not think I am close to anyone you find... Unsavory. Nor do I plan to.\"\n\nBeing close to you is all I want- \nStop.\n\n\"I do not know what devilish thoughts you find yourself with. But I can only hope they do not cross me when you have them.\"\nSmooth." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie narrowed her eye, almost meddlesome is what her gaze became. \n\"Oh? Frau Leta, it's bound to happen.\"\nAmelie taps her fingers together. \n\"Don't worry about it though.\" \n\nAmelie looks at Anja as if she was somebody completely different for a second. Amelie has had quite a few of them pertaining multiple people, how she wishes to only keep them at a distance only known by the sky and earth itself. \nShe put too many in danger by being close, it's only natural. \n\"I hope as well.\" \n\nWhat an odd girl Anja is. She's like a twist of something at odd angles, warping in disgusting ways to not say something. \n\"You make me so curious.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja squints at her response. Pessimistic.\n\"Hm. I suppose it may.\" \n\"But I find that I would not throw everything out the window for you not liking someone. Perhaps it is just me.\"\n\nAnja slightly adjusts the way she sits.\nThis conversation began to felt like an interrogation.\n\n\"...How do you mean, miss?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Yes... Perhaps. I don't mind.\" \nAmelie makes a 'tsk!' noise that clashes in the small space they're in. \n\n\"Sorry sorry, I'm being uncomfortable.\" \n\nAmelie raises her hands and then folds them against her, she lifts a leg over the other. Amelie looks at her lap with a look of a caught criminal. Amelie stumbles a little in her speak. \n\n\"You are... Confusing in a way I am not used to, I'm sorry.\"\nShe leans further back, looking away from Anja in a way that might break her spine like one would snap a pencil. \n\n\"Forgive me, I tend to be overbearing.\"\nShe speaks into the air. The soft noise of folk in the library drowning out something amelie had mumbled. Amelie was dumbfounded in the face of something she thought she understood. \n\nShe was slightly glad for people intruding." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja shakes her head.\n\"No, you are fine. Do not worry.\"\nDespite the feeling of interrogation, this... Helps. She doesn't want this conversation to be over. It's been far to long.\n\n\nConfusing? She is... Confusing? \n\"...I apologize for making things confusing, miss. Is there a way I can... Help that?\"\nShe lightly bites her cheek. Somethings work, and somethings don't.\n\n\"Do not think that-\" Her thoughts rearrange midsentence. \"You are not overbearing. Not to me.\"\n\n\"...I enjoy your questions, miss. Please, ask more if you'd like.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie waves her hand in a motion to push off something. Her own thoughts are obscure. \n\"It's only natural.\" \nAmelie says. \n\nAnja was terribly wrong. Amelie would fiddle with something till it was perfect, looking over something as if it could kill her in a instant if wrong. Spending hours making sure that wounds of hers could not breathe. They all hurt to see so it was only fair. \nAmelie's mind and thoughts are an endless forest that an axe had never been seen glinting near it's wood. \n\n\"I don't have much else. What's a scar you have that... Isn't the one on your left hand.\"\nIt was a precarious question. It could lead to something raw and unfiltered, or something more gentle like the fields that Anja had explained that sounded like a dream." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja pouts.\nIt shouldn't be natural. She doesn't want to confuse her. She doesn't want to be confusing.\n\"...I suppose.\"\n\nWrong or not, she still stood at the edge of the forest. She would not hack away. She would not drop her axe either.\nShe will walk through the forest. If it ever came time for it.\n\n\"Well-\" She turns her left arm, and presses lightly on her skin, a little white spot makes its presence known, it sits just on her forearm, near her elbow, hiding behind her flushed skin.\n\"I have... Another burn.\" \nAnother. Jebote, what a joke.\n \"From when I was very young. I was making dinner with my mother. I was standing on a stepladder. She had stepped away to prepare other part of dinner, I had slipped and caught myself on burner of stove.\" She chuckles slightly.\n\"Mother told me I was crying for hours.\"\nShe pauses, looking towards the bookshelf nearby with another scowl crossing her face.\n\nLooking back, her face is neutral.\n\"But other than that, no. I mostly have callouses from working. Hands are not as soft as one would think.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Everything with Amelie was simply habitual, though it seems the prude mood was genetic. Like a thick miasma if veiled confusion and anger, it was tiring. \n\nAmelie looked at the faded mark. She thought of a smaller Anja wailing about how she had burned herself. She wanted to laugh but was captured into a irritated stupor. \n\nAmelie looked confused. \n\"I'll be the judge of that. Just because they're not soft dosent mean they're not... Nice to hold?\" \nAmelie felt like a clown. Maybe that girl Anja knew, she'd know better. \n\"That was foolish of me, But.\" \n\nAmelie stopped for a moment, filtering through fickle memories that have only tainted her for the rest of her life. \n\"I had a consequence of tripping in the river everytime I brought somebody there with me.\"\nAmelie said with a faint mirth. \n\"You think an accomplished dancer would know her way with walking but I didn't. My friend watched me as I fell and gouged my knee on a pointed stone.\" \n\nTejal started to weep at the fact Amelie was hurt while Amelie herself was laughing as if it was a joke. Tejal picked her up like she weighed nothing in that river and brought her to the hospital. She rarely felt that speechless or light, but the rest of the time in the day was spent reassuring Tejal that she was fine.\n\n\"She'd always get so emotional when I was hurt, which was often. It was strange. I did have to comfort her a lot though, that's something I miss.\" \nThe end was whispered, wistful and a dripping with barely held sorrow. She's just come back from Germany yet she wanted to go back just to stand at that grave for hours more. For something... She wasn't sure." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Emotions. That was the best description Anja had for what went through her head. Emotions. Flustered being one of them.\n\"I- I guess? I have not had someone hold them.\" \nWell, she has, but not since-\n\"It is not foolish, quite endearing. Thank you.\" \nMaybe being constantly warm does have its perks.\n\nThe pause helped Anja collect herself.\n\"Accomplished dancer? Really?\" Her voice brought genuine interest. \"What did you preform?\"\nIt was fascinating to think of Amelie dancing. What was a blunt woman performing something so graceful. She wishes she could've seen it. Her friend was in a lucky time to see it.\n\n\"I suppose it is the nostalgia of the experience, no? Like seeing the river again.\"\nThumb grazes thumb as she speaks, like she needed to move around.\nShe had not felt so... Awake? For some time.\nIt felt like she was just stuck in a loop of being too tired to do anything, but just awake enough to stay up. At least until now." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie's eye bulged comically. She didn't know what to think. \n\"I think you're lying but, I'll take your word for it.\"\nAnja had to be lying, people were just foolish. That girl yes, but that was possibly a subject that was harmful. Say something to make it better. \n\"Your hands are too nice not to be held, even now.\" \nYes. Amelie wasn't one for compliments, was she.\n\nAmelie hummed. \n\"Ballet, Waltz, paso doble and many more. I remember always having to dance with a boy though. My friend was always there to take me out afterwards.\" \nAfter those performances Tejal would run up onto the stage and sweep her into a hug. She was amazing comfort, the best friend she ever had. \n\n\"The nostalgia makes me trip and fall? No. I understand, it's nice seeing it again. I just wish I could dance in it like I used to.\" \nAmelie looked tired, her eye glazing over for a moment. She sighed before going back to looking at Anja with an attentive gaze. \n\n\"Have you danced before?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja lets out a soft chuckle.\n\"No- No I promise, I have not had them held.\" She pleads out her defense testimony.\nIt's easier to decide it doesn't count.\n\"I... Thank you?\"\n...Would be better of a compliment if she did hold them.\n\nAnja tucked one of her hands under her jaw as Amelie recalled the different dances. Amelie waltzing, that sounds beautiful.\n\n\"Oh- No I was meaning that you were missing the- Nevermind. Not important.\" She makes a dismissive wave. She looks too tired and it wasn't as important for the conversation.\n\n\"...I have not. No. Not like you have.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "She frowns, looking indignant. \n\"Fine. I'll believe you.\"\nShe dosent believe Anja at all. Her face forms a pout for a second, just before Anja moved. \n\nAmelie raises her brow, suddenly alert. \n\"Well you must tell me later at least.\" \nIt's a little rude to not tell her, Amelie did speak the truth for the most part. The other part was not something that anybody wished to know. \n\n\"I wish I could've taught you. You seem like you'd dance well if somebody just taught you.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She doesn't want to lie. It just... Didn't count. It's not lying if it didn't count, right?\n\nAnja concedes, not wanting to leave her in the dark for something so small in her opinion.\n\"I was not meaning the nostalgia had made you fall. But perhaps you missed the nostalgia of being with your friend?\"\n\n\"Perhaps I would. Seems that I would've had a good teacher.\"\nShe tucks a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.\n\"I have never heard of paso doble. Mostly just waltzing and of course ballet. Had other girls in school that did ballet. Pretty dance. Was not my thing.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie seems to shut herself instantly on that topic of her friend. \n\"I-\" \nAmelie looks conflicted, thousands of thoughts cutting through carefully put wires to hold everything together. It was thick, like a wave of rot pounding into the back of her skull even if in a dazed dream or awake. \n\"I do. I would go back to Germany in a heartbeat for her. Not that'd she'd speak to me, even if I begged or wept for it.\" \n\nAmelie just nodded at the next comment, offering for reprieve to the cold words she spoke seconds prior. \n\"You'd be a wonderful partner in paso doble, it's a aggressive dance but it looks captivating I've been told.\" \nShe taught it to Tejal, she got her feet stepped on but it was fine. Those moments were spent with laughter. \n\"I've taught it before. But being taught was a one on one deal for me.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "...Amelie's reaction. It was something Anja felt... Familiarized with.\n\"...I see, sorry about that.\"\nPerhaps... Perhaps there is something in common between these two, something that isn't completely temperature shocked by the heat and the frost. Perhaps they are not stuck as parallel observers to one another.\n\nIt wasn't something to press on though, as the other subject sprung into the fray once again.\n\"Aggressive? In what way?\"\nShe tilts her head lightly as she asks, still resting underneath the top of her hand.\n\"Once again, you are impressive in many ways I cannot parse to list, miss.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie said nothing and seemed to wave Anja off completely. Not even looking her way. It's been a year. Amelie hasn't even begun to heal from anything. What a failure she is. \n\nPlease don't look at me, don't touch me. Weeping in front of Tejal as that damned bone broke the surface of her skin. \nA bone breaching the surface of tender skin on her left cheek, or what was left of it. \n\nAmelie thought about the dance. \n\"Close, swings and tight, sharp movements. Like that.\"\nSpinning with the other in short turns, how it was exhilarating, addictive. She loved it. \n\"You're too humble. Many can do it better than me.\" \nYou, perhaps." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "It was best to drop it. It left for better or for worse, it brought Amelie into... Emotions. Something that was uncommon, throughout their talk. \n\n\"I see. Would have been fascinating to see you perform, miss.\"\nWhat would have made Anja be such an adept at a dance like that? Was she seen as aggressive?\nNo matter.\n\"You say that, but you are the first one to even tell me of such a dance. From my experience you are the best at it.\"\nHumble. It is not just her who is that way, Amelie." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie looked sad, it was a wobbly frown. It took a moment of patchwork and seconds for Amelie to wind herself up back to the puppet-like image she casts herself as. \n\nAmelie nods her fingers pushing together with force that makes her knuckles become lighter with strain. Amelie didn't think Anja was aggressive, she just thought she'd be good at dancing such a thing. \n\"I was the best at it then, it seems.\" \n\nShe thought for a moment, a small blunder. \n\"A part of me wishes to see you in that crowd I danced in front of. It would've made everything a lot less nerve wracking.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "It was... Mixed how Anja wanted to feel about it.\nShe had gotten a glimpse into Amelie, behind the porcelain mask that she so finely constructed.\nBut it was not what she was expecting to see. Part of her wished to keep her unmasked. But that part was selfish. As much as she wanted to have Something To call progress. She shoved it away.\n\n\"I am glad we can agree on this.\" A small jab.\n\nA flattered smile meets Amelie's blunder.\n\"I would have loved to be there. I would've been such a distraction, though.\"\nShe meets her eye with her eyes.\n\"I would've been making too much noise cheering you on, of course.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Something shattered during those nights, sitting alone in a room and then wandering around in all hours of the night. Always trying to find something, even if it led her to get hurt. It was a peculiar hobby at best. She dosent know what to say about the worst. \n\nAmelie glared, not respecting the jab at all, it could be seen as playful though. It wasn't. \n\nA huff came from Amelie. \n\"You would've been dragged out of there, kicking and yelling. Nobody speaks while the folk dance.\" \nAnja would've been kicked out so quickly it would be a comedy more than a show for a violinist such as Amelie, would've been funny though. \n\n\"Not a distraction, more of a nuisance to others.\" \nShe didn't want to look at Anja's eyes anymore but she'd seem like a fool." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Wow! That had backfired.\nShe flinches from the glare, losing her social footing as the jab dropped with the respect she was hoping for.\n\nAnja gives her reprieve, looking away from her now uncomfortable partner's eyes.\nHer eyes now read out the spines of books.\n\"I have been called that before. Nothing that weighs on my mind.\"\n\nA soft scoff comes from Anja.\n\"They Would Have to drag me out. I would make it embarrassing for everyone involved.\"\nBesides, if it was such a stuffy crowd, she would rather be locked outside than deal with such a folk.\n\n\"Would be a shame to miss out on the performance, though. So I Suppose I would behave in this hypothetical.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"You wouldn't be a distraction to me or a nuisance, just somebody who helps.\" \nFinding keen interest in her hands she fiddles with her thumbs, bandages pressing against eachother in a tense moment. Every moment is like walking into a steel beam. \n\nAmelie twitches at the scoff. \n\"I wouldn't mind. It'd actually be nice to see something other than absurdly disgusting folk.\" \nThe way they'd leer was heinous and was laid upon her memory like a tattoo on skin, Amelie would think they're watching with their particular ideas that leave Amelie wanting to leave as fast as she could. It was stuffy and degrading and something she never wants to go to again. \n\n\"I'd not start until everyone but you and a few others left. I don't want to see them.\" \nShe wants to see people who don't have ulterior motives that delve into the sicky and miasmic with hunger. She cannot do much but a friend is always needed." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"I am glad to hear that. I worry about finding myself a nuisance to you.\"\nThey're sitting near the mystery section. She's not the biggest fan of mysteries. She remembers flipping to the end of one that Tanya recommended to her, tired of the second guessing and the Just one step close, two steps back Situations the protagonist was always stuck in.\nMaybe they have the book here.\n\n\"If they were as despicable as you describe them, I would've been sick to even be near them.\"\nThe concept reminded her of business dinners she had always been forced to sit in. The constant lectures on Proper Manners. She rolls her eyes.\n\nShe makes a quick glance towards her, before going back to reading the spines.\n\"I would count myself lucky to be able to see such a sight. As well as the others who were allowed to observe.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Anja wasn't particularly a nuisance but not currently something she'd find herself wanting. Amelie had already read these but, the most mystery she ever got about them was the sudden love interest that seemed to appear from nowhere like a cartoonish gimmick. She hoped they all exploded. \n\n\"You would've, I'm not surprised. I'd try to leave fast every single time.\" \nThose moments of standing near them left her cautious of all. It was uncomfortable and unfortunate for her, but Tejal was almost always there with her. \n\nAnja wouldn't be lucky to see, it was just purely a gig. Amelie would much rather run around the town she was in, just doing whatever, it was fun. \n\"Not really. I would've been much happier running across pavement into the woods or spending the night at my friend's house.\" \nShe usually spent the nights as often as she could, which superisingly wasn't all that frequent. Tejal would always have bandaids in her room because of Amelie. It was an ordeal." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Did she really want to read it again, though? She'd rather read something that would actually be. Well. Enjoyable.\nWhat did she even like to read? She only really read books that Tanya recommended her. Oh well.\n\n\"I do not blame you. I am sure you treated them better than I would've.\"\nIt was like a knife fight some nights, no one was leaving that table without being wounded. Stubborn girl.\n\n\"Agreed. I would trade a million scrapes and bruises for a second of judgmental stares.\"\nShe pauses. Remembering something.\n\"One night I had just left the house. Middle of the night. I climbed up to that spot. I knew I was going to be scolded for hours for it. So I stayed up there, I just watched everything under that silver moonlight for hours. I would've slept up there if it wasn't as cold as it was. Having to wear a dress and all. I think younger me would've enjoyed powers more than now.\" \nAnother pause.\n\"Maybe.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie snorts. \n\"I doubt that.\" \nShe'd get hurt for doing it but she didn't care, she hurt them and could care less. They deserved it, they a did for what they were. \n\nAmelie would give a lot more for a second without a particular thing or a second with it. It was confusing and the apparition of choice was fickle. \n\"Maybe, I wouldn't know.\" \nShe didn't know Anja till arguably recently. \n\"I would've still hated them. But, when I was younger. If I had met you? I would've ran and stayed with you.\"\nWhen she was younger, she was more adventurous than she was now. Being bound for a wheelchair for a while makes you become existential. She was terrified, looking at your own moving flesh does that to you. \n\"Anything. I wouldn't have minded having another friend.\"\n\nShe wanted them then, maybe even moreso now but things were choking others now. Thoughts and battles not won, perilous things." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Anja shrugs.\n\"I'll hope to never know your scorn, then.\"\n\nHer attention gets held as she talks, like Amelie's words turn her head on their own.\nIt was a shared experience, the uncovering of each others' lives. Things to be left undisturbed, and things to poke and prod at until everything could be examined from the poor test subject.\n\"Of course, I wasn't the most uncaring of them. I'm... Not the biggest fan of blood. But only vampires really are.\"\nEhhh. No jokes.\n\n\"Well. I wouldn't mind catching up from where I missed out.\"\nIf you would have her, of course.\n\"Friends, then?\" A slight shrug, a slight eyebrow tilt.\nFor now, hopefully." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "She raises a brow. Amelie's scorn is currently spent thurougly; it wouldn't take long for it to come back though.\n\nThere was some similarities between them, escapees of unwanted anger. Running along unpaved paths to their own little areas they loved. They were both digging things up better left covered, with bloody knuckles and busted lips they found the things they wanted. For the most part.\n\"And doctors wanting blood donations. I'm a fan because I lose so much of it.\" \nAmelie was going to joke. Excuse Anja.\n\n\"You didn't miss a lot, truly.\" \nAmelie's face pinched together, musing something in her head like a marble in the palm of a hand. \n\"I'll decide that.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "And yet, how many differences were secretly similarities unknown to either, unless uncovered? How many were never meant to be uncovered, left to rot in the dirt where they are perceived to belong?\n\nAnja's brows raise at her joke. She has jokes in her yet.\n\"I believe it is meant to stay in your body, miss. Common misconception.\"\n\n\"I wouldn't know unless I was told, of course.\"\nShe relaxes herself, giving the artist her time to muse.\n\"Of course, I will still be here when the decision comes.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Tell zat to the bones.\" \nShe mumbles with a tired rasp. As if on cue a muffled snap of warning makes itself known in Amelie's right forearm. It was led by her frowning deeper. \n\n\"Perhaps sooner or later. Not quite now, Frau Leta.\"\nAmelie gets up, and grabs her crutches. The fireworks have long since stopped, they've been talking for a while. \n\"Please do. I cannot lose you just yet.\" \nIt was a whisper but the Library was quiet enough for Anja to hear it. \n\n\"Now.\"\nAmelie speaks, only slightly louder, that rasp prominent. \n\"I must go. You may accompany me if you wish.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "She chuckles lightly. At least it is not a sore spot for her? Either way, something for her to joke of. Not Anja's.\n\nThe whisper is met with a knowing nod.\nShe didn't want to leave. Not ever. Amelie was never going to lose a stray cat that always seemed to show up when she called.\n\nAnja stands, looking out to see that she as well, did not notice the dark telling of the jubilations end.\nShe wondered how folk were up on the roof right now. As well as what time it was.\n\n\"Of course.\"\nShe picked up the almanac from the table, lightly gliding her thumb across the plastic wrap.\nShe would preserve this as long as she could.\n\nShe finally looks up, walking quickly to catch up with Amelie before she decided to fully leave. Anja would accompany her wherever she wanted to go.\n\nIf she would have her." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie paced herself so Anja could walk beside her without it turning into a brisk jog. \n\nAmelie would love to have Anja, it just depends on if Amelie was willing to risk that kind of thing again. Only time will tell, and with them comes new wounds. If only, to what may be. \n\nFor now, Amelie thinks about having a friend at least." } ]	206.5	13,412
502	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún's heels tapped against the side of the rock she sat on, staring at the still water. There were no trees around the little pool, letting the twinkling stars land on its surface for a moment before the first watercolour swells of sunlight washed them away.\n\nUnder her heavy mantle of black leather pans silvery spikes, her stomach is wrapped in a coil of cold flesh, the faint outline of suckers shifting around each other; she hadn't needed that old comfort in ages, before she lit in this place, but it was difficult not to feel like a child, now.\n\nA smile curled the edges of her mouth, but it didn't quite lift the rest of her features.\n\n\"Good to meet you in the flesh, Basil.\"\n\nShe keeps her distance. It's more than she afforded him in that other state.\n\n\"I hope that's not a cruel pun. It really is good, I think.\"\n\n\"Well. It'd be nice if you weren't stuck here.\"\n\nSig drew her knee up to her chest to lean her head against, mirroring Basil's position. The movement cast new shadows on her rock; curled around her perch were more of her limbs, perfectly mottled grey to match it. \n\n\"You don't look so good, Bror.\"\n\nHer voice, level and low, was a far different beast than the one that had screamed its curses at those corrosive golden eyes. Its presence was more than its body, then—the boy before her across the pool looked like he had been fighting tooth and nail for far longer than anyone should; the animation in his chest was stilted and uncomfortable, as though he were unused to taking anything but shallow breaths. The sight of him ached.\n\nSigrún's silvery eyes were nigh-unreadable, but they met his and they held there.\n\nA heavy sigh rolled out of the girl on the rock as a number of things suddenly made terrible sense. A high wind blew through, rustling the branches above them.\n\n\"You're not an unforgivable thing for feeling like one.\"\n\nThe lightless sky was always an embrace, cool hands over cool skin, the permeating loneliness a presence in itself—her tower, sunk beneath the haze. But, under this mournful moon, soon to vanish, another sat with her in the pressure. She felt light, but weighted down by the weeping pit in her stomach. \n\nStrands of loose, wavy blonde hair slipped in front of her shadowed face, glinting gold in the crawling sunrise.\n\n\"Your beast spoke of grief...\"\n\nBlue fingertips pushed them behind her ears. Sharp teeth worried her lower lip as she chose her words carefully.\n\n\"It aches to breathe, ja? When you're a shape that's growing too fast to recognize... You were failed too?\"\n\nThe fleshy spirals looped around the rock tightened and twisted into angry, writhing knots as Basil spoke of how he was failed. Sigrún's mind filled in the blank spaces of his ragged tapestry; neglect, blame, the pain of drowning and seeing no one above the ice who cared to intervene. No wonder he's furious. No wonder it's eaten so much of him.\n\n'We?' They couldn't breathe? The phrase called back an old disk with his name on it—Levi's power in his lungs, his plan to disappear into the Cradle's incompetent grip in hopes of finding help. We...\n\nHow much of himself had this kid really lost? How much had been carved away by the ages stuck to his lover's side, his identity dissolved into the corrosive pattern of nothingness? Apathetic eyes had given him that first push, but Basil continued to dig his own bitter claws into the soft flesh he blamed for his purgatory.\n\nHer leaden face curled into an angry mask for a moment, before the claws receded and she remembered herself. Basil moved through his emotions a mile a minute.\n\n\"Devil in hell... You have every reason to want to tear this place apart.\" Sig's voice, the cold, even ocean, was shot through with vents of volcanic heat, thrashing in the pitch. \"We-the-monstrous have little patience for thumb-twiddling...\" A sharp exhale, and she softened, near-imperceptibly. \"And so much beauty to be crushed beneath ignorant thumbs.\"\n\n\"...Also, 'she,' What?\"\n\nSigrún leaned forward to see the little dragon-thing closer, adjusting cloaked limbs for balance. An odd thing it was, staring up at her while its master's tale of love and woe unfurled further.\n\nHis devotion was something out of a story bound in leather and iron, painful in the way only ancient yarns could be, yet stinging like a new wound. She recalled the recording, hasty and desperate, and despaired alongside him.\n\n\"Nope.\"\n\nSimple as that.\n\n\"It's all a murky fucking mess. Hate feeling trapped in those.\"\n\nShe spoke almost more to the dragon-thing, not breaking the eerie eye contact.\n\n\"Ooooooh,\" She hummed, sliding her cool fingers over the regretful creature's (scaly? Rough?) brow, lightly scratching its snout like a puppy's. Though her expression remained still, her nose wrinkled a little at the faint sensation of pins and needles. Her hands rippled through the scraps of colour coming through the trees.\n\n\"He... He reached out of it, and grabbed on,\" She murmured, deep in thought. \"It was like I saw straight in, and then he saw straight out...\"\n\n\"It's different for you, though, isn't it—the thing guarding the gate is the one you made, gripping you like a... Sphinx or something.\"\n\nSigrún slid off her rock, closer to where Basil sat, scooping his regret into her lap. Curious little creature.\n\n\"That's... If I pulled on your hand really hard like with Levi, what do you think would happen, even?\"\n\nAn uncomfortably long few seconds of silence was shaken by the sound of Sigrún sucking air between her teeth.\n\n\"I, sure. Yeah.\" Her tone was still even, but contained the slightest hint of incredulousness, as though the next thing she was planning on saying was 'shit, that's what I've been saying' Or 'of course, stupid.' Being stuck in a void with Anyone For that long, even someone she liked, sounded like hell. Ugly thoughts were necessary, and to be best observed in forgiving solitude. She sighed.\n\n\"It's not the sort of thing you Kill, Baz. You know that. Your power rubs it in your face, doesn't it! What a bitch!\"\n\nSig scooped up the dragon in her lap, scooting closer to Basil. The no-doubt bewildered lizard blinked an inch from his nose. \n\n\"Look at him. Regret, in the, ehh, not-flesh-but-close-enough. In the gravity. Look at this little face, and tell him he's no good? That he deserves nothingness, little thing that he is—Ooh, he's got some heft to him—anyway.\" She sets the creature down, rubbing snd shaking out the bare fingertips that touched it. \"You're right, at least, that this is your monster to wield. Your pesky prophecy, your sacred blade...\"\n\nThe crouched girl's fingers dug into the murky silt just below the edge of the water.\n\n\"It's all energy, in this world. Organs, spirits. You put some out, and you gain it back, one way or another. Else you're walking around hollow, or constipated. You've been Ten years Stagnant, friend. You've already carved this thing out of your side—I know that, because I looked it in its eye and I called it names...\"\n_ _\n\nSig chuckled to herself, as though the blinding rage and terror were already funny stories. She absentmindedly twisted her hand as she talked, tracing looping patterns through the air. As she turned back to him, this hand suddenly split, as though it hid behind its own shadow, the form of human fingers mirrored with a squid's sucker-lined gripper. The shape melted out of the folds of her leather jacket up to the elbow, already adjusting to reflect the colours in the early dawn sky. Her two forearms split apart and wrapped around each other, two halves of a whole, graceful in their way of being disturbing; if they looked long enough, which of the two was there first might become less and less apparent.\n\n\"It's all just you, anyway.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Basil watched the distortion of Sigrun's hand, curling around and over itself. His red and green eyes bore into the sight with rapt fascination. For the first time in ~~how long? How long has it been?~~, Basil took a deep breath. The entire being shuddered and shook the little blades of grass under them.\n\n\"It's still you, isn't it?\" \n\nThe angry shape deflated, slowly, slowly, until it started to take the silhouette of a boy. The last time like this has been when Levi ~~was still here~~ Had insisted they meet with Dae-hyun and Danica, converse with them, accept their gifts. \n\nEver since Levi had gotten free, everyone had seemed to forget about that. \n\n\"It's just me now, isn't it?\"\n\nBefore Sig sat a boy, or what remained of one, chin resting on his knuckles in a painfully human-like gesture. He tilted his head a bit. \n\n\"Im just all that's in here. Hayleys gone. Levi's gone. It's just me.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún made no polite efforts to conceal her fascination with how Basil's form warped and reshaped itself, sharpening around the edges, softening in the face. Somebody Around the Cradle owed him genuine interest anyway, she figured. At long last.\n\nShe nodded slowly, an array of strange colours streaking excitedly through her oddly-curled expression. It softened, though, when Basil turned to face her again.\n\nA cool hand, clad in a fingerless glove painted with bones, rested hesitantly but solidly on his shoulder.\n\n\"And you have a moment to breathe, finally.\"\n\nThe girl's tone is gentle—a practiced sort of gentle, an effort.\n\n\"The way I saw it, at least. It's a good thing to love people, to protect them, hold them together...\" She zones out for a second, watching the sun come through the trees. \"But you can't stay coiled up forever. Not even for their sake.\"\n\nSongbirds rustled high in the trees. It was a lovely morning for somber things." }, { "author": "archived_account145B", "message": "Basil slowly nodded.\n\n\"Do you think,\" He said, \"I could do it? Break out of here? What would even happen?\"\n\nThe black hole, devoid of static, did not encroach on Sigrun's flesh, nay, only her thoughts, simmering below their hand like an inky pool, echoes of a silent wave slipping out.\n\n\"I'll crush this damned place with my bare hands if I gotta. I don't want it infecting anyone else. And if Hayleys alive, I'll strangle her with it.\"\n\nThe angers claws landed on his shoulders again, gold surging into his eyes. And why shouldn't it?, he supposed. Hayley LaFontaine had locked him, ~~and Levi~~ in here to Die. \n\nTrapped be damned. They weren't meant to make it out. ~~And Levi had~~. What a wrench in the plan, Basil mused. \n\n\"I'll make her feel all of it. That's all I've been able to have. I've only been able to Feel. Did you know there were years we couldn't even see? Could you imagine that, huh? Stuck. Stuck and you can't even see. You can't hear anything that's not under a million fuck-off layers of– Of that damn Noise.\"\n\nThe birds stilled. Darkness crouched over the grass. Basil shook, ever so slightly." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Little met Basil's questions, strung together like firecrackers, but the same eerie silence that he had created. Sigrún merely tapped her fingers over the well of shark teeth and poison she seemed to hover over (sit next to?). It was strange, now, to see the proper source of that venom, to rest next to them while they ranted—the effects were still there, set in the ache of her jaw that she clamped Hard, but she just didn't want to tear his head off. Funny.\n\nShe didn't move her hand to accommodate the claws, but neither did she shove them off of his back.\n\n\"Don't need to convince Me You have good reasons to be fucking insane with rage right now,\" She chirped, turning to look at those burning gold eyes. Really Look at them. Sigrún decided she liked how they made her own water a little.\n\n\"If you tore it apart, and her next... It would be a fiery display, for certain, claws, teeth, chemical change...\"\n\nHer voice turned low and dreamy, but she still stared into the golden blaze. \n\n\"You'd make up for so many years blind by never blinking once, if only to see every detail of your anger cracking the stones beneath her feet—it would feel like wrenching a piece of broken glass out of your chest, and it would hurt, accordingly, like a Bitch.\"\n\nA sharp rock, half-buried in the sand, digs into Sigrún's fingertips.\n\n\"You let out a beast that big, you leave a gaping, ugly hole that nobody can ignore, ribs and acid, and torn muscle; you cage it again, and it eats your spine away.\"\n\nDespite the gruesomeness of both options, the tall figure leaning back on its hands' delivery was almost like a campfire story, her eerie eyes darting about as though catching details from the woods behind him to weave into her tale. 'Good' or 'bad' weren't concerns, merely the spectacle of it all, the animal craving of something breaking between one's teeth." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "I RESPOND TODAY POND" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Sigrún's eyes rolled to Basil, then her shoulders. Its head lolled to the side, eyebrows pulled into a slightly quizzical expression, mouth leaden.\n\n\"You tell Me This, like I wouldn't understand? I just said so.\"\n\nOver the shadowed side of her neck, something twisted and shifted. The root of nebulous anger that dug into the ground closest to her was wrapped in a strand of cold, cold muscle, rippling with strange colours.\n\n\"I've been here... Half a year? And I want to flood this dump until it's just rebar and punching bags—sometimes I wonder if this will end with me peeling my skin off.\" A shadow grew around its eyes. \"I can't imagine a decade.\"\n\nSig pictured it for a moment, the Cradle, eroded away to little more than bitter memories by the force of the sea it stole her from. A sour, sharp thing, with spiralling blades and a nauseating ooze, twisted in her stomach. That used to be where she felt something else; the pull of the compass, the current flowing around her soul, rushing through her powerful form. The anger that Basil's monster had seen in it that fateful night bubbled back up, bestial and lost.\n\nThe sharp, sour thing twisted again when she thought of what tied her there, and she blinked the dryness out of her eyes that the wind insisted on bringing.\n\nThe red-patterned girl had hardly noticed the odd crackling to the air until it dropped so suddenly, like her ears popping after climbing to a lesser depth. Or a greater one. Which way had she gone, with this furious shade she might call a kindred spirit? Her head turned, sluggish and then quick, if only to find a face to reassure. Perhaps her word would mean more to him, who only knew the ways they were similar.\n\nWhat will he do?\n\nSigrún thought of the ones she might like to keep safe herself, and tensed a little; Gabriel. Violetta. Mimir. They were all on varying levels of needing to be free from the Cradle, and a brief image of falling and rotted debris around their haunts stained her mind's eye. It paused, though, and thought a little better of Basil. What would freeing them be if they were just fated to be rubble?\n\n\"As long as you'll not harm the rest of us... Stuck here.\"\n\nThe invisible loops of muscle wound around her in every impossible way coiled just a little tighter. It flopped onto its back on the cold earth, watching the sun drench the tips of the tallest trees in melted butter-light.\n\n\"And just slip me a note when you're giving our shit back. Faen.\"" } ]	291	3,514
186	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "It was a sunny day at the Cradle's courtyard and a rather busy one at thar for Indra, who's standing on the courtyard wearing paint stained overalls, wiping away sweat from the top of his forehead, a mess of materials surrounds him, most of them for making puppets\n\nHe just finished the beginning touches for a project that he's been working on for weeks now, a truly gigantic puppet of a dragon which as of now is nothing but a mesh of painted paper mache with wiring keeping it together, he had been planning on making this as a set piece for a parade that he had been commissioned on, apparently his works has gotten some notice and impressed by a parade organizer, and eager to do work that will put him on the spotlight, he takes the job almost immediately as it's offered, after a while he decides on taking a break by sitting down on the ground and takes a drink from a water bottle" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "So she's in the courtyard, with an ice lolly in the most 'barbie movie comin out soon' hype outfit she could muster, low rise jeans and all.\n\nSpotting Indra, she takes a moment to admire the little guy's handiwork from a distance- she never truly did get into arts and crafts like that, and she was almost a little jealous of the talent... A dragon? Totally a dragon. She walks up behind him where he's sat, her shoes making quiet contact with the dry grass.\n\"Hiii Indra, watcha makin?\" She pats the guy's head- still standing up behind him so that she can look a little closer at the huge puppet.\nShe dragged him to hang out with her on intra once, so im assuming she definitely knows him. Her voice is twinged with sweetness in such a way that she is the embodiment of ':3' right now." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra looks at the person who patted his head and turn up slowly, he smiles when he notices the person who patted his head, it's none other than Hatsume!, he had a lot of fun the last time they hang out together on intra, she was sweet and really fun when they talked with eachother, they seems to gel with eachother really well, he stands up to meet her eye to eye while dusting off his overalls \n\n\"I'm making this giant puppet!, it's gonna be a centrepiece for a float!\" Indra says with giddy in his voice, he's practically shaking with excitement as he shows off the incomplete dragon puppet in display \"It's going to be a dragon!, and when i'm complete with it, i'm going to make it breathe fire!\" He giggles a bit \"Well not actual fire, i don't have the permission for that, but it'll have a smoke machine and a fire lamp, so it'll look like it breathes fire!\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "I forgor </3 ahem. \n\"Woah, nice! Bet it pays well too, is it like a commission?\" She questions, eyebrows raised- it certainly looked good enough to be one- though she wondered what sort of parade this was actually For. Probably not Isakstad pride, she kinda figured a dragon would sort of imply like damnation to the pits of hell or something like that... Did isakstad actually do pride?\nShe's snapped out of her thoughts at the end of Indra's sentence.\n\nHatsume sits down beside where her friend stood, taking a closer look at the handiwork from an angle where she could touch grass... She could imagine that sitting out here crafting a dragon puppet in the sun was probably Very Therapeutic..." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra nods his head along as Hatsume talks \"Yup it is a commission!, it's part of a music festival, apparently one of the acts will come to the stage on a float, the dragon thing is something i ask the commissioner myself if i can do, i always wanted to make a giant cool dragon so it's great i have the chance to do that!\"\n\nAs Hatsume takes a seat on the grass Indra would also follow and sits alongside her, admiring the half-finished work before him, there's still alot of work to be done of course, but as of now he's satisfied with the amount of work he had put in, as he looks at the dragon he hears Hatsume talks about someone in her past \"Oh, i'm sorry, why would someone be an asshole to you!?, you're like one of the coolest person i know!\"" } ]	187	930
335.75	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Where's this fucking son of a bitch...\"\n\nMargarita had been standing by the side of this massive yet bare concrete wall now for over five minutes in this part of the cradle, waiting for a certain someone to show their face. The Scandinavian cold had been getting to the Southern Italian, a Fur-lined parka wrapped around the girl's body on top of a white shirt and a pair of jeans. Her red and white sneakers rubbed against the grass quietly, kicking around a rock as if it was a football. God she missed the sport.\n\nStill waiting, Margarita leaned on said concrete wall as her shoe continued to make contact with the rock, eventually kicking it too far for her to reach without messing around with her powers. Giving in, Margarita reached out for it with an arm, her hand and wrist shooting for the grey stone as her limb effortlessly extended more and more out of the sleeve of her jacket. She couldn't help but look at her distorted limb, making contact with the grass beneth her hand three-ish metres away.\n\nWas elasticity even a correct word to describe her abilities that made her stand out against all others barring the Cradle? Sure her body was able to stretch itself out, but her body didn't subconsciously or automatically pull itself back together. What about elongation? That could work. But she had rubbery properties; her finger could erase pencil marks effortlessly! She could squeeze through gaps as well, unbelievably thin ones too. So that makes for...\n\nCrunch\n\nHearing leaves crunch behind her, Margarita quickly grabbed the rock and let her arm slink back to her rapidly, forgetting to form an elbow joint in the middle twisted her neck around a whole 180 degrees, a sight that still freaked out a lot of her peers.\n\n\"Finally, there you are. Good evening.\" She greeted, still wearing a bored face despite the horribly twisted neck.\n\nWhat a weird kid." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Don't bite the hand that feeds.\n\n□ It was an adage old as time, and the central motif of a Nine Inch Nails song she'd heard entirely too many times hanging around with Omar, and it was one that was now proving to be very prudent to her life. A few days prior, she'd been absolutely shit talking the girl she was sneaking out past curfew to see, and now she was willingly crawling out of her third story window and using a nearby tree as her ladder down to meet up with the expectation of a brisk walk and a pack of smokes. Scurrying down the trunk, her right eye was covered by a distinctive eyepatch, her left swapped onto one of its frequencies to check for anyone who might have been lurking around to catch her sneaking around.\n\n▪︎ As it turned out, though, she was fine. Nobody was around. She started to walk out towards where Margarita said she was going to be.\n\n□ Of course, though, there was five minutes of distance between her and her rendezvous, the mere existence of which made her feel slightly Dirty. It felt like the stories her friends had told her of their own escapades past midnight, soliloquies preached to the rooftops and love made in giant trash bins, yet she knew she wasn't out here for that. The mere thought of doing anything but existing in a shaky truce disgusted her as of the moment she turned the corner, and once she saw that she hadn't been stood up she grunted lightly to announced her presence. Unlike Margarita, who happened to be dressed quite warm, Margo had on nothing but a slightly oversized beige graphic tee and orange corduroy trousers, and her distinctive heeled Blundstones with their yellow laces laddered.\n\n▪︎ Talk about an outfit.\n\n◆ \"Evening? Fuck, man, it's four in the morning.\" She half-laughed, stuffing her hands into her pockets. \"Keep you waiting long?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Okay then, Early good morning.\" She snickered as well, throwing the rock up and over the ten metre wall. The other's outfit was less suited to the cold, sure, but she just assumed that her acquaintance was more used to the cold.\n\n\"Not really, but here we are. Anyways,\" She put her hands in her pocket, her arms still shaped like pasta noodles since they were still in the safety of the Cradle, away from prying eyes. \"Hope you brought enough money for your cigarettes. I just have enough for a midnight snack.\"\n\nDespite the outward neutrality, Margarita remained wary of this other sack of shit. Who knows what kind of shit she'll pull off. Hopefully not. She didn't want to tire herself out emotionally being angry at someone 24/7 or be wary all the time she was gonna get hit square in her jaw.\n\nBut for now, all was well. Margarita, without saying another word, stretched her legs out way above Margo until she could place herself above the towering barrier. Her feet soon followed, and as two limbs made their way up, one returned back down, its palm open as if it was waiting for Margo to grab onto it.\n\n\"So, am I pulling you up or are you climbing up?\" Her ten metre arm remained still, waiting for a hand to grasp onto it or for the girl to climb onto." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Alright.\" Looking up, Margo could sense the wariness that existed between the pair. Sure, they were out and about together, and they were chatting openly, but the memories of what they'd done to each other both in the woods and over the chatroom were likely still fresh. Whatever. \"I took the money out, since you don't have a bank account. But... Let's just get up this wall first.\"\n\n□ Old instincts were kicking in, honed over years of late night adventures around the gated community she'd grown up in and it's surrounding sister suburbs, all gated off and staffed by clean-cut men who were likely wired on energy drinks late into their shifts. Looking over her shoulder, she shook her head as Marge asked her if she needed a hand up; if anything, she had to resist firing a snarky comment back, reminding herself that she wasn't here to bicker now that a truce had been solidified between them. \n\n▪︎ Stepping back a few, she ran, and in a series of motions she'd clearly done before she thrust herself up the wall to the point where her fingers could curl around the embankment's lip.\n\n◆ \"Huf-\" She grunted as she pulled herself up, easily rolling over the side and onto her back. The cold concrete, though, was no bed, and the chill quickly zapped her body like static. \"Fuck, that's cold, actually... Then again, I didn't bother with a jacket. Thought it would be nice out, and it mostly is, but God this concrete feels like someone's got my ass in a kidney remover bath. Anyways. Gimme a sec, I'll dig out your money... Is this where you always come to smoke?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "At least Margo got the money down. She still had to see it, but she knew Margo. An aggressive father beater? Yes. Respectful? Yes and no. Reptile lover? Si A liar? No.\n\nMargarita couldn't help but be impressed. Ten metres? Just like that? \"Shit. Pretty impressive there.\" She retracted her hyperelongated limb as Margo rolled over on her back to take in the early morning sky. \"No, I erm... Smoke in the forest- there.\" She pointed her noodle arm at the dense forest, more so the general area than the actual campsite itself. \"Miss Pernilla would probably kick my ass way more than necessary for catching me a cigarette. But Si, I just relax there in the afternoon. Curfew and all, you know?\" She reached out her other unstretched arm at Margo, offering to help her up.\n\nWhichever the choice was, Margarita sat on the ledge and threw herself off of the concrete wall, using her arm as a rope as she rappelled down the wall slowly but carefully. Any sort of practice at this point was welcome, and rappelling down a wall with the help of her arm as a rope of some sort was just one of the hundreds if not thousands of uses for her new parahuman body, one she now found as a welcome change.\n\n\"You can jump down, right?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"God knows I've jumped walls like this before.\" Margo spoke from where she lay, one hand in her pocket digging her wallet out and the other raised above her head. \"Growing up bored and rebellious in a gated community does that shit to someone. You learn to climb fences and jump walls pretty quick when that's the way to freedom. Anyways, gotcha, man... Gotcha.\"\n\n□ Before she could even get her wallet all the way out of her pocket Margarita had already disappeared down the other side of the wall, leaving her alone on the concrete slab. Shaking her head she grumbled something fierce and sat up, scooting herself over to the edge in a slightly awkward shuffling motion. Planting her palms to the concrete, she took a deep breath, and in one swift motion she dropped her body down the wall while using her hands to keep herself from dropping the ten feet or so uninterrupted. Once she was hanging safely she let go, dropping to the dew-covered grass with a soft grunt.\n\n▪︎ She looked over at the other gal and pulled her eyepatch off.\n\n◆ \"Assuming we're off to the woods, then, huh?\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"I see. Boredom is a great teacher, Si?\" She smiled at past memories as they flashed in front of her eyes for a moment. Those times she ran away from both thugs and street kids. Those times she knocked the lights, if not teeth, out of those boys that looked for some easy cash. Those times she got paid hundreds of Euros for her talents in being nimble when necessary and tough when necessary. \"Necessity taught me how to run and punch. Got too good at it, and here I am.\"\n\nShe didn't even notice Margo fishing her wallet out when her feet touched the grass, her arm dropping limply from the ledge like she was some sort of human freak.\n\nNow that she watched her elongated arm slither on the ground as it retracted back to its normal length... Come to think of it, she Was A human freak. 'Am I an alien?' She mindlessly thought as Margo slowly dropped down the wall in a more... Normal manner.\n\n\"Woods? No, just circle around back to the city. I just don't want the three or four guards that are up tonight seeing us both out here fucking about.\" She slowed down her pacing to match Margo's. It's the little things that count.\n\n\"So, Brooklyn, right? How are things over there?\" She asked, hoping to break the ice as she let her neck stretch itself out, scouting the area ahead for any staff that might be outside the walls." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Guess so.\" She flatly replied, stuffing her hands into her awaiting pockets. \"Living in a place with an active street community is pretty sick honestly, it was one thing I liked about parts of Brooklyn: the corners and their stores and stoops were often busy, y'know? Really helped it feel alive.\"\n\n□ Thinking back, she ran through a short list of all the things the streets and their inhabitants taught her. Fighting dirty, basic parkour, a singular gang sign Holly had taught her a few years back that she'd never forgot for some unknown reason... How to deal with the cops. Rough living bred rough but reliable people, she figured, and that was good enough for her. Setting the thoughts aside she continued walking, nodding once or twice while Margarita spoke to show that she wasn't just tuning the other girl out.\n\n▪︎ Sure, there was still the grudge. At the end of the day she wanted nothing more than cigarettes and a chance to get back at the gal for beating her ass the first time, but the power of sticking to a truce kept her violent thoughts in check.\n\n◆ \"Boring. I lived in a gated community, for fuck sakes, the most entertaining thing most people there get up to is calling the cops on minorities for no damn reason.\" She spat, both figuratively and literally. \"Most people there were stuck up rich people, but in the humble parts of town it's cool, especially out front of the bodegas. A chopped cheese and a few rounds of dice is what it's all about... Where you from, again? I know it's Italy, but that place is less one cohesive country and more a bunch of city states that decided a while back that fighting wasn't getting them anywhere, so.\"" } ]	337	2,686
130.52381	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "DP_FAC", "message": "We left off here, at the end of everything. \n\nAn odd cluster of students were gathered near the library, for one reason or another, with their loyal librarian, Daisy Poe, back on her perch, reading a rather thick hardback book on Amazonian plants and birds. \n\nThe building began to shudder - a light earthquake, maybe? - and Daisy looked up. \n\n\"Oh, dear. Students - please, come away from the windows, quickly-\"" }, { "author": "c1nderz", "message": "Ozzy had already slinked into the back of the library, running their fingers along the spines of the collection of book packing the library's shelves. They had been back there for a few hours, choosing to spend their time that day picking out a book before heading back to their dorm to hopefully actually rest for the first time since they had arrived at this place. Ozzy seemed to fall forward a bit, almost knocking their jaw off the shelf as the shudder shook the building. The book they had been loosely holding on to tumbling from their hands as they caught themselves. \"Ah, kahretsin. (Oh, shit.)\" They mumbled, picking the book up and straightening themselves up as they heard the faint noise of Daisy's voice from across the library." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The graphic novel section wasn't the most populated place in the library, but Owen was certain it had some of the Uncanny X-men Run he was looking for. He needed to be sure of something, for some lyric or another, and hell if he was going to use the vast expanse of the internet to answer any of his questions.\n\nA shudder ran down the redhead's spine, chilling the near-summer sweat between his shoulder blades. Against Daisy's warning, his wide brown eyes veered closer to the window almost on an instinct—Ares' presence seemed to singe the eyebrows off of his common sense sometimes, or perhaps it was just him jumping to grisly conclusions. \n\nThe two didn't exactly help each other, but the former was reassuring, at least. Owen was never really good in a storm." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares was hovering around Owen. He watched the other pick through the books, comics, graphic novels— with a clear goal in mind. Ares didn't want anything. He was simply bored.\n\nAs Daisy started sounding all concerned, Ares raised a single eyebrow but otherwise didn't really move. He remained leaned against a nearby bookshelf. \n\nHad he jinxed it? Was the bone thing happening again?\nHe exhaled, and made a sound similar to that of a scoff. This was all a huge annoyance. \nAt least they were inside." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "She's in a world of her own, brows furrowing at the words on paper in front of her. Were she not in a library, she'd have launched the book at a wall by now- alas, she respects private property too much.\nA rumble snaps her out of her mind numbing trance, enough so for her to pluck a earbud out of her ear.\n\n\"Hm?\" She shudders a little, taking Daisy's advice as she rose to her feet to move away from a nearby window.\nBone rain. What a day." }, { "author": "DP_FAC", "message": "As soon as everyone began to stir, chunks of the carpet began to rip open, jagged hunks of some kind of... Bone? Sticking out of the ground in unnatural, ugly ways, all sharp edges and corroded, patchy bursts.\n\nDaisy let out a shriek, leaping up from the ground onto a table, her owl-like appendages fluttering in distress.\n\n\"Children, please, come away from the bone. We must evacuate, very quickly - somewhere safer.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"Holy shit—\" \nAres moved out of the way when the floor started tearing open.\n\nThe bones were gruesome, ugly, the room smelt like death. Where the fuck were these coming from. \n\nAuburn eyes met Owen's. He gave a look of confusion, trying to survey how the other felt. Ares almost didn't feel Anything, Like he was hyped up on adrenaline and shock after an injury. \n\nThe boy looked over to Daisy, and then shrugged at Owen. \nBasically asking, 'do we listen to her' Without saying anything." }, { "author": "c1nderz", "message": "The book they were holding was abandoned as Ozzy lets out a high pitched squeak as the floor next to them is splintered open with a large white bone. They clambered up the bookcase next to them like an oversized cat attempting their best to avoid any that decided to sprout from hell near them. \n\nAfter a moment of just staring down the bone that had splintered through the floor they shuffled along the bookshelves they had climbed up on attempting to get out of the cramped area. şişleme\n\n\"Hayır, bugün beni şişlemek yok kemik! (No, no skewering me today, bone!)\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen's heart leaped into his throat, making the yelp that crawled out of it gargled, half-formed. Every hair down his body stood on end as he jumped onto a chair, little black fingerprints singeing their way into the glossy cover of the book he was holding. \n\nHis breath grew shakier as the gruesome scene curled out of the carpet; the walls trapped an awful heat, like the stinking insides of something horrible, and his own body seemed keep to match it, that low red glow singing in his muscles, pushing at his skin from the inside.\n\n\"Ffyc, the b-bloody windows are looking more ff-friendly,\" He shrilly whispered to Ares. His pupils were pinpricks, his breath hot enough to warp the air around him. A much louder string of curses, earthy and musical, spilled from his mouth." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "\"Gah!\" She hops in surprise- well, half surprise and half horror, surely a floor with skewed bones tearing through the carpet is far above Daisy's pay grade. If Vi could think straight right now, she'd pity the poor librarian. She clutches at her cane, following Ozzy's example and stumbling onto a table. The bones cant grow out of the table, right?\n\nThis was one hell of a hot mess- the bones have transcended past silly amateur things like rain, its now bone plants. Theyd be great in a halloween event at a garden centre- maybe not in a library though.\nHer heart twinges as she watches a warrior cats book on the floor get skewered.\n\"Eugh, rancid.\" She hisses to herself at the stench- it smelt as if the library were practically alive. Or dead. Decomposing? Were they in a dead library right now.\n\n\"What the Fuck\" Is said to no one in particular- but im sure many would agree. What the fuck indeed." }, { "author": "DP_FAC", "message": "Daisy cursed in a quiet string of frantic Romanian, before she smoothed down her on-edge feathers and pointed the students towards the windows. \n\n\"Let's go - quickly!\"\n\n\nUnfortunately, before Any Of them could make it that way, a particularly large hunk of bone erupted right under Vi's feet, and the table she was standing on. It didn't knock her over - merely rattled the table - but, the entire room was enveloped in the sound of a young girl's shriek, painful, and echoing. \n\n\"Valentina, are you alright?\", called a man's voice. A fatherly figure, perhaps.\n\"She pushed me! She pushed me!\"\nThe glossy, transluscent silhouette of a man went running across the room, seemingly unphased by the bones, and swooped up the tender form of a similarly ghostly girl, very small. Broken hunks of wood lay scattered around them.\n\"Violetta! How could you do this? How could you do this? How could you do this?\"\n\nThe voice asked it, over, and over - How could you do this, Violetta?\n\n\nDaisy stood back in horror." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares stood still. \nLooks like it was Violetta's turn. \n\nHe didn't move, he watched, his breath held in his lungs. \nSimilarly to his own, this display was vague, something made to taunt the one whose mind it was pulled from. \n\nThe sight already put him on edge. Not because of what he saw, but because he knew it would get worse." }, { "author": "c1nderz", "message": "Ozzy fell off the shelf, stumbling their way out of the shelves that hid them from view. They steadied themselves on a bookshelf, looking up to see a giant bone sprouted through the table. \n\nDetached voices echoed through the library as they finally got a grapple with what all had happened." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "Her breath catches in her throat- Oh dear.\nNow, her brain hadn't really acknowledged the possibility that this would happen- but as soon as it did she hadnt expected it to be Her Turn. \nThe vague, shifting display in front of her is one she thinks of often, Violetta has to remind herself to breathe, in, out in shallow heaves.\n\nFrankly, she wished the table had tipped over backward and knocked her out before it threw all this out at her. It would make it much easier to cope with\n\"Nono... I didn't mean to-\" She whimpers quietly, hand clutching at the edge of the table. She can't move, can't stand up, in fact, she can barely move her facial expression.\n\nHow could she do this? The inside of her nose fizzes as it does before she might cry. Oh how ashamed she is" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen softened, slightly, his gut twinging selfishly when it seemed that the apparition wasn't headed his way. Wide, gold-flecked eyes looked toward Violetta; his stomach twisted sympathetically. He didn't want to admit how closely he knew what she was feeling, the echo of fear broken through the veil.\n\nHis feet moved toward her, a precious couple of inches on shaking foundations toward the edge of the seat he was balanced on.\n\nA warm hand squeezed Ares' shoulder instead. The mess his nose was rubbed in was something he could also guess at. \n\n\"Is this what...\" He whispered." }, { "author": "DP_FAC", "message": "The echoing finally began to subside, her younger sister's shrieks bouncing off the walls. With every shriek, another burst of bone began to come from the ground, the bookshelves, the ceiling - creating a cacophonous cavern, full of shards and the stench of deep earth.\n\n\"Come, quickly, everyone-\"\n\nDaisy rustled her feathers up, tossing books onto the safe parts of the ground to help create a path to the exit. \"I'm so sorry, Violetta, but we must evacuate. This room is no longer safe for us.\"\n\nWith her words, a huge spike broke through the ceiling, and Daisy fluttered into the air with a shriek. \n\n\"Now, please!\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares watched Violetta. He studied her expression, the similar look of terror and fear in her eyes. \nHe felt sorry for her, extremely so. He knew how it felt. \n\nAlthough, the surrounding environment gave little room for waiting.\nHe looked over to Owen, and ushered for him to head towards the exit. Once he started moving, Ares followed behind. \n\nNewton's Cradle was just Lovely." }, { "author": "c1nderz", "message": "Ozzy was half heartedly listening to Daisy as she began directing the other students. They were too focused on how fucking cool this all was. It was concerning yes. But also really fucking cool. Truly a terrible event, but also a chance to get some new footage to examine later. Ozzy quietly flicked on the camera hidden on their body to begin recording. \n\nThis has really become a fantastic day!" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen took a few frantic steps around the agony in the floor before quickly snapping around and closing his hand around Ares' wrist. Crimson bloomed above the two of them, spreading crystalline blood between their heads and the dust from the ceiling.\n\nHe looked from Ares to Vi, tongue-tied. Get out of the library first. His palm on Ares' cuff thrummed with his rushing heart; he'd had too many nightmares resembling this room to drag the two of them that he could any slower out of it." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "'come quickly'\nShe registers that words are being spoken, yet she can't get it through to her brain. Vi's breath hitches with each echoed shriek, the short girl has to press her hands against her ears as her brows furrow against her closed eyes.\nYet, she has places to be- watching the others begin to make haste, Violetta scrambles for her cane. Almost functioning in spite of herself, Vi shuffles off of the table with now wide eyes, staggering to the exit between the jagged bones splintering in the floor.\n\nThe library practically became the belly of the beast- the stench and movement of the room resembling something alive.\nShe had to get out- she could have a crisis later. Gogogo" }, { "author": "DP_FAC", "message": "Daisy made sure the four were out, and slammed the door behind them. As soon as she did, crystallized bones burst from the door - but stopped, seemingly contained to the library.\n\nShe pressed her hands over her eyes and let out a loud sigh. \n\nThis called for a long talk with Administration." } ]	119	2,741
132.302326	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The dorms still reek, enough to push the asocial Pythia outside and into the gardens. They had become more popular of a hang out spot since people realized they could be used to escape the smell... But the gardens are big enough that Pythia can still find a cozy, hidden corner where he can be alone. He sits in one of the north corners of the garden, out of eyeshot from the main area, though not exactly hidden. He rests against the main wall of the building, a slight angle to the wall making it an alright place to sit. He has his walking stick laying next to him as he holds his spinning pen, moving it through complex motions. Since it is a simple object, its future shadow is singular. Even when he interacts with it, it doesnt split like others do. He guesses because his powers subconsciously know what he will do next, so the future is always clear. The pen spins through the air, a phantom image moving ahead of it, telling him where to aim his hand, always knowing how it will curve. It was almost like cheating. He is so focused on his task that he wouldnt notice anyone around him." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "A young boy dressed in what could be best described as slacks, carrying a backpack and some luggage enters the campus ground, circling around him flies what appears to be a bird but upon close inspection is actually a wooden doll in shape a bird, flying through the air as if it's alive. He walks around in bewilderment at the place that would be his new stomping grounds, so bewildered in fact that in taking in the sight and sounds he seems to have been lost, as he tries to make his way to his destination and ends up in what appears to be a garden, he walks around the garden looking for a way to his dorms before noticing someone sitting on the corner of the garden, he quickly approaches the stranger and yells\n\"HEY, HEY YOU, CAN YOU SHOW ME THE WAY AROUND HERE!?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The sudden noise makes Pythia jump, as they look over towards a cloud of shadows quickly approaching them... The distraction is enough to make them lose their focus and causes the pen to slip through their fingers as they struggle to recover. Pythia wears a fairly dark ensemble, with tight fitting black jeans, and a black t-shirt with muted flowers on the front. Their pale white skin, hair, and eyes are striking though. He looks over in the newcomer's direction, though he doesnt look directly at him. His aim is off, as if he cant really see the other boy, and he looks about a foot to the left of where his head is. His eyes focus as Pythia tries activating his powers.\n\nAnd suddenly his eyes snap into focus on the newcomer, strangely they seem to trail a bit ahead of where is at times, looking not at him but where he will be in a moment. It is a subtle difference, one the other boy may not even notice. \"W... What.. A... Are you looking for?\" Pythia asks quietly, not really knowing how to react to this. It is quite obvious that he isnt used to people really... Approaching him freely. As he talks he reaches down to grab his pen, holding it close to his chest when he picks it up." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "The young boy greets the disquiet around Pythia with a smile and with a booming yet calming voice and asks him \n\"Hey there dude, i'm just looking around to see if you know where's the way to the dorms i'm sorta kinda lost here y'know?, i was just at the offices doing some paper work and it was So Boring so now i wanna find a place to crash you feel me?\" \nThe young boy asks with a certain friendliness to strangers not expected by most, he seems to accepts Pythia's presence with open arms even as it seems the boy does not want it" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"T... The dorms are kinda... A... Above us? Second floor... Though y... You will want to stay away for a little bit. Something happened and t-the entire place reeks\" He comments, pointing in the rough direction of the second floor. As Indrawin moves closer, Pythia flinches back ever so slightly, not used to people being this... Open around him. While he doesnt have a reputation, people tend to stray a bit away from him. Something about his aura, the way he looks at people... Either not seeing them, or seeing where they will be, tends to creep people out.\n\n\"Um... My names... Pythia\" He volunteers slowly, not really sure what one should do in this situation... Afterall he isnt really used to meeting people. Names were usually one of the first things you talked about... ... Right?" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "The young boy nods as Pythia reveals his name, it seems that unlike most people this one is too dense to really notice anything wrong with the way Pythia presents himself and continues to introduce himself \n\"Pythia?, that's a cool name!, mine's Indrawan pronounced In-Duh-Rrrrra-Wan, i'm not gonna be mad if you mispronounced it though, just wanna make sure you know how it's supposed to sound\"\nIndrawan offers a hand towards Pythia waiting for him to shake it, his unbridled friendliness seem to counteract Pythia's aura" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Indrawan's unbridled friendliness is a bit of a shock to Pythia. He blushes a bit, moving a bit further back... Though inadvertently making a spot where Indrawan could sit down next to him. To the other boy, it may seem like an invitation to sit down. As his concentration begins to put pressure behind his temple, and he lets go of his active power. Indrawan's close proximity makes sends Pythia's world into darkness. The other boy may notice Pythia tense slightly, grabbing onto the seat around him as if for stability. His gaze also drifts from the other boy, no longer focused. The longer they talk the more obvious it is that Pythia is blind in this moment." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan notices that Pythia did not take his hand and so he returns it, slightly dejected, but when he takes the seat besides Pythia and puts his luggage down near the bench, he looks at Pythia and finally notices that there's something wrong with him\n\"Yo my dude are you alright?, are you fine?\"\nIndrawan asks with a worried tone as he gets closer to Pythia in order to inspect what's going on, as he does so the bird puppet that circles around him perches on top of Indrawan's shoulder" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia cant see Indrawan, and he jumps a bit as the other boy sits down. His future sight ended seconds before Indrawan extended his hand, so the fact he didnt shake was a funny coincidence. As Indrawan speaks Pythia blushes deeper, preparing his speech.\n\n\"M... My powers... Let me see futures... Possibilities. But there are so many, thousands... Tens of thousands of slightly different things anyone could do in the next few second. I see them as shadows, and they can overlap... It makes people look like clouds... Clouds of darkness t... That blind me... Im... Um inside o... Of yours right now. I can focus, collapsing them into the few most likely outcomes, but it is hard to c... Concentrate on, and i can only do it for like a minute at most\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan nods his head as he hears the explanation for Pythia's power he's able to grasp most of it and how the power works, but the effect it has on Pythia's mental state seems to have gone over his head\n\"Woah, huh that's kinda freaky...\n\nBut cool!, you can do all sorts of thing with it!, i heard theories of quantum entanglement that might be related to your power\"\nAs he speaks the bird puppet on his shoulder nudges the side of his cheek\n\"Oh yeah since you've told me about your power, i guess i should tell you about mine, i can make puppets and stuff come to life\"\nIndrawan opens his palm and closes his eyes as he does so the bird puppet flies from his shoulder to the palm of his hand\n\"This one's name is Adi i have him since i was a kid!\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia listens, leaning back against the wall. He tries to look at the bird, but he can only hear the fluttering of its wings, so pinpointing it is difficult to say the least\n\n\"Thats cool\" Pythia says softly, trying to cocentrate on his powers again.\n\nBut with a soft groan it escapes him, and he puts a hand to his forehead as his head aches. He lays back, willing to stay in the darkness for now... Afterall this new person seems nice atleast. \"I um... Dont know anything about quantum entangley s... Stuff\" He says quietly. \"I... I just know that my power kinda sucks...\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan frowns as Pythia mentions the circumstances of his power, he's understands more now to Pythia's plight after he mentions how his power kinda sucks he stops for a moment to think about what to say\n\"Well i still think you're pretty cool..\"\nIndrawan says in an attempt to cheer him up" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"T... Thanks\" Pythia says. It may come off as a but terse, but he doesnt mean to be rude. He is just used to people trying to be empathetic about his powers while not really understanding... Which wasnt their falt at all, it just make things a bit awkward sometimes. He doesnt really know how to respond to people, or talk about his experience beyond the simple introduction he gives about his powers.\n\n\"Um... ... How... D... Do you like the cradle?\" Pythia asks as the silence becomes a bit awkward" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan thinks for a minute, than a couple more minutes, but it's hard for him to talk about what it's like in the cradle considering how he has only been here for a day, and that day was mostly spent on doing boring paperwork\n\"It's um, very big... And the garden is pretty\"\nHe answers not helping with the awkwardness\n\"I like it though, it's very modern\"\nHe adds still not helping with the awkwardness" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nods softly, a light blush playing across his face due to the embarassment at the conversation. The silence seems to stretch on for an eternity between each little comment, and it is obvious that Pythia doesnt know how to hold a conversation with someone new. \"T... The... Garden is nice. Its quiet, a... And people usually dont come here too often\" He says, not realizing what he would be implying" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan stays with Pythia for a moment, he doesn't realy know how to respond to what he is saying so he stayed quite for a minute, and another minute, and another, until what seemed like an hour has passed between them together in the bench, he still has no idea what to say until eventually he decides to say some random thing to say\n\"The garden Is A nice place to especially with you here\"\nIndrawan does not realize how forward he sounds when speaking his mind" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The silence could be worse... In the darkness Pythia is able to... Well not dissociate, but loose track. His mind wanders, and after a little while he even kinda forgets that Indrawan is there... Then Pythia's face immediately flushes, a bright red as he starts to stutter out a response. \"A... Um y... You... Ah... U... U-uhm... ... T... T-thanks\" He finally says, feeling thoroughly embarassed. It doesnt help that he genuinely doesnt know if this is an attempt at flirting.. Given he cant even see Indrawan's face, and doesnt really have the focus to activate his powers" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Y-yeah you're welcome.\"\nAfter saying his welcome, the silence between them keeps growing bigger and bigger until it becomes unbearable for him, the bird puppet still circles the two, as it does it ocassionally rests between the two, at the climax of the silence Indrawan tries to break the ice again\n\"So um, what do you do for fun around here?\"\nOnce again Indrawan still have no idea how forward he is" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Once again they fade into silence, giving Pythia a bit of time to calm down from the gay panic (TM). He hears the bird puppet circling them. This time when Indrawan breaks the ice, it is... Less suggestive? Yay? Atleast, Pythia gets the original intent much more.\n\n\"I.. Im not r... Really the person to ask about that. I... I spend... Most of my time in my room. When i... Im not there im probably here o... Or grabbing something to eat. I dont... Do much o... Outside. There are usually too many people, and im still r... Really bad at walking with my stick.\" He says, gesturing to his walking stick." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan nods along to Pythia's plight this time it's clear to him how his power has affected him, he realizes that his powers has cause him great pain and his pity for him grows, although out of respect he does not say anything about it to him directly\n\"Oh i see well i'm glad i got to meet you while you were alone, we wouldn't be able to meet eachother if there were too many people here!\"\nIndrawan chuckles as he says this" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia chuckles softly in agreement. \"I... If the garden was m... More crowded i just wouldnt be here... Or i would be hidden so far behind a bush no one would notice me\" He says, a slight twinge of sadness to his voice. He doesnt dislike people... Hell, he needs people. Talking to others and being around them helped push away some of the... Darker thoughts that could linger in a persons mind... It was just hard to be around others sometimes... Particularly large groups." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Well i hope you find a way to meet me again in the future even if i am stuck in a crowd, our conversation is... Nice\"\nThere is an inkling of truth to what Indrawan is saying, sure the conversation is awkward and disquieting but there's something comforting about talking to Pythia, perhaps it's that pity again that makes Indrawan want to reach out toward Pythia and lend a helping hand, or perhaps Pythia just strike a chord with Indrawan, but whatever it is even the quiet moments in between them seemed peaceful, thought Indrawan\n\"I understand why you don't like large crowds, having a quiet moment like this is good for the soul i think\"\nThere's once again a quiteness between the two but this time it was a more serene quiet one where they are able to enjoy eachother company even without words" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nods softly, trying to focus on their powers once again so that they can see Indra's face so they can try to remember it... It wouldnt really help that much, but hopefully it would help a bit.\n\nBut the headache is all he gets, and he winces slight at it as the shadows go from collapsing in on eachother to expanding out in a storm. It was never pure darkness in a cloud, it was always shifting, always moving... Because if a person stood still, then their shadow would hardly move from where they are. The twisting cloud could be mesmerizing... And headache inducing from moment to moment.\n\nHe liked talking to Indrawan, the other boy seemed nice and down to earth. Even though he was more loud and extroverted, he had quieted down around Pythia... Which was nice. Pythia was lucky that the few people he had spoken to here seemed nice... ... ... Well... Yari still creeped Pythia out, and he couldnt get any sort of read on her... So other than her everyone seemed nice.\n\n\"I agree... I... Im... Sorry that I suck a... At talking. Spending m-most of your time alone w... Will do that to you\" He says, leaning back and slowly learning to enjoy the space between sentences... The time you spend thinking of what to say next, the quiet moments of contemplation in the swirling darkness." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Don't worry!, just spend time talking with me and you'll be a master of talking, i am a maestro of the convo after all!\"\nIndrawan laughs at his own lame pun before simmering down into that same quiet between them enjoying the view of the garden and just contemplating, on what to say next, on what tk have for lunch, or how much would he need to save to buy the new game he wanted, and all the while enjoying Pythia's company" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia giggles softly at the pun, sighing softly. He fell back into a similar state of contemplation, not really knowing what what to say next. After another few minutes a question pops into his mind. \"So... Um, what do y... You like to do?\" He asked quietly" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Hmm oh me?, i already showed you what i like to do\"\nIndrawan closes his eyes and open his hand, the puppet bird flew once again and perches on top of his palms\n\"Puppetry!, i like making puppets, i like playing with puppets, i like doing puppet shows, i like to design puppet sets!, anything as long as it's relates to puppetry then i love it!\"\nIndrawan says with a lot of gusto, he seems very passionate about what he does\n\"Someday i'm gonna be the world best Puppetmaster, like the next Jim Henson!\"\nHe says with pride bursting from his tongue" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia tries again to focus their ability enough that they can see...\n\nHis eyes suddenly come into focus again, glancing around the small space. He takes a quick mental note of Indrawan's face, wanting to commit it to memory as he looks over at the bird. Pythia can sense that it is being controlled by Indrawan, its shadows move far to complexly, and as he softens his focus he sees as many shadows as a human begin to pour out of the puppet... He quickly retightens his focus, collapsing those shadows back into the few probable futures. \"T... Thats... R... Really neat! Um... I... I havent h-heard of that person. But with your power you would definitely can be leagues and bounds better than them i bet!\" Pythia says with a smile, looking Indrawan in the eyes... A rare sight, as even when he ends up looking in the right direction he usually ends up looking at a person's mouth or their nose." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan's eye are soft and comforting they are the shade of light brown like coffee mixed with milk there are a certain glean to them that can't contain the glee and excitement from his passion for puppetry even as Pythia can't look directly at Indrawan's face he knew that he is passionate about it\n\"I hope one day you could see my performance too!, it'll blow your socks off!\"\nIndrawan says his passionate spiel not ending" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Atleast temporarily, Pythia can see, and he smiles up at the other boy. Pythia cant claim to know much about puppetry, and he doesnt share Indra's passion for it... But it is nice to be near someone with such passion, to bask in it if only for awhile. A small, dark place in Pythia's mind whispered that he didnt have something like that, a deeper passion... A long term goal. He kinda just lived day to day. Pythia pushed it back though... Thoughts like that hurt.. And Indra's passion proved a wonderful distraction. \"I... Im sure you will!\" He said with a smile\n\nThough their world fades back into darkness, they can still feel Indra, their passion burning like a sun... So strong it almost seems to give off heat." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan starts to joyously laugh and his voice can be heard across the garden, even through the surrounding halls in the building too, the fact that he has made a new friend at this strange place that was send by his uncaring father filled him with glee, perhaps this place isn't so bad after all he thought to himself\n\"I'm pretty sure i've told you this before Pythia but i'm glad we've met\"\nOnce again Indra's dense head get in the way of any self reflection and his words comes out as strong as it can be" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia blushes slightly, then begins laughing too. Half of it coming from how ridiculous this situation was. \"I... Im, glad to h... Have met you t... Too.. Um.. Friend\" He says with a gentle smile, the red blush obvious on his pearly white skin." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Yes i'm glad to have you as a my first friend here!\"\nIndrawan puts his arm alongside Pythia's shoulder as a gesture of camraderie\n\"You and i are going to be friends for a long time, i'm sure of it!\"\nHe's glad that there's someone new he can trust in this new and strange place, even if the person is a little odd he thinks, the wooden bird puppet comes down to rests on Pythia's shoulder and nudges his cheek" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia flinches as Indra touches him, his face feeling like it is burning as the red deepens. But, it does feel nice... To have another friend... So he still smiles, even though the weird emotions and feelings. \"I... Im glad\" Pythia whispers softly, gasping as the bird nudges their cheek. Pythia reaches up to gently pet the puppet... Though he almost misses at first due to the cloud of shadows, and the fact that his hand is shaking..." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Anyways i'm beat!, traveling all the way from Jakarta to Stockholm than to here, while having doing to do paperwork after all that has put me in the snooze mode you get what i'm saying?, i gotta catch some z's!, say do you think whatever happened at the dorms is over yet?\" Indrawan asks Pythia hoping to find closure for his weary eyes" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nods softly, also feeling remarkably tired... But also like he could run a marathon. His mind longed to rest, but his body refused to stay still, jittering with nervous energy. \"I... I.. Can h... Help guide you, i... I think i remember the w... Way, if.. Um... You help make s... Sure I dont trip\" Pythia says, reaching over and grabbing their walking stick.. .. ... After only missing it three times." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Seeing Pythia struggling with his walking stick, Indrawan decides to stay and put his arms between Pythia's shoulder he stands up, taking Pythia with him and decides to walk side by side with him\n\"Woah there, don't force yourself to help me here i'll help you watch out for whatever, while you guide me through the building, Let me be your eyes for a minute\"." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nods, his blush deepening as Indrawan basically picked him up... Hell, his body was light enough that most people could manage that feat. One hand holds his walking stick, which gingerly traces the ground infront of Pythia, the other is held by Indra. They make their way through the building, moving slow enough for Pthia to be comfortable, and eventually reaching the dorms" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra and Pythia walks through the halls of the dorms, Indra continuously watching around the hall for the room he was assigned to, finally he finds it in one of the dorm room with an empty sign in front of it, he uses the key given to him to see if it'll unlock the door, It does!, he enters the room and put's down his luggage and backpack by the bed and then looks at Pythia \n\"Thank you for guiding me through this, wouldn't be able to do it without you\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia blushes slightly, his hand gripping at nothing now as Indra stepped away and set down his luggage. He takes a few steps backwards, just barely managing to leave Indra's cloud, and looks around the hallway.. Though he doesnt really spot much he makes a mental note of the location. \"I... I really didnt do much, you could have f... Found this without me\" He said quietly, looking into the churning mass of shadows" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan comes closer to Pythia by the shoulders and shakes him a bit not too harshly, of course,\n\"Nonsense you've done plenty, i'm no good with directions so having someone help me through the building help me cut off a lot of time of me being lost\"\nIndra gives Pythia a gentle pat on the back\n\"Besides i'd get bored if i went in alone, having you beside me really helps my spirit, i really like you Pythia!, hanging out with you is tons of fun!\"\nIndrawan still after all this time manages to find ways to upstage himself in being too forward with people" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The darkness swallows Pythia once again, and he flinches a bit as Indrawan touches him... Still very not used to touch at all... But he smiles at the compliment \"T... Thank you\" He says in a half whisper, nervously shifting from foot to foot. The blush had lingered on his face, the normal snow white color a deep crimson." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Anyways catch you later i gotta, unpack change my clothes and get some sleep, see ya later!\"\nIndrawan gently nudges Pythia outside of the doorframe he waves at him instinctively even if he knows now he wouldn't be able to see him do it, he then slowly closes the door and begin doing the usual stuff you do when you enter your dorm room for the first time" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "As the door shuts, Pythia waives a little... And as it clicks closed and locks, the shadows on the outside of the door quickly start reducing and faing. Pythia is left in the hallway, alone and able to see... So not knowing what else to do he returns to his room. His mind still feels exhausted... But his body refuses to sit still... So he decides to train a bit with his punching ball. A simple exercise that kept him moving but let hks mind retreat. The simple plush ball on the long pole, it was incredibly easy to work around with future sight. The game was more to see how skillfully you could dodge it. So thats what he spent the next little while doing... Before collapsing in his bed and going to sleep\n\n=====End Scene=====" } ]	117	5,689
181.428571	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Fin had been a bit wary of the garden. The last time they'd heard much about it, after all, an eldritch horror was spewing plates into the air. \n\nBut, this evening, the air crackled and glittered with frost or snow flurries, and Fins shoulders were wrapped up in a big, patchwork red and blue blanket, nearly-numb fingers uncertainly flipping through a paperback. His breath formed little cloud and came for the pair of reading glasses they were rarely seen wearing, golden wired circular frames resting mid-way down his nose. \n\nAn idle hum slipped over their lips, some half-baked French tune they might not be able to name if asked. The chill set in against his muscles and skin, raising goosebumps along his spine.\n\nValios loss from the Cradle had shoved them outdoors, though, somehow — they hadn't heard much from Ares, or anyone Val had been particularly close to (save Owen, and maybe a few others) — Fin would be lying if they said that he didn't miss her just as much. She had been a pillar of life here, and reading out in the cold was a welcome distraction from her loss." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia stepped out into the cold. Blissfully unaware of current events around the cradle, he is painfully out of the loop. The bitter cold keeps people inside, so Pythia sought the gardens. He has a thick blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He planned to retreat into it fully in time. Besides that he wears a thick sweater and jeans. His hair and skin are as white as the snow, and his eyes shine a bright silver. As he turns a corner he sees a single cloud of shadows in the garden.\n\n\"Fuck... Why is someone here in this weather?\" He curses under his breath, taking a step forward and crunching the snow under his foot. His normal place to sit, a small outcropping of the wall with a slanted section which acts as a back, was untaken.. So without a word he moves over to sit down. He brushes the snow off of his seat before sitting down and pulling his legs up to his chest and wrapping the blanket around himself. He looks in the direction of the cloud, curious as to who the stranger is... But they must have some reason to be out here so he would honor that and not intrude upon their privacy unless they decided to speak. He came to the gardens for privacy afterall. He always liked the snows, and found the only right way to experience them was to be among them. Each flake trailed behind its future, making an almost rain like effect of streaks in the air." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"I can hear you, you know.\"\n\nA grumble cut through Pythia's warm silence, a pair of fair brows furrowed in irritation as a figure stared at Pythia from the sanctity of their spot. Finley closed his book over his thumb, pulled their glasses up to their hairline, and squinted to make out Pythia's snow-clad figure. \n\n\"Sitting in the snow is bound to give you some sort of illness. You can sit over here if you want. I don't bite. Much.\"\n\nFin's smile, though, matched their tone, too sharp and uneven, a prone tooth poking just out of a cold, stretched out bottom lip. They furrowed their brows further, tilting a head to the side - \"We haven't met, have we? I don't recognize you. I'm Fin.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia jumped visibly at the unseen voice. He looked in its direction, but all he could see was the shadows of that person's possible futures. Each was translucent, but since there were thousands... Nay, hundreads of thousands of them, they overlapped so much it was impossible to see in them. He tried to look at the newcomer.. Fin. But with those omnipresent shadows he was a few feet off. He looked a foot to the left of fin, pretending he was looking the other boy in the eyes as he focused his powers.\n\nBut they refused to cooperate, and instead expanded out slightly further. It was enough to swallow him completely, and he blinked a bit. To Fin's eyes, Pythia's gaze seemed to unfocus, as if he could no longer see... Which he couldnt. Now, his mind was conflicted. Fin had invited him to sit down... That was obviously impractical since he was now blind but to refuse would be rude! Trapped between the downsides of his powers and social pressure, a place he often found himself, Pythia finally decided to stand. He unclipped his walking stick, which unfolded and poked out of his heavy blanket. He began moving to where he remembered Fin to be, sweeping his stick across the ground to check for obstacles as he slowly walked forward.\n\nIt took him.. Longer than it should have to reach the bench. His walking stick clicked as it hit the bench and he made his way forward, brushing off the seat before sitting down. He collapsed his walking stick and laid it in his lap as he brought his legs under the blanket once more and tried to look over at fin's face... And instead ended up looking at his ear. \n\n\"M... My name is Pythia...\" He says, awkwardly trailing off as he had no clue what to say after that.\n\nReopening the thread" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Lovely,\" Fin replied. They leaned back against the wall, studying Pythias face with a small note of (polite) inquiry. He supposed they most have something wrong with their sight, with the walking stick and the way it swooped across the pavement, but, thought it to be too impolite to ask. \n\n\"You're not incredibly new here, are you? I feel like I've seen you before.\" \n\nThat, and they slightly hoped they weren't mixing up Pythia with anyone else. Fin hadn't been the most social ever since Val left – somewhat confined to brooding over lost social connections, irretrievably ineffable pining, and hanging out with Sergio, who had proven to be delightful company. \n\n\"Sorry if I'm confusing you for somebody else,\" He apologised, just in advance." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"O... Oh i-ive been around a... Awhile. I just... S... Spend most of m-my time in my room. O... Or when that gets too dark I come here\" He says quietly, it takes him a moment to realize that alluding to the darkness that dwelt within his mind miiiight be a little bit awkward, so he promptly shuts himself up and \"Looks\" Down at his hands. With the cane he was obviously blind.. But the stange thing was that he did not appear that way when first walking into the garden and moving around Fin. Then his cane had been attached to his waist, collapsed so it was only about a foot long. But looking at Pythia now, the way his eyes lack focus, like he is looking at nothing, is an obvious sign of his blindness.\n\nSince Pythia cant see, he cant see Fin looking at him... But he can sort of feel the other boy's stare, and blushes slightly under the scrutiny." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Good to meet you,\" Replied Fin, words curling with a slight, assuredly French accent. Pythia's stutter was noticeable (and hard to understand), but, their company was still better than nothing but the chilly wind and the unease - so, reasonably, they'd take it.\n\nHe whistled some half-hearted tune and let it fall apart - perhaps a fragment of a song a few friends were putting together - and glanced at Pythia's blind eyes.\n\n\"You got any hobbies then? I like to play music.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia leans back against the bench, trying to relax bur finding it difficult as he can feel Fin's eyes on him. The other boy tries to whistle, but to Pythia's ears the lull in conversation just feels awkward. Pythia stares out into space, unseeing, focusing on nothing. His eyes still move slightly, in response to sounds, but it is obvious that the boy cannot see. \"I... I like to spin p... Pens and juggle\" He suggests meekly. He didnt really have a ton of hobbies, unless you counted sleeping as a hobby. He liked to sing but would never ever admit that, and he liked reading but the process was always a chore with his future sight. He had to keep the book perfectly still or else its future movement would obscure the text, and he had to pause for a few seconds after finishing a page before turning it so that the flipping of the page doesnt obscure the text. Though... He had recently started getting into audio books... \"I... I also like to listen to audiobooks. Reading... Is a bit hard sometimes.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "While Fin didn't understand his powers, they nodded. Reading while blind (even with powers) had to be difficult. \n\n\"I like audiobooks,\" They shrugged. \"Sometimes. I got out of the habit of reading a while back, and it's been hard to get back into it.\"\n\nThey glanced back at the stranger, slumping against the wall before fixing his eyes on the sky. It was a slow, and tired interaction - people often understated the amount of bored, mundane things that Newton's Cradle allowed it's inhabitants. For a parahuman ~~prison~~ school, there were often long stretches of time where Fin meaninglessly tapped away on a snare, flipped through chemistry notes, stared up at the white plaster tiles and only blinked. In a way, really, it wasn't much different than being back in Canada (at times).\n\nThough, they considered their life here at Newton's Cradle (somehow) much calmer than their life at home. At least here, he could count on the silence.\n\n\"What's your favourite, so far? If you had to pick.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia sat still, the small flurries of snow slowly creating a pile of white atop his already silvery hair. Thankfully his hair manages to mostly insulate his ears and prevents small piles from forming on them too as Pythia sits still. Under the blanket the warmth if wonderful, and he loves feeling the difference between the biting cold and the soft warmth. Not much happened at the Cradle, but Pythia liked that. He tends to move slowly in most things, so the lack of eventful activities was nice for them... Though for most it could be mind numbingly boring... Pythia was used to spending long stretches of time with little more than his own thoughts.\n\n\"M... My favorite book? U... Uhm, a series im reading r... Right now i... Is a fantasy s... Story about a... An empire held in stasis b... By an absolute monarch, a... And the journey of a young thief turned... W... Well mage would be the best term but in the book they are called allomancers, b... Because the magic system revolves around metal, and her journey to free the lands from t... The iron fist of the lord ruler\" He says with a small smile." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Cool,\" Fin replied. They stood up as another cold rush blew over. \"You should post it in the chat sometime - but, I'm really cold, so I'm going to head in.\"\n\nThey held out a hand. \"Need any help up? Or do you want to stay out here a bit longer?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia shakes his head, sending the small flurries scattering as he looks in Fin's direction. \"N... No thanks. I... I want to stay a little while longer. Um... I dont use the net alot b... But ill bring it up the next time I do. What... Is your um.. Name on there?\" He asks softly with a small smile." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Lightning rod,\" They said. \"Just all one word.\"\n\nFin picked up their bag and slung it over their shoulder, taking care to carefully tuck a pair of wire-rimmed glasses in their pocket. \n\n\"I'll see you later, alright?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia was left alone in the garden, and he watched the snows fall for a little bit longer before standing up and heading inside" } ]	192	2,540
297.142857	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "Their eyes would snap open before dawn from a long and terrible restlessness. They had tried for hours on end to _feel_ rest- the comfort of their single sized bed on their back, the embrace of their pillows, and the warmth of a fluffy blanket on their bodice, but they could not. It was futile. Sighing, they'd grab their glasses before leaving, purple skirt billowing behind them as they shut their room door closed with an audible click.\n\n-\n\nIt was dark. They were a familiar and alluring being- gentle sometimes, even if they were a bit pressing. They'd peer into the distance as their high-cut white converses pressed onto the wet morning dew. The grass was still very moist. Behind the figures of the towering but still trees, they were able to see blinking red and green lights floating in the distance. An airliner, gliding across the canvas of void, sparkled with the occasional twinkles of dying stars. It was odd to think about. Hundreds of souls, dozens of kilometers into the heavens, all dilly-dallying about with their lives. For a couple hours of transportation, the people within would meet others they would have never met, if they had never gotten on the flight in the first place. Though, they most likely didn't care. After all, they had their own lives to worry about. \n\nThey had themselves to focus on.\n\nA gentle breeze would hit their figure, winds bringing the cold of the early morning. Though it didn't bite, it crept and seeped in, involuntarily making them rub their hands on their exposed arms. No sleeves. They were wearing a t-shirt and a purple above-the-knee length, waist pleated skirt. Such defenses proved to be ineffective against the breath of dawn, as they stood there in the middle of the field- a lonely figure, clothes fluttering gently along.\n\nThough it was cold, there was an odd sense of peace and serenity. \n\nThough they couldn't rest, this proved to be a merciful atmosphere for the mind, soul and heart.\n\nThey inhaled." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "A young man wanders through the Newton's Cradle grounds, hiding the fear of his new surroundings with a cool, confident smile. His frame is wrapped in thick clothes, insulating him from the morning breeze. Despite this, the new arrival occasionally stops to warm himself, as if warding off some inner cold.\n\nAfter the new arrival leaves their bags in their room, he begins to inspect the surrounds of the facility. Chance would bring the boy to the courtyard during his jaunt. The boy rubs his hands together as he stares into the distance. The airliner above puts a sour taste in the boy's mouth. All he can think about is how far away he is from the closest thing he has to a home.\n\nThe young man is shaken from his idle thoughts by fluttering clothes in the corner of his field of vision. The boy realises, to his mild shock, that he had completely missed the figure sitting on the dew-dappled grass. He becomes excited by the prospect of meeting another person in this unfamiliar locale, especially so early in the morning. He quickly walks to the sitting figure, limiting his pace so as not to appear too weird, and greets them from a few steps away:\n\"Yo!\" He says, boisterously. The boy seems to pause, awaiting a response, or perhaps just struggling for something else to say." }, { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "They exhaled.\n\nHearing the prominent announcement, they'd turn their head around to see a teenager in the distance- appearing to be in the same age range as them. They'd sheepishly wave a hand before standing there awkwardly for a few moments. Deciding to be the one to approach them since they _were_ the one that got called over, they'd endure the little trek. The winds were still misbehaving as usual, continuing to creep ice in their veins. They'd reach the boy, light bathing their figure as they neared a lamp post.\n\n\"Hi.\" \n\nA simple hi was said, though that word brought a lot of connotations already. They had a heavy French accent, indicating that they were most likely from Europe. They also sounded _very_ androgynous- ranging from 150-180 hertz- practically undiscernible. With their outfit, it was rather difficult to identify their... Well... _identity._ They'd rub their palms together to attempt to get blood flowing on their cold hands.\n\n\"So what're you in here for? Why're you even _up_ at this time?\" \n\nIf the teen didn't have any questions, they'd rather just ask _something_ instead of wallowing in silence. It was awkward... Plus... He looked like a rather interesting person. They weren't sure if they were new. They weren't sure if they were an incumbent student either. The only way to understand was to _ask_." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "The new arrival immediately noticed the stranger's French accent, though he doesn't mention it right away. \n\n\"I literally Just Got here. Flight arrived Pretty Early, so I had to get an Uber from the airport and everything. As for Why I'm here, I...Kinda Froze some stuff at a relative's place...\" The boy puts his hand behind his head and chuckles. The event he's talking about clearly embarrasses him a little, but he seems to quickly discard the feeling. The boy's accent is hard to place, though it does have a noticeable North American tinge to it. As one approaches him, the air would feel ever so slightly colder. His own breath leaves faint condensation lingering in the air.\n\n\"...But enough about me! What're You Doin' here, if you don't mind me asking.\" He pauses, before continuing: \"Seems pretty cold and quiet out today. Oh, name's Cas by the way, if you were wondering.\"" }, { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "\"The name's Levi.\" Right before they continued, they'd offer a small but genuine smile and a handshake. If they accepted, they'd be able to feel soft but slightly cold hands, though they would eventually pull away. \"Well...\" Levi would rub the back of their neck, turning towards the silent and dark field in front of them. Their shadows would stretch onto the earth, dissipating as they gradually reached farther distances. \"I couldn't really sleep... I figured that I might as well take a walk outside, you know? It's very relaxing and... _serene_...\" A gust of wind would blow at the two yet again, their skirt fluttering for a moment. They'd chuckle, shaking their head. \"Maybe I could've worn something a bit warmer- but the cold is pretty cool. Heh.\"\n\nThey'd grin at their own pun, rolling their eyes. Jeez. Really being amused at their own jokes, huh? Brushing a strand of hair that fell in between their eyes, they'd let their gaze fall on the teen once more.\n\n\"Anyway... Welcome to NC! I've been here only a couple of days really, but it's pretty chill. Say-\" They'd pause, realizing that they were a bit excited meeting the new person. They'd breathe in, reassessing their options.\n\n\"Do you wanna eat or do you want to compare powers? Not sure if you ate at all during the flight.\"\n\nSee, being nice wasn't hard." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas firmly grasps Levi's hand before giving him a strong, confident handshake. Cas's own hands are slightly rough and cold to the touch. He catches on to Levi's excitement at meeting a new person; Cas feels pretty excited himself. He chuckles at Levi's temperature puns. \"Pretty ChillIndeed!\"\n\n\"Thanks!\" He replies. Cas casts a look at the NC building itself and continues: \"Looks like a nice place, if a little... Blocky I guess?\" The brutalist architecture puts Cas in mind of sky-scrapers and soviet housing blocks, reminding him of the fact that he was, essentially, imprisoned here. For a moment, the architecture seems to effect Cas, but he quickly shakes himself out of his weird internal tangent.\n\nThe mention of food makes Cas's stomach rumble. \"Now that you mention it, I haven't really had much in the last... I dunno, twelve hours?\" The idea of comparing powers Does Intrigue him, however. \"Should be able to hold out a bit longer, though. Say, is comparing powers a thing that happens here regularly? Not that I have a problem with Doing it Of course., just curious\"" }, { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "\"Far better than the last one...\" Levi would mumble right after Cas' comment about blocky architecture. At least this place had grass and trees. Well... It wasn't _that_ good either. They didn't even have their own infirmary! Regardless- they held further opinions and comments about NC and its facilities to themselves after. Maybe they could discuss it in the future when Cas had actually somewhat explore the place. Right now though, they seemed to have other priorities in mind. They'd wiggle their toes in their high cut white converses. They noticed grass blades got on the sides of their shoes, internally promising to clean it up later.\n\nHearing Cas- eh- _Cassie's_ stomach rumble would make them giggle, deciding as well to adopt a nickname for them. \"Well- I guess it isn't _illegal_ so...\" They'd shrug, starting to walk in the general direction of the nearest food source, tilting their head to urge Cassie to follow. \"Some kids like to show off their powers. Some like to keep to themselves. It really depends on the person- though as long as you don't... You know... Hurt someone.\" They'd glance over to Cassie just as they reached the fabled food source- a _vending machine_. \"But I'm sure you wouldn't hurt a fly!\" \n\nThey'd tap the vending machine with a grin. \"This bad boy can make your hunger go away... For a price- anyway, I have a question for you. What's something you've always wanted to see, but never had the chance?\"\n\nWhile this was happening, they'd off-handedly pull out some _Krona_ from their breast pocket, putting it inside. They'd punch a few buttons, waiting, though they still had their gaze on Cassie." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas catches Levi's comment about the architecture, but chooses not to say anything about it. He briefly considers his stance on the matter of openly displaying his powers, and concludes that it'd probably be fine to show them off from time to time. After all, it Should Be easy to deal with runaway ice power in a facility like NC, right...?\n\nHe sticks his hands in his front pockets and thinks deeply. He searches for something suitable meaningful or flashy-sounding, but his growing hunger makes it hard to focus on anything concrete. As Cas stares blankly into the vending machine, the image may put one in mind of a weary traveller gazing into a fire. It occurs to Cas that he's never really dwelt on 'missable' things in his life. After a minute of staring, Cas conjures something up from his long-term memory that he hadn't thought about in years:\n\"Hmm... Well, I Have Always wanted to see one of those super-elaborate circuses, y'know? Like... The Cirque du Soleil-type ones with all the special effects, lightshows and acrobatics? Never have gotten the chance to see anything like that, aside from old recordings.\"" }, { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "Jeez. What a difficult answer in the context of what they were initially trying to do. They'd hum, thinking about what they could do about it, watching a roast beef sandwich and a mountain dew topple down. Levi would reach into the bottom of the vending machine and grab their ordered food and drink, once again urging Cassie to follow, sitting down on a table nearby. Without any warning, they'd push the covered roast beef sandwich and can of mountain dew towards them. \"Eat that... I need to think...\"\n\nThey'd chew on their inner cheek, interlocking their fingers to continue thinking. After a few moments, they'd close their eyes. Green light would slowly but surely fill the darkness of the field behind them. They'd open their eyes yet again with a half-hearted shrug, frowning. \"I'm not really good with circuses... But I tried... Look behind you!\"\n\nThey'd see the previously dark grass now appearing to be water, with hues of green and blue permeating the surface. A hoop attached to a string had a masked female performer was hovering right above the waters... With the string seemingly connecting to nothing but the heavens itself.\n\n\"Illusions. My power.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas turns to look behind him, his mouth half-full of roast beef sandwich, and he is stunned by what he sees. Cas is transfixed by the sheer Realness Of the illusion, and the clear and visible paranormality of it. Cas hasn't really seen any other paranatural phenomenon besides his own power, so seeing something like the illusion is surreal for him. Still, he can't help but admire the visual craftsmanship on display here.\n\n\"Yo... That's cool as Shit!\" He exclaims, muffled by deli meat and dry crumbs. He takes a moment to compose himself and finish his mouthful before he continues: \"Legit, that's pretty damn cool! It's so...\" He struggles to find the right expression for the illusion. It's certainly realistic, at the very least compared to Cas's notion of what an 'illusion' is. \"...Lifelike, I guess? It's a pretty well-designed scene, anyway. Do you have to, like, design it in your mind before you 'deploy' it or something?\"\n\nCas now feels obligated to show off his power. He's Fairly Confident in his ability to create an ice sculpture, so he decides to give that a shot.\n\"Hmm... What if... Yo, what's something You've Always wanted to see? Something with a distinct outline would be helpful here.\"" }, { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "It seemed that the roast beef sandwich and mountain dew was a good choice. Money well spent! That being said, they'd hum when they were given praise, a smile creeping up on their lips. \"It depends, really. I find it to be more effective with emotion and desire. I can construct an illusion easily without closing my eyes or anything, but the additional concentration and time to think about it really helps overall. If you told me to make an illusion right now about the New York skyline though? Nah- if you showed me a picture... But if it was only stock knowledge, I would definitely struggle.\"\n\nAt that question, they'd think. What did they want to see that had a distinct deadline. It was a hard choice, not exactly knowing what specific thing to request. \"I guess... A miniature Bat-Chat 25t. It's a French tank and...\" They'd sigh, deciding to just pull out their phone to show them a picture of said tank. \"That. Unless you can show me an equal and fair world for everyone... Then a tank is sufficient.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Cas finishes his sandwich and wipes the crumbs off on his pants. Levi's illusion power seems pretty cool (heh) to him. He briefly starts imagining some sort of ice-illusion power combo as Levi explains some of the mechanics behind it, but he quickly shakes the thought off.\nA tank works wonderfully for Cas's purposes here. \"Ok... Watch closely! Or don't. Don't really mind either way!\"\n\nCas starts working on a bit of dew-speckled turf. He extends his finger, and begins spraying what looks like a fine, glowing stream of snow at the ground in a focused area, sweeping back-and-forth in even strokes like a painter. It's not immediately obvious what Cas is doing to the ground, but in time what looks like a pair of icy tank treads begin to form among the dew. After forming the tank's treads, Cas moves on to the main body, then the turret and finally the barrel, taking care to form an approximation of the barrel's distinctive rectangular barrel... Thing.\n\nAfter making the individual pieces of the tank, Cas assembles it into something approaching the 'correct' shape. Finally, he freezes the pieces of the tank together, leaving the pair with an ice block replica of the Bat-Chat 25t. It's not...Incredibly Realistic... But it's at least recognizable as a tank of sorts. There are also tufts of grass sticking out of it at odd angles where Cas was unable to neatly pry the pieces from the turf. Cas shakes some warmth back into his hands, which appear to have accumulated some ice crystals, and gestures with aplomb at his creation.\n\n\"Ta-da! What do you think? Not as neat as yours... BUT: It's colder!\"" }, { "author": "salacommander_3797", "message": "Treads, super structure, turret, and finally barrel to finish it off- the ice-cold spray would also cool the area around them, making Levi shiver once more. Immediately, they thought of one particular superhero from a certain Pixar animated film, making them smile just a teensy weensy bit. \"Maybe I should've asked for a super suit- hehehe...\" They'd snicker, shaking their head at that rather funny suggestion (or so they'd like to think). \"Regardless! I think it looks great...\" Levi would roam around the blocky ice tank, humming as they ran their hands over the freezing ice, leaving their fingertips nearly burning. \"Not sure if it's the 90 millimeter, 100 millimeter, or 105 millimeter variant- but I don't think you'd have the complete blueprint of a French post-world war 2 tank anyway so...\"\n\nSo they were a nerd- Cassie would've definitely noticed it by now.\n\nThey'd stop appreciating the Ice Bat and turn their attention to the boy, an amused look now on their face. \"A lot of kids are going to see this in the morning- and I have no doubt that it isn't going to melt anytime soon. I think you're going to be _very_ popular around here, don't you think?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Caspar chuckles at Levi's comment. He's gotten compared to said animated superhero plenty of times before, and even considered him a bit of a personal inspiration in his younger years, not that he'd admit it. \"Glad you didn't! Making a person-shaped thing more complex then a snowman is actually pretty hard...\" Cas trails off as Levi examines his Ice-Bat. He'd hate to admit it, but having someone pouring over the detail on his sculpture makes him just a little bit proud.\n\nCaspar gives Levi's question some thought. He mulls over his frozen handiwork, and wonders about his immediate future. Being sent off to Newton's Cradle has certainly been a surprisingly pleasant experience, having me Levi and all. Still, he can't help but think about the fact that he's essentially in a juvenile detention centre for SCPs. Cas resolves to try and see the positives of his new living situation.\n\n\"Popular? Not sure about that... But I hope so!\" Cas replies, flashing a big grin. He looks over the moist lawn of Newton's Cradle, before feeling a wave of tiredness overcome him. He didn't get That Much sleep on the plane... So it'd take a couple days to set his sleep schedule right. Cas can't help but yawn and rub his eyes, before deciding he should probably get in a couple hours of sleep.\n\"Yo, Lev? I'm gonna head back to my dorm and sort some stuff, maybe take a nap. Still recovering from the flight. Catch ya later, kay?\" Cas gives Lev a thumbs-up as he begins heading to his room. He feels bad about leaving Lev so abruptly, but rationalizes that he'll probably see them later anyway. Cas feels confident that his time here at NC will be something to look forward to, and he's looking forward to the interesting people and experiences therein..." } ]	281	4,160
320.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "ewkaiju", "message": "Rhys was nervous. Well, they're always nervous, but, this was different. They were having a good day, for one, and they were going on a walk with two people they liked. Not just one! That's a lot! It's basically four people if they count Cyrus, too...\n\nSpeaking of, he's been awfully quiet this morning. Not necessarily a bad thing, but as Rhys navigates the halls of the Cradle to get outside, the dead air around them only enhances their anxiety. The front door takes its time opening, and they lean on their cane, watching it crawl open at a snail's pace. The motors in this thing need to be replaced. As soon as the gap is big enough for them to squeeze through, they do, and the fresh air hits them all at once. Relief washes over them, and they're still for a moment, to take in their new surroundings but also to find out where Red is. They were in a specific spot last time, but... They can't remember where.\n\nSighing, they start to move away from the building and towards the forest, only for a familiar voice to interject.\n\nHey, maybe wait for the other person? Rhys freezes. Still not used to Cyrus in their head, they were surprised, only to quickly realize what was happening. Right. \n\n\"She's not...\" They turn and look over their shoulder, not seeing anyone else, but not really looking for anyone, either. \"She's not here. Red is usually in the forest anyway.\" They roll their shoulders and continue to walk to the forest, empowered more by spite than any sense of direction.\n\n[ whoever wants to go next can idk" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The air shifts, a curse broken or a sight seen. \nThe air shifts. \nEverything grows impossibly heavy for a moment then it is lighter than the sky. The world is silent before it becomes filled with something that cannot be said. Life becomes oh so loud. Animals from miles away could be heard, the slightest movement like horns against ears. A definite chaos that screams of the world and begs for one to hear. \n\nA footfall is heard, heavy but not in a way that is abrasive. It blends far too well with the sound of whatever decided to wake. Another sound, they're coming closer. A gust of air that seems heavy. The air seems cleaner, the world is less overshadowed by buildings and cars. \n\nThe trees move the life around everything grows ever louder. \nThe beast appears. \nIt sniffs and brushes something off from their shoulder.\n\n\"Hi.\"\n\nThe voice is ever many, too many. It growls and gnashed at the throat and at the mind. It's too animalistic and human. Yet it seems tired at its core. \nShe's still shirtless though. \nA frown frames it's scarred features. The air around it was so evergreen for a moment, when did it start to feel so old?\n\nThey stretch their arms and groan in satisfaction when something pops and it dosent hurt. Crossing her arms she leans a little to the side. Waiting and curious for what there soon is to be. \n\n\"Waitin?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "A straw hat's ribbons lightly move with the wind. Anja Leta stands at the designated meeting point. She was early. Awfully early. Like she had time to fume early.\nShe still wasn't sure about that boy. She should spend her time looking into more of the social crimes that he was up to.\n \nNo. This wasn't Her Place.\nShe shakes her head; she should just let her deal with it.\nShe checks her phone. How early Did She arrive?\n \nFootfalls reach her ears once it's too late.\nWhether fortune favored this one or not, she seemed to be used to quiet noises introducing someone.\nShe turns to face the light/heavy stepper.\n \nCraning her head up was the second surprise.\n\"...Hello.\" Should she offer her shirt? It wouldn't fit it.\nShe probably wouldn't take it anyways.\nIs this Red? It would explain how Ashton and she made such quick friends. Funny that, he seems to always get along with the people that are just, pleasant to her. She should make him something when she gets back.\n \nShe looks out to the facility, wondering where the third was supposed to be.\nShe takes a shot in the dark.\n\"Yes. I think Rhys should be on their way. Thought I would see you come down the path as well, I was mistaken.\"\n \nShe won't lie, she was still sore over Rhys's previous interaction with her. But at least she was invited." } ]	306	962
441.166667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "A late afternoon sunset painted across the sky. It looked warm, and if one were to view the horizon alone, perhaps they'd picture a warm day – but the surface was still covered in a sheet of snow. It wasn't as cold as it could be – hovering around freezing temperature – but most still opted to stay indoors to wait until the fiendish temperatures finally relented. Jolie thought often of what she would rather be doing if she were back home, where temperatures like these could probably kill a few people on infrastructure instability alone. She wondered what her town would look like covered in snow.\n\nThat is what brought Jolie out into the cold this time; cloaked in several more layers now than the last time she went out walking, she went searching for the quietest place closest to the facility. She wore a baggy white Pepsi brand t-shirt tucked into high-waisted light blue jeans – with a layer of leggings underneath – and a dark beige trench coat with big white fur cuffs. The coat in particular was eye-catching, not in its extravagance, for it seemed well worn at best, but in the way it sat on her body. It was very large and loose; this garment was not hers. She wore a slouchy beanie that matched her coat and worked well to conceal the ethereal behavior of her hair.\n\nEventually, she would reach her destination – she'd walked out the back of the facility and walked from the path to the sports field, leaving a diverging trail off into the small field of tall grass. There she stood before it, her hands in her pockets, heavy gray work boots sunk slightly into the snow; she dipped her head and closed her eyes.\n\nShe thought of the wide roads and the small buildings, the big lakes and the long fields. She remembered all the movies she watched as a kid with snowy cities – wondered why it was always some city in England – and opened her eyes. The long road of her hometown covered in snow unraveled before her, and as the wind swirled past her face, in one ear and out the other, she felt herself enter this imagination, stepping forwards and leaving her body behind. \n\nUnder the sunset, Jolie stood there quietly, head still dipped as the snow around her kicked up; it didn't appear to be a singular gust of wind that guided the snow particles, but instead the wind in the area around her seemed to move as one; the snowflakes jutted to the left and paused, falling for a few seconds, before moving again to the right. It seemed almost like a fragile dance." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Late afternoon. Perfect time for a stroll.\n\n□ Admittedly, she was not dressed as heavily as she'd have liked for even a short stroll out in the cool late afternoon air. Her beloved camo jacket had suffered yet another burn hole, and she'd taken the excuse to finally get all its holes seen to with needle and thread. In the meantime, though, she was stuck with only an old red windbreaker from some notable brand for warmth. Stepping out from the residence she sucked air through her teeth like a flinch reaction to the cool and she rubbed her hands together lightly before jamming them in her pockets.\n\n□ Strolling down several concrete paths, she'd decided to take a little stroll into the woods, to a little clearing she'd used as a hideout once or twice while evading trouble back at the Cradle. It had even become Part Of her troublemaking, and as she thought about the times she'd ran there and hid in the various trees and bushes a light smile spread across her face. Hands in her pockets and eyes in the trees she lumbered onwards slow and steady, eventually reaching the sports shed and noticing something weird: footprints.\n\n▪︎ Very fresh, too. She could still see wisps of powder snow being blown away by the wind. She was curious.\n\n□ So down the trail she went. One step after another, her heavy combat boots stomped out bigfoots with every step – mostly directed into the already-broken footsteps of whoever had came here before her. After about a minute she came across the clearing, but it wasn't just the clearing. It was also a girl, in an oversized coat, with her eyes closed and the wind itself forming little vortices she caught onto with her left eye like it was nothing. Infrared was a powerful tool, and as she approached this stranger she could be seen strapping an eyepatch on, leaving only her left eye exposed.\n\n▪︎ That bizarre, almost horrifying left eye, with its four pupils and four irises and strange rings, peered right at the other girl from about fifteen feet away, which was when she made her presence known with a loud clap.\n\n◆ \"Awful chilly place to practice aerokinesis.\" She broke the ice, her heavily accented voice cutting through the quaint silence of the clearing like scissors through paper. \"But fuck it. Whatever works, huh?\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "The town before her was just as she remembered it. Of course it was, She thought, It's only my memory. She walked down the middle of the road with snow shoveled to the curbs. In the time she'd been going to the town, it had never snowed once. This was more of an approximation; the construction of this vision wasn't consciously built by herself, though. However these visions worked, she knew that they accessed a wide amount of her mind – subconscious included. She didn't realize these \"Visions\" Of hers were paranormal until they were deemed as such in the cradle. A part of her wished she never knew.\n\nHer slow walk was interrupted when a loud noise cascaded over the town, echoing down the alleys and shaking the lampposts, their lights flickering in electric whimpers. Jolie had been doing this long enough to know what it meant; she dipped her head and closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was looking down at the snowy mounds of grass ahead.\n\nShe brought her hand to her neck to check for the hairband. Confirming its presence, she turned around to face the other girl.\n\n\"Fresh air and all,\" She remarked, an eyebrow raising as she observed the eye looking back at her. It was nowhere near as alarming as the phenomenon she witnessed before – that much was comforting. When she came to, the blowing winds seemed to cease in Jolie's vicinity, put into stasis to conserve warmth.\n\n\"It's different out in the open. You can really cut loose.\" She spoke as if controlling the wind was some sort of relatable touchpoint. It was difficult for her to realize that she could do something that others could not; subconscious efforts to wash herself of any personal responsibility or penance of her parahumanity." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Right.\" Margo replied in turn, noting how the little snowy vortices the other girl had been generating disappeared. Ephemeral. Short-lived; Dust to dust. \"If your shtick is wind then that makes sense. Hard to wind bend indoors. Funny thing about this clearing though is that, well...\"\n\n□ Trailing off, Margo lurched back into motion, strolling closer to the other girl with her hands stuffed in her pockets. It was a slightly weird gait, but she made it work, the broad soles of her combat boots stomping holes into the snowy crust that had formed over the course of the winter. \"I've been using this clearing to hide shit since I got here pretty much.\" She spoke as she skirted around the other gal. \"Can't really get at it easy right now but there's something like... What, four bottles of gin under that log there?\" She pointed with two fingers and an upturned thumb. \"Which is basically a place the staff never looks. Makes it a good hiding spot, but that's neither here nor there; just got reminded of it.\"\n\n▪︎ She walked over to the log she'd just pointed out and took a seat.\n\n◆ \"You must be new. Haven't seen you around yet.\" She spoke once she'd finished sitting down. \"Margo Killjoy, professional girl kisser and reptile mom. You?\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "As the other girl approached, Jolie's head dipped; there was a particular look in her slightly wide-set eyes that followed the girl's movement intensely – no, precisely. A skeptical fawn in those big, bright lights her mother warned her about. If I can't trust mom, She thought, Then I have to trust the lights. Her eyebrows slowly raised as if to ensure she was observing as much as possible in the moment. \n\nJolie didn't move as she passed her by, but she did remove her right hand from her pocket, which was quickly swallowed by the large fur cuff. There was a relief that came over her when the stranger simply walked around her. It verged on rejuvenating – she felt stable, locked in place where she stood.\n\nShe eventually turned to face the other girl as she pointed to her hidden stash. Upon the mention of gin, a wash of memories hit her countenance; the manner of which would be as difficult to determine to the stranger as it was to herself. It was clear enough that she was impressed, and that some part of her wanted a glass.\n\n\"Jolie Stone. All I've really done so far is fall out of a tree,\" She said blankly, almost disinterestedly – she was far more inclined to speak of the next bit. \"You're a real bootlegger. I can help you get to it,\" She offered with barely disguised expectancy. She was never more amicable to the world when alcohol was involved; Jolie only ever drank when she was free, dancing with Lancaster in some place they would never be found.\n\nShe should've been used to being thrown in fish bowls at this point, but she wasn't. If there was ever a key to living comfortably in this life, it was somewhere under that log – she was sure of it. Maybe it'll jog her memory, jostle something free in her mind, or wake her up from this Nickelodeon nightmare she found herself in. Snap out of it." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Least you're livin'.\" Margo remarked, squaring her knees off and leaning into the gap slightly. \"Not the first, not the last. I know Owen – you'll meet 'em eventually. Long ginger hair, metalhead, dating one of my close friends – falls out of trees sometimes. It happens, I guess.\"\n\n□ Clearly there was no real point to the little anecdote she reeled off with a casual air about her, or at least no big point. If she had any point it was lost by the time she shut her trap and fixed her attention on Jolie, who was now in the midst of offering to help her with her hidden booze. \"Don't really need at it right now, honestly, but I'll keep the offer in my wallet.\" She casually spoke, blowing a few strands of dyed red hair out of her face. She pulled her eyepatch off with a hum. \"That's a sayin'. It's like a business card, y'know? Something my uncle used to say. Maybe that's just my upbringing talking though.\"\n\n▪︎ She let the air hang stagnant for a few moments.\n\n◆ \"But. I can read people pretty well, and I can tell you want what's under the log.\" She turned her gaze onto Jolie again, equal parts intense and affable. \"I'd offer ya a bottle, but... How do I know you ain't gonna rat me out, right? Don't really know you yet, but that's always some shit to be remedied, so. Take a seat. Let's chat. It's nice out and I doubt either of us got shit to do, so.\"\n\n▪︎ She tapped the log beside her expectantly. Maybe she'd take no for an answer, but it didn't Seem That way in the moment." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "There was visible disappointment in Jolie's face when her offer was dismissed. Either she was terrible at concealing her emotions or was so enlightened at the prospect of alcohol that it all went out the window, but her disposition brightened again when the possibility reemerged. \n\nThis Margo Killjoy – wait, Killjoy? – had a mysterious accent she couldn't place. Jolie was no dialect coach, but she knew the basics of plenty of accents, and her's didn't fall under the ones she was familiar with. It didn't unnerve her as much as the idea that they were going to sit side by side in this quiet clearing for the express purpose of talking. She found discussion was much easier with the distraction of classwork, a warm fire, or lunch; people rarely offered the concept of 'getting to know one another.' Yet she couldn't just walk away now.\n\nShe sheepishly walked to the log, looking both ways as if she were crossing a street – anything was more tolerable than direct eye contact. When she approached the log, she waved a hand that was consumed within the sleeve and a gust of wind blew off whatever snow had collected, taking a seat with a mathematically comfortable and considerate distance between the two. She readjusted the hairband around her neck and placed her hands beside her, shoulders hitched inwards.\n\n\"I'm not a snitch or anything.\" Jolie looked over to Margo and slid the beanie off her head. She felt it looked stupid on her, and her hair somewhat matched the coat, even if it swayed upwards like an open flame. \"Where did you even get four bottles of that stuff?\" Her voice had a slight rasp to it. She never spoke much in a day – it was underutilized, a throat of cobwebs." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Maybe not.\" Margo plainly spoke. \"But I'd rather not have to pay for another fake. Shit's priced like gold over here, honestly, and my allowance isn't that high anymore.\"\n\n□ Casually talking, Margo rubbed her hands together briskly in what seemed a bid to keep her hands warm. She rubbed her hands together and looked up into the trees, curiously searching for something. What that something was, though, was anyone's guess. Whatever the case she had her attention drawn back to the earth once she felt Jolie sit down, and loath as she would be to admit it the rasp in her voice tickled her brain and her spine in all the right ways.\n\n▪︎ Jolie might've been able to notice from the way Margo's expression changed in the moment or two after she'd been asked where she got it. \n\n◆ \"Anyways, I got it at the liquor store down town. I managed to get a fake pretty early on and so far so good. Mostly just use it for smokes though. Speaking of which.\" Reaching into her windbreaker she produced a crumpled up pack of Marlboro Silvers, quickly knocking the pack open with her chin and yoinking one with her teeth. \"Originally came out for one of these but then I got, like. Fuckin' bewitched by the beautiful weather. It's nice out, if a little chilly. Speaking of which, you smoke? No pressure.\"\n\n▪︎ She held the open pack out, mostly out of a weirdly placed sense of politeness. It was an offering; would this goddess of wind claim it for herself?" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "There was something compelling about Margo that she couldn't name. Some of it was the accent, definitely, but she was getting the sense that she'd been here for a long time – perhaps longer than she'd like. It was hard for her to imagine that people embraced this place, making it their home of sorts. Jolie had forgotten what it was like to be truly lost. No matter how bad it got back home, she knew exactly where to go for everything she needed, regardless of what it was. Here, she felt everyone was searching for what they needed in a big maze of clinical concrete. That was it – to her, it didn't seem like Margo was searching, and if she was, there was no urgency.\n\nJolie lifted the coattails and let them fall over the log. She brought one leg up, pressed it against herself, and turned to face Margo a little more. It was difficult to tell if she was comfortable; her small frame sat spindly and odd upon the log. She didn't like being viewed from the side – she felt her nose was like a wall that ought to be viewed from head on.\n\nThe last time Jolie had a cigarette, she didn't like it. It didn't deter her from sliding one from the pack when it was offered. \"Fakes, liquor, cigarettes,\" She recounted aloud, \"Where are You From?\" In truth, it was feeling more like home by the second. Alcohol and cigarettes were never far from the places she found herself in, from her own household to busted up trailers and abandoned buildings.\n\nOn closer inspection, the bare amount of makeup on her face seemed a little smudged, or at least shifted. Jolie was never too far from crying in the day, and from the slightly reddened eyes, nose, and messy black eyeliner, it seemed she wasn't too long from a bout of tears. Her voice, however, had no trace of quivering or wavering." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"New York.\" She plainly replied. \"Brooklyn if we're bein' specific, and Glasgow if we're tracin' my roots. Born there, lived until I was four, family home burnt to a crisp while we were away, Father packed us up and shipped us to Brooklyn so he could be closer to his Wall Street cronies. Fucker.\"\n\n□ Digging into her pocket she produced a hefty Zippo. Flipping it open she quickly sparked it and lit her cigarette, dragging for a solid three seconds before exhaling a thick yet ephemeral cloud of white smoke. \"I spent a lot of time in the Orkneys growing up though. Grandma lived and worked up there on the boats; good times. Learned a lot about fishing and living working those boats as a kid.\" She fondly spoke, almost as if recounting the tale allowed her to relive it, if just for a second. She pocketed her pack of smokes once Jolie had taken one, and she held out her lighter expectantly.\n\n▪︎ Seemed unlikely she could have willed a flame into existence. That, and she couldn't get a bead on whether Jolie was the kind of person to carry a lighter or not.\n\n◆ \"But, yeah. I miss the city in some ways, but this place is home now, I guess. I have a job, a girlfriend, friends, a reliable fake... It's not so bad being here. Enough about me, though. Where are ya from? And what'd ya do to get sent here?\"\n\n▪︎ Better to keep it brief, she decided. Jolie didn't quite seem keen on divulging details about herself; she Hoped This wouldn't be another Amelie situation." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "If she was being honest, she couldn't remember where Glasgow was, and had no idea what the 'Orkneys' were, but felt it was inappropriate to ask. It was nice to hear someone reminiscing about their past, but based on how she spoke of her father and how long she took that cigarette, she felt it was a mixed bag.\n\nJolie placed a hand behind her on the log and leaned forward, lighting the cigarette on the lighter. She was half expecting to cough her lungs out when she smoked, but she hardly felt any resistance – she kept forgetting her lungs were paranormal. When she was asked where she was from and how she was sent here, her gaze broke from the girl and off into the grass she was staring at before. A gentle breeze came from where she was looking – not enough to blow out their cigarettes, but enough to bevel her flowing hair.\n\n\"I'm from Alabama. Small town, rural, everyone-knows-everything kinda place.\" She looked at the cigarette between her fingers and thought of her next words in a momentary quiet. \"I miss it. I-I feel like I'm not supposed to, but...\" She trailed off, an upset mound welling in her chest. She took the cigarette to her lips, and it helped – if only to take a deep breath.\n\n\"Anyway. Mom and I were fighting, she threw something, woosh,\" She flicked her wrist off into the empty space in front of them and the wind kicked up some snow, \"Hilarity ensued. I almost ran away with some boy, but you can't really run from something like this.\" Jolie thought of the last time she saw her mother, sitting at the dinner table with a cigar, refusing to even look at her. She didn't know her mother smoked. Maybe she didn't, and she dug up some old cigar for the drama – she wouldn't put it past her.\n\n\"I figured this place could protect me more than Jonny Lancaster from varsity badminton ever could.\" Either Jolie thought he was foolish for ever believing in her, or the joke was on her for feeling warm and safe when he vowed to protect her. There was never any shelter for her." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Fuck,\" Margo winced lightly with a laugh. \"Talk about a shitty place to grow up. No offense, obviously. Alabama is just... I passed through once. I had to piss behind every gas station we stopped at because of, well... I'd guess you know how bigoted Southerners can be when they see someone who isn't neatly and devoutly cishet. But it's fine to miss home, man, even if home's kind of hell. Know the feeling all too well, really. I miss home but I refuse to step under my father's roof again.\"\n\n□ She trailed off for a moment, letting the facts settle into her brain. Jolie was from small-town Alabama, had an apparent dysfunctional relationship with her mom, and had apparently considered running away with some boy whose name struck a very discomforting chord in her chest. Her expression soured for a second in response. \"So you caught the vase she pitched at you and she went into hysterics? Sounds... Familiar, actually.\" She hesitantly spoke. \"But this place Is Better than some badminton player. There's the occasional incident, yeah – right now it's Levi and Basil and before it was a murderous group of vigilante angels out in the industrial park.\"\n\n▪︎ Her expression lit up slightly.\n\n◆ \"I beat the shit out of two angels while I was there, actually. It was... Kind of fun, even though the aftermath was emotional hell. I dunno. I guess my point is that even with all the paranormal bullshit you'll be safer here than anywhere in Alabama. The Cradle's honestly pretty good outside of the cafeteria food... They could do with a Michelin-starred chef in that kitchen.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Jolie let her talk in full with her passive gaze fixed on her. She looked away only to take a drag, though it seemed her attention was caught primarily when Margo mentioned not being 'devoutly cishet.' She knew she wasn't Het, But Cis? The thought of potentially sitting next to the only other trans person she's ever met made her dizzy; her form shriveled and her posture worsened, and she felt the strong urge to hop away with the wind like a rabbit.\n\nIn the past, she'd theorized what she would do if she met another trans person in her small town. She thought of grand plans, adventures, rebellion, triumph, camaraderie, comfort – safety. The last thing Jolie Stone thought she would feel in this moment was fear. What was there to fear? It was as this girl clearly said: she is safer here than anywhere back home. Why was everything inside of her telling her to run? \n\nThen, as Margo finished speaking about something to do with angels that she wasn't entirely listening to, it was made clear to her. The urge to run was as strong as the urge to come out to her – right here, right now. They were inseparable, like a first and last name. \n\nThere was a thorny silence as her head dipped, as if compressing her vocal cords would squeeze the words from her throat. She didn't like vocalizing It, Or anything to do with It. Everyone always knew about her, and if they were asking to hear it from her mouth, it was from contemptuous disbelief. It was like approaching the cave of a bear that hadn't been seen around – perhaps it was gone, or perhaps it was hibernating.\n\n\"Are-... Are you trans?\" Whatever safety she was holding onto began to slip away. Jolie appeared as a gazelle with shimmering eyes, looking to discern whether Margo was a piece of log in the water or a crocodile lying in wait. She had set herself up for a decision: either she is honest to this girl, or she chooses to perpetuate the lie. There was no longer a passive excuse – this was a conscious choice." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "★ ``\"Are-... Are you trans?\"``\n\n□ The hesitancy in Jolie's voice told Margo most of what she needed to know. Growing up in New York City she'd always relished in the relative anonymity – save for her father's name – she'd had, free to be herself and do whatever she wanted safe in the knowledge that nobody – aside from her friends, perhaps – would even remember her once the train came into the station. It was a big city privilege, and clearly it hadn't been extend to Jolie, who'd been unlucky enough to grow up in small-town Alabama – a place that likely still held pockets of all the worst extremists in contemporary America.\n\n▪︎ In that context she couldn't blame Jolie for being so nervous about being truthful. It was only natural.\n\n◆ \"Yup. Sure am.\" Margo confirmed, clasping her hands together lightly and making sure to not bend any crinks into her cigarette. \"Been this way since I was a kid. Think it made it easier since when I came out I knew I wasn't backing down from bein' myself.\" She continued. \"But... The way you say that tells me a lot about you already. If you're trans then Jesus it must have sucked growing up in Alabama. Like I said, I had to piss behind gas stations when I passed through, and I was already a year and a half on E, so.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "A silence fell upon Jolie. Her hair's ephemeral sway died, and it laid flat and frizzy on her shoulders for the first time in a long while. There were thoughts to be thought and feelings to be felt, certainly – yet the air only grew quieter, and all that could be heard was the burning cigarettes. There was a blank expression on her face as she looked down at the cigarette, perhaps slightly uncomfortable, as if she could feel her mind twisting and cramping behind her eyes.\n\nThe pain was excruciating, but she chose to feel it – to numb it was oblivion, yet to feel was to be in pain. There was a familiar exhaustion that permeated in her chest; the feeling of the end of the rope, where one must climb or hold for as long as they can. As the boy before her trusted Jolie, she knew now that she must trust Margo.\n\n\"Yeah,\" She brought her legs together and a gust of wind extinguished her cigarette, \"It did.\" Her voice finally wavered and her arms crossed against her stomach, as if something deep within her gut was stirring. It seemed now that her composure was finally breaking despite her best efforts. She could no longer bring herself to look at the other girl, eyes affixed to some point in the snow, but she was still vaguely turned towards her. \n\n\"I-I guess all I've ever been good at is breaking the rules, even when I really don't want to,\" She remarked with a stifled laugh, raising a hand to wipe a tear away. She leaned forward over her lap, perhaps to conceal her face with her unkempt hair as she slowly became a collection of sniffles and unsteady breaths.\n\nThere were a thousand things she wanted to say and ten thousand different ways she could say them. It petrified her into an ineloquent mess. She felt the nerves in her body rise to the places she was struck the most. It was the worst feeling." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ All she could do was shake her head and click her tongue lightly.\n\n■ \"That's the trans experience, I guess.\" Margo replied, hesitancy in her view hinting at how uncertain she felt. \"We go against the grain and it makes us tougher and kinder and more wise to the world than any transphobe could ever hope to be. But... That's probably cold comfort, huh?\"\n\n□ Every other trans person she'd befriended throughout her life was open about it. It was celebrated, brought up often in prideful displays or the recountings of past trans-specific traumas. \n\n▪︎ Jolie, however, was a little different.\n\n□ Dishevelled, her hair hung in her face and her body – itself postured so small, so frightful, that Margo couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy. Unsure of how to comfort Jolie she eventually settled on a hand on her shoulder, the strong yet soft skin of her hands gently rubbing the other girl's back in a bid to comfort her.\n\n◆ \"I... Know a lot about rule breaking. N-not that it exactly Matters, Yeah, but. Y'know.\" She fell silent for a few moments, rummaging through the files of her brain until... Aha. \"There's something my therapist would say here... Some shit about letting yourself be vulnerable? Letting yourself be... I dunno, seen as scared or sad or whatever? She's, uh. She's told me that before in our sessions. Helps me a lot. Might help you. Anyways.\"\n\n▪︎ Wow, she was Not Good at this. She mentally wheezed." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Insecurity coursed through her veins, even now. Her shoulders – broad, boney, Manly, – felt smaller beneath Margo's hand. It was grounding; she felt the searing curse of observation, and every muscle in her body ached to disappear, but the other girl's grasp comforted her quietly: she belonged there upon the log for now.\n\nJolie listened intently, eventually tucking some frizzy hair behind her ear to view the girl again, her face dewey and reddened. It was captivating to hear the way she spoke of trans people. She thought it was almost evangelical – 'worldlier than thou.' She'd never heard it put so congratulatory. \n\n\"Your therapist sounds nice,\" She spoke meekly, uncoiling her arms from her waist to be propped loosely on her lap. \"Uhm... I guess I'm scared right now, a-and I definitely Feel Vulnerable, in, like, a different way. I thought a lot about what I would say if I met someone like you – or someone like me, I guess – but, uh, I can't remember any of it now, so... Sorry.\"\n\nShe nervously fidgeted with her own digits before slightly jerking upwards upon a sudden realization. \"I-I'm not scared of you or anything,\" She frantically clarified, \"I can't say I'm not scared of this whole place, but, uh... I think I'm mostly scared of not having a reason to hide. I-It's like, I've been trying to survive this whole time, what if I turn around and there's just... Nothing left?\" Her voice broke near the end of her sentence as a bout of tears welled upwards.\n\nNow that there was a clear view of her face, it appeared that Jolie was actively fighting the tears. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she almost appeared angry or wounded. \"I don't want to turn-...\" Her tone was weak and shrill, \"Fuck. I-I'm sorry, I don't know why...\"\n\nShe finally gave into a quiet sob. A hand covered her crying eyes as her words dissolved." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Huh. Maybe that's – wait. Hold on.\" The hand that had been steadily kneading little biscuits into Jolie's shoulder came to an abrupt stop. \"You've Never Met other trans people? You were the only one you knew of in your town? That's... Fuck, man. My big city brain can't wrap its head around that. Knew Alabama wasn't exactly Queer, But...\"\n\n□ Not much else needed to be said, she hoped. Her piece stuttered out somewhat awkwardly she fell quiet, listening to Jolie as things began to spill out from her mouth. She was vulnerable, a little scared, and very uncertain sounding. Margo occasionally nodded.\n\n□ Once the dam broke and the first quiet sob creaked out of her Margo once again felt uncertain herself. How far could she go with the comfort? Would Jolie even want the kinds of comfort that she knew how to give? Comfort was never her strong suit. It wasn't her strong suit but she felt she had to do something anyways, so she did something.\n\n▪︎ That something was wrapping an arm around Jolie and – with some effort – blowing her mouthful of smoke away from the crying girl next to her.\n\n◆ \"Don't gotta apologize.\" Margo replied, doing her best to hide how unsure she felt about what was currently happening next to her. \"I... I getcha, actually. I understand always having to fight and struggle and rely on yourself. Not gonna get into the details.\" She nervously tugged the collar of her windbreaker lightly two or three times, phantoms of abuse still alive in her soul across an ocean and several sovereign states. \n\n■ \"But the thing is, once you're done fightin', that's when you get to actually live, I'd say. You finally get to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. It's what I had to learn on my own when I got here, which is to say you're already doin' better than I was.\" She continued, her voice faltering into a throaty chuckle. \"Not to make light of your problems; quite the opposite. Just trying to relate. I'm... Not great with comforting people. Sorry.\" She rubbed the back of her head with her free hand, accidentally ashing her cigarette into her hair in the process. \"You'll be fine, mate. Promise. Might not seem like it right now, but...\"\n\n▪︎ She fell silent again, but she kept Jolie in her strong yet gentle grasp, rubbing her arm and trying her best to be comforting." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Though she didn't appear to entirely embrace this closer hold, she'd slightly turned in her direction, and her head veered towards her as well. Overall, Jolie seemed rigid and frightened, but not of Margo. Her sobs were quiet – almost silent. She was ashamed of losing her composure so wholly in front of this girl she'd never met, and had managed to subdue her sobs to sharp breaths and sniffles; she couldn't, however, conceal the way her shoulders trembled, nor the softest whine drawing in the back of her throat.\n\nAs she listened in full, it appeared that the worst of her emotions had subsided – if only a marginal difference – and she regained relative use of her voice.\n\nA faint smile spread across her dewy face. \"I never saw myself as anything much. I love being a girl, but...\" The smile faded. \"I don't like being trans.\" She looked into Margo's eyes with a mixed expression of expectancy and worry. \"Does that ever change? A-And be honest. I can tell when people are lying.\" \n\nJolie, in fact, could not tell when people were lying – at least, not in any special paranormal way. Her delivery wasn't all that convincing regardless. From where she stood, Margo lived in truth in a way that Jolie couldn't. She embraced her truth, certainly, but she did not own it. Jolie was governed by truth, but Margo governed It. Now was her chance to seek wisdom from this girl, who clearly knew how to live this life properly; this was where she would look back, rearrange some wires, and live the way she was supposed to be living all this time. \n\n...However, she had spent far too much time thinking alone in the dark to entertain the idea that this random girl would hold the skeleton key to living freely. As much as she enjoyed the wellspring of whimsical hope, it eventually wilted into her familiar jagged stagnation. She didn't know what Margo would say, but all she wanted was the truth – or, a truth. One that hadn't crossed her mind before." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Hm.\"\n\n□ Now there was a doozy of a question. Was she ever going to like being trans? Margo, perhaps unsurprisingly, had no clear answer for Jolie. Not out of a genuine unawareness of the virtues of being trans – quite the opposite, in fact, but out of something else. She chewed on it as she thought, softly gnawing the filtered tip of her cigarette and rubbing Jolie's arm until it was clear she was crying no more, and once she'd stopped she'd give the girl some space to herself, going right back to where she'd been on the log before.\n\n▪︎ She stopped humming after a few moments.\n\n◆ \"Not sure. I'll, uh... I'll be honest, mate. Being trans has never been something I've hated. It's been tough, yeah. I've been sucker punched in the mouth so hard it's knocked out teeth. I've been called slurs I don't think any sane human has ever heard nor conjured. I've been expelled from three private academies for putting transphobic bastards in hospitals. But, like... Nowhere in there did I Hate Being trans. I hated the people who hated me and that was it. Hate for hate; eye for an eye. Honestly kind of business-like.\"\n\n▪︎ She took a drag.\n\n◆ \"But will You Ever not hate being trans...? I'd say once you've got a supportive network of, like, friends and found family and maybe a therapist – I can give you Lena's number. She's my therapist and she's swell. Then once you've got that support and your transness is something more than a shameful secret that gets books and slurs thrown at you you might start to see it differently. I dunno, though. Like I said, I've only ever hated being trans in brief moments of weakness. Not like I chose to be this way. I simply am and so I live this truth no matter what. Then again it's easier to live that way in Brooklyn than it is small-town Alabama, so...\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "\"I'm sorry you went through all that. It, uh... Sounds familiar, besides the hospital part,\" She admitted quietly, compressing an arm across her stomach as her other fiddled with the collar of her slouchy coat. Jolie recalled the days she spent huddled against the old classroom window to catch the feeble, whistling gusts she needed to enter the worlds inside her head, hearing her tormenting peers in the distant playground. She knew now her visions were paranormal, but she never told a soul; though she imagined even if she did, it would've been quickly forgotten when she came out.\n\n\"I-I don't think it's because I Hate It. I guess... A lot of things happened when I came out. Things that wouldn't have happened if I'd just stayed quiet.\" She wiped a tear from her face, her gaze lost in the snow between them. \"I was in a lot of pain before I transitioned, but I still had the whole world ahead of me. Now I can't go anywhere, and I went through so much to make myself happy, and I'm just not. All that's ahead of me now is an older hypothetical me that's Supposed To be happier, Supposed To be smarter. Prettier. And all I can do is wait.\" \n\nShe gave a shaky sigh. \"There was a time in my life where if I could somehow take it all back, I would, and it would've been the easiest decision I'd ever made – but all I got are wind powers,\" She scoffed. \"I used to like being all quaint and dotty. It's like, you're so disconnected from yourself and from the world, so you spend most of your time in fantasies and daydreams. Then your fantasy becomes reality. I-It's like those people up in space stations where the zero gravity fucks up their organs and they start moving around in there and it gets all smushed.\" She prodded at her own stomach as a sort of rudimentary demonstration.\n\n\"And, uhm... I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I'm ready for therapy. Yet. Or ever, I don't really know,\" She mumbled, snaking her arms through her sleeves and rubbing her own elbows. The prospect of sitting across another person that is being paid to 'fix' you was alarming to Jolie, even if she was almost certain it was more intricate than that.\n\n\"A-Anyway. I've given you a horrifying amount of information about myself and I'd like some gin, now.\" There was a veil of nervousness that seemed to evaporate from her countenance – she embraced a sort of tear stained sarcasm." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah, I getcha.\" Margo calmly spoke, cigarette idly dancing between her fingers. \"You gave up so much and fought so much and you're barely two steps ahead. Feels terrible and it also... It kinda leaves ya lost, I'd presume.\" A moment of silence. \"Lost and somewhere between the land and the clouds, between the cogs and gears of society, all that shit. Hm.\"\n\n□ Naturally, Margo needed to chew on what she had heard for a second. It was a lot, a dense confession of anguish and the elusive nature of happiness, and she couldn't help but feel a bit of pity. Her head was nothing but pity, the faint buzzing of nicotine flies in her skull, and a brief stint of self-doubt. Realistically it was stupid to be worrying over her own trans experience and its validity compared to Jolie's, but the doubts were still there.\n\n▪︎ They were there, and they Weren't Helping.\n\n◆ \"Aye, yeah, I-I guess I do owe you.\" She hummed, leaning to one side and thrusting her hand into the snow. With little effort she broke through the icy shell up top, and after about ten seconds of digging around and the muffled noise of glass bottles clinking against each other she produced a bottle of gin. At first glance though it might've looked more like a vessel of ink, or a potion in an apothecary's shop, with dark violet glass and a large cork and a beautiful yellow-white striped ribbon around the neck. \n\n◆ \"I was fucking with you the whole time, actually.\" She chuckled. \"I just didn't want to show where it was hidden because, y'know. It's technically contraband. I've seen people get their IDs seized here because of loose lips and I refuse to be the same.\" She continued, holding up the bottle for Jolie to look at. \"Not saying you're a rat. Just. Y'know? Anyways this is some gin from across the sea – the North, not the Atlantic. The Brits Love Their gin, and i'm inclined to agree.\" She casually spoke as she uncorked the bottle and took a couple of swigs with only the curling of her lips showing any reaction to the fact she was drinking straight liquor. \"Here. No, I don't have chasers on me. You'll just have to sip it straight, mate. Enjoy.\"\n\n▪︎ She handed the bottle over." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "There was a sentimental relief that washed over her when Margo echoed what she said – as unkempt and desperate as Jolie felt she was – she seemed to understand. Between the land and the clouds. That's how it felt. She'd even decided that it was how it's always felt. Traversing the air between rock bottom and the stratosphere. She couldn't help but conjure images of Flappy Bird. At any other time she would've made herself laugh, but whether it was the sudden release of emotions or the stirring of nicotine in her brain, she gave the comparison a little too much significance. I'm fuckin' Flappy Bird, man.\n\nWhen Margo surged the bottle of gin from the snow below and confessed to her own subterfuge, Jolie gave a chuckle. \"Fuck. I was getting ready to flip this whole log over,\" She remarked, grabbing the bottle when it was offered. She examined it closely for no particular reason besides observing the way the snow and ice sat on the glass.\n\n\"Well, I don't care much for the British,\" She raised the bottle, \"But I'm sure they love drinking.\" Jolie took a cautious swig, and though she didn't combust on the spot, it sent shivers through her body. \"Jesus. I don't know how much of that I should drink,\" She wiped her mouth with the forearm of her coat. It was certainly stronger than anything she'd drank before – almost tasting like pure gasoline to her. Perhaps it would've been bearable with a chaser. Oh well.\n\nShe held the drink on her lap, prepared to hand it to her if she gestured to it. \"Thanks. For the drink, and for the, uh... Talk.\" Her gaze affixed to the ground between them again. \"It felt nice, I guess. But I'm done talking about myself.\" Jolie looked at Margo. \"What's your deal? I don't have any drugs to offer in exchange, so... You can say whatever. Or nothing.\" \n\nHer body language seemed to finally relax, or in some ways revert to how it was before she began speaking of her past, bringing a leg up to rest on the log, her shoulders hunched in terrible posture." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Aye, I can drink to that.\" Margo chuckled as Jolie took a swig and handed the bottle back. \"The British can fuckin' suck it. It's in my blood to hate 'em; not racist, just Scottish.\"\n\n□ Speaking with a light chuckle underlying her voice, Margo grabbed the bottle when it was handed back to her and took another swig. The corners of her lips curled up once again, but otherwise she handled the mouthful of liquor like a champ, and once she'd swallowed she set the bottle down beside her against the log.\n\n□ Jolie had asked her what her deal was. It was an innocuous question, a natural follow-up to breaking down and telling a stranger entirely too much. She hummed and began to gather her thoughts, but initially her mind was scattered and hesitant. She took one last drag off her cigarette and flicked it away thoughtlessly.\n\n◆ \"No worries, man. Not the best at helping people with their problems, but... Here we are.\" Margo casually spoke. \"But my deal...? I dunno. Confession: it always feels weird to just simplify myself like that.\" She shrugged. \"But. I love jazz. Reptiles. Dead languages. Old kung-fu movies. I go fishing during the warmer months. Have a girlfriend. Love her dearly, in fact.\" She spoke with just a little awkward hesitation, chaining words together the best she could. \"She's wonderful and I still think it's insane that I managed to rizz her, for lack of betters words. Like.\"\n\n▪︎ She leaned forward, clapping her hands together.\n\n◆ \"She'd literally just broken up with her ex and I showed up to check up on her, like friends do.\" She began, her gaze suddenly shifting from intent and recollective to vacant – or perhaps not there at all. \"I show up and I knock, right, and we get to talking after she opens the door. We weren't even that close at the time, but, like... We were talking about the breakup and I decided to flirt with her a little without thinking about it much. She reciprocated that shit! And it took me a solid minute to collect myself afterwards. We kissed before we even went on a date, man; felt kinda weird. I kinda felt like a two cent whore, y'know?\"\n\n▪︎ Irony dripped from her voice. Clearly it wasn't that serious that she'd kissed first and asked questions later." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "As she listened to Margo – and as the liquor went straight through her like an asteroid through the atmosphere – Jolie came to a realization. Upon the log sat two women. They were different, similar, and different again. Margo had built a life here in a way that Jolie had barely even dreamed of back home. Was it possible for her, too, to go fishing in the summer? Not entirely; she remembered the first time she held a freshly caught fish and she compulsively ejected it from her arms, as if she was the one squirming to break free – suffocating.\n\n\"Damn. You have, like, a whole thing here.\" Her tone was congratulatory despite her reaching for the bottle, holding it in her lap. Questions and statements permeated through her mind; some observations burned a hole through her forehead, some pleas for guidance dripped from the tip of her tongue, yet her lips stayed shut. She had been tender enough. This was enough danger.\n\nJolie bookended this momentary scramble for words with a swig of the gin, squeezing her knees as it scorched down her throat. \"I don't know if I could ever really commit that much to this place.\" She placed the bottle in between them, her gaze roving across the snow. \"It's all so medical and dehumanizing. We're Para Humans. Para Normal.\" She looked at Margo with a troubled expression, eventually sighing and turning to the snow again.\n\n\"I-I guess, uhm... How are we supposed to act normal when we aren't?\" There was a pang of guilt that resonated in her conscience. She didn't wish to undermine or question Margo's life in the facility, but Jolie couldn't question her own future here without questioning Margo's present. \n\nWhen she felt the rebellious spite in her spirit die, the question of her identity being a choice weighed heavier than ever. She suffered for her actions regardless of the answer. The desire to be scrubbed clean of her powers and her gender came from the same place; to avoid suffocation, to throw the squirming trout." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Margo chuckled at the mention of her roots being settled in.\n\n■ \"Guess you can say that.\" She spoke with roughly the same inflection as an actual shrug. \"But I've been here a while. Next month it'll be a year... Yeah, the 13th actually. Rolled in on the 13th of April last year. Fuck,* Where'd the time go...?\" Her voice trailed off, her gaze going distant. A year's worth of memories flashed through her skull as she looked off into the trees, the mouthfuls of gin she'd drank already beginning to drive a stake between her body and her brain. She swayed lightly in place, and only occasionally nodded as Jolie spoke.\n\n◆ \"But yeah, I get you. I felt that way when I got here, actually.\" She reached out for the bottle and took one last swig, wincing a little more on the third sip than the previous two. She coughed lightly and cursed being a lightweight under her breath. \"I was super uncertain, and I was on the defensive all the time since I didn't know a damn thing about here, nor the people. I nearly laid my roommate out on the first day. It sucked ass, honestly, and once I accepted that I was stuck here life started to get a lot easier. It's honestly not that bad here, but trust me, I know it seems tantamount to a death sentence when you first get here.\"\n\n◆ \"But, I think the best way to live here is to simply live, y'know? Everyone here is parahuman; Everyone.\" She placed extra emphasis right at the end. \"We're all weird and crooked and superpowered and saddled with heavy crowns, but we all keep on living. The Cradle's basically just a glorified microcosm of a comic book world, and... And I guess we all find ourselves in who we are instead of What We are. That's kind of the point of the Cradle; learning to live with the magic in our blood.\"\n\n▪︎ She trailed off for a minute, and silence filled in the gaps." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "A stillness overcame Jolie as Margo offered her thoughts. She didn't move, blink, breathe; all of her attention was glued to the words emanating across the log, transcending her own physical senses, her voice carried by the tides of wind between them and washed into the invisible source of Jolie. The spiritual sensation was overwhelming, yet there were no more emotions to be spared. Her gaze sat still in the snow in the extended silence.\n\n\"Magic,\" She repeated, \"Magic.\" She lifted a leg over the log and faced her wholly, her hair flowing in its supernatural stagnation once again and covering her face. Jolie took the hairband around her neck and placed it on her head, subduing the ghostlike bob. \n\nJolie took a microscopic sip of the gin. \"We had a cat growing up. Her name was Nancy – we called her Nancycat.\" She closed her eyes and dipped her head, the severity of her smudged eyeliner revealing itself in full as a comforted smile spread across her face. \"She was a big calico cat. Bright green eyes. She died when I was six. I was devastated, like, you couldn't really take me anywhere. Mom thought it'd be a good idea to pray for her in church.\" As she spoke, it was as if her voice seemed clearer; it was being strained in a way that it wasn't anymore, her tone flattened and almost deepened.\n\n\"My mom told me she looked over and saw the warmest smile she'd ever seen, like I'd never cry over Nancycat again. But I was smiling because when I closed my eyes, I saw Nancy right in front of me. Like I was looking straight through my eyelids.\" She opened her eyes. \"I thought my dead cat was God for a wildly inappropriate amount of time. I know now that it was just because my powers can make us see things, but...\"\n\nJolie's eyes traveled to the bottle in her hands but she decided against it. \"What if my cat Is God? What would that even change? Nothing. It made me happier when I thought my cat was God and yet I was sure that I'd get yelled at for ever saying anything about it. I Transitioned Before telling a single soul about Nancy, like somehow That Was the darkest secret I'd ever had.\"\n\nThe headband on her hair began to itch; she took it off and threw it to the side. \"I guess I won't really know the truth in this lifetime. Some things you do know, and some things you don't, and all I really am are the things I know and the things that I don't.\" Jolie was almost certain that this closing takeaway emerged from the fog of inebriation. She simply wanted Margo to know of her childhood cat." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Might as well be that.\" Margo replied in turn, noting how Jolie seemed to repeat the word over and over, as if it had a luscious texture on the tongue. She knew the feeling; echolalia was quietly familiar. \"Used to think magic was in the blood, but now...? I dunno. Really don't.\"\n\n□ Reaching out for the bottle, she could already feel the alcohol creeping up into her system. Alcohol on its own tended to flatten the otherwise hardened gal, shaking her legs with every step and slowing her thoughts by a factor or three or four depending on whether it was gin or cognac. Combined with the cold she wasn't entirely certain how steady the walk back to the Cradle would be, so she took another swig for the road and fished the cork out of her pocket.\n\n▪︎ She left the bottle between her and Jolie, the cork propped against the inside lip of the bowl lightly – metaphorical last call.\n\n□ Of course, though, she hadn't been ignoring Jolie. Quite the opposite, in fact. Nodding appropriately as she took her last swig and dropped the violet bottle between the pair, she took silent note of what Jolie was saying. God as a cat Seemed a simultaneously blasphemous and reasonable idea, faith pitted against reason in a somewhat pointless contest with a victory prize of determing where her soul would be going afterwards. \n\n◆ \"Hm. Well put.\" Margo nodded, the ghost of a smile spread across her stone-chiselled features. \"Though the things you don't know are what really makes ya, I'd say. The things you know are, like... Identity. It's your gender, your name, your hobbies, all that shit. But what makes us Us Is the shit we don't know. I dunno. I'm a severe lightweight and I'm already halfway to drunkenly rewatching every Lumity episode again, so.\" Laughter peeked out through the spaces in her words, and it was clear to her from this that it was nearing the time to head back. She shivered quietly in her windbreaker, itself woefully underinsulated for the Swedish cold. \n\n◆ \"But that's cool, man. Honestly. Stray cats don't exactly live long so you likely made her life a lot better.\" She spoke. \"Think you would've liked it in Brooklyn, actually. Cats Everywhere. Looks like Aoshima or Istanbul or some shit sometimes. But... I know the feeling. I had a childhood pet – still do, thank God,\" She sounded just a little Too Enthusiastic, \"His name is Cosmo and he's my beardie. Basically a two foot long bundle of love and absolutely no thoughts. I got him when I was eleven, and honestly... It sparked something in me. Big fan of reptiles now; have three of them in my room, and the shop pet where I work is a gecko, so I count her too. I guess childhood pets really just... Have an impact, don't they?\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Though she looked to the nonverbal gesture of one last sip, given that she had just woefully confessed to believing her childhood cat was the Christian God and spiraled into an existential bout for the meaning of her identity, Jolie decided against any more alcohol for the night – or week. \n\n\"I've thought about visiting the big city before. The way you describe it, doesn't sound too bad,\" She looked to her then up at the sky, her hair floating like a jellyfish in water. \"And, I don't really know what Lumity Is, but I think I'm gonna play-... No, I could fall asleep, like, whenever I want to right now.\" The slouchy coat had finally begun to retreat her form, slipping from her right shoulder and pooling at her elbow, but she didn't seem intent on correcting it.\n\n\"Nancy was my first best friend, dude. I told her everything and she just sat around and tried to sleep on me, even though she was fucking huge. Your lizard sounds sick – like a smaller, scalier Nancy. Nancy-lizard.\" In reality, Jolie didn't have much love for reptiles. Her perspective of snakes was forever altered when black mambas entered the picture. \n\nThe shock of how much she'd just revealed was finally catching up with her. The alcohol kept it from eating her alive, but she heard the barking and scratching of anxiety at her door. As much as she enjoyed their conversation, she didn't know how much longer she could continue being outside of her room.\n\n\"But, uh... Yeah, we should probably get going.\" She finally fixed her coat, which wasn't as effective at repelling the cold as she thought it'd be – at least, not with only her normal t-shirt underneath. \"This was nice, though. I mean, the weather sucks, and I didn't really know what I'd do today, but this kinda made my day. And not just because of the gin.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"I'd recommend it.\" Margo calmly spoke, pocketing the bottle and reaching for her pack of cigarettes. \"It'd give you a different perspective. Small-town Alabama is nothing compared to, say, Times Square. I'm still not convinced it's safe for humans to be exposed to so many lights and so many goddamn advertisers at once. Numbs the brain, I dunno. Like this cold; Fuck...\"\n\n□ Trailing off into a string of barely audible complaints Margo flipped her pack open, produced another one, and popped it between her lips with Jolie's various thoughts and confessions to chew on. In many ways they differed, yet in just as many ways they were the same. Unsteady households, abusive heads, childhood pets that might as well have been household aspects of God Almighty. Trans kids figuring their ways out through life all on their own. \n\n▪︎ She hoped she'd see Jolie again. Maybe befriend her, even; she found a lot of herself in the other.\n\n◆ \"Yeah, I getcha, man. I'm sure Nancycat was a shining example of the platonic ideal of a cat. I'm... This is gonna sound odd, but it's good you had her, methinks.\" She offered up a genuine bit of thought as she rose to her feet and adjusted her coat. \"Growing up in Alabama – or, well, anywhere – is tough without friends or some sort. Animals make the best friends. They don't judge and they don't hold biases. It's pure neutrality, like an egg sliding off a car door.\"\n\n▪︎ She peered up at the sky, her eyes upturned, and she smiled as Jolie mirrored how she was feeling.\n\n◆ \"Yeah, honestly. I just came out for a smoke and I-I think I made a friend, no? Or are we just acquaintancs for now? Actually doesn't matter, hold onto that thought. You can decide that later. Ready to go whenever you are.\"" } ]	442.5	13,235
355.5	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ At about midday, Violetta had expected it to be quite cold, actually. Slight frost nipped at her nose and at her knuckles, rendering both areas a shivery red hue.\nThe courtyard was a strange place to read, especially in this temp, but with the heating on and such... Well, the library was too suffocating at times. Reading in her dorm was ruled out too, it was nothing if not too still and quiet for the raven haired teenager to ever truly focus on her book. The white noise of the wind's delicate whistle was at the optimal status for Violetta to not become distracted, but also not to become bored and underwhelmed.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She was dressed up in the usual fashion of well... Layer after layer, an invisible t shirt under a button up shirt under a coffee coloured sweater under a dark brown soft jacket, the hood framed with faux animal fur.\n\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Peace however... Always ends in the luck of indifference" }, { "author": "frckitweball", "message": "Hold on i rely on tupper uuhhh" }, { "author": "Cruz A. Derryk", "message": "He hated the cold but there was no indoor area for him to play soccer. The gym got boring after a while and everyone there didn't look like much fun at all. It was almost empty besides two or three people. All of which weren't people he cared to pick on. \n\nSo instead he saw himself out in the courtyard. His rough skin sort of helps him keep mostly warm. He didn't like jackets. They felt gross on his skin. So instead he was out in cargo pants, ripped-up black, and white sneakers, and a t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off to be a tank top. \n\nAll of his jewelry was off and inside his pocket so they didn't fall off and break. He had his mask off as per usual and a beanie to cover his weird Mohawk that was far from styled and almost looked like a mullet, a little rat tail of green hair sticking out from the back of it. \n\nCruz bounced the beaten-up soccer ball on his knee and then down to his foot. The second he notices a second person he feels the need to show off and make himself seem superior, kicking the ball into the air and spinning around. \n\nThe ball bounces from the bottom of his shoe to his elbow, and then his head. He knocks it back to his foot with his head and kicks it into the air, tilting and kicking into the air and trying to spin his whole body in the air with the force of his foot and catch the ball. This.. Does not work. He manages to spin in the air and almost land but lands incorrectly on his ankle. \n\nThey fall back, leg kicking back and hitting the ball as it's falling, causing it to bounce off the tree near him and almost hit him in the gut as he's getting up from the ground. This pissed him off. \n\nPushing off the ground, he limps to the tree and punches it, shaking off his hand, and starts trying to rip off a chunk of bark. All of this is just in pure frustration. He's not violent, just short-tempered and feels the need to let it out on the tree that his ball bounces off of.. Whatever helps, I guess?" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "SOZ I WAS ASLEEP a warning in advance im also not amazing at remembering to reply at times </3\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi almost didn't notice the boy's dramatics, until she looked up and he was flat on the ground. Oh dear- she contemplated getting up and asking him if he was alright, but before she could even humour the idea, the ball had pummelled into his abdomen.\nThat looked like it hurt... Yet, it was such comical staging and timing. Violetta wasn't quite sure what caused it, but a giggle escaped from her lips. Almost immediately, she tried to stop it, but she couldn't stop snickering to herself for a solid 10 - 20 seconds.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ And once she's over it, the green haired croc is trying to tear a chunk of the tree out, sending Violetta back into quiet hysterics. How bizarre, how truly bizarre it was to see the stranger going ham on the tree trunk in a fit of unbridled, childish rage. She hid her amused face behind her book, the guise of simply minding her business likely falling flat quite quickly\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She almost felt bad for laughing, god knows why... She knew what kind of guy he was just by looking at him. The kind who takes the piss just for the sake of taking the piss at times... That sort of attitude frightened her, especially with how some other people at the cradle have been reacting lately...\nHopefully the stranger didn't notice, but Violetta was never exactly discreet about it..." }, { "author": "Cruz A. Derryk", "message": "It takes a couple of seconds extra but he manages to take a good chunk of tree bark off the tree. That's one thing he didn't expect himself to do. He was just trying to let out a little anger and frustration but now he's staring at a piece of bark all flabbergasted about it. \n\nAnd that's when he hears the snickering. In the quiet moments of processing what he had done, he hears the other laughing at him. His cheeks go red with embarrassment and he pulls his black paper mask a little further up his nose to hide it. \n\nUsing the other hand, he points at her with a clawed finger, trying to look angry but it's mostly just embarrassment in his eyes after that. \n\nUntil now his eyes would not have been visible to her but now they are. A bright golden yellow with green stretched diamond pupils that are almost the same color as his hair. \n\nOnce he takes a deep breath and tries to wipe away the red on his face, he confronts her. And by that I mean he just yells at her. \n\n\"Hey! Knock it off it isn't funny!! Why are you even here??! Reading a book is nerd crap and should stay in the library!\" \n\nHe wasn't going to walk toward her just yet, waiting for a response to decide what to do. So instead he pulls down his mask and starts aggressively chewing on the bark, trying to wean out a tooth. The tooth wasn't hurting yet, simply loose, and well- he had the materials so he was gonna use it." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Sorry, but seeing this almost grown ass man attack a tree was goofy... She expected to be heard at some point, preparing herself for either feeling guilty or facing some form of confrontation. \nIt didn't take a genius to realise Cruz was pretty damn embarrassed in himself. But Vi was a genius, and she could tell stupidly easy via the telltale sign of pulling the mask up. That and by the surprisingly knife like spear of a claw being pointed at her, alongside yelling.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Lowering her book, Vi blinked blankly at the stranger before her, the empty stare stung dully like passive aggressive daggers\nA grimace of a frown flashed across Vi's face, the book now placed upside down beside her.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Nerd crap..? Something's telling me you're only saying that because you can't read.\" She replies after 10 or so seconds of trying to form a response to such a... Questionable insult.\nShe flicks one leg over the other as she sits, picking the book back up and ultimately trying her best to ignore his overwhelmingly annoying presence.\nAfter all, she hardly owed an explanation to some dickwad who was currently gnawing down on Bark Off of a literal Tree. Vi couldn't resist a shudder as she recalled just how much germs occupied something straight off a tree.\nShe pushed down a gag, mouth downturning in visible discomfort at the outlandish behaviour.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She knew damn well it was power related, it surely Had To be, no sane person who didnt have mysteries such as being parahuman flowing through their veins would do something like that..." }, { "author": "Cruz A. Derryk", "message": "Cruz grows hesitant at the staring, looking quite nervous for a second, pointed finger lowering. What the hell was she staring at? Was she unable to speak? Was he really that scary? But alas.. She spoke. And quite rudely she remarked towards him. \n\nThough Cruz can't be too mad about the response because he himself started it with a rude comment. Yet here he is, only even more mad over it thanks to her words.\n\n\"I can read! Probably way better than you can!\" \n\nHe can't. He can't read. At least not very well. Its all very jumbled to him and he has issues, unable to help with his dyslexia and the fact he refused to pay much attention when he WAS in school wasn't helping much either. \n\nWalking over with the tree bark still in his mouth he takes large strides trying to look bigger, stopping in front of her, fists on his hips before he reaches down and grabs the book off the grass. \n\nHolding the book with two fingers, the crocodile man gets his face right in the book, hiding his face from her while he squints at the book, doing as best he can to put together the words on the page. \n\nFinding a random sentence he starts reading it off very slowly, sounding like an elementary schooler after being told to read off of a passage in class, mumbling out words he was unsure if he was reading right and getting loud in the words he was confident with. All together the sentence made sense but his struggle was clear. \n\nProudly, he closes the book and holds it back out to her with a big smug smile. He felt so proud of himself for reading off such a small part of a big book and not even well. \n\n\"See look at that! I can read! Now buzz off before .. Uh..\" \n\nHe takes a look around trying to find anything that would scare her away. Some sort of hazard. He didn't want to threaten her but at the same time that seems like the best option. So he goes with that. Threatening her. \n\n\"Before I pick you up and drag you right to the library kickin' and screaming!\" \n\nHe wasn't sure if she was the\n\nKind to fuss about going to the library but he sure was so he's taking that assumption. \n\nThis guy. Was stupid. And it was way too obvious. But it was clear he was trying his best and his presentation definitely sounds and looks like he's compensating for that. He'll take his looks, sportiness, and ego to the next level of it makes him feel better about his lack of intelligence." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ As soon as he lays a hand upon the book, for the first time in the interaction she looked... Properly upset, like a kicked puppy in the teeming rain on a pitch black city night.\nShe raised from where she was sitting, taking hold of her crutches, an offended frown bejewelling her expression. She needed that book back- I mean, if this guy chews on Bark, god KNOWS what other germs and dirt he'd be smudging all over the pages...\nThe way he carelessly held it open too made her skin crawl, what if he dropped it, or tore a page with those razor fingers of his... In fact, she's almost certain he already has.\nOnce fully upright and her grip secured on her crutches, she spoke up.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Give it back, it's not funny. I'll lose my page. That's mine.\" Her voice spoke in an unfamiliar self assuredness, her grip tightening on the crutch handle.\nShe couldn't feasibly reach up and grab it, while she can function semi decently off crutches, it's not like she would be able to reach anyways; this bully was about a foot taller than her anyways. This conclusion left her with one option: just be as pathetic as goddamn possible, though there left the other option of just wacking him with the crutches but considering her uh... Lack of experience with that, she's having to refrain from now.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ She looked thoroughly unimpressed as the stranger tried to read the passage. Perhaps it was easy for someone doing high school level work at the age of 10 to judge someone who clearly wasn't as educated as her, but... Surely at his age, reading a short passage from a book shouldn't be That Hard, ESPECIALLY when you're doing it to prove a point.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ The sigh of relief that left her mouth when the book was returned was like something out of a cartoon, she immediately placed the book in the brown leather bag she had slung across her shoulder like a paper girl.\n\n\"Why should I buzz off? I got here first. I didn't even do anything.\" She noted, shifting her bag's position idly into something a bit more comfortable.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Violetta is quiet for a moment, before responding with something... A little more out of the ordinary.\n\"And how would you do that?\" She chimed in, staring blankly at him for a solid 10 or so seconds of dead silence befote continuing.\n\"How would you simultaneously pick me up and drag me at the same time, assuming if you picked me up I'd be off the floor, but if you dragged me I'd be scraping against it?\"" } ]	353	2,844
135.16129	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "WeeeeEEEEeeeew. WeeeeEEEEeeeeEEEEeeeew. WeeeeEEEEeeeew. \n\nThe odd tone echoes around the woods surrounding Newton's Cradle, disturbing the morning ambiance. \n\nD'vorah wanders through the woods, just at the edge of the boundry separating Newton's Cradle with the wilderness. In her hands she holds the source of the weird tone: A metal detector. Occasionally, Deev's detector locates something, prompting her to pick it up and toss it into a sack she has hoist over her shoulder. She looks mildly frustrated. Clearly, she hasn't had much success today." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Coincidentally another Newton's Cradle attendee is wandering the woods around the campus as her, a young boy scrounge the forest floor for any fallen wooden debris, on him are a backpack filled with different fallen wood, he does this in order to prepare for a project of his, he figured that using natural wood would save him money while also giving an extra personality to his puppet, that a refined lumber from a store wouldn't\n\nAs he searches for suitable wood however, he was distracted by the loud beeping noise from somewhere near him, and while odd sounds in the wood are often a sign of danger, curiosity gets the best of him and he decides to investigate\n\nWhat he sees was an odd sight, a person with strange metal parts as replacement for her body, carrying a metal detector, the source of the odd noise, he watches as she picks tiny bits of metal that she put behind her sack, while this is certainly an odd sight to most, the young boy knew that he was in a strange place, Newton's Cradle a sanctuary for odd and unnatural people, and as such deduced that she may also a colleague of his\n\nAfter a considerable amount of time watching from the distance, Indra decides to walk closer to her, curiosity getting the best of him \"Um, hello kak whachu' doin'?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "\"Huh?\" The girl's voice is odd. Recognisably human, but sounding artificial and tonal in a way that might put one in mind of one of those voice synthesis or Vocaloid programs.\n\nDeev turns to face the new arrival, her metal detector beeping as it glides just above the ground. Before her hair settles back over her eye the red screen is briefly visible displaying a question mark. Deev seems a little on-edge, now knowing this new person's intentions. \n\nIt takes Deev a couple seconds to parse what the new person said. The greeting sounded friendly and non-confrontational, but \"Kak\" Makes her hesitate.\n\n\"Oh uhh metal detecting. Looking for scrap to sell and / or interestin' junk. Whachu' doin?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"I'm looking for wood!, i guess we're both in here for similar reasons\"\n\nIndrawan chuckle as he gets closer to Deev, her appearance and voice seems to have taken his intrigue, she look like nothing he has seen before and in some ways he finds her unique appearance really cool\n\n\"Say, Kak are you attending Newton's Cradle?, because you look like you do, if so what's your name?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "The second time someone's just walked up to Deev and initiated conversation while she was at NC. She still isn't very used to this. She assumes Indra is another fellow NC resident, which makes her feel a little on-edge. She's still unfamiliar with this new environment and is struggling to adapt, so she's reluctant to be too open initially.\n\n\"Uhh... I'm D'vorah... Most people call me Deev. And yea, I am \"Attending\" Newton's Cradle.\" There's a hint of disgust in her voice. It's obvious she doesn't like NC very much. \"Got shipped off here a little bit ago. Against my will, too.\"\n\nAs she talks she absent-mindedly scans the ground with the metal detector. It sounds like it's detecting something." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Oh, that doesn't sound very nice\" Indrawan watches the strange felow continues to search the ground floor for something slightly disturbed by the weird inhuman voice she uses to communicate but nevertheless still open to her presence, she seems nice after all.\n\n\"Oooooh did you find something???\"\n\nIndrawan walks with fast stride over to the place where the metal detector detected something and crouches down wanting to see what it had picked up\n\n\"Do you think you find some hidden treasure?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "\"Ok... They seem pretty chill so far.\"\n\n\"I dunno... Could be treasure. Uhhh some viking sword junk or something. There were vikings in Sweden, right?\"\n\nDeev quickly gets down on her haunches and starts digging at the ground with her hands. With her metal hands she doesn't seem to need to worry about injuring them as much. Still, it would be more efficient if she had brought a trowel...\n\nAfter a minute or two of digging, Deev produces a lump of dirt that seems to be the thing setting off the detector. After unearthing the lump, she \"Cleans\" It off on her jeans, revealing the mystery treasure to be...\n\nA little die-cast car.\n\nIt's rusty, but it still has all it's wheels! A pretty nice find! At least die-cast car wise, anyway." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"WOAH!, A CAR!\"\n\nIndrawan quickly snatches the die-cast car from Deev's hand and brushes the dirt around it, he goes to inspect it, looking at the cars on every angle.\n\n\"CAN I KEEP IT, CAN I, CAN I?\"\n\n*Indra practically begs Deev for the die-cast car to be his, chanting can i's to pressure her on handing it over" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "As the die-cast car is yoinked from Deev's hand, she stumbles backward in shock and surprise. It takes her a second or two to register the chain of events, though a scowl eventually crosses her face as she begins reprimanding the boy.\n\n\"HEY! I found that! You can't just take it!\" Anger is visible on Deev's face. Her robot eye is fully red now, the little picture displayed there having vanished. Her free hand is subconsciously flexing and curling into a fist while her hair stands more on end.\n\nDeev calms down a little after her outburst. Indra's far more enthusiastic about the little car than Deev was. It probably wouldn't hurt to give the toy to him. Besides, she wouldn't've been able to sell it for much. \n\n\"...Fine... You can keep it... I'M keeping the next one I find, okay?!? I'm NOT MAD by the way!\"\nShe's trying to sound like she doesn't really care either way. She isn't good at it. One can Hear* That she's trying to sound like she doesn't care." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra notices the tone that Deev uses when she talks to him, it's an unpleasant one as it's obvious that she's upset at him he opens his palm to reveal the die cast car to Deev\n\n\"I'm sorry kak, i didn't meant to made you upset\"\n\nHis face turns into a frown like a puppy who knows their owner is mad at them, he begins to think of ways to make it up to her\n\n\"Oh i know maybe i can trade you something for it?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev huffs. She's irritated still, but Indra has sufficiently placated her. \"Well... At least he apologised...\" Deev thinks.\n\n\"Ughhhhh... It's Fine. Just... Ask before you fuckin' yoink shit, mkay?\" She pauses for a moment, still simmering. God, the puppy-dog eyes made her feel guilty about yelling. \"What's up with that?\" Thinks Deev. \"It's not like my yelling wasn't justified... I think.\"\n\nDeev seems curious about Indra's offer of compensation. She thinks for a moment, before saying: \"Uhh you wanna trade for the car? I'm totally game for that. Whadda'ya got for me?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra unshoulders the backpack he's been carrying and opens a part of it, he reaches inside to grab something before taking out a small doll, made out of wood and plastic, it has the appearance of an astronaut.\n\n\"Here you go!, i've made this recently, and you can have it while i have the car!\"\n\nIndra lends out a hand with the small astronaut doll waiting for his offering to be accepted" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "The anger vanishes from Deev's eyes, and they widen at the sight of the little doll. She has to admit to herself that the craftsmanship isn't half bad. Additionally, seeing the lil' dude gives Deev an idea... One that she'll have to come back to later, though. Luckily she has Notepad++ installed.\n\n\"Wow! You're really givin' that away?\"\n\nDeev gently takes the astronaut and gives it a tentative examination. Obviously it's fairly roughshod, but one can't deny how charming it was.\n\n\"Yea, that seems like a fair trade.\"\n\nDeev holds out her hand in expectation of a handshake. Though... She feels like she had a question for the boy that she forgot... Hmm..." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Yeah, i don't mind giving away my dolls, i like when people have them!\"\n\nIndrawan smiles and nods his head vigorously, all the while playing with his newly acquired toy car\n\n\"If you ever need a new one done, or if you broke that one, just ask me!, i'm more than happy to fix you up a new one!\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev sorta gives an awkward smile and a thumbs up. She doesn't really know how to react in this situation \n\nShe seems ready to go back to metal detecting, though something seems to be nagging at the back of her mind. \n\n\"...Actually wait a second, what was that you were calling me earlier?\" She doesn't sound particularly angry or anything, more confused.\n\n\"\"Kak\" Or something? Idk what that means.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indrawan looks at Deev puzzled at first, he forgots that not everyone could speak Indonesian sometimes. \n\n\"Oh that's just what you call your siblings in Indonesian, i call you that because you seems like someone who's cool, i hope you don't mind me calling you that. It's not an insult or anything\" \n\nAlexandre answers Deev's question with a smile" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Realisation spreads across Deev's face as Indra explains the meaning of the word. \n\n\"Ohhh... Indonesian...! That's in the Philippines, right? I think...\"\n\nDeev stands there, unsure of what to say. The metal detector makes a little \"Bweep\" Sound, as if to remind her of it's presence.\n\n\"Thanks for saying I'm cool, though\" She gives a little thumbs up. \"And... Thanks for not insulting me I guess?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra shakes his head when Deev mentions Indonesia's location\n\n\"Nope you're pretty close though\"\n\nAfterwards Indra takes notes of Deev's next words and thinks about what to say\n\n\"Of course!, why would i try to insult you?\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "\"Aww...Really Thought I got it there... Is it like...Next to The Philippines at least?\" \n\nDeev bites her finger, clearly in thought.\n\n\"I... I dunno? I guess I just assumed that, since you just came up to me out of the blue... You coulda' had bad intentions or something?? I'm more used to that I think.\"\nShe looks like she's going through through a moment of self-reflection right now. She's clearly not used to doing this.\n\n\"Uhh... Sorry that I assumed that! I'm not good with... Things.\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"It's like to the south of The Philippines, i think?.\"\n\nIndra wonders if he shouldn't have sneaked up on her like that\n\n\"Well, sorry that i sprung out of the bushes like that, maybe i shouldn't have sneaked up on people's in the woods\"\nIndra also look like he's going through a moment of self-reflection\n\n\"And you don't need to be sorry!, it's totally ok to like be worry of strangers in the woods, i think\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "\"No it's fine! Really! You don't have to apologise!\" D'vorah sounds insistent, and just a little embarrassed. She feels bad for making Indra apologise on her behalf. She feels like a bit of a jerk for having assumed the worst about the lad. Doesn't help that she's feeling embarrassed about forgetting where Indonesia is. \n\n\"Look I- I don't think it's healthy to- I mean-\"\n\nDeev continues stammering and self-correcting, feeling bad for having caused a fuss. It doesn't take long for Deev to just give up and just try and change the topic.\nMusic! That's something Deev likes. Hopefully it's something Indra likes, too.\"\n\n\"...Sigh... You like British punk music?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra looks at Deev for a moment wheb she mentioned music, he's a fan of music for sure, but he never delve deep to it or a specific genre like Deev had\n\n\"British punk?, that sounds cool!, can't say i have listened much to that kind of music, usually i just listens to whatever on the radio...\"\n\nIndra says, slightly embarass over the fact that he had lied, in truth a large amount of his listening habits are influenced by well, anime, and most of the time he would listen to a wide arrange of Japanese pop, but that something that he's a bit embarrass to admit in front of someone as cool of a music taste as Deev's" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev's eyes almost literally light up when Indra mentions that punk \"Sounds cool.\"\n\n\"Oh man! You Need To check it out! Punk is like... This super Real Music genre that's all about fighting the system and rebellion and shit. It wasn't just a genre... It was a Political statement. A lot of the old-school punks were genuine anarchists.\"\n\nDeev seems far more animated and eloquent. She so rarely gets a chance to just talk about music to someone (Or at someone, whatever works).\n\n\"Obviously the Sex Pistols are classics, but The Jam are Super Underrated. You can also draw a direct connection from Brit-punk to the Madchester scene... And some of my personal favourite one-hit wonders (The Vapours and Modern English) also were influenced by the brit-punk scene.\"\n\nDeev takes out her phone and opens to her Spotify.\n\n\"I can link you to a couple playlists if ya want...!" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"Woah you really know a lot about this stuff, And those guys sound cool\"\n Indra looks at Deev's phone, his eyes filled with curiosity over the bands tha Deev has mentioned, it seems that Deev's rambling has taken Indra's attention\n \"Yeah!, i'd love to listen to your playlist\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev excitedly goes through her Spotify playlists, selecting ones with more wide appeal and heartily recommending them to Indra. It's clear she doesn't get to share music tastes with people much. The depth of Deev's music knowledge is evident by just how many different band she's listing, giving a brief description of each as she lists through them. If not veered back on track, eventually she would start gradually shifting to related genres.\n\nAfter a couple minutes, Deev would take a short break. She felt worried that she was being a bit much for Indra.\n\n\"Uhh... Sorry, got a bit carried away... Uh... I don't get to talk to people 'bout this sorta stuff much... As you can see...\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra watches as Deev enthusiastically browse through her wide arrange of music catalogue, at first it was paralyzing for Indra to see so many new music all at once, but through Deev guidance he began to slowly digest each pieces and appreciates them one by one, though not all the music was to his liking, some have taken his interest and leaves an impression on him\n\n\"What, No, it's cool Kak i get how it feels like when you share something that you love, i barely get the chance to talk about my puppetry too, and everytime i do i get excited on doing it as well!\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev genuinely grins, appreciating that Indra is willing to indulge her interests. She always felt a little alienated from people in her friend group due to the... Enthusiasm that she tended to tell people about her interest with. Indra's a breath of fresh air in that respect. \n\nDeev's about to recommend some more pop-punk, when an alert goes off on her phone. She looks at her phone for a second, clearly reading something before pocketing said phone.\n\n\"Ugh... I should probably deal with that... It's a meds alert\" She explains, fishing in her pockets for something. \"I need a lot of those. Pills, I mean. Mainly like... Body maintenance stuff. Don't worry 'bout it.\"\n\nShe fishes in her pockets with greater urgency, clearly irritated with the object of her search not making itself known. While she fishes around, she asks: \"Yoo, uhh... Wanna tell me about that puppetry? Sounds pretty interesting. Doesn't it have like a crazy ancient origin or something?\"" }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "Indra perks up when Deev mentions an interest in puppetry, he begins speaking in an exhasperated fast rhythm where it's obvious that he's excited to talk about it\n\n\"Oh god where do i even begin, see differwnt cultures independently evolved their own formed of puppetry each distinct from one another...\"\n\nIndra begins an hour long rant on the origins of puppetry, it's importance in different cultures in what can be filled in a college course length lecture on puppetry" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev listens intently, trying not to interrupt or lose track. She feels like she has to, considering Indra indulged in her passions. As Indra continues Deev struggles to keep up with the flood of information, often asking questions and having to have things re-explained to her, but after a bit she begins to really, genuinely get invested in Indra's rant. Deev only ever had a tangential interest in puppets, they kinda reminded her of herself during her worse days, y'see, but she never imagined there could be This Much information about them.\n\nSome time during Indra's rant, Deev takes her pills and ruminates on this whole encounter. Having already met Yari, who appealed to her mischievous side, it's nice to have met someone with the same hyperfixation habit as her. She's basically content to listen to Indra's explanations and history lessons, occasionally interjecting with a question or bit of info (Or a song recommendation. \"Hey, have you tried Master of Puppets by Metallica?\")." }, { "author": "sourfruitsliker", "message": "\"And so you see that's why and how wayang shadow puppetry still effect the culture of Java till today!\"\n\nAs Indra finishes the closing remarks of his wild ranting he notices that the sky has become darker than he was previously thought, did he really stall so long of a time with Deev talking about puppetry?\n\n\"Oh wow look at that it's getting dark out, i think it's about time we go back to campus\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev looks up into the sky, realising that the pair has been talking together for awhile now. It was getting late\n\n\"Yea... Should probably head back. Man... I wasn't expecting to lose time like that... We can keep talkin' on the way back, though!\"\n\nAs the pair get up, probably still talking, Deev thinks on how she appreciates her newly found compatriot. Indra seems like a pretty cool person. Plus, he gave her a puppet! That's a pretty sweet deal for a lil' car thingie in Deev's eyes.\n\n\"Not gonna lie... I didn't know Java was a country till now... I, uhh... I assumed it was just a coffee bean genre...\"" } ]	127	4,190
373.846154	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "The light summer wind blows through the serene garden situated in the grounds of Newton's cradle. The area was almost completely unoccupied as there were no botany classes being held at the moment. It was almost completely empty if it were not for the tall boy with odd hair, crouching down in front of a bed of lilies, gardening equipment in hand. \n\nCraig sat in front of the flower bed, shovel in hand and dirt all over his face and clothes. Someone had trampled over some of the flowers earlier that day and Craig offered to help fix it on his own. Taking up his time to fix it wasn't a big deal to him, he would tend to the garden by himself whenever he could anyway, it was just another task he decided to take up on his own. \n\nThis is what Craig would do almost every single day in Newton's Cradle. If he wasn't in class, cooking or doing house chores, he'd almost definitely be at the garden watering the plants or generally just sitting around. He's been at Newton's Cradle for a couple months now and he still hasn't met many people. It was probably because he never went out of his way to introduce himself to anyone but he never thought about it. He was occupied with his routine schedule and the maybe 2 friends he had going on. \n\nAfter uprooting all the dead flowers that were squished to the ground, he placed them onto the side of the pavement and took out some seedlings to replace them with. \"What a shame,\" He said to himself, \"Those flowers were really pretty.\" \n\nBy this point he'd been uprooting the dead flowers from the flowerbed for a little under an hour now. He took great care not to accidentally uproot the flowers that weren't affected and it took a great deal of concentration he did not have. \n\n Creak\n\nCraig looked up from the flowerbed he was working on to see a man with long, waist length green hair enter the garden. He hadn't seen him around before- perhaps he was new?\n\nThey locked eyes for just a second and almost instinctively, Craig's expressions turned to that of a dog who just met someone new. \n\n\"Hey,\" He said, straightening his posture to look up at the green haired guy, face still smeared with dirt and mud. \"I'm Craig.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He doesn't want to be here. It's better than the alternatives \|\|epic will wood reference\|\| but... He feels out of place. Everyone knows each other. He knows he needs to find his place but... He doesn't want a larger group. He just- he's intruding here and he knows it. He's not welcome. \n\nAt least, that's how he feels anyway. Even if it's not true.\n\nIt's nice here, in the garden. The light breeze... The lack of people- \n\nOh.\nWait.\nNot entirely.\nThere's a guy here.\n\nBut... Maybe that's a good thing? It's only One Guy, how scary can a singular guy be?\n\nHe's clearly been working in the garden. Murderers don't do that. At least, Mamoru doesn't Think Murderers do that. Wait- are there even any murderers Here? Who knows. \n\nHe doesn't have much time to take everything in before said tall nonmurderer guy looks at him. He freezes a bit, almost feeling like he walked in on something.\n\nAt least he's not upset to see me-\n\n\"Er- I'm... Mamoru.\" He almost doesn't sound used to introducing himself. \n\nBut this guy doesn't seem so bad????" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Hearing Mamoru's greeting, Craig shifted from his squatting position to sit on the ground, his outrageous head of hair bouncing on impact. \"I haven't seen you round here, are you new, perhaps?\" He said looking up at the green haired boy from his seat on the muddy pavement. \n\n\"D'you come here for fresh air perhaps?\" He asked, stretching his arms and legs in his seat. His joints popped with a concerning crack- he had been in the same position for almost an hour now, its only natural. \"Man, I haven't moved from my spot for a while now.\" He mumbled to himself, shifting his focus back to the seedlings in front of him. \n\n\"The place is pretty isn't it?\" He said, looking back up at Mamoru, a wide grin on his face. It was truly a peaceful sight to behold- plants, flowers and a whole array of veggies dot the large area with nice little benches situated underneath the cool shade of a tree around every corner. \"I tend to hang around here often, its my favourite facility here in NC. I'm surprised less people hang around here.\" \n\n\"Of course the kid with plants for hair hangs out at the garden; what a shocker.\" A stray piece of hair from Craig's scalp says sarcastically. Without skipping a beat, Craig grabs the strand with one hand and a pair of Gardening scissors with his other. With the same smiley expression on his face, he opens and closes the scissors in front of the strand as the blue and pink tube retreats back into his scalp.\n\n\"Sorry about them,\" Craig chuckles, looking a bit bashful, \"They start to get talkative when meeting new people, I'm still working on it.\" \n\nHe looks back down at the dirt patch in front of him and starts plotting out where each seedling would go. \"My back is killing me.\" He mumbled, stretching every once in a while. \"Gardening is back breaking work I tell ya,\" He huffed, not looking up from his work. \"But it's very rewarding.\" \n\nGardening and cooking were the two things he was most proud of doing. It was what kept him occupied once he moved in with his previous caretaker and he brought that hobby along to Newton's Cradle as well. He was very excited when he heard there was a community garden for the students when he first entered NC. He even asked the staff if he could store some of his own plants in the garden. It's come to the point where a good portion of the potted plants in the garden belongs to Craig himself." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He seems nice. Both of them had odd hair, which is a good sign. He thinks. Except Mamoru's hair is a choice-\n\n\"Uh- yeah. I'm new.\" He's visibly a little tense, and you have Ares and Val to blame for that.\n\n\"It's my first time out here, yeah... Figured it'd be better than the inside.\" And I think I was right? I have no idea just yet.\n\n*Jesus is he okay that pop oh my g o d-* Moving on from the cracking scare you just gave moru-\n\nThis guy is a nice change of pace from having to somehow stay alive in the intranet chat. And then getting belittled for it. Though the bar Is Pretty low.\n\nOh his hair is plants. That explains quite a bit, actually.\n\n\"Well-\" He starts, when He just chops off the piece of hair? That gives Moru pause, and he stands there for a second, staring just a bit, before moving on.\n\n\"Talkative..? But it's-? Nevermind- just. Nevermind.\" He doesn't really need to know. And he doesn't know if he wants that explanation either.\n\n\"Did you uhm... Did you do most of this?\" He gestures around the garden." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Craig notices the anxious undertones of Mamoru's voice but decides to not make any comment on it. \n\n\"Uh- yeah. I'm new.\"\n\n\"Welcome to NC, man,\" Craig said, looking back up at him with a smile before continuing on with his work, \"I hope you've been adjusting well. If you need any help with anything, you can contact me on the intranet- though I don't talk there all too often.\" He chuckles, not looking up from the flowerbed. \n\n\"Talkative..? But it's-? Nevermind- just. Nevermind.\"\n\n\"Hm? Oh, my hair? They have a mind of their own, it gets kind of annoying.\" He hummed a smile plastered onto his face, still looking down at his work. He leaves it at that comment; explaining his condition to every person he meets is a bit of a weight on his head so he figured it would be better just to describe it vaguely. \n\n\"Did you uhm... Did you do most of this?\"\n\nCraig looks up to see where Mamoru was gesturing at and his face beams. \"Yeah!\" He says, smiling ear to ear, placing his gardening tools on the ground and getting up properly. He stretches again, his shoulders popping with a loud crack. He did not pay any mind to the concerningly loud sound as his expression stays the same. \n\n\"I need to get up off my butt anyway so, do you want me to show you around the garden? I know this place like the back of my hand at this point.\" He beams. Just before Mamoru is even able to say a word in response, Craig gently grabs him by the wrist and pulls him to another section of the garden, not too far away from the flowerbed by the entrance. \n\n\"Most of the potted plants in this garden are mine that I decided to arrange around here so they could get better sun.\" He said, gesturing round the area. A large row of prettily arranged plants line the corners of the garden, all varying in type, size and colour. \n\n\"All of those there by the wall are mine and I even have a propagation station right by that shed.\" He says, pointing at a small glass table with tubes of small sprouts arranged on top. \n\nHe goes over to a daisy bush just a few steps away and squats down. The daisy bush was an array of green leaves with pretty, white daisies dotting the foliage. Some areas are wilted, but most of the flowers seem to be flourishing. \"These daisies were wilting when I got here so I decided to fix 'em up a bit and now they're doing much better.\"\n\nLooking back, most of the plants in the garden has been tended to by Craig. \"They really ought to pay me for my work.\" He joked. \n\nHe gently plucks a pretty looking daisy from the bush and extends it to Mamoru from his crouching position on the floor. \"Here, take this as a little gift from me.\" He says with a grin, face still covered in dirt from all his work earlier. \"You can press it and dry it out to preserve it or you could place it in a vase of water.\" \n\n\"But I think,\" He says, getting up from the ground, still holding the flower. He tucks the flower behind Mamoru's ear, \"The white pairs well with your green hair.\" He smiles, without thinking much about what he's doing. \n\nThere was no intent to his actions, he just felt like doing it and so he did before he could have a second thought. He was excited to have someone he was able to show his hobbies to, even if it was only a one way street." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He is not adjusting well but doesn't comment on that. Craig is trying to be Nice. He's not going to bog down the mood with his pessimism. \n\nThe hair has a mind of its- it must be a power thing. It is simply the only explanation. Everyone here is a little weird. Very weird. Extremely- You get the point. \n\nHe is snapped out of his thoughts with that smile. He grimaces a little at the pop but it's Fine. Maybe that's part of his ability too, who knows. \n\n\"Alr-\" He's cut off by his wrist being grabbed and he goes along with it. Why not? This is the most pleasant interaction he's had since he got here. \n\nHe tries his best to listen to what Craig says but it's a lot so he just nods and goes along with it. And then... The Daisy. \n\nOh Boy.\nHis face goes a bit red as Craig tucks it into his hair. Oh no. Oh dear-\n\nHe clears his throat. \"Thanks- uhm- I appreciate it-\" I guess this means I have a friend...? Aaaaaaaaa- \n\nThis isn't good! This is the first ~~fellow captive~~ person he's physically met and he is getting all flustered. When, in reality, That didn't even mean anything And he Knows It so he needs to Forget it But-\n\n\"Do a lot of people visit the garden?\" Expert subject change-" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Craig's excitement fueled fugue state is washed away for a moment as he notices Mamoru's face blush red. The tips of his ears turn a light shade of pink as he scratches the back of his neck sheepishly. \n\n\"Ahh, sorry, I got too excited when you asked me about the garden, let me know if I'm making you uncomfortable in any way.\" He says, an apologetic smile on his face. \n\n\"Do a lot of people visit the garden?\"\n\nHe moved his hand from the back of his neck down at the subject change. \"No, it's quite empty here when there aren't any classes present.\" He says, dropping the flustered expression. \"It's a bit unfortunate considering how pretty this place is, but the lack of people makes this place very peaceful.\" \n\nVisitors of the garden are usually only there for a quick breath of fresh air, so the place is quiet most of the time. The lack of people is calming, though Craig thrives off human interaction to keep him from going insane. The garden is always able to clear his mind. \n\n\"I'm probably the only recurring visitor of this garden,\" He says, \"Which means I know this place inside out and I know all the best spots to get away from things.\" He announces, a conceited smile on his face. \"Here, I'll show you my favourite spot in the garden.\"\n\nHe walks towards the direction of the greenhouse, signaling for Mamoru to follow along with him. \n\nHe walks over to the opposite corner of the garden to a small secluded white bench underneath a large tree. Craig sits on the bench and pats the seat next to him, urging Mamoru to sit. The area was slightly away from the tiles and deeper in the grass. It was off the main path of the garden where people wouldn't normally decide to cross. \n\n\"The bench is a bit oddly placed, right?\" Craig says, looking at Mamoru with a soft smile on his face. \"But look,\" He points towards the garden. You could see the entirety of the garden from the bench, greenhouse and all. \"Pretty, isn't it?\" He says, beaming at Mamoru. \n\n\"I always go here when I need to clear my head.\" He hummed, just enjoying the view, \"My quirk makes it so that my head is ringing 24/7 with no breaks but whenever I sit here my mind clears just like that.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He wasn't supposed to see my face but he did d[]it- He clears his throat.\n\n\"No- no. You're not making me uncomfortable I... Just don't know how to react to some things. That's all. It's- that's it.\" Aaaaaaa-\n\nRight. Subject change. Moving on. No more talk of that. Moving on. Ignoring the flower in Moru's hair which he does not plan on taking out at the moment. \n\n\"Yeah... I'm assuming not a lot of places are like this. Peaceful, I mean. The intranet sure isn't..\" He mutters that last bit. If he gets called a taunting stupid fake nice name by Ares One more time-\n\nHe just assumes Craig is right about knowing this place best. And he's showing me around..\n\nHe follows after Craig quickly with a nod.\n\n\"..Whoa..\" He doesn't know how to react at first. It's pretty. It's off to the side, where not a lot of people will go. Maybe he could even use it to clear his head. \n\nHe sits next to Craig slowly, a bit nervous the bench will break under both their weights, but it holds sturdy. He assumed because of the grass maybe it was a bit old. \n\n\"..Wow. Yeah, you're entirely right.\" You really can see everything.\n\nAnd He Goes here when he clears his head. I could too, then? I could give it a try.\n\n\"Oh. That uh- sounds... Awful.\" He grimaces, trying to imagine his head ringing all the time. Not good. He hates it very much. \"I would be here all the time if I..\" His voice trails off. Was he asking for my input? God, I really don't want to offput him now.. We're This Close to being friends." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"Yeah... I'm assuming not a lot of places are like this. Peaceful, I mean. The intranet sure isn't..\"\n\n\"Tell me about it,\" He chuckles, rolling his eyes playfully, \"I only open the intranet when I'm expecting a message from someone.\" Despite having been in NC for a couple of months already, Craig hasn't had a full grasp on technology yet, let alone social media. Everything is still roughly new to him and he feels ancient whenever he opens his phone, even though he's not even that old. \n\nWatching Mamoru enjoy the view from the bench, a proud smile grows on his face. Mamoru was the first student he's shared this spot with. He would show the place to his roommate but he doubts the guy would be into this type of thing anyway. He was glad to be able to finally share it with someone though. \n\nHe wont be advertising the spot to everyone in NC anytime soon though; it's a nice secluded area from everyone, that was the point of the odd placement after all. It was a nice semi secluded spot Craig had to himself for the most part, but it was nice getting to share it with another person. \n\n\"Oh. That uh- sounds... Awful.\"\n\n\"Well, it's not particularly fun going around with 20 other people in your head but you make do.\" He hummed looking out into the scenery in front of him, \"I just gotta use what I got and work around this inconvenient bug, y'know.\"\n\n\"But I do wonder,\" He said, turning his head to Mamoru, \"What about you, Mamoru? D'you have any gripes with your powers?\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He does the not-quite-laugh nose exhale at the eye roll. \"Yeah... I don't even know why I Tried Talking through there. I don't know what I expected.\" He just never had an opportunity like that before. That's why. \n\nHe looks over again, catching sight of the smile and quickly looking away again. The smile is infectious, Mamoru can't look at jt long or he'll make an utter fool of himself. But... He enjoys being around this guy. Very much. Oh no. No. No We are Not Thinking about the implications right now. \n\n\"Twenty other..?\" His voice trails off. He'll ask about it later. It's fine. \n\n\"Gripes? Pff..\" He looks back at Craig, his expression tired. \"Plenty. But not because it Does Anything to me but because it's... Very easy to misunderstand. And misuse. You'd think that taking an injury off of someone is Inherently Helpful but then comes the issue- Where does it go? I don't Heal People, it doesn't go away. I just... Move it. And I don't have a full grasp on it either I...\" He shakes his head. \n\nYeah he had quite a few gripes. \n\n\"It's not as helpful as you'd think it'd be, unless I happen to be near someone who has the regenerative abilities of f[]king Wolverine.\"" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Craig nods his head at Mamoru's statement. \"Ah so you have healing- well, some semblance of a healing power too, is it?\" He sat up slightly, looking over at Mamoru. \"I get it man, my healing abilities are misunderstood too.\" He huffed. \n\n\"My hair is made up of plant like tubes and they produce this sort of mucus in the inner walls of the stem.\" He says, grabbing a strand of his hair and reaching inside, scooping out a little bit of yellowish green, translucent goop. \"This thing here is acid and creates a small rash when in direct contact with skin, but its able to treat a lot of remedies when you dilute it in water.\" \n\n\"Um, I'm not sure how I can show you since I'm immune to this but um-\" He says, before gently grabbing one of Mamoru's hands and smearing the tiniest amount of goop onto his palm. Not long after the small area turns light shade of red as an uncomfortable itch much like a mosquito bite begins to appear around the red bump. \n\nCraig quickly reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small tube of cream and rubs it on the red area. \"Sorry, it's a bit unpleasant, it'll go away in a few seconds.\" He says, looking up at Mamoru, still holding Mamoru's hands down as the red bump quickly disappears back to normal and the itching sensation ceases. \n\nCraig has learned to carry around a tube of bug bite relief cream everywhere he goes after his hair accidentally bit his roommate's shoulders in the first 5 minutes of meeting. His hair outwardly lashing out or grabbing onto people is an increasingly rare occurrence now, but it doesn't hurt being prepared. \n\nReleasing Mamoru's hand after the red spot ceases completely, Craig looks back out into the field. \"It has some medicinal properties when diluted with water but I cant produce a lot of it unless i cut it- and that hurts like hell.\" \n\n\"Yknow before I was enrolled in NC, there was this one group of people who-\"\n\nHe stopped talking.\n\nChatter. Loud, unending chatter swarms his mind as an ear shattering ring combined with frantic voices, none of which his, fill his head. \n\nHe says nothing for a prolonged period of time, staring out into the garden, his face morphing from frustration to emptiness. It was as if he wasn't there anymore; like he left his body for a moment as the chatter grows more and more frantic as he tries to stop himself from dissociating. \n\nOnly his eyeballs move as he scans the area, trying to ground himself again. His eyes land on Mamoru's distinctive green hair, a flower tucked behind his left ear. \n\n'What a pretty guy.'\n\nA thought- his own thought- finally managed to get past his ringing head. His mind slowly calms and quiets down as he stares into the white daisy tucked behind his ear. \n\n Blink\n Blink\n\nHe turns his head to Mamoru after a bit and his blank expression slowly breaks into a warm smile. \"Hey,\" He says, a smile on his face as if he hadn't gone through another mental break just a few seconds ago. \"Sorry, I forgot what I was talking about again- um,\"\n\n\"Right your wound moving power sounds interesting at the very least,\" He says, his confused expression wiped off his face, \"It's more interesting than my weird acid medicine anyway.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"Yeah..\" He nods. Craig Gets It. Not everyone gets it. \n\n\"Oh- that's... Neat.\" He doesn't really get it but wants to be supportive. Friends are supportive, right? And they seem like they're becoming friends? \"...Okay, yeah, it's a little gross. But it's neat.\" Honesty is better. \n\nHe lets Craig grab his hand without any resistance, watching... Waiting- There it is. \"Oh-\" \n\nIt's itchy. He grimaces. But before he can do much of anything, Craig fixes it. Just like that. Wow. \n\nHe's looking down at his hand in minor amazement. He's never really seen anyones abilities in action like that before. He would be itching at it if Craig weren't holding his hands. \n\n\n\nHe discretely itches at it as soon as his hands are released, even if it's not really that itchy anymore. \n\nGreat. Now he doesn't know what to do with his hands. \n\nHe waits a moment for Craig to continue, but he doesn't. He also doesn't really know what to say. \n\n\"I guess the... Best way to combat that is to gather a lot over time, assuming you don't do that already. That way you have it on hand without getting hurt.\"\n\nHe's half certain Craig didn't hear him. He doesn't quite recognize that expression, but... He feels like he has an idea as to what's going on. Craig's mind is elsewhere. \n\nIs he back? \nHes staring at me. \nMoru's face flushes a tiny bit after looking back at Craig, so he quickly looks away.\n\n\"It's alright. Don't uh- don't worry about it. And.. I'm not so sure about that. I mean... Mine does sound less inconvenient- no offense- but it's... I don't know. I mean, I like your hair.\" Did that sound dumb??" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Craig chuckles endearingly at Mamoru's stammering. He feels comfortable around the green haired boy for some reason. He couldn't quite figure out why. \n\n\"Yeah well, my powers are very inconvenient, you're right about that,\" He hummed, seeming as though he had not just had his brain overheat like a computer just a minute ago. \"It makes it difficult for me to go out to town which is kind of annoying. Someone usually supervises be whenever I go outside so no accidents happen because of it.\" He sighed.\n\n\"As much as I appreciate the company I cant help but feel a little pathetic, y'know,\" He chuckled, as if his problems were that of laughing matter. \"Well, I need to practice controlling my powers before I inevitably will need to get a job.\" \n\nHonestly, Craig has no future planned for himself after NC. One could imagine how hard it would be getting a job with no other prior academic experience and that added with the fact that Craig is very much so visibly parahuman and you have a recipe for unemployment. \n\nBut he could probably think of that another time. \n\n\"Maybe I can work here as a gardener of sorts- I mean I already tend to the garden mostly unpaid, I should talk to Ms Pernilla about getting an actual job as a gardener sometime.\" He said, looking up at the tree above him. \n\nA few small leaves gently cascade down the branches from time to time. Craig looks back at Mamoru and notices a small, green leaf, almost camouflaged onto the side of his hair. He chuckles endearingly at the sight before reaching out his hand to pick it out of his hair. \"And I like your hair too.\" He smiles, flicking the leaf on to the ground, \"Its very pretty.\" \n\nPerhaps the reason Craig was so comfortable around Mamoru was because he resembled the garden in a way. He just looks so natural sitting on the pretty white rickety bench underneath the shade of a large green and yellow tree in the garden. \n\nPerhaps Craig is just too easily trusting. \n\nBut he enjoys the pretty green haired boy's company nonetheless." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"Right.. Yeah, that would be an issue. I mean- I guess staying hidden would be really hard. How did you-\" Stay hidden before?\n\nNo, he won't ask that. Er- won't Finish Asking. Maybe Craig wouldn't like talking about his past. Mamoru's isn't that much to take in, but... You never know.\n\n\"Right... Jobs..\" He groans, and a gentle breeze starts up. \"At least we won't be here forever.\" \n\nHe never had a future that he thought about. He was privileged enough to not have to worry about that sort of thing.\n\nHis parents were quite well off. Not rich enough that he'd never have to work, but enough so that he wouldn\n\n't have to Worry.\n\n\"You should be a gardener. Maybe not Here Unless you want to stay, but... I think you'd be good at it. You know a lot about plants.\" \n\nIn the breeze, a leaf lands into his hair. He doesn't even notice. But... Craig does.\n\nHe holds his breath as Craig reaches- What is he doing what is he doing- And pulls out the leaf- Oh that's what he's doing.\n\nThe final nail in the panic coffin is the hair comment. His face goes red with flustered blush. \"I- er- thanks-\" He looks pointedly at the ground. Wow. Look at that grass. What nice grass.\n\n\"S-so do you study uh... Botany? I think that's what it's called?\" Wonderful subject change brought to you by grass!" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"Right.. Yeah, that would be an issue. I mean- I guess staying hidden would be really hard. How did you-\"\n\n\"Stay hidden?\" He says, finishing his question for him. \"I lived in the woods up until I got admitted to NC. No internet, no advanced technology, just chores and my little garden to keep me from going insane.\" He chuckled. \n\n\"I kind of missed that little shed of a home that I shared with my caretaker.\" He hummed, looking out into the garden, \"I write home sometimes but she's only able to write back every few weeks because of the lack of internet there.\" \n\nHe opted to omit the fact that he was the property of a druidic cult that would harvest his hair for medicine for the first 15 years of his life. He didn't want to go through another shutdown trying to recall information from the time. \n\n\"At least we won't be here forever.\" \n\nHis smile drops slightly at that mention. He liked Newton's Cradle; he has learned so many new things about himself and the world around him and had met some really interesting people during his stay. He's a bit sad thinking about having to leave someday, but he knows its inevitable. \n\n\"Yeah,\" He says, tone slightly off from his usual cheery tone, \"But where do I leave to?\" \n\nHe leans back on the bench and continues to look into the distance, \"I can't just go back into hiding now can I? I'll need to figure out how to make a living and how to function with this ridiculous head of hair out in public.\" \n\nHe sits and stares into the garden in silence for a while before propping himself up.\n\n\"I do enjoy botany.\" He says, facing Mamoru, a smile on his face, \"Maybe I'll set up a flower shop someday, but I'll need to tame this hair of mine before then.\" \n\n\"What about you?\" Craig asked, tilting his head slightly to the side. \"We've been talking about me this entire time so I'm curious as to what you like.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He's a little embarrassed that he asked that question in the first place, but nods. Craig got it right. \n\nHe... Can't say that that sounds like the Best Situation but... It seems nice. Very nice. He nods again. \n\n\"Yeah.. That makes sense.\" \n\nHe has no idea about the Druidic cult! Mamoru just assumes that he'd always been in the woods with his caretaker. \n\nOh no his smile dropped agh- \"...Well, I mean, it's not Ridiculous. But other people... Yeah, I see the issue. I mean, you could just wear a large hat and... Yeah. I see the issue.\" He is trying to brainstorm and coming up dry. \n\nHe can't help but smile a bit in return to the smile he's presented with. It's infectious. \"Yeah... Yeah, that's a good idea.\" \n\nAnd then the question that Mamoru didn't expect comes up! What about you?\n\nOh dear. \n\n\"Oh- well I-\" He stammers a bit, trying to think of something to make him sound the slightest bit interesting. He can't think of anything. \"I... There's not really- I'm not a very interesting person.\" Wait- \"But it's not like I'm Boring Either I just- you know, there's a lot of things I haven't tried.\" \n\nUh oh he's rambling. Panicking just a little. \n\n\"I mean I... I spent most of my time reading or playing violin-\" Which I hate. \"-so I don't have a lot of cool hobbies yet.\" \n\nPlease don't think I'm boring.." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"I don't think you're boring,\" He said, a genuine smile on his face, \"I want to know more about you if that's alright.\" Craig doubts Mamoru is as uninteresting as he claimed to be. After all- no one in NC is truly uninteresting. They're here for a reason after all. \n\n\"I think being uninteresting in NC is more of an achievement than anything, really.\" He chuckles at his own joke, \"I mean, we're all parahumans after all.\" \n\n\"I mean I... I spent most of my time reading or playing violin-\"\n\n\"That sounds cool,\" He says, facing Mamoru, a wide grin on his face. \"Are you any good at it? Do you like playing the violin?\" He tilts his head to the side a bit, an interested look on his face. \"I'm not musically talented by all means, but I like singing and have a janky acoustic guitar that I rarely play.\" \n\nCraig never plays music, be it singing or playing the guitar in front of people unless they ask him to, most people don't even know he has a guitar, considering it's just rotting away under his bed. \"I should pick up my guitar again,\" He mumbled. \n\n\"You said you haven't tried a lot of things,\" Craig says, \"I'm the same. I didn't have access to a lot of things when I was in the woods so the only things I ever did was tend to a garden and cook. I really cant do anything else, it's a problem.\" He half sighed, half laughed. \n\n\"But um, if you've never tried gardening, do you wanna help me fix up that flowerbed I was working on earlier?\" Craig asks, tilting hiss head to the side, \"It's really up to you, but I would appreciate an extra set of hands.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Is he any good at violin? The question almost makes him laugh. He doesn't. He doesn't laugh. \n\n\"Well- that's... Quite the question. I don't want to sound conceited but uh... Yeah, I am good at it. Liking it is an entirely different beast, though.\" If Craig asks why he plays if he doesn't like it it's over. \n\nWell. Not really. Moru is just being dramatic. \n\n\"And you should. Pick up the guitar, I mean. If you enjoy it.\" Very smooth, He sarcastically berates himself. \n\nAnd then he's asked to help. He can do that. He wants to do that. He nods. \n\n\"Yeah, sure. I- can't promise I'll be any good at it, but I can try.\" Who knows? Maybe he'll like it." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"Well- that's... Quite the question. I don't want to sound conceited but uh... Yeah, I am good at it. Liking it is an entirely different beast, though.\"\n\nCraig tilts his head in confusion, but chose not to say anything. It was likely a sore topic for the boy so he might as well drop it. \n\n\"Well, I'm sure you have your reasons for playing,\" He commented, opting not to pry for more information.\n\n\"Yeah, sure. I- can't promise I'll be any good at it, but I can try.\"\n\nCraig's face lights back up again. \"Great!\" He exclaims, standing up and pulling Mamoru back to the entrance where the half finished flowerbed is located. The unfinished work lay there, begging to be completed. \n\nTo be honest, Craig had gotten too caught up with talking to Mamoru that he'd almost forgotten why he was in the garden in the first place. It was a good thing he remembered, lest the plants would just dry back up again. \n\nHe kneels in front of the flowerbed and signals for Mamoru to follow. \"These were the lilies that were trampled, I've put them in a bucket for now,\" He said, pointing at the mud covered bucket to his left, \"And these are the replacement lilies,\" He picks up a few small lilies and hands it to Mamoru. \n\n\"Just make a little divot in the dirt and tuck the roots in like this,\" He says, placing the lily in the hole he dug out before covering the hole with more dirt. \"Cover it up and that's it. Just make sure you're not spacing them too far apart or too close.\" He says, giving Mamoru an encouraging smile." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He's glad it was dropped, to be honest. \n\nHe can't help but laugh a little as Craig pulls him. Craig's excitement is... Cute. It's really cute. Obviously he'll help. \n\nHe kneels down next to Craig. \n\n\"Alright.. Uhm... Okay. This can't be too hard.\" \n\nHe concentrates, though, not entirely sure he's capable of this. It's a simple task but, what if he fails? What if he can't do it? What if he ruins the flower bed?\n\nHe was trusted to help, but... If he accidentally makes it worse...\n\nNo. No, there's no way to make it worse unless he sets it on fire. So, it's fine. \n\nCarefully, he pushes his sleeves up past his elbows and makes his first divot. Easy enough. Then... Just... Put the lily in... And...\n\nBam!\n\nHe smiles. \n\n\"I- I think I did it right? It looks right to me.\" This small victory made him happy because he's not used to doing things like this. He happily goes to replant a second one, not even caring about dirt getting under his nails." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "Craig watches Mamoru figure out how to plant the flower like a dog. He looms over the green haired boy, a wide smile on his face as he goes to plant the flower. This was the first time Craig got to do gardening with anyone other than Evelyn and he was happy he finally got to do so with a friend. \n\nHis grin grew wider when he saw Mamoru smile, the fact that Mamoru was enjoying something he liked made his stomach flip with joy. \"Yeah! You're doing it,\" He beamed, facing Mamoru, \"It's not that hard, right?\" Craig reaches for the pile of lilies and continues planting alongside Mamoru, beaming all the while. \n\nMamoru's small smile was enough to make Craig's entire week- maybe month even. He never had anyone he could share his hobbies with, Evelyn would teach him how to take care of crops and plants but gardening to her was merely a necessity. She did not mind the activity, but it was a way to not starve rather than a hobby to her. Having a friend do a little activity like planting a flowerbed with him means the world to Craig. \n\n\"This is the first time I've ever had a friend help me out with gardening, now thinking,\" He hummed, still smiling, \"I used to only garden with My caretaker before NC but even then, she only helped me out of necessity. We had to self sustain to get by while isolated in the woods- else we'd starve to death.\" Craig said, eyes glued onto the flowerbed as he continued working on the lily. \n\n\"I started gardening mainly out of necessity but it grew on me- no pun intended.\" He chuckled at his own bad joke. \"I mean, when you're doing something every single day, you'd have to find at least one thing you like about it right? Else you'd go insane, I would assume.\" \n\nCraig thought back at Mamoru's violin abilities. He says he's good at it so he must imagine he'd have played for a while, but he doesn't enjoy playing. But how could one keep doing something when they find absolutely no enjoyment out of it? Perhaps there was some little thing that Mamoru enjoys about the violin to keep him playing-\n\nHe leaves the thought at that and opts to not mention it. \n\nHe grabs another lily and plants it onto the flowerbed." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Moru doesn't feel suffocated or uncomfortable with Craig watching. He's genuinely enjoying himself. Who would've thought he'd like Gardening. Or trying new things in general. Maybe he should do that more often. It's nice. \n\nThe encouragement makes him smile more. He likes it. He likes it a lot. He likes being good at something and liking doing it. This is becoming a game of the other smiling as the other does. They'll both have pained cheeks before they know it. \n\n\"It's fun, actually.\"\nAnd it is. \n\nFriend. The word feels warm in his stomach. He has a Friend. He likes that too. \n\n\"Right... That makes sense. I understand how something can become a chore if you need to do it, even if you enjoy it. Im glad you're showing me, though. And... You're right. Things are better when you find something positive about them. Newton's Cradle included, I hope.\" Teehee because he made a friend already." }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"Yeah,\" Craig chimes, looking back up at Mamoru with a warm smile, \"I hope you find something you could enjoy during your stay in NC.\" He looks back down and continues to place the flowers in the flower bed. \n\nWith two pairs of hands working on the same flowerbed, the work is getting done much faster than had he done so himself. \n\n\"I don't know how your experience in Newton's Cradle has been all that much, but I hope you'll find something worthwhile to make these years go by a bit easier.\" He hummed, not looking away from the flower bed. \"I didn't adjust all too well for the first few days either- I mean going from a little cottage in the middle of the woods to the concrete walls of my shared dorm; you could probably imagine how weird I felt.\"\n\n\"It's like-\" He stopped and thought for a bit. \"Its like repotting a plant. I didn't adjust well at first but after a while, I figured being here is what's best for me and I got situated after a bit, you know? I don't know if I'm making sense to you.\" He chuckled at his own analogy. \n\n\"But uh,\" He said, looking over at Mamoru, \"Just try to think of your stay here as something positive. We're here to learn about our powers- where else would we have this opportunity y'know?\" \n\nHe looked back down at the flowerbed and planted the last flower. \n\n\"It's only worthwhile when you want it to be.\"" }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He's proud of himself! He did something! With his hands! And enjoyed it!\n\n\"Yeah... Yeah. I just- it's been okay? Except for the people mocking me and such... I think I'll find something. I mean- if nothing else I can help you here.\"\n\n\"You're making sense, don't worry.\" He's smiling as well, looking at Craig.\n\nYeah. No. He has a crush. It's been one interaction and he's already crushing. He'll mentally berate himself for being pathetic later.\n\n\"Yeah I think I'll... Try to make it worthwhile.\"" }, { "author": "yourunpaidparkingticket", "message": "\"Yeah... Yeah. I just- it's been okay? Except for the people mocking me and such... I think I'll find something. I mean- if nothing else I can help you here.\"\n\n\"Yeah!\" He beamed, \"An extra pair of hands would be very useful, but I'm just glad you're enjoying gardening.\" \n\nHe takes off the yellow gloves- now caked in dirt and places them in the bucket along with the dead flowers. He gets up, extending a hand out to Mamoru to help him up as well. \"Pretty isn't it?\" He says, looking down at the newly arranged and fixed flowerbed. \n\nThe familiar rewarding feeling washed over him as he looked at the lilies. It was like any other flowerbed in the garden- but it was special because He Worked on it- and with a new friend to boot! \n\n\"It's rewarding work, yeah,\" He says, stretching a bit, \"It's little moments like these that keep me going.\"\n\nCraig looks up at Mamoru and notices the flower that was tucked into his ear slip a bit. Without a second of hesitation, he tucked it back into it's place and moved Mamoru's green hair away from his face. \n\n\"All fixed.\" He smiled. \n\nHe looked up at the sky- it was starting to get dark. \n\n\"Ah I lost track of time, I need to go make dinner.\" He huffed, \"Well, it was really nice talking to you and I hope we can keep in touch- feel free to contact me on the intranet but if you need me, I'm always either in my dorm, the kitchen or the garden,\" \n\nHe speed walked kind of backwards, waving at Mamoru not paying attention to his surrounding. He hit the wall slightly before quickly recovering his balance. \"Bye Mamoru!\" He exclaimed before disappearing into the building." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He takes Craig's hand, standing. \"Yeah.. It is. It really is.\" He also gets a rewarding feeling. But a new one. He hasn't felt this in a while. It's.. Nice.\n\nCraig fixes the flower, and Moru is left speechless for a second, mouth opening before closing again. He clears his throat, looking away. His face is reddening slightly. \"Thanks-\"\n\n\"Alright. Yeah- I'll come find you sometime.\" Too desperate? Or was that friendly? I'm not used to this.\n\nHe laughs behind his hand as Craig bumps into the wall.\n\nYeah, no, he likes him.\nCraig's a dork- a really cute dork who Mamoru would really like to know better.\n\n[[end?]]" } ]	355.5	9,720
383.235294	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Julia Lennox was on a mission.\n\nAnd God Wasn't that weird to think. Normally, it was Never Julia. It was JulesAriaHela, causing mischief and chaos and dodging every repercussion. Now, it was Julia. Jules. Alone. She missed them already, not just their presence but the life and energy her siblings always brought with them. Here, stuck halfway across the world, she'd probably go out of her mind with boredom. \n\nNot that it mattered. She was perfectly fine with staying here, scouting out danger, protecting her family. And that all started with making connections. Putting herself out there She glanced around the courtyard, trying her best to shake the heat from her hair (a set of high, intricate buns to keep it off the back of her neck). With the quick click of her heels, she stooped into a more shaded area in an effort to hide from the sun. She only noticed another person there when she looked down, eyes catching on bright red hair. \n\nOh. It looked like her temporary stay in Nowhere, Alonesville might not be as boring as she'd thought. Her hair uncurled from where it was styled up, dropping down to a mid-height ponytail that flared out around her knees. Jules held out her hand, smile already wide as she prepared to introduce herself to the girl in front of her. \n\n\"Hey darlin', I'm Jules. How're you on this fine day?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ And on this day, Margo was out and about.\n\n□ Having seen to it that both Cosmo and Sadie were sitting on full bellies, she'd spent about forty minutes of the previous hour aimlessly wandering about her room. She'd already hit the gym, went for a run, spent some time doing tai chi on the rooftop... Rewatched Master Of The Flying Guillotine. When she'd been told she was being sent to Sweden, she had expected a lot of things, but this level of boredom? Where her body boiled and zapped with pent-up energy? It was unheard of in her life, built upon routine and hobby and fixation, and she needed something to do with her time.\n\n▪︎ So, she'd strolled out, and found a nice tree to sit under, and within ten minutes she already had someone bugging her. The gaze that slowly arced up could have straight up sliced the other girl in half, yet it didn't betray how she actually felt.\n\n◆ \"Hey.\" She coolly replied, leaned up against an oak tree with a lollipop stick loosely rattling about her mouth. Fitting with the weather, all she had on was a patterned bikini top and red cargo pants festooned in black belts and chains, and this left her marvelously buff body and its accompanying tattoos right on display. \"Doin' fine, I guess. Hot as fuck out, but... That's just because I'm here, I think. New here? Don't think I've seen you around.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "It wasn't exactly a Warm Reception, but she was engaging. And that was enough.\n\n\"God don't I know it. Thought this part of the world was supposed to be a little cooler, mhm?\" Julia smiled, shifting so her side leaned against the tree in much a similar way to Margo, trying not to loom Too Much. It was difficult: even without her heels she'd be at least two or three inches taller than her counterpart, and with them it was nearly half a foot. \"And yea, I'm new. Fresh of the train, so to speak. I take that to mean you know most of the people 'round here?\" \n\nIt seemed so, at least if she'd truly been able to recognize a new arrival on sight. Jules tried to project sincere friendliness, her gaze roaming over Margo's face with something a half-step between casual curiosity and genuine interest. A little spark of playful envy lit once again as she took in the red hair, the color bright enough that it had to be dye. If only, she sighed to herself, before catching on the shining rings of silver and multicolor surrounding Margo's pupil. Almost unconsciously she craned her head to get a better look, leaning forward.\n\n\"Your eyes are really somethin', huh?\" She murmured with a click of her tongue. \"Haven't seen that one before. They're real pretty.\" \n\nWith a quiet huff she pulled her body firmly out of Margo's space, face losing some of the contemplation it'd had, along with the focus. Instead, her expression turned light, smiling once again. \"Any shot you'd tell me your name, hothead?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"You'd be surprised.\" Margo casually spoke, looking up at the much taller girl looming over her. A dash of red spread across her cheeks, not unlike the hair she diligently dyed then put off washing until the last possible moment, then it was gone. \"The Gulf Stream really works its wicked, evil magicks in this part of the country, from what I know. Up north, towards the Lapland, it's frigid year-round, but here? In south Sweden? Might as well be in the fuckin' Bahamas.\"\n\n□ Chuckling, she eyed down Jules, if only for a moment. A month prior, she'd have been a mess, stammering and trying to keep herself from acting on desperation for the touch of another woman. Now, though...? The way she looked at Jules as she spoke, and the way she internally processed the compliment directed at her eye told her something. Something had changed – no, She Changed – and now she respectfully looked and listened as Jules spoke. Immediately, she picked up on a southern accent, and quietly wondered whereabouts in the south she'd come from.\n\n▪︎ Gods, she hoped it wasn't Texas.\n\n◆ \"Pretty, and a total bitch.\" She groaned as she leaned forward and clacked her lollipop against the inside of her teeth. \"But, thanks, man. I know most of the people here, yeah. Really? I keep tabs on everyone. Everything. This place has some weird shit going on, and some weird people roaming the halls, so... It doesn't hurt.\" Margo kept on talking, her voice gruff and heavily accented and lazy. \"I'm Margo. Welcome.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Julia's face lit up, smile only slightly teasing at the flash of what was probably blush (if not, well. It Was Hot out. She could overlook it). \"The Gulf Stream? Like, currents? Damn. Pretty And Smart, what can't she do.\" With a small laugh, she shifted against the tree, settling in for what she hoped would be a longer conversation. Originally, she'd approached Margo for superficial reasons— those being complete chance. Now, though, she found herself quickly intrigued. Margo was, much like her hair, vibrant. And what once had been obligatory now felt natural. Easy. \n\n\"It's good to meet ya, Margo.\" \n\nShaking herself out of her idle thoughts, Jules pressed forward. \"Well, I won't ask for gossip. I've never been the type to take words from my ears and not my eyes. I'd love to know more about you, though. What'd'ya like to do around here? Anyplace fun? Anythin' interesting?\" Her hair curled in lazy motions, like quickly growing vines. Completely down, then up and over her arms, stray strands occasionally drifting close to Margo before retreating. The constant soft motion was almost reminiscent of tides, as dark brown locks did their best to shirk the boiling sunlight." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah, like those.\" Margo replied, stifling down a pang of hesitancy and that all-too-familiar voice nagging at her to Be cool, dammit. \"Also, hah, thanks. I'll tell you what I can't do: believe your hair's got so long. That must be a Bitch To wash... But also probably fun to play with.\"\n\n□ Now, she might have been flirting in the same lighthearted manner she often found herself doing, but now something was different. Something changed. Rather than feeling like the beginning of an exciting chase, it felt as if she was committing some sort of offense, some sort of wrong, and while she wasn't showing it she could feel her stomach tying itself into a rather peculiar bunch, less a knot and more a tumour. Rather than shove it down, though, she simply let those feelings sit, and turned her focus back to what Jules was saying.\n\n▪︎ And that happened to be southern drawl mixed in with genuine questions. She was trying to get her bearings, and Margo wasn't about to turn her away.\n\n◆ \"Oh, you'll give in eventually. Just about everyone here gossips; makes me wonder why nobody's running a confessions page...\" Admittedly, she had a likely candidate pegged as 'most likely to run a sketchy slanderous gossip page,' but what good did verbalizing those thoughts do? \"I live a pretty regimented life, honestly. Wake up at four in the morning, eat a whole lemon with my morning tea, find something to eat for breakfast, go for a jog... So on and so forth. I also spend a lot of time reading about ancient languages and reptiles and watching The Owl House over and goddamned over like it's going to manifest me a pretty girlfriend.\" But I do sort of have one... Don't I? Her thoughts questioned her actions, and quickly got silenced. \"There's a bunch of fucking freaks in the industrial park, though... They all look like Angels. They're lunatics, stay away from 'em. Figure you should know that now; They're not afraid to bust into the Cradle, that's for sure. Anyways...\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Maybe Jules could tell there was some kind of conflict going on within Margo. Maybe she couldn't. Either way, if Margo wasn't bringing it up, it was because she didn't walk to talk about it. Jules respected that, and pushed forward. \n\n\"It's really two hands and a half. Especially in the summer. It's got its moments, though.\" She gave a small grin. \"Tell ya what, I'd give a hell of a lot for a dye job like yours. Or a haircut.\" She went quiet, energy momentarily lost as she thought of Hela. \"Just won't work for me, I'm afraid.\" She stooped briefly to grab a pinecone from the ground, tossing it into the air and crushing it with a quiet Crunch, the noise muffled from within the cocoon of hair that had destroyed it. \"Scissors aren't exactly my best friend.\" \n\nAs her hair returned to rest, Jules shook her head. \"Maybe you're right. I'd like to see how long I'll last, though, 'gainst the gossip and such. Prefer to meet and judge people on my own.\" Far as she liked talking to Margo, rumor was one thing she couldn't see herself engaging with ever again. A good search, a bit of mischief, maybe. It'd been fun once, to investigate the town buzz and learn fact from fiction. After the fire, she wasn't sure it could be anything but terrifying. \"Watchin' shows to manifest shit, huh? If only it was that easy,\" She remarked, a quiet attempt to shake the sudden somber mood. \"I don't tend to watch a lotta shows, but you're always welcome to chat to me about them if you'd like.\" \n\nShe hesitated. \"I appreciate the warnin'. A lil ironic these Angels are.\" Jules reached for the light smile that had come so easily just moments ago. She found it, but it was weaker. More soft, closer to something else. Trading one bloodthirsty cult for another, hey? She thought to herself. Well. At least she was the one to be here.\n\n\"Ya got lizards? They got names?\" She Could Choose to address the lemon comment, but pets seemed like the safer choice for steering the conversation to something brighter." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Gotcha. It definitely seems that way.\" She calmly replied, leaning back against the tree and stretching with a loud groan. \"So that's your parahuman trait, huh? Hair? Can't see why you'd have it that long otherwise, man.\"\n\n□ Maybe it was close-minded, but to a trans girl like her who'd had her hair down to her asscrack at one point while still figuring herself out as a kid, it seemed preposterous that anyone would willfully deal with such a massive nest of hair. The knots, the grease, the sheer Weight Upon her neck... Her own neck nearly split in solidarity. Blowing a wayward strand of hair out of her face, she propped her head against her hands and pressed bruised knuckles into the bark without a single hint of pain.\n\n▪︎ Turns out, being in martial arts for years meant her hands could have likely endured Anything Thrown at them.\n\n◆ \"You're a better person than everyone else here, i'll tell you that much.\" Margo laughed, looking up at the other girl with a glint in her wonky eye and a lightly bouncing leg that stopped after a few moments. \"Most people get here, and one way or another we all end up in the same circle of hell reserved for gossippers and snakes. Such is life here, I guess... Anyways, yeah, it's ironic, but life loves to throw us humans for a loop sometimes, huh?\" A few moments passed as she sucked on her lollipop, tongue flicking around unseen in her mouth. \"Also, I have two of them, yeah. Cosmo's my baby boy, he's a five year old beardie, and his head is full of rocks and rubble. Sadie's my hoggie – that's a snake –, and he's about... Four or five months old? He's just a little guy. Shits on me sometimes, but it's fine. Wanna see some pictures? I have Loads.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"Hair's essentially right.\" Jules tilted her head as dark strands twisted themselves into a long braid, one that moved almost snakelike over her back and shoulders. \"And yeah. It's not exactly long by choice. It's got me boilin' at anything above a 85.\" She sent a second, smaller braid towards Margo with only a slight waver of hesitation. \"Y'can touch it, if you like. It's strong as stones, you don't have to worry 'bout breakin' it.\" For a brief moment Jules wondered if she should worry about hiding her abilities. It'd. It hadn't been good. Different place, different rules, she reminded herself. That was the point of the trip. Expose herself to risks, so Aria and Hela wouldn't have to.\n\nShe listened to Margo's compliment, lips twisted into the scaffolding of a smile. \"Sweet of you to say, hothead, but I'm not one to put myself up on a pedestal. I respect the drive to gather information, it's just not my cuppa tea. But yeah. Ironic, that's a good word for it.\" Her eyes were fixed on Margo as she spoke, mostly on her hair (Yes, alright, it'd moved past joking envy into a small rock of genuine jealousy) but also on the end of the lollipop, the way it moved as she talked, the quirk of a cheek accompanying a sarcastic remark. Strange and shining eyes irises (Cool as shit, Jules maintained).\n\nAffection and passion were twin glows, lit from Margo's eyes as she talked about her lizards. It was clear Margo cared about her animals— a good trait to have, in acquaintances or friends or just people. A softer smile emerged from Jules, crept up like something sneaking and dark but far closer to warmth than she'd like to think about. Instead, she let her face float closer to Margo's by a hair, stooping so she'd be able to see the small images on the phone. \"Lemme at 'em. I've always thought reptiles were cool.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah, I getcha.\" Margo spoke, looking up yet not directly into Jules' eyes. It was just one of her many quirks, like how a single eyebrow shot up in muted surprise as a braid extended out towards her. What kind of lesbian would she have been if she Didn't Reach up and press the thick blackened chain betwixt her fingers? So, she did, but also a faint pang of guilt whose source proved difficult to place. \"Jesus, how do you get your hair so smooth? Because, fuck, no matter what I do my hair stays a little greasy, and it gets my nerves all the fuckin' time.\"\n\n□ Grumbling, she let her hand drop, and as if being reminded she had hair she raised a hand to idly twirl one of the slicked strands that framed her face. No matter how she treated it, or what products she used, it always seemed to retain a certain modicum if grease, oils baked so deep into her dyed hair that not even an entire spa day could have got them out. Twirling that strand as she dug her phone out, she became aware, suddenly, that Jules was more or less admiring her. Was it admiration? Or jealousy? Whatever the case, against her better conscience a plot began to brew.\n\n▪︎ Because, hey, she wasn't technically spoken for. She had Vi, but they were friends with a light benefits package. Nothing carnal, nothing sapphic, just two awkward teenagers figuring things out. \n\n◆ \"Suit yourself, man.\" Margo hummed, scrolling through her camera roll. If Jules were a snoop she'd have seen a mix of pictures of books she'd been reading, her reptiles, and occasionally, thirst traps. Why did she have them? That's a secret for now. \"Anyways, this handsome lad...\" She held her phone up, \"Is Cosmo. He's my beloved boy, and honestly? Sometimes I think he's a dog. He likes to be near me at all times, and he sleeps in his cage against the wall closest to where I sleep on the couch. He also loves to sit in my hair, for some reason, and I sorta just let him. This one's of him in a propeller beanie... This one's of him in a Santa hat...\"\n\n▪︎ And, if not stopped, she'd spend the next couple of minutes simply dumping Cosmo pictures and chattering about him. What a dork." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"Comes with the territory, I'm afraid. Lotta work, but it pays off.\" It was true. Jules was lucky she didn't have to spend time brushing her hair like everyone else, because God, that'd be a job. Still, it took Effort To make it look good, and she smiled at the compliment. Hair cascaded down over her shoulders, and she swept it away with a flick, eager to hear more about Margo's lizards. \n\nAs Margo started up, chattering about outfits and behavior quirks and swiping through pictures, Jules resisted the urge to laugh quietly. Not mocking, just fond, and amused. Her eyes flickered between the images on the screen and Margo's obviously delighted face. \"Hats, hm? Does he stand 'em much? I've seen a lotta videos of pets in hats that just tear the damn things off.\" She leaned in to get a better look at a clearer, brighter picture, one that showed Cosmo's full body. \n\n\"Y'said you had another one too, right? Snake? Must be a lot to care for.\" \n\nJules hadn't ever had pets before. Hadn't needed the company, or the responsibility. But with Margo so clearly invested, she began to see the appeal. Hels might like one, She thought to herself. Aria would. It might be a nice present for them, once they got here (which they Would. They would). Pets were supposed to help with mental health, too, and god knows that'd do wonders for the Lennox household." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah, I do have a snake. He's a little hognose, and... God, I adore him.\" Margo softly gushed, in opposition to her rough-hewn exterior. \"Also Cosmo's been put in little hats since I brought him home, so he's totally desensitized to the process.\"\n\n□ Swiping through her gallery a little more, she began to hit blocks of photos dedicated to Sadie; pictures of him on his rocks, pictures of him sleeping, pictures of him intricately curled around her hand... The works. \"So, he's never going to get big, actually. Male western hoggies never get longer than two feet, so he's going to be precious and tiny his whole life.\" Margo spoke, a hint of genuine warmth underlying her lazy, gruff accented voice. \"He's precious. Anyways... Yeah, it's a lot to manage, but I don't mind. It's only weekends that suck, since that's when I clean their enclosures, and these little guys shit and piss a Lot. Otherwise they're my boys, and though I really want a gecko I'm more than content to care for these guys in the meantime. Also I really want a gator at some point. They're fuckin' killer.\"\n\n▪︎ She let out a snort, and then looked back up at Jules as she pocketed her phone.\n\n◆ \"So, you have any pets back home you wanna talk about?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"I'd pay a good man to see you with a pet gator,\" Jules laughed, eyes still fixed on the reptiles in the pictures. \"D'y'know if that's even legal? It's gotta be back in the States, but I don't know how the Swedes'll take ta murder on a leash.\" God, it'd be funny, though. The Cradle had rules about the sizes of pets, probably, but it'd be worth breaking them for the sheer Chaos It'd cause. Not boring. The restless tapping inside her brain finally settled. Not boring at all. She zoned back into the conversation in time to watch Margo put her phone away, mind stuttering over the noise of her half-laugh. She quickly pulled herself together, directing all her focus and attention towards the question.\n\n\"Nah, no pets for me. I got two younger siblings, though, which are enough responsibility as is. Hellraisers, the both of 'em.\" A small smile flickered across her face at the memory of Aria and Hela, nostalgia coloring what was almost certainly a bond forged in the mutual desire to commit destruction into kids full of energy and life. \"I'll swear up 'n down, I don't think I'm real set for pets. Every plant I've ever had died— a real black thumb. Dogs and cats and lizards and stuff have so many more needs. I dunno. I think I'd be bad at it.\" Jules' eyes flickered to Margo's for a moment, a desperate attempt to rescue the conversation from trash talking her own ability to maintain life. \"I think it's cool that you've got it down,\" She blurted, slowing her sentence at the end as if it'd make up for the obvious lack of filter. \"I mean, just that you've got a cool bond with your animals, hats and all, and ya clearly put a lot of effort into making sure they're happy and healthy. That's dedication. Takes a lot.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Just wait twenty years, then.\" Margo joked. \"By the time I'm forty I'm gonna have a goddamn gator, mark my words. But, like... A rescue. Even gators need help sometimes, I guess.\"\n\n□ And for a moment her brain echoed that sentiment with one edit: \"Even I need help sometimes.\" She frowned lightly and looked off into the distance. \"I dunno, I think it's legal in Florida, but what isn't legal there? Swear I saw a man selling with police ten feet away when I was there on vacation once and they didn't even bother him. Fuck.\" Margo laughed as she recounted that particular odd tale. \"Also it'd be kinda cruel to own a wild one, so I'd only really consider adopting one who straight up can't survive in the wild; fucked up jaw, blind, lost his tail in an accident, that sorta thing. I dunno.\" She fell silent afterwards, looking back at Jules as she spoke yet never looking directly in her eyes. Try as she might, though, the other gal looked directly into hers, and though she averted her sight as her skin crawled her face also bled crimson for just a second, dusting her cheeks in a way that only could have said one thing:\n\n▪︎ Kiss me, God damn it.\n\n◆ \"Fair.\" Margo shallowly nodded. \"Fair enough. I think that's how my sister Holly felt about myself and Ben, not to detract from your own family shit.\" Her voice trailed off for a few moments, bending a leg up for her arm to rest against. \"Anyways, it takes a lot, but fuck, it's worth it seeing Cosmo scramble against the walls of his enclosure whenever he sees me because he wants to hang out, or watching Sadie curl around my hand and arm, or just... Being able to see them, y'know? It makes it worth it. Maybe you'd have it in you too; never know until you try.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Jules looked down, taking in the blush on Margo's face. It was weird. She'd barely been here and day and she'd already found... \n\nThe plus of getting out of the middle of nowhere, I guess. \n\nAs the shorter girl rambled, Jules spent more time studying her eyes. They were beautiful, yeah, but more than that they were Interesting. That summed Margo up well enough, she thought. Pretty, interesting. She caught on to the vague awareness that Margo was struggling to meet her eyes, and a small smile drifted onto her face. Bracing herself against the tree, her hand drifted up to touch Margo's jaw, pushing up just slightly so that their eyes were forced to meet. They were close, close enough that Jules could feel the warmth of Margo's skin (Damned heat) and that with very little effort, either could close the gap between them. \n\nMargo's breath smelled like mint, and like smoke. \n\n\"Sweetheart,\" Jules said, voice low but not quiet. \"I'd really like to kiss ya, but I've got manners. So I'm gonna need you to tell me if that's somethin' you'd like.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Thinking it was one thing, but to be on the receiving end? A sensual hand along her chiseled jaw pockmarked by nothing but the occasional pimple, or that one scar she had from when she'd still been forced to shave to keep her face clean? Well, that was something else.\n\n◆ \"I'd be that lucky?\" Her voice rolled off the tongue smooth and playful, albeit weighed down just a touch by an unexpected emotion: guilt. Not the kind of powerful guilt she'd initially felt going right behind her father's back and transitioning without his permission, but a sort of guilt that gnawed away at her heart while a certain someone flashed into her head over and over. However... They weren't officially anything, naught but a situationship, so maybe it'd be fine...? \"Don't mind if I do then...\"\n\n▪︎ Moment of truth. She decided she'd do it; either she came out with a kiss and confused but open feelings, or she stepped back and found herself wracked with guilt that told her something new about her and Vi's situationship.\n\n• So, she raised a hand to meet Julia's, rubbing tiny circles into the ball of her wrist as she leaned in to kiss her. Nose bumped against nose, and she nibbled on Julia's lower lip for a couple of moments before she pulled back, startlingly fast, and she stepped away. Compared to a few moments prior, she wasn't the same cool, casual woman she was, but instead one who looked as if she'd just committed a cardinal trespass. It felt as if she'd betrayed someone – Vi, Her brain wouldn't let her forget – and though Julia had kissed back in a rather enjoyable manner she couldn't help but feel sick to her stomach.\n\n▪︎ Guilt, shame, and regret. What a mix.\n\n◆ \"Oh fuck, uh...\" Stepping back, she awkwardly spun around on one foot. \"I-I. I'm sorry, Jules, but I regret that a lot. I... I'll explain sometime. I have to go apologize to someone. Sorry.\"\n\n▪︎ With that, she'd run off, red hair and loose clothes flowing in the wind as she tore off towards the residential building. Why did she do it? Why? Now she was going to have to confess that to Vi, and the prospect terrified her beyond words. They hadn't even made things official and she was already kissing other girls; what kind of horrible girlfriend was she going to be? Just her father's son deep down, cursed with his infidelity and inability to keep it down? She might as well have just thrown herself in front of a bus. At least it'd be over quicker than this." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "To say Jules was 'surprised' would be overstating things, but 'confused' right about hit the mark. The instinctual panic of The hell? And worse the guilt of Did I misread? Reared their heads. It took a minute to process, to go over the conversation they'd had again. Her gut pulled her to what Margo had said just before running off— I have to go apologize to someone. A girlfriend, maybe? Margo didn't seem the type to cheat outright, so it was probably new. Undefined. God. It'd been less than 24 hours and Jules had already mixed in muddling drama. Maybe she should've felt a little bad for Margo— who had clearly been in the middle of some internal, self-deprecating crisis as she'd ran— but instead the situation was amusing. \n\nShe laughed. Bright, loud, baffled laughter. It rang through the space of the trees as she pulled her hair back into buns once again. Thank god.\n\nThis was going to be Interesting." } ]	356	6,515
502.038462	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie stands outside at 1 am avoiding sleep like it's a plague. She developed this horrific little habit that does nothing to improve her health but, it does make her feel safe. She exhausts herself to the point of blacking out just so her body has so energy to plunge bones outward at her expense. But, it happens anyway. Amelie has just gotten used to it at this point. Here she was still doing it. She stared at the darkened sky with a pensive look to her brow. She felt like something was slightly off this weary night. \n\nHer skeletal hands tighted on the crutches which held her. She took one shaky step forward careful to put her crutch in front first. Gods, she hated these things but she's forced to live with them. Nothing you can do with a broken body. She sees nothing, her almost milky eye moving right over everything. Amelie sighs her hands flexing a little on their handles. \n\nYou can't fault a poor girl for being too cautious. She was alone in that house for months. And, girls with disabilities were easy targets for murder and other things. She was still young and she was still scared. But, she's here now. Nothing to be afraid of, right? \n\nThere's a little breeze that hits Amelie with a cold shiver. Yeah. This was going to be a long. Long night." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "This was probably among the worst of the bad ideas Owen had had lately, and that was Really saying something. It could be worse though, couldn't it? He wasn't that far from the dorm buildings, his earbuds weren't in, and he was only about three metres above the nearest lamp! Plenty of precautions. Yeah. \n\nThe copper-haired certainly-not-an-idiot hoisted himself up through another tangle of branches, hoping to wear out tonight's nervous coil by tiring himself out in the cool darkness. A chilly breeze cooled the back of his neck; he envisioned the droplets of sweat freezing into little gems of ice, glittering in the downy wisps on the base of his neck beneath his low ponytail. \n...In reality, he probably just smelled funny. \n\nA sound- breath? What was that? Bears weren't nocturnal, right? Right?\n\n\"Whozzat?\"\n\nIn a motion of comical exaggeration, he whipped his head around nearly the full 180° and shouted something dumb. It occurred to him mid-slip that he probably should have been watching where his feet were. \n\nGoing down like a Looney Tune, his arm held fast to the nearest branch for dear life- anyone looking at the tree he was failing at would see a red high top flailing out of the wildly dancing foliage, and hear a pitiful yelp as the foot attached to it was rapidly yanked back. More crashing noises, ceasing when his descent was paused in an oh-so-perfectly-clear spot on the trunk; one white-knuckled arm stretched above his head kept the boy from plummeting the rest of the way down.\n\nAnd so there he was, ripe for the mauling! The view onto the path was surprisingly clear from the branch he dangled from, the light casting an eerie off-white glow onto whoever had just scared him shitless. \n\nGulp. \n\nMaybe, if he hung there perfectly still, who or whatever he had heard wouldn't notice him." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "There was a movement in the trees. Something her eye could actually pick up on. A figure of sorts moving up into trees. Her breathing froze, which was an easy enough feat considering it was hard to breathe anyway. Gods it's just been a few days since she passed out in Margo's room, what now. \n\nBranches moving a groaning under heavy weight, some snapping like thin threads. That was no beast. That was a man, panic set in. Gods she only hoped that was not what she thought she was. \nMaybe it was just an idiot boy climbing tree! Oh she hoped she was right. Her eye widened and she took that prideful step back. \n\nThe hair on the back of her neck stood up straight and whatever comfort she came to find was long gone. That ugly sound came straight out of a horror flick Tejal had shown her when she was younger. Amelie wanted to die immediately but she currently couldn't do that. So bones protruded from Amelie like she was a sort of hedgehog. Except with more bones then there was bodies. It furled around her like that damn magnetic liquid. \n\n\n\"*SCHEISSE. KINDERMÖRDER.\"\n\nShe yelled in her native tongue. Which actually sounded more gutteral then the sound whatever in the trees made. Then whatever from the trees fell, like a ripe apple that couldn't quite pull itself away. \n\nIt was that boy the one who had a shirt rather violently got put on him. She had a lovely view of that woman's back but it didn't quite catch her attention like rabid flailing of the boy. Now hanging by a mere branch like a stuck pig. She would laugh but then again it was just one of her prison mates and she had just gotten scared prior.\n\nThere was that eerie glow makes Amelie look more like a horror show than anything. It takes a moment of painful silence before Amelie takes a moment to cough, before talking. \n\n \"Oh! Du bist!\"\nShe wheezes. \n\"You're that boy. Shirt boy?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Well, that was.. A lot of oddly strung-together reactions from the person (thankfully) who had witnessed his half-downfall. Was that German? It was loud-\n\nAh, jeez. So the spectacle of him being violently re-shirted hadn't been banished from the minds of the people; still, though, not the worst thing to be known for. Despite his precarious grip on his lifeline branch, Owen couldn't help but let loose a flurry of giggles. Choppy, jolted, and wheezing uncontrollably, his laugh bounced off of the still and silent trees (who found it unbearably awkward).\n\n\"Shh-shirt boy?! Yeah, that's- that's me, fully clothed and everything,\" He managed to wheeze. Every shake of his shoulders reminded his arm of how it did Not* Like carrying his whole weight. \"You're the baker girl, with the-\" A pause as he reached his left arm up to give his right a break \"-with the bones,\" He spluttered. Damn, that didn't have the same ring to it that 'shirt boy' did. He hoped he'd think of something better. \n\n\"Speaking of, uh, that looked like it hurt.\" \n\nHis tone remained light enough, but noticeably coloured with concern. His accent, clearer now that he wasn't shouting, stressed the vowels in a nervous singsong sort of a way. She didn't.. Seem all too concerned about the bones ripping up through her back. Was it impolite to bring it up? Was she pain-proof somehow? She had this under control, right? He found a branch to brace his foot against; wasn't a good look to be flailing about while trying to be genuine, now, was it. \n\nAnother strange stretch of silence as Owen blinked at his fellow lurker in the woods. This was.. This was going somewhere. He had better pay attention." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie's eye twitched and furrowed when the child started giggling. It's what she knew for a fact he was. That rabid child that flung himself around like a drunkard looking for a woman. His giggles were slightly irritating as her mouth twisted into a frown. \n\n\"And, thank ze gods for that.\" \nShe said with a sigh. She never wanted to see this boy shirtless again, once was enough. He was a short boy, with this odd little scar that looked like it was pulsing through his skin. She didn't get a close enough look. But, who was she to talk about scars. She has enough to share around the table like food. \n\n\"Yes I'm ze girl with... Ze violent bones.\" She said with a frown. Blood ran down her nose and soaked into fresh bandages. What an ugly thing to see constantly. She was prideful that shirt boy sounded better than whatever amalgamation this boy came up with. \n\n\"Of course it did! But zince I'm on ze equivalent of verdammte Pferdeberuhigungsmittel! I'm not screaming in agony.\"\n\nShe said. She was still frightened but, she at least realized she needed to reiterate what she said. \n\n\"Horse tranquilizers basically.\" The bandaged girl sighed, rubbing her temples. \n\"I'm on opioids, a lot of them. I'm not pain proof. It hurt, a lot.\"\nShe growled. \n\"Try not to scare me of all people. Verdammter Gnom.\"\nShe grumbles. \n\nOh she was going to feel everything later, like she got hit with 50 trains and still lived. She is going to regret this immensely. She couldn't take this boy seriously, not when he was acting like one of those orange monkeys." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Got it, got it!\" \n\nOwen squeaked out a hasty reassurance. Captain Obvious here, stating what this girl already knew about nightmare bones ripping through her back. Nice.\n\nWuh oh. \n\nReacting to his sixth sense, Owen felt the familiar ether wriggle its way through his layers of muscle and flesh. As he had gotten better at this, so had It.\n\n\"Fair warning, then, that this branch isgoingtobreak-\"\nCrk\nSNAP\n\nAnd down the rest of the way he went, somehow hitting\nEvery\nBranch\nOn the\nWay\nDown.\nWas he doing that on Purpose? Blurs of faintly glowing red passed through the tree, his arms outstretched, infernal crystal casing no damn good for grabbing branches. Eight solid seconds of muffled crashing and cursing gave way to an anticlimactic Thud. \n\n\"Wughhhhhh.\"\n\nAnd there he was, in all his awkwardly-sprawled glory, sinking slightly into the cool earth. A Black Sabbath Shirt with the sleeves lovingly sheared off revealed bare arms, still half-covered in the strange substance that wasn't quite blood. It was red, yes, but it seemed to glow from the inside; it moved in layers, dim rivers beneath an inconsistent glassy exterior. Beat-up cargo pants were sewn up in a couple places with neat red Xs, matching his scuffed red sneakers. It felt off to still be dressed for the sunny day when it was this dark out.\n\nIt hit him then how tired he was (or, was supposed to be). Flat on his back in the pitch-dark woods wasn't the Weirdest Place he had ever conked out, but it wasn't the safest. Propping himself up on his hands, he sat upright and got a better look at the strange girl. He could take a guess as to why she was so displeased with being awake. Something sympathetic moved around in his back and arms, almost trying to imitate her plight; he could feel it murmuring uncomfortably beneath his skin, guessing at what it He? Saw. Just out of sight, a crystalline hand dug slightly deeper into the soil; Knock it off.\n\n\"Lovely night for a walk,\" He wheezed." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"Uh.\" \n\nAmelie watches this boy panic while on a breaking tree. Amelie beginning to wince at every fiber she hears groan in protest. \n\nAmelie's eye widens cartoonishly as Owen hits every single branch. Every hit had Amelie looking like she was watching somebody die, again. The bones under her skin scream and move restlessly causing painful discomfort. \n\nAt least the boy looked like a proper glow stick on the way down. With all the cracking that was happening it was only good that it happened. \n\nAmelie was quick to walk her way over to where the boy landed. Her crutches severely inhibiting her speed but at least she made it over to where the boy landed. The bones on her arms worming their way outside to Amelie's protest. Creating a kind of gauntlet look to her thin arms that could only be seen at the cuffs of the leather jacket.\n\nThere was a very clear frown to Amelie's face. It was cold and this boy was dressed like he was about to swim in a damn lake. It was 1 am why was this boy climbing a Tree Of all things. But, to be honest Amelie would do much the same if she still had movement in her legs. Much the hypocrite she was. At least the boy was comfortable. \n\n\"It was lovely untill you fell from ze tree like an illness struck bird, Tollpatschiges Kind.\" \n\nAmelie blatantly worried for the boy but, upon closer inspection the boy was unharmed leaving Amelie wondering. Just what did the boy have? Was it a disease that made you look like a half-baked teletubbie? Or was it something else. Why does she have to think this much during this night, she was just trying to go for a walk." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen fought back another unsettling giggle. Somehow, being called an \"Illness struck bird\" Was even more devastating through a deadpan German accent. He didn't even need to know what the second part meant to know that it was a brutal blow as well. A voice in the back of his head made some quip about asking Uriel to patch up this mortal wound later; that did not help with containing the giggling.\n\nFor his own sake, though, he toned it down; it occurred to him that he was staring, and that staring at someone and holding back giggles was commonly interpreted as Very rude. He didn't think anything bad of her- if anything, she reminded him of something he would see printed across the front of a record back home, Lady Death or something like that snarling and tearing some poor bastard's heart out. That would make a sick album cover. Whoops, his eyes were glazed over.\n\nA deep breath in, and he rose from the dirt.\n\n\"You got me there,\" He attempted. \"I'm certainly not capable of flight, as we've seen, and as for ill, well.. Probably.\"\n\nA grin, childish and uneven, dared to crack across his face.\n\nSlightly sad though it was, he tucked away every teasing swipe taken at him from a person here; it meant some sort of lightheartedness, camaraderie, Anything, didn't it? Or maybe it was just an insult. As first impressions (at least, first one-on-one) went, he certainly could have done better. \n\nFaint clinking and melting sounds flickered through the air as he played with his fingers absentmindedly; he winced as one of his fingers made a horrible popping noise. The murmurs were still rustling quietly beneath his back. His heart was going fast, but his thoughts sure weren't. He wanted to say something intelligent to Metal-As-Hell Baker Girl with the Accent and No Fucks Left to Give, but, poor boy, it was devastatingly 1 in the damn morning. Speaking of, was it too late in the interaction to ask for her name?\n\n\"Is it, ehm, too late to catch your name?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie quickly was one to make a noise, it wasn't something akin to pure disgust. The pure giggling was straight from a puppet box and only Tejal knew how much she didn't need that. He looked like he packed away whatever in his head for safe keeping and his head became utterly transparent, empty. Which she could feel was happening with her own head. For her braincells we're exiting a mile a minute. \n\nHe was like a lower pitched chipmunk. And, the fact he was laughing at Amelie? Oh there was a pure scowl on her features, if you looked close though you could see moving beneath bandages and blood beginning to pool beneath it, as if it didn't look red enough. He looked like a complete lunatic! That's what made it worse! A LUNATIC LAUGHING AT AMELIE OF ALL PEOPLE?\n\nChrist this day could not get any worse. There was nothing to make it worse besides that nasty boy who wore clothes as bland as his personality, Ares? She guesses that's what his name was, she forgets on purpose. \n\nThe boy rises from the dirt, and unsurprisingly he looks less like he saw Satan in his toilet. \n\nShe made a scoffing noise to the boy. \n\"Course you wouldn't ve able to fly. You look more like a hyperactive wet dog.\"\nAmelie looked at Owen with that scowl only a person that has been through.Much could do. \n\"Ill??? Probably???? You just came from a tree! At 1 am! Du bist ein. Verrücktes Kind. Von seiner Leine!\"\n\nAnd the insufferable red marker looking child has the gal to pull a smile on her. But, she saw that smile slightly waver before growing brighter, odd. She didn't know what she was saying, she wanted to fling her arms with how mad she was but! Oopsie She was crippled! She can only stare like she wants him dead.\n\n.\n\nThe awful sounds didn't help the way she looked either. She also winced at the disgusting popping noise. While her body her body made a awful noise of protest at her anger. An odd noise of muscles moving and the sound of blood pushing itself away for creaking bone slithering underneath battered flesh. Amelie hisses at the pain her face warping. \n\nTejal wouldn't want this now would she? Gods only know she wouldn't. Amelie took a loaded moment to collect herself. Which was mostly just her looking to the ground like it had murdered the only thing that could never be repeated, much like birth and death. Amelie just continues to stare at the floor. \n\n\"Amelie. Amelie Valentina.\"\nShe said in a tone which was welcoming but threaded together with guilt and pain. \n\"Yours?\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "A pained sort of a wheeze escaped the dishevelled boy at the 'hyperactive wet dog' comment as he combed the pine needles from his hair. This girl was something downright terrifying, what with her ability to both send him into hysterics and scare him shitless in the same motions. \n\nOoh, that's a lovely name.\n\n...\n\nShit, she Definitely Thought he was laughing at her. Quick, trip over yourself to clarify! Move, move, move, blasted tongue!\n\n\"Owen! Edris? Yeah,\" He squeaked, his voice running up and down wildly like the little cartoon characters in his skull sprinting around in a panic rather than manning the controls. His tone wavered, but rang as distinctly genuine nonetheless.\n\n\"I! I, eh, wasn't laughing at you! If that's what you thought! It's just- it's an odd hour, and uh- you have a way with nicknnn-\"\n\nA break as he tugged the elastic out of his hair, his movements exaggerated ever so slightly to try to defuse her Very Potent fury. Dark, unruly waves spilled out over his shoulders, free at last from their captivity. Like one of those slo-mo intro shots in the movies, if the beauty being showcased spat out pine needles and wiped dirt from his cheek rather than blink seductively.\n\n\"You're funny, is all,\" He blurted apologetically. That ought to do it. People generally liked hearing nice things about themselves, didn't they? Hell if he knew at this point.\n\nAmelie was staring at the ground. Stellar idea! It was cold and dark and very not overwhelming. Another cool breeze passed by them, carrying the smell of copper, dry trees and hair conditioner. It cooled Owen down a little more this time- that was good. Goodgood. \n\nA faint, oddly pleasant ClinkIng noise came from his hands when his fingertips tapped together, the bloody shield still refusing to go back to sleep. A spark flickered across his knuckle, as if to say You're doing a shit job at convincing me that you aren't in mortal danger, mate. Rude." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie's faces shot back up and contorted into a mix between a growl and scowl, both looking threatening for a girl like her. Maybe it was because she was German. A bulging vein splits across Amelie's neck like there was a giant spider under her skin. This boy.\n\n\"VERDAMMTE HYÄNE.\" \n\nAmelie spat. Bloody spikes bursting Fourth from her forgone eye. She looks like she's bristling even though the most she can do is fall forward and hope it impales Owen. \n\nOwens name went straight through one ear and out the other, Amelie looked like a straight up paralysis demon waiting to drag you to hell. Amelie could care less if she was going to make a friend, this boy was about as empty as a fucking lays chip bag! All air and no fucking chip!\n\n\"Sure you fucking weren't!\" \n\nAmelie again, spat at the poor boy. It wasn't her fault that he was trying to be like a damn ken doll. Why the hell did he have his hair pull back that tightly???? His hair is going to get pulled and it's going to take the whole scalp. \n\n\"Oh? I have a way with ficken nicknames? You have a certain vey of meeting people.\"\n\nThis boy looked like he wanted to cry. But, Amelie could care less. Tejal take her now because she's about to take her crutches and make sure this boy dosent know how to walk two feet without crying. Dirty child that looked like the inside of a child's colouring book! What a way to meet somebody. They fall from a tree like a wet stuffed animal and indirectly insult you! FUN!\n\nBlood spurt from the holes the bones pulses violently from. \n\n\"Funny?\"\n\n.\n\nGod this boy was a mosquito! A messed up one too. This boy would get bullied at senior bingo. That cold breeze sent a violent shiver up Amelie spine, I mean how couldn't she? There were giant gashes in Amelie because of bones! \n\nAnother bone erupted from her bandages like a bubble of puss being exploded. A faint smell off iron introduced itself to the conversation. She was going to need to go to the hospital after this, and good riddance for that. This was a horrible night! Screw everything! Amelie's heart was going to make itself exit from her body from how stressed she was!" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "The red around his arms shifted in plates, the ends melting and re-forming in stilted bursts before freezing again; they overlapped in strange ways, jagged edges roiling nervously with his guts. Faint yet insistent and Hot Waves of ether pushed against his neck from the inside.\n\nWhat in the hell?!\n\nOne misunderstanding after another- Owen winced at every spat syllable, eyes scanning desperately for somewhere polite to look. Every word he said was coming out sideways and registering backwards, and this Amelie looked like she was just about ready to sneeze her skeleton out at one more push. Shiiiittt. He rocked back on his heels.\n\n\"I mean no harm, really- AIE- Gah, I'm bad at this,\" He yelped, utterly befuddled at how she had Bones sticking out of her face And still found the energy to be mad at Him. If he wasn't scared shitless before, he certainly was now. \n\n\"I swear, I'm not taking a dig at you, I'm just- Shitty at talking So- Cachu hwch, do you need medical attention?!\"\n\nFfyc.\n\nWell, that had certainly blurted itself out, hadn't it. Too late to cram it back down his traitorous windpipe. He was totally serious, but looked downright comical- his stance had widened and so had his eyes, frozen awkwardly in place. He was beginning to wonder if this was some sort of fever dream. That, too, was written all over his face. Quick, say something to cover that up!\n\n\"Man, both of our powers are really sucking tonight.\"\n\nGulp." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The red that swirled around his arms, gently overlapping themselves like leather made Amelie's head burst in confusion. Was he a power ranger? Damn she doesn't know a word of what is happening at this place. Her head was getting dizzy and painful. \n\nIf this was a misunderstanding she was going to the hospital. Amelie watched his frantic eyes flickering every which way like he was trying to find a way to leave. She must look like his damn best nightmare if he's looking like he's about to head straight for the bathroom.\n\n\"You Are Bad at this.\" \nHe looked like a scared dog with its tail between it's legs and maybe that made her scowl falter. Maybe she pulled the stick from his brain out too far. \n\n\"So it seems-\" \nAmelie was effectively cut off by Owens burst. \n\n\"Not yet.\" \n\nShe breathes, her scroll removed by pure surprise like the boy suddenly pulled out the unmatched power of the sun from nowhere. What the hell was with this boy, he was like fifty confetti canons put into one area. He made Amelie feel like she was on more drugs than just opioids. Amelie just has a neutral stare now, how she switched was pure whiplash. Though it seems she has a slight grimace flickering from time to time. \n\n\"Yes but, it seems mine sucks more then yours.\"\n\nShe is so envious." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Yeah. Yeah, it does,\" Quoth the scruffy boy knocking his fingers together, his tone strangely shifting to be more even. Of course it did. He hadn't met anyone whose powers sucked harder, he thought. He could scream and shred and sprint and get it out of his system; she couldn't. The StuckNess.. That had to be brutal.\n\nThey were more alike than they would initially seem; her anger, though coming from a misunderstanding, was a similar flame to his own, latently burning in its own stubborn, choking smoke and just Waiting For the next scuff of gunpowder to be kicked into it. Which was what he had been doing. By accident, but. Still.\n\n\"I can't imagine.\"\n\nHe couldn't. But he could sympathize. How to communicate that, though... He knew from his own experience that the last thing she would want is his pity.\n\nA spark in his eye.\n\n\"Wanna make a terrible racket about it?\" The ClinkIng sound coming from his hands grew more rapid. \"It's night- people will think it's all just a dream.\" An earnest look in his eyes, permeating through the childlike twinkle. \"I.. Suspect you're out here for similar reasons to me, is all.\"\n\nThere went nothing. \n\nOwen was starting to get antsy; he wasn't trying incredibly hard to calm his power, but the fact that his efforts hadn't been working was unsettling him more and more. The slightest surge of adrenaline on a bad day, and he was radioactive rock candy- the conscious mind argued futilely with the primal, and (especially at this hour) it made him want to scream until all the hot air and needless nerves unwound into steam in the cold darkness. \n\nSo, why not?" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie teeters on her crutches slightly, rocking herself back and fourth. She made a noise of affirmation in the back of her throat at what Owen said, although it was weak it was still the equivalent to a nod. \n\nAmelie was a weird uncontrollable fire, one moment she was burning so brightly she could engulf the world and, the next she was meager and terrified to show herself. Gods she just wanted to curl into herself and let whatever omen struck her ill body take her. She was nothing more than a rock to be stepped on in others stairs to life, nothing more than something odd to look at and move on. And, that's all she saw herself as now, No will to fight. Nothing. \n\n\"Course you can't but, I do not need your pity, *Boy.\"\n\nAmelie let out with a hiss. The last thing she needs was pity, gods if she could push her thumbs into the eyes of everyone who looked at her with that Stare of fake condolence, by all means she would. She wasn't some sad circus clown and damn everyone who thought she was.\n\n.\n\nAmelie's frustration was building again and the veins in her hands seemed to look like they were stretching and moving, every finger twitching and crying out to snap themselves in odd positions to bring it's owner pain, the agony to forget. \n\nAmelie looked at the boy with a frustrated eye that quickly settled at his proposition. \n\nThe clinking filling her eardrums with an odd static that washed through her ears, it at least one of them, the other was covered by gauze. There was this stare in his damn eyes that made her want to go along with his little plan, as odd as it was, she just met him after all. \n\"I was here to pass ze time. Have a moment for myself, which I suspect that yes, you vere doing that also.\"\nAmelie lets a breath whistle through her teeth. \n\"Before you... Fell from ze tree.\" \n\nAmelie lets the moment sink before she answers, letting his words roll around in her head like a marble that hit nothing. \n\nThis boy seemed a little hyper as if he'd been cradling this energy for Years. Amelie looked at his face seemingly searching for something, a checkmate to a lie, that in a moments notice he'd flip on a dime and laugh at her. But, there was nothing. Maybe she could trust his word despite how his actions earlier made her doubt heavy upon her boney shoulders. \n\nThere was a neutral looks as she answered. \n\n\"And how do you suspect I do zat? I am basically half dead.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Okay, this seemed to be working a little. Just a little. But, a little was a little more, wasn't it?\n\n\"Well- ehm, demonic shrieks in the dead of night practically make themselves,\" He tried. Don't mansplain screaming, pric pwdin, spat a voice in his head. This pastime already sounds weird as hell out loud.* It really did. \"The quiet's even nicer afterward.\"\n\nHis original plan of turning his lungs inside out from the top of that tree had been thwarted by his own clumsiness. But he was still here, still crackling at the seams, and the night was so blissfully cold and clear; it seemed a shame to waste it.\n\nAnd the heat pooling beneath his skin had become unbearable, rushing in his ears and filling his senses with muggy static. He needed it Out Or he was certain he would never think a coherent thought again.\n\n\"I just. I need to- Hrrghfsjflhmm.\"\n\nOwen cut himself off by turning around and stepping away from Amelie, inconsistently aware of how little sense he was making. He shut his eyes and flexed and clenched his hands at his sides, breathing deep of the chill in the air. Like the Mariana Trench. Pitch-black, utterly frigid, waiting to swallow up his flares and crush the smouldering remains. Just one exhaustion, and then the pressure would blissfully cool him to sleep.\n\nThe sound tore out of him almost too fast, materializing in his chest and gaining force in his throat, cutting through the air in an arc jagged and graceless.\n\nBeautiful.\n\nThe nervously welded plates covering the boy's arms and back finally relented, releasing their density and melting back through his skin with a cracking and a hissing. A breath sucked through gritted teeth, and there was once again cold dripping down his spine.\n\n.\n\nAnd then the woods were quiet, like he hadn't made a sound. With the shield gone, midnight engulfed the two of them once again; the younger of the two looked more like an exhausted child now, head still tilted back and hands finding each other again to worry themselves silently.\n\nIt was a relief to feel small and cold again- he wouldn't call it Pleasant, but a concern had been soothed.\n\n\"S-sick, right?\"\n\nThe now-small and still-awkward Owen quickly turned to look over his shoulder at his odd company. The static had been cleared from his head, but it had given way for a Lot More self awareness than before. What in the hell was he doing?!\n\n\"Your turn!\nThatis, ifyou- uh- wantto.\"\n\nA slightly sheepish look coloured what was visible of his face. Worst came to worst, no terrible moment would last forever, right? Mam had said that. Her voice coming back to him helped some." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie looks at Owen with a comically raised brow. The last time she let out a demonic Shriek was... Nevermind we won't get into that. It truly sounds strange to suddenly say out loud, maybe it was better kept in his head when his best friend there is himself. \n\nAmelie pieced it all together in her head that he was going to scream at the top of that tree like he was a Disney prince, this boy confused her to no end. The air was nice, it was truly a peaceful night, it was a shame that they were here disrupting it. \n\nIt deserves to be disrupted, what was she thinking. \n\nThough she hadn't said anything she nodded her head in a most sagely manner as if he was speaking the words of the gods. The glow of the boy had become almost unbearable, she was squinting at him as if he was a object an old woman found. This boy was like popping wrapper! It was annoying! She announced joyously in her head. \n\nThe boy was sounding like he was either going to have a stroke or a seizure, for Amelie's comfort she hoped for the former. The air was cold, almost uncomfortably so but, she assumes, it was better like this. Why was this so crucial to him? Also it's been ages since Amelie was outside comfortably. Amelie watched him like he was about to do some big stunt, and quite possibly he was!\n\nThough the sound was less than she thought.\n\n.\n\nAmelie snorted, the bones in her faces contorting into curving lines instead of jagged spikes. Blood covering the left side of her face like a loving blanket. Gods he sounded like a prepubescent cat! It was God awful. \n\nAmelie let out a peal of laughter, she snorted heavily which devolved into coughing. That little show left Amelie looking like she was doubled over. Is she laughed anymore she'd be giving up blood instead of laughter. Catching he breathe she stared at Owen like he grew two heads. \n\nThe woods were silent to Amelie's self-made peril. It's uncaring eyes turning away to them both, if silencer is what they want, it is silence they will get. Owen looked small and worried and well, he is. \n\nBut, the looked rather well, that was something good. \n\n\"Uh! Killer!\"\n\nShe chirped. They're both odd little people but, maybe they could be better. Amelie watched his eyes widen as he looked more sheepish than ever. This was good company at least. \n\n\"I! Maybe!\" \n\nIt was her turn to look spooked. Amelie didn't think this would turn out too bad. Maybe they could even be friends.\n\nShe stared at her feet for a second. She looked to Owen and asked him to turn away. She looked like a dumb little penguin. Too scared to do anything. \n\nThe spikes within her head turning jagged once more. Bones violently curled and snapped in her body, her body twitching. Her jaw tensed, everything seemed like it's own type of pain. Bones seemed to curl and beg to be let out from torn skin under her collar. \n\nHer tensed her jaw and looked at the sky, it was a second. \nThen she let out a scream, it was actually quite melodic really. It was laced with tones of sorrow and pain, much like a howl of a grieving animal, something beyond the boy perhaps. \n \nBones burst from her collar in tribal looking spikes, she breaths heavily, wheezes let out periodically. \n\nShe looks to Owen, Amelie looks utterly bewildered with a small open smile. Next, Amelie is letting out a breathless laugh." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "She's laughing!\n\nEven the weakest, roughest laughs were incredibly contagious to Owen- a lopsided grin broke out across his face, his eyes crinkling half shut as the corners of his mouth were drawn up. Amelie's laugh, as far as he could tell, was genuine- it was heavy and pained and scratched in strange ways but it was Hers, and it was real. \n\n..So what if it was because he was being just a little bit ridiculous. He could roll with that. Neither could claim to be the least strange person in the woods that night- what a curious little comfort.\n\n\"Okay, okay,\" He giggled, turning around and planting his hands on his hips. Boy, his shoulders were getting cold. Whew.\n\nWhoa.\n\nAmelie's scream was a primal wave of fury, one that rattled something deep in his bones. It bounced around in its skull after it had finished erupting, his ears reeling from being blasted by a volley of fire straight from some miserably smouldering circle of hell. \n\n\"SIIIIICK.\"\n\nOwen bounced jubilantly on the front pads of his feet, fists blurring in the low light as they rammed excitedly against his hipbones. Not only was that epic, but he had Not Been expecting the energy to be reciprocated- against the perpetual tittering of the voice in his head telling him to slow down, Owen's thoughts were flooded with sparks, lighting torches along what he hoped were long and happy halls. A faint squeal eked it's way out of his throat. Couldn't be helped.\n\nHis energy hiccuped, however, when he spun on his heel to face her again. Was that normal?! Lady Death seemed to be closer to ripping out her own heart here than some painted soul- the sight jarred him for a moment, the reality that This girl's bones were ripping through her skin and bleeding their horror all over her Finally registering properly in his head. For all his virtues, this sweet boy was really slow to catch up sometimes.\n\n.\n\nBut.. She seemed just as befuddled as him? The inky darkness pooled deeply under her eyes as it dripped down her face and ran down her collar, and she was looking at Him For some reason. \n\nThat same strange, sorrowful laugh. \n\nHe was both hopelessly confused and understanding completely, the sounds of twisting bones and anguished howls and precious laughter burning into his mind as he filed them away to pore over later, when he was certain that this encounter wasn't a dream. They were very different people, but something stupid and angry and Really Fucking funny sang itself in the same key.\n\n\"Agh, that was mad,\" He marvelled, stepping a little closer to see her face clearer. The gore barely struck him as real in the low light, fear simply made into strange curiosity in the low lamplight.\n\n\"Are you, ah, alright? Well, more not-alright than is generally accepted?\"\n\nNice sentence. 10/10 for being a thing people say. Too nosy? Reading invisible ink that wasn't there like he thought it was?\n\nEsgob annwyl, somebody please come and shut his brain off for five minutes." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Gods it was a blurred moment for Amelie, she didn't know what was going on. All she could hear was faint giggles and noises from the rather odd and faintly dimwitted boy. She hasn't felt like this in a while. Such an odd mix of dulled pain and wonder. \n\nThat scream took a lot from the girl, perhaps it even took her train of thought as well. \n\nBlood splattered and mixed with the floor beneath her. It all but swirled in her eyes in a disgusting mess of ichor. She was going to be sick, her brain messed with her so badly that her room upon that day was sinking into her vision. Oh how she pulled herself to beg and to grab at anything to help her but, there was nothing. Nothing to help her nothing to be there. \n\nOwens cry of jubilation made her stare blankly at Owen. It was one of those 1000 yard stares, so utterly disconnected from the world that no amount of running would get her back from the hell hole she dug herself into. \n\nHis squeal stopped perhaps when he finally laid his innocent dopey eyes upon her battered and disgusting form. \n\nBlood leaked down her features and ichor slowly drew past her one eye. The light perhaps behind her casting her form in an odd glow. The whites of her eye bright while the inky void of her iris sinking further into the emotionless confines of her damaged mind.\n\n.\n\nA shaky smile hit her features, a garbled laugh hitting her form. She was a mess but, she hasn't been this delighted since Tejal had taken the poor corpse-like girl into her arms. \n\nShe was genuinely overwhelmed with Something. By everything above she didn't know what but, she was going to take it while it lasted. \n\nEverything just seemed dark about her, the girl seemed too far gone in her own eyes. Her laugh broken and scattered, perhaps she wasn't as happy as she thought. \n\nSomething hot dripped down the girls face, tears but she didn't want to try and find out for herself. Her body shook as she took one heaving, laughing breath after another. \n\n\"Oh truly?\" \nHer voice came out raspy and almost sad. The gore seemed to only get worse, flesh tearing and mending with every second. Yet Amelie seemed blissfully ignorant. \n\n\"I have no idea. I have no idea and I'm alright with that for now.\"\n\nHer voice echoed in a broken mantra, her mind was scattered. What was this? Oh she was going to pass out. \n\nBlood dripped onto the floor or onto her shirt which was soaking in blood like a sponge, everything about her seemed either void or red. The blood that didn't land onto her shirt pooled into a forming puddle beneath the poor girl, she was going to pass out soon.\n\nThe poor girl was heaving her own lungs. Blood dripped onto the the eye's whites as she stared at the boy, bones shifting and tearing, it's reddish white contesting against the almost sea of blood that was now the girl.\n\nTw: for body horror!" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Ffyc, ffyc, ffuc,\n\"Ffyc.\"\n\nYeah, from what Owen was getting, Amelie was not as ok as she would like him to think. \n\nWithout a further thought to how good of an idea it was, he lunged forward to steady her. His hands landed on her shoulders at first, palms hitting sturdy leather (damn, this was a nice jacket) that Definitely Had something moving beneath it. That something was not muscle. Something tingled in his own ruined shoulder; gah, it probably hurt to put pressure..\n\nShortened, panicked breaths as the boy tried to piece helpful thoughts together.\n\nAnother bone moved beneath his hand, the motion jagged and undoubtedly agonizing, and he shifted his body closer; he attempted to lean her against his good shoulder, a surprisingly strong arm gently snaking around her back. \nAround, shit, this girl was Frail. \n\n\"Ca-can you breathe? Ah, need to sit you down somewhere.. Bench...\" He murmured frantically as he tried to situate them in a way that allowed them to get anywhere. \"Courtyard has those.\" The green space did indeed have places to sit, and it was close. They could figure this out from there.\n\n\"Forgive me,\" He squeaked, making a harebrained decision if there had ever been one.\n\nLowering the arm supporting Amelie's back, Owen somehow manoeuvred her crutches into his other hand and gingerly slipped it behind her knees, hoisting her up with (likely adrenaline-assisted) ease. The sound of bones shifting and cracking burrowed into his ears in the damnably quiet forest, the wind in the trees now eerily silent as if to say \"Welp, looks like you're on your own here.\"\n\n.\n\nAll right. All right, bloodbath secured, now what? Right. Green space. Curling his arms a little closer just for good measure, Owen sped from lamp to lamp, his stocky frame taking long, straight strides across the forest floor. The night-shrouded grounds flew through the edges of his vision, his sights growing narrower as he got closer to his destination; low, quick, unintelligible muttering in his mother tongue rumbled from his chest.\n\nEvery stone beneath his shoes, every pained breath his friend(?) took, every shift of bone in the form curled up against his was as loud as rolling thunder; something hot and coppery pooled in the crook of his arm, nervously ignored as it dripped to the ground in his wake.\n\nHis heart, if she was in a state to notice, beat unnaturally hard against its cage. \n\nThere- the closest bench, beneath a cherry tree, blossoms floating with an eerie stillness in the dark. Cutting through the knee-high grass, the boy hesitantly released the injured girl onto it, the wood creaking too quietly beneath the rushing in his ears- the muttering devolved into a low, stretched note as he dug the heels of his hands into his cheeks, pressing upward.\n\nHe was a bit of a mess. Loose pine needles still stuck in his hair, smudges of dirt still graced his pants, and smears of blood now cut across his arms and shirt, sticky and warm and unnerving as hell. \n\nHis eyes, though, were fixed on her, clear as day. Dim torches, scleras lit ever so slightly, searched for a hint or a reassurance or a \"Why in the bloody hell did you just pick me up?! I'll send you right back to that detention pit with the scary science teacher!\"\n\nPlease." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Everyone has something they want to keep, but few people can actually achieve that. \n\nAmelie seemed like a completely dead weight within the boy's arms. Light and all too fragile. Amelie sucked in a heavy breath with practice when his hands held her shoulders to steady her. Bones moving like crashing waves under sturdy and thick leather. \n\nAmelie tried her best holding in a pained intake of breath at what Owen was doing, bones ruptured flesh and red ichor moved it's way to the now freshly watered ground. She wasn't Frail, she never hoped to be, she was strong! But, she truly wasn't, everything about her was broken and so close to shattering and crumbling at every second, more so than Amelie liked to admit. \n\nAmelie's breathing was harsh if anything, her breathing coming out in whispy laughter that seemed more painful than actual breathing. His frantic pleas hitting blood filled ears, her head lulled to the side, almost drunkenly. \nDrunkenly. She thought, awful words, those awful men that awful everything. She weakly tried to move, her arms betraying her as they shook. She'd rather be dead than labeled as, drunk of all things. \n\nThe gore that leaked into her eyes did nothing to try and help her from what the boy did in a haphazard way to help. \n\nShe let out a pained hiss at how she was lifted into her arms, she curled into his body though. Bones snapping and seeming to violently snap under pressure, Amelie grabbed Owens shirt, staining the poor thing with her disgusting lowley blood. Her form was oh so cold, everything felt too hard to move. \nShe was cold, so so cold. She shivers.\n\n.\n\nAll she could think about was warm nights filled with small laughs and longing smiles. Tejal... Her everything... Her Everything.\nShe remembers having her and then having nothing. When did it get this awful? This cold? When did she have nothing but an inky void instead of everything? Her fingers loosen some, her hold becoming weak as a weak shaky smile warped her bloody features. \n\nAmelie was curled into Owen like a lifeline, the cold hitting her fast, her form growing more faint. She wasn't registering anything at all. Amelie's eye flickered to Owen's panicked face, it was a look she was all too familiar with. All too familiar with that scared stare of lost humanity. \nMuttering hitting her like prayers that were never answered, they were never answered. \n\nEvery snap made Amelie's body violently twitch in wretched agony in the poor boy's arms. Blood swirled into everything Owen had on like an awful waterfall. It was enough to make anybody sick. Copper and iron filled everything Amelie knew, the smell making her nauseous. \n\nA pulsing beat hammered against her head, causing more pain than comfort. \n\nThe sudden wood caused the bones in her back to violently snap. Blood seeping through its nice carved structure. It was already creating a small pond under her. The boys panic, known to Amelie as she stares with a wide unblinking eye, it was still so clouded.\n\n.\n\nAmelie thought he looked awful. She reached out to him with a Shaky, twitching, bloody hand. \n\"It's so cold.\" \nShe said, but it was small and weak, nothing like the shouting before. \n\nAmelie's eye watered, shining tears blurring her already grey vision. \n\"What have I done?\" She questioned sorrowfully. \nHer hand clenched within the cold air. \n\"I'm so sorry I put you through this.\" \n\n\"There's a hospital nearby.\" She says with a slurred drawl. \n\"Please...\" She pleas with a weak cry. \n\n\"Bring me there, she wouldn't want me like this.\"\n\nShe? Why did she say that? Oh how her mind was clouded with her guilty seas, Tejal would never want this. Her sea was drowning her, she was never touching the surface, Maybe she never was in the first place.\n\nHer eyes grew a little heavy." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen's ears strained to hear Amelie's words through her heavy accent and haze from the blood loss. Gah, that's a lot of blood. The cooling mess stuck his shirt to his stomach, the smell of iron cutting through the weaker presence of the dewy cherry blossoms overhead. \n\nSomething in his stomach twisted at the sight of her; the human fear of injury, of course, but a worry wriggled through him that questioned if he could even help her- she was losing more blood than he'd ever seen come out of a person, and that scared him for many reasons. \n\nHer hand, though, curling in the cold, brought him back to where she was sitting. \n\nGently, gently, almost painfully so, he sat down next to her where less blood was pooling, resting her head on his shoulder, ever cautious of the cool freckled cheek pressed up against his scarred shoulder. The nerve endings were still fried in the worse parts of the scar, twisted and burned flesh still undoubtedly warm against her face. \n\n\"It's- it's alright,\" He murmured, quiet now, like her. She didn't do this on purpose. It was him who had pushed her, made her go too far- the storm in his gut raged harder, shaking his hands as he tried to look up the emergency number. What in the hell was it? He didn't have the time to worry about blood drying in the cracks of his phone's screen.\n\n112.\n\nShe? Never mind that. Not his place to ask, he figured. \n\n\"Wait- no- don't close your eyes..\"\n\nThe phone call with the emergency services went.. Well, it Went. So did the ambulance ride. He answered their questions as best he could, and refused to stay behind. With how her cold hand had gripped his shirt, he guessed that she wouldn't want to be alone. Not like he was, when the sky split him and his world warped, cracked and twisted along with his body. He... Also guessed that she knew what that felt like.\n\n.\n\nAfter being checked twice over to make sure that none of that blood was his, time shifted again and he was sitting in the ambulance. They had been left for a moment, just a minute or two, Amelie curled up on a stretcher and Owen fidgeting madly with his hands as he watched her chest rise and fall. \n\nHe leaned a little closer, just to make extra sure. \n\n\"Amelie?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "There was little bones peaking through the gums in her mouth, blood silently pooling below her tongue. She looks at Owen with a solemn stare that just about looks through him. They both looked like they've either committed a murder or survived one. \n\nHe looked off. Amelie let out a wheeze and spat whatever blood pooled in her mouth onto the cobbled floor. She was losing all too much, this wasn't a part of her damn power. It never will be. Unless part of her power was constantly living in agony for amend for sins she didn't commit. \n\nWhy was she a monument to humanities wrongdoings? Why was she an omen of wretched death? Why wasn't she dead? Oh lord? Why?\n\nAmelie takes a breath but halfway through shes racked with wet, painful coughs. Her body too cold for what it needs to be. Amelie looked at Owen with a silent eye, he looked worried.\nIt wasn't his fault. She should've known better. \n\nAmelie smiled, it looked more like a grimace to those who bore gaze to her dying form. The girl leaned further into the boy, he was warm where she was not. He was everything where she was nothing. How it would drive her insane if she wasn't bleeding out. \n\nOwen's words seemed but a backdrop to Amelie as her eye slowly surrendered to black. She felt cold, and tired. But, this reminded Amelie of... Her. Amelie wants to be best friends with him. \n\nAmelie was in the ambulance, her too cold hand holding onto Owens shirt ever so tight. But, It loosened. Amelie's hand fell and promptly landed into his hand. It was weak but her hand tried to squeeze his. Her eye shining with unshed tears.\n\n\"Stay. Please... We're best friends forever... Right?\"\n\nIt was soft and weak and losing all familiarity with her voice. Her mind broke her mind thinking this was Tejal, her one and only. It was too blurry, she couldn't see it was choking. \n\nBones shifted and burst from that hand violently.\n\nThen Amelie's hand went cold, her hand dropping as the doctors panicked." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "At the slightest sign of Amelie moving, Saying something, Owen's exhaustion-dulled senses focused. A hot, muggy pressure built behind his eyes, something tight and blinding gripping his sinuses and tugging insistently at the corners of his mouth. If he cried now, Owen was near-certain that the tears would curl off of his face as steam, leaving trails of salt to streak his cheeks. \n\nIt wouldn't, but it sure felt that way when she reached for his hand again, blind eye seeing.. What Was She seeing? Surely, it wasn't him anymore. Still, his slippery, blood-stained hands curled around hers, cold and skeletal, offered to whatever she though she saw. \n\nSelfish..\n\nSelfish, reprehensible, unworthy, cried the harpies flapping around the melting expanse of his mind. Was he really so low as to lurch for any and all hands that stretched in his direction? Gah, who was he, to loosely lace their fingers together anyway, to take this gesture for himself that was intended for another, no doubt far, Far From here. Many a scared little boy has done the same. \n\nRegardless.. He recalled doing the same, in an ambulance not all that different from this one, his hand reaching for the same comfort and landing on nothing. \n\nHe hoped for both of their sake that that eased her pain, just a little. \n\nWhen she spoke, everything happened at once- his power leapt from his hands as hers lurched from her own, and a strangled sound jumped from his throat as hot tears streamed down his blood-and-dirt-smudged face. Hands were on him and hands were on her and then-\n\n.\n\nTime had shifted again, and Owen was folded up on an uncomfortable chair next to a bed and a mess of machines, staring at the form taking pained but steady breaths in the middle.\n\nIn a plastic bag gripped to his chest was his shirt, the blood long dried and crying out for the bottle of stain remover sitting back in his room. A few strands of dishevelled auburn hair stuck to his face, damp from either sweat or his shaky attempt to clean himself off; likely both. Dark smudges sat beneath his eyes, which were bloodshot and heavily lidded.\n\nHe had dug a suitably soft jumper from the lost and found, though even then it was dubious at best- he hunched over a little further to keep the cold zipper from his chest, which felt like it was being torn through by a thousand frayed nerve endings puncturing his skin like needles from the inside. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but he didn't feel like hospital food; keeping himself awake still took a lot, though, and the furnace usually raging in his torso had cooled to steady embers from the lack of fuel and rest. \n\nIn one of his ears, an earbud played an old song that he had selected in a haze. The title escaped him at the moment, but the sounds were familiar and grounding. His phone would likely die soon, but this was more important. His other ear, though it complained about all the jarring and unpleasantly overlapping hospital noises, listened vigilantly for any signs of life from Amelie. \n\nIt had been a while. A more well-rested Owen would have been tapping and humming up a storm, but the dog- tired boy simply sat, breathed, and listened." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Amelie laid motionless in the sterile room, her breathing so light it almost seemed she was not. But, her monitor betrayed her barely. Even its beat was faint. The girl looked so shrunken and deathly looking. But, she looked peaceful. Nothing is what it seems at least. \n\nThe sterile white blinding and undoing of all that stand against its colours. But, it was Amelie who blended in too well, as if she was meant to die. \nAnd she was at birth yet it seems life was a sick bastard. \n\nAmelie covered in bandages from head to toe, masking wounds of the girl's own design. Her eye closed in a possible endless sleep. To once think this girl was full of life was jarring. Something so joyous reduced to a pathetic shell. \n\nIt was almost too silent. Almost as if Amelie was alone, and truly? The girl was, and that is all she will be. Cast aside for a sin she never committed, hated for something she never asked for. \n\nCurses that Amelie was nothing but a worthless Omen to everything and everyone, all carelessly thrown at the very object of her hatred. Her drunken mother said and Amelie knew it was what her mother truly thought. Amelie tried to walk away but, bottle met head and Amelie ran out from her house.\n\nJust into the waiting arms of somebody. A warped face that Amelie knew and begged for. Lost and reduced to blood on the floor that Amelie curled up to many a night, waiting on a cold floor hoping that just by some what Tejal would magically come back. It was all Amelie's fault.\n.\n\n.\n\nYet after everything Amelie still made songs, she danced, she tried to make everyone happy. She was a people pleaser or at least tried to be. Yet the poor girl always ended up alone. \n\nBut, it was all Amelie's fault, she was an omen. A worthless child made to be fodder. That's that she was meant to be, and she took everyone away from everyone instead. If only she had died at birth... Everything seemed dark already. Where was she? \n\nWas she sleeping? Was she simply comatose? The air suddenly felt choking. The noise of the monitor is so loud. It hurt her ears and made everything warp into fantastical red.\n\nWas there something here? Somebody, someone please.\n\nThere was a nurse by Amelie's side, checking her.\nWhen Amelie's heart rate began to spike the nurse told Owen to leave immediately and go back to where he came from. \n\nMaybe the girl will be okay another time. Or perhaps she never will be. \n\nHere's to hope.\n\n——————————-(ended)————\nTHANK YEW WWW FOR DA ROLEPLAY SHAWTY" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "AAAAAARRGZGDNFGMGJHH THANK YOU <333" } ]	475	13,053
276.705882	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "On a day/night like today/tonight the forests surrounding Newton's Cradle would normally be peaceful. The quiet chittering of furtive forest scavengers intermingling with the rustling of the breeze On this particular day, however, the cold Swedish wilderness is silent. No creature dares utter a sound... Because a cyborg teenager is punching a tree.\n\nD'vorah Saltzmann was the cyborg teenager in question. Normally she would punch trees as a way of coping with anger, but on this particular occasion she did not feel particularly angry. No, on this occasion she was punching a tree because she felt like it. It was a large tree, and though it was half rotten it still held a decent amount of strength.\n\nEach time Deev's metal fist collided with the tree, a dull Thump Followed by the rustling of leaves would ring out. It's clear that Deev has been doing this for awhile. She's even cleared out a rock to use as a conventient seat. She doubts she could Actually Break the tree with her punches... But one can never know, really." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ It was a crutches day, Vi had decided. She had also decided, actually, that it was about time she dragged herself out of her depression pit. She manages a shower, an outfit she thinks is cute, and is currently on a walk.\nA productive day so far, and Vi almost regrets taking the plunge into a walk, she stands in a clearing of trees, and it seems so does Deev.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ For a moment, Vi wonders if Deev had intents of destroying the tree before her- it certainly looked like Deev was letting out some kind of pent up aggression or rage. That said, knowing the people of the cradle, she wouldn't be surprised if the stranger was just lashing out at the tree for the sake of it.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"...Good afternoon?\" She tilts her head at the mechanical figure, internally hoping she can shed some light on Vi's bewilderment." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev pauses right in the middle of the wind-up for another punch. She slowly turns her head to face Vi, looking more than a little surprised at her presence. Her one robot eye is also displaying an animated exclamation mark.\n\n\"Uhhh... Afternoon?\" Replies Deev, the counter-greeting sounding more like a question than anything. She wasn't expecting someone to show up... Honestly, she was hoping that nobody would find her here... It'd save having to explain what she was doing. This sorta... Frumpy-lookin' girl seemed ok though. Deev's getting pretty neutral vibes from her. She makes a mental note not to grip or touch Vi, seeing as she looks a little squishy. The crutches also factor in to this decision, but then Deev feels bad for assuming that the crutches would mean Vi is inherently squishy so she stops thinking about it.\n\nDeev just sorta... Stands there for a minute or so. She then dusts the wood chips off of her before leaning casually against the tree she was just punching. As she relaxes, little hisses of steam escape from holes in her leather jacket, around her elbows and shoulders. She gives off the impression of a piece of industrial equipment coming to rest.\n\n\"Uhh... Yo.\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ In Deev's defense, Vi Is Kinda squishy! Unfortunately however, there's no escaping Vi's grasp... Hehehe. The short girl is actively surprised by Deev's eye- their eyes are both fucked it seems but man... Deev's was So Much cooler!- she stumbles back in surprise for a second, regaining her limited footing once she had comprehended the stranger's eye.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"You uh... Having fun with that tree?\" She awkwardly questions, blinking with a general lack of self assuredness. It was obvious Vi didn't hold herself with a confidence or swagger, more with self doubt than anything else.\nSo... Yeah, frumpy sounded about right! To carry herself as if a bomb could go off at any given moment was her god given frumpy right!\nAnd once again, Deev is right. No squishing allowed.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi studies the stranger up and down, she's gathered the whole... Robot thing was her power- god knows How Did she come out of the womb like a transformer? Hmm...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"You could... Get a splinter.\" Vi mutters- oh how she hated conversing with strangers... Actual agony at times." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Most of the right side of her face is mechanical, actually! It's kinda hard to tell with Deev's hair in the way, but the 'skin' around her eye is kinda plasticy-metaly lookin'. Speaking of Deev's face: A look of confusion spreads across it for a moment, before she looks at the tree as if it was the first time she was really Seeing It. \n\n\"Uh, yea.\" Deev replies frankly as if it were the most normal thing in the world. \"'s a pretty good tree. For punching.\"\nA couple more moments of awkward silence before she continues: \"See, the other trees round here are too tough. This one's kinda dead though, so it won't hurt if I punch it-\"\n\n\"I can't really get splinters. I've got metal knuckles.\"\nDeev holds her fists up, showing the flexible metal strip covering her robotic finger joints. It does, indeed look like it would be really difficult to give Deev a splinter. The palms of her hands appear rubberised somewhat.\n\n\"...Uhh, maybe we should just do greetings now and get it over with... I'm D'vorah. With a lil' apostrophe thing. Most people call me Deev.\" Her eye is currently displaying a little gif of two stick figures talking." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "\"Huh...\" She says quietly, well this was awkward... Flicking through the filing cabinet of her mind, Vi sought out a way to advance this conversation...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"If your knuckles are mechanic... How does it hurt to punch certain tough trees?\" She tilted her head, idly fiddling with the plastic zip of her hoodie. Bam, questions about the other was a good way to keep a short friendly conversation alive! Vi was curious too, she won't lie... It always sparked her interest when people had powers rooted in humanity- assuming this was her powers and not something completely different.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"D'vorah, Deev... That's a really cool name, I'm almost a little bit jealous... I'm Violetta, or Vi- if you're so inclined.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev opens her mouth as if to give an immediate answer, before stopping and genuinely considering Vi's inquiry. Truth is, Deev isn't Exactly Sure how she can feel things. It's not quite phantom limb syndrome (at least based on Deev's limited understanding) since she's never really had perfectly functional meat limbs as far as she knew.\n\n\"I... Uhh... Hmm... My robo-bits can still feel things. Even the ones that aren't my special palms (They're kinda built to do that anyway). Like I can Touch Stuff and I feel textures and stuff but it's kinda like... I don't know how to explain it... It feels ghostly? Like I'm not Really Feeling it but I still register pain and junk?\" Deev holds her arm up to the light, her hand spinning around in it's socket. A full 360° of motion! Real hydraulic gripping action! Wow!\n\n\"Yea it hurts to punch trees cause of That. If the tree ain't soft then my arm kinda buckles and pain... Happens...\"\n\nDeev waves at Vi. \"Hello Vi.\" She says, neutrally. \"'s a pretty good name too.\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ \"I uh.. I get it, I think. A bit like dissassociation, but with touch.\" Vi's hand gently rests upon a tree's bark, she parks herself down on a stump beside a fallen tree. Nature had it's beauty around these parts, vines of ivy that tangled along tree trunks and moss that climbed up alder wooden bark. That side of her brain, the part that won't allow her to see a beauty in even the most marvellous of spectres often told her that it all could kill her if it wanted to.\nBut... Why would it want to?\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi seems to be actually quite impressed by the hand's motor actions- she gazes at the mechanics of it all, where the joints go, how it could possibly imitate the tendons and muscles\n\n\"Not that it isn't a marvel either way I mean... It functions perfectly, yes?\"\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ pov: Vi studies you for science" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev's hand settles into a neutral position. She lets her arm flop down at her side and it whacks the side of the tree she was leaning on with a dull Thonk. \n\n\"I wasn't born with 'em. They were attached to me pretty early, though. \"\n\nShe scratches the back of her head, dredging up old memories. Her parent Drew described a decent chunk of the goings-on at the School to her, including some of the stuff with her dad, but she didn't really pay much attention. She was thinking about Gorillaz at the time, she recalls. Specifically: Russel.\n\n\"Yea uhh my dad put a bunch of robo-bits and a reactor in me cause I could already eat machines. When I was like... Two. In a lab.\"\n\"They work Fine But I need a serious upgrade eventually. Uhhhhhhh yea a lot of it was made around 2007-ish. I can run Microsoft Vista.\"\n\nDeev rolls up her sleeve and flexes her arm. The synth-muscles and metal plates move apart as expected of a human arm, which is pretty good for artificial bionic limbs. The feint mechanical Ticktickticktick And dull whirring of the arm sound quite powerful." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "AUGH forgor\nExpect response later 2day 😼😼\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Huh... Feel free to ignore this question but- is that legal? I feel like being a body modded toddler is questionable under your human rights...\" Vi buzzed on, continuing to be utterly fascinated with the contraption of Deev's arm... She'd been studying things similar for ages now; just out of a hyperfixated curiousity, really- had she formed any connection with guts when they were here, she would have been equally as nosy about the mechanisms.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Upgrades... God knows where you'd get those- how does it run microsoft if it's just an arm? How do you know it needs upgrades? I think it runs Beautifully, I didn't know we had even got this far, it's just like an arm-\" \nIt's not often Vi makes conversation outside of awkward small talk so quickly, but this interaction had gone from 'hows your day?' to 'show me the inner workings of your mechanical yet mortal form.'- which was an achievement for miss Violetta.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"You're an interesting case... Yes, very interesting. You mentioned eating machines? That's quite a hobby to have...\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev looks a little smug at Vi's initial question. She definitively knows the answer to this one.\n\"Nope! At least I'm pretty sure it isn't legal... I mean it was a secret lab so it was probably suuuper illegal. I doubt Pops really gave a shit 'bout my human rights. I mean, turning me into a weapon?! Fuckin' immoral bullshit...\"\n\n\"...Uhh... Anyway...!\"\n\nDeev starts answering Vi's questions rapid-fire, listing off the question on her free hand as she does so.\n\"My arm's got a computer in it. Both of them do, actually! My legs, too. And my brain. And my liver. And... You get the idea. Those run modified Windows OS or something. I know I need upgrading cause... Uhhh I mean I kinda just Feel It yknow? Like my joints ain't moving well and I get these visual artefacts and... Yea it's time to get a check-up\"\n\n\"Yea I kinda... I mean I do like actually eat machines but it's not like Eating Eating, yknow? I eat a machine, or my nanobots eat it, and it kinda becomes a part of my body for awhile. But, like, Way Stronger.\"\n\nDeev registers that Vi is really interested in her arm, so she decides to let her have a closer look. She reaches into her jacket sleeve and sorta pulls on it. There's a little pneumatic Hiss As steam escapes through holes in the jacket, and a mechanical Tchunk As Deev... Removes her entire arm. Deev is now holding her limp left arm while the long sleeve of her leather jacket flops at her side. Deev wordlessly hands the arm to Vi with a helpful expression on her face. Her robo-eye displays a lil' thumbs up emoji." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ \"Yeah, checks out.\" Violetta's response is simple and toed together with a slight frown. I mean, of course that wasn't directed at Deev! But... It was a Sad, very very dreary reality that she was all too familiar- to be used by a father, she means.\n\"Human weaponry... How very pathetic\" She shook her head, as slick as Deev's whole robot shabam is, it didn't sound worth it at all...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"I see i see, you're a real life cyborg... How are you going to sort the updates out? Maybe staff might know something- unless its just the case of plugging yourself in... Can you play music through yourself?\" \nWhen a question is answered, it just opens an extra door for questions in Vi's train of thought.\n\"Joint problems... Like you're rusting but not really. I think... I think I get what you mean by the whole phantom touch thing. It must feel like an extension of you? Like if I touched something with my fingernail, sure I'm feeling it but... Not because of any nerves.\" Word vomit inbound, Vi's speech poured out with such endlessness that she had to take a breath around the end of her speech.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Could you... Become a gameboy?\"\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi is met by surprise to see the clean dismantling of the arm from Deev's body, it almost made her uncomfortable to see it detached with such ease- keyword is Almost Made her uncomfortable, she was far too amazed to stressed.\nRecieving and cradling the arm with extreme caution, Vi knew damn well she would probably freak out if she somehow dropped it. That said, she could get a closer look at the mechanisms from this angle... So very intricate, so delicate, if youre so inclined...\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Can you still feel it?\" She queries, poking the limb with her spare arm." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "\"I dunno, Vi... I mean I don't think any of them are mechanics or anything...\" Truth is, Deev is just... Generally distrustful of the staff at NC. Not for any personal reasons, mind you, but out of a general distaste for authority, She'd much rather call her normal doctor and mechanic for advice on upgrades.\n\n\"Uhh I can't become a gameboy but if I had a gameboy I could absorb it and like... Put it somewhere?\" She struggles to articulate what exactly she means. There's a lot of hand gestures and vague noises before she arrives at a description she feels most comfortable with. \"Stuff pops up on my body and I can make it like... Stronger or better. So I could put a gameboy on my stomach or back and like... Make it have a higher FPS? I think?? I dunno???\" Her eye is also showing a question mark now.\n\n\"Yea I can feel it.\" Deev makes the fingers on her removed arm wiggle, and she makes a little \"Deedleedleedlee\" Noise under her breath.\n\"I can move it around, too. It feels like it's Right there On my arm stump but, like... Not??? It hits different in a way I can't explain.\"\n\nDeev scratches her head for a moment, before she realises her mistake.\n\"FEELS DIFFERENT! FEELS DIFFERENT IS WHAT I MEANT\" She yells in frustration.\n\"Fuuuuck... Internet shit just rots my brain, I swear...\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ Violetta nodded, in fairness, Vi probably wouldnt want any faculty fiddling around with her internal organs either- her immune system is fragile enough as it is. She silently acknowledged Deev's reluctance to turn to faculty with an understanding nod as she continued to peruse the mechanisms of the arm.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Huh, I see. Mmmhh... Thats really cool!- I'm sure it's a great power to have for chores. I'd love to have a power so... Convenient. I can't do a lot of help with my power- more of a burden than anything else.\" Imagining Deev with a supercharged vacuum, Vi's face expresses a secret amusement... A small part of her was jealous of how handy that would be; would definitely save some arm pain, thats for sure.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi huffs a laugh at the arm's movement, wondering to herself if the hand functioned a bit like frankie from monster high's. Picturing Deev's hand scuttling around like some sort of hungry spider, a small chortle escaped her throat.\n\"I see... Yes, seems very helpful, for something or other.\" Hey, most people at the cradle were insane enough to come up with some sort of use for that mechanic- Vi just was not one of those people.\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ Vi is caught off guard by Deev's self reprimand, the short girl's eyebrows raising halfway up her forehead.\n\"Ah... Internet culture does that. The other day I saw the number 13 and called it a taylor swift reference.\"" }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev pouts concernedly. She doesn't particularly like the fact that Vi finds her powers to be a burden... Now she's worried about the girl. Not that she immediately knows how to make Vi feel better. She's curious about what Vi's powers are, so she decides to just ask her about them. Deev's straightforward like that.\n\"Yea my powers are pretty useful sometimes... Though I can't ride on airplanes... But, uhh... I mean what're yours? They're probably cool.\"\n\nShe immediately understands Vi on a personal level now. The look of understanding and comradery that appears across her face as soon as Vi mentions Taylor Swift is just Chef's kiss.\n\"YEA I TOTALLY GET THAT! Damn internet... Takin' up my pattern-seekin' brain... I saw someone slip on some ice a little bit ago and like fall really hard and all I could say was 'flop era.' and... UGHHHH\"\n\nDeev stands there for a second, a question worming it's way to the front of her mind and attention.\n\"...So, uhh. What did you think of Anti-Hero? I really like what it did with Taylor's personal mythology...\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": ": ̗̀➛✯ To call them a burden was a bit harsher from Vi than usual. It wasnt a flashy or fun power by any means, but her powers do in a way shape her very being, and that was important to Vi in ways she can't quite figure out how to vocalise\n\"Oh uh... Well, i can cause other people hallucinations and migraines. And i can give myself hallucinations and migraines too, just... Much less voluntarily.\" She sounds a bit underwhelmed by herself, actually\n\n\n\n: ̗̀➛✯ \"Anti hero was good, but... I really liked Sweet Nothings... I'm more inclined to her more solemn songs, like mirrorball and cardigan\" Vi's left foot tapped frequently against the floor in her excitement to discuss taylor swift's lyrical genius. Where her face lacked in expression, her hands and feet fidgeted in a bout of vigour." }, { "author": "cyber0783", "message": "Deev nods rapidly\n\"Oh damn... That's, uhh... That's pretty cool. And pretty rough.\"\n\nDeev doesn't really make any excited sounds, but her expression Looks Like she would be going \"Eeheehee\" Right now. She's got a big grin and everything. Finally, another person she can share her interests with! She shares them openly with Indra... But it's nice having multiple people to explain to, yknow? Plus, Vi seems like she would really Get Pop music.\n\n\"OOOH yea Mirrorball! Cardigan! I Loved Folklore!\" Says Deev, both her arms gesticulating madly. \"AUUUUUUUGH... That entire album was such a good listen... Like, it was New But the sound was Old In like... A thematic way??? I can't explain it but it's so... Yum? I guess?? And so stream-of-consciousness... I'd even say it was, like, the best thing she's done since the Big Reputation era... Though most of her stuff's been really sonically good... So much good stuff lately!\"\n\nDeev seems to notice that her arm is missing. She wiggles the disconnected limb's wrist a bit, before asking:\n\"Uhhh... Yo Veebs, could I have my arm back? Don't wanna send it back if you're not ready, of course. It flies a little unpredictably.\"" } ]	267	4,704
138.5625	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "Connor pulled his coat even tighter around himself and placed his hands in his pockets. He wasn't used to the winters up here, and even though he always had his winter coat on it still wasn't enough for him to suppress the cold. All he needed to do was move around a bit and he'd heat up, but he felt... Oddly lethargic. So, he simply sat against a wall outside one of the buildings - floating in the air, of course, but sitting against a building nonetheless." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Far below the boy, a familiar figure dragged itself through the snow, then turned away and looked at the building's wall. Nah. Nothing up there. It turned around again and continued off into the forest. It didn't seem to be dressed very well for the winter, but for those who Have Seen her it would be hard to dismiss the giant mane of curls, even if only some of it was sticking out of the hood draped over her head. What she'd do next would unmistakably give her away. \n\nShe pulled back the hood and her currently oversized clothes writhed slowly as the girl within would grow into a gangly, spike-headed monster. It looked around slowly then headed off into the trees. Best that no-one sees... I hate the look they get on their faces." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"...Yari?\" Connor called down, letting himself float down a little. He removed his hands from his pockets, the chains on his shackles clinking slightly, and let himself kick off the wall and drift closer to Yari in his own zero gravity \"Hey. Haven't seen you in a little bit. You doing alright?\" He asked nonchalantly, as if he hadn't just seen what could easily be described as a Lovecraftian horror magical girl transformation." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "The thing makes a deep, rumbling exhale, presumably a sigh. \"Hello...\" It turned around and finished its unenthusiastic greeting, \"Connor.\" It stopped in its tracks, but its head had turned to fully face the boy, whom the girl was now easily three times the height of. Even when her skin, now solid-white, was torn and shredded to make way for the extreme transformations to her body, one could tell that the expression was a frown by the way the stretched and torn skin wrapped around the elongated, blood-red teeth.\n\n\"Just need a walk in the forest, bro.\" Any guesswork about her mood that Connor would have to do was somewhat negated by the voice, even if it was warped, grainy and in a far lower pitch than usual, the way she spoke, with such irritation in her voice, was mostly just revealing that she didn't Really Want to speak.\n\nShe starts to walk away, mostly just to avoid anyone else seeing her like this, lest they scream or start throwing shit at her to provoke her, she didn't really know who to trust at the moment. Her current mistrust towards most people was mostly just stemming from her occasional anxiety that still stuck with her, the fear of being seen as a monster and whatnot." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"I could go for one too. Mind if I join you?\" Connor asked, letting himself land on the ground. \"We don't have to talk. I just feel like it might be nice to have some company. Haven't really had any meaningful human interaction in... I don't know. Class isn't really meaningful.\" Connor shrugged and gave about a quarter of a smile, not quite a smirk but not really a regular smile either. \"We could go to that lake you took me to when we first met. If you're interested at all.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Hm. Fine.\" After a few more steps she seemed to turn towards that particular area. She couldn't place it, but something about this irked her a bit. \"Hate class. Hate everyone there.\" She moved some branches out of her way, snapping some in the process. She didn't pay attention to her surroudings, Connor's presence distracted her too much. She didn't know what he'd do if she said no, but she didn't want to deal with this right now, she just wanted it over with.\n\nI don't hate him. Why do I feel like this?" }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Yeah. There's a couple fun people but I mostly just tune it all out.\" Connor let his body loosen a bit as he floated beside Yarimiel. \"School's never been good for me. Not for, like, a decade. I was a kid last time I enjoyed class. Still wonder whether I'm really still a kid or not, after what I've been through.\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"I can't relate... To anyone. I hear about whatever they've been through and can only wonder how one lives a normal life. Like, Why the fuck did those demons keep me in one spot!? Did they get off on my suffering or did they just not care? Might as well have \|\|killed me or tossed me into the trees as a baby\|\|!\" Her voice watped more and got even louder. \"WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW!?\" Her hands clenched into fists and ripped off the branches of a nearby tree while trying to get them out of her way, tossing them aside immediately after." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Oh.\" Connor went silent for a moment, and became still. It was not out of fear, just... He didn't know how to react, honestly.* \"I'm... Sorry.\" Connor let himself land on the ground and walked over to Yari carefully. As he approached, he stumbled over his own desire to say something without actually knowing what to say, and he eventually settled on just standing next to Yari silently. Just... With her." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She stood still. She sat down and sighed, she couldn't continue. She wasn't really sad or that angry, she was just tired. She remained as the giant gangly creature, but honestly she didn't feel like changing back, she felt more at home as this thing rather than herself. She looked over at Connor and just burtled out, blunt and unfiltered, \"What are you even apologizing for? I don't expect anyone to Fix Me, I just can't leave myself to, well, myself.\"\nShe remained quiet, and didn't expect Connor to say much.\n\"Are you scared of me? Of this?\" She now looked directly at him, making eye contact." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"I've been in some pretty bad places before. But I can't say I've met anyone... Exactly like you.\" He began. \"I'm not scared, though. I just don't know what to say.\" Connor sat down, too, not using gravity to float or anything; for one of the first times in a while, he chose to actually feel the ground beneath his feet. \n\n\"Prison is weird. The people there were just as unknown to me as you and anyone else here. Yeah, they didn't have powers or anything, but...\" He paused. \"I wasn't there for murder or anything, like most of them. I was just a delinquent with a bad reputation in my area and a special power. And then suddenly I'm here behind these bars, chained up, and the people there see me... As a threat? I don't know, I was sort of an odd one out.\" Connor stopped for a second and readjusted the way he was sitting. \n\n\"I don't know. But I don't fear you, or anyone else here. To me, all of you are just people like me who have weird powers and maybe some odd personality traits. But you're not unknowable or anything, it's not like you're warping the fabric of the universe around me. And even then, I tend to warp it more than most, so I'd probably be fine.\" He chuckled to himself and smiled, the first real smile he'd given to another person in ages. And then he was quiet again." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She didn't exactly know how to reply. The cold was nipping at her skin but she didn't really mind. She just thought about what he said, her mind painting a picture based on what little she knew, placing him in different situations, trying to replicate the mindset of someone experienced and understanding. She was quite literally attempting to manifest a better mindset, but as she snapped back into reality, she looked down to Connor. \"I guess no-one here is really an odd one out. But I know we can't be put into boxes. But that's not what this place is about, is it?\"\n\nShe picked up handfuls of snow just to crush them and feel them melt on her cold, exaggerated hands. An odd, almost crushing-type sound came from the girl, her features Very slowly Returning back to normal, her torn skin, warped bones and, in some places, enlarged musculature, all shrinking and constricting themselves back into their original sizes and shapes. \"I don't feel like I can forget the past, but I guess the best I can do is to just live with it. I don't know if I have the energy to carry on, though.\"\n\nShe put her forehead on her knees as the transformation finished undoing itself. \"I don't know if I can keep going when I constantly feel like...\" She finished the sentence with a small groan, one could try guessing what she was trying to say. It could be anything." }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"Yeah.\" Connor replied quietly. \"I don't like talking about the past. It's stupid and it sucks. But yeah, all I can do- all We Can really do is just... Try to live with it.\" Connor looked to Yari as she sat on the ground next to him. \"I believe in you. And... I'll be here if you need me.\" He darted his eyes away, not really used to Being there For other people. But it felt... Okay." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She chose to not reply, merely sitting there, appearing as normal. She was only thinking of her future, what she'd do later, how she should process this. She didn't know how to think that far ahead since most of her thinking was either angry, crying, about dying or going out at night to dumpster dive and gnaw on some random animal. \n\nAfter about a minute of silence, she asked \"How do I do that? Live with it?\"" }, { "author": "paragonoflife", "message": "\"God, I wish I knew.\" Connor answered. \"I'll tell you if I ever figure it out. But there's no harm in trying in the meantime. That's the reason I'm still hanging in here.\n\n\"You gonna be okay?\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"Don't know.\" She looked down at the snow. For once, she felt calm. \"Maybe.\"\n\n```————————————END———————————-```" } ]	110	2,217
469.090909	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "The courtyard might be Anthony's new favorite place within Newton's Cradle.\nThe classrooms had their charm, the dorm rooms were comfortable, the offices were pristine. But... The courtyard truly WAS the breath of fresh air it was designed to be. Crisp, even. The trees, benches, and running water of the fountain made it a perfect place to unwind. \nTroubles seemed to lift off of one's back when they crossed the threshold. \n\n...Maybe that's just him, in truth; as an adverse effect of being inside for a 95 / 5 ratio of your days. Not leaving the building, always under supervision.\nAt least the Cradle ditched ONE of those detriments.\nNo matter what the circumstances, he was seated in the courtyard, on a bench, a larger canvas for words and sketches in hand. It looked quite a bit larger than his pocket-sized papers, crammed with information to the brim, which is to say it was a normal sketchbook. Paper with tooth and texture, apt for charcoal and other unique mediums of creation.\n\nAs what seemed to be early morning sun filtered inside, he took in the smell of the place... Like the scent of the earth after rain. Calm.\nHe wasn't wearing a smile of any kind, but that doesn't mean he wasn't happy.\nIn fact, this might be the happiest he'd been since arriving, and the fact he didn't even BOTHER to wear a smile only emphasized this fact.\n\nHe sketched the beginning of nothing-in-particular, abstract shapes that would form something eventually. He'd just have to see where his brain — and by association, his pen — would take him.\n\nA shuffle, seemingly from... Above (He thinks?), caught his attention before he could get all too far in his artwork.\nHis eyes narrowed on the trees, scanning around. His demeanor shifted ever so slightly with the possibility of another's presence.\nThe Hawthorne Effect:\nBehaving differently when aware of being watched. A psychology staple.\n\nAnthony, like many, falls victim to it.\nA soft smile appeared as he waited for someone, anyone, to show themselves.\n\nIt likely wouldn't leave without confirmation." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen had shed winter as cleanly as a the snow had slipped from the branches in his hands. The sun warmed his cinnamon-spattered cheeks, dappled under pine needles, and plucked the threads of purest spun ruby and amber from his low ponytail and drawing them out against the warmer green.\n\nHis favourite songs from the '70s had thawed out with him, warm and crackly production flowing through his ears, light like drifting pollen in his precariously-positioned arms and legs. The scaled thing, the fearful one curled in his chest snored peacefully, despite the height; he trusted the trees, thick and wise, the breathing earth. \n\nThe music rushed forth, and the youth spread his fingers to encompass it, shutting his eyes and opening his shoulders, his back, his lungs to the sweet humming under his skin. A foot clad in a skate shoe that had seen better days (hailstorms ago) even drifted to hang off his perch, so carefree was he.\n\nIt was pleasant, how much someplace so far away could still feel like home when he took away the image of concrete and foreign dirt.\n\nOpen, open... 'cry, beautiful dancers, wake up from your sleep! Ahh, gentle romancers, \n\n\"Ow, what the—\"\n\nShortsighted, too, was he, spun right back into the trunk, hand picked cleanly off of his branch like an apple—a quick twist, just enough of a tug, and bright red glory coming tumbling right down.\n\nUnder that (now much more careful) ratty shoe's weight, a smaller branch snapped and fell before Owen could fall into another few's unexpected cradle with a disgruntled shout; he watched under his sore shoulder as it fell toward someone sitting below through a frantically-awoken spell of crackling red ether, skin tingling and raw.\n\n\"Aah! Look out below, b-branch to the head!\"\n\nOwen's voice rang through the courtyard, by now used to projecting its curled vowels and trilled RS. From where the stranger sat, a pair of wide brown eyes peered apologetically through the tree's outstretched hands of green." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "The shuffling had gained a voice, and thus confirmed Anthony's theory that he was not alone. Never seemed to be. Not in Newton's Cradle.\nHe gave a wide-eyed stare at the boy positioned a few feet above him, blinking a few times to properly register that he was present, above-ground, and watching up.\n\nAs a small branch or two cracked off the tree and hurdled towards him, he calmly (but quickly) adjusted himself and his sketchbook a bit to the left, barely dodging any sort of collision. His eyes snapped over to the fallen tree limb, staring at it contemplatively. \nThen they drifted back over to this new fellow. New person.\n\n\"Hello.\" Was all he really said, calling up a bit and raising his voice just enough to be heard clearly from the ground. His tone was stable and calm, like a still body of water. No ripples to disturb the peace.\nA moment of silence and slightly awkward eye contact passed between them, before Anthony cleared his throat and got the conversation ball rolling.\n...At an admittedly slow pace, yes, but the fact he persisted this conversation at all was a step in a longer journey.\n'Grats to him, he guessed.\n\n\"...Why are you up there?\" He asked, still using a slight bit of volume. \nHe tilted his head only slightly, surveying this tree-climber.\n\nPerhaps it was calming to view the world from a higher point. Feel like you're above it all. Feeling free, yet able to fall and break every bone in your body at a single wrong step. \nIt took elegance. Guts, too.\n\nI wonder how long he's been there.\nWish I noticed him sooner. \n\nHe eyed him with curiosity, waiting for an answer.\nSetting his sketchbook next to him, it was clear where his attention was focused.\n\nAll eyes were on this stranger." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "As the two of them blinked at each other, a wide, crooked smile cracked on Owen's face. Equal parts nerves, adrenaline, and an otherwise downright lovely mood, the boy in the tree grinned like a rather sincere-looking lunatic.\n\n\"Morning!\", and then he was all out of ideas.\n\nThere was a branch across his shoulder blades, digging into bone; he moved to be hanging off it rather than supported by it, gently shaken pine needles tumbling down. The movement loosened the soft plates of dim red encasing his back, the morning air sweetly cooler on his damp skin after the ether sank through.\n\n\"Oh! Well, 'cause,\" He started, swinging slightly from where he hung from his hands and knees. The motion was lovely against the swells of sound still in his ears; if he'd been alone, Owen would have just hung there, swaying, feeling gravity stretch his shoulders well and deep.\n\n\"'Cause, um. I mean, same reason you're down there, probably. Nice place to be alone, it is.\" His grip shifted on the branch, long auburn hair tossed by a high breeze. \"With, with the trees.\"\n\nEarly mornings in green places were places the veil was thinner, Owen had always thought. The dew and the newly born sun caught in the same golden slice of time, everything unfurled halfway, no one speaking but the birds. When Owen hadn't yet wound himself into a clean (-ish) thing of words and a straightened spine, he was moss, birdsong, stirring dirt. The couple of chords before he got to playing the melody, he thought. It had been someplace like this that he had shown his splayed sense to his love, so kind to his soul were the trees.\n\nPerhaps, then, he was disappointed to have tumbled too soon into the condensing eye of another person that morning, but it was a fine mood indeed that they had caught him in." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "He was evidently in a very good mood. No danger to be found. No reason to be on edge.\nThere was no snake in this garden. If there was, he was hiding very, very well.\n\nHe listened to each and every word the stranger spoke, listening to the intonation and diction of each syllable. \nHe took note of his carefree attitude, and his Strength, hanging off the branch and relying on his upper body weight to let him do so.\nA shut-in like Anthony couldn't do that.\nHe seems happy.\nThis is a happy place for him.\nMaybe it can be a happy place for me too.\n\nBecause Anthony was always wound. He was always a clean, outer presentation of clear speech and ideals; perfection's poster child. Never unclean. Never a hair out of place, or any thoughts to couple it.\nHe thought he'd have to do that here too.\nMaybe not.\n\nMaybe he could BE a mess, here, maybe he could sink himself into the river that was his running inner script, with no fear of visibly drowning in it. \nSeeing this boy, swaying gently from the branches, looking as if he himself BELONGED there, gave him hope.\nThere was hope in this garden.\n\nHe said it was a nice place to be alone.\nI don't know if I came here to be alone.\nMaybe not consciously.\nBut a part of me wanted company.\nThat's a strange thing to come to terms with.\n\nHe continued to gently stare up at him, not a shred of scrutinization in his gaze.\nHe stared at him with reverence. A bit of envy.\nHe never learned how to climb a tree. Never got the chance. A robbed childhood will rob you of the knowledge of how to properly experience one. And he HATED being robbed of knowledge.\n\n\"Yeah,\" He called up.\nA pause passed as he contemplated asking his next question.\nGood idea.\nBad idea.\nIt's so neutral it just might work.\n\n\"Can you show me how to come up there?\" A hint of nervousness in his tone. \n\"It looks...\"\nFun. New. Exciting. Fresh. Oppurtunistic. \n\"Nice. Above everything.\"\n\nThis was a selfish excercise in fufillment. The stranger might say no, might laugh at him for his inability to do something this simple. That was always a factor.\nBut his intuition told him that wouldn't be the case. Not with him." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen had gotten used to the feeling of eyes on him, at least when he was on stage; usually it was expectant, frantic, half-crazed already, which made sense considering his chosen genre. Freaked him out if he dwelled on it too much, but Owen knew exactly what those eyes wanted, and delighted to give it to them.\n\nThis gaze was strange, though. He couldn't put together what it was expecting, but the other's un-phrased impatience wasn't crawling up his neck—just looking.\n\n\"Yeah?\" He unhooked his legs, now hanging right-side-up. \"Y-yeah! I mean, it is, isn't it. A moment, just,\" He trailed, now more excitedly clambering down the tree. Practice had turned it into the smallest number of fluid motions; feeling his intuition working well was good, even making his thoughts run clearer. He hit the ground with a heavy Thud, on a wide, sturdy stance.\n\n\"What's your-Uff-your name, then?\" \n\nHe stood before the unfamiliar boy (and looked Up, what, an inch and a half?), then, in his shirt with the arms and bottom end hacked off and favourite cargo shorts sprinkled with bark, and grinned again, crooked and easy. Owen fiddled with his earbuds, shifted on his feet, tightened his long ponytail, bounced off of places on his face to be looking; nose, ear, lock of hair over his forehead, but never quite his eyes.\n\nHis own, the other would notice, bore delicate flecks of gold.\n\nTrue as the earth was cold and haunted, Owen was thrilled to share his domain, to have been asked—this one seemed to see the same peace in it, and that was a precious thing, not to mention one he knew he could connect to someone with; one loosened loop of the knot. He only hoped he'd be an alright teacher." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "This boy was proving to be interesting, to say the least.\nLaid-back and aloof. Not a care in the world. \nHe was... Free. \n\nSeveral things came to mind when the word slinked its way to the forefront of his thoughts.\nFree.\nLike flowing water in a river, not rapid, not still. \nLike a piece of bright fabric being carried across the wind, as if it belonged there.\nLike music. Nothing specific about it, just music. Notes that danced around the air, entrancing you with their sound.\nThis boy, who he'd yet to learn the name of, felt free. A swirling display of emotions and attributes. \nAnd Anthony couldn't get enough.\n\nWatching him descend was like watching some kind of majestic creature in their habitat. When he stuck the landing, thoughts flew to him once more.\nHow could someone be so UNBOUND?\nI want that too.\n\nAnthony was pressed and pristine — as always — a contrast ultimately evident when he looked down on this potential companion. A sage green sweater vest that allowed him to look right at home amongst the trees, his brunette hair combed and styled as perfect as he could manage.\nThe edges of his hand were black and grey with charcoal, the one strand out of place in his persona, in his appearance.\nHe liked this boy's asymmetry. He liked it a lot.\n\n\"My name is Anthony Solace.\" The practiced words flew out once more, easily coupled with a textbook: \"And yours?\"\nThere was something about this time, though. Something that felt more real.\n\nAnthony rolled up his sleeves lightly and with elegance, resting them slightly above the elbow. Preparing himself, as he sighed.\nShow me everything, The light in his eyes beckoned.\n\n\"I'm probably not going to be very good at this.\" He said so gently and quietly, admitting it for his own sanity. If you set your expectations low, you couldn't be disappointed. \n\n\nHe locked eyes with his company once more.\n\"I want to try, though.\" \nA small smile rested in his cheeks.\n\nPerhaps the perfect, pleasant boy could take a backseat this morning. Just for this morning." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"Owen. Edris,\" The auburn boy answered, as though he had to flip through a box of words to find the right ones, scanning the backs like his vinyls. Still half asleep, he must've been...\n\nAnthony. Odd lad. He didn't stick out his hand or anything, but didn't wave either. Owen felt a little odd, not doing anything with his hands; not that he was really compelled to, but there was something about the order of things that he'd come to predict, and it was a pressing feeling, disturbing a pattern.\n\nAfter an awkward second, he raised his calloused hand 'hello'. While Anthony was talking again. Whoops.\n\n\"Ah, s'alright!\" \n\nHe pulled idly on his fingers, feeling for the satisfying Pop.\n\n\"I'll probably be just as good a teacher, then,\" He said, laughing a little, \"Considering the way I learned was just—just being seven and unattended for five minutes. Consider yourself already more sound starting off!\"\n\nHis words crackled off of his tongue like sparks out of a new bonfire, every which way in a quick, musically-accented kilter all his own. Jokes aside, though, he wondered Muchly About how this sweater-vested kid would fare up a tree—he seemed sincere about it, which drew Owen's easy earnestness toward him; it had been a little while since he'd made an odd friend in the early hours, and the boy would admit that those sorts were usually his favourite. The charcoal ground into the lines of his otherwise-smooth hand indicating, he wasn't so keen to stay as cool and manicured as he was.\n\nNot that he had anything in particular against the smooth, manicured types, but there was a certain ease he felt around those who didn't weigh their hearts against it.\n\nWaving Anthony toward the tree, then, Owen took a long swig from the water bottle propped up on a root and peered up through the branches. Shouldn't be too hard, right?\n\n\"Never Climbed any of these, ay?\"" }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "Owen.\nOwen Edris.\nOwen Edris. Remember that.\nA boy of loose ends. A boy who's comfortable with that prospect.\n\nOwen spoke with a carefree attitude, a sense of authenticity filling his lungs. His laugh was made of the same air, light and flowing with the same substance they were breathing in.\nAnthony couldn't help the jealousy that infested him. It wasn't based in malice, or some need to Take What he couldn't have, but it WAS jealousy. Owen had a childhood. He LEARNED to climb a tree himself. He had the time. The freedom.\nAnthony didn't quite have that. But that didn't mean he wouldn't have a chance to understand it, to own it for himself.\n\nHe let out an equally small laugh at his comment, visualizing the boy getting it down to a science. Picturing it.\nThis is so wildly immature. Unprofessional.\nI'm ecstatic.\n\nIn all honesty, Anthony was wondering how he'd manage climbing as well. He wasn't muscley or even passably strong, more lanky than other factor.\nBut he had elegance about him, didn't he? He had a way of navigating situations with a small, unobtrusive presence. This should be easy. It really should be.\nHe just needed to find his footing. That was all. \n\nHe stepped forward at Owen's instruction, as if he were breaking some kind of barrier that had held him back. A barrier he hadn't even thought to touch; let alone stomp on the pieces of.\nIt wasn't a big deal. To spend time doing something leisurely or fun. It wasn't a big deal to break the mold a little bit.\n\n...\nThose were lies. This was MASSIVE. With each step closer to the literal force of nature — the looming tree, as it was, — he felt a bit more elated.\nA bit more like a person, and not a machine. \n\nHe shook his head. \"No. Never.\"\nHe looked up at the thing, running one hand along its bark. Lost in thought. \nHis eyes then snapped over to Owen, excitement and light breaking the layers of the brown. A small, intrigued smile following along.\n\"Show me how it's done, Owen.\"\n\n\"I'm listening.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Now considerably more awake than he'd been before he was noticed, Owen's ears turned a little pink. His eyes darted here and there, a twitchy smile unsure of how to form, exactly, tugging at his mouth. Confidence in him tickled, was all—not that he was particularly starved for it these days, but Owen took it to heart.\n\n\"I, um well,\" He sputtered, stretching his strong arms on the branch above him and hopping up onto another that stretched out at his waist-level. \"It-it's more about psyching yourself out than what steps you ought to take. Stay moving, build a good momentum, and the way opens up. You, um, you figure out what to look for.\" He laughed, softly, the sound disarming. \"Since that's not really practically helpful, Hah, follow close, I'll be slow starting up.\"\n\nThe next couple of moves upward were simple enough, smoothing out Owen's uncertainty in how he phrased this, reinforced that. He moved slower than he normally would, easy to track, he hoped; he wasn't exactly sure what he would need to explain and what was best learned by just risking it. Expert though he was, he knew well how tough the latter was. What an odd request, asking to be taught to climb a tree in the backyard. He stopped after another couple of feet to let Anthony catch up, watching how he moved.\n\nDid this kid have much confidence in himself? He had said the opposite, but maybe that was to seem humble. Owen watched him closely, the dewy air quiet in his lungs.\n\n\"Careful there, on that thinner branch—hop on that next one quickly, it can't quite hold your weight!\"\n_ _\n\nAnthony seemed to really want to be Taught. Something about that didn't quite rub Owen the wrong way, but it struck him as odd, and he chewed on it, rocking on his heels. The auburn boy had never much liked people in his business; he had learned to play his instrument mostly by observing, squirming and shouting when his mother had tried to adjust his fingers. If something sounded wrong, he wanted to discern what it was on his own—to feel like He Was the one doing it, learning to know, not just to mimic. Climbing things agreed with him because, well, the only way was up; his victories were squarely his own, indisputable from the top of the towering beauty he had scaled.\n\nOwen didn't routinely think of himself as stubborn, but perhaps Anthony brought that trait forward in his mind by contrasting it. Flattery was flattery, of course, but the auburn boy still didn't quite know what to make of the lad's approach.\n\nThen again, he was probably forgetting how daunting this pastime was to someone who hadn't even attempted it; being left in the dust was about as fun as being manhandled. Perhaps jumping straight into observing a stranger so closely was making him antsy." }, { "author": "midas.chr", "message": "He took note of Owen's behaviors, presumably to mentally scribble down and take record of anything he could. \nOddly enough, that wasn't quite where his head was at.\nSure, he NOTICED that Owen's erratic smile couldn't find one place to rest, or that the tips of his ears had flushed, and he NOTICED his frank hesitation at having someone's attention on him. He knew these things.\nBut that isn't what he... Cared about, right now.\nHe cared about taking back his autonomy. Having this moment all to himself. \nThe little things could be just that right now. Little things.\n\nHe watched his movements like a hawk, and scanned the branches he moved about so elegantly. Looking for little notches, small indents that could serve as footholds. \nHe watched him scale the first couple feet, but he hadn't moved just yet.\nIt's about psyching yourself up.\nYou can do this.\nHe stared upward, looking as if he were starstruck.\nThis is your freedom.\nHe nodded to himself, slowly.\nGrasp it and take hold.\n\nHe got his hands around the tree, balancing, and started to climb.\nIt was tedious. He heard Owen's callouts a bit too late, slipping a few times. He was getting bark and tree bits all over his clean, pressed self.\nThis was possibly the most alive Anthony had ever felt. \nA smile — one you could even describe as CHILDISH — crept across his lips as he got closer to Owen; the summit he wanted so desperately. \n\nHis logic couldn't DARE drown out the excitement he was feeling at this seemingly mundane act. He couldn't be swayed by the reasons his brain was inventing. He was living in this moment and he was Living At all. \nAfter enough near-accidents, a few bouts of quiet, nervous laughter, he shakily made it to where Owen was perched.\nLook at me, His eyes seemed to say, both in reassurance of himself and in search of validation.\nI made it.\n\nHe breathed a bit heavily (from the exercise or the joy, it wasn't clear), the smile still occupying his cheeks.\n\"Hahh... Haha...\" He laughed breathlessly, and looked up at Owen with nothing short of a star's light in his optics.\n\"That... That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it'd be...\"\n\nHe looked at his hands for a moment. Looking for the confirmation that they had brought him up here. That this was real.\nAbove it all, it was better then 'nice,' as he had assumed.\n\nGod, this feeling didn't even have words." } ]	449	5,160
359.16129	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "A biting cold swept the outdoors that afternoon, leading the beginnings of a thin film of frost amongst the otherwise dewy foliage. This spot seemed to repel activity at all costs; stagnating air and breath alike, and though total quiet seemed impossible in these confined premises, here it was forgiving: a natural lushness declining all signs of human interaction – relatively untouched by the facility. Jolie first approached this retreat in a moment of restlessness – rebuking those sterile, lifeless walls; unfit to house even the least sentient of insects, she thought – grabbing the nearest book and simply venturing to where everything wasn't. That was fifteen, maybe twenty minutes ago; that many minutes later, she found herself still leering at the cold architecture, having lost her bookmark at some point in her trance.\n\nWas this truly the place that would arrest her? Was she not fit for any alternative containment? Her gaze slid up and down those slanted concrete reinforcements, rising bluntly from the ground; she wondered if, at night, the facility sunk into the soil as it appears to have adjourned. \n\nHer figure laid somewhat limp across the barren tree branch, resting her head against the trunk. Jolie hadn't taken the liberty to change much of her outfit from her day indoors; just one ill-fitting windbreaker she threw atop her black knit turtleneck, high-waisted olive pleated skirt, and long cream socks – possibly uncomfortable Mary Jane shoes having been abandoned at the base of the tree: to which one might speculate her method of scaling, as her resting spot of choice held considerably over the ground. \n\nHowever much the branch vied and yielded to the wind didn't seem to concern her. The question of safety seemed long from the forefront of her misty gaze, as did the chidings of her increasingly numb digits. \"Give me a cold,\" Thought Jolie, addressed to the universe and the facility indiscriminately – \"I dare you.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Jolie wasn't alone. Not quite.\n\n□ Perhaps out of sight – or perhaps not if the arboreal expert in the forest took a moment to look – the Cradle's resident pagan recluse was at work. Akvilė, in the midst of a clearing, had been working at an altar of some sort for the better part of the entire morning and into the after, a tendon poking out of the blood-streaked ball of her right wrist that seemed to be stabilizing the whole thing in its snowy post. It had been frosty work, but after roughly four hours of diligent work that took her back mentally to her days in the village she'd made some real progress.\n\n▪︎ So, she began to wander out for firewood. That was when she realized she wasn't alone.\n\n◆ \"Įsibrovėlis.\" [Trespasser.] She scowled in her mother tongue, shaking her head. Her eyes shot up to the trees, and her extended tendon lay in wait, like a cobra about to strike. \"Who lies out there?\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "The facility sat idly in her irises as she felt its beguiling influence disperse throughout her body; starting in her eyes and seeping through their nerves, down to her chest, where it diverged to contaminate her limbs and digits. Contaminate – yes – this pox of permanence that quelled any ambition that the facility would grow legs and leave her life like a false alarm. To this feeling, Jolie was certainly familiar, and perhaps that was what kept her prisoner atop the bark: she wouldn't belong here as she did anywhere else, and there was nothing she could do about it.\n\nNothing had changed. \n\nIt was a combination of her deep stupor and a skittish sort of nature that caused her to react with such velocity. The unknown advancer's wariness was met with an immediate squeal, positively ejecting the girl from her perch, who was sent plummeting an approximate twenty feet. It was a harrowing fall that would perhaps spur the stranger into action; however, the dry air seemed to animate and flourish, and a whirring sound emanated from her landing point.\n\nLoose greenery and foliage swirled in a wide corkscrew below her, and as she reached the apex of the phenomenon, her descent began to slow and subside. Jolie managed to tuck the book into her chest – seeing as it already sustained noticeable damage. As she reoriented herself upright, her plain gray baseball cap began to depart from her head; she scrambled to retrieve it with her free hand, and when it finally met her grasp and returned to her head, the wind dispelled – planting her quite nicely on the ground. \n\nThis affair seemed to tax her significantly; whether from the show of wind or from her surprise, it was unclear. Jolie stood there clutching her book to her heart, her capacity for observation staggering behind her perception as she took a moment with scattered vowels between breaths to study the figure ahead." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"...Why are you up a tree if you are unsteady?\" A little uncertain, a little stilted. A little harsh, honestly. \"Because now you're ankle deep in powder snow fifteen minutes from the electric hearth. Might be frostbitten unless those socks are doubled.\"\n\n□ Looking onward, Akvilė intently studied the figure ahead of her. A baseball cap, cream socks, a high-waisted skirt... She scoffed at the dubious warmth of such a get-up and erupted a patch of ligaments from behind her ear to hide the faint dustings of crimson across her own heavily freckled cheeks. Hiding it, she took another two steps, visibly steady and light on the unstable ice pack that had formed in the previous couple of days, never sinking below and barely even crushing it beneath her feet.\n\n▪︎ Her free tendon still stood on guard, poised and ready to lash out if needed.\n\n◆ \"You must be cold. The wind blows right up you.\" Akvilė remarked once she was a little closer. Seemingly, though, she'd reached her own personal comfort zone, partially obscured behind a cedar tree with a few thorny branches pulled aside so at least part of her face – skinny cheeks, loads of freckles, greyish-green eyes, distinctively large copper-framed glasses, the like – was somewhat clearly visible. She didn't say anything else; really, she seemed to be a little timid despite how aggressive she'd been while out of sight." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Once she had finally grasped the features of the person before her, a certain look cascaded over her face for just a moment; notes of disgust and contempt between her wrist cobra and the matter of her plunge, surely – but primarily it was realization: she thought herself an outcast, but there were people here much stranger than herself.\n\nJolie remained quiet as the observer shot her reprimands, shambling to the base of her tree of choice to retrieve the deserted shoes. She held the shoe in one hand and lifted her leg, and in one downwards gesture, the majority of the snow particulates collected on her sock whisked away, collecting in a lopsided clump beneath her; which was then stamped upon as she clumsily jammed her foot into the black shoe – doubtlessly impeded by a mixture of cold and impatience. \n\n\"It's not that cold. The wind isn't blowing anywhere,\" She spat as she performed the maneuver on her other leg in a tone that was audibly cold – if that were even possible. Blatant disregard, yes, though her statement was only half false. The twigs adorning the tree in front of her didn't seem to sway with the wind; nor did the fallen branches immediately around her poking from the snow, her pleated skirt, her windbreaker: all stood still as graves. \n\nHowever, her hair did seem to be moving, but not with the blowing gusts; the wispy strands still falling from beneath the hat instead floated straight up, and behaved in an ethereal manner not unlike an open flame; save for a few threads in the front of her face, pinned down so as to save her visage from appearing a proper ghost. \n\nAs she finished fastening her shoes, her gaze traveled again to the stranger, fixed upon the slithering mass of flesh poking from behind the tree. There she froze – still bent downwards – looking forwards, studying its properties and mannerisms in a captured silence, the turning of gears reflected by a look of unsettled fascination." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Akvilė simply stared back.\n\n□ Threads of ligaments stretched across her cheeks like a cut-out scarf, she looked on at the other girl, her tendon still curiously posed as if it had a mind of its own. She was no genius with social interaction, but was this girl really just mean? Or was she simply returning the energy that she'd received? Whatever the case she looked onwards as frozen as the other, beads of nervous sweat forming on her forehead before being absorbed by the heavy knit toque wrapped over her head. Her hair, somewhat messy yet mostly straight, barely swayed, yet the tendon from her wrist still did.\n\n▪︎ That was, it Did. Suddenly it detached, and in what was sure to be a peculiar sight, it slithered off away from her into the wilderness as if it had a mind of its own.\n\n◆ \"Y-you can stop staring.\" She called out from behind the branches, a mixture of annoyance and uncertainty underlying her heavily accented voice. \"It is gone. Pushed into the woods.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "It seemed the girl was deep in thought; when the fleshy snake detached and retreated to the wilds, it drew no immediate reaction from Jolie – though her eyes followed it, her chilled, brooding mind considered the event tertiary to the equation of the stranger's capability. \n\nIt seemed this person could manipulate and weaponize flesh; her own, certainly, but others? She recalled scanning the documents given to her about the manners of parahumanity: an augmenter's power held domain over their own body. Perhaps the stranger couldn't disassemble her like an action figure, though should an altercation occur, she wouldn't bet on a strong breeze to keep her safe. \n\nWhen the other called for her to quit vacantly surveying her, it took a few seconds still for her to avert her gaze; her head moved but her stare didn't, eventually peeling away to look at the ground somewhere near herself. The question of returning to the facility flew innocently across her mind, but was immediately shot down like small game to a catapult. \n\nShe assumed a squat, pulling the jacket over her legs, and reached for her crossbody bag that rested against the tree. \"Uhm,\" She began, pulling her left arm back through the sleeve and underneath the windbreaker. \"Do you have a fire o-or anything?\" She would eventually produce a shoddy lighter from the bag – momentarily struggling to activate it – grasping at any feeble warmth it would produce. \n\nJolie began to feel the consequence of the cold now; her mind squarely returned from the clouds and atop her shoulders, feeling the numbing cold take across her figure. Her nose reddened and her body trembled. It seemed after her moment of reflection, her tone had lightened significantly from the scathing dismissal – perhaps acknowledging that sheer will of rebellion would not fend off the elements, nor time itself." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"See? Cold is inescapable.\" Akvilė awkwardly spoke back, gulping harsh and stepping out from behind the tree. Like a cottagecore Siberian she wore dainty, pretty clothes, yet underneath were multiple layers of very warm padding and whatnot meant to offset the chill in the air. \"But, uh... I can-... I can build us a fire. There is a dead pine next to you; break off all the, uh... The small branches you see. Good kindling.```\n\n□ The words kept on getting caught in her throat, but as she stepped out from behind the tree she figured it might be better to just let her actions speak. Someone was out in the wilderness while woefully unprepared, and that was enough of a reason for her survival instincts to kick in. Reaching out towards a nearby birch tree she began to pull dead and dying bark from it, uttering praises and thanks incessantly in Lithuanian as she did so. Occasionally she looked over towards the other girl, with the baseball cap atop her head and cute skirt, and sighed.\n\n▪︎ Not only did she have to make a fire in the wilderness, she had to make it for a pretty girl. Naturally her forehead was sweating something fierce and her lips were cut into an uneasy frown.\n\n◆ \"How goes it?\" She called out after a minute or two of bark collection." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Jolie listened diligently as she was given the order. When the other stepped away, she simply turned to the tree and began clumsily trekking the snowy forest base; which it was then made clear that the girl exhibited one, many, or all of the following plausibly observable qualities: uncoordinated, unfamiliar with snow, encumbered by footwear, losing jurisdiction of her legs, or inebriation via overexposure – somehow. To Jolie, however, she felt her diagnosis astute: when one is down in their spirits, so is their body: hunched shoulders, sunken expression, an anchored gait, sluggish movements, and tired words. Such outward signs of spiritual destitution are conveniently dismissed by the toll of winter exposure – at least, to the untrained eye. Trapped beneath a frozen lake, she hoped this new acquaintance would skate overhead, from one side to the other, leaving her to await the thaw. \n\n\"How lucky,\" She thought to herself, \"I'll just focus on Sounding Happy.\"\n\nFinally, she stood in front of the dead tree. This pine was much smaller than her tree of choice. She remembered passing it by, imagining her apparition leaping up to rest in its crown, then being either impaled on its unfriendly branches or dropped to the ground floor; similar to her tumble minutes ago.\n\nWhen she first arrived at the facility, she was assigned the P.E teacher as a contact. In her inhibited short term memory – so inhibited that the teacher's name escaped her in the moment – she recalled him stressing the importance of fluidity. Her powers of wind will only be as strong as she can manipulate physics to the minutia, factoring aerodynamics and force.\n\nShe stored the lighter in her pocket and raised her right hand, closed her eyes, and simply breathed for a time, until opening her eyes once more. The wind amongst the tree carried upwards, and the branches stretched to the sky; next, she thrust her hand downwards, and the healthy majority of twigs and thin branches snapped from the tree and collapsed to the ground, shrouding much of the dead pine in a thin cloud of disturbed snow. \n\nPerhaps this was when the other would turn to check her progress, to which she received no response; Jolie stumbled a bit to maintain her balance, quietly congratulating herself." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ No response? No problem.\n\n□ Head turned to face the other gal, her eyes didn't fix themselves on her, or her head, or on any off-kilter details. Rather she stared directly at the girl's hands, and at the small pile of pine branches she'd managed to knock off with her blessing. \"Efficient.\" She remarked before turning back to the nearby birch tree, continuing to pull off layers of bark and muttering to herself in her mother tongue the whole time. It was something she'd done a thousand times back home, and a solid couple dozen after she'd been sent out on her wandering decade, so she found it rather easy – and honestly kind of relaxing – to simply gather up quality bark, all the while thanking the gods for the light yet bountiful harvest.\n\n▪︎ She once again turned to face the other gal, one hand full of branches and the other awkwardly toying with a button on her coat.\n\n◆ \"That, uhm... That might be e-enough.\" She commented once she noticed just how many sticks the gal had actually knocked down. \"You must be familiar with your... Uh... Blessing, then. It beats handpicking them, that is for sure.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "The distant remark warmed her for just a moment, spurring her on to get her bearings and begin gathering the sticks. Jolie couldn't remember the last time she received praise from a peer in earnest; occasionally one would forget her reputation, or otherwise forgo it for unmediated conversation, until a concerned onlooker reminded them of whichever moniker she was plastered with at the time. It was strange: she had never been so far away from scrutiny, yet she still felt their eyes looking; they would never find her here, yet still she hid.\n\nShe gathered around as many sticks as she could feasibly hold in her sluggish grasp, clasping them together at her side with both hands as if it were a dog slumped over her shoulder. Her face scrunched up when the other girl commented on her aptitude, prepared to decline the claim of familiarity; then she paused, her entire body softening with a shallow exhale.\n\n\"...No one's ever called it a blessing before.\" She spoke as if the cold hadn't been eating away at her for around half an hour, in a moment of clarity that transcended any worldly influence. It was an unedited thought of hers that just seemed to spill out of her lips, only realizing halfway through that she was speaking aloud; after it had already escaped her, the girl's countenance washed with subtle embarrassment, wishing the wind would carry her words of sudden vulnerability to some forgotten bush in the distance.\n\nJolie eventually rallied and pressed the bundle of sticks tighter against herself. \"Do- uhm, do you know a place for a fire? Will the smoke be a problem?\" She wished to get out of this stranger's hair as soon as possible. It was her fault for walking into the wilderness unprepared, and her fault for losing track of time.\n\n\"And t-thank you for helping,\" She shivered, her posture shrinking as her condition slowly worsened." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Words are weird in the.. In thee wider world.\" Akvilė remarked as she stuffed another handful of bark into a little basket she'd brought, along with various little branches that fell off as the other gal did her thing with the wind. \"English is..\n It's a zombie language, I say.\"\n\n□ Casually speaking, she finished patting down her haul for the fire and turned her sight towards the other girl. \"The... Th-the smoke will only be a problem if you attempt to- attempt to avoid it.\" She spoke, beckoning the girl to follow with the languid yet fluid curl of two fingers. \"And as for a fireplace...? I-I know a trick or two. Follow.\"\n\n□ With that Akvilė strolled into the woods, practiced steps barely cracking the snowy crust that'd formed over the prior week's intermittent yet hefty snowfalls. Her boots, with their wider soles, seemed to aid in this, and as she walked into the treeline with a basket in the crook of her arm and the itching for a cigarette gnawing at her head she occasionally stopped to let the other girl catch up.\n\n▪︎ It was in one of these breaks that she produced a small wooden case and fished out a singular cigarette, lighting it with a match and dropping the burnt remains into the same can she used for her cigarette butts.\n\n◆ \"So, uh...\" Her voice quietly lurched to life, awkward and hesitant and weirdly hollow. \"You look cold. I-I can make us a... Fire. Yes. Right here. But it is not ideal.```" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "By then, it was clear that Jolie was noticeably unfamiliar with snow. It was a rare event back home, and she took wide, wobbly steps, stopping every few steps to shake the excess off her impractical shoes. She wasn't walking as much as she was wading through. Frankly, it was embarrassing, and whenever the other girl paused to wait for her, she tried to conceal how much she was actually struggling. \n\nTo the cigarette, it seemed only to rouse a momentary eyebrow raise. The girl was very familiar with them, permeating many of the spaces she grew up in; she even developed a taste for them by the time she was shipped away, but she was too nervous to ask her for one. She wondered if she would still suffer the consequences of smoking, given her affinity for wind had passively affected her breathing. She wasn't itching to speak to any of the counselors, so she figured there was only one way to find out. \n\nAs they walked, Jolie pondered what she meant by 'zombie language.' Awkward, yes, perhaps not as awkward as what she'd said earlier to prompt it, but it was an interesting viewpoint – macabre as she was. The lengths people went to butcher the English language in the south was downright harrowing at some points. Somewhere deep down she shared the same pension, though masterfully concealed; yes, she'll just say she's from Virginia here.\n\n\"Well, I c-can't really afford 'ideal' right now,\" She chittered, resting the sticks beside her. She tried to respect the distance the other preferred, and became prepared to help in starting the fire. It was something she'd done several times in the past." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Then, uh... This will have to do. Drop what you've got by me.\"\n\n□ A bit of an order, yes, but it was an awkwardly delivered one. Akvilė spoke it as she began to trample out a space in the snow, underneath an impressive conifer of some sort's lowest branches. She stomped and brushed branches out of her face, plucking needles out of her hair intermittently and periodically exhaling wispy smoke as if her heart were a steam engine. \n\n▪︎ Given how weird she was, it wasn't entirely out of the question.\n\n◆ \"Hand me, erm... Fuck. A. A few branches.\" She called out after a couple of minutes, words tangled over themselves messily. \"I have a-a space prepared. Smoke will not be a... Problem.\"\n\n▪︎ She looked up at the other girl expectantly, shifty eyes scanning the other girl for any sign of danger or menace. She hoped she wouldn't have to spill her own blood in self-defense." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Diligently, Jolie followed orders as instructed and helped when she could; in idle moments, she clasped her hands together and exhaled into them, slipping her arm into the sleeve of her other, pressing them against her body. The cold was claustrophobic, and she felt her mind muddle under the weight of it, feeling as if her heart had frosted over. Eventually, the fire was kindled, and the girl sat close on a clear patch of frosty grass. Her knees were pulled into her chest and under the windbreaker, enveloping her in an amorphous blob of tough fabric. Her conscience slowly cleared after a minute of rest by the fire.\n\n\"I Hate That place,\" She blurted out, her face twisted in all sorts of emotion. Jolie's southern accent escaped her, perhaps lacking the bandwidth to conceal it, or – more likely – she wished to speak some feeling of warmth into existence; excavating memories from home long since tainted and defaced in some subconscious bout for survival. Despite what had happened since, the feelings she felt then were as real as the ones she felt now; as real as the cold that sought to claim her, as real as the superpowers that sensationalized her. It was unfortunate: the memories that disturbed her were wired into the foundation of her most basic functions.\n\n\"It looks like some cartoon villain's evil lair refurbished into some hokey pokey daycare, and everybody's lookin' at me like a ticking time bomb, and all those damn reports, evaluations, forms, questionnaires, tests; I didn't think it possible, but I've never felt more alien.\" She tossed a shoe to the side. \n\n\"I wish I'd known sooner that I was just gonna end up out in the middle of fuckin' nowhere across the ocean. I wouldn't have wasted so much time hating myself.\" She tossed her other shoe even further. \"Really, I would've just done whatever I wanted if I knew none of it ever mattered.\"\n\nJolie spoke into the fire unwavering. Red lines developed across her face and blended into the orange light. It seemed her gaze traveled the dancing fire and caught the other girl, which roused enough self consciousness to leave a quiet moment for her to interject if she wanted, but not enough to quell her wave of unbridled frustration." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ And so Akvilė built the pair a fire, in the snow, beneath a pine tree and its umbrella branches.\n\n```[——]```\n\n□ Sitting quietly, she half-listened to the other gal speak. Regrets mingled with homesickness, and those mingled with a faint yet tangible sense of anger. Circumstances out of her control had seemingly banished her to this new existence, halfway across the world, with naught but the clothes on her back and whatever money her parents saw fit to gift her.\n\n▪︎ She crushed a particularly dry chunk of bark in her hand and chucked the incendiary dust into the fire to watch it crackle.\n\n◆ \"I-I see.\" Was all she initially replied with. Brief, but even a simple glance at her face would show her in thought, left corner of hee lips curled ever so slightly as a cigarette poked out. \"Hindsight may be... It is 20/20, but dwelling does you no- it's not. Fuck. It is not helpful.\" She forcibly sounded out her thoughts, spitting as she spoke and peculiarly pressing her knuckles into her throat. \"But I suppose it's, uhm... It's n-new. New is worrying.\"\n\n▪︎ She fell quiet for a few more moments, exhaling a few wisps of smoke from the smouldering cancer stick twixt her lips.\n\n◆ \"I presume you are... Y-you are aware that taking off your shoes is... It's not wise in winter.\" Not exactly cold in tone, yet clear in her concern. \"And I - I agree. The Cradle is fickle.\" She continued. \"But at least, uh... At least th-the poltergeist we have knows to fleece Catholics. I enjoy it. N-n-not as much as the woods, but it is still dinner and a show.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "In the moment, she felt an overbearing sense that she was taking up too much space, and no matter how tightly she pressed her legs against herself underneath the windbreaker, it didn't seem to go away. Jolie felt a wave of emotion wash through her body; she hadn't cried since moving to the cradle, yet she was determined to continue to delay the inevitable for a little longer, suddenly feeling the searing embarrassment of oversharing.\n\nShe quietly listened to the other girl speak in full, omitting eye contact to stare into the fire, her twisted expression slowly softening. She only seemed to look over when she paused or stumbled over words, anticipating the end of her sentences like a leaky faucet. The casual mention of a poltergeist seemed to catch her attention – until seconds later, upon the mention of-\n\n\"Catholics?\" Memories tore through her mind like a sped up movie, and however proficient the other girl was in the skill of reading faces, she swore that she could see them, too, flickering against her countenance. There was no way to ask the questions she needed answered to ease her anxiety without inadvertently compromising her own identity. Jolie subdued her look of surprise and deep seated fear, bringing the collar of the windbreaker closer to conceal her neck – the turtleneck sweater wasn't enough insurance. \n\nOn her first day, she took all the necessary precautions: rushing to classes to quietly inform any faculty that had the responsibility of remembering her name to call her by the correct one, contouring her miniscule Adam's apple or hiding it altogether, wearing the most feminine clothing she had; it'd worked so far, but every moment of safety bought was shadowed by sinister insecurity and 'what-ifs' of life threatening proportion. \n\nEveryone had always known. She played the part well enough, now, but the stakes were paralyzing. If all else failed, this was the one secret she needed to protect." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yes. Catholics – Roman, Eastern Orthodox, whatever. It... Is in my – in my bones, you could say, to despise them.\"\n\n□ Akvilė was not one to run her mouth too deeply about most matters to do with home. Home was a swamp, it was off the map; it was in goddamned Atlantis, Whatever felt suitably plausible yet vague that day. She knew she missed home in a sense, but it was her ten years' time, and explaining that little detail would only invite further questions, deeper and more invasive, and she knew she'd absolutely withdraw – or even worse, kick snow in the fire and leave the other girl to figure her own shit out.\n\n▪︎ And given how poorly she seemed to be doing, turtleneck tugged taut around her throat and eyes glazed and distant, she Really Didn't feel like doing that. She already had a body count, and was in prison for it; In for a pinch, in for a pound Was not precisely in her wheelhouse quite yet.\n\n◆ \"You must be from a... A warm place. S-SickEningly warm.\" She commented. \"Because I have never seen the, uh... The cold give someone a-a thousand yard stare. It's like a deer within; you are not well.\"\n\n□ Suddenly Akvilė rose to her feet and crawled over the top of the depression, chucking several sticks onto the now-cozy fire as she did so.\n\n◆ \"I-I know a cure for spiritual unwellness. I will be back... Whatever your name is. Stay put.\"\n\n▪︎ Less an order, more a recommendation. Akvilė broke a few branches off from overhead and disappeared out of the clearing, back into the woods, as silent as an actual woods witch would be." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Despite her deeply religious upbringing, Jolie hadn't a clue what the difference was between the denominations of Catholicism; perhaps it was a subconscious rebellion, performing indifference in the face of reverence. This stranger's open condemnation of the church did little to ease the conflict rattling her mind now – the issue far overshadowed the two girls; at times she thought it immortal, and unbeknownst to her, sacred – though it did work to mentally orient herself by the other girl's side. She was hard-pressed to call the feeling 'safety' after watching her wrist tendon detach and slither off into the forest, but shared contempt was a boon she was glad to keep. \n\nShe said nothing upon the comment of where she hailed. Alabama was hot – not warm. Shame permeated much of her mind since she came to the cradle, and with most of her personal anecdotes stuffed away in boxes and shoved into all the nooks and crannies she could find, she was left with one long, empty hallway, where any perceivable details of her past life were the lies she spoke into existence to keep it all standing.\n\nShe was never going to tell this girl where she was actually from, and she didn't care to enact whatever lie she'd planned before; her silence continued still as the other stood and left.\n\nJolie half expected the girl to never return. It did not bother her. She shimmied closer to the fire and brought her legs underneath her, tucking hair behind her ears. She warmed her hands by the flame – even if she did not return, she was more than thankful for this earnest little fire. She'd studied how she made it, and perhaps she'll replicate it in the coming days, appreciating how homely it was. \n\nIn warming her hands, the wooden bead bracelet upon her wrist suddenly became obvious to her. She remembered who gave it to her, what they'd been doing – what they were going to do, at least – and in one quick maneuver, she slipped the bracelet off and into the fire. A twang of regret resonated through her body, but she was glad she did it; resolution was a premium currency that cannot be denied in favor of sentiment. Even if she did return, there would be no grand adventure – not after what she'd done." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Despite what Jolie might have assumed, Akvilė had Not Abandoned her.\n\n□ Rather, over the top of the shelter she'd carved out she worked away at a small pine in the clearing. Ice crystals fell from her needle-straight hair as she chopped away at its trunk with the same hatchet she'd been fashioning a shrine with earlier that day, almost as if her hair itself was snowing. The first sign Jolie saw of any of this would be a few large branches being tossed over head to serve as extra refuge, each landing with a resounding crackling thud and a faint huff from Akvilė before she disappeared again.\n\n□ She wasn't done though, and she didn't return again until about ten minutes later. Ten long minutes after she'd chucked a few branches over top of the hole she finally hopped back down, effortlessly lowering herself into the pit and seeing that the fire was well tended, and less importantly, that she wasn't alone. She'd have understood if the other girl had taken off in the meantime; running out of town on a whim was something she was familiar with.\n\n▪︎ She tossed a few bits of kindling on top, adjusted the pine branches, and looked back at the girl.\n\n◆ \"I am, uh... Back? B-but I have fashioned you... S-something. It is... It is over the, uh- the top, and it is a place to tell the void your woes. It is a - a bad thing to hold. A spiritual weight, I mean. It is up to you though; I only promised you fire.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "On the confirmation that the strange girl hadn't left her in the small shelter, Jolie was glad; she was mysterious, yes, but she'd reminded her of a select few figures she saw roving around her hometown. There were plenty of people who rejected the church and were rejected for it. She was too different to be accepted by the church and too skittish to overtly condemn it: an in between spot defined by insecurity. Her gentle nature tended to a deep recess of thoughts and feelings she never showed anyone. On good days, it was a garden she closed her eyes and quietly walked through — something she now attributes to her parahumanity — and on bad days, it haunted her every move, waiting for her to close her eyes.\n\nSitting quietly by the fire, she occasionally thought to offer help to whatever the other girl was doing, but feared her own ignorance would be a hindrance. It was only then that she thought of what the girl was actually doing; she'd retreated into her own thoughts and memories a while ago, and there she remained for almost the entire duration she sat alone. \n\nUpon remembering that it had something to do with spirituality, she took a moment to ponder. Religion and spirituality were two different things, and it was entirely possible to have one without the other; for Jolie, she thought that everyone could benefit from being more spiritual. She vividly remembered the times she stood in the pews surrounded by exhausted, soulless folk, drawling unassuming gibberish in one bleak sphere of sound. She took quietly to herself and indulged only in mystical concepts she was drawn to – which admittedly wasn't much – but it was better than giving weight to scriptures that meant nothing to her. \n\n\"O-Okay, uhm... What do I do?\" She obliged, rising to her feet and brushing off stray dirt and frost from her legs. There was tangible anxiety in her tone; less afraid of what the other girl would have her do, but more so that she'll somehow mess it up and make a fool of herself." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"It is a... It is a small ho- hole in the snow, directly to the dirt.\" She explained. \"You, uh... You sp-speak into it. Whatever bothers you. Sp-speak it and then cover the hole. Nothing more. It might seem... It-it might seem stupid, but the... Th-the old ways don't make mistakes. It... Yeah. It has worked for me before.\"\n\n□ Snap, crackle, pop. The fire burned a few feet away from the pair, digging itself an ever deeper depression from which to consume and to throw heat, and Akvilė seemed almost fascinated by the fire. She stared at it instead of the other girl, who'd risen to her feet and apparently decided she was going to listen to the woods witch's advice, and she stared as she prodded at it. \"It-it may seem peculiar. The ground itself listens, though.\" She idly spoke as the other gal moved around the pit. Seemingly, she had nothing more to say.\n\n□ Once alone for a few moments Akvilė quickly turned her attention back to the tree overhead. It was a beautiful pine tree, perhaps sixty years old, with plenty of needle-less branches near the bottom after decades of chronic sunlight deprivation and healthy branches up top. She knew in that moment that the tree had given the pair shelter, fuel, and warmth. It had offered up its own flesh and limbs, and now as the gal she'd been helping did her thing with the pit she'd dug – little more than an angled tunnel that punched Through The frozen dirt below – she took a few genuine moments to bless the tree.\n\nAnointed with oil and thanked in a language somewhere between Lithuanian and Sanskrit. Hands laid upon the bark. A hug. She was more or less treating the tree – and the world around it by extension – with reverence and respect, and in this moment she probably wouldn't have even noticed if she was joined again by her acquaintance." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "Collecting her shoes as she listened to the other girl, she eventually – begrudgingly – fastened the shoes back on and started on her way out the shelter without a word, pausing for a moment before her exit; half of her faced the exit to the biting cold, and the other absorbed as much warmth from the shelter as hesitation allowed, and soon enough her halves conjoined and she trudged out the pit. \n\n\"The ground itself listens,\" She repeated as she clumsily traversed the distance to the hole, feeling whatever warmth she absorbed slip through her fingers. Jolie felt better now; the more she walked, the more she realized that it was only a marginal improvement – the shelter helped, as did the hospitality – but the facility still casted a heavy shadow.\n\nHowever, it wasn't just the facility; only one thing came to her mind when she was given the instructions, and in her mind it stayed, growing heavier and sinking further into the depths of her mind than the cradle could reach. \n\nShe remembered her last night in Alabama just weeks ago. The argument with mom – the incident that stopped it. Getting in the car with him – stopping on the cliffside road. Seeing that man reach for his holster –\n\nSweeping away the snow and branches by her feet, she kneeled on the ground and looked into the hole.\n\nIt was instinctual. Her fight or flight kicked in as it did hours before. Before she reached out her hand, she'd already felt the wind picking up.\n\nLeaning into the hole, hair obscuring her eyes, she whispered: \"Whoever you were,\"\n\nShe heard his hip crack against the barrier and watched him stumble over.\n\n\"I'm sorry.\" \n\nOn the walk back, she'd gotten used to the snow and her shoes; she imagined it were a dampened wheat field. Jolie lost track of time, but after a few minutes, she hopped back down to the shelter, taking little time to find a spot to sit and stare into the fire. \n\nThere lay an empty look if there ever was one, but she took slow, deep, shaky breaths. Relief, perhaps." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ By the time the other gal got back, Akvilė had paid her respect and thanks to the natural world.\n\n□ Back up against the tree, her steel-grey eyes shot up as a pair of shoes hopped down the hole, carrying her nameless acquaintance along with them. For a few moments she said nothing, simply observing, eyes first fixed on the girl's cheekbones, then the corners of her lips. It was as if she was giving the other first dibs on small talk or whatever lay in store. After a few moments of astute observation and noted silence, though, she cleared her throat with a percussive cough. \n\n◆ \"Y-you look better. Less burdened.\" Her voice barely creaked out, like footsteps on old floorboards. Almost uncertain in a sense. \"I do not know what, erm... Wh-what bothered you. But it s-seems to- seems to be gone. Good.\" She continued, raising a hand to her bangs and fixing them. \n\n▪︎ A few more moments of silence passed.\n\n◆ \"Was thinking while you were... While y-you were out. This place. The Cradle...\" Her voice curdled like milk as she spoke. \"I am only here because I-I... Because a- a Man Tested me in Poland and found himself lacking.\" She continued. \"Heart attack. I-I feel no pity. How did you find yourself, uhm... The word. It escapes.\" She grumbled, face twisted into one of concentration before her eyebrows shot up and her face loosened.\n\n▪︎ \"Banished! Fucking word. I feel that we are... That we might not be so different. What sent you here?\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "The wind around her rose and fell with her chest. Her eyes hardly moved from the fire even as the other girl made her observations, her body stiff; not tense, petrified in a relaxed state too scared to move even an inch. Jolie felt porcelain, wary still of the stranger; despite her warmth and willingness to help, it did not take much to shatter ceramics.\n\nEventually, however, she did move, feeling a tingle fly up her spine and nape, as if to literally shake herself out of her stupor. She sat cross legged and awkwardly searched for a place to put her hands – knees, the ground beside her, shins – until eventually pulling her arms out of the sleeves of the windbreaker, only to be met with the same quandary once again. When the other girl spoke up, she settled on crossing her arms underneath the windbreaker, the shape of them disappearing into the black knitted fabric. \n\nJolie listened intently. Upon the statement of the man's heart attack and her lack of pity, she exerted the softest \"Oh,\" Eyebrows softening and gaze dulling. There was remorse in her face; not for the man, but for the girl to have undergone such experience. It was a sickening thing to hold responsibility for one's death. Jolie would not be absolved from it, but she couldn't stop herself from trying.\n\n\"Uhm,\" She began quietly, slightly leaning over her arms crossed over her stomach. \"My mom and I were fighting. About, uh, everything.\" There were hardly any traces of the southern accent that escaped her before. She wanted to tell her the things her mother said – pull them from her heart like ticks – but she didn't want to reveal anything too pertinent.\n\n\"I-I couldn't be her daughter anymore. She threw something at me, and the whole, uhm... Wind thing happened. I ran away, but she knew I'd be back. They didn't even go looking for me. They just waited.\" A troubled look washed over her before she continued. \"I got the feeling that I wasn't her problem anymore. This was the only place to go.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"And you- you simply went back.\" Akvilė parroted with a pang of judgment, looking first at the other girl then at the fire, and the beads of melted snow trailing down towards their steamy demise. \"Y-you must have had no other options. I... I do not pretend to under- to underStand,\" She spat half of the word out after it'd apparently gotten gnarled in her throat, \"Why you would return other- otherwise.\"\n\n□ Equal parts monotone and confused, Akvilė tucked her back up against the tree a little harder as she spoke. She scratched her back this way, rubbing her spine against the tree's rough bark and letting out a long sigh of relief as she did so, and once she was done with this process she looked squarely at the other girl. It was intense yet almost vacant, as if her eyes were prone to steal the souls of any who gazed back, yet strangely nervous. \n\n□ Then came the slew of questions she mulled over in silence. What had the pair really been fighting over? And why had a simple parental spat ended so harshly for her? There was context she was lacking, she decided. Something was missing; a piece of the puzzle of sorts. Geography, relations, the general home environment. Whatever it was, there was something missing, and she could tell it was something she wasn't privy too.\n\n▪︎ Hm. Her lips pursed in thought.\n\n◆ \"Th-there's something missing.\" Akvilė spoke matter-of-factly after a stretch of silence. \"You don't. Y-you don't strike me as easily pliable. I presume the... Uh. Th-the thing. The missing piece. Yes.\" A hum. \"That is... It- it's not something you really want to talk about. So what is your name? I. I don't believe I caught it.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "It was obvious to her that her story wouldn't add up. Her lies could only cover so much of her fresh scars, but they would have to do, for now. Jolie was not intending to open herself up to blows she couldn't take – even if she had no reason to suspect the other girl. She instead began to think of plausible half-truths, sectioning what information she would free and what would remain captive; it would be easier, then, to hide behind a narrative of her careful craft. \n\nWhen she felt the other's burning gaze upon her, she felt her body shrink, instinctually bringing her legs in closer, shoulders raised and fleeing inwards, as if she were braving a terrible storm. Jolie always had a fear of being misunderstood, but in that moment she felt she was perfectly understood by this stranger: a girl too ashamed to own her past and too anxious to flee from it. It was almost worse this way – nauseating. \n\n\"Jolie,\" She replied solemnly. Her gaze never left the fire, keeping the girl in her periphery. Though her face had brightened to a dull neutral since returning from the hole, it appeared to be slowly fading into the previous sullen picture, as if it were her true neutral state. \n\nA short silence followed after she answered her question where an onslaught of guilt overtook her heart. The other girl had established plainly that she was withholding information after freely giving the nature of her residence at the facility, and all Jolie had to offer was a patchy, unclear narrative. She wished she could divest more, and she tried; but when she opened her mouth, all that came out was:\n\n\"I c-can't. I'm sorry.\" The words escaped her like they'd cut through miles of thickets and brambles. Then, she became the smallest she had ever been, as if she would explode if she brought herself closer." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Jolie.\" She plainly spoke, like the other's echo personified. \"Akvilė. H-hi.\"\n\n□ And like that, she'd unveiled her name to another person. The mere fact sat unwell in her chest – Spiritual phlegm In a sense – causing her to reach for another cigarette. The distinct flick of a match sparked out over the crackle of the fire, which was by now in need of more wood. A tendon suddenly ripped loose from her knee with a pronounced wet noise and a very sharp inhale from Akvilė, and with this new appendage she began to set wood atop the fire, carefully manoeuvring it the best she could as she also focused on lighting up her smoke.\n\n◆ \"We should not stay out here to... Togeth- er.\" Her speech came out stilted, strange and sporadic. Her cheeks sucked inwards lightly as she dragged, and with it she exhaled directly through the top as her tendon finished piling up sticks the right way. \"Th-this fire will only last so long. We... We get going soon. It is what I- what I recommend. Sun's close to down.\"" }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "\"Akvilė,\" She repeated quietly to herself, cementing the syllables like rocks in a fresh trail, \"Hello.\" Jolie hadn't quite heard a name like her's before; she pondered on its origin and thought to ask for it, but feared she'd already owed this girl enough. It would be best to leave soon, before conversation travels any farther than it should.\n\nWhen the fleshy appendage bursted from Akvilė's knee, there was certainly a sharp inhale through her nose and a bewildered look in her eyes, but it was eventually concealed. It was rude to stare – and she did see her power before. She wondered how one would even begin to develop such powers. \n\nA sense of relief washed through her body when the other girl presented the notion of leaving soon. She didn't trust herself to hold a conversation with someone in an environment like this without letting something slip – something she couldn't afford to share. Jolie thought herself vulnerable now.\n\n\"Y-Yeah, uhm,\" She slipped her arms through the jacket sleeves, \"I'm pretty warm now.\" In truth, she was a little more than warm, and a shine of sweat on her forehead could be observed when the fire sparked the right way. \"Whenever you're ready.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Then I... I guess we get going.\"\n\n□ Shifting in place, Akvilė detached the tendon from her knee. Severing it with little effort and just a bit of knuckle-whitening pain, she commanded the thing into the fire while uttering something in a language that'd likely be unfamiliar to Jolie. Once the fleshy mass began to crackle and fume out terrible smoke she fully stood up, her head and torso poking way out above the small depression her and the other girl had left in their bid to stay warm out in the woods.\n\n▪︎ Perhaps peculiarly, she didn't put the fire out as she hopped up over the top. Instead she left it to burn, almost as if she trusted the snow itself to do her a solid.\n\n◇ Once topside she leaned herself against the tree and took a drag. Not out of the woods yet; her thoughts veered towards home and safety regardless." }, { "author": "mikajaym", "message": "The sight of the girl's burning knee flesh was nothing short of heartstopping. Jolie worked on the concept that the strips of flesh exalted from her body eventually came back later – like the wrist snake that slithered away some time ago – but the notion that they were casually disposable generated more questions than appreciated. Could she regenerate new flesh like a lizard? Was it even human flesh or was she composed of undetermined living meat? \n\nThese thoughts manifested themselves only by the dumbfounded look on her face, widened eyes and slightly ajar lips. As Akvilė stood up and left the shelter, Jolie searched the area near herself with touch alone, her eyes glued to the crackling strand of flesh expiring in the fire before her. She eventually found her slouchy bag and followed suit, unable to pull her gaze from the fire until the very angle.\n\nThe walk back was silent, and from Jolie's perspective, agonizingly awkward. She simply followed behind the other girl; there wasn't a palpable air of worried caution in the berth between them, but she wasn't intent on walking side-by-side with her, either. The snow was impeding, still, but not of the embarrassing display before; the main culprit now was her lackluster shoes.\n\nWhen they eventually arrived back at the facility, she said her goodbyes and nearly incessant thanks, returning to her dorm with a hurried solitude. She threw her awful shoes into the darkest corner of the room and paced restlessly around its lengths. It would be a night of whirling self-persecution, but she wouldn't forget the sight of the comfortable hearth – nor the ligament wilting within it." } ]	391	11,134
203.733333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Flick.\n\n□ Two weeks had passed since the inciting incident that got her shipped halfway across Europe once again. Two boring, uncertain weeks, rife with the pulling of her roots and emotional goodbyes. She'd grown past bitterness, and now simply existed in a state of acceptance, yet as she lit a cigarette out in the cold and shivered in her hiking boots she couldn't help but wonder what she'd be doing if it weren't for the incident. Working? Watching her roommate's cat be a weird little creature? Loitering in bookstores until close like she always tended to do?\n\n▪︎ She had no way to know for sure. She took a drag and stuffed her hands into the deep pockets of her coat, producing a pair of gloves and slipping her hands into them.\n\n□ It was cold. So very cold." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel closed the gate behind them. It rattled in the way that only a metal gate ever does. They took a deep breath, expecting fresh, chilly winter air, and instead got cigarette smoke. They coughed.\n\n\"You shouldn't smoke. It's bad for you.\"\n\nNot that Fennel was really one to judge. They'd been down that rabbit hole themselves, and with stronger substances than nicotine. But they, of course, didn't remember that. Some things, though, they couldn't forget, and caring about the well-being of others was one of them.\n\nFennel had already bundled themselves up. The cold wasn't too foreign to them; they owned a lot of warm clothes for the winter months. Sweaters, jackets, gloves, scarves. It all helped ward off a little bit of the biting cold, even if they didn't really know how to dress anymore.\n\nThey turned to the girl smoking, expecting to see a face they'd at least recognize, but they didn't. Whoever this was, she was foreign to Fennel.\n\n\"I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new here?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Somehow, she hadn't been expecting company.\n\n□ Realistically, though, she should have. She was new in a small facility, full of the bored and the curious, so there was no reason for her to have expected solitude out in the courtyard. Instead, she was now face to face with a curly haired individual, dressed up for the winter a little better than she'd done herself, and they were saying something about smoking being bad.\n\n▪︎ She knew that it was bad for her, but she found it tough to care. Now, though, she had to respond, and That Was the tough part.\n\n◆ \"Er...\" Her face twisted into an uncertain expression, throaty hums buzzing out while she figured out how to reply. \"I am. Yes.\" Distant and awkward, Akvilė kept her sight fixed on a random tree in the distance. This was among the worst parts of moving to a new town: meeting people. She'd already moved to southeastern Lithuania, then Poland, and now she was in Sweden. A real world tour!... Save for the lack of novelty and wonder. \"I, uh... Arrived yesterday. They took me here by plane... How are people fine with them? They are Tubes In the sky... Unnerving.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Oh, that makes sense, then.\" Fennel nodded. They'd noticed that the girl wasn't looking at them, but rather staring vacantly into the distance, so they elected to do the same. It felt awkward to be looking at someone who wasn't looking at them.\n\nThey figured they wouldn't comment more on the smoking. Some people were going to smoke, whether it was good for them or not.\n\nAt the stranger's distaste for aeroplanes, Fennel could only chuckle. \"Oh, yes. They're... Well, they're really something.\" Fennel remembered being annoyed by commercial aircraft in the night sky. They didn't remember why. \n\n\"I think most people are a little scared of flying. Otherwise they wouldn't have so much security involved.\" Fennel had flown maybe twice in their life, but the excessive security measures both before and after boarding made quite an impression. \"But it seems like a small thing when you're looking at the rest of the world, I think. War and disease and natural disasters make the tubes in the sky feel a little less scary by comparison.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ And she looked forward as the other person spoke, hands nervously toying with the belt strap fastened around her waist.\n\n■ \"Algirdas was saying they're common since someone rode a plane into a tower. Seems like a waste of the resources Dievas gave us.\" Her speech ebbed and flowed haphazardly, syllables getting tangled up and spat out like verbal hairballs. \"But maybe. Though, war is a part of the human experience; we'd still be living in mud houses and running ourselves to death for food without it.\"\n\n▪︎ She took a long drag and exhaled, her straight brown hair getting casually blown about by a soft gust of wind.\n\n◆ \"But in war you have a chance of getting home. Or you find a new home. A plane goes down? Giltinė relishes when one goes down because everyone dies. I don't like them.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Mmm.\" Fennel hummed quizzically. \"I'm not sure I agree.\" Though they didn't care to elaborate. They'd elaborate if they were asked to. \"But I don't like planes either.\" Akvilė's religion, or friends, or whatever the foreign words referred to, was really very little of Fennel's concern. They didn't bother to ask, or even to be concerned about someone relishing plane crashes. It wasn't their problem.\n\n\"Planes disconnect you from the Earth. It's not healthy, spiritually speaking. And once they're up there, they block out the stars and shine bright like fake stars instead. It makes it hard to...\" They trailed off. What were they talking about? They had no idea where they got any of the information they just shared.\n\nThey didn't really feel like making a point out of saying that, though. They would grapple with their amnesia on their own time.\n\n\"Oh, by the way. You moved in yesterday, right? Have you seen the whole campus yet?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yeah.\" Was all she said in response as the other spoke. It seemed sensible; planes separated man from the earth in a way they simply weren't meant to. \"The natural order gets broken, and that's a sin.\"\n\n□ She fell quiet afterwards, taking a drag off her cigarette and exhaling sharply with a cough. For someone so young her cough sounded awful aged; maybe she'd been at it a while? Jury was out. \"I-I did, yes. I had little to move; I was kind of a nomad beforehand.\" She quietly spoke after a few moments. \"And I haven't seen the full breadth of it. I don't want to, quite frankly.\" She continued, shooting a glance at the cancer stick between her fingers. Halfway done; she silently nodded at it. \n\n● \"What I'm wondering, though, is the why of this place. Do families just not teach their kids how to responsibly bend their powers in the outside world? Seems a waste of potential, and a waste of land space that could've been taken up by lingonberries and forest cover.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Sin. Ugly word, Fennel thought. Judgmental. They did occasionally forget that some people thought like that - that some people believed the higher powers to be angry with people, or to want to control people. Fennel didn't like to think like that.\n\n\"Ah, me too.\" Or so they were told. Relating to things was harder without any memory. It was perhaps the part of amnesia they felt the most - they couldn't relate to people. \"But I had a foster home for a while. I'm not sure what I prefer, being on the road or not.\" They didn't remember anyway.\n\nFennel leaned on the fence. It provided a bit of support. They were still a bit weak, and they were starting to feel themselves needing it. \"I think most people wonder that. It seems like people agree that there's more to it, but I don't think anyone knows what. Except the staff, of course.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, you were a nomad too...?\" Akvilė mulled over the new information for a few moments before exhaling softly. \"I mean. Cool. I think I preferred life on the road; felt more natural. More connected.\"\n\n□ And that was the truth she was sticking by. Looking up into one of the trees in the courtyard, her eyes fixed themselves on a squirrel up on a branch. Chubby yet nimble, it raced up and down a branch, stuffing random bits of food into a nook in a tree as if the winter would never let up and it was preparing for the icy apocalypse. It was a beautiful thing, and she found herself barely even registering what her fellow nomad was saying.\n\n▪︎ She finally turned to face them, and looked straight through them for comfort's sake. A direct gaze with no focal point; lights on, nobody home.\n\n◆ \"I didn't catch most of what you said.\" She muttered matter-of-factly. \"Just something about the staff. So this place has secrets?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"That's alright,\" Fennel reassured her. It wasn't that important anyway. They continued. \"Oh, yes. The reason this place even exists is a secret.\" \n\nThey looked back at the building. Tall, imposing, even at only three stories. The concrete was hardly friendly, and the wire fence probably didn't help matters either. But they still had to live there, in that awful monolith of a building, where \"Feng shui\" May as well be a condiment. The people seemed alright, at least.\n\n\"You'll get used to it.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Weird.\"\n\n□ A puff of smoke rolled off her lips, and she flicked her fingernail against the butt of it while thinking over what she knew. It was a secretive government facility, nominally for the education of people, yet it seemed to be one with plenty of skeletons in its closet. Akvilė was no stranger to skeletons – neither real nor spiritual – yet the idea of being in such a lavish yet haunted place seemed to bother her just a touch.\n\n▪︎ Another puff. \n\n◆ \"So, uh...\" The old awkwardness reared its head as she went to open her mouth again. Nervously she twirled a few locks of hair around her fingers, intertwining it with the stub of a cigarette she had left twixt her fingers. \"H-how'd you, y'know. Get off the road?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Weird.\" Akvile said. Fennel agreed, but didn't respond.\n\nThey did their best to breathe cleaner air than the deathly smoke from Akvile's cigarette. It wasn't working particularly well, and they still found themselves coughing now and again. They hoped not to get used to it, though city life made it more and more likely every day that they'd get used to breathing that kind of toxic air.\n\nThey looked at Akvile. She didn't look much better. Her demeanor was strange, but the cigarette combined with her eyes said enough. She had her own problems.\n\n\"Oh,\" Fennel said nonchalantly, \"My parents died, and I went into foster care. I was a child, I didn't really have a choice either way.\" They seemed unbothered, because they were. They'd read all this in a file. They weren't attached to it. How could they be? They didn't remember their parents, or their foster parents. They remembered words on a page.\n\n\"I went back on the road again when I got old enough. Then I lost my new caravan too. Then I went here.\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Circumstances out of your control. Hm.\" She commented, eyebrows raising slightly in thought. \"You must be Romani if you're talking about caravans. One of them passed through once; fine enough people. Oft-vilified, but fine people.\"\n\n□ Perhaps a weird way to put it, but what about Akvilė Wasn't Weird? Her hands, bony and slender, had holes all along her fingers. The skin on her neck showed bones clear as day. Every word she spoke seemed to take a ninety degree turn from where it seemed she was going. Digging out a small weathered can from a messenger bag hung over her shoulder she dropped the extinguished butt of her cigarette in and turned on her heels.\n\n▪︎ She'd done what she came to do.\n\n◆ \"Before I go back in to sit by the electric hearth.\" She turned her head to face the curly-haired wandered. \"Your name? I-I need familiar faces here.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel nodded. \"Yeah. Romani and Traveller. That's- Irish Traveller.\" Most people outside Ireland probably wouldn't know much about Travellers, they had to remind themselves. They were an unlikely mix.\n\nOft-vilified was right, though. Fennel had read about a particular incident in their file, one they weren't even sure they could have remembered. Their caravan had, it seems, been attacked by angry farmers.\n\nThey watched Akvile retrieve the cigarette butt from her mouth and place it in a small can with at least a little surprise. Littering seemed to be a favorite pastime of urban smokers - it was nice to know that it wasn't all of them.\n\nElectric hearth. Quaint phrasing. The idea had been new to Fennel too, once, of indoor heating, but they didn't quite remember learning about it. Still, the comparison of modern indoor heating to a hearth was charming. It elicited a little smile.\n\n\"It's Fennel. Yours?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Akvilė.\" She replied, hands awkwardly dangling in the air. \"I-I guess it's nice to meet you. Stay, uh... Safe?\"\n\n□ And with an awkward wave she turned her head and walked away, half-jogging to the door and holding her arms around herself to keep warm. As she walked away her thoughts raced onwards – Too open, They shouted at her – and she wasn't entirely sure if she'd ever seek Fennel out again.\n\n▪︎ But. A familiar face was a familiar face. It was a start." } ]	216	3,056
174.25	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "The trees is the courtyard shook fervently with an energy seen in few other places in the cradle. Something could be seen moving through them. Soon after, someone falls out of the tree, easily falling some ten feet or so to the ground after hitting a couple of branches, but they seemed to get up just fine.\n\nThey shook off the pain and tried to climb the tree again. Perhaps the pile feeshly snapped branches lying under the tree was the result of many attempts to climb this tree. They looked around and by now it was obvious that it was a girl.\n\nHer face didn't look very kind, despite the frantic and excited energy their body communicated, or maybe it was simply a quickness misinterpreted as joy.\n\nShe tried to climb the tree again, her hands stretching out to grab said tree and wrap around a thick branch. She began to lift herself up from the ground, and their bare feet would do the same, extending towards another thick branch for additional support. She didn't look very heavy or large in any sense, so that seemed to be helping.\n\nShe was entirely unaware of her surroundings, or maybe she was and didn't care, as none of it relates to her current task.\n\n```here you have a mundane post```" }, { "author": "jjackie", "message": "A particularly well dressed individual steps out into the courtyard with a certain air of arrogance wafting around him like a freshly sprayed perfume. He feels like he's too good for this place, like it's a hinderance to him to be stuck here.. Of course he's only been here for a single night, but he's already formed his own hard to change opinions. \n\nHe's trying to figure out his way through this place.. It's not that big but it's large enough that he has to try and memorize where shit is. Now he finds himself in a courtyard, and a rather pleasant one at that. Some benches and neatly kept grass.. Few trees.. It reminds him of his local park. That would make him untense a small bit, only to hear the rustling of trees that caused him to tense up again. Looking up he'd see.. What the fuck? What is that shit??\n\nShujin watches as a .. Human? Can humans even do that? Well, he has to remind himself he's in a facility with superhumans to put it bluntly. A lot of things are possible. Regardless, he watches a Thing Climb around in the trees like a squirrel. How... Interesting. \n\n\"Hey, Squirrel Girl!\" He'd shout up at the trees. \"Do you know where anything is around this place?!\"" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She groans loudly at being interrupted. \"What? Yeah, wassup?\" She hung down from a branch, her head and thick mane of curls dangling down farther than her visible body did, off of the ground by some two feet or so, sand hair kept away from her face by a headband.\n\nShe didn't have much of an air around her other than one of apathy, her face showing it well. \"Don't we have a map? Why do people keep asking around?\" She spoke to herself before falling from the tree onto her hands and twisting her body into an upright stance, blankly staring down this new individual. Was this the Sigma kid? No, he didn't look the computery loner type. Whatever." }, { "author": "jjackie", "message": "He'd sneer at the tangled mess of a human hair blob standing before him.. Maybe he's mistaken the local homeless girl for a student.. No, she's bathed. He thinks. He doesn't want to take a deep enough breath to find out just in case whatever crazy she has is contagious. Cmon.. Be nice.. He'd remind himself.. Though she literally did reply to squirrel girl without a qualm. \n\n\"Do uh.. You know where the bathrooms are?\" He'd ask politely. Mans gotta take a fat piss. \n\nHe was definitely closely eying her.. Twisting limbs. It's disgustingly fascinating. It made him want to vomit and give her $20 for the show at the same time." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"I mean, if just going outside isn't preferable, there are showers-slash-bathrooms between the rooms and gym.\" She pointed to the exact region of the building she spoke of. He could probably infer on how to get there from that alone. \"Yeah this place is a bit confusing but at least That Is easy to access.\" She shook her hair with her hands and a few leaves came out of it, but other than that it actually looked pretty okay. Her scarred face and blank expression didn't make her look too friendly, but even now when she had been rudely interrupted, she didn't see purpose or gratification in being a dick without reason. Plus she showed no clear objection to helping him, doing so without a secind thought. \"Oh, also, they have signs, you'll see 'em. Fastest access point from the courtyard is the gym.\"" }, { "author": "jjackie", "message": "\"...Do.. You go outside?\" He held his fingers to his chest like a concerned white mother. Oh god... Please let this person be Somewhat Normal, and he just didn't happen to pick the most greasy person here-\n\nAt least she tries to stay groomed.. Shujin feels a bit too well groomed now that he thinks about it. Suit and tie with his black leather gloves and cashmere socks.. Even his hair has just a touch of product in it. Fuck he almost even wore his concealer today.. What a disaster that would've been..\n\nHe should at least say thank you for the help.. But he definitely wants his answer first before he starts thanking people where pissing outside is their preferred method of using the bathroom. Seriously, the poor flowers.. Think of the flowers, man!!" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "\"If I'm too far from here, yes. But I always wash when I return.\" She confirmed his doubts but quickly negated them, at least in her eyes. \"I'm not an animal, but I Want To be one. Society seems too complicated.\" She frowns but then looks back to the boy \"Don't expect too much from these people, just a warning.\" She remains in place, waiting to see if he really Did Have to pee that bad, or if she really Was That interesting in the first place." }, { "author": "jjackie", "message": "..He'd look away and look back before just.. Quickly walking past her. \n\nHe's never met someone like that before and, frankly, he never wants to again. What the fuck? What the actual- WANTS to be an animal. He's already perturbed from this interaction and sincerely hopes everyone with powers isn't like this.. Hell is he even sure this way is a bathroom?? It might be a fuckin' patch of grass or a litterbox for all he knows.." } ]	159	1,394
304.333333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "The woods weren't peppered with bones, nor was it raining. Nay, the sky over the Cradle was ablaze with cthonic retribution and everywhere around it sat still as water in a glass. Equally clear was the sky. What the fuck was afoot?\n\nAkvilė intended to get to the bottom of it. \n\nNot fond of the prospects of enduring an Old Testament thunderstorm in March she'd packed up her rucksack quickly and fled to the surrounding wilderness, tendons framed like a leaf over her head and filaments painting its shape. Now she had made it out into the surrounding woods and she was Aching. She sat down on a long-fallen and half rotted log and slung her rucksack beside her; it was time to fix up the wounds she'd sustained getting out this far. \n\nPain sparked up her neck and through her jaws like a barbed wire whip as she leaned a little too fast towards her rucksack, and she let out a rather loud yet fiercely fought-back yelp. She stiffened for a moment and then loosened. Turned out fleshcrafting was painful; who knew? It'd been a necessary wound to get her out of the dormitories safely, but she had hoped it'd be less painful. She always did.\n\nEver the deer she felt a momentary wave of panic, and her gaze – mostly her eyes on account of her neck and shoulders being open wounds – shot up towards the surrounding woods and its trails, its animals, its trees, its distinct lack of bones. She couldn't help but wonder what the hell was up." }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir Valentinovich Dragovich\n\nPain. Suffering. Anger. Vizhkir was training. His family had survived worse. As raining bones pelted his leathery wings and bone armor he pushed himself forwards. He had to be better than his forefathers. It was the Dragovich way.\n\nHis powerful wings beat agasint the torrent, it hurt him but not as much as the bullets had hurt his father. This storm, as abnormal as it was, served as his proving ground. He would continue to push himself until failure. \n\nVizhkir spotted an opening in the storm, and his body screamed at him. As much as he wanted, as much as his strong headed Dragovich will demanded, he landed.\n\nA yelp alerted him that he wasn't alone. His father's words echoed in his tired head, *\"Always answer a cry for help. Always help those who need it.* Autonomously his body moved to the source. His black bone armor, his size, his wings and his gait gave him the appearance of a character straight from an Elder Souls game.\n\nHe spotted his query, wither she liked it or not, he eventually fell on one knee, right wing spread over her as if it were an umbrella. His huffs and grunts gave away his state, and his groans gave away his pain.\n\n\"Why...Huff huff... Why are you out here?\" He asked in his distinctive Russian accent." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "With upturned eyes Akvilė saw nothing, at least not at first. It must have been the wind. She glanced back down to her rucksack, and slowly reached a hand out to unfasten some of the buckles holding its tongue over the top.\n\nShe barely had a moment, however, to undo said buckles. As she curled two fingers under and awkwardly propped her thumb against a leather strap running top to bottom and then to top again a sudden presence made itself known in a blizzard of feathers, and in a Russian accent it asked why she was out in the woods. Akvilė jumped halfway out of the freckled skin slung over her shoulders, and let out another barely-restrained groan. She looked up, and between her caught-in-the-headlights eyes and her slightly agape mouth and defensive body language it might've been an easy read for how this new presence made her feel. But she couldn't just stare.\n\n\"I-I-I.\" She begins, sputtering like a diesel engine in Antarctica before letting out a soft annoyed sigh. \"I would ask the same? It is, uhm... Bad out. Not here, b-but at Cradle. I simply wanted out of it, I guess.\"" } ]	316	913
120.574468	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Fr0stByte: Hey Mark, do you want to hang out with me after the little cafe outside the school grounds? It's not too far from here. It's a lot of ways but the servers there are really nice! I am going to be there in about half an hour. Got a few little things I have to do! -Raizel!- =^0^=/\n\nAfter pressing the send button, Raizel was lazily lying on a tree branch staring up at the cloudy sky. Her leg casually swings to the side before she decides to jump down to land on her feet with a thump. She has other plans to do first before possibly meeting up with her companion.\n\nAs the scene pulled over towards the sound of rummaging by the disposal area, there was someone dressed in an old brown leather jacket, a gray hoodie and jeans. A baseball cap was worn on his head with visors casting a shadow over his tired eyes.It was Malus who had found a metal trash bin where the school tossed out scraps from the kitchen. He was just too afraid to ask if it's alright to eat from the cafeteria. Waiting on his mom's permission was leaving him anxious for her reply. There was nothing for days. Malus could wait for Pernilla to find a way to feed him properly from other life sources, so he is taking it into his own hands to try to sustain himself. Desperate, he searched until he found a bag of chips that was outdated by a week. Some kids are fussy with outdated food but at least it wasn't opened yet. Hungrily, it didn't take him long to finish it. \|\|Then he heard something moving from the side of his vision. There was a dark, scraggly rodent crawling on top of the dumpster. His pale gray eyes turned to slits before his hand snatched it up. It let out a screech as he held it in his hand, draining its life as it shriveled up into a husk. At least... It made him feel somewhat better.\|\|" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Mark gets the message and reads it. HOLY... She was inviting him out!? Was this a date!? Mark goes red and spins around in confusion. He was in the cafeteria when he got the message and was now freaking out. He then gets on his phone and types\n\nAmethystBanana: Okay! I would love to! I'll meet you there! 🖐️\n\nAnd after that, he turns his phone off and turns to the \|\|empty husk of a raccoon, then that familiar boy. Mark yelps in terror and jumps back\n\n\"...M-Malus?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Well, perhaps it did look like a raccoon? Malus wasn't sure but it was most definitely a rodent from what he could tell? The empty husk was clenched in his hands like a vacant vessel, hanging limp with no life left. \n\nWhen he thought no one wasn't really paying attention to him, it was when he turned to see Mark staring at him. Beneath the shadow of his visor, Malus's pale gray eyes glowed eerily. They were not right. They resemble most closely to a cat after they just made a kill. Now looking at Mark, he couldn't help but see the kid as the next morsel. All that life in a human. What made him more appetizing is how healthy this boy looked. Malus's mouth begins to water, just wanting to sap some life to satisfy his hunger.\n\nThen that starving predatory look clicked off when he realized the situation. He shoved the dead critter inside the trash bin before meekly turning away to try to leave. Compared to when he first met Mark, Malus was wearing layers of clothes to look less thin. Right now, he was skinny with bony hands and sunken cheeks that could easily be distinguished just by a glance." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Well, perhaps it did look like a raccoon? Malus wasn't sure but it was most definitely a rodent from what he could tell? The empty husk was clenched in his hands like a vacant vessel, hanging limp with no life left. When he thought no one wasn't really paying attention to him, it was when he turned to see Mark staring at him. Beneath the shadow of his visor, Malus's pale gray eyes glowed eerily. They were not right. They resemble most closely to a cat after they just made a kill. Now looking at Mark, he couldn't help but see the kid as the next morsel. All that life in a human. What made him more appetizing is how healthy this boy looked. Malus's mouth begins to water, just wanting to sap some life to satisfy his hunger. Then that starving predatory look clicked off when he realized the situation. He shoved the dead critter inside the trash bin before meekly turning away to try to leave. Compared to when he first met Mark, Malus was wearing layers of clothes to look less thin. Right now, he was skinny with bony hands and sunken cheeks that could easily be distinguished just by a glance.\n\nMark watches as all this happens, and he shivers. Yeah he gets scared easily, even by thus twink. Mark almost used his power: Gravity Pulse.\n\n\"W-Wha...\"\n\nHe refrains, and rather steps back. As Malus turns away, Mark calls out\n\n\"Malus! U-Uhm... You look malnourished... Would you like something to eat?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Malus shuddered not only at the thought of his mother yelling at him if he got her in trouble, but also at himself for wanting to sap life from another being, and Mark having to see this. \n\nHe has his back turned to the other, gripping his arm tightly. Unsure what to say since his heart was already rocketing inside his chest." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Malus shuddered not only at the thought of his mother yelling at him if he got her in trouble, but also at himself for wanting to sap life from another being, and Mark having to see this. He has his back turned to the other, gripping his arm tightly. Unsure what to say since his heart was already rocketing inside his chest.\n\nMark just has a worried look, and tries to slowly approach without touching him\n\n\"Uhm... I can get you something... If you want, of course!\"\n\nMark didn't know what to do, but he fast. He had to leave soon..." }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "There was a pained look from Mal as he tried to sign to Mark before remembering that not everyone understands. So he hastily pulls out a notepad to write,\"Do not tell anyone. And okay... I'll pay you back when I get my allowance..\"" }, { "author": "Martin Garza", "message": "There was a pained look from Mal as he tried to sign to Mark before remembering that not everyone understands. So he hastily pulls out a notepad to write,\"Do not tell anyone. And okay... I'll pay you back when I get my allowance..\"\n\nMark had forgotten that he was mute. Mark smiles softly, then running into the kitchen\n\n\"Its okay! I'll be quick, and you don't need to pay me!\"\n\nMark starts thinking about what he can make... Maybe an egg salad sandwich?" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Malus watched the boy run inside the kitchen, feeling sick to his stomach when he knew he might get in trouble. Maybe not by the deans but he was much more afraid of a parent who can hurt him. Tired, he had to take a seat on the ground with his back resting against the wall. Now washing his hands with alcohol wipe." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Malus watched the boy run inside the kitchen, feeling sick to his stomach when he knew he might get in trouble. Maybe not by the deans but he was much more afraid of a parent who can hurt him. Tired, he had to take a seat on the ground with his back resting against the wall. Now washing his hands with alcohol wipe.\n\nIn the short time of 10 minutes, Mark was done! He grabs the sandwich and puts it in a small baggie and runs to Malus\n\n\"Here you go! You seemed hungry...\"\n\nMark smiles awkwardly, and hands it to Malus(" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "His sharp nail slash the baggie open as soon as it was handed to him. It took a couple minutes after he devoured the sandwich, revealing his sharp canines and couple of honed molars. Swallowing was painful but it didn't matter as long as he got some food down into his stomach. \n\nFor someone who looks like a proper kid having to dig in garbage for food and sapping life from a pest, something was clearly not right." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "His sharp nail slash the baggie open as soon as it was handed to him. It took a couple minutes after he devoured the sandwich, revealing his sharp canines and couple of honed molars. Swallowing was painful but it didn't matter as long as he got some food down into his stomach. For someone who looks like a proper kid having to dig in garbage for food and sapping life from a pest, something was clearly not right.\n\n\"Oh- uhm... Was it good?\"\n\nMark tilts his head slightly as he stepped back. Was he... Alright? Mark sighs softly, hoping he would be taken care of one day. He was in a bit of a rush, though... He's already used up about 15 minutes..." }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Malus nods and holds up a written paper. \"Thank you, I should be alright.\"* \n\nHe was thin with indications that his malnourishment made him appear sickly, frail and paler than usual. There was a meek, sadden smile." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Malus nods and holds up a written paper. \"Thank you, I should be alright.\" He was thin with indications that his malnourishment made him appear sickly, frail and paler than usual. There was a meek, sadden smile.\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"...Yeah... I hope. I'm going to leave, now... Goodbye.\"\n\nMark was going to go talk to an adult some other day. Maybe he can help. But for now, he was going to get ready for this hangout" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel was already properly dressed wearing her usual coat, an ocean blue long dress T-shirt and gladiator sandals. There was no way this girl was going to ditch her tribal jewelry that she takes pride in. She kept her mask clinging onto her back pack that she kept beside herself. The girl was sitting by the window to watch the scenery while waiting for Mark." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel was already properly dressed wearing her usual coat, an ocean blue long dress T-shirt and gladiator sandals. There was no way this girl was going to ditch her tribal jewelry that she takes pride in. She kept her mask clinging onto her back pack that she kept beside herself. The girl was sitting by the window to watch the scenery while waiting for Mark.\n\nMark walks in the area, about 5 minutes late. He sits down next to Raizel. He was wearing a plain shirt, but a Hawaiian over it. He wore khaki shorts and nice shoes\n\n\"I-I'm sorry I'm late! I ran into something...\"\n\nMark was already blushing. He thought this was a date. Who wouldn't think that? Oh right... Raizel." }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "She turned to smile at Mark when she saw him appear. Not even complaining about him for being a little late.\"Hey, that's alright,\" She said, giving him a small wave. \"I'm j-just glad that you arrived. \n\nThe waitress hands them menus before asking for their drinks. Raizel just wanted to have a banana split sundae with strawberries. \"Hm... Hey, something did happen... Are you okay, Mark?\" She asked, looking at him with a curious look." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "She turned to smile at Mark when she saw him appear. Not even complaining about him for being a little late.\"Hey, that's alright,\" She said, giving him a small wave. \"I'm j-just glad that you arrived. The waitress hands them menus before asking for their drinks. Raizel just wanted to have a banana split sundae with strawberries. \"Hm... Hey, something did happen... Are you okay, Mark?\" She asked, looking at him with a curious look.\n\nMark smiles, sitting down. He tilts his head. Mark orders the same thing as Raizel\n\n\"Hmmm? Yes, Im fine! Nothing bad happened!\"\n\nMark shakes his head. It was an okay time! Nothing to write home about" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Okay, I'll take your word on it,\" Raizel chimed, believing him. Of course, she picks up a familiar smell on Mark but does not question it. \"Y-You wouldn't believe what I found in the woods today. There's this large chunk of rock that has bones in it? I-It's a fossil of some kind of weird bug?\" She pulls out a gray stone from her satchel before placing it dead center of the table. It had a fossilized bug in it. \"F-found it by a creek where I usually fish for trout.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "[attachment](<\n\n\"Wha- whoa! Y-You don't need to put it here! We can wait until we are home... But... It looks nice! I wonder what it is...\"\n\nMark smiles, and they get their orders\n\n\"So... Aside from this... Why did you invite me here?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel sneaked a small smirk before sliding the rock across the table before having it land inside the satchel. \"U-Uhmm... Well, is it a p-problem to ask you to come hang out here?\" Raizel asked, now looking confused. \"Nyom!\" And she gets a mouthful of ice cream, enjoying the taste." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel sneaked a small smirk before sliding the rock across the table before having it land inside the satchel. \"U-Uhmm... Well, is it a p-problem to ask you to come hang out here?\" Raizel asked, now looking confused. \"Nyom!\" And she gets a mouthful of ice cream, enjoying the taste.\n\n\"Well, N-No! There's no problem!\"\n\nSo this WASN'T a date... Mark sighs in relief. He wouldn't have know what to do if it was. He shakes his head with a smile and gets a mouthful of his own\n\n\"Mmmm! This is very good!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"I rarely come here for snacks, this is a small treat,\" Raizel said, enjoying her banana sundae. \"Have you been out in town yet? I-I was wondering because not a l-lot of students are aware that they could?\"\n\nShe was already working her way towards the strawberries, enjoying the sweet flavor." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"I rarely come here for snacks, this is a small treat,\" Raizel said, enjoying her banana sundae. \"Have you been out in town yet? I-I was wondering because not a l-lot of students are aware that they could?\" She was already working her way towards the strawberries, enjoying the sweet flavor.\n\n\"I haven't, no... I actually wasn't aware of it!\"\n\nMark smiles, then eating his stuff. He loved it\n\n\"I love sweets... Do you like sweets? Or prefer savory foods?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Sweets grow on me,\" Raizel admitted, remembering how overwhelming it was when she ate a slice of chocolate cake. \"I-It was hard to come across things like candy in the wild. The closest thing to candy w-would be honey.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Sweets grow on me,\" Raizel admitted, remembering how overwhelming it was when she ate a slice of chocolate cake. \"I-It was hard to come across things like candy in the wild. The closest thing to candy w-would be honey.\"\n\n\"Thats fair! Sweet foods are amazing! Its like a magical taste! Especially when it's something new! Maybe next time we hang out, I can bake you something!\"\n\nMark smiles, seeming very happy with his food(" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"You can surprise me? I don't know a whole lot of n-names for treats,\" Raizel said, scooping up a clump of ice cream and popping it into her mouth. \"Mmm..\" She places her hand on her cheek, blushing." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"You can surprise me? I don't know a whole lot of n-names for treats,\" Raizel said, scooping up a clump of ice cream and popping it into her mouth. \"Mmm..\" She places her hand on her cheek, blushing.\n\n\"Sure! I know just the thing!\"\n\nMark chuckles, thinking about what he should make. He then finishes his ice cream, blushing from the sweetness. He thought Raizel's little movements were cute. That and the little 'nyom' noises she would make. But he knew he could never say that" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel had no idea what Mark is thinking while she was too distracted with her banana sundae. She find his company enjoyable and felt that she didn't need to worry too much about him judging her. After she almost finished the treat, Raizel turned to Mark. \"You know... S-so far from a lot of boys in school, you're kind of adorable.\" She wasn't flustered when she said it bluntly. It just came out. This girl was speaking from what's on her mind. \"I think you'll grow into a cute little man when you get older.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel had no idea what Mark is thinking while she was too distracted with her banana sundae. She find his company enjoyable and felt that she didn't need to worry too much about him judging her. After she almost finished the treat, Raizel turned to Mark. \"You know... S-so far from a lot of boys in school, you're kind of adorable.\" She wasn't flustered when she said it bluntly. It just came out. This girl was speaking from what's on her mind. \"I think you'll grow into a cute little man when you get older.\"\n\nMark was done with his sundae, so he just watched Raizel as she enjoyed her food. But when she commented, Mark flushes red. Now you're REALLY playing with his heart lol\n\n\"...Wha- Huh!? I-I... Thank you...\"\n\nThe second comment was just kicking him while he was down. Now he was confused. Did she like him? No... She probably doesn't understand love. Does he like her? Fuck, he doesn't even know himself. He was just in a limbo, trying to figure shit out\n\n\"...Th-Thank you... You are very pretty, too... Huh... O-okay, now I know how it feels to be complimented like that-\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "The girl wasn't even aware what the comment would have indicated for the other. It just came out as it manifested in her mind. With his compliment, Raizel gave a kind and appreciative smile. \n\n\"No, I-I really mean it, though,\" She said, finishing the last strawberry. It was much sweeter tasting. \"You're going to be a nice looking older male. There's potential.\" She was serious when she meant it. Of course, not realizing how she is making him flustered." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "The girl wasn't even aware what the comment would have indicated for the other. It just came out as it manifested in her mind. With his compliment, Raizel gave a kind and appreciative smile. \"No, I-I really mean it, though,\" She said, finishing the last strawberry. It was much sweeter tasting. \"You're going to be a nice looking older male. There's potential.\" She was serious when she meant it. Of course, not realizing how she is making him flustered.\n\n\"Y-Yeah... Thank you...\"\n\nMark clunks his head on the table, then sitting up\n\n\"Y-You're too kind... You got me all embarrassed... Haha...\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel jumped when Mark clunked his head on the table. There was a concern look as she was about to poke his crown, then pulls her hand away when he suddenly sits up. \"S-say, maybe next time we hang out w-we could try to bring some friends along? I-I don't know... Ever since the chaos happened at school, I'm not sure if they'll let us have fun on field trips. I sort of want to check out the mall?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel jumped when Mark clunked his head on the table. There was a concern look as she was about to poke his crown, then pulls her hand away when he suddenly sits up. \"S-say, maybe next time we hang out w-we could try to bring some friends along? I-I don't know... Ever since the chaos happened at school, I'm not sure if they'll let us have fun on field trips. I sort of want to check out the mall?\"\n\nMark smiles awkwardly, tilting his head. But... The mention of bringing friends threw him off the loop\n\n\"W-Well... I don't really have other friends... But if you have someone you want to invite, I'll be glad to meet them!'\n\nMark seemed a bit sad of the fact he had no other friends. But the mall sounded like a good idea\n\n\"Okay! That sounds good!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Oh, should I wait u-until you find friends?\" Raizel asked, looking at him with a concern look. \"To be f-fair, I haven't seen my other friends in a long time...? They all seem to be busy... With their other companions... So I kept to myself.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Oh, should I wait u-until you find friends?\" Raizel asked, looking at him with a concern look. \"To be f-fair, I haven't seen my other friends in a long time...? They all seem to be busy... With their other companions... So I kept to myself.\"\n\n\"Hehe... W-we don't have to do that. I'm not good at making friends. But... If you want, we can just go ourselves?\"\n\nMark smiles awkwardly, a bit sad he didn't have other friends. But he loved spending time with Raizel" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Okay, that could work too?\" She said, rubbing the back of her neck. \"I-I kind of miss some of my other friends, we sort of drifted away...\" And she nervously twindles her thumbs together. \"It started with those angel girls... They were kind of dangerous and some of u-us wanted to investigate them. They hurt Annika who didn't want to see them... She got hurt by them? And her 'sisters' were out to go find her? The wh-whole thing felt like a cult... In a weird sense...\" Raizel sighed. \"Ever since then things just drifted away. The angel sisters were killing a lot of animals leaving their remains on the school property... T-to try intimidate the authority. They got me in trouble for it.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Okay, that could work too?\" She said, rubbing the back of her neck. \"I-I kind of miss some of my other friends, we sort of drifted away...\" And she nervously twindles her thumbs together. \"It started with those angel girls... They were kind of dangerous and some of u-us wanted to investigate them. They hurt Annika who didn't want to see them... She got hurt by them? And her 'sisters' were out to go find her? The wh-whole thing felt like a cult... In a weird sense...\" Raizel sighed. \"Ever since then things just drifted away. The angel sisters were killing a lot of animals leaving their remains on the school property... T-to try intimidate the authority. They got me in trouble for it.\"\n\n\"O-Oh... Wow...\"\n\nMark's eyes widened as she told him the story. How did he not realize any of this had happened? Wow... Mark didn't know what to do, so he pats her head\n\n\"I-I'm sure you can talk to them again and they will be happy to see you!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"M-Mhm... I hope things are back to normal... I don't know if they want to talk to me is the thing? It felt like I am back to ground zero trying to find friends... Well... Ground one, I have you.\" Raizel said." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"M-Mhm... I hope things are back to normal... I don't know if they want to talk to me is the thing? It felt like I am back to ground zero trying to find friends... Well... Ground one, I have you.\" Raizel said.\n\n\"...Have you tried talking to them? You never know until you try!\"\n\nMark smiles softly as he spoke, trying to comfort her with his words\n\n\"And since you have me... I'll do my best to be enough for you!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Her face turns beet red as she hides it behind her sleeved hands. \"Oh-Oh gosh, thanks... That's a lot hearing it from you, Marky.\" She felt her mouth turn to a shy squiggle. \"I-I'll try talk to them? I'm n-not sure if they remember me.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Her face turns beet red as she hides it behind her sleeved hands. \"Oh-Oh gosh, thanks... That's a lot hearing it from you, Marky.\" She felt her mouth turn to a shy squiggle. \"I-I'll try talk to them? I'm n-not sure if they remember me.\"\n\n\"Really? Hehe-... I'm glad...\"\n\nMark blushes a little, but he doesn't give much of a reaction, as to assure her\n\n\"But.. Yeah! I'm sure it will be okay!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"O-Okay, I'll do it when they're not too busy. I'm not sure if they graduated yet?\" And with that, Raizel pulled her sleeved hands away from her face after it cooled down. \"Y-You know... I heard there are new kids coming into school recently... Some of em are odd but I think they might make good friends?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"O-Okay, I'll do it when they're not too busy. I'm not sure if they graduated yet?\" And with that, Raizel pulled her sleeved hands away from her face after it cooled down. \"Y-You know... I heard there are new kids coming into school recently... Some of em are odd but I think they might make good friends?\"\n\n\"That's good! I'm rooting for you!\"\n\nMark smiles, giggling a bit. He was glad he could help... Maybe he was a good friend! He was insecure for a while...\n\n\"Oh, really? That seems nice!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"S-say... Are you thinking about trying to make them into friends too?\" Raizel asked, now looking directly at him." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"S-say... Are you thinking about trying to make them into friends too?\" Raizel asked, now looking directly at him.\n\n\"Uhm... M-Maybe? I would have to meet then first!\"\n\nMark smiles awkwardly as she stared into his soul. He answers while exchanging her gaze*" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Alright,\" Raizel couldn't help but smile. \"H-Hey, I think we should get back to school. L-Lunch is almost over.\"\n\n\|\| Good time to end it here?" } ]	107	5,667
150.944444	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "Vera would walk out the exterior door from the premises, wearing a light green cardigan and a darker green t-shirt. Only having jeans and black combat boots. Not looking as she is dressed for the cold wintery outdoors a gust of cold wind hit her square in the face, her light porcelain skin immediately turning pink and blush around her cheeks. Walking forward in the cold dense wet snow, her teeth start to chatter, so in the cloudy light of the sun she whisked her hand and a small pinch of sunlight appears in her hand, flickering like a candle in ball form of bright light she held it close to warm herself. The sun's small amount of heat gave her warmth quickly, she pressed the small light ball into her chest and it disappeared, absorbed into her skin her cheeks were no longer pink and she did not chatter her teeth. As the warmth moved around her body the snow began to slightly melt around her steps but freeze as she left the track. Walking towards the stone bench she sat on the far side next to Lynn. Closing her eyes so she can focus on the warmth she just gave herself." }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "Lynn looks up and at Vera with a very measured look on her face. She doesn't hesitate to pester her, despite the serene look on her face.\n\n\"Supernatural powers.\" She starts. Maybe a bit of a non sequitur, but she continues, her words almost as if recited. \"Have you ever thought if anyone else out there had them, before you came to this place?\" She asks. \"Show me.\" She says, her tone halfway a request and not so much.\n\n\"Oh, my name is Lynn by the way.\" She extends her hand in an offering of a handshake." }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "Looking over at the girl who's name was Lynn she only stared for a second inspecting the girl seeing she had a weapon, a sword at that.\n\"I like to call it magic but yes it is supernatural. Fairy tales and myths were the only closest thing I can think of.\"\nIn a calm tone explaining and answering her question, before turning her head back to the sky Vera turned back to her hand. Shaking it warmly her hand was not cold to the bone but warm and seemed to have a slight glow from the sun's light that traveled her body\n\"Vera,\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"Same difference, is it not? A departure from what anyone else would call usual.\" She eyes her hand intently. She offers her a firm shake, before she pulls her hand back.\n\n\"So you think yourself a character from a fairytale of sorts?\" She asks. \"Or someone close to one, at least.\"\n\n\"I suppose if I had to pick a myth, I like the Lady of the Lake the best.\" She makes an idle comment." }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"I see myself as a person in the side of the story not wanting this life only invisible to the ones who love it\"\nPulling her hand away she keeps her eyes on the girl and thinks more of her question, having been pulled away her story would been more of a villains tale how she caused damage and was sent to a prison like place.\n\"Lady of the Lake is interesting I agree, giving Authur the sword of Excalibur correct? I'm more fond of the creatures than stories. Selkies are an interest for myths\" The stone seat would now start to become warmer and flow it's warmth next to her" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"How strange. You don't feel like the protagonist, even in your life?\" She blinks. \"Though I guess I'm not really one to talk, I suppose!\"\n\nLynn nods. \"Yes. That's the one. I wish to meet an Arthur in my life one day. It makes me wonder how long she waited to give it away, and I can't help but feel like I understand how she felt.\" She rests her hand on the heating stone.\n\n\"I forget, was that the horse that drowned you? Or just the water fae? They have awfully similar names, I believe.\" He says. \"Would you have preferred water as a power over whatever it is you're doing right now?\"" }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"Yup, just a side character, What do you mean you're not one to talk? From your story you seem like a protagonist on an adventure.\"\nShuffling in her seat Vera realized she heated the stone too much and stopped heating it, letting it get cold quickly.\n\"Sorry I wasn't focusing, the Selkie is a fae of sorts that has a coat that lets them turn into a seal. A siren or mermaid of sorts not a bad creature just cute as a seal. Kelpies are horses that drown you yes.\"\nGetting more comfortable with Lynn to talk about a subject she's interested in and enjoys. Never really talking with anyone before she came here\n\"Sometimes I wish to have a watery power sure, beats bending light just to make a mistake and blind someone..\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "Lynn lets out a hum as she ponders for a second. \"It's only a story.\" She says. \"I like it, but I'm no Lady of the Lake myself.\"\n\"I suppose we both have a lot to learn about each other, Vera.\"\n\n\"By all means, I don't mind.\" She pats the stone as the cold takes it once more. \"I'm curious about other people's powers.\"\n\"Ah, but I've heard a lot of bad myths about sirens.\" She hums. \"Maybe they're not bad, but good people can still be tricky, can't they? Myths have a strange tendency to fragments into different canons like that.\"\n\"If its about Selkies specifically, I don't know much. Tell me, Vera, do they trick people?\"\n\n\"Have you accidentally blinded someone in the past, then? Well, you don't have to answer my question if you don't want to.\" She tilts her head. \"But I take it you can go much stronger than you're doing right now. You're hardly brighter than a lightbulb, as it is.\"" }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"Definitely a lot to learn about one's self,\" She places her hand on the stone and it warms up again with her hand now glowing a bit brighter as the light and heat moved to her hand\n\"Sorry, didn't mean to take the heat from you,\" She let out a little smile and a quiet chuckle at the end of her sentence. Her hand still on the stone it was now comfortably warm,\n\"Well from what I've read about Selkies they are mermaids of fairy creatures called \"Seal folk\" And they save the lives of children or fishermen if they've fallen into the sea. They are very nice and can have human form when on land.\"\nVera formed a small smile before she asked about the blinding and her neural face was back\n\"Well not blinding them exactly but I did reflect light into someone's eyes and they couldn't see for an hour... Temporary blindness but it still worries me..\" Seeming to sulk in her seat Vera removed her hand from the seat and put them in her cardigan pockets.\n\"Does not mean I wish to be brighter but yes I can be a \"Beam of light\" Some call me. Physically not mentally heh\" Making herself chuckle to rid of the past memories that were bringing her down" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"Ah. Rarer we see benevolence when it comes to myth.\" Lynn notes. \"Makes you wonder if they keep any secrets.\"\n\n\"It happens.\" She reassures her. \"I'm sure a few toddlers have done the same with a particularly powerful flashlights. Maybe some careless adults too.\"\n\"They've made weapons out of those on purpose, you know? Flashbangs and what not. You're hardly a dangerous person.\"\n\n\"Really, anybody can pick up a gun, or a flashlight.\" She shifts the sword strapped to her waist. \"Even a sword. Maybe we wouldn't even win in that contest.\"\n\"But I suppose the supernatural part of it all would be a curiosity. But then again, I don't think they do experiments here in Newton's Cradle.\"\n\"Well, if they say its to keep us safe, I'm willing to play their game. Do you believe we're safe here, Vera?\" Again with the awkward questions." }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"A mystery all myths keep, never though I wanted to find out but you peaked my interest in that.\"\n\n\"You just explained my power is of a dangerous person...\" A bit annoyed she finds a way to redeem her \"Dangerous\" Power A gun and a sword need sight to use them it so I could use my dangerous flashlight to a defensive sort. Shine it in their eyes. I think we could win, don't doubt that.\"\n\nShuffling in her seat the warmth still in the stone while snowflakes melt as they hit her skin\n\"I think they brought everyone here because they were scared of what we can do. I always keep my guard I never felt safe when I became a human flashlight of sorts..\"\n\nLooking down at her hands as they glow with the warm light, she hides them away with her cardigan sleeves acting if she were cold but Vera just didn't want to look at them." }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"Certainly.\" She says. \"I just don't think it's that big of a deciding factor, in the end.\"\n\n\"Are You Scared of what you can do yourself?\" Lynn prods a little bit. \"It sounds a little bit like that, I think.\"\n\"Even if a human flashlight is hardly sounds like a threat. Personally, the people in my life always sought after my power.\"\n\n\"Do you think you are being rightfully held right in here in a detention center far from home, then?\"" }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"I'm not scared, I mean in a way I could be scared of them in the future.\" Stuttering her wording\n\"Don't think people wanted my power, I was gone so quick I didn't know what happened. I don't like it here that's for sure, just want to go home but I'm so new here and they forcefully took me...\" The situation was getting uncomfortable as she removed the heat from the seat and back to her body.\n\|\|" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "Lynn taps her chin. \"Ah, you have family waiting for you outside then?\" She prods. \"How were you taken?\"\n\"Me, personally, I have no one else. And I came willingly.\" She shrugs. \n\n\"To get out... It seems like the only way is 'graduation', from what I hear. It doesn't seem to follow a strict curriculum... It could be early as tomorrow, so long we prove that ourselves having learned enough. Who knows how they might deem that, though?\" She shrugs, again.\n\n\"Have you ever tasted independence, Vera? Ever spent a night alone at home, or somewhere else? I know some people our age with rather strict parents.\" She hums. \"It seems we're here for the long haul. Better get used to it.\"\n\"If you have hopes of getting out from this place?\" She hums, posing it as a question." }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"I had no choice, I may of injured someone... My parents wait for me yeah. Not sure if they'll ever let me out\" Looking down as she held her hands together the heat increased there along with light, frustrated by the subject\n\"I've been alone yes, my parents are lovely people never strict\" A small chuckle as she thinks about home \"I do wish to get out of here, as quick as possible if I can. My only fear is they'll put me in a dark box and keep me locked up...\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"Well, Vera.\" Lynn starts, as she looks around. \"I doubt it'd stay dark for long if its you.\" She cracks a... Joke? Though her neutral expression doesn't convey it well.\n\n\"In all seriousness, I don't think they'll do that if we behave ourselves. I've read up on our policies- at worst, its prison. Of course, prison is horrible. But its not a dark box.\"\n\nA pause, as she eyes her. \"I don't think you're quite the troublemaker, so you should be fine.\" She hums. \"Just focus on graduating I suppose, if I had any advice at all to give you.\"" }, { "author": "Vera Web", "message": "\"Yeah, I've just always had a fear of these places, the shows about the supernatural locked up... Then it's all a misunderstanding.\" The light emits from her fisted hands and grows in light \"I want to focus but I cant get out of my own head staying in a reality that can never be,\" The light became too bright from her thoughts and emotion that it burned and made her flick the light out of her hands and hit one of the stones on the side walk and burn the top of it making a black burn spot on the rock, cooling off from the snow the smoke fades \"Ow, oh poor rock...\"" }, { "author": "goodideasareoverrated", "message": "\"An overactive imagination, I see.\"\n\n\"Well, speak with people. Your fellows are on the same boat. The staff seem nice enough. On the surface, at least. If I squint hard enough, I might even be able to see how they could be akin to parents to some people.\"\n\n\"We might just get out of this one alive.\"" } ]	133.5	2,717
120.8	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "It's the middle of the day, \"High noon\" As McCree would call it. It's a bit hot but nothing unbearable, except for Penelope, who's in the courtyard grass and just messing around with the plants around her, growing plants and patterns.\n\nShe doesn't have her usual jacket on, just a tank top with her plants that are through her body enjoying all this sun\n\nShe has bandages around her body, mainly around her chest and ribcage, but she didn't seem to mind, she's just vibing as she normally does" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel is new here. Powers are still fascinating to them - sure, they have powers themselves, but of the distinctly non-corporeal variety. They've never seen anyone lift things with their mind or throw fireballs before, except in movies, so it's still more than a little shocking to suddenly exist in a world where those things can happen.\n\nEspecially when those things can kill them. That's a little much for Fennel to want to pry. But when they spot someone in the grass, playing around with the grass and weeds and growing them into pretty shapes, that seems innocent enough for Fennel to feel comfortable asking.\n\nThey sit down into the grass next to Penelope, being careful to find a spot where they aren't ruining anything.\n\n\"Isn't it cold lying in the grass like that?\"" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "She, on the other hand, had never really thought about it like how others did. She just got her very physical power and kinda accepted it. She knows the risk, experienced it firsthand, but never really freaked out about it\n\nWhile she's thinking about what other design she could do, she could feel Fennel step into the grass. She doesn't react but she knows they're there before he sits\n\n\"Not really, it's pretty much my home.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Ohhh, plant stuff. Right.\"\n\nAt least Fennel was familiar enough with superhero media to recognize the tropes - of course the plant person would like lying in the dirt. It was so obvious in hindsight.\n\n\"So. If you don't mind, how long have you been here?\"" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Few months, not long at all. I'm assuming you're new here? My name is Penelope.\"\n\nShe smiles at Fennel before growing a rose and gifting it to them, as just a welcome gift! She certainly thought they'd appreciate it\n\nAlthough looking at... Fennel doesn't really help her with that thought, they're just so androgenous that she can't really pin down anything that they'd really like baised off of gender" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"For me? Thank you.\"\n\nFennel smiled gently and turned the rose in their hands for a few moments. They'd probably replant it. It seemed like a nice memory to have.\n\n\"Stēš,\" Fennel mumbled before returning to their normal speaking voice, \"I'm new here. I arrived a few days ago, maybe.\" They hadn't kept track. Time felt more fluid than it ever had before. Probably didn't help that their routine of zazen, yoga and various other daily spiritual exercises, which had been grounding them for years, had been shot by the move.\n\n\"I'm Fennel. Nice to meetcha.\"" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Nice to meet you too, it's always nice to meet a fresh face!\" \nShe never really kept track of the days, it's all been kinda flying by without any real landmarks. Other than the incident with Tiff, that one's still fresh.\n\n\"If you don't mind me asking, what's your ability? What got you sent to Newton's Cradle in the first place?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Yeah.\" Fennel nodded. \"Nice to meet new people once in a while, huh.\" Fennel didn't really meet new people very often. They interacted with strangers, but those people would always stay strangers. Maybe that was going to change.\n\n\"I'm not really supposed to talk about it, actually. They said something about relapse, I think.\" Fennel had been trying to listen, but even then, they couldn't make heads or tails of why they weren't allowed to talk about their powers. \"I don't really get it, though, so... Not gonna harsh my vibe over it. If you wanna hear it, I'll tell you, huh? But no snitching.\" They chuckled confidently and leaned back a little further into the grass." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Yep.\" She says kinda akwardly, nodding her head as well while listening to Fennel. She was never really good with small talk like that, always so akward...\n\n\"I don't think I ever got that talk about not discussing powers with others! And plus I use it so openly that it's not hard at all to figure it out.\" She'd explain, trying to keep it short. To be honest if she ever did get that talk, she didn't listen because... Well because there's not really anything else interesting about her...\n\n\"And I once hundred want to hear about your power! And I ain't no snitch, I can keep a secret!\"\nShe'd make the grass he's leaning into quite a bit softer, a lot more comfortable" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Alright, alright.\" They sat up again, playing with their hair and gently sweeping it out of their eyes. \"It's, how d' I put this...\"\n\nFennel had to think. Specifically, they had to think about a way to phrase their abilities that wouldn't send Penelope running for the hills. Which wasn't easy, because apparently people didn't like the idea of their minds being malleable.\n\n\"It's, like... Mind control, but less good. I can mess with people's heads, but it's not like I can enslave you or anything like that. Just make you see colors or think your name's John.\"" } ]	125	1,208
346.727273	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ What a beautiful afternoon...\n\n□ Stepping out of the main dormitory barefoot and full of sunshiny pep, Audrey couldn't help but smile widely as the afternoon sun hit her skin and filled her mouth with the same familiar bundle of herbs and nuts she'd come to expect from the o'holy lifegiver overhead. A soft breeze blew, and with it her tiered skirt fluttered lightly, reminding her that she'd come out for more than simply basking and soaking up all the sun and wind she could. Walking away from the dorms, she had one thing in mind, and she wasn't about to let herself get distracted. Then again... The whole fugitive situation from the night before had her worried, so maybe distractions were only natural.\n\n▪︎ After all, even by the Cradle's admittedly high standards this was unusual as hell. Why had a resident run off with a random vigilante? How had the girl even got here? Why?\n\n○ She tried her best to shake the thoughts away; she had a garden to tend to and a façade to uphold, and she wasn't about to fail on either front." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "thank you for this blessing\n\nIt was official. Lucifer was lost.\nLOST with a capital L, and a capital O,S and T.\nHe had only been at the Cradle for a few days, long enough to unpack his meagre belongings and make his dorm feel somewhat homely, and already he'd lost his way.\nLuci had stepped out of his room with the intention of exploring the grounds and maybe bumping into a few others on the way (maybe asking one of them to explain what in the fresh hell had happened the other night), it was easier if he knew which direction to head for class and town after all, and he'd always loathed the idea of letting someone else guide him.\nThough maybe that would've been a better alternative to the current one.\n\nHe muttered under his breath again, slowing to a stop and tapping his cane against the pavement in agitation before rolling his shoulders to try and loosen the ache that was beginning to set in. Almost immediately, the small clicking of claws on brick sounded out as Luci's bird, Hydne, appeared, looking as grumpy as their summoner, jumping up onto his shoulder and peering around, noticing a glimpse of greenery around the next corner. A garden maybe?\n\"Well, at least that's Something \" Luci mumbled to his raven, who eyed him up in response, puffing up a few scruffy pin feathers before vanishing between one blink and the next.\nPerhaps there will at least be a bench, his feet really were starting to smart." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ Footsteps.\n\n□ One of her odd traits, as it turned out, was that she had great hearing. Nothing parahuman, nothing cybernetic, but simply a fun fact. Of course, though, it wasn't like she could shut her hearing off, and so as she strolled through one of the pathways up to where she'd been growing a couple of assorted vegetables that just wouldn't take hold in her jungle of a bedroom she could hear someone walking nearby. Figuring it was just another resident out for a stroll, or perhaps a guard doing double rounds in the aftermath of the previous night's upheaval, she kept on walking, humming a tune to herself in the meantime.\n\n○ Her planter box was just around the corner anyways, so it wasn't like she had far to walk." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Luci had only just turned into the garden, taking a second to enjoy the sudden floral smells when he heard the crunch of footsteps somewhere off to his left and paused, shifting to stand off to the side of the path and cooking his head towards the sound.\n\n\"Excuse me!\" He called out once he confirmed it was, in fact a person, beginning to walk along the rest of the path towards the garden, one hand skimming the edge of the wall, he was tempted to call out to Hydne again, just to ask them to fly overhead and make sure he was heading the correct way, but Hydne wasn't really the most friendly or ... Delicate looking bird, and he didn't want to freak anyone out. Blundering along hopefully would do for now." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[OH GOD I FORGOT TO REPLY]\n\n◆ \"Eep!\"\n\n□ Admittedly, Audrey hadn't been expecting the unseen guest to actually approach her, so when she heard a man's voice calling out she jumped a little, nearly knocking over a planter box mere inches from her feet. Turning her head, she met eyes with a rather interesting looking lad, with marble skin and a raven on his shoulder. If anything, the pair looked as if they were carved in an alternate universe by neo-Romans, from the same marble the other greats had been carved from, and she couldn't help but admire, just for a moment, how ethereal the pair looked. Afterwards, though, her lips curled into a welcoming, kind smile, dimples popping out and the corners of her eyes creasing lightly.\n\n▪︎ Right, the guy had been talking to her.\n\n◆ \"Hiya, hun! Sorry about that, you, uh... Kinda gave me a spook.\" She laughed. \"But it's no problem, I swear, I'm just jumpy by nature! I love your bird, though; I haven't seen any other ravens like him around, so I'm assuming he's yours, huh?\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "You're good my dude\n\nMy replies might be slow, I'm not home atm\n\nAt the sudden yelp of surprise and the following clatter of something heavy, Luci immediately reared back in his own silent surprise, heels leaving the floor and the hand gripping his cane coming up to his shoulder, the other reaching at his chest. His startlement disappeared as quickly as it arrived, shoulders dropping and an easy smile plastering itself on his face, though something about it was slightly off, appearing to be more of a polite smile than one of true happiness.\n\n\nThe raven on his shoulder barely reacted. Perhaps flinching their wings and adjusting grip, their head bobbing to keep level with the ground in that odd way birds do.\n\nLucifer cocked his head to the left as if examining a particularly interesting book passage, and the bird mimicked, once beady white eyes suddenly turning a salmon pink and immediately training on the stranger with a keen interest.\n\n\n\"I'm sorry, didn't see you there either\" He joked,\n\n\"You've No Idea how pleased I am to come across another soul here\"\n\nAs he spoke, Lucifer took in the figure before him; she was taller than he expected, realising that they were actually at eye levell. Soft red hair stood out against the green backdrop of the garden, though when he shifted his head slightly, hints of green shined through, like vines twisting their way between the strands. An equally soft (or perhaps softer) face greeted him when he looked to it, a smooth jawline and curved eyebrows, slightly hidden beneath a thick fringe, a splash of freckles covering her features and a small, gentle smile to match kind, emerald green eyes. For a moment he considered that, if Eve had ever been real, she might've appeared somewhat similar, a fitting appearance to match the garden of Eden.\n\n\nLucifer felt as though he could trust her almost immediately, tight smile loosening to show a hint of teeth and jaw unclentching as he indicated his head towards Hydne, still perched on his shoulder, puffy feathers sticking out around their face and neck like a mangy cat.\n\n\"Yes, sorry, trouble here is me, I mean- they're mine, is what I meant to say.\"\n\nHe leaned forward, one hand coming up slightly as if to offer it in handshake before seeming to realise the distance between them and dropping it down, rubbing at the seam in his Jean pocket, his ears starting to turn a rather dramatic shade of pink and his face changing to match.\n\n\n\"I'm Lucifer and this is Hydne, I only arrived a few days ago you see and this place- well its very nice, but I've been lost for at least an hour now and you're the first I've seen here\" He babbled, before pausing a second, somehow reddening further before gesturing loosely with his cane,\n\n\"I like your tattoos by the way, um, they're beautiful, they match your eyes\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, you haven't seen anyone else around...? Hmm...\" Her upper lip jutted out slightly in thought, soft glossy lips rolling over each other like cogs. \"It might be because someone just broke out of here, hun. Some girl named Valio, and she had this... Angel? With her. That's another story, those are some real creeps out there.\" Her voice wavered with discomfort at the mere thought of the Angels she'd been hearing about. \"Everyone's nerves are still a little shot, I know there's still search parties and stuff going out here and there, so maybe the others are staying in just to be safe? I wouldn't blame them.\"\n\n□ Calmly speaking, her words slid off her tongue like honey and sunshine in May, warm and patient. She didn't know a ton of what had happened, given her phone had been fried during the unusual EMP that had went off the same night that Valio busted out, but from what she'd gathered it was Not A good thing. Not only was she giant, she'd been sheltering a cult fugitive, someone who'd committed some true cardinal trespasses, blood caked into fingernails forevermore, and that mixture of circumstances had left her feeling a little unsettled. Sure, she knew that the Cradle had its Quirks In the student body, but something of that scale...? It was insane to think about, and she didn't want to any longer.\n\n▪︎ Thankfully, the lad – Lucifer, as he introduced himself – was all too eager to chat.\n\n◆ \"Ooh, Lucifer? Spooky, I like it! Were your parents goths? Bible scholars? Satanists?\" A giggle left her throat. \"Sorry, maybe too on the nose. Anyways, hun, this place is usually bustling on nice days like these, but like I said, I think we're all still recovering from the shock we got the other night. Like, I Just Got a replacement phone yesterday, and it's nice, but... Still. We're all frazzled, y'know?\" She hummed, clasping her hands behind her back and swaying lightly in place, hips gently moving in place as she did so. \"Also, these aren't tattoos, but thank you! They're actually the crux of my parahumanity; they're basically huge expanses of chlorophyll!... And that means that, yeah, I get my energy from the sun. I'm basically a walking sentient plant if you think about it...\"\n\n◇ Had she noticed the compliment? Well, if she had then she didn't comment on it, instead kneeling down to sprinkle water over some watermelon plants by way of a kitschy aluminum watering can designed to look like a bulb of fennel. What an endearing weirdo." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Angels??? Lucifer decided to brush off the name, assuming it was some kind of slang or group he wasn't yet familiar with but the rest of the statement wasn't particularly surprising, he'd heard vague rumours on the Cradle's chat room, mutterings about a missing person, or Persons, but it was none of his business he'd had his own experiences with being on the run, whatever their reasons for it, he couldn't bring himself to judge them.\n\n\nAt the comment towards his name, and more importantly its.. Familial ties, Lucifer swallowed, grasping at his necklace with his fingers, twisting the ring on his index with his thumb. His family had always been a sore subject, his name too, though he didn't regret choosing it, and it was too late to change anyways by now.\n\nHe made a small squeaking sound in his throat when he opened his mouth to speak, like a strangled rat and snapped his jaw shut with an audible click, repeating the motion another two times before he managed a quiet:\n\n\"Hmrrh? No, no my parents were uh, mm eccentric I suppose\"\n\nFollowed by a loose flap of his hand and he ducked his head.\n\n\nHe needn't have worried about having to explain further, as the woman before him steamrolled on, discussing the recent events and then, refreshingly changing subjects. This time Lucifer listened with keen interest as she discussed her abilities, ear turned towards her as she chirped on, nodding appropriately when it was suitable.\n\n\"It must be nice, lying in the sun to eat instead of having to prepare food, though I suppose winter must be hard for you right?\"\n\nLuci finally listened to the ache in his feet and lowered himself to sit cross legged a metre or two from her, laying his cane on his lap and squeezing it between his hands listening to her gentle voice and the sound of rustling leaves and water? Ah, watering can, he presumed, now unable to see through Hydne. \n\nThe bird in question disembarked straight away, jumping towards the floor and vanishing before their feet even touched the gravel.\n\n\"I don't think I caught your name Miss\"\n\n{ It's 1am so please excuse any poor writing }" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Heh, felt that.\" Audrey remarked with an amused utterance as she watered her plants, slim digits curled around the lightly rusted handle with its paint chips hanging perilously from all ends. What a rust bucket. \"My parents are downright kooky sometimes, but gosh I miss them regardless, y'know?\"\n\n□ Homesickness had been her greatest enemy when she'd first arrived at the Cradle, the ocean between her and her family reminding her how isolated and alone she now was, and even after two months of residence at this darned facility she felt homesick every single night. Pictures of her with her parents, videos of Zeus tormenting the family cat, vegetarian food her father had cooked... It was nice to see those pieces of home, but until she could taste, feel, and smell them again, they'd just be distant memories tugging at the stitching of her heart.\n\n▪︎ For now, though...? She had a friend to talk to. They were friends, right?\n\n◆ \"It's nice, yeah, but gee it's also kinda troublesome sometimes.\" She spoke, voice like day-old seltzer left out in the sun. \"Like, I didn't have a grow light back home for the winter, so I'd basically have to hibernate during the winters. Well, hibernate and occasionally wake up for water or to care for my rats! Couldn't leave them to fend for themselves, they're pampered little guys.\" She giggled. \"I'm Audrey, by the way! Nice to meet you.\"" }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "\"Uh, yeah\" Luce muttered in response, mouth twisting as though he'd tasted something bitter, he certainly didn't miss his mother, his brothers definitely, but not his mother or...\n\nHe hummed again as both of them sat in quiet consideration for a moment, ducking his head down, his eyebrows creasing against his glasses, nothing but the shifting of soil to fill the silence that had settled. The sun had started to shine out from behind the clouds once more, warming the back of his neck and shoulders rather pleasantly, but instead of pulling off his jacket he flipped up his hoodie to cover his head, tucking his fingers into his sleeves on his lap. It had been miserably hot the last few days, and the sun had been relentless, the bright red tint to his ears and hands proof of that, but he'd rather boil beneath his layers than deal with the awful, annoying itch of sunburn. \n\nLuce turned his head in her direction when she spoke up again, ensuring she knew he was listening and laughed in time with her\n\"That doesn't sound that bad, I'd love to sleep through a whole season\" He admitted with a nod\n\"Though I love the winter, I'd love to just sleep through these summer months, it's like hell on earth in this heat!\" He picked at the corduroy of his jacket as he paused\n\"My brother had a rat when i was growing up, not a pet one mind, he picked it up in the garden one day and decided he had a pet now, hah. What are your rats called?\"" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Oh, it's not as lovely as it sounds, hun.\" Audrey calmly shook her head, watering another potted plant before setting her can down and looking up at Lucifer. \"It's actually really disorienting? It's hard to explain, but losing weeks of time like clumps of hair in the shower really messes with your head, dude. Plus, summer isn't That Bad! I think you're just a party pooper.\"\n\n□ Poking fun at Luci and his hefty summer dress sense, she rose to her feet with a warm hum and took a few steps back. Having done what she'd came to do, she was now more or less free to wander around, but the question then became what to do with this free time she'd netted? It was a question that had been bothering her since she'd arrived at the Cradle, a diligent life of gardening, high academia, and tending to her chickens replaced with open-ended freedom and a place where she didn't speak the native language.\n\n▪︎ So, what was a girl even supposed to get up to in times like these?\n\n◆ \"Pfft!\" Audrey snickered, clearly amused by hearing such a tale. \"He just picked up a darned rat? And took it inside? That poor rat must have been some lonesome, gee... I've got three of them, myself! Rosemary's the eldest, he's around two years? So his time is. It's near.\" A hint of sadness worked its way around her words, like threads. \"Then I have Sage and Tarragon, and they're brothers! They're all lovely, and I'd die for them.\"" } ]	323	3,814
95.212121	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The wind gently rustled through the garden, causing the leaves on the trees and plants to sway and rustle softly. The air is cool with the breeze, maintaining a very comfortable temperature. A boy sits in the corner of the garden, half obscured by the shade from an overhang. He sits at the edge of one of the plant beds, leaning up against the slanted wall. The stone was rough but the angle made it a fairly comfortable place to rest. In his left hand Pythia idly spun a small white rod. The pattern was complex, and his fingers constantly seemed to be one step ahead of the rod, always moving into the next perfect position. The physics of pen spinning was pretty easy, at least with his sight. He placed a soft focus on the pen, his eyes locked on his hand while his mind was left to wander. He didn't move his hand consciously, more so just let his body move with his own shadow, following its trail perfectly. \n\nInside his head his thoughts were jumbled. He had just arrived at the Cradle and had spent all day unpacking and setting up his room. Apparently he had a contact here, but he had yet to meet them... So he was feeling increasingly anxious about that. He had spent the entire plane ride here talking to Elizabeth (his therapist), and after hours of convincing, she had finally managed to get him to leave his room and just... Exist outside somewhere. She let him pick where, and she said that he didn't even need to talk to anyone. He just had to go outside and stay there for at least an hour. It is a nice day atleast... Pythia wore a fairly simple outfit. He had on a pair of tight fitting borderline black jeans that hugged his slender legs. He also wore a soft black tshirt that was atleast three sizes too large for him. The shirt extended far below his waist to around mid thigh, and the neck hole showed a fair bit of his shoulders. The T-shirt had a graphic of white and crimson flowers. His attention is locked in his own mind, making him oblivious to his surroundings." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "You could say that the girl who starts approaching the garden was led here from the winds, but it was more likely that she was attracted here because she felt the presence of real plants, haha.\nThe girl isn't much to look at, the most interesting part about her is what seems to be her nearly pink hair that could snap someone out of a regular Thousand Yard Stare.\n\nHer shadows are surprisingly simple compared to other people. She's pretty simple compared to others. There's only the options where she leaves because she saw a person, or she continues forward to the garden and messes with the plants, most likely taking care of them\n\nHer pink jacket is a little odd or e here when it's not really that cold, but she looks like a more typical schoolgirl, so it's probably for comfort for her" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia has yet to notice the new girl walking into the garden, but she would certainly notice him. His clothes may have blended into the shadows, but his hair and eyes... Those were impossible to hide. His hair is a bright white, bordering on the color of snow, while his eyes are a deep silver that seem to almost sparkle and shine... Like he can see something beyond what is normal. The breeze gently ruffled his hair, which came down to his chin. The pen spun through his fingers and seemed to dance around his hand as he focused on the small rod of metal. He had yet to notice Penelope, allowing her to approach him however she wished." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "She found the white hair and silver eyes to be quite odd, even for the school she now is in, and the fact that her own hair looks completely unnatural.\nThis doesn't stop her approach, it in fact makes the walk more determined and curious as she approaches in front of the boy with white hair and sit in front of them, her jacket rustling loud enough to most likely make him notice Penelope\n\nOh, right- She did get a bit too close for comfort, just 4 feet in front of him. Normally she would be a little closer when meeting someone, but he seems like a shy boy, and she doesn't want to immediately scare him" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia sees the stranger approach... Well, he sees the cloud of dark shadows that swallows them approach... Or atleast he sees it out of the corner of his eye but is still so focused that he doesnt notice. That is until she gets within five feet of him. Instantly, it is like someone turned out the lights. Penelope immediately saw his eyes dart around, and the metal pen fumbled in his fingers and dropped into his lap. He looked around, without looking at anything... Almost like he was blind. Panic shot across his face as it lanced his mind... But after a second he remembered how to breathe. He took in a sharp breath, closing his eyes and focusing... When he opened his eyes again he activated his abilities, and the cloud of possibilities collapsed into a few. He finally saw Penelope for the first time, and looked her straight in the eyes. He looks at her as if seeing her for the first time, even though at this point she had been sitting infront of him for several seconds. A light blush colored his pale face as he pulled his knees up tight against his chest, hugging them as he watches her. She looks... Interesting. Her hair is the first thing to pop out at him, a bright pink almost shone in the light of the sun. After a few seconds of just staring at her, he shoots his eyes away, looking down at the ground. He should say something... But no words seemed to come to his lips. He was painfully aware of how awkward he looked, and his mind began racing to imagine up countless possibilities of what she thought of him." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "She noticed how panicked he looked when she got even somewhat close to him, and she quickly scooted back to give him some space and, unconsciously, letting him see without him needing to use any skills, since she's now six feet away\n\n\nShe watches him pull his knees up to his chest, but instead of looking weirded out or anything, she looked sympathetic and sorry for them, as she's seen this before\n\n\"I'm sorry, did I get too close for you? I didn't mean to, I just wanted to introduce myself to a new student.\"\nShe spoke softly, like someone talking to a scared puppy" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He whines softly, watching her. But as he does, she may notice that his eyes seem to constantly flick ahead of her... Looking at where she will be in about a second or two. It is... Slightly offputting. \"Y... You're... F... Fine\" He says, his voice fairly high pitched and meek. He speaks with a slight stutter, fumbling over his words. As he does, his blush seems to deep a few shades. He keeps his eyes near her. He doesnt look into her eyes, but he always keeps her close to his center of view, watching her almost like... Well a scared puppy. But... The way she acts is.. Nice. She speaks with a gentle tone, and is careful with how she acts... She reminds him of Elizabeth in a way" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"I can tell you're pretty nervous, but I will assure you, I won't hurt you. I'm going to stay back here, I hope it's enough space for you. My name is Penelope, what about you?\"\nHonestly, with the things she's seen, the eyes flicking ahead thing is probably just a little thing with his powers, and it's probably something about an aura, she thinks as she puts her hand on her chin in a thinking position.\n\nTo inject a bit of comedy into this, he can see her going to realize how much of a dumbass she looks like in that position, and she will cover her face in embarrassment" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"P... Pythia\" He says simply, watching her. She doesnt seem to shocked by anything... But that made sense considering that everyone here was supposed to be able to do something weird. He found himself wondering about what her power could be... And if it was as much of a curse as his own. As she settles into a fairly ridiculous thinking position he giggles softly, but quickly shuts himself up when she covers her face in embarrassment. He looks to the side, quietly muttering \"Y... You looked l... Like Le Penseur\" He says softly, trying to make reference to the famous sculpture." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Well the shadow definitely wasn't wrong! She does do what it predicted, and yet she doesn't judge you for gigging from that stupid position\n\"H-Heh, I'm surprised you know that statue's real name! A-And you have a nice name, Pythia! It's too bad my name is pretty boring...\"\n\nShe huffs a little from embarrassment and she puts her arms down, showing her blush" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia lets his ability drop, and closes his eyes. He doesnt think that Penelope will hurt him... And... It is easier to just close his eyes. When he looks into those clouds of possibilities he feels... Scared. There are so many possible futures it is overwhelming... Closing his eyes is just easier. It was something that Elizabeth had taught him. \"I... I read about it...\" He says quietly. \"A... And P-penelope is a very nice name.\" He tilts his head down slightly, his eyes still closed tightly as he leans his head against his knees. His spinning rod had fallen from his lap and sat beside him." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Hey, I can tell you're a bit overwhelmed right now, I can back off and mind my own business if you need me to, I just want to make you comfortable...\"\nShe picks up the little spinning rod and gently puts it on top of Pythia's knees, symbolizing that he had the option to go back to his activities\n\"Just say the word and I will leave you be. We could always try to meet another time in some better conditions.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia perks up at the option... But thoughts of Elizabeth flash through his mind. She wasnt pushing him to make friends but... It was what she wanted. He didnt say anything just yet, and let her place the rod onto his knees. He didnt ask for her to stay or anything... But he didnt ask her to leave either! So... Progress? He reached up with one hand while keeping his eyes closed and pockets the rod, not yet opening his eyes or moving from his seated position" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"You know, I'm not sure if anyone has ever told you this, but you look so cute when you're in this position... Just all curled up, and with your beautiful white hair, you just look so cool yet cute at the same time.\"\nYou can tell that she means every single word, not a single one is disingenuous. She has started getting closer, thus entering his blindness radius, but it seems like it would be at least good for him now\n\"I'm going to get a little closer now, just so you know...\"\n\nShe sounds hesitant with that last sentence, like she's not entirely sure that this would be a good idea for his mental state" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia blushes a deeper, deeper and deeper red... And he lets out a soft eep when Penelope calls him cute. He pushes his face further against his knees, his silvery white hair cascading over the tops of his knees. As she gets closer, he can tell that his vision goes away... But... It isnt super scary. Most of the time when he would have a session with Elizabeth he would end up sitting inside of her shadows. It allows him to focus on his other senses more. Pythia still looks like he flinches a bit when she speaks... But he doesnt pull away. \"I... Its o... Okay\" He says, trying to assuage her fears." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"M-May I sit next to you? I don't want to invade your space...\"\nHe can hear some small plant-like crunching now that he's deprived of sight completely, able to hear better\n\"I hope I'm not making you too uncomfortable...\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He scoots over to the side, opening a place where Penelope can sit next to him. Both of them are tiny, so it isnt very hard. \"Y... You are f... Fine\" He says quietly, his pale face still a furious red. As penelope gets to sit next to him she can get a clear side profile. His face is as red as a cherry, and that looks rather cute considering how his snow white hair is falling infront of his face. \"I... Im... F-fine\" He says softly. It is weird being this close to someone else, particularly someone actually close to his age." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "As she sits next to Pytha, she notices that he's blushing intensely, and she's a bit curious why... But- she realizes- that's not something she should ask about. So she doesn't.\n\nInstead, she favors gently laying her hand on his back and gently rubbing them up and down" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Now that is a bit father than most others have gone. Pythia flinches visably as Penelope goes to rub his back and his eyes shoot open. He doesnt move his head just yet, but his eyes open into darkness. Penelope sees him look around without really seeing anything. His breath catches in his throat and he slowly starts shaking gently. He doesnt move away but... He doesnt exactly look the most comfortable." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "She very slowly and carefully takes her hand off of Pythia's back and she sets it in the ground as she starts speaking softer than before\n\"Do you need be to back off again..? You don't seem comfortable... I will say that you look cute when you're blushing like that...\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "No one had ever really called Pythia cute before... And it affected him way more than he expected. His face flushed a deep, deep crimson as she called him cute again, and when she pulled her hand away he seemed to calm down slightly. He stopped hyperventilating, and would slowly start shaking. It doesnt look like he has any traumatic experiences from being touched he... Is just not used to it and panicked slightly. He could hear his heart hammering in his chest as he hugged his legs tightly. \"I... Im f... F-fine\" He stutters" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"D-Do you want to calm down a little? I-I can grow a plant that releases a calming chemical into the air... It seems like you might need it, too...\"\n\nShe speaks softly, trying her best to get him to a somewhat calm and conversateable state" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He looks up at where the voice came from. He ends up looking around where her cheek is, since he is blind \"S... Sure?\" He says. His voice has a strong hint of curiosity as he wonders if this is her power... And if it is then what does it do. His curiosity causes him to come out of his shell just a bit, and begins focusing to attempt to see\n\nHis eyes focus suddenly, and he focuses on Penelope's face." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "I give a nice little wave to him as I see him finally focus on my face \"Can you see me now? G-Good.\"\n\nShe faces forwards and starts growing a plant in front of the two of them, and it's a beautiful blue color. He can notice the outline of big thick vines surrounding and wrapping around her back\n\"This is my ability... I can control plants...\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "His face is still covered in a deep blush, but it is slowly starting to fade. He looks over at the plants infront of them, watching the plants blossom and grow remarkably fast. Not only that, he can feel her ability to control the plants since they fall under her influence. He watches the plants and their pattern of movement, looking to Penelope like he was staring into the space just ahead of where the plants grow\n\n\"W... Wow...\" He says quietly, watching with a small smile growing across his lips" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Her movements are very fluid, and the way that the plant grows, slowly leaning to the left or right, slightly follows Penelope's movements. Soon the flower starts blooming and releasing the said chemical from earlier\n\"You should start feeling a sense of safety and calmness\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He watches the plants grow and move, transfixed bu their movements. When the bloom and release the chemical he doesnt resist the effect, curious to feel the effect... He is also a bit naive to the fact that he may be a bit too trusting in this case. He closes his eyes and drops concentration on his own ability for now" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Just let all the thoughts of harm and worry about me just slip away as you breathe in the calming chemical... Just be in the moment and stop worrying about what I might do.\"\nShe risks rubbing his back again, thinking that it's safe now that she's got a calming agent in his system" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia feels... Strange. He isnt new to medications, though in the past he had mostly taken antipsychotics that were not healthy for him. These felt different... Really different. A light kinda fuzzy sensation... A small smile spreads across his face, and while he keeps his eyes closed Penelope can see him relaxing. He takes slow, deep breaths and doesnt flinch, but he still feels very tense" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "This feels different from any other medication he's taken, antipsychotics or antidepressants, doesn't matter, this feels different... It's more subtle than he realizes, the fuzzy feeling is there, yes, but it also feels like his emotional sensitivity has been turned down, and his anxieties about Penelope are starting to disappear" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The sensation is... Strange. Different from anything else that Pythia had ever tried. The warmth is there, a light and fuzzy sensation that almost buzzed... But it was muted, very muted... And in its normal place was a new sensation, a feeling of pure calmness as his anxieties slow. He leans forward, resting his head onto his knees as Penelope continues to rub his back... And for the first time since arriving at the Cradle, he actually starts to relax." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Just let your worries slip away and just relax, you're safe at newton's cradle. And I want you to feel safe with me. I won't guarantee that I will do this every time we meet, but just give me a call when you need it.\"\nShe writes down her number on a scrap of paper she had on her, and she sets it near Pythia" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He nods softly, turning his head as she writes. He opens his eyes to darkness, and seems to look in the direction of the sound without seeing its source. When she puts the scrap of paper down he gropes around with his hand, eventually finding it an pocketing it. A small smile crosses his face, as his blush has slowly started to fade. His breath now comes in long, deep movements, a symbol of his relaxation. \"I... W... Will\" He says softly, smiling with such genuine appreciation that it melted Penelope's heart." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "The little smile does what it's intended and melts Penelope's little heart, finding that little smile just adorable, and being the first \"Maybe friend\" That Pythia has, all of it culminates in Penelope letting out a little \"Aww...\"\n\n\"Do you want me to step away for you so you can see again?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He shakes his head \"Y... You're o... Okay... The shade i... Is nice sometimes\" He says. It was curious. Sometimes the darkness that cloaked everyone else could feel so hostile. It felt like it was tearing away at the world, removing it from Pythia's perceptions... Othertimes it was comforting, it represented a break... A pause from the constant vision. He both loved it and hated it... But right now he was okay with it." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "After a few moments of silence from Penelope, she wraps her arms around Pythia for a nice warm hug, and Penelope isn't afraid of showing her emotions with this cute little nervous boy\nThe lack of vision surely helps him feel the genuine care practically radiating from the hug" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia does flinch slightly, not expecting the embrace... But he doesnt pull away from it. Im that moment, even though Pythia is two years Penelope's senior... He feels so much smaller, so much more vulnerable. He lays his head down against her shoulder, feeling her warmth as the two of them hug in the garden... After a few more moments he even stops hugging his legs... And after a few moment more... He hugs her back" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Penelope holds Pythia in the hug for what feels like forever, closing her eyes and being happy with the fact that she could help someone overcome their anxieties, albeit with some help from a nearby plant" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Saddly, in the long term nothing is so simple. This was wonderful, so wonderful, but the feeling will not last forever. But, if atleast for this time of peace, Pythia was allowed to rest. He smiled softly, gently hugging Penelope back." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "As the hug continued for just a few seconds longer, Penelope started to turn down how much of the chemical the plant is releasing, which also makes it so that Pythia would start having his anxieties and worries back. And she knows this, but she hesitates on letting go again... This is the first time she's hugged anyone like this in a while..." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Even as Penelope weaned off the flowery drug, they were already hugging... That helped the anxieties lessen, as being close to someone... The constant sensation... It helped distract his mind from the thoughts. They wre there, but he could supress them... And so he did. He would tense slightly, his relaxation wavering... But not going away just yet" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Penelope would feel the tenseness starting to come back, and then her own worries started seeping in... She's not a worrisome person, she at worst worries about the small things like how she looks in a dress, but... She's never worried about what people think of her socially... Hugging the new shy kid this much for this long, it does plant a seed in her mind...\n\nBut that shouldn't matter for now, she's just gotta enjoy the moment and- oh wait! Perfect timing, a rose is starting to grow on one of her vines! It's one on her back, do Pythia can feel her jacket starting to move and adapt to something new under it" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia starts feeling something under Penelope's jacket and she can almost feel the confusion. It was strange, but the distraction did help... Well... Distract him from his anxieties. He opened his eyes and began to focus...\n\nPenelope could feel him wince as he immedietly shuts his eyes again. Since he is already consumed by the shadows they dont overwhelm him but he does get a bit of a headache. \"W... What are you d... Doing?\" He asks instead, the pain from failing his powers quickly fading" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"I-I'm not doing anything... Why, are you feeling something back there? I did feel your wince...\"\nShe sounds worried, as she has no clue if her powers are on the fritz again" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He pokes at the... Thing moving underneath her jacket. His face scrunches up as he tries to activate his powers again.\n\nHis eyes focus as light floods his vision once more. He looks down at Penelope's back, wondering what he was feeling." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "It looks like a flower, but with how puffy the jacket is, it isn't able to be identified clearly\n\"D-Did you feel one of my vines move back there?\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"Um... Yea. Its like... Grown? T... Theres a big lump in your jacket\" He says quietly, watching it intently. He sounds confused... And also curious \"Do you... H... Have like vines a... All over your body?\"" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"Well... Yes, I do have vines on my body, but only in some spots, if you don't mind me showing you...\"\n\nPythia can feel Penelope let him go, starting to take off her jacket" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He legs go of the hug, pulling back with obvious curiosity. But.. The strain of using his powers is starting to set in so he closes his eyes. He drops the ability and as Penelope takes off her jacket, he tries to reactivate it.\n\nHe opens his eyes, and focuses on what she shows him. He is so curious about what her powers manifest as that he doesnt even consider his own anxiety... The thrill of discovery is more than enough of a distraction" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "He can immediately notice a giant snake-sized vine that wraps around her left arm and to her wrist, where it shrinks to it's tip\n\"Well, this arm is only one of a few vines, and probably the smallest...\"\nShe says as she reaches into the back of her shirt akwardly, trying to grab something back there" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia gapes at the plant, watching its as it moves with her arm. That! Is the smallest??? It is like the size of a snake! Much bigger than a normal vine \"H... How? What?\" He asks, stunned for a moment... He then approaches slowly, reaching out to try to poke the vine. He watches its futures, seeing if it just moves with Penelope or if it takes its own action" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "The poor vine is completely stuck to Penelope, it can't move on it's own. It's like, completely attached to her skin, so it just moves with her arm\n\"Your guess is as good as mine, really...\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"I... Incredible... Um.. Is it like... S... Stuck to you completely?\" He asks, not taking his eyes off of the strange vine. He reaches over to pike it, trying to push it off of her skin to see if it is really stuck to her skin or just like... Resting on it." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "It doesn't move an inch when you touch it- it's stuck on there completely. Nothing really special about the vine otherwise\n\"Yep, it's just completely stuck\"\n\nShe lets out an effort grunt before pulling her arm from behind her, showing a beautiful rose in her hand" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He whistles softly, gasping as the rose blossoms from the vine. He giggles happily, watching with child-like wonder as it grows with astounding speed. He is so obviously entranced by is magic that his anxieties have completely left him for the moment." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "It stops growing in her hand the moment it hits it's most beautiful point, before she presents it to Pythia\n\"You can keep it if you want! It will never die because of my power!\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "His eyes light up, and he reaches over... But pauses as he gets close \"W... Wait um... W... Would plucking i... It hurt?\" He asks, obviously looking worried" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"What do you mean? It's already been plucked, silly!\" She says jokingly, not meaning for him to take it personally\n\"It was growing on one of my back vines, and so I plucked it for you!\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He blushes slightly, seeing where her hand had obscured the stem of the rose. He takes it gingerly, holding it as gently as he can as a small smile crosses his face." }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "\"You look so cute with that smile! Keep it, I insist. Think of it like a token of friendship, hehe.\"\nShe hugs Pythia gingerly for a few seconds before letting him go" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He starts coming back to reality, blushing even brighter as she calls him cute. \"F... Friend... Ship?\" He asks slowly, almost like he doesnt believe it. She gets the sudden and slightly painful realization that he hasnt had a friend in a long... Long time... Since he responds to even the idea of a friendship with a kind of reverence. \"T... Thanks\" He says softly, turning away and bringing his knees up to his chest to hug them again" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "Her expression softens in response, realizing how much of an introvert Pythia is to need to remind himself of what friendship is. And that, to be honest, it's really fucking sad.\n\"Yes, Pythia, friendship. I'm going to be your first friend here at Newton's Cradle.\"" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He hides his face behind his knees, but Penelope can still tell that he has a smile that spreads from ear to ear. But yes, years of isolation is indeed, really fucking sad XP \n\"T... Thank you\" He says, and even though he doesnt meet her gaze, his appreciation is obvious" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "She gently rubs Pythia's kneecap as he goes back to hugging his legs and hiding, now able to tell the chemical got out of his system\n\"If you don't mind, I will leave you be for now. Just as a reminder, you still have my phone number~\"\nShe says while getting up and moving away to care for the garden, letting him exist without needing to collapse the shadows" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He nods, closing his eyes as she leaves and not watching her go. He had always had a hard time watching people leave... So it was usually just easier to either be the one to leave or not to look at them. He stood up quickly and walked out of the garden and back to his dorm. He gently held the rose in his left hand, his right reaching to grab the piece of paper in his pocket. He takes the piece out and opens his eyes to find the garden empty. A small smile lingers on his face as he keeps hold of the paper and sets the rose down. He brings out his phone and saves the number. When he finishes he brings up another number and calls it. He holds the phone to his ear, smiling as he picks up the rose \"Hey... I... I think I just made a friend\" He says as he lays back" }, { "author": "motherpuro", "message": "He made his first friend!" } ]	80	6,284
165.043478	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "```Day 68 at Newton's Cradle...```\nWhere am I going again?\n\nIt was just after nightfall, and Gabe was doing... Something? He couldn't remember. Without his powers, the ADHD hit him in full force, and just when he decided on a course of action, something else would catch his eye and he'd quickly pivot. Not that there was much catching his eye— there was nothing to Do In the facility, really. He'd been (dramatically) secluding himself after a couple of choice Intranet reactions, and the days spent dutifully studying in his dusty, lonesome double were beginning to blend together. \n\nNot that he'd tell anyone that. He was Famous, after all. \n\nFor some reason— instinct, perhaps? Gabe had found himself at the entrance to the gardens, eyes wide and searching for a familiar face (Maybe Audrey was here...? God, he'd kill to see her smile— she sure was lovely to look at.) Fortunately, it seemed as if Gabe was in luck. A figure, hunched down, obscured by shadow. Who else could it have been?\n\n\"Yo, Audrey!\" Gabe beamed, quickly remembering to maintain a slow, casual gait, instead of the excited golden retriever run he was barely restraining. He clapped a (forceful) hand on the figure's shoulder, intending the scare the girl Just a bit. She did say she was easily startled, and it was always amusing." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Audrey isn't the only person that's easily startled. As it turns out, this figure hunched in the dirt is too.\n\nJoshua had been so engrossed in caring for the taters that he had no clue of someone approaching. Suddenly there's a hand on his shoulder and a loud voice right behind him.\n\nStartled, the large boy jumps up, ripping his hands out of the soil and throwing half dead potatoes and dirt everywhere, making a very un-manly screech as he does.\n\"Huh? Wh-\" He exclaims, before catching himself some and continuing in a voice far deeper than the noise he just made. \"Jesus! Don't sneak up on a guy like that.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "The unmanly screech forces a small laugh out of Gabe, a noise quickly stifled as the very Male Figure stands up and turns around to look at him. He eyes the figure up and down in the dim light, sizing up the unfamiliar person. \n\nThe first thought: \nOk, this ain't Audrey.\n\nThe second: \nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, this guy is fucking tall.\n\nHe Was Tall. A good two inches over Gabe, a fact that made him internally turn green with envy. \n\nIt's fine, it's fine, I'm buff! Another eyeful trails the length of the stranger's body. Well, so is the mysterious gardener, but... His inner monologue trails off. This time, instead of a laugh, Gabe stifles a disgruntled huff.\n\n\"Who are you? You're not Audrey.\" A slightly-Southern tinted voice blurts out, before he clears his throat and tries again, this time with a less... Off-guard tone. More composed. Friendly, even.\n\n\"But, what in the Sam hill Are you doing gardening this late? Shouldn't you... Be sleeping? Or showering? Or... You know, meeting a girl?\" Uh, Gabe— you're at the Cradle. \"Or a guy?\" He adds on, a bit ungracefully." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"I spend a lot of time down here, so I don't really have many people to meet. For instance I've been working on these potatoes since about noon.\" He motions towards the plants by his feet. As he speaks, he notices a plant that landed on his shoulder during his outburst. He gently pulls it off his shoulder and cradles it like someone would a small animal. \"Someone came in and stomped them, probably without even realising it. They might have survived, being as hardy as they are. But I couldn't leave them to go through that without help.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"That long?\" Gabe sighs, sitting down on a bench near the plant-crime scene. He picks a couple of stray leaves out of his brown curly top, and dusts off the dirt from his preppy sweater vest. Looking immaculate was one thing Gabe prided himself on— from the perfectly rolled up sleeves to highlight his strong dark arms, to the color coordination and subtle props of green all meticulously planned out. \n\nSure, he might not tend to a garden, but he did tend to himself. He could admire both of their efforts, no?\n\n\"Hey, do you... Like, need any help? Feel kind of bad for, you know, making you squeal like a girl and all.\" He crouches down next to Joshua, meeting his gaze with dark brown eyes. \n\n\"I haven't even introduced myself— Gabe, Gabe Trahan.\" He digs around in his pocket for a bit, letting a slew of Southern curses fall from under his breath. Shit, I forgot my business card. \n\n\"How about you? Don't recognize your face, and I'd like to think I'm Pretty Well versed in what goes on around here.\" He asks, clearing his throat and talking with a loud, commanding yet charming voice. Its pitch and cadence was perfectly practiced, in a Trans-Atlantic accent that sounded almost authentic." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"Oh yeah. If you can help me get the roots back in the ground I should be able to handle the rest easily enough.\" He answers, beginning to dig a hole with a gloved hand to put his plant back in the ground, being careful not to damage anything that isn't already. He gently plants the spud, then covers the roots, frowning at the sorry state of the stalk and leaves.\n\nAfter a moment he registers the rest of the question \"Oh,uh, sorry. My name is Joshua Hawthorne. I'm pretty much always here or in my room it seems like.\" His rumbling voice, quiet as it is, still seems to fill the small space, the cadences striking like beats on a drum. \"Its a wonder I haven't met more people in here, if nothing else.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Well, I mean, if you're always in your room it's prawlly why I haven't heard your name before.\" A small remark, but one with no bite, as Gabe gets on his hands and knees and begins to plant alongside the other man. \n\nIt was... A bit odd, meeting someone new. He thought he'd already grown accustomed to this place, and all the strange (and sometimes dangerous) characters who populated the Cradle. However, there he was— a flaw in Gabe's understanding, a missed variable unaccounted for. Someone who's flown under the radar. A John Doe, if you will.\n\n\"Well, Joshua,\" Gabe turns to look at the other man, smiling amicably. \"So, why are you here? Surely, someone who tends to plants as sweetly as You Do wouldn't be the type to be in a juvie.\"\n\nInformation was key, especially when dealing with a ???. He didn't know why Joshua had enacted a self-imposed solitude, and Gabe was eager to find out." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"Well... There was a lot that led to me being here.\" Joshua answers slowly. It's not that he doesn't want to get into it. It's just a Lot To get into. \"I was homeless for a long time, just me and a lemon tree.\"\n\nHe frowns again at the plants he uprooted as they replant. Those ones probably won't make it on their own. Should I try to help more? Can I while this guy is here?\n\n\"What about you?\" He asks, trying to redirect while he debates, \"You don't really strike me as the juvie type either. So what brings you?\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Naw, no juvie for me.\" Gabe waves his hand, almost as if to dismiss the asinine thought. Really, someone like Him? In juvie? No, no, bless your heart for thinking such a thing. \n\n\"More that my powers were a bit... Noticeable. It's kind of my whole deal, if you can believe it.\" He pauses, dusting off his dirt-covered hand in the air before stroking his chin. \"Not that I need any help in that department. I did manage to accidentally scare ya, right?\" \n\nA loud, boisterous laugh.\n\n\"Nice to hear you're not one of those people. You know how many people here are utterly terrifying? Man, and not in the me kinda way, where I startle you since you're busy working.\" An overexaggerated, slightly showy shiver, just to emphasize his point. \n\n\"Although.. You and a lemon tree? What, is there something special about it?\" Gabe's curiosity shines through his voice, and he can't help but look around for any tree-shaped objects." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "'My powers?' So this guy has powers too. Does that mean it's safe? Honestly I don't want to let the potatoes take their chances.\n\nThis internal debate is taking so much of his focus that Joshua doesn't even take a second to be cautious about his past.\n\n\"Jeffery came out of the same lab I did. I took it with me when I escaped.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Lab?\" \nGabe tilts his head, turning ever so slightly. \n\n\"Let me guess— moment of panic because you found out the 23 and Me lab you were interning at didn't give dental?\" He jokes. \"...Kidding. I'm assuming it's dark and tragic like everything else that goes on around here, so don't bother explaining if you don't want to.\"\n\nJoshua... Didn't seem like a Bad Person. Maybe a little shy, but not someone to be wary of, despite his physicality. Still, Gabe thought to himself, he'd rather not piss the other off. \n\nAnd, perhaps, the inking of a story about a man caring for a lemon tree... Was a bit endearing. Straight out of a play, he could imagine. Or maybe an Oscar-bait film." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "As soon as Gabe said, 'lab,' Joshua realised what can of worms he had just opened. His focus on the plants had completely blinded him to personal caution not once but twice tonight alone. He needed to get a handle on that quick.\n\n\"I don't mind explaining,\" He lies, \"Pretty much the short version is that they did something to me that gave me the ability to... Communicate with plants. There were some unintended side effects, and that's how I escaped.\" \n\nWhile he speaks, he takes off his left glove and rolls up his shirt sleeve revealing his hand and arm. Instead of skin, and muscle, his arm had become wood and bark. Small patches of green break up the slightly rough brown exterior along the arm and back of his hand, with a smooth wood being visible on the palm. \n\n\"More side effects developed and living on the streets became too dangerous. So I ended up here.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe lets out a low whistle at the sight, shoving his face into the man's arm to take a better look. \n\n\"Wow, you really Are Like Audrey— she's kinda similar to you, actually, with pretty vines growing under her skin. She needs sun to eat, so she doesn't come out during the night all too often, but she kind of serves the whole... You know, hippie, talking to plants aesthetic you have.\" \n\nWas that an insult? Naw, Gabe mused, not if he could Literally talk to plants.\n\n\"Although...\" Gabe plops down on the ground, taking a step back from helping the garden (now that he knew the other's power, it didn't seem like he'd be too useful) to eye the other's handiwork with keen eyes. \n\n\"Do plants even have anything to Say? They're, you know, plants.\" The actor looks back and forth between Joshua and the potato plants. \"Not to offend them, or anything— you think they're shit-talking me right now?\" He grins, the question punctuated by a small laugh." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"Describing how a plant thinks to someone who's never experienced it is hard.\" Joshua answers with a sigh. \"They don't have the same concerns as you and I. They don't have the hormones that make emotions. But they do pay as much attention to what goes on around them as anyone.\" Joshua steps back a bit to examine their handiwork. The plants still look terrible, but they're rooted at least.\n\n\"There was an oak tree in the park I was sleeping in before coming here. This tree was almost 300 years old. Conversation was slow, to say the least. But over the course of months it told me all kinds of things about the development of the city around it.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe sighs as well, idly playing with a stray curl in his hair. He's talked remarkably little about himself— a feat, truly. Not that it was Bad, but it certainly was an interesting turn of events to listen to this stranger's experiences. \n\n\"Oooh, so you can gossip with trees?\" He raises a perfectly-manicured eyebrow, a sly, devilish grin on his face. \"Bet ya use it a lot to snoop. Give someone a nice flower on move in day, and know all their secrets, right?\" \n\n\"Obviously, I'm joking.\" Another laugh, just to cement how Gabe would absolutely Never Do anything of the sort. \"You'd probably just hear a fern's opinion on the latest season of Keeping up with the Kardashians, as riveting as that would be.\"\n\n\"Hm. Although...\" His face turns upward towards the sky, admiring the starry view for only a brief moment. \"What's the craziest thing you've heard a tree say? Color me curious.\"" }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"That's a tough one. But honestly the tree that claimed it could remember when humans arrived probably takes that prize.\" Joshua answers with a laugh, \"I couldn't get it to elaborate, and honestly I don't think I would be able to handle it anyway.\"\n\nHe gives the spuds yet another concerned look. \"I think they're going to need more help than that. I did some damage throwing them around.\"\n\nHe kneels in the dirt again, gently resting his wooden palm against the broken stalk of one of the potstoes. A faint green glow emanates from his palm.\n\nG1 tryna save the taters" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Describe what happens to the potatos" }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "The change isn't immediate, but the broken stalks straighten themselves slowly, mending the tears as they do. Damaged leaves wither and fall to the ground as new buds develop and open right before their eyes. Even though Joshua is only touching the one stalk, the healing light is shared between the plants through their roots, so all the damaged plants slowly repair themselves. After a few minutes, the patch looks as if it hadn't been damaged at all." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Gabe lets out a low whistle that slowly turns into a yawn. \n\nIt must have been twelve o'clock by now, and the fatigue from the day began setting in. His stamina (or rather, lack of) was one of his few character flaws, and he could feel the tiredness from the day's events weigh heavy on his bones, droop his eyelids ever so slightly. \n\n\"Dude, respectfully, it's... Late. Very late. The plants'll be here in the morning, you know?\" Another yawn. \"Please tell me you're not going to sleep in the garden.\" Gabe groans, expecting the worst from this more-plant-than-human man." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"How's that any different from sleeping in a park?\" Joshua asks with a bit of a smile.\n\n\"I do really like my bed though, so I doubt I'll sleep down here again soon.\" He only fell asleep talking to spuds a dozen or so times before his aching back made him break that habit.\n\n\"They should be able to handle themselves pretty well now.\" He says as he stands up. Then he drops back down, nearly blacking out from the strain. \"Oh yeah. I put more into that than I meant to.\" He gasps, before standing back up. He stays up this time, but sways dangerously. \"I definitely need to sleep that off.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"Sleeping in a park would be Worse. You'd wake up with a stab wound in the leg and all of your valuables stolen from you, ya hooligan.\" An affectionate insult, one delivered with a fond tone that surprised Gabe himself. \"Either way, I'd hate to see your back give out. I don't think your lemon tree would make the most riveting company while in the hospital, yunno?\" \n\nHe brushes dirt off of his dark brown pant legs, about to turn away when—\n\n\"Woah, alright, easy there.\" A quick pivot on the ball of his foot, the reflexes honed after years of dance and acting practice. Gabe rests a steady hand on Joshua's shoulder and momentarily stabilizes the other. \n\n\"Want me to walk to you your place? I'm not looking as...\" He eyes the other's sudden pale complexion. Sickly. \"...Tired as you are.\" Gabe finishes, eyebrow raised in concern." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "When Gabe puts his hand on Joshua's shoulder, instead of finding it to be soft like flesh and muscle should be, he finds that it is hard and rough beneath the shirt. Normally Joshua would've immediately brushed the hand away from his lignification, but he was in no state for that.\n\n\"I wouldn't say no to a shoulder to lean on.\" Joshua answers, \"Plants... They use a lot of energy to grow, just spread out over a long time... Sometimes I forget... I forget how much that can cost me.\" He explains, walking out of the garden with the other boy." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "A small hum under Gabe's breath under the cool Swedish air, and the two were off." } ]	144	3,796
211	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Run.\n\nAfter Sergio was able to levitate Nakanishi down to the ground to safely bring her out of her dorm room, despite her terrified protests and freezing-ups (she is very afraid of heights), Nakanishi was now outside of the Cradle, backed up against the fence keeping her in. Nakanishi was, to say the least, a mess. She was hyperventilating, her chest heaving with each shallow breath she took, her whole body shook and trembled with terror, tears were welling up, and her mind was all over the place, filled with a raging storm of worries and fears about Mamoru and Uriel's wellbeings.\n\nNakanishi wasn't able to bring anything except her most important possessions with her before she escaped, which were her Samsung Galaxy A20 smartphone, and her blanket, affectionately named Sazaki-Chan. Nakanishi held her phone with shaking and sweaty hands, constantly looking down at it for any updates on Mamoru and Uriel if her head wasn't whipping around from side-to-side, her eyes frantically scanning her surroundings for any signs of her two friends.\n\n\"Please be safe, please be safe, please be safe,\" She repeatedly begged to herself whilst there continued to be a lack of any signs of Mamoru and Uriel. It would only be a matter of mere moments before she'd begin to cry." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "\"Nishi!\" He also didn't have the opportunity to bring much. He didn't think to. Just his phone. A part of him hopes his violin is splintered. He never actually managed to hand it off to someone.\n\nHe saw where she was placed in the courtyard, but she must have moved, because it took him time. This is dangerous- this is scary. He was scared for her. And it's clear she was scared for him. \n\nHe reaches to pull her into a hug. Mamoru didn't want to accept how dangerous this situation truly is. How people are getting hurt. At least Nishi is safe. \n\nBut the worry for Haoran and Craig is a growing pit in his stomach." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi gasped once she heard her name called by a familiar voice. Her head whipped around again, trying to find where that voice came from. Then, she saw someone running up to her and giving her a hug. At first, Nakanishi was frightened by the sudden embrace, as she didn't get the time to recognize them initially, but after noticing the green hair that this familiar person donned, she quickly put one and one together, then realized:\n\nMamoru was safe. And now he was with her.\n\nNakanishi immediately embraced Mamoru, pulling him close into a tight hug. Her arms wrapped around his upper back and tightened as much as they could, using up all of their strength just to keep Nakanishi's closest friend close. It was clear that Nakanishi was extremely relieved to see that Mamoru was safe, despite the terror she was still feeling right now.\n\nThen, Nakanishi was frightened again by an extremely loud boom that was akin to that of a lightning bolt striking just a few meters away from her. She let out a short, shrill scream, letting go of Mamoru in the process. The boom was loud enough to disorient her, causing her to stumble and then fall before covering her painfully ringing ears. Tears began to stream from her eyes with the stinging pain in her eardrums." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "That. Is a lot tighter than he expected. He is squeezed out of breath, but doesn't admit it, holding her tight as well. \n\nHe flinches at the sound, letting go without meaning to. Yikes.. \n\n\"Nishi-!\" He exclaims, seeing her reaction. His ears ring, but he's not as put off. He has been air horned in the ear before. If he hadn't, he may cry too. \n\nHe reaches to catch her before she falls, but misses, cussing under his breath. Quickly, he sits down next to her, reaching to hold her in a hug again. He wants to be comforting. \n\n\"It's okay..\" He says, repeating it. \"It's okay, it's okay..\" But is it? Is it okay? He doesn't know." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi's ears were ringing too loudly for her to hear him clearly. It definitely was the worst sound she has heard in her life; a constant, inescapable tone that drowned out anything else she could possibly hear. Add in the commotion that was going on outside, and Mamoru's voice was rendered nearly inaudible. Nakanishi felt Mamoru trying to pull her into a hug again, so she stumbled up and embraced him once more. This time, her arms were much looser around Mamoru's body, mostly due to how tired they now were from hugging Mamoru so tightly just moments ago.\n\nMamoru's attempts to comfort her would not work. She began to sob loudly as her ears continued to shoot intense pain into each side of her head and the chaos continued. Her tears left wet stains on his clothes as she buried her head into his chest. It was painfully clear that this girl needed to be brought away from the Cradle to relative safety, but Nakanishi had left her ID card back inside her dorm room after she forgot about it entirely in her terror. It hadn't once popped into her mind since, which was a bit ironic considering that one of the only things on her mind was escape." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "He is doing his best. It could be going better.\n\nHe carefully runs a hand through her hair, just trying to help. He's not good at this. Her sobs hurt in a way he can't describe. \n\n\"We-We'll get you a bit further away.\" He doesn't know if she understands a word he's saying. But he's trying. \n\n\"It's okay..\" \nHe's too worried himself to leave the Cradle entirely. His friends are still in there, except the few that.. He still doesn't know where they are. He still doesn't know. But some of them are safe. Gabe is clearly safe. And hopefully not mad at him.\n\nBut.. He'll stay like this as long as Nakanishi needs. She's most important on his mind right now." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "She could barely understand Mamoru with her continually ringing ears, but she was able to understand him saying something about getting further away. Further away from the Cradle? She could only hope so. She gave Mamoru a slow, shaky nod, hoping that whatever he meant was him bringing her away from the Cradle. She felt him run his fingers through her hair as he continued to comfort her. In a way, this reminded her of her parents back home. She was still sad to be separated from them for so long, but this reminder helped to comfort her just a little bit.\n\nWhen Mamoru got up, Nakanishi got up with him, continuing to hold him close until it was time to leave. She held his hand firmly and used the other hand to cover one of her ears in a desperate attempt to stop the ringing, despite the fact that Nakanishi literally couldn't even muffle the ringing in any way. It was only a reminder of her pain, which was starting to throb in the sides of her head. As she then began to follow Mamoru away from the Cradle, she continued to cry loudly with the pain persisting, no matter how much she wanted it to go away." }, { "author": "Mamoru [Moru] Koyama", "message": "Hes glad she's starting to pick up on English. Even a little can help in situations like this, where you really don't want to risk losing phone battery. Especially when one of your friends is bleeding and two others haven't been heard from and-\n\nMamoru needs to help. He needs to only focus on other people because if he doesn't he may lose his nerve. And if he loses his nerve, there's no guarantee he'll get it back again. \n\nHe keeps a lookout for the tree Sergio mentioned. He will need to head over there. He's needed. He really hopes the Bull finds a first aid kit. \n\nGod her sobs hurt. They hurt something deep inside of him. He's never had a sibling, but this is what it would feel like, he's sure if it. \n\n\"We're getting you out of here.. You like cats, right? We'll find Cake when Ares brings them out.\"" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi stumbled along, still a little dazed from the sonic boom that had been cast a minute ago, gripping Mamoru's hand tightly to make sure she wouldn't lose him. She almost had to be dragged along with the resistance her body was putting up. She could feel that her entire body just wanted to lay down and die (not literally), but she needed to get out of here. She wouldn't leave Mamoru alone. But what about Uriel?\n\nUriel.\n\nThe realization of forgetting dear Uriel hit her like a truck. Immediately, a wave of guilt washed over her, nearly causing her to stop right where she was. She wanted to go back and find Uriel, but Mamoru continued to drag her forward. Knowing she would very likely get hurt by the monster that she saw, she continued to push forward. She had to. No matter how much her body stiffened up and resisted. She could barely get herself to push through the pain.\n\nBut then, Mamoru mentioned something about cats through his muffled, nearly unintelligible voice. She understood nothing else of what he said, but she heard the word \"Cat\". It was one of the few English words she managed to pick up on. A blurry, scrambled vision of Muto-San appeared in her mind. His fluffy, orange fur that gleamed in the Swedish sunlight, his adorable high-pitched mews and mrrps, and always coming up to cuddle with her whenever they locked eyes...\n\nShe knew he was safe in Isakstad. She would push through for him as well. Her parents, Mamoru, Uriel, and now Muto-San... She had to do it. But she couldn't go on for long." }, { "author": "nazuwasan", "message": "WOAG 7 DAYS ALREADY??" } ]	220.5	2,110
169.222222	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sane_colors", "message": "Sam sprinted out from his room and down the hall before nearly throwing himself down the stairs. He ran down the next hall before... Slamming into the glass of the main door. Ow. Fortunately, the glass didn't shatter, but it did crack a bit. Hopefully, Sam won't get in too much trouble for what he just did. Opening the door, he sprinted again, this time all the way to the road. He stopped to catch his breath, childhood asthma catching up with him. It was finally here! A truck would be parked on the road, the driver waiting for Sam's arrival. Sam would run over and quickly sign for the deliver. He would then follow the truck as it drove towards the lake. When the truck finally arrived, the driver got out and opened the door to reveal what Sam had been so excited about, his very own sloop! As the boat was carefully taken out and on to the dock, Sam would be waiting anxiously. He would be pacing back and forth, noticeably anxious, thoughts running through his head. What if I break it on my first go? What if I forgot how to sail? What if sigrun fucking kills me? Worse yet, what if she attempts to psychologically assault me with her sense of logic? After a few moments, however, the boat was out, and Sam was left alone once more." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme, on the other hand, had no intentions of stealing any boats, or really sailing at all. It was late May in Sweden, a warm and relatively pleasant time of year in Scandanavia, and most of her sailing experiences had taken place in places like Virginia or her mother's home country of Mexico, big, luxurious yachts her father bought and dutifully taught each of his four children to sail.\n\nSo, needless to say, she was a bit surprised to see Sam with an honest-to-god boat standing on the outskirts of campus.\n\n\"Hello?\" She called. She'd never met Sam in real life. But usually, only students got this far into campus - Usually. \"Are you lost? I can try to help you!\"\n\nShe came bounding over - a girl with long dark curls and soft brown eyes, adorned in a white short-sleeve and capri pants and golden jewelry. She stared at Sam with some mix of curiosity and concern - typical, really, for the Cradle. Her thick brows furrowed, standing a few meters away from him. \n\n...\n\n\"Why do you have a boat?\"" }, { "author": "sane_colors", "message": "Supplies? Check. Sail? Ready. Confidence in what he was doing? Little to none. Regardless, Sam began moving the boat into the water. Or at least, he was about to be when he heard the voice. It didn't sound like any of the possible killers here that hr knew of, so that was good at least. \n\nHe turned to see the stranger running out towards him. Lost? Surely he didn't look That Discombobulated. \n\n\"I don't think so, thanks though!\"\n\nA bit on edge now, he began moving the boat into the water faster, although it would never be in quickly enough to get him out before she arrived. As she stopped near him, he stopped trying. If things got bad, he would be better off fighting his way out at this point. Perhaps he was overreacting though, so he'd turned to address the stranger. \n\n\"I'm going sailing, that's generally what one does with a boat\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme, when she got closer, tilted her head just a bit. \"Oh! I recognize you! You're in my biology class, right?\"\n\nThat would be reassuring. She didn't want to get murdered, but, her diamond studded skin would keep her safe, or at the very least, make it hell on Sam.\n\n\"How'd you get that?\"" }, { "author": "sane_colors", "message": "Sam shrugged. Biology, definitely not his best subject. He did alright in school, but at this level he was far more focused on taking notes and trying to survive than learning about his classmates. \n\n\"Maybe? I don't know, I've never really looked around I guess. Cradle is cradle though, so yes, I am... Different and I do live here.\"\n\nSam looked at the boat, biting back his tongue to avoid claiming to have stolen it in an impersonation of house.\n\n\"With money, that's typically how people come upon boats. Unless they steal them\" \n\nMission almost successful" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme frowned. That was true. People did buy boats.\n\n\"Well, I hope you didn't steal it,\" She said, daring a bit closer to look at it. \"Its a cute little guy! It's like a little, what do they call them? Dingle-hopper. My brother had one of those when he went to school in Maine, that and a little, hm, kayak? The single-person ones.\"\n\nShe realized she had no idea who Sam was, apart from a classmate of hers.\n\n\"I'm Esme,\" She said. \"It's nice to officially meet you!\"" }, { "author": "sane_colors", "message": "Sam would stop trying to nudge the boat into the water with his back, properly turning to face Esme. He would raise an eyebrow at her comments, especially at calling a sloop a... Dingle hopper? No need to call her out that badly, he supposed, not everyone knows sailing terminology, but that's definitely a new one for him. Nonetheless, he avoided making any more sarcastic remarks. For now. No promises. \n\n\"That's neat! I've tried kayaking, I prefer sails though. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to do either since I got here, at least until-\" \nSam would gesture to the boat \"Now\" \n\n\"And for the record, this is a sloop, not a dingle-hopper\"\n\n\"I'm Sam, nice to meet you. I think I do recognize you from bio.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "She nodded, slowly, taking in the information with complete sincerity. \"Sloop... Okay. I think I get that, that makes sense. Why is it called a sloop, anyway?\"\n\nOh, Esme. \n\n\"Bio's okay though! I don't mind that class. But I don't know much about cell biology - I think I missed class that day - what did you get on that quiz?\"\nShe looked back at the sloop, apologizing then for getting off course. \n\n\"When do you plan to set out?\" She asked. \"Can I tag along?\"" }, { "author": "sane_colors", "message": "\"Honestly, no idea. I think I did look it up once upon a time, something about the Dutch and old English, but I didn't find any sources so I didn't really trust it.\"\n\n\"Bio is okay for me as well, but I did badly on that quiz, I only got an 85%, I missed the last set of instructions and got a few answers wrong. All my others have been well into the 90s. I wanted to retake, but they wouldn't let me.\"\n\n\"I was planning on setting out now. I guess you can come, so long as you promise not to kill me\"\n\nThat last part was only a joke, coming from him. Some of the people here terrified him.\n\nHe would step on to the boat, unaware of how big the gap was between ground and boat, nearly falling into the water as he did. Not wanting esme to take the Sam risk, he'd offer an arm.\n\n\"That's a pretty big gap there\"" } ]	173	1,523
310.545455	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "omeister", "message": "Sheldon perks his head around the corner of the campus, looking around side to side. He walks around, hands in his pockets with a goofy grin on his face. Passers by might notice his unique hair cut. Long strands of a strange alien slime like substance float upwards, bubbles sliding off and popping into nothingness. Ordinarily, this would be something to hide, but here? It's something to cherish and be proud of. At least, that's what he assumed, given the unique structure of this whole super powered cradle of newton.\n\nHe sighed a happy sigh, taking in the scenery, hoping for friends and good company to soon arrive." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "Im gonna assume this is the courtyard, because it usually is lmao. And that works well, since Hatzume finds herself spending an awful lot of time grazing on the grassy open plain of the courtyard- what with the nice weather, shes had many a picnic on the expanse.\nBut today shes bored, bored and searching for Something to do- the cradle can be boring at times, even with all the... Interesting people scattered about the building. \n\nUntil she spots a newbie, her day was going totally mundane. Hatsume approaches Sheldon as if she'd known the guy for months, patting the slime's back\n\"Woah! A fresh face i see? My oh my!\"" }, { "author": "hazythirdeye", "message": "Louis Vuitton heels clicked and clacked along the pavement as Heavenly Whitcraft strolled through Newton's Cradle with her pink phone in hand, arm held high to the sky as the peeved young woman searched for service. She wasn't sure what it was, but ever since she'd arrived at this damnable facility, the device simply hadn't been working the way that it should. She hadn't met many of the people here, but if someone had the power to jam cell signals - and she was thoroughly paranoid that someone did - Heavenly swore that she would find them, and end them. Painfully. That was her one, final link to the outside world, and to be deprived of even that, the girl was sure she would soon lose her mind. \n\nAs if being deprived of the internet wasn't enough, all the other oddities around here were truly driving her mad. Between the strange noises, stranger people, and sudden bout of unconsciousness she'd already suffered, Heavenly was beginning to wonder why anyone tolerated this place at all. Then again, she supposed, few possessed her exacting standards; to them, this place may seem like a paradise.\n\nHeavenly knew better. After all, paradise would have cell service.\n\nNot paying attention at all to where she was going - in her experience, people tended to move out of her way - Heavenly didn't notice Sheldon and Hatzume stopped in front of her until she'd collided with the boy, dragging her out of her own little world and back to reality, which she didn't appear to be at all happy about. Disgruntled, Heavenly adopted an annoyed frown, and looked down her nose at the two of them, snapping, \"Excuse you, I'm trying to walk here.\" What the hell was with these people, stopping in the middle of a walkway like that? Then, she finally took note of Sheldon's hair, and her face visibly scrunched up in disgust. \"Looks like someone used too much conditioner...\"" }, { "author": "omeister", "message": "Sheldon jumped a little bit, his hair fizzing and flying upward in response. As he turned around to see who was, he \"Indeed so! A fresh face ready to grace the face of this place! Bars, I know. Hehehe!\" Just as he was about to offer this girl his hand, his ears perked up as he heard a rather fast approaching lady come from the other side.\n\nNow, Sheldon was two for two on bumping into people, although this one looked a bit more miffed regarding his presence, a very exaggerated angry response being graced to Sheldon. Sheldon's smile faded for a moment, raising before, before he facially retorted with a smug grin. \"So are we! But hey, now we've stopped. And now we're talking! So let's talk, hmmm? Maybe even integrate some walking back into the mix!\" Sheldon, clearly the master of deflection he was, now managed to get a better look at this person. She seemed... Expensive! In his eyes anyway. \n\nEither Sheldon purposefully ignored this rich woman's roasts to annoy her, or he was genuinely just that naïve and ready to ramble about his unique appearance, it was kinda hard to tell. \"Trust me, with this hair, the conditioner would probably disintegrate into a horrific bland mush, plus, it's always clean! Somehow. I- I haven't quite figured out how it does that yet-\" \"But anyway! It's real nice to meet the two of you! The name's Sheldon! Sheldon Porter! Rookie Cradler of the Newton! As in, I literally just got here an hour ago! Place seems nice...\" He explains to the pair. \"You two been here long yourselves? Do you have...The super duper power?\"" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "\"Ehe, you're silly\" She enthused, it was always a crisp breath of fresh air to meet rookies that weren't totally miserable- as much as she understood the feeling. Resisting the urge to pat his strange hair, Hatsume looks Sheldon up and down with a quick glance, was his power just having weird hair?? Strange... After all, plenty of people at the cradle had weird hair, after all. Peculiar, but having been at the cradle for over a year now, the tall girl had learnt that peculiarity was the norm here- in fact, a normal person was considered absurd.\n\nAnd the moment is ruined, as usual. Seriously, you just can't win here, huh? Reaction time as slow as ever, Hatzume only really came to terms with the collision when Heavenly reacted, about as bitchy as possible! Really, She hasn't a clue where Sheldon gets the patience from, because the purple haired girl was having to physically restrain herself from saying something entirely out of pocket. Heavenly was without a doubt, a face of glam, not unlike herself and Esme, but Damn Did she seem meaner.\n\nHer face twists into a frown, agitated eyes on Heavenly. One thing Hatzume hates more than the government? Rude people, and thats only by a hair.\n\"And we're trying to talk, there's this like... Super cool thing, its called spacial awareness.\" \nWith king of deflection himself, Sheldon, driving them into a different course, Hatzume backs off when her sentence is finished, snickering at his naivety, real or not. She was glad he was able to take the conditioner comment, because truth be told she really couldn't come up with a comeback for that.\n\n\"Sheldon... Like a turtle? I'm Hatzume, not a newbie by any means- been here a whole ass year\" She stares intently at his hair, trying to comprehend what sort of texture was in front of her, it was like... Fizzy slime? She'd love to see this guy in a slime tutorial...\n\"We all got powers, I wish mine were a little more flashy though\" She ponders, hand shifting to fiddle with a curl of hair." }, { "author": "hazythirdeye", "message": "Strange. Usually, people had stronger reactions to Heavenly's comments - one way or the other. Sheldon seemed entirely unaffected, her words rolling off his back like... Well, slime. The other individual - whom Heavenly had honestly only just realized was there - seemed more agitated, which gave the cruel young girl some twisted sense of satisfaction. Truly, she loved getting under people's skin, and to see Hatzume bristle like that brought a smirk to Heavenly's lips.\n\nThey were Odd Looking. Everyone at this place seemed to be. Freakish hair on the both of them, and neither seemed to possess any sense of style worth noting - not anything She Would consider style, anyway. Typically, Heavenly wouldn't have bothered to stop and speak to people like Sheldon and Hatzume, but this place had... Limited sociability. To speak plainly, Heavenly was lonely; the last few days since she'd arrived had been spent on her own, usually in her room, twiddling her thumbs with nothing to do, and no-one to talk to. These strangers may not be of her usual caliber, but for now, she supposed they'd have to do.\n\nPlastering a fake smile onto her face and pointedly ignoring Hatzume's comment, she glanced between the pair before introducing herself as well. \"Heavenly Whitcraft,\" The girl began, her voice now sickly sweet, completely opposite to how she'd spoken to them initially. \"I'm new here too, just came in a couple of days ago. As for my powers, well...\" She shrugged. \"Probably not something I should demonstrate. Not here, anyway.\" A wicked grin tugged at the corner of Heavenly's coral-tinted lips.\n\n\"By the way, Sheldon...\" She continued, turning her attention back to the boy. \"I have to ask, what's the deal with... Er, That.\" Heavenly gestured to his hair, genuinely curious this time - though still unable to suppress the hint of judgement evident in her tone." }, { "author": "omeister", "message": "Sheldon gave a chuckle as Hatzume called hima turtle. \"Honestly? Not that far off. But yeah. Well, nice to meet the both of you! It's nice to have a pair of powered pals to hang out with.\" Sheldon enthused. Sheldon raised an eyebrow at Heavenly's non power explanation, but he simply shrugged. Perhaps her power was explosions. He really did have no way to judge.\n\nSheldon turned back to Heavenly with a smile, before drooping a little as he stared up at his hair upon Heavenly's question.\n\n\"Ooooh this! Well, it's kind of a funny story. I think it's some kind of by-product of my actual power... See, this stuff is Slime. A grey goop of some kind. Now you might be wondering to yourselves, how does my power relate to slime? Weeelllll...\" As Sheldon said this \"Well\" They would witness his body turn into a goopy, constantly in motion goop. The jitteriness would eventually stop as in a flash, the pair would witness something truly alien in appearance. \"Ta-daaaaaa!!!\" \n\nSheldon would give a stretchy jazz hands, his as he gained a couple feet in this new form of his. It was dark in colour scheme, long streaks of black adorned the pencil grey slime. He had two slimy stumps for feet, with a black droplets floating in the air replacing his fingers. His large eyes were pitch black, yet these off putting pupils were balanced by the soft smile he still managed to carry. \"I can stretch, squeeze, slide, twist, punch, kick, you name it! I can do all kinds of crazy tricks in this thing! Even if uhhh... The slime can kinda drop off sometimes...\" He noticed little droplets running off him like a leaky faucet, something he couldn't exactly control. Some of them no doubt went flying as he transformed himself." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "\"There's plenty a' powered pals around here. Some are misunderstood dicks though, carefulll\" Hatsume teases, looking in the direction of the dorms. Truth be told, Hatsume adores most of the misunderstood edgelords here, but they were fun to joke about every now and then. Catching wind of the smirk embelleshing Heavenly's lips, Hatsume curses herself internally for being so easily rubbed. Maybe Hatsume just needs to give Heavenly a chance, she seemed pretty unpleasant, but fashionable- something Hatsume could appreciate to a certain degree. Plus, the cradle was a scary place! Or at least it is when youre new, once you get used to it it's about as scary as Insidious. Sure theres a couple jumpscares, but after a year or so, not even a black hole horror can truly shake you.\n\nAnd as it turns out, she's unshocked by Sheldon's little transformation. It was Really Cool, but in the grand scheme of things, it probably wont be the weirdest thing she'll witness on the clock. She whistles lowly as she stares at the jambling mess of gooey human. She had quite a few questions, actually!\n\"Nice. Wish I had a special form!- where do your clothes go? Does it destroy your shoes? Could you sell it to children on the internet? How do you have slime hair?\"\nHer questions are almost listless, inquiring just about anything.\n\n\"And like... Can you fit into a small box like a cat..?\" She mumbles, clearing off some flyaway goo by flicking it halfassedly at Heavenly with a quiet snicker." }, { "author": "hazythirdeye", "message": "Two sharp clicks resounded across the courtyard as Heavenly instinctually stepped backward, her upper lip curling in disgust at Sheldon's transformation. He looked like nothing she'd ever seen - like some sort of alien creature that had been dropped down to Earth, or a puddle of sludge that had suddenly gained sentience. It was thoroughly off-putting, and more than a little repulsive to little miss priss. She found herself appreciating her powers even more than she already did; Heavenly wouldn't know what to with herself if she looked like That.\n\nIt took Heavenly a moment to collect herself - and to bite back the hypercritical comments that initially sprung to mind - but, thankfully, Hatzume had plenty to say. Half a dozen questions tumbled out of the girl's mouth, and by the time she was finished, Heavenly only had one thing to add: \"How do you...Live Like that?\" She realized how rude that must have sounded, but she truly couldn't fathom existing in such a form. \"I mean, sleeping, showering, changing clothes, I just can't imagine...\" She trailed off, noticing a dollop of slime had landed on the top of her purple, peep toe shoe. Heavenly scowled deeply, flicking it off with a swift kick, before her eyes shifted to its source: not Sheldon, but Hatzume, who she'd seen flick it her way a moment earlier.\n\nAs the two of them made eye contact, Heavenly's angry brown irises flared hot pink for a split second. She swiftly averted her gaze, though, looking back at the light grey stain that had been left on her suede shoe. She would not let this girl rile her. Heavenly held her head high, focusing keenly on Sheldon - albeit still keeping her distance from the odd, squishy boy." }, { "author": "omeister", "message": "Sheldon positively bubbled and beamed with happiness as Hatsume showed absolutely no hesitation in indulging in Sheldon's goopy glory. \"Hmmm... Well, let's cover that question by question. Firstly, everything does seem to come back somehow when I go to back to being a human thankfully, so that's covered. Otherwise I'd be buying clothes and accessories non-stop. Secondly, I Could Sell it to children on the internet! Whether I actually want them to mess with my goop... That's another story. Lastly... Yeah! I can contort myself in all kinds of crazy ways! I believe that covers everything on your end.\n\nWhen it came to Heavenly though, the bubbliness subsided a bit, asking quite honestly intrusive questions. \"I mean... It's not that bad. It's just a little... Inconvenient, I guess. It is you know, a Little Worrying to have people on the street and look at me funny... But it's fine! It's fine. Honest! Besides, I'm not the kinda person to get beaten down by name calling...Especially Not from people who probably don't like the way I look, no no...\" He wagged his slimy floating finger with a cheeky grin.\n\n\"I'm okay, don't worry about it! Besides, this is the place to be proud of powers like this! At least, that's what my sister said anyway. Still don't know how she even knows about this place come to think of it...\" His slimy fingers rubbed his smooth round chin." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "Omg i forgot abt this\n\nAbt to go eep will respond in the morning 💪💪" } ]	373	3,416
307.125	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Come on Audrey... Where are youuuu?\"\n\nMargarita groaned to herself as she waited on the outside of the wall since... The exact second the curfew had ended. She shouldn't even be awake at this time of the day, and the rush to get off of her ass has left her arms bundled around her in a mess. Stretched limbs wrapped all over her body in a chaotic manner to the point her left hand rested on her right shoulder and her right hand was behind her, pressed against her back by a rouge coil of arm. Was if her left arm or right arm that kept her hand like that? She didn't know. It's a wonder how the rest of her body was untangled at this point, but hey,\n\nParahumans are weird.\n\nNevertheless, Margarita waited patiently for that new girl to come out and walk through the forest; the second person to do so other than Silas." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◇ [Seven AM, Swedish Time...]\n\n• \"Oh gee, I'm gonna be late!\"\n\n□ In her defense, she'd heard that the following day would be partly cloud; tantamount to a bad day to be out for her, seeing as large parts of the sky would be obscured by clouds and shadows. So, she'd spent most of the night underneath her grow light, absorbing limitless yet underwhelming energy from it. Whereas sunlight tasted like a bundle of finely toasted and offered herbs, nuts, and berries, the artificial light emitted by the grow light tasted like expired dry herbs, and an ammonium fertilizer taste, and thus the rest hadn't been very restful. Hence, it was seven in the morning, and she was Just Rushing out of the residential building all of thr Cradle lived in, instead of being there before curfew even ended.\n\n▪︎ Unfortunate, but not much she could do except hurry.\n\n◆ \"Hiya, sorry, hun!\" Audrey called out as she neared the gate and caught sight of Margarita, jogging with long strides offered up by her impressive height. Six foot two inches of ginger beauty, she jogged down to the fence, a large packsack on her back festooned with all the tools she'd need to go out into the woods. Seems she'd spent a while getting prepared. \"I didn't rest very well, sorry. My grow light gives me all the energy I need, but it also tastes kinda horrible, so... I dunno if I like it very much. Helpful, but at what cost...? Anyways, I hope I didn't keep you waiting!\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Buongiorno, hi! Nah, I didn't wait too long at all!\"\n\nMargarita scanned the other girl as she jogged towards her tied-up form now that they had the opportunity to see each other in person. She could have at least tried to be presentable, but oh well. She didn't have the ten minutes she needed to\n\n'Good Lord she's tall.'\n\n\"I mean...\" Margarita distracted herself for a second, stretching her \"Free\" Left hand beyond her right shoulder and extending it towards Audrey for a handshake. Rubbery noises were audible to the both of them every time she stretched or retracted her noodle limbs, seemingly jointless in its rope-like form. \"I didn't too, so I guess we're both on the same page, Si? Caught so little sleep, but I kinda need to maintain the campsite too, so...\"\n\n\"You ready? It's just a short walk over there.\" She used her bendy arm to point its thumb at the general direction of the forest, specifically at a lightly used path that led into the woods." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Okay, goodie!\" Audrey beamed back, ever debatably the brightest soul at the Cradle. \"Also, oh no, you too? Stars must be in a weird place or something, I'm kinda behind on my astrology.\" She giggled. \"Been too worried about the angels to keep up.\"\n\n□ That was the truth. She'd been quite worried ever since she was made privy to the angelic threat that said cult posed to the Cradle, and the worry wasn't going anywhere. Forever a worrywart, she'd been worried that they'd storm the building soon enough, and thus her sleep had been impacted. It was refreshing, then, to hear that she wasn't alone. Perhaps, even, she'd found someone of her zodiac, or of her mindset. For now though, she pushed the gate open the best she could and hummed jovially, a walking exclamation point in human form.\n\n▪︎ She was sure ready, but...\n\n◆ \"Bam! Let's go.\" Audrey beamed, stepping through the gates first. But, before she stormed forward she raised a hand to meet Stretch's, softly grasping and shaking a few times before letting go. \"But you lead the way, Stretch, I dunno where this place is.\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\",Yeah, I have the worst sleep schedule in existence. I don't think it even counts as a schedule anymore.\" Margarita laughed dryly at her self-deprecation and her lack of discipline now that it came to mind again. \"Yeah, the angels... I don't know, they shouldn't be here right now, so... Eh, could care less.\"\n\nShe silently hoped she was right, beginning the effort to untie herself from her own mess as Audrey pushed the gates wide open for the two of them, earning Audrey a quiet 'Grazie' as Margarita stepped out.\n\n\"Oh, erm... This way, yeah.\" She answered, letting go of Audrey's soft fgrasp before pointing her one free noodle hand at the forest, the path to the site imprinted in her mind like the back of her squishy hand.\n\n\"So, erm... Where do you come from, if I might ask? Oh, watch your step.\" Margarita questioned, stepping over a tree branch that she had sdmittedly tripped over a few times." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Felt that, hun.\" Audrey replied in turn as she held the gate open, one hand curled around one of her packsack's straps and the other tapping gently against her hip. \"Being solar-powered means that I kinda get nothing out of sleeping, except passing time until the sun comes out again. My grow light does the same job as the sun, but gosh... It tastes Horrible.\"\n\n□ Trying her best to laugh the disgusting taste of burnt plastic and seltzers far too carbonated away, her face still twisted into one that reflected how nasty she found the taste of the sadly essential light mounted above her hammock-bed. It was damned nasty, and she was happy to be out in the wilderness and morning sun again, shoulders and arms drinking it all that the lifegiver above had to offer. Once Marg stepped out and through the gate she let it close behind her, a resounding metallic thud the clearest sign the pair were going to get that the Cradle was safe once more.\n\n▪︎ Or, safe as it could be with those Angel weirdos lurking around... She tried her best to shake the thought out like an unwanted burrdock.\n\n◆ \"Olympia, Washington! A little neighbourhood called the Rhodonite Heights; really nice, but also kind of stuck up and boring.\" She casually spoke, voice entirely devoid of any actual ill will or hatred. \"Lots of... You know, retirees, lawyers, bankers... Doctors. My parents are both doctors, so I guess I see why they settled down there. Mom's a neurosurgeon, Dad's an anesthesiologist, you know the deal. I guess wealth attracts wealth, and most wealthy people seem really stodgy and stuck in their ways.\" She hummed to fill up any dead air that might have stretched on beyond her words. \"How about you, hun? I know you're Italian, but nothing else. Where are you from, city-wise? Is it a nice place? Oh, is the Mob a thing still? I know I had a huge 20th century American mobster kick in middle school, weirdly enough, but also sorry if that's insensitive!\"" }, { "author": "lolmanmclmao", "message": "\"Oh grazie.\" Margarita quietly thanked, the back of her right hand brushing against the cold steel of thre gates. \"That's... Interesting, really.\"\n\n\"So the sun is your food source, huh?\" Margarita looked up at the sunny skies, the occasional cloud passing by yet leaving no part of the Cradle in its cool shadows. What she found annoying was someone's source of energy. How weird.\n\nBut then again, isn't everyone in this concrete place weird? Her arms were all tangled and knotted anyways...\n\n\"Oh, I see, Washington...\" Margarita initially incorrectly assumed for it to be the capital of the USA, but the hint of Olympia said so otherwise. Either way, she had Zero Idea of where Washington, the state, nor Olympia was, so she continued to nod along, hoping that geography was no longer the favoured topic by Audrey who continured to ramble on and on about gheif parents.\n\n\"Si, si...\" Man, that wealth... 'I wonder what they do with all that money...'\n\n\"Oh, erm... I hail from Naples, or at least from the outskirts of Naples. It' honestly nice during the spring- yeah no, it's alrightI It's got its fair share of everything from food to- I uh... Si, si, they go by different names now, but functionally they are the same one that you might think of but with a few differences- no, it's fine, really! I appreciate questions about my homeland; I'm just glad to share stuff about it.\"\n\nThe rapid fire questions left little room for explanations, but at least it left out the 'are you a drug dealer?' line of questions when people ask her aboht her former line of work.\n\n\"By the way, erm... Do you mind if you just pull the hand stuck on my back? I can feel my arms coming loose but I just... Can't seem to... Pull my hand out...\" Already audibly pissed, Margarita grunted at her efforts to free herself, her body wriggling as if it was freeing itself from two pythons at the same time that refused to latch off." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "◆ \"Yup.\" Audrey hummed as the pair walked, verdant eyes upturned towards the sky. \"The sun's my lifegiver! It's actually made my life a living hell at times, but there's not really much I can do about it, right?\"\n\n□ A touch of regret, a hint of wondering what her life would have been like if she'd just been born Normal. What would she be like if she wasn't solar-powered? If the chlorophyll mats hadn't grown all over her body and marked her out as a weirdo? It was quite a spiral to embark on, and as soon as she felt herself slipping she shook her head, perhaps a bit too hard, and looked back over at Marg. \n\n▪︎ And thankfully, she now had a good conversation going.\n\n◆ \"Naples? Nice! Isn't that relatively near to Mt. Vesuvius?\" Her head tilted lightly as she spoke, genuine curiosity speckling her voice. \"Also, ooh, nifty. Or, maaaybe not; I've heard the Mob's pretty frigging violent.\" She continued, making her way around Marg as the other gal asked for help with the hand stuck to her back. Lightly gripping her wrist with one hand and her hand with the other, Audrey gave a tug, and it (hopefully) came unstuck, after which she kept on walking at pace with her friend.\n\n◆ \"There, that should feel better, huh?\"" } ]	290	2,457
390.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "You would think that Sergio would have these hallways down by now. The keyword being Think.\n\nHe was lucky enough to have Uriel show him where the kitchen was, at least now the kid wouldn't starve. But traveling on his own was never his strong suit. Despite being a small building, the hallways of the facility still seemed to wind around and around. Taking a deep breath, he cinched the ratty, nylon strap that held his guitar, a Yamaha F310, made of rosewood for the body and fingerboard, and on top was a panel of spruce, a bit scratched from years of practice. Making sure it was secured, he pressed on, hoping that he would find some sort of exit.\n\nAfter what ended up being way. Too. Many. Dead ends, he would finally find a pair of double doors, breathing a sigh of relief, he'd push the bar of the doors, praying to whatever force that existed, that they weren't locked. To his surprise, they weren't. Also to his surprise was that the door was actually very well maintained, and didn't need so much force that he put on it. Sergio stumbled his way into a tranquil, quiet, courtyard on the roof of the facility. He scanned around and hoped that No one saw that. \n\nNot immediately noticing anyone, he dusted his jacket and walked over to a small bench. It wasn't too late at night, just past sundown, and it was starting to get colder. He swiped his finger over the bench to check for any condensation before sitting down. The dew had pooled against his finger as it moved across one of the bars on the bench. Wiping his now wet finger off on his jacket, he tucked his thumb underneath the nylon strap that was across his chest and left shoulder, lifting it, and the guitar that sat comfortably on his back up and over, set down on the ground as he took of his jean jacket, and laid it across the bench, letting it soak up the condensation before he sat down.\n\nAs he waited, he took a quick glance at the ground floor, the courtyard feeling so massive the first time he took steps onto the grounds, but from up here, it gives him vertigo just staring down at the grass. He stepped back, turning on his heels to face the bench again. Finally, he sits down on the bench, staring past the horizon, viewing the twinkling lights that lived far beyond our own atmosphere. \n\nAnd he gripped onto the neck of the guitar, lost in thought." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "The cradle was never quiet. Ever.\n\nThere was always the creak of floorboards as someone made their way to the kitchen for a late night snack, the faint crackle of a tv in the other room, occasionally the faint strum of a guitar or other such instrument from the more talented members of the institute.\nUsually, the constant hum of life was a balm to Lucifer. He'd rarely lived without the sound of life around him, had grown to enjoy it, find comfort in it, the way a child might gaze into a nightlight, tucking their feet under the duvet with the knowledge that they were safe, guarded by the gentle light even though in truth it offered no real protection.\n\nSometimes it did get a little too much. Sometimes the tv static was just a little too biting, the floorboards too loud, and the wash of music too lively or too sad, or just plain irritating. On those nights, Lucifer would hop out of bed, don a warm hoodie and jacket, several pairs of thick socks crammed into his warmest boots, and make his way to the Cradle's rooftop.\n\nThere was always someone lurking in the corridors, the kitchen, even the gardens weren't private, folks coming and going at all hours. But it was practically a guarantee that the roof was silent. Empty of any company except the chirp of crickets and the whisper of a breeze.\n\nOr it had been every night he had been up there before.\n\nLucifer gripped his cane tightly under his arm as he pushed open the doors to the courtyard, the old hinges creaking in complaint, desperate for an oiling. He pulled his elbows in tighter, hunching his shoulders as he took a moment to acclimatise to the sudden temperate drop, the air felt wet on his tongue, the aftermath of a rainfall or the early threat of one, or both, though he couldn't tell. As he stepped further out onto the roof, he paused, turning slightly on the balls of his feet and cocking his head beneath his hood as he listened to the wet shuffle of steps a few paces away, then the creak of weight settling onto the old wood.\nLuce waited silently, giving the other a few moments to settle so as not to startle them before intentionally taking a heavy step forward, boots splashing in one of the many puddles of water resting across the courtyard.\n\n\"I'm not intruding am I?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "The thoughts would pass through, one pleasant, one not as pleasant, and one that kept the surroundings in check. I met some people! I'm stuck in this place. Shoes are still tied.\n\nUsually he'd be able to practice by now, but something kept him stuck. Maybe it was the dead quiet, or the fact that the stars weren't... Perfectly in view. Something about the lights even up on the roof made the sky seem empty in comparison. But, he was usually hiding out in the parks to see the stars Like that.\n\nSomething nags at him as he thinks. The last time he did this whole ritual properly, he realized he was back at home. It already feels like it's been forever. As he remembers how the tune in his head went, his fingers grip against the neck of the guitar tighter, the mix of brass and steel strings digging into his calloused fingers. Something wells up inside him. An emotional cocktail of one part words that will never have a chance to be heard and two parts now empty rooms. Shaken well. Pour over a short, \"Wishes he could be angry\" Boy. It makes him want to scream in agony, as he tries to fight this urge back it almost-\n\nWas that a voice? \n\nHe jumps, his fingers letting go of the strings plays the world's worst B♭. \"Oh, I uh.\" He stumbles over his words, trying to find the correct one to start off this sentence. \"Sorry, I'm new here and was just finding a quiet place to think.\" He gives a quick smile, it's goofy and uneven, but fits well on his face.\n\n\"I don't know how long I've been here but if you want to be alone I can get out of your hair.\" He looks back out to the sky, waiting for the other kid to answer. For a spare moment, he wishes he could reach out to them, finding if they too are as bright as the one that his world orbits. He snaps his attention back to the other, waiting for their answer." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Lucifer was good with names. Exceptionally so even, or at least he liked to think so, it came with the territory afterall, and he knew most of the voices in the cradle by now, having met them in passing or chatted in common rooms, but he didn't recognise this one.\nAt first he couldn't place the accent, but after a moments thinking he considered the quick-paced voice to be- Canadian maybe? Alberta perhaps.\n\n\"You're fine! I uh, just didn't want to interrupt any deep emotional turmoil you might be having- only that that's pretty much all I've ever seen people use the roof for, I mean. I'm not trying to suggest anything about you or, um...\"\nHe decided to simply close his mouth and stop deepening the hole he was digging for himself, instead he stepped a little closer, reaching out to grasp the back of the bench furthest from Sergio and gesturing to the empty space with a \"May I?\".\n\nAfter no audible complaint from the other he settled himself in the seat on the opposite end, tucking both his feet onto the bench cross-legged, leaving a comfortable foot or so between them, keeping his head turned slightly upwards, as if admiring the stars in tandem. He could practically feel how tense the other boy was, a little too quiet and tense, like a negative space, a blackhole, and after a moment enjoying the silence he offered out a hand.\n\n\"I'm Lucifer, Otieno. Or Luci, or- Anything works actually, just don't call me late for dinner\"\nHe grinned, dimpled and with a little too many teeth, but genuine, eyebrows rising up above the rim of his glasses. He cocked his head then towards Sergio's lap, having heard the discordant strum of strings.\n\n\"You play?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio blinks at the other, a bit in shock from Lucifer's own verbal gymnastics stumbling on the final landing. He takes a decent look at him, taking a mental reminder of how the white haired fellow looks. Something about him feels similar, but he doesn't truly recognize the man in front of him. He certainly wasn't with the other group he first met in the common area.\n\n \"Oh, I'm... Fine.\" He spits out, realizing he's been quiet for a tad too long. He continues to size up the other. Did they have some ulterior motive? Did he walk into the wrong part of the facility? He didn't want his... 4th day here? Ending with a fight. The hands with slight indents now tapped at the strings that were aching for a real strum, wondering what Lucifer's next words would be.\n\nWait. The fellow wants to actually sit down next to him? A pleasant surprise washes over him, as well as a sigh of relief. He hasn't fucked up any first impressions so far here, he thinks. \"Yeah, I don't mind, just mind the dew, th' bench is a bit damp.\" By this time, Sergio realizes his posture has been in the same tense, pre-breakdown position as before. He sits back up, relaxing his tensed up shoulders and resting his hands on the sides of the guitar. \"Name's Sergio Antares, nice to meet ya.\" He offers his own hand, Lucifer would feel the roughness of his fingertips on his left hand, as if the confidence of even actually taking a guitar outside didn't already show his experience with one. The other boy's smile almost felt contagious, and he couldn't help but feel like he needed to match it.\n\n\"Yeah! I've played since I was a kid. I might be a bit rusty though, I haven't been able to find time to practice. Thought that I would start again after I got my bearings here.\" Instead, he decided to skip that part and get to practicing again. After all, it's not like there's much to do after hours, from what he's seen.\n\n\"Have you played anything? I'm always trying to find fellow music players. I like to pick their brains about their reasons to play.\" He asks, readjusting once again to properly hold the guitar, slowly turning the tuning keys back into their places, strumming the string at least once or twice to see if it was one was in its proper place." }, { "author": "casquedi", "message": "Rereading and seeing I said names not voices" } ]	461.5	2,344
217.409091	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Night was beginning to approach, but hadn't fully darkened the earth. Dusk painted itself across the sky in brush strokes of deep blue with hints of sun near the horizon. In the darkest parts of the sky, stars were beginning to appear im the small spaces between the clouds. \n\nIn an attempt to break free of the weight that had him pinned to his bed over the past few days, Dae-hyun was out on a walk. He didn't have a destination in mind, and remained close to the Cradle, but he'd see where his absentminded steps took him. \n\nA chill lingered in the air. It was surprisingly cold, but the boy didn't mind. With a comfortable jacket layered over a sweater, he'd remain outside. As he moved, he looked at the ground. Occasionally at the sky. He was far too distracted to really notice anything else. \nA soft hum echoed quietly from his lungs." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "They expected no company. It was late. No problem, they had thought, solitude is better for all of that anyway, but the solitude was starting to gnaw at them. They had been isolated for quite a long time; they had failed to really make friends at Newton's Cradle, and they hadn't done a great job at interacting with other people outside of their non-existent circle of friends. So they hadn't spoken to anyone.\n\nGetting out of bed in the morning was beginning to be a challenge.\n\nIn truth, that was part of the reason they'd made their way out to this little patch of suburban nature; they were asking the universe for a way out of their rut, with both offerings and divination.\n\nNeedless to say, seeing Dae-hyun walk down the dirt path leading to the grove seemed in every sense an answer to their prayers. They collected their things, stood up, and waved at him, smiling reassuredly all the while." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Movement out of the corner of his eye sent a small shock of fear through Dae-hyun. It didn't last long however, and it melted into a familiar warmth once he understood who was across from him. \n\nIt was Fennel, someone Dae-hyun had been meaning to check up on properly— but the time just seemed to slip by. Lovely that the two of them just happened to be outside at the same time. \n\nDae-hyun stopped where he was and turned towards them, waving back. He also returned the smile. It a tired smile, though, and the stress on his face would be rather obvious if not for the creeping dark. \n\n\"Hello Fennel, it's nice seeing you out here! How have you been?\"\nHis voice was friendly as always." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel spent a few moments just smiling that same calm smile, trying to figure out how to answer.\n\nThey finally settled on \"Oh, you know. Bit tired lately. But I'm grand.\" And shrugged, silently hoping that it was casual enough to not worry Dae-hyun.\n\n\"You?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun tilted his head lightly. He understood Tired, But didn't want to push it.\n\"Well, I'm glad to hear.\" \n\nHe figured he was probably projecting his own feelings onto the matter. It was a bad habit, to see the melancholy in everything when he himself wasn't the most happy. \n\nHe decided that was behind him right now. This was a new interaction.\n\n\"Hm. About the same. Lots of stuff happened recently— just recovering from it all.\" He took a deep breath. \n\n\"Want to join me on my walk?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Mm.\" For Fennel, Nothing Happened recently. They were both far from happy, for very different reasons. At least Fennel wasn't the only one ruining the mood.\n\n\"Love to,\" They nodded. \"Lead the way.\"\n\nThey would've taken anyone else on a longer walk through the few patches of nature that weren't wild animal territory, but Dae-hyun? With the cane? They were going to let him lead the way." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "\"I... Don't have a destination in mind. To be honest.\"\nHe gave a small wry laugh. \n\n\"I just wanted to get outside— but I appreciate you joining me.\"\n\nThe night was a lovely comfort for Dae-hyun. It felt like family to be out in the dark, to feel the cold chill of the absent sun. \nPlacing his free hand back in his pocket, he waited for Fennel and then kept walking. Today he was in a better physical state, and could walk with little pain. \n\nPerhaps having no destination was nice, it would give them the time to talk with no true end point. \n\nFor a second there was silence. Small talk was so boring. \n\n\"Do you believe everything happens for a reason?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Let's just walk, then.\" Seemed like Dae-hyun was doing well. Fennel was more than happy to keep up.\n\nThey appreciated the silence, for the brief moment it was. Silence alone is a space to meditate, to consider; in the company of others, it's a space to experience, to feel. Walking quietly next to someone was nice.\n\nConversation was nice too, though. Especially when it wasn't small talk. Fennel nodded.\n\n\"Yeah. I do.\" They paused for a second to find the right phrasing. \"Some things happen because the universe wants them to happen. Some things, we make happen. Everything has a reason, even if we don't always know it.\"\n\nThey pause again, this time to think.\n\n\"That's the kinda question you ask if you're grieving. Did something happen?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun listened to Fennel talk. He picked up each word, internalized it, let it sit for a moment. \n\nIt was hard to believe, but comforting to hear nonetheless. He hoped eventually he'd be able to find proper truth in it. It seemed... Peaceful. \n\n\"Hm. I like that way of thinking.\"\n\nWith a deep breath, he looked off towards the horizon. Trees, grass, all silently stood. \n\n\"I suppose so, a lot of stuff that was both in and out of my control.\"\nHe sighed. \n\n\"I wont get into the details— it's Gritty. I'm just sort of, looking for a fresh perspective on general life things. Talking to a bunch of different people tends to help me understand things better.\"\n\n\"How do you cope with things out of your control? If I can ask. Sorry that's kind of a depressing question.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Oh. Alright then.\" Fennel didn't pry any further.\n\n\"I think—\" Fennel stopped suddenly in their tracks, and bent down to tie their shoelaces, which had come undone, \"—there are two types of people in the world. There's people who have control, and people who don't. People who have control, they spend all their time trying to keep it. Trying to make everything exactly right, trying to feel like they control the entire universe. And when that breaks, they feel like they've failed, and their plans fall apart, and that hurts. That hurts a lot.\"\n\nThey got back up and continued walking, still continuing their sentence.\n\n\"But they get stuff done, right? It's, like. The universe is like an infinite river. Some people try to control things. Those people swim, and they swim to where they wanna be, and usually they get there. And sometimes they swim upstream, but the water's too strong and they get swept away and hit the rocks. And then there are other people who don't try. They don't move, they just let the water carry 'em. And that's fine, they don't ever get swept away, 'cause they're going with the flow anyway, but they aren't deciding where they want to go. They're just going where life takes them. They don't need to cope, 'cause to them, it's all transient anyway, and maybe they'll be somewhere better a bit later. You know?\"\n\nThey never really answered the question outright. They just decided to stop talking once they'd belabored the thought enough." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun listened intently, he nodded where breaks allowed and gave thoughtful hums to let Fennel know he was listening. \n\nThe boy thought about who he was. Perhaps he fought too much upstream. The river did seem rather strong recently; against him. \n\n\"Hm. I see, yeah. That makes sense.\"\nHe thought for a moment. \n\"I think... I need to start letting the river carry me along more often.\"\n\n\"Which do you believe you are? Do you let the river carry you?\" \n\nFennel was already giving him a lot to think on. Learning of a new perspective was welcomed to Dae-hyun; even though changing his own was taxing and difficult. He liked the routine, the comfort, but this was a good thing to think about." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Yeah.\" Fennel didn't seem entirely happy about it. They looked around them; the little grove they had sat in had long ago given way to quiet suburban streets, and even those were beginning to fade into edge-of-town warehouses and countryside.\n\n\"Is it nice?\" They asked nonchalantly. \"Having control of your life?\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun noticed Fennel's lack of satisfaction in their own answer. There were always two sides to every coin— and it seemed as though there was something wrong on both sides.\n\nWhen they asked about him, he shrugged. \n\n\"To be honest, I don't think I would know.\" He sighed slightly. \n\n\"I think I make decisions and then what happens afterwards feels like, completely out of my control. I Know I Made The decision but for some reason it feels like I didn't. If that makes sense.\"\n\nDae-hyun thought about it. The way he went about his life sometimes felt like a wild spiral staircase in which he had been thrown down. He had wanted to make the choice to walk down the steps— but often times he felt as though he tripped more often than he walked. \nThe boy shook his head, dismissing his thoughts. \n\n\"What about you? What do you think about just, floating down the river?\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"I remember my life in chapters,\" Fennel responds solemnly. \"The caravan, then the orphanage, then the foster family, then the gang, then this. I lost contact with everyone each time. It's like they were not even the same life.\" \n\nThey sighed solemnly.\n\n\"The change happened. I did not have to cope with the change. But the consequences happened too and I had to cope with those, somehow. Dunno if that's much better, really. Maybe would be for you.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun looked up at the sky the two walked under. Trees blocked it no longer, stars now visible when they could be seen. \n\n\"So, either cope with the change or cope with the consequences...\" Dae-hyun muttered. \n\n\"It seems like both ways, kind of just suck, don't they?\" Dae-hyun gave a soft sort of laugh, that was mostly just a short exhale of air. \n\nThe boy shook his head, he was mostly just thinking out loud. Many thoughts and ideas bounced around in his mind. \nFennel brought up their life briefly, talking of memories and moments, and how it felt different. As of right now, Dae-hyun could resonate with that. His experiences prior to Newton's Cradle began to feel so far away the longer he spent away from it. \n\n\"You mentioned, how you remember your life in chapters, do you have a favourite one?\" \nTopic change, slightly. He figured it might be a better one." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"... Yeah, kind of.\" Fennel stuck their hands in their pockets and smiled wistfully. \"Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering. In short, life is suffering. The Buddha said that. And for those of us who aren't trying to reach Nirvana, we just have to deal with it.\"\n\nThey seem to be taking it with humor, shrugging lightly in response to the otherwise quite depressing-sounding statement. They wait for Dae-hyun to say something before continuing.\n\nAnd he changes the subject.\n\nFennel and Dae-hyun walk a few paces in silence before Fennel answers, stopping under an overpass to do so.\n\n\"I don't know. This... This reminds me of the gang. We slept rough, but we were in it together. The companionship was nice, but I don't miss sleeping on asphalt. I was safe with the foster family, but... They held me back. I was their precious daughter to them, and... I guess none of it was really all that perfect. Just different problems.\"\n\nThey keep walking.\n\n\"The caravan was nice. But I was a small child. I didn't notice anything being wrong back then. But I'm sure we were poor.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Life is suffering. \nDae-hyun supposed it was, and that it was true. Surely what he'd been through could prove that, a thousand times over. He was a case of suffering, and yet here he was. Talking about his thoughts with someone he definitely cared about under the vast, endless expanse that is the sky he so dearly loves. \nThis wasn't suffering, no matter how much he felt like recently life had been nothing but. \n\n\"Life also has a lot of good in it, I think. Sometimes it's hard to see but— hm. I don't know.\"\n\nDae-hyun had a lot on his mind, the last part was mostly muttered. \nFennel had good points, the different perspective he craved had been fulfilled. \n\nThe conversation had shifted, and that he was okay with. \n\nAs Fennel recounted their story, Dae-hyun nodded and listened. Sleeping on asphalt, foster family, perfect daughter. It all floated around in his thoughts. Fennel... Didn't seem like a daughter, surely never did such an idea cross his mind. Then, similarly to Lucas, a feeling pulsed through his bones. A connection, a sudden tie, as if something had tugged him forward ever so slightly. \n\nYou're like me. \n\nOnce again, comfort flooded over his skin. There was a part of his subconscious that Knew, Hence why it just seemed natural to refer to them neutrally, but he never fully understood it— like it was a passive thing he sort of figured, and less a fully concrete thought. He never asked, perhaps that was a failing on his end. Yet still, never did the confirmation fail to make him feel far more at ease. \n\n\"I understand being held back, like that. I'm glad... Or I hope you're... A bit more free now.\" \nHe gave a soft, gentle smile. \n\"My mother was not too pleased at the start with who I wanted to be either, she didn't really see the full picture. Yet here I am.\"\n\nHe was sure Fennel could understand, he hoped his own story could offer something like comfort, a sort of solidarity. \n_ _\n\nFennel however had also been through things he could never understand. The other notes, about the life they had lived had particularly stuck with Dae-hyun. There were ups and downs in his life too; things to miss, and things he'd rather forget. \n\n\"Yeah, good and bad, I suppose.\" He shrugged. \"I feel like that'll always exist, in every situation.\" \n\n\"Such is life.\" \nThe boy didn't think perfection existed. He hoped maybe it could, somewhere." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel caught onto Dae-hyun's feelings of recognition and understanding instantly. They'd known for a while, but it was nice to really get confirmation. They smiled warmly, even before Dae-hyun said anything.\n\n\"Uh-huh,\" They agreed, \"Such is life.\" They paused. \"I think the gang was my favorite. They were really cool. I miss having lots of friends like that. But I guess I still have time, huh?\" There's a twinkle in their eye and a grin on their lips and a tone in their voice that suggests quite clearly that maybe Dae-hyun and Fennel should talk more; maybe they should be friends.\n\nThey pass along a road further into the suburbs, where Newton's Cradle was visible a few streets down. In the darkly silhouetted evening hours, it loomed, large and dark and menacing, casting a noticeable shadow in front of it.\n\n\"Anything before that... I remember the dresses, mostly. Can you imagine me in a dress?\" They asked wryly. \"I can't imagine you wearing one at all. Especially a big puffy one, with the cane. I don't even know how that would work.\" They seemed to be taking the whole thing in good humor, even if the memory was hardly pleasant." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "'I guess I still have time.'\nThat thought made Dae-hyun feel warm, a fuzzy type of emotion, something similar to hope. There could be time; he wished for time. It would work out in the end. \n\n\"Absolutely.\" \nIt could be a slow process, the collection of such a similar group, but surely it could be done. The way the prospect obviously made Fennel happy made Dae-hyun wish it more than ever. He wanted them to be able to feel that way again; to feel such acceptance. \n\"I'm sure it won't be hard— you're lovely to be around.\" \n\nDae-hyun figured the two definitely should be friends, if they weren't already. \n\nThe idea of a dress made the dark haired boy laugh. It was a short sound, but a genuine sound. It wasn't tired or forced; it held a similar feeling to skipping a rock over a calm lake, underneath a summer sun. \n\n\"No— I can't imagine in you in one at all.\" A smile remained on his lips. \"I think your current look suits you a lot better.\"\n\nDae-hyun too remembered dresses. He remembered being a young child that didn't Truly Mind it because his sister also wore dresses, but there was always a part of him that hated the feeling. A sort of, discomfort. It was also too scratchy, or too much fabric, it made him feel rather suffocated. At the time, he never really understood why he couldn't just wear what he wanted to, or why he didn't want to wear the dress in the first place.\nNow he understood, and he was better off for it.\n\n\"God no— I could Not Pull off a dress. I am far too, boyish. It'd look silly.\" \nDae-hyun was also clearly having fun, with the sputtering of a giggle at the end of his words, even if the idea made him feel uneasy if he let the image fester. \n\nIt was nice to laugh about it, especially with someone who truly Got it.\nIt made it all feel less serious, less harmful." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel pauses, and their smile wavers just a little bit. But they keep walking.\n\n\"I'm jealous,\" They remark quietly, not quite looking at Dae-hyun. It's as if a trap snapped shut, and they went from vibrant and happy to withdrawn and quiet in an instant. \"If I put on a dress, I still look just like a girl.\"\n\nAt the next intersection, they turn towards Newton's Cradle. They're still smiling a little, but it's clear their mood isn't quite as jovial as before.\n\n\"Gender is hard. Every time I try not to think about it, I end up dressing wrong, and someone calls me \"Miss\", and I am back to thinking about it.\" They look at Dae-hyun directly again, with a sort of strange sorrow in their eyes. \"It is the one thing that makes me swim upstream, like you do. Maybe everyone does a little bit of both.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Dae-hyun recognized the shift in mood, suddenly he felt rather embarrassed. He listened however, and kept a note on Fennels feelings. They weren't wrong to feel the way they did, nor did he wished for them not to speak about it, Dae-hyun just wished he hadn't brought up a topic that could remind Fennel of something upsetting.\nHe sighed. \n\n\"Honestly, I'm sure if I wore a dress tomorrow I'd be called a girl too. However I think it's better for me to have the mindset that it doesn't suit me, because I don't identify as such.\"\n\n\"People who call you 'miss' are silly, because obviously they don't see what you do, what I Do.\"\nHe gave them a soft smile, reassurance that they weren't just one wrong move away from being less than who they were. \n\nIt was still unfortunate they had to do so much to be perceived, but it wasn't all bad all the time. There was joy here, Dae-hyun knew that, despite the crushing weight of it all sometimes. \n\n\"Like—\" Dae-hyun gestured at the two of them, \"— really?\" \nA short laugh left his throat, it was more of an entertained scoff. A disbelief anyone could see such a thing. \n\"I don't get it.\" \n\nDespite sounding like it was, the words spoken were not flattery. Dae-hyun genuinely couldn't understand. There was maybe a part of him that had just been more comfortable with himself for longer, or a part of him that was tired of relying on outside viewpoints to dictate his own mental state thus resulting in a better self image, but he couldn't see the Girl In either of them. No amount of anything would make that so. \n\nThe Cradle had begun to approach, Dae-hyun was familiar with his surroundings again. \nDespite the less than happy topics the two had discussed, the dark haired boy wouldn't have chosen to spend his evening any other way. \n\n\"Hey— uh, thanks for joining me on my walk. I really enjoyed it.\"\nThe generosity sounded slightly nervous. \n\"Perhaps, we should do it again sometime.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel laughed. \"I still have one. I look like a different person wearing it. You maybe would not even recognize me.\" They were clearly trying to lighten the mood again, but it was a feeble effort. The lingering sense of unease remained in their eyes.\n\nStill, Dae-hyun's words were a source of comfort. They smiled warmly at him, still not quite sanguine but certainly happy with his company. \"Yeah,\" They agreed, \"We should.\"\n\nThey spent a moment holding eye contact in silence. It felt a lot longer than the one second it lasted.\n\n\"You're a good friend,\" Fennel hummed. \"See you later.\"\n\nBefore Dae-hyun could answer, Fennel was gone, vanishing somewhere into the winding concrete halls and hallways of Newton's Cradle." } ]	188	4,783
310.272727	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "The wind came in small breezes, cool blasts of air gently tousling Nikita's ginger hair. \n\nThere, in the overgrown field, he felt freer than the rest of campus, but still not quite as free as the surrounding woods. The air there felt more open, like he could actually breathe and not be suffocated by the onslaught of smells by the building. \n\nNikita knew he probably looked strange, alone in the rodent infested grassland so close to the actual campus, but the winter air was crisp in his lungs and he couldn't help wanting to run out into the middle of the field. \n\nSo he had run out there, stood in the middle of it all, sun beaming down over Nikita. He wore a brown cross hatch flannel with dark ripped jeans, all covered in spurs and grass. He heaved, leaning into himself for support. \nThough, he recovered quickly as he took in the surroundings. He hadn't been out in this part much before. Everything felt so new to him, like he was rediscovering his world. \nHis farm felt so small in comparison to Isakstad. He wanted to learn it all the same. \n\nWithout care of ant hills and snake burrows, he fell haphazardly into the tall grass that didn't do much for concealing at its current height- though he still felt a little more hidden laying in it rather than standing so high above it. \n\nMusic played softly in his ears as he began to watch the clouds. His music felt calm, not much like what he heard over speakers from other nearby dorms. He didn't mind their music, but his felt special. Getting away from the noise was something he needed to do from time to time. Rather often, actually. He knew he needed to work on that. \n\nBut that could be left for future Nikita, as present Nikita was sprawled comfortably out over some nice grass without care." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Fin wasn't much of an outdoor person.\n\nFrance, their Mere patrie, had it's beautiful parts - the city they spent all their summers in, even more so. Vancouver, much the same. The rainy, boggy weather applied to a gloomy aesthetic they had enjoyed, and Sweden, for it's chilliness, had it's upsides. Fin pulled their coat tighter around their waist, dragging their boots through the dying and dead grass, blinking past the too-cold sunlight and the blusters of arctic wind.\n\nA walk seemed fitting - being stuck inside the same building as The Horrors didn't seem very appealing at all times of the day. Plus, hey, maybe there was something to this New Year's resolution thing after all. He'd started socializing a little more, not picking so many arguments (...Sort of), and started playing music again. Hopefully, with luck (and time) the band would slowly pick up where they left off and make music again. Can't have a tour all around the world if you don't play, after all.\n\nBut, they spotted a head of ginger hair that shook them from their thoughts. Inwardly, Fin sighed. He kept running into people. Pythia, that one poor guy in the wheelchair who they assuredly scared the shit out of, the like. If Finley ran into Mimir out here, they'd be pissed.\n\nAt least this person was laying down and not panicking out of a failed sense of direction. \n\n\"Hello?\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "A far out voice took hold of Nikita's mind, shaking him out of his trance and violently throwing him to reality. \n\nHe shot up out of the grass, pulling his headphones out and looking around like a frightened deer. \n\nWide eyes landed on a stranger, walking seemingly up to him. \n\n\nNikita wasn't exactly sure how to react. Should he be embarrassed? He didn't know, truthfully. Usually when people saw him out in the fields, he could have an excuse. He lived on a farm, after all. But Newton's Cradle wasn't a wide expanse of grazing land and forest, it was a facility with a complex building and even more complex people. \n\nWhat could his excuse be? Did he even need one? He was allowed to walk around campus, after all. And judging by this person's demeanor, he wasn't in trouble. \n\nInstead he waved nervously, \"Uhm, hi.\" He managed, sounding almost bored with how flat his voice came off. Really, he wasn't used to the sound of his voice. Nikita often spoke in sparse sentences, rarely even saying anything. People didn't really approach him, and the one time he had approached someone else he had talked the boy's ear off. He wasn't really sure if his voice could do that again. \n\nHe lowered his hand to collect his headphones and bag, getting ready to leave. Even if this person wasn't an administrator, he would still leave if told to do so. Nikita wasn't there to pick fights about where he could and couldn't lounge, especially when a good old forest was nearby." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Fin's blue gaze pieced together the red hair, the facial features. They looked familiar, this new face - What was with Fin and meeting people in the woods? - and he tried to remember from where. He rocked back on his heels, studying, studying.\n\n\"I'm Fin,\" They finally said. \"You, uh. Are you a student here? Sorta?\"\n\nStudent, if that was the right word, would make sense. Plenty of people geared up and trekked about the woods. They were pretty sure Sig might have gone camping out here once or twice, and he and Sergio sometimes came out here to talk and burn things in the little metal trash bins speckled along the path with a pack of matches Sergio snuck in his coat.\n\n\"Oh, uh. Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you off. I'm just walking through.\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita nodded and stopped packing his things, \"Uh, yeah. If that's what you call it.\" He muttered, unsure what to do now that he was told he could stay. \n\nHe dwelled for a moment, mulling over the words this person had said to try and form a reply that would keep this conversation going. Then it hit him. \n\nWas this That Fin? \n\nThere was a burst of anxiety that pricked at Nikita like thorns. He didn't want to fuck up, in fear of losing a potential friend. Him and A Fin had been talking over the Newton's Cradle intranet, and if this was the same person then Nikita needed this to go smoothly. \n\nHe swallowed hard, tried to open his mouth but found a jumble of words clogging his throat. \n\n\"Uhm.\" He croaked, failing to get out a good word. He coughed and tried again. \"I'm Nikita?\" His voice raised at the end, in the form of a question. He was trying to inconspicuously ask if this Fin knew him. He would mention stars, or either of their usernames, but he didn't want to come off as strange if there happened to be two Fins at the cradle. He still needed to make an effort to be more social, and he couldn't do that if he immediately came off as a socially awkward creep. \n\nHe ran his thumb over his other hand, fidgeting to regain himself at some level. There was always this swelling feeling of fear whenever Nikita talked to someone for the first time, and he was currently in the process of trying to quell that anxiety." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Oh!\" Fin's expression softened into something a bit more friendly. \"We've talked online! Hi!\"\n\nHe waved, tilting their head slightly back and forth as they put two and two together. Nik, it seemed, was in fact in front of him, the new friend they'd been talking with back and forth for about a week or so.\n\n\"You're the guy who I talked about stars with! It's nice to like, actually meet you. Um, sorry I didn't recognize you - I'm not like, great with names. Or faces.\"\n\nThe suspicion lowered from their hackles; apart from the general weirdness of the Cradle, things had been going Okay, oddly enough. The star catalogue Akvile had let them borrow was interesting, the weather had been a little better, they'd' seen a few dogs in town. Things were picking up just a bit." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita brightened at the recognition. \"Yeah, good to meet you too.\" He said briefly. \n\nThere was a feeling of relief that washed over Nikita like water. It cooled off any previous anxiety, and allowed him to loosen up and talk again. \n\n\"So,\" He trailed, looking around. He thought he would be alone out there, so naturally there was one main question on his mind. \n\"What brings you out... Here?\" He gestured to the field. Nikita had never really met anyone who needed to be outside as much as he did, so he always assumed normal people needed reasons to come outside. Most didn't enjoy colder weather either, double the reason to ask. \n\nBut Nikita didn't want Fin to feel like he was questioning him, either. He came up with something quickly. \n\"Uh, if you want you can join me? I was just going to kind of exist here, until I got bored.\" Nikita offered, patting the grass next to him. He didn't want to immediately make Fin feel unwelcome, even though they had been talking online a bit. He hoped that by offering a place with Nikita he would alleviate any strangeness that surrounded their current interaction. \n\nDespite his awkward speech and gestures, this was Nikita's best. To him, at least, it wasn't nearly as bad as when he shakily introduced himself to Pythia a few days prior. \nTo Nikita's surprise, it was a little easier to talk to Fin, having known a bit about them from their interactions. Nikita had probably interacted the most with Fin, past a few comments and peaceful hellos." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "They glanced around the field, shrugging a little bit at the menagerie of loosely gathered trees and wildlife (as much as there was present in the Swedish winter in a random field) (of which there was still most likely a lot).\n\n\"Honestly? I originally uh,\" He laughed, just a little, scratching a tuft of bright blue hair on the back of his head, \"Came out here to smoke. Or, set a bin on fire - but, I'm not! Currently.\"\n\nA boyish grin pulled their features into a look of almost sheepish amusement, dragging a toe of their Docs across the dirt. They shrugged, just a little, before looking back up at Nik, and sat down beside him. They rested their chin on their knuckles.\n\n\"Existing is generally recommended. How are you settling in? I know you're, like - you said from a farm? Somewhere in there? Gotta be a jump, of some sort, Dieu.\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita's eyebrows raised at the mention of smoking, anything really. \n\nHe had known of it, obviously. His Grandfather was rarely without a cigarette. He had never really taken an interest in it, seeing how his Grandpa hacked and coughed on occasion. His expression flattened, and even warmed up a little as Fin sat beside him. \n\nConversation felt easier since Pythia, he didn't feel like he was choking on words anyway. \n\nHe shrugs as he starts to talk. \"Everything is... Okay, I guess. It's certainly different from the farm, yeah. The math is really hard, and there's a lot more... Memorization.\" Nikita sighed, leaning back and using his arms as support to hold him up. \n\n\"To be honest, my days feel kind of foggy. They blur together a lot more here, but maybe that's because I don't do enough.\" He gave himself a pitiful chuckle, trying to sound like he didn't care as much as he did. \"And it's loud. Really loud... I couldn't really sleep when I first arrived.\" He continued, recapping as much as he cared to recall from the previous week or so. \n\n\"Next to you, I've met one person.\" For such a low number, he actually sounded proud of himself. \nNikita hadn't ever really made a friend, it was good he already had two. \n\nHis gaze drew lazily over to Fin. \"How about you? I know you've said you've been here for like, ever, but how do you feel about living here?\" He spoke significantly easier once conversation had been established. He wasn't awkward socially, just wary of strangers. At least, that's probably what his Grandma would say." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Loud?\" Asked Fin. They thought about that for a second, tilting their head back and forth before a shrug. He reached in his pocket and took out a nicotine vape, taking a hit and taking great care to make sure the smoke didn't get in Nik's face. After all, friends with similar names were hard to find, and Fin was trying to be more social.\n\nFin didn't think of the Cradle as particularly Loud, apart from the eldritch horrors that transpired on too frequent an occasion. He had come to accept it, more or less - the ideas of which were not lost on them, most of it was tragic, at least - and shrugged a bit at Nikita's questioning. \n\n\"I've been here since, uh. God. August, two years ago? This August will be my third year here - it's kind of, insane really. I don't mind living here - I feel like I've made progress, sort of. I dunno. I was never very dangerous, even when I first got here. The worst I did was burn a few buildings down.\"\n\nFor the first time, in quite a long time, Fin drew their knees up to their chest, and red burned at his ears at the mention of the crimes that got them slapped into Newton's Cradle to begin with. Most everyone that Fin was close with, though, knew of his arsonist tendencies, or had committed a crime worse, and ergo, didn't judge. Nikita, in a sense, was one of the 'normal' people of the Cradle - of which, at least, they seemed to be becoming more common. Dae-hyun, another friend of Fin's, came to mind.\n\n\"I think it's alright,\" They continued. \"The people here have kept it in-tact for me. I think if I didn't have the people I do, I'd go mad. More than usual. It's been steady going - haven't failed any classes, um, so, that's good. I helped start a band. Uh, the food's alright. I've learned to not burn water.\"\n\nHe was ticking different things off on his fingers, chipped black nail polish counting off different experiences.\n\n\"There was a brief stint with an angelic cult, and my best friend became a fugitive. That sucked - like, entirely.\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita let Fin go on. At the mention of How Fin was sent to the cradle, he kind of retracted a bit- drawing his legs a bit further into himself and leaning slightly to one side, away from Fin. \nHe had attacked a boy. \nThat and all his fits of anger. \n\nHis aggression, at least, had subsided since leaving the farm. The newness of his current world kept him curious and learning, but he knew that once he started to get bored of his place things would start going downhill for him. \n\nHe thought that maybe if he could make enough friends before then it wouldn't turn out like the farm. \n\nNikita wasn't receding because of Fin, but because he didn't want others to know why he was there. Things like that spread like wildfire in all the movies set in highschool, and he wasn't about to openly admit it. \n\nBut the subject changed quickly, and the tense feeling at the pit of his stomach subsided. \n\nAt the mention of a cult, there was a mix of worry and morbid curiosity. \n\n\"I'm sorry about that... But, if you don't mind, what exactly happened? That whole situation seems kind of crazy.\" He comments, trying to tread lightly around the topic that seemed spotty for Finley." } ]	332	3,413
576.7	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Crickets rang in the space of Nikita's head, who listened tiredly to their song at the edge of the overgrown fields of Newton's Cradle. Dark eyebags formed on Nikita's face, and his excitement for the cradle had dwindled somewhat. \nHe'd officially been a \"Student\" For two weeks, and he felt wrong for that. He felt wrong that something so stable was tethering him down. He felt like a dog, left tied to a tree in the middle of nowhere. Abandoned. He found himself missing his Grandparents, the dogs, the sheep, even the farmhands. They were a structure his lonely heart craved. He was never built for people, and he was realizing that. His parents cursed him, one half angry and one half sad, blended together to form a hopeless boy with nobody to love him except two old fools looking for something to cling to for the rest of their days. \nThat was his life, that's where he belonged. But instead he sits at the edge of the field that gives way to forest. He did that often, rather than begging his grandmother to get him out over the phone he just sits there and reminisces- too scared to move forward into the woods, too stubborn to go back to the cradle. \n\nThe sun painted his figure in orange light, making him look warm in his dark green hoodie and brown slacks. His hands were in the shape of claws, a tail lay hidden in the tallgrass, and his eyes were wide and pupils rectangular. He enjoyed sitting like that, monster half exposed to the world. It made him feel real, as if his existence wasn't real, like he wasn't just a monster in the fog. The sun felt nice on his skin, but it was going down quickly. \nNikita let a sigh escape him as his gaze fell to his closer surroundings. The yellowish tallgrass surrounded him, to about the chest height sitting down, and snow was nestled on top of the ground. He was grateful for the small patches of still surviving grass in the coldness of late February. Nikita was happy to hide.\n\nHis eyes fell shut. It was just one of those days for him. From the moment he put his clothes on he'd been away from the main campus. He found his way to where he sat and hadn't moved since. He couldn't. Every little action made him more lethargic. Drawing wasn't helping, games weren't helping, even his music made him worse off. He felt sickeningly lonely for some reason. He'd never cared before, but interacting with so many people in such a short time instilled an emotion in him he never wanted to have. He was really, truly Lonely. Sure, he'd been alone his whole life, but he thrived in the isolation, basked in the glory of his apathy. Now he found himself hating it, wishing he could manage to reach out somehow to feel better. \nNothing made him feel better, nothing he could control. \n\nAfter about three more minutes of shut-eye sulking, Nikita reached for his headphones and phone. He needed to silence the crickets before he started to rage and do something stupid. \n\nHis clawed fingers swayed over his screen, searching for somewhere to go in the expanse of his phone. \nHe found himself going to his messages. He knew why. A white haired boy that crossed his mind about every 30 minutes. A stray thought that habitually wandered into his mind. \n\nHe clicked Pythia's username. \"Oracle of Delphox.\" Nikita found it childishly cute that Pythia liked a pokemon so much he themed his internet profile on it. \nNiktia came to the chat often, but his timidness led to him just rereading dumb old messages that weren't really that interesting. But he still read them like they were the secret of life every time. \nNikita didn't reread an old conversation, his eyes felt too slow. His thumb hovered over the call button. What if it was a bad time? What if Pythia didn't want to see him again after seeing Zima? It was a thought that crossed his mind.\n\nBefore he could overthink and come to a conscious decision not to call Pythia, he clicked the button- half because his finger was shaking and half because he wanted to know that things were okay between him and his only official friend. \n\nHe doesn't know if the phone clicked, the crickets are loud and his mind is even louder. \n\"Pythia?\" Nikita called into the emptiness of his phone that felt hollow in his grasp. His voice was rasp and shot, barely audible, but it was there." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia was stable... He wasnt good, he wasnt bad... He was stable. It was a familiar lull that he found himself in, comfortable enough in his bed, not determined or uncomfortable enough to move... So he just stayed still. Isolation was a slow killer, and it didnt push him to act... For good or for bad. He guessed that he was glad for that... He wasnt sad, atleast he didnt think he was, so he wasnt depressed... He just wasnt really excited about anything. Most days he would lay in bed, he slept way too much... But it was comfortable. On days when things were due he would pull himself out, doing just enough to scrape by... And every once and awhile he would practice with his reflex bag... But with such large gaps between practices that small layers of dust collected on the surface.\n\nToday was another boring day. He was blazing his way through audiobooks, they were by far his favorite form of entertainment. He had finished almost two books in this short time period, and was ready for the next... The stories were nice, the one real thing he did... Well he did two things regularly... But he wasnt in the mood for the second right now. His hair was a mess, falling infront of his face as he kept his eyes closed. It had already grown a bit since making it to the cradle... Normally when it was this long his mom would cut it, but that wasnt exactly possible right now so he supposed he would let it grow...\n_ _\n\nThen his phone rang and he almost had a panic attack. He tensed his body, tossing the blanket he was hugging into the air... Where it then got caught on the fan and was thrown against the wall with a loud thump. He jumped at his phone, his heart already racing. For the first time in days he really felt something... A mix of excitement and fear... With a dash of hope and longing. He grabbed his phone and had to push his hands into the bed to keep them from shaking, as that made the image of his phone distort. He knew who was calling... But he still wanted to see his name.\n\nNikita was calling him... He panicked so much he almost let the call go to voice mail, but after a frantic second he pressed accept and silence filled the line. Pythia thought he could hear something like... Crickets?\n\nHe hadnt texted the other boy alot... He never knew what to say or what to feel. Every time he was about to... Well certain feelings would get in the way, and afterwards he wanted to bury those feelings so much he forgot to text the other boy. But now the line was open... And he just waited for Nikita to speak.\n_ _\n\nHis voice sounded raspy, and was more of a whisper... But it was there, and Pythia could help but grab another pillow and squeeze it tightly, kicking his legs as he let out a soft squeal of joy. He had been wanting to talk to Nikita ever since they had parted... He just had never had the confidence to call. In Pythia's eyes Nikita was epic, a boy with a beastly secret, stalking the school grounds. It was silly, but Pythia loved the image of the other boy moving through nature. He hadnt seen much... But what he had was enough. He was like a panther, stalking through the underbrush silently. Pythia could hardly take it anymore, and bolted up out of the bed, grabbing his phone and rushing over to the window. He stared out the frosted glass, looking for any signs of shadows... Normally it would be absolutely impossible for him to spot Nikita, given how adept the boy was at sneaking, but with his vision he would see a cloud of darkness that would easily give the other boy away.\n\n\"H-hey\" He stuttered softly, half out of breath from the sudden movement, half still paralyzed from fear. \"... .... H... How are you d... Doing?\" He asked quietly. It should be painfully obvious from his voice how much he had wanted to speak to the other boy... But both of them were so socially inept that there was a good chance neither would pick it up." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Pythia's voice, though laced with mild panic, made Nikita's muscles relax. He visibly melted, slumping down into himself. He lifted a knee to place his head against as he held the phone up. He could stare at the screen and talk with his trusty headphones. \nPythia was there. He wasn't angry or upset, he was just Pythia, and that fact somehow calmed Nikita's constantly tense mind. \nPart of him didn't want to speak, just sit on call in the distant company of Pythia. He knew that by just being on call his thoughts wouldn't be so violent, they wouldn't trust him into the inferno of anxiety and anger and depression when Pythia was there. \nBut there was a guilt that etched at him the longer the silence drew on. Pythia sounded excited to talk, but maybe that was because of his loneliness. Nikita knew the feeling, so he thought nothing of it. \n\n\"Hi.\" He responded quietly. He was too tired to sound happy, so he let his voice hang in a sort of half asleep state. It held a sort of growl to it again, and this time it sounded slightly deeper due to his fatigue. \"I'm... In a field.\" He shrugged, lazily letting his eyes trail up from his phone to glance around before looking back. Part of him wants to type a message, but he thought it would be strange since they were on a call, so he didn't. His wrist went limp as he let his phone hang and he closed his eyes. He just wanted to hear Pythia's voice again. Even if he stuttered a lot, he had a nice voice. \n\n\"How's your day going?\" He asked, waiting a little excitedly for Pythia to respond. He only hoped Pythia was doing well." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "After a minute spent scouring the tree line, Pythia eventually gives up on spotting Nikita and walks back over to their bed, flopping down on it. They took the blanket that Nikita had used in the garden and when he had come over, and wrapped it around himself... Every night he had slept with the blanket wrapped around him, and though it was quietly fading... It still smelled like Nikita. Now even that thought sent his brain in two directions, half thought it was way to creepy, the other half just wanted that other side to shut up and enjoy the moment.\n\nHearing the other boy's voice was like music... Though Nikita's voice was perhaps the least melodic thing he had heard, listening to it was comforting. He could tell how tired the other boy was... And Pythia was tired to. Somehow, he was still tired after sleeping most of the day away. The soft growl to Nikita's voice, the obvious fatigue... It just made him want to hug the other boy.\n\n\"Im... ... ... B... Better. M... My day has improved a... A lot since y... You called\" He said with a small smile and a blush, it took him a second to realize how corny that sounded... But it was true. He didnt push Nikita to speak, knowing that the other boy valued silence... And he feared that if he pushed him to talk too much then Nikita would grow uncomfortable with the conversation... But he also just wasnt able to shut up sometimes...\n\n\"What f... Field? I... Is it... Um... A good field? Hows your day going?\" He asked quietly, squeezing his body with the blanket as he hugged his body pillow, putting the phone near his head. He had it on speakers, since he didnt feel like holding his phone to his ear and headphones werent comfortable when he was laying on his side" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita found himself smiling at Pythia's words. \"It's been about two minutes.\" He said at the other's initial comment, voice lifting into a short laugh. \nHe hadn't smiled all day, but Pythia's existence is enough to clear the fog in his mind and allow him to feel some semblance of happy. \n\nNikita enjoyed Pythia's questions, enjoyed answering them. It was one of the small pleasures he found in conversation. Maybe he liked it because of how easy it made talking, but he also just liked being able to hear someone find any kind of interest in him. \n\n\n\"I'd say it's a good field.\" He pats the ground beside him, snow sticking to his hand as he does so. \"Some tall grass, right by the forest, lots of snow, setting sun. I'd say it's a solid eight out of ten field.\" Nikita's voice slowly loses its lowness and drowsiness, fading more into his tired but resonant constant. It still held a growl, in his current half-beast sort of state. \"And my day has improved a lot since you answered.\" He says, returning Pythia's words back to him. \n\nHe lets the silence take over for him as he contemplates his next request. \nHe wants Pythia to join him, or at least he thinks he does. But there's a worry. It's cold, and Nikita was beginning to feel guilty everytime he asked Pythia to join him outside. His presence made Pythia's world dark, not just blindness but something arguably worse. Nikita can't imagine how the constant shadows must look. \nBut Nikita wants Pythia to join him, and Nikita follows even his smallest whims. \n\n\"Do you want to see it? The field.\" His words are short, to the point. The question should sound sturdy, uncaring of Pythia's answer, but even a short phrase sounds shaky when Nikita is asking for Pythia's presence.\n\nA part of him is scared of Pythia. Scared that the boy will grow tired of him, or see the monster that everyone else sees, or whatever horrible fate that would lead to Pythia walking out of Nikita's life on short notice. He's scared to be alone again, and Pythia is the one thing between him and loneliness. Pythia could hurt him so easily, and that fact scares him. \nFear is not something that comes to Nikita often. He's never found himself so afraid of another person, not even his Grandparents- because he knew that at the end of the day they'd still be there. There isn't that guarantee with Pythia, he hasn't been around long enough. \n\nHis tail had begun to drag across the ground from side to side, making the tallgrass move with it and snow clinging to its fur. This was his excitement, the part of him that was genuinely happy to have a friend to talk to. Zima was doggish in that sense. His tail served mostly for balance, but it showed what he was thinking and how he felt. As Zima, it could be a helpful way to communicate feelings. As his normal self, it was an obvious indicator to the things he was trying to keep secret. He was aloof, but his tail gave away his oh-so emotional mind." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "As he heard Nikita laugh, Pythia couldnt help but add his voice to their small chorus. It was nice to hear the other boy laugh... It didnt happen nearly enough for either of them. He smiled brightly, squeezing his pillow and gently kicking his legs to try to relieve the excitement he felt.\n\nAs Nikita responded, he couldnt help but grin. \"O... Oh! That sounds l... Like a wonderful field... But if thats an eight o... Out of ten w... What makes a ten out of ten?\" He asked quietly. But that last little comment sent a bright red blush onto the other boy's face. Surely... Surely he didnt mean it tha-\n\nThe next question caught Pythia off guard. He wasnt expecting Nikita to want to meet up... It had been awhile... Too long actually... But... But part of his mine still was convincing him not to crowd Nikita... But that part of his mind was silenced when Nikita spoke\n\n\"Yes!\" He responded, almost shouting. The answer came immediately after Nikita spoke, the response was instinctual. It took Pythia a second to realize that their answer may have come too quickly, with a bit too much enthusiasm. Their face fell victim to a deep blush as they stuttered. \"I... I... ...I... I mean i... If you w... Will have me of course...\" He added sheepishly, feeling a spike of embarrassment. He wasnt thinking of the fact it was almost night, he wasnt thinking of the fact that it was freezing cold, he only thought about seeing the other boy.\n\n_ _\nHe had similar fears to Nikita, fears of his friends drifting away, of being lost again... He was already taking a step down that path. He would only leave his room when he absolutely needed to, and he felt the old terror take hold again. He thought he had been able to work through that, get past that... He had been working with his therapist... But he wasnt over the fear, the fear of even going outside of his room... So he only did so when he absolutely needed to: when his stomach was crying for food, when his bladder screamed for release, ect... He knew it wasnt good... But he had a hard time handling the fear...\n\nNikita helped... It helped make him want to be productive, to go out... To make himself better. Both of the boys were a mess, just different kinds." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita responded as the questions came, first with the one about the field. His immediate answer would have been \"Home,\" But he quickly stopped that train of thought before it could consume him. He was talking to Pythia, he shouldn't think of home. \nInstead, the word he settled on was, \"Company.\" His voice sounded a little strained, like there was more but he couldn't bring himself to speak up the words. Company wasn't what he had on the farm, not really, but he missed the dogs and sheep and the smell in the air- foul as livestock could smell. Maybe that's why the field was only an eight out of ten. It wasn't home, and no field could equate to something so precious to Nikita. \n\nThe ginger almost ripped his headphones out when Pythia suddenly raised in volume with his quick answer. His ears were sensitive even without changing. But after his initial wince he felt no pain, so he made no comment. The next thing Pythia said made him smile a bit. They were very similar in the aspect of anxiety too, just it showed differently. Instead of laughing about it, Nikita gave what little reassurance he could- he was good at that much, at least. \"Of course I want you to join me.\" He wanted to say more, add something at the end like Pythia's name or some kind of nickname. But he thought too much about it, and before he could say anything more his sentence had drifted much too far away. \n\nHe didn't want to leave their conversation on that note that felt all too awkward to Nikita, so he continued.\n\n\"The temperature is going to drop soon. Bring blankets, wear warm clothes, the ground has snow so maybe bring a towel or something to lay on if you don't want dirty blankets. Uhm, if you haven't eaten be sure to do that- or at least grab something to bring here. I don't know if I missed anything. Be careful and don't push yourself too much, okay?\" He rambled on, words blending together at the ends to sometimes form one really long word. At least he wasn't stuttering or mixing up his words, so it sounded coherent on some level. \nNikita was protective of anything he felt like he needed to protect. Pythia was one of those things. Not because Nikita thought he was weak, but because Pythia was too precious a person to ever be hurt. He often felt protective over the sheep as well, that's part of the reason he was such a good shepherd- he kept them all safe. In some aspects, Pythia was like the sheep. He was a soft person, white haired, gentle. Lamb was the first thing that came to mind, and Nikita quickly solved his nickname problem. \nHe wasn't sure how to bring the nickname into existence, but it felt right- and a good way to mess with Pythia a little. They were friends, after all, and Nikita had heard how many times two friends would call each other names and laugh about it. He wanted a part of that." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The word company made Pythia's heart ache, and a dumb smile spread wide across his face. He covered his mouth quietly after his little outburst, his face flushed another shade deeper. But the little affirmation that Nikita wanted him there... It felt nice...\n\nAt the small checklist he made mental notes. He sprung back out of bed, starting to make a pile of the things he would need. First was the blanket he always brought, large enough for two people and incredibly soft. He raised his arm to sniff at his underarm, and recoiled softly. He hadnt washed his clothes in too long, and had been wearing this shirt for awhile... He pulled it off before grabbing some thicker clothes from his drawers. He tossed them onto the bed, grabbing his towel too before looking over the items\n\n\"A... Alright! I think I have everything I'll need.. A... And I wont push my powers t... This time\" He added with a soft chuckle, starting to pull his clothes on. This time he was dressed in similar clothes, thick pants with some long underwear aswell as a thin sweater with a jacket on top. He hoped he didnt smell bad... Hopefully a change of clothes and the cold air would help. He wasnt thinking of a nickname for Nikita, but lamb would be remarkably fitting for Pythia. He rolled up the towel... Well it was actually a picnic blanket. His mom had gotten it as a way to try to help him make friends, but he hadnt used it yet. He then wrapped his blanket around himself twice, grabbed his phone and prepared himself. \n\n\"A... Alright, im heading out... I... Ill try to grab something to eat from the cafe... Its late so hopefully people a... Arent about in force.\" He said softly, holding the big blanket under his arm as he held his phone in his left and his cane in his right. He breathed in before stepping outside.\n\n_ _\nHe walked slowly, sticking to the wall and moving down to the cafeteria. There were enough people that moving was hard... But thankfully Pythia had been around long enough that word of his blindness wasnt unknown... So people knew to make way for him. He walked up to the serving woman and asked for something portable... So she gave him a small burrito and he made his way outside.\n\n\"A... Alright... Im walking out t... To the gardens now. Ive got some food\" He said softly, having clipped his phone to his blanket and holding the burrito in his left hand. He made his way out to the gardens before walking towards the treeline." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita listened to the hum of society as Pythia passed through it, trying to hear the things others were saying around him but unable to focus on one particular voice. \n\n\"Could you come out to the overgrown fields? You can probably see me out of the tall grass, my head is just above it all.\" He suggested, straightening up instead of slumping against himself. His head popped out of the tallgrass like a meerkat, looking around. He could see slightly further with his vision, but not enough to see all the way back to the gardens. \"I don't really want to move from here, but I can if you can't get out here alone.\" Nikita said, willing to sacrifice his comfort for the sake of seeing Pythia. He didn't want to have to rid himself of his tail, however. It was a sort of comfort to him, despite its expressiveness. He would do so, if Pythia needed the extra help. \nThere was a safe mix of anxiety and excitement building up in the pit of Nikita's chest. He wanted to see Pythia, of course, but not at the cost of harming the other boy. That's what had happened last time, and Nikita wasn't willing to do that to Pythia again. \n\nHis eyes rested on the school, unable to make out any kind of human from his current distance. It wasn't impossibly far, he could see if someone was walking toward him, but with the time of day there were still enough people outside that Nikita couldn't tell if any of them were Pythia. \nBut the sun was going down quickly, and in another 30 minutes it would be too dark to see much of anyone. That darkness would also allow for him to show more of his secondary form, if he felt like doing so." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"I... Its alright... ... I think i... I know where you are talking about. A... And ill see your shadows really e... Easily\" Pythia added quietly. He collapsed his walking stick as he entered the gardens, the absence of people making it easy to see. He clipped it to his belt loop and began eating the burrito as he walked, the heat of the food feeling even better with the frigid cold... Only after a minute did he realize he should have packed a scarf too... But it was too late to go back now, so he just shrugged and continued walking.\n\nNikita would see him easily, Pythia walked with... Well inexperienced steps would be putting it mildly. Every step he took with a bit of caution, since there was a bit of snow and he had to crunch it down before he could put his full weight on the next foot. It was exceedingly obvious that he wasnt used to walking on uneven earth, but he still made the effort. Pythia looked up, and finally spotted a cloud of blackness in the grass he began to move towards Nikita.\n\n\"I... I see you.. Or well... Um.. You know what I mean. Ill hang up now\" He said softly into his phone, ending the call as he walked towards the other boy. He put his phone in his pocket and continued eating his little snack... It was the first thing he had eaten that day, and it was nice... Though he knew not eating wasnt healthy. He waved his other hand towards Nikita, and tried to engage his powers...\n\nBut they failed him... Oh well, he didnt need to see Nikita, he knew the other boy would guide him... ... But he did want to see him, he did really want to see him. Maybe he should get some pictures of Nikita... If he did he would want to get pictures of all of his forms.. ... But he didnt know if Nikita would like that... Maybe he could ask him about it..." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "\"Oh, yeah. See you.\" This time he heard the phone click. He lingered in the silence of the now finished phone call, the sound of nothing somehow louder than the crickets around him. \n\nIt wasn't long before he spotted Pythia peeling away from campus and onto the field. His head was peering just over the tops of the tallest grass, the red standing out against the snowy landscape in sunset. \nHe didn't wave back, it wasn't a gesture he truly understood. He found the distant greeting awkward, so he simply watched Pythia walking steadily toward him. \nHis tail began to sway, just above the ground. Zima was a predator, and though he didn't engage in hunting beyond chasing bugs and rodents, he still felt the instinct. Another animal in the wild meant danger or food, it just happened that Zima was the strongest thing in the woods and didn't need to worry about danger. Still, he found himself wary of Pythia for a moment, ready to bolt or bite if the other got too close. \nIt didn't take long for Nikita to snap out of his trance, realizing the strangeness of his urges as Pythia grew closer. \n\nPythia was his friend, he needed to remember that. Not everyone his age was as ruthless as the boys on the farm. \n\nAs the other boy got close enough, Nikita made space for him in the area he had cleared of grass. It was a small bed of flattened grass and snow. The grass was broken and flattened many times over, showing that Nikita had been to that spot frequently. \nHe held his own tail over his lap, keeping it still and running his fingers through his sleek fur to keep himself grounded. \"Care to join me?\" He offered, as if Pythia hadn't already agreed to do so a few minutes prior. \n\nDespite the boy's presence, Nikita felt impossibly lonely. He gripped the fur on his tail tightly, tugging at the roots. Pythia was his friend, he wasn't alone, yet he still felt like he was drowning without a lifeguard.\n\nBut he gave no hint of his inner turmoil, just allowed Pythia to sit beside him and brighten the abyss of his mind." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia stepped into the tall grass, giggling softly as it tickled his skin. As he stepped closer and closer to Nikita, he saw a bit of the flattened grass that Nikita had made though most of it was in shadows... By the shape of the cloud Pythia guessed that Nikita was sitting down... Though he couldnt be certain. He reached under his blanket and pulled out the picnic blanket, letting it unfurl and flop against the ground.\n\n\"I... Id love t... To join! Um... ... Can you help me with t... The blanket? My m... Mom got it for me in hopes I... I could use it on the cradle's lawn.. ... B... But that hasnt happened yet... B... But i think this is much b-better than just laying on the lawn.\" He added with a soft smile, before trying to concentrate once again on his powers... If they cooperated it would make unfolding the blanket a much easier task.\n\nAnd Nikita would see as Pythia's eyes suddenly snap into focus, immedietly finding the other boy's face. Even if he wanted to he couldnt hide the smile that overcame him, not just at seeing Nikita, but also seeing him in this form, which Pythia assumed may feel more natural... The face that he was already atleast this comfortable.. And Pythia didnt have to ask to see it... It was nice, and so a wide and bright smile spread itself across Pythia's face. If anyone was watching the two, just from the way Pythia looked at Nikita it would be obvious that somewhere deep within Pythia's mind he was actively falling for the goat boy. His shoulders relaxed and a great deal of tension looked like it was lifted from him. His eyes were wide, and though it would be hard to see in the light of dusk, his pupils would dilate.\n\nWith Nikita's aid, the two of them would easily be able to unfurl the blanket and lay it out flat across the grass. At that point Pythia would sit down near the middle of the blanket, unwrapping his actual blanket and waving it out. He sat down and let his legs spread out, laying the blanket over his waist as he leaned back on his hands. The picnic blanket also came with a few small pillows, which he kept in a small pile.\n\n\"S... So! Um... W... Whats the plan?\" He asked quietly with a soft smile. His eyes only left Nikita when absolutely necessary, and it was obvious that he wanted to look at the other boy while his powers still cooperated." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita caught the end of the blanket that nearly flopped on top of him with a swift hand, shifting his weight to his knees as he sat up. He made sure to stay well enough below the grass that his tail wouldn't be seen from campus had anyone chosen to take a glance toward them. \nThe sun was setting quickly enough though, and soon Nikita would be able to take whatever form he chose so far from the main building. To anyone who looked, Zima would be another shadow in the dark- a trick of the light that people question for a moment before returning to their night. \n\nNikita laid his end of the blanket out over where he was sitting, and when he looked back up Pythia was looking at him. Their eyes locked for just a moment before Nikita's tail thrashed against the ground in the form of a wag. His tail, though unable to pick anything up, was strong. It made a loud thud when it came into contact with the snow and grass below it. \n\nHe couldn't manage to say anything in his defense. He couldn't describe why Pythia's gaze made him feel special, all he knew was that the fuzzy feeling in his head made him happy. With just a look, Nikita's thoughts have been replaced with ones of Pythia. \n\nHis face flushed a soft pink knowing his tail made a spectacle of him. He quickly fixed the blanket's corners and sat on top of it, curling his tail back into his lap and holding it in place. \nEven though he wasn't looking at Pythia, he could feel the eyes on him. It felt like lightning had struck him with the electricity that sparked his heart. He felt lucky to have a friend like Pythia. \nNikita's blush faded as his thoughts subsided, and he was able to look at Pythia again. \"I didn't really think that through.\" He admitted.\n\nHe initially called Pythia out of impulse, expecting only a short conversation to arise from it. He had been far more lucky. \n\n\"How about you sit with me? We don't need to know what to do for now.\" Nikita said. His offer bordered between childish and sincere. His heart was secretly golden, bright and pure. He shared his secret with Pythia happily. \n\nNikita's gaze was far more careful than Pythia's. He only dared to steal a glance when he thought Pythia wasn't looking, but there were multiple occasions where Nikita ended up looking right at Pythia's silvery eyes. In those fleeting moments, Nikita's heart skipped a beat. Of course he liked seeing Pythia, but knowing that Pythia was looking back felt different. \nHe wished he wasn't so awkward." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia smiled brightly at the soft thumping of Nikita's tail. He had no clue what it meant, but it was adorable nevertheless. He knew Nikita's tail probably gave secrets about his emotions... But he had never really interacted with animals or people... So he couldnt gain much insight.\n\nEven still, the way Nikita blushed made Pythia smile grow a little bit wider. That was a feeling he understood better, and he hoped that it was a good blush instead of a bad one.\n\nAlready sitting down he nodded, looking down at the blanket and pushing one of the ends towards Nikita. The blanket was king sized, so there would be enough room for both of them without them crowding eachother. Pythia knew Nikita wasnt cold... But he also knew he wasnt warm.\n\n\"I... Id love to\" He said genuinely, his voice soft and mixing with the sounds of crickets. But as the other boy sat down and occasionally looked at him... He felt his powers pulling on his mind.. He wanted to look more, to see Nikita's hazel colored eyes...\n\nAnd for now his powers remained, he sighed softly as his body started to slide a bit, until he was laying down on the blanket. He reached up and tossed a few pillows at Nikita, grabbing a few for himself to prop his head up. The grass made the blanket more comfortable, but Pythia still prefered his bed. He laid down on his side, pulling the blaket until it covered his entire body besides his head. Even with only being exposed for a little bit of time, his hands were cold and shaking, and he pushed them under his shirt to try to help warm them.\n\nMeanwhile, he was laying on his side so he could keep his eyes on the other boy. His silvery gaze was attentive, and he was basically staring... Nikita would have expected a gaze like that to feel predatory, like a panther stalking its prey.. But it didnt. Pythia's eyes were filled with enough amazement and awe that it was more than obvious that he just enjoyed looking at Nikita.\n\n\"I... ... ... Uhm... Are... A... Are.. You okay with pictures?\" Pythia asked, slightly out of the blue... Though the question had been nagging at him \"I just... Have a... A hard time remembering faces sometimes, given i see t... Them alot less, and pictures r... Really help me\" He added slowly... Before realizing how pressuring that phrase could come across as \"B... But if you arent okay with t... Them you don't have to! I.. Im just c... Curious.\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita stopped trying to look back at Pythia, the anxiety tugging at his mind commanded it so. Rather, he adjusted to face Pythia's direction. He placed an arm on a raised knee and tilted his head to lean on it. His eyes naturally drifted away from Pythia, his gaze placed lazily over the darkening field. \nThe other boy's metallic eyes felt hot on his skin, as if he could feel where Pythia was staring. He chose not to comment on Pythia's gawking, mainly because it didn't feel like how others would look at Nikita. \n\nNikita received two types of looks. One being that of fear, timid and searching- waiting for something bad to happen. He got this look mostly from people at the farm. The second was empty, like he wasn't even there. Their dull eyes would gloss easily over him, never a hesitant second glance or pupils avoiding his own, and it made him feel invisible. This was the look he received at the cradle. He was a nobody. \nHe hopes to never become somebody. \nBut when Pythia looks at him, he feels like somebody. It's a third kind of look, as if Pythia is utterly engrossed with him- not Zima- Nikita. He is human in Pythia's eyes.\n\nSo he doesn't comment on Pythia's watching, just sits and accepts it gratefully. \n\nPythia's question catches him off guard, his face shows that much. His eyebrows furrowed as he looks to the other boy, slightly bewildered. \nBut as Pythia explained, his face returned to its neutral state as he nodded along. \"No, that makes sense. You can't see all the time, so it's okay. Take as many as you want.\" He shrugged, leaning his head back against his arm. \n\n\"I don't take selfies though.\" He added, his voice gaining a grump quality as he spoke. \n\nNikita never liked posing or making faces for a camera. The idea of photographs was nice to him- it was a way to capture a moment and keep it for as long as you had the picture- but the theatrics of selfies and group photos felt forced in comparison." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia smiled brightly at Nikita's willingness to be photographed. It would be nice if he could get some pictures... Though photography wasnt something he was that good at. He pulled out his phone, and pulled up the camera app and pointed it towards Nikita... It was the same reason why he couldnt really watch a video even when concentrating on his powers... He would see the future image of what was on screen, creating a fair bit of distortion to his eyes. The frustrating thing was that sometimes he could see... Kinda... It wasnt completely impossible depending on what was on screen...\n\nIn this case Nikita was mostly sitting still, so his image was stable enough. Pythia took about 20 pictures, is photography strategy was 100% quantity over quality, hoping atleast some of the pics looked nice. He would place his phone down as he felt his powers starting to strain his mind. He would need to drop his powers soon... And he could tell Nikita wasnt used to his gaze... But he couldnt look away for some reason. He didnt want to look away, so he wouldn't until his powers forced him back into blindness.\n\nAnd he pushed through, his vision remaining in tact. He knew Nikita wasnt used to being looked at, and that made him want to look away... But he wanted so much more to remember this. Nikita sitting on the blanket, his tail flicking behind him as he looked around at nature. He knew he now had photos... But he wanted to imprint this into his mind.\n\n\"I... Its alright! I dont t-take selfies either.\" He said with a soft smile. He looked down at the blanket between them. It was more than large enough for them to be a respectable distance away while both being under it... And he didnt want Nikita to be cold. Even if the boy was immune to its effects, he was still cold. He may not need it for survival like Pythia, but surely the warmth was more comfortable. He aired the blanked out again and put himself at one of the corners, trying to give Nikita space. The edge of the blanket was almost touching Nikita. He couldnt tell why, but he really wanted Nikita to get under the blanket. Part of it was a primal part of his mind that thought of the cold as dangerous. He wanted nikita to be safe, and even though his rational mind knew that he was... He still wasnt fully comfortable with Nikita just... Being out in the cold. Part of it was something else though... Something he couldnt exactly place... So he tried to prompt it.\n\n\"I... ... Um... ... Y... You're not cold, a... Are you?\" He asked quietly. It was a really, really stupid question in this situation, and his face flushed as soon as the words left his mouth. He tried to say something else, but the words caught in his throat and he resigned himself to silence until Nikita responded, not wanting to say anything else stupid. He felt... Weird. The sky was already turning dark, dusk was ending and night was beginning. The darkness had to be doing something him... Surely that was the only thing." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "His jaw tightened as he felt the lens over his body. It was a sense he'd always had, whenever something was watching him it was like he could feel the eyes burning his skin. He drew in a breath and didn't let it go until he was freed of the camera's grasp. \n\nDespite his tension, Nikita appeared rather calm over photograph. Orange light danced in his yellow eyes as he stared off over the field. His gaze looked haunting, cold and distant, yet so full of warmth. The way his eyelids hung, and his shoulders slumped, and how lazily he held himself, together it all made him appear softer than he would have wished. \n\nThe camera wavered and fell, and he let out a heavy breath. \n\nCrickets filled the space of conversation when he would not do so. Their constant humming and chirping felt isolating in the moments of silence. Their noise was the only thing that kept the redhead from running his incessant mouth. But when Pythia asked his question, Nikita had to stifle a laugh. \nHe looked over to the white-haired boy, the minimal light now shrouding a thin veil of darkness over the two. \"I'm freezing.\" He said as a half joke, pulling the end of the blanket over his knees. His tail crowded around his feet, encircling Nikita like a cat. \nThe boy wasn't exactly warm, so he decided to enjoy the comfort of the blanket. The cold that pricked at his skin wasn't always desirable, even if he felt no discomfort from it. \n\nNikita felt a small obligation to speak more, not wanting to let the air between them to become stale. \"Thank you.\" Were the words he found. He wasn't sure if they were right, but he said it anyway. \"For coming out here.\" Nikita couldn't look at Pythia while he felt so vulnerable. His eyes trailed away, and his head followed. His gaze ended up on the woods in front of them, watching the treeline carefully. \nSometimes he wondered if the Cradle had other creatures like him, other beasts.\n\nHe shook his head and found his train of thought. \"I think I needed a friend like you.\" He mustered up. But it still felt inadequate. \n\n\"I need a friend like you.\" He corrected. That was enough, he thought. He hoped Pythia understood the significance of his words. Nikita needed Pythia, and that was his way of admitting it. They had only known each other a couple weeks, but Nikita felt almost too attached. \nBefore the cradle, he never needed anyone. Even if his grandparents were to leave, or worse, he always thought he would be okay without them. Nikita can't bring himself to think of Pythia's existence as such. He couldn't imagine Newton's Cradle without Pythia, he couldn't imagine going on living there without Pythia. He'd make a run for it before being alone in humanity again. \nNikita needed Pythia to have a chance at being human." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia smiled happily as Nikita relented and pulled the blanket over his knees. He knew the other boy wasnt cold... But he could still feel a chill. He giggled softly at the little joke, still blushing at his own comment. The quiet is nice, and the crickets make a gentle song. He wasnt used to their chorus, so instead of feeling isolating they felt... New? It was hard to describe. He had listened to crickets before, but infrequently.\n\nAt the second comment he blushed a bit further, his smile remaining on his face as he muttered a soft \"Y... You're welcome\" The words sounded... Pure, they sounded like they came straight from Nikita's mind. But the second comments.. Well they made his face bright red. He thought it was the biggest compliment he had ever recieved from the other boy... Though he didnt understand the full meaning behind it. Even still... In his mind it was one of the biggest compliments he had ever gotten.\n\n\"I.. ... Uhm.. .. T-thank you... I... Uhm\" He stuttered softly, his brain short-circuiting. \"I... ... I... I need you too\" He said quietly, and it took him a second to realize how fucking gay that was. His eyes had been on Nikita the entire time, but now he looked away, feeling too embarrassed at the sudden proclamation. He hadnt meant to say that... But it had been exactly what he had been thinking. At that moment he felt his powers straining again.\n\nThey finally failed him, plunging him into darkness. On one hand he was glad. He wouldnt have to see if Nikita was weirded out by his comment... If he was silently disgusted or revolted... But on the other hand that confirmation would be nice atleast... Worrying was hell... And he felt safer when he was looking at Nikita, when he could see him. Part of him wanted to ask if he could hold Nikita's tail again as his brain started coming up with cruel thoughts. He imagined Nikita leaving silently, and him being left there alone for ages before realizing his friend had left. He shrunk down into himself, curling into an almost fetal position with his legs hugged to his chest as he shut his eyes and tried to banish the thoughts that overwhelmed his mind." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita sat in the silence, feeling too much raw emotion to speak; mostly in fear of saying too much. \nHe watched as the final glimpses of light faded just beyond the trees and listened as birds began to sleep and frogs began to wake, filling the woods with a constant and eerie croaking. \n\nA chill settled over Nikita's skin, and he knew it had probably dropped a good five degrees in the past hour. He wanted more, he wanted to feel cold. He wanted to shiver and chatter as he spoke. He grit his teeth quietly, resenting his powers all over again. He didn't know why he craved to suffer as his fellow peers did, maybe it was a sense of comradery he had been missing, maybe he wanted an excuse to join Pythia under layers of blankets without looking weird. \n\nAfter a while, he heard Pythia's near-silent shifting against the blankets. Nikita looked curiously over, wondering if Pythia had decided to stare somewhere else. He was sitting in the same way Nikita met him, knees held up to his chest and holding himself closer than he'd hold anyone else. Except, this time, his eyes were shut tight. Nikita felt a twinge of understanding, a pain that rose calmly from the center of his chest. He remembered being small and hiding in the same way, eyelids fighting to stay shut in hopes the rest of the world might disappear. \n\nHe was sure Pythia sat like that for his own reasons, and he was sure he didn't know how to help no matter how many times he wished he could. Instead of offering a hand, or his shitty reassurances, his tail slid over the top of the blanket and placed itself just beside Pythia.\n\nHis jaw relaxed as he spoke, losing that longing for human suffering. \"I'm glad you're here, Pythia.\" Was all that came to his mind. He wanted to offer his tail up verbally, or say something that might make Pythia feel better, but in his own selfish nature he said the only thing that made him feel safe. He wanted to groan at his own words, crumple them up and throw them out like a shitty English assignment. \n\nHe looked away now, and found sky instead of forest in his sights. It started as a glimpse, a shine in the corner of his eye, but his head craned up as he stared at the stars flickering in the sky. He quickly began to point out constellations in his head- Hercules, Cygnus, Cepheus. His eyes trailed down slightly. Draco, then Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, and finally Canes Venatici. Hound dogs. \nHe wondered if the gods were real, any of them, he wondered that maybe he was a hound meant for their use. Maybe he fell as they were making him, and he landed deformed and mortal. \nHe doubted that, of course. He wouldn't believe that tale even if an actual god came from the sky to tell him so. \nNikita gave up on that train of thought and returned to earth, looking down at the blanket over his knees. Pythia's blanket. He felt a spark of satisfaction, happy that at least he had the cradle. He was almost Happy For his fathers shitty ideas- though to him Nikita is at some shitty reformant school. Either way, he was a small bit grateful for his dad. It meant he could sit peacefully beside Pythia, wishing on stars." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia kept his eyes closed against the bad thoughts, not wanting to consider them. He liked Nikita... He wanted Nikita to like him, was it too much to ask that his brain stop crafting scenes of the other boy leaving in the shadow of Pythia's blindness. But... As he was thinking these horrible thoughts, he heard something gently slap against the blanket right infront of him. Almost instinctually he reached our and gently grabbed hold of Nikita's tail, squeezing it as the other boy spoke.\n\nIt wasn't exactly a resounding sign of favor... But it was still a lot coming from Nikita. It... Made him feel better, and pushed back the dark tendrils of isolating thoughts. He smiled, holding onto Nikita's fluffy tail, gently squeezing it like it was a pillow or a stuffed animal. He kept his eyes closed for the moment, wanting to stay in this calmer darkness for a time as his racing heart slowly stilled and his mind fell back under his own control. As he lay on his side in a fetal position, his long white hair fell infront of his eyes, tickling his nose.\n\nThe way he held Nikita's tail was almost too familiar, too close, especially with what the other boy would be used to. He would be able to feel Pythia's fingers gently petting the fur of his tail, slowly wrapping it around one of his fingers before releasing, brushing the area back to normal, and starting again. He felt his powers rebelling against being used again, so he let them rest for awhile, knowing he would want to see for as long as possible as soon as he reigned them in again. For now he simply floated in a sea of constantly shifting shadows. He couldn't see the stars above them... But somehow he felt like he could feel them. They were far enough from the city that the light pollution here was much lesser than before. He had seen the stars at the Cradle, but the building produced enough light that it polluted the sky... But since we had left the Cradle's grounds and traveled a bit away, it was lessened a fair bit. Maybe if we went out even further one day there would be next to no light pollution.\n\nHe didnt say anything, not knowing what words would be best. So instead Pythia tried to let his actions speak for themselves. The way he curled up around the bit of your tail the other boy had given him, the gentle pets and carresses... It is more intimate than Pythia expected it to be, and far more intimate than most things Nikita had experienced." } ]	542.5	11,534
179.375	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "radikale", "message": "Fennel is standing on the roof, trying their best to see the stars. It's not going well. They're not used to the light pollution - their foster family had lived a little outside city limits, where the street lights didn't reach, the orphanage had been something similar, and the rest of the time, they had lived on the road. It sucked, but they kept trying. Maybe it would eventually get dark enough, or something. Maybe they could convince themselves that they Could See all the stars, actually, and it wouldn't be an issue at all.\n\nOr maybe they'd continue to be disappointed.\n\nThey preferred to view the alignment of the planets directly, to draw their own conclusions, whenever they had the option. Using websites felt off, almost hackish, but if they had to, they could. They might have to get used to that while they lived here, unfortunately.\n\nThey sigh a little to themselves. Another point against the already bad vibes this place gives them." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio hated finding his way around the hallways. It always found him turning and twisting around the wrong ways, it was like a concrete parking lot from hell, where all the exit lights are dimmed out and the only ramps somehow lead to the same damn library. Finally, after a stairway appeared from seemingly thin air, he was able to make his way up. 3rd floor, somewhere a bit more familiar for him, as he made his way to this hallway often, opting to see how the other stars beyond ours decided to spend their time.\n\nBut, it appears that he wasn't the only one here. Another was already in place, looking up to the skies in mild disappointment. He chooses to make his presence known, not making his steps muffled in a way to sneak around this new character.\n\nA quick pause for the right sentence to form comes from the blonde.\n\n\"Howdy'do? Any luck seeing past the lights tonight?\" He asks, as he makes his way up to Fennel. \"I've been considering if I should just figure out a way to short the lights up here.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"No good,\" Fennel opined, \"It's the streetlights. Won't be seeing any more than this from here.\" They sigh, taking their eyes off the sky and looking out across the landscape. \"Aχ, it's all woods out there too. Nowhere to get a good look at the sky, I don't think.\"\n\nThey turn to Sergio, giving him a brief once-over. He looks bad, but he doesn't look much worse than Fennel's own people anyway, so they figure they shouldn't judge. \"You know anywhere, hun? I hate having to google star charts.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Nothing inside the facility, a friend once showed me a nice clearing out there once.\" He shrugs, and gestures towards a section of the woods. \"But from what I've heard, there's still a curfew right now. Dunno when it's gonna be cleared, though.\"\n\n\"And... I haven't tried breaking out. Yet.\" Another shrug. Looks like all he knows is that he doesn't know, setting himself up to be the worst criminal here, all ideas but no action. \"But luckily I'm not normally up here for stargazing and the like. I just like to serenade the other stars from time to time.\"\n\nHe realizes how this probably sounds like a terrible idea for people who like to keep quiet. \"If you're planning to watch them in silence I won't bother you on that, I just like to be higher up to give it less time to show them my songs. I can still play down in the courtyard.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"That'd do it!\" Fennel chirped. \"You'll have to show me sometime. This just isn't gonna do it.\" Except that there's a curfew, as Sergio wastes no time pointing out. But Fennel could figure that out if it came to it. \"I'm sure it'll be fine,\" They replied.\n\nThey played with their earring to keep themselves occupied as Sergio spoke, listening rather than interrupting. They preferred to listen. The first step to solving any problem is understanding it, and the first step to getting to know a person is to listen to them.\n\nThey shake their head. \"No, you can go ahead. I don't mind at all. I'm just trying to find Libra, I'm sure a little sound won't add any more light pollution.\" They smiled a little, holding back a chuckle. \"I'm Fennel. And you are?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Oh, sure! I'll show ya where it is sometime when you aren't too busy.\" He replies, a warm smile following behind the words. \"And if you find a way out I won't say anything, don't want someone else getting in trouble by my words.\"\n\nGiven the go ahead, he nods, taking the sling that holds his guitar case off his shoulders, unzipping it as he listens along to them. \"Oh, the Name's Sergio. I'm pretty new compared to the rest of the faces around here. I think I've only really met a spare few of them so far.\" He sets the case down, following it with his body as he rests on his knees.\nHe flips the case's top open, gingerly picking up the guitar by the neck, checking if the walk over has caused any damages along the way. Not noticing any, he plucks at the strings, trying to hear if any of the strings needed tuning. \n\n\"Do you play any instruments?\" He asks, as he strums the notes one by one. In his head he mutters the line of that poor sap named Eddie. \"I know that there's a spare few people here that do so far. There's even a band! They haven't announced any practices yet though. I'd like to hear them play.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Yeah, same here.\" Fennel sits down, letting their feet hang off the sloped building. Their legs aren't quite hanging freely, but it's far too steep to stand on, so they sort of awkwardly rest on the sloped wall. It's surprisingly comfortable, contrary to expectations.\n\nFennel shakes their head. \"No, not me. Never really felt the need, you know?\" They cast a glance at Sergio and his guitar. \"Well, I s'pose you don't, but you get the point. It's just never really... Been in the cards for me.\" They shrugged a little, and their hair gently bobbed back and forth in the wind.\n\n\"I'd like to hear them too, though. Sounds like a good time.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Nah, I getcha on that. Sometimes people are more for just listening compared to playing.\" He responds, eyes shifting over to them. \"I usually see musicians as people who have something to say without words. Whether it's for someone who can't hear it at this point, or it's something too complex for just normal words.\" He slides his fingers down the thicker strings, a quiet reverb climbing from the friction of the two solids colliding with one another.\n\n\"I, for one, try to sing out to the stars, I've wondered what the galaxies ever had beyond ours. If there's someone else out there, how their instruments are made, why they play, what their songs underlie with, who they're also for. Maybe even if someone else out there is also serenading people beyond their own.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Sing to the stars, huh?\" Fennel looks up. \"Something to say without words...\" They muse to themselves, their voice going quiet. \"I'm more of a listener, I think.\" Fennel's never been the most eloquent. It's always been easier for them to listen than to formulate the right response, so that's what they've ended up doing. It helps people, they find. Most people need someone to listen, and Fennel is more than happy to be that someone.\n\n\"Oh, I didn't even think about-\" Fennel exclaims. \"You don't mind me being here while you play, do you? I can't see the stars anyway, no need to be here if you want some privacy. Don't want to impose.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Just one to listen? That's no issue for me, music wouldn't have gotten where it was if there was no one to listen to it.\" He hums out. \n\"Just like most forms of art, if there was no one to try and interpret it, would it truly be art?\" Sergio digs through one of his coat's pockets, making the silent bargain with his confidence that he truly did bring a pick today. \n\"Could an artist make a painting, without the intention of it being interpreted by others?\" \n\nAha, there it was. He pulls it from the unending depths that are an unseen pocket, a green pick, distress and age showing in some discoloration on the center of said plastic pick.\n\n\"Oh, I don't mind. A concert is a concert, meant for whoever is willing to hear it. As long as you don't mind that it'll mostly be instrumental today. Not exactly ready for my own cat wailing Just Yet.\" He looks up to Fennel, making sure that his newest audience member wasn't being put into a place of discomfort by his words. \n\"Of course, I hope you are willing to excuse the occasional discordant note or two, I am human after all.\" He reminds, mostly to himself, something about how his humble outlook on his own playing seems to be his own downfall now. \n\nAt least as he's been told by others now. He supposes it's time to see if a newer member will be the right fit for a critic. Perhaps someone who is more of a listener is able to find the right path for a song.\n\nAnd so he plays." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Could an artist make a painting without intending for it to be interpreted? If no one was there to interpret it, would it truly be art?\n\nIf a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?\n\nFennel leaned back, more figuratively than literally, and watched the stars in quiet comfort as Sergio played. It was nice - perhaps not the most complex or technically impressive piece, but Fennel wasn't the type who would know or care about that kind of thing. It was a nice moment, and Fennel let it stay that way.\n\nOccasionally, Sergio seemed to hit a wrong note, or it just didn't feel right. Fennel noticed, but didn't say. Fennel trusted their intuition, but they didn't want to hurt any feelings. They focused on the stars, gently drifting across the unfortunately bright night sky.\n\nWhen Sergio stopped playing, Fennel looked over at him and smiled. \"That was lovely, Sergio. The stars thought so too, I'm sure.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "It wasn't his best performance, but then again he probably peaked back before he came to the facility. Usually he was here to practice a new song for a while before he gave his audience the true play set, but with someone actively listening for once, he decided to have changed things up. Everlong practice could wait tonight. \n\"Glad to hear, and I do hope so. Maybe one day we can find if the stars can feel resonance from music like we do.\" \nHe sets the guitar down, back into its open case, fitting snugly back into its place. \n\n\"I never asked, what are you watching out for, out there? Any specific constellations, planets?\" \nHe appears to be a lot less attentive now that his part is over. As if he was working off of a second wind of energy, just to make sure he played this concert. \nBut, even with exhaustion creeping in, he wouldn't pass up a chance to talk to anyone else with a slight interest in the stars." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Libra,\" Fennel repeated. \"I'm an astrologer.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Ah, libra? I think that one will be hard to see right now, if this cold tells me correctly, we wont see them for a while.\" He mentions, now if he did remember, Libra was usually visible in the north in the summer. \n\"But an astrologer? What are you studying them for? I'd love to pick your brain on that, if you'd let me.\" He crosses his legs, settling his forearms on the arm rests that he's created with his knees." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"Mmm.\" Fennel nods. \"It's a bad time, I know. But I hate using charts.\" God damn calendar drift. Why not just have the signs match with the sky? It really would be so much easier. Would save them from looking for Libra at a bad time of year in a light polluted city.\n\nFennel lets out a gentle chuckle. \"Not astronomer, silly. Astrologer.\" They turn to face Sergio, giving up on the hunt for a moment. \"I, Aχ, You know. I tell fortunes, that sort of thing. I s'pose in a way that's still studying the stars, but not in the space telescope kind o' way.\"\n\nThey stand up. \"Ah, I'm probably not gonna find it tonight anyway. I should get some sleep. Lovely meeting you, Sergio.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "\"Ahhh, right my mistake. Maybe I'll ask you for a fortune one day.\" He says, a goofy smile crossing his face. \"Besides, either way, it's a fascinating field of study, and I still gotta learn about what's got you studying them.\"\n\nAs they stand, he stays seated, looking out to the streetlit horizon. \"There's always other nights. Hopefully I'll see you more around, have a good night Fennel.\" He gives a parting wave with his words, letting them go on without any more interruptions from him for the night." } ]	182	2,870
319.086957	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Straight up gave the thread a header\n\nA Threader\n\nBut fr I shall wait for reply heehoo" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Stargazing.\n\nAfter her conversation with asa in the Cradle's proprietary intranet, Nakanishi had continued to stare sleeplessly out of the window in her and Mamoru's dorm. Stargazing was something Nakanishi did when worries and fears would keep popping up in her head and keeping her awake. Searching for certain stars, drawing constellations with her imagination, and thinking about what it would be like to be one amongst the stars, watching the Earth from far away.\n\nNakanishi drew up a few constellations out of shapes she noticed: the Hourglass constellation, the Pythagoras' Triangle constellation, the Cradle constellation, and a couple more. One by one, she would point up at the sky and draw various lines and shapes out of the twinkling stars with her finger, like a giant, omnipresent \"Connect the dots\" Sheet.\n\nAs a chilly breeze gently weaved around the various forests and buildings around her, Nakanishi suddenly had a feeling that she had looked at every inch of the night sky that she could see from her window. She made her 5 constellations, and she had seen all the different shades of reds, oranges, whites, and blues that each dot in the sky randomly possessed. She tried to move to another window for at least a slightly better view, but she was constrained to the same scope as before.\n\nNakanishi turned to the door that separated the dorm from the concrete gray hallways that connected the entire building to itself. She heard from somewhere that residents of the Cradle would be allowed to go on the roof, even at night. That would almost certainly give her the best view possible: high up on a chilly rooftop with the entire night sky in view. Nakanishi smiled at the thought, but was the legend true...?\n\n\|\nBeing as quiet as she could possibly be, she shut the window she was originally stargazing out of to keep the dorm room warm, then she put on her socks and shoes for outside travel, and crept out of her room at an unbearably slow pace, doing her best to keep the door from creaking. Then, she very gently shut the door, made sure she could still get back in with the key, then crept into the eerie, dark crypt to find a staircase." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Flick.\n\nEyes to the sky, Akvilė flicked her beat-up lighter and lit another cigarette, gently rolling the butt of it between her teeth with her tongue and a Lot Of focus. A brisk chill whipped over the top of the Cradle, and the knitted sweater she'd worn up clearly wasn't enough. She wasn't shivering, but her bones ached. Her tendons felt stiff, like a puppet cut free from its strings. Her limbs had their string, but she found it hard to move them. The What ifs? Of splintered tendons didn't sit well with her.\n\nShe was out on the roof once again because it was undoubtedly the best place to plant a telescope she'd been able to reach yet. As she gently sucked on the butt of her cigarette and lowered her eye into the awaiting piece of her telescope she thought about her attempt on the 106.3 Tower on the outskirts of town. She'd come so close yet failed to make her attempt, halted in her tracks by the presence of maintenance men milling about the site for over an hour. Frost had set in; she'd been Forced To leave.\n\nShe set her sights on the Crab Nebula and remembered to exhale. She coughed hard and attempted to dial her settings in." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "The near-complete lack of natural light to reflect off of the gray concrete floors, walls, and ceilings made it impossible to see without a flashlight. Nakanishi dug her Samsung Galaxy A20 out of her coat pocket and turned the flashlight on, angling it low to light only the pathways that she could take. Despite nobody else being out here during the night, Nakanishi didn't want to disturb or blind anyone with the light.\n\nStep... Step... Step... No matter how slow and deliberate Nakanishi's steps were, the shoes that she wore, which were part of the uniform she used to keep with her in Japan, kept their clicky nature and made sure that whoever was awake at this hour would hear something like someone snapping their fingers through the hallways. Nakanishi was worried that she'd wake up one of the residents in the dorms and be yelled at for it.\n\nAnd the sheer darkness of the building wasn't helping her worries settle. No matter how many times she reminded herself that there was nothing in the dark that could harm her, she couldn't help but grow fearful of what lied just beyond the light of her smartphone, her sort of sanctuary providing a sense of safety in that she could be sure nothing was hiding in the dark, except for herself. Nakanishi did to control her breathing to be slow and silent, despite the fear that was slowly mounting in this silent sea of darkness.\n\n\|\nStep... Step... Eh? What's that in the distance? With a slightly shaky hand, Nakanishi pointed her phone up to illuminate the area in front of her. Steps. A railing. A staircase! Just what she needed! With a feeling of relief that came with being a step closer to her goal (no pun intended, I will rip your hair out strand by strand if you mention it), Nakanishi smiled a little bit and approached the staircase before ascending the steps to the third floor of the building. It wouldn't be long before she'd find another staircase leading up to the roof.\n\nAs she approached the second set of stairs, Nakanishi realized that she wouldn't've even gotten this far compared to herself when she first arrived at the Cradle. After thinking back on some things she did recently at the Cradle and around Isakstad, a smile crept up Nakanishi's cheeks as she then had a realization that she actually seemed to be getting a bit more confident in herself. She made sure to remember that goal.\n\nAnd then, with a deep breath, Nakanishi slowly ascended the thin, metallic steps. Nakanishi felt rust on the railing that she held on to, but it kind of became a norm for her to be seeing and feeling rust in this building. She looked up and noticed that the rooftop access door was open just a tiny bit, so she pointed her phone up and slowly opened the door, which made a quiet, metallic creaking sound before gravity pulled it the rest of the way open. Now that she was at the roof, she turned off her flashlight, put her phone in her pocket, and stuck her head up to peek over the concrete and scan her surroundings, hoping that nobody was already here." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Whirr, click. Click. Phew.\n\nThe soft noises of her telescope being further dialed in and her occasional breaths were all that punctuated the silence up on the roof. This was how clear skied nights went by in Akvilė's world: up on the roof, one hand glued to the dials of her telescope and her eye firmly pressed into its viewport, thin wisps of cigarette smoke drifting around her head like a halo of burning futures. She found this (mostly) nightly routine relaxing, and almost freeing in a sense. Daylight brought her into the focus of the others she saw in the hallways and common rooms much to her chagrin, so night time felt like a warm cloak flowing down her shoulders, keeping her safe and keeping her unseen.\n\nAt least, usually it did. She was staring at the Crab Nebula intently when the unmistakable creaking of the access door ripped her attention from her stargazing. Her head whipped around nervously to face the door.\n\nStaring directly at the door she noted it as ajar. Thrust open much further than she'd left it on her way up. Her jaw tightened slightly at the thought; She wasn't alone up here now. Too set up to simply flee she swallowed down a kernel of apprehension that had lodged itself into her throat and kept her eyes fixed at the door. After a couple of seconds a head popped up, and she immediately picked up on one physical trait of note: her eyes. She looked into the girl's eyes, every bit as timid as hers, and with just a bit of moral apprehension. Was it wrong to assume race just off of eye shape? Was the dilemma she contended with for a moment in the snap-taut silence that lingered as they made eye contact before she bulldozed over those qualms with a little regret and the emotional callousness of an Abrams tank. Between the eyes and her memory she found herself somewhat certain they were the dame person she'd been talking to earlier that night in the Intranet. Yusuke, or whatever it had been. Not a familiar face, but a stargazer all the same.\n\nShe didn't wave. She didn't say anything. She simply exhaled deeply through her nostrils and went back to her telescope, albeit with less intense focus than before. Outside of Amelie's treasued company she still found herself unable to truly relax in social scenarios such as these, and it showed in her tense shoulders." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi slowly turned her head, scanning the roof with her eyes. Empty... Empty... Empty... Em-PERSON! Nakanishi was startled by the sight of another person on the roof and immediately ducked below the roof with a faint gasp, moving herself out of sight completely from the other person's perspective. This was bad, this was bad, she wasn't alone. Nakanishi hadn't figured out who they were, as she was just focused on getting herself out of sight in that moment of panic. She thought for a moment... Who exactly were they?\n\nAfter about a minute of Nakanishi trying to muster the courage to ascend once more, the girl slowly raised herself back up until she could just barely see onto the roof. They were looking away, seemingly too focused on their telescope to care about Nakanishi's presence. They were looking into the stars, uncovering their deepest secrets, just like she was just 10 minutes ago. Except, Nakanishi didn't have a telescope. They were just a stargazer. Suddenly, she remembered the conversation that she had in the Intranet just before she left to go up to the roof for a better view of the sky. Could they be that same person...?\n\n\"A-Anata wa... Da-dare desuka?\" The girl asked in her mother tongue, her voice being so faint that the stargazer almost couldn't hear her at all. Despite having spent months and months here in Sweden, she hasn't learned a single bit of it, for some wild reason. Perhaps her virtual escapes from this harsh reality were getting in the way of her Swedish language studies. Either way, she still didn't learn Swedish at all, and she needed to get started on that. Whilst waiting for an answer, Nakanishi slowly raised herself, allowing more of her body to become visible to the stargazer, shoulders first." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Though the wind flowed by at a not-insignificant pace and her open eye was affixed to the telescope she noted the distinctive creaking sound of a partially-rusted hinge and pulled her sight away, once again locking eyes with the stranger.\n\nShe said nothing at first. Instead she stared, and began to twiddle with the knobs of her telescope nervously. This was the one downside she'd found with the roof: pedestrians. It was a common hangout in the small hours, over cigarettes or liquor or vibes or whatever else, and this meant people she didn't know. People she simultaneously hoped wouldn't approach her yet wished they would. Potential friends locked behind prison bars of her own design. Potential memories. It was her fear of the human factor that left her immobilized in those spots; she could understand the world on a structural level, so why couldn't she get a bead on people?\n\nFaint Japanese hit her ears and snapped her out of her thoughts. Immediately recognizing a language barrier she pulled out her phone, a veritable Pandora's Box gifted to her by the Deans, and frantically typed with one hand. With a single peek to make sure she'd typed it in right she set her phone face down on a nearby milk crate left behind by a previous resident and plastered with stickers and drawings over the years. She knew the method worked – after all, how else was she to survive in Poland without much of an understanding of its language? – but wondered if the microphone would be sensitive enough. She knew from past experience that microphones had a lot of issues out in the field.\n\n\"Ar galėtumėte, uhm... Tai pakartoti? Vertėjas y-yra pasiruošęs, \"Google\" Padeda. Ta– tačiau gal ne su vėju.\" She forced her voice up a little, speaking a little louder than a mouse and feeling everything in her trying to slam her throat shut until she learned her lesson. Her phone picked it up; \n\n\"Could you repeat that?\" It parroted in Japanese, in a monotone that Akvilė admittedly found charming. She'd already earmarked the technology as a future instrument of sorts. \"A translator is ready; Google is helpful. Perhaps not with wind, though.\" It finished. With that she took a step back, and waited." }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi waited nervously, staring back at the stranger on the roof with nervous eyes. Then she heard the sound of another completely alien tongue, though their voice was quite faint from where she was. She noticed that it sounded different from the Swedish that she heard almost every day, yet she could not discern what language it could be. It didn't sound like English, which was one of the only other languages that she could recognize. What could it be...?\n\nThe girl continued to stare, watching the stranger do their thing. She got up... She set her phone down... She stepped away... Then, for the first time in a little while, Nakanishi heard her own language again. The robotic voice of the translator app that Nakanishi could hear faintly immediately reminded her of her conversations with Mamoru, who she saw as more of an older brother figure than anything else. She even remembered a time where she had to prevent herself from subconsciously calling him \"Brother\". She loved her younger brothers, but she thought Mamoru was the best older brother she could've ever had here.\n\nNakanishi snapped herself out of her thoughts, realizing that she was holding the stranger up by thinking idly. She dug her phone out of her pocket and opened the translator app on her phone, which had been set to Japanese -English. Nakanishi decided to stay with the option, hoping that the other stranger would be able to understand it. Holding her phone by the bottom corners with both of her gloved hands, Nakanishi spoke into it in Japanese for a little while, also having to force her voice up. She used up all of her willpower to keep her mouth from slamming shut and staying closed like a thick, extremely heavy vault door. When she felt like it was good enough, she tapped the button to speak the message, turned her volume up, and held it up high so that the stranger could hear it.\n\n\|\n[\"Who are you?\"] The phone spoke in a robotic monotone, relaying her message in English. Nakanishi lowered her body a little bit to rest her arms, which have been holding her up for a minute now, and were starting to get tired and sore." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "One click of silence, then another.\n\nIn the momentary hush that followed Akvilė wondered if her thought had worked. Had it been loud enough? Or had the message been lost and she was just staring at this young'un poking out of the roof like a fool? Momentarily beads of sweat began to pool on her forehead, nervous nectar right to the brows of her eyes, and she began to knead her hands together. What if her presence was unwelcome, or the language barrier was going to be too big an issue to overcome? She thought and thought until the King's English hit her ears, snapping her out of her thoughts and back to the land of the living.\n\nRight.\n\nThe question asked, though, clearly left Akvilė trepidatious. Why did it have to be an instant question about herself? Why? Why couldn't it have just been a question about the stars or what she was doing up there or literally anything that wasn't an intrusive question? For a few moments she sank deeper and deeper into her mind before remembering that she wasn't alone. She spoke into her phone again, in Lithuanian rather than the English that the other girl had assumed she spoke. After a few moments it parroted her words back in Japanese:\n\n\"No matter.\" It spoke, bowling over any stutters her voice originally held. \"It's cool up here. Windy. Are you just going to stand?\"" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi had to really tune in to the faint computerized voice from the phone's speakers to hear it over the breeze. She didn't get a name, but she also got a question that she wasn't sure how to respond. What did they mean? Like, stand on the stairs that she was on right now? It felt sturdy, yet also like it could give way at any moment, so Nakanishi wouldn't be on that ladder for much longer. After thinking about it, Nakanishi realized that asking them who they were was probably a little too personal of a question to be asking right off the bat. Her face flushed with embarrassment at this realization, and worried that they were going to dislike her if she kept asking questions like that.\n\nHowever, Nakanishi couldn't dwell on that. She was asked a question, so she needed to answer. But, what would she answer with? What did they even mean by that question? She went back to her earlier interpretation of whether she was going to stand on these stairs or not. Maybe that's what they meant. Nakanishi gulped with nervousness and spoke into her phone again using its dictation feature, quickly realizing that it was harder to force her volume up this time around. But, she pushed through and managed to get the message into the app. She held it up and let the phone do the talking for her.\n\n[\"Not for long. I'm sorry for the question earlier, I hope it wasn't too personal.\"] Then, Nakanishi slowly took a step up the stairs, being careful not to make any sudden movements for the staircase's sake." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "The other girl simply stared back for a moment before speaking into her own phone. Akvilė listened, though silently she felt her patience wearing thin. She didn't have much of it for new people, admittedly, and the pace with which she spoke back into her phone might have shown how antsy she was to get back to her telescope.\n\n[No matter.] Her first quiet burst popped out of the translator in the other girl's mother tongue. [I'm going back to my telescope. Join if you wish. I can teach you.] The second came a few seconds later, partially muffled by Akvilė dropping her phone into her messenger bag while it was still talking. Turning back to her telescope she began to toggle her knobs slightly, yet seemingly without intent. She didn't seem to know What She was going to look at next, what with her idle twiddling and eyes fixed on the stars and breath coming off as clouds from her nostrils.\n\nSuddenly she swivelled the telescope around, and as if an undeclared machine she began to dial her settings in with precision and speed that could have only came from experience. What had she set her sights on...?" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "The offer to be taught how to use a telescope immediately intrigued Nakanishi. She had no way of seeing the stars other than with her own naked eyes. If space was this brilliant from Earth just with her eyes, she could only imagine what it would be like to see the stars and planets up close. A sudden movement in the distance grabbed her attention, and she quickly realized that it was the other person using their telescope, seemingly with a good level of proficiency. As a sudden chill went down her spine after a cold breeze hit her face, she slowly ascended the steps further until her feet were set on the gray concrete roof.\n\nNakanishi pulled her phone out and enabled its flashlight feature to see the roof below her and make sure she wouldn't trip on anything. She slowly began to step forward, over pipes, puddles, random bits of litter, bugs, and cobwebs, until she was within a few meters of the other person, who seemed to still be fixated on their telescope. Nakanishi turned her flashlight off to not distract them with the bright light and looked up at the sky, wondering what the other could be looking at. Venus? Jupiter? The Moon? Proxima Centauri? The Pleiades? It was hard to tell with how dimly lit the telescope was, but Nakanishi found the thought of stargazing with someone to be a very comforting thing. She wasn't alone in pondering the wonders of the Universe.\n\nThen she remembered the offer to learn how to use the telescope. Nakanishi looked back down at the other and wanted to ask them if she could be taught the ways of the telescope, but Nakanishi worried that the other would become upset if she distracted them with the sound of her own voice and her phone's voice. This worry put her off from asking, and so she remained silent. Eventually, her legs would become tired and tingly, so she sat down to let them rest." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "The funny thing about Akvilė's psyche was how much it resembled that of a rabbit. Even in the best of times she was on guard, one sudden movement away from dropping everything and scampering away in a primal rush of fear, and she immediately felt the air shift as the head and torso she'd been communicating with finally joined her. \n\nShe was busy setting her sights on a particular part of the sky and twiddling the knobs at that moment. She wasn't, however, wholly immersed in her own thoughts. She was too frightful, too nervous of people and the wider world to ever let her guard down fully in public. So the presence was felt, and though she didn't lift her head her body visibly tensed a little. The tendons running up into her hands became pronounced and tight against the soft skin of her hands as she attempted to work the telescope, rendering them a touch more rigid than she'd have liked. \n\nShe clicked her tongue twice in annoyance and shot a tendon out from the back of her neck with only a sharp inhale and a wince to tell that she felt anything of it.\n\nPerhaps to the other girl's horror – no thought crossed Akvilė's mind that perhaps it would frighten her – she began to rifle through her messenger bag for her phone, and after a few moments of this neck tendril writhing and twisting through the air it apparently found her phone. Twisting and stretching upwards it dropped her phone into her awaiting hand, and as if a tool exhausted of its use it detached and slithered over the edge without a word. Akvilė seemed visibly pained in the aftermath, given how her voice hung heavy with moderately masked agony as she spoke into her translator.\n\n[So you joined.] Her phone replied a few moments later with the hallmark coldness only an android could manage. One advantage of the translator, she'd discovered, was that it Obliterated Her otherwise-persistent stutter. [I will teach you in a bit. I'm currently honing in on Cat's Eye Nebula. In Draco. Are you familiar with the constellation?]" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Even though the area was only barely lit by the moonlight reflected off of its chalky white surface, Nakanishi noticed the other person's muscles tensing up a bit by her presence. Nakanishi remembered some moments in which her muscles would tense up whenever someone unexpectedly brushed past her, so she connected the dots and realized that this was probably the same thing happening to the other person, except Nakanishi only had to be close to them to get that reaction. She didn't want to make the other person feel unsafe or uncomfortable, so she moved to back away before her ears picked up an unusually sharp inhale.\n\nTo her horror, Nakanishi noticed a tendon extending out the back of the other person's neck. Immediately, Nakanishi gasped loudly and quickly backed away, her first instinct to run out of fear that she would be attacked. A reasonable fear - I mean, you don't just see something out of Parasyte and stay to watch, right? Anyways, Nakanishi watched in terror as the tendon began to search through the bag resting beside the spot where the woman sat, until it seemingly completed its objective as it first dropped a dimly lit object into her hand, then detached itself and writhed away like a snake. When she sensed that the woman was in pain after that whole ordeal, her instinct was to then go over and ask if she was okay, but the fear struck into her heart from witnessing what she just witnessed kept her in place.\n\n\|\nIt wasn't until the phone parroted something in robotic Japanese that Nakanishi finally moved a muscle, like a stone statue suddenly moving itself after hundreds of years, stuck in a single pose for centuries to be looked upon and admired. The Cat's Eye Nebula she was familiar with; it literally was about a cat's eye. She adored cats! But Draco, she wasn't familiar with. She hasn't even heard of that constellation. Nakanishi spoke another message into her phone with a noticeable hint of fear in her voice and a shift to a quieter volume, until her phone answered in a robotic monotone: [I am not familiar with it.]" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Akvilė couldn't really tell what the other gal was saying, but it sure sounded like she was scared. Right.\n\n[Oh, uh... Apologies? Yes. Formal but fair.] The translation spat after a quick burst of Lithuanian from her end. She became acutely aware of the terror she'd instilled when the other girl's toned shifted from Friend? To Frighten. She burst another one, blessedly smaller and proportionately less painful, and tied her phone to the stand of her telescope as if it were just a bungee cord. More wincing occurred, but this time she'd tried to hide it. Behind her wrist and behind the shield of her body sat her phone, knotted there with a tendon, like a Christmas gift from Ed Gein. \n\nShe clicked her tongue twice and finished dialing in her telescope. She waved the girl over.\n\n[Come over here.] She spoke into her phone, now apparently set to its maximum volume. [I have it in view, and it is always better to see these things up close first. Read later. Mind your eye.]\n\n[It's fine, promise! I legit don't mind a few days' wait lol]" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi stayed back as the other woman apologized to her for the tendon-induced scare. Nakanishi figured that the scare was likely unintentional, since it seemed to be a power of theirs, and given the relatively older age in their voice, they'd perhaps be more acquianted to their power than Nakanishi was. Fortunately, with how dim the moonlight was, Nakanishi couldn't really see them wincing, so their attempts at hiding it worked.\n\nWhen she was prompted to come over, Nakanishi nodded and slowly began to step forward. One baby step at a time, wanting to make sure that the woman really wasn't going to attack her with a tendon. As she slowly approached, Nakanishi noticed that the insides of her insulating leather gloves had frozen due to her still uncontrollable cryokinesis, so she clenched and unclenched her hands to break up the frost and ice that had built up inside of the gloves, then shook her hands to shake the ice out of the glove hole.\n\nAfter ensuring that it was safe to get to the telescope, Nakanishi crouched down next to them, then looked into the viewing hole of the telescope. The nebula looked tiny, almost like any other star. It didn't take very long for Nakanishi to find the nebula, as it looked a little bit larger and dimmer than the rest of the stars around it. Nakanishi couldn't help but feel underwhelmed; it didn't look like the colorful, grandiose structure that it's shown as in a few of its most popular pictures, but Nakanishi found it cool that she could see something like that so far away. For a moment, she took her eye away from the telescope to find the nebula in the night sky. She couldn't discern it from other stars unfortunately, but she was happy that she got to see one of her favorite nebulae. She stood up, then stepped back, relinquishing viewing privilege to the other woman who most likely owned the telescope. She was still a little frightened by the tendon from a minute ago, but she seemed to be calming down." }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Fjdmsjfkakgks nishisponse\n\nBut also. Akvilė only had the telescope fixed on one star in Draco, it's on a nebula in the constellation, Nishi absolutely wouldn't be able to see the whole thing unless she backed up and looked up at the sky I don't think\n\nBut maybe I misread? :0\n\nYEAH THEY WERE! /NM GKSKGKSKF\n\nShe doesn't bring her telescope up just to gaze with her eyeballs, she's there to see cool shit and see how it changes over time\n\nShe stepped back without a word and let the younger peer through her telescope.\n\nIn the moments that followed Akvilė kept her eyes on things, mostly speaking. The ways in which the other girl's hands touched her telescope, the apparent weight her eye socket was uncertainly pressing against the viewport, the crystals of ice peeking through her gloves. That detail alone suggested a lot, and she took note of it. Cold weather made her tendons tight in a very unpleasant way.\n\nShe looked out over the horizon once she was done staring at the other girl's icy gloves, fixing her sight on each and every radio tower on the horizon. So many opportunities, so many radio waves, so little time. The shifting of coat-fabric knocked her out of her analog daydreams and back into digital reality.\n\n[Nice, is it not?]* Her voice barely raised above the cascading winds, and her visible nerves only spooled themselves tighter as her phone defied her expectations. She wasn't panicked, but instead her expression turned into one of annoyance. She spoke the words into her phone again, this time louder, and made sure it had mimicked her before spitting out that thought caught between her two front teeth. [Nebulae are so dim here, yet so bright. It enraptures a person, humbles them, teaches them beauty. I like them, I guess.]" }, { "author": "Nakanishi Yusuke", "message": "Nakanishi stood by as the other woman spoke. Nakanishi's expectations were also defied when no robotic message followed it. Nakanishi let out a quiet \"Eeehh...\" As she tried to think about what to do now. In the awkwardness quickly mounting over their silence, her train of thought was derailed when she noticed the woman's face morph into an expression of annoyance. Immediately, Nakanishi feared that her quiet noise had annoyed the woman in some way and wanted to apologize, but at the same time she wanted to keep her mouth shut to prevent any further annoyance. In a moment of slight panic, she apologized and kept her mouth shut at the same time, saying something like \"Go-enna-ai!\".\n\nAfter quickly realizing what she just did, Nakanishi's cheeks flushed a shade of red with embarrassment and she went silent for the moments that continued until the woman spoke again, with the robotic translation that followed suit. Nakanishi nodded in agreement when asked if the nebula was nice. Again, it was about a cat's eye. She adored cats, especially the stray orange cat Muto-San who she still visits often. He is Nakanishi's biggest reminder of home, and she appreciates that.\n\n She listened to the second message after the first, and after a moment of thought, felt like she agreed. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and almost dropped it on accident. She fumbled the Galaxy A20 a few times, leaning and gasping to catch it, but once it was firmly in her grasp, she sighed and stood up straight again, feeling embarrassment at what just happened. She spoke into her phone in Japanese, barely raising her voice above an audible volume. Then, she spoke into her phone again, raising her voice a bit after the app failed to pick up on what she said. Then, she flipped her phone around to show the woman the translation, and allowed her phone to speak in its robotoic monotone voice.\n\n[The Cat's Eye Nebula is my favorite. It is about a cat's eye. I love cats.]" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "Akvilė couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the other girl. She knew how it felt to be the skittish youngster in an unfamiliar land, compacted into her shadow from fear and unable to properly communicate it, so as the other gal fell silent in the moments that followed her outburst her demeanour shifted a little, just enough to dissipate a little bit of the stress built in her shoulders and throat and soul.\n\n[That's cool. Cats are nice.] A little hesitant, sure, but as she spoke in a half-forced hush the translator she'd tied to her telescope spat her words back, soulless and fit for her guest's ears only. [I saw three regularly where I lived before. Two tabbies and a maned cat. They were friendly.] She continued, her words stumbling over each other and needing several passes before her point got across in distinctly machined Japanese. [Miss them very much.]\n\nKneeling down, she put her eye back into the telescope, and clicked her tongue softly as she fixed her vision on the nebula of the hour. The other gal would speak if she had something to say, she figured. Hoped, really. She didn't have much else to input otherwise; too nervous." }, { "author": "nazuwasan", "message": "Hey\nI'm gonna take a break for a bit, stuff went down that i don't want to get into" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[Sorry to hear that! Hopefully whatever's goin' on on your end resolves well enough. :]" }, { "author": "nazuwasan", "message": "I am\nNot too confident it'll go down well\n\nWhoops\nUh\nI forgor 💀" }, { "author": "birch4184", "message": "[All good. I'm focusing my writing energies elsewhere anyhoo.]" } ]	391	7,339
248.666667	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "It was cloudy tonight. Sergio notices it as he walks Up The side of the compound. Guess the stars weren't listening tonight. That's fine.\n\nHe makes it past the third floor, flicking the bottom of a box with his middle finger. It's been a few nights. He never liked smoking as he played. The nicotine kept him stuck in a loop of wanting another, that doesn't work with getting into That Flow. The figurative and even sometimes, literal, weightlessness he felt as just plays notes, improvising and figuring out what sounds right on the spot. Having something nagging him and pulling him from the song wasn't ideal.\n\nHe finally steps onto the ledge of the rooftop, shifting back into earths decision of gravity. He's begun to get used to the sensation of that. \nIt was like being having your body shift back from a elevator raising or lowering into its next floor, but as you were walking.\nLike missing a step and falling forward without the fall ever happening.\nHe was just glad it was still working, especially after the weird pressing down of his power in that void.\n\nHe looks around, the rooftop was cleared out tonight. \nHe finally flips the paper box open, and counts out the death sticks that remained. 10 left before a restock. Not bad.\n\nHe pulls one of the tobacco packed sticks out of the box. Settling it on his lips he fishes out a small bic lighter, hot pink in color, from his pocket of his winter coat and fights the wind trying to snuff out the flame, like the cold was trying to save his lungs once again." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "Footsteps echoed into the empty night sky from somewhere behind Sergio— it takes a brief moment for them to make their presence known before Gabe gives Sergio a heavy clap on the back, plopping himself down by the other. He'd snicker a bit at taking the other by surprise like this, if Sergio wasn't already having a shitty day, and Gabe had the energy to put his usual air of self-centeredness on. \n\n\"Looks like we had the same idea, then. \" Gabe says, voice low and tinted Southern as he fishes out his vape from his pocket. The cartridge he was currently sucking down was the one Sergio gave him, in fact— a sweet mango that rolled into his lungs like sweets he'd long since forsaken. \n\nGabe takes a look at the lighter. \"Hot pink?\" He asks, looking at the thing curiously. \"Can I ask why that color, or do you just prefer the Barbie aesthetic when giving yourself lung cancer?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio couldn't hear the steps that followed his, the clicking of the lighter taking up the noise for him. As a hefty clap meets his back, he jumps in his own skin. He's on edge. He pops the cigarette from his mouth back in between two of his fingers and turns to face the dastardly back-slapper.\n\nOh, its just Gabe.\n\"Yeah. 'Spose so.\" He shrugs.\nSergio settles the cigarette back into his mouth, and finally gets enough of a light from the mini lighter. He settles it back into the mysterious void that is a winter jacket's pocket. Only to be found again when truly needed.\n\nSergio looks up to Gabe, chuckling at his question.\n\"It was the first one I saw at the convenience store, and I needed a new one. Color makes it easier to find when I leave it out.\"\nHe puffs out smoke away from Gabe.\n\"Or I just like it to be in touch with my femininity. Your choice on that.\"\n\nHe remembers the Zippo one of his friends handed him when they quit smoking. He wishes he knew where it went when he got brought here." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "At Sergio's jump at the surprise clap, Gabe snickers to himself. He quite liked Sergio, but there was nothing quite like laughing at someone else's expense. \n\n\"Maybe you should express that feminine side more often. You'd look good in lipstick, you know?\" At that, Gabe leans in, looking dramatically up and down at Sergio before pulling away with a laugh. \n\n\"Kidding. Well, partly. Still, maybe trying on some pink and purples might do your style some good.\" Another puff of mango fills Gabe's lungs, and he exhales the smoke into the starry night sky. \n\n\"Hey, you wanna switch?\" Gabe offers his vape to Sergio, dangling the smooth stick in front of his face. \n\n\"I've never tried that brand of cigarettes. Plus, maybe the mango will cancel out your rank tobacco breath?\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio chuckles, leaning back from the theater kid's faux move as he blows out another cloud of burnt tobacco towards the ground. \nMakeup was usually reserved for the full punk fit, he never really minded his own masculinity, he just thought throwing the \"Normal folks\" Through a loop was funny.\n\"I usually do eyeliner whenever I'm trying to scare the god-fearin' folks away. Maybe I'll add lipstick to that repertoire.\"\n\n\"I do like the color purple. I'll add it to the color list.\" He remarks. \"It'll make me feel regal and shit, should be fun.\"\n\nA skeptical tilt of an eyebrow meets Gabe's offer. \"Listen if you wanna kiss that badly you don't gotta make it indirect like that. Just tell me.\"\nHe scoffs at the jab of his smoke laced breath. \"I brush my teeth! It smells like Colgate And Rank tobacco, thank you.\"" }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "AUGHDUHFAUHFUGUH IF ROGTO\n\nI respond after dinner\n\n\"Kiss you?\" Gabe scoffs. \"Please. I just heard cigarettes kill ya quicker than this does,\" He said, waggling the vape in his mouth, \"And every actor's gotta go out in a blaze of glory.\" Gabe finished, chuckling. \n\nIt wasn't something he'd normally say. After all, any ounce of self-doubt and depression were scolded out of him— what would his mother and Blanche think, if he were to talk so lowly of himself? He was raised better than to think such dark, unchristian thoughts. \n\nStill... They were fun to indulge in, especially with company in the middle of the night. He could only find a small, perverse sort of joy— Gabriel Trahan, who has worked his Ass Off to be attractive and smart and Perfect His whole life, sucking down a stick filled with the number one carcinogen in America. \n\nHe had to laugh. \n\n\"Now hand me the damn cigarette, Dear.\"" }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio... Isn't paid enough to truly unpack all of That.\n\"Your loss, I've been told I'm a good kisser.\"\nHe plucks the damn cigarette from his mouth, spinning it in his fingers to face his smoking partner, filter-first.\n\nA conflict crosses his mind and he holds out his hand. This was wholly familiar to the busker.\nHe remembers a conversation he had. Sergio was... 16? No. 15 at the time. He was trying to bum a cigarette from people at a DIY show, and this guy, around 20, had wrapped his arm around Sergios head. The guy told him, 'Listen here Jackass. Not a single one of us are gonna give you a cigarette tonight, or the next show we see you at.' He had continued as Sergio pulls himself out of this guy's grip. \n'You still have your lungs kid. If you wanna ruin them, then scream. Shout the lyrics to the next song that plays. You'd get the same rush.' He blew smoke in Sergio's face as he tried making some form of retort. The punk continued. 'If I ever see you with one of these in your mouth, I'll kick your ass, and then I'll find the person who gave it to you and kick their ass. And if I see you ever start someone on this shit? I'll break your hand.'\n\nSergio pulls his hand back before Gabe could take the cigarette.\n\"Actually, I think I accidentally drooled on this one. Filter looks soaked, sorry bud.\" He flips it back around, settling it back into his mouth. \"Maybe next death stick.\"\n\nSergio hadn't seen him for a bit before he got sent to the Cradle. He wondered if he's still kicking around." }, { "author": "hawkguyy", "message": "\"You're the expert.\" Gabe said, leaning away from Sergio to flop on his back and face the stars. \n\nI hope Blanche is looking at the same ones.. His heart aches, and Gabe's eyes trace the imaginary constellation lines before he jumps back up, once again. \n\nHe's moping. He's moping, and he Knows it, and Gabe feels sick to his stomach. Familiar voices whisper in the corners of his mind— a deep, harsh one that mimics the cadence of his father but darker, more sinister and angry and most certainly drunk. He's Showing weakness. He's Bitching. What is he, expecting someone to come in and solve his problems? Solve them for yourself, boy. \n\n\"We should get goin'.\" Gabe says with a grunt as he cranes his head towards the door. \"When I said I was gonna keep you all night, I didn't mean like This.\" He punctuates his shitty joke with a waggle of his eyebrows, and a wink for good measure. \n\nA good clean-up of his prior hesitation, he'd like to admit." }, { "author": "charitableleech", "message": "Sergio rolls the cigarette to the corner of his mouth, shrugging. \"I Hope I am the only expert on tobacco you know.\"\n\nGabe has a moment of silence, Sergio looks down towards him. He's trying to study the kid. How is it that he can have such a melancholic side of himself? The way he shows himself online make him... Hard to read. It almost feels, uncharacteristic for him to look upset.\n\nHe reaches out to rest a hand on Gabe.\n\nAnd immediately pulls back as the theater kid jumps back up.\n\nPerhaps tonight isn't the night to question what goes on in Gabriel Trahan's head. Maybe there won't be a good time. Sergio would just have to decide when it the time comes.\n\n\"Oh? Is that so?\" He says with a slight chuckle.\nSergio stands with a dad grunt, his body was sore, but his mind was still awake. Probably due to the nicotine.\n\nBefore he follows Gabe, he lifts his leg, snuffing out the end of his cigarette with the bottom of his boot. The tiny embers that were left on the end quickly disappear without its comrades in burning.\n\"What do you have in mind, then?\"" } ]	240	2,238
325.103448	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Mattias had a rare moment of peace, back up against a large wall of some unknown building and sketchbook settled on their bent knees. Whatever they were sketching it had no mass, whirling in a flurry of wings (They worried about Frida— they'd need to call her, later) and eyes and thick golden rings wrought with curving thorned branches. They were close to the main courtyard area, and could faintly hear the sounds of upbeat conversation between the various groups that loitered there. Their glasses, typically perched on their face, were instead slid down next to them on the grass. To see the color better, they rationalized, and not at all to enjoy the sunlight filtering over their skin. They stretched, curling like a cat, before wincing against the knot in their back. Maybe it's time to move to a table. With careful, sure hands they gathered their pencils and sketchbook and headed towards the more populated area. As they walked, they focused on funneling their pencils into their case, eyes down as they tried not to drop anything. Matti tipped their hand to add their last pencil— a bright, vibrant aquamarine— when the ground felt suddenly shaky beneath their feet. \n\nAh, shit.\n\nTheir legs fell out from under them as something Rolled, pushing their body forwards and towards the hot concrete. Matti scrambled to catch themself with their forearms, letting out a small startled noise of surprise. Fuck. Ow. Ow. Their cheeks flushed red as they pulled their aching body up, glancing to figure out What Exactly had happened. First, their eyes fell on what had tripped them. A skateboard. Then, more forlornly, their aquamarine pencil, laying in two cracked halves next to their flat, gravel-studded palm. Their shoulders drew up and backwards, tension filling their frame." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "It was Grey's second day at Newton's Cradle. They didn't have much time to traverse the facility on their own on day one, considering they were stuck in their room unpacking, or being dragged around by a staff member for a tour. Other than going to the commons to eat, Grey stuck to themselves. It was a new place, with new people, new emotions, new baggage to carry. They really wasn't looking forward to NC when they were on the way to Isakstad. But now that they were here, they'd have to get used to it. So they took the time to go skating.\n\nGrey stood straight on their skateboard, going down a concrete walkway, wide enough for them to swerve around others. Adorned with only knee guards, they'd give a tight lipped smile to any who glanced his way as he made it down the sidewalk. The vibe was fairly okay in the area around them. Shockingly, for a facility that pretty much takes you away from loved ones for being a freak of nature, everyone seemed content. Like they found their place within NC. Grey wistfully hoped they'd find the same. Kicking off the floor, they sped up a little, the pathway clearing up for a moment, indirectly allocating space for Grey to move faster. Bending their knees slightly, they stayed staring ahead, watching their path. \n\nSomething flashed in Grey's peripheral, prompting them to glance over. That wasn't the smartest, considering it was only a window reflecting the sun, and turning back revealed someone right in their path. \"Watch out!\" Grey's eyes went wide, quickly switching the direction of the skateboard as fast as he could. They managed to clear the person right before the skateboard flew out under their feet, flinging them back to slam onto their tailbone and elbows. They let out a pained grunt, eyes squeezing shut momentarily, before opening it and watching the skateboard hit someone else's legs and knock them forward. \"Oh shit! I'm sorry!\" They scrambled to their feet, shuffling to the person's side and holding a hand out to them." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti looked up, their broken pencil clutched like a shattered robin's egg in their hand. Their breathing stalled. Their eyes widened. \n\nI'm sorry!\n\nInnocuous words. Simple. Deceptively ordinary. Because no feedback screamed from the person's voice. Not the warm tang of truth, not the bitter crackle of a lie. Blissful quiet. Maybe the ability to cancel out other powers? They thought distantly. The thought sparked a kind of muted worry, then realization. They couldn't tell if the words were a lie. They couldn't tell if they were lying, oh god, what- They shoved a hand forward to grab the figure's outstretched one, hissing at the scrape of skin against slightly-bloody skin. Good. Hopefully the pain and the contact would stop their limbs from shaking. \n\n\"I'm not seriously hurt,\" They managed, exhaling shakily. \"It was my fault, I should have been more aware of my surroundings.\" Matti aimed for a smile, hoping it would land somewhere in the socially-acceptable range. Once they were on their feet, they looked around the ground at their feet, picking up a newly-cracked pair of sunglasses and pushing them into their bag. They brushed themself off, and reset their hat from where it had been knocked eschew on their head. Satisfied they were presentable— as presentable as they could be, at least— they held out their hand again for a handshake. \n\n\"Hello, my name is Mattias Gates.\"" }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "With a heave, Grey hoisted them onto their feet, glancing at their hand and frowning slightly at the blood that spotted their hand. Peeking over the person's shoulder, they watched their skateboard hit the wall and stop. Sighing, their eyes looked back at their face. \"No, it was My Fault. I should've paid more attention. I'm glad you didn't get too hurt at least.\" Grey gave them a smile back, watching them bend over to grab their items. \"Oh- here, let me help you.\" They assured, kneeling down to help grab some items, stacking it onto their bent arm. An ache on their lower back reminded them of the fall they'd just taken. \"Jeez.. I'm really sorry man, I got distracted.\" Eyebrows furrowing, they stood straight when the person did, still holding their items in their arms. \n\nThey stuck a hand out, Grey's eyebrows lifting, before realizing they wanted a handshake. Scrambling to move all items on their left arm, they reached out, carefully shaking it. \"Mattias... Oh! I remember now! We talked on that uh.. On that groupchat thing! I'm Grey. Grey Ackers. Nice to meet you.\" Grey offered a sheepish smile, hands moving back to hold out Mattias' items. \"Here you go.\" They watched Mattias' face, realizing the minute shock on their expression. Grey's smile slightly dropped, making eye contact, trying to get a read on how they felt. Surely Grey didn't shake them up That Bad.\n\nBlank. It was nothing. For once, Grey didn't get that weird effect when they focus on a person. He didn't get a reading, for some reason. No indication. No weird senses shit. Just.. Quiet. Grey's face twisted a little, glancing around. He still got an idea of the emotions in the area. His powers weren't Gone. So why didn't it work on this guy?" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Mattias smiled. Another student. Another student and Their powers still weren't working. Bastard twin spirals of fear and intrigue rose up behind them, curling over the nape of their neck to choke off any immediate response. Instead, they simply... Stared. Their eyes roamed for a moment, glancing upward— *Fuck, another tall person— and flickering over various bits of metal. They felt like a magpie, or a crow. Shiny.* Then, finally focusing. Pretty. \"Don't worry about it. It was an accident. More importantly, are you alright?\" \n\nAnd then— the Intranet. Fuck. Matti felt like they transformed into their stupidest self the second they touched a keyboard. Their grip on their emotions either too loose (Yelling, screaming, swearing at Gabe) or too tight (Shakespeare, formal shit, English teacher). Mentally, they scrolled through to figure out if they'd said anything particularly embarrassing, or anything that might make the person— Grey— hostile. Their query came up blank, but the slight anxiety lingered before once again being drowned out by curiosity. \"I have some basic first aid supplies in my bag.\" They motioned to their satchel, which sagged slightly more empty than usual after forcibly parting with its contents. \"If you want, I can find a bench and give you some? I need—\" They floundered for some other incentive. \"—some time to put my materials back in my bag, anyway.\" Technically true. They Did Need time— just not much. Matti had been unpacking and repacking the same satchel for Years, and were confident they could name and replace everything within it in under a minute. But they needed (wanted) another chance to study the phenomenon. Even as the other person continued to ramble, even on Nice to meet you, they saw only Grey. No lies, no truth. Their mind quietly catalogued this new blindspot as a threat. Be cautious. \n\nSimultaneously, it urged them forwards. Learn more, it said. See." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey refocused on what Mattias was saying, having been distracted with their own thoughts. \"Oh, uh, I'll be fine, I don't think I hurt myself too bad.\" They reassured Mattias, lifting an arm to rub their own nose. Right after they assured Mattias, they spotted blood trickling down their elbow. \"Whoops. Maybe I did. I'll be fine though!\" Grey dropped their hand to their sides, giving them an awkward smile. Besides the shock of the blood, the aftershock of his powers not working on this guy didn't feel right. They averted their gaze, staring and focusing on someone else for a quick moment. Using his own abilities on them. After a moment, a waft of sweet smelling baked goods tickled their nose. It smelled lovely, the pastries present filling his senses with joy. That was enough to return the smile on Grey's face, a minor boost of euphoria. \n\nThey snapped out of it when Mattias talked, gaze returning to them, eye contact held for a little longer than usual. \"..Oh! Uh.. Yeah. I wouldn't mind, thanks. Just, take care of your own hand first.\" Grey pointed out, showing Mattias their own right palm, dotted with the blood they left behind. They dismissed themselves, going by Mattias and jogging over to his skateboard, lifting it up and tucking it under their arm. Moving back to Mattias, they nodded towards a bench on their left. \"Let's sit there.\" They affirmed, Grey having a head start and reaching the bench first.\n\nTaking a seat, they leaned their skateboard against the bench, and patted the spot right next to them. \"Sorry about your glasses by the way. I really should've focused better.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti shrugged, sitting down and pulling a few large bandage patches from their bag, and then a set of alcohol wipes. The sting of their own hands had started to lessen already, nothing more than minor scrapes. They flicked gravel out of their palms carefully before turning back to their companion. \"It's not a large trouble. They aren't prescription glasses, and I have extras.\" They glanced over to Grey's injuries. Their typical Sight was one thing— spotty at best, always seeming to flare up or quiet down just when they didn't want it to. But Providence... \n\nWell. They could test it, if they could contact Grey again. They didn't exactly want to reveal their powers— not many knew (or at least not many had been Told), and ideally they'd keep it that way. But doing anything underhanded still felt wrong. Not quite lying, but another shade of deception. \n\n\"Could I touch you for a moment?\" They asked, before regretting the straightforwardness of their wording. \"I'd like to test something. It won't hurt you, to my knowledge.\" \n\nThey held one hand out, palm up, while the other fidgeted anxiously with the strap of their satchel. At least if this went wrong, Grey seemed the type to let it go and give them their things back. It would be unfortunate— they'd to add an entire new class of threat categorization regardless— but they likely wouldn't be thought of as anything other than a little strange. As they waited, their eyes drifted around the edges of Grey: the collar of their sweater, loose curls of their hair, the scuff of their boots. Nothing was Anything, not closed concealment nor open honesty. Is this what it's like for everyone else? They thought to themself, slightly horrified. How can they trust Anything?*" }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey nodded, momentarily glancing at both elbows. Only one was really bad, his left arm, fresh blood trickling down his skin and beading at the wound. The other elbow got away with a scrape. Grabbing a packet of alcohol wipes, they tore it open, before tenderly taking it to their skin. Letting out a hiss at the alcohol burning the wound, they continued wiping. Cleaning as much as they could around and on the scrape, they grabbed another wipe for one more go over. After they were done cleaning the wound, they slapped a bandage on it, giving Mattias a sheepish smile. \"Thanks, you're pretty prepared.\" They complimented, sitting back and propping themselves with their arms. \n\nTheir eyebrows lifted up once Mattias requested to touch them, giving them a look. They quickly rephrased however, and Grey shrugged, lifting a hand and starting to move it over. \"Sure. Wait, to your knowledge?\" They pulled their hand away before they could touch, feigning a look of worry and fear, before chuckling. \"I'm kidding. I trust you.\" They claimed, letting their hand sit on Mattias'. Their eyes stayed on their face, Grey wanting to see if there was any openings to maybe check how they felt. Maybe it wasn't working at the moment. They've never encountered this before. Maybe it's part of their powers? Their eyes flickered down to Mattias' other hand, watching it fidget with their satchel. Something was still bothering them, or maybe they were anxious. Eyebrows furrowed once again, Grey staring down at the other." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Like a duck ruffling its feathers, or maybe like a cat atop a ledge, Matti rolled their shoulders and pushed their hair back with a flick of their head. They pressed their hand a little heavier into Grey's, and without more fanfare, opened their Sight.\n\nAt first, it was a little like being underwater. Everything was magnified, and time was curled, like it normally was when they Looked. But this was different. They could almost feel their body drifting downwards, Sinking, see flashes of fish in taste and color moving by. Kelp pulled them down, thick forest green and lime-amber that refracted sunlight from the surface. The water was suffocating. Comforting. Joy and boredom and disgust and anger and excitement thrashed and rolled and floated in the bubbles around their head. When they hit the sea floor, it felt like being cradled by something large and faceless. As they looked up, it was towards the sun, the light and fire that burned above the silent sand.\n\nMattias blinked, their eyes feeling heavy. And burning. And Burning, Fuck. \"Ow. Fuck,\" They cursed aloud. Their body felt unmovable as shoulders sagged into their spine. Deep breaths stretched their steel frame. Phantom silt settled in their soul. They waved away remaining poetics, and once they had recollected themself enough they spoke.\n\n\"That's confirmation then. I couldn't See you.\" They glanced up, nearly making eye contact. \"What are your abilities?\"" }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey's eyes glanced down to their hands held together, Mattias pressing their own a little more firmly against his. Pursing his lips, his eyes moved back up to Mattias' face, just before a strange weight fell onto their own chest. Grey's eyes fluttered, his breath hitching for a moment. Seemingly, Mattias didn't take notice. A burning feeling spread over their chest, causing their breath to stagger once it picked back up again. Something felt uncomfortably close to their lungs, as if a hand was reaching down in there itself. Almost like a premonition, Grey felt something trace along his left ribs. A gasp caught in their throat, eyes going wide. It felt invasive, Violating. Like a hand moving to feel his ribs, chest tightening with every sliver of touch. They almost urged to rip their hand out of Mattias', but they couldn't. Their body refused to move.\n\nThe paranormal hand tracing between two ribs finally moved, only to push in deeper. Reaching past their ribcage, the pressure stopped, but Grey was still bracing once again. They felt no contact on their lungs, yet they held their breath nonetheless. Eyes squeezed shut, teeth grit, jaw clenched. Whatever Mattias was doing, it didn't really hurt, but it felt like Hell. Their brain was screaming at them to let go, to pull away, to rid of the anomaly encroaching on his chest cavity, because it damn well felt like they were causing it. But their hand didn't move an inch. The pressure stopped for a while, almost wavering, causing Grey to relax almost a little.\n\nBut just as Grey was contemplating on if it was over, the hand closed around their heart. A soft hold, that ripped Grey away from their senses.\n\n_ _\nThey gasped once more, eyes opening wide. Just as fast as it started, it was over. Grey sat, eyes pointed just slightly above Mattias' head, chest heaving. Their eyes went back down to meet Mattias' eyes, noticing the bright glow through a blur. Wait, a blur? Grey blinked, a new wetness trailing quickly down their cheek. Did they cry? Grey pulled their hand away, and moved a forearm up to wipe their eyes, face twisted in surprise. \"Wh.. What was that?\" They could barely get their words out, voice breathy and cracking. Grey didn't even realize their body was shaking, arms at their face trembling. \"Fuck, that was bad.\" Grey grunted, holding onto the bench for leverage." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Grey was crying. Grey was Crying.\n\nOh god, this was bad. Matti frantically tried to look for physical ailments, and came up empty aside from minimal, surface level damage from his fall. Their hands rapidly reached up towards their Own* Eyes, stinging, but not with tears. Is this how Gabe felt? When— \n\nCome to think of it, they'd never resolved what had happened that day. Their ears bleeding, the Scorching, any of it. Was this just what happened when they interacted with a parahuman with similar... Non-physical abilities? They hoped not. They Prayed Not. \n\n\"I didn't think this would hurt— it's never hurt anyone before, they don't even notice— are you alright? I didn't mean to do something bad, I'm sorry.\" They tried to let their sincerity ring through in their voice— Grey hadn't yet known them long enough to understand their compulsive truth-telling, so it was better to act more like a normal functioning human person. A Regretful, semi-functioning parahuman person. Their hands hovered like hummingbirds, flitting around Grey's shoulders. \"What should I do? I'm Sorry. This hasn't ever happened before.\" \n\nAnxiety crackled along their back like static electricity. What if... Their powers were turning against them, somehow. If they were doing things Wrong? What they had told Gabe had been the truth— whatever was watching him, it wanted him to Perform, at least in the most likely case scenario. But Mattias was different. They were supposed to Watch. And they'd been doing a lot more than watching recently. They had Friends Now. People they would close their eyes for. A sick feeling clawed its way up to their throat, as they watched Grey shake and buckle as if under an invisible weight. You did this, A voice whispered in their mind. It sounded like a dead dog." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey focused better on Mattias, trying to clear their head. They looked panicked. An inch of self doubt festered in Grey. They didn't mean it, did they? Sighing, they wiped their face completely, nodding in response to Mattias' worried query. \"I'm fine! No, I'm fine. It was just..\" They trailed off, averting their gaze for a moment. What Was That? Even after it's passed, the ache in their chest was still present. Holding a hand to their chest, they took a couple of deep breaths, shaking their head. Maybe their powers were just clashing hard. \n\nGrey decided to fess up. At the very least, they could get that out of the way. \"You're... Unique. I've— I'm not sure if it's just for You, but my abilities... They don't work on you.\" Their voice still slightly trembled, but they were still, hands holding their knees. Staring ahead, almost in perplex, before glancing back at Mattias. \"Has it been any weird for you?\" Grey noticed their eyes were normal again, staring for a little while at them. Did it hurt for them? They seemed pained later on." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"And... What are your abilities?\" Mattias probed unsubtly. They were starting to become more wary with the confirmation that they couldn't See Grey. They couldn't trust anything he was saying. For all they knew, they had already inferred Matti's powers weren't working and were trying to gain sympathy. Or report on their abilities. Or about their connections to the Angels. Or murder them. Or-\n\nGod, this is the worst. How do other people cope? They sighed, pressing their nails slightly into the top of their thumb. \"But yes. My abilities aren't working normally. I would say 'at all', but...\" But whatever had just happened, for Mattias if not for Grey, served as evidence enough. They still Had Their abilities, but they were... A step to the left. Working in strange, esoteric spirals when they worked at all. They pulled their handbook out of their bag, flipping to a new page in preparation to take more notes." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey turned to look ahead again, eyebrows furrowed. They never really wanted to tell people about it. Other than the fact that back then, it was strange and wasn't normal. But the fact that it felt wrong to know so much someone. They sighed, thoughts interrupted by Mattias explaining that the same was happening for them. That their abilities weren't working normally as well. Grey scoffed, head hanging momentarily before glancing back at Mattias. \"Weird that we both have these weird things going on. Is this a common thing here?\" They inquired, eyes shifting to their handbook. There were a lot of pages already filled, the contents unknown. Class notes? Likely.\n\nRemembering their first question, their gaze tore away from Mattias, watching a tree sway in the wind to distract themself from the strangeness of this all. \"Um, y'know, considering they don't work on you, maybe it's not a problem telling you. Just, keep it to yourself, could you? In return, you tell me what yours is.\" Eyes went back to Matias, filled with curiosity. \"I won't tell anyone either. Swear.\" Their left hand lifted, as if they were swearing under the court of law." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Mattias weighed the pros and cons. On the one hand, information. On the other... Nothing, really. Matti didn't exactly hide their powers, even if they didn't advertise them. They could understand the anxiety though— mental powers were feared. Even by people close to you. It was something in the eyes, they thought idly. Something that couldn't be hidden. The way sometimes people would Watch, like a zookeeper locked in a room with a tame wolf. They'd seen that fear drive people crazy before. Be it the power user or the people around them. \n\n\"Sure,\" They finally conceded. \"An informational exchange.\" They wrestled with themself for a moment, pressing down steadily mounting wory while they searched of a concrete way to describe their abilities. Poetics and metaphors rotated through their mind like a carousel, each flashy and bright and not much of anything at all. \n\n\"I'm... Drawn to hidden things.\" They started. \"There's not a good name for it. When people try to hide things, they jump out at me more. I can't exactly read minds, but in terms of secrets I can come fairly close through clues and inferences.\" It was a lacking description, but an apt one. Privately, they started shelving the explanation with their other attempts, steadily approaching whatever true root their powers stemmed from. \"And you? Something mental, I assume.\"" }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey bit the inside of their cheek, eyes running along the grass underneath them as they process what Mattias said. They talk pretty fancy for someone who looks younger than them, that's for sure. Wasn't really a problem however. Made them interesting if anything. \n\nThey glanced back at them, nodding. \"Yeah. I can, uh, get an insight on how someone is feeling. But, I don't really Read Minds, like you. I instead feel it through my senses, if that makes any sense.\" Grey glanced over at Mattias, hoping they understood what they meant. \"Like, erm, It's like I'm perceiving the emotion instead. And through that, I get an idea of how they feel.\" Their hands moved as they spoke, trying to gesture what they meant. Letting it drop to their thighs, they sighed. \"I'm like, what? A human mood ring. Even though those things are a scam.\"\n\nRaising an eyebrow at their new companion seated beside them, they made a little quip, changing the subject. \"So.. You can tell lies? Is that apart of your thing? And, you said some of it Worked. What did? Was that when your eyes were glowing?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"I think mood rings are cool,\" Matti muttered, scribbling down symbols in their handbook before Grey's words really registered. They paused. Took a moment to reload and reset. Because surely they'd misheard-\n\n\"My eyes were What?\" They blinked rapidly, almost as if by doing so they would suddenly glow again. \"I-\" They took a breath. Explaining took precedence over... Whatever Grey had hallucinated (it Had To be a hallucination, or a product of his powers. Otherwise, why wouldn't anyone have Told Them?). \n\n\"Lies are a part of it. But it's also— say two people were talking a couple hundred feet away. I wouldn't be able to hear what they were saying. But if they were whispering? Trying to hide it? It's the act of concealment— it amplifies my senses. Focuses them. And, to be narrative, there's rarely anything we hide more than ourselves. I can... Touch things. Objects, people. And I know their names. It's simple, and has no side effects, so I thought it would be a safe test to confirm my abilities didn't work on you.\" They inhaled, phantom water filling their veins, emotion swirling in eddies somewhere behind their ribs. Phantom limbs. \"It didn't work. I didn't See your name. Instead I got... Imprints. I was drowning. Not dying, though. There was so much around me— sounds and sights and tastes— it was unsettling.\" \n\nAnd Matti Looked It— unsettled. What They had seen didn't have so much bearing (alright, it had a lot of bearing, what were they supposed to interpret about looking into someone's true nature and Drowning In it) as the fact that they'd Seen it, like a vision or a prophecy. Usually, they'd get names, inked out in careful black letters in their mind. This had been, in a word, overwhelming." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey raised a brow. \"Yeah?\" They only managed to utter one word before Mattias took a breath. Seems like they didn't wanna talk about it. \n\nThe boy had their body facing Mattias, listening keenly to what they said. Often times, looking down at their notebook. They drew symbols rather than words. An interesting way of note taking, that's for sure. Their abilities were fairly interesting as well. Grey refocused, watching Mattias' reaction when they recollected what's happened to them. \"Drowning?\" Grey tilted their head, eyebrows drawn together as they tried to find the links to water. \"And it messed with your senses too. That makes sense considering my weird ability. But, that's really weird.\" Staring into the distance once more, they let out a drawn exhale. \"The fact that our abilities are.. Weird around each other. That your thing didn't do what it normally would. Gosh, you're the first person I've actually met, too. Ain't that strange?\" Leaning back on their arms, they didn't break their eyesight from the horizon. \n\n\"You must be wondering how it was for me, I assume. It was.. I don't even know how to explain it well, it just felt like someone was going through my bones to hold my heart? In like, the weirdest, most violating way ever. Like you said, you didn't know it was gonna be like that. I'm not mad at you at all if you're worried.\" Grey glanced over to Mattias, watching for their reaction." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Mattias cringed. They knew people could be... Discomforted, by being Seen, but truly they'd thought it was mostly psychological. The instinctual, primal fear of being watched, combining with the more modern one of being known. They'd never had it be Physically Uncomfortable, or at least no-one had ever told them so. Not exactly an outstanding data pool. Margo had barely noticed when they'd used Providence on her, though, which meant it was likely yet another twist of their powers. Warped.\n\nViolated, Grey had said. The word echoed through the hollow spaces in their body before fading back into memory. \n\nTheir mind turned back to the root of it all— the cause. Much like when Matti'd interacted with Gabe's powers (a moment they Never Wanted to relive), Something Was making a difference. It didn't escape their notice that both situations included mental abilities, though Gabe's were more projecting outward, pushing for attention, radiating an aura that pulled senses in, while Grey's...\n\nOh. That could be it. \n\nIf Grey's abilities were as they described, taking In Sensory input, reaching Out To seek it, Gabe's powers were pushing Out. Directing focus Inwards. Like whirlpools spinning two different directions. It probably didn't help, They thought, That both their ability sets and mine have to do with senses. Following their hesitant theory, Mattias' powers were more input than output. Which meant Both Their powers and Grey's were trying to take information in, but neither was emitting it. That explained why they were able to See Gabe, and not Grey— and maybe why things were warped. Matti's abilities Pulled Information, pulling from an inward spiral, things could have been lost. Displaced. \"Like a rubber duck on a current,\" They murmured quietly, quickly scratching out their thoughts onto their handbook." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey took a moment after explaining it to Mattias, a short silence falling between them. They must've been thinking it through. Whatever was going through their mind, this entire ordeal had Grey driven up a wall. First damned interaction with a person, second day in this institution, and there's already weird shit going on. All that went through their head was the concept of them having doing anything else that didn't have them Here. Kicking their legs out so their heels were propped up on the concrete and they were leaned back, the back of their hand met their forehead as a heavy sigh escaped their lips. \n\nClosing their eyes, they pondered some more about the state of affairs going on at the moment, well, Has Happened, before Mattias ripped them out of their train of thought. \"Huh? Like a what?\" They echoed, attentive eyes turned to their new ally. Hopefully. Mattias seemed to be smart and knew what was going on at the least. So, sticking with them would be advantageous for their time here." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"Oh, well.\" Mattias flushed slightly, digging a blue sharpie from their bag. \"Do you mind if I draw on your skin? I could do mine as well, it's just slightly more difficult.\" They looked up at Grey from where they were slightly hunched over, hat tilted slightly and on the verge of falling of their head. \"It's for a good reason, I promise. For explaining. I find it works a lot better when you have a physical representation.\"" }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey raised a brow at their companion, before raising the closest arm to Mattias up, back of their forearm displayed for their work. \"Be my guest.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti lightly grabbed Grey, moving their own body so that the backs of his hands could settle on Matti's knees. \"Alright.\" They uncapped the sharpie. \"So, our powers work with primarily sensory intake, correct?\" They drew a small arrow on Grey's palm, travelling inward with the point stopping just past their wrist. They quickly drew a matching arrow on their own hand, then flipped it over and drew an outward facing arrow. \n\n\"Now with normal people, they emit the things our senses pick up. For you, emotions, for me, things they're trying to hide, right?\" They placed their hand palm-down in Grey's, so that the two arrows faced the same direction. \"So if I were a normal person, or a normal parahuman, you would pick up on my emotions as sensory input, and they'd travel to you.\" They flipped their hand back over, to reveal their own inward-facing arrow. \n\n\"But when two people who both intake sensory input like we do interact...\" The arrows on their arms faced different directions— both pointing inward, but neither following the other. \"There's nothing To Intake. Or well, there is. But. Imagine we have psychic energy. That psychic energy can either flow inward—\" They traced the index finger of their opposite hand along the line on Grey's wrist. \"—or outward.\" They flipped to show the arrow on the back of their hand. \"Not both. What I said earlier— it's like a duck in a current. My power- Providence, works as if I throw a duck to the other person, and it floats back to me on the inward current. But when we Both Have inward currents, it's like getting caught between two whirlpools. It drowns.\" \n\nThey smiled triumphantly up at Grey, seeming only then to take stock of their position— moved close, one hand overtop of theirs and the other tracing lines on their skin. With a small start and a red face, they pushed themself back. \"Or. That's my hypothesis.\"" }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Mattias met no resistance to pulling Grey's hands around, the latter's interest piqued. Watching the sharpie tip press into their skin and leave trails of ink, Grey made a reminder to himself to clean that off later. Glancing up at their companion, they nodded in response to Mattias first question, adding an assuring hum. So far, as Mattias explained both their abilities, it had made sense. Like a sponge, they'd absorb information from others, both subconsciously. Their brows drew in together, glancing up at Mattias' face for a second. What their abilities meant finally dawned on them. Their lips parted, going to speak, before Mattias unknowingly cut him off.\n\nMattias' hand was laid on top of Grey's, both arrows facing opposite directions and pointed towards themselves. Mattias continued to explain how their powers worked with each other, and how it would clash. Like Mattias said, a duck in a current. Grey's eyebrows furrowed, nodding. \"Like a magnet almost. Polar opposites attract, but when the same poles are put together, they push away from each other.\" A pause, and then, \" Although, your analogy is better.\" Grey added, Mattias' analogy having made the best sense. \n\nGrey watched Mattias as they looked up with a cheeky smile, Grey reciprocating with a grin. It must've been the wrong gesture, because they made some space, making a point that it was only a theory. Grey shrugged, pulling their hands off of Mattias' lap. \"Yeah, we wouldn't for sure know if this is the truth. But, it makes a lot of sense.\" He assured, holding his own hand palm up to gaze at the arrow. At least something was answered." }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "Matti smiled hesitantly again, slightly mourning the loss of contact. Pride and accomplishment shone through instead. Yes, it Did Make sense. The logicality of it grounded them, the ability to quantify and qualify. They reached on ink-stained hand up to readjust their hat, eager to expand on their theory. \n\n\"I have a— friend. His name is Gabe D. Trahan, he's an actor. A good one. Anyways, his powerset is essentially an attention director. It's what first got me thinking about the entire concept of psychic powers interacting— when I tried to use my powers, while he was using his, I kind of... Overloaded? It would be interesting to run more experiments, but the experience was slightly unpleasant,\" They explained. \"Using your magnet concept, if we—\" They motioned between themself and Grey \"— are repelling poles, than our powers and Gabe's are like extra strength magnets. A pull so strong it can shatter you.\" They shivered slightly, balking at the memory. The Burn, their ears feeling as if they would shatter, their eyes...\n\nThey shook their head almost subconsciously, clearing the reminder from their thoughts. \n\n\"Anyway you're— the power interaction is incredibly interesting to me, if you haven't figured it out already. If a bit unsettling. I'm used to knowing when someone is hiding something. It's jarring to have to fend for myself.\" They laughed, genuine, but also an attempt to alleviate the tense, academic air they'd unintentionally cultivated. \"How do normal people manage?\" \n\nOh god, they'd just assumed Grey was the same, since their powers were similar, and they'd mentioned empathic abilities; what if Grey could control everything, and they were really exposing how inexperienced they were? Matti did their best to keep their internal panic from their face, instead distracting themself by studying the bits of metal that had captured their attention earlier." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey sat back once again, absorbing Mattias' words. So this wasn't the first time something weird has happened. \"Gabe, huh?\" They muttered, staring to the side momentarily. \"I guess that means if Our, like, me and Gabe's power were supposed to interact, would it be like how ours did?\" Their nose scrunched up. \"On second thought, maybe it'll be as unpleasant. But.. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try, maybe.\" Grey gave Mattias an uncertain smile, before tearing their gaze once again.\n\nMattias continued on, talking about the experience they had to endure without hearing lies. Grey's eyebrows lifted, turning to watch Mattias. \"Mm, we're different people of course, but I think having to hear lies- or, what people are hiding, would get.. Y'know, almost hurtful?\" They mumbled, before almost regretting everything they just said. They literally just explained they were different, so why did they have to butt in with their experience? \"I mean, for me, It Is Awkward not knowing how someone is feeling. But, just means I gotta work extra hard with you. And I don't mind.\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"Oh, well, I ended up bursting my eardrums I think, but it may not be as bad for you. My powers focus my attention, and Gabe's do something similar, so I think it was worse.\" Matti gesticulated as they spoke, but never came close to hitting Grey. It was clear even when they lost part of their mind to theorizing, they were still cognizant of the world around them. \"It could be, though, I wonder what would happen if all three of us used our abilities at the same time...\" \n\nThey cut themself off, nodding at what Grey explained. \"When you mention it in that way, it's not always the best experience. I get overwhelmed very easily and I don't—\" They cringed, remembering Several Bad first impressions on their part \"— always see the best in people, even if it's there.\" They shrugged. \"I believe I'm fairly emotive, I just don't always make the correct facial expressions. I will endeavor to be more transparent, to compensate, and I'll always tell the truth about my emotions, if you feel the need to ask.\" Balancing conversations without their Sight felt like walking a line with crutches: awkward, uncomfortable, and with the constant fear they were being judged. \n\n\"I suppose I'll just have to pay closer attention. And trust you to tell the truth, of course, but that may be a given due to the... Bonding? Over power malfunctions.\" They gave a small smile, trying to abate some of Grey's obvious discomfort." }, { "author": "mivescensa", "message": "Grey relaxed in their seat, offering a genuine smile to Mattias. \"Yeah, we should be friends! Our powers malfunctioning is a wall but, we can always bond over that. Besides, this way, we both gotta try in the friendship. No easy way outs like with my emotion reading. Good old human interaction...\" They paused, their voice shallowing out towards the end, to the realization of their words. Their body language changed, Grey almost sulking. \"Oh, yeah. Parahumans. We're that now.\" \n\nA silent pause from Grey, before they glanced at their companion, clearing their throat. \"Uh, how long have you been here? Have you gotten used to..\" Their hands made a wide circle motion. \"Everything?\"" }, { "author": "hourlys", "message": "\"I think I'd enjoy being friends. And you know, in a way, we've always been parahumans, and in that way we're also humans still.\" They nodded at Grey— from the sound of it, they needed the reminder. Satisfied, they went along with the subject change. \n\n\"I've been here... Around a month. Saying it out loud makes it seem stranger, I suppose. It's been a month.\" Matti sighed, fixing their eyes just shy of Grey's left ear. \"I wasn't the happiest, most stable person before coming here. You may have guessed. I essentially spoke to no-one, save for a teacher who has not contacted me since the move, and my daily routine consisted of keeping myself alive and taking note of all the secrets occurring around me. It wasn't much Of A life, in retrospect. I think nearly anywhere would have been better: Newton's Cradle certainly is. The reason I adapted so quickly is because I had mostly positive things to adapt To. Healthy human interaction, being one.\"\n\nThey turned to study Grey, attempting to understand the root behind the question. It was friendly enough, they supposed, but they couldn't help but feel there was something underneath it. Not for the first time, they wished their abilities worked. The desire was quickly pushed down, though, by some other force they couldn't quite name. It was nice, maybe. Talking to someone without the burden of knowledge. Matti made eye contact for a brief moment before they went back to focusing on the background. \n\n\"And you? Why are you here, if you are amicable to answering? You mentioned you were new, but has anything happened before our slightly catastrophic run in?\"" } ]	340	9,428
100	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Finley was Sprinting.\n\nThey ran down the steps, nearly falling all the way down the steps, a bittersweet excitement mixed in their mouth. Mel had been their first friend. Finn would not let her leave without a goodbye. \n\n\"Melodie!\" They shouted. They threw the doors open and sprinted towards the gate. \"Mel!\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Mel was not in any mood for sprinting. Mel was Tired. It was almost 1 in the morning, she was running on zero caffeine, and she had spent the evening making damn sure she had everything packed up and was ready to go.\n\nShe groggily waved at Finley, who'd somehow managed to arrive after her even though she had to finish brushing her teeth and grab a hoodie before she could leave. \"Hey Fin.\"" }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares followed behind Finley, laughing a little at them nearly falling down the steps. They had practically broken down his dorm room door in a demand to get him outside to see Mel. It had worked, and the two were Sprinting. \n\nThe cold air filled his lungs as Finley swung open the doors in front of them, a sort of excitement was cracking like sparks in his chest. This was going to be fun, Ares would make sure of it. He knew Mel wouldn't want some sappy goodbye filled with tears, they were going to make the most of it. All of of them together, one last time.\n\nOnce outside, he slowed his pace. Finley ran ahead, making Ares laugh under his breath. \n\n\"Aye Mel!\" The tan boy called out once closer to the gate. The tone of his words was lighthearted and fun, but crunched like gravel from his sleepy voice." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio didn't know she could run so fast as she could then. She was existing only on unhealthy amounts of adrenaline. Every sound made by her feet only shalt spur her to go faster. She could feel everything that wasn't good. Valio tripped and fell a few times but she was still running across town like no other. It'd take her only but a moment to get to the cradle. \n\nShe hugged June already, now it was time for Melodie to get a proper farewell from the woman as mel deserves. It'd only take but a moment." }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "Owen might as well have had his head half-screwed on, skipping the steps on the way down, nearly tripping over his pyjama pants and dying in the stairwell, but he made it out into the night in one piece.\n\nHe didn't hesitate when he sped over to the little cluster of friendly faces and threw his arms around the half of Mel that Valio's huge arms couldn't encompass- long, tight, bittersweet. He didn't have quite as much to say, but spared plenty of warmth to send her off with." }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "Mel smiled, waved and laughed. Having company helped take the edge off the late-night sleepiness. She wrapped an arm around Valio and another around Owen, giggling lightly. \"You guys!\" She exclaimed excitedly, though with a hint of surprise in her voice. \"You know you didn't have to do this, right?\"\n\nPart of her felt like she didn't know these people at all, like she didn't deserve their affection. But she was good at hiding that." }, { "author": "sharqtooth", "message": "Ares gave a warm smile to Valio, it was always nice to see her. Once Owen decided hugs were in order, the taller boy practically threw himself over Owen and rested his arm on Valio's shoulder.\n\n\"Of course we did! You think we're just gonna let ya leave?\" He laughed.\n\nIt was always nice to be here, but it had been so long since all of them had been together. What life had Mel been living in their absence? Ares didn't care to think about that. \n\n\"You can't get rid of us that easily.\"" }, { "author": "pondfaces", "message": "\"'Course we did, Mel.\"\n\nThough it was evident that Owen had been awake for Maximum Ten minutes, the sentiment was genuine. There was no way in hell that one of the first people at the facility to ever talk to him was leaving without her ribs being properly crushed.\n\n\"Take care of June, alright? Of the both of you.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio held Melodie in a crushing hold. Valio didn't know very many things about Melodie but that dosent stop her from giving somebody she met and considered a friend a hug. \nThey are distant, Valio did throw her off a roof and Melodie hit her with a hammer. But they were friends, all be it... Awkward. \n\nIt took her a moment before she left Melodie down. And she felt a heavy presence by her side... Ares. \n\n\"I met you. That's enough for me to miss.\" \n\nValio stares at Melodie. \n\n\"You and June should both have a wonderful time. Make up for time lost with not being able to meet sooner. No?\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"We had to,\" Fin agreed. \"You were my first friend here. It's been a hell of a year, hasn't it?\" \n\nThey would be lying if they denied the tears forming in their eyes. They wiped them away quickly, even though their voice cracked a little. \n\n\"I'm going to miss you, Mel.\"" }, { "author": "radikale", "message": "\"I'm gonna miss you guys too. I'll visit if I can, okay?\"" } ]	98	1,100
164.933333	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Joshua was stiff. He felt like he hadn't moved for years. He always did lately. He'd recently started going on walks around the campus grounds as often as he could, trying to combat this, but a thought kept tugging at him. As he walks, he drums the gloved fingers of his let hand against his chest, producing a muffled wooden rhythm. His lignification had been worsening. He knew that. The spread of it alone was an indicator. But the stiffness, that made it seem like maybe it was more than skin deep. And that was concerning. He'd heard things from the people who did this to him, small bits of rumour about past subjects succumbing totally to it. Was that happening to Him?\n\nHis thoughts are interrupted by something just as horrifying to him. His destination, a tree that he had been taking care of for quite some time now, was split nearly in two. A thunderstorm passed through the area recently, and lightning must've struck it. He completely forgets about his health concerns, and runs over to it, nearly in tears. How can he fix this?\nCan He fix it?" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir was walking through the woods humming to himself. He often found himself outside, it helped him gather his thoughts and keep his head above water so to speak. He was in the midst of culture shock, and interacting with predominantly westerners only furthered it. New ideas, lines of thought and entire concepts he had never heard of or had been demonized were almost constant. Just when he thought he understood one thing, something new or different came along and derailed his progress. He pulled in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. This place was strange, these people were even stranger. \n\nHis legs worked on their own as his mind was too occupied to tell them where to go. He longed for the sky, the clear and blue yonder. He wanted to feel the wind through his hair, the feeling of a current stroking his wings as it propelled him forward. But unfortunately, he could only fly at night. People didn't take to kindly to large Russians flying in Swedish airspace. His feet came to a stand still, and it took his eyes a few moments to relay to his brain. There was a tree split in half. That tree in particular was always well kept, it had always looked healthy. And here it was split in two. And next to it was a disheartened guy? He couldn't really tell from his distance. He moved closer, dead branches and gravel crunching lightly under his boots as he came closer to observe. Through limited interactions with others he found it best to let them make the first move, but this time he cleared his throat, \"Are you okay?\" He asked, speaking slowly." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Joshua almost doesn't hear the strange voice. Tentatively, he takes off one of his gloves and reaches out, firmly gripping a branch of the downed portion. The instantaneous rush of senses from the dying wood, the agony, the fear, all the pain this tree is feeling, they overwelm him as if this is his own body. He cries out, collapsing onto his butt facing the tree.\n\n\"No.\" He says, finally, barely more than a whisper. Then, louder, \"No, I don't think I am.\" He slowy stands up, wincing as he does, and faces the new arrival, no shame in the tears rolling down his face. \"I don't even know where to start fixing this.\"" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir's face flashed concern and confusion. He wasn't going to question the man's tears, that didn't seem wise at this time. Instead he looked at he tree, walking over to it before gently taking some of the weight off the branches. \"Maybe you can bind the halves together? It doesn't feel to heavy, I'm sure I can pick it up. I am no botanist, so I don't know if it will work\" He offered. He really had no idea, he was just willing to help.\n\nHe offered the strange tree man a smile, though he wasn't sure if it gave the other person comfort." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Hope flashes across his face. \"That might help. If we can get it bound, then she might live, at least long enough to do something more substantial,\" He says, putting his glove back on. \"This tree's been through a lot already. She's hurting, bad.\"\nJoshua walks over to the base of the tree and inspects the split, prodding the wood with his regloved hand, which thankfully doesn't allow a connection. \"The split isn't as bad as it could be. If we're careful, maybe we can reattach it. She'd have to help some though, or we'll shred most of this exposed grain.\" He looks back at Vizhkir to see if he understands." }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir nodded, \"I didn't know trees grew barley\" He said after hearing about the grain. \"I'll let you handle the uh. Technical stuff, I'll do the heavy lifting\" \n\nHe sqauted down next to the fallen half of the tree, slinging one of his arms under it and the other over. He took a deep breath in, then out, then in, then out. He felt strength he didn't have before surge to the surface. He felt his muscles roughly spasm under his skin, causing a bit of discomfort that he didn't dare show. \"Tell me when\"" }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Joshua nods solemnly. He takes off his gloves, revealing his left hand to be made of dark, polished wood. He takes a deep breath before putting his hands against the trunk of the tree. He sharply inhales in pain, but doesn't recoil this time. After a moment of silence with his eyes closed, he says \"Now.\" As he does he begins pouring energy into the tree, helping her to lift the fallen bough. With a sharp creak and several loud Pops, Vizhkir finds that the weight begins to lessen.\n\"Just help her pull it into place.\" Joshua says through gritted teeth. He's never put this much energy into a plant before. A faint ripping sound comes from over his shoulder, but he doesn't notice the sprouts growing out of his back and left arm, shredding his jacket and shirt in the process." }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Dragovich's legs snapped up, pushing the tree up wards as he walked the trunk forward, 100% giving himself a splinter in the process. Hand over hand, step by step the broken half of the tree rose steadily. It hurt, and Vizhkir knew he would have some nasty cramps later but he didn't let it deter him. \n\nFinally, he had the whole trunk up. He wrapped his arms around the tree and held tight, \"If you're going to tie it off now would be a great time\" He grunted through his clenched jaw. He felt that immense strength leave, leaving him with his natural strength. He leaned into the tree, pressing his whole body into it while he waited on the other guy to work his magic" }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "As the trunk is raised into place, the wood pulls itself together, slowly filling the breach.\nThat will take weeks, bare minimum. Joshua thinks to himself. Lacking a better option, he quickly takes his belt off with one hand, wrapping it around the healing trunk as high as he can reach. He pulls it tight, then places his hands back against the bark, on either side of the split. \n\"I think you can let go now. Get clear quick in case I'm wrong though.\" He grunts, clearly straining. The sprouts growing through the torn torn fabric of his clothes get thicker, growing from blades of grass to thin green branches, complete with tiny budding leaves." }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir nodded, letting his wings pop out to propel himself sideways as soon as he let go. He felt the two powerful appendages spring out from his back before they spread open, casting long shadows. \n\nHe released his grip, peddling backwards as he wings beat, thrusting him sideways. He was outside of the fall zone but prepared to go back in if it came down on the guy with a forest on his back." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Joshua spends a few minutes silently conferring with the tree, still, aside from the heaving of his back as he pants. Through this connection, not only is he pouring himself into the tree, the tree gives a little bit of herself back.\n\nThe sensations are fuzzy, like a distant memory, but they're distinct enough that Joshua can discern basic emotions: pain, fear, but beneath that, warmth, love, and gratitude. Not just for him, but for the strange hands that helped him. A few images flash across his mind, a fire, a blade, scorched wood, and Joshua placing his hands against her, always there to help her heal.\n\nThroughout all of this, fresh wood fills the wound, followed by a thin green layer of bark.\n\nHe backs away finally, once more teary-eyed. Without turning his back on the scarred tree, he steps over to where Vizhkir stands\n.\nHe speaks, exhaustion tainting his voice, \"I'll have to find something stronger to support that much weight.\" He pauses, swaying a bit, \"But for now, the belt should hold things together while the new growth hardens. I really appreciate your help. And so does she.\"" }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "Vizhkir sighed in relief. His body ached all over, and he knew it wouldn't be too long now before he needed to go lay down. The Russian listened to the other boy's words, nodding along. \n\n\"You are alright, no?\" He asked, looking at Joshua. In reality Vizhkir was in no better shape, using his strength like that always sapped him. He was in good shape, better than most. But tapping into his draconic strength sucked the life out of him. \n\nHis wings spread slightly, sending a bit of warmth through him as the black appendages soaked up the sun. After a few moments enjoying that warmth Vizhkir stuck out his hand, \"I am Vizhkir Dragovich. Nice to meet you\"" }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "Joshua looks at Vizlhir, \"Yeah I'm fine, just a-\" He cuts himself off, having finally noticed the growth across his back and arm.\n\"Well, that's new,\" Joshua states, before cracking up, the pressure having gotten to him, \"It almost looks like a shrub grew on my back.\"\nHe spends a moment poking one of the stems with his finger before he gets back on track, \"Sorry, I'm Joshua. Joshua Hawthorne.\" He shakes the offered hand." }, { "author": "m18_hellcat_gmc", "message": "\"Is shrub growth normal?\" Vizhkir asked Joshua, after withdrawaling his hand. He peered curiously the other boy's back. He hadn't met the person yet, to his knowlage at least. He figured he'd remember someone like this. \n\n\"So the tree. It will be alright?\" He asked looking back at it. He took another step towards it to look at the new growth on the tree." }, { "author": "azarch.", "message": "\"This is the first time it's happened,\" Joshua says, in response to the first question, \"But I guess it makes some sense, all things considered.\" He then raises his left hand so that the polished wooden texture of his palm catches the light of the moon. With his shirt mostly tattered, its evident that the affected area stretches up his arm and across most of his torso.\n\nHe thinks for a moment on the second question, his head foggy from exertion \"I can't say for sure. Like I said, the tree's taken a lot of bad hits over the last couple years. She even had a hole burned nearly all the way through once. That took months of attention to heal, but at the time it was the biggest task I'd ever tried. Either way, I'll probably be spending my afternoons out here for a while.\"" } ]	151	2,474
343.473684	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "A horrible, unsettling sound echoed through the facility, even to the outside areas. The air grew colder the closer one was to the sound, as if their very being was prohibiting them from getting any closer. The inhuman wailing was deep and powerful, but scratchy, like pained screaming from some alien creature.\n\nThe sound came from the courtyard, where, even if the sun shone down, the air seemed cold and stale, more than usual for a place like this. The courtyard wasn't necessarily Completely Trashed, but it certainly wasn't in the best shape. Plants lay scattered, the little dirt present was spilled, and trash cans were spilled over.\n\nThe one who caused the mess was obvious, solid black and white color, leaking an inky, dark fluid and body warped to inhuman degrees. They lay on the ground, screaming and shaking occasionally before running around like some sort of rabid animal, an animal whose nervou systems were deteriorating, they stumbled and fell occasionally in their blind rage, hitting an obstacle or knocking over something else. Their screams were loud enough to rattle the bodies of those nearby, and they seemed to react violently to Unknown Presences, but no one was reported as being harmed.\n\nFrom their mouth and giant, vacant eye sockets spewed forth the previously mentioned inky black substance, uncontrolled in magnitude, staining the creature's clothes and appearing in small, localized puddles and smears across the area." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ a dash around campus, the usual for ol Hatsume, especially in the evening. 10pm, it was prime time for her to stomp through the halls at her terminal velocities, tripping over any stray bins, boxes, tables and all sorts, ducking under doorways and slamming into walls. The outdoors of the campus was arguably her least favourite part of the sequence. Annoyingly, the courtyard and such places lacked any sort of challenge outside of some benches and bushes, the fresh air cleaned any dirt and malice from her lungs, but it failed to impress her enough to ever look forward to this part.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ However, today seemed different. Hatsume had always had a very strange knack of sense; it was strange in the way that she managed to misjudge energy like telling the difference between placebo and real. \nAnd that alongside the scream alerted Hatsume to... El Yaur. Actively struggling to do such, Hatsume couldnt seem to put a finger on what the exact and appropriate message was.\nSoon enough, she had absentmindedly chalked it down to distress. The mess of limbs and thick, gloopy ink like plasma sent a sharp shiver serenading southwards of her spine.\n\n\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Yari? Is... That you?\"\nHatsume called out, hands cupping her mouth to amplify. Surely it was Yari... It only made sense" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "The creature turned its head towards Hatsume, its twisted, cracked and torn face dripping with the strange oily goop still. It stopped its rampage, but its head hung low and its leags were spread out, trembling as it supported its own weight. The solid white skin that showed on her libs looked torn and tattered as if this thing was merely walking in the girl's skin and suddenly burst from it. Its eyes flickered a dim red before coughing up more of the black oily slime, it looked almost like it was throwing it up, due to the way its body moved and the coughing/burping sounds it made as it did so. Soon after this, it screamed at Hatsume and took a shaky step towards her, almost feeling as if a cold gust of air came from the thing. Then it took another step.. Its head ocasionally tilting left or right, as if on a pivot on the extended neck that supported it. Each step was wet and heavy, despite how gangly this thing looked.\n\nAs it got closer, that sense of dread slowly increased. Its long, almost serpentine body's arch descending as its length began to spread between their two locations." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ To say Hatsume had downright never felt fear before would be a lie and a half, after all, everyone fears Something. Whether that concept that deep down frightens you be something beyond comprehension, like imminent death, or something far more trivial, like spiders; it's a shared common ground between all life on earth and in the stars, to experience a sense of dread or terror.\nRealistically, such a feeling wasn't absurd to hatsume either, her life and the lessons she grew up on were built on the very foundations of fear yet...\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ She was probably about to shit herself, actually. God knows why Yari's powers so freaky; in fact they were actually pretty cool until you come face to face with what can only be described as a lovecraftian dream.\nThe damp slaps across the floor with each step almost made the tall girl gag- did nobody else notice this?? Hatsume's eyebrows raised with an uncertainty. Not once did it occur to her just how cartoonishly frightened she was... Until she was annoyingly aware of the fact she was Cowering.\nEugh, how embarrassing...\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ The actual scream of bloodtorn horror directed at Hatsume made the bright haired girl shriek spontaneously inreturn, the sounds overlapping into a pained vs petrified chorus, a melody that I doubt either of them Wanted To hear.\nOutside of the dripping wet impact against the floor with each lanky steps, there was silence and an opportunity to speak up, to hope Yari was under there in a foul, pained mood.\nI mean... Hatsume wouldn't be too pleased if she were torn to shreds by her own power, just to shriek a bit.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Ack- h- heya Yari- you up the- there?\" She whimpers, hands suffocating eachother in a nervous grip.\n\"Cause ya aint lookin too good- want me to uh... Splash some water on ya?\"\n.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Appealing to a beast ain't a fool's work, and trust Hatsume is some kind of fool for sure, but... Somewhere inside her bones she searches for an ounce of courage and a vial of bravery.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatsume takes steps back, assuring distance between the two; She doesn't want things getting messy- after all, she'd be the one losing." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "The creature wasn't focused on anything, only getting closer and closer, jaw quivering with violent intent as it almost Assessed Her. It looked as if it was about to pounce, pulling back a bit and closing its jagged maw of glasslike teeth, but then it paused.\n\nIt recognized that name. They knew it. On second thought, this person never did anything to harm them. It backed up again, but more fervently, its head whipping back an forth as if it were trying to get rid of something on it. It would claw at its face to no avail, screaming again in the process, but it was no longer a scream of rage, it was more of desperation, or anguish. Despite still sounding extremely monstrous, the tone of it was clearly different. It did not seem very keen on being calmed down, but it was clearly just what it needed.\n\nIt was still too angry to speak coherently. It was still only making screams and animalistic vocalizations." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Upon reflection, Yari looked to be in pain. While Hatzume had halfly acknowledged this fact prior, it was only now solidifying with a burning brandishing in her head. She staggered back, almost slipping on thin air in her panic. As she blinked hopelessly at the figure, she was a child being circled by dogs. Not yet attacked, but knowing damn well all was lost.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Until of course, Yari stepped backwards; leaving Hatsume relieved and befuddled as the almost canid like creature's heavy steps made fierce contact with the floor.\nVicious shrieking that crowded Hatsume's ears made the tall girl slam her hands against her ears, she could feel the blood pumping through her veins and slithering around her head. Eyebrows furrowed, Hatsume's eyes clenched shut like airtight, sealed doors. She breaches, eyes peeling open to see Yari clawing at her face.\nJust what is happening...\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ To no one's surprise, Hatsume is a simple girl, she finds joy in things like backchatting her guinea pigs, when they want to scream at her, she just imitates them back...\nWould that appeal to Yari's animalistic form? \n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatzume rolls her shoulders in a stretch, before glaring at Yari with a confidence, and screaming right back, imitating her noises with a grin.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ This could go either downright terribly or the exact opposite... In a bout of nerves, Hatsume almost immediately doubts her actions..." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Chaos. Rage. Panic. \nDon't hurt her. \nShe did not hurt you.\nHatzume's lack of action made it almost forget she was there in its mania, and it had shook its head, the long spiked hair (was that hair?) on its head sounding like a bunch of sticks sliding and clicking against each other, but no individual strands could be seen in the smooth, spiky mass. It was about to claw at its face again before the other girl's screaming caught its attention. The creature, in response, screamed again, walking towards her at a regular, albeit Fast Pace, considering its size. It seemed to stop at her face, but it just kept screaming. Teeth, elongated into giant snakelike fangs each fanned out as it screamed, each threatening to tug at her skin. Not only did the extreme proximity make it louder, she could swear it was Actually Louder than the last ones. \nSCREAMS. INTENDS TO HURT ME. NO POWER OVER ME. PREVENT FROM HURTING.\nIt reeled back in a crawling fashion, and out of nowhere , it swatted at her, slapping her away from her current location. It would't send her flying, but it Would Send her skidding and rolling along the ground for at least ten or so feet, assuming there are no obstructions." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ a scream that was intended to match Yari's energy quickly morphed into one of considerably alarm as the creature of gangly limbs plodded towards her with a scream in return. The temptation to crack out her whole sound amplication hands out was immense, but for the sake of not alarming Yari, and not shattering all nearby windows into itty bitty pieces- she ceased the idea, scampering backwards on herself to move her ass out of the way.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Of course, her efforts were a little bit pathetic, leading to her stumbling into a bush, and getting bonked. The swat was enough for the usually unmoving pillar of a girl to lose her footing, skidding at first in the ground's mud, and then tumbling a couple feet in quite the clumsy manner.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ What did she expect to happen, matching the eldritch horror's energy my ass!- she should have known that screeching back was always going to be bad news...\nThat said, she had just had a manicure. Not only was there now dirt under her nails, but she landed on her funny bone weirdly, sending the world's strangest mix of nerve signals through her body.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Rising back to her feet with a slight frown, Hatsume clicked her fingers in some sort of attempt at defiance\n\"You...- you got an off button on the painful lovecraftian animorph form!?\" She questioned unsubtly, hopefully loud enough for the monster to hear her over the sound of it's own anguish" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "Of course she's terrified. She hates you.\nIt screamed again, and grabbed her by tbe middle, lifting her up and pinning her to a wall with just one hand. It made eye contact with the other girl, and once again, it spoke. \"You got an off button on that eyesore hairstyle?\" What came out felt like if a motrpcycle engine could speak. It had little tone to it, mostly being a booming growl of a voice, almost powerful enough to rattle one's insides. \"Maybe I can fix that, maybe you'd look prettier if i pulled it out. You'd be less of a freak, less annoying to look at. They'd appreciate you more. You know they will.\"\n\nIt turned its hand so that the palm lay flat againdt her, the elongated, its clawed fingers all around her head, points placed directly onto the wall. It then ran a finger from the other hand theough her hair, and suddenly pinched a large lock of it, pulling on it painfully. \"You'd appreciate their acceptance... Maybe- MAYBE THEY'LL LIKE YOU MORE!\"\n\nAh. It was taking its anger out on the girl.\n\nIt removed its palm, but now it had Hatzume by the hair, now grabbing all of it in one hand rather than just pinching some of it. It was grabbed pretty close to the root, but even then, for a couple of seconds she was essentially held up Only By her hair, unless she managed to struggle against it. \"Let's see how pretty you'll be without the circus act you call a Style.\"\n\nIt began to dragger along the floor, as it had not yet let her go, pacing for a few seconds as it went over to a tree, calculating if the tree could support it, considering it was now four or five times the original length of the girl, and in every sense of the word, looked mangled and torn apart from the inside. Even the muscles that rippled and tensed under its skin looked twisted, warped and stretched, like a clay model gone wrong. \n\nEach of its movements came with a low creaking and an occasional crunching or snapping. Its breathing was loud and labored, and as mentioned before, its movements-\n\nLooked sluggish and unstable, as if this form is incomplete, imperfect, the latter of which is clear as day." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Swiftly, the way she's pressed against the wall manages to knock the wind out of her, leaving Hatsume quietly gasping in confusion. Muscles or not, she lacked any experience in actually Using Her figure as anything outside of a cosmetic feature... So there wasn't much escape from this.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Oh! It speaks\nHatsume didn't know there was anything in this monster outside of shrieking agony, the tall girl tried not to take it personally, frowning a tad in response to the insult.\nI mean... Did her haircut have an off switch? She didn't think so! Considering this int started before her little restyling, I'm going to assume Hatsume's still got that partially unstyled curls look. \n\"I mean- I don't wanna offend I just- the form looked painful. Damn.\" She stated with panic, the former abundance of self assured zest having run dry as soon as she was in the tight spot.\nYari's voice rang in her ears like a heavy bass, an earthquake in her system and a disaster on her bones.\n\"Is it really that bad..?\" She mumbled to herself, looking away from the eldritch horror before her.\n.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatsume squeaks when the palm shifts, before she could use her hand, and if she was 100% honest, the purple haired girl regretted not just cupping her hands and deafening poor yari to escape- but it was too late for that now, as she lay squashed against the wall.\nThumps of adrenaline pulsed inside her ears. For whatever reason, she didn't fear Yari killing her; for whatever reason, she had considered the girl as a friend- and hoped that that would be realised by the creature that seemed to possess Yari's every sense- it's temper a touchy dynamite.\nShe flinched heavily when it gave a violent pull at a chunk of her curls, an exclamation of pain escaping her throat as she moved her head with her hair to try and sort of stop any damage, if that makes any sense. As self centered as she feared it may sound, to get her hair to that length had taken years.\nThe subsequent dysphoria if it were to get damaged and she had to cut it all off?? Hatsume wanted to shake her head at just the Thought.\n\"Augh!- stop- seriously!\" Is all she could crack out, her headwacking around at the noise of Yari's loud reprimand\n\n.\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ She's grabbed by her hair as a whole, and she's struggling, making a whole performance out of trying to get out of Yari's grip without tearing her hair out or harming the monster that gripped her like a hunter to a rabbit by the ears.\nShe could gather Yari was projecting, and projecting Hard, not that it was any excuse, but part of Hatsume felt bad...\nMaybe she should hang out with Yari more often, yknow, just not when shes a horrifying amalgamation of everything fucked up with urban legends.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Dragged across the floor, Hatsume's complaints rang fruitless, and she heavily disliked the direction they were heading. A tree, whats worse than falling out of a tree? Getting stuck in a tree. Futile fists smacked against it's knuckles, before stopping when it caused additional strain on her hair.\n\"It's- not a circus act!- it's just Hair, natural hair, it just Looks Like That\" She complained, priorities skewed as always. A faint idea flickered on the smoothness of her brain, a plan she was hesitant on, no matter how simple. Was it ethical? Hatsume hadn't a clue...\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hands cupped up to her mouth, Hatsume readied herself to scream; and once she did, it echoed out abrupt, sudden and goddamn impulsive- her shriek rattled out in an impressive high note, like something only dogs could hear. Her scream amplified through the hole in between her two hands, like a human microphone system.\nIf all went to plan, she hoped Yari would drop her free when startled by the deafening shriek." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "```i love it shut up /lh```\n\n\"Natural? A deformity then. We can fix that.\" It had decided to not climb the tree. When Hatzume screamed her dogwhistle shriek, Yarimiel couldn't help but be startled, tossimg her to the side. This sound, while having a very clear effect, didn't actually seem to do much. Perhaps its own capability to scream made it more resistant to such attacks. Once it was done shaking its head, it turned back to the girl after she stopped and spoke in a normal tone.\n\n\"You done?\"\n\nIt just stared at her, slowly got up, then paced back to her new location.\nIt was now quiet.\nIt stood over her, on all fours, then sat down, grabbed her with one hand, and slowly pulled her closer.\nThe way it loomed over her shadowed its face entirely, all black, except for its teeth, turned up into a grin.\nIt put one of it's hands up to her hair, began to twirl a small lock of it, then Very Slowly began to pull... And pull... And pull.." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Deformity? Girl its curls I mean- you have curls-\" She commented, a bewildered frown upon her face. There were a million different things she could be So Concerned about right now but... Damn, the deformity comment was something to be confuddled about. Another thing that made Hatsume wonder if Yari was just self projecting here.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Unceremoniously falling to a heep on the floor, Hatsume had never been so relieved to have been launched before. She scrambled to her feet, definitely more on guard now than before. She stands there awkwardly, eyes glancing from side to side at the question.\n>\"Uhm... Yea I think so?-\"\nShe kicks a rock sheepishly, taking a step back.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Before she knows it, Yari is sitting in front of her, and in the silence, Hatzume wondered if things were calmer now. If Yari had come back to her senses... After all, it was a nice enough little teenager under there somewhere- Hatsume knew that much.\nApparently not, she's being gripped again, there was a feeble attempt at resistance this time! Hatsume pushing with a free arm on Yari's enclosed fingers- likely to no avail, thats down to you.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Alarmed, she struggles against Yari, hair... Why her hair of all things? She's less frightened by the sickening grin on it's face, moreso by the agonising pace at which the monster pulled at her hair\n\"Nononononono\" She repeated, eyes clenched shut now. Legs flailed and words grew desperate.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Even if Yari's power sorta had a habit of taking over- Hatsume was gonna have a hard time forgiving her for this heart attack and a half.\nI mean... Was this even yari?" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "It stopped, and tried to pull its finger back, beginning to tremble as it did so. Its entire body shook far more than it did before, like it was tensed up all over. When it pulled its finger back its teeth slowly fanned out, and it put her diwn, all in that same slow manner. \"Don't hurt.\" It jaw remained gaped open, but faint, hollow words escaped between its needle-like teeth. \n\nIt slwoly backed away and its already heavy brething sounded downright winded and exhausted. It just curled up and backed away from her, like some scared animal. If she approached, it did so faster. If backed into a wall, it scrambled away. As it backed away, she could note how the beast grew smaller, the tears in its skin mending as the spiked hair slowly drooped downwars, converging into a collection behind its head, like an animal's ears pulling back.\n\nIt was reverting back into the girl, and the tar-like substance continued to leak from the giant pitch-black eye sockets, its breaths shuddering.\n\nShe never hurt you." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Well, she was back on solid ground which was a welcome surprise... She palmed her hand on where the tension had pulled against her scalp; Intact- what a relief that was, her hair was the thing she spent hours taking care of, to see it damaged would have made her uncharacteristically upset- angry almost.\nThe tall girl sat down as the agony infected creature of a person staggered back on itself, each shuffle of herself forward making it recoil further away. Like some sort of rodent approached by a lion, when it could not be more like the opposite in physical size.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatsume's eyebrows upturned to concern as the monster's breathing huffed desperately in some sort of animalistic asthma attack. It shrunk and shrunk in it's form, down to the uh... Questionable little kid that it was deep down. God knows what atoms made up that thick cigarette ooze from the sockets of it's face. She questioed the texture, yet didn't want to get too close and frighten the sensitive animal.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Yari? That you comin back?\" \nShe wouldn't be surprised if the short teen came back to size and passed out, not that Hatzume was at all aware of the toll the power seems to take on the edgy young girl but... Sometimes assumptions work.\nShe gazed on as Yari gradually shrunk in size." }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She continued to \"Cry\", but the labored, shaking breaths turned into a quiet sobbing. She wasn't quite tuckered out yet, she still had more of that angush to let out. Honrstlyz to her, it felt like it would never leave her. Like it was always going to come back, hit her harder every time while she just lay there and took the beating. The memories, or rather, the sheer unquenchable vehemence she felt towards her own life was something she couldn't currently get rid of. Ignore? Yes, but it was always going to come back.\n\nThe moment she even thought about letting her guard down, her mind wandered, and the pain found its chance to strike. It instilled the fear, the pain, the hatred and the blinding rage. All of those times quietly dumpster diving for food because her jailers wouldn't feed her enough to make it to the next day. Having to fight off other creatures who were just trying to do the same, only to make them her next leg-up on death.\n\nShe hated all of it, having to do that just so survive, never talking to kids her age. They never even wanted to speak to her, they always called her weird abd creepy. The parents were no better. All they saw was the rabid animal in human skin. \n\nShe gave up quickly, and just resorted to being alone. She stopped trying to escape, she gave up hope. The only thing she looked forward to was the food.\n\n...\n\nSnapping back to reality, her eyes went from an unfocused, darting frenzy to a more concentrated and present wide-eyed stare, which directed itself towards Hatzume. She was now full-on crying but still tried to crawl away, eventually being overtaken by emotion as she just curled up into a ball on the floor, ugly-crying." }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ Hatsume knew very little about yari.\nThat was the truth, and only the truth, she knew the kid was troubled- who here Wasn't After all? She knew that they were both bin scrounger kids- she assumed with a lack of parental affection. That's all she could gather from her own mini detective work that comes upon her every couple weeks where she feels the need to backread someone's entire message history to figure out their story.\nA weird hobby, but one nonetheless- lucky for most, nothing much of interest usually came up, same being the case with Yari- as this was quite base information.\nThat said, Hatsume knew something, she knew they were... Sort of kind of not really but like in a way similar.\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ A second of eye contact and Yari was sobbing and backing away, like a child met by an untamely beast... Hatsume only takes one step forward- she can't be rash, she can't be loud and she can't be overly familiar so... She can't be most portions of herself in that moment. The tall girl takes in a large breath of crisp air as the other folded in on herself like a fucked up, traumatised bakugan. There's distance between them, and Hatsume didn't doubt that she could easily close that gap but.. At what expense? The last thing she wanted was to back Yari into a corner and make her feel like some kind of Animal\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Yari..? Uh... Click your finger once if you'd like a hug, uh... Twice if you'd rather not-\" It was the only sort of consolation Hatsume knew, it was the one she recieved most growing up as a sensitive child with a cool older brother. A tight ass hug clears all wounds- unless you don't want one then... Then it does not.\nAn attempt is an attempt though, even if Yari was touch averse, Hatsume hoped she made it clear that she cared...\n\n⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹↻ \"Kinda shit options I know, sorry.\" Hatsume mutters, sitting down opposite the sobbing ball of a girl.\nCompany was... Something?" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "She remained still, almost ignoring Hatzume's presence, or too overwhelmed to do anything about it. Either way, this forced her to do something about it. It wasn't unknown that this girl was massively unstable, and so things like this are only to be expected when she is left alone for too long. She didn't respond to her snapping thing, she just kept crying and shuffling a limb or two every few seconds. The only thing she regustered was just a torrent of shame, rage and grief, but for what?\n\n```Apologies for tiny post. This is all that happened. Not too motivated to do more internal dialogue or w/e.```" }, { "author": "theodejaneiro", "message": "SOZ FOR THE PING BUT UHHH DO YOU THINK THIS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD POINT TO START FINISHIN THIS INT OFF :3 ⁉️⁉️" }, { "author": "burningsilence", "message": "```whenever is alright```" } ]	335	6,526
90.970588	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Mark treads through the woods. He liked having little walks, because they would put his mind at ease. He wondered if he would make any friends... That big Russian dude was scary, but at least he was hearty and nice. That Malus kid seemed nice, but Mark could tell Malus just wanted to be left alone. Mark sighs, looking down, not even looking where he was going" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "There was a loud crunch that could be heard somewhere in the brush. Then sticks and smaller trees creaked as something large moved through the bushes. A whale-like call could be heard. It somewhat sounded ethereal as it bellowed. Birds fluttered from the trees. From the darkness among the thicker trees, a pair of glowing, round eyes stared down at Mark. It look like it stood about almost 10 ft? As it open its maw, he could see a pale glow revealing its thorny teeth." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "There was a loud crunch that could be heard somewhere in the brush. Then sticks and smaller trees creaked as something large moved through the bushes. A whale-like call could be heard. It somewhat sounded ethereal as it bellowed. Birds fluttered from the trees. From the darkness among the thicker trees, a pair of glowing, round eyes stared down at Mark. It look like it stood about almost 10 ft? As it open its maw, he could see a pale glow revealing its thorny teeth.\n\nMark looked around in confusion, trying to piece together the noises until the cry of what could be compared to a while call startled him to the point of yelping. He stares at the glowing eyes and gaping jaws\n\n\"Ah... Wha...\"\n\nHis eyes formed tears as his body shook. But Mark couldn't move. His legs didn't let him, and he just fell on his knees... Was he going to die?" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Its jaws rattled when it open and closed its maw, almost sounding like a woodpecker. As its large body pushes through the bushes, a large wooden statue with native american designs appeared. It lowered its doglike head towards Marks to get a better look at his face. The air surrounding the creature felt icy cold when its close. \"Rrrrrrrr... Smell new... Different...\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Its jaws rattled when it open and closed its maw, almost sounding like a woodpecker. As its large body pushes through the bushes, a large wooden statue with native american designs appeared. It lowered its doglike head towards Marks to get a better look at his face. The air surrounding the creature felt icy cold when its close. \"Rrrrrrrr... Smell new... Different...\"\n\nWas that smell tears? Fear? He stares up to it with a fearful look. He falls on his butt, shivering to the cold air. A walking totem!?\n\n\"Uhm... H-Hello-...\"\n\nMark scootched away, but hit a tree" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "The creature so happened to be Raizel who was scouting her territory when this funny smol boy walked into it. Her pointed, wooden ear twitched as she followed after him. When he got stopped by the tree, she couldn't help but lower her head to his eye level. \"Hi..\" She growled, wagging the tip of her tail happily. \"New boy... Boy critter. Hi!\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "The creature so happened to be Raizel who was scouting her territory when this funny smol boy walked into it. Her pointed, wooden ear twitched as she followed after him. When he got stopped by the tree, she couldn't help but lower her head to his eye level. \"Hi..\" She growled, wagging the tip of her tail happily. \"New boy... Boy critter. Hi!\"\n\nMark whimpered as she got closer, shaking as his tears fell. He observed her pointed ears and tail as he thought he would die. But the voice made him shut up. A greeting? Was this thing sentient? He watched as her tail wagged and he wiped his tears away\n\n\"Oh... Y-youre sentient... Critter?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "She is terrible at understanding humans, even though she is somewhat one herself. \"Human critter lost?\" Without hesitation, she made her thorny teeth become much blunter before she scoops him up by the scruff of his shirt/jacket." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "She is terrible at understanding humans, even though she is somewhat one herself. \"Human critter lost?\" Without hesitation, she made her thorny teeth become much blunter before she scoops him up by the scruff of his shirt/jacket.\n\nMark noticed as her teeth were not as sharp anymore. That's good, at least. But before he could get. Word in, he was picked up like a kitten by the scruff of his hoodie. He freezes, obviously scared\n\n\"N-No! I'm not lost... I was just walking...\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "She was waddling away with the boy swinging by his hoodie. The simple creature didn't catch what he was saying when she is scuddling through the thicket. When making at least more than 15 feet, she paused when she picked up an interesting scent in the air. Almost wandering off to track it, Rai suddenly set her mind back to bringing the boy back out of the woods. Then pauses again for a second. \"Lost?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "She was waddling away with the boy swinging by his hoodie. The simple creature didn't catch what he was saying when she is scuddling through the thicket. When making at least more than 15 feet, she paused when she picked up an interesting scent in the air. Almost wandering off to track it, Rai suddenly set her mind back to bringing the boy back out of the woods. Then pauses again for a second. \"Lost?\"\n\nMark was a bit confused, wondering how he got into this situation. Mark dangles by his hoodie until Raizek stops and asks\n\n\"No! I'm not lost... But that is very kind of you! Could you let go of me please?\"\n\nMark wasn't as scared anymore. In fact, he seemed to be warming up to this beastly totem\n\n\"Do you have a name?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Her maw loosen, not meaning to drop him as she says,\"Raizl... Rai... Rai..\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Her maw loosen, not meaning to drop him as she says,\"Raizl... Rai... Rai..\"\n\nMark wiggles out of her maw's grasp and lands on his feet\n\n\"Raizel? I'm Mark!\"\n\nMark smiled kindly. He was a cute kid, and could be confused for being younger quite easily" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Nice... Meet... Yew..\" She says, looking happy. The end of her tail wiggles excitingly, making sure to not lash it wildly. \"New human? Smell new.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Nice... Meet... Yew..\" She says, looking happy. The end of her tail wiggles excitingly, making sure to not lash it wildly. \"New human? Smell new.\"\n\nMark couldn't really tell if Raziel was a male or female... Maybe even androgynous. But it didn't matter too much yet. He smiled softly as her tail wags... How adorable!\n\n\"Nice to meet you! And... Yes! I'm new!\"\n\nAs of now, he didn't know she was also a student part of this system. He thought she was some inhuman entity. Not in a bad way, though" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel couldn't help but make a goofy smile. All the pent up energy being in this form was making her more happier. 'Where from?!\" She was just excited to see a ew kid on the school ground. It has been awhile since she finally meet some fresh blood." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel couldn't help but make a goofy smile. All the pent up energy being in this form was making her more happier. 'Where from?!\" She was just excited to see a ew kid on the school ground. It has been awhile since she finally meet some fresh blood.\n\n\"Hmmm? Oh! I'm from the United States! San Diego in California!\"\n\nMark smiled back. He smiled a lot, it seemed. Mark walked closer to Raizel and examined her appearance, as he did with a lot of people" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "When examining the large totem beast, there are indication that the designs is part of the pliable wooden exterior. Some of it appear to be embedded with some sort of precious stones. \"Canada!\" Raizel chimed. There was a lot of energy radiating from her. Now its her turn to examine him back as she shuffles around, circling him." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Mark wondered if she was a wooden totem, animated to have life. He was glad to see so much energy radiating from her. It was nice\n\n\"Canada? Nice!\"\n\nMark was obviously a short boy. He had tan skin and soft green eyes. He had fluffy brown hair that bounced with each step. He wore a grey hoodie that covered his bodily features, but he was an only slightly chubby boi" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel wondered if this is a 12 year old at this point. But there was a smell of puberty that she can pick up: the age of hormones. It left her skeptical, wondering if he is a late bloomer? Was this all baby fat? She remember not looking like a child when she hit 14? Age is a weird thing. \"How old?\" She had to ask." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel wondered if this is a 12 year old at this point. But there was a smell of puberty that she can pick up: the age of hormones. It left her skeptical, wondering if he is a late bloomer? Was this all baby fat? She remember not looking like a child when she hit 14? Age is a weird thing. \"How old?\" She had to ask.\n\nMark was 16, but was just short. He only had a bit of chubb, but it was not visible through his hoodie\n\n\"Hmmm? Oh! I'm 16! And you?\"\n\nMark smiles, tilting his head" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"I... Don't know... Exactly... Not old, though... Not too young...\" And she looks surprised when the thought occured to her. \"You're 16!? You look young!\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"I... Don't know... Exactly... Not old, though... Not too young...\" And she looks surprised when the thought occured to her. \"You're 16!? You look young!\"\n\n\"Oh. That's okay! That's fi- Oh! Uhhh... Hehe...\"\n\nMark sighs, scratching his head with an awkward smile\n\n\"Yeah... I'm pretty short...\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Do you... Think... You'll grow tall...?\" She asked, tilting her head curiously. \"Heard... You... Still... Mature... At...25 for... Males..?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Do you... Think... You'll grow tall...?\" She asked, tilting her head curiously. \"Heard... You... Still... Mature... At...25 for... Males..?\"\n\n\"Maybe! Why? Would you like me to be tall?\"\n\nMark laughs softly, looking away\n\n\"Oh... Uhm, yeah! We do... Actually... What gender... Are you? Sorry if this sounds rude!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Pfffffffffffft!\" Raizel couldn't help but make a goofy smile. \"I... Don't know... Do you like being short..?\" Her speech is sounding a bit better after getting use to communicating in this form. It was starting to get a little easier. The question that Marked ask made her scritch behind her pointed ear. \"Female? Why?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Pfffffffffffft!\" Raizel couldn't help but make a goofy smile. \"I... Don't know... Do you like being short..?\" Her speech is sounding a bit better after getting use to communicating in this form. It was starting to get a little easier. The question that Marked ask made her scritch behind her pointed ear. \"Female? Why?\"\n\n\"Kind of... Kind of not... It's sometimes good, sometimes not.\"\n\nMark felt bad for asking, and wondered if he shouldn't have asked\n\n\"I just wanted to know! I just didn't know before now...\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel didn't understand why he looks sad for asking? It's just a question from her point of view. \"Oh...?\" She says, not scratching the side of her ear now. \"That's fair..?\" And then her form begins to quickly shrink before forming into a 5'7 ft tall girl. Unlike her monstrous form, she looks more timid and small. The entire mood about Raizel shifted, reflecting to how frail she felt being in her human form." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel didn't understand why he looks sad for asking? It's just a question from her point of view. \"Oh...?\" She says, not scratching the side of her ear now. \"That's fair..?\" And then her form begins to quickly shrink before forming into a 5'7 ft tall girl. Unlike her monstrous form, she looks more timid and small. The entire mood about Raizel shifted, reflecting to how frail she felt being in her human form.\n\nOh damn she was still taller than him- Mark watched intentively as she changed into a human form. He smiles to her, finding her human form to be good looking\n\n\"Oh! You look nice, Raizel!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Timidly, she nods as she sheepishly looks down at the forest floor. Bashfully rubbing the back of her neck, unintentionly having the choker's beads rub against her tan skin. \"O-Oh...\" She stuttered, unsure how to respond. The forward, get-go is all dead once she shift to her other form. \"N-No one s-says that to me b-before..\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Timidly, she nods as she sheepishly looks down at the forest floor. Bashfully rubbing the back of her neck, unintentionly having the choker's beads rub against her tan skin. \"O-Oh...\" She stuttered, unsure how to respond. The forward, get-go is all dead once she shift to her other form. \"N-No one s-says that to me b-before..\"\n\nMark wondered if she had a different personality through different forms. He smiles anyways as he approached to be not too close from her, but not too far\n\n\"Really? Well... I guess I am the first!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "She seems to appear smaller each step Mark approached Rai. She nervously grab her forearm, timidly rubbing it, watching him steadily. \"Uh... Hn... Hm..\" She wasn't sure how to respond. Then changed the subject when she asked,\"Wh-what were you doing in the w-woods?\" She asked. The topic of her being called nice looking was something she isn't use to." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "She seems to appear smaller each step Mark approached Rai. She nervously grab her forearm, timidly rubbing it, watching him steadily. \"Uh... Hn... Hm..\" She wasn't sure how to respond. Then changed the subject when she asked,\"Wh-what were you doing in the w-woods?\" She asked. The topic of her being called nice looking was something she isn't use to.\n\nIt didn't show, but Mark was worried. Was he saying the wrong things? Shit... He answers her though.\n\n\"I like taking walks! It clears my mind when I'm not feeling happy. Uhm... Are you okay?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Nervously, she nods a bit frantically. \"Mhm!\" Of course, she is a bundle of nerves. The poor girl couldn't help it. This was how she always is when she is near people." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Nervously, she nods a bit frantically. \"Mhm!\" Of course, she is a bundle of nerves. The poor girl couldn't help it. This was how she always is when she is near people.\n\n\"Are you sure? You seem... Nervous. Is there anything I can do to help?\"\n\nMark tilts his head with a soft, reassuring smile. He wanted to make her as comfortable as possible." }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"I-I'm... Always like this... Al-always..\" Raizel had to sit down to rest after feeling her stomach starting to hurt. It was another coping mechanism for her to try calm down. Mark was a new person that she isn't use to yet." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"I-I'm... Always like this... Al-always..\" Raizel had to sit down to rest after feeling her stomach starting to hurt. It was another coping mechanism for her to try calm down. Mark was a new person that she isn't use to yet.\n\n\"Oh! I'm sorry!\"\n\nMark backs up, worried he was making her nervous. He then sits down to seem smaller for her\n\n\"Do you want me to... Leave?\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Y-You don't have to... I'm... J-just bad... W-with people,\" Raizel tried to explain, almost curling up into a ball where she is sitting. \"Not-Not many can toler-tolerate me much... I stutter... And learning h-human stuff is hard.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Y-You don't have to... I'm... J-just bad... W-with people,\" Raizel tried to explain, almost curling up into a ball where she is sitting. \"Not-Not many can toler-tolerate me much... I stutter... And learning h-human stuff is hard.\"\n\n\"Oh! If it's about that... I can tolerate you! I would actually be happy to teach you things! I... Dont have any friends here...\"\n\nMark looks to the side with an awkward look" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Not many... Haven't seen in a long time... Just... R-really hard to understand th-things..\" Raizel said, slipping her trible mask over her face. It helps her feel less nervous once she hid her face. \"I'm born in the w-wild, the school took me here but... Its been hard.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Not many... Haven't seen in a long time... Just... R-really hard to understand th-things..\" Raizel said, slipping her trible mask over her face. It helps her feel less nervous once she hid her face. \"I'm born in the w-wild, the school took me here but... Its been hard.\"\n\n \"Oh... That's very cool, in my opinion. But the struggles are reasonable. I'm sorry you have to go through this, and I can help you however I can!\"\n\nMark had a soft smile in an attempt to make her feel better" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Timidly, she nods as she buries her masked face behind her knees. \"Al-Almost everyone th-thinks I'm weird... Thanks... Um..\" And she pauses in her sentence. \"Why a-are you so nice?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Mark thinks of her question a bit, and responds\n\n\"Well... I think everyone deserves kindness, Unless proven otherwise. Plus... People like nice people. I guess... I just want to be liked" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"I-I never thought of it that way before...?\" Raizel admit, now looking up at him. \"M-Mark... If its alright to ask... What made you sad earlier?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"I-I never thought of it that way before...?\" Raizel admit, now looking up at him. \"M-Mark... If its alright to ask... What made you sad earlier?\"\n\n\"Hmm? I don't think I was sad in any point of when we met...\"\n\nMark thinks, looking back to when he got nervous. Maybe it was then\n\n\"Well... I got a bit anxious earlier because I thought I was upsetting you. I... I love talking to people, having friends, being liked... I would be scared if I made someone dislike me.\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Huh?\" Raizel looked confused. \"B-but isn't that part of life? Not being liked by some? S-Some will like you for wh-who you are?\" She stuttered, already not liking this particular trait about herself. \"I-It wouldn't make sense for everyone to like you??\" She is looking more confused." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Huh?\" Raizel looked confused. \"B-but isn't that part of life? Not being liked by some? S-Some will like you for wh-who you are?\" She stuttered, already not liking this particular trait about herself. \"I-It wouldn't make sense for everyone to like you??\" She is looking more confused.\n\n\"No, like... I don't know how to explain it... When I want to be friends with someone, I try to walk on eggshells so I don't mess anything up and make someone hate me. If they didn't like me to begin with, well... Oh, I don't know. Its confusing and weird. I'm sorry...\"\n\nMark shakes his head. Even a boy like him had insecurities. Just as everyone does" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Ohhh... It sounds a little un-unhealthy...?\" Raizel was scratching the back of her head. \"It's hard... Humans place too many sh-shells on the ground for you to tip-toe a-around them. The hardier people w-with better tolerance or u-understanding are usually better.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Ohhh... It sounds a little un-unhealthy...?\" Raizel was scratching the back of her head. \"It's hard... Humans place too many sh-shells on the ground for you to tip-toe a-around them. The hardier people w-with better tolerance or u-understanding are usually better.\"\n\n\"I guess...\"\n\nMark had an awkward smile as he looked down. She was right, but Mark didn't know how to stop\n\n\"Thank you. I guess even I can learn something from you.\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Ma-maybe? Always treading c-carefully on eggshells is... A sign of a toxic relationship. They'll j-just blame you like its always your f-fault? There's too many people who are... Just too sensitive..?\" And she realized she is sensitive in a way where she is just a nervous train wreck. \"S-Sorry if I come off too strong...\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Ma-maybe? Always treading c-carefully on eggshells is... A sign of a toxic relationship. They'll j-just blame you like its always your f-fault? There's too many people who are... Just too sensitive..?\" And she realized she is sensitive in a way where she is just a nervous train wreck. \"S-Sorry if I come off too strong...\"\n\nHer words really got to him. Everything she said was right. He barely ever had friends, because he seemed to always be used. He shakes his head\n\n\"No... You're right. I just... Can't help but hate it when I do something wrong and make people hate me for it... I'm glad you are kind, Raizel.\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "Raizel shrugs. \"I-I'm kind?\" She gave him a weird, questionable look before scoffling a chuckle behind her hand. \"You worry too much about what people th-think? Can't satisfy all of them. The world is j-just too weird for me to understand why its too easy to make everyone so mad in these times.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "Raizel shrugs. \"I-I'm kind?\" She gave him a weird, questionable look before scoffling a chuckle behind her hand. \"You worry too much about what people th-think? Can't satisfy all of them. The world is j-just too weird for me to understand why its too easy to make everyone so mad in these times.\"\n\nMark wondered if her questioning of his compliment was a good thing or bad thing. He tries not to dwell on it\n\n\"Well, yeah! I guess you didn't really like it when I complimented you earlier. Sorry-\"\n\nMark just shuts up, as he felt that was the best thing to do at that moment" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Oh... I wasn't sure if you were flirting? I never thought of myself being nice looking.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Oh... I wasn't sure if you were flirting? I never thought of myself being nice looking.\"\n\n\"Wha- No! Nononono... I was not flirting...\"\n\nMark went red. He gets scared and flustered pretty easily, and now she has seen both. He now just looks down with a flustered gaze" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Eh?\" Raizel tilts her head with a quizzical stare. \"Are you p-positive?\" She moved her sleeved hand near her mouth. Then two little blush specks appear on her cheeks. The glowing eyes on her mask turned into a lowercase \"N\" When she let out a \"Teehee\" Giggle." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Eh?\" Raizel tilts her head with a quizzical stare. \"Are you p-positive?\" She moved her sleeved hand near her mouth. Then two little blush specks appear on her cheeks. The glowing eyes on her mask turned into a lowercase \"N\" When she let out a \"Teehee\" Giggle.\n\n\"Well... I said it because I meant it. It's a compliment... If you want, you can take it that way...? It's your choice. I didn't mean to seem that forward...\"\n\nMark observed her reaction. Maybe... She wanted him to be flirting? Or was it just the compliment? He couldn't tell" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Uh?\" Raizel stops her little antics as she stares at Mark with another confused look. Her nerves are more calmer now after talking to him for a bit, it did help her stutter a little less, but it didn't stop her from feeling slightly anxious. \"I w-was teasing you this time?\" And she slightly slumps forward with a slight disappointment. \"Th-thought you catch on.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Uh?\" Raizel stops her little antics as she stares at Mark with another confused look. Her nerves are more calmer now after talking to him for a bit, it did help her stutter a little less, but it didn't stop her from feeling slightly anxious. \"I w-was teasing you this time?\" And she slightly slumps forward with a slight disappointment. \"Th-thought you catch on.\"\n\nMark had called down a bit, but once he came to the realization that she was just teasing him, he blushes and just smiled\n\n\"O-Oh! Haha... You really got me there... Sorry, I'm dumb.\"\n\nMark scratches his head awkwardly" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "She slowly rises on her feet as she brushes the dead leaves from her cargo pants. The animal fang necklace jingled slightly from her moving as she straightens her back. \"I'm going back to-to the school... Do you want me to kill something so-so I can make dinner?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "She slowly rises on her feet as she brushes the dead leaves from her cargo pants. The animal fang necklace jingled slightly from her moving as she straightens her back. \"I'm going back to-to the school... Do you want me to kill something so-so I can make dinner?\"\n\n\"Yeah, I think I should go too... We can walk together!\"\n\nMark smiles, his face immediately getting surprised. Mark shakes his head with a soft gaze\n\n\"N-No... I can make something! I'm a good cook, I think...\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"So... No fresh meat tonight?\" Raizel looks confused. \"L-like what kind of food?\" She seems a bit more chipper when food is brought in. Human food! \"L-Let's walk together, if-if your okay with it?\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"So... No fresh meat tonight?\" Raizel looks confused. \"L-like what kind of food?\" She seems a bit more chipper when food is brought in. Human food! \"L-Let's walk together, if-if your okay with it?\"\n\n\"Yes! I can make you a dish from where I'm from. It will still have meat, though! Maybe eggs and weenie! Its normally used for breakfast, but it would be nice!\"\n\nMark smiles, walking next to her\n\n\"Yes, Id be happy to!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Wait... You cook... A weenie?\" She only heard the slang for weenie from the school which made her concern. 'Sure? Is it... Like a hotdog or... A \|\|p-penus?\|\| Kids says it in another word... Please confirm that its like a hotdog.\"" }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "\"Wait... You cook... A weenie?\" She only heard the slang for weenie from the school which made her concern. 'Sure? Is it... Like a hotdog or... A \|\|t-testical?\|\| Kids says it in another word... Please confirm that its like a hotdog.\"\n\n\"...Yes. It's the sausage. The hotdog.\"\n\nMark facepalms, face going red\n\n\"In Spanish, it is Huevos con Salchicha!\"" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "She nods in serious understanding. The girl wasn't trying to be a troll, it was something that is still trying to grasp humanity. Humanity and its weird slangs, words and food. Rai didn't seem to notice his face turning red while she is focusing on where they're going. \"Huevos... C-con salchicha...?\" Rai pronounced after him." }, { "author": "Mark (Esteban) Dominguez", "message": "She nods in serious understanding. The girl wasn't trying to be a troll, it was something that is still trying to grasp humanity. Humanity and its weird slangs, words and food. Rai didn't seem to notice his face turning red while she is focusing on where they're going. \"Huevos... C-con salchicha...?\" Rai pronounced after him.\n\n\"Yes! My language is Spanish, cause my people are from Mexico.\"\n\nMark walks along. Where would they even eat? Could he access a kitchen?*" }, { "author": "thescythe3354", "message": "\"Oh, far away place... I-I heard its a desert and its hot there,\" Raizel said, not minding the chit-chat. She would eat just about anything as long as her stomach can handle it. At the kitchen, she would show him there and explain some of the school's rules and what they can do in there." } ]	83.5	6,186
162.48	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "bucke1", "message": "I will start out bc this is something I've been thinking Abt now\n\nValio sat against the night sky, drifting against the sounds that coil into an ugly feeling against her ribs. It was a little polluted admittedly but this was as good as she could get. She could see the stars softly fade into dawn, it was such a pretty sight. She watched the cradle, as lively as it was, a void of black dancing in her ears as she watched a cat jump from Amelie's dorm window to the ground the cat in question? She trotted into the woods. \n\nValio's mind fell heavy on her eye, feeling like it bulged from it's socket. A feeling of something moving in the only source of vision she has left makes her nauseous. It's so different from the moonlight staring from her with it's gleeful gaze. \n\nShe leaned back, settling herself against the roof of the cradle. She let her feet swing off in a practiced daze. The gentle hum of her arms, her body, it felt nice. \n\nIt was nicer than whatever was happening, she was just trying to calm down." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esmeralda didn't have much a taste for the roof. Or the Swedish winter. It was Esmes first real cold season in Scandinavia, and it made Manhattan, to her, feel like Hawaii. \n\nBut, she crept onto the roof, a coat pulled tight around her pajamas and a bonnet keeping her curls safe against the weather. She smiled when she saw a familiar, lurking figure leaning back, watching the stars. \n\n\"My love?\" She called, softly, as not to disturb her too much. She padded up behind Valio on gentle footsteps, her phone and a little gift tucked into her coat pockets. \"It's only me. I'm right behind you.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The sound of Esmeralda's voice curled so softly around Valio's heart. Her fingers twitched in habit as much as Valio willed herself stable there was always certain parts of her that sowed a her thoughts of fear physically. \n\nValio smiled, a soft and meek thing as Esme approached. \n\"Esmeralda.\"\nValio said with obvious joy with how she melded each syllable with a excited kick that hit against the concrete wall. She spoke gently, as she always did. She hung off each word Esme said with glee. \n\nShe shoot up right with vigour. \n\"I thought you disliked being outside in this cold.\" \nShe spoke with a tight taste of worry in her throat." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"It's not my preferred way to be,\" She admitted, finishing off her little walk up to Valios side and lingering there. \"But I would rather be cold with you than warm without you.\"\n\nEsme deftly sat down beside her, carefully, settling against the concrete. A bluster of wind came by, and she hid against Vals shoulder. \n\n\"Goodness! Very breezy this evening. How have you been?\" \n\nShe peered up at Val from her arm, a little smile still on her face despite the breeze shuddering her down to her bones. \n\n\"I heard things are settling down in the basement, correct?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio looked surprisingly small with the way she was hunched over. She trapped her fingers with Esme's own. It was warm, it was the feeling of heat that made Valio shrink a little more. To hide against the heat of another like one scared against the ice. \n\n\"I've been thinking, honestly. It's a lot.\"\n\nValio didn't quite feel the cold, she was a gentle warmth after all. She stared at Esme with a thinly veiled concern that warped the air around her mind. \n\n\"Yeah. It exploded from what I remember, though I am still plenty scared.\"\n\nThe promise of snow seemed to only make Valio's worries worse." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Thinking about what?\" She asked, rubbing her thumb over the back of Valios hand. \"I'd love to hear any of your thoughts you'll share with me.\"\n\nShe remembered the days she spent encased in crystal, the stiffness that still holds her joints in place sometimes, the way she scrubbed at her hands and her arms until they were nearly raw just to try and get the gemstones to finally leave her alone. \n\nHer gaze zoned out for just a moment, before she came back to. \n\n\"Scared?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio just held Esme's hand, looking at it as if it was a savior within the dark. She didn't say anything, the sound of the wind filling her with a visceral feeling of something empty. \n\nEveryone is having it rough and her mind is skewed in so many places, she dosent want anybody to be alone. Not being there is just a violent fear for her. Just sitting there getting a grasp on herself while Esmeralda was in a crystal. If she was there she could've done better.\n\nShe always has to do better. \n\n\"Always. I am terrified so often.\"\n\nThe air around her bleeds into a heat that coils like a snake in the frost-like air. \n\n\"I was terrified that I had lost you. And others.\"\n\nJust like you lost her Valio.\nYou promised yourself to never let it happen again, you broke it. \nValio frowns." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"But you try so hard,\" Esme said. \"That must count for something, doesn't it?\" \n\nShe blinked, once, twice, watching her beloved in the muted security lights hanging over the campus. Valios expressions were often unreadable, until she finally cracked a smile, or her brow furrowed in discontent. \n\n\"It wasn't your fault any of this happened - or your fault any of this is still happening now. You are such a kind person - you care so much. I do not blame you at all.\" \n\nShe squeezed Vals hand again, looking up at her, imploring a gaze in return. \n\n\"Do not take on the world - even Atlas could only hold it for so long.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"I don't know...\"\n\nValio was drowning in static, how it crunched in her ear left her feeling disgusted. Wading through a sea of muck and rot. Ever the thing that covers itself out of fear. \n\nValio looked at Esmeralda, she felt as though there was steam coming off from her. The sound of humming that bursts in her ears so loud. \nValio looked as though she was merely echoing through water. \n\n\"Mythology? Really?\" \n\nA small laugh that was muffled passed through the air. Her lips parted as if going to say something, looking somewhere else for a second and then she smiles at Esme. \n\n\"You're so cheesy. How are you that cheesy.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"It's a talent!\" She chirped, cuddling closer to Valio's arm and holding onto it. \"And - well, I haven't much to do around here, except read, be afraid of the horrors, and fawn over you, so I suppose you could say my expertise in Greek stories has improved!\"\n\nShe looked up at the stars.\n\n\"There's so many out here - stars! Back home, I never saw any - except, maybe one or two, on a very clear night. I wish I knew any of them.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio's face morphed into something akin to a scrunch but due to the scars it looked more like she was trying to remove her features. \n\"You're more than that. You've helped plenty of people, hatsume would willingly vouch for me.\" \nValio looks confused for an odd moment.\n\"Why particularly Greek stories?\"\n\nValio didn't stare up at the sky for she has done that enough. She was looking at the sky's reflection in Esmeralda's eyes, and how they shined brighter than any star on a clear night. \n\"I know enough. Dare I say I've found one I never knew about myself.\" \nValio spoke with awe lacing her tone." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"I'm not sure,\" Esme shrugged - \"I know a lot of Mexican folklore stories, my mother is from Baja California, you know. I suppose I just wanted to branch out a bit - plus, we are in... More Scandinavia than Europe, I think? If there is a difference.\"\n\nShe was rambling just a bit, head tilting side to side as she went between her different points. \n\n\"Besides! When I get home, I'll probably go to college somewhere with some vague Greek inspiration. Might as well read on it now! My father was in some frat back in, oh, goodness, Virginia? I'm not sure. My mother said it wasn't fit, but, she's got all sorts of opinions on what is fit - Oh!\"\n\nEsme paused her ramblings with a deep flush of pink striking her cheeks. A smile pulled on her face, the awe just on the edge of Val's tone. Val had a way of looking at her like she pulled Selene's grand chariot itself, as if the moonlight over the Swedish winter was in Esme's very hands. It was humbling, and deifying, all at once.\n\nDespite everything she had ever done, and all the wealth she had been born into, Esme would surely trade it for another moment here with Val, beneath the stars.\n\n\"You did?\" She asked, her voice softer than just a moment ago. \"Which one did you find?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "\"You'll have to tell me them sometime.\" \nSpoken gruffly, but still like it danced within shadows and enclosed spaces. Unbefitting of someone of Valio's stature. She knew her lessons.\n\nValio only listened to Esme with apt attention, she loved listening to others speak. She tells so many tales of her own she finds it amazing when others speak of their own, better if it's woven with their interests. \n\nValio took her hand not preoccupied by Esme's own, to gently place it on Esmeralda's face softly. Valio was ever diligent about touch, being so feather light that you almost couldn't feel it. She was scared of hurting others. \n\n\"You wouldn't believe me but...\" She trailed off, her thumb caressing Esme's cheek. Her hand dropped and she looked away from Esme back to the stars. Valio faces the wind and the light that is shown so brightly above her with a joyous gaze. \n\n\"I found You, Esmeralda.\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme's eyes widened, just a little, in the kind of softest surprise. She leaned into Valio's hand, her smile growing as the surprise fell away. Small was the laugh, like spun sugar cowlicks wafting off the conversation as Esme reached out, her fingertips brushing the faintest edges of Valio's jawbone. Her heart thudded in her chest, but, she held no fear. \n\n\"I believe you,\" She answered, her voice light. \"But can you believe me, too? Please? My rose, you are so kind - you're the sweetest person I've ever known, I think. I haven't ever met a more selfless, brave person - everyone here should be happy that they've even, even Met You, much less been your friend. I know your friends have to know that, I know it, everyone does. You take care of everyone - and I really hope this doesn't offend you, Cara mia, But I want to take care of you, too. You deserve it - you've been through too much.\"\n\nTears shone on her brown eyes, and she blinked them away as the feeling rose in her chest. \n\n\"I don't know where you'll end up - I really don't. I just know I love you as much as I can. Is that enough? Can you trust me with that?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio didn't move to Esme's touch, she couldn't feel it at all. It felt like Valio was miles away when she wasn't at all, it was frustrating as it was slightly relieving. It was a thin line painted in gleaming red that Valio stood on. Odd enough. \n\nValio was stunned into silence at the besotted ringing of Esmeralda's voice. Her tongue pressed against her teeth, how the sound of her voice swam with bright effervescent colour that Valio couldn't even dream about. \n\nValio hummed, looking at their hands held together so tightly. They at least look tight together, she wasn't sure. \n\n\"That's enough.\"\nValio says but there's uncertainty that clogs her thoughts, it makes everything less than clear. \n\".....I hope so.\" \n\nAgain. Uncertainty. She was scared." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"You look afraid,\" Esme told her. Her voice barely fanned a candle flame, fingertips brushing Valio's face. \"I hope it's not because of me.\"\n\nShe leaned just a hair closer to Val, tilting her head just a little, light flickering out of her dark eyes. \n\n\"What do you want, my dandelion? I'd give you the world - you know that, right? Just tell me and it's yours.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "The huntress said nothing, looking like a wild animal caught by prying eyes and sound. Mere inches apart and delving into curious territory while the air filled with uncertain love. So close, the air between them both electric and yet so very much cold. \n\nThe light of the moon shining onto Valio's eye showing how the pupil was warped, gleefully shining on her mistakes. \n\nValio leaned forward and rested her head into the crook of Esmeralda's neck, her lips just shy of skin. \nShe speaks almost inaudibly, cowardice from a strong woman. \n\n\"Can you show me? What it means to be your world?\"" }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "\"Of course I can,\" She answered. She rested a hand on the back of Valio's head, combing her fingers through her hair. Esme rested her head on Val's, closing her eyes to the sounds of light ambience from afar. \n\n\"You will have to be patient with me, I think,\" Whispered Esme. \"I haven't loved as I've loved in a while - though, I do count my friends - I'm awful at articulating. I hope you know what I mean. But I care about you! You are... Jee. I don't know where to start, really, isn't that terrible?\"\n\nEsme looked out at the world as she spoke, as if the silent campus could give her the words she fumbled over. She almost giggled as she spoke, something like nerves tingling her cheeks in embarassment.\n\n\"There aren't a lot of people who care about me like you do - there never has been. I don't know how to explain to you what it means to me without stammering, and faltering - and we can't have that, can we?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio just wrapped her arms around Esme, holding her loose just enough for Esmeralda to just slip away if she so wished. To be loved is something they both knew so little about, she felt denuded. \n\nShe just sat there holding Esme. Not answering her. The stars slowly fading to dawn, it's fickle light dancing it's last before the closest star showed it's warmth that the ones so far away could not. \n\nShe didn't know what to do, so she gave warmth. Something familiar, something close." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme slipped just out of her arms, just far enough, to lean over and give Valio a kiss on the cheek. She curled back against her in contentment.\n\n\"You're very warm. I think that's why I always sleep so well beside you.\"\n\nShe rambled off into some tangent, murmuring about her bed at home, and how warm it was, but Val was more comfortable all the same. Valio gave her the space to just Be And she loved that. She closed her eyes again, the rambling almost breakinig off into fragmented sentences. \n\n\"I think I love you. Is that alright?\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio felt the kiss just slightly, the feeling of Esme's lips on ragged and scarred flesh just gently pushing into a soft plush of something light. The dew-like touch of Esmeralda, addicting yet... Oh Valio was all too drowsy to chase. Tripping and falling onto a fine sheet of snow, curling into it's waiting cold. \n\nCurled against Esme like one was to hold onto something so prized like the answer to life itself. The Air seemed to shiver and falter with the heat of Valio. Pressed against Esme enough to crease the clothes against her skin. \n\nThere was no blizzard within the mind of Valio Adjuk at the moment, for there was just the sky meeting her skin. The words Esme spoke were quiet, barely heard and sticky from emotions withered through tongue. The cold nips at her fingers, her voice small and falling like dust through the cords in her throat.\n\n\"ᵢ ₜₕᵢₙₖ ₛₒ?\"\n\nShe closes her eye, and falls asleep in the cold. Her fingers now curled against the fabric of Esmeralda's clothing, clasped in it's worn leather. There was a small chattering of Valio's fingers before what was once a slightly annoying humm of electricity, soft and weak against the brilliant pillar of Esmeralda." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme fell into giggles, happily cuddling herself against her girlfriend and laying her head against her arm. Valio's little words and nervous fidgets were almost cute, so out of place for someone usually so sure and confident. It, she thought, made them about even - Esme found herself in much the same place when she thought about Val. She never knew much what to say - and often found her own words inadequate.\n\n\"That's okay,\" She said, \"I'm not sure either. I'm not sure about a lot of things but I'm - I'm alright with that! I think I can handle it, as long as we're together.\"\n\nShe leaned over, and quickly pecked Val on the cheek again, landing back into a giggly puddle. \n\n\"I'm always a little nervous, too, you know, with you. I always hope I'm doing things right. I hope that's okay.\"" }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "Valio was floating, within her own mind. She smiled against Esme whilst hoping this moment could last. Like a wee dream Valio was holding onto. She found herself left lost in a river of laughter. \n\nValio felt so light, so happy and a delusional mess. She felt as if nothing bad had happened, oh if she was strong enough to protect everyone. \n\n\"ᵧₑₐₕ. ᵃˡʷᵃʸˢ.\"\n\nShe words floated against Esme's skin like a gentle promise. Valio was going to keep it." }, { "author": "frog.ponds", "message": "Esme let her head rest where it was, content, and a bit loopy herself. \n\nOnce, as a child, she'd stood at the counter of a candy shop near Times Square. She hadn't been tall enough to see over the glass container, but she remembered it, the dizzying smell of warm, fresh chocolate, intricate golden leaves and strawberries all in little bowls and plates. \n\nThis reminded her of that day, the ease of which everything came, the giggly blunder in which it left her. She hoped it would stay, if just for a little while longer." }, { "author": "bucke1", "message": "————————(THANKIE)————" } ]	143	4,062
357.618182	1776-07-04	GuildPublicThread	[ { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The gardens are bitter cold, and though it isnt snowing today, it is cold enough to drive most people inside... Pythia is the one exception. He likes to spend time outside in the cold. It sent everyone else inside, meaning that for once the world was always clear and free of the darkness that surrounded everyone else. He is sitting on a bench, with a thick blanket wrapped around his body. Underneath he wore a heavy sweater and pants to keep out the chill. He may like the effect the cold brings to the world... But that doesnt mean that he likes the feeling of freezing half to death. He watches the gardens, tracing the falling of leaves with his powers. He watches their most probable future, a trail showing where it will be as it curves and swirls through the air. He has the blanket wrapped around his shoulders, his head burried in it so the upper half of his head pokes out. The rest of his body us curled up under the blanket, his arms wrapped around his legs. His snow white hair and skin stand out as his silvery eyes watch the gardens intently." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita had been walking the edges of the building, learning locations slowly. A bench here, camera there, overgrown grass, ways out. \nThere was a solemn silence that had fallen calmly over the world, as though everything was being held in place. A soft breeze blew against Nikita. He knew it was cold, but there was no need to acknowledge it beyond his insulated denim jacket. It wasn't uncomfortable, and Nikita was familiar with the cold. It was always there for him when others were not. \n\nHe listened to the sounds of his boots against the grass, enjoying the occasional crunch of leaves or frost. \n\nWhen he turned the next corner, a head of white stood out against the surrounding green. \n\nA student, he assumed. \n\nThere was a short rush of energy, something telling Nikita that he should leave. But he was here to be better, and that has to start somewhere outside of talking online. \n\nThe ginger drew in a deep breath, and exhaled as he began to walk. He didn't even know how he was going to do this, how in the world he could make a better impression than all the ones he had before. \n\n\"Hi.\" He croaked, sounding weak. His throat ached from misuse with even one word, like it would close up and he'd never speak again. But he forced himself to continue, to not let the awkward air consume him whole. \"It's a lovely day, but aren't you cold?\" He managed, taking note of the boy who held himself closely, wrapped up in a blanket and warm clothes. \n\nThere was some genuine concern, but it was mostly a means of conversation. \n\nNikita began to fidget with a rock he had thrown into his pocket, using it to keep him sane during moments of silence." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia heard the crunch of Nikita's boots in the snow and turned his head. Nikita would see that Pythia looked... In his direction, but he didnt look at Nikita directly. It was obvious that he was trying to, the way he fixed his gaze made that clear... But his aim was off by about a foot and a half, and he ended up looking above Nikita by a good few inches. It was a strange effect, to Nikita's eyes looking like Pythia could see... Just that he couldnt see Nikita.\n\nOf course in Pythia's world it is a different story. He looks into the darkness, the cloud of thousands of possible futures which all overlap. It creates a constantly moving, swirling storm of silhouettes and paths that surrounded everyone. Pythia could collapse it, breaking the futures down to the few most likely... But that was taxing on his mind, and he just wanted to relax. His breath puffed out infront of him as he \"Looked at\" Nikita.\n\nThe other boy was... Like him? He knew how it felt to have your throat close up, the effect of not speaking for weeks or even months on end. It reminded him of a dark place in his life... A time of pure isolation, terrified of the futures that he saw, thinking his powers to be some disorder wreaking havoc with his mind. There was a moment of connection, between two people who had spent large swaths of their time completely alone. \"H... H-hi\" Pythia stuttered, his tone slightly similar to Nikita's. There is a long pause between them speaking. \n\n\"I... Like t... To see the garden w... When it isnt c-crowded. I... D... Dont handle crowds w-well. And... T... The garden cant be e... Enjoyed from a window. Y-you h... Have to me out among it. ... ... ... ... ... It... B... Beats the darkness\" He says softly, adding that last bit after a few seconds of pause. Finally he musters the will to activate his ability, wanting to try to see the other boy.\n\nSuddenly, his eyes snap into focus on Nikita's. They stare at eachother for a moment, Pythia's piercing silver eyes curious, as he slightly tilts his head to the side. After a moment a small blush rises on his face and he looks down" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "The sudden eye contact catches Nikita off guard for a moment, his dirty yellow eyes feel so small in comparison to the bright silver ones staring back at him. There was something captivating there. He wouldn't mind staring longer, but he watches as the boy turns away. \n\nNikita can't hold back the soft smile that plays over the ends of his lips. He knew that feeling of timid curiosity far too well, thinking back to short moments of his childhood that held memories of two apprehensive children trying to become friends. \n\nThen, his attempts were always met with some kind of failure in one way or another. \n\nHe can change that now, he decides. \n\nThere's a kinship somewhere between these two, even dense Nikita can understand that. Only lonely fools would confine themselves these cold winter days outside. \n\nHe takes no note of the silver-haired boy's broken and sputtering speech. Instead he looks out over the garden to admire with him. \"I know that feeling.\" He says simply before turning back. His voice feels slightly freer, his tongue a little looser. A small surge of confidence, maybe. \n\n\"I used to escape out into the woods as a kid. It felt like freedom, though I suppose I've always been free.\" He laughs a little at the end, trying to sound lighthearted. He fears he's already talking too much, sharing pieces of himself that this boy doesn't want to take. \nBut he continues, pushing past the swelling doubt in his chest. \"Pictures, distant looks, they're never as real as experiencing nature for yourself. This garden is pretty, too, so I get it.\"\n\nHe offers another smile, slightly more apparent than the last. It's a little forced, yellow teeth peeking from behind soft lips. \"May I sit with you?\" He points to the bench, swaying a little to one side." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia smiles softly, listening as Nikita starts to speak. He had never done something like that... But he would be lying if he said he hadnt considered it... Running away, without people to blind him, it would be like a dream coming true ... Thankfully he realized how little he could care for himself on his own before trying, and taking that first step always proved impossible. He senses the kinship, what could easily become the start of a friendship. He nods in response to Nikita's question, scooting slightly to the left on the bench to give the other boy room to sit down. \n\n\"I.. Never did something like that... Well... I-i ran once, w... When it was the worst... But that w... Was a o... One time thing. Im... Not built f-for the wild. I like b... Blankets and beds far too much\" He says with a soft smile. Even though he still stuttered (half of it came from the cold, but the other half was still his anxiety), he found the other boy much easier to speak to than most. He looked over at him, and Nikita would notice something strange...\n\nSometimes he looked ahead of Nikita, particularly when he was swaying. His eyes wouldnt follow the boy as he swayed, but moved ahead of him... As if he could see where Nikita would be in a few seconds. Of course, to Pythia's eyes he actually could see this, and subconsciously flipped between watching Nikita's present and his future... Though as his head began to ache he needed to refocus on his powers.\n\nSuddenly, he looses focus completely, his gaze breaking and drifting. Since he was looking at Nikita when it broke his aim is alright, but it quickly gets worse the longer time passes, and when Nikita moves Pythia's gaze has an obviously hard time following.\n\nTo Pythia's eyes the other boy exploded with shadows, and he was close enough that Pythia was engulphed. Around him he could see motion in the darkness, shadows racing past him, showing him everything the other boy could do. They were so blurred together that it was impossible to see at all. Sometimes he could get impressions from the shadows, like if a person was overwhelmingly likely to do something he could sense that... But such wasnt the case here. He saw everything overlapping so much he could see nothing, and he was used to it. Though the effect of him looking Nikita in the eyes before suddenly losing focus would be strange." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita couldn't stifle the snort that escaped him. \"Trust me, I never strayed too far from my bed back home.\" He turned to sit beside the boy. \n\nTaking a few shy glances at the other's silvery eyes, he noticed what seemed to be some kind of delay. For the time being, Nikita decided he would chalk that up to bad vision and maybe ask later. He didn't want to be too intrusive, after all. He can understand that a lot of people here have different soft spots that he didn't want to disturb. \n\nHe tried to play it off, not wanting the boy to be self conscious about anything. He continued conversation. \"I'm Nikita, by the way.\" He said, looking away now to admire the winter scenery. \n\nThis was supposed to be his time of year. Winters had always been fun, but this one he got sent to some strange school he'd never even heard of in a country he hadn't been to since he was a toddler. To say the least, it was all new and frightening. \nBut he was grateful for the school's seclusion- he didn't have to worry entirely about normal people or society. This place was meant for people like him, so if he couldn't make a few friends here then where would he? \n\nNewton's Cradle was an opportunity to grow, so there he was. A boy who had pushed everyone so far away throughout his childhood that he was sent to some school for mishaps to learn to be a person; a boy who had built a life around solitude, was sitting on a bench trying to make a friend. \nNikita might laugh if he truly stood back to grapple with the situation he'd gotten himself in, but he was good at ignoring things, and so he ignored the facts of his own life for the time. Maybe he could pretend he was really good at making friends, maybe that would make things easier. \nIt wasn't like he was having a bad time, after all. Beside how awkward and forceful his words felt, he did enjoy the company he found himself at some base level. \n.\n\nHe took a few reserved glances at the boy still, trying to understand what exactly he was feeling. He was making sure to sit still, so that the other didn't have to strain to keep trying to follow Nikita with his eyes." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia was totally blind now, and Nikita would notice from the way his eyes failed to focus on anything. \"M... My name is P... Pythia\" He says softly, putting the other boy's name to heart. He cant really tell when he is since he cant see anything, so he just looks roughly in Nikita's direction as not to seem rude. Nikita would probably think that Pythia had seen something over his shoulder, but again he isnt looking at anything. He had settled into the cradle a fair bit, though it was still overwhelming at times... He had been getting alot better. He settled down further into the blanket, covering his ears and nose with the blanket to stay warm. It slightly muffles his voice, but he can still be heard fairly easily.\n\n\"S... So um... W... What can you d... Do?\" He asks \"I... I mean, y... You must have like... P... Powers of some kind t-to come here. Um... Y... You dont have to s... Say if you dont want to... A... Actually um i... Ill go first i guess\" He says, blushing slightly under the blanket, the pink glow barely visible to Nikita. \"I... See things. Futures, o... Or more accurately possible f... Futures. Things t... That could h... Happen. For objects i... Its easy. Unless i... Its something r... Really strange, their f... Future is decided by physics a... And they have only one shadow. Oh! Um... I see the futures as shadows... Silhouettes... Though thats not exactly accurate, it is more like their paths. B... But yea, objects just have o... One... Or maybe they have a... A ton, but they are all so close t... Together it only looks like one. I... Im not sure. People have a ton t... Though. You could do so many things in t... The next three seconds, a... And I s... See all of them. A single shadow... O... Or path of shadows... Is translucent, so it doesnt impede my vision t... That much. But you have thousands, m... Maybe hundreads of t... Thousands... ... S... So... Um, i cant s... See you unless I focus with my powers, collapsing them into the few most likely options.\"\n\n_ _\nHe takes a second to breath before continuing. \"I... I see p... People as clouds, and if I enter one i... Im blinded by it. I... I cant see right now, I... I just see a swirling d... Darkness.. Its fine t... Though! Im more than used t... To it now. I... It used to r... Really scare me. It is the reason I i... Isolated myself... My parents first t... Thought it was some kind o... Of condition like schizophrenia... E... Especially since I... I would freak o... Out whenever anyone got close to me.\" He sighs softly... Then blinks in surprise as he realizes he was going into TMI territory, his blush deepening as he didnt really mean to trauma dump. \"B... B..But y... Y..Yea! T... Thats me!\" He says with an awkward laugh." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita tensed at the mentions of powers. He felt his jaw clench, his shoulders go stiff, and his eyes stopped their cautious glances over to Pythia. He had almost forgotten that part about the facility. It was a part he wouldn't mind forgetting. \n\nThere was a rush of thoughts he pushed down. Memories too painful for the current calm of the moment. He focused, instead, on the second aspect of his powers as he prepared what he would say. \n\nHe listened dutifully, thinking carefully about what he was going to say- as if he were under investigation. \nBut his own thoughts slipped from him as he listened intently, softening more visibly when he realized the inconvenience he was causing. \"If you're scared, or even a little uncomfortable, I can sit on the ground a few feet away? I really don't mind.\" He tries, making sure Pythia knows it's okay with him. \n\nHe felt a little obligated to share, though there was one side he didn't mind people knowing about. He could share that much, at least. \"And, uhm, I can change my internal temperature. Well, only to be colder. I can't heat up well. But it's fine! I don't really feel cold, either. So it works. Not that big a deal, really.\" Nikita blabbed, speaking almost too fast for comfort. His words stumble clumsily into each other, making it hard to read any tone behind his rambling. \n\nHe wasn't ready to present the truth of his existence to anyone, not yet. When the boys back home found out, he was quickly seen as some kind of monster. He couldn't let that happen here. Nikita refused to be admired as an object of novelty and fear. He would be seen for the person he was, even if he was still looking for that person himself." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"N... No you are f... Fine! I worked a... Alot with my therapist a... About being comfortable w... With the darkness. It.. I... It cant hurt me like sometimes I think it can, and it can actually be peaceful s... Sometimes... When I s... Stop focusing on the shapes and they all blend together, i... It looks like a swirling mirage right infront of my eyes. S... So im fine w... With you there. If I... I need to see I can focus\" He says softlly, before listening as Nikita explains his power. In the back of his mind he thinks that there must be more. His powers had a slightly more visible effect, and that was how the cradle had found him. It had to be more than body temperature regulation... But... He wouldnt pry. He may say some things without thinking, but that would be too far even for him. Nikita must have a reason for not sharing afterall. So he didnt mind, and the curiosity only picked slightly at his mind. \n\n\"S... So... You d... Dont get cold? D... Do you still get like... Frostbite a... And stuff? Or does the cold j... Just not even effect you?\" He asks softly. \"O... Oh! And how c... Cold can you make your body? C... Could you like... Freeze s... Something by touching it?\" He adds, contemplating the other boy's power." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "A little suddenly, there was an unexpected proudness in this power with Pythia asking his questions. He didn't feel like it was such a burden here as it had been in so many other places. People could freely express themselves here, after all. Nikita was sure some even liked to brag about their powers. \n\nHe doesn't stop the smile growing on his face as he talks. \"Nope, no effect at all! The only way to freeze me is in a big block of ice, and even then the cold wouldn't be the thing bothering me.\" He explains, almost excitedly. \"As for how cold, I've never exactly tested the limits but I know it's cold enough that it can hurt people if I try. But I try not to use it for that. It's actually a fun party trick! I can freeze most alcohol, if that gives you any picture.\" Nikita leans back a little, shifting to get more comfortable. He says it's a party trick as if he's been to a thousand. In truth, he doesn't know how others would react to that. \nObviously freezing liquids is easy, and expected of someone with winter related powers, so maybe it isn't all that impressive. But Nikita likes the idea of being interesting, an oddity people take a curiosity to. If he sounds more confident about his powers, maybe other people will like them too. \n\nBut of course, he had his own questions. \n\n\"But your vision, is it kind of like a fog? I think I can imagine it.\" He says, closing his eyes for a moment. He tries to think of swirling clouds and water. \"I think it might be pretty, to see the world like that.\" He says this as a sort of compliment. Nikita hoped that Pythia took a liking to a power, hoped that he was a little better than him. \"I'm glad it doesn't cause you pain any longer, for the record. How long have you been here?\" He asked, trading questions with Pythia like a couple of kids. Nikita was genuinely curious how long the pale boy had been attending the facility. He had no idea how long he would be there, since each attendee was a case-by-case problem.\n\nMaybe Pythia could give him an idea, a time frame. A few months? A few years? Nikita had no clue. Not that there was much to return to. But he wouldn't dwell too much in the future beyond simple curiosities." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "He considers it, tilting his head slightly. \"W... What about magnets? Have you tried supercooling magnets? Y... Y..You may be able t... To make a... A lot of money d... Doing that. I... Is it limited to your touch or can you do it over an area?\" He asks, pausing for a bit as Nikita asks his own questions about his powers.\n\n\"I... Its not like that. I... I can see j... Just fine... Its m... More like... Like i... Imagine a person, about t... Ten feet away from you. Now imagine a... A cloud of shadows, not spherical... Kinda flat ish.. L... Like a squished circle, was obscuring them... About... A... A five foot radius. Think o... Of that dark cloud swirling, so black you c... Cant see through it, and that is w... What my powers are like. W... When I focus on them they collapse back inwards, the cloud shrinking and r... Revealing the most likely future. It isnt always t... The true future... Particularly because o... Of this one trick. I... If someone sees how I a... Anticipate their movements, a... And then reacts to my a... Anticipation, then their future splits.\" He explains in a quiet voice. \"O... Oh, and a few months... Though I... I spent most of that time in my r... Room its... Gotten too dark for me l... Lately\" He says quietly, with the slight hint at the darkness that resided in his mind.\n\nThe other boy was interesting... Maybe he wasnt hiding something. If he could freeze alot of stuff, then he could get caught pretty easily. Pythia imagined him sticking his hands into a lake and then freezing large sections of it... And it was easy to see how he could get caught. He probably wasnt hiding anything then. It was cool to see how both of them came out of their shells and talked alot more around eachother. Pythia was saying more at once than he had in his first few weeks at the cradle!." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita nods as Pythia describes his abilities. He thinks for a moment, before deciding what to say. Because what should he say? He never seemed to know, especially about the paranormal. \"It sounds helpful, but difficult all at once.\" He says. Not a compliment, not an insult, an observation. He says it flatly, to not sound rude. \n\n\"As for me, I've never tried freezing magnets- never thought to, I guess. And, yeah, it's only things that I can touch. Cups of water are fine, but entire lakes are difficult. Oh! But this one time, I was deep in the woods one day and I wanted to cross this lake to go further. Instead of going around, I froze the water under me as I walked. It was difficult, keeping balance, but fun. I ended up soaked, though.\" He reminisces, remembering a few dumb adventures of this nature. There's a smile he can't shake. \n\nHe's never related to anyone his age, or many people for that matter. The list of people he got along with consisted of one person before today, now he was babbling on about himself like it was the last time he'd ever speak. His voice was sore from speaking already, but he kept at it without regard. He liked talking to Pythia. \n\nMaybe he liked talking. \n\nThe thought was almost scary, being so open with people. He knew loss too well. He might gain a friend now, but how long until this happiness was gone? How long until Pythia decided he was bored of Nikita? Is companionship worth all the pain it comes with? \nThe doubtful questions began to burn the more he talked. A silent urge to leave continued to creep closer to him. \nBut he stood his ground against himself. This was the first person he had talked to outside of obligation in years, if he had to think about it. He wouldn't run, not when he was so close to something real. \n\n.\n\n\"So, what exactly do you do for fun? Any hobbies?\" He hums, intrigue obvious at the back of his voice. If he was going to be friends with Pythia, he wanted to know what the boy liked to do in his free time so they weren't bored. \n\nThat's something about Nikita. He can't stand boredom. He's always moving, always doing something. Though there is a more justified reason for his fidgety nature beside just being jittery. It was something the administrators referred to as a \"Quirk\", something inconvenient to most. For Nikita, it could get dangerous. But he had learned, or rather is actively trying to learn, how to better manage this aspect about himself. \nTo do so, he needs to be active. But he'd rather do something that Pythia wants to, rather than his own hobbies that he was used to doing alone." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "\"It... Is a boon a... And a bane, it is i... Interesting, and I love using it but... It makes t... Things hard sometimes. Im... Not sure if i would give them up now. In my youth, i... I would have gotten rid of them in a heartbeat but... I... I have gotten so accustomed to them it would be weird to not see the futures of objects.\" He says quietly, a bit of melancholy in his voice.\n\nPythia listened with interest. They had spent a bit of time looking into things like physics, and knew that a supercooled magnet could do a lot of weird things... He listened to the story and smiled at it, feeling the smile in Nikita's voice. As Nikita asked about his hobbies, he took a moment to consider it. \"N... Not alot I guess. I like to read a... And stuff. Computers a... Act a bit weirdly around my powers, so I dont use them a lot. I like to do physical stuff sometimes... I... I have tried b... Boxing a bit... Mostly just this one piece of equiptment. It is a pole w... With a bit you punch a... At the top. I like w... Weaving around it, watching its f... Future. For that reason I also l... Like juggling, coin rolling, a... And pen spinning! I... I kinda cheat since i... I know where they will be, but its fun.\" He says with a soft smile. Pythia doesnt really have a ton of plans for the future... That scars him but... He is okay just taking one day at a time, learning how to live as he goes. He doesnt know where he will go after the cradle, but he believes in himself enough to trust he will figure it out. \n\n\"W... What about you?\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "\"Juggling huh? That's one you don't hear often.\" He chuckled a bit. \"Maybe you can teach me?\" Nikita suggests half-heartedly. He'd probably just drop them all, in truth, but he wouldn't mind giving it a try. \n\nHe nods when it's his turn to talk. \"As for me, I'm a big nature guy. I usually explore the woods around here when I can, but it's a little difficult getting around.\" He shrugs, glancing over the frosted over landscape. He was glad for the lush scenery here that the rest of the world had lost for winter. He could pretend he was talking to the plants rather than a living person who could easily judge him. \n\"When I'm not exploring, I'm drawing, writing, singing, all that jazz. I'd do just about anything to keep me occupied, which has started a lot of hobbies I never really knew I liked.\" He explains lightly, trying to relax his voice a bit more. \n\n\"Maybe you would like guitar strings? Watching them vibrate and stuff. I've seen what they look like slightly slowed down, it's really cool. They wobble a lot more than I realize.\" He tries, not fully grasping Pythia's power but hoping he's being somewhat smart about it. Though brain power was never something Nakita really had, except for trivial knowledge that only he really needed." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nodded softly. He wasnt a big fan of nature... He liked modern comforts way too much to go into the woods for a long time. But he still understood the appeal of it, being able to go out into the wild and go anywhere, just kinda... Walking around. It seemed cool for those who would like it, though for Pythia just a garden was enough. The other hobbies were cool, he was particularly interested by singing. He liked to do it sometimes, but had never sang infront of people before, and didnt end tend to mention it since... Well people tended to ask more if you volunteered that kind of info.\n\n\"A... All of those s.Sound really nice! And... I... Im not sure? If anything, t... Thats kinda like how my powers look. The slightly transparent shape is l... Like what my futures look like... Atleast i think. I... I cant see it without my futures, but it doesnt look like it changes it that much. S... So i think they look similarly.\" He says with a soft smile.\n\n\"How l... Long have you been at the cradle?\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita nods, falling into the lull of conversation. It didn't feel so forced, trying to come up with things to say, and the silence wasn't so awkward. \n\n\"I've been here three days now. I've mostly been keeping to myself when I can, but I'm trying to be more open. It's mostly the reason I came up to you, actually.\" He said with transparency, shedding a bit more light on his strange appearance next to Pythia. \"It's been one hell of a trip, I must say.\" He says, sounding significantly more tired than he did a few seconds ago. \n\n\"I felt like I hadn't slept for months, and everything was just going so fast. But now it all feels slow, you know?\" He looks over to Pythia, knowing he can't really see him. He examines his features more closely and without much fear now. They're both of similar stature, with Nikita only having a few inches over him in height from what he could tell. Though, Nikita was significantly more toned. Where skin gave way to bones on Pythia, there was a defined amount of muscle over his own bones- lean like those of a cat. His time spent in nature was easily noticeable. \n\nHe continues his sentiment from before, reflecting over the past week. \"It really sucked, honestly. I thought I would hate it here. But now that I'm actually here I think I enjoy it. I don't feel so judged here. Like, I know everyone has issues and that just makes me feel a little less alone.\" He describes, trying to convey his feelings of both melancholy and excitement for days to come." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nods softly in response, understanding blooming in his eyes. His first few days had been really hard, he hadnt left his room for more than three minutes at a tine for like... A month or two. It wasnt before meeting Penelope that he started to come out of his shell a little bit, and since then he had met more and more people... Though some like Yari still made him shiver \"M... My first few days w... Werent the easiest... And the a... Anticipation of coming here had killed me. I... I spent the first three days in bed, l... Living off of whatever s... Snacks and stuff I had taken with me. After that i... I only left my room to grab food really. It took my therapist aaaaages o... Of talking on the phone t... To get me to go out to a... A public space, and w... We chose this garden.\" He adds with a smile.\n\n\"I... I hope you c... Can also find a... A space like that. It h... Helped me alot\" He says, his smile warm and genuine. Pythia was indeed scrawnier than Nikita, though he wasnt exactly skin and bone... He was pretty close. His \"Training\" Didnt really build any muscles besides his reflexes. Hell, in a true fight if Pythia was ever grappled he would be taken out almost immediately. His powers let him react before his enemies even moved, but if he couldnt dodge he was basically useless.\n\n\"T... The people here are really nice. Um.. T... The only person i've met who im not sure about is... A s... Special case. But e... Everyone i... I have met o... Other than her is really sweet!\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita let Pythia take his time, and allowed himself to recover and think in his own moments of silence. There was an ease that came over Nikita when talking to Pythia, something that made him feel softer, and the world felt gentler. \n\nBut, despite his enjoyment, he felt the strain in his throat when he talked. He wondered if Pythia felt the same discomfort in his voice. \n\nSure, Nikita often sang softly to himself, but the drawn out words and hums were much easier than this. It felt like there were almost too many syllables, too many changes being made all at once as he spoke. \n\nAnd then there was the subject matter. He found this a bit easier. His mind had been confined to loneliness, and it leapt from its imprisonment the moment it got the chance. Nikita's head felt full, ready to pour over and express all too much at once. But his throat and mouth were a filter that only let the important thoughts through. He was thankful for that, at least. \n\n\"I hope I can find a space here with everyone. I don't mind leaving. In fact, I'd much rather be out. That's the problem, I guess.\" He shrugged. Nikita and Pythia were so similar, yet opposites in this. Nikita couldn't stay still, and it seemed Pythia had trouble moving forward. \n\nNikita felt a twinge of anger poke at him at the mention of Pythia's bad experience. Anger was something unshakable once it caught on him; like a tick on a dog. It was unceasing, once it started. So he didn't let it get there. \"I hope that person doesn't hinder your experience.\" He managed flatly. How could anyone be mean to such a pure being? \nBut he pushed his thoughts down again, remaining level-headed. \"At least the others you've met have been nice.\" Nikita nods, deciding to look at the cup half full." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia didnt really feel discomfort in his voice. Sure it was sore sometimes after he didnt talk for awhile, but that usually faded... Thankfully he wasnt uncomfortable with his actual voice or he might never end up speaking. The two of them were similar in many ways, but they were still different people, and it shone in a few specific areas.\n\n\"I... Im sure you will, a... And if you like b... Being out it wont take you any time to make way more f... Friends!\" He says with a smile. Then as Nikita adds that last part he looks a bit aghast. \"O... Oh! She isnt mean! I... It isnt like that a... At all... Yari is j... Just.. ... ... Different. I dont think she means t... To be strange... She has just acted... Weird when i... Ive been with her.. ... ... Though I guess i... Im also not the best judge of character...\" He adds with an embarrassed laugh, sinking deeper into his blanket.\n\n\"Im sure y... You will make alot of friends, y... You seem really nice!\"" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nice. Hearing those words spoken about him, said so surely, as if it could be true, made Nikita's heart ache. A sinking feeling settled at the bottom of his stomach. There was a brief wish to return to solitude again, a calling from far away. It felt like a gentle tug on the leash of a dog, pulling him back to his senses. \nNikita shifted, pushing himself closer to the bench as if he could sink into it and stop existing. \"Thank you.\" He muttered absently. He knew how strange he came off at that moment. The burning feeling in his face was proof of his embarrassment. He could feel a subtle flush over his cheeks. Nikita hated that people didn't know what he was, where he came from. \n\nHe could pretend to be nice, but that didn't make it true. \n\nNikita knew what he was, and if people at Newton's Cradle were as judgmental as the rest of society then where could he ever call home? Surely not with people, if that were going to be the case. Maybe he should let his impulses win and run off into the wilds to live as some kind of cryptid? \nBut he managed to fight off his own nature of running away, decided he should stay and give normal life a chance- or try to at least. \n\n\"I just hope you have a better experience with them in the future.\" Nikita said more softly, looking back to Pythia and managing a small smile that barely poked up the ends of his lips. He could disregard a few unfriendly faces for more people like Pythia, right?" }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia meanwhile had no clue of the inner turmoil that Nikita was feeling. He couldnt see the soft blush over the other boy's face, or see the sadness and longing in his eyes... He could hear the tone of melancholy in his voice but... Well both of them were already deep enough in melancholy that he didnt really notice. He just smiled in Nikita's direction, trying to project the warmth he was feeling from the potential new friend. Nikita needed something... Though Pythia couldnt exactly guess what that would be. Maybe a friend? But it seemed deeper than that... Nikita was definitely hiding something, but probably in the same way that everyone was hiding something. Nikita probably needed someone to trust. Pythia knew how the darkness could eat at you from the inside, leaving you hollow... Someone had helped pull him out of that, maybe... Maybe he could help others the way she had helped him.\n_ _\nWith that small life realization, Pythia sat back. Trust wasnt something you could ask to be built, it was made slowly. He let the silence draw out, not awkward any longer but peaceful. The world around them was so still, it was almost like time itself was frozen." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita watched as Pythia ease back into their shared seat. \nThere was tension for a moment in Nikita's brain at the lack of reply, but slowly that feeling went slack and the air between them became a bit easier. He wondered why Pythia wasn't responding, but as he turned out to admire the garden those thoughts subsided. It was a beautiful day, and Nikita was obscuring that for Pythia. \n\nThere were words at the back of his throat, ready to leap. 'Do you want me to leave?' He might have asked, if Pythia had not already answered before. He had said he had become comfortable in the darkness he saw around others. Instead, he said, \"Just let me know if you'd like your peace.\" His voice was quieter, not so forced as the rest of the conversation, as if he had relaxed his words. It sounded almost lazy, as he said it. The words were slightly more drawn out, and there was less effort to sound gentle. His voice, really, was quite calm. It wasn't rough, or kind, it was like sleep. Nikita's voice sounded comfortably tired, like curling up in bed after a particularly long day. \n\nNikita wanted Pythia to have some kind of out, a way to be alone if he wished Nikita gone. Nikita didn't want to feel like a burden, and he hoped that sentence was good enough to not feel so out of place. \n\nAs he thought, he admired the facility, and garden with it. He liked the way ivy and moss clung onto the concrete, creating a softer effect on Newton's Cradle harsh edges. There were so many people Nikita had yet to meet, and Pythia was only one. \nSure, maybe he wouldn't meet everyone, but he'd see and talk to more people than he's probably ever interacted with before. \nThe thought both excited and scared him. \nThese people were like him, on some level. This wouldn't be like the farm, or the city before that, this would be new. Nikita had to see it out, for however long he was willing to stay." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia shook his head. \"N... No! I like having you here. It has b-been very nice to speak with you.\" He says with a warm smile. Inside he hopes that the question wasnt just a veiled way for Nikita to leave. He did like having the other boy around. It was nice to be able to sit with someone, and he wrapped the thick blanket tighter around himself. An errant thought entered his mind, and he wondered if Nikita was cold. Afterall, the other boy hadnt really had much on to keep out the weather... ... But that was a silly thought, his powers kept him warm... .... Or did they just prevent him from getting cold? Sure Nikita wouldnt be freezing, but he wouldnt be warm. Pythia shook his head again, trying to center his thoughts. Nikita sounded tired... Pythia was tired too. There had been many days he had fallen asleep outside, wrapped under a warm blanket with the bitter cold inches away...\n\nAt that thought, Pythia yawned softly He hoped he wasnt being a burden to Nikita, in the same way Nikita hoped he wasnt being a burden to Pythia" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita allowed the silence to continue after Pythia had assured him for the second time that it was, in fact, okay to be sitting where he was. \n\nHe tried to not feel unwanted after that. \n\nPeople had the capability to be kind, and he had to remind himself of that sometimes. \n\nHe glanced over at Pythia as he receded further into his blanket. He smiled lightly and looked back over the garden. The morning was peaceful, soft light blanketed the surrounding area and it all just felt Right. As if, for the first time, Nikita was where he was supposed to be. \n\nHe wondered absently, a random thought really, what Newton's Cradle looked like during other weather. Rain, blizzards, sun-showers, thunderstorms, maybe even during an eclipse or something of that nature. \nNikita had been so reserved to his part of the world he had never really seen New Surroundings, only an expanse on what he already knew. It felt like a new world he was eager to explore, dangers and all. \n\nHe closed his eyes and thought about it, what things might look like if it was storming. The only storms that came to mind were of ones on the farm. How silence fell over their herds of sheep, the dogs grew uneasy, the forest seemed to hold its breath, and everything came to halt. The world always seemed to stop for storms, waiting for them to pass. \nNikita then wondered how quiet things got here, in a building so noisy he had trouble sleeping, during rain. Maybe everyone quietly watched and waited for the storm to pass, like the sheep and dogs. \n\nSlowly his thoughts continued to drift, not quite forgetting Pythia's existence next to him. There was always a reminder of some kind. Nikita always just Felt When people or animals were nearby, even ones he hadn't known where there before. \nBut regardless, he continued to float around in his mind as his thoughts ran wildly." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "The thought still itched at his mind, so he finally asked it. \"You... Dont feel the cold, right? So... What do you feel? Do you feel like you are at room temperature, or can you tell there is a chill, you just arent as affected by it. Do miss warmth then? Or do you prefer the cold since it d... Doesnt bite\" He asks quietly, the thought having dug away at his mind. Now he doesnt even realize the possible subtext from asking a question like this, given that the closest warm thing would be joining Pythia under the blanket, and is painfully unaware of the things he may be suggesting. Pythia looks \"At\" Nikita in the same way he always does, not seeing the other boy but trying to act polite. His face was slightly pink, his nose and ears especially rosy from the cold... Though that could also look like a blush." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita tilted his head at the sudden onslaught of questions. They made him want to laugh, just a little, knowing that someone was so curiously concerned for someone who could freeze the things he touched. \n\nHe withheld his chuckle, replaced it for a quick and lighthearted exhale as he began to explain in his softly lazy voice. \"I can still Feel Cold, but I don't get cold. I enjoy the weather, though. And, I can get warm. I don't think I have a preference, though.\" He began to think of the hottest days back home, and he shook his head. \"If I get too hot, I can cool down easily. And I never really feel too cold. Does that make sense?\" He tries, hoping his messy explanation was enough for Pythia. \n\n\"It's kind of like being in a room with a fan. You can feel the cool air, but you don't feel cold because it's just air. That's kind of what this weather feels like.\" He continues, thinking that by relating it to something he's sure most people have experienced they'd better understand. \n\nNikita looked more closely at Pythia and his slightly reddened features. He assumed the cold was the only culprit. \"I wish I could heat up instead. I feel like people would use me like a space heater, then.\" He laughed a little at the prospect of warming up a room of shivering people. \nThough he did wish there was a way to quickly warm Pythia so he could better enjoy the weather without need of blankets and thick clothes." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nodded softly, but he still couldnt really understand. He liked the cold, but nothing was better than being warm in a super cold environment... The clashing of temperatures felt like perfection to Pythia. Hell, if he could he would get a heated blanket with a huge extension cable to reach all the way out here, but for now his own body heat was enough. Even still, it felt strange that Nikita would be so comfortable in the cold. Logically it made sense, but it still felt weird to Pythia. \n\n\"A... Alright I guess... I dont know, I... I like the cold but I also like feeling warm inside of a cold place\" He says with a small smile. \"Y... Your powers seem really cool. Y... You could just like... Run i... Into a tundra and be fine, since you dont need to worry about the w-weather!\" He adds \"A... And... If you want to help people with temperature... Go somewhere w... Way too hot. I... Im sure you could work as like, a living air conditioner\" He says while grinning, though he prefers being warm in a cold environment to being cold in a warm environment, both of them are much better than a pure warm or cold environment." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita nods, never having considered such a possibility. \"I've always lived in cold places. Here in Sweden when I was born, then to Russia, and now here again.\" He shrugs. \"Maybe I'll move to the desert. Though I'm not sure I want people parading around me like a novelty.\" He said, somewhat half joking. It was, of course, a fake scenario. He never saw himself living somewhere so void of trees and snow. But the idea of people actually using him as air conditioning was certainly strange. \n\nHe smiled, thinking about it. \n\n\"I'm not really sure how that would work, since it only really works if I can touch an object. Would I just have to give a big hug to everyone who wanted to cool down?\" Nikita found that prospect laughable. He'd given maybe four people hugs, and he's never really needed to cool anyone off, so it was far fetched. \n\n\"What about you? Don't you think you might get sick staying out here too long?\" He asked, mostly out of concern. Nikita didn't want the one person that he had the guts to talk with to freeze, after all." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia nods, thinking it through more and noticing that yea... That would probably be sensationalized too much, and being paraded around like that wouldnt be comfortable... Plus you have to touch them, which would be a bit weird. \"Hmm... Yea... T... That would be awkward...\" He says softly, looking over in the direction of Nikita \n\n\"I like t... The cold too much to m... Move south. This environment i... Is ideal for me. A... And I think im fine for now, I... I have a few minutes l... Left in me atleast!\" He says with a big grin. Still, his mind is curious about how Nikita's body chemistry works... And he has a few questions. Obviously parts of the body need to be at certain temperatures or else you dont function... So is it like a surface level thing and his body is incredibly insulated, or is his entire body freezing and the power helps not kill him through that. In his mind he has a way to test that... \n\n\"T... This... Is a weird question b... But i um... C... Could I feel a bit of your s... Skin? I... I want to feel if it is like... Warm at all? L... Like do you still have any body heat a... And you are just super well insulated or a... Are your insides freezing too? A... And its okay if y... You arent comfy w... With that\" He says, shuffling a bit closer to Nikita. From within the blanket he sticks out a pale white hand, reaching in Nikita's direction but not towards anything in particular. It is obvious he is still blind, so doesnt really know where to reach, and will let Nikita take the initiative." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at himself, then back to Pythia. He didn't quite understand the boy's thought process. \nIt takes a lot of mental power for Nikita to accept Pythia's seemingly insignificant proposal. He didn't even like when family touched him, not after the years of isolation. It changed the way he felt touched. It was something foreign, something dangerous. It could be used against him, after all. His first instinct was to decline and sit in awkward silence, but at this point he had already come so far.\n\nBefore he speaks, he rolls up a sleeve and puts his wrist in Pythia's reaching grasp. \n\n\"Right now, because I'm not using my power, I'm warm. If I were to use it, my wrist would progressively feel colder until you couldn't hold on anymore,\" He informed, voice changing slightly. He sounded slightly more tense with Pythia's hand on his arm. \"I think my insides freeze too, when I do that. But it's like I was born to withstand it. Like, it doesn't really affect me.\" Nikita continued, deciding that a demonstration might be of help. \n\nSlowly, he focuses on the part of his arm Pythia has his hand on. He begins to cool that area until it feels about as cold as a clump of snow. Nothing Pythia couldn't feel, at least. \n\nHis skin doesn't change color as so many others would at such a temperature. His blood flows easily, and his muscles are much too used to this. Nikita was cold to the touch, but he seemingly took no issue with that. \nThere was an underlying pride, something small and confident, in Nikita. He knew his powers weren't always helpful, but at least he could say it was interesting. Or at least, this aspect of his powers were." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia could guess at Nikita's desire not to be touched... Hell, he felt the same most of the times... But the few times he had been hugged here had done alot for him, and physical contact didnt need to be scary. He wanted to remind Nikita of that, and... Well this was his awkward and roundabout way of doing that. Pythia tensed a bit as he felt Nikita extend his wrist, and he gently grasped it. It did indeed feel warm, and Pythia smiled softly at that. He listened as Nikita walked through his powers, feeling the other boy's skin turn cold. Pythia held on for as long as he could, hoping that this small step could be helpful, before letting go and pulling his hand back under his blanket. \n\n\"T... Thats cool!\" He says, not realizing he made accidentally made a pun. Hopefully such compliments would help Nikita feel more comfortable, he wanted to be supportive. He knew better than anyone that one's powers could be a double edged sword, and could alienate you from your peers with ease. He hoped that Nikita had never experienced something like that... But some part of him knew it wasnt likely. Even nice powers could turn frightening and traumatic in the right... Or well... Wrong circumstances." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita watched Pythia, paying close attention to his subtle expressions as the white-haired boy felt his arm change and grow cold. \n\nOnly when Pythia retracted his arm back into the comfort of his blanket did Nikita's arm feel suddenly cold. He lowered his arm to rest his hand on his lap as he waited for it to go back to normal. \n\n\"Yeah, you could say that.\" He chuckled, acknowledging the pun he assumed was intended. \"It hasn't really been useful, but it's a fun ability to play with.\" He shrugged, leaning more comfortably back and allowing himself to relax now that he was safe of unfamiliar contact. \n\nHe wondered then, what did other attendants of the cradle think of monsters? If Pythia thought this power was \"Cool\", then what powers were seen as strange or unacceptable? \n\nHe had always kept his other powers hidden, ever since that first time. Nikita couldn't stand the way people looked at him. But it would be nice to not keep it a secret, if he wasn't the only one. \n\nHe opened his mouth to ask, or say something that he might receive insight on the topic in return. But his throat felt closed, like when he had first walked up to Pythia. He closed his mouth. \n\nToo soon, he thought. \n\nNikita couldn't say anything too blunt, too obvious. He had to beat around the bush, at least for the time being. \n\n\"What other kinds of powers do people have here? Any that are particularly strange?\" He inquired. It seemed innocent enough to ask about other people's abilities, especially as a newcomer. It could also give him an idea about what kinds of things stood out to others, what to avoid. \n\n\nNikita didn't want to be a black sheep, not again. He wanted to be like everyone else, and if that took having secrets then so be it." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia considered the question for awhile. \"Uhm... I... Im really not the b... Best person to ask, seeing as I dont know a ton of people... But ill tell you about a few I do know!\" He says with a small smile. He settles back, subconsciously scooting slightly closer to Nikita as he looks up. He cant see anything but changing where he is looking is nice, and it is the kind of small gesture that helps you think.\n\n\"U... Uhm, my first real friend... H... Her name is Penelope, she has the power to like... Control plants! She can use them to make different... Pheromones? Chemicals? Im not sure how they work, but t... They can sometimes help with like... Anxiety and stuff. She used it on me w... When we first met and it helped me g... Get over alot of the stress of meeting people. There is another boy called Connor, I think h... He controls gravity? Or like... Gravitational fields? It is kinda a... Above my head. There was a girl named D... Danny, she could like control puppets, but I think s... She may have left. A... Another would be Uriel, i... I havent seen them in awhile and I dont know much but I think t... Their power has to do with dreams. Theres... O... One that stands out as strange though...\" He says with a small sigh\n\n_ _\n\"Um.. Her name is Yari... Yari... Marel? I think that is her full name b... But im really not sure. I dont know alot about her powers but she can... Change her body? Like shapeshifting i... I guess. But it isnt what you are t... Thinking. It is more like, distortion. She w... Warps her body, like... Making her arms reeeaaaally long. The results are... V... Very grotesque but still like, neat? I... It is interesting at the very least. Im curious if s... She feels any pain from the process as it isnt e... Exactly pretty. She is pretty weird... And im n... Not sure if her powers are more horrific because thats w... What they were like naturally or if she made them thatway...\" He pauses for a moment, before blushes a bright crimson.\n\n\"Either way, i... Its rude to judge. W... We didnt choose our powers, hell... F... Fate knows I most assuredly didnt. She is different b... But im pretty sure she has a few friends around the cradle... I think she is close to connor. Hell, i... I think she has more friends than I do\" He says with a slightly sad laugh. \"Her f... Future shadows are... Pretty weird, since s... She can change herself at any time and since she does it alot, m... Most of her futures involve some kind of transformation. Ive c... Concentrated on her sometimes, narrowing down possibilities more gently so I still see a handful of futures and... Well alot of them a... Are really out there in terms o... Of distortion.\" He says all of this in a calm tone, and it is obvious that while he is slightly scared of Yari, it is more due to the spooky nature of her powers rather than her ability to transform. If anything, he seems curious about some of the mechanics of her abilities." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "He didn't mind how Pythia seemed to get closer. The space next to him had always felt empty, and it was nice to have somebody occupy that for a time. \n\nNikita gave a curt nod at every name, every piece of information. But, as Pythia said, he probably wasn't the best person to ask. \n\n\"The people here all sound really... Interesting.\" That was the only word that came to Nikita's mind to respond. They were just that, interesting. Nothing that truly caught his attention. \n\nThe closest power to his own that was mentioned was this \"Yari\" Person, and Pythia didn't exactly seem keen on her powers. Even then, he didn't distort limbs. His power was closer to that of lycanthropy, on some level. Then there was an idea. \n\"Are there any like... Werewolves? Vampires? Fantasy like shit.\" He chuckled a little, trying to make it sound almost like a joke of a question. \"Or maybe cryptids? Like mothman, or those skinwalker things people talk about.\" He hummed, thinking. \nHe would probably fall in the skinwalker category, if he had to think about it. Minus the cannibalism, obviously. \n\nTruthfully, Pythia didn't seem very judgemental. Nikita could probably share his \"Secret\", and it probably wouldn't affect his time at the Cradle at all, but it was a matter of trust- and Nikita couldn't trust someone he had just met, despite how nice they seemed. There were a million possibilities to revealing himself, most of which seemed impossibly miserable. He had been hurt before, and hurt others as well, he couldn't risk that at the cradle, at the last chance he has to be human." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Again Pythia considered it \"I... I mean, I... I think I remember Connor calling Y... Yari the cradle's resident cryptid but... No one comes to mind. However that is also... L... Like everyone I have met at t... The cradle so I really have next t... To no idea\" He says with a soft sigh. \"I... I wonder sometimes i... If stories like that are true. Early kinds of p... Powers being made into myth and legend. I... Im sure thats the common theory around here, but it is kind o... Of impossible to truly tell\" He comments, shrugging. In reality he couldnt tell how close he was to Nikita since he couldnt see the other boy, so he had no clue he war really getting closer. \n\n\"I... I think it would be cool if we had someone else w... Who could shift like that... M... Maybe ill have to a... Ask around and see if we already do. It would be neat t... To learn how their powers worked.\" He said dismissively, more of an offhand comment he made to himself. \"I... Id ask Yari... W... Well m... Maybe I should ask her... Oh! T... The internet exists! I... I could do that\" He says with a small giggle at his own stupidity. He doesnt use the internet alot because his powers makes some stuff... Well harder" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita dwelled on the topic. \n\n\"Maybe. I think bigfoot was probably real. Just a guy who could turn into a big hairy beast, probably.\" He chuckled, playing off the fact that he wasn't much different. \"Or maybe it was just a guy in a suit. Maybe we'll never know.\" He shrugged. \n\n\"No need to poke around online. I was just curious.\" He muttered flatly, and that was that. He just got to the cradle, best to investigate as much as possible before showing one person and word getting out. \nMaybe people wouldn't care, sure, but there was that chance people would look at him the same way they did on the farm. If he played his cards right, he wouldn't have to deal with that. \n\nIt was one secret he didn't mind keeping anyway, it just made his life more tedious having to leave campus for those small moments to himself. He could live with it. \n\nFrom there, his mind went back to its free roam. \n\nOther people, mostly. He thought a lot about Uriel, actually. Fin had mentioned that name, too. People, for some reason, didn't like Uriel- that's what Fin had told him, anyway. \nAs much as he wanted to support Uriel, he feared his name would become the topic of discourse and discomfort. He didn't want to end up like that, people fearing him for his powers. \n\nUriel's name felt like a cautionary tale to him, a fate to avoid at all costs. Maybe it would be better to bury his secret, though he knew how it worked. It would come up, sooner or later. \n\nHe'd much rather tell people on his own terms, then have them find out through an ugly fit of anger. \n\nHe looked at Pythia. \n\nThere were so many ways something like that could go. He had said it would be interesting, though. Maybe Pythia could be his confidant? The boy didn't seem like the type to spill secrets, mostly because he didn't know many people. \n\nHe opened his mouth again. The words found him swiftly. \"Are you scared of monsters?\" \n\nNikita wished he could shove the words back into his mouth and swallow them down the moment he spoke them.\n\nIt sounded like such a stupid question, in hindsight, but it was a necessary one. Pythia's answer would dictate his actions moving forward. \n\nHe almost hoped Pythia would say yes." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "They were quiet for a time. Pythia's mind wandered to thoughts of Yari... He supposed it wasnt really fair to say that she was weird, werent they all weird... Even still she had just been a bit too much for Pythia in the past. He still shouldnt judge her. Maybe he had been too weird... But would reaching out be weirder? Talking to people was hard sometimes...\n_ _\nHe wasnt really thinking much as Nikita asked his question, and it took him a bit by surprise. \"I... .... Hmm...\" He pauses, considering it. \"I... I guess it matters what you d... Define as a monster. When I... I was younger I thought m... My powers were monsters, invisible beasts surrounding people.. T... Things only I could see. If y... You use that definition, then I was when I was younger... But I dont see my powers as monsters anymore... I... If you mean like, storybook monsters... Maybe? I dont read a ton of scary stories, a... And the idea that some of them could be true is spooky... B... But I wouldnt say im scared of them. I guess i... I dont really know.\" He says, letting the answer hang in space." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita was quiet after that, at least for a while. He was quietly considering how to respond. The silence felt uncomfortable, because it was his to break. It was his to decide what to say next. \n\n\"I think a lot of us probably saw our powers as monsters when we were young.\" He decided finally, looking toward the building. Its frosted-over windows held more secrets than he could understand. He was only adding to that list. But he didn't have to keep it all to himself- it wasn't like he was some superhero with a secret identity. He was just another fucked up kid trying to find his place in the world, same as every other person there. \n\nHe drew in a deep breath and counted. \n\nOne, two, three, four. \n\nThe band aid needed to come off. He was going to rip it off on his own terms. He'd be hurt regardless. \n\nHe exhaled. \n\nOne, two, three, four. \n\nHis heart didn't feel so fragile in his chest, pounding violently against his ribs as it was moments ago. \n\nNikita couldn't look at Pythia as he spoke. \"Mine was... Scary.\" He began, unsure how to fully describe it. He had to remind himself Pythia had been nothing but kind. He didn't need to fear getting cut when he held no knife. \n\"The other boys on the farm never saw it. But it haunted me.\" He drew his words out, picking them carefully. He needed to paint a picture with his words. \n\n\"It looked like me. Not... Physically, not in form. But in attributes. The way the light hit its eyes, the way its fur felt. It was a beast, like a goat but... It hunted, it had fangs and claws, it looked built for the harshness of Russia. Stronger than a bear, soft as a lamb.\" He didn't know exactly where he was going, but his point needed to be made. \nHe sighed, trying his best to sound serious. \"That was my power. It Is My power. My monster. It's... A literal monster, I guess.\" He winced at his own wording. He didn't like calling himself a monster, but by all definitions he could be considered one.\n\nHe looked anywhere but at Pythia. Scanned the area for listening ears first, when he found none he admired birds and bugs, and anything that wasn't Pythia. Not until he knew the other boy's response would be good- or, at least, not bad.\n\nNikita had, in the time that he was talking, began to tense up again. His heart beat in rapid succession, almost painfully. The pit in his stomach had grown somehow emptier, feeling so void of anything that it ached. He wanted to bring his knees up, huddle further into the corner of the bench and let the world melt away. He didn't do that. He sat in awkward fear of Pythia's reaction, instead." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia tilted his head slightly as Nikita spoke, listening to him and not saying anything just yet. He lets Nikita go through his small story. He listened, and tried to understand, picturing the ability in his mind... And how it would have made young Nikita feel. A beast, a form of power which invokes fear. Something that was you, but also wasnt you, living inside your body and mind. He shivered, the thought terrifying. His own powers made him fear others, seeing monsters surround the people he knew... What would it have been like if that fear was internal, and he was never able to flee from it...\n\nPythia didnt know what to do. He could feel Nikita's tension without even seeing him. He didnt activate his powers, wanting to give Nikita the small comort of not having someone looking at him, watching him, as Pythia knew how intimidating a person's gaze could be. So he closes his eyes, and did something a bit silly. He began scooting closer, though now it was intentional. When he felt Nikita's leg with his knee, he pivoted slightly so that they were side by side. He then opened his blanket and tried to wrap one of the sides around Nikita, though with his blindness the process was awkward... And he hoped for Nikita's help.\n\nThe blanket was warm, and feeling Pythia's body press against his side... It wasnt even a hug or a lean, it was just contact. Pythia hoped it could provide some comfort \"D... Dont... Call it a... A monster. Im sure you a... Arent one. We didnt pick our powers, w... We just have to live with them\" He said, pausing for a moment before continuing.\n\n\"I... I want ro revise my answer. I... I think I am afraid of monsters... But t... The only true monster in this world is man.. The people outside, w... Who would seek to judge, t... To hurt, or to use us. Y... You havent dont a... Anything wrong, you a... Arent a monster\" He said in a quiet voice, trying to comfort the other boy." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita couldn't stop himself from flinching when Pythia made contact with him. \n\nTouch like this wasn't unwelcome, he had never truly been hurt by another's hand, but it was foreign. It felt like a strange language he was never taught how to speak. \n\nBut he didn't withdraw. He slouched a little, pressed his shoulder closer to Pythia's and wrapped the blanket around his other shoulder so that they could both sit comfortably in the warmth. \n\nPythia wasn't wrong. He enjoyed the soft plush of the blanket, clinging onto him like a warm hug. If the situation weren't currently so scary to him, he might have closed his eyes and started napping. \n\nThere was a sentence that pricked at Nikita's throat, one he wanted to keep to himself. But it continued to scratch until it came up. \n\n\"How do you know?\" He felt like the words were suffocating him. 'You aren't a monster.' Nikita wished he would have admitted all his sins, confessed his secrets so that he did not have to feel so guilty. \n\nHow could someone feel so safe, being so close to Nikita? It was only because Pythia didn't know of his previous atrocities, he reminded himself. He had hurt so many people. Did he deserve forgiveness? Surely he didn't deserve a friend." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia grabbed onto the other side of the large blanket, pulling it across their fronts so that both boys were now securely under the cover. The slightly compressive force pressed their arms, shoulders, and legs against eachother... Not a lot of contact, but more than either of them were used to. Pythia flinched a bit too, and he was shivering slightly... He noticed Nikita's hesitation... But since the other boy didnt pull away... He figured it was alright. The blanket was warm, and though it had cooled off after being exposed to the air, it was quickly heating up now since it had two bodies under it. Pythia's face shone a soft red, almost the same shade as Nikita's hair and looking even more obvious on his snow white skin.\n\nPythia considered Nikita's question, taking time to think it over. He finally shrugged slightly. \"I... I suppose... I... I cant know what you have done... But... ... I can t... Tell you are sorry a... About whatever it is. I... I think you h... Have punished yourself more than enough. Y... You may have done something wrong... But it sounds like you sincerely regret it. We a... All make mistakes.. .... We... We all h-hurt people in different ways. That doesnt make us monsters. The only true m-monsters are those who dont care about t... The pains they have caused.\" He said softly, his thoughts returning to his family. He had hurt them, they had hurt him... Neither of them had intended it. He really should write to his mom sometime...\n\n_ _\n\"You are i... In a new place. I... It is o... Okay to leave some of the pain behind. T-to heal. And if y-you havent already, when you have healed enough y... You can go back to those you hurt and help make things right.\" It is kinda obvious that some of these words arent Pythia's, but things his therapist taught him. Even still, the message is pure and filled with a kind of hope. \"It.. May not s... Stop hurting. I... I still h-hate myself sometimes f... For how I treated my family d... During... ... My isolation. But, someone helped me accept that w-we are flawed people, people who make mistakes... And we must forgive ourselves if we ever want to try to make things right.\" He says with a small hopeful smile." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita is rendered speechless, so he just listened as Pythia went on. Every word stuck with him, clung to his mind as he thought them over. \n\nOf course he wanted to say more, to protest and argue that he was a terrible person. To somehow warn Pythia of his sharp teeth and long claws before he ever got too close. \n\nNikita was sure he could only hurt people. It's all he's ever done. \n\nBut he could sit in silent acceptance that maybe he wasn't so terrible. He could listen to someone, for once. \nHe couldn't forgive himself, though. At least not when he tried at that moment. The only things that came to mind were fearful cries and blood, and a soft voice humming in his ear all of the terrible things he's done. \n\nHe decided to ignore it, instead. Until he was ready to forgive himself, if that day ever came. Till then, he could enjoy his time at the cradle- until he was ready to move on. \n\nIf Pythia was any example of people at the cradle, then Nikita would be just fine. \n\nHe breathed softly, careful to not accidentally disturb Pythia. \"Thank you.\" Was all he said in return, all he could say. He wasn't great with words. \nHis voice sounded exhausted, more than he had meant it to. He normally sounded tired, his voice slow and drawl. But this sounded like he was about ready to pass out. \n\nRealistically, he was rather tired. The talking took a lot more out of him than intended, and so did regulating his emotions. He didn't talk after that, not for now. The silence felt comforting as he sat with Pythia, occasionally finding himself using Pythia as support to stay sitting upright. \n\nBoys in Russia were never like this. Acts like this were reserved for children and their mothers, never men. Men were strong, more so than harsh winters and unbearable summers. \nNikita wasn't in Russia. \nPeople in Sweden weren't so rough, as he was quickly learning." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia let the conversation lapse into silence. When he had first heard words like those he hadnt been ready to accept them. He had needed alot of time to come to the realization that he couldnt blame himself for the diagnosis, or some of the things he did to his family... So he gave Nikita that time. He tried to sit still, but like Nikita the conversation had taken alot out of Pythia. He was more used to talking, hell that was all you did in therapy... But even still it was never this heavy. It was never him helping others, and always his therapist helping him... It... Felt nice to try to help someone this way. He could feel the exhaustion from Nikita, and eventually his own body's tiredness overwhelmed him enough that he did something a bit silly.\n\nHis head fell to the left, and he leaned it against Nikita's shoulder. It took him a moment to realize what he did, and when he did his blush turned a shade deeper than Nikita's hair. Now that the heavier conversation had lulled, Pythia became hyperaware of how close they were... Had... Had he ever been this close to another boy before? He was frozen, if he moved it would call too much attention to it... And maybe Nikita would take insult to that, so he just stayed still... His heart hammering in his chest." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita closed his eyes at the weight on his shoulder. It felt grounding, reminding him of the present. He was there, in a place full of others like him. He was there, and everything would turn out okay. \n\nHis head rested over the other's as he fixed himself a little to rest a bit more comfortably. \n\nNikita never really saw displays like this, two people so close. He assumed it's what friends did, maybe. He could only guess, since there wasn't exactly a comparison. \nFriends. \nThat word sounded nice to Nikita, like a trophy he had yet to claim. For others, it was as easy as a participation trophy. For him, he'd be receiving his more than ten years overdue. \n\nBut he'd happily call Pythia friend, if he allowed it. He thought to ask, but his voice found no sound. He was too tired to even lift his heavy eyelids, let alone speak. \n\nIn his daze, he felt the grasp over his powers slipping.\nHe knew that, in recent months, he would change certain parts of himself by accident in his sleep. Nikita wasn't exactly sure if it was a nightly occurrence, but his bed was already covered in fur to say the least. \n\nHe didn't exactly want to change with the facility so close. He hadn't willingly changed on campus yet, he didn't want to change that until he was ready. \n\nIn protest of falling asleep, he picked his head up- though being careful not to disturb Pythia- as he admired the garden. \n\nHe'd let Pythia sleep, if they ended up doing so. \n\nBoredom was dangerous for Nikita, but there was no end to his internal wonder for the time being. As he admired their surroundings, he began to drift off mentally, letting his mind lead him in any direction it chose." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia felt Nikita's head rest on his and he squeaked softly, his face beet red as he was *Painfully* Aware of how close they were now... It was his own fault, he had gotten them this close... And it was helping. Nikita seemed to be relaxing, his breath slowing... Meanwhile Pythia's breath wasnt exactly panicked... But it was tense. He had never been this close to another boy... His heart felt like it was pounding against his chest with a sledgehammer, his lungs were filled with butterflies. He tried to stay calm but he felt so nervous he could hardly stand it. His mind kept returning to Nikita, not wanting to disturb him as the other boy grew closer and closer to sleep. The cold helped him stay still, he felt like if they were doing this at his dorm his leg would be bouncing uncontrollably and his hands wouldnt stop fidgeting... Pythia lacked any kind of romantic experience, but he had read some stories and in the time he spent alone... Well, he had accepted his sexuality fairly easily...\n_ _\nAs he was lost in thought, Pythia felt Nikita move. Seeing the opportunity, Pythia raised his head up. Their bodies were still pressed together with the blanket, but the extra bit of space helped calm his nerves as he tried to activate his powers.\n\nAnd he felt them retreat. Even still, he glanced up towards Nikita, even though he couldnt see him the action was more instinctual. His face was bright red, near the same shade as Nikita's hair as he looked over the other boy's shoulder for a moment before looking back down. He pulled himself under the blanket slightly, only having his eyes and up poking out of the warmth." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Seeing Pythia look up at him immediately filled him with a mild concern. Had he been making Pythia colder? He wasn't using his power, though. Yet, he was incredibly red. Did he have a fever? Nikita can only hope he had no part to play. \n\n\"If you're cold we can go inside? I'll walk with you to your dorm, if you want.\" He offered, his voice dripping with concern. He sounded almost like a different person. His voice was more assertive, yet calming. \nNikita, after all, had spent years herding sheep. He's perfected the perfect blend of authority and kindness for certain situations. If he ever had concern about someone or something he was quick to remedy anything. He even kept a first aid kit with him at all times. \n\nDespite his worry, he made no effort to move until Pythia did. He didn't want to mess anything up so soon. Pythia was his first friend at the cradle, and one of few he's ever called friend, so he wasn't about to do anything stupid. If Pythia didn't want to go, he wasn't about to force him. But he did have medicine if Pythia's condition got worse." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia's heart thundered in his ears, and he could feel his blood pumping. He would snatch up the opportunity, and began shuffling forward so that he could stand up. Standing was... A bit awkward. They had to both stand at the same time so one didnt pull the other down, and the two of them managed to pull it off with Pythia only stumbling slightly. After standing Pythia reached out and wrapped an arm around Nikita's, holding him for support. He was still blind after all, and he didnt feel like pulling out his walking stick. It made his heart skip a beat but he knew if he tried using his walking stick his hand would be shaking far too much. He kept the blanket wrapped around them as they began walking towards the cradle. He didnt want to leave Nikita but... He needed time to balance his thoughts... He felt like he would be overcome with sensation at any moment." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "Nikita didn't quite realize Pythia was going to try to keep them together as they walked, not exactly that he minded. It was awkward, but he wanted to help. \n\nHe had almost forgotten about Pythia's condition, but when he clung to his arm he realized why. \nNikita took the lead, escorting Pythia through the garden. He figured the easiest way was through the gym, and at that time of day it would be empty enough that Nikita wouldn't feel strange walking through such an open room. \n\nHe had to shuffle a bit, with Pythia so close, and as a consequence his boots squeaked as they walked- though the melting snow that was melting off the soles probably didn't help. \n\nNikita was quick about walking through the courtyard. He always felt like people were watching him, there. \nWhen the pair entered the main dorm well, he realized he didn't know where Pythia's room was. \n\nHe cleared his throat and leaned down, speaking somewhat quietly now. \"What floor are you on? And which side?\" He asked, still guiding them more to the sides of the room so that they weren't in the middle of the hall, taking up uncomfortable amounts of space." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "They moved slowly, and to outsiders they may seem closer than they yet were. Pythia grabbed Nikita arm fairly tightly, needing it for support. His legs were weak, from the cold and from the fluttering of his heart... So having assistance was absolutely needed. He didnt know the route they took, it was hard to follow that in his mind and he didnt feel like activating his powers. It was hard enough to focus on walking. The two shuffled forward, making their way through the cradle and towards the dorms. In a small voice Pythia guided them forward, giving Nikita his room number and general location.\n\nIt wouldnt take long for them to reach Pythia's room, and even when they do he doesnt let go of Nikita's arm at first." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "The stairs were tedious, but from there it wasn't long to Pythia's dorm. \n\nNikita didn't comment about Pythia holding on, but he did begin to remove the blanket from his shoulders and wrap it comfortably around the other boy, adjusting it where it needed. \"You better stay warm, okay? If you get sick let me know, my username on the intranet thing is Venatici. I'll pick up anything if you need, I don't mind.\" When Nikita had people he cared about, he made sure they were well. \nHe still remembered days whenever one of his grandparents was sick. He'd spend those days running around to get them anything they wanted, all with a worried smile on his face. \n\n\"What is your username? I can message you now so I don't forget.\" He said quickly, pulling out his phone and fidgeting with a few buttons. \nSure, it was to make sure Pythia would be okay. But it was also, in part, to be able to contact the other if he ever wanted to hang out again. He didn't want their meetings to be purely chance, after all." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia let go of Nikita's hand as the taller boy wrapped the blanket around his shoulders like a shawl. He nodded at Nikita's comments, feeling slightly embarassed at how the other boy was offering to take care of him. A rogue, devilish part of his mind wanted to invite Nikita inside, but he beat that part of his mind down deep into his subconscious. \n\n\"M... My username is um... O... Oracle of D-Delphox... L... Like the pokemon\" He says with a thick blush. \"I... I have a hard time using c... Computers s... Sometime with my powers, I... I mostly have t... To use text to speech since... Well, I see the place t... The screen will be in a few seconds, so when I intend to scroll, it starts scrolling already. It is l... Like when I read a book and I can see the page turning before i... Im done reading. It makes i... It so that I need to stay still for a... About three seconds before scrolling d... Down but I... Ill try to t... Turn my notifications, t... Text to speech, a... And voice to text on for you!\" He says, maybe a bit too enthusiastically. He reaches out and feels for the door, grabbing his key and slipping it into the lock by feel. He opens the door and steps into the doorframe, but pauses and turns, determined to see Nikita's face again before the two part ways.\n\nPythia's silvery eyes suddenly snap into focus on Nikita's, and they look soft. He blushes slightly deeper as he looks up at Nikita... Neither of them were tall, yet Pythia was still a good half a foot shorter. He almost stared at Nikita, trying to imprint the other boy's appearance into his memory so that he wouldnt forget" }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "As Nikita looked up from his phone and their eyes met, he thought it was just a coincidence. But he realized that Pythia was, indeed, staring at him. His warm, yellowish eyes paled in comparison to the silver of Pythia's. It reminded Nikita a bit of snow, if he had to think about it. \n\nThis time he offered a smile that Pythia could see, one more genuine than the first few. This was softer, less toothy. His nose wrinkled a little when he smiled, and he had a single dimple on his left side cheek. His snake bite piercings went with the curve of his bottom lip, making him seem slightly more dangerous- or stupid, if you didn't like piercings- than he actually was. \n\nHe figured Pythia must feel terrible, especially using his powers while he was in such a state, so Nikita figured he'd get out of his hair. \n\nHe waved. An awkwardly placed gesture, but he never exactly learned how to say goodbye in a literal sense." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia smiled softly, a warm gentle smile as he also waved... Even though neither of them had walked away yet, and neither of them moved to do so. \"I... I um... G... Guess I will see you around?\" He says quietly, still softly waving his hand... The two of them looked like quite the pair of idiots \"I... Ill text y... You when i get i... Inside. I... I dont normally h... Have my p... Phone with me but Ill bring i... It with me alot more\" He says quietly, not really knowing how else to end the conversation. He both wants and doesnt want Nikita to leave... But he has to deal with these rebellious emotions first... So he supposed they would have to part ways." }, { "author": "gumsnail", "message": "\"Oh, you don't have to just because of me. I don't want you to go out of your way, it's okay.\" He insisted as he moved to take a few steps away from the door. \n\nHe pointed down the hall, \"I'm probably gonna take a nap so... Have a good day, Pythia.\" He said, his voice resonating and warm. \n\nWhen he turned to go, he felt surprisingly alone. Not lonely, just alone. The space where Pythia had held on to him felt empty. But that feeling faded the further he walked, the more he began to overthink. \nHis own room wasn't too far, luckily. Though it felt like a million miles. \n\nNikita unlocked his door and hurried inside. He needed time to think." }, { "author": "raventiel", "message": "Pythia watched Nikita leave, until his powers faltered and the other boy was obscured by shadows. He watched the mass of shadows leave, and slowly retreats into his room. He closes the door and walks over to his bed, flopping into its warmth. He kicks off his shoes and wraps the blanket tightly around himself, holding it close as he wraps his body around a pillow, squeezing it tightly as he begins shaking. Feeling he hadnt ever felt rush through him, and he lets them run their course. He doesnt know how he feels about Nikita... But as soon as he has calmed down he grabbed his phone and texted the other boy, keeping the blanket they had shared wrapped tight around his body." } ]	368	19,669

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