MASKTOURN

Darcy wakes laying on a bedroll in a small room. It’s hardly comfortable, but it’s something. There’s no sign of the Lifebringer- or anyone, really. He'd soon realize his clothes have been changed- gone is whatever he was wearing before, replaced by a simple, robelike outfit entirely in white. Morning light filters in from the window, casting the entire small room in a dewy haze. The room is tiny- big enough only to fit the bedroll, a small basin for washing, a chest at the foot of the bedroll, and a low, small writing desk, on which is a folded piece of paper, labeled with Darcy’s name, a clay tablet, and a porcelain face mask. The entire room is furnished in plain white tile, and opposite the window is a stone-paneled door leading out. The letter on the desk is written in ornate, swirling script, reads as follows:

Welcome, Darcy Lovettyauro Sterling!

It is my pleasure to welcome you, not only to the Halcyon Citadel, but to the Snakes! You have been selected, by the Great and Divine Lifebringer, to serve and compete alongside your fellow serpentine contestants and under my gracious leadership. If you have any concerns or run into any trouble, please do not hesitate to bring it to my attention. I’m very excited to meet you all! 

Please wear the mask provided, as it is part of your uniform!

Your Leader, 
Reagan Alizaydyeiren

The mask was of white porcelain, and would sit on Darcy’s face without falling, held there by some kind of magic. It only covered his eyes and upper faced, and mirrored the look of a snake’s face. Despite no eye-holes, Darcy would be able to see clearly even with the mask on. The clay tablet was just too big to be held in one hand, and was accompained by a small stylus for writing. Its surface displayed the #group-chat, and would update magically as more messages were sent. (edited)

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy awoke with a groan, and pulled himself off of the bed. He was more than dismayed to find his clothes changed-he couldn't even hide the silverish creep up his limbs. He was even more upset to find- or rather, not find, his glasses. He scanned through the letter as best he could, ignored the mask on the counter as well as the tablet, and went out to explore. Hopefully, he'd be able to find someone to talk to. Someone with answers.

... Well, Darcy hadn't been anywhere outside. He hadn't been at the fight. And he hadn't been at the funeral.. There was only one last spot to check. He arrived at Darcy's door and knocked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy opened the door after a while. His hair and clothes were a mess, and his eyes were red and puffy, like he'd been crying. "Roman?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh yeesh- uh- sorry for interrupting-" Roman rambled, and looked away from Darcy. "But yeah it's me. I got your glasses back from Naiyta. I um.. figured you'd want them." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy blinked, his brow furrowed. "You... got my glasses? What's the catch?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The catch?" Roman asked and reached in to his pocket. He held out the glasses from the arms, to not smudge the lenses. "Nothing on your end." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy only hesitated a moment before taking the glasses. He put them on his face, blinking a bit. "Really? Then what'd you have to do for them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman didn't think he needed to reply to that. His wings twitched behind him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It took Darcy a moment to realize what had changed. "Wait- why do you have wings now?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Naiyta wanted me to have wings, so it ripped them out of my back. It felt a little bad after all that, so I could convince it to give me your glasses. After it tried them on and they didn't work, anyway. It can't see that well apparently." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Eugh. Sorry about that." Darcy said, looking more repulsed than apologetic. "It.... felt bad? Didn't think it was capable of such things." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yeah, I don't know if it's entirely being honest with me. I hope it is, because it very much intends on keeping me here forever." Roman mumbled. "But I have some more bad news for you- well, could be good I guess depending on how you look at it.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy narrowed his eyes. "... What sort of news?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You're probably going to want to sit down. Can I come in?" Roman asked awkwardly. "I also don't want people potentially.. Overhearing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fine. Whatever." Darcy let Roman into the room, and sat down on his bed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stepped in, and made sure the door closed behind him before speaking again. "Your fight is next, and I sense that Naiyta is growing impatient." Roman said. "Are you confident you'll win?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy didn't really seem too phased. "I am going to murder him. I do not intend on letting Peregrine leave that arena alive." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You can't kill him though, not if you want this to end." Roman shook his head. "Naiyta needs to be the one to kill him, so we have time to execute our plan. Naiyta has promised to let everyone go after that. You need to hold back, or else more fights will happen, and more people will die.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy huffed. "I don't know if I'd be able to actually beat him in the arena game- not if it's like what most of the fights have been so far. He can fly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Roman rocked back and forth on his feet, just a little. "I could.. ah.. Ask Naiyta to maybe rig it in your favor. I don't know if they'd be willing to do that anymore, but I could try. I don't think you deserve to die. But if you both agree, they will definitely want something in return." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What sort of something?" Darcy's brow furrowed. He didn't like the sound of this. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Nothing pleasant." Roman said. ".. The last person.. She had to join Naiyta and I for a night. It was awful, for everyone but Naiyta. I don't think they'd be interested in you in that way, though." (Transactional sex) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not doing that. I'd rather die." Darcy frowned. "So... if it comes to that. that's what I'd choose." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Like I said, I don't think they're attracted to you, no offense. If I ask, they'd check in with you first before just going for it." Roman said. "It's just.. An option you should keep in mind. If you feel like the arena might already be rigged against you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmph." Darcy looked away from Roman. "The rigged fight... which one was that?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It was.. um.. The last one, before Ace's today. But to be honest, I don't really think Naiyta held up their end of the bargain. It was no more skewed than the previous ones had been." Roman shrugged. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy's brow furrowed. "It- it rigged Isi's fight?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, but I don't really know what it changed about it.. I think it might've lied about changing anything at all." Roman said. "I guess it wasn't a great arena for Isi, but.. Most of them have been unfair for one of the contestants." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy buried his face in his hands, pushing his glasses up to his forhead. He began shaking and crying, whining out something that sounded like 'Isi'. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

5

Oh God, of course that's what Darcy had been crying about.. They must've been friends.. He was an idiot. "... I'm sorry.." Roman said quietly. He took a careful step closer to the other man. "She seemed.. Nice. I can't say I ever spoke with her here.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy had little reaction to Roman moving. "She- she was one of my best friends.... she didn't deserve to die..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No one here has deserved to die." Roman said, and got to Darcy's side. He placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing we can do to get her back, but.. You can help end the tournament. Do you think that would make her proud, to have her best friend end this whole thing and save everyone..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy wiped away his tears, but more kept coming. "She- she would've wanted everyone to go home." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, I'm sure she would have.. and you are the key to that. You have to give it your best to not kill Peregrine, but you're free to mess him up and restrain him however you'd like." Roman said and sat down on the bed next to him. "I know we're probably not on great terms, at all, but I'm um.. here for you. Have you eaten since your punishment ran up..? The feast right now is for the snake side, but I'm sure Naiyta would let me in to grab something." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Can I... knock him out?" Darcy asked. "Like Enya did in her fight. Naiyta would still be able to kill him then, right?" "I... haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning... Isi helped sneak me some breakfast, but then... her fight happened." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think you'd be able to knock him out, yeah, he just needs to have his soul in his body when Naiyta gets to him." Roman said. "But Darce, it's been over a day now... you need to get out of here and get something to eat. I can smell that your blood sugar is low from here. And you're dehydrated from all this sobbin." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Please don't comment on my blood." Darcy sighed. "I'll... get something. Soon." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

4

"Sorry, habit-" Roman winced. But also, take a joke Darcy, you don't even have blood sugar. Your blood is not real. "Alright, you'd better." Roman sighed. ".. but if you want to see Isi again, there is a way.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

2

"What? What do you mean, there's a way?" Darcy turned to face Roman, his expression skeptical. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It would be um.. Permanent. But if you lose your fight, you are taken to the Fold, she's there. I don't really know what's happening in there, besides that it's not torture. Apparently. According to Naiyta. There's no plans on getting the people out of the fold, so if you really value Isi that much... You could forefit." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah... yeah, I guess that's an option too." Darcy wrapped his arms around his body. "I mean... you probably don't even know this, but is it painful? When- when Naiyta kills the losers like that?" Would it be worth it? Could he sacrifice himself for everyone else? Did he really have that much to live for back home- he was kind of already dying in the first place! @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (somewhat suicidal thinking) (edited)

Was it wrong to propose this? He always felt like he was leading people to awful, awful, awful fates. "I.. don't know for sure. I'd imagine not, it seems to be over in an instant.. The only one that hasn't been was Asha, but that just happens when people with her powers die, Naiyta didn't choose that." Roman said. "If you want, I can ask Naiyta to be extra gentle. I'm sure they'd understand, at least.. If it comes from me." "And I don't know what your afterlife situation is like at home, maybe it's better or worse than it would be here. Take some time to think about it, if Isi is as nice as you think she is, I'm sure she wouldn't want you to die here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm Verendi. We don't really.. believe in the afterlife. Once you're dead, you're dead." Darcy sighed. "I'll... I'll think about it. If I decide I want to.... uh, forfeit.. well, you'll probably find that out." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm." Roman nodded. "Make sure to still beat up Peregrine before you give up though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmph. You don't have to worry about that." Darcy nodded. "I hate him. I hate him so much." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah. He wasn't even that good in bed, for how much he talks about it." Roman mumbled, still keeping his hand on Darcy's shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want me to go grab something for you to eat? You look kinda miserable and depressed." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy considered it for a moment. "Uhm... would you? I don't really want to.... leave my room." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, I don't mind. It might take me a second longer because I'll need to get someone to let me in, but I've done it before. "What do you want? They have some new stuff from the winners, I don't know what Ellie got, but you're probably also not interested in Kyrie's.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm... just some bread and cheese and jam would be fine with me." Darcy said. "Something simple would probably be best..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm. Do you want the jam on the side or on the bread?" Roman asked and moved his hands back to his lap. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"On the bread. I want to make a jam and cheese sandwich." Darcy leaned back slightly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"J... jam and... cheese?" Roman frowned. "I can't say I've ever heard of that..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I haven't either but it sounds really good." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

What a weird combo to just come up with randomly. "Whatever you want, man. You deserve it." Roman said and stood up. His wings smacked against Darcy's shoulder and back as he stood up. "Shoot- sorry-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ow." Darcy clutched his shoulder. "I'm alright. And.... thanks. Really. It means a lot." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's the least I could do after.. Everything." Roman said and headed to the door, readjusting his wings on his back. His feathers were even more messed up now, but he didn't know how to fix them. "I'll be right back." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Still, thanks." Darcy said, and stayed right where he was. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded, and headed out to the refectory...

Roman got back to Darcy's room after a while, and knocked on the door. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy opened the door again, looking a bit better than he had before. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was standing outside, looking identical to how he had before! Rare, for real. "Got your stuff." Roman said and held out a plate of the toast, cheese, and jam monstrosity, as well as some assorted fruit. He also had a tall glass of water. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, thank you." Darcy nodded, and took both the plate and the glass of water. "Is there... anything else you wanted to talk about?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Um.. Ace's fight was not too long ago, but I don't know how your relationship was um.. Before the fight." Roman shrugged. "Besides that, I just wanted to come to apologize and give your glasses back." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... heard the announcement. I didn't know he lost." Darcy was struggling to keep his expression neutral. "Thanks for getting me my glasses. And for the food." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah it was.. very, very close. There were also two random people in the arena with them, but they caught on fire. So I'm guessing they're dead. Dunno who they were." Roman said. "And no problem, it's the least I could do for you. Let me know if you need anything else before the fight, alright?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

".... eugh." Darcy sighed. "Yeah.... I'll let you know if I need anything. Yeah. Thanks." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded and took a step away from the door. Once he figured his wings wouldn't hit Darcy, he turned and walked away.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy closed the door after Roman had left...

darcy wakes

glasses and fight prep