MASKTOURN

Seki 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. They’d soon realize their clothes have been changed- gone is whatever they were wearing before, replaced by a simple, robelike outfit entirely in white. They still have their earrings, though. 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 Seki’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, Seki Lloydyeiren!

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 Seki’s face without falling, held there by some kind of magic. It only covered their eyes and upper faced, and mirrored the look of a snake’s face. Despite no eye-holes, Seki 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)

@Twig | Seki / Aarni

Oh fuck it hurt. Everything hurt. Seki groaned pathetically like a child waking up on a school day. Had he been beaten up again? It felt like it. Their jaw was sore and felt almost loose, their head was throbbing and their whole body ached. Let alone they felt awfully sick. It brought them back... Was it a bad batch again? Did Joel fuck up? Healbell... Seki needed to find that old bird, she always helped her, no questions asked, and managed to cure even the worst of the tar's effects. Seki painstakingly rolled over and sat up. This wasn't their apartment. Was this Healbell's place? Their eyes were blurry and sticky, and their mouth was dry. They swayed gently in the hammering headache, and tried to piece things together. "Hello?" they called out hoarsely. No reply. "Joel?" they tried again, struggling to stand. No, wait... Joel went missing, right? Or... was he arrested? Right, right, that was the whole reason why Seki was pardoned... wait, but... where..? What...? "Miss Healbell...? R..Riki... Riki? Help.. uh..." the Soileon staggered to the door haphazardly, and took support from the wall, as they shuffled into the corridor.

"They got my name wrong", Seki muttered, reading the note left by Reagan. How could someone write his name that wrong? Most of the letter didn't stir much of a reaction from the Soileon, but the mention of a uniform made their ears lower and eyes darken. They hadn't paid much mind to their appearance when they had woken up, but now they tugged on the robes they were wearing. The idea of having had their clothes changed while they were unconscious was unsettling, but the idea of wearing a uniform reminded them a little too much of the prison. It didn't help that the room was plain and small like a cell. The mask covered the wearer's eyes. Reagan said it was to protect their identity, but Seki had a sinking feeling it was also to take away their identity. That was how they had always felt about uniforms. Forcing people into one mold. No personality, no freedom, just numbers and masses for more important people to control. They frowned. Seki was very much an individualist, and hated the feeling of their freedom being limited, even though they had kind of gotten used to it by now. At least they let him keep the earring! That was something. They went and explored the room a bit, or, mostly just rummaged through the chest's contents. They found a ribbon, and spent some time brushing their mane, and trying to get the ribbon hold their hair up. Once they felt happy enough with their appearance, they hesitantly put the mask on their face, and left the room once again.

Seki returned to their room to get their bearings before they would find a place to wash up. They just barely had the time to notice the new clothes on the bed, before the announcement came. Seki shrieked, their hands flying to cover their ears. "Get out of my head!" they screamed, bending down. After a moment of silence had passed, Seki straightened, shook their head, cussed quietly and looked at the new robes again. They were gorgeous, and the jewelry were a nice touch... but, Seki hadn't chosen these clothes. They frowned slightly. Having someone else deciding their wardrobe shouldn't be that big of a deal, but Seki felt a dark, tight lump in his chest expanding at the thought. They scoffed, and went to put the mask down for now. (edited)

Seki manouvered themself in without dropping Roman, and made sure the door closed. Not that it would hold Naiyta or any of their minions, but if it was a normal contestant that had beat up Roman, it would bean something. They kicked their blanket off of the bed with their foot, and carefully set the man down on his back. They dug a towel from the little chest, and spread it over Roman, carefully starting to dry him off. "You have been playing dangerous games, my man, but what else is new..." he mumbled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Once they were in the room, the blood plopped unceremoniously on to the floor and stopped moving. "S-sorry.." Roman said quietly as Seki was drying him off. Shivers were still rattling across his bones.@Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki lifted an eyebrow and glanced at Roman's face when he spoke, surprised by the apology. He hummed a small chuckle, and continued drying him. "You should mostly say that to yourself. But also to Darcy. You put him in a nasty situation and he's freaked out", Seki scolded, though it was hard to do when Roman was looking like this. He sighed, and fell silent for a while, focusing on drying Roman, and finally pulling the blanket over him once he was mostly dry. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, a blanket could only keep you warm if you already had some body heat circulating. He continued to shiver under the sheet. "... s-sorry, Darcy.." He mumbled again, squeezing his eyes tightly closed. "I-i'm so... hungry.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki smirked slightly, amused. "He's not here now. You need to tell that to him later." They looked at Roman with a worried frown, and reached down to rub his shoulders and arms up and down, trying to warm him. "Hm.. okay, hold on." They got up, and promptly left the room. After a while, they came back with a bowl of broth that they set on the table, went back outside the door, shook their fur as dry as they could before coming back again and closing the door. They dropped their wet clothes on the floor and quickly toweled the rest of their fur dry, before putting something dry on, and finally sat next to Roman with the bowl in hand. "Hey there, can you sit?" he murmured, put a paw on Roman's chest and gently shook him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was tense as Seki massaged him, which maybe helped him warm up slightly faster. In the time that Seki was gone, Roman had drifted off in to an uneasy slumber... Which was quickly interrupted. "Mmnmm.. no.." He mumbled, and didn't even try to move. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright", Seki hummed, and put the bowl on the floor. They carefully lifted Roman's back up, and moved to sit behind him, so that he was sitting in their lap and leaning his back against them. They were warm, and the fur on their chest almost felt like a pillow. They first made sure he was sitting comfortably and supported, before reaching for the bowl again. "Open your mouth", they said, bringing a spoonful of broth against his lips. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had no complaints as Seki moved him around. She was actually pretty warm and comforting... like a big fluffy teddy bear. He sniffed the broth before leaning his head back against their shoulder. "Mmm- hungry for.. blood.." He mumbled, and rolled his head over to face Seki's neck.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki sighed. "Oh, goddammit, you couldn't say that before I got you this one?" they huffed, lowering the bowl. Catching Roman's movement, they flinched, shoving the man forward with their shoulder and catching him with their spoon arm so he wouldn't fall on the floor. "Bite me and I'll bite you", Seki snarled, opening his jaws and curling his lips back to bear thick fangs, akin to a large feline's. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Ah!" Roman yelped as he was suddenly shoved, having a sudden burst of energy as he was moved. He trembled as he opened his eyes up wider and stared at the fangs. "S-sorry- I-" Roman stuttered. "I-i won't, I promise, sorry.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki closed their mouth with a quiet growl and narrowed eyes. "You better not. Hmf... Well, at least you look a bit better now", they huffed. They put the bowl back on the floor and shifted Roman, so they could shuffle away from him and set him back down on the bed. "I'll get you blood, then, for fuck's sake... if you really can't stomach the broth", they mumbled, annoyed they'd have to go back into the rain and sneak another bowl of food out of the refectory. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I-it needs to be human..ish blood." Roman said. "N-not the goat blood they serve in the dining hall.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki looked at Roman sternly and crossed their arms. "Really now? How convenient. Well, you won't be getting any from me, so how about I fetch Ace, or someone else you have already tricked some blood and ask nicely if they'd like to give you some more?" Their tail tapped the floor. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i didn't trick Ace- h-he agreed to it both times.." Roman said quietly. "I can't help it. I-i need it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Why?" Seki grunted, unmoving. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"M-my powers, if I don't get new blood frequently i-it begins to eat away at me. A-and there's not much left.." Roman said. "I-i usually get two a day, or more, b-but I couldn't keep most of Darcy's down.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki let out a soft growl, their tail tip brushing the floor. "Sure... why don't you tell me what happened to you and I'll consider believing you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. N-naiyta happened.. it was mad.." Roman said. "I-i really shouldn't talk about it. I-it was.. Awful." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I warned you about them", Seki droned. "Why did that happen? I'm trying to help you here, Roman. I'm trying to understand. Who's side are you on, what's your game? You are more than I thought you were and still you've managed to get yourself in that condition. Talk to me, man. I won't be able to do anything if I can't figure out who to help and how." Seki unfolded her arms and put her hands on the floor, letting themself sit in a more relaxed position, leaning slightly forward and looking down at Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He was getting sick and tired of people looking down on him. Literally. ".. You don't have to lecture me, I already feel like an idiot.." Roman huffed. "Well, we got in to a bit of a disagreement, they assaulted me, I got more mad, then they kicked me out... A-and then I tried to hide away and Reagan found me- oh I was naked so they gave me this dress- but then Naiyta made Reagan come over to the water room and.." He went silent. ".. I-i don't want to talk about it. I-it was my fault." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki tilted their head, squinting. Water room? "Should I go after them?" Yes Seki play the Superman, I'm sure you can save Reagan from the big bad god. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No." Roman said instantly. "No- y-you can't.. please.." He was practically begging. "Th-they'll know you heard all of that from me. And they'll be mad again.. a-and then they'll make me watch again-" His breaths were increasing, and he weakly moved his hands over his eyes. "No one c-can help me. I'm in too deep." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki made a quiet throat sound, not quite a growl, more like a dissatisfied cat. Their ears shifted back, and their facial expression softened. Sighing, they moved to sit closer, and put a hand on the blanket over Roman's chest again, slowly petting him in firm but gentle motions. "Shh, deep breaths..." he murmured. "What about the other one? Alba-something?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i don't.. know what going after Albanes would do.. sh-she hasn't really ever intervened with anything.." Roman said after he managed to take some deep breaths. "I-if Naiyta is to be trusted at all, w-we have a plan for e-ending the tournament.. That will definitely land me on Albanes' bad side." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm? What do you mean?" Seki's ears perked up. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman anxiously glanced around the room. "I-i'm going to distract Albanes right before Naiyta can kill the loser of the fight, a-and that'll allow Naiyta to fix whatever needs to get done in the Fold.. Th-then it promised everyone else could go home.""@Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki blinked, scrunching her eyebrows, and tilted her head, ears ticking. "Wait, Roman, you have insider knowledge about the Lifebringers' plan? Please, tell me everything you can. What Fold? What's happening between the Lifebringers? This is super important." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman considered his options here, and put his hands over his stomach. Well, he may as well shoot his shot.. "Blood, and I'll tell you." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's eyes narrowed again, and his ears turned back. He bared his teeth briefly, before calming themself. "Roman, this is about all of us! Everyone's life is in line. I don't even know if you can be trusted, you could go running back to Naiyta as soon as you've sucked me dry. You didn't even answer my question earlier; who's side are you on?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Do I look like I can run anywhere?" Roman asked, genuinely. "I'm on the side of getting you all out of here. That's all." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki growled and whipped their tail on the floor, eyes scanning the man. "I don't know, I don't know what you'll be capable of once you get that blood. You hurt Darcy and that makes me pretty damn suspicious of you. I don't care too much about what happens to me, if only I can go see my little baby cubs again, but I do not enjoy not being in control of myself. I have very bad memories of that", they huffed, not as mad as they were frustrated and anxious. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The blood will help me, but it won't entirely fix me." Roman said. But damn, Seki had kids back home? Unfortunate.. "I promise you, I want to help everyone get home. I-i used to want to help Naiyta, I thought they could get better, but.." He glanced down to the dark bruises around his wrists. ".. I-i don't think they can. I'm trying to think of a way to kill them if our plan falls through." Roman said quietly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki wanted to ask and argue more, but as their gaze followed Rman's glance to his wrists, their stomach sank, and they turned away, closing their eyes. Seki let out a tight breath through her nose, and as she paused, she processed better what Roman had said. They opened their eyes, and looked back at the man with sadness and regret, then moved their hand to lightly lay it on Roman's wrist, covering the bruise. "I'm sorry..." she hummed, ears lower and tail still. Oh, how they wished they were more intelligent so they'd know what to do. Darcy should be here. Or Riki. Riki... Longing joined the regret stinging in his heart, and now it felt like his chest was cracking open and crumbling into shards. Riki would know what to do, but he wasn't here. He was home, safe and sound. He would take care of the kids, if Seki didn't come back. Their fingers closed around Roman's wrist, but didn't grip. "I've made it bleed before. If I hadn't hesitated, I could have done more..." he said, and Roman could feel the faint quiver in his hand. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman still winced a little from Seki placing her hand on his wrists, even if it was light. And as they closed their hand. Ow. "R-really? You made it bleed? What did it's blood look like?" Roman asked with intense interest. "Th-this isn't about my weird blood thing- I just think eating Naiyta might be the way to kill it.. Permanently." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki couldn't help but smile and chuckle a bit at Roman's enthusiasm, but that quickly turned into a surprise and apprehension. "Eat it?" they licked their muzzle. "...For what I could see, its blood was like glimmering gold. I didn't taste it, though." She moved her hand off of Roman's arm, and shifted again to sit more comfortably. Old bones. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

A small amount of drool slipped out of Roman's mouth as Seki described the blood, but he quickly wiped it away. "Yes- that should be it's power- it-" He was getting a bit overly excited, and had to pause for a moment to calm down. "Blood first. Then I'll tell you whatever you want. Promise." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki squinted a bit and her ears ticked back, but she sighed. "Would it be too much to promise you won't be controlling me?" they asked, and moved the blanket aside. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I promise." Roman said. "Controlling Ace to get Darcy was.. I needed Darcy in my blood dimension to talk to him, and i knew he wouldn't come on his own. But Naiyta had forbaed me from bringing people down there anymore, so.. I-i don't really have a reason to do it anymore." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Okay." That was enough for Seki. Though, they knew Darcy wouldn't be happy about this... They carefully lifted Roman from the bed and onto their lap again, though this time holding him chest to chest. "You wanted to go for my neck? I shouldn't be shedding right now but you might still get some hair in your mouth." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well. This was weirdly intimate. But he wouldn't complian. Not when blood was on the line. "Wherever is easiest-" Roman wiped away some more drool that was escaping his mouth. "Hair is fine.. Hopefully. I've never bit someone like you before." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, go for it", Seki tilted their head to the side, trying to make sure Roman was well supported. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman leaned forward and clamped down on their neck, somewhat dulled teeth taking a bit more effort than usual to break through fur and skin. Once he got through skin, he began to suck the blood out... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki gritted their teeth and grimaced the longer Roman had to chew on their neck. They grunted in pain at the final bite, but relaxed slightly when it seemed the struggle was over. They huffed, and waited with an uncomfortable, tight expression. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman sucked for about twenty seconds before releasing. The blood stopped flowing out of Seki's neck as soon as Roman pulled away, though she was left with a wet fur spot. "Mmm, pretty good.." Roman said and licked his lips. He moved his tongue around his mouth and hummed. ".. Anti-depressants? Tastes like SSRIs." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki sighed and brushed their tail across the floor once Romane pulled away. They wanted to shake the icky feeling off of their neck, but didn't want to jostle Roman. "Huh? I didn't know you'd be reading my whole medical history from my blood", Seki commented, but had a rather amused expression. "What else did you find? My zodiac sign?" they chuckled. "Are you feeling better now?" she asked with a more sincere tone. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"You seem pretty well fed, good nutrients and minerals.. Pisces..?" Roman asked. "And yeah, I'm feeling a lot better.. Thank you." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki smiled and chuckled, not confirming nor denying Roman's guess. They patted his back, and sat him back on the bed. "You probably need dry clothes by now. All mine are pretty much the same as what I'm wearing now, not the most warm but dry at least, and you can have the blanket on as well", they spoke, moving to the little chest and pulling out their last dry clothing article. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman could thankfully sit up on his own now. "You have more.. Dresses..?" Roman asked quietly, picking at the wet fabric of his dress. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, dress, toga, whatever the heck this is called. Took me a while to figure out how you're supposed to wrap it around", Seki replied, and lifted up the white garment for Roman to see. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It was a bit different to the white dress Roman was wearing, but it could could be wrapped in a similar way. "I like it." Roman said. "But ah- you'll have to help me get it on." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, no problem, if you're comfortable with that", Seki nodded, and came back to sit next to Roman. They moved the untouched broth bowl further away so nobody would knock it over. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Mm, as long as you don't look at my junk too much." Roman shrugged. "But a lot of people have seen me naked today, so what's one more." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki snorted and burst into a light laugh at Roman's first comment. Then they hummed. "I'm sorry to hear that, man. Don't worry, though, I'm not that nosy", Seki shook their head. They helped to maneuver Roman out of his rain soaked garments, and dress him in a dry attire, this time including undergarments. They didn't comment on anything about Roman's looks and tried to be as careful and respectable as possible. However, she glanced at his bruises with a frown once in a while. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Most of his bruises were around his wrists, ankles, thighs, and calves. There were a few scratches and gouges on his calves as well, though they looked dark and weren't bleeding at all.. Besides that, just a lot of old healed over scars. All over his body. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed and muttered to themself quietly. It sounded like they might be apologizing or expressing their condolences, as well as cursing Naiyta out. They tried to cause as little discomfort to Roman as possible, and seemed anxious at every sign of pain from him. "There, how's that?" she asked, once the clothes were wrapped around the man. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good.. I.. I like it." Roman smiled and shifted the fabric around slightly. Again, he kind of looked like a fence post with a sheet draped over it, but at least he had underwear now. "I really appreciate that you're helping me out, Seki.. I-i think Naiyta would've left me to freeze out there until I was on the brink of death.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded, smiling, and hung Reagan's dress on the chair back to dry. "Hm.. No problem. I couldn't just leave you out there, although it's thanks to Darcy I was looking for you in the first place", they replied, and wrapped the blanket around Roman's shoulders as well, making sure he got all the warmth he could. "You think it would leave you to die even though you are part of a plan?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Mmmmm. Burrito. ".. I- I don't know.. They did murder their last partner, so I wouldn't be surprised." Roman said. ".. But I'm sure it'd want my death to be much more dramatic, and my their hand, than freezing out in the rain." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, lovely", Seki's ears lowered and their tail whipped. "Hmh, so I guess they trusted you would survive that... still, cruel thing to leave you there after everything", they sighed. "If you are warm and comfy now, please tell me what you know." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman gripped on tightly to the blanket. ".. Check the door first and make sure no one's out there. If Naiyta hears, it'll kill both of us." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Not if I kill it first", Seki growled, pressing a paw on the floor and glaring at the door. There was the faintest, deep sound, and the feeling as though the floor had shifted just a breath. Seki stood up and walked to the door, opened it and peered both ways in the hallway, sniffing the ear and ears perked up. Then, they closed the door again and came to sit next to Roman again. "Nobody out there. What if you talk quietly and I can... uhh..." Seki paused to think of a continuour noise they could make to mask Roman's words. "Purr?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Uh.. Yeah, that should work..." Roman cleared his throat, and spoke quietly. "Is this alright?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded, tilting their ears closer to Roman. "Yeah, I can hear you." They also cleared their throat a bit, shifted, and took a breath to relax. Slowly, a deep rumble started building up from their chest, and soon a decently loud, growling purr vibrated through them with every inhale and exhale. Seki nodded again and gestured for Roman to start talking. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman spared one last glance at the door before nodding. "Well, the most urgent thing is that me and Naiyta have a plan, which I'm guessing is still on.. In one of the fights where Reagan and Kairas are needed in the arena, I'll be sitting up with Albanes. When Naiyta is about to kill the loser, I'll attack and distract Albanes, and stop her from taking their soul to the Immaterial Fold momentarily. Naiyta will be able to follow the soul easier after that, fix the Fold, and then it promised it would let all of you go.. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure it keeps that promise." "And I know Naiyta was assassinated by the son of their first partner, Anore. So it must be possible for a mortal to kill it.. I don't know how it happened, and I know Naiyta won't tell me, but I'll keep trying to figure it out." "Naiyta was the first Lifebringer, and gained their powers by eating a God. So my theory is that if I can get Albanes' blood in my diversion attack, maybe I can be made a bit stronger. God blood has to do something to you, if eating a God made *you a God.."* @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki listened keenly, their eyes widening slightly every now and then. They were quiet for a while after that, apart from still purring, and thought about everything Roman had said. "..so is the immaterial fold the world of death? And Naiyta needs to fix it so it doesen't merge with the living world...?" Seki asked quietly in between purring. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hm. Yes, the Immaterial Fold is where the dead people go to. But all Naiyta told me is that Albanes put someone there who's not supposed to be, so they need to be removed, or else something really bad will happen." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, interesting.. they said something about preventing the death and living realms from mixing when I was first summoned... I guess that would fit the picture? Albanes probably doesn't want Naiyta to fix the issue, so maybe she could be on our side... but then again she hasn't helped us so far at all... Naiyta I don't trust at all", Seki murmured. "How do you plan attacking Albanes? What if she suspects something since you haven't sat with her before?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm. So that's what the issue was? ".. To be honest, I don't know what Albanes gains from this, or what her motivations are besides keeping that person in the Fold. She doesn't have much reason to trust me, considering my relationship with Naiyta.." ".. But I don't think she'd be too surprised that Naiyta let me sit with her, and even if she is, Naiyta would just tell her to deal with it. Because they said so. And that's also the reason Kairas and Reagan have to be occupied, as soon as I attack Kairas will see, and then Reagan will probably have to turn the attendants on me.. So I only have one shot." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"...what if you fail?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I assume Naiyta will be displeased. And regardless of if I succeed or fail, I'll probably be attacked." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed and ndded. They couldn't really say if letting Roman and Naiyta carry out their plan was a good idea or not, no matter how hard they thought about it, so they moved on to another thought. "That guy who killed Naiyta... do you know if anyone else would know more about him? Maybe Albanes?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, his parent is a ghost in the Acropolis, but she died before he killed Naiyta. So I don't know if she'd know.." Roman said casually. "There's some statutes around, and carvings, and Naiyta said each Lifebringer has their own little section of this realm.. So I am going to try to find Anore's tomorrow. Maybe there's something there." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded. "So he was also a lifebringer? Yeah, I think there's statues of all of them around. We talked to one of them, Darcy and I. She talked in an ancient language only Darcy would understand. You.. probably need his help to talk with any of them, but I'm not sure." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Roman sighed. ".. Darcy is not going to help me. He's getting punished because of me.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Punished?" Seki frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes I- I negotiated it down with Naiyta to just stopping Darcy from eating for a day.. But I still feel awful about it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears tilted back and they frowned. They turned to look at the cooled broth bowl on the floor. "I see..." they hummed. "Hmmh, what if I go investigate the statue with him?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. And what spurred you to suddenly want to go find Anore's statue if it wasn't because of me?" Roman asked. "Darcy is going to be.. Suspicious." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm going to tell him the truth. Sure, he's not going to be happy I helped you, but he knows I went to look for you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I assume he thinks you came to look for me to get even, not help me.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, I was going to give you a stern talking, and I do still want you to apologize to him, but circumstances were different than we thought. He's not stupid, he will understand." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. If you really think he'll go for it.." Roman sighed. "Naiyta also offered that if Ace agrees, he can take twelve of Darcy's hours... But I REALLY don't want to go make Ace talk to naiyta, or.. Talk to them myself any time soon.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhmm..." Seki crossed their arms and tilted their head. "Even if Darcy were suspicious of me and didn't want me to go investigate with him, I could still tell him to check the statue out. He also knows something about the Loucari history, so maybe he knows more about the killing of a Lifebringer anyway", Seki hummed. "I guess I can also tell Darcy about Ace, but yeah I don't know if they'd be happy to do that." "What about eating Naiyta? First you'd have to beat them somehow. I'm sure with especially more than one people it would be possible, but the problem is that they have so many guards." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman frowned, and breathed in deeply. ".. I don't really want to eat anyone, blood is as far as I like to go. I also don't want to become the next Lifebringer, if that would even be possible from this realm.. That would mean after I die I'm stuck here forever.. With Naiyta..? Unless they're dead dead..? I don't know, it'd be confusing." @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

Seki smirked a little. "Ah, I guess I overestimated your appetite. But true, if the one eating them would become the Lifebringer, that'd be.. hm. However, if we just beat them up, I don't know if that's enough for us to be able to leave. Then again, they said if they die, this world would disappear with us in it, so, there's that too." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wait, this would all disappear? Fuck, well, I guess it really doesn't matter then.. Unless they were lying, just to make us less likely to try to kill them.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, that's what they said, but yeah, you never know what's true about what they say", Seki hummed. "Well, either way... I'm ready give my all to subdue it if it comes down to that. If I'm stuck here and gonna die anyway, I do wanna take them down with me. I know some others are with me on that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I made a promise to help get people back home, and I intend to keep it. I'd rather have as few people die here as possible." Roman said. "And I owe it to Reagan to get them out, and everyone who tried to warn me about Naiyta. I don't want them to die here just because we're too hasty to knock down Naiyta.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki shook her head. "No, I agree. I don't have a better plan as of now than what you have with Naiyta. I don't know what it means to have them 'fix' the Fold, and if it's a bad thing for us, but if there's a chance they'll let us go... I guess it's the best chance we have. But if not, I'm there to kick some ass if need be. Just, give some sort of sign if you need a riot." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't know what'll happen either.. In any of these scenarios." Roman sighed. "A sign.. If I'm nearby you and you want it to be subtle, I could use my powers on you. Make you.. hm.. Feel a tingle on your arm and leg or something." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, that works." Seki nodded. "I assume for safety you don't want me to tell anyone else about your plan... but is there something I should tell others? Ready them up for action in case we need that, or something?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I can't use my powers on more than one person at once, and I'm sure I won't get everyone's blood here anyway.. Maybe don't take my signal as an instant call to action, but a call to.. Gather a group and confront Naiyta and Albanes. At that point I'm not sure if I'll live much longer, so I might not be around to give out more specifics." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded seriously, and looked at Roman with concerned sympathy. Their deep purr still filled the silence, and they didn't know how to reply in the moment. They put a paw on Roman's shoulder, and gripped gently. "...You are a mess, Roman, and you've dug yourself a deep, deep grave. But I gotta give it to you that you have heart, and you are insanely brave." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman glanced up at Seki, and placed his hand on top of theirs. ".. I dunno if brave is the word, I think I'm just dumb." Roman said. "And don't have many reasons to get back home to begin with. But.. I'd really like to. To get a second chance." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I hope you get that too. If I can help you out, I will", Seki smiled wistfully. She had now stopped purring. "You should probably rest and get your strength back. You can have more of my blood if that helps, too. I think I can do without some more." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Rest.. Sounds good. Really good." Roman said. He tried to stand, but ended up collapsing back down on to the bed. ".. Eugh.. yeah, some more blood may be needed.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, no problem", Seki nodded, shifted closer and reached out their arms. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Same spot or.. Other side?" Roman asked as he scooted back up to their lap. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed, and bobbed their head from side to side slightly, looking up and considering how it felt. "Eh, the same spot I guess. Better have only once place sore than multiple", they shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmkay, I can numb the pain with my powers if you'd like, though that's technically controlling you. Figured I'd ask first." Roman said and licked his teeth. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You don't have to waste your energy on me. I'll survive", Seki hummed with a lopsided smile and cocked their head to the side. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"If you say so, it usually feels pretty nice." Roman shrugged, and leaned forward on to Seki again. He bit down on her neck, close to the original bite mark but not directly on top of it, and began to suck again. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmmn, okay, if it doesn't take much from your powers", Seki mumbled, grimacing lightly when Roman bit again. Though the man didn't need the support anymore, Seki still wrapped their arms around him. It was the hug they felt he needed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Once he heard them say it was alright, the area he bit went numb, and had a soothing, cooling sensation wash over it. Seki's pupils would turn white, but they'd still be in control of themself. He also hugged her back. Mmmm. Teddy bear hug. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki relaxed and let out a light breath. Their tail idly brushed across the floor a couple of times, but otherwise they were still and loose, almost cozy. They closed their eyes while waiting Roman to finish his snack. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman sucked for about twenty seconds again before pulling away, though Seki wouldn't really feel it. He rested his head on her shoulder, and the calming sensation spread out to cover the rest of their body. It kind of felt like they were floating, or sitting on a cloud. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki yawned, and shifted their hold on Roman so it was more relaxed and easy to keep. Without meaning to, this time, a quiet and soft purr started burring in their chest and throat. She didn't stifle it. It felt comforting and healing in the moment. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman's grip became looser over time, and the calming sensation slowly faded out in to nothing. He started lightly snoring. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ear ticked, and he smiled gently when she heard Roman snoring. They lightly pet his hair and pat his back, keeping him in the warm embrace for a few more moments, before very carefully laying him on the bed. She kept softly purring as she pulled the blanket over Roman properly again, and tucked him in. She should be doing this to her pups, but instead she was here in this hellhole... They sighed, and their purring paused, but they shook their head. It didn't help to think about them. She should think about what they had learned, and what to do next. They looked around the room, picked up the cold bowl of broth, and began eating, leaning their back against the wall and quietly guarding Roman's sleep. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

... Roman slept extremely comfortably through the night. Honestly he kind of looked dead with how peaceful he was. But in his dreams, he was seeing something... He didn't usually dream, and if he did it was a brief nightmare that would wake him up in a cold sweat, but this one.. He didn't wake up feeling so panicked. He was laying in a bed, one much bigger and more comfortable than the one he was in in reality. A thick, quality blanket covered him and kept him warm, and.. A giant mass of hair as well? Brown, curly hair.. It smelled familiar- comforting.. He rolled over and stuck his hands through the hair, and sure enough there was someone's back. Only one person he knew had hair that long- "Roman, what are you doing?" Roque asked with a yawn. He laid there, pausing for a moment before he messed with her hair a bit. She didn't really mind, and kept her back to him. "Just had a bad dream, I.. I think." Roman said. But he wasn't this clueless, clearly this was the dream. Roque was dead. "Aweee, I know. You've been going through a whole lot without me around to protect you, haven't you, Romeo?" Roque cooed at him and rolled over to face him. He stared up at her face, directly at her eyes. They seemed a bit more detailed than the rest of her face, to him. ".. I wish you were here with me, you wouldn't have let this happen." Roman sighed and leaned his head against her chest. "But I am here with you, you just leave me in your blood dimension all the time." "I don't want you getting hurt- Cansu already targeted you once.. and I know Naiyta would do the same. And if something happens to you, something happens to me, you know.." "Mmmm, I suppose that's true." Roque placed her hand on the back of his head, slowly working her fingers through his wavy hair. "But you could be doing more to get yourself out of this." ".. Like what, Roque? What can I do?" "Do you think I can give you any ideas that you haven't already thought of? Do you think this is real?" He wanted it to be real. ".. No. It's not real." Roque grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head back from her chest. "Then I can't help you, you need to think for yourself. Use your powers or something, it doesn't seem like you can keep talking your way out of this disaster. I don't want your soul trapped here forever, it should be with me!" "I know I know-" Roman winced, not reaching to try to get Roque to let go. "How can I use my powers without its blood?" "You're forgetting half of what I did." ".. I'm nowhere near strong enough to control someone from them drinking my blood. You got that power after you could already regrow limbs, and my finger hasn't even started growing back yet." "True, true, maybe you can't.. But theoretically, if it drank your blood, couldn't you control the blood inside them? Not their body, but the blood itself?" That had always been something he wondered.. What would happen if...? "I'll try that. Thank you." Roman nodded. "Good! Now get your ass moving and stop wasting daylight-" Roque shoved him. Aaaaaaaand in reality, he had just rolled off the bed and tumbled on to the floor, wrapped in his blanket like a burrito. "Owieeeee..." Roman mumbled. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's head snapped up when Roman rolled off the bed. They had been mostly awake through the night, sitting next to the bed and keeping an eye at the door, ear at the surroundings, lightly nodding off every now and then. Now, they blinked, and drowsily looked over at Roman. "Mmm... awake, are we?" they yawned, and rubbed their eyes. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm.. I'm up." Roman tried to wiggle his shoulders out from the blanket, but the way he had fallen had wrapped it around him too tightly. "Help..? Please..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki couldn't help but giggle. She leaned over and rolled Roman out of the blanket. "Hehe, got stuck in your cocoon? Fly free, Butterfree!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman quite unceremoniously rolled out of the blanket and laid face first on the floor. His hair was kind of a mess, and the clothes that Seki had tied around him last night had half come undone. Sleeping in a robe will tend to that.. He definitely wasn't flying anywhere anytime soon. But just to entertain Seki he flapped his arms out to the side. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki snorted and their giggle became a laugh. They ruffled Roman's hair. "Glad to see you still have a sense of humor in spite of everything. You slept well, hm? How are you feeling?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I slept great, thanks for staying with me.. Sleeping alone makes me feel a bit scared." Roman said and rolled himself over to his back. He rested his hands over his stomach. "But I'm pretty good, maybe a little hungry.. How are you? I took a lot of blood last night.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed with a smile, and their tail swept across the floor. "No problem. It didn't feel safe to leave you alone. Can you still eat normal food? They probably have stuff in the refectory, unless Naiyta decided not to feed you either. And I'm fine.. just tired and I have a bit of a headache, but not too bad." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Yeah, I still eat food. And it doesn't want to starve me, I'm pretty sure.." Roman nodded. "Sorry I gave you a headache, I'd offer to soothe it, but I have to get going soon." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, no worries. I'd probably have a headache even without blood loss. And yeah, you go do your thing, man. Just try to stay safe, yeah?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmmm.. Yeah, I'll try. Maybe call the afterlife police if you don't see me by later tonight." Roman chuckled grimly and pushed himself up to his knees. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki huffed a chuckle. "Alright. Well, I'll keep my eye out for you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you. See you later." Roman stood and left, adjusting his dress on the way out.. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yup, see ya", Seki waved as he left. They fixed the bedding, and lay down to take a nap. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

seki wakes

seki investigates and hears the annoucements

taking care of roman

roman's dream

good morning!