MASKTOURN

The island is surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs. It’s a sheer, stiff drop from the top of the cliff to the rocky sea below. If one fell in, it’d take a miracle for them to survive, much less for them to get back up. Beyond the cliffs, all one can see is an endless expanse of ocean. There isn’t a single sign of another landmass- no other islands, no mainland, not even a speck on the horizon to suggest life beyond the Citadel. From the top of the cliffs, the crashing of the sea can be heard, the salt on the air can be smelled, and anyone venturing too close to the edge might feel a dizzying, sickening vertigo as they see just how far they’ll fall if they slip.

On the edge of the southernmost-facing cliffs stands a singular statue of a beautiful woman, almost beckoningly. The statue faces away from the citadel and towards the sea, so it’s difficult to catch a glimpse of her face, though anyone who manages to will be treated to the sight of elegant, soft features- slightly downturned, half-lidded eyes, full cheeks, a warm smile. Her wavy hair is gathered partially into a bun, with the rest cascading around her round face and shoulders. She’s dressed only in a sheer, stone-cut gown that clings tight to her full figure and drapes off it in all the right places. One carved hand rests on her bosom, the other poised delicately by her side. She seems… alluring, in a way most statue’s aren’t…

To investigate this statue, roll a divine intuition check and notify me.

(edited)

Kallum had abandoned the tablet, and his room entirely, and just- at first, he walked, but it soon became a run, a sprint, arms cutting through the air, that burn growing in his chest until it should have been unbearable, but it was just the beginning, because Kallum was fire and he was supposed to burn and this was just the start of it. He'd become used to running. He was still learning to hide. It was only when his legs tightened in resistance, muscle squeezing tight, that he stopped- and stopped short at the sight of nothing but ocean. His stomach boiled and bubbled, nausea that only grew at the sight of- her. He forced himself to remain upright, against the tight trembles of his legs, and he stared outward. How many people knew his name here? How many claimed to know who he was? It was knowledge he himself no longer had, ripped away from him. How dare anyone else have the answer to a question he couldn't begin to ask? @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni had luckily figured out what the tablet was for, and he had been happy to notice familiar writing on it. Why had Albanes not mentioned that Kallum was here as well? There was no doubt it was him; the texting style was still the same. Poor dude must be stressed out. Aarni sighed. He did't know where to find the other boy, but he continued his aimless wandering. The land beyond the buildings drew Aarni to them. The wilds felt safer than the world of people right now. He found the cliffs and the ocean beneath, pausing to breathe the salty wind, when he noticed someone else nearby a statue. Oh, and it looked just like... "Kallum!" he called out, jogging lightly towards the other and waving. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum tensed at his name, carried by a stranger's voice. He was supposed to be used to that by now. Strangers were supposed to know him- at home, not here, not now, when everything had changed and everything was wrong. He turned slowly, staring at the stranger, eyes narrowed with a fire behind them. Even the slight turn caused agony pangs down his muscles, but he wouldn't show weakness. Not to anyone. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni slowed down to walk, when Kallum turned to look at him. Yeah, the guy wasn't feeling great, that much was obvious. Aarni switched instinctually to the softer voice that he used when calming down nervous horses. "Hey dude, it's good to see you here. Or, well, I'd be happy if we met somewhere else, but... it's nice to see some familiar faces. How are you?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I don't know you," Kallum said, curt, harsh. His words scratched against his throat. He hated that voice- reminded him of her, when Dmitri would go too far and he'd show him, and she'd step in, voice cool and quiet, hands like electric as she pulled or pushed against him, so much weaker than him- he'd let her pry him away, just to make the electric stop. He put pressure on his sorest leg to force it to wake up. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni paused, his brows slightly scrunching. Did his clothes confuse Kallum? He wasn't face-blind, though. Why was he acting like this? "Why are you mad at me...?" Aarni started, but fell silent. Something was off. Kallum was different, somehow. The boy eyed tge other nervously, the height, the hands, the scars, the face... it all was just like when they had first met. Before.. everything. He made a sound of surprise, and his brows raised. "Your eyes!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum glowered. As Aarni studied him closer, he clenched his fists to stop them shaking and lifted them to his neck. He grabbed the bad clothes and yanked them further up his neck. The surprised sound confused, and alarmed, him and he forced one foot forward. "I don't know you!" He repeated with a growl. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni stepped back, a brief flash of fear in his eyes. He lifted his hands up in front of him in an appeasing manner, until he realized his hands were bare and the power sigil was glowing in his left palm for everyone to see. He closed that hand quicly into a fist. "Hey, okay, take it easy..." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Why do you- why do people say they know me?!" Kallum yelled, voice tearing through him, stretching his jaw so far apart it hurt. "I don't know you- and I don't know- the woman! That- useless healer!" His eyes flickered to his hand- that glow- he didn't know what it was but it was gone. Everything was a threat. "You're not supposed to know me- this is nowhere near London! What do you want?!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Shh, calm down. I'm just as confused as you. I just want to understand", he shook his head gently, lowering his hands, a crease between his eyebrows. "You mean Albanes? You talked to her when she brought you here, huh?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum did not find these attempts to calm him, well, calming. If anything, he was more riled up, imagining her face scrunched up- then his face so close to his and full of- he gripped his forced collar tighter. "SHUT UP!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni cringed at the yell, and opened his mouth to tell Kallum to calm down again, but then didn't. He close his mouth, and didn't say anything, just looked at Kallum in confusion and alarm. How should he handle this? @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Stop- stop KNOWING ME!" Kallum spat, wanting his hands at his ears, around his head, but they had to stay by his neck. "I don't know you! And I don't know her! There's no one I know anymore- shut up!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni sighed. He was about to say something again, but hesitated. What could calm Kallum down? Or what wouldn't make him explode? Aarni really didn't want to be blasted off with a fiery punch. He lowered his head, put his hands in his pockets, and scraped the ground with the bottom of his shoe a bit. Then, he started walking away, slowly. Not turning his back to Kallum, but walking a bit to the side, closer to the cliff and the statue, forehead still in concerned creases and eyes distant, like searching for the right words. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum watched Aarni move away, and he paced backwards away. He could feel the ground, making sure he wasn't too close to the cliff- he wouldn't fall. "Shut up..." He said, much weaker. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm not talking!" he wanted to snap, but bit his tongue. He glanced back to make sure Kallum wasn't falling off. Then, he sighed, and sat down on the ground, crossed his legs and looked into the horizon. Kallum would see his stern profile, as he thought quietly for a while. "...Don't you want to figure out what's going on?" he asked quietly after a while. There was a hint of annoyance in the voice, but not much. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stayed standing, against his legs' will to give way. He stared through narrowed eyes and furrowed eyebrows, so tense a headache began to spiral out from between his brows to the very centre of his brain. "No. I just want to go." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni hummed. "That's fair. Me too. But we don't know how to get home, and we need to figure out what's happening so we'll know how to leave", Aarni explained rationally, still not looking at Kallum. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

There was no home anymore, nowhere he was supposed to be, everything was gone- still there, but not for him. Now he was here, somewhere else, and yet people thought they knew who he was. They didn't. He didn't. "Shut up," he muttered in Aarni's direction. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni huffed. "Then you talk. Who are you?" he said, turning his sharp, pale eyes towards Kallum. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared at Aarni, then looked away. "Kallum." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I know that", Aarni sigh. "You are him, but you aren't... what makes you different?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"How am I supposed to answer that?!" Kallum snapped, volume hurting his throat. "I'm me!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Tell me about yourself! I'll know the difference." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum scowled. "You're tricking me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"In what way?" Aarni huffed, starting to get frustrated. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"You and the woman. You're trying to... do something," he faltered uncertainly at the end. "Together." He tugged his clothes higher over his neck, to his chin. It pulled the shirt up enough to bare the slightest amount of skin. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni glanced at Kallum's attempt to cover his neck. He scrunched his brows slightly concerned, and tilted his head, but wasn't sure if he should mention it. "Albanes? I wish I knew what she's doing, honestly", Aarni sighed. "But I'm not spying you for her, or anyone. I just want to understand what's happening." He shook his head, and pulled his knees up, leaning his arms on them. "Are you okay? I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum glared at the floor, kicking the ground. "Spy would say that," he grumbled, but didn't further contest Aarni. His nose wrinkled at the apology but- how was he supposed to respond to that? Something not meant for him, really, not supposed to be said to him. Something demanded from him but never followed up on. "Who is she?" He asked. "The woman." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni tilted his head in thought. "Well. I'm going to tell you how we met. You, me, and her", he took a breath and turned to sit partially towards Kallum in a more relaxed pose. "We were all invited to a tournament on Chen's Island. We were all the same age, nineteen. Albanes was a normal girl then, traveling by herself and studying medicine. But, she had this god inside of her, that she got her healing powers from, and that was Lifebringer. The more she used her powers, the more it took control over her, turning her into a god. "You both moved to another country after we got out of the island, and she got that god removed in a surgery. Everything became normal and nice, or as normal as it can be. Peaceful and happy. But... something happened later. She went back to her old country, and became the Lifebringer. That hasn't happened yet in my timeline, but that's why she's older. The Albanes here is from the future." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I never did that," Kallum instantly refuted, "I'm nineteen. I never did that. And girls aren't normal." Okay Kallum, like you'd know. "And- and there's no god. God wouldn't let us have powers if there was." Kallum. But he went quiet- another country. No, he hadn't even been to another city. Headquarters hadn't even been far away from where he grew up- his parents were always there- he knew it like the back of his hand. And nowhere else. It was like the world stopped entirely outside the city. Yet he was here. "No I didn't. I wouldn't leave." But he had. Not really, though. He wanted to go back. But want and could was different. And that was Dmitri's fault, in all the ways someone could be to blame. "No she isn't," he mumbled. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni's mouth tugged into an involuntary smile and he had to stifle a laugh when Kallum let out his opinion on girls. He didn't really comment on much else Kallum said. He just ignored is insistent denial. "So you are nineteen... I guess, you might be Kallum before Jaelyn made you come to the island? You are clearly the Kallum I know, but, different. Maybe you are Kallum from the past, a little before you got the invitation to the tournament?" the blonde mused aloud, not expecting much useful input from the other boy. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum froze, tense, at the name- her name- he knew it- so everything was a lie- clearly he had to be- spy- and that was- dangerous- his neck hurt- no- The next second he was swinging, so natural- brought back by a stumble- sound of rock clattering down the side, his fist wide out from Aarni's face, embers dancing on the knuckles, caught in the breeze and spluttering on his face. "Why do you know her name?!" He wanted to roar, but could only spit. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni's eyes widened, then closed as he ducked to the side, falling on his hands and elbows on the ground, before scrambling to his feet. His heart was rushing, and he was painfully aware of the cliff's edge. "Jeesus...!" he gasped, glancing at the fall, and stepped discreetly a little to the side to get further away from it. "Take it easy! I just told you, I met you both on the island. It had to be you from a little bit further into your future", he said, raising his hands up again, forgetting about his exposed power sigil for now. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's hands were fists, tight and ready to- to lunge. He lurched forward, not caring for the cliff edge, focused on- enemy- stranger- foe- liar- but he missed, stumbling forward and just about stopping himself from tripping into Aarni. He didn't see- the sigil, no, it was just something in the corner of his eye, glowing, unnecessary. "NO!" He yelled, hoarse but forcing more than the spitting tone. "You don't- you know nothing! You don't know her- you don't- you won't- SHUT UP!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni flinched, dodging by stepping back when Kallum advanced. He stepped aside again, trying to pivot them both away from the cliff. "Calm down! I know it's confusing, but I'm not lying, and I'm not in any way causing harm to you, am I?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stumbled to follow, his hands tightening at his sides- his neck. He yanked his clothes up to hide the bluish-greenish uneven hues, shirt jolting up his stomach at the sudden pull. "Shut up- I said shut up!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni was too focused on Kallum's face and hands to look at his neck ‒ that was until the boy grabbed his collar and yanked it up. Aarni's gaze fell on his neck a bit too late to get a good look, but he was now aware of the reason Kallum was holding his shirt like that. He made soothing hand movements, hoping to calm the situation. "Shh, okay, let's calm down, you're okay..." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Kallum screeched, neck pulsating in resistance. "Stop- knowing- me and my sister- stop it! You know NOTHING!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni cringed and narrowed his eyes, facing the scream. He fell quiet for a moment, breathing quicker, his heart drumming. After a little while, he dared open his mouth again. "I don't know you, but someone like you.. and he is my friend", Aarni spoke, now with a quieter voice. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum hesitated, then he shook his head. "No. You don't." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I do. How else would I know all this?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"You're making it up." Kallum tried to force his voice to steady, but it remained wobbly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, I know about things that you know too. I know your adoptive dad's name is Mattias, and he's also your boss who's worked you to the bone since you were like 16. Your sister's boyfriend's name is Dimitri. You are a guardian and that's your favorite thing to talk about." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

He was silent, shaky, for a while, fingers tightening around his shirt collar. Every second was hours long up on the clifftops. "You want me to hit you. Like Dmitri." Kallum lifted his head and glowered. "Shut up." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, believe me, I don't want you to hit me. I'm only trying to.. to explain what I know, where I stand in this. Kallum is my friend, and so I hoped we could be friends and go through this together", Aarni tried his best to keep his voice stable. He glanced at Kallum's neck shortly, concerned. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"You don't know ANYTHING!" Kallum snapped, voice only rising when he noticed Aarni glancing at his neck. "I don't- don't DO friends!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I just told you things that you know are true! Stop being so stubborn! We're all in this together, and I know you're upset and confused, but I want to help you! Everyone needs friends. Trying to survive alone is hell", Aarni said back, insistent look in his eyes. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (edited)

Kallum lashed out again and- and this time, his fist made contact, the familiar electric of flesh under his knuckles, bone too, forced back, succumbing, eyes forced shut. He punched Aarni in this face, down- to the ground, and roared, "NONE OF IT IS TRUE ANYMORE!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni crashed on his back, struck by the blinding flash of pain in his cheek bone. "AI SAATANA!" he screamed, bringing his hands to his face. Was it bleeding? It felt like it was on fire. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared down at Aarni, shaking. Fists trembling. "Shut up. You- you don't know anything- none of it's true. None of it. You're a liar- a spy- and so's she." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm not a fucking spy!" Aarni, struggled up to a half-sitting position, his head spinning. He looked up at Kallum with narrowed eyes, one hand still on his face. There was tears in his eyes, probably from pain.. "I am trying, to help you! And what do you mean 'anymore'? What happened? What happened to you Kal?" his voice was raw and accusatory now. He couldn't help it, the throbbing in his head didn't inspire a kind tone. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"If you- well, you claim to know so much- you should KNOW! All- all Dmitri's fault, his stupid- that STUPID!" He kicked the ground again, eyes locked to Aarni, a threat, a promise. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't- I only know what the Kallum in my world has told me! If you're not him... if.. you're from a different world, or timeline, then, something might have happened that I don't know! Please, I'm not a threat! Why do you think I am?!" He scrambled back when Kallum stomped, and started to get on his feet unsteadily, blinking tears out of his eyes and trying to get his eyes to focus. They fell on Kallum's neck, now that his hands were at his sides. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

(tw neck injury, heavily implied choking) "Everything is!" Kallum yelled, pursuing but not attacking. His fists were ready. And not on his neck. His neck, covered in a patchwork of small, rounded bruises, purples, blues, greens and sickly yellow, and small biting scabs and dried blood providing prickly texture. The front of the neck had a large, pressured bruise and long scratchmarks leading down below the shirt. @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

Aarni's eyes widened, and a stab of nauseating empathy hit his chest when he saw the marks. Who had done this? It must have been horrible. Aarni stumbled back. His head hurt. His neck hurt. His face felt like it was swelling. His eyes were filled with sorry for his friend, but also growing fear. "Kallum, please! I don't want to hurt you! I'm not going to fight you!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum noticed Aarni's eyes on his neck and his fists unclenched- nailbites near bleeding by the fold of his hands, sharp dents in the callousing, scratched flesh - to yank his shirt up over his neck. "SHUT UP! You- you know- YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME!" He snapped, tongue twisted, words like drool, hands covering his neck with cloth and fingers. "Don't- don't- no- you don't know her! All- all hiis fault- don't know anything- you- you don't-!" Hitting was far easier than speaking, and hitting was easier than hurting. "Stay- stay away." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm, I'm staying away", Aarni gasped, taking another couple of steps back, his hands still up. "Who... who's fault? Who hurt you? Mattias?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"SHUT UP!" Kallum yelled, stumbling forward, away from the cliff edge, angrily panting. "You don't- know! NO!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's why I'm asking! What happened.. what happened to you?" Aarni continued backing away, still trying his best to get something out of Kallum. No matter if this boy wasn't the one Aarni had befriended, he still wanted to help. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum shook his head, wrapping his hands around his neck, for pressure, he needed that- he didn't, it hurt, reminded him of- everything hurt. "Nothing," he tried to snap, but his words were weak and weary. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni's wide eyes softened, and he lowered his hands slightly. "Kallum, please... I want to help you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"No," Kallum barked, grabbing his own shirt collar again. "You- you're a liar." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni paused, anxiously looking at the taller boy. He didn't know how to help. "Really, you should at least have someone look at that mark. Someone could heal it, it looks like it hurts like hell..." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum backed up, then stepped back closer. "What mark?" He didn't give Aarni room to answer before trying to barge past him. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah-, Kallum, wait up!" He doesn't want to touch him. He knows Kallum would hate that, and he doesn't want to be punched again either, so he steps aside, but shouting after him. "Please, I'm not lying to you, I want to help! You are only getting yourself in trouble when you're upset! @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"All- all- no! People like you just cause trouble- supposed to stop that- but-" He cut himself off, turning away and storming off. Bye Aarni. Sorry Aarni. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

1

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"All- all- no! People like you just cause trouble- supposed to stop that- but-" He cut himself off, turning away and storming off. Bye Aarni. Sorry Aarni. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He sighed, shoulders dropping, watching the one friend he thought he had found leave in a fit of anger.

Aarni flopped down on the grass, sitting away from the cliff and the sea. He lowered his head and put his hand lightly on the bruising cheek. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Aarni would be disturbed by the sound of heavy, fluttering wing, and someone landing nearby him. "You're injured." A cool, neutral voice said. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni jumped at the sound, lurching to the side a bit. He looked up at who had spoken to him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It was Kairas! Her wings were now folded against her back, and her mask hid most of her face and nearly all her emotion. "I can take you to the Lifebringer, if you like. So you can be healed." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It's just a little bruise..." he mumbled, although even without seeing it, he knew it was going to be huge and dark. He paused and cleared his throat, quickly shaking his head et himself. "Actually, yes, thanks, I'd like to see her." He stood up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Follow me." Kairas turned around, leading Aarni away from the cliffs... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Follow me." Kairas turned around, leading Aarni away from the cliffs... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He followed ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ

Kyrie landed gracefully near the cliffs with Gale, touching ground on the south-facing side of the island. From here, they could hear the roaring of the waves as they crashed against the rocky shores far below. "Whoa...." Kyrie dared a singular glance down the cliffside, still holding Gale's hand. "That's one hell of a fall..." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale floated for a moment after Kyrie landed, taking a deep breath and slowly easing to the ground. She leaned on Kyrie slightly with a nervous laugh. “Hah, lost- lost my balance for a sec. Man, we were up high..” Gale looked down to the waves crashing against the rocky cliffs, letting out a low whistle. “Damn that’s far.. where even are we?? There’s no other islands around..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie held on to Gale as she landed, steadying her descent. "Whoa- careful there." She looked out onto the dark horizon. "I don't know... it's much warmer here than where I live, so we can't be in the north.... seems like we're in the middle of nowhere, though. Guess we won't escape this place by flying away." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Ha- thanks.. got, uh, sky legs I guess, heheh. Yeah I don’t think this is anywhere near the U.S. either. Feels too.. I dunno, the weathers too neutral feeling.” ’Won’t escape by flying.’ …How were they supposed to escape? “Hm. Yeah that.. probably wouldn’t’ve worked anyway.. I doubt everybody can fly and, heh, I doubt we could carry all of ‘em either..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, no worries. I've got ya, I've got ya." Kyrie repeated warmly, and held Gale close. "Mhm.... yeah. Though, we'll probably have to be on the lookout for storms here." Kyrie hummed. "Hopefully the weather doesn't turn nasty." "True, true..." Kyrie scanned the horizon again, her gaze eventually settling on the statue not far from them. "Ah! I thought that was a person at first." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Thanks, hah, flying with you was nice..” She rubbed her neck as she smiled at her. “Storms, huh? That’ll be exciting, doubt they get tornadoes out here, at least.” As Kyrie exclaimed, Gale jumped, throwing a hand out in front of her defensively. “Bwuh?! Oh- ohh. Sheesh, yeah that’s.. a really good statue, really well carved. Huh.. why’s this here, anyway?” They lowered their arm as they fidgeted with their hair, starting to walk towards the statue. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Aw, thank you! It's been forever since I've flown with a partner. It was nice to fly with you, too." Kyrie smiled, somewhat bashfully. "I know, right?" She cautiously approached the statue with Gale, careful not to step too close to the cliff's edge. "I saw another one like in some ruins earlier. I wonder who they're supposed to be..." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Ehee.. yeah..” She smiled like a total lovestruck fool. <3 “Oh, there’s more? Do you think they’re… other.. god people, or like.. saints..?? I don’t know much about this sorta stuff.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm.... maybe. The Lifebringer people do believe in saints, I think. Or maybe they're the past Lifebringer incarnations, or something like that." As they approached the statue, Gale would begin to hear a sweet, feminine voice carried on the wind. It was speaking in another language, but it was clear whoever it was, they were speaking to someone they cared about lot about. Their tone was gentle, affectionate- almost seductive. Kyrie didn't seem to react to it- or she never heard it in the first place. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Huh. Lifebringer.. it’d be nice if-“ They cut off as the voice began, a confused look on their face. “Was that you..? …where is that coming from?” Her eyes looked to the statue. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Kyrie's brow furrowed in confusion. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

She looked around for a second, before returning to the statue, daring to step just a bit closer to the edge. “Someone’s talking.. don’t know what they’re saying, but.. hm, feminine- you don’t hear it?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't hear anything- but, hm. It might be the statue? This same sort of thing happened when I saw the other one with this really angry guy. He could hear a voice, but I couldn't." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Really? I guess talking statues are normal here.. glad I’m not crazy, though- wanna fly over to it?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, let's check it out!" Kyrie said, and lifted from the ground. It only took a a brief moment to dart over to the statue. "Can you tell what it's saying?" She said as she landed by the statue, peering around it to try to see the woman's face. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale followed, landing next to Kyrie, eyes tight as she tried to focus on the voice. “…no, it’s not English, that’s for sure. Hm.. they got a name ‘round here, or..” She glanced around the statue, looking for a plaque or something for a clue. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh, weird." Kyrie managed to step in front of the statue, using her wings to balance and keep from falling. "Can't find any sort of plaque or anything... though, the other one didn't have one of those either..." She looked towards the statue's peacefully smiling face. "It's kinda freaking me out, though." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Huh. Really not making it easy for us here.. be nice if they’d label shit, heh.” Gale gave the statue a scrutinizing look. “Yeah. It’s too.. it’s way too realistic..” She knocked her knuckles against it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The voice's soft murmurs switched into an empowered, almost angry speech- still in a language Gale wouldn't know. "Whoa! It is talking!" Kyrie exclaimed. "This is freaky..." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

She flinched as the voice reacted. “Woah- ha.. okay, then. Is it.. talking to me, then?” They waved a hand in front of the statue’s eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe?" Kyrie watched the statue closely, but nothing changed. The voice continued speaking. "I don't understand the language..." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Worry was slowly ascending into her features. “Yeah I’ve never heard it before…so is- are these statues like- do y’think they’re stuck in there? Like ghosts or something?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie's brow furrowed. ".... Maybe. That sounds awful- being stuck in a statue like that. This place does feel haunted." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Eugh, yeah.” “…..we probably can’t.. break it to like- yeah, no, that’s- that’s stupid. Hmm..” She tapped the statue’s shoulder. “Hey, scream if- wait- probably doesn’t know English- have you ever heard this language before?? Man where do we even start with this..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"That sounds like a bad idea- I think it's solid stone, anyways." Kyrie frowned. "It sounds a bit like the language Loucari people use in their prayers and stuff. Maybe someone else knows it?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Yeah.. hm. I guess the people leading this would know, but I doubt they’d help. maybe another.. contestant knows it.” She sighs. “Welp, this is a bust. You wanna head back, Kyr?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahhhh, yeah. Maybe we can check more in the morning. It's getting pretty late." Kyrie sighed, and gazed out a the dark horizon one time more. "Want me to walk you back to your room? Or, as far as they'll let me, I guess- I think we're on different teams." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale gives her a grin, offering her hand. “I’d be happy to walk back with you.” They glance between their outfits with a light laugh. “This whole teams thing makes this feel like some messed up summer camp.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie wrapped Gale's hand in her own, and began leading her back towards the citadel- on foot this time. "Ahha, yeah. It does sort of have summer camp vibes, what with the nature and the teams and all." She laughed. "Did you ever go to camp as a kid?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Ehh, one time my grandparents convinced my mom to send me to some bible camp. Heh, I stirred up so much shit and tried walking home so many times they gave up and called her to come get me. Had stupid teams then too, I think I was on the doves or something. Did your family ever send you off like that?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, that sounds like it sucked. Sorry you had to go through that." Kyrie wasn't the most familiar with the term 'bible camp', but she got the gist of it. "Yeah, it's corvi tradition to send out all the fledglings to camp the summer they turn 13. S'posed to teach us how to be mature and independent. I had a pretty good time, all things considered. We didn't have teams, though. We were just sorted by bird type." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Yeahh, it was a little fun at times at least.. practically started a whole revolution one time ‘cause we wanted to play in the gym instead of studying, heheh.” “Ohh, that sounds neat. More interesting than what I did. Do you guys.. start like people shaped or birds?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie laughed. "Hah! I'd do the same, honestly." "Sooo we start out as little bird babies when we hatch, but we tend to have our first transformations into human form as toddlers. I was a late bloomer, I first transformed when I was like four. And then we're more-or-less stuck in human form til we become adults, which biologically happens around the late teenage years." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

She smiled as she pictured it. “Aww, little fluffy bird baby, heehee.. Hmhmm, that’s really cool. Man, Roy would’ve-” Her voice catches in her throat. She turns her head, coughing awkwardly. Roy would’ve loved hearing about this. He loves this sorta stuff. Loved. “Uh.. ha, so- sorry- uh, soo can you.. turn into a bird now? Still?” The smile on their face looked strained. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie noticed how Gale stopped after bringing up this 'Roy', and didn't comment about it. She was, however, morbidly curious, and vowed to ask about it sometime. Maybe once they were closer. "Yeah, I can. It's pretty easy for me. Wanna see?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Please, please, please don’t say anything- fuck me this was going so well, why did I- oh thank GOD- “Haa- yeah! If you don’t- y’know, mind at all.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, of course! Like I said, it's easy." Kyrie smiled, and stepped back from Gale. She held her arms and wings slightly aloft, for dramatic effect, and in a dark flash transformed into her bird form. She was a very average sized American crow, with dark, iridescent feathers. She fluttered up to Gale's shoulder and perched there for a moment. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Oh, wow.” Gale held out her arm, trying to give her space to balance if needed. The shine of her feathers in the moonlight was gorgeous, almost as pretty as her hair. “Ha, wow.. I’ve never seen a crow this close.. I didn’t know y’all had shiny feathers. They’re beautiful.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie took off from Gale's hand after a short while, and transformed back into her human form midair. Being a crow was nice and all, but she also wanted to talk. She landed near Gale. "Thanks!" She beamed, clearly pretty proud of her shiny feathers and happy Gale had complimented them. "That's, ah, really nice to hear." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Yeah.. ha, man, do you have to do hair care and feather care? They look great.” Her hair was braided too.. been awhile since they’ve braided hair, maybe they could.. ..She was blushing again, and maybe staring. Just a little. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do! I try to take very good care of my feathers, keep 'em all nice and shiny. And I keep my hair in flight braids- that's what we call this style, at least, when it's all tight to the scalp. Keeps your hair from getting in your face midair." Kyrie laughed. "I'm not, ah, rambling, am I? I get the sense I talk a lot." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Tight braids, the hair would need extra care to not damage it too much- was her hair thick, wavy? Did it have texture? What would it feel like through her fingers- They blink momentarily. “Oh- no, no. Not at all, I like listening to you. You’re fine- all good. Ha, let’s keep walking… Um.. do you still..” She held out her hand once more, a nervous smile on their face. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

In the dim light it was hard to see, but Kyrie was blushing warm as Gale replied. "Haha, yeah. Let's go." She instantly took Gale's hand back in her own, and started walking back towards the citadel... @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Having finally descended the mountain, Kenji finds himself hesitant to return to the citadel just yet. The flickering auroras above still cast a cool light over the area and he... Well. He can't quite bring himself to leave them. Kenji sits down, leaning against a larger rock and loosely wrapping his arms around his knees as he stares out at the open sea. It's somehow both calming and terrifying at the same time. He's not too far off the main path down right now, but it's quieter here and not as oppressive as the temple. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

It hurt to walk, and it hurt even more to stick around the...place. She'd left before Jason caught wind of her, carefully making her way down the last few steps. Poor kid. She didn't even know him, but poor kid. How awful. No last words or, or anything. He was just...gone in a blink. Ellie didn't know how long she wandered about for, but she had kept a careful eye on the remnants of the auroras above...so much so that when she was greeted with the expanse of the sea, she had to actually stop. Any further, and she could have just wandered out and fallen. She stands there for quite some time, staring out into the sea, before she notices someone sitting nearby. It hesitates for a moment- but only for a moment, before it begins to make their way over. "It's really pretty, huh," Ellie quietly asks the stranger. It does look mesmerizing, auroras dancing above them in the sky. "I've never seen auroras like these before." (edited)

6:44 PM

@em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji doesn't seem to notice her there at first--not reacting to neither her footsteps nor her voice. It's not until he replies, after a moment, that it would be clear he's aware of her presence. "Yes," he agrees, voice dull and tired. More along the lines of resigned than anything else. "It's pretty. I've... I've seen similar ones before." Waves crash against the rocks below in the background as he speaks. "He made bigger ones like these a few times that I remember." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"You knew him?" she asks, a bit quieter now. "Aarni?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"I do," Kenji nods--then, with a lump in his throat, slowly corrects, "...did. I did. He was... We were from different points in time. But for me I.. I knew him for over twenty years." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I...see." Different points in time, huh. Ellie stands there, still staring out into the sea. "I'm sorry," she softly says, and it aches in all the wrong places. "I didn't meet Aarni, but he seemed like a good guy. Nice." "...Twenty years is a long time, huh?" she says, and tucks her hands behind her back. There's a faint hint of a sorrow little smile on her lips. "Twenty years worth of memories to carry on in his name, maybe more." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"It sure is a long time," Kenji says with a small laugh, though it's a little watery. "He's.. He was a good guy. He cared, you know? About as many people as he possibly could." He goes quiet for another moment, mask obscuring his expression. "...I hope," he murmurs finally, but the statement lacks any real belief behind it. "Until it's my turn at least, I suppose." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie's equally as quiet, though she lightly scuffs the heel of her sandal into the ground. A good guy who cared about a lot of people. That was nice. That was really nice. "Mhm," she hums, tunelessly. It's strange. She didn't know him as much as this guy did. "I...hm." She wants to hold onto the hope that they'll escape so painfully bad, but how many more deaths would it take before they got even a shred of what was happening here? "Well, hopefully you won't have to lose your fight," she softly says, "and hopefully we can all find a way out of here before any other fights have to happen." "If...you want to share, who are you going up against?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji shakes his head, minutely, though he doesn't disagree verbally just yet. Ellie might be trying to hold on to her hope, and he's not going to just sit back if any action does happen, but the thought of starting it...just feels entirely hopeless. "I'm not sure there is a way to stop them," he admits. "One Lifebringer's will is strong enough, much less two. I've.. I've already spoken to Albanes, she'll make sure my husband knows. I don't..want it to happen, but I'm okay with it. Albanes promised we would be safe." Not that he believes her, fully, but it's easy enough to convince himself he does. "I, ah, don't know for sure. I missed the announcement during the gala. Seki told me it was something like Amy or Ellie maybe? They weren't paying too close attention, so they weren't sure either. I haven't gone to check, though." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 (edited)

"...mm," Ellie only says, though it's brows furrow a bit at that. "Albanes...promised, huh..." Look. It didn't entirely distrust Albanes, but...argh, just her being here and standing aside wasn't great either. "I- huh?" Ellie suddenly said, a bit confused. Shoot, she didn't know who her competitor was, either. "Um. I...wasn't paying attention when the names got called, but- but I'm Ellie. Um. Hi." What happened to staying on the lowdown, Ellie? What happened to scoping out the enemy first, Ellie? @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Albanes promised,” Kenji repeats, nodding. It’s hard to discern how he really feels about that with his eyes hidden behind the mask. “I’m not..happy about it but it’s something, and I’ve..known her long enough to trust her here.” His voice falls a little quieter. “We all met at the same place; me, her and Aarni.” Moving on from that, Ellie introduces herself, and Kenji straightens up in slight surprise. This certainly wasn’t how he hoped to meet her (assuming she was for sure his opponent, he’s just going to go with that), but maybe it was a good thing they did. “I’m Kenji. Nice to meet you Ellie,” he says, with a small and faintly bittersweet smile. “I mean it. I wish it was..better circumstances, but…” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 (edited)

"It's nice to meet you too, Kenji," she replies, smiling faintly. "I...hm. Anywhere other than here would have been...a good place to meet people, really." Maybe she should have paid a biiit more attention to the announcement instead of, y'know, blanking out. It was still way too early to get the vibes of this guy, but he just seemed...kinda sad, which was more than reasonable. Twenty years. "You...all knew each other?" Ellie echoes, smiling a little more at that. "That...huh. That's really nice. Where did you all meet, if you don't mind?" "I know most people wouldn't want to...share stuff with their opponent, and that's more than alright." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“You’re probably right about that,” Kenji chuckles softly. He shifts a bit, stretching out one leg from his seated position with a sigh, and nods his head at another nearby rock. “Want to join me?” “I don’t mind at all. We met on an island for an event, something to do with people who had powers? I don’t remember clearly. Oh, and it turned out to be the same event where I met my husband too.” He smiles off into the distance, thought it’s tinged with something close to…uncertainty, maybe? It’s odd. “We had a lot in common, so a bunch of us stayed in contact over the years.” He’s quiet for a brief moment after that, smile slowly dimming to a more serious look as he adjusts to make eye contact with her, even through the mask. It’s a little uncanny. “Ellie, I.. Look. I don’t plan on winning this. I just want you to know that, before anything.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh- oh, thanks," Ellie says, nodding a bit as she takes a seat on the nearby rock. She doesn't stretch or anything, just lightly tapping the toes of her sandals together as she sits. It lifts their attention from the sea to focus a bit on Kenji as he speaks, it's little smile seeming a bit softer now. "It sounds nice, though- meeting such good friends and your husband," she hums. "Some bonds just...stick, you know? It feels natural." But it's smile falters a bit when he continues, and confusion replaces that faintly somber look it once had. Thank the First Spinjitzu Master she hated that mask. "I-" she manages to say, though she doesn't know what else to say. "I- huh? What?" 'What a relief, I didn't wanna have to fight you, either.' No, that was a horrible thing to think! Huh?? @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“It was, really,” Kenji hums, head tilting back slightly as he glances up at the auroras once more. “Natural is a good word for it, I think.” Forget the uncomfortable thought in the back of his mind that it was anything but. He’d…pretty much expected Ellie to react like that, and he gives it another moment or two before he repeats, stronger but still soft, “I don’t plan on winning. None of us… We’re not meant to survive here. Albanes can’t stop the fights, but she says it’ll all be okay in the end. I have to believe that.” Kenji hesitates, then adds, “I know it sounds..drastic, but I don’t want to be the reason for someone’s death. I’d rather be the reason for someone’s life. Even if just for a short while.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 (edited)

"Y- h-huh? What?" Ellie shook her head a bit, that anxious gnawing feeling starting to claw it's way back into her throat a bit. "I- okay, don't get me wrong, I know we're. Not supposed to survive, it's- it's a death tournament, after all but-" Was that it? Just giving up and laying down your weapons and just going, 'shit, guess I'll die?' Was that *it? "Do you really trust that everything will be alright?" she softly asked. "I- I don't- *no one here wants to die, so- just. You're okay with just...giving up?" Someone's death, someone's death. So like, hers, yeah? (What would happen if she succesfully convinced Kenji to fight for his life? That would just mean the end of hers, yeah??) @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“I don’t want to die either,” Kenji emphasizes, pulling one knee up closer to his chest as he sits a little straighter. “I promise, I don’t. It’s not like that. But one of us has to, eventually.” Maybe it’s possible he could be convinced, but unlikely. His mind seems pretty made up. “Albanes is going to let my husband know. Once it’s all over. That’s… I feel better knowing that.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"T-that. That's. Good, that you don't want to die," she mutters, clutching a bit at her robe. Ugh. All of this felt. Just awful. "I...God." "It really doesn't have to be like this- none of us have to die- we can get a way out of here, somehow, you know? We can stall- for- for some time, I'm not sure." It's as if she's trying to convince herself further that there's an actual way out of here. But despite how...awful it is, just- Kenji giving up for others to have a moment longer to live, she feels...very selfish for not wanting to convince him further. Fuck. "Your husband, huh?" Ellie asks after a moment, exhaling quietly. "Um...do you...want to talk about him?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"I wish that was true," Kenji murmurs quietly to himself, then at normal volume, agrees, "We could stall. But we'd only be delaying the inevitable, and..." A shiver creeps down his spine, though he's unsure why. "I don't think the other Lifebringer would let us get away with too long." He seems a little surprised at Ellie's question, but pleasantly so. "That would be.. That would be nice." The more he talks, the wider his smile stretches into his scars, and it's easy enough to know it reaches his eyes hidden behind the mask. "His name is Jax. We met on that island, and then we got married about five years later. We don't... Neither of us really felt comfortable with having a kid, but we had our cats and that's plenty," Kenji chuckles. "He's a chef now, and I helped run the restaurant." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie's brows furrow a bit as Kenji speaks his worries, though her expression softens considerably as he begins to talk about his husband. "Aw, well that's just sweet," she lightly says, tilting her head to the side. "Cat parents, huh? I think I got the vibe you were more of a cat person than anything when I first saw you. How many cats d'you guys have?" "A chef- well, that has to be pretty interestin'. How long have you guys been married for?" It was nice to just talk about people- friends, family, people you cared about. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji's smile warms more. "Just two, but sometimes it feels like double that," he laughs softly. "Garfield and Nermal--though they're named opposite their looks. We thought it'd be funny, turns out we just confused ourselves." "We've been married for just over twenty years-- I guess before I meant to say we met closer to twenty five, then," he corrects with an amused sigh. "My memory's always been a little difficult. But yes, he worked through culinary school, though he really didn't need to in my opinion, while I got my GED." "How about you?" He asks curiously, head tilted slightly, and elaborates with a slight chuckle at his own wording, "Any pets or partners or anything else?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Aww, little guys!" Ellie laughs as well. "It's always really funny for the bit, and then the- the bit just ends up confusing you instead. But still, two cats? That's really sweet. The cats, and just...you guys, too, I'unnno. Married for twenty years is just...it's just really sweet. Kinda...like, desserts, and stuff, too. Heh." Ellie hums quietly for a moment, thinking about her own home as she scuffs her sandal against the ground. "I...well, I don't have any pets or partners. My roommates are eeenough work as it is. Though..." Was it worth telling a stranger? Yeah. "Though, they're a bit more like family than just roommates." "There's two of 'em- Ace, who's here...uh, big dork, big nerd, glasses, kinda tall, and Nathan who's...well! He's not here. Elsewhere. Big fan of goats and purple stuff." "We meant to get our own places at some point, but it was just easier to live together. Rent in Ninjago is...cheap, though, all things considered." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"I'm glad you have them," Kenji smiles. "Like you said before about bonds, it's wonderful when you have that connection with the people in your life. Plus the combined rent helps, of course," he jokes lightly. "Ours was certainly tough while we were in school." His face falls a little, though, at the mention of one of them being stuck here too. "Ah, I'm.. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you get to spend some time together at the very least... Make the most of it, yeah?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Yeah," she sighs, laughing a little quieter. "I'm...really glad to have them, too." Ellie's smile falls a little too, for a very similar reason. "I- m.hm. I will." Right. If it were just her here, she'd just have to worry about...well, getting herself out of here. But with Jason- She wanted to go home. She *really wanted to go home, but the thought of either of them losing their fights, and- just. What if they found a way home? What if they found a way home and it was too late? In a very morbid way, if she...well, lost, she wouldn't have to worry any more.* Shit, shit, shit, but if Jason lost, what if he- how could- "So, I know you mentioned your husband's a chef," Ellie suddenly says, very excited to shift the conversation to something...a bit lighter. "Um, but, what do you do for work?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"That's good," Kenji says softly, letting the silence of Ellie's thoughts fill the air for a moment or two so she can process. It's a lot. He understands. He picks up on the topic change too, but doesn't comment on the abruptness of it. "I help out at the restaurant wherever I can--though anywhere besides the kitchen. I've been banned," he chuckles faintly. "I tried to take a few business classes online at one point, but it turned out easier for me to learn as we built up." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ah, thank the First Spinjitzu Master. The conversation was moving. "Oh, you've been banned, huh?" Ellie says, unable to contain an actual, genuine laugh of surprise. "I- how does one get banned from working in the kitchen? I'm sure it'd take a bit of...mishaps, y'know?" "Hm, sometimes classes work with teaching you stuff, but sometimes it's experience that's the best teacher. I mean, I dropped out of college way early, so I don't really have much to say about classes and lessons and the like." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Jax knows how awful I am at cooking,” Kenji replies with a faint snort, shaking his head. “Usually when I try to cook at home the fire alarms go off. So it was basically a ban from day one.” “I think I just wasn’t used to the format,” he shrugs, leaning back against the rock. “I never graduated high school, so I’d kind of forgotten how things worked.” (Why didn’t he? It feels like something he should remember.) “Besides, there wasn’t really any specific restaurant-managing class that I could find. If we needed to figure something out we figured it out together.” With the fond smile still on his face, it seems he means that more broadly than just work. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"That is a very reasonable reason to ban someone from the kitchen," she agrees, nodding her head with a smile. "A precaution, of sorts." Ellie listens as Kenji explains, continuing to nod with a quiet little 'ah'. "Well, that makes sense. It doesn't hurt to try, though it's nice that the two of you managed to work things out together- and find the best ways to make stuff work," she softly says. "No wonder you've been together for twenty years." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Definitely,” Kenji chuckles. A comfortable quiet falls over them as Ellie speaks softer, and Kenji’s smile softens to match it. The wind rustles his hair around his curled horns. “I’ve been on a lucky streak,” he murmurs. “I never thought I’d have something like that.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"A lucky streak, huh?" Eh, she wouldn't really call this 'lucky, but...ah, ignoring all thaaat- "Hm, well, I haven't known you for much, but I'd say you've been pretty lucky so far. Two cats, good friends, and a loving home. It's really nice." Home. "It's funny how life works out, huh?" Ellie hums, tapping against her arm. "Crazy stuff." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

He knows it’s strange to say, but it’s true. “Thank you,” he says meaningfully, resting his head against the rock behind him. “And it really is. It’s got a way of working out in the end. You just have to trust the ride, I think.” Not sure if that applies to a death tournament, but whatever you say buddy. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 (edited)

"It's nothin'," Ellie responds, smiling one more time at Kenji before she turns to look back at the expanse of the ocean. "Mmm, ayup. Trust the ride. I feel that's kinda how life is most of the time- just trusting that stuff will eventually work out, you know?" She sighs a little- "though, sometimes, it's just an awful ride now, huh." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji's hesitant before replying, scarring on his face twisting as he grimaces slightly. "I...suppose it is," he says slowly, before adding, "but it will work out. I know that." Looking up at the sky, auroras faded away into the dark of night, Kenji sighs and pushing himself to his feet. "I should..really be getting some sleep," he says after a heavy moment. "It really was nice to talk to you before everything, Ellie." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"It was nice talking to you too," Ellie replies, a bit quieter now. She smiles a bit, brows furrowed together, and waves. "May the wind guide you, Kenji. Good night." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

He seems a little surprised at the wish, but offers her a calm, yet almost resigned, smile in return. “You too. Sleep well.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I'll see you around- sleep well, too," Ellie says, and returns her attention back to the ocean. Ah. The auroras are gone. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

~~and the auroras were back!~~ In the gloomy, rainy morning, there was one very bright blob glowing on the grass near the statue of the cliffs. It was a blinding white spot on the grass, about the size of a dog bed, and it was quietly flaming with green fire in the slight rain. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo had hoped the morning would bring a sense of calm he could enjoy, but maybe that was too greedy of Invo. The light rain was enough to leave shadows for him to travel in and he eventually ended back in the wild. He looked up as he spotted the white light and he quietly approached with a curious look. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The blob of light was formless, and it seemed like the blades of grass were not bent under it, though, they seemed dry inside the light unlike the wet grass elsewhere. The green flames were small and flickering soundlessly off of the brightest light, like a dying bonfire. The blob was moving slightly. At first glance it seemed like it was breathing, but upon further observation the soft movement was irregular, perhaps more affected by the wind. The air around the light was much colder. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo tilted his head as he observed the light, unsure what was going on. Very slow and hesitant, Invo reached his hand out to the light to try and grab it. Couldn't have any bad consequences, right? @Twig | Seki / Aarni

(i think you should roll damage for intentionally sticking a hand into it @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

)

1:06 PM

(we can do attack/def tho, even tho she's not actively attacking)

(I'm just gonna roll damage lol)

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

used /r

# 5
Details:[d5 (5)]

(Idiot boy)

3:04 PM

@Twig | Seki / Aarni

(jsdhsjhdds) The moment Invo's hand grasped at the light, he could feel it burn through his skin. It left something that would feel like a nasty sunburn. After Invo disturbed the flames, their shape changed, and they began fluttering more. A pair of glowing green eyes appeared amidst the flames, and as they closed, ten more would appear, and any time a pair disappeared, others would appear. Then, for a moment a grinning mouth with sharp teeth formed in the light. It split, morphed and disappeared, but the flames began resembling limbs, claws, tails... and they were spreading left and right on the wet grass. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Ibn al kalb!" Invo swore as he felt the light burn through his glove and onto his skin. He had already been injured enough being here. The last thing he seriously needed was some random ass light to also hurt him. When the light suddenly began to take shape and change, Invo immediately stepped back and got into a defensive position. He didn't know what the hell was going on, but if it was out to hurt him, Invo wouldn't just take it. @Twig | Seki / Aarni Translate: Son of a bitch

Indeed, Invo, that indeed. The flames spread quickly, forming a ring around Invo. They were still low, but as soon as they had surrounded the guy, they flared up higher, forming fluttering, green curtains around him. Countless of small, bright eyes blinked in the flames like embers, and the man could vaguely see shapes and images in them, like fish behind an aquarium wall, moving, morphing, circling him like hungry wolves, but wherever he tried to look, he could never fully see a thing before it had already disappeared or morphed into something else. He could, perhaps, get the impression of something quadruped-like, something with sharp teeth and a long grin, something with a thick, bushy tail and a mischievous, gleeful mien. Regardless of the sheer cold the flames radiated, and despite of how tall they burned, they were completely soundless. Yet, there was an eerie feeling that therey where whispering... Though, perhapse that was just the rain. "Pup A new Do I know this pup? Who is this silly thing? Have I seen this before? ...with Repo? I saw him before. Oh yes it was this. All hurt and injured! Silly, silly pup, heehehee!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Great. Now the light was surrounding him and talking. Invo glared up at the morphing images and eyes, following each one to the best of his abilities. "Who's there!? Show yourself, you fiend!" Invo demanded. He doubted his powers would work against these lights. Invo needed to find the user if he were to do any physical damage to them... what a pain in the ass. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Though they couldn't understand Invo, the loud, angry sounds he made were entertaining to the flames regardless, and they danced, spiraling and closing in on the man teasingly, before retreating again. There was still no sound, only the faintest idea of manic giggling and cackling. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Invo grit his teeth, taking continuous small steps back away from the flames whenever it got too close. "Stop hiding! Coward!" Invo shouted, clearly growing much more agitated. "If you want to fight, come out!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The flames continued spiralling around Invo, soundless and cold, but they slowed down a little. It was contemplating. Thinking how it could mess with Invo. Then many grinning maws flashed in the green wisps, quickly disappearing. Now, Invo could see something new in the flames. Something that didn't immediately disappear, but it was slowly taking form. It was vague and flickering, but it seemed like a human face. There was something familiar about it. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Invo narrowed his eyes at the flashing maws and grins, carefully watching for when the flames would attack. It was only when he saw a vague human face did he speak again. "Are you finally showing yourself? Stop hiding!" He said with an angered voice and reeled his arm back to swing at the figure. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The flames shuddered from held back laughter, but the face was slowly becoming clearer. It was morphing and flickering, hard to distinguish at first, but it did start to resemble more and more one familiar face, until two dead eyes stared at Invo through the flames. Aarni? @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo tilted his head in confusion when he saw the face form, and his gaze only hardened when he recognized it was Aarni. "Is your soul haunting this realm now as well? Bastard, just die quietly and move onto the afterlife," Invo huffed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The face remained still in the flames, like waiting for a reaction. Kettu liked the confused look on Invo's face, but was disappointed there wasn't more of a reaction. The flames erased the face, spinning faster around Invo, and suddenly he was surrounded by faces that resembled Aarni more or less, and were various levels of emaciated and skeletal. Grinning sharp teeth and glowing green eyes still flickered in and out in the flames. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

What the hell? Invo's glare hardened at the various faces. The longer he looked at all of them, the more he was starting to piece some parts together. This had to be some sort of residue from Aarni's powers. The colors and lights looked enough like the lights in the sky after he died, and now it was stuck here. Great. "Piece of shit... when you're dead, just stay dead!" Invo huffed and attempted to punch one of the faces in the light. @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

The flames made their first sound now. It was like a crackling of an old radio, bass boosted. The faces faded when the flames lurched at Invo, spinning and spiralling around his arm, and caving in on him like a tidal wave. Countless little claws and fangs tugged, ripped and pulled at his clothes, and tails and tongues licked what skin they could find. Their touch was burning, but each one lasted so little time they didn't injure him. It was like they were playing, laughing. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo was tempted to turn off his hearing aids when he heard the off-tune noise. Just how much more annoying could this thing get? Just when he thought the flames would stop, they just came right at him. He held his arms over his face, protecting it from any of the maneuvers the flames did, but he didn't quite understand what was going on still. "Just—Stop! Either answer me or disappear!" Invo shouted to the flame. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Though the creature didn't understand, it did assault Invo's head twice as viciously, phasing through his hood and fingers, pushing through his hearing aids, toying with them and causing them to buzz and rattle, and into his head, trying to force a connection. "Funny pup, silly pup, what was your name thing, purpose? -th me play with me play- Do you want to be my new host? thing, play thing silly silly Play with me!" (You can either let the connection form so Invo can directly undersrand Kettu and vice verca, or we can roll!) @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

(We'll just let it happen LMAO) Invo grit his teeth as the flames got to his head. His hearing aids buzzing gave him a headache, and it didn't help that this strange light was now piercing into his head directly. It felt like a warm yet heavy substance enveloped his brain and Invo stumbled back. "Grgh—G-Get out of my head-!" He huffed, picking up bits and pieces of what the voice was saying. No way in hell was he ever going to be a host for anything. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Why? I just got in! I can't understand your human ramblings if I'm not in your brainnn." There was no voice, but Invo could now understand what the flames wanted to say. They were still pulling and tearing on Invo's clothes like a strong wind. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo would grind his teeth into oblivion with how hard he was grttting them. "What are you?! You're clearly not that bumbling, humble fool!" He asked, still punching the lights and trying to dodge out of the way of their fangs. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aarni?" There was a wild sense of glee and malicious joy. "No, that pup is gone! Dead! DeaD! DEAD!" The emotion got more intense, frantic and furious. "HIS BODY IS GONE, MY PRISON IS GONE, AND YET I'M STILL TEATHERED TO HIM! HOWHY? I CAN'T REACH THE SKY! I CAN'T GO HOME! I'M STUCK HERE! And you're stuck with me!~" If Invo accepted the images and emotions that were offered to him, he would feel a sense of weightlessness, like he was freed of his corporeal form. The Earth was glowing far beneath him, and the full strenth of Sun's rays were combing and feeding his fur. He would feel a whole pantheon of deities closeby, and know his relations to them; he was a daughter of a lady with a wild heart and a mischievous mind, a niece of many goddesses, and a nuicanse to most. His human mind brought up images of foxes and bonfires, and came up with the word fire fox. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Despite asscention, Invo fell to his knees. He started to bang his head against the wet muddy earth and pulled at his hair. "GET. OUT!" He shouted, desperate to get this spirit out of his body. This body didn't belong to any deity other than the Great Hmarab. He couldn't let some childish, skittish, lost soul take host in him. If this was a deity inside of Aarni, Invo wondered why it didn't die along with him. Did the Lifebringer spare them? Or were they unable to be taken to the next life? Either way, he wasn't going to become its next subject. "I am not yours to use! Go find some other idiotic fool to host-!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aww come on! I just want to have some fun! I won't stay the whole time, I won't be sealed and confined again like that. If I can't go home, I need to find entertainment here, or I get bored. And you are really funny, hehe!" >:3c @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"SHUT UP!" Invo shouted to nothing, still banging his head against the ground. "Get out get out get out!" By now, Invo was covered head to toe in dirt and grime, practically rolling around. If this fox wanted some entertainment, guess she was getting it. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

A bubbling, malicious glee surrounded Invo's body and mind. Oh, Kettu was having so much fun. She didn't spare a single thought to the fact that this was the exact behavior she had been imprisoned for in the first place. "Heehee! Silly, silly! Roll in the mud like the pup you are! Ahhhahhahhah!!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You are—SO annoying-!" Invo continued to huff and puff. When the banging didn't work, he stopped and grit his teeth even more. "That pale fool is lucky to of died if it was to escape you! Are you the source of his powers?!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I AM his powers!" Again, Invo was offered feelings and emotions to experience, if he wanted an explanation. He would find himself in a different body, and in a confusing way, he knew he was Aarni. He was looking through the boy's eyes, down at his left hand, where a flower-shaped mark softly shone its light. Suddenly he was there, inside the palm, though there was no sense of viscera or gore. He could feel himself in a cozy and warm, although crammed space, where his energy was connected to Aarni's. He was trapped, with the only way out being the nerve that connected him to the boy's heart. Such a tiny passageway, but he had a feeling he could squeeze through if he really tried. "They put me in him because I was having too much fun!" :3c @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

How much Invo wished this blasted being would just vanish. The vision of Aarni's body was quite literally, an out of body experience. Then it was cramped and dark, nauseating. Invo wrangled and a strained grunt escaped his throat. "Get. Out," he said again, his voice hoarse. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aww, but what am I supposed to do if I leave you alone? It's so BORING here. That Lifebringer probably trapped me here. It's SUCH a killjoy. It didn't even kill Repo pup in any interesting way! I was so looking forward to see how it feels like to die, but it was sooooooo boring I almost fell asleep! You should go beat it up! Hehehe..." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"If you want to die so badly, I will GLADLY do it for you-" Invo grunted. "Just—LEAVE! My body isn't yours to use-!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The playful and jolly emotion churned in and around Invo. "Silly pup, I can't die! I'm a spirit, not a silly mortal like you. But oh well, if you don't have anything interesting to say, maybe I'll leave you and find someone else to play with. Although, it was you who disturbed my rest." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You disturb this plane with even being here-!" He shouts back at the fox in his head. "Get out. Get out. Get out-!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"And? It's not like I can do anything about it. I'm stuck, remember? I would go home if I could, but for some reason I can't, even though my prison was destroyed. Soo, now I just kill the time~" the flames turned more ethereal, now much more like Aarni's auroras, and they spun smoothly around Invo, twisting around him. For now the creature seemed to have stopped messing with his robes. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo swore he would grind his teeth down to dust with how hard he was gritting his teeth. "How did that pale fool even come across you? You seem much too laxidasical to have been taken in by him," he huffed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I was planted in his path." There was a brief image of a weird, glowing flower growing from a rocky hill top. The same flower that Aarni had imprinted on his left hand in Invo's earlier vision. "He was curious and touched me, and I got sealed in him. It wasn't a coincidence either, the higher-ups chose him to be my jail." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo glared as he saw the images, scratching at his head as if to rub the thoughts away. "You were simply.. Put into him? From his touch?" He huffed. Guess it wasn't all that different from how he got into contact with the fox just now. "Your higher-ups must hate both you and him. Forcing someone to be stuck with you must be a sentence only meant for the worst of fools." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

There was a sense of agitation. "I'm not that bad! I'm actually really fun and charismatic!~ But yeah yeah, my aunts don't like me very much. Stuck-up, self-righteous hags. Thought they could teach me a lesson. Hah! Fat chance! And I'm not the only one. His precious band of friends also had creatures sealed in them for powers. I don't know why though." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"So then they're all cursed by you creatures," Invo huffed and rolled his eyes so hard they might of touched his skull. "Whatever the reasons, I don't care. All I care is you get. Out. So hurry and leave," Invo reiterated. "Your host is dead. There is no need for you to stick around anymore." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Don't I know that! I want to leave this miserable fake world! But I can't! I can still feel myself tethered to that boy somehow, and I don't get how. I shouldn't be, since I was only bound to his body and it's burnt to ashes, but here I am, unable to reach the sky! "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR-
-RRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A sudden burst of anger and frustration raked Invo's brain, and the wisps around him flared again, gushing around him, shoving him and tearing him just to vent the emotion. And then, they washed away. The connection to Invo broke, leaving his mind with only his own thoughts and emotions, as the greenish lights rushed into the miserable, wet evening. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

That did bother Invo a bit. If Aarni was dead, then there really was no reason for this creature to still be roaming around. Why was it still here? Neither Invo or the fox had answers, as the voice finally shrilled away into the open air once more. Invo winced as the voice teared at him once again, but was relieved when it was gone. Left alone in the gray aftermath, the rain soaked Invo to the bone. It wasn't pleasant or ideal, but it was better than being that spirit's play thing. Invo let out one last huff, before disappearing into the shadows once more. (edited)

... After Roman had changed back in to Raikal's clothes, and poorly tied on the talisman to the belt with a knot probably not meant for that, he began his search for Kyrie. Where would a bird person be? Cliffs, right? Some good flying action...? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Turns out, Roman's guess was pretty good. Kyrie was out for an early-morning flight when she saw Roman. She landed near him. "Hey, good morning!" She waved. Roman might notice the talisman tied to her belt. It look similar to Raikal's, but with a different pattern and red and orange beads rather than black and indigo ones. "You're in fancy getup." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh god, was she talking to him like he was a corvi too? This was embarrassing.. But he was happy his first guess was right, he was already too tired to walk to another place. "Oh- yes- are you Kyrie?" Roman asked with a small smile. "I was looking for you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, that's me." She laughed, looking over Roman carefully. "So, uh- are you a rookling? Sorry- I haven't seen any rooks in forever. I'm from the Coalfoot murder. I heard there was another corvi here, but the rumors I heard said it was another crow." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman just started at her, still smiling. What did he do? Wasn't it clear that he wasn't- he didn't have any wings! Did he pretend to be one or tell her the truth? He didn't get nearly enough information from Raikal to sound convincing- and even if he had, it would have been corvi information from thousands of years ago! Oh, she was looking at him! It was so clear! He self consciously moved his arms to cover himself as much as he could. "Yes, a rook.." Roman said, figuring it would be better to just ride out the lie for a minute. Please don't ask what 'murder' or whatever he was from.... he wouldn't even know what to say. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie gave him an awkward smile. "Ah, uh, yeah, cool." Maybe this guy was half corvi. They didn't usually have wings, and it'd almost explain the eyes. "Neato... a rook. Well, I'm a crow. As you can see." She ruffled her wings a bit. "How come they let you keep your clothes? I'm stuck in this skimpy robe." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Good, she didn't ask about his.. murder.. He took a look at the wings. Very nice wings. He didn't have a frame of reference. "Ah- Naiyta likes me.. it says I remind it of a corvi it used to date." Roman explained. "Oh- I didn't introduce myself, I'm Raikal." He held his hand out. Raikal was a normal enough rook name, right? Wouldn't raise suspicion? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Weird. But I guess that's... like them." Kyrie hummed, and frowned. "They kinda freak me out. "Nice to meet you, Raikal!" She gave his hand a nice firm shake, unphased by the name. "So, uh, I don't mean to be rude, but you're half-corvi, yeah?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. They really freak me out too." Roman agreed, and shook her hand back. "Mhm, on my grandma's side.." "Which that's actually why Naiyta sent me after you, I want to change up my talisman, but I never got taught how to um.. Bead it back correctly. So I don't want to break it.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, neat! That's cool. There were a few halfling members of my murder that I knew...." Kyrie hummed. "Really?" Her brow furrowed. "Are you sure? I mean, I can help if you want, but... that's pretty personal. We just met. And, also, you're a rook, and I'm a crow. We might have different traditions." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, is it..? Sorry- I didn't mean to be a weirdo.. my parents died when I was very young so I don't- really know much about traditions.." Roman sighed. "I feel like crow things would be better than nothing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- oh, damn, I'm sorry. That's awful." Kyrie's brow creased and worry and sympathy. She was only guessing, but figured it might've been the Loucari raiders- the same that had attacked her own murder. "Let's go further inland, and I can teach you a bit. What were you thinking about changing?" The only real change she knew people made to their talismans were for marriage or when they had babies, both things she had done never. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"My human grandfather took me in after my parents died, so I wanted to add in something from his tradition. I'm sure it's a bit weird to have three on there, but they were all important to me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, that sounds very sweet!" Kyrie hummed. "It's not weird at all- I mean, I know people who add in extra feathers to commemorate their grandparents or siblings they were really close to. Your talisman is supposed to be a representation of your family, so I don't think it's weird to add in elements to represent the human members of that family." Kyrie began walking away from the cliff, hoping Roman would follow. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman followed her, feeling incredibly awkward about getting in on something so intimate he knew absolutely nothing about. He also had some bad news to break to her.. but he didn't want to ruin the moment. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Once they were a ways away from the cliff side, Kyrie sat down on a good-sized rock, and motioned for Roman to sit on another nearby. "So do you have the cording materials? And did you want to add it like a new feather? Oh, I guess I should probably ask what you were meaning to add." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman awkwardly sat down, not feeling too comfortable sitting his bony ass down on a rock. "I.. No, I don't. I wanted to add a bead on to it. Would you be able to just add it along with one of the feathers? It doesn't really need to be a separate thing.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie's brow furrowed a bit. "... I guess you can do that. I figured you'd want a separate cord for each person, but hey, it's your talisman." Maybe it was a rook thing. "So... if you wanted to add a bead to the feather cord, I guess all you'd need to do is untie one of the feathers, string the bead on, and retie the feather. I can help you out if you want, but that shouldn't be too hard." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He was losing it! God, Raikal was going to be offended. He was making it worse. Soooooo much worse. "If it's too strange I can get another cord to add it on- I really don't know anything about this.." Roman put his hands over his face in embarrassment. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hey- hey, it's alright. There's no need to get all freaked out over everything." Kyrie reassured him. "I can teach you how to string on a new cord, then. That's also pretty easy." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Okay- okay.." He slowly moved his hands away from his face, and looked down at the talisman. He untied it from his belt and held it out toward Kyrie. "If the wind somehow knocks this all the way over the cliff, would you be able to fly over and catch it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

".... maybe. We should probably go inside." Kyrie glanced to the cliffs, and gently handed the talisman back to Roman. "I can also help you tie it correctly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... thank you. I didn't remember the right way to do it." Roman mumbled and grabbed his outrageously oversized belt. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie leaned forward and tied the talisman onto Roman's belt in the same way hers was tied on. She was clearly pretty uncomfortable with the close proximity, though, and leaned back up once it was secure. "Come on, we can go to my room. Or yours, either's ok with me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yours." Roman said instantly. "Naiyta.. Can come to visit mine sometimes. They're less likely to come visit yours." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yours." Roman said instantly. "Naiyta.. Can come to visit mine sometimes. They're less likely to come visit yours." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Good point." Kyrie nodded, and started back towards the bird quarters....

Roman followed, silently smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand. This was awful.

The cliffs were a cool location. The sea underneath steadily crashing against the rocky walls, the vast sky ahead, sea birds flying, and the wind blowing... It brought mind Riki's old family house in the mountains. The sea was further north from there, but you could still smell it in the air, and hear it rumbling with such long and sensitive ears as Seki's. They sauntered along with Darcy, until they noticed a statue ahead. "There's one", he pointed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Eugh. That's really close to the cliff edge...." Darcy frowned, but cautiously approached the statue anyways. "Hm.... I can't see its face, but I think that might be Saiytsa?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It is pretty close to the edge. Be careful", Seki agreed, and approached the statue as well, on its other side. "Hmm, that was one of the assassinated Lifebringers, yeah?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah, I think she also... hm." Darcy trailed off. "We can ask her about it." He carefully neared the statue... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright." Seki walked closer as well, keeping some distance from both the cliff edge and the statue, turning and flicking their ears. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Neither Darcy or Seki would be able to hear much over the howling wind.... "Huh...." Darcy examined the statue as best he could. This seemed precarious. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki coughed dryly, and cleared their throat. "Hello, Ms. Lifebringer! Sorry to disturb you, but could we have a chat?" they asked over the wind. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy and Seki would both begin to hear a faint voice on the wind- a woman, speaking softly and gently. "Oh- I can hear her!" Darcy said, and looked up as he strained to listen. "She's talking about.... roses, or something." He asked a question in Laecrysh, and got a quick reply. "That's definitely Saiytsa Senchaidiyeit." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears flicked again, and he listened even though he didn't understand. "Nice! Roses, huh? Does she sound at all more aware where she actually is than the last one?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm.... not really, she seems to be having a one sided conversation with someone." Darcy reported before asking any more questions. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah, figures", Seki nodded, putting one hand on their hip and shifting their weight. "What should we ask first? Feels pretty blunt to be asking about her end just like that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. I have an idea, but it's also kind of blunt." Darcy hummed, but asked his question anyways. The only word Seki would recognize was 'Iydelan Dorosi'. Suddenly, the voice changed. It was the same person, but she sounded younger and was doing a very different activity. The words were quick and brief, in between the clanging of metal weapons and the sounds of heavy panting. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh? What did you ask her?" Seki blinked, and their ears tilted slightly this way and that with the sounds of weapons. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I asked her if she killed Iydelan Dorosi." Darcy hummed. "I guess... she did." Saiytsa was repeating one phrase, over and over again, at increasing intensity. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ohh, gotcha. Huh." Seki looked at what they could see of Saiytsa's face keenly in thought. "...What's she saying?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm.... 'I have to kill the Lifebringer'." Darcy translated. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Damn, huh. Well, tell her we also wanna do that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I will." Darcy nodded, and began to say something in Laecrysh, before he was interrupted by a wet squelching sound and a heavy thud. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki grimaced and stuck their tongue out at the sound. "Ew, what was that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Saiytsa was silent for a moment after that. "I... uh. I think she achieved her goal." Darcy grimaced. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's brows lowered with his ears, and he kept his tongue out as a show of disgust. "Bleh... Just like that? Stabbed 'em to death?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... maybe.." Darcy frowned. "It can't be that easy, right?" There were sounds of frantic movement, and some... fleshier noises. Saiytsa began to speak again, her voice quick and frantic. "She's saying, 'where is it?'." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, that's what I thought too..." They pouted and scrunched their face with the new sounds, ears pressing further back. "Mm, lovely. What is she looking for..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uhm. I'll ask." Darcy said, and did so. Saiytsa had a one-word answer, one Seki would even understand. "Eternity." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki blinked, staring, their expression shifting to surprise. "H-huh?" They shook their head and flicked an ear. "Did she say 'eternity'?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah- she did. That's not a Laecrysh word." Darcy's brow furrowed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Interesting, huh", Seki crossed their arms and tilted their head. "What does she mean by it? Is it something that... hmm." Seki frowned in thought. "Is it like... the Lifebringer powers?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not sure..." Darcy frowned. Saiytsa spoke again, this time in Loucari. "She said she found it." Darcy reported. There was a quiet sound, similar to someone eating something. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears stayed back and her arms crossed, a slightly testy and disapproving expression on her face. Eating something in this context did not seem appealing to her. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Eugh." Darcy said, but couldn't say any more before the statue swallowed, and went abruptly silent. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki tilted their head, and glanced at Darcy. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The silence continued. "... That was weird." Darcy said bluntly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, totally. Is she just done talking now?" Seki looked at the statue. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know." Darcy asked, and waved at the statue. "Salumte? Saiytsa?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni There was a small pause, and the woman's voice replied, "Salumte?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Uh, is she.. okay?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Uh- I'm not sure." Darcy asked in Laecrysh, and Saiytsa replied. "She... seems fine?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright... um, can you ask why did she eat that eternity thing?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy asked, and Saiytsa's answer was simple. "She said... she needed to become the Lifebringer. And that it was simple." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah, so the eternity is the Lifebringer powers", Seki mused. "What would have happened if she didn't eat it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy asked, and once again Saiytsa answered. "She would've risen again. Iydelan, that is." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Huh. What if she like, put the eternity in a box or something?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy asked, and Saiytsa gave a simple reply, "The world would be without its guiding God. Seems her opinions on the Lifebringer are clear enough." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeeah, I suppose she would say that, huh", Seki tilted their head and put their chin in their hand, tail loosely swishing. "Hmm. Maybe we could do that, though.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. We'd have to get eternity out of the Lifebringer, then. It'd probably be in Albanes, rather than in Naiyta..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeeah, that's true. That is a problem. I don't think she's the one we need to defeat", Seki sighed and unfolded their arms. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think there are people here who.... wouldn't support hurting Albanes, anyways. She seems to have some friends among the contestants." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Huh, yeah. She seems more like a passive figure than actively hurting people", Seki nodded. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I... don't really think it's wise to trust her completely, though." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah. But Nayita seems like a more pressing problem. I dunno", Seki sighed. "Can you ask Saiytsa how did she manage to kill the Lifebringer?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Naiyta is the one actively trying to kill us." Darcy frowned. He asked Saiytsa the question, and her response was much longer than her previous ones. "Oh- wow, she said a lot. Essentially.... grueling training, I think?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm, well, we have some good fighters here..." Seki murmured. He was quiet for a while, crossing his arms again and his tail moving close to the ground testily. "Mm.. Can you ask if she has any opinions on Naiyta, the first Lifebringer?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can, I don't know if she'll have an answer." Darcy shrugged, and asked. "... She said she doesn't have any opinions on it. And that the past is not relevant to today." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, it kinda is to us", Seki cocked their head to the side and looked at the statue. "But I guess it's not her circus nor her mankeys anymore, huh." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Mhm, I suppose so." Darcy frowned. "I get the feeling we've gotten all we can out of this statue..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Suppose so", Seki nodded. "Should we go find another one?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm.... I don't think we'd be able to get any more out of them." Darcy confessed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki sighed lightly and nodded. "Alright, you're probably right. I guess we learned about that Eternity thing? I have no idea how that could be helpful, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah... who knows if that's at all useful." Darcy sighed. "Well... I'm gonna head back to the citadel. See you later, I guess?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah. Take care, Darcy, try to stay safe", Seki smiled tiredly and waved their paw. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah. Take care, Darcy, try to stay safe", Seki smiled tiredly and waved their paw. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy waved goodbye, and headed back towards the citadel.

(MAJOR SUICIDAL IDEATION TW) "Here is good." Roman said to the blood creature carrying him as they approached the cliffside. Just as he ordered, it stopped moving and set him down to his feet. It was dark out, so it was hard to see anything.. But surely if there were other towns, even out of view, their lights would be visible out there. He wasn't dumb enough to believe there was anything else, even if you somehow got on a boat and sailed for days and days, this was all there was in this realm. He stepped up to the edge and looked down. It was dark enough the bottom could not be seen, except for the occasional glimmer of reflected light from the waves hitting against the rocky shoreline. A long, long drop on to rocks. When it was pitch black outside. And waves that could easily drag a corpse out to sea. It seemed foolproof, if Naiyta didn't mean that it would not let him die through some magical, paranormal means. If he was physically capable of dying, this would be it. Between the drop, the water, not being able to be found.. It had to work. "Thanks for bringing me here, Radysh, Remoul.." Roman said and took a small step backward. He turned to face the bloody thing, which stared forward emotionlessly. "I don't know if I even managed to get your souls or not- I'm really starting to think I didn't- but.. if you are in there.." He stepped up to it and wrapped his arms around its bloody, amorphous shoulders, and pulled it in to a disgusting, mushy hug. Blood was soaking in through all of his clothes and hair (which could easily be removed, if he suddenly had second thoughts). It had no reaction to the hug. "I'm so sorry I did this to you. I haven't, and I never will forgive myself. We-.. We were all so misguided then. I-it's hard to believe its been a year now. I really miss you guys, more than anything... M-more than Roque maybe, even.." Roman sighed and pulled away, his face now also covered in blood. "When I go, I think.. You'll go with me. We might end up in the Fold here, or maybe totally get lost.. I don't know. If we end up in the same place, I can't wait to see you. I love you guys.." "And if we don't end up in the same place, I'm sorry. I hope you end up somewhere better than I do, you really, really deserve it.. To be back in your own bodies.." Roman said and stepped back to the edge. "If someone tries to come get me, you can hold them off for as long as you can. I don't really think they can do anything to you to hurt you, so.. Yeah." He stepped up to the edge, letting his toes cross over the threshold. But he didn't really feel scared. Maybe a little excited. "Naiyta really thinks it can stop me..." Roman huffed. "Well, it doesn't get to control me here..." And so he jumped. ... But he didn't fall far before a bloody hand reached out and grabbed his wrist, forcibly stopping his drop and slamming his back in to the cliffside. He yelled out in shock and pain as he hit the stone, and continued to yelp as it dragged him back up and back to safety. It was the blood creature. It had acted not just without his command, but entirely contrary to it. It laid him out on his back and stood over him, staring down at him with that same emotionless gaze. But Roman could feel something deeper. If he hadn't gotten their souls, it would not have been able to disobey his commands. Through his adrenaline, he felt something he hadn't felt in a while here. A brief amount of happiness and hope. They were in there, somewhere. "R-Radysh, Remoul you- you.." He said shakily. "Y-you're there.. you're there.." It didn't say anything back, of course, but it picked him up and began to walk away from the cliffside, without him asking..

... Roman had been running around for a while, and he was definitely exhausted, but he was determined to get this list read by Naiyta before it changed its mind. "Naiytaaaaa?" Roman called out as he approached the cliffs again. These wings were really dragging him down. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was perched upon the cliffside, facing the water. It held its flute in its hands but did not play it. It didn't react to Roman's voice as he approached. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Of course it was out here. "Yta!" Roman said and carefully approached it. He didn't want to move too fast, lest he trip and fall straight off the ledge.. "I finished up that list, and I got you something." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta turned to face Roman, their face and expression blank and neutral. "You... got me something?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

In one hand he was holding the list of names, and the other he was holding behind his back. He approached the ledge, leaning backward quite a lot, before sitting down next to Naiyta. It would be so easy to push them off here. Yes, it was immortal.. but how would it get back up here? Could it alter the geography outside, or only inside the acropolis? It might just be stuck way down there indefinitely.. "Mhm! Ta-da!" Roman smiled and took his arm out from behind his back. He was holding a bouquet of flowers, much like the one he had given Naiyta on that first night. Seemed like he spent the time to clean the dirt off of these ones though. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, thank you." Naiyta's gaze softened a considerable deal as it saw the flowers, and they took the bouquet into its arms, handling the blossoms delicately. "And... you said you finished the list?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yep! Took a lot longer than I thought it would, but here it is." Roman said and showed them the list. It had the names ranked in order and highlighted according to their role, as well as the reasoning for their placement beside it. "And I got you something else too." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's eyes flitted over the names without any sign of recognition behind them. "Something else?" It looked back up to Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded, and quickly leaned over to Naiyta to place a kiss on their cheek. "That's for how proud I am of you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta hadn't been expecting the kiss, but smiled and flushed warm. Proud. He was proud. "Oh- uhm. Thanks." Naiyta glanced away, then back to the list. "Could you read this for me?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Is my handwriting that bad..?" Roman frowned as he looked over the list. It was a little messy, but.. Not unlegible. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No it's not- uh, I can't read." Naiyta explained. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. You can't read?" Roman asked. Weird, considering how old it was. Actually, maybe writing hadn't even been invented way back then. "Well, you can learn now. You already know the first name." Roman pointed to Miriam. "And then can you recognize your own name? That's over here." He pointed over at the reasoning section for her. "I think that's how your name is spelled, anyway. I guess I've never seen it written." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta had to squint and hold the list close to their face to be able to make out any of the characters. "Huh..." It looked between the two names Roman had indicated- recognizing a few of the same characters but not enough to really be helpful. "That one's Miriam, then?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I think you might need glasses, Yta." Roman said as it held the page to its face. "And yes, the first one's Miriam, like you said." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Glasses?" Naiyta's brow furrowed. "My vision is fine." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I can read the list from arm's length, you have to move it all the way up to your nose." Roman said. "Maybe it would be easier to learn how to read if you could see better." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta lowered the list down, and gazed out at the sea. "Hmm.... maybe." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. can you summon glasses for yourself? Oh, maybe you can use Darcy's." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's easier to summon things I'm already familiar with, but..." They cupped their hands, and within them suddenly appeared a pair of wire-framed glasses. "These are Darcy's." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, try em on and look as the list again. Maybe your prescriptions are similar." Roman said and held out the list to it again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta awkwardly put the glassess onto their face, and blinked a bit as they got used to it. "Mhmmm...." They frowned, and adjusted it. "These hurt my head." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Aw, does it not help at all?" Roman frowned. "Maybe you need different lenses." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It made my head hurt..." Naiyta frowned, and took off the glasses, folding them up neatly again. They toyed with the hinges a bit. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. We shouldn't break them." Roman said as Naiyta began to repeatedly bend the arms. "How about I return them to Darcy? Maybe he can um.. give some glasses advice. I haven't needed any in like six years, myself." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stopped messing with the glasses, and handed them to Roman. "Uh, yeah, that... sounds good." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman carefully took the glasses and set them on the ground next to him- a safe distance from the cliff. "But since you can't read off the list, I'll just read it to you." Roman said. "Is that okay?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's alright." Naiyta nodded. "Thank you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nodded, and went on with reading the list. It took him quite a while to read it all, as he went on personal tangents about each person with as much as he could remember about them. He ended the list with himself, and lowered it back down again. "Does that ranking sound reasonable to you?" Roman finally asked once he was done with everything else. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That... sounds reasonable. I trust your judgement." Naiyta nodded. "But... you included yourself." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ah. Yes, I did.." Roman said. Maybe he should've just not read that part, it's not like Naiyta would have noticed.. "I just didn't want the staff toward the bottom to feel bad that they were last, so I put myself in." "And.. After everyone is gone, I'll have to go home sometimes too.. So I can eat. I don't think I can stay here indefinitely without starving." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta frowned. "I can keep you here. Keep you here, alive, I mean." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It really felt like they meant 'I will keep you here'. "Of course." Roman said quietly. "Just.. Me and you, forever?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

It nodded, and did not meet Roman's gaze. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Sure, at the end of the day, it had always been him and Roque. But Radysh and Remoul were there. And it wasn't one week that went by without Roque inviting over some other people.. But could he be so selfish here? It seemed like this was all Naiyta wanted: him. It might even really let everyone else go.. And hadn't he made a big deal about wanting to be the hero? Why was it so hard for him to accept now, when Naiyta had laid down its 'demand' so clearly? ".. Forever is a long, long time for someone who didn't even think they'd live past this morning.." Roman sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. "A-and I'm not like you, I know you can make me immortal or whatever, but.. It seems like you can stay the same for so long, and look how fast I've changed here.. I don't know what would happen to me even over the course of a year, let alone.. Infinity. I'm not any part God." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved their hand closer to Roman's. "I could make it so you wouldn't change. I could make you as perfectly immortal as I am." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman kept his free hand where it was, but he definitely looked down to see what Naiyta was doing. "Like how Raikal was? Or.. How you are..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Like I am. And... like how I was going to make Raikal." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Would that be giving him Lifebringer powers? Really, after how many days here, Naiyta felt confident enough to do that? "Um- wow okay-.." Roman took in a deep breath. "Would I.. be able to keep my own powers with that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I'm not sure." Naiyta confessed. "I know very little about the way your powers function, honestly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I don't think anyone knows." Roman sighed. "Roque was vague about how she got hers, but she.. Figured out how to recreate it with me pretty easily. I think she might've been testing out if it was possible for other people to do with me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm." Naiyta was clearly thinking, but voicing none of it. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I know you want them gone. But they're important to me. They are me." Roman moved his hand away from Naiyta's. "I.. I don't know what would happen with Roque, or Radysh and Remoul if I suddenly lost my powers." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta was silent for a while. "... I want, more than anything, for you to be happy here. With me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I won't be happy if I don't know what's happened to them.." Roman said. "It's definitely a long shot but- I really wouldn't care what would happen with my powers if they were safe. Would it be possible to give them all their human bodies back and let them out..? I know all their souls are with me, and there's bits and pieces of them.. Roque's eyes, some organs from the other guys.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I could... hm." Naiyta thought for a moment. "I might be able to grow back their bodies, if I was given access to their remains. It's been done before." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You'd- you'd really consider doing that for me?" Roman put his hand back toward Naiyta's. Under no circumstances ever should Naiyta and Roque exist in the same room.. Only one would leave. "I know we're pretty busy right now with all the attendant stuff but- any time you want to do that I'm open." Roman said. "If you sent two extra attendants home I'm sure Radysh and Remoul would pick up some slack. But ah, Roque and you would not get along. If you bring her back she can't see you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I said that I maybe could." Naiyta corrected, though they were making an effort to keep their voice neutral. "I'm not exactly sure how Roque and I meeting could be avoided, if I'm meant to be bringing her back. I'd have to think about it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Even that maybe was enough to get Roman out of his mopey funk. Picturing having his family- friends? Whatever they were to him, back, even for just a moment to say goodbye.. And then he wouldn't have so much guilt weighing him down all the time. "I would be happy forever, knowing that they're alive back in the living world.." Roman said. "The only reason I need my powers is to keep them safe.. If they were, I could take it or leave it.. I hate having to drink people's blood all the time.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I want you to be happy. Forever." Naiyta sighed. "My first priority, above all, is fixing the Immaterial Fold. But.... I will see what I can do, to help your friends. If that would make you happy." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman was smiling now, with just the possibility of bringing them back. He had never thought it would be possible.. Roque was taking way too long to reform on her own, and Radysh and Remoul had absolutely no chance.. But he had a chance- he would be able to get everyone back home. He had to do whatever it took to keep Naiyta in this state. "Thank you, Naiyta." Roman said softly. "Are we still on for our plan? With me and Albanes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. If... you would still be willing to participate. I think it might be the best shot at ending all this quickly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I am willing. I've always been genuinely down to do it, I figured it would mean the least number of people would have to die." Roman nodded. "Albanes will probably attack me, which is fine. I think the attendants may hesitate to attack me now considering I'm the one that made their escape list, not that I'd change their ranking because they did their job.. I don't know what Reagan would do, I don't really, um.. know where we stand anymore. Probably bad." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Good. Darcy and Peregrine's fight will be the one after next. That's when we can enact it." Naiyta nodded. "Reagan is... more of a variable in all this than I would like them to be." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm.. Yeah, they're pretty powerful.. Maybe you could send them home as soon as possible? Yeah they control the staff, but.. I know they still fear you. They will want to stay on good terms with you so that they can maybe be moved up the list. We don't need Reagan anymore.. Even I can control some of them, too." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shook their head. "No. I can't let them go yet. They're too valuable." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Important for what..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"For everything." Naiyta said vaguely. "None of this would be possible if I didn't have them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I thought they were just here to keep the staff in line..? Do they do something else?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"To keep this tournament running as smoothly as it is, they need to stay." Naiyta insisted. "I won't let them go til everything's fixed." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He wasn't going to get an answer was the answer he was getting. "Will you stop hurting them..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I can't promise you that, Roman." Naiyta said plainly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Naiyta hadn't really changed. He moved his arms to wrap around his stomach, and looked over the edge of the cliff. "Please just.. d-don't make me watch again.. I still feel sick.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If that's what you want, I won't. But I need to keep them in line. I need to keep them compliant." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Why would I WANT to be there for that?!' "If you hurt them for no good reason, or just to get to me again, I won't forgive you." Roman said, with very little confidence. "They're innocent." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Even if they are, I still need them to perform a very specific duty. If they don't, the structure of the world as we know it may collapse." Naiyta kept their gaze at the sea. "I can't risk them deciding not to." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

What did that even mean??? "Are they like- keeping the other Lifebringers out of the realm or something..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shook their head. "No. I need them for... what I need to do in the Immaterial Fold." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took some time to think about that. ".. To mind control that um.. Lifebringer out of it..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Something like that." Naiyta said vaguely. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He didn't know what else someone with manipulation powers would be used for there.. "Do they know what they need to be used for..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not yet. It's been too risky to tell them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Are you going to tell them before Darcy's fight..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It nodded. "I will have to." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Alright then, I guess that makes sense.." Roman said. "But if you just need someone who can get a person to do something, I would just need that Lifebringer's blood. Then I could get them to leave." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not certain your powers would work in the immaterial fold, without Yeonaixho's body." Naiyta sighed. "It's safer not to risk it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So it was Yeonaixho, he was pretty sure he hadn't heard the name so far. "Do people not have blood in the Fold?" Roman asked. "I'm not continuing to ask to go there I just- if I end up losing my fight, if our plan doesn't work.. I don't know how I'll eat there, or do anything.. Actually, I guess I'll be dead. So I don't think it would matter.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'd be dead." Naiyta nodded. "The dead are not supposed to exist in the Fold like the living do." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Not supposed to.. "Yeah, I guess so.." Roman mumbled. ".. Are you going to rig my fight, too? Or keep it fair? Ryu is gonna just maul me.. She hates me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... do you want me to rig your fight? It will be... more difficult to rig, because of your arena." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. uhm.. what's my arena like?" 'Please not fields of fire and flames and explosions everywhere-' @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"A game show." Naiyta said simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman squinted up at Naiyta. "Like.. jeopardy..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Something like that." Naiyta was being vague again. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, I'm not super smart, so I might not be very good at trivia. If you gave me easier questions than Ryu it might be kind of obvious it's rigged.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can try to rig it. I really don't know how I could, but.. I'll try." It said. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You don't have to I just- worry about how you will react if I die.." Roman said. "I-i don't want all of your progress to get taken away because you felt like I abandoned you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My... progress?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, like.. You've gotten a lot nicer, more understanding." Roman nodded. "You haven't said anything mean to me in a while. Or anything super scary." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta shifted their posture, drawing up their knees to a sitting position. It still didn't meet Roman's gaze. "Mhm. I... I want you to love me, Roman." "But.... hopefully, we won't even have to get to your fight. If we can solve this with your plan, then the bloodshed can cease, and everything will be right again." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm.. Everything will be right." Roman said and leaned against Naiyta's side. "But if I don't win my fight, can you promise me something..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta leaned against Roman. "What is it?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 7

"I've had this, hah, crazy idea in my head ever since that first night with you.. When you burned me." Roman took in a deep breath. He was sure naiyta had already thought of this, but if it hadn't.. He hated to give it the inspiration. ".. I've been scared that if I lost my fight, you wouldn't kill me. Y-you'd take me up to the pyre where the funerals happen and you'd do it there. That's crazy, right? You.. Promise you won't do that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta remained silent for a while, even after Roman had said everything he'd wanted to stay. "I... promise that I won't." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Was that ever your plan? It- j-just the thought of it really freaked me out.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... no. I wasn't going to keep you alive on the pyre." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good. Thank you.." Roman sighed, though he didn't fully believe it. It didn't have any reason to be honest. "A-and if you ever grow bored of me in the future, you can kill me in any other way. Besides fire or exploding. Anything else is fine." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll... keep that in mind." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Maybe also not starving to death- but I figure you'd want it to be dramatic anyway." Roman said, and then paused. "But we can move on from that. Why don't we go do something fun?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta seemed to be happy to move to a different topic. "What were you thinking?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well if we go to cook we're going to have to bring up the list, so we can't do that if you're not ready. Maybe we can stay outside and I can try to fly?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'd rather stay out here." Naiyta nodded. "You can practise flying if you want- though, probably not this close to the cliffs. And... I don't know how much help I'd be with that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, you watched Raikal fly, didn't you?" Roman asked and stretched his wings out behind him. "You must have some pointers." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not very often. They weren't very much of a flier." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh. Hm." Roman hummed. "Well where do those crows hang out? I.. I don't think Kyrie wants to see me, and I'm not sure if Kairas does either. Who does that leave.... um.. Cansu is also a no. And I haven't talked to Peregrine since the first night, and I honestly don't think he'd be very helpful.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The crows... they frequent the fountain area. We could head there..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That works for me." Roman said and leaned away from Naiyta. He had maybe moved too quickly, and forgot about the wings on his back, and ended up falling backward on to the grass. "Ow." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta moved to help Roman up. "Careful, there." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took Naiyta's hands and lifted himself up, with absolutely no help from his wings. The fall had ruffled some of his feathers, and he just tried to pull them straight again, to little effect. ".. How do you sleep with these things?" Roman grumbled slightly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Raikal usually slept on her back." Naiyta said. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"That sounds uncomfortable." Roman said. "Doesn't that mess up the feathers?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Her stomach, I mean. She laid with her back up." Naiyta said, because they're cursed to have the same trouble with these specific phrases that I do. "Usually with her wings out, like this-" It held its arms out, "And I would sleep under one of them, besides her." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So that's the position he'd have to sleep in for the next infinity.. "Mm.. I don't usually sleep on my front, it irritates my piercings." Roman sighed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, that would be a problem, wouldn't it..." Naiyta frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. A little.." Roman mumbled a rubbed his hand over his chest. "I guess it's just the nipple ones mainly- but I really like those ones.. Hm." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you wanted to, I could take them out." Naiyta suggested. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I mean, I can also take them out. I just don't really want to have to do that every day." Roman said. "It's honestly not that big of a deal, just going to be annoying. It's probably best to just ditch them... But eugh, all my face piercings... I'm going to be laying on some of those no matter what, and that would be a real pain." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I meant I could heal them." Naiyta said. "So... they wouldn't irritate you anymore. It'd be very simple." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I.. Guess you could." Roman said, and just gave up on righting his feathers for now. They were all still messy and out of place. "We can worry about that later.. But do you want to sleep with me..? You have been pretty averse to it in the past.. I've just been sleeping alone really- except for that night with Seki, and I guess besides that I had my blood friends out. But you know what I mean." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... don't really sleep. Not much, anyways." Naiyta confessed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. So you just uh.. Laid next to Raikal all night, awake..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No, I.... I slept back when I was in the mortal realm. Just not here. Not after my bodily death." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Interesting." Roman said. He glanced down to his feet and saw Darcy's glasses- oop yeah better take those. He bent down and put the glasses down in to his pocket. "What do you do all night here..? After you kick me out?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... prepare for the arena matches, I.... think about things. I do like being alone, really." It shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

How boring. Maybe when you were immortal, you eventually forget how to get bored. Or maybe everything is so boring, nothing matters. "No offense, but that sounds miserable." Roman said. Him, Roque, Remoul, Radysh, one California king bed.. Cozy. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It is. But.... I can't stand any reminder of what dying felt like." Naiyta sighed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh." Roman said quietly. "You.. died in your sleep?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. I was drowned." Naiyta said simply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Y'know, that makes everything else make a whole lot more sense. So Rukime drowned it.. Was it really that easy?' "Sorry that happened. I think it would be pretty hard to drown in your sleep here though, as long as you change up the immersion chamber again." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's not about the possibility of it happening, it's the memory of it having happened once." Naiyta sighed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Man, ten thousand years of not sleeping all because of paranoia. "Well.. If you want to try to sleep again, I'll be there for you. I think it's nice to give your mind a break sometimes. All it seems to do is stress you out." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll... consider it." Naiyta hummed. "I think.... we may have to practice flying some other time. There's another fight happening soon, that I must prepare for." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Damn. Well, maybe he had time to talk to Darcy real quick. "Alright then.. I'll probably be there." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's not the one you must be there for, but if you'd like to come, you may." Naiyta nodded, and headed back towards the citadel. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Byeeeee," Roman said and paused for a moment. He rapidly flapped his wings in an up and down motion, much like a child pretending to fly would do, and got absolutely zero lift. He huffed, and just walked off to find Darcy on foot. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta headed to the cliffs alone with Peregrine's body. With no ceremony, no distinction- not even a prayer, it tossed the body out the sea. If he wasn't dashed against rocks, he'd be swept out to sea. Either way, that was the last anyone would ever see of him.

4

1

Ryu's body was disposed of off the side of the cliffs, just as Peregrine's had.

4

cliffside boys

aarni and kairas

kyr and gale look at the statue

kenji and ellie talk about fights

invo and the spooky scary spirit

two totally legit corvi

seki and darcy talk to saiytsa

radoul saves roman

naiyta needs glasses

rip peregrine

rip ryu