MASKTOURN

On the south side of the Citadel, outside the citadel walls, lies the ruins of an amphitheater. It’s in a far sorrier state than the interior Citadel- while most of the citadel’s buildings are empty shells of their former selves, the amphitheater is only only a ghost of what it once was. The theater consists of a large, hollowed-out basin dug in the crest of a large hill. Though the benches audiences once used are long gone, the steps down towards the stage remain. The empty tiers and fragments of stage are curiously empty of debris, as if they have been miraculously cleaned- or, as if everyone simply packed up the theater and left.

In the very center of the stage sits the solitary statue of a man. He rests on a small footstool, and can be seen from every angle of the theater. Even so, he looks away from the audience, his angular features steeled in a poetic, wistful trance. His full lips are slightly parted, and his heavy brow is gently lifted, giving him the aire of an artist. The man’s hair is wound into tight rows, tracing his skull to the nape of his neck. He wears a neat doublet and a poet’s shirt with long, flowing sleeves, the folds of which are carved in such detail it seems impossible they’re made of stone, and not fabric. The man is crouched over a string instrument- in size, somewhere between a viola and a cello. It’s actually a viol- and a real one, at that. This instrument isn’t carved from stone, it’s wood and string, and looks like it could be actually played, if only one could take it from the statue’s hands. The musician’s hands are perfectly poised, one on the neck of the instrument, the other on the bow, the viol in a perpetual state of song…

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

(edited)

6

Invo needed an escape out of the narrow hallway he had found himself in. Talking to Kal was pure torture. It did physical damage to his psyche and Invo couldn't shake the feeling. How could an idiot like Kal have such a strong center? It didn't make any sense, and that infuriated Invo to no end. He traveled from shadow to shadow, unsure where he was even going anymore. There didn't seem to be a single area where he could find peace... so he traveled further outside the buildings and streets, until he came across what seemed to be a dilapidated arena. Stepping out of the shadows, Invo approached one of the long seats and examined the area. On closer inspection, this was no arena. Perhaps some sort of stage or theater, but definitely a more isolated area. That was good. Invo squat down to examine the rubble, not approaching the statue in the distance just yet. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The only other being in the ruins was a lone crow, perched upon a half-ruined wall. It watched Invo carefully as he stepped out of the shadows, and cawed to get his attention. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The caw disturbed Invo from his examination and he took a startled step back. He threw his arm back, once again forgetting he no longer was carrying his machete with him. Cursing under his breath, Invo looked up at the crow. His gaze softened at the creature, but he still seemed tense. After a moment, he made a small chirp in reply. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The crow cawed again, and fluttered from the wall perch to one slightly closer to Invo. It definitely seemed interested in him, for whatever reason. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo glanced around, as to see if there was anyone watching him, before crouching down and holding his arm out to the bird. He made another small chirp and gestured for the bird to come forward. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Hesitantly, the crow came over and landed on Invo's outstretched arm. It still seemed very interested in him- in particular, it seemed curious about his mask. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The smallest, tiniest, faintest of smiles formed on Invo's lips as the crow landed on his arm. He very gently pet the crow on top of its head and looked over it with an equal amount of curiosity. "Seems like we match, little one," he quietly spoke, like it was a secret meant for just himself and the crow.@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The crow seemed to appreciate the headpats very much, leaning up towards Invo's hand. It was definitely being more social than the wild crows Invo would be used to seeing and interacting with. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo continued to pet the crow before slowly standing up. His form and balance were perfect, a sign of someone used to holding an avian on their arm. How strangely coincidental. Invo continued to glance around, before making a descent down the stairs. He was curious to what this broken building was, and it seemed like the conspicuously placed statue would be a good place to start. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The crow fluttered away from Invo's arm once he started getting up, and perched on the statue's head. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo looked up at the crow before staring back down at the statue. He didn't recognize the man nor the instrument in his hand, but he very gently brushed his fingers across some of the broken stone.

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

used /r

# 14
Details:[d20+4 (10)]

(Divine Intuition (; )@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(I'll roll for Kyrie too for the hell of it)

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 9
Details:[d20 (9)]

(lmao)

1:50 PM

As Invo inspected the statue, he'd be able to hear a gentle song carried over the wind. It didn't sound like it was being played on the instrument the statue held- rather, it was a vocal ensemble, sung by a deep-voiced man in an unidentifiable language, accompanied by the occasional melodic strumming of a harp or similar instrument. The crow didn't react to the noise- maybe not having heard it, but looked curiously at the statue and occasionally pecking at it. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The sound immediately put Invo back on the defensive. He took a couple steps back and looked around in a fervor. "Who's there!?" He asked, his voice echoing across the broken stone. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The song continued without interruption. There wasn't any obvious for it- it seemed as if it was coming from a far-off distance, only carried by the wind. The crow reacted with alarm at Invo's outburst, and looked very confused. It cawed at him. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"The music-!" Invo turned his head. "Where is the music coming from?" He asked to no one but himself as he looked around. "Show yourself-!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Invo continued to rave about the music and the music continued on, the crow fluttered up into the air. In a dark flash, it transformed from its avian form to that of a limber, tan-skinned woman, with dark eyes, braided hair, and large bird wings folded against her back. "Whoa- hey, are you alright?" She cautiously approached Invo. "What are you talking about?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

used /r

# 11
Details:[d20+2 (9)]

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs def... sorry kyrie..

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 16
Details:[d20-2 (18)]

@Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

In his panic, Invo hadn't even notice the crow flying into the darkness. It was only when he heard a stranger's voice did he react. He tried to kick Kyrie, but thankfully missed the woman by a few inches. "Who are you!? Where did you come from?! Stop playing that noise!" Invo grunted. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie stepped back before Invo's blow could make impact. "Hey, it's me! The crow! I'm not playing any noise, I swear." The song was slowly fading from Invo's hearing. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The noise fading at the same time as the stranger's denial wasn't quite helping their case. Invo grit his teeth and got into a defensive position, raising his fists up. "The crow..? Impossible. Stop trying to toy with my mind. I know what I see and hear." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie held her hands up in surrender, hoping to signal to Invo she wasn't going to hurt him. "I am- I can prove it." She extended out her wings, as if that might help her case. "I'm not lying to you, I promise." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo took another step back as Kyrie extended her wings, thinking she was preparing for an attack. "Don't move! I'm not trusting someone who has hidden themselves until now," he huffed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I wasn't hiding myself! I'm a bird person!" Kyrie desperately tried to explain. She folded her wings against her back again. "Look- look, watch, I'll prove I was the crow you met." She stepped back, and in another dark flash, transformed back into her crow form. There was no way to prove she was the same crow Invo had met... but that was definitely a crow. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I said don't-" Invo stopped as he saw the crow hop forward. For just a split second, his guard fell and he quickly looked around again. This had to be some sort of trick. Some illusion or something else to fool him. Invo took a hesitant foot forward and looked around before looking back down at the crow. "So you were working with the enemy?" He spoke to the crow, a sense of betrayal in his voice. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie transformed back into her more humanoid form. "I'm not your enemy- I'm one of the competitors, I was brought here just like you were. Trust me- I'm not a fan of the Lifebringer. I don't know what you were talking about, with the noise- I couldn't hear anything." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo glared at Kyrie from beneath his mask, still staying in his defensive pose. "The music was as clear as the wind," he stated. Invo may of been partially deaf, but it seemed to him like Kyrie was either lying, or even more daft than Kal to not of heard it. "State your name and business," Invo demanded. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie wasn't going to waste time and possibly irritate Invo more by reiterating the fact she had heard nothing. "My name is Kyrie Coalfoot, of the Coalfoot Murder." Kyrie introduced. "I came to explore the ruins, and find more contestants to speak to. I mean you no harm." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Kyrie Coalfoot of the Coalfoot Murder... The clan name wasn't familiar to Invo, so he could at least rule out Kyrie wasn't related to anything of his circle. That could be good and bad. He examined her wings once again, finally taking in the moment to really look Kyrie over. "You're a bird," he commented. Quite the obvious observation. "Why did you not reveal yourself human immediately?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I'm not human. I'm Corvi. This form is as much my true self as my crow form is." Kyrie said. "I guess I didn't have the reason to, until I needed to communicate with you more directly. It's easier to travel more inconspicuously as a bird than as a woman with giant wings." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Corvi?" Invo repeated with suspicion. "Why would you need to travel in secret for? Other than to attack unsuspecting people?" He accused. Maybe because not everyone is out to kill people for a job, Invo. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Corvi." Kyrie nodded. "We're bird people. Corvids. Hence the name." "No! I just don't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself- not with the 'hosts' of this tournament being who they are. Sometimes it's safer to fly under the radar." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo huffed, still not quite convinced, but Kyrie at least didn't seem to be a threat. Yet. Slowly, Invo put his fists down. "You're scared of the Lifebringers?" He mused. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course I am." Kyrie said plainly, though there was a nervous edge to her tone. "I don't know about you, but where I'm from, the Lifebringer has a reputation for killing Corvi. Killing my kind." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

A slight wave of interest washed over Invo's face, but with half of it hidden, Kyrie would find it hard to see. He paused for a moment, thinking. "The Lifebringers kill your kind? How peculiar. Hmarab did not tell me any of this," Invo commented more to himself than Kyrie. "It's foolish to be afraid of the Lifebringer. They may bring nothing but misfortune, but they're little threat." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Hmarab?" Kyrie repeated curiously, but didn't question further. "I disagree. The Lifebringer has done great harm to myself and my kind before. I think they're very much a threat, to all of us here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"The Great Hmarab. The one and only God of Creation. My God," Invo elaborated, his stance becoming straighter as he spoke. "Hmarab is much stronger and mightier than any Lifebringer... though, you are correct that they are a threat in this realm. Whatever it is we are trapped in, it is the Lifebringer's domain. Typical Lifebringer trick." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh. I've never even heard of that deity before... but I'll take your word for it, I guess." Kyrie mused. She was honestly slightly offended at how dismissive Invo was being of the harm the Lifebringer had caused her people, but wasn't going to raise the issue. "Mhm. I just want everyone here to stay safe- none of us deserved to be taken from our homes and used for some God's game." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo clicked his tongue and folded his arms across his chest. "I suppose not everyone can be as sophisticated and educated about great Gods.." He commented. Invo glanced back up at the statue in front of them, giving it a slight kick near the bottom before turning his attention back to Kyrie. "Hmph. The Lifebringer is quite a ridiculous entity. I punched the first host when they had the idiotic notion of kidnapping me. If the newest host is around, I will make sure to give it to her plenty as well.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie couldn't help but scoff as Invo called her 'unsophisticated', especially when he hadn't even known what a corvi was. "You punched it? Did you meet Naiyta?" Kyrie asked. As Invo kicked the statue, a sharp, screeching instrumental sound could be heard on the wind- like someone was trying to strangle a violin. Kyrie startled, her wing feathers puffing up in fright. "What was that?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo opened his mouth to reply, but as soon as he heard the sharp screech, he jumped right back into the defensive. "Urgh—! The noise! I told you there was noise!" He grunted as he looked around in anger. "If it's not you making it, it must be this—Ugly looking statue!" Invo shouted and glared at the piece of stone like it would be able to see him. "Shut it!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The noise faded quickly, and didn't return even when Invo yelled at the statue. "Hey, don't yell at it." Kyrie protested, but didn't have much reasoning behind the statement. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"It got it to shut up though," Invo retorted. Very logical deduction there. He glared hard at the statue, waiting to see if anything else would happen. "...I did punch Naitya, yes. It was the Lifebringer waiting for me. They seem to be weakened for some reason, but there is a new Lifebringer here as well, Albanes Shairoun. They must be fighting to be the main host or some sort, so their powers are most likely split between them both." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh. I spoke to Naiyta too, but I didn't punch them." Kyrie said, and listened to Invo. "Huh. You think that's what's going on here?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You should have. It was easy to punch them," Invo commented with a matter of fact tone. He shifted his feet for a moment before nodding. "It must be something like that. Having two Lifebringers present in two hosts has never been recorded before, so the rules must be a bit different for them, despite this being Naiyta's realm," he mused. "Perhaps they share a similar lifeline, or pain as well. It is the same God in them. Unless Albanes is kicked back out to the mortal realm, Naitya and her must share some sort of connection between their Lifebringer. That is what I'm deducing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"I don't know if punching them is the best course of action." Kyrie hummed. "Huh.... that's definitely an idea. I didn't get much from my conversation, I was kinda just... hyperventilating through it, if I'm being honest. But I guess we'll wait and see." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo huffed. "Punching them is the least we can do. The Lifebringer is hard to defeat due to their ability to heal.. but it's not impossible to inflict pain," he commented. He turned his gaze back onto Kyrie and exhaled through his nose. "Information is the best thing to have. I can see why you'd want to sneak around if you got nothing from your ordeal with the Lifebringer." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I guess so." Kyrie let her gaze drift to the statue. 'Says you sulking around in the shadows,' Kyrie thought, but didn't say. "I think we should all be looking for more information about this place- I mean, I don't think any of us have the best grasp of what this place is, or how to leave it." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"This is the Lifebringer's domain. If it's killed here, it seems we all will be engulfed within it and die along with it," Invo casually informed. "At least, that is what it told me. It very likely could be lying." He shook his head and huffed. "I still think we should kill it " @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh. Huh." Kyrie frowned. "We can't kill it. There's too many people here, people that don't deserve to die if it isn't lying. We can't risk that." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo scoffed. "So what? We just wait around and let it kill us one by one in it's stupid death games instead?" He retorted. "That's a stupid way to die. I don't plan on letting some smaller god than the Great Hmarab kill me for their enjoyment." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There has to be some other way. We just have to figure it out." Kyrie said, determined. "Me and a few of the other contestants are making an alliance. We'll have more strength in numbers." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Alliance?" Invo clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "This 'teams' thing again..? I don't do teams. Other people just weigh you down. A group of weaklings doesn't make strength." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie narrowed her eyes. "The people here aren't 'weaklings'," She frowned. "But if you don't want to be part of it, I won't bother you about it anymore." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He huffed, turning his head a bit away from Kyrie. "You're just like that Kal man. Thinking teams or alliances will somehow solve our issue... Foolish," Invo grumbled. "Do you really think you and the other mortals here can do anything about the situation we're in?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I'd love to see what ideas you have." Kyrie rolled her eyes. "We can't just sit around and do nothing. I'm not just... walking to my death because a god told me I have to." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Kill the Lifebringer. I just told you," Invo scoffed. "Taking direct action is needed when time is limited. Going around to gather allies brings up possible conflict and too many unknowns." He turned back to look over Kyrie, his eyes narrowing a bit behind his mask. "I believe there are already assigned teams to us here. Which side are you on?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie sighed. "I don't think we should focus on killing the Lifebringer- I don't think that's the solution here. But I also think there's no way in hell you're going to defeat a god, in it's own dimension, on you're own, so... whatever." "I'm on the bird side, same as you. The other team, the snakes, has white uniforms." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo unfolded his arms, just to ball his fists at his side. "I can kill just about anyone," he simply retorted. "Hmph.. Well, I suppose it only makes sense to put the crow onto the side of the birds. Still... teams aren't necessary if the Lifebringer brought us to just kill each other anyways.. how stupid." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah. Whatever. Okay." Kyrie said to all of that. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

His fists tighten at that. "What? You don't believe I could?" Invo huffed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I said 'okay'!" Kyrie said. "If you aren't interested in the alliance, I'll be on my way. I wanna find people who actually are interested in working together." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo rolled his eyes behind his mask and shook his head. "Whatever. You were much more tolerable as a bird, anyways," he retorted with a wave of his hand. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thanks?" Kyrie said. The bird was still her. Regardless, she flew off to find someone else to talk to. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Kyrie flew from the acropolis all the way down to the ruins. She couldn't stand to be in the citadel- couldn't stand to be around those who would rightfully hate her for the awful acts she had done. She needed to be alone. She needed to be somewhere else. She wasn't quite sure what she needed, but it wasn't here. The moment Kyrie touched ground, she fell to her hands and knees. She took only a brief moment to catch her breath, to let the emotions she'd been letting build in her chest slowly seep from the cage she'd locked them in- and then she screamed. She let all her emotion- her frustration, her fear, her anger, all of it- pour into her voice and her tears. She needed to rid herself of it. It was all too much. She was dirty- not just physically, though the dirt and soot and sweat caked onto her body certainly didn't help her feel clean. But now she was dirty in a different way- after having let Naiyta use her like that, she would never, never be clean again. Was it worth it? Was any of it worth it, when now she had to carry on like none of it happened? When she had to live with Isi's blood on her hands, and the memory of what had been done to her- what she had done to herself? She screamed until her shrill cry dissolved into sobs, and she sobbed until her tears were spent and her voice gone. She laid on the cold stone of the ruins, her hands clawing at her own skin, and could only think of how pathetic she was now- her dignity gone, her body used, her very self broken.

3

Nhhhhgh they did not hurry fast enough. Ellie carefully landed, swiping it's hands anxiously against it's robe. They'd stopped by Kyrie's room earlier, and to their despair found that it was empty- and then they had searched around some more, without so much as a clue to where she'd disappeared off to. Searching this far out from the main Citadel felt absolutely desperate at this point. "I don't- I don't know where she'd be," Ellie said, her voice wobbling like all hells. "I- argh! I really thought she'd be in her room or- guhh." Hells- faen, faen, faen, faen! It fought the urge to rap it's knuckles against it's head, only groaning a bit as it started to look over the ruins they'd landed in. "Mm- I don't know where else to look- it couldn't have already- ah!" There- laying still on the ground before the stage was- "Ky- Kyrie!" it exclaimed, hands leaping to it's mouth. "Ky- ah-" Ah. She was already starting to hurry over to her. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale was lagging behind, struggling to keep herself floating with so much on her mind. Gale knew they were too late- there was no way it hadn’t gotten to Kyrie yet. The guilt tore at them, weighing her down as they looked for their friend. With a heavy sigh, Gale landed with Ellie in the ruins. They frowned as Ellie hit herself, reaching a hand towards it. “She has to be somewhere, we’ll find her, we have to-“ And they did! Gale followed Ellie close by. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Initially, Kyrie only reacted to the approaching footsteps by curling up further. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want to risk it being Naiyta again, or Roman, or Peregrine, or anyone who was friends with Isi. It was only when she heard Ellie and Gale's voices did she dare even look up. "Gale, Ellie-" She called out- more choked out, her voice breaking on their names. Kyrie had looked much better than she did right now- caked in dirt and sweat and soot, her neat braids falling apart, small abrasions on her arms where she had dug her nails into her flesh. "Ellie... Gale..." She repeated, and sat up, but didn't stand. "Naiyta- Naiyta got me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

7:13 AM

(self-harm tw)

No, no, no, that couldn't be true- it couldn't- oh- "Oh, Ky- oh," Ellie softly gasped, dropping to her knees beside Kyrie as soon as she could. Anxious hands hovered over her as it looked over Kyrie for any injury- angry red marks against her skin, tear-tracks against her cheeks, oh, gods, hells alive. What happened? It couldn't have been a few moments since they started to search for her- what did it do to her? What- what did it do? "I'm so sorry- we- we tried to find you," it softly said, carefully, carefully, extending it's hands for Kyrie to take . "Oh, Kyrie- Kyrie. I'm sorry- I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." And it ached, far worse than any pain or heartache she felt in her life. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of her, curled up and muddy. Sympathetic pain welled in her chest as they ran to her side, hands hovering close. “Oh Kyrie- babe, don’t be sorry- You’re alright, you didn’t do nothin’ wrong. I’m so sorry, Kyr, we’re here, we’re right here. We’ve got you.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Initially, Kyrie flinched away from Ellie's hovering hands. The last thing she wanted right now was to be touched suddenly. But, as Ellie offered out its hands, she placed her trembling ones in them, holding on like she was holding onto driftwood in a stormy sea. "You're here. You're here." She repeated, as if to convince herself. "It's all over. It's over." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"We're here, we're here," Ellie softly reassured, squeezing her hands carefully- but not too tight. "Oh, Ky- we're here, we promise. I'm so sorry- you're safe now- it's all over, yeah." Oh, oh, Kyrie. She'd do just about anything 'n everything to ease her pain, but just what could she do? She needed to kill Naiyta. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

“It’s over, you’re alright now, you’re safe with us, Kyr. I- I swear.” God it hurt seeing her like this. Kyrie didn’t deserve to hurt like this. Gale offered their hand to her, their face awash with worry. “It wasn’t your fault babe, it’s alright.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Kyrie moved one of her hands to Gale's, holding them both as tightly as she could. "I- I'm so dirty now..." She winced. "I feel so... so unclean. I need- I need to clean up. I need to. I want to burn these clothes so I never have to think about this night ever again." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"You're not unclean," it murmured, "but I...I get it. But you're safe here, we promise- we won't let anything else hurt you." Both hands were now carefully grasping Kyrie's as it spoke, it's voice wobbling faintly. "You can wash up at the dorms- and you can- you can burn those clothes, too. Do whatever it is you gotta do, m'kay? We'll support you through 'n through, Kyrie." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale held her hand, slowly running her thumb across her knuckles. She frowns as Kyrie speaks. “I get the feeling.. ugh, I’m so sorry Kyr. We can help you clean up and get rid of those.” They look down to her clothes, thinking. “..We could probably burn them by the cliffs, or just chuck them off the side. Whatever you wanna do.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie shifted slightly, slowly standing up. "I wanna wash up first. Wash up and get new clothes." She leaned towards them both as she stood up. "I'd... appreciate some help. I don't really want to, uh. Be by myself right now. I'd rather be with you two." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie slowly stood as well, making sure that she wouldn't fall or wobble too much. She...seemed to be doing slightly better- slightly. Either way, Ellie had no intention of leaving Kyrie alone during this time. "Of course," she assured, "we're not going to leave you, promise. We'll stay with you- mm- make sure you're doing alright, keep you company, y'know? We'll be here." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Gale gave her a nod and stood, offering a hand to help her up. “No problem, Kyr. We’re not going anywhere without ya.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

With Ellie and Gale's support, Kyrie brought herself up, using her wings to help her balance. "Mhm. Don't leave me." She nodded. "Let's... let's go..." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 (wanna head to #bird-bathhouse ?)

(Am currently in manhattan, but sure!) @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(Sounds good!) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

(ill move us over :D)

It didn't take long for Raikal to find the south ruins. From the moment they stepped into the ruined amphitheater, they recognized the statue within it. "My Rukime-" She whispered, and ran up to the statue. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's heart had been pounding the whole time they made their way here, probably from Raikal's anticipation and anxiety, but also from Seki's unease. They were trying to stay calm, but being possessed surely was an unnerving experience, even if Raikal was a sweetheart. They felt a spell of relief when Raikal found the statue without any mishaps or prolonged searching. "Awesome! Hmm, it usually takes a little bit to hear them. I can't understand what the ghosts are saying, but you probably can." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

12:00 PM

(spoilers for Seki's inner voice, no CWs unless mentioned otherwise!)

Once they were infront of the statue, Raikal cupped Anore's sculpted face in their hands. "Oh, my Rukime, my sweet son.... you look so much like your mother... my son..." Raikal must've heard something that Seki didn't, because they quickly switched languages to a cawing, consonant-heavy one that Seki wouldn't understand. She was speaking to her child. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki looked at the statue keenly and felt so warm and moved when Raikal spoked to her son after so long... but then she started making bird sounds, which left Seki baffled and curious. What was being said? Then again, maybe it was better they weren't able to eavesdrop on such a tender reunion. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal continued speaking with her son for a good while, and as she talked with him tears began to well in the corners of her eyes. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki continued looking at the statue and hearing their own mouth make sounds it probably had never made before. They didn't want to interrupt and ask anything, since the two probably had a ton to catch up on. They waited until Raikal would address them again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

After a while, Raikal and Anore's conversation slowed to a stop. Raikal pressed Seki's forehead to that of the statue, and stepped back. "Thank you, for letting me have that." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You're welcome. I hope you had a good chat. That's something nobody can take from you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal knew there was a lot that could be taken from a person. But she'd treasure this forever. "I had missed him so much... I haven't heard anything from him since he was fourteen. It... meant so much, getting to know the person he grew up to be," @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm so happy for you. I wish you two could hang out longer, and that he wasn't stuck in a statue and you weren't stuck in my body..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm." Raikal sighed. "I do, too. I... I wish for a lot of things. But... I'm glad I got to speak with him again. I wish... I wish I knew what Naiyta had done with his mother's soul." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, right, your partner? Anore didn't know either?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. My... partner. We never really had.... labels for what we were. My Odalia." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw... Is it okay to ask how did you end up meeting her? It sounds like you care about her a lot, and you even got Anore." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She was another of Naiyta's, uh.... consorts." Raikal said simply. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ohh, I see." Seki's tail twitched a little. "Hm... is there anything else you'd like to do before returning to the temple? I don't know when you'll next get a chance to go out, so, yeah." Seki was eager to get their body back in their control, but they couldn't have clear conscience if they didn't give Raikal a proper break from then thousand years of being stuck. Who knows if it would be ten thousand more before the next time, or if there ever would be another time. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal thought for a bit. "I... would like to go drink some water." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That is fine by me. Let's try to avoid unnecessary attention, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah. Mhm. Yes, not attracting attention." Raikal nodded. She slowly stepped away from the ruins. "Where... can we find water?" She asked quietly. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"There's drinking water in the refectory, but there's always people there so it might be risky. There's a swimming pool but I don't know if I want to drink from that... there's probably some running water in here in the wilds. We can find it by scent." Seki's whiskers quivered. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal was not used to navigating by scent. "Alright." They left the ruins in search of some water.... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Soon after the last fight, Seki made their way to Anore's statue. They had some pretty little rocks in their paws. "Hey man, your parent asked me to come see you again", she spoke softly once she was next to the stone figure. "I figured I'd do it now, since I don't know how long I live, ha..." She sat down at Anore's feet, and set the stones down. She began rubbing one rock between her paws, humming a tune. Soon, a little stone bird was ready, and she put it down, picking another rock and rolling it in her hands like a piece of clay. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After Seki had began placing the birds down, another made his presence known. "Oh, Seki! I've been wanting to talk to you again." Roman said, approaching from the other side of the ruins. He wore pants, but no shirt.. But he didn't look nearly as emaciated as he had at the beginning of the tournament. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears perked up a little, and they looked over to where Roman was coming from. "Oh, hey dude. Good to see you again", her tail swung lightly as she smiled a somewhat tired smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman smiled back, and walked casually over to Seki. "Lemme just lead with this, my fight's next. And I'm telling you it won't be pretty. You might not want to come." Roman said. "And even if i lose, there's nothing you'll be able to do. Don't try to fight Naiyta." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh. I see..." Seki's ears lowered, and her face fell. "I thought it would leave your fight as last, since it fancies you so much", Seki spiked the last words with bitter disapproval. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, Darcy's fight was supposed to be last.. But my plan fell through, and Naiyta already gave me an earful about it.." Roman sighed. "But I have Ryu's blood, and.. to be honest, Naiyta is probably going to rig it in my favor. I just know it still won't be pleasant to watch. Now Naiyta's saying hopefully my fight is last, for real.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ryu's your opponent?" Seki's brows knitted with worry and ears raised slightly. "No, wait, your plan?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, but she didn't think that through enough when she gave me her blood. Or maybe she had outclassed Roque before and thought i wouldn't be an issue.. hmm, hopefully not.." Roman frowned. "And yeah, my plan. I attacked Albanes when Naiyta was walking up to kill Darcy. I stabbed her and bit her and drank a lot of blood, but it, uh.. didn't end up mattering. Naiyta was very upset." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki acknowledged Roman's explanation with a nondescript hum, but didn't seem any less worried. "Oh, so that happened. Well, I was doubtful if Naiyta would keep its promise anyway... I'm sorry it got mad at you, though", Seki sighed. They turned to look at the smooth rock in their paws and began molding it again. "Why is it saying your fight will be the last?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hopeful thinking, I'm sure.." Roman said. "If my fight isn't last, though.. They're going to be even more mad and-.. I-if I lose i just know they're going to burn me alive. I got so freaked out with them yelling at me I told them I was related to Raikal, I thought i-it might make them be less mad, or distract them.. but that just led to them finding out about the god in my head or whatever, and they were cross about that too.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"H-huh?! How did that happen...?" Seki looked up at Roman again. "Dude, I.. if it's gonna do that, I don't know if I can just stand by and watch." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. my explanations for knowing how I was related to Raikal made no sense, and if they thought I was lying they were just going to get more mad.. so I just told them outright." Roman mumbled. "And you know that if you try to fight them, you'll just end up on that pyre with me, or they'll straight up kill you. There's no defeating them, my attacks had no effect on Albanes.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki frowned. "You just told them? About the possession?" Seki's eyes darkened with agrave look. "I know, Roman. But I could kill you faster and less painfully than the flames." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I know, go ahead and call me an idiot." Roman crossed his arms over his chest. "That is.. True, yeah.. But if you kill me, Naiyta will totally kill you. They need to get what they want, and that's burning me alive." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't fear death, of pain. I've already accepted that I'll die here. Besides, ruining Naiyta's plans would be the greatest pleasure to ease any torture they could do." A dark smirk tugged at the corners of Seki's mouth, before they focused back on the little stone bird. "...I wish you didn't tell them about that, Roman. But it kind of seems it might not matter, huh?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But there's a chance that you could still get back home.. You have things to return to, I don't.." Roman shook his head. "There's no hope for me, even after this is all over, Naiyta has made it clear that I'm to stay with them forever. They're gonna make me immortal and everything, if I live through this." "And yeah, I don't think it'll matter.. they just want to take my powers after everything is over, which I figure was always their plan anyway.. I think they might even get off a little on me forsaking whatever God I have in my head and worshipping them instead. I'm sure that's a power trip." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki let out an empty chuckle. "What chance?" he murmured. His neck fur bristled and their tail lashed. "Freak. Disgusting, god complex of a pretentious, delusional, sorry little creep. Someone should put it to sleep, like proper gods do..." Seki gnarled, crushing the bird in their fist so that it was forced out between his fingers like soft clay. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman watched as they crushed the bird. "Umm- oh crap is this Rukime's statue?" Roman asked, finally looking at what Seki was standing next to. "I think Raikal wanted me to come talk to him, but we talked about that a while ago.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, they asked me to visit him as well. I'm making him little gifts," Seki replied and opened their hand. The rock had a very unique shape now. Not every day you see a stone like that. But Seki put it back between their paws and easily rolled it back into a ball and began reshaping it into a bird. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's nice of you.. Do you think he's actually aware of anything?" Roman asked and awkwardly chambered up on to the stage. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't know. He hasn't talked to me", Seki glanced up at the statue. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Maybe he'll talk to me? I dunno how much statues think, I look a lot like Raikal.." Roman said and stepped up to it. "Uh, hello?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

There was no reply or change Roman could detect. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. uh." Roman shrugged. "Yeah, I don't think it talks." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah, dang. He did talk to Raikal. I didn't understand anything, though. Hmm." Seki picked up the finished birds, stood up and looked at the statue's face more carefully. "Hey, Anore, I made these for you. I hope you like them." She held out the stone birds: very simple, not very detailed, but all with different rocky colors and patterns and smooth surfaces. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... Seki would be able to hear faint musical sounds, carried on the wind. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It's nice that you made him those gifts, even if he's not really listening to us." Roman hummed. "If I still had Raikal's talisman I'd leave it here with him, but Naiyta has it, and also it'd strangle me if I did that.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

2:45 PM

@Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki chuckled dryly. "Yeah... Sculpting is a relaxing hobby. So I thought I'd make something since Raikal hoped I'd leave some rocks for Anore.." Their ear flicked, and they paused to listen for a while. They relaxed a little, and smiled slightly. "I think I can hear him playing." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, you can?" Roman asked. He cupped his hands around his ears, but.. Couldn't hear ghostly tune. "Sorry, Rukime. I can't hear you.. But I'm sorry you're stuck in a rock, that... That must really suck. Sounds really boring.. Hopefully we can get you out soon." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I have bigger ears", Seki shrugged. They carefully set the bird rocks on the statue, so it looked like little birds had roosted on Anore's arms and shoulders. "Mhm, yeah... uh, oh? I didn't know that was in the plans as well?" Seki glanced at Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

3:02 PM

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As he strained to hear it, Roman also started to pick up on the soft sounds of music, and the soft hints of Anore's voice as he sang in another language. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Does the size of your ears really matter when listening to ghost music? "The other Lifebringers used to be all walking around and doing their own thing, according to naiyta. So I'd assume after this they'd go back to doing that." Roman shrugged. "Oh, wait, I'm starting to hear him. He's singing..? Wish he'd talk to us, though.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki assumed that was the reason. Or maybe they were joking. "Oh, really? I wonder why they're not around now... although, hmm, some of them were less nice, so maybe it's better they're not all with us. Anore is chill though, he should hang out with us." Seki finished placing the birds, and took a step back. "Oh yeah? It's really nice, isn't it? Though faint... Yeah, me too." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Something something about Albanes messing up the fold, that's their reasoning for why everything is going wrong.." Roman shrugged. "Are the rocks here mushy? How did you make those?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ahh, so it's her fault, hm? I see, I see..." Seki hummed, absentmindedly listening to the ghostly music and watching Anore's statue. At Roman's question, she turned to look at him, and thought about explaining, but then glanced at the unfinished rock bird in her hand and smiled slightly. "Why don't you see for yourself?" Seki said with suppressed mirth and handed the stone to Roman. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman took the stone and tried to squash it, but nothing happened.. "Man, you got strong hands.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki grinned and giggled, tail wagging a little, seemingly cheered up by their little prank. "Nah man, I used my powers", they finally explained, and twiddled their fingers in a "magic man doing magic tricks" -sort of way. They put their hand in a fist, turned it around in a dramatic motion and made more magic-man movements over it with the other hand, before opening the fist and revealing a chiseled crystal bird of pink-and-purple shades. "I could have used my own crystals, but they would disappear eventually. Molding real rocks lasts practically forever. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ohhh that's what your powers are- wow, I can't believe I never asked.." Roman mumbled. He marveled at the new shiny bird stone. "Wow, your powers are so pretty.. Do you need to make physical contact to use them, or can you do it from a distance..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hehe, thank you! If I spent more time I could make this one better and make the light travel through it nicer..." Seki turned the crystal sculpture in their hand. "I can make them from distance," Seki gestured with their free hand and three shards of purplish crystal appeared to hover above their paw in a small flash of light, "but not too far away. They can kind of just appear around me. Unless I make them grow from the ground, then I get some more range as long as I can touch the floor myself." They spun the three crystals around in the air. "To manipulate existing rocks and ground I do need to touch them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Theoretically.. If I lost my fight, would you be able to use your powers to instantly kill me? I could like eat a bunch of rocks right before, or you could make the rocks come out of the ground and stab me.. It'll be pretty obvious it's you, but you won't have to directly confront Naiyta instantly." Roman said, rolling the solid stone around his hands. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mmh..." Seki's expression clouded over, and they looked over Roman, in hesitant contemplation. "I can't affect the rocks in your stomach, I'm afraid. The stands are pretty far away from the arena, and there's some changes in the type of ground on the way... I could potentially do it, if I prepared for it well in advance, but it'd still be difficult to aim right", they mused, and dropped the crystal shards into their hand and idly tossed them around. "It wouldn't give me much of a head start against Naiyta anyway. I could only run for so long until they'd get me. And I'd rather die facing them head on than be shot on the back." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Anything my powers could do to myself aren't quick enough to stop Naiyta from being able to revive me, I'm pretty sure. It would need to be pretty serious.." Roman hummed. "But I guess all that stuff you said is true. And like I said before, you might just want to steer clear of my fight in general. I don't think it's gonna be pretty, if my plan works." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki sighed and eyed Roman concerned. "I've only met Ryu once, but I wished we got to talk more. I consider both of you my friends, and it feels bad if I just abandon you like that. Of course, I don't want to see my friends get hurt, but... it feels wrong not to be there." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Damn, Ryu's your friend too..? Sorry.." Roman frowned. "I can't let her get too close to me, or she'll use her smoke powers.. So I'm gonna use my powers first to make her hurt herself. It's not going to be pretty." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah, I see", Seki nodded sadly. "I know, it's-, not easy to watch any of these, and I hate that you two are against each other." Seki sighed. "Hm... But hey, why is this supposed to be the last fight? What's the plan?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"There isn't really a specific plan, as far as I know.. I just think Naiyta may grow very impatient if it isn't.. I don't think Naiyta is going to wait around much longer." Roman said. "I don't know what'll happen, but it has to be something." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah", Seki said again, tail flicking. "Hm... How much did you tell it about my involvement with the possession stuff, by the way?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Nothing, I didn't tell Naiyta that Raikal could leave the temple. As far as it knows, Raikal is trapped there." Roman said. "Buuuut we need to be more careful than I thought. Kairas has some spell over her that forces her to tell Naiyta about anything suspicious that happened.. And if she hasn't already told them that our eyes went black, and I was flying around with no problems, well.." Roman trailed off. "I'm not entirely sure we're in the clear yet. Those moments when we didn't have masks on might've been enough to be considered suspicious.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, crap", Seki huffed, tail flicking more. She began fidgeting with the crystals in their hands. "Waiting in insecurity is the worst. It's so tiring to expect something to happen, when you don't know if it's going to happen or not. I wish we could go on the offence, but... I guess that's out of the question." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The best we can do is just wait and not let it be seen again. I could maybe excuse why it happened to me as some corvi or god-in-my-head intervention, but I have no clue how you being possessed could be explained.." Roman said. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeeah", Seki grimaced slightly and shifted. "Mmh... Soileons like me usually have dark scleras, but mine are white because of a color mutation... but I don't think them just randomly switching like that would be believable", they let out a dry chuckle. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Hopefully it just doesn't come up. Naiyta would probably kill you, and I'd be stuck as Raikal's puppet forever, no questions asked.." Roman said. "Seki, being honest, what do you think my best outcome is from this event?""@Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Myeah. I wish I could give it at least one good strike before going down. I'm kinda surprised it's left me alone for so long. Probably thanks to you", Seki gave Roman a quick, slight smile. "Hmm? Well... Best case scenario, we found a way to weaken Naiyta so much Albanes could send us home, and you'd come with. Problem's that I still don't know how to do that." Seki sighed. "Second best? Hmm... Probably dying, before Naiyta gets to decide. I dunno how much Raikal told you about their life with it, but... you wouldn't want it, I'm sure." Seki's fur stood on end, and they shook themself. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I have a pretty good idea of what Raikal's life was like." Roman mumbled, wearing Raikal's pants. "Gotta be honest, I could probably do it for a few years if Naiyta wasn't.. *Naiyta *. But they're a bit too cruel, even for me.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's gaze softened, and they nodded compassionately. "Aw, yeah... that bitch doesn't deserve someone as nice as you, or Raikal. And it wouldn't be just a few years, either..." Seki shook their head, and rubbed their face. Funnily enough, their eyes stung a little. "Look, I'll try to prevent that fate from you as much as I'm able to. I'd rather die trying than live knowing what happened to you, and I did nothing to help." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know, Raikal went through it all for quite a long time.." Roman sighed. "But.. I don't know how else to love people. I.. People only like me when they think they can get something from me, that's how it's always been. Roque, Naiyta, all those hundreds of random men and some women I met on the way to the Loucari- no one has ever cared. I don't know what else I have to offer.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

cw kinda nsfw? Seki's brows knitted together in concern and sorrow. They let the crystals shatter and vanish in a poof of glimmering dust, and took a step closer to Roman, bringing him into a one-armed hug. "That's not true, Roman. I like you, and I don't expect anything from you. If you were able to live a safe life, you'd be happy and healthy, your good qualities would shine so much brighter. You've just been given a lot of bad influence, and I think that's what pulls you to behave in certain ways that also attracts the kinds of people that want to use you. It's very sweet that you want to help people of make them feel good, but unconditional love would care for you for simply being you. You should keep yourself safe first and foremost." Seki rubbed Roman's back in a comforting manner. "I get that you also like the kind of play, where you're kind of a servant or a slave, yeah? But even that should be done with your well-being and rights in mind. Nobody has the right to put your life and soul in peril. You should be able to back out at any point without a backlash. There are people who engage in play like that. You could find the people that are best for you out there if you had the chance." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Roman leaned in to her as she hugged him. She was always so soft and warm.. "I don't know how else to treat people- every single person got angry or left when I stopped doing what they wanted. That's why I didn't want you at my fight- I figured if you saw me doing all of that to Ryu.. You'd think I was evil, or something.." Roman mumbled. He blushed a little as Seki talked so casually about his kink life- yeah, it really was that obvious.. ".. But if it's all pretend, how does that work..?" Roman asked. "Roque let me back out, if I wanted.. Naiyta... mmm.. Not so much." ".. but I still don't think Naiyta is all bad. I know they're not good, but I think given time I could figure out how to work around their outbursts. And they won't be as angry once this is all over, hopefully.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Those were all abusive people. Selfish people who didn't bother compromising with you. It wasn't your fault", Seki assured. "Hmmh, I appreciate when you're honest with me. Like I said, I don't enjoy seeing my friends fight to death, but I know we have little say in that here. I understand if you need to do something awful to survive... I just wish you didn't have to", Seki patted Roman's back. "Immersion, I suppose. Some people can be very convincingly scary when they want to My husband could tell you more, he's more knowledgeable on that matter than me.", they chuckled. Seki looked at Roman with a mix of frustration and endearment. They huffed and ruffled his hair. "How am I going to make you think rationally? Hmmh... See, imagine you have a sea of poison, right? And there's a droplet of drinking water in that poison. It doesn't make that sea safe to drink, alright? You have a high tendency to be all self-sacrificial, but you don't have to put yourself through all that poison only to get a bit of fresh water in the mix. There's plenty to drink elsewhere. And Naiyta has done this to itself. I don't think they can change for the better if they haven't for ten thousand years. You can't fix them, Roman." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

What the hell was Seki's husband like, what?? "Careful, if you mess up my hair Naiyta might have to cut your hand off." Roman joked, at least a little, as he fixed his hair. He took some time to mull over Seki's words. "What if no one has ever given you not poison water before? And since you've gotten so much of it you're tolerant?" Roman asked. "You haven't been there every time, you actually haven't really seen me and Naiyta together at all. I was getting through to them. I think they have more than a drop of good in their heart, somewhere." "Deep deep deep deep down, they're scared. Just like me, but not nearly as much. They were so sad.. I can't just leave, even if that wouldn't have instant retaliation. They need help, and I know not a single other person will do it. Living forever in such an unhappy state.. It's not right." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, boo hoo", Seki rolled his eyes with a slight smirk and huffed. "Are you saying you want to stay? You want to spend an eternity at their whims, without any guarantee it'll get better, and not worse? Honey, it's not your responsibility to 'save' Naiyta. You are responsible of yourself, Roman, and you are not treating yourself fairly. If you think living forever in such an unhappy state isn't right, why are you making yourself go through it? Naiyta isn't alone, it has Raikal, and if Raikal couldn't help them, why is it that you could? "I'm afraid you are going to throw your own life away and just suffer eternally, trapped in here, until you do something that makes Naiyta angry enough to murder you too. And what if it decides to put Raikal's soul into you for good? What then?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't want to stay, I just-" Roman huffed, and looked away. "What are you hoping to gain from convincing me they're unredeemable? I'm either going to die, be stuck here forever, or die here after being stuck here forever. There's not another option for me, not anymore." He adjusted his wings behind him, unconsciously bumping in to Anore's statue a little. "Holding out hope that Naiyta can change is all I have. Hating them will only making them worse. They- they want me to love them. It'll happen." Roman said. ".. And if Raikal takes over, you saw, I'm.. Not entirely opposed. It's easier than having to deal with everything. I'd be more sad that Raikal has to go through it all again.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki sighed and shook their head. "I want to believe there's an out for you. But the way you speak, it really sounds like you feel like you have to stay, no matter what. Like, if an opportunity arises, if you could leave this behind, would you?" Seki tilted their head and looked at Roman gently but seriously. "You will love them, I don't doubt it", Seki continued quieter, with more sadness and pain in their eyes, and added in their mind: "once it has broken you and you have no-one else, but it will be horrible and twisted. " @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Would he leave, if a door just opened up right in front of him? And he could just walk out? ".. I-.. Even if there was some magic exit, they kidnapped all of us. They'd take me back and be so mad.." Roman mumbled. "I'll love them, and it will be fine." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Dodging the question, hmm? Seki stared Roman down like a stressed mother for a while, and finally let out a breath, closing their eyes. "Okay. I hope it will", he said gently, looking at Roman with soft, despondent eyes, and pulled the guy into another, more protective hug. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman couldn't even look up at Seki, but accepted the hug. He held on to her tightly, and buried his face in their chest. It wouldn't be long until his breath grew shaky and what began as quiet sobs quickly developed into loud, heaving gasps for air. His grip on Seki was so strong it was almost painful. "Pl-please don't leave me too." Roman sobbed out. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

2

Seki's ears pressed down, and they began stroking Roman's head and slowly rocking him from side to side, not complaining a peep even if Roman was crushing their ribs. Seki had to take a few deep breaths before they could reply to that. "...I'd take you with me. Get you a proper therapist, house you, help you start over. I don't want to leave you here. I don't", they murmured quietly. They swallowed tears, but stood steadily, letting Roman cry to his hearts content. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman just kept crying, but he was slightly soothed from Seki's presence and Anore's gentle music. "D-do you think that would even be possible? Even if I got out, and Naiyta didn't come after me.. I-i've done so many bad things. I've killed people, more than j-just Radysh and Remoul. I never even graduated high school.. I-i have to drink people's blood just to live.. I don't even know what would happen if I tried to live a normal life." "Asha said that I'm her husband and f-father of her kids in her universe. I don't even know how that's possible.. Me, a dad.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Roman... I've killed people, I've tortured people, I've done horrible things in my past. I never graduated high school either, I ran away from home at 14 and shortly after became a drug addict. I wouldn't be here if there weren't people who forgave me regardless of everything, who decided to give me a second chance. I know it feels impossible, and it wouldn't be easy, but it can work out, and you wouldn't be alone. Getting you blood would probably be the trickiest thing, but I'm sure it could be arranged. I know Riki would let you have his blood, no questions asked. And... you never know what would happen if you tried to live a normal life, before you tried it." Seki shrugged slightly and petted down Roman's back. She smiled sadly when Roman told about his alternate version's life. "See? It's not impossible. You've just gone through a rocky path and broken a lot of your bones..." She hummed, squeezed Roman lightly and rocked him quietly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I-i can't just take from Riki forever- if I even get out of here at all.." Roman said. ".. B-but I'm sorry that your life has been really tough, too.. you didn't deserve all of that.." Roman's tears calmed slightly as Seki rocked him, and he leaned against her in silence for a while. When was the last time someone had done this? Roque would do it jokingly, sometimes.. If he'd had an especially vexing night sometimes Remoul or Radysh would give him a good hug.. He hardly remembered his mother, but from what he did remember, their physical contact had always been brief. Like she was scared she'd hurt him, or maybe she just didn't like him, she'd push him away. But this was different. Seki didn't let go, they didn't have any alterior motives.. Right? "Th-there's just.. so many pictures of me out there, I know. Bad ones.. I haven't had a phone in.. Uh.. Seventeen to.. Twenty six.. Nine years." Roman said. "I-i was famous, Seki.. everyone- well not everyone but y'know- knows me. I'm sure the p-pictures people got of me in the last year have ruined my reputation and my name. I don't even know how I could begin to fix it.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I know, but we would figure something out." Seki couldn't help but smile, endeared and amused, and give Roman a gentle squeeze. "Heh, thanks, buddy, but there's no-one else to blame but me, I brought it on myself." Seki was quiet as Roman was, gently swaying to Anore's tunes, tail slowly swaying low and ears still down. "Hmm... I was very famous for not good, very bad reasons. And still, I've managed to get back on my feet, thanks to other people's help and support. I would be there to support you. I don't think we come from the same world, so if you could somehow come with me, you could start from a clean slate," Seki hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Is everyone from your world, like.. An animal or..?" Roman asked. "I don't really think I'd fit in.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm, I'm not the best with taxonomy and stuff... but I think most people are animals, yeah, and some aniplants. Mnot sure if there are fully plant people, but maybe? And I'm not a hundred-prosent sure, but I think some people are mostly minerals, like rock people. You'd blend in perfectly! We don't have humans as far as I know, but nobody has seen every species, so it wouldn't be that odd. Well, you might miss your own kind, that's probably true.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Back in my home village, a lot of people picked on me because of how I looked.. I-i don't know if I could live somewhere where I'm the only human ever.. I think that might be even worse. Well- I guess I'm half bird person or whatever.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You talk like a depressed person", Seki joked, grabbed the top of Roman's head and gave it a slight shake. "Sure, kids bully and pick on othersbif they look or act different, but people on Ninjago are really good about species diversity. Many would probably be curious about you, but you would be treated like any other person. It would be a different case if you werenin a country like the Empire. That would be tough", Seki mused. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

He talked like a depressed person? Well, he kinda was.. "Even if people accept me- do you really think I could just.. Exist there? I had to take some shady routes to get around my own world without any paperwork or ID..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, I don't think that's a problem. I have friends in high places, so papers wouldn't be a problem. Getting you blood would probably be the trickiest part." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm.. Well, there's like a 50-50 chance that Naiyta takes my powers before this is all over anyway." Roman shrugged. "Can we.. Talk about something else real quick?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Of course", Seki smiled and patted Roman's back. They still held their arms around Roman, but ready to pull away the moment he would indicate the hug was lasted long enough. "Did you have something in mind?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Didn't seem like Roman thought the hug was too long whatsoever. "It's, um, something personal." Roman said. "Something me and Naiyta talked about before that I've still been mulling over." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh? What is it?" Seki tilted their head slightly." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Raikal had a different gender, some corvi gender I had never heard of before.. And it was pretty clear that Naiyta wanted me to identify with it too. I agreed because I figured it would make Naiyta happy, but.. I think I actually am transgender or non-binary or whatever- but I don't think it's right for me to claim that Corvi gender, since I know nothing about it.. And only found out that I was corvi like two days ago.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears perked up, and their eyes brightened a little. "Ooh, yeah? That's interesting! Have you had these thoughts or feelings before, or is it totally new? Hmm, I can't really tell if it's ok or not to use the corvi term, since I'm not a corvi myself, but words are just words, y'know? It's really hard to encapsulate something so abstract as gender identity in only one word. How would you describe it, if you're comfortable telling?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I've been thinking about it for a long time, like, half of my life. There wasn't really a place for it in Mlipuko, and Roque kinda.. Thought I was joking." Roman said shyly. "I don't know exactly, I've never sat and thought about it deeply.. I'm like- not a man, and I think I want to lean more feminine, but I don't think I'm a woman, either.. I don't know.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded a few times briskly and petted Roman again. "Mhm, I get that feeling, and I'm sorry you haven't had the right environment to explore and express your gender. There's a lot of terms out there that you could try, and you can always make your own! It's about what's comfortable to you. I usually call myself nonbinary as like the fast and easy answer, but more specifically bigender and genderfluid. I feel both masculine and feminine at the same time, but the proportions fluctuate by the day and so on. I was really confused as a teen as to what was going on with that, heh. Hmm, pity we don't have the internet here. We could look up some gender lables and their definitions together. Demigirl and demiboy came to mind, as well as just genderqueer as a general term." Seki was yapping. This was one of their favorite topics for sure.

11:47 AM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow- I feel like a needed to take notes during all of that or something." Roman chuckled. "I don't know yet- I think I'm alright with any pronouns, though. I'm not sure if spending my potential last few hours of life pondering gender is the best way to spend my time." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed and shrugged. "Of course, you should do whatever you feel you want to do. And thank you for telling me! I'm honored." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Whatever he wanted to do? Hmm... "Thank you for listening- it's so nice to be able to talk to someone about it that isn't Naiyta." Roman smiled. "I'm probably gonna go eat.. Oh- it's been a few days now, would I be able to get a little bit of your blood? I wouldn't need as much as I got last time." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"No problem", Seki smiled as well. "That's a good idea. Get something good to eat. Ah, and sure, I was gonna ask when did you last got blood, actually", Seki nodded. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It was before Darcy's fight, which wasn't too long ago, but I'm gonna need the strength soon." Roman said. "Ideally this will actually be the last fight.. Hopefully.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, true. Hm, yes, hopefully... Well. Feel free to chow down", Seki chuckled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You don't gotta say it like that, man," Roman laughed and adjusted in the hug to face Seki. He paused for a moment, before biting down on her upper arm. His teeth sunk in smoothly, and without any pain. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki cackled and swished their tail. They raised their brows when Roman's teeth sunk in with hardly any resistance. "Huh, wow, your new teeth really do their job better than the old ones." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stayed attached for about ten seconds before unlatching. He wiped off the extra blood from around his mouth. "Oh, yeah they are much better.. But I also used my powers to make you not feel anything." Roman nodded. "Buuuut while I was sucking on you I had a thought, can you make rocks that look clear?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki couldn't help but let out another chuckle. "I see. Hmm, I could make 'em if I concentrate hard enough. Why?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's not super important, I was just.. I want Roque to be with me during my fight, win or lose, but Cansu broke the jar I held her in ages ago. She's been sitting in my blood dimension since then.. If you could make some kind of clear container for me, I could have her out again." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ohh, I see. Kinda." Seki tilted their head to the side. "I can try to make one, but it'll probably be a bit cloudy and translucent rather than perfectly clear. How big it should be?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Not perfectly transparent is fine." Roman said. "And hm.. Like- big enough for a pair of eyeballs..? Doesn't need a whole lot of extra space.. oh, but it does need to be liquid proof, though, I need to put blood and water in it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ohh, okay, huh... You got your ex's eyeballs with you,huh? The one who wanted you to murder your friends?" Seki didn't want to start chastising Roman now, but he could still hear a tinge of criticism in their voice. "Hmm, liquid proof, alright..." Seki fell in thought for a moment, designing the structure of the jar in their head. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Uh. Yeah.." Roman mumbled. "While you're working on that I'll go get her." He finally broke away from the hug and summoned his knives. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alrighty." Seki stepped back and sat on the stage, starting to rub their hands together with a concentrated expression. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman went through the usual motions and hopped down to his blood dimension. He spent a brief time there before lifting back out, now holding a bowl with blood and eyes, as well as being accompanied by his blood thing. He closed the portal up behind him. "Okay, this should be everything." Roman said. As he stood there, the blood thing repeatedly poked at his wings with both hands. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki briefly glanced at what Roman was doing, but mostly concentrated on building the container. When Roman came back out, she had a bright, colorless rock chunk in her hands, that seemed like clear quartz. Seki stared at it intensely, focusing carefully. It hollowed out quickly, and began shaping into a tube. Seki muttered something about needing a potter's wheel to make it clean, but it seemed to be coming along alright. They briefly looked up and smiled at the blood buddy, giving it a brief nod. After about ten minutes, Seki turned a rough jar of clear rock in their hands. The surface wasn't perfectly even, and resembled the way window classes used to look before they learned to make them better. There was also a faint pink tint to some parts of the crystal. "I think this is the best I can do, at least quickly", they said, and stood up. "There's little handles on the side where you can thread a string for carrying. It should hold water, just make sure to screw it all the way." They handed the jar to Roman.@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The bloody thing was a bit too focused on Roman's new appendages to notice Seki at this moment. "Wow, you really thought of everything.." Roman said and set the bowl down. He had on a bright pink belt that was many sizes too large for him, which he took threaded through the handle of the jar. "Perfect, just like before." Roman grinned picked up the bowl again. He carefully dumped in the contents of the bowl, and the eyeballs settled to the bottom. It was only about halfway full. "I'll full the rest up with freshwater." Roman smiled and screwed the cap on tight. "Thank you, I really appreciate it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki squinted and stifled a grimace, glancing away from the sight, "Yeah, no problem. It won't last forever, though, so you need to find a replacement eventually." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. How long will it stay working for?" Roman ask and let the jar hang at his side. "A few hours at least, right?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, I put a lot of effort in making it durable so it should last a couple of days at least. But if you win your fight, you might want to switch those back into the bowl or something." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, thank you." Roman smiled. "I'm gonna go get this fixed up, eat, and maybe take a nap.. I think that should be a good prelude to my fight." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded. "Sounds like a solid plan. Good luck, Roman", Seki smiled, and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you, I'll be seeing you at my fight then." Roman nodded and headed off the stage. The blood thing walked haphazardly after him. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

invo learns about bird people

clever crow flees from the palace of the gods

beautiful boy, darling boy

WWAT: what would anore think