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lunaecalamitas2024-06-20 02:26 pm
promittere) wrote in lunaecalamitas2024-06-20 02:26 pm
( What hangs over Mika, at all times, is death. It is a jealous spectre, displeased that it has been stood up; it has pressed its accusatory, skeletal finger at his chest, through his heart, like a pin, and stills it, and it says: Fine. You will not have me. You will not have me, and so you will see so clearly how I covet your loves, and you will see them leave with me. And I will ignore your lamentation, just as you have ignored my invitation. Very well; very well.
Mika is not deathless now. The near-perfect cleave at his neck proves this to him every day, and still it aches come the mornings (mornings he does not deserve). And yet - death, even now, shrugs at him. Death, even now, runs its cool hands along these people he cares for, and it asks him - Are you watching? Do you see this? And Mika can see so well. He can see in shades and hear in vibrations he had not known before, as a human. And in every new sensation he sees signs of death.
He wishes they would understand. He wishes that in human tongue there existed the words to express why he is always so afraid.
He locks his hand into Ginger's, fingers intertwined. He presses their hands soft against Ginger's chest. He exhales (in habit; one that he indulges in more often, now), and he feels Ginger's pulse in his hand, and he shares it - lets it be his own. They're both afraid; he can feel it like a buzz within the coursing of their blood. But stronger is the thrum of their hearts, together. Their heart, as one.
Fate did not ask they be together. Fate wove in the fixed truths of failure into his tapestry, and invited death in. And if he leaves them to fate, maybe - Ginger would die, too. Everyone here, might.
So this is a choice. It is his choice to stand here with Ginger, and it is his choice to hope to live, and sow seeds that might grow. And he hopes that, if this is transgressive, that it will be forgiven.
In the air drifts the soft scent of roses; the kind they grow together in their garden, a little different than any other kind. )
... Donec moraire.
( 'til my dying breath.
Mika casts his spell.
Thousands of massive, thorned vines of roses wind across the outer walls of the manor, blooming in brilliant, ruby hues. They thread themselves around the outsides and insides of the room the flickering body of the sage kneels arrested in, along the inner and outer walls of the adjacent rooms, and along the inner and outer walls of the hallway leading to the room.
The window and doorway into the room are the barricade's Achilles heel: there is a sliver of an opening, like the thin slats of a blind, that allows others - ideally allied wizards - to see in and see the interior of the room - the sage and the wizards presently in it. To get in without the thorns clawing one to shreds would be an unpleasant task. They will recede reflexively for the magical signatures of allied wizards to get in and out; unfamiliar presences will need to contend with the horrible gap.
And so, from the shadow of death blooms a gentle prayer for life. )
... I think it should hold as long as I remain steady. Thanks.
( He hopes. He squeezes Ginger's hand, slowly relaxing - not by much, mind, given the unfolding situation outside; he's still tense.
And it is in this brief reprieve he notices something he'd been too anxious to recognize before. )
Mika is not deathless now. The near-perfect cleave at his neck proves this to him every day, and still it aches come the mornings (mornings he does not deserve). And yet - death, even now, shrugs at him. Death, even now, runs its cool hands along these people he cares for, and it asks him - Are you watching? Do you see this? And Mika can see so well. He can see in shades and hear in vibrations he had not known before, as a human. And in every new sensation he sees signs of death.
He wishes they would understand. He wishes that in human tongue there existed the words to express why he is always so afraid.
He locks his hand into Ginger's, fingers intertwined. He presses their hands soft against Ginger's chest. He exhales (in habit; one that he indulges in more often, now), and he feels Ginger's pulse in his hand, and he shares it - lets it be his own. They're both afraid; he can feel it like a buzz within the coursing of their blood. But stronger is the thrum of their hearts, together. Their heart, as one.
Fate did not ask they be together. Fate wove in the fixed truths of failure into his tapestry, and invited death in. And if he leaves them to fate, maybe - Ginger would die, too. Everyone here, might.
So this is a choice. It is his choice to stand here with Ginger, and it is his choice to hope to live, and sow seeds that might grow. And he hopes that, if this is transgressive, that it will be forgiven.
In the air drifts the soft scent of roses; the kind they grow together in their garden, a little different than any other kind. )
... Donec moraire.
( 'til my dying breath.
Mika casts his spell.
Thousands of massive, thorned vines of roses wind across the outer walls of the manor, blooming in brilliant, ruby hues. They thread themselves around the outsides and insides of the room the flickering body of the sage kneels arrested in, along the inner and outer walls of the adjacent rooms, and along the inner and outer walls of the hallway leading to the room.
The window and doorway into the room are the barricade's Achilles heel: there is a sliver of an opening, like the thin slats of a blind, that allows others - ideally allied wizards - to see in and see the interior of the room - the sage and the wizards presently in it. To get in without the thorns clawing one to shreds would be an unpleasant task. They will recede reflexively for the magical signatures of allied wizards to get in and out; unfamiliar presences will need to contend with the horrible gap.
And so, from the shadow of death blooms a gentle prayer for life. )
... I think it should hold as long as I remain steady. Thanks.
( He hopes. He squeezes Ginger's hand, slowly relaxing - not by much, mind, given the unfolding situation outside; he's still tense.
And it is in this brief reprieve he notices something he'd been too anxious to recognize before. )
Edited 2024-06-23 01:40 (UTC)
... Did you not receive your own charm from Robin?
( The only correct answer here is that its presence is masked, think fast, )
( The only correct answer here is that its presence is masked, think fast, )
[ That gets a firm nod. It's probably better they get out before another piece of the manor falls on them and they're both hurt even worse.
He'll let Khun put him on the lighthouse, and he quickly holds onto him once he's up himself. He probably doesn't need to hold on at this point, and the lighthouse is probably big enough that he can stand or sit on his own, but it's a habit at this point.
He's unusually quiet.
His gaze turns upwards towards the threads, stretching into the distance. ]
Of all the nights to be attacked. [ lol... ]
He'll let Khun put him on the lighthouse, and he quickly holds onto him once he's up himself. He probably doesn't need to hold on at this point, and the lighthouse is probably big enough that he can stand or sit on his own, but it's a habit at this point.
He's unusually quiet.
His gaze turns upwards towards the threads, stretching into the distance. ]
Of all the nights to be attacked. [ lol... ]
[Its hit strikes true, and he drops it (10).]
Shit!
[Fortunately, the wraith isn't able to collect the jewel on accounts of that witch being on point as usual, blasting it before it can reach the precious fragment (15). "Hurry and get it, before it's too late!"
One of the wizards tries to keep another wraith back, but the spell misses yet again (7).]
Shit!
[Fortunately, the wraith isn't able to collect the jewel on accounts of that witch being on point as usual, blasting it before it can reach the precious fragment (15). "Hurry and get it, before it's too late!"
One of the wizards tries to keep another wraith back, but the spell misses yet again (7).]
[ Kurapika rushes forward on his broom to try and grab it, managing to snag the gem before it lands in the hands of a wraith (20).
That wraith the wizard missed tries for the gem once it's in Kurapika's hands, but misses it completely (6). ]
I got it!
That wraith the wizard missed tries for the gem once it's in Kurapika's hands, but misses it completely (6). ]
I got it!
You got it, Urianger!
[Summoning his focus and lifting the blade high into the sky, Yodarha utters triumphantly alongside his partner:]
Ougi! Sea of Stars!!
[The air around the battlefield intensifies with magical energy, adding more and more stars to the mix. The spell is now in locked in fully!]
[Summoning his focus and lifting the blade high into the sky, Yodarha utters triumphantly alongside his partner:]
Ougi! Sea of Stars!!
[The air around the battlefield intensifies with magical energy, adding more and more stars to the mix. The spell is now in locked in fully!]
[ Phil's rock spike thrusts upwards, but the mech moves to the side before it can connect (rip). Kiryu's fist successfully makes a little dent, though. Yamato is doing his best.
Urianger and Yodarha successfully activate their pair spell, and the healing settles over everyone present.
Malice does a fantastic job of catching the mech's and the man's attention. There comes a frustrated growl (?) from inside the pilot's deck. ]
You destroy me, and I'm taking you with me! You ruined my life and I'm not letting you get away with it!
[ One bronze arm sails through the air in a punch. While Kiryu manages to slip out of the way (4), the force of the punch connects with Yamato (15) and Malice (15). Sorry, gays.
The first arm barely finishes its trajectory through the air when the torso pivots, and the other fist punches in the other direction. Urianger skirts past this one this time (3), but the momentum catches Phil (17) and Yodarha (19) in its trajectory. ]
Urianger and Yodarha successfully activate their pair spell, and the healing settles over everyone present.
Malice does a fantastic job of catching the mech's and the man's attention. There comes a frustrated growl (?) from inside the pilot's deck. ]
You destroy me, and I'm taking you with me! You ruined my life and I'm not letting you get away with it!
[ One bronze arm sails through the air in a punch. While Kiryu manages to slip out of the way (4), the force of the punch connects with Yamato (15) and Malice (15). Sorry, gays.
The first arm barely finishes its trajectory through the air when the torso pivots, and the other fist punches in the other direction. Urianger skirts past this one this time (3), but the momentum catches Phil (17) and Yodarha (19) in its trajectory. ]
Thanks!
[He'll attempt to clear the way for them to head back, but misses (10). The witch however sees and understands what he's aiming for, and takes her shot - and is far more successful at actually hitting it (16). The wizard, bless his heart, tries and fails again (1), leaving the wraith still alive enough to attack Kurapika (13).]
Look out!
[He'll attempt to clear the way for them to head back, but misses (10). The witch however sees and understands what he's aiming for, and takes her shot - and is far more successful at actually hitting it (16). The wizard, bless his heart, tries and fails again (1), leaving the wraith still alive enough to attack Kurapika (13).]
Look out!
[ khun doesn't mind of course, he zips them out of the manor in relatively short order so it's probably for the best that tatara's holding on regardless.
he's also quiet, but that's natural when he's focusing like he is now. ]
Hm? I doubt it's coincidental.
he's also quiet, but that's natural when he's focusing like he is now. ]
Hm? I doubt it's coincidental.
[ khun nods at that because he's not the "let's destroy everything" type of person either. unless he has to be, at least. ]
A show of force can be more of a show, unless they need a stronger push. [ he looks at the crowd again and then back at robin. ]
I don't think I can match your presence when it's in full force, but I can support you of course.
A show of force can be more of a show, unless they need a stronger push. [ he looks at the crowd again and then back at robin. ]
I don't think I can match your presence when it's in full force, but I can support you of course.
You okay?!
[Gritting his teeth and trying to take down the wraith - but missing! Again (9)!! Fortunately, the witch manages to blast it (14) as the wizard stumbles to follow, missing... as usual... (3).
At this point all of them are broom bound, and one of the wraiths trailing behind can't quite keep up to even attempt to do any damage (8).]
[Gritting his teeth and trying to take down the wraith - but missing! Again (9)!! Fortunately, the witch manages to blast it (14) as the wizard stumbles to follow, missing... as usual... (3).
At this point all of them are broom bound, and one of the wraiths trailing behind can't quite keep up to even attempt to do any damage (8).]
[ … What a spell. ]
… Wow…
[ That is something Ginger is still learning to understand - the severity of death, the absolute inevitability of it for those that are born to die. Death itself had not been inherently cruel, to Ginger - separation is what’s cruel, he’d thought. Severed relationships. Even his fear of death was passive - akin to knowing a cut will hurt and being wary of that moment, but never looking beyond that.
Ginger’s greatest fears had been rejection, heartbreak. Rum’s rejection would break his heart into so many pieces he’d forget how to breathe; he’d cry himself to death. Death wasn’t the fear there.
It was Mika who came into his life and brought along death. That line on Mika’s neck still taunts him - maybe that’s why he finds himself fixated on it when they’re alone. Would that he had Mika’s fangs to piece through skin and tear away the scar, and throw out death’s touch - its invitation and demand.
Losing Mika is a very real fear, his worst fear, but Ginger losing himself? Abstract, nearly abstruse. Death, he thinks, cannot touch him. Who would ever allow Death’s decaying steps to touch Heaven’s pristine clouds?
And so when Mika asks him, he blinks, surprised. ]
… No, it was always for you.
[ He doesn’t say he’d been busy working on different spells - the charms to mitigate fall damage (mostly, for Mika; during the Eastern mission, the rain, the attack, the fall), the spell to bind memory (for Day, so that Mika and Tatara could rest easier). He hadn’t thought to make himself anything. ]
I have the moon defense charm from Yamato. And… you.
[ All he needs, in his opinion. ]
… Wow…
[ That is something Ginger is still learning to understand - the severity of death, the absolute inevitability of it for those that are born to die. Death itself had not been inherently cruel, to Ginger - separation is what’s cruel, he’d thought. Severed relationships. Even his fear of death was passive - akin to knowing a cut will hurt and being wary of that moment, but never looking beyond that.
Ginger’s greatest fears had been rejection, heartbreak. Rum’s rejection would break his heart into so many pieces he’d forget how to breathe; he’d cry himself to death. Death wasn’t the fear there.
It was Mika who came into his life and brought along death. That line on Mika’s neck still taunts him - maybe that’s why he finds himself fixated on it when they’re alone. Would that he had Mika’s fangs to piece through skin and tear away the scar, and throw out death’s touch - its invitation and demand.
Losing Mika is a very real fear, his worst fear, but Ginger losing himself? Abstract, nearly abstruse. Death, he thinks, cannot touch him. Who would ever allow Death’s decaying steps to touch Heaven’s pristine clouds?
And so when Mika asks him, he blinks, surprised. ]
… No, it was always for you.
[ He doesn’t say he’d been busy working on different spells - the charms to mitigate fall damage (mostly, for Mika; during the Eastern mission, the rain, the attack, the fall), the spell to bind memory (for Day, so that Mika and Tatara could rest easier). He hadn’t thought to make himself anything. ]
I have the moon defense charm from Yamato. And… you.
[ All he needs, in his opinion. ]
[ Oof, that fucking hurts and he goes flying back. He hits the ground yet again, and everything kinda aches, but he forces himself to get back onto his feet and face the mech head-on. He glances over at Malice to make sure the vampire's okay, as well as Phil and Yodarha, and once it looks like they are also in the clear, he runs up to Kiryu. Ouch. ]
Kiryu-san. Let's dance!
Good night... Music Music Revolution!
[ Suddenly, a neon floor lights up under Yamato. The "up" arrow is lit up, and he steps on it. The arrow moves to the right button. He starts using his feet to step on each button that lights up in rapid succession. ]
Go, now!
Kiryu-san. Let's dance!
Good night... Music Music Revolution!
[ Suddenly, a neon floor lights up under Yamato. The "up" arrow is lit up, and he steps on it. The arrow moves to the right button. He starts using his feet to step on each button that lights up in rapid succession. ]
Go, now!
Edited 2024-06-23 02:51 (UTC)
I see. Leave it to the terrifying Northern Wizard to do all the hard work of intimidation, hmm? I suppose I can play up the dramatics...
[ like a perfectly harmless, but ominous violet haze starting to shimmer into being around his being as he more or less flexes and stretches out his magic? ]
I believe ... If I put enough magic into it, I can take a form far bigger than you would have seen previously. That said, if I do so, I won't be able to again should I have to return to human guise...
Unless our Sage is willing to assist?
[ like a perfectly harmless, but ominous violet haze starting to shimmer into being around his being as he more or less flexes and stretches out his magic? ]
I believe ... If I put enough magic into it, I can take a form far bigger than you would have seen previously. That said, if I do so, I won't be able to again should I have to return to human guise...
Unless our Sage is willing to assist?
['Let's dance' is such a fun way to start a fighting turn. When the lights lit up, it feels kind of nostalgic for him, reminding him of things of his youth when he was Yamato's age]
Better keep up, Yamato.
[Kiryu hasn't done the dancing in a long time, but he still has the agility for it. Every step on the button is right, with very few out of rhythm moments. It's pretty synchronized with Yamato, really!]
That's it!
[He shouts that loud in that dramatic way Kiryu does when he does well in a minigame, even daring to pose, hah. Time to get boosts for himself and Yamato!]
Better keep up, Yamato.
[Kiryu hasn't done the dancing in a long time, but he still has the agility for it. Every step on the button is right, with very few out of rhythm moments. It's pretty synchronized with Yamato, really!]
That's it!
[He shouts that loud in that dramatic way Kiryu does when he does well in a minigame, even daring to pose, hah. Time to get boosts for himself and Yamato!]
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