Who told you so, dilly dilly, Who told you so? ‘Twas my own heart, dilly dilly, That told me so.
ouch is one of the most intimate, romantic ways to be close to someone else. The Town knows this very well -- the Town wants everyone to be as close as possible.
Perhaps that's why this bonding is so...aggressive.
Because you're in for quite the shock on this otherwise peaceful day when you brush against the next person on your path.
Maybe you're going out of your way to touch people. Maybe you've got a terrible urge to just see what's lurking in someone's heart. Maybe you trip over a conveniently placed rock -- whatever the cause, you're getting an up close and personal look into someone else's heart.
Welcome to Awash's eighteenth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event!
If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!
[ Crouching down, he picks up a dead flower. A close inspection gains him no answers, however, and he sets it back down before rising. ]
I don't know.
[ The rot has only made its mark on this section of the garden. Everywhere else is abloom, and fresh water trickles down the fountains to travel the uniform ridges on the ground. Berkut hasn't the faintest idea.
But there is one more area of interest to check. The centerpiece, a pergola, houses what appears to be an ornate mirror in the middle. Upon further inspection, they'll discover that the entire surface of the dark mirror is cracked. ]
[ She comes upon the mirror, looking over it skeptically. As decorated as its frame appears to be, it looks like an ordinary mirror to her, with the only extraordinary thing besides its cracked surface being that it is outside in this garden rather than in someone's room.
She reaches out to it, fingers tracing over the side of its frame. The surface is so cracked, she can hardly make out her reflection. ] Do you recognize this?
[ Berkut comes up to Pyra from behind, studying the mirror over her shoulder. He opens his mouth to reply when a deep, imposing voice rumbles: Call to me. Then a sharp noise cuts through the garden's serenity. The cracks along the mirror's surface have started to grow at an alarming rate.
His eyes widening, Berkut jerks back—violently. ]
Get away from that mirror!
[ The glass shards fall to the ground one by one, shattering upon impact. The entire garden begins to shake when dozens of clawed ashen hands break through the earth to reach for Pyra and Berkut. Radiating an unholy power, they mean to drag their victims down into the abyss. ]
[ She raises her arms up just in time when more of the mirrors breaks and shatters before her, shielding her from the spray of glass, and she leaps back-- only to find herself almost stumbling.
Her gaze whips down, shock crossing her expression briefly when she sees a hand gripping around her ankle. With a shout she tears herself free of its grip, leaping to-- higher ground, hopefully, a bench, the fountain, a tree-- anything that still remains stable. Is the ground cracking out in all directions, is the abyss all-consuming?
Well, more importantly, she looks to see if Berkut is all right or in need of help. She already has a flame ignited in one of the palms of her hands, ready to fire at one of those hands if he can't break free of it himself. ] --Lord Berkut!
[ The crack in the ground that had started under the pergola spreads, uprooting the area. Large chunks of the garden fall into the inky darkness and give rise to more ghastly hands from its depths. Who can say where the abyss leads? Decay eats away at what remains above ground.
Berkut, who'd evaded the initial pull of his person, stands off to the edge. He stares at the mass of hands, mumbling as if in a daze. ]
It's the same . . . Don't bother. Unless you wield a divine power, there is nothing you can do.
[ Hands loop around his legs and left arm, tugging. With a grunt, he strains to stay standing. ]
[ Seeing the ground give way to a void... she immediately looks to him, concern wrought on her expression. From her experience in others' visions, she knows that the destruction of the place means that the person to whom this world belongs might feel pain. What she doesn't know is what might happen if nothing can be salvaged-- but she isn't willing to give up just yet.
A divine power, he says.
Her fingers go to her chest, curling around the crystal there-- yes, she knows it well. Being tethered to such a thing, that incomprehensible might, that ominous perfection... She... ]
Then we have to find something in this world that does, if we are to stop it. [ She leaps over the void, landing near him. Pyra wants to believe that whatever darkness resides in his heart can also be dispelled by whatever light remains within it as well-- and hurriedly, she pulls at the limbs that reach to restrain him, tearing them away. She flings out her hand towards him, kicking one of the limbs from her. ]
[ As the hands snap off of him, so too does he out of his trance. Berkut's gaze lands on Pyra's outstretched hand, seemingly processing the meaning behind the gesture when the same voice from earlier rumbles: You who thirst for power . . . Call to me.
Slowly, a deep frown overtakes Berkut's face. He straightens and draws back from Pyra, unconcerned by the disaster unfolding around them. ]
[ Closing the gap between them, Berkut sidesteps an incoming hand to catch the one snaked around Pyra's leg in a kick. ]
Look around you. The garden is on the brink of collapse, and the way back holds nothing of value. [ If they can even make it back. Very little of the ground remains. Unless they leave straightaway, there won't be anywhere to go. ] Safety? No such place exists! Your only recourse is to fight . . . and if we die here, then so be it.
[ All it would mean is that he was weak, after all. Then he would truly deserve to perish. ]
[ She draws a steady breath as the hand snaps away form Berkut's kick.
"If we die here, then so be it." She looks at him in disbelief at first... and then frowns. ] Those... aren't the words of a would-be king of this castle. [ So can only guess that this garden, this monstrosity that's before them must truly be something that shakes him. ]
Lord Berkut, draw your weapon. [ A flame ignites within the palm of her hand. He's making it seem like this is a fight that they cannot win-- but she refuses to let him perish in a fruitless battle, at least not all on his own. ] I want you to show me... [ She had traveled with a prince, with an emperor, with a few of their attendants, their weapons, their knights. She had seen their bravery in battle-- although at the time, she had thought their fighting was pointless.
She no longer things it's pointless. ] ...just how the Knights of Rigel fight!
[ The flames within her hand will be exactly as he saw the last time they fought; bright, vibrant, and without a trace of smoke or disturbance from the air around it.
Pyra looks to what remains of the path away from the garden, and then back to the broken mirror. She widens her stance, passing one flame from one palm to the other as she prepares her attack. ] ...Can you do that?
[ With pursed lips, he locks his gaze onto her flames. Unable to look away, he seems to seriously consider her offer, yet his mouth quivers when he opens it to speak.
To accept her power is the same as admitting that he is weak. ]
No.
[ Another voice permeates the garden, momentarily halting the hands' writhing advance. It is none other than Berkut's, tinged with mad desperation: What could you possibly know?! From childhood, all that's ever been asked of me is strength. I even debased myself by making use of that deviant's powers . . . And it's still not enough!? I was meant for greatness! But you, you’re just a . . . just a . . .
[ She sends a jet of flames across the garden, searing and melting through the hands it strikes in a volcanic flare. Her "fire" may not be actual flames, but it is hot enough to ignite them secondary to them. If the limbs that are not obliterated with the attack are able to be used as fuel for combustion, they will add to the inferno. ]
Then let's cleanse these monsters from the castle-- as much as we can!
[ Berkut expects Pyra to argue, to make a big show of shaming his inadequacy. After all, did she not sharpen her tone earlier in the castle courtyard? It's what everyone else does. They jeer. But she does not, and that surprises him.
Her flames sweep across the garden while he watches, entranced. Schooling his features, he takes a step forward when a wave of light washes out from under their feet and over the abyss, wreathed in Pyra's inferno, like a blanket.
The same warmth that greeted them upon arriving at the garden wraps around both Berkut and Pyra. It seeps into their very being, as well as what remains of the nature around them as the flowers' decay halts. At the heart of that tenderness, a woman's voice speaks kindly: You are safe. That's all I need to be— ]
Rinea?
[ —Berkut's vision goes white. When he reopens his eyes, it is to the sight of Chroma's colorful sky. ]
What--....happened? She had been entirely prepared to fight that-- whatever those monsters were-- on his behalf, if he was not capable, but then a warmth surrounded them, a voice called out to him, and suddenly they're back.
She blinks at the sudden change, extinguishing her flames.
--And then looks to Berkut. First thing is first. ] Are you alright?
[ Closing his eyes, Berkut brings a hand up to his forehead. It's been weeks since he last heard Rinea's voice. He can't say how he feels about that. A myriad of emotions start to well in him, only to be crushed under the domineering heel of pride as he opens his eyes. ]
[ The more he thinks upon what transpired, the more his mood sours. At Pyra's smile, he turns away. He just said that none of it was real, yet she insists on these comments. ]
[ Now she mocks him? This is humiliating enough. Jedah could laugh about this for years to come, were he here to witness the sorry drama. Pursing his lips, Berkut says nothing. ]
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ouch is one of the most intimate, romantic ways to be close to someone else. The Town knows this very well -- the Town wants everyone to be as close as possible.
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I don't know.
[ The rot has only made its mark on this section of the garden. Everywhere else is abloom, and fresh water trickles down the fountains to travel the uniform ridges on the ground. Berkut hasn't the faintest idea.
But there is one more area of interest to check. The centerpiece, a pergola, houses what appears to be an ornate mirror in the middle. Upon further inspection, they'll discover that the entire surface of the dark mirror is cracked. ]
no subject
She reaches out to it, fingers tracing over the side of its frame. The surface is so cracked, she can hardly make out her reflection. ] Do you recognize this?
[ Work with her, here!! ]
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His eyes widening, Berkut jerks back—violently. ]
Get away from that mirror!
[ The glass shards fall to the ground one by one, shattering upon impact. The entire garden begins to shake when dozens of clawed ashen hands break through the earth to reach for Pyra and Berkut. Radiating an unholy power, they mean to drag their victims down into the abyss. ]
no subject
Her gaze whips down, shock crossing her expression briefly when she sees a hand gripping around her ankle. With a shout she tears herself free of its grip, leaping to-- higher ground, hopefully, a bench, the fountain, a tree-- anything that still remains stable. Is the ground cracking out in all directions, is the abyss all-consuming?
Well, more importantly, she looks to see if Berkut is all right or in need of help. She already has a flame ignited in one of the palms of her hands, ready to fire at one of those hands if he can't break free of it himself. ] --Lord Berkut!
no subject
Berkut, who'd evaded the initial pull of his person, stands off to the edge. He stares at the mass of hands, mumbling as if in a daze. ]
It's the same . . . Don't bother. Unless you wield a divine power, there is nothing you can do.
[ Hands loop around his legs and left arm, tugging. With a grunt, he strains to stay standing. ]
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A divine power, he says.
Her fingers go to her chest, curling around the crystal there-- yes, she knows it well. Being tethered to such a thing, that incomprehensible might, that ominous perfection... She... ]
no subject
Then we have to find something in this world that does, if we are to stop it. [ She leaps over the void, landing near him. Pyra wants to believe that whatever darkness resides in his heart can also be dispelled by whatever light remains within it as well-- and hurriedly, she pulls at the limbs that reach to restrain him, tearing them away. She flings out her hand towards him, kicking one of the limbs from her. ]
--Take my hand!
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Slowly, a deep frown overtakes Berkut's face. He straightens and draws back from Pyra, unconcerned by the disaster unfolding around them. ]
I don't need your help.
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[ She looks at him in disbelief. ]
What are you saying, we have to-- to get to safety.
[ She's about to take another step towards him, when one of the hands grasps onto her leg. Damn, these things-- there's so many of them...! ]
no subject
Look around you. The garden is on the brink of collapse, and the way back holds nothing of value. [ If they can even make it back. Very little of the ground remains. Unless they leave straightaway, there won't be anywhere to go. ] Safety? No such place exists! Your only recourse is to fight . . . and if we die here, then so be it.
[ All it would mean is that he was weak, after all. Then he would truly deserve to perish. ]
no subject
"If we die here, then so be it." She looks at him in disbelief at first... and then frowns. ] Those... aren't the words of a would-be king of this castle. [ So can only guess that this garden, this monstrosity that's before them must truly be something that shakes him. ]
Lord Berkut, draw your weapon. [ A flame ignites within the palm of her hand. He's making it seem like this is a fight that they cannot win-- but she refuses to let him perish in a fruitless battle, at least not all on his own. ] I want you to show me... [ She had traveled with a prince, with an emperor, with a few of their attendants, their weapons, their knights. She had seen their bravery in battle-- although at the time, she had thought their fighting was pointless.
She no longer things it's pointless. ] ...just how the Knights of Rigel fight!
[ The flames within her hand will be exactly as he saw the last time they fought; bright, vibrant, and without a trace of smoke or disturbance from the air around it.
Pyra looks to what remains of the path away from the garden, and then back to the broken mirror. She widens her stance, passing one flame from one palm to the other as she prepares her attack. ] ...Can you do that?
[ . . . ] If you do, I'll lend you my power.
no subject
To accept her power is the same as admitting that he is weak. ]
No.
[ Another voice permeates the garden, momentarily halting the hands' writhing advance. It is none other than Berkut's, tinged with mad desperation: What could you possibly know?! From childhood, all that's ever been asked of me is strength. I even debased myself by making use of that deviant's powers . . . And it's still not enough!? I was meant for greatness! But you, you’re just a . . . just a . . .
He exhales heavily. ]
I won't make the same mistake twice.
1/3
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Oddly enough, it comforts her more to know that he refuses. ]
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Then let's cleanse these monsters from the castle-- as much as we can!
no subject
Her flames sweep across the garden while he watches, entranced. Schooling his features, he takes a step forward when a wave of light washes out from under their feet and over the abyss, wreathed in Pyra's inferno, like a blanket.
The same warmth that greeted them upon arriving at the garden wraps around both Berkut and Pyra. It seeps into their very being, as well as what remains of the nature around them as the flowers' decay halts. At the heart of that tenderness, a woman's voice speaks kindly: You are safe. That's all I need to be— ]
Rinea?
[ —Berkut's vision goes white. When he reopens his eyes, it is to the sight of Chroma's colorful sky. ]
no subject
What--....happened? She had been entirely prepared to fight that-- whatever those monsters were-- on his behalf, if he was not capable, but then a warmth surrounded them, a voice called out to him, and suddenly they're back.
She blinks at the sudden change, extinguishing her flames.
--And then looks to Berkut. First thing is first. ] Are you alright?
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I'm fine. None of it was real.
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Ah... you're right. We're very lucky; it felt almost as if someone had saved us, right at the end.
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[ He could die from shame where he stands! He never asked to be saved. A terrible urge to scream gnaws at him. ]
We were the only ones in that garden. There was no one else.
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If only for a moment, it was like we weren't alone. [ That warmth she had felt just then-- ] And that voice...
[ "Rinea", maybe? Ah, well.
She shakes her head, then smiling at him. ] Well, I'm just glad to see that you are unharmed, Lord Berkut.
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Spare me your pity. I've no need for it.
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