snowblindrpg | [log] Event: Howl [open]

[log] Event: Howl [open]

Characters: everyone
Location: The sort of location M.C. Escher wishes he'd thought up.
Date: nights 211 & 212
Summary: I hunt for you with bloody feet across the hallow'd ground
Warnings: potential for violence, death, and psychological horror; please note in subject lines if any specific warnings come up!

like some child possessed, the beast howls in my veins
I want to find you tear out all your tenderness

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's hyper aware of the star beside him and feeling the tug and pull of their links hands. Feeling when he tenses or relaxes. ]

Wha? [ He does jump as he feels Jim jumping. ] What's going on?

[ His attention drifts over to the monster again. ]

Go back? But I can't do anything like this.

I can.

[ Jim's hand tightens around Zell's, and his star seems to glow a little brighter. ]

I think I can. It feels right. I just need your help, Sunshine. I just need you to catch me.

[ There is something like conviction in Jim's words that catches Zell off guard. Turning to face Jim as he feels the confidence even if he can't really see it. Reaching with his free hand to try to feel Jim's face to see what kind of expression he's making, which could ruin the whole thing. ]

I'll catch you. [ And he really wishes he could see what Jim's face looks like. Giving a nod as he turns back towards it. ] It's over here. [ He hesitates a moment. ] It...it's wearing Cloud's face.

[ Squeezing their linked hands as he

[ Jim's face is set in determination, though it softens reflexively, reassuringly, as soon as Zell touches him. ]

Cloud's -

[ Jim bites off the question and makes an angry, frustrated noise. ]

Okay. I'm ready for it. Let's go.

[ He can't really help but grin in response. ]

Let's do this.

[ Jim will probably see it after they pass the wall obstructing it.

And hopefully also help Zell from not walking into that hole again. Help him Obi Jim Kenobi, you're his only ho. ]

There. He's- it's there.

[ It feels like a punch to the chest when he rounds that corner and - yeah. There it is, there Cloud is.

Jim doesn't hesitate this time, though: he can see the light and he knows what he has to do. ]

Watch this, Sunshine!

[ He calls as he darts closer to the monster. ]

swoon

[ Zell could figure out the moment when Jim finally sees him. Giving him a squeeze in their linked hands as he nods, trusting his boyfriend to do this. ]

Go get him, baby.

[ ~~He has your flower~~. He lets Jim go to do it as his attention moves to the light. It's disconcerting to him to see it. To see the monsters made from stolen flesh. And still be unable to see Jim. ]

[ Jim holds on to the feeling of that squeeze and the knowledge that Zell has his back as he charges forward. It's swinging at him, the loose mask of Cloud's skin slipping to reveal a many-eyed wolf just underneath.

It opens its mouth wide to bite, but Jim's faster. His hand darts inside, the mouth clamps closed - but it's already disappearing into dust. Nothing's left but Jim's fist closed tight around the light.

He falls down on his knees where he stands, silent and breathing hard. ]

[ It's interesting watching as the lights both seem to grow brighter and for a moment, he can make out Jim's hand inside of creature. And then it was done. Over with just like that and Jim was down on the floor.

Excitement bubbles up and Zell jumps up to pump a fist in the air. ]

Hell yeah! You did it!

[ Then he drops down ungracefully to practically throw himself at Jim. Giving him a hug. ]

Did you see what you did? [ Well...obviously, but Zell is stoked. After that he's groping around for Jim hand to make sure it's in one piece. That he doesn't feel any residual damage or anything. ]

Edited 2017-05-17 04:03 (UTC)

I wish I hadn't.

[ Jim won't be able to unsee the wolf wearing Cloud's face for a long, long time. He catches Zell's hand and guides him, letting him feel the palm and then bringing it up to his face. ]

It - Cloud just... turned into dust and disappeared.

[ He feels the exuberance deflate almost immediately at the words. Tracing his fingers across Jim's features as he frowns. Putting a hand on the back of his head as he kisses his forehead. ]

Sorry, Stars. It still...gets you down, huh?

[ Dumbest statement of the year. Of course it still gets to him. Jim was entrusted with Cloud and the guy had to wander off. ]

[ It's like another punch to the gut, watching Zell's happiness fade that way. Jim doesn't say anything at first, just presses his own hand over Zell's. ]

Yeah. It's my fault he died. If that was really him...

[ Spreading his fingers apart to capture Jim's fingers in the spaces between. ]

I. [ Swallowing. ] I don't think that was him.

[ Brows furrow for a moment, before he bumps their foreheads together. ]

I don't think it was your fault.

Sure looked like him.

[ Jim folds his hand around Zell, squeezing, before letting go and curling into himself. ]

Of course it was my fault.

[ He can feel Jim trying to curl up smaller. Taking a look around to check if he sees anything else wandering around before wrapping his arms around Jim. Pulling him against him while trying to rest his head on him. ]

It took it from our heads. I don't know why it does, but that's what it does. It wants to trick us.

[ Burying his face against him. ]

It was you and Hiro with him, right?

[ Jim rubs his forehead, as if that will get rid of the monsters there. If that's right it means ... well, maybe it means the way he can't stop thinking about it sometimes is to blame, too. ]

Yeah. Zack and Kunsel had gone to take care of something and meet up with Tifa. They were gone a really long time, but that was the day we were meeting back up.

[ He feels the movement in the air, but isn't really sure what's happening. So he follows with a hand to find Jim's hand on his forehead. Leaving it there for a moment longer before walking his fingers into Jim's hair. Just going to massage his scalp. ]

He was probably excited to see his friends again. [ So he might have waiting. ]

There's a lot that happens here, Jim. [ His brows furrow for a moment and then he tries his best to look Jim straight on.] Do you blame anyone for Hiro?

[ Jim lets Zell run his hands through his hair for a moment in silence. I'tss comforting, as he pours over this in his minds.

He meets Zell's empty gaze and smooths his brow out with a soft touch. ]

Hiro - a monster got him. Cloud we just lost even though we should've known after what happened to Tadashi.

Hiro was outside with Zack getting snow. He pushed Zack out of the way before the monster got him. Remember how much like shit Zack felt over it?

[ He nuzzles into the hand fixing his expression. ]

None of us blamed him for it. Hiro was lost. Lost in a different way, but there wasn't anything we could have done to change it. Just like with Cloud.

[ Jim leans his hand into the nuzzle, taking as much comfort as he's giving to Zell. ]

Do you think that about everything that's happened? Me, Zack, Kunsel...

[ Not fair. His posture does droop a little at that. ]

I would be lying if I said I did.

[ Snagging one of Jim's hands to place his palm flat against Zell's chest. ]

When it was fresh, I'd think about how I should have done more. Maybe I should have seen the trap if I wasn't so distracted with the effects or fought the other two about who investigate. Or maybe I should have been closer to you. Should have been a better friend... [ He knows they touched on that last one already. ]

Staying stuck on the would have or could haves isn't good, you know? It's why I'm working on what I can do now. Making the most of the time we have together, learning from those traps, and aiming to get to the center and fix everything. Find a way to fix everything here to save everyone.

[ Jim knew those same thoughts ran through Zell's head, but it still sucks to hear him struggle like that. He spreads his fingers wide over Zell's heart and hums in agreement. ]

Got to keep moving.

[ It's easier said than done when confronted with something like that thing. ]

It hasn't happened again, and it won't. Not if we can help it. Doesn't help us sleep any better sometimes, though, does it?

[ Got to keep moving is starting to sound more and more like a spell to bind them, instead of spurring them forward. Brushing his thumb over the back of his hand. ]

We'll do the best we can and give it our all.

[ He knows Jim can beat this eventually. He knows they all can eventually, but it might take some time. And maybe even some breaks along the way. ]

Yeah, it doesn't. You know what does help though? [ ~~Makeouts~~ ]

[ Maybe what they need is a spell. Some days all the words in the world aren't going to help.

He tilts his head, raising both eyebrows and waiting for Zell to continue. It only takes him a second to remember that Zell can't see his expression. He clears his throat sheepishly. ]

-What's that, Sunshine?

[log] Event: Howl [open]

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this is lame as hell

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lame tag is lame

la la la i suck at writing fights

making stuff up \o/

i was thinking maybe they could talk about cloud here?

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is this okay? I can add more

Re: is this okay? I can add more

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let me know if this works

it's perfect &hearts;

teal deer

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this is dumb

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this a wrap-up?

Re: this a wrap-up?