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moonrealm2018-10-14 09:15 pm
bellflower) wrote in moonrealm2018-10-14 09:15 pm
(no subject)
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CALL ME OUT |
LINKS |
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A simple call me out post Bell. Got an idea for a PSL or meme with one of my characters? Hit me up here! I've set up an OOC thread to chat about it if you wanna ask about preferences, ideas, anything like that... check out the links to the side! |
» MUSELIST » OOC CHAT » PREFERENCES |
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By vigils
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[ A clouded film forms over Mitsuhide's gaze. The manic green slowly turning to a warmer gold. The wide-wide-wide smile faltering as the corners turn down. His grip on the scythes loosens just a fraction before his fingers wrap tighter around them until his knuckles crack. ]
Is this not good? You've feasted enough, haven't you? [ His high-pitched giggling and higher-pitched words shift to a slow, easy and almost soothing tone. Worry bleeds into the words. Concern etches into each syllable. Yet his face doesn't change from the wide smile. ]
We're still talking!
[ The words are not directed to the men surrounding him, but to the face that is trying to interfere. It wants him to sleep. It wants this carnage to stop! It can't stop! It can't! They haven't given parting words to each other! Why is he getting in the way of himself?! You should just sleep if you don't like it! Indeed, if Xu Shu hadn't confused Tenkai into thinking he was the one called, Tenkai would have been sleeping and Mitsuhide would have arrived. But since the monk came first, he couldn't go to sleep until he make sure everything was all right!
To the side. To behind. Clever, clever, but aren't they a little too close? Then? Then? I'd like to taste that blade. But? But! You're still-- His eyes widen as the flames around him burst and burn brighter, filling the whole clearing in green light and suffocating heat. He acknowledges the men coming in close, seeing the flashing of blades and feels the killing intent wash over him. ]
Yes! Yes! YES! Still talking! Still talking! Talk, talk, talk! [ His back twists in an impossible fashion, like the spine is not made of bone but something much more flexible. He drops down to the ground with the scythes held tight in his hands and spins. He spins his entire body in sudden and violent circle, twisting his being into nothing but sharp blades. ]
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[No killing. For none of them.]
[Landing in his original spot is a dangerous idea, though. In the blink of an eye Xu Shu flicks his cord out, the attached dagger embedding itself into safer dull earth so he can use it to pull himself over and out of harm's way. There's a good chance he'll still get nicked by those blades on the landing which is bad but this is going to come to a close soon anyway... and, well, he hasn't seen what Daud's done because he's not had the chance, and that is the most fortunate thing of all. Rather than try to pull himself to safety he would have made a much more drastic movement.]
[No killing is most important of all for Daud. It's half the reason Xu Shu did this alone.]
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Which he does. Immediately, almost without thought, he disappears, only to reappear six feet over, taking in the sight of Mitsuhide and Xu Shu, of the blasted clearing. Mitsuhide’s become… It defies description, really, o there’s no time for finding words to match his movement. And Xu Shu’s flagging, strong but plainly wounded.
It’s no good. This is no good.
He releases his hold on time, and that’s one less problem; the effort of manipulating the flow of moments has already begun to run him ragged, but now that time’s running free again, there’s a surge of energy. (Because it feels good, doesn’t it? Even through the exhaustion, it feels good to channel such power, to perform such feats.) And there’s clarity: the lucidity that inevitably accompanies combat.
Xu Shu’s out of the attack’s range; so much the better. There’s no need to propel him out of harm’s way, but… But. There’s still the matter of keeping Xu Shu out of trouble. Because Daud doesn’t doubt that the man’s planning something, some sacrifice of himself, some foolhardy application of his (what are they, what has he been gifted with?) abilities.
This time, when Daud transverses, he appears between Mitsuhide and Xu Shu. If he can keep himself in Mitsuhide’s focus. If he can keep Xu Shu from holding a direct line of attack to MItsuhide. If he can manage these things, he might still be able to see this finished without further injury. ]
Stay. Back.
[ The words are staccato, rough. Directed primarily toward Xu Shu, though Daud keeps his eyes on his foe. Hard to kill a spinning mess of blades. Hard to kill such a creature, but he’ll need to come out of it eventually, won’t he?
And Daud will be watching. And Daud will be ready to move once again, crossing space and leveling his dagger however he must. ]
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[ He looks up towards his scythes. The serrated edges remain clean. He didn't even get a chance to taste any of their blood. His chest feels tight then at ease at not seeing any red. The blades are cursed that even a single small cut will bleed rivers of red, red, red, red. The ground is saturated in his blood, in Xu Shu's blood. But not Daud's. Isn't that sad? It's sad. ]
How sad. [ He repeats himself as he looks towards where Daud has moved. Fast, fast, fast. ] It whispers. It whispers and doesn't quite scream. But the words are getting much, much louder. You can feel it, can't you? You can feel it beneath the skin. [ A wide smile warms his mouth as he fixes his gaze on the man before him. ]
It itches? Probably? Yes, it iches. Do you know the shape of your fear? [ His eyes soften just a little as he peers at the man's cold face. ] It doesn't exist inside of you. It's there. [ The scythe gestures behind him. ] It's there. It is inside others.
[ He doesn't want to hear that. He doesn't want to have that sort of talk. Do not touch places people are healing with such sharp instruments. His eyes glaze over as he twists his head to look to the side. Annoyance burning into his expression but he shrinks back like he is scolded. ] Fine! A smile! A smile, then! Let's smile!
[ A burst of laughter pours of his mouth. Let his scythes sing a beautiful song. A song where they can carve big, bright smiles on each other. Curved into an open mouth, bleeding happiness everywhere. So he sprints forward -- with the hellfire of green following him and raises one blade to cut wide, twisting his body about to bring the other blade in a diagonal slice. ]
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Stay back.
[His weariness leaks into his voice but it's stone as well, edged with fire that threatens to leak as freely as Mitsuhide's emotions do, but Xu Shu is holding it back. Can Daud see how dark his trouser leg is, now? There's not much left until he won't have enough blood left to stay awake which is why he turns to meet the opponent's attack with one of his own. He raises a hand...]
For you, just one last drink.
[That sprint forward brings them close but Xu Shu finally allows his gathered power to burn free, shaping into the form it's known best since he was a man who only knew steel to sort problems. Daud's blinking movements earlier might be called to mind here. Xu Shu moves so fast he can only be seen for a few moments, slicing through the air over and over all around Mitsuhide, leaving trails of purple light that linger for a few moments before fading. It looks almost chaotic but it's not, every slice is precise and chosen and that's why not a single one is used in a manner that might kill. Cut? Bleed? Harm? Yes. Some are used only to come close and nothing more but some are going to hurt if they land... just like the wound on Xu Shu's leg, though without the curse of bleeding.]
[It's an impressive show that lasts no more than a few seconds and finishes when the warrior shows himself fully again, attempting to dodge under any attack that comes and hopefully push Mitsuhide backwards. There's a good reason for that because he'll pull himself up straight after, huff one deep breath and then, well...]
[Crumble to the ground, his large frame finally unable to keep him standing.]
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In the time it’s taken to recover, Xu Shu’s already launched an attack, and— And. Daud could almost think the man was Void-touched (only it’s something else, some ability of his own, the details of which Daud’s never heard and never asked), the way he’s become almost impossible to see save in glances, the way there’s clear precision in his scarce-seen motions, the way there’s no stopping him.
The attack ends - so quickly, the boy must have been manipulating time, was certainly manipulating movement - and Daud becomes aware of two facts. Fact one: Xu Sh has collapsed and been left vulnerable. That Xu Shu will need to be defended. (More vaguely, he’s aware of a constriction in his chest, a question of whether Xu Shu’s been wounded or worse, whether some lasting damage has been done. He can’t think about that. There’s no use in it.)
Fact two: Mitsuhide’s still breathing.
The bastard’s still breathing.
And it wasn’t a fluke. The way Xu Shu was moving, he should have leveled deeper damage. Daud’s seen the man at work before, knows he’s capable of drawing blood and more. Which suggests that this was intentional. Which suggests that Xu Shu hadn’t intended to take down the bastard. What game is he playing at? What strategy would draw this out longer than need be?
(There’s something else, an odd conflictedness in Mitsuhide. Daud’s been glimpsing it, tracking it, but decides it doesn’t matter, not enough to call for a shift in tactics. It’s something to keep an eye on, nothing more.)
Whatever Xu Shu was planning - whatever the reason he threw Daud aside - it can’t happen this way. Daud’s intent on finishing the bastard, or coming as close to the job as he can.
Still. Xu Shu first. Take care of him if necessary (make certain he’s still breathing, make certain there’s no insurmountable bleeding out), or else what’s the point of this endeavor. Keeping an eye on Mitsuhide, Daud moves to Xu Shu, bends down on one knee. His plan is to do this quickly: gather up Xu Shu (thank fuck for the Void’s enhancements; Daud’s strong, true, but Xu Shu isn’t a small man, and Daud can feel his own strength flagging from repeated use of his abilities), then transport him out of the clearing and set him aside so Daud can finish with Mitsuhide.
It’s simple. It shouldn’t take long. And Daud feels certain he can do this. ]
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And even with the tight hold he has on the scythes, the scythes are knocked clear out of his grip. They sail a good distance before embedding themselves blade first into the ground hard enough that they remain upright. But he has very little time to dodge back to retrieve them. He has very little time even to turn back to see where they have gone.
He bursts out with laughter. Bright, flowing, exuberant. He laughs even as his body takes each vicious cut. In fact, he laughs that much louder. His choking laughter only broken up by saying: ] That hurts! That hurts! [ Yet he hardly sounds bothered by the pain. He hardly sounds bothered by the agony as rivers of blood pour down his arms, chest, legs, face. So many cuts but not enough to kill -- not meant to kill.
At the end of the attack, he is knocked backwards. His back slams into a tree just outside of the clearing. There is a resounding crunching sound of the bark splitting upon the force of which he hit. His head lulls down, long hair that was once white now stained red. ]
More... I want to keep playing. More, more! He ... he... [ Crimson flows past his lips as he lifts his hand up, reaching out toward the two. He flops forward, starting to drag himself to them. His clawing hands stop. ] No. [ His head tilts as he looks through a veil of hair, sticking to his face wet with blood. The manic light is strangled out of his gaze. ]
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A look of panic screams its way into his eyes as he stands. The way Daud is kneeling, the feeling that chills and freezes his heart. No! Neither one can leave just yet! Not for that but for that! ]
Such a thing .. such a thing! [ He stumbles closer, walking less in jerky-sudden movements. Moving less like a creature that merely inhabits the body of a man. His eyes fix on Xu Shu before fixing on Daud. Concern etches itself in his gaze. ]
The curse still is upon him. I must get closer to be able to break it. I must. [ A truth and a lie. A lie and a truth. If I explain outright what it is I plan to do, Daud, you will not trust me. Such a thing... it's understandable. Even so, then I must deceive. I must even though ... it will not breed trust between us.. Yet he feels if he takes the time to explain now that it will waste time.
For each step he stumbles forward, the ghost fire bursts and evaporates in the air. The miasma swirling on the ground cumulates and is absorbed into the "monk." His anxiety rises as he repeats himself, louder, clearer! ] I have to draw closer! Please let me draw closer.
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[Because Daud is on edge and ready to kill. That cannot happen. He won't let it. Summoning the last of his strength Xu Shu reaches out to grasp at the other man's clothing, tugging down, insistent. There's no time to explain in detail but if he doesn't do something... well, first.]
Let him.
[Come close. Clear the curse. The meaning is obvious even if it seems like a ridiculous request on many levels but if Tenkai doesn't get a chance to undo the cursed magic he inflicted as Mitsuhide then Xu Shu will die. What would Daud do if that happened? Doesn't bear thinking about.. he pulls again, a little harder, as hard as he is capable of.]
[Says in a raspy breath, even as his vision blackens:]
Dad... don't kill...
[It's vulnerable and as honest as he is capable of with Daud, more than he has been before, but that just means it should have more impact. Hopefully it'll be enough, Xu Shu thinks, as he sighs and finally lapses into unconsciousness.]
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What is he doing.
What did he say.
(No it's clear. All of it's clear and cutting, the insistence with which Xu Shu's dragged him downward, the way he grasps toward words with shuddered breaths - difficult, it's difficult for the man to speak and still he captures the words, meaning they matter, meaning Xu Shu believes they hold reason - the way he... may have muddled a word, a name (or it was no mistake), but his final words ring clear.)
'Don't kill.'
(And he's right, isn't he? Some part of Daud flinches internally at the phrase, realizing it may be apt. Realizing it might be something that he needs to hear, because yes this is for Xu Shu, this is for Cassandra, this is for everyone who means a fucking thing to him, but he's been barreling forward without letting himself think too far. But maybe there's something he's missing; maybe Xu Shu holds information Daud hasn't had access to. Maybe there's another way here. And maybe Daud's fallen back into old habits too readily.
It's a thought he doesn't care for. It's a thought that sparks a deep enough chill to pause his hand, keeping him from striking out at Mitsuhide.)
He's free of Xu Shu's grasp now, telling himself that the boy's still alive, that there's still time to preserve him though he's lost a lot of blood, is losing a lot of blood, and what was it the bastard did, because this isn't natural and ('the curse it still upon him') Daud can only guess at the magic Mitsuhide possesses or what might be at work here but it's wrong, Daud knows wounds and the amount of blood here is wrong.
He wants to kill the bastard.
But if there is something at work.
But given Xu Shu's behests.
Given the uncommon openness in the man's words.
One arm wrapped around Xu Shu, Daud grabs his blade with his free hand, levels it at Mitsuhide (who is, it's true, acting strange; who's compulsion seems to have shifted directions, and wherein the fuck had that mask come from?). ]
You're going to explain yourself.
Quickly.
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[ Tenkai keeps walking forward, steadily, calmly, looking to the man and not the blade brandished in his direction. The steps he takes are not swaying -- like a hanged man swinging side=to-side -- but instead he drags his feet against the ground as though he carries a heavy burden.
He fixes his eyes upon Xu Shu, watching his weakened state attempt to spare a few words to Daud. He drops his chin a little as he feels a wretched freezing sensation curl around his heart. Explain quickly. Which part and where? I wish I could simply tell you a lie and a truth. But you may interrupt-- ]
I intend to break the curse. If it remains, he will ... [ The closer that he gets, the stench of blood intensifies. How could it not? His once pale skin is coated in red. His once long white hair is now a deep shade of crimson. ] ... there is no reason for him to fall here in this place, at this time.
[ Your son deserves better. The monk wishes to add but cuts himself off. His gaze slides to look over the carnage that took place in the clearing. This face has no right to say that. That face has no right to prod that weakness, either. He continues speaking, continues explaining; his words quick and hurried even as he may seem leisurely in everything else. ]
But after breaking it, I intend to heal what I can. I cannot replenish the blood that has been lost, but I can revitalize the spirit to ensure the body will have a faster recovery. [ He can drain the energy straight from the soul. ] I intend to use the curse materials themselves to do so. [ Tenkai does not believe that Daud will shed tears for the lost spirits that have been employed by Mitsuhide to do mischief being used as fodder to ensure Xu Shu's survival.
He does not think that Daud will care about that at all. But he does think that the man will care about Tenkai using his abilities upon the young man once more -- regardless of the reason. ]
If you do not like that... the only other option is your own soul. [ He stands now one or two paces away from him. He stares at him, breathing in deep, holding his breath. The choice is yours. The choices is yours, but you must make it quick before I make it for you. I explained when I did not want to, so you must choose when you do not want to. ]
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The bastard’s coming closer. And it’s true, something’s changed - Daud can see it, hear it, sense it; notes the way it’s written through Mitsuhide’s movements - but he doesn’t lower the blade, not yet. Though it doesn’t feel like a trick - though it feels like something earnest, something strangled and yet striving - there’s really no telling with Mitsuhide.
(What has happened? What caused this changed, and… What has Xu Shu done?)
Mitsuhide’s bleeding badly. Maybe the bastard’ll expire after all, though Daud doubts he’s that lucky. (He should kill him. Right now.) (’Don’t kill.’) (He should rid the world of this blood-hungry bastard.) (’Let him.’) (It’d be simple enough. So easy.) (’Don’t—‘) (He should.) (But this curse.) (But he should.)
Debates rage beneath thought, but he needs to push forward, determine what to do about this situation, because what’s clear is that Xu Shu’s fading. What’s clear is that Xu Shu believes Mitsuhide can help, and that Mitsuhide (’this face’) seems bent on doing… something. Void knows what, precisely. ]
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
[ He doesn’t care for the idea of, what, using curse materials? Doesn’t care for the notion of this bastard fucking with his soul, either, and Daud doesn’t have enough information to say which would be better for Xu Shu. Because of course he doesn’t. Because of course Mitsuhide (this face) wouldn’t offer more than hints and glimpses. It really is like speaking with the Outsider, all of these half-truths and unfinished explanations. A dire situation that still, still won’t force the full truth out.
He hates this. He resents this. This never should have happened. ]
I’m in no mood for your bullshit.
[ And don’t. Don’t… ’Don’t talk about this as if it has nothing to do with you,’ he almost says. As if Xu Shu’s falling has nothing to do with Mitsuhide. As if the bastard hadn’t attacked Xu Shu, hadn’t gone swinging blades after both of them. But it’s more than needs to be said. Would be a distraction from what needs to happen now, before anything can turn further awry. ]
Use what’s best for Xu Shu. My soul, if you need it.
But if you harm him…
[ He doesn’t need to finish that. The sharpness of his glare, the blade still pointed at Mitsuhide speak loudly enough. ]
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[ His tone, unlike Mitsuhide's, sounds almost exasperated at Daud's lack of understanding. But it is no fault of the man. He feels an itch underneath the skin. It is an itch that scratches the flesh raw -- dread, alarm, horror. He worries his bottom lip underneath the metal mask, bites it until it bleeds.
He merely continues to look at him and waits. It itches feels like it is ripping holes. What is best for him? In the end, it is my choice? Releasing his bottom lip, its bleeding enough that a thin line of blood that drips beneath the mask.
Kneeling down, he holds his hand out like one does for begging coins. Spirits flow into his palm, balling themselves up until they are little more than an undulating mass of black. Tenkai makes a tsking noise at them. ]
You should not be so greedy. Indulging so much is bad. You'll get rounder and rounder and then what?
[ The monk scolds the spirits for their gluttonous ways, even though "he" is the one who called to them in the first place. They shudder in his hand, twisting in a black, formless shape. Waiting, waiting. His head lifts as he sees that the wound Xu Shu has been suffering from has closed. What will be best for him? ]
He would not want you to sacrifice yourself for him. He would not want you to suffer even if it means that he will be all right.
[ But ... I believe that he should understand the pain that he has put into other people's hearts by experiencing it... Xu Shu is a stubborn one. He is very stubborn. He tilts his head towards Daud, eyes smiling warmly. If he is talked to reasonably, he may still drag his feet. This wound I place in his heart is a small one. A small one that you can both heal from, because you are both changing.
The black mass within his hand evaporates quickly until he is holding nothing. He reaches out to carefully, gently take Daud's wrist with one hand and Xu Shu's with the other. ]
Do not scold him too heavily when he awakens. Just a little will be enough. Just a little.
[ A warm smile works its way into Tenkai's stare before a bright green light works its way into his eyes, filling even the white in the color. The monk does not tell Daud to brace himself, because the man should know that it is going to be an uncomfortable experience. Xu Shu remains unconscious so there is no concern for what pain he will feel, but for the man -- ah.
For the man, his soul is being drained from Tenkai's touch. It is a cold, freezing feeling that would take over the entire body; it is a darkening feeling like the body itself is violently shutting itself down. Because the flesh does not know what to do when the spirit itself is being assaulted. It can only panic. It can only scream. It can only shudder and twist everything on the inside in order to save itself.
It lasts for only a few seconds -- a few long seconds -- before he finally lets go of both of their wrists. ]