tabularasa_rp | 006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?

The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Are you hurt?

(He asked before, but perhaps he didn't phrase it the way it would get the answer he was seeking. Akechi's got a point, and Ren's strategic mind starts working upon it.)

If that's the case, it's worth investigating. We need to make sure everyone is safe first, and we can hack it enough to see if we can draw the Void out.

(Ren's on board. Whatever happens next, they can face later.)

[He growls with annoyance when it seems like Ren's ignoring his observation, though it's quickly eased when the other boy continues. Instead, a smirk spreads across his lips, eyes brightening. Oh, yes. Yes.]

Fine. I'll agree to that.

[He surges up then and presses a kiss to Ren's lips, emboldened by the other boy's support. The quick motion sparks a hiss from him, though he's quick to pull back to reassure,] I'm fine. Cole-san gave me some kind of healing herb. The bandages shouldn't need to be changed yet.

(Oh, Akechi. Ren can't help but to smile against the lips, pulling him closer with the arm that was wrapped around his shoulders. As expected, the hissing brought concern over his features.)

Can I see?

(Like, he was going to see it sooner or later. Akechi can't sleep next to him while dressed, considering just how warm Ren is.)

[He almost says no. But it's true, Ren will see it sooner or later, and truth be told, it's a welcome distraction from the other boy picking into his own psyche. Akechi permits himself one more kiss before shifting back on the couch and pulling off his shirt, revealing a cross-cross of partially-healed wounds, most covered with bandages, some looking more like scrapes that had healed recently. Perhaps most importantly, the herb had almost entirely healed the wound on his face without scarring. That would have pissed him off to no end.

And, contrary to his words, some of them are too deep for bandages alone, but he'd planned to worry about stitches in a few hours. Testing to see if Cole's herb would heal them even without more conventional aid.]

(The kiss is reciprocated easily, gladly, and Ren retrieves his arm to make space for Akechi to undress. His eyes take in every injury, every cut, and his eyes goggle at the sight of deeper wounds that still bleed through the bandage.

Ren can stitch wounds, considering he couldn't have gone to Takemi after he was beaten into a pulp by none other than the police. It's still apparent on his skin, spots where the needle didn't stick quite right and the repeated action, permanent scars of all the kicks that assaulted his stomach, spots that still hurt when pressed hard. In the end, it had just been him and Sojiro. Akechi, on the other hand, doesn't have to patch his own wounds anymore.

Ren excuses himself, leaving a kiss on the man's forehead before he returns with the first-aid kit.)

Can we take care of it?

Don't look so pathetic, [he chides, as if the attention and the concern doesn't make him feel too much, like it always does. He clicks his tongue with some impatience, but just nods, starting to unwrap some of the cloth bandages. He can wash and reuse them later, considering that he doesn't want to waste their medical resources.]

I was testing to see if Cole-san's herb worked instantly, or had some lingering effects. I suppose it's been long enough to ascertain that it's more immediate.

[So, fine. Have at, Ren.]

I didn't know that existed.

(They should have a plant of it here, considering just how much Akechi had been stabbed/shot at/hurt the past few months. He only excuses himself to grab a vodka bottle to hand Akechi, as well as some clean rags to clean the wounds. Something to make the pain at least a little more bearable, he thought, coming to his knees in front of the other and applying the disinfectant on the rag.

Still unsure how infection works here, actually.)

Nor I. Apparently the leaves are for healing; either putting them on the wound, or just eating them directly. He mentioned using them for potions as well, but didn't know how to concoct them.

[He takes the bottle and wrinkles his nose a bit. Can anyone blame him for being a bit turned off to vodka after his last experience? Still, he can see the practicality in it and uncaps it to take a swig. Ugh.]

The flowers "cause heat." I had more pressing things to worry about than ask further at the time.

[A hiss as Ren starts to apply the disinfectant, muscles rippling a little in response to the pain.]

You're thinking of growing them here?

(In their cocktail making selection of alcoholic beverages, that was the strongest thing they have at their disposal. Sorry, honey.)

I don't see why not.

(They have space and what is one more pot to the many that they have around their home? Ren presses ever so gently, cleaning and removing the dry blood around the wound before he awaits for permission to puncture with the needle. Distraction was needed as well, so he begins talking once more.)

The blue fluid. What do you reckon?

It's a good idea, [he agrees, then frowns once again as Ren hesitates with the needle.] Well? Get on with it.

[He takes one more swig from the bottle before capping it and setting it aside. He doesn't dare drink much more, at least until he's certain he can keep his thoughts from bleeding out into the Void.

Speaking of... he brings his now-free hand to his lips in contemplation.]

As for the blue fluid... I'm not certain. Some kind of magical energy, to be sure; it flows like liquid, but is as intangible as a gas. It runs more deeply than the flesh in Mementos, as far as I can tell; my cuts revealed nothing but blood and sinew.

I think it's from just below the surface.

(The cracks, almost like the Void itself is bleeding rather than only Mementos. Perhaps it's from in between.

Well, he's got permission, so he doesn't hesitate further, sticking the needle and attempting his best to keep the lines just right.)

[He grunts and grits his teeth, but refuses to show any more pain than that. It hurts like a bitch, but he's had worse.]

Has anyone attempted to enter the fissures themselves? If we could manufacture a drone of some kind-

[He hisses at a prick of the needle, but continues,] Or attempt to lower a phone into the crevasse during a storm, perhaps we could record a video of its depths.

(Akechi, please, Ren knows this hurts like a motherfucker.)

We should try it.

(First wound, fixed. With the scissors from the kit, he cuts the thread and moves on to repeat the process on another wound.)

Did you see anything interesting down there?

006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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cw from here foward, stitches, needles, etc

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cw underage drinking

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