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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 11, 2016 19:54:16 GMT -5
Swift coughed. Then she hacked. Then she wheezed. Her lungs and throat were on fire, and it was hard to tell if the dryness was a result of her constant screaming, the desert sand she had inhaled... or, perhaps most likely, both. On top of that, the toxic nature of her yoki had left her half-human body completely sore. The slightest twitch ignited fireworks of pain through her nerves. Every fiber of Swift's being felt like a train wreck.
Her mind especially...
She opened her eyes, her sclera restored to their natural white, her amber irises calm and dim. She found herself lying on a bed, flat on her stomach, head turned to the side, surrounded by blackness and knickknacks. Though she was still too achy to move, she was at least able to glance around at her minimalist surroundings, allowing herself to be soothed by the music, breathing in the cool air (too tired to argue the logic on that one)...
Then she noticed Alex. He wasn't saying anything. She couldn't even read his expression.
............
She had felt this before... The cold... The lonesomeness... Only now, she wasn't alone...
And she had endured all of that... because of him.
............
No...
No, it wasn't his fault.
Sure, he had acted out against Evan, but... what reason did he give her to prompt her to give in to her anger. Again? She knew what would happen. She knew what kind of trouble she caused when she was like this. She hadn't meant for this to happen.
SO WHY DID SHE DO IT?!
Finally, Swift turned her head, burying her face, the pillow muffling her cries...
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 11, 2016 20:10:08 GMT -5
Glass half empty, glass half full
Well either way you won't be going thirsty
Count your blessings not your flaws
.......
................
You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
..... Swift suddenly felt something cold touch her back....
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
If she had bothered looking up, she would've found Alex holding out a water bottle... He then laid it on the bed next to her, bottle cap screwed on tightly. ".... In case you need to rehydrate yourself... When I fought you in the desert I almost hoped it would slow you down and wear you out faster.... Heh... Live and learn huh?"
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
He opened up his own water bottle and proceeded to gulp down the water in it greedily....
Put all your faults to bed
Holy crap... His arms, his chest, his face, a lot of it was covered in scars, claw-marks, bruises... The damage wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been... SOMEHOW, but it was still very notable. "If you need more... Well when you actually DRINK that first one. Just let me know."
You can be king again...
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 11, 2016 20:39:39 GMT -5
Swift twitched slightly, ears flicking when she felt the water bottle first on her back, then sitting next to her head. She looked up from the damp mess her tears had left and stared incredulously at the bottle, having no idea how to react to it. Eventually, with shaking fingers and soft grunts, she willed herself to move despite the pain and grab the bottle.
She saw the ring on her finger. The only thing keeping the monster at bay.
Sitting up slightly, Swift unscrewed the cap with a surprising lack of effort; she figured her muscles would've been completely shot after all of that. She pressed the bottle to her lips, sipping slowly at first, then guzzling down most of the water as soon as the refreshing liquid quenched her sore throat. She pulled it away only to gasp for air, and once she had her breath back, she hung her head in shame.
It was easy to imagine how pathetic she looked at that moment.
Against her better judgment, Swift turned slightly so she could see Alex out of the corner of her eye, only to fully face him with wide eyes and a gaping mouth when she saw the extent of his injuries. Scratches, bruises, bites... all dealt by her. All a product of her unchecked temper.
She turned away again and closed her eyes, tears slipping out and dripping onto the bed.
"I'm...... sorry......... I'm so sorry..."
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 11, 2016 21:24:00 GMT -5
"NEVER DO THAT AGAIN and... Don't worry, I'll consider it even." He went back to his water bottle, downing the rest of it and tossing it simply amongst all of the other trash floating in the void...
You don't get what all this is about
You're too wrapped up in your self doubt
You've got that young blood, set it free
...... He seemed to be considering what to say next as he phased a hand into a void portal, pulling out another water bottle... With a gentle flick, the bottle floated with some sloshes in Swift's general direction for her to catch.....
".... This is all that remains of my world you know...." ? "All of this junk used to be stored away in my house... Then one day it was smashed to pieces... Just like everything else was..... My mother was in that house... And so was my sister... I'm just lucky that Lizzie survived it..."
You've got it all
You lost your mind in the sound
He magicks up a water bottle. "Before the game, all of this used to be one house in the suburbs where the family within could live peacefully... Now look at it..."
There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
..............
.........................
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head
Put all your faults to bed
"Look at me... My home planet... My home... Is gone... And all because someone decided that me and my friends needed to play a game that could move universes. Someone decided that we had to be responsible for DESTROYING OUR OWN UNIVERSE so we could create a new one in it's place... The Game... Sburb? It does things to people..." ..... There was a bitter chuckle. "You.... You don't even have to look that far to see an example..."
.... So... That was why he lost it with Evan. That was why...
You can be king
He felt like his home was about to get stolen from him all over again...
................
There's method in my madness
There's no logic in your sadness
..........................
HAH...
What a laugh...
You don't gain a single thing from misery
Take it from me....
All anyone would've needed to do was remember the attack by the mysterious assailant, by CLOCKWORK, to realize that it was already too late...
"......... I fear to. The very thought... It petrifies me in a way absolutely NOTHING ELSE DOES... But playing the game is unavoidable now... .... So..." So? "I'm the one that should be sorry... For ever making you feel like you had to fight me to protect those you love." But...
Lizzie...
Erin...
Todd...
Yang...
Didn't he love them too? Maybe... In ways very similar to how she loved Evan...
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 11, 2016 21:46:12 GMT -5
Not once during Alex's speech did Swift look up. Her head and heart were too heavy for that. It didn't matter to her whether or not Alex forgave her. Not only did she firmly believe that she didn't deserve it, but it didn't change anything.
So... he had lost... everything.
What was her excuse? Getting testy with someone for snapping at her boyfriend was a reaction any girl would have, but that didn't excuse the fact that she had completely flown off the handle. All because she was upset with one person. One person who had been justifiably angry but wasn't threatening anyone.
In one fleeting moment, in one instance of unclear judgment, the full extent of Swift's temper, her power, and her dangerous nature were unleashed.
She wanted to show what a Miko of Rage could do.
Well... she did exactly that.
"I... I could've... killed... everyone... You... Forsaken... Erin...... Yang...... EVAN......"
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 11, 2016 22:30:33 GMT -5
"But you didn't." ..... Swift looked to him, looking ready to speak once more. "You remember what happened to me back on Mt. Bonsai yes? Even vaguely? My skin turning black as Sackcloth, my teeth and eyes becoming feral. My actions becoming either more erratic or more calculating... But all added up by increased power... This power can be contributed to the Horror Terrors, eldritch beings straight out of a Cthullu mythos based story that wish to use players like me to obtain their own ends.... Which usually leads me to killing good people."
......... That sounded familiar...
He smiled a bit. "Trust me, I can get how tough that can be..... It's not something you can control... But you control it so much better then I can control myself..." He looked to the ring, opening another water bottle. "And to think.... You have your friends and your loved ones to thank for that... Having something like this would definitely help me a great deal......... Count your blessings Swift... It... COULD be a lot worse."
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 11, 2016 22:43:45 GMT -5
Swift sniffled and looked away again, ears flat, thumb claw tracing the intricate texture of her ring. "Y-Yeah, but... we were attacked. You were protecting the others and yourself. I... I knew I had the potential to go berserk, but I still ditched my ring... just because you were yelling at Evan! I PUT EVERYONE AT EVEN GREATER RISK JUST BECAUSE I WAS ANGRY WITH YOU!"
She looked back up at Alex, tears streaming down her cheeks, her scowl simultaneously angry, scared, and full of self-loathing. "I haven't done anything for this cause other than make things worse and defend someone you don't even like! WHAT REASON DO YOU HAVE TO HELP ME NOW?!"
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 11, 2016 22:55:59 GMT -5
.......
.... Alex floated over, landing on the wooden floor and catching himself in the gravity... Swift was vaguely aware that the movement seemed to make it start spinning slowly... Though neither could notice since any way could've been right side up. It was hard to read Alex's reaction as he looked at her....
..... Then...
"Because he cares about you."
.............
.... A smile... One mired by the scars and yet... One that still seemed just as simplistic as any of the others. "Because, in spite of all of your weaknesses... He sees you as something truly wonderful... And... I can see it as well." .... "Maybe there's another reason or two but.... I've... Always been of the mind that you don't NEED a good reason to help good people... And if there's ever been a point where I cast doubt on that ideal... Then I want to make up for it.
"You are a good person Swift... And Evan is lucky for just knowing you."
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 11, 2016 23:11:35 GMT -5
Promptly calmed right back down, Swift's ears lowered impossibly further. She looked away again, a multitude of emotions in her face. Regret, gratitude, unworthiness, sorrow... passion, longing, weariness...
She finished drinking her water, then wiped her face with her arm. Then she rubbed her head, feeling the mess that was her hair. Then she sighed and curled inward, as if embracing something that wasn't there.
"Just... Just know that... I-I... I only get angry... b... because I love him..."
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 11, 2016 23:38:24 GMT -5
"Just like I get angry because I love those close to me."
He chuckles a little bit at the poor sight... Perhaps it didn't quite fit the mood but he couldn't help it. Swift may have looked pitiful to some... But to him, she almost looked like a kicked puppy one would find lost in an alleyway, unable to find it's loved one. He approached simply... Then sat down on the bed... When Swift looked up, she would've found Alex's hand there.
"I'm not your enemy Swift... If anything... I'd be more then happy if I could be considered a friend. We had a... Rough start but... With how things look now... We need to look out for each other. Now more then ever... With that said...
"How about I take you home? If we hurry we can probably make it in time for Evan's Birthday Party~."
.........
.......................
It was.... Hard associating this Thief with the Thief she knew at Mt. Bonsai. The one that started all of the resentment... But here, among what remained of his reality... Maybe... Maybe all of this was starting to make sense. Maybe...
Maybe this was the person he STRIVED to be. The person he truly wanted to be underneath his passionate shouting and dramatics...
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 12, 2016 0:01:56 GMT -5
............
Swift stared up at Alex, her amber eyes glistening like stars, her sadness and guilt still evident. She really, truly had no idea how to feel right now. The drama that the two of them had kick-started had yet to stop haunting her psyche. It was hard for her to look at him and not recall seeing the emotional turmoil he had unloaded on Evan, the frustration and anger she had felt seeing her beloved get talked down to so harshly... She didn't want to see him in that light, difficult as it was for her to forget. He was apologizing, she could tell that he meant it, and having her balance restored was always cause for Swift's gratitude.
She could forgive. Forgetting was another beast altogether.
And furthermore... that wasn't the only thing bothering her.
Once again, Swift averted her gaze. "I... I get... that you don't want to do this. Th-This game thing. I..." She lowered her head, her voice dying down to a mumble. "...I don't either. I-I don't even know what it's about. I can't understand what you guys went through. All I know is what Forsaken and... I guess Sanuta told me. And I was told... that Evan would very likely die..."
She sniffled, wiping the tears away before they could fall again. "I want to be there for him. I'll support him no matter what. This is important to him, and even if I can't fathom why, I... I want to believe his heart is leading him in the right direction. I just... I d- GCHKT-! I don't wanna lose him because of this stupid thing...!"
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 12, 2016 1:39:40 GMT -5
.... The Thief returned the gesture letting out a grunt, rubbing his chin and leaning forward, elbows on his knees, hands on his chin to prop his head. "I can get that, believe me. When I learned the hard way about what dying REALLY means in the game, I was just as scared as anyone... I was lucky and died on my quest bed, which let me god-tier... But what about the others? What could happen to them?" He pat Swift on the back. "Look. Swift... Just know this. No matter what happens, we WILL get Evan out of this situation alive. I don't care if we have to suplex death itself and wrench his soul out of it's cold boney fingers. The same goes for all of the others as well."
He lets out a breath and sits up straighter. "The best we can do for right now is keep an eye out for the guy that tried to kill Evan back on Mt. Bonsai and be even more hellbent then he is about our own goals in protecting everyone. That's what made him back off before." With a nod, he turns to Swift and gives her a meaningful look. "From this point forward, it might be smart that if you DO run into this guy, you call up a god-tier or two to assist you. He's... Tough. REALLY tough. You'd need all the help you can get... But at the very least I don't think he should be all that interested in killing Evan for NOW. I went back and stole the quest bed to take it out of play for a while. That should keep this jerk back for a while so we can think of something else." It was clear the gameplayer was back in, already making strategies as much as he could. There was still a lot of problems to sort out, such as issues with Orcana, the game itself, and the trauma from Rendface... But those could wait until later on... God-Willing.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 12, 2016 11:36:22 GMT -5
Looking back up at him, Swift continued to dab her face, nodding every so once in a while. Though the sorrow had not left her face, there was now also a small trace of determination beneath it, as if to say that she wasn't going to stand idly by if Evan or her friends were in danger. Her mishandled attempt at channeling her rage was more than enough evidence of that.
If anything, her gratefulness only increased. Even if the two shared somewhat similar fears of the game, it was comforting to know that Alex was making plans. Someone had to. Although, his sudden motive to defend Evan was a little confusing, considering the attitude they had towards each other the last time she saw them together.
Still... the fact he was planning to defend Evan at all... she had to appreciate that.
She was too weak to lose him.
Alex might have noticed Swift twitch slightly when she suddenly had to restrain herself from leaping at him and pulling him into an embrace. She felt cold... alone... she needed solace. But... not from him. It wasn't because she didn't think he would provide it, but because she had already hurt him too much.
Instead, Swift decided they both needed a break. Anyone could've seen that.
"E-Evan... Evan's... birthday?? Has it... really been that long?"
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Post by gantzgun74 on Feb 12, 2016 14:31:07 GMT -5
......... The sweatdrop from Alex became notable as he stood up and rubbed some of the scars on his right arm. "Hehehe...... I apologize... I know it's hard to keep track of time in here...." He cleared his throat and continued rubbing his scarring arm. "After I captured you up, I had to leave Mt. Bonsai and take some time to wrestle away control of my body from the Horror Terrors... Sad to say, but that took a couple of days."
He looked to Swift, noticing how cold she seemed here, in this blank, cluttered and cold place... At least she had the blankets.
But no...
She didn't deserve to be here.
"Like I said before... I can take you to Evan if your ready... I'm willing to bet he's been missing you pretty badly."
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Feb 12, 2016 16:43:24 GMT -5
"Y-Yes...!" Swift hastily whimpered. "Yes, I... I-I don't want him to worry... I... I want him......"
Her ears perked up slightly. She let out a little sniffle. "Th... Thank you."
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