[ open ] I made a wish under the bloodshot sky that this would all be a dream when I open my eyes

[negativism]

WHO: David and you! (open prompts under the cut, closed toplevels below)
WHERE: Various!
WHEN: Throughout October
WHAT: A sparring match goes wrong, panicked calling, a mage on the loose, general mental trauma and hopefully some fluff to counteract all of this ridiculousness.
WARNINGS: minor body horror, violence

i. someone help, I know that it’s over (10/4 only)
So what would you do if you started randomly sprouting scales all over your arms, neck and face while trying to defend yourself from your boss nearly trying to kill you during a sparring match gone wrong?

Call anyone you can think of to try and figure out just what the hell is going on, of course!

Unfortunately for David, however, this seems to shift him over into the Retrospec app instead of, you know, the ordinary phone function – but you can’t really blame him considering how much he’s actually panicking at this point.

Ring, ring -

ii-a. my fantasy will swallow everything (pre-and-post-10/4)
It’s a surprisingly ordinary high school – And some of you might recognize the kid standing in the front of the classroom, though his hair is a more natural brown rather than the usual auburn color he usually sports and he looks a bit more gangly, like he hasn’t quite filled out to his height. The teacher’s voice is a dull droning, and David’s standing at full attention – a habit instilled thanks to his father – though the whispers from the classroom at large are still loud and clear, despite the indistinct faces in front of him:

“Look at this weirdo, what is he doing?”
“I heard his parents shipped him off to military school-”

The problem, unfortunately, seems to be that while this happens, David’s about ready to try and introduce himself when it feels like his voice has completely left him; he opens his mouth but nothing seems to come out as a result. It doesn't help that it seems like everything's getting bigger while he's internally (and slowly externally) panicking.

Help?

ii-b. an empty sign like a night that lost the moon (post 10/4)

He’s not sure how long he’s been running, and honestly, he’s not going to stop anytime soon. Not with whoever – or whatever – has been following him. David’s never been one to run from his problems if he can help it, but this wasn’t exactly an ordinary situation in or out of dreams. He’s scrabbling for cover as what looks like a beam of light cuts through the air where he was moments before, leaving deep gauges in the pavement. He gives a quick glance back, before noticing he’s not alone, and in true bodyguard fashion, quickly moves over to at least try and cover his apparent comrade in this, hissing –

“The hell are you doing here, we gotta take cover. Persistent piece of-”

“Come out, come out wherever you are, little lizard! Can’t have someone like you running around and hurting people, now can we?”

“… Shit –”

ii-c. my tragedy, if there’s only one way that opens – please save me, fantasy (post 10/4)

The scene here opens on a field of mirrors, and David walking through it, frowning a little before he stops in front of one of them – Nothing seems out of the ordinary – at least at first. After a few moments of studying the mirror, the reflection starts to smirk before scales start to appear on its face, neck, and arms – but this one goes further, as evidenced by the smirk morphing into a lopsided grin, showing off fangs that were definitely not there before, and if David weren’t freaking out right now, he’d say something about how it’s taking the joke on him having a “shark grin” a little too far.

It doesn’t help that the reflection seems to be mouthing something that has the David on this side of the mirror look horrified for a split second before he punches the mirror to shatter it, though it doesn’t split the skin like one would expect considering the scales have now appeared on his hands as well while he screams –

“You’re not me!”

He leaves his fist there for a few moments, chest heaving before he looks back up, eyes wide as the mirror’s fully intact again, reflection laughing at him as it raises a hand, looking more and more monstrous by the minute –

“Guess again. You can’t hide from who you really are, Fafnir.”

(inspo., mood music bc I’m a hack. Bonus – in the mood music link, David’s PB is the one with the curly hair, Tarr’s the one with the long black hair)


iii. get back up off that dream (post-10/4)

Bad enough that this was all going on in his dreams – but of course the one night that he decided to go out and try to clear his head, the same person from his nightmares was now following him in the streets. David’s cursing under his breath again – heartily – as he leans his head against a building wall. He’s tired. So tired.

But he can’t stop now.

He knows he’s being followed, but he can’t confirm it just yet, and he turns his head.

Well, at least it's not who he originally thought it was.

“H- you know what, never mind. We might wanna get out of here, not sure if that crazy bastard’s caught up with us yet.”

iv. in my stolen heart, in my crooked fate (wildcard.)

( feel free to slap down a toplevel at any point this month! If you wanna plot something further, hmu either via PM or on Plurk at wolfknights! standby on closed prompts. :D)

Comments

10/4, evening - THE TIME HAS COME AND SO HAVE I

[negativism]

He should've known something was up earlier that day. Yoon-sung had been acting more distant again - which usually equated to him remembering something less-than-pleasant about this "other self". It was sadly something that David had caught onto fairly quickly. The thoughts churning in his head thanks to his earlier date with Minako didn't exactly help either - he was happy and it was definitely mutual, but of course there were things that he wasn't exactly sure of yet.

Regardless, he eventually corners Yoon-sung and all but drags the other to their little training room they had. Normally he'd take him to the gym and they'd do their sparring and self-defense lessons there, but right now he didn't want the distraction of other people. Plus he figured it would be better for Yoon-sung that there wasn't anyone else around to distract him. He claps his hand onto the other man's shoulder and gives a bit of a grin, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Come on, it won't be that bad. You ready?"

[vendettastool]

"You always say that and I still end up with bruises," Yoon-sung replied, lower lip sticking out and looking about as happy with this as a cat was with a bath. Though if he was going to be honest, he knew that just getting stubborn and sulking around would only lead to this kind of confrontation. It was like he only was able to let go of the weird hallucinomemories only after David sweated them out of him.

But it was different this time. David had his own problems and he didn't need any of Yoon-sung's as well, especially something as dumb as forcing a guy to suicide. Well, it wasn't dumb, but it wasn't something that he wanted to share either.

Which meant that he was going to have to take his lumps and deal, as usual. Huffing, he uncrossed his arms and gave his hands a quick shake.

"Fine, I'm ready."

[negativism]

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger you big baby. It'll be fine." David rolls his eyes, shaking his head while they got into their stances, watching him for a moment as he settled in. He gave the verbal confirmation, so no point in playing around now. Which is definitely evidenced by the fact that he's already rushing in to deliver the first strike, a quick jab to the chest.

[vendettastool]

"Maybe I don't want to be stronger."

He was whining to whine at this point and David knew it. That was pretty apparent with the way he just attacks. On Yoon-sung's best day, he would have just fall back or maybe try a side step, but that wasn't his style any more. Instead a slight shift to his right, bringing his one arm up to deflect while attempting on jabbing the point of his fingers into David's side.

[negativism]

He was about to retort when Yoon-sung actually was trying to actively counterattack instead of just dodging, eyes widening as he was nearly caught off-guard - and for once is forced on the defensive himself. He tries to move and get away from the attempt. He's only partially successful, though - and ends up crumpling slightly, but not before trying to slam into Yoon-sung to make him tumble over.

[vendettastool]

Before the other's style slipped into place, Yoon-sung would have either been knocked off his feet, or just knocked back. And while he had been sparring by himself or going to a gym to work out away from David, he never really had told the guy that his fighting style has changed. He didn't want to acknowledge the change, but in this fight he couldn't hide it any more.

So instead of falling back, he braced for the impact and sliced at David's side again. And if he went to try to stop the attack, he was going to grab at his arm, pivot them around and use that momentum to toss David back.

[negativism]

Well, that was definitely going to need to be explained. And of course his first instinct is to try and intercept the blow before it hits again, so he's being whipped around and hits the mat again, but rolls out of it and keeps his stance low - getting back into position to try and strike again, this time with a twist and an elbow aimed at Yoon-sung's stomach to knock the wind out of him.

i;

[complementing]

[Minako is at her desk at the ReVA offices, finishing up some paperwork before she heads home, when her phone goes off. Brightening at the sight of David's name on the ID, she wedges her phone between her ear and shoulder so she can keep working.]

Hi~ what's up?

[negativism]

[ Sorry Minako, if you're expecting a nice, calm, cheerful David, you're sorely mistaken. He's calmed down enough that he's not shaking nearly as badly as he was earlier, but there's definitely something up with his tone when he answers. ]

Minako? I- it's-

[ The worst part is that none of this actually hurt at all, but he's still in some form of shock over the whole ordeal. ]

[complementing]

[In the time that she's known him, David has never stuttered like this. A little flicker of worry starts burning in her chest, and brow furrowing, she sets down her pen and takes up her phone properly.]

David, what's wrong?

[negativism]

I don't know. We had a sparring match, things got... weird?

[ It's a massive understatement, and he lets out a laugh, but it lacks any humor. ]

I don't think I've ever seen Yoon-sung fight as hard as he did. And I-

Ihavescalesnow????

[complementing]

[A pause from her, as she tries to process all of this, and then she thinks to hell with it-- she snaps her files shut and starts rummaging for her keys and purse. She's going to head over to his apartment right now.]

It doesn't hurt, does it? Do you need to see one of the Retrospec doctors?

[negativism]

It doesn't hurt, I'm just - I don't know. I'm honestly trying really fucking hard right now not to freak out.

[ So much so that he locked himself in his room for the time being after the earlier incident. ]

iii;

[complementing]

[Another closing shift at the Confectionary means she's out in the fog again, but Minako is prepared this time. All of the power she needs is in her tiny white saddlebag, even if it means she needs to fight in her frilly pink work uniform. She hopes she doesn't have to, of course...but those hopes are quickly dashed when she suddenly spots her boyfriend there on her route home.] David? What crazy-- [She turns and narrows her eyes.] Oh. [She is so done with these fog monsters. So done with these weird world changes of the month affecting all of her friends and loved ones. She's had it up to here and she is not going to let David's nightmare brought to life hurt him or anyone else on the streets tonight. Fierce anger rises up in her, and she can feel her Personas answering her call, ready to fight at her command. Minako exhales sharply and starts walking off.] Stay here, I'll take care of him.

[negativism]

[ David's eyes widen as she starts walking off, and he immediately goes to grab her wrist. Because what the hell, his entire job revolves around protecting people. ]

Minako, wait-

[complementing]

[She turns back to him, and the look in her eyes that could kill a man fades away to something softer. Still resolute and reluctant to wait, but regarding him with all of the care that she wants to show him.]

If he's after you, then I have to go now, before he gets the jump on us. [A little shift of their hands, and she's squeezing his in hers.] I know what I'm doing. I promise.

[negativism]

[ The next words he were about to say are drowned out by a laugh, and a figure stepping out from the fog as it breaks. Outside of the mage robe and the orbs of light floating in the palm of his hand, the guy looked pretty ordinary minus the grin he was sporting as he regards the two.

David narrows his eyes and tries to concentrate to let his scales pop up again, shivering at the itching feeling - though he's not exactly sure how long it'll last. But the sooner they get rid of this guy, the better. ]

Then we're doing it together.

[complementing]

[She turns her head sharply at the laugh in the air, glaring at their enemy, eyes flickering to the light swirling in his hands. She needs to switch Personas now, or else she'll be taking critical damage from those attacks and be more of a liability than any help in this fight.

Still, she doesn't want David to have to see her summon if she can help it. He's already got enough on his plate as it is. So while she brings out the gleaming Evoker from her saddlebag, she only preps it for now, cocking the chamber and gripping it tightly in hand. She'll wait until he's gone ahead to switch Seth to Kartikeya.]

Let's go.

[negativism]

[ Surprisingly, there weren't any attempts at a potshot or two while they were talking, and at the very least David's relieved that their opponent doesn't seem to be the type to try and take advantage. If only subconsciously.

David does stride forward, though - rolling up his sleeves to reveal the scales have extended as far up his arms as to the elbow - and gets into his fighting stance. This was a real-life fight for his life (and Minako's). They needed to be quick and efficient.

The mage throws his hood back to fully reveal his face finally - but it's nobody that David outright recognizes. Not yet, anyway. There does seem to be something more to him, especially considering what look to be stained glass wings that extend as he tosses the cloak aside. It would almost be beautiful if it weren't for the current circumstances. ]

"Is the little lizard ready to face the music now?"

Oh for the love of - that line's terrible. Get some new material. [ David almost seems to growl at this as he takes a deep breath.

Now or never. ]

iii

[cattack]

[It's not hard to notice her, honestly. Her bike may be quiet compared to most, but a headlight cutting through the fog? Pretty hard to miss. But as she sees David leaning against a wall, looking clearly distressed, well... She has to stop to check on him, whoever he is.

Cleo pulls off her cat-eared helmet and shakes her hair out, ears twitching as she looks him over. He looks a bit familiar, but she can't place it yet. Her eyebrows bunch up as she scans him over, looking for injury.]

Who? Are you being chased?

[negativism]

[ He definitely notices it fairly quickly - if not for the headlight cutting through the fog then definitely by the cat ears. His eyes widen slightly at it before he shakes his head, then nods. Forgive him for being a bit frazzled. ]

I - ... yeah. There's some weirdo cosplaying a wizard, apparently.

[cattack]

Understood.

[She looks around.]

Do you need a ride? Or someone to take care of them?

[negativism]

Latter, honestly - I'd rather make sure that he at least doesn't keep stalking me.

[ At the very least he seems to still be able to sound at least somewhat sarcastic. David's listening for any other signs of that pain-in-the-ass mage, but nothing so far, surprisingly. ]

[cattack]

Understood.

[She twists a weird handle on the front of her bike, and the lights on the dashboard fade. She then yanks, and... her sword comes out. She lets the bike lean on its kickstand, swinging off and putting her sword in its sheathe.]

I'll help. Where is he?

[negativism]

Knowing him, nearby. I doubt he'd let me out of his sight -

"You catch on quick!"

[ It's with that where there's a chuckle coming from beyond the pair, and David's eyes narrow. ]

... and right on fucking cue. Kinda sad, really.