recolle | [open]

[open]

WHO: You... and hopefully Sakura (eventually)
WHERE: Sakura's dreamscapes
WHEN: August 19th
WHAT: Sakura could use some help escaping her dreamscapes, guys. Try not to get stuck in them.
WARNINGS: There's a lot, so gonna cover them underneath each prompt.

I. Church on the Hill

[When the dreamscape finally settles, a building will loom right in front of you – most likely a church, as the stone cross that sits at the very top is pretty conspicuous. However, given that the weather has suddenly shifted into a wet evening, rain clouds gathered ominously in the sky, the sight might not seem very godly.

The doors to the church appear shut. However, the silence is cut abruptly by the sound of broken… glass? Maybe a busted window?

Who knows. Have a look around: either through the church doors, or to hunt down the mystery of that noise. There might be plenty here to find.]

[ooc: this prompt will potentially feature human parasites of the worm variety, emotional/physical trauma and abuse (mostly discussed, some shown), and might involve a physical fight (though that can be worked around, just lemme know what you prefer)]

II. Matou Mansion

[When the dreamscape finally settles, you’re inside a house.

... Or, at the very least, a very long hallway. It is the stuff made of nightmares because it’s dark, it’s cold, it creaks with unexplainable noises, and even if you turn around, there won't be a door.

Looks like the only way is forward for now. This should go fiiiine.]

[ooc: this prompt will potentially feature the emotional/physical abuse of a child (discussed, not shown!), murder, discussion of human parasites, looooots of worms, and might involve a physical fight (though that can be worked around)]

III. All the World's Evil

[When the dreamscape finally settles, you’re in a large, expansive room – to call it a basement would not do it justice. It looks and feels like a crypt, instead, a place where the dead sleep, and the holes lining the walls won’t do anything to dissuade you from that thought. In fact, a whiff of the air comes back with the stink of decayed bodies, and though it might be faint, there seems to be… squirming noises.

No matter where you look, though, you won’t find anything living. The floors are bare. No bodies come crawling down the walls. It's as blank as a tomb. Instead, there are three potential ways to move forward. A wooden door to the left and a bolted door to the right – and then, a staircase that seems to lead up and up, to an unknown destination.

Try a door or try the stairs. Try something quick. Just because it seems empty doesn't mean someone isn't watching.]

[ooc: this prompt will potentially feature discussion of trauma and abuse, murder, possession, suicide ideation, a girl who is obviously not in her right mind, and will absolutely involve some level of a physical or mental battle. 'Cause, y'know. Dark Sakura is not very nice.]

[ooc: and as a final note, if any/all of the prompts contain themes you'd rather not deal with, just drop me a pp at

ignitible or pm this journal, and we can figure out something that works for you]

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[Not really the kind of place you want to hang around, no. After a quick survey of his surroundings, he'll try out the stairs. He's not exactly loud, but he's not worried about stealth, either.

Best to figure out just where this is for now.]

[He will find his path unblocked the entire way. The stairs lead up and up, and at the very top will sit a door that is encased with light.

Given his background, he'll be able to feel it quite clearly: there is something evil lurking on the other side.

Shall he continue?]

[Never a great feeling, that. But while he isn't armed with a sword, he's remembered well enough how to fight with his fists, too.

He's already prepared to move quickly to dodge as necessary when he opens the door.]

[There will be nothing to ambush him at the door; he can rest easy upon opening it, though it's unlikely to be what he expected.

As this new area isn't a room at all, but instead an underground cavern, the walls made of jagged rock and the ceiling littered with fragile stalactite that will fall at the slightest provocation. Towards the end of the huge room stands a pillar with a "black sun" hanging in the air -- the source of the evil.

And at its base are two girls -- one Tatsuma might recognize as Sakura's sister, and the other as Sakura herself...

If Sakura had white hair, was covered in tendrils, and was screaming murder at her sister. The two girls are very obviously fighting, with the sister wielding a sword that cuts beams of light through her shadow opponents.

-- So, Tatsuma. What would you like to do? Hide and listen to the fight, or interfere?]

[This is not what he expected at all, no. But he's fairly quick to react anyway, choosing to hide and listen for the moment, trying to take in the whole of the scene and understand just what is going on.

Though listening only goes so far, and if it starts looking like one of the girls is lining up a killing blow, this plan is going to be immediately tossed out in favor of interfering.}

[In that case, Tatsuma is going to hear... a lot.

Sakura is the only one talking so far, but she's not just upset -- she's incensed, both tears and hatred layering her voice.

"Why--?! I'm stronger than anyone now! No one can scold me, so-- so how can you catch up to me like it's nothing, Nee-san? I was supposed to be stronger than you!"

The entire room shakes. Some of the stalactites rupture from the ceiling and fall into projectiles. More giant shadows start rising from the floor.

"Why-- Why can't you let me have a little thing like this?! Why can't you let me win!"

As for her sister, she remains stoic and silent, mechanically slicing through the shadows with her blade of light as her sister details her suffering, how she was abused as a child, that she only wanted her older sister to save her. Just a steady stream of grievances, like maybe deep down, Sakura is looking for any scrap of affection.

"The ones who made me like this are Grandfather, and my father that sold me to the Matou family, and Nee-san who didn't come save me...! I didn't become this monster because I wanted to...! I was forced to become one because everyone cornered me...!"

And then finally, her sister responds:

"... Oh. What of it?"

Voice cold, unsympathetic.

"Things like that happen."

... Well. That certainly gets Sakura to shut up, slack-jawed. Even the shadows seem stunned. And it seems the older sister is going to take that chance to start running at her, so if Tatsuma wants to intervene, now is the time.]

[It's the voice that strikes him, because it's familiar even through the hate, even through the tears - and it's like he can feel that pain strike him, sharp, like a dagger through the heart as Sakura goes through her list, expression crumpling with each addition, one after the other until his head is bowed so low, his gaze meets only the ground.

The other girl, whose voice is unfamiliar; her answer is cold, even though he knows it's the truth, knows that - sometimes, things happen.

But that doesn't make her right.

He can still move through that pain. He has that luxury, because it isn't even truly his. And so he moves now, dashing with an inhuman speed to place himself between Rin and Sakura, hand outstretched protectively just as he did when he protected her before.]

You can't.

[She can't kill Sakura. He won't allow it.]

[She'd been standing mute and numb, staring blankly at her hero -- her own sister -- ready to charge her down. You'd think the sudden appearance of Tatsuma would earn a glance or comment, but... nothing.

It's Rin who speaks after coming to an abrupt stop -- also not surprised by Tatsuma's appearance -- voice still cold and distant.

I can and I will. Look at her -- she's just blaming everyone else for her problems.

Sakura's a coward. A dangerous one. People like that will lash out and make the entire world suffer to feel justified.

There is no salvation for her, Rin's eyes say. Death is a kinder sentence.]

I won't let you.

[That's all there is to it. Sakura is dangerous, yes. He's painfully aware of that even with his back exposed to her; she could attack him, or have any of those shadows do so. He's vulnerable.

But he isn't going to allow anyone to kill her, either. Not so long as he still breathes.]

She's hurting right now. ...There's a lot of things that hurt her.

[And he's sure his grasp on it all isn't anything close to the reality, either, even if his heart still aches so.]

That doesn't mean she should die for it.

[... Ha.

Hahaha...

Hahahahaha--]

So if it's me against the world, you'd choose me? Is that right -- Tatsuma-san?

[Behind him, Sakura has found her voice, and she's laughing in sharp, unhinged spurts.]

Ah, how sweet of you... you really do remind me of Senpai in that way.

[Even amidst the compliment, there is something backhanded in the delivery, the girl bearing her teeth at his turned back. The shadows start to move again. The choice is up to Tatsuma if he wants to keep looking at Rin or not.]

You're a fool. And you should have let Nee-san kill me...! She's right, of course. It's just the way things are now! It doesn't matter whose fault it is anymore -- I'm a monster, the world made me this way, so why don't I just kill you and everyone else, hm?

If you're really on my side, then you won't have a problem with it.

[Actually, he will turn to her now, even though he's still mostly facing Rin. That arm dividing them.]

No.

I won't let her kill you. ...But I won't let you kill anyone else, either.

[Even if the odds are against him, he has to try. He has to try to save everyone he can.]

You're hurting a lot right now. But hurting others isn't going to make that pain disappear, either.

... Really.

[Oh no. Sakura's laughter abruptly dies as she considers him with a mixture of contempt and pity]

Oh no, you misunderstanding.

Killing and torturing people? It's fun -- someone who was once dear to me helped me realize that. [Inclining her head, one of the shadows is summoned to her side, and it shrinks and shrinks until it's not a towering giant, but only a few feet taller than the average man.

The shadow is also... squirming? Parts of it being pushed around, as if there is someone inside, trying to escape.

If Tatsuma listens closely, he'll hear it.

Sakura -- please, please let me out-- I'm sorry, I didn't-- Just let me out!]

Aw, what a surprise; Nii-san is afraid of the dark.

[Smiling proudly at Tatsuma now]

Anyone who hurts me... I just capture their souls and make them live through the same "training" I did. Do you hear it? Poor Nii-san! He wanted so badly to be the heir, and now that he's got a chance, he didn't last a minute!

Pathetic.

... I wonder how long you'd last, Tatsuma-san. You can see and do things like me, yes? Would you like to try? If you last a minute, then maybe I'll consider listening to you.

[His eyes narrow at the sight of that shadow, squirming, screaming, pleading. He looks to be in so much pain...]

If I did... would I be able to understand how much pain you've been through?

[It isn't that he wants to suffer. But he sees Sakura suffering now, and if he can do something, anything to understand, to ease that suffering...

He'll take on that pain himself, if he has to.]

-- You're not serious.

[That playful smile is gone in an instant, and everyone person in the cavern, from Rin to the shadow giants, stills in place like cardboard pieces. Like mannequins without their strings. Only Sakura remains mobile, and she uses that freedom to rear away from Tatsuma like he's mad.]

Ha... haha! Are you insane? Yes, that must be it... That torture is designed to break your spirit. And even if you lasted a minute, you still wouldn't understand, not really -- not unless you suffered through it day after day.

[There is no bluff in her voice, or malice. His question has left the girl unnerved]

You'll die -- no, you won't die. You'll just wish you could. It'd be a never-ending hell.

So don't say such stupid things.

I'm serious.

[His reply is instant as he turns to her properly, everything around them frozen. Which is good; this means he can do what he really wanted to from the start.

He can focus on helping Sakura.]

You're in so much pain... I could see that the second I saw you. But I don't know how to help take it away.

[Is it something that could ever fade, after all she's been through? Or is it something that has to be endured, for years and years, always, always haunting her?]

If you focus it all on me instead, will that make you feel better?

If I could understand it properly, could I help you feel better?

[Maybe it would break his spirit. Maybe he'd never recover, either. But then at least, there would be two of them, wouldn't there?]

[-- Y'know what?

Now she's just mad, and her once stark-white hair floods straight into purple from root to tip. The animosity of the cavern has suddenly vanished.]

Of course it won't make me feel better! Why would hurting you help?!

[It's a rage of a different kind, the type that pricks her eyes with tears and has her pointing disapprovingly at Tatsuma's chest. She doesn't even seem to realize how quickly she's changed her tune]

I never wanted anyone to suffer! I just-- I wanted...

[She wanted the world to pay attention. She wanted people to save her.

She wanted her sister to love her more.]

I just...

[her shoulders droop as the anger evaporates like a puff of smoke, leaving her stuck in the shell of her own misery.]

I wanted to forget. So it could stop hurting.

[...Oh.

There she is again, and a soft, if sad smile makes its way onto his face. Even as she points at him accusingly, he'll begin to approach her - if she needs or is accepting of a hug, he'll provide that too.]

I knew... that isn't what you really wanted. You're too kind for that.

[But even kindness can reach a breaking point, when the pain gets so great the only way to fix it, it seems, is to strike out. His past self has been there before (and his other past, his other memories, though he doesn't recall), and it's a horrible and shameful thing to acknowledge after the fact.

But at the very least... it can still be stopped.]

I'm sorry if I wasn't there for you when you needed it. [Whether this is the past Sakura or the Sakura of the now, it doesn't matter. The things she listed out were too many and too cruel.] But... I'm here now.

[Whether it's help or saving, he wants to be there for her needs.]

... Don't apologize to someone like me.

[Her bitterness has redirected itself on the true target all along by now. It might warm her, to know there is someone who would apologize for the crimes the world has lobbed at her, but it doesn't change that Tatsuma has never harmed her.

Her gaze is quiet and a little splintered as she lifts up her stare, watching him, then glancing at her sister who is still frozen like a puppet.]

I never let anyone in. Not really. I know so many people have wanted to help. But it always seemed like a better choice to run away from them...

[There's a flick of her hand, a gesture that seems to wipe the stage clean. Only she, Tatsuma, and the looming pillar with the black sun remain. She tilts her head, staring at it.]

You're a good person, Tatsuma-san. So please answer honestly.

If this is what I might become, is it better if I die?

[He continues to watch her even as everything but the pillar vanishes. Even as she looks up at that dark, dark light.

Once again, his answer to her question is both simple instantaneous:]

No.

... You really are a good person.

[Said with a huff as the girl stares back to the ground, her hair creating a curtain shielding her eyes. It's... not immediately obvious if she believes his answer or not.

But there will be a sudden creak, like the groaning of wood, and at the base of the pillar will be a door suddenly fashioned out of nothing. Sakura keeps her gaze stiff on the ground until:]

I will not stop you from leaving. Take the door, and you will wake up.

Everyone deserves a chance to be saved, Sakura.

[And if she needs to be saved from that fate... He'll try to help her there, too.]

What about you? [If he leaves that door... will she be okay as well?]

[It's likely that if she asked, Tatsuma would stay with her, keep her company in oblivion until he found a way out for both of them. He... reminds her of someone, in a way, though the memories are shredded and faint.

Apparently sentiments transcend lifetimes as well. She closes her eyes, head giving a faint shake.]

This place ends with you, I know that much.

Eventually, I will wake up on the other side.

[She's not wrong.

Her words bring him a relieved smile, however.]

Okay. I'll see you on the other side, then.

[And he holds a hand out to her- is that. Is that a pinky swear?]

[...

...

............

Sorry Tatsuma, she's just staring at his pinky in confusion.]

What...?

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