Recollé Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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recolle2019-02-05 05:06 pm
recollecters) wrote in recolle2019-02-05 05:06 pm
Entry tags:
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EVENT
PREMISE • RULES • FAQ • TAKEN • RESERVES • APPLICATIONS
REGAINS • HIATUS/DROPS • PLOT SUBMISSIONS • CALENDAR • MOD CONTACT • NAV
REGAINS • HIATUS/DROPS • PLOT SUBMISSIONS • CALENDAR • MOD CONTACT • NAV
Re:Configure
Prologue.
It's on February 5th that every single Retrospec users receives a message from the liaison known as Zee Carlisle. Several of you have visited and expressed concerns already, but none of that mattered in the grande scheme of what needs to be said.
The thing about the city and the layers below is that the metaphysical can easily become the physical with the power you all possess. It's just a "handy" little trick that comes with intermingling soul essence. Thanks to my field agent, we've received some data that'll help advance our research to help track Vanderweele, stabilize the layers and figure out our next step.
The next step, of course, is going beyond.
You're not ready though. I know that, you're not, but I think I've figured out some workarounds. Just be careful and try to control yourselves. You'll need to embrace who you are and take the next step to protect yourselves.
It's not about finding keys anymore. It's about becoming them, generating the doors yourself and getting ready for things out there that're bound to be bad.
Keep balance in mind. And don't try to hide from what's happening. I'm not sure how this is going to manifest but this is all still you.
Well. That's not ominous, is it?
It's on February 5th that every single Retrospec users receives a message from the liaison known as Zee Carlisle. Several of you have visited and expressed concerns already, but none of that mattered in the grande scheme of what needs to be said.
The thing about the city and the layers below is that the metaphysical can easily become the physical with the power you all possess. It's just a "handy" little trick that comes with intermingling soul essence. Thanks to my field agent, we've received some data that'll help advance our research to help track Vanderweele, stabilize the layers and figure out our next step.
The next step, of course, is going beyond.
You're not ready though. I know that, you're not, but I think I've figured out some workarounds. Just be careful and try to control yourselves. You'll need to embrace who you are and take the next step to protect yourselves.
It's not about finding keys anymore. It's about becoming them, generating the doors yourself and getting ready for things out there that're bound to be bad.
Keep balance in mind. And don't try to hide from what's happening. I'm not sure how this is going to manifest but this is all still you.
Well. That's not ominous, is it?
I.
Not long after the announcement, anyone looking in the sky will soon notice something strange happening. While the moon hangs peacefully in the night sky, the second moon that had appeared some months ago begins moving on its own, slowly beginning to eclipse the regular moon. As the two of them overlap one another, a soft blue light emits over the whole city and in your head you'll hear a faint animalistic cry. Some of you may hear the roar of a tiger while others hear the whinny of a horse and others hear the shrieking of a monkey. These sounds only last for a moment…and then there's silence. The moons split apart again and everything seems to go on as normal.
The next day on the morning of the sixth, you wake up and find yourself feeling incredibly chipper and rejuvenated, ready to take on the world and all things in it. Nothing can bring you down today and even those who are usually fussy or angry will find it hard to stay that way for long. Positivity is key here, and as you go about your day you'll find your thoughts are often drawn to capitalizing on positive qualities that you may not even know you have.
This doesn't always mean it's a good thing, however. Just because a trait is positive doesn't mean that it's only meant to do good. Being overzealous and foolhardy can cause a clash and several of you may find yourselves being too caught up in your own traits to notice they'll imbalance the people around you. A person who finds themselves in strong possession of being charming may wind up over-promising several things to several people in order to win favor. Someone who's suddenly lucky at love will have to fend off admirers that come from all sorts of directions. Goal-oriented minds will find that they're creating several to-do lists and pushing themselves too hard to finish all of the tasks at hand. Each trait manifests itself differently for each person, but it's the year you were born that seems to determine which set of traits are being amplified. It's a pattern that will take time to recognize, but talking to one another may help bring this comparison to light.
In addition to the consequences of your actions, the traits you exude will be capable of giving themselves a physical existence in the form of small, ordinary objects. Creation of these objects is for the most part involuntary and users will not always know how these will manifest. Do be careful, however. An overabundance of each trait may get you in trouble and the objects themselves will backfire in ways you may not expect. Those who are popular can wind up generating several friendship bracelets that physically bind them to too many people. Those whose sense of humor has been amplified could bring a laugh-track to life, a small object that cannot be paused and will chuckle at everything that's said no matter how serious it is. It's possible to resist giving in to these traits and avoid generating these objects, but the longer you resist the harder it will be to concentrate on anything else until the creation is expelled. You'll find your resolve weakening and compelled to give in as the days march on, but the longer you wait the more likely the objects will appear unstable. Perhaps it's best to continually create instead. You never know what you might get.
Not long after the announcement, anyone looking in the sky will soon notice something strange happening. While the moon hangs peacefully in the night sky, the second moon that had appeared some months ago begins moving on its own, slowly beginning to eclipse the regular moon. As the two of them overlap one another, a soft blue light emits over the whole city and in your head you'll hear a faint animalistic cry. Some of you may hear the roar of a tiger while others hear the whinny of a horse and others hear the shrieking of a monkey. These sounds only last for a moment…and then there's silence. The moons split apart again and everything seems to go on as normal.
The next day on the morning of the sixth, you wake up and find yourself feeling incredibly chipper and rejuvenated, ready to take on the world and all things in it. Nothing can bring you down today and even those who are usually fussy or angry will find it hard to stay that way for long. Positivity is key here, and as you go about your day you'll find your thoughts are often drawn to capitalizing on positive qualities that you may not even know you have.
This doesn't always mean it's a good thing, however. Just because a trait is positive doesn't mean that it's only meant to do good. Being overzealous and foolhardy can cause a clash and several of you may find yourselves being too caught up in your own traits to notice they'll imbalance the people around you. A person who finds themselves in strong possession of being charming may wind up over-promising several things to several people in order to win favor. Someone who's suddenly lucky at love will have to fend off admirers that come from all sorts of directions. Goal-oriented minds will find that they're creating several to-do lists and pushing themselves too hard to finish all of the tasks at hand. Each trait manifests itself differently for each person, but it's the year you were born that seems to determine which set of traits are being amplified. It's a pattern that will take time to recognize, but talking to one another may help bring this comparison to light.
In addition to the consequences of your actions, the traits you exude will be capable of giving themselves a physical existence in the form of small, ordinary objects. Creation of these objects is for the most part involuntary and users will not always know how these will manifest. Do be careful, however. An overabundance of each trait may get you in trouble and the objects themselves will backfire in ways you may not expect. Those who are popular can wind up generating several friendship bracelets that physically bind them to too many people. Those whose sense of humor has been amplified could bring a laugh-track to life, a small object that cannot be paused and will chuckle at everything that's said no matter how serious it is. It's possible to resist giving in to these traits and avoid generating these objects, but the longer you resist the harder it will be to concentrate on anything else until the creation is expelled. You'll find your resolve weakening and compelled to give in as the days march on, but the longer you wait the more likely the objects will appear unstable. Perhaps it's best to continually create instead. You never know what you might get.
II.
When the night falls, things change and suddenly everything you may have understood about what's happening doesn't make much sense at all. As the sun sinks below the horizon and the two moons rise again, something in your personality shifts and all of your positive feelings fade away. These emotions are soon replaced by something darker and more negative, altering thoughts and ideas to the point that you may feel like you're a completely different person. Moodswings may run rampant, and insecurities will be heightened the longer the night draws on. Some of you may find greed threatening to overwhelm you, or impatience clouding your judgment and causing reckless decisions to be made. While these may not be traits you possess normally, it all comes back to when you were born and what traits the stars seem to have determined to be yours.
While you can still display independent thought and will when you possess your positive traits in the daylight, the amplification of your more negative qualities begin to overshadow all else. Giving in to your darker side is much easier than fighting it off and indulging in these traits never hurt anyone…except for perhaps yourself. While positive manifestation creates objects in abundance to the point of annoyance, negative manifestation seems to generate the metaphysical into a physical being that causes harm. The creation of elements bound to your negative side allows these objects to slowly drain away your energy, zapping the goodness out of you and leaving you as a pale, empty shell. This can be remedied by finding someone who's managed to hold onto some form of positivity, or even going to a place with plenty of lighting to drive back the shadows. Exposing yourself to either of these will help you recognize what traits have possessed you this time.
But what about your "normal" personality? Where has it gone? It's still there buried deep beneath the surface but it's much harder to reach when your less-than-stellar qualities are amped up to the point of consuming you. You may need to find people to remind you of who you once were and allow them to convince you to try and focus on your positive sides again. An imbalance is the likely outcome without someone to check on you. Being alone isn't really an option now, but can you convince others to stay? That's something only you can answer.
Additionally, you'll have to do something about the object you've brought forth in the dark hours. Leaving objects out in the open without binding them to some form of light will allow the creations to begin reaching out and draining anyone nearby. Of course, you can try to destroy these objects as well...but you may wish to remember that time is a factor here.
When the night falls, things change and suddenly everything you may have understood about what's happening doesn't make much sense at all. As the sun sinks below the horizon and the two moons rise again, something in your personality shifts and all of your positive feelings fade away. These emotions are soon replaced by something darker and more negative, altering thoughts and ideas to the point that you may feel like you're a completely different person. Moodswings may run rampant, and insecurities will be heightened the longer the night draws on. Some of you may find greed threatening to overwhelm you, or impatience clouding your judgment and causing reckless decisions to be made. While these may not be traits you possess normally, it all comes back to when you were born and what traits the stars seem to have determined to be yours.
While you can still display independent thought and will when you possess your positive traits in the daylight, the amplification of your more negative qualities begin to overshadow all else. Giving in to your darker side is much easier than fighting it off and indulging in these traits never hurt anyone…except for perhaps yourself. While positive manifestation creates objects in abundance to the point of annoyance, negative manifestation seems to generate the metaphysical into a physical being that causes harm. The creation of elements bound to your negative side allows these objects to slowly drain away your energy, zapping the goodness out of you and leaving you as a pale, empty shell. This can be remedied by finding someone who's managed to hold onto some form of positivity, or even going to a place with plenty of lighting to drive back the shadows. Exposing yourself to either of these will help you recognize what traits have possessed you this time.
But what about your "normal" personality? Where has it gone? It's still there buried deep beneath the surface but it's much harder to reach when your less-than-stellar qualities are amped up to the point of consuming you. You may need to find people to remind you of who you once were and allow them to convince you to try and focus on your positive sides again. An imbalance is the likely outcome without someone to check on you. Being alone isn't really an option now, but can you convince others to stay? That's something only you can answer.
Additionally, you'll have to do something about the object you've brought forth in the dark hours. Leaving objects out in the open without binding them to some form of light will allow the creations to begin reaching out and draining anyone nearby. Of course, you can try to destroy these objects as well...but you may wish to remember that time is a factor here.
III.
There are two moments in each day in which your personalities will come into alignment and you'll have perfect clarity of the situation and who you are. During the hour of sunrise and the hour of sunset, an eclipse-like effect appears in the sky and allows users to grapple with both sets of traits. At the end of the day, you're still you, but these hours will give you the advantage to learn how to cope with veering too far in either direction and learn the sense of balance.
Working together, users will be able to generate items from both positive and negative traits during these hours. They must then learn how to fuse them together and create a balanced concept. Where there's light there must be darkness and while the answer may not be obvious at first, the overlayering of the sun and the moon(s) serves as a hint that perhaps the combination is the key you seek. Strangely, users are able to stare straight at this eclipse without worrying about damage to their eyes. Perhaps it's not as real as you think.
As objects come into being, willed into existence by embracing your positive and negative traits in performing some sort of action or skill encompassing the idea, they will begin to multiply and it will soon be up to users to find what items may match with someone else's items. An item created from love may go well with something created by indulgence. An item manifested from insecurity may react just as well with an item drawn from kindness. Should a user try to form an item created from two positive traits, it will explode into a shower of fireworks that rise up and spark above the city. For those who attempt to shove two negative traits together, a large smoke bomb will go off instead and the items will be destroyed, forcing users to start all over again.
Should users finally get it right and create an acceptable object, something unusual occurs. The object begins to glow and duplicates itself, hovering in front of both creators before they soon dissolve into black and white sparks that wash over you and add a thin, iridescent sheen to your skin. Your phone will beep loudly, announcing that a new feature has been unlocked on your Retrospec app and drawing your attention to a brand new map and a QR code to be scanned. The map will lead to a randomized location somewhere in the city of Recollé, and should a user choose to follow it they will come face to face with another silver door, QR scanner firmly affixed in the center.
Try all you'd like, citizens. These doors will not budge just yet, but the QR code will be accepted. A new message will appear once you've been scanned.
Make some preparations. The doors will open on the 17th and a group will be led down to undo what's been done. You in?
…time to make some decisions, it seems. What will your choose? At least there's a moment's reprieve to decide.
There are two moments in each day in which your personalities will come into alignment and you'll have perfect clarity of the situation and who you are. During the hour of sunrise and the hour of sunset, an eclipse-like effect appears in the sky and allows users to grapple with both sets of traits. At the end of the day, you're still you, but these hours will give you the advantage to learn how to cope with veering too far in either direction and learn the sense of balance.
Working together, users will be able to generate items from both positive and negative traits during these hours. They must then learn how to fuse them together and create a balanced concept. Where there's light there must be darkness and while the answer may not be obvious at first, the overlayering of the sun and the moon(s) serves as a hint that perhaps the combination is the key you seek. Strangely, users are able to stare straight at this eclipse without worrying about damage to their eyes. Perhaps it's not as real as you think.
As objects come into being, willed into existence by embracing your positive and negative traits in performing some sort of action or skill encompassing the idea, they will begin to multiply and it will soon be up to users to find what items may match with someone else's items. An item created from love may go well with something created by indulgence. An item manifested from insecurity may react just as well with an item drawn from kindness. Should a user try to form an item created from two positive traits, it will explode into a shower of fireworks that rise up and spark above the city. For those who attempt to shove two negative traits together, a large smoke bomb will go off instead and the items will be destroyed, forcing users to start all over again.
Should users finally get it right and create an acceptable object, something unusual occurs. The object begins to glow and duplicates itself, hovering in front of both creators before they soon dissolve into black and white sparks that wash over you and add a thin, iridescent sheen to your skin. Your phone will beep loudly, announcing that a new feature has been unlocked on your Retrospec app and drawing your attention to a brand new map and a QR code to be scanned. The map will lead to a randomized location somewhere in the city of Recollé, and should a user choose to follow it they will come face to face with another silver door, QR scanner firmly affixed in the center.
Try all you'd like, citizens. These doors will not budge just yet, but the QR code will be accepted. A new message will appear once you've been scanned.
Make some preparations. The doors will open on the 17th and a group will be led down to undo what's been done. You in?
…time to make some decisions, it seems. What will your choose? At least there's a moment's reprieve to decide.
IV.
For the most part, this is actually fairly tame in comparison to usual Retrospec nonsense. It seems as though this storm can be weathered together and as users seek out one another it's easier to combat these effects with minimal damage. Create objects to manifest doors? That seems fairly simple and though the mysterious preparation message may leave some of you uneasy, it's the right direction to go.
Naturally, of course, there's someone who isn't too happy that light and darkness are becoming balanced and in sync.
On the morning of the fourteenth, positive traits are amplified as usual during the sunlight hours. It's a beautiful Valentine's Day in the city of Recollé. Sweet coffees are on special at both Expressive and A Good Bean. Romantic comedy marathons are queued to air all day long at Flix. Sweet Stems has a discount on flowers by the dozen, and oh look, there are black wispy hearts floating right past you through the air.
Wait, what?
Perhaps you're an overly curious type who will follow the hearts, or you may just be unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. These hearts are slow to move, floating aimlessly until they spot a target upon which they zip forward straight into your own heart. A tattoo manifests somewhere on your person, heart-shaped and black, and you feel an icy chill run through your veins as all kindness, love, and "goodness" are washed away to be replaced by the traits you've combatted in the evenings. Overwhelmed by the effects of the heart, the power within you begins to churn and give life and form to your personal darkness. A musician will be able to play notes that come to life, stabbing their victims and putting them into a deep sleep. An actor will be able to give in to their overly dramatic side and create set pieces around them, manipulating people nearby into "performing" for them. A hair stylist will have the power to create scissors out of their hands and grow out their own hair to use as a lasso to trap those they wish to punish.
The darkness in your heart will generate something different for every single individual, and no "villain" will be alike. Chaos will run rampant during the light hours and those uninfected will have to find a way to reverse this curse. The infected will recognize this as a "kissing disease", and through trial and error the uninfected will have to seek out the new tattooed marks and kiss them away, freeing the characters from their binds and bringing light back to the surface.
Good luck getting to each mark though. It will take teamwork and some clever thinking to outsmart the infected and hold them down. With a little skill, you might just be able to create your own objects to pin down the problem and save the day.
For the most part, this is actually fairly tame in comparison to usual Retrospec nonsense. It seems as though this storm can be weathered together and as users seek out one another it's easier to combat these effects with minimal damage. Create objects to manifest doors? That seems fairly simple and though the mysterious preparation message may leave some of you uneasy, it's the right direction to go.
Naturally, of course, there's someone who isn't too happy that light and darkness are becoming balanced and in sync.
On the morning of the fourteenth, positive traits are amplified as usual during the sunlight hours. It's a beautiful Valentine's Day in the city of Recollé. Sweet coffees are on special at both Expressive and A Good Bean. Romantic comedy marathons are queued to air all day long at Flix. Sweet Stems has a discount on flowers by the dozen, and oh look, there are black wispy hearts floating right past you through the air.
Wait, what?
Perhaps you're an overly curious type who will follow the hearts, or you may just be unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. These hearts are slow to move, floating aimlessly until they spot a target upon which they zip forward straight into your own heart. A tattoo manifests somewhere on your person, heart-shaped and black, and you feel an icy chill run through your veins as all kindness, love, and "goodness" are washed away to be replaced by the traits you've combatted in the evenings. Overwhelmed by the effects of the heart, the power within you begins to churn and give life and form to your personal darkness. A musician will be able to play notes that come to life, stabbing their victims and putting them into a deep sleep. An actor will be able to give in to their overly dramatic side and create set pieces around them, manipulating people nearby into "performing" for them. A hair stylist will have the power to create scissors out of their hands and grow out their own hair to use as a lasso to trap those they wish to punish.
The darkness in your heart will generate something different for every single individual, and no "villain" will be alike. Chaos will run rampant during the light hours and those uninfected will have to find a way to reverse this curse. The infected will recognize this as a "kissing disease", and through trial and error the uninfected will have to seek out the new tattooed marks and kiss them away, freeing the characters from their binds and bringing light back to the surface.
Good luck getting to each mark though. It will take teamwork and some clever thinking to outsmart the infected and hold them down. With a little skill, you might just be able to create your own objects to pin down the problem and save the day.
BONUS.
Beginning on the fifth, a few things will happen. For one thing, anyone who visits the liaison's office any time after this point will find that the door is locked and the office is empty. That's probably nothing to worry about. However, messages will be sent to each user's phone over the course of the next few weeks with status updates.
Users will find themselves in possession of what looks like a digital map of Recollé with several black dots scattered around. As each user successfully fuses an object that manifests a door, a black dot turns white and flashes on the screen. Over time, all of these doors will begin to appear to show users locations that may grant them access to the next layer.
Users will also find themselves in possession of a short biography about themselves. Featuring information such as their height, weight, level of combat and other key notable traits (three best qualities and three worst qualities), these biographies also appear to have notes added about regains you've recovered or events that have happened in the city.
Too bad these biographies aren't just meant for you. The moment you read over them, the biography forwards itself to just about anyone on the Retrospec app and you'll receive someone else's biography to read over instead. Not long after, a video call will connect you to this new person and cannot be disconnected for a minimum of fifteen minutes.
This gives "getting to know each other" a whole new meaning, doesn't it? Maybe you'll learn something useful today.
Beginning on the fifth, a few things will happen. For one thing, anyone who visits the liaison's office any time after this point will find that the door is locked and the office is empty. That's probably nothing to worry about. However, messages will be sent to each user's phone over the course of the next few weeks with status updates.
Users will find themselves in possession of what looks like a digital map of Recollé with several black dots scattered around. As each user successfully fuses an object that manifests a door, a black dot turns white and flashes on the screen. Over time, all of these doors will begin to appear to show users locations that may grant them access to the next layer.
Users will also find themselves in possession of a short biography about themselves. Featuring information such as their height, weight, level of combat and other key notable traits (three best qualities and three worst qualities), these biographies also appear to have notes added about regains you've recovered or events that have happened in the city.
Too bad these biographies aren't just meant for you. The moment you read over them, the biography forwards itself to just about anyone on the Retrospec app and you'll receive someone else's biography to read over instead. Not long after, a video call will connect you to this new person and cannot be disconnected for a minimum of fifteen minutes.
This gives "getting to know each other" a whole new meaning, doesn't it? Maybe you'll learn something useful today.
NOTES.
Welcome torecolle's February event part one!
You can claim three freebies on this log!
-Players may claim one freebie for manifesting an item and dealing with the consequences. This item may be a positive or negative trait, and this thread must be at least five comments from you.
-Players may claim one freebie by fusing one of their objects with someone else's and creating a door. This thread must be at least five comments from you.
-Players may claim one freebie by healing someone from the kissing disease. This thread must be at least five comments from you.
-Please keep in mind that the bonus is a bonus prompt! If you do not want your character's biography floating around for other users to see, you do not have to be affected by this prompt.
-While the Chinese zodiac traits are linked, these are merely suggestions that you can build off of. These traits will be what's most prevalent and attached to characters, but you're free to have others in a similar vein show up. Objects manifested from these ideas into real life may also vary and the above in the log are simply examples.
Finally, any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here. Be sure to review the mods' question thread on the plotting post for additional information as well!
Welcome to
recolle's February event part one!You can claim three freebies on this log!
-Players may claim one freebie for manifesting an item and dealing with the consequences. This item may be a positive or negative trait, and this thread must be at least five comments from you.
-Players may claim one freebie by fusing one of their objects with someone else's and creating a door. This thread must be at least five comments from you.
-Players may claim one freebie by healing someone from the kissing disease. This thread must be at least five comments from you.
-Please keep in mind that the bonus is a bonus prompt! If you do not want your character's biography floating around for other users to see, you do not have to be affected by this prompt.
-While the Chinese zodiac traits are linked, these are merely suggestions that you can build off of. These traits will be what's most prevalent and attached to characters, but you're free to have others in a similar vein show up. Objects manifested from these ideas into real life may also vary and the above in the log are simply examples.
Finally, any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here. Be sure to review the mods' question thread on the plotting post for additional information as well!
no subject
There's a part of him, even amid the haze of darkness, that's positively giddy at the reaction he's receiving, and that part of him is left hoping for more of those sweet noises.
He pulls back just enough to respond, but not far enough away that the black heart mark can possibly escape Crow's sights, tempting him in return.]
Is that satisfactory proof? Or should I leave more of those to claim you?
no subject
They were just friends, after all.
But this...man, everything about what Crow only dreamt from afar was now happening, and it was better than he thought. He couldn't even deny it to his closest friends now...
Rean was hot. LIKE, ESPECIALLY NOW. But his normal dork self, too.
Feeling Rean's tongue glide along his skin makes his teeth bite into his own lip to keep his composure, gripping the wall with his fingernails until Rean decides he's finished. Thank god, too. Any longer and he might've had a more. Apparent problem.
With a bite mark now freshly put on Crow's neck, the man starts to regain his composure.]
...
[Crow's eyes meet Rean's for a split second, silent in his answer before they trail down to that black heart mark. And how it seemed to call to him...to kiss Rean in return.]
Not yet. [Crow's voice has a different tone to it, too. Far more serious, more...intense, you could say. As he grabs that jacket and spins him so Rean's back is against the wall, pinning him there.]
I'm returning the favor, Rean.
[Crow dives, locking his lips right over that mark (its symbooooliicc) and digging his teeth lightly, but assertively, just as Rean had done.]
1/2
[If Crow catches sight of Rean's face in the split second before he dives in, he'll see those lavender eyes wide, clearly not having expected to have the tables turned like this so suddenly. Still, it's not fear that Crow will see reflected in those eyes. In fact, he almost seems to be melting into Crow's touch.
The part of him controlled by the mark wants desperately to keep itself intact, and it knows what a kiss there would mean. And it's that part of him that makes some small effort to stop Crow, but the part of Rean that wants this is stronger. All that comes of it is that Rean's hands come to rest lightly on Crow's chest.
He gives his own little strangled gasp when Crow presses his lips to that mark, a sharp sound in the night air.]
2/2
Rean's body goes limp under Crow's touch, and were it not for Crow pinning him in place, he'd slump down to the ground. His head falls forward, eyes closed.
If Crow pulls back, he'll notice that pesky little mark is gone... and that Rean is out like a damn light. Looks like he'll be that way for a while, too, because shaking him isn't going to do a lick of good.
His breathing is even and there's color in his face, at least, but he's definitely out.]
no subject
Rean?
[Eyes shoot up, noticing that Rean's out like a light. Not passed out, per say, but more like...asleep.
He shifts the boy to lean up against the wall, steadying him before he can think about what it is that just happened.
An exhale.]
Jeez, can't even let me have fun for a second, can you...
[He shakes his head, reaching up to pat the man on the head before moving to pick him up into his arms. He'll thank the gym and his school training later--Rean's pretty easy to carry around. With one arm under his knees and the other around his shoulders, hell make his way back to his apartment.
It's closer, after all, and he doesn't have to fight with getting Rean up to his dorm without the man conscious.
Making his way down the street, he steps onto the sidewalk and towards his apartment, thanking his stars that the elevator is as empty as his head feels. He didn't want to have to bullshit an excuse for this, honestly...
A few more steps, and it's into the apartment, with Pachinko running to meet him and curl around his leg]
Hey buddy. Sorry...Rean's a bit wiped out--he can't pet you.
[Crow makes his way over to the couch and lightly sets him down, pulling the blanket off the back and pulling it over him to tuck him in. The clothing made it very difficult to keep the blanket from snagging, but he manages, Pachinko watching from the armrest.]
Let him sleep, 'chinko. At least til I figure out what to do with his his sorry ass...
I need a coffee.
[So while he goes to brew that, he'll text a couple of people (Hint: Elliot and Raina ) while it drips.]
no subject
His sleep is dreamless, restful, up until Crow walks away to manage his coffee situation.
That's when Rean finds his dream self leaning against a window – distantly, he realizes he knows this window, that it's the same one Crow had been staring out in his earlier memory. Looking out of it now confirms his theory about being up in the air, as the sky seems to stretch out like an endless sea around them but he can't find the ground no matter how hard he looks.
Think, Rean! Think! And his past self's thoughts override his own, and he's stuck as a watcher in his own body. I was able to reunite with the others, but Elise and Princess Alfin are still in the alliance's custody. What's the best thing I can do? This isn't just about me... what do ALL of us want to do?
His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a door opening behind him, and a soft chuckle.
"Keep rackin' your brain like that and smoke'll start coming out of your ears."
Rean turns to see Crow in the doorway, in that unfamiliar garb from an earlier memory. The silver-haired man closes his eyes, lifting a hand to rap his knuckles against the door in a sarcastic, late knock. Rean can feel his blood boil.
"What do you want?"
"Hey, now. No need to give me that look." The look on Crow's face would almost be comforting if not for the slight teasing in his voice that makes Rean want to scream, even though he's not sure why. "I figured I was gonna find you busy thinking everything over like your life depended on it. And what do you know? I was right." Were he not across the room, Rean could strangle him right now, he thinks.
"How about you mind your own damn business?! And don't you have better things to do with your time?" Rean's turning away from him now, the hand on his hip digging into his side in irritation. "I figured the glorious Azure Chevalier would be far too busy with the war to be hanging around here." Crow just laughs, and it takes every ounce of self-control in Rean's body not to launch himself across the room to go along with that strangling plan.
"It's tough being popular." Not helping, Crow. "If you joined us, I could get away with doing half the work I am now. So, c'mon!" He winks, and dearest goddess in the sky, does he want to die? Does he want Rean to pin him against the wall and scream at him until his lungs give out? "Stop freaking out about it so much and make a choice."
"This isn't something I can just decide by flipping a coin, Crow!" Well, it looks like he doesn't need to pin him to scream. "And besides, it'd probably be an easier choice if not for a certain SOMEONE..." Rean's gaze flashes over to Crow's left hand, and the basket he's holding on to. "...What's that in your hand, anyway?" The smile on Crow's face now is at least a little more comforting. He holds up the basket to show Rean.
"Grub, of course. Kinda early, but I brought you your lunch. Mind if I join you?"
And that's when Rean's eyes flutter open, and he finds himself staring at a familiar coffee table, with a familiar ball of fluff curled up at his stomach, purring at him expectantly.
His voice comes groggily as he reaches his hand out to rub the cat's ear.]
Pachinko...?
[...Are these leather gloves on his hands? What the hell. Sorry, Pachinko, but he needs to sit up.
He pushes himself up to sitting, just now glancing down at his clothes. What the hell? He hasn't seen these in, like, five years. He's amazed they still fit, but also...]
...What the hell am I wearing?
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But what's more is that his heart feels like it gained 30 lbs, and the feeling of agony that seemed to well up inside him was almost crushing. This wasn't a physical weight, it was purely an emotional burden that his past self seemed to carry.
Why? What had happened? What was he looking for?
What...is he looking for...
His eyes look around when his past self does, back to a gargantuan mechanical being kneeling in the distance. A giant robot?
"Crow, shall I accompany you in your search?"
"Heh, I got this, Ordine. Best I go on foot from here, anyway. Valimar might sense you if you get any closer."
"Roger. Be careful."
That was the end of that. Whatever this giant, strikingly blue mechanical being was, it seemed to listen to him. It's name was...Ordine? And who was Valimar? He turns back to the path ahead, continuing to walk until the outcropping of rocks gave way to show a cliff. Beyond that cliff lie more mountains, farther than the eye could hope to see, and just to the side...
Another large robot, this one a light grey with black accents, kneeled in the same position as that 'Ordine' had been.
"Bingo." he hears himself whisper, walking over to it carefully. His veins freeze over the closer he gets, the hairs on his neck standing straight up. His hand glides along that frozen rock, breath frosting before his very eyes as he gets closer and closer. Ordine had sensed Valimar's signal, as faint as it was, so it's a flip of a coin if he would notice his presence and awaken.
Things Crow seemed to automatically know...
But Valimar never moves, and Crow's yes fall upon a young man lying in a heap just in front of him. A man with jet black hair and a school uniform he'd remembered all too well.
Rean.
Crow tries to speak, but the only words that come out are the ones his past self wants to say. "...I found you." There's a hint of sadness in that tone as he kneels down, turning that body on its side and checking his pulse. This place was cold, but not enough to die from. Thank god, he was alive.
He stands up, getting out his--ARCUS Unit? That was definitely his ARCUS unit...and placing a call. After holding it to his ear, Crow clears his voice a little, waiting for a voice to pick up.
"You're looking for someone, right?" the voice was his...but it was clearly altered by his own vocal chords to sound masked. "Rean Schwarzer, his coordinates are--"
There's a flash as Crow's memory starts to fade, his voice becoming more and more muffled as he listens.
Something about coordinates...?
Before he knows it, the coffee is done brewing, and Crow's back in his kitchen, staring off into space. It takes him a moment for all that to register, his hand gripping his forehead and trying to clear the vertigo that had taken over.
He'll think about what it is he just saw later. Because now--
"What the hell am I wearing?"
Crow's worry turns into a little grin. Looks like his Sleeping Beauty is up from her nap already. With a quick pour of coffee into his cup, he grabs a glass of water and makes his way out to the living room to join him.]
That's what I'd like to know.
Things from your dark, teenage past?
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[It's not strictly surprising to find Crow here, as well – after all, he's in Crow's apartment, being eagerly kneaded at by Crow's cat. It would be weirder not to find Crow.
Still, his head is a muddled, throbbing mess, and he's not sure why he's here.]
...I think so? [Fuck it, he's really not feeling up to defending himself on this right now.] But I don't know why I... mgh.
[He brings one hand to his head, wincing a bit. He's never been hung over, but he has to wonder if this is what it's like.]
I feel like hell... what happened? [He tries to think through the answer to that on his own, but it seems like everything from the past few hours is dark and blurry. The last clear memory he has...] I remember running into Elliot performing, but everything after that...
[He might remember bits and pieces if he's told, but right now nothing's coming to mind.
Doesn't look like he remembers giving that nice red mark at all, though. Or that he's even noticed it, with the splitting headache.]
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I'll grab ya some painkillers, one moment~ [He ruffles that hair gently before heading back to the kitchen, opening up the medicine drawer, currently overtaken by the collection of takeout menus that he's been shoving in there for those days he's too lazy to make something.]
You don't remember anything?
[Crow's eyes soften, remembering Elliot's words on the subject. He really should tell Rean about the mark on his neck, and what really went down. But if the boy isn't remembering it at all, then maybe he should save a lifetime of awkwardness on top of what Crow CAN tell him.
He bites his lip, shoulders slumping just a little as he succumbs to his own hell once more. For Rean, that probably was better.]
I found you walking around in that getup. You seemed really out of it--like the Rean I knew wasn't there. Pretty territorial, too.
You must've hit your limit, though, cause you passed out pretty quickly.
[He's back to where Rean is now, handing him the bottle of aspirin.] That ring any bells for ya? [Just...gonna test the waters here.]
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[He takes the glass of water, nursing it in both hands and taking a sip as Crow tries to fill him in.]
Elliot was acting unlike himself, too... I mean, he was still Elliot, but I remember he was knocking people out with his music and he almost got me, too. Kept telling me I needed to rest. I tried to tell him to stop, but then something hit me... the same thing that had him, maybe?
[A hand removes itself from the glass, absently reaching to brush his chest.]
..."Territorial?" [But hey, Crow's back with the aspirin, and he'll turn to take that with a thankful nod.] H...
[...Ah. That sure is a mark. Rean's eyes settle in it for a brief second, a twinge of pink coming unbidden into his cheeks.
Well. Looks like Crow had some fun after they separated, huh? Well, he supposes it's not really surprising. Still, hm. There's a weird tightness in his chest...]
How so? [Time to deal with that never. He opens the bottle, takes out a couple of tablets, and downs them.] It's blurry, but... I remember thinking something about protecting people? I think...
[He's not sure if that was a dream or reality, with how distant it is.]
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Rean was stupid like that.
He should clear the air about it...but with how Rean probably feels, he knows it would embarrass him beyond any hope of salvation. It was just a hickey...he'd probably forget about it in a day. Crow wouldn't, but that's not the issue.]
That about sums it up. You must've been goin' around to all your friends and saying that stuff. You cornered me, actually, wanting to keep me in an alley to keep me safe...
Remember anything about that?
[One last chance to remember, then he'll just drop it.]
C'mere.
[He puts his hand up to Rean's forehead to feel it, noticing it's a little warm. Probably from all the adrenaline floating around in his system.]
You're pretty warm.
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Crow's hand on his forehead draws out a bit more of a blush before Rean reaches up to gently push the hand away.]
...Thanks for the concern and all, but I don't really think I'm sick or anything. Just... some weird Retrospec thing. That's all.
[He's grown used to Crow's physical affection, grown to enjoy it, even, but there's something about having it right now when there's also that twinge of jealousy swirling inside of him just makes the feeling that much worse.]
But... now that you mention it... [He turns his attention down into his water, both to avoid looking at Crow and to concentrate.] ...I don't think it was everyone? I... think I decided to leave Elliot alone for a little bit... and I kind of remember cornering you, but it's mostly fuzzy, and... who else...?
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[As he's wracking his brain and trying to concentrate, suddenly, a voice echoes in his mind.
He doesn't have the visuals to go with it, and the voice isn't quite clear in all of its speech.
"selfish, I might... with me forever... not alone..."
But the next part is loud and clear, the voice instantly recognizable but a certain tearful face glaring back at him as clear as day to solidify it.
"But I didn't want to see you like this!"
Rean pales, his heart dropping into his stomach like lead as ice spreads through his veins.]
...oh, god. Raina.
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He accepts Rean's answer, nodding and going to get his phone.]
Probably just people you talk to on the regular. It'd make sen-
[Crow's eyebrows throw themselves up at the mention of Raina, Rean's reaction all but expected when the topic was brought up. Worry washes over his face in an instant, hoping to salvage whatever Rean's brain is cooking up right now. Because whatever it was, his face wasn't painting a good picture.]
Raina.
I called her for you, told her you were with me. She said to tease you about your outfit and to tell you to call her when you came to.
[He's a little glad for the change in topic. It makes their own awkward situation get put on the backburner.]
If you don't have your phone on ya, you can use mine.
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...She still wants to speak with me?
[Forgive him if he sounds disbelieving. He might not have been himself back there, and he might not remember exactly what he did, but he's putting some of the pieces together. And he can't say those pieces aren't born from some of his own genuine thoughts.]
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I don't know what goes on in your head sometimes, and I might not understand what happened with her tonight, but.
[A hand pokes at that chest, right where that scar is.]
She specifically requested you give her a call. Remember, Rean, she's your sister and best friend. Something like this isn't enough to break a bond like that.
Alright?
[He smiles, hands slapping on his knees as he hoists himself up.]
I don't want you walking home just yet, so I'll give you guys some privacy.
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[Damn it, Crow. How is it that one little poke from you can send his emotions reeling? It sparks a little bit of joy, of course, it feels like any sort of attention from Crow always does, but...
Are you still teasing me like this, even with THAT in full view? How shameless are you?
...No, no. It's not Crow's fault. Crow is just a tease like this, it's Rean's fault, if anything; for taking it so personally, for letting himself get so invested.]
I... I guess, but...
[But Crow's not taking no for an answer, and he's already heading off. ...Well, he has a point, anyway. Raina did request, so long as Crow's telling the truth, and Rean has no reason to doubt him. He probably ought to not leave her worrying for too long, anyway.]
...mm. Thanks, Crow.
I'll, um... I'll let you know when I'm done. ...Sorry for chasing you out of your own living room.
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[He smiles, putting on that face he's always had when Rean needed someone to be his pillar. Maybe he just hated seeing Rean beat himself up so much when it's so clear that everyone he meets takes to him like bees to honey.
Crow himself included. He's never been this giddy to just be close to someone before. If anything, he needs to watch himself around Rean now...this hickey and the moment they shared to get it were probably NEVER leaving his mind.]
That's the spirit.
[He waves his hand dismissively at that apology.] I'll be taking a shower anyway. So don't let it get you too wound up. Tell her I said hi, and that I gave you hell for that Hot Topic clearance section you're wearing.
[A wink. Our little secret that I went easy on you.]
Alright?
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[Once Crow's headed off, Rean pulls his own phone out of his pocket (still in the usual place despite the insane outfit, at least he's consistent) and dials up Raina.
They're quick to get into more heated conversation, although Crow may be trying his best not to listen and he'd only be able to catch Rean's side anyway. Before Crow manages to get the water for his shower going, though, he may pick up on one crucial little thing that Rean says:
"Because while some of that was whatever it was that took a hold of me... some of those things are still things I've felt, whether I like it or not."
Crow can take that as he will.
By the time he re-emerges from the shower, he'll find Rean off the phone, his side flopped against the back of the couch. He's discarded his gloves to the coffee table, and he's petting Pachinko, who has made as comfy of a nest in Rean's limbs as he possibly can.
Rean will perk up once he hears foodsteps, turning his attention toward Crow.]
Ah... hey. Good timing, just finished up.
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It didn't matter, anyway. As long as he made up with Raina for whatever it was they argued over, that was fine by him. Removing his clothes and reaching to turn on the shower, he pauses, listening to what Rean says right at that moment.
"Because while some of that was whatever it was that took a hold of me... some of those things are still things I've felt, whether I like it or not."
Crow's eyes fixate on that faucet, but they couldn't have been any further away. The words hit him deeply, twisting something in his stomach and running through his veins like electricity. Something Crow hadn't felt in...years. Hell, he doesn't know when he's felt this jittery.
Was he...hopeful? Excited? Did he want that part of Rean's explanation to be true so it'd justify what happened between them only hours ago? His hand moves up to his neck, gently touching the tender, red skin of that hickey, remembering Rean's warm lips and teeth there as if it'd just happened.
Sure, he'd been nursing a crush for a month or so, but now...he couldn't really call it just a crush, could he? As much as Crow would hate to admit it out loud, he'd fallen head over heels for that ebony haired boy downstairs, dressed in a goth's dream getup and desperately making peace with his sister. Just the idea of him saying those words to him, with those lavender eyes looking into his and a soft, tentative smile on his lips sends his stomach cartwheeling.
Dammit.
Crow, you finally fell.
He muses to himself, letting his fingers slide off that mark as he commits that feeling to memory. There's not telling when he'd get another mark like that, if ever.
A quick turn of the faucet, and the showerhead turns on. Diving quickly into it as soon as he can feel warm steam coming out.
--
The showers quick enough, with a quick rinse and shampoo, towel drying his hair so it lay in all sorts of directions rather than the one that was propped up by a headband. Tank top and pajama pants were put on, and his towel deposited as he makes his way downstairs.
Almost forgetting that he was letting Rean have a moment's peace to talk to Raina.
Thankfully, the conversation seems over, and he finds Rean sprawled on the couch with Pachinko in his arms happily.
Crow can't help but smile.]
Yeah?
So...how'd it go? Scale of 1-10 how dead are you?
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Mm... I think I've managed to whittle myself down to about a three. She wants me to call her back in the morning to confirm I'm still okay, though, so we'll see if anything changes overnight.
[Spoilers, Rean. It will. Cosplay photos.
Rean's quiet for a moment, looking over Crow (and trying not to let his eyes linger on that bright mark on his neck, which is only MORE visible now with a tank top, thanks Crow) before realizing he's staring and turning his attention back to the cat.]
...You know. You could stand to pick up a brush, but you kind of do yourself a disservice with the headband.
[Just saying. And totally not in a gay way.]
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Just...you know, a casual observation.
[He smiles again, making his way over to the couch and flopping beside Rean, his hands playing with Pachinko's fluffy tail. That is...until Rean's comment catches him off guard, hands moving from that tail to go play with a few strands of his hair, blinking owlishly.]
...??? You think so?
[He laughs, his legs bending up and playfully kicking at Rean's side. Not harshly, and he probably barely feels it, but Crow's like a playful dog not ready for his bedtime just yet.]
There you go lacing a compliment with an insult. I'll have you know, unkempt is my STYLE, Rean!
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[Rean reaches up to swat at Crow's hand, pouting at him a little as he flops beside him. He reaches out a foot to kick back at him, with about the same strength Crow will later kick at him. Pachinko looks unimpressed at his human wriggling around.
For now, Rean sighs, letting talk of his sister drop. "What's most important to her" weighs on him a little, but he just does not have the energy to deal with that right now.]
Wouldn't have said it if I didn't. What good does it do me to lie to you?
[And then there's Crow's return kick, which gets another softly indignant little "hey!" and a further pout. Although, even like this it's clear he doesn't mind too much.
If anyone minds, it's Pachinko, who elects to get up and go flop directly between his dumb humans, tail twitching in aggravation. Stop messing around, humans, pet him!]
Sure, but I always figured you were putting effort into looking effortless, if that makes sense. If you let your hair dry like that, it's going to be an absolute mess in the morning, y'know.
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But he sees Rean calling him out on being, what he can only sum up as 'lazy', and his eyes snap back to seriousness.]
Well fine then, I'll go make my wet hair look presentable for my guest~
[Crow gets up, dashing up to the bathroom, only stopping halfway down up the stairs before he turns back:]
No peeking.
[And then finishes running back up. If you listen closely, you can hear him talking to both himself and Rean in the bathroom.]
Let's see...how did Astrid do it that one time... God, I'm gonna look like some weird old man...
Was my hairline always like that?
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You already look like a weird old man!
...Wait, are you balding already?
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