semi-open 💐 I had to fall to lose it all

[acquirement]

WHO: Ayato, Kaveh and anyone with relevant CR
WHAT: Post-Death catch all
WHEN: June 1st onwards
WHERE: Multi places
WARNINGS: CW for death & trauma



{ ooc: feel free to add top levels for certain things in here, we just thought it'd be good to keep it all in one place! }

Comments

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh slips his arms around alhaitham's waist and buries his face in his back, taking in his warmth and his scent and letting that overwhelm him until he's feeling at ease. he lifts his head just a little bit, to peer over his shoulder to what he's preparing at the stove. ] I'll drink both. [ he takes a small step to the side, but not enough to dislodge him. kaveh reaches for the cup of wine first, bringing it close enough to sip at as he watches alhaitham work. ]

If you need me to move at any time, then all you need to do is say so. I know this might become a problem at some point, but for as long as it's not, then... this is where I want to stay. [ his hand starts to shake, so he tightens his grip on the neck of the wine glass to try to get it to stop. ] Do, do you need any help?

[rudementary]

No, it's about ready to simmer for the night.

[ He moves his free hand to rest over Kaveh's wrapped around him, gently stroking over it as he takes a testing sip of the broth. ]

This is fine. We can go read on the couch in a few minutes.

[noarchitact]

...alright. [ kaveh murmurs, giving alhaitham a chance to finish up in the kitchen. as soon as he finishes he tugs him along to the living room, giving him a subtle little push onto the couch, so he can lay down on top of him and hide his face against his plush chest. he shuts his eyes, which immediately grow wet. he doesn't want alhaitham to see him cry again. ] I want to talk about what happened. [ it's muffled, but firm. ] I know if I don't do it now, then I... I might not ever do it, and it'll eat away at me forever, ... [ something it's already started to do. ] I should, right, ...tell somebody... and that somebody should be you...

[rudementary]

[ Alhaitham isn't a dead fish for once, actively walking with Kaveh instead of being half-dragged over to the couch. There isn't even a protest when Kaveh flops himself down right on top of him, instead bringing up his arm to hook loosely over Kaveh's waist. ]

At your own pace then. I'll listen.

[noarchitact]

I... I think it hurts more, because of how excited I had been. If we could set up more teleporters, Alhaitham, then traveling throughout this world would be all the more convenient. I... still think it's a great idea, but... [ he's hesitant to be a part of it. ] We had to make sure the mansion was safe. [ he tenses, hand tugging at the fabric of his shirt. ] That's all. That's... all...

I didn't think much of it. I went to a mansion with Tighnari and we even went to a mansion... a bunch of ghosts were all that was inside, and the worst of it was them playing tricks on us... [ he gives a laugh, one that's he's definitely trying to hide behind. ]

Six doors, Alhaitham, and I picked the wrong one...

[ he'll feel his shirt start to grow damp. ] M- My luck... why is my luck just... abyssal...

[rudementary]

[ His other hand finds its way over Kaveh's back, stroking over the spot soothingly. ]

Was there no prior warnings or required cautions to be taken with this mansion?

[noarchitact]

No. Nothing. And I'm almost certain other people had gone there before too. For what, I'm not sure, but... they didn't encounter the thing we did. Other things, maybe, but... [ he trails off, going quiet for a few minutes. ] It makes me wonder if even they knew that thing was inside. Hiding.

[rudementary]

[ He considers as much as he knows, sure that there's details he's missing, but all the same... ]

... If you were tasked with inspecting the entire building, you likely would have found it eventually.

[noarchitact]

...yeah, th- that's true, especially since we would have wanted to make sure it was completely safe. A teleporter was going to be put beside, and I can't even begin to imagine how bad I would feel had we given it our seal of approval only to have somebody else meet that fate.

[rudementary]

[ Alhaitham's hand trails up to loosely tangle in the edges of Kaveh's hair, hesitant at first as he continues to carefully gauge his reactions. ]

You found a catastrophic event and contained it.

[noarchitact]

...yes. We came to the realization that we couldn't let that thing get out.

[rudementary]

Did you have a set amount of time to make that decision?

[noarchitact]

Not really. We found it, assessed it as best as we could, tried to fight it, tried to fight it using different tactics, ...and then sent it crashing from the second to the first floor of the mansion. I think that's when we realized that that was it. It kept growing and growing... filling any and all space it could reach. If it got out, then... it could very well swallow this entire world...

[rudementary]

So you made the decision after that realization.

[noarchitact]

...yes. As soon as it had fallen to the first floor the resident spirits had fixed the broken windows and magically sealed the doors. I think that was honestly enough of a hint. We started trying to help barricade them further by moving things in front of them. It wasn't like we immediately jumped to that conclusion. Even the ghosts didn't want these thing escaping.

[rudementary]

The ghosts weren't able to assist you, however?

[noarchitact]

Not escape, if that's what you're asking. I'm not sure they would have let us. I... don't really have all the answers, Alhaitham.

[rudementary]

[ Alhaitham is unfortunately always hungry for answers but in this moment he stops himself before mentally rushing ahead with his own plans. ]

... Do you want them? Not now, but later?

[noarchitact]

… [ kaveh, on the other hand, doesn’t answer immediately. instead, he grips alhaitham’s hand tightly as he fumbles through his thoughts. he does, but he’s also kind of scared to learn more, because it’ll inevitably unearth all of this once again… during a time when he’s ( hopefully ) moved on. ]

I… I do. [ he thinks. ] It… should be studied, but only so it can be contained. [ or eliminated. ] I don’t want it to ever hurt anybody else ever again.

[rudementary]

We'll get those answers then.

[ He raises his hand further, to brush along Kaveh's hair. ]

When you are more prepared to face them. And I'll be there with you for every step.

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh leans into his hand. ] If and when we get an opportunity... I'll make sure I'm ready. I know I won't always be able to just make time to prepare. [ he takes another deep breath. ]

It didn't like light.

[rudementary]

[ He'll cradle Kaveh's head gently, letting his thumb brush lightly over the other's neck. ]

That's an important observation.

[noarchitact]

[ he shudders, trying to avoid immediately tensing. ] It had a bunch of different hands that continually reached out... grabbed at you... and they all had these horrible effects...

[rudementary]

... Did it feel different from my hand?

[ He'll hold still for the moment, watching Kaveh's reactions. ]

[noarchitact]

Of course, Alhaitham, of course it did. It felt nothing like you. [ he takes his hand and brings it close to his face, burying it in his palm and shutting his eyes. ] It was cold and unfeeling... terrible. A void that caused nothing but pain. And you... all you do is make me feel safe and secure and warm and... loved. [ the hand holding alhaitham's in place trembles. ] You're nothing alike.