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

[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.

[rudementary]

[ He lets his fingers curl slightly against Kaveh, cupping his cheek to let that warmth Kaveh is holding so desperately onto spread. ]

Focus on this then. The feeling I give you.

Bury yourself in it, if you need to.

[noarchitact]

...alright. And I will. [ he presses closer. ] Whatever it did to me, poison, I think, I... started hallucinating. I saw you. [ and that false sense of hope he got for those brief couple of minutes made the crash back to the hellish reality all the worse. alhaitham will feel his hand grow slick, tears spilling down his face as kaveh tries to keep the crashing waves of emotions back, but he's just not that strong right now. still, alhaitham's presence keeps him from losing it completely. ]

I'm so tired, Alhaitham, but I'm afraid to go to sleep. [ he doesn't want to dream or, more specifically, have any nightmares. ]

[rudementary]

[ Alhaitham isn't sure, for once, what to do. Treating someone traumatized to such an extent hasn't even been a topic he wished to delve into, so this feeling of lacking knowledge is unnerving for him, to say the least. The only thing he can offer is what he's familiar with... ]

... Shall I read for you? So you can relax, but still have something to concentrate on.

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh considers this for a moment and then smiles... feeling all the more relaxed from the mere suggestion, because he can picture himself curled up against alhaitham as he reads him whatever. it doesn't even matter the subject. ] I'd like that. You won't mind if I curl up beside you? [ since he gets the feeling that he's going to trap alhaitham in place once he does fall asleep. ]

[rudementary]

Not if it's you.

[ It's a simple admission and an honest one; with anyone else, he wouldn't entertain the thought. But Kaveh was, as always, a unique existence in his life. ]