seasonsmods: (Default)
Seasons Mods ([personal profile] seasonsmods) wrote in [community profile] seasonsrpg2024-01-19 12:11 am

Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who



Doctor Why Instead of Who
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION



Sawyer's Return


Sawyer, the Autumn Guild Leader, addresses the network on noon on the 19th. He's back from wherever he has been since disappearing in November. The message goes as follows.

Click for a Gif


"This is Sawyer. I lead the Autumn Guild as the last Autumn Power Holder native to this world. I was accused of crimes relating to the portal mysteries and sabotage in the Research Center in November. Well, I guess I still am.

I managed to track down the real culprit, but couldn't capture them. Instead, I got the device they used just before they disappeared into yet another portal. The device still has the coordinates to the location they went to. Instead of pursuing them myself, I'm asking for everyone's help, since I got injured fighting them. I'm leaving the device to Olwen, along with a file on another incident, and letting Harrison put me in jail until the real culprit is captured. Hopefully after Jade looks me over.

Anyway, I'm counting on all of you to capture the bastard. They go by the name "The Doctor".

Harrison, I'm waiting behind the Amberfall Guild."

Any inquiries about the video will be met with a "We are forming a plan of action, please wait" for the first few days after. But everyone will be assures that Sawyer did get medical attention before taken away! (Handwaved) Visitations are permitted while he's in custody.





Color Me Inked

(Duration: Whole month)


Part 1


There is some really good news following the slightly worrying news from before: The Fairy Queen has reacquired all of her powers! That's why anyone who is interested is invited to Amberfall to gain an upgrade for their seasonal powers. This upgrade comes in the form of a magical tattoo. These tattoos not only give boosts but it can also move around one's body (for example, if someone's tattoo is a bird, the bird can fly around, especially when powers are activated).

These tattoos are permanent by default, but they can also be temporary should the person wish so. Temporary tattoos will wear out in a month (or earlier, if the tattoo is in constant use).

The basic effect of the tattoo is simple: seasonal powers stronger against the dark energy, meaning everyone will be able to fight creatures coated in it easier. That is, however, not the only effect; two more effects can be chosen when the tattoo is made, from a pool of choices provided.

Tattoo extra effects
• Danger Sense (gives an ability to sense danger in the surroundings)
• Door Creation (lets the user create a temporary fake door to pass through walls and other obstacles)
• Elemental Resistance (one element) (can be chosen twice)
• Enhanced Sense (choose one of the basic senses) (can be chosen twice)
• Guardian Spirit (summons an astral being to physically protect them, in the shape of something important to them - stays for an hour per summon)
• Mermaid Song (gives an ability to be able to heal minor injuries with singing)
• Minor Regeneration Powers (automatically heal minor injuries)
• New Element creation and manipulation (choose from electricity, light, neutral) (can be chosen twice)
• Retrocognition (able to see an item's past by touching it (does not work on living things))
• X-Ray Vision (lets user see through walls and other objects by touching them (does not work on living things))


All extra effects of the tattoo drain magical energy just like any other abilities do. If someone is low on magical powers, the tattoo will look like it's faded out (animal based tattoos may even start sleeping). No one automatically masters these abilities, so it might take some time to get used to them and properly use them in a fight.

Part 2


Various booths have been set all around Nightwake that let people test their new abilities. Most of the booths utilize just one ability (like being attacked by a water balloon with a blindfold on to test danger sense or test their enhanced senses) but some of them have several ways to complete them. They vary from obstacle courses to target shooting. These are mostly fun, harmless things

There's also just general fighting areas set up for people to just fight it out with their new abilities (they know by now that otherworlders love their fights). There are also robots that are installed with various martial arts to use as opponents, for those who prefer not to fight other people.






Bigger on the Inside


(Duration: January 22nd -> 26th)



Part 1


Olwen, the Winter Guild Leader, is the next one to address everyone through a message sent to all devices. It's an invitation to join him in tracking down and capturing The Doctor, but also for anyone who wishes to join the support side of things. The team will be gathering in Blossomcrown Park, on the 22nd of January at noon, where he will explain the plan.

The park has several tents set up. All of them are somehow related to aiding the fighters who will be entering the portals, so all non-combatants will be asked to man them. There are healing, food and even touch energy tents. After an analyzation done on the portal device, it seems that touch energy will drain faster inside the portals than they do normally.

Before the portal is opened, Olwen greets and thanks everyone for coming. He will explain that their primary goal is to find The Doctor, but also prevent monsters from entering Nightwake while the portal is open (it cannot be shut while someone is inside, unless you're someone like The Doctor). He explains that the nature of this portal is otherwise still unknown and he advises anyone who starts feeling bad in any way to return to Nightwake right away.

Once everyone is done with preparations Olwen activates the portal device and leads the way inside, holding a sword and shield in hand.

Part 2


When people first enter the portal they are met with a breathtaking view. It looks as if the water surface and the sky melt together, as the water reflects the starry sky. On the water there are several rowing boats. Once at least two people are inside a boat it will start moving across the surface of water and will eventually disappear into a mist (all except for Olwen, who disappears alone for some reason, who tells everyone to stay focused on the mission before the mist takes him).

The boats take people into sceneries that reflect their seasons. If there's more than one season on the same boat the scenery will be a mix of them.

• Winter is a cave of ice and water, filled with monsters named Glaciduets (Rock monsters with various animal bodies that shoot ice and rocks as weapons)
• Spring is a place among the clouds, filled with monsters named Galeduets (Birds that are partially fishes, that use sharp winds and icicles as weapons and dive among the clouds)
• Summer is a village that is burning, filled with monsters named Flameduets (Various dinosaurs with wings that use fire and wind as their weapons)
• Autumn is a rainy forest filled with monsters named Terraduets (Skeletons with fiery armor that use earth and fire as their weapons)


All of the monsters are far sturdier than they look and can provide to be difficult opponents. To proceed, they all (at least five monsters, can be more) have to be defeated and if any of them get past them into the mist the people entered from they will attempt to enter the portal into Nightwake. The mist is also the way to escape and return to regroup if needed.

Part 3


Defeating enough monsters will destroy the space they entered. Once enough spaces are destroyed, one final space is revealed (this will take a few days, there are a lot of these spaces). It's where Olwen can be seen fighting a masked, hooded person. Olwen is using his sword, water and ice - while the other figure uses force fields to protect themselves from magic and two swords. From the looks of it, the fight is rather even.

Those who try to help Olwen will be met with another force field around the area, preventing anyone from entering. Destroying the devices making the field will help Olwen get past the villain's defenses, but they're guarded by shadow monsters called Shadow Moths (This creature takes the shadows of people to become bigger and faster. It usually takes the form of a giant mothman that has shadowy vines as its weapons. If hit by the vines, characters would start doing everything backwards).

Once the devices have been destroyed, Olwen manages to encase the figure in ice before collapsing on the ground himself from exhaustion. All that's left now is to get both the ice covered villain and Olwen out of the portal and closing the portal - but with that, it's mission accomplished.

The masked villain (still frozen) will be taken by the Law Enforcement into custody to be questioned while Olwen gets Jade (Spring Guild Leader) to look after him right away. Olwen is tired, but thanks everyone who came to help with the mission (whether fighting or supporting) with a healthy sum of 20,000 Moon Coins.

Epilogue


With The Doctor in custody, Sawyer is free. Harrison makes a public apology, which Sawyer accepts and a viral video can be seen of all the guild leaders hugging him and telling him how they always believed in him. Are those tears in Sawyer's eyes? You must be seeing things!

Information about the villain will be given at a later date, once they manage to interrogate them. Meanwhile Sawyer will return to his guild duties. This time actually doing them without (as many) complaints.




Waiting in the Shadows

(Duration: January 28th - 31st)



Part 1


The Research Center Leader, Helene, and the Fairy Queen have been working on a project while the Portal fight has been going on. They send a message that there's another mission to take to those who are interested, with a 50,000 moon coins reward because of how dangerous and important this mission is.

Those who agree to take on the mission are asked to take at least a temporary magical tattoo. Those who already have a tattoo (permanent or temporary) will have theirs temporarily enhanced. This is the only requirement to participate in the mission. The enhancements for the tattoo are to protect the user from what they are about to face and make magic work against it - as well as work as an emergency exit if all else fails.

Explanation of what they are about to face is a dangerous entity once faced by two otherworlders. It has been named the All-Consuming Darkness: an experiment made by the Doctor that was meant to be unleashed to destroy the barriers around Ellipsa. Under normal circumstances it would eat any attacks delivered at it. But with the Fairy Queens magic tattoo boosts that danger will be out of the way.

After all the preparations and explanations, they are advised to take the new, temporary teleport crystal out to the Autumn Segment, straight to the Abandoned Mansion.

Part 2


The Abandoned Mansion is a creepy, old two story building that looks quite rundown. It's surrounded by mist that expands into the forest. There's not much to look at on the outside, other than two tombstones with the names of Kamisato Ayato and Kaveh on them. Anyone who has previously visited the mansion might remember they definitely weren't there before June, when the place was sealed.

Magical tattoos let everyone pass through the barrier and into the house. The strategy is simple: find all the arms of the monster, spread out to the mansions every room, and destroy them. With the boost from the tattoos all attacks can now deal damage, but the monster can still inflict status effects (silence, stun, burn, poison) and the air around it generally feels poisoned.

The being itself has no actual figure. It's a shapeless blob of mass that attacks people relentlessly with its arms. It will also try to capture anyone it can and eat them to make itself bigger, since it no longer can consume attacks to do so. Even with the magical tattoo boost it's still a difficult opponent to face.

Those that do get eaten will receive their own tombstone outside. It seems it appears automatically after death.

Everyone is also advised to retreat if they need to, which they can do by passing the barrier out of the house. With how many arms the being has the fight may take a while.

Part 3


Once all the arms are destroyed, the shadow blob will evaporate and the eerie feeling that was all over the place will vanish. The spirits that were guarding the doors will open the windows and doors, relieved that the danger was now gone. It's almost as if the nature was celebrating too, as sun beams start to fill the mansion as well.

The teleport crystals will take them back, but there's also a promise of a free luxury airship ride back for those who want to pamper themselves for a job well done. The airship is parked at the Autumn Airship Station.





OOC TIPS


• Ask Event-related questions here!

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Characters are responsible for coming up with their designs for the tattoos or at least ideas for them (the fairies doing the tattoos can offer options). As a bonus, there's no healing time for the tattoos, as they are completely magical! It also doesn't hurt (unless the person is very sensitive to it, then it might. Player's choice). Everyone is also allowed to get temporary tattoos first before committing to a permanent one (the limit is one permanent tattoo per character).

• Those with special skin (mechanical or otherwise) will still be able to get a tattoo, as they are magical. Even those whose skin would normally regenerate (like titan shifters) can have a tattoo stay permanently. These tattoos will also be available as "aesthetic only" ones after the event.

• Neutral Element is what it says on the tin. It's a shapeless energy that usually takes a blank, white form (but can be different colored, too). No creature is super weak against the element, but none of them resist it either; it's the element that will always deal damage, no matter what.

• Reminder that this month does not have Activity Check-in!


code bases by tricklet
wrotetheworld: (Sunny Smile)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-02-01 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yeah no, using that lightning control around him would be a bad idea. See exhibit a, the last time they met.]

Not unless you want to watch me make doors. Which probably isn't all that entertaining.

[Also, absolutely feels him on the not trusting others to do the paperwork right.]

I'm planning to stay out of the fighting for this whole thing. Maybe pitch in with the healers. At the least, I'm good for getting people out fast. Have sword will fly, you know?
wrotetheworld: (my king)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-02-01 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ha. He's not going to hear someone underestimating his age when baby-face and immortality strike again and think mermaid, so he's got nothing to worry about there!]

Fae? Now that's one I haven't heard before, but it's funny!

No, cultivators just age slower, especially once they become immortal. So just one basic, boring human here.

[Considers it. They did mention a decent reward.]

Hopefully. But I think I might go a little stir crazy without some kind of work.

And I can't really imagine my king getting a job, so I'll probably be supporting him too.
borelblue: (In the thick of it)

[personal profile] borelblue 2024-02-01 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[She wouldn't have to duck and dodge for long. Aymeric sweeps in, slashing at the moths with strength and precision both. Xinyan's plan seemed to work; he takes down several moths before the few remaining start shaking off the distraction. One of them, however, decides to make a mad dash for Xinyan while her weapon's away.]

Watch out!
mayoninofukucho: (Routine)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-02-01 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Right, you've got a flying sword!

[That definitely is a cultivator feature he's somewhat envious of! He pats the ever-present katana at his hip.]

You wouldn't be able to enchant mine to be able to do that too, would you?
mayoninofukucho: (Dirty Smile)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-02-01 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hijikata calls out an apology - he clearly underestimated the heat the lava would give off to someone without fire immunity -, but it's barely audible over the weird slushy impact sound of his blade in the shadowy mass, and in the next moment, Kaeya's shadow briefly falls onto him before the winged knight slams down onto the monster.

It's Hijikata's turn to jump back as the bottom of the shadow arm melts at an accelerated pace while Kaeya electrocutes it from the top, making white and purple currents fork their way through the blob and light it up from the inside, along with the lava's red glow - and then, it all erupts into something akin to an explosion that he needs to take cover from.

When he looks up, only splattered black goop is left of the arm, partly melted to the floor. I'm glad I won't be on clean-up duty here. That's the only mental quip he allows himself before hasting over to Kaeya and offering him a hand.]


It sure did!! Good thinking. But now, let's get out of here!

[He himself can probably rejoin the fray after a brief refreshment break outside (he's not sure if his mask really has managed to filter out 100% of the poison, but he feels clear-headed enough, and his throat doesn't hurt either!), but he needs Kaeya to either call it a day or get some substantial treatment, whether it's healing or a status effect dissolution that he needs.

With the doorway finally free, they can exit into a large hall that leads to the exit (among other directions). He'll support Kaeya - hell, he'll carry him if need be. The Cavalry Captain fought well!]
rustyhonesty: (Heheh)

[personal profile] rustyhonesty 2024-02-01 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Usually you do come back fully healed, apparently, but I guess it depends on circumstances." Jean's pretty sure a werewolf injury counted as a special circumstance.

Oh, no, the scratches feel even better. He's acting so awkwardly now, looking really happy and all, he's going to die out of shame.

"The fights in the portal took longer than expected. I didn't have time to go back home, since I needed to help someone out of the portal - and then it was sundown already after that." So he kind of tried to hide in a tent? Failed. "But uh, from sunset till sunrise, for three days in the month when the moon's full."
Edited 2024-02-05 21:22 (UTC)
icepatch: (❄️ 081)

[personal profile] icepatch 2024-02-01 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Unfortunately, Kaeya was going to have to call it a day. He didn't want to, but he used way too much magic, on top of turning into his gargoyle form and overusing his Vision. He was a tired captain, even without the poison.

He let Hijikata get him out of there and passed on to someone who could offer some healing. Kaeya changed back to his human form, which left him without proper footwear and a shirt that was barely staying on his shoulders due to his wings. Kaeya wasn't exactly happy with not being able to go back in, but he waved Hijikata off with a tired grin.]


Keep the competition alive, Hijikata. Win some for me.
ideel: (83)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-02-01 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Well in that case, I suppose it's my turn.

[Because he ran out of excuses to put it off.]

My name is Jade Leech, and my specialty lies in magic. I can act as a support, or take a more offensive role.

[Was he going to elaborate? No, of course not, this seemed an equally vague exchange of information. It would at least hopefully make it clear why he was aiming to bring up the rear of the group. Squishy spell casters and all that.

Like he wasn't just as capable physically, but that was going to be his special secret today.
]
mayoninofukucho: (Mission Complete)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-02-01 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honestly, Hijikata should watch himself, too. Much as he wants to give 100%, he did use up a good amount of his mana reserves in there, and without his mask he might not even have held out half as long as he did. With that in mind, he gives Kaeya a little salute, content to see him in good hands with the healers.]

Count on it!

[And if he finds his shoes in there and they're not wrecked, he'll bring them back to him! Maybe then, with more time to spare, he'll compliment him on the great use of his monster form. Being a gargoyle definitely is cooler than being a weredog!]
dreamsofwings: (55)

[personal profile] dreamsofwings 2024-02-01 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Regardless of whatever he is or was or could be — what he will be at the end of the world — Eren is still Eren here and now. He has always been a monster, whether Hijikata knew it or not, but he's actually better now than when he met.

It's only the future that never changes, though isn't that his past now that he's outlived it? Well, that's confusing! But so is his head all the time.
]

Abilities? Um…I can create a door. It lets me go through a wall, but it's not permanent, I think.

[ He hasn't tested these a lot, because he's just the kind of person who gets a new ability and runs into battle with it, then tests it later. He works well(???) under duress. ]

The other thing, what did they call it? Retro something.

[ Unfortunately he's also the kind of person whose attention span is questionable. It's not that he wasn't listening, it's just that so much is going on in and around his mind all the time. ]

Anyway, it lets me see what happened to something before. If I touch it. Just things, though, not people.

[ It does feel normal, though of course Eren isn't so dense as to realise that things between them aren't the same. How can anything between him and anyone be the same? Jean and Mikasa didn't see any of it. They'll never know. Things are only different between them in Eren's view. At least things aren't fucked up and broken between them.

Things aren't actually fucked up and broken between him and any of the others, either, no more than they already were. Reiner understands him better now, and the ring on his finger proves that Reiner doesn't hate him. Armin still loves him.

Levi decided to keep trusting him, though he wasn't sure at first. It's enough.

He tilts his head.
]

Did you get one?
wrotetheworld: (he can't fly)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-02-02 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Have to actually look the part sometime!

[And likes to think that he's actually good at the flying thing. He can certainly go fast with a load.]

'Fraid not. I'm no spiritual sword smith. But we could do a loop around if you want to try it.
mayoninofukucho: (Cheerful)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-02-02 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Door Creation, then... somehow, Hijikata didn't expect that. It's a useful ability for sure, but he'd have expected Eren to pick something more offensive, like he did. So it's Door Creation, and--]

Retrocognition.

[Another useful one... especially for a policeman, really, to gain insight into what happened at a crime scene. Alas, other abilities were more tempting for Hijikata.]

I got one too, yeah. A dragon, for a guardian spirit and lightning magic.

[He notices the light catch on Eren's ring, and before Eren can ask him anything about his new abilities, he adds, with a warm tinge of humour in his voice:]

Did you get married?

[Because what better time to get married than shortly after casting the entire community into more or less traumatising memory chaos? It's obviously some kind of artifact, maybe a statistics booster or such, but joking around makes everything feel a little easier, a little lighter.]
mayoninofukucho: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-02-02 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
Now?

[He suddenly looks pretty excited. Okay, so they have a suspected megalomaniac to pursue, but surely the training for that can wait a little! How long can a loop on a flying sword take, after all?]

Sure. Let's go!
dreamsofwings: (104)

[personal profile] dreamsofwings 2024-02-02 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ For once he thought about how to save others from danger, hence the door thing. The other thing…was probably really fucking stupid since he can't get time in order in his head on the best of days. ]

That sounds pretty cool.

[ Eren can become a dragon that uses lightning magic, so he finds that choice a little amusing. He still hasn't unlocked the smile emoji all his emotional shit, so he doesn't smile. He's getting closer to it! At least he looks vaguely amused.

Though that turns into surprise almost immediately and he looks down at his hand, then back to Hijikata. He can feel his face get warm, which makes this worse somehow.
]

What? No, of course not. Reiner gave me this.

[ Wow, that surely helped make this less awkward and less like they got married. He struggles with words. He knows what these rings are called, of course, but he hasn't really thought through every single implication of it, especially to other people.

Hijikata was joking, but Eren is Eren.
]

He has one too, so it's like…

[ Like they're married. ]

…we can always find each other.

[ Nailed it. ]
kerontribution: (in a land called Honahlee)

[personal profile] kerontribution 2024-02-02 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
Oryou is attractive, thank you for noticing.

[Luckily this is Oryou so she doesn't think there's anything weird about saying it.]

You're cute, so you should have a cute tattoo.
abnormalizes: positive blush (it's the right time)

[personal profile] abnormalizes 2024-02-02 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
That's fair. I guess we kind of fell off of would you rather, huh.
roundandaround: Earnest. (we can do it!)

[personal profile] roundandaround 2024-02-02 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Rinku giggles and pets Aomi, even if she can't feel her.]

Huh? Hmm... Okay! "You are good," is that okay? Oh, or "you are really cute!"
ideel: (21)

[personal profile] ideel 2024-02-02 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
You speak similarly to the few Fae I'm acquainted with. I cannot say I've heard about "Cultivators" before.

[It's an interesting little bit of info, and he does like to pry such things from others. Not there was likely much he could do in the face of an immortal, it was still something worth learning about. One never knew when such information would come in handy.]

A king is here as well? I suspect you are destined to be busy then. I cannot imagine a king working either.
essenceborn: (kirakira)

...ME NEITHER TBH

[personal profile] essenceborn 2024-02-02 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
It is? Maybe I did not mention it. We had a lot of revenge last time, and before that I was busy observing you and Yoimiya...

[ They tend to be, uh. Very focused on the topic at hand when they're with Childe. ]

His name is Chipp, and he is a Grim Reaper. He is strong, and wears a tele-vision on his head. I love him.

[ Do you see the passion burning in their eyes Childe DO YOU SEE IT ]
borelblue: (Face it head-on)

[personal profile] borelblue 2024-02-02 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
The arm writhed, even more so when Estinien sliced it. Aymeric growled through gritted teeth as he held it in place. Although the limb was something new, the way it wriggled seemed familiar: desperation. So much so that it was cutting itself further on Naegling's edge.

"'Tis in - ugh! - its death throes! Finish it!"
wrotetheworld: (Sunny Smile)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-02-02 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
Why not? I could use a break before I start finding new weird shapes for doors in my sleep.

[Shang Qinghua grinned and drew his sword, letting go of the blade so it could drift down to float a foot from the ground. He stepped up onto it and held out a hand.]

Come on up. You'll want to hold onto my shoulders so you don't fall.
wrotetheworld: (the king's ear)

[personal profile] wrotetheworld 2024-02-02 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
I can't say I know what Fae sound like. Don't think I've ever met one.

[Unless this guy would count demons as fae, but they're not, not exactly. And has to be the least dangerous cultivator he's ever met.]

Mobei-Jun. I won't call him lazy because I like living but he's a little spoiled. Maybe if I can find something he thinks is entertaining.
knowsvinewhip: (Thunder in our hearts baby)

[personal profile] knowsvinewhip 2024-02-02 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
Stay there.

[It's not a request, it's not even phrased politely. He does not want anyone else stepping into this room. For their own sakes. Because there may be only one way to dispose of this thing quickly. Before the fire spreads. Before the house falls down in a pile of rubble.]

[And that is to take the limiters off.]

[Take them off, so he can rip the tentacle apart with his bare hands. And claws. And vines. Hopefully, Sonic stays the hell out of the room because wow that sure is some violence going on.]
inherentrage: (Default)

[personal profile] inherentrage 2024-02-02 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
It was so much easier to focus when someone was shouting and weapons were being thrust in the direction of a disgusting beast. Fear sat heavy in Sun Spear's stomach still, the light too dim save for the space around her companions, and her heart thrumming so loud in her ears she barely understood what Aymeric said. But she got it - it didn't take a genius to understand 'kill it.'

So she shifted around both elezen, spun her spear in her hand and then promptly swung up and through the arm in what she hoped would be the killshot. The crystalline head of her spear sliced through like butter, and she was glad its ability to cut through anything but Starium was still intact. The arm's thrashing was wild for a few seconds longer. Then, it finally stopped.

"Another point for me." She muttered absently. Clearly she was trying to joke, although the ragged tone of her voice made it hard to discern.
mayoninofukucho: (Smoke)

[personal profile] mayoninofukucho 2024-02-02 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[If Hijikata knew about Eren's dragon transformation ability, complete with lightning magic, he'd feel pretty damn flustered about his choice in tattoo and powers (never mind that no one would reasonably make the connection). But maybe there'd be a tinge of fondness even in that flusterment. Won't it mean even more if it reminds him of a dear person (who, as that voice in his head incessantly reminds him, killed millions of people)?

As it is, it's not that what makes him do a mental double take, but Eren's explanation of the ring. Is Eren blushing..? Yeah, he definitely is. So the ring is from Reiner - Reiner, whom Hijikata saw standing with Eren in that nightly desert. Reiner, who destroyed Eren's home. Reiner, who had his home destroyed by Eren.

Hijikata can only wonder what went through Reiner's head to gift Eren this ring, half of a matching pair, after doubtlessly undergoing a far more intense journey of grief and despair than he himself, a mere observer, did. Was he able to forgive Eren? Can either of them forgive each other at all? Hijikata doubts it... and yet, he understands that they're bound to each other in a way that's hard for most other people to comprehend (and that's for the better, given that it's a bond born of terrible deeds and terrible experiences).

For a moment, he worries about Reiner. Then he decides to give him credit and assume that he made the decision in sound mind. After all, isn't it the same for both of them? Reiner may not have left his world voluntarily like Eren did - Hijikata, at least, doesn't know about any prior multiverse travel experiences of his -, but this is still a chance to escape all the deaths and suffering. And don't the rings, symbolising a promise to each other, underline that they want to look forward together rather than back at their homeworld?

Maybe he's being too optimistic. Maybe he's only seeing what he wants to see. Still, he can't help but feel a little more at peace (which is so odd when he reflects on how much he resented Reiner - but that was before he knew about Marley, about the Warrior program, about Eren's retaliation attack, about the end of the world).]


That's good.

[It sounds like an understatement even to him, so he follows up:]

It's good that you're looking out for each other.

[That's what they're doing, he trusts them on that. Both Eren and Reiner have expressed and displayed nothing but regret and worn-out-ness over what happened back in their homeworld, so he has faith that they won't make each other worse. (Still, it's not unlike being married, is it?)]