Week Six

[letsplayamod]

You've survived, for lack of better wording, the latest week of trials and tribulations. This one had been more costly than most: Typhon's machinations have brought your group to nearly half the size it was when Athena first brought you to this island. Whether it ends with him or with you is still too soon to make out. One thing's for certain. Things cannot be allowed to continue as they are.

Speaking of continuing, the next floor has been revealed to you. Just how far down this island goes is a bit of a mystery, but you get the feeling that you're close to something important. Maybe that thing Athena wanted you to find before Typhon does. You can ruminate on that as you watch the waters below. Waves still lap at the cliffs, but it all seems lower than it did weeks ago. Like the ocean itself is shrinking...

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

Profiles | Locations | Regains | IC Rules | Weekly AC

Quark's Bar

Comments

cw: Child death, suicidal ideation

[markofnobility]

[ he rocks them both a bit as she talks. Soothing for her and him both, eyes prickling with that rage but also empathetic anguish. He never had siblings- at least none he knew, danm his rake of a father- so this degree of loss is unknown to him. But he can feel it baking off her in waves

His words once again come unbidden and unthought through]

Even so, I am glad you didn't.

[ same she said to him. Even if her choice wasn't selfish like his, he's blessed that she made it]

cw: suicidal ideation

[stringup]

[ Her breath catches in her throat at what Ferdinand says. Of course he would tell her this; has he not made it clear how much he adores her?

But ever since that night, Velvet has treated her survival as the result of a sin she cannot truly atone for, a decision that cannot ever be taken back. Even when she finally decided she no longer wanted to be miserable, she couldn't find it in herself to be happy she was alive. Not when her siblings who could have had brighter futures had returned to the earth, nor when being alive felt excruciating every step of the way. Any sensible person could see she is tainted and blighted, and even before that, there was nothing lovable about a dreary, gloomy girl who could only think about making it to the next day, next week, next month, and next cycle.

To hear Ferdinand say she is glad she chose to live, even if she hadn't chosen the world—it is more than she deserves. It lets her think she is worth cherishing.

If he feels something wet against his chest, it's only because Velvet has heard something she desperately needed, even if she hadn't realised it. ]

[markofnobility]

[ and as he has always tended to do, he keeps talking]

I know you do not think so. That what happened made you unworthy of it. But I know in my heart that you are good. What unworthy person would risk their very soul to save their loved ones? And that goodness is still there, I have seen it- when you came to my aid, when you've fought alongside the others, when you made Misane's doll... even though it makes you bleed and the shadows reach for you. If you were not, why would that damned oath need to threaten you so?

[ he presses his face to her crown]

I have been blessed to know you.

[stringup]

[ She doesn't try to move from where she currently is, apparently content to just stay like this. ]

...Sometimes, I wonder if things would've been different if I had met you sooner.

[ Or someone like Ferdinand, but she finds herself reluctant to imagine anyone else, even hypothetically. ]

[markofnobility]

Different for us both.

[He silently prays, even though Sothis has never answered a single one before now. That Athena would show up tomorrow. That they would uncover the weapon randomly. That Typhon would choke on a chicken bone and die pissing himself. Something. Anything.]

[stringup]

[ But none of those were ever meant to be.

She tries to tilt her head up so she can nuzzle him, much like a kitten. ]

...I wish I could tell you that that night ended with some relief, after everything that had happened.

[markofnobility]

[He hums deep in his chest at the affection]

Stories like this rarely do.

[But he's listening, regardless. he does so adore his tragedies]

[stringup]

[ Suddenly, she wishes they were in their room instead, and not here. She really has become spoilt, wanting to keep giving and receiving affection like this. ]

Eventually, some people from town came to look for survivors. Or if nothing else, bodies to properly bury.

I'm sure...I looked like I was demon-possessed right then, covered in blood and all. And they had just survived a sacking. I don't blame them for being antsy and not wanting to take chances.

A girl I knew tried to kill me then and there. But for some reason, I fought back enough to run away instead of letting her end me.

[markofnobility]

[ yeah he can't blame them either]

Some part of you still wanted to live.

[ even if it was just the base animal part]

[stringup]

...Yes.

[ Back then, it felt shameful. ]

Afterwards...I was guided to the Lover's fortress. It wasn't as if I had anywhere else to go. I had to get far enough out of Realm territory before a colleague could retrieve me, so I walked for...I think nearly 2 weeks? Towards the northern shoreline. Long enough that I couldn't stand another moment of living with my legs back then.

[ Ferdinand can probably guess how this led to the prosthetics. ]

...So there you have it. My miserable story.

[markofnobility]

Two weeks...

[ of course he's marched for similar lengths. But on likely very damaged legs? No wonder she lost them.]

... thank you. For telling me.

[stringup]

I just thought...perhaps you should know.

[ Especially since he plans on being with her. ]

Could we go back to our room?

[markofnobility]

Of course, my dear.

['our'. Oh, that does something to him. Would normally make his heart sing. Now it feels like a blade- one he slid into his own breast.]

[stringup]

And...

[ Why's her face red?

Oh, being with Ferdinand has spoiled her, truly. ]

If...you wouldn't be against carrying me...

[markofnobility]

[His eyes brighten- it makes sense, she's been crying, it's been an emotional conversation. But the blush makes it clear this is indulgent too. He pulls away, standing up from the stage... and moves to scoop her up in a princess carry. Even though they are a similar height she is not heavy to him at all]

[stringup]

[ Despite having been the one who asked for it, she still startles a bit at how easily Ferdinand just picks her up, which probably speaks a lot about both his strength and her eating habits.

She isn't sure what she's supposed to do with her hands like this, and ends up wrapping her arms around Ferdinand's neck to steady herself. ]

[markofnobility]

[He grins at that, turning to walk off- they would need the lift; while he COULD probably manage the stairs up like this, he would be pretty tired by the end]

You know we will have to travel quite a bit like this?

[Everyone out and about will see. he doesn't mind it though]

[stringup]

[ Well, that's why this was a terribly self-indulgent request for her to make. ]

...I know.

[ But from how she isn't protesting, she doesn't seem to mind, either. ]

[markofnobility]

As long as you are aware!

[ and off we go! Struting down the hall like he owns it, and awkwardly calling the lift with his elbow]

[stringup]

[ If it gets too awkward, Velvet reaches with one hand to press the button for them instead. But she otherwise doesn't seem too flustered to be in Ferdinand's arms. Content, even. ]

[markofnobility]

[As soon as her hand raises to help he rushes to get it done, probably nicking his funny bone in the process]

A-owow- no, no none of that!! I have things well in hand!

[stringup]

[ Sir. ]

...Trying to show off, huh.

[markofnobility]

Wha- No! You insult me, Ma'am!

[The lift opens again on the 'ground' floor]

[stringup]

Oh, "ma'am"? Not "my dear"?

[ Now she's just being a bully. ]

[markofnobility]

They are not mutually exclusive!

[Huffhuff!! Out they go into the cornucopia area]