WEEK 3

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 3

[It has begun. With the death of the Spinner and the execution of the Indulgent, they remaining Titled will be plagued once more by vivid dreams. And just as last week, they are awoken by the sounds of doors creaking open.

Just like last week. But no one had died last week. Right? No one had been subjected to that...thing.

And yet the strange, cold feeling of foreboding remains. And it is certainly most worrisome to those living in rooms 3, 4, 6, and 15. Those who pass by room 7 and 8 will feel that same, worrisome feeling of foreboding as well.

What will they wake up to find? Who knows, now. If dragons are real, anything is possible.

There are thirteen strangers in this place.]

Comments

[defriendestration]

[Oh, huh, that...that actually worked.

Well then. Papyrus holds firm to cover Rubedo and try to keep him from going towards that weapon.]

RUBEDO!!

PLEASE DON'T DO A VIOLENCE!!

[lightnen]

[ Since he'd never really stopped and really looked at the mural Yusuke had painted, it was enough that he wanted to go and take a look at it properly and see all the beautifully painted flowers up close. It was when he reached the hallway that it resided in that he noticed Rubedo standing there in front of it, about to call out to him when he saw the flash of something silver and the distinct splash of blood.

What was he..?

The second that dagger - now properly in view - was raised up to the other's chest, a strange sort of panic welled up in chest like a vice and he started bolting down the hall as fast as he could. Only getting halfway down when it seemed Papyrus had been closer and tackled Rubedo properly, the dagger bouncing off the wall and coming to rest just a ways from where he stood. Relief quickly replaced the panic from before, only to be followed by a sense of anger and something else he couldn't place a finger on, causing him to storm up the last few steps and kick the dagger further away from Rubedo.

Rounding back to face Papyrus and Rubedo now, the anger and underlying hurt was VERY much evident when one looked at his face initially. ]

He's right! What the hell do you think you were doing?!

[ His hands ball into fists, clearly not about to just leave it at that. ]

Did you seriously think that killing yourself was going to help anyone?!

CW: survivor's guilt, suicidal ideation

[carries_war]

[A kneejerk surge of frustration and anger wells up at being pinned down, but...he can't be mad at Papyrus. This isn't like the Institute. It's not an attempt to control him. He still squirms, trying to get free enough to at least move his arms.

And then Killua is yelling. He freezes when he sees the look on the other boy's face, and suddenly he can't meet either Killua or Papyrus' eyes.]

I...I had no right to survive Miltia, so I figured...if someone had to die to get everyone else cured, it might as well be someone who was only alive through a fluke. And if I did it myself, nobody would have to be executed.

[bythewaves]

[ Another voice, a gentle set of hands, Maglor following Killua to very gently fold Rubedo's hands in his from where he kneels in front of him ]

I know. [ He says softly ] It hurts. It feels as if it is the only way forwards. But I say to you what you told me, that day. It is not your death, that any of us want. It will not fix anything.

[defriendestration]

[He's going to keep being on Rubedo for the moment because what kind of talk is this!!]

THAT'S RIGHT! WE CAN FIGURE OUT SOMETHING! I KNOW W HAVE PEOPLE WORKING ON TRYING TO MAKE A CURE RIGHT NOW! AND BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SAD ALONE! WE CAN ALL BE SAD TOGETHER!

...OK THAT CAME OUT WRONG BUT I DON'T CARE IF THAT SOUNDS WEIRD BECAUSE MY POINT IS!!

WE'RE FRIENDS AND YOU PROMISED TO PROTECT ME SO I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL PROTECT YOU AS WELL! AND THAT MEANS PROTECTING YOU FROM DOING SOMETHING RIDICULOUS THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE BACK, RIGHT??

[lightnen]

[ It feels like a little of his anger deflated a touch, once Maglor spoke up and reassured Rubedo with those kind words. The same could be said of even Papyrus, though it wasn't as if how he felt would be so easily - and completely - calmed by those things alone, which was why he just crossed his arms over his chest instead as he regarded the other boy. ]

I agree with them both. If you go and off yourself, that's irreversible and you're leaving behind everyone who gives a damn about you.

[ Finally Killua's expression softens, his anger deflating into something more bordering on something almost regretful. ]

Seeing us here now should be proof of that, shouldn't it? That people care about you and the life you were throwing away like an idiot...

[carries_war]

[He can feel the tears welling up in his eyes, and he wants to turn away so the others can't see...but Papyrus and Maglor are making that difficult. His bleeding hand stings as Maglor picks it up, but the pain barely registers. What really hits home is the words, the elf repeating what he'd said last week. Papyrus reminding him of a promise he'd made. Killua pointing out that people care, about him and not about the Red Dragon. He sniffs as the tears start sliding down his face.]

E-even though, every time someone who counted on me was really in danger, I've let them down?

[bythewaves]

[ Methodically, Maglor tears a strip from his inner shirt to bandage the hand, then reaches up to wipe away Rubedo's tears ]

I don't think you let Yusuke down. [ He reminds him ] We spoke of this, eh? You gave him courage to face his own death. That is hardly failure.

[defriendestration]

...YEAH! YOU HELPED HIM AND...AND YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO HELP US TOO!