+- Court of the Fallen (https://cotf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: Out of Character (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=26)
+--- Forum: Important (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+---- Forum: Archives (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: the weight of the world won't bend my knees (/showthread.php?tid=10456)
the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Ronin - 12-13-2024
[say]Sorry we didn't say sooner that Flora was alright,[/say] Ronin is saying to Sunjata as they descend through the cloud cover over Halo, revealing the crown of broken peaks that now made up The Fangs. With the Attuned bond active there's no hiding his emotions, but hopefully the Flood puts his guilt and solemnity down to all that had happened to the Doubletake (and even prior to that, with his own meeting with Pierce). [say]I hope Hotaru wasn't too worried.[/say] He means it, too - for all the water gathering under that particular bridge, both he and the Valkyrie have lost children, and he'd not wish that pain on anyone.
[say]It's been a long time since I saw Halo, especially like this,[/say] he remarks, colossal wings stretching so the pale membranes might catch the bleak sun shining overhead. No warmth in it - not in Halo, not at Leafchange - but things could be much more biting in the weeks to come. For now, the white landscape - and the craggy mountain range protruding from it - almost seems picturesque. [say]Thanks for coming out here with me.[/say]
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Sunjata - 12-13-2024
[say]It’s alright. I’m just glad she’s okay.[/say] The black dragon pulses back, wings flaring and snagging on the cooler winds that they dive through. His side of the bond is mostly toned down, a thrum of anxiety that blossoms within him like a shining silver thread — not for the reasons of Flora, though it may seem as such. It’s being in Halo, in a way where despite Ronin saying Deimos would be fine, the Flood doesn’t entirely believe it.
At any rate, it is beautiful, even if it’s horrendously cold. [say]I didn’t have a chance to see her before I left. I think she might have already gone beforehand.[/say] To Torchline, that is. But the Flood hadn’t received her letter yet, nor had she been home to see his about traveling to Halo and the fact that Flora was alive. So, in the interim, it’s been a strange hanging balance that has left the Flood feeling adrift. [say]It is beautiful, though.[/say] Comes the additional comment, a pulse of awe that escapes the careful hold on the bond he harbors.
[say]Yeah, of course. I don’t have a deer shift but I know what it’s like to be in the dog house.[/say] A few too many times, actually. It’s that thought that guides him to turn his grey gaze down amongst the snowy slopes and white earth, strewn in varying beautiful hues he’d expect to see in a painting more than in real life. [say]Gonna be hard to pick out Ursurs.[/say] The Flood hums, turning his attention briefly toward the other dragon, before he dips a bit lower, scarred wings flaring in the bleak sun.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Ronin - 12-13-2024
Together they seem like just another couple of dragons, Ronin especially, given the hue of his scales and the pale cast of his wings. Sunjata might appear as though he's gotten lost en route out of the Climb, it's true, but still - ironically enough, in this shape they might almost blend in with the savage tundra around them. [say]Well, I think Flora will be sticking to Torchline's shores for a bit while she heals. Hopefully Hotaru can run into her in person.[/say] That would be the best surprise of all, to put her mind at ease. And if not Flora directly, hopefully Hadama has spread the news that Torchline's queen remains alive and well. (As well as can be at least).
Sending a pulse of amusement back down the bond at Sunjata's remark - dog house, indeed - Ronin wheels and banks to the right, taking him a little closer towards the shadow of The Fangs. [say]You're right - they'll be hard to spot from overhead...[/say] Which, if he thinks about it, is probably the fucking point. [say]C'mon, let's get a little lower. We can partially shift to fly, but maybe we'll be less obvious on two legs?[/say]
Swooping beneath the Flood to playfully jostle a wing against his own, Ronin descends further, until he can land amid the fine white powder with the mountain range hanging overhead.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Sunjata - 12-13-2024
[say]That’d be for the best, wouldn’t it?[/say] He muses, hoping that Hotaru finds out before anything destructive can happen. He has left his note in a very obvious place in their home, though, with the hopes that should she come to him, she’d see he hadn’t simply vanished.
It’s probably a good thing the Flood doesn’t visit Halo more often, because if he did, Sunjata might actually know which peaks it is they delve closer to. But he isn’t, and so without a single ounce of trepidation does the Flood start trying to pick out the landscape for any large moving beasts of the same color and hue of the very snow they walk upon. A perfect camouflage, if he had to guess.
[say]Worth a try, I guess?[/say] He hums, before his steel gaze is shooting away from the icy ground below to look over at the pale dragon with a playful pulse akin to rolling his eyes and exasperation. Remaining above for a few moments longer, the Flood descends in a deeper dive, like a free fall, before he gets close enough to the ground he snaps his wings out and causes a barrage of powdery snow to flare up in his wake.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Ronin - 12-13-2024
Exasperation aside, Ronin shifts back onto two legs the moment he's properly landed in the snowbank, though it does put him in a perfect positon to be hit with the spray of powder that Sunjata's wings throws at him. [say]"Rude, Jata."[/say] Spluttering a bit and brushing off his coat as best he can, the Knight straightens up, pale wings settling behind him on his shoulders. Dressed for true winter in a thick coat, a scarf and some hardy gloves and boots, he nevertheless offers the Flood a quick smile before scanning the landscape as if looking for Ursur.
He'd be a little put out if he actually spotted any, but luckily the snowdrifts are blessedly empty, which makes it very simple indeed to turn and narrow his eyes in through one of the tunnels in The Fangs. [say]"Did you see that?"[/say] Grinning as if he's spotted a shape or a glimpse of rugged fur, Ronin beckons the Flood to follow him and sneaks into the dark caverns as if this is the best day of his life. Luckily it is Leafchange and the Knight is as much of a loose cannon as he's ever going to be, so the show is a convincing one.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Sunjata - 12-13-2024
Shifting back into himself as he hits the snow as well, it’s with a very visible shiver that racks down the Flood’s spine as he tucks his wings back behind him, the hooked talon protruding over his shoulders as he shoots Ronin a very not sorry lopsided smirk. “[say]What was?[/say]” It’s playful and distracting enough for him to shove his gloved hands into his pockets, looking quite out of place amongst the snow.
Sure, he’s bundled up, but Sunjata has never been one for snow or cold, and he looks like he doesn’t know what to do with it as his boots crunch through it, packing it beneath his feet into an almost slick surface.
He isn’t looking at the caves, thankfully, still unfamiliar with any kind of wintry landscapes and how things have changed as of late. But his steel gaze swivels to the empty cave, to Ronin as he watches him immediately dive toward it.
Curiosity kills the cat, as it were, and so he trails after the White Knight, peering around for whatever made the movement that caught Ronin’s eye — still coming up empty. “[say]Are you sure you saw something?[/say]”
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Ronin - 12-13-2024
[say]"Uh, yes I'm sure,"[/say] Ronin says, his voice echoing along the cave walls in a tone that very much sounds like no, I have absolutely no idea. But such has been the (supposed) reason for him inviting Sunjata with him to burn off some energy in Halo's rugged landscape; if he can't go and lead them into some weird cave system to find something even weirder to hunt down, are they even bookstreet having fun?
Making sure the Flood is on his heels enough that he'll be able to follow Ronin's footsteps or at least his shadow dancing on the wall, it's a few minutes before the Knight calls out again with a soft laugh of what seems like surprise. [say]"You've gotta see this,"[/say] he calls behind him to the other man.
Of course, when Sunjata rounds the corner to where Ronin is standing, he'll be at the entrance to Halo's infamous hotsprings, open to the white sky and steaming softly, filling the air with a gentle haze. Whether Jata knows exactly what that means, though, isn't something that he can anticipate.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Sunjata - 12-13-2024
“[say]Oookay..[/say]” Sunjata hums, brows pinching as he drifts his trajectory to follow the other demigod. It isn’t that he doesn’t trust him, but it is that he thinks Ronin might be going a little crazy (and really, he doesn’t blame him when it comes to the Luxere shift fucking with him). But, in an effort to remain friends despite the tentative reconnection, he can’t just leave him on his own. So he follows, wings ruffling, the sound like shifting leather ghosting together before they still and he follows the other man’s shadow on the wall.
The voice, though, perks him up and he hurries his steps. “[say]Do you think they hibernate?[/say]” He asks offhandedly, a light chuckle leaving him as he rounds the corner and sees the hot springs and Ronin standing right beside it.
His boots scrape against the stone floor as he draws himself to a sudden stop, all the bronze warmth in his chest curling into cold ice. “[say]Uh, a swim wasn’t the plan, Ronin?[/say]” He tries to play it off rather than the accusatory: Why are we here, Ronin? His wings fan out, a quick glance toward any kind of escape. Ronin’s right there so he could turn and leave back the way he’d come, and with each second that passes that urge to run becomes more and more prevalent.
And so he gives into it, taking a step back to try and get back around the corner, away from the hot springs.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Remi - 12-13-2024
[say]She's okay but I am not sure that she is fine.[/say] Remi silently explains as he and Deimos hunker down in an unremarkable puddle of shadow.
Careful not to leave any tracks in the fresh snow, he doubts if either he or the Sword have ever had to think like prey, and yet given the predators lingering within both of their souls, he didn't doubt that they were more than up to the task knowing what they did about hunting.
[say]I think Ronin is taking it even harder than I am, given the weapon that was used to do it.[/say] Remi adds, ducking his head slightly and leaning into the Sword as much as was necessary for his invisibility cloak to cover them both.
Growing still as his husband's voice faintly carries across the snow, Remi swallows hard and clamps down on the attuned bond to keep anything from spilling out. [say]Gods I hope this works.[/say] He thinks in the mental equivalent of a whisper, his muscles tense and his heart beating nearly as fast as he could feel Ronin's was thanks to the ring on his finger.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Deimos - 12-13-2024
It had been a long while since Deimos has ever had to hide. Not since exile, most likely, and the actions that had come before it. But the instinct still drew him to those arcane and ancient motionless notions; head tilting only slightly to watch, to listen, as senses pierced through the icy wakes and the distant voices. They could talk to one another for now, until both Flood and White Knight came closer.
Only a moderate relief sunk into him at the notions of Flora being okay; though fine probably had a designation that not many of them could ever register. [say]I am sorry you both had to experience that[/say] again went without saying; nor was it the time or the place to reflect upon how many iterations they had gone through in the wake of their children. Nor did it make the Sword feel any better about his own; thinking of Kiada, and Erebos, by extensions of future fallouts. That incessant need to shelter and protect –
The unfortunate sentiment of Ronin losing the blade wound deeply too, and he let the comment go, unleashing a long breath, pressing himself a little closer to crag and wall, waiting for the right moment. His jaw clenched as the voices echoed, footsteps approached. [say]Same. Just let me know when you are ready. [/say]
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Ronin - 12-13-2024
Having been rather expecting a lot of things to happen as he and Sunjata step into the hotsprings, when it's just he, the Flood, and a lot of water that the other man wants absolutely nothing to do with, Ronin is left feeling a little like a spare part. Still, he's nothing if not a talented liar, and it's with an expression of soft confusion on his face that he glances back towards Jata. [say]"Well no, obviously it wasn't. Unless there was an Ursur in there - then I might have tried to insist."[/say]
But the Flood is already trying to back away around the corner into the tunnels, and Ronin turns towards him with hands raised in placation. [say]"It's just a hotspring,"[/say] he says with a soft laugh, an attempt at levity. [say]"I thought water was your thing. Surely this is just Frey's Breath but in a different setting?"[/say] Unsure how much the other man knows about the springs - or if he even knows how far the truth about his infection has spread - he does his best to keep Sunjata in one place at the very least.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Sunjata - 12-13-2024
Blissfully unaware of the additional company in the cave with them, Sunjata looks not unlike a cat about to take a bath with the way Ronin lies about what they’re doing here. He knows what the hot springs do, Melita has asked him if he intends to use it, and seeing as he was perhaps the most relaxed, less anxious person given the whole Starfall events, it had been nice to remain as such.
“[say]It is my thing.[/say]” He says a touch fiercely, betraying his emotions as he takes another step back. “[say]Just not in Halo of all fuckin’ places.[/say]” Where the second he stepped out of it, it would be cold as hell. At least; that’s what he’s claiming, and not the fact he’s infected and the very sight and thought and steam of that hot spring sends shooting wafts of anxiety and stress through him that he has barely a chance of hiding through the attuned bond. “[say]I just don’t think it’s a good idea, that’s all.[/say]” It’s almost pleading, as he takes another step back toward the way they’d come.
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Remi - 12-14-2024
Perhaps they should have all come up with some sort of code word or action in preparation for this moment, because as Remi sat huddled at Deimos' side watching Sunjata drift away from the hot springs, it wasn't entirely clear to him whether or not his husband had any further means of enticing the Flood closer, or if he'd done all he could without giving himself away. Nudging Deimos gently beneath the cloak, not wanting to use the bond for fear of Sunjata tapping into it, he assumed the Sword would take the signal for what it was.
Even if he didn't, the fact that Remi was suddenly tossing his portion of the cloak aside and running at Sunjata would probably be clue enough.
Having neither the time nor forethought to reach out to Sunjata and explain what was about to happen, the Bastion clenched his teeth together as he ran at the flood, intending to both knock into him with his shoulder to stop his departure, but to also knock his soul from his body in order to make it that much easier for Ronin and Deimos to get him into the springs.
Remi rushes out from beneath the cloak to shoulder-check Sunjata and also uses his soul strike!
Magic: Soul Strike | If successful, knocks the soul out of the body. An out of body soul can't affect its environment for 1 turn during combat, or for 20 seconds in normal threads. Contested END(Remi)/STR (opponent)/LUCK roll. Range of 30 ft
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Regional Score bonus: +11 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +11 should be included)
RE: the weight of the world won't bend my knees - Court Official - 12-14-2024
Remi's attack hits. Sunjata's soul has been knocked out of his body. He cannot take any actions this round (aka until Remi goes again)