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+---- Thread: you're goin' off the deep end again (/showthread.php?tid=12375)
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you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-09-2026
Jack hadn't intended to come across the Greatwood's mother tree out here in the thickets of branches and heat and endless Longheat nonsense. He'd been following a skinny little stream, hoping it might lead to deeper water, somewhere there might be memory mud cloying against the banks. But instead here he is, sunglasses sliding down his nose a bit as he regards the Mathair, like she might get up and bite him. He wouldn't blame her, truthfully.
The Captain looks rough. Clearly hungover, his clothes are wrinkled and there's still a bit of blood still on one cuff that he might have tried to rub out once or twice before giving up. He doesn't look as if he's slept much if at all, and a bluish yellow bruise highlights one of his cheekbones into sharp relief. He'd still be drinking if it weren't for their passing over the Greatwood, but with the easiest part of his quest (or so he'd assumed) lurking here in the forest somewhere, he couldn't just sail on by.
Now if he could just find the stuff, that'd be glorious.
Grumbling and sliding his sunglasses back up the bridge of his nose, Jack gives the mighty tree a respectful berth and tries to pick up on where his little stream has gone, sweat beading on his forehead as he weaves through the undergrowth.
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Vesper - 01-10-2026
The Greatwood has a way of deciding meetings long before anyone else does, its paths tightening and loosening with quiet intent until coincidence feels like a courtesy rather than an accident. Vesper has learned not to fight it. He stands within the Mathair’s oppressive shadow, heat clinging to him like a second skin, the ancient trunk rising close enough that the air tastes green and ironed with sap.
The chambray shirt he wears clings damply across his shoulders, mostly unbuttoned in surrender to LongHeat, sleeves pushed back to his elbows. His hair is combed away from his face, neat enough to look deliberate, though the tension riding his posture gives the lie to any illusion of ease. It sits between his shoulders like a hand that hasn’t decided whether it means to steady or shove.
Vesper does not turn at the sound of someone else forcing their way through the undergrowth. Some presences announce themselves long before footsteps catch up, and this one arrives with the familiar absence he has learned to recognize; a strange quiet where noise should live, a hollow where thoughts usually press and crowd. It is not unsettling so much as distinct, a negative space shaped exactly like one man. The young demigod angles his head at last, slow and unhurried, pale eyes settling on the figure cutting through the green with sweat and irritation written plainly across him.
[say]"Lookin' for somethin'?"[/say]
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-11-2026
Not having sensed anyone in the proximity of the Mathair as he passes by, evidently Jack needs to also carve a Vesper shaped absence into his mind, because when the boy speaks, it takes him utterly by surprise. Flinching in the direction of the sound, the air already filling with the scent of ozone and with static cracking at his fingertips, it takes a heartbeat or two for Jack to recognise the drawl, the curated slouch in the shade of the mother tree's great, hanging boughs.
His shoulders relax just a fraction, which takes him from rigid as fuck and back down to just uncomfortably tense, and his magic, too, relaxes. [say]"Memory mud. Ironic, I know,"[/say] he says gruffly, drawing to a stop and wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. [say]"Maybe s'why the Greatwood threw us together again. Remembered us dealin' with it from last time."[/say]
Scoffing humourlessly under his breath, Jack nods towards where he'd last picked up the stream. [say]"Was followin' water, hopin' it'd lead to a riverbank."[/say]
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Vesper - 01-11-2026
Vesper’s brow lifts at that, slow and surprised, and without the familiar undercurrent of his telepathy to lean on, he is left to read Jack the old-fashioned way: the set of his jaw, the humourless scrape of breath, the way exhaustion has flattened whatever sharp edge of sarcasm the comment might otherwise have carried.
Vesper shifts his weight, fingers brushing idly at one of the silver rings on his hand, gaze drifting past Jack rather than pinning him in place. He tilts his head, considering, then turns slightly and gestures with a brief nod toward a narrower trail cutting away from the stream Jack had been following. It looks less promising at first glance, drier, and more choked with leaves. [say]"This way,"[/say] he says, already beginning to walk, unhurried but certain. There is no claim of knowledge in his tone, no promise beyond probability. [say]"The clearer the image is in your mind, usually the faster the Greatwood will take you there."[/say] And, having lived in these woods now, the demigod bet his impression of her riverbanks was better than the Captain's.
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Serendipity - 01-11-2026
As you wander along a sun-warmed path, something catches the light at just the right angle, glinting brightly against the stone. Set slightly off the walkway, nestled among pale gravel and heat-baked earth, rests a smooth piece of sunstone.
The stone radiates warmth even without being touched, its golden surface threaded with natural veins that seem to glow softly from within. The air around it feels heavier, saturated with heat, as though the sun itself has paused here for a moment longer than elsewhere.
It looks intentionally placed, not lost — a quiet offering waiting to be noticed by the right eyes.
You've found an offering for Tanau! Whoever is next to post in this thread will be the first one to see the offering, but if they wish to give it to someone else, they're more than welcome! No need to post in account updates, just keep track of this thread for the Longheat SWE!
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-11-2026
Jack gazes past Vesper as well, as if considering something quiet and unpleasant, and by the time the young demigod gestures for him to follow in a way that doesn't look one bit as though it leads to water, he's too lost in his own thoughts to object to it (yet). Instead his feet move to take him to Vesper's side, Jack's hands shoving deep into his pockets. [say]"That so?"[/say] he mutters of how to navigate the Greatwood, the Captain scoffing under his breath. [say]"You're really gettin' to grips with this place huh."[/say]
It's another beat or two before he speaks again, and when he does the tone is flat, like he's discussing the weather. [say]"Ran into Flora up at the Cordillera,"[/say] he says, pushing out a brick from his mental walls so Vesper can peek through and see. The lighthouse, the fire, the way he'd blocked her thoughts entirely, her tears, her rambling apology. [say]"Can't wait to see what backlash comes from it this time."[/say]
Letting his eyes skim the forest floor, his eyes catch on something glinting - a sunstone, intentionally placed and all but begging to be plucked up. [say]"Your woods left you a gift,"[/say] he says to Vesper, nodding towards it.
Jack offers for Vesper to have the sunstone!
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Vesper - 01-11-2026
Vesper answers the scoff with a loose shrug that barely disturbs the line of his shoulders, his pace never faltering as the Greatwood presses close around them. [say]"Can’t read trees’ minds,"[/say] he says lightly. [say]"But they seem perfectly capable of reading mine."[/say] The corner of his mouth twitches, not quite a smile, and he lets his thoughts settle with intention; not a plea, not a command, just a clear picture held steady: the Stone Symphony, the roar and rush of its banks, memory mud slick and dark along the water’s edge.
He does not stop when Jack speaks Flora’s name, there is only the slightest turn of his head, a fraction of a glance cast back over his shoulder, pale eyes catching on the breach Jack allows through his walls. It's more than enough for Vesper to get the shape of it, and he exhales a quiet, humourless breath through his nose, something that could almost be a laugh if it wanted to be kinder. [say]"Who knows,"[/say] he says, tone flatly companionable, matching Jack’s as though they are indeed discussing the weather. [say]"Maybe she got it outta her system. Might even leave you alone now."[/say] With a smirk, he shrugs. [say]"At least it wasn't goats."[/say]
Vesper slows, then drops to one knee as he reaches for the sunstone. Warmth seeps into his palm immediately, veins of gold glowing as he turns the stone over once, twice. His brow lifts, faintly impressed, before he pockets it . [say]"Bet Caly’d like that,"[/say] he murmurs.
They walk on, the air thick and humming, and after a stretch Vesper speaks again, voice pitched to the same neutral register Jack has chosen. [say]"Colt cornered me in the fae’s library not too long ago."[/say] He does not look over this time, though he too shifts the walls of his mind just enough to let Jack see: Colt following him down into the basement, the confrontation, her demand for answers, the word coward hurled with precision, meant to land and stick.
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-11-2026
[say]"Mm, don't like that,"[/say] Jack says conversationally in the same tone as Michael Scott, glancing up and around at the canopy of trees overhead as if trying to sense anything from them. There's nothing, of course, only the chirp of birds and insects. A bead of sweat rolls down the side of Jack's face. Still, it's easier to talk to the branches than to Vesper when the boy responds, though the Captain can't help but scoff out a dry laugh.
[say]"Maybe,"[/say] he says, though he doesn't believe it. For all that she was the person who fired that last bullet at their relationship, Flora is still very good at nursing the wound. [say]"An' yeah, at least it wasn't goats."[/say] He does believe that, Jack shaking his head and finally letting his gaze fall back to Vesper.
Pausing long enough for him to kneel and collect the stone - for Caly or otherwise - he's just started to amble on again when both of their mental shields are lowered, and his eyes narrow a fraction to hear - and see, and feel - Vesper's own version of Jack's Floragate. [say]"Shit,"[/say] he says. [say]"Startin' to feel like someone's cursed my bloodline with all these unwanted meetin's. Best keep an eye on Caly in case she runs into a familiar face."[/say]
Able to hear rushing water now, and doing his damndest not to feel impressed by it, Jack looks sidelong at Vesper. [say]"Coward,"[/say] he repeats out loud, wrinkling his nose. [say]"You ain't a coward, kid. Ain't your fault she'll never know it, though."[/say]
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Vesper - 01-11-2026
Vesper hears the doubt before Jack finishes the word, the way it drags faintly through his voice like a hook catching on something old. His brows lift in response, a measured arch, and he exhales through his nose as though turning the idea over from more than one angle. [say]"Maybe Safrin could take the memories of you outta Flora’s head,"[/say] he says, tone thoughtful rather than hopeful, fingers brushing the seam of his pocket where the sunstone rests warm against his thigh. He glances sideways at Jack then, just enough to catch his expression, before continuing, [say]"Wouldn’t work if she only pulled ’em outta yours, though. You’d just get blindsided next time some blonde shows up lookin’ ready to bleed all over you."[/say] A pause, brief and deliberate. [say]"But...it’d put an end to it for good if you think it really is gonna keep lingerin'."[/say]
The thought of Kaisel showin' up to botehr Caly earns him a soft, irritated groan, Vesper shaking his head once as if to physically dislodge the notion. [say]"’Course that’d be our luck,"[/say] he adds dryly. [say]"Given how much it’d fuck Flora off if anyone laid a hand on her precious pet."[/say] The corner of his mouth twitches, humour sharp-edged and fleeting, before smoothing away again.
When Jack repeats the word coward, Vesper slows just a fraction, eyes flicking back to him, considering. [say]"Maybe I could go to Safrin too,"[/say] he says at last, voice even, almost idle. [say]"Have her burn our memories outta both blondes."[/say]
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-11-2026
[say]"Ain't memories more Ludo's bag?"[/say] Jack asks with a raise of his eyebrows, though in truth he's equally as reluctant to approach the raggedy herald as he is the starlit goddess to beg for assistance in the smouldering ashes of his love life. Wrinkling his nose as he thinks, eventually he shrugs his shoulders. [say]"Reckon this is just a storm I gotta weather,"[/say] he says. As someone who will hopefully outlive the Floras and Kaisels of the world by decades or more, if time doesn't cool the sting of their parting, death will end it one way or another. For one of them, anyway.
Drawling out a hum of agreement when it comes to the final, complicated knot between Kai and Caly, Jack lets out a long sigh through his nose and turns instinctively towards the clear sound of water, tilting his head at Vesper as if to reluctantly concede to his efforts in navigating the woods. [say]"Given how many goats your blonde has sent you, might be that gettin' rid of her memories is a better shot,"[/say] he says idly. [say]"Ain't like Flora ever came lookin' for me on purpose."[/say] As far as he knows. Not like Colt.
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Vesper - 01-11-2026
Vesper answers the question with another easy lift of his shoulders. [say]"They both deal in deception,"[/say] he says mildly. [say]"Bet Safrin could put a kind of black hole around it. Everything still there, just...unreachable behind all the black."[/say] The snort that follows is quiet, dry. [say]"Guess I oughta be takin’ a page outta your book then,"[/say] he adds, tone pitched somewhere between humour and resignation, as if conceding that some storms really are better endured than dissected or thrown into space.
The trees finally part, branches loosening their grip over the trail and the riverbank opens up ahead of them in a spill of darker earth and glistening water. The air shifts immediately—cooler, heavier, threaded with the unmistakable tang of memory mud—and Vesper exhales without quite meaning to, a soft sound of relief slipping past his composure. For once, the Greatwood hasn’t decided to be clever at his expense.
He gestures with a brief tilt of his chin toward the slick stretch of mud gathered along the bank, brows lifting as pale eyes slide back to Jack. [say]"What d’you need the mud for?"[/say]
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-11-2026
[say]"I ain't sure my book's got any pages worth takin' these days,"[/say] Jack says with a scoff, the comment slipping through the haze of hangover and old hurts rubbed raw. If Vesper hadn't tiptoed out of the stars and onto the earth with the same gift he possessed, he'd probably be halfway to marrying the girl and her goats by now, after all.
The Captain's shoulders ease a little further with the arrival of the riverbank, and for a second it's all Jack can do to pause and enjoy the cool heaviness to the air, the way his skin grows damp not from heat and sweat, but from kisses delivered by the water itself. Too soon, it feels, his attention is drawn to the riverbank where Vesper gestures, and he trudges over to remove a small jar from his pockets, leaning down to inspect the mud.
[say]"A quest,"[/say] he says slowly. [say]"...A strange kind of quest. Your mother put the idea in my head, so I went to Rae to see if it could be done, an' it can. It'll... bring the Ark to life, so far as I can tell."[/say]
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Vesper - 01-11-2026
Vesper’s response comes without hesitation, a quiet shake of his head that sends a loose breath through his nose. [say]"That ain’t true,"[/say] he says simply, no flourish to it, no attempt to dress the sentiment up into something safer. It is rare enough between them that he lets it stand as-is, unarmoured, before the river’s damp air can soften it into something else.
Jack’s explanation lands heavier than the humidity ever could. A quest. Rae. The Ark. Vesper stills, the easy rhythm of his movement faltering just enough to give him away, brows lifting sharp and unmistakable as the words slot themselves together. Of all the improbable, reckless, deeply Jack possibilities, this is not the one he would have wagered on. The river rushes on beside them, memory mud gleaming darkly at its edges, and Vesper turns that over too, the idea of it bleeding forward into something with breath and will.
He considers Jack sideways then, careful with the moment, the way one is when stepping near something that might wake if handled poorly. [say]"Huh,"[/say] he murmurs, surprise settling into something more deliberate as his shoulders ease back into place. [say]"What d’you expect the Ark’ll be like?"[/say] AKA would it just be a hole for Jack to fill when he needed it, or was it to fill a suspiciously blonde shaped hole in Jack.
RE: you're goin' off the deep end again - Jack - 01-12-2026
Jack raises an eyebrow at that, glancing over his shoulder to Vesper as he kneels by the riverbank, and a smirk kicks up one side of his mouth. [say]"Flatterer,"[/say] he drawls, though the tone is warm and his voice his steady; it had been unlooked for, but whatever the boy has said has hit the mark. And though he can all but sense it as the young demigod stills behind him, can hear all the things he isn't saying even without telepathy, nothing about the Captain bristles at it. He knows how it seems, knows how something like this screams of fragility, desperation, even, of trying to dam up something that had broken.
[say]"I dunno,"[/say] he says slowly, scooping some of the mud into the jar and capping it before it can escape, though it does writhe and swirl as if trying to climb out to rejoin the larger mass. [say]"Same as she is as a ship, I reckon. Wild, bold, unapologetic."[/say] Swift, flexible, sometimes ruthless and biting and unforgiving.
Sighing, Jack rises to his feet. [say]"I know,"[/say] he mutters. [say]"It's fuckin' crazy. But much as I hate to say it, Flora broke somethin' in me in the time we were together. Once I could've sailed the world alone and not looked back. I ain't that way any more."[/say]