It's a silent walk past plastic decorations and lights, through manicured grass lawns and the shape of dwellings unfamiliar and empty. So empty. Dark, mocking, through the glass.
It isn't much for privacy, tucked away in a further corner at the curve of two of the homes. But it will earn the least amount of eyes, with only the fog to greet them should they venture any further.
It's here that Thancred finally pauses. Arms tensely bound against his chest, brow knit tight.
It's a simple enough question to ask. But his mouth feels dry. So similar, so unwillingly familiar, to those conversations had on his return from the lifestream, on hearing Meteor's encounters after the Antitower. On those barren steps, Ran'jit's brutal wounds still aching in his bones, waiting.
...
His voice is quiet when his eyes return to Urianger. Apologetic, but needing to know.]
...The Ragnarok. It was still on its way. Off towards Ultima Thule.
[After the agonizingly long and silent walk over to a place of privacy, Urianger wastes no time in answering Thancred’s question. He keeps his voice even and calm, as ever. Thancred deserves this much.]
It did. Though not without resistance from Meteion, as I presume thou art well aware.
[He certainly can’t forget her sudden appearance in the middle of the control room, immediately draining the air from their lungs.
He brings a hand to his chest.]
She very well could have put an end to our mission ere we reached Ultima Thule, if not for thy valiant act of opposition.
Aye, I remember that. Meteor pointed her out the moment she appeared. Toying with us.
[He remembers them dropping to the ground, one after the other, hands to their throats. Powerless. Her voice still echoes from the fog, like a mockery, like a claw reaching into their chests.
"Suffocated and extinguished."]
I could still lift my blade. So I acted in the only way I felt I could.
[Except he can't recall his blade ever making contact. A moment of immense clarity with her as his only focus, the next a muddled mess of nothing but feeling, barely tangible in his mind's eye... and after--
...]
Whatever happened after that moment, I can't remember. If it stalled her... stopped her... then far be it from me to have any sorts of regrets. [It's a distant statement. Flat. He means every word, and yet what remains unsaid feels like it can't be real.]
...
And here we both are, despite it. [There's a cautious sharpness to how his eyes trace Urianger as he says that. Eager to get the topic off of himself.] What happened?
Quoted from the screened mod response for our reference: ---
In the interest of time, I won't be able to give you both a proper mini-cyoa, but I'll provide you all of the potential information that you could have gotten during a real one. Gomen Nik and Seto. Feel free to submit one next week, though!
The two of them will be able to locate the "back room" of the clothing store, however it'll take a considerable amount of effort to open the door. Fortunately, the two of them are not the sort who would give up on such a thing so they'll be able to access it.
Within the "back room' of the clothing store, they'll first notice that there won't be a rest area/breakroom meant for employees nor a space where someone could monitor the front end of the store aka non security room.
In the "back room" they'll see that there are shelves and shelves of boxes both opened and closed, piles of clothes, a few mannequins, and some prop items.
Within the open boxes they'll see that it's more clothes and miscellaneous other items and knick-knacks.
Certain prop items may seem familiar to them. A pair of daggers that Thancred might remember from his more immature days. Those (hideous) goggles that Urianger might remember from those same days.
Unfortunately, when they reach out to examine (or even take) the items, they'll find that they picked up a pair of shoes?? Even though it would have felt like those previously mentioned items.
Tampering with the open registers will not provide any additional help nor provide any dates or locations.
AS A TREAT!! Legally distinct temu Mariah Carey will start singing horribly over the intercom system and will NOT stop until the two of them leave the store.
Follow up question, would they have been able to take the weird "feels like our old stuff" items out of the backroom? If so, would they have retained that same feeling, or would they at some point turn into the feel of a pair of shoes instead?
MOD RESPONSE: They'd be welcomed to take those items out from the backroom without any issue, and the items wouldn't retain the same feelings. They'd end up just feeling like shoes.
[It's later in the afternoon, after clearing the younger men from the cafeteria. Thancred's taken some time to break away and travel across the properties, touching base with a couple of the others. But eventually, he needs to circle back. First to the cafeteria, then to the boarding house.
Knock, knock, Mister Augurelt, you have a visitor. He's showered at least briefly, from the look of his hair and absence of his coat, but he has a ziploc bag filled with ice from the kitchen clutched in one hand.]
[It doesn't take long for Urianger to come to the door and answer. He's similarly showered to get the flour out of his hair, and he's dressed in strikingly plain clothes compared to his usual garb- a comfy black sweater and slacks. The bruise on his forehead looks even worse than it did in the morning, but it's at least not giving him any problems at the moment.]
Ah, Thancred. Pray, come in. 'Tis only I for the time being.
[Where's Beryl? Urianger's been wondering that, himself.]
[They've both had their share of cheap alcohol for the night, which just leaves to riveting experience of trying to get all the way back up to the fourth floor. How's Urianger doing? WHO KNOWS but Thancred is here regardless, an arm against his friend's back and his eyes all the brighter from the hit of drink to the blood.]
I won't understand why they made this building so tall -- ah, come, we're almost there. You've still got your wits about you, Urianger?
[Thankfully, for the most part Urianger's inhibitions have survived the awful whiskey. There's more color in his face than there was earlier, but it's nowhere near another instance of their revelry at The Last Stand.
Similarly, one of his arms rests on Thancred's shoulder while he keeps his balance by using the rail with his free hand as they ascend.]
Wouldst thou spend some time in my lodgings ere thou retirest for the night?
[There's no pressure to it, he's just curious. They can always wait until morning to discuss the day's events.]
[True to his word, Thancred finds Urianger the second that he's safely free to go, albeit still with some distance. Straight back to the boarding house, quietly separating for safety's sake so Thancred could scrub down viciously. He'd need to do the same with his clothing at some point.
For now, when he's finally done the most he can do and feels far too stir-crazy to remain in Lynne's vicinity, he's crossing back over to wrap fingers to Urianger's door again. Dressed down, a double layering of black over white not so dissimilar to what he used to wear in Ul'dah years past. Also, you ever seen blue jeans, Urianger? Thancred has found some, how incredible for him.
His voice echoes through the door before it's answered.]
[Urianger's not far from the door when Thancred returns, choosing to wait in the common area in the meantime. He quickly pushes himself off the couch and opens the door to let Thancred in.
He's back in his simple attire as well. Boy if he wasn't concerned about more important things right now, he'd be more curious about the jeans. If they suited any of the Scions, it'd be Thancred, though.]
Pray, come in.
[He needs to talk, yes, but...he also wants to make sure neither of them are alone with their thoughts right now.]
[Another Friday, and much to the dismay of everyone, another body announcement.
Once Urianger is able to process Lobelia's announcement with the others in the infirmary, he immediately sets out to locate Thancred...discovering something disconcerting as soon as he steps foot outside. Hm.
He has no idea where Thancred was last night. They hadn't made any plans since they didn't expect this to happen again. So after a bit of fruitless searching around the other buildings, he opts to head back to the boarding house and knock on the door of room 407.]
Thancred? Lynne? Art thou hither?
[If it's just Lynne home, maybe she's seen Thancred.]
[There's the stumbling sounds of footsteps before the door handle swings open. Thancred, shirtless, briskly rubbing a towel through very wet hair.]
Oh thank the Twelve - there you are. [Just leaving the door open as he motions him back inside, quickly.] I was about to run the rounds once I made myself decent.
[He vanishes off somewhere else on the grounds for a long while. Disappears into the jail for even longer.
But eventually, his steps drag him up the stairs to the fourth floor. He feels the key in his pocket, and he wants nothing to do with it. He goes in to change clothes, a numb set of motions, abandoning everything bloodied on the bathroom floor. Scrubbing the blood from his claws. Always scrubbing the blood. Always.
...
When he finally crosses the hallway, it's muted. When he knocks, his voice is quiet.]
However, when Thancred knocks, the door creaks open. Looks like Urianger isn't in the living area, but he's left the door ajar in case Thancred came by.]
[After staying to speak with the puppeteers and get a general feeling of the crowd (spoilers! It wasnt good), Thancred makes himself scarce for a time. He needs to think over everything that's happened, to clear his head.
Eventually, he will be back in room 407, a teapot prepared as he carefully goes through what medical supplies they have left. He'll need to speak to Victor soon, he thinks.
The absence of pain is a welcome one after multiple days straight, though. And whenever Urianger returns, Thancred can be found dozing lightly in a seat on the couch, having sat down for only a moment.]
[Urianger returns after accompanying Childermass to the infirmary. He opens his mouth to announce his presence as he opens the door, but pauses when he spots Thancred asleep on the couch. Expression turning soft, he quietly shuts the door and moves to put a blanket over his sleeping friend.]
[Another dawn arrives, and a new week along with it.
Urianger forces himself awake after experiencing yet another unpleasant dream, this one of sea, shell and blood. Slowly, he rises up in bed, blearily peering out the window to see the wintry landscape reduced to barren trees and dead grass.
Nothing ever stays consistent here.
He swings his legs over to push himself out of bed, taking ginger steps out into the common area to begin the day. A few days' primary bed rest has done him wonders, making him more confident in at least moving around the dorm with little concern.
Before he brews some morning coffee, he looks for Thancred. Still asleep over there, buddy?]
[Sprawled boneless and stomach-down in the corner of the couch, Thancred mutters wordlessly into the cushions, eyes still closed but blanket partially discarded as though he'd been rudely awoken and then gave up halfway through bothering to get up. So here he dozes in the half-awake state of early morning, stealing what few moments were left.
As he hears the door creak open, the Hyur hums, turning his face against the pillow and hooking an arm underneath. Eyes fall on Urianger, and a tired warmth follows them, a smile present even with his mouth still pressed into the pillow.]
[Like much of the week, Thursday morning arrives with the relaxing sound of pouring rain. It's enough to make Urianger struggle to wake, comfortable as he is in the warmth of his shared bed with Thancred.
So, maybe he won't get up just yet. But he will roll over as carefully as he can to snuggle up to the hyur beside him.]
[His actions will earn a hum of acknowledgement from where Thancred still lies sprawled.
A beat, and he opens his eyes... and exhales firmly in frustration before turning his face towards Urianger's warmth, letting his eyes drift back shut. No point, when it's all gone black for a second time this week.]
I do wish this place would make up its mind, already. [Muttered against the pillows, as he reaches towards the Elezen to try and gauge out where his waist was and slip an arm around it.] I'd like to stop missing the view.
[The trip through the infirmary is brief. Enough time to bandage his own wound, to help with Y'shtola. But he craves a moment of privacy. He's been watching Urianger fray at the edges the last two days, more and more and more every second something keeps pushing at the peace.
So the moment they are finally alone, out from the rain, Thancred tugs Urianger aside. Not to room 407, but to the quiet solitude of room 405 instead.
The second the door is closed behind them, Urianger is pulled into Thancred's arms (what remains of them, anyway). A wordless, private moment to grieve.]
[Urianger's dealt with the compounding emotional exhaustion better than he did only a few weeks prior, but there's only so much he can take. But when Thancred asks to go to room 405, he realizes that maybe he wasn't hiding it as well as he thought he was.
Room 405 is just as quiet as when Urianger left it, no longer having a reason to remain there when the comfort of Thancred and Lynne's presence was so close by. He's glad to still have it now, though, so that he needn't also worry Lynne as he almost immediately crumples into Thancred's embrace.]
...I am so very tired, Thancred.
[He'll admit as much. He knows Thancred would prefer him to.]
[It's over. After all of their hard work, their suffering, their perseverance...they've come out the other side with a cure and the hope that Magi will never again interfere with their worlds.
Once everyone has been given the ability to break away and rest for a time, Urianger's quick to draw Thancred away from the crowd. They've only got so much time before they have to return to the uncertainty of their fate, and as hopeful as Urianger is about it, he wants to spend as much time with his dear companion as he can...just in case.
His wandering brings them to the relaxation nook- a place of respite but also a change of scenery for their usual moments of privacy.
He turns to Thancred with a smile after he scans the room for a nice spot to sit.]
How art thou feeling? Art thou in need of further healing?
[It didn't seem like Thancred's scuffle with Seamus got too serious once their weapons were out of the picture, but...]
[For once, he takes the break of activity as soon as it's offered, his hand tightly held against Urianger's as they slip off towards quieter spaces, the warm fabrics and crackling fireplace making for a much cozier envrionment.
All the chairs are empty, the desk unoccupied. A space for just the two of them, if only for now.
His fingers squeeze tight as he saddles up closer to the Elezen, shaking his head.]
For a mercy, I've only exhaustion left to pick at me, not wounds. The feel of your magic was a welcome one.
You've not tired yourself too much with your efforts, I hope?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
heartofcorundum) wrote2025-11-02 01:20 am
WEEK ZERO - COLD OPEN
---
It's a silent walk past plastic decorations and lights, through manicured grass lawns and the shape of dwellings unfamiliar and empty. So empty. Dark, mocking, through the glass.
It isn't much for privacy, tucked away in a further corner at the curve of two of the homes. But it will earn the least amount of eyes, with only the fog to greet them should they venture any further.
It's here that Thancred finally pauses. Arms tensely bound against his chest, brow knit tight.
It's a simple enough question to ask. But his mouth feels dry. So similar, so unwillingly familiar, to those conversations had on his return from the lifestream, on hearing Meteor's encounters after the Antitower. On those barren steps, Ran'jit's brutal wounds still aching in his bones, waiting.
...
His voice is quiet when his eyes return to Urianger. Apologetic, but needing to know.]
...The Ragnarok. It was still on its way. Off towards Ultima Thule.
Please, tell me it made it that far.
cw mention of asphyxiation
It did. Though not without resistance from Meteion, as I presume thou art well aware.
[He certainly can’t forget her sudden appearance in the middle of the control room, immediately draining the air from their lungs.
He brings a hand to his chest.]
She very well could have put an end to our mission ere we reached Ultima Thule, if not for thy valiant act of opposition.
cw mention of asphyxiation
[He remembers them dropping to the ground, one after the other, hands to their throats. Powerless. Her voice still echoes from the fog, like a mockery, like a claw reaching into their chests.
"Suffocated and extinguished."]
I could still lift my blade. So I acted in the only way I felt I could.
[Except he can't recall his blade ever making contact. A moment of immense clarity with her as his only focus, the next a muddled mess of nothing but feeling, barely tangible in his mind's eye... and after--
...]
Whatever happened after that moment, I can't remember. If it stalled her... stopped her... then far be it from me to have any sorts of regrets. [It's a distant statement. Flat. He means every word, and yet what remains unsaid feels like it can't be real.]
...
And here we both are, despite it. [There's a cautious sharpness to how his eyes trace Urianger as he says that. Eager to get the topic off of himself.] What happened?
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WEEK ZERO MINI CYOA RESULTS (Thursday Morning - Clothing Store)
---
In the interest of time, I won't be able to give you both a proper mini-cyoa, but I'll provide you all of the potential information that you could have gotten during a real one. Gomen Nik and Seto. Feel free to submit one next week, though!
Followup
MOD RESPONSE:
They'd be welcomed to take those items out from the backroom without any issue, and the items wouldn't retain the same feelings. They'd end up just feeling like shoes.
(They're nice shoes if they wish to keep them.)
WEEK ZERO - FRIDAY - POST BODY ANNOUNCEMENT
Knock, knock, Mister Augurelt, you have a visitor. He's showered at least briefly, from the look of his hair and absence of his coat, but he has a ziploc bag filled with ice from the kitchen clutched in one hand.]
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Ah, Thancred. Pray, come in. 'Tis only I for the time being.
[Where's Beryl? Urianger's been wondering that, himself.]
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WEEK ZERO - SATURDAY, POST TRIAL (after childermass thread)
I won't understand why they made this building so tall -- ah, come, we're almost there. You've still got your wits about you, Urianger?
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[Thankfully, for the most part Urianger's inhibitions have survived the awful whiskey. There's more color in his face than there was earlier, but it's nowhere near another instance of their revelry at The Last Stand.
Similarly, one of his arms rests on Thancred's shoulder while he keeps his balance by using the rail with his free hand as they ascend.]
Wouldst thou spend some time in my lodgings ere thou retirest for the night?
[There's no pressure to it, he's just curious. They can always wait until morning to discuss the day's events.]
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WEEK ZERO - SUNDAY, POST EXECUTION
For now, when he's finally done the most he can do and feels far too stir-crazy to remain in Lynne's vicinity, he's crossing back over to wrap fingers to Urianger's door again. Dressed down, a double layering of black over white not so dissimilar to what he used to wear in Ul'dah years past. Also, you ever seen blue jeans, Urianger? Thancred has found some, how incredible for him.
His voice echoes through the door before it's answered.]
...I've finished, if you need to talk.
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He's back in his simple attire as well. Boy if he wasn't concerned about more important things right now, he'd be more curious about the jeans. If they suited any of the Scions, it'd be Thancred, though.]
Pray, come in.
[He needs to talk, yes, but...he also wants to make sure neither of them are alone with their thoughts right now.]
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WEEK 1 - FRIDAY - POST BODY ANNOUNCEMENT
Once Urianger is able to process Lobelia's announcement with the others in the infirmary, he immediately sets out to locate Thancred...discovering something disconcerting as soon as he steps foot outside. Hm.
He has no idea where Thancred was last night. They hadn't made any plans since they didn't expect this to happen again. So after a bit of fruitless searching around the other buildings, he opts to head back to the boarding house and knock on the door of room 407.]
Thancred? Lynne? Art thou hither?
[If it's just Lynne home, maybe she's seen Thancred.]
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Oh thank the Twelve - there you are. [Just leaving the door open as he motions him back inside, quickly.] I was about to run the rounds once I made myself decent.
Are you alright? Have you any news?
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WEEK ONE - SATURDAY - POST TRIAL
But eventually, his steps drag him up the stairs to the fourth floor. He feels the key in his pocket, and he wants nothing to do with it. He goes in to change clothes, a numb set of motions, abandoning everything bloodied on the bathroom floor. Scrubbing the blood from his claws. Always scrubbing the blood. Always.
...
When he finally crosses the hallway, it's muted. When he knocks, his voice is quiet.]
Urianger.
Are you in?
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However, when Thancred knocks, the door creaks open. Looks like Urianger isn't in the living area, but he's left the door ajar in case Thancred came by.]
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WEEK TWO - SATURDAY - POST TRIAL
Eventually, he will be back in room 407, a teapot prepared as he carefully goes through what medical supplies they have left. He'll need to speak to Victor soon, he thinks.
The absence of pain is a welcome one after multiple days straight, though. And whenever Urianger returns, Thancred can be found dozing lightly in a seat on the couch, having sat down for only a moment.]
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WEEK 3 - MONDAY
Urianger forces himself awake after experiencing yet another unpleasant dream, this one of sea, shell and blood. Slowly, he rises up in bed, blearily peering out the window to see the wintry landscape reduced to barren trees and dead grass.
Nothing ever stays consistent here.
He swings his legs over to push himself out of bed, taking ginger steps out into the common area to begin the day. A few days' primary bed rest has done him wonders, making him more confident in at least moving around the dorm with little concern.
Before he brews some morning coffee, he looks for Thancred. Still asleep over there, buddy?]
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As he hears the door creak open, the Hyur hums, turning his face against the pillow and hooking an arm underneath. Eyes fall on Urianger, and a tired warmth follows them, a smile present even with his mouth still pressed into the pillow.]
Up early this morning, hm.
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week 4, thursday morning
So, maybe he won't get up just yet. But he will roll over as carefully as he can to snuggle up to the hyur beside him.]
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A beat, and he opens his eyes... and exhales firmly in frustration before turning his face towards Urianger's warmth, letting his eyes drift back shut. No point, when it's all gone black for a second time this week.]
I do wish this place would make up its mind, already. [Muttered against the pillows, as he reaches towards the Elezen to try and gauge out where his waist was and slip an arm around it.] I'd like to stop missing the view.
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WEEK 4 - FRIDAY
So the moment they are finally alone, out from the rain, Thancred tugs Urianger aside. Not to room 407, but to the quiet solitude of room 405 instead.
The second the door is closed behind them, Urianger is pulled into Thancred's arms (what remains of them, anyway). A wordless, private moment to grieve.]
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Room 405 is just as quiet as when Urianger left it, no longer having a reason to remain there when the comfort of Thancred and Lynne's presence was so close by. He's glad to still have it now, though, so that he needn't also worry Lynne as he almost immediately crumples into Thancred's embrace.]
...I am so very tired, Thancred.
[He'll admit as much. He knows Thancred would prefer him to.]
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WEEK 5 - POST-ENDGAME
Once everyone has been given the ability to break away and rest for a time, Urianger's quick to draw Thancred away from the crowd. They've only got so much time before they have to return to the uncertainty of their fate, and as hopeful as Urianger is about it, he wants to spend as much time with his dear companion as he can...just in case.
His wandering brings them to the relaxation nook- a place of respite but also a change of scenery for their usual moments of privacy.
He turns to Thancred with a smile after he scans the room for a nice spot to sit.]
How art thou feeling? Art thou in need of further healing?
[It didn't seem like Thancred's scuffle with Seamus got too serious once their weapons were out of the picture, but...]
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All the chairs are empty, the desk unoccupied. A space for just the two of them, if only for now.
His fingers squeeze tight as he saddles up closer to the Elezen, shaking his head.]
For a mercy, I've only exhaustion left to pick at me, not wounds. The feel of your magic was a welcome one.
You've not tired yourself too much with your efforts, I hope?
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