trustfell | Week 8.

Week 8.

WEEK 8
Regardless of what you think of the most recent deaths, four more people have died this week. Milla Maxwell, Angel, Susan Ashworth, and Aligula are gone now, leaving you with about a quarter of your original number. Thirty-five down to twelve - this can't keep going for much longer, can it?

Is there anything you can do?

Saturday is given to regrouping and sleep; come Sunday morning, the clock chimes the hour at seven o'clock and there are no dead bodies to be found, so it can be assumed that all of you are safe for the time being. That said, you'll be feeling a little groggy when you wake up; it seems you've regained something that you didn't realize you'd lost...

Unlike the previous weeks, however, it seems that either you've reached the end of the line or Jericho has decided to stop rewarding you for your effort; where there would usually be a stairwell to a new floor, you're met with nothing but solid wall. Perhaps it's distressing; perhaps it's a good sign.

Only time will tell, and time isn't something you have a lot of around here.

PARTICIPANTS REMAINING: 12

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
[OOC: Welcome to week eight of Trustfell! Feel free to make as many top levels as you'd like and tag out to other characters! This post is for all of your interactions this week... at least until the weekend. Don't forget to save those threads for coins and the activity check!

If you'd like to get in contact with the Coordinators, you can do so through private meetings with Hilda!]

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[He is in! It just takes him longer than necessary to answer the door.

When he does open up, it's not all the way. Just a crack so Yuri can hear his voice through it. He doesn't sound very good.]

What is it, Yuri?

[ Yuri doesn't expect... that, honestly. ]

Came to check on you. I didn't see where you usually were.

[ He doesn't bother dancing around the subject here, considering. ]

[Rideaux doesn't say anything at first, but... When he responds, it sounds like he's holding back the brunt of what he's feeling right now.]

Consider it appreciated. Something has come up, and I... I need a break. [...] From all of this.

[ That's definitely something that's worrying him. Well, he easily recalls that is is a Sunday, so it very much narrows down things in terms of 'what could be the troublesome thing', and he makes an educated guess as to what is at the top of that list. ]

Yeah? Well, guess that's only natural if something's troubling you.

[ There's another moment of consideration, where he waits. ]

...Still, you wanna talk about it?

[He doesn't. He really doesn't. He just wants to lie down and not think at all. It's still fresh, and raw...it hurts more than it thought it would, even though he knew it could happen one day despite his struggles against it. And what's more, he doesn't want Yuri to see him like this.]

I...

[But another part of him speaks louder than the part that wants to simply close everyone off for the day. Yuri's giving him this offer, and he knows it's not for no reason. Maybe having someone to listen would be good. He has no idea how to get over this hurdle otherwise.

...]

Please.

[So that's a yes, in other words. Shortly after, he opens the door so Yuri can enter. It's kind of a mess in here, and Rideaux will ask for Yuri to ignore it like he thinks Yuri will care. Rideaux makes his way back to the unmade bed to sit on it as Yuri comes in. He looks...well. He looks pretty awful, but he's doing his best to smooth out his hair and straighten his school uniform that he kind of sloppily put on. There's no getting around the fact that his eyes are red and puffy though.]

[ Yuri patiently waits for Rideaux to finish, after that bit of hesitation there, and he is actually really hoping he does end up saying yes. Usually, he would be kind of content to let even the people he knows make the choice of saying 'no', but he supposes he's actually too worried for that.

... As expected, Yuri doesn't really mind the mess (he can be pretty messy too) when Rideaux does ask, but he does sort of note it, considering who it is and what time it is. He will also make sure the door is closed behind him as he follows.

When he notices the redness and the puffiness, his expression softens--and without hesitation he'll seat himself beside him. ]

I'm guessing this is about what you dreamed of, isn't it?

[Rideaux nods to Yuri's question, though he isn't looking at him for the time being. His gaze is fixed on wall across from them.]

...Yes. [He...doesn't quite want to just drop the big bombshell on Yuri, so he figures he owes a story first.] Do you recall everything I said about that test thus far?

[He'll wait for Yuri's confirmation before continuing. And the more he talks, the more tense he seems to get. He stumbles over his words every so often, overall struggling with talking about it. Whatever he dreamed about shook him very badly.]

I've told you about the test itself, but I left out the more specific details about how fractured dimensions are created and the nature of completing the test. In order for us to complete the test set by the primordial spirits, we must locate five waymarkers to bring us to the realm of one of those spirits, Origin. We were given the power of the Chromatus to assist us in eliminating fractured dimensions as well as finding these waymarkers.

However, the Chromatus has a catch. [...here's the first bombshell:] It slowly kills us over time, essentially. After so much use, a Chromatus user turns into a catalyst for another fractured dimension. That is how they have grown in numbers- Chromatus users from all dimensions turning into catalysts. Naturally, with that knowledge, we would hope to use this ability sparingly. But because of various complications, all of the waymarkers can only be found in fractured dimensions. We have had no choice but to constantly use the Chromatus to keep the number of fracture dimensions down while also hunting down the waymarkers.

[...the last bit is where he's going to struggle the most, so he hopes Yuri can bear with him.]

Julius and I... We were in a particularly precarious situation in addition to the threat caused by our Chromatus ability. When all of the waymarkers are gathered, one last task is necessary to reach the Land of Canaan: the sacrifice of a Chromatus user to create a soul bridge to Canaan. When we were taken in by the CEO of Spirius Corporation, we were put on a course to compete with one another so we would not be chosen for this task.

[He hunches over so he can hide his face in his hands.]

After everything I did to remain useful, after so many years of faithful service, I... He still chose me.

Yeah, I do.

[ And so, Yuri waits for Rideaux to continue telling his story as is--it's unlike him to be the way he is now, what with the struggle of talking about things just in general. But as the elaboration comes, Yuri can understand why that is so (or begin to, anyway.) At first, he starts to think that is actually rather horrifying for...what are obvious reasons, and he grimaces.

However, as he continues to listen, his hands that had laid resting leisurely on his pants had balled up into fists. It's probably natural that he'll feel angry--his next thoughts are, Of course it's some bastard that's high up who would pull crap like this. Already it was madness with those crazy-ass spirits from what Rideaux had told him about the test and now this was just the icing on the cake. ]

...That ungrateful bastard. I hope everything blows up in his face and he drops dead into a pile of shit. He deserves nothing less for what he did. I bet there's a special place in hell for people like him.

[ Yuri takes a breath, after words rougher than usual leave him, because he needs to do that, but he's so angry. Rideaux deserved none of that.

He's looking at him now, and seeing the way he is now makes him try to decide carefully on his next words, what he might do to show his support. His next words spoken are still rough, but a touch softer now. ]

Sorry, that ... any of that happened to you. You didn't deserve any of that crap.

[He slowly lowers his hands again so he can look back at Yuri. Laying all of that out there in the open was hard, and he looks worked up from it. But...hearing Yuri back him up like that actually helps. It's almost relieving in a way, to hear this from an outsider of what he's had to deal with for the majority of his life. That someone else sees it as an incredibly shitty situation, just like he always thought it was.]

...I appreciate it, Yuri.

[He lets his hands rest in his lap, keeping his gaze steady on Yuri for a moment before looking to the side.]

Do you recall when I said I was homeless for a time? That...is when I was taken in. Bisley, he... He discovered that I had the Chromatus, and so he offered me shelter, money...a life I never knew, in exchange for my service at Spirius. Of course I accepted, but by the time I realized what sort of situation I was truly in, I was already trapped into it. I had no choice but to devote myself in the hope that someday I would get to have a normal life once the test was complete.

["...The job chose me, so to speak."

He clenches his hands into fists as well at this point.]

When I was promoted to Director of Dimensional Affairs, I truly thought I was going to be safe when the time for a bridge came. I should've known better. I- I made an attempt to escape, but they...

[...]

I must sound all over the place. I apologize- I... I don't quite know what to do with myself right now.

[ Yuri feels more anger well up in him. For what it is worth, Bisley is one of the very few people who get the lovely honor of Yuri wishing fervently for to wind up death or worse. Which may be an accomplishment of some sort, considering, but. Yeah.

He needs to take another moment, and that's easy enough to do when knowing he's needed for support now. When Rideaux's finished up there, he'll reach out, kind of without thinking at first to rest a hand gently on his shoulder - the presence is light, ready to pull it away if the touch is unwelcome, even if it's meant to be comforting. ]

Hey, there's no need to apologize. All of that's difficult to deal with, so it's only natural you're gonna be like this. Hell, right now I think it's amazing you're managing to even tell me any of this - that requires a lot of inner strength that not many people would have. Or, that's what I believe anyway.

... No one can fault you for thinking that bastard wouldn't pull what he did, after you got the position you did. It was completely underhanded - I don't know what they did to make you stay, but they shouldn't have did that either. I really do hope they reap what they sow.

[ Yuri takes another pause, his eyes swimming with emotions as he's still looking at the man beside him. Anger, frustration, concern, empathy, and... something more warm, more gentle right now. ]

You know, Rideaux, even with all of that said, there's something else I'd like you to know:

Even if you're lost, you're not going to be facing this alone, alright? I promise I'll be here, right by your side, ready to continue giving you a hand or an ear when needed, and every step of the way as eventually you find your way again. Even if it's going to be hard, I can guarantee you that much.

Edited 2017-11-01 03:33 (UTC)

[Rideaux doesn't resist the gesture, but Yuri will feel him tense up a little bit under his touch at first. He's not used to that sort of tenderness, and as such it's met with surprise. When he looks back at Yuri, there's this sort of uncertainty in his expression. He doesn't know what to do with this, so all he can do is watch and listen to what Yuri's saying to him.

"You're not going to be facing this alone, alright?"

Alone. That really was what he had been been for all of these years, wasn't it? He had come to the early conclusion that no matter what, he only had himself to rely on. He was the only one who could justify his right to exist. As long as he survived, that was all that mattered. But where did that get him, in the end? When the time came, and when for the first time he found himself truly in need of help, he was utterly alone.

Those who do not value others are destined to flounder in loneliness. But Yuri had begun to help him see the value of friendship, hadn't he?

As Yuri continues and those sincere words of support reach Rideaux, he starts to feel a warm tightness in his chest that he's never quite felt before. He slowly brings a hand there, but then a pressure in the back of his eyes hits him too. The foreignness of it is a little startling at first, but he realizes it isn't...bad, exactly. It's true appreciation. More than that. It's...]

Thank you, Yuri. That... That means quite a lot to me.

[His words are just as sincere. Even though the uncertainty hasn't left him, it's more that he he's still not sure how to handle what Yuri has just given him. But he knows that he doesn't want to let go.]

There is nothing left for me in my world, but that does not mean it's completely over. [...] Thank you for helping me see that.

[ Yuri honestly never was certain whether or not his words would be of help all the time, but at the same time, he's not someone to be anything else but forward and honest in them - especially when it's someone who needs that the most. He can't say he knows everything about Rideaux either, but from what he does know about the man...it really was quite a burden he was carrying on his shoulders, and for it to end like that - well. He's made clear what his thoughts were on that.

For a moment, Yuri's watching what Rideaux's doing, and once he hears those words, well... he's feeling a semblance of relief that they've managed to reach him.

The raven-haired man feels a smile begin to edge its way onto his face - one just as honest and warm as the words he had just passed on. ]

Hey, it's really no problem - I'm always glad to help out. Even better when it's obviously done a lot of good.

[ Yuri gives that shoulder a gentle squeeze in another show of support, before slowly drawing it away. ]

If you wanna continue talking about this stuff or something else, like I said, I'm going to be here to lend you that ear.

It did. It...truly did.

[The reassurance helps Rideaux finally allow himself to relax a little bit. He takes a shaky breath and loosens his shoulders. Not so subtly does he use his sleeve to rub at his eyes as well.]

There is not much more to say about my dream. As you can most likely guess, the dream itself revealed my fate. I...haven't dreamed it in full, but I am more than capable of filling in the blanks. I was taken to Bisley and killed. [His hand lingers near his midsection.] I would have never guessed that they could use my spyrix against me in order to drag me there, but...

[He ends up shaking his head, because it's getting rough to talk about again.]

That is why I have remained in here for today, though. [...] I did not take this news well, and I'd rather no one witness the physical evidence of that. It was difficult enough letting you see.

[ The actions do not go unnoticed, but he does leave them without comment. ]

Yeah, I can get that. I even appreciate you letting me in here to talk to you like this - like you said, I know it couldn't have been easy.

[ If anything like that had happened to him... he doesn't want to think about it.

Yuri can also infer what he means when he mentions spyrix given their previous conversations and Rideaux likening them very much to blastia from his world. Still...he noticed the way that hand had lingered. He thought of Raven, with his heart blastia, and wondered if it was something similar (not exactly the same of course, but.)

Though, he gets a bit of an idea. It's not something earthshattering or anything, mind you. But it's still something. ]

Well, I don't think I have anything else to ask about any of that - but there's always the option of some distractions, if you're up for trying something while we're in here.

[He's not sure if he would even be willing to let anyone else in during such a low point. No one's supposed to see him looking anything remotely close to weak. But with Yuri, it's...different. He wouldn't be able to put it into words very eloquently as to why. He just is.]

Distractions?

[...he sounds curious, at least. Whatever Yuri has in mind, he figures it would be better than talking about how much of a wreck his life has become, and all he planned to do outside of this was to sleep and maybe eat occasionally. He doesn't have the energy for much else anymore.]

Yeah, I think I might have something in mind.

[ Yuri takes a look around in the room -- how dark is it in here? Rideaux had put up some curtains or something too, right? If that's the case there's one thing that might work. Or maybe not, who knows. ]

[It's kind of dark. The only light in the room is coming from the bathroom. Rideaux opted for turning that light on vs. the bedroom light to avoid having to adjust his eyes to super bright light. He's been lying in the dark all day, so...

The curtains are indeed there, though! Kind of useless curtains since the window is blocked off, but it's all about #aesthetic. However...they are currently on the floor in front of the window due to Rideaux ripping them down at some point. Yikes.]

[ Huh...yikes indeed. Well, that's one idea out, but it's still dark in here enough for him to try something else. He'll get off the bed. ]

I'll be right back.

[ It...takes him not exactly too long but it wasn't like he was gone for five seconds either, but he eventually returns with a few candles and some matches. This might either get slightly ridiculous or work out fine, but hey. ]

Edited 2017-11-03 00:45 (UTC)

[Well, Rideaux certainly isn't going anywhere. Though when Yuri gets back, he's properly lying on the bed now. He lifts his head up a bit to see what Yuri left to get, and...

...if it wasn't for the candles he'd be concerned that he was planning to start a fire in here.]

Yuri, what in the world are you planning to do?

Nothing too big.

[ Yuri lights the candles and sets them on the desk, before stepping back. This is going to probably look ridiculous, but...he's going to bring his hands together. With the candle's dim light against the darkness, it easily casts a shadow that looks like something in flight.

It's supposed to be a butterfly, actually, but he hasn't quite gotten it down. It probably looks kind of ridiculous. ]

Why not a little bit of a guessing game? This look like anything familiar to you?

[Whatever Yuri's up to, it gets Rideaux to sit back up at least. He stares at Yuri for a second before he figures out that he's doing something with the candlelight, then glances toward the shadow creature he has created.

...

It is definitely ridiculous. But at the same time, it's actually...very endearing. Yes. An endearing distraction.]

I...have no idea. Am I meant to assume it's some kind of winged creature? Those vaguely look like wings.

... It's supposed to be a butterfly.

[ He does a thing with his fingers and it just ends up looks like something flapping it's wings. Maybe he should've thought about this a little more - in the sense it's kind of impossible to make it look like that in the first place. ]

Or I guess now it's a bird.

[ ... Hmm. ]

You think you can make do better than I can with it?

Ah, I see it now. [Or he at least acknowledges that Yuri is doing his best.] I promise I was not purposefully criticizing you.

[But, oh... Yuri wants him to try?

...

Distractions. Any distractions count. So, after a pause for consideration, he rises to his feet to join Yuri by the candles.]

I honestly doubt I'll do much better, but let's see here...

[He vaguely remembers a dog version of this that he's seen before, so he tries to replicate that shadow with his hands. His hands aren't quite in the right position so it looks wonky, but he's aiming it to make the shadow looks like a dog head howling upward.]

Heh, figured as much.

[ Yuri doesn't know what to expect - if Rideaux would actually try or not, but he's hoping it's enough to get his mind off things albeit temporarily. He feels a short smile come and go when the man comes by to join him, however.

... He watches Rideaux do the thing on his end, or perhaps more accurately it would be to say that he's watching the results of his efforts, seeing as his eyes are on the shadows in the candlelight here!

There's a moment of pause and clearly there is something profound to say here. ]

Not bad for your first try.

[ ... ]

Woof.

[...albeit briefly, Rideaux sighs in an amused sort of way.]

I would say this is more of an "awoo". Wouldn't you? [He moves his hands to imitate the howling motion.] Either way, I appreciate the vote of confidence.

Week 8.

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