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sticksandbones2024-03-23 02:24 pm
oleaeuropaea) wrote in sticksandbones2024-03-23 02:24 pm
Entry tags:
Back Up The Stairs Again
Who: The April Fool Himself, Vash the STampede
What: Vash returns to the Grove
When: Early, early morning, April 1st.
Where: Around the Grove
Warnings: Sibling death, Vash related Vashing, gradual mentions of corruption. Brief mentions of eye changes possibly verging on eye horror?
i. Running in Shoes that Shine — Outside the Church, OTA
[When Vash emerges from the woods, it’s well past midnight. Most anyone in the grove would likely be asleep, and he wouldn’t blame them for it. In fact, he’s counting on it. The last thing he wants is to be disturbed like this. He has a task to complete, and the last thing he wants is to field questions.
Nai’s body is laid down beside the grave that holds Wolfwood. He doesn’t yet process that space has collapsed in on itself, too focused on making sure his brother is properly secured. His jacket is removed, and set to the side. The knife tendrils are laid out like wings behind him. It almost looks like he’s sleeping in the moonlight. Almost.
The conversation he has with Heimr is quick. Just a shovel, please don’t ask any questions. He’s sure the shopkeeper knows he’s been gone for weeks. He doesn’t want to hear any of it. He takes the shovel and trudges back to the church.
Digging the grave takes ages. It’s slowed by the wounds still clinging to Vash’s body. The newer ones, ones that cropped up when he strayed too far from the path in his exhaustion, tear themselves open anew. His already torn thermal becomes wet with blood and sweat. But still he digs.
By the time the sun rises, Nai has been placed into the dirt and covered up anew. Vash stares down at his work with an unreadable expression. He still wears Wolfwood’s glasses. He refuses to take them off. It means his vision is darkened to an almost crippling degree. If someone approached, he wouldn’t know it.]
ii. With Blood that isn't Mine — Inside the Church, Closed tolivlaughlove and lupusxylem
[At some point, Vash shakes off whoever has approached him. He enters the church, movements stiff, pained, and robotic. He kneels before the cross, his head bowed low. He’s never believed in this particular god. In a lot of ways, it feels wrong to kneel and pray to Him, when he’s already cast his faith behind a different divine. But Nick did believe, as far as Vash knew, and Nai had at least seemed interested in the teachings of this faith. And so to this God he prays.
Forgive them. Let them rest peacefully. Let them find comfort.
It’s short, all things considered. He doesn’t want to linger here overlong, not after everything that’s happened. Not when he still isn’t ready for questions. But when he tries to rise, he finds his legs locking up on him. All at once, his body feels weak. Instead of standing, he collapses against the cold ground. He stares up at the cross, wondering if this is spite somehow.
And then his vision darkens.]
iii. A Stinging Trophy — Around the Grove
[A few days and reunions later, Vash at least seems capable of walking around the grove on his own. Wolfwood’s glasses have been replaced with his own. These aren’t quite as capable of hiding the changes that the darker lenses might have. His eyes have shifted, almost as if the sky blue hue of his iris had begun to bleed into the sclera. The faint, pastel blue hint might even be imperceptible at first glance.
If you’re caught staring, Vash will simply look away, waving anyone off with a half-smile.]
It’s nothing. Just picked up a little something while I was lost in the woods. It’ll fade, I’m sure.
iv. Of the Battles I've Survived — Wildcard
[Vash is going to be throwing himself back into the Grove like nothing happened. Feel free to encounter him anywhere around the town. Or, reach out to me and we can plot something out!]
v. SUPER SECRET BONUS PROMPT
[A few days after his arrival and subsequent chat on the Netbook, something new appears in the grove. Where once Beiwe's statue stood alone, now a second statue joins her. Which means over the next few days, Vash can be found trying to make sure she's well-cared for in her new home. He brings a cutting from his Geranium, still growing strong, and tries to get it to root within the dirt there. A few other flowers are gathered for her as well.
Anyone on the Netbooks will find a short note in their pages. "Ourania is home. Please come say hi!"
More importantly, he can be found sitting in front of her every evening, just as the moon reaches its highest point within the sky. He isn't sure if he's praying so much as he is just talking, but Vash can be heard speaking to her all the same. It's usually casual conversation, but there's plenty of praise being heaped on as well.
He's new to this! Don't judge him!]
What: Vash returns to the Grove
When: Early, early morning, April 1st.
Where: Around the Grove
Warnings: Sibling death, Vash related Vashing, gradual mentions of corruption. Brief mentions of eye changes possibly verging on eye horror?
i. Running in Shoes that Shine — Outside the Church, OTA
[When Vash emerges from the woods, it’s well past midnight. Most anyone in the grove would likely be asleep, and he wouldn’t blame them for it. In fact, he’s counting on it. The last thing he wants is to be disturbed like this. He has a task to complete, and the last thing he wants is to field questions.
Nai’s body is laid down beside the grave that holds Wolfwood. He doesn’t yet process that space has collapsed in on itself, too focused on making sure his brother is properly secured. His jacket is removed, and set to the side. The knife tendrils are laid out like wings behind him. It almost looks like he’s sleeping in the moonlight. Almost.
The conversation he has with Heimr is quick. Just a shovel, please don’t ask any questions. He’s sure the shopkeeper knows he’s been gone for weeks. He doesn’t want to hear any of it. He takes the shovel and trudges back to the church.
Digging the grave takes ages. It’s slowed by the wounds still clinging to Vash’s body. The newer ones, ones that cropped up when he strayed too far from the path in his exhaustion, tear themselves open anew. His already torn thermal becomes wet with blood and sweat. But still he digs.
By the time the sun rises, Nai has been placed into the dirt and covered up anew. Vash stares down at his work with an unreadable expression. He still wears Wolfwood’s glasses. He refuses to take them off. It means his vision is darkened to an almost crippling degree. If someone approached, he wouldn’t know it.]
ii. With Blood that isn't Mine — Inside the Church, Closed to
livlaughlove and lupusxylem[At some point, Vash shakes off whoever has approached him. He enters the church, movements stiff, pained, and robotic. He kneels before the cross, his head bowed low. He’s never believed in this particular god. In a lot of ways, it feels wrong to kneel and pray to Him, when he’s already cast his faith behind a different divine. But Nick did believe, as far as Vash knew, and Nai had at least seemed interested in the teachings of this faith. And so to this God he prays.
Forgive them. Let them rest peacefully. Let them find comfort.
It’s short, all things considered. He doesn’t want to linger here overlong, not after everything that’s happened. Not when he still isn’t ready for questions. But when he tries to rise, he finds his legs locking up on him. All at once, his body feels weak. Instead of standing, he collapses against the cold ground. He stares up at the cross, wondering if this is spite somehow.
And then his vision darkens.]
iii. A Stinging Trophy — Around the Grove
[A few days and reunions later, Vash at least seems capable of walking around the grove on his own. Wolfwood’s glasses have been replaced with his own. These aren’t quite as capable of hiding the changes that the darker lenses might have. His eyes have shifted, almost as if the sky blue hue of his iris had begun to bleed into the sclera. The faint, pastel blue hint might even be imperceptible at first glance.
If you’re caught staring, Vash will simply look away, waving anyone off with a half-smile.]
It’s nothing. Just picked up a little something while I was lost in the woods. It’ll fade, I’m sure.
iv. Of the Battles I've Survived — Wildcard
[Vash is going to be throwing himself back into the Grove like nothing happened. Feel free to encounter him anywhere around the town. Or, reach out to me and we can plot something out!]
v. SUPER SECRET BONUS PROMPT
[A few days after his arrival and subsequent chat on the Netbook, something new appears in the grove. Where once Beiwe's statue stood alone, now a second statue joins her. Which means over the next few days, Vash can be found trying to make sure she's well-cared for in her new home. He brings a cutting from his Geranium, still growing strong, and tries to get it to root within the dirt there. A few other flowers are gathered for her as well.
Anyone on the Netbooks will find a short note in their pages. "Ourania is home. Please come say hi!"
More importantly, he can be found sitting in front of her every evening, just as the moon reaches its highest point within the sky. He isn't sure if he's praying so much as he is just talking, but Vash can be heard speaking to her all the same. It's usually casual conversation, but there's plenty of praise being heaped on as well.
He's new to this! Don't judge him!]
no subject
Maybe he would have liked it. He liked learning about other religions, I think. Though maybe "like" isn't the right word. I don't know.
[He never really knew Nai. And that made it smart all the more.]
The point is. I appreciate it. And... I'm sorry you know how it feels.
no subject
[He leans against the wall of the church, sticking around while Vash works. He'd help, but it's often better to let direct family members handle their own business. That's his belief, anyhow. Still, it doesn't mean he can't be around to at least listen.]
Forgive me for prying... I don't know if you're the sort who wants to fester in his sadness or focus on the joyful times. But, if you have any happy stories you want to share with me, I'll be here to listen.
no subject
[He's watched so many people die. Some have been violent, people he'd cared deeply for ripped from his hands in second. Others were slower, the effect of age wearing on the body. Not everyone was like Luida and Brad, willing to enter and exit cold sleep for years on end just to preserve their legacy. Some were happy enough with their single lives.
Gnosis's question does take Vash by surprise, but only for a second. What follows is a somber sigh, as he glances at the fresh dirt now covering Nai's body.]
... That's the thing, right? It's been over a century since he and I shared a happy memory. Thinking about them now just makes everything feel a bit worse.