sticksandbones

🤡

Who: Allen + You!
What: Holy clown boy coming to a Grove near you!
When: Beginning of March
Where: ??? Around
Warnings: None yet, will be in headers as the pop up.

I. I've tasted all your sin (Forest entrance)

[ There is, perhaps, not a single person who would say arriving in the Grove isn't jarring. Some woke up here from their own slumber back home, and that is perhaps the smoothest transition you can get, even even that has yet to be graceful. For Allen, one moment he's holding the hand of his friend, trying to wake him up from what he could only assume was a horrific coma, and then next he's... here. His hand clasps in on itself, and he's suddenly looking around in a panic. He knew that the place he'd ended up may very well kick him out of his consciousness. May lend just the right amount of strength for Nea to pull him out of the "driver's seat", so to speak, but... is that what's happening now? Now, when he was so close to saving his friend?

No.

No, no, no.

The panic sets in as he darts from out of the trees, attempting to look for something, anything that might help him figure out how to get back. It's once he gets into the Grove proper that his eye activates. He has his own questions about that - if he's not in control, where is that coming from? What would his eye see... in his own head? Before he can ponder it for too long, he at least gets one of his answers. What does his eye see? Well.

Death.

It's the first time Allen's seeing souls not attached to something else, but Allen doesn't have time to process that part. Rather, he is trying to remember how to breathe again, because as of now, seeing the horrible visions in front of him - death of his friends, of those he loves, of a fire that isn't really there - all has the air he's trying to get out caught in his throat. It's only once his eye deactivates, the sclera turning from black to white and the red of his eye back to a silvery gray, does he finally have some kind of reprieve from the overwhelm. It's not much. The panic has only gotten worse, after all.

He falls to his knees, gasping for air as if he'd been held underwater for too long. ]

II. You've lost your appetite (for sacrifice) (Timcanpy, the Inn)

[ Timcanpy is a little golden golem. He is here! He isn't sure why he's here, but he is! How exciting! He's gonna...! He's...!!!

...

Where is this!!!!!!!!!! He is going to float out of the inn room he Spawned(tm) in and??? chew on the first person he sees. Hello. ]

III. How can we terminate this parasite (Around the Grove)

[ Fortunately, although the panic attack hits Allen like a train, the fact that he's so fucking hungry does as well. Which means... this is definitely his body. He's not stuck in his head. That's?? Good. Probably. Well, it's not good that he doesn't know where he is, but it's good he's still Him. Does this make sense? No. It doesn't. Fuck, he's SO hungry-

He will very hastily try to find the first person he can and catch their attention with a friendly wave of his normal-looking hand, and in a thick, British accent: ] Cheers! Uh, I have a lot of questions, but... most important, do you know where a bloke might find some food? Preferably, a lot of it?

...

Oh, also, what is that? [ He's, uh, pointing at Moder. ]

IV. If you keep digging up the Host? (Wildcard)
HMU if you wanna do something else pls I have such a strong muse for my baby boy I'm gonna be SO annoying-

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[Sighs. This is one of those things he's just going to have to accept no matter how hard to believe it is, Link thinks. A building appearing out of thin air cannot POSSIBLY be stranger than some of the things they've experienced in the last few months, surely. Like yeah, it's weird, but it's a manageable weird. He'd prefer this over the alternative.

As they talk, he will walk a little further inside, though, gobsmacked at the fact that the kitchen in here is bigger than the Inn's kitchen. He could cook so much shit in here. As he traces the countertop with a gloved hand, he calls back over his shoulder.]

I will be sharing a room with Allen, so that won't be a problem.

[Surely that won't be a problem, right Kanda-]

[Kanda is thinking to himself thoughts like "what the fuck" and "how the fuck" and "Heimr is a strange fucking man but I knew that" and all these thoughts as he walks around the living room and does that thing you do in an IKEA where you pat-squish the couch as you walk by it. It's like he's testing that this shit is actually real despite earnest insistence that this entire place Cannot be real.

He's about to proceed out to check the zen garden when Link says that and suddenly Kanda gets that kick in the ass that says start shit immediately. So he starts shit.]

You want me to leave you alone with Beansprout, bootlicker? You're out of your god damn mind if you think that's happening.

[Sigh.]

[ Y'all, we have had this house for 20 seconds- ]

Well, it's proper relieving you both think like that, because! Then we'd have to move the beds! And that would be a hassle! [ Translation: Please don't fight over something stupid like this. The beds are literally in the room already. This is a dumb fight. Allen just wanted to give you the OPTION of privacy if you wanted it! ]

I perused the layout earlier, too! There's two bathrooms, one for each room. [ There's also a piano in the living room that Allen is ignoring. He doesn't want that there, but it's also a fucking grand piano so he's not moving that shit. ]

I also got us a vegetable garden so we have food on hand, always. I don't know how to take care of plants, yet, but I'll learn!

[Though Link doesn't show it in his expression, he shows it fiercely in his eyes: come at him, bitch. Do you want to take this outside, because he will GLADLY kick your ass.

He smiles, walking slowly around the kitchen island before stopping on one side of it with his hands pressed against its surface, leaning over the edge slightly. You know the way he leaned over the couch before?

Yeah.]

I never said that. I was just clarifying that I'd be staying with Allen. If you want to share the room, be my guest.

[Bitch-

He breathes in, then looks back over at Allen.]

I'll make us a full spread for breakfast in the morning. With that many fresh herbs and vegetables, we might as well get a head start before they start to go bad.

[Why do you stand like a [AMERICAN IDOL BLEEP]

Kanda, who has now taken up his usual position of standing in doorways with his arms crossed, simply glares daggers at Link. If looks could kill, this one would probably deal a solid d12 of damage because neither of them are going down to a simple glare. He hates you he hates you soooo much you bootlicking-ass CROW you're not even here for a good reason he hopes you Explode—]

Great. I'm going to go check out the bedroom, then.

[fucker]

[ The tension in the air has made it so thick, it could be cut with a knife. Like. Goddamn, y’all. Allen is two seconds from berating the both of them for provoking each other like this, but… he is also a very simple man. He hears food and his thoughts all go on lunch break.

He immediately scrambles from his spot to go to Link’s side, coiling his arms around him for an excited hug. ] Cheers, Link!!! I’m excited to eat!! If you need anything else, obviously let me know! Anything to make your life easier~! [ Because that means more food for Allen—

He twists his head when Kanda says he’s going to check the bedroom. ] Look at your Carrot Sun suey, too! Let me know if it’s okay!!!

[Listen Kanda started it, this is NOT Link’s fault.

The hug surprises him, but not necessarily in a bad way. It’s nice to see Allen in a good mood…so he’ll huff on a soft laugh and pat the back of his shoulders.]

You can let me know what kind of vegetables you’d enjoy best in a big omelette.

Kanda is more than welcome to partake as well, if he behaves.

[Okay NOW you’re starting shit.]

[Carrot Sun Suey... you're so stupid. He's thinking to himself that Allen is so stupid as he walks around the corner and then hears Link make a Comment, which Kanda responds to in a yell that reverberates down the hall.]

Go fuck yourself!

[Aww, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to him :')

Anyway he's going to very obviously claim one of the beds by putting his coat over it and walking out to go check on his carrot sun suey he supposes.]

Whatever you recommend! [ Allen still isn’t the biggest Eat Your Greens person. He’s only realizing he doesn’t actually hate veggies because Link has been feeding him. There have been a lot of things Allen has initially turned his nose up at before trying and going “oh this isn’t so bad”. Maybe Link’s cooking is magic. Allen could be convinced.

He lets go here and looks out to where Kanda left with the smallest sigh. ]

… I’m not sure how long we’ll be stuck here. Based on the things that others have said, it could be a while, but… We are also more equipped to handle a situation like this.

As such, I imagine we’ll expedite the process, just… we will have to endure this with what we have in the meantime.

[ Then, a little louder, in case Kanda’s sharp ass senses can’t hear: ] If there’s anything I can do to make this easier, let me know. Heimr said he can add rooms, if needed, so…

[He could have (should have) kept his mouth shut, but it’s hard to when Kanda insists on antagonizing him. It’s not that he doesn’t understand why…but still. They’re stuck here together now, so they’re going to have to figure out how to live with each other.

Somehow.

Link sighs as Allen lets him go, still watching the space where Kanda stomped off as if he expects him to come flying back into the room or something.]

We’ll manage. When our abilities level out- [Because it’s a when, not an if.] -I think the three of us should have a closer look at this forest. We might be capable of spotting something that has gone unseen up until now.

[Kanda will lurk for a little bit and scope everything out before he comes back around the corner. He's wearing that one slut shirt, you know the shirt, so while he's coatless the tiger stripes from his tattoo sort of stick out. At least his seal isn't overactive and trying to heal stuff that isn't there right now h-haha,

He's back to leaning in doorways, as you do.]

All of us have some information to disseminate now, at least. That's what we were looking for you for, Beansprout.

[Even if they haven't been here long, they each have something useful, so.]

Oh, I didn’t realize! I’ve been a busy bee since I arrived here, sorry. What—

[ He looks at Kanda, at first with that content smile. The very same they may be used to seeing, when he was back at the Order. He was starting to seem like maybe he was falling into those usual trends.

And then, for a split second, when he looks at Kanda, there’s just… dread. It catches his breath for a moment, and… even if Allen were good at hiding his emotions, it isn’t like he’s any good at faking things around either of these boys. It doesn’t stop him from trying, of course. Which is why even that brief moment lasts only a wink.

He reaches out, taking Link’s arm, because even if he’s bad at processing things timely, he is listening to that voice in his head that is shouting Don’t let Link know. And no matter how conflicted and pissed he is, that voice is right. ]

Yo… You first, then! Kanda is cold, and took off his jacket like an idiot.

[ Take the hint, bitch. ]

[Ki or not, Link catches that split-second look on Allen’s face. It’s enough to leave him concerned, but before he can react, Allen is grabbing his arm and volunteering him for the floor. As such, his attention is more on Allen right now than Kanda…though he did glimpse him as he walked in.

…]

I don’t know how much Allen has shared of our time at the Zoogle library. [He glances sidelong at Allen.] That is his story to tell.

I did see something in the Inn. A vision.

[And now he’s looking away, because he doesn’t particularly want to look at Kanda and Allen right now as he relays this information. This is going to open a Fucking can of worms-]

I saw myself. At the Inn, in this place. And…I was with the thirds. My comrades.

[His hands tighten at his sides, his gloves creaking from the strain.]

We were building it. Then I saw the Inn completed as it is now, covered with blood. And they were gone.

[...? Beansprout what are you fucking on about. It's March it's not even that cold here compared to autumn in goddamn England.

Whatever. Allen won't shut up unless he gets his jacket again (Kanda we are begging for some situational awareness you stubborn asshole), so he disappears around the corner while still listening to the conversation. It isn't a far walk and Kanda has sharp-ass hearing, so.

He'll return shortly. Lean back against the doorframe.

Frown deeply.

Ugh, he doesn't wanna shaaaaaaaare, but...]

You aren't the only one getting hit with hallucinations. [And then he waits like. Thirty fucking seconds for someone else to say something, and obviously no one does because that's just how this group operates, so.]

...I saw Alma.

Edited 2026-03-09 18:14 (UTC)

[ He shuffles a bit. ] I told him… actually, I guess I never told you about my vision either. Miss Lucia cut me off telling me to save it for the mansion… I can tell you. Later.

[ When he gets you alone, Kanda, you’re fucking DONE FOR. He nervously eyes him when he comes back in, but looks at Link to make sure he’s okay because that sounds… woof.

But right now Allen listens. He looks a little mortified for a moment as the other two share their hallucinations, but… after they do, Allen sort of… laughs. In very much the Allen way of trying to lighten a dark situation. He even throws his hands up in a “caught in the act” sort of way. ] Me three!

[ Haha. Ha. ]

So that means that we don’t have to think about it more than we have to. We know the thing in the forest feeds off misery or something like that, right? And now we have three people with hallucinations that made them upset! That means he was just trying to get under our skin and we can breathe a biiiig sigh of relief that it doesn’t have to be something in our mind’s eye anymore!

[ It also means Allen doesn’t have to talk about his, or how he freaked out about it to the point he had a mental breakdown first thing here. Haha. He doesn’t ever have to explain that actually. ]

Edited 2026-03-09 21:31 (UTC)

[...yeah, Allen. You never told him about your vision, other than the fact that apparently Lavi is inside of you, somehow, and Link hadn't wanted to spend more than a second of his braincells trying to piece together what the HELL that's supposed to mean. Right after bringing you back from the dead ya'll immediately left to spatula his body off the floor, and now we're here, so.

There's still a lot they need to talk about. A lot.

Link's expression falls stern as he folds his arms across his chest. He knows how to bury his feelings better than anyone, and he can spot it from a mile away. Allen isn't fooling anyone.]

Allen. If you saw something, I think it would be in all of our best interests to know what it was.

[Hallucination or not, anything Allen sees is going to mean more, just by proxy. And...Link would be lying if he said he wasn't interested in being privy to that information, for Nea-related reasons as well.]

[YOU'RE done for Beansprout stop @ ing him in public GOSH. DNI for Beansprouts!!!!!

Look. Kanda by this point can read Allen's little Allen-isms, and he's not falling for this. When he founds Beansprout, the man was collapsed having some sort of mental breakdown, so Kanda knows this is a lord of horseshit and is voicing this exclusively by squinting at Allen in that way he does.]

We need to know what you saw, Beansprout. [Kanda was very nonspecific with his so like, eat dirt hypocrite, but also.] There might be something worth looking into in there, like with you [to Link,] seeing the inn being constructed by the Thirds.

Oi, both of you hopped on that so fast. Only time you blokes work together is to make me upset or something??? [ He... doesn't seem upset. Just kind of shocked.

It's very likely because his brain is kind of static right now. He's still thinking about Kanda's arm. He's thinking about what he wants to say about that more than anything. He's very purposefully not focusing on the memory of coming out of the forest and seeing what he saw. Not in the forefront of his mind. It's most like... in his head as words at this point. Like writing a biography, but losing the pictures. ]

You lot really don't trust me when I tell ya mine isn't worth looking into? That's hurtful. I said I wasn't gonna hide nothin' anymore, you know. Nothing worth talkin' about. I was being serious.

[ When Allen speaks next, he's not looking at Kanda or Link. He's just talking to the wall between the two of them. He does breathe in a deeply before he starts, like he's trying so very hard to not dig into his emotions about this.

In turn, he just dissociates. ]

I came out of the forest, and my eye flared up. Everything overlapped - like it usually does with my eye, but in one side I saw the town was on fire. And there were corpses all flung about, murdered in various ways. Lenalee, Miranda, and Link were all dead close to the store, while Kanda, Alma and Marie had their throats slit by the well. Reever, Komui and Johnny died together by the lab. Krory was pinned to a wall, and, hard to tell if it was him, but, I think Lavi was close by?

And then my eye stopped reacting and that's when Kanda found me.

[Compared to Allen and Link, Kanda gave next to no context as to what "I saw Alma" even meant, but he doesn't have to ask to assume it was much the same. People they care about, dead, dying, or presumed dead in some horrible fashion. Something specific to each one of them that would elicit the most amount of suffering possible.

Link's eyes fall closed as he looks down towards the floor for a moment.]

I understand that it's difficult to recount, but it gives us valuable information to know. It lends credence to the theory that this entity is forcing us to see things that would make us feel a certain kind of way, particularly if he feeds off pain and suffering.

It isn't a premonition. It's a hypothetical. ...a threat and a warning.

[Yikes. Kanda manages to look mayyybe a little bit sympathetic, if he could, y'know, stop frowning for long enough to pull the whole expression together. He sure did find Allen after that... no fucking wonder. He winces, then looks away off at the other side of the door frame. The one he isn't leaning against, you know.]

No fucking wonder.

["That you were a wreck" goes unspoken.]

Hypothetical... how. [Next, he speaks without really wanting to, grinding his teeth for a moment before his fingers dig into the edges of his jacket.] A threat that others are going to be brought here? Did everyone look as both of you remember? Nothing strange?

Alma didn't look how he did when I last saw him. He looked around our age, and normal.

[ Allen just smiles and tilts his head in a way where the "in what world do you want me to examine corpses and tell you what was different about them?" goes unspoken. ]

Didn't think to check!

[ Sorry for the sass, he's not doing great. ]

[Link tries to think back. He didn't have to view their corpses, at the very least...he's already seen them transform horrifically, so he didn't need more fridge horror to process.]

They honestly seemed...normal. It was difficult to tell if they were as they were before they became thirds, but...I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary with them. I don't know what to make of it, myself.

[Great. Odd man out here. UhhhhhHhHHhhh anywayyyyyy—]

I guess I shouldn't be shocked if this thing is trying to dig at us, then.

Fine, what else do we have to talk about? You've all seen the woman made of shadows, right? The... moose-thing? [What the fuck do you even CALL Moder, help.] There's the fog wall keeping us in, and I heard that there's a second one somewhere out at sea, though I couldn't reasonably look at it myself.

I did say I needed to talk with Link about what happened at Zoogle! We've already talked about proper maddening things right now, so I might as well knock that out of the way! You don't have to stick around, Kanda.

[ He has to talk to you fucking later, anyway. He would do so now, if saying, haha Kanda let's go do [EXCUSE] that doesn't include Link! So. Obviously the ideal is to let Link sit with Allen's demons while he actively gets worse in real time. ]

Assuming you're ready for that! I do have to warn you, I will be talking about Apocryphos more. I really don't hope that shakes your faith at all.

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