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bondedmeme2026-06-08 02:01 pm
triumvirmod) wrote in bondedmeme2026-06-08 02:01 pm
TEST DRIVE MEME | #01 OVERFLOW
TDM #01 OVERFLOW
Wow! B&B Mods could never have anticipated our first TDM would require an overflow! We're very flattered and honored by all the interest. Please continue to have fun here, away from the captcha demons.
This is open to all players looking to join our game or simply have some fun. Play on this TDM does not equate to intent or obligation to apply to join. Players on this TDM should follow all game rules and Characters should meet all game suitability standards per our FAQ. TDM threads are considered game canon for characters who join! The Moon Pact is in power for the full duration of this TDM, putting Sun Pact characters as in service. Moon Pact bindings are presently glittering silver and Sun Pact bindings are unpolished brass. Pact and Class can both be freely player assigned and swapped at will for the purpose of the TDM.
This is open to all players looking to join our game or simply have some fun. Play on this TDM does not equate to intent or obligation to apply to join. Players on this TDM should follow all game rules and Characters should meet all game suitability standards per our FAQ. TDM threads are considered game canon for characters who join! The Moon Pact is in power for the full duration of this TDM, putting Sun Pact characters as in service. Moon Pact bindings are presently glittering silver and Sun Pact bindings are unpolished brass. Pact and Class can both be freely player assigned and swapped at will for the purpose of the TDM.
Overseer, Awaken and Conquer
CW: Descriptions of dubiously consensual touch, choking, hallucinations, falling.
The Hands that Grasp
Consciousness wanes. From calm oblivion reaches a pair of elegant hands. Fingertips caress, trailing physical form, mapping curves and divots. Some dark or desperate compulsion leans into the comfort of this touch. The hands dig in. Clasping tight at the neck and pull downward. Down and down, through unclear space, through unclear time. Your character awakens with a start. Where they last felt those hands grasping into them, a collar now rests. Prying does not budge the solid metal, which is either of silver or of brass. Before their eyes is a pane of stained glass. Inscribed in a language all can read are the words Overseer, Awaken and Conquer.
The Glass Coffins
Overseers awaken, contained within a coffin of ornate, metal framework and glass. For some, a light push will cause the lid to swing open. For others, the enclosure may stick or prove too heavy to budge. Breaking free is an option, though mysteriously, the glass fully repairs itself within minutes of sustaining damage. Other Overseers may be present throughout the hallways, willing and able to aid in opening stubborn coffins. That is, should their unlucky inhabitants be able to get their attention through the sound dampening barrier. Overseers continually awaken, either individually or in batches, throughout the month. This will last until the day of the upcoming solstice.
The Gilded Cradle
Innumerable rows of glass coffins line the interior of a grand cathedral tower. Somehow, the name of this stained glass spire is imprinted in the mind of all Overseers. This is known as the Gilded Cradle within Absentia. Where or what is Absentia? How did they arrive here? Why are they here? The answers to such questions remain unknown. These names are as far as the foreign memory serves Overseers. The foggy corridors spiral downward, a staircase connecting floor after floor of largely unopened coffins. Many have glass too hazy to see within. The hallways are heavy with the scent of lavender tinged magic and lightning storm ozone, made visible as a thick haze in the air. Through this fog, Overseers may notice one another or they may see phantoms running by. People familiar to them. Chasing after these figments is a foolish endeavor, they will pick up speed into the thick of the fog. There, they will disappear. This can leave unsuspecting Overseers teetering on the topmost edge of a stairwell or allow their momentum to throw them over the central railing. A fall to the Cradle's ground floor isn't enough to kill an Overseer turns out, but it will injure. Beginning your journey battered is merely an added misfortune.
The Castle Constructs
When Overseers leave the Gilded Cradle, they find they're trapped within an abandoned castle. While exploring they find no other living creatures other than fellow Overseers. Throughout the halls and rooms of the castle rest Constructs. These figures are shells of either iron or brass, with a variety of gargoyle-like appearances. They stand with their wings tucked around their bodies. Littered throughout the location, their placements can often clue in to their former duties as the Castle attendants. These Constructs remain completely inert until two Overseers of the same Pact pass by. Iron Constructs react to pairs of Moon Pact members, while Brass Constructs come alive near pairs of Sun Pact members. When awakened, they unfurl and stand to a height ranging from around three-to-six foot tall. The Constructs promptly begin to carry out butler-like duties, as if they were long ago set to a schedule of operation. When presented with a task they can no longer seem to accomplish, they merely pantomime the action before moving onward. (These NPCs can be player controlled and are non-hostile unless attacked first.)
Locked In
CW: Survival themes, food insecurity, exchanging sex for goods and services.
➤Attentive characters will discover quickly that Constructs bring extra rations as room service to those in Power. This at first appears exclusive to the Moon Pact within the Hall of Overseers. The Constructs do this when Overseers have sex in the luxury of the lower floor rooms. However, the Constructs range of understanding is a bit impaired, so fucking in the courtyard also works to call food and drink, regardless of Pact alignment.
➤For those seeking a more direct approach to acquiring extra rations, there's always robbery. The Constructs are not highly fortified. Their routes from the kitchen to the Hall of Overseers are easy enough to intercept. They do resist Overseers who attempt to steal from them, defending the food if attacked. Overseers who damage Constructs find they simply curl back into their wings, where they become both immobile and invulnerable from further damage. They will repair themselves in time and do not... appear... to hold a grudge. The Overseers whose meals were hijacked might, though.
The Kitchen
The kitchen of Absentia is vast, meant to accommodate for a castle population in the hundreds. Long abandoned, any food reserves have turned to dust or rot. All that remains are a series of strange machines, humming with dull magic. Only operable by the castles resident Constructs, hungry Overseers would be advantaged to activate the inactive Constructs scattered nearby. Once occupying the kitchen, Constructs are more likely to provide a meager serving of food to Overseers who have used magic recently or who hold Influence. (Characters playing this TDM with no canon powers may presume they hold (1) Influence for this and subsequent prompts.)The Hall of Overseers
To the west of the Gilded Cradle there lies a long, rectangular housing structure, framing a vast courtyard. Rain from the storm overhead patters down constantly. Rooms for Overseers line the open air hallways overlooking the nature within the central outdoor space. At this time, those of the Moon Pact enjoy the lower floors of the indoor sections, with luxurious accommodations. These include private rooms with a fireplace, claw foot baths with clean running water, a variety of furniture, and a plush bed. The upper level indoor rooms are for the Overseers presently in service, the Sun Pact. These rooms are all shared and scarcely furnished. Hammocks and bunk beds are provided to house three or four Overseers per cramped room. These upper location hallways have shared bathroom spaces and no private amenities provided. Overseer names are engraved upon the door frame of their assigned rooms. There is no access given to rooms without this engraving. Overseers need to be invited in to rooms they do not own or share. (Rooms are fully self assigned by Players and can change freely between threads. Pact is likewise self assigned, but should match the room type described above. Moon Pact characters are free to invite Sun Pact characters into their rooms, and visa-versa.)
The Hands that Feed
As Overseers settle in, they find resources are thin and accessible castle space highly limited. There is no exit from the castle at this time. Trying to fly out over the top of Hall of Overseers courtyard results in perpetually being turned around by the Storm until exhausted. Overseers who try to smash windows or break through the architecture find their magic or strength immediately drained. Teleportation leads back to where one attempted to leave from. The trap feels inescapable. This inevitably creates an air of frustration and futility within the awakened Overseer ranks. All there is to do is to make do.➤Attentive characters will discover quickly that Constructs bring extra rations as room service to those in Power. This at first appears exclusive to the Moon Pact within the Hall of Overseers. The Constructs do this when Overseers have sex in the luxury of the lower floor rooms. However, the Constructs range of understanding is a bit impaired, so fucking in the courtyard also works to call food and drink, regardless of Pact alignment.
➤For those seeking a more direct approach to acquiring extra rations, there's always robbery. The Constructs are not highly fortified. Their routes from the kitchen to the Hall of Overseers are easy enough to intercept. They do resist Overseers who attempt to steal from them, defending the food if attacked. Overseers who damage Constructs find they simply curl back into their wings, where they become both immobile and invulnerable from further damage. They will repair themselves in time and do not... appear... to hold a grudge. The Overseers whose meals were hijacked might, though.
The Courtyard
The courtyard at the center of the Hall of Overseers is a public space with five distinct sections. At the center, there is an ornate fountain that serves as the most reliable, public spot for clean drinking water. The fountain depicts the three Classes, though all of them are partially destroyed. The Ruler has their hands broken off, the Dragon is missing its head, and the pegasus shaped Herald has a hole in its chest. Grimly, the water flows from each of these missing pieces into the pool below. This space is open and visible to all, especially from the higher rooms of the Hall. This central location serves well as a social hub and meet up point for Overseers to congregate, though it is perpetually raining here.
➤Heralds and Dragons experience their first urge to transform within the Courtyard. They are able to resist it, if their willpower is sufficiently high, but the compulsion is strong. Dragons feel a need to shed their skin, to fly and be free. There is not much room for multiple, large dragons to do either of these things. Mind your wings! Heralds begin to feel territorial, wishing to reinvigorate the long dead space. Heralds are able to terraform within the confines of garden planters as they see fit, but they may find them destroyed by Dragons or usurped by other Heralds. Miniature territory disputes may serve as practice for times ahead. Rulers can hear mysterious whispers throughout the Courtyard, but especially nearby the fountain. If they acknowledge these whispers aloud, they will get a response. Those Rulers who listen closely can hear the mocking words "you're not leaving this time."
The other four quadrants surrounding the central fountain are overgrown and wild, contrasting the initially desolate central area. These spaces are each themed to a different season; spring, summer, fall, and winter. Once Overseers enter one of the gated in spaces, the area within appears larger than the outside barrier suggests. The temperature varies wildly between each, though the Storm over head remains consistent. Each contains a singular hideaway which the Constructs will bring food to. These shield Overseers from outside view, but may turn out to be in hot demand. Mind yourselves if trying to sneak into one of these spots for privacy, they may already be taken! (Each hideaway may be customized at player discretion to suit their threads. A single piece of furniture for leisure may be present, like a lounge or hammock. Some ideas for natural spaces would be hidden behind a waterfall, beneath a canopy of trees, a frosty cave, or an alcove hidden by fallen leaves.)
➤Starting a week into June, there is a new development within the courtyard.
➤Heralds and Dragons experience their first urge to transform within the Courtyard. They are able to resist it, if their willpower is sufficiently high, but the compulsion is strong. Dragons feel a need to shed their skin, to fly and be free. There is not much room for multiple, large dragons to do either of these things. Mind your wings! Heralds begin to feel territorial, wishing to reinvigorate the long dead space. Heralds are able to terraform within the confines of garden planters as they see fit, but they may find them destroyed by Dragons or usurped by other Heralds. Miniature territory disputes may serve as practice for times ahead. Rulers can hear mysterious whispers throughout the Courtyard, but especially nearby the fountain. If they acknowledge these whispers aloud, they will get a response. Those Rulers who listen closely can hear the mocking words "you're not leaving this time."
Grief Hath Mates
Class Scenarios
Note: The following prompts are available for all Players, though abilities should always match up with a character's present Class! Class for characters on the TDM can change between threads, but should not change mid-thread. This fully locks down upon acceptance to the game. Characters are presently "unstable" in their Pact and Class assignments, so all threads can remain canon, even if they contradict Pact or Class assigned later on. Any changes made to shared setting environments below are temporary, so feel free to play with destructive and creation powers as specified.
RULERS
➤Rulers who attempt to speak to the Constructs will find they are reacted to in a way the Dragons and Heralds are not. Constructs do not speak back, but they are more attentive towards Rulers regardless of their Influence level. If asked where something is, Constructs will dutifully guide the Ruler to the location in question if it exists. Sometimes, Constructs will open up previously locked doors. None of these lead outside, but they offer some new clues to how the castle once operated in the past. Rulers can open up additional rooms to explore such as a drawing room, a music room, a wine cellar, and a smoking room. These rooms all have basic supplies for their given activity, including aged wine and cigars in the latter two respectively. Rulers with clever tongues or manipulative sensibilities can convince the Constructs to leave them “in charge” of a room. This grants the Ruler a key to the door they can leverage as they please. (Players can play their Ruler as if they hold exclusive control of a room, but this is not imposed TDM-wide. Multiple Rulers can each claim the same type room, no player actually holds full IC/OOC control.)
DRAGONS
➤Dragons are going to be the first to snap under such cramped conditions. Their natural urges are to spread out and fly, not be stuck within a castle. The more volatile Dragons will find their natural instinct is to go Berserk. Berserk mode can be engaged in either their humanoid or Dragon form, though Dragons can only transform at this time within the confines of the Courtyard. If Dragons are causing trouble in the Courtyard, luring or forcing them out of the Courtyard at large forces a Dragon to return to their humanoid form. Getting in fights may not be productive, but it might provide some enrichment to Overseers wishing to challenge each other or keep the peace. (Reminder: Dragons, regardless of form, are especially durable and may prove difficult to subdue! Rulers are best suited to this task, given they have a natural advantage over Dragons. Heralds can make their own attempts, it is simply more risky for them given how fragile they are.) Dragons of more even temperaments can make themselves productive by using relevant elemental magic around the castle. The castle interior is lit only by the dull glow of the sun or moon, which are often dulled by the cloud cover overhead. Providing temperature control or lighting could be a great ease to their own mental state, as well as benefit their fellow Overseers.
HERALDS
➤While cooked rice, dried meat, and pickled vegetables are largely what is being provided, there is a distinct lack of fruit or alcohol coming out of the kitchen. Heralds may find themselves especially desperate for these. Within the courtyard only, they can flex their newly found Class abilities to rapidly influence nature. Heralds may find themselves having vivid daydreams about their favorite fresh fruits from home. These fantasies manifest, growing the imagined fruits from nearby vines, bushes, and trees. This can happen deliberately or entirely by accident. However, due to the imperfect nature of both memory and imagination, these fruits are never fully accurate recreations. The taste and quality of the fruit end up heavily influenced by a Herald’s own subjective experience and are prone to exaggeration. Any fruit from any world is allowed, these simply cannot cause any magical effects. Devious Heralds which imagine poisonous fruits can injure, but not kill fellow Overseers. Such produce can be used to make alcohol by those with the knowledge and wherewithal to do so. Any manner of food is in demand and Heralds have this to provide. Replenishing energy though sex is always an option to help produce more or better resources of this kind.
OOC Info
What is Overflow posting Etiquette?
If you have a Top Level post on the Original TDM, then feel free to repost it in full or with new prompts below! Reply to your own, new top level with carry over threads, rather than create new top levels for each carry over thread. For COMPLETELY new Top Levels (or those reposted from page 4 of the last TDM post), we will have a Directory below exclusively for finding those. Players who posted their TL link on the previous Top Level Directory are welcome to edit a link to their overflow into their previous directory post.
Can I reserve my character before applying?
If you want to claim a character spot in advance of applications opening, our Reserves Page opens on the 10th of June, through to the 15th. This is not required for application, but highly recommended even for original or obscure characters. Reserving provides an instant-pass through 1st month game Activity Check! It also provides Moderation with an idea of incoming player numbers!
How do I apply to join the game?
Head over to our Application Page. These open up on June 15th and close on the 20th. The game officially opens on the 21st of June, barring any unexpected delays.
Is there an OOC space I can discuss potential plans?
Take a look at our Enable-me-Please for OOC discussions and plotting!
no subject
[His is also iron, so that's... nice? But he has barely spent any time in that room because it's so opulent. It's weird. He doesn't like or trust it.]
Hah, that's what I like to hear! I need the booze more than I need the food!
[This may literally be true. I'm not convinced Vicious needs to eat.]
I do plan on keepin' an eye on people here, just to see how things are goin'. So I guess I'll let ya know if I see anythin' interestin' too.
[He would have zero problems with exchanging sex for food, and food for more booze, but he is not aware that's a thing just yet.]
no subject
[She's been doing so already for quite a while, so it's not too bad, at least. But gods, she fiddles with her brassy collar and chuckles a bit as she takes another swig of her glass, finishing it off. Goodbye sweet wine...
Hina looks over when Vicious says that, though, and she finds herself smiling and chuckling a bit.]
Goodness, you sound exactly like you come from Gensokyo with that attitude...but very well. I shall more than try to do the same; if there is anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to let me know, hm?
I've learned a little of how this place works, and while it can be a touch...odd, at times, I want to ensure that as many of us are able to live and get out as possible. Or failing that, make our stay as comfortable as possible!
no subject
[But maybe she's the sort of person who prefers sleeping out in nature, and he can't really blame her for that. There's something really wonderful about sleeping out under the stars... but he'll take a bed over grass any day of the week. It's not like he has many opportunities to sleep in a bed, after all.]
Can't say I'm gonna be quite that kind-hearted, but I ain't gonna stand in your way either. Lookin' forward to seein' how all this pans out, anyway.
no subject
You...do not mind? That's...you should at least try to make use of the accommodations you have to their fullest, but I will certainly not say no! Thank you; you're very kind!
[She's made most of her little huts in the forest on her own and it's honestly wild, the idea of an actual room to sleep in. On her own, and not a forcibly carved out small space in nature that she could absolutely be intimidated out of...her savior...]
Perhaps I'll look forward to seeing how this turns out, as well. I had originally thought it to be concerning to be away from my work, but...this is sort of an opportunity in it's own right, isn't it?
no subject
[And maybe it'll be nice to have someone else around so it doesn't feel so oppressively quiet in there. It's strange how you can end up missing the sounds of wildlife and the wind when you're stuck in some fancy-ass room.]
That's what I'm thinkin'. I got shit to get back to as well, but it ain't like the Nation of Sin's goin' anywhere while I'm here. May as well enjoy the ride!
no subject
[Hina smiles at that, though, looking to the last of the bottle of wine that she currently has and considering for a moment...
Before she makes to press the bottle and what's left of it into Vicious's hand without hesitation. He deserves it, as far as she's concerned.]
...Thank you for looking out for me. As much as I will insist you needn't repay me, I will not reject your kindness. I will simply endeavor to return the favor to you, time and time again.
no subject
Perhaps he should stop and examine his eagerness to find companionship with her, but he's not the sort to sit and analyze his choices. He does things because he wants to, and that's all it has to be.]
"Kindness" ain't a word most would use for me, but I won't argue it today. Thanks, though. For the drinks an' the conversation.
[...]
I've never really... met anyone who kinda gets it. I've met transgressors, sure, an' I've even got an informant who seems to like me well enough despite everythin'. But no one else can come close to understandin' what it's like to have the whole world against ya.
...So I mean it. It's good, knowin' I'm not quite as alone as I always thought I was.
ONE TIMESKIP LATER...
...She's a little too realistic for that, sadly.
But all the same, Vicious has been incredibly good to her. The lush accommodations had been something Hina needed to get used to, but even sleeping upon this floor was more comfortable than sleeping outside. She enjoyed having something that she could share with someone else at the end of the night, and it helped that Hina managed to get access to the Wine Cellar again; it's been far more depleted than when she first saw it, but she at least managed to get a couple more bottles in the process. Drinking and talking have become almost routine on more difficult nights, and it's nice.
It's as Hina nears the Courtyard today that she hears a hideous sound--it sounds like shrieking, almost, but...no, deeper perhaps. Screaming? Hina would normally freeze in place--she's largely defenseless, as she's said to Vicious before--but the voice that's coming from there...]
That's--!
[Hina opens the door to the courtyard and kicks herself into the air, flying off to find the source of that noise. He better be okay. He better be.
...She truly hopes that this isn't something dire.]
no subject
...It's weird, but not really a bad kind of weird.
Hina's been a near constant companion, partially because they're sharing his elaborate room (and he is going to insist on throwing his blankets at her if she's going to insist on taking the floor!!) and partially because... well, because he likes her. He seeks her out frequently, even when he doesn't want booze (which is exceptionally rare) just because he likes her company. That's been nice; he always assumed he was a lone wolf sort, but maybe that was just out of necessity.
It also helps that she's a familiar face in a sea of people he doesn't know; she knows more about him than anyone else, and that's kind of nice, in a way.
But there's also been that nagging, oppressive itch in the back of his mind - the need to do something, though he hasn't been able to figure out what exactly it is. It gets worse out in the courtyard, and yet he finds himself drawn out there more often than not. Today's the day the dam finally breaks - he's been reluctant to give in to that itch because he worries it might trigger his power, and he won't be able to stop it if it does.
What happens instead is entirely different. With a frustrated, almost wounded scream, he finally transforms fully for the first time.
What had started as twin fiery horns on his head and a long, whip-like skeletal and black scaled tail quickly spreads like wildfire across him, dark scales sliding up his back, down over his hips, across his arms and legs until they've hardened into claws. The maddening itch of his shoulder blades finally breaks, by way of shadowy, scaled wings piercing through his back and unfurling as the transformation takes hold. In the blink of an eye he goes from (mostly) humanoid to growing in size, arms and legs transforming into clawed talons and larger limbs and ending in a truly draconic form. The twin horns on his head are joined by smaller ones, looking molten and burning despite the fact that they're solid horn. The black scales on his hide are thick and sturdy, giving him a shadowy appearance beneath the large white skeletal bones that frame his form almost like armor. His tail is still thin and whip-like, black scales beneath the same skeletal bones.
Hanging from around his neck is a heavy iron crown - sharp spires rising upwards, but not quite high enough to risk piercing the scales beneath his chin. Heavy chains bind the crown to him, keeping it safely secured around his neck.
The roar that follows is definitely draconic, and not exactly a pleased one.]
no subject
A genuine, actual dragon. Even in Gensokyo, such things are almost akin to urban legends or myths--they're some of the highest Gods that exist in all of Gensokyo, after all. Beings that control wind, weather, destruction and creation all the same. They're something even more powerful than her by leagues, and...
It slowly starts to dawn on Hina, that she recognizes things in this dragon. Those borderline molten horns in particular catch Hina's attention as she looks upon this crowned dragon, and for a brief moment, she's stunned.]
...Vicious...?
[She had merely assumed that he was a human with a bloodstained past. To think that he carried within him the power of a godly being...something about this doesn't feel right, and Hina isn't sure she can take him in a proper fight. But she has to know. She has to confirm it, and that's what sees Hina floating into the fray, armed with nothing and flying in to attempt to get Vicious's attention off of anyone else.]
Vicious?! Is that you, Vicious?!
no subject
And with that feeling comes a base need to destroy. There are so many people here who create, who grow things - why should he let them do that, when he could destroy them? There isn't any rational thought to it, otherwise he'd try to stop himself. The fruit they're producing is important to survival, after all, but who needs logical thought when you have base instincts that need to be met.
Suddenly, there's a person floating in his view, and he snaps his large fangs at her. Vicious, yes, that's his name. He can recognize that even through the haze of his mind, but he can't quite put two and two together when his instincts are telling him he needs to act.
Whether she dodges the snap of his jaws or not, his tail slices through the air next, aiming to grab her by the legs to get her out of the way. There are people creating things and he's going to stop them - after he gets rid of this pesky one, that is.]
no subject
[Hina attempts to plead--she doesn't know if he can actually hear her but some part of her wants to reach the man, if it really is him. She's essentially taking a chance, and the fact that he's stopped should be good enough, right? That's what she thinks. That's what she hopes.
But those hopes are sharply dashed the moment that Vicious snaps his jaws at her, forcing Hina to draw back as fast as she can float away. It's that realization that this is going to have to be a fight that makes Hina hesitate for a moment. She doesn't have a weapon, she doesn't have the means to fight back, but if she doesn't find someone or something, she's going to have to improvise and--
Hina doesn't expect the tail to move at all, and while she manages to see it before it can ensnare both of her legs, it still tightly winds around one of them and Hina struggles in the air as she attempts to fly away. Maybe if she can distract him, she can defeat him through attrition, and even that makes her hesitate because she doesn't want to hurt her friend and only source of protection.
So Hina does the only thing she can think of, and brings one of the wine bottles from one of her dress pockets out to try and hit that tail with, before he can cause any major harm to her.
...It hurts about as much as one could expect. She's defenseless, get her--]
no subject
His tail's grip on her leg tightens - it's likely outright painful now, if not quite literally bone-crushing. With a flick, that tail moves to toss her back toward the castle, away from the courtyard and the domains he's so eager to destroy.]
no subject
[Hina screams.
At first, it's due to the crushing pain that ensnares her leg, her ineffectual strikes stopping entirely as one of her eyes scrunches shut. She's panicking, not just for herself but for others, because she can't do anything right now. Who cares about her leg when she can just fly, after all?
The scream only gets louder as Hina is flung, her grip on the wine bottle slipping entirely and sending it crashing to the ground--and she herself is flung through a window, back into the castle and landing on her leg as it crunches uncomfortably, and Hina realizes that's certainly going to be an injury she can't just walk off. The pain is searing, and she's pretty sure she's bleeding now. She feels like she's in a daze, truthfully.
In other words, rather than mostly defenseless, she's completely defenseless now. She doesn't know if she's managed to keep Vicious's attention enough to make him come after her, but...
Well, if he's distracted by killing her, he won't hurt anyone else, right? Maybe?
...It's a dull hope in a mind too clouded by pain to respond.]
no subject
Only for his form to suddenly waver and shift before vanishing entirely, sending Vicious falling through the air to duck and roll to stick the landing. It's surprisingly fluid, considering how little control he just had, but instinct is a thing Vicious has always operated on, and he'd rather not break his legs from the fall.
Unlike before, he's retained more of his draconic traits this time. The twin horns and whip-like tail remain, as well as sharp claws and talons replacing his boots, and dark patchy scales scattered across his skin. There are even some on his face, trailing up to where they've grown across the tops of his ears, giving them a pointed look. The shadowy wings are there for a moment longer before they vanish as if they were folded up neatly into his back.
He's scrambling over to Hina as soon as he's landed, without a moment to spare for his physical changes or... well, anything that just happened.]
Hina! Shit, are you alright!?
no subject
Her end doesn't come. Hina hears footsteps scrambling to her, a shout, and she dares to look up and sees...]
Vicious! Vicious, you're--
[Hina attempts to get up despite her injuries, despite blood and glass and her very distinctly broken leg--she tries, and she crumples to the ground too quickly to likely do anything, but she tries. And she...
She looks so relieved to see him, despite it all.]
It does not matter. Vicious, what of you? What happened...?
no subject
(The last time he lost control, he was the only one left.)]
Don't be stupid, 'course it matter! Lemme see it.
[He moves to crouch next to her, tail whipping around in agitation. It's obvious immediately that her leg is broken - she's not going to be putting any weight on it for walking or getting up, anyway.]
Shit. I think we've gotta bandage it and set it, but I don't know the first thing 'bout healin' injuries...
[He's never needed to know. Why would he, when he can simply regenerate from anything that hurts him in a short amount of time? Misella stabbed him and he recovered that same night. A broken leg would last mere minutes for him.
She's asked him a question, though, and he struggles to figure out how to explain... any of that.]
...I dunno. I just... needed to do somethin', and apparently that somethin' was "turn into a damn dragon". Look, that ain't important. We've gotta see to your leg. I can carry you back to the room an' we can use some of the blankets for bandages, maybe break some of the furniture for splints... We're gonna need to find a doctor or somethin'.
no subject
...
That's a crisis for later, Hina thinks. Hina lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and while her own silence goes on for a bit, that look of confusion present on her face as she looks to him.]
Vicious... [...] I suppose that makes two of us. It really isn't that much trouble, you know; I'll simply need to rely on my flight for a little while, it isn't...you don't have to...
[Care so much, she wants to say. Waste supplies on me, she also wants to say. Hell, she's already starting to tear at the bottom of her dress in lieu of wasting bandages that could be used on people, but--]
...Vicious, I'm far more worried about you. I've never seen you get into such a state before--I was frightened that you may have been harmed, or consumed by something, or...
[Hina pauses, unsure of how to finish any of that, before breathing.]
...Perhaps we should head upstairs, for a time. But I am so glad to see you're okay.
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[Maybe if it was someone else, he'd be fine letting this go. Maybe he'd be fine just giving them a wide berth or shoving them off on someone with the right medical knowledge. But it's Hina. She's the closest thing he has to a friend in this damn place, and look at what he did to her, entirely because he couldn't control himself.
Very fucking fitting that this world decided he'd have another way to lose control, he thinks bitterly.]
...You're right, yeah. No sense stickin' 'round here.
[He moves to help her up, offering her his shoulder and arm and mindful of the still-clawed nails. He can't help but eye his scales bitterly.]
I can carry you if you need me to. We'll head back up to the room.
[At the very least they can get the open wounds covered. He can go searching for someone who knows how the fuck to set a leg afterwards. Damn, if only Yuna was here, she'd already know who to turn to for this...]
...An' ya don't need to worry 'bout me. I'm fine.
[It's short, clipped, and displeased; it would've been better if he'd been the one injured by his transformation, because at least then he'd recover from it quickly.]
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Hina will take the offered arm, wrapping her own arm around him as she stops tearing at her dress, as she trusts him to take care of her.]
...If you insist, I will not stop you.
[It's gentle as Hina says it, though, her voice soft. She'll at least use her magic so that way she can at least float and ensure he doesn't have to carry her--she can follow along easily enough, though it's clear she's going to need to rest after this. She can't help but feel guilty; if she had her powers, she could have averted this altogether. She could have done her job, taken the misfortune of this whole situation away, and--
It doesn't take long to reach that lavish room, and Hina will sit on the blanket nest he's insisted she at least have for herself. Sure, it'll be one less blanket soon, but now that they're alone, Hina's eyes soften in Vicious's direction.]
...Regardless of what has taken place today, I do not blame you, Vicious. You know that, don't you?
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[He helps her up and soon she's floating, though he remains close in case she needs his shoulder or arm. It's the least he can do to try to make this right.
For once, he's silent on the way back. Usually he's content to yap about whatever's been happening, but that isn't always the case. It's not like he's opposed to comfortable silence, after all. But this isn't comfortable; this silence is weighty and oppressive.
It's been a long time since he last caused problems on accident. He prefers to own up to it, to intentionally make a scene. At least then it's entirely in his control, and those sins are easier to bear. The sting of it hasn't lessened after all this time. He can't help but feel like a scared, lost little kid again despite how long it's been and despite how different this was. Even now, that draconic side of him hums in the back of his head, eager to destroy and be let back out. He won't let it. It's just another thing to be sealed away, to avoid hurting anyone else.
Once Hina's safely in the blanket nest and Vicious has selected a suitable sheet for the bandaging process, he's busy ripping it to long shreds. At least the claws are good for something, he supposes. Hina speaks up though, and he pauses in his work to stare at her. Slit pupils widen in confusion.]
You should, 'cause it was my doin'. I broke your damn leg, Hina. There's no tellin' how long it'll take to recover from that, an' that's if it heals well. It's not like we've got a damn surplus of medical supplies here, y'know.
[He moves to examine her leg, looking for the larger cuts that need to be bandaged. It gives him something to do with his hands (claws) that feels halfway productive.]
It wasn't like I wanted to hurt ya, but that changes nothin'. I did, an' so I gotta do what I can to make it right.
[Own your sins. He never could turn a blind eye to them, and he's unwilling to start now.]
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[Hina will let him work, obviously; she's not going to stop him when he's clearly trying so hard, even with those changes. He's taking all of this blame upon himself for something he outright said he didn't want to do. How is this fair? How is this fair to him in the slightest?
Despite it all, Hina's words are still gentle, but no less stern as she speaks to Vicious.]
There's making it right, and then there's drowning yourself within the blame. You said it yourself that you had no desire to bring me harm, and I believe you entirely. Even if it was your actions that led to this, how is it at all fair to blame you when you were out of your mind?
[Hina reaches out to place a hand atop one of Vicious' own, not to get him to stop, but to at least try to get him to listen to her. Humans usually respond to touch sometimes, right? Maybe. She doesn't know--]
...I don't want you to be destroyed by your own mind because you made a mistake.
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It was one thing to lose control when he was younger, when he was struggling just to pass as human and pretend to be like other people. It wasn't an excuse - never will be - but it was a bit understandable that a lone kid with no mentor or guardian would struggle to figure out his place in the damn world and how to prevent his overwhelming power from causing havoc.
But here and now? He knows how to control himself. He's been doing it for years. Sure, the dragon thing is new, but it's the same damn principle - you fight it down and you control it, and then you don't have to deal with feeling like crap after it goes haywire.]
...If the Enforcers can't destroy me, then my own mind sure doesn't stand a chance. I ain't gonna let anythin' do that.
[He hesitates for a moment, eyes flicking to her leg before returning to her face.]
It's... not the first time I've lost control. The dragon thing's new, so it ain't exactly the same, but I've dealt with shit like this before. Part of why I'm the Great Transgressor, y'know? That title ain't just for show.
[His gaze drops again and he resumes work with the bandages. It's difficult with claws instead of hands, but not impossible. He ties off the bandages as best he can and sits back on his heels.]
...Ownin' my sins is an important part of my power. I can't pretend like they didn't happen, or it wasn't my fault. I lost control, an' you were hurt 'cause of it. That's somethin' I can't take back.
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It's an unfamiliar feeling, Hina thinks. Not because she hasn't had such things happen, but because they've always been so rare. It's the entire reason she doesn't keep close to humans after all. It's the entire reason she doesn't grow close to...anyone, really.
Hina turns it all over in her head as he finishes up, her gaze staying on him the entire time as her green eyes look to him, before she nods her head.]
...I do apologize if I at all made it seem as if I wanted you to absolve yourself entirely of blame. That is...unfair to the progress you have made, I think; unfair to the responsibility that you take for your actions.
Even if you cannot take such things back, though, I refuse to despise you for such a thing. Even now, you admit this draconic power is new to you; even now, you have taken the steps to attempt to ensure that I am able to heal from the injuries that you have caused me.
...Though I may not know how to live like men do, nor understand all of what you have been through, I think that speaks more of you than your previous actions.
[...]
Will you...come here, for a moment?
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[To understand why he's so adamant about looking at things this way, and why he's so stubbornly refusing to let it go. Another sin to bear, one he cannot and will not forget.]
Like I said before, you're too kind. But I ain't gonna try to stop ya, if that's what ya wanna do.
[He's likewise not going to stop her from whatever it is she wants to do with him closer, though Vicious does incline his head a bit in curiosity.]
Sure. [He scoots closer as well, so she doesn't have to reach as far for whatever it is she wants with him.] Why?
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