( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[transmit]

WHO: Elysium & friends(?)
WHAT: This is now just a catch-all for everything
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: 2024
WARNINGS: Blanket warning for possible explorations of dark themes in general, please tread at your own risk. I will, however, endeavour to include specifics in headers if applicable.

Comments

[transmit]

[ What a wonder it is to repeatedly face devastating losses and yet still find the strength to pick oneself up time and time again. He doesn't need to face her to know what expression she's wearing—he's known her long enough to grasp her convictions and her fierce determination that burns as brightly, if not more so, than her hair. Yet, he looks, because he both hears and feels that kindled and ever-growing intensity directed towards him.

The real question is whether it's something that will continue to burn bright or reduce everything in its wake to ash. Of which, he doesn't really have an answer for. Eventually: ]

… We can't. Give up, that is. [ There's a lengthier pause as he closes his eyes to inhale sharply, only to exhale a sardonic laugh. ] Because… [ … ] There's someone I've promised to be there for, too.

[ Not in as explicit or uncertain words, but… he's reeling in his line to curl his fist a little more tightly. In comparison to her resolve, there's no denying that his own pales in comparison. Still, it didn't necessarily mean he'd give it any less than his best. ]

So, I'm not exactly doing this entirely selflessly, even if Wriothesley's one of the ones I hope we find. I hope we're able to find everyone, but I do have something of a personal stake in this. [ 'something of.' a little like it's a bad thing that he does. a little like he wish he hadn't, buried under the many layers of his forced nonchalance. ]

Even if I didn't, though——for sure. Life's the last thing I'll take half-heartedly.

[ as his medication sits in his pocket, untouched. ]

[wheft]

[ damn..... she gains a moment of clarity for a hot second, and she's about to ask him who it is. malkuth, probably. she doesn't want to think about her grudge right now, not until she's fed up six days from now. ]

Selflessly or not, it doesn't matter what you're doing this for as long as we can get to them before disaster strikes.

[ whatever that may be. her mind couldn't stop cooking worst-case scenarios, but even someone like her, who thought she'd seen the worst the City has to offer, is drawing up a blank. just what kind of nefarious schemes a little backwater town like this has in store for twenty or so people that aren't being managed by a corporation?

but before she can dwell on it any longer, something tugs at her line, and she reels it in and catches... a largemouth bass. tfw im using stardew valley fish here ]

Hm. Looks like I still got it. [ there's a small smile as she shows ely her catch. ] Thanks, though. For hearing me out. Not even Wriothesley knew her name.

[transmit]

[ girl, if it were malkuth she wouldn't even be hearing about this right now. the last thing he wants to do is navigate their complicated relationship, much less remind her of it during a sensitive time……

little does she know, the entire incident ranks so low among the things he's experienced that he doesn't even consider it worth clarifying. woops. ]

Sure. I just thought it'd be extra security to let you to know.

[ meanwhile, there's me, being vague as hell with his catches even after i'd spent ten minutes researching the type of fish they'd find in transylvania. starts crying. yeah, let's go with that. bass for all ]

… But, anytime. The stars don't have to be out for me to lend you an ear. [ a smile back, and he sits up to offer her another hand. ] Let's head back so we can do exactly that. Find him before disaster strikes.