( 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

→ city of dreams, cyoa.

[transmit]

( ooc: for the more "lighthearted" memories that can still involve Elysium's condition and commentary on his world if you so desire. Leave me a comment with your character's kemonomimi of choice (this is not an option it is a must, there are no humans in Arknights!!) and I'll customise these on an individual basis based on what parameters you might be interested in below:

I.) RHODES ISLAND TOUR.

• Your character is a new operator for Rhodes Island, a paramilitary organisation, and Elysium is tasked as their tour guide
• A landship that is at least 800 metres long, it's host to all sorts of facilities: a garden for herbs and flowers, acres of farmland for crops and livestock, a school, dormitories, a cafeteria (with a notice board for club postings), bars, a blood bank (we have vampires, btw), an armory, a workshop and robotics facility, storage vaults, stores for non-essentials, a department for literally everything (medical, engineering, fieldwork, human resources, logistics, procurement), and recreational spaces for all ages.
• There is honestly so much. Too much. Everything here is also considered fair game
• But especially of note: an incineration facility to safely dispose of Infected who have reached their end of life without risk of infection spreading and a memorabilia room for KIA operators' equipment
• It's capable of movement, dwbi
• OPTIONAL: This can include any "treatments" and or "screenings" your character may have to go through if you'd like them to get the know for Oripathy, though not all operators on Rhodes Island are necessarily Infected

II.) A DAY IN THE LIFE.

• Your character is either an operator in a temporary squad helmed by Elysium or one of the Infected they're tasked with saving
• Experience their full discrimination, basically. Someone they'd consider a friend or family would quickly turn on them the moment they're considered Infected, and most regions will have them exiled to slums or outskirts entirely
• Oripathy side effects be wild: can dull/damage any of the five senses, affect speech patterns, cause various states of psychosis, mutate body parts (overgrown claws, horns, tails), the sky's the limit if you'd like your character to experience any of these effects or any kind of effects, really, real-time

Just lmk what you'd like! Also, if animals aren't to your liking, there are all manners of fantasy species as well. We can have fun with it! )

[enkefailin]

[i said so on plurk already but placing this here for both of our reference... give me the II option and make netzach a lop rabbit. furry that robot. let him see how things suck in your world, buddy.]

[transmit]

[ Elysium is no Cautus, but there's a commonality between many of the ones that have found residence in Rhodes Island, at least of those who hail from Rim Billiton. A story concocted from Elysium's own memories of what he's seen and heard of their circumstances, nestled amidst rugged terrain, Netzach will find himself in one of its mines, surrounded by peers of his age and younger.

He may realise he's "lucky." Instead of being equipped with a pickaxe, armed with explosives, or made to drive carts towing loads of black ore by the tonnes, he's a safe distance away from the brunt of the work, clipboard in hand in full protective attire. More precisely, it appears "he" had been inspecting the health of these workers, their life expectancies in full display before his eyes. Not many of them will have many years to live if they have any left at all. They spare the occasional furtive glace in his direction. They do not look unwilling, necessarily, but they do appear to bear an exhaustion that's beyond physical. As covered up as they are, there's no hiding the peeks of black crystals on their skin, some more overt than others, spanning entire sections of it or simply dotting along the lines of their necks.

A voice will supply: who'd want to work in a mine willingly? Rim Billiton may employ Infected unlike most other territories, but work such as this couldn't be considered a grace when it all but guarantees a shorter life. The dream shifts to similar fraught conditions in Infected losing work merely because they've developed the ailment, clinics they'd once been accepted at turning them away, and fellow citizens withdrawing from being in proximity, their glances anything but friendly. And yet again, this is considered "kinder," as they're at least permitted to exist in the same space they've always had.

The final cut before the memory settles might be, "Look, I'm just as upset as you that your parents died… but dying of work-related illnesses is how it is around these parts. You have it easy here. Why do you have to go?" Another story, unfortunately, that isn't terribly uncommon amongst the uninfected Cautus in Rhodes Island. The desire for change. For improvement. ]

… Welcome aboard. [ Before him is Elysium, standing bent at his knees with his hand extended out, presumably for him to take to climb into their vehicle. His smile is complicated. ] I heard you wanted wanted to join the research team. They do some pretty incredible stuff! You must be a smart guy.

[enkefailin]

[just how it is around these parts...

well, that might be true. it rings true with what netzach has always known in his actual life, too-- all of this does, making it easy enough to fall into place in this dream. day in and day out, things are the same; people suffer, and are told they're lucky for it (lucky to work here, to be in this position, despite everything).

when netzach blinks and opens his eyes once more, looking at the hand offered out to him, he takes it without much expression at all, gripping elysium's hand so he can climb up.]

Well... I guess I wouldn't expect too much. [he says with a little shake of his head, long ears swaying.] Not that special or anything.

[transmit]

Perhaps not, but every bit helps. Rhodes Island wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for everyone who'd believed it from the beginning.

[ The vehicle starts, and Elysium's gaze is fixed on the figures that appear to watch Netzach go. Family, it looks like, but also, miners—perhaps ones their newest operator had tended to before, perhaps not. Him being beloved is possible, but their envy reads clear as day.

If it weren't for the politics of it, Rhodes Island could've very well taken them in, too. Elysium's expression is briefly complicated before he refocuses his attention back on Netzach and returns to its usual form. ]

We'll have to make one rest stop before we make it to HQ proper. [ He sits back. Threads his hands on his lap. ] Operator Elysium, by the way. Pick out a codename for yourself, yet?

[enkefailin]

[netzach's gaze is fixed on them, too. they watch him leave, and he peers back, a little concern creeping into his tired expression; even if this is for the best, he's still the one leaving them behind. leaving them to it all.

it takes a second to pull his attention back to elysium, and he settles into place, slouching into his seat.]

Elysium, huh...? I wasn't really thinking about that yet for myself.

[for a few seconds he's quiet again, after that admission, but after a little contemplation:]

...Enkephalins have similar properties to opiates. They're neurotransmitters in the brain linked to the sensory input of pain, and emotional behavior.

[frostfist]

[ reporting in for my arknights au lupo brawler guard wrio shibari thread ]

[transmit]

[ Because I am a simple creature that knows what it wants and I refuse to give you context when you don't need it:

This memory opens up without decorum. And, it doesn't really need to, when Wriothesley will startle "awake" to a distinct searing in his chest. It pulses from the centre of it and threads uncomfortably through his veins, leaving trails of fire ignited by deposits of ash that intensify by the second. Perhaps against his better judgement (if he's making any judgements at all), the body thrashes instinctively. It yells. It generally makes a mess of things in the clinic he's awoken to, sending a table with various instruments careening as if the actions would serve to quell its condition. But it doesn't, and his attending doctor is left to page for additional assistance when she isn't quite equipped to deal with his current episode alone.

So, the sequence of events is as follows: Elysium, the combatant who happens to be closest, responds to her distress signal with immediacy. There's no subduing him into the bed's restraints when he's already ripped them off, and there's the thought that they should've placed him in a higher security ward, it seems. But Elysium will move to slam him onto the ground and his front; in an active struggle, there's no consideration for being gentle, only effective, preventing further harm to any involved parties. If he ends up with a cut lip… oops.

Conveniently, what Elysium he has on his person by means of effective restraining is rope. Holdover, presumably, from an earlier mission. His knee will dig into Wriothesley's back considerably, arms pulled back and held against him. It probably won't be an easy task keeping him down, but… you know how it goes. If he has to exert more force, he will. ]

Behave a little, won't you? [ That sure is his voice directly behind the shell of Wriothesley's ear. ] The nice lady won't be able to treat you if you're this rowdy. Don't be any naughtier than you have.

[ to shibari or not to shibari … anyway, yeah, assume that there's some paranoia effects or what have you, we live free ]

[frostfist]

[ It may be the movements of the dream he's following, but Wriothesley's never liked being tied up. There's too much danger inherent to being bound and restrained, left with no defense other than the sweep of a leg or the sharp bite of his canines. Somewhere in the midst of it all, the dream struggle becomes real, his instinctive urge to be free taking over. The pain doesn't help, and only fuels the adrenaline rushing through his veins.

He fights Elysium, torso twisting on the ground as he tries to buck the other man off him and legs trying to kick back. His lips pull back in a sharp grin, voice raspy and low with exerted effort. ]

If you really want naughty, you'll have to get me into bed first.

[ He means the medical cot laid out but like. If the others in the room want to take it another way, that's their prerogative. Anyway, there's your yaoi. ]

Is this how you treat all your patients? Your bedside manner could use some work.

[ 0/10, would not recommend. ]

[transmit]

I think not. We've seen more than enough of your performance in it.

[ 0/10, would not bed again either. Wriothesley can have those rights back when he earns them. The docter's probably looking at them like 'tf', but this isn't about her right now. Right now, Elysium's focus is on maintaining his position atop Wriothesley, their struggle enough to strain his expression. Despite the onslaught of kicks, he'll continue smiling through grit teeth.

Realistically speaking, it'd probably be easiest to knock Wriothesley out. Or, commit to several more brutalities. You say there's the yaoi like it's already done, and maybe it is on Wriothesley's part, but there's a bit of fun in knowing he has enough of a mind to continue speaking. Perhaps the shibari won't happen if talking down is an option… but Elysium will still make a wordless exchange with the medic to procure a sedative anyway, worse comes to worst as he doubles his strength in pushing down Wriothsley by his wrists. ]

Besides, you look like you're enjoying this. If I knew you were this eager for my attention, [ the words are said deliberately, carefully, despite their ongoing scuffle. ] I would've given it to you if you'd just asked. But don't worry. This exceptional service, [ what's intended as a puff of air is really just his hot breath from exertion, ] is still just for you. No need to act out, you know?

[frostfist]

[ the way i was about to go to bed but now i have to tag back yaoi

Unfortunately for Elysium, the struggling doesn't cease (if only because I want my shibari). There's an element of underlying fear to it now, though whether that's from the dream or from his own long-buried experiences is hard to say. Nevertheless he keeps twisting, the skin on his wrists beginning to chafe as Elysium continues to pin him in place. ]

What can I say? I [ a grunt as he throws back his head in an attempt to bean Elysium in the face ] happen to like a good challenge. And this way I've got your eyes entirely on me.

[ Another twist of his midsection in a failed attempt to roll Elysium off. ]

Or is it that you've never [ a pant ] been able to take your eyes off me to start with?

[ Forget the shibari, someone go ahead and gag this man. ]

[yuwon]

[ i am but a sims who is controlled by ly, so vampires & give me the treatments & screening. i need that sweet oripathy lore alongside every single ability in arknights explained to me in essay format. thank you. ♥ ]

[transmit]

[ Vampires: a subspecies of Sarkaz that are proficient in blood-related arts, often characterised by their pointed ears and red or pink eyes. That's Yuwon now, and I shall graciously give you the option of choosing between Sakuma Yeong or Sakamaki Shuwon as his new government-assigned name.

But yes, not to detract from the main point—vampires. Few in number comparatively and rarely come across in the wild due to their nocturnal nature. Even within Rhodes Island, there exists only three in a population of over two thousand. Elysium is familiar with one in operator Closure, their local engineering specialist, but to use her as a standard would be disingenuous in more ways than one when she couldn't be more apathetic towards her vampiric heritage. That left operators Warfarin and Midnight, both of whom he's had little exposure to… so one would imagine that a vampire au born from Elysium's knowledge of them would be every bit the stereotypical description of one.

So if Yuwon awakens to this memory with an insatiable and seemingly unquenchable by conventional fluids thirst, that is not my fault nor is it Elysium's… it just be like that. Everything's justified—especially this scene, which opens to the two of them standing in the corner of one of Rhodes Island's many corridors, his hand in Yuwon's mouth, his fangs punctured through skin. ]

This makes it, what. The second time? I told you before that I'm not on the menu, operator. [ His voice is eerily cool despite their circumstances… one can presume that were it not for the hand blocking and physically trying to push Yuwon's mouth back still, that they were in a more precarious situation moments ago. ] Don't tell me you needed a sterner warning?

[ you only get the lore if you make it through this ]

[yuwon]

[ why are these the only two options here...

that said, whatever his title is, or even what name he currently possesses seems to entirely escape him. the thirst he feels consumes him entirely, and all he can think of is the blood that flows beneath the man's skin. even as the blood flows out, he discovers himself unfulfilled and unquenched. the desire feels like it burns up within him, and so he grabs his wrist tightly, digging his fangs in without any regard to potentially causing the man pain, snagging onto his skin and widening the gap for him to suck blood out of.

he places his tongue over the puncture wound, savoring the decadent taste of blood; savoring the thickness and smooth, velvety texture that sticks to his lips and tongue. it takes him a minute to regain his senses, or even realize that elysium is speaking to him. he removes his mouth from his hand momentarily, ] Fuck. [ it's a word more in realization to what he's doing before he tightens his grip on elysium's wrist. he's more upset at not being in control of himself than anything else. ]

If you're not on the menu, then stop dangling your body in front of me. [ with this said, he releases elysium's wrist, pushing it out out of the way as he steps in closer, enough to push elysium's back closer to the wall. his leg slips in the space between elysium's. it's clear, yuwon might actually be the one sending him a warning. since you wanted throwback, kabedon is the only answer. but, really...

with the initial disorientation dying down, he's wondering what the hell happened to be in this situation. ]

[transmit]

[ If Elysium were to stop to think about the practicality of this scenario, the first thought he might have would be…… wait. Hello? He has Oripathy. Think about the direct contamination, my man. But because it is a dream, common sense is halfway out the door with an imperceptible force preventing Elysium from unraveling the dream himself. It is up to Yuwon, then, to ultimately make sense of it when he manages to get his bearings; there won't be any deep lore as to how this happened, only how it might've happened, everything prior to the bite itself an indistinct blur.

At some point, it's possible Elysium was bored enough to read a particularly trashy vampire novel. And thus… they pay for the crime, Elysium staggering back a half-step before his head hits the wall. Did Yuwon read it too, and is that why he's following the script so well? I see… ]

Blaming others for your lack of control is crude, even for you. [ It's rare for him to stand level with others, so the position itself is quite interesting, never mind that he's never been slammed against a wall before. Is his heart racing because Yuwon's triggered his fight or flight, or is it something else? Hm. ] Should I reward you for being able to rein yourself back, or punish you for marring my perfect skin?

[ That's his warning in of itself, as he takes the same injured hand to hook around Yuwon's shoulders. As if to pull him closer, to draw him in. Head tilting just the slightest bit up, Elysium's lips purse open——



—all to give him leverage to sock Yuwon right in the nuts. ]

[yuwon]

[ as elysium's head tilt, yuwon is naturally eyeing the skin on the nape of his neck. despite never having ever been in such a situation, nor ever having been a vampire, he finds the pale show of skin all the more appetizing. he's also leaning in, drawing his fangs. he opens his mouth, ready to utter a quiet rebuttal, but it's abruptly cut short. he feels the contact of force on his 🥜 (never have i had to use this emoji so much)—

— and he instantly he bobs forward, nearly dropping to his knees. his fingers tighten into a fist as he recoils; his hand drawing closer to his own lower abdomen, but stopping mid-way. what the hell? who hits someone there? are two thoughts that race through his head amongst many others, but it's also true that it seems to draw some clarity back to him. he hisses a breath to try and steady the pain, but he looks back up towards elysium. ] Are you serious...?

[ is this the reward??? the fuck??

but, now that he has a clear mind, he does see... this whole thing was a mess. one he doesn't feel particularly responsible for, however. clearly this is not his memory, so should be be the only singular person paying the price in this way??? ]

[penaltypoints]

[ I am also here for Oripathy Lore and to make fluffy ears canon as discussed on plurk, before Elysium is exposed to projmoon trauma. ]

[transmit]

[ Felines! Beloved for their fluffy ears and their equally as fluffy tails, Yesod will find himself sporting such features as he comes to. Of note might be the perfectly flesh body they're attached to, but that's much less exciting, isn't it?

In any case, there are no memories to supply him where and why. Only, a recognisable face in Elysium standing right next to him with his palm atop his head. What it's doing there in such an overfamiliar fashion is what he might want to ask, but that question will be answered soon enough as Elysium's fingers may or may not be idly scritching those new ears of his… Elysium will swear that he's not doing it for himself when from the room's accoutrements all but spell that they're in a clinic. A means of soothing him, perhaps?

Whether Yesod chooses to startle (justifiably so, this could be harassment??) or accept his fate, the silence doesn't drag on for long. ]

Five minutes until your exam, and then we'll have you right out of here. [ As he comes to, Yesod might note that the new body he's controlling is exceptionally parched and famished. A natural presumption could be, then, that it's for this supposed "exam." Beyond that… there may be a heaviness to his chest that he won't be able to put a label to quiet yet, aside from the fact that breathing might not come as easily as it's supposed to. ] Have you thought about what you'd like your reward to be yet? The sky's the limit, new friend!

[ a beat, ] … To an extent, anyway. Haha.

[ It's likely that they're close in age, but what matters is that Elysium is his senior in experience, and so, he reserves his right to treat Yesod as his junior… or something. It be like that. ]

cw: forced medical examination references

[penaltypoints]

[ The sensations are a flood of input engulfing him, far beyond anything that his sensors are equipped to detect, some foreign because he hasn't felt them in a long time, others even more so because he has never experienced them before. It's overwhelming, distracting and disorienting. Yesod tries to focus on something to keep himself afloat and find his bearings, fingers pressing their nails into his upper arms as his brow furrows for the weight of Elysium's palm atop his head, the disconcerting tingle of nerve endings responding to the touch concentrated on his ears. His second set of ears...?

It's not unpleasant, exactly — even the way that his skin prickles can't be described as truly uncomfortable — but he is entirely unprepared to wake up to someone petting him like an animal, as if the concept of personal space doesn't exist. Elysium's announcement triggers a reflexive reaction that Yesod himself recognizes as irrational: his body tenses all the more, at the ready to recoil.

His surroundings rouse a strange remembered unease, enough for his pulse to quicken. This body's apparent breathing difficulties worsen with it, though there are no restraints in sight, and he isn't who he was a long time ago, cornered and trapped. Today's imminent examination is clearly intended to address a physical illness, presumably nothing contagious.

Still, his tail flicks restlessly, and so do his ears. His voice sounds strained. ]

...My reward...? What will the procedure involve?

I'M SO SORRY YESOD...

[transmit]

[ The mood shifts, and with it, Elysium's hand stills. If this were outside of a dream, he might wonder where this reaction had come from, given that operators were given the rundown well before any examinations occurred with an emphasis on explicit consent. As is, it only strikes him as somewhat odd, brushing it off in favour of refocusing his attention on what's before him. ]

… Unpleasant, isn't it? Having to fast for an entire day. It might not be much of a consolation, but any food and/or drink you can think of is all yours. [ Déjà vu, much? ] On top of whatever else you think you might want to have or do, I'll personally try to grant your wish.

[ An encouraging smile. A soft tone. One might presume that he offers this sort of reassurance on a regular basis. ]

It's just an imaging test and a blood draw. Shouldn't take any more than a few minutes, and we'll be able to get you started on your suppressants while we're at it. [ … ] Want me to come with you? I can give you my hand. Though, I suppose you already have it, don't you?

[ Pats this time, for the road. I'll leave it up to you to determine if Yesod has any crystal growth on his body and where. Elysium's are covered for the most part from uniform, but it is possible to notice them on his forearm when his sleeve slides down. ]

ALL IS WELL

[penaltypoints]

[ Absurdly, some part of Yesod's awareness protests when Elysium's fingers stop their movements, but it allows him to clear his mind, little by little. He takes several breaths, forcing them past the obstruction of his own chest, and wills his body's new appendages to stop their twitching. Seeking external things to occupy his attention is easier; he thinks back to what Elysium has mentioned of his previous role. Perhaps this is what he meant, interacting with the clinic's patients?

The offers sound similar to Elysium's efforts to get to know people, a so-called new friend, at any rate. Throughout, there is no recognition on the other man's part, however.

An imaging test, blood drawn, suppressants... The entire procedure should shed some light on the situation, and Yesod acknowledges the explanation with a nod. His gaze lands on Elysium's arm, a section of it temporarily exposed, noting the odd appearance of the skin there. It matches his own wrists, he realizes — that said, these crystals aren't necessarily restricted to one area. Touching his neck confirms it. ]

...I'll accept your offer, as well as consider my request to make later.

[ He might have declined both, but there may be more to discover through them. ]

[hitokiller]

( can i have a crumb of ii featuring a rescue squad. please and thanks. )

[transmit]

[ i've made the executive decision to endeavour not to menace izou too much in his memories, so here, elysium shall commit the brunt of his crimes in his own… or so i say now, because we'll have to see how it pans out exactly.

In any case, when Izou first comes to, it'll be to a downpour. The slums of Lungmen aren't kind to anyone, populated by Infected exiled from the main city. Means of finding coverage will prove difficult, and Izou might choose to wander around lethargically, he might not. Wherever he goes, especially if it's towards the city proper—he'll face looks of scorn, of fear, of disgust. Their military power doesn't take kindly to Infected within the city, so he might not want to try his luck when he's unarmed. Even from fellow Infected, who fear their condition would worsen just by being in proximity of another will shy away from speaking with him. The general feeling they seem to exude is that

Regardless, wherever he does end up, his sight will eventually go dim. Not a part of the memory, but rather, the underlaying conditions of the body he's found himself in. His chest will feel tight and he'll find it difficult to breathe. In the midst of one of the many alleys, perhaps, pelted by unceasing rain—oxygen will only come in shallow pants until he loses consciousness.

The next time he awakens, it's not as if he's faring any better, exactly. But where no one had dared to come close to him before, there are hands reaching around his shoulders to cover him with an oversized coat of certain fashion, its hood pulled up to the top of his head. Before him is Elysium, smiling bright with no recognition in his eyes—and of note, is personnel with similar branding of clothing all around him. ]

Oh! 'Morning. [ … ] I won't ask how you are because it's obviously not well, but will you walk or do I need to carry you on my back?

[ the body is weak, yes, but he could theoretically hobble along…??? ]

[hitokiller]

( the looks of scorn aren't anything new. he's used to the whispers, used to being looked at like a dirty stray animal that no one wants to keep. even then, their stares stir within him in the perpetual darkness, the ritual of their loathing for themselves and each other piercing memories so deep and familiar for izou. so deep that he ought to know by now that maybe he deserves whatever is happening to his body in this relentless downpour.

rinse him away. drown him beneath the obscured sky. it was bound to happen eventually, much like it was bound to happen back then.

... that is, until he snaps awake, and is greeted by a familiar face. )

M-Morn—

( ... wait. where the hell is this, exactly, and why the hell is he... there's a brief crackle of static, an itch between his ribs telling him that something is off here, but izou is slow on the uptake as ever. his immediate instinct is to swat a hand away, ever the wild animal that needs no help. he tries to stand on his own, ears (?!) folding back on his head beneath the hood, but it's obvious from his wobbling that it's going to prove a challenge. )

Why're you... Why're you doin' this for me, anyhow?

[transmit]

[ Elysium's expression will briefly contort, look regretful, perhaps. It's also possible that it's all a trick of the eye from how he's back to smiling as usual, even if it's thinner than what it was previously. Watching blankly as Izou comes to a stand, he'll extend his hands outwards in the event he does need to brace himself. ]

Rhodes Island has been allowed to extend help to Lungmen's Infected, as per an agreement made this morning.

[ Clearly, from how he'd reacted earlier to the question of 'why,' it's a bit more complicated than that. Still: ]

No need to look so suspicious. From one guy to another? I get it. No strings. Promise.