my heart is a furnace

[wantsnudes]

Who: Fox and Caedra (edit: plus whoever's here for the fallout!)
What: For all Caedra's done to make the residents of Hadriel suffer, Fox takes revenge.
Where: The north island
When: Post-monster event, nighttime
Warnings: Violence, body horror, mentions of character death, allusions to childhood abuse.


It's a dangerous plan. Fox knows it is, but he knows he's all out of other options. So with the ring given to him by Rage hanging around his neck, and his katana in hand, the masked teenager has to face the confrontation that's been eating away at him for months. He hasn't even sent a calling card-- he's not stealing a heart this time, and while this may be about justice, he's acting alone, not on the behest of the Phantom Thieves.

It takes time to track down Caedra: her movements are unpredictable, and it's made all the more difficult by the city being split into islands, and by his preference to move under the cover of darkness. After a few nights of unsuccessful searching, he manages to track her down to one of the rocky beaches where they're surrounded by sea -- where there's nowhere for her to run except to the water, or through him.

He steels himself, and emerges from the shadows, eyes bright with anger behind his kitsune mask.

"Caedra! Your cruelty ends here."

Comments

[abyssalarcana]

There are no pleasant nights in this town. As day turns to night and the mortals retire, Caedra simply continues her wandering and writing and alternates between reflecting on the misery of a place where the dead come back to life and their souls are held beyond her reach, and actively trying to avoid thinking about the tedium such a place lends to her life. She's a caged creature here with everything she wants - food, freedom, and loved ones - just outside the impermeable bars.

The voice that announces itself isn't likely to change that, she figures, but at least it breaks the monotony. She turns toward him with the sea at her back, more amused than threatened, but she summons her sword to her hand nonetheless. It's an effective warning, as it fills out its shape in the air and settles comfortably in her palm. It reminds some of these idiots that she'll gladly draw it on them even if their deaths are temporary, because at least their screams and the scent of blood are entertaining if not fulfilling.

"Does it? That's a bold claim. Who are you to make such a dramatic statement?"

She can see perfectly in the dark, of course - a power granted long ago by someone she misses dearly. But it doesn't help her identify this person. Even without the mask, she might not recognize him beyond the general vague familiarity that everyone has here from being contained in a few small islands.

[wantsnudes]

As she summons her sword, one hand goes to the hilt of his katana, but his grip is -- for now -- relaxed. Despite his anger, his voice is restrained.

"Fox, of the Phantom Thieves," he answers coldly. "You've stolen too much, from too many people, and you've been allowed to revel in your bloodshed for far too long. Now it's my turn to take something from you."

He takes a step toward her to show he isn't afraid. Even though he's heard the stories, seen what she's capable of first hand, knows that he should be. He's too angry to stop, the weight of the ring around his neck tells him he can't.

[abyssalarcana]

The name and his associated group mean nothing to her. A shame - she'll have to see if there are others of these "Phantom Thieves" here after she's done with this one. Perhaps leaving mangled bits of his corpse hanging in front of their doorsteps would give her something to do one of these nights before Hope takes the pieces back for himself.

"Careful there, boy, or you'll lose more than you're looking to take," she scoffs, watching his movements carefully as he attempts to move closer. As a precaution should he be serious about striking, though, she gestures with the tip of her sword and speaks a few words of Abyssal, letting the harsh, guttural syllables roll off her tongue as she stares him down. The hex settles in, hopefully to muddle his mind and movements and keep him from possibly outspeeding her should he raise that sword of his.

[wantsnudes]

No explanations, no excuses, no justifications for her crimes. Caedra absolutely wasn't human, and it would almost be refreshing compared to the terrible humans whose hearts he'd stolen. Almost, but in a way, it's a reminder that she's more monstrous than all of them.

It's not immediately clear to him what the hex does. He grits his teeth and shakes his head as if to clear it, and when that doesn't work, lifts his blade to dart at her. His movements feel sluggish, but he's already committed -- he has to at least try to land a hit or two before she dodges away. Against an enemy more powerful than him, he knows he has to be fast, and figure out a way to outsmart her with his plan before she can destroy him.

Oct. 21 | Open popsicle harassment thread

[abyssalarcana]

[This is your chance, folks. She's not going anywhere (unless someone moves her) and she can't fight back.]

action;

[nonscriptum]

Some vigilante made an announcement about your reign of tyranny ending.

[He had to satisfy his curiosity, even with that particular network post coming across as unbelievably unimpressive. Nate himself has a track record of picking fights with people in weight classes that could easily crush him, but given that the solution here is effectively a Band-Aid over what he would argue will become a festering, vengeful demon, it all feels a bit...ineffective.

Temporary posturing does not a viable solution make, which is something he's thankfully learned in the last few years, but that doesn't mean he didn't come armed with his sketchbook and an apple that he takes a bite out of before looking over the dense frost that cements her in place.]

Yeah, this looks like...quite the pickle.

[nowherewolf]

[Yeah, Tucker saw this on the network, and he had to know if it was real and not a trick. Which, naturally, means he waited out of sight until someone else approached the ice sculpture first.

But Caedra didn't suddenly spring to life and impale Nate, so you know. It's probably fine.

Tucker saunters up in wolf form, sniffing at the frozen Caedra. She continues to not move. Good. He snorts, the sound eerily similar to a laugh.]

[nonscriptum]

[Nate would resent the notion that his mere presence incites stabbing-related violence, but then again, he is himself and people either really like him or really hate him. There is no in-between.

He does double-take at the company, unsure for a moment as to whether he is hallucinating the wolf bearing witness to this hilarious turn of events. Nate's experience with wolves is not particularly great, seeing as the last time he saw them in the wild, they were being torn apart by yetis.]

You came to watch the show, too?

[He addresses the animal, assuming it is someone's very weird pet.]

Don't blame you.

[bespectacledsnake]

I'd have brought wine but you and I both know the next person to pass by this place would just take it.

[Semiyon stands with his hands in the pockets of his coat, head cocked to the side as he looks Caedra over in her current predicament.]

But--

[He then moves to dig a small metal container he's been using as a flask out of his pocket and raises it in a 'cheers' gesture]

--Here's to the hope that I do not die of boredom while you are in this... [a hesitation as he tries decide how he'd like to put it] ...situation.

[myrealname]

[Jane happens to come along shortly after Semiyon and goes to him when she sees him standing there.

she didn't know what to think after seeing that anonymous post on the network. Caedra, a demoness? she told Jane that she was an alien. an alien with magic, sure, but still an alien.

she stands silently by his side as he makes his toast]

...did you know?

[outofthefire]

[Laura makes her way to the Caedra popsicle and just. grins.

then points and laughs.

for about twenty minutes

sure, she knows that Caedra's probably going to go on a fucking rampage when she defrosts, but right now she's having too much fun with the situation to worry about t much]

[toiletseat_girl]

[George comes strolling along the rocky beach, looking as though she doesn't have a care in the world. she's holding a red Solo cup in one hand very carefully as it's filled to the brim with what looks like Mountain Dew.

a quick sniff of the liquid will tell you that it's anything but Mountain Dew.

when she gets to Caedra, she stands and stares for a few minutes, a smile playing about her lips.

after a few minutes pass, she pulls back the hand holding the urine-filled red Solo cup, then flings the contents of it right in the middle of Caedra's face]

That was for Peter, you skanky bitch.

[roseofthetyrells]

[Margaery approaches slowly, carefully, sword drawn and eyes distrustful.

she saw the announcement on the network and refused to believe it until she saw it with her own two eyes.

she'd avoided the creature who murdered her ever since it happened. she could have gone along with Curufin and Maglor on their sea voyage to collect fragments of the Door, but she couldn't do it as it would have meant an extended time in this monster's company. that, she could not allow.

she is well aware that this ice prison is temporary at best and that the creature will emerge with a heightened thirst for blood and destruction and pain. plans will need to be made for its reemergence from this icy coffin.

she stares for little more than a minute, then turns her back and walks away]

[stonebird]

(Caedra isn't mourned by her nor does Sansa feel like mocking her. Regardless she comes to see the spectacle, her posture absolutely perfect, her hands folded before her. Her Tully blue eyes are devoid of empathy, yet she is...concerned.)

If you can hear me, Caedra... (No Lady. She has lost that sign of respect.) I ask that you do not seek revenge for this punishment. Let the cycle of violence end. Enough people have perished and you too are not immune to suffering.

(Her words might fall on deaf ears, but she has tried. Sansa gazes at Caedra's face, memorizing her features, before turning and taking her leave.)

open

[deviledlegs]

[For a short time before Law moves her, Caedra has a very determined bodyguard. A very determined bodyguard who is literally on fire.

Sanji's legs burn a menacing red hot as he stands in front of her, arms folded across his chest. He doesn't say a damn word. Nothing that could come out of his mouth now is something Caedra needs to hear, and no man who would hurt Caedra while she's like this is worthy of words anyway. With no other way to release his growing rage, the pirate cook is primed for a fight. Every glare he sends is a dare, every snarl an invitation.

He's been looking for a juicy pound of meat to grill anyway.]

Re: open

[knifecollecting]

[After the network announcement, she just had to go check it out herself. Just real quick.

Caedra might not be from her world, but Jo'd have to admit it was extremely satisfying to see a demon temporarily in trouble.

The temporary part does bother her.

The last thing she expects is someone standing at the ice sculpture.]

...Are you waiting for her?

action/OTA/i'm sorry about him/nsfw?

[vocarrah]

[Ianchus stands in front of her, arms folded, tapping his lip, looking as if he's deep in thought. He finally speaks up, airily, to someone in earshot:]


I suppose it would be regrettably crass to take a piss here, ah?

[synthedick]

Yes, it would.

[Nick is honest as ever as he comes up behind Ianchus, his cane muffled by the soft grounds after the rain.]

I don't suppose you did this.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin heard the net post as well. He has to verify this, so he goes racing down to the beach he thinks is the most likely place -- because it's a place where he's met Caedra while out walking, before this. It doesn't take long to find her. He stops and stares. She's iced over, all right. And it looks as though she was frozen while in the middle of a dance or a fight. The second possibility being the most likely, given her habits! He comes nearer, and then he speaks softly, wondering if she can hear him. Hoping she can. ]

Well, this is very strange! You're alone and ice-olated.

[ He grins, he can't resist. She'll probably try to kill him for this later, but right now, she can't do anything but listen to his stupid jokes. ]

You seem to be in dire straits, but maybe this is just the tip of the iceberg?

[ He leans close, hand cupped to his ear as though listening to a verbal response. ] What. . .? You're not in the market for a courtier who can't keep his puns to himself? -- there's a hiring freeze, you say? Oh well, if you're going to give me the cold shoulder again, I'll just be on my way!

[ But he doesn't leave. He shakes his head, still smiling a little. He's caught between that peculiar empathy that Elves have, and a pleased, told-you-so kind of satisfaction. He sits down on a rock, and simply contemplates the beauty of this amazing work of art. ]

action; backdated to before she was moved

[demonsional]

[Hayden falls flat on his face when he teleports into the area where Caedra's frozen body is stationed.]

No!

[He runs the rest of the way, colliding into her frozen form, and claws his arms around her as best as he can, sniffling desperately as he holds on.]

Please wake up now, Miss Lady! I love you too much for you to be away like this! I will try to warm you up with this nice hug, and then everything will be okay again!

[But hugging doesn't change anything, only makes him shiver, and before too long he has to detach his cold and numbing limbs. Whining unintelligibly, Hayden circles around her like an anxious cat before finally curling his body at her feet, tail squirming around her legs. He covers his face in his hands.]

oct. 21 onward - clinic threads

[wantsnudes]

Trafalgar Law

[wantsnudes]

After the fight with Caedra, Yusuke reverts back to his usual clothes, hides his sword in a safe place on the island, and makes for the clinic, clutching the wound at his side. Adrenaline keeps him going, but with the blade turning the wound instantly necrotic, he can feel the effects already beginning to set in.

When he arrives, he's already in rough shape even from the walk alone, feeling more lightheaded and feverish by the second. The smell of decaying flesh is something he's trying not to think about.

In a small voice, he announces his arrival: "Can someone help me? Please..."

[hot_mes]

Of all the people to be on call at that time of night...

Law has actually been at the clinic at erratic hours, thanks to his work with Sorrow and the Door, so anyone showing up with necrotized tissue damage is is good hands. He feels a living presence at the door about the same time as he hears the voice, and puts aside his research notes to come and have a look. The monster infestation seems to have passed so this couldn't be monster damage, unless...

Nope that definitely isn't monster damage.

"Get in here," he implores, moving out of the way to make a clear path to the nearest cot. "Let me take a look.

[vocarrah]

Now isn't this a funny inversion from a couple months ago. Ianchus isn't here on business, though--he's simply made a habit of loitering around the clinic since his own time there. Some of it is to pick up some techniques, maybe help, but mostly it's to try to keep patients company. Not everyone's as needy as he is when it comes to contact (really, the only way he can tell that it was Love toying with them at the end of last month was because of how others were acting), but he's sure nobody wants to be alone all the time, no matter how aloof.

Ianchus doesn't find it funny at all, though, when he sees the familiar shape, the familiar face, in a bed that's familiar in a different way. His mind takes a moment to process the juxtaposition, but when it does he all but throws himself into the room.

"Y-Yusuke?"

[wantsnudes]

Yusuke had spent most of his stay so far in an exhausted, feverish fugue while his wound mends itself back together enough that he can at least walk. From what Law told him, it will take weeks -- maybe even months -- before he's fully recovered. Still, he'd hoped to get out quickly to avoid exactly a situation like this. For now his left side where Law carried out surgery is heavily bandaged, and is still too painful to think about escaping anywhere.

As much as he'd like to, when a familiar shows up.

"Ianchus," he struggles to sit up with a wince, his expression one of tired resignation. "Hello."