Event Log: Dead Ringers

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone participating in the event!
What: The event log for the Dead Ringers event!
Where: All around the city
When: January 16th-January 25th
Warnings: Evil doubles, so we can assume manipulation, violence, murder, and maybe some nasty words

Everything seems normal on the morning of the 16th - actually, everything seems normal about the city for the entirety of this event. Nothing is strange, nothing is obviously wrong. Well, except that the population has mysteriously doubled, and the new residents each look exactly like one of the old residents. So weird! Definitely not ominous at all.

At least until your new double gets down to business. After all, their only goal is to ruin your life, and that can take any form. Smashing your favorite coffee cup? Telling your worst enemy they're right? Kissing someone else in front of your girlfriend? Brutally murdering you and then hiding your body in a closet so they can more effectively destroy your life? The possibilities are truly endless, and the only way to protect yourself is to kill your double first. They're not really open to negotiation, after all - but they sure might pretend to be in order to trick you.

So watch your back, and try to make sure that really is your best friend and not an evil clone masquerading as them. Boy, that would be awkward. If you can stick it out until January 25th, good for you! But if you didn't manage to and your double survives until the end - well, just as a final 'fuck you', there's a chance you'll come back to life and remember every awful thing your double did. Hey, at least that'll make it easier to fix, right?

► This log covers January 16th-January 25th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If your evil clone happens to take you out, please let us know here, and remember that you will not revive until the event is over.

Comments

[glacius]

"Ha," Glacius chuckles out, rubbing at his throat briefly, "Nothing wrong with adding a bit of intrigue to his work, so long as he doesn't distort the facts behind the knowledge he's attempting to impart. So what sort of advancements did he bring to light, and how did he come across them? When you read his work, what sorts of things are you seeking to learn about?"

[tongueamok]

The first part is easy to answer. "He dabbled in many crafts, but his primary discoveries were in alchemy, glyphcrafting, evocation, and abjuration. It is because of his work that the Forest Folk were willing to share some of their rare plants outside of their communities, the paw plant included. From them, he developed new alchemical recipes, medicines we had not been able to replicate with simple enchantments alone. Through evocation, he discovered properties we were able to put into more advanced glyphs, and it is by his hands that the compound glyph was refined into the art it is today."

Needless to say, Carlisle has a lot of admiration for the magician. Despite that, he finds the second question harder to answer. "I suppose that, when I read his work, I think of just how much he managed to accomplish. I haven't nearly the skill nor spirit he does, but it is inspiring nonetheless to think that he did so much good for so many."

[glacius]

As Carlisle continues to speak, Glacius is finding it... surprisingly easy to get caught up in his voice. He's tired, and his the sound of his friend speaking gives him something nice and calming to listen to as he starts to relax somewhat in the chair beside him. This is much, much better than frightened whispering, panicked exclamations, pained breathing, or the horrible coughing noises as his body tried to hack up ink...

Reminded of all of the absolutely awful things that happen to them in this cave on a regular basis, Glacius startles back to a more alert state, gripping the edge of his seat as he forces himself to sit upright. "That--that is quite a list. It's good that you have someone that you can look up to in such a way, someone that... inspires you to aspire, so to speak. But..." he sighs slightly, having caught that brief hesitation, and reaches out to put a hand on Carlisle's shoulder. "But hope you are not allowing those accomplishments to daunt you, or make you think less of yourself. You could be just as skilled as he was, if you had a life to dedicate to it that wasn't so frequently beset by horrific interruptions as is the way of life in this cave. And you've done plenty of good for a lot of people already. I'm proud of the accomplishments you've made thus far, my friend... and look forward to seeing what you do next."

[tongueamok]

For a moment, Carlisle thinks Glacius may be dozing off, but then the alien rights himself and speaks -- perhaps it had been his imagination, or a trick of the dim light in the dark.

He reddens in the shadows, his own hand moving to place itself atop Glacius' at his shoulder. "The thought of my lineage is daunting enough," he admits. "And what amends I have yet to make, as well. That I must redeem myself in the eyes of my goddess, and I'm not sure how far I'll get in that endeavor."

He only has so much time, after all -- possibly less, if Glacius' concerns that he is pushing himself closer toward his end have any validity. He doesn't wish to feed Glacius' worries though, and so he continues:

"But... I feel stronger with you at my side," he admits, his voice quiet as he pushes the confession out of him. "I feel as- as thought I can do more than I ever believed. I don't" —he clears his throat— "know if you know what- what that means to me. I've doubted myself for so long, and still do -- with reason -- but I..."

Carlisle sighs, getting off-topic. "I... I value your support. I am no Pendlebrook Brimstone, but I will do my best to not let you down."

[glacius]

While Carlisle is the sort to feel intimidated by the tasks of him, Glacius immediately wants to seek out more information to see how he can help it all be accomplished... he wants to ask who he needs to make amends to, and what is required in his religion to redeem oneself in the eyes of the Clarity. He realizes, however, that whatever it is will likely require some work, and the clergyman isn't in the state to go up and pursue any of that just yet; moreover he doesn't want his mind hung up on those thoughts while he's trying to rest. He just wants the man to get a chance to relax...

"Please," Glacius snorts through his nose, "I doubt Pendlebrook Brimstone has faced half the things that you have, at this point. You're every bit the man that he is. I'm glad that I have helped you to feel some of that strength and capability, though; no one will ever be entirely free of self-doubt, but after everything you've been through you deserve someone who stands solidly behind you, encouraging you instead of tearing you down, and I..."

He pauses, thinks back on Carlisle's confession, then decides to offer one of his own. "... I'm glad I get to be that person for you, Carlisle. I appreciate everything you've done for me so deeply, whether it is just providing me with company and acceptance, listening to my problems, or offering your healing expertise to me despite how taxing it is," and here the alien gestures briefly to his hip, his face, his stomach, his gills--all the places the clergyman has mended for him. "You're extremely important to me and I... I want to be the same for you."

[tongueamok]

While he knows in his heart that Glacius has no idea the force to be reckoned with that is Pendlebrook Brimstone and how much more capable he is than Carlisle -- Glacius is just learning about the man in some detail, after all, and hasn't even heard the numerous dangers he's faced as opposed to Carlisle, who could hardly bear to leave the house some days because of his fears -- he appreciates the sentiment all the same. More important is that unyielding support Glacius has always offered him with neither hesitation, nor stipulation.

And so, he smiles. "You already are, Glacius. You—" He bites at his lip, his fingers curling against the alien's hand. "You mean more to me than- than I- I know how to say."

And given how much he loves words, it troubles him to be so dumbfounded, to lack the tools to express exactly what it is that stirs his heart.

[glacius]

"And you, to I," Glacius responds, his own fingers tightening back against Carlisle's. Again he has that niggling little feeling, wondering if the clergyman will mention that feeling that he brought up not all that long ago--the one good thing to come out of that pain-filled night. But he doesn't, and the alien isn't sure if he should either, so he simply gives a tentative littke smile and continues to sit there.

"Speaking of that healing expertise," the otherworldly being pipes up again, "I, ah... I don't know if I properly expressed my appreciation to you for... healing me last night. I remember being run completely through, but there's... not a trace of that terrible wound... so thank you, Carlisle, for ensuring my survival as you have always done. Your talents are as amazing as always..." He just wishes he didn't have to put himself through so much to do it, but they've already talked about the guilt and shame. Right now, he'd like to focus on the good feelings, the deep appreciation for the human that always seems to well up in his chest, even when everything else seems grim.

[tongueamok]

His eyes fall as he tries to think on his success with healing Glacius' chest rather than his failure at mending his gills. It's hard sometimes, given he is an individual so focused on his shortcomings rather than his accomplishments.

Despite that, he tries to not sour the mood. "As I said, I'd have done anything to keep you alive. I suppose being impaled is another commonality between us, isn't it?"

[glacius]

Glacius sputters. "I'd prefer if it was not! I--that never should have happened to you, Carlisle, I'm... sorry." So much for not getting caught up in guilt, but that night is still raw to the alien and so much has happened since then that they never really got the chance to address it. "I pride myself on being able to look out for people... for my closest friends, especially. It is... difficult when I can't live up to those expectations..."

His face falls transparently for a moment, but then he ends up removing his hand so that he can attempt to butt up under the clergyman's chin, his big face rubbing against his neck and chest as he seeks relief from those memories in the presence of his friend. "I'm so glad I got to you in time."

[tongueamok]

With his head against the clergyman's chest, Glacius may feel the breath that Carlisle takes, followed by a soft laugh, something that pushes its way out of him in spite of himself. He hesitates only a moment before he brings his hands around the alien's head in a gentle, tentative embrace, something made with all the care of a person who hasn't given -- or had -- one in a very long time.

"As am I," he admits, bringing his head down to rest his chin against his friend, closing his eyes, and simply reveling in that warmth in his chest. He feels needed, significant, wanted... and despite his injuries and the troubles that brought them to that moment, happy. Truly, undeniably happy. If only moments like that had more permanence, but as they don't, he clings to it while he can, repeating himself as though it'd make his words have more impact: "As am I."

[glacius]

Acting primarily out of that surge of relief, it's as if the ice alien doesn't recognize how personal this manner of contact is until Carlisle further it with an embrace--he tenses, but only for a second, and then he slumps more heavily against the clergyman and brings his tired arms up to return the embrace. A deeper sort of comfort courses through the alien as he listens to the human's even breath and steady heartbeat and registers the fact that is friend is not only responsive, but happy and stable. With the aid of the tea and the many blankets, he can even feel some body heat returning to the man; normally that's not the sort of thing Glacius would pursue--being a creature of ice, the colder the better--but he's come to find it desirable in these sorts of scenarios because it signifies the life and well-being of his friend.

He's not sure how long they both sit there like that; everything is sort of starting to run together as his mind drifts. Eventually Carlisle might notice the way his arms begin to go lax and his strained breathing evens out somewhat. He may be in the process of dozing off, the relief and comfort he feels strong enough to combat his state of hypervigilance, which had been steadily exhausting him... and though he doesn't mean to have put them both in a position where Carlisle can't reach any of the various t hings he brought in for him as easily, he's at least found a way to keep the clergyman from moving around too much that is comfortable for the both of them.

[tongueamok]

As much as Carlisle might have liked to stretch his legs, it's obvious he won't get the chance as Glacius presses further against him, his arms coming around the clergyman to return the embrace... and it's then, of all times, that Carlisle is struck with indecision. He knows in his gut that it's better to keep his distance -- despite what Glacius says, he is still quietly convinced he is a blight upon not only the alien, but the entirety of existence. That's his place as a twice-cursed, a mentality ingrained into him by the very world he comes from.

But as someone who has spent a good portion of his life shunned and afraid, he covets this feeling of acceptance and assurance so much. He feels protected, better than he could ever hope to be on his own, no matter how much he'd like to think otherwise.

And so he leans back and closes his eyes, dozing off himself. There's no practical reason to stay awake -- he and Glacius are both safe and sound for the moment, and he'd better take advantage of it while he can, as such moments are often so fleeting.