hadriel_logs | Event Log: Jumpscares

Entry tags:

Event Log: Jumpscares

Who: All characters participating in the event!
What: The event log for the Jumpscares event
Where: All over the city!
When: May 16th-May 20th
Warnings: Some startling jumpscares, interdimensional demon cats, the usual

A dark shadow looms over Hadriel on the morning of May 16th. There's a tension in the air, something palpable, as if everything has gone still and is ready to snap. You've been waiting for the other shoe to drop for hours now, and you're getting to the point where you're starting to wish that it would just happen already so that you can stop feeling this way.

Of course, when it does happen, it's not quite like you expect.

Maybe it's a tiger leaping out of your closet, claws extended. Maybe it's a faceless slenderman, stepping out from around the corner or a monster with beak and claws ripping open your shower curtain when you're most vulnerable- but within seconds, after you've been startled half to death by the monsters, they're gone. They vanish in a puff of smoke, or dissipate into glitter, or become something silly instead for a few brief moments before disappearing entirely.

Weird. But not unendurable, I guess. The bright side is that there will also be a few demon cats that have also made their way through the door. No two cats are ever in the same location, but there seems to be enough of them to go around, though the toothy one can be a bit vicious. Still, they aren't untameable, and might make nice pets, as long as you don't mind a bloody finger or two when it's time for lunch!

► This log covers May 16th-May 20th.
► 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 you have some heart problems that are unfortunately exacerbated by this event, please let us know here, and we're sorry.

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"And if I cannot remember such moments," Carlisle returns with another sigh, "I'm sure you can remind me."

His hand shakes as he reaches over to grab the more vibrant of the two orbs, moving it aside so he can scoot closer to his partner. He closes his eyes, shutting out all but them once more.

Well, all but them and the still-present pounding of his own heart in his chest -- he can't help but smile as he catches his breath. "And to think not an hour ago, I thought I might drop dead in the bathroom because my heart was racing so fast, yet it beats so stubbornly now, and I have never felt more secure in my life."

"Any time, anywhere," Glacius responds, the smugness winning out in his gaze for a moment. It doesn't last; his smile softens when Carlisle shelters up against him once more.

"Well, of course--I couldn't let your heart give out on you, given what a good one it is. It just needed a little bit of tending to help it find its strength... just like its owner," the ice alien replies, smoothing his hand over the clergyman's pectoral muscle as he feels the steady beating for himself. Feeling it this full of life never fails to be a comfort to the big creature, who tends to worry about Carlisle's health... probably even more than the clergyman himself does, if that's even possible. After a moment of consider it he stretches out and lays his head upon his partner's chest the better to listen for himself.

"I'll be sure to keep it well looked after from here on out--and the same goes for that sense of security, too. You provide me the same, after all," the otherworldly continues, his voice gentle. It's the truth; cuddled up close and bathed in the soft illumination from the human's light, he feels peaceful, safe. He'll probably always conflate it with his people's Motes, try as he might to remind himself of the differences... but that's alright with Glacius, as it nourishes the part of his soul that has been so wounded by separation from his culture. It's just another little quirk in their partnership that adds reinforces that sense of belonging that he feels when he is with Carlisle.

Carlisle smiles once again, resting himself as Glacius places his head upon his chest. Just as Carlisle relishes the chill of the alien's icy shell, Glacius might be able to feel the heat still radiating from the clergyman, a far cry from the human's normally cool temperature relative to others of his kind. It dissipates slowly, nearly in tandem with the steady beating of his heart as it finally calms.

For a time, Carlisle dozes off, his body relaxing more and more as the minutes tick by and it falls back into its usual state, save for all the ink and sweat still covering him. It's only when he starts shivering that he's roused again, his mind pulled from the edge of oncoming nightmares to remember that he's safe, he's here.

"Glacius," he tests quietly, afraid he might awaken his partner.

Glacius is not about to let himself nod off when there might still be spooks and apparitions afoot; he promised his partner he would keep them at bay, and that's exactly what he's going to do. The last thing he wants is for one of them to give his partner a rude awakening once the alien realizes he's drifted off! Instead he contents himself by lying still, feeling every muscle in his partner's body relax--a vast departure from how tense and nervous he usually is. It, like much of the rest of the evening, does the alien's hearts a lot of good to feel.

It isn't until Carlisle starts shivering that the alien moves; when the clergyman speaks his name the alien sits up, trying to help drape some of the sheets over him. "Yes, Carlisle? What is it? I am here."

"Ah, I didn't mean to wake you," he says quietly. "Or, er. Awaken you by asking if you were awake. Counterproductive, really, now that I think about it."

He pulls the sheets around him with a word of gratitude to his partner, and slides the comforter over himself for good measure. The dimmer of his two orbs slides off the bed as he pulls the blanket, snapping loudly on the floor as it goes out.

Glacius chirps as the orb starts to roll off the bed, sitting up like he aims to try and catch it--but he also doesn't want to accidentally prick or jostle his partner, so his movements are slower, and he's not able to extend an arm in time. He doesn't hide the dismay on his face as it pops against the ground, turning back and nosing against the other orb to make sure it's nestled safely among the folds of the sheets, like a protective parent making sure an egg can't roll away.

"I was already awake," the ice alien responds amidst the rustling of the blankets. "I told you I would watch over you."

"I know, I just—" A single, quiet chuckle escapes him. It's in his nature to worry. "I do know."

His eyes flit open, only to catch the dismay that crosses Glacius' face. "What? What's wrong?"

"One of your lights broke," Glacius replies, lifting his head only when he seems satisfied that the remaining one isn't going to do the same. "I must keep this one safe."

That gets another smile out of him. "I can make more, Glacius."

And prying himself from his partner's arm, he sits up and does just that, conjuring two, then another to make three -- four with the very vibrant one. He sets them along the bed, placing a hand atop Glacius' head reassuringly.

"As I've said before, it's a very minor conjuration from my world. Not terribly taxing, but infinitely useful."

Glacius perks up more and more as each new orb of light is generated, busily attempting to huddle each new orb of light in with the first one as Carlisle sets them upon the bed. Once they're all nestled securely in their wad of blankets, the alien regards them proudly, only to be surprised out of his vigil when the clergyman sets a hand a top his head. Chuffing, he pushes into the touch, content to slip up beside him once more to garner more of that reassuring petting.

"Just as long as you are being careful with your energy," the ice alien purrs, always considering his partner's wellbeing before his own delight. "You may call them minor, but to me, they are beautiful." Which can be applied to... a lot of their relationship, really, though Glacius doesn't seem to be drawing the connection there. He's too utterly pleased with the moment at hand, transfixed by the lights that Carlisle has conjured, settled by his comforting presence.

"I believe I have expended myself in critical ways plenty today, thank you," Carlisle returns with a lopsided grin as he runs his hand down the smooth curve of Glacius' neck, forgetting just how touchy a topic his health can be.

He seems to remember half a second later, and adds a reassurance: "I am feeling much better now though. Exhausted, but in a far more preferable way than... well, earlier."

Edited 2017-05-26 01:16 (UTC)

The reassurance comes at the perfect time; Glacius lifts his head again, looking first at Carlisle and then to motes--no, the orbs, he reminds himself--of light as if they could be used as measures of his health. When Carlisle continues on the alien swivels his head back to look at him, and a relief little bit of laughter rolls up out of his throat.

"I'll just take that as praise for my prowess in this regard, then," the otherworldly being rumbles, butting up affectionately against Carlisle's jaw and cheek. "But... if you need to rest, do not let me keep you up. It is important that we take good care of your energy and health, and I am more than content to lay here as you recuperate. As long as I am with you, I am happy."

Carlisle tilts his head to meet Glacius' affectionate nuzzling, his hand still resting at the back of the alien's neck, fingers curling at his spines. "Again, I promise I am in far better spirits than I was."

He says that, but not all is at ease in his mind now that the physical euphoria of their coupling has passed. His brow knits. "I am sorry, though... for what happened earlier. I did not take much notice then, but you fought off my influence."

And if his tone says anything, it's that he's grateful.

"You do not need to apologize to me--you did not mean to do it, and I understand how it can be difficult to gather your thoughts when you are frightened. And besides, it is as you said--no harm was done. By now, I am well acquainted with what it feels like, and I am used to the feeling of our metaphysical energies interacting. It is a shame whenever they must butt up against each other, rather than flowing naturally as they usually do during your examinations... but I will do what I must to reel you--or the both of us--back in."

Glacius sighs as he props himself up; it's his turn to run his hand over his partner now, as he gently cups the human's face with one hand and looks into his eyes as he tries to reassure him. "...Which is just a very long-winded way of me saying that I don't want you to worry or beat yourself up for this, alright? I am making the choice to stay, despite the warnings you have given me, because I care so deeply for you. Even if you do tug upon my will, I'm never going to be mad at you for it."

If anything, he'll just recognize it as a resounding cry for help, given that he knows just how dire circumstances must be for Carlisle to slip into the grasps of his curse like that. Now Glacius slips his hand up from the clergyman's jaw to the back of his head as he lays them both down, inviting his partner to shelter against his neck up underneath his chin. "No matter what happens, just remember this--there exists not a force in the world that can turn me away from you."

Carlisle takes that invitation, knowing well that Glacius likely saw the bleariness in his eyes as he promised to stay despite warnings both from Carlisle himself and the threat of what his abilities could do. Though he fears every day what could happen if his existence somehow taints his partner, bringing tragedy and misfortune upon them both, Carlisle cannot turn him away. It is far too late for that, and he is a selfish thing, so desperate for the connection they share that he'd do nearly anything to keep it. Glacius would, as well. He know that to be absolute truth.

Carlisle curls as close as he can to Glacius, his brow pressed to the underside of the alien's neck, arms resting against his chest. "I thought you would still be susceptible somehow. That is how I sent the other you away, after all... but his will must not have had the strength of yours. I'm... glad it didn't, in the end."

If the other Glacius had turned out to be the stronger of the two, they wouldn't be having this conversation, nor their coupling. In all honesty, Carlisle might not even be alive. How different would things be if he hadn't sent the other Glacius away that fateful day?

"I'm sure I still am in a way--I still felt your command, I just had the sense and the strength to reject it," Glacius explains, stroking Carlisle's back. "As for the... fabrication of the gods, I do not know if it came down to a weakness in the strengths of our wills so much as a similarity in our feelings for you... but I do not remember much after he tried to strangle me." His mind had been numbed first by agony, and then by his partner's willing them both to stop; there wasn't a thing he could do in that situation save for lay there and bleed until the command had faded.

"In a way, it was our bond that prevailed... even back then," the ice alien murmurs. "I'm glad things went the way they did, too... even if it is starting to seem as though the only other members of my species that I will ever see again will just be... cruel mockeries."

But that's a line of thinking he really can't afford to dwell on. He only just recently managed to make his way of out of a pit of depression; he doesn't need to be toppled back into one all over again.

As nice a thought as it is that their bond is what proved stronger than the false gods, even before they decided to take their relationship further, Carlisle cannot ignore the shift in Glacius' tone -- the longing that lies beneath his words -- as he speaks of his people. He presses the bridge of his nose to Glacius' neck in their not-quite-a-kiss, resting a hand along the side.

"It is one of my greatest regrets that I cannot alleviate the pain you feel from such a separation from your people," he says quietly, "but... should you ever feel alone, I am here." He's sure Glacius knows, but it's always worth repeating.

And sure enough, Glacius responds readily. "I know you are, Carlisle... you are my saving grace, one of the few who keep the worst of my isolation at bay. No one can cure the longing I feel for my people, but you make it more bearable than it has any right to be... I cannot be truly upset with where I find myself when I am in your arms."

Bearable, but not better -- it's as good a response as Carlisle can hope for, given the situation. Far worse is the thought of what will happen to Glacius should he vanish from the city -- or drop dead, as he'd mentioned earlier, whichever comes first. Would he truly soldier on? Or would he become an embittered thing far more like Algidus?

As usual, Carlisle would prefer not to know. What he does know is that if there is one thing he must do before death claims him, it's find a way to help Glacius home... even if it means they must part when returning to their own worlds. He's not sure if that's a task he can reasonably accomplish, but he must try, if given the opportunity.

But for now, he slides back in the conversation, putting a pin in that topic for later. "And I am more comfortable in yours, save for those moments when I nearly lose my grasp upon my abilities. It seems to fight me even during intimacy."

Glacius would argue that bearable is better--there's no doubt that he would be worse off if he didn't have the support and acceptance of his friends and partner. Perhaps in the future he should be more clear with his words; for now, the conversation is moving forward, and the alien is called to reassure his partner once more.

"Don't worry about those instances; as I have already repeatedly said, I do not mind it when you tug against me--in fact, I'd rather it happen when I am right here to help you stay grounded. When it comes to intimacy, I like it when you lose control," Glacius chuckles, but then calms again, continuing to stroke Carlisle's back. "But... if you truly do not enjoy such instances... then I can hold off. It is of the utmost importance that you are comfortable when you are with me, Carlisle, no matter how we are engaged. Would it make you feel better if we took things slower..?"

With his hand at Carlisle's back, Glacius can no doubt feel the sigh he pushes out of his lungs. "No, I'd- I rather do like that feeling you stir within me. You make me feel... incredible. Better than I knew I could feel."

Glacius might be able to feel how he reddens at that confession, too. He doesn't speak often of their most intimate moments, but when he does, it is often with a hint of reservation. He's the sort to keep such things between them for a reason. "I'm simply afraid of what might happen should I completely lose control over myself -- over my curse -- in those times. If I am unable to hold in the full breadth of its influence because I feel so... free. Unbound."

Another sigh. "It sounds so foolish. What kind of compulsion would that even be? What would I have you do when I am so inundated by—"

He cuts himself off, his color deepening. It's not as though Glacius doesn't know how he feels, but he is sheepish all the same for his own reactions.

While Glacius knows this is a very real concern for Carlisle, and something he is completely committed to helping his partner navigate, something about the way his partner says it sets him to stirring again. He slips up his partner's body, pressing their foreheads together as he stares deep into the human's slate-colored eyes.

"Whatever you desire of me," the ice alien rumbles. "I would serve you readily... and joyfully. And you know, Carlisle... you don't need to use your curse to tell me what to do."

Those slate-colored eyes meet Glacius' as the alien graces him with their sign of solidarity, only to fall despite his genuine sentiments.

"I don't mean to use it at all," he mumbles. "I don't ever want to use it upon you, even in those moments where I am overwhelmed by the feeling of you against me that my heart feels as though it would rend itself from my body, were it capable of such a feat. It is sin, Glacius... and I worry that this was not an isolated incident, but that I am slowly losing control over it, if I ever had any at all."

That gets Glacius to dial himself back, deciding to try and switch tactics from seductive to transparently reassuring. The alien had been hoping to show Carlisle that he finds every aspect of him desirable, but perhaps reassurance of a different sort would work better with such a sensitive subject.

So he lifts his head when the clergyman lowers his eyes, tucking him up against his neck instead--one of their other interactions that is quickly becoming a staple. "You're not losing control, don't worry. It was actually... much easier to bring you around from it this time than I was expecting. And I promise that I will always be right here beside you to help you do just that. We'll find a way to manage this, Carlisle, as we have all things... I promise."

Tucked safely beneath Glacius' neck, Carlisle rests his hands on the alien's shoulders, his fingers curling as he fights back his insecurities. Though it is easier with Glacius to aid him, encouraging him to stay strong, he can never fully silence the demons so fully ingrained within him, thickly rooted like stubborn weeds.

"Of course," he utters, pressing his face to Glacius' skin once again. "Together, as in all things."

And for however long together may be.

Event Log: Jumpscares

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