Private Vintergard Bleed It Out

[Jin]

As the wagons carried them back behind the safety of friendly lines, Jin found himself staring at the monstrosity that revealed itself in a final effort to erase the Starfallen. His world was numb, bright red, still too bright to make out any definitive qualities of the machine that had assailed them, but he was able to comprehend the sheer mass of it. The enemy had held back such a weapon during the siege, despite its obvious capacity for devastation. The fact that Astorea had sent them behind enemy lines- had they known about it, or was this something just as unexpected for them?

He glanced down toward his right hand, still a blackened shell of bone with red hot patches of molten iron where it had congealed and slowly began to harden. There were so many questions he knew they would never answer. As he glanced back toward the horizon, he couldn't help but to smile. Regardless of Astorean cooperation, he would have his answers.

In due time.

The question became, then, what were they willing to allow the Starfallen to know? At what point did they become a liability? When did he have to anticipate a blade at his neck from the people who were for the moment calling him an ally?

More of the blood pumping out from his heart toward the edges of his resynthesized skin began to coalesce and take form. Every heartbeat brought him closer to a fresh form, but none of them did anything to abate the sensation that continued to play back in his mind.

The memory of flame. Unholy, scorching fire that tore his flesh asunder and reduced him to little more than ash. And despite the improbability of survival, Jin defied death. In return, he now knew pain unlike any mortal man. He remembered it. He lived it, and he breathed it in, and subsequently exhaled it.

He twitched the fingers of his left hand, still infantile in its reconstitution. The flesh was pink like a newborn, growing cooler as the heat from beneath it sizzled away. People weren't supposed to be capable of such horrific magic. Any other Landers- any members of the other Kingdoms- would have regarded him as a dark wizard and come at him with intent to kill.

For now, the decree of the King stayed their blades.

"So, was the actual goal of the operation to draw out that weapon and measure the reach and magnitude of its offensive capabilities?" he asked, dismissing all pretense and leveling a gaze on one of the men charged with the retrieval of the magisteed team.

"Further information regarding the completed operation is considered to be privileged," the guard informed him. "Please err on the side of caution when discussing it, and do not divulge-"

"Textbook response," Jin sighed. "How boring."

"Your cooperation on this matter is appreciated," the guard reiterated. "There will be a debriefing, where you can direct your questions toward someone more qualified to answer."

"Don't you find it interesting that despite your involvement in the mission, you don't qualify?"

"I'm just on the payroll, mage. You're the special one, not me."

Jin shrugged. There wasn't much point in arguing with the guard if he wasn't going to take the bait. Or perhaps he was being honest. Perhaps he truly knew nothing.

Oh, well.

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

Death in video games was never permanent. The player could always respawn or "try again". So, in theory, the cold embrace of the reaper she briefly experienced shouldn't have rattled her as much as it did. However, she knew better. She knew to be wary of the "virtual" world she logged into.

The chilling truth of Terrasphere had been revealed to her when the virtual game shut down. Some of her teammates - her friends - were trapped within the game. Their physical bodies died alongside the game. Even before Terrasphere disappeared, there had been rumors that players were unable to log out after they achieved a certain number of deaths.

But Terrasphere rose like a phoenix from the ashes which meant there was hope. Hope that she could find traces of those long since considered dead. But it also brought despair. The game's return was a double-edged sword.

Ugh. All of this doom and gloom didn't suit the bright-eyed woman. Her user interface was still accessible so, for now, she was safe. She needed to be more careful in the future. Hell, she knew that before the death ray vaporized her yet she still charged forth with reckless abandon. Maybe she really did have a death wish.

Thankfully, a voice broke through her grey thoughts. Although not addressed to her, Aerial eagerly shifted to the side of a sad, sad pile of flesh and bones. Jin didn't look nearly as bad as he had before. Slowly, but surely, he had begun to recompose himself. It was still creepy as hell but the grisly sight wasn't enough to keep her at bay.

"Aww." Cheeks puffed out as she pouted toward the guard, "This poor man sacrificed his flesh for you but you can't even show a hint of gratitude. Is asking such a little question so bad? Like, a super-mega death rocket vaporized me. I feel like that has to qualify for something."

The guard simply glared in response. "I guess the townsfolk are fine with all of you treating their heroes like secondhand trash. I'm sure they'll be thrilled when they find out the guards who can't protect their own decided to look down upon those who can. Hell, I don't think I've seen a single guard ever properly do their job when protecting a village." The man refused to break and remained poised and professional.

Aerial slid down to the wagon's wood flooring, resting beside Jin. "Welp. I tried. Looks like the sticks are too far up their asses to get them to loosen their lips." she shrugged. She didn't really mind. She was curious but not nearly enough to continue a line of questioning that would get her nowhere. "How goes the healin' our resident, masochistic tardigrade?"

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

Like a steel trap, the guard slammed shut after the first wave of questions. When the woman proceeded with her interrogation, it seemed only to perturb the man. That fact wasn't lost on Jin, who watched new flesh crawl over his bony hand as it knit back together slowly. "I didn't expect for them to be forthcoming, but then, they're just guardsmen. It's not like the higher ups tell them anything that's actually important."

Jin didn't have to look up to see that the man's expression tightened as though he had been slapped. The reality was that despite the world of Terrasphere being inherently inhabited by the Landers, Astorea had ceded rule and dominance to the Starfallen. There was a great deal of malcontent generated by that fact. He had hoped that plucking at that heartstring might entice the guard to speak, but it seemed like there truly was nothing to tell.

Unfortunately for the NPC, the woman went much harder than Jin had intended to go, about the failures of the guard and the abject superiority of the Playerbase. He did look up to see how the man would react to that. Obvious anger burned in his eyes despite the professionalism he showed, and once Aerial took a seat next to the Bloodsworn, the man promptly excused himself and hopped out to escort the wagon on foot.

"We're directing our questions at the wrong people," he shrugged. "But Im not delusional enough to believe that the right people will tell us what we want to know, either. Not until it suits their purposes to do so, at any rate."

Jin was curious, but all would be revealed in due time.

She called him that weird name again, though he didn't bother to ask what it meant. He understood the context well enough. "Now that we're out of combat, it should progress at a steady rate," he replied. "None of my current magic is curative, but it excels at prolonging and sustaining life under exceptional conditions. Coupled with the natural regeneration properties of the human body, regrowing tissue is well within error. As you can see," he said, holding up a hand.

He recalled her fate on the battlefield, and took the opportunity to pose his own question.

"What was it like?" he asked. The answers had to vary between the manner of death and the individual. He wanted more data, to discern what exactly death in this world was, and if it was comparable to the real world equivalent. The two phenomena were linked, after all, weren't they?

Most people might have asked how she felt, or if she was alright. Jin forewent that line of questioning. Of course she wasn't "alright."

She had died.

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"You never know." she shrugged flippantly. The inner workings of Terrasphere were still surrounded by large question marks. For example, the blurry line between "star-called" and non-playable characters. Were their actions programmed - a simulation on a grand scale - or were they alive? But, in that sense, what did "alive" mean? The line became more and more blurred the further she delved into the game.

Hmm... directing their questions at the wrong people. Well, he had a point. Even if it was a creation of strung-together codes, the world had a system. It was unfortunate that the real world couldn't be fully escaped even within the confines of a video game. Just like in Terrasphere, there were many topics that were hidden away from the public. Her quest regarding the true nature of the virtual game had been met with resistance for years. "You're right. I wasn't sure if maybe they shared some hive-mind code or something." Another shrug.

His regenerative abilities were impressive, to say the least, but her nose still crinkled at the unnatural and grisly process. "Ah, right. You used hemomancy during the battle, correct?" Aerial really needed to explore the combinations and push the boundaries of her own skills. They granted much more creative leeway than other games.

"What was it like?" "Oh, the whole being dead thing?" she chuckled in an attempt to hide the shiver that ran along her spine. "Complete darkness. I couldn't feel anything besides a chill. I was aware yet I wasn't. I guess it was like sleep paralysis. That moment where you're aware of your surroundings but unable to react. The longer I drifted, the more unattached from my body I felt. I do recall feeling drawn towards something. I assume that was the sensation of a respawning temple because I was pulled (from what I could tell) in the opposite direction when I was revived." Her tongue clicked as she struggled to relay the experience.

"Although, I think the 'scariest' part was right before you died. You have a split second of realization and intense pain before you're in a void of nothingness. Drifting in that void didn't hurt nor did it feel unsettling at the time. Recalling it, though.." Her stomach performed a shaky somersault while her heart raced away.

To shake away the unease that gnawed in her chest, she casually joked, "Hah. Sorry. I'm not really good at explaining. If PVP was a thing then I could allow you to experience it yourself buuut.."

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

They had considered the option of some kind of networked consciousness, since it made sense that Magia might have computer-like capabilities; but if they did, not even MIT had crossed the threshold of such a discovery. Jin could only postulate about it himself, but given their ability to respond quickly and with deadly precision to threats, he safely assumed that it was a limited capability, afforded to newer constructs and only paired with some form of asset denial. That would solve the mystery of why the Starcalled had yet to discover it.

But those were pointless ramblings outside of a strategy meeting.

Ah, right. You used hemomancy during the battle, correct?

"Mmmm." he responded in the affirmative. "Not something I do often, or openly given how the denizens of this world consider it taboo. But if you want to control and manipulate your own body in ways that break free from its nature it's the most practical tool."

He listened intently as she spoke on the experience of death with much less brevity than Yugam. He was appreciative for that- it gave him a broader perspective, and between multiple people in the game who had experienced it. What he did notice from the girl was an apparent nervousness at recalling it all. Perfectly normal response, probably, but Jin marveled at the innate humanity of it. That intrinsic sense of self-preservation that was common from one person to the next that he lacked still invoked a sense of curiosity.

Why fear the inevitable?

But he felt that asking her that might push the boundaries of the conversation too far. People rarely responded too well if pressed.

If PVP was a thing then I could allow you to experience it yourself buuut...

He had to laugh at that. It was rare that someone said something that truly amused him, at least, something meant intentionally to amuse him. It was a bit of a tongue in cheek thing to say given the situation, and perhaps indicative of an unhinged person, but anyone who was still playing Terrasphere after learning about the dangers of death had to have a screw or two loose.

"I imagine the data I would be able to collect would serve far better than what I can glean from anyone else's experience, but alas," he said after a moment or two of chuckling, "The government of Astorea looks poorly on the idea of a Player taking the life of another, and you lose favor with all of the guilds, along with the luxuries and protections afforded to them if you fall out of favor with the Nation."

He did recall talk of Players who had joined with Tertoria or Falderen, but they did not often consort with people who threw in their lot with Astor. Add to that the importance of the Guilds and access to important NPCs for quests and passive income, and the cost of taking a life far outweighed any amount of data.

"I do appreciate the sentiment, of course."

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"They claim it taboo but, regardless, beg on their knees for assistance. If it isn't used against their own kind then why does it matter how the job is done? Or would they prefer mecha robots over a teeny bit of blood?" Eyebrows furrowed as the corners of her lips curved downward. "Ughh. Hypocrites can't be escaped even in video games. That's a bit too realistic for my liking."

A question formed in his eyes - or perhaps a reflection of the dimming sun. Instead, the dark-humored man kept quiet until a laugh escaped his otherwise cool demeanor. "Is it possible to lose favor when you don't have any?" A mostly hypothetical question. However, Aerial wondered if the game automatically changed one's experience to reflect their actions.

Wait. The entire world already looked down upon her existence. Murphy's law stalked her at every turn. "Heck. Luxuries and good fortune already seem off-limit due to that stupid roll of fate so if you ever change your mind."

She fell silent for a moment. This could be a chance to dig for information of her own. After all, she hadn't entered Terrasphere just to mess around. "What do you know about the UI locked?" she finally asked, watching his reaction closely. It was almost impossible to not be aware of the rumor that encompassed Terrasphere. Even if one didn't have first-hand experience, the knowledge of those trapped within the game had been spread about like an urban legend.

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

Ughh. Hypocrites can't be escaped even in video games. That's a bit too realistic for my liking.

If she disliked that, she was in for a very rude awakening. Astorea was the only nation that exhibited any level of tolerance for the comparatively liberal ministrations of the Starcalled. It stemmed from the fact that its leadership were Players themselves. Or, had been. At some point after the UI locking, were they really just Players anymore?

Is it possible to lose favor when you don't have any?

"Such an interesting question to ponder," he smirked. "Astorea is the one exception to all the rules of this land. Acceptance for the culture of those not of this world, because the people who lead the nation were not from this world. By that token, so long as you do not incur their wrath or press them to take action that would limit your access to their resources, you are favored by proxy. Because Starcalled are a precious resource to the Kingdom of Astorea. Disposable Heroes."

It was his assessment, but everything he'd seen thus far did nothing to make him second guess himself. They played fast and loose with the truth, roping people into dangerous situations by withholding major points of contention. It was as though their policy was that it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

What do you know about the UI locked?

"Prominent members of leadership are UI locked," he continued. "The King himself, if it's to be believed, and the leader of MIT. Others, too-" he stroked his chin thoughtfully, "some by design, others by misfortune. But their stories are not common knowledge, only the nature of their fates. You would have to ask them to learn more."

What he did know was that those people did die, and after that, they lost the ability to leave. Moreover, there was information consistent with a loss of the ability to use common tools that the Starcalled still had access too, such as the UI itself and all of the luxuries that came with it, like messaging.

He leaned closer and leveled his eyes with her own as he spoke his next words.

"Be careful should you decide to rock that boat," he told her. "There is a reason that such things are kept quiet, and I can't emphasize how expendable we are to them enough."

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"I didn't play the first incarnate of Terrasphere so I'm still trying to grasp all of the lore. Too bad they don't have a Wiki." Or maybe they did. She'd accessed the sketchy depths of the dark web before when searching for clues on the illegal game. If information was to be found, she'd have to dig deeper and deeper. Unfortunately, it could be hard to filter through what was fiction, what was fact, and what were theories.

Disposable heroes. Well, at least they brandished the word "heroes" in their titles. It wasn't every day that you'd be given the opportunity to be referred to as such. "I suppose I don't blame them. Honestly, it's a smart strategy. There are many wannabe heroes out there. Why not take advantage of their willingness to die? They get the admiring fans and dozens of roses they desire while the world gains valuable assets that can't stay seem to stay dead." Sure. It was nice to be lauded around. But it felt silly to be looked at with such awe when all they did was exist with no merits to their names.

"I've heard Astorea was founded by a player." When the game closed, did personalities get implanted into them and erase their free will? Were they aware of their previous lives? And, if they were, why weren't they speaking up? "Be careful should you decide to rock that boat." Well, that could easily be the answer- everyone was too wary to pursue the inner workings.

"Expendable but hard to get rid of." she murmured, arms folding across her chest. "The reason why the worst part of that experience," with that referring to her death, "was the moment before death took hold because the rules are unclear. It's impossible to know if UI is still being locked after a certain number of deaths or if that function has been eradicated." Seriousness wasn't a forte of hers but in this case...

"Only one real way to find one, eh?" Though her eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint, Aerial wasn't ready to lose her physical body to the game. She was reckless but casually throwing away lives was a stupid idea - even by her standards. "I'm not going to just rock the boat." she grinned, face mere inches from his own. The man looked twisted and sickly but she didn't even try to flinch away. "Being expendable might work in my favor. If I truly can't stay dead then they can't stop me from investigating."

One way or another, she would find them and save them. Huh. Guess she was the silly one recklessly playing hero now. "There're too many secrets not to delve further, don't you think?"

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

The reason why the worst part of that experience was the moment before death took hold because the rules are unclear. It's impossible to know if UI is still being locked after a certain number of deaths or if that function has been eradicated.

"You could always ask someone who has died a sufficient number of times to give you peace of mind," Jin replied with a shrug. The reality was that he didn't care much; if he died, he never relied heavily on the UI anyway- other than for things like trade and handling the exchange of currency, which he could easily do as he did in the real world without it.

I'm not going to just rock the boat. Being expendable might work in my favor. If I truly can't stay dead then they can't stop me from investigating.

"That's not entirely accurate," he said, recalling the face of the woman who was afflicted so heavily with Red Fever that she was forced to stay behind. With her sacrifice came swift and assured victory... but she did not walk away from the ordeal short a tally mark. "From what I have seen, UI locking makes you little more than a Lander," he revealed. "I can't say for certain, but in the one case I have seen of a person who has lost three lives going on to lose another, they did not recover from the experience."

While he couldn't say for certain whether that was an exception or the rule, it was worth mentioning.

There're too many secrets not to delve further, don't you think?

His eyes matched hers, a smile stretching across his features. In the moments after reconstitution, it had been warped, but as the flesh set and cooled into a proper form, he looked almost normal- if pale, if gaunt. "But that, I don't disagree with at all."

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"Ah, yes. Because openly asking random people is definitely not going to draw attention to myself." Lips pursed into a pout, she airly whined, "And here I thought you cared for me after giving me such a warning." However, a laugh broke her half-hearted attempt at a sad, kicked puppy.

"From what I have seen, UI locking makes you little more than a Lander." Her smile temporarily faltered. "Was that recently?" she inquired about his knowledge of the death system. Teeth grit together as hands curled into a fist."Do you recall if they retained their memories despite not being able to log-out? Despite their physical bodies.."

A rare look of anger caused her eyebrows to furrow. "Yeah, I'd rather not lose my ability to log out and, y'know, have my body die in real life." Her voice became a hushed whisper. Or would a lander have easier ways to access the hidden truths that lurked in the dark? "Although, I imagine forever being detached from the real world would be favorable to some." But her teammates wouldn't have viewed it that way. At least, that's what she chose to believe.

"What are you searching for, then?" Any answer would be interrupted by the guards announcing they'd arrive in some city that she'd already forgotten the name of.

Jin's recovery appeared to be going smoothly albeit her eyes begged to differ. "Can you stand?" she asked, ignoring the impatient look the guards threw them. "Or do you need me to drag your ass somewhere?" Based on what he previously said, leaving him in the wagon (fully viewable by the city's occupants) would only spell disaster.

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

Ah, yes. Because openly asking random people is definitely not going to draw attention to myself. And here I thought you cared for me after giving me such a warning.

He smile thinly as she mentioned not drawing attention to herself. "And here I was under the impression you weren't worried about such things," he teased. "There are always those who are more discreet than others, and even then, there are questions, and there are questions," he intoned, hinting that there may be other ways of getting the information she wanted without drawing the kind of attention she was worried about.

Was that recently?

"Some months ago," he shrugged. "Whether anomalous or an example of what's to be expected, I couldn't say," he added before she could interrogate him further. At that point, she knew as much as most of the people who were present during the Isulus debacle, and that was more than enough.

Do you recall if they retained their memories despite not being able to log-out? Despite their physical bodies...

"Information I was not privy to at the time," he admitted. "Said individual did not deign to disclose their UI locked status to the collective prior to meeting their end. It was through several investigations done later, into their residency and membership in one of the Guilds, that it was determined that they were missing in action. If they still exist in this world, they have made no attempt to parley with people they knew, or engage in any of the activities that were a part of their known routine."

Jin had only become interested in the woman's fate after it became well known that she had disappeared thereafter. What he knew, Aerial now knew. And it was just enough to shed some doubt on the fates of those who were thrice killed already. There was nothing to confirm said fate, but it was heavily implied that she did not return.

And chasing dead ends was time that could be better spent elsewhere, in the Bloodsworn's book.

What are you searching for, then?

"Oh, this and that," he replied with a sparkle of mischief in his eye, his voice filled to overflowing with nonchalance. "Nothing quite so compelling as what you're asking after, I'm sure. If I had to say directly, though, the best way to put it would be..."

Jin looked down at his legs, still not quite finished with the process of rebuilding, but closer than they had been only minutes before. With his cloak in place, he could easily finish the process away from prying eyes. Her offer was kind enough, but there was a probability that she would continue to ask questions.

"Freedom."

He'd already given away more than enough for free, and on top of that, he did not want to owe anyone anything.

"I can manage," he told her.

It would be a long walk back, but it was best he disembark sooner than later.

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"And here I was under the impression you weren't worried about such things."

Well, shit. She'd walked right into that one. It wasn't every day that she'd come across someone with enough wit to properly think of such a smooth comeback. "Touche." A compliment that didn't quite match the sad, puppy-dog pout she displayed. "Stiiiill. It was nice to think someone cared. Actually, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. Wait. Hear what?" she playfully smirked. "Aw shucks, Mr. Tardigrade. Thank you kindly for caring. What a gosh darn sweetie." A country-adjacent accent accompanied her shift in tone. "Adjacent" because impressions were clearly not her strong suit.

Aerial couldn't suppress the ugly snort her body released upon hearing the words "discreet". "Error, error. That word is not found in my database." Her presence was loud. Even when playing other video games, stealth was never her strong suit. She'd get found out and immediately start killing everyone. It was much easier that way.

"Oh, this and that." Oh, how she wanted to wipe that look off of his face. " Nothing quite so compelling as what you're asking after, I'm sure. If I had to say directly, though, the best way to put it would be... freedom." An inquisitive eyebrow quirked into a silent question mark.

However, she didn't press for more details. Maybe later. She still cheeky complained, though, "I showed you mine and you won't show yours? I see how it is."

"I can manage."

"All offense intended," she studied his disfigured form, "But you look like absolute shit." Aerial attempted to snatch his hand or at least prevent him from escaping their transport. C'mon. Let's get a drink. I died and you're probably in hella pain. We definitely deserve, at the very least, a drink." She persisted, unsure how tough this nut would be to crack, "I'll pay~" Well, she would for the first round.

"Please agree or else I'll be forced to carry you bridal style to the nearest tavern." Given his current state, Aerial was confident that he didn't have enough energy to resist. She'd been revived at peak health while Jin... Well, his physical appearance explained it all. "I can't just leave you when you look like a sick, starved, and mangy stray. I'm waiting for that Sarah Mc.. something lady to start singing 'In The Arms of an Angel'."

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

The exact sort of person Jin preferred to avoid had unwittingly weaseled herself into a longer-than-ideal conversation with him. Without much more than a grunt, he let most of the conversation roll off of him, the way he had learned to do with most people. He did listen to the things she was saying, if only enough to understand them and dissect them. Something caught his attention, though.

I showed you mine and you won't show yours? I see how it is.

Even if it seemed mindless and hyperenergetic, she was pressing for information. Moreso than he initially expected. She played this card the way an interrogator often did, to deflect and make it seem as though she were giving up the chase. His gaze moved back to her as she commanded all of his attention. Unlike before, when it was a simple back and forth.

All offense intended, but you look like absolute shit.

"The flamethrower wasn't great as far as beauty treatments go," he replied, "so that makes sense."

C'mon. Let's get a drink. I died and you're probably in hella pain. We definitely deserve, at the very least, a drink.

She wasn't wrong. In fact, as far as pain went, the sensation burning in his veins, along his skin, all the way down to the bone- it was legendary. He could write volumes about it, something as extravagant and yet agonizing as pure torture. It was an experience unlike anything he had ever felt, and those were the things about this world that gave it meaning. At least, that was the case for Jin.

He was about to open his mouth to respond when she added

I'll pay~

Certainly, not an act of kindness. He'd already determined that she wanted information, and despite her methods being the direct opposite of his own, she had proven effective to a marginal degree in gathering it. The pain was both the most intoxicating thing and the most annoying at the same time, because he was sharply focused on it throughout everything. For someone to offer him alcohol, which he knew to be as effective in this world as it was outside at instilling numbness... he wouldn't pass the offer up lightly.

Please agree or else I'll be forced to carry you bridal style to the nearest tavern.

"If you touch me, I will make sure to leave you out for the Magia to pick your bones," he warned, "all the same, I could use a drink, so-"

I can't just leave you when you look like a sick, starved, and mangy stray.

A charity case. They always were. He was used to this in the real world, but for someone to do it here, he felt like he'd been smacked across the face. She was calling him helpless, weak, in need of salvation. His eyes were devoid of amusement as he responded.

"This is my default setting," he replied. "Looks can be deceiving."

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"The flamethrower wasn't great as far as beauty treatments go so that makes sense."

Aerial chuckled, "I'll take your word on it." She looked down at her own body. It was hard to believe that she'd been disintegrated an hour or so ago. "May I recommend vaporization by a death ray? It's done wonders on my skin."

"All the same, I could use a drink, so-" he trailed off as a veil suddenly masked his face. She frowned in confusion. Had she said something wrong? Aerial had been light-heartedly joking around so she couldn't understand what caused the sudden shift in mood.

"Please." she uncharacteristically whispered in a tiny, hushed voice. "I don't want to be alone." A shiver ran along her spine as intrusive thoughts attempted to drag her back into that dark void.

"This is my default setting. Looks can be deceiving."

Hm. Despite her teasing, Aerial viewed the man as a strong individual. Was he actually just as shaken, if not more, than her? "So you're not a badass tardigrade?" Though she tried to joke, her smile wavered. Her pleading eyes silently begged for him to agree.

Her composure crumpled piece by piece. "I'm the one being deceiving right now. Secretly, I'm fucking terrified and I don't want to be alone. I've lost friends to this game and.." Aerial trailed off, placing a hand over her mouth. Talk about TMI. He didn't need to know that nor would be probably care but..

Selfishly, she proceeded, "I can zip my mouth up and throw away the key. I'm totally cool with drinking in silence just.." Don't leave me alone. Teeth chewed the bottom of her lip to keep it from quivering.

Hah. She wasn't used to this gripping anxiety nor the timid vulnerability.

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

He watched her demeanor change over the course of several moments. When the iron bars slammed down and his words began to lack the sharpness and color of emotion, her chipper facade faltered. She asked again, was he a not a badass? What was he, if anything?

But that wasn't the question that received an answer. Instead, she was suddenly the one under the lamp, confessing sins she hadn't even been accused of. Her guts were spilling across the dirt and he hadn't even asked a question.

This was raw, visceral, terror. She had been hiding behind the bravado. But how much of this was real, and how much was an act to get him to drop his guard? Jin continued to watch her closely, carefully as she talked about the loss of her friends, of people that this world had taken; and perhaps most soul stirring of all, she implored him to not leave her alone.

His expression remained unchanged as he weighed the woman in silence. Measured her. Found her wanting.

I can zip my mouth up and throw away the key. I'm totally cool with drinking in silence just...

"A drink," he responded at last, after she had waited several eternities for even a sound. There were stipulations he could have named, no conversation, nothing more; but he felt it unnecessary to put further pressure on someone who was showing all of their proverbial cracks already. "Bourbon, straight, with a twist," he told her what he would have as if he had been responding to her conversation all along. "But no more questions. You may talk if you like."

@Aerial

 

[Aerial]

..

"Bourbon, straight, with a twist."

Palpable relief caused tense muscles to visibly relax and the breath she'd been holding finally released. Pearly white teeth were exposed by her wide smile.

"But no more questions. You may talk if you like."[/COLOR] Wait. Hadn't he been the one who started their little game of twenty questions? The conversation had started with the pestering of a guarding followed by a genuine question: what was it like? Somehow, she managed to keep her mouth clamped and the accusatory words swallowed down.

"It's a deal~" She stretched her hand out, a peace treat of sorts, but quickly withdrew it when she noticed how much it trembled. Fingers gripped the hem of her shirt as she tried to quell this feeling. It was such an unfamiliar one. "And, uhm, thank you. Err. I mean. For staying. You can't take it back, okay?"

She wasn't used to expressing raw vulnerability so she desperately tried to change the subject. "But, uh, do you know where we are?" she paused, "Oh, right. No questions~" Though she still playfully jested, her tone lacked its usual light-heartedness. Pull it together, Gigi.

An elderly couple walked into view; an opportunity that she quickly capitalized on. "Excuse me, do you know where we can find some good ale?"

"Oh, are you and your boyfriend out on a date?" the woman swooned.

Aerial blinked once, twice, thrice. "What?"

"Dearie, remember when we were that young?" she continued upretrubed.

The male chuckled, "I recall the courtship being quite one-sided for a while. Her expression reminds me of yours, sweetie." He winked at Jin. "Don't worry, sonny, you'll eventually break her down."

Why was he speaking like she wasn't standing right there? "... So, about that tavern?"

"Oh, yes! This lovely little place is holding a special for the holidays! All couples will receive a discount."

"And their alcohol is top shelf quality."

A nervous giggle showed her discomfort as she tried to navigate away from the conversation. Really, she looked ready to bolt. The couple didn't get the memo and were continuing to talk in some lovey-dovey language that couldn't be translated.

"Mister Tardigrade!" She attempted to grab his cloak and pull him toward a hasty retreat. Technically, she wasn't breaking his rule of no touching because she was touching his cloak rather than him directly. Yeah, that was a good defense.

Unfortunately, it was all for naught. The elderly couple spawned a geriatric crowd. They were all excitedly humming with love in their eyes. It looked like that holiday, festive spirit came early for these townfolks. Before she knew it, she was being led directly to the previously mentioned tavern. Jin probably didn't fare any better than she did. He couldn't move too well, especially at the cost of his cloak revealing his use of "taboo" magic.

"I mean... Top shelf liquor for cheap." she shrugged, glancing up at her companion. "We might as well, right?" Also, her crummy roll of the fate die meant that she needed to seize any discount presented to her. "S'not like anyone would question our status and... Oh my gosh! The sign says we get a free complimentary dessert platter!" Excitement bubbled over and replaced any previous doubts. "It looks delicious.. and it's free!"

"Pleasepleasepleaseplease." Hope shined bright in her eyes despite knowing full well it'd probably be crushed. But... Free food. Discounted drinks. It was paradise.

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

Through the jeering and jests came a more genuine plea, her voice fluctuating as she spoke it. He heard the shift in tone, slight and imperceptible though it may have seemed. You can't take it back, okay? It was a question, but a rhetorical one. Asked for her own sake, not for his commentary. His gaze remained on the woman as she situated herself.

Was there a time when he'd been that way? Weak, helpless, afraid? Yes- he was certain of it. Behind a haze that he couldn't quite see through anymore, there was a child, frail, terrified, screaming out for help. Screaming until his lungs ached and his voice was spent. He screamed and screamed until he could not scream, but no one ever came.

Jin stared at @Aerial, head tilting slightly as she navigated the situation. But, uh, do you know where we are? Of course he didn't. This was her plan, her idea, her mistake to make. Not his.

Excuse me, do you know where we can find some good ale?

The woman asked someone for directions, and Jin's thoughts wandered. There was a conversation, and perhaps given the way that the older pair were looking between them and gesturing toward Jin, he was somehow implicated or involved outright- but he lacked the capacity to care. There was pain, there was a sensation like fire in his blood as it knit together a new sheath for bone and sinew. There was resentment, less for the girl herself but for some abstract concept she vaguely forced him to recall.

But.

-their alcohol is top shelf quality.

The pain teetered between divine and unbearable, and the prospect of numbness if only fleeting was enough to draw the Bloodsworn back from the confines of his own thoughts.

Mister Tardigrade!

By now, he simply accepted this to mean 'him.' Jin looked at the woman with a vacant expression, only somewhat aware of the content of her last few minutes of conversation. She was pulling at him in an instant, and he felt himself being carried along like a child caught in a current. He had the strength to resist, certainly, but the scene that followed would not play out to his benefit. No, rather, in this instance it was preferable to seem thrall to the woman's wiles.

Pleasepleasepleaseplease.

"You did say there was a drink involved," he recalled. "I'll take that drink."

 

[Aerial]

..

"You did say there was a drink involved." Thank the heavens. Mister Tardigrade (albeit merely swept along by the current) hadn't slipped away. Then again... getting away from the swarm of the elderly appeared to be a daunting task; their big grins and innocent, sparkling eyes concealed their nefarious plots.

"I'll take that drink." Time to capitalize on his foolish decision - Er, rather, his "charitable" spirit. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to them, a side quest requiring planned deceit and "acts of love" triggered the second they found seats.

"Oh! What a lovely couple we have here. I presume you're here for our special?" Aerial nodded eagerly. This was much easier than she- "Alright, we'll just need you two to prove your relationship status." Shit. She spoke too soon. Body frozen to her seat, panicked eyes sought Jin's bloody gaze.

"Oh," Aerial loudly chuckled, "Of course! How do we..?" Her question trailed off into the abyss. Not just any void, though. The darkness swallowed the world around them and dragged them into the shadow realm where a wannabe cupid non-playable character awaited them.

The childish figure of love turned towards them with hearts in his eyes. "Our final couple has just arrived! Please, take your places on the podium~" His sing-song voice directed them towards an elaborate set reminisce of a corny game show from the 80s.

When Aerial didn't budge, too stunned to move, a cartoon heart with wings escorted (dragged) her to the loveseat. The heart-shaped couch could hardly be categorized as such. Instead, it was a chair designed for one but utilized in a manner that ensured the "couple" were practically on top of one another.

"I, I think we're in the wrong spot. Wait - are those TV cameras?" Her weary mind struggled to keep up with the whirlwind that she'd unknowingly been swept in.

"Duh, silly, how else would be broadcast our beautiful show? The world must witness these acts of pure love and passion!"

A nervous giggle quickly died in her throat when she realized he wasn't joking. "May we leave? I'm, uh, too shy to display my affection in front of.. a live audience?" The statement turned into a question when she realized that there was, in fact, a live audience behind the numerous cameras.

"Aw, you're so cute~ But, my darling, there's no leaving until the end of the show~" He turned to the audience, hyping them up for the start of "LOVE DIABETES".

White hair possibly brushed against Jin as she leaned closer to his ear, "What the fuck do we do?" She couldn't even use her magic in this alternate world they'd be spirited away to.

@Jin​

 

[Jin]

He stared blankly as the whirlwind of events whipped and tossed them about. In the first moment, they were seated in the establishment that they had been told had "top shelf quality," and with the next breath, they were whisked away by an overeager and inquisitive... game show host?

"So," he intoned calmly. "That drink?"

Alright, we'll just need you two to prove your relationship status.

Jin's blink was slow, deliberate, almost painful as he turned to regard the speaker with a headsman's gaze.

Our final couple has just arrived! Please, take your places on the podium~

"I am not moving."

May we leave? I'm, uh, too shy to display my affection in front of.. a live audience?

Aw, you're so cute~ But, my darling, there's no leaving until the end of the show~

The man turned to face a crowd of faceless fans, hollering and whooping and catcalling about 'Love Diabetes,' a pairing of words and meanings Jin couldn't hope to conjure better than. He bristled visibly at the idea that he wouldn't be allowed to leave when he hadn't willingly accepted the position on the show to begin with, but his agitation was vaguely outweighed by his desire to close on the promised drink- a luxury the host held that was rapidly diminishing.

What the fuck do we do?

"I asked for bourbon," he repeated, the very same measured, quiet voice reciting the order like clockwork. "Straight. With slice of lemon squeezed in, hold the ice," he explained his choice of drink in the most elementary way possible, that even a small child would not mess it up.

"Yes, well, to get a drink you have to play," the host indicted him.

"I'm beginning to think that perhaps the drink was not worth the trouble," he said, casting a frigid glance sidelong toward @Aerial , who was looking to him to take charge of the situation. He would, certainly- but not in any way that any of them would enjoy.

"Come on now, the lovely lady brought you all the way here to declare your love to the world. Isn't that just the most romantic surprise you could imagine?"

Jin swung and did not miss. "I can imagine many things," he replied evenly. "A nice whiskey's one of them, but it sounds like that's just going to stay in my imagination today."

"Look pal," the host leaned in and lowered his voice, "I get it, you and the broad snuck in here hoping to score a meal on the house. I've got a show to shoot. We're both entrepreneurs looking for a break, right? Play along, answer the questions, I don't even care if you actually like the gal, just get me my ratings and I'll get you some free grub. Capiche?"

Jin glanced sidelong at the man, who offered him a cheshire grin. "I'm here with my darling lady love," the Bloodsworn spoke, lying just as easily as he breathed. "I just couldn't miss the opportunity to declare my feelings to all of Arcia. Do you hear that? I! Love....!" he blinked, looked at the woman for a moment with a deadpan expression. He squinted after a few seconds of staring, as if straining to remember an important detail, then looked back toward the host. "Her!"

"You forgot her fucking name, didn't you?"

"I don't know that I knew it in the first place, frankly," Jin spat back, "but that's neither here nor there. You can edit it to make it look believable."

"You're not fooling a live audience with that kind of enthusiasm."

"You want enthusiasm? Get me that drink and we'll talk about enthusiasm."

"God dammit, fine-" the host looked off set and waved at someone, who went around the bar and took several minutes before returning with a drink, exactly the way Jin had specified. "There. Now will you please just work with me, here?"

"I remember the day we met, just like it was today," he said, not at all exaggerating as he turned to lock eyes with Aerial. "It was magical, we glided on horseback through great danger and came out the other side knowing it was fate."

Or at least, the taste of the bourbon as it cleansed his palate of the bullshit he was spewing was fated.

"How extravagant!" the host clapped his hands merrily, "and how about you, little lady? What is it about this strapping young lad tugged on your heartstrings?" he asked.

"Yes please," Jin spoke up, "please, enlighten us, what is it about me that you just couldn't leave me alone?"

 

[Aerial]

..

Wait. That devilish imp - Why the hell was he allowed the drink now? Aerial opened her mouth to ask but received a glare that stilled her tongue. Her eyes narrowed as her "partner" puppeteered the host into receiving an actual drink.

You fucker.

Right after Jin pulled the drink to his face, Aerial leaned in incredibly close. Closer, closer... until their lips collided. Her tongue tried to lap up any remaining alcohol but, alas, it was too late. The hog might as well have devoured the shot glass too.

"What is it about this strapping young lad tugged on your heartstrings?"

Uhh...

"Please, enlighten us, what is it about me that you just couldn't leave me alone?"

Traitor!

What the fuck did she say? That she was curious to see whether he was part cockroach. Which, evidently, the answer was yes given his behavior. Or maybe she could say she died and he was a puddle of flesh. No, this was a competition now... And she had to win.

"We may both be starcalled but he's the one who enraptured me with his starry eyes calling out to me that day." The cheesy line tumbled out of her mouth before she could talk herself out of it. "Although, I do recall that you're the one who promised to never leave me alone." After all, he was the one who sort of, kind of, said he wouldn't leave her alone. "He's my little Jin and Tonic~ My cute Rummy Jin."

"Alright! Introductions are now done so let's get on with the show!" He gestured for the partners to split up. Aerial, before she was aware of what happened, was escorted off-stage by tiny cherubs.

"Onto the questions~ We want to test your LOVE CONNECTION and see how well you all know one another <3" The cupid host stared at Jin.

"We'll start with an easy one: How long have you been together?"

@Jin​