Zvso – A Roleplay

[Mystic Syn she/her]

His face grew warmer and warmer, spreading to his ears. His heart rate soared like a bird out of the nest for the first time after sleep. Any thoughts he had began fizzling and short-circuiting.

"I– uh– you, uh– I– uh," Ji said as eloquently as a child's first words like the mature adult he was.

[Channelknight Fadran]

There wasn't much she could pinpoint in terms of thoughts right now. There was a small blush across her face, some girly jittering from her toes... as well as a flickering of her eyes, and a concerned indent in her lip from her teeth.

"I think... umm..."

Someone, long ago, had asked her if she saw the bodies.

"Maybe you might... should..."

If her vision filled with scarlet, bloodred corpses.

"Reconsider."

Elya took her hand out of his, then walked away with her basket of new clothes to the register.

[Mystic Syn she/her]

He blinked, everything seeming to reboot as he processed.

"If that's what you want, I'll respect that," he said, keeping a distance.

[Quivil]

8 hours ago, DramaQueen said:

Lyanör grabbed cucumbers and asparagus, then turned to Kazh. "You're acting very suspicious with how much you want to be in charge of the cheese. You'll probably get something that'll stink up the entire apartment."

"Why would I do that? I have to sleep there too, y'know. I just want to get fun cheese like gouda instead of only boring cheese."

[Channelknight Fadran]

Her hands shook as the cashier rang up her total, taking Elya's bag of coins to count up the silver and gold.

Gee, miss. Their eyes seemed to say. Keep your drama out of my shop, will you?

"Ji, I can't--you shouldn't--I..."

Lights, why couldn't this just be simple? Why couldn't she just think her way out of this?

The cashier handed her the bag.

And Elya ran away.

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

9 minutes ago, Tani said:

"Why would I do that? I have to sleep there too, y'know. I just want to get fun cheese like gouda instead of only boring cheese."

Lyanör sighed in exasperation. "Then say that instead of acting suspicious. We can get gouda cheese. It is the best for grilled cheese sandwiches." 

[Quivil]

14 minutes ago, DramaQueen said:

Lyanör sighed in exasperation. "Then say that instead of acting suspicious. We can get gouda cheese. It is the best for grilled cheese sandwiches." 

"Oh, so it's suspicious to be exited now?" Kazh asked, also exasperated and slightly annoyed. "What exactly are you worried about?"

[Mystic Syn she/her]

21 minutes ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

Her hands shook as the cashier rang up her total, taking Elya's bag of coins to count up the silver and gold.

Gee, miss. Their eyes seemed to say. Keep your drama out of my shop, will you?

"Ji, I can't--you shouldn't--I..."

Lights, why couldn't this just be simple? Why couldn't she just think her way out of this?

The cashier handed her the bag.

And Elya ran away.

Lights. Did I say something? Maybe she doesn't want to talk with me. Maybe just leave her––

Oh, lights naw, another part of him thought.

Ji looked over to the cashier and shrugged. "Women," he said simply, giving them a mock salute before taking off.

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

1 hour ago, Tani said:

"Oh, so it's suspicious to be exited now?" Kazh asked, also exasperated and slightly annoyed. "What exactly are you worried about?"

"You, my friend, are a pyromaniac. I don't want to think about what other dangerous interests you might have, and I don't want to risk you causing chaos." Lyanör sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll try to trust you more."

[Quivil]

10 hours ago, DramaQueen said:

"You, my friend, are a pyromaniac. I don't want to think about what other dangerous interests you might have, and I don't want to risk you causing chaos." Lyanör sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll try to trust you more."

Kazh relaxed a bit. "What if I promise not to break anything or cause a lot of chaos until the next time we get in a fight or other dangerous situation?"

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

"Alright." Lyanör held out her hand. "Shall we shake on it?"

[Quivil]

Kazh took her hand and shook it. "Now can I be in charge of something?"

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

"You can be in charge of cheese and the rest of the food. I'll take care of everything else."

[Quivil]

Kazh grinned like a four-year-old who just tasted cotton candy for the first time, then ran off. When he finally reemerged, he had a cart with lots of cheeses, lots of cheese, milk, eggs, dried meat sticks, pistachios, chocolate chips, and ice cream. "Do we need anything else, or is this good?"

Edited June 6, 2022 by Tani

[Mystic Syn she/her]

Quote

Bleep bloop. Time for some obligatory writing cos I don't have schoolwork due, oop.

Ji weaved through the crowds, keeping his head down when he caught the glimpse of a white uniform. Lights, they seem to be everywhere now. Wasn't like this a couple days ago... then again, he hadn't attacked that distribution center and almost die three times till a couple days ago. 'Course the Pacis would be on high alert ever since that incident. Wouldn't want to be embarrassed or anything like that.

He felt his heart seize as he ducked past a couple of guards, averting his gaze as they passed by without another glance.

Ji breathed out a relieved sigh, glancing up to try and find...

Lights.

She was gone... or at least her jacket was.

He slowed, going on his tiptoes.

Nope.

She was gone.

Ji sighed. Definitely something he said. Needed to keep his distance then. Shouldn't had been that obvious. Stupid. Well, he would just have to deal with it when he got back to Elya's apartment.

He looked up at the buildings around him. If I remembered where the lights that was.

This was fine. This was just an opportunity to check in on things. Ji studied the buildings, his internal map syncing to where he was. He continued forward, avoiding both Pacis and nagging merchants. Boxes littered the highway, which he easily jumped over, making his way through the thinning crowd.

Counting the buildings silently, Ji stopped at a couple, going over to the railing over the canal and looked up. He carefully stepped over the railing, hefting himself upward a couple levels before slipping over more railing on a higher walkway. Ji brushed himself off, wiping his hands together as he continued for a few paces before slowing down in front of a door.

The higher end of Odhak never disappointed. Everything about this door was pristine and modern than any of the homes on the lower levels. There was more slightly more metal than wood in the structure, but it still had that modern sheen. Wasn't as good as it was in the Center, but an improvement, nonetheless.

Ji crouched down, slipping his fingers through one of the wooden panelings. He moved around a bit––biting his lip slightly––till it fell into his hand with a soft thump. He looked down at the key, then rose and unlocked the door, slipping in silently while locking the door behind him, then flicked the lights on.

Everything had a small layer of dust on it in the small entryway, and was most likely the same for the rest of the house. Ji slipped his shoes off, then set them by the only other pair of shoes. The closet only held a singular rain jacket; not even an umbrella. He tied the bloodied hoodie off from around his waist and held it as he went through the hallway on the right to the bathroom.

The light in the hallway was enough for him to decipher what was in the cabinet when he opened it. Ji picked up the extra bandages, stuffing it in his pockets, then closing the cabinet. He sighed, then went out into the hallway, passing by the entry and slowing down. He kept his vision focused on the ground, holding his hoodie tightly against his chest.

"Hey," Ji whispered after hesitating. "I know it's been a while. But it's for a good reason. I finally found a group of people, so... not always on the run."

He sat down on the bench next to him, gripping his hoodie tighter.

"They're nice and all that. I'm just worried about how long it'll be before they... well, before the Pacis..."

Ji blinked out a singular tear, and this time, he didn't wipe it.

"Before they all die, ya know?" he said, his voice growing softer and softer. "I couldn't save Thana, Hauke, or any of the last group, so why would it be any different..?"

His throat began closing.

Heartbeat picking up.

Breaths becoming shorter.

Falling.

This time with two people instead of one.

He could almost...

Snap!

Ji caught his breath.

Sweat rolled down his brow.

Something pounded against his ribcage.

He couldn't make a sound.

He couldn't...

He couldn't..?

Ji held his knees close to his chest, the hoodie in between his legs and chest, tears sliding down his face.

"I'm-I'm sorry," he stuttered, trying to give a fake laugh without success. "It's just I... well... I..."

Ji finally looked up at the family portrait: His family portrait. From years ago.

His parents beamed down at his small sister holding him––their baby brother––holding back their laughter as the child in the girls' arms had a huge smile on his face. A truly happy family. One of the happiest he'd ever seen.

"I couldn't save you," he whispered, "nor could I save the last group.

"Will history just repeat itself?

"I just..."

Ji's gaze unfocused.

"I just want to talk to you again, Ma. I want to hug you again, Pa. I want to hear that teasing from my sisters again. I want my life to be normal again."

Ji lowered his gaze to the piece of clothing in his hands.

"Pa, I... I ruined another one of yo-your sweaters," he said, his voice breaking. "I-I know how much they meant to you. I'm-I'm so, so sorry. I'll be more careful this time. I promise. I..."

He rested his head on his knees, allowing himself to weep.

[Channelknight Fadran]

Elya knocked on the door, scrubbing beneath her eye with her fingertip. "John? You in there?"

@Frustration @Emery the Steelrunner

[Frustration]

"I, ah, what now?" John asked, snapping upright on the couch.

[Channelknight Fadran]

Well, at least nobody had burned down the apartment while she was away. Elya puffed out a breath, then fitted her key into the lock and swiped her card. "Our guest is still there?"

[Emery the Steelrunner he/him]

Viator looked up from his card game in the living room, and a chorus of yes echoed from the portals.

“I’m still here.” Viator said as he closed down the twelve rifts in reality.

Edited June 11, 2022 by Emery the Steelrunner

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Good." Elya entered, confident that all the redness wasn't too noticeable. "I found you some fresh clothing that I think you might like. At the very least it should be a nice change of pace from all that."

[Mystic Syn she/her]

The Angel’s eyes followed the tiny figure into the building.

“Khaos,” she said, leaning back and furrowing her brow.

“Hmm?”

“Elya left with Naito, correct?”

“Last I recalled.”

“I’m not the only one that didn’t see him come in with her, right?”

“No, Angel.”

Interesting, she and Krow mused. The Angel let go of her knees, allowing them to hang over the edge as she leaned back on her arms.

If I were Ji and I ran off…

Where would I hide? he finished.

The hospital would be a dead giveaway. He may be stupid, but she knew that he was not that stupid. There were a few of his safehouses the Pacis were keeping an eye on, but he never showed any activity there. There were most likely some places where they didn’t know about, but those were least likely to what she’s seen. So where..?

The Angel looked up, pursing her lips. Bodies filled her mind. Young girls. Two dying parents. A tiny boy with white streaks in his dark hair. Where was that? It looked vaguely familiar…

“Khaos.” The Angel looked back down at the apartment building. “You’ll find Naito three blocks due east from the Center, seven levels up. The address is Space 406 Sanita Street. You can’t miss it.”

Gravel crunched behind her. “And what would you have me do with him?”

She turned back to him, raising an eyebrow at his hand resting on his hilt.

“Introduce him to Mors.”

. . .

Ji pushed his parents’ door open, walking reverently across the carpet. He carefully placed the torn hoodie on the bed with the others, rubbing away any remaining tears.

This was fine. He just needed to find the group again. He can find his way. He was strong.

Yet he stood there…

Staring at the sweaters…

The remaining tears dripping onto his tank-top…

He hung his head and closed his eyes, breathing out quietly.

Just a little bit longer then…

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

On 6/4/2022 at 6:55 PM, Tani said:

Kazh grinned like a four-year-old who just tasted cotton candy for the first time, then ran off. When he finally reemerged, he had a cart with lots of cheeses, lots of cheese, milk, eggs, dried meat sticks, pistachios, chocolate chips, and ice cream. "Do we need anything else, or is this good?"

Lyanör had picked up some non-food goods that she deemed necessary: tinfoil, better frying pans, pots, more utensils, dish soap, laundry detergent, feminine supplies, and a Lego set she thought was cute.

"I think we're probably good."

[Channelknight Fadran]

"Is Ji not back yet?" Elya asked, suddenly worried. I didn't scare him off, did I?

[Frustration]

"Was he suppose to be?" John asked, subcontiously gripping his pistol.

[Channelknight Fadran]

"I... well..."

It's been almost an hour since then.

"...Maybe I should go look for him."