Insanity Clinic: Season Two

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Ancient Elantrian said:

Elan is just slightly green. I just had to look down the halls didn't I.

"Did you just... never mind, this way." He leads Elan (and presumably the others) down a long winding hallway suspiciously devoid of gourds. "This is the library, where all their research goes. There might be something useful here."

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Gotta eat dinner. I'll be back... eventually.

 

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Exotic Almond said:

"Did you just... never mind, this way." He leads Elan (and presumably the others) down a long winding hallway suspiciously devoid of gourds. "This is the library, where all their research goes. There might be something useful here."

 

"Cool. I like libraries."

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Did I just what...

 

[Exotic Almond he/him]

7 minutes ago, Ancient Elantrian said:

"Cool. I like libraries."

 

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He was commenting on you looking down the hall

"Ooh look. Here's your file." He opens it "GT-1 is an extremely powerful entity who we captured in LT-809 (The clinic, location type). It's abilities are unknown although it has shown that it can feel empathy towards other entities. More study scheduled for tomorrow. Possibility of extraction for use in a super-soldier serum pending." He looks up "Eesh, they were gonna extract you? That's like, the worst they can do down here. Worse than death."

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Exotic Almond said:

"Ooh look. Here's your file." He opens it "GT-1 is an extremely powerful entity who we captured in LT-809 (The clinic, location type). It's abilities are unknown although it has shown that it can feel empathy towards other entities. More study scheduled for tomorrow. Possibility of extraction for use in a super-soldier serum pending." He looks up "Eesh, they were gonna extract you? That's like, the worst they can do down here. Worse than death."

"Hey! I can feel empathy towards other entities!" Elan says. "I... don't like extraction. That sounds like getting a shot. But worse."

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Ancient Elantrian said:

"Hey! I can feel empathy towards other entities!" Elan says. "I... don't like extraction. That sounds like getting a shot. But worse."

"It is much worse than that,they take your literal soul to extract your magic but, it's still connected to you in some way so they have to keep you alive in a constant vegetative state in pain." Hmm, not seeing much else.

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Elan could also find files, I have no script for any of them but Almond's.

 

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

11 minutes ago, Exotic Almond said:

"It is much worse than that,they take your literal soul to extract your magic but, it's still connected to you in some way so they have to keep you alive in a constant vegetative state in pain." Hmm, not seeing much else.

 

Elan pulls a file. "Thunderdrum: This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools. When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range. Extremely dangerous, kill on sight." He pauses, then pulls out another. "Timberjack: This gigantic creature has razor-sharp wings that can slice through full-grown trees. Extremely dangerous, kill on sight." He pulls another. "Scaldron: Sprays scalding water at its victim, extremely dangerous..." Another "Changeling: Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid, kill on sight." He continues flipping through files. "Gronkles, Zippleback, the Skrill... Boneknapper... Whispering Death... Burns its victims, buries its victims, chokes its victims, turns its victims inside-out... Extremely dangerous, extremely dangerous... kill on sight, kill on sight, kill on sight... Night Fury. Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Never engage this dragon. Your only chance: hide and pray it does not find you." He closes this last one. 

"How... fun."

[Through the Living Hope]

2 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

Tal gasped in shock, and suddenly he was thrown back to another time. A terrible time. A beautiful time. 

***

"How does it feel?" Tal murmured gently.

Ace shook her head. She was curled up tightly, as if trying to hold herself together with only her hands. She looked so vulnerable, the way she had when he'd first met her. "I'm not a poet," she muttered. "Words are your thing. I don't...I...it's so cold." Tal immediately reached over, pulling a blanket on top of her and holding his arm around her. She just shook her head again. "Not on the outside," she whispered. "It's like a piece of my heart is gone."

"This was a mistake," Tal said. "Look, we can find a way to undo it or something. We'll find another way to beat him."

Ace shook her head. "No, no we--we can't." 

"Ace..." Tal whispered, tucking a a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't--I shouldn't have--" But that was a lie. He knew exactly what it would do and how it would feel. She was more a piece of him than his own hands. He knew what would hurt her. Why hadn't he stopped her?

"Tal," she said. "Tal. I chose this." She looked at him, and she smiled, and it broke his heart. "You can actually save them."

"What if I can't?" Tal asked. "What if I hurt them instead?"

"I trust you," Ace said. "More than that, I know you. We'll get through this. Both of us."

Tal nodded. There was a long moment of quiet. "Ace?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I like it."

She blinked. "Like what? Me?"

He grinned at her stupidly. "No, I love you. But..." his grin fell away. "I feel what it feels. I feel the hunger. And the satisfaction."

She didn't pull away. She didn't look at him with disgust or mock him. "I know," was all she said. "It's awful, isn't it?"

Tal nodded, letting her fall into him. He didn't tell her how badly he wanted it. He didn't tell her how good it felt to have something that made him feel alive, even if that something was terrible. He didn't tell her that when the magic flowed through him he wanted to break the whole world. He didn't tell her that when it laughed in his mind, he laughed with it. He didn't tell her how badly it hurt to stop. He didn't tell her any of it.

***

Tal gasped for breath, then sank back into his mind.

***

Stars, it hurt.

She never said how much it hurt.

It wasn't just cold. It was lonely, and it was dark, and for the first time he could remember he was really, truly alone. 

Was this how they lived?

Every day, alone?

It was as if every reason he had for living was gone.

It was as if all the light in the world had been sucked away.

And the guilt.

Oh, stars and spirits, the guilt. 

He'd hurt so many people. He'd killed so many people. 

And he'd enjoyed it. He'd fed on it, let it sustain him, found ecstasy in their pain and terror. 

He'd found his greatest pleasures in their pain, then thought enough of the wretched creature that he was to mourn the deaths of people he claimed to care about. 

Tal wretched, then again. He started coughing. Ace...why me? WHY ME?! Why kill a hero and leave me alive to hurt all the people she would have helped?

Something inside him snapped, then. Burst and broke, letting loose a flood of emotion that could never heal. 

And ever so slowly, Tal slumped to the floor. Motionless.

He wasn't a hero. He never had been.

But he was trying.

And maybe, on some other plane, that was worth something, because he saw her there, wreathed in light. And she reached for him. And he wept.

***

A small velvet bag slipped from Tal's coat. It clinked on the ground. Inside it were dozens of keys in every shape and size, more than should have been able to fit inside. Room keys, waiting for a new doorman.

 

Trevor and Xin stared at where he had been. “I-I’ve never seen anything like that before…”

Trevor beaked at the bag. Tal? … Friend?

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But I liked him

Miss you until you’re back

22 minutes ago, Exotic Almond said:

"It is much worse than that,they take your literal soul to extract your magic but, it's still connected to you in some way so they have to keep you alive in a constant vegetative state in pain." Hmm, not seeing much else.

 

7 minutes ago, Ancient Elantrian said:

Elan pulls a file. "Thunderdrum: This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools. When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range. Extremely dangerous, kill on sight." He pauses, then pulls out another. "Timberjack: This gigantic creature has razor-sharp wings that can slice through full-grown trees. Extremely dangerous, kill on sight." He pulls another. "Scaldron: Sprays scalding water at its victim, extremely dangerous..." Another "Changeling: Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid, kill on sight." He continues flipping through files. "Gronkles, Zippleback, the Skrill... Boneknapper... Whispering Death... Burns its victims, buries its victims, chokes its victims, turns its victims inside-out... Extremely dangerous, extremely dangerous... kill on sight, kill on sight, kill on sight... Night Fury. Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Never engage this dragon. Your only chance: hide and pray it does not find you." He closes this last one. 

"How... fun."

“Do you know where the clothes we had before are?”

Edited May 20, 2024 by Spark of Hope

[Exotic Almond he/him]

5 minutes ago, Ancient Elantrian said:

Elan pulls a file. "Thunderdrum: This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools. When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range. Extremely dangerous, kill on sight." He pauses, then pulls out another. "Timberjack: This gigantic creature has razor-sharp wings that can slice through full-grown trees. Extremely dangerous, kill on sight." He pulls another. "Scaldron: Sprays scalding water at its victim, extremely dangerous..." Another "Changeling: Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid, kill on sight." He continues flipping through files. "Gronkles, Zippleback, the Skrill... Boneknapper... Whispering Death... Burns its victims, buries its victims, chokes its victims, turns its victims inside-out... Extremely dangerous, extremely dangerous... kill on sight, kill on sight, kill on sight... Night Fury. Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Never engage this dragon. Your only chance: hide and pray it does not find you." He closes this last one. 

"How... fun."

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hahahahaha that's funny.

"Hmm, subject AT-99. That's your demon friend right? Subject AT-99 is a sapient otter from the planet Paradaxia. Corrupted awakening spell causes changes in form, possibility of developing nature magic keep away from plants at all costs. Potential soldier, begin training dark side." He looks up "Sounds like he's had a rough time." 

 

2 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

Trevor and Xin stared at where he had been. “I-I’ve never seen anything like that before…”

“Do you know where the clothes we had before are?”

"Oh they're just to... the... right. Maybe we don't go that way."

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Exotic Almond said:

"Hmm, subject AT-99. That's your demon friend right? Subject AT-99 is a sapient otter from the planet Paradaxia. Corrupted awakening spell causes changes in form, possibility of developing nature magic keep away from plants at all costs. Potential soldier, begin training dark side." He looks up "Sounds like he's had a rough time." 

 

"Oh they're just to... the... right. Maybe we don't go that way."

“I want my jacket,” she said, pulling her file.

”Subject MT-36 (I think that’s the number). Lerasium Mistborn from Scadrial. Inexperienced. Has shown other traits, further study is needed.”

She got choked up at “study”, and the next part. “Arms are scarred. Look into reasoning. With training, would be good soldier.”

Her hands shook as she finished.

@Ancient Elantrian @Cash67 @shortcake

[Edema Rue she/her]

7 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

Trevor and Xin stared at where he had been. “I-I’ve never seen anything like that before…”

Trevor beaked at the bag. Tal? … Friend?

“Do you know where the clothes we had before are?”

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I liked him too

It felt right though <33

The bag clinks.

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Edema Rue said:

The bag clinks.

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I’ll do more with Xin and Trevor tomorrow, do you want me to ping you for it?

 

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

“I want my jacket,” she said, pulling her file.

”Subject MT-36 (I think that’s the number). Lerasium Mistborn from Scadrial. Inexperienced. Has shown other traits, further study is needed.”

She got choked up at “study”, and the next part. “Arms are scarred. Look into reasoning. With training, would be good soldier.”

Her hands shook as she finished.

@Ancient Elantrian @Cash67 @shortcake

"Can't you get another one? I mean he's that way and he's really scary."

 

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Exotic Almond said:

"Can't you get another one? I mean he's that way and he's really scary."

 

“It and the items within it have sentimental value. They’re irreplaceable.”

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

“It and the items within it have sentimental value. They’re irreplaceable.”

"Fine, let's just be careful. He probably wouldn't like me."

[Through the Living Hope]

1 minute ago, Exotic Almond said:

"Fine, let's just be careful. He probably wouldn't like me."

“He might trust me, if I vouch for you.” She set down the file and took a deep breath. “What’s your name?”

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

“He might trust me, if I vouch for you.” She set down the file and took a deep breath. “What’s your name?”

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Oh no, I wasn't prepared.

"Kano. It feels good to say that."

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Exotic Almond said:

"Kano. It feels good to say that."

She nodded. “Aventine. That’s Elan. Over there are Pic and Lundyn.”

[Edema Rue she/her]

7 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

 

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Yess pretty please!

 

[Exotic Almond he/him]

1 minute ago, Spark of Hope said:

She nodded. “Aventine. That’s Elan. Over there are Pic and Lundyn.”

"Alright let's get going." He starts down the bloody hall with strange noises and screaming coming down from it. "Let's be quick though."

[Through the Living Hope]

1 minute ago, Exotic Almond said:

"Alright let's get going." He starts down the bloody hall with strange noises and screaming coming down from it. "Let's be quick though."

She flinched, but didn’t stop.

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Yet another question… did they keep their shoes? If not she’s grabbing her boots too

 

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

She flinched, but didn’t stop.

 

As they walk it gets worse. Almost as if the guards and even some prisoners tried to run farther down only to die in a pile. "So, your friend. He's not normally like this right?"

[Through the Living Hope]

4 minutes ago, Exotic Almond said:

As they walk it gets worse. Almost as if the guards and even some prisoners tried to run farther down only to die in a pile. "So, your friend. He's not normally like this right?"

“No. He’s usually the opposite.”

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

“No. He’s usually the opposite.”

"Well, I hope we don't see him. He killed Boberemy Mcjoe in your cell. He's the highest ranking mistborn solider."

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Exotic Almond said:

"Well, I hope we don't see him. He killed Boberemy Mcjoe in your cell. He's the highest ranking mistborn solider."

“He was an (butt)hole.”

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Did you see the shoe question?

 

[Exotic Almond he/him]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

“He was an (butt)hole.”

 

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Sorry forgot to answer. And no, they are basically footie pajamas.

"Yeah. He was. I don't mind that he was killed so much how he was killed and by whom." They arrive at the incinerator. "Ta-da the incinerator. This is where they burn useless personal possessions. They won't have burned your stuff yet though."