#occupation: rainfall | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

cherryheairt · 4 months ago

Text

Dragon Dreamer side story I

dont need to read the story to understand this

In which Cregan's meeting of Dusk parallels Daenys' first flight.

side story before chap 15, didn't know where to fit it in the chapters. 🩷

foreshadowing for chap 15 also

taglist: (i wasn't sure if I'm supposed to tag the list ppl if its only a mini side story, let me know if you only want main chaps)

@hueanhdang @beebeechaos @r-3dlips @emery-aka-emmy @watermel0nsugarhigh @delaynew @thelastemzy @pedro-pascal-love @fall-winter-heart97 @purple-1995 @itsaslaminak @saintkittykat @iv7867 @alexandra-001 @thatkindofgurl @theadharablack @reyndaisy @mandeepandee1997 @littleblackcatinwonderland

Daenys always remembered the day of her first flight on Morningstar well. Every vivid detail locked in her mind, even at the young age of seven that she was. Many memories of that time had long faded in her adulthood, but a few in particular could never leave. Some fond, some not.

The day did not start out pleasantly. Not at all, in fact. Her mother was busy fussing over young Luke in her chambers nusery rooms in the Red Keep. Her father was away at sea on another voyage, and had been for months.

Daenys was not mad at them, of course. She would not demand attention, especially when Luke had recently come down with his first fever. Those were always watched closely, by Maester or mother. Daenys had drifted around the nursery for a while before growing bored. Jace was preoccupied with some visiting young sons of House Massey, and Helena was with her mother, leaving Daenys to find her own occupation.

Outside, dark storm clouds gathered at a pace much faster than Daenys was comfortable with. There was rainfall in King's Landing often, yes, but nothing harsh and unforgiving. The sound of drizzling hitting her window on a cool day always calmed Daenys.

Even at sea, a storm could not tame a Targaryen or Velayron. She wondered how her father fared. If a storm was gathering above him, too?

After lazing around her chambers for a while, the storm had turned from a drizzle to a downpour quickly. The thunder 'boomed!' outside of her windows and the harsh water droplets sounded like rocks being pelted at the glass and stone.

Huddled in her room, she just wished the storm to go away.

Unluckily for Daenys, something much worse came. Aegon.

Barging into her sleeping chambers as if they were his own, Daenys was startled out from under her covers by his harsh yank.

"Come, niece! I have a surprise for you." Aegon said, a twinkling in his eyes.

Confused, Daenys did not move. Not yet a teen, the boy's taste for mischief grew every day. His main victim—Aemond. His second favorite, Daenys of course. Only because she was less easy to find, thanks to Ser Harwin's careful shadowing. The two were the easiest targets, though Jace followed Aegon around often like a little pup eager to please its owner. Helena was unreceptive towards such teasings, perhaps because she was unaware of their true meaning.

He tried again, "it will be worthwhile. It is a secret—only I know about." He boasted, chest puffed up like a peacocking bird.

Daenys slipped out from the bed, boredom and curiosity overtaking her common sense. It couldn't be that bad, surely. If Aegon found something cool in the Red Keep, she at least wanted to know what it is, else the unknown would knaw at the back of her mind for weeks.

"What is it?" She asked slowly.

"Wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?" He scoffed lightly, turning and striding out of her bed chambers.

Daenys followed quickly, reminding herself of Jacaerys as she cringed. A quick look and she'd return to her chambers.

The thunder continued beyond the walls as Aegon went to his chambers.

Within his rooms contained mostly simple things since he did not spend much time in them. Daenys, bemused, turned to look at Aegon, who clawed strangely at his walls.

"It's just..." he trailed off in his search. "Here!" He exclaimed, pushing open the wall to reveal a hidden space behind it.

Daenys gasped slightly, leaning forward to see behind it. "Paths, within the walls of the Keep." Aegon said proudly. "And I found them on my own."

"Now, come on." He continued, guiding her hurridly by a shoulder.

"We're going inside? What does it lead to?" She asked, apprehensive of getting lost in such dark tunnels.

"Everywhere." He shrugged nonchalantly.

The darkness was only broken by the torch that he held in his hand. The world was otherwise a dark pit, leaving Daenys to cling to his tunic like a child to her mother's skirts. Aegon allowed it only due to the fact that it made her walk with haste. The rain sounded louder as they went along, down some dusty stairs and winding trails.

As Aegon pushed open another piece of wall, he peaked his head out to check for people. The rain was clear as day when it had opened, revealing the storm in all its glory. Satisfied, he turned back to her with a grin and nodding his head towards the outside. "Look, you can see the entrace to the castle from here."

Daenys peaked just her head out, gawking at the sight. They were outside of the Keep's main building, able to see the stairs up to the grand entrance doors from their spot. The doors were closed, no guards bothering to stay outside in such conditions and instead closing the doors to the Keep instead of guarding them. No one would bother attempting to enter unwarranted in such weather anyways.

On the other side of the courtyard was the open arch towards the outside, King's Landing's city itself. Daenys had only ever been to visit the Sept and the dragonpit. With escorts, of course.

Without warning, Aegon pushed Daenys outside of the safety of the passage. Stumbling to catch her footing, she turned back to Aegon to ask why he had done that, only to be met with a slammed 'wall'.

Panicking, she pushed at the wall. Banging on it after it didn't budge, she yelled to Aegon, "let me in! This isn't funny, Aegon!"

She heard muffled speaking behind the wall, but was unable to make it out. After a short pounding on the wall, she presumed that Aegon had accidentally jammed the door and run off.

She prayed that he'd at least have the decency to admit his prank to Alicent and someone would be sent after her.

Daenys rushed to the entrance doors, repeatedly pounding on them. Pressing her ear to the door, she heard nothing. Only the ever-pouring rain all around her. She was soaking wet already, feeling like a drowned cat in her heavy day dress and loose hair. Coughing, she found little cover under the roofs of the entrance. With all the wind the effort was made futile.

She waited and waited for someone to exit the doors, but none came.

She wanted her father.

With Laenor gone for such long periods of time, the days dragged on endlessly with no means of communication between the kin. He was her best friend, besides perhaps Helena. He always cheered her up, made time for her, and took her on long rides in the skies with Seasmoke being the willing transportation. He would notice straight away that Daenys was missing from her chambers.

Giving up on her efforts, Daenys decided to go to the only other place she could stay safe and dry. The dragonpit. She knew the way there like the halls of the Red Keep, but had never made the journey alone before. Already shivering, she couldn't wait. Walking past the yard's archway, Daenys glanced around. The streets were empty beyond the stairs' bottom. Any passerbys gave her no notice as they scurried past, covering their heads or food with cloths.

Daenys ducked her head after passing every straggler, even with that information in mind. Any curious eye would notice the fancier clothes and jewels on the little girl, and who knows what one desperate person was willing to do. Luckily, in its wet state, her hair managed to look more grey and blonde than the moon-silver it was when dry.

It wasn't long before she reached the pit. Tiptoeing inside, she found that even the keepers had gone home in the midst of the harsh storm. What fools would enter a dragon's home, anyway?

The pit was pitch black, filled only with the sound of soft snores.

Daenys whispered out, "Morningstar?" For the young dragon she was bonded to.

Miraculously, the two were born on the same day. When an egg was placed in a cradle, it was usually weeks or moons before the egg hatched after the birth. The two were twins, beyond just a Valyrion blood bond.

Another deeper growl met her ears. Turning, she was met with a slight glimmer of gold. Sunfyre, Aegon's dragon. They had quite an impressive bond despite Aegon's lackluster skills in the dragon's known language.

She froze, preparing herself to be devoured by the beast. She had never spent time with The Golden like she had other dragons: Meleys, Seasmoke, Syrax, Vermax, and Arrax. They all knew her, welcomed her as their bonded riders had. Sunfyre was one of the only ones she had not interacted with except to observe his and Aegon's bonding time. As they all often did as a group, assigned by Viserys, of course.

If he was here, where was Dreamfyre? The massive blue dragon seemed to take the younger golden one under her wing, sticking with him when she was not out flying with Helena. Gulping, she backed up slowly. The dragon inched closer, now seemingly curious of the girl. His pointed snout poked at her, almost unintentionally knocking her over with its power. Hesitantly, she petted at his nose, earning a satisfied rumble from him. Attention starved, she was sure, from Aegon's forgetfulness.

Relaxing finally, Daenys allowed herself to lean into the dragon's warm touch. Laughing at his second nudge for more attention, she had to push him away reluctantly as she heard shuffling coming near. Morningstar, rising from the sound of her laugh, closed in on the two and rose her neck defensively toward Sunfyre like a baby snake. The other, though he was slightly larger than the white dragoness, huffed and backed away back to continue his sleep.

Aegon had been able to ride Sunfyre since he was 10 years old, praised for the young age that he was able to command a dragon. Though, he could not best her mother, who had been titled the youngest dragonrider in the realm. Her first flight with Syrax was when she was seven years old. Now, Syrax and Rhaenyra had an unbreakable bond, and the bronze dragon was still growing, though large and formidable, like her forebares.

Rhaenyra had suspected Morningstar would grow quickly and to an impressive size, given the ancestry of the white dragon. At seven, she was already approaching the size of a dragon almost four years her elder. Daenys didn't mind if she was big or small, though, as long as Morningstar stayed by her side.

Daenys turned to place a soft kiss on her dragon's snout, giggling at the jealousy of her dragon. "I was coming, don't worry." She cooed. Leaning her weight on to the dragon, she felt the sting of tears hit her eyes. Safe now, she could allow herself to relax in the comfort of Morningstar's warmth.

Though the dragon had other plans. One big purple eye never seemed to leave Daenys, a lingering need for something. Usually, the hungry look she held when a live sheep or deer was placed in front of her. Daenys couldn't understand her with words, but with actions. Leaning back from the embrace she attempted to hold the dragon in (barely, the same arms that could wrap around the dragon's neck entirely could not even reach from head to shoulders anymore), Daenys squinted.

"What do you need?"

Morningstar trilled, lowering to a suggesting crouch. The position made the idea spring to her head, gasping. It was the same that Syrax or Seasmoke lowered into to allow their riders to mount. The wing lay out in front of her, though it was too small and thin now for her to actually press her full weight on like an adult dragon's could handle. Gingerly, Daenys hopped on to the dragon's back. Spines and rough scales picked at her limbs as she uncomfortably shifted.

She was unsure if anyone had been able to ride saddleless, but she was determined not to let this slip past her. If Daenys could fly now, as she was destined to, she would no longer be confined to the Red Keep. At any time she wished she could escape. To the beach, where her father took her to comfort her, to Driftmark, where her grandmother and grandsire could welcome her in their home, to wherever Morningstar would take her.

Daenys did not wait any longer, grasping onto Morningstar's horns with a firm, "Sōvēs."

Immediately the command took, Morningstar running in the only way a dragon of her structure can; on her wings and hind legs. After breaching the pit's entrance, the dragon took flight. Even in the pouring rain, she could not be hindered or stopped. The dragoness was on a mission, whether of her own desire to allow Daenys to see what she saw daily or simply to comfort her. Whichever it was, she was grateful for it.

King's Landing seemed tiny behind her. It was such a small city yet it seemed to contain the entire realm's sins in its walls. Turning her head back forward, she only wished to forget the Keep for the time being.

She felt wild, free to do whatever she wished in the world. She could fly all the way to Essos, Dorne—The North. The thought was enticing. Flying far away from this filthy place and never returning. Her dragon-riding family was free to visit whenever they wished, but she would never be confined to walls again. Never locked out of her own home.

She imagined sailing the seas of Westeros and Essos, Morningstar above her scouting loyally. A fleet led by a Velayron and her dragon would be unbeatable—untouchable. Her father, too, at her side with Seasmoke. Luke, when he came of age to learn the duties of his heirhood, with Arrax following close behind the two elder dragons. They'd visit home often, of course, wherever they made their home, to be with the rest of their landlocked family who chose to stay behind and lead in the cities. Targaryens ruled the land while Velayrons ruled the seas, meeting in the air to be the most fearsome force any in history had witnessed.

Daenys would travel until she saw it all. All corners of the realm, a voyager at heart. Retirement would come slow and without issue, her heart filled with contentment and mind with memories to last a hundred lifetimes.

With her dragon, Daenys would be free.

🗡

Cregan was three and ten when his father died. Even younger when his brother and mother did. Loss was a familiar feeling to the young Stark. His only family left was his sister, Sara, and even she prepared to leave the Stark ancestral home for her martial days ahead. His uncle and his three sons had to be imprisoned in the dungeons under Cregan's own order—the only way to mercifully spare the power-hungry man. He was alone among his council, only guided by the same men who guided his father before him. They respected Cregan because they knew his capabilities, as shown by the small-scale civil war in Winterfell, but the distance was clear.

They did not hold the same affection for Cregan as they did for Rickon. They knew the young man was intelligent and clear-minded but still saw him as an inexperienced child compared to themselves. It was common that he had to correct members of his own council and remind them of their place, which was serving him and the North.

In time, Cregan was confident things would change for the better. It would take years of building assurance and trust, which he must practice patience for. He knew of his fate to lead Winterfell and the North as it's Warden since he could walk. The only unexpected thing was just how soon that would be. At seven and ten, he was ready to take the mantle back from his uncle. At eight and ten, he finally won it back.

Cregan held no happiness for the way he did, but it was the solemn duty of the Lord of Winterfell.

It had only been a few moons since he was named Lord Stark. Every day, he was nagged about different things.

"Lord Stark, it would be wise to start finding a Lady Wife."

"Lord Stark, the stockades for winter have been reduced for the commonfolk to recover from the spreading of illness."

Every day, it was the same. Solving problems for others was his responsibility, and he did it well, taking them upon his shoulders like he knew his father did years prior.

"Lord Stark, Castle Black has written to you about the Wildlings again."

"Lord Stark, your uncle Bennard is demanding to see you again. He is growing quite insistant."

Today, he was too tired to sit among the chattering bannermen on his council. He informed his men of him leaving on a solo hunt. Promising to return soon, Cregan swiftly left. One day a year, he got his own day. It was his nine and tenth nameday, the one time he allowed himself to serve his own desires instead of his people's.

They would not fall for a few days of being unguided. Cregan tried to shake the guilt he felt for leaving, if only for a few short days. With only his clothes, Ice, and traveling supplies, he left Winterfell's walls on Red.

Hours later, he felt tension leave his shoulders. Alone, there was no one hovering over his shoulders and murmuring in his ears about any problems or infighting. The only sounds were his own breathing and the snow crunching beneath Red's hooves.

The Wolfswood was a vast and expansive place, the perfect shelter for solitude. He had explored the wood so often as a child that it was no longer scary and foreign, instead a blanket of comfort to him. One of his few solaces which seemed to be less and less day after day.

His friends that warded in Winterfell to learn the duties as a Lord of their own Houses had left, old enough to either marry, take the mantle from their fathers, or serve at the wall. Cregan's cousin on his mother's side served there, too, a recent development that he both sympathized with and honored. His brother had passed when he was only a young lad, not even yet nine years of age before succumbing to illness. That solace was taken from him, leaving him rendered friendless and without most of his kin in his home. The bannermen that served him had served long and faithfully by Rickon Stark's side, and Cregan had no intention of replacing them with less experienced and wise men even at his own behest.

Loneliness was something he had grown used to. It had become its own comfort, a constant throughout his days. He knew he was the most reliable person in his life.

He longed for his family every day. His father, especially. The strong pillar of strength that he looked up to had left him so suddenly, reminding Cregan of his own morality. Every time he was nagged to take a wife, he knew they were right. He did not have the heart to lock himself in a loveless marriage, not when his lordship was so green. While his parents were lucky to find affection in their marriage, it did not change the fact that it did not start out so great. Rickon had been an ornery young man before he became Lord, fathering a bastard while he was bethrothed to Gilliane. Gilliane, while being a benevolent and kind woman, did not easily forgive a transgression like that.

It took years before they found love. They told the story to Cregan many times. He did not have time to spend building a relationship with a future Lady Stark, not when he was just starting to learn the full extent of his duties. The marriage would be strained and distant, he knew. Every day he postponed his decisions was another day the Starks went without an heir, making the North grow nervous and tense.

Sighing, Cregan forced dark thoughts from his head. Such things could wait until he was back home in the empty halls of the Great Keep.

Red trudged on, guided by instinct and Cregan's strong sense of direction. He hoped to bring home a deer, at least, to make the hunt worthwhile.

As the hours passed, Red seemed to grow anxious. Ears pinned to her head and tail flicking back and forth, agitated about something. Cregan pulled her to a hault, scanning the surrondings. If a horse as steady as Red grew nervous, something must be amiss.

Slowly, he dismounted and grabbed Ice from his shoulder. Scanning the forest around him, he saw nothing. Red shifted again, leaning almost away from the side opposite Cregan, but still she did not run.

He toed over to that side, not able to notice any shifts in shadows or footsteps. If it were wildlings, they'd surely make enough noise for him to hear. He was no stranger to their fowl tactics, nor clueless on how to deal with them.

Finally, it was only when Red 'neighed' with a panicked rear before she ran off that Cregan was able to notice the stalking wolf in the woods. Caught off guard, he couldn't brace himself properly before he was on the floor.

🗡

Grunting, he was given no time to think before he instinctively whriled around under the body pinning him. Snarling jaws met his bicep as he threw it out to cover his face. Only able to get on his side, Cregan struggled to reach for Ice. The wolf was a deep brown with big blue eyes that pierced hatefully into his own.

Unable to get his longsword, he instead punched at the nose of the wolf, earning a pained yelp but no release. Instead, he seemed to latch on harder. Cregan's arm burned like fire was leaking through his veins, the sensation almost numbing. Doing the only other thing he could think of, without losing a few fingers, Cregan bit down on the ear closest to him.

It was only then that the wolf finally let go, a bloody scar left on his ear from the force of the bite. The dip would be a painful reminder that humans were not prey, and Cregan's own scar was a reminder of his role in life—standing alone.

The wolf snarled and nipped at him again, but Cregan was able to kick him off of him this time. They both stood, staring each other down intensely. Both were ready to move when the other did, scanning and preparing for the next attack.

Cregan was able to properly assess the wolf. Finding that it was barely older than a pup, gauging from the size of its bared teeth, but had the body mass of an adult wolf. A direwolf, he knew it had to be. They grew quickly and almost three times the size of a normal wolf. Cregan would be dead if this one were an adult.

It was not starving, either. Cregan's nameday landed in mid Summer, meaning prey was abundant for the wildlife. His coat shined with the nutrients he clearly got regularly. His teeth were all there, sharper every day. His frame was as burly as a young wolf's could be. It was simply an aggressive young wolf eager to prove itself and mark its territory, which Cregan had apparently encroached upon.

Cregan narrowed his eyes, faultering when a shooting pain shot to his head. When he opened his eyes, he saw only himself staring back at him. His eyeline was low, as if he were a babe looking up at a man grown. His body was still in an uncanny sort of way. He had never seen himself beyond the occasional check in the mirror, but being able to see one's own body entirely was a surreal experience. With a clenched heart, Cregan held his breath and tried not to panic.

He was in the wolf. Or rather, in its mind. Able to see through its eyes and control its body, Cregan had known what this experience was but never thought it would happen to himself. A warg, just like many Starks before him had been. Most bonded with birds, small forest animals, or the hunting dogs in the kennels of Winterfell. He was quite unsure if any had warged into a direwolf before. They rarely came below The Wall, creatures of the dark and unknown.

Cregan wished for his father.

He had no one to guide him, lest he chose to seek out advice from his crazed uncle. The very thought was traitorous to himself and Rickon Stark. He must navigate this alone, though he wished desperately to be guided by the firm but gentle hand of his father just one more time.

He moved, just slightly. The effort was different, walking on four legs instead of two. All his senses were heightened, and his ear stung and smelled of iron. Or, the wolf's ear, he should say. A few feet in front of his face, he could even smell himself and the blood pouring from his arm wound.

The sun was setting now, the day almost over. What a long day it had been. When Cregan blinked again, he saw the wolf in front of him. The brown direwolf did not seem so menacing now, instead looking up at him with interest instead of bloodlust.

Cregan hesitantly knelt to the floor, reaching an open hand out to the direwolf. With the same weariness it approached, sniffing at the gloved hand before meeting Cregan's eyes again. "Hello, Dusk." He muttered, petting the space between his eyes and smiling at the way he leaned into the newfound affection.

It seemed they both needed each other.

Perhaps he wasn't so alone, not anymore.

GIVE HOTD BIG DRAGONS. Syrax was not tiny 😭 they make her such a pretty princess dragon (she is) so she has to be small? She was described as large just not ferocious or battle-worn. She could've fought and done some damage if Rhaenyra was allowed to fight

anyone else think Sunfyre really isn't 'the prettiest' dragon? I didn't care for his face design it looked quite off compared to others. I think Moondancer or Syrax would the most visually pretty ones lol I adore Moondancer's stripes

This may have seemed extreme from Aegon but I think its realistic of a 11-13 year old boy to pull a prank like that bc he doesn't know the type of consequences it could have. also, having a prank go wrong but not asking for help because you KNOW You'd be in deep shit is so real

when Aemon Targaryen called Cregan the finest swordsman he'd ever fought I took that personally

i firmly believe they'd both slightly be daddy's girl and daddy's boy characters as kids. love both parents equally of course, but the bond between them and their dads was just untouchable and couldn't be replicated.

also didn't want to make Rickon stark a cheater, I don't think Stark men are cheaters ✋️

no animal abuse pictured they were simply throwing hands. I'd like to think they play fight still occasionally, also that bite was embarrassingly inspired by Snow Dogs (2002). When the guy bit Demon's ear to finally get him to cooperate I just think its so funny and Cregan would do it

#dragondreamer #cregan stark x reader #cregan x reader #hotd fanfic #cregan stark x oc #cregan stark #hotd

104 notes · View notes

allthebrazilianpolitics · 7 days ago

Text

Paleoclimate and human activity shaped the Araucaria forest in Brazil

The study used advanced DNA sequencing techniques, machine learning and analysis of fossil pollen records to investigate the history of this forest formation.

The Araucaria forest in southern and southeastern Brazil has a complex history, influenced by climatic and human factors. Araucaria angustifolia, the dominant tree in this forest formation, provides food and shelter for various species, including humans. A study conducted by an international collaboration of researchers used advanced DNA sequencing techniques, machine learning and analysis of fossil pollen records to investigate the past expansions and contractions of the Araucaria forest and to identify the impact of past climate and the activity of ancestral human groups on this process. The results were published in the journal Ecography.

“Both climatic and human factors have played an important role in the dynamics of the Araucaria forest. However there are significant differences between the process that took place on the Southern Plateau of the Brazilian territory and the one that took place in the Mantiqueira Mountains, which stretches across the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. And this could be related to the more intense human occupation in southern Brazil,” says Mariana Mira Vasconcellos, postdoctoral student at the Institute of Biosciences of the University of São Paulo (IB-USP) and first author of the study.

The researcher explains: “The expansion of the Araucaria population in the Southern Core began during the last Glacial Period, around 70,000 years ago, long before the presumed date of human arrival in South America, which contradicts the idea of an anthropogenic expansion. Instead, we interpret this initial expansion as a response to the climatic changes of the Upper Pleistocene. The wetter and colder climate of this period would also have caused the expansion of other Araucaria species in Australia and New Caledonia. The isolated Mantiqueira population, on the other hand, only expanded very recently, around 3,000 years ago. Although this may have occurred in response to a brief climate cooling event in the Holocene and increased summer monsoon rainfall in South America between 4,000 and 3,300 years ago, a possible impact of human settlements in southeastern Brazil cannot be ruled out.”

However, Vasconcellos points out that this should not be taken as a proven fact, since archaeological evidence of human settlements in the Mantiqueira is scarce compared to that of the Southern Plateau of Brazil.

#brazil #science #biology #ecology #climate science #paleontology #araucaria forest #image description in alt #mod nise da silveira

21 notes · View notes

27moremoons · 1 month ago

Text

youtube

After repeated raids and ongoing damage to the infrastructure caused by israeli occupation forces, children in Tulkarm Camp face significant challenges in accessing their schools. The situation becomes even more dire after rainfall, as muddy paths and waterlogged streets further hinder their education journey.

#palestine #Youtube

32 notes · View notes

danielgillies · 2 years ago

Photo

Daniel Gillies as Wing Commander Hayes in Occupation: Rainfall (2021) dir. Luke Sparke

#ok this set isnt done technically but i am NOT rewatching this movie for him . no one and no amount of money could convince me to do so #daniel gillies #filmedit #mancandykings #usermichi #tvdcastedit #usersavana #usercas #userstream #filmtv #userbbelcher #dailymenedit #zanisummers #usergina #flawlessgentlemen #*mine

785 notes · View notes

zelphin124 · 9 days ago

Text

LCB-3: Chapter 17

Ugh, this chapter put me through an emotional wreck, be prepared. I am SO sorry for Hyde, again- Masterpost Chapter 16 <--> Chapter 18

~o0o~

The smell of human corpses should’ve been something Jekyll was subject to, regarding her occupation. However, the particular rotting flesh being burned alive was not something anyone could get used to. Such a smell was coming from the burnt, crisp melted flesh on the ground as the party ascended. Before Jekyll could observe it any further, Dante ran forward, panicking. “Oh gosh! What happened?!”

Silence.

Mallo glanced down at the corpse, allowing Jekyll enough time to identify it used to be Mark. “Hmm,” Mallo shrugged. “Unsurprising.”

“Seems he’s dead,” Lenore added.

“How is he–�� the manager paused, clenching his hands. “Oh, I think I know why.”

Mallo knelt and picked up some of the flesh with her fingers, rubbing it together. It was rather sticky. "Hmm... It’s similar to the sunburst rainfall abnormality. You know, the spear we sacrificed earlier.”

“But Mark sacrificed it,” the manager countered.

Mallo looked unimpressed. “That’s because it’s likely from the abnormality where the spear came from.” She wiped the flesh off her hands and back into the pile.

“Finally, a worthy opponent,” Lenore smirked. “Our battle will be legendary.”

“Mark probably just found the original abnormality when he flew up,” Mallo continued. “Do you know where sunburst rainfall came from?”

"...I do,” there was a great hesitancy in Dante’s voice. “The Sun King... he’s back.”

“You’ve fought it before?” Mallo furrowed her eyebrows. “Hold on a minute. What risk level is it?” Her face of curious inner thought soon turned to a pale, discolored stare as the blood drained from her face.

“It’s an ALEPH; last time we fought it, it was weakened and deterred.”

“Is that weakness still active? I sure hope so.” Lenore’s smirk fled from her face at the mention of its threat.

“Given that Mark sacrificed the spear, I don’t know.”

“Okay,” Mallo started to pace back and forth, avoiding stepping in Mark’s remains.“We’ll be fine as long as..." she mumbled her answer out of earshot. “Honestly, I’m impressed.”

Dante rested his hands on his clock face, breathing deeply. “I’m surprised there’s anything left of him.” That was all he said before he turned the clock, gasping in pain as Mark slowly returned.

His charred skin slowly softened to its normal peach color as consciousness returned to Mark. He immediately was equipped with an ID Jekyll couldn’t identify, nor did she care to name. There are too many of them to keep track of...

As he stood to his feet, the six wings of bright feathers returned to his back, floating gently behind him. “Took you long enough, manager.”

Dante recovered from his pain and rested on Pen’s shoulder before looking up. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Mark shrugged. “Bad tale of Icirus?”

“I’ve met one before.”

“Cool, so I met Jatayu,” Mark continued. “I also met this... thing that’s like made of sunlight and fire wings. That is what killed me.”

“Oh, yeah, it does sound like you ran into the Sun King.”

“Sun King? Dumb name.”

“Boastful, but that’s the idea.”

“Pride coming from an abnormality? Who would’ve thought?” Lenore chimed in sarcastically.

Mark disregarded her comment and continued. “Jatayu tried to fight it, and I tried to help. Guess what happened.”

Dante’s flames dimmed. “He’s still up there.”

Mallo’s concern was also raised. “You saw Jatayu, right? How is he?”

“Instead of normal, he has a vulture skull and wings on his arms," Mark answered.

Dante fidgeted with his hands, getting more nervous by the second. “So he is distorted. We don’t have long, but before we can continue, I have one last thing. What is that on your head?”

The party lifted their eyes to see a soft crown of fire emitting from Mark’s head, circling it slowly.

“Huh, looks like an EGO gift,” she shrugged. “I guess burning yourself to a crisp wasn’t worthless after all.”

“I have six wings and a crown. At this rate, they should call me the Sun King.”

Mallo scoffed. “There’s no way.”

Mark smirked, amused by her reaction. “C’mon, it’s a joke.”

She only offered him a deadpan stare.

“Speaking of fire,” he shrugged off her reaction and pulled out a bottle he bought from the bar. He knocked off the lid, which fell down the spire and started to chug the drink.

Mallo sighed, rubbing her eyes before changing the subject. “Oh my gosh, okay... Are we just going to stand here, or are we going to stop Jatayu’s distortion?”

Mark shrugged again, wiping his mouth after a sip. “I think Jatyau is losing.”

I don’t think an ALEPH is something to mess with, Jekyll reasoned on her own. No wonder he is losing.

Mallo began to back up said point. “Logically, an ALEPH versus a distortion... Yeah, we need to hurry up.”

Someone having a mental breakdown is not going to fare well against a monster, Hyde added. His blood will be shed.

Mark continued to pull out various drinks before offering some to Lenore. They had some mild conversations in the back as the group continued up.

Jekyll bent down to scoop Gerald into her arms, holding him close as they continued up the spire. Hold on, Jatayu, we are coming.

As the party rose from the previous challenge toward the next level upon the spire, they found... the same building as before.

What? Jekyll glanced back down the path they walked up, double-checking to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.

The rest of the party seemed to be doing the same, observing the landscape as if they had just gone in circles.

The only difference notable in the building were a few small embers, flickering flames billowing inside through the windows, daring to grow larger; it became a den of agony and pain.

Dante tilted his head. “Hm. The same place again. That’s.. new. It has never done something like that before. Perhaps a different era in Jatayu’s time?”

“It looks like it’s about to set on fire,” Mallo shuddered.

“Not much to it or to do about it,” Mark sighed. “It’s a memory.”

“Even if we could, do we have any water?”

“Does it look like I have water?”

“Exactly.”

“Flames are beautiful,” Lenore smiled slowly. Her reasoning came from a place of her ID rather than the actual flames. She had worn the same ID for some time now as if it were – in her opinion – the best one.

“Oh,” Mallo looks over at Lenore’s flaming ID. “Yeah.”

“This has something to do with Jatayu’s past again, likely,” Dante interjected. “I don’t have a good feeling about this, but there is nothing we can do but sit and watch.”

Mallo didn’t seem convinced. “We don’t have to step inside it, right?”

“We have to,” Mark answered before the manager could speak.

“I… hope not." Dante’s words were a lot more timid as his attention lay on the scene before him.

Lenore looked at all of them confused. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Mallo didn’t believe her ears. “Gee, I don’t know, maybe burning alive?”

Lenore stared at her plainly, as she was currently on fire before her. “I’ll go inside if no one else wants to.”

Can you all shut up and get on with it? Hyde groaned, rubbing her face. Enough with this endless chitchat.

“I wonder,” Mark changed the subject. “Do you think each place we go to fetch the golden boughs will reveal and put us through our own memories?”

The party went silent for a moment. There was some thought about the possibility, and it seemed to terrify most of them.

“Maybe so,” Lenore shrugged, appearing to be the most accepting of the idea. “It happened once before.”

Mallo laughed uncomfortably. “Haha! No, it won’t happen to me.”

Jekyll and Hyde stood silently. She glanced over at Dante, who slowly turned away as if he knew it was true.

…Aw hell nah, Jekyll waved her hands in dismissal. No, no, no, this is NOT what I signed up for.

This will... be a first, Hyde sighed, clearly not liking the thought. It’s worse than others seeing your personal Split Shards moment.

Mark too noticed Dante’s turn-away and also gave him a nasty side-eye.

The world once again shifted into a monochrome black and white as the fragments of memories formed once again. The building appeared to be larger than last time. It was more lit up with neon signs, and music bleated from inside. The various sounds cheered with life as once more, two familiar figures arrived on the scene, entering into the bar with glee.

The younger brother – the memory of Jatayu – carried in his hand a small, yellow box with wrapping and a green bow on top. The older brother – Sampati – only wore a relaxed expression on his face. Both of them appeared to be a bit older than the last time the company saw them. Sampati was adorned in a feathery coat and carried a large spear on his back. The younger was addressed in the distinct P. Corp attire: a bodysuit that glowed with a gleaming light.

They met up at the bar, commencing small talk as they closed the door behind them. The party watched slowly before all of them followed inside, with a strange need to hear the conversation.

The older brother spoke first. “So, Jatayu. Are you going to tell me why you have that box yet, or…?”

“It’s a surprise. You’ll get it once we’re inside; just don’t worry about it. Besides, you said you had something to talk about as well.”

“Various things, yes. I suppose that I can... stifle my desires for a bit then~”

The bar was a bustling, thriving building, rich with entertainment, a contrast to the last time they were here. It had more guests and larger bands playing in the background. The brothers made their way further in, moving toward their favorite spot in the bar, the front stools.

Jatayu glanced around the bar, smiling. “Glad to see this place is doing better. It deserves it.”

The older brother agreed. “Quite. Kollam is experiencing a large boom in popularity for tourism after all; it makes sense that more and more people are coming. This tiny town is finally on the map as somewhere worthwhile.”

“All thanks to the new and rising Grade 4 fixer, gaining fame and fortune where he goes.” The memory of Jatayu gestured to his brother, attributing the success to him. He set down the present as he sat himself.

His older brother followed, sitting down next to him and scoffing. "Oh, please, like I am the only one responsible. You’re also to blame, you know? Sir P. Corp Architecture Department Manager~” He tossed a soft jab at his brother, causing them to both chuckle.

The bartender wandered up to them and offered them their favorite drinks without an order and a payment. Sampati pulled out the money to pay, placing the ahn over the bar as he nodded in acknowledgment. The bartender accepted the payment and went on with his job, attending to the other customers waiting for him.

“It’s not that special." Jatayu twisted his finger on the glass. “There are multiple managers, and we’re still working under the Head Director too. Still, I’m a lot farther than when I began.”

“And it shows! Look at you, wearing their colors. You know that you are outside of work, right?”

“Says the man carrying a large spear on his back and our father’s coat.”

“….Shut. How dare you call me out!”

A playful chuckle escaped them both as they taunted each other, taking a sip of their faloodas. It wouldn’t be long before they began to turn their attention towards the box.

“...So. What’s this then? You wanted to see me; I needed to see you, so it’s only right you go first.”

“Right to the point, huh? Not gonna wait and enjoy the moment for a bit?”

“Who says we can’t be serious and relax?~ Why can’t we make progress and be at ease?”

“Fair enough, I suppose that makes sense... heh. Here.” The memory of Jatayu muttered as he took the box in his hand before giving it to Sampati. “You’re set to become a Grade three Fixer in less than two months at your current rate. It’s going to get more and more dangerous. You won’t slow down any. So, have this.”

The older brother raised his eyebrow as he opened the box, unwrapping the paper by its bits and revealing to the party a mechanical orb. It was vaguely heart-shaped and nostalgic compared to the heart Jatayu ripped out earlier in the Lobotomy Corporation facility. It fitted in his hand perfectly, designed with his specifics in mind. He looked confused mostly, rotating the thing in his hand. "You... got me a heart?”

The younger brother took a sip of his drink, looking away. “It was a-a personal project of mine. Personal body barriers. Meant to protect and shield the holder from anything. I didn’t want you to get hurt, so... there.”

“Ah, you made this for me?” He raised his head, stopping his inspection of the object as he smiled softly.

“I’m working on making a second one, for your wife, though. I’d like to make sure the first one works. Two birds, one shield.”

“Aww~ Looks like my brother does love me... heh. This is thoughtful, Jatayu. I’ll make hella good use out of it; you need not worry about that.”

"True, though. Ideally, it never gets used.”

There was a moment of silence that befell the room. Sampati’s smile faded as he stared at the box. After a moment, he sat the box down on the counter and placed the device into his pocket. It beat like a heart, glowing with a pulse inside it. “About that,” Sampati began. “I guess it’s time for me to tell you my news." He took a moment to collect himself; the hesitation was clearly uncharacteristic of him.

Jatayu noticed as well, and he turned to face his older brother, spinning in his seat. His expression changed, not for the better. “Sampati?”

“Jatayu, I need you to promise me something.”

“Sampati? You’re being a bit cryptic, but go on. What is it?”

The older brother didn’t respond immediately. He took a breath, facing his brother before offering a smile.

“...You are going to be an uncle.”

The look of shock on the party’s comrade’s face was rememberable. “What?”

“My wife, she is pregnant. I am going to be a father in 5 months to a beautiful baby girl. And you, Jatayu, are going to be her uncle.”

It was as if the entire bar had gone silent at the news, the air growing quiet and dense as a result of it. A few bystanders looked in their direction, having overheard the news.

Jatayu’s face contorted with emotions, ranging from shock and surprise to widening eyes in awe, growing in suspense at each moment. His eyes gently formed tears as a bright smile, stretched across his face as his heart raced. His breathing got heavier by the moment; it was clear this was big news for him, and the intention of the importance of family to him was true.

It was at this moment that Hyde finally understood. …So this is why he values family. She sighed. It is as much as I value art.

And we… Jekyll glanced away. We insulted that right out of him.

It was the first time Hyde felt anything close to remorse or guilt. I see... how I screwed up now.

You do?

She nodded. I may not agree that family is that important and still believe it is a weakness to him, she glared back at the brothers. But I see how my words in one of our last interactions could have affected him.

Jekyll sighed in relief. So you will—

I am not sorry for what I said. I know what I say is true, and it is hard to hear. Hyde paused, recalling herself. But the truth would not help Jatayu in the state he is in. He must be eased into a different belief before it can work. Right now, I see he is tied down by family, and it is the core of his actions.

...Gosh, he really is Lanyon.

Truly. If we wish for Jatayu to return to us, we must succumb to his level of flawed thinking and drag him out of it.

It wasn’t much of an apology; Jekyll could feel Hyde’s pride fueling itself within her. However, it was a step closer to feeling some form of change in her actions, some form of civilized thought. That was all she could ask of her counterpart, and she would not complain about it. Does this mean you will apologize to him?

Not in the way that you hoped I would, Hyde shrugged. But I believe I need to rethink my plan in terms of confronting him. He will not be convinced to let go of his chains so easily. This is why.

Normally, you would not put up with something that held people back.

I suppose I need to start learning how to.

“I…” The memory of Jatayu finally spoke. “I am going to... to have a niece.” He panted lightly, trying to catch his breath as his eyes gleamed toward his brother. Tears flew from his overjoyed soul. “I’m going to be an uncle! You’re going to be a father!” He held his head low, excitement building in his chuckles.

The older brother nodded. “I plan to, yes. It’s… thrilling, but terrifying.”

“Of course it’s terrifying! You’re going to be a FATHER!” Jatayu chuckled and exclaimed as he spun in his seat happily.

“I know, I know. Which… is why I need you to make me a promise.”

“Hm? What? Yes, of course, whatever you need, Sampati. I’ll be happy to babysit if needed or get supplies.”

“Thank you, but... not those. I need you to promise me... that..." He trailed off, the atmosphere flowing with his voice as he settled down. The anticipation in the air was noticeable. “I need you to promise me that if anything happens to me... you will be there for her.”

“...huh?”

“I need you to promise me that, if, for some reason, I die... you will be there to care for my daughter.”

“I… Sampati. You can’t just drop that news on me, and then speak as though you are going to die tomorrow! You have a responsibility to fulfill now!”

“I know, I know. I don’t plan on running from it; I want to be there. I want to see my daughter grow, but I am... I’m terrified... This... this city... it’s not for the faint of heart. People die in the hundreds daily, potentially thousands. Anything could kill me at any moment.”

“…I see now.”

“And, likewise... anything could kill her at any moment... I don’t want that.” The older brother raised his head, looking directly at the younger. Tears streamed down his cheeks, not ones of happiness, but rather ones of fear and despair. “I trust you more than anyone in this world, Jatayu. I trust my brother from the bottom of my heart. I will strive every day to keep safe the ones I love and be there for them. You, Bhumi, my daughter, all of Kollam... but... I am just a man. I want to know.” He reached out through choking tears, resting his hand on Jatayu’s shoulder. “Promise me... that if something happens to me... she will be okay.”

It was Jatayu’s turn to join his brother in weeping. They stared at each other as if they were tackling reality together. However, a strong determination filled the younger brother’s eyes. “Sampati,” he began, reaching out his own hand to rest on his brother’s shoulder. “I promise. That no matter what happens. That no matter what time of day or state of the world. I will make sure that they are okay.” He paused as he thought, light returning to his soul. “I will make sure that you will be there to see it all. That you will be okay too. I am going to make this world safer.”

“...Huh?”

“You said it yourself. This world can take anything without warning. It’s dangerous—too dangerous for a child. I don’t want you or them to get hurt. So, today is going to be the beginning of a new world.” He patted his brother’s shoulder, his tears drying up on his face. “I don’t know how... no. I am already coming up with ideas of how. But somehow. I will make this world safer for her. For you. For everyone. I will do all that I can to make this world better. I don’t want to lose my brother, nor my niece or sister-in-law.”

Jekyll observed the situation as she recalled Jatayu’s current mission and current state. He didn’t make due on that promise... His niece is kidnapped.

The world is cruel to those who let themselves be bound by attachments.

“Jatayu, thank you.” His brother smiled. "You... You truly are the best brother anyone could ask for. I promise you that you will not lose us.”

“I am still trying, brother,” a louder, overall voice could be heard above the bar as if they were watching. It was distorted, and as it spoke, the scene came to an end and faded away. “I have never given up on that promise, nor will I ever give up on that promise to you.”

There was nothing more to be done as the music and idle conversation faded. The bar was empty, save for the bartender at the end. A rumbling took place outside, which snapped Mark out of the silence of the party as each of them processed what they had just seen.

“Well, there is probably something waiting for us outside." Mark had a neutral expression on his face as he adjusted his pipe. “Once you guys are done thinking about the memory of whatever, join me outside for the typical fight.”

Let’s not dwell on this any more than we need to. Hyde turned away from the bar, urging Jekyll to follow after Mark. Let’s go bash in some monster heads.

Jekyll obliged, shaking her head as she fought for control before immediately following Mark outside. The pink armor of her ID returned. Her paintbrush turned into a gun, and Hyde analyzed the stats.

…Wait, she paused. Our unique charge didn’t reset. We are still at the same number we left the previous battle with.

Is that a bad thing? Jekyll lifted her eyebrow, observing the stats. It lets us deal more damage.

I wish I knew what it exactly meant; the ID’s memories are not helpful at all.

A surge of power rushed through Jekyll’s skin. Who cares? This feels good.

Almost too good...

The helmet quickly identified the enemies with black hearts. There were two sloths and two greed peccatulas. Two small doubt robots would turn into larger monsters if not killed, just like on the previous floor. They approached the party like every other enemy had.

Gerald popped out of Jekyll’s grip onto the floor, ready to fight as he whirled around. His eye rested on the party coming out to help them, with Dante safely tucked behind the bar wall.

The tension in the atmosphere skyrocketed like insurance rates as Mark lunged forward toward the doubt robots. He barely hit both of them before blocking their attacks.

Mallo didn’t assess the battlefield quickly enough and was attacked by the sloth peccatulum that lunged for her. She countered its attack by striking it back. The first attack prepared her for the second one; she clashed against the second sloth peccatulum and won with ease. She rushed toward the first greed enemy before hitting it skillfully.

Jekyll adjusted her gun and shot at the greed peccatulum attacking Mallo. She caught it off guard and sent it flying back into the bar wall. She smiled, sighing softly.

However, her relief was not for long. Suddenly, warning sirens went off in her helm. The code started to shake as everything turned from a pink shade to gray. Her vision blurred, and her eyes couldn’t see properly as everything became a daze.

“Warning: Max Pink Heart reached. Initiating Extermination of Black Heart Protocol.”

What is happening? Hyde asked calmly.

Jekyll clenched her head, backing up out of the fight as she tried to regain her composure. I can't—I can’t think straight! I must… I must eliminate all black hearts!

Hyde quickly picked up what was going on. This must be the abnormality’s doing. Take the helmet off—there was no reply. Her eyes furrowed as she tried calling out again. Jekyll?

Must eliminate all black hearts.

She barely saw Lenore use an EGO as she walked into the battlefield. “This is to show you all that I am,” Lenore uttered, slamming a mechanical arm into the first sloth peccatulum.

Gerald followed suit and attacked the same enemy in its open wound.

The tiny robot turned into a much bigger, tankier robot, like before, looking like a factory machine. The feathers on Mallo’s back unsowed themselves and attacked the enemy with ease.

But who was the enemy?

As Jekyll looked out from her helmet, she noticed the black hearts were now on everyone, allies included. She could tell no difference between them as if her allies had abandoned her to combat all the enemies on her own. Her vision was black and white, with grey outlines of everything vibrating violently. Her head spun and she could only think one thought.

Eliminate all black hearts. Her suit turned black as she aimed her gun, ready to fire at the blackest hearts she saw, which were the closest sloth peccatulum… and Mark.

The movements of the enemies around her were erratic; she watched them blur side to side. But their hearts did not escape the skill of a sniper. She could not discern the moves of the battlefield, only the movements of her own.

Jekyll shot the first greed peccatulum after watching it move unexpectedly. She shifted her gun and shot the sloth peccatulum, imploding him on the spot. There was no hesitation in her attacks as she aimed for Mark, only seeing a gray outline with a large, black heart in the center of it. The bullet when it was shot split into two, with the second bullet traveling to the robot in the middle of the battlefield.

Jekyll struggled to regain control of her actions and body in the suit. She watched Mark block the bullet with his shield, but it wouldn’t be long before the suit fired again. Her thoughts were not her own, and even Hyde could not break through the power of the ALEPH abnormality. To think that the party had to face one of them was terrifying enough. She would not have chosen the ID if she knew it would have turned on her allies.

But it was too late. The gun reloaded itself as the doctor’s arms adjusted to aim at new targets, scanning for the most black of hearts amongst the enemies and allies. It shocked Jekyll how black her allies’ hearts were, but it was difficult to tell them apart in the first place.

The only one without a black heart was Gerald, who still looked relatively the same in her gaze. His heart was still pink, and he looked up at Jekyll with great concern.

Protect good, pink hearts. "Must... eliminate all bad, black hearts," Jekyll muttered, the control in her mind keeping a grip on her actions.

The gun pointed at the robot, firing the moment the calculations were complete. The suit shifted to Mallo, firing at her as well.

The feathers didn’t seem to appreciate the attack. They swarmed in front of Mallo, blocking the bullet before lashing out toward Mark.

The feathers ripped at Mark’s flash, cutting him off from a clash from a greed peccatulum. They tore at his skin and muscles until he imploded on the spot. They killed him without a second thought.

“Huh, Karma–” Mallo barely got her words out before the feathers swarmed toward Jekyll… before they dove next to her and swarmed Gerald.

They tore at Gerald’s eye and claw, devouring him in their hungry rage. The glass ball he rolled on shattered. No matter how much Jekyll tried to break free to save him, it was no use. The feathers finished their job, and all that remained of the doctor’s pet were the glass shards and a pink feather.

GERALD! Jekyll cried out in pain, trying to reach out to him. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to fight the suit to go to him. Her heart stopped, and aching hopelessness seized her soul. The one thing she had cared for… was gone.

However, the suit only glanced at the body before aiming the gun strictly at Mallo, firing many rounds at the killer. They shot through her protective feathers and into her shoulders and chest. Mallo crumbled onto the floor, gasping for air as she looked over.

Lenore stepped in front of Jekyll as she prepared a firey attack. “You need to get a hold of yourself!” Her voice was faded and distorted as she rushed ahead, attacking the giant robot.

Jekyll couldn’t do anything as the suit attacked the greed peccatulum. She saw the feathers unsowing themselves and charging toward her, but there was nothing she could do.

They ripped at the armor, collapsing it onto Jekyll’s skin. She cried out in pain as she fell to the floor, unable to move her limbs. The suit itself seemed to be in too much pain to move further. They staggered her. It wasn’t long until Mallo fell into a corrosion as a result of Jekyll’s attack. She charged at the robot and Lenore, who were still fighting, and killed her comrade with an EGO Jekyll could not identify.

Jekyll did everything in her power to try and move to keep fighting. However, more feathers from Mallo’s back shot at her again, pushing the metal further into her skin. She felt her stomach and lungs rupture from inside her, and everything faded to black.

* * *

The hands of hell were never pleasing, but it didn’t take long for Dante to pull her out immediately. In fact, it was quite quick compared to the normal rebooting time.

As soon as Jekyll felt the strength return to her body, she sprung up and rushed out the door of the bar, analyzing the battlefield as much as she could.

No, no, no, no! Gerald, Gerald! She clasped her hand over her mouth, desperately looking for her friend.

The battlefield was a wasteland. The blood of the dead peccatulum poured onto the ground, and the robot remains lay dead on the floor. The sun beamed brightly overhead, slowly reflecting on the liquid and glass on the floor.

…The glass.

Jekyll stumbled over to the pile of sharded glass that lay resting beneath her. Her eyes scanned it in disbelief as her hands started to tremble. No… NO, please... Her lips quivered as she collapsed to her knees. Her hands ran along the edges of the shards, picking them up as they sliced at her fingers, only making her tremble more as her blood spilled onto their clear appearance. Gerald... Gerald I... She couldn’t think straight. Her vision blurred as tears seeped down from her face. She removed her monocle to stop the buildup before she broke out in a sob, clutching the pieces of glass close to her chest as she curled upon herself. Her cries were not smothered, and there was no comfort for her aching heart.

Hyde approached Jekyll in their minds slowly, resting a hand on her shaky shoulder. I’m… I’m sorry, Jekyll. He’s gone.

Jekyll shook like an earthquake before she turned around and hugged tightly onto Hyde’s legs.

The painter herself could feel Jekyll’s pain as her own. She hesitated before resting her hand on her counterpart’s head. She rubbed her hair slowly, unsure how to comfort herself. Such loss for a creature we’ve only known for a short time… She began, unable to show her sympathy and care properly. Grief is something most experience. Let me take over as you compose yourself. I shall take care of the logistics as your process.

It was one of the few times such grief was not caused by Hyde herself. The difference she noticed is there was no thrill to it. There was no joy. Seeing something that had the potential to be great die in someone else’s hands rather than her own did not bring her the same satisfaction. Perhaps it was the closest she could feel to grief over something she had lost, but she refused to acknowledge it. How could she? She watched people go through this pain in her own lust for blood and never batted an eye. But when the pain was with her, with the very person that bore her into the world, she could not shut off her heart as easily.

Jekyll slowly nodded, sobbing harder as she clung to Hyde’s legs. Her grip on reality loosened as she let go of control.

Not a second passed with Hyde hesitating. She immediately took the reigns of the body, and the tears stopped. Her soul shook as Jekyll wept in the back, but she inhaled sharply, steeling her heart. This. This is why attachments are horrible and why I’ve gotten rid of them. This is why I have done what I have done: to eliminate pain like this…

Hyde loosened her grip on the shards, staring at them intently as she watched her blood stain them. She stared silently into the distance, contemplating the decisions that led up to this point. A rare, solemn expression was heavy on her face. I shouldn’t have encouraged Jekyll to keep it. I was a fool.

Footsteps approached her out of her sight. She could tell the manager was coming to talk to her, which made her grip on the shards worse. I do not need your comfort, Dante. She hissed in her mind. Things are already bad as they are.

“You…” He began, stopping as he stood behind her, his flames not as hot as they used to be. “You okay, Jekyll?”

Hyde rose to her feet, turning her head slowly toward Dante. For a moment, there was a flash of pain in her eyes. It faded as Hyde raised the monocle to cover Jekyll’s eye, revealing her red eye. She untangled her bun and let her hair fall to her knees, shaking it as a facade returned to her mannerisms. She smirked. “Jekyll will not be available for... some time,” she carefully chose her words.

Her gaze turned to the bar, where she spotted Mallo leaning on the doorframe, looking at her with a sorrowful, guilty stare. She had her arms crossed as if she were listening intently.

Hyde could feel the rage and grief radiating in her soul from Jekyll, but she quickly suppressed it. “It seems that..." The painter turned her attention back to the manager. “Human greed was more important than a treasured life, via the feathers,” her head gestured to the collection of feathers on Mallo’s back. She stared back at Mallo with raised eyes before she shrugged, glancing at her own nails that were chipped from the glass. Her carelessness masked her perfectly. “Se la ve, we knew the damage they did. Keeping those things around really makes it clear where your priorities are, Dante.”

It was an intentional jab, which forced Dante to pause and think slowly. “Yeah, it... it was good while it lasted. It was a... uh... good thing. Gerald was.”

Terrible words to comfort someone, Hyde critiqued. Not that you were ever good at that. “Yes, he was,” she said in a clearer tone, laced with a bit of wrath. Hyde glanced down at the broken body. “Shame that he had to go, but..." She shrugged, recalling what the maestro taught her. “There is no beauty in things that last. Even paintings wither away when their time comes.” She looked back up at Dante, leaning on her hip. “That’s why we miss things. Perhaps it’s some kind of... messed up empathy that we possess. We can’t enjoy what we have in the present.”

The manager tilted his head and took a step back. “That’s not really that screwed up. If it is, then we are both messed up in the head.”

Do not compare your incompetence to my insanity. Hyde scoffed. “Tell me, Dante. How shall I explain to Jekyll Gerald’s passing in a manner that doesn’t condemn the one who killed them with their greed and desire for a shiny wing?”

Dante took another moment to respond, the flames on his head dimming more and more as his hands clutched one another. He glanced away from Hyde to turn his focus to Gerald’s remains and Mallo’s wings. “I… I’m not fully sure there’s any ideal way to put it. At the end of the day, seeing the wings and how they act... They are a bit indiscriminate, but they try to do good… It’s not really a clear-cut story, sadly. There might not be any way to make the story one hundred percent innocent.”

Every fiber in Hyde’s being wanted to snark toward Dante, showing him that she would not tolerate such an answer. However, the pain she felt in her soul overbearing her wrath, and her intentions sunk into despair. She turned her gaze back toward the pet she had named, her gaze softening as her shoulders relaxed. “I don’t think you will see Jekyll for a while. W… She’s pretty distraught.” Hyde tried her best to stop her voice from breaking, lacing it with anger. “Not just over Gerald, but the whole..." She cleared her throat. “We didn’t have full control over the ID you gave us. Do not put that ID on us ever again if you wish to see my counterpart soon.”

“Thank you. That’s helpful information.”

Hyde shrugged in response, turning away from the manager as she stared back down at the glass shards. Emotions toiled in her mind and soul, and Jekyll’s cries did not cease. It was difficult for her to maintain her general attitude when Jekyll’s pain was felt as her own. She ignored Dante as if she were dismissing him from the conversation.

But Dante stayed. He took a step forward; his hand reached out. “Are you okay, Hyde?”

Hyde paused. You're asking me? She turned around with a cheeky grin. “Of course, I'm—” she stopped. Her eyes rested on Dante’s clock. He didn’t have an expression, but if he did, she knew she would see concerned, caring eyes. It bothered Hyde to an unholy degree. For a moment, there is a brief second of pain. The grand facade of Hyde fell, and her unfaltering smile that never left her cocky attitude faded. She would never admit it, but she, too, was upset and mourning Gerald’s passing. All could be seen by the manager in the brief moment it was visible.

As if Hyde still had some humanity left in her.

Mallo shifted on the doorstep, drawing Hyde’s attention. The next beat in time, the moment faded. The facade returned, and Hyde forced a smile again. It was as if the moment of vulnerability had never happened. “How can I not be great? I am Hyde, the great myth, the docent teacher, the one who is bound by no morals and obligations to do what I please. There is only room to be great, because I am free, and I hold no remorse.” She raised her voice as a proclamation of power, sending shivers down anyone’s spine who heard it.

The manager retracted his hand. “No remorse... at all?”

“Why should I have remorse?” Hyde tilted her head, crossing her arms and chuckling to herself. “It only holds you back from what you really desire to do. You can’t give into your deepest wants when you are bound by the standard chains of someone else’s society.”

The moment of silence followed by the manager was deafening. His hands rested in front of him, clasped together as he slowly nodded. His clock rotated to glance down at Gerald’s glass. "That's... true,” he hesitated as if he were scared to admit it. “Not sure if I agree with it, but it is not wrong. Still, if you say you’re fine, I will not push it. Though, do understand that you matter too, just as much as Jekyll does.”

The gesture was kind, but it was the most crap that had ever come out of his mouth, in Hyde’s opinion. She didn’t believe him. “If lying to yourself makes you feel better about the situation, then by all means, keep at it.” The painter chuckled to herself and shook her head, turning away from him once more as she bent down to collect Gerald’s scraps. She pulled out one of her collecting bottles from her jacket and placed them carefully in them. Matters as much as Jekyll does; what a load of rubbish.

“Well, take some time to recover, as much as you need. Or, to break the news to Jekyll. We are not fully ready to move on, so there is time.”

The wrath boiling inside Hyde got the better of her. “Do we, Dante?” She snapped, turning her glare toward him. “Do we really have time? Because I remember we were in a rush to get back to a member who ran away! Can’t blame 'em,” her voice relaxed. “But we don’t have time to linger and ‘have time to recover’ if we want to catch him. We are in such a rush because you all ‘care’ about him.”

Dante’s reply was one of soft words and care. “Just as we were in a rush to get to you.”

Hyde stopped picking up the shards, processing what he said. She remembered vividly the pain she was in…

The only person that rushed toward her was him, the manager.

The vulnerability returned, and Hyde, for the first time, had difficulty masking her emotions. “Go.” Her voice lowered like a threat. “Leave us now.” You speak nothing but lies; you probably thought I was Jekyll when I was hurt, and you come to console me as if you aren’t afraid of me and what I am capable of.

Dante obliged and took a step back. “We will be preparing to leave for the next floor inside the bar,” he nodded in a brief farewell. He turned to leave but hesitated, looking back. “You are an important member of the team, Hyde.” He ticked. “Don’t beat yourself up as if you were not.”

Hyde made no visible movement to Dante as she continued to pick up the shards, one by one, placing them carefully into her containment jar. She listened to the footsteps getting softer by the second and shook her head. Her heart ached, and she clutched her chest, a small tear falling on her hands.

What is this sorrow that I feel... that cripples me and my objective? Why does it hurt so much?

She continued to pull the shards together, wiping the floor clean of Gerald’s remains. There was no trace left of him when she finished. She sealed the jar and put it in her jacket once more, sighing as she slowly calmed herself. Maestro taught you better than this; she talked to herself. Now is not the time.

Jekyll seemed to have calmed down from her weeping as well, slowly pulling herself together. Hyde, I-I’m sorry I—

Shut, Hyde snapped. It was not your fault. It wasn’t mine either. Do not feel sorry for yourself. It hurts.

Jekyll nodded slowly and did her best to retain the information that she wasn’t responsible for her pet’s death. If I had just protected him—

You were not in control. Do you not remember this from the grueling therapy sessions you gave? We don’t know how to protect. The circumstances just happened to have him dead. We will keep him as a memory, always as something beautiful.

The doctor seemed to like that answer. She nodded and backed up, watching what Hyde did like a movie.

Heavier footsteps approached Hyde. The painter stood up and turned around to see Mallo walk slowly toward her. The woman stopped a fair distance away, her head bent and her wings tucked into her back as if they knew they had done something wrong. She awkwardly stood there before speaking. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Hyde offered a malicious grin, not feeling the same vulnerable attachment with Mallo as she did with Dante. The manager drew something out of Hyde that she couldn’t place her finger on, as if he was connected to her and knew her memories. Mallo, however, did not, and Hyde would not let her grief show again. “Greed is how you get ahead. It is how you gain, just like how you gained the wings on your back,” she almost spat out those words, but kept her tone cool. “They are a nice touch to your figure. Very art-inspiring, in fact. It’s… as if your sins could free yourself from your chains.”

Mallo sighed. “The ends did not justify the means, and I... It wasn’t under my control, but I’m sorry anyway.”

Hyde flattened her face and looked to the side. “I’ll tell Jekyll that.”

I heard her.

Mallo raised an eyebrow as she also looked away. “Okay,” she glanced up the spire. “Is there something I can do to make it up to you, at least? I’m trying to... atone for my mistakes.”

You act as if I need something from you to be satisfied. Hyde glanced back at her coworker. I don’t. "Do you know where I am from, Mallo? Not Jekyll, do you know where I am from?”

She looked confused. “Uh, no. We haven’t talked a lot, and Jekyll doesn’t talk about you a lot.”

“Naturally,” Hyde rolled her eyes. Seriously?

Listen, Jekyll wiped her face. I—

“I assume you come from the same place, or a similar one since you guys share a body after all—”

“My home,” Hyde interrupted, straightening her posture. “Which I did not wish to leave; we have a system of three strikes. After the third strike, no grace is given out. You have already crossed your three strikes with me, and this appears to be the second for Jekyll.” She lied through her teeth, seemingly convincing enough. She waltzed up to Mallo and rested a hand on her shoulder. “You have her grace." Her voice went from a sarcastic politeness to a lower threat. “But note that if that third strike is cast against her, I will personally make your life a living hell. No one would find your body, and the only ones who would know of your demise would be those people that you pray I never utter their names.”

Mallo was a tough person, not easily frightened, but even Jekyll noticed how she shuddered briefly in fear. “I don’t know how I wronged you, let alone three times. I do apologize,” she took a more humble stance than usual before shooting a glare at Hyde. “I don’t think you would. I’m calling your bluff. You are quite a threatening person, I’m sure of it, but…” She shook her head. “I don’t think you would. Jekyll wouldn’t forgive you.”

Hmm, your apology could be worked with, Hyde paused, thinking. But I am no person to lie about my strength and my connections.

Hyde, Jekyll reached out. We talked about this—

“Do you think Jekyll would be able to forgive you over me?” Hyde asked, tilting her head.

Mallo shrugged. “She seems more understanding.”

You don’t understand her, though. I do. “Jekyll has to forgive me, I am in her mind and soul. I’ve kept her alive for years,” Hyde stopped, snuffling a cackle. The crazed look of insanity returned to her former dull gaze. She looked Mallo up and down. “You underestimate my connections with the Middle. But let me offer you a proposition instead.”

Mallo stepped back, her eyes wide at the mention of the name. “No, no, if you had connections, you wouldn’t be here.” She stopped backing up and took a step forward, bending over to try and intimidate. “If you had connections with the Middle, you would have killed me already.”

“May I remind you it was Jekyll who joined; there was no background check on me?” Hyde pulled out her brush in front of her, gripping it to face Mallo as her voice lowered. “The Ring is not so far from the Middle when it comes to the Five Fingers.”

Mallo stepped back, feeling the threat in her voice. She respected Hyde and gave her some distance, thinking and shaking her head. “They may not be so far, but I don’t think you guys get along very well, do you?”

Hyde only smirked. Not if you stroke their egos long enough. The sisterhood is more reasonable than the brothers. “Let’s put our discussions aside... Jekyll is quite fond of you. I am bound to make sure she stays safe. So, here’s the deal. Take every action you commit with caution; do not put Jekyll through any more unnecessary pain. Do not lose that third strike with her, or I shall call some old friends.” Her gaze darkened. “You rest on her forgiveness, once that’s gone..." She lifted her head in a dominating position. Thinking. “Unless…” She paused for a moment. She wouldn’t be too bad of an art piece. “Perhaps inspiration can be drawn from you as well. Something... full of art, full of... reality.” You are someone who does fit the description of who they are looking for. Your name is written in their book of vengeance, perhaps. I know some of the members have talked about someone similar to you. You tried to take someone out of the Middle... Yes, that was it.

She did?

Brief conversations that I have heard, she recalled. So that’s why they don’t like her…

“I don’t plan to break any strike; I am just trying to do what I think is right." Mallo’s gaze softened. “I’ve tried to do right before, but every person ends up dead when I do, so I’m trying to atone, so should I be held responsible for trying to do what’s best?” She looked almost pleadingly at Hyde. “I don’t know why I’ve wronged you; I know I’ve wronged Jekyll, but I didn’t plan to break anything, so I’m sorry.”

“That’s where you're wrong, seeking in what’s doing right,” Hyde laughed. “You do what others tell you is right, and not what you want to do.” You fold to society, something that will keep you captive for the rest of your life. I am not a slave to society’s rights like you. “I don’t like you, Mallo,” Hyde smirked. “You impose your will as a law onto others, as if you are some kind of guide or savior from someone’s circumstances, dragging them out of a place they couldn’t escape themselves when you alone cannot escape.” Her words were intentional as if to get under her skin. “You are a walking contradiction, but that is also what makes you so... fascinating.” She lifted her hand. “I’m not one to tolerate many, but I think you intrigue me just enough to perhaps... give you that second chance.” It was a deceitful offer, just like all of her propositions, but Hyde snuffed the pain and grief she felt in order to make her words work.

Mallo was not understanding her cryptic messages. “Walking contradiction? I don’t know what you mean by that. I do what I think is right, but I know it’s not always right, but I’ve learned that. I knew what was best for people; I knew people’s suffering; I worked in one of the worst corporations in the City. You do not know what it’s like to have someone beg for you to kill them to put them out of their misery, for them to be in pain so much they grovel at your feet!”

The insanity returned. “Delightful, is it not?

“What? No!” Mallo backed up more, horrified. “How can you say that?”

Hyde chuckled and leaned on her hip, her elbow resting on it. She lifted her hand as if she was holding tea. “So Jekyll never told you.”

I would never tell her about your wrongdoings! Jekyll stammered, trying to get involved. It’s a bad look on both of us!

Were you not the one who gave me the idea to keep them alive? Hyde snapped.

But not to–

Make them suffer more? Your memory is faulty.

“Jekyll never told me... what? She doesn’t say a lot about you; far from that.”

Hyde tilted her head. Of course, she didn't; she’s too afraid of the public eye to admit she enjoyed it as much as I.

…

Hyde smirked at the thought, feeling Jekyll shudder in her mind. She looked up before turning to walk into the bar, her hair flipping at her head motion.

The painter could feel the wrath seeping through her coworker. “Hey! I was talking to you! Come back here!”

Hyde turned around; her eyes perked in an innocent, curious face. She observed Mallo’s mad and annoyed look, and it did not bother her at all. She stared at her comrade, scanning her. You’re angry as if you expected better of me. I am Hyde; get that through your head.

The former Lobotomy Corporation employee tried to pull herself together. “Look, at least from what I understand, Jekyll only cares about you because she has to. She grudgingly puts up with you; she tolerates you because you can’t do anything about it. You are stuck with each other. You are not her. I’ll put up with you for Jekyll’s sake but don’t expect me to respect you as I do with Jekyll. You don’t deserve it. You aren’t like her.” She turned around, lowering her voice to a whisper full of malice and hatred. “You aren’t even someone a mother could love.”

Something cracked in Jekyll’s soul when Mallo uttered the words. Her lips quivered, but Hyde refused to show it. She stood straight, raising her voice with a wrath that was not previously in her as if her grief was breaking loose. “I killed my mother, Mallo!” She roared authority in her voice with a tinge of pain. “To love me is to put aside my crimes that I don’t regret. That’s why you can't love me; it’s why Dante lies through his teeth when he claims he can! I have the strength to triumph in this world without affection or love!” She spat out the words in disgust, gripping her paintbrush. “Jekyll does not have that same strength yet. Stop teaching her as if she can rely on those fake, faulty things. She can't, Jatayu can’t, and it’s clear that you can’t, either.” She rested her vocal cords, lowering the volume of her shouts. “It’s a foolish lie. It makes you weak.” Hyde huffed out a breath of frustration before turning her heel and walking inside the bar without another word.

Hyde strolled across the bar in a neat, composed posture, as if her wrath had not existed moments before. No one suspected a thing as she sat at one of the stools on the far side of the bar, eyeing the bartender carefully as he cleaned a cup. She exhaled a breath she was holding in, rubbing her face.

What have you done? Jekyll covered her mouth in a panicked state. You just told her—

I don’t care. Hyde traced her fingers along the pattern of the wood counter. They are bound to find out sooner or later, whether it’s through me or the golden bough showing them.

Hyde—

Mallo opened the door to the bar, shortly after. Rage boiled from her face as she turned toward the manager. “Hey, Dante,” she gritted a fake smile through her teeth. “Can we have a chat for a minute? Outside?” She swung her arm around Dante; everything about her casual tone was fake.

“Uhm…” Dante stammered as if he were having flashbacks. “Okay? Is everything okay?”

“Just need to talk to you real quick,” she said sarcastically. “Come outside.”

They left quickly after that, Dante showing great concern with Mallo’s erratic behavior.

Why are you ruining this for me? Jekyll cried, hatred seeping from her soul. Why do you always have to ruin what I build?! Why are you destroying my life?!

You want to talk about destroying a life? Jekyll, you brought this upon yourself! Hyde snapped back. You took me out of my life; what did you expect me to do? Sit back and obey like a dog, as if I were fine with this?

You’re not supposed to give us a bad reputation!

Too bad, I already did. Hyde rolled her eyes. I did what I had to; I gave the truth. You know I am right! I know your soul; it’s connected with mine. You cannot deny that you agree with me.

Jekyll stopped, sitting back down as tears fell from her face. She clutched her arms.

All this talk about forgiving me, Hyde continued. When you forgot I still haven’t forgiven you.

Jekyll sighed. I know I signed up for Limbus Company, it was a rash decision. I know I ripped you away from the Ring without your consent. We were going to be arrested if I didn’t act quickly.

The maestro would’ve protected us.

I didn’t want to live in such a horrid place... People think it’s wrong.

But you don’t.

Jekyll paused, listening to Hyde’s words.

Hyde saw she was getting through. You don’t think that. That’s why you went to the Ring in the first place, right? You were the one who joined them before handing that life to me. Don’t think you’re so high and mighty; you are right down in this hell with me.

Jekyll shook her head. No, I can’t… it was you who—

Stop lying to yourself, Hyde snapped, shoving Jekyll out of conversation. Maybe when you’re willing to admit your faults, then we will talk.

I will never be like you.

No, Hyde glanced back, her gaze unreadable as if she didn’t know if she wanted to feel angry or insane. You’re worse than me.

#project moon #limbus company #limbus #lcb #lcb-3 #jekyll lcb #hyde lcb #jekyll and hyde #mallo lcb #pen lcb #lenore lcb #mark lcb #dante lcb #jatayu lcb #limbus fanfic #chapter #writing

10 notes · View notes

athena5898 · 19 hours ago

Text

(Quds) Harsh conditions are being endured by displaced Palestinians in makeshift tents across the Gaza Strip, with strong winds and rainfall worsening their suffering amidst a lack of necessary supplies and the destruction of infrastructure caused by the Israeli occupation during the 15-month-long genocide.

#jerusalem #free gaza #current events #yemen #tel aviv #palestine news #israel #palestine #gaza #free palestine

11 notes · View notes

temuera-morrison-tournament · 1 year ago

Text

Characters, round 2 poll 8

#temuera morrison #polls #poll tournament #tumblr polls #temuera morrison characters #the scorpion king 3 #occupation 2018 #occupation: rainfall

1 note · View note

basketballanonsblog · 1 year ago

Text

Happy birthday, Jihyo! The efforts you always put in all that you do are admiralable. Thank you for being the best leader. You're the glue that helps TWICE stick together 🎊🧡

I can't believe it's been a year since I wrote this for her birthday and @zyonamourolls

I'll be posting the rest of this AU over the next couple of weeks

Synopsis: After a lifetime of waiting, you finally found her again. (TW: slight violence and brief mention of blood. Flashbacks are in italics)

Finally found

"Get away from her!" Jihyo stood in between the man and woman whom he decided to target.

"Well, look what we have here, a mighty hero. You shouldn't interfere in things that don't concern you."

He tried to get to the other woman, but Jihyo fought him.

Where are you, my love? I need you.

"Run. Now!" She urged the other, who did what she was told. Before she could notice, he had pulled out a knife, gravely injuring her.

That was his first and last mistake.

The sky rumbled and flashed with thunder and lightning.

"Jihyo!"

The man was suddenly grabbed from behind and thrown against the wall with great force, knocking him unconscious. You'd deal with him later.

"No, no, no."

You rushed to her, bringing Jihyo as close as possible without aggravating her wound. Inspecting and putting pressure on it, you knew it was fatal based on the amount of blood she was losing.

"I'm here now, love. I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner. I'm going to get you help." You got ready to fly, but she weakly grasped your arm.

"I'm not going to make it, y/n."

"Don't say that. It's not too late." Your voice quivered, but she smiled at you.

"Shhh. It's okay, y/n. Our time together in this lifetime may have been cut short, but I know you'll find me again in the next."

Jihyo kissed you before wiping your tears as best she can.

"I love you, my angel."

"I love you."

She continued smiling as her eyes fluttered shut and she went limp.

"Jihyo?...Jihyo!"

No response.

You desperately sobbed, gently rocking her body.

"No, please, please. Please. Come back to me, don't leave me."

The heavens opened, but you shielded her with your wings. The unrelenting rainfall coincides with your grief and tears.

~◇~

Jihyo shot upright in a sweat, trying to catch her breath. She's been having quick snippets of the same dream almost every night. But this, this was more vivid.

"So much for not waking up early on my day off." She mumbled to herself as she walked into the kitchen, which contained one occupant.

"You had that dream didn’t you?" Mina was the only one she had told, only because she had overheard Jihyo talking in her sleep.

"Yeah. But this time it was different, more detailed." She explained her dream, and Mina looked pensive at the end of it.

"What's your opinion on the theory of being reborn?"

"Huh?"

"You know, people contemplate whether or not soulmates and reincarnation exist. Based on the amount of detail, maybe this dream is from a past life of yours."

Jihyo looked at her, bewildered.

"Yeah um I think you might have been watching too many romance dramas...or too busy pining over Chaeyoung."

"Unnie!"

~◇~

Trudging through your apartment, you collapsed onto your bed. Another shift at the hospital was completed. Being the chief obstetrician brought feelings of purpose, and it was rewarding, helping life come into the world; but it could be exhausting. Especially when complications arise.

You considered whether to go flying around for fresh air. At the thought, your wings sprung out, but in the end, you decided to have a nap.

"Sorry." Your wings tucked themselves back in as you closed your eyes.

Not even half an hour after falling asleep, you were abruptly woken by the sound of music blasting throughout the place. Considering that you lived alone, you knew who it was.

Curse your sibling.

You stormed to the living room, yelling.

"Lucifer! Can you please turn -" You went from irritated to breathless at the sound of a familiar yet foreign voice. A voice you hadn't heard in nearly a century.

"Who- who is that?"

"They're TWICE, a K-pop group."

"The one singing a moment ago, what's her name?"

"Oh, that's the leader, Park Jihyo."

You had to sit down before your legs gave in. The shock was so great that Lucifer had to shout your name a number of times in order for you to snap out of it.

"Brother. It's her."

He stared at you, confused, until his eyes widened as it clicked.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go to her!"

"Yeah, because they're just going to let me waltz in and talk to a famous idol." You quipped sarcastically.

He thought for a moment before looking cheerful.

"Leave it with me, sis. I'll handle it."

He threw you a wink, making you grimace. Things with Lucifer can go haywire but at this point, you'd try almost anything.

-×-

Another day, another shift. You were getting ready to help one of your patients until...

"Y/n!" Lucifer appeared beside you, with a stupid grin on his face.

"Oh for the love of- what the hell are you doing here?"

"Can't a guy visit his sister?"

"Not at work, especially when she's prepping to deliver a baby." You walked away, but he grabbed your arm.

"Wait. At least hear me out."

"Fine. Ten seconds, go."

"I got us tickets to see TWICE, and I managed to charm the staff to let us meet the members. You can reunite with her, y/n."

"I..."

So many emotions swirled within. You almost cried then and there. You were fortunate to have a sibling like him. Not that you would ever say it out loud. His ego was already big enough.

"You could've at least waited until I got home to drop this bombshell. Goodness knows you barge into my apartment whenever you damn well, please."

Walking away once more, your heart was racing. Lucifer just found it hilarious.

"You're welcome, sis!"

~◇~

The concert began not long after you had sat down but you were still restless.

Until you saw Jihyo.

Oh, how you had missed her. How you managed to wait this long, you'd never know.

"Are you okay?" Lucifer whispered.

"I'm fine."

"But you're crying." Huh. You didn't even realise.

"It's just a lot to process right now, but I promise I'm alright." No further words were exchanged; not that you could talk anyway. Especially when you kept your eyes on Jihyo the entire time.

You never did stop crying throughout the concert.

Seeing her so energetic, finding joy and happiness in performing with the members. That's all you wanted for her, to find passion in life.

On Jihyo's side, there was something different in the air tonight, besides the usual bursts of excitement they get. She felt compelled to keep looking at a certain section of the audience but could not figure out why.

Almost as if she was being drawn in.

The thought kept nagging in the back of her head, but was brushed away because in the blink of an eye, the concert was over.

~◇~

The members waited patiently for the people who their manager said had wanted to meet them.

Lucifer walked in alone, greeting them respectfully.

"Hello, I'm Lucifer. I'm here with my sister, who should be here soon."

You had gone to the bathroom to freshen up before you reunited with the love of your life. So your brother covered for you, making small talk to pass the time.

But you were taking too long, and idols could only give so much of their time. Their manager informed them it was time to go.

"No, wait! Please, my sister has been waiting for so long to meet you. I'll get her."

"Fine. Five minutes." He bolted out of the room, searching.

Lucifer found you curled up, outside the bathroom. As your younger brother, he always looked up to you; for him, it was unnerving seeing you look so... small.

"Y/n, what's wrong?" He sat beside you.

"Lucifer. I can't do it. How can I face her after what happened? I know she doesn't remember, but I don't deserve to meet her again. Jihyo is better off without me."

"No." He looked at you seriously, with a frown.

"What?"

"Don't make that decision for her. She made her choices back then, so let her make the choice now, whether or not she wants you in her life."

He gave you his handkerchief to dry your eyes.

"I know the past still hurts you. But don't let it make you so afraid that you would let her slip away again. Having another chance like this is nothing short of a miracle. Don't waste it."

You looked to him in awe.

"Who knew the devil could be so wise?"

Lucifer smirked and shrugged, then stood, offering a hand to pull you up.

"So what's it gonna be, y/n?"

~x~

Their manager glanced at her watch, sighing.

"We need to go." They all got ready to leave when the door abruptly slammed open; you and Lucifer stormed in, out of breath from running there.

"We're here!"

Jihyo's jaw dropped. It's you. The girl from her dreams.

You bowed, half in greeting and half in apology.

"Hi everyone! Forgive me for making you wait. I'm - "

"Y/n." She finished your sentence before she could stop herself.

Everyone including you, looked at Jihyo in shock and making her flustered.

"You know her, unnie?" Tzuyu asked.

"No, but -"

"How did you know her name?" Dahyun chimed in this time.

"Well..." How was she going to explain to her members that she's been dreaming of this stranger, that your name was engraved in her heart and mind.

That you were the person she's been unknowingly yearning for for months.

"Lucky guess, I suppose! People always say I look like a y/n." Not really, but you didn't want her to feel embarrassed.

Jihyo looked at you with relieved gratitude, and you smiled shyly in return.

She stepped forward, offering a hand shake, which you gladly accepted.

"Hello y/n."

"Hello Jihyo."

And as for you, your lost and troubled heart was finally at ease; for it had found its way back home.

~◇~

"You have some nerve asking me that. Especially after what you've done." You stood, drenched from the rain, bruises and minute traces of blood on your knuckles, before God himself, your father.

Pleading with him to bring Jihyo back.

"This is an outlandish request, even for you y/n. You are not the first or last person to lose someone. I can not outright bend the rules for you, regardless of the fact you are my child."

Your hands clenched, tears flowing while you dropped to your knees, head bowed.

"Then turn me human." You begged.

"Excuse me, you want me to what?"

"Turn me human. Everything is meaningless without her."

"You would really give up your birthright for her?"

"Yes." You answered too quickly for your father's liking. The way he stormed off was evidence of this.

But you stopped caring the moment you lost her.

He had returned a few hours later, much calmer after talking with your mother about the situation. Although, he didn't expect you to still be kneeling where he left you.

He mimicked you, going down to your level, that you may talk face to face.

"This human, she means that much to you?" He asked gently. You nodded tiredly.

"Father, I love her. I do not wish to live in a world where she doesn't exist."

He had never heard you sound so broken. Even if he had high expectations for you, you were still his firstborn. What kind of parent would want to see their child in pain?

He sighed in defeat and conceded, placing a hand on your shoulder.

"Okay."

~x~

You sat in front of her gravestone, fingers tracing the surface, where Jihyo's name was carved.

"Sorry I'm late, my love, Lucifer keeps dragging me into his outlandish schemes. He says it's because I'm the only sibling willing to put up with his antics, but I think he's just trying to cheer me up. He won't admit it, though, stubborn man. He would've liked you, I wish I didn't wait to introduce you. It was me being selfish and wanting to keep you far away from the dysfunctional circus that is my family."

You laughed almost bitterly while wiping your eyes.

"I miss you Jihyo, but please wait for me amor. Even if I have to spend the entirety of my existence looking, you have my word that in another life, I will find you again."

#jihyo x reader #park jihyo #park jihyo x reader

30 notes · View notes