#v. mainverse

[revengesworn]

Mikey is tired.

Tired of running, tired of hurting. Tired of keeping everything buried inside so deep that it feels like he's drowning. But Kazutora's words... they resonate so strongly that Mikey suddenly feels like maybe they really are the same. Is that even possible? That there's someone who experiences the same thing... and he hadn't realized it for so long?

( 'It feels a little better when you aren't on your own.' ) ...How stupid he's been. How stupid, and selfish, to hope.

"How do you resist it?" Mikey asks, and without even realizing it, he's finally lowered the gun. But that won't take away Kazutora's wound, or stop the blood that's still pooling on the floor. "I know... that you killed my brother. And Baji. But you haven't killed anyone else since, right? You're living a normal life, now."

Maybe he's wrong in that assumption. Certainly, Kazutora's life seems to be anything but normal, if he's come here after Mikey to begin with, and based on what he's said today. But at the very least, he isn't the leader of Tokyo's biggest crime syndicate, for god's sake. And... when Mikey speaks again, his whole body is statue-still. There's no trace of movement in him, or any emotion in his eyes, save for the slight trembling of his right hand.

"...You know Sanzu, Kazutora? I was the one who gave him those scars. He did nothing to deserve it. I just wanted to hurt him. We were kids, but... I ripped his mouth apart - even when he screamed and cried and begged me to stop. He could've died." At this point, he doesn't know if his words will scare Kazutora away. But the point he wants to make is...

"Nothing happened to make me like this. It's not grief or trauma that changed me. I've just... been twisted from the very start."

It's strange to be on the opposite side of that look. Because Kazutora understands what is happening, he's felt that onset of when everything seems so far away, when you're no longer in control of your body but a mere spectator to the actions that are carried out.

" That's where you're WRONG Mikey. " Kazutora says softly - not in a way to downplay or simplify the situation or offer false comfort, but soft in a rueful, experienced way as he wipes the sweat from his forehead and ignored the painful throb from the gunshot wound. " I do get it. You feel helpless, right? It takes over, your body just moves on your own and before you know it...you've done something you can't take back. " He knows that too well, just like he knows each of his demons in his head to have torn his life apart. " And no one else understands. How could they? If anything, it will just scare them away so you try to hide it so they never see it, so they never know. " He knew, he'd known that all his life.

The injured tiger listens intently to Mikey all the same, even as he feels the familiar hands of his own demons sinking their claws in his head. Mikey is physically strong - but he supposes they're both broken when it comes to their mentality. And you can't save someone else when you're drowning too. In the end, you both end up drowning.

" I don't know if I can, if I'm honest. I'm not that different. " Kazutora admits, his gaze falling for a moment. He's no hero. He's always the one clawing desperately for someone to save him. " I'm not very good at saving people...my claws always end up hurting those I don't want to. " He whispers, voice wavering before he clears his throat. " You might kill me. I might hurt you. But at least...at least neither of us would be alone. It feels a little better when you aren't on your own. " He offers a thin smile, exhausted but genuine in its rueful nature. " I'll take that risk. I don't have much going for me anyways. " Not anymore, not for many years.

[aletheialed]

The Chief Prosecutor from overseas, Miles Edgeworth... at first, Rayfa had come here to see him for a completely different reason to the one that's taking up all of her attention now.

Honestly, she doesn't remember the man particularly well. It's no surprise - she was in such an awful state during the time that she'd spent with him that she barely gave him a second thought with everything that had been on her mind. But he'd been kind to her - she remembers that, and she'd wanted to thank him for it. There may have been other reasons for her seeking him out, too, but right now... Rayfa has forgotten about all of them for one very specific reason: the mystery that she's determined to solve.

That is to say - the question of whatever it is she's been experiencing whenever Miles Edgeworth is nearby.

If you were to put her on the spot, she'd say it feels like spiritual power. But that makes no sense. For one thing, Rayfa has never heard of a man having spiritual power! ...Though until recently, she hadn't thought that anyone from outside of Khura'in could channel spirits... and so much of what she'd believed about the spiritual world had been wrong that it would hardly surprise her to learn if she was mistaken about more. Still - it's strange enough to have made her second guess herself. Then, there's her next source of doubt - the fact that Rayfa can't even channel spirits yet herself yet. So can she really trust herself to accurately discern what she's feeling to begin with...?

To be honest, she hates it - being so unsure of herself. It brings up bad memories in her... uncomfortable feelings that she'd hoped she had finally got rid of. But that's exactly why she's so determined to figure this mystery out right now - so much so that it takes her three times until she realized her name has been called by the man she's been staring at for the past half a minute.

"Oh! Ummm...." Suddenly, Rayfa feels awfully embarrassed. Not that she has anything to be embarrassed by, of course! Her curiosity is completely reasonable, and as the future Queen of Khura'in, she is obviously one hundred percent justified of wanting to get to the bottom of this matter!

"Mr. Chief Prosecutor! Did you- say something to me just now?"

@demon-prosecuted ( starter for edgeworth! )

[wisheswagered]

Some fires burn obviously. Bright, loud infernos speak of danger and destruction, and quiet blue flames whisper a deadly tune to all who comes near. Either way, the scorching heat is enough of a warning to anyone who comes face-to-face with the dancing embers.

Right now, though, the thing swirling in Frederick's eyes doesn't quite look like a fire at all. It's more of a whirlpool - yet it's hard to make out what it's made up of, as if it's hidden behind a murky fog... something is wrong, yet it's difficult to figure out exactly what that is.

To Frederick, the sound in his head has become unbearable. The malicious whispers and wicked laughter are mere background noise, though they pierce and prod at him nonetheless - but it's the pressure that's really impossible to take. On the outside, it's manifested only subtly. His lips press together tightly, his hands are slightly whitened from tension... but if one were to look closely at his eyes, that's where they might see it. Beyond that clouded fog lies something close to madness.

"And why should I trust anything you have to say?" he utters. His voice is a stretched out note, low and vibrating with barely-held back emotion. "No, I should've known this was wrong from the start... What was I thinking, exactly? The answer should've been clear to me from the beginning..."

As if the person he's speaking too isn't even there, he talks to himself. But then, he looks them in the eye again, his gaze fervent - and waiting expectantly for an answer.

@crownshattered ( starter for any idv muse / your choice! )

[sorrowveined]

"There's no need for you to remember."

On Arikado's lips, the words he speaks taste like ash. He couldn't say why, exactly, they feel so hollow - after all, he doesn't want Soma to remember, and he really does believe that that's what's for the best. Not just for the world, but for Soma himself, too...

After all, if Soma starts remembering the past, no-one can say what will happen or who he might become. But more so than that, Arikado doesn't wish for Soma to bear that burden. The rage and grief felt by his father, so strong that they drove him to madness and devoured the man Arikado used to know, leaving nothing left... he has no doubt that Soma deserves better than to experience them again. ...Soma is different to Dracula - so it's only natural that Arikado would come to care for him, isn't it? After watching over him for such a long time... that's all it is. He's sure of it. So...

"You should just live your own life, Soma." Arikado insists, as he always has done, in response to Soma's latest question. It's not the first time they've had this conversation.

"Aren't you satisfied with what you have now?"

@reincarnight ( starter! )

[guardiandamned]

"As if I'd want to see any of your faces around here."

After a moment, a familiar scowl crosses Ryouga's face as he forces himself to relax, not wanting to show any sign of weakness to his visitor. Out of all the Arclight brothers, Ryouga probably knows V the least... but that frustratingly stoic attitude of his and the calm calculation behind his gaze gives him the creeps, and more importantly, is more than enough to put him on guard.

...Reminds him of Kaito, a bit. Maybe Ryouga should be grateful that IV isn't the one here, but still...

"Cut the shit. You wouldn't be showing me your face if you didn't have some kind of reason." It's difficult to tell how much he knows, but at the very least, it's clear Ryouga is suspicious of V's intentions. That isn't enough for him to hold his tongue, though.

"So what do you want?"

    v isn't quite sure if he was expecting this response, while yes he really shouldn't - he still needs to answer shark. though there was no way to tell if he knew, or the fact if the eldest arclight brother could give into details. as such, he is aware that any of the slightest altercation can change the future in any sort of way.

his hands by his side, blue orbs stare down at him "would you rather i leave?" his tone unamused, almost wanting to fold his arms over his chest; but does not.

his throat clears "or were you perhaps preferring one of my other brothers?" and by that, he probably was referring more to iv. however, he wouldn't let him know what happened with his brothers, v needed to speak carefully without giving anything away.

[shadowgamed]

"Ishizu."

For a moment, another name had been on the tip of his tongue. He can't quite place it, but regardless, that ridiculous sensation causes Seto's mood to sour even further than it already has - and the scowl on his face darkens with a look that to most would be intimidating.

Somehow, he doubts it is to her. And that thought irritates him enough to speak first.

"I was hoping you'd had enough of those nonsense tales of yours." There's no greeting, no further acknowledgement he gives her - instead, Seto speaks as rudely as ever, insulting Ishizu without a care in the world for how she might react. This is familiar territory to him - the struggle for power is a game he's played all his life, and he knows that it's always best to make the first move. But if she's waiting for him to slip up and show weakness... she's going to find herself sorely disappointed.

"Do you actually need something from me, or are you just trying to waste my time? For both our sakes, I'd rather we make it quick."

@universestreasures ( starter for ishizu! )

[shadowedresolve]

Toshiro must have lost his mind.

He's thought that exact thing several times before, but it's never been as starkly obvious - or as utterly terrifying - to consider as it is right now. And yet somehow, despite the cold sweat he's broken into and the state of denial he can't seem to break out of, he clings to the thought like a lifeline, because the alternative possibility - that he is, in fact, completely sane after all - is even more terrifying to consider.

He wants to laugh to himself hysterically, and for a moment, he almost does just that - letting out a strange, high-pitched chuckle that honestly sounds rather desperate. But then he shakes his head and finally asks the question on his mind-

"You- what are you...!? There's no way you're human, right...?"

@tvstarkuma ( starter! )

[strayslost]

In another life, perhaps Ryunosuke would've looked at Kyusaku and seen someone who could understand. After all... if anyone should know the sting of Dazai's rejection, it would be them. As far as Ryunosuke knows, Kyusaku's fate of being shut away from the world and imprisoned was all thanks to Dazai - and even putting Dazai aside... he's sure that, just like Ryunosuke, their life has been full of pain from the very start.

As it is, though, right now - Ryunosuke feels very little. Perhaps it's a sign of his selfishness, his true nature as a heartless beast unable to feel a thing for someone else. All he wants has always been the same thing - to find a reason to live - and Kyusaku can't provide him that. In fact, sometimes seeing them stings, when he thinks of how they've been rejected even in spite of the power they hold... if they don't stand a chance of gaining Dazai's respect, what chance does Ryunosuke stand, as weak as he is now? What awaits him at the end of the road he's dedicated his life to following?

Thoughts like that aren't ones he wants to face, so he pushes them away. But something is strange about his feelings today. Because while that blank, apathetic smog of nothingness he feels should have him turning away and leaving, there's something that stops him... driving him to speak to Kyusaku for reasons even he doesn't understand.

"And?" he responds to the child's question with an almost-empty gaze, something unidentifiable smoldering underneath. "Tell me... why would you come to me of all people for a reason like that?"

@theircurse ( starter for yumeno! )

[straypaged]

Sigma doesn't know what to think about Mikhail. As the youngest member of the Decay of Angels - though Sigma himself might take that title in a more literal sense - he's always had an energy to him that Sigma doesn't know how to handle. The playful attitude he has is disarming, but somehow unsettling when one remembers what organization he's a part of, the role he has to play... And yet he still acts his age, the juxtaposition leaving Sigma uneasy and disoriented, though he knows it's not something he can really blame the boy for.

It's not like Sigma dislikes him. It's just... when he sees him smile, guilt pricks at Sigma's heart. He doesn't know why.

"They'll hear you if you keep being so loud." Sigma's voice is stern, but not harsh. There's an anxiety building in him he's trying not to let show, but it's under control for now. "Did something happen? You seem awfully excited..."

@phasmascript ( starter for mikhail! )

[hopevering]

"That was a kind thing of you to do."

Aragorn nods at Thera with a smile, standing a bit at a distance so as to not potentially startle her with his words. He's been told before that he has that habit - of being light in step, and not announcing himself when perhaps he should do - the habits of a ranger, maybe, but it's something he's become more conscious of as of late.

Regardless, the smile he wears is a genuine one - and it's clear that there's a sense of respect underlying his tone, too. Aragorn knows better than to make snap-judgements of people so easily, or at least not to allow them to close his view to contradictions, but he does have something of a sense for people, and Thera's actions just now spoke a lot about the kind of person she is. But maybe what truly draws him to speak with her is something else... it's been a long time since he's seen the gifts of a healer in action.

"Are you from around these parts? You seem to have made something of a reputation for yourself, you know."

@therapardalis ( starter! )

[fogsnatched]

Yui still remembers when she was the new face around the campfire - when she didn't know what was going on; where she was, and how she'd been the most overwhelmed she'd ever felt in her life. She's sure everyone here does - to most, it's a memory that never fades away. So she's not the only one who tries to welcome newcomers into the Realm as kindly as possible - though maybe kindly isn't the right word.

There can't be any true kindness in the words that condemn you to your fate, after all. The words that make you realize, no matter how slowly, that there's nothing you can do - you're going to die, and it's going to hurt, and whatever ideas you can think of to get out of it have all been tried and failed before. Truth be told, Yui hates doing it. Having to break the news to a new survivor and seeing the truth slowly set in makes her sick. It might even be worse than watching their first breakdown, when they've been sacrificed so much that they're sure they can't take it anymore.

The woman that she faces now is another new face she doesn't recognize, but that doesn't tell her how long she's been here. She could've stumbled into the fog mere minutes ago, or maybe she's been here for a while, and someone else has already explained everything to her. It's impossible to be sure.

"Hey." Yui starts, keeping her voice level enough so as not to startle the other woman. "Do you know where you are? You're looking a little worse for wear, there."

@prvtocol ( starter ! )

[revengesworn]

Mikey's eyes narrow, and while he doesn't flinch, it's a near thing. Liar. She calls him out so easily, like it's as plain as the blue of the sky, and isn't that scary? Or... maybe it just feels unfair. If it's so obvious to her, a complete stranger, then-

Why did they never notice?

He has to bury those traitorous thoughts away. He's the one who betrayed them, not the other way around... they did nothing wrong by abandoning him, because that's what he wanted them to do - even if it hurts. Even if it kills him. He has no right to be angry, he knows that!

...He knows his thoughts aren't showing on his face, but somehow, it feels like Sekhmet knows exactly what he's thinking. When she forms the figures of sand, slowly crushing them one by one... Mikey's heart beats faster, and only for an instant, he almost takes a step back - but somehow, deep down, it feels like he already knew she was telling the truth about. A goddess...

"Even if that was true, what of it?" Mikey asks, still staring at her with a sharp gaze that brims with repressed emotion. How dare she talk like that? What right does she have? He knows he shouldn't admit that she's right, but it feels pointless to try and lie to her.

"I'm the one who left them. That was my choice, you know." Don't take that away from me, he thinks - and what a strange thought.

"Don't I deserve to be alone? Why should they care about someone who's so willing to hurt them?"

" That's right, cub. From a land far way, of sand and blazing suns. "

She watches him the same way a sunbathing cat might watch a mouse ; not quite predatory but not dismissive either. Humans could be such fun creatures when it came to their reactions, full of endless conflict and swells of emotion.

" Liar. " Sekhmet laughs, straightening as she observes him for a moment. Well, he was still extremely young. They always were more prone to extremes, their claws and ambitions not yet dulled by life experiences.

The warehouse they'd been lurking in was cool, but the moment she snaps her fingers, a gust of scorching hot wind slams the warehouse door open and invades the space. Sand sweeps in, carried by the wind, and swirls around the goddess until it forms a small pile beside her. She lifts a hand and the sand forms a mirror image of mikey, and then the rest of the main members of Toman.

" You're lying to yourself ~ I told you. I know emotions like these better than anyone. " They were the seeds of chaos, naturally she would know them. " You try to lie to yourself so you might actually believe yourself. After all, you keep losing them. " Sekhmet remarks, her hand crushes the sand figure of Takemichi.

" So you say you don't need them. " After each sentence, she slowly starts crushing the sand figures. " That you're not lonely, even though it's devouring you inside, and the darkness creeps closer and closer every day. Telling yourself you're protecting them rather than being left behind, all while you drown in silence. " She stops when only the lone figure of Mikey is left standing. It hardens into firm sand, strong enough to hold it without worry, though easily crushable by one's hand. Sekhmet plucks it from the air, tossing it towards him.

" It's obvious. You're like a beacon even in this city where thousands are in misery. "

[guardiandamned]

"IV."

Ryouga greets IV with a curt, unimpressed voice, and lips curled into an irritated glower. In other words - everything is just the same as one would expect... or at least, it should be.

But in reality - things couldn't be further from that truth. Because Ryouga knows something that IV doesn't... that no human knows, in fact. And that's Ryouga's true identity as the Barian Emperor Nasch; the enemy to Yuma and Astral and the Astral world along with them.

He hasn't told anyone. Soon, the war will begin, and Ryouga knows by then it'll be too late to play pretend any longer. But for now... he's made the decision to act human for a while more - all in the name of collecting information and forming a plan that'll defeat Yuma for good. Of course, that means he'll have to pretend around IV, too - that nothing's changed, that they're still on the same side together against the Barians...

Does it hurt, to take the place of a traitor? To turn his back on the people he cares about so much? ...More than anything. But he can't let it stop him - so he'll drown out that pain with another, worse pain, and keep moving forwards. Luckily... he doesn't have to act all too differently around IV compared to the others - after all, they never really got along.

"You're looking as obnoxious as always. What do you need from me, anyway? Want me to kick your ass again?"

@eternalxloyalxspirits ( starter for iv / thomas! )

[aletheialed]

Right now, wine glass in hand and staring vacantly into the dark corners of the room in which he dwells - Barok can't help but think about his brother. To think about Klint during hard times, the man who he's always admired so much, has always come naturally to him - but it can't bring him any comfort now.

The truth is, Barok doesn't know what he should feel more betrayed about. The fact that the brother he'd wanted to emulate all his life was nothing but a killer, who's actions resulted in the ending and ruining of so many lives, including Barok's own? Or... is it that, until the very end, Klint was too afraid to share that horrible truth with him, even when that fear allowed him to be controlled into committing the most heinous acts imaginable?

It makes him want to laugh with a bitterness he hasn't felt in years. It makes him feel ill; desperate and angry and like a fraying rope about to snap. Perhaps it's sinful, and a sign of Barok's own weak character, that Klint's lack of trust in him might be what hurts the most. Had he thought Barok would break under the weight of the truth, and sought to protect him from that fate? What's worse is that Barok doesn't know how he would've reacted deep down. What's the scarier thought - that Barok would've turned away in despair and been unable to carry on just as his brother feared, or that he would stand with Klint, perhaps even turning a blind eye to his crimes...?

...There's no point in thinking about it now. But if he doesn't think about Klint, then there's no shortage of other things to take his place at the forefront of his mind. Such as the true identity of the Reaper, and how Barok had been complicit in his crimes for the longest time - allowing himself to be used and manipulated like a puppet on a string, even when he didn't see the full extent of it all.

His whole life, these past ten years in which he thought he'd endured so much, all for the sake of the people of London... what were they all for?

When he hears the knock on the door, it's tempting to ignore it entirely - he barely has the energy to stand, anyway. He doesn't know who it could possibly be, considering everything, but... in the end, he rises like a man possessed, and finds himself walking to open the door as if in a trance. What he sees when the door opens is the last thing he expects.

"Mr... Naruhodo...? You... pray tell, what are you doing here at this hour?"

@tenacquity ( starter! )

[wisheswagered]

Frederick doesn't know what to think of Edgar Valden. Sometimes, looking at the man feels like staring across a mirror at himself. ...Despite what people think, Frederick isn't entirely oblivious to the way he can come across - and the arrogant detachment people see in him can be seen just as vividly in Edgar, at least upon the surface.

Of course, where Frederick has music, Edgar has his art. And very much unlike Frederick, Edgar actually possesses a modicum of talent when it comes to creation, something Frederick finds himself envious of despite his best efforts. But... all he can see in the end is what's presented on the surface. He knows that, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to avoid letting his own perceptions influence him...

Right now, though, something about Edgar seems slightly different than usual. It's enough to catch Frederick's attention - or perhaps paranoia would be a better word - and Frederick finds himself speaking even though he might regret it later.

"You look... troubled, Mr. Valden. Is something not to your liking?"

@whispering-brushes ( starter! )

[sorrowveined]

say what you need to say. ( Mizrak for Olrox )

"If I said it, would you listen?"

Olrox's voice is a whisper. He utters the words and then gives a slight smile - seductive. Sad.

They've been in this place before. It never hurts any less when Mizrak rebukes him, calls him a monster, or runs off to get himself killed without sparing him even a passing thought. It hurts more, perhaps, to know that Mizrak hates himself just as much as he hates Olrox. A man of God who lay with the devil, at least as far as he's concerned... if only he could see that his story isn't an uncommon one. That it doesn't have to end the way he's been taught.

Olrox doesn't blame him, not really. It makes him laugh at himself sometimes, how quickly he himself had fallen for the man, even after everything he told himself... the denial didn't last for long, though, because Olrox has never been one to lie to himself.

"There's only one being you'll listen to, in the end. But have you ever really heard him? Has he ever really heard you?" In the end, God will always stay silent, no matter how devoted the believer.

"I don't expect you to listen to me, Mizrak. But I'll still be here."