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empatheias_ooc2016-08-18 01:25 am
empevents) wrote in empatheias_ooc2016-08-18 01:25 am
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TEST DRIVE: SEPTEMBER
Welcome to
empatheias' test drive meme. This test drive is to help interested players test their characters in the game's environment. We've included a few prompts that incorporate specific elements of the game, though you'll find all of them have a lot of leeway for players to get as creative as necessary. Before diving in, here are a few things we'd like to remind everyone about the game in general:- Date reminders. Reserves open Thursday, August 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Thursday, September 1st.
- OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are currently allowed. Those interested can also use the test drive. OCs do not need to be reserved.
- Emotions are key! Empatheias' premise focuses on how anyone's emotions can affect their environment, be it big or small. While not every emotion will cause a reaction, significant ones definitely will. How much effect a character will have will ultimately be up to you, the player. Also, while we're giving a lot of leeway for the test drive, keep in mind that there will be some limits in the actual game.
- Everyone has an amulet. All characters have a unique amulet that is specialized for them. It will contain all of their emotion drops and it serves as the network device. Remember, communication is telepathic. Otherwise, it works basically the same.
- Assume the character is already in the game. Because "OMG WHERE AM I IS THIS REAL LIFE" threads aren't going to be very helpful in this test drive! Plus those are going to happen in-game, anyway. So to make things easier, just assume that they've been around at least a week or so. Still learning the ropes, but not a complete "first day" experience.
- First or third person allowed. Your threads can be in either first or third, but we'd advise being flexible about it. Remember, these threads can also be used in your application for samples! Reminder: We only require one sample and it can be done in either format. We have also made a change to our sample requirements, so look over the Applications page!
Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!
• Prompt A: How about giving the emotions a try?
• Prompt B: Refer to the Task Board and choose a task your character may be interested in taking up. For this prompt, you could have your character ask for help, already be in the middle of the job, or react to it in some way. Perhaps they were an unfortunate victim or want to create a job countering an existing one. You could even have a prompt making a job request. Creating jobs for the purpose of the test drive is absolutely doable.
• Prompt C: How about giving the amulets a go? Start a telepathic conversation and see how it works. Remember, the amulets are sending out the owner's thoughts so might want to be careful about how the stream of consciousness goes...
• Prompt D: EVENT SPECIAL. Based on the upcoming/current Piphron event, you are on your way to confront that crabby Arehtei who refuses to trust in anyone but himself. However, before you can even get there, you have to journey deep into the mountains and follow constantly changing and winding tunnels. Yes, you read that right—the paths and tunnels change, never actually going in the same direction. This makes getting lost and splitting up from your travel partner fairly easily. What's more, the labyrinth proves to be one giant trust exercise. The atmosphere is filled with doubt and suspicion, little voices whispering and digging into your deepest fears of betrayal and uncertainty. Is the person you're with really that trustworthy? How do you know they won't just leave you or worse—stab you in the back? Literally. Those who are strong of faith will be able to resist, but even they may waver. To get past the labyrinth, strong bonds will either need to already exist or quickly form, particularly between strangers. Those strong in trust will be able to better persuade and convince those who are susceptible to the suspicions. But other obstacles and challenges lay in wait. Steep walls to climb up or down, giant gaps to cross, a random but precarious rope bridge that could break at any step. And everything here is influenced by emotions. The stronger the will to believe, the more likely they are to pass safely. But when those doubts start to take hold...when it becomes too great to bear, then you will slowly turn to stone.
• Prompt E: The Empatheias-Shaarnath-Otherworlder Collaborative Expeditions need otherworlder crews to venture out into the desolate wasteland of the planet’s surface, and that means YOU. On an airship with several otherworlder allies, you’ve ventured forth on a several-day journey to explore uncharted territory. It’s hot, dry, and deadly if you slip away from your dunamis protection, but absolutely necessary if anyone is ever to find what’s left out there.
• Prompt F: With all of the current, living Arehtei now gathered, the next step is to start working on the world at large—and that's not going to be an easy feat when it's basically a giant wasteland, deteriorating with every passing second. So tests must be done first to study how effective efforts can be—and perhaps dunamis may be the key. In a protective area just outside of Shaarnath, those who wish to try and practice their emotions on the actual barren ground are allowed in. These are the types of tasks they can try to accomplish:
And anything else a character may think of that is in relation to "restoring the land." The only thing not available to test is a living creature. Note: This is going to be very difficult and will require a great amount of effort and concentration. Small successes are more likely.
• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include balloons and/or fire ants.
• Prompt B: Refer to the Task Board and choose a task your character may be interested in taking up. For this prompt, you could have your character ask for help, already be in the middle of the job, or react to it in some way. Perhaps they were an unfortunate victim or want to create a job countering an existing one. You could even have a prompt making a job request. Creating jobs for the purpose of the test drive is absolutely doable.
• Prompt C: How about giving the amulets a go? Start a telepathic conversation and see how it works. Remember, the amulets are sending out the owner's thoughts so might want to be careful about how the stream of consciousness goes...
• Prompt D: EVENT SPECIAL. Based on the upcoming/current Piphron event, you are on your way to confront that crabby Arehtei who refuses to trust in anyone but himself. However, before you can even get there, you have to journey deep into the mountains and follow constantly changing and winding tunnels. Yes, you read that right—the paths and tunnels change, never actually going in the same direction. This makes getting lost and splitting up from your travel partner fairly easily. What's more, the labyrinth proves to be one giant trust exercise. The atmosphere is filled with doubt and suspicion, little voices whispering and digging into your deepest fears of betrayal and uncertainty. Is the person you're with really that trustworthy? How do you know they won't just leave you or worse—stab you in the back? Literally. Those who are strong of faith will be able to resist, but even they may waver. To get past the labyrinth, strong bonds will either need to already exist or quickly form, particularly between strangers. Those strong in trust will be able to better persuade and convince those who are susceptible to the suspicions. But other obstacles and challenges lay in wait. Steep walls to climb up or down, giant gaps to cross, a random but precarious rope bridge that could break at any step. And everything here is influenced by emotions. The stronger the will to believe, the more likely they are to pass safely. But when those doubts start to take hold...when it becomes too great to bear, then you will slowly turn to stone.
• Prompt E: The Empatheias-Shaarnath-Otherworlder Collaborative Expeditions need otherworlder crews to venture out into the desolate wasteland of the planet’s surface, and that means YOU. On an airship with several otherworlder allies, you’ve ventured forth on a several-day journey to explore uncharted territory. It’s hot, dry, and deadly if you slip away from your dunamis protection, but absolutely necessary if anyone is ever to find what’s left out there.
- Living on an airship in crowded conditions makes for close friends and fierce rivalries. Are you handling the pressure well? Do you seek out others to get to know them, or try to find a place on the ship where no one can bother you?
- What’s that in the distance? Is it -- a large terraced pyramid? Do you venture into it, or catalogue it and retreat away to let stronger souls venture within? And if your fellow otherworlders really want to explore, do you go with them? Or try to talk them out of it?
- Of course, the wasteland can still suffer fluctuations of emotion—which means that a simple trip off the ship has turned into disaster as the ground beneath you comes alive with writhing black tentacles! Though not large, they are numerous and hungry for blood and flesh. Better hurry back to safety—unless you need to rescue someone else! Or need rescuing yourself...
• Prompt F: With all of the current, living Arehtei now gathered, the next step is to start working on the world at large—and that's not going to be an easy feat when it's basically a giant wasteland, deteriorating with every passing second. So tests must be done first to study how effective efforts can be—and perhaps dunamis may be the key. In a protective area just outside of Shaarnath, those who wish to try and practice their emotions on the actual barren ground are allowed in. These are the types of tasks they can try to accomplish:
- Make any type of plant grow and see how long it lasts. This could be a flower, grass, a small tree, or even some kind of crop.
- With the aid of a water core, create a small pool of water and have it last as long as possible before the dry earth sucks it all in.
- Change the temperature from dry heat to something more comfortable and maintain it for as long as possible.
- With the aid of an air core, create pure cloud cover. As a side-challenge, alter the clouds to make it rain, but not storm. The rain should be one fueled by positive emotions, not negative (so no grumpy lightning or gloomy clouds).
And anything else a character may think of that is in relation to "restoring the land." The only thing not available to test is a living creature. Note: This is going to be very difficult and will require a great amount of effort and concentration. Small successes are more likely.
• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include balloons and/or fire ants.
For your threads, put the Character Name and the Canon in the subject line to help readily identify them. You're also welcome to use more than one prompt for respondents to choose from. If you have any questions or want to brush up on the game information, refer to the Game Information entry. Otherwise, tag around and have fun!
/needs a shovel to get out from under them
[When he does snap out of his stupor, she remains silent, brows drawn tight. If there's nothing he wants to share, fine. It'll keep for another time. Anyway, Dezel's sack of cash becomes her key point of interest while he pays. In what's probably a complete waste of effort, she tries eyeballing a rough estimate on the coin's value. It's not insubstantial, but there's no way he'd be carting the whole of his savings around. Not unless he's decided to swap out pendulums for money bags as weapons.]
[It's a notion stupid enough for Rose to snort at as she stands, scraping the chair legs across the floor. Still no manners even when she's not intentionally being an ass, it seems. She spares a quick glance in Dezel's direction to make sure he's following before starting for the Glenwood residence. And yes, she does know where she's going! This time.]
[The walk there is uneventful if peaceful on her end. By now the alcohol has left her feeling warm and pleasantly light in the upstairs department, leading her to hum some made-up tune under her breath as she meanders down the street. That all comes to a halt at their front door, though. Rose goes silent, hovering uncertainly on the threshold. Despite having resided in the house for a whole week, it gives her an eerie feeling to come back to a place she supposedly considered "home" once and yet can't remember.]
no subject
[Upon reaching the front door to the house, Dezel stops a couple of steps shy of Rose, watching as she seems to be unsure of whether or not she wants to enter. Though he's unable to determine the exact problem, he does have to wonder if it's got something to do with a sense of deja vu. Or maybe even a lack thereof. His right hand covers one of her shoulders after a moment's contemplation on his part, his fingers offering her a gentle, but reassuring squeeze before he steps past to go inside.]
Come on. You need downtime.
[From there, he goes to leave the box of pie in the kitchen before pulling off his jacket and heading for the stairs. He's not in any real hurry, though, watchful to see what Rose will do. Whether or not she'll follow him up and go to her room or if she'll go elsewhere and not bother with his advice.]
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Yeah...
[The unnerving sensation doesn't lessen once they're inside, so while Dezel disappears into the other room, Rose busies herself by wandering about, tracing the various furnishings with her fingertips. It's one of those ridiculous things she'd tried on her own before in hopes a spark of recognition would come, but surprise, surprise. Nothing. Same as last time.]
[Not seeing much sense in lingering now that Dezel is back and her own leftovers set aside, she trails along behind him with a hand on the wall for support. Exhaustion combined with the wine has made her limbs heavy, and she's not about to trust her coordination on a flight of stairs. Like hell she survived this long just to be done in by architecture. At the landing she pauses to rub her neck, glancing at Dezel out of the corner of her eye.]
...well, night. Thanks for dinner.
[Rose doesn't wait for a reply before hurrying into her room and quietly closing the door behind her, which she sags against with a ragged sigh. Dammit, why is all this getting to her? It's a stupid, innocuous building for heaven's sake! One that all her friends have been living in for months with no trouble. And here she is, hardly able to stand a week. Her fingers dig into the fabric of her pants as her head jerks upright, eyes swinging wildly about the room.]
[No. She just can't do this.]
[Whirling around, Rose yanks the door open with enough force to send it smacking against the wall, the sound still echoing in the hallway along with her boots as she strides towards Dezel's room. Which had better not be locked, since she doesn't bother with knocking and just bursts into, making a beeline for his bed. Whether he's already resting there doesn't matter; Rose throws herself onto the mattress stomach-first and plants her face in his pillow, muffling her shaky voice.]
'm sleepin' here tonight.
no subject
[Once he's got the door shut, Dezel pulls off his hat, gloves and jacket, hanging them on the nearby desk chair. His boots get pulled off and set down near the door. Meanwhile, any inclination to start thinking too much about the events of the day are chased away by the antics of his rats in their cage, Cirrus and Stratus clinging to the wire bars, hoping for attention and food. Unable to keep a small smile off his face, Dezel walks to the cage and opens it, letting the rats out to crawl up his arms to his shoulders where they snuffle about in his hair and lean against his neck.]
I missed you both, too. I've had a long day, though, so--
[Dezel finds himself interrupted suddenly as his door is practically thrown open, the seraph nearly dropping a container of rat food after emptying a portion of it into the boys' feeder bowl. Then Rose is rushing in and hurling herself onto his bed, declaring that she's...sleeping there for the night? Dezel stares after her, even more confused than before. A couple of seconds tick by, even the rats attentive to this strange turn of events. Then Dezel is sighing quietly and urging his friends back into their cage again before shutting the door. That done, he walks to the room door to get that closed, as well.]
Your room, my room. It's fine. I'm used to it.
[Fortunately, the cot that had been in Rose's room got moved into his not long ago, so it's no problem for her to sleep in his bed while he takes the cot. Still, the reason for this is beyond his grasp and he doesn't care for that. Neither he nor Rose are any good at openly discussing their problems, but if she intends to take his bed for the night, he'd at least like a reason. Even if it's not an entirely truthful one, she could at least offer something of an excuse.]
[Making his way over to the bed, Dezel sits down on the edge of it and reaches over with one hand, setting it on Rose's shoulder.]
You're not feeling sick again, are you?
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No! And I wasn't feeling sick earlier, that was-!
[No, that's beside the point in addition to being ground they already covered. Almost a full minute passes while Rose struggles to keep from visibly shaking, her gaze sliding over to the rat cage, making her cringe. Ugh... She does owe him some explanation, if not an apology. And for whatever reason, what spills out is the simple truth instead of one of her well-constructed lies.]
I just can't sleep in that damn room! It gives me the creeps, like it's full of ghosts- and I'm the one doing the haunting!
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...I know.
[He knows she wasn't actually ill. It's just easier to say that as opposed to dealing with all the messy details of what actually happened. And what may happen again. As her guardian, he's already resigned to the idea that he may have to pull her up out of that drifting, semi-conscious state once more at some point. Perhaps several times.]
[What does make this difficult now is hearing that her own room and the memories within in it bother her so much. In her absence, the room was a source of comfort to him, which was why he slept in it, using the cot. During his lowest moments, he'd lay on the bed for a little while at a time, eyes closed and taking in Rose's scent, as it still lingered faintly on the sheets and pillow. Yet now the room is nothing more than another obstacle to the one who used to reside in it, an unsafe place despite the fact that it was a safe area for both of them, previously.]
[For the first time since Rose's arrival in Verens a week prior, the truth is sinking in... This is not entirely the woman Dezel knew before. That Rose is gone for good. Her Empatheias memories forever lost. She might as well have never been there at all.]
And I understand.
[Getting up again, he pulls off his shirt and hangs it over the back of the chair, over top of his jacket. He then goes to the nearly empty closet to get out a set of bed clothes.]
I'm going to the washroom to get changed, as I don't feel like sleeping in my overalls. Go back to your room and get changed if you want. Or don't. Whatever you want to do. I'll take the cot when I get back and we can call it a night.
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[That impression sinks into the pit of her stomach, making her really feel sick. She'd have preferred him to yell, toss her ass out to fend for herself. Anything, she realizes, but to have his near dismissive attitude directed towards her. In the span of a few moments it's seems to her that they're standing on opposite ends of Westronbolt Gorge despite being within arms reach. And she hates it.]
[Nor does she understand the abrupt change. It's confusing her already swimming mind, making her cling to the bedsheets as she hangs her head. Did something she say hit a nerve? Or did she finally cross the line by barging into his private space? She doesn't know and she can't bring herself to ask. What she does manage is a slight nod as Dezel leaves the room, though she remains frozen in that position, staring at the floor without seeing. Even once he returns, she hasn't moved a muscle.]
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Rose... I've missed you so much and now that you're back, I don't know what to do. I never thought what Bradley did to you was good in any way but...at least it brought us together.
[Heaving a deep sigh, Dezel takes his hands from the counter and turns his gaze on the mirror. As always, the door behind him is the only visible reflection. Like he's not even there. Just as he was for so much of Rose's life. As it will be whenever she goes back home again. So maybe it doesn't even matter...]
[No. No, godsdammit. This is supposed to be his second and final chance! He can't very well tell her that after the shit day they've both just had, but...]
[They're wasting time. She's not exactly who she was before in Verens, but she is still his Rose. He needs to damn well tell her something to make some of this right. Picking up his folded clothing, he heads back to his room again.]
[When Dezel steps through the door, he expects to find Rose at least ready to get some sleep, her jacket and boots off. But she isn't. Instead, she's exactly where he left her, staring blankly at the floor. A dull ache settles in Dezel's chest as he quietly pulls the door shut behind him, then sets his clothes on the chair. For a long moment, he can't bring himself to say anything, exhaling through his nose while one hand rubs at the side of his neck. Finally, he can't stand it any longer and shakes his head.]
Alright, this is getting ridiculous. Rose, I don't... I mean, I can't...
[Shit, what does he even mean to say anymore? His hand drops uselessly to his side as he finally shrugs and just says exactly what he's thinking.]
I...don't know what to do with you. And I'm sorry for that. I'm not the same seraph you used to know and you're...
This is a struggle for you and I'm an idiot who's not making it any easier.
[Oh Lords, what even was any of that? His eyes close as he braces himself for whatever the reaction to all that idiocy on his part will end up being.]
no subject
[Almost. Pulling herself further upright, she folds a leg over one knee and tugs at the ribbon on her boot. No point in dancing around the heart of the matter. It never does them any good. So Rose ignores that last line of his and zeroes right in on what she can only assume is the truth he refuses to voice.]
...and I'm not the same Rose you used to know? Is that it?
[While Rose's tone is light and only tinged by curiosity, her eyes bore into him, demanding an answer. If her guess is right, that would go a long way to explaining his strange and erratic behavior towards her. But the longer Dezel takes to reply, the more likely Rose is to take her boot off and let it drop onto the floor to break the silence. He should know it's not nice to keep a lady waiting.]
no subject
Yes...and no.
[There's another brief pause as he opens his mouth to continue, seems to rethink how he wants to phrase something and bites his lower lip before continuing.]
You are Rose exactly as how I remember you from home when I arrived here. The time you're from and when I'm from... It's almost the same. Where Glenwood time is concerned, we're only a handful of minutes apart.
But when I got here months ago, you'd already been here a month. And it was from a different point in time.
[Again, Dezel goes silent, trying to give Rose a moment to let all that sink in. It's often a difficult concept for some to grasp, all this timeline bullshit.]
All that aside, even... I suppose the reason I wanted to tell you about what happened while you were here before is so that you'd understand some of why I am the way I am now. And what things were like between us before I lost--...before you were sent home.
It'd be selfish of me to expect things to be the same as they were before you were taken back. Yet, I'm...
[He sighs.]
Like I said, I don't know what to do with you. Because I can't and won't treat you exactly like I did at home.
no subject
[Like her death.]
[A sudden wave of nausea overcomes Rose and she hugs her stomach, fingers digging into where her skin should be scarred. Even for one who deals in and delivers death regularly, being faced with the prospect of her own end is... terrifying.]
...I appreciate that.
[The sarcasm isn't wholly intentional, but her magnanimity is limited by this point. Her eyes drop back to the floor as she braces her free hand on the bed for support.]
Dezel. You can't change who you are, just as I can't become the person you lost. All we can do is see where things go from here. If you want. If you don't... then I'll leave. I can find another place to stay, I'm sure. There's nothing that says we have to have any contact while I'm here. You'll be fine without me.
[...though truth be told, she can't say the same of herself. Not with any certainty. The wind seraph had become a welcome constant in their travels, like he'd always been there and she'd merely forgotten to look for him.]
no subject
[The thought of being apart from Rose when she's within the same world again as he is... It's hurtful. So much so that it's causing a tightening sensation in his chest. It's also painful enough that he can't resist the urge to reach out to her, fingertips tentatively contacting her arms where she's hugging her stomach area before he gently presses his palm against the sleeves of her jacket.]
No... I once told you here that I'd stay your side until the day you told me to get out of your life.
[Mouth pressing into a thin line, he lets his gaze fall where his hand rests over Rose's forearms. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter, a slight tremor present.]
This was my fault... All of it was my fault. If I could take what you're feeling completely onto my own shoulders, I would. You don't deserve this.
no subject
[Still, she forces her grimace into a wry smile. ...typical stubborn, self-centered Dezel. Well-meaning in this case, yet once an idiot, always an idiot she supposes. With some effort she shifts her weight in order to smack him in the chest. It's more for show, as she hasn't the strength left to put any real power into the blow.]
Heh, you're so stupid. What good would that do either of us? Then I'd be the one feeling like shit. I mean, I don't really get what all happened in your past, but what's done is done. And it looks like I'm not done. So would you cut back the self-flagellation? I'm starting to think you enjoy it.
[Letting out a quiet laugh under her breath, Rose gently eases Dezel's fingers from her arms so she can ease out of her jacket and let it hit the floor with an audible thunk.]
no subject
I don't enjoy it.
[His tone is one of barely contained frustration and anger.]
But I deserve it. You may not understand what happened or what I am, but I get it. I've had to live with it for several months now. And the only reason I'm not a walking disaster is because there's no Malevolence here!
[Throwing a pillow down on the cot, he turns to face Rose, hands clenching into fists.]
And yeah, what's done is done. I've had to accept every stupid mistake and decision I've ever made and try to make up for it, here. Just...let me try to do that, alright? It's the only way I can live with myself without falling apart!
[At that point, the floor beneath his feet is starting to blacken somewhat, a reflection of the deep self-hate he usually bottles up starting to find its way out.]
no subject
So what, you're trying to say your whole existence has been nothing but fire and brimstone for you? C'mon, I can't believe that! If you want to make up for screwing up at Pendrago, that's fine by me. I won't try to stop you. But nobody wants to watch you beat yourself up over things that were out of your control! That's just pathetic.
[Snatching up her boots and jacket, Rose shoves past him to throw herself onto the cot, facing the wall. Dezel surrendering his bed is one act of charity she can live without. Not like she hadn't spent tons of nights roughing it as both the Sparrowfeathers and Windriders. After chucking Dezel's pillow back onto the bed, she balls up her jacket to use as a headrest.]
Humans cause Malevolence, right? Seems to me it's a curse we inflict on ourselves. It's not your fault.
[Okay, so it's a shitty attempt at comforting him and an even worse apology, but she's trying.]
no subject
It isn't just about Pendrago, it's--!
[Before he can even finish, Rose is taking over the cot, turning her back on him. Some part of him wants to grab her and pull her off of it, but in doing so, he might hurt her. Teeth grinding in aggravation, he leaves her where she is for the moment.]
It might not be my fault that I'm an angel of death, Rose, but what I did to you for five years after everything went to hell absolutely was... I used you for my own purposes. Just like I tried to use you that night in Pendrago.
Like a fool, I also made the mistake of prioritizing the dead over the living. Everything could've been better for me when Sorey came along with the other seraphim and helped you start seeing what was really around you. I had a chance to have friends again, and I threw it all away for revenge. I endangered you, I threatened the mission Sorey set himself on as a Shepherd...
[Though his tone had started off angry enough, his voice louder than need be, it all starts to peter off the more he talks. Eventually he just sounds exhausted. Still, he refuses to abandon the cot completely, unwilling to go to his own bed. Rather, he stands between the two, frustrated, awkward and hands clenched into fists while his gaze remains off to one side.]
My time should be spent making up for that. It's the only thing that feels right.
no subject
[It's... a jumble, to be honest. Yet she understands enough for there to be a couple key points she wants to beat into that thick skull of his. Like he doesn't have to feel guilty over having borrowed her body now and then, since it led to joining Sorey on his journey. The road to hell may be paved with good intentions, so who's to say the opposite doesn't hold true?]
That's fine, then. I can get behind the idea of finding yourself a new purpose in life. Sure beats you going on about being some walking curse. Talking like that won't change or improve things, so you'll just have to do what you can for us now. And you can start with shutting the hell up and letting me get some damn rest, okay?
[To punctuate her question, she reaches out and grabs Dezel by the hand with both of hers and pulls on his tall frame with everything she's worth, aiming to bring him down alongside her on the flimsy cot. ...maybe not one of her more brilliant moves.]
no subject
[Dezel is about to insist that if Rose wants rest so badly, she'd best get back to the bed...when she unexpectedly seizes him and tries to drag him down onto the cot. Completely unprepared for this strange turn of events, Dezel is unable to stop her and with little more than a startled, "Rose, no!" ends up on top of her. The poor cot, also unprepared for this, manages one pathetic creaking sound before snapping under the combined weight and dumping them both to the floor, Rose caught between a seraph and a hard place as a result.]
[He wants to get angry. It's the easiest emotion for him to control in a situation like this. Yet as he looks down at her, cheeks flushed pink, he finds that he can only manage frustration alongside flustered at best.]
Dammit, Rose... What the hell are you doing? Are you alright?
[And oh right, he should probably move... Pushing to one side, he rolls partway off her.]
Ungh, so much for the cot...
no subject
I was gonna let us sleep, but some jerk broke the bed.
[Why yes, she is foisting blame to him. Deal with it. Because she's grinning and not in the least bit sorry. When Dezel slides off, her hand shoots out to latch onto his shirt, allowing her to try dragging him back. No escape.]
Oh no you don't! No fair changing your mind about taking responsibility when things get uncomfortable!
[In more ways than she realizes, most likely. On a usual night, it would've been near impossible for her to sleep without getting all her gear off and slipping into more comfortable nightclothes, but arguing with Dezel is so damn exhausting. Cot or not, she could probably doze off right there if given a chance. First thing's first though: ensuring her partner in crimes against furniture doesn't beat a hasty retreat.]
Dezeeeel, c'mon.
no subject
[Oh dear Hyanoa.]
[For a moment, Dezel simply stares at her, mind a mess of thoughts he has no chance of sorting out completely. In the end, however, that plaintive plea is enough to break him down.]
Alright, but...not on the floor. We both fell off a roof earlier and I'm already sore as is.
[Before Rose can protest, Dezel adjusts his position and scoops her into his arms with a grunt before carrying her to the bed. Setting her down on one half of it, he then sits down on the edge before laying down on his back, claiming the other half of bed for himself. From there, he's able to reach the bedside table lamp to turn it off.]
This work for you?
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[Although it's a point quickly split between the two of them when Dezel hoists her off the floor and forces a startled yelp from her upturned lips. It's probably good for them both that there isn't enough time for Rose to form any real response before she finds herself staring over at him, face flushed thanks to the alcohol. Totally not embarrassed by a sudden realization that she's in his bed, nope.]
[At his question, she tilts her head slightly askew, like the words were in ancient tongue. Her reply comes a moment slower than it should as she stretches out alongside him, letting her eyes close.]
...yeah, thanks.
[Finding a comfortable position that isn't awkward for them both proves challenging, and Rose squirms about on her side, first tucking an arm under her head then draping it over her stomach. Last thing she wants to do is send Dezel fleeing to her old room by accidentally elbowing him or such. That'd suck.]
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[Regardless, the arrangement won't work out for either of them if Rose won't stop squirming long enough for her and Dezel to get to sleep.]
Here, come on...
[His tone is surprisingly soft as he lifts his near arm, inviting her to rest her head on his chest and shoulder and to curl against his side.]
Get comfortable. It's fine.
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...you sure?
[She hangs back a few moments longer in case he changes his mind, then closes the remaining distance to lay flush against him, head settled over his heart. Whether seraphim having physical beating ones or not, Rose is sure her guardian has the more important kind. The one that keeps her feeling safe and not alone in this strange world.]
Thanks.
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[Again, his tone is gentle. And, as she moves closer, Dezel brings that arm around her, fingers brushing her shoulder as she settles against him, head resting on his chest.]
Mm. Just try to get some rest.
[For a moment or two after Rose finds her place alongside him, the two practically cuddled up together in the darkened room, Dezel remains a little on the tense side. Though as he adjusts his own position a bit and settles back with his eyes closed, allowing himself to gently rub at her shoulder and upper arm a little, he starts to relax. His thoughts drift back to that time following his return from Glenwood, when Rose had sat with him on the floor of her room, leaned up against him, holding his hand...and he realizes how much he missed the easy contact between them then, despite the difficult point he'd just come back from.]
[Rose may not be perfect. She may be more enthusiastic than Dezel can handle well at times, troublesome at points, lacking in table manners and all else... But whether because of or in spite of those things, he loves her. He loves her dearly. And even though the last week has been one of the most difficult he's faced since his own arrival on Empatheias, he knows he'd do it all again just for moments like this one.]
Goodnight, Rose... Sleep well.