If You Listen Close, You'll Hear the Sound / of All the Ghosts That Bring Us Down

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Who: Darin, Open to Close and Semi-Close CR!
When: This week
Where: Kauto: Region 5 Hospital
What: Darin's been comatose since his bout with his shadow and it's time to wake him up with SCIENCE
Warnings: Probable blood and physical trauma

While his condition has stabilized since the shadows were officially defeated, Darin definitely isn't in the best of shape. His wounds are taking much longer to heal than they normally should, his skin is pale, and he's showing no signs of any real mental activity. In short: he's comatose. But, there's a glimmer of light in this dark cloud. Using experimental technology, someone (or a group of someones) can reach into Darin's consciousness and maybe try and pull him out of it. The problem? This might not work at all. Or things could go from bad to worse for everyone involved.

What's the worst that could happen?

I-The Hallway-
Interestingly enough, Darin's head isn't just a massive void of empty space peppered with memories of some really great explosions. Nor is it a palace with massive golden statues proclaiming just how amazing he is. It's just...a really long hallway. Each door is unmarked and unlocked, but if you put your ears to them, you can hear muffled voices coming from within. The hallway doesn't seem to have an end though. Pick a door, who knows what you'll find?

II-The Night It All Went to Hell-
One of the doors leads to a rather quaint hillock overlooking a quiet port town. It's dark out, but there's plenty of light from the spattering of stars and the twin moons; red and white respectively, giving the scenery and almost ethereal violet hue. There's a modest home on the hillock itself...which seems to be the source of some commotion. There's the sound of a fight, then some yelling. And then, finally, the spark of a fire being started...

III-Life Goes On-
This door leads to a bustling street in the port town itself. At the end of the street is a rather large smithy, and there appears to be a full garrison of knights standing about the premises, waiting impatiently. The sea are brings the fresh smell of salt on the breeze, and some of the knights are complaining to an older, stout looking gentleman about the rust on their gear. Meanwhile, a beleaguered, blue haired youth, no more than ten years old, is doing his best to measure up an impatient knight for some new armor. Except he's gone and tripped himself up with the measuring tape and fallen into one of the large barrels of water, sending a mixture of laughs and groans rippling through the platoon.

"Why do you even keep this kid around, Acteon?! He's more trouble than he's worth!"

IV-Something's Not Quite Right-
This door leads to an even larger marketplace...not just a port side town anymore. No, this is a huge bazaar in some forgotten nation's capital. There's stalls selling any kind of wares you can imagine: exotic fruits and spices, weapons and armor, fine silks and furs, if you can dream it, it's likely being sold here! Some well armored and equally armed guards push by you quickly though and head towards what seems to be a throng of people circling up. Follow them and you'll see a large man looming over that stout smithy from the previous door, who is in turn standing in front of a gangly-armed, teenage Darin.

"What's all this about?"

"Your brat! He comes up to my stall and he...he breaks my weapons right in front of my paying customers!"

"Look, I was just showing these fine folk what inferior gear looks li--" Darin is cut off by the larger weaponsmith.

"MY GEAR IS THE BEST IN THIS REALM!! ACTEON, EITHER REEL YOUR FREAK IN, OR I'LL HAVE HIM IN CHAINS!"

Darin's smug look turns enraged, and he's already jumping over Acteon to try and throttle the man.

"WHAT'D YOU CALL ME YOU SECOND-RATE--"

The guards are already dogpiling on Darin which...doesn't necessarily slow him down. He pushes through them, and instead of attacking, just turns and runs for the nearest alleyway.

V-Chain of Command-
This door leads to...almost nothing, really. In fact, all that can be seen in this low light is what appears to be a massive steel gate. The bars reach up seemingly forever, and beyond the gate, there is nothing but blackness. The doors to the gate are pushed open slightly, but they're not fully open yet. Something appears to be keeping the doors themselves from being forced ajar completely. That something is Darin, hanging and covered in hundreds of chains, all of which are wrapped around the many massive iron bars. He appears to be hanging limp, but upon closer inspection, his arms are pulled taut, the muscles flexed and tight. As if, though unconscious, he's fighting to keep the iron gates shut.

-WILDCARD-

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Comments

let's start with Hallways and just go from there

[shiro2hero]

"Okay... okay, let's do this."

If he sounds slightly less sure of himself than usual, it's probably the guilt talking. Because the guilt feels like it's going to drown him. Even sitting here, ready to start, by whatever means they're starting in. He should have been able to stop this. Should have been able to do something more -- if he hadn't been so wrapped up in his own brain, this could have ended better.

Technically, he should probably still be resting himself. But since when has that ever stopped him from doing something for the team?

No matter what it was.

Time to take the plunge, and... go in. For lack of a better term. Close your eyes, take a deep breath.

"Here goes."


A... hallway isn't what he expected to see. He's also on his feet, uninjured. Wearing his armor.

"Okay. Doors. Like... with the professor. Now what?"

Against his better judgment... time to open a door.

This is a good plan

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Shiro might have to adjust himself to the sudden light because, without warning, sunlight shines and blankets the hallway.

When he's adjusted himself, he'll find himself in the square of a bustling town. The smell of salt on the air and the lapping of water not too far in the distance is enough to conclude that this is a port town. The shriek of gulls overhead pierces through the ambient sound of the lively burg. He's standing near a large fountain, and all around are shops and stalls and winding avenues. People, dressed for an unusually warm springtime go about their business, seemingly paying no mind to the strangely clad paladin. To his right, Shiro can look down towards the pier, and beyond a gorgeous, cerulean ocean. To his left, several blocks away, the town's walls with high watch towers. Beyond that, several farms and hillocks dotted with modest homes, and even beyond that, mountains rise to create a valley leading off into unknown lands.

Picturesque doesn't even begin to describe it.

Though the sound of kids fighting loudly might shake Shiro from his thoughts. On the other side of the fountain he'll find several loud mouthed kids yelling and taunting another pair. The first, standing before the small group and wielding two large sticks like one would wield twin swords, has shoulder length, deep green hair. He's got a number of bruises and scrapes, and he's glaring down the other kids. Behind him? Another young boy with the exact same features, except that his hair is a tuft of spikey blue, and he's got a rather impressive black eye. He's crouched down, cowering and covering his head.

"You and your freaky brother shouldn't even be allowed in Kenmore!"

"Yeah! All he's good for is taking a pounding!"

The green haired boy swings his 'swords' in a wide, haphazard arc.

"Get away from him! You're lucky he doesn't break you jerks in half!"

"As if he could! I bet he's crying for his momma! Oh wait! You freaks killed her when you came outta--"

The lead child doesn't finish his sentence before a stick is pitched with frightening strength into his nose, laying him out. Quickly, they scramble to their feet and run away, threatening to tell the city guard about the 'monsters.'

bye we're going for a beach trip in brain land

[shiro2hero]

It feels like being back in some alien village again. The first one. Before everything started to turn sideways -- except these are humans. More than he's even seen in Thisavrou. And -- those are seagulls. Those are seagulls. If Lance could see this.... Something in him is torn between wanting to wander, wanting to linger here and pretend for a little while.

Between that, and leaving. One hand curling slightly under the armor.

But, business. Duty calls. It always does. He's got to figure out what exactly he's doing here, how he's supposed to help anything while he's here. Maybe if he asks someone.

He's stopped from approaching anyone by the fight. By kids shouting. Of course it attracts his attention, and of course, he's going to try and step in. Try to stop the nearest kid from running off.

"Hey! What's the problem here!"

It's just instinctual. Like second nature by now. He doesn't even think about whether or not it's going to effect anything. There's hair (of all things) he recognizes, and the need to stick up for his team just flattens any kind of common sense.

you can stay here forever shiro. join us 8)

[forgeabettertomorrow]

The kids just pass through him, quite literally, like ghosts. The green haired boy follows and similarly passes through as if Shiro wasn't standing there at all.

You can't just change a memory. Not like this at least.

This leaves the young boy sniffling and reaching out at the back of his twin.

"D-Dromas, wait! Don't go! I don't wanna..." his voice trails as Dromas is already speeding after his assailants.

"...be alone," he finishes to himself, wiping his eyes and nose.

He wanders over to the fountain and looks at his black eye...which was already starting to heal. Black bruises starting to slowly change color as the healing process begins. The eye itself will be perfectly fine in half an hour's time, and he'll go home and pretend like this never happened. He splashes some cold water on his face to wash away the tears when Shiro's reflection catches his attention in the pool. He jumps, startled, and runs around to the opposite side of the fountain. Despite the strange armor, Darin knew armor when he saw it.

"I-I-I-I'm sorry, sir...! I'm sorry! I wasn't fighting! Please don't take me away! I'm not a monster or anything, honest! I'm sorry!"

Fresh tears are already starting to form in the corners of his eyes and he's crouching behind the lip of the stone pool, hands over his head in hopes of hiding his most defining feature.

NOPE I'VE SEEN THIS EPISODE BYE

[shiro2hero]

So it is like when Charles dipped into his memory. Nothing to touch. Nothing to be done but pull his hand back, stand aside. And watch. Somehow, that's worse. Being just within reach and being unable to do anything about what you're seeing. Hits a nerve.

Or several, all things considered.

Why does it always feel like he's just there to watch? While bad things happen to the people important to him?

He's only half looking at the kid that will, eventually, be the person he let down, but it's enough to catch the jump, and the startled realization -- what the heck?

"What? No, I'm not going to do that."

He'll figure out why exactly things are different later. Why exactly the kid can see him, later. There's more important things to do right now. Like crouch down on his heels. "You're not in trouble, buddy. It's okay."

don't go it's so safe here 8)

[forgeabettertomorrow]

The young Darin scrambles a few feet away. And while Darin appears to be able to talk to Shiro, the rest of the town goes about its business, almost as if they've been displaced by time and space. Darin doesn't seem to notice, though. Now that Shiro can get a better look at him, it's apparent that Darin can't be more than five years old. In fact, if Dromas is still around, that means it must be relatively close to that moment in Darin's life.

Good thing it's not dark out.

"I didn't mean to break their ball though, they just threw it at me and it surprised me and when I caught it, it burst! I didn't mean to catch it so hard! I was excited! I thought they wanted to play! I'll ask my papa for money to buy them a new ball, honest!" Darin continues to carry on while tugging nervously at his hair, almost like he's trying to pull it out.

"I-I didn't know they didn't want to play with me...I didn't know..."

He hiccups a bit, and he looks like he's ready to run at the drop of a hat.

THIS IS LANCE'S MERMAIDS ALL OVER AGAIN

[shiro2hero]

It's... weird. Definitely weird. Pidge would probably have all kinds of things to say about it -- so would Hunk. But this isn't his speed. It's weird, it's not something he knows how to explain.

But it's not the most important thing happening here.

He stays hunkered down, arms resting on his knees. The best he can do to look nonthreatening. No sudden movements. "It's okay," he says. And he means it. Completely. He tries to put the sincerity into the words as much as possible without scaring him.

"Don't worry about them, all right? I'm worried about you -- are you okay?"

Even if he knows what the answer's going to be, it wouldn't be Shiro if he didn't check in.

yes but with lots more personal trauma

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Darin slowly peers over the lip of the fountain, the swelling of his black eye already receding. His green eyes dart about, unsure at first. But no one else seems to be reacting to the armored stranger, and so he finally steps out fully from behind the stone wall.

The differences between this Darin and the "real" one are striking.

There is no confident gait, no sure-footedness in his steps. His head is lowered, arms raised to his torso, palms down, ready to shield himself at a moment's notice. He's pigeon-toed, almost scrawny, and incredibly cautious. In fact, aside from the hair, the only thing remotely similar is the fact that his large green eyes are constantly moving, taking everything in, studying. He's examining Shiro's armor, tracing the playing mentally, and finally he approaches him.

"Mm," he answers Shiro's question in the affirmative. "I'm okay. But...who're you, mister? I've never seen your armor before..."

F*ck

[shiro2hero]

Well, if he didn't feel the urge to look out for this kid before, that whole display sure seals it. He finally moves, holding his left hand out, slowly. Careful not to make it look like a strike, a blow. Just a hand, extended.

"I'm someone just passing through." Hilarious, really. Someone should give him his own stand-up routine.

But he smiles, faintly, under the helmet. Of course he's asking about the armor. Of course. "You can take a look if you want."

how about we take II?

[patchricide]

Perhaps she isn't stunned by the otherworldly night, illuminated by the twin moons. Allura is a far more experienced traveler of the stars than many, having learned to fly the ship long before she was locked away inside of it.

Nevertheless, there is something downright enchanting about this nighttime memory; one of those nostalgic settings that one could spend a lifetime recreating in the holodeck. And so, pleased at her luck in choosing what appears to be a pleasant memory, she's allowing herself to drink it in. The feel of the grass on her ankles, the smell of the air...

... that's tinged with smoke.

Without thinking, without even recognizing for the moment that this is only a memory, she starts sprinting down the hillside towards the spot where she caught sight of the fire. Time to see what this memory is actually about.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

By the time she reaches the house, it's already ablaze. The wood crackles and embers are carried high into the night sky by the warm breeze. The front door, or what remains of it, is kicked out, flames billowing out into the night, as two figures wander out of the burning building.

'Figures' is probably the best word to describe them, because while humanoid in appearance, they're certainly not human. One, closing in on seven feet tall, shambles on two gangly legs, each with extra joints that make it appear as if a beast is walking on its hind legs. It has a long, serpentine tail and forks at the end, and it's back is covered in enormous bony spurs; eight in total, that arch out from its spine like knotted tree branches. It's arms are long and nearly drag on the ground, each of its eight fingers end in wickedly curved claws. It's head is created with two wicked, curved horns that glint in the light of the twin moons. It runs a slithery tongue across it's cracked and split lips as it follows a shorter, stouter monstrosity. This one tops off at about five feet, but is about twice as wide as its companion. It's shoulders are huge and bulbous, covered in short spines, like armored pauldrons. This one's cloven hoof feet stomp into the ground as it moves, and it brings one stubby, gnarled hand up to wipe...something...off of its one black horn, which starts at the ridge on his brow and curves back like a mokawk would. He makes a displeased sound and shakes his hand.

"Damn human went n'got his guts all over me."

"That's cuz you got all mad he took a piece a you with his sword."

"Shut it! We did what we came here t'do, now we wait."

[patchricide]

There is probably nothing to actually fear from these creatures.

For one thing, appearances only mean so much. One does not need to know that many species of the universe to know that some of the most dangerous creatures look far more innocent than these brutes, and vice versa. The fact that they are confessing to murder and arson is the only real indication of their true natures; and then, they're speaking like hired hands, not whoever hired them.

For another thing, this is a memory and they aren't real.

But, the danger of the situation is getting to Allura, and she scrambles around for some kind of weapon. She doesn't care if it's a tree branch or a yard tool, and the dim light of the night makes it hard to see it before she grabs it and brandishes at the two figures.

"Both of you, stop right there! I don't know what foul business you've been up to this night, but I'll put an end to it!"

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Interestingly enough, the two beings stop.

"What was that just now?"

The two turn to look in Allura's direction, but they don't seem interested in her at all.

"What's this? What do you think you're doing here?!" The larger one snarls.

The more stout one reaches down to the hooked bone spurs on the sides of its knees and draws forth ebony blades right from its flesh.

"You're gonna be sorry you showed up here.

[patchricide]

"You're right. I'm sorry I didn't make it here sooner."

The dark isn't helping her much here. She can see where they're looking, but not where their eyes are focused. Clearly, this is the two preparing for battle.

She can see it in her mind: The shorter one is going to attack first. As soon as he lashes out with those blades, she'll feint and swing to strike him from the side. The taller one might be able to fight unarmed, but likely won't attack until after, lest he strike his own friend in the head. Next move will be a dodge of that, and then strike again after.

That's the most likely thing; if not, what else could they do that she can't react to? So, focused and ready, she charges.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Tragically, her charge will be cut short. The shorter one did indeed move first, but he's barely one step out when a silver streaking arrow cracks him between the eyes, splitting the ridge and cracking its horn. It staggers back against the blast and two more arrows hit in quick succession; the theist, and then the chest, the blast sending it crashing to the dirt. The second, upon seeing his partner struck down, attempted to flee, but another form rushes through Allura, like a phantom, and strikes the cowardly creature clean down the middle of its back with a gleaming long sword. The creature staggers, then turns to backhand its assailant, only to whiff at the air. This form sucks low, then comes up and pulls a dagger from an ankle sheath and drives it home just under the creature's jaw, angled up into its skull. It seizes up and falls to the ground, dead.

The man extracts his dagger and wipes it on the monster's corpse, then turns towards Allura. His face, though framed by shoulder length black hair, is shrouded in darkness. There are no features at all, seemingly, but it seems to be looking beyond her.

"Could you possibly have made anymore noise?"

Behind Allura, a woman's voice.

"You mean like you're making now?"

[patchricide]

It's about this time that Allura remembers: It's just a memory. She wasn't here, so she can't change what happened.

Well, that's fine! Really! It's not like she started this wanting to kill someone, after all. She straightens up, steps away from the monsters, and casually discards her improvised weapon off to the side.

"But who are these two, now?" Given that no one can hear or respond to her, she sees no reason to not think aloud.

In fact, she's going to step over and get a better look. To confirm they have no face. And wave her hand in front of where the face would be. No response, just as expected?

On the other hand, maybe there's some other clues about who these people are. As long as she's closer to them, she'll take a look over their clothes, to see if there are any revealing details or if they're similarly blank.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

The one closest to her, the one with black hair, sheathes his dagger and his sword. He wears what appears to be long, flowing robes, bound together around the waist and shoulders with leather and glimmering chain mail. Interestingly enough, he has a cloak that drapes across his shoulders, then wraps under his arms, almost like a vest. This cloak is made of luminescent, white feathers, and it's pulled tight about his slender frame.

The other is wearing shorter robes of equal quality, and she seems to be wearing a longer skirt made of the same feathers as well. Her arms are bare save for glimmering metal bracers and a long metal talon over her right index finger to make drawing her bow all the easier. Her face, similarly blank, his framed by short, spikey auburn locks.

"Honestly, Kyrie, we aren't even supposed to be here. Can you lower your voice and help me with these demon corpses? The last thing we need is to have someone come investigating before we've removed all traces of this attack."

The spritely young woman hops down without a sound.

"I can't believe Diomuhr's own kin would turn on him. What do you think it means, Credo?"

"It means that the twins harboring Diomuhr's soul are dead and the realms are all the luckier for it."

WAKEY WAKEY

[forgeabettertomorrow]

After Diomuhr is successfully weakened and sealed back in its rightful place, color begins to return to Darin's features.

It's been weeks since the shadow ordeal, and groggily, he opens his eyes and sits up.

He smacks his lips, grimacing.

"Ugh...anyone get the license of that bus that hit me...?"

[shiro2hero]

Yeah, well, it's about time, buddy. About time. Because while he's started healing, physically, there's a lot you can't really repair until you know damn well someone is okay.

There'd been a fight. It ended well, but he's not about to lose the unease until he knows for sure everything is fine.

Hence sitting in the hospital, still. He still looks like he got smacked in the face with a metal pole, still bruised around the nose and scar, but at least he's walking again. Or he would be, if he weren't sitting.

And sitting bolt upright at the sign of life.

"... Hey."

Best opener ever.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Darin doesn't register the greeting at first. Instead, he's looking down at himself, at his bare torso covered in wires and knobs sticky little patches. He's never been in a hospital before, hell, he's never had to be.

He pats himself down to make sure he's actually awake and not in his coma dream again, and his left hand moves over the still tender wound just to the left of his abs. Its stitched shut but even Darin could tell that it was going to leave a scar.

His second one.

At least this one didn't cost him anything.

Finally, wearily, he looks up and acknowledges Shiro.

"Hey. You look like hell."

you know what, enough one-on-ones, how do you guys feel about some threadjacking

[patchricide]

"Well! You're one to talk."

Allura gets the honor of being the first one in the room who doesn't look like she was wrestling wild animals for fun. She had been waiting outside in the hall, and only entered in when she heard the two men starting to stir.

"It's nice to have you back with us." It's a sincere and oddly pleasant remark. As if she's not planning on asking Pidge to build these two a Time Out room to keep them out of trouble.

yes gimme

[shiro2hero]

"You should see the ... well, it... turned into goo, so. I guess you can't really see the other guy."

It's supposed to be funny, but it just comes out too dry and deadpan. Like his usual attempts at deflecting. Luckily, though, there's a welcome interruption. Lifting his head from where he'd been hunched over his knees, like he intends to stand up when Allura walks in.

"On second thought, her comeback's better. Let's go with that."

Excellent

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Yeah well, I'd like to see you guys get run through and come out of it with only a stylish scar."

He offers a lopsided grin and tries to stretch, only to find that everything he's hooked up to is preventing such a wide range of motion.

Well, only one thing to do about that. He's just gonna start yanking off doohickeys left and right.

"The hell is all of this anyway? Guy goes unconscious for a few days and he gets experimented on?"

It's been weeks but hey what does he know.

[patchricide]

"We tried using channeling to wake you first," Allura offers in protests. "Unfortunately, it didn't take long to figure out how terrible that idea was, so we had to-- wait, stop!"

She moves forward to try and stay his hand.

"That was your IV drip! Don't go pulling things out blindly!"

[shiro2hero]

"Stop pulling and let us explain!"

She's moving for his hand, so Shiro moves for the shoulders. To push Darin the heck back down. They didn't go through all this for the guy to suddenly pop up and pass out from ripping out medical implements.

"You've been unconscious for weeks. Lie down and listen!"