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

[patchricide]

"Is it selfish to want both?" It's a quiet admittance, as she keeps all her conflicting feelings from coloring it. "To want you to stay with us, as you are, without giving up everything else in the process?"

She finally turns to face him again, and attempts eye contact. "That's part of what that greater thing is, right? A future that we can all enjoy, together."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

That draws a surprised look from Darin and he turns her way.

"Allura..."

He doesn't know what to say.

"I didn't know...a future you hoped for. Included me."

[patchricide]

"Why wouldn't it?" She sounds genuinely confused. "I know we didn't see eye-to-eye for quite some time... and still don't always, even now. But you've also proven to be a very dear friend. It feels as though we've just started to have adventures together. Why would I want that to stop?"

There she goes, having trouble looking him in the eye again. "Perhaps it's because of how much I've lost already, but... honestly, if it wouldn't leave a universe on my conscience... I've thought about how nice it would be to stay here, if things could stay the way they are."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"W-wait. Wait are you saying...? Are you saying I make you want to stay here?"

His face visibly flushes and he runs his hand through his hair again.

"I uh...I'm..."

"I'll...I'll keep. I'll keep your feelings in mind...from now on..."

[patchricide]

"Well, don't you agree? I'm sure if you had the choice, you'd stay with everyone in Lion House in a heartbeat, wouldn't you?"

At least I'm finally getting through to him.

"So please, yes. If you're going to look out for everyone -- and for me -- stay with us."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"R...Right. Right! You and everyone else! Everyone! Together!"

He laughs incredibly nervously.

"You got it, Princess! I won't be going anywhere!"

[patchricide]

"Exactly. It's sort of like having a family again, to tell the truth."

There's a squeak of dissatisfaction from the mice. "... what? Oh, I see how it is. You all stay quiet when we're arguing, but now you want to throw me some critique? What problem do you even have with that? You're all part of that family too, you know."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Sounds like a plan to me! In fact, I can't wait to get out of here and get home to everyone!"

He laughs again. Man, why did he feel so off? What was with him? Why were his cheeks burning sndnwhy was his face so red? Thankfully, the mice appear to provide a welcome distraction.

He steps forward then and reaches towards her shoulder to scratch under Chulatt's chin.

"Maybe they're upset that we were ignoring them for so long? I don't know, you're the one who can understand them. What are they saying?"

[patchricide]

"They said that was 'harsh'. I'm not sure what, exactly. ... calling him family? Why would that be-- wait. Is this because he doesn't like royalty? Well, I'm sure that doesn't extend to the idea of being royalty."

She gives a confused look at the mice, and then passes a shrug at Darin. The green mouse (Plachu) facepalms.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"I don't really get it...but I guess maybe they think that you have a harsh visage? Oh, wait! Now I get it! They're saying that if you don't stop acting so harsh, you'll get wrinkles! You are over ten thousand years old, after all! And you know, I agree! You wouldn't want more wrinkles than you already have!"

He nods, having figured it out completely. Good job, self.

[patchricide]

"Wh- what?! I do not have any wrinkles! ... do I?!"

If it was just Darin, that would be one thing. But the implication that the mice would say it... she looks at them, begging for that to not be true.

In a sudden hurry, she runs into the bathroom and checks the mirror. Plachu and Chulatt bail, already taking refuge with Darin.

"... I suppose you all think you're very funny, don't you!"

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Darin lifts Plachu and Chulatt to the top of his head so that they can nest in his thick, spikey hair. Almost defiantly, he crosses his arms over his chest.

"For your information, I think I'm hilarious. And also adorable."

[patchricide]

"There is nothing adorable about you teasing me like that!"

She looks down to each shoulder, and then up at his head.

"... and why are all of you encouraging him?!"

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Alright alright, lets all stop having fun at the expense of the Princess's vanity."

He pats the air in front of him in a placating gesture.

"You don't have any wrinkles as far as I can tell, and I'm sure the mice were just worried about you getting some before you found yourself a suitor or something. That's all. Right guys?"

He doesn't actually know if the mice are agreeing or not.

"Yes, good."

[patchricide]

"A suitor?! What, no! That's hardly a matter of concern right now! I still have my whole life ahead of me! ... 10,000 years in stasis aside, I mean... I don't want to start dolling myself up for anyone!"

She takes the two mice off her shoulders.

"Right? ... see, they're agreeing with me! They say I have no need to worry, because... I won't have to look very hard...?"

She hangs her head.

"Now is not the time to start flattering my looks!"

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Nah, I agree with them, though. I can't imagine you'd have to look very far to find a suitable suitor."

He laughs though, innocent and warm.

"That's what I like about you. If you have to doll yourself up for someone just to get them to see what anyone with eyes can see, they're sure as hell not worth your time. You're way better this way. Right guys?"

He looks to the mice for affirmation.

[patchricide]

It's a strange sort of sigh she gives. Resigned yet amused, with people ganging up on her for compliments.

"... and here I thought you won them over with more treats. Thank you, Darin. You're too kind." She shakes her head.

"It's more than that, though. I've never been much one for that part of it all. The ballrooms, and the floofy dresses, and... all that poise and charm." She makes a bit of a face, like a child who's being asked to eat her vegetables. "It has its upsides, of course, but..."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

He nods in understanding, then laughs.

"Can you even dance? Because I find it hard imagining you in a fancy dress while some disaffected prince attempts to curry your favor on the dance floor."

[patchricide]

"Dancing isn't that hard, Darin," she remarks flatly. "You've seen me fight, haven't you? Do you honestly believe that I could do that if I couldn't memorize a few little steps?"

"Also, not all fancy dresses are bad. I just happen to like mine more elegant. Better for ruling than for a party."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Yeah and I did see you fight..."

... ... ...

"And if you dance anything like you fight, I fear for your partner's toes."

[patchricide]

"Darin, no. That's not even close to how dancing works. In a fight you are trying to hurt the other person."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"The only thing you hurt when we fought was the door. But hey, maybe your dance partner will get lucky and will have steal greaves to protect him from you stomping about."

[patchricide]

"... oh, that's right. You haven't actually seen me in combat. Or do you actually think I was putting my best foot forward when I was fighting you?"

"And what about you, anyway? Can you dance, or would you just send your partner skyward, through the roof?"

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"I know that you haven't seen me go all out in anything before. I can fight circles around you and I'm guessing I can dance circles around you too! I assure you I can bring down the house without actually bringing it down on our heads!"

[patchricide]

"You know, most people don't even have to clarify that point. I've only seen proof of the opposite. You are a walking hazard to roofs."