InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Jay-net, are you deezent?"

🌸 Miracle Country Mods 🌸 (miraclemods) wrote in miraclecountry,
@ 2018-08-28 15:02:00

Entry tags:

! event, ; blackout event, ; flood event, ; secrets in the dark event, akiho shinomoto, chise hatori, chloe decker, chloe price, ciel phantomhive, cisco ramon, eliot waugh, harrison 'harry' wells, kady orloff-diaz, keith (voltron), lucifer morningstar, maxine 'max' caulfield, quentin coldwater, sakura kinomoto, sebastian michaelis, takashi 'shiro' shirogane, william 'penny' adiyodi, yuna d. kaito

open 🌸 all week
[It’s been days since there’s been any sign of the creatures that attacked, days since the rain stopped. And you can tell that the water is receding. It drains away until it’s easy enough to come down from the trees. Once you leave the treehouses, they seem to be swallowed up into the forest, as if they were never there at all.

Night falls and it’s almost peaceful, almost a sigh of relief— the end is in sight, isn’t it?

The water drains away and you might even be able to return to your homes— although waterlogged and water-damaged. Once morning comes, it should be fine. You’ll be able to rest. You’ll be able to take care of those still recovering from the attacks.

Except, the sun doesn’t come back again.

At first, perhaps you can tell yourself it’s a long night only because you’re waiting for it to end. Perhaps you wake up in the morning and assume it’s still the middle of the night because of the darkness. But the hours tick away and still the sun does not rise. And slowly, all other sources of light go out. The fire you’ve built to keep warm still burns, but produces no light. Fire magic illuminates for a brief time until it, too, starts to fade. Any new sources of light you try to create, even large ones, glow very faintly, dimly. Like they're struggling to stay there at all. And there’s no moon in the sky. Slowly, even the stars blink away.

You are not completely without light, of course. Miracle Country doesn’t expect you all to stumble into the dark never to be found again.

The light is unpredictable but illuminates the spaces around it. They’re made up of phrases and words— across walls, on the tree trunks, across the ground, anywhere you look. They glow brighter than fire, shining for a while before slowly fading.

They’re confessions. Yours, perhaps, or someone near you. Or maybe not related to you at all—and opportunity for misunderstanding. But they seem to follow you, guide you, goad you or comfort you. Perhaps they’re words you’ve never said aloud before, words you wanted to tell someone, something you’ve been swallowing down and know you have to say it. Perhaps the magic here is trying to help you. Perhaps the magic here is trying to taunt you.

Regardless, the words can’t be made to disappear and they can’t be predicted. But they’re what keep you all from being plunged into the darkness.

Can you find your way home again? The endless darkness will remain for several days, so make the best of this— who knows what might be lurking in the dark?]

🌸

[Secrets in the Dark event starts; go here for a list of secrets (or make up your own as you go, of course) or for any questions/concerns.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-08-30 06:45 pm UTC (link)

[... Laughs softly, after a moment, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. Truthfully, it isn't as if he hasn't... actually said something very similar to this to Keith before, right? But it's another thing entirely to just-- read it like this. Eerie and... like it's so much more intense.]

The magic must really want us to pay attention. [for better or for worse.]

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finds
2018-08-31 06:21 am UTC (link)

[It gets under his skin in a way he can't really explain, feeling much the same about the creepiness of it, so different from the words that they would speak among themselves. So yeah, it's not wrong, but- He can't quite look away anyway, even as Shiro's laughter manages to ease some of Keith's tension too.]

It's one way to insist. [Hrmph. He grumbles, though a little lighter, an honesty in the words that's so predictably Keith, how he just says it, quiet though it is.] Don't see what's so fun about making jabs at things we already know.

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	yieldsfocus 2018-08-31 02:50 pm UTC (link)
	[Despite himself, he smiles at him, soft and maybe a little shy-- because of course Keith manages to say something like that, quiet but, yes, predictably Keith.] Maybe in this case, it's not a jab. Just a reminder to say it or something. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	finds 2018-08-31 06:18 pm UTC (link)
	[Glances over at Shiro with a little smile at that, just the slightest raise of his eyebrow. Well.] You think? Sounds as likely as anything else. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

yieldsfocus
2018-08-31 06:26 pm UTC (link)

I prefer the more optimistic reasoning, I guess.

[His smile quiets a little, still shy, as he looks at him-- and maybe because it's so dark, it's easier to say it. Or maybe it's just easy for him to admit this much, at least.]

It's hardly a secret that my life is better with you in it, after all. [So how can that be a jab? And as he says that, the words seem to glow a little brighter, as if emphasizing themselves.]

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finds
2018-09-02 06:12 am UTC (link)

[The brighter glow doesn't go unnoticed, catching Keith's eye just as he's still looking at Shiro, an almost not-there shiver trailing down his spine. Oh.]

... I know. Mine too. [He doesn't intend the soft edge that his voice naturally takes on, even as he hopes to sound more normal than he does to his own ears. There's at least the relief that Shiro wouldn't necessarily call attention to it even when it does - though Keith feels too self-aware of how much Shiro must notice all the same. Right? It's a weakness he doesn't know if he'll ever shake.]

We [erm] should try to see how far this much light'll get us.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-02 06:21 am UTC (link)

[It's true that he doesn't call attention to it, although he does notice. He's been noticing these moments more and more, especially since the storm and... he doesn't let himself think about it, that fear and hope mixing together whenever he considers what it could mean.]

[Still, it's easy to smile in response and nod at the suggestion, the hand around Keith's wrist softening its grip before he steps forward, curling his arm around his back instead-- he noticed the slight limp, despite the darkness, because of course he did.]

Yeah... wonder if there's some kind of trick to how long it lasts. [It's clearly responding to them in some way. Considers this...] Maybe if we keep thinking about it.

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finds
2018-09-02 06:33 am UTC (link)

[The shift of his arm surprises him only about half a second before Keith lets himself lean into the support Shiro wordlessly gives him, hooking his own arm around his shoulders, taking some of the weight off his leg to walk.]

It did seem to get brighter just now. [Just from them saying things to that effect... He huffs out a little bit of a laugh and a sigh mingled into one.] So I guess the trick really is just to think or talk about whatever it says.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-02 06:38 am UTC (link)

It does seem that way. Although, if it's the first thing that seems relevant to us that we've seen... [it might just be that, too.]

[But he's taking advantage of the brighter light to guide Keith along, his hold on him firm enough so he can lean on him easily and not put any unnecessary weight on his leg, watching the ground for anything that could trip Keith up.]

Maybe... [Squints a little, visibly concentrating-- trying to see if it's a direct mind-reading situation. He's aggressively thinking something to see if it appears. But nothing new starts to emerge and, after a moment, he just frowns.] Oh. Maybe not that, then.

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	finds 2018-09-02 06:44 am UTC (link)
	[... Why was that cute. Cough. Despite himself, a corner of his lips tug up a little as he watches the focused look of Shiro's expression turn down to a frown.] What did you try to think at it? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	yieldsfocus 2018-09-02 06:48 am UTC (link)
	Ah... [Blushes a little as he smiles, embarrassed.] "I want to look at the stars." ["With Keith," as the add on there, but he decides to leave that part out for the sake of his embarrassment.] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	finds 2018-09-02 07:06 am UTC (link)
	[He would have seen it if that had worked you know! As it is, Keith kinda chuckles a little, thinking that's so like him.] Weird to think that we can't, the way things are right now. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	yieldsfocus 2018-09-02 07:11 am UTC (link)
	[He didn't think that far ahead, clearly.] [Glances up at the sky, anyway. The total darkness is a little unsettling...] I guess it's not too different from if it were just heavy cloud cover. But it's strange to think the magic can stretch far enough to get rid of starlight, too. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

finds
2018-09-02 09:29 pm UTC (link)

Yeah. Actually seeing them go out in the sky was-- [unsettling, to say the least.]

[The way things are now, they manage to get by a good distance, walking away from one source of light and towards others ahead of them, illegible in the distance but coming into the focus the more they walk. Keith can feel the wolf watching out for them from behind without straying too far into the dark, and pressed into Shiro's side, it's a comfort they're not going to get separated easily.

Soon, more words start to come into view, tension settling into his shoulders again on instinct once they can read them. This time it's a few different ones strewn across the tree branches, not all quite fully into view but still overwhelming. I wish I could've met you sooner. / I’m not worth saving. / I’m afraid of what I could become if I stop holding back.]

This is... [So much.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-02 09:48 pm UTC (link)

[For half a moment, he almost let himself relax-- they're making pretty good progress, despite the darkness and Keith's injury, and of course Keith's pushing through it but he doesn't look to be in a deep amount of pain, and they can't be that far away from the cabin if they're near so many trees. But, of course, perhaps it's because he's thinking they'll be okay that the secrets that show up aren't quite as sweet as the last one.]

[He's going to respond to Keith, to reassure him, to do something-- but those last two in particular, stacked on top of one another, are enough to make him almost freeze up. With Keith pressed so close, it'll be impossible for him to hide how the tension lances through him, his hold on his waist tightening instinctively, his face paling even in the eerie light.]

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finds
2018-09-03 01:22 am UTC (link)

[He feels it and immediately stops looking at the words, eyes to Shiro instead, concerned, frowning.]

Shiro. [His own arm tightens around his shoulders, ignoring how the glow goes brighter in front of them, voice soft but insistent. He tries not to let it go to the pit of his stomach to think of why these particular phrases are the ones that drain the color from Shiro's face like that. (It does anyway. Of course it does.)] Shiro.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 01:30 am UTC (link)

[Breathes out shakily, closing his eyes for a moment as if trying to steady himself. He turns his head, just barely, towards Keith when he says his name. The words keep glowing brighter even as he desperately thinks he should-- try to think of something else, right? But it's another thing entirely to actually see the words spelled out in front of him.]

I'm okay. [This is, at least, partly true. Aside from his initial reaction, the way his heart is beating faster in his chest as a result of that adrenaline, he can at least stay calm.] Just... surprised me.

[The words feel weak even to himself. As far as excuses go, that's not the best one he's ever come up with, and he knows it's not going to be very convincing, especially to Keith of all people. He sighs out shakily again and squeezes his hand against Keith's side, trying to be reassuring.]

I know you don't agree. [Of course you wouldn't.] I know you...

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finds
2018-09-03 02:49 am UTC (link)

[One thing Keith's never quite been able to get over about himself is that any intense feeling that decides to jam itself through his system always runs too close in the same vein as anger in his own mind, however it might come across to others. Most misunderstand it as anger. He knows Shiro wouldn't, but the way Keith's concern manifests itself just then is still such a rush. Almost like the air could get knocked out of him from it. He knows it isn't anger he feels as Shiro speaks now, feeling that shakiness to him from staying pressed into his side, but the edge in Keith's voice is there nonetheless, persistent.]

I don't. Of course I wouldn't. Shiro... You- [You shouldn't either, fuck.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 02:55 am UTC (link)

[He knows it isn't anger, knows Keith too well to mistake it for it-- knows so well how intensely Keith's emotions burn. All the same, his instinct is always to reassure him, holding him a little tighter.]

I know. [Of course you don't-- because you keep saving him.]

I'm sorry. [He looks pained as he says it and slowly, slowly the words I'm not worth saving start glowing brighter and brighter the more he focuses on it, despite trying not to focus on it, despite wanting to reassure Keith. He feels guilty, of course, that it's not working-- which only makes the words grow brighter, as if mocking.]

I'm sorry... [he says it again, softer, helplessly.] I've never-- talked about it.

[He knows you'd always disagree. Knows there's no way he'd ever convince you of it-- doesn't want to ever upset Keith like this. He knows it's true, at least-- not just Keith, but every person who's ever made a sacrifice for him, who's ever been hurt or killed or whatever else because of him--]

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finds
2018-09-03 04:42 am UTC (link)

Don't-- [God, you don't have to tell him sorry, of all things, but of course Shiro would. Even though it isn't at all about how Keith feels right now that should matter.

Without thinking he shifts haphazardly despite his leg or anything else, and throws his arms around him, both around Shiro's shoulders to hold him fiercely. He chokes out a soft curse and doesn't let go. The light is so bright it almost hurts his eyes this close to it but he doesn't shut them, looks only to Shiro as much as he can while hugging him. It fills Keith with such an overwhelmingly painful feeling he doesn't know what to do in that moment except go off.]

Shiro. You've always been- [He tries to curb the edge to his voice (which works very little but) only because he wants to say this as clearly and firmly as he can, without it having to be something that just incites more guilt or...] Listen to me. You're always going to be worth saving, you always have been.

[When his voice comes out much quieter at the end, the shakiness to it is evident.] You can't think like this.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 04:51 am UTC (link)

Keith.

[He says his name quietly, weakly, not quite a protest but something more like an admission, and acknowledgement. He's shivering a little, feeling overwhelmed just from this-- he's never liked to make himself vulnerable, to be weak, even if it's easier with Keith. Still. It's a lot. And the guilt still coils in his chest, despite himself. He hugs Keith back, his touch gentle even as he shifts a little to hold him up, mindful even now of his leg, of not wanting to hurt him.]

[He doesn't know what to say to that, how to protest against it-- knows, of course, that he'll never convince Keith anyway. He clings to him a little, ducks his head and presses his face gently into his hair, trying to steady his breathing.]

[Behind him, the words glow painfully bright and, slowly, new words form just below it, glowing fainter but no less readable. I'm not worth saving and directly below it: I want to believe you even though I know you're wrong.]

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finds
2018-09-03 05:23 am UTC (link)

[He sees those words and it honestly feels like something inside him slips out of place and shatters a little, a shudder down his spine and in his breath - before persistence settles back over him doubly so.]

I'm not wrong. [His tone is softer but no less sure. You can't see what the words say but he's sure what they reflect enough to say it aloud to Shiro directly. Fuck.] I'm not wrong, and even if you'd never had to say it to me like this, I'd still think it every time.

Without you... there'd be nothing, Shiro. [For the universe, for Earth, for -- Keith. He realizes that's the part he feels the most strongly, and it's no surprise really.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 05:34 am UTC (link)

[It's true that he was thinking it as the words were forming for Keith to read-- and so he shivers again when Keith responds to his thoughts.]

[The last part, though-- those words threaten to completely undo him. Something coils up tight in his chest and his breath hitches. He draws away from hugging Keith to look at him, expression fragile and disbelieving.]

Keith-- [You can't think like that, is his first thought-- the thought that Keith could feel that way leaves him feeling completely wrecked. He grips his shoulders tight, as if he's going to protest further-- but he can't quite manage it.]

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finds
2018-09-03 05:55 am UTC (link)

[He's pretty sure he's holding him just as tightly even when Shiro pulls away and their eyes meet, hands on his shoulders so tight that it must hurt. They're both shaken and he knows these intense words can't be much better for them than what's written against the shadows everywhere. Even still, he can't not say it.

Hearing his own name, the way Shiro sounds saying it, and the argument that seems to trail behind it even if he doesn't speak those words... Keith stutters out an equally pained, weak breath. What did you expect? He meets Shiro's eyes stubbornly even though he knows both of their expressions must be wavering and splintered right now.]

Shiro. [Keith said what he said. He's not taking it back.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 06:03 am UTC (link)

[He feels as if he's been bowled over. He doesn't quite manage to say the words he knows he needs to say. They fumble out of him, quiet and pained.]

Someday, I won't...

[He can't finish the thought, can't actually say it. It occurs to him that he's never actually said it aloud. Someday, he won't be here. There will, eventually, be a time when Keith has to be without him.

He's the one to break eye contact then, clenching his eyes shut and ducking his head. When he breathes, it's a soft, pained breath-- like he's been punched in the gut and he's trying to catch his breath again. He doesn't let go of Keith's shoulders.

The words behind him start to fade once he's ducked his head, quiet and still for a moment. There's a brief moment of darkness. And then the new words form, brightening and brightening until it's almost blinding:

I don't want to die.]