R1 DEADLAND

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[throwabookatit]

[ She wants to ask how he knows that. He barely even saw anything, didn't he? The only contact they had...was just this week, and- and still--

But no words form, because she just trembles and starts to cry, leaning her head against his chest. ]

[machrophage]

[He doesn't need to know. He believes in her, and that's enough.

So for right now, until she's cried it all out, he'll just curl around her, giving her a safe place to let everything she's carrying come down.]

[throwabookatit]

[ The last time, she'd been trying not to cry. Failing, but trying. Everything that couldn't happen anymore filled her head, and choked her, as she tried to prepare to watch him die.

This time... Well, her head's still swimming, with different thoughts this time. Of a mansion leaking blood, a swift fall, a knife she couldn't let go of. But it's of what's happened. Not what can't. It leaves some space for her to focus on the feeling of the arms around her, listen to soft gentle breathing (in contrast to her shuddering gasps), inhale deeply.

That's over. She's her. She's Rebecca Gales, born in Luxbourne City, lover of books and academics. Fiery temper and stubborn attitude. The woman whose held on to her feelings for seventeen years and even as she was about to fall to her death never spoke a word of them to the man he loved. The woman who still fought tooth and nail at every dead-end.

As she puts herself back together, a strange thought comes over her: That she's never been held like this before. ]

I... [ She croaks it out and for a moment scares herself. ] I was a f-fool.

[machrophage]

[The last time, he'd still been trying to hold himself apart, to stay on the far side of the line that he's now straddling, between what he's always been and the impossible.

This time it's different. He thinks of the sight of Earth from space, the glitter of a dissolving wedding dress -

The understanding of what life is, and where he would rather be. Right here.]

We're all a bunch of fools. Like we're going to turn you away because of that.

[throwabookatit]

[ She can't help but let out a humorless laugh. ]

I- I know that, I've got eyes. [ Can't help but say something like that. But- ] I meant, I- that bawbag tricked me! That's- that's why I'm here.

[machrophage]

[Well, that makes her sound like her usual self - enough that Viral loosens his grip, though he doesn't entirely let go.]

Which one?

[There are a lot of assholes such insults could apply to.]

[throwabookatit]

[ It's good that he's not letting go, because she's still got a hand gripping his jacket. ]

The Headmaster. James or whatever the fuck his name is.

[machrophage]

[Look they will sit here on the ground until someone makes them move if they gotta. It's nice ground. Soft.

Seriously Viral will just fucking sleep there, it beats sleeping in a cockpit which he has absolutely done before.]

Ah. That bastard.

[throwabookatit]

Yes. Him. Ol' Jimmy-boy, that fucking.

[ She's trembling. In anger, in sadness. Her grip becomes tighter and tighter, but she doesn't...she can't look up at him, still jut kind of speaking into his shoulder. ]

He- ...he threatened all of you. Everyone here.

[machrophage]

[It's not like he can't hear her just fine anyway.]

So it's about as safe here as on the living side, huh.

[He seems... less bothered than one might expect. But then, after the threat of impending moon impact, that doesn't seem nearly as frightening.]

You did what you felt you had to do.

[throwabookatit]

[ Why are all of you people not bothered by your own impending death, a fifty-five part essay by Rebecca Gales. ]

I- I don't know, but I wasn't- I wasn't going to try and call his bluff with all of your...your existences on the line, but that meant...

[ Her voice wavers again. What it made her do... ]

Oh... Han, I- it was- I was-

[ ...Yeah, it seems conveying the hijacking part of all this is a little. Tough. ]