Day 346- Day 352: OPEN

[bastionpc]

Who: Everyone in the Bastion
Open: Open
When: 346-352
Where: The Bastion in general
What: This is the calm before the storm. Any last conversations with NPCs? Any last things to take care of? Do them here.
Format: action
Warnings: none so far


When you make a thread in this post, please put the names of the NPCs you want to respond in the header of the first comment.

As a note, this is also your last chance to make any changes that will affect how endgame begins. All things that help or hurt the Bastion residents will be tallied up on September 18th, and the final post will go up shortly after that. So if you want to catch the thief, form any alliances with other NPC groups, or anything else, now is the time to do it.

Comments

[darkshooter]

[...both of you, I'm not sure it's as simple as that. We're together, that's true...and together is often stronger than a single entity, where humans are concerned. On the other side of that coin, that unity can't triumph over everything.]

[You know I'm not the strongest person here. I've failed before when lives were in the balance, and more than once.]

[If there's nothing to what I'm feeling. that's for the better...but if there is? I can't be sure that we'll win the day with just us.]


[Whether or not you read those exact words between the lines, the feelings are open enough: she is doubtful, though not because she truly wants to be. That you, her family, could be in danger if things erupt... no, that's plenty to be afraid of, all by itself.]

[windgod]

[Ippo could understand those feelings, he struggled with them every day himself and had been struggling with them ever since he'd arrived here. It was a tough thing to consider, that you might not be able to help someone when the chips were down and after what had happened with Night...he'd seriously doubted himself in that area.

But now, more than ever, he felt capable of pushing past those feelings. He knew that between all of them, they had the power to put down anything that came their way and that they weren't afraid to put 100% of themselves into that.

Much like it usually was between them, Ippo didn't really need words to convey his message back. A confident smile and a small extension of his hand for her to take was all that was really required.

Even if we're afraid, even if we have doubts, we won't hesitate to give everything we have. If we all fight with the whole of our being, then there's nothing we can't beat. It was something that Ippo believed without question, and he hoped he could give Ikuri that same confidence.

And Ibuki was getting some head rubs between the horns, because no one could ignore Ibuki. No one.]

[scary_music]

[Ibuki smiles a bit as she's headpatted]

[The musician was a very auditory oriented person, but even she could feel the doubt from Ikuri]

We just have to keep trying our hardest, right? We're... we almost have the Bastion done, right?

So, after that, it'll be safer around here, right?

[darkshooter]

[No, that much she can assure you of. Every drop of blood she carries, she will spill to protect you. No hesitation. She'd give it all up to keep you alive and safe, and she'd fight her hardest against any number of foes if that's what it took.]

[Her friends here, the people she loves - they're everything to her. You're a good person too, Ippo, someone she cares for and trusts... and Ibuki, well, what even needs to be said there? For Ikuri, she's the sun and moon, the guiding illumination: she drives away the cold and the dark, and grants clarity of vision simply by being. She could not put into words just how deeply she loves her...or, for that matter, any of you.]

[I don't know that I can overcome anything. I don't even know that we can. But I do know, without reservation, that I will give everything. Everything. And it need not even be asked.]




[She has no answer for Ibuki. And that's at least partly because...being reminded of the Bastion's current state is the opposite of reassuring; it just makes her more afraid, because she's grown comfortable with her life here, and she doesn't want that to change. It certainly will when this big decision is finally made, no matter what decision it is.]

[She can't not be afraid of that.]

[For Ippo, though...when he offered his hand, she took it, but not to shake or simply hold. Rather, she reaches to grasp with both hands, pulls it towards her...brings it to her cheek and rubs against it: affection, trust, and yearning for reassurance all at once.]

[After a moment of that, she brings Ippo's hand to her face, and softly kisses it near the knuckles.]

[windgod]

[All things considered...Ippo hadn't been really expecting that kind of reaction from Ikuri. She was usually a little less for the physical reactions in favor of their silent communications, but this was about as clear for him as any other "conversation" they'd shared.

He didn't resist the actions, if anything he worked with them to help reassure her that no matter what, they'd work together as hard as they were able to. He understood that lingering fear of what was coming, he felt it himself, but he wasn't about to let that fear get the better of him, as he was sure Ikuri wasn't going to.

They would fight if they had to, but more importantly they were going to work through whatever challenges awaited them together. He returned that trust with something Ikuri might not expect out of him. With eyes closed and a smile, he placed his forehead against hers.

To a fighter, Ikuri had complete control now. She had his dominant hand in her grip and could easily take control of his elbow if she wanted, rendering him helpless; further, she had a complete opening for the back of his neck if she wanted to go for a killing blow. For someone who'd spent their life fighting, it was a show of absolute trust.]

Even if it isn't completely safe, we'll make it safe. This is our home and our future, we'll make the best out of both.

[scary_music]

[... and here was Ibuki, missing all the soundless communication that you fight hungry types are all about-]

Hey, hey, Ibuki wants some smoochies, too, Ikuri-chan! Ippo-chan!!

[And ... Ibuki actually doesn't make any move to initiate kissing herself. She just puckers up her lips expectantly]

[darkshooter]

[Ippo...you shouldn't do that. The threat of lost control may seem far out of reach, Ikuri can't take it for granted. Offering your vulnerabilities like this...she knows the purpose, but you must not, you must not. Never lower your guard around her. Or anyone. A fighter must always be ready.]

[You're my family and I love you, but that doesn't mean I'm not dangerous.]

[...but you're right. You're right, Ippo. Together, we'll--]





[...]

[?]

['Smoochies'? ...you mean kisses?]