Day 117 :: After the Core Hunt [open]

[bastionpc]

Who: everyone, get in here
Open: Open
When: late in the day on Day 117
Where: all around the Bastion
What: There is a new building in the Bastion, and all the buildings now have power
Format: action
Warnings: some of the PCs are a bit broken

[Once again, it was a difficult hunt for the core. Though there was less physical damage this time, the mental damage is very apparent: four residents of the Bastion come back in far worse shape than they left in, and many others are possibly affected as well.

But not all is bad. With the return of a core, new life springs into the Bastion. All around, lights flicker into existence. Light fixtures and electrical sockets spring out of walls and ceilings. Stoves change to become more modern, and refrigerators suddenly appear in all of the apartments.

There is now free, unlimited electricity in the Bastion.

In addition, a new building springs up on the southern side of the Bastion. This apartment building is eight stories tall, and contains both a laundry room and several three-bedroom apartments. While the first apartment building is by no means full, this gives everyone more places to choose to live.]

Comments

[individuates]

[manages to eat a little, but spends most of his time fishing out bits for Tama-chan to eat. He doesn't have much of an appetite, and nor does she, but like most animals, she's curious about the food and just wants to get in the way. The poke earns Taisan a little grumble and a half-hearted nibble at the offending finger. She follows him on his way out, still keeping within sight of Seimei and Kaoru, but carefully stationed so as to block the entrance. Nobody else is coming in without going through her first.

Some of the extra bedding goes to cushion Seimei's head when Kaoru attempts to sleep - when his voice starts to wear and become punctuated by yawns. He gets snatches here and there, but mostly just lies on his side and watches, his hand twined in Seimei's, squeezing gently each time those fingers close - it's some relief that he starts moving, and soon enough he kneels at Seimei's side again, watching him, his thumb sweeping across the back of Seimei's hand like he had in the beginning, all those weeks ago]

Seimei...? Are you back with me?

[yinyangfox]

[ The onmyoji didn't seem to hear him at first, eyes staring up, past the ceiling, glazed in the manner of one lost in though. He'd dreamed badly and woke feeling so heavy and sluggish he feared he'd woke only to be inside of yet another nightmare, convincing himself again and again that he was awake when he was not.

When Kaoru spoke it created a tension in the sides of his head and dark brows twitched, a thin crease appearing between them, smoothing out again after a moment. Minutes ticked by as Seimei assessed everything, listened to familiar sounds of a light breeze, chickens in the distance and those that occasionally wandered to his garden. The babbling water to the east.

Eventually he sighed deeply and lifted an arm. It took more strength than he felt he had, but he gripped the back of Kaoru's head and pulled the boy down against his chest, hugging him weakly as he continued to stare up in silence. ]

[individuates]

I'm here.

[a soft murmur, arms sliding to wrap around Seimei securely, one hand cradling the back of his head, massaging gently, wanting to ease that tension he'd seen a moment before. Seimei doesn't have to speak now, but Kaoru's voice remains hushed - because he can feel the tears creeping back]

You were dreaming, sweet, only dreaming. I'm here now. You're home, safe. Everything's all right.

[yinyangfox]

[ For once, Seimei wasn't as strong as Kaoru. Tears gathered on black lashes before slithering down the sides of his face, silent, without even a sob. He just laid there, holding Kaoru and weeping as he stared off into the flickering shadows of the rafters cast by the cook-fire. ]

[individuates]

It's all right. It's over now, it's all right... [he pulls Seimei gently, carefully into his own chest, settling down on his side and stroking through his hair, pressing a kiss to his temple]

I'm here, Seimei. I'll always be here, I promise.

[yinyangfox]

I ran. [ He murmured after a few moments of silence had passed. He allowed himself to be pulled up, too tired to protest anyways. ]

No magic...everyone was dead and cursing me and then that child, Crona...attacked everyone. Killed the boy...and I ran.

You hated me.

It wasn't a dream, Kaoru. It was a nightmare.

[individuates]

[stroking Seimei's tears away, rocking with him slowly]

It wasn't real, Seimei - none of it was real, nobody died... everyone came back safely and they're resting now. [he can't speak for how the others are recovering from the poison, but they got back and they're being taken care of]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm sorry that I... but I'm here with you now. I don't hate you. [leaning down to rest his forehead against Seimei's] ...I could never hate you.

[yinyangfox]

[ He stared, eyes drying slowly while he thought, running over everything in his head, everything he'd felt and thought in the bog. Moving his hand between them, the onmyoji touched Kaoru's face, fingers drifting to caress that bright hair, dark gaze following the motion before sliding back to the red-head's face. ]



...I'm in love with you...

[individuates]

[closes his eyes for a moment as Seimei touches his hair, but opens them again in surprise as he speaks, a couple of tears escaping. His response comes hesitantly, voice feeling like it won't comply, like there's a lump in his throat.]

And... and I, you. [useless, no good at all. He runs his knuckles against Seimei's cheek, hands a little shaky as he tries again] I love you.

[sniffles quietly, swallowing again]

It was... When I left you behind, it was so hard. I didn't want to do it. I'm sorry I did it. I'm so sorry I left you behind...

[yinyangfox]

Do not feel obligated to say that, Kaoru. [ He replied quietly, looking away uncomfortably. He'd said it before he could stop himself, just so glad to see the boy alive and well.

What did it mean? To really love someone other than yourself? He'd had people he cared about deeply, but to panic so much, to truly fear a loss. He'd thought he'd felt that with Hiromasa but this was so much worse. He'd felt sick with grief and now relief changed everything. Looking at the boy he had been overcome with a need to say those words. To confess because it had nearly been too late to do so.

Now he had to live with the consequences, but he didn't want Kaoru to say anything he didn't mean, simply to reciprocate as a kindness. Seimei was well aware he was difficult, if not impossible, to really feel anything for. He was often distant, always complicated and certainly not very good at being human. Still...some part of him, underneath the pain, was just happy to hear the words, whether genuine or merely said as a kindness to him in his ailing moments. ]

Had you not left, I would not be able to speak to you as I do now. Do not ever regret doing what is best to preserve your life, Kaoru. You did nothing to apologize for. You did exactly as I hoped and I will never judge you for it.

[individuates]

Don't think that I do. [taking a steadying breath, he cupped Seimei's cheek in one hand, turning him back. His voice barely rises over his previous soft murmur-] You think I'd say it if I didn't mean it? [he's too choked up to say much else, but it wasn't surprise or lack of another response that brought the words from him. Truthfully, yes, he had never expected Seimei to say the words first, had resigned himself to the thought that he would be the one to say them instead. And he had been prepared to, but had just been worried... that perhaps the words wouldn't be welcome. Not at a time like this]

[his hand falls and his head lowers, leaning against Seimei's chest. With a choked, tearful sort of laugh -]

...you can be such an idiot, you know that? [when you cherish someone more than your own life, self-preservation becomes rather redundant]

[yinyangfox]

I'm beginning to gather, yes. [ He replied with a tone of soft relief that spoke volumes in comparison to the words themselves. His hand rested on Kaoru's head, fingers threading wearily through his hair as he closed his eyes again, conserving as much energy as possible. ]

Will you stay with me tonight? [ The onmyoji asked, trying not to sound too pathetic, too needy or hopeful. He just knew if he went back to sleep, he'd have those terrible dreams again, and if he woke and could not see the boy? Then surely the nightmares were real. ]

[individuates]

[a quiet, snuffly noise and he nods against Seimei's chest]

I won't leave you. You're stuck with me.

[with both of them. Tama-chan comes creeping up from Seimei's other side, butting her face against his shoulder. At least it's not her horn - though if you have any unexplained bruises, Seimei, she's the one to blame]

[yinyangfox]

Not such a bad thing to be plagued with. [ He whispered softly, relaxing back into the bedding. A thin crease appeared between his brows as he listened to his shikigami speaking to him, unheard by anyone else. when Tama-chan prodded him, the onmyoji relaxes again. ]

We're having a guest, it seems. I could say no, but I feel inclined to reward Taisan for his obedience despite the risks. [ Inclined to offer reward, and to soothe his own lingering guilt. ]

Do you mind? [ He asked, still not opening his eyes, his words breathy sighs spoken on steady breaths. He felt too tired to put much effort into speaking, but he needed to ask - his admission carried many underlying commitments, not the least of which being that Kaoru now had a say on what guests Seimei had while the boy was present. ]

[individuates]

If you don't, I don't. [lifts his head to watch him, stroking away Seimei's hair.Tama-chan leans her head against him and gets comfy.]

You're tired, Seimei, don't talk anymore. Just rest. [adjusting the covers, running his hands over them to smooth them] I'm right here if you need anything.

[yinyangfox]

[ He sighed softly, twitched in an attempt to shift and eventually gave up. Moving his body was too much effort. ]

Just your company. [ He paused, thinking, then smiled faintly. ] And perhaps a little water.

[individuates]

Now? I'll get it for you, if you can do without me for a few moments.

I won't go far, I promise.

[yinyangfox]

[ He snorted a soft laugh, amused at Kaoru's words and mildly embarrassed by his own weakness. He made a small sound of understanding and consent, settling silently into the bedding to think about everything. Being awake made it easier to ignore the horror and focus on the cathartic release of his admission.

He was in love. Real love. It was enough to open his eyes again, dark orbs sliding sidelong to watch the red-head move about his home.

It was in that moment, he realized Taisan and himself had a great deal of work ahead of them. The home was suddenly too small to contain everything.

When Kaoru returned with water, Seimei watched his face, sipping carefully. Licking his dry lips afterwards, he stared steadily.]

Tell me again that this is real, Kaoru. That you are here and alive and you'll be here tomorrow.

[individuates]

[It's no weakness to need someone, Seimei, shush. Kaoru is not content to be away for longer than strictly necessary to get the water, and carefully sets it on the other side, away from Tama-chan, when Seimei is done.]

[a fond smile. Tomorrow is doable, though Kaoru had a little longer than that in mind] As many times as you need to hear it, I'll tell you. I'm here now. And I will still be here tomorrow.

[stroking back Seimei's hair, then gently resting a hand on his cheek] Need anything else? Are you warm enough?

[yinyangfox]

I am quite fine, Kaoru. I am not injured or broken in any way. I am simply drained and exhausted. Please do not fret overmuch. I am only...I was worried. You were dead and very angry with me, in that hellish bog.

[ He sighs softly, tilting his head into Kaoru's palm. ]

Take some of my shards, Kaoru. Go and buy bedding that you prefer. Taisan will help you bring it here. He has to buy some as well. It seems I will be housing his...friend.

[ He inhaled and exhaled deeply, squinting his eyes at the rafters. ]

[individuates]

I just want you to be comfortable and rest. You had me pretty worried too, you know? You weren't even moving when they brought you home...

[smiles a little at the way Seimei leans into his touch.] ...all right. I promise I'll rush there and hurry back. You sleep for now, all right?

[yinyangfox]

No need to rush. Take your time, stretch your legs. You should gather some clothes if you plan to stay over. Taisan will help me bathe later, and change, so if you like, you should go to the onsen.

[ He wasn't about to ask Kaoru to sponge him off after all. ]

[individuates]

[smiles and nods but he doesn't plan on taking it too slowly, or even straying particularly far. He's tired too, you know? In fact he could curl up quite comfortably and sleep now.]

[pulling a little face at him, poking out his tongue]

Aaaa, you're telling me I smell again? How romantic of you...!

[yinyangfox]

[ He sighs, offering a vaguely apologetic look. ]

Kaoru...we were in a bog surrounded by rotting vegetation and poisons. Taisan wants to treat our clothes, and I am rather something other than human. My sense of smell is a bit more sensitive.

[individuates]

B-but I'm cleaner than I was!