songerein | { frozen nightmare }

Entry tags:

{ frozen nightmare }

FROZEN NIGHTMARE

On the morning after Christmas, December 26th, everyone will awaken to dark clouds that have come in overnight, or how the snow keeps falling and falling and falling throughout the entire day…and the next until it's less snow and now a blizzard of sleet and hail, threatening to freeze over not only Reverein, but to the lands beyond, including Dragefjell, dragon island. Everyone is forced to take shelter inside, and while some dare to go out, it's dangerous.

On the fourth day, before people really start going mad, strange messages written in frost will appear on their windows:

hElp
mAd
qUeEn
Not ominous at all. Nor is how everyone will suddenly fall asleep and awaken in a strange dreamscape, with a young man floating in front of them. Well, what looks like a young man. He's a bit… Fragmented, his entire body made of shards of ice. He will be the one to help explain the situation: his name is Jack Frost, and the Ice Queen has succumbed to some nightmare he can't wake her from. He needs their help to figure out the cause of her nightmares and free her. They must traverse through a strange candy land to reach the ice mountain the Ice Queen is currently in. Unfortunately, he doesn't have enough power left to do more than appear like this, so it's up to the Dreamwalkers to save the day. Again.

More details on everything can be found here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in December and will remain in Songerein from anytime in December. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count December as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open December 25th and Applications will open on January 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until March.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Ace Attorney - Simon Keyes
Amazing Digital Circus - Pomni
Final Fantasy XIV - Hermes
Genshin Impact - Furina de Fontaine
Genshin Impact - Nahida
Genshin Impact - Paimon
In Stars and Time - Siffrin
Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds - Ravio
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Malon
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Fi
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Mineru
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Purah
Limbus Company - Dante
Miraculous Ladybug - Gabriel Agreste
Undertale - Frisk

We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

I. REVEREIN

A. Stuck Indoors. Upon waking, anyone who looks out the window will see that everything outside is frozen solid. There was a terrible blizzard the night before, and it left Reverein an icy wonderland. It's beautiful, but freezing cold and potentially deadly. But the real challenge will be trying to prevent cabin fever as the days go on. Perhaps some games over the journals could help stave off boredom. There will also be shelters quickly made for those who need better living arrangements, and various games and food will be provided for those in need as well.

B. Outdoor Help. Due to the sudden nature of the blizzard, not everyone was able to find shelter, especially those who were out in the Wildlands which have also been hit by the blizzard. Those able may need to try and help rescue those caught outside.

⛑️ Rescue efforts. Not everyone made it out of the blizzard safely, either entirely by coincidence or due to sheer stubbornness. These people are stuck outside frozen and need help being taken to safety. Thaw them out and bring them inside!
🐿️ Animal help. There are little critters, too–ones that didn't get back to their own homes in time. Don't overlook the littlest residents of Reverein, because they need help, too.
⛄ Snowman aid. The snowmen that popped up during the previous weeks will help assist those who may need it. For a brief time they can create a little barrier around the individual, stopping some of the cold, and will even hop over to give anyone stuck their own scarves, mittens, and hats should they have any.

C. Delivering Heat. While dreamotion can help keep the hearths warm, there are more efficient ways to keep the heat through fire cores. Orkili has also sent word that they will send heating devices, and the dragons will also make the flight down to help replenish stocks so everyone can stay warm for as long as this mysterious blizzard lasts. Now the question is, how to deliver everything.

🎿 Braving the cold. The most direct way to try and get anywhere is to venture outside, but that can be a risk in itself. Those who try should bundle up! Those who can use either ice dreamotion to control the cold, or fire to help generate heat, will be best suited for this.
🚧 Tunnel system. The gnomes will try to clear some entrances to allow anyone stuck outside or trying to travel around a way to do so safely through the crystal tunnels that sprawl beneath Reverein. However, other creatures have also fled to the warmer caverns so beware. Some are just as frightened and will be harmless, but others will be aggressive for the same reasons.
⛏️ Stuck sandworm. The Orkilins were already working to create a connection between Orkili and Reverein via underground tunnel system. The blizzard has hastened this endeavor, which unfortunately means a rushed job that leads to the sandworm crashing through one of the crystal walls and becoming stuck, with the gnomes not happy. Help dig it out! In the meantime, others can work to deliver the heating devices it carries to those who need it.
🐉 Thawing dragons. Unfortunately, even the mighty dragons will succumb to the might of the blizzard, their wings freezing over as they try to fly down. Since they can't really burn themselves, they'll need someone else to use their dreamotion or some other means to help them out. However, they may be grateful enough to just stay around and help keep things warm with their dragon flame along with the fire cores they carry.

D. Ice Elementals. As the sun sets, a rumble disturbs the quiet of the snow that blankets Reverein. Two enormous ice elementals have appeared on opposite sides of the city, and they are determined to smash their way through the town. They stand five stories tall, icy blocks of fists can send anyone and anything flying, and their frigid breath can leave people encased in ice in seconds. They're tough, but not impossible to take down, especially with a group. Party up and beat these things back!

🔥 Flamethrowers. The Orkilins that arrived to help already had some flamethrowers packed to help get rid of the snow, and they are now allowing those facing the elementals to use it against them. The power will increase by those who are capable of using fire dreamotion.
🧊 Ice against ice. Those who can use ice dreamotion can try to manipulate or control either the ice elementals themselves or their attacks. It will only be a brief time, less than a minute, but even that much might be enough to provide openings!
🦵 Aim for the knees! Due to their towering size, aiming low may serve better than trying to go high. Destroy their legs, and they will topple over. However, they can slowly regenerate, so act fast!

II. CANDYLAND

Welcome to Candyland! Everything here is wintry and sweet, and so is everyone else. Upon awakening in this dreamscape, everyone will find themselves transformed to match. Perhaps drastically changed into a unicorn in any combination of colors and sparkles, or part of the winter landscape as an ice sprite, with forms varying from cute pixies to elegant fairies to blocky ice creatures. Some may find themselves mostly the same, but made out of candy. All abilities can be called upon and new ones based on their form can be developed. But those who usually use weapons may find them changed to match their form and setting. Those who turned into unicorns, well—horns and hooves count as weapons, right?

The Ugly Get-Along sweaters from town will also appear inside, which may make crossing through Candyland and the mountain ahead a bit more…interesting. But everyone must hurry through to reach the Ice Queen.

(Note: Players do not have to strictly follow die rolls and can select specific prompts or locations if they wish, but it is otherwise encouraged for more silliness and fun!)

A. Playing the Game. Traversal through Candyland is akin to a board game with some changes. Dreamwalkers must roll a large gummy die to determine what color square they must move to. (Number corresponds to position on the list, ie 1 = red, 2 = orange, etc). Simple enough, but there's a catch–each color space has an effect, and they are unfortunately at the whims of the board. Only after the effect is enacted can they roll again and keep moving forward. The effects will be strongest on the square and can last for a little while even after moving from the square. (Note: rolls are going to mostly be for the individual character for ease of meeting others on the board, however the die may randomly decide to be used for the group for a few turns.)

🟥 Combat alert! Here come the cherry bats–fight them off!
🟧 People can suddenly hear all unfiltered thoughts and they can't lie about them.
🟨 Oops! The first thing they touch is now stuck to them and can't be removed until either the next yellow square or until the end of the game.
🟩 Time for a little nap. No one's in a hurry, right? Go on, just lie down on that marshmallow bed and close those weary eyes for five minutes. (Or longer.)
🟦 They must eat five random flavors of jelly beans from a jar of every flavor possible. Pick a winner and see how well they do.
🟪 Everyone is suddenly slimed, causing their movements and speech to be sluggish as if in slow motion. This effect will last for a few squares.

B. Special Locations. Sometimes the die will suddenly shake and turn completely pink and change to an eight sided die. Players must now roll again and see which location they will be ported to. Each location will provide some kind of item or bonus that can be helpful for dealing with the frigid threats and dangers of the ice mountain. (IMPORTANT: A character can potentially go through all locations, but they are limited to two items or buffs gained. They can swap what they have as they progress, but they will still only end with two rewards gained from the locations.)

🌳 Gingerbread Plum Trees. Where Plumpy sits eating plums from his gingerbread trees. Help him collect some plums and in return he will let them take a small basket. Give these plums to anyone who is starting to freeze and they will immediately start to thaw.
🍬 Peppermint Forest. A snowy thicket of peppermint candy canes. Mr. Mint will ask those who arrive to help chop down the canes and will let them have one or two to turn into durable weapons to fight against the monsters of the mountain. Mr. Mint will also give them a handful of special peppermints that will help re-energize those who may be sluggish from the cold.
🏰 Licorice Castle. A black and red licorice castle with licorice bats. Help Lord Licorice clear the bats and he will reward with both red and black pieces of licorice. Red will burn for a long time, making it useful as a torch. Black is a risky one to eat due to its taste, but it will help warm one's belly—or give fire breath.
⛰️ Gumdrop Mountains. A shortcut to bring players closer to the mountains. Jolly will help guide them through and tell those who make it to mine all the gum drops they can, as they can be used as destructive explosives that can break through ice and walls.
🥜 Peanut Brittle House. A cottage made of peanut brittle with peanut plants growing outside. Gramma Nutt needs part of her house repaired by using a bucket of peanut butter and smearing chopped nuts over the broken patches. In return, she will give peanut brittle bombs that will explode and make everything sticky.
🍭 Lollipop Woods. A forest of rainbow lollipops resembling trees and easy to get lost in. Guide Princess Lolly out of this confusing forest by finding and following the swirling lollipops. Upon reaching the exit, Lolly will give them a special lollipop wand that will conjure a set of swirling portals that will allow those who go through to cross over short distances.
🍨 Ice Cream Sea. A bubbly ice cream sea where Queen Frostine resides. To pass through, they must build ice cream float boats or else swim through the sticky sea. At least it's tasty, and traversing through either by boat or swim will grant everyone an ice resistance buff that will last for half an hour upon entering the mountain. It has a long cooldown before it activates again.
🍯 Molasses Swamp. A swamp of molasses with brown popsicle plants guarded by Gloppy. Those who end up here will end up having to trudge through the sticky swamp, but collecting some could be useful to help slow or even trap hostile foes in the mountain.

Bonus: Liopleurodon. At random times, a strange creature will appear in the space Dreamwalkers are trying to get onto. It will only move if they can create a candy made of dreamotion and feed it. They have three attempts, and if they fail or the taste is not to its liking, the liopleurodon will knock them with its tail back several spaces or to a random location. If they are successful, however, then it will send them ahead several spaces. (Players will roll again to determine what space or location to use next.)

III. FROZEN MOUNTAIN

Should they manage to reach the end of the board, they will find themselves staring up a giant mountain. From the distance it looked like any other mountain, but closer inspection reveals that it, too, was once made of candy. However, it's all frozen over and instead of sweet, delicious delights, monstrous creatures lurk within its halls…including music that just continuously plays.

Transformations will remain, so this trek may prove challenging to some. Utilize the bonus buffs and items gained from the game to get through!

A. Don't Freeze. Forget about Jack Frost nipping at their noses, the chill from the mountain will constantly threaten to freeze everyone inside. They must work hard to keep warm, using dreamotion, positive thoughts, and other means to do so. Otherwise they risk freezing into a frozen statue and must be dethawed or they'll be kicked out of the dreamscape. Jack Frost will help by trying to drop random items that can be used for warmth: coats, gloves, scarves, blankets, torches, pocket heaters, hot water bottles. Hey, he's an ice spirit he can only do so much.

B. Monsters. There are numerous monsters and aggressive creatures that lurk through the halls of this frigid mountain. Fire is definitely the way to go, but any candy buffs and items received from the Candyland game will also drive them away. They apparently don't like sweets.

❄️ Ice elementals. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they will cast freezing magic and those caught in it will slowly start to freeze up. Gum drop bombs will destroy these quick, with the licorice, plums, and peppermints aiding those frozen. Those who are Ice sprites may be able to sneak past without being noticed.
🐻 Yetis. These large creatures will hurl giant snowballs. Counter with the peanut brittle bombs to hinder their movements. Those who are made of candy will deter yetis as they are not a fan of candy and will run away in fright.
🐐 Five-horned mountain goats. These goats will charge at anything they see and those horns are not something you want to get maimed with. Molasses will be great to slow them down. Those who are unicorns may find themselves with an admirer instead as the goats will find them quite lovely and enchanting.
🐍 Ice snake. One look from these white snakes will instantly freeze any caught in their gaze. The eyes on the ice surface will also cast the curse. Any of the Candyland items will be good against these, especially if they can cover the eyes, or use the lollipop portals to try and skip over them. Plums will be needed to rescue anyone caught. There is no transformation advantage.

C. Ice Mirrors. Made from frozen ice, the mirrors will reflect twisted visions of loss and abandonment. Loved ones suddenly leaving; homes in ruin or desolation; their own reflection in an empty void. Yet rather than despair, there will be a strange feeling of acceptance as the cold begins to wrap around them, as if it's better to be alone than to have things around them. Not only must the affected be pulled back, but the mirrors must be destroyed. Doing so will release a golden colored light that will fill a crystal chalice that will just mysteriously appear and disappear. The more lights captured, the fuller it will get.

🪞 Mirror effects. Those who stare into the ice for too long will be drawn towards it, and should they touch the surface they will begin to freeze over. They must be pulled back and warmed up both physically and convincing them of good things from their lives.
💥 Destroy the mirrors. Break the mirrors in any way possible. Dreamotion and Candyland items, especially gum drop bombs will work.

D. Ice Queen. Those who make it through the mountain halls and the mirrors will find the throne room where the Ice Queen sits. Right in the middle of her chest is a giant shard of glass stained black, the nightmare energy palpable even from the entrance. That's clearly the problem, and the solution? The crystal chalice will appear and Jack's voice will be heard urging them to somehow pour it over that shard. Getting there will, of course, be a challenge as the Queen herself will stir upon hearing Jack's voice and start shrieking like a banshee, creating an ice storm within the room and summoning beasts that must be fought. Physical attacks will be effective, but dreamotion and anything based on positive, warm emotions and ideas will also help, especially to stave off the intense nightmare energy that will be around. The lollipop portals will also be useful in traversing through the room, even if cast in mid-air.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[One more placating pat before Tifa is turning to the dice. And while they can't freeze or electrify it or burn it to a crisp, they can hit it. Really, really hard.

And that is exactly what she does. A sharp pivot turns into a full turn, and Tifa's foot lands against the dice, sending it rocketing into the nearest cotton candy tree. Pretty sure she bent one side of it with that kick, but that's neither here nor there.]

Mind your manners next time.

[And look, she didn't use any magic on it!

However—]

Wait, what's it doing?

[The die starts to quiver and shake where it lies on the ground, and in a cloud of pink magic, it transforms... into—]

An eight-sided die?

[And it spins and spins and spins in place...]

[He watches with both pride and satisfaction at that kick, and really she could have hit it harder.

But now it's...changing?]

...Not sure.

[But as if feeling something ominous, he steps closer to her.]

What is it doing?

[She steps closer to Eustace, wary. Is it going to explode? Is it going to attack them? Is it going to knock them back several spaces and force them to eat jellybeans again?

Whatever it is, she doesn't like the look of it as it starts to slow until finally...

It drops to the ground, landing on one.]

Okaaay...? So, we just move forward one more—

[And suddenly, in a cloud of smoke, Tifa vanishes from Eustace's side.]

[Before he can even fully register what is happening, Tifa is gone and he stares at the space for a moment before he whirls around.]

What—

[WHAT THE HELL]

Tifa!

[WHERE DID SHE— The die had also disappeared with her and so now all that's left are people who are still fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the ruckus that Eustace is about to kick up. Or the storm that's starting to gather as he races to the edge of the square and kicks at the invisible wall.]

Where the hell did you take her—!?

[Hopefully Tifa didn't go somewhere too far... Else this is not going to end very well.]

[She is very much gone, appearing very suddenly elsewhere not on the board, but in the middle of a forest that looks to be made of gingerbread? It certainly smells like it. But that isn't what she's worried about right now, because as she spins around, she realizes—]

Eustace!?

[—is not there with her.

She ignores the green... creature... sitting down and staring at her, and instead starts to flit through the trees, searching for and calling out to him desperately, her voice echoing throughout, but never reaching wherever he wound up, if anywhere. And she knows... she knows that if he can't find her, things may not end well.

And it would seem that no matter how far she runs to find him, she ends up right back in the same spot, going around in circles until she finds that green thing waving her down, and she listens as he explains what happened, and what she needs to do to get back...

Gathering plums seems easy enough, all things considered. Better than stuffing horrible jellybeans into her mouth, for sure. But as she and this "Plumpy" wander the forest of these supposed gingerbread plum trees, she sees storm clouds gathering in the sky far off in the distance. Where, she doesn't know, but... she would recognize those clouds anywhere.

Asking Plumpy to wait, she first tests this new magic of hers. Ice magic... the complete opposite of what she's used to using, but not so much used to being around. So, it's with some effort that she manages to write something into the sky with snowflakes and ice, and she prays that the sparkle of it will catch a certain Erunicorn's eye.

"Eustace, I'm okay."]

Edited 2023-12-26 22:47 (UTC)

[He really is ready to tear up everything. So much so that the ground beneath him starts to ice over, ripples of lightning crackling through the air to the point that several people who were sleeping are starting to rouse in confusion. At this point, the die has returned, or at lease some other die if it's not the same one, and even though it continues to spin in front of his face, he just growls in a low voice that seems to freeze the air with every word.]

If you don't take me to where my wife is....

[A loud boom of thunder, turbulent winds billowing past that makes his mane and tail fly more in a frenzy than with the elegance of a unicorn. And just as he's about to call forth a large bolt of lightning to strike down this stupid floating cube, someone who has awakened and is wondering what the fuck is going on grabs him and tries to stop him while another shouts out that there are words in the sky???

Only then does Eustace chance to look up, and when he sees it...

...

........

It's as if nothing happened.

The winds immediately cease, the bitter frost receding. The storm clouds remain and the ground is now cracked from the ice, but Eustace just glares at the die.

It's only after he seems to have calmed a bit that he learns from the others that are now wide awake that sometimes this happens—people role the die on their own, or sometimes they get grouped together and then later separated again. It's confusing, but his wife is safe!!!

If Eustace didn't at least recognize that these people were from Reverein, he would have been less inclined to trust... But for now he will.

Doesn't stop him from kicking the damn die so hard it actually bounces around the invisible walls before stopping.

As he leaves to move to the next square, he ignores the collective sighs of relief behind him and kicks into a fast gallop. The sooner he can get through this stupid board, the better.]

[By some miraculous chain of events, Tifa eventually winds up traversing through the labyrinth of icy hallways that make up this mountain that towers over the rest of the dreamscape. She'd somehow split off from some others that she'd been climbing with, wanting to find those who need warming up and, by extension, hoping that she finds Eustace along the way. She does stop by several groups who try to keep warm, and she offers them the plums that she'd picked from the forest as well as her own dreamotion to help them before moving on to the next, and the next, and the next all while managing to keep herself from freezing over.

How far up she gets in her climb, she has no idea—it's hard to tell when there's nothing but mountain walls all around her... and... strangely enough, mirrors made of ice.

They seemed fairly normal at first, most of them reflecting her own image back at her. But the further she goes, the more the images in them begin to shift. She tries to avoid looking into them because she knows all too well what mirrors in this world are capable of, but...

...

When she sees the spark of fire within the ice beside her, curiosity gets the better of her. Turning to look, what she sees is not just herself anymore, but... herself standing in the center of flames that rise up and up and up, spreading all around her, stretching all the way around into the other fragments of mirrors and ice that are nearby.

She sees familiar wooden buildings being burned, and something sharp burns the inside of her nose, a memory so violently triggered that she swears she can sense that horrible smell of mako. And then, a figure walking away from her. White hair, black ears, a cloak that could wrap thrice around her.]

... Eustace?

[She steps forward towards the glass, her head tilting as she presses a hand to it, and she watches...

...

Watches as he leaves her in the fires to burn.]

[As much as he wanted to meet up with Tifa, he ends up going through the board on his own while meeting a few people he recognized along the way and picking up a few things. He at least managed to calm somewhat, but now that he was at the mountain with Tifa still not in his sight, his worries return and he hastens his ascent.

It was...troublesome to say the least with that stupid goat, but he finally manages to get through to the where the mirrors are. Cautiously he steps through at first, eying the mirrors warily before he picks up the pace. If Tifa wasn't down in the lower floors, then perhaps she's near where the Snow Queen remained... Or could she have already waken up? She hadn't been hurt had she?

These worries ironically help distract him as he remains focused in trying to move forward, now no longer seeing the mirrors at all. He does encounter a few along the way, and in that time realizes the true dangers of them—and in some ways, reminded of one of the first few times he met Tifa back in Camelot. When she was standing in front of a mirror, lost in whatever reflection was on it.

...Just like—]

Tifa!

[His voice echoes through the empty stretch he's managed to wander through, seeing her form standing in front of that mirror and pressing her hand against it. His heart races faster than his hooves as he gallops over the icy ground, hoping she'll hear him.]

Get away from the mirror!

[She hears him, her chin lifting only just slightly in the most subtle of acknowledgements of his voice, but she doesn't turn to face him. Doesn't run to meet him like he might be expecting her to. Like she would have wanted to, if she weren't so caught up in the image that she sees. And it isn't just him anymore in the icy glass, but others, too.

Cloud. Barret. Aerith. Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge. Her mom and dad. Zangan.

All of them, walking away from her. Not a word. Not even a goodbye.

... And something of a sad smile crosses over her face, the softest laugh echoing in the space between them. Ice has begun to creep around her fingers where she touches the mirror, slowly enveloping her hand.]

No...

[Seeing that ice, he swears under his breath before he kicks up the pace, the floor cracking beneath his hooves as he now thunders over the floor, lightning crackling around him. If he were human, he could at least grab her first, pull her out of the way. But he only has one option left to him—

Break down the mirror.

And perhaps this form will finally prove useful as he charges right into the mirror, rearing to slam his front hooves first against it, and then smashing his head, horn first, to try and pierce through it as lightning erupts through the cracks.]

[And while destroying one mirror might work...

There's a whole room of them that reflects the very same thing that Tifa saw in the one and, no matter where she looks, she can see the images in the ice, every reflective surface that she can find. The flames, the backs of those she loves, and... the feelings that sink into her heart when she does.

A feeling of... strange quiet. Calmness. Like this is how things should be.]

Eustace, it's okay...

[She finds another cut of ice nearby, and while she doesn't touch it, she stares deep into it.]

You should keep going.

Like hell I will.

[It's clear she's still caught in whatever the ice is reflecting and with another powerful kick he destroys the one she's lost in before he whirls around to face her directly, using his larger body to block her view.]

Tifa, look at me!

[She doesn't.

Even when he fills her vision, blocking out the mirrors that stand in front of her, she doesn't bring her eyes to him. Not completely, anyway. Because when her gaze meets his, there's a strange hollowness to them, that usual spark in her eyes all but faded, filled with visions of the flames that engulfed her home instead.

But then she's staring elsewhere, to a place past him, and she sighs.]

You know, I saw something interesting... in the ice...?

I don't care. Whatever you saw was a lie.

[She shakes her head slowly. Calmly.]

It wasn't, though.

[She turns on her heel to face away from him, her eyes desperately searching for another mirror to gaze into.]

Everyone always leaves eventually, don't they? My mom, dad, Jessie, even you...

Is that what—

[Anger once more surging forth, he leaps in front of her.]

So what are you trying to do then?

[The faint sound of ice crackling can be heard from somewhere nearby... or everywhere. It's hard to tell with the way it echoes softly throughout and off the cavern's walls, and if Tifa were not already an icy blue colour, she would certainly be turning blue now with how cold she's starting to feel.

But even in spite of that, she doesn't shiver, as if the mere thought of what's in those mirrors is the thing that keeps her warm.]

Huh? [She sounds genuinely confused by his question.] I'm trying to tell you that it's okay.

[It's okay to leave. It's okay for her to be alone...]

I deserve it anyway...

Bullshit.

[If he could grab her and shake her, he would. If he could grab her and hold her he would. Hold her and kiss her and remind her of why she is stupidly wrong.

But he can't, and that frustrates him further.

Does he need to break more mirrors? Is the magic held within them or is it now just all her? Both?

In the end he ends up kicking and breaking the mirror closest to them anyway, his anger and frustration reaching a peak as thunder echoes around them, the sound bouncing off the walls.]

Why the hell would you deserve? You of all people! If that's the case then what of me? You saying I should be alone without you??

[She hardly flinches when he kicks and shatters the mirror, or when the thunder roars through the halls. Maybe it's because she can't—her muscles are too cold, and her bones are starting to freeze, and she remains almost perfectly still as she stares up, following the sounds as the ice crackles below at her feet.

And she gives a shake of her head.]

No, you have everyone else. Lyria, the dogs...

[All of which have left her. For the best...

Tifa lowers her gaze to him, but doesn't quite look into his eyes. Once again, it's at a point beyond him, into the faraway ice. Despite her smile, her eyes are blank, dark, the light within them frozen over and extinguished.]

You could probably find someone else, too, couldn't you? Someone better.

[He can't tell.

He can't tell from her already blueish color and the dark blue tint of the ice that she's physically changing, all he knows is she's stuck in some stupid delusion and spitting out nonsense. If he could seal her mouth with his own he would, but again—unicorn.]

Is that it then? Then you'd be fine if I did this?

[There's a jagged piece of ice nearby, and he walks right to it.

And scrapes his shoulder against it, deep enough to draw blood yet he does not flinch even as it drips onto the floor as he stares at her.]

Everything we've been through, all the time we spent together.

[He cuts himself again.]

Our life back home, our vows, our marriage.

[Another hard kick against the ice, not moving away as the shards score into his skin this time.]

If you think I want someone else—

[Whether or not this makes her move, he continues to shatter the mirrors. There are only two left at this point, a bloody trail mixing into the ice.]

[Expression unchanged, there's not a single ounce of worry that would be there as she watches the deep red blood stain his body. No worry that should be there. No signs of her begging him to stop even if, somewhere so deep beyond what the ice has done to her, there is a part of her that wars with herself, tries to reconcile with her feet remaining right where they are.

Not because of the ice that's begun to trap them or because of the way the chill has seeped all the way into her bones that moving feels nearly impossible, but because she doesn't make any effort to move to him. Run to him like she would any other time.

There's a flash of some recognition in her eyes as she watches the ice cut into him a second time, before it's gone, but what remains behind are tears lining the edges of her eyes.]

Yeah.

[Her voice is as convincing as ever, as if she really, truly, undoubtedly believes in what she's saying.]

I do. It's better that I just be alone... Not be a burden to anyone anymore. So, I'll stay here.

[That ice around her toes suddenly spreads quicker, a chunk of it growing up around her legs now.]

It's fine. Just keep going.

Edited 2023-12-27 23:21 (UTC)

[Another rough kick to shatter one more mirror before he rounds on her, the blood now splattering against her face hot and warm. If it's unicorn blood, is there something else to it? Could there be some kind of magical property to help heal or purify? He doesn't know nor does he care.]

Then why are you crying?

[His voice is colder than the ice before he shoves his face right against hers.]

What if I don't care if you are? What if I want to carry your burdens like you carry mine?

[She's cold, too cold, and he presses more against her.]

Telling me to leave... Aren't you the one trying to leave me?

[He then slams a hoof against the ice trying to root her to the floor.]

Ridiculous. You are my wife. You're not leaving me and I won't leave you.

[She finally flinches then at the feel of hot blood against her cold face, the stark contrast enough to pull her free enough to do so. It's fleeting, and as if to try to combat her sudden snap of awareness, the ice only spreads further, crackling up over her thighs and to her hips like it means to fully encase her before he can manage.]

No...

[She shakes her head vigorously against his, her body conflicting against both sides of itself to give into the cold and to not, the bite starting to burn her skin until she can't even shiver anymore. Fighting to lean into the warmth he has to offer her and to push it away.]

I said it was okay...

[Is it? Is it really, as those tears streak over her cheeks now and as her chest heaves with a stifled sob?

There's a pause and she looks up at him to meet his gaze, her eyes shining over with tears.]

Please, just...

[And her forehead presses to his firmly and desperately, shoulders shaking from the cold.]

Edited 2023-12-28 02:38 (UTC)

[Seeing her like this, his heart hurts, especially because he can't hug her or kiss her or do what he normally could to bring her back. To remind her where she belonged and that he would never leave her. Where words failed him, actions always prevailed—yet how was he supposed to do that like this?

The only thing he can do for now is sigh and press his head against hers, nuzzling her to try to brush away those tears and spread his warmth. And as his blood drips onto the ice, the heat from it will rise and spread, as if carrying not only the heat of his anger, but that passion of his love for her as well.]

It's not. It's not okay for me. And I will never leave you. Ever.

[Those words bleed into her, knocking their way through the cold like a hammer and shattering the ice that would try to keep them from each other. Her head is still clouded with visions of their backs, their silhouettes as they left her in the dark, alone, but it's his voice that makes her want to try to stay grounded. His warmth that makes her want to reach out and try to stop them...]

But...

[Still, it persists, whatever has found its way into her.

But as the ice melts away from her knees, she can feel them buckle against her, and she collapses into him, shivering so violently that she can't keep herself up.]

It's cold...

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