songerein | [open] 🔶 more nightmares? that's just life

Entry tags:

[open] 🔶 more nightmares? that's just life

Who: Ferran, his dreamscape & you!
Which: interactive dream
What: Ferran dreams of his last moments before arriving in Reverein.
Warnings: blood, unhealthy relationships?? (I'll match format!)

A penthouse balcony looks over a lit city late at night, the roar of the freezing wind almost drowning out the distant sound of traffic. But any observers would only have a brief moment to appreciate it before the sudden appearance of two figures in a flash of glittering light: a dark man in a cape, and a teenager in a torn costume with apparent shackles, bleeding heavily from injuries to his shoulder and side. The former, already holding the latter in a tight grip, places a clawed gauntlet over one of the wounds where a faint light begins to glow.

After a few moments, the young man's expression seems to relax from his grimacing, orange eyes staring dully at the night sky as the bleeding slows and eventually stops.

"Why," the man hisses at his ward, his expression tight and brow furrowed deeply behind his eye mask as he continues his healing. Ferran lets out a weak chuckle, apparently unmoved by the sharp tone and look.

"It's funny," he responds with hardly more than a whisper. "I should hate you. I even fantasized about... taking you with me, once."

There's a faint smile on his face, despite the lingering pain and the gravity of his words. The dark markings on his jaw spread further out onto his face, as if to mirror some underlying fracture as he speaks.

"I can't anymore. The thought of you being hurt... I can't stand it..."

He turns his gaze to Onyx, whose expression has changed in an almost unreadible way—but behind the intensity of the clear displeasure, there's shock in the slight widening of his golden eyes.

"I guess you're upset, though. Sorr—"

With a loud crack, Ferran suddenly slumps in his guardian's arms with his eyes open, and his fantastical costume disappears, returning him to his normal appearance in a pair of bloodstained pajamas anyone who met him when he first came to Reverein might recognize.

Still carrying the young man, Onyx gets to his feet, apparently unbothered by any dreamwalkers who may have appeared nearby. When his glowing gaze turns to them, it's barely an acknowledgement.

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[Well, this sure explains a lot.

Granted, Hans still doesn't entirely understand what's going on, but given how Ferran reacted to his own death and subsequent lack of care towards Hans' misdeeds, it's been clear that something is going on with him. And now, he finds this older man that Ferran hated and wanted to kill at some point, but now, doesn't even want to hurt him. Quite a big change, if you ask him.

It's almost impressive. Hans takes a step forward, although he doesn't draw any weapon just yet. Seems like a bad idea anyway.]

What happened here? [Hans decides to take a worried tone, even though this is technically Ferran's dream and knows what he's really like.]

[Hans's relatively calm tone sets the mood for their interaction, and rather than respond in an aggravated way to the apparent intruder, Onyx simply answers with a low voice that's nonetheless unhappy:]

He decided to throw himself between me and one of his friends... as though that would be worthwhile.

[The man walks towards the glass door to the apartment's living area, his armored boots clacking with every purposeful step. Ferran remains unmoving in his guardian's arms.]

All it's done is degrade his spirit further.

Edited (i forgot what i was doing.) 2022-01-05 05:52 (UTC)

[...Protecting this apparent murderer from his own friends. Truly, what is Ferran's motivation for doing such a thing? He wonders if this man would know and even if he did, this is still technically a dream. Everything he sees he probably has to take with some speculation.

Nonetheless, he follows the other man, feeling somewhat confident that he won't be attacked at this point.]

When you're speaking about that, I imagine you aren't talking in just a metamorphic sense. [It's just a guess, but he did see something--] Those cracks on his face...

[It's true that despite the clear fact that Hans should not be in Onyx's home, this dream manifestation of the man has no apparent desire to remove him. Instead, he confirms the prince's suspicions:]

A physical symptom of the corruption... and a clear sign he's getting worse more quickly than I anticipated.

[After all, Onyx wouldn't have put so much time and effort into making a weapon that would break immediately. He would have planned for Ferran to last until the task was done, surely.]

[A physical symptom of corruption. In other words, something magic related, because when has it not been magic related? He's grown used to it by now at least.]

And since you're familiar with his degradation, I'm assuming you're the man responsible for his corruption. Afflicted some magic on him. [He seems less than impressed, but Hans doesn't pretend to be overly upset. He's trying to get information, for one, and this guy is important to Ferran despite being terrible in some manner.

Well, if he truly caused Ferran's current state, then that speaks for itself.]

In order to make him more powerful. Such things come with risks, of course...

[This, however, is apparently further than what the man had found acceptable before. He lays Ferran on the dark couch, where he stares at the ceiling without blinking.]

But he is no use to me broken.

Edited 2022-01-07 01:36 (UTC)

Such as corrupting him and nearly killing him.

[Hans takes a few steps closer to Ferran, just watching how his eyes are staring up at the ceiling with no movement whatsoever. He's not even blinking. It's unnerving in its own right. The prince finds himself frowning as a result.]

I'm assuming he's catatonic now with how the corruption has spread through his body. Is there a way to reverse these effects or is Ferran stuck like this?

[Not that Ferran is actually like this, since this is a nightmare, but best to treat everything like it's real. And hey, if Hans actually sounds a little upset, it's uh- because this entire situation is annoying. Right.]

[Onyx has no reaction to the initial statement; it is, after all, true. Corrupting the boy was never a problem, to him... and killing him was the initial plan that he'd simply decided against. He knows what he's done, and apparently feels nothing about the concept.

He simply keeps his eyes on Ferran, lifting the necklace off of the young man's chest to examine the fractures in the red gem. Airily, he replies:]

If I was capable of reversing them, don't you think I would have done so before it came this far? [He lets out a thoughtful hum as he gently pulls the necklace past Ferran's head so he can take it away entirely. Ferran's hand twitches briefly as it leaves his person.] He's not yet useless... he'll simply require more rest. But I will have to keep a closer eye on the progression.

[His lack of reaction doesn't bother him. It's not like Hans can judge anyone for using someone and discarding them later. It's what he did to Anna, and she only survived because he was about two seconds too slow. ...And something else, probably, but he's not here to think about his past crimes. He's here to learn more about Ferran for..... possible use later, maybe. Yeah.]

Since you can't reverse this, he's just going to continue to worsen until he dies. No counter magic or anything.

[That's pretty bleak, worse than the whole frozen heart business that Elsa accidentally cursed Anna with. Course, it's possible that Ferran himself just doesn't know how to fix this. Would a solution actually come up in this dream world?]

How does the corruption spread through his body? [Guess Hans is just going to ask as many questions as he can until this guardian or whomever gets tired of it.]

[Concerned about the future, is he? Rather than offer any condolences for what he's implying as Ferran's inevitable death, he replies:]

I'll bring this all to an end soon enough.

[The specifics of Onyx's plan are still unknown to Ferran, but the shape of his goal is clear enough: he wants destruction, and not on a small scale. Still, there's no apparent reason to keep further information from the prince. What is Hans going to do about it, after all?

He closes Ferran's eyes, at least bothering to do so with the hand less covered in his blood.]

The overuse of his magic, or further mental or physical stress will allow it to deepen. All the better if he remains unaware like this until needed. He does tend to dwell.

[....That's not really a reassuring comment, but Hans figures that it's not supposed to be. The most likely outcome really seems to involve Ferran's death in some manner, or this guy's probably evil plans succeeding in the end. Look, someone that willingly curses another like this isn't good, just because he's a terrible person doesn't mean he can't call out others still.

He notices the slight care this guardian is showing Ferran, and it's probably genuine in some manner, but it's probably far too little for whatever transgressions he's done in the past. Ferran is just weird that he forgives terrible people too easily, Hans should know.]

...Because he's useless if completely broken, as you've said. [...] Yet you care about him in some manner, just as he does for you.

[Guess he'll just go straight into this bit.]

[There's a brief sharpness in Onyx's gaze, slit pupils narrowing—but it turns into an even sharper grin, his brow furrowed under his mask.]

Are you under the same delusions as the boy, then?

[The idea that anything Rion would feel for him was genuine seems like nothing more than that—a delusion. And yet Ferran can't help but cling to it, even though he knows the man would never express anything so genuine. However strong his desire to make it into reality, the likely truth of the matter comes through with the dream's portrayal of his guardian.]

Perhaps I've done too good a job of acting, that either of you would believe such a thing. I'd think after admitting to the murder of his family that all of that would have been rendered moot.

[In case Hans was under the impression that Ferran's feelings were anything resembling reasonable...]

[He honestly can't figure out if he's lying or not about that. There's of course, the rather unnecessary show of care, like closing Ferran's eyes with his clean hand, but it's definitely possible that it's just wishful thinking on the young man's part. Nonetheless, Hans' expression doesn't seem to change, taking Onyx's sharp words without flinching as he considers him.]

I'm sure that everything you felt towards him was entirely false, with not a speck of genuine emotion.

[Hans may be be slightly mocking, like he doesn't believe Onyx in that. Or maybe he's just thinking about a certain younger princess that he betrayed--]

Ferran's feelings are nearly impossible to change. [....] As misplaced as they may be.

[Whether Hans believes that sentiment or not, Onyx's sneer doesn't change, either. It's only once the topic returns to Ferran again that his humor seems to disappear, leaving a disdain that's closer to a neutral expression.]

On that, you're likely right. A shame it will end him more painfully than I'd planned.

[.......]

Will it actually be more painful for him? [Hans folds his arms behind his back, tilting his head slightly as he considers this for a moment. Maybe Ferran has already considered that this man actually does not care for him at all. It would make sense why he's speaking like this.

Hans smiles a little, despite everything.]

Does the thought bother you?

Edited 2022-01-14 17:36 (UTC)

[The man shakes his head dismissively, in a way that makes it seem like he's resisting the urge to roll his eyes. As if he would be bothered.]

Quite painful—I only regret I didn't foresee it. But then... nothing in this horrid world is perfect, no matter how long I've planned.

[And how long must Rion have been at this? Ferran may never know, he thinks.]

I simply have no interest in inflicting unnecessary suffering... even if some level of it has been required. It's a waste.

[Sometimes you have to break something to make it into a weapon. One would prefer to keep the remaining pieces whole, however.]

No plan is without its flaws, even when you're on the verge of succeeding.

[Look he knows from experience. You get so close to winning, to having your ambitions fully realized, and then something happens at the very last second and everything comes crashing down. When he fully wakes up from this dream world, he half expects himself to be in chains or maybe even executed. Who knows.]

It's disappointing when it happens.

Disappointing, hm.

[Onyx rises to his full height, looking down at Hans with a gaze that seems far more pointed than before. The idea of this man accepting any attempt to relate... Ferran can't imagine it. It can only go poorly.]

Though perhaps you prefer disappointment over guilt, your highness?

Edited (so many PRONOUNS and NOUNS why can't we just use names every time damn it english) 2022-01-23 08:01 (UTC)

[He watches Onyx as the man stands, carefully keeping his expression neutral despite the focused stare that's being directed straight at him. Is this what Ferran thinks of him? Maybe he should clear things up.]

Now, why would I want that? I would be in a far better position back home if my plan succeeded, instead of wondering what sort of punishment is awaiting me.

[Hans is rather certain that he could deal with whatever guilt he'd have if he succeeded in killing both Anna and Elsa. Just two sacrifices for his bid for power, it's not much really. Then he would finally be a king, something none of his brothers could claim-- not until their father died at least.]

[Onyx simply lifts a brow under his mask at the notion of the prince facing punishment for his failure.]

If you can't even handle a death dealt in self defense without that doubt, you would have hardly been prepared for the consequences of any greater schemes, either way.

[git gud, says zekarion.]

Why don't you tell me about this plan of yours. Surely you invested some effort in it.

[Wow he's never been so insulted in his life.

A frown begins to spread across his face, becoming less pleased as the conversation shifts to his failed bid for power. Also, the assumption that he wouldn't be able to handle the consequences of murder. He folds his arms across his chest, his answer curt and tense.]

I won't bore you with all the details, but I was going to become king by ridding it of its two heirs. Two sisters who were isolated from the world for years... it was a good opportunity to take advantage of.

[Anna being especially easily to manipulate. Spending all those years alone in her castle, she believed in everything he said.]

A classic bid for power... [The man scoffs dismissively, waving the idea off as if it's distasteful to him.] Pointless. What even brought you to seek such a thing? What did you lack that made you feel you could kill to fill the hole it left in you?

[Onyx apparently has no belief that Hans's plot was for the sake of becoming a decent king. He's clearly not the type to believe in the good in people.]

Or did your upbringing simply instill you with the false idea that you deserve special treatment due to the blood you happened to be born with?

[Onyx definitely a hit nerve there, as Hans's mood darkens further, but the anger doesn't manifest itself in a violent manner. Instead, his voice just drops, no longer bothering to keep up any sort of courteous façade. Time to change plans and direct the questioning back to him.]

What's left you so desperate that you took advantage of an orphan-- something that you're responsible for, before corrupting his spirit and leading him to an inevitable and painful death?

[As opposed to Hans's aggravated reaction, Onyx merely laughs. Before the sound stops, he steps closer, suddenly clasping his bloody hand on the prince's shoulder before he leans in, yellow eyes gleaming.]

Ah, your highness. [His eyes narrow, cruel and sharp like the clawed fingers of his gauntlet.] You will never know.

Edited (that was the incorrect html tag) 2022-02-04 00:21 (UTC)

[While a part of him wants to just brush off that hand, Hans doesn't move from his spot, just eyeing the other man with no small amount of contempt. So, is he being all secretive still, or just Ferran himself not knowing anything at all.

Hm. He might have to prod him later, when he's awake.]

It matters little in the end. [It's not like he can do anything about it, assuming if he even wanted to.] I'm not from your world.

Edited 2022-02-04 18:17 (UTC)

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noblegarnet - 2022-02-04 20:26 (UTC) - Expand

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