{ lindwormeo and juliet }

[dreamposts]

LINDWORMEO & JULIET

It is the third dreamshift, and when everyone rouses and becomes aware of their situation, they find themselves dressed in Verona, a gothic city where night reigns everlasting and violence lurks around every corner. Not because of crime, but because of the two main families, the Montagues and the Capulets, everlasting feud. Fights break out almost every other minute and peace is hard sought after. However, peace is perhaps on the table, for the Capulets are hosting a grand masquerade in a gesture of truce. But it's difficult when one of Montague's sons is cursed as a Lindworm, one of the key reasons why there is a feud to begin with.

"But that's not really all that important," a voice echoes around them. It's a voice different from the tapirs that they've grown accustomed to, and after another moment it chimes in again. "Up here my fair little dreamwalkers."

And lo, high above in the permanent night sky is a moon so full and bright that it almost feels as if it could swallow them whole. After learning about the Story Eater's actions against Songerein's moon, the appearance of a face would certainly alarm many. But then the face seems to recede before it changes into a full person holding a quill and manuscript.

"Greetings! I am William Shakespeare and you are now within my own dream, a dreamscape I believe you call it. My works can be found in many places and in many worlds. Yet that accursed Story Eater has been devouring my masterpieces! I must now pen them all over again, but one of its minions is invading my mind and altering everything and I refuse to become a brainless puppet like Marlowe. I have isolated it within this place of my own design based off of Romeo and Juliet. However it seems after my reading of the Lindworm King, my visions have been affected a bit, but no matter. A playwright must find inspiration where he can!

But it is now up to you to see this play through completion. Doing so will help those outside draw out the fiend through the accumulated dreamotion energy, and if you could give it a few stabs that will help as well. Not all of you need to partake in my play, and I have already chosen my leading actors and actresses. You should find a brief copy of the script on your person, but you may act however you wish. However, I should warn you—this is a tragedy, so deaths are expected. But fear not, you will leave this dreamscape perhaps a bit tired, but unharmed. It's all a dream after all.

Now that should cover it. I look forward to seeing how everyone's tragic romances will play out. It may give me material for my next masterpiece!"

And just as suddenly as he had appeared, Shakespeare disappears from the moon, leaving it to loom brightly over the otherwise dark city.

I. GENERAL PROMPTS

Reminder that those cast as Romeo and Juliet can participate in most of these prompts, but the timing would be set early on before they move onto their designated scenes.

A. Family Feud. Everyone in Verona is randomly split in allegiance between the Montagues and the Capulets, and whenever they meet there is some kind of tension. It could be violent, hostile, passive, petty, or even attraction. Surely Romeo and Juliet aren't the only ones who can love across the aisle. If not pit against each other to fight or exchange snide comments, opposing parties can also work together to deal with Erasers posing as creepy looking family members/soldiers/knights/etc.

» BONUS: TO ARMS. A city-wide family feud makes for good business if you’re in the weapons-and-armor trade. Gather materials to help smithies in creating armor and weapons.

B. Masquerade. Almost as if it's the opening act, everyone, both Montagues and Capulets are to attend a masquerade held within the Capulet's ballroom. It's a momentary "truce," and though tension between the families is still rampant, everyone is welcome to wear the finest clothing they can imagine and to partake in the festivities. The masquerade itself is in the ballroom, but there are also gardens and large terraces that guests can go to if they want some fresh air.

» BONUS: PREPARATIONS. Any good party requires a lot of preparation, and all of Verona is abuzz with activity leading up to the big night. Tailors need help getting fabric, jewels, and other baubles to create the finest dresses. Caterers need quality ingredients for the food that will be prepared and served. Someone needs to step up and be the band for the night. There are plenty of ways in which Dreamwalkers can help make the masquerade a success!

C. EXTRA SCENES. There are a few specific "scenes" featuring key characters from the original play. Whether taken voluntarily or "beckoned" by Shakespeare, those who participate will have a little "essence" of the original character. No full personality change, but they might feel certain impulses or find it easier to slip into the role. Note: anyone can fill in the roles of "Romeo" and "Juliet" for the Paris scenes; it is not exclusive to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet.

1. PARIS V. JULIET. Paris meets and dances with Juliet, taking a fancy with her. With his arrogance believing he can win over the Capulet princess, throughout the night he attempts to woo Juliet, either in the ballroom or the gardens just outside. Juliet must not be swayed! (Or maybe a little swayed, but try not go totally off-book here). Juliet can shut down Paris however they want. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade", but before the Balcony scene.)
   
   
2. PARIS V. ROMEO. Paris bullies his younger brother about the Lindworm curse on a near-constant basis. And to add insult to injury, after meeting Juliet he’s decided that he wants Juliet for himself. Obviously, Romeo is not about to let his stupid mean brother steal the love of his life! They’re going to have to fight this one out, either with words or via fisticuffs. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade" but before the "Balcony" scene.)
   
   
3. BENVOLIO'S ATTEMPTS. Benvolio is trying to find a cure for Romeo's curse, and after some research in the library he finds something! Good cousin that he is, he puts the theory to the test immediately. Unfortunately, his attempt backfires and he gets turned into a lindworm (fully or partially) instead. The poor guy is now out of sorts, and he needs protection so that someone doesn't mistake him for some monster and kill him. At least the transformation is only temporary.
   
   
4. TYBALT V. MERCUTIO. The infamous duel. Considering how much their families hate each other, the inciting incident can be just about anything. The original story has Tybalt goading Mercutio into a duel by calling Romeo a villain, Tybalt killing Mercutio, and Romeo killing Tybalt. But no one’s enforcing the particulars very closely here, so players are free to proceed with the fight any way they please. (If this fight does end in one or more deaths, please refer to the event details on how death works within the dreamscape.)

D. Love is a Battlefield. As if there wasn’t enough drama to deal with, a large, winged noctaere can be found throughout the dreamscape firing arrows at the residents, turning them into Erasers. It can summon smaller winged noctaere to fight for it, and if a dreamwalker gets hit by the arrows, they will slowly turn into a lindworm that is full of hate. It's difficult to combat the boss itself, but it can be weakened by defeating its minions and those hit by its arrows. Love of any form will be a powerful counter that will hit the boss as well.

» BONUS: ROSE COLLECTION. In the forests are white and red roses that are hidden under logs and stones. They will sparkle a bit to make them look different than other flowers. They must be collected before the Erasers can get to them. A white rose fed to a lindworm will return them back to normal. Eating a red rose will allow characters to turn into a pink, heart covered lindworm for ten minutes to fly up and try to combat against the winged noctaere or the Erasers.

II. ROMEO AND JULIET'S OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are locked to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet. Please refer to the notes for all the stipulations and effects characters will experience as the tragic couple. Final reminder that the characters will be aware of the tragic ending as well as reassurance that they will awaken unharmed at the end of their final scene.

Click for objectives.

A. Love at First Sight. Time to get your party-crashing pants on, Romeo, because there is a masquerade that you are not invited to but are attending anyway. Who doesn’t love a good party? If you wear a mask, no one will know it’s you! Here Romeo and Juliet have the opportunity to meet and flirt and make goo-goo eyes at each other. And if they really want to get into the spirit of things, they can go into a laborious metaphor about how holding hands is super hot but kissing is way hotter. (Yes, really.) At this point Romeo's curse is only a partial transformation, something along the lines of scales down one side of his body.

B. Balcony Scene. The time for light flirting is over–this is where Romeo and Juliet get to declare their undying love for each other. Romeo really needs to work it as his brother, Paris, has also made moves on Juliet. There’s some strangeness in the dreamscape at this point that seems to have mistaken Shakespeare for musical theater, so the loving couple must sing their love for one another. With that spirit in mind, the moment should be suitably big and dramatic! Immediately after this scene is when Romeo and Juliet get married, so there’s no reason not to put it all out there. Shakespeare will lend a "helping hand" in giving them knowledge of the lyrics to sing, though they are free to create their own song and freestyle it. (Players can use existing songs or make it up as they go.)

C. Elope. Being the very mature and intelligent lovers that they are, Romeo and Juliet decide to get married after knowing each other for a whole day. Time to get to the chapel, meet with the Friar, and exchange vows. Shakespear will lend a helping hand by providing wedding attire fitting for those who are cast in their role. That's right, every Juliet will have their own special bridal dress, isn't he so considerate? And then it’s time to do whatever it is that newlyweds do, if that's what they are into. Otherwise, Romeo and Juliet will need to return home to prepare for their future.

D. Runaways. Juliet learns that she is being forced to marry Romeo's brother, Paris, which is a problem because she’s already married and also she doesn’t like that other guy anyway. In a major divergence from the source material, Romeo and Juliet decide to make a run for it instead of that whole poisoning-yourself business. It’s just a better idea all around. The goal is to get out of town undetected, which means that this is a stealth mission. Romeo and Juliet must follow a path and avoid getting caught. Whatever it takes to get past the guards and would-be snitches that would turn you in!

E. Find the Cure. Even after making it out so far, fate is against them. At this point Romeo's curse is advancing, so they need to look for the cure. Just outside of town they encounter a very trustworthy set of three witches who provide a list of items for them to retrieve and mix into a potion: rainbow mushroom, feather of a dove, three snails, and lavender. No one said this was going to taste good. However, while it will work temporarily, only Juliet is told that the final ingredient must be the blood of his lover. It's a cryptic message, however they do not specify how the blood is taken. Do they mean just a few drops? Or her life?

F. Tragic Ending. Upon learning of the young couple's running away, the Capulets have declared war with knights out hunting to kill Romeo and bring back Juliet. They are soon found and no matter what they do, death will await them. But how? Players can direct this however they want. Did the soldiers catch them? Did they decide that the whole double-suicide poison thing was a good idea after all? Does one tragically sacrifice themself to save the other? Does Romeo go full Lindworm and eat Juliet? The possibilities are endless. At this point Romeo is capable of turning into a full lindworm if he's taken the cure without Juliet's blood. If he drinks the cure with Juliet's blood, then he will revert to a normal human (teenager) with no extra powers.

[Mod Note: Details on this event can be found here and we request all thread submissions to be made here.]

Comments

[spryite]

[It started out like a bad joke. Being forced into a play? Tragic romance (with death)? Jude would've been tempted to ignore it entirely, were it not for the mention of the Story Eater, an ever-imminent threat that's made its way to Songerein. His own logic-rooted bias probably didn't help with digesting this nonsense, and while he's experienced the Christmas dreamshift like everyone else, this is the first one where he was not just assigned but locked into a very specific role. Romeo? Who?

He read the script, of course. Reading's about the thing he can do best at this point, and how supposedly acting all this out to generate enough dreamotion energy to counter the Story Eater's minion is... well, motivating enough. He has no idea why he was chosen for this, Jude is NOT a good actor, but it is what it is, so there wasn't much he could do but try what he can. He just lowkey dreaded running into Leia, no doubt she'd make fun of him looking way too cool than he actually is and laugh her ass off at his pitiful acting. Jude? A male lead to some romantic play? He can only thank his stars that Rowen and Alvin weren't around to make it worse.

And then, it turned out that she was cast as Juliet, the female lead of this play, whom he's supposed to get romantically involved with. With his childhood friend his feelings are wholly platonic and familial towards, a friend who told him herself a few months ago that she's got a boyfriend in Songerein now. It went from a bad joke to a distasteful one real fast, made all the worse when he became painfully aware that he himself is no longer always in control of his own feelings over the matter. Love had never been something he's had to deeply think about, he simply accepted it as part of the myriad of complex feelings that kept pulling him towards Milla when it first occurred to him just how central to his life she's become. Maybe it's just as well that the Lord of Spirits naturally didn't perceive human emotions in any human capacity, though it no doubt amused her to be in the company of a boy who behaved like an eager puppy around her. She did openly confess to humans being her favorite animals, but after everything they've been through together, maybe the details simply didn't matter. There was nothing traditional or "normal" about their feelings and relationship, and that in turn may have very well warped Jude's perception on "love" altogether. For bits and pieces of it to be taken apart and applied to Leia in order to fulfill this role, and to witness her struggling with the same up close... He can't pretend to not see it, not anymore. He still wants her to be happy, though. Would do anything he can to support her. Maybe that's why he's been uncharacteristically slow to process what was happening when she leaned in closer, caught in a daze himself as he was just as guilty of bridging a distance neither of them should have any business doing under any other circumstance. His own pragmatism gets him to pause, once the question of "if this really what we Leia want, and not what this play wants" crosses his mind. Then Leia hit her head from pulling back too hard, and it's all he could do to tell her to not worry or dwell on this. Neither of them were quite themselves, and they have this plot of "doomed lovers" to worry about. He waffled on asking her if she was alright and trying to help, ultimately held back by remembering how she would normally berate him for his concern, and how difficult it's become to try focusing on dreamotion thanks to the growing pains of the Lindworm curse. He can't heal or fight properly like this, and if it keeps worsening...

...

How Milla may react to all this doesn't even cross his mind, he just... didn't want to see Leia so miserable and suffering over his sake, not again. That his practical nature allowed him to focus on certain feelings associated to "love" over others is certainly a boon; it's all he thinks about, what he can do to protect her, cheer her up, not drag her down. 'Love' in the heart of the interpreter, or something like that? This is almost poetic in a sense, if not steeped in the deepest irony; this COULD be a chance for him to look out for her, after everything she's done for him back home after a certain incident that tore the party apart, if only he didn't also have to deal with a senseless curse. Even Jude had to admit to himself that the idea may just be his own way to cheer himself up, with how crippling the Lindworm curse grew as it worsened with every "act". It hurt like nothing else he's ever been through, putting to practice every mental pain management trick he knew and thinking of how Milla persevered during her aspiryxis treatment were instrumental in holding on to his true sense of self. The gravity of their situation is nevertheless not lost to him; they may have a moment to themselves in this abandoned house now, him and Leia, but it won't be long before the soldiers catch up.

...And for once, despite his medical background and how hard he's worked to look into anti-Noctaere treatment, he finds himself not the least bit concerned about curing his own affliction. Would it stop the war? Would it take away everything that's rendered Leia so small and miserable next to him? Would it help him ensure her safety and happiness? He may be idealistic, but he's not delusional. They were told from the very beginning this will not have a happy ending, and he's realized from the start too that what combat capability he possessed had been significantly reduced. As long as he holds onto his sense of identity, letting the transformation take hold may just be his best fighting chance; these scales covering well over half his body are certainly tougher than human skin, a long and powerful tail would go quite a ways to sweep away several soldiers at once too, if need be.

...

He shakes his head. So much for being a pacifist... Or is this simply the length he's willing to go, planning ahead about what he could do to clear the way for Leia to escape if once they get caught? He's honestly not sure anymore, where "Jude Mathis" ends and where "Lindworm Romeo" begins. Just...

This silence won't do either of them any good. Time is running out.]

You can still try to run, or tell them I forced you to come with me. [He knows she wouldn't. She's Leia, no matter how much this play is messing with them both.] It doesn't have to be both of us, Leia.

[He doesn't look at her, eyes downcast over a scale-covered claw that should've been a closed fist. This body still feels somewhat surreal, but... the pain actually helps, he thinks, in helping him focus. What does he want? What does she want? What can either of them do? What does the play want?

...]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Inhaling deeply, she hugs herself tighter. She just needs a minute or two. Or three. She just needs a moment to breathe, to process everything. It's all a little overwhelming knowing how the story ends, and her optimism is at war with simply playing along and doing what must be done.

Just following the story feels like giving up.

And that's not who she is.

If there's even a sliver of chance that they don't have to die, she wants to try it. She wants to push herself to keep going. Who knows? Maybe this is all a test. However, whether it is or isn't, she knows that she doesn't want to quit.

Jude's words get her to look up, finally luring her out of her own head. She sounds tired. He's only trying to protect her, but she doesn't need it.]

Is that supposed to make me feel better? [the weariness in her voice is mixed with only mild annoyance as she gently admonishes him.] As if I'd leave you. Don't you know that by now?

[It's probably something like he had to try despite knowing she wouldn't listen, but it still doesn't help.

Her thoughts drift back to the vial she's got in her bag, and she speaks up again before giving him a chance to answer.]

Look, I've been thinking... we should really get you fixed up.

[He doesn't know about the blood, or that it's hers. She cut herself on her forearm, easy enough to conceal with the sleeves of her dress, and filled the small vial without him knowing anything at all.

It feels... wrong, having to lie to Jude. about giving him her blood. But, right now, it's the best thing she could do for him.

More importantly, she needs to do a better job of hiding her fears around Jude. The last thing he needs is distraction, especially when they both have to stay on their toes. He doesn't need to be worrying about her- not about her safety, her feelings, nothing at all. They don't have that luxury. She just wants to be someone he can count on, someone he needs... So she gathers the rest of her inner strength. She's done thinking. She will absolutely make sure Jude drinks this cure and survives.]

[spryite]

[He's really not himself, and Leia's reaction proves it. He knew from the very beginning what she was going to say, so why did he make that suggestion anyway?

...Ah, right. Is that what it's like, self-serving selfishness? Wanting her to be far away from this, unhappy perhaps, but safe. She has Marui, she'll recover from this artificial heartbreak. He knows she will, has absolute faith: Leia Rolando never lets anything keep her down, Jude would know better than anyone else.

But she's right in part, and he acknowledges that. Prying her away from his side is not going to make her happy, and he doesn't have the power or will to chase her away. She's always supported him and cheered him on for practically as long as he could remember, he never doubted her pure intentions no matter how many bruises she ended up leaving on him for one reason or another. They're adults now who have picked their own paths and gone off their separate ways, but this bond will never break, and their very presence in Songerein together may very well be a testament to its strength.]

...Yeah, I do. But I don't know what else to say, so we're stuck. [He manages with a quiet exhale, idly wondering if it was just him or if his voice was starting to sound different too from the curse's transformation. What a pain... In more ways than one, he wasn't even planning to make that pun, hah.]

And then what? It's not going to keep the soldiers off us, or stop the war already raging back in town. You want me fixed for the same reason I want you to run. [They'd both rather brave their odds and take the fall for themselves, if it means the other may have a chance to live. Jude finds himself incapable of grasping the same optimism and idealism as Leia, maybe things would be different if there was any modicum of sense involved in any of this. But there isn't; he can't think his way out of how they may be able to fight off an entire army of soldiers with their combat abilities reduced, or how to escape scrutiny with some shoddy escape attempt when they're so terribly outnumbered. It's not that he WANTS to give up, he just can't reason a way out of this with his own logic and pragmatism.

...

He really, really didn't mean to sound like a downer. Had he really not changed after all, from the petty and ungrateful brat who spurred her care before? The thought is demoralizing. He briefly shuts his eyes and rubs his forehead, except it's more like scratching on scales with curled claws.]

...Sorry. I promised you we'd talk things though. So set that aside for now. [He sees her handling something out of the corner of his eye, but doesn't have the will to ask.] Our chances are bad no matter what, but if you had to choose, what would you pick? Keep running, or fight?

[ragingscoopaholic]

[One thing at a time.

Right now, she's not sure what they can change, if anything at all. But the one thing they might have control over is his curse. She potentially has the cure... assuming she mixed all the ingredients correctly. For a price, she acquired them from one of the old women when Jude was preoccupied. Guess it pays being from a wealthy family sometimes. She had the money on her and handed it over without hesitation. It just needed a bit of her blood, which she added but up until now the blood seemed to really... stand out. It's not supposed to look the way it did and she's been wondering, along with feeling guilty, that she'd messed it up.

Absentmindedly, she takes the vial out of her bag as Jude is speaking and looks it over without drawing too much attention to what's in her hand. She doesn't bother to interrupt Jude because, at that moment, she notices that the vial no longer looks like blood, rather it looks like a potion, purple in colour now. It only makes her feel better for a second, as she's still very much aware of its contents, but this is something that can help Jude.

Possibly.

Hopefully.

But Jude's already ignored her words, it seems. How can he with all the pain he's in? The way he dismisses her is infuriating. It's taking everything she's got to stay positive, to try and see beyond the story they're forced to play. Her chest feels tight just thinking about it. This is the one thing she has control over, the one thing she has the potential to change. And she wants that chance, she wants to feel like she did something for him, even if their fate, in the end, is inevitable.

Slowly, she rises to her feet, her hand tightly clenching around the vial she's holding as if trying to draw strength from it, frustration seeping into her voice.]

Damnit, Jude! Just hear me out first. Before we do anything else... I think you should take this.

[She holds her hand out and opens it to reveal a small vial of purple liquid resting on her palm.]

It's the cure. I bought the ingredients, and I made it. If we're going to have any chance of beating the odds, you need to not be in pain. The only thing we know that can be fixed is your curse, and it makes sense to give it a try.

[It doesn't make any sense to her why he would turn it down. Her running away doesn't guarantee her safety, but this cure guarantees that he will return to normal. Their chances of success are going to be better.

Of course, she's not putting it past him that he's probably thinking the curse is beneficial to their survival or something stupid like that.]

[spryite]

[...He made her angry again.

That stings more cleanly than the physical pain he's forced himself into getting used to, and he does visibly flinch a bit at her outburst. He's truly no good at comforting her when push comes to shove, huh? He'd never make her happy, and it's not even a matter of trying. Yet for all the pain and grief he causes her, how he ungratefully wasted her kindness and care back during his lowest low, she still persists in offering it, again and again and again. He really hasn't gotten any better at NOT making her upset, huh? No wonder she always ended up beating his ass when they were kids. He's only had it coming, hasn't he?

...It's so easy to get lost in those dark train of thoughts, and it's all he can do to briefly shut his eyes and try letting go of it - by focusing on the pain instead, ironically. So much for growing as a person for the past couple years. Will he really use the physical pain as an excuse to look away from her?

...No, of course not. Looking at her is the very least that he can do, Leia with her green eyes brimming with a strength he can't even begin to fathom.]

But... this body is stronger, tougher. Thank you, I mean it. [Even if he'd normally be questioning the efficacy and medical merit of that vial just about now, were he his regular ordinary self.] But doing that now will just make things easier in the present, it wouldn't give us better chances about the future. We'd be easier to defeat and catch, and I don't want to risk that just so you can give me a break now.

[She may have called it, but can she really dispute it? Just because her opinion of the conclusion he's drawn is "stupid", doesn't make it wrong. She's been treating him the same way as she always had despite his monstrous appearance, so who honestly even cares, whether he looks human or not?]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Perhaps the pain has rendered him unable to think properly as well. Because he's missing one very valid possibility, and that alone worries her even more. It's not that she's angry at him- well, not totally, she's just frustrated and upset at this predicament and can't understand why he's not willing to listen to her.

Hearing him reject her offer, no, that stings. Please, just let me help you. She begs with those very same eyes he's looking into. The desperation and panic palpable between them. Yeah. His logic makes sense, but he clearly hasn't thought this through entirely. And that alone is troubling and only proves her point.

She steps forward, doing her best to fight back the tears, feeling the despair encroaching on them, trying to knock her down, but she manages to keep hold of herself.]

You have no idea what this curse is capable of doing to your mental state once the transformation is finished. What if it completely takes over and you start attacking me? Did you consider that?

[Her eyes search his, and she tentatively places a hand over his chest, pleading with him, feeling just how much of him is already gone physically. Can she even win in an argument against him without the threat of innocent bruises and sparring bouts, like when they were kids? It makes her feel so weak, so small. His eyes... right now there's still Jude in them, but how much longer will that be the case? Truthfully, she's less worried about herself and more worried about him losing his humanity and doing something he might regret. Once he's turned there's no going back.]

1/2

[spryite]

It's not going to happen. I won't let it.

[He shouts with more force than he intended, the biting answer practically immediate. There's no proof, no scientific basis to his claim, and he's painfully aware of it. But it's what he's declaring out loud with ironclad conviction, and what his erratic heart desperately wants to believe in. Emotions aren't logical, after all, and he just... Can't. Won't. Burden her with his own weakness again.]

[spryite]

[...But at the same time, there's a reason he never won against her, ever. Since they were children, even when she was the one rehabilitating, whether it's through her fists or some other means, like the way she's looking at him with that face right now. Is this really the kind of man he's worked so hard to become? Someone who not only can't protect people important to him, but also makes them cry?

His hand resting at his side fists into something. He doesn't know what exactly, but it made a faint crunching noise beneath his claws. He can barely feel the hand on his chest, but maybe she can feel his hammering heartbeat all the same. She's... too much to look at, but he knows averting from her gaze now would be the same as running away. Thus he can't; green mirrors brown, and...

...]

I can accept the vial, but I won't drink it just yet. I'll do it if I start to feel like I'm losing myself. How's that?

[What IS the right thing to do? Does that option even exist? Between the acute physical pain and these intensely exhausting and confusion emotions, it truly is a struggle to simply try thinking straight. What he wants, what he absolutely cannot have happen, what he dreads most, and reconciling all of it with how she must feel...

...]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Ultimately, this is Jude's decision. But she's not convinced it's the right one. Real or not, she doesn't want to see him turn into this thing, doesn't want him to be in pain, and she doesn't want him to die. His reasoning makes sense, but it's not foolproof. And she knows that if he turns and loses himself, attacking her, hurting her, that he would blame himself for it. And that she doesn't want. If she can alleviate even a fraction of the pain they are potentially about to endure, then she wants to do it.

Just like he wants to protect her. So she can understand the need to do so.

But, again, neither of them know what will happen if the curse consumes him. It is a curse, however. And, thanks to her time in the Story Realm, she's read her fair share of stories involving curses and their often unfortunate aftermath.

There's a desperation in her gaze as she searches his own, her voice wavering with heavy emotion.]

And what if it doesn't happen until you're completely transformed? By then it'll be too late to take the cure.

[Slowly, her hands reach for his, and she slips the vial into his palm, while her other hand closes around the top of his, hardened by scales, but still warm. Still vaguely human. All she can do is reason with him. Be honest. She's always had a hard time being completely honest with him... and the swirl of emotions inflicted upon her as Juliet make her regret never fully being honest with him. If only she were stronger. Even with all the training she's done, it never gave her the courage to express her feelings.

Her gaze remains locked onto his, her hands cradling his, and she utters in a voice that sounds more weak than she intended it.]

Please, Jude...

[spryite]

["Hate" is usually a very strong word for Jude, but it's the first thing that comes to him this time, and serves as a chilling reminder as much as it's a ringing warning in kind.

He hates that look on Leia's face.

She encloses something in his scale-covered palm. It feels so terribly fragile, like one wrong flick of his claw finger would easily shatter it whole. He could barely look at her, and he honestly has no idea how he's managing, watching her earnest and desperate eyes quiver in a way he can't recall ever seeing, not even when she was looking after him in Hamil during that time, back then.

...

What IS the point of living through this if he can't make her happy, or at the very least not make her miserable enough to cry? Is being stubborn over something - anything, worth her tears, after he's sworn to himself up and down that he wouldn't make her sad again, would be there to support and help her with whatever she needs?

He never could win, not against Leia.

Slowly closing his eyes, his claws hand also gently encloses around the vial. He doesn't manage a verbal response, but he doesn't need to for her to know, right? She knows him too, after all. Acceptance, even if it comes with resignation; something he can't make complete peace with, but acknowledges for what it is. He's going to drink it for her, because above fighting with her, that's the most he could do - for her.

--Yet their peace was so very short-lived.]

"SEARCH EVERY BUILDING! WE HAVE RELIABLE A WITNESS WHO SAW THEM COME THIS WAY, LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED!"

[A loud noise, the sound of things breaking. Windows? Doors? It's difficult to tell, it's all happening so quickly.

They're out of time.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[It's not any easier for her. Seeing Jude in pain, knowing their supposed fate, it's upsetting. Frustrating. Who could blame her? Their ending has already been written and she hates it. Because that's not her, that's never been who she is. She's someone that pushes through adversity with her brand of determination and optimism to make the best out of any situation. And that's what she's doing here, now, it's why she's trying so hard to convince him, because she truly believes this is the best way to get the chance they need. Her demeanor might seem desperate and sad, but inside she's boiling over with her usual resolve. She's far from finished and far from throwing in the towel.

The sudden shouts pull Leia from her thoughts as the words tightly take hold of her senses, causing her heart to skip and beat fiercely. Panic starts to set in knowing all to well that they've reached this story's climax. There's no time. This is it.

It's now or never.

Her decision and reaction all happen so fast. His grip on the vial is loose enough, as he is careful to hold it without breaking it, that she extracts it from his scaled fingers in that instant.]

Jude!

[When his head turns to her in response she quickly uncorks the vial with her thumb and pushes the opening into his mouth, forcing the mixture down his throat in a moment of desperation that's reminiscent of her impatient behaviour with him when they were children.

The vial is roughly shoved back into her bag, and she doesn't wait for him to respond, ignoring any protests or gagging from him, before she's tugging him towards the opposite end of the hovel they're in, looking to use the back end to slip away from the soldiers.]

We could make a break for the woods out back, that might buy us some time.

How's the pain?

[That's her main concern. His appearance will change over time, she can already feel the scales on his hand softening. It's the pain that might slow them down.]

[spryite]

[He's not afforded the time or opportunity to look surprised. One moment, the soldiers were heard, and the next, she's made him take the concoction, whatever it was made of. Then again, was there really anything surprising about how it happened? It's the exact sort of thing she would do all the time, with or without his permission, and since he's all but given in already anyway, wasn't it just yet another instance of her taking a step ahead for him, for them, and dragging him along because he couldn't take initiative first? Man, he really SUCKS at this being "cool" thing...

Audibly (or it feels like it, at least to him), Jude swallows. Briefly, his world lunges, but he only stays leaning against the wall for support for a beat before attempting to stand. He can stand, he can stand... But what he needs to do is run, whether his nerves are registering his lower body as legs or tail. Get moving, now.]

Don't-- worry.

[There was more of a wince to his voice than he'd like, but the grip of his hand is solid in hers, warm, and she doesn't need to look back to feel the scales recede to skin in her palm. They have more pressing things to worry about.]

I'm-- right behind you, Leia.

[So let's go. Now that they've made their choice, all that's left is for them to face the consequences. He may not be as strong as he'd like, he may have ended up relying on her again, but he's not going to make her sad or leave her side until they see this story through - together, no matter what more they must face and what it may take. That's all that matters.

Thank you, Leia.]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Some normalcy could do them some good, especially the forceful kind of dragging Jude along with her. Everything ahead of them seems so daunting. So overwhelming. And it's then that she remembers what Marui told her in the garden...

We're gonna do what we have to do here and then we're gonna work through whatever's left together when we're back home. Take care of your friend. The rest'll be okay.

It might not seem like it right now, it all might be really traumatizing and scary, but somehow... they'll all get through this. No matter what.

And she doesn't think anything of taking the initiative with Jude. It comes naturally to her, as it did when they were kids. She knows, better than anyone, that Jude's not the fighting type. She is. And this is where she has to take charge. This is how she can help. She's good at this. More importantly, this is what Jude needs... he's counting on her. Though Jude might think of himself as a coward, that's never been how she's seen him. Not once. Just because he doesn't want to fight, just because he is relying on her at this moment, doesn't mean that he isn't doing something for her in return. Because what he is doing is believing in her. And she's drawing strength from that.

She's strong because of Jude. After all, where would she be without his care and support all those years ago?

That's why she does whatever she can to protect him and his happiness.

Feeling the warmth of his hand return to hers calms her fiercely beating heart just a little, and she gently squeezes his hand, keeping a firm hold as she takes a deep breath- centering herself, and offering him a reassuring smile. The pain in his voice is apparent, but they both know what they have to do.]

Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand. We're going to get through this, so just hang in there a little longer.

[Despite the nervousness in her voice, it's filled with the usual level of confidence unique to her in dire situations. From here on out, it's going to be a fight for survival. And maybe, just maybe, they might succeed. Right now, it's just one step at a time.]

Ready?

[spryite]

[It really is just like when they were kids. How many times has she done this? Whether they were running from (too many) wild monsters after having strayed a little too far into the woods near Leronde, or after she's chased other kids off his back and decided they need to run for somewhere else for an immediate change in scenery, or... there were plenty of reasons, really, why Leia would take him by the hand and drag him someplace one way or another. It may leave him a little exasperate, a little bewildered, a little confused, and/or more than a little out of breath, but there HAD been one constant: he never felt scared. Just apprehensive, usually for good reasons.

So this time, it's not so different either. She runs, and he runs with her, even if he's not keeping up as well as he'd like, even if he still feels a bit of a stranger in his own (recovering) body. One thing HAS changed since they were children, though; he's grown, he's better at holding his own ground and sticking to his convictions than back then. He understands that to protect what you care about, people and ideals alike, you have to fight, and it'd be a disservice to them and yourself if when push comes to shove, you don't give it everything you've got. Nevermind whatever he was on about before, not even five minutes ago. His head feels inexplicably clearer too, now. He feels more himself, and it IS a breadth of fresh air, after the gloomy rut they've both been stuck in for the past few days. He really owes her much more than a mere apology; the transformation definitely took a mental toll, one he's only really realizing now that the fog is finally clearing up.]

Yeah, okay.

[Her smile is mirrored. They'll do what they can like they always have, right? So...]

Lead the way.

[...And because Reasons:]

Eyes in front before you trip, Leia. We can't afford that right now.

[It's a valid concern, alright?]

[ragingscoopaholic]

[And in the dead of night they ran, the sound of soldiers could be heard in the distance. Shouts and battle cries ringing through the air. The area already seemingly swarmed with people looking for them. She hadn't anticipated that, but it doesn't slow her down any. Jude's voice briefly distracts her with a familiar taunt, pulling her from the mounting distress.]

D-Don't say that, or I'm gonna start overthinking it! How about you just try to keep up with me?

[She teases him, pulling him along with her a little harder. Her clumsiness is generally due to trying too hard or not paying attention, it's true. But the overthinking usually does her in. It won't this time, though, because it's the farthest thing from her mind. Right now she's just trying to put distance between them and the soldiers she can hear all around them.

None of which have spotted them, or seem to be aware of where they are. Their shouting suggests as much, but their efforts don't let up either. Just how many soldiers have they sent for just two, innocent people? It seems excessive, and she can practically feel their anger permeating the woods around them. They want Romeo- they want Jude, but she doesn't care who he is to them, they're not getting him.

The dense foliage works in their favour, obscuring them from their sights, but it also works against them, creating some noise. Dry branches and leaves snap and crunch beneath their pounding footsteps. Her lungs feel like they're at their limit as they continue their escape, panting as she runs. Luckily nothing as loud as the soldiers voices, but were any nearby then that would be a huge problem...

Little by little Jude's hand feels normal with each passing minute, hopefully the pain is subsiding in the same way. How long can they keep running? How much longer till they are safe? The woods seem as endless as the rage of the soldiers attempting to encroach upon them.]