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songerein2022-02-11 05:20 pm
dreamposts) wrote in songerein2022-02-11 05:20 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- alastor,
- alphen,
- anastasia romanova,
- balthus von albrecht,
- basil,
- beatrix,
- diluc ragnvindr,
- dohalim il qaras,
- emil västerström,
- eustace,
- hilda valentine goneril,
- hunter de vil,
- ira,
- jude mathis,
- kainé,
- leia rolando,
- lio fotia,
- luca balsa,
- oriphi,
- otto octavius,
- ren amamiya,
- rokurou rangetsu,
- roxas,
- serah farron,
- shionne imeris,
- somnus lucis caelum,
- sora,
- tifa lockhart,
- toge inumaki,
- vanitas,
- yujin mikotoba,
- zelda (botw)
{ lindwormeo and juliet }
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.- 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.)
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.]
no subject
Then better take it now. Sooner we know if it works, the better.
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Tifa can see him hesitate, and it makes her chest burn with grief and guilt.
She promised she wasn't afraid. Before they awoke, she promised him that she wouldn't run. That nothing he did would hurt her, and yet... They both look like kicked, terrified animals as they try to take their steps towards one another.]
Yeah. [She's coming around the table now as she picks up the vial and pulls the cork from its neck.] Here.
[It smells dreadful, like something died and rotted inside of it, and Tifa tries not to wrinkle her nose at the scent when she offers it to him.]
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Standing closer to her now, he grimaces, his ears actually lowering and turned back a little as he takes it, but he just braces himself. There's just a small glance at her as he lifts it closer—Ugh.]
...Here goes.
[But just as he begins to tip it to his mouth, there's a loud WHIIINNNNYYY followed the sound of clattering hooves as the horse, Rose, suddenly crashes through the door.]
The hell—
[The horse only neighs even louder, hooves pawing and dancing over the floor as it tries to signal them before it reaches out and grabs Tifa's sleeve, which is closest, pulling her.
It's then that Eustace senses the abnormality and hears the shouts in the distance.]
...We need to leave—now!
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The ice on the walls begins to crack as heat starts to roll in—it's hot and stifling, and embers begin to burn through the black ice that Eustace had left behind, slowly but surely melting it all away as they follow the horse outside the shelter. And on the way, she takes the potion from his hands to screw the lid back on and slide it into her pocket for safekeeping.
The sight that she sees is nothing short of terrifying. The town that stood behind them is lit up in flames, and soldiers and common folk alike rush at each other on horseback or foot, with their swords, shields, spears, and whatever weapons they could find to fight. One side bears the Capulet flag while the other the Montague, and she can hear their declarations being belted across the fields. "For Lady Juliet!"
Whatever they're doing, the Capulets had brought the battle here...
There are Capulet soldiers nearby who spot them.
"It's the Montague bastard!"
"Do not let him escape!"
Tifa looks to Eustace first, then to the horse.]
We need to run.
[This is it. This is the ending, and although she had promised to see it through to its end for him so that they could go home, now that she's here and in the thick of the war, she doesn't want to fight. Nor does she care to stop it anymore, and it's not like she could. These people were scripted to fight and die in the name of the story, and nothing she says or does will stop it.
Tifa just wants to go, leave this place forever and find somewhere else far, far away where they can be together. Or rather, that's what Juliet wants, and a panic begins to set in.
She's the first to climb atop the horse, not needing his help now that she isn't adorned in a massive dress, but she does stretch a hand out to Eustace.]
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Running... He wants to so badly. Just run away and be with her, to be rid of this madness.
But the sudden pain up his arm reminds him that he's more of a threat than they are, and instead of reaching out to her hand—]
...I'm sorry.
[—he slaps the flank of the horse instead. With a shrill neigh it lunges forward, galloping at full speed down the road, Eustace watching it and ignoring the shouts he knows will come. Instead he closes his eyes and turns to face the incoming soldiers. For a script, this would have been a touching moment, of the lover trying to protect his loved one by sacrificing himself... But he knows it's futile.
They are both meant to die.
It would be better if they died together.
But if her death is caused by him...
He's being cowardly, he knows it, but he can feel that essence of Romeo agreeing with him. With the curse now running its full course, he can also sense the changes in his body advancing, the surge of hatred and anger towards the Capulets rising. Maybe it's the curse that's addling his brain and affecting his reasoning, who knows. But one thing is clear: if he has to die, if they both have to die, then he's allowed to vent his hatred and anger about their fate.
And soon the sound of terrified shouts and bodies flying through the air overwhelm the scene, the fires spreading to the trees and encroaching, as if to set up the perfect final stage for the cursed prince's death.]
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[Tifa only just registers the meaning behind his words before Rose is carrying Tifa away from him with incredible speed that it's a wonder she somehow manages to stay on her back. Her hands grip the reins until her knuckles start to turn white, but she doesn't dare look back when she hears the shouts of war and terrified screams of the soldiers behind her.
But it feels like there's no escape. No matter how fast Rose runs, the battle stretches on, and the fires with it, the air so thick with black smoke and ash that she can hardly see the sky anymore. The horse skillfully weaves through the soldiers, running down anyone who gets in her way regardless of which side they fight for before carrying Tifa off to heaven knows where.
She tries to tell herself it's okay. That they're going to get out of this regardless of how this ends. If she were to go down, she wanted it to be at his side and not on the back of a horse, even if it meant seeing him turn before they could wake up.
Her eyes go wide then, and she does spin back around on the horse. The potion... It was still in her pocket. She had taken it from him when the soldiers had shown up, before he could take even a drop of it. She holds onto the reins tighter.]
Rose, we have to—
[There's the sound of something slicing through the air, and then next thing she knows, Tifa is being thrown several feet forward from Rose as the horse collapses to the ground with a whine, and she only barely breaks her fall with a tumble into the grass. It still hurts, and it still knocks the wind from her lungs, but when she looks up, she can see the silhouette of the beast crumpled on the ground with an arrow lodged in her hind leg.]
No... No no no no...
[Not like this. It isn't supposed to be like this...
Tifa has no idea where the arrow came from, but once she has enough air back into her lungs, she drags herself across the grass, scrambling to Rose where she places a hand over her head.]
You're gonna be alright. I promise. Just... this is gonna hurt, okay? Just trust me.
[There's a weak, pained sound from below as she nudges her head against Tifa's hand, as if giving her the go-ahead, knowing that the wound will need to be mended before she can run again. Keeping the horse steady with one hand, she moves to wrap her other around the arrow, and with a deep breath, she gives it a strong pull. It comes out cleanly, and Rose whines and groans and kicks underneath Tifa, but a warm glow passes over it before it becomes too much. A cure spell that she wasn't sure would work, but it's a damn good thing she thought to equip that materia before she got sucked out of Gaia...]
If anyone comes, you need to get up and run, okay? As far as you can. Don't worry about us.
[For now, Rose needs to rest and let the wound heal. The cure didn't do much, but it closed up the wound so that it would at least stop bleeding. That would be enough, she hopes.
Tifa is already rising to her feet, however.]
I'm going back.
[She has confidence that Rose will know to take care of herself should any soldiers find her, and so Tifa dashes off back the way that they came in search of Eustace...
Please still be okay...]
no subject
At the center of it all, is Eustace... However he is almost unrecognizable. As he had feared, it was not long after Tifa left that the curse began to spread. The more he fought, the more his body changed. First his arm, then his other, then his legs—and now he brandishes a lindworm-like tail, knocking down some knights that tried to stab him from behind. There's no weapon in his hand because he has no need for it—the claw-like nails and the elements born from the anger and hatred he feels in the moment plenty against the dolls serving as the knights.
But the hatred...the hatred is so strong it's all consuming, so much so Eustace is no longer aware of himself. All he feels is such extreme hatred and anger towards both families, but it's not just his own anger—it's the source of the course, it's Romeo's emotions and how ostracized the one in this story suffered. Pent up hatred and anger for the long lasting feud that brought down the couple from the beginning. However, there is also Eustace's own feelings. Towards the playwright that created this "world" and "scenario," towards the fate they must fight against...and then it assimilates with the others, making it more immersive. Hatred and anger towards the ones who keep him from the peace and quiet, from the warmth he had so long sought for and finally found...
Unfortunately right now he can't even remember what that was, who it was that gave him the things he yearned for. So there is grief as well. A palatable grief, as if subconsciously remembering this tragedy.
And all he can do is continue to attack and kill all who attack him, not caring of his own wounds, of the long gashes and piercings he's suffered already. Perhaps the only good thing about his continuing transformation is the scales provide an extra layer of tough armor, making most of his wounds shallow so far.
Or maybe it's also a curse as he has to continue to suffer instead of being able to let it end sooner.]
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She can feel that urgency increase twofold, as if Juliet's essence has sparked back to life, calling out to her from somewhere inside, telling her to run. Run faster. Before it's too late...
There are waves and waves of them when she arrives—hundreds of the playwright's puppets that come in, almost as if they're being created simply to attack Romeo—that separate her from Eustace. Never mind those that are struggling to stay alive on the ground, bloodied and battered, or those who couldn't fight for their lives... But it doesn't matter which side they fight on anymore; their shouts only talk about stopping him. It didn't matter if he ended up alive or dead. Tifa doesn't waste a single second in rushing through the fray, the Capulet soldiers recognizing her instantly while the Montague's go on the offensive, turning their swords and spears and bows on her.
But she fights through them the same way Tifa always has. Punches, kicks, sweeps, and magic—whatever she can use to get through to him. Strikes of lightning nearly zap her and one manages to scorch her leg and another her arm.
By the time she finally reaches him, it's become a struggle to push past those who still stand. She groans when she feels her wounds opening, and it takes all of her strength to keep moving and not stumble to the ground. Her chest heaving while she tries to catch her breath, her face bloodied and covered in sweat and soot, she calls out.]
Romeo—!
[More footsteps come up behind her, and a thick wall of flames erupts from the ground, pushing and keeping the next wave of soldiers back. Tifa digs into her pocket and pulls out the vial.]
Eustace... The potion...
no subject
...Juliet... Tifa...
[His voice is unlike his usual one, deeper and more gutteral. After only moving and letting the curse run its course he finally has a moment of clarity...before the rage and anguish returns when he turns and finally sees her. Sees her so hurt and injured.]
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO RUN AWAY!
[With a loud roar, the storm winds kick up, lighting crackling as several bolts rain down and strike the ground between them as if to stop her. Yet instead of sparking fire, black ice erupts like a wall.
She's not supposed to be here.
She's not supposed get hurt.
She's not supposed to be with him.]
no subject
How much pain is he suffering through? How much fear has this inflicted on him?]
Eustace...!
[Her voice doesn't carry well through the ice, a muffled, desperate call before she slams a fist against it. Cracks spread from the point of impact, so she punches it again, the second time with fire behind it so that it melts and shatters.
But even when it breaks and she can step over it and move forward, she doesn't, but she does stretch her hand over the broken pieces of the wall as it melts away, the glass vial glinting under the light of the fire.]
I'm not going anywhere. Not until you take this.
[Not even after.]
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[He backs away, clutching his head as the seething anger towards her for being a Capulet rages through his mind. It takes every ounce of free will he has left to reminds himself it's Tifa, his Juliet.]
Stay...away...
[He had seen that fear and he's also afraid. So afraid that he'll turn on her.
And in that moment of distraction, one of the knights run at him, brandishing their blade to try and strike him down.]
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Her hands begin to shake uncontrollably as she lifts the vial again, and she pulls the lid from it, taking a careful step closer, but she's on her guard.
Her gaze roves over him, examining every scale and every claw, every injury he's sustained in his merciless fight against the soldiers and she wonders... what is he thinking right now, looking at her? Is she just another Capulet now? Does he even remember the things they said to each other? The things that they had proven and promised each other before he had started to turn?]
Do you remember...? What I said to you... [She tries to steady the tremors in her voice, and the flames around her start to diminish by her own will.] I said I wouldn't be afraid. Screw the script, we said we'd get through this together.
[She lifts the vial close now, the stench of it mixing with the smell of ash.]
I'm not asking, so please don't make me make you.
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...Closer than she needs to be.
Closer than she should be.
He takes a staggering step back away from her, the scales now prominent as he feels a sudden surge of pain. Another part of him is changing, another part of his mind about to be lost. Despite not knowing anything about this curse he can sense it—he's almost gone.]
It's too late... You need to stay away from me!
[He's barely hanging on by a fraying thread, barely keeping back that instinct to just lunge out and attack her, the voices in his head again overwhelming, trying to overpower him. It's all manic, screaming curses of death and hatred, of anger and torment. What the hell kind of story is this??
Clutching his head he lets out a strangled, unearthly yell as jagged spines rip out from his back. Lightning once more erupts around them, the ground freezing from where he stands as gale-like winds burst outward, the air so strong it's sharp enough to cut.]
no subject
Romeo...?
[The name slips past her lips, strained and echoing the ache and pain she feels inside for him. Is it Juliet calling out to the man that she loves, hoping that her voice will reach him?
But the wind that bursts forth pushes back against Tifa, so strong that she can feel it cutting through the skin of her arms when she lifts them to shield herself from the dirt, grass, and fire that swirls within it. She digs her feet into the earth to stand against it, and after several steadying breaths, she pushes forward towards him.
By the time Tifa reaches him, she's covered in wounds new and old, her clothes are tattered and there's blood staining the white of her blouse.]
It's not...
[She doesn't even finish her sentence. Instead, she's about to make the rashest decision of her life, but if he isn't going to drink it on his own, then she said she would make him. And maybe, just maybe... this will work. Maybe, if he feels her touch, her love for him, and all of the things they shared, he'll find himself again.
Tifa takes the vial and lifts it to her mouth and downs it all in a single gulp, and the taste alone is enough to make her want to keel over and spit it out. Quickly, she takes hold of his face, the scales now almost fully covering it, and presses her lips to his in a firm but tender kiss, not unlike the ones she shared with him only hours before. Forcing his to part, she passes him the cure, and from the ashes and the flames, her hope springs forth from the ice in bushes of white roses.]
no subject
But then before he knows it, hands are touching his skin, grabbing his face. His eyes are no longer the cool, light blue, now changed to be more reptilian, like a dragon's, and they stare at her wide-eyed before her lips take his.
At first his mind blanks, the rush of emotions they've shared momentarily silencing the wrath that raged within him. It's warm, peaceful, quiet. But then it's broken when the liquid is poured into his mouth, and as if realizing what's happening he tries to pull away from her, teeth sharply cutting into her lower lip as he jerks his head away. The taste of her blood lingers on his tongue as he staggers back, the foul tasting liquid already swallowed by instinct.
And yet... And yet although the pain remains, the voices have stopped. That progression he had felt halted.
...Did... Did it work...?]
no subject
And everything goes still then. Although the flames still burn, and the thunder rolls through the clouds, it's as if the rest of the world has stopped. There are no soldiers, no dangers, just them as Tifa holds on to whatever last thread of him is left.]
Please work... Please work...
[It's murmured against the scales of his skin through her sobs as she starts to cry, her arms gripping him tighter.]
We were supposed to get out of this.
[They were going to be together... Just like their song had said...]
look things are getting bad so have some more warnings
He wants this to work.
He wants this to work.
Even if they still have to die, wouldn't this be better? Wouldn't it still be a tragic ending? The prince finally cured but the lovers still killed in each other's arms?
Can't it end just like that?]
Tifa...
[His voice is a soft, exhausted murmur as he hugs her tighter to him.
But of course, nothing ever works the way they want to.
As soon as he starts to relax, he stiffens and chokes on air. His head pounds as his heart starts to race, his body shuddering. Quickly he tries to shove Tifa away, but instead his claws dig into her instead, holding her place. The reason?
Her blood.
The taste is so strong and the voices return in full force.
"Capulet's blood... Blood of the enemy, blood of the wretches!"
"Kill her! Kill her!"
No...
"Kill and be free!"
No!
"KILL!"
SHUT UP!
In a fit of agony and despair Eustace battles against the curse—but it's too late. Fight as he might, the voices end up overwhelming him, and any attempts Tifa may have tried to reach him are to no avail. Everything about him has changed, all essence and trace of his warmth gone. She only has one chance to see how far gone he is before he lunges down to her neck, sharp, fanged teeth sinking in deep to puncture and tear, drawing out her blood.]
no subject
Still, she's afraid. Who wouldn't fear the impending death that awaits them? Her hands shake and press into the scales on his back, and she's sure she hears more soldiers coming, their shouts echoing in the distance from behind the fires that surge once more. But this is the best-case scenario, if it were to happen... If she's going to die, then Juliet would want to go in Romeo's arms.
And Tifa...]
It's gonna be—
[But her voice stops short when she feels his grip on her shift, and she feels his entire body stiffen in her arms. Tighter and tighter it becomes, until she can no longer breathe. Until she can feel his claws breaking the skin on her back where they had pierced her earlier, reopening the very same wounds he left behind.]
Eustace... you're hurting me...
[That's when it burns. That's when she feels his teeth sink into her neck, and the warm blood that trickles from it. It reminds her of that day in Nibelheim. It was the same feeling—of something cold swiping across her skin, the heat of blood, and then... everything was cold.
Everything is cold.
Tifa feels the last of her strength leave her body, her vision going blurry as her consciousness fades in and out. She tries to fight it and hold on, but the pain is too much to bear. The fires that burned around them begin to fall back and diminish, leaving Eustace in a field of black.
All black...
Except for the white roses beneath her that wither and wilt, their petals stained red with the blood that falls when she collapses back in his arms, the world around her slowly fading...]
fin.
...No...
[The sight before him is too gruesome and it sickens him, the hot, iron taste of her blood still in his mouth nauseating. But panic and fear seize him as he grips her shoulders, shaking her.]
No—no no no Tifa no—please, Tifa—Tifa—NO—!
[His hoarse voice, Eustace cries out her name as he sees her face paling, the life from her once vibrant red eyes fading. Repeatedly he calls her name, blood red ice forming around them like a cage as he clutches her to him.
This is what he feared most. This is why he wanted her away from him. That he would not be able to control himself, that he would hurt her— Why did she come back, why did she come back—
Why did he have to be the one to kill her?
An unearthly scream escapes him, the ice shattering and lightning tearing through the fields as the erune no longer exists—only a bloody and torn lindworm. What should have been beautiful silver scales are marred with blood and turning black, his form changing as if corrupted, the energy around him darkening as the storm clouds crash and boom above.
As if turning into a nightmare.
Seeing this, the mood of the puppet knights shift, the moon's surface rippling. More soldiers and knights appear, their attacks now more fervent as they rush at the lindworm. However, what was once simple weapons are now glowing white, as if imbued by magic or some kind of energy. Consumed with rage the lindworm attacks in full force, swiping and sending bodies high into the air. Yet it does not stray far from the lifeless body, as if protecting her in its grief.
It would take several spears, swords, and arrows before the battered body finally falls to the ground. In truth, the cure and Tifa's blood had quickly coursed through his system and the curse long broken since near the beginning...but it was from Eustace's emotions that he transformed into a lindworm regardless, the manifestation of the grief, anger, and hatred he had for this world...and himself. And now he's exhausted. Now...he's finally dying.
Rain begins to fall, and as if an audience, the knights stand ready with their weapons drawn as Eustace lies there in this foreign body. With gasping breaths he looks to see Tifa's body lying not too far away, undisturbed. Vision blurred by tears, he drags himself over, the length of the lindworm's body making it more difficult, until he's at last able to curl himself around her. As soon as his snout touches the top of her hair, his body shimmers and he returns to his normal body. Weapons still pierce into his flesh, but he doesn't feel it. How can he? His physical body is completely numb, his heart shattered.
With the last of his strength he pulls her to him, hand lightly brushing away her hair, dirt and blood streaking over her fair skin before it's smeared by the falling rain, the drops like tears. Choking back a sob he can only think of how he doesn't deserve this, how he shouldn't be allowed to be holding her after what he did to her.
I killed her.
Death is painless compared to the cold and anguish he feels in this moment.]
...I'm so sorry...
[Words that likely won't be heard and not even enough. Would anything he do ever be enough? After they wake, could he still go to her? Would she want to him again? The fear in her eyes...
Eustace... you're hurting me...
It will all haunt him, how he managed to ruin the one thing he had begun to treasure, the person who opened his heart further...
He destroyed it all with his own hands.
Whether its his own vision or the world itself, darkness comes over him, the sounds around him fading. He's dying now, yet he knows he already died the moment she did. As all the memories flash through his fading mind, he ends up tormenting himself as he recalls all the joy, the warmth, her smiles, her laughter. If he could tighten his hold on he would, but he doesn't have the strength left. Instead his lips slowly murmur softly against her:]
...How do we rewrite the stars?
You were made to be mine...
Nothing could keep us apart...
[His eyes close, and with his last fading breath, he whispers in pained remorse and grief:]
You were the one I was meant to find...
[Silence follows, and soon the two bodies begin to disappear, the moonlight shining down on them making it almost appear as if they were sparkling, their souls now together. As the rain continues to fall, two roses appear where their bodies once lay, one white, one red, their stems entwined. Both are stained with blood but the rain washes it away, leaving behind the two roses to glisten in the moonlight.
A true ending for a tragedy...
...But the nightmare is not yet over.]