songerein | { Moon's Haunted }

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{ Moon's Haunted }

MOON'S HAUNTED

Elimei, the female winged kirin twin from the Tree of Stories, was suddenly taken by a large, gruesome figure wielding a butcher's knife with a bear at its side. They appeared from a black portal and everyone in the room at the time was unable to move due to a sudden increase in gravity and heavy weight of nightmare energy. The figures disappeared into the black portal leaving behind no trace—except Elimei's feathers tinged with nightmare energy. Using Elimei's feather, researchers in the Observatory were able to pinpoint her location within a foreign moon. By this time, the moon mirror created by the fae has collected into its glass the stories of various moons gathered by Madhuri. Powered by this enchanted mirror and with dreamotion energy, they are able to create a dreamscape-like gateway to this foreign moon.

Unfortunately the power was so great it acted like a dreamshift and sent in everyone. Now everyone finds themselves on the surface of this strange moon, but fortunately they have allies in the form of lunar wolves to help guide them. To help combat against the noctasers, which are an evolved form of Erasers that have consumed great amount of nightmare energy, the special potions that were created back from Halloween and are effective against Erasers will be available. They will work in conjunction with dreamotion energy and other items useful against nightmare energy; perhaps a new solution can be made.

For more details on the event and to ask any questions, please refer to the Game Notes. Reminder that this is forward dated to the end of the month.

I. MOON PHASES

At random intervals, the moon will change between full and new phases. When the moon is full, the moonscape becomes ghostly white; when it is new, it becomes pitch back. There are both advantages and disadvantages for each phase, and everyone needs to be mindful as it will change without warning. Although we have some generic prompts for each phase, the phases and effects carry over through all the prompts, they can be used at will.

A. Darkest of Nights: New Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the new moon, it becomes so dark it's almost difficult to see. Light sources will need to be found to help traverse through the moonscape unless one uses dreamotion to help guide them. The new moon phase is also when nightmare energy is at its peak, the ground seemingly seeping with it and noctasers lurking. Some characters might find themselves transforming into some nightmarish creature in response to it. Perhaps into something that reflects their greatest fears or anger; some may even start to relive or have nightmares. Those who are easily influenced by nightmare energy should take caution, but must also remember that nightmare energy can also be harnessed here. For those who want to try and control it, the new moon phase is the best time.

B. Light of the Full Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the full moon, it is almost blindingly bright in some places. During this time, dreamotion is at its peak and it'll be easier to fight off the noctasers should they be encountered; of course during this time the noctasers will go into hiding. The black goopy puddles scattered around will be most suspicious, and this is the perfect time to clear them up with dreamotion. Just be careful not to get trapped in them or it'll be like quicksand. Anyone who was transformed during the new moon phase will slowly begin to transform back but will still need assistance; otherwise they'll just remain and continue transformation when it changes back to the new moon phase.

II. LUNAR WOLVES

For those who wish to help the lunar wolves that inhabit this moonscape, they live in a brightly lit temple that is impossible to miss. With a unique "wolf blessing," characters can transform into a wolf to help blend in with the environment as well as gain temporary powers: ability to conjure moonlight to use against noctasers; powerful howl attacks capable of knocking back small objects and creatures; ability to see clearly in the darkness during new moon shifts; increases speed and other heightened senses; ability to see the leftover "moon dust trail" from the moon fragments to track them down. Appearance of the wolf form can be whatever the player or character wishes and while partial transformations are allowed, whole transformations will be stronger. The blessing will last for up to an hour, and characters can willingly change back at any time. However, they'll need another blessing to turn back into a wolf unless they can do so on their own through their own dreamotion ability. The wolves will also be around to help give aid when they can.

A. Defend the Temple. Noctasers are becoming more aggressive as they attack the temple the lunar wolves are based in, aiming for the collection of corrupted moon fragments the lunar wolves have been guarding in hopes of later purifying. Some may even notice the moon fragments depict certain images or have unique characters that may look like the moon from their own world. Maybe that fragment is from their home world. Characters need to use everything they have to help protect these fragments and fight alongside the wolves.

» BONUS: DEFENSE BARRIERS. Shoring up defenses and creating dreamotion barriers to help keep the noctasers at bay will also help. The wolves will inform of special flower that needs wishful based dreamotion energy to make it grow large enough as a shield that can help repel the noctasers.

B. Retrieve Moon Fragments. Some of the noctasers still manage to break in and steal several moon fragments, scattering them all over the forests surrounding the small temple the wolves dwell in. While some have been dropped and can be found a little more easily, others are still in the clutches of the noctasers that must be destroyed, especially if a noctaser consumes it. While safe to handle, the moon fragments must be collected into small glowing jars to ensure their protection.

C. Save the Wolf Cubs. In the chaos, a few wolf cubs got separated from their families and ran into the forest, with some having the bright idea to try and find the moon fragments on their own. This is a disaster waiting to happen, so they need to be brought back quickly! Wolf transformation will be mandatory as the cubs will be wary of anyone else who approaches. They are also clever cubs and will hide in deep thickets and tree hollows. Luring them out with mooncakes will help win them over.

III. ITEM COLLECTION: ELIMEI

Certain items are needed to help defeat the Mutton Man and its Bear steed, as well as to find and heal Elimei. Thankfully they won't be going in blind and Baba Yaga will make an appearance to inform them of what they'll need. Although primarily to be collected and given to those who will go out to find Elimei, all items can also be collected for personal use to be against noctasers and other effects. There's plenty to go around! All items will be found in the swamp area.

A. Follow the Moonflies. In the outskirts of the swamps, there are special fireflies called "moonflies" where they produce pure moonlight from their bulbs. They are attracted to darkness as they will absorb it to produce their light. Gathering these moonflies in special jars will allow those seeking Elimei to help track her down as the moonflies will fly towards the darkest area of the swamp where she is being held. They will also be useful in blinding the enemies as they will fly up to them, attracted by the darkness the nightmare energy brings. They are also great to use as lanterns during the new moon phase.

B. Lunar Honey. The petals of this flower can be crushed up to create a delicious sweet honey that can help soothe any tormented soul. While not a cure all for nightmare energy, they work similar to the Glowing Dawn flowers back in Songerein and will be valuable for those affected by nightmare energy and monster transformations. Although ineffective against the Mutton Man, the Bear may find the sweetness irresistible.

» BONUS: KEEPSAKES. Collect the flowers to eventually bring back to Songerein so they can be used for additional treatment.

C. Moon Crystals. Special crystals which illuminate in the darkness and turn black during the full moon phases. They will absorb nightmare energy and convert them to potent dreamotion energy to a poisonous degree. Thus those afflicted with nightmary energy will be good sources for these crystals but must be handled with care. Anyone who is punctured or cut by a crystal risks becoming crystalized and will need to be taken back to the wolves to be cured. The crystals will serve as the main "weapon" against the Mutton Man and the Bear, and can be deadly against noctasers as well.

D. Swamp Threats. Beware: the swamps are filled with not only noctasers but also hostile moon creatures, mostly of the reptilian side, such as snakes and alligators. At least the latter can be soothed with dreamotion unless they have started to corrupt from nightmare energy. Be careful not to follow the red wisps as they will lead unsuspecting rescuers deep into the swap to black pools where kelpies in them, ready to pose as Elimei and drag them under.

IV. ITEM COLLECTION: KAGUYA

To help get Songerein's moon fragment back, certain items will be needed to help evolve the moon mirror and purify the corrupted Rabbit Kaguya. All items can be used for other purposes and will be found around the bamboo forest.

A. "Holy Hand Grenade." This has a few steps as the "grenade" needs to be made. First, a golden bamboo stalk must be found and cut down. The crystals that pour out of it must be quickly collected in a crystal globe provided by the wolves. Dreamotion must then be channeled into it to melt the crystals and then the globe must be capped off. To use, one must count to three and then throw it at the target. This only has a purification effect, but it's very potent. It should only be used on anyone who is fully corrupted and is either close to or has become a noctaere. Even then care must be given as it will knock them out completely. Using it on someone with only a small amount will cause them to have too much dreamotion energy and make it more of a poison, requiring the excess dreamotion energy to be drawn out or counter balanced with nightmare energy. Handle with caution.

B. Bamboo Slicer. To get through the corrupted bamboo thicket to chase after Kaguya, special tools will need to be made. Cutting silver bamboo stalks well produce various metals to pour out, and with these metals blades can be forged via dreamotion. The blades can be of any shape and form, they just must carry enough fortitude, strength, and tenacity to cut through the stalks. Blades lacking that kind of dreamotion will remain dull and brittle.

C. Mooncakes. One of the easier items to collect, the mooncakes can be found growing off the leaves of the bamboo stalks. The trick is being able to climb high enough to get them; alternative cut or shake down the stalk to reach them. Just beware the lunar bees—they find the mooncakes delicious and will angrily attack anyone who gets in their way.

D. Don't Get Lost. Everyone will be warned to avoid entering the bamboo forest until everything has been gathered and designated groups are set, but should any accidentally further than necessary or get lured in somehow, they will need to find stone lanterns and light them up with dreamotion to help guide their way out. It will be relatively safe during the full moon phase, but during new moon there is higher risk of those trapped to hallucinate their worst nightmares and be lost in them until someone helps them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know.

[He continues to go above and beyond for her in more ways than she can ever imagine. Not that she had set any expectations for him when they started all of this, but he's surely exceeded every single one of them if she had. He knows all the right things to say, and she's never felt more safe, more treasured, than she does in his presence, and she's never cherished anything more than the time they get to spend together.

Which is why she's filled with excitement at the idea of being able to go somewhere with him, away from all of the chaos and commotion in town, from the people, and their responsibilities for even a few days. To just be with him.]

Then it's settled. Our one year meet-versary. [It sounds so silly calling it that, but she's sticking with it.] I'll need to get something special for it.

Something special? In what way?

[Tifa sighs whimsically and falls back against the cushions.]

I don't know yet. Something to celebrate the occasion.

[ ... ]

Ahh, I wonder if I can whip up one of those weird drinks like we had in Celliwig.

[She would never. Although now she does wonder if she actually could somehow use dreamotion magic here to make special drinks. Not like what that one bar had, but surely it wouldn't be that hard. If Dreambucks can do it, then so could she.]

[He just makes a face as he looks down at her.]

No. Nor that giant margarita. If anything alcohol seemed to always cause problems for us back there.

[Seems less of an issue here, but never know.

But something special... Come to think of it, the piano should be finished soon, shouldn't it? Would it come in on time... It would be a happy coincidence if so, but he should prepare something else just in case. Hmmmmm.]

[Her grin spreads wider as she stretches, pretending that he isn't making that face at her.]

What, you don't wanna fall asleep in a petting zoo again?

[That was certainly an... interesting day, to say the least. Not that she regrets it now, though. It was just another chance for her to fall a little harder for him, and she got to touch his ears for the first time.]

Fine... no special drinks. [She waggles a finger at him before giving him a shy little poke to get urge him to join her.] But I still wanna get something.

[A gift of some kind, she thinks. Something special and symbolic for both of them to celebrate, cheesy or not.]

Besides... it's not every day two people are reunited the way we were, yeah...? Still can't believe it's been a whole year...

[He continues to give her a withering look before a smile breaks through instead and he flops down next to her, an arm immediately going around her waist. The movement disturbs some of the white star flowers that have been gradually blooming around them, their scent drifting into the air as he nuzzles closer to catch her own sweet scent.]

...That's true.

[And if anything, he was at the disadvantage. What if Cloud hadn't been so absent in Camelot? What if he appeared in Songerein early on, allowing them to rekindle what they missed? Her memories from Camelot were still from an earlier time before they got together, but couldn't they have helped? What if she had come from a different time from her world, perhaps a time when things between her and Cloud developed further...?

He doesn't think about it often these days, and given that it didn't even bother him in nightmares is proof that he doesn't care that much about it—but it's a shadow that remains if distantly. After all, there's no reason for him to speculate about those "what if's" now, not with them having firmly cemented their feelings for one another. Even if Cloud were to show up tomorrow, he wouldn't mind it, even if it might make things complicated for Tifa for a bit.

But there's still a recognition that should she ever return to her world there...she would likely go to the one waiting for her there. It's a very bitter feeling, but at the same time he's also a little grateful. Grateful that she'd still be able to find someone and be happy. He still would have wished it was with him, but...he had a chance to find and spend time with her in two different worlds. The chances of that are astronomical, so he can't ignore the chance they did have.

Although his thoughts grew momentarily bitter, he tightens his hold and pulls her closer to him, heaving in a deep breath for releasing it out for a slow exhale.]

...I hope we have many more.

[A lifetime....might be too much to ask for. But another year. Two, three, five. He'll take whatever he can. No longer can he ignore this greed he has for her.]

Mm. Me, too.

[Many more...

She tries not to let her smile turn sad, but in the event that it does, she buries her face into his neck as he pulls her close.

Hearing him say that... it makes her wonder. If Tifa had the chance to ask for forever, would she? Would she be able to live with the promise that she could remain here in this world so that she might live out the rest of her days with him? One day, they'll all return home to their worlds, to their own lives and their own fights, but that reminder of their limited time together leaves nothing behind but an ache in her heart.

She wants to celebrate those two, three, ten-year meet-iversaries and anniversaries and birthdays with him because she can't bear the thought of not, but there will always be that small voice in the back of her mind trying to remind her that this could be the last and only one.

Which is why, in that moment, she makes a silent promise to herself... That this will be the best of them all. And if they're so lucky that they make it to the next, then she'll have to find a way to make it even better...

Tifa pulls away just far enough to look at him, her eyes flitting over his face as if to recommit every detail of him back into her memory. It's times like this that worry her the most. Although they're together like she wants to be, it's hard to make the best of things when they're scared or hurt or fighting against all odds, so she allows her smile to spread as she takes him in, allowing herself to feel happy that he's simply... here. With her. Right now.

She brushes the hair away that had fallen over his eyes before her hand finds the side of his face.]

Are you feeling better?

[He does the same when she pulls back, having earlier sensed the similar feelings she must have had for him then. He's memorized her face so many times, traced his fingertips over every curve and shadow he could probably paint it if he had the skill, conjure it up in his memory with ease. His gaze for her is soft yet deep, as if his eyes alone could swallow her whole and never let her go.

At her question he just lowers his head slightly and hums a small affirmative.]

Mm... A lot. But should probably take some of that honey for good measure.

[He reaches for the jar, but unlike before he intends to eat a bit of it since there's no real good place to spread it like an ointment before.]

But what about you? You were exposed... You should take some as well as a precaution.

I'm fine.

[It's true that Tifa had felt it—that chill in the back of her neck much like one feels when they are faced with their greatest fears, as those black wisps coiled around her wrists, but she isn't sure how she was able to stem it. Her unwavering determination? Or perhaps she'd turned her fear into something more compelling than the negative emotions that feed into those nightmares? Either way, she's just thankful they made it out in one piece.

But if it will make him feel better and put his mind at ease—and it certainly would do that much for her—then she'll share some of that honey with him.]

I'll have some anyway.

[Propping herself up on her elbow, she waits until he's twisted the lid off the jar and looks around them.]

I guess wolves wouldn't really need spoons, would they...

No... At least this jar looks fresh.

[A small joke as to the questionable sanitary nature of eating straight from the jar but this looks newly made. And after a brief moment of thought, he dips his finger in...

And brings it to her lips, lightly swiping it over them.]

[Tifa had expected him to take it for himself, so she does jolt with surprise when he swipes the honey over her lips instead, and it only turns her cheeks pinker as she purses her lips, her tongue subtly sweeping up that little dab of it, and her brows arch when the flavours settle in.]

... Got a little bit of a flowery taste to it, but it's sweeter than I thought.

[Even still, she's much too embarrassed to look at Eustace now, and instead moves her eyes to the door as if to make sure they have no visitors, but it's been shut tight the whole time they've been in there.

So, once the coast is clear, it's her turn to dab her finger into the honey, scooping up a small glob of it, but...

Now that she has it, she looks unsure of what she wants to do...]

[He just smirks a little as he watches her, that blush and embarrassment exactly what he was aiming for. And once she's gathered some honey and hesitates....

He answers for her by taking her hand to bring to his lips, slowly licking off the honey with his tongue.]

...Yeah. It's sweet.

[Said with his eyes locked on hers.]

Ah—!

[It's only the tiniest squeak of surprise when she feels his lips take the end of her finger, and he'll feel her tense in her hand, like she's about to pull back, but the moment her eyes lock onto his, she's frozen, and she watches, almost as if she's stuck in an odd stupor, a spell under his gaze, as he takes the honey from her...

He always does this, but...]

We shouldn't be, um... doing this here...

[What if someone walks in! And yet, she hasn't pulled her hand away from him.]

...Just a little bit.

[His lips brush against her skin, taking in more of that honey before his teeth lightly nips her.]

...You're what I need right now.

[While there are certainly suggestive undertones in his words and actions...given what he just went through Tifa really is what he wants right now. Not physically, but just her very presence, her warmth, and seeing her reacting like she is. All parts of her that again proves that the hand he's holding and teasing is real. That the flush of her cheeks is her blood flowing through a racing, beating, living heart. The heat radiating off her skin as opposed to that deathly chill.]

[He always has a way of making her self-restraint crumble. And while she'll remain vigilant against those suggestive and incredibly alluring hints in his words and even in the rumble of his voice, Tifa understands what he means. It reaches so much deeper than that physical connection they share. She still has no idea what he saw out there in the forest, but she doesn't need to know to realize what he needs from her now.

After everything that's happened today, all she really wants is to be near him, too.]

Then you can have me...

[Although he always has.

Her words are as tender as the kiss she offers him. She leans over to press her lips to his, and she can taste the sweetness of the honey on them. Already, she can feel her heart racing for him, a thrill jolting through her that feels like it reawakens every single nerve in her body and chases away all the heaviness she's been carrying around with her today.

She lays down on the cushions fully again, and just like before, she takes his unhoneyed hand and lifts it to her chest, where he'll feel her heartbeat sending her blood and her life roaring through her veins. Beating for him. It's a silent reassurance that everything is okay... That whatever he fears, it's over, and they got through today just like they do every other day.]

[At first his eyes close in sweet bliss at her kiss, feeling that tender warmth and love rippling from their lips down to his chest where it helps soothe his still aching heart. He hadn't lied when he told her his condition had improved, but it would take a lot more time for him to really fully heal from the emotional trauma he went through, one that dug deep into one of his deepest fears and weaknesses. One he had tried most of his life to guard against only to have it ripped out to remind him that no—it's still there. And now he has someone important inhabiting that small, vulnerable space.

Yet, regardless how terrifying it can be, he wouldn't change it. He had already lived most of his life with his heart sealed off and in isolation. Now he's able to live this life filled with love, joy, happiness—peace. That's everything Tifa and all his friends and connections have given him.

So when she lies back down, his hand over her chest, he can stare down with warm fondness, knowing what she's trying to do. Knowing she's trying to reassure him that she's still here safe, alive. How strong her heart beats beneath his hand—for him. How precious it is, how much he treasures it.

Leaning over a little closer to her, a soft gaze in his eyes, he reaches out with his other hand—the one that's now bare with his sleeve and glove still gone—to lightly caress her face, wanting to once more trace those beautiful lines and curves. Yet just as his fingertips brush against her skin, instead of warmth he feels a strange chill and the hand he sees is not his own but of that cursed claw that had once dug into her flesh. And Tifa...

It's all just a brief hallucination, like a series of static filtered memories that flash before his eyes before it corrects itself. There's no change to his hand, it's all in his mind. Even though he knows that Tifa is alive, in that moment he could only see her lying on the ground, cold, lifeless, bloody, torn apart—and eventually disappearing from his helpless grasp.

Immediately the air around them chills, the flowers that had started to bloom like they usually do around them slowly frosting over as he stares down at her wide-eyed, his breathing quickening as his fingers over her chest suddenly curl in, digging in as he tries to fight off that ripple of terror and anguish that threatens to overwhelm him. A part of him realizes what he's seeing isn't real, telling himself that he can feel her heart right there. But another part, that part still affected by the nightmare energy that still lingers around him is recalling that terrible moment and twists the sensation to it stopping cold. That moment he thought he found her lying so still on the ground like this, how his heart seemed to stop, how he couldn't breathe— ]

[She can see the shift as it happens. She can feel it in every muscle of his body—how he tenses up and how his fingers grasp at her chest where, only seconds before, he'd felt her heart beating. She can see the light leave his eyes and that shadow of fear flickering over his face. Where there was once a tender, loving warmth, it's now filled with a chill that scares away the sweet scent of the star flowers as their petals begin to dim and wither.

Even with all those crystals and the honey, was it really not enough? What exactly did he see out there, and is there more going on than Tifa even knows about...?

She can feel her heart sink, and her own breathing stops as she stares up at him, wondering where that softness in his gaze has gone. Why it still isn't enough to keep the nightmares at bay long enough for them to at least have a moment of peace... She wishes that she could see what he's seeing, feel what he's feeling if only so that she can understand him better, and how to help him through it, but all she can truly do is hold him, and wait for it all to be over.]

Eustace...

[Her hand clasps tight over his at her chest, taking it in hers, while the other brings his head down until he's resting it in the crook of her neck where she'll hold him like she intends to never let him go again. Tifa turns so that she can face him, so that they can curl up together in each other's warmth, and if he'll allow it, she urges Eustace to look at her.]

Eustace, please... talk to me...

[Tifa's voice is heavy, shaky and laced with fear that she tries to steady. She knows it will be hard for him to talk about it, but how else can she help him if she doesn't know...?]

[He gasps when she moves and reaches out to him, the warmth of her breathing, living body chasing away the horror that plagues him. It's frustrating to still be caught between reality and nightmare, of knowing that by now it's all in his head and he shouldn't be letting it get to him. And it's frustrating as it's becoming more of a sign that his will and resolve is weakening, his mental strength becoming more vulnerable than it should.

He had always prided in himself in being able to remain clear minded, the steady rock that can keep even the most reckless in line. But if he can't even control himself and his own thoughts, then how can he maintain that position? How can he continue be strong enough to protect what he lives? Who he loves?

And when Tifa pleads for him to speak up, Eustace can only answer with a shaky breath before pursing his lips, his grip on her hand tightening as he can't bring himself to look at her. As if afraid he'll once again see that terrible image instead of her beautiful face. Again he knows he's being irrational, but perhaps at this stage it can't be helped.

After all, this isn't just baseless imagination.

He had already seen it before. Twice.

One near death. The second in his arms by his own hand.

It's not something that anyone can easily forget, if ever.

Feeling a strange burn in his eyes, he closes them tightly as he presses his face against the crook of her neck, desperately feeling and her pulse.]

...I can't.

[His voice, usually so strong and steady, so reliable, is quiet and hoarse. Frail. Vulnerable.

How can be tell her? How can he tell her without making her upset? Without making her worry and fret and in turn risk her safety? It all only makes him cling to her that much tighter.]

[It breaks her heart seeing him like this. Having to watch the man who had been her rock, her steady, calm pillar of strength who had held her when she needed someone, who wiped away her tears when she cried them away, be brought to heel by mere imaginings shatters the ground she tries to stand on. He deserves better than this—he did nothing to earn the ire of this world's magic, so why...?

When he clings onto her tighter, she allows him, her own arms wrapping so tight around him that she's afraid she might squeeze the air out of his lungs, but she doesn't know what else to do. She thought that it had been over, at least for the time being, but if Tifa, with the help of the crystals and the honey and whatever other magic is available to them, can't do anything about them, then what else is there...?

Her fingers brush through his hair and she holds him fast against her as his voice crackles and breaks into her neck, and her legs thread through his in an attempt to breach whatever space is remaining until there is none left for these nightmares to fill.]

Yes, you can.

[Tifa's lips are right at his ears, her voice a tender but firm whisper in them.]

I know that you're stronger than whatever this is, so please... I want to help you.

[Again he feels himself breaking yet struggling to keep it together. And despite his best efforts, it becomes too much.]

...You were dead.

[The words choke out of his mouth, the memories of that moment returning but he tries to not lose himself to it.]

I was on my way out when I saw your body lying on the ground...

[And there's the explanation of why he didn't make out of the forest in time.]

You... Your body...

[His body seizes at the memory, of how his heart stopped at the sight, the way everything seemed to stand still, all sounds muted and replaced by a high pitched ringing broken only by his desperate scream. A part of him should have known the truth, that it wasn't real, and perhaps it did. But with it being so close to the shift and all the previous nightmare energy built up, the worst took hold instead, chasing away his ability to reason.]

It was all the same as... [He can't say it, it's too difficult for him. But she should already understand.] It all came flooding back and I couldn't do anything.

[His grip tightens as the tears he had been desperately trying to hold back break free.]

I was too late... ...I couldn't save you.

["You were dead."

The words shake her down to the furthest reaches of her soul... not because it's a surprise, but because it's just as Tifa thought. When she found him cowering over the ground beneath the storm clouds, when his cries drowned out the sounds of the rolling thunder, and when her fingers reached out to those silvery scales that had spread across his hand, she knew what he had seen.

Yet, even if she had fully prepared herself for it, it still strikes fear within her too. Not for her own safety or life, but for his. She's never dealt with this first-hand before—she doesn't know how much more of this Eustace can handle, or how much it will take before something even worse strikes him. Something worse than these hallucinations and nightmares... Something that neither of them will be able to stop. Tifa has heard the stories.

But she won't allow that fear to cripple her—she can't. The moment that she does, Eustace loses. If she can't keep the pieces of herself together, then how is she supposed to help him?

If she could just find a way to shoulder some of this burden for him...

When his tears fall free, it shakes Tifa out of those dark thoughts, and if she could hold him any tighter than she already is, she will.]

It isn't too late. I'm right here... [she reassures him in a whisper, her own voice starting to crack a little more as she tries to fight that ache in her chest and burning in her eyes, and she buries her face into his hair to hide it all.] You have saved me... more times than I can count. Remember...?

I know... I know, but—

[His words come out through clenched teeth as he holds her close, almost crushing her with his strength. As if any less would risk her disappearing from his grasp.]

It's already happened once...!

[Normally if he makes mistake he just takes it and learns from it to never happen again. Yet he can't apply the same thing here. Not when time and again something out of his control takes over. Of course does still do everything he can to prevent it and normally he doesn't dwell on it, focusing on moving forward. But when times like these strike, they strike hard and rattle him.]

And it won't happen again.

[Her response is firm and immediate, giving him no room to finish the thought even if he wanted to. While she can't promise him that she knows it for sure, she does have faith that whatever happens next, they can weather it together, just like they always do, and she wishes that she could somehow instill that same faith into him as well.

But Tifa also knows that it isn't going to be easy. That these nightmares and these fears have somehow managed to root themselves so deep within him that simply reaching in and reassuring them away isn't going to work. It's going to take some work, but it's work that Tifa is willing to do. That she wants to do, if it means helping him. Still, it hurts, not knowing what the right things to say are. She wants to help, but she feels helpless...

She hates seeing him like this, and her own grip tightens on him in kind—so tight that she's sure their bodies might mold together if they stay like this.]

... What can we do to make this stop?

[Just a shake of his head with an aggravated sigh.]

I don't know.

[That's the other infuriating part. He knows that this will never go away, that he'll be carrying this fear for the rest of his life. But it's one thing to have it as a little reminder to improve himself and another to have it bring him to his knees.

Slowly he lifts his head so that he can look at her, his eyes so withdrawn and helpless.]

...Tifa...

[Even just saying her name makes his voice tremble and he tries to steady himself.]

...I love you. More than I might fully realize. I know one day you'll return to your world and I'm made my peace with that. But losing you like...

[Another shuddering sigh as he can't bring himself to repeat it again.]

The chances are slim here...I'll make sure of it. But the number of times something has taken control over me, affected me in some way I couldn't stop...

[Hell, it goes all the way back to Halloween. From being a vampire, his memory loss, the nightmares, Shakespeare, the Bleeding Heart. What happened in the bamboo forest. What if he didn't recognize her form? He had initially seen the others as something else, what if he had done the same and attacked her? Or what if she hadn't found him in time and he had completely changed? Would he recognize her or attack her? Even back there he had been afraid that he would lose it right then and there and hurt her. It's all hypothetical...yet grounded in fearsome precedent. And as someone who always, always tries to prepare for every possibility to minimize damage, this problem has haunted him with no real good solution. Not yet at least.

And every time they think things are okay, it rears its ugly head, as if a forceful reminder that hey, don't forget; can't have that precious peace and quiet just yet.]

Is the same number of times we've beaten those things.

[Tifa knows it isn't much of a comfort because she's sure he's thinking more about how they happened in the first place, but she does take a little in remembering that no matter how many times this place has tried to throw them for a loop, they always overcome it. And she believes, with utmost conviction, that they can overcome this, too.

That Eustace can.

Her hand gently brushes back his hair, her eyes studying every crinkle of his brow, every tear glistening in his eyes, every twitch of his lip, searching for any flicker of the emotions that are tiding between them right now. He looks so broken and battered, more helpless than she's ever seen him. That calm, collected, gentle man that she grew to love so quickly... he's been tattered and torn apart, his very existence frayed at its edges and still, he's here before her, continuing to fight. The sight makes her choke back a sob, and then another when his words reach her, and her own lip trembles as she bites down on it.

A small stretch of silence follows while Tifa thinks back. All of those times when they've gone to war with the magic of this place, she remembers that there had been a better thing to come out of them all. His memory loss, the Bleeding Heart, Shakespeare, and even those times in Camelot. All of them had brought them one step closer to one another—had pushed them over those lines they drew between themselves and danced around for far too long. When they were afraid to take that leap, the world had done it for them.

It was scary at the time, but with each one, they came to understand the other better, and Tifa would like to think that in all of the darkness, there was still a light at the end of the tunnel. A light that should be cherished.

Those star flowers that had started to wither away are now budding and waiting to bloom again. She plucks one from between the cushions and holds it between them, twirling it between her fingers. Its petals quiver but it doesn't blossom yet, but as she watches the glow peek out from between them, Tifa realizes something.]

I love you too, Eustace. I can't even begin to tell you how much that sometimes it scares me...

[The flowers are proof that what they feel for each other is so much stronger than the things that are eating away at him... That even as they try to drain the life from them, they can still grow back as big, bright, and beautiful as before.

Her next words come a little slower as she chooses them carefully.]

I know it's hard, but you need to stop being afraid of it. Embrace it. Use it to fight against whatever this is...

[That wish to protect and keep her safe... to love and cherish and treasure her and what they have... Is it so much that that is what's been frightening him...?]

{ Moon's Haunted }

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🎀