Dreamland (round 3)

[foundationmods]

[A strange house of some sort sits in the pitch black nothingness that exists around it. For those just now wandering in, they will be drawn to the building, finding it lit up in a way that it should not be. It's as if the whole area- house, yard, fence, and giant sakura tree- all give off their own light, and the newly-arrived are drawn to it like a moth to the flame.

Inside the boundary of the yard, the familiar faces of those who have passed on already will greet them. Depending on who is asked, they might give an accurate explanation. But even if they don't, one thing is clear: you don't want to leave this place. The area outside feels Dangerous, and it is probably best to stay put.

Fortunately, the house is built in an old style, and there are many rooms to explore. One room on the second floor seems locked, but the rest are open to explore as desired. The standard rooms are easy to find: kitchen, a W.C. and a bathroom, a sitting room of some sort, and a couple bedrooms (with plenty of futons for the dead to use). There are also several tatami mat rooms with nothing in them currently, but it seems like there might be some use for those rooms.

Around the house, perches for birds can be found. No birds are on them currently, though.

Sometimes Watanuki can be found in the house, but most of the time the dead will be left to their own devices. The question is, what will they do here?]

Comments

[chaoscontrol]

[yeah. Just like Shadow's actions released something in Sherlock, Sherlock collapsing makes Shadow ball up completely, spines erect and looking quite dangerous.

Said ball of quills also shudders on occasion]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[He had to keep looking, observing, calculating - but it's hard to ignore who the bodies were, but he had to look. He can't look away, can't ignore it, can't hide from it.

He has to know, for their sake.

Sherlock's voice shivers, sounding britle as he saw Shadow ball up completely. A glove hand reached, but wisely pull back before he pricks himself]

[chaoscontrol]

[Probably wise, Sherlock. These quills can shred metal, a glove wouldn't be any effort at all]

[sotoshini]

[ After he's confirmed who's dead and made sure that stuff is as reasonably taken care of as it can be, Natsuno heads to the dream world. He'll check with Anon first, but finding Shadow is his next priority.

...he's no good at stuff like this, and he still wants to delete Erhard from the universe, but that doesn't really matter right now. He'll crouch next to Shadow and wait to see if he's going to uncurl on his own. ]

[chaoscontrol]

[Natsuno will have to wait about ten minutes before the hedgehog shows any signs of uncurling. And when he does, it's only back to the partial, knees to the chest position he was in earlier. His eyes are dry, now... but a bit red, and the fur around them and on his muzzle have evidence of dried tears.

At least in this position, every spine on his body isn't poised and ready to shred, so there's that???]

[sotoshini]

[ That is something, at least. He'll let himself settle into a seated position and respectfully stare straight ahead. Emotions are hard and he doesn't understand them well, but hopefully the effort counts. ]

It's a mess up there, but they're figuring it out.

[ A beat. ]

Sorry.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow finally speaks, and his voice is quiet and hoarse]

Again. Someone killed someone I cared about again, and I wasn't.... I wasn't able to do anything.

[he curls up a little more tightly, but not in a total ball]

He said I was more of a father to him than any parent he'd had. What a joke... I failed. I failed to protect either of you.

[sotoshini]

[ It's fine, Natsuno can be as impatient as he is impulsive. There are assurances he could give, platitudes he could say, but he waits for Shadow to finish. He's glad he did, even if it makes him freeze up upon hearing the rest.

Some part of this is all is truly ironic, in that largely casting aside his humanity has brought other parts of it closer. Those parts are terrifying, but he won't reject them. And though it'll take him a few seconds, when he speaks it's with a quiet assuredness. ]

He wasn't wrong. Not about that, at least.

[chaoscontrol]

But both of you died...! Koide, after you died... I... I had to protect Erhard, at any cost...! I couldn't lose another one...! I...

[he curls up again, but not tightly. But he is crying again, and not trying hard to hide it]

If you both... think of me that way... isn't it a father's job to protect his children...?

[sotoshini]

[ ...ah. It feels like people have been crying in front of him a lot lately. With less hesitation than before, he reaches out to pat Shadow like he did several days ago. Even if he does turn into a spikeball again, it's fine; something like that is a non-issue for his regeneration.

Words follow shortly after, like raindrops from a sudden storm. ]

Shadow. My own father did almost everything he could to ensure my demise. It wasn't on purpose, but if he hadn't been as stubborn maybe I would have had a chance. No matter how much I asked or begged, he wouldn't listen to me. I was just a kid who didn't know any better, and he was an adult who thought he knew everything about the world.

But you listen to me. You're different. There's no perfect textbook definition for a father, for a human, for a jinrou. Trying to define yourself by one won't work because you're better than that. More than that.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow doesn't bristle this time, so unless Natsuno makes the bad decision to pet his quills the wrong direction, he won't get skewered]

Koide... [he looks up at Natsuno when he is instructed to listen, his ear turning appropriately] Is listening all that is really needed...?

[sotoshini]

[ He hasn't had any pets of his own in his lives, but like many other things right now he's figuring it out as he goes along. Here his instinct is good at least, and he continues to pet Shadow. ]

It's one of the most important things. There might be more but—to me it's enough. [ A small, genuine unassuming smile. ]

[chaoscontrol]

[He's only ever let a few people pet him, before. Gerald used to give him pats, tell him he was proud of him. Maria would pet behind his ears to make him feel better. Rouge, a few times, managed to catch Shadow off guard...

... it feels good. He leans his head into it a bit.

Natsuno's confession is enough to make Shadow tear up again, but this time he paws the tears from his eyes]

... I will... I will always be there to listen, if you have need of me, Koide.

[sotoshini]

[ There's something calming about comforting Shadow too. He might never be the hugging type, but Natsuno can at least do this. ]

I know. Thank you. [ A beat. ] I don't know what I can give you, but if it's something I can—I will.

[chaoscontrol]

[well the parts of him that aren't pointy ARE quite soft...]


You're welcome. And... thank you, as well, Koide.

[sotoshini]

[ Best hedgedad. ]

Mmn, it's nothing. [ A beat. ] I took care of everything I could on the other side if you want to rest before trial. I'll wake you up when it's time.

[chaoscontrol]

You know... I think I will take a short rest. Thank you.