Good old Scarley Scarls. Of course she was the first one to come to his side, girl was always good to make peeps feel better. Aiden couldn't help but feel a tiny bit touched, not tearing-up-worthy or anything, but still, it did feel nice. Meant she trusted him or something like that. Maybe she just wanted to be with him. Either way, sure made him feel less shitty, he'd have to thank her once they got out of the place.
He smiled back at her, thinking about patting her on the back for a moment, maybe even go all in for some hugging business. Nah, woulda looked kinda weird, maybe. She wasn't his sis, no permission to get all close and comfy there. "Thanks, appreciate it. Like really, thanks a whole bunch."
Other three though, no idea what they were gonna do. Like, stickin' to that whole story wasn't gonna help them any, all they had to do was follow him or something and they'd all sit in a bus back home soon enough. Still, if they wanted to hang around some more, that was their deal. Place was about as appealing as a back alley in New Jersey or some shit, so no real reason for them to stick around there. He wouldn't force them to come with him though, no way. Each to their own, that sorta business.
He waited until Barry finished talking, then shrugged. "I mean like, you can follow us and all, free country and stuff. Me, I'm gettin' out of here, no way I'm stickin' around any longer."
He gave each of the three others a quick glance again. Barry and Jon Jon, they'd figure out their shit soon enough, would prolly follow after a little chat with each other or something. The chick, he had no idea. Kinda creeped him out, really, what with her being all silent like that. She'd prolly follow the other two, so no reason to have a bad conscience there. He'd do his thing and so would they, all good.
"So for when you guys decide to bounce: Need to turn the corner I just came 'round." He pointed his thumb behind himself, over his shoulder. "Then go down the hallway, through all those gates, all the way to the end. Turn uh...right again, I'm pretty sure. Down another hallway, somewhere around there should be some stairs that go down. Missed them earlier, that's why I ended up here. No signs out there, so that sorta sucks." He cleared his throat. "Just some stuff that might come in handy."
He was ready to turn away and go back the way he came, but not before looking back at the other three one last time. "Look, all gonna be fine, okay? This isn't the real deal here, just isn't. See y'all later and don't get lost in here, alright? Wouldn't want to return home with three of our team missing, know what I'm sayin'?"
He snickered, then gave them a parting nod. Still hadn't lost his sense o' humor, nope. Wouldn't get all jittery over fuckery like this, no way. He was fine, they'd be fine too.
He turned his head to Scarlett, giving her a nod as well, inviting this time. "Let's go, yeah?"
((Aiden Slattery continued in Needles and Pins))
Imprimatura
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Rorick Skyve†
- Posts: 246
- Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:26 pm
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Rorick Skyve. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
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Primrosette
- Posts: 1033
- Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2018 9:58 am
- Location: In the Dark Abyss
Scarlett heard Barry and Jonathan talking behind her. They didn't seem to like the idea of them splitting up. Just her and Aiden being alone out there. Maybe bumping into someone who is a friend or could be an ally. Hopefully, they wouldn't run into someone who is willing to kill them. Maybe Jonathan and Barry will follow after them. She had no idea. She didn't want to think about it too much. She just wanted to leave this horrible place.
Scarlett was feeling bad for Aiden more. He sounded really... hopeful that everything was fake. How she wished it was true. But Scarlett was accepting that they were in a kill or be killed scenario. Aiden was giving the others directions on how to get out. She thought that was sweet of him to do. Scarlett almost rolled her eyes as he was trying to be funny. It was good to see him like that. But how long would it last? Possibly not for long.
As Aiden was starting to leave; Scarlett turned back to the others and she give them a reassuring smile. Hoping that it didn't look like it was going to break. "Be careful, you guys! See you around!" She nodded to them.
She gave them a quick wave and she hurried to follow Aiden.
((Scarlett McAfee continued in Needles and Pins))
Scarlett was feeling bad for Aiden more. He sounded really... hopeful that everything was fake. How she wished it was true. But Scarlett was accepting that they were in a kill or be killed scenario. Aiden was giving the others directions on how to get out. She thought that was sweet of him to do. Scarlett almost rolled her eyes as he was trying to be funny. It was good to see him like that. But how long would it last? Possibly not for long.
As Aiden was starting to leave; Scarlett turned back to the others and she give them a reassuring smile. Hoping that it didn't look like it was going to break. "Be careful, you guys! See you around!" She nodded to them.
She gave them a quick wave and she hurried to follow Aiden.
((Scarlett McAfee continued in Needles and Pins))
And just like that, they were gone. After all of that, they were gone. Jonathan wanted to go after them. He wanted to tell them to stay. Barry wanted to stay here, figure things out. There's nothing here. It's an asylum, a prison, a tomb. There was nothing here but darkness, more darkness, and even more damn darkness. They couldn't just wait here to die!
"But what about them? We can't just let them get theirselves killed!"
Calm down Jonathan. Barry saved you. Barry and Tina. You owe them. Barry was right. It sucked, but they didn't know what was out there at all. They don't even know what's in here, or how big this place is.
Jonathan apologized, he had to calm down, he can't start snapping at people this early, let alone the people who helped him out.
"I'm sorry, I just- I don't think we should be splitting up like this."
They needed to do something, anything. But what could they do? At this point, Jonathan realized just how lost he was.
Jonathan wanted to help everyone he could, he wanted to find his friends, he wanted... He wanted to live, but he had no idea how. He had no idea how to find anyone, had no idea how to help anyone, had no idea how to escape. He couldn't even get out of where he woke up in.
No, don't lose hope, don't give up. Listen to Barry, and just try to reason out something, a plan, anything.
"What's the plan, w-what should we do?"
They had to do something. There was no point pacing in circles waiting for the inevitable. That same inevitable would only be inevitable if they do nothing.
"But what about them? We can't just let them get theirselves killed!"
Calm down Jonathan. Barry saved you. Barry and Tina. You owe them. Barry was right. It sucked, but they didn't know what was out there at all. They don't even know what's in here, or how big this place is.
Jonathan apologized, he had to calm down, he can't start snapping at people this early, let alone the people who helped him out.
"I'm sorry, I just- I don't think we should be splitting up like this."
They needed to do something, anything. But what could they do? At this point, Jonathan realized just how lost he was.
Jonathan wanted to help everyone he could, he wanted to find his friends, he wanted... He wanted to live, but he had no idea how. He had no idea how to find anyone, had no idea how to help anyone, had no idea how to escape. He couldn't even get out of where he woke up in.
No, don't lose hope, don't give up. Listen to Barry, and just try to reason out something, a plan, anything.
"What's the plan, w-what should we do?"
They had to do something. There was no point pacing in circles waiting for the inevitable. That same inevitable would only be inevitable if they do nothing.
Barry didn't want Beaks and Scarlett to leave. He knew that they would be better off sticking together. However, Barry's plan of staying put and figuring things out conflicted with Beaks' desire to leave the area as soon as possible. He couldn't help but feel guilty as he watched Beaks and Scarlett leave. He felt as though there was more that he could do to keep them safe within their group, but he couldn't find any words to convince them as they walked away.
It certainly didn't help him feel any better when Jonathan immediately called them out on letting Beaks and Scarlett just leave like that. Barry had been thinking the exact same thing, but it somehow felt a thousand times worse when someone else was shouting it in shock. Sure, Jonathan apologized right after, but that didn't make it sting any less.
They needed a plan, and Barry needed to come up with something that would help all of them. He ran through a few different ideas in his head, trying to find one that would work out best for them, but kept finding flaws with whatever he thought up. He eventually came to the conclusion that he should just try to keep it simple for now, and branch off from there.
"All right, I have an idea." He declared to his two remaining companions. "We've gotta know what we're dealing with here, so I think we should check our supplies so we know what we have on hand. Plus, knowing what our weapons are will probably make u a little less nervous. After that, we can try to find Beaks and Scarlett again."
He gave a hopeful look to Jonathan and Tina and waited for a response.
It certainly didn't help him feel any better when Jonathan immediately called them out on letting Beaks and Scarlett just leave like that. Barry had been thinking the exact same thing, but it somehow felt a thousand times worse when someone else was shouting it in shock. Sure, Jonathan apologized right after, but that didn't make it sting any less.
They needed a plan, and Barry needed to come up with something that would help all of them. He ran through a few different ideas in his head, trying to find one that would work out best for them, but kept finding flaws with whatever he thought up. He eventually came to the conclusion that he should just try to keep it simple for now, and branch off from there.
"All right, I have an idea." He declared to his two remaining companions. "We've gotta know what we're dealing with here, so I think we should check our supplies so we know what we have on hand. Plus, knowing what our weapons are will probably make u a little less nervous. After that, we can try to find Beaks and Scarlett again."
He gave a hopeful look to Jonathan and Tina and waited for a response.
"Yeah, better to find out what's going on before running out there..." Jonathan didn't like this one bit, for all he knew, everyone was in the asylum, and the kid with the biggest weapon was outside waiting to gun them all down one by one. So it was best to find out what everyone here had first, just to be prepared.
"Well, all I have is a tape recorder, don't think I can record bullets for us, ehheh." Some nervous laughter followed by a joke worse than one of Darius'. Nice one Jon. Actually, Jonathan was hoping Darius was okay, though he wouldn't have doubted it if he had already gotten himself into something. He shouldn't think like that though. Nobody was dead until the announcements hit right?
Jonathan continued to look through the contents of his bag. Energy bars, crackers, bread, bottled water, first aid kit, map, survival guide. Wait, survival guide? Jonathan opened the booklet, reading through the pages. Maybe he'd find some tips on how to purify water or build a shelter...
Nope.
Even Jonathan knew this book was practically useless. Just skimming through it, he saw it for what it was, an ego stroke. Scoffing, he casually tossed the book aside as he pulled out the map. This island was a lot bigger than he thought. If he were to find his friends, he'd have to get right to work.
"I think we just need to find everyone we can."
"Well, all I have is a tape recorder, don't think I can record bullets for us, ehheh." Some nervous laughter followed by a joke worse than one of Darius'. Nice one Jon. Actually, Jonathan was hoping Darius was okay, though he wouldn't have doubted it if he had already gotten himself into something. He shouldn't think like that though. Nobody was dead until the announcements hit right?
Jonathan continued to look through the contents of his bag. Energy bars, crackers, bread, bottled water, first aid kit, map, survival guide. Wait, survival guide? Jonathan opened the booklet, reading through the pages. Maybe he'd find some tips on how to purify water or build a shelter...
Nope.
Even Jonathan knew this book was practically useless. Just skimming through it, he saw it for what it was, an ego stroke. Scoffing, he casually tossed the book aside as he pulled out the map. This island was a lot bigger than he thought. If he were to find his friends, he'd have to get right to work.
"I think we just need to find everyone we can."
All right, so Jonathan had a tape recorder, which meant that he was functionally unarmed. Bummer. Barry didn't want to put any pressure on anyone else, so he decided to be the next one to ruffle through his bags. He knelt on the ground and unzipped his bag for the first time to uncover the secrets within.
As soon as Barry got a good look into his bag, he discovered a whole lot of survival supplies, far more than he thought their kidnappers would have provided for them. Apparently they had been expecting a long game. To be honest, Barry wasn't quite sure if that idea was more or less terrifying than the possibility that the terrorists could have left them with next to nothing. He dug through what seemed to be a wall of dry, packaged foodstuffs mixed with various other items until he felt something metallic graze his hand. His interest piqued, he pushed his first aid kit to the side to get a better shot at gripping whatever had just come into contact with his hand. He was able to grasp what felt like a handle, and pulled it out of the cluttered bag to see what he had received, unintentionally dragging a piece of paper along the way.
It was definitely a gun of some sort, that was for sure. It certainly had the shape for it. Barry had never held a gun before, but it felt unlike anything he had ever held in his hands before, certainly nothing like the water guns he had played with as a kid. Here he was holding an incredibly powerful object, a weapon that could cripple or kill in an instant. It wasn't a comfortable feeling. If anything, it only further reminded him of the grimness of their situation. He never thought that he would have something so lethal in his grip, and he didn't feel like he was supposed to.
He picked up the piece of paper with his spare hand and read the printed title aloud. "MAC-10." So that was what he had. He examined the accompanying diagram. "Huh, so the bullets go in there." He looked at the hole in the bottom of the gun where he was meant to feed the magazine. Yep, this was definitely a real gun, no fooling. He didn't really think it would be especially helpful in finding people, but at least they had some way to protect themselves. He carefully put the MAC-10 on top of the mess that was the inside of his bag, and turned to Jonathan before zipping it back up.
"We definitely need to get people together. We stand a better chance if we stand united. Us three and whoever else we meet up with."
As soon as Barry got a good look into his bag, he discovered a whole lot of survival supplies, far more than he thought their kidnappers would have provided for them. Apparently they had been expecting a long game. To be honest, Barry wasn't quite sure if that idea was more or less terrifying than the possibility that the terrorists could have left them with next to nothing. He dug through what seemed to be a wall of dry, packaged foodstuffs mixed with various other items until he felt something metallic graze his hand. His interest piqued, he pushed his first aid kit to the side to get a better shot at gripping whatever had just come into contact with his hand. He was able to grasp what felt like a handle, and pulled it out of the cluttered bag to see what he had received, unintentionally dragging a piece of paper along the way.
It was definitely a gun of some sort, that was for sure. It certainly had the shape for it. Barry had never held a gun before, but it felt unlike anything he had ever held in his hands before, certainly nothing like the water guns he had played with as a kid. Here he was holding an incredibly powerful object, a weapon that could cripple or kill in an instant. It wasn't a comfortable feeling. If anything, it only further reminded him of the grimness of their situation. He never thought that he would have something so lethal in his grip, and he didn't feel like he was supposed to.
He picked up the piece of paper with his spare hand and read the printed title aloud. "MAC-10." So that was what he had. He examined the accompanying diagram. "Huh, so the bullets go in there." He looked at the hole in the bottom of the gun where he was meant to feed the magazine. Yep, this was definitely a real gun, no fooling. He didn't really think it would be especially helpful in finding people, but at least they had some way to protect themselves. He carefully put the MAC-10 on top of the mess that was the inside of his bag, and turned to Jonathan before zipping it back up.
"We definitely need to get people together. We stand a better chance if we stand united. Us three and whoever else we meet up with."
Jonathan's jaw dropped when he saw Barry's MAC-10. Should he be jealous that he didn't get such a good gun, or grateful that his savior has possibly the best weapon on the island. A friggen MAC-10?!! That's awesome, but at the same time kind of scary. Jonathan hoped he wouldn't see it get used. He shouldn't get hyped up over seeing a weapon like that. Jonathan looked at the floor for a moment mentally disgusted in himself.
"Um, wow. That's... That's a gun." Yeah Jon, no shit. "Well, at least we-" Something distant reached his ears. "Hey, you hear that?" Jonathan paused as the group went quiet. Was that a bell? Jonathan awaited if the noise would return. Once he heard it again, he pulled out his map. Yeah, it was a bell alright. And it was right by them. That meant there were people there. Why was it so faint for how close it is though? Maybe it was where they were at? They were in one of the darkest corners of the building after all.
"That was coming from the bell tower, you think we should check it out?" Maybe Michael was there. Hell, maybe all of them were there. Maybe they could plan some sort of escape with everyone there. If they could avoid killing each other by then, they could get off this island alive. The Terrorists would lose. That'd, well, that would be great. It was wishful thinking, admittedly, but it was better than losing hope immediately.
"Um, wow. That's... That's a gun." Yeah Jon, no shit. "Well, at least we-" Something distant reached his ears. "Hey, you hear that?" Jonathan paused as the group went quiet. Was that a bell? Jonathan awaited if the noise would return. Once he heard it again, he pulled out his map. Yeah, it was a bell alright. And it was right by them. That meant there were people there. Why was it so faint for how close it is though? Maybe it was where they were at? They were in one of the darkest corners of the building after all.
"That was coming from the bell tower, you think we should check it out?" Maybe Michael was there. Hell, maybe all of them were there. Maybe they could plan some sort of escape with everyone there. If they could avoid killing each other by then, they could get off this island alive. The Terrorists would lose. That'd, well, that would be great. It was wishful thinking, admittedly, but it was better than losing hope immediately.
Barry immediately took notice of Jonathan's reaction to his gun. Admittedly, he didn't know very much about guns, but just from Jonathan's face, he could tell that he had a good one on his hands. Still, he didn't have any plans of using it in the near future, at least not outside of the most dire situations. He had never really considered himself the aggressive type, and violence didn't come naturally to him at all. He was more of a talker. He hoped to rely more on speech than shooting, but he supposed that it was nice to have his options open.
Wow... just thinking like that made Barry a little uncomfortable. Were the terrorists already starting to get into his head? He shook it off and tried to focus on the task at hand.
Then he heard the bell. It was a muffled, distant sound thanks to their current location, but there was no mistaking it. Before Barry could ask, Jonathan had already pointed out the Bell Tower on the island. It was surprisingly close. The walls must have been better at absorbing sound that he had expected. Jonathan proposed the idea of heading for the Bell Tower, an idea that gave Barry some pause.
Barry started thinking out loud. "Well, the bell sounded, so there's probably going to be at least some people there." He figured that the bell would cause most people to either head for the tower or deliberately move away, but he knew that someone had to be there in order to make it ring in the first place. "Could be dangerous, but we've also got a chance to get some more people on our side. Plus, a bigger group means a better shot at getting out of here."
He turned to Jonathan and Tina. "So what do you guys think? Yay or nay?"
Wow... just thinking like that made Barry a little uncomfortable. Were the terrorists already starting to get into his head? He shook it off and tried to focus on the task at hand.
Then he heard the bell. It was a muffled, distant sound thanks to their current location, but there was no mistaking it. Before Barry could ask, Jonathan had already pointed out the Bell Tower on the island. It was surprisingly close. The walls must have been better at absorbing sound that he had expected. Jonathan proposed the idea of heading for the Bell Tower, an idea that gave Barry some pause.
Barry started thinking out loud. "Well, the bell sounded, so there's probably going to be at least some people there." He figured that the bell would cause most people to either head for the tower or deliberately move away, but he knew that someone had to be there in order to make it ring in the first place. "Could be dangerous, but we've also got a chance to get some more people on our side. Plus, a bigger group means a better shot at getting out of here."
He turned to Jonathan and Tina. "So what do you guys think? Yay or nay?"
"Yeah I think we should go." The bell was a good sign. It meant people wouldn't be ready to kill each other just yet. "Worst case scenario nobody else comes." The real worse case scenario was that it would be a trap; but Jonathan did not want to think of it that way. Even then, while it was a very real chance, there was also a very real chance their group was better armed, and maybe Barry could diffuse the situation.
Then, there were the best case scenarios. Everyone would be waiting outside for a plan of some sort. They could keep violence down, hell, they could remove it. They could plan an escape, or worse comes to worse... Danya said if nobody died, they'd all die. Maybe... Maybe that'd be for the best? They would still die, but they'd be the victors. They'd prove the terrorists wrong. All that money, all of that planning, it'd all be for naught. They'd die, but they would die spitting in the face of the terrorists.
There was also the fact that they could escape. They plan something out, turn off the collars. Some of them would die, but most could live. They could get off the island, maybe get the army to help. Maybe they could put an end to it once and for all. They could still live or die, and this was all hopeful thinking, but it was possible.
Then there would be the middle ground, the most realistic option. Not many people there. Just enough looking for refuge or a plan. Kind of like their current situation. They could all group up, make a pact. Stick together, find their friends. Or, through sheer paranoia the group would tear itself apart...
There were so many ways it could go down. Some good, some bad. But whatever the outcome is, it will be better than just standing here waiting to die. Sitting here, nothing would get done, and everything Jon has ever done in his life would amount to nothing. He wouldn't go out like that.
"We're going to the bell tower. I think it's our only choice if we want to live."
It was blunt, but it was true.
Then, there were the best case scenarios. Everyone would be waiting outside for a plan of some sort. They could keep violence down, hell, they could remove it. They could plan an escape, or worse comes to worse... Danya said if nobody died, they'd all die. Maybe... Maybe that'd be for the best? They would still die, but they'd be the victors. They'd prove the terrorists wrong. All that money, all of that planning, it'd all be for naught. They'd die, but they would die spitting in the face of the terrorists.
There was also the fact that they could escape. They plan something out, turn off the collars. Some of them would die, but most could live. They could get off the island, maybe get the army to help. Maybe they could put an end to it once and for all. They could still live or die, and this was all hopeful thinking, but it was possible.
Then there would be the middle ground, the most realistic option. Not many people there. Just enough looking for refuge or a plan. Kind of like their current situation. They could all group up, make a pact. Stick together, find their friends. Or, through sheer paranoia the group would tear itself apart...
There were so many ways it could go down. Some good, some bad. But whatever the outcome is, it will be better than just standing here waiting to die. Sitting here, nothing would get done, and everything Jon has ever done in his life would amount to nothing. He wouldn't go out like that.
"We're going to the bell tower. I think it's our only choice if we want to live."
It was blunt, but it was true.
All right, that settled it. They had a plan. Get to the bell tower, find out what's going on, and hopefully get some help to escape the island. It was the best lead they had, so they were going to follow it. With how few options they had, they really didn't have any better choices. Barry was going to remain optimistic, though. They had an opportunity, and he was going to make the most of it.
"Okay, I guess we've got a plan." He stated to his allies. "Let's find a way out of here and get to the tower." He readjusted his bag's strap to make it a bit more comfortable and started walking down the hall in search of an exit. He kept his head up and put a smile on his face to maintain his high spirit. He told himself that their plan was going to work. He believed that it was going to work.
((Barry Banks continued in 人生の曲))
"Okay, I guess we've got a plan." He stated to his allies. "Let's find a way out of here and get to the tower." He readjusted his bag's strap to make it a bit more comfortable and started walking down the hall in search of an exit. He kept his head up and put a smile on his face to maintain his high spirit. He told himself that their plan was going to work. He believed that it was going to work.
((Barry Banks continued in 人生の曲))
Jonathan smiled. The group was in motion, and for the most part, this was it. It really was the only option, either that or giving up. Wait, why did he say giving up was an option? It wasn't. They would go to the bell tower, and then they would get off of this island. One way, or another, Jonathan had no idea what to expect.
He could only hope everything went alright.
And if it doesn't? He'd have to think of something different. He'd need help. And he'd need the right supplies...
Except Jonathan didn't really have a plan. He had no idea what to do, no idea how to think of what to do, no clue on it all... He drowned it out. He would figure it out as he went along. He couldn't give up. Not now, not when he just started.
Not ever.
((Jonathan Gulley continued elsewhere))
He could only hope everything went alright.
And if it doesn't? He'd have to think of something different. He'd need help. And he'd need the right supplies...
Except Jonathan didn't really have a plan. He had no idea what to do, no idea how to think of what to do, no clue on it all... He drowned it out. He would figure it out as he went along. He couldn't give up. Not now, not when he just started.
Not ever.
((Jonathan Gulley continued elsewhere))
Flesh and bone and bright. Slowly the tones began to melt away. Vapors dribbled off them, etching air into the vaguest of shapes. A map. A wave. A plastic casing, a plastic wreath. Steel, cast into violence.
Tina's ears split. They went without protection, as firm bolting welded her to her mockery of a stave. Muffled loud, like a gun shot chromatic over an octave. Back and forth, back and forth, fingers danced on a piano diminuendo. Pressure on her lip. Enamel. A face, a request for thought. Tina tasted the slightest tinge of iron and rust. It splashed from the sinewy pillow she crushed with incisors. It hurt. Sentences exchanged. It hurt. The velvety cream of a shoulder rubbed by fabric as it mightily flexed. The drift of vapors, until the air was clean of all but the remaining miasma. Noxious on her breath. A finger trembled though Tina was a statue. She could breathe.
It hurt.
She felt her chest tense, loosen. Tense, loosen. Tense, loosen. Lungfuls in syncopation, whistling mutely through eroded crags of teeth. Each step. A discombobulated accordion, air leaking with every footfall. Her shadow was cast. The typecast of G047, unassuming, darkened a few shades. Zero saturation could become negative. Thoughts continued to churn, hollow racket of cogs and clanks.
Tina's field of vision narrowed. A distant din that continued to stubbornly echo, it was finally silenced. She could only hear her own breath. Tepid. A weapon clattered to her side, briefly abandoned. Her fingers wove, a clumsy backstitch. The purr of a zipper. Nothing but muted hues inside, but one hue stood out. Grayscale, more so than it's surroundings. The gentle god-fearing gift of a girl who didn't fear god. Reverence led greasy fingerprints only lightly against the fibers of anothers' child, pride. Pride. An emotion.
It...
Would do. She could wear it, even if it weren't her own. But not on her body. On her soul, where it would be warm. In her bag, where it would be safe. Lily Caldwell's gift to Tina Luz was carefully buried, sealed hermetically by masses of other meaningless fabrics.
One breath, just one. It smelled only of the sun's gentle touch and a spring breeze. Home. If she put one foot before another, if she made toe meet heel... But she needed to hold a weapon.
She breathed choke.
((Florentina Luz continued in Rückenfigur))
Tina's ears split. They went without protection, as firm bolting welded her to her mockery of a stave. Muffled loud, like a gun shot chromatic over an octave. Back and forth, back and forth, fingers danced on a piano diminuendo. Pressure on her lip. Enamel. A face, a request for thought. Tina tasted the slightest tinge of iron and rust. It splashed from the sinewy pillow she crushed with incisors. It hurt. Sentences exchanged. It hurt. The velvety cream of a shoulder rubbed by fabric as it mightily flexed. The drift of vapors, until the air was clean of all but the remaining miasma. Noxious on her breath. A finger trembled though Tina was a statue. She could breathe.
It hurt.
She felt her chest tense, loosen. Tense, loosen. Tense, loosen. Lungfuls in syncopation, whistling mutely through eroded crags of teeth. Each step. A discombobulated accordion, air leaking with every footfall. Her shadow was cast. The typecast of G047, unassuming, darkened a few shades. Zero saturation could become negative. Thoughts continued to churn, hollow racket of cogs and clanks.
Tina's field of vision narrowed. A distant din that continued to stubbornly echo, it was finally silenced. She could only hear her own breath. Tepid. A weapon clattered to her side, briefly abandoned. Her fingers wove, a clumsy backstitch. The purr of a zipper. Nothing but muted hues inside, but one hue stood out. Grayscale, more so than it's surroundings. The gentle god-fearing gift of a girl who didn't fear god. Reverence led greasy fingerprints only lightly against the fibers of anothers' child, pride. Pride. An emotion.
It...
Would do. She could wear it, even if it weren't her own. But not on her body. On her soul, where it would be warm. In her bag, where it would be safe. Lily Caldwell's gift to Tina Luz was carefully buried, sealed hermetically by masses of other meaningless fabrics.
One breath, just one. It smelled only of the sun's gentle touch and a spring breeze. Home. If she put one foot before another, if she made toe meet heel... But she needed to hold a weapon.
She breathed choke.
((Florentina Luz continued in Rückenfigur))
V8 Vibes:
V7 Vibes:
