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 Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:26 am
Feldspar/Narcissus Space 0:You have arrived here; nothing happens until you roll your die.
It was a rare occurrence that Feldspar and Narcissus ever mutually decided to hang out together alone. They were on friendly enough terms, cordial, aware of each other’s civilian and powered identities, knew where each other lived, were capable of carrying on a conversation, couldn’t place any particular dislikes about one another- But their ‘friendship’ existed solely because of their relationships to other people. And in the absence of those other people, there was hardly reason for them to hang around together.
Usually.
“I hope I’m n-not, mm… being any k-kind of bother,” Narcissus stammered out as one hand wrung into the airy drapery of his fuku, magenta eyes peeking up through heavy lashes as he cast a quick look to Feldspar’s face, assessing, and then darted away. “I just thought, maybe, if you weren’t terribly b-busy- You know, I don’t go out alone too often: it just seems dangerous, and I know it m-makes Nataniel anxious- And I figured maybe you didn’t either, because-” Because it was more difficult for Feldspar to get around, but Narcissus couldn’t say that. “-because maybe it makes Ellian anxious too. N-not that they’re alike in very many ways- Any, I would say, but when it comes to the people important to them, maybe-”
At the risk of letting Narcissus stutter on about nothing, weaving haphazard half-conversations together, Feldspar reached out a hand to clasp around his arm. “Buddy, buddy. It’s cool. I’m happy you called. More interesting to do these chores together than alone, right?”
Narcissus’ smile was a bit wavering, but grateful just the same.
They did have one particular thing in common that set them apart from the rest of their friend group: voted most likely to be useless in an altercation. The Dark Mirror simply wasn’t going to fight, even if that’s what it came to, and even if Feldspar was willing to hurt, maim, and kill, his disabilities did put him at a slight disadvantage. When either Feldspar or Narcissus went out powered, it was usually alongside someone arguably more ‘capable,’ just in case an enemy wanted to pick a fight.
Not that that happened too often. So Narcissus sometimes didn’t see the harm in being a little less regimented about it. They were both adults and didn’t need supervision from Rakovanite or Diesel or Weissite. And if they were together, that was its own measure of safety..?
Or was it the exact opposite, where they were putting two helpless targets together and expecting the best? Narcissus wasn’t going to dwell on that; he preferred the first option.
“Well, thanks… for meeting me. I d-don’t usually wander too far from home, anyway. I’m n-not trying to make a whole expedition out of a l-little draining. I mostly like to get it done as quickly as possible. S-so…?” Narcissus gave a tiny shrug, notched his head slightly to the side as he took a step in preparation to set off and get started.
A stone rolled beneath the toe of his sandal, and he shooed it away with his foot. It clattered across the road with a quiet plink- plink- as it rolled, and both boys’ gazes fell toward the sound. Nothing of interest. Pebbles were hardly uncommon litter around the pavement.
Feldspar watched it settle. It glinted in the dim light cast by the overhead streetlamp, and even though it had landed several feet away, he could tell immediately- Not a pebble. “...A die.” He was usually pretty good at not jumping to conclusions, but given where they were and what time of year it was: “That can’t be good.”
Narcissus’ hand snatched at Feldspar’s arm as a shocked squeak escaped his lips. The road, the sidewalk, the street lights dissolved in a bluster of wind, and there the pair of them were, once again, left on this field of spaces.
Just like last year.
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EchosSweet rolled 2 6-sided dice:
2, 2
Total: 4 (2-12)
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:26 am
Feldspar Space 2:Something pale and ghostly slams into your back; you don’t see it, but it feels like it’s trying to push you forward–or to the side, or off the path. Thankfully, the magical glass walls stop you from going too far, but this is jarring–and might hurt. Narcissus Space 2:Something pale and ghostly slams into your back; you don’t see it, but it feels like it’s trying to push you forward–or to the side, or off the path. Thankfully, the magical glass walls stop you from going too far, but this is jarring–and might hurt.
“S-sorry! I’m s-so s-sorry,” Narcissus stammered out immediately upon seeing where they were. He’d been here before- He’d done this before. But he’d had Rakovanite last time, and now because he’d kicked a stupid rock across the ground, he’d dragged poor Feldspar here, and how could it be anything but completely and entirely his own fault for getting both of them into this mess- Feldspar could be hurt- Everything had worked out well enough last time, but no one was saying it would be the same this time, and Rakovanite wasn’t here if Basyl needed him. Rakovanite wasn’t here-
Not for the first time that night, Feldspar clasped his hands around Narcissus’ arms, holding him still and staring him dead in the face. “Narcissus, it’s fine. It’s cool, alright? Stop freaking out. Look.” He dipped and collected one of the dice from the ground at the senshi’s feet, because of course there were a pair of them now, one for each boy, perfectly in reach, waiting to get started.
Feldspar placed and held the die in Narcissus’ palm. “We just have to get through this like any other lame board game, alright? Not to brag or anything, but I figure if I made it out once, a second time is nothing to be scared about.”
Narcissus startled in Feldspar’s hold, something between a flinch and a twitch as he eyed the shorter man. “Y-you’ve… done this before too?”
Too?
Feldspar didn’t dwell on that revelation. If anything, it just strengthened the notion he’d had before: nothing to be afraid of. They’d already done it once and made it out just fine. Or alive, at least. “Yeah, last year. Nothing to panic about, y’know? Just be fast. Don’t stop to think about anything or look at anything or get caught in anything. We’re just going to breeze right through.”
It was… different than the type of reassurance Narcissus might receive from his boyfriend. Rakovanite’s steady was a brick wall, very solid, very sure, but also a little rough, stiff. When Rakovanite said they’d ‘get through it,’ it was because they didn’t have a choice otherwise. Feldspar’s steady was a little softer, a little smoother. Maybe something like… wood, more than brick. Still sturdy, but flexible. They’d get through it, don’t be scared, they’d done it before. Feldspar’s reassurance came with the smallest little uptick of his lips, barely a smile. Narcissus swallowed and tried to steel himself from shaking. “Y-yeah…” He croaked, and then tried again because the first time wasn’t very convincing. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”
Feldspar picked up the second die and rolled it between his fingers. “As fast as we can, right?” He reminded Narcissus, who gave a mute little nod. He kept a grounding hand on the senshi’s arm as they both threw their dice, and the redhead shot a sloppy smirk to his companion as they coincidentally rolled the same number.
Probably couldn’t expect it to stay that way, but at least for the first one, they could progress together, with Feldspar holding Narcissus’ arm as they moved slowly across the first couple spaces. It was grounding for Narcissus, but it was also a support for Feldspar. He hated to admit that he’d be a lot faster moving through this game if he was just better at running.
He gasped in shock as something smacked into him from behind, threatening to push him over. Feldspar would’ve fallen if he hadn’t already been holding onto Narcissus. Instead, they both lurched forward at the shove, and Feldspar’s grip became less a reassurance and more of a vice where it cinched into the senshi’s arm.
Basyl would’ve toppled to the ground the second Feldspar tugged him, but Narcissus was at least able to stay on his feet and keep them both upright as he skidded to catch himself. ’I can carry you…’ The words were at the very tip of his tongue, nearly out of Narcissus’ mouth before the next battering knocked him in the leg, and jerking away from it threatened to pull him and Feldspar apart. As fast as we can… Narcissus reminded himself. He grabbed the front of Feldspar’s coat as another anchor to stop them from being separated as they lurched as an uncoordinated unit toward the edge of the square.
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EchosSweet rolled 2 6-sided dice:
1, 5
Total: 6 (2-12)
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:28 am
Feldspar Space 3:A strange fog rolls in once you land here. You lose sight of nearly everything, including the game board. If you want to roll, you’re going to have to get close to the ground to even see where you’re supposed to go next. Hopefully nothing sneaks up behind you. Narcissus Space 7:Something is twitching and flapping above you, and while you might be minding your own business, something is a little too invested in what you’re doing. You can’t see them, but you suddenly hear shrill, high pierced noises that are disorienting and confusing. They can bring about dizziness and pain and can cause vertigo if you’re stuck in them for too long.
As fast as they could, as fast as they could- Right, they absolutely could not stop to take in the effects of every space they landed on. Getting smacked and battered around was just the first one, and they had a ways to go yet, if last year was any indication of how this year would be. Last year, Feldspar had had Weissite with him; Weissite who was sturdy and reliable and could pull both of them through with brute force, if he had to, and Feldspar was prone to being delayed by anything that got in his way, so... someone who could help him overcome that had been very much appreciated.
...But Narcissus wouldn't be brute forcing anyone through anything, and Feldspar recognized that. He was grateful to not be here alone, but he'd be lying if he tried to say he didn't wish he was with just about anyone else. He was comfortable enough with Diesel, Weissite, and Rakovanite to lean on them and accept their support, but Narcissus? Not so much. The guy could barely keep himself together on a good day without Fel adding more pressure to the mix.
Which meant the rest of this game was about to go downhill.
They were lurched apart as something dragged Feldspar to slow, something at the edge of the first square they'd stopped in or at the beginning of the next one- he didn't know. It was hard to tell... what with the fog that rolled in so densely he could barely breathe. But he definitely heard the high-pitched note of fear from Narcissus as the senshi fumbled to grab back a hold of ********>, forget it, Narci, go. Alright? Go on. I don't hear stepping."
And Feldspar was ******** right that he didn't hear stepping, because Narcissus would not choose to leave someone behind- ever! Not this red-headed Lieutenant or anyone else, and it had literally nothing to do with how much he thought Feldspar might need more help than someone else.
But it wasn't what the dice decreed. They weren't supposed to stay here together. Whatever had dragged Feldspar back was pressuring Narcissus forward, and it was a formless force that he couldn't do anything to resist. "I don't want to- I don't want to! Gideon! Come on, hurry up, please."
How would Feldspar catch up with him if they were separated. If the board started flooding or if the earth started crumbling, what would he do without someone else there? They were both in danger of being hurt- the bruises from being smacked into were already forming, but Narcissus could at least run and jump and swim and climb... These stupid invisible walls wouldn't let him go backward if Gideon needed him. He'd really hoped they'd stay close together.
"Worry about yourself first. I'll be fine."
Narcissus' barely believed him, despite how unbothered Feldspar sounded about the whole thing. ...Though, he'd been through worse in his lifetime, Narcissus supposed.
It didn't matter what he wanted. That force pressed him forward until it suddenly stopped, and there was a fleeting moment where the Senshi thought that everything seemed- fine and normal, here? There was no crumbling path or fog or any visible creatures to stand in his way. Waiting on a quiet, innocuous space for Feldspar to meet up with him would be ideal... But it wasn't.
Of course it wasn't.
Something kicked up a gust next to his head, tousling his long hair. -Like a large bug, or a bird had flow too close to him. It wasn't anything Narcissus could see, but he felt it, and instinctively, he flapped out a hand to brush it aside. His palm collided with nothing, but he still felt something wispish tangling through the strands of his hair, and then, as if Narcissus had offended it by swatting, high-pitched shrieks of terror reverberated through the air, something violent and piercing, unlike anything he'd heard before.
He smacked his hands over his ears.
He didn't want to- he wouldn't!- go on again until Feldspar had caught up with him, but... Another pained little note slipped out of his throat, and he crouched close to the ground and stared back toward the foggy space he'd left behind.
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EchosSweet rolled 2 6-sided dice:
3, 5
Total: 8 (2-12)
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:30 am
Feldspar Space 6:You hear a shrill, humming noise; it sounds almost like something is firing past you–and sometimes, you even feel a sharp burst of air, like something has just missed you. Maybe, even, it does get a slice out of you. Sharp, bladelike threads seem to string up around you; you’d best be careful not to get cut on any of them between now and your next dice roll. Narcissus Space 12:The smell of smoke is in the air. You can’t see what’s burning, but you can hear distant screams, and–carnival music? It feels like people are running past you, and the air fills with panic and alarm–but there’s nowhere for you to go, and the smoke is so thick. You’d better roll quickly so you can get out of here.
It sounded like Narcissus was riling every single annoying sound from somewhere ahead of him, and Feldspar had a feeling that it'd be difficult to convince him to move on if Fel couldn't manage to get closer- and that was the goal. Moving forward, getting to the end- they had to be as quick as they could.
Feldspar fumbled for his die, never letting it get far from him, and was rewarded by being allowed to hobble... closer to Narcissus, but not to stand with him. And that was when it became increasingly and increasingly obvious that the Senshi would just move farther and farther away.
"Narci- You have to talk to me, alright? I'm right here, right behind you." If the horrific sounds from the space in front of him were any indication. "Keep moving. I'm following you, okay?"
Just... slowly. And maybe slowly wasn't so bad in this particular situation, because his boot scuffed across the ground as he walked, and it must've triggered something, because up sprung and array of sharp wires, whirring as they sliced through the air. Anywhere they came in contact with him left the thinnest, oozing little laceration, nicking his skin, his clothes- he was fortunate that was all it did. "It's razor wire- I'm not hurt," he added hastily. "I'm coming to you."
Which might've been reassuring if Narcissus could hear anything Feldspar said over the screeching. It resounded in his ears, vibrating with such an intensity that he thought he was going to be sick- or collapse.
He had to wait for Feldspar... but he couldn't risk passing out. With a whimpering note, he glanced back to see the Lieutenant picking his way through a tangle of wires just behind him, close enough that Narci could see blood forming where he'd been cut. In that moment, Fe;despair glanced up right at him, said something Narcissus couldn't hear, and flapped a hand for him to move, move.
...He was close enough, and still on the path, so Narcissus obliged, pulling himself together enough to roll his die and wind up...
At this carnival-of-terroresque scene. He could see almost nothing through the smoke. It seared his throat, made him feel breathless, spiked his heart rate to levels even greater than what they had been ten seconds ago. There were people screaming and pushing past him, desperate to escape from whatever it was- fire, monster, who knew?
If he didn't go forward, he'd be shoved back. Narcissus couldn't wait for Feldspar here...
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EchosSweet rolled 2 6-sided dice:
3, 4
Total: 7 (2-12)
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:32 am
Feldspar Space 9:The smell of saltwater fills the air, and you can hear the water lapping against the shore. You hear boards creaking, and bells in the distance. And then, a song. Haunting. Ghostly, and calling you. For a second, you fall in love. And then, water fills your lungs. You’re choking, you can’t breathe. The song is loud and seems to caress you, even as a wet chill gathers in your square. Scaly hands reach for you, you gently caressing, and try to lure you into an endless sleep. Narcissus Space 16:As you step into your square, something cracks. At first, you can’t tell what it is, but as your full weight moves onto the square, the ground shifts beneath you. It’s cold, and it’s ice, and a hole falls underneath you, plunging you into frigid waters. There’s enough floating ice that you should still be able to roll the dice to get out of here, but you have to go quickly–you’re soaked, in chilly water, and something just swam by your feet.
He didn't know how far back Feldspar was, but Narcissus could tell the gap was growing... There were now significantly more dangers between them, and there was no telling which ones Fel would have to stop and face. And that could end up being... very, very bad...
The area in front of him seemed innocuous enough, but Narcissus knew better than to believe that. His head was on a swivel, checking up, down, all around for whatever treachery made its home here.
"I m-must be coming close to the end!" He called back. Nothing jumped or screamed or sliced at him like in every area previous, so maybe he was in the home stretch: little terrors. And if he finished quickly enough, he might be able to go backward, to help pull Feldspar through... That had to be the smarter option than pawing at the edge of his designated square like a puppy stuck in a crate.
He'd been dragging his feet, but if he cut that out and ran for the end-
Narcissus swallowed, steeled himself for whatever came next, and ran.
He made it- oh, three steps or so? Before a vicious splintering sound echoed harshly through the air. In hindsight, he would realize that he probably should've just kept going. He'd already full-sent it, so stopping dead center was the poorest choice he could've made, but that was what happened. His body locked into place, sandaled feet sliding against cool, cracking ice until he slid to a stop, and plummeted.
Feldspar thought it sort of sounded like Narcissus yelped, and then silence, striking, horrific silence. "Narci?" Feldspar called. "Are you good? Did you make it? Hey-"
There wasn't an answer from the Senshi, but there was an answer from someone, or rather, something. "Over here~" It was smooth and gentle as a melody, and for reasons Feldspar couldn't articulate, his mind inexplicably linked up those haunting notes and the man he was chasing. So if he found the singer, he would find Narcissus... He did want to get to where Narcissus was...
Water dragged at his clothes, and while it might have given him pause typically, this time, it didn't. This was the direction he had to go to reach Narcissus, and he was being drawn ever-nearer.
His head went underwater, abruptly enough that Feldspar couldn't identify the exact moment it happened, but he was completely submerged. The song still whispered, but fear of drowning whispered a little louder. Swim, swim, swim- Swim or drown. Except like most physical activities, Feldspar wasn't an expert swimmer. It was probably through little more than willpower that he managed to pop his head above the surface and suck in a deep gulp of air before being submerged again.
Not ideal, but whether on land or in the air, as long as he caught his die and moved for the edge of the square, he should be fine... He should be fine. Hopefully Narcissus was too.
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EchosSweet rolled 2 6-sided dice:
3, 3
Total: 6 (2-12)
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:34 am
Feldspar Space 12:The smell of smoke is in the air. You can’t see what’s burning, but you can hear distant screams, and–carnival music? It feels like people are running past you, and the air fills with panic and alarm–but there’s nowhere for you to go, and the smoke is so thick. You’d better roll quickly so you can get out of here. Narcissus Space 19:You’re so close! Almost at the end! But the space you’re standing on shifts and shakes and seems to crumble beneath you. You have to hold on; there’s nowhere to fall but down into the deep abyss. If you manage to hang on for long enough, you find some invisible purchase and can pull yourself back up, but it’s quite the ordeal. Make sure you don’t get cut on falling spaces! The ground restores itself once you roll again.
Both boys dragged themselves out of the water at nearly the same time, several squares apart.
Feldspar hauled himself onto land, and found that he was assaulted almost immediately by heat, smoke, fire, a platoon of invisible bodies... He welcomed the warmth... But was less enthused by the commotion. Still, one did not date a firecracker like Diesel and not get used to a little smoke. Between his boyfriend and the cigarettes, this was barely worse than what he inhaled on a regular day, just... louder.
And his lungs were a little more desperate for air now, but he could ignore that, no problem. Leaning heavily on his cane as he pulled the bottom of his coat close to his nose and mouth to protect them, he shouted out a brisk, "Narci! I'm fine, and right behind you, so keep going, okay?!" Before covering his nose and starting the trudge through the throng of people he couldn't even see.
He hadn't heard anything from Narcissus since that yelp, but the Senshi was an able-bodied man, and he was surely okay, right?
Narci- coughed, spluttered, choked, trembled as he clawed his way onto land. The cold seeped into every fiber of his being, making him weak, sluggish... It would be a wonder if Feldspar didn't catch up to him like this. Because Fel must still be okay. Narcissus could here him calling...
"I-I-I-I..."
He wanted to respond, say that he was alive too, alive and moving forward. But it didn't work out like that. His stutter was uncontrollable at the best of times. He'd never been able to help it- His mind just wanted to get things out faster than he could formulate a full sentence, and he'd always tripped and stumbled over nearly every word, resetting to the beginning of a phrase over and over...
When he had another reason to stutter, like the ice glinting in little droplets on his fuku, there was no hope for verbal communication. He wouldn't be loud enough, anyway. The cold had shocked his lungs- it almost felt like he still couldn't breathe.
Forget speaking. He'd told Feldspar he was almost at the end. Just... keep... moving... forward...
His feet shuffled slowly, covering the area of the last square in the most agonizingly sluggish way possible. Even more agonizing when Narcissus looked down- for the second time in five minutes and saw the ground beneath his feet begin to crumble. He whimpered- because he wouldn't be fast enough to run, shuffling weakly as he was, and he wouldn't be able to pull himself up either if he fell.
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EchosSweet rolled 2 6-sided dice:
4, 3
Total: 7 (2-12)
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:36 am
Feldspar (Double roll) Space 20:The end; once you have arrived here you are free to leave. You will see be basked in the glow of a beautiful, opalescent aura that will take you back home. If you arrived with a guest, you can leave without them or choose to stay until they make it to the end as well. When you arrive back in Destiny City, you may choose to keep the six sided die–if nothing else, it’s pretty! Though, it doesn’t seem to have any magical qualities, that might be for the best. Narcissus (Double roll) Space 20:The end; once you have arrived here you are free to leave. You will see be basked in the glow of a beautiful, opalescent aura that will take you back home. If you arrived with a guest, you can leave without them or choose to stay until they make it to the end as well. When you arrive back in Destiny City, you may choose to keep the six sided die–if nothing else, it’s pretty! Though, it doesn’t seem to have any magical qualities, that might be for the best.
Narcissus had no idea how he hadn't heard Feldspar's approach, but no sooner had the ground given way that the redhead's hand snatched for his arm, catching him clear out of the air and yanking him against the edge of what was undoubtedly a cliff face.
"Basyl, Basyl, I've got you, yeah? It's okay, we're okay. Everything is fine- I'm gonna get you out of here, alright?"
How obvious was it that Narcissus was probably one good inconvenience away from breaking down in tears. He'd done this before. He'd had Nataniel with him. And as frightened as he'd been then, for both of their safety, he'd also never doubted that Nataniel would simply not allow them to die. Nataniel would carry that burden.
Narci had tried this time. Narci had wanted to be the one to keep both himself and Feldspar safe and alive... But Feldspar was the one pulling him off of a death drop, hauling him onto blissfully solid and silent ground- that somehow quickly materialized into the street they'd been on before all this happened.
Feldspar's hands found Narcissus' cheeks, lifting his face. "You hurt? You're wet and freezing!"
It wasn't lost on Narcissus that the Agent was wet too. They'd somehow both found themselves submerged. But Feldspar was warmer, somehow. Even with his uniform sliced apart and little droplets of blood beading on his skin from shallow cuts.
"L-let's... let's j-just," he swallowed, palms gripping Feldspar's arm as he willed himself to stead. "t-take a break, right here... J-just a few minutes... Then-th-then... I'll get you home. P-promise."
Feldspar held him. The ordeal had been a tiresome one, but it still wasn't the worst he'd ever suffered. They sat on the sidewalk, bundled close together in the chill fall air until Feldspar remembered that he could just call Rakovanite to come get them. The General would probably never let either of them out alone again, but at this point, maybe they shouldn't be allowed to patrol unsupervised? Sheesh.
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