Despite how badly the outside of the Ruins appeared, Kaje was surprised to find part of this place still in somewhat decent condition. Here, he was sheltered from the acid rain, and even the interior, still faded, seemed to still spring out with what little life it offered, especially the checkered floor, a start contrast to the gray walls.
The eyed the other items around with mild curiousity, but what intrigued him the most was the jukebox, resonating some strange soft melody that seemed familiar, yet distant, and soothing. Though as the melody began to fade, growing weaker, his core flickered, a whine, as if wanting more. But...
It was then he noticed the goddess, the one who had asked him, of others of that task... how come he could barely remember it now. He heeded her words though, and followed as the others had done, taking a coin from the cash register and placed it into the jukebox, hoping this would bring the music back.
A gasp as the music grew stronger, enveloping him completely. A memory, a feeling. There was a woman? She was humming, the words unclear, but the tune somewhat recognizable. It was a song to put him to sleep, and though he had complained, saying he was not a child, she only shook her head, a finger to her lips. It's not a song pertaining to one's age, and all age could listen to it, she had said. A song which spoke of empowerment, hope, love, a song that many knew, yet never took the time to let the lyrics sink in. Why couldn't he remember them now?
He felt himself getting drowsy, and while she laughed, she never stopped humming, placing a hand on his head, a quiet nod. "Sleep now... sleep now..."
He was startled out of the memory when he felt the goddess place a hand on him, eyes wide as she asked him for his song. Song? But he didn't... did he know how to sing? He couldn't even remember the lyrics. Yet... he yielded.
Deny not the goddess.
Though shaky at first, and the tune was slightly off, he tried humming as best as he could remember it, and though it was soft and barely audible at first, he gained confidence, remembering a little bit more as he continued. His breath caught for a moment as the goddess leaned it, but he still continued, doing as she had requested. The song began to fade, from his lips to hers, and when her mouth absorbed the last sound, he let out a silent gasp, shuddering slightly as she placed her hand on his shoulder. The song was gone, but he felt...warmth, protection.
... but was it worth it?
OOC
Character name: Kaje Character appearance: A shadow with a blue core and a glowing blue pendant around his neck Link to Heart Log[x] Current HP 40/40 Current weapon equippedSimple Protection
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:50 am
[Enter]
It seemed that everyone was having their way with the whore of a jukebox.
Yiro's heart skipped a beat when she walked in, noticing this time that her goddess graced their presence once more. As the last song finished, she quickly trotted over go claim her own coin and slip it into the mechanism, listening to the whirr of the discs changing.
As her vision started to blur, the shadow stumbled back and ended up on the goddesses opposite side, falling into the booth with a soft 'thud'.
It was so tragically beautiful. Yiro remembered a time with a different name. The only time she had willingly sacrificed what little she could offer, knowing full well it would blow up in her face.
The fog was so thick it matched the solidity of her emotions in those precious moments before the betrayal. She was terrified for all the wrong reasons as his greyed out, breaking form stood before her and the brave (and stupid) few who had volunteered to stick their neck out for someone they probably didn't even care for. For the first time, she hadn't wanted anybody hurt. No one in that scenario deserved a single scratch.
Except her.
"We knew you wouldn't hurt us."
It was the cry that kept resounding in her mind. A simple sentence that complicated matters to the point where Riyo had become nothing more than a ragdoll in the face of a lion. He had duped her fragile state of mind, not realizing that she made mountains out of anthills when it came to poorly phrased expressions of appreciation.
Not in all her years had she been so terrified, so scared of being stuck inbetween a rock and a hard place. Either she broke her word, betrayed him, and became exactly like him, or she faced her greatest fear, became devoured by insanity, and... Became exactly like him.
Really, there had been no other options.
In the end, he had taken everything from her.
And in the end, she could only spit out four simple words to her murderer as he stood over her crumpled, greying remains.
"I... Don't... Hate... You..."
When Yiro snapped back to the restaurant, she was sobbing uncontrollably, not yet realizing the extreme pride her previous self had. She stared at the goddess with heartbroken eyes, squeezing her hands, before banging her head against the table and leaving it there. "This was everything I ever wanted. To forget it all. Take it. Take my everything."
As the shadow lifted her head, her gaze met the goddesses', who was closer than the girl had expected. The breath left her, and Yiro couldn't seem to recall why she was crying. All she knew was she felt so warm. Warm and grateful.
OOC
Character name: Yiro Character appearance: A tall, lanky shadow with a yellow heart. Has a shiny skull pin she wears like a brooch. Link to Heart Log: here Current HP: 40 Current weapon equipped: Simple Grief (2d8-6)
Even outside he could hear music. He watched the others gathered around the goddess and couldn't help but want to also be a part of it.
He fed the jukebox a coin and took a seat beside her as the others filtered out. He listened to the Goddess carefully, dutifully, and closed his eyes as a memory of song came from him.
Something that had molded his childhood.
Transfoooormers.. Robots in disguise..
He had the pajamas, the toys, the bright eyes glued to the TV screen. He mashed the toys together and noises with his mouth.
Transformers... more than meets the eye!
Ixb wasn't much of a singer but he found himself beating the song out on his knees with his fingers. He hummed it and murmured the words and when he opened his eyes he found the Goddess's mouth gently on his and drawing away. With her came the words, the tune, the song. Fun.. rolemodels.. heroes.. no no.. now nothing.
Ixb blinked and smiled dumbly at her as she kept his song. He accepted her blessing in return.
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:21 am
[enter]
Shaw meandered the back alleys for a time, having survived The Blue Rose but not quite prepared to brave Plaza Park.
He noticed shadowy figures congregating around a small pizzeria with a glowing red sign. He was struck by the condition of the building - it almost seemed whole, and entered, joining the queue that seemed to be forming around the cash register on toward the jukebox.
At one of the booths sat a goddess. Shaw felt himself smile, in spite of himself.
He watched the line slowly tick forward; each patron taking a coin from the register and reverently feeding it to the jukebox. Each time, a tune would play, and during the song they would sit with the goddess. He felt strangely eager, and when his turn came he inserted the coin with trembling fingers.
The pew was cold and unyielding - and the young boy squirmed, trying to get comfortable. His father glanced down at him, and he stilled immediately, glancing bashfully into his lap. It was Sunday morning, and it wouldn't do to draw undue attention. As if sensing his thoughts, shaW's father patted his knee reassuringly, and he beamed.
The was nothing he wouldn't do to gain his daddy's approval.
The choir took their places behind the pulpit, and they all stood in unison. His father took his hand, and together they began to sing.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
His voice was a deep baritone, and he leaned down a bit, singing the words to shaW so that he might join in, helping him along when he couldn't remember -
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
shaW's voice swelled joyfully. For the very first time he could remember this song, all on his own - his daddy had sung it to him many times, just before bed, and sometimes in the afternoons when they studied the Bible together.
As the song ended, his father beamed at him proudly, and he smiled back.
When Shaw came to, he felt tears drying on his cheeks. The memory was powerful, and left him aching and sad - but he didn't know why. It had seemed like a happy recollection - hadn't it?
The goddess took his hand, like the boy's father had all those years ago. Her smile was gentle, and her light overwhelming.
"Please," he choked out. He didn't want to remember anymore. He didn't want to know about the happy little boy and his proud father, that existed somewhere far, far away from here.
A numbness settled over him, as she drew the memories out, and he sighed. It felt good. He was safe and whole again, and he wiped his eyes before reluctantly releasing her hand and sliding out the booth.
It was someone else's turn to be healed.
OOC
Character name: Shaw Current HP 60/60 Current weapon equipped Crumbling Hope, 2d8-6
Acerola wandered into an old pizza parlor, a saw quite a group crowded. She walked over, wondering what was going on. Of the very few things that worked was a jukebox. And then, when she had reached the edge of the crowd, she could tell that there was a Goddess.
Each person would take a coin, put it into the battered jukebox, and sit down next to the Goddess. A look similar to that of someone lost in thought appeared across his or her face. The Goddess would smile at each of them, and when the song ended, she leaned in closely to the person and seemed to take something away.
When it was her turn, Acerola took one of the coins and placed it into the jukebox before sitting down next to the Goddess. The song that she had picked began to fill the parlor. Along with it came a memory that filled her with sadness.
(ooc: I took the translated lyrics)
In reality, I was about to collapse, I was really afraid, I made merry like an idiot, I pretended to be calm, It may have looked like I was just talking about my dreams, But that was all I could do.
Acerola was alone. It wasn't that others didn't want to be with her, although there were plenty who did, she was sure of it. She chose to be alone because she simply didn't trust anyone else. But on the inside, there was a feeling of emptiness. Being alone was, well, being alone.
If all you can do is put up a façade, Even when you stretch out your hands, you won't hold on to anything. I tried desperately to stand In the space between dreams and reality. Pipe dreams continue in the mighty kingdom, Before we realize, we're swallowed up in superfluous information, I'm stopping to search for my own sound So that I don't miss the real sound.
Acerola knew it. She was slowly becoming less and less sane. She was sure it had to do with being unable to exact vengeance and the lack of social interaction. What should she do?
What should I believe? I show something desperate that's ringing in my heart, I want you to hear the real sound, If you don't, this world will be...
Everything is gaudily decorated, everything has lost its real form, At this rate, the world I live in Will become overwhelmingly sad.
It was impossible to tell who to trust. They were all liars. All of them.
If all you can do is put up a façade... But that's better than rusting away like this. I want you to hear the real sound, If you don't, this world will be... Everything is like a pipe dream, I show something desperate that's ringing in my heart, I tried desperately to stand In the space between dreams and reality.
Let me hear the real sound...
As the song ended, the Goddess asked if they could have her song. Slightly dazed, Acerola nodded, and the memory left.
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:05 pm
When the jukebox went silent, Rojand slipped up to it, the coin feeling alien and cold in his fingers, and dropped it into the jukebox. The mechanism clicked and clunked and cycled as he walked self-concious across the floor to slip into the booth, sit beside the Goddess. Her smile was distant, and he wondered what she saw when she looked at him, if she was really looking at him at all.
The jukebox crackled to life with the sound of a guitar and a clear male voice.
"Now touch the air softly, Step gently. One, two... I'll love you till roses Are robin’s-egg blue; I’ll love you till gravel Is eaten for bread, And lemons are orange, And lavender’s red ... "
He could hear Mom singing to Andy, her voice thin and a little rough. They were too old for lullabies, but Andy had asked, and Jordan stood in the hallway, leaning against the wall, listening with his eyes closed. Tonight was the last night they'd spend at home for a while. Mom was going to the hospital, and the doctors were going to treat her cancer, but she was going to have to stay there, and Jordan had protested that he could take care of Andy, but they all knew better. He was thirteen and Andy was ten, and they were going to go and stay with Tia Rosa for a while. Just for a while. Just till Mom came home.
"I’ll love you till Heaven Rips the stars from his coat, And the Moon rows away in A glass-bottomed boat; And Orion steps down Like a diver below, And Earth is ablaze, And Ocean aglow ... "
He couldn't sing around the lump in his throat, not even when Mom had asked him to, because she was so thin, so pale, her voice a bare whisper, and he knew that under the soft scarf on her head there was no hair left, and she'd been so pretty and so cheerful, but it was eating her alive now and she was tired, so very tired. She'd asked him to sing her to sleep. He swallowed down the sadness and whispered the words to her favorite song, cradling her hand with its papery thin skin and the everpresent IV between his palms.
"So touch the air softly, And swing the broom high. We will dust the gray mountains, And sweep the blue sky; And I’ll love you as long As the furrow the plow, As However is Ever, And Never is Now."
Just for a while. Just till Mom came home.
He sat very still, tears leaking down his face for that boy's pain, and when the Goddess asked for his song, he nodded wordlessly. He didn't want to carry that memory and that heavy weight of lonely hurt. He didn't want it, and he closed his eyes as the Goddess drank his song away.
There were tears on his cheeks and he didn't know why. He felt warm and safe and protected. He wouldn't be allowed to linger long, but he held the Goddess's hand a little longer, grateful for her protection, her blessings.
She hummed as she continued to wander around the Ruins, her dark wings fluttering behind her. Eyes lit up when Daaiji stumbled upon a building. The sign read in glowing red Rico’s Pizza. Pizza? She wondered if the store still had some inside, despite the ruined appearance of the entire area. Maybe there would be working machinery inside, just like at the amusement park. She stepped inside and heard music. Suddenly, everything that had once appeared interesting to her had lost its appeal. The only thing now pulling her into the store was the music. She closed her eyes, hummed happily as song after song played. She didn’t know these songs, but just the melody and words were enough to lull her into a sense of calm.
Her eyes only briefly trailed over the goddess, and she felt her entire body freeze when the juke box clicked and played another song. But unlike the others, this one appealed to her like a magnet. She was immediately drawn to the slow melody. She hated slow songs. She wanted something with a faster pace, so why did she listen so intently?
There's a fog upon L.A. And my friends have lost their way We'll be over soon they said Now they've lost themselves instead. Please don't be long please don't you be very long Please don't be long or I may be asleep
She twirls around, skirts and feathers billowing as she sings along with ease. She’s heard the song once, maybe twice. It’s not her favorite song, but she continues to sing anyways. Cool green eyes twinkle as she weaves between the pair of siblings. “Where did you get that song?” the taller of the two narrows her eyes. She laughs. “I heard it from one of the humans while I was in a Lair. Sounds nice, so why not?”
Well it only goes to show And I told them where to go Ask a policeman on the street There's so many there to meet Please don't be long please don't you be very long Please don't be long or I may be asleep
“Do you know what the human said this was called? Blue Jay Way, haha!” Chirping laughter as she wraps her arms around both of them, her brightly colored wings rustling. “It hardly suits you,” he remarks matter-of-factly. She squawks and whacks him in the back of his head and he growls.
Now it's past my bed I know And I'd really like to go Soon will be the break of day Sitting here in Blue Jay Way Please don't be long please don't you be very long Please don't be long or I may be asleep.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, she knows. Her friends have truly disappeared. It was she who pushed them away, but she’s tired of standing alone. She’s staring at empty hands and empty hearts.
“Please don’t be long, because I’m waiting,” she murmured.
Daaiji flinched when the goddess took her hand. “Give it to you?” she echoed. A pause, but there was no further hesitation when she offered up the song. If she forced herself to think about the song any longer, her heart would break from the loneliness. “You can have it.” She stood still as the goddess leaned forward. Her face remained blank as Daaiji parted her lips slightly, letting the song escape. She sighed, a weight off her shoulders as she found herself filled with strength.
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:53 pm
Ironshare wasn't looking for the goddess, this time. He was looking for Reap, polearm gripped in one hand and with an answer, or what he thought was an answer. Maybe it was more of the same. But it felt real close to right.
There was music coming from the Pizzaria.
He wandered in, looking for the source of the noise. There was a machine in the corner, and he explored it, watching the words as the records shuffled themselves. There was a slot for a coin.
He dug around in his treasures, and realized he did, in fact, have a coin. He looked at it suspiciously, and played it.
The Goddess was here.
He came to sit with her, nervous as usual, and holding onto his polearm. He could never say all the stuff he meant to, when he was with her. What was it like, being a goddess? Did she have everything she wanted, now that she could make the world, was it worth it, could someday, he, maybe...?
And if he didn't...?
There was a song on. Her song, she said. It didn't mean a whole lot to him, but he listened. She looked at him, sharp, and asked if she could have his song.
Did it matter? What he gave her, and what he didn't. He couldn't hang onto the things he wanted to, they got taken one way or the other. He couldn't remember if he had a song. In the end, slowly, unhappily, he nodded.
This is the end Hold your breath and count to ten Feel the earth move and then Hear my heart burst again
Hearts, his heart- For this is the end I've drowned and dreamt this moment So overdue I owe them Swept away, I'm stolen
And he had drowned, and his memories- Let the sky fall When it crumbles We will stand tall Face it all together
The object in the sky. The event. Something was coming. Something they had to prepare for. And that's what he'd decided, what he'd figured out. If they faced it together, then- Skyfall is where we start A thousand miles and poles apart Where worlds collide and days are dark You may have my number, you can take my name But you'll never have my heart
Ironshare grasped his chest, tight, it was his, the one thing keeping him together, he wouldn't lose it. Not to the goddesses, not to anybody. Let the sky fall (let the sky fall) When it crumbles (when it crumbles) We will stand tall (we will stand tall) Face it all together
(Let the sky fall When it crumbles We will stand tall)
It was coming, it was always coming, they'd be prepared, and together, they'd be strong enough, they wouldn't break apart.
Where you go I go What you see I see I know I'd never be me Without the security Of your loving arms Keeping me from harm Put your hand in my hand And we'll stand
His heart felt tight. Let the sky fall (let the sky fall) When it crumbles (when it crumbles) We will stand tall (we will stand tall) Face it all together At skyfall
Let the sky fall We will stand tall At skyfall Oh
And he'd changed his mind. He didn't want to hand it over. He wanted to keep it. But it was too late, he could remember now, the sky, together, it's what he'd wanted to say, what he'd wanted to tell Reap, he was losing it, and he held his head in his hands, and Iron sat at the booth, lost.
A strange place he decided. The rain unwelcome and painful. Still, neon lights were a nice change, even if not in a color he liked. Pizza was something of curiosity, and so he ventured in, the checkered pattern a bit more interesting then he would admit. The red booth was met with mild apathy.
But who sat in a booth was of interest. The goddess, a goddess. People feeding coins to a machine, sitting with one who was of divinity-
He was not one to pass up chance.
Coins from a register, he frowned at the transaction that didn't exist, unable to offer up anything really in exchange.
As he fed the coin and music began to play-
Carmus winced. The song hurt in a strange way. There were no words. Just music. The procession of faces and names- his among them. Alone, he had waited yet the event would not, could not wait for one student, one boy's errant family that cared more about a mother's selfishness than her child's big day.
He was a child to everyone but himself. He raised himself. He was alone and he knew that it was likely. He walked with those he liked yet didn't know. One of the forgotten, the forsaken.
Friends he had were few, he was the singular, the anomaly of their group.
He wanted to run, jump and climb. On the streets he could take risks, calculated risks, pushing at his own limits, his own fear. Out there he was in control. Here in blue robes and square caps? He was just part of a machine. A poorly made machine that gave him nothing.
Looking back to the goddess, the question just made him pause. That was- not him, not who he wanted to be. It was not something he enjoyed.
"I don't have a use for it."
And just like that, it was gone.
For the better, Carmus considered. It was all for the better.
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:33 pm
It was a strange little building, and she didn’t quite know why, but she was drawn to it. The sight of the Goddess made her catch her breath, and so did the nostalgia of the place. It was somewhere knew, but somehow familiar. Perhaps she’d been places like this before. The sound of music filled the place, and she was pleased. When the music stopped, Rhryse found herself a little sad. She liked the music. Maybe…
She moved past the counter, then to the jukebox. The coins she dropped in made quiet clinks, and it took her just a moment to find a song title she liked. The music began to play as she slid into the booth next to the Goddess.
Her Grandmother had given her the cassette. “This is the kind of music young people like you listen to, isn’t it? It should be. None of that new terrible stuff they play on the radio these days.” She’d listened to it that night, and fallen in love with it.
Which was why when the tape player had eaten the tape, she cried. “No. No. I can’t believe it.” She stared at the cassette in her hands, the film hanging half way to the floor, the break in it clean and unfixable. “Not now. Not now.” She was bawling at this point, words mumbled and not making much sense. Grandma had passed away three days before, and she’d listened to the tape non-stop since she’d heard. It reminded her of the good times. The shopping and the cakes and the laughter. And now…she didn’t even have the music. It was gone. Broken. It had been the only thing that filled the hole she’d felt.
She didn’t even have the money to replace it. No one had needed a babysitter in weeks.
She flung the broken cassette across the room. It was broken and Grandma was gone. It was hard to accept that she’d never see her again. Never, ever again. It hurt. At least she’d had the tape.
Now….
“Some say love, it is a river, That drowns the tender reed, Some say love, it is a razor, That leaves the soul to bleed….”
She hadn’t even noticed she’d started to sing the song. It was her favorite on the tape, her favorite period. And she only knew it because Grandma had given it to her. If she couldn’t listen to it…she could sing it.
The Goddess asked her a question.
“I…” It was bittersweet. She loved the song. She did. It also brought up memories? Still. The Goddess asked… “Yes. You can have it.”
Rhryse smiled as the Goddess leaned in. She sighed as the feeling of warmth and protection fell over her. She liked the warmth.
The Ruins were a mayhem of buildings and cultures that held no meaning for Rusekop, but they were quite bleak and lifeless, knowing that at one time they held more life then they did now. The shadow walked past each of these buildings, her mood overshadowed by the crumbling relics.
She did however find something that seemed lively; a small shop, though in shambles was still remarkably preserved, called Rico's pizza. It then occurred to her that she hadn't eaten since...never. That was slightly weird, so she went to rectify this problem.
She quickly saw she would not be able to fix this issue, as the area inside looked like it hadn't been used in years. It didn't take her long to notice the red booth, or the Goddess that was sitting in it. By the looks of things, the Goddess wanted to do something with the coins in the cash register, and the jukebox. When the music began to grow fuzzy, she realized what she had to do.
Ruse took a coin from the register, and placed it in the jukebox. A few moments lapsed, before the room burst with sound.
Her cavern echoed with the speeding sounds of drums and guitar, the voices shouting the lyrics with such passion and vigour, she couldn't help but be pulled along. In front of her she had a drum set, and she played along with the music, careful to not hit the drums so as to disturb the symphony of rock and roll.
Rise above the golden horizon (horizon) Far away beyond the gates of space and time Through the wastelands forever and on Still we fight on for our freedom (freedom) The cry of the fallen souls bleeding (bleeding) Forever journey through the lands of ice and snow Will we face all the fears of the world? The cry of the brave
It struck her core so deep, the music feeding her excitement and energy. She fiddled with her eyepod so it stuck on her waist as she exited the cave and jumped into the sky, flying higher and higher...
When the song ended, her hands slightly shook with repressed energy. But they still when the goddess took her hand, the look in her eyes hungry. Ruse was stunned when she heard her request. How she could give someone a song was beyond her, but she couldn't refuse a goddess.
"Of course."
Ruse's eyes widened when the goddess leaned in, feeling the music being drawn from her lips and into the other. Soon enough it was gone, and the shadow felt safe and protected once more.
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:25 am
Continually exploring, absolutely loathing to be still, Annabell found herself wandering deeper into the Ruins, their glow catching her gaze and pulling her in. A small shop drew her interest what with all the people milling about inside. A step across the threshold reveals the reason: A Goddess. The girl hung back a little to watch, her gaze flicking from goddess to jukebox and then back again. Acting as though a line had formed, the girl took a coin and hung back. Nervous, even despite her excitement, she stills feels that speaking to a Goddess is a great honor, and in a moment of fretting she turns the coin over and over in her hand. The bit of metal slides across her skin and the sensation grounds her, makes her feel almost ready as she steps forward.
For whatever reason the coin had become a comfort, so to step forward and deposit it felt a shame, but Annabell steeled herself as she let it go. A tinny sounds reverberated in the machine before it clicked a few times and a song began. The first few notes out of the speakers were not at all what she expected. A melancholic, sweet melody did not greet her ears, but something enegertic and heavy with frustrated guitars mingled with frantic drums. The voice that sang the lyrics was sweet in a bitter, ready to keep going despite the odds sort of way, joined by two deeper voices. As the song grew richer, the jukebox faded out entirely.
Meet me halfway and we'll go for a ride So long as we're careful, it'll be fine Maybe I should continue to fight So I might find the light and hold it close
The scene before her became a stage, a live performance of the song. The muscians were Annabell's friends, this was for fun. People she didn't know cheered from the stands all around her, wrapped her up tight in an excited cacophony of joy. The performance was exhilarating, the bad honestly talented as they poured themselves into the song and Annabell cheered loudest of all, ecstatic for her friends. At its heart it was a sad song, but it carried an undercurrent of hope in it's emotional and soft bride, the girl in stage just good enough to display the fragility of her emotions without seeming weak. The song ended with a great kick of cymbal crashes and the crowd erupted into cheers. A tall man next to Annabell leaned down to say something to her, his smile welcoming as she turned an excited grin up to him.
But his face was fuzzy, it slid away to reform back into the room with the jukebox and waiting Goddess. The woman gave a gentle, understanding smile as her fingers slipped down to touch Annabell's palm. The motion felt intimate and she flushed, but did not look away. Will you give me your song? The knee jerk reaction that spring up within the girl was a fierce denial. It was not her song to give away, it was those three people she adored, it was their song. But the memory was disjointed, taken from another world that didn't make sense. Something in her mumbled that there should be other memories, but this was the only puzzle piece she held. The sounds of cheering reverberated in her mind, the excitement made her hands shake. But the Goddess had asked. She didn't want to, she wanted to keep it, she wanted to he selfish, but Annabell took a breath. She nodded softly, let out the breath and felt the memory drain from her. Still flushed by the Goddess's proximity, the girl curtsied and left, smiling softly and humming another tune entirely. After all, she could always make up her own song.
AyeAvast
Sparkly Bunny
Offline
Baneful Crew
Dramatic Hunter
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:01 pm
When Reap wandered into the pizza place it was with the almost feline curiosity he treated all things, wandering around and investigating the various dilapidated features of his surroundings. He didn't register the goddess at first as his attention was beckoned towards the jukebox, technology always calling out to him, however ancient. He picked up one of the coins, dropping it into the machine. It didn't seem to have to search very far as a song started to play, a song that made him light headed as old memories seemed to reach out in him, swimming to the top like a drowning person, flickers coming to him as their fingertips grazed the desperate surface of his thoughts.
This is the end Hold your breath and count to ten Feel the earth move and then Hear my heart burst again
Water. There had been water, a tangle of ocean and moonlight. Bursting to breathe. Searching, desperately searching in a land of snow, wind and ice for the one he couldn't leave without. Imminent endings. A closeness and warmth that overwhelmed. His knees felt weak.
For this is the end I've drowned and dreamt this moment So overdue I owe them Swept away, I'm stolen
Sheets and warmth. Fragments of memories too fast to hold, warm comfortable, hot chocolate on lips, slipping out of reach. Let the sky fall When it crumbles We will stand tall Face it all together
The chorus made him tense up, unsure why it did, the emotions more than he ever had to process in this world of middling greys.
Skyfall is where we start A thousand miles and poles apart Where worlds collide and days are dark You may have my number, you can take my name But you'll never have my heart
And he'd lost something. Forgotten something. Many things. They spooled before him now, a mission at the top of the world, the very end of the world. An explosion that shattered an entire plane. A door, grey like this world. A promise.
Where you go I go What you see I see I know I'd never be me Without the security Of your loving arms Keeping me from harm Put your hand in my hand And we'll stand
The promise he remembered, he could feel it. Not the words but the definite decision that he'd made. There was a reason for all this, there was a way to make it. The song was important.
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall) When it crumbles (when it crumbles) We will stand tall (we will stand tall) Face it all together At skyfall
Let the sky fall We will stand tall At skyfall Oh
He was giddy with a manic sort of realisation, a raw panic that he needed to keep this song, needed to keep it no matter what the goddess said. She took his hand but there was something predatory about the request, and he'd earned that title himself, he was a predator. She would never have it. Not this. He shook his head. No. No, he needed it, this was important, it wasn't long past, it was important right now.
The room dimmed and he freed himself, strangely breathless despite having been still the entire time. The memories dimmed as they always did but didn't vanish entirely. And the song stayed.
What mattered was that the song stayed.
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 6:56 pm
Ralifa was unsure of this place. For one thing she had no clue what pizza was. And what kind of place sold this strange thing?
As she made her way in, she glanced about curiously. There were booths and a number of people milling about. Music playing. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the fairly obvious Goddess sitting at the booth, her throat growing a little tight.
The jukebox played a tune of it's previous customer, she watched as others placed gold coins into it. Spotting the open register that they were gathering the shiny things from and casually strolled over. Without a word she took one of the coins, and perhaps an extra for herself, and slowly floated on pointed toes towards the jukebox. Slipping the singular coin into the slot.
And a song began to play.
A flash overcame her, the world around her faded as a memory flashed in front of her mind's eye. A song without words, but a sweet melody that comforted and soothed her. Something someone had sung to her a long time ago when she was small. Flashes of laying her head in someone's lap, closing her eyes and falling asleep to the sweet perfume that lingered on her skin.
It brought tears to her eyes. But why. Why was it so touching to her? It touched her heart in a place she did not know it could.
When it had ended she had to wipe her eyes. A little shocked from the tears that left her fingers wet. And then the Goddess was there, gripping her hands. Her hands warm and soothing, like the song.
She wanted her song? Yes, take it. It hurt too much to hear it. It made her heart ache and sob. Ralifa closed her eyes as the song left her, the Goddess drawing it in. It was gone and she felt relief. These things hurt her so, so could not bear the weight of them on her heart for long.
Only a little bit dazed, she wandered out of the pizza parlor and back into the fog.
Igny entered, not sure what she was getting into. Pizza ... what was that? All she knew was that she felt a strong aura emanating from the building, the same warmth she felt when she received a blessing.
The tiny shadowling never could have expected to find the goddess herself sitting in the room. A song was playing lightly in the background, but it wasn't to Igny's taste. A soft voice in her mind urged her to change the song. Taking one of the coins, she inserted it into the machine and then happily joined the goddess. It was a blessing just to be in her presence!
The tune in jukebox changed as the records moved. It sparked to life, playing the song in a crackling, old fashioned tone. Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Igny's eyes felt heavy. It would be rude to sleep in front of the goddess, and yet ... Dreaming about the things that we could be
Was this her song? She knew this one ... The next part ... it went ... But baby I been, I been prayin' hard Said no more counting dollars We'll be counting stars Yeah, we'll be counting stars
Igny felt herself slip into a dream. No, it wasn't a dream. A memory.
"Jing you stupid thing!" the girl chided. Black hair hung down in long tresses beside her face. "I ... I could have taken them!"
The boy's mouth curled upwards in a knowing smile. "I know you could have. Now come here."
There was a fought being had for tears in Ying's eyes, but she pushed them back. Real ladies didn't cry. Ladies held their head up with poise and grace at all times- there was never a time for slipping up and crying like a little colt. It was true, she was only about seven or eight in mindset, but she was taught these lessons from an early age. Always bring honor through grace and poise. "No. I am fine. It is just hair, it will grow back."
In truth, she was horribly hurt. A lady's hair was her life, and now a piece had been snipped. It looked lopsided, strange.
"Come here, filly." It was an order, but coming from Jing it didn't feel like one.
I see this life Like a swinging vine Swing my heart across the line In my face is flashing signs Seek it out and ye shall find
Old, but I'm not that old Young, but I'm not that bold And I don't think the world is sold I'm just doing what we're told
Ying obeyed, moving to her brothers arms. They were in the quiet of their home, mother and father off occupying themselves with adult matters. Ying and Jing were supposed to use this time to work on their stitching, but sometimes they escaped from lessons to roam the marketplace. It was there that they'd run into the street corner bullies- the competitor artisans from up the street. They were potters, so their hands were worn. Torn. Ready for a fight.
The fight was a blur to her. One had pulled out scissors, and it was over. Jing hadn't found her in time.
I feel something so right Doing the wrong thing I feel something so wrong Doing the right thing I could lie, could lie, could lie Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
In the arms of her brother, she whispered, "It is ugly."
Lately I been, I been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be Baby I been, I been prayin' hard Said no more counting dollars We'll be counting stars Lately I been, I been losing sleep Dreaming about the things that we could be Baby I been, I been prayin' hard Said no more counting dollars We'll be, we'll be counting stars
"Yes. Yes it is," her brother said matter of factly.
Despite her desire to be upset, Ying let out a mixture between sob and laugh. "You are supposed to comfort me!" It was so like Jing to do that. Tell the truth while still making her laugh. He was truly the only one who understood her.
I feel the love And I feel it burn Down this river every turn Hope is a four letter word Make that money Watch it burn
He leaned back, pulling a ribbon from one of the tables. Wordlessly, he pulled her head forward, tying the hair on the back of her head into an elaborate, but simply made loop. From there, the short hair couldn't be seen. It all mixed together within the bun.
Ying bobbed her head, trying to look at what he'd done. Surely he'd just put gum in her hair or some other brotherly trick like that. As she moved, the bun fell apart, turning into a half ponytail, some of her hair sticking out and some staying in place. "What have you done!" she cried, trying to pull at her hair.
"Stop stop! You're messing it up!" Jing's handiwork was ruined in a matter of moments.
With a laugh, she pulled into his embrace. "Thank you Jing. It is beautiful once more."
Take that money Watch it burn Sink in the river The lessons I learned ...
---
Igny awoke on the table with a start, realizing the song had ended. The goddess was looking at her expectantly. "That was another time...long past. Will you give it to me...may I have your song?"
There was tension. Igny loved that memory. It was beautiful, it fit her. She didn't know who these twins were, but she loved them with a deep compassion already. They were sweet, perfect.
Yet it was the goddess. What would she do if Igny refused? Would she be smote in the seat she sat in?
She had to obey. With restraint, Igny said, "Yes, Miss Goddess. Please."
With a breath, the memory was gone. It had never happened at all. The goddess was looking at her with a warm happiness, and Igny felt the embrace of the goddess' blessing. She felt no pain, not knowing what she lost.
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