sparkstrikes | empatheias IC contact. (archive)

We're going to kill the Arehtei.

['We', meaning Machina has an accomplice in this act and their plan is to take them all on. Probably insanely arrogant of them but Machina doesn't care. Not anymore. Not that he can exactly feel caring, but he. is. Done. Friends have nagged him for months now to just enjoy life here and what's that gotten him? More people come and gone, more loss. Standing still and doing nothing, pretending everything is just fine? No. Not anymore.]

They can go too loving and freeze the damn island, or think there's some spiffy lost toy they want in a temple and for our help, we get to relieve horrific nightmares from our lives. Porom adored one and she's gone now too. They can't be trusted. They're monsters and we intend to force them to stop screwing with us.

[The kitchen lights buzz and flicker and if her hands had been anywhere but folded over her chest, a red spark might have crossed the counter towards his glass and perhaps shattered it.

That hadn't been where he was expecting to go with this – she thought that maybe it meant that he had found someone who could answer those questions. Going so far as killing an Arehtei, it's almost laughable. She doesn't laugh, but it earns a scoff out of her.

Like hell she actually believes it.]

Tch. Yeah, you and what army?

[AKA: who are the other idiots in on this genius plan?]

A woman I met and some of her friends. Her name is Velvet.

[Any other time Machina would be having a hissy fit at having his capabilities questioned in the slightest. Instead, he's just eerily calm about it. Frank and honest because he sees no purpose in lying or hiding anymore.]

You're welcome to help or not. That's not what I came here for anyway. I want to make sure that Izana is safe and unharmed.

[He looks directly at Lightning, with empty eyes but there's an intensity behind the action of not looking away, being unflinching.]

Unharmed by anyone or anything.

[Machina knows, he knows that the greatest potential threat to his brother's life is himself. Without a Crystal or seize control of him, jerk his leash, force him to act... it's a far lesser threat. But as his brother pointed out months ago, he's a danger to everyone from Rubrum now.]

Please.

[Velvet... Lightning commits that name to memory, tucking that piece of information away for later in the event that she needs it. Even with that, she's having a hard time believing that any of this is true or that they could pull it off if it is. That still doesn't stop her from taking a warning step towards Machina, and although she tries to maintain a calmer demeanor, the light above their heads flickers again.]

I don't know what you think you're doing, but it's stupid. [Ah, here comes the Real Talk.] I've seen people do a lot of stupid things and this is right up there, so if you think you can take on an Arehtei and come out of it long enough to see your brother stick around, then you're out of your mind.

... I'm not getting involved in whatever plan you've got, but I keep my word. I'll keep an eye on your brother, but what do you think'll happen to you?

[Maybe it is stupid, but it's all he's got right now, and doing nothing at all is driving him mad. Although surprisingly enough, Machina doesn't get huffy or pissy or anything at being called out on his crap. There's nothing from him in response, because he's so far gone, over two years since he was branded, that his feelings have finally surrendered as payment for power.]

I don't know. That's the problem. Maybe I get killed in the process and he jumps in to try to stop it. He has done stuff like that before. Or...

I am a White Tiger l'Cie. Izana is the only person left here from Rubrum. I've been ordered to kill my own people before and I've done it. I couldn't stop myself.

[It was horrifying to move as a living weapon and be powerless to stop himself.]

It might not matter. The Crystal isn't here; I would know if it were. But I know that I almost killed Sora once because I lost control.

[She jabs a finger at him.]

Then don't think for a second that I won't come for you if it really does come down to it. If you want me to protect your brother, that means protecting him from your l'Cie ass, too.

[Not that she thinks they'll succeed at all, of course. Or will even go through with the plan ~~ha ha she's in for a surprise!~~ but Lightning expects him to take that warning (more like threat) very seriously. She means every word.]

That's what I'm counting on, and why I came to you.

[He doesn't doubt for one moment that Lightning will follow through. And that's what he needs to know, that she's willing to stop him if Izana is put at risk. Sora won't, and there's very few others on the island even capable of the attempt.]

Thank you.

[With her face so close to his, Lightning's eyes narrow further before she stands up straight. She doesn't want his gratitude or reassurance that anyone is doing the right thing. She isn't doing this to be heroic, but because it's the right thing to do. If what Machina says is true, then there will be a lot more in danger than just his brother, but Lightning will believe it when she sees it.

Nothing in this conversation is giving her the answers she wants or needs, but it's too damn early for this.]

Don't thank me. Not yet.

[There's just one more thing...]

You so much as snap a hair on the heads of anyone I care about, you'll be dealing with something worse than the Arehtei.

That's what I want. But I won't. I gave you my word that I'd protect them.

[Unfortunately for Machina, asserting that he wants to be stopped pushes up against his Focus in a dangerous way. Not enough to turn Cie'th, but certainly a way to subvert the will of the Crystal. And it wouldn't be the first time he's been brainjacked for skirting disobedience.

His eyes glaze over, empty but at the same time, haunted. He remembers too well what he was doing when he was brought to this place. The sound of the Crystal demanding that he kill. The feel of his limbs moving to obey against his dwindling heart screaming out not to. The blood, the screams, the sick sensation of ending a life, pulling their phantoma from their bodies.

It's from that distant place, that that Machina's true self lingers. The too kind and earnest boy, overwhelmed and desperate grabbing for anything he could to not be alone. That child's been effectivly smothered, except even now he's railing against the inevitable.]

I don't want to hurt anyone else.

[He's blank-faced and not present in the here and now, but his iron will asserts itself in the grip on his glass. It tightens and tightens until the glass shatters, slicing his hand open. Machina doesn't flinch. Hell, he doesn't even realize he's cut himself and he's bleeding.]

[Lightning doesn't flinch at the sound of the glass breaking, but she does cast it a very lacklustre look. Another one bites the dust... this isn't the first time a dish has been broken so that isn't the part that makes her uneasy. What does is the fact that he seems impassive about it. She rips a napkin free for him and holds it out, her gaze not once straying from his face.]

Then don't. You don't have to hurt anyone to find answers.

[If Machina's hand hasn't moved away by now, she'll nudge it so she can start cleaning up the shards of glass.]

It makes you no better than them, and I know you don't want that either.

[It's only when Lightning nudges his hand does Machina startle enough into awareness to look at his hand. He holds it out, looking at it, yet not seeing it or really registering that he's gone and cut his hand. The sound of glass being pushed together to be cleaned does register with him and he glances to Lightning, then the hand. A napkin for... oh.

He presses it into the cut hand and casts Cura on it. But it's still just working through the motions.

But lest Lightning think he hadn't heard her...]

It wasn't so bad at first, being a l'Cie. I used it to walk behind enemy lines with impunity, brought intel back to my country.

[Great news, Lightning, the teenager in your house isn't just a l'Cie, he's a spy!]

But then he Crystal forbade me from taking action against Milites. So I ditched on deployments. Let everyone think I was a flake. Then... it demanded I defend the capital. Ordered me to kill my own people. And I did. It... I couldn't stop myself. I butchered them.

What I want doesn't matter anymore. I'm better than no one.

But, I have to try. While I've got will left to myself, I have to do something.

Edited 2018-08-26 06:23 (UTC)

[Something about becoming a l'Cie 'not being so bad' makes her jaw tense, but Lightning remains silent, listening as she sweeps the broken glass off the counter and into the trash. When he finishes, the lid of the bin slams shut.]

You butchered your people back home. What makes you think this is different?

[Her words are sharp, meant to cut through whatever wall he's putting up between them. They may be Arehtei, and some people might think they're false gods, but there is nothing safe about this plan of his. People are inevitably going to get hurt, whether that's Machina, the Arehtei, or those who try to protect them...]

Your line's looking a little blurry.

[She breathes a tired sigh because they're just talking in circles now. No matter what he says to her from here on out isn't going to change how stupid she thinks he sounds, or the fact that he can or will even go through with it in the end. She wants to believe that he'll do the right thing and make the choice that won't hurt others, but she'll be keeping a closer eye on things starting now.]

You should go. [But she gives him one last warning before he can so much as turn to walk away.] People are gonna get hurt no matter what you do. It's tough, but that's life. We all have to learn to live with it.

[ something in Eos house has been going bump in the night, and it's starting to bother Steven. he hadn't given much thought to the slight noises waking him up at first, but now that they're happening consistently, he's starting to wonder who could be making them at such a ridiculous time of night. he's been experimenting over the past week with slipping out of his and Ignis' bedroom on the pretense of getting a glass of water to hone his senses and try to find an answer - his first few attempts yielded no results but a couple of nights ago had revealed two familiar, hushed voices speaking at the top of the staircase. that much is enough to confirm it, and a brief bout of eavesdropping a few days later all but confirms it.

so, as is natural upon learning information about a friend that could be used to tease them, he plans to have a bit of fun.

on this particular night, when Lightning heads to the kitchen on her way to leave the house, she'll be greeted with a flick of a light turning on. ]

Good evening, Ms. Farron.

[ leaning on the door frame is a certain Steven Stone, looking uncharacteristically casual in a housecoat and lounge pants. he's being stiffly courteous on purpose, and it's not without a coy smile. someone's been caught..... ]

Or should I say "good morning"? I can't say we were expecting company this early...

[As soon as the light flicks on, the glass she's trying to very quietly fill with water drops into the sink with a loud clatter that could wake even the sleepiest behemoth, and she whips around like she's ready to fight whoever it is that's found her, only to find herself face to face with none other than Steven.

Her hair is tousled and messy, like she'd just rolled right out of bed, and the buttons on her shirt don't quite line up.]

S-Steven.

[Her voice has gone up several pitches, surprise getting the better of her, but she quickly composes herself with the clearing of her throat.]

Good, uh... What're you doing up so early?

[Lightning reaches behind her and turns off the tap.]

[ he cringes a bit when the cup hits the sink, but doesn't move. most of the house does tend to be deep sleepers, so hopefully he isn't bringing on something more than he intended. he looks her over, silently taking note of how she looks. it doesn't take an ace detective to connect the dots. ]

Fortis has been stirring from noises it's been hearing around this time over the past week or so. I thought it would be prudent to finally humour it and investigate.

[ he's not accusing her of anything, but his smile does speak volumes. ]

I could ask you the same thing, of course.

Oh...

[She combs her fingers through her hair, feigning shock and pretending like everything is A) normal, and B) she isn't the source of said noise. Her hands are a little wet from the splash of water in her glass when she dropped it, and when her bangs stick to her forehead, she wrinkles her nose.]

Noise, huh...? That's weird.

[But she's not going to ask him any further questions about that because she has a feeling she knows what Steven is going to say.]

I was just heading out, but I was... thirsty. [Well, that much is true. She picks up her empty glass from the sink. Still totally normal.] Drink?

I'm sorry about your glass. I'll replace it.

[And he will, in the form of a whole new set purchased from his income. His humanity is lost, but there remains a stern sense of right and wrong. Unfortunately that sense is easily manipulated by others.]

But thank you. I mean it.

Yes... very weird.

[ that is to say, he doesn't believe a word that she's saying, but he'll feign as much for the sake of seeing her reactions. his knowing smile remains, and he joins her at the sink. ]

If you wouldn't mind.

[Lightning should know better that no one would buy anything she's saying, but that tiny part of her that hopes he believes her prevents her from telling herself that she's being ridiculous. She'll just keep on denying it until she can't wiggle her way out anymore!

When he approaches the sink, Lightning takes a step away, although she smiles at him before turning on the tap and filling it with water. As if being in close proximity of Steven will somehow reveal her secrets further...]

You an ice kinda guy?

[The water keeps going and going and going, and she's yet to realize that it's spilling over the top of the glass and down the sides.]

[ It's Milkshake Day, the day you give a milkshake to a female friend you care about!

Lightning will find hers at the Hearth, with her name and note attached to it. It's strawberry marshmallow flavour, because that's what Lightning is. ]

Dear Light,

Side by side or miles apart,
dear friends are always close to the heart.
Thanks for everything.

Enjoy!
-J

[ though Steven is naturally observant, it doesn't take an ace detective to see that Lightning is very off. that could also be phrased as "being ridiculous", but he'd much rather give her the benefit of the doubt. he watches her silently for a few moments, turning off the tap for her when he realizes that she isn't noticing the overflow. ]

Regular is fine, thank you.

[ he's biding his time, of course. unfortunately, it's very obvious as to why she's here, and he has to wonder how long they can keep up the dance around the subject. once he has his glass, he hands her a nearby tea towel for her wet hands. ]

You seem distracted.

What?

[Oh dear, her throat is dry. Cue some quiet, nervous laughs. She isn't sure how much longer she can dance around it, either – she was caught red-handed in what she thought would be a triumphant escape once again... but really, how much longer could it have been before someone found her? That question was answered tonight. Or this morning? It's morning.

Lightning accepts the towel but doesn't dry her hands on it. Instead, she starts wiping down the already impeccably clean counter.]

What makes you think that?

[ at this point, he's simply waiting to see how long it takes for Lightning to crack. he knows that her strength of will is no doubt on par with her strength on the battlefield, but an awkward moment is enough to make most people falter. ]

Just a hunch. I take pride in my intuition; it's rarely wrong.

[ he takes a sip of his water, innocently. :) ]

[As strong as she likes to think her outer shell is against in any situation, Steven is well on his way to cracking this egg... if he hasn't already. The tension that seems to loom in the kitchen as she continues to wipe the counter is enough to press down on her until she inevitably breaks.

Which is in three... two...]

Don't tell anyone you saw me.

[UGH, SHE HATES THAT IGNEOUS ROCK INTUITION. >:(]

Edited 2018-10-07 00:38 (UTC)

[ there we go. he maintains his innocent expression as she all but confesses, but there's nothing malicious behind it. as enjoyable as teasing a friend can be, he knows the limits. ]

You know I wouldn't. What you do in your private life is no business of mine.

[ he'd expect her to offer him the same respect, of course. still, there's something oddly nostalgic about this context, in this space, at this particular hour. ]

To tell you the truth, it wasn't so long ago that I was doing the exact same thing.

empatheias IC contact. (archive)

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action; idk sometime before the player plot

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gift!

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