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( . . . )
Wha—I don't—
( it takes him a good solid moment to realise that this is about yato. he had almost forgotten about the "master" conversation that the two of them had had before. did this mean that it was actually true? there's something bone chilling about the thought, but he can't afford to dwell on it when there are a horde of soldiers threatening his friend and him. that swing of the spear had already been enough to temporarily his stop his heart, he might actually pass out if this gets any more violent.
he's got to get akira out of here. he glances at akira from the corner of his eye, nodding at him. )
The forest!
( it can't be true. it's got be one of the few places that yato wouldn't go. one of the soldiers lifts a hand, waving towards the others and a large section of them vanish as they dash off towards the direction of the forest.
then the soldier gestures to akira. )
Human. State your name.
Wha—I don't—
( it takes him a good solid moment to realise that this is about yato. he had almost forgotten about the "master" conversation that the two of them had had before. did this mean that it was actually true? there's something bone chilling about the thought, but he can't afford to dwell on it when there are a horde of soldiers threatening his friend and him. that swing of the spear had already been enough to temporarily his stop his heart, he might actually pass out if this gets any more violent.
he's got to get akira out of here. he glances at akira from the corner of his eye, nodding at him. )
The forest!
( it can't be true. it's got be one of the few places that yato wouldn't go. one of the soldiers lifts a hand, waving towards the others and a large section of them vanish as they dash off towards the direction of the forest.
then the soldier gestures to akira. )
Human. State your name.
[ Welp, Yato goes down on his butt when Yukine tugs him to ground. He panics for a moment, wondering if it's an enemy trying to trip him up, but then Yukine is yelling in his ear, which means that Yukine is at least alive. Relief courses over Yato as he scrambles up on one knee to parry an opportunistic spear thrust. ]
It's news to me!
[ Which is bad news, as far as dealing with this memory goes. If this were an old memory, at least he'd have a clue. He can't kill all of these cavalrymen alone, so his only other option is to talk to them. He stands and creates some breathing room with a wide swipe of his sword before raising his voice. ]
Bishamon hates me! Why would we conspire?! There must be a mistake!
It's news to me!
[ Which is bad news, as far as dealing with this memory goes. If this were an old memory, at least he'd have a clue. He can't kill all of these cavalrymen alone, so his only other option is to talk to them. He stands and creates some breathing room with a wide swipe of his sword before raising his voice. ]
Bishamon hates me! Why would we conspire?! There must be a mistake!
[ Akira can't talk to Yukine freely without these horsemen of the apocalypse hearing them, but he gives him an approving look. It's a good choice... There shouldn't be any bystanders around the forest at this time of night. The forest also provides so much cover in case anyone stragglers needs to escape.
He's processing so many scenarios in his mine as they're left here with a numbered few. This seems a lot more manageable. ]
Akira Kurusu... What is all of this about?
[ He thinks they can give them the slip here, but he's awfully curious. There's something about this that doesn't seem right—are these figures from Yukine's memories? What has Yukine done wrong?
If you were expecting him to leave and think about his own safety, you are wrong. ]
He's processing so many scenarios in his mine as they're left here with a numbered few. This seems a lot more manageable. ]
Akira Kurusu... What is all of this about?
[ He thinks they can give them the slip here, but he's awfully curious. There's something about this that doesn't seem right—are these figures from Yukine's memories? What has Yukine done wrong?
If you were expecting him to leave and think about his own safety, you are wrong. ]
It matters because it means it isn't entirely hopeless. If you can move, we can figure out a way out. [Hm.] Look to your left. How far can you go?
[Probably not far, but he has to make sure Yukine doesn't completely lose it otherwise they're both a little screwed.]
[Probably not far, but he has to make sure Yukine doesn't completely lose it otherwise they're both a little screwed.]
[ Hm. Well, time to smooth things over a bit. Who he is doesn't matter, right? ]
...Don't worry about it! I'm human, okay? Not a monster, or a ghost. See?
[ Following the voice, taking his hands off the concrete wall...
He reaches for Yukine, follows his arm, and holds his hand with both of his, lightly in case he injured his hands from trying to escape. They're smaller than Yukine's, but warm. He lets go, then leans back on the wall. ]
It's okay... We'll figure out something. Maybe this is just a bad dream. Who shoves people in boxes?
[ There's a grunt as Yanagi tries pushing against the ceiling, wondering if it's any different from the rest of their confines. ]
...Don't worry about it! I'm human, okay? Not a monster, or a ghost. See?
[ Following the voice, taking his hands off the concrete wall...
He reaches for Yukine, follows his arm, and holds his hand with both of his, lightly in case he injured his hands from trying to escape. They're smaller than Yukine's, but warm. He lets go, then leans back on the wall. ]
It's okay... We'll figure out something. Maybe this is just a bad dream. Who shoves people in boxes?
[ There's a grunt as Yanagi tries pushing against the ceiling, wondering if it's any different from the rest of their confines. ]
Pretty big mistake to make!!
( yukine is yelling without meaning to, a certain edge of hysteria bleeding through his voice as he glances between yato's face and the literal army surrounding them. how are they supposed to run from this? sneak out between the horses? when did he even last get a chance to see horses anyway?
then the horses part just enough to allow a woman in flowing white robes and long black hair to walk through. )
WAR GOD YATOGAMI!
( she yells, swinging her arm out to stop the cavalry. )
Stay your weapons.
( in response, the majority of them retract their spears, holding them at their sides, while the others keep the blades threateningly pointed towards yato and yukine. )
I have never heard of you, but as a god with a high enough level to posess a h̴̢̛̟̊̕͜ạ̷͙̱̍͗͝f̶̺̘͕̈́͐̑ủ̸̢̮͉͗͘ŗ̵̠̖̉̅͌ḭ̷͕̆̀͘͜,, why did you attempt to commit treason. . .? Don't tell me that you h̴̢̛̟̊̕͜ạ̷͙̱̍͗͝f̶̺̘͕̈́͐̑ủ̸̢̮͉͗͘ŗ̵̠̖̉̅͌ḭ̷͕̆̀͘͜, were plotting together?
( she looks at the two of them with accusing, hateful eyes. then she glances to the right where a man in a suit has appeared beside them. his head is down, hidden from view, and his arms have been bound by thick ropes. )
What say you? Kazuma? Yukine?
( kazuma doesn't speak, but yukine does. )
We've committed no crime!
( yukine is yelling without meaning to, a certain edge of hysteria bleeding through his voice as he glances between yato's face and the literal army surrounding them. how are they supposed to run from this? sneak out between the horses? when did he even last get a chance to see horses anyway?
then the horses part just enough to allow a woman in flowing white robes and long black hair to walk through. )
WAR GOD YATOGAMI!
( she yells, swinging her arm out to stop the cavalry. )
Stay your weapons.
( in response, the majority of them retract their spears, holding them at their sides, while the others keep the blades threateningly pointed towards yato and yukine. )
I have never heard of you, but as a god with a high enough level to posess a h̴̢̛̟̊̕͜ạ̷͙̱̍͗͝f̶̺̘͕̈́͐̑ủ̸̢̮͉͗͘ŗ̵̠̖̉̅͌ḭ̷͕̆̀͘͜,, why did you attempt to commit treason. . .? Don't tell me that you h̴̢̛̟̊̕͜ạ̷͙̱̍͗͝f̶̺̘͕̈́͐̑ủ̸̢̮͉͗͘ŗ̵̠̖̉̅͌ḭ̷͕̆̀͘͜, were plotting together?
( she looks at the two of them with accusing, hateful eyes. then she glances to the right where a man in a suit has appeared beside them. his head is down, hidden from view, and his arms have been bound by thick ropes. )
What say you? Kazuma? Yukine?
( kazuma doesn't speak, but yukine does. )
We've committed no crime!
Edited 2017-10-30 04:05 (UTC)
[ Yato lowers his own sword too when the attack subsides, privately grateful that the attempted skewering is being delayed for at least a little longer. He could make a retort about how he's never heard of her either, but there's really no point in antagonizing a memory figure with the authority to murder him.
Hearing that he's a god with any kind of status is news to him, and it catches him off guard. The appearance of Bishamon's shinki too is a surprise, a standout in his modern suit. Yato has seen him once before as a silent presence behind his goddess. Did this Kazuma implicate Yato and Yukine in the treason they're accused of? To soften the punishment for himself and Bishamon, maybe?
Yukine's protest refocuses Yato's mind. The woman stopped the attack, but he's certain she won't be satisfied with blind denial from Yato and Yukine. If they can't sufficiently prove their worth to this woman, there's a chance she'll let the cavalrymen return to their work.
Yato touches Yukine's shoulder briefly, a silent request to let him do the talking for now. ]
We don't want to cause trouble. If you'll allow us to sit and cooperate with you, I'm sure we'll be of more use to you alive than dead.
[ He's sure of no such thing, but there's nothing to do but bid for more time. ]
Hearing that he's a god with any kind of status is news to him, and it catches him off guard. The appearance of Bishamon's shinki too is a surprise, a standout in his modern suit. Yato has seen him once before as a silent presence behind his goddess. Did this Kazuma implicate Yato and Yukine in the treason they're accused of? To soften the punishment for himself and Bishamon, maybe?
Yukine's protest refocuses Yato's mind. The woman stopped the attack, but he's certain she won't be satisfied with blind denial from Yato and Yukine. If they can't sufficiently prove their worth to this woman, there's a chance she'll let the cavalrymen return to their work.
Yato touches Yukine's shoulder briefly, a silent request to let him do the talking for now. ]
We don't want to cause trouble. If you'll allow us to sit and cooperate with you, I'm sure we'll be of more use to you alive than dead.
[ He's sure of no such thing, but there's nothing to do but bid for more time. ]
( there is no answer from kazuma, his head only bowed in shame. it's almost like he's not there at all, just a vaguely man-shaped lump curled on the ground. his silence is enough for the woman to turn away from him, heavy gaze cast back onto yato and yukine instead.
she folds her hands in front of her as she listens to yukine's yelling and yato's steady words. she doesn't appear impressed. )
No crime? The two of you split the heavens themselves! It is only our mercy that has kept us from cleaving the heads from your shoulders.
( then she waves a hand outwards. the cavalry answer by tapping the shafts of their spears against the ground, loud and thundering. yukine glances between her and yato anxiously, eager to do something. anything! could he really leave this kind of thing to yato handle?
yet he stays silent, holding onto yato's sleeve in a vice-like grip. )
What use do you presume that Heaven would have of you? Ones who would so callously turn their weapons on us?
she folds her hands in front of her as she listens to yukine's yelling and yato's steady words. she doesn't appear impressed. )
No crime? The two of you split the heavens themselves! It is only our mercy that has kept us from cleaving the heads from your shoulders.
( then she waves a hand outwards. the cavalry answer by tapping the shafts of their spears against the ground, loud and thundering. yukine glances between her and yato anxiously, eager to do something. anything! could he really leave this kind of thing to yato handle?
yet he stays silent, holding onto yato's sleeve in a vice-like grip. )
What use do you presume that Heaven would have of you? Ones who would so callously turn their weapons on us?
[ A fair question. Yato thinks fast, trying to remember the details in his hallucinomemories. ]
I have... information. Heaven killed the god Ebisu for manipulating ayakashi. I know of someone else who's done the same.
[ He doesn't know if that information is valuable enough to keep them safe, but Ookuninushi did claim that controlling ayakashi puppets was unforgivable. Yato can only hope that societal crimes unrelatable to him now are grievous enough to give the robed woman pause.
He sheathes his sword, hoping further that it will make him look less combative. ]
We have no quarrel with Heaven. Give us a chance to prove it!
I have... information. Heaven killed the god Ebisu for manipulating ayakashi. I know of someone else who's done the same.
[ He doesn't know if that information is valuable enough to keep them safe, but Ookuninushi did claim that controlling ayakashi puppets was unforgivable. Yato can only hope that societal crimes unrelatable to him now are grievous enough to give the robed woman pause.
He sheathes his sword, hoping further that it will make him look less combative. ]
We have no quarrel with Heaven. Give us a chance to prove it!
( what—
what the fuck. there's no way to mask the utter confusion that crosses over yukine's face as he stares yato down as if that might magically grant him some kind of answer as to whatever the hell he's talking about. bishamonten? ebisu? aren't those two of the seven lucky gods? just what the hell were the two of them involved in?
better yet—
is. . . is yato truly a god? like really?
this is all too much. way too much for him to deal with right now. there's a wild look in his eye as he glances at yato again, the urge to bolt thrumming within him. it takes some serious resolve to keep his mouth shut, which is a good thing (probably) because whatever it is that yato's saying is enough for the woman to consider. she's silent for a moment as her eyes narrow.
then she nods. she'll hear his words. )
Speak Yatogami.
what the fuck. there's no way to mask the utter confusion that crosses over yukine's face as he stares yato down as if that might magically grant him some kind of answer as to whatever the hell he's talking about. bishamonten? ebisu? aren't those two of the seven lucky gods? just what the hell were the two of them involved in?
better yet—
is. . . is yato truly a god? like really?
this is all too much. way too much for him to deal with right now. there's a wild look in his eye as he glances at yato again, the urge to bolt thrumming within him. it takes some serious resolve to keep his mouth shut, which is a good thing (probably) because whatever it is that yato's saying is enough for the woman to consider. she's silent for a moment as her eyes narrow.
then she nods. she'll hear his words. )
Speak Yatogami.
[ Yato can feel the tension in Yukine's hand on his sleeve. He leans his elbow back to touch Yukine, hoping the contact, slight as it is, will help. ]
My father.
[ This is all just a fog scenario, he isn't really ratting his dad out, he reminds himself. He holds little affection for his father in this life and the last -- and yet a distinct pang of nervousness hits Yato at the thought of betraying him. ]
I don't know his name, but I know what he looks like. I've seen ayakashi do his bidding.
My father.
[ This is all just a fog scenario, he isn't really ratting his dad out, he reminds himself. He holds little affection for his father in this life and the last -- and yet a distinct pang of nervousness hits Yato at the thought of betraying him. ]
I don't know his name, but I know what he looks like. I've seen ayakashi do his bidding.
( what the fuck.
the death grip yukine has had on yato's sleeve swaps to his arm, nails digging furiously and painfully into his skin as he tries desperately to keep himself quiet. he wants to scream, he wants to scream until yato realises how fucking ridiculous it is that all of this is coming out now. isn't he supposed to tell him this stuff? IS THIS WHAT THE SEA CUCUMBER STUFF WAS ABOUT?
there's a flash of fury across the woman's face as yato talks, suddenly outraged. )
Are you saying the Sorcerer's Ruin has not yet been purged? That you are his son?
( then her arm sweeps out in a wide motion and the cavalry follows immediately. )
Filthy traitor!
( in response to her outcry, the cavalry attacks. the first spear aims for yukine, its blade skewering through his shoulder and throwing him onto the ground. he screams from pain and terror, but there's nothing he can do. not when another swipes at him and a third makes its way towards yato. the third spear rushes through the air to puncture through a non lethal part of yato's chest. )
the death grip yukine has had on yato's sleeve swaps to his arm, nails digging furiously and painfully into his skin as he tries desperately to keep himself quiet. he wants to scream, he wants to scream until yato realises how fucking ridiculous it is that all of this is coming out now. isn't he supposed to tell him this stuff? IS THIS WHAT THE SEA CUCUMBER STUFF WAS ABOUT?
there's a flash of fury across the woman's face as yato talks, suddenly outraged. )
Are you saying the Sorcerer's Ruin has not yet been purged? That you are his son?
( then her arm sweeps out in a wide motion and the cavalry follows immediately. )
Filthy traitor!
( in response to her outcry, the cavalry attacks. the first spear aims for yukine, its blade skewering through his shoulder and throwing him onto the ground. he screams from pain and terror, but there's nothing he can do. not when another swipes at him and a third makes its way towards yato. the third spear rushes through the air to puncture through a non lethal part of yato's chest. )
[ Yukine's scream grabs Yato's attention above all else. He turns in time to see Yukine fall yet again, a spear buried in his shoulder. Yato's projected calm falls apart, and when he rushes to stave off the offender, he sees a flash of a pole and feels something punching him in the chest.
It makes him inexplicably angry to think that someone is trying to get in the way of him reaching Yukine. He staggers away from his own assailant, dragging the spear in his chest with him, and rips it out, damn the pain. He hears himself bellowing with a warlike fury he doesn't recognize in himself.
He tried out Minako's spear ages ago and found it unwieldy and unfamiliar. Now his hands know the way. He flips the spear around, its tip wet with his blood, and fights the hole in his chest to throw himself at the cavalrymen targeting Yukine. His blood thunders and he pauses for no injury. As hopeless as the situation is, he refuses to go down without a fight. ]
It makes him inexplicably angry to think that someone is trying to get in the way of him reaching Yukine. He staggers away from his own assailant, dragging the spear in his chest with him, and rips it out, damn the pain. He hears himself bellowing with a warlike fury he doesn't recognize in himself.
He tried out Minako's spear ages ago and found it unwieldy and unfamiliar. Now his hands know the way. He flips the spear around, its tip wet with his blood, and fights the hole in his chest to throw himself at the cavalrymen targeting Yukine. His blood thunders and he pauses for no injury. As hopeless as the situation is, he refuses to go down without a fight. ]
( . . . )
Ya—
( he starts, stumbling on the syllables as he tries to force himself to speak. everything tries to fall out of his mouth at once and he manages is the start of yamato's name before he breaks off into some strange noise. )
Yamato?! Hey, are you—
( his voice cracks. )
Okay?
Ya—
( he starts, stumbling on the syllables as he tries to force himself to speak. everything tries to fall out of his mouth at once and he manages is the start of yamato's name before he breaks off into some strange noise. )
Yamato?! Hey, are you—
( his voice cracks. )
Okay?
( . . . )
( there is no answer.
there is nothing that yukine can say in this moment, all of his words feeling like sand in his throat. there is so much that he should say and should do. he is handling this wrong. his father is suffering, his mother is single-minded, and he drowning underneath the fear of it. the fear of what it all means, where it will take them, and what he's supposed to do.
what is the right answer? he doesn't know. all he can do is look up towards where marcell is standing with wet eyes, somewhere near the vision of his father and behind the shoulder of his mother.
it's the mother who speaks, turning to look at him. )
Pardon me. ( she says, lifting a hand. ) Would you mind waiting outside? I am speaking with my son.
( there is no answer.
there is nothing that yukine can say in this moment, all of his words feeling like sand in his throat. there is so much that he should say and should do. he is handling this wrong. his father is suffering, his mother is single-minded, and he drowning underneath the fear of it. the fear of what it all means, where it will take them, and what he's supposed to do.
what is the right answer? he doesn't know. all he can do is look up towards where marcell is standing with wet eyes, somewhere near the vision of his father and behind the shoulder of his mother.
it's the mother who speaks, turning to look at him. )
Pardon me. ( she says, lifting a hand. ) Would you mind waiting outside? I am speaking with my son.
( . . . )
( there's a noticeable flinch at the first brush of contact. it's just a little thing, a light touch of fingertips to his hair, but yukine is so alert and aware of everything going on that it feels like so much more than it really is. it takes him a moment and a herculean amount of self control to keep himself still as kashuu pats him before letting kashuu settle his hand onto his shoulder. it's both terrifying and so overwhelmingly relieving that yukine can't find the words to talk.
instead he reaches up to press his palm against kashuu's, just feeling the warmth of it, as he tries to remember how to breathe. )
I'm sorry.
( he says in a voice so small. )
( there's a noticeable flinch at the first brush of contact. it's just a little thing, a light touch of fingertips to his hair, but yukine is so alert and aware of everything going on that it feels like so much more than it really is. it takes him a moment and a herculean amount of self control to keep himself still as kashuu pats him before letting kashuu settle his hand onto his shoulder. it's both terrifying and so overwhelmingly relieving that yukine can't find the words to talk.
instead he reaches up to press his palm against kashuu's, just feeling the warmth of it, as he tries to remember how to breathe. )
I'm sorry.
( he says in a voice so small. )
[His hand is probably not in the most elegant state it's ever been in, palm somewhat clammy from the struggling and panic, but he holds Yukine's carefully regardless. Not tight enough to be restrictive, but with enough strength to convey at least some measure of reassurance.]
Hey. No apologizing, okay? Just breathe with me for a little while. I'm not going anywhere. You can hear me, right?
[The sound of his own breathing, that is, which he wrangles back under control in record time so he can set the pacing for Yukine too. It's a steady in and out, loud in the stifling silence of the prison, measured and predictable. The only time it's interrupted is a brief moment here or there where he interjects with small nudges of encouragement, little "you're doing fine"s or "you're still with me"s that drift softly through the otherwise still air.]
Hey. No apologizing, okay? Just breathe with me for a little while. I'm not going anywhere. You can hear me, right?
[The sound of his own breathing, that is, which he wrangles back under control in record time so he can set the pacing for Yukine too. It's a steady in and out, loud in the stifling silence of the prison, measured and predictable. The only time it's interrupted is a brief moment here or there where he interjects with small nudges of encouragement, little "you're doing fine"s or "you're still with me"s that drift softly through the otherwise still air.]
[ Of course. He suspects this is like...a flashback, of sorts. He just happens to be here to spoil the script, as it were. It breaks his heart to see Yukine like this, to see Ichirou like this too. Marcell isn't sure what to do, but -- ]
...I'm sorry, he seems afraid.
[ He can't just walk out and wait. ]
...I'm sorry, he seems afraid.
[ He can't just walk out and wait. ]
[The answer is "no, not really". Can anyone really be okay in a situation like this? But Yukine sounds like he's doing far worse, so Yasusada pushes his own discomfort away.]
I'm fine, I think. [Admittedly, it's hard to tell.] Are you okay? What is this?
I'm fine, I think. [Admittedly, it's hard to tell.] Are you okay? What is this?
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