sticksandbonesmods | Let's go in the garden...

( yeah, he'll aslo hear nene's startled, panicked shriek and feel small hands tug on his clothes and yank-

and when he comes to once more, it's... not quite the misted garden, and not quite the forest. like a limbo between the two. he'll hopefully feel a bit more physical now, especially because nene's crouched beside him in tears with a basket of scattered vegetables, fruits and one poached rabbit around them. )

I told you to leave if something felt strange! Why didn't you- I can't lose you!

[for a moment, he's almost there. soft, familiar words dance in his head, the buzzing getting further and further. he feels light. he's so close. he tries to reach out, to touch her, to let himself be pulled into her warm arms...

something grasping his sides, his chest. he feels heavy again. jumbled. the alarm gets louder

something's wrong

he finally hears the shriek, not yet he's not home he's not

A hazy light returns to Add's eyes. He stares, still feeling half-asleep. One hand outstretched to grasp a strand of Nene's hair.

His brain needs a minute to catch up again, trying to remember how he got here. He was in the garden, he was helping Nene... he registers her tears before he can grasp the rest, his hand shifting to brush her cheek. He shouldn't be making her cry like that... Add smiles, still feeling the afterglow of the illusion.]

Shhh, it's okay. I'm right here... it's just a bad dream.

[... he's not disappearing, but he might be worse than he was the first time. whoops. give him another minute to wake up.]

( he can smile and try and console her all he wants- no, really, it genuinely does help, but she immediately wraps her arms around add, burying her face in his chest. he can't go. he can't. she can't lose him. she had to watch the village burn, watch them get dragged to their deaths with claws and thorns and bones, watch them resign themselves to destruction- and add is the first person she's seen in centuries. eons, even.

days and days going by, watching the stars and constellations shift, the seasons change without rest. the terrible loneliness of having only the forest's embrace for so long- how she remains sane she doesn't know, but... he can't go. he can't.

nene sobs. )

[This time, he returns the hug without hesitation. Rubbing small circles into her back, humming softly as his mother once would...

it's all a bad dream... it's over... they're fine, now, they can go back...

... back to...?

oh.

He's not sure how long it takes, but his mind eventually catches up. The humming stops, his hand wavering... but if she's still crying or upset, he can't just let her go. so.

He holds her close, giving himself another moment to collect himself before speaking again. Honestly, this is kind of embarrassing...]

... Sorry. It happened faster than I expected. [and boy is that a terrifying thought]

( eventually she lets herself pull back a little, wiping her eyes. she can't bring herself to look up at him, lest her resolve waver and when she speaks, her voice is broken- )

You- you have to go back. Forget about dinner, or- or take the provisions with you for the others, but you can't stay here.

[A pang of guilt. Ah, now he really fucked up. It felt like he'd made so much progress, but now...]

What about you? Where will you go?

I- I'll stay here. I always do- the forest won't let me die, and it won't attack you while you're with me, but that's all I can do, I can't- what if I'm not back in time again? And you already- you don't get to the Garden by accident...

Then how do I get to the Garden?

[He grips her arms tightly. The last thing he wants to do is leave her here—hell no, not after he's this close to getting more answers, especially not after that little episode. What if he never sees her again?

He tries to meet her gaze again, a stubborn look in his eyes. As far as he's concerned, there are only two valid options he can choose from.]

You said it can't be an accident. How did I make it here the first time?

You died. I brought you there to- to heal you, while there was time. But you can't stay or- or the mist-

( she's trying so hard to stay calm but it's so, so very hard when she just wants to cry some more. it's not fair. it's not- she shouldn't have hoped.

it hurts to breathe. )

[So if I'm close to death, I can meet you again?

He has just enough sense to shut his mouth, but the look in his eyes... probably still says enough. It's not a plan he'd like to fall back on, but if it comes to it... when has the risk of death ever stopped him from seeking answers? He can start by testing the limits, work his way up to bigger risks until something triggers...

But the other option is still more appealing. He sighs, grip loosening again.]

I am not leaving you behind. You're my patient.

( it certainly does say volumes, because nene pales even further and shakes her head rapidly. )

Don't you dare! Everyone will be sad! Elsword will be sad! I'll- I'll tell him! Every time you try, I'll go right to him and say so myself!

( it sounds like a desperate, childish plea. that's because it is. she grips part of her dress, white-knuckled despite everything as she looks away.

his patient... )

... I'm too dangerous for the Grove. I- I was there, the night it burned. The forest used me to do it. I can't. Just... please... go home.

... If you wanted to do that, you'd have to come with me, wouldn't you? [she can't tattle on him unless she comes to the Grove... checkmate.

Really, though... let's try not to upset her further, even if he's (sort of) joking. He softens his face, shifting back into a gentle smile. It's hard to see her as a threatening, dangerous person like she claims... but his mind goes to Elsword, and it's not so unbelievable. The parasite that hurts his arm and tries to control him with it... it sounds exactly like Nene's situation, unsurprisingly. If he doesn't do anything to stop it, Elsword will likely end up the same.

He can't allow that. It's not up for debate, full stop.]

Would you at least be able to visit? Just for a little while...?

[pretty please?]

I can get there without you and go back to the woods!

( INDIGNANT.

but the gentle plea does break through the upset- into more upset, yes, because she's terribly lonely and desparate and she doesn't want to be alone, but

it's safer for everyone if she is.

until her big brother can save her. maybe then she can finally rest. )

... I can lead you back. But it really is for the best that I don't...

Edited 2023-08-08 19:32 (UTC)

We could go back together.

[it's a bit funny looking with him still on the ground, but he holds out a hand to her... just one foot in the door, that's all he needs. he tilts his head.]

Please?

... I'm only taking you back. And... if it's grip is weak. Maybe I can visit. But that's it.

( despite the desperate uneasiness, her voice is firm.

she takes his hand, ready to break the barrier of the mist of the garden and the fog of the forest.

when they cross to the forest, however, add must pay a price. )

[Maybe is better than no. There's a spark in his eye as he stands, fingers wrapped tightly around her own, steps unsteady but determined. He has his in, he can make it work.]

It'd be easier than me visiting you. [He chuckles, and it's not a threat or a warning per se, simply a true statement... it would be more difficult for Add to do the visiting.

They enter through the fog, and he doesn't stop to look back... he doesn't have to, when Dynamo can take pictures for him. He hasn't forgotten about what else may be there, and if it's true...

nevermind that for now. He stares ahead, unwavering.

If he knew a price was coming, perhaps he would've been more prepared, expectant... but he puts one foot in front of the other, keeping pace with his shorter guide. The branches of the forest are thick and endless, reaching for them like a sea of clawed arms, swaying ever so slightly in the forest air. Like they're ready to reach out and grab them at any moment...

but they never do. is it his imagination, or do they pull back as he and Nene draw near...?

Staring at the branches makes him feel dizzy, after awhile... he must still be lightheaded from the mist. He focuses his attention on other things, such as holding Nene's hand firmly, not tripping in his heels, and, of course, discreetly hovering one dynamo out of sight so he can make a series of tiny laser-engraved trail markings as they go. You know. Just in case.]

( ... fuck. she should have warned him. but

it must have been something less tangible that was taken. she idly hopes it's nothing important, but knows it's futile- the forest loves to hurt. it's a greedy, terrible thing that finds what you love most and steals it for itself, if it can't tear you to shreds.

something is gone from add. even nene doesn't know what.

the forest air is full of whispers only she can hear, adoration and praise and cruel accusations of abandoning it all in one. she does not falter, her small hand holding add's own as she walks unfettered.

it must be night time- it's raining, too. but the chill won't reach the two of them, at least- not until she lets go. how long do they walk? the wall of fog twists and turns, like it's toying with them. )

... You have to be careful. The forest doesn't like you. And when you leave the Garden, it likes to claim a price. You'll probably figure out what it is soon. ... I should have said that sooner, but... there's no avoiding it. I'm sorry.

[A break from the silence is welcome, even if the topic is still quite grim. Anything to take his mind off the physical ordeal of hiking. Ugh, if only Dynamo had more of a charge...]

What sort of price? [he should sound more worried, but it's not like he has any choice. besides, if it is something he cares about... he'll just have to come back and reclaim it. fuck the forest and its rules.]

I don't think I like the forest either, so the feeling can be mutual.

It can be anything. A memory, a skill you can't relearn... I've seen it take body parts, before.

( but it acts as soon as they enter the woods, so... it must not have been something physical. )

If it's not noticeable, you'll know soon enough. ... It... believes that it's a small price to pay, to come back from the dead. But it's always something big.

I don't feel any different... but I'll do a full scan later to be sure of it. Thank you for telling me.

[there's no such thing as a skill that "can't be relearned", and memories... if he's to fix Elsword, he may as well do himself at the same time. Dynamo's backups should be helpful... for now, he decides not to worry about it.

he gives her hand a little squeeze, smiling down at her again.]

I suppose I owe you more thanks than that, don't I?

Mm... no. I wanted you to live. So this was for me as much as it was you.

( she doesn't sound upset, though- quite the opposite.

he had better not let go of her hand, though. the trail is only behaving on her account, after all. )

... What's it like? Your home.

[... he wants to ask why, but it feels like he'd just be talking her in circles. he thinks he knows the answer she'd give, anyway. would it not be kinder to leave her be? let her believe whatever strange lies she wants.

he laughs, hoping it's enough to mask his hesitation.] Depends on what you mean by it. The past few years have been nothing but traveling, "home" starts to lose it's meaning when you're on the road for so long. I suppose the closest thing would be Elrianode...

[but it's not really "home". because he's only ever had one place he calls "home", and that place is nothing but buried and built-over ruins now.]

What's Elrianode like, then?

( she almost sounds like a little kid, and not the tortured young woman she really is. )

[He hums, looking ahead again. What's Elrianode like...? He speaks softly, like he's telling a bedtime story.]

Mm... it used to be the biggest city in all of Elrios. It's where the Great El is kept, in a tower that reaches all the way up to the clouds. Big marble states, luxurious houses, crystals built right into the walkways... but centuries ago, the city was abandoned and preserved under a seal. All the buildings are still there, but the people are long dead and gone. The outskirts sunk into the seal and gained unusual properties. You can find floating buildings and orbs of void energy if you travel deep enough into it. It's too dangerous for ordinary people, so you could say the city is cut off from the rest of the world.

Elsword and I stayed there for awhile, with the rest of our group. It's quiet, and there's an interesting view no matter where you go... and it's well-preserved, so the mansions near the inner city are still perfect livable.

Oh.... it sounds like Adlric's Grove, almost. Not in, um, building stuff but- it's in stasis.

( nene hums quietly, trying to envision it though. she remembers stone and brick houses, cottages interwoven with rock and wood and cobblestone paths. nothing like marble and crystals. it sounds terribly fancy, but she thinks she might be intimidated by it. )

... If you unlock it, you can unlock the grove, bit by bit.

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