i don't belong anywhere

when the hour is nigh, & hopelessness is sinking in; when your eyes are red, & emptiness is all you know, with the darkness fed, i will be your scarecrow. (independent)

[aiidoneus]

* officially independent

[naturalideals-deactivated201401]

"My hair? Is there something unusual about it?" N inquired as the remark made absolutely no sense to him at all. He has met a few people who also died from a mysterious cause. For him, he remembered a wall of fire that surrounded him, leaving him in complete shock and fear. N has a phobia over fire ever since.

With a silent nod, his serious look tells it all. There was a moment of silence as he remembered the three Sinnoh God Pokemon’s wrath that was sent towards him by an accident misunderstanding. “Indeed, I have. But I will not make any word of it. What cause you to die?”

[aiidoneus]

   The topic of hair dropped immediately as this man admitted to knowing his cause of death. The surprise, and slight hope, that bloomed within him was masked behind the mute expression that often lived on his face. The ghost king nodded understandingly at N's request to keep it to himself, before averting his gaze elsewhere. 

   “You're lucky, then," he spoke, in his lowered tone that was barely audible, “I don't remember, and it doesn't seem like most people do, either." 

[xcondannato-deactivated20140425]

Reality? Yeah, probably. ;;Open.

[xcondannato-deactivated20140425]

╰“Do I know you?” It’s a blurted question, one that is shot out before dark eyes even have time to fully take in the figure in front of her. It is naïve and confused and at the same time steady, because if there is one thing that Bianca is, it’s steady. She doesn’t let people push her into uncertainty easily; she wouldn’t be able to survive if she did. She doesn’t have time to process why this person knows her name or why this situation is too familiar to be real, since she’s obviously never been in this position before.

The boy – and that’s what he is, despite his face seeming so mature – is very different. What once used to be eager excitement is now a distraught, pale face. He wasn’t as healthy as he used to be, looked far too hungry for her to be satisfied. The roundness of childhood was gone from his silhouette, and it seemed like it had been that way for awhile. He was taller than her and he had dark circles under his eyes.

He looked sad, an expression she had never wanted on that face. She knew who this was. Of course she knew who this was. She would always recognize him, no matter what. The girl had spent so much time looking after him, making sure he wasn’t getting into trouble, and then finally making sure that he was safe at camp before she left to live her life. Her Nico, her stupid little brother.

Their faces were extremely similar at the moment, Bianca looking just as lost. As much as she wanted to keep her expression neutral, to not show how much this was shaking her, she couldn’t. This wasn’t right, this wasn’t right, this wasn’t right at all.

“Why are you here?” It wasn’t supposed to sound like an accusation, but it did. Her voice was angry and scared. “How are you here? Why are you so old? What happened?” As she spouted the questions, the anger drained just as quickly as it came and with it left her confusion. She didn’t give him time to answer. Her mind was spinning and she had to keep going or else she’d be stuck and she wouldn’t know what to do.

“I’m so sorry.” For so much. For leaving him to join Artemis, for going on the quest that had sent her to her death, for making so many mistakes. She was sorry that he looked so hurt – he couldn’t hide it from her. She saw it in the way that he held himself, in the color of his eyes. This was all her fault and she had to know what to do; she had to, because this was her problem to fix.

Death was around him just as much as it was around her. He was as gone as she was. She lunged forward, not caring that he might and very well could step aside or push her away, and wrapped her arms around his lean frame, pulling him into her and squeezing. He looked so broken and she wanted to put him together.

This wasn’t right, this wasn’t right, this wasn’t right at all.

[aiidoneus]

For a moment, a stunned silence settled over them, allowing the ghost king to retain his calm composure, to clamp his mouth shut, to return to his expressionless face, while they both quieted to stare. Here she was, his precious sister, in the flesh, looking just as she did all those years ago. Perhaps her immortality had been carried over, keeping her young, but it didn't take long for a horrifying realization sunk into his skin as he noted that the gap that had separated their ages, that made her the older sister and him the annoying younger brother, had closed. Even if the situation had given her features a little more age, made her look more mature than she really was, she was still twelve years old. And he -- he was fourteen.

   Do I know you?

His eyes flew open at that, widening into a horrified stare. Down dropped the mask that kept him from giving away his emotions, as his brows furrowed together, lips parted ever so lightly. Fear creeped up his spine, stopping his pulse, sending chills up and down his skin. “Do you really not -- ?" his whispered question had been cut off, voice immediately died as she bombard him angry questions.

Albeit they lost their hostility with every next one, they hurt, nonetheless, as if she'd taken one of her arrows and stuck them into his heart with every question, each going deeper into his core than the last. Lips parted, in a half attempt to somehow answer, but nothing but an anguished croak came out. Every muscle in his body tensed, his lips folding into a thin line to prevent a flood of broken, bitter words from flowing out. 

   I'm so sorry. 

I am, too, Nico had wanted to say, I'm sorry for turning into a monster, for chasing after your ghost, for blaming Percy, for never telling you how much I loved you. 

The walls he'd built to prevent this sort of heartbreak then cracked, threatening to come crashing down around him, as she pulled him into a tight embrace. It'd knocked the breath out of him, more due to surprise, rather than her actually crushing him, and his shoulders tensed even more. Don't -- you'll feel me shaking. 

Eventually, he'd given up -- he couldn't hold the tough guy act any longer, not with her around. He could never hide anything from her, no matter how much he would've liked to try. At that moment, everything he'd been holding in, crashed in on itself, breaking him from inside out. The isolation that had froze his heart over, the weariness of his bones, the heartaches that had brought the bitter tastes to his mouth -- it suddenly became too much for him to handle. With another anguished gasp for air, his shoulders slumped, trembling limbs wrapped themselves around her smaller frame, and Nico buried his face in her shoulder, holding her for all she was worth in fear of losing her again. 

[dreamilied]

death: fit for a princess (open/intro)

Caitlin was unsure how to feel about the revelation of her death. She was as cold and stoic as always, walking briskly through a place called ‘Old Town’. She glanced with still bright eyes over at Musharna; who hovered loyally by her side even in the after life, it seems. Did her Pokemon die with her? Or was this some sort of consolation prize by the gods? Ah, sorry about taking your life - here’s a Pokemon to keep you company. Caitlin nearly scoffed aloud at the thought. She could have died because of a complication with Musharna’s dream mist; which then made sense that Musharna was the Pokemon with her here.

Here. Asphodel Valley - an interesting afterlife, indeed. Caitlin had always hoped death was just an endless, nightmareless sleep. She looked around the quaint, calm town as she breezed through it gracefully. Was she disappointed? She couldn’t quite tell. Pondering her purpose here and trying to figure out the cause of her death was enough to give her a pounding migraine. Even her psychic abilities weren’t helping. So, finding a place to stay was the first thing on her list of things to do. Death was exhausting.

The blonde caught sight of a luxurious looking hotel. It looked beautifully kept, yet filled with age. She was relieved to see people (…dead people, like herself, she presumed) coming in and out of it. Apparently, it was active and relatively busy; a good sign. If the inside of the aptly named Olmstead House was as glorious as Caitlin’s previous lifestyle, she could certainly get used to death.

Caitlin, Musharna at her side, made her way into the lobby. The slightest of smiles formed on her face as she took in the classic decor. She appreciated this very much. It reminded her, somewhat, of her family’s mansion in Sinnoh. 

She managed to attain a suite and hurried along to an old fashioned elevator. Catching sight of the closing doors, Caitlin let out a sigh. There was no way her voice would reach the person inside. She certainly wasn’t going to waste her breath yelling when she could just simply raise her hand and push them back open with telekinesis.

"Pardon me," she murmured as she, nonchalantly, stepped inside. Caitlin made no eye contact with the stranger she and Musharna would be sharing this ride with. Instead, she made another motion with her hand, closing the doors and pressing the button of her floor.

[aiidoneus]

   Upon arrival, the ghost king had been too busy fretting over his unexplained death to worry about some sort of logging. He was perfectly fine with sleeping outside, considering he had spent a long time doing so, but he'd grown tired of the makeshift beds made up of crunchy leaves and small fires that hardly chased the cold away. It didn't matter if he enjoyed the company of the stars and trees; after experiencing a real bed after the literal hell he'd been through, Nico wasn't very gun ho about returning to the wilderness.

And so, it'd led him to the hotel within town. With everything he owned already on him, the ghost king made haste to hail an elevator and leave the mostly busy lobby. Having spent most of the day trekking about the town, in search of escape, he was ready to spend the remainder comfortable, on a bed, or even a couch -- anywhere that would bring him any degree of relaxation without the presence of another. Once safely within the lonesome elevator, he'd pressed his floor's button, and proceeded to slump against the corner of the small room, arms crossed, eyes closed, head leaning against the wall.

But just as the elevator was beginning its ascend up the shaft, the doors were unnaturally yanked open, surprising the boy inside with a jolt through his frame. Bewilderment never left his expression, as a girl strolled in, monster following her every move, and closed the doors just as she had opened them; and yet, she pressed her desired floor as casually as a normal person would.

Nico's eyes traveled to the floating .. thing by her side, and his fingers closest to the hilt of his substituting sword curled around the hilt, in the event of an emergency. A monster, but he wasn't able to detect what kind, or from what myth it was from. His body stiffened at the thought of having to battle against an unknown creature -- he'd surely loose. But, then again, who was his real enemy here? Sneaking another glance their way, he briefly eyed the girl, before dropping his gaze back to the elevator floor.

   What was he supposed to do in a situation like this?

[krkrandcat]

The Lonely King

Nico di Angelo. I feel so much for this kid. I’m not done with The House of Hades yet, but man, he needs some love. That book made me cry the other day. Please stop picking on my favorite character.

(Hopefully the contrast here is okay. My monitor is apparently very bright, but I did try to check this on a couple different screens.)

[naturalideals-deactivated201401]

"Like me?" N repeated— half surprised, both seem to have agreed that the valley is too unnerving and unusual. He doesn’t mean any harm, unfortunately except taming Pokemon is his specialty. "But perhaps you are right." The green haired male scratched his head with confusion. "Curiously, many seem not to notice of our demise."

[aiidoneus]

   “I was talking about your hair," the ghost king pointed out, quirking a brow, “but on the topic of demise .. do you know your's?" From what he'd been able to gather from the few he's spoken to in his short time in Asphodel, nobody seemed to be able to recall their last moments. Some remembered a little better than most, which had planted a little jealous seed within him, but nobody did completely. 

[anythingfortheflotilla-blog]

"I think it’s a lot more than the atmosphere. Everything here is just… Wrong." Spacial anomalies, creatures defying the basic laws of physics, and villagers that didn’t seem to notice the situation that they were a part of. Villagers from a twentieth century earth setting that didn’t notice the biosuit wearing alien walking among them. “Nothing here makes any sense. At least, not any sort of sense that I’m used to.”

[aiidoneus]

From what he could tell, those who were questioning the reasonings behind this place of death were the ones of a sort of normalcy. They weren't like the stiffened, quiet villagers that lacked interest. “Sense, along with time and space, has disappeared from this world," Nico spoke quietly, taking on a thoughtful expression, “so, I guess our only alternative is to try and make our own sense. Or something." 

[aiidoneus]

Hearing a voice behind him, Kid had turned to speak up when he’d felt an incredibly familiar soul wavelength. This guy that stood before him…he had an aura of death around him, but Kid couldn’t begin to imagine as to why. Where he was from the people that had that were well, him and his father, being death gods as they were. So this…this was strange.

“…I’ll say. People around here don’t seem to be very talkative.”

The child of death had to do a double take, upon registering the boy who'd answered him. Taking on a puzzled expression, he acknowledged the raven through a small nod of his head. His mouth was already forming the question, why do you feel like my father?, but before they could be voiced, Nico switched to an alternative response.

   “I suppose we all have reason to be silent, but this sort of quiet isn't a good kind. It's creepy." 

[7thwheeling-deactivated20140403]

   That was something he wasn’t too sure he could answer himself. While Leo looked like a handsome, happy go lucky scamp, he was completely frightened. But, if Eeyore’s human incarnate was there, he could at least get some answers, and things wouldn’t be too bad. Right?

   { ☄ } "… too hot for the world. Guess that means I belong here."

   Yes. Perfect explanation.

[aiidoneus]

   “Now isn't the time to be joking around, Leo," the boy scolded, nearly spitting out his words. Annoyance riddled his features, rose his volume above his usual, quiet tone, as he fought for control over his emotions. But how could he, when the world was battling against mother nature herself, and one of the fated seven acted as if this was nothing but a small issue? It was assumed that neither of them retained their memories after appearing in the valley, which only increased the problem, and Leo wanted to horse around -- like usual.

   “Is this all just a game to you? Because if it is, then guess what? You're losing."  

[yoursaiyanprince-blog]

"Some people prefer the quiet. That is, until you ruined it with your voice."

[aiidoneus]

“Just as some people prefer normal sights to look at?" 

[rhayli-deactivated20180121]

Happy Thanksgiving everybody <3 <3

[7thwheeling-deactivated20140403]

[aiidoneus]

[aiidoneus]

[anythingfortheflotilla-blog]

"Unnerving, huh? Yeah… It’s way too quiet. Like the world is broken or something." quiet had always freaked her out- on a quarian ship, silence meant a dead engine or- god forbid- a broken air filter. And a broken air filter could mean death.

[aiidoneus]

   “It only adds to this town's creepy atmosphere," he agreed, unable to keep himself from staring; they reminded him too much of one of the characters in his old playing card game. 

[naturalideals-deactivated201401]

"Very quiet. Everything is not what it seems."

[aiidoneus]

   “ -- You've got that right." His gaze had traveled up and down the newcomer's frame, curiosity sparking in the otherwise dead coals for eyes. “Like you, for example."

[7thwheeling-deactivated20140403]

   { ☄ }"Because I haven’t been here long enough to liven it up!"

[aiidoneus]

Upon hearing a voice all too familiar, raised to its standard, maximum volume, his head of dark hair shot up, eyes widened with surprise. And there he stood -- the boy just as short as he was, grinning at him with the most ridiculous of expressions. 

   “Leo?"  the ghost king sputtered in a tone soft with astonishment, before raising it to a sharper, angrier one as he demanded, “What the Hades are you doing here?" 

[aiidoneus]

   “This quiet is .. a little unnerving."