didn't make it to heaven

someday i'll reach you, 万感の想い これが世界の理で--

[divinestars]

[kokuunokamen]

☠ (estelle since I'm too lazy to hop onto estelle blog)

Send me a ☠ and we can all cry together

It has been a hard few weeks, reminders both subtle and not just around every corner, inescapable. Everywhere people mourned the Princess’s passing, the entire world brought down by one amazing woman’s death.

Raven stood alone now at the base of the Halure Tree, under which Princess Estellise had been buried. Some in the capital had fought to bring her body back to lie beside her ancestors but her friends and the children of Halure she had endeared herself too refused to let them take her from the place she now calls home.

"You promised us you’d take care of yourself. You knew what’d happen and yet…" Like Raven, Estelle retained her ability to use artes by tapping into her own life force. Unlike Raven, she couldn’t —wouldn’t— hold back when she saw anyone in need of healing. It was as if she was racing the older man to death’s door.

And won.

"But I suppose it just wouldnt be you if you did anything else. You’ve always been too quick to give, Estelle…" A quick flash of memory, years back. Donning the armour of Schwann for the first time, being announced as the only survivor of Temza. A little girl with pink hair, eyes red from crying over the recent death of her father yet still trying to comfort him. A glimpse of strength that would take him many long years to properly appreciate, to realize that she had been so much more than just The Princess.

"I just wish it hadn’t happened like this. Not so soon." He didn’t say the words he knew that would upset her, but he couldn’t help but think them; it should have been me. She’s offered him her full forgiveness years ago, in her room in the castle on the day they had rescued her. He had given his apologies and she accepted them and him, hadn’t ever let it get in the way of their future interactions.

But he knew, of course. The nightmares she had and the way she sometimes tensed when he approached. The guilt that she held for things that had been beyond her control, no fault of her own. He had never felt worthy of her forgiveness, but she gave it freely anyways. She made him want to be as good as she believed he was.

"I’m so sorry."

[divinestars]

ooc: Whoooops, I'm here, I swear! Leanne-muse has been hogging my attention gomen. I know there are a couple of responses I need to get done, but if anyone would like to thread just drop me an ask or something! c: Also it's fantastic to see Brave Vesperia coming together!!

[moneyquest]

here we go, once again... [open]

Volke calmly looked at the paper in his hand, which now solidified his new life as a bounty hunter. Of course, he would be stuck in this kind of profession. It was all he knew how to do. Slit a throat, stab a vein… These hands were meant to spill blood. What else could he do? He wasn’t half bad at carving wood, but… his face was so impacted that he was certain that other people could recognize him. Volke shoved the parchment into his  pocket and slowly walked into one of the taverns- the Dead Knight, people said. It was a fitting name.

At least, you know, to be his base of operations.

Habits were hard to break, and people gravitated towards taverns. Volke gravitated towards taverns. They were easy to find, and easy to find meant more work. He was sure that he’d soon enough get his first job, and everything would go from there.

… Although, he had to hope that things wouldn’t become like they had in Tellius, where he would meet paths with another man like Bastian. As much as he liked Bastian as a friend, friends weren’t… safe. He couldn’t simply trust ‘friends’. Friends didn’t… they didn’t keep themselves safe, and he couldn’t risk being that torn apart. His reputation meant everything to him, and if he somehow ruined it… Well, it would be hard to fix it.

Bastian, thankfully, was capable to protect himself, but who was he to say that everyone else in this place was?

[divinestars]

"--Please, Wait!!"

A loud crashing noise came from the room behind the tavern, reminiscent of glasses colliding with the floor; accompanied with the mutual noise of objects being knocked over. It would not be long before the door leading to said room, swung open and a bundle of imps swanned through -- one in particular, holding a gold item.

"You 'ain't gonna catch us that easy, lady!" They jeered in chorus-line, in attempts to only aggrieve. With miniature  horned wings they swooped around the open tavern area, throwing the item back and forth with one another. 

And thus the princess would eventually emerge from the confines of the other room, having battled one ridiculous trap after another. 

Rapier in hand, pointed skyward at the assailants, patience was at it's limits. While she had no intentions of hurting the creatures, she remained determined to retrieve her personal item. Whilst at the same time remaining ignorant to the gathered crowd within the bar area.

"I've asked you once before. Please return my bracelet." She adds, sternly. However, it only elicited another chorused snicker, the imps working in unison. A sly smirk would breach the alpha's lips before they sauntered out of the opened door, and into the outside area. 

Naturally, she would follow suit. She had come this far, after all.

[divinestars]

-- An unwelcome visitor

[arnav-yensa-deactivated20130814]

It figured that once the Rava came across a sprawling forest again, it held no Green Word. No traces of Viera either. It felt like a very blank place to be. while it was not a teak wood, like Hazaar, it was a forest nonetheless and he enjoyed being able to take a reprieve in the shade of an oak. Tzvi was lost again, only far worse this time. He was not in Archadia, Dalmasca, Rozarria… no where he’d ever heard of before. Was it possible that he’d gotten so lost that he was no longer in Ivalice?

That thought had occurred to him a few times as he stayed in the trees, but he didn’t give it much thought once the Hume girl started trying to catch him. She had noticed him, apparently she too was wandering the wood, and he immediately pursued. Well, Tzvi didn’t care for that, so he evaded with ease.

Being as fast as he was, it was all but too simple to keep her running and guessing at where he went. The entertaining bit was when the poor thing tried to climb a tree. She was not dressed practically at all, and so fell from it after a certain point. Though, to her credit she got much farther that he would have anticipated.

Tzvi had watched her try climbing the elm from a distance, and when she hit the ground, on laying on her back with a spattering of leaves, he finally approached her. While her eyes were closed in a groan of aching, he leaned over her head from a standing position, a frown present.

When she opened her eyes she would see him in his shirtless state, white hair, tan skin, red eyes, and protruding ears.

“Why are you following me, Hume?”

[divinestars]

Up close, his features were mystifying. Perhaps for an off-chance she had mistaken him as a Kritiyan due to his unique features; but it was clear at this point he was of an entirely different species and it was most likely he was not a native of this realm. The thought sounded bizarre, but indeed possible. 

Hume? She blinked in minor confusion, before placing two and two together and realizing it was akin to the world Human. She duly noted that his accent was quite strange, also. "O-Oh, I -- My apologies. I hope I did not cause any offense by my actions." There is an evident, apologetic tone as she speaks, before attempting to rise upwards from the ground and brush off the debris attached to her dress. Unfortunately she remains unaware of the state her hair is in, despite believing she has taken out more of the damage. 

"I have never seen any of your kind before and-- Well, I was slightly curious. But I did not wish to disturb you either." Sheepish edges to her voice. "Though, I couldn't help but notice that you look lost. Would I be correct in saying that you are as such?" She asks soon after. Quoi Woods isn't a safe place, and while she does not doubt the combat abilities of the eared male, It would not be the safer choice to prolong their stay here.

[divinestars]

-- fated

[aspiosflame]

“H-Hey…”

The exterior she’s tried so hard to put up; a heightened show of anger in place of her sadness, falters at the sight of her tears. Her stomach twists; fists trembling. Now she’s made her friend cry. Rita knows she should’ve put that a little more delicately, if only because it’s Estelle. And yet again she just had to find shelter through her own inclinations, seeking the persistence of anger to desist her pain.

Grim countenance falls into worry and she crosses the space between them now. What she wants to tell her is that it doesn’t matter, inhibited queries and shouts of what are you talking about; why are you apologizing comprised the entirety of the mage’s thoughts. A hand moves to touch her forehead. She bites her lip and her head shakes because it’s her own stupid fault for dying and now Estelle’s fallen too; they’d been the last to see each other and she’d sworn to always check up on her no matter what, except she couldn't protect her after all now that she’s—

“Estelle…”

She waits, uncertain of the right words, throwing a glance off to the side with crumpled brows.

“Look, this isn’t your fault.”

…And will you please just stop being sad because it’s my own stupid fault I died and if there’s anyone to be blamed about everything now that you’re here, it’s me.

“You know I’m no good at this comforting thing. It’s done, we’re both dead and there’s nothing we can do about it now.” She sighs, turning her gaze up to meet her friend’s eyes, albeit with more sympathy this time.

“It’s not gonna do us any good if we blame ourselves. Just… remember to stay close to me this time, okay?” She turns her gaze forward and, as had been predicted, two imps come moving in to approach.

“Ugh, those little creeps are here. I think we’re just about to find out where you live now.”

[divinestars]

You could tell her, that it's not her fault. But there's a slim chance that she will believe it. As long as she was still up there, in the real world. Living, breathing; that there was a chance that the death of her friend could have been stopped. However, what upset her the most was more of that she didn't know. At all. Had Rita died by herself, alone? The thought was terrible in it's own right.

"B-But--" 

She inhales, breath sharp and the dysrhythm of improper breathing due to the earlier bout of tears caused Estelle to cough. "There must have been something I could have done." Words more of a mumble, than spoken loud. "--Anything."

Of course, she wasn't alone, even down here. But at what cost? 

And she knows that nothing can be done about it either. The laws of death are entirely beyond her. She can't help feel that there's a certain unfairity about this situation, though. 

“It’s not gonna do us any good if we blame ourselves. Just… remember to stay close to me this time, okay?” 

Silently, she nods. Mood still weighted by grim thoughts. Subconsciously  pastel digits reach out for the blazen red sleeve belonging to the Mage; gripping lightly at the edge as a sort of comfort. Visage is of a slight reddish hue, eyelids swollen to some part. 

The princess has tried, attempted, to become a stronger person. She has traveled the world, met new friends. Given the choice to choose rather than have it chosen for her. But where is this strength now? Here she is, breaking the facade and retreating into herself. The stress of the situation overwhelms and becomes her. And yet even now upholds the most sincere adoration of the mage for being able to remain strong.

"--Eh?" Line of vision pans upwards, whereas before it was fixed to the stony floor. "Where I live? What do you mean?" Up until this point she had wholly expected to accompany Rita for the most part. Alarm tinged in the upper points of her voice. 

Everything just seemed to be happening at once. 

[divinestars]

-- fated

[the8thnobody-deactivated2014040]

Yikes. This was what Axel had hoped wouldn’t happen.

Bright emerald eyes cast downward.

The poor girl, she was in a state of disbelief, which was normal although he feared what her other reaction would be once he affirmed his previous statement. Would she cry? Become angry? He didn’t want either of those to happen. He disliked seeing others upset or sad, especially if they were nice and if he liked them. There was no use denying his statement though, she needed to know the truth. So, reluctantly, he repeated it.

“Yeah, we’re both dead. This is.. the afterlife I guess you could call it.”

[divinestars]

Dead? No, that couldn't it. Right? Eyes fell to the ground, and she becomes immediately silent. Extremities meet at her middle, intertwined to provide the most smallest of comforts. Face contorts into bewilderment, shock. Part of her does not wish to believe this is her fate. But the other accepts it justly, the body she is in does not feel like her own and thus realizes it. 

"I--"

No, it would be silly to ask if this is the truth. The males face is sincere, and holds no counts of trickery despite his appearance. And if this is true, then he has fallen to this state also. 

"I ..see." Facial features fall, and though she has not fully accepted her fate, for the time being she chooses to remain calm. She was once heir to the throne, a princess in name. Composure has always been needed for that role. In a tone no higher than a whisper, she speaks; "So may I ask, why have we been brought here?" Other than the fact we are dead, she adds silently. 

[talesofcrackships-blog]

[flynstelle]

[kiryuujoshua-archival]

[divinestars]

ユーリとエステル

[divinestars]

-- An unwelcome visitor

"Just.. a little further--" Determined words, as obvious as such displayed clear cut across facial features. The situation: Well, not one of her finer ones. But the pursuit of knowledge wasn't always going to be one simple path. If one were to look up, it would be somewhat of a ridiculous sight. The princess, hunched up against a gathering of branches, shuffling forward to a careful degree. She was most certainly not in the correct attire for climbing trees, her ivory dress splayed out in all the wrong directions, plus a section of the material caught on a stray part of the bough. 

Her reason for being in the most awkward of positions, was pertaining towards trailing a certain individual; of whom happened to have rabbit ears of some sort protruding from his head. So far she had only managed to capture minor glimpses, and at the same time remained unaware to if the male had spotted her just yet. But concentrations were aligned to more pressing matters. 

"Al..most there."

--SNAP

A crackling noise coursed throughout the surrounding foliage, and down to the ground the princess would fall, with a hard, resounding thud. The tree's mercy had most definitely not been on her side this time. Of course, the whole scenario had left her in quite a state, and minor tinges of pain crept into her being. Accompanied with the whole 'wild' look. (odd parts of leaves caught up within amarathine locks.)

And indeed, it would attract unwarranted attention, regardless of if she wished for it or not.

Hopefully it would not look too suspicious.

She wondered what Yuri would think if he was to see her in this state.

He'd laugh, most likely.

[divinestars]

-- fated

[aspiosflame]

“You really have to make me come out and say it, don’t you?”

The words still come out sharp, but her features relax slightly. Shouldn’t come much as a surprise - this was very typical of Estelle; not knowing what’s up, but naive as she can get, she can’t be blamed for this. Hadn’t Rita gone through the same experience? Memory’s still an issue, even for herself. She tries, but it’s all haze and fog shrouding the recollection of prior events as to her death… every single time.

“Don’t give me that look, okay? That’s not what I meant. I’m upset now because…” She tenses ever so slightly yet again, tinges of pain and remorse a flicker upon her eyes. To find blame in someone else for this was just an excuse; in truth, she blames herself. Rita knows not how long ago she’s died but the fact of the matter is that she did and of course it would come as a consequence that she’d failed to protect her friend when she needed her the most.

“You’re dead, Estelle. We both are. That’s why we’re here.”

“…This is the afterlife,” she says, rolling her eyes off to the side as though she doesn’t quite believe it yet herself.

“I guess it’s a good thing I found you first. The imps will be coming here soon and drag you off somewhere to meet your new ‘mate’. Don’t worry though, I’ll take care of ‘em before they do.”

[divinestars]

Mentions of imps and a 'mate' whimsically flew to the back of mind; hardly registering. Instead, the Princess froze, rooted to spot. Utter disbelief written across every inch of pallid features.There's a slight shudder in bodily movements as the dire words, wrought with deeper meaning process individually.

"...Dead?"

It's a mumble, but rather than being an outward question-- it is merely one directed to herself. How did she die and by who's hand? Part of her still wishes to believe it's some kind of silly jest and the Mage is playing tricks. But-- No. Rita wouldn't lie to her. Not about something as serious as this.

And then the reality hits her in it's entirety. Having remained silent for the most part, lips tremble upon reaching the realization that ultimately, Rita is dead.

Rita died.

How could she have let this happen. No-- This wasn't allowed to happen. It had only been a short while since they had last talked; and the Mage was one of the strongest people she knew. The conclusion screams and writhes within mental confines, and for the most part she wishes to stay strong; but can't find the will to do so.

"--N-No.. I-I.." Speech falls out erratically, unable to form legitimate sentences. A stray breath hitches in her throat, and body judders in turn. 

"R..R-Rita..--- I am so sorry. I couldn't p-protect you. I'm sorry." Knowing she was powerless to stop the death of her friend, to know that she couldn't do.. anything brought a terrible despair, one greater than her own mortal demise.

[divinestars]

-- fated

[the8thnobody-deactivated2014040]

“Hey, don’t sweat it, girly! It was only a mistake. You’ve caused no harm.” Axel tried to reassure the pink-haired female, still grinning in a friendly manner.

“Oh, you’re lost huh? Well, we’re in this town named Sh’tori,” he said, pondering on how to say the next bit of detail. “Since we’re here.. um.. this means.. that.. we’re…”

A frown touched the other’s face. Though he wasn’t too concerned about his death, he had no idea how the other would react. But.. there was no easy way of saying that she had died. It would be best to just let it out.

“To put it plainly, miss, us being here means that we’re dead.”

[divinestars]

Tinges of guilt still remained. However, she was thankful for how forgiving the taller individual seemed to be. His grin was rather.. contagious in nature, and soon enough a more confident smile settled upon brims.

"Sh'tori--?" It's certainly no place she's ever come across; taking into consideration the journey across the whole of  Terca Lumireis (the world where she hails from). Estelle was moments away from questioning further, keen interest upon features; only for the male's expression to dip, hinging on words as if hesitating on what to say next.

“To put it plainly, miss, us being here means that we’re dead.”

--Dead?

Was this some kind of a jest? Humour that's applicable to this land alone? Disbelief would slowly take it course and she found herself half-doubting the man's words despite not wishing to. But if the earlier unease was to speak for anything, then there was a possibility this was actually, all in truth.

"C-Could.. you repeat that again? I think I may have misheard you."

[spadalicious]

まぐかっぷ

[divinestars]

-- fated

[the8thnobody-deactivated2014040]

“Well, I would hope that my body isn’t that frail to be hurt by a simple bump,” Came the light-hearted reply from a tall red-headed male.

Axel had been on a walk throughout Sh’tori all morning. He was slowly becoming acquainted with this unfamiliar place, memorizing its layout and all the different locations it had to offer. Although he was aware of his surroundings, somewhat, he failed to notice the young pink-haired girl at all. His bright emerald eyes had been more focused on a group of imps on the road ahead. He had learned to stay away from those terrible creatures. They only brought bad news and trouble.

So when the young girl had bumped into him, he was a bit shocked but didn’t mind in the slightest. He was a friendly lad and the girl was quite polite about it.

[divinestars]

"O-Oh. --Yes! Of course!" Came the untimely, late reaction. She's still finding difficulty regaining herself, but soon finds interest in the man's peculiar attire. It resembles nothing of the former world of which she came from. And the scarlet hair he so proudly wears, oddly enough-- suits him quite well.

"My apologies, I should have been looking where I was going." Estelle quickly adds, dipping her head into a light bow. "Though, I have to admit-- I'm a bit lost as to where I am. Do you happen to know by any chance?" She inquires, visage turning to that of thoughtful. After all, one needed a starting place to begin an adventure; no matter how dreary the surroundings were.

[divinestars]

-- fated

[aspiosflame]

She doesn’t temper the rise of anger flowing upon the force of collision; the fault was minor, yet to be presented with a show of reluctance but admittedly easy to forgive. Interruption of thought is often a variable contributing to the mage’s ire, and yet… The softness of her voice evokes recognition - it was one she sought to drown out from her thoughts and memory. The voice resounds, foreboding thoughts sinking into the pit of her stomach as her gaze falls upon emerald pools, pink wisps of hair, and white gloved hands clasped together marking the other’s identity.

Her countenance evolves into a number of phases: there is a wild mixture of disquietude and fear, pain and abhorrence not above her disbelief. Her face twists, hands balled into fists. She doesn’t care about being alone; she has been for most of her life. She wouldn’t wish death upon someone just to end her sadness, even if the sentiment involved seeing their faces again. The reason for her presence could only mean one thing. Her face falls.

“Estelle.”

Rita’s voice is hollow. Fists shaking, she’s caught between thrashing about in anger and withholding her embrace because she’s missed her, in spite of efforts to convince herself that it hadn’t mattered but why is she here? Why did she let herself—

…Because I wasn’t there to stop it from happening, is that it?

But Yuri could’ve. Except he’d failed, too. If all those efforts of saving her comes down to this-

She looks away, but not without speaking the remainder of her thoughts.

“…I can’t believe this. You’re the last person I wanted to see—”

She closes her eyes with a sharp exhale, uncurling her fists and balling them up again.

“Why, Estelle? Do you— do you know why you’re here?”

[divinestars]

Had her body warranted better control, perhaps Estelle would have known of the Mage's precedence prior to the actual collision. So it is to her a surprise that a friend of whom she regards with a certain fondness would be the one before her. Visage lights up, albeit dimly. She still feels the earlier unease; it's stubborn and unshakable.

Still, she's not alone and currently, that's all which matters most.

Part of her had wholly expected to be met with similar sentiments. Yet confusion is purely left in wake as she observes the tepid shift of emotion. Had Estelle done something wrong..?

Feebly she raises her arm. Juxtaposed to the tip of her shoulder blades; shoulders hunched ever so slightly. Effluent bewilderment taking to features.

“…I can’t believe this. You’re the last person I wanted to see—”

The words hit like a knife to the chest and she finds herself with loss of words. Surely Rita had a certain quirk to her nature. But there was no jovial underlie to her words. No teasing nature. It was utterly serious.  And the Princess' face fell immediately. Had something happened? Had she said something to warrant this kind of nature? The haze was still evident in her mind. Finding difficulty in discerning the truth. The Mage was, and is her precious friend. She would never wish to do anything to elicit unkindness.

"Rita.. --I.."

Carmine lips decline, head hanging. 

“Why, Estelle? Do you— do you know why you’re here?”

She shakes her head in response, speaking in hushed tones. "No.. I woke up just moments ago. I have no idea where we are. An inclination of the head is given again, Jade optics reminiscent of pleading tones. "Rita, what's happened-- Where are we? .. Have I done something to upset you? Please, tell me."

[divinestars]

-- fated

The Princess, unfortunately hasn't come to the swift realization of her untimely demise. Her thoughts remain befuddled and complexion is of obtuse bewilderment.There's a dull ache in her head, and the gentle pressure of digits against a heated forehead can't dispel the pain. Her memories thus so far are clouded and hazy, and she can't quite recall where she is.

But to remain helpless? No, she knows much better, and thus gingerly attempts to rise upward from the slab of gray pavement below. An inclination of the head would meet Jade hues with the new scenery, of which consisted of scarlet and onyx. A thick mist hung in the air, obscuring the foreseeable distance.

Yet throughout the stages of simple movement, she can't help but shake the dread forming in the pit of her stomach. As if something bad has happened; or is about to. 

"Come on Estelle! ..What would Yuri do in a situation like this." She speaks untoward herself, in feeble attempts to gain confidence at the bizarre situation. What would Yuri do though-- Except the earlier confusion in her mind overpowers thought, and finds difficulty in reaching a conclusion.

Movements are delayed and for some odd reason she doesn't feel comfortable within the confines of her own body. (Trapped?) There's a slight stumble, and without looking too hard, there's a sudden collision with that of another person. Who at that point was only a few paces away.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! --Are you alright?"