here they talked of revolution

Kratos Aurion. Citizen. Weapon: wooden sword. Can use his angel wings 20 minutes per day.

[fateswake]

yesterday’s hymn serves me not

[fateswake]

stormswake:

fateswake:

“Yes… the Renegades.” He finally looks at Yuan, a hint of amusement in his expression amidst the intense discomfort of this entire conversation. 

He is quiet for a moment at Yuan’s next statement as he processes just what his old companion means. Ah… this must be as it was with Mithos, who behaved as the child Kratos once mentored. That is how this place works: different people remember different events, are from different points. “Hmm…” He pauses and realizes that this Yuan might not even recall what transpired during the last time Kratos found himself trapped in this city. “Do you remember the last time I was here?”

      “Of course I remember. I’ve been here this whole time.”

      Then you realize what this means. He remembers. 

      “You remember being here? In the city?”

      All traces of exhaustion disappearing, you lean in closer to Kratos and study him. Your body feels like static electricity – eyes darting, mind racing. Is he the most recent iteration? No, he couldn’t be. He’d be treating you far differently if he remembered the wraiths. Your memories beyond that are murky, only made worse by the alcohol still numbing your system. You squeeze your eyes shut, trying to block out your sight to focus on your thoughts. 

      When you open them, your gaze is sharp, waiting for Kratos to answer.

Yuan’s entire disposition changes; he seems almost... excited. Kratos meets that expectant gaze, preparing to disappoint Yuan with his answer.

At the very least, though, Kratos can speak freely. Yuan understands, and Yuan remembers.

“Yes... That is why I sought to speak with you, provided you remembered everything that had occurred. Last time...”

Kratos exhales, remembering his egregious mistake. He crosses his arms, wondering why he had neglected to stop at the bar first to order a drink; it’s not so much that he wants to become intoxicated, but it would be nice to have something to concentrate on besides Yuan’s intense look of focus. 

“Last time, I assumed that Mithos was the same Mithos I knew. Were it not for your intervention, our encounter could have been disastrous. I wish to prevent another such situation from happening.”

[fateswake]

will you  show me the light in you

[fateswake]

lightswake:

fateswake:

@lightswake

He sees the child sitting on a street corner, arms wrapped around himself. A memory of last time: swords swinging, wide eyes gazing in horror, Yuan stepping in – he won’t make that same mistake again. 

But it seems unreal; something warm blooms in his chest despite himself, but he had been trapped in an endless cycle of death for so long, his only hope being that Martel’s return would bring back the boy the former knight had thrown his old life away to follow so many centuries ago. And yet, he has seen miracles which have shaken the numbness which had become his state of being. His son is alive and well. And now, here, is a boy untainted by the pain and loss of betrayal, the anger resulting from years of trying and failing to eradicate an insidious bigotry which proved too great an enemy. 

He doesn’t make himself known immediately. Before him is a chance to create a new future despite his many old failings. He exhales and leaves his sword untouched at his side as he walks silently towards the boy.

“Hello, Mithos. I hope you have been keeping up with your training since I last saw you.”

His voice is soft, and he attempts a gentle smile (even though such a gesture feels uncomfortable and unfamiliar).

“…Have you been well?”

Ugh.

You don’t look up right away when you hear the familiar man’s voice. But it’s clear within moments that he’s mistaken which you he’s found.

You pretend to be out of it for a short while, pretend to not have noticed him–to be lost in thought. Do you feel like dealing with this confrontation right now? Do you have enough energy to break his heart?

You silently scoff and finally raise your head.

“Oh! Kratos!” Putting on the charade is almost more tiring. You force a wide smile and jump to your feet. “Of course I’ve been practicing! Do you want to test me?” A playful giggle.

“I’ve been doing alright, all things considered… How about you? When did you get back?”

He almost thinks he senses a weariness unpossessed by the boy who was his student, but the soft laugh eases his worries. It almost feels too good to be true, to return to a world where Mithos is once more the boy unburdened by that unspeakable hardship, where he is able to bear the lesser troubles thrust upon his small shoulders because he has not been so thoroughly shattered.

“Hmmm... Perhaps this evening, we should arrange to see how you have progressed. I can continue to give you lessons, like before.”

He tentatively places a hand on the boy’s shoulder. 

“I returned fairly recently. I have only vague memories of this place...” He sighs, remembering his previous first encounter with Mithos. That had been a near-disaster, to say the least. “I am thankful you are well.”

[fateswake]

underteika:

fateswake:

@underteika

It’s with a tightly-clenched jaw that he walks through Sector oo3, hand ever-ready to draw his sword. He had never ventured to District Delta in his previous visit; as much as he’d rather not admit that he’s a bit lost, that is, alas, the reality of this situation.

Being lost in this manner is a new experience for him, considering he had jurisdiction over the same world for centuries and thus knew every peak and valley across the Sylverant landscape. Feeling numb, aimless, and directionless, however, is something he knows all too well. At the very least, searching for his new home provides him with a temporary purpose.

For efficiency’s sake, he decides to ask a fellow citizen for assistance. Perhaps he is drawn to this particular person because of their gloomy aura, something he himself so often projects. It’s something that he, for better or for worse, is inherently more inclined to trust (though trust is, perhaps, the wrong word).

“…District Delta should be beneath this Sector. Where can I find the entrance?”

“Jesus–!”

The cot that Anda had been carrying had clamored out of the van as the stranger spoke, making quite the crash as it fell. After hastily picking it up, Anda turned to the voice…

Just a guy in fancy clothes. (”Goddamn, who the fuck sneaks up on people in the hood sector…”)

“…Um. Gimme a moment.” (”Delta? Where is Delta…”)

After a breath to regain their composure and a pause to get their bearings, Anda responded.

“Delta’s… one over, I think. That way.”

A thumb was pointed over Anda’s shoulder.

“Sector four. Confusing, right? Because Delta’s a triangle, so you’d think it’d be three, but it’s… actually… um…”

What a look… Maybe small talk wasn’t the best option here.

“…Did you want a lift, man? This place isn’t really the best to be walking alone looking lost.”

Perhaps it would have been more polite to help the stranger with whatever they were carrying prior to the unforeseen interruption.

“Hmph...”

He narrows his eyes at the stranger. It would indeed be more efficient to accept his offer of a “lift.” Still, that would render him at the mercy of an unknown entity. Kratos glances down at the hilt of his sword; limited in his use of magic though he may be, he still is able to fight. The stranger seems relatively harmless, besides, though he knows that they could be portraying a false facade. 

“Very well. I shall accept your offer.”

Without any further discussion, Kratos goes to the passenger’s side, opens the door, and takes a seat.

[fateswake]

aeternuming:

          @fateswake​

What a week this was turning out to be. Or was it … last week, since it’s Sunday? Weekend. What a weekend this has turned out to be.

Lloyd almost gets whiplash from how fast his head turns. The familiar meshing of purple and auburn from his peripheral sparked a chain of neurons in him that brought the swordsman to a screeching halt on his walk to the store. There had been a few other instances such as this during his first few days in Hive City, where a voice or color would grab Lloyd’s attention and wrench it away from whatever it was he was focused on at that moment. He thought he had heard Sheena’s voice the day before, only find himself confused and despondent when she was nowhere in sight.

Thankfully, this time, the reaction was fruitful. If there was someone else in this city who looked just like Kratos did, Lloyd might as well lose his mind. After all, he’s seen that back enough times to have memorized it by now.

“D- hey! Hey!!”

His shout draws the attention of some passersby, but Lloyd takes off sprinting before he notices them.

“Kratos!”

Even without enhanced hearing, Kratos would have heard that voice calling his name. He stops. Beneath a mask of indifference, he wonders if it’s selfish of him to feel relieved (which place is safer, here, or there? Of course his son would insist on accompanying the Chosen on such a dangerous journey). His lips very nearly curl into a smile, but he thankfully quells his own weakness.

“Lloyd. You’re here...”

His eyes narrow.

“You shouldn’t draw attention to yourself and then fail to remain aware of your surroundings.”

[fateswake]

witch-of-origins:

fateswake:

@witch-of-origins

Kratos has been in this city before, so he shouldn’t be lost. Admittedly, it’s been a while. But that’s no excuse for him to have ended up in… Sector oo6, is it? The sector with grass and parks and clean air. It’s apparently growing late in the year, though, so the trees have lost most of their leaves and the grass has faded to a dull brown. Still, it’s not a bad place to think. It’s not as though he needs to return to his provided home to sleep. He’ll need to go there eventually; for now, he can stay here for a bit.

He can’t feel the wind, but he imagines it’s frigid, which is part of why this area is so quiet. But then, he spots a small girl, staring intently at the ground as if looking for something. He debates approaching her, and after a moderately long  internal struggle, he relents.

“…Did you lose something?”

“uuu….Maria is ok, uu… It was just too loud for Maria.” The little child had wandered into the amusement park quite by mistake. Soon the noises and the lights, and not to mention the smells had undone the child. Maria had settled into the park, tucking herself away into a silent and peaceful area. “Maria isn’t used to lots and lots of noise like that. It hurt maria’s ears and the lights…”  little arms pulled out a plush lion toy and hugged it, attempting some form of comfort.

“Hmm...”

Gaining angelic powers and therefore the ability to control his senses, while disconcerting at first, had proven a blessing. It was very, very long ago, but as a young man, he found crowds and loud noises uncomfortable. He steps back to give her space before speaking in a low, even voice.

“...Do you know your way out of here?”

[fateswake]

yesterday’s hymn serves me not

[fateswake]

stormswake:

      You let your head sink in your hand, propping yourself up on the table and blinking slowly as Kratos speaks. His slow, even voice is making it hard to concentrate, as much as you’re trying. You almost wish you’d stayed home to drink instead so you could both avoid this conversation and crawl into bed.

      So he remembers returning to Cruxis. What this means for the future is beyond you right now. All you can think about is the fact that once again, he doesn’t remember what you do. You’re still alone in your memories.

      “… The Renegades,” you echo, lifting your head and fixing Kratos with a weary stare. You remember that – you’d been (perhaps undeservedly) angry with Botta over his defeat. 

      You feel like you’ve been punched in the stomach. Is Kratos really that far back in the past? How much do you fill him in on? The last time you tried to tell him about his son, he lashed out at you. If he leaves again before you can really, truly talk to him….

      You need to play things carefully.

      “I’m from… much further in the future than that.”

“Yes... the Renegades.” He finally looks at Yuan, a hint of amusement in his expression amidst the intense discomfort of this entire conversation. 

He is quiet for a moment at Yuan’s next statement as he processes just what his old companion means. Ah... this must be as it was with Mithos, who behaved as the child Kratos once mentored. That is how this place works: different people remember different events, are from different points. “Hmm...” He pauses and realizes that this Yuan might not even recall what transpired during the last time Kratos found himself trapped in this city. “Do you remember the last time I was here?”

[fateswake]

Two separately wrapped rectangles, tied together by a crimson bow, are found wherever Kratos might find them easiest. A tag attached reads, in blocky scrawl: Let's watch these together! Merry Christmas! - Lloyd. The two presents are Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters (2016) on DVD! (Special thanks to John Egbert, who gave his expert movie opinion.)

His eyes widen as he notices the packages at his doorstep; the accompanying tag does little to quell his shock. His hands shake ever so slightly as he undoes the wrappings and sets them aside. They’re... movies? Ghostbusters... It seems to be some sort of supernatural film. The two movies bear the same name, though judging by the cover, the casts appear different. He hums to himself and places the DVDs, wrapping paper, and tag on a shelf tucked in the corner of his bedroom. 

So... Lloyd wishes to watch a movie with him. It would be prudent to avoid such a scenario; he is certain it would lead to discomfort for the both of them. Should he pretend not to have received the gifts? Bluntly say that he does not have time for movies? 

It’s best that he does not grow too close to Lloyd, after all. Such a relationship could only cause trouble for the boy. Still, he finds cannot suppress a small smile, and he indulges himself in such a gesture, just for today. It’s a holiday, after all.

[fateswake]

[hey dudes, i know i owe some stuff and i’m super hype to get to it all, but finals week has worn me out more than i anticipated so everything is probably gonna have to wait until sunday. thanks for letting me sad dad with you all!]

[fateswake]

yesterday’s hymn serves me not

[fateswake]

stormswake:

      Your thoughts have become murky, heavy things, and you can’t be more grateful. It’s still early in the afternoon, but you can’t stand to be alone in your own mind anymore. 

      You set your glass down, savoring the burn in your throat rather than letting yourself go numb to it. There’s nobody else in the building but a single bartender, busy cleaning glasses and preparing for the night ahead, so you let yourself rest your head against the wall. When the door opens with the jingling of a bell, you don’t open your eyes. 

      But when they approach and slide into the booth across from you, you blink blearily and lift your head.

      “…”

      Well, this isn’t ideal.

      At the very least, he remembers being here once before. You shift in your seat, sitting up straighter without meeting Kratos’s eyes.

      “Dare I ask.” You pause, reaching up to rub your forehead with the pads of your fingers. “What the last thing you remember doing on our world is.”

Yuan doesn’t look at Kratos, which is for the best. At his former companion’s question, Kratos becomes exceedingly interested in the stains marring the wooden table. In being removed from his world, his actions (justified through fate, through his own fear of independence) seem less inevitable. Even so, he knows that even if he remembered his stay here, he would return to make the same choices.

“I was accompanying the Chosen of Sylverant on her journey to Regenerate the world.”

He should have gotten his own glass of whisky prior to sitting down. He could use a sip now, but he also feels he shouldn’t get up in the middle of this conversation.

“Lloyd...” (here his voice breaks, just a bit, so only one who knows Kratos very, very well might catch it), “Lloyd, a friend of the Chosen’s, had been captured by the Renegades, and we had just left their base.” 

He closes his eyes, trying to recall what Yuan knows. Sifting through his memories feels like trying to run through neck-deep water. 

[fateswake]

@plowthehive

It’s unfortunate that the sidewalks have only become more uneven since his last stay. It’s not as though he’ll be too impeded by the landscape, but it certainly is somewhat bothersome. Admittedly, his fighting style has always relied more on strength than finesse and mobility; nevertheless, he has managed not avoid a decent amount of clumsiness (clumsy though he may be in conversation). 

There’s an advertisement for the police department that catches his eye; he’s not especially interested in the position, but it would be nice to get a job that isn’t too far from his home. He realizes he’s already accepted his fate of being trapped her for a while. Ah, w--

He’s shaken from his thoughts by a particularly insidious crack in the pavement that sends him flying ungracefully onto his face. He grunts, and when he looks up, there is a red animal-esque creature staring at him. He had forgotten the... interesting array of creatures that populate this city.

“...”

He’s tempted to lay there for a while as he realizes that he’s honestly very, very tired.

[fateswake]

@underteika

It’s with a tightly-clenched jaw that he walks through Sector oo3, hand ever-ready to draw his sword. He had never ventured to District Delta in his previous visit; as much as he’d rather not admit that he’s a bit lost, that is, alas, the reality of this situation.

Being lost in this manner is a new experience for him, considering he had jurisdiction over the same world for centuries and thus knew every peak and valley across the Sylverant landscape. Feeling numb, aimless, and directionless, however, is something he knows all too well. At the very least, searching for his new home provides him with a temporary purpose.

For efficiency’s sake, he decides to ask a fellow citizen for assistance. Perhaps he is drawn to this particular person because of their gloomy aura, something he himself so often projects. It’s something that he, for better or for worse, is inherently more inclined to trust (though trust is, perhaps, the wrong word).

“...District Delta should be beneath this Sector. Where can I find the entrance?”

[fateswake]

will you  show me the light in you

@lightswake

He sees the child sitting on a street corner, arms wrapped around himself. A memory of last time: swords swinging, wide eyes gazing in horror, Yuan stepping in -- he won’t make that same mistake again. 

But it seems unreal; something warm blooms in his chest despite himself, but he had been trapped in an endless cycle of death for so long, his only hope being that Martel’s return would bring back the boy the former knight had thrown his old life away to follow so many centuries ago. And yet, he has seen miracles which have shaken the numbness which had become his state of being. His son is alive and well. And now, here, is a boy untainted by the pain and loss of betrayal, the anger resulting from years of trying and failing to eradicate an insidious bigotry which proved too great an enemy. 

He doesn’t make himself known immediately. Before him is a chance to create a new future despite his many old failings. He exhales and leaves his sword untouched at his side as he walks silently towards the boy.

“Hello, Mithos. I hope you have been keeping up with your training since I last saw you.”

His voice is soft, and he attempts a gentle smile (even though such a gesture feels uncomfortable and unfamiliar).

“...Have you been well?”

[fateswake]

yesterday’s hymn serves me not

@stormswake

He knows he’s been here before, but his memories are blurred things in the corner of his vision, fleeting glimpses that disappear when he looks at them directly. There’s something he has to do, though, and he strides stoically through the sectors, expression empty. Every glimpse of blue leads only to disappointment. He begins to wonder if the man is even still in this city.

Finally, he finds Yuan in a run-down bar, warm and comfortable enough despite its dinginess. He thinks he remembers sitting here before, and his expression darkens as the feeling, if not the content of the conversation, returns to him. He brushes it off and sits across from the man.

“It seems I have been returned to this place.”

[fateswake]

Fight/Argument Sentence Starters

"Make me"

"Don't tempt me"

"I hate you"

"You are infuriating"

"Just shut up already"

"That doesn't even make sense"

"Bite me"

"Eat me"

"Kiss my ass"

"Just admit i'm right"

"Just admit you're wrong"

"You are being ridiculous"

"That's irrational"

"Listen to me"

"That's not what I meant and you know it"

"Don't yell at me"

"That's it. End of discussion"

"I don't believe you"

"Don't look at me like that"

"What's with that look?"

"Go away"

"Don't talk to me"

"Do you ever shut up?"

"You're such a loud mouth"

"You shouldn't have said that"

"Fuck you"

"Step on a lego"

"Get bent"

"Shut your mouth before I shut it for you"

"It isn't up for debate"

"Don't question my orders"

"I recognize that you have reached a decision, but given that it is a stupid ass decision I have elected to ignore it"

"That is the worst idea i've ever heard"

"Who writes your plans, the village idiot?"

"That's mine"

"Give it back"

"Don't touch my stuff"

"That's not yours"

"Just leave already"

"The door is over there"

"I cannot deal with your bullshit right now"

"I have my orders"

"You have your orders"

[fateswake]

@witch-of-origins

Kratos has been in this city before, so he shouldn’t be lost. Admittedly, it’s been a while. But that’s no excuse for him to have ended up in... Sector oo6, is it? The sector with grass and parks and clean air. It’s apparently growing late in the year, though, so the trees have lost most of their leaves and the grass has faded to a dull brown. Still, it’s not a bad place to think. It’s not as though he needs to return to his provided home to sleep. He’ll need to go there eventually; for now, he can stay here for a bit.

He can’t feel the wind, but he imagines it’s frigid, which is part of why this area is so quiet. But then, he spots a small girl, staring intently at the ground as if looking for something. He debates approaching her, and after a moderately long  internal struggle, he relents.

“...Did you lose something?”

[fateswake]

[Kratos Aurion of Tales of Symphonia is here, so please like this post for a starter! Capping at 4!]

[fateswake]

@stormswake

He does not recall nodding off beneath the structure Yuan pulled him into for shelter from the destruction. But nevertheless, he blinks wearily, brushing the hair from his eyes. It’s too long -- how did it get this long? He absently takes a strand between his fingers and it’s... blue?

“Hmm...”

His humming sounds strange, less deep and resonate. He looks around sees... himself, blinking blearily as his features twist into a mixture of shock, disbelief, and disgust. Kratos can only guess what is going through the half-elf’s head, so he wills himself to remain calm.

“We seem to have switched bodies.”

Remaining calm often involves stating the obvious.