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as vast as the universe is, it cannot change its past.

[imbibitor]

DAN HENG / HONKAI: STAR RAIL

the guard and archivist of the ASTRAL EXPRESS, though dan heng can seem a little cold in demeanor, he's not too difficult to get along with so long as you do one thing, and one thing only: mind your business!

his past is largely shrouded in mystery, and the most even his closest confidants (though it feels like a stretch to even call them that) know is that dan heng is running from something or someone. and there are days when it seems like he can't precisely remember what or who.

though he can be a little difficult to approach, he means well, has good (even when he's closing himself off or pushing people away) intentions, and — despite his greatest efforts — cares immensely for the people who have shown him unconditional kindness. he struggles with letting himself "have" good things, be it security or stability, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate them (or the people who look out for him).

tl;dr — cold and composed? dark and brooding? maybe so! but deep down, he's just a guy! and life is a nightmare!

maybe. stay tuned.

APP / STATS / RULES

[shardsword]

HOW LONG HAS HE SEARCHED? between the distant, twinkling stars, made up of such ephemeral life as the stardust itself. upon each fine, grain of sand which wash ashore upon the beaches, eroding away beneath the softest kiss of every wave from parted waters... or even within those ethereal mirrors of jade, reflecting across the fog of memories which roll over the sea, like a lighthouse which calls for him to follow. perhaps, even now, he has been searching for far too long, adrift in a river of life he does not wish to flow any longer.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀and yet, he cannot help but feel drawn toward the warmth of that bracer—

❝ Imbibitor Lunae... ❞ the name leaves his mouth like a long lost friend, familiar upon his tongue, yet distant like those who fate has torn asunder. a chuckle follows suit, too, low beneath the rumble of his voice. ❝ To think our paths would cross soon after our parting. This place... is a blot of ink upon the pages he writes, I have come to learn. So, then... ❞ he muses as he keeps his distance, deep ambers ever watchful of the other, as he's left to wonder why they might find themselves within the same planet by no intentional means.

❝ Do you think of this city as another means of escape? That these Stars can wipe clean the sins that haunt us still, even now? Here, there is no place to run. ❞

@imbibitor

[imbibitor]

is it cruel of fate to constantly intertwine his destiny with that of his pursuer? or is it a small mercy—the bracer he'd long since regarded as a shackle in fact a promise that, even at the end of the world, would never quite be alone.

the trepidation consumes him, first. the thumping of his heart picking up speed when he hears that name, that moniker—the title he'd abandoned with so much else.

for some time, he doesn't dare speak. his gaze follows blade's movements, jade steeled to flint; flint chilled before fire.

is it cruelty? is it kindness?

is it wrong for him to find a sick sense of irony in it—something just short of bitter humor. that blade would find him, even in a new world, altogether... he ought not be surprised, but there's a part of dan heng that has to wonder how far their chase will take them and across what galaxies.

"you..." his word trails off, wavering as he takes a habitual step backward. stay away dies at the tip of his tongue. keep your distance is a warning that grows thorns in his throat.

instead, all he can bring himself to say aloud, his words carrying more conviction than his heart—

"i can't give you what you're looking for."

[imbibitor]

+ @unfetteredfreedom !!

it's almost cinematic. after all, what are the chances that the only other person in the almost desolate video store would happen to reach for the very same vhs tape that he was reaching for. and from the bargain bin, no less.

considering it was a random, not to mention blind, choice for him, he's quick to relinquish the spoils.

"here," dan heng says, extending... 'VELOCIPASTOR' toward the stranger. his brows knit in mild consternation. maybe it's for the better that he didn't walk up to the counter with this. "you can take it."

he can't even begin to wrap his mind around why someone would actively seek this movie out.

[imbibitor]

+ @ofmartritz !!

his days of playing leader are far behind him, and dan heng is far better inclined to let others drag him to and fro. and though mercedes afternoon invitation is harmless enough, and he has no reason to doubt the end result—there's something undeniably humbling about standing in the middle of her kitchen, absolutely covered in flour.

"... i'm sorry about the mess," he apologizes, eyes squeezed shut—partially because he doesn't really want to gauge how big of a mess he's made and partially because he isn't sure all-purpose flour is meant for the eyes. "it doesn't look like i was made for baking."

the half-hearted attempt at a joke isn't made much better by the neutral-set line of his pursed lips, or the fact that disaster had befallen them simply while he was trying to pour some flour into an extremely proximal bowl (now upturned on the kitchen tiles).

"i'll clean it. could you.. pass me a towel?" his eyes squeeze tighter.

[imbibitor]

+ @foulacy !!

"... can i help you?"

it's been a relentless fifteen minutes of feeling like he's being tracked, and though it should be unnerving, especially in a place as isolated as the outskirts of spirale, his instinct tells him whoever's been tracing his footsteps has no malicious intent.

but the ringing in dan heng's ears tells him, malice aside, that the uninvited company is in search of something else.

his grip tightens around his flimsy wooden spear, and with deliberation, he fully stops in his tracks, turning to face an empty space once rustling with the noise of crinkled leaves.

"i know you're there. step out."

[deathpacito]

imbibitor​:

before dan heng can even utter a single word, there’s an abrupt jerk at his collar, and he realizes a little too belatedly that whoever he’d nearly collided with had miraculously managed to save them both.

for the time being, at least.

there’s little opportunity to swap pleasantries (or apologies, on that note), and he’s quick to follow the instructions he’s given. it takes a second—a stumble here and there—before he catches up to the tug of his collar and finds himself finally, finally, running beside the stranger.

weapon-less, largely defenseless, and not much help in the present situation (as painful as that realization is), dan heng focuses on finding an escape route. it feels less likely by the second that they’ll be able to outrun this creature. and he’s not about to put the burden of eliminating it on a single person he doesn’t even know. maybe there’s a better chance for them if they—

“hide!”

it takes a burst of energy that he wasn’t aware he still had left for dan heng to surge ahead to a dusty silver hatch on the ground. it’s a leap of faith, that’s for sure. who knows if the door will even open, let alone lead them somewhere safer?

but he grabs the handle anyway and yanks it open, lifting his head to meet the other’s gaze—expectant, urgent.

“quickly.”

He was worried about keeping another person safe-- not himself, so much, because Livio can take a lot of damage and still come out alright, more or less-- but other people, strangers? That's a whole lot of variables he can't account for.

All he knows is running, and fighting, and the sweat down his brow, teeth clenched-- He counted on running until he had to turn and face them, maybe ensure his charge? companion? Could continue without him, safely!

But a respite, an escape? Now that's better than he could have hoped for! Firing off a round of bullets behind them, letting his companion get a tad ahead of him, he slides forward, teeth clenched in a grin now--

And shoves his companion down the hatch while he can.

"Okay! Lets get the hell outta this!"

[imbibitor]

before he knows it, everything goes dark.

and just as light filters into his vision again, he's jerked to reality with the sensation of falling. but the fall doesn't last long, and before dan heng knows it, he's landed abruptly on his feet—the ground beneath him firm, and the sound of the monster that'd been pursuing them nothing more than a distant echo above.

without even realizing, a tiny exhale of relief slips past his lips—before he remembers he wasn't alone, is not alone, and if the thud of the hatch door above him isn't indication enough, then the steady breathing of another is.

"i'm sorry," are the first two words to come out of his mouth, now that he's had the opportunity to catch his breath. his gaze is cast to the floor, to a distant, grimy wall, and then to the stranger. a stranger who may as well be a companion, at this point. "i didn't intend to lead the monster... directly to you."

the arms crossed against his chest fall to his side unceremoniously.

just as gracelessly, he remembers his manners. "i'm dan heng."

[imbibitor]

hello friends! i've been jerked back and forth irl with a crazy inconsistent work schedule the past few months so plz excuse my sporadic inactivity!! but i think things are hopefully (NO JINXES) settling down for real!! i did a starter call a while ago, but i'm going to do a fresh one here in light of the terrifying passage of time 💕 so please feel free to like for a non-event starter! no cap for now :D

[flowercast]

Oh, she's dealt with his type before. The type of person that gives the illusion of being unbothered, yet actually caring more than they let on. The twinkle in Merlin's eye only becomes that much more notable. She's scheming, of course. Who would she be if she weren't? "Your name, place of residence, and even your credit card details will do." She says, smiling all the while.

But it's clear from the followed silence between either of them that her joke hadn't been taken well, or understood at all. Or maybe he just thinks it wasn't very funny, that's a possibility. Maybe she ought to work on her delivery. "…I'm kidding, of course! Just your name will do, and a bit of your time. I do love passing conversation. It's the best way to get to know someone, don't you think?" Cue their furry feline friend beginning to wriggle in her arms. It's clear she wants out, but Merlin's not quite ready yet.

[imbibitor]

she reminds him of someone, but he can't place his finger on who.

it's not important, anyway. he's come to realize since his arrival here, after all, that the things he knew of his 'home' and the worlds he traveled with the astral express carry little to no weight here.

but he's wary nonetheless.

petting a cat certainly isn't worth exposing himself to identity theft, but he learns too quickly that it was meant to be a joke. he meets the stranger's smile with an unmoving expression, lips pressed into the same neutral line, his gaze only briefly glimmering with intrigue.

"dan heng," he finally opts to say. "my name is dan heng."

moments prior, he'd looked fully prepared to walk away with only a little bit of regret. but he shifts, just slightly; angles his body so he's facing her directly, as a courtesy.

"... and yours?"

[moonregalia-deactivated20241125]

❄ On the opposing side of the coin, March didn't necessarily have any profound thoughts about the mechanics of their little group. The Trailblazer and Dan Heng were two of her dearest friends! More than that! They were her family. For a girl who had no memories of her past she felt so blessed to have people beside her who accepted her, quirks and all.

March tilted her head slightly to the side while puffing up her cheeks cutely when Dan Heng pointed out the fatal flaw with their current location. "Riiight, you don't like noisy places, do you? Well! I guess we'll just have to move somewhere quieter so that you don't get too annoyed~!" March was poking a little fun at him.

She threw her hands behind her head and started to walk towards a nearby park entrance, peering over her shoulder to make sure he was following.

"Have I already told people? Humm..." Walking along while kicking her feet up high childishly, she pointedly held that hum a little too long. "Nope! And I'm telling the truth! I've talked about traveling through space but I've never mentioned the Express or our mission! I bet you're surprised, right? Wanna give me some praise!?" She gave him a playful wink after turning around to walk backwards.

[imbibitor]

all he can really manage, then, now, and since they reunited here, is a soft sigh—exasperated, but admittedly fond.

it's a little nice, after all, having someone to fill the silence dan heng would otherwise find himself swimming in. and it's an unspoken task that march 7th is undoubtedly perfect for.

he doesn't humor her with a response beyond the incredulity in his otherwise stern gaze, and he's quiet—often is—as he walks behind her, just one half of a step, gaze flickering back and forth between her cheerful smile and passersby to make sure there are no unfortunate collisions.

"good job," he says, the words so immediate in response to her prompting for praise that they likely sound more insincere than intended. "i am surprised. i would have thought you'd be caught up in some sort of trouble by now."

there's no real heat to dan heng's words—none to his actions either when he reaches out, hand gingerly touching march's shoulder to maneuver her out of the path of someone behind her.

"unless you are?" march 7th's knack for chasing her curiosity is something he's well-acquainted with. the trouble that comes with being a nameless isn't the only trouble she could possibly dabble in. "what have you been doing here since you arrived?"

[deathpacito]

imbibitor​:

+ @deathpacito !!

LOCATION: HAUGST ISLE

there’s little to say, really, while being pursued by what may or may not be some sort of gruesome mutated creature chasing after him on all fours. which is really to say that dan heng doesn’t have the luxury of saying (or even thinking) much. doesn’t have much to write home about when all he has is a suspicious cellphone to his name.

all he can really count on at this point is his stamina and the sheer momentum of running and sprinting down what may be a steady decline. at some point, he stops trying to control his own motions, focusing doggedly on getting “somewhere” “safe.”

what he didn’t factor into the equation, of course, was the possibility that other people - not monsters, but people - might be wandering about.

for example: right in front of him.

… as he’s running.

Livio isn't having a great time. Either he didn't expect this level of familiarity when he chose this place or his big ol' butterfingers had plopped right on this choice. Either way, he hates it here!!

With every wretched creature he finds, and every set of hungry eyes that focus on him, he's brought back to the Eye of Michael and the wonderful education he had there. The schooling of a young killer.

(don't start on the tables, mangled, straps torn on four corners-- don't start on it don't start)

(if he starts now he'll never get back up)

Razlo's so close to popping to the surface that Livio feels his tattoo straining on his face, as if it'll split. He's half running and half shooting when Dan Heng finds him-- runs into him, actually.

Before either Livio can fall, or Dan Heng can flop over, he grabs him by the collar of his shirt--

"Let's get the hell outta here!"

[imbibitor]

before dan heng can even utter a single word, there's an abrupt jerk at his collar, and he realizes a little too belatedly that whoever he'd nearly collided with had miraculously managed to save them both.

for the time being, at least.

there's little opportunity to swap pleasantries (or apologies, on that note), and he's quick to follow the instructions he's given. it takes a second—a stumble here and there—before he catches up to the tug of his collar and finds himself finally, finally, running beside the stranger.

weapon-less, largely defenseless, and not much help in the present situation (as painful as that realization is), dan heng focuses on finding an escape route. it feels less likely by the second that they'll be able to outrun this creature. and he's not about to put the burden of eliminating it on a single person he doesn't even know. maybe there's a better chance for them if they—

"hide!"

it takes a burst of energy that he wasn't aware he still had left for dan heng to surge ahead to a dusty silver hatch on the ground. it's a leap of faith, that's for sure. who knows if the door will even open, let alone lead them somewhere safer?

but he grabs the handle anyway and yanks it open, lifting his head to meet the other's gaze—expectant, urgent.

"quickly."

[theclassicsreader]

“This tremendous world I have inside of me. How to free myself, and this world, without tearing myself to pieces. And rather tear myself to a thousand pieces than be buried with this world within me.”

— Franz Kafka, Diaries of Franz Kafka

[strawberry-macchiato]

[imbibitor]

emerging from an impromptu hiatus with twigs in my hair and a crazed look in my eyes— HELLO. now that irl has calmed down significantly, i'm catching up on my list of owed replies, but would love to get some new threads going!! 4am starter call!! like for a starter! capped at 3!

[codecasts]

     YOU   wouldn't think it, given the nature of the people that ( unwillingly ) call this island home, but being randomly stopped by a pointed question actually isn't part of her normal routine. Maybe this was just the natural outcome of slowing her stride a little too much. She likes drinking in all the purchases she can almost never afford; it's a crucial part of her work commute, getting her ready for a long and rewarding day of getting paid to take care of café animals. So, in essence, getting paid to have fun. … Except when she occasionally has to man the counter. In which case, it's a reminder that it's all worth it in the end.

     The stranger asks her rather casually, but Hakuno has the vague sense that she's taken the shape of a life preserver. Her shoes squeak against the polished floor as she turns on her heel to face them fully, having originally intended to go past this display — very, very out of her price range. The high-pitched makes her cringe a little, as it seems to punctuate her silence a little too well. With two pairs of eyes on her, she grasps for a half-decent response.

      ❛   … Definitely bracelets.   ❜   She can do better than that.   ❛   Expensive ones—   ❜  Okay, better than that.   ❛   That would—  bring out your eyes. Pop.  ❜  Now we're talking.

[imbibitor]

is she helping? or is she hurting? and how does the ruthless hand of karma work in this world, anyway?

dan heng remains tactfully silent as the stranger he'd desperately plucked from the bustling crowd of pedestrians speaks. but it's with each comment she makes, careful and thoughtful in spite of the circumstances, that he begins to think—

only one of us will make it out of here alive.

he is not a cruel person, by any means. he's been called cold, and certainly criticized for an alleged* purported* (*highly corroborated) lack of "emotional intelligence," but dan heng is not cruel. and he's not so cold nor so heartless as to neglect someone in true need. because he's not a cruel person. he's n—

"... you seem interested." perhaps too intentionally, he casts his gaze away from the newcomer—focusing solely on the shopkeeper instead. like he's dodging something. "she seems interested," he reiterates.

he takes a step back. no words uttered, but his actions speak volumes: i'll leave you two to it—

one more step and he may as well dissolve into the crowd.

"i suggest the green," he offers, as something akin to a parting remark.

[flowercast]

Maybe it's because they're able to sense her mellow nature or perhaps it's due to her appearance, but either way, animals have always had a fondness when it comes to Merlin. Be it birds, dogs, or even cats, she always seemed to be a magnet for their attention. This again proves true currently, as she finds a stray cat meandering up to her and rubbing against her leg followed by the awkward meeting of eyes of a young man whose gaze flits between both her and the newfound fuzzy friend.

"Have I stolen the apple of your eye?" She smiles, lifting the cat up and into her arms so that it sits comfortably rested. One hand strokes its fluffy white coat whilst she speaks, "Worry not. If she means that much to you then I am happy to return her on one condition."

[imbibitor]

he doesn't care.

... that much.

animals are simpler than humans. they're easier to handle. but if he's been so foolish as to develop a bond with a cat that's shown him little to no attention in a painstaking, but inconclusive, sixty minutes of dan heng's life—well. isn't that on him?

there's no reason to fall for this stranger's taunt, no matter how unsuspecting it may seem. he knows better than to let his guard down. knows better than to trust an animal whisperer with an unrepentant sparkle in their eye. knows better than to—

"she doesn't." his words are as level as always.

it's true, after all. she doesn't mean that much to dan heng. a cat is a cat. and a cat that's scratched him more than once is just that. he knows better than to—

the cat meows pleasantly, nuzzling against the stranger's hand.

dan heng casts his gaze away. "what's the condition."

[moonregalia-deactivated20241125]

❄ No need to flatter him!? March immediately pouted the moment those words plagued her eardrums. She knew that wasn't what he meant. He was probably happy to see her too, in his own weird way. But that didn't mean she couldn't be a little annoyed at him for veiling it like that what she'd just say such kind things to him!

Such was the nature of their dynamic though! Two very weird friends in different ways. After all the time they'd spent together by this point they were basically besties, right? Even if he didn't want to admit it!

"Huh?" March didn't always know what was going through Dan Heng's mind though. They'd just met up and he already wanted to change locations? Was there a reason for that? Was it something she had said? "Did you have somewhere in mind? Don't tell me you're worried about us talking about the Express here!?"

She wondered if it was because she'd mentioned the Nameless. "There isn't any reason to hide it here, right? I mean, it's not like there's a Stellaron for us to find or anything!"

[imbibitor]

they truly are two sides of the same... well, a coin almost seems too simple.

when the two of them are together, it's almost as though the sun and moon are flitting about in the same space. and although the trailblazer certainly leans toward the march 7th-side of the spectrum of whimsy, as a trio, they certainly seemed like nothing more than a set of clumsy stars learning to orbit through trial and error.

truthfully, though, dan heng can't complain. and honestly, though an existence like his is better suited for solitude, he can't pretend he isn't grateful for—

dan heng exhales again, steps slowing to a halt. his arms cross against his chest like a habit.

"we're standing in the middle of a busy pathway."

almost instinctively, his gaze rakes the expanse before them. not congested, but busy enough that stellaron or not, dan heng is itching to get somewhere quieter.

"there may not be any reason to hide our origins here, but it's better to be cautious." he almost takes another step, only to pause again. like he's waiting for march 7th to air any additional complaints. what stumbles past his lips, however, is not a reflection of his stubbornness. it's a question, and one of sincere curiosity. "... have you already told people?"

[cellphonejesus]

'do you know a joshua?'

funny this stranger should ask that. it's very unassuming that someone mysterious should order something as obscure as a box of heavy rocks which happens to then land in the hands of someone who is not them. someone might even get a chuckle or two out of the absurdity of the situation. someone like joshua themself, maybe.

but such details don't matter, of course. the last thing joshua wants to do is answer truthfully, because where would the fun in that be? he would much rather take hold of this situation and stretch it as thin as it can go. he may as well have some fun around here, if there springs a shining opportunity. joshua turns his unguarded attention to this newcomer, raising an eyebrow. he gives a brief glance to the box before tilting his head slightly.

"do i know a joshua?" a pause. just about longer than what's considered comfortable. "hmmm... nope. doesn't ring a bell." he gives a shrug before smiling. it's not really apologetic. "what a shame. it looks heavy. there could be something valuable in there. where ever could this joshua person have gone?"

[imbibitor]

this is going to be annoying—they can already tell.

though there's no change in their expression, dan heng is already considering their options.

not a single one points back to trusting this wayward stranger.

"is that so," dan heng replies, tone dull. "i see. well—thank you."

they're not so irresponsible as to abandon the box—even if it does feel like a certain someone is playing a prank on them. but since it doesn't seem like this conversation is going to afford them any progress in the next ten minutes, dan heng stills.

and slowly sets the box down on the floor between them.