. THRILL // SURVIVAL .

Nil / 'Red Teeth' 'Horizon Zero Dawn'/'Forbidden West' RP Sideblog [mainblog: @strangerrebelled] - muses & mun 21+, open to NSFW - AU, crossover, & OC friendly [DON'T REBLOG MY RP THREADS IF YOU'RE NOT PART OF THEM.]

[redteethed]

This is an independent roleplay (RP) sideblog for Nil, from the games Horizon Zero Dawn & Horizon Forbidden West.

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[soulprompts]

right place, right time prompts.

so i got watching a ton of new tv shows lately, and it occurred to me that actually i do love it when characters are unexpectedly saved by someone who just happened to be exactly in the right place at precisely the correct moment, yk? and i failed to think of the right name, so the title of this list is entirely thanks to a very dear friend of mine who informed me! so here's a list, i hope you guys love it, DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST OR EDIT IT!!! i like to edit them over time as new ideas come to me.

[ ALIBI ]: the sender provides a false alibi to protect the receiver from legal issues.

[ HAND ]: the sender suddenly arrives to grab the receiver's hand before they fall to their death

[ CAR ]: the sender arrives on scene as the impromptu getaway driver for the receiver (who hadn't been expecting it).

[ FATAL ]: the sender unwittingly arrives on scene when the receiver is being attacked, and to protect the receiver, they kill the assailant.

[ DISTRACT ]: the sender provides a diversion so the receiver can escape a dangerous situation.

[ OUT COLD ]: the sender knocks out an assailant before they can seriously wound the receiver.

[ DUNNO ]: the sender lies about the location of the receiver in order to protect them from pursuers.

[ FAKE ]: the sender, in a situation where they're forced to kill the receiver, only pretends to kill the receiver and takes their "dead" body away in the car.

[ SACRIFICE]: the sender sacrifices their life to ensure the receiver's survival.

[ BACK-UP ]: the sender arrives just in time to help the receiver in a fight.

[ EXCUSES ]: the sender provides an excuse for the receiver to stay at an event where they shouldn't be.

[ HIDDEN ]: the sender hides the receiver from pursuers.

[ SHELTER ]: the sender finds the unconscious receiver and brings them to a safe place.

[ HERO ]: the sender tackles the receiver out of the way of an attack.

[ RUN! ]: the sender tackles the attacker so the receiver can make a safe get-away.

[ FIGHT ]: the sender fights off the assailants so the receiver can flee to safety.

[ INTERCEPT ]: the sender unexpectedly emerges and stands between the receiver and a threat.

[ MISDIRECTION ]: the sender points a group of pursuers in the opposite direction to buy the receiver some time to hide.

[ SANCTUARY ]: the sender opens the door when the receiver knocks in search of help, and brings them into their home.

[ REPUTATION ]: the sender, being somewhat infamous in the area, arrives when the receiver is being hassled, causing the assailants to flee rather than risk the consequences of crossing them.

[ RECOGNIZE ]: the sender pretends to know the receiver in order to help them avoid unwanted attention.

[ AFAR ]: the sender incapacitates, distracts or kills an assailant from a distance to protect the receiver.

[ FRIENDS ]: the sender, unable to attend directly, sends friends over to protect the receiver when they encounter a threat.

[ NEGOTIATE ]: the sender intervenes in a tense situation and manages to smoothly persuade a potential threat to leave the receiver alone.

[ BRIBE ]: the sender gives a threat a significant amount of money to leave the receiver alone.

[ ANNOUNCE ]: the sender issues a declaration that the receiver is under their protection, assuring all potential attackers that any attempts will result in a brutal retaliation from them.

VERBAL PROMPTS:

" they're with me. "

" i was with them all night. "

" hey! these guys bothering you? "

" i wouldn't do that if i were you. "

" you must've really pissed those guys off, huh? "

" follow my lead... "

" don't worry. you're safe here. i won't let anyone hurt you. "

" you're lucky i found you when i did; those people were right down the street. "

" get in the car! now! "

" i'm gonna buy you as much time as i possibly can. make it count, okay? get out of here. now! "

" you can come out now. they're long gone. "

" nobody's going to hurt you like that again. "

[soulprompts]

prompts about getting undressed.

hello my brilliant babies, babes, besties, bros, beloveds and beams of brilliance! it is i! i have returned and i bring to you this prompt list based on the concept of getting undressed and helping others to do the same! "but blue! where's the spice!" fantabulistic question, i left that option off the list bc there are MANY spice-focused lists with that option. however i will still tag this as being nsfw. bc it lowkey is. anyway, love you! DO NOT ADD TO, COPY OR EDIT THIS LIST!

[ HELP ]: the injured sender, unable to comfortably take off their clothes, asks the receiver to help them get undressed.

[ GUIDE ]: sender notices that the injured receiver isn't able to get undressed without help and offers to do so.

[ SOAKED ]: after a sudden downpour/being in water, the sender hastens to help the wet receiver out of their clothes to prevent hypothermia.

[ CRIMSON ]: the sender, noticing the receiver has blood on their clothes (either from an injury or another person) takes them to a private room to help remove the clothes and find clean ones.

[ CONCEAL ]: in an effort to hide evidence of wrong-doing, the sender quickly takes the receiver's clothes from them to be destroyed and finds them less incriminating clothing.

[ RETRIEVE ]: in an effort to protect potential evidence, the sender carefully helps the receiver to remove their clothes, bagging them in the process and helping them dress in clean clothes.

[ SCENT ]: in order to protect them from sniffer dogs or scent-sensitive animals/monsters/etc., the sender helps the receiver remove their clothes and replaces them with less sensitive garments.

[ DIVE ]: the sender and receiver help one another to strip down so they can go swimming in comfort.

[ CLEANSE ]: sender, after running the receiver a nice relaxing bath, brings them to the bathroom and carefully helps them get undressed so they can enjoy the bath properly.

[ FEVER ]: sender, having noticed the receiver spiking a fever, quickly helps them remove their clothes so they can go into a cool shower in an effort to break it.

[ WIPE ]: sender hastily brings the receiver to a quiet room and helps them get undressed so the sender can wipe them down with wipes to remove dirt/blood/tears/etc. from their skin.

[ HEAT ]: to prevent the receiver from overheating, the sender quickly helps them to get undressed so they can cool down quicker in the shade.

[ SHOPPING ]: while trying on new clothes, the sender offers to help the receiver change out of a more complicated outfit to avoid damaging it.

[ TRANSFORM ]: suddenly in need of disguise, the sender and receiver help one another to take off any identifying clothing and disguise their appearances to escape unseen.

[ WOUND ]: following a particularly rough battle, the sender goes to the receiver to suggest that they help one another to remove their clothing and check one another for injuries

[ HEAL ]: while treating the receiver's injuries, the sender has to remove some of their clothing to reach a wound hidden by their clothes.

[ MALFUNCTION ]: noticing that the receiver is having something of a wardrobe malfunction (i.e. ripped dress, a stain etc.) the sender quickly takes them to a quiet room to help them get undressed and repair the damage.

[ INK ]: in order to show off a tattoo, the sender removes an article of clothing so that the receiver can see it properly.

[ WEAK ]: realizing the receiver is in a weakened state, the sender gently starts to help them get undressed, then redressed in more comfortable clothing.

[ STUNNED ]: noticing the receiver to be in shock, the sender begins to help them loosen their clothing and finds them looser more comfortable clothes to change into.

[ ADJUST ]: the sender moves closer to adjust some items of clothing on the receiver (i.e. the straps of their dress, the hem of their pants, the buttons of a shirt).

[ MEASURE ]: in order to accurately measure the receiver for an outfit of tailored clothes, the sender helps them to get undressed down to their undergarments.

[ ARMOUR ]: the sender offers to help the receiver in removing armour or a protective suit from them.

[ COMPLEX ]: sender notices that the receiver is struggling to remove some complicated clothing, and offers to help.

[ RITUAL ]: sender helps to undress receiver as part of a ritual or ceremony.

[ UPSET ]: sender, realizing the receiver is too distraught, offers to help them get undressed and redressed in more comfortable clothing.

[ ROYAL ]: part of the sender's responsibilities to the crown involve helping the crowned receiver get undressed and restyled each day.

[soulprompts]

THE SHOULDER TOUCH. ( A PROMPT LIST! )

i said i'd make them! i hope you enjoy these, and as always: DO NOT ADD, EDIT OR CLAIM THIS LIST AS YOUR OWN!

[ WAKEN ]: the sender touches the receiver's shoulder to waken them from a nap or sleep.

[ STILL ]: the sender places their hands on the visibly angry/upset receiver to try and restrain them.

[ STAY ]: the sender, noticing the receiver attempting to escape a meeting or a conversation, quietly rests a hand on their shoulder and pulls them back into their seat.

[ REST ]: the sender places a gentle but firm hand on a weakened/sick/injured receiver's shoulder to push them back into their bed to rest more.

[ PUNCH ]: the sender places a hand on the receiver to draw their attention away from another focus, and once they've turned around, the sender swings a punch at them in the moment of confusion.

[ PRIDE ]: the sender, having heard or seen the receiver successfully achieve a remarkable feat, places a hand on their shoulder to express their wordless pride in them.

[ HUG ]: the sender places their hands on the receiver's shoulders to yank them into a hug.

[ COMFORT ]: the sender, noticing a visibly upset receiver, solemnly moves to their side, and places a hand on their shoulder in an effort to comfort them.

[ SURPRISE ]: the sender, noticing an otherwise occupied receiver, moves forward silently and suddenly grabs their shoulder to startle them.

[ STUN ]: the sender, having been apart from the receiver for some time, makes an unexpected return and greets the unaware receiver with a hand on their shoulder.

[ TIDY ]: the sender reaches forward and lightly sweeps something from the receiver's shoulder.

[ WORRY ]: the sender grabs the receiver by the shoulders to take a good look at them for any sign of harm or injury.

[ ARM ]: the sender rests a hand on the receiver's shoulder, their arm draped around them in order to do so.

[ FOCUS ]: the sender, noticing the receiver has become distracted during a conversation, places a hand on their shoulder to redirect and focus their attention.

[ GOTCHA ]: the sender, noticing the receiver has unknowingly walked into the path of a source of danger, grabs them by the shoulder and hoists them back to safety.

[ PRAISE ]: the sender, having heard that the receiver has achieved great success in a task or accomplishment, gives them a proud pat and squeeze of the shoulder to convey their congratulations.

[ STEADY ]: the sender rests a hand on the shaken and panicked receiver's shoulder to steady and ground them.

[ CAUGHT ]: the sender plants a hand on the receiver's shoulder to stop them from fleeing a potential arrest or accusation.

[ DELIVER ]: the sender, about to deliver some bad news to the receiver, gently places a hand on the receiver's shoulder to stop them from running away from the bad news.

[ SHIELD ]: the sender catches hold of the receiver's shoulder and draws them back and away from a threat, pulling them behind them for their safety.

[ SOOTHE ]: the sender places their hands on the receiver's shoulders and begins to give them a massage.

[ LEVER ]: the sender, wanting to sit next to the receiver, places a hand on their shoulder to ease themselves to the space beside them.

[ HERE ]: the sender taps the receiver's shoulder to alert them to their presence.

[soulprompts]

prompts about getting undressed.

hello my brilliant babies, babes, besties, bros, beloveds and beams of brilliance! it is i! i have returned and i bring to you this prompt list based on the concept of getting undressed and helping others to do the same! "but blue! where's the spice!" fantabulistic question, i left that option off the list bc there are MANY spice-focused lists with that option. however i will still tag this as being nsfw. bc it lowkey is. anyway, love you! DO NOT ADD TO, COPY OR EDIT THIS LIST!

[ HELP ]: the injured sender, unable to comfortably take off their clothes, asks the receiver to help them get undressed.

[ GUIDE ]: sender notices that the injured receiver isn't able to get undressed without help and offers to do so.

[ SOAKED ]: after a sudden downpour/being in water, the sender hastens to help the wet receiver out of their clothes to prevent hypothermia.

[ CRIMSON ]: the sender, noticing the receiver has blood on their clothes (either from an injury or another person) takes them to a private room to help remove the clothes and find clean ones.

[ CONCEAL ]: in an effort to hide evidence of wrong-doing, the sender quickly takes the receiver's clothes from them to be destroyed and finds them less incriminating clothing.

[ RETRIEVE ]: in an effort to protect potential evidence, the sender carefully helps the receiver to remove their clothes, bagging them in the process and helping them dress in clean clothes.

[ SCENT ]: in order to protect them from sniffer dogs or scent-sensitive animals/monsters/etc., the sender helps the receiver remove their clothes and replaces them with less sensitive garments.

[ DIVE ]: the sender and receiver help one another to strip down so they can go swimming in comfort.

[ CLEANSE ]: sender, after running the receiver a nice relaxing bath, brings them to the bathroom and carefully helps them get undressed so they can enjoy the bath properly.

[ FEVER ]: sender, having noticed the receiver spiking a fever, quickly helps them remove their clothes so they can go into a cool shower in an effort to break it.

[ WIPE ]: sender hastily brings the receiver to a quiet room and helps them get undressed so the sender can wipe them down with wipes to remove dirt/blood/tears/etc. from their skin.

[ HEAT ]: to prevent the receiver from overheating, the sender quickly helps them to get undressed so they can cool down quicker in the shade.

[ SHOPPING ]: while trying on new clothes, the sender offers to help the receiver change out of a more complicated outfit to avoid damaging it.

[ TRANSFORM ]: suddenly in need of disguise, the sender and receiver help one another to take off any identifying clothing and disguise their appearances to escape unseen.

[ WOUND ]: following a particularly rough battle, the sender goes to the receiver to suggest that they help one another to remove their clothing and check one another for injuries

[ HEAL ]: while treating the receiver's injuries, the sender has to remove some of their clothing to reach a wound hidden by their clothes.

[ MALFUNCTION ]: noticing that the receiver is having something of a wardrobe malfunction (i.e. ripped dress, a stain etc.) the sender quickly takes them to a quiet room to help them get undressed and repair the damage.

[ INK ]: in order to show off a tattoo, the sender removes an article of clothing so that the receiver can see it properly.

[ WEAK ]: realizing the receiver is in a weakened state, the sender gently starts to help them get undressed, then redressed in more comfortable clothing.

[ STUNNED ]: noticing the receiver to be in shock, the sender begins to help them loosen their clothing and finds them looser more comfortable clothes to change into.

[ ADJUST ]: the sender moves closer to adjust some items of clothing on the receiver (i.e. the straps of their dress, the hem of their pants, the buttons of a shirt).

[ MEASURE ]: in order to accurately measure the receiver for an outfit of tailored clothes, the sender helps them to get undressed down to their undergarments.

[ ARMOUR ]: the sender offers to help the receiver in removing armour or a protective suit from them.

[ COMPLEX ]: sender notices that the receiver is struggling to remove some complicated clothing, and offers to help.

[ RITUAL ]: sender helps to undress receiver as part of a ritual or ceremony.

[ UPSET ]: sender, realizing the receiver is too distraught, offers to help them get undressed and redressed in more comfortable clothing.

[ ROYAL ]: part of the sender's responsibilities to the crown involve helping the crowned receiver get undressed and restyled each day.

[strangerrebelled]

[okay so, i'll be copy-posting this to all my blogs but a wee announcement:

i'm going on a family vacation from Oct. 21 to Oct. 26

i won't have access to tumblr for those days - and tbh i probably won't do many / any replies before we leave, cause my brain's been tapioca pudding for weeks as i've shifted my sleep schedule in prep for the vacation

but i promise once i come back, i plan to hunker down and start on what i owe! thanks for your patience, y'all 🫶]

[redteethed]

He noticed, but didn't outright stare, as Verso similarly shed some outer layers. Being allowed that much trust was always welcome; with any luck, it wouldn't fade after the first time they fought together. The rejection tended to sting then.

Nil followed the other man's gaze to the tree. A faint smile emerged, tinged with nostalgia, and he shook his head a little while sitting on the opposite end of the same log. "Not quite. Well, it probably does do that, but it's not why." Another glance to the adorned branches, the outermost fragments quietly clattering in a breeze swirling down from the entrance. "WOLF 41 took souvenirs from the Nevrons we killed. The bottom branches are all mine, but the rest..."

He let the fact of saving a Nevron souvenir from each of his fellow Expeditioners hang unspoken. Instead, Nil added afterward, "I've got other ways to remember their deaths. That's" — a tip of his chin toward the tree — "for how they lived, how they fought."

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

It's sweet to honor his comrades in such a way. Verso hasn't been able to do that but they're not really his comrades, are they? Many of them are people he's met along the way. He is nothing more than a copy, after all.

And yet, he feels every death as if he were the original Verso. Every death hurts him to his core. To spend years upon years watching everyone around you die - it is a painful thing.

Verso is glad Nil can honor the fallen in such a way.

"For how they lived." Verso repeats as if it's a foreign concept and perhaps it is, because out of all the lives he has seen come and go, he has yet to see something like this before. "That's very thoughtful of you. I'm sure they would be proud of you."

[redteethed]

Nil rested his elbows atop his knees, letting his stare roam a little while longer over the Nevron fragments. He could still name each Expeditioner who'd carried them, could still remark on their personalities and fighting styles.

Whether they were what family was supposed to be or not, they were the closest thing he'd ever had. The only ones who'd understood, or at least hadn't minded his demons clamoring to walk a knife's edge in every fight. They'd still smiled and talked to him, still fought beside him, still mourned and honored each death along with him. By contrast, his mother's face was a haze of petals and dark hair in his memories, and Flavien... was not someone to think about right now.

So when Verso claimed the rest of WOLF 41 would be proud of him, Nil's expression subtly softened. "...Maybe they would," he murmured in agreement. "Every expedition deserves a few less Nevrons between them and the Paintress."

A beat or two of thought, then a quiet chuckle. "Though I have no idea what I'd do if I woke up one day and had decades of life ahead of me."

[redteethed]

Nil wasn't quite sure what to make of being called 'kind', so he answered the first part of Verso's remark instead. "I suppose it does sound odd to most people," he granted, weaving between the trees with an easy familiarity. "But I prefer this place over Lumiere any day. 'Home' is meant to be somewhere you're understood, where you feel at ease, right?" A tip of his head accentuated his shrug. "So, that's my reason."

Indeed, it wasn't far to the particular place Nil called home. He stood at the edge of the cenote's entrance for a moment, for another glance to Verso and a small nod, then began his descent down its wall. Most of Expedition 69's handholds remained in the rock face, though some were half-hidden by vegetation.

Dropping onto the outcrop jutting into the subterranean lake, Nil stretched his arms over his head while crossing to a simple camp. A ring of palm-sized stones surrounded the ashes of a cooking fire, and a low pyramid of cut wood sat in the driest spot. The tree that grew near the center of the entrance was hung with various fragments of Nevrons, on all manner of cords and ribbons.

He left his weapon beside his bedroll, then began shedding his belts, armor pieces, and cropped jacket. Turning toward Verso once more, Nil assured, "Make yourself comfortable. There's a second bedroll next to the firewood, if you want it."

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

Following Nil had been fairly easy. The footholds were no issue and soon enough they were both on the outcrop. Its beautiful, over here, he thinks. The lake is beautiful and the campsite isn't bad either.

After taking a scan around, Verso follows Nil further into the campsite where he too begins to start shedding into more comfortable clothing.

Once that is done, he's moving to sit down on a log. His head turns to look over at the parts of nevrons on the tree. His head tilts as he looks at it. An interesting choice.

"Trying to ward away nevrons?"

[redteethed]

He noticed, but didn't outright stare, as Verso similarly shed some outer layers. Being allowed that much trust was always welcome; with any luck, it wouldn't fade after the first time they fought together. The rejection tended to sting then.

Nil followed the other man's gaze to the tree. A faint smile emerged, tinged with nostalgia, and he shook his head a little while sitting on the opposite end of the same log. "Not quite. Well, it probably does, but that's not why." Another glance to the adorned branches, the outermost fragments quietly clattering in a breeze swirling down from the entrance. "WOLF 41 took souvenirs from the Nevrons we killed. The bottom branches are all mine, but the rest..."

He let the fact of saving a Nevron souvenir from each of his fellow Expeditioners hang unspoken. Instead, Nil added afterward, "I've got other ways to remember their deaths. That's" — a tip of his chin toward the tree — "for how they lived, how they fought."

[redteethed]

Far as Nil could figure, they probably had a similar amount of time left, if nothing got them before the Gommage. Why not, then, spend at least some of that time in each other's company? Whether it remained a convenient alliance, or turned to something else - good or bad - was something Nil didn't bother trying to guess when they'd only just met.

Even if he did have his private hopes, ones he refused to voice.

"That we are." A pat to Verso's shoulder, then Nil continued past him toward the wooded foothills. "Follow me. I was on my way home before I found that Nevron; it's not far." Nil looked back at the other man for a moment, his easy smirk lingering. "You're welcome to it too, however long this arrangement of ours lasts."

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

Verso has not exactly had a 'home'. No set destination in a very long time. Sure, there have been camps here and there but it's never been something he considered a home. He's more of a wanderer than anything else.

So, to hear Nil has a home - it seems like such a foreign concept. He hasn't had a home in years. No, that's not true, he hasn't ever had a home. Not when he is not the original Verso. A copy, that is all he is.

Taking a moment after the pat to his shoulder to push the thoughts aside, Verso begins to follow after Nil. "Home. It sounds odd in a place like this." This is where they'll be living until they die, it makes sense. If Verso ever dies at all.

"Thank you. That's very kind of you."

[redteethed]

Nil wasn't quite sure what to make of being called 'kind', so he answered the first part of Verso's remark instead. "I suppose it does sound odd to most people," he granted, weaving between the trees with an easy familiarity. "But I prefer this place over Lumiere any day. 'Home' is meant to be somewhere you're understood, where you're at ease, right?" A tip of his head accentuated his shrug. "So, that's my reason."

Indeed, it wasn't far to the particular place Nil called home. He stood at the edge of the cenote's entrance for a moment, for another glance to Verso and a small nod, then began his descent down its wall. Most of Expedition 69's handholds remained in the rock face, though some were half-hidden by vegetation.

Dropping onto the outcrop that jutted into the subterranean lake, Nil stretched his arms over his head while crossing to a simple camp. A ring of palm-sized stones surrounded the ashes of a cooking fire, and a low pyramid of cut wood sat in the driest spot. A lone tree near the center of the lake was hung with various fragments of Nevrons, on all manner of cords and ribbons.

He left his weapon beside his bedroll and the ring of stones, then began shedding his belts, armor pieces, and cropped jacket. Turning toward Verso once more, Nil assured, "Make yourself comfortable. There's a second bedroll next to the firewood, if you want it."

[redteethed]

Nil didn't question Verso's answer. The Nevrons were unforgiving, which made them worthy and formidable opponents yet also often the bloody end of many expeditioners. A better death than throwing themselves at that damned barrier, that was for sure.

"Looks that way." He glanced back at the Monolith, while a decision settled in his mind, then turned to Verso again. "Still a while yet before the year changes. We could be lone survivors together, if you want. Keep our teamwork skills sharp for the next expedition."

More personally, Nil found his curiosity piqued by the other man. Not only what Verso's story might be, but also his capabilities. How many Chroma tattoos were under those clothes, if any at all? What kind of weapons did he use, in what way? Whether through sparring or taking down more Nevrons, Nil hoped to learn all that and more.

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

Well, it is appealing. Verso is tired of being alone even if there's a reason he's kept the other at arms length. He will long outlive Nil but maybe in the meantime he can simply enjoy his company, fight by his side, and not feel that void of emptiness and loneliness that threatens to swallow him whole.

"It's been a while since I've been apart of a team." Many years, in fact, not that Nil would know that. He seems to pauses as he thinks it over, he shouldn't set himself up for more pain and yet -

"Okay. Why not? We're better in numbers, anyway." The nevrons aren't easy to deal with on their own, that is one thing he had learned very quickly when it had become just him.

[redteethed]

Far as Nil could figure, they probably had a similar amount of time left, if nothing got them before the Gommage. Why not, then, spend at least some of that time in each other's company? Whether it remained a convenient alliance, or turned to something else - good or bad - was something Nil didn't bother trying to guess when they'd only just met.

Even if he did have his private hopes, ones he refused to voice.

"That we are." A pat to Verso's shoulder, then Nil continued past him toward the wooded foothills. "Follow me. I was on my way home before I found that Nevron; it's not far." Nil looked back at the other man for a moment, his easy smirk lingering. "You're welcome to it too, however long this arrangement of ours lasts."

[redteethed]

A name to put to the face, at last. Nil did wonder briefly whether it was freely chosen, or whether the particular meaning behind it was either intentional or incidental from the man's parents - but he said none of that aloud. Names, even ones like his, were never the whole of a person.

Of more importance was Verso's straightforward question. Nil appreciated the frankness, the lack of trying to 'spare his feelings' and the refusal to let it hang unsaid. The pang in his chest might never fade entirely, but it was an inevitable ache - and one Verso seemed to understand.

"Of them, and a few more." An illustrative glance to the sleeve of expedition armbands he'd stitched together. "When the Gommage doesn't take them, the Nevrons do. ...Which took yours?" And how young might Verso have been, for them to seem of an age yet for the man to be here longer than Nil? Had he come from Lumiere at all, or perhaps been born here during an older Expedition?

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

Verso's eyes turn to the armbands that Nil gestures to. He knows that well, too. He has tried to help many of the expeditions over the years, none of which had been successful. He never gathered their ambands, though.

"The Nevrons." Verso lies with ease, because he won't admit to what really happened. He knows what that will get him, a whole lot of distrust and possibly a weapon pointed in his direction, too.

Nil doesn't need to know the truth, just like all the others before him. They only need to know what Verso is willing to tell them as he does not believe they will last long either. He doesn't believe Nil will last, either, but he'll help while he can and with what he can.

He can tell Nil has more questions, things he isn't saying, but he isn't sure it's wise to ask. There's never any telling how one will react when they learn he's immortal.

"I'm the lone survivor, like you it seems."

[redteethed]

Nil didn't question Verso's answer. The Nevrons were unforgiving, which made them worthy and formidable opponents yet also often the bloody end of many expeditioners. A better death than throwing themselves at that damned barrier, that was for sure.

"Looks that way." He glanced back at the Monolith, while a decision settled in his mind, then turned to Verso again. "Still a while yet before the year changes. We could be lone survivors together, if you want. Keep our teamwork skills sharp for the next expedition."

More personally, Nil found his curiosity piqued by the other man. Not only what Verso's story might be, but also his capabilities. How many Chroma tattoos were under those clothes, if any at all? What kind of weapons did he use, in what way? Whether through sparring or taking down more Nevrons, Nil hoped to learn all that and more.

[redteethed]

The longer Nil had to look at the other, the more he recognized. This man... was the one he'd noticed sometimes watching or helping an Expedition. How long had the other been on the Continent? There was no immediate evidence of the telltale gold armband. Was he a fellow young recruit of an older team, or something else entirely?

Either way, Nil nodded in return and followed the man's momentary glance to the fading nevron. "I've had plenty of practice." The best ways he could honor the rest of WOLF 41 were to carry their deaths, learn from each one, and never lose the thrill of combat. The latter was the easiest.

His eyebrows rose; so, he'd been noticed too? Inevitable, Nil supposed, but still a small surprise. "They died fighting. It's all any of 41 could ask for," he assured, unable to help the subtle tinge of melancholy. Hands resting on his hips, he added in a somewhat lighter tone, "Since we've both seen each other, the least we can do is know names. I'm Nil."

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

Yes, they've all had plenty of practice, haven't they? This place is full of his mother and father's creations alike, there are plenty of Nevrons to fight. They just keep showing up and either they get destroyed or he watches as they destroy expeditioners. He has seen many fall, many more than he would have liked to.

It's sad to him. He's seen so many fight to their last breath but they always die. Every single one of them. Some last longer than others, some don't last long at all, but Verso hates seeing each death even if he's gotten used to it.

"Verso." He responds wit a nod of his head in Nil's direction. "Are you the last of your team?" Perhaps it is too intrusive of a question but it's bound to come up eventually.

"My team died long ago." Long long ago. He has been so alone for so long with only his father out there trying to get him to come back to them - he won't.

[redteethed]

A name to put to the face, at last. Nil did wonder briefly whether it was freely chosen, or whether the particular meaning behind it was either intentional or incidental from the man's parents - but he said none of that aloud. Names, even ones like his, were never the whole of a person.

Of more importance was Verso's straightforward question. Nil appreciated the frankness, the lack of trying to 'spare his feelings' and the refusal to let it hang unsaid. The pang in his chest might never fade entirely, but it was an inevitable ache - and one Verso seemed to understand.

"Of them, and a few more." An illustrative glance to the sleeve of expedition armbands he'd stitched together. "When the Gommage doesn't take them, the Nevrons do. ...Which took yours?" And how young might Verso have been, for them to seem of an age yet for the man to be here longer than Nil? Had he come from Lumiere at all, or perhaps been born here during an older Expedition?

[taleswrittenblogmoved]

@redteethed sent Sounds of a fight could be heard nearby - specifically, the surprised groan of a nevron and the sporadic thuds of its misses. Nil had sprung an ambush, eager after a few days of idleness. Every stab and slice from his spear pulled Chroma from the nevron, glistening along carved channels in the blade and haft. The distance widened after he dodged another strike, boot soles pressing deeper into the shore's sand. A twist of a ring lock, and Nil's spear curved into a bow. An arrow of pure Chroma formed - draining those carved channels - while he drew the string back, then fired. The whistling bolt shattered the nevron's weakpoint; it fell, beginning to dissolve almost immediately. Nil locked his weapon into its spear form again to holster it on his back... and paused. Gaze pulled by the weight of another's stare, grey met grey and his head tilted a little despite his easy smirk. He'd seen this man before, hadn't he? "Enjoy the show?" A shrug. "Not a long one, but it keeps the blood warm." [from @redteethed's COE33 AU, for Verso ! ]

The sound of the fight draws Verso near, curiosity getting the best of him. It sounds like whoever is fighting the Nevron doesn't need him to step in but he checks it out, all the same.

The man he sees is one that he's seen every now and then. He's noticed him watching him, too. Both curious about one another and yet haven't actually met.

There is a part of him that feels guilty for what his father has done to this man's team. He's slaughtered them and it both angers and saddens Verso.

Finally, it seems as if the stranger has decided to talk to him rather than staying out of each other's way. The question sent his way earns a nod of his head from Verso in both greeting and response.

"You fight well." Verso comments, glancing at the fallen nevron. Sometimes, Verso feels bad for these creatures. They are only doing what they were made to do.

"I've seen you around from time to time. I'm sorry about your team."

[redteethed]

The longer Nil had to look at the other, the more he recognized. This man... was the one he'd noticed sometimes watching or helping an Expedition. How long had the other been on the Continent? There was no immediate evidence of the telltale gold armband. Was he a fellow young recruit of an older team, or something else entirely?

Either way, Nil nodded in return and followed the man's momentary glance to the fading nevron. "I've had plenty of practice." The best ways he could honor the rest of WOLF 41 were to carry their deaths, learn from each one, and never lose the thrill of combat. The latter was the easiest.

His eyebrows rose; so, he'd been noticed too? Inevitable, Nil supposed, but still a small surprise. "They died fighting. It's all any of 41 could ask for," he assured, unable to help the subtle tinge of melancholy. Hands resting on his hips, he added in a somewhat lighter tone, "Since we've both seen each other, the least we can do is know names. I'm Nil."

[redteethed]

AU 03 : CLAIR OBSCUR EXPEDITION 33

Tag: patron saint of mavericks conscripts and deserters [coe33 au]

Age: 28

Epithet: Red Teeth (from the Gestrals)

Locations: currently living on the Continent, ventures around but has a hideout in the western lands; born & raised in Lumiere

Occupation: currently a vagabond & occasional competitor in the Gestral arenas; former member of Expedition 41

Main Transportation: walking/climbing/swimming/etc

Main Weapon: Voice Of Our Teeth (mechanical bow-spear; spear mode gathers Chroma from enemies, bow mode fires it back as arrows)

AU Backstory: - He was born Arzhel, to a single seamstress mother named Yanna, and never learned who his father was. - He was around 7 years old when his mother Gommaged, and he was placed in Lumiere's orphanage. A few years later, he was adopted by a milliner named Flavien. - He was treated like a servant rather than a son, physically punished for any real or percieved mistakes, and charged with menial tasks & simple repairs at the shop without recieving pay. - In what little free time he had, he started to train with Expeditioners. When he was discovered, Flavien took him to be tattooed with Chroma on the back of his neck, and told him he'd become a stand-in for Flavien on the latter's Expedition. - The training was nonetheless his chief source of contentment, even when some Expeditioners treated his enjoyment of combat with discomfort or disdain. - He was accepted on by Expedition 41, though he was only around 20. Flavien didn't bother to see him off, nor was that expected. - WOLF 41 became much more of a family to him. His skill and confidence flourished with them, and he amassed a tidy collection of nevron trophies. He also got another set of Chroma tattoos, below his eyes. - Though they did lose a number of their fellows - each honored with a small shallow 'X' cut onto the left side of the survivors' chests - they made it all the way to the barrier protecting The Paintress. Upon realizing there was no getting past it, they turned their focus to taking out as many nevrons as they could, and he fought hard alongside them. - Despite his efforts, he was eventually the only survivor of Expedition 41 (some of them taken out by a mysterious old man with a cane, rather than any nevron). Faced with staying on the Continent so he could live and die doing something that had helped him belong, or returning to a city that had never felt like home and might hate him for surviving without succeeding... the choice was easy. - He then named himself Nil, to shed his former name and all that weighed upon it. - He found a secluded cenote in the western stretch of the Continent, and it soon became a makeshift home. He took to visiting the Gestral Village and a few other Gestral outposts, engaging in their arenas for the practice. He saw enough success that he earned the epithet 'Red Teeth', mostly for his facepaint. - Every Monolith Year, he'd occasionally watch the Expeditions from a distance. Some years, he would meet deserters, final survivors, or those seeking to attempt something dangerous alone, and offer to help them or stay with them. Every time, he still survived. He was still left behind, to mark their deaths with another 'X' and to keep their armbands safe (eventually, he had enough to stitch a sleeve of them). - He's occasionally glimpsed that old man again, as well as a mysterious younger-looking man aiding some of the Expeditions, but has yet to approach the latter.

Appearance Change:

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝑵𝑶𝑵-𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑩𝑨𝑳 𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑺𝑻 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑴𝑷𝑻𝑺. (  some triggering content ahead. add " + " to reverse the action.  )

[ wipe ] sender wipes away receiver's tears [ hurt ] sender hurts receiver with words [ lonely ] sender finds receiver alone in a dark room [ wounded ] sender patches up receiver's wounds [ crying ] sender finds receiver crying [ help ] sender runs to receiver when they scream for help [ nightmare ] sender wakes receiver up from a nightmare [ dying breath ] sender talks to receiver before dying [ hold on ] sender pulls receiver into their arms [ anger ] sender takes their anger out on receiver [ argue ] sender gets into a heated argument with receiver [ scared ] sender scares receiver [ sick ] sender cares for receiver while they are sick [ palm ] sender places a hand on receiver to stop them from doing something [ fight ] sender gets into a physical fight with receiver [ comfort ] sender tries to comfort receiver [ blood ] sender notices that receiver is bleeding [ collapse ] sender collapses into receiver's arms [ pressure ] sender puts pressure on receiver's wound [ slap ] sender slaps receiver in the face [ panic ] sender helps receiver through a panic attack [ lie ] sender catches receiver in a lie [ sobs ] sender sobs uncontrollably while receiver holds them [ hiding ] sender finds out that receiver has hidden an injury from them [ death ] sender just died, receiver finds out [ chin up ] sender lifts receiver's chin to stop them from hiding their tears [ fears ] sender talks to receiver about their fears [ scream ] sender screams at receiver [ coping ] sender teaches receiver some coping mechanisms [ loss ] sender is there for receiver after they've lost someone important to them [ needs ] sender asks receiver what they need [ bullet ] sender takes a bullet for receiver [ bruises ] sender finds bruises of unknown origin on receiver [ rainfall ] sender finds receiver out alone in the rain [ hospital ] sender wakes up in a hospital bed and finds receiver sitting by their bedside [ intrude ] sender walks in on receiver treating their wounds [ calming ] sender tries to calm down receiver [ inspection ] sender holds receiver's face while inspecting an injury they got [ rescue ] sender carries receiver to safety [ clean ] sender cleans blood off of receiver's body

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒.   (  random assortment of sentences that can but don’t have to be used for muses meeting each other for the first time. feel free to adjust to better fit your muses.  )

❛  i know we only just met but i already feel like i’ve known you my whole life.  ❜ ❛  umm, is this seat taken ?  ❜ ❛  don’t be alarmed now but there’s someone following you. pretend you know me and come with me. i’ll get you somewhere safe.  ❜ ❛  my friends ditched me here and now i could really use a ride home.  ❜ ❛  i don’t think we’ve met yet but you looked like you needed someone to talk to.  ❜ ❛  can you please pretend to be my boyfriend / girlfriend for a moment so my ex will leave me alone ?   ❜ ❛  are you always this straightforward with strangers ?  ❜ ❛  here, i noticed you lost this earlier.  ❜ ❛  i’m sorry, i must’ve mistaken you for somebody else.  ❜ ❛  so, what brings you here today ?  ❜ ❛  hi, my name is [name]. it’s nice meeting you.  ❜ ❛  you’re cute. how about i buy you a drink ?  ❜ ❛  can’t you watch where you are going ?!  ❜ ❛  i just moved into the apartment next to you, so i guess we’re gonna be neighbors now.  ❜ ❛  oh god, you’re [name], aren’t you ?  ❜ ❛  here, let me help you.  ❜ ❛  is there a reasons you’re here on your own ?  ❜ ❛  apparently we’re going to be working on this together now.  ❜ ❛  you look like you could use a hand with that.  ❜ ❛  what do people around here do to have some fun ?  ❜ ❛  looks like this will take a while, huh ?  ❜ ❛  oh god. please tell me you haven’t just heard me talk to myself.  ❜ ❛  excuse me, i think i’m lost.  ❜ ❛  i just wanted to say that i really like your outfit.  ❜ ❛  do you come here often ?  ❜ ❛  do you mind if i join you for a bit ?  ❜ ❛  you looked lonely so i got you a drink.  ❜ ❛  i don’t think we’ve met, i’m [name].  ❜ ❛  what the hell just happened there ?  ❜ ❛  have you seen this anywhere ? i must’ve lost it.  ❜ ❛  can i please use your phone ? i have to call someone to get me out of here.  ❜ ❛  seems like we’re gonna be spending a lot of time together.  ❜ ❛  come with me, and don’t ask any questions. it’s urgent.  ❜ ❛  i heard strange noises coming from your apartment and just wanted to make sure everything is alright.  ❜ ❛  i have a spare ticket, you wanna come in with me ?  ❜ ❛  you don’t know me but will you be my date for tonight ?  ❜ ❛  we’ve got some time to kill so why don’t you tell me a little about yourself ?  ❜ ❛  i don’t usually just walk up to strangers but my friends set me up to it.  ❜ ❛  i think our orders may have gotten mixed up.  ❜ ❛  do i have something on my face or why do you keep looking at me like that ?  ❜

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑶𝑴 𝑫𝑰𝑨𝑳𝑶𝑮𝑼𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑷𝑻. 𝑰.

❛  it was wrong of me to assume you're ever gonna change.  ❜ ❛  that's it? it was all just a lie?  ❜ ❛  shame on me for thinking you were a good person.  ❜ ❛  you're gonna pay for what you did to me.  ❜ ❛  you didn't hear a word of what i just said, did you?  ❜ ❛  believe me, you weren't my first choice either.  ❜ ❛  if you've got a problem with the way i handle things, just say so.  ❜ ❛  do you think we're gonna survive this?  ❜ ❛  what's your problem?!  ❜ ❛  will you please slow down a little?  ❜ ❛  i can't believe you would do something like that.  ❜ ❛  did it mean anything to you?  ❜ ❛  i'm never gonna be good enough for you.  ❜ ❛  we were just fooling ourselves this whole time.  ❜ ❛  i'm sorry, i didn't know where else to go.  ❜ ❛  i don't want to argue with you anymore.  ❜ ❛  fine. you were right, and i was wrong. happy now?  ❜ ❛  this day feels like it's never gonna end.  ❜ ❛  i didn't think you'd care so much.  ❜ ❛  this must be like the first time you were nice to me.  ❜ ❛  out of all the people here, why do i have to be stuck with you?  ❜ ❛  do you want to go on a date with me?  ❜ ❛  honestly, i don't think i wanna leave the house today.  ❜ ❛  were you ever planning on telling me about all of this?  ❜ ❛  i wish i had another choice.  ❜ ❛  don't flatter yourself, a fifth-grader could've done this as well.  ❜ ❛  you're the most insufferable person i have ever met.  ❜ ❛  here, you look like you need this more than me right now.  ❜ ❛  oh, just so you know, i don't ever lose this game.  ❜ ❛  just let me sleep for five more minutes.  ❜ ❛  alright, is there anything else we have to do before they arrive?  ❜ ❛  do you believe in ghosts?  ❜ ❛  i wish we had more time together.  ❜ ❛  you don't have to leave just yet ... you could stay the night if you wanted to.  ❜ ❛  where are you taking me?  ❜ ❛  trust me, this is the last thing i want to do.  ❜ ❛  i need more time to think about what i want.  ❜ ❛  why didn't you say anything earlier? we could've avoided this whole mess.  ❜ ❛  i don't feel so good, i think i may be getting sick.  ❜ ❛  help me! please!  ❜