Where did I put that hole?

The End of Whatever||CA EVENT: Henry

VRISKA: Yeeeeeeeeeah, okay, wise guy. It was a figure of speech!

Seriously, you’re just trying to enjoy the apocalypse. You’re not about to get caught up on technicalities about whether or not you can actually tell what’s going on. You sigh and dramatically roll your eyes.

VRISKA: Clearly, as you oh-so-astutely pointed out, I can’t actually see what’s happening, so I have no idea. I don’t even know that they’re fighting for or against anything anymore. It sounds like it’s aaaaaaaall just one giant clusterfuck.

#arachno phile #Vriska 01 #the end of whatever: vriska #!reckoner

“Oh… right…”

He feels silly, verging on stupid. Maybe he can blame the alcohol for that in the morning, if he makes it that long. His eyes returned to staring down at his shot glass. Between the havoc outside and the alcohol in his blood, he couldn’t seem to settle. He should have eaten something first, that was probably half the problem.

“… Do you want to go see?”

Lets Bury a Body Under the Sand

Walking along would be frustrating, as Walter intended to not make physical contact with others. But in a crowded place like this, that was harder than you might think. Still it was for his own comfort. Not that he paid how others felt any mind.

Henry’s animals; he hardly thought about them. Only the Receiver of Wisdom was worth his time. That did not include any badly named pets.

“This beach, if possibly temporary, should be a relief from recent events. I trust you remember the other city; even now a trace of their presence resides in the sky.” Some had even started to gain memories from their other selves. At least the only real difference between both Walters was an increase in blood-lust.

Okay, that sounds horrible, but it was only a slight change. Others weren’t that lucky.

“We both know you prefer to confine yourself, but in this heat what will such a thing accomplish? More death and horror will inevitably come. Best to distract yourself now.” From any other person, this might seem like he was trying to be nice. Emphasis on the word trying.

But coming from this man almost anything sounded like a threat.

#the21sacraments #!beach episode

Walter was right, of course. If he hadn’t dragged Henry to the beach, Henry would have spent the heatwave in the basement. Maybe he wouldn’t have died, but he would have been miserable.

This didn’t occur to Henry in full, but he did pick up on that one detail: that Walter had dragged them both out here for his benefit, not Walter’s. That warranted some silent staring from one man to the other.

“Are… you feeling okay…?” He looked at Walter out of the corner of his eye as they walked along.

They should probably find a place to put down their—well, Henry’s—things. This wasn’t an easy task, given how late they’d gotten to the beach, but… hopefully Walter’s presence would spook a few people into moving their camps. That was a terrible thought to have, Henry realized, and he turned to head further up the beach, away from the denser crowds. It wasn’t as if he’d planned on going in the water anyway.

Fire in the Hole!

“…A hobby. You do this for fun.”

She frowned at the thought – people were such weird things. Of course she could see the merit in a good map, but a hobby? What sort of person was he if he actually enjoyed that?

Nonetheless, she took the one he extended and looked it over. It did seem to have some experience hehind it – markings here and there, more or less consistent scale, lines that weren’t too wobbly or too thin. There wasn’t much to complain about, really. But that didn’t mean she was exactly happy.

“Yes, I think that’d work just fine. A layout of these tunnels would be of good use if I ever need to come back through here. Of course, I don’t intend on staying here longer than I need to.”

At the suggestion that she even wanted help, Jyotsna frowned at the man. With her, it held the implication that she couldn’t do something on her own, that she was somehow incompetent, that she was not worthy of respect. Of course, she’d quickly shoot down such a thing.

“Absolutely not. I don’t need anyone’s assistance in any aspect of life. I can handle this fine on myself.”

#sorry for the short reply it's been a long day #superhotstrike #fire in the hole: Jyotsna

“N, not for fun, exactly, but… it’s useful… I just sort of kept up the habit…”

He watched her take his map with some anxiety, manifested in an awkward half-lean to look at the map as she did. While she seemed to approve at first, he could feel the creep of ice at the back of his neck with her frown at his question.

“I… I’ll make you some copies, then… Once I get back…” He trailed off after that. He couldn’t read people well enough to tell how mad she was, but even he could see that she was not happy. The last words he could manage were a muffled offer to give her his phone number.

The End of Whatever||CA EVENT: Henry

You raise a single judgmental eyebrow at your companion.

VRISKA: Ummmmmmmm, why are you apologizing?

Weirdo. You shrug and drain the rest of your drink before ordering another of the same.

VRISKA: Man, they’d 8etter! I mean, I wouldn’t go out there even if I wanted to.

VRISKA: What’s the point of helping? Whatever happens is going to happen anyways, and there’s so much chaos that no8ody will remem8er the heroes.

VRISKA: It’s 8etter to just sit 8ack and enjoy the show, riiiiiiiight?

#arachno phile #!reckoner #Vriska 01 #the end of whatever: vriska

He’s more nervous from atmosphere than any alcohol he’s consumed. Granted, Henry spends a lot of time hung up on his nerves so it’s not that much worse than how he usually is.

“I… I’m not sure.”

“We, um… can’t really see much from in here, though.” Although they can hear plenty; it is nothing but not loud outside. It’s something of a mystery why the bar is even open, even with the clear call for business from people who’d rather drink themselves to death than find it in other ways.

“… Do you think they’ve all been fighting over the power plant?”

Lets Bury a Body Under the Sand

The Receiver of Wisdom usually preferred to stay indoors; a sense of isolation once shared by Walter. But in his case, such a lifestyle had been forced upon him. Both men had lived in this city for a very long time, and it opened new avenues for them.

With the creation of a beach ‘coincidentally’ as air conditioners throughout the city broke, nearly everyone flooded into the place at once. Like a sinners version of Noah’s Ark; the idiotic masses of this city getting on the beach two by two.

Such depravity was an event that needed to be witnessed and judged by someone who was far above them. Walter was that man, and even if Henry had no plans to visit the beach he would have been forced soon enough.

So now they stood having entered the beach, the killer especially sticking out like a sore thumb. Compared to most who had gotten into bathing suits, his trench-coat outfit stayed on.

“So here we are. Best stay close, Receiver. Such crowds are not something we both know you take comfort in.” Even reaching out to Eileen had broken away from his normal routine.

#the21sacraments #ca event #!beach episode

Being dragged to the beach by his serial killer wasn’t on Henry’s schedule, but there he was anyway. He’d been prepared to suffer through the head wave alone with his cats, but now they were all there. Hopefully Plumpkin and Purrfait were alright at home. They had plenty of water, but without any of the fans working… not that there was much he could do. He had a job standing next to Walter in a swimsuit and t-shirt, staring out at the sea of people next to the ocean with his arms crossed defensively.

“Did… you have a plan, coming here…?” The murders had stopped, so he didn’t think Walter was looking for victims, but it wasn’t exactly comfortable thinking of either of them in a place this crowded. Something was bound to go wrong.

The End of Whatever||CA EVENT: Henry

You shrug at his reasoning. This guy’s soft, isn’t he, you think as you swirl your frothy monstrosity.

VRISKA: Maaaaaaaan, I don’t even care.

VRISKA: They say the respawn system’s malfunctioning, 8ut I’ve 8een here long enough to guess that it’ll 8e fixed. Everything will pro8a8ly go 8ack to normal, and everyone will sigh with relief or something.

VRISKA: And why should I care if anyone lives or dies, anyways? I’m tired of this city, I’m tired of these people, and I’m tired of giving a shit.

#arachno phile #Vriska 01 #the end of whatever: vriska

It’s sudden, but he laughs a bitter laugh at what she says. She’s got a point, doesn’t she? They always come back, no matter what happens. There’s no end to the loop.

“S, sorry,” he apologizes, putting a hand over his own mouth, embarrassed over that little escaped morbidity.

“It’s… not the first time the system’s gone down, no… But it’s sort of sad that this is all we can do.”

He looked towards the door. Walter was probably out there somewhere, watching, waiting… It was enough to have him wave the bartender over to order another drink – something stronger.

“… do you think they’ll let us spend the whole apocalypse in here?”

Fire in the Hole!

A strange, twitchy man. Not very strong of will. She’d met plenty like him before. And especially given that he offered his services… it felt as though it were only natural for him to serve her in such a way. Yes. She could make use of him.

“Yes. Do so. I’d wager any maps that already exist are horribly outdated or belong solely to the scientists. A recent one would be useful.”

How long it’d be useful, though, was another matter. Tunnels collapsed every so often, and new ones opened up in the debris. It would be nice, though. At least for a little while.

“Do you have a habit of mapmaking?”

It wasn’t exactly genuine interest, as much as it was concern for his skill. If he was an awful mapmaker, then there was no point in getting one from him. It would only make her more lost.

#superhotstrike #jyotsna 01 #fire in the hole: Jyotsna

“It’s a h, hobby…” he answered earnestly. He thought she was actually interested, and it wasn’t every day that someone really cared about something he was doing. One born of necessity, but his interest in architecture lent itself to an eye for proportion and vice versa. He thrust over one of the drier pages for her to look over, to see what she thought. While they were in fact amateurish and done in simple pen, they were accurate. If there was a critical flaw, it was Henry’s utterly abysmal handwriting.

“Once these dry, I can make some photocopies… I, if you’re still interested.”

He looked back up to the collapse that had nearly dropped her on him.

“Do… you want some help finding the way out…?”

All along, what Ukoku put the man through was evident. But already, Henry had gone through so much at Walter’s hands. The tall man was not able to comprehend why Henry simply did not fight back.

If only he had looked at his own relationship with Henry in the same way, then he would realize it was abuse. And that his own behaviour was not better, if possibly worse. But he was too stubborn and set in his own ways to even consider it. The raven was demonized, and perhaps rightfully so, but the Holy Assumption’s own actions were conveniently swept under the rug.

“So the pin finally dropped, then? I had been waiting for you to realize it for a long time now.

Numbers hold no place in this city, Receiver. Even if mother somehow was summoned… Her effects would only be temporary. This place would ignore her majesty, deciding to move on. I could never disrespect Her like that.

So without the carving, I reside here for the Receiver, and you only. Until recently, at least. I was not about to let another world harm you. So matters were… taken into my own hands.”

He was silent for a long time, even for how silent Henry normally was. His throat felt restricted, but he couldn’t move to swallow or cough to try to clear it. Walter’s menace had become an accepted part of his life, of his day – he was watched at all times, and that was just how things were, but the revelation of that moment was that…

It was never going to end.

At last he found his voice as the despair started to set in. Wasn’t everything supposed to be for Walter and Room 302? What was going to happen now? Were they going to exist in perpetuity here?

“… What… good am I to you without the ritual?”

#the21sacraments

The End of Whatever||CA EVENT: Henry

He’s one of those quiet, awkward types, isn’t he? Better than some jabbermouth, you guess. You’d rather your little end-of-the-world “celebration” not be interrupted by some guy rambling about stuff you don’t care about.

VRISKA: Yeah, you got that right.

VRISKA: Anyways, I’m Vriska.

You stare at his hand for a moment before giving it a shake. You’re feeling a little more open than usual. Maybe you’re bored, or lonely, or just feel like bothering this guy, dammit. You don’t need a reason to talk to someone, geez!

VRISKA: So, uh, what 8rings you here on this fiiiiiiiine apocalypse?

#arachno phile #vriska 01 #the end of whatever: vriska

“Trying to not think about the apocalypse, really.”

He returns to his drink after shaking her hand.

“Or… trying not to think about how I’m spending the apocalypse drinking instead of helping.” It seemed like most of the fighting was being carried out by people with superhuman or supernatural abilities, anyway; not people that could be stopped by a gunshot. Even then, the thought of ending the life of someone living… He needed another drink after that.

“… Well, um, what about you?”

Most days, it would be unusual if Walter wasn’t following the man. A path that had been started a long time ago, and neither man knew how to stop now.

“There is nothing else for me. Only the idea of mother, and you.” A voice would say seemingly out of nowhere, before Walter would finally make an appearance.

“If this all somehow stopped, this city would have no place for me. Simply an existence that only continues because of it. And what would you do? The man you cared for was taken away.” The last point despite his normal words were not meant to be cruel, but rather a statement of facts.

#!red pages #!blood #!gore #!horror

Henry froze. Walter had either missed something, or he was feigning ignorance for some reason. He put his hand to his chest, where Ukoku had put the axe through it.

“… I think it’s better that way. He… wasn’t what I thought he was.”

Not that he wanted to talk about it. He tried to change the subject. “What number are you up to?”

#the21sacraments

rotkapp

Round and round, on and on, every day spins my confusion

silenthill3-blog

#!gif #!red pages

the21sacraments

He didn’t know if Walter was there, but he took a chance that he was. The cats were scarce, at least. That was usually a sign. “... Do you know why you keep going, Walter?”

#the21sacraments #we needed a new mini/thread

Fire in the Hole!

It wasn’t very surprising that he had a hard time saying her name – she didn’t think it was hard, but apparently white people begged to differ. Even the odd Japanese person would trip over it, even with it being reformatted into katakana.

“Jyotsna. You will address me as Akazome for the meantime. Or Ms. Akazome if you so prefer. My given name is reserved for friends.”

Of which she had a resounding zero.

“…Hm. Maps. Odd, but I can see the use in that. This place is, odd itself, not to mention disorienting. I’ll allow it. As for myself, I believe I told you, didn’t I? I live in this mess.”

There was a sting of venom in her last sentence, clearly laden with disdain for her living quarters. Something like this was beneath her. And it ought to stay literally beneath her. She had no intent on coming back down once she was able to live somewhere nicer.

#superhotstrike #fire in the hole: Jyotsna #jyotsna 01 #sorry this is so late!#i fell off the henry bus #but i'm back

“A, Akazome, right.” She was an intense person, he gathered; the sort that could walk all over him, maybe.

“It’s, um... It is a little odd… But at least it’s quiet?” Or it was nowadays. At least, he hadn’t heard anything about monsters or pariahs coming up out of the depths of Alpha recently. Although having to live down here, in the dark… Thinking about that did make his skin crawl just an inch.

“Maybe I could make you some copies.” He gestured to the maps in his arms. “If… you think it would help.”

The End of Whatever||CA EVENT: Henry

The bartender sets down a glass of something pink and frothy in front of you. You take a sip, enjoying the warmth which spreads throughout your body, and pluck the little umbrella toothpick hanging onto the side of the glass. How delightfully frivolous. The man next to you starts talking, and of course he mentions Terezi. You turns slowly to face him and dramatically roll your eyes.

VRISKA: Yeah, 8ecause eeeeeeeeveryone know Terezi Pyrope.

You exhale a derisive puff of air.

VRISKA: And no, I’m not a troll. I’m clearly cosplaying because I’m a loser who likes to wear grey body paint.