"Rest in Peace, Sinners!"

Citta Alveare affiliated RP account for Kratos Aurion, Apartment Q-5, can heal minor wounds three times per day, weapon: Excalibur

[sinnerswake]

Trick, or treat?

[sinnerswake]

“Well, that’s why some parents or guardians don’t celebrate it, it depends on the family.” He could relate, especially being someone who was so scared of Halloween, so scared of the Supernatural, and so scared of the things that hid in the shadows. 

But when you join that side of the ‘Supernatrual’ and get to grow as a person, you begin to enjoy the things you didn’t get to before. 

“Well it is now, the legend of Halloween has changed around with each century and some people still celebrate some of those traditions to this day. I would say that it is a common one indeed.” 

The changing of traditions between centuries is an interesting thing that Kratos has had many, many opportunities to observe. Curious how so much of the context changes, and yet the core of the idea often survives—even when twisted until it’s hardly recognizable. 

In fact . . . Mithos had certainly taken some practices and warped them to fit his purpose. And Kratos had had a hand in that as well.

This tradition, at least, appears to have steered away from the more sinister path it could easily have taken, and still can (though Kratos hopes it continues to resist that).

“What are some of the changes that have occurred?”

[sinnerswake]

Being human (is hard).

[sinnerswake]

“Ahaha, I don’t think I’ve lived that long yet. Sheesh, it sure takes a good while for a witch to reach the 1000 years mark. Beato sure waited for a loooong time…” Battler doesn’t expect Kratos to get the reference and, frankly, he hopes the other doesn’t.

“In any case, it’s settled then! Once you get those old bones of yours back in shape, let’s hit the nearest place and eat so much our bellies will explode! …Not literally, of course.” He remembers to remark.

Meanwhile, it looks like the sky has started to darken outside, with heavy looking clouds covering the sun. “Hmmmm… You like the rain, Kratos?”

“I’m not sure I’d recommend living for so long.” As many times as he’s wanted to just be done with it, he can’t waste the life he still has. Especially after having taken or indirectly caused the early cut off of so many others’ lives. It’d be more selfish than he’s already been. 

He doesn’t understand what Battler means, but the gravity he hears in the other’s tone he can. The things he’s seen and done in just the first 1000 years. . . . It is harrowing. 

“Heh, I didn’t think so.” 

Though the more he’s seen throughout the years, the less likely he is to write off such a ridiculous sounding occurrence.

“I don’t mind it.” He doesn’t feel the cold anymore, and it’s not as if he can’t dry himself, so rain has ceased to be the bother it once could be. 

[sinnerswake]

So I had your pokemon as a stand-in for you. Now that you’re back, would you like your pokemon?

[sinnerswake]

     Huh.      

     You can’t say you expected anything different, but the fact that you’re relieved to hear that he doesn’t hate you is ridiculous enough to make you snort quietly.      

     You meet his eyes for a moment. You at least owe him that.      

    “Enough of it. The details are mercifully foggy, but I know what I’ve done.”

     You feel your throat tighten before you speak again. “I haven’t seen Mithos since.”

Kratos has learned to appreciate small mercies, and this for all its simplicity is a great one. He has wished several times that his memory be worse than it is. Just like with Martel, with Anna, with Mithos, Kratos will remember each and every detail in excruciating fullness and clarity.

“. . .Nor have I. I went to find him a couple times, and could not. I was on my way to check his living quarters again when Shinx took off.”

[stormswake-archive]

burn

[sinnerswake]

 For the second time in so many years, your body reacts to sudden massive loss of mana. Your stomach drops. Your head is both too light and surrounded in an intense pressure, like you’ve stood up too quickly. For a moment, your eyelids flutter shut as colorless spots pop in and out of your vision. This isn’t like the last time – you don’t have enough mana to spare. But you have to try.

     Beneath you, you can feel the mana within Kratos fading. It isn’t working. He’s not responding. You clench your fists in the fabric of his shirt, shuddering, and let out a shaky breath as you force the flow of energy back into him.

     And then the connection is broken. The light around your hands dies.

     “Kratos?”

     Your voice cracks. He keeps sliding in and out of focus. You grip his wrist, half to reassure yourself of his presence and half to keep yourself from falling backward. Blackness begins eating away at the edges of your vision – have you doomed yourself?

     You look from him to the body on the floor.

     You open your mouth again.

     Your eyes roll back, and you slump over.

“You idiot.”

Kratos is able to catch Yuan before he hits the ground.

It seems Kratos interfered in time. Yuan has lost more mana than is ever wise, but an amount that Kratos believes he’ll pull through from. If not, it’s an amount that gives him some time to observe and see what happens, if Yuan worsens or not.

Already, the negatives of people creep back into his vision, stark against their background.

Kratos tries to ignore them. He has Yuan to deal with now. He hoists the other man up in a fireman’s carry and starts the trek toward somewhere Yuan can recover. 

The people follow, voices pleading and condemning, begging and blaming. 

It weighs him down more than Yuan.  Weighs him down more than any physical confrontation ever can.

[sinnerswake]

So I had your pokemon as a stand-in for you. Now that you’re back, would you like your pokemon?

[sinnerswake]

     Stella kneads your shoulder. You scratch her back, staring steadily at Kratos’s feet.

     “… Thank you.”

     For taking care of her. For killing you. For not leaving again.

     Your stomach knots. What if he walks away and doesn’t remember the next time you meet?

     That can’t happen. You don’t know what you need to say, but you can’t lose this chance. Your teeth clench and your eyes squeeze shut.

    “Say something. About what happened. Anything.”

Kratos doesn’t know what to say. With Yuan it seems anything he ever says is the wrong thing. He did say anything though. Kratos skips the part about finding his singed cape and Shinx and cuts straight to the primary artery.

“I . . . don’t want to have to do that ever again.” A pause. 

“I’m sorry for it,” he looks straight at Yuan, “but I figured you’d never forgive me if I didn’t stop you.”

The fact that Yuan asked about “what happened” implies he remembers something. 

“. . .how much do you remember?”

[sinnerswake]

“Right…” A gloved hand withdrew to rub the brunette’s neck. So that’s how this guy seriously was. It seemed no matter what friendly front Alvin put up, this guy wasn’t going to take to it. That’s just how it was sometimes, and that’s exactly why he wasn’t fond of working with partners when it came to the mercenary field. He’d rather rely on himself, and himself alone. Anything else was an additional factor to the situation and couldn’t be trusted. 

A part of Alvin suspected that his uncle knew that, and hired this guy just to mess with him. But it wasn’t as if he would ever voice that out loud. For all he knew this was just another one of Gilland’s men that he had been left in the dark about, but that wasn’t important. And he knew better than to be too nosy about it. Especially when his dear uncle was involved.

The awkward end to the conversation left the two men to themselves for the most part the rest of the sea voyage. But soon enough they pulled to shore off of the coast of Fennemont into the harbor. It was then the brunette saw to it to try and socialize with the redhead again. “No wonder this job was well paid.” He mused. “Seems like it was a delivery straight to Orda Palace. King Nachtigal himself has to be the head honcho here.”

He swung his arms off the boat’s railing, lacing his fingers behind his head as he idly looked to the other before staring out at the lumen trees that illuminated the city scape. “The night clime in Fennemont sure is something, huh Mr. Serious?”

Kratos honestly doesn’t even realize how awkward his abrupt departure was to Alvin. Until after a few days of the brunette stammering or just giving a nod and carrying on. It’s for the best anyway.

But then Alvin tries again. And Kratos isn’t sure what to do with him.

“So it is.” He’s never seen anything like quite like. And when you’ve lived as long as he has, that’s quite an accomplishment.

It’s innovative. In a way Derris Kharlan isn’t, and the type of experiment Tethe’alla is not interested in. Something without exspheres. Perhaps something that has a lower cost in lives. . . .

It’s a smooth noise, the drawing of a blade. And it’s quiet. But not quiet enough. 

He was just thinking this was too easy. If it wasn’t for that, perhaps he’d have been taken off guard from such unlikely timing.

Kratos doesn’t fully pull his sword, not yet. If they have a spyglass or some other device, they’re likely watching. But he does free an inch of the blade. Catches Alvin’s eye, tips his head in the direction the sound came from, and then, quite casually walks to a better position. Alerting the crew would likely lead to a flurry of activity that they don’t want, not yet.

But the captain is a sensible man and gets the message just by looking at Kratos. 

Kratos’s stance is balanced and ready. Not an attack pose, not yet. Just prepared. 

[sinnerswake]

Being human (is hard).

[sinnerswake]

“You should sure do! No offense to the hospital crew, but this sort of food is kinda bland. When that body of yours feels like taking it, I suggest we go and score ourselves a nice date with sexy burgers and fries. Milkshakes would also be nice to help, ihihihi!”

Man, now he’s really feeling hungry. But he won’t just leave Kratos alone. Visiting time is just an hour a day and it doesn’t look like anyone else is coming to check on him today. Battler might as well try chatting some to get to know the other a bit better.

“Not needing to stop for food and sleep, though… That’s pretty convenient. I was the same back in my world, but I guess I didn’t live long enough to get rid of the psychological need for those. Habits are a thing hard to get rid of, you know?”

Well. Hearing someone refer to food as “sexy” is new. It seems he still has much to learn.

“Hm . . . I think I would like that.”  Probably just being with someone new is a good idea. Especially as Mithos is  . . . lost to him. Yet again. Just him and Yuan left now.

Quite frankly though, Kratos isn’t going to wait longer than a day before he leaves, whether he meets the hospital’s requirements or not. He still recovers quicker than normal, it seems. And if Yuan finds out he’s in the hospital . . . better to go home and take care of himself. He’s been doing it for thousands of years anyway.

“Indeed. . . . It took me a few hundred years to lose the psychological need for food, actually.” Well, give or take a hundred.

[stormswake-archive]

burn

      Limbs shaking, nails bloody, you follow the feeling of magic being cast down the dark alleys of Sector oo4. When you recognize the voices calling out incantations, the world crumbles beneath you.

      Kratos can hold his own, but not against Yggdrasill. Not in a one-on-one fight.

      You extend a trembling, ink-coated hand and try to summon your blade. Yggdrasill has to be an illusion. He would never attack Kratos. But the wounds Kratos is receiving are very real – you can tell by the blood spattering the pavement as he sinks to one knee.

      Your blade doesn’t appear.

      Stammering, you begin an incantation of your own. You just need to stun the illusion of Yggdrasill long enough to give Kratos time to rally. 

      Your magic never comes. 

      Yggdrasill looks at you out of the corner of his eye and smirks.

      “Judgment.”

      The holy light misses you by inches, close enough that you can feel its searing heat against your bare arms. You lower the hand you’d raised defensively, eyes wide as you search the scorched battlefield.

      Yggdrasill is gone. 

      But Kratos lies on the ground, unmoving. 

      You take a step closer – then another, then another until you’re running, leaving behind a trail of dark sludge as it drips off of you. You crash to the ground beside him, shaking hands hovering over his body. What if you touch him and the darkness spreads to him as well? You need to see if he’s breathing. He doesn’t look like he’s breathing. Does he have a pulse? 

      What if he doesn’t? 

      Mana begins gathering at your fingertips, but your vision blurs. You can’t do this. Not again. 

      But you can’t risk losing him. 

[sinnerswake]

Kratos has been searching for him. He doubts Yuan would want him to see his fears, so perhaps it’s for selfish reasons. Because he knows at least some of Yuan’s fears, and Yuan knows his. So whether it’s because he doesn’t want Yuan to go through this alone, or because he can’t face such a fate, he began looking.

It’s hard to concentrate on a goal when surrounded by voices. (He can’t turn off his hearing, not for this. This, at the very least, he deserves.)

“It’s your fault. You stood by while Mithos became twisted. he looked up to you, you could have helped him—could have stopped my brother.” “Why did you kill me? Why didn’t you save me? You killed me in front of our son. . . .” “Murderer.” “You let him slaughter us.” “Kratos, you—”

Yuan doesn’t get the chance to say whatever he began, not when Kratos comes into sight of a corporeal Yuan. A corporeal Yuan that is sending his mana into the ground. Mana that he certainly can’t afford to lose when he doesn’t even have all of what he should. 

As he gets closer, he sees his own body and realizes what, exactly, Yuan’s seeing. There’s no time to think about it though.

Kratos breaks into a run—

grabs him by the shoulder.

“Yuan! Yuan what are you doing?”

[sinnerswake]

Everywhere he turns, Kratos senses the dead. Those he’s killed, those he couldn’t save . . . those he watched die for the sake of Mithos’ plan without interfering. He can’t see them, but he can hear them. And they’re all blaming him.

. . . and he can’t help but believe he deserves all of it.

He lets his guard down, too focused on the ghosts of his past to notice before he walks into some truly extraordinary hair.

[sinnerswake]

“Are you in need of assistance?”

About two years ago, Kratos would have ignored the woman bleeding on the ground. Of course, that was when there was nothing left to live or fight for. And well, after all he’s done, perhaps he should save as many as he can in light of his past.

He asks first though, because not everyone wanted others’ help. He could understand that to a degree. And so he allowed them the choice.

[sinnerswake]

Trick, or treat?

[sinnerswake]

“R-Right…” He couldn’t help it though, as it was a bit familiar to call the older man by just his name- pulling his hat down a bit further to hide his embarrassment. That, and he had to mostly hide it because Kratos just looked a little too funny with the fluffy wings. 

“Ah, w-well, its supposed to be fun for both sides you see. They ask for a trick and sometimes people come up with clever pranks!” At least, that’s how the apartment building back home in Manhattan did it. 

“Of course it depends really, some people don’t do it and certain churches just give out candy and games for the safety of the children.” 

“Hmph.” Kratos crosses his arms and eyes his surrounds skeptically. “It still sounds unwise.”

The church approach sounds a better idea. 

Then again . . . churches make Kratos wary. They’re still holy in a way, but it’s hard to look at them in a holy light when you’ve been part of a manipulation. A utilization and implementation of a religion to serve an ulterior motive. A scam. And a dangerous one with far-reaching consequences.

He doesn’t belong in churches anymore, if he ever did. What he’s done makes him unfit for a holy place for earnest worshippers.

“So is this a common practice?”

[sinnerswake]

Being human (is hard).

[sinnerswake]

“It’s alright now. I guess you originally didn’t need it before Hive City, right? I was kinda the same, except I loved food too much to just relinquish it. That’s how I’ve gotten this big, ihihihi!!”

He laughs at his joke, then places the book on Kratos’ lap. Sayonara Kami-sama, by Yutaka Maya. Avery entertaining mystery novel that he read recently. Hopefully Kratos is also a fan of those.

“Toblerone is a chocolate brand, known for its honey taste and mountain shape. Pretty delicious, if you ask me. Look for it once you can go home!”

It wasn’t always . . . convenient to have to stop for food or sleep. It wasn’t necessary, therefore I didn’t waste my time on it.”

Kratos has no idea if he’ll like it or not. The only reading he’s ever been prone to is reading for specific knowledge. On monsters, edible plants, a cure for Angel Toxicosis. . . . Reading for pleasure is not very familiar, though Anna partook of what when she could.

“I will do so.” It sounds . . . interesting. Perhaps Yuan will like it.

 “Thank you, for this.” He tilts his head to the book, though he means for more than that.

[sinnerswake]

Seraphim and Snakes

[sinnerswake]

She can’t help but give the widest most proudest grin. “THANKS!” She chirps rather happily. “OOOooh, yeah they probably did something to your wings, huh?” These Scientists….HEY but at least little by little you get them back. “They’re real nice though.”

“I’m Kachina! Nice to meet you Kratos.”

“Hmph, I suppose.” Those scientists remind him too much of Derris Kharlan. Or Mithos’ regime.

In a way, he’s not sure he wants them back. Well, he does miss the wings. But all that mana and power. He’d misused it. Didn’t use it when he should’ve. 

Perhaps it’s better this way.

He’s not sure why, but he ends up telling her, “Mine are blue, made of rays of light, not feathers. They manifest through use of mana.” Convenient, unlike the feathered wings of the angels. His were brought out only when he desired.

[sinnerswake]

CA Event: Trick or Retreat RP Ad

Citta members only. 

So Kratos is over 4000 years old, so there’s a LOT that can come up for this event. I’d love this opportunity to explore all the fears he might have. SOme of his doubts are obvious, but there’s so much more there I believe.

This event is so interesting, and I think any threads will be fascinating.

Capping at 3 for now. If the cap is full and you have an idea, message me and we can work something out.

[sinnerswake]

Seraphim and Snakes

[sinnerswake]

Luckily, she has quick reflex herself and manages to avoid falling flat on her face with those quick feet, “Whoa,” Words come out softly, followed by a light laugh. “You’re really quick, almost bumped into ya!” Something about him, when she takes a good look at the guy….it’s not that a Moon Child and an angel are the same, but there is some sort of celestial power there. She has to think if that’s why she feels the way she does. “Are you an angel or is that like a BOMB ass costume?” She doesn’t normally cuss. It’s not something she does, but those wings are truly bad ass. 

“You’re quick as well.” Very quick, actually.

“This is a costume. Ah, a friend acquired them.” Or made them. He’s not sure. “I do not have the ability to manifest wings currently, and they are . . . quite different.” It’s embarrassing, and slightly emotionally painful, to wear them but one look at Mithos’ face and well. . . .

“Kratos Aurion,” he adds.

[sinnerswake]

Being human (is hard).

[sinnerswake]

“Yo!” The infirmary door opens and Battler enters, bringing a book for Kratos to read. “I was going to bring you a big Toblerone, but the doctors said that since they’re keeping an eye on your diet, I can’t bring outside food.”

Talk about an emergency. 2 days ago, Battler was minding his own business when he spots this poor fella fallen on the floor. He was thankfully alive (as a quick vitals checking showed), but he didn’t scream healthiness. Not having that much medical knowledge anyway, he did the sensible thing and brought him to a nearby hospital.

“You sure gave the folks here a scare, you knew that? Food is important to sustain yourself!”

Even Kratos has the ability to look somewhat embarrassed. It’s rare, but it exists.

“I’m . . . not used to needing to consume food. Something I must relearn it seems. Forgive me for worrying you.”

Martel forbid Mithos finds out about this. . . .Or, worse yet, Yuan.

He eyes the book curiously. He honestly can’t remember the last time someone brought him a book.

“Ah, what exactly is a Toblerone?”

[sinnerswake]

Trick, or treat?

[sinnerswake]

Ah Halloween…..what used to be a fearful holiday for him is now one of his favorites! The idea of saying trick or treat was also a fun aspect as well. With a big smile, Joey adjusted the hat to fall back onto his head and gripped the tanuki-shaped bag he acquired a bit looser. Trailing behind the younger kid to let them have their turns first, the crisp air made his smile wider.

“Trick or Tre-” A strange shiver went down his spine as if someone was watching made him tilt his head- looking over his shoulder to almost sputter in shock. Was that Kratos?! In an…..Angel costume?

“M-Mr. Kratos?!” Not to be rude, but his intimidating statute was clearly making the adults uncomfortable while the kids continued on unaware.

“Joey,” Kratos returned. “Please drop the ‘Mr,’ surely it is unnecessary by this point.”

Somehow, despite Joey’s bemusement, Kratos stays serious. Despite the large fluffy wings on his back.

“What, exactly, is the point of asking to be tricked? That seems to be a tactical error.”

No matter the circumstances, strategy always applies.