the first thing i heard was a clattering sound....

[escardos]

Who: Flat Escardos & You! (closed prompts and one open prompt)
When: Last week of March (or Aefenglom equivalent of)
Where: Mirrors, around Aefenglom.
What: Many things can happen in the span of two days.
Warnings: Talk of death, spoilers for Fate/strange fake vol 6. Will update as necessary.

1. closed to Cu Chulainn (Alter)
[ the sun hadn't yet come up when flat had disappeared from the house.

he did so quietly, almost as if in a trance. no, not even that, it was as if someone had planted a suggestion in his mind and erased every other thought that he had with it. his purpose right now--his only purpose--was to go to the mirrors. something was there, something was waiting for him and he needed to know what it was. even if he had a bad feeling about it, even if his heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest, he went anyways.

what the mirror shows him...is the continuation of the grail war.

it's funny, how much can change in the span of a day and a half. he meets heroic spirits left and right, and gets swallowed into a dreamworld owned none other by death itself. he sacrifices another command spell throughout it, but that's alright. he fights along side the priest against a dead apostle, and comes out unscathed from the dream in order to meet his person of interest--ayaka sajyou. or, at least, the person that is sharing her name and face.

but it all goes awry rather quickly. he watches himself fall to a bullet wound to the stomach, horror painted on the girl's face and in jack's voice as they realize that flat was going to become no more than a casualty to the horrible grail war. the bullet to the head only cements that fact. and it's in that precise moment when, in aefenglom, flat's knees give in, collapsing in front of the mirror like a puppet with its strings cut. dead. should be dead, at least.

but then...someone...or something restarts. blue eyes open again to take a good look at their surroundings, and stand up with mechanical movements. one step. another step. rinse and repeat, learning to use every joint and flex each muscle one by one. and once they're out of the building, the mareuer rain does not shake them in the least. it soaks through their hair and clothes, but they do not feel the chill.

instead they stare.

and wait. ]

2. closed to Waver Velvet
[ it takes a couple of days for flat--or the thing that is controlling the body--to make their way towards inkchanted. In fact, they're not really sure what impulses them to go that way in the first place. using the memories of flat escardos would usually be a simple task, but with everything as shattered as it was, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

but they find themselves there, staring at the entrance. it's the evening, and the crowd is starting to dwindle...but they knock anyways. that is what people do before entering places, correct?

except they don't really stop knocking. in fact, until waver opens the door, they'll just be there, knocking. ]

3. closed to Diarmuid
[ it's been almost a week since flat escardos' disappearance from the house. they have wandered throughout the city, and the ache of their feet is something that they have never felt until before. they had never felt pain before, actually. it was an interesting sensation.

but this body was, in the end, human as could be. even if magic (a different magic than what they knew, what they were built for) could repair it and push it farther than normal humans, it still had a limit. and while they could very well sit down anywhere, there was not much else to look through in aefenglom. this town was quaint. boring. meaningless.

sifting through more information provided by flat, they realize that he had a house he lived in. that would have to do. they make their way there, opening the door to find a dog barking and growling angrily at them. blankly, they stare at it, door still open behind them. ]

4. for other or new cr
[ throughout the week, flat escardos can be found in various places in the city. perhaps he's in the borders of the city, watching with a distant, pitying gaze at the infected. perhaps, he is in diplomatea staring out the window, their tea having gone cold hours ago, almost as if it had never even been touched. perhaps it is late in the evening in the harbor, staring blankly into the sea with eyes that look more like empty holes that held nothing inside.

but when he turns towards you, the reaction will always be the same. a smile that would suit a wooden puppet better and a fixed stare. when they speak, their words are slow and heavily enunciated. whether you knew flat escardos or not, it doesn't matter--clearly, they don't recognize you. ]

Hello.

5. Wildcard.
( ooc: if you'd like to discuss anything with me for any extra prompts, feel free to do so by contacting me on discord at tori#3410 or on plurk at odasaku!!! or just comment here with your own prompt! i'll roll with anything! )

Comments

4.5

[sealeted]

Flat?

[The urge to wave her hand in front of his eyes is almost overwhelming, but she stifles it somehow. Something about that gaze strikes her, hard and deep; it's the blank sort of civility most of the NPCs wore, back in the Moon Cell. It's nothing at all like the excitable boy she walked with, who gushed over a toy candle, who managed to blend chipper and melancholy with unsettling ease.

She immediately nixes her plans for tea time, and tugs at one of her long forelocks.]

...if you're done with your tea, do you think I could cash in on that promise for dance lessons, today?

[escardos]

...?

[ they way that they tilt their head to the side is something that will surely be off to her as well. it's a slow, if not outright delayed response to her question, almost like a computer that is buffering.

sure, they could sift through hundreds, if not thousands of shards of flat's memories to figure out who this girl was, but that would be inefficient. ]

I apologize. Flat is not available right now. Nor will he be available for a while. [ they smile, soft, muted, and wrong. ] Are you...his acquaintance?

[sealeted]

If you're not Flat, should I... call you something else?

[Well.

That... is... unsettling!

But, it's far from the most unsettling thing she's ever experienced. It's not even as bad as when BB was going haywire. So aside from a brief, taken aback blink, she more or less takes this in stride.]

Something like that, yeah. Do you knowhow to dance?

3

[ua_duibhne]

[The week passes with little appreciation for the normal flow of time, the days going by painfully slowly as Diarmuid and Berserker brood over Flat's whereabouts. Neither of them are known to be kind to themselves at the best of times and his disappearance, against all reason, feels like a personal failing and the witch feels the burden of every moment acutely through his bond too.

Which is why as soon he hears Coill's barking and the sound of the door, he springs to his feet. In moments, Diarmuid has rounded the corner into the hall, where, with a dizzying wave of relief, he finds a familiar face standing in the doorway.]

Flat-

[Immediately, his arms go around the young mage, holding him in a firm half-embrace- and it's only then, with his arms braced against unresponsive shoulders, that he realises something is wrong. At first he had wondered whether it was simply his scent after a week's absence that had disturbed Coill but there's something not quite right here. Even now, the hound, his back arched and ears flush to his head, continues to growl.

As he steps back and takes in the empty look in his eyes, Diarmuid's skin prickles with uncertainty.

He tries again.]

... Flat?

[escardos]

[ the hug does not sway them in the least. neither the rigidness from being touched by what might as well be a stranger or the compassion of seeing a long time friend. diarmuid may as well have hugged no one at all.

the dog, annoying thing that it is, continues to make noise. but they manage to ignore it, in favor of this...person's question.

clearly they know flat. they must be an acquaintance, then, like hakuno and others. so they give him the same response they have given the rest. ]

Flat Escardos is not available for now. I suppose you know him?

[ua_duibhne]

I don't understand.

[- "and I don't like it" goes unspoken for the sake of keeping a neutral tone. Even staying his tongue, though, he can't stop the edge to his voice, bewildered and wary and growing all the moreso the longer he looks at the young man standing before him. If nothing else, he manages to wrestle it into submission before it can turn into outright hostility.

Diarmuid lets go of his shoulders abruptly.]

Are you saying that whoever you are... you're using his body?

4 & 5-ish, library?

[enkidoh]

Flat! Take hold of the two books on top of the stack I am carrying! I...!

[Because, thing is, Enkidu is carrying too much books. Normally the weight of books weren't a problem for them. But at this point, there are just too many books.

They're wobbling now and when they look at the other there's a bit of a helpless expression on their face.]

[escardos]

[ frankly, those are too many books for anyone.

they watch the person (really a person? that can’t be right, they think) struggling with the tower of books they hold. they are keenly aware that those are too many books and they can’t help in any way, really. not without harming the body that is.

so they side step, watching and waiting for the stack of books that the person that is not a person to fall and end up on the floor. ]

[enkidoh]

Flat! Ah...!

[It takes a little stumble to the right and immediately the books fall off. Truly, it seems they have overestimated their ability to carry books. A loud huff escapes their mouth when they are forced to put the ones they are still carrying down so they can pick those other books up again.]

I would have appreciated some help.

[The tone of their voice is neutral and when they finally focus their gaze onto Flat's face...well... The young man looks like Flat and his voice is definitely Flat's but...that is all, really.]

Hmm... [Enkidu crouches down to pick up two books.] ...who are you?

1

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He'd felt their Bond break, or rather, hiccup. It's an unfortunately familiar feeling; he'd felt something similar when Trevor died and was reborn. It's not nearly as painful as it had been to lose Geralt, but it's not something he wants to feel at all. Flat going missing upset him and he tried his best to not let it bother him. Maybe he'd just gone, as Geralt had...People come and go all the time, relationships are fleeting here. Pretending he was fine took its toll -- Berserker blamed himself for the witch's disappearance and it was all he could do not to break under the weight of that feeling.

Even with the Bond reestablished, it's not...right. Now he can feel where Flat is but something isn't right. He goes into the rainy streets in a hurry, pulling on a hooded cloak as an afterthought. It's just enough to protect him from the chill of the rain. His heart pounds in his ears as though he's actually afraid of finding his Bonded and what had happened to him.

Berserker stops dead in his tracks when he sees Flat staring at nothing. He doesn't approach him nor does he back away. There he stands, staring, his heart still pounding. ]

Flat. [ His voice comes out softer than he means to, almost lost to the downpour around them. ] Flat. Are you alright?

[ The answer to that is already evident: no. ]

[escardos]

Oh?

[ it seems that waiting does them rather well. where flat lacks patience, this one practically has it down to an art form. almost two thousand years of waiting is definitely a way to acquire patience after all.

they had felt the pulse of the bond the way one may hear muffled sounds from under the water. it's there, definitely there, but it was almost insignificant to them. but that is why they had waited--to see who was at the other end of this feeble string.

and the creature that they find is one that they recognized. he had been more bloodied last time, held back by chains and a muzzle, but it is indistinguishable. ]

Cu Chulainn, correct? [ they tilt their head, giving flat's bonded a rather empty smile. ] I apologize, but Flat is gone for now. [ their speech is slow, like someone who is just learning to use their mouth after a long time. ] To answer your question, you could say that he is not alright.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He doesn't like hearing that name. It's no longer his -- it belongs to Caster. It's a reminder of who he was supposed to be and never actually was. Berserker grits his teeth, but shows no emotion beyond that. His posture stiffens as he fully faces Flat. ]

...Not anymore I'm not. [ The tension leaves him, at least somewhat. He can't fight the way his heart pounds in his chest. ] What do you mean he's gone? Who are you?

[ Is this the presence he felt when he'd been freed from captivity? That day replays in his mind, making him feel like he's going to die from anxiety. Not that recognizes it as anxiety, of course. ]

knock knock who's there!

[tryhard]

Hold on, hold on-- I'm coming, already! Geez...

[ Waver's annoyed voice can be heard getting closer as he walks, customer service skills lacking at the end of the day with that blasted noise incessantly pounding on the door. Most customers would just walk in, or knock once or twice to announce their presence before trying the handle. The store is just about to close, and they haven't got any appointments. Walk-ins, especially in the evening, are still rare.

After a few moments, Waver throws open the door, mouth open and ready to scold whoever is being a nuisance--

Only to freeze. His eyes grow wide. His ears droop back, worried and anxious, posture tense with shock. ]

Flat?

[ Immediately, Waver moves to grab him, pull him inside. ]

Where the hell have you been? Are you all right? Get in here!

not flat!

[escardos]

[ they stop their hand back when the door opens, it staying in midair for a moment before they’re pulled in. waver doesn’t need to use much force either, as they basically fall inside with one pull.

their eyes however, are fixed on the person in front of him. almost as if they were staring at a ghost.

and then they smile. ]

I see. I do not quite understand...but I see. [ they laugh softly, empty like the void of their eyes. ] Hello, Waver Velvet. I apologize but Flat Escardos is away. I am taking his place in the meantime.

[tryhard]

[ Shutting the door and locking it behind him -- shop's closed now, stragglers! -- Waver turns back to Flat with a stare that's equal parts baffled, concerned, and angry.

It had been strange for Flat not to come by the shop or by their house for some time, not even to send stupid text messages or cryptic emojis or anything at all. He hadn't answered when Waver tried to reach him. He hadn't been at home. And Berserker had been... less than helpful when Waver tried to ask, strange and cagey and not wanting to talk about it. Waver had assumed they had a fight.

Whatever this is... it's new. And he's not having it. ]

What are you talking about?

[ Waver snaps, blocking the door with his body as if to keep Flat from trying to bolt again, fists on his hips. ]

Don't give me that rubbish. This isn't a game, Fla--

[ And then, Waver finally gets a good, long look at those eyes.

The words die in his throat. The fur on the back of his neck and down his spine bristles beneath his shirt. With the door closed and just the two of them amidst all the other, normal, familiar scents, the new one stands out suddenly and unnervingly.

It isn't Flat. Waver's not sure if it's even human. It isn't any sort of scent Waver's encountered in this world at all so far, and it hits him with the weight of his stomach dropping like lead through his insides.

Instinctively, automatically, Waver takes a step back. His ears pin aggressively, anxiously, lip curing to show his fangs. His voice is a low growl, accusing and harsh. ]

...what the fuck are you and why are you wearing his face?

4

[showsnopiety]

Greetings.

[And here she wondered what was going on. She'd come with a tea cup in her hand, still steaming, and a curious gaze. She thought she had seen them around the town, and on the network but this...

Maybe she mistook him for someone else. Her nose flared, trying to catch his scent.]

Would you mind if I engage with you in conversation? You seem...lost in thought.

[escardos]

Lost in thought. Is that how you refer to it?

[ they give the stranger an empty smile. the scent on them is... absolutely wrong. like trying to match a circle shape in the square hole, like something that is wearing the skin of a person that is too large for them. ]

Converse, then.

[showsnopiety]

[It's not right. It's...just not right. She's used to smelling all sorts of people. Former Servants, robots, people of various worlds.

But this was...Different. Different and she wasn't sure if it was dangerous. Enough that for all her expression was calm, there was a moment where her tail puffed up behind her.

But it smoothed, and she set down the tea cup.]

Before I do so, please. Drink this. I'll order another.

[Cold tea is nasty, ok. But...nonetheless, she slides to sit across from them, wings settling, and tail wrapping around herself, and onto her lap.]

It should be hot enough for you to partake in without risk of burning yourself.

4

[integrous]

[ It's not too uncommon to come across something generally weird in this place. Especially when walking around at night. But the strangest part of all of this is that she doesn't expect it to be weird. That's just Flat standing there, and of course Asahi can't help but fuss to see him standing there by himself in the evening, so she approaches him as he seems to just be standing there, staring at the water.

But then there's his reaction to her approaching. That's the weird part. It's most definitely Flat and not some case of mistaken identity, but there's something so.. odd. Asahi definitely can't hide the confusion in her expression even if she'd try. ]

.. Flat, hi..? [ She even just sounds confused, looking around them as if some cause for how odd Flat is acting would suddenly become apparent. But nope, it's just the two of them out here. ] Are you.. okay?

[escardos]

[ the sight of the stranger is something that doesn’t incite much of a reaction from flat. her question, too, is rather boring; how many times have they heard it before?

but a closer look makes them realize that she is not just a stranger. she’s someone that he knew, though knowing exactly who she is is far more than they care to find out. ]

Sorry, but I am not Flat Escardos. He is recovering right now.

[integrous]

[ This weirdly feels like being connected to a voicemail.

Except this isn't a phone. This is Flat standing there. And saying something that weird. Asahi stares at him that makes it very, very clear that her brain isn't capable of processing any of this right now. ]

You're not.. I.. [ She shakes her head. ] Come on, are you trying to pull some really weird prank on me? It's not funny!

4!!!!

[coherer]

(doesn't expect to see anyone by the pier, but it's hard to miss the boy standing stark against an ink-black bay. jonas, on a run, slows to place his hands on his knees to catch his breath. then straightens, a hand bracing his hip with a little wave from his other.)

Hey, man. Nice night, huh? (a purposeless start that doesn't stay that for long, growing wary of how little seems to be going on behind a doll-like gaze.) You, uh... you got anyone with you? You're looking a bit lost out here.

("lost," well, haunted. he's seen looks like this before.)

[escardos]

Is it a nice night?

[ of course it is. the stars are out, unlike rains and storms that have been almost a constant in mareuer. and yet their question is an honest one, as they lean against the railing of the harbor. ]

What makes this different from other nights? Like yesterday, for example?

4

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede didn't often cross the Harbor district, especially now that the waters were warming and the bustle of people loading and unloading boats picked up, but on occasion she ducked through the narrow alleyways choked with crates and nets. Sometimes they were too crowded, though, and forced the Chimera to wander nearer the docks.

It was getting late; most people would have gone by now, retreating indoors or into taverns. So this figure was already a bit exceptional.

They were also one she readily recognized, even if she had only met them briefly. The Rathmore estate and all its associated memories were not something forgotten so easily. And like before, this one had simply...appeared where they weren't expected. Out of the shadows one time, staring out at the ocean another.

Curious.

The red-feathered Chimera approached, slowly but without fear. Like an inquisitive cat studying something new.]

Is there something out there? [The Chimera asked, eyes reflecting beast-green in the dim light.]

[escardos]

[ though they had never seen her outside of the shadows and her voice had been distorted at that time, it seems that they actually manage to recognize the chimera from the moment she speaks.

(it’s the eyes that give it away for them. those bright, beast-like eyes that cut through the darkness of the cells)

they make a quiet, noncommittal sound, shaking their head. ]

Nothing. Nothing at all. Only the vast expanse of the ocean. [ they smile, vacant and lacking any warmth. ] It is beautiful.