Elliot "actual disney princess" Craig (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fiddlestick) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2020-01-04 02:02 pm
fiddlestick) wrote in middaeg2020-01-04 02:02 pm
[Open] Canon Update & Catch-all!
Who: Elliot & OPEN!
When: January 4th
Where: Mirror house & around Aefenglom
What: Canon update/Catch-All!
Warnings: Major spoilers for Trails of Cold Steel 3 afoot! Also CW mentions of death.
I. Mirror House
[Elliot didn't visit the mirror house very often. Aside from the times of new arrivals or checking to see if someone's left, there wasn't much reason to be there. But today, he felt compelled to go, by reasons he couldn't explain. Without really thinking about it, he wound up in front of mirror that was decorated in assorted carvings of music related items and his beloved friends. And still without thinking, he reached out to touch the reflective pristine glass.
And all of a sudden, came a whirlwind of memories playing on the glass. They start off nice: leaving home to go on tour, releasing his first record, concerts, seeing Rean again, getting the group chat going. But just as pleasant as the memories start, they quickly go darker: the truth of Hamel, the dark dragon, Azure Siegfried, the Curse, Angelica, the Gral of Erebos, the Courageous exploding, Millium-
Elliot, who was completely transfixed on the memories, collapses as soon as the glass goes back to normal. Once more, he's aware that he's back in Aefenglom. Not in the hellish Gral, watching friends die and knowing what was now spreading across Erebonia. They were all in danger, except now he was-]
N-No..! Not now, I can't...why?
[Whatever he means is lost, because he's completely overcome with sobbing. He'll probably be like this a good long while. Anyone bonded with him will feel waves of grief and fear coming from him.]
II. Aefenglom
[Eventually, Elliot's able to collect himself enough to pull himself off the floor and leave the mirrorhouse. From there...well, he doesn't know where to go. He doesn't want to go back to his house, how do you go home to your friends who are none-the-wiser and tell them such horrible news? He really didn't feel up to that just yet. Nor did he feel like continuing on his daily schedule, there was no way he could focus on music or anything else.
So eventually, he decides to just...wander. He starts walking, not even really thinking about the direction or where he'll go. If you pass by him, it's clear he's barely paying attention to his surroundings as he slowly walks. It doesn't even seem to register to him that it's freezing out. Or maybe you'll catch him standing still, near the river or the ocean, simply staring - completely lost in thought, sometimes quietly talking to himself ]
...What am I supposed to do now...?
[No matter how many times he asks himself that, he can't seem to find the answer]
[OOC: Elliot's been canon updated to the end of CS3! Clearly, it had a happy ending. ]
When: January 4th
Where: Mirror house & around Aefenglom
What: Canon update/Catch-All!
Warnings: Major spoilers for Trails of Cold Steel 3 afoot! Also CW mentions of death.
I. Mirror House
[Elliot didn't visit the mirror house very often. Aside from the times of new arrivals or checking to see if someone's left, there wasn't much reason to be there. But today, he felt compelled to go, by reasons he couldn't explain. Without really thinking about it, he wound up in front of mirror that was decorated in assorted carvings of music related items and his beloved friends. And still without thinking, he reached out to touch the reflective pristine glass.
And all of a sudden, came a whirlwind of memories playing on the glass. They start off nice: leaving home to go on tour, releasing his first record, concerts, seeing Rean again, getting the group chat going. But just as pleasant as the memories start, they quickly go darker: the truth of Hamel, the dark dragon, Azure Siegfried, the Curse, Angelica, the Gral of Erebos, the Courageous exploding, Millium-
Elliot, who was completely transfixed on the memories, collapses as soon as the glass goes back to normal. Once more, he's aware that he's back in Aefenglom. Not in the hellish Gral, watching friends die and knowing what was now spreading across Erebonia. They were all in danger, except now he was-]
N-No..! Not now, I can't...why?
[Whatever he means is lost, because he's completely overcome with sobbing. He'll probably be like this a good long while. Anyone bonded with him will feel waves of grief and fear coming from him.]
II. Aefenglom
[Eventually, Elliot's able to collect himself enough to pull himself off the floor and leave the mirrorhouse. From there...well, he doesn't know where to go. He doesn't want to go back to his house, how do you go home to your friends who are none-the-wiser and tell them such horrible news? He really didn't feel up to that just yet. Nor did he feel like continuing on his daily schedule, there was no way he could focus on music or anything else.
So eventually, he decides to just...wander. He starts walking, not even really thinking about the direction or where he'll go. If you pass by him, it's clear he's barely paying attention to his surroundings as he slowly walks. It doesn't even seem to register to him that it's freezing out. Or maybe you'll catch him standing still, near the river or the ocean, simply staring - completely lost in thought, sometimes quietly talking to himself ]
...What am I supposed to do now...?
[No matter how many times he asks himself that, he can't seem to find the answer]
[OOC: Elliot's been canon updated to the end of CS3! Clearly, it had a happy ending. ]
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But now... the Courageous... Prince Olivert...
[There is no small list of things that had gone wrong, or were taken from them.]
...Angie...
[Towa closes her eyes. They'd parted so casually. She had never imagined that it would be last time they'd be able to meet like that. Her voice cracks and she scrubs at the tears more adamantly.]
They're all gone.
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And Prince Olivert ... Goddess. Elliot had admired Prince Olivert for years. A musician that did so much good for the world, that was so uncompromising in who he was. Elliot would never forget the time on the Courageous he encouraged him to pursue music. And to think that he was gone....it hurt so much.
But Elliot notices the missing name in Towa's list, and the pain only worsens as it dawns on him. That's right. Towa didn't know what happened inside. She was outside the grail. She didn't...
His words choke at first, he has to force them out.]
...Millium too.
[He swallows, his eyes feel hot like they want to cry again, even though he thought himself cried out]
I'm so sorry, Towa, we failed.
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And then he says it. Towa clutches her chest tightly.]
Millium... oh no...
[Millium Orion. Even though they weren't classmates proper, and she came in late, Millium had always been a ray of sunshine. She had an energy that was both warm and sweet.
Towa remembered when she'd come to the branch campus to visit. How she'd still been willing to help Towa put together the travel plans.
The group hug that she, Rean and Millium shared when the girl tackled them.
Again, the tears just started falling faster.]
No, I'm sorry. If we'd been able to do more to assist you--
[But how? If they'd tried, there would have been even more weak spots for their enemies to take advantage of. There really wasn't any way that this could have ended any different, was there? At least... not any less horribly.]
We did everything we could, and it still wasn't enough. Nothing could have possibly prepared us for everything we were up against.
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Y-Yeah...they had us outmatched at every turn. It was like we were being toyed with...
[That too hurt to think about. Class VII had worked so hard the past couple years to better themselves, to avoid a repeat of what happened in the Infernal Castle. And yet here they were now, older and stronger than ever ...but it was like nothing had changed. They were still helpless against the current. ]
They were planning to sacrifice Altina ... but Millium jumped in the way to protect her. H-Her barrier and Lammy got cut straight through...
[She didn't stand a chance]
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This is... it's all so messed up...
[Class VII gave their everything and still suffered so much. Her own pain pushed aside, she took the ribbon from her hair and wrapped it around her finger to stop the blood and she pushed herself up.
With her face in his back so he didn't have to look at her, she hugged Elliot tightly.]
I'm so, so sorry Elliot...
[There's nothing more she can really offer him at this point. She can be here for him. But that pain wasn't something that she could fix, no matter how much she wished she could. The past couldn't be changed, and she was far too weak.]
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Without really thinking, a confession pours out. The type of irrational ones that show up when one is reeling from loss.]
S-She...she was right near me. Me, Jusis, Machias... we were fighting her and the other Ironbloods to keep them back before everything happened.
I..I could stopped her, grabbed her- but I didn't react in time. And even if I had...Altina would've-
[They would've lost Altina instead, which wouldn't have been any better. He didn't know Altina as well as Millium, but she was still a member of Class VII. She was still one of them. And even the mere thought that he would've preferred that outcome makes him feel horrible.
He sniffs, shaking his head]
Goddess, I'm horrible for even thinking that...
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[She would be more surprised and hurt if he could say that he hadn't thought about it at least a little bit.]
She was one of your precious friends. It's only natural you'd think about wanting to save her, no matter what.
[Towa can understand the feeling a little bit, although for her-- it's a bit different. But the feelings were irrational and painful all the same.]
Part of me... wishes that it could have been me instead of Angie that died. If I could have saved her... I would have gladly taken her place. And it's not because I don't know how much pain that would cause some people. I do. But-- I can't help it.
[Angelica was strong. Angelica could do something. Not like her, who felt powerless and weak-- who didn't know how to move forward other than to keep going through the same cycles, the same motions... even though they did nothing the first time.]
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A-Altina's precious too though. Maybe I don't know her as well yet, but she's still in Class VII and still important...
[He...can't say he's surprised by Towa's confession. She's so self-sacrificing, of course she'd want to take her place instead of Angelica. Her and Angelica were incredibly close.]
I..I get what you mean by that. Though you know she would've disagreed with that idea.
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[Towa can only imagine how Altina herself must be feeling right now. It's absolutely heart-wrenching.]
Of course she would. Even so, I...
[Towa bites her lip and closes her eyes. She can still see it clear as day. The chaos and danger that had swallowed the land...]
My students, my colleagues, my friends... everyone was in danger. But I could barely do anything. If someone had to die, then why...?
[Why wasn't it her?]
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[He knows what she's thinking. And boy, even if he can understand where she's coming from....it feels wrong]
Losing you would've been just as devastating.
We were all helpless to stop what happened, okay? All of us.
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[All they've done, all they've worked for-- for this to be the result of it just felt so unfair.]
I promise, I'm not giving up. I don't know what happens next or what I can do, but... I'm going to be there, doing everything I can.
[That's the only way that she knows.]
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[He turns himself in her arms so he can look at her]
No more talk about how it should've been you okay? Or...anyone else. Those are...not good thoughts, and not helpful. Because you're right, we can't give up.
Though...not like we can do anything here.
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No... no more of that. I promise.
[She doesn't want to be separated from anyone else either.]
There's still time. Maybe... there's a reason we're learning of it now. If... there's a chance we can use this knowledge to our advantage, then maybe it's trying to help us. Either way... we still have each other. We just have to stay strong, together.
[She smiles, even if her eyes are still red and puffy and wet.]
After all... Class VII is my family too.
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[He gives a little nod, willing to take her word on that promise. He loves Towa, hearing her talk like she's expendable hurts]
Yeah...when we've had a chance to calm down, maybe...maybe we can compare notes and see if there's something we all missed. Just...work together, there's gotta be something.
[The words sound a little hollow at the moment, even if it's true. In time, they'll have to keep moving, even if he feels like curling up and never moving again at this moment.
He sniffs a little at her acknowledging them as family. There was a time when she wouldn't say that. He leans his head to press against her forehead, closing his eyes.]
Mm...we're family.
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[She puts a little pressure on his forehead, leaning in just a bit.]
Of course we are. I don't know where I'd be without you guys.
[Two of the three closest friends she had were gone now. Class VII was the important foundation she needed in her life now more than ever.]
You guys are all my precious family that I wouldn't trade for anything.
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[Since seriously he'd die so fast in there, he is a city boy at heart ok]
I feel the same about you...
[Towa was precious to him, and there was no replacing that. Losing her would hurt just as much as the rest of class vii....
Speaking of...]
...W-What should we tell the others?
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...it would feel wrong to hide it from them.
[The only fair thing to do was to face it.]
But... maybe the best way to start is to ask them how they feel about it. Whether or not they want to hear it from us or... if they'd rather see it for themselves. And... if they want to know, we can hold a meeting and share the information we have in the best way we can.
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Y-Yeah, you're right. It would be...
But would it be so wrong to put it off a little while?
[I DON'T WANNA TOWA]
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I don't want to wait too long-- chances are they're going to know something's up. But... what if we gave it until tomorrow at least?
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[He lets out a sigh]
Tomorrow works. I just...I need a chance to process everything.
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[She can't help but worry about him pushing himself.]
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....Thanks Towa, but...there's a lot of stuff you don't know either. So I'll do it.
Not looking forward to it...but I promise I will.
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[She reaches down and squeezes his hands in her own.]
But no matter what, I'll be right there beside you, okay?
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[He knows himself okay. But aw Towa, he gives a soft look]
Thanks...And I'm here for you too, okay? Remember to take care of yourself too.
[Cause he knows SOMEBODY sometimes forgets to do that]
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[Towa gets it. Pushing herself is a big part of the way that she manages to keep it together as much as she does-- even if it's not an impressive amount. But that's why she's not surprised that he worries about her too. It's very much like her to try and do things on her own.
Unfortunately, this time, she knows doing that would only hurt her worse.]
I know... this... isn't something I can handle on my own.
[Rather, it's made the idea of being alone all that more frightening.]
The truth is... I need you guys now more than ever. I have to admit it. Otherwise, I'll... just be a mess.
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