middaeg | cold steel coffin

cold steel coffin | open

Who: Nier and you!
When: February
Where: Aefenglom + the outer city
What: Open log + catchall, closed prompts go here
Warnings: Animal death in one of the prompts under the cut

a.

[ there are folks here, weathered and worn by horrors he hadn’t witnessed — some semblance of justice had been served with the execution that had taken place days prior, but none of this had taken precedence in his mind. he was a dead man from a ghost of a world, and everything about this one had been foreign to him.

still.

it wasn’t right.

there are others, too. struggling newcomers no different from himself.

it’s why if he sees you struggling, be it from a slowness, a skittishness, injuries of any kind, he helps without question. it could be a box of dropped goods, a blatant lack of food, some form of patent anxiety. either way, he extends a hand, either to help you lift your goods or offer you a warm loaf of bread — or maybe it’s an opaque, white flower. regardless... ]

Are you alright?

b. (cw: animal death)

[ once he gets over this whole “night” thing existing in this realm, he realizes it’s optimal hunting hours for a vampire. the air is still — near perfectly still. it’s on the fringes of the city, teasing the divide between the border and the wilderness that stretches beyond the walls.

his greatsword is stained with something black; it’s almost tar-like in its appearance. but even more remarkable is the crude splatter of crimson blooming across his chest. it’s marks his face as well – and lo and behold, the half eaten cadaver of an animal dangling from the palm of his hand seems to explain just about everything.

also, he isn’t wearing a shirt?? whoops.

this is awkward.

anyways. ]

...Hey.

[ um. sorry?? ]

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Maybe that makes two of us.

[ there is part of him that wants to comfort this woman in turn — so gently, he sets one of his hands over hers, granting her enough room to pull if she wanted to. ]

Even if you were a bad person, that wouldn’t matter to me. [ his eyes flutter shut. ]

It’s alright.

[ it’s a good question. one he’s never contemplated before. ]

...I don’t know. [ hesitantly: ]

...Is it what you look for?

[ How could it make two of them when he was the one comforting her, reassuring her?

His touch makes her stiffen, but it only takes a moment for her to start to relax. More than being uncomfortable with him, she was unsettled by how he was so quick to put another first. ]

..No..but...things always lead to them..

[ Losing, failing, being weak, that's all she seemed to do and be. ]

How are you able to say those things when..you don't know what I've done?

...It feels like it’s your fault, doesn’t it?

[ his eyes are cast down towards her hands. his own move to hold them as carefully and as delicately as he’s able, the movement slow so as to not startle or trap her. if she wanted to break free, she could. it would not wound him. ]

The world is a cruel place. I’ve met a lot of bad people. Some things — they happen, even when you fight against them with as much strength as you can.

I’ve always hated that.

[ but then his eyes trail back up, and he meets her gaze with warmth in his own. ]

But despite that, something in my heart is telling me to trust you.

That’s enough for me.

[ People here have been kind to her and understanding, but still it stuns her to be treated so carefully. It still felt odd and foreign to her.

And then there were his words. Idealistic and naive, but genuine in his tone. She doesn’t pull away, though her fingers twitch as he moves, slowly closing over his hand. He almost makes her want to believe—

Are you really going to fall for this shit, Alex? Don’t be stupid.

The voice cuts through and the merrow reflexively pulls back. ]

So..sorry. I—

He wants something. They always do. Why else would he care?

[ She wants to ignore it, to pretend she didn’t heat him. But what if Barry was right...again?

Her eyes look back up at him, hesitant, torn, wanting to believe his intentions but reflexively cautious. ]

[ when she pulls away, the chill of the night air lingers where her hands where. but his expression doesn’t shift; he pulls back, just enough to put some kind of distance between them, and offers her something of a gentle smile. ]

It’s alright.

[ there’s a nod of the head; the same earnest one from before. ]

...I should go back soon. [ nier’s eyes drift back towards the moon. ] Will you be able to make the trip back?

[ he hesitates again. ]

I’m sorry. It’s going to worry me until I know.

[ The understanding smile he gave only made the weight on her chest heavier. She didn’t mean to make it seem like he did anything wrong. The conversation was treading on something deeper and dangerous, but there was something comforting about it too. Until she ruined it. ]

You don’t have to apologize for being kind...

[ Where his gaze goes upwards, hers lowers. ]

I think so..I...I just don’t want to...not yet.

[ She reaches out this time, lightly touching his arm. ]

Thank you...for everything.

[ And sorry, for everything. ]

[ there’s a slow shake of the head, the smile not having left his face just yet. it’s small and brisk, as well as a little sad — not for himself. for her. ]

It’s alright. You don’t owe me any thanks.

[ when she touches him, he doesn’t pull away — although the surprise in his face, as subtle as it may be, is present no less. his features soften again. ]

I like talking to you.

[ in the silence, there’s not much else aside from the rustle of the leaves around you. ]

I’ll leave once you’re ready to do the same. Does that sound okay?

[ That he found any bit of that conversation with her interesting or likable at all was surprising, but she had to admit that speaking to him was quite beneficial. And she enjoyed it as well.

But it seems he was still going to try and help her anyway...A stubborn man. But she didn't want him staying out here in the cold like that. ]

....can you help me back to my place instead?

[ At least that way, he won't have to wait. He won't have to "worry", and he can get back to his own home sooner. She can put up with going home now if that was the case. And maybe by then, maybe it won't be as bad. ]

[ the request is...unexpected, if only because the wariness the woman had radiated was more than tangible. but wordlessly, nier peels himself off of the ground — he tosses up his sword up alongside him with an alarming amount of strength, and it’s promptly sheathed onto his back.

he waits for her. ]

Behind me. We’re still at risk.

[ ...the first few minutes are quiet. they round the corner, and the pathways are swathed in darkness. but he lingers close to her, protective in his nature. ]

...Did you come out here for some peace? [ nier asks, not quite looking at her as he does. ]

[ Alex didn't really think she was in any danger, although she probably should be considering what's transpired not too long ago. Her eyes fall on the back of the man in front of her, a back that showed strength. It was a familiar sight, following behind someone like that---Is that why she felt safe?

The silence doesn't bother her--alright, maybe a little. A part of her wanted to ask more questions about himself, but wasn't she bothering him enough already? As the internal debate goes on, unexpectedly, he's the one who breaks the ice.

So lost in her own thoughts though, along with her poor eyesight outside of the water (and all the more in the dark), she walks a little too fast and right into him. ]

--!! Sorry--!

[ She takes a step back to give him some space, rubbing her nose and adjusting her glasses. ]

Y-yeah..something like that...It was too quiet at home...

[ there’s a sudden thud against him; he hardly registers it at first, and slowly enough, he turns around with a cant of the head. ]

It’s alright. Are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?

[ it’s...well, quite the proposition and delivered very nonchalantly. like nothing at all is strange about it. ]

You can grab onto my arm if that would help. Or maybe my belt, but that would make me seem a little like a cow...

[ the words are said absent mindedly before he returns to reality once more— ]

If you’re lonely, you should ask your friends to stay with you. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.

[ She does find it a little weird for him to offer it so easily, but it seems to be coming from a good place. He’s been notably keeping a slower pace for her, so she hasn’t been having to hard a time of it. Alex is about to say that she doesn’t want to make him do even more than be already has, when his next statement has her imagining him with a cowbell around his neck. ]

PFF—sorry. Sorry.

[ She clears her throat fast enough, lightly curling her hand over his arm in apology. It would have felt even ruder to say no after laughing at him. But in a way she was grateful. She needed that.

But his next question is a little more somber, the tips of her fingers pressing into his arm slightly more. ]

It’s not... [ There was some part of her that felt lonely, that wasn’t completely wrong. With some of Worrick’s and Nic’s stuff still there, there absence if still felt. And maybe that’s part of what makes her current problem even more of a pain. ]

It’s not something I want to..bother them with.

[ Or see. She might have gotten away with talking to no one while being tortured, but here? ]

[ the sound of her laughing is a pleasant one, if anything. it’s a stark contrast to everything that’s happened up until this point — he leans into her touch, allowing her to grip onto him in some way as they walk. ]

You’re imagining it, aren’t you...

[ he says it with a small, airy laugh. as they walk, the lamposts flicker in the distance, vaguely lighting their way. ]

I see. [ that was quite a predicament. ] They care about you. You aren’t a burden to the people who love you — nobody is. But...

[ what comes next is surely an even stranger offer, but no less genuine. ]

If you ever need any company at this time of night, you can call me over. I can take you around the city too, if you’re worried about any threats.

[ nier’s gaze fits towards the sky. ]

I can get restless too.

[ The small smile that spreads on his face from his laugh is infectious, her own lips smiling while her eyes swoop downwards. Her smile turns a little sadder, her uncertainty regarding her friends showing its ugly head. Alex doesn't want to doubt them, but there's a lingering fear of getting something so good only to lose it. It's happened one too many times, to the point where she's almost accepted that that was just how things were for her.

His offer has her glancing up at him again. Here she was, worrying about her own safety, but his over kindness had her wondering if he ever considered his own. Naiveté or confidence? What if she was dangerous? Had it even crossed his mind that she could hurt him? That she could be lying?

But this..his company, it was..pleasant. That selfish little monster inside of her very much liked the idea of having someone there with her. Someone real to distract her from what wasn't. ]

If..you're walking around at night then...I'd like to join you..if that's okay.

Of course.

[ the words are followed by a smile; it's benign and brimming with warmth, even against the pale, worn features of his face.

the truth was, he was desperately alone. it was his burden to bear, and not one he'd been unfamiliar with.

but somehow, being alive was more difficult than ever.

the light drapes over a series of apartment buildings, lined up against the cobblestone roads. his pace is slow though, far slower than it should be. ]

I want to start a garden here. [ his voice is soft, as if to not wake any of the residents. ] I used to grow flowers back home. Crops, too...but flowers were what I liked growing the most.

Today, you gave me another reason to work towards that. [ his gaze roves back towards her, and his expression eases into something more amiable. ] I'm going to create a garden. And when it's hard to be alone, you can come there and rest — and I'll be there too.

You know, I'm starting to feel bad that I have nothing to offer you back.

[ She's stubborn in believed that giving him a 'reason' counts. He's offered her security, healing, companionship, and now a space to be in. It's more than she knows what to do with. Alex never knew it could be so hard going from having nothing to having so much. ]

I'd love to see your garden though.

[ It's something she's had a newfound appreciation of since arriving in Aefenglom. She's never lived in a house with a garden before, the closest she's doing being trying to grow some vegetables in her family's cramps apartment since it was a cheaper option. But then she's met people like Maria who manage to make these beautiful flowers flourish, almost like magic. Alex wandered what kind of things such a hardened looking, yet gentle man could nurture.

An idea comes to mind at that moment. ]

If..you ever need extra space, I haven't really made use of the land around where I'm staying.. You're also welcome to rest there too.

But you did offer me something... [ he argues, a hand moving to scratch at the back of his head. ] You've been nothing but kind to me.

[ it's a more boyish side of him — this woman was...everything he should've been, but failed to be. she hadn't been corrupted by her own struggles, fractured into something grotesque and dangerous the way he'd been. it reminded him of cloud, whose eyes reflected purity in spite of his scars.

it makes him a little envious, truthfully speaking. but it's more awe inspiring and insecurity inducing than anything. but his eyes brighten at what she says next, and his lips part as though he wants to say something immediately. they draw closer to the cottage, but before they enter— ]

I would like that. [ his voice raises, just a tad with excitement. ] But you have to tell me what your favorite flowers are so I can grow them for you. We're friends now, after all.

[ he really was a child at his core — going and imposing something as sacred as friendship onto her, simply because he desired to. ]

Even if it's the hardest flower to grow in the world, I can do it.

Edited (don't ask me how they got from an apartment complex to a cottage i fucked up) 2020-02-23 07:16 (UTC)

[ Alex wondered what it was like to see things from his eyes. When had she been kind? As far as she knew, she only treated him decently.

The sight of the cottage was..a little disappointing. But the way his tone brightens takes her thoughts away from what awaits her. The declaration of friendship only captured her attention and threw her off even more. Just what went on in this young man's head, she wondered. Or maybe it's his heart she should be more curious about.]

I--I don't really know all that many flowers.

[ It was crazy how many kinds there were, she was learning. ]

But..if I do think of one, I'll make a request.

[ A beat, and she slips her hand off his arm, clasping hers together in front of her. ]

Thank you...for accompanying me back.

Then I'll grow the ones that make me think of you. [ there was a language dedicated to them — and a flower for everyone. that was the secret to gifting them. it was a matter of creating a message, or an earnest expression out of them.

they were alive too, after all. ]

And I'll tell you all about them.

[ the sight of her cottage hits him with the realization that he has to make the trip back home by his lonesome. his heart sinks, just a bit — but daylight will come, and cloud will be there, and he'll get another opportunity to see her too. so like a child, he latches onto that hope. ]

Thank you for letting me. [ for trusting me, he wants to say. that smile has not faltered. ]

...I'll see you soon.

...Ah!

[ She stops him, before he goes any further. ]

Give--give me a second--

[ She's already heading in, but looking back several times. ]

Don't leave yet--!

[ And she disappears into the cottage. When she emerges again, she's a little out of breath, clearly having rushed herself. ]

This..this should fit you..

[ She hands over the men's shirt in her hands, nothing too thick, but it should be enough to keep him warm this evening. ]

Ah?

[ he...waits, a dumbfounded expression on his face. and when she comes back with the shirt in hand, the pieces click together.

oh. oh! ]

You didn’t have to. [ he says, just a little sheepishly. the shirt’s pulled over his head, and he slips right into it, dusting his pants off afterwards.

any thought as to where she got it from hadn’t really occurred to him. maybe she had a boyfriend? or a boy friend. the sentiment was no less kind regardless. ]

Thank you. I’ll treasure it. [ even if he didn’t actually need it...vampire blood and all — not that he had any intention of telling her. ]

Good night, then?

[ A smile spreads on her face at seeing how it fits, satisfied with the result. There may have been a hint of sadness behind the smile, but at least the shirt could be put to good use. ]

Good night, Nier.

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cold steel coffin | open

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vampires don't get a pass for public indecency!