Just One Mistake (July Catch All)

[redlightgreenlight]

Characters: Valdis and open
Date: July 8th and onwards
Location: Various
Situation: Various
Warnings/Rating: In headers

On top of Wan's disappearance, the attack on Anton and Anton's subsequent illness, the vision had taken its toll on her both emotionally and physically. It seemed that Malicant's influence would never truly be gone from Keeliai. The Cultists, the soul gems and now this message that had somehow reached almost all of the other foreigners through a power she shouldn't have been able to access. The events of last month seemed to pale in comparison to the trauma of seeing the last moments of the five hatchlings. Her hatred and fear of Malicant had been rekindled and without Wan, she didn't know how she could curb either emotion. The other two people she could rely on were in no condition to help, Anton was too delicate right now and Raine had lost her brother. Those foreigners who hadn't experienced Malicant's reign were probably confused by the vision, having no reason to understand, and those that did probably hated her for what had happened. Zelgadis and Bakura had both lost their hatchlings, and she had inadvertently forced them to relive those moments. It seemed that, no matter what she did, she always screwed everything up.


[OOC: please use format: Name | Date |Location |Content Warning, if you are posting your own starter. this is for my sanity. PM if you want me to set up a starter. This is also the follow up log for The Vision log]

Comments

Open | July 9th | Midnight Hotel | CW: Probably talk of Turtle Death

[redlightgreenlight]

It was on the third day after her possession attempt that Valdis finally left her room to wander downstairs into the commons of the Midnight Hotel. So far, her only interaction had been over the radio and she was thankful that, though they probably knew she was there, Erskine and Anton had left her alone. In fact, no one had bothered her, and no one seemed to be angry, both of which were a huge relief.

Her concern now settled on the length of time it had taken to recover from the possession attempt. Most of the impact had come from the vision itself and not the use of her power, but it made her wary nonetheless and the returning nightmares did nothing to help. She moved quickly toward the Kitchen, heading to the cabinet where Anton kept the tea and pulled out the one that helped with sleep.

[wolfstrike]

"Hey, I was just going to find you," said a voice at the other side of the kitchen.

It was Yuri, and this was his usual haunt in the Hotel since he worked here.

"Hungry?" He asked, holding up a plate of food from this morning's breakfast that he had saved for her.

[redlightgreenlight]

She turned her head to look at him, placing the tea on the counter and forcing a smile.

"Thanks," she replied, shaking her head, "But I'm not hungry yet."

Her lie was made immediately evident by the low growl in her stomach and she sighed, turning away to put on the tea water before reaching for the plate.

[wolfstrike]

"Sounds like your stomach is disagreeing with you," Yuri said with a smirk, pushing the plate closer to her so she could reach it more easily.

What she would find on the plate were a couple of his croquettes and a slice of cake.

[redlightgreenlight]

She stared at the food, knowing that she needed to eat and yet not particularly feeling like it, but as her stomach growled again, she picked up one of the croquettes and took a bite. She was surprised by how good it tasted.

"Thank you," she said after she swallowed, "You didn't have to."

Open | July 10th | Near the Dojo | CW: None Yet

[redlightgreenlight]

Returning to a sense of normalcy seemed like a good idea when she left the Hotel, but halfway to the Dojo, Valdis was losing her nerve. The Kedan she passed had no idea of what had occurred, they were blissfully unaware of the presence that Malicant still seemed to maintain even after his death.

The closer she got to the Dojo, the more unstable her emotional state became, until she finally gave up on any delusions of actually being productive that day. She moved into the shadows and headed for the rooftops, finding a spot to sit and gazing out over the shell. The water glistened in the sunlight, sparkling like diamonds in the distance. It might have been beautiful if not for the fact that she knew that the turtle was sinking. But the turtle was alive, and hopefully that knowledge had been worth the trauma that everyone had gone through.

Re: Open | July 10th | Near the Dojo | CW: None Yet

[stubbornlittleshit]

Quite honestly, Arno had been horrified by what he'd seen. He'd become somewhat callous when it came to life and death, but the hatchlings...and the way that it had hurt was different. The fear had been what bothered him the most, reawakening some of the fears he'd been working toward resolving in Paris. It meant he had been spending quite a bit of time where he could best work through some of those things, and certainly keeping away from Shay, given the direction that his thoughts had taken. Where better to spend time alone, and away from others, than on the rooftops, yes?

Of course, when he spotted someone perched on the rooftop next to his, and when his Sight identified Valdis for him, he was making his way over, intent on breaking things up with a challenge. Of course, then he noticed her expression, and his own changed, as he strode up next to her.

"Do you mind if I drop in?"

[redlightgreenlight]

She heard, felt and scented his approach before she heard his voice, but when he finally did speak, she didn't turn to look at him, simply kept her gaze out on the water.

"What changed your mind?" she asked quietly, ignoring his question.

[stubbornlittleshit]

Changed... Oh! Arno followed her gaze instead, letting the view work its own sort of power over the parts of his mind that had been stirred up by the action, the edges of himself that had been laid raw again by all of that.

"I'd thought it may work a bit to distract you somehow, but it wouldn't be playing fair just now." He answered, just as quietly. "Maybe pushing things away isn't the only way to handle the difficult times."

Erskine | July 13th | Valdis' room | CW: None

[redlightgreenlight]

She was staring out the window again, her door cracked open to prevent the odd sense of claustrophobia that had afflicted her since watching the hatchlings being crushed. The fear was fading, as was the depression, but she still didn't feel like interacting with people. The foreigners didn't seem to blame her for the vision, which was a relief, but she didn't want to talk about it and everyone seemed to want her to. Despite the fact that hounds were pack animals, she felt it was best to avoid others until she absolutely had to interact. Besides, there was no longer anyone for her to turn to. Both Dante and Wan were gone and Anton was ill, she couldn't put any more pressure on him. Nothing was right anymore and she wasn't certain that it ever would be again.

[edgeoftheknife]

It had been a week since the vision had gone out, and though he was aware that Valdis was in her room for most of that time, Erskine didn't try to bother her.

Not that he didn't want to. He didn't know much about what had happened on the turtle prior to his own arrival but it was obvious that Valdis was taking this poorly, and Valdis was one of the few people he actually knew in the city. In this world. They'd even started getting along for more than five minutes at a time without one of them (read: Erskine) having a panic attack or another of them (read: still Erskine) getting water tossed at him like an ornery cat.

But he knew all about needing time apart. Boy, did he know.

And so a week passed. Finally Ravel found himself standing near the cracked door, debating if it was a good idea to knock today or not.

Probably not. Most of his impulses as of late weren't really very good ideas.

But he did it anyway.

[redlightgreenlight]

She heard the approaching footsteps, but expected them to pass, so when the knock came at her door, she started in surprise. She took a deep breath. Erskine. What was he doing here? She got up from the bed and headed toward the door.

"Yes?" She asked, peeking out to look at him.

[edgeoftheknife]

"Ah, there you are." He smiled at her through the crack in the doorway as if nothing was amiss, as if they weren't starting a conversation in the space of a few inches of open door. "Here I was beginning to think you were a particularly lovely dream I'd once had."

Erskine leaned one shoulder against the doorframe and kicked one foot up to cross the other at the ankle, folded his arms lightly across his chest. "Is there anything I can do to coax you out of there? I'm not above bribery."

Open | Evening of the 14th | Wan's House | CW: Death Magic...

[redlightgreenlight]

[After this thread]

Once she was out of Bakura's sight, Valdis fled the Earth sector by rooftop. She had no destination in mind, she simply ran. When she finally had the sense of mind to stop, she found herself in the Sky sector, on the steps of Wan's house, or, well, where he used to live.

She slowly climbed the steps to the porch, running her fingers along the railing, tears streaming down her cheeks, She reached the door and stared at it for a moment, then she turned and sat with her back against it, wrapping her arms around her knees and laying her head against them. She closed her eyes, soft sobs wracking her body and black mist slowly began to materialize around her in a small, uneven circle.

You're so sad... The soft chorus of voices sounded sympathetic, Human emotions are hard, aren't they? Especially for someone who isn't human.

"Go, away," she said aloud, continuing to cry.

We have always been there for you, the voices continued, We will not leave you alone. We can provide the comfort you so desire, the comfort that you are denied. Why do you push us away?

"Leave me alone."

But you are alone, The Void replied, twisting around, trying to press forward.

"I have Anton."

The one who is dying?

"He's not dying."

We are a pathway to the realm of death, don't you think we would know? His body is failing and his soul will fade away, leaving you with nothing.

"You're lying, that's what you do." But she didn't believe her own words and the dark mist became more solid.

You are so broken, so lost, soon you will have nothing left and then you will let us in.

"No."

It is inevitable, the voices released a patient sigh, You will always turn to darkness in the end.

"Shut up."

You are too weak to command us, it is only the barrier that prevents us from taking over and when it fails, you shall know peace.

"It will not fail."

The voices sounded quite amused when they next spoke. Whatever you say, broken angel.

[phoenixstrut]

As things had finally begun to settle--despite her nightmares and the sad blanket that seemed to linger over the turtle-- Dove had taken to the skies again, her Light rekindled by the sudden appearance of a friend from home and the help of a new found friend. Things had been a roller coaster as of late. Every chance it could, it turned, from the highest of highs to the lowest of low, if anything, giving her a better range of understanding in the others around her.

What she didn't understand, was why suddenly, on a relatively calm day, a Darkness had appeared. Though it hadn't reached out to her, she couldn't ignore it, and thus sought it out, on edge and sharp... This darkness wasn't like that of the vision that had crippled her. This darkness was picking a fight with whoever it was... and it felt somewhat familiar.

Once close to the source, she circled high above, Era following her flight, as she felt and watched and listened.

Valdis.

Even with the darkness surrounding her, the angel could feel the sorrow and the stubborn determination.... and the slow wearing down.

Angry--and admittedly intrigued by the amused quip before she dropped-- Dove dove, great white wings catching her easily as she neared the woman. As she landed, her soul gem pulsed gently with her Light, her eyes fierce and attention rapt. "Valdis?" Her voice was gentle, but authoritative, wary but unafraid to face a challenge.

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis didn't look up, shuddering as the Void twisted around, hissing at the new presence it sensed. The red gem in the hilt of the Holy sword was pulsing weakly, it's glow muted and dull.

Be silent, The Void hissed in response to Dove's voice. This is none of your concern.

[phoenixstrut]

She watched Valdis with full concern, though showed no outward signs of weakness as she addressed the Void directly this time. "You're bothering my friend. It's very much my concern," she told it simply, her nature still entirely serious. "Leave her alone."

July 15th; Fire Sector

[denyamenti]

[ Continuing aftermath of this, and after this. ]

Bakura had kept to himself for the rest of the day after Valdis had left, thinking about what she'd said, the things she'd thrown in his face. Her words angered him, but he knew better than to act rashly out of that anger; he'd never have lived this long if he fell into that trap. So he waited, and let it settle.

But he fully intended to act.

He left the dojo mid-morning, and took with him the red blade he'd become quite adept with, but he knew it would be used as a last resort-- this was going to be a confrontation they had out on a different kind of playing field. The Ring gleamed in the sunshine, worn openly atop his shirt today, rather than tucked behind it as usual.

"Find her," he said, and the Item began to glow, spires spinning before orientating in one direction. The Ring led him to the Fire Sector, and he saw Valdis in the market. He trailed her until she began to cross one of the plazas where the fire fountains were, and then made his move.

"Sparks!" he spoke, and leaping arc of flame zipped towards her. It was a paltry Spell card, intentionally so-- he just wanted to get her attention.

"We haven't finished our conversation, sefatjiw."

[redlightgreenlight]

He was a fool if he believed that she didn't sense his presence the moment he was within range of her senses. His anger and intent were like a beacon of darkness, she couldn't miss them if she tried. So she led him away from the market, waiting for him to make his move. she was glad that she had brought Revelations with her, it might be her only defense if he dropped them into the Shadow Realm, but she wished she had brought the twin pistols as well. When he released his spell, she waited until the last moment to turn and swipe her hand through it, dissipating the flames.

Logic told her that this wasn't the time or place for a fight, but emotion decided otherwise and somehow, she didn't think that this could end any other way. "I think that the time for words has passed, forræder," she hissed, her eyes slowly shifting to a bright, blood red. "Don't you?"

[denyamenti]

"I'm not here just for words," he answered, extending a hand to a pool of shadows that formed in front of him, and from it rose a bright red, grotesque devil-like creature. "Abaki, sign of attack," he said, and the creature hefted its spiked club in her direction.

Meanwhile, the kedan in the market square began to scatter and move back from the pair, and some dashed off, presumably to inform the nearest squad of Snakes what was going down on their turf. There was no hint yet of the Shadow Realm appearing -- he was bringing the creature fully onto this plane, rather than shifting them over, for the moment. Nonetheless, this would feel to her very different than the creatures he'd summoned for her to fight against outside the city when he had used only his own heka, his energy, to maintain those.

Instead, this summon had the full power of the Ring with it. They would not go down as easily as the ones she'd taken out before, and Bakura intended not to either.

"I'll show you I'm not so easily dismissed," he said darkly. "Abaki, attack!"

[redlightgreenlight]

Holding back didn't seem like an option anymore, and to be honest, she was tired of it anyway. Day after day, fight after fight, cutting her power down to a fourth of its true potential, always watching her movements, slowing her reflexes. It was exhausting and it was annoying, but it had the wonderful affect of making people underestimate her.

"Will hurting me further make you feel better about yourself, Bakura?" She asked, her scarlet eyes fixed on him.

The summoned creature was an ugly thing and clubs were so prehistoric. She drew Revelations and held it loosely in her hand as the creature charged, sidestepping the first swing and then spinning to slice the creature's arm from it's body, following it up by removing it's head. And she did it all without shifting her gaze from the white haired man.

"If so, you will have to do better than that."

A moment after the words left her lips, a sharp pain went through her chest, she faltered slightly, but drew on soul energy to quickly revitalize herself.

Bakura | Mid July | Valdis' room | CW: None

[redlightgreenlight]

Other than the fact that her magic was still unresponsive, she felt better, stronger physically and mentally. Solomon had told her that Bakura wasn't dead, the nightmares had gone and Revelations was glowing again, if dimly. The only immediate problem was Bakura's cursed Ring, which had been following her around since the man had vanished, it was disturbing. Not because it was following her around, but because of the darkness that wafted from it. She didn't like how it felt, or how her sword reacted every time the two items got too close to each other. so she had tried to lock it away in various places, but to no avail. This particular evening the Ring was laying on her bed when she walked into her room, just after she had locked it downstairs in Anton's office.

She looked at it with loathing, carefully picked it up in one hand, opened her bedside drawer with the other and dropped the Ring inside before slamming the drawer shut. It was late and the Ring was obviously not going to leave her alone, so she would simply have to do her best to ignore it. She shook her head, turned off the light and crawled into bed, ready for another good night's sleep.

[denyamenti]

There wasn't such a thing as conscious or unconscious inside the Ring; it simply didn't work like that. It was more like -- and here he borrowed stolen science knowledge from Ryou -- a stasis, where everything was so slowed down that it became just nearly inert. So Bakura knew that time was passing in the wake of his battle with Valdis, but it didn't feel like minutes or hours or days.

It felt like being very deeply underwater, and eventually, like breaking the surface.

In Valdis' room, inside the drawer, the Ring began to glow and at the same time, the immediate area spiked in the telltale energy signature of the Shadow Realm. But both lasted only a moment, and then Bakura was sitting on the floor of her bedroom, one hand pressed to his head.

"Ow."

[redlightgreenlight]

She was sound asleep when the sudden twist of dark energy caused Revelations to flash with light, as if trying to counter the existence of the Shadow Realm. Valdis' eyes opened at the same time, sensing the shift, and she quickly turned, sitting up, pulling Ivory out from under her pillow and leveling it at the man sitting on her floor.

"What are you..." Then recognition and shock flitted through her eyes and she slowly lowered the weapon. "Bakura?"

[denyamenti]

"Sefatjiw," Bakura greeted sardonically, staring up the barrel of the gun with a dour but unflinching expression. "So help me if the first thing that happens when I get back is to be shot, then medaw-i em ma'at, an arsenal of Reborn spells will not help you."

Despite the threat(?), he sounds more cranky than anything, like he's more occupied with relieving an unwelcome headache than actually trying to lecture her.

"What day is it?"