derepressed: (ok let's just be... sneaky...)
chizuru "would you jerks stop leaving me" yukimura ([personal profile] derepressed) wrote in [community profile] recountal2014-05-14 10:43 pm

falling;;

Three months later.
??? Catacombs, whatever the fuck this country is called.


It is so dark that Chizuru feels almost like the darkness is real, tangible, sentient and capable of exerting its pressure and it's a struggle for her to keep walking. She can't see a thing. The only indication she has that she isn't completely and utterly alone is the sound of Saitou's footsteps, the rustling of his clothing, and the soft sound of his breathing, and though she's sorely tempted to reach out and take his hand or hold onto the back of his jacket she can't bring herself to do it because that's too childish. They're here for a very specific reason and they don't have time to waste with her being frightened.

It's been three months since that fateful day at their headquarters, when they had lost nearly everything. It's been a few weeks since Souji's coughing had worsened, and four days since he had collapsed; they'd managed to find him shelter and a good doctor to watch over him, but it's clear that something is horribly, terribly wrong. Frantic research, hour after hour hunched over old medical texts had told them that what Souji suffered from was incurable.

But the doctor, also a student of old legends and myths, had said that there were tales of similar ailments being cured in the ancient past, but the knowledge of how to do so was... gone. Locked away. Buried forever with those who had known it.

...and so they had to try. The catacombs of this civilization lie deep underground and Chizuru doesn't know what they'll find here, but it's the best (the only) lead they've got and Souji's body isn't healing itself the way it should be, as a knight...

The knowledge that he is depend on them to figure this out spurs her onward even in the face of her anxiety. It seems so petty, to be afraid of the dark when Souji has so much more to fear.

Somewhere far ahead of them, there is the flickering of candlelighht. Chizuru sucks in a sharp breath and can't keep herself from reaching out to take Saitou's arm, her clutching his sleeve like he's all that's keeping her from breaking down. She wishes she were stronger, but it's hard. It's been hard ever since that day three months ago, and she is sure the cracks are starting to show.

Assuming he doesn't stop walking when she grabs onto him for comfort, they draw closer to that flickering candlelight and emerge in an underground chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling - the architecture seems so advanced that if not for the fact that it was all buried underground she never would have believed this was a place people lived in the past. At their feet is some kind of track - the tunnel leading in here from the surface had, at one point, merged with a tunnel belowground that some sort of vehicle must have traveled on in ancient times.

There are two winged statues at the center of the chamber, and the only light in the room comes from the flickering candles at their bases, flames burning bright despite the fact that there doesn't seem to be any living soul around to tend to them. The lights cast long shadows on the statues, which face each other and hold a sword and a scythe made of marble, the blades coated with what looks, to Chizuru's eyes, to be dried blood. She hopes she's seeing things.

Then there is a rustle of... something. Chizuru can't pinpoint where it comes from, but a flame flickers into existence at their immediate right and it's as though it set off chain reaction, braziers set into the walls lighting themselves of their own accord. As her eyes adjust to the light, she bites her lip and takes a look at their surroundings.

There are two levels, though there are no stairs; the balcony above them is, for the moment, out of their reach, as are all the openings above them leading out onto it. Across from them is another dark tunnel that the track at their feet runs into; she can't see very far into it. There are other passageways set into three of the four walls - one at the wall their backs are to, two at the wall on their right-hand side, and one at the wall they are facing. None of them are barred by doors, but peering more than a few feet into them from this location is impossible.

She surveys the room with unease, her gaze lingering on the statues and noting that there seem to be inscriptions of some kind at their bases, before she looks to Saitou as though he can tell them what they ought to do. It's so quiet they could hear a pin drop - which is unnerving, considering the way their surroundings had lit up of their own accord. She has the awful feeling that they're getting in over their heads.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ I just need to stick to one night)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-12 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
It's so hard to not appease her when she sounds like that and he is tempted especially with the way she looks at him. He glances up again before he turns his full attention to her once more, leaning in a little closer to press his lips to her head affectionately in solace. "Where are its friends, first? I... can't kill it without it changing its appearance from your face."

His comments are murmured to her hair, although whether or not his declaration of being unable to harm something that looks like Chizuru is up in the air on being true or not. He never speaks of his capabilities nor his limitations and that includes the two very precious weapons from Belin.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ Omg souji and i were cooking weiners)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-12 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
"What do you even mean by 'anything'?" Saitou looks somewhat unsettled now, especially with the look she is giving him. What is she going on about?

Saitou continues, though, attempting to explain. "My blades are permanently enchanted to be unable to harm the Grand Master of the Order as well as those taken directly underneath him to ensure they are not stolen or taken if one turns traitor.

"And I won't let you die here."
demarche: seiko. (⌘ The highlight was when a stranger was)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-12 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
That 'thing'. Even as she clings to him, his attention having turned at the slight movement he furrows his brow in concern over all the little pieces he's putting together and formulating an answer. And although Saitou can't bring himself to try and pry her away from him and put distance between them, that lack of recognition of the grand master alone makes him feel immeasurable doubt ( because it was so obvious she adored Hijikata in so any ways and would give the world to him if she could; she was one of them in a world far below where he was placed but she refused to let go and accept that, always pushing herself one step further and drawing everything when doubt overcame her back to the strength and capability to save him.

"You... Do not sound like her," Saitou finally says, flat and emotionally void but his body language is not tense with the anticipation or realization that he's made such.a gave mistake he understands now. It's impossible to tell, variations are so different. He's missing something and not just he suddenly strongly feels this is not the woman he came here with and he's rapidly shaking his brain for something previously occurred beyond the inscription to understand the sacrifice ( the woman, the altar ) and its meaning. "I... won't kill her," he sighs. They kill enough that he does it only when absolutely necessary. In truth, he feels he will have to in one form another but that is not this instant where he is not past any reason of doubt he knows which to point his sword at.

"The creature may be the only thing left that can give is hope to escape by locating the exit. We can't risk losing that."

Chizuru also would have such a hard time demanding he kill something or someone when it's not even being aggressive or able to defend itself. Life was too important for such flippant accusations and wishes.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ WHAT? When did I ever refer to one of)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-12 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
It's an awful expression to see even without tears and. Saitou feels his chest tighten and there is guilt even though he insists he can not have any ( but what if she dies because she was telling the truth and he was too paranoid to accept her trust as fact ). But ask he is looking towards the Chizuru speaking and he voice ends, his expression flickers back up to the alter watching the unconscious woman groan and come to wake. When she looks in his direction and he sees her reaction he isn't quite sure what to make of it because is that simply a plot to seeing a mirror version of herself or is it something more?

"...Yukimura?" he questions out her name skeptically—it's impossible for him to address either one of them differently in his head. he is not sure what go so next but he has the feeling now that the other woman is awake that one way or another things are going to rapidly deteriorate into ruin.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ he said "be careful" then)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-12 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Somehow, the woman on the altar feels so much more familiar but he knows, too, that judging from her inability to argue with the accusation and awkwardness that it could be drug or magic related.

But, it's the tears in her eyes that really catch his attention before that reaction to her bare skin. Looking back the woman clinging to him, he slowly goes to rise to his feet and pull the other with him the same.is he really going to have to continue on with the both of them? The door is locked. Saitou has ended up looking away from both of them in their bare states, swallowing back questions of what exactly is happening here with this altar.

"What is going on...?" Does the other woman have any ability to make better explanation.
demarche: (too many gd windows open)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
Saitou is almost more preoccupied with the exchange between the two of them, wondering exactly what is being exchanged between the lines—it's as if they both know something and are exchanging it silently in addition to what they're saying to him. He doesn't try to pull away from the Chizuru holding onto him.

When he's addressed, however, he does go to step forward, to look at the engraving, his expression growing somewhat critical as he takes it in. It's not something he's unused to because as part of the Order, demonic cults are just as dangerous as the monsters and demons the Order hunts, but this just... it makes him feel uneasy. As far as he can see, it doesn't give too much of an explanation. He is unable to see what the reasoning is behind the ritual, but the doors being marked does signify something.

"...Ah." His fingers reach out to run across the engraving a moment. That, he can safely assume is the reaper. He briefly wonders if a sacrifice is required to open the doors... or if opening the doors leads to the sacrifice. Without a key, they won't know if it's the latter, but the former possibility is bothersome, too. It's obvious they're both halfway to being this individual on the altar with their throats slit, but...

"Why the belly?" he murmurs—one of them knows. If not both, perhaps, and he's the one at the disadvantage so there's no point holding back any questions he's asking himself in case he can get answers other than in his own mind's inner workings.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ Omg souji and i were cooking weiners)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Saitou's thoughts are flying fast as he lets those words sink in and his mind is already tumbling over the inscription on the statue that had been gone when he returned to the main entrance.

"Are they taking it or are they eradicating the possibility..." he asks, still staring at it. Don't take more than you are willing to give. Don't take more—

That scythe, it had blood coating it—

"The winged creature with the scythe that is overseeing the sacrifice: Is that the Reaper?"

He doesn't think he needs any confirmation, his body tensing slightly before he glances up into the darkness as the ceiling seems to climb forever.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ like stop just cause your whole life)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
"What about the scythe?" His words are a little louder, harsher as his attention is drawn to the entrance because great this is just going to be excellent. He can't even enchant his weapons with anything helpful because he doesn't know what the damn thing is, still.
Edited 2014-06-13 06:32 (UTC)
demarche: (7587480)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
"That's not an option." Saitou says through clenched teeth at that sound , it making his skin crawl. The hand of the arm not being clung to reaches for the hilt of his sword despite but god this is going to be one of those things that he's going to regret not being impulsive isn't he? That is so typical, a mission where Souji's stupid act first think later method might have worked.

But... He can't risk it. He's an illusionist so he knows better than anyone it's not always safe to do the obvious. But, all he can assume is that...

"If I killed one of you, that would solve the problem? It'd allow us—what, to leave? What rage is it suffering from that it wouldn't take more?"
demarche: (690601)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
He clenches his teeth, having just a little bit too hard of a time hearing with that noise.

"You both leave." He goes to try and shake the Chizuru holding onto him off now even as he tries to put out his sword. "It can have mine since I'm the one who came here looking to take something from this place."
demarche: (7694442)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
That's enough for him. Saitou lets her stop him but even as he's doing so he's turning to grab his sword from his right side with his left hand and he takes it to keep one fluid motion for him and slash out with the blade in a horizontal arc to strike at the woman who isn't hanging onto his arm, anymore. The girl that halted him is strategically protected just by the way he pivots his body Ending with her behind him.

It had been obvious, after all. Perhaps he's become too paranoid from Belin and is overestimating his remaining enemies and they capabilities to deceive. Enough of this, then. Choice made.
demarche: seiko. (⌘ I turned on man vs. food and told)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
Saitou supposes the doors closing behind them is only to be expected by now. He is just thankful that they managed to go on forward, even if the way this room is set up is even more terrifying than the last in some sense.

It's only when Chizuru is frightened enough to get closer to him once again that he pulls his attention from the statue and down to the woman. He'd put his sword away before following after her from the last room but he makes no move to touch her even though he does close the distance between them to make them even closer. "I didn't intend to frighten you back there. But, why was it you didn't insist she was the imposter?" It's a concern to be noted, he feels, just in case something was done to her and it's still affecting her. He makes sure, at least, to dutifully stare only at her face and not have them stray.
demarche: all icons by seiko unless otherwise stated. thank you! (689495)

[personal profile] demarche 2014-06-13 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"I see," he whispers mostly to himself before wishing he had his uniform's overcoat with him to be able to offer to her for something cover herself. Saitou actually feels somewhat unnerved by the fact he can't offer any kind of comfort to her when she seems to need it most. Even reaching out to take her hand seems like crossing a line now rather than a way to give some reassurance to Chizuru.

Instead, he just turns away from her and makes his way across the room to this new alter and statue, looking to see if this one holds any hints as to what they should do next. Whatever it is he doesn't think it's about to get any safer.

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-15 03:32 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-15 09:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-15 10:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-16 02:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-19 13:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-19 17:48 (UTC) - Expand

Yay small surprise victories c:

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-20 19:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-20 21:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-20 22:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-21 02:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-27 03:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-06-28 02:37 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-07-06 10:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demarche - 2014-07-21 06:01 (UTC) - Expand