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02. most love like hunters
 comment with a character and a month in your subject line. additional prompts or specific scene set-ups optional. receive tags. profit. ♥ |
[ years, months, minutes—time has lost its value the longer reality stretched. it's gone so far as to become surreal, senseless, dull, yet lightning never rests. her mind is never stationery, like her feet, her sword, and her spirit.
the question is: is there anyone else that is the same?
is there anyone that remains? ]
the question is: is there anyone else that is the same?
is there anyone that remains? ]
[ Maybe one.
Whether he's the "same" is up in the air--time becomes no less precious to him no matter how it drags itself on. No faster or slower, in actuality, despite how a restless mind could paint minutes in all the same repetitive colors. A deadly collage, if you were to try to look at the whole picture. ]
You know, no one's going to hold it against you if you ask for some company now and again. Hey.
Whether he's the "same" is up in the air--time becomes no less precious to him no matter how it drags itself on. No faster or slower, in actuality, despite how a restless mind could paint minutes in all the same repetitive colors. A deadly collage, if you were to try to look at the whole picture. ]
You know, no one's going to hold it against you if you ask for some company now and again. Hey.
( the two too close to cold carved stones to move along. )
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pulsecrush
2012-11-25 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ a voice breaks her monotone unlike a shatter of glass but more like a dewdrop upon a frosted-dotted surface. the ripples expand and she turns her head, the blue in her eyes darkening like a plunge into the ocean. ]
You.
[ you. saying the word to something more than space is sensually comforting, and lightning feels gladness melt the invisible walls around her. despite the chastise, her subtle expression of surprise transforms into one of comfort and then into one of challenge. ]
Do you always get what you receive?
You.
[ you. saying the word to something more than space is sensually comforting, and lightning feels gladness melt the invisible walls around her. despite the chastise, her subtle expression of surprise transforms into one of comfort and then into one of challenge. ]
Do you always get what you receive?
Yeah, but I don't like settling for less. Most of the time, anyway.
[ For all his usual brilliance and casual charisma--the weight of someone who doesn't take no for an answer, Shouta remains neutral, content to gauge and follow. Because when he watches her expression he thinks it's fitting that she is called Lightning; whether chosen or given to her, it's ridiculously apt.
(You could spend your whole life looking and you'd never catch all its colors.) ]
So, what's got you looking worse for wear? It's not like you to get bored.
[ For all his usual brilliance and casual charisma--the weight of someone who doesn't take no for an answer, Shouta remains neutral, content to gauge and follow. Because when he watches her expression he thinks it's fitting that she is called Lightning; whether chosen or given to her, it's ridiculously apt.
(You could spend your whole life looking and you'd never catch all its colors.) ]
So, what's got you looking worse for wear? It's not like you to get bored.
[ the captain's easiness and consistency are a blessing to the tides that rise around her. everything's changed, stopped, and changed again. back and forth, repeat, reform, this time for worse than for better.
nothing ever returns to the way it had been before. is that the lesson being taught?
she shakes her head softly, looks down before letting that trademark frown wrinkle her brows, and she folds her arms not long after. }
Not bored—stuck. [ an answer quickly followed by a flash of her eyes flicking up to his and that old challenge shines there, the vibrance of her will. ] What about you? Not like you to look so serious.
nothing ever returns to the way it had been before. is that the lesson being taught?
she shakes her head softly, looks down before letting that trademark frown wrinkle her brows, and she folds her arms not long after. }
Not bored—stuck. [ an answer quickly followed by a flash of her eyes flicking up to his and that old challenge shines there, the vibrance of her will. ] What about you? Not like you to look so serious.
Now there's a problem that won't do anybody any good. [ He appraises each strike that her eyes make against him, weighs them carefully. Shouta knows best that adaptability didn't always guarantee flexibility, or long-term tolerance. Raging seas, no matter how tumultuous, eventually come to fathom the rocks that faithfully oppose them, after all.
Maybe he's not there yet, but wasn't time one of the things they still had left to their names? ]
And is that a roundabout way of asking me how I am, perhaps? Seems an awful lot like it.
[ It bleeds in like so much sunlight, his cavalier sense of openness. ]
Maybe he's not there yet, but wasn't time one of the things they still had left to their names? ]
And is that a roundabout way of asking me how I am, perhaps? Seems an awful lot like it.
[ It bleeds in like so much sunlight, his cavalier sense of openness. ]
[ the ex-sergeant nearly grimaces at the brightness. she isn't a creature of the night, but she isn't like her pulse-born friend vanille either. she is made of sunlight. (all the more reason to bring her back...somehow.)
lightning's shoulders heave with a sigh, and her lids drop to form a picture of disbelief, but she can return the fire. ]
Are you stalling? Looks like it. [ ...but for the sake of their friendship, she relents. she always does, when someone gets on her good side. ] —How are you, captain?
lightning's shoulders heave with a sigh, and her lids drop to form a picture of disbelief, but she can return the fire. ]
Are you stalling? Looks like it. [ ...but for the sake of their friendship, she relents. she always does, when someone gets on her good side. ] —How are you, captain?
[ All the more reason for him to make it dig, make that precocious use of light count. It gives her nothing to hide behind, but she's a quick one, and he hasn't made a habit out of underestimating her. ]
Not bad, thanks for asking. [ Pure cheek. He could make a big deal out of her surrender, but he doesn't. ]
Now. Stuck, huh...
Not bad, thanks for asking. [ Pure cheek. He could make a big deal out of her surrender, but he doesn't. ]
Now. Stuck, huh...
[ thanks, bro. 'preciate it, 'cause she's mighty frustrated enough with her own situations as is. she huffs and drops her arms, shifting her weight as she lifts a hand to her waist. ]
I'll give you "attempting to correct timelines" and leave the rest to your imagination. Are you really "not bad"?
I'll give you "attempting to correct timelines" and leave the rest to your imagination. Are you really "not bad"?
Really. You don't believe me? [ Navigating people is a pasttime with a good payoff. ♥ Even stormy waters, so to speak. Shouta remains rooted and contemplative. ]
As for your timelines, that'd take a lot of imagination on my part, but nowadays it's not so hard to believe in things like that either.
As for your timelines, that'd take a lot of imagination on my part, but nowadays it's not so hard to believe in things like that either.
[ she just gives him a look. lightning knows he's not one to crack under pressure, but maybe she's been alone to long to be suspicious—or perhaps simply eager to make sure everyone's all right since she's had no certain way of knowing how things would end. the ability to see all timelines only meant seeing all the possibilities. truth, then, becomes subjective.
too much time, too many mistakes—even the ever-powerful lightning farron doubts herself.
her expression softens with a touch of that doubt and the sorrow that comes with helplessness. ]
...To be honest, I never believed in this stuff myself until I was chosen. Being branded, fighting against the world and defying fate— I thought that was enough. We all did. But then, chaos took advantage of our happiness and ripped it away.
[ she pauses; then laughs soundless and dry in spite of herself. ]
Kind of like Sphere, but even that was lighthearted.
too much time, too many mistakes—even the ever-powerful lightning farron doubts herself.
her expression softens with a touch of that doubt and the sorrow that comes with helplessness. ]
...To be honest, I never believed in this stuff myself until I was chosen. Being branded, fighting against the world and defying fate— I thought that was enough. We all did. But then, chaos took advantage of our happiness and ripped it away.
[ she pauses; then laughs soundless and dry in spite of herself. ]
Kind of like Sphere, but even that was lighthearted.
Oh, scary. [ Had he less constitution, the level of her gaze probably would have been just that. That bright, cool, unforgiving blue. Shouta shrugs smoothly in light of those, shifting on his feet. There was more to her than time and enigmas, if you cared to try and lift the gruffness. ]
Funny, I'd always pegged you as a believer. Looks like I was off the mark on that one. [ The way he says it is infinitely off-handed--it could have been a quip, but there is just enough of an edge lurking in his tone to indicate he might have believed it, too. ]
Is your happiness what you're trying to remember?
[ Is that what time, also, has stolen? ]
Funny, I'd always pegged you as a believer. Looks like I was off the mark on that one. [ The way he says it is infinitely off-handed--it could have been a quip, but there is just enough of an edge lurking in his tone to indicate he might have believed it, too. ]
Is your happiness what you're trying to remember?
[ Is that what time, also, has stolen? ]
[ she hears it but says nothing. she isn't all too surprised. at some point in a career like theirs, they lose sight of what's important. it's normal. what matters is who else becomes involved.
she'll come back to it eventually.
is it? she wonders. every bad joke he's making makes her want to laugh—but she doesn't. his questions grounds her, and she feels as heavy as she did the moment she landed on the shores of valhalla.
lightning stalls a minute or two (she can't count time anymore), traces the stark outline of his uniform, the frivolous curves of his hair, pinpoints the coordinates of his beauty mark. (yes, she does have an eye for detail, thanks.)
what is happiness to her? winning the war? seeing everyone safe? she'd felt that, she'd touched it, that day they awoke upon pulse after cocoon nearly collapsed, but—
how can she protect when all she knows to do is destroy? ]
I remember it. It's everyone else that has forgotten—everyone but my sister. Serah... [ she looks down, turning away. her pain is obvious. ] Again. I've let her down again. And this time...
[ stop. a wry smile wrinkles pinches her eyes, and for the first time ever she exposes a fragment of perdition to someone else. ]
Look at you, getting me to talk.
[ still, lightning is nothing but dignified, and she straightens, folding her arms again and raises a brow cheekily at shouta. ]
Is it your turn yet?
she'll come back to it eventually.
is it? she wonders. every bad joke he's making makes her want to laugh—but she doesn't. his questions grounds her, and she feels as heavy as she did the moment she landed on the shores of valhalla.
lightning stalls a minute or two (she can't count time anymore), traces the stark outline of his uniform, the frivolous curves of his hair, pinpoints the coordinates of his beauty mark. (yes, she does have an eye for detail, thanks.)
what is happiness to her? winning the war? seeing everyone safe? she'd felt that, she'd touched it, that day they awoke upon pulse after cocoon nearly collapsed, but—
how can she protect when all she knows to do is destroy? ]
I remember it. It's everyone else that has forgotten—everyone but my sister. Serah... [ she looks down, turning away. her pain is obvious. ] Again. I've let her down again. And this time...
[ stop. a wry smile wrinkles pinches her eyes, and for the first time ever she exposes a fragment of perdition to someone else. ]
Look at you, getting me to talk.
[ still, lightning is nothing but dignified, and she straightens, folding her arms again and raises a brow cheekily at shouta. ]
Is it your turn yet?
shouta, august. rng knows me. also thank god this is the first plurk i saw.
teamleader
2012-11-26 09:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's some kind of unofficial talent that he has: cracking people open and catching what trickled out. Even if mundane methods like these lazy circles weren't especially his favorite. Still, take a gun to a powder keg and all you'd end up with was a mess, so he goes on, temperate and dynamic. ]
What a face. [ He's partly sympathetic, and yet genuinely warm. Humanity was something he'd always liked, though he might say differently, if asked. Shouta exhales like a veritable puncture to the air around them. ] Time isn't always the kindest thing you're going to deal with when you're trying to remember enough for everyone. You're the one that ends up trapped in the end, because it's a hell of a tall order.
Though I'd probably disagree with you on that letting anyone down part.
[ He moves then just to stir the atmosphere, extending an arm as if in invitation. ]
What do you want to know?
What a face. [ He's partly sympathetic, and yet genuinely warm. Humanity was something he'd always liked, though he might say differently, if asked. Shouta exhales like a veritable puncture to the air around them. ] Time isn't always the kindest thing you're going to deal with when you're trying to remember enough for everyone. You're the one that ends up trapped in the end, because it's a hell of a tall order.
Though I'd probably disagree with you on that letting anyone down part.
[ He moves then just to stir the atmosphere, extending an arm as if in invitation. ]
What do you want to know?
What about my face?
[ she means it jokingly, but usually her jokes sound flat and over-serious. at least the effort's there. lightning shrugs one shoulder. talking about feelings isn't really her talent... it'd been hard enough with her sister, when... those times lasted.
(more regrets and motivations. ) ]
Whatever you think's a fair return to what I've told you.
[ whether that's cheating or not to him is something she'll find out. as easygoing as he may seem, lightning knows better than to believe he's got soft skin. ]
[ she means it jokingly, but usually her jokes sound flat and over-serious. at least the effort's there. lightning shrugs one shoulder. talking about feelings isn't really her talent... it'd been hard enough with her sister, when... those times lasted.
(more regrets and motivations. ) ]
Whatever you think's a fair return to what I've told you.
[ whether that's cheating or not to him is something she'll find out. as easygoing as he may seem, lightning knows better than to believe he's got soft skin. ]
[ It takes roughly 60 rounds of major power factor ammo to super-heat a handgun to the point where anything metal on the thing is too hot to touch. At 100 rounds, the FP10 oil starts to smoke. Double that is enough to spike the gun to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, at which a barrel's clamps will start to break loose.
Shouta should have that math memorized, the round to degree ratio. He should be conscious, if not careful, of what that could do to him.
BANGBANGBANGbangclickclickclick...
He isn't.
The basement is his today again, empty shells falling like summer rain at his feet. ]
Shouta should have that math memorized, the round to degree ratio. He should be conscious, if not careful, of what that could do to him.
BANGBANGBANGbangclickclickclick...
He isn't.
The basement is his today again, empty shells falling like summer rain at his feet. ]
Lucky for you, it wasn't an insult. [ He flashes a half-grin. Though short-lived, her vulnerability, just like her humor, didn't escape him entirely. And it's not like Shouta doesn't understand, how time somehow becomes a competitor with more experience and more endurance even for someone like her, a catalyst for motivations that were as unforgiving as they were necessary. ]
I don't think I've got anything so impressive as trying to change fate. Or a cute kid sister in the mix.
I don't think I've got anything so impressive as trying to change fate. Or a cute kid sister in the mix.
There has to be some reason you wear a uniform, though.
[ she studies him carefully, his answers remaining indirect. ]
A purpose to your weapons—an object worth protecting with your life?
[ lightning agrees in her mind that serah is indeed cute, but... thinking about her now only causes a cave in in her heart. it'd been her fault she ran away and her fault she's been trapped by the powers of a dead goddess.
an attempt to lighten her spirits is made in a smirking jab. ]
I can tell you like to handle things on your own, but I don't see you as a loner. Or am I reading you wrong?
[ she studies him carefully, his answers remaining indirect. ]
A purpose to your weapons—an object worth protecting with your life?
[ lightning agrees in her mind that serah is indeed cute, but... thinking about her now only causes a cave in in her heart. it'd been her fault she ran away and her fault she's been trapped by the powers of a dead goddess.
an attempt to lighten her spirits is made in a smirking jab. ]
I can tell you like to handle things on your own, but I don't see you as a loner. Or am I reading you wrong?
 She told the sun she'd smile every day it came out to play with the clouds, sprinkle the trees, and bake her pale skin until it was pink. She told the moon she'd murmur a lullaby for it to carry on through its cold, lonely, and dark nights. She told the earth she'd make every step she took a meaningful one, whether it was one that took her forward into unknown futures or took her back into nostalgic pasts. |
[ Each minute that she most likely feels the weight of he is using as a benchmark to her patience. Shouta hums over her appraisal, deep and thoughtful. Lightning's attempt to drag her heart back to the surface is met with equal effort on his part, a humanitarian to the end.
(No matter how paradoxical or ironic that was.) ]
Can't say you didn't hit the nail on the head. You can just think of that last part as Captain's privilege though.
[ Even if it was less about privilege and more responsibility for the lives that flocked to him like moths to a flame. It was his job to make sure that flame stayed steady and warm and safe, not erupt into an inferno, incinerating everything around it.
A balancing act. ]
You're pretty observant, but it's not really an object. [ First, it was a life. When he failed at that, snuffed it out with his own hands, it became something far more abstract. ] Let me ask you one more thing, then I'll tell you my own answer. What does justice mean to you?
(No matter how paradoxical or ironic that was.) ]
Can't say you didn't hit the nail on the head. You can just think of that last part as Captain's privilege though.
[ Even if it was less about privilege and more responsibility for the lives that flocked to him like moths to a flame. It was his job to make sure that flame stayed steady and warm and safe, not erupt into an inferno, incinerating everything around it.
A balancing act. ]
You're pretty observant, but it's not really an object. [ First, it was a life. When he failed at that, snuffed it out with his own hands, it became something far more abstract. ] Let me ask you one more thing, then I'll tell you my own answer. What does justice mean to you?
( The door clicks, locked down and locked in.
Souji doesn't follow much of the rules. Being told to stay away makes him want to go closer, put his hand between the cage bars and let the lions have a lick of his fingers. Guns and lions, dolls and murderers - the difference depends on what they do, if you reach out to touch them without fear in your eyes.
Mikami fears that Shouta is more of a lion and a doll, everyone does. Souji is glad if he is, but that's not something he's allowed to say.
The smell of smoke is almost comforting, but not by much. )
That's a bit of an occupational hazard.
( He's got his temper, but Souji's got his calm The basement is empty because when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force, it usually ends in bullets and carnage. )
Souji doesn't follow much of the rules. Being told to stay away makes him want to go closer, put his hand between the cage bars and let the lions have a lick of his fingers. Guns and lions, dolls and murderers - the difference depends on what they do, if you reach out to touch them without fear in your eyes.
Mikami fears that Shouta is more of a lion and a doll, everyone does. Souji is glad if he is, but that's not something he's allowed to say.
The smell of smoke is almost comforting, but not by much. )
That's a bit of an occupational hazard.
( He's got his temper, but Souji's got his calm The basement is empty because when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force, it usually ends in bullets and carnage. )
[ fire is difficult to control, and sometimes circumstances beyond the imagination arise to contend against life. it takes skill and a strong personality to take the heat.
if not an object, ]
Then a person. [ she goes on, her voice intensifying. ] A people—life.
[ for lightning, it had always been serah that she wanted to protect. becoming stronger and keeping the peace of cocoon meant serah could grow up safely. that had been the plan.
nothing quite goes according to plan anymore.
justice? ]
That's a big question.
[ she wonders what direction he's trying to take this, but already she's guessing it's related to what he needs to be dealing with where he belongs.
law of equity, she thinks militantly. reciprocation of good for good and bad for bad. rewards and punishment where it's due.
but it's more complicated than that, now. scolding is one thing, but what if the innocent is wrongly charged? objectifying the truth is a battle with the potential for war.
lightning said herself before, that if she hadn't been branded by the fal'cie, she too would have been assisting in the purge and sending all those people down to pulse—to death—without a second thought. following orders had been part of her survival.
no longer.
as an army of one, she fights not for her existence but for the restoration of her family's happiness, against gods, time, or fate—whatever it is that distorts the way things should be.
it takes her a while, but she finally answers: ]
To me, it means preserving the truth.
if not an object, ]
Then a person. [ she goes on, her voice intensifying. ] A people—life.
[ for lightning, it had always been serah that she wanted to protect. becoming stronger and keeping the peace of cocoon meant serah could grow up safely. that had been the plan.
nothing quite goes according to plan anymore.
justice? ]
That's a big question.
[ she wonders what direction he's trying to take this, but already she's guessing it's related to what he needs to be dealing with where he belongs.
law of equity, she thinks militantly. reciprocation of good for good and bad for bad. rewards and punishment where it's due.
but it's more complicated than that, now. scolding is one thing, but what if the innocent is wrongly charged? objectifying the truth is a battle with the potential for war.
lightning said herself before, that if she hadn't been branded by the fal'cie, she too would have been assisting in the purge and sending all those people down to pulse—to death—without a second thought. following orders had been part of her survival.
no longer.
as an army of one, she fights not for her existence but for the restoration of her family's happiness, against gods, time, or fate—whatever it is that distorts the way things should be.
it takes her a while, but she finally answers: ]
To me, it means preserving the truth.
Truth, life. [ The words he repeats sound heavy in his mouth, immense and yet necessary crosses for him to bear whether spoken aloud or in concept alone. ] Some people spend their entire existences looking for the meaning of both of those things. And others go on trying to ignore them, thinking that it'll somehow make things easier on them that way. Not a lot of room for a misstep.
Do you think taking the lives of others in retribution for murder eases the pain of those who have suffered loss any? Killing the killers, in other words.
[ Shouta had said it upon introduction, a long time ago. Out of respect for her demeanor and her rank, no matter how abandoned.
"Special Executions." ]
Do you think taking the lives of others in retribution for murder eases the pain of those who have suffered loss any? Killing the killers, in other words.
[ Shouta had said it upon introduction, a long time ago. Out of respect for her demeanor and her rank, no matter how abandoned.
"Special Executions." ]
[ Souji's voice is just enough to cut above the roar of gunfire as Shouta empties the remainder of his .50 clip. It's not a quiet conclusion; the last rounds to connect to the cardboard saw the whole thing into messy halves, debris and shavings joining a heap of others on the floor. A finale if there ever was one.
But even among the echoes like thunder, Souji's presence is just enough to keep the edge from consuming his eyes when Shouta looks at him over his shoulder.
He finally lowers his arms, smoke wafting freely from the Desert Eagles. There it was, his "That's enough." ]
Not one they tell you about in the rule books. What do you want?
But even among the echoes like thunder, Souji's presence is just enough to keep the edge from consuming his eyes when Shouta looks at him over his shoulder.
He finally lowers his arms, smoke wafting freely from the Desert Eagles. There it was, his "That's enough." ]
Not one they tell you about in the rule books. What do you want?
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