Opening my eyes again in casted darkness... (January Catch-all)

[esurientabyss]

🌊Who: He Xuan, and anyone else.
🌊What: Things happening; they're self-explanatory.
🌊When: January.
🌊Where: Varies.
🌊Warnings: Kidnapping, mentions of suicide & forced induction into harems; involvement of violence/murder. Anything else that may occur will be added or adequately warned for in the thread. TGCF spoilers, but since this already deals with memories, that's a requirement, really.



i. gravitation

[ No matter where He Xuan finds himself, whereas it's on the beach or somewhere else, there seems to be some kind of nonsense afoot. Some...feline nonsense at that.

They're all congregating rudely around him and he is essentially helpless to their attacks (cuddles and piling around his feet.)

He practically glares at anyone who catches him in the midst of this. ]

What?

ii. displacement

[ Ghost kings do not get sick, not really. But it doesn't mean that coughing or sneezing is an impossibility for him.

It just so happens he had grabbed something spicy from a restaurant and for some reason found himself sneezing due to some kind of pepper and now he's in the middle of a lake. Soon enough, he's grumbling, extricating himself from the water. What a waste of food. ]

iii. uncharted waters

[ In addition to those, anyone is free to encounter someone who seems to, for all intents and purposes appear to look like He Xuan, and is essence definitely still him. Yet, his appearance clearly differs in subtle ways. His skin isn't so pale, and his ears are not so sharp and he appears a little lost. Feel free to run into him like this, though he will be scrutinizing most people, and there appears to be a sword at his hip, which his hand is hovering on the hilt of. ]

iv. wildcard

[ Self-explanatory...! Open to things that are also not necessarily the above. ]

If you would like to plot with me, I can be reached on plurk @ leyfi, discord @ seraphkingdhaos#8538 and my plotting comment will be here.

Comments

for Ellis (potential cws: kidnapping, suicide mention, and mentions of unwilling concubines)

[esurientabyss]

[ The town is a quaint one, though without a doubt looking like a peaceful sort. It's late summer and the temperature is kind. More importantly, it's just about night-time when a young man runs out of his home, and the appearance of him can't be denied to be someone who appears (and is) familiar. That ebony-colored long hair and those golden eyes can't be mistaken, yet the expression on his face may as well be alien to Ellis who is witnessing it.

Why? Because he's smiling. He seems to also be dressed up rather well, heading off to. An older woman emerges from the house the young He Xuan has emerged from and shouts, "Don't rush, at this rate you'll be too early!"

But clearly he doesn't listen, heading along to a house somewhere up the road.

If that's not enough, someone seems to have spotted Ellis and tells him he needs to hurry if he wants to reach the engagement ceremony in time. Will he go and follow He Xuan? ]

[framestory]

[ Ellis doesn't dream.

It's why he's surprised to find himself somewhere after he remembers having gone to sleep for the night. He looks up and he can see what everyone is saying without looking at them, as if he can hear. It's a surreal feeling that he'll have to get used to, but he looks at the person who looks so much like He Xuan. It's at that moment when he realizes that perhaps one of the reasons why he chose to continue interacting with He Xuan was that he had gold eyes. It's a rather small fact in the grand scheme of things, but gold eyes mean so much to Ellis that he can't help but be drawn to them.

He wonders if He Xuan, or the person who resembles him, will be getting engaged soon. The thought will be converted to action as he goes to follow the man. ]

[esurientabyss]

[ It's easy to follow He Xuan even if the male has a lead, given that where he goes isn't too far in retrospect. The house he enters is easily a normal-sized one, and its appearance seems to suggest relatively modest means of the ones who occupy it.

Still, there are a number of people present, even if it isn't a large gathering. If Ellis keeps a close eye, he might see that one of those gathered doesn't intermingle with those present, staring hatefully at the way He Xuan and a woman with bright, lively eyes stand close together, hands clasped with one another's. A hush even falls over the group, and in the blink of an eye, it seems the ceremony is over. There is light laughter, up until the man from earlier steps forward—

The scene twists right in front of Ellis' eyes. People in black storm through, and take He Xuan's fiance. But not only here. They do the same to another woman who seems to bear some kind of familial resemblance to the would-be ghost king. He Xuan is the one to try to get them back, but all it takes are a couple of those unknown assailants to get in his way, and beat him until he can't move. The other attendees suddenly go stiff as a board, faces unnaturally blank as the struggling women are carried off.

Once again the surroundings twist before anyone can move to the fallen young man, and until Ellis finds himself some distance from the front steps of a large estate. There are two guards standing in front of the gate. They are laughing and talking about something...does he come closer to listen? ]

for Sylvando

[esurientabyss]

[ The sun sets low as the afternoon light falls upon the island, making the horizon spill beautifully across the sands, alighting the various plants and structures among it. There is a figure standing in the midst of this, wandering aimlessly, and that is, for all intents and purposes still 'He Xuan'. Except, this 'him' centuries because he has become a empty and hungry, resentful ghost king.

That's right, this is the one who is more or less the one with the title 'He Sheng', and known as such. His appearance isn't exactly the best, looking rather dirty and like his clothing has seen a few battles with no tailor. Though another difference is that he has a slightly livelier skin complexion as opposed to the pale one he usually sports, and his ears are shaped like a normal human's.

He stumbles upon someone's farm land (Sylvando's), Yet, he has a weapon on him as well, for however long that lasts. One which he intends to brandish as he spots Sylvando. ]

...Who are you? Where am I?

[hypnowhip]

[With summer having arrived, Sylvando has formed a habit of relaxing on the outside patio of his farmhouse after a long day's work. He's in the middle of a sip of wine when something across the field catches his attention. Is that...?]

He Xuan, darling...?

[He certainly wasn't expecting the man to show up on his farm of all places. Was the ghost king actually seeking him out for something?

He sets the glass down and begins to rise to his feet, but freezes for a moment as the more obvious oddities about the situation begin to reveal themselves.]

Who am-? [Oh, that sure is a weapon. Sylvando holds his hands up to show he means no harm. Goodness, this is getting stranger by the moment.] I'm Sylvando, silly! And this is my farm! Don't tell me you've forgotten already?

[He didn't...right? With He Xuan closer, the physical differences are apparent. He looks...younger, almost. Not as weighed down by negativity as he usually is.]

[esurientabyss]

[ He Xuan startles evidently at the uttering of his name, looking surprised at the sight of a man who he seems to not recognize calling forth his name with a familiarity he doesn't understand.

So here he is, popping off questions one after another. ]

'Darling'? ...Sylvando?

[ The sword isn't being swung or anything like that, but his gaze is wary albeit still confused, and even with a touch of weariness. Though, he lowers his weapon. ]

...I don't remember this place. Or meeting anyone like you either, or how someone like you knows my name. But, you're dressed strangely—you're not with those responsible for my imprisonment, are you? Explain what it is I've supposedly forgotten. Is it you taking me here?

for M-21

[esurientabyss]

[ The scene of this nightmare is this:

A sky that is pitch-black dark, cloudy and heavy with rain that does not fall, though it threatens to. A sound that rolls low like unforgiving thunder, but doesn't strike. But somehow despite these facts, the setting seems almost peacefully still.

This is a village, though its appearance also appears slightly distorted. The buildings seem to curve impossibly upwards, reaching towards the sky, and candles one by one light upon every step one takes.

But beyond that, nothing else seems to stir.

...Though, wait. There is the sound of something up ahead. It seems to be coming from the direction of two houses down. Is M-21 curious enough to see what the source of that is? ]

[feralheart]

[ Nightmares are familiar enough to M-21. But his nightmares smell like antiseptic and metal and glass, the lingering scent of blood that never wholly washes away. Artificial lights painfully bright and the constant hum of machinery.

They don't look like this strange and impossible place. Some kind of village? But the sense of wrongness prickles against his skin. The first time a candle lights M-21 startles and whirls towards it, prepared to strike. In that moment he's all the more aware of how still everything else is too. Unnatural. As if both he and this place are tense and waiting for the other to make the first move. It raises the hair on the back of M-21's neck, and he tries to skirt the lights as he approaches the mysterious sound, braced for a fight. ]

[esurientabyss]

[ The mysterious sound happen to be people, talking amongst themselves. There is a small crowd of them, wearing masks of various types. Though it doesn't seem to be simple talk, what with them laughing and giggling, but one by one they turn to face M-21, falling silent.

He'll find himself surrounded by them for a short time, claws reaching out to him only for these strange creatures to suddenly part before they can reach him, slipping into the shadows of the houses nearby, leaving only the path in front of him. Along said path seems to be a trail of blood leading to a figure standing at the front of a gated house; there also seem to be motionless figures around whoever this is...

...And this person is holding something. It seems there is no other choice but to get closer. ]

for Trahearne

[esurientabyss]

[ It's a dark night, and Trahearne will find himself standing in what appears to be a beach. Though what ray of light above that seems to reach it is strangely dulled.

And the water?

It's a foreboding pitch black. Clearly something entirely unnatural and potentially ultimately foreign to what Trahearne has seen on islands. But maybe what's the most disconcerting thing about it all is the feeling of being watched. In fact, there may be something standing out of the corner of his eye, towards the inner part of the island's thick, dark forest... ]

[pactmarshal]

[ Even Trahearne's own night time glow feels muted.

He isn't sure how he got here, or why he's here in the first place. In his confusion he whips his head around, trying to get his bearings. The last thing he remembers is falling asleep--has he sleepwalked to the beach?

There's a pricking on the back of his neck, and he turns towards the deep, dark woods. He squints, but what shapes he thinks he sees quickly melts back into the night. ]

Hello?

for Noé Archiviste

[esurientabyss]

[ The surroundings are dark, but dimly lit by torches that line the walls. The fire burns bright, and yet that's not enough to provide much comfort. Though Noé will not find himself standing on flat ground. Rather, he appears to be at the start of a stone staircase.

Behind him is a door, should he care to turn to face it, but it is locked and cannot be opened. So, it seems the only way is forward, down the steps into the darkness.

But, he may want to watch his step. There is a strange dark liquid, though with the scent of something vaguely metallic, it might be not all that difficult to know what it is. ]

[archivists]

[ Rather than questioning where is he and how he got here, Noé turns around and makes an attempt to open it, yet it turns out to be a waste of time. The fire flickering along the dark staircase isn't enough to make out what lies ahead. Well, when sight proves quite useless, his sense of smell comes into play.

That metallic scent makes him gasp. It's blood, it must be blood. And it's definitely not just a few drops or a small puddle of it, taking into consideration his first, somewhat tentative step down the stairs. ]

Is anybody here? Do you need help?

iv. slides my hands under the wildcard door

[chevaliered]

[ for ease, i'm just going to put them around the beach area. summer time means beach time, right?

crow's fairly engrossed in... something. it's difficult to see what he's doing from a distance. and honestly? it's a little difficult to see exactly what his hands are doing up close as well. that's sort of the point. closer up it'll become more apparently he's shifting his hands very slightly, while trying to keep their motions casual and relaxed, like he's just moving them naturally.

it's only at the very end, when he sighs and flicks his right hand in a less subtle motion that things become a little clearer -- a sea shell drops from the sleeve of his jacket into his open palm and he looks at it a little idly. ]

... Oh.

[ hello there. ]

On a walk, or visiting the beach for one of those exercise tasks?

\o/!

[esurientabyss]

[ He Xuan often roams the beach himself, even during this time where there's more activity on it than the usual, so it definitely works out. Still, he can't quite stop himself from being just a tad bit curious about what Crow is up to with his hands...there are at points not much to do, so small things like this can get his interest. Even moreso when he can't quite tell what is happening over there.

But He Xuan thinks he can vaguely recognize what exactly those hand movements mean. It is something he's seen over in Ghost City over at the Gambler's Den (and other places), after all. ]

On a walk, even if there's an annoying amount of activity.

[ He says it with an undertone of, 'But it's summer, so it's to be expected...I guess.' without actually saying those words. ]

...I want to learn whatever you just did right now. I'll give you something I've a passing familiarity in doing with in exchange.

runs in with a wildcard

[associative]

[ It's early one morning during the summer, the sun just barely peeking over the horizon when Gaku catches He Xuan somewhere in the house. The task board is on his mind, so he's quick to pounce with his question. ]

Hey, wanna go for a run?

[ Gaku already has the appropriate clothing for it—a t-shirt and shorts with a pair of tennis shoes. ]

\o/!

[esurientabyss]

[ He Xuan is definitely easy to find lounging about. ]

We may as well. Getting this over with will benefit us both.

[ The idea of ghost kings doing runs...ridiculous for sure. But, He Xuan rises to stand and is already heading towards the exit of the house. As usual, he doesn't bother to wear anything different except for clothing in black, and he thinks it's fine not to switch out, so... ]

i

[graftage]

Oh. Hey.

[This young man's raising a hand apologetically, though he's smiling, obviously a little amused by the sight.]

Need me to chase these guys away for you?

[esurientabyss]

[ Bless that someone has caught him in such a situation. Does this make it any less embarrassing? No. ]

Yes. They have been strangely rather...persistent.

[ He Xuan for once in his long years of being alive has no idea what to do with this situation otherwise... ]

after hot or not

[hypnowhip]

[After it happened, Sylvando hasn't been able to stop thinking about meeting He Xuan's eyes in the middle of his performance on stage. He'd already intended on tracking the man down after discovering that he was back to his regular ghost king self, but that moment... It was so surreal. It seemed to stretch on for ages despite it having been a mere second at most.

He has to know if He Xuan felt anything from that too.

With things winding down, he searches the grounds to see if He Xuan is still around. Sure enough, he finds him hovering around where the food is set up. He can't help but break into a smile as he watches He Xuan go. He's so stern and somber- that penchant for snacking is a cute little contrast.

Ah, but he really shouldn't be wasting any time. With a skip in his step, he saunters on over to flag He Xuan down.]

Hi, darling~! Did you enjoy yourself today?

[esurientabyss]

[ It certainly was. It's something that is still at the back of his mind, though at the same time, he's trying not to consider it too much. It helps that there's food right in front of him right about now.

So when Sylvando comes around to talk to him, the ghost king turns to face him, with perhaps comedically chipmunk-like cheeks, until he swallows.

It probably is truly quite an appearance for someone who seems usually so grumpy and solemn indeed. The best part is that He Xuan is unashamed of it and doesn't act like he is a kid who has had their hand caught in a cookie jar. ]

...I did. But, not like how you did.

[ Sylvando seemed to be quite in his element, dancing around like that, and with that whip...he's getting distracted, damnit. He quickly puts something in his mouth again. ]

house body swapping shenans (for Gaku)

[esurientabyss]

[ Days pass them all like dreams, and the land before them all still happens to be a category of unfamiliar things in front of their very eyes, including the forms that people may take. Nice early year breezes in the day and spring weather now turn to summer days...

He Xuan still gets up like it's his usual time of day, not realizing the change in his appearance having him look like a certain Harbinger. He feels a bit more groggy than he remembers, and...well, usually there is breakfast, or food if the other isn't there.

So he begins to head downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast, and usually, He Xuan might be a bit more on top of his game. But his previous nightmare escapades have made him a bit more weary, and honestly even when he sleeps he still needs time to wake up? also this is funnier

Before He Xuan 'wakes up' properly (we're talking being more functional here), does he manage to come across Gaku in the kitchen, or does he cross paths with the other before he gets there? ]

[associative]

[ Gaku is in the kitchen, watching flipping a couple of pancakes as he watches them cook. He calls out to He Xuan when he hears him coming down the stairs. ]

Morning.

[ After he's plated a couple of pancakes and set more batter on the stove, he looks up and sees... not He Xuan. ]

Oh. I didn't know you spent the night...

For Diluc

[esurientabyss]

[ They say the following when certain seasons turn:

Autumn's leaves bring about the falling of winter, and with the appearance of spring's heated sun comes the onslaught of unforgiveable summer.

And of those who 'live' in perpetuity?

Gods and ghosts can achieve an eternity immortal, but curses can be forevermore perennial.

Since the minor bedlam Diluc conjured at Van Zieks' meeting, he has had no further run-ins with a certain ghost king, and perhaps to his joy, that he received the last word. But as he's crossing through foliage one stormy day (by mere perchance or misfortune?), there is a sense of foreboding; maybe the clouds darken, and crimson eyes stare out from the dark which seem to dissipate in the blink of an eye. The appearance of the road to his farm does not seem as it should be, even if it, by all rights appears just fine. Muddy water then begins to seep from bushes.

As if that isn't enough, something like a shade moves out from the forest, dressed in all black, and familiar, but frigid golden irises stare at him. A cold voice speaks, unfamiliar to Diluc's ears; more feminine. ]

Seems like you should learn the consequences for being unable to keep your hands off what isn't yours.

[pyronic]

[Ruh roh, Raggy. What is this ominous feeling in the air? It feels as if it's about to storm, but ah, there's He Xuan. There's no parade for him to rain on, what with Diluc's mood already something sour, but there's no silver lining to be found amongst the clouds either. Considering what his parting words to the man were, Diluc needn't question why they've "stumbled" across each other here.]

My, you sure do know how to make an entrance.

[Diluc's tone is dripping with sarcasm. He couldn't be less impressed if he tried, standing his ground on the steps leading up to his home.]

But I don't recall inviting you here. Don't you know that it's rude to show up uninvited? Kindly leave.