theafflicted | 04 - week four

WEEK FOUR

Saturday comes to a close, and it’s time for some rest and recovery. Perhaps the TLC you deserve will come this week, or perhaps the nightmare will continue. It’s hard to say with things being so strange around you, from Wei Wuxian’s disappearance to the sudden addition of objects and places and creatures from your homes. Who knows what this week will bring? Nothing ordinary, that’s for sure.

You wake up on Sunday to an increase in those little glimpses you saw yesterday. What were snippets of songs, locations that might’ve seemed familiar, and creatures that were dormant, are now all alive and whole. When you go to the karaoke bar, the songs you once knew are there. Monsters and animals are alive and sentient. New business are abound. Vehicles are operable, and perhaps some of your old belongings are back, too.

However, some of these things aren’t even things that should exist outside of your dreams. They may be far too strange and unusual to be real, or just things you don't remember ever seeing. The only thing you remember about these things in particular is that they were, quite literally, in your dreams this week.

That being said, every few hours, all of these things from your homes and dreams fade out and get replaced by new sounds, places, beasts….only to maybe come back again at another time.

Well. At least there's one constant here: You’ve got a handful of new locations to look at, with the fog having spread once more, and they aren't going anywhere. There aren’t as many new places that are native to Estelline this time around, but that may be for the best, considering everything going on.

SETTING TRACKER

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

NEWSPAPER SUBMISSIONS + EDITION #1

SAGE / FLORENCE / LORELEI

MEM SHARE DETAILS

OOC NOTE

OOC: Details on this week can be found here!

Also, we have a lot of participants for the news activity from last week. Neat! Everyone who participated in some capacity will have a small polaroid camera delivered to their doorstep. There's limited film, though - 10 photos per camera. It doesn't seem like there's any extra film at this time, either.

Finally, there will not be any weekly tasks this week. You guys are going to be busy with memshare and dreamscape stuff; instead, enjoy the Estelline University Newspaper!

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Right!

[It's probably (not) fine? Mini-Phantom hurries over to the injured boy and kneels down beside him.

At least the woods are quiet now, so it seems like the second wave of monsters he was worried about isn't immediately incoming.]

[ Fai tries to get to the village as quickly as he can so he can look for someone to help or point in the directions of medical supplies that he can use.

But he also knows that this is a memory, so he braces himself for any obstacles he might find... or if he ends up right back at the scene instead. ]

[The village isn't far - or maybe the woods were smaller than they seemed? There's sunlight through the trees and people bustling nearby and

then, perhaps predictably, the memory glitches again.

Fai is back by the clearing. The monsters are still on the ground, the girl unconscious but breathing steadily, and small Phantom is lifting a mirror shard in a shaky grip over the unconscious boy.]

[ Ah. Here he is again.

He had a feeling this would happen.

Holding back a sigh, Fai makes his way back to the younger Phantom. ]

Are you afraid he’ll wake up and attack?

[The boy gives a little yelp and drops the shard, falling back in surprise. His face turns absolutely pale.]

Ix would never...!

[Oh. That actually makes it much worse.]

No?

[ He crouches down. ]

I’m sorry for scaring you. What does the shard do?

[ Does it do something different? Why is he trying to lessen that person’s attack? Or is he strengthening it…? ]

Edited 2022-06-20 16:23 (UTC)

It's... it's from my protective mirrage. To weaken my power because my body can't handle it. It broke when Mileena used it to get Ix's power under control...

[Right now, its best property is being a very sharp piece of glass. Phantom's hands are curled anxiously against the ground now, a very guilty conscience written all over his face.]

[ Fai kneels down next to him. ]

Were you trying to weaken your own power just now?

[ He really isn't sure what Phantom was trying to do, so it's a genuine question. ]

[He shakes his head a little and curls in on himself a little bit tighter.]

I was going to try to use my mirristry to close his wounds. And then... the shard was right there, and I just...

[ Fai reaches out to gently lay a hand on his shoulder. However, if Phantom shrinks at that, he'll pull his hand back. ]

And you what?

[ His voice is gentle and devoid of any possible accusations. ]

[The gentleness seems to work, and Phantom sniffles, leaning into it a little as he finally gives in.]

He's so strong without even trying! And he's not sick like me. He's brave, and selfless, and everyone looks up to him, and Mileena adores him, and if he weren't here then I... I...

[ Fai gently pats his back. ]

There's nothing wrong with being sick, you know. And you shouldn't compare yourself to others. That will get you nowhere fast.

It's always been the three of us together. Even if I don't make the comparison, she- everyone will.

[But he's calming down a little, more dejected than volatile now, and deeply ashamed. He's very carefully not looking towards the boy he almost stabbed.]

You're worried about what she thinks the most, aren't you?

[ Because that slip up sure told him everything. ]

[He gives a little sigh. And then a little nod.]

I really like her. But she really likes Ix, and...

[Well. Although he finally looks over at Ix when he says that, and it's a complicated little look. He loves Ix a lot, too.]

You feel jealous, right? That's understandable.

[ He continues patting Phantom's back. ]

But hurting someone out of jealousy will only make you feel guilt. You won't feel better for it, I promise you that.

...Yeah. I already...

[This feels really lousy, honestly. He leans a little against Fai, absolutely warming to receiving comfort now.]

You won't tell them, will you?

I won't.

[ He rubs Phantom's back, smiling. ]

Just promise me you'll try to fight back those nasty thoughts from now on, okay?

[Phantom nods and gives a shaky little sigh.]

I promise. I'd never... [well,] I'll never do that again.

Good. I know you'll keep your word.

[ Truthfully, Fai isn't sure that he will, but only because this is a memory. There's only so much he can change. ]

Now, let's make sure they're in good condition, alright?

[Phantom gives another little nod, this one decisive! It's probably fine now. Definitely.]

Right. I should be able to do a little more for Ix. He'll be fine.

Here, let me help you.

[ He'll look for any obvious injuries for Ix. There has to be something Fai can help with.

If this memory allows him, that is. ]

Thank you- um. I didn't get your name.

[There are definitely monster injuries that Fai can help with, and the memory won't resist interference here. If anything, this part feels very malleable to change. Phantom holds out his hand over one injury and starts working on a healing.]

[ He starts to help out with whatever injuries his can, looking up at Phantom and smiling when he asks that question. ]

Fai. What about yours?

Phillip. Or just Phil.

[With Fai's help the injuries seem to close up cleanly and Phil(?) sits back with a little sigh of relief. And maybe a tiny wince. The memory feels fuzzier around the edges now, almost out of focus, but soft.]

He'll have to rest after using that much power. But it should be fine...

(no subject)

partymagician - 2022-06-24 02:54 (UTC) - Expand

cw memory issues, violence

exofractured - 2022-06-24 03:25 (UTC) - Expand

partymagician - 2022-06-24 22:09 (UTC) - Expand