voidshift | [superhell pcs] zelgadis

[hello rock guy. ryn's checking out what they can see of the dorms, already changed into a different outfit-- long-sleeved, high-necked dark grey robes and gloves, leaving only his face and ears uncovered. in this thread we don't show skin, apparently.]

...nothing too enlightening, so far. Have you seen anything?

[Early on Friday, Zelgadis is still in the library. He's examining the door (which now opens).

Conspicuously, the big slash mark he put in it last night is gone.]

[hello zel... wherever rynlan happens across him, he looks like he's in a Mood, hair tendrils wriggling agitatedly.]

If we never have to go through that again, it'll be too soon.

[WELL. that was an experience, huh.

rynlan is lingering around the island while they wait for the ferry, a drink in hand; may as well take advantage of the bar while they can, after all.]

...well. That's that, apparently, but-- both of them?

[WHY.]

[You know what's a really huge mistake? Walking into a House of Mirrors when you've already got massive self-image problems! Zelgadis stands frozen in place in front of one of the mirrors for what seems like a very long time... then suddenly spins on his heel and turns to leave, walking right into Rynlan. (Sorry -- this is a lot like having a brick wall walk right into you.)

All around them, there are only more mirrors. Which way did they come in through, again?]

[Good evening, Rynlan. If you're in the dormitory on the evening of Wednesday, you may see Zelgadis walking in the hallway and... looking different.

There are feathers stuck to his clothes, wedged in his needle-like hair, just. Everywhere. He's covered in some kind of filth that's hard to identify -- it's translucent and crusty and smells oddly sweet.

He looks over to see that he's been spotted, and faces Rynlan with a tired expression.]

... Need a change of clothes.

[A little while after the announcement, Zelgadis is at McNaldo's, apparently gathering some food into a paper bag with a big happy face on it. His clothes look clean again! No more rips, either.

From somewhere out of view, a tiny voice can be heard going mew! mew! mew!]

Stop.

[It does not stop. He finishes packing the bag and turns to go... when he sees Rynlan. He just sighs by way of greeting.]

[hello... he's going to find zelgadis, wherever he's hanging out.]

...at least we got there. But- barely.

[Hey Rynlan, you might find Zelgadis at the aquarium! He's leaning against a wall like a cool anime character while the Blue Eyes Black Kitten is up on a ledge by a large tank, staring in fascination as a school of fish passes by. When one little fish draws near, it paws at the glass and attempts to give chase, before giving up once it drifts away from the glass.

Apparently, this is the easiest way in the world to entertain a kitten with absolutely no effort. He'll take it.

Zelgadis glances over at Rynlan and gives a nod in greeting.]

[hello zel. when he comes across rynlan, he's somewhere outside with a drink he took from one of the bars, but he doesn't seem to have had much of it yet.]

What is it they say-- three's a definite pattern?

[Some time after the trial, Zelgadis is outside in the Subnutica park, sitting on a bench with a guitar in his hands. He's playing a melancholy little tune. I'm sorry he's such a stereotypical anime sadman.

The kitten is also here, sometimes hiding under a bench, then suddenly darting to another hiding spot, as if stalking something.

Zelgadis pauses to greet Rynlan when he sees him.]

... Hey. It's been a long day, huh.

[Hey Rynlan, we're probably just vibing somewhere when these two suddenly get dumped in the memory-hole. A memory begins playing on the screen immediately.]

MEMORY: THE GREAT SAGE

"I hear the voices of happy children." Dressed in robes of red, Rezo approaches while you sit, watching the villagers. "What they truly need now is food and water so they may live another day. The meager miracles I work with magic are of no help in that regard. I am sorry for always causing you hardship because of my blindness." He smiles apologetically.

You can hardly believe your ears. This great man... a man who can cure any ailment, who dedicates his life to helping the less fortunate, would humble himself before you? All you did was drive a few bandits away from town... and frankly, you're not even that good of a fighter.

You're quick to dismiss the apology. "All we want is to help the weak however we can."

"Even so..."

"Leave the dirty work to us. Rezo the Red Priest just needs to be a symbol of peace, a great sage that guides the unfortunate to happiness." You rise to your feet, standing to face him. "It's not only food and water. People always need a bright future to continue living for!"

"Zelgadis..."

"We're proud to be of service to the great sage, Rezo the Red Priest!"

"Thank you. I am truly grateful to you." He reaches out to touch your cheek.

"D-don't mention it," you stammer, flustered. "In these times, doing great good also requires a little evil. And to that end, I'll just have to keep getting stronger!"

(watch the anime version of this scene?)

[... Perhaps the screen was distracting, but by the end of it, Rynlan may notice that Zelgadis's expression has darkened to one of barely-contained anger. He draws his sword and slashes at the screen -- though it's too late.]

[On Thursday morning, Zelgadis can be found on college island, looking idly in the direction of the shopping mall. He's dressed differently, for once!

Seeing Rynlan, he glances over briefly, but says nothing.]

[not fucking again

rynlan's back at the library this time, hanging around here with his cat; he glances up when he spots zel, though.]

-feeling more yourself yet?

[hi zel... rynlan is at the garden on the new island, today, peering up at these giant plants in fascination.]

Oh- all right, maybe one place here is worthwhile.

[hello. he's honestly just on the floor somewhere, he is done standing up.]

...what a damn mess. Not surprised, really, but...

[hewwo... rynlan is in the home biome, today, settled on the edge of a fancy bed in the scene it's currently set on. there's another shape covered in blankets, here, but whoever it is, they seem to be thoroughly passed out asleep.

he glances up to zel, though, giving him a tired little nod.]

[Well, it's the evening and Zelgadis couldn't even bring himself to go somewhere to drink. He's just out on a bench somewhere, looking absolutely hollow and miserable. A pile of black and blue flower petals are on the ground around his feet.

He glances up to see Rynlan, and looks back down to his feet.]

... I don't understand what... why any of this happened.

[hello, zel. we're out here on this snowy-ass island.

ryn is in a hoodie, but that's not really keeping him warm; he's got his arms folded around himself, for now.]

Why did it have to be so cold?!

[well... wherever rynlan is, zelgadis is coming by to see how he's doing.]

Hey...

You doing all right?

[rynlan doesn't go far, staying on the island for now. filbo's shadow got a couple of good hits in, he's bruised and hasn't evaluated if anything is broken, and he just-- he needs time to breathe, to try to get the echoes of whispers out of his head.]

...Zel?

[There sure is a lot to do and see today! But at some point, seeking a quieter place, Zelgadis can be found back at the dorms, in the common area. He's sitting on a couch with his left sleeve rolled back, exposing a row of deep tooth marks in the stone arm.

He holds his other hand over it, and from the palm, a warm little ball of light glows softly over the wound. It looks like he's working a healing spell, though it's a very simple and slow-acting one. He's probably been sitting here like this for a while.]

w0 sunday

Week 0, Friday

w0 saturday

w0 sunday

Week 1, Monday

Week 1, Wednesday

Week 1, Friday