Safe Harbor [Cursed Night Event Prompts]

[enterthe]

Who ⬤ Ydris and OTA
What ⬤ Cursed Night Prompts
When ⬤ Days following the Cursed Night
Where ⬤ Sutoku area apartment complex
Content Warnings ⬤ Nightmarish corpse imagery, supply&food scarcity



i. I am a safe ship, harbored.

[Ydris' apartment complex might not look like the fanciest of buildings, but it sure was sturdy. The rain and nightmares hadn't yet damaged the spot and that was enough to keep them around. There were evacuation areas many preferred, but Ydris wanted to be more useful than just hunkering down. They would hunker down close to the action, providing a safe harbor for those who knew they could duck in.

For those who do, Ydris directs them to take a shower, launder their clothes, and sit for a meal. The dragon had left overs from their magnificent picnic spread and the pig they roast, but they are being notably slim in what they give to each guest. A piece of toast, an egg, a bit of shredded pork, some rice... it's not grand spread, but it will fill the belly]

I'm rationing. Who knows when this will blow over.

[if their guest looks particularly haggard, though, they'll grab a bottle of left over wine and pour them a glass of that. Sorry that all they have left is red....]

ii. Emergency Location Network

[To any who have had their fill and their rest, Ydris worries their lip as they prepare to leave.]

You're really going back out into that? [They look to their phone at the counter, before gesturing at it]

Don't you have the Ember application? If you give me your phone a moment, I can make it able to track your location out there. If you're in trouble, I could know where to send someone to rescue you. If you don't lose your phone, that is.

iii. Ashes to Embers

[The apartment building might not be as immune to the nightmare energy seeping in as Ydris might think. While Ydris and Junpei's individual studio is free of any corruption, some unlikely guest seeking shelter will discover the hallway leading to them is a gnarly sight to behold.

Stepping onto the stairwell landing for the proper floor, burning ash immediately assaults the senses. The air is thick with it, stagnant aside from a choking heat lifting the ash up from below. The nightmare of the hallway is difficult to catch one's breath in, the air thick with smoke and a spice so potent it's sure to burn the eyes and nostrils at every inhale. Taking any steps leaves bloody footprints behind, the ground beneath some manner of meat.

On all sides tower massive, onyx black ribs, pouring steam from where flesh and scales still clung. The nightmare has turned this hall into the hollowed out remains of some primordial beast's chest. The only beacon left within it's center, glowing faintly with just a few pinpricks of light. What was left of the organ is brittle and crumbling, half a damaged heart, made of solid coal...

A hand is sure to reach out from behind and grab at the guest, holding firmly as Ydris' voice cuts through the crackling of the still burning surroundings]

Hold your breath. If you can. Come on! [they'll pulling away from that center, though some might find it difficult to resist such an overwhelmingly welcoming warmth it gives off]

Comments

[enterthe]

[Ydris can sense she's largely just... trapped. Held in between with the terrible kind of indecision self-doubt causes. The idea that moving in either direction will be painful, so standing still, waiting it out might just be what's best. It rarely is, though, patience is not always the answer. Sometimes, one needs to act to save themselves.

Or have someone reach out and be the saving grace.

The hands shift and turn to their tentacle forms, wrapping around her. A hoist and she's lifted off her feet, bundled up and carried away from the nightmare. Ydris floats them out from it, holding her close to their warmth as they move. They hope she won't struggle, won't fight against the embrace, but they won't let her go if she does. This is their purpose, after all, to make the decisions and act with responsibility, even when it's difficult. Even when it might make them a villain to do so.]

Leave such doubts behind. They serve no purpose...

[starshepard]

[ She's never felt this indecisive in her life. It's always been so easy for Azem to jump into action without much of a thought. But this curse knows exactly how to attack her weaknesses which leaves her torn between wanting to fight and wanting comfort.

As she's picked up she does begin to fight back, squirming and trying to pull herself free. It's counterintuitive to what she knows she needs and yet she doesn't want to go. If Ydris finds any of this frustrating, Azem finds it infinitely more so. ]

No, wait... I--! [ She tries to reach back toward the nightmare as it slowly follows behind, still taunting as it does. ]

[enterthe]

No more waiting. I'm... [they almost say sorry, but it catches within them. No, that's not right. They feel guilty, not remorseful. It's different.

They only bundle her up tighter as she struggles, tentacles winding and holding her with care. Can being so unyielding, so restraining... count as care? They don't like it, but it's necessary, isn't it? Better than allowing her to rush off into the nightmare, continue to be harmed by phantoms.]

We're going home.

[starshepard]

[ She continues to struggle for a bit longer. Knowing she could do a lot more than simply struggle but it would do harm to Ydris. And she certainly doesn't want to hurt her friend. ]

Home? [ Her tone is colored by pain, though she does stop struggling. ]

My home is... gone. [ The last word comes out quiet and choked as she lowers her head. Azem's not one to be moved to tears so easily but the sting at her eyes now. She should be with them, not here. ]

[enterthe]

Our home is here, now. We don't have a choice... [that's not comforting, Ydris. They stammer over their failure to speak kind, soft words when it would do a world of good. All the warmth in the world and yet they fail to be tender towards those they care for. Burning any who reach out towards them-

They can be better than that, can't they?]

... a, aside from who we spent out time with. My choice is with you.

[And it's back into the front entrance of the apartment, the two finally making it back indoors, out from the rain entirely. Ydris throw the umbrella outside, not wanting to carry the blood in with them more than necessary. Take it, nightmare, it's your prize...]

[starshepard]

[ As cold as the words might be the follow up is of some comfort. Azem goes limp aside from the sobs that wracks her body. She's pushed herself to a the limit with all she's been doing to help. She's exhausted both physically and mentally at this point, thanks to the nightmare.

Between Ydris finally making it back into the building and Azem completely giving up on giving attention to the nightmare it seems to give up. Leaving them be to find a new target or perhaps to simply in weight until Azem leaves the apartment once more. ]

[enterthe]

[With the rain finally locked outside, Ydris can manifest their illusion without it immediately being dispelled again.

They can't really help looking extremely flustered when their more expressive face glows into place. They can bundle up Azem in their arms proper now instead of just tentacles, holding her in a close embrace. That is probably more comforting...]

D, don't cry- I never know what to do about crying! Please cease... It's okay...

[A++ the most comforting candle in the land]

[starshepard]

[ Being properly held is more comfortable than having the tentacles wrapped around her, though it doesn't do much to stop her tears. She does let out a pathetic little laugh in response to Ydris' clear discomfort. ]

S-sorry. I just... [ She trails off, unsure what to say.

She switches gears instead, sniffling loudly while rubbing in frustration at her face. ] I... need new clothes and a shower.

[enterthe]

[the slight gasp of humor helps Ydris not panic, they'd rather get laughed at than have her keep crying... If they were more emotionally keen they would say it's fine to cry, to allow herself that, but this is Ydris. They can barely say someone they positively adore is their friend, encouraging healthy emotional venting isn't in their wheelhouse.

This time when they lift her up it's into their arms, cradled protectively in close. Ydris floats towards the stairs upward (now is no time to risk the elevator malfunctioning...) and though they're slower about it with her in tow it's not so difficult to carry her upward as a human might have at the task.]

I can help with... that much. Well. I mean. I have clean clothing! And a shower! I cannot help with the shower part... [a funny curse under their breath, all too awkward] good fucking lord....

[starshepard]

[ Azem has no issue with crying, it's just not one of those things she does all that often. And seeing is how it makes Ydris uncomfortable she'll just do her best to suck it up for the moment. Later, when she's alone, she'll probably let herself wallow in it to get it out of her system.

She lets out a soft snort and reaches up to gently pat their cheek. ] A shame about the water. Showers are more fun company.

[ It is not the time for that kind of talk, yet there she goes. ]

[enterthe]

[Ydris would definitely rather be smirking in awkward amusement at ill timed flirtatious talk than be flustered over her tears, so they latch on to that jokingly themself]

I, if I was at my full power, I could at least provide you a steam room. Alas, alas, alas... [why three times? Who does that? That dorkass goat back home- why is he coming to mind at a time like this? How annoying, Ydris hates when they recognize themself picking up such mannerisms from others... what a bad habit.]

[starshepard]

Alas indeed. [ She chuckles softly before going quiet. The little grin previously on her face falling to a tired and somber expression. ]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have followed it but... [ It had played into her hope that somehow maybe someone had home had found their way here at the worst of times. She feels as if she's apologizing to Emet-Selch after one of her many foolish endeavors that left her injured. She can hear his worried voice berating her in the back of her mind. ] It was foolish.

[enterthe]

It was- [again Ydris, not helpful- they continue quickly, not intending to salt the wound]

-but, I understand. The impulse to indulge in hurt and anguish. It is a great temptation... I couldn't stand to judge you for that. [when they're a hypocrite, it's usually on accident and not as deliberate as that kind of judgement would take]

[starshepard]

That's not... [ Well, she supposes she can't completely argue that that wasn't the reason she hadn't stayed when she realized what was happening. ]

I... really did hope someone from home had shown up.

[enterthe]

I'm sorry... that that wasn't it. Azem... I miss people from home, too. [they try not to let it catch up to them, but even seeing someone like that goat Ives about now would feel like a refreshing bit of home. Then again, he probably would say some rude shit to Ydris, so telling him apart from the nightmare wouldn't be easy.

They presume better of Azem's compatriots. Maybe that's not right, but it's not Ydris without speaking confidently]

They would be glad to see you. They wouldn't speak like that...

[starshepard]

Things were not left on good terms. [ She responds, voice shaking a little as she closes her yes. I'm not sure they wouldn't.

At the very least Venat wouldn't be like that nightmare and at least two of the remaining three would not have kind words. ]

[enterthe]

Do you want to tell me what happened?

[an offer to listen, something Ydris can surely do. They aren't against hearing such tales of home or dramatic relationships normally, but this does feel... more intimate. It's asking someone directly to open up, not just asking for a quirky story.

Maybe she'd like to get it off her chest, Ydris wants to know more than they're willing to admit, but they won't push her to share. They already feel guilty tearing her away from all that, though it foolish of them to feel that way. It was what was right, what was best for her, after all.]

[starshepard]

It is a very long story that comes with a long life. [ A tired chuckle. ] And right now I would like to be dry, warm, and asleep. [ Finally admitting she's tired.

She's still hungry but right now her exhaustion is winning out. ]

When this is all over I'll tell you.

[enterthe]

Another time, yes. Remind me.

[they have little nerve for bringing back up such touchy, personal subjects on their own. It would be nice to have a deeper understanding of Azem, given how much they care for her.

And care for her they must, thinking of how she ran off-]

You didn't eat your food! I'll reheat it while you shower... you shall eat before you rest, so you can do so in comfort.

[starshepard]

[ She makes a soft affirmative sound as she nods. She won't forget to bring it up later. Though Ydris will have to live with her getting emotional over it. ]

Okay, mom. [ At least a bit of humor has returned to her tone. ]

[enterthe]

We've had sex too many times for you to call me mom.

[they almost sound stern, but it's just set up to joke right back]

Mommy would be more acceptable.

[Ydris no]

[starshepard]

Mommy, then. [ She snickers. Though she'll likely fall silent until they're back in the apartment and she's had a hot shower. Though the odds of the water being hot might be unlikely. ]