IC CONTACT POST FOR cosmographia

[soulfultwin]

(OOC: This is a rough outline of Darin's daily routine. Feel free to comment to this post with a time and location if you want to thread! This post is meant to be a catch-all contact post to thread out and expand on things that happen in game that might be too little for a log! Anything is game! Open to all! And feel free to have someone catch Darin someplace that isn't necessarily listed! He gets around, for sure!)

Sunrise to Early Morning

[It is around this time that you'll catch Darin out at the beach. He's doing his usual training regiment; jogging around the temple, sit ups, push-ups, liberally exercising whatever magical abilities he's awoken. He might be sparring with a clone projection, practicing summoning his weapon, or maybe just cooling down. Afterwards, he goes in search for metal, whether it's at the junkyard, or digging into the cliff face for whatever he can find!]

Morning to Afternoon

[Around this time, you'll see Darin around Waverly Bay. He might have his stall set up and selling his wares, or he might be running errands for the sake of the townspeople. Maybe he's doing some repairs around town, or lending a hand wherever it's needed. If it's slow, he's relaxing and getting some food, or maybe he's taking a nap under a tree! He's around though, that's for sure.]

Afternoon to Evening

[Around this time, Darin might be rustling up some dinner. Once the sun starts to dip, he'll head home for the day. He likes to take a more scenic route home so he can watch the sun set over the horizon. It's one of his favorite things to do. You might catch him along this route, or maybe catch him in his room in the Temple, where he's hard at work in his forge, working on parts and custom orders. He keeps his door open though, and when you look in, it'll be the storefront to his Smithy back in Kenmore. Don't be shy to come on in, the door's open for a reason!]

Evening to Night

[If it's a nice, clear evening, you'll find Darin out on the beach. Maybe he's training, maybe he's just wandering aimlessly, barefoot, through the surf. If it's a particularly clear night, you may find him climbing the cliff face. When he reaches the top, he'll watch the stars before making his way back down. If it's nice, he might just sleep out there! If it's raining, he'll be in the Temple, doing some sketching in his notebook.]

Comments

[blindfoldcode]

You just threw a table at me and got a clone to scare me. You really expect me to believe that?

[soulfultwin]

And you came here with the express intent to scare the living daylights out of me. Your point?

Believe me or don't, that's not going to change the fact that maybe, just maybe! I actually give a damn about you.

[blindfoldcode]

You made a really poor choice then. I didn't ask you to care.

[soulfultwin]

[That...surprisingly sets Darin off. That table he just picked up? He just shoved his fist through it. And not in the special way Kido can.]

No, you didn't. You didn't have to. No one asks for anyone to care about them but guess what? It happens! And you should thank your lucky stars instead of acting like the brood queen that someone around here is looking out for you!

But if you want to continue acting cool and aloof, then go ahead. I know that feeling because I've lived through that! I may not talk about it because I've made myself move on, but I see a lot of what I've lived with in you. Enough to know that you have to wear a mask. To put on airs. When in reality you're just begging for someone to come along and take some of that weight off of your damn shoulders!

So, go ahead and tell me I'm stupid. Tell me I don't know what I'm talking about and that this is just another in a loooong line of bad decisions. I don't care. Because when the sun sets every day I can sleep knowing that I did my damnedest for someone today. Maybe I made a difference and maybe I didn't but I sure as hell didn't back down.

[He huffs in annoyance and turns to the table, gripping it in his hands and breaking the thing in half. He'd have to build a new one now but at least it would give him something to do.]

[blindfoldcode]

[You know this probably doesn't have the intended effect because, well, Kido actually looks kinda fucking scared of Darin for a moment there.

She takes a step back like--not to use a cliche--but like a deer about to sprint.

Jesus Christ, Darin.]

I'm sor--[She cuts herself off mid apology, her voice almost cracking, feeling like if she apologizes it's just going to make things worse. But she doesn't know what to say to that. He already knows why she can't be with people. He already knows why she's fucked up as all hell.

She doesn't get how to make him understand that she doesn't want people to care about her. She wants to be with her family.

And she really, really wants to disappear.

The second he looks away, she's faded. She hasn't moved, but she's certainly no longer visible.]

[soulfultwin]

[He kneels down and starts to gather his wares again.]

I lost my brother, my best friend, the only other person who understood what I was because I hid. Because I failed to act. He paid the ultimate price and I watched it happen.

You may not want me to care, Kido, but I do. You're not going to change that. It's who I am. You can make fun of me, you can call me stupid, you can do anything and say anything you want to me, but I'm just...

I hold onto things. And I don't let go.

[blindfoldcode]

[It takes her a bit, a long, tense silence, to pop back into visibility, a little further away than before. Her shoulders are hunched, her face buried in her collar.]

... You can't hold on for long. We're going to go home, eventually.

[soulfultwin]

...I'll hold on for as long as I can then.

Make the most of every day.

...[He sighs.]

Nevermind. Sorry.

[blindfoldcode]

[She takes a half a step closer. She has no encouragement to offer. To express that she's okay with this would be cruel. Instead she stuffs her hand in her hoodie's pockets.]

You want to know more about me, right? [She looks decidedly to his left.]

Ask three questions. And don't tell me you won't, because it's the only chance I'll give you.

[soulfultwin]

[He doesn't miss a beat. He continues to pick up his wares without looking at her.]

Before you came here, you had the power to disappear. You told me yourself. That power along with your eyes...I've seen something similar before. In my world.

Where did you get your power from?

[blindfoldcode]

... [She takes a deep breath, looking out toward the sea.] My father was a successful businessman. But when I was a kid, he went bankrupt. On August 15th, more than a decade ago, he set the house on fire with everyone inside. My older sister and her mother, [Notice, not "our mother"] a few of the people who worked for him, and me.

The last thing I remember of the fire is my sister trying to save me. She was really the only person who cared about me back then. And then when we died, it was like being swallowed up. There was a nightmare--it seemed like it would never end.

When Ayaka and Kenjirou adopted my brothers and I, Ayaka asked us about it. Between what she told us and Marry's storybook, I think I know a little about it. Where we were swallowed up is called the Kagerou Daze, and it returns one of the people it takes in with a snake possessing the body in order to give it life again.

[She looks at him, struggling to keep her eyes grey.]

My power is the snake possessing me. It's the snake of Concealing Eyes. It protects me and keeps me alive in order to remain in the world.

[soulfultwin]

[Darin continues picking up his wares.]

So, that fire in your room is what killed your sister. Your fear of fire is understandable now.

I'm also going to assume that your sister is either dead or stuck in the Kagerou Daze.

And I'm going to go out on a limb and assume Kano and the rest of the group you've taken to leading all have powers stemming from a similar source. Since these things rarely are given out to just one person.

[He would know this from experience.]

You don't need to correct me or anything, I'm just spitballing a train of thought here.

As for my second question, you're this group's leader. I imagine you have a purpose since your group has a name. You also were very keen to keep names quiet which implies you're trying to keep a low profile.

[He stands and glances over his shoulder at her.]

Who are you hiding from?

[blindfoldcode]

After Ayano died, our home became too dangerous. Something had happened to Kenjirou. He...

He and Ayaka were the only parents I ever knew. But when Ayaka died searching for information about the Daze, he changed. They never found her body... But sometimes, at night, he would act differently. Strangely. He became violent and angry. When Ayano died, everything got worse. The same day she died, two of his students disappeared.

... [She's glad her hands are in her pockets because they're shaking.] He's after us. And we don't know why.

[soulfultwin]

[Darin let's the silence hang for a few minutes while he packs up the rest of his things.]

[He takes his time. He breaks down what remains of his table, he packs up his wares into a large pack. He closes down his stall for the day. It's early, but he's not really in a selling mood.]

[Minutes pass and the third question isn't coming.]

[Finally, when it seemed like the third question would never be asked, he opens his mouth. When he speaks, it's not his usual aloof, overzealous and bright tone. It's quiet. It's subdued. But there's a strength there. Determination.]

Final question, then...

After all of this, after everything you've told me, I've made up my mind. You've been dealt a bad hand. Probably the worst hand I've ever heard. Way worse than mine as far as I know. But still...I know what it's like. I've got people after me too. Well...not 'people' but...

Not the point.

I don't need to hear anymore about you to know that...well...

As much as you probably hate it, I actually do care about you. I know this place brought us here against our wills...I know that we're kind of making the best of a bad situation here, not knowing what our real purpose is in this town but...

...In a way, even if we're meant to forget everything that happens here? I'm glad I'm meeting people from all types of worlds and paths. It...helps me put things into perspective.

...You're my friend, Kido. And I know you didn't ask for it, but hey, it's seldom we get the things we want out of life.

So...I guess my final question is...will you just stop being so damn stubborn and accept that there's someone who cares?

[blindfoldcode]

[She wonders in the silence, if she's said something unspeakably wrong. She's given him the truth, at least as much as she knows. So she lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding when he speaks again. Let's him finish.

Ducks her head just a little more so he won't realize that her face is reddening. The last thing she needs is for him to see that.]

For having met Kano, I'm surprised you haven't realized it yet. I accepted it when you ran into a fire like an idiot.

Kano and Seto had to deal with it more than anyone else. None of us are that great at showing we care, too.

[soulfultwin]

...I just had to hear it.

Hell, Kano laughed when I told him that I thought you actually liked me.

For what it's worth...I'm glad. Truly glad. I'm glad to see you have your family...that they're showing up. Not all of us...

... ... ...

Not all of us have that luxury.

[He shoulders his wares and turns towards her.]

I owe you a lot of apologies. The way I reacted when we first met, the fire, probably all just scratching the surface but...I will say this.

I've seen true monsters. I know...what real monsters are. And I know where they lurk.

You guys aren't monsters. Unlucky? Yeah. But...

[He shakes his head.]

I never saw a monster.

[With that, he steps by her, surprisingly quiet for someone as energetic as he usually is.]

[blindfoldcode]

[She shakes her head as he walks by. They're both fucked up people, aren't they?]

If this snake leaves my body, Darin, I die.

And it can't stay here forever.

I left someone to experience her death over and over again until the end of time.

I don't know how much more qualified you can get when it comes to being a monster.

[soulfultwin]

[Darin's shoved his hands in his pockets, and when she speaks those words, he stops.]

[He almost laughs. 'Give me a call when you were born to end humanity' he wants to say. But he thinks better. This wasn't a pissing contest. This isn't a 'who's the bigger abomination' pageant.]

[Instead, he looks back at her over his shoulder, and he offers her a slight smile.]

That's easy. A real monster wouldn't care. Their eyes would be empty.

You don't have those eyes.

[blindfoldcode]

[Had he seen her when she'd been adopted...

She laughs a little, then. It's not a happy one. But it's not sad, either.]

... You should meet her. You'd probably agree--red's the color of heroes.

[soulfultwin]

Yeah?

Always been partial to blue myself.

[blindfoldcode]

Talk to her if you can. I think you'll like her.

... [A beat and she sobers.]

Don't tell Kano what I told you. Please.

[soulfultwin]

[He shakes his head and makes that 'cross my heart' motion over his chest again.]

Your secret's safe with me.

[blindfoldcode]

[She makes a scoffing noise like she's not sure she believes him.]

I don't think I ever gave you my full name, either.

It's Tsubomi. But if you call me anything other than Kido, I'll kill you.

[soulfultwin]

Wait, so Kido isn't your real name?

You lost me.

[blindfoldcode]

It's my family name. Tsubomi Kido is the full thing. Kano is his family name too.