[ this question hits much closer to home than the first and diluc is a little taken aback. he knows hardship well, having experienced a great deal of it in the past. his answer to this question will relate to the first, which will be clear by his thoughts. ]
I do not believe it does. Hardship teaches us important lessons and serves a test of our own free will. It's how you handle these hardships that will shape you and determine your strength.
[ he thinks back to his four year solitary sojourn and how that whole journey was a test to his strength. how he was filled with such rage and hatred...and that was what fueled him. and in the end was what almost got him killed. but he learned from it, reevaluated himself and acknowledge his shortcomings. it was through this that he earned his strength, not simply because he had experienced it, but because he had learned from it. not everyone has the strength to make it through... ]
[At least this one is less abstract, and so are the lieutenant's thoughts -- but only marginally so.
He remembers turning away while the other man slurps from a container. While he pops another pill. Sneaks a drink from his flask. A funeral in uniform. Chestnut-scented smoke from a cigarette.
"Welcome to Revachol."
Another day, another body. The smell of death and spearmint chewing gum. The quiet sobs of his family when they see the lieutenant at their doorstep.
A motor carriage in the sea.]
... Hardship is just as likely to destroy a person. [He shakes his head. But...
He remembers the roar of an aerostatic's rotors. A man standing atop a bronze horse statue, saying something unthinkable into a radio receiver. Something warm and hopeful. He remembers the way the lights danced around him.
Like disco lights.]
No one is strong alone. It's people that give strength to others.
[ For someone who's bad at expressing himself, Akira is actually really opinionated. There's not much from his thoughtstream while Kim debates on the answers, but there were glimpses of thoughts; a young girl, a heavy man who looks like he's up to no good but with a carefree smile, oddly realistic lifesized dolls...
He's caught up in his memories a bit, though he knows the answer to the question as soon as it's asked. ]
Yeah, it does. But it can break people. [ An eerie echo of a girl crying out "Don't look inside!. ] Everyone's limit is different cause people are different. That's the problem with trying to shove people into a neat little box for society's sake or whatever you wanna call it.
And some people don't have the chance to act except on their own. [ There's a glance at kim here. ] But they do what they gotta do.
[ much like the other projection, these two take their time before they answer. it is as though they're running their answers through their systems as they process the validity of their answers. diluc with his answer of how it's how someone addresses their hardships is what makes a person stronger than the hardships instead. kim and akira with how hardships can break people, however it doesn't mean that they're alone or that it's the end for them.
eventually the two projections will acknowledge one another briefly before looking back at the three of them. ]
Deactivating the guidance system which will render the bomb unusable until a new one is created. It also will mean that you will be not be free from your sin and that you will continue to face hardships.
Will you still deactivate the bomb and guidance system?
[ diluc thinks about this for a moment, everything they've been through in this last month, the lives they've lost...and those who took those lives away. he thinks about his own world and the various hardships it has faced, the sins that still linger in the breeze.
he looks at both akira and kim, they know what they have to do, even if its just a temporary solution. it will give them more time. ]
No one can ever be truly free of sin. And hardships will always follow you, every step you take.
[ with the answers given, the two projections will not take nearly as much time to respond and instead will seem to smile widely at them with the female figure giving a polite laugh and the male figure rubbing their nose for a moment. the male projection will slowly begin to fade away leaving only the female figure behind, however before they disappear completely the manage one final statement. and when they speak again, it will sound more...human. ]
Wear your sin proudly and give them hell.
[ with that the another series of clicks and whirrs will play out alongside with a soft song that similar to that of a birdcall before the barrier drops from around the bomb. the soft blinking from it coming to an end, and with a bit of a hiss, one of the parts of the bomb will pop out. a small piece.
in addition to that, before diluc, a small podium will begin to rise from the ground before him. on it will be a small metal pin. if decides to take the pin, he will notice that it will be warm to the touch and reflect a soft but gentle light like the sun. ]
[ as the projections fade and offer one last message diluc finds himself relieved? for the most part. and there is a sense of pride he feels in how they answered and the response they recieved.
the soft tune is added comfort as the barrier drops and a small podium appears. without hesitation he picks the pin up and holds it tight in his hand, before pocketing it and then turning to the others. ]
Grab that piece and let's get the hell out of here.
[Kim watches the figures depart with an unreadable expression... and his gaze soon turns to the "bomb part."
He walks forward, a little unsteady on his feet as the adrenaline has started to wear off. But he makes it, and if he can, he will examine it and take this part, slipping it into his pocket.]
You don't need to tell me twice. [ Both to giving hell and getting the hell out of here. ]
Guess we're making our own way out too! [ Since there are no stairs and no elevators.... Akira is going to run at one of the walls. How sturdy are these things to punches and blades? ]
[ you are all so funny. but when akira attacks the wall, absolutely nothing happens if anything the attack bounces back and he will take some damage for his brutish behavior (roll for that damage! higher = more). now as they slowly realize that they're basically stuck in the room without an exit, the projection of the female figure is still standing there with a smile on their face. and without being too cryptic about what they plan on doing next, they'll hold out a hand towards the floor resulting a hole opening up from the ground with three pedestals to rise out of the ground. ]
Use these. It'll let you fly towards the top.
[ on them will be three pairs of what look like to be roller skates with the exception that there is only two wheels on them. after that, the projection will smile one last time before fading away and the "ceiling" will open up exposing them to the rest of the "tower" that they had forgotten about. they'll see themselves at the probably at the bottom of the hole that they were first looking at. the main difference from the last time they were down here, is the presence of a multitude of cloaks—thorn cloaks being in the majority and a handful for cloaks with wind/gust engravings. ]
Akira...[ as he starts to say something about akira's approach to getting out, the girl speaks again and he turns to face the pedestals. he's never seen anything like these before, but now is not the time for questions. ]
There'll likely be people waiting for us up top. [ he's taking a pair and going over to kim to help him with tying. sorry about your arm kim... and then he'll put his own pair on.
[Thank god for Diluc. Kim doesn't have to ask, and soon he also has a pair of these things on. He rises to his feet once they're secure, adjusting his glasses as he looks at the... long way up.]
Okay... let's go.
[He'll try to follow their lead, assuming these younger guys are just gonna go for it. Akira definitely will, he's sure.]
[ It was only a matter of time before Akira did something truly stupid. He will deal with the repercussions of that later and see just what kind of damage he inflicted upon himself but for now, let's rock.
Akira is careful while putting on his new shoes, maybe cause he will totally run into a wall but untied laces are a danger he's not willing to risk. It doesn't take him long to get set though. ]
We're fighting our way out, so I'm going first. Watch Kim. [ And we are off. ]
[ and you sure are all off though some of of you are off in better ways than the other. all of you mindful of the state of your cloaks as without them, it will be impossible to breathe. diluc will take to the skates with ease and immediately be able to figure out just how to apply just the right amount of pressure onto the back heel to start the motor on the inside and get the right amount of speed to get going up the walls and "fly" as the projector had told them to.
however, as the first one of the three of them to "ride" up the walls, he will also be the first one to come into contact with the other cloaked members who were waiting for them. though the lightning isn't the best, he'll still see the sheer fury on their faces as they attack him (and the others) with both firearms and with long whips aimed to take out their legs. he'll take much of the gunfire to his torso and shoulders (or wherever you'd like nina) but the "thorn" whips will hit true and catch him in the legs, digging deep into the flesh before tearing free.
still, he must fly higher.
next up is akira who has a rougher time getting things figured out, perhaps it's from the way he hit the wall earlier and took damage from that, but a few slash marks on his person never slowed anyone down, right? right. it's why when he does figure it out, he'll be able to climb just as well as diluc will take the brunt of the first round of fire from the cloaks, though most of them having had focused their attentions on diluc as he passes him up. unfortunately, there will be those "thorn" whips that will catch him the backs of his legs or thighs as he ascends. these, too, ripping at the clothes and skin as to drag him back down. (idk how or where he'll be shot w/gunfire but you may decide independently.)
and he must still fly higher yet.
finally, the one who has the most trouble with his ascension is kim, which may be expected given all that he has been through. he'll have a rough start and won't be able to climb as easily as the other two, but he will be able to somewhat keep up at the tail end. ...not that it spares him any lashings of from the thorns either. the lot of them whipping at his face and torso as to knock him off balance instead of pulling him down due to his weakened and unsteady stance. (he can be tagged by gunfire as well, but i'll let you also decide where.)
[ this sort of "flying" is much different than gliding, but he won't think too hard about that, they must escape.
diluc does his best to dodge what he can, as they all ascend, several rounds of bullets hitting him in the side, chest and shoulder. he grunts in pain, but continues to climb. the thorns tear at his legs, the denim of his jeans being torn, and nasty gashes being left behind.
but still he flies higher. determined to get out of this place. but he will steal a quick glance back at the others. ]
[It's not a good start. One of the whips catches Kim in the face, scratching his glasses and carving a line across his cheek. Blood starts to trickle down.
Fuck.
Others tear at the cloak. In retrospect, it might be a good thing that he's wearing two of those after all. Under his clothes, Cecile cries in alarm, but it's barely audible with all the gunfire. A bullet hits him from behind, and a burning pain shoots through his shoulder. He can barely see what's happening, but he'll try to conjure more of that wind power, throwing it at their attackers, trying to knock them back, or disrupt their attacks.
Most of all, he'll just keep trying to press forward. Upward.
[ Honestly how has it taken Akira this long to be involved in a gunfight? He's always thought this would happen with the choices he's made, but not like this. He's figuring out these new shoes as he goes along, and though he's usually a quick study in all things athletic, there's a lot going on. Not the least of which is probably giving himself a minor concussion? But it's fine.
He feels the thorns lash at his legs and maybe his sense of fashion is doing him some favors here, but he'll assess the damage later. The burning pain slicing through the sides of his arms and his shoulders will keep too. ]
No one's fucking dying here! [ He would think this but he could also just shout it, so. ]
[ no one is dying here especially if akira has anything to say about it especially now that he was in the lead, which honestly doesn't do him too much good, however as the three of them move up a section, the air will become even that much easier to breathe and the those wearing the thorn cloaks will be replaced with those wearing cloaks engraved with gems and lightning bolts.
while their legs were the target from the whips, these new cloak wearers will create obstacles in their way. the mostly smooth surface of which they were "riding"/"flying" over will suddenly have new poles and columns jut out from the sides with the hopes of catching them off guard. for the most part, none of those tricks work on akira as he'll be able to dodge and if not use them to avoid any other incoming damage. however, it would be good to avoid touching or landing on them as they'll deliver a nasty shock.
...which is the fate of both diluc and kim. the damage that they've accumulated so far and the way they were beaten previously knocking them momentarily against one of the pillars that will suddenly appear and shocking them with an electric jolt that will render them incapable to use their limbs correctly for a while. diluc taking the worse of the surprises as he'll be smacked right by one of the pillars as they jut out and throw him onto the other side of the hole from where akira and kim will be.
as they keep going higher despite their injuries and set backs—kim and diluc again taking random hits from other cloak wearers—gusts of air that knock them into the walls of the "tower" as they continue to climb. the wear and tear from their injuries threatening to take them down. however, it's not too late. they're so close... and akira will be more than welcomed and free to attack those who are the most threat to kim's and diluc's escape and monopolize on his ability. if he really wants to, he can have the other cloak wearers "rain blood" onto those below as a sort of message.
but only if he wants, for the present they are just about there...just a bit higher. ]
[ the cloaks on this level prove to pack a bigger punch, diluc being caught completely off guard by a sudden pillar, taking the hit to his left shoulder as he's knocked clear across the room.
the shock he experiences from being hit knocks the wind out of him and the following electric jolt shakes his entire body. canopus cries out as she swoops down and over to him, but is immediately knocked back by a sudden gust of wind. ]
Dammit!!
[ mustering all his strength he manages to get back to his feet, starting the climb again and calling out to canopus. she tumbles in the air for a moment before steading and rejoining him. ]
[ He is already covered in blood so really, anything else is flavor at this point. And he absolutely wants to give these guys hell too. Hopefully him making an example of these guys will leave an impression on those below, literally or not. But he has nothing to shout anymore, only guttural screams as he becomes a murder machine for the second time in many weeks. It's fine, he still has enough sense to ride the thrum of his blood rather than be overcome by it.
And that means he has enough sense to make sure the other people who are with him still are, he is clearing the way but once they reach the top he's not going to move on without them. ]
[ let's start from the bottom up with kim, after taking so much damage, being able to summon the last of his strength to do that final push. he'll slip against the walls as he tries to climb up the final way—perhaps his bloodied hands or even his mistake of trying make use of his arm that has been clearly cut off, to brace himself going terribly wrong as he slips a bit. but he won't fail. they've all come this far and there's something they all want to do. while their goals might not overlap once they leave this "tower" at least, for now, they will all agree that they need to survive and need to find their way out. fortunately for him too, will be the actions of akira that will send the other cloaks a clear message.
just a
bit...more.
diluc, for his struggles, it has been a rocky journey of ups and downs but the attacks don't stop coming his way. it seems that they want to take at least one of them down. break the wings (legs) of one of those who dare to escape the "tower". the final cloaks on this layer being ones with jagged images lining the edges. it won't take diluc very long to figure out which it is—the blast of wind that seems to shred at his skin and cloak being all to clear. while some of the cuts will be superficial, some will not and others will exuberate the injures he already has. blood soaking his clothes yet not causing him to stumble too much as he makes it out of the last bits of the "tower". they're all...so close.
the light is
right...there.
spearheading the crew and striking the fear into the remaining cloaks that dare stand in their way, is akira who will embrace the king's name he had chosen. his "fangs" bared as he shreds into the remaining number of them. while they retaliate against him, it's hard to see what is from his injuries and what is from those who he has torn into. they've struggled. they weren't going to stop here. this isn't where they will rest. the voice of the projection ringing in their minds.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I do not believe it does. Hardship teaches us important lessons and serves a test of our own free will. It's how you handle these hardships that will shape you and determine your strength.
[ he thinks back to his four year solitary sojourn and how that whole journey was a test to his strength. how he was filled with such rage and hatred...and that was what fueled him. and in the end was what almost got him killed. but he learned from it, reevaluated himself and acknowledge his shortcomings. it was through this that he earned his strength, not simply because he had experienced it, but because he had learned from it. not everyone has the strength to make it through... ]
no subject
[At least this one is less abstract, and so are the lieutenant's thoughts -- but only marginally so.
He remembers turning away while the other man slurps from a container. While he pops another pill. Sneaks a drink from his flask. A funeral in uniform. Chestnut-scented smoke from a cigarette.
"Welcome to Revachol."
Another day, another body. The smell of death and spearmint chewing gum. The quiet sobs of his family when they see the lieutenant at their doorstep.
A motor carriage in the sea.]
... Hardship is just as likely to destroy a person. [He shakes his head. But...
He remembers the roar of an aerostatic's rotors. A man standing atop a bronze horse statue, saying something unthinkable into a radio receiver. Something warm and hopeful. He remembers the way the lights danced around him.
Like disco lights.]
No one is strong alone. It's people that give strength to others.
no subject
He's caught up in his memories a bit, though he knows the answer to the question as soon as it's asked. ]
Yeah, it does. But it can break people. [ An eerie echo of a girl crying out "Don't look inside!. ] Everyone's limit is different cause people are different. That's the problem with trying to shove people into a neat little box for society's sake or whatever you wanna call it.
And some people don't have the chance to act except on their own. [ There's a glance at kim here. ] But they do what they gotta do.
no subject
eventually the two projections will acknowledge one another briefly before looking back at the three of them. ]
It also will mean that you will be not be free from your sin and that you will continue to face hardships.
Will you still deactivate the bomb and guidance system?
no subject
he looks at both akira and kim, they know what they have to do, even if its just a temporary solution. it will give them more time. ]
No one can ever be truly free of sin. And hardships will always follow you, every step you take.
no subject
My sins are mine to bear. I have no need to be freed from them.
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Fuck that, who said I wanted to be freed from it? I don't need anyone or anything making choices for me.
Stop the system.
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[ with that the another series of clicks and whirrs will play out alongside with a soft song that similar to that of a birdcall before the barrier drops from around the bomb. the soft blinking from it coming to an end, and with a bit of a hiss, one of the parts of the bomb will pop out. a small piece.
in addition to that, before diluc, a small podium will begin to rise from the ground before him. on it will be a small metal pin. if decides to take the pin, he will notice that it will be warm to the touch and reflect a soft but gentle light like the sun. ]
no subject
the soft tune is added comfort as the barrier drops and a small podium appears. without hesitation he picks the pin up and holds it tight in his hand, before pocketing it and then turning to the others. ]
Grab that piece and let's get the hell out of here.
no subject
He walks forward, a little unsteady on his feet as the adrenaline has started to wear off. But he makes it, and if he can, he will examine it and take this part, slipping it into his pocket.]
no subject
Guess we're making our own way out too! [ Since there are no stairs and no elevators.... Akira is going to run at one of the walls. How sturdy are these things to punches and blades? ]
no subject
[ on them will be three pairs of what look like to be roller skates with the exception that there is only two wheels on them. after that, the projection will smile one last time before fading away and the "ceiling" will open up exposing them to the rest of the "tower" that they had forgotten about. they'll see themselves at the probably at the bottom of the hole that they were first looking at. the main difference from the last time they were down here, is the presence of a multitude of cloaks—thorn cloaks being in the majority and a handful for cloaks with wind/gust engravings. ]
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There'll likely be people waiting for us up top. [ he's taking a pair and going over to kim to help him with tying. sorry about your arm kim... and then he'll put his own pair on.
ITS GO TIME.]
no subject
Okay... let's go.
[He'll try to follow their lead, assuming these younger guys are just gonna go for it. Akira definitely will, he's sure.]
no subject
Akira is careful while putting on his new shoes, maybe cause he will totally run into a wall but untied laces are a danger he's not willing to risk. It doesn't take him long to get set though. ]
We're fighting our way out, so I'm going first. Watch Kim. [ And we are off. ]
no subject
however, as the first one of the three of them to "ride" up the walls, he will also be the first one to come into contact with the other cloaked members who were waiting for them. though the lightning isn't the best, he'll still see the sheer fury on their faces as they attack him (and the others) with both firearms and with long whips aimed to take out their legs. he'll take much of the gunfire to his torso and shoulders (or wherever you'd like nina) but the "thorn" whips will hit true and catch him in the legs, digging deep into the flesh before tearing free.
still, he must fly higher.
next up is akira who has a rougher time getting things figured out, perhaps it's from the way he hit the wall earlier and took damage from that, but a few slash marks on his person never slowed anyone down, right? right. it's why when he does figure it out, he'll be able to climb just as well as diluc will take the brunt of the first round of fire from the cloaks, though most of them having had focused their attentions on diluc as he passes him up. unfortunately, there will be those "thorn" whips that will catch him the backs of his legs or thighs as he ascends. these, too, ripping at the clothes and skin as to drag him back down. (idk how or where he'll be shot w/gunfire but you may decide independently.)
and he must still fly higher yet.
finally, the one who has the most trouble with his ascension is kim, which may be expected given all that he has been through. he'll have a rough start and won't be able to climb as easily as the other two, but he will be able to somewhat keep up at the tail end. ...not that it spares him any lashings of from the thorns either. the lot of them whipping at his face and torso as to knock him off balance instead of pulling him down due to his weakened and unsteady stance. (he can be tagged by gunfire as well, but i'll let you also decide where.)
but this is not the well that they'll die in. ]
no subject
diluc does his best to dodge what he can, as they all ascend, several rounds of bullets hitting him in the side, chest and shoulder. he grunts in pain, but continues to climb. the thorns tear at his legs, the denim of his jeans being torn, and nasty gashes being left behind.
but still he flies higher. determined to get out of this place. but he will steal a quick glance back at the others. ]
no subject
Fuck.
Others tear at the cloak. In retrospect, it might be a good thing that he's wearing two of those after all. Under his clothes, Cecile cries in alarm, but it's barely audible with all the gunfire. A bullet hits him from behind, and a burning pain shoots through his shoulder. He can barely see what's happening, but he'll try to conjure more of that wind power, throwing it at their attackers, trying to knock them back, or disrupt their attacks.
Most of all, he'll just keep trying to press forward. Upward.
Right behind you. Keep going.]
no subject
He feels the thorns lash at his legs and maybe his sense of fashion is doing him some favors here, but he'll assess the damage later. The burning pain slicing through the sides of his arms and his shoulders will keep too. ]
No one's fucking dying here! [ He would think this but he could also just shout it, so. ]
no subject
while their legs were the target from the whips, these new cloak wearers will create obstacles in their way. the mostly smooth surface of which they were "riding"/"flying" over will suddenly have new poles and columns jut out from the sides with the hopes of catching them off guard. for the most part, none of those tricks work on akira as he'll be able to dodge and if not use them to avoid any other incoming damage. however, it would be good to avoid touching or landing on them as they'll deliver a nasty shock.
...which is the fate of both diluc and kim. the damage that they've accumulated so far and the way they were beaten previously knocking them momentarily against one of the pillars that will suddenly appear and shocking them with an electric jolt that will render them incapable to use their limbs correctly for a while. diluc taking the worse of the surprises as he'll be smacked right by one of the pillars as they jut out and throw him onto the other side of the hole from where akira and kim will be.
as they keep going higher despite their injuries and set backs—kim and diluc again taking random hits from other cloak wearers—gusts of air that knock them into the walls of the "tower" as they continue to climb. the wear and tear from their injuries threatening to take them down. however, it's not too late. they're so close... and akira will be more than welcomed and free to attack those who are the most threat to kim's and diluc's escape and monopolize on his ability. if he really wants to, he can have the other cloak wearers "rain blood" onto those below as a sort of message.
but only if he wants, for the present they are just about there...just a bit higher. ]
no subject
the shock he experiences from being hit knocks the wind out of him and the following electric jolt shakes his entire body. canopus cries out as she swoops down and over to him, but is immediately knocked back by a sudden gust of wind. ]
Dammit!!
[ mustering all his strength he manages to get back to his feet, starting the climb again and calling out to canopus. she tumbles in the air for a moment before steading and rejoining him. ]
no subject
But it comes back just as quickly. He's still here, holding on somehow. Still moving.]
Almost there.
[He doesn't know if the others can hear him. He doesn't have the strength to shout like they've been doing.]
no subject
And that means he has enough sense to make sure the other people who are with him still are, he is clearing the way but once they reach the top he's not going to move on without them. ]
no subject
just a
bit...more.
diluc, for his struggles, it has been a rocky journey of ups and downs but the attacks don't stop coming his way. it seems that they want to take at least one of them down. break the wings (legs) of one of those who dare to escape the "tower". the final cloaks on this layer being ones with jagged images lining the edges. it won't take diluc very long to figure out which it is—the blast of wind that seems to shred at his skin and cloak being all to clear. while some of the cuts will be superficial, some will not and others will exuberate the injures he already has. blood soaking his clothes yet not causing him to stumble too much as he makes it out of the last bits of the "tower". they're all...so close.
the light is
right...there.
spearheading the crew and striking the fear into the remaining cloaks that dare stand in their way, is akira who will embrace the king's name he had chosen. his "fangs" bared as he shreds into the remaining number of them. while they retaliate against him, it's hard to see what is from his injuries and what is from those who he has torn into. they've struggled. they weren't going to stop here. this isn't where they will rest. the voice of the projection ringing in their minds.
give them hell. ]