TEST DRIVE MEME #27

[penancemods]

Arrival

"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.

It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.

It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.

And so you do.

Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, but only a second.

Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.

Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.

The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"

Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please continue on until you reach Death's office. He'll have your contracts ready for you."

There's a slightly wicked twist to her lips. "Please do feel free to ask him about any of those sins listed..."

And so on, sinners travel until they finally arrived at another office where Death sits waiting. Here is where you'll receive a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written on with their blood. That explains the wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. Death will also provide slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android.

Seems as though Hell has moved on up from the very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters have their device and their contracts, they're ushered further down the hall. It seems to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon the lobby of Penance hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.

The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.


Stand Your Ground

While the Mares have gone, as per Death's bargain with God, and reconstructing Penance is coming along fairly well, the air is carrying with it a cold crispness that sends a chill down one's spine. Lucifer is still nowhere to be found, and if pressured, staff will say he's having talks with the other Lords of Hell, as well as God himself. Things need to be worked out, no matter how difficult it is for Lucifer to accept and swallow his pride. He won't be around to offer warmth to the Penance community and it may, in fact, be mirroring his current mood.

Or it may be the creeping sense of doom that's following so many around now that The Veiled Order has been able to nearly complete their next spell. Local demons will plainly say that God won't help them against this threat, that he doesn't care if Hell is destroyed, and others will be very hush about the situation entirely. No need to scare the local sinners, new or old!

Instead just enjoy the reopening businesses around the local area! Nothing is off-limits. Hellburbia seems to have suffered some extensive damage recently, but not to worry! There's talk of building back better than ever.

Other than that, Helluva Cup has a new spiced drink... and spiced everything. That's right! Pumpkin spice has apparently come early this year... and it may be a bit overpowering and in everything in the coffee shop, regardless of what you order. Even Bean, the 'friendly' hell rat the owner keeps in the shop seems to be feasting on pumpkin flavored meat. That's probably okay. Right?

Penance Library is offering a special reading of Leviathan-specific reads. The local goblins will be doing readings every afternoon for all who care to listen or to stick around and discuss it. These will all be fictional in nature, not historic texts.

Strangely enough, there seems to be a sort of curfew happening. While everyone will not be expected to be in the hotel necessarily, they must take shelter in the newly opened Club Penance, Casino Styx, Hella Shorty's, or other establishments. They must either stay the night in these establishments or be escorted to the hotel by demonic guards. These guards will be doing rounds around the Penance community to ensure no one is out alone. Do not fight them or they may surprise you with how strong they can be.

Additionally, anyone caught defying curfew knowingly or fighting back will be locked in their rooms for up to three days as a potential danger to the community as a whole. There are all sorts of dangers lurking out there and the demons are absolutely trying to keep everyone as safe as they can!

Otherwise, it's business as usual around Penance, so go on an exploration! Bundle up against the cold! Have fun!


Reach Up High

WARNINGS: cutting, blood, torture

Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord unfortunately expects some participation despite the current state of things. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. You can bargain your way out of it for a while. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the gym that's been fondly dubbed The Torture Room. It has all manner of equipment in there, along with an iron maiden even.

But don't worry about any of that right now. It probably won't be used.

You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.

It soon becomes apparent what you're supposed to do when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of sins will appear on a table that's been placed in the center of the room with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display.

"Unfortunately, due to Father coming back into the picture, I know that He will demand punishment be delivered despite our circumstances. I have chosen a rather easy one, focused on honesty and acceptance of your sins. Please pick up a knife and choose a sin from each of your lists to carve upon your skin. Aid each other in your journey, carve the words to help your fellow penitent be candid with everyone around them!"

The voice rings out within the sinners' heads as it always does, although Lucifer seems agitated at the moment, hesitant in some way that he usually isn't.

"I do apologize for this. If it was up to me, you would have been free of additional torment this month. However, there will be additional incentive for anyone who should try to resist the task I've appointed them."

It isn't a lie nor an idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?

And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?

Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I: Reopening

WARNINGS: sex, drugs, alcohol, aphrodisiacs, body changes, potential kinks, violence, potential non-con or dub-con.

Club Penance is finally back! And with themed nights to start off all the fun. This night's theme is: Anything But Clothes. Guests who enter the adult oriented side of the club will notice the incubi and succubi who serve in it are entirely without clothes (and any ounce of shame!). They're eager to get right back to business. They're very encouraging of others to do the same whether it be immediately or in sexy strip shows.

On their trays, they offer drinks and drugs of all sorts. Shows are being put on on the stage as usual, the offer of sex demos with guest participation are still on the table.

As usual, these demons play under respectable rules in the club, safe words and all. They will also gladly exit the stage and let guests entirely run the show. They're on their best behavior tonight, even if the natural aphrodisiacs they give off seem to be amped up

Guests who refused to undress may also find their clothes randomly disappearing, or being torn off by some eager patron or demon who is a bit too into the theme! Ah, well, no need to worry too much. There will be costumes and lingerie to slip on to go home in. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a walk of shame back to the hotel in nothing but a thong, they'll assure. It's just another night in Hell.

For those who are really adventurous, there are also special concoctions that the club offers. These include:

Frenzy ○ The drug will be given to anyone anyone who asks for it. It can be snorted, injected, taken in pill form, or smoked given user preference.

Despite the questionable name, guests who partake really will feel the best they've possibly ever felt. They won't need sleep or to rest, but they won't necessarily feel the strain on their bodies either. They'll be full of energy and their mood will be amazing with no hint of nightmares or dreams anywhere.

The demons won't let anyone come down either, not once they've started and not until they're told a guest doesn't want any more.

Even then, they may still try to convince them otherwise. It's a party for as long as you can go, or until you completely burn out, it seems.

But with all good things come bad. It seems a side-effect of the drug is an actual frenzy as well. A frenzy for sex or violence or anything a character might want that they deny themselves on the regular. They'll feel this growing hunger, this ravenous need to have and to claim everything they think is theirs.

Some may even fade away into an almost animalistic sort of state.

The more the guest takes, the more they'll experience this sensation. Fighting it won't help either. Though they did sort of bring that one on themselves, didn't they?

Other symptoms of coming down won't be too different to those of other drugs. Fatigue, depression. Guests will begin to feel the effects of staying up for so long without rest or stopping to take care of themselves. They may also feel a certain longing for more, but it can be fought off with enough strength of will.

The drug isn't free either. The succubi expect to be paid in energy or through actual work in the club.

Bond ○ A potion that will bond guests together the minute one speaks to the other. The encouragement is that this should be done consensually, but the demons won't necessarily be checking. Once bonded, guests will feel what the one who took the potion feels. This includes pain and pleasure both with effects lasting a full night. Give someone the most intense pleasure of their lives or torture them until they beg for mercy!

For a really intense experience, both participants can consume the potion with mutual effects.

For the dance oriented portion of the club, the theme is a little more lax. Instead of outright nakedness, patrons may be offered revealing clubwear instead. Things that will look mesmerizing in the lights of the club ranging from neon colors to clothes that seem to flash on the dance floor. The music will be thrumming in the air, pumping down to your very bones as you dance the night away, and all patrons will feel good. It will feel as if they could actually dance all night if they so wanted, even without the aid of any drugs.

It will be an all night rave with all the party drugs and drinks one could want! Live music plays all night. The band also loves to receive requests, so knock yourself out! They seem to strangely know any song they're asked to play.

Knock yourself out, give up any care in the world and have fun. You're already in Hell, so don't you deserve to feel good for a while?


Prompt II: Your Average Hotel Night

WARNINGS: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con

With all the sinners, new and old, the hotel bar will be lit up with activity. Drinks will be readily available, there's food in the kitchens if anyone wants to bother serving it, music will be blaring whenever there's electricity, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events there may be be a certain pull to stay and have a bit of fun.

You might not get much of a chance to have that in Hell, after all. One drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that, and after that. Ah, sweet gluttony. Why not have a pastry next? There's some delectable sweets available just a few steps away. More of a meat person? Like things salty? Fear not, it looks like someone graciously brought all sorts of snacks and foodstuffs from the kitchens to the bar as the night progresses. Indulge! You deserve it.

Similar to Club Penance, the bar also has every sort of drug available that might tickle your fancy and some you've never heard of. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in Hell. The staff will offer to show anyone how to use the drugs or give advice for what to try if you tell them what you want to experience. Shockingly, they won't lie! Their advice is good word its just you might not have been exactly prepared for it.

There's a stage and a karaoke machine for those feeling brave or just wanting to torture people with some sweet, sweet renditions of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

There are tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with. Since currency as most are familiar with it doesn't quite exist down here, most of the demons seem to be accepting bits of your soul or offers to do chores around the hotel. You may also get pulled into a fun game of strip poker against one of your fellow guests for a few succubi that are having a night out.

Relax and enjoy your night. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun.


Wildcard/Misc.

Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.



And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the September 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.

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Comments

[neutronblast]

[and he's all too quick to disagree:]

It's not fine. But so long as you accept that, it'll be alright.

[paradoxical as it may sound. he has to believe that it will; otherwise, everything seemed too hopeless, even for a militant pessimist.

as for mistakes, it's hard to pick just one. there have been many, far too many. he may have been the most arrogant son of a bitch to walk the earth and a man prone to ardent denial, but even he knows he's made missteps. case in point: bonding with a dangerously rogue AI. sitting here, just talking to someone he now knows to be an utter menance.

but one stands out among all the rest. and he supposes she's earned that much.]

I left my brother behind. I went after a man I wanted more than anything and forgot what I was supposed to do.

[his hand squeezes tight around hers, as if living the pain of that memory.]

I forgot to care about him. To look after him. And I realized that way too late to make a difference.

[holeinwall]

[ She snorts quietly at the disagreement. Not surprising, really. Wasn't a day ending in Y if he wasn't constantly trying to be ever the contrarian with her. It was comforting, almost, being able to rely on that.

Her expression shifts when he fulfills her request. Another surprise. She figured he'd roll his eyes, throw a hissy fit, and walk off like she's sure he's wanted to for a long time now. But no. Finally, the cover of his book has creaked open. She's gotten a peek at a page.

It happens without thought. Monika goes in for a kiss. Unlike any other she's given him, ones riddled with lust and less-than-savory feelings, this one is meant to be gentle. Comforting. An attempt to give him something nice.

It's not like she could understand that kind of bond, or even begin to fathom what it was like to have to forever harbor the amount of regret that must've brought forth. But they both knew pain. That was the chain linking them, no matter how much she tried to deny it.

After a moment, she pulls back, remaining a few inches away. Instinct had taken over, but she snagged hold of the reins again, regained her control. He wasn't really someone she should even think about wanting to comfort. Was he?

...Or was there more to it? ]

Sometimes, when you want something with all of your being...everyone else becomes an obstacle. No matter how important they are. [ Her brow twitches, nearly furrowing, memories of their shared nightmare picking at her. ] No matter how real or fake they are.

[ Words drift into her mind from a faraway place, ones that seemed to mean even more now, more than when she had first written them: ]

There is no meaning.
There is no purpose.
And we seek only the impossible.

cw: mention of child abuse

[neutronblast]

[something nice. someone else had said much the same to him; he didn't think he deserved it then either. he doesn't think he deserves it now. to his credit, he doesn't flinch or pull away, but he doesn't expect it. it's almost a shameful reaction, a sign that may he wasn't as cold and unfeeling as he made himself out to be. because he definitely felt that.

maybe it was because his life had been riddled with so much pain he didn't know how to handle the opposite -- the idea that someone would want to give himself something other than a reason to lash out. so he doesn't. he stays still. as if he expects to be struck or have it taken away, as he felt as a child, when a cruel man ruled his life.

he's not sure if it qualifies as comfort. but he does look pacified by the end of it, so she's probably not in any danger of a lecture. or worse.]

I wanted to win.

[a breathy confession. because he did want it, he wanted it so much it destroyed him. it wasn't love, but it was another side of that same coin: obsession.]

I wanted it more than anything.

[holeinwall]

I did, too. [ Her voice is barely above a whisper now, tears stinging at her eyes. ] Even if it meant destroying everything.

[ Abruptly, she pulls her hands away, instead wrapping him up in a hug, breathing hard against his neck. Unlike him, she wasn't afraid to seek what she wanted. So removed from nice things, she took them whenever she could. She'd so thoroughly convinced herself that because she'd suffered so much, she only deserved good things. It was her right.

And this, she needed and wanted. Badly. After he'd been able to see what horrors her own twisted obsession had wrought, and in turn saw what haunted him, this embrace was the unspoken way to say I understand.

Monika's eyes press closed. After the kiss, she's unsure of how he'll react. But hopefully, just like with that, he'll at least allow it. And perhaps, as she takes what she needs, he'll get something he definitely needs in return. ]

[neutronblast]

[when was the last time someone hugged him? maybe mokuba, the brother he left behind. it makes him feel downright rotten, even if she's trying to make him feel better.

he wanted to win. he wanted it more than anything. and now that man was gone. he had abandoned someone and so he had been abandoned himself. maybe that was what he deserved, a lot more than nice. nice was such a loaded term. nice was for nice people. they weren't nice people. and nice was not the fate that awaited them here.

even so, he embraces her anyway. maybe they couldn't have nice but it feels like the right thing to do.]

You're real.

[it's not I love you and won't ever be, but maybe I see you means more. at least for right now.]

Remember that. No matter what happens, you existed.

[holeinwall]

[ Her eyes flutter open, a breath hitching in her throat. It's not a declaration of love, yes. She'd suspect something was seriously wrong if he ever gifted her with one. Affirming her existence, however? For once, and probably for the first time ever, it meant more than her so-called three favorite words.

After quickly scrubbing at her eyes, she disentangles herself from him and stumbles to her feet, angling her face away. That was enough vulnerability for one day. Few people got to see her laid this bare, and she was trying to keep that number quite low. ]

Thanks. I'm just...

[ She glances at the books she's laid out, considering at least stacking them up neatly for the demons whenever they swung by to put them away, but was that really important? Making her escape took precedence.

Monika pulls back the hand that had gone so far as reaching out for one, abandoning her constant desire for orderliness. Control. Because if she stayed here, things were going to keep slipping through her fingers. ]

I'm...

[ A coherent sentence still refuses to form, so she shoves her chair haphazardly under the table and moves past him for the exit. Because he can't see her cry. He can't, he can't, he can't. ]

[neutronblast]

[too late for that, he would've told her, but she's already on her way out.

he's no good with girls. he wasn't romantic, not in the slightest, and he had neither the time nor interest in pointless sentimentality. stories, poems, works of fiction -- none of them meant anything at all. all worthless schlock. they were just excuses for escapism. they were just another form of running away. he would know. he's done it all his life.

monika could be dangerous and dangerously unpredictable, but the sudden outburst still catches him by surprise. he wasn't offended, far from it, nor did he blame himself for it, but it felt like having hot coffee splashed in his face all over again. she was upset, albeit for a very different reason, and it's aggravating. it's aggravating when he said stop running and then she went and did it anyway. so while she tries to run, she doesn't get far. he's not good with girls, but he knows this much: you can't just let her go like that.]

Monika!

[she's real. he calls out her real name. nearly leaps to his feet. and he catches her by the wrist, leans on his heels. grounds them there.

stop it,

stop it,

stop it,

and shouts with all his might, just as much at monika as himself:]

I said

[stop it—]

stop running!

[holeinwall]

[ Even if he hadn't grabbed her wrist, the way he'd said her name would've stopped her in her tracks. She lets out a strangled noise at his grasp, immediately and frantically fighting against what feels like a shackle trapping her there. Let me go, she pleads to some higher power that she knows isn't listening, just let me go.

But it's not to be. His fiery command strikes like a bolt of lightning.

Her efforts to escape gradually cease, and her wrist goes limp in his hand. Others are staring, she can tell, feeling their eyes boring in, but there's no stopping it. Her body seems to take those words as a cue to release everything. Tears spill out, one after another, and soon there's no containing the waterfalls.

A sob burns in her throat before she lets it tumble free, and she looks back at Kaiba over her shoulder, a tremble that had started in her hand traveling upward and throughout her body. ]

J-Just this one time. Let me do it just one more time. Please.

[neutronblast]

[so much for keeping it down in the library. he's sure to get an earful of that later.

for now, he just holds her there. holds her gaze. forces her to look at him, not through his grip, but sheer force of will. because seto kaiba was a powerhouse, a firestorm, a hurricane. he could command thousands and thousands of people to listen; here he commands just one with the same strength and passion and purpose.]

If you go now, you can't come back.

[his fingers loosen. if she really and truly wants to run, she can.]

So choose. Choose for yourself.

[if she wants to cry, she can. he's made his decision. she would have to make hers.]

Choose who you want to be.

[holeinwall]

[ The tremble's worsening. Her knees feel like they're seconds from buckling. But she stares back, unable to pull herself away from his intense stare. More layers of her are exposed, and there's nothing she can do to stop it.

Another quiet sob leaks out. She wants to go. She doesn't want to come back. Facing the heinous parts of her was too hard. She can't, she can't, she can't...

But as he loosens his hold on her, she makes no move to leave. She lets him peel away mask after mask until he fully sees her real face, with tear-swollen eyes and the true, raw sadness she always keeps caged up inside. ]

I don't know who I want to be...

[ The words are soft and pained, and she finally finds the ability to drop her head and avoid some of his piercing scrutiny. She was caught between so many worlds. AI and human. Digital and reality. Good and bad. How was she supposed to make such a monumental decision so quickly?

One step. Another. And another. Then she's pressed against him, her face disappearing into his shirt. She continues sniffling quietly, clinging to him lightly, sinking into his warmth. ]

I just...want to be happy.

[neutronblast]

[at least he's more prepared for it this time. he kept his own heart locked up, sealed away in his chest, but it was still beating there. he was still human, still alive. he could still feel things, even some sentimental things, when he allowed himself to do so. and arguably he felt them just as intensely as anyone else, even if he couldn't cry anymore.

the tension in his limbs dies down. he's no good with girls but he holds her anyway. with any luck, she wouldn't notice that lack of experience.]

Of course you do.

[of course she knows. and of course she wants to be happy. he won't wipe her tears; he just lets her cry and cry and cry into his chest. emotionally, he's not a very warm person. physically, though, he may as well be a space heater. and he supposes there are worse things to have in his arms than a pretty girl, beside herself with grief.]

You want to be real, right? Isn't this the real you?

[people are staring. let them, he thinks. only one person matters here. maybe two.]

Being human hurts. That's how you know it's real.

[holeinwall]

[ It says a lot that she's not bothered by his lack of the "typical" reactions. She was usually caught up in that sort of thing, how things were supposed to go. A soft squeeze, a kiss pressed to her hair, some sweet, sentimental drivel whispered into her ear...the cliched scenarios flit in and out of her mind, but she doesn't seize on them. They simply go in and out.

So strange that for once, the unexpected--the bare minimum--was exactly what she needed. Luck was definitely on his side.

As the pent-up grief pours out, she relaxes, bit by bit. The worst of the storm's passed, and a few sunbeams are peeking through the clouds. ]

It's a lot to get used to...

[ Her head turns a little so her cheek can rest against his chest. The wetness from her tears is uncomfortable, and she's staring directly at an annoyed clerk, but it doesn't matter. She can hear Seto Kaiba's heart beating. It's always been one of her most cherished sounds. The ultimate sign of reality--the sound of life.

She holds on a little tighter. She had a tendency to seek out all the wrong things in all the wrong places, but this seemed...right. ]

I don't know why you deal with me. I told you I was trouble. You know I'm trouble. [ She glances up at him through her lashes. ] If anyone has a good reason to be running, it's you.

[neutronblast]

[kaiba sort of half-shrugs before he can stop himself, an instinctual reaction.]

Such is life, I'm afraid.

[no sweet nothings in her ear. just the truth. because the more of it he told, he'd discovered, the more honest she'd be in return.

he doesn't really care that people are staring, but he also knows better than to embarrass her by continuing this conversation at length. some things were better said in private, and aside from that, this must've been exhausting. even if it didn't hit her now, all adrenaline and nerves, it would hit her soon. at least he understands that much.]

C'mon. Let's get you back to your room. I'll deal with you a little longer.

[time healed no wounds at all, in his experience. but sleep could heal some.]

[holeinwall]

[ Somehow, it's that reaction that makes her smile a little. Much more typical. Much more comforting in its expectation. ]

How totally noncommittal.

[ Monika takes a step back, finally letting him go. She'd done a number on his shirt, but...he probably won't mind. And that's what laundry's for. So, she tries not to think about it too much, or just how much she hates all that comes with crying. Thankfully, it's over.

And while she's not getting a hug or other sweetness, he is giving her his own brand of unspoken concern by recognizing the discomfort of breaking down in a very public place. Her bed did seem suddenly appealing, too. ]

I could make you carry me. I know you can do it. [ Look! He even got her to laugh again! A tiny one, sure, but a laugh nonetheless. ] Then you'd have to deal with me even more.

[ She's hit by some awkwardness, however. After all that, should she keep things intimate and walk at his side? Or maybe try not to make a big deal out of anything? Eventually, tired of being torn over the many options, she settles with leading them on, assuming he'll follow behind her. ]

Don't try to make it a habit of seeing my room, either. I worked for my privacy.

[ Which almost sounds like maaaybe he was right about her being okay with being alone somehow? The thought makes her face scrunch up a bit, since he can't see it. Still not going to admit it to him. ]

[neutronblast]

[she tries to lead him on, but she doesn't get very far. he reaches out again, though this time, he doesn't catch her wrist. instead, he's tugging at her fingers. softly, gently.

he's trying to hold her hand.]

[holeinwall]

[ The touch startles her twice. First, because it's completely unexpected. Second, because of what he's attempting to do.

Her eyes travel up to his, wide and full of wonder. Is this the same man? The same one who'd tormented her so much? The one who'd made her curl up into a ball and sob her heart out in secret so many times?

Was this the Seto Kaiba that now seemed insistent upon guiding her through the pain of humanity?

She looks away, a flush overcoming her face. And as she does so, her fingers weave with his, shakily and hesitantly, then she holds on. The touch is warm, just like his arms were.

With that, she continues walking, slipping into a silence that, while a tad awkward, is comfortable as well. And like many other things they'd just experienced, it was real. ]

[neutronblast]

[it's probably for the best they walk in silence. kaiba preferred it; as for monika, he also recognizes that all that weeping and wailing does a serious number on your throat.

nobody bothers them anyway. hell was hell, but it wasn't always so bad. sometimes love and romance really did rule the day. they may not be in love and romance might have been an even taller order, but kaiba lets passerby assume whatever they want. so monika can have a dutiful boyfriend, just for a few minutes. he doesn't mind.

as they approach her room, he lets go of her hand. though he lingers outside the door.]

You gonna be okay?

[she seemed okay. okay-ish. nothing a good nap wouldn't fix.]

[holeinwall]

[ It takes her a while to respond. She's too occupied with running her hand over the one he'd just released, trying to somehow maintain the fading heat there.

Eventually, she nods, even if she's not fully convinced she knows what "okay" is anymore. ]

Yeah. All good. [ She looks up from her hands and flashes a smile. ] If not, the demons help me keep champagne practically on tap. Ahaha.

[ It's another peek under the mask. A sign she hasn't been coping in healthy ways. But really, who here was? ]

Thanks. For everything. [ There's another moment of silence that she spends nibbling on her lower lip. ] And, um. I wasn't totally serious about you not coming to see me. It wouldn't hurt to have someone to read with again...

[ She won't outright ask him to visit more. This way, the ball's in his court. Easier for the both of them, right? ]

[neutronblast]

[maidenly wish granted. he doesn't even try to hide his enthusiasm.]

Sure, it's a date. But let's skip the coffee, alright? 'cause no offense, I don't trust you around hot liquids.

[or anything sharp. but there's nothing sharp in the way he says it. or in the way he smooths his hand over her cheek. and alright, fine. it's still a little wet, so he'll just wipe that off with his thumb. no one else saw that, right? so he can just pretend he was a super tough guy and this never happened and she'll never, ever use it against him... right?

well, he might have fucked up today. not in an bad sense, more the sense they aren't ever coming back from this. and he's surprisingly okay with that.]

[holeinwall]

[ That gets him an eye roll, but she's laughing all the same. ] You're seriously never gonna let that go, are you? It was one time.

[ All the horrible stuff he's seen and heard her do, and he focuses on the coffee. Go figure.

She's still laughing when he touches her, but it fades into nothing at the softness of the gesture. At this rate, he was going to give her a heart attack. She's...surprisingly okay with that.

Her eyes close and she tilts her head into the touch. She's definitely sensing they've crossed some boundary as well, especially with what words are about to spill out of her mouth. ]

If you keep touching me, I might do something stupid. So maybe don't.

[ Can't say she's not trying to be smart. Somewhat. ]

[neutronblast]

Something stupid...?

[it takes him a moment to put two and two together. it was that sort of mood, wasn't it... kaiba peers at the door, thinking things over. ultimately he compromises halfway, somewhere between something stupid and something soft. she really was a pretty girl, now that he had the time and inclination to admire the view.]

I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. How's that?

[maybe she truly was more than an AI, so warm beneath his palm. he likes it. he likes it more than he should.]

[holeinwall]

First wiping my tears away, and now this? [ Her eyes open with a grin. ] You know, that sounds awfully romantic~

[ Yep. She definitely wasn't going to use any of this against him. Ever.

And as if she's going to turn the offer down!! She steps aside to let him in so that she can close the door. This was going to be a moment to cherish, to draw out for as long as possible, she thinks...and then lets out a big yawn. Her brow furrows at that. Just like in the library where he seemed to flip a switch and get her crying, he's seemingly done it again, making all the exhaustion from that crash down onto her. So much for that plan. ]

Just...let me wash my face first. No shoes on the bed.

[ With that, she toes her own off and leaves them where they are instead of placing them neatly with all her others. Weariness has sunk down into her bones in record time, and the journey to the bathroom suddenly seems like miles. All of her plans tumble to the floor as she trudges along and disappears inside.

No cute nightgown. No soft music. None of her favorite romantic cliches are going to appear once she comes back out. There's just a tired girl with a spot of soap she'd missed rinsing off on her cheek, tugging at her hair ribbon to let her hair fall, falling in turn onto the bed, hardly caring where she lands. ]

Just one re-request-- [ That yawn was pretty shuddery. ] No mentioning electric sheep or I'll kick you.

[neutronblast]

[rude as he may have been, kaiba was still japanese at his core. accordingly, he knows better than to intrude in someone else's home. at least most of the time.

so when he's invited in, he doesn't hesitate. he neatly toes off his shoes at the door, as requested, and perches on the edge of said bed. despite the implied intimacy of it, there was nothing like aggression or suggestion in his countenance or posture; he looks downright polite, glancing around the room as she readies herself.

but damn. he can't help but stare as all that hair comes tumbling down. maybe pretty was an understatement.]

Did you want me to read something...?

[it reminds him of those bygone days, reading to his little brother as he fell asleep. a nostalgic memory, if bitter sweet.]

[holeinwall]

[ Monika blinks at the question. It almost shocks the sleepiness out of her. ] Really?

[ Her eyes drift over to her bookshelf, the one he'd helped organize. That felt a little more significant now. ]

Yeah. Sure. That'd be nice. Pick whatever looks interesting to you.

[ There was a lot of romance, of course, but many other books exploring the vast depths of humanity, life, and death lurked on the shelves, too. She'd said reading was her escape, but it was also her guide. The past year, despite all its upsets, had given her time to have glimpses into the real world. Hell was gonna Hell, but she'd forever be grateful to have been granted that opportunity.

Her gaze returns to him, warmth lighting up her already burning cheeks. She'd thought about commenting on how he'd stared, but something made her stop. Maybe it's the constant awe of seeing this side of him? Like maybe she's dreaming already, and when she wakes up, none of this will have happened. Always easier to expect the worst, isn't it? ]

If you like whatever you pick, I might even let you borrow it.

[ The tease is gentle, one arm getting tucked up under her head. It helps cover up her own bittersweet feelings and memories from a now-distant time of when TB would sometimes do this for her. She didn't think she'd ever experience anything like it again.

Monika settles in a bit more, further pushing those thoughts aside. It was time to allow herself some happiness. A moment of peace. ]

[neutronblast]

[note to self: avoid porn. probably not the best time for that.

kaiba wanders over to the bookshelf and scans for anything that looks interesting. or at least not so romantic or raunchy. he winds up kneeling to the very bottom, smiling at what he finds there. some classics were universal and so too was this: kaiba pulls out the little demon, a not so subtle parody of the little prince.]

Haven't read this one in a long time. Mokuba used to love it.

[he namedrops his brother without realizing it. he saunters back to her bedside and cracks the book open.]

Let's see. Want me to start at the beginning?