lucetilogs | Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care about that!

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Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care about that!

Who: Everyone!
What: The final day. Moonfall. Twenty-Four hours remain. How do you spend it?
When: The 30th, all day
Where: Anywhere
Summary: The last day. The end has come. The moon is coming down and piercing the barrier. Nothing can stop it.
Rating: It will vary.

Details are here. But here's a recap and expansion!

By the time morning hits Luceti, the Moon has begun to breach the barrier, noticeable by how the barrier will fluctuate about the Moon's face in strange ribbons of energy. The oceans and lakes begin to rage as they are caught by the Moon's gravity. The ground begins to quake in an unsettling way. Small and harmless tremors that will slowly intensify over the course of the day. With the Moon already partway through the barrier, it will be noticeable that it is not quite as large as the real Moon. Though quite vast, the Moon itself does is not quite the entire size of Luceti, but is large enough to span the entire village and more. The Moon's angered face does not cease for a moment, even as it becomes the only sight in the sky.

Yet it remains in the sky, slowly breaking through the barrier, and proving indestructible in spite of all that is thrown at it. In the evening it will begin to cause gravitational disturbances, drawing up debris and small objects into the air. When it finally reaches midnight, the bottom of the Moon will be one mile above Luceti. At that point, all will suddenly black out and know no more. What becomes of the Moon? Does Luceti go splat? Will CJ finally get his moon rocks? Stay tuned!

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[ That mask. That mask indeed. ] You left me. Just like he always does!

[ His tone is angry, so very much so and his expression switches from angry to calm in an instant, as if he were burying that anger. He'll tilt his head to the side stepping closer towards Giles. ] But you're back now.

[ He stops walking towards the other, noticing Giles' pain and actions. He doesn't hear what Giles says the rumbling of the Earth filling his ears as the jolt shakes the very ground they stand upon. But it passes quickly and a smirk dots his impassive expression. ] You're hurt. I can help.

[The office fades, the horrible, angry moon swims back into view. Helios' voice, twisted and made unfamiliar with anger.

Giles' fists clench to the point that his knuckles whiten as he tries to force himself to remain in the here and now. It isn't easy. He has to fight not to duck as the echo of a box hitting the wall echoes through his mind - "You bastard."]

I'm s-sorry. I, I, I didn't have a choice, the mask kept...

...t-take it off, Helios. The mask. Y-You, you have to...

["Because I really want to torture you." And suddenly there's pain, pain enough to drop him to his hands and knees with a choked off cry as the empty path becomes a cramped, dark room.]

...s-stay away from me...

No. [ There's a sneer as Giles' words go unheard, uncared for as Helios walks closer green eyes flickering with some mixture of malice and twisted sympathy.

He's right in front of Giles as the other falls onto his hands and knees. Something makes Helios stop seeing Giles like that and he makes a grab for his mask with his good hand. He stops midway and drops his hand to his side. ]

Stay away from you, Giles, really? [ There's a crackle of lightning and then a loud snap as a bolt collides in a spot right beside Giles. ] Why should I?!

[And his hands go down on the trigger and the world explodes with a loud crack that deafens all sound and light that blinds them and no no no stop it that was years ago and doesn't matter anymore and Helios, god, Helios is going to kill him...

Giles shakes himself out of the daze and stares up at Helios. Then, without warning, he shifts into a crouch before lunging at Helios, aiming to get his legs out from under him and bear him to the ground. Whether that works, or works without Giles getting hit in the process, remains to be seen.]

[ There is a loud yell from Helios as Giles tackles him. His wound in his side sends a sharp pain through his body and trying to break his fall with his injured hand ignites with a white hot pain that leaves his vision blank for a few seconds. He'll use his good hand to shoot a viciously powerful wind spell right as Giles' chest in attempt to throw the other off of him. Next come spikes from the ground shooting out of it in every direction around them. It's a result from Helios losing control of his magic for a second of two. His breathing will be heavy and his green eyes glinting with anger and unseen fear from behind that mask. ]

Don't touch me.

[Robert hadn't realized how much like hell this situation was until he saw his best friends screaming at each other.

He's not even sure what's happening. The loudness of everything and the constant tremors and the thudding of his own heartbeat in his ears drowns out everything and he can't focus on their motions enough to have any chance of discerning what the conversation could be - other than the howling of the wind spell that nearly bowls Giles over. And then spikes jutting out of the ground. What the hell is going on?

He screams, sharply, trying to be heard over the sheer cacophony of sound and trying to catch both of their attentions. Why are they out here maximizing their chances of a quick death?]

Helios...! Giles!

[What are you doing?]

[The wind catches Giles full force. He retains just enough presence of mind to tighten his grip on Helios before he's pitched to the side. The nearest spike slices up his back, shearing through his shirt and drawing a long line of blood across his back. It misses his wings by a hair's breadth.

He cries out in pain, finds himself looking into that mask that's already starred in a few nightmares. Almost unconsciously, Giles clenches his fist and winds up to punch and...

...can't...

He wavers. In his ear, Ethan's voice mocks him - "I know what you really are..."]

[ Helios backs away at the winding up. No. No. No. He won't have it happen again. He won't let Giles cause him more pain. He just can't. The memories of Giles slapping him echoing through his mind. There's just a sneer another crackle of lighting manages to hit just a little bit closer to Giles now. When the voice of Robert makes him turn green eyes flickering with some recognition. His injured hand might go to the mask again where there's a hitched breath from Helios as he grips the edge with bloodied finger. He grits his teeth shaking his head as he does so before his hand scraps against the mask as it falls limply to his side. ]

[Giles' cry of pain snaps Robert out of whatever reverie he was in, and despite the complaints of his body, he sprints the short distance to where Giles and Helios are sprawled on the ground.

The dim light just barely lets him catch the edge of that mask, lit by the crackling electricity that emanates from Helios - that godforsaken mask, he remembers seeing Giles wear it too...]

That mask... [Robert murmurs it almost without thinking, stopping short at one of the larger spikes of soil and rock, which is preventing him from getting any closer to the two easily.

Helios' hands are bloody. They're both in pain and bleeding and they're probably all going to die. Whatever little logic and rationality Robert has left is not faring very well.]

[Giles reflexively covers his face as the lightning strikes. He steps back, staggers, stumbles as he backs against the spike...

...falls...

One strikes up through his shoulder, one through his leg. The others just tear and cut. He finds himself flat on his back, staring up at the sky but seeing something else entirely.] L-Let...let go of her...

[When his vision clears, the first thing he sees is Robert. Giles' expression twists into one of mingled fury and fear.]

Run!

I'll leave you just like I left her. [ Helios moves to hover over Giles an expression of satisfaction on his face. His eyes glow bright green again and a sword made out of water forms in his good hand. He'll hold it above his head, ready to strike Giles where he lays, but then as if in an instant his attention turns towards Robert. A smile will touch his lips as he almost completely forgets Giles is there. ]

Before that though... [ He'll step towards Robert a few spikes retracting into the earth leaving only upturned earth in their wake. Helios holds up the sword looking at it before back at Robert.

Helios barks out a laugh. ] He's not going to leave you. He's probably incapable of doing so. I suppose most friends would be. [ He steps closer to Robert that sword dragging on the ground leaving a thin long line in the dirt. ]

[... Fot a moment he wishes he was still Audubon, because at least Audubon could fight.

But it's Helios, wearing that mask. The abomination that's talking to him, that's threatening Giles - who is "her?" - and that wants to seem to do the same to him, is caused by that mask. Can they even take that horror off of him...?

Instinctively, Robert backs up slightly, attempting to subtly curve the path so it isn't obvious he's walking towards Giles. At the same time, he tries to speak:]

I am not leaving either of you...! [Giles is trapped and injured horrendously and Helios is trying to kill them both. There has to be a way to knock the magician over to get him stunned long enough to pry off the mask...]

[Who is "her", indeed? There are so many possibilities, and all of them make Giles' blood turn to ice in his veins.

With the sickening sound of stone tearing at flesh in his ears, Giles wrenches himself up off the spikes. The last of the painkillers keeps the pain from crippling him as he struggles to his feet. And he reaches out and takes hold of Helios' wrist, the wrist holding the sword.]

Look at me. Look. You've got your vengeance.

Now tell me what you've done.

[ He doesn't look he doesn't want to look the mask fueling his actions to keep moving towards Robert. There's an intake of breath almost sounding fearful, almost. And Helios' eyes widen he goes stiff at the others hand on his wrist. His bad hand balls into a limp fist fingers not fully being able to move to complete the action. He will try to wrench his hand free. ]

Let go! [ Helios twists his body around his bad hand coming up to try and collide with Giles' face, a thin coat of flame surrounding his hand like a glove. ]

[Giles grabbing Helios' wrists distracts him and redirects his attention, and Robert is horrified to see Helios whirl on the older man with a hand like a flaming brand.]

What are you doing?! [His voice has a desperate edge, a panic burbling incoherently just under the surface like someone trapped in a cave-in.] Stop it!

[In one rather desperate lunge, Robert grabs at the shoulder propelling that flaming hand, trying to restrain the motion of Helios' arm. He normally wouldn't do this, but desperate times call for desperate measures.]

[The blow connects, if only because Giles refuses to let go of Helios' arm. In fact, his grip tightens as the impact sends his glasses spinning off his face and bouncing away. It's a combination of Helios' injuries and the scientist's efforts that the punch didn't make him see stars.

But when it clears, and he sees that bloody mask, and sees Robert fighting? Giles free hand lashes out, taking hold of the mask and trying to pull.]

What have you done? Who else have you hurt?

[ There's a restricted sob from Helios at the introduction of Robert gripping his shoulder. He turns his head to look at the scientist but Giles is still in front of him and god that is one of the most triggering parts of his body and someone like Robert exploiting it...

Another spike shoots out of the ground albeit it isn't anywhere near them at all. A fear driven response that would usually make the normal Helios cower but this one...this one just gets angry and scared. He's shaking under Giles' grip and when the ex-watcher's hand comes up to his face he tries to pull away, tries to shake Robert from his bad arm and Giles from his good one. His eyes betray his fear, his anger, and his pain. ]

Alice. [ Just a small sneer escapes him as a blazing ring of fire erupts around them. ] Let go. Let go of me.

[Oh god Helios is sobbing, he's sobbing, Robert can't hurt him. Can't hurt Helios, can't - oh gods I'm sorry - but Helios is going to hurt Giles too and he can't just let him, but Helios is in pain -

Robert makes some strangled little noise of mixed terror and shame and loathing as that sound escapes Helios, and when the man starts shaking him around he almost lets go - until the flames leap up around them and then sheer feral terror makes him almost dig his fingers in.]

Stop, just stop and don't hurt us and I'll let you go - I'm sorry - I'm sorry, please...!

[Giles just...stops. Stops fighting, stops trying to reason, just...stops, for several long seconds even after the flames leap up around them.

[His grip slackens. His expression is agonized, even as his eye slide out of focus.] Jenny...

[Music - opera music - drowns out the words of his friends. Breaking glass. Police sirens. Giles sways on his feet, and has to catch hold of the front of Helios' shirt just to stop himself falling into the flames.

And that brings him close enough to see Helios' eyes behind the mask, and the fear and pain and anger he's confronted with is enough to chase the memories back again.]

Y-You shouldn't have...you shouldn't...you won't be able to stand yourself when you remember, Helios, and she didn't deserve that, and gods, I'm sorry I ever realized just how easy it was for him...

Let him go. T-Take what you want from me, if you won't take that mask off, but he has less to do with this than, than, than she ever did.

Edited 2011-10-31 01:26 (UTC)

Be quiet! Just just shut up. [ Helios hisses back but there's less anger in that reply than before. ] You don't know anything about it!

[ The hand that Giles was holding onto drops the sword into the ground. It'll grip at the mask. ] He left just like you did, always like that. Hurts me, cause me pain and then just goes away.

[ There's another small sob as he tries to wrench that mask off but it won't budge. He tries to shake Robert from his arm again glaring with hurt eyes more than angry ones. He's more focused on the mask his injured arm even coming up to try to pry it off. ] You don't know anything.

[With no idea who either of them is talking about, Robert is just focusing on Helios' actions. In fact, he even lets go with one hand, trying to ignore the heat of the snapping, hissing flames to help pry at that mask. It's so strongly affixed to Helios' face that he isn't sure how it's being kept on.

The whole time his voice is soft, somewhere between pleading and encouraging.] Please, Helios, we just want you to be yourself again, please...

[He isn't strong. He can never be strong. But he's still going to try to get that infernal mask off his best friend's beautiful face.]

...you're right. I don't understand. And I probably never will.

[He wants nothing more than to join Robert in helping to pry the mask off, but...no, he's terrified Helios too much so far. And that terror is what started all of this...

He can't push him further, mask or no mask, Helios might just snap.]

I didn't want to leave but, but that mask...it kept trying to call me back. And it was working, and I knew it, and if I'd stayed it would have eventually managed it. I'm sorry, Helios, I d-didn't want to leave you there, but I didn't have a choice!

Don't turn into what I was. Don't become me. Don't become him!

[Don't become Nero.]

[ Robert helping might make Helios pull back for a second but no, no he needs to...he needs to. The mask will finally start to give away after the sheer effort and the force of those words spoken by Giles. Don't become him. Finally combined it snaps Helios out of whatever hold the mask has on him.

His eyes are wide, scared, he looks at the flames around them roaring in the deathly silence and they instantly dissipate. His voice quivers from behind that mask and its scared and uncertain. ] Giles...R-Robert...

[ What was going on what happened? His stomach drops. Giles was hurt...he didn't even know how that happened. The moon was about to fall on top of them and Giles was hurt. ]

[As soon as he hears that little whispery voice, Robert lets go of Helios' shoulder.

His voice is small and soft, a timorous cowering thing, reaching out at both of them.]

... A-Are... are you better now...?

... I need to get you b-both to safety. [He loves them both in their own ways and can't let them die.]

[Despite the pain, despite the misery, despite everything they've had to deal with, Giles' face breaks into a smile of utmost relief when the mask comes away and the gaze that meets his is really, truly Helios'. And for a second, he wants nothing more than to hug Helios and revel in the fact that his best friend is himself, again, that that unfamiliar and justified rage is gone, but...

...his smile falters slightly. No, he can't. There are still things to be done before he can even think of celebrating. Besides, he'd get blood all over Helios all over again. Instead, he takes Helios' hand gently and puts it in Robert's.]

Follow him. Down to the tunnels. Some of the other villagers are gathering there, and...if the moon really is going to fall, it's your best chance.

Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care about that!

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