kaisou | May Event Log

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May Event Log

May Event
Dominant Element: Shadow
Waning Element: Light

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After a month full of rainy days, the promised May flowers are in full bloom. During the day, Kaisou's weather is warm and sunny. Colorful flowers are blooming everywhere, with the strong scent of lilac and other spring time flowers permanenting the air. The nights, however, seem darker than normal. Streets lights are dimmer, as if being weakened by the strong darkness. Not only that, but the moon, stars, and spirit vein in the sky glow less brightly as well - as if shrouded by a veil of darkness.

It's Gonna Be May

May is a busy time of year for many folks in the city. The high schoolers will find their schedules are pretty full between finals, spring performances, prom and graduation - try to remember to rest where you can! College students will have it busy as well, with their own sets of finals and graduations to worry about. And for those of you who don't have to worry about school, there's still plenty to do. With the weather so nice, there's plenty of spring time activities going on. The planting season is in full swing, barbeques are being held, a couple marathons are happening on weekends, and for those of you with good relations with your mother- Mother's Day is fast approaching! And if you're looking for something a little more festive, throughout the first week throughout the town there's a number of Cinco De Mayo day festivals! Catch a Mariachi band playing in the park, visit a Mexican art gallery on an free day, or grab some authentic mexican food from a food stand or restaurant.

If you take the train to Stardew Valley, the town has settled back into its normal spring routines. Take some time to live some peaceful farming life, or get some fishing in. You'll also find that the first ten floors of the mines are now available to explore! These first ten floors will be full of ore, gems, and weak monsters. Every time you step into the mine, the layout seems to change and you need to find your way around once again. It's a great place to go if you want to get some training in, or mine materials to trade with Zodiac for cash. Just don't stay in the mine too late, as you might collapse when 2am rolls around and wake up at the entrance of the mine with your stuff gone.

La Llorona

Like any big city, crime is a regular part of life. Theft, assault, drug use, the occasional homicide - all par for the course. But starting the night of May 6th, a new crime will begin appearing on the news at an alarming rate. Bodies will be turning up in Kaisou's various bodies of water, all drowned with no evidence of a suspect. All of them are people who just happened to be out at night by themselves, with no connection between them. One or two of them could be written off as unfortunate accidents, but when a couple are happening every night? It can't be mere chance. Someone, or something is drowning these victims.

While the normal side of the city can't make sense of it, rumors are spreading like wildfire among those who run in paranormal circles. Rumors of a ghostly weeping woman dressed in white wandering the streets at night, usually not far from where the victims are discovered the following morning. As the rumors grow and spread with more sightings, a reoccurring notion keeps appearing amidst the fearful whispers: La Llorona has come to Kaisou. Inquiring or researching more will get you the following tale: La Llorona was once a mother who drowned her two children in a fit of emotion. After she realized what she'd done, she drowned herself, but was denied to move onto the afterlife until she finds her children. Now she wanders the Earth, drowning those she comes across, as she continues the search. Any attempts to exorcise her have never stuck, and the best advice anyone can give is to stay inside at night and away from water until she's had her fill and move on from town.

However if you fail to heed the warning, it's not hard to run into La Llorona yourself. Simply go out into a secluded area at night. If you're quiet, you'll find her wandering around weeping as the rumors say. But if she's alerted to your presence, she will chase after you at an alarming speed. If she catches you, you'll find she's inhumanly strong and will attempt to drag you to the nearest body of water to be drowned. You can fight her off or have someone rescue you, but she's a tough fight. Attempts to exorcise her with holy weapons will seem to work -- only for her to reappear an hour later in another part of town, once again seeking victims. Anyone who is drowned by La Llorona will follow the typical rules of dying, so be careful!

And even if you manage to stay in at night and avoid La Llorona, troubling occurrences may still follow. Starting after La Llorona's arrival, anyone who is dead or possessed might wake up to find their face covered in skull face paint, stylized in ways that represent either their death or the thing possessing them. While this face paint goes unnoticed by normal NPCs, it cannot be washed off. And anyone who is in a room that's not properly lit will find that the darkness seems to play tricks on their mind. Sometimes shadows will move out of the corner of your eye, or you'll swear you heard something scratching at the walls, or someone wailing in the distance. You can learn to ignore it, but for many it'll may cause them to feel a heightened sense of paranoia and unease. Those who keep look into it will find the effect only strengthen - with shadows moving in front of them in the form of monsters and villainous forms, and whispers of words you just can't make out. It can become a real toll on one's sanity, if they aren't careful.

The Black Order

After a week of La Llorona terrorizing the city, an alert will be sent out from Zodiac on the Libra App.

ALERT: SHIFTING GATE LOCATED ON CATHEDRAL HILL.
Element Classification: Shadow
Danger Level: Extreme
Designation: Land of the Forgotten
A new gate has been detected on Cathedral Hill. We have reason to suspect this is the gate is connected to the recent drownings in the city. If you choose to investigate, we will compensate you for your work. It's also come to our attention that there's been sightings of Black Order Guardians around the gate. Please use extreme caution around these individuals, as they are highly dangerous and hostile to Zodiac agents.

The atmosphere around the Zodiac offices are tense. Not only has the infamous La Llorona arrived in the city, but the presence of the Black Order has them on edge as well. Honestly, it's hard to tell which they view is the worst part. If you ask about the Black Order, Zodiac will talk about how the Order is unreasonable zealots that don't understand humanity could benefit from the Spirit Realm. Turns out, they have a long, long history of not seeing eye-to-eye. Lend a sympathetic ear, or just hurry them up so you can rent out a weapon. They don't have much information about this current realm, as the Black Order has intercepted any attempts for Zodiac agents to enter - since apparently the realm is classified as "sacred" (yes, they used airquotes as saying this) and ergo admission is prohibited by non-Order members. Professor Willow has a more neutral stance on the Order, saying they mean well but they're pretty rigid sometimes in not allowing P.O.K.E.G.O. to investigate certain realms after an incident involving a cow ten years back. Either way, both Zodiac and Professor Willow feel confident that since you all aren't exactly members of Zodiac or P.O.K.E.G.O - maybe you'll have more luck in getting through!

Maybe.

The gate is found in Cathedral Hill, in an old nearly-forgotten cemetery behind all the churches. It appears to look like a majestic mausoleum of sorts, with a strong dark energy radiating from it. And just like Zodiac said, there are folks dressed in black uniforms that can be none other than the Black Order Guardians. There is one frequently posted at the gate's entrance as guard, while the other guardians investigate the realm inside. Should you be lucky, you might be able to slip past without any of the Guardians noticing. Otherwise...you may either have to talk or fight your way through.

The Land of the Forgotten

Once you find a way past the Guardians, it's time to enter the realm. The sight that lays before you is a grim one. A land of ruins, covered in ash. This is the Land of the Forgotten, where things long gone and forgotten eventually find themselves. The landscape is littered with ruins that have been forgotten by time such as pyramids, towers, and castles, slowly eroding away and turning into ash themselves. As characters born of this world wander these ruins, they will notice some buildings look familiar to them. Places from AU character's memories can be found scattered among the realm: the schools they attended, their old houses, the place they once worked, and so on. These places can be explored in full, though they are in a much more ruined state than they were in the memories. Still they look in better shape than some of the other buildings, almost like remembering them slows their descent into ash. But what are they doing here in this realm?

As you explore these ruins, you may want to be careful as you aren't the only ones in this realm. You might encounter Black Order Guardians that are also exploring these ruins. Or worse, you may run into the denizens of the realm. There's the Tlahuelpuchi, female vampires that can shift between human and vultures or an monstrous form in-between. These vampires are out to drink people's blood, but can be fought off using metal. Any bodies of water (forgotten streams and lakes that are among the ruins) have Ahuizotl lurking within, a dog-sized creature with a hand on its tail that'll grab anyone who gets near with the intent to drown and feast on their flesh. And through some ruins prowls Dzulum, large jaguar creatures who are territorial and have claimed certain ruins as theirs.

However even with these monsters, the most numerous beings are the souls of the forgotten. They have a skeletal look to them, and huddle throughout the realm, all in varying stages of forgetting themselves. A few of them might recognize you and call to you, but it's a person you've long forgotten either in your current or past life. Try to jog your memory as much as you can, but their name and face always slips out of your grasp. Most of the souls have resigned themselves to begin forgotten and eventually fading to ash, some even embracing it and making the best of it. However, some have not accepted their fate and have grown so resentful they've lost themselves in another way. Their skeletal forms are more monstrous and they will attempt to attack the living. Try to avoid or fight them off as best you can. Once defeated, they will crumble into ash.

Xibalba's Castle

The current ruler of this realm is Xibalba, a god of the dead. His castle sits in the center of the realm, surrounded by a river of lava. You must cross the ruins of the realm to reach it. Once you reach the river of lava, there is but one narrow bridge that allows safe passage. Some will find it an easy crossing so long as they don't fall into the lava. However those who are unlucky will happen upon yet another challenge, the two headed lava snake Quetzocoatl who guards entry to the castle. You'll have to either fight it off or outrun it, if you want to make it past.

Inside the castle, they will find Xibalba, lord of the Land of Forgotten and god of the dead. He cuts a tall and unsettling figure, being made of tar and all the filth in the world. Yet even so, he's awfully personable for such a being. He explains that this realm is the place where things that are forgotten go to slowly fade away. It's a depressing realm, certainly, but a crucial one to this world. After all, how can new stuff come to be if the world is full of old forgotten things? In fact it's so crucial that he isn't even the first god to rule over it, he took it over from the last guy 500 years ago. When asked about La Llorona, he will shrug and say that this realm can't sustain itself in the "usual prayers" like some other realms. So it's fueled by the occasional offering of lives, fresh ones. Long ago, humans on earth would offer up sacrifices willingly but now - well, that's fallen out of favor, so he sends La Llorona out to collect offerings. Once she's drowned 68 folks to sustain this realm for awhile, they'll move on from Kaisou - just like he promised those Black Order guys.

This might be the time to turn away, but for those unwilling to accept such a deal that'd allow innocent lives to die- you can keep pushing. Any attempts to fight him directly will end badly, with him moving out of the way of any blow and pointing out that even if they do kill him, another will just have to take his place. However those who try to bargain with him will find him more amendable. He'll recall a ballgame that used to be done for an offering ceremony that was very effective. So effective that it'll cut the required offering down! Though anyone who volunteers themselves should be warned - the losing team will be offered up as sacrifice.

The Ballgame

Characters can volunteer themselves to play the ballgame in order to stop La Llorona's killing spree. If there aren't enough volunteers among the player characters, some of the more noble Black Order members will volunteer to fill the roles. Once there's enough for a team, Xibalba will tap his staff against the ground and everyone will be teleported to a ceremonial playing field. Those playing the ballgame will be on the field, their clothes changed to represent their team colors (red or green) while their realm travel companions will be stuck in the audience seats among a crowd of forgotten souls who are more than happy to watch a sports game.

Xibalba will note that the game once placed for this ceremony has been mostly forgotten, and while he could explain the rules, he rather not watch a poorly played game. Instead, he'll propose a game of soccer - as soccer is life, according to many. With that, he'll throw a soccer ball to the the skeletal referee and tell them the game is on! Play like your lives depend on it -- because they actually do. And with that and a blow of the whistle, the game begins. The characters will have to play soccer against one another, all the while knowing that if they lose they will die - and if they win? It will come at the cost of the lives of people they already know.

When the game is over, it's the green team that comes out victorious. The forgotten souls cheer loudly for their victory, throwing dead roses and confetti ash at their feet as they're escorted away from the field, some even being carried on the shoulders of the dead. But then as Xibalba stands, the crowd falls quiet. The red team are herded to the center of the field, along with anyone who may attempt to try to intervene. Xibalba walks down in front of them, saying "You played well, but, a deal's a deal". And with a flick of his wrist, ceremonial knives appear from thin air and fly at the red team - stabbing each one of them in the heart. Their bodies fall lifeless into the ground, and as their travel companions and the winning team are escorted out of the arena by the forgotten souls, you can hear talk of them planning to remove their hearts for the offering. Anyone who attempt to intervene at any point will meet the same fate as the red team.

Aftermath

After the game has concluded, the survivors are given safe passage out of the Land of the Forgotten, their returned trip being escorted by forgotten souls who will make sure nothing dangerous comes near. Once back in Kaisou, the Black Order members will gather together before disappearing into the night. True to Xibalba's words, La Llorona's attacks will stop and the night will return to normal. Even the face painting on those afflicted will slowly begin to fade. Looks like those sacrificed weren't in vain.

Speaking of those sacrificed? They'll wake up in their beds, either the next morning or sometime in the following week, alive and well. As they wake, they will see a beautiful woman covered in skull make up. She will smile and say "Thank you. What you did really impressed my husband, you know, so we thought we'd return the favor." before disappearing. While some may have a scar from being stabbed on their chest and some emotional trauma from the ordeal, they're alive and as healthy as they were before.

Going to Zodiac with your findings will get you paid a handsome rewards. The Realm will remain around until the end of the month, if anyone, um, wants to go back there. Luckily Zodiac won't offer any jobs that'll take anything from the Land of the Forgotten and will instead steer people to bring them stuff from Stardew Valley. Seems they rather not push their luck this time.

And finally, once the issue has been resolved, the Black Order goes quiet once more. They'll hang around town and appear if someone tries to cause problems in the Land of the Forgotten, but otherwise they're content to fade from the background. Once the gate disappears on May 31st, they'll seemingly leave town all together. Strangely enough, as time passes, while you recall your dealings with the Order, you'll have trouble remember anything about the specific members. Personal details such as their names and faces seem to escape your memory. No matter how hard you try to remember them, you can't remember anything about the individuals themselves. Strange, huh?

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is shadow! Anyone with an affinity to the shadow element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for light will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.

If you wish to have your character sign up for the ballgame, it can be done so here by May 11, provided there are slots open.

Death in the soccer game or by La Llorona's hands will be penalty free for player characters (meaning they aren't required to lose regains or get possessed - though they are certainly welcomed). Soccer game deaths can revive in between 1-7 days after the game (roughly around May 13th), while those drowned by La Llorona will revive 1 week after their death, or after the soccer game is concluded - whichever takes longer. Characters that die by other methods OR want to experience the penalties will need to comment to the major character update page. NPCs killed by La Llorona will not revive.

Interactions with Black Order members are done here! Every character can only interact with 1 Black Order member, so choose wisely! ~~If you play multiple characters, we ask that you only tag a Black Order member with one character until Saturday 5/7 to give every player a fair chance to interact.~~ You're good now! Feel free to tag with multiple characters! Group threads are allowed, but in order to avoid overwhelming the NPC players, there is a set number of threads allowed per Order member! Please pay attention to the cap counter before commenting!

Any fights or interactions with NPCs besides the Black Order members will be handled by the players! Feel free to thread out things however you'd like! If you have any questions, please ask them on the plot questions thread below! The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hunter doesn't answer right away. Receiving texts is one thing, and later on when he's thinking more clearly he'll be embarrassed and humiliated that he couldn't send one simple private message, but hearing Elliot's voice is too much for him.

He failed, he failed so badly, and he's an embarrassment to his title. Another panic attack comes and goes before he manages to type out a response.]

INEEDFLAPJACK

[That pause felt like an eternity. Elliot has no way of knowing that he triggered a panic attack or how. That said, Hunter repeatedly demanding flapjack makes him pretty clued in that the kid is panicking. He has no idea how it's possible, but you know what? Now's not time to think about the logic. Hunter's wellbeing comes first. ]

Flapjack's coming. He's with Luz. We'll get him to you soon.

[There's the sound of movement on Elliot's end as he quickly gets dressed and gets what he needs to go out. Of course he's heading over there. ]

OK

[Elliot is telling the truth, at least. Luz will come by with Flapjack shortly, and while that doesn't solve the whole issue of he died, he actually died, it's good to have the bird around. Knowing the Flapjack didn't get hurt is one weight off his shoulders, and it helps to have him there while he still tries (and fails) to process the whole soccer situation. He won't be leaving his apartment, so he'll still be there by the time Elliot comes by.]

[Elliot has been keeping an eye on that interaction with Luz, just to confirm that she was going to bring him. As for himself, he won't respond against directly to Hunter. He's tempted to tell the kid to breath, but considering how well that went over the last time people tried that-- he'll just skip that part and focus on getting over there.

He has to drive to the Zodiac apartment complex and get up to Hunter's floor, so it's a good bit of time before he's finally there. But eventually, there'll be a gentle rapping at Hunter's door.]

Hunter?

[Thankfully, Luz remains true to her word. She brings Flapjack by and while that doesn't actually fix anything, Hunter is very glad to have the bird with him again. Flapjack is glad to be back too, and fusses with him the entire time.

Luz will have left when Elliot arrives. Hunter has moved off of the bed and is currently curled up at the foot of it on the floor, hugging his knees to his chest.]

Door's unlocked.

[He didn't bother to lock it after Luz left.]

[Hunter had only been responding through text before now, so just hearing the kid's voice through the door makes his throat tighten. He has no idea how, but that doesn't matter.

He'll open the door. Normally, while Elliot is no fashionista by any right, he is rather meticulous about his appearance at school. Hair always properly styled, his clothes carefully chosen to give a professional but friendly vibe. In other words, he tries very hard to portray himself as confident, competent, well put together.

Right now? Reflecting his own emotional state and just how fast he came here, he looks very far from that. His hair was down and messy, his clothes were wrinkled, and he's just wearing a music hoodie and pants he threw on quickly. His eyes had bags under them, and were red from crying so much. His curse was acting up too, with cat ears poking out of his hair. Not that any of that matters to Elliot, because his eyes are immediately focusing in on Hunter]

Hunter...

[The kid was alive, but he looked like a wreck. Elliot will cross the room and kneel down next to him. He quickly eyes him over for any obvious injuries. ]

Thank god you're alive! I was so scared I lost you. I'm so sorry about what happened.

[It was a teacher's responsibility to look after their students. He shouldn't have hesitated at volunteering. It should've been him down there, not his students.

He bites his lip a little.]

Are...are you okay with hugs?

[Because man Hunter is in a fragile state and he doesn't want to make it worse, but the impulse to hug this sad child is STRONG]

[Hunter really doesn't look so good. No reasonable person would after being stabbed in the heart and coming back to life - combine that with his usual sickly appearance and woof, the kid needs to sleep for a full month to look halfway healthy.

His skin tone is greyer than normal, making the bags under his eyes look darker, and his hair is more unkempt than usual. He doesn't make any attempt to fix his appearance when Elliot comes in, he glances up and sees how awful Elliot is looking (plus the cat ears oh Titan) and instantly a heavy weight settles in his gut.

Belos isn't the only adult he's failed here.]

I....

[Luz had hugged him and it was intensely awkward, but not bad. It didn't make things worse, and it seemed to make things better for Luz. He doesn't exactly want to deny that to Elliot, either, even though a hug probably wouldn't be his first choice in terms of comfort.

He gives a tiny shrug in response, and Flapjack chirps before hopping from his shoulder up onto his head.]

They're fine.

[Hunter definitely looks in bad shape. He was never exactly the picture of good health in the first place. But...mm, yeah, this isn't good. Going to need to fuss a lot. But first-]

Alright then- [Hunter gave permission, ergo Elliot is following that Craig instinct. No takebacks! He'll lean over and wrap his arms around the kid in a tight but not painful hug. ]

Mm, I missed you so much! [Maybe it's only been a few days, but that felt like an eternity when he knew Hunter was dead.] Everything's okay now. La Llorona's gone, that...jerk god kept to his word.

[Elliot sure had thoughts on a bunch of kids participating in the soccer game in the FIRST PLACE, but still. He wanted him to know it wasn't for nothing. ]

[Someone needs to give Xibalba a good talking to for all the trauma he's gone and caused so many people, it's very rude.

Hunter stiffly leans into the hug, not returning it, more tolerating it than anything else.]

You probably shouldn't be calling a god a jerk. [He can only imagine how poorly that would go over if Xibalba heard. He'd probably want to do something worse than the murders, and the thought makes him tense up.

He tries to ignore it.]

It's - good that it worked, though. All of us dying was useful.

[Elliot was about to scoff about insulting a god - he'll call that guy whatever he wants if he's going to hurt his students like this. But the second part that Hunter says...ugh, that makes his chest hurt. He goes quiet for a moment as that memory from before resurfaces.

"Heh...Yay...I...did it...right...?"

He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment, pushing that memory away. He's not letting go of Hunter, but he'll pull back enough so he can look at Hunter properly]

It was, in the grand scheme, but that doesn't mean it was right. You being alive matters way more to me than some grand plan. Because you matter, Hunter. I hate that you got put in such a situation. It wasn't right.

[...]

And I don't blame you for any of it. [He knows Hunter's guilty face. The kid has no poker face what so ever] Just...don't sign up any more deadly competitions with crazy gods, okay?

[Oh no. Ohhhh no, he should have expected more of this, but here he is feeling just as clumsy as he was with Luz. You matter, what is he supposed to do with that? Why would Elliot say that when he failed? Hunter can feel his anxiety increasing, and he looks away.]

I told Luz I'd be more careful.

[For whatever that is worth. He didn't make any promises, and he's still trying to wrap his head around the overwhelming amount of concern and distress she was practically radiating when she came over. It seemed like the right thing to say though, to offer her some comfort and to try and convince himself that he'll do better in the future. For his own sake, and for Belos'.

Except none of that changes what happened. He curls his hands into fists to keep them from shaking.]

I know it wasn't right. I should've tried harder. If I had, then maybe we would've won, and you and Luz wouldn't be acting like this, and I wouldn't have to worry about what Belos will do when he finds out.

[Hunter this is what happens when people care about you, ok.

Internally, Elliot sighs. Of course Hunter blames himself for losing, and that's what he's concerned about. He lowers his arms, loosening his grip so the kid can have some breathing space.]

That's not quite right. First of all, I saw the game. It was basically rigged from the start. It wouldn't have mattered how much you tried. And...even if you had won, I'd still be worried about you. That would've meant you'd be somewhat responsible for other people's deaths, after all. [Which Hunter can play the tough Golden Guard all he wants - but he knows Hunter is gentler than he likes to admit. He would've hated to see what that weight would've done to the kid.]

As for Belos... [He has to swallow the impulse to say "screw that guy"] You stopped La Llorona and you manage come back from the dead. All in all, that doesn't seem like a failure to me. Besides, does he even know what soccer is?

Edited 2022-05-15 01:33 (UTC)

[Spoilers Elliot, he's already responsible for a bunch of deaths! That part of Elliot's response is what makes him look away, the guilt of hunting down palismen adding to the already heavy weight that is his failure. Flapjack knows what's going on though, and hops back down to his shoulder to snuggle in close.

He hunches his shoulders. The real answer eludes him, but that doesn't matter.]

Probably, he knows a lot of things about the human realm. [Things like the trees, and whatever pancakes are.] But it doesn't matter that I came back, that doesn't change that I died. That I failed. [That word makes him shiver.] He's going to be disappointed!

[Yeah Elliot is thankfully oblivious of Belos's serial killer-y hobby of eating magic forest critters.

But regardless....god did Elliot hate seeing Hunter like this. The obvious fear of what will happen if Belos finds out. He wishes he could tell him that he's probably overreacting, but from every clue he's gotten about the guy....

Nngh. He's been biting his tongue a lot about Belos, for Hunter's sake. He didn't want him to have the kid push him away- but this feels like a moment where he really can't just not say anything.]

...Hunter.

Answer me something: if our positions right now were switched, and it was me in that soccer team instead of you - and I had lost.

What would you be doing? Would you be treating me the same way you're imagining Belos treating you?

[Thank the Titan Luz is here to fill people in on Belos' less-than-savoury side!

Too bad Belos is at the forefront of Hunter's mind. It's pretty unreasonable for him to be so scared when the guy isn't even in this realm, but if there's even the slightest sliver of a chance that Belos could find out what happened then Hunter is absolutely sure it will happen. And he's terrified, the threat of being replaced hanging over his head. It won't matter that he's back, not for the Emperor.

But Hunter starts and stares in bewilderment at Elliot when he asks that question. What.]

I - I don't -

[It's never, ever occurred to him to put himself in someone else's position, to put himself in Belos' position. That feels... sacrilegious, somehow. Just thinking about it feels wrong. He shakes his head vehemently, his anxiety spiking and his breathing coming in short bursts.]

No, no, of course not. You're a superior! [Sort of. A teacher is practically the same thing, and he'd have no right holding any kind of judgement towards a superior.]

Besides, it's different with him! There's more to it with him - it's complicated.

I see...

[Mmm...there it is. Hunter's absolute adherence to authority. And not only that, but he can basically hear the types of excuses that the kid will cook up if he tries asking for more.

He pulls his arms away now, if nothing else so he can wring his own hands together as he talks. ]

I told you my father's a General right? We have our differences...but I remember him teaching me something about being a superior officer: That you never should order your men or do anything to your men that you aren't willing to do or have done to yourself. That's how you earn true respect.

[He gives a shrug of his shoulder.] Of course, I didn't become a military officer, but it's a principle I try to apply to my classroom. All the stuff I give you guys is stuff I've done myself.

[...] And I hope Belos follows the same principle, because otherwise ... I don't know, it doesn't seem very fair to me.

[With that little seed planted, he'll sigh and try to soften up his tone some]

Eheh, sorry to ramble. It's not like I know the guy, or much about the Boiling Isles- so it's really not my place to weigh in.

[He'll scratch his own jaw]

Regardless of Belos, I do think you're borrowing future trouble when you got enough as it is. You just went through a massive ordeal, you should take it slow and focus on recovering.

I mean, you definitely look like you need it. And you wonder why Luz, Flapjack and I are worried!

[Hunter is quiet for several long moments. He doesn't argue with Elliot, or really have any kind of response at all to that. He's never heard anything like that before, but... but he's sure that's the case with Belos. Of course, Belos is the Emperor, so he has more important things to be doing than the assignments he doles out. On top of that his condition would prevent him from doing some of the more strenuous assignments. But if he could, then Hunter is sure he would follow the same tenet as Elliot's father.

Right?

Congratulations Elliot, Hunter is looking a little shellshocked. It takes him a few moments to come back to the present and look up.]

I... [He blinks slowly, then moves to stand.] I thought the only change was the scar. [Buuut he's making his way over to the bathroom, where a mirror is. He didn't even think about how he must look right now, since he doesn't even think about that on a good day.

(Maybe that's why he looks so terrible all the time, who knows.)]

[Elliot didn't really expect a verbal response to that. The shellshocked look was more than enough to satisfy him. It meant that at least some part of Hunter was absorbing what he said, and will hopefully remember come the day he's truly ready to face who Belos really is.

He'll get up after Hunter. Hearing that he has another scar makes him frown a little (hasn't this kid been through enough?) but he won't comment on it. Instead, he'll follow after him to the bathroom and stand outside]

Mm, you're looking a little gray and rough around the edges, I'm afraid. Luckily, that's nothing that some food and rest won't fix right up!

[Hunter rests his hands on the counter, squinting at his and Flapjack's reflection. He reaches up, touching just under one eye.]

I don't look any different than normal.

[He thinks. He isn't exactly sure of that, since he doesn't usually look at himself. There isn't really any point when he wears a mask most of the time, and doing so means getting to look at very unpleasant things like the scar on his face.]

The hu - Luz [It's weird having to use her name] said the same thing. Something about... movies.

[Elliot scratches his jaw]

You ... don't look at yourself in the mirror very much do you? [Probably not if he's fine with those raccoon eyes] Well, take it from people who see you a lot- it's noticeable.

[But ha, of course Luz will suggest something like that. Elliot brightens a bit]

Oh yep! Luz is right about that. Movies are crucial when you're having a recovery day. [From that tone, he's just going to assume Hunter doesn't know what those are. Even better! He looks around thoughtfully] Hmm...I'm not seeing a TV...

[He shrugs, as if deciding something to himself]

Well, that's fine! I'll just have to bring my laptop over from my place.

[Oh, fun. Hunter hopes Elliot is just exaggerating, but as he leaves the bathroom with a brand new feeling of self-consciousness he can feel his cheeks heating up. The tips of his ears are turning red, too.

He looks over at the very empty-looking living space. Zodiac never provided him with a tv, and it took him long enough to figure out what they were that by the time he did he didn't see a point in getting one.]

You don't have to do that. I don't really want to take any time off, anyway.

[Wow even the ears blush, Elliot notes. He's not at all surprised Hunter is saying something like that]

Well, I'm insisting. You need the recovery time.

And I plan to stay over to make sure you rest. So I need to grab my sleeping bag anyway. [Because boy he has no doubt if he leaves this kid to his own devices for too long right now, he'll end up back to panicking on that floor.]

[Hold up -]

You're - what?? [Staying over?! Elliot can't be serious.] I - I don't need supervision! I'm not a child!

[Titaaannnn does Elliot think he's some baby who can't handle himself? This is highly, highly embarrassing for him.]

You literally just said you plan to throw yourself back into your work without resting.

[So yeah! You need supervision boy! ]

Besides it...hasn't been an easy past few days. [He wrings his hands together again, nervously] So it'd help me feel better too.

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