[[ For character context, consider reading this SRP first: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1292431834/ ]] [[ Or look through the lore projects contained here: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/51481110/ ]] TW: Mentions of death/possession, despair, potential references to blood/violence, potential disturbing images [Please note that this SRP has two parts, with the second part being in the Notes and Credits. I hope you enjoy!] ========================================== The wind howled outside, relentlessly. The fire that crackled in the little shelter was warm and inviting, but its cheerful babble failed to reach Ellis's heart. The orange-coated feline remained crouched, staring listlessly into the void that seemed to surround their soul. Their eyes were empty; their tears were all cried out. Tears and blood, sweat and pain, lost in the snow and wiped clean out of sight. Now the tribute was left hollow, empty. It was too much to handle. Another elimination, another beautiful light lost. "Solemn grace," that was what Cassiopeia had said with his dying breath. Put on a show, Tempurra, the first battler, had preached. Only Ellis didn't know where to find what they spoke of. And then, Anton. Ellis remembered that night, not long ago- looking up at the sky, watching the faces. The scream that had torn their throat. Alone. Alone, and lost in the cold. ...had it come quick? Had Anton found peace? Was he scared in his final moments? ... Maybe it would be better if Ellis had slipped under the ice, too. ... They were still needed. It couldn't have all been for nothing. It couldn't be in vain. Era Nova, the Flame-chasers said. Only one would live, and all others must fall. Ellis hadn't joined the alliance for their ideology, but now it seemed like it was meant to offer comfort. Only one could stand. Come on, Ellis, now it had to be them, to carry on for the rest. They couldn't give up. Now they carried the others' memories in their heart. Anton's memory was relying on Ellis to carry on. Quicksilver was counting on them to come home. Wise Ellis, smart Ellis, innovative Ellis. Use your intelligence, find a way out. Use your cheer, find the light in the dark. But it seemed the world had caved in, leaving them entrenched in an impenetrable blackness, a void with no escape. Hope seemed lost, though they still breathed. Oh, where was the sun on a day like this? Not only the one outside, but the golden orb that should gleam eternal within. Where was their cheer, their light, their life? They were sure it would return. One day. Maybe. If they lived long enough. But for now, they remained... Numb.
Roleplay: @Banana203 Writing/Art/Ellis+Darksilver+Quicksilver: @windrider_PI Tempurra: @-Quillow- Cassiopeia: @jenesiis_ Anton+Anton's Hat: @crazydogninja Music: "Stars Will Fall" by Duster, "How to Disappear Completely" by Radiohead, "Numb" by Linkin Park ========================================== "I know who you are." The voice came suddenly, and it was so, so tired. Darksilver stirred, returning her consciousness to the waking world, focusing on the arena around her, rising from her deep slumber. She felt almost as exhausted as the voice sounded, although her timeless rest had restored her energy somewhat from the previous... outing. It alarmed her how despondent Ellis sounded. Could this truly be the same cat who loved so fiercely, laughed so joyously, looked at the world with wonder and a quick mind already busy breaking down its components? No, surely it couldn't; this wasn't a cat, it was a shell, an empty vessel that seemingly lacked purpose. Darksilver debated silence; she had done it before, she could ghost them again if she wanted. But they were so desolate, so alone, and she truly feared for their well-being. Hang in there, we can deal with the mental repercussions later, she begged; now is no time for a breakdown. But that alone held no comfort, no hope. Ellis deserved better. "I thought you might figure it out." She hovered on the edge of existence, a flickering shadow in the peripheral vision, a tangible whisper on a wind that shouldn't exist- there but not. Just enough for Ellis to be convinced of her presence, or convinced of their own madness, whichever fit their fancy. "How long have you been here?" Ellis's eyes searched almost lazily for her- no, not lazily, but completely lacking the energy to move. She was again struck by the pain clearly visible within their depths. Of course, they found no trace, but her presence was clear enough. "Since after the Reaping," she replied. Ellis was silent for a moment. Darksilver could only imagine the questions racing through their mind, and she wondered which would jump to the forefront of the conversation. "I... I can't do this anymore." Darksilver stared at them, surprised. She hadn't known what to expect- maybe a detailed questionnaire about the feeling of the afterlife or the potential particle physics of her existence or something, or at least an examination of her history and motives- but it certainly wasn't this. "I'm sorry?" she tried. Ellis took a deep shuddering breath before continuing. "I don't like what you do," they said slowly. "I don't like... inflicting pain. But I understand why you do it." Darksilver remained silent. That was quite unexpected. She hadn't predicted an acknowledgement of her motives, or even what seemed almost like agreement with her choices, or at the very least validation. Ellis then seemed to look right through her, and she froze, entranced. The living cat's eyes were dry and dull, bloodshot from tears, their fur tussled and untamed. But Darksilver saw what the living could not- a continuous stream of invisible tears, flowing long after the physical ducts had depleted their resources, the symptom of Ellis's soul crying out in agony. "I don't care," Ellis said. "I give in. "Do whatever you want; whatever gets me home to her." ... Ellis was broken; a delicate beautiful vase shattered and unusable. They were never built for this kind of pressure. Ellis was empty; their mind was made for exciting discoveries and brilliant innovations, not this senseless violence. So Darksilver would do whatever was needed. The consequences could be dealt with later. Whatever it took, no matter the cost. Ellis would go home. And Quicksilver wouldn't be hurt again.
