♥️♦️♣️♠️

[mwmtechs]

WHO: Everybody
WHEN: Day 78, Post Game.
WHERE: @ Fallout Shelter ( for the winners ) & south of Twilight Lake, 6ft under ( for the losers )

WHAT:

[ Team ❤️ ( Jill, Ciaccona, Megumi, Monika ) & Team ♦️ ( Lyney, Mydei, Kaveh, Ratio ) & Team ♣️ ( Diluc, Jing Yuan, Lahabrea, Vil ) will all come to in a claustrophobic coffin six feet underground in the field that all of this craziness started in. you're still suffering from the hallucinations, paranoia, & honesty! which should definitely be a good time for somebody trapped in a wooden box. as for the necrosis, well, that seems to have taken care of itself... but once you're able to move and inspect yourself some more you'll find that you've got shrapnel from the collapsing bunker lodged in you. nothing fatal, but it's definitely painful and very likely bleeding. it can *only* be removed *with help*. you can't remove the pieces on your own. ]

[ Team ♠️ ( Brant, Aventurine, Castorice, Jayce ) & EVERYBODY ELSE will get a text message once the game ends with the coordinates of the woods that your friends are currently buried in. a follow-up simply says bring a shovel. this is probably confusing to those who didn't participate, but they'll find out what's what soon enough. ]

Comments

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh goes rigid as soon as his arms are wound around him, because he doesn't see his friend, but instead a lovecraftian monster. it doesn't help that he went through an awful death and he hears him but he doesn't see him. after a few moments of the hug he gives him a rather forceful nudge backward. it's unintentional, but he needs some space. ] Th- Thanks. I appreciate it, r- really. I just, I need a minute to breathe. I couldn't breathe in there. I still kind of feel like I can't. [ he rubs at his eyes. ] Are you, are you okay?

[hextechwonderboy]

[ He knows the way Kaveh goes rigid isn't a good thing, but he also feels kind of heavy himself and needs a moment so he just sort of waits for Kaveh to pull away. He's not really expecting the shove, and he does looks a little hurt for a moment, but his expression softens when he sees how worn out the other man looks. He mutters a soft 'sorry' after he catches himself against the wall of dirt behind them (which somehow miraculously doesn't collapse). ]

It's okay. I get it.

...I, uh-- I'm fine. Let's-- let's just get out of here, okay?

If you want you can stand on my shoulders and I'll boost you up if you're feeling strong enough.

[ And leave him in this enclosed space which he's totally not feeling great about. ]

[noarchitact]

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I… I’m seeing things. Bad things. You don’t, you… you’re not you. But I can hear you, and it’s messing with my head, which is already just so messed up. I’m sorry. I really am.

[ he shakes his head, roots slithering out of the walls to form steps for the both of them. ] No. We can leave together. I don’t know how I’d help you out anyway… besides something like this. Go, you first.

[hextechwonderboy]

It's-- it's fine. I get it. Believe me, I do.

Uh... [ He looks at the vines, then back at Kaveh. ]

...Sorry, but... these are stable and don't require your concentration to keep them up, right?

[ He really doesn't want to fall from 6 feet on top of poor Kaveh if he loses focus from a hallucination. ]

[noarchitact]

Heh, no, …they’re not going anywhere. And… like I said, you go first, so archon forbid something happens I can catch you. I’m fine now. [ so hurry! ] I won’t let you fall.

[hextechwonderboy]

...If you're sure.

[ He takes a cautious step to test the surface before heading all the way up. ]

Thank you... those are handy. You okay? It seems like you've got some cuts. Can I help?

[noarchitact]

[ he climbs after him, taking his time, because the world shifting around him is making his head hurt. he's going to need aspirin alcohol when he gets home. ] I, yeah, I'm doing... as okay as I can be. [ he shakes his head. ] They're not much. Don't worry about them. I'll take care of them when I get home. You did plenty. You... you dug me out of a hole in the ground, so... so thanks, Jayce. I, thanks.

[hextechwonderboy]

...Kaveh, you look like you're about to fall over any second now. You should be taking a seat and-- [ He places a hand on his shoulder. ]

You're worrying me.

[noarchitact]

I'm not going to fall. I think there's far too much adrenaline coursing through my veins... h- hah. But I do want to get out of here. The woods, I mean, and away from these holes. Just... help me do that, please.

[hextechwonderboy]

That can be arranged, I think...

[ Maybe he should leave my shovel with someone, but at this rate most people seem like they're accounted for or in the process of being dug out. He holds his arm out, unsure of himself on whether or not he's doing it for Kaveh to hold onto or as a gesture for him to lead the way. Either way, he stands there with a semi dumb expression on his face. ]

[noarchitact]

[ he takes his hand and gives it a squeeze. ] Thanks. I'm sure I'll be fine soon. I just need time, and to put this behind me. All of this. [ he scrubs his face again. ] A drink too. [ a few drinks, actually. ] And maybe to find Alhaitham and Sunday. I don't think they were at the game, but... maybe I should send them a text. Yeah, ...archons, I hope they weren't there.

[hextechwonderboy]

I... yeah. Unfortunately I can't make any guarantees, but with any luck they'll turn up soon enough. We were sent a mass text, after all.

Let's worry about getting you home and we'll figure out things from there, alright?

[noarchitact]

[ he struggles to find his phone, and even then he fumbles once he finds it… nearly dropping it at his feet as he frantically fires off a text to his boyfriend. ] I know, I, yeah… I, I know. And, ok, that sounds like a sound enough plan… let’s go.

[hextechwonderboy]

[ Oh, Kaveh. It's not like Jayce doesn't understand what's going through his head, but he does know getting worked up like this isn't good for him, at least. He places his hands over Kaveh's once he manages to get the text off, giving him the lightest of squeezes. ]

Kaveh, breathe. You'll find them.

It'll be okay. I'll-- we'll make sure it is, okay?

[ He draws in a breath of his own -- good idea to practice what he preaches, probably. ]

[noarchitact]

I am. I'm breathing. I'm doing a whole lot of breathing. [ he might be hyperventilating at this point... but the hand on his own helps calm him down enough that he doesn't instantly pass out. ] It'll be okay. I know it'll be okay. Alhaitham, he's self sufficient. And Sunday... he'll be okay too. He has to be.

Thanks Jayce. Thanks.

Are you okay?

[hextechwonderboy]

Slower, then.

[ Thankfully, he does manage to calm down a bit. Lets out a shaky sigh when Kaveh turns his attention towards him and immediately perks up, waving his free hand. ]

I, uh-- no, I... I'll... be alright. Probably.

[ Just having to come to terms with the fact I just KILLED you. ]

[noarchitact]

...slower. Like in [ he takes a deep breath. ] and out. [ and then expels it. ] And in. [ same thing. ] and out. [ and he continues to do this in order to keep from hyperventilating himself into a coma or something. ] Are you sure, because you look like you, uh, ...aren't going to be. Not that I can blame you, I mean, the game sucked. They always do. Suck, I mean, ...because they are meant to... But can I help in any way?

[hextechwonderboy]

Yes, just like that. In, out. Slowly. Counting, helps.

[ It's abundantly clear he's familiar with those techniques. Now that Kaveh's out of the grave he takes a moment to sit on the ground and rub at the bridge of his nose. ]

They do suck. And... I'm not sure, but what choice do I have, right? I'm sorry, I just-- it's partially my fault this happened to you and naturally that doesn't sit right with me.

Among other things. Not exactly a fan of being... trapped or stranded and being in that small bunker was torture.

At least I wasn't alone. There's that.

[noarchitact]

… [ hearing jayce blame himself gives kaveh pause, even in the midst of all of the panic. ] It wasn’t your fault. [ said as if it’s a statement of fact. ] We don’t have a choice in the matter… and even if we did try to find a way around the rules we’d be punished, or if we weren’t punished, then the other people would be punished on our behalf, so… we can’t even… do that much…

We have to play and we have to try and… no one can be mad at you for wanting to live. Survivor’s guilt is… it’s not easy to overcome, but… you don’t need to blame yourself for me.

And I’m sorry that this game triggered all of that. But look where we are now… outside, with all this fresh air, and… it’s nice. Open too. [ he reaches to pat Jayce’s leg. ] I’m glad you’re okay.

[hextechwonderboy]

...Hm.

[ Presses his lips into a thin line. 'no one can be mad at you for wanting to live,' Kaveh says, but he has no idea who he's saying that to. Not something Jayce needs to go into here, though. It's not fair to burden Kaveh with that sort of knowledge.

He shakes himself out of it when Kaveh pats his leg. ]

I... you're right. It's... nice out. We should-- we should get you back.

[noarchitact]

... [ he knows there's more to this than he's letting on, but he's not in the headspace to be able to help, and jayce is clearly not interested in sharing right now, ...which is fine! and fair!! ] Alright, ...help me back to my apartment if you don't mind. Please.

[hextechwonderboy]

...Yeah, of course. Let's get you back.

[ He takes in a breath, stands up, breathes out. At first he reaches behind Kaveh, hovering a hand over the small of his back when they start to move like he's trying to make sure he's steady, then he offers his arm for him to take, almost like he's doing this out of habit. ]

[noarchitact]

[ kaveh takes his arm to steady himself, but once he’s sure he’ll be alright he, instead, takes his hand… giving it a reassuring squeeze.e. ] If you wanted to stay over for a little while you can. [ so you’re not alone. ] I may need the company. [ we both probably need the company. ]

[hextechwonderboy]

[ Oh. He wasn't expecting that. His gaze goes anywhere but up; instead, staring at the ground as they walk. He's trying to be sort of subtle about it, but he's terrible at it. It's far easier for him to fool a crowd with falsified social graces than a single person, apparently. Maybe it's the fact that they weren't right next to him and holding his hand half the time. ]

Sure, it's... not like I have anything else going on.

[ Aside from pointless tinkering and messing around with things in his apartment, maybe. Staring at walls. Mild existential dread. Totally normal things! ]

[noarchitact]

...thanks. I'm sure Mehrak will keep us preoccupied. And, and if Alhaitham is home I can introduce you. I'm sure he'll be home. Although I... I'll need to shower, so... I hope you don't mind if I just... disappear for a bit. You can do the same if you like. All the digging... or, uhm, if you wanted to do so at home we can meet up after. [ can't stop won't stop rambling. ]