[a heart.]

[antreegonist]

There's a moment of nothing but light and sensation. Someone's looking you over and the scrutiny prickles and burns – it's nearly a physical pain, like fine little hooks digging past your skin, into the very meat of you. I know who you are, it says, and I know what you are, and that you don't have any business here --

“But you do,” says Mithos behind you. He's a tired, steady voice in your ear, a light hand on your shoulder. “I don't know what Dream's thinking, but everyone is welcome here in my heart; just keep in mind it's a real mess right now.”

Your vision clears.

((assume your characters wandered in here through a dream. also join #ihateyouihateyouiwanttocuddle on irc if you can!))

Comments

Re: [past - heart]

[antreegonist]

"You didn't want to let them go either, did you?"

Re: [center - knowledge]

[scalesfromeyes]

Less…?

Re: [future - body]

[antreegonist]

You're sitting on the beach in Wonderland, watching two tiny wooden boats with inset candles drift out over the water, into the distance. A burden in you lifts a little, settles, finds its place.

You're thinking of home, and living your life, losing people and finding them again . . .

Re: [past - heart]

[gravitysrainbow]

[shakes his head]

I didn't. But... I couldn't bring them back here, either. And I was scared of following them.

[scootches a bit closer]

So I had to figure something out, you know? ... It was really hard. Because... nothing can replace those people. But... even though they're not here anymore... they still left you things, right? Memories, and... other stuff— things they did while they were alive that still have an impact...

Re: [future - body]

[squirreledaway]

[he pulls back, and looks around one more time]

Re: [resolution]

[antreegonist]

"It always seems to end with you losing some of yourself, somehow."

Re: [center - knowledge]

[antreegonist]

"Less . . . need to talk around things?"

Re: [past - heart]

[antreegonist]

He stares at you over Martel's hair, sort of . . . he's bleary with crying.

"Yes...those are still here..."

Re: [center - knowledge]

[bondingspirits]

Oh...

Can I help?

Re: [future - body]

[antreegonist]

It's still a confusion of vines. Mithos's voice is in your ear.

"What're you looking for?"

Re: [resolution]

[featherfetch]

. . .If you have a wish that you want to have fulfilled no matter what, then you must pay the price for that wish. That is how things work.

Re: [resolution]

[antreegonist]

"Of course you have to pay the price. Exchanges are made. Misunderstandings.

But the price isn't always something that makes you stop caring about it in the end."

Re: [past - heart]

[gravitysrainbow]

I know... when people say, 'she'd want you to do this', or 'she'd be happier if you did that', it's annoying. Because what do they know, right? ... But I think... you know better than anyone what she'd want you to do now. And that's something she left behind as well.

Re: [center - knowledge]

[antreegonist]

"...please."

Re: [future - body]

[squirreledaway]

[OH GOD-- just freezes for a moment]

U-Um... I... don't really know. U-Um...

Re: [resolution]

[featherfetch]

I don't know how the "game" was run, but a "relationship" in exchange for a life is a price that was named for me in the past by someone who is far wiser and more powerful than I am. I think that's an exchange that I can rely on, if I want to be as sure as I can that I will save someone.

Re: [center - knowledge]

[bondingspirits]

[nods!]

Where do I start?

Re: [past - heart]

[antreegonist]

"So I can hold onto those?"

He's fading...

Re: [future - body]

[antreegonist]

"Hey. Hey, don't freak out, Emil. It's me. I just can't get over there right now."

Re: [past - heart]

[gravitysrainbow]

Yeah. Nobody can take those away from you.

Re: [resolution]

[antreegonist]

He looks thoughtful.

Re: [future - body]

[squirreledaway]

I-I just wasn't... expecting you! Which is dumb, sorry.

Re: [center - knowledge]

[antreegonist]

He starts directing you, very calmly. The way the books are arranged is apparently pretty complex; you can't quite follow what the criteria are. But you're getting through them a lot faster than Mithos was alone.

Re: [resolution]

[featherfetch]

And even if that 'relationship' is gone forever, I. . . that person can live. And as long as they are still living, you can build a new relationship, even if it isn't the same.

Re: [past - heart]

[antreegonist]

"Nobody . . ."

He fades away, and so does she.