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pluviosa2024-06-02 03:36 am
pluviosamods) wrote in pluviosa2024-06-02 03:36 am
Entry tags:
SO BELOW - EVENT LOG
SO BELOW
Not that you'd know it, looking out the windows. A foreign ocean stands outside, on the other side of the glass - the ghost of an ocean, long gone from the truth of this world.
Just like so many other things, which have become visible to those who are willing to pay attention.
This is the event log for SO BELOW. Information for the first part of the Event (days 15 and 16) can be found here, along with sign-up options for the second part of the event.
no subject
Trying to remember how to make an 'encouraging' expression, he explains his idea. "We sit down. I secure myself. I hold you. Problem solved." He nods, definitively. "I can make a damn good shield." (Probably.) (He hopes.) "If I can stop a goddamn orbital laser, then I think I can stop the ship bumping around a little."
(Whether or not his cracked core is going to cause a problem... well. Let's not tell Aventurine, that.)
"Now if you don't like the sound of that, then maybe we can find a different way to secure you that won't be quite as bad. I think we have enough time to go to someone's room and slam you between a mattress and a pile of couch cushions, or something."
His tone says it like it's a joke, but he is deathly serious. Don't think he doesn't notice the wrist-itching, because he does. Of course he does. He's meant to observe, and to analyze. As far as he knows, maybe that's all an Aegis' primary function ever was, and the ability to destroy... Well, that's not something that has to be anyone's problem, right now.
no subject
And Malos is still kneeling. Aventurine can tell the man is...schooling his expression to be less rough, less...severe like his eyebrows would incline it to be naturally. And the idea is....surprisingly earnest. It...it scares him for a different reason somehow. Why? Why would Malos offer this? His lips quirk up into a very shaky smile. "If you just wanted to hold me you didn't have to-" and then the whole laser thing registers which brings his little test and thoughts to a screeching halt. "You what??? Why?? What? No I-" Aventurine shakes his head, burying his hands in his hair.
And Malos even has alternative ideas, all with...such determination to get around his own stupid problem. No telling him to suck it up and just wear the damn thing, no teasing...he'd said family had something similar? But..Aventurine isn't...
He swallows, forcing his hands down, even when his wrists keep itching. He thinks of how this man called himself an Aegis. How Aegis translates to shield and protection. "That's...that would be...okay. The. The first one. Sorry. I...are you sure though? Someone as powerful as you...that laser thing? Why...do you even care?" He shouldn't ask that. Why is he asking? They're running out of time.
Stupid. He's shaking again. Why??
no subject
Malos snorts at the attempted flirt, but after that it's pretty clear Aventurine is too busy panicking to have meant it - or maybe to care about it? It sounds like deflection... again, much too much like Mik. Malos doesn't have a heart, not literally, but something in his core sings. When he smiles, this time, it's a lot more gentle.
"The thing about caring is that sometimes it doesn't make any fucking sense," Malos says. "I care because I want to. I'm selfish. I don't want the people I like getting hurt. I don't want to lose them."
They are short on time, though. "Now come on, this is still gonna be stupid."
They're already by a balcony railing, so Malos doesn't even stand up as much as he just kind of twists and plops himself against it, sitting on the floor. He fiddles with his own harness for a bit, judging its size versus his own. You know what, it'll probably fit fine, so long as his stupid pauldrons aren't in the way. Good thing he's a blade. With a whisper of purple, his armor dissipates, leaving only his leather under-armor. His core crystal is the only thing above his waist that retains any kind of ornamentation, still surrounded by golden inlay.
With a bit of fuss and a mild curse when he catches his finger in the latch (he's fine), Malos has himself strapped in, one arm looped around the railing for good measure. Stability, you know. The other arm he holds out to Aventurine.
"Ready when you are."
no subject
Caring not making sense. Ironically...does make some sense to him. "Selfish, huh?" He mutters, more to himself, brows furrowing. He can't...argue this. "Okay. I- yeah. Okay. I...kind of get it." He can't argue. He has to accept that Malos made the decision to care. He doesn't know why he cares about him- likes him?? But...Aventurine does understand loss. Sure you lose some in gambling but after losing so much...losing more people is hard to stomach. He wonders if Malos has lost people important to him...probably.
But having that kind of care turned on him so blatantly...he doesn't know whether to laugh or cry....the way his eyes are burning, it will probably be the latter.
He's mulling this all over when Malos sets himself up in the harness, and the armor disappears at some point. Aventurine blinks, not realizing he could just do that. He'd be fascinated if he wasn't trying to not freak out or, even worse, tear up. Aeons he's a mess. He does ask about the finger getting caught in the clasp but gets waved off immediately. Right. Aegis healing.
And Malos offers his arm, not rushing him even when the countdown numbers get smaller and smaller. His eyes burn, his chest tightening. He...still doesn't quite understand. But he's grateful, amazed, terrified-
His hands shake as he takes hold of Malos's arm. Aventurine is...suddenly very aware of how small he is in comparison. And does he just...get under his arm? Or- is he supposed to- he's not sure. He doesnt want to be presumptuous, not when the Aegis is going so out of his way.
"I'm ready. But I...uh. Where should I..." He's suddenly very aware of how...bad at this he is. And oddly he's used to having to ask first about this sort of thing. Physical contact not meant to hurt...He swallows. "Where do you want me?"
no subject
"In my lap, I fucking guess," Malos answers. "And I'll squeeze you like you're a little teddy bear." Joking to alleviate the mood. Hopefully.
"Sorry, maybe I should've talked this through more before I got myself all set up. It's going to be awkward, for sure, but..." He hesitates. "It's not going to be... 'bad'... for you, right? Like the way the harness is? Not too late to figure something else out."
They are running out of time, but one should never underestimate an Aegis. ...is what he tells himself. God, he wishes Father gifted him with some fancy future-seeing ability like what Mythra has.
Still, his tone is totally patient with Aventurine. He seems worried, not uncomfortable. The fact this is going to be awkward is just a statement of fact.
no subject
It is awkward. It is. But that Malos is so matter of fact about it...helps. Alot. It's still hard to wrap his head around how it's to help him, Aventurine....again. Not enough time to process.
Aventurine swallows, shaking his head, his grip tightening on the one dwarfing his own. "Shouldn't be. I can...I can handle this." Thank you. Thank you. "...sorry for the trouble," he manages to say, smiling wryly.
And with that he goes to just. He lowers himself down, sitting on Malos's lap. His movements are not unlike that of a very skittish cat, watching and moving a bit slowly, waiting for someone to get mad and chase him off. A gamble. It's just another gamble. He settles in, rather stiff and unsure what to do with himself. The countdown gets smaller.
"Well, ready for teddy squishing I suppose," he chuckles, incredibly nervous. He's sitting sideways, his ear to the man's chest as he leans in. He's suddenly grateful that the armor disappeared, as that would have been...well. In line with the stuff he's trying very hard not to think about right now.
"And if the...ghost pops up again here, I'm sorry. J-just keep me here, I'll be okay in a bit," he adds, hesitant and so so scared of what he might try and do without any control. He'll be okay. Malos is an Aegis who tanked some crazy laser thing, he's strong. Aventurine shouldn't be able to hurt him. It'll be okay. As awkward as this is, he finally feels like this might actually turn out okay.
And then the countdown ends. He squeezes his eyes shut and turns his face against the incredible person offering to shield him from what's to come.
father ship......
Well, at least if there's anything Malos is good at, it's hearing the words left unsaid. Jin's not very good with words, either, and Patroka rarely ever says what she means, so Malos hears that 'thank you' loud and clear enough. He smiles and offers: "Hey, it's no problem!"
And then he wraps his arm around Aventurine and squeezes him tight against his chest. It's not enough to be painful, probably - Malos may not be used to humans, but he's got all the data for how much pressure is too much, etc, - but Malos is definitely strong, and there's no getting around that. Aventurine is firmly pinned to Malos' chest like this. The boat would have to jar them pretty damn hard to shake Aventurine free.
Damn. The kid's trembling like a leaf. But if he's worried about a ghost - yeah, yeah, Malos gets it. Malos takes a deep breath, picking at his words for a moment, before he settles on: "Yeah, I've got ya. I'm not letting you go anywhere." Should words so sinister sound so reassuring?? Eh.
Countdown begins in earnest, now. Malos' breathing evens out, as he starts to focus. There's - some kind of feeling, in his core. Some kind of shakiness - is he really worth having this trust placed in him? But he can't think about that, now. If he's going to pull this off, he needs to cast the damn arte without any doubt. If he fails, it'll only be because his core is cracked - but this should be less of a blast than Ophion's, and he was protecting the whole fucking cliff, then. He just needs to get the two of them.
RADIUS: 1.5M; ANCHOR: CORE; OUTPUT: CALCULATE VELOCITY VS PROJECTED TURBULENCE TIMES 1.5 -Father, if you're listening - make me worth this kid's trust in me -
A shimmering purple shield erupts from the core in Malos' chest; a perfect sphere encircling them both.
The ship bounces all around the damn place, and then it takes flight - but they remain steady. Oh, sure, Malos' shoulder burns with protest, but that's always been his bad shoulder, and he figured if he was at risk of dislocation, better the bad one, anyway. His grip on Aventurine tightens a little; the little gambler's not going anywhere.
And the shield holds. That's the important thing. The shield holds.
Yes please adopt, he's a pitiful wet cat...sobs...Malos...(oops long post)
It's no problem. Malos is the type to just speak his mind...if he didn't want to do this, he wouldn't. So. So.
He'll just...believe him. It'll make this easier.
When an arm wraps around him, Aventurine stiffens instinctually. The hold is tight, and his breath stutters- run fight escape run-
But Malos-it's Malos, he'd...he won't hurt him. His voice rumbles next to his ear, and- it's reassurance. Calm, confident, unbelievably patient. Aventurine blinks as he registers the warmth around him then. Not metal, not a harness, not...It's...
'Yeah, I've got ya. I'm not letting you go anywhere.'
He believes him. Not at all aware of Malos's mental wry comments at his own words, the terrified gambler--normally it's just his hand shaking behind his back. Ha, no hiding this-- does find them reassuring. Malos's hold around him is secure, not painful. Aventurine's breathing steadies, and he relaxes a little against Malos's chest. It's- he's still shaking. He can't really seem to stop that. Stupid...and yet being held tight like this, it's...like he won't fall apart.
His sister held him tight keeping him safe from those who chased them. She said Mama held him tightly as long as she could. Bizarrely he wonders...if Papa didn't drown in the sands before he'd been born, would this sense of safety be more familiar to Kakavasha?He still hides when the numbers go smaller, hoping that not seeing the moving ship, keeping his eyes closed, will keep the visions away. He hides against Malos's steady presence, even as a quiet humming starts up, in the absence of a heartbeat. The countdown is over.
There certainly are noises of rumbling and crashing, and yet...the movements are oddly muted. Huh?
Aventurine turns his head enough to peek out with one eye, then both as he sees the shield. He's clinging to Malos, but he's marveling at the...shield? A sphere of energy surrounding them. "Oh...wow..." he breathes, transfixed. His eyes are so wide that the barest hint of light reaches them, the first time in ages. Not like he notices. Those eyes flick to Malos's arm, how it's getting jostled around in all this with the ship's movements. "Are you- is that oka-"
The ship shifts to wreckage as it moves with the jump, and it's going to fall it's falling they're all going to-
He hisses out a curse, squeezing his eyes shut and burying his face again. "No. No. Not real, it's fine-" he mutters under all the noise, Malos's tightening grip-- Malos. He's not the last survivor. Malos is holding onto him. It's safe he's warm he's alive they're alive alive alive the ghost needs to calm down, they're fine-- steadies him. He tries to focus on the hum of that glowing gem in the man's chest, on the energy surrounding them, on Malos's steady, unwavering hold. Safe. It's okay.
Aventurine's breathing is all over the place, but he's secure curled up in the Aegis's arm. He's gone very small as he huddles as close to safety as he possibly can.
And if shields of amber flicker to life and fade a couple times during some particularly sudden jolts well...survival habits die hard. It is notable that they surround the both of them, even if Aventurine himself doesn't seem to really notice them.
ADOPTION HAPPENING
His power output remains steady, which is about all Malos cares about. Thank god, thank fucking god.
"I'm fine," he tells the kid, who's worried. "I've got this -" He can make more jokes about his shoulder injury or soon-to-be lack thereof once this is over. For now...
Fucking hell, this kid is clinging to him like a baby. Something turns over in Malos' core, some kind of fondness he barely recognizes. It's similar to a captured memory - the first time Mik turned to him in passing and actually smiled - that tenderness, that full feeling, near overwhelming. When he notices the golden shields flicker around the both of them, that feeling only burns stronger.
The Ship finally stops shaking - landing complete. Malos gives it a solid ten seconds before he lets the shield drop, just in case.
In those ten seconds, an urge compels him - he bends his face down enough to press something like a reassuring kiss to Aventurine's hair. ....why did he do that? Why did he fucking do that???? His opinions on Aventurine are definitely not romantic, and - what? Is he apparently good with kids, now??? What a fucking joke???
Better say something quick. "Alright," Malos says. "Looks like it's finally over. That wasn't so bad! Barely even a scratch."