Your past is always close behind

[letsplayamod]

[The last thing you recall is likely your own death. Whether it was fast or slow, it's over now. And you're... where are you?

One moment, you were among the living. The next - you may be one of the unfortunate ones who actually died. In which case, you've found yourself flowing in the lazy rivers of the river Styx, unfathomably deep underground. Just for a moment, mind you. It's not long before your consciousness is yanked from the waters by some scary monsters, shoved into a healed body, and pushed through a portal.

Or, maybe you were caught red-handed and sentenced to your doom. But, instead of a proper death, you were whisked down into the Veins of Tartarus. And there's really only one place that could lead to.

Welcome to Tartarus.

Here, you are stranded. Lone platforms of unearthly stone float amidst a sea of stars and galaxies. None of it is familiar, some of the constellations are even in shapes of Typhon or a few gods you haven't met. Even stranger, occasionally, you might hear a voice that could be your own. Voicing a fear. A disgust. A regret.

Looks like this is a prison after all. But it's also... calm here. Maybe you can breathe, for now.]

[In Tartarus, the 'dead' have been revived, healed of injuries, and imprisoned. You don't need to eat or drink here. You still have all of your abilities and god powers, as well.]

Comments

[rockymountaindie]

[ He's stuck in the shock for a long moment. Aglaea hadn't mentioned anything about Misane. He walks over the teacup shards (they've become golden butterflies, it seems) with lead in his feet. ]

I never wanted you to know what that feels like.

[ The dying part. ]

Misane, what... what happened?

[cannotunravel]

I managed to obtain a reliable way to keep watch out there from my room. It was a long shot, but I figured out the right way to do it. When I saw Zvei attacking Mutsumi and Mortis, I rushed to help.

[It was immediate, even though in hindsight she shouldn't have done that so hurriedly. Dang]

Aglaea was there too, and she was fighting. No idea if she noticed I was there. I got Mutsumi to safety and hid her from Zvei, but her injury was real bad, so I went to get help. Knocked on many doors, but I think I didn't wake anyone up. Next I know, Zvei stabbed me right in front of Ferdinand's room.

[rockymountaindie]

[ Misane too. Multiple kids. He stabbed her. ]

Why were you doin' that alone?

[ Of course she ran to help. Of course. But... ]

[cannotunravel]

Because you weren't there.

[Alex may have been the only person she would have thought of asking to accompany her during this]

It's not your fault and I'm not blaming you, of course. I just didn't think of asking anyone.

I did tell Quark about this, but I didn't think of asking him to stay with me. I just...didn't think of anyone.

[rockymountaindie]

[ The immediate follow up absolving Alex of blame does nothing to soften the blow. He practically wilts on the spot.

Because that's the answer he was afraid of. The answer he expected. The answer to everything. That's how it always is. How Clear—

Alex covers his face. ]

I'm sorry. [ It doesn't feel enough. ] I'm- fuck, I-I'm so sorry.

[cannotunravel]

Alex...come on. Don't be sorry.

[She pats his back, as much as she can given she's a short girl. She's trying her best, yup]

I knew the risks regardless, and it's not like I tried to fight Zvei by myself. I tried to get help from others when everything turned sour. When you think about it, I did things right. But this still happened.

In my opinion, it's all Zvei's fault. Not yours.

[rockymountaindie]

[ He feels her hand on his back and, despite how awkward he can be about physical affection, instantly wraps her into a hug. ]

I should've been there. I could've- I could've done something.

[ If Aglaea couldn't? But still. Still— ]

What the fuck kinda God of Life can't stand up against the God of Death?

[cannotunravel]

[The hug was absolutely unexpected and, for a moment, Misane is frozen, unsure of what to do. She doesn't tend to get hugs much, after all! But after a moment, she hugs back, even though it's very uncertain due to her inexperience]

You know if you had been there and something had happened to you I wouldn't have forgiven myself for getting you in danger.

[It'd have really affected her, that's for sure]

[rockymountaindie]

[ She's so much shorter than him. Shorter even than Lebkuchen, who he had wrapped in a similar hug weeks and weeks ago. It makes this whole thing even more awkward, but it doesn't stop him. ]

I know, I— [ He really fucking knows. ]

I was s'pposed to be your assistant.