jikan_rpg | January | Event: Castle in the Snow

January | Event: Castle in the Snow

Castle in the Snow↲ OOC Plotting

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As winter rolls through Tokyo, some may find themselves longing for a little snowfall. While it certainly gets cold, there's very little snow in Tokyo proper, with the storm of last year having been something of a fluke.

But as it turns out, those looking for a little snow will get their wish, as the NRL announces an opportunity for refugees interested in traveling to visit the northern region of Hokkaido for a weeklong getaway.

A City Encased in Ice

Visiting Hokkaido is something of an undertaking. Well beyond the stretch of Kanto's flooded valleys and city ruins, the only realistic way to visit Hokkaido is by train. And once there, navigating it makes the train something of a requirement. This is because Hokkaido is home to a unique phenomenon known as the Everfrost, a frigid storm that perpetually blankets the region in snow and ice, no matter the season.

Following a lengthy train ride, the train enters a tunnel that sends it underground, before finally emerging into a station seemingly carved out of dark blue ice crystals. And yet the refugees won't feel a chill, as the unique properties of ice formed by the Everfrost prevents it from melting, even with the heat on. From there, it'll just be quick transfer, and they'll arrive in the Minami Ward of the city of Sapporo.

Earn Your Keep Minami, Sapporo
The refugees will be staying in Sapporo's famous Ice Princess Hotel, a luxury resort made entirely of Everfrost ice and located in the shadows of a massive castle. Ordinarily, the rooms here would be too expensive for even the wealthiest refugee. But seeing as this is the off-season (no one wants to visit a perpetual winter wonderland in the winter, obviously), they've arranged special accommodations that even the NRL can afford! The rooms are nothing grand, arranged in a suite style with multiple bedrooms connecting to a shared living area. And of course, while the rooms are still rather warm, the walls themselves are made of thick Everfrost, which is just as cold to the touch as ice ought to be. Make sure not to lean against it after a shower.

Unfortunately, these accommodations require each guest to work a minimum of one work shift at the resort. While it's not impossible to argue one's way out of working, seeing as they were not informed of this part of the deal, those willing to grin and bear it will find that the work available really isn't that bad. There's ordinary jobs, such as cleaning, managing the front desk, or helping out in the bar or kitchen. But most of them will be given opportunities to learn more about Hokkaido's Everfrost up close.

Those who can handle the cold will be invited to a workshop behind the resort where the Everfrost is processed into workable materials. Harvested from the eye of the storm in the center of Sapporo, these icy blocks are carved into shapes and then polished until they shine a brilliant blue. Walls, frames for furniture and decor, glasses and even plates used for cold desserts are all common uses for Everfrost. The ice is plentiful and can easily be frozen back together again, so there's no need to worry if your carving skills aren't up to par.

Those who assist here will also be given an item made of Everfrost of their choice, ranging from gemstones to be inlaid into jewelry, to an icy blade that never melts. Just remember, it is very cold, so try not to wear it anywhere it touches the skin.

Gourmet Tourism Ainosato, Sapporo
Due to the sheer cold of Sapporo's climate, the only way to travel through the city is by underground train, with only the locals brave enough to navigate the streets on foot. But the refugees are certainly welcome to try, and will even be offered snowshoes to make the trip easier.

Heading north to the Ainosato Ward, refugees will find a Beer Museum dedicated to all the brews made throughout Nippon, and including some rare international brands. Naturally, there's free samples, but do try not to get drunk until you reach the bar at the end of the guided tour. This is also the only bar in the East with a permit for selling imported Uki beer, which is almost cloyingly sweet and sure to be an acquired taste, even for those who normally enjoy Uki.

For those seeking Sapporo's signature snack as a souvenir to take back to Tokyo, they'll be sure to find no shortage of shops selling Snow White Lovers, which are said to invoke strong feelings of pure and innocent love when gifted to someone else. Which is very literal, because the gift boxes they arrive in are enchanted with a temporary love spell. At least the cookies are fine??

Nippon's Snow Level

While exploring the city is all fine and good, the real draw of Hokkaido is the sheer amount of outdoor activities visitors can do out in the snow! Naturally, winters in Hokkaido are even harsher than usual, so all refugees interested in exploring will be encouraged to take with them a special haori that can be worn over their clothes, imbued with a magi-tech heating element to keep the wearer nice and toasty.

The Ice Princess Hotel is connected to a large ski resort, and is a short distance from numerous hiking trails. But take note: the cold isn't the only threat out in the wilderness, and those without the ability to protect themselves may be joined a local Hunter Samurai just in case they get lost or encounter something dangerous.

Regardless, whether one is interested in renting some skis, sleds, or snowshoes, the ski resort is still sure to be a pleasant experience!

Crystal Tears Minami, Sapporo
Although Hokkaido is stuck in a perpetual winter, that doesn't mean nothing grows here. In fact, Hokkaido is the only place where crystalflowers can be found. As the name suggests, they're flowers with a crystal-like appearance, with jagged petals and a clear stem. And despite growing like flowers, attempting to handle the fragile petals will cause them to melt like ice.

These flowers can be found all across Hokkaido no matter the time of year, but the best place for viewing them is at the summit of the Ice Princess Ski Resort, where an elaborate garden showcasing different varieties can be found. Some grow on spiky vines like roses, while others grow straight from the ground like poppies.

But beautiful as they are, being surrounded by so many has an odd side effect. For those with an affinity for water or ice magic of any kind, be it local or from home, they may find themselves starting to cry when standing amongst the flowers. While they won't be able to understand why, they'll feel a certain sense of melancholy when looking upon them, as if reminded of someone dear they've lost in the past.

Thankfully, this effect will wear off after getting some distance from the flowers.

Remnants of a Goddess ???, Sapporo
But not everywhere in Sapporo is safe to explore. Those with a penchant for getting into danger may find themselves wandering into the eye of the storm at the very heart of Sapporo. The Everfrost is not a natural occurrence, and is in fact the result of a powerful Goddess who is said to have met her untimely demise at the hands of the people who once worshipped her. While the true history has been lost to time, there's no denying that the source of the storm pours out from a single region in Sapporo.

Although there are many signs warning visitors to keep their distance, should anyone press through the snow, they may hear the sound of someone screaming into the wind. Following it will lead them to a large chasm, with a single bridge of ice leading to a large crystal-like structure. The bridge is slippery, and the only way into the structure is to follow the winding staircase of ice that circles around the outside to an entrance at the top. The chasm is too dark to see the bottom of, so hikers best be careful not to slip and fall.

But once they reach the inside, they'll find no person waiting for them. Instead, they'll find the entire inside of the structure is carpeted with crystalflowers, and at the very center sits an absolutely massive flower, which begins to stir as if it were alive.

If the elaborate set up wasn't obvious enough: this is a boss fight.

The flower is capable of summoning icy phantoms, who take the form of beautiful young women. These phantoms will surround their opponents with cyclones of icy wind, causing a death by a thousand cuts if they aren't shattered. Only by shattering the first phantom will the flower once more return to dormancy. Attacking the flower directly is also an option, though it is far more dangerous, as the entire structure is filled with the flower's roots, capable of wrapping around opponents and stabbing them with icy thorns, sapping the heat from their bodies.

Defeating the flower will calm the storm down long enough for them to safely return to the city proper. But should they stay long enough to explore the inside of the structure, they'll find numerous riches and expensive offerings that no one is going to stop them from taking. Just don't take too long stuffing your pockets, or you'll have to fight the damn thing twice just to get out.

Icy Reflections

Just behind the Ice Princess Hotel sits a tall and imposing building within the castle complex. Believed to have once been the keep where an ancient goddess ruled over her subjects, this area isn't part of the main hotel. Instead, guests are welcome to explore the maze-like corridors on their own.

Unlike the hotel, the castle isn't heated, and the structure isn't entirely made with Everfrost. Instead, it appears as though the Everfrost simply blanketed every inch of the original wooden castle, with everyday objects and decor sometimes visible beneath the unpolished ice stone, forever frozen in time.

But for those who dare explore the highest levels of the keep comes an ominous warning: should you meet a phantom of ice, shatter it immediately, lest it assume your identity and replace you.

Mirror, Mirror Minami, Sapporo
Throughout the castle's keep, there's only one thing that hasn't been covered by the Everfrost. On each floor sits a large mirror, seemingly enshrined into the center of each room. And looking into these mirrors reveals a distorted image of oneself.

As they ascend to the higher floors, the images will become clearer, revealing the reflections to be glimpses of alternate timelines from their home worlds. Each floor will reveal more of a specific timeline, their altered reflection growing more and more detailed. And upon reaching the highest floor, looking into the mirror will cause them to trade places with this alternate version of themself.

These alternate versions are the result of a kouribake, the ice phantom ayakashi, and appear just as real as the ones they replace. They retain all memories of the original's life in Nippon, as well as any memories from the alternate timeline. However, they have a significantly lower body temperature, and their bodies will crack and shatter when injured.

But what do they want, exactly? It's hard to say. Some of the more peaceful ones will even admit to being reflections of alternate timelines, given solid form thanks to the ayakashi. But others will retain some shades of malice, intent on taking over the life of the original, and silencing anyone who finds out the truth.

Shatter Me Minami, Sapporo
Now some may be wondering why something so dangerous is open to the public. But that's just the thing: ordinarily, these ayakashi aren't dangerous at all, and their phantoms simply melt away after about an hour, freeing the original from the mirror. But things have changed. And the ice phantoms will exist indefinitely unless destroyed.

Is it Kizuna? For some reason, the locals and even the NRL don't believe that to be the case. But regardless, these phantoms need to be dealt with.

Thankfully, many phantoms can be convinced to leave peacefully. These phantoms may simply have a short list of things they want to experience or share, and will leave willingly once satisfied. It could be sharing their alternate past, finally confessing their feelings for someone they met in Nippon, indulging in sex or a specific kink, or just eating their favorite meal from home. Upon being satisfied, they will fade away until all that remains is a crystalflower.

But others will be more stubborn, and may need to be shattered entirely. Naturally, this is easier said than done when the phantoms share the face of someone you care about. These phantoms may have powerful new abilities from their respective timelines, or even ice-themed versions of their original's powers. While their bodies are constructs of ice and magic, wounds that would otherwise be fatal will still be fatal for the phantoms.

Of course, the fastest method is to simply destroy the ayakashi responsible for creating the phantoms. But by the week's end, any remaining phantoms will turn into crystalflowers, with the kouribake responsible nowhere to be found.

And perhaps the most troubling thing about all of this is that the original may receive memories of the phantom's time spent in Nippon, as well as vague memories of life in this alternate timeline. Was the alternate timeline real after all? Or was it just all an illusion conjured up by the ayakashi? Perhaps some things are better left unknown.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's January event! Please direct any questions to the Question Thread in the OOC Plotting post.

• Characters who won a trip in the TDM's ice skating contest will be upgraded to private, luxury rooms as per the contest's rewards. As there was no need to sign up for this, players who want their characters to have a fancier stay without needing to work for a day can just say they won a prize!

• As the Hi element concerns both high and low temperatures, characters who have mastered either Hi or Mizu can also be affected by the crystalflowers.

• The giant flower cannot be fully destroyed, nor will the structure melt if subjected to fire. That said, the crystalflowers can still melt, and will cause the chamber to fill with icy water if too much heat is applied.

• The treasure will not include modern day currency, but instead will include jewelry, gemstones, very old gold and silver coins, and ancient artifacts like vases, cutlery, and weapons. These can be sold in Sapporo to collectors for a high price (upwards of 500 thousand yen), or sold in Yokohama's Port Market for an extremely high price (upwards of 10 million yen). Only the weapons will not sell, as upon explaining where they were found, most collectors will presume the weapons to be cursed and will suggest they enshrine them instead.

• Ice Phantom AUs must be possible deviations from canon, but otherwise, can be as wild as you'd like. For example, you can't do an AU where Naruto is a Pokemon trainer, because Pokemon don't exist in Naruto's canon. But you can do an AU where Naruto is adopted by a canon villain and grows up evil, drastically altering his personality and past.

• AUs will still retain memories of their original's time in Nippon. Whether these memories are skewed to suit their new personality/backstory is up to you!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[the only reason he lets Aether struggle free is because he's taken aback by the cracks and glassy eyes and breathing. That and the noise sort of make sense now, but - wasn't he making that noise right after he fell? What the hell is going on?]

No kidding, it already looks like it's started with you!

All right, new plan - [he shrugs out of his haori and dumps it on Aether's head as he stands up straight] You make for the exit and avoid becoming a sculpture, and I'll draw it's attention while you do - if I can get close enough Ushi can take out that first phantom, too.

[Despite being made entirely of enchanted ice, he feels a warmth in his chest at the gesture, and hugs the haori around himself.]

Got it. But-- be careful.

[He looks out over at the flower, and sees the way the roots are beginning to draw in. Is it planning an attack of some kind? While he doesn't doubt Itto's strength, there's no way he'd be able to dodge the phantoms and the roots at the same time.]

...I can offer one last move to hold it back and give us both some time. Just-- don't think too hard about what it looks like.

[He holds up a hand and summons the same murky, black energy from when he drew his sword. Then, thrusting his hand onto the ground -- it creates a wave of that same energy, which quickly homes in on the roots and appears to hold them in place.]

[He's not as skilled as an Abyss Herald or Lector would be, but he can manage at least this much, for all that it makes him stagger again. Notably -- he quickly hides the arm he used underneath the haori.]

It won't hold for long, but-- good luck!

[And he starts off towards the exit, moving as fast as he can, even as he feels his body growing ever weaker.]

[don't think too hard about what it looks like, he says, like he hasn't seen the traveler use his magic. Now is not the time, though, so it's another question left for later. It doesn't stop the brief look on his face, but he nods and, summoning up his claymore again, takes off right for the flower]

Right. You be careful, too!

[this time when Ushi appears, Itto tosses him right in front of where he's running so the bull draws the phantoms' attention his way. And if that doesn't work, the oni's big mouth and the way he crashes through them without stopping will. It makes it a little harder to avoid the cyclones, but that's fine. He wants them coming after him] This way, ladies! Is that all you've got?

[He's hurrying up the stairs as fast as he can, moving awkwardly as he feels one of his legs beginning to grow numb and heavy. But just as he reaches the top, one of the phantoms lunges past him, standing at the exit to keep him trapped inside.]

[At least he can still use his arms -- but with just how slippery it is up here, even defending himself is proving to be difficult...]

[And down below, the phantoms won't make it easy for Itto to get through, the crystalflowers on the ground around him now stained with flecks of blood here and there as the icy cyclones cut through Itto's clothing. Will he destroy the first one in time? Aether's being pushed further and further to the edge, and the spell holding the roots won't last much longer.]

[And of course, no one ever said the flower would go down peacefully once defeated, either.]

[the cuts are a pain, and later when he cleans up he might even regret being so reckless, but adrenaline is a hell of a drug. He's slowed down by the cyclones directly in his path, and the arm he's thrown up to protect his face is doing very little.

But it's not just him, and every glance he chances to see Aether's progress gives him that little boost to keep going.

As he slides to a stop just in front of the flower, Ushi appearing in his hands once more. He sends him flying at the phantom dancing atop the flower, then calls up his claymore again - only, it looks more like a spiked club than the sword he's been using.

There's no way he can take down the flower by himself and he doesn't plan to, but putting all of his strength behind one, solid swing at the base of it might at least ~~inflict crystalize and create some shards for shields~~ do enough damage to stop its other attacks]

[As Ushi slams into the dancing phantom, it lets out a shriek -- before shattering, along with all the others still standing throughout the structure. The flower trembles as the stem begins to wilt, petals falling to the ground as it begins a brief period of stasis to recover. Between that and the blows given to the base, they'll have more time than usual to escape.]

[But there's one thing they forgot to account for. The roots, finally freed as the spell ends.]

[Like a rubber band snapping back into place, the roots slam down along the walls as they settle back under the ice, causing the entire structure to shake. From up above, crystalflowers growing along the ceiling break off and fall, raining down like little daggers -- their stems sharp and pointed beneath their snowy petals. All throughout the structure, the sound of shattering ice can be heard.]

[And while Itto will find himself protected by one of his crystallize shields, up top by the exit, it's suddenly grown very quiet.]

[the building shakes and he staggers in place, cursing as he loses his balance. The snowflowers bounce off the shield but it won't last long, and nor will the flower itself remain in stasis. As soon as he finds his footing again he's running for the stairs, his shield breaking as soon as he hits them. Unfortunate but hey, a few more scratches won't kill him.

(probably)

Of course, it's too quiet up top when it wasn't before, so he doubles his pace, hoping that maybe the traveler just got out completely and nothing is wrong]

[Alas, this thread is not that kind to Itto, and the scene that awaits him is a nightmare.]

[Aether made a mistake. When the Phantom shattered in front of him, he should have bolted outside. But he didn't, and by the time flower icicles started raining from the ceiling, he was too late to outrun them. He jumped and made a mad dash for the entrance, but that too was another mistake. And so he lays on the ground, arms out-screeched in front of him, reaching for the door--]

[But completely severed at the waist.]

[His legs have already turned to ice, with even his clothing having taken on an icy sheen as cracks form over it. And that same icy sheen is slowly spreading upward from where he split, avoiding anything too gory -- but still no less horrifying.]

[He turns his head towards Itto, barely still able to move his neck, with tears already frozen in his eyes.]

...It...to...

[when he reaches the top of the stairs he stops short, staring. A full five seconds of staring pass as his brain parses what he's looking at. It feels like his heart drops to somewhere around his feet, and he has to remind himself to breathe and - he's some some pretty bad shit in his life, it's hard not to when you're someone like him, but this is . . .

He physically shakes himself out of it and scrambles to Aether's side, his hands hovering like what he should do will come to him any moment. But there's nothing - his shields don't heal, he doesn't even know any healers and - can something this bad even be healed?

A shaky hand finally comes to rest on Aether's head, his voice rough when he finally finds it to speak]

I told you to be careful -

Are there - do you know any healers? If I can call 'em maybe they'll meet me halfway and we can - fix this - [he wants to sound certain it can be fixed, but his eyes trail down to where he's severed . . . ]

[Oh...]

[He's long since accepted that his path would be a lonely one. And that perhaps, someday, he would meet his end in the very same cold and dark Abyss to whom he sought to bring salvation. And only Lumine would remain to mourn him, alone. Coming to this world, in this bizarre manner... would he really die? Or just go back to where he came from?]

[If his journey must end here, to have it end in the company of a friend is far more than he could have hoped for. And yet seeing that pain in Itto's eyes... perhaps that's why his own have started crying, even if the tears have nowhere to go.]

I'm... sorry... Itto. I should've... told you sooner. No healer... can fix this.

[Told him what sooner? Unfortunately, he won't say. And the ice is continuing to climb, his gloves turning an icy blue as they crack apart.]

It's... time to say goodbye.

[he knows there's no fixing this. For all that he's willing to try - and he'd run the entire way back if he thought he could make it in time, cold be damned - you can't just heal - this. And it's getting worst right in front of his eyes.

It's hard not to let some of his thoughts wander to "what if he was faster" or "a different plan would have worked" and - ]

No - c'mon, man, don't say that. There's gotta be someone.

[but even as he says it he doesn't pick him up, or even move to try to] Aether . . .

[Despite his words, he can see that Itto's accepted it -- even if he doesn't want to. Will the Aether he knew come back after he's gone? Will he just be forgotten? Perhaps not so easily. And while he hates the thought of leaving Itto with unnecessary pain, he hates the thought of being utterly forgotten even more.]

[And so, despite everything, he smiles. Even as the corners of his lips threaten to crack.]

I wish... we could have fought more together. It was... nostalgic. I haven't teamed up with anyone since... my sister--

[He gasps, the chill starting to reach his lungs.]

...h-hey. If she... ever shows up here... will you be her friend, too?

[even if he doesn't remember Itto, there's something about that that doesn't seem right - but it's a brief thought, one tucked away for later. He shifts to sit down, and the way he reaches for one of Aether's hands is far more careful than you would think someone like him could be. The other hand pushes some of his hair back.

Dammit, but he keeps learning things about the traveler at the worst times - but he swallows hard and nods, with no hesitation whatsoever]

Yeah. Yeah, of course I'll be her friend. I'll keep an eye on her for you and everything.

[he sucks in a breath, but even if his voice is rougher, it's still steady]

We'll fight together again some day. It's just - it's only goodbye for now.

[These soft, gentle touches... although he has memories of receiving them, he knows he never has. Those weren't his memories. But they feel familiar all the same, and as he feels his vision beginning to freeze over, he can't help but keep his eyes trained on Itto.]

Yeah... we will. We'll meet again, and... fight again... someday.

[Though perhaps not on the same side, as much as he wishes things could be different. Perhaps if he had come to this world first, then maybe...]

[He gasps again as the ice reaches past his chest. The hand held so gently in Itto's grows cold and brittle, and his face quickly loses what little color remained. His vision grows dark, and as he speaks, he realizes he can't even hear his own voice anymore.]

Ahh... Lumine... if only I had... just a little more... time--

[The word hardly has the chance to pass his lips before he abruptly shatters, just as the ice phantoms did when struck by Itto's blade. All that remains is a small flurry of snowflakes, that twinkle in the dim light as they fall around Itto's kneeling form.]

[Itto doesn't look away, doesn't stop stroking his hair or holding his hand - what else can he do, while the inevitable is already here.

He startles when Aether suddenly shatters, and then there's - nothing. No traveler, just a bunch of snowflakes that he can't look away from, not until they settle on the floor. There's nothing to bring back, not a weapon or a piece of clothing -

This is his fault, in the end. Somehow, some way he could have been quicker, gotten them both out before anything else could happen; realistically a part of him knows that isn't true, that they tried, but grief and guilt have a funny way of smothering thoughts like that.

How is he even supposed to tell anyone . . . and his little friend, she's gonna be heartbroken—

He punches the floor as hard as he can, cursing as he does. Then he sits down completely and buries both hands in his hair as his head hangs] Dammit.

[Far away, in the highest room of the Ice palace behind the resort, Aether suddenly finds himself kneeling on the floor after being ejected from the mirror. He's covered in a thin layer of ice, which quickly melts off as the Hi spell he affixed to his clothing takes effect. And for a few minutes, he doesn't move, as strange memories of his double running around Sapporo suddenly fill his mind.]

[But as soon as he does, he finds the nearest window and escapes, gliding down safely -- and hopefully, in the direction of Itto.]

[How long will it take him to get there? Will Itto still be there, in that cold and quiet place, mourning a friend who's alive and well? Processing the implications of his double's life take a backseat to finding Itto, and reassuring him that he's still alive.]

[At least with the flower in stasis, the storm around Hokkaido itself seems to have temporarily calmed. Still, even moving at top speed, it'll take nearly forty minutes to reach Itto -- will he still be there?]

[he stays there for . . . a while, he isn't sure how long. Letting his thoughts get the better of him until his body reminds him that it's too cold for him to be sat out here so long, especially now that the adrenaline has long since faded. His body is reminding him of that, too.

But it just - doesn't feel right, to just up and leave? But there's nothing to be done, either - and for all that there's anger mixed in with his grief, he isn't stupid enough to go take it out on the damned flower. If he did that he'd end up meeting Aether again much sooner.

By the time the real Aether reaches the area, Itto's finally dragged himself to his feet to start the trek back. He hasn't gotten that far, though]

[Using the power of electro and anemo, Aether practically propels himself across the ice and snow, not caring if he occasionally misses a turn and crashes into a snow bank or two. But he slows as he approaches the icy structure, just barely able to make out Itto's form descending from the top.]

[The urge to call out to him is there, but the last thing they need is an avalanche. So instead, he dashes out across the ice bridge as carefully as possible, not calling out until he's reached the other side.]

Itto!!

[he's almost to the bottom when he thinks he hears his name - but maybe he's hearing things, because that's impossible. It was just him and Aether out here, and he hadn't seen anyone approaching when he started making his way down.

But no, that's -

Hold on. Hearing things, and now seeing things? He must be, maybe the blood loss is finally getting to him, because that's the traveler and that should be impossible]

Aether?

[He slides to a stop in front of Itto, utterly breathless -- but his first priority is looking Itto over, noting all the cuts and blood. Nothing looks fatal, but he definitely needs a healer.]

I'm glad I found you! I saw-- through his eyes, where you were. I was afraid I'd miss you and end up walking in circles out here looking for you.

[no, wait, before he processes any of that he has to reach out and touch him, grasping his shoulders, lightly at first and then tighter when he realizes - oh he's definitely real and not just mind playing tricks]

You - [his hands might be shaking a little more than just because of the cold but don't mind that] What do you mean, through his eyes? I thought I watched you—you're okay?

[Not only is he real, he's warm to the touch. Even before his death, the previous Aether felt constantly cold. But this one, even his clothes have a warmth to them, despite the chill in the air.]

I'm okay. The Aether you were with before wasn't-- he wasn't me.

[To say he wasn't "real" just doesn't feel right. Perhaps in some way, in some alternate universe, he is real.]

I don't know if I understand the full details. But after I got trapped in some kind of enchanted mirror, I saw a strange monster create a duplicate of me with ice and snow. And he's been running around with my face for the past few days.

[some of it makes sense, why Aether was so cold to the touch, the cracks and him "turning" into a statue. Or reverting, because of whatever reason. If he'd known it might have been a little different, but even with the small, curious things building up to questions he meant to ask, it still felt like he'd been with Aether the entire time. He'd sounded so genuine, talking about his sister . . . ]

What the hell. [it comes out a little weakly. And you know - he's been through it today, and the relief that Aether is okay is hitting a lot harder than he thought, so it's only natural to lean over and hug him, just to you know, doubly make sure he's real] I really thought that was you.

[he really thought he was dead goes unsaid]

[It doesn't need to be said. He understands -- the memories he has are foggy, but still there. And he remembers the look on Itto's face, and the desperation in his voice, even as he realized there was nothing he could do to help him.]

[And so he hugs him back, mindful to be gentle given his injuries. He only hopes the memories of that pain won't linger too horribly. While he may not be able to heal him, having on just started studying the Tsuchi element, he can provide a little more warmth -- the Hi spell he uses to keep himself warm easily flowing into Itto, like a heated blanket drawing over him.]

It's okay. I'm here now, and I'm okay-- really. But we should really get you back to the city to see a healer.

[had it been anyone else, it wouldn't have gotten to him as bad. He may not have known Aether long, both here or back home, the impression he'd left when they last spoke was just as important to Itto. Maybe it's a little silly, but the list of people who would do what he did is very, very short.

He'd forgotten about the cold, though - again, though, and the warmth Aether is sharing only makes him hug him close for a moment or two]

It probably looks worse than it actually is. [mostly he's just kind of exhausted, both from the fight and the whirlwind of emotions the last hour has been]

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cw: body horror

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