Open - Ayakashi Curse

[hideawayparadise]

⌛ Who: Riley and whoever comes across him
⌛ What: Riley has been cursed by a stalker ayakashi! Now he's terrified!
⌛ When: Until he's cured and after he's moved into his new home
⌛ Where: Various locations
⌛ Warnings: Riley has a lot of trauma involving being stalked and hurt and people around him being hurt. That's sure to come out here.

A. Cursed!

Coming home late wasn't unusual for Riley. Even with their new residence being in a more unsavory location that didn't stop him from his usual pathway. So it wasn't any surprise that he was out late carrying a bag of new books and sweets on his way home. It was all fine and totally like he always experienced. Well until he realized that he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

Pausing, he stared into the distance then swallowed and started to move again. There was someone behind him. He was sure of it. His heart raced faster and faster until suddenly he found himself running and rushing for his home. Anyone who saw him would see a terrified looking young man with blond hair who kept looking behind him...


B. Paranoia

He kept trying to tell himself no one was there. He did. But every time he went anywhere he was sure someone was chasing him. It was the Fae all over again and while he was in a crowded street he suddenly took off running. There were tears in his eyes as he ran full tilt into someone. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Panicked, he looked behind him but couldn't see anyone. But he knew they were there!

"I'm sorry!" He just didn't know what else to say...


C. Cure

His adopted family decided that the best way to help their little brother was with a party. That meant that they had dragged him to Pete's and, for a change, someone had shoved alcohol into his hand. At first he was too nervous to drink it, likely even needing encouragement from his loved ones. He just kept looking around like he was convinced someone in the bar was going to get him.

But after that drink suddenly he was sloshed and giggling. Someone chasing him? What was that? Falling out of his seat at one point, he blinked then laughed again as he tried to start the second glass he'd been given. (Yes, only one drink had gotten him wasted. Just Fae things.) Seeing someone come over, he'd grin and wave his drink around without a care that he was spilling it everywhere.

Getting Riley drunk? Apparently that was the cure.

Comments

[hideawayparadise]

Sealed and the windows were covered. Okay. He was going to be okay. He was in a bright room with Xie and all the doors and windows were covered. Riley kept repeating this to himself in his head as he slowly lowered his hands.

And then lifted them toward Xie to ask to be held again.

[hideawayparadise]

Turning a little in his chair, he slipped his arms around Kinn and just held on tight. Softly he repeated the words that he had heard. Almost like a little mantra that he was trying so hard to use to reassure himself. To know he was safe and sound.

After a few repetitions, he nodded. "Nothing. Nothing can get past all of you. You'll all keep me safe."

He was struggling to believe it but he truly was trying.

[thescorpionking]

Xie lifts Riley back into his arms and, once he is seated, back into his lap. His hands soothe over his boyfriend's back and massage his scalp. All the while, he looks around just to be sure. Just to be safe.

"Even shadows can't hurt you if I am here."

[hideawayparadise]

Head buried against his neck, he used it as a way to hide. Even though he knew something was there he felt somewhat grounded if he couldn't see. If that meant hiding his face against his boyfriend then he wasn't ashamed of doing that. Then again, shame wasn't one of Riley's biggest traits to begin with and never had been.

"Thank you. For being here."

[thescorpionking]

He wishes he had the power to break the curse, but he truly fears trying. What if there was a backlash? What if Riley lost all sense of reality, time and place? Being stalked is a horrible feeling, but it could be worse.

"There is a...possible...cure that I spoke to several about." he nuzzles Riley's hair, "You would need to get drunk."

[hideawayparadise]

"Drunk? I don't want to drink..."

Because he got drunk so easily. And after the last time he got drunk he'd been steadfastly avoiding alcohol. The aftermath had just been so bad. And not even for any hangover stuff since he couldn't get one.

[thescorpionking]

"I know, but it worked for Zhou Zishu." Xie holds him tighter, "If you decide to drink, I'll be right here with you."

Keeping him safe, tucking him in and making sure he has plenty of water to keep hydrated.

[hideawayparadise]

Riley shook his head. He didn't want to drink and deal with the fallout. (In a couple days that would definitely change.) Tucking himself more against his boyfriend instead, he just tried to relax himself.

It wasn't real. It wasn't real...

"Maybe...it'll go away..."

[bythewaves]

Maglor hums comfort for Riley, keeping an arm around him and a sharp eye out as he starts walking.

"When did it start following you, pitya?"

[hideawayparadise]

"Last night. We thought maybe it was a curse so it wasn't real. So I...I tried going out. Because if it's not real then it can't hurt me. But there's definitely something there. I see it!"

And he knew it was going to hurt him. It was definitely going to bring him harm! He had no proof of this other than the curse was practically screaming into his senses.

[thescorpionking]

Xie can understand his dislike of the idea. The memories are too fresh and he isn't even sure the cure would work. So he nods, content, at least, that he has given Riley all the information he knows.

"Eventually, it will. These curses run out."

[hideawayparadise]

Curling up into him, he just held on tightly. It had to be a curse so it would go away somehow. Riley didn't know how or when but it really would. Tomorrow he could try going about his life again but tonight he just needed the reassurances and was grateful that he was being given them so freely when he needed them.

"...can you tell me more about your pipa? Please?"

[50000baht]

"Yes, we are," Kinn confirmed as he waited for someone to arrive to help keep Riley calm. Well, as calm as he was going to be at this moment. "We already have, Nong. We are both safe in this room and nothing has happened to us, huh?"

He'll just keep confirming this in a slow, soothing voice, keeping all of his own agitation and impatience about the situation out.

[bythewaves]

"Curses here have a troubling tendency to be real." He sighs. "It's alright Riley, it will not hurt you while I am here. I don't need to see it to hurt it."

There are ways to hurt the unseen, and Maglor perfected most of them on the wide plains of the Gap, where the winds from the north carried more than illness.

[thescorpionking]

"I was given him when I was little more than a child. I had wanted to learn an instrument and by then my connection to scorpions had earned me a nickname. Thus my pipa is shaped like a scorpion with the neck and scroll resembling a barbed tail." Xie speaks calmly, tucking Riley purposefully against his shoulder; his robes are nice and dark.

[hideawayparadise]

Right. Maglor had a magic to him. It was based around music. As long as it could hear then his adopted father could hurt it. He tried his best to be reassured by that fact and allowed the tall Elf to lead him. Anywhere really. Riley wasn't about to fight it and just cling instead.

[hideawayparadise]

That...that was true. They'd been here quite a bit and nothing had tried to even break in. Plus Xie was outside so there was no way that they'd be able to get past him and Kinn without there being consequences. Riley gave a little tremble then closed his eyes.

"No. Nothing has happened." He let out a breath and opened his eyes again to look up at his brother. "...will you walk me to my room? Xie's going to meet me there."

He was scared so he only just remembered.

[hideawayparadise]

"Does it have a design of the head and claws on the rest?" he asked quietly, doing his very best to allow himself to be soothed. If nothing else he was definitely trying to let himself be distracted. No simple task but at least he was trying here. Knowing that everything was closed and trapped helped so much at this point.

[floralias]

"Feel what you feel," he said softly, reaching up to stroke Riley's hair. "I'll be right here to look out for you." It's all he could promise. To be there, to do his best to protect him from anything. Nothing less.

[50000baht]

"Of course." But Kinn doesn't move immediately. He waits for Riley instead. "Do you want to be blindfolded again or just keep your eyes closed?" Because in order to get to his room, they needed to walk in the courtyard.

"When we're there, I'll message Xie and wait with you until he arrives, how's that?"

[inthewood]

The compliment brought a blush to his cheeks. But the compliment to Gaura? That made him smile and stand up a little straighter.

"I am very lucky," he agreed. "But so are you! Look at how many friends you have who love you!"

[safesex]

Vegas clapped and cheered heartily as Riley chugged the water. "Good job!"

[thescorpionking]

"Actually, it doesn't. The body is covered in silver scales. Even if you're not fond of scorpions, you would think it's lovely." Xie slides his fingers into his A-Ley's hair, massaging to distract him, "He sings beautifully too."

[bythewaves]

Maglor is leading them both back to where he stays, where he has wound protection into the walls of the house, blending his work with Elrond's own protections. But in the meantime he winds what protections he can around them as they walk, watching the shadows for Riley's stalker.

[hideawayparadise]

"I haven't been this scared in so long. Almost a year now." Because he was sure that George would allow it, he gathered the cat up to hold him close and bury his face into his fur. Despite the fact that their cat was so aloof and very, well, cat, he got the cuddles that he needed right now without any complaints.

The animals knew what he needed after all. Just like Will did. "I hate it so much..."