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]

He tried to take another drink after the chugging was done, already having forgotten that the glass was empty. Blinking in surprise, he giggled before trying to stand up from the floor. Only to end up back on his butt. Giving up, he decided he lived there and went to crawl under the table instead. "It's like a tent. I can camp here!"

[hideawayparadise]

"I do have a lot of friends and family!" Riley laughed some more, freezing when he thought he saw the shadow at the window. But a few blinks and he realized...he couldn't see anything. Shrugging, he drank more of the booze that just tasted like juice to him.

"Mmmm. This is so gooooood."

[hideawayparadise]

"...are we going to the house?" He was starting to recognize the path they were taking now. After all, he knew that house well since he still visited there regularly. Partially for sword lessons and partially because it was where some of his family lived and he loved them.

[hideawayparadise]

"Um...blindfold? Just in case?" That way he couldn't be tempted to open his eyes. And he trusted Kinn to get him there and keep telling him if he needed to take steps and so on.

Nodding for the rest, he let his brother know he was good with this. Yes, he could do this. Get to his room and then wait for Xie. And Kinn would make sure he was okay. He could do this much.

[hideawayparadise]

"Your pipa is a boy?" He relaxed the tiniest bit, still clinging but at least able to listen to the description. Talking like this was better than thinking about how he was so sure there was someone at the window. No the door. Both!

[50000baht]

Kinn smiled warmly and took the tie again. "Of course, nong. You know," he mused softly, more so that he could try and fill Riley's head with his voice and not paranoid thoughts, "you're being really brave through this whole thing. I think I would have emptied my gun and started smelting metal for more bullets at this point."

And that's exactly what Kinn did. Keeping Riley tucked in close to his side, he directed the young man to his quarters, making certain he was secure on the bed, the windows were covered, the lights were on, and Xie was contacted before asking if he could take the blindfold.

[hideawayparadise]

He was? He didn't feel brave at all right now. There was just an overwhelming fear that he hated having so much. It made him feel sick as he kept moving forward when they started walking, sitting on the bed and curling his arms around his legs again.

Swallowing, he nodded fast when Kinn asked if he could remove the tie. As soon as he could see, his eyes darted to all entrances. Not because he couldn't trust Kinn but because he couldn't control himself and his own feelings. "Do you really think I'm brave right now?"

Might as well try to focus on something else and that seemed nice.

[thescorpionking]

"Of course!" Xie grins and nudges their noses together, "He is much too proud and handsome to be a lady." he then adds, voice gentler, "Though I do want a female scorpion eventually. They are excellent mothers."

[hideawayparadise]

"Ladies can be proud and handsome too," he murmured softly, less to be contrary and more just to be diplomatic. And inclusive. It was something he'd been trying to teach Xie and Baiyi when he'd lived there but well that was in the past now. He could keep going with Xie though.

"I didn't know female scorpions were good moms though."

[thescorpionking]

"I suppose so." Xie murmurs, thinking it over. Ladies in his culture are considered gentle flowers or fairies. Can they be proud? Of course. Handsome? That is a new descriptor, but when he thinks about the ladies in his sect, it seems fitting.

"They carry their babies on their back and protector them from all foes."

[safesex]

That's cute, but not exactly safe. If someone sits there or Riley tries to stand up. So Vegas held out a hand to lure him out (and help him to his feet if he came out).

"C'mon. I'll get you another drink."

[hideawayparadise]

Oh! A hand! Reaching out, he took it and then comprehended the rest of what Vegas said. With the man's help he was able to get to his feet but he was definitely going to need support to walk.

"Yes! Another! Not clear though. I want sweet!"

[hideawayparadise]

"How long do they carry their babies?" Eventually they'd get to be too big right? Was that when she'd send them out into the world?

He should find a book on scorpions to read. When there wasn't a scary whatever outside.

[bythewaves]

"We are, yes." Maglor hums reassuringly.

"Elrond and I warded the place, and Maedhros has reinforced them for us. You'll be safe there, until we can drive whatever chases you off."

[hideawayparadise]

"Okay." That sounded good. Wards would help. Even if the stalker wasn't real wards should keep him from seeing it. Right? Riley didn't even know if that was going to work but at this point he'd accept almost anything to help.

[50000baht]

"You are one of the bravest people I know," he answered, making certain he kept Riley's eyes on him. "Bravery is not facing something dangerous or terrifying without emotion. Bravery is being scared and persevering anyway."

[hideawayparadise]

"I wish I felt that way." Kinn basically not letting him look elsewhere was a good thing. It kept him from imagining things that weren't there. Scooting over, he went to lean against the man again. "I don't like how this feels."

[50000baht]

"No one sane does." Kinn has to agree with that. As Riley tucked himself in, Kinn wound a strong arm around him. "I wish I could get rid of it for you."

He hated feeling helpless and this hit harder than usual. Because who could prevent something like this?

[hideawayparadise]

"It means a lot that you even want to." Because that was what family did. They couldn't always do everything for you but they'd always want to. That made all the difference in the world to him. As scared as he was right now he just needed people to want to be there for him and everyone was. He couldn't be more grateful to them all.

[50000baht]

Kinn could only smile and keep Riley cuddled close to him. He wished he could do more but right now, he was waiting for someone to arrive so he could make the rounds again. In the meantime, he hummed a tune, letting his hand run gently back and forth over Riley's arm in the process.

[floralias]

They know in a way a lot of people wouldn't. George not only allowed the snuggles, but kneaded Riley and purred quietly in an effort to soothe him. He's usually aloof, but like any good cat, he knows when his people need him. The dogs, too. They were very protective of their people and currently had worried little faces. But they were prepared to keep watch over Riley!

Will, too. "I know it's not easy," he murmured, still stroking Riley's hair. "For what it's worth, love, I don't think whatever is chasing you now is Fae."

[hideawayparadise]

Not Fae. As scared as he was that was truly a relief. Nodding, he let himself sink more against Will. Maybe it really was some curse from an ayakashi after all. That meant that it had to go away eventually. They always went away eventually. Right?

"It's not the Fae. That's good," he whispered against George.

[inthewood]

Those grey eyes follow where Riley's gaze went, blinking at the window. But then Riley's attention seemed to return to the present and Henry couldn't help smiling. "Shall I go ask what's in it for you?"

[hideawayparadise]

That suggestion made Riley gasp. He could find out what was in it? The thought hadn't even occurred to him! Even if it was honestly the most obvious thing in the world, he was already too far gone after a partially finished glass. "Yes! Yes please!"

[thescorpionking]

"Until they are large enough to hunt on their own." Xie smiles at the question, "Until then, she will protect them with all her might and hunt for them."

See? Mother scorpions are very good unless she runs out of food then babies equal food, but shhh.