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.

[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..."

[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?"

[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]

"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.

[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."

[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!

[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."

[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.

[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.

[hideawayparadise]

That was like his mom. She'd been there for him until he was ready to do things on his own. He missed her. When he was scared she'd always sing to him and he didn't have that now. Something that just made the pain of all of this harder.

"...Will you help me fall asleep? I think I'll need help."

[thescorpionking]

"Only if you make me a promise." Xie sneaks a soft kiss to Riley's lips, "I can sing, but I'm not comfortable doing it. Since I don't have my pipa, I will sing you a song." to help distract from fears, from curses.

[hideawayparadise]

"What's the promise?" He accepted the kiss though and understood that Xie would be singing for him. His pipa likely allowed more magic but he didn't want him to leave for who knew how long to get it right now.

[thescorpionking]

"Don't tell anyone I can sing." Xie taps Riley's nose before smiling, "You've got plenty of others around you with magnificent voices. This can just be our secret."

[hideawayparadise]

He wanted it to be secret? He didn't understand why but Riley just touched his nose then nuzzled in so that way he could listen. Even knowing it wouldn't have magic in it, he hoped it would at least ease his mind to help him try to sleep for a bit. Just a little bit.