( imeeji ) IC Inbox

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He hasn't set up a voicemail.

Figure it out. ]

Comments

Day 260

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Someone doesn't even bother texting. They're just going to start looking for him as soon as they check the profiles.

Hope your brooding spot is well-hidden, King]

Re: Day 260

[puzzlekeeper]

[ That depends, probably.

How long is Intensity willing to look? ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Canon says 6 months and still going strong]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Ok well that's absolutely fair.

His bike is nowhere to be seen this time around, suggesting he either went via dragon or deliberately hid the bike inside somewhere.

But if Intensity keeps flying, farther and farther out, until the city nearly bends back on itself -- he will eventually find a heat signature in a building there. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[That bad, huh?

(Of course it's that bad.)

Not to be rude (and give King time to compose himself), the pair announce their presence. That is to say, there is the thud of a metal dragon hitting the street followed by her standard battle cry.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ thank u for your manners, Intensity.

Inside the building looks . . . like the aftermath of a rage room? Any fixtures slashed through by a blade, gashes in the walls, at least one window smashed out. And, of course, any evidence of indiscriminate imp murder -- eyes, meat, guts splattered about. Perhaps he's been in here mass-murdering all day?

He still has his Heart Weapon clutched in one hand when Intensity enters, only half-turning.

Intensity why. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He barely glances at the carnage around him so focused is he on King. And to think Intensity thought he was brooding.

This.

Oh this is much easier to deal with.

Wordlessly, he offers his hand out for King to take.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He doesn't move.

Tersely, ]

Surely you have better things to do?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

What did you tell me before?

Ah yes.

"I'm here simply because I want to be."

[puzzlekeeper]

[ His eyes narrow a little ]

Well, you shouldn't.

Find something more important to do.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

There isn't anything more important.

[He takes a step forward, Blue Eyes curling up to keep watch near the door]

But our language has never been words, has it?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He turns properly now, Heart Weapon still clutched white-knuckled in his hand. ]

Go, Intensity.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

No.

[Takes another step.]

Wash the streets in the blood of these shitty demons if it soothes your anger. Tear apart as many city blocks as you like until you can't lift your sword anymore.

But I'm not letting you stand alone.

[puzzlekeeper]

And if I want to stand alone?

[ Which is not all that believable but still ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Then take me out. And continue on your path of destruction unobstructed.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ That just seems to piss him off more. A muscle in his jaw works for a moment before he grits out, ]

Why are you doing this.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Because what kind of rival would I be if I can't stop your self-destruction?

You told me not to go easy on you, and I won't. Especially not now. So if you want to stop me, then stop me.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He laughs, with no humor in it at all.

Self-destruction? Is this self-destruction?

Well-- they may as well find out.

He brings his blade up and crosses the distance between them in a flash. Going to run, Intensity? ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[From King? Never.

Or perhaps the real answer is not anymore.

(Even if there is a flash of a bottomless chasm and bridges and a gunshot and blood running from King's forehead as he rushes forward in a similar manner.)

But that was practically a lifetime ago. When he couldn't identify the swirl of emotions that tore at him whenever he looked at King. When he just wanted to destroy what he couldn't understand.

But he knows what they are now. Knows what they have built up to becoming through weeks and months of trial and error and stumbling. And so.

Intensity stands his ground.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Maybe he's relieved that Intensity doesn't run. Maybe that would have been another blow, one he doesn't know if he could take right now.

Or maybe it's distressing, that Intensity would just let him do whatever he wanted. Wouldn't stop him. Wouldn't fight back.

Either way, it's not like he knows what he even wants right now.

He thrusts the blade straight into Intensity's stomach -- but it phases through him harmlessly, like it's a mere apparition. His Heart Weapon is a blade that couldn't harm Intensity no matter what its wielder does with it.

King just makes a low, frustrated sound in his throat, hands trembling on the hilt. ]

1/3

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Intensity doesn't flinch. Even though he was expecting some little sting or irritation. Some inner desire in King that he did in fact just wanted him to go away. Did resent his presence here.

But it doesn't. Nothing at all. A gust of wind would have had more effect.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[God he doesn't even have time to parse the million of emotions that hit him like a freight train when that happens.

Relief. Surprise. Warmth. Appreciation. Affection. Love. And most importantly, trust. Pure, simple, and bottomless.

But there's no time to linger on that. No time because King is still...]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Slowly. Carefully. He places his hand over King's trembling ones]

Just when I think you've played every card up your sleeve. . .

You never disappoint me, Atem.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He doesn't lift his head. ]

Wrong. I fail everyone.

[ The Heart Weapon dissolves, leaving his hands empty and bereft. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh really?

[Empty hands just means Intensity can lace his fingers with one of them. And grip the back of the base of King's skull to pull him even closer]

How so?