[ back to where we started ] — open; waking up

[daniel]

He’d expected death. A bit morbid and perhaps not the outcome he’d wanted so early, but Danny was nothing if not a realist, a manner of thinking that was utilized to keep his natural pessimism at bay from his own anxieties. And realist thinking stated simply that if you got your jugular severed by an angry, vengeful yellow demon, bleeding out until there was nothing left was a high possibility, for most of the time, that is exactly what happened. Even shoving gauze and poultices and whatever else in the wound didn’t ensure a victory, he could have died on the metaphorical operating table. But Harland had said it best, even if in the back of his mind there was heavy doubts, Danny was strong, and he did make it.

And though he didn’t know it, not at the moment still caught in time as he gradually reintroduced himself to the present, Danny had done what a young boy so alike himself, buried within the mountains of a land lost to war, had not, did not.

He lived.

A hidden cycle had broken immediately at the return of a stable heartbeat, a first step forward towards recovery as the gods had mercy upon him and allowed him the chance to continue. Violent and tranquil images alike assaulted his brain while he still remained unconscious, snow replacing sand, mountains carving up the sky taking place where that same sky met sea, voices both new and familiar echoing in a memory that was not his own. He thought he was only dreaming again, but the presence of two faces that he knew made him sick to his stomach in a way that could only be explained with grief and nostalgia striking him too strongly.

Harland? Albeit younger, smaller, lacking the injury that repressed his voice. But he knew what he saw and understood what he heard was indeed the bombay, but he’d only ever known the man as the adult he was now, following behind him like a young duckling would follow their mother. But that wasn’t what made him react so strongly he was practically knocked awake. He’d been here before, or so his brain had said, traveling with a companion on either side of himself, he’d seen it in his more nostalgic dreams, but never could get close enough to see. He’d been just as cold upon a ground that was somewhere beyond the beaches of the archipelago, and he’d failed to make it out. Someone had offered their comfort and someone had cried at the sight of his limp body the way Vayne had, but he still didn’t know who that person once was, though something deep in his soul remembered what his brain did not, if the tears at his eyes were any sign of that.

Danny awoke with a start, gasping sharply before wincing as the pain at his neck reminded him of why he had been unconscious in the first place, heart thudding against his rib cage. As his eyes adjusted he realized dimly he was in the temple, a long but weakened low whine being the first noise to leave him before any words had a chance. Leaving seemed like a bad idea, and he didn’t have the strength, his body working overtime to replace the blood he had lost, and there had been a lot of it.

But he was going to make it after all. Spat in the face of the grim reaper and would live to tell the tale.

Anxious, shy, quiet and kept his head down, to his chagrin were perhaps not aspects of a personality one would assign to a tough survivor, but then again, no one would have placed any bets on the kid to shed some blood of his own. Yet he did, yellow fur and black blood still caught in his teeth, a slowly healing wound beneath his fur that should have been his demise and a ragged brand upon his shoulder to let the world know he was not going to be put down so easily next time. If only his mother could see him now.

[glow=black,2,300]— ❤ —[/glow]

[michael t.]

ALL I FOUND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SPACES
STANDING IN THE NOTHING, AND TIME RECLAIMS YOU

Frustration. It had rolled off of Michael in ever-present waves as of late, as if the dealer was in a perpetual state of on edge. And in a way, he was. So many of his crewmates had been injured in such a short time, and he couldn't help feeling useless. Even if Roan was frustrated with the constant work being piled onto his shoulders, at least he had something to do. He could patch up their wounds and nurse them back to health, working his hardest to make sure they remained alive. Michael, meanwhile? He wasn't designed for healing, nor was he really designed for fighting. Even if he had been, it seemed as though he constantly arrived just a moment too late. He would never show up just when his crewmates needed him the most. Instead, he would arrive a few minutes later, when their blood had already been spilled against the sand, or the floor of the jungle. At that point, all he could do was shout for Roan and the sages, and pray that things would be alright.

Danny had been one of the several poor unfortunate souls that had fallen prey to Caesar's warpath of revenge, and his case had hit Michael particularly hard. The thief was beginning to like having the kid around, enjoying seeing him grow and become stronger by the day. It seemed like he would always have some amount of anxiety lingering around him, but he also seemed excited for the future. He had completed his division ceremony, and his friendships with Vayne, Lumia, and Marianas put Michael at ease. He had figured that the other had a bright future ahead of him, and that nothing would change that. Then, Caesar had happened. The dealer had heard about the attack in the aftermath, and had quickly gone running to the temple to see the damage done, his heart sinking when he saw the canine laid out. Roan had already gotten to work at that point, and Michael was more than sure his nephew would make sure Danny survived, but... what of that bright future?

After that, he made a habit of visiting every couple of hours, for several reasons. Danny wasn't the only one that the bobcat wanted to check in on, not to mention he had to make sure that Roan actually got some rest. The medic had been running himself ragged as of late, and Roxie was far too busy with her captaining duties to constantly check in on him and see if he was actually getting any sleep. So, Michael had taken on the role, occasionally checking in with small snacks, some extra herbs he had picked up, and sometimes even sweet treats, meant to cheer up the patients. However, every time he visited, it seemed as though Danny was still asleep, much to the feline's chagrin. However, he tried not to give up hope. The other was fine, he just needed some rest.

When Danny finally did wake up, Michael had been conducting one of these visits, in the middle of a conversation with Roan. He had been trying to convince the other to get some sleep, when he suddenly heard a sharp gasp, and the sound of shifting from nearby. His ears immediately perked up, and the thief turned, heading over to where Danny had been formerly passed out. The male's mismatched eyes seemed to gleam with delight when he saw that Danny was awake, and he said with a rough chuckle, "Hey, Danny... I knew you wouldn't be taken out that easily. You took your sweet time waking up, though..." He then questioned, his head tilting to one side, "How are you feeling? Can you talk...?" He wouldn't be surprised if the answer was no, considering the state the other's throat had been in when he had first been brought in.

— Reggan

[daniel]

"Hey, Danny... I knew you wouldn't be taken out that easily. You took your sweet time waking up, though..."

The sound of Michael's voice echoed in his ears for a moment, like the reverberations of something dropping in the distance. Everything felt far away, actually, like his soul was outside his body watching from somewhere high up. He just blinked blankly at the bobcat as if he didn't understand anything that was just said to him, before his brow furrowed and he frowned. Had he taken long to wake up? He hardly remembered the black out, shock having set in and annihilating any chance of remembering clearly the events leading up right before his conscious shut itself down. "I..." He attempted a response just to check his capability of speech, lifting his head up while his body stayed right where it was. "I think." He winced again, a little softer this time, but a pained reaction nonetheless. A sinking feeling of dread washed over him, processing the fact that he was horribly injured. This was going to impact his progress, everything coming to a halt for the time being until he could bounce back. It hit like a truck, and he could feel his eyes water as his vision became less clear, Michael's dark form altering into a blurry abstract image. The wolf pup took in a long and rather shaky breath, trying not to cry in front of anyone, not now. One tear dripped from each eye onto his paws below, but that was all he would give.

"Was it that long?" Danny looked up at Michael, asking with a tired yet frightened tone, brown eyes darting from the Dealer to the rest of the temple. Could have been days, maybe a week, he didn't actually know, he had no way of knowing. The last time he had been both awake and fully conscious was right before being attacked by the vengeful demon, obviously, and he couldn't have asked when that was or what happened. All he could remember was being on the beach, and briefly wondered if that shell that he had found was still there and hopefully not covered in his blood if it was. It was funny, the day had been gorgeous to his knowledge, the sun high in the sky and a nice ocean breeze ruffling his fur until it needed to be smoothed back down eventually. Not the sort of scene that matched the description of a bloody attack.

How was he feeling? He hadn't answered that yet. "I feel sick." Danny mumbled, keeping it a little bit vague if only because he didn't know how to properly articulate the specifics. Besides, it wasn't as if Michael was one of the sages and needed to prod him for answers anyway. Regardless, he was in a lot of pain that was only gradually getting worse over the time he spent awake now, the damage of his neck and searing pain in his carved up shoulder clashing together and making his stomach twist into a knot. It made him feel nauseous, dizzy. He laid his head back down, curled into a loose little ball of black fluff, brown eyes trailing upward back to the bobcat. "Michael? Where...where's Harland? Or..." Danny's voice tapered off before he could bring himself to finish. To an extent, while he wanted to make sure the people he cared about the most knew he was still alive, he wasn't a huge fan of dragging them in to witness his broken state either. It took him weighing the options to decide, and ultimately figured that it was better to not have anyone sitting up thinking about his fate. Besides, he had a gut feeling underneath the nausea that if he didn't vocalize it, Michael probably would have gotten the idea anyway, Danny had picked up on the vibe recently that the guy sort of...knew. "Where's Vayne?"

[glow=black,2,300]— ❤ —[/glow]

[VAYNE CIPHER-VANTAS.]

[glow=white,1,400]LIKE WE FORGET WHO WE CAN TRUST ! — ｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

Vayne had been the first one to come across the scene of Danny's attack. She had been devastated to say the very least, entirely broken by the sight of her closest friend in such a state. Almost dead. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe properly. Her chest had hurt and tears were streaming down her face. For the first couple of days, Vayne stayed away from Roan's temple to avoid seeing Danny and his injury, unable to bear the thought of seeing him unconscious. Dead. But as the days dragged on, Vayne grew more and more weary. Harland promised her that he would be back but it seemed as if that wasn't the case. Danny was gone.

Danny was gone. One of her closest friends and perhaps... a little more. Vayne knew she felt butterflies in her stomach and felt nervous around Danny, something she didn't feel when she was around, say, Michael or Torsten for example. It was a noticeable difference, but one Vayne couldn't really put a pin on. She didn't know what it meant exactly, just that he made her happy. Very, very happy, but also nervous. "... Danny?" The girl called out as she came into Roan's temple, recoiling for a moment as if she was about to bolt. When she realized that Danny was conscious, she stared at him for a brief moment before rushing to his side, completely and accidentally ignoring Michael being there.

"You're alive!" The tears were coming back, Vayne could tell. But these were happy tears, tears of relief. Danny was alive even after having such a horrific blow to his throat. He survived. He survived. Vayne tried to press her face into Danny's side, trying to hide the fact she was crying.[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[daniel]

Well, nevermind. Looked like he didn't need an answer to his question after all, at least not the second half of it, because regardless of whether or not he made up his mind about it, Vayne had worked up the courage to make her appearance. Against his will, a relieved sigh escaped him, which he didn't even realize until seconds after the fact. Danny quickly rubbed his eyes with the back of one of his paws, blinking whatever remnants of the water remained out so he didn't look too much like he was losing his composure. At least, he tried, but it was surprisingly difficult when face to face with the crying girl, who's drastic change from the usual cheerful demeanor was a rather heavy blow to take. Right in the feelings.

Vayne could hide all she wanted, but when you were being used to absorb tears that no one else needed to see, you could sort of, y'know, feel it? "Keep it together, keep it together, keep it together." He replayed in the back of his mind, feeling a twinge of guilt for putting her through this. Not that it was his fault, and he knew that, it was just...it was hard to see Vayne in such a state. His whole goal was to prevent any harm, and he ended up being the center of a probably traumatizing event and the key player in something that caused her an extreme amount of anguish, he couldn't help but feel bad or consider that he could have prevented this someway, somehow.

Danny attempted to drape his tail over Vayne's body, like a little blanket while she took up shelter in his fur. "Sorry, shell girl. Bet you were worried, huh?" The wolf responded apologetically, glancing up at Michael as if he was expecting to get scolded for making the guy's niece cry. Adopted, sure, but it felt almost wrong to point out the lack of blood relation with how the family acted, and he was prepared in his anxious state and irrational guilt to be in trouble. Especially when he was the one out wandering by himself despite not one, but [i]two attacks before him. "But, I...I got him. Told you I could fight." Maaaybe not the best time to prove that he could hold his own after all, but look, he was looking for any way to cheer everyone up, and he didn't have that obsidian charm for nothing, either.

[glow=black,2,300]— ❤ —[/glow]

[VAYNE CIPHER-VANTAS.]

[glow=white,1,400]LIKE WE FORGET WHO WE CAN TRUST ! — ｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

Danny's tail draping over her gave her a sense of comfort. Vayne still cried as he spoke to her, trying to make the situation lighter and she appreciated his attempt. "I did, I was really, really worried." She mewed, sniffing as she tried to wipe some of her tears away. "I ca-don't want to lose you, Danny."[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[michael t.]

ALL I FOUND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SPACES
STANDING IN THE NOTHING, AND TIME RECLAIMS YOU

Where's Vayne? The question wasn't exactly a surprise to Michael, considering he had noticed the slowly blooming romance between the pair. It was entirely possible that they didn't, but it was fairly easy for him to see. Mainly because it reminded him of himself and Trevor, when they had been younger and traveling around together. Granted, he and Trev had been a little older than Vayne and Danny were now, but it had still been pretty similar. Spending every moment they could together, getting butterflies whenever they were around the other, stumbling over their own words when either got close... granted, Trevor had been much more... blatant with his emotions. Michael had always been the more reserved one, stumbling over the possibility of romance and flailing whenever it came to his own feelings. At the very least, it was nice to see that he wasn't the only one – especially considering how much Roxie still teased him about it.

With a light chuckle leaving him, the bobcat was quick to try and reassure the other, "Don't worry, it wasn't that long. Just... a few days, or so. Roan was keeping an eye on you, and I came to visit occasionally. Was just wondering when you would finally wake up. I'll get Roan in a minute to check up on you..." He was understating his own worry quite a bit, but he didn't want Danny to end up feeling too bad. It wasn't as if he had chosen to get himself injured, or how long he was forced to be out for. With that out of the way, the questions... while Danny asking about Vayne was hardly a surprise, the canine asking about Harland was a little odd. Still, he wouldn't question it. Instead, he began to explain, "Harland...? I don't know where be is, exactly. But I'm sure it won't be long until he visits you. He was worried about you, like the rest of us. As for Vayne, I—" Just as he was about to answer, Vayne came rushing in, causing the dealer to pause and take a step back. He didn't want to get in their way, especially considering the rush that she seemed to be in. He didn't mind the fact that he was being ignored, mainly because he understood. Instead, he just chuckled a little and offered Danny a nod.

As he turned and headed for the entrance, Michael called back to Danny and Vayne, "I'm gonna go and find Roan so that he can check up on you. And if I see Harland while I'm out there, I'll be sure to tell him you're looking for him..." He then paused, biting down lightly on the inside of his cheek in thought. After a long moment, a rough chuckle left him as he added on, teasingly, "And Danny? Make sure you be nice to my niece, alright? If not, Rox might just eat you." The threat was very clearly joking, but also not entirely wrong. He was fairly sure that if Danny ended up hurting Vayne in some way, he'd not only have Roxie on his ass, but Diya as well. And considering how scary she was in her polar bear form... that was hardly a pleasant prospect. So, with another little snicker, Michael just shook his head and moved out of the temple, heading off towards the jungle to try and find Roan. Hopefully by the time the medic arrived, Vayne would be willing to move back and give him some space to check Danny's injuries out.

( out unless stopped!! )

— Reggan

[Grimm]

[table][tr][td]

stella amator
member of the typhoon
bombay
tags

[/td][td]

[div style="max-width: 360px; font-family: georgia; color: #74657c; text-align: left; padding-top: 8px; padding-left: 10px; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 12px;"]ALL THE STARS ARE FIXED UP IN THE SKY

Beneath the ceaseless wear that accompanied the silent fall, particular, it seemed, the count until each individual grain bore a unique place among the tally, torn and poorly repaired. Few, and far between, the nights his mind grew frantic in activity suppressed, a stage memory took to and ruled. He knew the frigid chill that populated the darkness that obscured a mind dorment, a shut down forced to protect, action of the body he rallied against even as the foolishness of the notion grew evident. So, too, did he know the peaks that had reached forth into the belly of the sky, an expanse of stone smoothed out by time, capped expanse once home.

There lingered the structures of metal, that above and below, a pool shallow and populated by fragments of stone once held in the dark expanse above, behind that blue sheen hidden. He knew it all, as he knew the one whose memory stirred to fretful life when looked upon the child he found he had grown attached to. Alexander.

Almost reversed their roles, once behind had he trailed, though few the instances the lupine had been accompanied by the tiny shadow he had once been. Still highly thought of, an esteem given to few, a peer for only a short time but carved out a place for him. Well did Harland know the averse effects that may be brought about should this thought be sustained, but habits have a poor track record where it came to dying easily. Back it pushed, lost among the quiet hum of buried thought, a presence entertained now only in the night. It was not such an hour, and yet there it was, burned against lids that wished to close, held loosely as his mind wandered.

Prepared was he to take upon himself the title of coward for such what he was, the rough bark digging into his back, splinters aching, a radiating heat that demanded attention he would not give it. Unknown the time wasted here where the tree lined thinned though still heavy the shadow that may obscure, beyond the temple, waiting even as he declared himself unwelcome. Known now the manner of Roan, though abrasive and a man of a more impersonal inclination that located and picked at imperfections to push back others, professional was he. So different it to the methods he was accustomed to, the crude and too warm jokes that were sprinkled with nicknames given all too readily, a nitpick picked at for it was a way to stop himself.

For only so long could he linger, however, understood he had a part of play though the exact requirements of his role an unknown. Heavy the sigh paired with his rise, brief the wince that rose, known too well that his back would protest any motion. And it did as was expected, slow his steps even as he wished for hast when voices rose. Unobserved the entrances conducted before him, the identification of each did not need such, those voices familiar. Why was it his heart lurched as it stilled and began again a quickened beat, voice caught in his throat as lips moved.

A plea rang through his mind, anything that may lead him away, but nothing did. Rather it seemed the opposite may come about, the departure of Michael bringing with it proximity enough to hear his words, strange the shiver that traced his spine, the fine hairs along left on end as the other began to move away. Rigid the smile Harland offered, allowed the dealer to go about his business, hope they may be alone blooming only to wither as Vayne entered his vision. Expected should this have been, it never was, a fool the bombay in many ways and ignorant to that which Michael had seen. Of course ignorant was he of that which the bobcat incited within him as well, though partially a decision on his own part.

Gentle the smile that curled his lips, something off was present in edges a tad too tense, averted eyes that lacked it, the desire for it to fall there. Words failed though he grasped for something, anything that may quell the doubt that rose in his throat, lodged there like a steel weight that wished to cease his breath. Finally it fell, between his teeth held, the pressure grounding. There was too much to say and yet there was nothing, this was not the one he found within his dreams, a fragment of the past he longed for, selfish even as he found it easier to deem this land as his home. Undeserved that burden, this it was pushed aside, sullen softly spoken words though he tried to lighten his tone. "Is good to see you awake." Alive. The word hung in the air, unspoken though acknowledged, unconscious the lift and subsequent press against his throat.

Had he been in a better mood, had it not been Danny of all people, maybe Harland could have found some measure of amusement that their almost demise was so similar.

[/td][/tr][/table]

© MADI

[daniel]

Aw, man. That was sad, anything would have been preferable to the misery written all over Vayne's face, he would have opted to get tossed about like a ragdoll if it brought that to a halt. If only he was any better at comforting people, but then again, even if he was, he was, once again, the cause of the very thing he hated to see. Perhaps there was some benefit in that though, it was more genuine to insist that it would all be fine when you were the one who could lick your own wounds and promise that, right?

"You won't, it's just....uh, just a, little injury. Or two." There really wasn't a good way to downplay it. Yet he persisted, didn't he? What else could he do? Something in his chest ached just a little when Vayne's words processed in his brain, taking a moment too long, partially explainable but in no way that he could vocalize. "I...yeah. N-no, no don't worry I won't go anywhere." Smooth. Danny tucked his paws under his chest, turning his face away with a burning feeling raging in his face. Michael...Michael was here, talk to the Dealer.

Or at least, until the fear of Roxanne was struck into his heart. Oh, oh right. Almost forgot, which was impressive considering the sheer level that he harped on it, but perhaps almost dying sort of took priority over other worries. Danny's eyes widened, expression shifting as if he truly wanted to say something, but he said nothing. A single paw lifted up before going right back where it was. A sort of...understanding between himself and the bobcat, he assumed. Ramming his face into the wall sounded lovely right about now.

A dark ear twitched when a newer voice echoed within it, familiar and soft, belonging to the other half of the duo he had apparently craved contact with upon awaking. Funnily enough having just arrived after the person who asked after him just left, and while he figured making that clear according to Michael's wishes was the first thing he ought to do, a nagging part of him wished not to to prevent the chance that Harland might leave soon after. Not that it was the only thing he had stirring within him to offer Harland, the other thoughts manifesting into questions he internally suppressed his need for answers to. A vague thought buried among many others deep in his mind consisting only if he believed in reincarnation or not, something to start placing the obscure imagery in order. The wolf swallowed thickly, neck aching once again, or at least he become once again self-aware of his injury. "I hope so." Came the soft-spoken response, a tiny but gentle smile with it. The picture of Harland was not so easily shaken, young and unscarred. It was weird, knowing what someone once looked like. To give the man some credit, that was the final reason to push him towards his theory, and perhaps finally some answers and closure. Or maybe Danny was just being too optimistic. He also would not say that the mirror image of near fatality was noticed.

[glow=black,2,300]— ❤ —[/glow]