The Shadow of Winter

[immortalrose]

WHO: Augustine & whomever joins (open prompts below)
WHERE: Throughout most of Stygia (the Barrens, The Harbors, and maybe a few other locations.)
WHEN: December catch-all & event prompts
WHAT: Winter was never his favorite time of the year, especially since the winter always seemed to last forever.
WARNINGS: Mentions of self-harm, suicide ideations, possible violence, and maybe cuddling?

[ Hey, folks! I'm still on hiatus but I wanted to put up a few prompts for this month's event. I'll be tagging in and out throughout the week, so please be patient. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]


PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

Comments

[heavenstorn]

[ At the moment Cedrik isn't doing much of anything, though it's not for a lack of effort. The Viera's brow is furrowed and his lips are pressed into a thin, flat frown as he holds the 'wand' before him in one hand, the other open to help channel the aether.

The worst part is he can feel it almost working each time he tries to cast a spell. He blinks up when Augustine finally stirs and speaks, looking stubbornly back down at the wand as he gives it another try. ]

How much do you remember...?

[ He's not dodging the question out of embarrassment. He just...wants to know how much he needs to apologize for that sock to Augustine's jaw...

There's a flicker of light that travels up the length of the wand that sputters out as quickly as it appeared. Cedrik bites the inside of his cheek to hold back the curse. ]

[immortalrose]

[Augustine falls silent for a time as he struggles to remember anything of note. The last thing he remembers was the biting cold and the frigid winds. He was trying to make it back to his shop after something strange happened at home. It was almost as if he was chased out into the bitter cold by a force unknown.]

I...I don't remember much. [He quietly admits while drawing the blankets closer against himself.] I just remember desperately trying to reach the boutique.

[A despondent sigh escapes him as he tries to remember what it was that chased him out into the icy landscape. While his memory is a bit hazy at best, he's utterly determined to find out what happened. That's why he looks towards Cedrik for answers.]

Something happened to me, didn't it?

[Judging from his rather grim expression, he's quite aware of what transpired.]

Something that nearly changed me for the worse.

[heavenstorn]

[ As Augustine speaks, Cedrik quietly gives up on the magic with subdued disappointment. He's not really surprised that he couldn't manage it, but the fact that it was almost working was enough to get his hopes up. The roughly shaped wand is set aside on the table, amongst the many stacks of sketches. He didn't have the time to snoop into them, busy as he was making sure his friend would be alright, but it was an interesting new thing to learn about his friend... ]

Yes, something did...your Shadow.

[ Cedrik can remember, if vaguely, what his Shadow got up to when he'd given it control. The fact that Augustine does not is curious. Perhaps it was because Cedrik had made the conscious decision (foolish as it was) to hand over control, while in Augustine's case it was taken while the dhampir's guard was down? That's his best guess...not that it matters much now.

Quietly, Cedrik coaxes for Augustine's bitten hand. He found some gauze he can use to wrap up the wound, in case the cure spell didn't work. ]

I had to fight to get it to stand down. So...I am sorry about the jaw...

[immortalrose]

[A wave of panic flashes across Augustine’s face as a wave of nausea suddenly overwhelms him. His shadow, yes. It was his “shadow” that chased him out of the house. He remembers now. Augustine was staring at himself in the mirror, when his shadow suddenly spoke. Despite being half-vampire, he can still see his reflection as plain as day.

However, he wasn’t quite prepared for what he saw. He had never seen such hatred reflected in his eyes before. It was almost as if he was staring into the eyes of the abyss. It was a frightening affair that honestly shook him to his core. Just thinking about the whole ordeal makes him nervous but what worries him more is the disappointed gleam in Cedrik’s eyes.]

I-I don’t know what to say.

[He mutters quietly as he looks down at his hands. What’s with that nasty gash on his right hand? He stares down at the injury alarm. It’s almost like a wild beast attacked him while he was under the shadow’s spell. While he doesn’t recall what transpired, he can vividly remember the taste of his own blood. If so, then does that mean the shadow tried to—

He turns towards Cedrik in a panic.]

I’m sorry! [He blurts out.] I’m so sorry! I thought I had it under control but suddenly—

[The shadow got the better of him. Somehow, this malevolent entity managed to break through the thin veil between them and overpower him. It’s a frightful thought but also a tad embarrassing as well. ]

I didn’t mean to put you in such danger, Cedrik.

[He apologies yet again as Cedrik starts tending to his wounded hand. Augustine might need stitches this time. The shadow didn’t care about how much damage it inflicted upon Augustine.]

[heavenstorn]

[ Augustine need not say anything, as far as Cedrik is concerned, so he does not press. Perhaps he should say something. Offer some comfort or reassurance...something to make sure Augustine knows that he understands what it's like. It's a struggle all Restless face, after all. ]

...

[ Finding the right words is also a struggle, at times.

The Viera's eyes lift in surprise when Augustine fills the silence instead, wincing at himself when the dhampir tries to apologize. His work on the wounded hand pauses, Cedrik reaching over and putting a steadying grip on the other's shoulder. ]

All is well, Augustine. You needn't apologize...

[ Cedrik is unharmed beyond a few minor nicks, Augustine's own injuries are being seen to, and they are both out of the cold once more. Everything turned out okay, didn't it? There's no point in laying blame, there's nothing Augustine could have done--

Something in the Viera's gaze hardens, eyes lowering as he realizes that last thought was not wholly his own. There is something he could have done, though Cedrik still doesn't blame his friend...at this point, it needs to be said. ]

...you need to find a Soulmate.

[immortalrose]

[A Soulmate? Augustine cannot help but sigh.

Who in their right mind would want to have a bloody vampire as a Soulmate? It’s almost laughable, especially since Augustine doesn’t know the first thing about that level of intimacy. He’s been alone for most of his long life, surviving on his own as a hermit who cast himself out from the public’s eye. While being a Soulmate here honestly differs from its usual definition, Augustine doesn’t know what to think about it. At first, he assumed all that Souldarity stuff to be a complete ruse. However, he’s been proven time and time again that the restless need to depend on each other in hope of surviving.

Even so, Augustine can’t help but feel like he’s already doomed.]

But who? [He questions Cedrik with a half-hearted smile.] That is the question, isn’t it?

There’s no one who will want someone like me.

[Even though the words sting, Augustine knows it to be the truth. He’s doomed. Honestly, doomed. Unlike so many others, Augustine is the furthest from human. No one would want to share a mind, nevertheless a soul, with a monster. He’s a legitimate threat, one that can barely be contained.]

[heavenstorn]

[ For a moment there, Cedrik is right there with him, empathizing with Augustine's concerns. He nods in response to the sigh as he gets back to wrapping up the dhampir's hand. Opening up to someone so fully, being vulnerable in a way that surpasses any sort of 'conventional' intimacy...it's terrifying. Which is silly, isn't it? He is...he was the Warrior of Light, Champion of Eorzea, so on and so forth, and he's so afraid of being hurt it's paralyzing.

Except it's not the usual pain. Those Tethers are far too precious to put at risk. What if they're damaged? What if they're broken and forever lost?

...he can't. Not again.

So when Augustine starts to ask 'who', Cedrik understands...at least he thought he did. ]

'Want'...?

[ Cedrik is genuinely baffled. ]

Augustine...that's the most nonsensical thing I've ever heard.

[immortalrose]

[The very idea of breaking one's tethers is a terrifying factor, especially since the soul in question becomes lost within their anguish. How many times have the two of them witnessed such a feat in person? Whether it be the old gargoyle they met within the cave or the countless of restless jailed within the Gallows, such a miserable fate truly scares them both. However, what's even scarier than that is being unable to find a soulmate. It's not as if people are rushing out the door to do so regardless of the inherent dangers. No, so many of them are scared of that level of intimacy due to past traumas and Augustine is no different.

Even so, the threat of possibly losing his eternal soul worries him more. No one will want someone like him as a soulmate nevertheless as an acquaintance. Surely not a single soul would care if he faded from existence in the first place. So what chance does he have?

Well, Augustine is about to realize that his nonsensical rantings have no bases in reality. He's being overly critical of himself. Very critical and unkind. It's ridiculous, to say the least, and thankfully Cedrik is here to proclaim it as such.]

What do you mean? I speak only the truth of the matter!

[He nearly scoffs as he yanks his hand out of Cedrik's grip. A stupid move since he accidentally irritated the wound further. He can't help but wince a little from the pain. A trickle of blood flows down his long purple fingers.]

...Ow.

[He sort of wilts a little as he leans against the soft cushions of the sofa. The poor dhampir looks so defeated right now. The exhaustion is clear upon his face.]

[heavenstorn]

[ In hindsight, Cedrik probably could have phrased that more gently...but when Augustine insists that it's true, that no one would want him for a Soulmate, Cedrik only scowls and firmly (but carefully) takes the dhampir's hand back. ]

You're no fool, I know this. Don't pretend that you left all your sense out there in the snow.

[ Seeing his friend slump down in defeat, however, is enough for the Viera to soften his tone. Patiently he unwraps the bandages that Augustine managed to loosen with his jostling so he can bind the wound again and put a stop to that fresh trickle of blood. ]

What is it that you think would make you unwanted? Your past? None among us are saints, Augustine...