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

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[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...