[OPEN] you waste your time with hate and regret

[chronomancer]

Characters: Jade!Eridan Ampora('s half dead carcass) and YOU.
Setting: Floor 12.
Format: Action, but I'll match you.
Summary: Nobody told Eridan sleeping in this cold is a bad, bad idea. What did you expect from him? He knows how to survive extreme heat, not extreme cold.
Warnings: Jadeblood popcicles. Jadeblood popcicles for everyone. Also Eridan sliding down the slippery slope of murderously batshit crazy, yay.

[Watching the universes ending and stars imploding and the whole thing... it's rather soothing. Sort of. Eridan was in dire need of soothing things, to put his mind back together. He'd intended to maybe sit there for a couple hours, watching the stars dying, and trying to calm himself down from an abrupt, nonsensical rage that even he could tell was irrational. He'd been pushing down a bubble of hysteria for the better part of four days now, mostly because hysteria meant bad, bad things for all involved, but maybe if he went at it slowly, it wouldn't be so bad. Because meltdowns totally work that way, obviously. Though even he had to admit that he couldn't keep on pretending everything was right and peachy. Putting on a smile and going through the motions was getting almost physically painful, but he didn't want anyone to get hurt. (And of course, being a responsible troll and asking Jade for a feelings jam was not an idea that occurred to him, either, because what is doing the right thing, haha, you must have confused him for someone else, Eridan Ampora never does the right thing unless Paradox Space has him at metaphorical gun point about it.)

Eridan watched the cycles of destruction repeat over and over again, while he tried to put order to the mess that is his head, but it wasn't long before he started feeling sleepy instead. Not really knowing any better, and given the alternative was thinking more about Rei and such, he started nodding off, fueled by the cold.

Which is why you'll find him tucked away in a corner of the room, face buried into his knees, arms around his ankles and limbs already stiff. The sleeves of that jacket have been brutalized already, but hey. At least there isn't a single bloodstain on this floor.

Yet.]

Comments

[chronomancer]

[Why are you touching him why are you touching him stop touching him oh god get your hands off him. Near instinctual dislike to be touched was enough to have Eridan waking up more and more, struggling as he did, but it was the words that did him in.

Hush.

Hush.

There was a moment of silence as he froze in place. And then he wasn't even cold anymore, mind flung back to a different floor and a different adult holding him down. And then it wasn't Signless there, of course not. Rationally, Eridan knew Signless wouldn't hurt him. But he wasn't feeling very rational at the moment, and he wasn't seeing Signless anyway. He knew the sword was coming, he could feel the skin of his face and his neck tearing open and that kind, loving voice, yes.

Eridan snapped from that pause, snarling and reaching out with a hand to claw at Signless' eyes, frantic and panicked, limbs heavy. Those weren't even words, just a sound of terrified panic turn into mindless violence.

Get away, get away, get away.]

[iron_infidel]

[His reaction was confusing and Signless couldn't understand. Claws struck and the direct attack caused the signless to inch back. Blood began to pulse from the fresh wound and luckily the blow had grazed his cheek. This is what he gets for helping, trying to spread kindness and it only ended in- No. He didn't need to go down such a path instead he remained a few feet away, still kneeling at the others level.

A hand shielded his wound as the blood came to stain his palm. For now he would have to wait, for fear of causing more discomfort to the troll. ]

[chronomancer]

[The blood is shockingly warm under his claws, and it jolts something in Eridan's memory, somewhere between delirium and shock. He scrambles back, pressing against the wall and curling up. He's still clumsy, though, for all he's frantic. Limbs heavy and eyes glassy, he snarls defensively at the troll-that-isn't-Signless, because sure enough, here come the sweet words and the soft smiles and then the sword and the blood. He knows how it goes. He knows how it goes.]

I didn't even want your fucking sign!

I was not expecting this! xD

[iron_infidel]

[He remains still as he watches the scene unfold. His mouths drops a gape, ready to speak out and offer comforting words, but he draws back for fear of saying another trigger and causing another episode. Blood drops down his face now. His stained hand comes to rest upon his thigh and his shoulders shake a bit as the cold creeps in. His cloak still remained by Eridan's presence and the chill was something Signless was used to, but he felt naked without the cloak.

All he could do was wait and see where he could take action.]

Sob. Whoops.

[chronomancer]

[Wait for it, it's coming. Of course it is. He huddles against the wall, clearly expecting some kind of violence to be visited on his person, but as the moment stretches and nothing happens, his breathing starts getting raged. Mostly his lungs not handling well having to work with frantic gulps of icy air.

Slowly, though, breathing becomes more of a task than watching for someone who isn't there, and Eridan ends up coughing into his hands as a result of breathing with his mouth, what with the air being this cold. It's a loud, ugly cough, fostered by all the time he spent here, thinking god knows what, but when the coughing subsides, he's panting quietly into his hands and the train of thought seems to have vanished into nothing. He looks up at Signless, startling a little and blinking slightly teary eyes at him.]

What happened to your face?

[Give him a minute, he'll register the blood on his claws eventually.]

[iron_infidel]

[Was it safe? Was it? Could he engage in interaction without the fear of startling the other. To test out his theory, he moves closer to the other and once more gently places a hand on his shoulder. He also moves to the cloak that has been tossed about and pulls it over the youngers shoulders for warmth. Ignoring the wound on his face he only smiles at the Jade blood.]

It is not of your concern Eridan. Now, slow breaths the air is crisp and barren, to quick a take in and it will result in a cold chest and a weak heart.

[chronomancer]

[He still flinched at the touch, but he didn't lash out again. He shuffled as the cloak came around his shoulders, docile. He tried to obey, but then his eyes fell to his hands and the blood there.]

Oh.

[There was another slow breath, as he curled up away from Signless.]

I did that, didn't I.

[iron_infidel]

[He lets out a soft sigh and firms his grip on the other.]

It is alright. You were not in the right mind and I went to approach you without warning, I am at partial fault. It is merely a scratch Eridan it will heal and me nothing more then a memory.

[chronomancer]

I'm sorry.

[And he is, but he sounds more tired than anything else right now.]

I think you should go, it's going to get worse.

[iron_infidel]

Then let the war begin and the hell ascend over the hills because I cannot leave you in such a condition.

[He grants the other another smile and a slight bow of his head. Eyes double check the other. He takes note of his breathing, color in the skin and of course the cloak (being a form of warmth). ]

[chronomancer]

[That gets out a broken little laugh out of him.]

It's more like the nice music of heads exploding, but I appreciate the sentiment.

[He's still inching away, though.]

I'll be fine.

[iron_infidel]

[He may be laughing but signless expression remains stern.]

I will be the judge of that. I do not wish to leave and as such I will not. I do care if death befalls me, do not worry.

[chronomancer]

Please. I'd much rather deal with this on my own, I don't want to hurt anyone else.

[Is he being manipulative and meanspirited? A little. But he's tired and cold and scared and no matter how nice Signless might be, he still doesn't reach the top ten people he'd much rather be stuck with while handling this. (But only because he doesn't know him so well, so he doesn't know the hooks, and you're all about the hooks aren't you, Eridan?)

...yeah, getting rid of Signless is important, he's already starting to talk to himself. Nothing good comes after he starts talking to himself.]

I need...

[Inspiration.]

I need to find my moirail.

[iron_infidel]

[This allows the Signless to smile, something he can hopefully help out with.]

You have the means of contacting them? I will be glad to assit you in leading them to you or the reverse, however it is that you see fit. I will not leave you alone and that you should be knowledgeable of.

[chronomancer]

Go away.

[Eridan's eyes narrow again, teeth baring warningly.]

Or a scratch to the face is going to be least of your fucking problems.

[iron_infidel]

[His smile vanishes at such a display and he inches back a bit, giving the other some space. ]

I will not, especially with such an attitude as that. I am not afraid of you or your threat.

[chronomancer]

I don't give a fuck what you're afraid of!

[Eridan seemed all but vibrating with repressed, choked energy.]

Go away.

[iron_infidel]

[A simple stand of his ground and a shake of his head.]

No.

[chronomancer]

Don't make me make you go away.

[He's gonna shoot you, dude.]