towerofanimus | Catch and Release

Characters: Anyone who's signed up for the Monster Souls plot. Parts one and two will have their own threads, for those involved in only one or the other.

Setting: Part one - August 3rd, nightfall, starting on floor ninety-nine and working down. Part two - August 4th (early morning) through the 8th, any floor(s). If you think your character might attack/kill Rick for his actions here, might be best to choose the later times to avoid continuity errors/time shenanigans/the like.

Format: Any!

Summary: See above plot link. Rick plans to help Kid Sephiroth with his bestiary by bonding with a monster so that he can shift into it and learn what it is (part one). Things Go Wrong (part two) and Rick begins actively seeking out characters who have close CR that are not presently in the Tower (such as loved ones left at home, or other characters that have disappeared from the Tower and are not currently around); he will engage them in uncomfortable conversation about these relationships and will go out of his way to combine them with the victim's worst fears (which he is also suddenly aware of). Awkward times all around!

Warnings: Violence/injury/character death possible in part one, and...probably the same for part two (combined with lots of angst).

Part One: Catch | Part Two: Release

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[If there's one thing Kariya's used to, it's people judging him, but it makes him bristle nonetheless.]

I don't care about the odds. That doesn't matter. I'll keep fighting, no matter what.

[So he says, in spite of having one arm and looking almost too frail to walk. The twitching in his face only worsens.]

What does the past have to do with it? I'm not chasing anything. I want to save them. I have to. I'm going to.

["Isn't it obvious," says the unnatural, narrowed eyes of Patrick Dawn as he responds: ]

...Well your condition. You did it for them and...what exactly has it done for you? Years of pointless suffering...It's not worth it. It pains me to see you hurting yourself over such a fruitless pursuit.

I don't care about what happens to me.

[The words are automatic, out of Kariya's mouth before he's thought about them, but it's true--as long as the people he loves are saved, what happens to him doesn't matter.]

It is worth it, if it helps them, even a little. That was my choice to make.

[His tone is emphatic, if more than a little strained.]

How do you know this? Why do you care?

[It's still difficult for Kariya to accept concern--things have improved in the tower, but old habits die hard, and he's not used to anyone he doesn't know worrying for his sake, especially considering the tone of Rick's words. It's must be a trick. He can't really be concerned, he's just taunting Kariya.]

I care because you care. [He casts another knowing glance over his glasses.] Don't lie to me. Dying scares you just as much as losing your loved ones does. What it really comes down to is, what's most important? Confronting your family? Winning the war? How useful can you be in both of those endeavors if you put yourself under everyone's boot?

You do want to be useful, right?

Of course I don't want to die! Why would I want to? But that doesn't matter either. It doesn't matter if I'm afraid. That's because I'm weak, but I won't let it stop me.

I am going to win the war. I have the strongest Servant, and I'm going to save Sakura.

I'll save her, and she'll be happy again, and even if I die, my life will have had a meaning! No one else is going to do anything, so I have to. That's what's most important.

[Blood starts to gather at the corners of his mouth, rolling down toward his chin, as the twitching in his face worsens.]

[Oh wow, Kariya's doing the work for him! How nice!]

How can you be so sure of any of that? In your condition, I wouldn't be surprised if you just keeled over perpetually, until Jason gets tired of reviving you. I don't think you're fit enough to walk up the stairs, let alone win wars and save lives. Your family and I both know you were never intended to last this long.

I'm sure because I know. [Yes, he's got nothing, really.] That isn't true. I've only died two times, and I have helped people. You don't have to be physically strong to help!

My family is--what do they know? They never cared about me. They've always thought I was a failure.

[Blood starts to leak from Kariya's nose as well as his mouth.]

They don't know what I can do. I will win, I don't care what anyone thinks.

[Rick winces and scratches at his chin.]

Maybe you should ask them about all of that blood coming out of your face, first. They know about that.

I can see why they think you're a failure, though--they fill you full of bugs to make you better, and now look at you. Get a hold of yourself, man.

This is fine--it's the way things are. I'm used to it.

[No, he isn't. It hurts, all the time. And blood continues to drip down his chin, onto his clothes.]

Why would I ask them about that? They don't care. He just wanted to see me suffer. It wasn't to make me better. [He laughs, bitterly. He might have illusions, but not where that's concerned. His father wanted to see him eaten alive.]

But I had to do it! There was no other way I could win the War! I didn't want to... I never wanted to be a magus. I had to.

[...Yeah, this guy's nuts. Rick chuckles and waves his hands dismissively.]

Right, right, of course. Whatever you say pal. I'll just leave you to win that war, then.

[He turns to leave. Kariya's going to do himself in with or without his help, it looks like.]

Catch and Release - Semi-Open

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