For Thine Is; Part One

[animusmods]

Characters: anyone outside of the Tower
Setting: outside
Format: any
Summary: You have been transported out of the Tower, and you must return quickly.
Warnings: psychological horror

It's pitch black here, though the ground is made of dirt and the Tower gleaming in the distance provides at least a sign that light exists somewhere. It's completely silent. It feels as if things might jump out at you--but that's probably your imagination.

Comments

[bashfulshifter]

[It's good that at least one of them can keep a level head, because Rick is doing a very poor job of it. It's somewhat of a relief, knowing that he's with a person that many people trust, and who is usually the first to gather people when things start looking dire; that's a nice pillar of stability for Rick to lean on.]

[He nods, hesitantly, then realizes a moment later that the princess probably can't see him.] A-Ah--I-I-I th--think so.

[Steadily, the memories resurface through his discomfort. That's right...Zo did say something before they went outside, didn't he? Something about...]

[...wait...outside.]

[The concept is such a strange one that Rick isn't sure how to parse it just yet. Sure, there are windows, the fog, the stories he's heard...but actually being here...]

[Despite his best reassurances, the blonde man's image in a shivering wire frame is stunned, rooted in place.]

[sageprincess]

[... Yeah, that isn't good, considering they need to start moving as quickly as possible. She really wishes she could tell who is who more accurately - she doesn't know Rick nearly well enough to feel comfortable guessing at what will ease his mind or what will simply cause more panic.

She has to try her best, though. Zelda places herself directly in front of Rick (or, well, as best as she can, given the circumstances), letting a gentle, but firm hand come to rest upon his shoulder.]

Try not to think about it too much right now. For now, the most important thing is that we move. Do you understand?

[Compartmentalize and focus. It's how she's kept her sanity - or some measure of it - at least.]

[bashfulshifter]

[He freezes, still looking quite shell-shocked and unnerved. The image of his face is pale.]

[There are many times in the Tower that Rick has been afraid for the lives of others, and subsequently his own. But there was always that underlying thought that the administrators would bring them back...]

[He's starting to wonder if that's still the case.]

[With a deep, shaky breath, Rick nods.]

[sageprincess]

[Zelda certainly won't be confirming those suspicions, at least not now, when time is so precious. She nods in return, an attempt at a reassuring smile flickering briefly across her face.]

Good. [And then it's back to business. She lifts her hand from his shoulder, casting her gaze out to the barely visible forms of the others stuck outside.] Is there anyone here you are close to?

[bashfulshifter]

[If only Rick knew what kind of business Zelda was conducting! For the moment he's just confused, and steadily becomes flustered again when he looks over the assembled mass. All wireframes--just a bundle of congealed, multicolored metal, with those that had faint ghost images superimposed too distant and too dark to make out.]

I... [He shudders, stifling a flustered sob.] ...I-I d-don't know...

[sageprincess]

[Crisis Mode Zelda is unfortunately not a Zelda that is very good at comforting. She had hoped to find someone who would be better at it, but, well... maybe that was too optimistic, given the state of everyone's appearances. She'll have to apologize to Rick later, if when they return to relative safety within the Tower.]

That is all right. [She does her best to sound reassuring.] I need speak with others regarding our movement plan; if you would like to accompany me, you are welcome to stay by my side as long as you would like.

[bashfulshifter]

[Calm, mostly familiar company that Rick's been told by multiple sources he can trust? Yes, he would like that a lot, thank you. The blonde man silently nods and is, finally, able to convince his stiff legs to follow.]