castaside | [Heart Game] From the ashes we can build

He'll move to the plum blossom branch and pick it up.

You are Macaque, and you are burning.

The Lady Bone Demon's ice is no match for the Samadhi fire that you've just been struck with. It's what you wanted. You knew it would hurt equally as much to remove her ice from your soul as it did to have it in there, growing and consuming you.

You grit your teeth, leap back, and smile. Breathing a relieved sigh for the first time since she revived you.

Wukong is probably about to knock you silly, but who cares? You'll be free.

Free to act against her.

But first, the burning as the fire rips its way through you, all the way down deep until it decides to stop on its own. You knew that was a risk, but when you've got no choice, you do what needs doing.

The air you're breathing may be overly hot and clogged, but it doesn't come with the burden of servitude.

Oh.

The feeling of the fire hits like a truck, the feeling all too familiar. He may have resistance to the fire, but no one has true immunity. He's felt the burn when he's held it for too long. He still has his own scars from it, in the fact he needs prescription lenses at all.

There is freedom with the fire though. Freedom from pain and turmoil and everything-

He breathes in sharply, stumbling back, shaking his head. His free hand reaching out for MK.

MK watched Red Son as he reached out. He took the hand and squeezed it. He kissed Red Son's knuckled.

"I got you. Hey. I'm here. You're okay. What is it?"

"Its." Red Son shook his head. "Him using the Samadhi Fire to get free of the Lady Bone Demon," he said. Squeezing MK's hand, trying to focus on his touch and the affection. "Bad headspace memory for me, that's all."

"Oh. Uh. Here," MK held out his bag. "Slip it in. I can carry it. ...Mine was him feeling good after the surgery. Need another candy or touch a nicer memory? Will that help?"

"No, I can carry it. The Samadhi Fire isn't exactly a nice experience for anyone and I don't think I'll experience it twice," he said, shaking his head. Reaching into his bag to put it in. "And. I think most would be distracted by the burning part."

He takes a shaky breath. "Hug me and give me a cherry."

"Alright," MK nodded. He pulled out a candy and pressed it to Red Son's lips. He then wrapped his arms around Red Son and pulled him close.

"I got you. Focus on me for a minute," MK said and tried his best to purr.

Red Son opens his mouth for the candy, letting himself focus on the taste and feeling both from the candy and MK's arms around him. Leaning into MK and pressing his face against his neck.

"Thank you, love," he murmured, reaching up to pet his hair. Breathing. Letting himself center. "We'll check the kitchen in a minute."

"We got time. The kitchen can wait a minute," MK said and ran his fingers back through Red Son's hair.

"You're welcome. I love you, my handsome prince." MK kept trying to purr and would just hold Red Son as long as he needed.

Red Son sighs, nuzzling into his neck, feeling the rumbling against him. Letting himself breathe and relax into MK. "....the other one was the high from his surgery?" He asked against his skin.

MK titled his head to give Red Son all the access to his neck he wanted. "Yeah. It was him after the talked with Wukong the first time. Just talking. He felt good. No more love. He could be normal. Like it was before...everything happened. ...Too bad it didn't last. He felt really happy."

"Freedom from complicated emotions can do that," he said. "It was likely always to blow up one way or another. Life is never so easy." He sighs, petting MK's hair. "Pain is much a part of us as the happy things."

"We probably shouldn't use that. Wouldn't want him to think of trying again."

"Yeah. I don't think it goes here either. Kitchen now?" He asked and motioned with his head in that direction.

Red Son nodded, one more squeeze before he pulls away. "Kitchen," he agreed and headed for it.

MK followed. Kitchen time!

In the kitchen, there is a stick with the end smoldering and glowing as if it's on fire. Just orange fire, thankfully. It is cool to the touch and despite the appearance, it's not actually burning.

On the turned-off, cool stove is a pan. There is something glittering inside it.

"Alright. Uh, do you want the stick or the pan? You choose. I'll take what's left."

"I'll take stick," he said. Just in case there is burning involved.

So he'll pick up the stick.

When you pick up the stick, you will notice that the embers remain constant despite the movement of air through them.

You get a feeling of determination. Not so much yourself, but for others. A determination to set things right no matter what it takes. No matter what it costs you, or what you have to do. You must do what's right for them even if it makes you want to curl up in the corner and sob.

Ah.

He looks at this stick with a frown. "I'm not sure if this is the healthiest mindset..."

Perhaps not, it is just a fraction of a feeling, though. It's not a complete memory. Chances are high that it's missing context.

Re: Level S - East Door

forgingfires - 2024-03-10 00:57 (UTC) - Expand

MK nodded and moved to the pan. He touched it first then checked what was glittering inside it.

You find a dagger with a decorative golden hilt and sheath. There is a golden monkey wrapped around the hilt like it’s a tree branch with its tail curling around it. It is light and easy to wield, perfect for your hand. The blade is sharp and rings out as you unsheath it, and it's shiny enough to see your reflection in it.

You get the feeling that this is very significant. You want to hang onto it.

Notably, if Red Son or anyone else tries to touch it, their hand will pass right through. This seems to be meant only for you.

"Whoa..." MK said softly. He pulled the dagger out and looked at the blade. It was so sharp and shiny. He saw his own reflection in the blade. He nodded to the feeling. He gently sheathed it again. He pulled the shadow scarf out of his pocket. He tied the dagger to his side with the scarf.

"You're staying with me. Okay. Not sure what this is for but it's super important. I feel it."