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

[He nods.]

[And with another count down, grabbing that poker.]

You are (both) Macaque, and you are running. You have young monkeys climbing all over you, and more in your cradled arms as you run, your lungs burning from exertion and smoke.

You chance a look back. The flames are climbing the mountain, right on your heels. Heaven's holy fire, you think bitterly, come to cleanse Wukong's lands and all his subjects. As if imprisoning him wasn't bad enough.

The flames rush up to meet you, searing the end of your tail. You jump, diving through the waterfall and the seals, dropping the monkeys because you know that it won't be a pretty landing.

You cover your ears as the monkeys you couldn't save burn and scream. You hear every bit of those sounds anyway, and you feel sick. You feel useless.

More than anything, you feel alone.

The kids scatter as you wail with impotent grief. First a scream of your own, raspy from the smoke, then quieter sobs that echo through the cavern.

Wukong would have been able to save them. Why weren't you?

[ They burned the mountain.

Why? Why would they do that? Korone can't make a sound, barely feels like she can breathe. Tears flood down her cheeks. Horror and nausea choke her.

But -

She's not alone here. She turns to look at Donnie, wide-eyed and pale-faced. ]

[Oh]

[Fuck.]

[He breathes in deep and sharp and the memory is quickly getting filed away because it isn't the first time he's seen the world around him burn.]

[It isn't even the hundredth time he's seen it burn around him.]

[Though all those times aren't his memories, but it leaves him able to sort it, push it into something he can contain, even if for the first time, he can feel the person actually feeling DESPAIR at the memory.]

[But he looks to Korone, because she doesn't have the advantage of the Kraang's history knocking around in her head.]

[He quickly moves, tugging her close, pressing her face under his neck, and hugging her tight.]

[ It's a hug she's more than willing to throw herself into, wrapping her arms tight around him. ]

I-I've ... I've seen a lot. But that ...

[ All that senseless destruction. And for what? To "teach someone a lesson?" Fuck that. It was cruelty, plain and simple. ]

A show of power. Of strength.

[Donnie says it with a hollow tone. Its not the strength and power of someone who is determined to be better.]

[Its the power that the Kraang would speak of. The kind to reinforce their will upon those they deemed lesser.]

Domination.

[ She almost spits the word. ]

It can't last forever. Someone, someday ... if they haven't already -

They'll find a way.

Yes.

They are very strong.

[He tightens his hold on her. Even if his voice is flat.]

It wasn't fair.

They have each other.

[ Which is where true strength lies, as far as Korone is concerned. It won't give every story a happy ending. Nothing can. But it fucking matters. ]

It wasn't fair. It was cruel. It was beyond cruel.

[ A shudder runs through her. Heartbreak or fury, she doesn't know. Probably it's both, and more. ]

... Prob'ly a good thing the bastards aren't where I can get my hands on them.

Maybe we can get a name from Macaque.

Find the guy responsible and give him a conveyor belt special.

Ha. Maybe.

Normally I'd say they should be first in line. In this case, I'm not sure there'd be anything left for us ...

Kids get dibs. They can mop up.

We get the sucker punch and then they can wreck shop.

... [He sighs and nuzzles her shoulder.] We should keep going.

[ She nuzzles back. ]

Mind if I text Wash-nii real quick first? Then we can go for ...

The potted plant?

[He nods.] Of course. Text him as you need.

[Nuzzle nuzzle nuzzle.]

[ She tilts her head a bit, both to give him better access and to return his affection. A quiet little rumble kicks up in her chest, pitched to reassure ...

... until it dips into a low, truly vicious growl instead. ]

.....um?

[ If Donnie's ever had the impression that Korone would, in fact, kill someone with her bare hands for someone she loves?

Yeah.

That's the vibe here. ]

Wgh - [ ... Oh. The growl sputters. HOW DOES SHE TURN IT OFF?? ]

Wwwwwwwhy do you want to murder after talking to Wash?

Shit, is it that obvious-?

[ Oh, there we go. Growlies stopped. ... For now. ]

Macchan's evil ice bitch is messing with Epsilon.

It is to me.

[A pause.]

Ah.

Yes.

That explains the want for murder. [SEEMS LEGIT.]

[ Plops her forehead back down on his shoulder. Deep breath in ...

Slow breath out. Calms the angry buzzy bristly feelings as best she can. ]

Sorry for startling you. I didn't realise I was doing it.

[ Hhhhhhhhh. Huff. Sits back again slowly. ]

We both love Epsilon. The thought of someone hurting him again is -

You want to protect him.

[He squeezes her.]

Of course you're angry.

Of course I am. But.

[ gives her wings a sharp flick of a flap ]

Gotta keep a cool head. Best I can. Best foot forward.

[He nods.]

We'll see what we can do to help before we leave.

Plant?

Plant.

[ On the usual three-count. ]

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door

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Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation

Re: Level S (sub 1) - East Door cw: immolation