CAMPUS WIDE EVENT: EVERYTHING AND THE KITCHEN SINK

[intercom_voice]

[Hopefully everybody likes waking up outside.

Because as it were, in the middle of the night when everybody had been asleep or lulled into a sudden one by the sheer weight of the air around them...the Campus disappeared in its entirety. Left behind was only the cool surface of the concrete foundation.

For now it seems the residents were left to fend for themselves in the wilderness of the island. Not even the voice from over the intercom would comfort them.]

((ooc: the school has disappeared, along with all the NPCs and everything that was inside! no opt-out areas this time around. The temperature is cool during the day, and colder at night.

The event will last until October 20th, and I'll post a closer to signify it. Everything will be returned to its rightful place then.))

Comments

[whiterosefoes]

... Hm. If that's all, then I'll just give you more warning when I open the eyes, I guess.

[The circles are forming again. Get ready.]

[obeytherod]

That should be enough.

[Malik curls his hands into fists, bracing himself for the inevitable. He could stand as steadfast as he wanted, and it wouldn't do a thing.

This wasn't a battle he fought outside, it was one of the mind.]

[whiterosefoes]

[Soon they're all up and spinning again, that feeling of magic thick in the air once more. The eyes are closed. Harriet counts down.]

Three...

Two...

One.

[They open!]

[obeytherod]

... [Guh, counting down almost made it worse. Malik stood with his head raised, staring sternly at one of the many eyes in front of him.

The moment they open, he's flung back into darkness. This time he manages to keep himself composed, and through that darkness the silhouettes of mountains form. He doesn't quite land, but instead hovers above the ground as he meets the Twin-Headed Behemoth within his soul.

Something catches in his peripheral, another figure with pale hair and bronze skin. Malik's own face contorts into an expression of horror both in his soul and out in the physical as he recognizes that man.

The Twin-Headed Behemoth steps forward, one head reaching for Malik and the other for his darker half, who turns his head with a playful cant, grinning drunkenly.

Malik's eyes snap open, and the armor is ripped from him again, much more violently than before. The red-eyed head suddenly snaps at him, clamping it's jaws around Malik's arm and tugging hard enough to yank him completely off his feet. The teal-eyed head, meanwhile, slams its jaws against its brother to try and knock him off.]

A-aaaaaahhghh!

[whiterosefoes]

[Seeing his face twist, Harriet calls out]

Malik! What's- ahh! [Unfortunately, there was no time to react - it happened much too fast.] Fuck!

[What the hell is that monster doing? It was bonded so closely before, the armor was nearly complete - why did it suddenly reject him? She can't heal him when it's still like that. Flipping furiously through her deck until she finds the first thing that can help: Swords of Revealing Light]

Spellbind!

[She casts, and the ephemeral swords plunge into place around the monster, locking it unable to move with a stunned expression.]

[obeytherod]

[With the monster frozen, its jaws remained locked around Malik's arm, the teeth already buried deep into his flesh as blood trails downward, soaking his shirt and dripping onto the rooftop below.

Malik couldn't bring himself to stand or even move, his fingers curling and twitching in pain as he continues to hiss, whimper, and verbally vent by whatever means possible.]

[whiterosefoes]

Guh... hang on!

[Is it so much to ask of a mesmerized creature to relax its damn jaws? Harriet stomps over and pulls them open by hand, allowing Malik to take his arm back and looking him over quickly. Even without that deep bite, his injuries in general look worse... It seems the closer he gets to full transmutation, the more dangerous it is to fail. She definitely has to use her second heal, and he's left with more scars than the previous attempt after the wounds fade. Harriet frowns as the angelic soul disappears. The swords remain in place, but she'll have to mentally time them since they don't last forever.

Something about the way this played out didn't sit right with her. Malik's expression... the two heads fighting... it's clear that something happened this time. The symbolism wasn't lost on Harriet. She watches him silently for a moment, and finally asks.]

... Was it him?

[obeytherod]

[It's such a relief to have his arm freed that Malik just collapses onto the roof, curling up as he grips a portion of his arm that isn't maimed. He was trembling terribly, and even after Harriet heals him he isn't quite over the shock of it all.

It's a full minute after Harriet questions him that he actually says something, his voice hoarse.]

I think I need to take a break...before I rend myself apart.

[whiterosefoes]

No kidding. [She shifts to sit down by him, allowing her question to go unanswered in light of all his trembling in the fetal position.]

Are you saying you still want to try again today? I won't be able to heal you if that happens again...

[obeytherod]

[To his credit, Malik was shaking more from adrenaline and a sort of phantom pain than anything. The position couldn't really be excused, but he sits up after a minute anyway.]

I was close last time! I know I can do it. [Malik gives a lazy flick of his hand, returning Twin-Headed Behemoth to his card.

Sitting pensively a moment, Malik starts to idly inspect the rather ugly scars on his arm, and then trails down to looks scornfully at the ones on his midriff.] I'm a mess...

Keh keh keh... [He raises his hands, wringing the air.] But there isn't any price too great for freedom.

[whiterosefoes]

[That strikes a chord with Harriet; she nods firmly in agreement. She's been trapped for far too long... trapped within time before, and within space now. She just wants to get everyone back where they belong.]

Right then. The ends justify the means.

... It's your body. [Only he can decide how far it should be pushed... although as she follows his eyes to the midriff scars, she thinks about how he got them, and how ironic it is. He talks about freedom, when he enslaves other's minds to get what he wants.]

[obeytherod]

Exactly. I don't care what it takes.

[That wasn't exactly true, even Malik had his limits, although they were mostly in regards to the few people he held dear.]

Hh... [He rubs his arm, fingers grazing over the dark keloid scarring that had been left behind. It was much worse than the ones left on his midriff, and it actually hurts to touch, leading him to recoil.]

Let's get something to eat before trying again. [He could use the energy, after all that.]

[whiterosefoes]

[Sounds good... Oh. But if they do that, they could be seen together... so far they've been meeting in obscure locations like the beach, forest and roof. She isn't exactly trying to hide their involvement, but it'll still be awkward if someone questions it.

Well, she supposes that bridge will have to be crossed eventually.]

How hungry are you? I already had tea before coming.

[obeytherod]

I could eat an entire pot of koshary.

[Climbing to his feet, Malik too comes across the same train of thought as Harriet.]

...But it might be best if we ensure nobody sees us together. Just to avoid...[He smirks, knowing Harriet will realize the true problem.]Unnecessary explanations.

[whiterosefoes]

A pot of what?

[...Even if she was thinking about it, Malik saying it makes her feel like a total scumbag. She tries to be pretty loyal to her friends, and this isn't like the way it was in the Rose War: Henry actually is her friend now, instead of just some faraway prince who mistakenly placed his trust in her. So now that there's actually a deal, she's going to feel bad about hiding it. Ultimately, Malik's smirk is met with a bit of an annoyed look.]

What do you care? That's not your problem to worry about.

[They're going to find out eventually. The only question is how... Well, Harriet would like to be in control of that, so she supposes sneaking may still have to happen, as much as she dislikes it.]

... I guess you can just go down to the home ec room by yourself, and I'll meet you a few minutes later.

[obeytherod]

It's my problem too! I'm not sure what Henry would consider a breaking of our truce, even if I think this is outside of that. He doesn't exactly trust me, as you can imagine.

[Malik raises his hands in a shrug.] Even if I don't have any ill-intent...he sees me a viper!

[He glances down at himself, clothes bloodied and torn in places.] ...Anyway, I might draw attention if I walk around like this. Lend me your cloak.

[whiterosefoes]

Unless you intend to use this to break our truce, I don't see what you have to worry about.

[She stands up as she speaks, crossing her arms a bit as she side-eyes him.]

And of course he sees you as a viper. You made me inject snake venom into my bloodstream. [Harriet doesn't exactly think he's a kitten either. But sometimes a snake has the cure you need.]

Don't you think you wearing my cloak defeats the purpose of us going separately? Besides, you'll get blood on it.

[obeytherod]

Keh keh, Henry seems to think I'll break that truce any chance I get! It's really quite amusing...

[Tsk, Harriet. Don't bring up the past so casually! He's still surprised that plan didn't work, although now he's glad it didn't.]

Anyway, it's just a cloak, it could be anybody's.

[whiterosefoes]

[Harriet shrugs, not really finding it so amusing. She can't let go of the past, even if he decides to ignore it like he just did.]

Any Rose Crusader's maybe. I know I don't wear this that often here, but I had it on all the time back in England, so any of the people who know me will recognize it.

[and that still doesn't address the thing with the blood. IT'S WHITE. She hates cleaning blood out of it.]

Can't you just... I don't know. Lie about it, if someone sees you?

[obeytherod]

Feh...fine. I'll forget the cloak.

[Malik waves a hand dismissively, heading for the doors.]

I'll just clean up a little first. But even so, the "home ec" room is too busy. We can meet in the lunch room. Nobody goes there!

[whiterosefoes]

Have you ever gone there?

[because there's a good reason for that...]

[obeytherod]

Unfortunately. But it should do. I'll just grab something from my dorm and bring it there.

[whiterosefoes]

Hm. Well, all right then. [as long as they can stay away from the actual lunchline...]

[obeytherod]

Keh keh... See you then~

[Malik leaves the rooftop and heads back to his dorm, careful not to wake Bakura as he cleans and gathers his things.

About twenty minutes later he's sitting in the lunchroom looking nauseous as he wears a flu-mask. It seems he's brought with him leftovers and things that were thrown together: some salad, koshary, and a few pieces of chicken cutlet.

Impatient as he may be, Malik minds his manners as he stares over at the door.

Food, a new place...

This was two-thirds of a date.]

[whiterosefoes]

[Harriet enters the cafeteria as wind blows and angels sing...... except not because this is not even one third of a date, what the fuck Malik. She blinks upon entering a staring gaze. And also at the flu mask.]

You're ill already? That was quick.

[as for Harriet herself, she had less cleanup to do, so she just made a small pot of tea while she was waiting and brought it with her. Malik had food covered, so she might as well take care of drinks.

Nevertheless, she comes over and sits across from him, setting it down and curiously eyeing what he'd brought.]