seeksherownsalvation: (and desires of our own hearts)
kyouko sakura || 佐倉 杏子 ([personal profile] seeksherownsalvation) wrote in [community profile] capeandcowllogs2013-02-01 11:16 am

Where your eyes don't go a part of you is hovering

WHO: Everyone who's signed up for the Shadow Märchen plot and the people who get involved with them.
WHERE: All over the City.
WHEN: February 1st through February 9th. Specify the dates when you tag in.
WARNINGS: Probably a lot, since this is a festival of dark sides.
SUMMARY: The City plays host to a twisted theater of the mind as numerous imPorts become darkened, monstrous versions of themselves.
FORMAT: To be chosen by the thread-starters.

The start of a new month shouldn't mean anything special for the City--but this time, it does. Even if it's only because of an accident.

The pull of despair within each victim might come from nowhere, or it might seem like the most natural extension in the world of their current circumstances. However it manifests, the results come quickly: one living shadow all too eager to broadcast its nature far and wide, attached to a monstrous witch that warps the world around it in order to feel at home.

Where once there was an ordinary building, there now might lurk the entrance to a distorted dimension controlled by one of those witches. Where once there was a friend, there's probably now a monster. Can't find the friend that's become this monster? Don't worry too much about missing the chance--the familiars of their witch roam the streets looking for those who can be dragged into the labyrinth.

But take heart: what's within is still the same familiar person...in its own way.
culver: tempermental @ lj (kiss)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-13 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
The familiars are hers, and he's talking about hurting them. The distaste boils up, shows itself in her counterparts. He wanted to take away something that belongs to her, which won't do at all. He said he wouldn't hurt her, but here he is doing just that. Yellow eyes narrow. She drifts forward a few inches, but the familiars move first; the circling dog leaps at Sanji, claws and teeth out.
notadartboard: (high kick)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-13 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
His attention shifted to the dogs as soon as they moved, focusing on them instead of the shadow-Nill. Sanji's foot came up just as fast, sweeping sideways in a roundhouse kick as he spun himself completely around and slammed his full force into the dog. He couldn't expect them to wait and attack him one at a time, so he poised himself for a melee attack, staying light on his feet and ready to kick everything that came at him - everything except Nill, of course.
culver: winnar @ lj (not ready to make nice)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-16 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
She lets the dogs go first, barking and giving guttural growls. But once it becomes obvious that they aren't enough, the birds move in. They aren't large and they aren't particularly effective for combat, but there are a lot of them, and they make for distractions. Seeing him hurt her familiars, however, hurts her in turn. Why is he destroying her pets? Why is he doing any of this at all? All she'd wanted was to be left alone, to be able to keep her things close. And now he's taking them away.

The witch spreads its wings, anger growing. The familiars abruptly stop, moving back. Nill's shadow-creature moves forward, talons scraping on the concrete, anger in its eyes.
notadartboard: (furious)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-16 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
Sanji's stamina was enough to keep up with the birds, but the size of the targets and the way they kept flapping around him, avoiding his kicks, infuriated him. He lashed out at as many as he could, but they were a lot harder to hit than the dogs, even with his keen eye and swift, agile movements. Then, they were suddenly not there. He wasn't about to take credit, though, and slowly turned to look over his shoulder as the harpy-Nill advanced on him.

The rage on his face ebbed, leaving him looking merely driven and a bit perplexed. He wasn't sure if he could reason with her, not when she looked like that - moved like that. But if it was still Nill in there, he couldn't harm her. No matter what she did to him. He braced himself, even though he had a clear moment in which to dodge or escape. Not Sanji, he wasn't just going to abandon her. "Miss Nill..."
culver: goosygirl_icons @ lj (blown away)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-17 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
He keeps saying her name. Why, she wants to know. Because he's your friend.

The thought is startling and almost makes her pause. But she continues to advance, mulling over it, confusion growing as she gets closer. Of course he should say her name, she decides, he's hers. And she shouldn't harm anything that's hers. Except he's been hurting her familiars--remembering as much makes her frown, and the dogs growl again in response. But the familiars have backed off now, at least, to give her space to advance. The witch stops in front of Sanji and tilts its head. What else do you have to say? it wonders.
notadartboard: (determined)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-17 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Without being able to communicate in so many words, Sanji had to rely on gestures. He stood down for a moment, his shoulders relaxing subtly, though some part of him was still on alert for any attacks from behind just in case. He ignored the familiars entirely and shifted his focus solely to Nill, his eyes hard but his expression one of worry and question moreso than judgment. He reached a hand toward her face, though he refrained from completely touching her without her permission.

"What happened to you?" he asked in a low tone. "I wish you could tell me...I would do what I could to fix it. I always do what I can to save you." He remembered Venezuela. Damn, why does this shit always have to happen to her? She doesn't deserve to be tortured like this!
culver: dragonicons @ lj (when i grow up)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-18 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
The witch bares her teeth, sharp and far too numerous, as his hand approaches her face. But she doesn't snap, even as she keeps her eyes locked on his fingers until he starts to speak. Everything, she wants to say. Everything has happened to her, and she's tired of it. All she wants is to take everything that's hers and sequester herself away, to just stop.

But she can't.

The other voice is quiet, hardly there, and so the witch ignores it. All it does is shake its head slightly, lips closing over its teeth and expression warping to one of sadness. It doesn't think there's anything he can do.
notadartboard: (frown)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-18 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
At least he didn't get his throat ripped out for his audacity. Sanji's hand dropped, though he didn't back away. "I don't know what happened to make you like this," he went on, "or why this place is all topsy-turvy, or the dogs, or anything, but I want to help. Can I get you out of here, at least? You want to come with me, see if we can find someone who can turn you back to normal?"

He wasn't the type to stop if there wasn't anything he could kick. Unlike his thick-headed crewmates, he knew how to use his brain. If he could talk the Nill-harpy into escaping with him, maybe someone else could figure this whole phenomenon out and help her. Anything, to see if this horrific shape could be returned to the cuteness he expected out of Nill. He reached to take her hand in the hopes of encouraging her.
culver: seaverse @ lj (the thunder rolls)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-20 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Her lips form a thin line. He wants her to leave? But she'd madet his place. She owned it. Felt safe in it. Her familiars were here too, and they would keep everyone else away. Why would she want to leave?

Because it isn't right.

Ignoring the voice is becoming more difficult, but the witch is still trying. It's frustrating, though. Her great wings flap, and she tries to go through what he's said. But no, she can't actually leave. All the witch does is shake its head, and starts backing up. She'll leave him to her familiars. It's better that way. He's hers, but he doesn't want to be. And she's a lot of things--but forcing people to do things against their will isn't one of them.
notadartboard: are you ready Luffy? (big mouth)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-20 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Sanji reached out to her as she retreated. "Miss Nill! Wait! Don't go! Come on, it's me, Sanji! You know I would never hurt you or lie to you. I couldn't!"

He was aware of the dogs and birds starting to close back in on him, but he steadfastly ignored them. Only when they attacked would he retaliate. He wanted to get through to Nill if he could, mainly because he didn't know what else to do. That seemed like a nice, open, generic strategy. Getting her to cooperate was the first step in finding a way to reverse the harpy-ness, Sanji figured.
culver: iconsfortherain @ lj (the man who never lied)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-24 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
His pleading is starting to make her head pound. The voice in the back of her mind is growing stronger, trying to bust forth as quickly as possible. But the witch attempts to hold it back, one taloned hand reaching towards its head to grasp at its hair. Stop, it wants to say. Leave me alone. And, for the briefest instant, yellow eyes waver between gold and blue,.
notadartboard: (don't touch it or it'll explode!)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-24 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
As long as she didn't take off with those big wings, Sanji figured he had a chance. He dodged a couple of dogs and tore through them, running after her. "Miss Nill! Come on, I know you can hear me even if you can't talk back. Dammit, that really is you, isn't it? Listen, I don't care - you're still the same adorable Nill I've known for the past however many years. Some new feathers isn't going to change that."

He rounded on a dog coming a little too close, but held back from kicking it - it looked ready to evade him, anyway. "You're not helping!" he snarled at it.
culver: reccessional @ lj (but i am a good girl)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-26 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
He keeps talking, and the witch can feel her control slipping. The creature grasps at its hair harder, as if pulling on it will somehow make Sanji stop talking. But it isn't working, and he's attacking her familiars. It's almost too much, and Nill is starting to fight back. I'm still the same. This is how I've always been. She knows it's true. Why is it so hard to accept? The witch's mouth opens in a silent keen that is taken up by the birds, who are flapping around haphazardly.
notadartboard: (bwaaaaahh?)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-26 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
The screeching birds halted Sanji in his tracks. They were harder to fight, moving, flying targets as they were, and if they were freaking out about something, he needed to pay attention. He whirled around and put his back to Nill temporarily, so he could watch the birds and see what they were about to do. "Shit. What do these things want now? Come on, then! Let's see it!"
culver: bubblemilk @ lj (fastest girl in town)

[personal profile] culver 2013-02-27 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Once he turns his back, the witch's head snaps up a moment before she launches herself at him. Her teeth are bared; she means to grapple on to his back. Don't hurt him. The voice is soft, the creature stumbles on the way, talons scraping obnoxiously against the asphalt. Its wings flare, fighting for balance. Its eyes are flickering between blue and yellow more and more often. It looks confused.
notadartboard: (this is going to suck)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-02-27 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Startled, Sanji reeled back, his shoulders still tense but his posture acquiescing to the unexpected intrusion of the Nill-harpy. His fighting instincts screamed against the overwhelming sense of not wanting to hurt her, his own desires at war, but Mr. Prince always won in these situations. He caught his balance and held still, letting her hang onto him. "It's all right. I'm not going anywhere. But...Miss Nill..."

He glanced over his shoulder at her, unsure what was going on but figuring it was safe to keep talking even as the birds hovered overhead. "Are they...listening to you? Can you call them off?"
culver: supahsekret @ lj (letter from home)

[personal profile] culver 2013-03-02 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
It happens without the witch even considering it. The birds and dogs retreat, though the occasional growl and screech accompanies them. She stares at Sanji for a few more moments. Her eyes remain blue for longer than before. Stop it. The witch doesn't know if it's a thought from the girl or not.
notadartboard: (plain smile)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-03-02 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Sanji blinked. It was like in Venezuela, he was sure it was her. "You want me to stop? What...stop fighting?"

As long as there wasn't anything attacking him, it wasn't a difficult order to obey. He smiled gently. "You know I can't say no to you, Miss Nill. As long as you're safe..."
culver: scremies @ lj (wasted years)

[personal profile] culver 2013-03-04 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
But she's not safe. None of this is okay. This is wrong. So what if she's had some trouble in her past? Everybody did. It was no reason for this sort of behavior. The eyes are stuck on blue no, and the talons loosen their grip on him. Sorry. Tears are welling up, but either Nill or the witch holds them back from falling.
notadartboard: (profile listening)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-03-04 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
Sanji's one true weakness, a lady's tears. He reached for her, ignoring the talons and pinions and brushing her cheek gently with his fingers. "Come now, it's all right. I'm not going anywhere. A gentleman forgives a lady, especially when she asks him to."

He glanced around, mostly just to be sure he wasn't going to be attacked from behind, and then breathed a sigh. "I don't know what any of this is, but it doesn't really matter. I don't care. So if it's important to you...well, you can tell me or not, either way. It won't change the fact that I'm your friend, Miss Nill. Promise. Pirate's promise."
culver: honeyriot @ lj (she never lets it go to her heart)

[personal profile] culver 2013-03-05 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
As he speaks, her body slumps. The birds and dogs retreat, slowly, disappearing into the gloom of the makeshift city. Talons shrink back to hands, wings start to grow smaller with each passing breath until they're normal for her, white-feathered, tiny.

The city slowly shrinks as well, becoming the church once again. And she's just Nill, exhausted and uncertain, dazed.
notadartboard: (angst)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-03-05 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
For once, Sanji actually didn't even think of trying to cop a feel. He caught her as she drooped, hugging her very gently against his chest. Clearly, the evolution in their surroundings meant she had something to do with all of it, but it wasn't something to judge her over. And he truly did forgive the attacks. After all, Nill never showed this kind of power before. Something had to have been acting on her, something related to everyone else behaving oddly on the network.

Sanji held still, only glancing around to make sure no one else was intruding on the strange moment. "It's all right," he said soothingly. "I've got you, Miss Nill. You're all right."
culver: tempurahands @ lj (dance dance)

[personal profile] culver 2013-03-06 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
She can't think, for a few moments. It's hard to think about what had just happened. She'd almost hurt Sanji, who had been nothing but kind to her since they'd first met. The thought of hurting him made her stomach twist now. She isn't sure what had just happened, but she knows she doesn't ever want it to happen again.

Sorry. The word is faint, but she manages to convey it anyway. She's never had to concentrate on her power so hard. Sorry.
notadartboard: (plain smile)

[personal profile] notadartboard 2013-03-06 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shhh...it's okay." Sanji did his best to find a safe place to rest his hands while he hugged her to his chest, around the wings and nowhere that would get him slapped. At least this time he was certain he heard her inner voice, and it felt good. Like she trusted him enough to let him hear. "I only wanted to make sure you were all right. It's a good thing I looked in on you, hmmm?"

Poor Nill, always getting caught up in things beyond anyone's control. It was enough to make a gentleman angry at whoever's power caused it this time. It didn't look like anything Nill herself was capable of - warping space into a labyrinth, transforming into a half-monster? That was definitely new and different. At least it seemed to be over now.
culver: unknown. (1929)

[personal profile] culver 2013-03-08 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
She nods a bit, and tries to stand. Her legs are shaky, but she manages to stay upright on her own. She runs a hand through her hair, trying to smile at him. Nill knows she's lucky to have friends like him--friends who will risk their safety to make sure people are alright. She places her hand on his arm again, trying not to look as woozy as she feels. Thank you. I do not know what happened. I was fine one minute and the next...

(no subject)

[personal profile] notadartboard - 2013-03-09 03:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] culver - 2013-03-11 22:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] notadartboard - 2013-03-12 00:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] culver - 2013-03-14 02:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] notadartboard - 2013-03-14 03:05 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] culver - 2013-03-14 17:52 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] notadartboard - 2013-03-14 22:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] culver - 2013-03-16 03:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] notadartboard - 2013-03-16 03:52 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] culver - 2013-03-16 04:28 (UTC) - Expand