Leif - Earth Stone

[the_last]

[As soon as Leif chomps on the fruit, he will experience sudden disorientation, as if suddenly unfamiliar with being inside his body, perhaps not even knowing why he is there or who he is. It lasts for but a moment and then slowly fades... He will suddenly find himself in a place that seems unusually quiet and gray, as though the color were stolen but there remains just enough to suggest that things have been greatly subdued. There are also about three spots in the distance that seem to almost glow with gentle hues of color, soft and welcoming. Too bad, they seem much too far away to reach.

Within the gray is an expansive forest of every tree imaginable and dry, brittle grass that extends to mid-calf. Here and there, one might even spot some faded prints left upon the ground. The sky is equally gray, although not one cloud can be seen. But a dark mist seems to swirl around the forest, not too thick but clearly present.]

Comments

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Fuck yeah you are.]

[Shoving the hilt into his left hand and then putting it up to his neck.]

You don't need to be that strong for the neck.

[karlsefni]

[ no but you see

the knife literally drops as soon as you put it in his hand, like he's completely unable to hold it. and he's not surprised, nor does he look like he was trying to drop it—it just kind of does.

meanwhile, giving you a look of annoyance. ]

You want me to kill you.

[wouldntkilladragon]

[....seriously dude.]

[Picking it up again.] It seems to be the only thing to do.

[karlsefni]

[ i needed to pad my skill registry, alright. ]

Is that what it's come to? [ sssswaying a bit, but. staying. firmly planted onto the ground. ] Just because you come back after you die doesn't mean you should be so fucking casual about it, you bastard.

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Shrugs.] I've remembered dying so much it hardly matters anymore.

[karlsefni]

[ > headbutt ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

[ewajejwaoiejw down he goes.]

[karlsefni]

[ grunts, displeased and pressing the back of his hand against his head because ew blood, and then making his way over to step

on you.

(just a foot on your chest no worries) ]

You gave up pretty fucking easily with the whole finding a different way thing, huh.

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Wincing anyway.]

Weren't paying attention at all...

[karlsefni]

I wasn't, I guess. But I know you. You're not this weak.

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Laughs.] You really aren't paying attention.

[karlsefni]

No, you're not.

Who are you?

[wouldntkilladragon]

I'm Rider.

[karlsefni]

[ snorts ]

Right, and I'm the king of Denmark.

You're not Rider. I don't know who you are, but you're not him.

[wouldntkilladragon]

And what makes you say that?

[karlsefni]

Who knows?

[ kneeling down, his right hand's fingers twitching before curling up and then uncurling. ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

So you're really going to decide like that?

[karlsefni]

I don't need to explain myself to you.

[ pauses though, working on getting feeling back on his fingers and figuring out the damage on his arm. ]

This quest is supposed to be hard. Rider's told me that much. But there's nothing hard about wandering around in a forest, it's just a pain in the ass. So what do you need to be here for? You don't need to 'help', and you haven't been. I'm no closer to getting out of here or finishing my quest than I was hours ago. The only thing that's changed is that I've got one stab wound and I've had a hell of a time because you're here.

[ winces as he tries to lift his arm, and then drops his hand. ]

The persona said I'd be by myself. I can't get any help. But you're here anyway, "helping". And you're acting weirdly, if you are Rider.

[ also you're not being very fussy and riders are just fussy, that's a trait of theirs. but he doesn't say that, instead feeling along the ground slowly. ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

No, you're really not. But that's kind of the problem, isn't it?

Blinding yourself again, just like always.

[karlsefni]

Either way, I'm doing what you want. [ picking up the knife and bringing it up—before bringing it back down slowly, wincing again. ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

All because that's the only way you deal with problems.

[But not moving to get away.]

[karlsefni]

Just what do you know? I don't deal with problems by stabbing them. I haven't killed in weeks—I haven't attacked anyone since I've arrived, and this entire time I haven't even mentioned hurting anything until you brought this stabbing shit up!

[ his grip on the knife tightens, ]

I've been listening. To Rider, to my teammates, to other people, I've been listening and I haven't lifted a finger against anyone! I could be fighting but I know my limits, I could be killing people but I don't need to do that here! I'm not fighting for my life here so there's no point in killing anyone, not unless there's a game where my team's life is in danger! You keep telling me it's the only way I do this and that but I haven't done any of it!

[wouldntkilladragon]

But that's what you want to do? Isn't it?

[karlsefni]

No! [ frustrated, making a strangled noise, and his voice strains. ] I don't have to, I don't want to. I had to before and I don't have to now. I'll do it if I have to but I'm not a fucking monster who thrives on killing.

[wouldntkilladragon]

Are you sure about that?