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]

And you only see what you let yourself see. Which, really, ain't a lot.

Are you sure it's just dead.

[Walking over and grabbing his shoulder, leaning close.]

What is Tiger's Eye had to hurt Heliodor? Could you take it?

[karlsefni]

[ —tenses, immediately stepping away and moving his hand near his knife, but he manages to wrench his hand away from the weapon and relax it. rider isn't his enemy. he's not going to hurt him. physically, that is. ]

That's—not going to happen—[ but no, he's just deluding himself into thinking that. he takes a moment, briefly, shoulders sagging a bit before he brings his hand up to push rider's hand off, and he steps forward, and there's no hesitance in his words, although his tone sounds a little dead. ]

Then so be it. My team is more important to me than the whole of your team and if I have to hurt you to protect us—if that's what it takes, then I will. There's no question about if I can take it or not, if I have to then I will.

[wouldntkilladragon]

Then prove it.

[karlsefni]

. . . .

You want me to hurt you. [ like, more. after i punched you a few times already. ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Gestures to the bruises from the previous punches.] I can't even consider these to be injuries worth mentioning. This is just normal for how things should be, any complaints I have is because I'm a wimp.

But you say you can do these things, hurt my team and me, and be fine. If it's not a physical injury, it won't last. All right. Then let's see you prove it. [Spreads his arms wide.]

[karlsefni]

[ ]

This doesn't have anything to do with my teammates. This is just between me and you, and I'm not going to stab you just to prove that I can.

[wouldntkilladragon]

It does have to do with your quest though.

[karlsefni]

What does stabbing you have to do with saving unicorns?

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Shrugs.] It's what I was told.

I was hoping there was another option, but it's become pretty obvious nothing else is working.

[karlsefni]

[ i'm not sure if i should be vaguely annoyed that you're only just telling me this now or that the unicorn gave me this quest ]

So much for not very violent.

[wouldntkilladragon]

That's why I thought there was a trick.

But nothing else seems to be working.

So, looks like we're stuck here until you do something.

[karlsefni]

Why do I have to stab you, anyway? Just what's the purpose of it?

[wouldntkilladragon]

Probably a couple of reasons.

One being are you willing to hurt anyone to achieve your goal, even someone you loved.

Or maybe it's because you're highly dependent on me for your emotional and mental well being and how can you be determined on your own doing that?

[karlsefni]

. . . .

[ there are numerous things i could say against that ]

Fine.

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Waits.]

[karlsefni]

[ taking off his jacket, dropping it carelessly as he pulls out his knife. ]

Don't misunderstand.

[wouldntkilladragon]

What am I misunderstanding?

[karlsefni]

[ i don't really feel like saying so let me just show you by holding up the knife and then stabbing my own shoulder because i am a champion ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

What are you doing?!

[karlsefni]

[ g-grunts, hisses, ow this hurts more than i thought it would.

ssssssloooowly digs the knife in a little, grip tight on the handle, before ripping it out. ]

[ anddddd taking a breath, before leveling a steady look at rider. ]

There isn't anyone I care about more than myself. I'd kill you before I'd let myself die, I'd kill you a thousand times over.

So that's enough, isn't it? [ he swings the blade down fast, letting the blood splatter onto the forest's ground. ] I don't love. Don't misunderstand that. Just because I'm around you doesn't mean you're the most important thing in my life. [ and. then. drops the knife, his hand going up to press against the wound, trying to ease the pain. he takes another deep breath, making muffled noises of pain through gritted teeth. ]

[wouldntkilladragon]

....

[Looking down.]

Except you would stab yourself to not hurt me.

[karlsefni]

[ snorts ]

I'm just going by what you said. That's why I said, don't misunderstand.

[wouldntkilladragon]

And yet we're still here.

So it's not good enough.

[karlsefni]

[ maybe i shouldn't have stabbed myself so deeply, there is a lot of blood here. looking down at his bloody hand. ]

Great.

[wouldntkilladragon]

So what will you do now?