genessia | Action in Holodeck'd, Genessia City

Current Mood: depressed

Entry tags:

karla,
★ blaze

Action in Holodeck'd, Genessia City

[Karla feels awful, to put it mildly. Throughout the past week, she had craved nothing but battle, a ravenous hunger that could not be sated. She cared not if she got hurt, or if others got hurt. She just followed the sword, as if it had a mind of its own.]

[Now, she's finishing yet another Holodeck's simulation, by striking down a generic sword-wielding opponent, and the room changes back to its plain, empty form. Karla stands still, gripping the hilt of her sword in a calm rage directed only at herself.]

[This cursed blade, only good for cutting people down, cleaving flesh, and spilling blood, nothing more. Karla asks herself again and again, why does she wield it? She ought to break the thing before it completely takes over her mind. She raises the blade above her head, preparing to strike the ground and hopefully shatter the blade against it...]

[But then she freezes. Even now, her brother is somewhere in Elibe, seeking opponents to cut down, trying to sate the hunger of the blade that will never be truly satisfied. Karla has to see him again, and hopefully bring him back home. And for that to happen, she needs her sword.]

[She brings the blade in front of her, gazing at the shining blade, an expression of longing on her face. She then collapses to her knees, propping herself up with her arms. Everything hurts, from her heart to her muscles. She's aware that she hasn't done much to fulfill her basic needs, like sleep. And with the blistering cold weather, can only lead to one thing. Tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. ]

What...what have I become...?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Blaze was still exploring the cities again to regain his bearings now that he was "newly" arrived again, so he made sure one of his stops was Holodeck'd, since he knew he'd be spending time again here at some point. He would pause a moment when he saw the woman kneeling in the empty room before he began to approach, worried that she might be injured. Realizing it was Karla, his brow furrowed in further concern.]

Karla? Are you alright?

[She blinked for a brief second, a little startled that someone was actually in the room with her. The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but she still had to look behind her to see who it was. She was surprised to see him, which overrode her current emotions, if only for a moment.]

Blaze...? I...I thought you were gone...

I was, but I woke up here again yesterday. Guess I drew the short straw again and won a third trip.

[He shook his head slowly, he had a few words to say about that, but it wouldn't do any good so he'd just have to roll with it again. But that hardly mattered right now. He kneeled beside her, a small frown coming to his lips now that he was close enough to see her tears.]

What's wrong? You aren't injured, are you?

I see...

[She glanced away from him when he asked about her problem. She really didn't know how to begin, especially with someone she's never told about her original mission.]

Well...this past week...I've been...terrible. I've become something...terrible. I knew it would happen eventually, but...after this week...I think I'm on the verge of losing myself...

[Maybe he wasn't the best person to talk to about it, it's true that he didn't really know much about her at all, but if he could lend an ear then he'll do it.]

Just this past week? What happened?

[In the back of his mind, he can't help but feel like one week isn't enough to change someone so drastically. He pauses a moment. He probably shouldn't jump into questions like that.]

That is, if you want to talk about it.

Well...you know how strange things happen in Genessia...how people can be affected or turn into something else? I think that was it...but I'm not entirely sure what it was. Many people were behaving differently...although I didn't realize at the time.

[She brings up her empty hand to rub her forehead, feeling feverish.]

[Any time there is a swordsman program running in Holodeck'd, he knows its Karla. The Sword Princess seemed to be someone that makes use of that particular programming the most. When he takes a peek inside, he's sees her looking not at all in good spirits. He can almost feel her sadness rolling off of her.]

Karla?

[Karla almost freezes when she hears David's voice on her device. He was sort of the last person she wanted to hear from right now, and yet probably the person she needed to hear from the most. Her behavior this past week was certainly not becoming of a Deputy Guardian. Lea had told her this much, and she knew he was right, but she just didn't care. The satisfaction of her blade had taken priority over everything, even people's safety. And it was so wrong.]

[Karla pulls out her device, holding it in her hand. The camera shakes a little on the other end.]

David...? I'm...

[She trails off, not even sure what to say. She certainly regrets everything from this past week. She could tell him that she's sorry, or she could tell him that she's become a terrible person. She likely will during this impending conversation...]

I saw you on the security feed for Holodeck'd. Are you okay? [He know she was one of the ones affected by what had happened during this past week, but he doesn't know the full details of it. Regardless, the Karla he knew seemed bothered by something, so he wants to know what.]

[There's no point in pretending to be okay. Even if she tried, her body language would clearly give her away. The tears roll down her cheeks as she admits the truth.]

No...I'm not. I'm...losing myself. I don't even know what I am anymore.

[She lays the device down, screen up, still running the feed. She props her free hand on the floor to support her weight again.]

Karla... [He switches off the feed and teleports over to her, because there is really no way that he can talk to her on the device when she's crying like that. He places a hand lightly on her shoulder.] What happened to you during all of this?

[She isn't sure what to think when he switches off the feed. Luckily she doesn't get much time to think when she suddenly feels his hand on her shoulder. It takes her a moment to think of the words to describe her problem.]

I became...obsessed...with the sword. I spent the whole week...seeking strong fighters to cross blades with. I didn't hold back...I pushed myself well beyond my limits. I didn't feel anything...no emotions...no fatigue...all I felt was an insatiable hunger for battle. It didn't matter if I got hurt, or if others got hurt...

[She pauses for a moment to sniffle and cough a little bit. And if David could sense her body temperature from her shoulder, he might notice that she's a bit warmer than normal.]

I hate it...I hate the sword...I...

[It's tempting to hate herself for even falling into this trap, but she's still trying to resist that.]

Edited 2017-12-11 04:29 (UTC)

[He shakes his head a little.]

I know a lot about not being able to control your actions. You can't blame yourself for what happened. You weren't in control of yourself. The person that was in control, the person that did those things wasn't you. I can't say..I know exactly who that person was or why the change happened, but that's not the Karla I know.

But...it was me... It may not be the Karla you know, but...it's a side of me that itches to come out with each battle that I fight...

[She shakes her own head.]

It just feels like I'm sinking into a hole, and eventually that hole will become too deep for me to climb out of...

It was a version of you. There are likely many other versions of you as well. The multiverse is endless.

[He puts an arm around her in an attempt to comfort her and pulls her a little close to him.]

Me as well as others are here for you, Karla. There is no hole too deep that we won't help you out of. Though, I do believe you are strong enough to do it on your own. There is nothing wrong with enjoying fighting.

Multiverse...?

[She's partially curious, she know she wouldn't understand it if he explained it to her.]

[When he pulls her closer, she leans against him. She suffers another small coughing fit before she speaks again.]

But...I don't enjoy fighting...

Multiverse, it's a term used to reverse to the multiple universes that exist.

You're certainly good with a sword for someone that doesn't like fighting.

I see...

[Since she knows she won't be able to wrap her head around the whole multiverse thing, she decides to drop it. She then sighs as her lifelong goal comes to mind once again.]

My brother is...passionate about the sword arts. He left home long ago to hone his skills, and to seek out worthy opponents. I couldn't understand why. I couldn't understand the appeal of cleaving flesh with this steel. So...I began to study the sword arts, hoping to understand. I felt like it was the only way to grow closer to my brother at this point. I left home to search for him. I've visited many arenas all over Elibe, traveled to many places where warriors gather...but my brother always seems to be two steps ahead of me. During my journey, I heard rumors about a Sword Demon. A man who kills opponents with a mere stroke or two. I knew they were referring to my brother.

What happened to me last week...I fear that's what happened to my brother back home. So consumed by the hunger for battle that he can't think of anything else. I...I don't want him to live like that...

I see. So you became a swordswoman to better understand your brother? [Maybe swordsmanship ran in her family if that simple desire could lead to her becoming as good as she had been.]

And now, after last week, you're worried that you will end up becoming like your brother? Or at least, you feel like you are starting to become like him now?

[Another tear streaks down her face as he hits the nail on the head on all points.]

Exactly. I've always felt that I would become like that eventually. After last week...

[She shakes her head, knowing that she doesn't need to finish the thought.]

One would think that the logical thing to do would be to put down the sword for good. And yet I feel like I can't turn away from it either.

[Yep, Lea's back to normal now too, if still wearing the clothes he'd bought while in his altered state. And remembers everything, which is why he has no trouble guessing what's wrong.]

Karla...?

[There's a brief moment of debate, before he comes to a decision.]

Listen... where are you? We should talk, but in person, not over the network.

[Plus in person he can help make sure she gets home safely and gets some food in her; apart from everything else, she looks like she's running on fumes.]

Lea...?

[She acknowledges him over the device, wondering what in the world they could talk about. But she certainly wouldn't mind the help getting home.]

I'm...in Holodeck'd...Genessia City branch.

[Lea nods.]

I'll be right there. Don't run off, OK?

[And after her response, Lea cuts the channel and makes his way over there. It takes a little time to get there; he can't teleport directly since he's never been there, and he did briefly stop at a corner store to buy a container of drinkable soup for her- it had nutritional value, required little effort, and thanks to fire magic being a good substitute for a microwave in a pinch, would be hot enough to warm her up.

But all in all it doesn't take him too long to get there, and she'll soon see him walking in the door, greeting her with a faint smile and a cup of hot soup.]

Hey... I brought you this; you look like you could use it. Figured you could drink it while we talked, or even on the way back to your place.

Okay...

[It's not like she has the energy to go anywhere. When Lea enters the chamber, he'll find her still on the floor on her hands and knees. However, she forces herself to stand as he approaches and carefully takes the soup from him. She'll then take a few small sips to get used to its temperature before taking a rather large sip. It was clear that she really needed it.]

Thanks, Lea...

So...what was it you wanted to talk about?

[Lea sat down next to her while she drank her soup so he wouldn't be towering over her.]

Well... remember when I said back at the Halloween party that it had been a long time since I was able to get excited about Christmas? Well, the reason for that was that I'd had my heart stolen by the people responsible for the Heartless. My friend Isa and I had stumbled onto their plans, and since they didn't want us telling anybody, well...

[He shrugged slightly, leaving the details up to the imagination.]

I guess they thought it would kill us; when most people have their hearts taken, the rest of them just vanishes. But if your heart is strong enough, the empty shell that's left behind can get up and start acting on its own, becoming something called a Nobody. And if your heart is really strong, your Nobody can even retain their human form and memories.

And as it turned out, Isa and I had really strong hearts. When our hearts were taken, we became Siax and Axel. Nobodies. We remembered being human, and what it was like to have a heart, but... we couldn't feel anything. And because I couldn't feel anything as Axel, I ended up doing some terrible things. Things I really regret now.

So I guess what I wanted to say is... I get it. I know it's not the exact same thing, but I know what it's like to lose yourself and to regret the things you did because of it. And if you ever want to talk or anything, I'm here. OK?

W...well...

[Karla stops, taking in the story, her expression unreadable. It was certain that this wasn't quite like what she's experiencing.]

So you...got your heart back?

[Somehow it seemed impossible...but being in Genessia for so long, she's seen a lot of things by now that seemed impossible. This was also the major difference between Lea's situation and hers. If Karla did lose herself, would she ever be able to recover? No...she can't lose herself...not before she finds Karel.]

[Karla's reaction wasn't quite what Lea had expected. Of course, he wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but still it was clear he'd miscalculated. Hopefully he could still work with it though.]

Yeah... That's why I'm Lea again.

[He paused.]

And I'm sorry. For laying all that on you at a time like this. I just... I wanted you to know that you're not a bad person because this happened, OK? And I didn't know how else to explain how I knew that.

Something happened to you that messed with the way you perceived things, messed with your head and heart. And... that's gonna take time to recover from. But you can. You're strong, brave, capable, and you've got a good heart.

And I don't know how much good I'll be, but like I said, I'm your friend, and I'm here for you if you need me. OK?

It's...fine.

[Somehow, Lea's words of comfort caused even more tears to roll down her cheeks. Not to imply that he was wrong, or that his words had hurt her further, but to release all of her emotions that had been dormant in the very bottom of her heart. She hasn't really cried like this since she was tortured.]

Thanks, Lea...it means a lot...

[Oh no, she was crying. Girl tears were Lea's weakness. Even more so when he wasn't entirely sure what to do about them. With Xion it was easy, but Karla was different.

After a long moment of mental deliberation, Lea carefully slipped an arm around her shoulders giving her a one-armed hug, not so tight that she couldn't pull away if it wasn't wanted, but firm enough to hopefully convey the message of support.]

What are friends for?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Action in Holodeck'd, Genessia City

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Video

Video

Video; Totally meant to type action instead of video, but this can still work.

Video; I was wondering, lol

Video-> Action; NOW action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

Action

[video]

[video]

[video > action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]