( open + 1 closed prompt ) action + text

[furcollar]

ACTION

[ After waking up and listening to the hologram's speech, Ashton has since made his way into the city proper. It's stupid, he thinks, that his phone isn't working and yet he has been given another in its place. All of his internal alarms are going off, this all feels weird and wrong and too real to be a dream. But it has to be a dream, right? Another world? The unexplained means of arrival? the way no one knows how to get out? It sounds like something out of some dystopian novel and he is having none of it.

It's probably because of that stupid letter. Isabella freaked out and he dismissed it and now his subconscious is punishing him for being a dick. Well whatever, subconscious, he'll play your little game.

He's currently meandering about town, reading signs, pretending to look busy while eavesdropping on people that might seem interesting, doing whatever research he can to get a real grasp on the situation. He doesn't look particularly lost, but he does look pretty irritated. Every once in a while he pinches himself too, winces when he feels a twinge of pain and tries to shrug it off. It's probably fine. ]

Hey, uh. You got a minute? [ he says to a passerby on the street. ] Think you could answer a few questions for me?


TEXT ( ANONYMOUS )
So this is all bullshit, right? There's no way this can be real.


ACTION ( closed to Azura )
[ Somehow or another, Ashton has made his way out of the city (probably because there's fuck all for him to do there anymore) and into the ruins of Fayren because... shut up? That's why. He figures if this is all a fucked up dream he might as well make the best of it, right? Go on an adventure. Get attacked by a monster -

Holy shit, that is actually a monster though. Ashton reaches for Ophelia, aims, and realizes the beast is made of solid stone.

What.

The.

Fuck. ]

Shit! [ A hissed curse as he rolls out of the way of a stone fist smashing into the ground right where he had been standing a moment before. This dream sucks. ]

Comments

u kno

[lazuline]

[Fayren tends to be where Azura spends most of her time, and by now she's well aware of the dangers the ruins pose, especially for those who are not expecting it. Luckily for Ashton, she is in the vicinity at the same time he is, so the next thing he hears is the flash of metal against stone as Azura hefts her Naginata at the golem's weak point, loosing its left arm from its body.]

Are you alright? [she turns back to raise her eyebrows at Ashton, her weapon still gripped firmly in her hands.]

embarrassing

[furcollar]

[ Define 'lucky' in this situation. Because technically Azura's timely intervention is lucky, but it sure as hell is also a wound to his pride to be saved like a damsel in distress. That's kind of his thing? Whatever though, he doesn't know what's going on, he just knows that thing just got amputated by a small woman with a pole arm. Hello? ]

Yeah. [ Sure? He looks up, gun still raised though he has a feeling shooting solid stone won't do him much good here. ] You know how to handle this thing?

[lazuline]

I've fought similar in the past, but it would be wisest for us to retreat. I was lucky its weakness was exposed.

[The golem is wailing behind her, stone scraping against stone as though it's in pain as she reaches out towards the NON GUN hand of Ashton's.] Can you trust me? We're not far from safety, it won't leave the ruins.

[furcollar]

[ Haha, what the fuck? Ashton is vaguely reminded of some video game Zach was playing once (shadow of the colossus, shoutout) and for a split second all he can do is stare stupidly at the golem. This is so unreal. Like, everything so far has been ridiculous but this is just top tier bullshit.

Before he can register what's happening, Azura's tugging on his hand. Reflex has him almost retracting it, but he stops himself just in time. ]

I don't really have any other option, do I? [ No. ]

[lazuline]

No, but I promise you won't regret it. [with that she ducks down slightly and tugs Ashton along with her, twisting through the undergrowth of the forest to try and lose the golem which, by now is starting to howl in anger.]

[little does ashton know that she's a fucking video game deuteragonist so she's very trustworthy]

Not much farther. You're not hurt, are you?

[furcollar]

[ Debatable. Ashton moves with her, trying to get a read on her tone and body language. From what he can deduce in the few minutes they take to escape — she doesn't seem to have some ulterior motive. And she is pulling them away from danger. ]

Nothing I can't handle. [ He says sternly, pointedly. Then, quieter: ] Thanks.

[lazuline]

That wasn't what I'd meant to imply, my apologies. [but as she ducks through one more over grown path, she slows and finally draws to her full height.]

We should be far enough away now. Even if it pursues, It won't pass the rubble we've gone beyond just now. [she smooths out the front of her dress now, dropping Ashton's hand as she does so.]

[furcollar]

Don't worry about it. [ He's trying to be cool here, Azura. It's kind of working, I guess. Even if he feels like a fucking idiot being dragged by the hand through a forest.

Aaaannd she's taller than him. not by much, but still. Rude. Ashton tucks Ophelia into the holster on his belt again, letting his jacket conceal it afterwards. ]

How can you be so sure? That thing sounded pissed.

[lazuline]

They never have. There's no reason for them to change their rules now. [her gaze drifts to where the gun has been holstered, but she doesn't ask. Not now at least.] It will likely forget we were even there, but It might be wise not to go exploring for a while.

[there's a teasing tone in her voice.] I'm glad you're unhurt. I had been worried when I saw it's arm come down at you. Your reflexes are quick!

[furcollar]

Not sure I would forget if I got my arm chopped off. [ But this place is weird so WHY THE FUCK NOT I GUESS!!!! ]

Gotta be quick on your feet in my line of work. [ he glances back toward the ruins, frowning. ] Never had a stone golem try and squish me though, so that was new.

What were you doing over there anyway?

[lazuline]

[okay, fair point. That gets a laugh out of her.]

I was looking for somewhere quiet. It's rare that I go that far into the ruins, though. I suppose it must have been fate. [she wipes off her naginata, then tilts her head.]

What line of work would that be, though? I've never seen your weapon before either.

[furcollar]

Fate? Yeah, I guess.

[ A shitty fate it was, too. Ashton blinks owlishly, confused. ]

I'm a Detective. You've never seen a gun before?

[lazuline]

I haven't. Where I come from, weapons like that don't exist. Though I suppose canons are similar, if larger and much more destructive.

[but this is a weird place to have a conversation, she motions for Ashton to follow, leading him to a small cafe in Fayren. They can talk there -- he can ask questions and she'll do her best to answer, and she'll even order coffee for the both of them]

[furcollar]

[ IT SURE IS. Ashton doesn't even know what to say to that, honestly. She must be, what, olden times or something? How does that shit even work? Why is he thinking that way to begin with? This is stupid.

He lets her lead the way, vaguely cautious but not overly distrusting so far. When they reach the shop and settle down, he finally asks: ]

Can I have your name? Forgot to ask in between the rock smashes.

[lazuline]

[She sets down the mugs on the table, her hair draping down over her face for a moment before she tucks some of it behind an ear. Oh. She probably should have told him that.]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you ask for that. My name's Azura. [she offers a small smile, the corners of her lips curling up into the pleasant expression.] And yours?

[furcollar]

[ He wasn't any better. Then again, he was slightly suspicious and super out of his element. It's whatever. He waves his hand to dismiss her apology. ]

Nice to meet you, Azura. I'm Ashton. [ He takes the mug, realizing now that he hasn't had any coffee since he got here. Rough. ] Thanks.

[lazuline]

Ashton. [It's a good name. She nods to herself before taking a sip from her own cup]

If you have any other questions, I can try to answer, but if that doesn't suit, If there's anything else I can do....

[furcollar]

You can call me Ash. [ Ashton seems too formal, even in a situation like this. He's not on duty, and he's not talking to someone older than him - he thinks? ]

I'm not even sure any of this is real, honestly. Don't know what you can do with that.

[lazuline]

Ash... [she thinks the full name is more complimentary to be honest.]

I can understand how it would feel that way. I know when I woke up in the bay it was disorienting and alarming. I'd just been on the battlefield, and my thoughts were very much focused on those I'd left behind....

[she grips the cup a little tighter, her brow furrowing.] But this place is undeniably real. Luckily, it seems the situations we leave behind while here are held in limbo until we return. ...But that doesn't help this from feeling like a dream.

anon text;

[demonofbadluck]

About as real as the day is freakishly long.

[furcollar]

You're gonna have to elaborate on "freakishly long."

[demonofbadluck]

If I have to explain, it doesn't matter.

text.

[alternas]

i mean, it could be fake.
depends how into denial you are.

[furcollar]

I'm pretty far in already. This just seems like a load of bullshit if you ask me.

Seems like the plot of a sci fi movie.