[Oh. A friend. Hello, little friend. Tiernan will lean down and pat the Shadow gently on the head. Yes, he's fully aware the Heartless are dangerous but also he's aware he's capable of some influence over them.]
Aesthetically pleasing but I liked Oathkeeper better.
[Yes he just said that. Tiernan leans back a little, hands resting on the ground.]
...It's understandable. This kind of thing wears away at people. Loss, pain, the feeling of futility. That's precisely why I asked you not to isolate yourself. It's a risk, I know. Depending on people, after everything.
But I wouldn't like to see you go Static, or worse.
It might perhaps be easier but would you really be content to let them win? I wouldn't be. But then, I am at my core a spiteful, stubborn creature.
[Tiernan lifts a hand and rests it briefly on Sora's shoulder at that sigh.]
I hope you'll try to let us help you make it through.
[As for the question of ulterior motives, that gets a chuckle.]
Is it ulterior when I'm quite open about it all? I want to win Lucina's little game, I want to end all of this death and suffering. My greatest incompatibility with my darling disaster is that I do not enjoy the pain and anguish of others as she does.
Well, for whatever it's worth, there are people that care about you.
[Ah, so Sora missed that admission. Not a huge surprise. Neither is the judging.]
She's never boring? Let's be honest with ourselves, Sora. There's nothing I could say to anyone to justify my relationship with Lucina. I am fully aware of what she is.
Were I a man with any natural sadism, I could have been just like her.
[The jab just gets a light, dismissive sniff, though green eyes are bright with humor.
Tiernan hums faintly at the last, though.]
Those two things are hardly mutually exclusive. Emotions matter, yes, but how you handle them matters more. You might want to give up, but you're still trying. I don't think you'd be talking to me right now if you weren't.
You are making me choose between being supportive and the pithy retort and I object strenuously.
[Tiernan hums quietly and tilts his head back.]
Even me. It can be argued that I have given up before. Sometimes it's even alright to give up. Better for you, or something you can give up on for a little while, rest, without it being irrevocable.
But sometimes giving up is just the end, and will has to overcome desire.
No, it wasn't. Even if you are the dreamer, that doesn't make any of this your fault, Sora.
[Tiernan reaches out to lay a hand against Sora's back.]
Not only were you unaware, but you have Shea and Lucina and that dark Entity twisting and manipulating everything. They are the reason for all this suffering. Not you. You're as much a victim as anyone else.
Tiernan's hand leaves Sora's back but only for his arm to wrap around the boy instead.]
Hush. Chosen of the keyblade or not, weight of the worlds or not, you are a child. A child in a nightmare, unknowing, at the mercy of people who have none.
Now that you know, you have a chance to change things. To fight back.
[Tiernan sighs quietly and his arms tighten a little. There's no restraint to it; any movement Sora makes is accommodated. But his hold is steady and firm. Supportive.]
[When the realization comes that Tiernan is fully given in to supporting him, he sobs a little more heavily. He presses to him, close, as if Tiernan could protect him from the world. Protect him from himself.
The crying lasts awhile.
Eventually, he becomes spent, and lies silently against the older man, completely deflated.]
[Tiernan hums quietly to Sora as he cries, something soft and soothing though unfamiliar. He's no bard but he isn't incapable of carrying a tune. He doesn't try to hush him or do anything, really, but be there for Sora. Let him get it out.
As the exhausted slump happens, Tiernan gently ruffles his fingers through the teen's hair.]
[Tiernan can't protect him from the world or himself. He knows that.
Yet, this is... the safest that he's felt in awhile. It's been some time since he truly allowed himself vulnerability with someone. He wasn't expecting it to be Tiernan, but maybe the lack of closeness he had with Tiernan that he didn't have with the rest of his family was exactly what he needed.
When the fingers card through his spikes, a great big sigh releases from him, and he further slumps into him, letting him take some of the weight so he didn't have to carry it all himself. Just for a little bit...
The words have his body quaking a bit, and he slowly inhales a shuddery breath, before he gives a nod.
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chiming
WEEK 3
Date: 2019-09-11 10:24 pm (UTC)From:Tuesday evening
Date: 2019-09-12 12:23 am (UTC)From:I'd rather you didn't disappear on us, Sora. I'm concerned after what you had to do. Stay in touch, please.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:05 am (UTC)From:But, at some point, a little Shadow suddenly appears from the ground and approaches Tiernan.]
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:13 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:15 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:19 am (UTC)From:Did Timmy fall down the well again, Lassie?Tiernan will follow!]no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:27 am (UTC)From:Har, har.The Shadow leads him away from the village and all the way to the small waterfall to the East, where Sora is seated on the edge.It seems to stop and look at Sora.]
Huh. Didn't think you actually cared.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:38 am (UTC)From:[Tiernan strolls over to settle on the edge next to him.]
How are you handling things?
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 01:43 am (UTC)From:[It's a joke. Mostly. Maybe?
He reclines back on his hands, and lets out a sigh. For awhile longer, he's quiet, before finally admitting:]
I'm tired.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 02:10 am (UTC)From:[Yes he just said that. Tiernan leans back a little, hands resting on the ground.]
...It's understandable. This kind of thing wears away at people. Loss, pain, the feeling of futility. That's precisely why I asked you not to isolate yourself. It's a risk, I know. Depending on people, after everything.
But I wouldn't like to see you go Static, or worse.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 02:21 am (UTC)From:Going Static sounds like a dream compared to what's happening to me.
[He gives another heavy sigh.]
I've been helping where I can. I just hope I can hold out long enough.
[He holds a blink, then slowly looks to Tiernan.]
So, any ulterior motive for this meeting?
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 02:48 am (UTC)From:[Tiernan lifts a hand and rests it briefly on Sora's shoulder at that sigh.]
I hope you'll try to let us help you make it through.
[As for the question of ulterior motives, that gets a chuckle.]
Is it ulterior when I'm quite open about it all? I want to win Lucina's little game, I want to end all of this death and suffering. My greatest incompatibility with my darling disaster is that I do not enjoy the pain and anguish of others as she does.
And you've been suffering for far too long.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-12 11:18 pm (UTC)From:It's hard to care, at this point.
[He looks at the hand, though, before his amber eyes flick up to Tiernan.]
... wait... [Furrowing his brow.] You... like her?
The fuck, Tiernan?
no subject
Date: 2019-09-13 12:15 am (UTC)From:[Ah, so Sora missed that admission. Not a huge surprise. Neither is the judging.]
She's never boring? Let's be honest with ourselves, Sora. There's nothing I could say to anyone to justify my relationship with Lucina. I am fully aware of what she is.
Were I a man with any natural sadism, I could have been just like her.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-14 11:12 pm (UTC)From:His gaze softens a bit, before he looks to Tiernan and scoffs.]
Okay, Narcissus.
[He shakes his head and draws his legs up, loosely wrapping his arms around them.]
Damn... [He lets out a breath.] Everyone's trying so hard, and I just want to give up.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-15 03:53 pm (UTC)From:Tiernan hums faintly at the last, though.]
Those two things are hardly mutually exclusive. Emotions matter, yes, but how you handle them matters more. You might want to give up, but you're still trying. I don't think you'd be talking to me right now if you weren't.
[A soft sigh.]
Everyone wants to give up sometimes.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-02 05:36 pm (UTC)From:Finally, he says:]
Yeah? Even you?
no subject
Date: 2019-10-02 07:37 pm (UTC)From:[Tiernan hums quietly and tilts his head back.]
Even me. It can be argued that I have given up before. Sometimes it's even alright to give up. Better for you, or something you can give up on for a little while, rest, without it being irrevocable.
But sometimes giving up is just the end, and will has to overcome desire.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-02 11:38 pm (UTC)From:He draws in a long breath, settling his chin on his arms.]
Pretty sure it's the latter, for me. Once I give up fighting to be me, well... there won't be a me left.
[He holds a blink. His voice is quiet.]
I don't want to die, but I'm so tired of fighting.
Week 4
Date: 2019-09-19 05:36 pm (UTC)From:Wednesday after meeting
Date: 2019-09-19 05:39 pm (UTC)From:I need to talk to you. I just found out something important.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-19 11:12 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2019-09-19 11:27 pm (UTC)From:Tiernan just looking up with the most Done expression, tbh.
Fine, find him when you're ready.]
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 12:17 am (UTC)From:And he does. He portals in while Tiernan's near the edge, bumping shoulders with him.]
Heya. Vani caught me before you did.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 01:25 am (UTC)From:[A touch dryly but with good humor. He gestures for Sky to sit with him.]
It was a very interesting meeting tonight.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 01:56 am (UTC)From:I've been around, so not really.
[He comes over and takes a seat.]
... yeah. He told me some things.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 02:29 am (UTC)From:[Now there's a bold faced lie if ever he's told one.]
Did he tell you this might all be your nightmare?
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 02:33 am (UTC)From:[. . .
Slowly raising an eyebrow.]
Uh, what?
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 03:10 am (UTC)From:[Tiernan clicks his tongue thoughtfully.]
I've been... in contact, on and off, with an ambient presence since I tested the stability of this reality during the scavenger hunt.
Last night, after Lucas told us this is a dream, I got a response that was a fairly clear marker of identity. Sora, lonely and in pain.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 12:49 pm (UTC)From:His expression rapidly tenses. Slowly, his gaze goes to the abyss in front of them.]
And you think... it's me...
[After a moment, his hand comes to his head. He gives a little chuckle and it's dark.]
Everyone's suffering... was my fault this whole time.
no subject
Date: 2019-09-20 04:36 pm (UTC)From:[Tiernan reaches out to lay a hand against Sora's back.]
Not only were you unaware, but you have Shea and Lucina and that dark Entity twisting and manipulating everything. They are the reason for all this suffering. Not you. You're as much a victim as anyone else.
1/2
Date: 2019-09-21 01:00 am (UTC)From:[Another laugh, though it borders on a sob. He leans back into the touch.]
Fuck...
no subject
Date: 2019-09-21 01:01 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2019-09-21 02:11 am (UTC)From:Tiernan's hand leaves Sora's back but only for his arm to wrap around the boy instead.]
Hush. Chosen of the keyblade or not, weight of the worlds or not, you are a child. A child in a nightmare, unknowing, at the mercy of people who have none.
Now that you know, you have a chance to change things. To fight back.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-02 05:17 pm (UTC)From:And then Sora turns and curls into Tiernan.]
no subject
Date: 2019-10-02 07:10 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2019-10-02 11:32 pm (UTC)From:The crying lasts awhile.
Eventually, he becomes spent, and lies silently against the older man, completely deflated.]
no subject
Date: 2019-10-03 12:24 am (UTC)From:As the exhausted slump happens, Tiernan gently ruffles his fingers through the teen's hair.]
You don't have to face this alone.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-03 01:33 am (UTC)From:Yet, this is... the safest that he's felt in awhile. It's been some time since he truly allowed himself vulnerability with someone. He wasn't expecting it to be Tiernan, but maybe the lack of closeness he had with Tiernan that he didn't have with the rest of his family was exactly what he needed.
When the fingers card through his spikes, a great big sigh releases from him, and he further slumps into him, letting him take some of the weight so he didn't have to carry it all himself. Just for a little bit...
The words have his body quaking a bit, and he slowly inhales a shuddery breath, before he gives a nod.
His voice is quiet.]
Thanks, Tiernan.