[In just a few short days, a lot has happened. Too much, if Tifa is honest. It's one thing to have as busy a life as they do, taking care of the café, odd jobs, and all the animals that are in their care, but it's another thing entirely to go through what they just went through. The worlds bleeding into this one, Violet, and then Eustace somehow turning noctaere again and having to take him down... again. He has been out for a few days now, and Tifa has near exhausted herself by taking care of him, staying at his side, laying awake and keeping an eye on him, all at the chagrin of the dragons who have come to help heal him.
The worst part of it all is... no one seems to have any answers. Though the nostilium had been not so different from what she felt the first time, the way it had come about was. After Violet had given herself up to feed Eustace the dreamotion that she had left, and Tifa had tried to give her own, she thought that they were safe. That he would be safe. That, when all was said and done, they would be able to grieve the loss of Violet properly, and help the town restore itself... but now here they are, stuck on this floating island far from the city that he tried to raze to the ground, and she has gone three days without a single answer, and barely a wink of sleep.
Three days without him.
Three days of tears and tears until she cried her eyes dry, and without the comfort and sturdiness of his touch, and the reassurance that they will be okay. That he will be okay. They can say it all they want, and she will hold out hope, but until he wakes up, there will always be that small seed of doubt that she cannot shake off.
There will be questions that are left unanswered.
On the third day is when he finally awakens, and the relief that Tifa feels so palpable. It manifests in starflowers that bloom throughout their room, the warmth that ripples, and the squeeze of her arms tight around his shoulders. She would give him room to breathe soon enough, she just wants to give herself a moment to relish in the joy that she feels—as well as the fear beneath it all—that he has finally woken up. It's been a whirlwind of a week, and for the first time, Tifa finally feels like she can reach out and almost touch that little bit of peace she longs for again. She isn't quite there yet, but it is there. She can see the light at the end.
A little bit of hope.
In his confusion, she explains to him where they are and why they were brought here, and what had happened in the moments leading up to his unconsciousness. With the town still recovering and the risk still high, this was the safest place to hide away. And with their healing springs, it would be no time at all he would be up and at 'em again, as the dragons put it. She wanted so badly to believe them.
After eating some food and cleaning up, the two of them head to the private pool just outside of their room where the hot spring awaits them. She hadn't used them herself—she decided that she would wait—so climbing into it immediately feels soothing against her tired, aching bones and on her skin, the heat doing wonders already to relax her limbs as she takes him by his hand and leads Eustace to a spot where they can sit and relax near the edge.
It's there that she threads their fingers together and lowers her head to rest on his shoulder... At long last.
[He is still...so very confused about what all transpired. Confused and concerned as to how it all happened. His memories are fragmented, only able to remember bits and pieces of the moment he felt his body changing to the intermittent flashes as he tried to take back control of his body. So as he sits in the water, his eyes goes to his right arm, still bearing the black scales of his transformation but thankfully without the claws, before going to Tifa and closing his eyes wearily.]
[Her free hand moves in the water to run her fingers over his arm, the scales strangely smooth yet rough at the same time, cool, a stark contrast to his skin.]
Nothing bad enough I couldn't come back from.
[Which was strange in itself.]
When I found you after I ran off, you... didn't hurt me. Almost like you still had some control, but not enough?
[At first he flinches at her touch, not from any kind of pain but more out of not wanting to expose her to it. But then he quickly pushes that feeling aside and leans into her a bit more, a frown settling on his features.]
...Something like that. I was aware at times, but it was like fighting an inner battle...
[She feels him flinch, but not even that deters her. It only makes her touch that much more gentle as more of her fingers run over the grooves in between each scale, a reminder to him that she isn't afraid of him, or of the nostilium in them.]
An inner battle? Sort of like being stuck in a nightmare?
[That's the closest thing she can liken what she imagines it must have been like to.]
Something like that. It felt visceral...like as if it were my actual body similar to when we're dreamwalking. But instead of being trapped in a nightmare, it was just a black, empty space with restraints.
[He stares at his reflection in the water, recalling the bits and pieces he can.]
It was...heavy. Oppressive. I would lose my awareness unable to withstand it, but when I came to, whether it was due to someone attacking or just by chance, I would try to fight back. That's likely when you saw me return "control."
[So, no nightmare lindwurms coming to get him. That's... well, good, but it doesn't answer a lot of the questions that she still has.
And he'd been all alone in that black, empty space. If she knew if she could, she could have tried to find a way to get in there and reach him directly, but there was too much going on, and quite frankly, she was afraid of what she would have found.]
[He feels the smooth skin, still looking a bit perplexed before his hand falls away.]
Before, however... It felt as if something was growing or expanding there, and right before I completely changed I thought I felt something hard, like rock or crystal.
[Her free hand reaches up to touch the back of his neck, her own expression crumpling with a weird mix of immense relief and frustration when she feels nothing there.]
When you were in that form, as a lindwurm, there was this black crystal on your back. It got bigger and spread more over you as time went on, and when we managed to break it, I could see the white scales underneath. [There's a pause, and her lips press together.] It was almost like it was... I don't know, feeding off your nostilium.
[She had assumed as much, but hearing it confirmed only makes her heart sink to the bottom of the pool, and her fingers squeeze at his arm unintentionally.]
... From where, though? And how did it get... there?
I don't even know how they are made... The only times I've seen them were either in that cave we found, or after that nocteare. And I have no idea how the noctaere had it inside it.
[She shifts a little uncomfortably, having to recall it aloud. It's not as if it was their first time ever doing something like that, but it never makes it any easier to talk about it after. Especially when it had ended the way it did.]
The one where... you were dressed in that vampire costume...
[Her finger taps nervously on his arm.]
The one that ended in... a nightmare? And we had no idea why... or how...
[Is how he answers at first, but as he rubs the back of his neck...
...]
Wait.
[He thinks hard. His memory is impeccable and while he may not remember every small detail, when he looks back at certain patterns...]
...I remember in that dream, I felt something cold on the back of my neck, as if I were bitten by something. But it was so slight I didn't think much of it. And now that I think about it, I remember something similar when we were leaving that cave, like something pricked the back of my neck.
Ever since, I would feel odd chills or something stinging whenever there was a lot of nostilium... Even the last nightmare, it was stronger.
So whatever it is, it had to have started from that cave.
[She listens carefully once more, her every sense tuned into him, her eyes flitting across his expression to read him as worry and dread slowly fill her again. It's as she suspected, but having it confirmed only makes every thought and feeling she's felt since that day come rushing back.]
It was that long ago...
[Her eyes drop to the water, and to the scales on his arm as her fingers start to move over them again.]
I should have noticed something was wrong... and should have questioned you more back then after that dream, but I just didn't think much of it after we woke up.
[Nightmares happen, and she wondered if that had been it, but even then, she felt at odds with herself for days afterwards.]
His hand goes over hers as he moves in a little closer to her.]
No, you shouldn't have.
[His voice is firm as he looks at her directly in her eyes.]
Not even the machines and systems in Orkili noticed it, and whatever signs I did have were so subtle and not unusual that it would be unreasonable for you to think otherwise.
[Did he really expect otherwise? It's been on her mind since he turned, and then even more in the three days before he woke up while she was alone with her thoughts.
But his eyes and his firm voice capture her attention, willing her to look at him again, though her expression is still laced with worry and guilt... followed by understanding. It is true that nothing else had picked up on the crystal's existence there, and how was she supposed to know? That one dream had been a one-off, and by the time the nightmare happened, it had made a little more sense given what he'd been up to recently...
Even still, she wishes so much that she could have found something—anything that would have given them a sign, and they could prevent it from happening.]
I know.
[Her voice falls quiet, and with a rueful look, she leans in closer in turn, until her forehead bumps his.]
I just... I wish we could have stopped it. But it sounds like it was... almost inevitable.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
post-nocstace 2.0 💞
The worst part of it all is... no one seems to have any answers. Though the nostilium had been not so different from what she felt the first time, the way it had come about was. After Violet had given herself up to feed Eustace the dreamotion that she had left, and Tifa had tried to give her own, she thought that they were safe. That he would be safe. That, when all was said and done, they would be able to grieve the loss of Violet properly, and help the town restore itself... but now here they are, stuck on this floating island far from the city that he tried to raze to the ground, and she has gone three days without a single answer, and barely a wink of sleep.
Three days without him.
Three days of tears and tears until she cried her eyes dry, and without the comfort and sturdiness of his touch, and the reassurance that they will be okay. That he will be okay. They can say it all they want, and she will hold out hope, but until he wakes up, there will always be that small seed of doubt that she cannot shake off.
There will be questions that are left unanswered.
On the third day is when he finally awakens, and the relief that Tifa feels so palpable. It manifests in starflowers that bloom throughout their room, the warmth that ripples, and the squeeze of her arms tight around his shoulders. She would give him room to breathe soon enough, she just wants to give herself a moment to relish in the joy that she feels—as well as the fear beneath it all—that he has finally woken up. It's been a whirlwind of a week, and for the first time, Tifa finally feels like she can reach out and almost touch that little bit of peace she longs for again. She isn't quite there yet, but it is there. She can see the light at the end.
A little bit of hope.
In his confusion, she explains to him where they are and why they were brought here, and what had happened in the moments leading up to his unconsciousness. With the town still recovering and the risk still high, this was the safest place to hide away. And with their healing springs, it would be no time at all he would be up and at 'em again, as the dragons put it. She wanted so badly to believe them.
After eating some food and cleaning up, the two of them head to the private pool just outside of their room where the hot spring awaits them. She hadn't used them herself—she decided that she would wait—so climbing into it immediately feels soothing against her tired, aching bones and on her skin, the heat doing wonders already to relax her limbs as she takes him by his hand and leads Eustace to a spot where they can sit and relax near the edge.
It's there that she threads their fingers together and lowers her head to rest on his shoulder... At long last.
She draws in a long, deep breath.]
... Finally.
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...Were you really not hurt through it all?
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Nothing bad enough I couldn't come back from.
[Which was strange in itself.]
When I found you after I ran off, you... didn't hurt me. Almost like you still had some control, but not enough?
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...Something like that. I was aware at times, but it was like fighting an inner battle...
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An inner battle? Sort of like being stuck in a nightmare?
[That's the closest thing she can liken what she imagines it must have been like to.]
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Something like that. It felt visceral...like as if it were my actual body similar to when we're dreamwalking. But instead of being trapped in a nightmare, it was just a black, empty space with restraints.
[He stares at his reflection in the water, recalling the bits and pieces he can.]
It was...heavy. Oppressive. I would lose my awareness unable to withstand it, but when I came to, whether it was due to someone attacking or just by chance, I would try to fight back. That's likely when you saw me return "control."
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And he'd been all alone in that black, empty space. If she knew if she could, she could have tried to find a way to get in there and reach him directly, but there was too much going on, and quite frankly, she was afraid of what she would have found.]
Was it like the last time you turned?
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[A deeper frown.]
It wasn't born out of my own fears or nightmares... It felt... As if something else had taken over, or it had been injected into me.
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[There's a flash of concern in her expression, quickly followed by a realization that furrows her brows.]
You know, I thought I saw something... right as you were turning...
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Was it on my neck?
[As he speaks he reflexively reaches behind to the spot.]
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[Her eyes follow his hand, and she even leans back a little to see, but with his hair covering it, she can't quite tell if there's anything there.]
Does it hurt?
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[He feels the smooth skin, still looking a bit perplexed before his hand falls away.]
Before, however... It felt as if something was growing or expanding there, and right before I completely changed I thought I felt something hard, like rock or crystal.
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[Her free hand reaches up to touch the back of his neck, her own expression crumpling with a weird mix of immense relief and frustration when she feels nothing there.]
When you were in that form, as a lindwurm, there was this black crystal on your back. It got bigger and spread more over you as time went on, and when we managed to break it, I could see the white scales underneath. [There's a pause, and her lips press together.] It was almost like it was... I don't know, feeding off your nostilium.
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Is that how it was?
[He couldn't have known, but... It makes him frown a bit.]
I suspect it might have been a nightmare crystal.
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... From where, though? And how did it get... there?
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[He sits back a little, trying to think.]
I don't even know how they are made... The only times I've seen them were either in that cave we found, or after that nocteare. And I have no idea how the noctaere had it inside it.
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[She echoes those words slowly, thoughtfully, the gears turning in her head until...]
Hey. Do you remember that dream that we shared a while back? Not the nightmare, but on Valentine's Day...
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[They've had so many, she may need to jog his memory.]
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[She shifts a little uncomfortably, having to recall it aloud. It's not as if it was their first time ever doing something like that, but it never makes it any easier to talk about it after. Especially when it had ended the way it did.]
The one where... you were dressed in that vampire costume...
[Her finger taps nervously on his arm.]
The one that ended in... a nightmare? And we had no idea why... or how...
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His eyes widen a little in recognition before narrowing as he eyes her carefully.]
I remember.
[When he behaved strangely, acting more like a real vampire before coming to his senses. It was if something in him changed...]
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Looking back on everything now, it really is a little sad knowing how much this world has affected him. Hurt him....]
You mentioned the caves, and it wasn't that long after, yeah? You don't remember anything strange happening, or feeling different when we got back?
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[Is how he answers at first, but as he rubs the back of his neck...
...]
Wait.
[He thinks hard. His memory is impeccable and while he may not remember every small detail, when he looks back at certain patterns...]
...I remember in that dream, I felt something cold on the back of my neck, as if I were bitten by something. But it was so slight I didn't think much of it. And now that I think about it, I remember something similar when we were leaving that cave, like something pricked the back of my neck.
Ever since, I would feel odd chills or something stinging whenever there was a lot of nostilium... Even the last nightmare, it was stronger.
So whatever it is, it had to have started from that cave.
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It was that long ago...
[Her eyes drop to the water, and to the scales on his arm as her fingers start to move over them again.]
I should have noticed something was wrong... and should have questioned you more back then after that dream, but I just didn't think much of it after we woke up.
[Nightmares happen, and she wondered if that had been it, but even then, she felt at odds with herself for days afterwards.]
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His hand goes over hers as he moves in a little closer to her.]
No, you shouldn't have.
[His voice is firm as he looks at her directly in her eyes.]
Not even the machines and systems in Orkili noticed it, and whatever signs I did have were so subtle and not unusual that it would be unreasonable for you to think otherwise.
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But his eyes and his firm voice capture her attention, willing her to look at him again, though her expression is still laced with worry and guilt... followed by understanding. It is true that nothing else had picked up on the crystal's existence there, and how was she supposed to know? That one dream had been a one-off, and by the time the nightmare happened, it had made a little more sense given what he'd been up to recently...
Even still, she wishes so much that she could have found something—anything that would have given them a sign, and they could prevent it from happening.]
I know.
[Her voice falls quiet, and with a rueful look, she leans in closer in turn, until her forehead bumps his.]
I just... I wish we could have stopped it. But it sounds like it was... almost inevitable.
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❤️💙 fin.