QUIET MOUNDS - STEF HEART

[abardacttofollow]

You find yourself in a stone room that looks like some sort of medieval dungeon. There are (thankfully), no torture instruments, but there is a man strung up here. One large manacle is around his neck, chaining him stiffly to the door. His hands are free, but each foot is manacled to the matching bottom corner of the doorframe. There is a visible lock on each of the three manacles.

It's Stefen, and there's a knife in his chest. Despite that, he's alive, apparently alert, and doesn't look to be in pain, perhaps due to the lulling, sense-dulling music that seems to be coming from nowhere at all—in fact, if you were in pain before you entered, it's gone here. His wound is bleeding, but only a little, and he smiles his usual bright smile at you.

Behind him, but in front of the closed door he's bound to, you can see three double sets of strings running vertically. Where they meet the floor, they are fastened, and then each runs across the floor to the three doors on the opposite wall, then under them.

There is nothing else in this room.

((OOC: Here's how this will work! Since we're doing individual runs, rather than me putting up individual top levels for areas, just jump the post itself, and I'll run everything for you within your one thread. If you're wanting to do a run with someone else, just stay in the same thread together.))

Comments

[abardacttofollow]

It's Lendel's voice, but singing one of Stef's fun lovesong ditties.

[twicebonded]

. . .

[sinks down in front of the door and just has a full-on silent meltdown panic attack]

[abardacttofollow]

He gets to the end, then pauses.

[twicebonded]

[I mean, he can probably sense the hemorrhaging emotions]

[abardacttofollow]

"Ashke?"

[twicebonded]

[abruptly fumbles for the key, filled with sudden terror and need, flinging the door open and stumbling inside]

[abardacttofollow]

The door unlocks and you see him there. For a moment, it's a featureless gray fog— and then it's the companion's field again, but this time without the fence, without the statue, without any companions.

Just Tylendel, standing there. Younger than you now, staring at you with his brown eyes wide. "Oh, Vanyel...!"

[twicebonded]

[. . . . . . bursts into tears]

[abardacttofollow]

He throws his arms around you.

[twicebonded]

[inhales 'Lendel's scent deeply, then just starts sobbing harder, grabbing at him, clutching]

[abardacttofollow]

"Oh, sweetheart, ke'chara, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, love."

[twicebonded]

You're—what—n-no—I'm sorry—I—

[can barely get words out around his gasping and tears]

[abardacttofollow]

"You have nothing to be sorry for!" Tylendel tells him firmly. "Oh, my love..."

[twicebonded]

I—but Stefen—a-aren't you—haven't I—

[abardacttofollow]

"You've found someone to love who loves you." He runs his fingers over your hair. "I think that's a wonderful thing."

[twicebonded]

But I love you.

[abardacttofollow]

"Do you not love Stefen?" Tylendel sounds concerned.

[twicebonded]

[flinches, an awful wave of guilt pouring off of him]

[he loves Stefen so much]

[abardacttofollow]

"Listen." Tylendel cups your cheeks. "I never want you to feel guilty for love! If you love him and he loves you, I couldn't be more relieved."

[twicebonded]

Then—then why are you here? I thought for sure this was—blaming me, somehow. Reminding me. I thought at first it really was a dream of Stefen's, but you're here, so clearly it's mine, because he couldn't possibly . . .

[abardacttofollow]

"This is Stefen's heart," Tylendel tells you firmly. "And I love you, and there's nothing you've done wrong. Never doubt that, at all, but I think you should wake up—" He pulls you up, and up...

[get in any last comments you'd like!]

[twicebonded]

'Lendel—!

[too late]

[conflictoftwinterest]

[You wake up...]