post-hearts

[idolpro]

Who: Sleepyheads
Where: Honmachi Sakura Park
When: Day 326

[ After a long, long, long night, you wake in the dead zone, having slept more deeply than you've ever slept before.

Perhaps more restfully than you've ever slept before, even—do you remember your dreams? Is it all coming back to you, now?

For certain dreamers, the flower markings have disappeared, though if you wake early enough you can catch them glowing bright before burning away painlessly. With that, it feels as though maybe a weight's been lifted off your shoulders—maybe you really needed that sleep.

For certain dreamers, you may find yourself waking up with something new—was that always in your hands? Where did you get that from? Do you remember?

And, for a certain few unlucky dreamers, you may find yourself waking with pain, wounds or scars that remind you that what happened last night was not entirely a dream.

But then, who could ever believe it was a dream anyway?

The sun shines bright; Heaven's chain shines brighter. In the distance, white clouds roll toward the city, threatening rain.

-

Please note: Characters may not fully remember their romps in other characters' hearts immediately. This is so that if you're still backthreading hearts, you can have your character not remember what happened or otherwise not be affected by the changes in the run until later.

Heart Game channels will be up until mid-February, although they may close sooner/later at runner request. If you're finished with your run and don't want any more pings, just remove the role and it'll be gone from your sidebar ✨ ]

Comments

[selfpreservationist]

I have... a headache. It feels like my head is... still spinning.

[temperedinpride]

Well. You had a few visitors after all.

[selfpreservationist]

Yes. And I... ended up elsewhere, myself.

[he rubs at his neck awkwardly, and his hand comes away with a small smear of blood]

[temperedinpride]

[He crouches, holding out his hand to push Raven's hair aside, checking his neck.]

I'm going to assume Vergil's. Where else?

[selfpreservationist]

[raven doesn't recoil or withdraw, just lets him check. he does not appear to be injured, just bloody around his neck and shoulder]

... Nero's. I... failed him.

[temperedinpride]

....Did you die?

[selfpreservationist]

Yes.

[temperedinpride]

[He sighs and pats this shoulder.]

There are no marks I can see. Though the blood may hide them.

What happened?

[selfpreservationist]

I... chose poorly. My guidance didn't help him at all, in the end. And I paid for it.

[temperedinpride]

That is rather vague.

[selfpreservationist]

His monster ripped out my throat. Is that better?

[temperedinpride]

More illustrative, certainly.

[selfpreservationist]

[sighs and runs a hand over his face]

I failed him... he was counting on me, and I failed him.

[temperedinpride]

Hm... are you not being hard on yourself?

[selfpreservationist]

If I am, it's deserved. He's my son.

[temperedinpride]

A soul is a difficult thing to decipher even for experts, sometimes it is not enough even to do your best.

Self-recrimination will not avail you. Failure is only such when you learn nothing. If you could not help him from within, you may still do so from without.

[selfpreservationist]

[grumbles]

I am even more helpless to do anything for him like this...

[temperedinpride]

Is being with him not enough?

[selfpreservationist]

It wasn't enough to help him with his tampered memory. Who knows what other damage I've caused inadvertently?

[temperedinpride]

[He tugs a lock of Raven's hair.]

Who indeed? You will have to discover that. Whether you have done harm or good or been neutral.

[selfpreservationist]

[POUTS and moves his head away]

Obviously, I am.

[temperedinpride]

It will be all right, Raven. One way or another your son will be supported.

[selfpreservationist]

... I know he will.

[temperedinpride]

So do not go blaming yourself hm? Sometimes things do not go as we wish.

[selfpreservationist]

It would be fine if things had gone differently than I had expected... I am just worried for Nero. What this means for him.