[OPEN]

[daddyscythe]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Outskirts of Nevada
Rating: PG
Time: All day, Feb 27
Description: Shibusen offers a field trip to acclimate the guests to the Madness wavelength.


It's a perfectly pleasant day for the most part, if one is to look at the sky and maybe the horizon. For the attendees of the fieldtrip, however, things are naturally a lot more grim, if also lot more colorful. There are understandably no civilians in the area -- or any other signs of life apart from the group.

As promised, the location is extensively arranged to cordon off various areas of the place where Madness spikes have been identified. They are all properly labeled, both with text and visuals, and discreet agents kept an eye on all corners of the large field. The mirror by which the guest will come in is set in a corner, with some food provided next to it.

People are free to come and go, though the other end leads to the clinic instead of the Death Room. The rules are simple: venture into a level you think you can handle, and if you can't, someone will help.

In the afternoon, a light rain will come to add some variety to the endless desert. Make sure to take shelter in the open tents provided to protect you from the elements!

[ooc: Just put in open tags in the comments, [Character Name | Open/Close | Area/sort of madness targeted/whatever marker you want].

Plotting and information post was here.]

Comments

[topgun_textiles]

As long as he didn't move, he had no danger of falling off the bed. O-or brushing a leg where it shouldn't go. Kanji had never been so intensely keen on his spatial awareness before in his life.

Can't come off as forward. Can't come off as a creep.

"Y'got quiet, so I thought you nodded off all ready."

A quiet sigh. Sleep was definitely out of the question, but he could always try and catch some shut-eye himself later.

"Maybe it'll be easier if I keep an eye out or somethin'. I can do that."

[pishirogane]

"No... I was trying honestly, but I could only recall what happened."

Slowly, her hand shifted. It took hold of his elbow and then moved over his arm. Without saying anything, her fingers curled between his as she took hold of his hand.

"I kept hearing your voice on the verge of tears and felt the phantom pains from my eyes being injured."

She shook her head. "You should try resting too."

[topgun_textiles]

He was still when she seized his elbow, eyes moving down. Followed when the hand moved along the bare arm. Kanji just barely managed to fight off a little shiver at the touch, yet his fingers would also entwine.

...Had he really sounded like that? Even if the whole experience was horrifying, his mind was all ready working to try and blur the images, do something to keep from recalling everything in excruciating detail. He couldn't possibly forget how he felt, that flash of complete helplessness, a loss of control over the situation. He felt a lump form in his throat, but swallowed it back down.

That wasn't real... but damn it if he isn't going to silently swear up and down that he never wanted to see that ever again, much less as a reality.

"'m fine. I'll letcha get first snooze."

[pishirogane]

She gave him a light, but shaky squeeze, a breath escaping her lips. The warmth shared between them was familiar now, balanced between them. It wasn't as though she was becoming cold and feeling his support for the last time.

"Kanji-kun, that isn't necessary..."

[topgun_textiles]

"It ain't about what's necessary or not, damn it...!"

He wished he could get his subconscious to realize that and fast, or he might not be sleeping too well for a little while. Still, his eyes closed, and he tried at least to settle down on the sheets. Sighed.

"I'd feel a little better if y'got some sleep, y'know? You're always bustin' your ass, and a lot just happened. Maybe I can't fight off what's runnin' through your head, but..."

Easy does it, now. His palm gave a light squeeze back.

"...Least I can do's tell you you're not by yourself. Y'gotta crush the crap outta my hand to make sure of that, that's fine. I got two of 'em."

[pishirogane]

Naoto was silent, watching Kanji calmly as he spoke. There was more to his earnest attempts to get her to sleep, she could tell, but what wasn't clicking. Did he see this has his chance to protect her after seeing her die?

"... I'm alive, Kanji-kun. Nothing will happen if you close your eyes."

They were safe here. There was no need to crush his hand when they were this close.

[topgun_textiles]

Perhaps he did see it that way. Could anybody blame him?

His nagging worry that he'll be bombarded with images the moment he closed his eyes was dismissed with the moment his eyes closed just moments ago. All he saw was darkness, and all he felt was rather stiff but strangely comfortable sheets; the warmth of a hand in his.

So maybe she was right. So far, so good.

"S'long as you know that, too."

He sounded a tad groggier than he'd realized.

[pishirogane]

"Why do you think I took hold of your hand?"

It was an extra form of reassurance. While her mind relaxed, she was still subconsciously aware of him. Perhaps it was her soul sensing him instead of her hand grasping his. Either way, it kept her mind blank.

"Get some sleep soon. I'd rather not wake up to find you've been hovering there for several hours."

[topgun_textiles]

"Point." A half-hearted nod against the pillow, and he tried to stretch his legs a little, causing the sheets to crinkle a bit against the quiet. He'd all ready mostly forgotten where he was... and sort of didn't care at this point.

"I dun' hover," he mumbled, and the thumb tracing her pinky stopped. In just minutes, his breathing had become slow and even, mouth hanging open just a bit.

He will most likely apologize later for going out first.

[pishirogane]

She chucked beneath her breath, watching as he dozed off soon enough. Of course she knew he was exhausted. This only proved her point, but she would resign herself from rubbing the fact in his face.

Shifting, Naoto made herself a little more comfortable, maintaining her hold on his hand before allowing her eyes to close. She too dozed off in a few minutes.