deercountry | August Catchall

[D has had a few days to think about what happened in July now that his mind has cleared and he has arrived at perhaps not the best solution, but what he thinks is necessary. To prepare for it he has relocated the dimensionally expanded coffin to a new location where no one has visited him before and replaced the water in one of the fountains with sea water.

But there's no point in wasting what might be a potential opportunity either, and Nico was already high on D's list of people he could ask for this unusual favor.

Everything they need is here in the extradimensional garden and D has already stripped off his coat, scarf, and shirt. The only thing he still wears on his upper half is his pendant as he waits for Nico.]

[ While Nico is not thrilled by the unusual favor, he also didn't balk at it. Rebirth is very loudly the theme of this world, so the individual that forms from the squid that's left behind will once again be D. So he moves to join D in the garden from his room on the top floor. He isn't carrying his normal sword, though it's typically now at-hand should he need it. Meaning: if D doesn't die under conventional means of a normal sword.

Nico comes out to the garden and looks around briefly before focusing his gaze on the taller and older male. ]

Should I give a eulogy before you become a squid? [ Just some dry, morbid humor. ]

Would it make you feel better if you did?

[D has prepared a very sharp wooden stake, and even brought along a hammer in case Nico feels it's necessary. It's a lot easier to stomach this if he views it as trying to go somewhere he might not be able to reach otherwise rather than simply dying. Easier to focus on what they might be able to do.]

When we die, if there's a body left a squid emerges from it, and if there's not we come from the sea. Physically our souls may not ever leave with this type of death, but on a metaphysical level, we might go somewhere during that time.

[Nico has a stronger connection to death than D, and some of the things he's done and said he can do offer interesting possibilities. Especially with the questions the 'ghost king' had asked when he arrived.]

If you can follow my soul and keep me aware while I'm dead, we might be able to see what's in that place between death and rebirth, and my soul coming back to be a squid should give you a path out as well.

[He also has a few jars around to collect samples of the crystals that should grow and the sleeper ink that should spill out when he's about to be a squid once more.]

Edited 2022-08-04 03:45 (UTC)

Maybe a little. If I give one after, you won't hear it.

[ Don't let him do it, D, it will be the worst eulogy he's given. As for the weapon of choice, since D isn't going to be fighting it, just the stake should be good. Being a demigod does give him a strength boost. ]

Hopefully, your squid self pops up here, seeing as how the ocean isn't exactly friendly lately.

[ He considers the next part curiously and hums. ]

I don't know if I can keep you aware, but I should be able to track it at this point. Unless someone more powerful prevents me. And I could even try summoning you during the process to see if you keep your awareness.

[ Nico will collect everything carefully and keep it stored in his own bedroom until D's return. ]

This isn't a funeral, I won't have a grave. Let's save the eulogies for those who need them.

I should come back here, every Sleeper corpse I've seen so far has had a squid emerge from it.

[He's said about as much as needs to be said so D gestures to the stake. Outwardly he's still perfectly calm, but his unearthly aura is leaking out more than it normally would.]

Not everyone does, but okay. I'll just say it in my head.

That's what someone else said, too. If their body was mostly intact.

[ Nico takes the stake in his left hand, his dominant one if D was keeping an eye on him at the watchtower. An eyebrow raises at the man. ]

Nervous? [ In contrast, Nico is a whole hell of a lot calmer about all this. His only worry: D won't come back. ]

This is the fastest and least painful way for me. I've died many times before, but not by choice.

[It's the fact that this has become the least awful option out of many awful options that D doesn't like. Doing this feels like admitting some kind of terrible defeat or failure, even if the alternatives are unbearably selfish and weak.]

[ He examines the stake once it's in hand, then looks back up at D. ]

If this is your choice, then it must be the only choice you're willing to make. You don't seem like a man who'd throw himself at this sort of conclusion without considering all of the others.

[ This is something Nico says seriously. ]

[D's not going to admit he wouldn't make this choice if he was unable to return. That as much as he valued not having his bite on people, there were things he valued more than that and those things required that he continue to live.]

This is the safest option. There are things worse than death here after all and I've seen the horrors attempting to tamper with this can unleash.

With corruption in the mix it would be that much worse.

[Entire populations can be wiped out when the Kiss of Nobility goes awry, D has seen it happen more than once even just counting the past decade.]

[ Nico would probably still do it if D wasn't coming back, though he would absolutely hate it. Right now, he's accepting it. Most likely the only reason he wouldn't if is the reason was something akin to being tired of living. If that were the case, he'd suggest finding another way to die. ]

There are always worse things than death, I think. This place just has new rules.

Yeah, it would be a lot worse with corruption thrown in.

[ He isn't here to talk D out of it, just talk him through it. Maybe the eulogy would have helped... ]

That's right.

[And D has lived through a few of them, and would choose to again over dying to avoid it. Before now D has thought it odd that they think of this part of their squid lives as dying, but now that it's his turn he understands.]

When I get back, I'll tell you the only words you should ever need to recite over me. We should go, if you're ready.

[Like they're just getting ready to go on some kind of business outing rather than D dying. It's easier to think of it like that.]

[ He eyes D for a moment, making sure that he'll be able to recognize the dhampir's soul. The way he could sense Percy down in Tartarus. ]

Sure, I'll be here. Ready.

[ Nico doesn't waste any more time, tightening his grip on the stake, and moving closer to use it. The demigod is quick on his feet, his aim spot-on, his strength greater than an average fifteen-year-old's. There isn't a hint of hesitation in his strike, no sign of his concern or worries either. One might worry about a teen being able to do this so seemingly easy, except there is mercy.

He hasn't lost himself like when he killed Bryce, Nico will remember every single moment of this death. ]

[D is there for a moment as the stake pierces his chest and into his heart, and then all signs of life leave him. It's much faster and easier with wood and there's no risk he'll accidentally resurrect himself.

His soul lingers, but he also isn't aware. He's not so much the Dhampir now as he is the squid.

But soon enough he's pulled away without actually leaving. Caught up in a current both familiar and unknown.]

[ He feels the body die and watches the squid, feeling the soul rubberband - honestly, that's the best description for it. The soul stretching from its normal position as if its being tugged.

Nico leans down to scoop up the squid with his free hand without caring about squishiness or any other unsettling feeling. Into the fountain D goes. ]

Hm...

[ For a moment, his gaze is on the remains of the man teaching him better control. Then tucks both hands behind his back to link together. His voice edging on serious but also bratty playfulness. ]

Today, the individual known as D has returned to squidlife. It was a quick and hopefully painless death. To be honest, I expected maybe something a little more dramatic - turning into ash or bats or just blood. That Dracula book is probably utter crap. Were this a normal death, I'd offer up his worldly possessions to those in need. For anyone who would want his collection of black-on-black goth clothing. Shame it's too big for me. Oh well, I'm dusting nothing.

[ A small hum. ]

In his absence, may people take up his duties at the Watchtower, and his little squid body remain safe in the coffin. If he doesn't come back, I will drag his soul back myself so that I can yell at him. Also, probably tell no one of this, because misunderstandings suck so much. No thanks on that. Nothing bonds a demigod and a dhampir like death, meaning, I get to remind him about this in the future when he's doing dumb things. May he enjoy time off for a little while from all this craziness.

Για τους θνητούς που εξαφανίστηκαν από το γλυκό φως της ημέρας δεν χύνω δάκρυ, παρά θρηνώ για εκείνους που μέρα και νύχτα ζουν με τον φόβο του θανάτου.

August Catchall

[Closed For Nico] CW: SUICIDE

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