deercountry | he ate my heart

he ate my heart

AUGUST 2022 EVENT

EXTRA WARNING:

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: The shore line lit up by some sort of bioluminescent organism. ]
[Image Two: A sunken pirate ship covered in algae, seaweed, and suffering from wood rot. ]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A tentacle wrapping around a persons hand. ]
[Image Two: A close up of someone's shoulder which is turning black and cracked and dripping water. ]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A statue of a human face, split in half, with a golden devil mask between the two halves. ]
[Image Two: A number of golden hands reaching up for a white sphere. ]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

WE GLOW SO DIM

WHEN: August
WHERE: The Ocean
CONTENT WARNINGS: Deep diving, possible drowning, possible death

Early on in the month, the waves start to have a strange look to them. They seem a little brighter, even at night, and it's then that it hits you: the waves are glowing. It's easy to at first to brush it off as the bioluminescence of certain types of plankton, but the way it moves and sparkles has an other-worldly quality to it that can't be explained by science. Those who look even closer at the glow will notice that it seems to be forming some sort of path into the watery depths.

Those who choose to follow the path despite the angry waves and awful storms that plague the seas this month will find that the ocean seems to be at its calmest along these illuminated, watery roads. Diving down to follow them won't require any equipment, as Sleepers will find that staying within the glowing path allows them to breathe under water when they might normally not have been able to. The pressure changes don't seem to be impacting anyone who follows the light either, allowing them access to deeper depths of the ocean than may have previously been explored.

Continuing to follow the path will lead Sleepers to a series of ship wrecks under the water. These ancient vessels are rotted and covered in seaweed, but anyone who is familiar with the cultures of Earth will notice that they seem to come from all over the world and their styles vary by multiple centuries. But all the ships seem to be covered in this same, strange glow that has brought people here.

Exploring the ships will lead to multiple different discoveries. There are chests filled with ancient artifacts: carvings of squids, statues of various sea creatures that feel a little off somehow, and stones carved with a strange text that is almost impossible to decipher. The artifacts are covered in strange, rust-looking stains that penetrate deep into the materials they're made of. These artifacts can be brought back to shore, and if someone were to try and ask the Trenchies what the writing said, they would only be able to say that these are clearly texts of the Old Ones from long before any recorded history that Trench has in its Archives. When asked about the sea creatures, they'll think it's obvious: these are Mariana's various forms from over the years. The off qualities are her unique takes as a Pthumerian on the creatures of the ocean.

Prolonged exposure to these statues of Mariana will cause people to become more bluntly honest, more open with their emotions, and often much more prone to large outbursts from said emotions, both good and bad. However, Sleepers who keep these statues near them will also find that they are able to keep more control of their blood powers. It's up to each individual if it's a worthy trade off.

If you leave the path, two things can happen: Sleepers will either turn into their squid selves and can continue to swim or they will drown. There will be nothing of interest outside of these paths, just typical ocean creatures, and maybe some of those monsters that have been crawling out of the watery depths as of late.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

MONSTER WITHIN

WHEN: August
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Body horror, mentions of potential cannibalism/vore, possible death, contagious curse

Soon after people start to explore the ships, a strange occurrence will start to sweep through the city. Locals start to mutter something about a curse, one that seems to only be impacting Sleepers. The early signs that there's something off is an increase in strength and stamina. For example, Sleepers will find that they might go to pick up a chair or a mug and it shatters in their hands. Some people may find that they are incapable of sleeping. Others might find they're able to move quicker and for longer periods than normal.

If they look themselves over, they will start to find small patches of skin that have started to gray and blacken. These patches will be cracked, almost scaley, and will be consistently damp no matter how hard you try to dry them off. As time passes, this odd rash will start to spread, taking over more and more of the body. The torso might start to swell and distort, making Sleepers feel particularly top heavy. And eventually, suckers will start to form on the arms and legs.

This curse isn't beasthood in its usual forms; instead, it seems to be some sort of malady in of the magical blood that Sleepers have been granted. If the blood of an infected Sleeper is looked at under a microscope, there will be black patches clinging to the cells, similar to the patches that people see on their skin. If it isn't stopped, the person suffering from the curse will ultimately turn into a monstrous form of their squid-selves: these monster forms are large, aggressive, and able to move on land. They will feel a hunger for destruction and some Sleepers may find in these forms that they are only satisfied if they feed on other, uncursed Sleepers.

There are two ways to lift the curse. One is through a thorough blood transfusion with a blood type that is compatible with your own. This becomes more difficult to do the closer to the monstrous form people get, both due to aggression from the curse, and also due to the fact that the black patches of skin are highly difficult to puncture. Once the blood is completely replaced by fresh blood, the skin patches will disappear over 48 hours and the Sleeper will be left feeling thoroughly exhausted.

The second way to lift the curse is through death. While these monster squid forms are difficult to kill, it is not impossible, and they are particularly susceptible to magic over weapons. Once a Sleeper has died, they can be reborn, and their blood will be completely free of the curse.

The blood malady can be spread outside of those who come into contact with the ship wrecks. People who touch a cursed Sleeper, particularly the scaley patches of skin, will also run the risk of being cursed. It takes roughly a week for the signs of the curse to show, and can spread as slowly or as rapidly as players choose.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

LAVISH DESIRES

WHEN: August
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Personality changes, mental manipulation, hoarding, obsessive anxiety, disassociation, depersonalization

The high waves seem to just be getting higher at the beginning of the month. Rougher and rougher seas start to cause something anyone who's lived around water will be familiar with: flash floods. These floods are large, powerful, and fill the streets of Trench. First-floors of buildings may get extreme damage, though they can be protected with physical and magical barriers if people are smart about it. The floods happen multiple times throughout the month without warning, so it may be good to get that protection built up sooner rather than later.

The after effects of these floods aren't just structural devastation though. People who get caught up in the water, particularly those who end up swallowing it, will have one word echoing in their mind on a regular basis: More.

More of what? That seems to be different for each individual. Maybe one person wants more and more food, anything from an extra slice of cake after dinner, to wanting to stuff themselves until they just might pop. Or maybe they want to hoard all of their favorite objects or pieces of clothing, filling more and more of the space in their homes until they're ready to burst at the seems. Some might find it's their emotions that come in excess, with over the top anger, or irregular excitement that leaves them unable to sleep for days. Anything and everything can come in excess and it certainly seems to be this month. Some people may get these obsessive needs to such a degree that they start to feel disconnected from themselves, fractured by the overabundance that has taken over their lives.

If people ignore these desires, they'll start to find they're plagued by hallucinations. Strong, life-like visions that riddle them with anxiety and leave them petrified of what might happen if they don't partake in this gluttonous behavior. They'll feel shaken to the core and slowly go mad with need and desire for whatever it is they've been craving. This feeling of madness can make them become violent, lashing out at those around them, even killing those who try and help them out of belief that they're trying to force them to give in to their vices.

The impact of the water will wear off either after one week without re-exposure, or by using a Moon Drop to help to cleanse the mind.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The most troubling thing about Daniel is how rarely he does anything troubling. He's patient, he's thoughtful, he's resolutely kind. He knows how to handle people in a way that always feels natural while still being skillful, without losing the sincerity behind it.

He reminds Paul of someone else so much it drops his eyes to the illuminated path, shifting from foot to foot in not exactly a nervous shuffle. ]

Yes. Of course.

[ Paul gives into his guidance too readily. It makes practical sense - he has no interest in offending Mariana further - and besides, neither of them have the kind of firepower needed to face the deep sea Beasts as only a duo - but it still feels vaguely disloyal, and not just to Sensei Lawrence.

Paul tucks his shoulders back and breathes out through his nose, jerking his head up and resolutely making his way to Daniel's side. ]

...I've dealt with sea monsters before. They're not so bad, if you're prepared.

[ In any normal situation a child telling him that they have dealt with sea monsters before of all things would be absolutely ridiculous to Daniel. A prank, even.

It says something about how rapidly he's getting used to the way this place is that he hardly even blinks in the face of what Paul is saying here, and just accepts it for what it is. There's so much odd stuff here that teenagers fighting sea monsters hardly even registers as a blip on his radar.

Daniel reaches out, a pat on the boy's back, a hand just briefly between his shoulderblades before it's gone again, little more than a slight amicable gesture. ]

Well, I'd still rather not put you in the line of fire of any sea monster.

[ Partially since Daniel's policy is to not endanger kids whenever possible, of course. But there's also the fact that he can only imagine the kind of fit Johnny might throw. (As if the other even needs excuses to throw fits around him at this point, let's be real.) ]

I just hope there's something worthwhile down there. [ The man adds to fill up the air, starting to walk in the direction of the water. ] A way home might be too much to hope for, but.. it sure would be nice.

[ The way Paul both tenses over and leans into the pat on his back is immediately mortifying. The fact Daniel follows it with more genial, matter of fact protectiveness is just as bad, if not worse. He doesn't need, or want, people looking out for his well-being like this; the pulse of relief that flickered in him before he quenched it is childishness.

He can't take that out on Daniel. It isn't fair, for one, and for another it would only compound the first telling flinch. Better to pivot to the next topic of conversation, and leave any and all of his feelings about teachers and paternal gestures behind him. ]

There's almost always something worth finding when these places open for us. [ He speaks with confidence of experience. ] Parts of home, sometimes, even if not a way back.

[ A concept he's less enthused about that Daniel. The place he came from is not one he wants to go back to. There's only one person there waiting for him, and he'd rather have her here than go back for her. But that's almost as bad as teachers. He refocuses on Daniel, and the ache in his voice. ]

...what's there for you, back in your world?

My family.

[ He doesn't hesitate to say that. Perhaps Daniel didn't notice anything too odd about Paul's reaction, or he did notice and is just opting to not comment on it. It's hard to tell which it is from Daniel's body language and the way he speaks, especially since the answer to the question the teen asks him is so natural.

He doesn't even have to think about it. To a point where he'd usually present it as something natural, but.. well, he can only imagine there must be one reason why Johnny and Paul seem to be so close. That reason could be not having any family to lean on back home, so Daniel is tactful enough to navigate his way around acting like everyone here wants to go back to family. ]

I know it's not even like I have been gone from home very long, but.. I really miss my wife and my children. [ Daniel may not own easily up to certain sentiments, but this is one he'll at least show. The feeling is too strong to hide, or to even bother to try and repress. ] I've never been away from them this long. It's a little strange.

[ He takes a few steps into the direction of the water already, but does turn to look at Paul. ]

.. and a little worrisome, I suppose.

[ So much more than just 'a little.' After all, it's not just his family waiting for him back home. There's also the cobra waiting to devour them all, if given the chance.

But of course Daniel has to look like he's totally got his life together in front of a teen. ]

[ This was a mistake. There's a knot in Paul's stomach that's winding tighter, pulling at a whole loosely dispersed network of things he'd rather leave behind - or not see in front of him. Daniel comes from Sensei Lawrence's world, and so if he was being insincere, Paul would be able to tell, unless Miyagi-do is a Bene Gesserit-seeded art.

And why would Daniel lie about missing his family? The simplest answer is that it's true. That Daniel has a wife and children somewhere out there in the varied universes, that being apart from them makes him worry the way that any father should worry. ]

I'm sure they're managing. They have their mother.

[ As if he cares to reassure his sensei's nemesis. Stupid, but not as stupid as: ] How many children do you have?

[ It's intelligence gathering. His sensei isn't always the best at observing finer details like that, or so Paul tells himself, trailing in Daniel's wake as they move further and further from the surface sun. The quality of the light changes, the glow of the waves picked out more vividly. ]

[ Honestly, Paul does make a good point. It's not like they're alone. Amanda is still back there with them, and there's absolutely no one Daniel would ever trust more in the world with his kids than their fierce and kind mother.

On the other hand, when the threat in question is Terry Silver of all people, determined to destroy Daniel and everything he loves in the process, it's hard to not feel nervous about it all the same.

Daniel internalizes it all though - as ever - and instead smiles as he turns to look at Daniel now they're at the edge of the water. ]

Two. [ The glow of the water illuminates his face while he talks, a blue hue hanging over it. ] My oldest must be around the same age as you.

[ .. he imagines, anyway. It's not like he knows how old exactly Paul is, but he's guessing just by appearance. ]

Her name's Sam. An amazing girl. [ Daniel pauses, briefly imagining what Johnny must have told Paul. Probably nothing about his family, really. At best Johnny just ranted about what kind of devil Daniel is, or whatever. ] She's actually getting pretty close with Johnny too, but.. well, he doesn't remember.

[ Daniel shrugs. He's gradually getting used to the fact that this place reset about half a year of character development for Johnny. It's a pain, but what can he do about it? ]

And then the other one is my son Anthony. He's the younger of the two. If he was in this place, he'd just be staring at his Omni all day. [ He shakes his head as he says it, but there's something vaguely fond in it too. ]

.. how about you, Paul? You got any family?

[ Granted, Daniel does ask it a little carefully, since he's kind of worried the answer is 'no' and it might make things awkward. But it's not like he's just going to talk on about himself out here without giving the kid the floor as well. ]

[ The easy pride Daniel shows in his daughter, the fond irritation he directs at his son - Paul should leave it alone, but he digs into the feeling like shoving a thumb into a bruise, a compulsive need to find out how deep it goes and how much it aches. It's almost enough to overlook the detail about Sensei Lawrence getting closer to this Sam of his, something he doesn't recall.

He should ask about that. He will. But Daniel's returning question hits just as the shadows of wrecks begin to appear beyond him on the path, obscure shapes moving between them fluidly, and Paul watches them too closely, eyes unguardedly wide and avid as he tracks them. Fish, cephalopods, sharks, any amalgam of the three and anything else, likely, yes, but - ]

The Lady Jessica. [ A slight but notable stress on the Lady, old defensiveness impossible to shake. ] My mother.

[ There's a brief quiet after that which hints at Daniel's fears realized, Paul's expression inward turned and faintly troubled, but he lets out a breath that swirls the glow around his mouth, and he keeps going. ]

My sister, Gideon, you know. My little brother, Falco. My other teacher, Lazarus. Deku and Kaworu. They're all part of my House, Atreides.

[ His family at home, his family here. Paul rubs his thumb across the place his signet ring would sit if he was wearing it, the one he thinks of as his only half the time. Before he can think better of it, he adds, slightly rushed: ]

On Earth - what are the customs about joining families? Adoption, I mean, not marriage.

[ Daniel is smarter than some people might give him credit for. He can pick up on the fact that while Paul might call them family, he must consider them family in this place. For how close that mismatched bunch of kids seems to be, Daniel is pretty sure most of them don't come from the same world. Maybe none at all do. They're so varied - from their mannerisms, to what they find weird or don't find weird, to the way they talk about their home worlds..

.. but then again, it doesn't really matter. If they found each other here, and if they found something in that - kinship, family - then that's good. Daniel can't see such good for himself in this place, but it's not like he's petty enough towards random strangers to not wish better for them.

Especially when they're young. ]

It sounds like a good House. [ He therefore concludes, nodding.

Then pausing. It could easily be chalked up to Daniel looking around them, taking in their current situation, trying to figure out what these shipwrecks were all about - why they were lead here.

Or maybe he's just thinking about Paul's question. ]

And, well.. [ When he speaks up, there's something in both his tone and his facial expression. He glances over at Paul, almost seeming to study him, were it not for there being some relatively causal air hanging over Daniel as he does so. Still, Paul may be perceptive enough - though perhaps not experienced enough with this - to be able to tell that thing hanging over his tone and his expression is definitely Parent Who Has Caught On To Something. ]

It mostly involves a lot of paperwork. It's usually not exactly an easy process.

[ Of course Daniel "huge nerd" LaRusso would know all about bureaucratic processes. ]

After all, you can't just adopt any child out in the wild. [ .. he pauses, and then his facial expression shifts. Daniel clearly seems to be thinking of something in particular, but keeps it to himself. ] Even though sometimes people might want to.

[ The House Atreides of Trench is an entirely different animal than the House Atreides of the Imperium. Paul has rethought much of what it means to be a House in a universe where almost everything that made one (titles, holdings, law and custom) is absent. Kinship, a family, yes - and a place for them, a context in a world that so often loses its own.

Daniel's place lies elsewhere. Paul has never begrudged anyone that. He doesn't know what he'd do in Daniel's place if his own children were out of his reach, but he can't imagine accepting the estrangement. The thought holds him in its palm for a breath before he brushes past it, returning to the - thankfully present - affirmation of his House. ]

It is.

[ A small smile comes with the acknowledgement. It doesn't last for long, fading into an expression that answers Daniel's in the ancient choreography of wisdom towards youth. The Teenager Who Doesn't Care What You Think blows hair out of his face, then remembers that they're underwater as it uselessly disturbs some of the glow around his face instead. ]

So only children can be adopted? Not adults?

[ Let Daniel have his knowing look. Teachers are supposed to answer questions, aren't they? ]

...what lets you go through with it? If you did want to, in theory.

[ He lets out an amused breath - an idea that he'll probably marvel at later, looking back on what their location was at that time - that sounds almost like a laugh. He gets why Paul might have the idea that you could just adopt an adult. It's got to be some sort of culture clash. An idea that's completely normal where Paul comes from, even though anyone would find it ridiculous in Daniel's own world. ]

Only children. Where I come from, anyway. [ He confirms with a nod, at least showing that he is taking the boy seriously, despite the amused sound that escaped Daniel just earlier. ] But what lets you go through with it..

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's too complicated to explain, especially in this different place entirely. [ Where none of those barriers exist, and when Paul wouldn't recognize half the organisations Daniel might describe here. He's far beyond assuming that anything in his world is similar to what's going on in another world at this point. ] Let's say that a whole lot of bureaucracy is involved.

[ ...

Would Paul know what bureaucracy means, especially if certain things might not exist in his world?

Who knows. Daniel deems it not too important, moving closer towards the shipwrecks appearing before them as he speaks. ]

Why? You almost sound like you've got something in mind, asking questions like that.

[ This is why you can't ask this stuff around people who are Dads, Paul. They see right through it. They've got a teen radar like that. Or-- well, Daniel does, anyway. He doesn't even sound like he's assuming any kind of malicious intent. Instead he just still seems an easy mixture of friendly and amused. ]

I suppose it's easier to ensure their loyalty.

[ Paul half-mutters, pulling a face that's not precisely disapproving. He tries very hard not to pass too much judgment on the people of old for their customs, even if they carry on thinking they know so much in their supposedly adult wisdom. (He heard that near-laugh, Mister LaRusso.) ]

So it's procedural over - [ the word Paul says has no precise translation into English, and in an unusual glitch, it overlaps instead of approximating: kinship honor sacrament law ] - to bring someone into your House?

[ Perhaps they have to be bought out of their obligations elsewhere. Paul notes to himself that he should do more reading on the delineation of personhood in California. ]

I was just curious, since we were talking about families.

[ Paul studiously is not noticing Daniel's noticing of anything, because there's nothing to notice, and even if there was, it would be none of his business - ]

My House brought people into it even as adults. Not every House does - some, if you aren't born to them, you never rise above chattel, but half my teachers were born on other worlds, in other Houses.

[ Do not perceive him, old man. ]

[ You are being perceived, young man.

There's no escape.

Though the conversation is just detail-intense enough that Daniel stops walking for a moment, turning towards Paul. ]

I think the idea of family in my world and a House in yours is.. slightly different. [ From what he can tell, anyway. It's hard to pierce together what exactly Paul's idea of a House is, but there do seem to be some nuances.

And while Daniel would usually file those under 'way too complicated stuff to talk to random kids about', Paul seems weirdly invested in this entire idea (perceiving, perceiving) and so Daniel can't help but at least attempt to talk about it here. ]

Adoption is much more of a legal thing. If you don't go through the proper procedures, the law and government won't recognize someone as part of your family, and will always allow that child's original family to have say over whatever happens to them at any given moment. [ That's still lacking a bit of nuance, but:

A) Daniel is not a lawyer, he's just got money for good lawyers.
B) Standing underwater in a monster town is not exactly the best place to get into the Nuances Of Law. ]

But if you look past that stuff, then the whole process of adoption isn't even entirely necessary. If you choose to see someone as family, if they feel that way.. then they can just be family to you. No need to go through all the formalities then.

[ Doesn't Daniel know all about it, who latched so hard onto mister Miyagi. ]

I suppose it's the difference between the family as a legal construct in the eyes of the law, and just.. chosen family, I suppose. [ A pause, and then to ensure he didn't just lose Paul in the middle of this: ] Does that make sense?

[ It's difficult to balance absolute nonchalance with the intensity of interest Paul shows as Daniel explains. He pivots on his heel to face him, but tries to look casual about doing so. If he had something to lean on, he would.

The idea of creating a family without formalities is what seems to catch him up most, his brows furrowing faintly as he considers it. A family where certain members are subject to the whims of another family with rights in the law over them has an inherent uncertainty to it that he doesn't quite understand how anyone could tolerate.

But then again, Daniel and Johnny's world also seems to lack formalized blood feuds, so Paul has long since accepted that the way they handle interpersonal affairs is much more ad hoc than he's used to. It's a funny way to organize a society, but it's not his place to pass judgment.

(And perhaps there's something there, in the inverse: that a family can be nurtured in the wild, not cultivated to a form. A kind of poetry whose rhythm he doesn't know.) ]

It does make sense.

[ A slight softness has entered his tone, and it's as if, at least for now, that he's forgotten Daniel is supposed to be a rival to his teacher. ]

So how do you decide that? Or - how do you know, if they feel that way about you, too? Do you just...ask?

[ A dubious, exotic concept, clearly. ]

[ Daniel lets out a breath of air, accompanied by a sound.

It mostly sounds like a laugh, but there's something awkward around its edges, colouring the rest of the sound. As much as Daniel would love for this to sound incredibly casual and normal, there's no way he can't acknowledge his own awkwardness in the face of that question. A boy who sat at his table in his house, Daniel calling him part of the family. Things falling apart, breaking at every possible angle, but Daniel's feelings never fading, fussing always present whenever he thought of the other, how he was doing, if he was okay. Feelings that couldn't falter even in the face of hurt, of a tournament of betrayal. ]

I honestly think that question may be a bit above my paygrade, Paul.

[ He does try to say it with some casualness, but the feeling eats away at his heart. It's hard after everything to not think of Robby as part of his family - though he's pretty sure the other doesn't feel the same way anymore, and maybe never might with how far things have gone wrong. An awkwardness that will probably continue the moment Daniel manages to return home.

Still, that's not what he wants to leave Paul with. The failures of an old man like Daniel shouldn't have to influence youth with an entire future ahead of him, and as he breathes out and tries to ~~release~~ push down his feelings for the moment, he tries to turn his attention back towards the other. ]

It's just part of social interactions, you know? It's the kind of thing you need to find out for yourself. [ There's nothing dismissive about his tone though.

If anything, a gentle care surrounds it. This clearly seems like something important to Paul - please, he absolutely Cannot fool Daniel on this one - and Daniel is a natural mentor when it comes to young people. He can't help it. ]

You just have to look inside of you and try to feel what the right way is for you to find that out about them. The right way to talk to them about it. It's different for everyone, after all. [ He looks at Paul, gesturing at the other's chest. ] It's right there inside of you already. You just have to find it.

[ Despite Paul's trained attentiveness, he's not immune to the self-absorption of youth, as this whole exchange has been proof of - but here, he does notice that this topic has once again tapped against some buried feeling of Daniel's own. He marks it most in how Daniel doesn't mark it himself, restraining his emotions in the moment for, as far as Paul can tell, Paul's sake.

So Paul listens to the rest of what he says with a different register of attention, his curiosity shifting to something more open. The uncanny light of the glowing sea catches in the greens of his eyes and softens the shadows of his face. When he shifts his weight between his feet, lifting one heel as he leans into the other, it's perhaps the most adolescent he's ever looked in front of Daniel - besides that one terrible truck ride. ]

You think so?

[ It isn't a real question, at least not one directed to Daniel. He does think so; Paul can tell. He knows what mentorship looks like, and for once, Paul is willing to hear it from him.

It might be the saltwater. The ocean slides her fingers through his hair and trails them across the back of his neck, ebbs and flows with the beat of his heart. He feels like he knows something, or is on the cusp of knowing something, and it's bound up in the truth that radiates out of Daniel's acts and words. ]

I hope you're right. [ Paul smiles, quick and abashed, then runs his own fingers through his hair as he glances aside. ] It feels like I've been looking for a long time.

Speaking of - we should start looking outside ourselves, or the sun will be down by the time we get back to shore. [ The alleged treasure, and all. ] I appreciate the advice, Sensei LaRusso.

[ Someone has earned, perhaps, a new degree of respect. ]

[ Daniel feels only more right for having said what he just said in the light of the way Paul looks in front of him right now. Younger, a little more hesitant - perhaps searching for something.

And it's not like he isn't aware that there's quite some stuff pressing down on Paul's shoulders. Even if he may not know the exact nature of it, he does remember everything back in the truck on one of Daniel's first days in this place. Trench can be cruel and hard, and it can break hearts, it can burden young people in ways they ought to not have to deal with. So if he can lighten even just a little bit of that in this moment, then Daniel's already glad.

He shakes his head when Paul points out that last part. ]

You're right.

[ They should get going, looking at the ships so they can quickly return if there's nothing of interest there - before some monster may show up.

But there's one thing Daniel feels like he ought to say first. Just one last thing. ]

But-- just so you know. [ There's a faint hesitance in him saying it, but it's because he doesn't want to seem like he's encroaching. Not to Paul, and not to Johnny. Not with how close the two of them seem to be. ] I know you've got Johnny, and I'm sure you can talk to him about anything. But if you ever can't for some reason, or he's unavailable.. You can always come to me if you've got something you really need help with, alright?

[ Especially when Daniel has double the reason to help Paul. First and foremost because he's a kid stuck in a place like this, sure, but there's also the fact that Daniel likes to think Johnny would for sure have helped Daniel's side of the Miyagi Fang kids if something had happened to Daniel, just like how Daniel would always look out for Johnny's kids as well. Like an unwritten pact, making sure the kids stay safe even in the whirlwind that is Johnny and Daniel's relationship. ]

I just want you to know that.

[ So hopefully he never has to look the way he did back in the truck ever again. ]

[ Paul should know better. He does know better, encoded in the faint webs of scars that lace his hands, in the less tangible incision that's been stitched shut in his heart. Daniel offers him help, unconditionally, and Paul splits into halves.

It's a balm. Daniel toes the line of respect when he offers his help, if Paul ever needs it, but the help is still offered. It takes integrity of character to do that for anyone, let alone a rival's student - but Daniel doesn't seem to see Paul like that. He sees something else, and it might be the part of him that wants to lean into the comfort of that extended lifeline.

It's a sting. There is nothing on Paul's shoulder, but he feels the warm weight of a hand anchoring him to the earth, and his stomach flips in slippery dizziness as he finds another passing shadow to focus on. It's not a flinch. He is very careful that it is not a flinch, all of him pinned down under stilled control.

He should offer help back, or something else of value. Assert himself as someone who does not need any of Daniel's help, however earnestly offered. He has Johnny, and he can count on him; there will never be a time when he doesn't. He believes that. He knows that he does. ]

All right.

[ He's barely louder than the background chorus of creaking ships and shifting waters. It's nearly like saying yes. It's not saying no. It's a compromise he strikes in the moment that already doesn't feel like enough of anything, but is a shell, like the ones of the scuttling borrower crabs, he can make a shelter in for now.

(But what is it that he takes shelter from?)

Paul pivots outward, towards the sunken ships, and sets off with his tongue still sticking to the roof of his mouth. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

he ate my heart

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paul getting this peak daniel for FREE

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