(Closed) Dying is easy

[searingwing]

Who: Diluc, Kaeya, Catra, and Diluc's Cr (if you know Diluc, you're good.)
What: Diluc returns to life and the aftermath
When: October 15 mid-morning to October 18th.
Where: Diluc and Catra's residence in Cellar Door.
Content Warnings: Body horror, cursing, mental health issues, mentions of substance abuse

Visions are a light to those who are lost (closed to Catra and Kaeya)
[Darkness.

Cold darkness where the dwindling air was starting to leave him concerned. Him? Him. That sounds right. His name and whatever he is, eludes him. His memories feel like fragments of something sharp raining down, but unable to come together.

He tries to put it together. Again, he's denied. But pieces of a memory surfaces to give him just enough to realize how he might have...died. Ice. Shouting. Sharp things and the light inside him crushed under an oppressive loneliness too deep to get past.

The air is almost out. Something bursts above him and light pierces his space. He tries to swim away, but the liquid is starting to drain.

The featureless grey surface of Diluc's Vision flickers then bursts into brilliant red light. Motes of fire dance on the air and fade. Diluc Ragnvindr is once again, alive.]

Day 1, Lord of the Bathtub(open)

[After the initial flurry of activity and panic. Diluc is left to drift in a body of water. It isn't the sea, but it will do for now. He's a small red squid swimming back and forth inside the filled tub. He can't put his memories together just yet. He keeps trying and that's tiring.

But he does it anyway. When someone comes into the bathroom he sticks a tentacle out of the water as he drifts closer to the surface. If he's friendly with them he grips the side of the tub and pulls himself up enough to get a glimpse before he sinks back down.]

Day 2, Almost but not quite (open)

[It feels like he's been slowly piecing himself together. There's not enough there to find his way back out of the water. At least, not yet. He can recognize the people that visit and trace letters on their hands with his tentacles. It's progress.

The light from his Vision feels within reach. If he could just remember everything then he could push himself all the way back to himself. To the duties waiting for him.

He jets water at nothing and streaks through the water. By now, small shells and pretty stones glint from the bottom of the tub. Little gifts. Sometimes he drifts over them, brushing past them as he circles.]

Wild card
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Comments

day 2

[torpour]

Mm. I didn't think it was possible, but here you are.

[nehan sits himself down on the edge of the tub, sighing from the walk, and crosses his legs. seated like this, he can only look over his shoulder to see the squid in the tub, though his wolf peeks over the edge and nearly dips its nose into the water. would have, if nehan didn't push it away with his crutch.]

No, Zuoyou. Leave him alone. [because he doubts that something furry and wet will feel comfortable to something rubbery and wet. but nehan dips his ungloved hand into the water anyway.] You can understand me, cant you?

[searingwing]

[He spots circling and cuts a sharp line through the water. Diluc reaches out and traces the letters on Nehan’s hand.]

Yes, I understand.

[It’s tiring so he grabs the side of the tub near his hand.]

[torpour]

Hmm, surprising you have that amount of control over your body. Even if it would take too long to write out a full sentence.

[nehan dips his hand further into the water, and cups the squid from underneath to hold him. with his other hand, he reaches down to poke at diluc's tentacles.]

Now, my expertise in bodies when it comes to medicine starts and stops at people, race aside-- I have no experience with sea creatures. You'll have to tell me, for instance, if anything hurts, if I ask that of you. Tug on a finger for yes, and give two tugs for no. You're fine with an examination?

[searingwing]

[He takes a second to think about that. Yes, he has a strong control over himself. It is what he raised to do. Master himself and serve as a light for others.

It feels odd to have a hand around his entire body but not unpleasant. He wraps his tentacles around the fingers poking at him.

He listens then he tugs once just as instructed.]

day 2

[vibing]

[ It's been a week since he killed Diluc, and curiosity is getting the better of him. He needs to know that Diluc came back, needs to settle the last dregs of guilt. Not that he's dwelling on it, exactly, but this death is different from the others. Diluc is a friend, he's stoic but kind, he helped Yuri when he needed it and asked for nothing in return, and Yuri returned that kindness by killing him.

Killing him because he wanted to be killed, perhaps, but still killing him. He saw the devastation on Kaeya's face, a reflection of what his own was after Flynn was killed. He needs to be sure that what happened with Flynn isn't a fluke, that Diluc did come back, too. That he's okay.

Finding a squid isn't exactly what he expected, but it makes him smile, just a little. Yeah. That's Diluc alright. The red gives it away. ]

You're stuck like that, huh?

[searingwing]

[He recognizes the voice and what he can see as a squid.

Yuri.

He raises two tentacles up out of the water like someone raising their hands up. They drop and he swims to the edge of the tub.

He pulls himself up enough to hopefully communicate he wants him to come closer. Yuri had killed him, yes. But it needed to be done and he will never fault him that. He will blame himself instead.

He had left a door wide open and put many at risk. A vision user with his level of power taken over? Unacceptable.]

[vibing]

[ Yuri smiles softly and sits down on the edge of the bath. Smokey, his kestrel omen, caws and perches on the counter. ]

Glad you're back.

[ He is, he really is. He wouldn't have forgiven himself if Diluc hadn't come back. It would haunt him. It might still. ]

You're back in control? [ Of yourself? ]

v i s i o n s

[serment]

( in the very bottom of catra's stomach, there is a resounding feeling of unease. something feels wrong, wrong in the kind of way where she knows that either something really bad has happened or is about to happen. as such, it isn't all that uncommon for her to feel this way, but—

this feels different.

her eyebrows pinch inward and she throws herself off from the balcony of the house to land against the soft grass. she thinks that she might feel better if she were to survey the area to make sure everything is where it's supposed to be.

her path takes her in a jagged circle around the house. everything seems fine, seems right, until she pokes her head into the stable to check in. the smell is what hits her first, strong and definitely out of place.

it smells like the sea. )

Ugh. What is that smell. . ?

( grumbled to herself as she carefully investigates the area.

against the dirt, she spots the squirming squid. )

Oh, what the—

( all of the breath catches in her throat and her mind races. suddenly, she feels overwhelmed with all the thoughts and questions littering her head. why is there a squid here? why is it in the stables? shouldn't it be in the sea?

what does this mean?

but she thinks she knows. )

You had better not be who I think you are.

( she grinds out, hastily scooping the squid up into her arms. she's gotta get this to water. )

[unmelting]

[Somewhere in the barn, likely up in the rafters, there's a white peacock that has been keeping watch -- a tip that Yuri had offered in keeping vigil. But Kaeya didn't even need to hear his omen's call.

Instead it's Diluc's Vision that flares back to life that catches his attention. And given that he's kept it close, tucked just inside his shirt and vest, when it went all bright and hot, he's gotten himself a Pyro Vision shaped burn for his troubles.

Doesn't matter, and it has him running from his house towards the stables of Diluc's house, skidding to a stop when he sees what he has to assume is Diluc's housemate -- who the other has mentioned at least a few times -- holding what he has to assume (and desperately hope) is--] Diluc? Is that him? Is he all right?

[He's thinking along the same lines as she is. Water. They need to get him into some water.]

[Don't mind that there's a singe-mark on his shirt that's still smoking. He's just that hot, clearly.]

[searingwing]

[Light and someone above him. His last memories flicker through his mind and he tenses. There's no air. Barely any ink left so he wraps his tentacles around the arms holding him up.

He's bright red and something pulls at him as someone else. Someone aching familiar gets close enough to hear them. He twists slightly and lets out a small squeak.

Water, he needs water. Then he can deal with...whatever is next.]

Day 1

[azurestar]

[This hasn't been like the Octobers in Deerington, but it hasn't exactly been safe, either. Lance has learned that well enough in his own way. So he's committed to checking in on anyone he knows regularly enough to keep himself from worrying too much.

Diluc isn't someone he really worries about, the man can swing a giant sword and command fire and now ice. But still, he likes him and would prefer he not get mauled by the monsters here. Those bandages he was wrapped up in on the river stand out in his mind. Not to mention the pain he took.

So he's come by where he figured out he lives after not hearing from him for a bit too long for his liking. When Diluc didn't answer the door, he frowned and made his way in to… find a squid in the tub. He doesn't know how he knows that's him, but he does.]

Aw man… you went and got yourself killed, didn't you?

[searingwing]

[A name drifts to the surface of his mind. Lance.

He wraps his tentacles around the edge of the tub. He pulls himself up until he can wave his free tentacles in the air. To make sure Lance is aware he recognizes him, he twists a little.

Then has an idea. He reaches lower over the edge and starts to trace letters.]

Lost myself.

[azurestar]

[Lance's brows come together when those squid arms come up over the side of the tub. Are they… tracing something? He bends over to get a good look and it takes him a minute of squinting before he parses the message.]

Dude, I didn't know we could communicate as squids! That's… really creepy, actually. [He shudders and stands straight again and rubs at the back of his head uneasily.] What do you mean you lost yourself?

day 1

[monoceroscaeli]

[When calling didn't seem to work, Childe takes it upon himself to go visit Diluc's residence. There were several scenarios as to why he hasn't been able to get a hold of his friend in days- beasthood, kidnapped, death, r even put into some sort of stasis like he had been so long ago now...Diluc had come to check up on him when he'd disappeared for a month. It's the least he could do now.

When knocking at the door doesn't work, he lets himself in. Wandering about the house, poking his head into rooms looking and finding nothing, he's not sure if he was here at all.

The bathroom is the very last place he checks. The door is cracked, and when he enters he sees the tub is filled and something is in it. He leans over to take a look...]

[searingwing]

[And gets a jet of water in his face. The red squid that is Diluc had spotted him moving closer and swam up to the side of the tub.

He recognizes this one and their friendship holds even when his mind is a mess. From long, long ago he recalls friendship is partly teasing. It feels like a dusty tome in his mind, one he hasn’t used in years.

Worth revisiting. He grabs the side of the tub to pull himself up enough to wave his tentacles at him. He might have squeaked. No one can prove it.]

[monoceroscaeli]

Gah-!

[He wasn't expecting that, and now his face is completely wet. He wipes the water away, and rubs his eyes to clear it there as well. The most effective sneak attack ever performed on the Harbinger to date.]

So it is you. I've been calling for some time now, I'd started to get worried. Looks like I had every reason to.

[There one way he knows of that squidifies you and it's not a great option.]

day 2, later in the evening

[thinkfirst]

Yuri told me what happened.

[ These are the first words out of Flynn's mouth, but he's been sitting here on the tile by the tub for a while now, watching Diluc among the shells and stones. He'd brought an offering of his own, a smooth, flat rock streaked with blue he thought perhaps Diluc might be able to use when he's back.

But he hasn't been able to figure out what to say. It's so strange to think that Diluc is this tiny thing, that Flynn was ever this tiny thing, and yet...

He was this soft-bodied creature, himself.

It's been a nice break, sitting here quietly listening to the splash of water. Flynn needed it.

Still, he leans over the edge of the tub, letting a hand dangle into the water, watching the little creature. Yuri told him Diluc had been able to at least communicate, and Flynn gets a distinct sense of him just looking at the little squid, though he can't say from where. ]

It would have been much less traumatic for Yuri had I not come back on his lap, I think. That was... something. This seems much nicer.

I hope you're alright.

[searingwing]

[As far as visits go, this has been a quiet one. It reminds him of the easy acceptance between himself and Flynn. He’s settled the pretty stone down among the others.

But the moment a hand enters the water he swims up to it and wraps his tentacles around Flynn’s fingers. What does he say? Well he could start small, explaining a little bit. He traces letters onto his palm with his tentacles.]

It’s a bit like bed rest but wetter. And more stressful for others, I suppose. My memories are still coming back together.

[thinkfirst]

[ How oddly calming, to have those letters traced so wetly into his palm. Yuri told him a bit about this, too, almost laughingly, but hearing about it and slowly mouthing the letters to himself as they appear, piecing together words in bits, is very different.

When he gets it, he feels a bit triumphant, flashes the squid a small grin. ]

Not stressful for you, I hope? It seems downright peaceful in here, although... of course, I wish you hadn't had to be here at all. It is a bit stressful waiting for you to come back. We know so little about how all of this works.

Day 1

[unmelting]

[Now that things are a great deal less frantic about getting a small squid into water before it dries out, Kaeya returns to pay a visit to Master Squidluc. He has a small package with him, because honestly he doesn't know what will make this easier for Diluc to transition from this form back to human-shaped once more. If he's being honest with himself, he's so relieved that this is progressing like Yuri said it would that it's taken his breath from him completely even still.

He enters the bathroom quietly, dropping to his knees by the tub so he can lean against the edge of it with his elbows.]

Good afternoon. How's the water? I don't suppose you're ready to leave it yet, are you?

[No, probably a few days, he imagines, given what he's been told.] I brought you a few things.

[He places a small package on the edge of the tub.] Shall we see if you like any of them?

[searingwing]

[His memories are a jumbled mess. But something about the look on Kaeya’s face makes him swim slower. He reaches the side of the tub closest to him and wraps his tentacles around the edge.

Kaeya looks worn out in a way he hasn’t seen in…it feels like a long time. He brushes his tentacles along the edge of the package. But it matters only a little. He touches Kaeya’s elbow and secures himself to side by him.

No leaving the water yet.]

[unmelting]

[There he is. The tired smile on his face grows a bit softer at that.] You're oddly cute like this, you know.

[Not that he thinks Diluc will appreciate that, but that's okay. And even if he is squid shaped, Kaeya is just grateful that Diluc is alive.]

In any case, here.

[He takes the cover off the small box and draws out the first item -- a small pink conch shell.] It reminded me a little of the shells we used to collect as kids.

[He tilts the box so Diluc can see inside. There are a couple other small shells and a rubber duck. Enrichment is important for your bathtub squid.] Like any of them?

De-Squid-ening

[unmelting]

[Kaeya has been lingering about often. He's visited Diluc in his little bathtub getaway at least a couple times a day since this all began. He's also taken up Diluc's offer of crashing in his room on more than one occasion.

It's made him feel better than he had, at least, knowing Diluc is alive even if he's not quite himself.

He knocks at the door frame as he lets himself into the bathroom once more, taking up his usual spot at the side of the tub.]

How's the water this evening?

[Without thinking about it, he extends a hand out towards the tub in case some small squid feels like communicating.]

[searingwing]

[Diluc is in the center of the water, drifting as if he were just letting himself be guided by a tide. He swims to Kaeya's hand and moves to lay his tentacles against it.

He spells slowly,]

I think it's time.

[He can feel it in his soft squishy body. The time to leave the water has come. He can really do it this time.]

[unmelting]

Time?

[Oh. Oh time. Okay, Kaeya isn't going to panic or anything. It's fine. They've both been squids that turned into humans before.

Right?

Right.]

All right. I'm here. How can I help?

[Does he need to take him out of the tub? Leave him in the tub?]