707/Awakening

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Awakening
Date of Scene: 01 October 2014
Location: Njorun Station - The Roots
Synopsis: D has woken from his latest dirt nap. Setsuko greets him.
Cast of Characters: 232, 255


D (232) has posed:
    The mighty boughs borne by Axis Mundi's deific trunk stretch for miles in all directions, but here at the roots, it's difficult to appreciate the scale. All that can be said for sure is that beside the great tree, all life is very, very small, and lacking for comparable legend. D feels it a suiting sight to awaken and behold. It is one way of reminding him that the Union is a vast entity who had no reason to expend resources on his recovery, and yet, here he sits, amid a shaded park where even the giant oak trees look insignificant.

    He is surrounded by an alert escort comprised of fine soldiers he would have had difficulty circumventing on his own, if he'd had a mind to fight after waking up. As ordered, the soldiers are prepared for the worst, as many are visibly armed with the typical tools of D's old trade. Wooden stakes, holy regalia, and other similar items create an intimidating bulwark he is hesitant to test in either word or deed.

    The only respite from their harsh attention is in the form of a junior medical officer who seems to hold no fear of him. She is kneeling beside him, asking increasingly gentle questions he can hardly answer, her kit untouched beside her. He has no injuries left, of course. He doesn't even keep his scars after lying in the ground.

    He still sits half in his overturned grave.

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    The soldiers all snap to attention, almost as one. They can 'feel' her coming, a prickle in the back of their mind on an instinctive level, that prompts them to turn and look, just im time to see her touching down. Whatever lip service they may pay to most Elites, here is a woman who has made of point of being a proper soldier, a fighter for the military just like they. And she herself is the one who ordered their watch; where many of her peers might say 'we trust in him' and keep vigil themselves, Setsuko Kaminagi is a pragmatic, realistic woman. So when they see the Major, they salute.

    And she returns it.

    Doubtless, D has felt her approach as well. Her divine presence is as strong as ever - stronger, even, just a bit. And now that he is lucid, he can sense it plain as day: that indefinable 'something' about her, that presence that sets her apart, marks her as something 'more', that turns heads even when she's lost among a crowd and ensures that stealth is nigh impossible for her, has grown even stronger.

    And yet, her expression upon seeing the conscious dhampir is the same as she might have worn a week, a month ago. Relief. Quiet concern for a comrade in arms. Her words are soft, but they betray the relief just as surely. "You're awake."

D (232) has posed:
    Keeping to himself all his life has left D a guarded man. He has a tendency to isolate himself, and to keep his thoughts and feelings from the surface. After a thousand years on the road, he perfected the icy, detached demeanor he would become known for in his native world, and his habitual barrier hasn't diminished since. Yes, at times he's failed; either his temper, his hunger, or rarest of all his affections have on occasion been made known despite his efforts. Right now, he is fragile. Weary. After what he endured, his facade should be no more than a thin veil.

    Yet, looking at Setsuko, it's as if little has changed. His expression is numb and blank, as if the expected emotions are impossible for him to feel. No concern wrinkles his brow, and no frown sets his lips or tension his jaw. He is as he was, if tattered and covered in dirt. Untouched. Unaffected.

    Setsuko knows him better than most, or seems to. She'll no doubt understand why he remains reserved. If he feels hurt, angry, or remorseful, he isn't about to reveal these things in front of strangers -- in front of soldiers.

    "Set -- mn. Miss Kaminagi." The misstep in address at least offers some insight into how scattered his thoughts must be. "You look...improved."

    D's voice is the same murmur it always has been, save for the dull ring of uncertainty only she may hear.

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    "I could say the same." The demigod's eyes miss little. Less, now, with even her senses sharpened further by the proper employment of power she had all along. Her own expression remains as calm and neutral as it usually is, and but for meeting D's eyes just briefly, she makes no movements, simply standing. Of course, there are formalities to observe, and observe them she does, by turning her attention to the medical tech. "How is he?" She will make her own judgement on his temperament, but she can at least get the preliminary impressions of the medical professional first.

D (232) has posed:
    "Uninjured, like you said he'd be, ma'am." The junior officer gets up from her crouch, slinging her kit over her shoulder again as she goes. She slants D an odd look before carrying on. "He says he remembers 'enough,' but hasn't given me much more than that. His recollection's imperfect, ma'am." Lowering her voice, the medical officer continues. "I'm not a trained interrogator, ma'am. I can't get him to crack. He's not...uncooperative. But he won't talk to me."

    D's hearing is too good to miss the exchange. Without moving, he interjects. "Yes, my memory spanning the last two months lacks detail, but I remember the important events. I do not think the details are important. I understand where I have been, and what I have done."

    He isn't speaking to the medical officer; he's addressing Setsuko.

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    "I see." Spoken to both the junior officer and D.

    Setsuko closes her eyes for a moment. "Guard detail, dismissed. I'm convinced he's not a flight risk; I'll take responsibility for him from here on." The look she gives both the junior officer and whatever soldier is heading the actual guard detail brooks no argument. She waits in silence until they're gone. Unmoving, still as a statue; only her hair showing any signs of movement at all, teased by the wind blowing through Njorun's roots. Only once the two of them are alone does she speak. "You're already blaming yourself," she observes, her tone much quieter. Very nearly 'gentle'. And not a question.

D (232) has posed:
    "Yes."

    He pulls his left from the earth, draws his knee to his chest, and removes his boot to shake out the dirt collected inside it. As he speaks, he turns it over to inspect the silvery spur still attached to its heel. "I have only myself to blame. If not for my own misplaced trust, I..."

    The thought dies unfinished. After a long, silent moment in which his eyes remain fixed dead ahead, he releases a quiet sigh and pulls his boot back over his foot.

    D can no longer look at Setsuko. Subtle tension and brooding analysis puts the crease in his brow she might have expected to see from the very beginning.

    He repeats his work, freeing his other leg and taking his time to look over his other boot. This one is missing its spur.

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    "I still don't know what exactly happened," Setsuko says, turning to look up at Njorun. "You simply went silent for some weeks, as you've done before. And then the next we heard of you was assisting Confederate interests. If there was a mistake that brought you into their hands, then you are responsible for it, I won't dispute that. But what happened after..." She shakes her head faintly. "That was not you. The only one who will blame you for that is you yourself, and those who seek to use your guilt as a weapon against you."

D (232) has posed:
    D rests his forearm atop his knee. He is quiet, no doubt mulling over Setsuko's perspective, and her refusal to let him shoulder the full burden.

    "Can you be certain?" The tension has entered his jaw; the corners of it flex outward as he bites down before the next words can escape without proper appraisal. "How can you be so sure I wasn't merely acting on my heart's desires?"

    The hair hanging over his face hides his sorrow from the world. His voice remains unchanged, schooled to a serene timbre. "Setsuko...show me the scars on your neck. I have already seen what I've done to your face."

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    "Because if you were acting on your heart's desires," Setsuko replies, finally turning around, "Then it wouldn't be you."

    She obliges, turning around, turning left - bringing her left side around where he can see, and reaching up to brush the hair away from her neck. The scar is unmistakable, even from a good few feet away. "Your nature as a person is to deny your nature as a predator, D. I have known you for just a heartbeat of your existence and just a small fraction of mine, but I can see that much. You have been resisting your own darker impulses for longer than my bloodline has existed. If the monster that worked for the Confederates was truly you, he would have shown his face thousands of years ago. That she had to resort to a cursed blade to sunder your resolve does not shame you - it speaks well of you."

    She finally lets her hair fall back down, then adds, "And if you look on these scars and believe you should be ashamed, don't. I count them as badges of pride for what they represent, and wear them with honor."

D (232) has posed:
    The warm wind stirs a soft sussuration from the branches above. Mottled sunlight dances across his upturned face, and illuminates the remorse laid bare the instant she reveals her scars. Even after she declares her faith in him and who he is, and after she assures him she bears her scars as honorable marks, he continues to look at her in a manner which could only be described as mournful.

    His next sigh is as gentle as the passing wind had been. D gives a slight shake of his head, rakes his hand through his hair, and directs his resigned frown at he ground. He doesn't brood for very long in her company. There is a sense to him like he is gathering himself, perhaps preparing for something. A moment later, he stands, and knocks the dirt from the rest of his ill-conditioned clothing.

    "Very well. Allow me to at least give you something else besides a scar. If my fall was indeed fate, and not engendered by some curse outside my control, I should like to protect you against further attacks while I still have my wits." He reaches his left hand out toward her. The carbuncle is already surfaced in his palm and sharing its unnerving, empty smile. Deep in the black pits of its eyes, a far-off flame flickers blue and pure.

    "If you will permit me this much, it would ease some of my guilt."

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    "Before I assent," Setsuko says, turning towards D, "I do want to remind you that you would have more difficulty next time than you did the last." She reaches to her left side and grasps her sword - grasps Zanjintou - in her right hand, drawing it in a smooth and steady movement that sees it brought in a high arc over her head, and held at her right side, low and angled backwards. There is a snap, the hilt splits and spreads apart, the grip doubles its own length, and a new and immense blade grows itself out in the blink of an eye. Fully twelve feet long, twice as long as she is tall, completely ludicrous as a weapon. And yet she moves to give it a lazy one-handed spin over her head as if it weighed only as much as a katana, and rests it on her shoulder without issue.

    "This is the true form of Zanjintou, D. The sword I was meant to have. There is nothing this blade cannot cut. Nothing /we/ cannot cut. And I have you to thank for it." She regards him with a faint arch of the eyebrow. "Even as an enemy, you were the one who enabled me to grasp this power. Your words. You've already armed me against your darker nature once."

    Only then does she heft the massive blade up, and with another snap of collapsing parts and disappearing blade, it resumes the shape of a katana. "But if it will assuage you to add a second protection, I'm willing." She nods towards the carbuncle, an ally in and of himself. "What do you have in mind, D?"

D (232) has posed:
    The sword unfolds, revealing its full glory, and at this, D can only shake his head in wonder. "I had no idea what was inside you. If helping me was what it took to draw out your strength...perhaps in part, the trial was worth it. I do not consider Zanjintou an equalizer to my misdeeds, but I am pleased to see you gaining something aside from honorable scars." The glimmer of interest in the carbuncle's eye sockets is more than a match for the admiration lending D's voice a mild but notable warmth; both the dhampir and his strange symbiote are impressed.

    He goes on to explain: "The carbuncle can lay a charm over those marks which will manifest whenever a vampire's breath is felt. It...will last for some time, and will otherwise be dormant, but if it does show itself, it should work to repel all but the strongest vampires, or those vampires too unlike my own kind."

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    With her weapon returned to her side, Setsuko faces D properly, listening with interest. Once she's heard the explanation, she mulls it over for a moment, then nods. "That... would be good. I think. It won't just proof me against you, but any vampire. Assuming my divinity will accept it, anyway." She looks vaguely amused as she steps forward, within D's reach. "Lest once cast a flight spell on me. My divinity rejected it outright. Although looking back, we finally seem to have learned why that is..." It is funny, in a way. Her power rejected a spell of flight because she was supposed to have it all along.

D (232) has posed:
    He hesitates. What if her divinity rejects him? It would not be the first time he was unable to touch something blessed by godly power.

    "Oh, get on with it," the carbuncle grumbles, and without any additional reluctance or thought, D lays his left hand over Setsuko's neck.

    His fingertips linger for no more than a few seconds. Nothing is seen, but a warmth is felt which exceeds his body's natural temperature, suggesting something has happened. The warmth settles beneath her skin, and soon melts away, leaving no obvious change on Setsuko, and no sign of taxation on D. The carbuncle grumps again but retreats as D pulls back his hand. His arm back at his side, he nods once. "I can't tell you if the charm has succeeded or failed until it's needed. I hope that day never comes."

    D meets her gaze. "Thank you. There is nothing I can do for your cheek, but you say nothing is needed, so I will think nothing of it." Or so he says, anyway. "What happens to me now?"

    He pauses. The last great fear he keeps close to his chest is laid out in a hush. "And what has happened to my sword?"

Setsuko Kaminagi (255) has posed:
    Once the charm has finished settling in, Setsuko brings a hand up and flexes fingers curiously. "...It most likely worked. When my power rejected Lest's spell, it was... not subtle." Her hand lowers, and she meets his gaze. "D, my body can restore lost limbs without blemish. If it retains a scar, it's from a battle with meaning to me. There is no scar on my body right now I don't want to keep." Her tone is surprisingly soft. "As for you... I'm satisfied you've come back to us, so I'll vouch for you to the brass. Your sword..."

    Setsuko closes her eyes, and shakes her head. "We don't know. I'm not sure if the sword I shattered was yours with a curse laid on it, or a replica that was cursed from the start. But if it still exists..." Her eyes open again and there's that soft blue light for a moment. "You helped me to discover mine. I'll help you to recover yours."