Pegasus J Crawford (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mister_foppish) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
star_kingdom2012-09-17 10:55 pm
mister_foppish) wrote in star_kingdom2012-09-17 10:55 pm
003: ✩ Duel three [Accidental Video/Action for Traverse Town]
[Offscreen]
There she lay, once more…In her coffin on a bed of roses. The red and yellow petals pricked his eyelids, scorching him back to consciousness. A breath and he gasped; he could not breathe. He was gasping, pinned down and suffocating, struggling against some unseen force as he slept.
[He moaned and sighed, stirred; but soon, with sweat coated his brow and he shifted, restlessly, rising up from behind the gauzy veil on the four-poster bed.
Sleeplessness had long ago found its way to Pegasus, and the nightmares…horrid, vivid, gut-wrenching sweat-inducing terrible nightmares making him appear pale and sickly. He took little food the past several days, and now stared hollowly with a single eye at the window.
The night had been speaking to him, and tirelessly, it waged sickness and ills on his mind. But tonight…Tonight it had invited him, beckoned him. And soon, he would see why.]
"Pegasus…"
[He started at the silvery sound that drifted in of an oddly familiar tone, and got up, to stare out the window, drawing back the curtains. The light in his bedroom burned brightly, the room with its royal blue bed and drapes, blue as the eyes which flashed for a moment in his mind's eye. The night was still…There was not even so much as a breeze or a sound on this misty night. No moon to shed light on what lurked outside.
However, he gasped: A woman in a blue dress was outside, with a head full of golden sunshine hair. Evidently Pegasus recognized her, for as she shifted and beckoned to him, and he gave a start—
Could it be…?]
"C-cyndia…?"
He let the window open and slipped outside, quietly as he could, his own bedroom door remaining shut as he left it.
Shadows from the mist converged from darkness to show his beloved's face. Cyndia, standing before him, in living flesh. Pegasus stared, awed, by her beauty, his heart leaping in his chest. He quivered, and blindly followed after her, soon becoming enveloped into the mist. He called her name, over and over again…Until at last she appeared before him, a vision of radiance. ]
[Onscreen]
"C-cyndia, I've wanted so badly to meet you…To see you again."
[His arms opened for her, and the woman sighed, smiling at first…But then her face turning sorrowful.]
« After what you've done, we can never be together again. I'm sorry, my love, but we will never meet again. Not even in the next life. »
"W-waiiiiit! Please…I-I'd do anything, if I could make things right…!"
[She begins to cry, softly, her tears ruby red—tears of blood. He stared, horrified, as he tried to hold her, to grab her, desperately reaching out to her to try and comfort her—but the harder the attempt, the further she seems to drift away from him.
To see, and never to hold or touch…And she suffered, because of him.]
« Your hunger for power…You hurt others, and in turn, you hurt me. »
[Pure anguish swept his soul at her terrible words, Pegasus paralyzed by the mere prospect that she might be suffering where she was, being punished for the crimes he had committed.]
"F-forgive me! Please! Cyndia…"
« You…betrayed me. Now I must suffer because of your actions. You are not able to see me any longer, no matter how you may wish it. »
[With that, the woman withdrew, rejecting him.
The communicator dropped and faced only the whiteness of the mist and shadows, his sobs drifting away until the feed abruptly ended.]
[He moaned and sighed, stirred; but soon, with sweat coated his brow and he shifted, restlessly, rising up from behind the gauzy veil on the four-poster bed.
Sleeplessness had long ago found its way to Pegasus, and the nightmares…horrid, vivid, gut-wrenching sweat-inducing terrible nightmares making him appear pale and sickly. He took little food the past several days, and now stared hollowly with a single eye at the window.
The night had been speaking to him, and tirelessly, it waged sickness and ills on his mind. But tonight…Tonight it had invited him, beckoned him. And soon, he would see why.]
"Pegasus…"
[He started at the silvery sound that drifted in of an oddly familiar tone, and got up, to stare out the window, drawing back the curtains. The light in his bedroom burned brightly, the room with its royal blue bed and drapes, blue as the eyes which flashed for a moment in his mind's eye. The night was still…There was not even so much as a breeze or a sound on this misty night. No moon to shed light on what lurked outside.
However, he gasped: A woman in a blue dress was outside, with a head full of golden sunshine hair. Evidently Pegasus recognized her, for as she shifted and beckoned to him, and he gave a start—
Could it be…?]
"C-cyndia…?"
He let the window open and slipped outside, quietly as he could, his own bedroom door remaining shut as he left it.
Shadows from the mist converged from darkness to show his beloved's face. Cyndia, standing before him, in living flesh. Pegasus stared, awed, by her beauty, his heart leaping in his chest. He quivered, and blindly followed after her, soon becoming enveloped into the mist. He called her name, over and over again…Until at last she appeared before him, a vision of radiance. ]
[Onscreen]
"C-cyndia, I've wanted so badly to meet you…To see you again."
[His arms opened for her, and the woman sighed, smiling at first…But then her face turning sorrowful.]
« After what you've done, we can never be together again. I'm sorry, my love, but we will never meet again. Not even in the next life. »
"W-waiiiiit! Please…I-I'd do anything, if I could make things right…!"
[She begins to cry, softly, her tears ruby red—tears of blood. He stared, horrified, as he tried to hold her, to grab her, desperately reaching out to her to try and comfort her—but the harder the attempt, the further she seems to drift away from him.
To see, and never to hold or touch…And she suffered, because of him.]
« Your hunger for power…You hurt others, and in turn, you hurt me. »
[Pure anguish swept his soul at her terrible words, Pegasus paralyzed by the mere prospect that she might be suffering where she was, being punished for the crimes he had committed.]
"F-forgive me! Please! Cyndia…"
« You…betrayed me. Now I must suffer because of your actions. You are not able to see me any longer, no matter how you may wish it. »
[With that, the woman withdrew, rejecting him.
The communicator dropped and faced only the whiteness of the mist and shadows, his sobs drifting away until the feed abruptly ended.]
[Action]
C-cyndia….[A heartbroken sound as he collapsed out of sheer pain and sorrow that left him heavy and without a way to even take in breath. His body shook uncontrollably with each wretched sob, the tears sopping down his pale cheeks. His lips trembled and his nails scraped the ground as he shook, the heavy droplets dripping upon the cold cobblestone street.
Floods of despair washed over him in torrential waves. He couldn't…bear it. He couldn't…! Why…why would this happen? How could it…? Was it so that his heart and soul must be torn like this?
His heart ached as poignantly as if a knife had pierced it, his very soul taken by the look in her eyes…Not even in death or in pity could he be spared!
From her dissipating form…stepped forth a mysterious, dark-skinned man holding scales, with an ageless gaze…stared down at him mercilessly. It seems his Fears would not flee from him this night.]
"Please….just kill me. I do…not deserve to live!" [He choked out before him, weeping openly now to mourn again what cruelty had been brought upon him.
His faint sobbing, wretched and bitter, fills the night, as what was left to him of his once beloved…was truly no more.]
[ooc: In any action tags that follow his Fears will be NPC'd by me, but anyone is more than welcome to see him/help or hinder him.]
[Action]
Cyndia? [He played the footage over in his mind.. was this the person that Pegasus had avoided talking about at the auction? The emphatic way that the man called out for her, begging her forgiveness, longing to be by her side... seemed to confirm it. This altogether heart-wrenching scene prompted Kaname to see about intervening. After an episode like that..
well.. Pegasus might not be in the most stable of moods, and might be prone to do something rash or self-destructive.]
[Action]
[Conveniently enough, he happened to be in Traverse Town, and he had the means to make his appearance essentially without risking a similar fate. Judging from the imagery on the screen it wasn't long before he arrived..
Just as he was about to step out of an alley way to approach the disheartening figure.. another specter appeared to replace the first.]
...
[Who was this? And why did Pegasus think the man would kill him? The newcomer possessed exotic features to say the least and a striking accessory... that might well have been the largest ankh he'd ever seen. The scales .. were they symbolic of something? There must be something.. Kaname was missing.. because this man didn't appear that threatening.
He moved a little closer and tried to speak to Pegasus]
Mr. Crawford.. this isn't what it appears to be.
[The words hardly sounded like they would be enough as they rolled of his tongue.]
Given what you've just seen.. and experienced... I know this will be difficult to accept, but these people are only illusions conjured up by your own subconscious. Ever since this strange mist arrived.. it's been happening to anyone that is exposed to it for too long.
[He watched Shadi carefully.. knowing that these shadows could also interact with the people here as though they were solid matter.
Not unlike a skill he was familiar with..][Action]
« You have been judged, Pegasus. You abused the power that was given to you, thus we must weigh your heart against the feather of Truth. »
[His hand hovered as he held out the scales, and a strange power seemed to emanate from him. Pegasus did not move, silent through all of the words as he remained with his hair covering most of his face, the tears still falling from his face to replace the streaks that stained his cheeks. He didn't even seem to be rightly aware of Kaname's presence...Until he spoke very carefully and very quietly.]
....subconscious...Illusions? How can it not be real?
[A low, sad murmur bordering between delirium and melancholy, Pegasus slowly staring up at Shadi, who began to reach for his Eye.]
[Action]
I'm not sure Egypt exists in Kaname's canon since its loosely based on some things and not others... but if there was one.. Kaname might have been "sleeping" during that period. At least he'd been reading up on other world's in the library but it was not enough for this situation.][It was frustrating not being able to fully understand what was transpiring but it was nothing good.]
.. Because this is a different world than you are familiar with. Where magic, and sorcery are very real, where the darkness can consume a world and even nightmares can become tangible.
[He strode forward, and revealed that he was carrying a sword. It was usually reserved for the enemies in his world.. but the occasion warranted it.]
Stand aside.. [He addressed the illusion not expecting it to comply, he slipped the blade between Pegasus and the things hand.]
[It seemed prudent to try and convince Pegasus of the truth. They were his fears, and it would be far easier to remove them if he was able to come around.. but given his state...]
[Action]
Pegasus looked up at the dark-toned Guardian, his tear-stained cheeks upturned. Accepting his Fate…? Would that have been such a bad alternative? His life was no longer his own, and hadn't been, in some time. What was in store for him, he knew…Would not be kind. That is, when quite suddenly Kaname stepped between them. But why…? He owed him very little favors. They hardly knew each other.]
W-wait, don't…!
[The false mirage of Shadi paused at being reproached by the man and the glimmering sword, his large knowing eyes giving him a level stare. In perfect English he said:]
«You would interfere in the Judgment of this Man? Do you know what he has done?»
[Pegasus' head lowered. He was ashamed. He felt…guilt, of a kind he had never known. And Pegasus, in his own words, had once said to Yugi: "I never make mistakes". Whether from pride or arrogance, or simply supreme confidence (which may or may not have been synonymous), Pegasus had had no intent of being made to blame. But now…he felt helpless. Lost. And most of all: culpable. So he waited…Would Kaname change his mind and let him be taken by this Mist-borne spirit?]
[Action]
He may not have known Pegasus that well.. but this nightmare was intolerable. The portion containing that woman being the hardest witness. It wasn't a situation he'd want to experience for himself so he would try to end it for Pegasus. Plus.. it wasn't often when someone got his attention
when one has lived for so long, they tend to run out of people and things that are capable of doing that][Despite Pegasus's words, he didn't flinch or fall back but stayed firmly between them]
I would. [He stated plainly] Whatever he has done is of little consequence here. [His voice was cool and even. Yes, he was curious about what Pegasus had done but he wasn't going to use this as an opportunity to find out anymore than he already had. There had been times, when he had found himself vulnerable due to one spell or .. another. Even if Pegasus had done something terrible.. could it even begin to compare with what Kaname had already done? ]
Here we are all offered a second chance... and it's not one that shall be wrested away so easily.
Now, remove yourself from this place.. [Was there any point in trying to reason with an illusion? Probably not.. the next response would probably prompt the use of that sword]
[Action] 1/2
Would it be mercy that would make his fears yield, or perhaps the sympathy of another that eased the impending blow?
A near inaudible sigh passed through Pegasus' lips, and he slowly began to stir from his shock. The hypnotic state the Mist seemed to lull him into was difficult to throw off, as the fear had started to settle in. Interference at least, made the energy the Mist-Borne Shadi stole from him cut off somewhat.
Inhuman eyes shimmered and pale robes fluttered, the mist swirling at its feet as if with great Darkness and Power. The ages-old spirit did not contend with threats, and so was not stirred. He did not retreat, but did not advance, wary of the sword. Whatever made this embodiment appear gave him physical presence.
Even as afraid as he may have been, those words…Those words did not fall on deaf ears. Kaname… His body felt heavy now, along within his weary spirit, laden with gratitude and sadness. He had done things he wasn't proud of, that much was certain. But, to have someone vouch for him was…something else.
A second chance…Did he even deserve that much?
«Then responsibility for him, will fall on you...»
"No!"
[Action] 2/2
He stepped out from behind, his face grim. Foreboding descended, as the tawny gold glint in the false Shadi's eyes made him realize…That this indeed wasn't Shadi, and could not have been him.
The mirage faded slightly. Did Doubt hold sway over its form? It was difficult to tell.]
«A Punishment Game…» [It said, as it raised the scales.]
"No…!" [Pegasus shouted, pushing Kaname back with surprising strength as he moved forwards, and there was a flash of light—both Shadi and Kaname were bathed in its brightness, temporarily blinding.
When it was gone…Pegasus knelt on one knee, his hair floating down slowly as the Millennium Eye's eerie glow abated, as if by a force. Whatever had been there before, was no more.]
"Nngh..."
[However...As a consequence, whatever strength had been given to him as resistance was now gone, and his body refused to obey...Leaving the Mist before something else presented itself might prove to be a challenge.]
[Action] I do not have a surprised enough icon XD
If there was anyone who wasn't sure if he deserved a second chance, it was Kaname.. and he'd already been given one in his own time at a terrible cost. He wouldn't waste this life, he held far too much respect for both Haruka, and Juri Kuran to have their son's life to have been taken for nothing.
He had no way of knowing about the maelstrom of thoughts and emotions that must have been swirling around in Pegasus's mind. This was all too shocking.. especially as one of his first experiences in the kingdom. He certainly wasn't expecting Pegasus to aide him in this fight in any sort of capacity. ]
Very- [Well. Kaname started to answer Shadi when that NO! cut him off.]
[He glanced over his shoulder, over slightly as to keep most of his attention on the real threat. Somehow, Pegasus had found the strength to raise himself up.
Whatever this punishment game was.. Kaname didn't seem to feel all that threatened by it.. in part because he didn't really know what one was... and in part because his true form was safe and sound inside a local bakery. The problem being that Pegasus was not aware of that.]
Pegasus!? [He exclaimed, as he was pushed out of the way. Instinctively, he raised an arm to block the light.. never being one to fancy such brightness as he tried to discern what was truly happening. It was hard to make anything out.. but it was undeniable that Pegasus did hold some kind of magical strength. He was briefly reminded of their first chat where Pegasus had seemed to have implied possessing some ability just not physical.
Had it been his imagination.. or had the light seemed to have come from the man's eye?
When he could finally see again, Shadi was gone, and Pegasus looked worse for wear. Kaname allowed, his sword to dissolve.. he'd need his arms free to try and guide Pegasus into one of the nearby buildings. He moved over near the other man and tried to loop one Pegasus's arms around his neck. The inn was conveniently near.. it .. shouldn't be too hard to... pull him over there. theoretically.]
[Action] Many apologies for my atrocious late ;;
A resulting waiver in his breath and his body left him heavy; drained. He hadn't expected any of this to transpire so suddenly, or else he'd have been more prepared to defend them both…As it was, the illusion, or whatever had been borne of the mist, was no more. Just a terrible memory, to go along with his many nightmares already.
He doesn't produce an immediate answer to his would-be companion's exclamation, merely offering a slightly bruised smile before that faded, and the exhaustion settled in.
Before Pegasus can so much as protest he feels the coldness of Kaname's hand press to his arm and link it over his shoulder and neck, supporting him as they moved towards the inn.]
I don't think that's necessary…
[He murmurs, but doesn't retreat from it. Perhaps it was the combination of the horrors that had unfolded and the use of his abilities when his powers had been already enervated by the Mist. Whatever the reason, he at least appreciated the concern.
When they manage to reach the inn he's winded, his breathing heavy, his steps shaky. The Mist had preyed on him and his terrors, making him ill. He does not feel well…That much is certain.]
[Action]
She wasn't real, Pegasus. Don't listen to it.
[Action]
Thus, Pegasus didn't hear him. Not from where he kneeled, grieving over his long-dead lover who had rejected him. Losing her again...It was just like that day. So the tears streamed and fell, like rivulets of the blood that had once been lost to him.
Real or not real? What did that matter? She was and had been in his heart, in his mind, created by him. Did that not make her real enough?
As in a Paradise Lost, it was once said: 'So dear I love [her] that with [her], All deaths I could endure. Without [her], live no life.'
He had long been a broken man, even more so now after what he witnessed. For love was the strongest bind of all, and thereby also the most difficult to mourn. At Kaiba's voice he did not falter, or move, but rather kept his hair as a shield in front of his eyes, both human and inhuman.]
Wasn't real...So you say. But do you know that to be true?
[Action]
I doubt the first thing your deceased wife would say if she ever got the chance to see you again was something around those lines. People that love you don't bring you down. At least that's what I would assume.
[Action]
Distraught as he is, perhaps Kaiba's logical assessments take time to sink in.]
...
[Kaiba could be right..but, even so. It didn't fix what just happened.]
B-but she said...! We'd never see each other again..after what I did.
[He really didn't want that to be true.]
Maybe..you're right.
[Action]
[He's going to grab him by his arm and help him to his feet.]
Don't go trying to kill yourself to see if she was right, either.
[Action]
...Ah.
[What could he possibly say to that? The fact that Kaiba was even here, helping him was a little strange. So he did care?]