App for Trial by Fire
NAME: Rui
AGE: 30
DISCORD/PLURK: Ruipressed @ Discord
SERIES: Persona 5 (AU)
NAME: Akira Kurusu
AGE: 17 in canon, 23 by game start
CANONPOINT: AU where, instead of being chosen to be the Wildcard Persona wielder, Akira is blessed by a god to have empathy powers, signified by his blue eyes. He is approximately near the "end" of his journey. After developing a friendship with the actor Goro Akechi and being invited into his trailer during a downpour, Akira was mere seconds away from initiating their first kiss.
YEARS SINCE ARRIVAL: 5 years (special circumstances)
NOTEWORTHY CR:
• Kosuke - Veteran hero. Of the initial group of heroes, Kosuke and Akira are the only ones to have survived. He helps soften Kosuke's sharp edges, and Kosuke encourages Akira to be boldly himself. Though their bond is stronger than steel, Akira very carefully keeps things as platonic as he can. He's seen and deducted where Kosuke's heart lies, and doesn't wish to make things potentially painful and complicated between them. He has a modestly sized crush on Kosuke, which he's usually good at hiding the signs of.
• Sora - Veteran traveler. Sora hasn't been with the group as long as Kosuke and Akira have, but his varied experiences over having been in multitudes of worlds has created a similar feeling of ah, mood between them. He's really the only one who Akira will show his "real face" to— or maybe Sora's just the one who calls him out on it the most? Either way, he does allow himself to confide in Sora so long as that gesture is reciprocated. Their largest point of contention is Sora's self-sacrificial habits and mindset.
• Turmś - World-weary Guide. It's clear he's been through a lot, and that the rules that apply to the heroes don't apply to him... for better and for worse. Akira has consistently done what he can to ease some of the burden of leadership for him, and to make his life a little easier in general. He has often coaxed heroes away from following Turmś when he insisted on being alone for awhile. Still... the moments where he seemed like he could let his guard down a bit, and even enjoy himself a little... Akira wants to see more of those. Of course, he's almost completely oblivious to the way Turmś feels towards him despite otherwise reading people very well. Oops?
• Shin - Tragic Dragon. Akira is, perhaps, at his most gentle, soft and compassionate when interacting with Shin. There is little he wants to do more for Shin than allow him the presence of someone who won't hurt him, and to give him a life that's far less cruel and terrible than his current apparent reality.
STRONGEST TRAIT: Persistence
DARKEST TRAIT: Spite
FORCE PARTNERS: Will (Will as support) and Turmś (Akira as support)
FORCE ABILITY DETAILS:
Hymn of the Sunrise For the next 4 ally comments, grants full heals for the party For the next 6 enemy comments, applies Holy Imperil to enemies (making weak to Holy attacks), debuffs enemies upon attack (sap: hit with less strength & lose health) For the next 8 ally comments, grants better defense for the party Until battle end, grants one full team revival for the party
OTHER ABILITIES:
• Empathy
• Emotion Manipulation
• Heart's Eye
Also jokingly called "Heart Eyes" by Akira, this allows him to see the true nature of a person. Essentially, Akira will see a ghost version of that person, or whatever that person considers to be their true form, next to that person. This ghost will demonstrate the person's overall emotional well-being.
They do not speak, but they can make any other noise, such as screaming, laughing, sobbing, etc. Their appearance matches the emotions and views of themselves which predominantly make up their emotional well being.
For example, a person who is feeling intensely vulnerable may appear to Akira as their nude selves. A person who feels trapped may appear to be in chains. A person who has an intense self-hatred may display methods of self-harm, and so on.
Generally, Akira can only focus this ability on one person at a time, but may be able to view up to two simultaneously if the two are close enough in proximity.
• Heart Mend
The non-violent equivalent of an ultimate attack. Akira can pull a symbolic heart from his person of choice. As he does so, he and that person are both flooded with immense negative feelings, especially those that have had the most significant and persistent roles in that person's existence.
The person in question will feel an extreme amount of vulnerability and a desperation to "get their heart back". The negative feelings intensify quickly, and everything in their body will be screaming to assuage that via retrieval of the heart.
A successful heart mend occurs when Akira has held onto the heart for a long enough time that the negative emotions have faded. For this reason, a strong bond must be had between Akira and the person; self-control and self-discipline of the person in question are irrelevant. They should be able to trust Akira with their life, their darkest secrets, and their truest selves.
This leaves the person with a serene feeling of peace and security. Akira can then return the heart. The person remains in a mild state of euphoria and motivation, feeling much like a "new them" for at least a day and up to a week. They'll find a certain inner peace within them, and their largest inner obstacle will now feel smaller, less intense, and conquerable.
An unsuccessful heart mend occurs when the bond is not strong enough, and the person in question takes the symbolic heart back from Akira before the process is finished. However, much to their dismay, they will discover that doing so does not bring them any relief. Negative emotions will continue to build within them over a day's time until they reach a state of abject apathy and deep depression.
At this point, they have completely lost the desire to continue on. They cannot even muster the will to move— including intake of fluids or solids through the mouth. Their state will degrade over a few days until they either die (in case of mortals) or become permanently comatose (in case of immortals).
SAMPLES: [1] ♥ [2] ♥ [3]
ANYTHING ELSE?
MockMurder Powers (In Progress)
Canon
All canon abilities were given to him by a god at the age of 16.Empathy (
Akira feels all the emotions of people he's nearby in a sphere around him with a radius of roughly twenty feet with him as the center, so about the size of a middle-sized room. For this reason, he not only abhors crowds, but when there are intense emotions going, can barely even handle being within one. At this point, he can better tolerate a crowd of people as long as there aren't too many intense conflicting emotions going on, although it is still an unpleasant experience.
Emotional Manipulation (Active) — Akira can manipulate what other people are feeling. He can choose each individual emotion and increase it in intensity (also described as coaxing or encouraging) or decrease it intensity (dampening or soothing). He can control how quickly the emotion intensifies or weakens. He can only use this ability on one person at a time and must switch targets to work on multiple people.
As a rule, this ability is generally more effective if the person is either a) unaware they're being manipulated or b) letting the manipulation happen, though he can "brute force" his way by intensifying the emotions very rapidly (pushing).
He can manipulate up to three emotions simultaneously, though this is a demanding task and requires him to be completely focused on manipulating. More often, he will focus on one or maybe two emotions at a time, and then switch his focus to another emotion.
Akira has become very practiced in this ability, which allows him to manipulate emotions in a subtle way. In this manner, he will manipulate emotions in a way that makes it seem that they arose naturally within his target. This is the way he will most often influence emotions. Only people who have some supernatural way of detecting this interference or people who are extremely in-tune with their emotions (or otherwise have reason to strongly suspect) are likely to notice.
Heart's Eye (Active) — Also jokingly called "Heart Eyes" by Akira, this allows him to see the true nature of a person. Essentially, Akira will see a ghost version of that person, or whatever that person considers to be their true form, next to that person. This ghost will demonstrate the person's overall emotional well-being.
They do not speak, but they can make any other noise, such as screaming, laughing, sobbing, etc. Their appearance matches the emotions and views of themselves which predominantly make up their emotional well being. For example, a person who is feeling intensely vulnerable may appear to Akira as their nude selves. A person who feels trapped may appear to be in chains. A person who has an intense self-hatred may display methods of self-harm, and so on.
Generally, Akira can only focus this ability on one person at a time, but may be able to view up to two simultaneously if the two are close enough in proximity.
Some particular cases will be seen as follows:
* If a person is in the process of forgetting their memories at a much more rapid pace and more significantly than usual, their form my be seen as sleeping and flickering in and out of existence.
* If a person is possessed, Akira will see two images of that person, one whom is the person's true self and the other which is the possessing being. Accordingly, each will act out their emotions. They may appear to interact, and if one being is winning the struggle for control over another, the other being may appear to flicker. There may be a slight visual difference between the two images' physical appearances, such as different eye colors.
* If a person associates more than one form as their true form, these forms may be seen separately, or it is possible that one image will flicker between the forms.
Mend Heart (Active) — TBD
Non-Canon
Mock Murder Round 1Weather Manipulation (Active) — Akira can manipulate the weather. He has used this ability to call forth stormy clouds on an otherwise sunny day and was able to precisely control the location of a lightning strike. The limits of his ability are currently unknown.
Gift from Amdusias
Toxin Resistance (Passive) — Akira is immune to a moderate level of toxicity. While higher than an average person's, prolonged exposure or extremely potent toxins can still adversely affect him and be lethal.
Gift from Amdusias
Healing (Active) — Moderate injuries, such as lacerations in non-vital areas that aren't extremely deep, hairline fractures, etc. can be healed by Akira. Anything more damaging can only be partially healed.
Blessing from Mother Gaia
Blending (Active) — If Akira is in contact with a rocky or earthy surface, whether through his clothing or with his bare skin, he can take on the appearance of that surface. If the surface is rocky, his defense is also heightened.
MM R1: Mending Nick's Heart
Nick/"Lucas"
Akira
well
he might mosey off before Akira can chase
sooo...
... he could just appear in Akira's room n e g l
just. sitting on the bed
LMAO
lucas......................
don't do the creepy super-villain thing. just knock on the door like a normal person
nah
smh
Santa doesn't knock, remember~~
then
first thing akira would do
is come over and hug him
wtf
Lucas would legit jolt
completely rigid, instantly not breathing right, asking what in the hell he's doing
didn't he just say earlier that day that he never wants to hurt him?
... there's some frustration, anger, determination, and... well. still the feelings that come from love
He will remind him that he's hurt him.
to be fair. he did kind of place himself right in front of his knives.
Heh... He means before that. He's been on Shea's team since the beginning, you idiot.
... /giving him a squeeze/ There's more to it than that.
You think so? I signed a contract with her - willing, knowing that the game would be a game of death.
I do think so. I don't know who you were, Lucas. I can't claim to know who you were. And maybe I don't even really know you now.
/he pulls back, looking into his eyes/ That doesn't make anything that happened here less real.
/ah... there's a flicker of fear now as he stares hard at Akira.../ ... I know. And I know you know my feelings are real.
/he gives a dim, wry smirk, looking away/ You're- the person I trust the most. The only person I've ever trusted this much.
/his hand comes up, brushing his jaw to guide his gaze back to Akira/ So talk to me. Please...
/there's a quiet sound/ .... I just want it to not hurt anymore.
/a very gentle press with his fingers/ ... your heart?
/his breath is released a bit unsteadily before he finally looks at Akira. the fucking tears are starting to escape now and suddenly Akira will blink and they're gone? .... but about two seconds later, he will blink again... and they're back, and Lucas is releasing a frustrated sound/
... Yes.
/his brow furrows a little at the phenomenon happening here...? heh, there's-- a lot of strange things happening, all of a sudden...
/he brings his thumb up and gently brushes the tears away. and then he shifts forward, eyes slipping closed as he presses a soft kiss to the other cheek
/a quiet, strained sound slips from his throat at the kiss. And... then he moves to capture Akira's lips, and there's a hint of desperation in the act...
/he presses back into that kiss and holds it for a moment, then pulls back... he gives a blink.../ There's just... something I want to know.
/there's something tired in his eyes when he opens them again. He holds a blink again, and then nods/ What?
... you know my powers. Is that why... /his expression falters...
/his expression tenses for a moment/ .... At first. I was...
... I was going to steal them from you.
/he lowers his head, jawline tightened. There's a flicker of regret. Fear/ ... I didn't expect... I didn't expect to fall in love. I didn't even know it was still possible for me.
/he blinks at that... he can steal powers? and he wanted to-- oh. oh... akira gives a bit of a sad laugh at that.../ Lucas-- /his expression softens/ ... is... that really your name, by the way?
/his gaze is lowered still/
... No. That was my brother's name.
/there's a slow breath/
I killed him. As punishment, I can never die. I have... to live forever, never growing older. Gaining and losing the powers of other people. Taking their powers away. An... endless...
/one hand curls through his hair. There's a lot of pain and agony here, now...
/a small noise escapes his throat, and his hand comes up to catch his/ Easy... easy. We'll get to it. /his voice is soft and soothing/ What's your real name?
/he lets his hand be caught, the hold instantly loosening on his hair.../ Nicholas.
/he gives a nod/ Nicholas... /he gives a small, sad smile/ Do you really think I'd be the way I am if my power worked like that?
/he frowns/ Like what?
/he shakes his head/ I can't mend my own heart.
... I know. I didn't want it for me. /averting his gaze...
/...?/ ... for... Beira?
/ah... he doesn't look back at him. He's just... quietly staring off to the side still? But, there's a flicker within his emotions. Pain, guilt...
... /his brow pinches/ Beira just wanted you. /his hand tries to gently guide him back again/ She was so relieved and happy when I found the page of her...
/he holds a blink/ ... That was just part of the image. I'm not really a book - the only way to fix her is-...!
/gently teasing:/ Yeah, you're a house. /a slight press again. please look at him?/ ...I might be able to help her too. But you come first.
/he lets out a soft huff at the tease, and then he looks back to Akira. His expression is serious/ I'm... a demon, actually.
/there's a soft blink/ Me first?
You trust me... right? /he gently takes the hand that was in nicholas' hair and kisses the back of it/ More than you've ever trusted anyone?
/his breath very lightly catches, his brow furrowing/ ... Akira.
/it seems to be dawning on him... and there's a knowing look being given to the human. But, after that, he lowers his head, taking a slow breath/ I don't deserve--...
/a pained swallow... there's a small flurry of fear, doubt, uncertainty, but... finally, he does lift his head, tears escaping as he lets out an exhausted laugh and nods/ Yeah... I do.
/he gives a small smile and a nod/ Okay. /he pulls his arms around nicholas and pulls back so they can snuggle together/ Do you know how this works, or do you need me to explain it?
/there's a flicker of uncertainty that resurfaces as their positions shift, but he relaxes against Akira. He closes his eyes/
I don't know, yet, no...
/he lets out a quiet 'heh' - he... said he trusts him and he meant it, so:/
... but you don't have to explain if it's not a requirement.
It's not a requirement, but... you should probably know some things, at least? Just so you know what to expect.
First, you have to really want the change. This ability doesn't just fix a person. Sometimes people have something they can't let go of, no matter what, despite their best efforts... Something that stops them from healing. You know how doctors will lance an infection to let out the build-up? It's like that. It allows for the healing process to start.
You'll feel emotional pain... and intensely vulnerable while it happens. Maybe as vulnerable as you've ever felt... And you'll be subject to temptation, but you can't give into it. That's where the trusting me part comes in.
Once it's done, you'll be out of it for a few days. It's a really stressful process, so your body will need time to recover. My friends have said that they eventually felt a huge slam of relief... and that they had the strength to start facing.. /ah/ their demons. /a small smile/
/he's quiet for a long while... and then he releases a slow breath and nods/ ... Okay.
/he shifts a bit, pressing a kiss to Akira's lips/
I trust you.
/he presses back softly, then presses their foreheads together/
I'm going to soothe you first, okay? I can't... make the process itself any easier, but I can make starting it feel less jarring.
/he holds a blink/ Okay...
/he's already trying to focus on relaxing.
/he smiles, then kisses nicholas' forehead and gently starts instilling calm into him... but, he does it a bit differently from usual. this time, he keeps increasing the amount of calm he's instilling into him until he's practically boneless, almost in a zen state... and then akira places his hand over the demon's heart, letting out a low breath. with one more breath, he slowly pulls the hand away-- and as his hand moves away from the skin, something appears to be appearing from his chest.
/nicholas will definitely start feeling that vulnerability and pain creeping in as the shimmering, translucent heart is removed from him. akira's expresson tenses; the heart is... it's cracked in so many places, missing pieces, chunks even...
/and the moment nicholas sees it, he'll want it back. akira wasn't kidding about the temptation-- the vulnerability is overwhelming, almost to a point of inducing panic...
/meanwhile, akira's expression tenses and he flinches hard. his own breathing is picking up as tears suddenly start pouring from his eyes. the one arm that's still around nicholas clutches at him tightly, until he shakily, forcibly removes it and brings it back to gently cradle the heart close to his chest...
/he can't quite stop a sob from slipping out of him...
/he's literally never felt so calm before... He can't help slumping against Akira, his eyes closed. It's an... amazing feeling, up until it isn't.
/when his eyes finally do open to see the heart, he very definitely wants it back. He wants it so badly, it hurts. He's endured a lot of things... but this? After everything? It has him tensing, going rigid, in fact. The sound from his throat is unlike one he's made in... so long, heh. The tears start to escape as he bites down on his hand, fighting it back.
I c-- /no, he can... he can.../ Shit...
/he might be just... trying to curl into a ball now...
/so this is nicholas' pain...
/heh, well it's more like-- a ton of his pain all slamming into him all at once... shit, it's hard to think straight at all like this... h-heh, guess it's a good thing he had practice with kurama...
/there's a few more sobs escaping him, and then a gasping as he fights to push through the pain-- even if it's just for a moment...
/deep breath, in, out. in, out. he's practically a veteran at this by now. he has this...
It's-- it's okay. /he removes one hand from the heart to wrap it back around the demon, pulling him to his side as another sob escapes him, before he swallows hard and forces out/ You're safe...
/he turns his face and presses a kiss to his temple, even though his breath is shaking and the tears won't stop
/there's a pause of trembling, crying, curling up... but he does slowly move to straighten out enough to pull Akira closer. He focuses as hard as he can on those words. As hard as he can on the love. He focuses so hard, he winds up:/
I love you... I love you and I'm sorry.... I'm so sorry...
/he doesn't even seem to notice the words from his mouth...
/akira presses back into him, nuzzling into him with a slight whimper... before he gives him another kiss
It's okay... shhh...
/okay... okay... fuck.. he can weather this. he-- shit... he wants to help guide nicholas through this but it's hard enough just to get the couple words out...
/just... bear with him a little longer...
/eventually, between sobs, he's going to start kissing Akira's face. Then, quietly, he's whispering:/
Thank you...
/before more sobs slip out.
/o-oh-- that actually helps to ground akira, heh... his breathing is finally starting to-- not exactly steady itself but it's definitely becoming more controlled
/wordlessly, he kisses nicholas' face back, even as the tears keep flowing, and his hand comes up to comb through the red locks...
/he's finally stabilized enough that he can murmur to the demon
You're doing wonderful... Just keep letting it out.
/those words have a gasp-like sound coming out. A quiet whimper escapes before he buries his face into Akira's shoulder, arms tightly winding around him, pulling him closer.
/and... he does. He keeps letting it out, wave after wave of sobs...
/akira gently shifts so his hand is holding his heart off to the side, and nuzzles quietly into nicholas' hair. they'll probably be there for awhile-- but isn't time fucked up anyway? heh...
/but no matter how long it takes, akira never once gives any indication of getting impatient or frustrated. and at some point, that pain eventually will start to subside for them both... the vulnerability and desperate need to take the heart back becomes less and less... until they finally leave completely, instead leaving the demon with a sense of security, and... perhaps, for the first time in a very long time?
/a sense of peace...
/it's when they're both finally quiet, akira speaks to him softly:
Hey, Nicholas?
/he's drained, by the time he hears his name... Slowly, he lifts his head, looking at Akira with a genuinely peaceful expression - albeit... a very tired one/
Yeah?
/he moves forward, eyes sliding closed as he presses their lips together... and holds it for awhile... and then he just barely parts it, and whispers against them:
I love you, too.
/he leans into the kiss with a swell of eagerness and relief. Those words have a swell of happiness tugging at him - something unfamiliar, to him, but... A tiny laugh slips out, another tear sliding down his cheek before he steals another kiss.
/he hums happily, pressing back into the kiss... and he'll even gently open his mouth against lucas' lips in a quiet request to deepen the kiss
/his breath catches considerably, but he parts his own lips, somewhat... clumsily letting it deepen....
/he gently introduces his tongue, heart beating faster as he does so... his own movements are a little clumsy, himself, but curious, eager, and most of all, tender and patient
/a quiet sound slips out into the kiss, one hand lifting so he can thread his fingers through Akira's hair. He gradually eases into a slightly faster pace for the kiss, but the clumsiness remains for now.
/it's as he's kissing him that he brings up the heart, and gently pushes it back into nick's chest. it might cause a fluttery feeling or a brief spike of vulnerability, but only for a moment. akira continues kissing him throughout it, so hopefully that'll be enough of a distraction from the momentary unpleasantness
/there's a sharp inhale at the increase in vulnerability, but the kiss is a wonderful distraction. He pulls Akira a little closer, in fact.
/after a moment, he gently breaks the kiss, and presses another to the corner of his mouth, murmuring/ It's done now... you did wonderful.
/he slowly combs the fingers of both hands through Akira's hair/
You did, too...
/he gives a happy hum at that, letting their foreheads rest together/ You'll probably start feeling sleepy, soon... /he kisses his forehead, then holds a blink.../ Tomorrow's the trial...
... Yeah. /he ducking his head, gently burying his face into Akira's neck, pulling him closer.../ The final trial.
/he inhales, then lets out a breath and snuggles into nick/ ... we've been here for several weeks, but... /he sounds tired/ I'm still at a loss for how to deal with Jennifer and Shea.
/he nods/ Be careful... is all I can say.
/his brow tenses, and then he kisses nick's neck/ I won't stop fighting until you're free, Nick.
/he closes his eyes and nods/ Thank you...
/his hand strokes through his hair/ Rest now... we have a long day ahead of us.
/he pauses to kiss Akira's face several times/ Yeah. You, too...
/there's a soft, if tired chuckle.../ Someone I need to talk to, first. /he kisses his forehead.../ I'll be back, okay?
/he lets out a quiet sound, but... gives a small nod/ Okay... I'll wait up...
/he shakes his head gently/ If you're tired, sleep. /he touches his face gently for a moment before pulling away, smiling softly before leaving...
/he will steal one more kiss to his lips, first... and then smile faintly before nodding.
Akira
well
he might mosey off before Akira can chase
sooo...
... he could just appear in Akira's room n e g l
just. sitting on the bed
LMAO
lucas......................
don't do the creepy super-villain thing. just knock on the door like a normal person
nah
smh
Santa doesn't knock, remember~~
then
first thing akira would do
is come over and hug him
wtf
Lucas would legit jolt
completely rigid, instantly not breathing right, asking what in the hell he's doing
didn't he just say earlier that day that he never wants to hurt him?
... there's some frustration, anger, determination, and... well. still the feelings that come from love
He will remind him that he's hurt him.
to be fair. he did kind of place himself right in front of his knives.
Heh... He means before that. He's been on Shea's team since the beginning, you idiot.
... /giving him a squeeze/ There's more to it than that.
You think so? I signed a contract with her - willing, knowing that the game would be a game of death.
I do think so. I don't know who you were, Lucas. I can't claim to know who you were. And maybe I don't even really know you now.
/he pulls back, looking into his eyes/ That doesn't make anything that happened here less real.
/ah... there's a flicker of fear now as he stares hard at Akira.../ ... I know. And I know you know my feelings are real.
/he gives a dim, wry smirk, looking away/ You're- the person I trust the most. The only person I've ever trusted this much.
/his hand comes up, brushing his jaw to guide his gaze back to Akira/ So talk to me. Please...
/there's a quiet sound/ .... I just want it to not hurt anymore.
/a very gentle press with his fingers/ ... your heart?
/his breath is released a bit unsteadily before he finally looks at Akira. the fucking tears are starting to escape now and suddenly Akira will blink and they're gone? .... but about two seconds later, he will blink again... and they're back, and Lucas is releasing a frustrated sound/
... Yes.
/his brow furrows a little at the phenomenon happening here...? heh, there's-- a lot of strange things happening, all of a sudden...
/he brings his thumb up and gently brushes the tears away. and then he shifts forward, eyes slipping closed as he presses a soft kiss to the other cheek
/a quiet, strained sound slips from his throat at the kiss. And... then he moves to capture Akira's lips, and there's a hint of desperation in the act...
/he presses back into that kiss and holds it for a moment, then pulls back... he gives a blink.../ There's just... something I want to know.
/there's something tired in his eyes when he opens them again. He holds a blink again, and then nods/ What?
... you know my powers. Is that why... /his expression falters...
/his expression tenses for a moment/ .... At first. I was...
... I was going to steal them from you.
/he lowers his head, jawline tightened. There's a flicker of regret. Fear/ ... I didn't expect... I didn't expect to fall in love. I didn't even know it was still possible for me.
/he blinks at that... he can steal powers? and he wanted to-- oh. oh... akira gives a bit of a sad laugh at that.../ Lucas-- /his expression softens/ ... is... that really your name, by the way?
/his gaze is lowered still/
... No. That was my brother's name.
/there's a slow breath/
I killed him. As punishment, I can never die. I have... to live forever, never growing older. Gaining and losing the powers of other people. Taking their powers away. An... endless...
/one hand curls through his hair. There's a lot of pain and agony here, now...
/a small noise escapes his throat, and his hand comes up to catch his/ Easy... easy. We'll get to it. /his voice is soft and soothing/ What's your real name?
/he lets his hand be caught, the hold instantly loosening on his hair.../ Nicholas.
/he gives a nod/ Nicholas... /he gives a small, sad smile/ Do you really think I'd be the way I am if my power worked like that?
/he frowns/ Like what?
/he shakes his head/ I can't mend my own heart.
... I know. I didn't want it for me. /averting his gaze...
/...?/ ... for... Beira?
/ah... he doesn't look back at him. He's just... quietly staring off to the side still? But, there's a flicker within his emotions. Pain, guilt...
... /his brow pinches/ Beira just wanted you. /his hand tries to gently guide him back again/ She was so relieved and happy when I found the page of her...
/he holds a blink/ ... That was just part of the image. I'm not really a book - the only way to fix her is-...!
/gently teasing:/ Yeah, you're a house. /a slight press again. please look at him?/ ...I might be able to help her too. But you come first.
/he lets out a soft huff at the tease, and then he looks back to Akira. His expression is serious/ I'm... a demon, actually.
/there's a soft blink/ Me first?
You trust me... right? /he gently takes the hand that was in nicholas' hair and kisses the back of it/ More than you've ever trusted anyone?
/his breath very lightly catches, his brow furrowing/ ... Akira.
/it seems to be dawning on him... and there's a knowing look being given to the human. But, after that, he lowers his head, taking a slow breath/ I don't deserve--...
/a pained swallow... there's a small flurry of fear, doubt, uncertainty, but... finally, he does lift his head, tears escaping as he lets out an exhausted laugh and nods/ Yeah... I do.
/he gives a small smile and a nod/ Okay. /he pulls his arms around nicholas and pulls back so they can snuggle together/ Do you know how this works, or do you need me to explain it?
/there's a flicker of uncertainty that resurfaces as their positions shift, but he relaxes against Akira. He closes his eyes/
I don't know, yet, no...
/he lets out a quiet 'heh' - he... said he trusts him and he meant it, so:/
... but you don't have to explain if it's not a requirement.
It's not a requirement, but... you should probably know some things, at least? Just so you know what to expect.
First, you have to really want the change. This ability doesn't just fix a person. Sometimes people have something they can't let go of, no matter what, despite their best efforts... Something that stops them from healing. You know how doctors will lance an infection to let out the build-up? It's like that. It allows for the healing process to start.
You'll feel emotional pain... and intensely vulnerable while it happens. Maybe as vulnerable as you've ever felt... And you'll be subject to temptation, but you can't give into it. That's where the trusting me part comes in.
Once it's done, you'll be out of it for a few days. It's a really stressful process, so your body will need time to recover. My friends have said that they eventually felt a huge slam of relief... and that they had the strength to start facing.. /ah/ their demons. /a small smile/
/he's quiet for a long while... and then he releases a slow breath and nods/ ... Okay.
/he shifts a bit, pressing a kiss to Akira's lips/
I trust you.
/he presses back softly, then presses their foreheads together/
I'm going to soothe you first, okay? I can't... make the process itself any easier, but I can make starting it feel less jarring.
/he holds a blink/ Okay...
/he's already trying to focus on relaxing.
/he smiles, then kisses nicholas' forehead and gently starts instilling calm into him... but, he does it a bit differently from usual. this time, he keeps increasing the amount of calm he's instilling into him until he's practically boneless, almost in a zen state... and then akira places his hand over the demon's heart, letting out a low breath. with one more breath, he slowly pulls the hand away-- and as his hand moves away from the skin, something appears to be appearing from his chest.
/nicholas will definitely start feeling that vulnerability and pain creeping in as the shimmering, translucent heart is removed from him. akira's expresson tenses; the heart is... it's cracked in so many places, missing pieces, chunks even...
/and the moment nicholas sees it, he'll want it back. akira wasn't kidding about the temptation-- the vulnerability is overwhelming, almost to a point of inducing panic...
/meanwhile, akira's expression tenses and he flinches hard. his own breathing is picking up as tears suddenly start pouring from his eyes. the one arm that's still around nicholas clutches at him tightly, until he shakily, forcibly removes it and brings it back to gently cradle the heart close to his chest...
/he can't quite stop a sob from slipping out of him...
/he's literally never felt so calm before... He can't help slumping against Akira, his eyes closed. It's an... amazing feeling, up until it isn't.
/when his eyes finally do open to see the heart, he very definitely wants it back. He wants it so badly, it hurts. He's endured a lot of things... but this? After everything? It has him tensing, going rigid, in fact. The sound from his throat is unlike one he's made in... so long, heh. The tears start to escape as he bites down on his hand, fighting it back.
I c-- /no, he can... he can.../ Shit...
/he might be just... trying to curl into a ball now...
/so this is nicholas' pain...
/heh, well it's more like-- a ton of his pain all slamming into him all at once... shit, it's hard to think straight at all like this... h-heh, guess it's a good thing he had practice with kurama...
/there's a few more sobs escaping him, and then a gasping as he fights to push through the pain-- even if it's just for a moment...
/deep breath, in, out. in, out. he's practically a veteran at this by now. he has this...
It's-- it's okay. /he removes one hand from the heart to wrap it back around the demon, pulling him to his side as another sob escapes him, before he swallows hard and forces out/ You're safe...
/he turns his face and presses a kiss to his temple, even though his breath is shaking and the tears won't stop
/there's a pause of trembling, crying, curling up... but he does slowly move to straighten out enough to pull Akira closer. He focuses as hard as he can on those words. As hard as he can on the love. He focuses so hard, he winds up:/
I love you... I love you and I'm sorry.... I'm so sorry...
/he doesn't even seem to notice the words from his mouth...
/akira presses back into him, nuzzling into him with a slight whimper... before he gives him another kiss
It's okay... shhh...
/okay... okay... fuck.. he can weather this. he-- shit... he wants to help guide nicholas through this but it's hard enough just to get the couple words out...
/just... bear with him a little longer...
/eventually, between sobs, he's going to start kissing Akira's face. Then, quietly, he's whispering:/
Thank you...
/before more sobs slip out.
/o-oh-- that actually helps to ground akira, heh... his breathing is finally starting to-- not exactly steady itself but it's definitely becoming more controlled
/wordlessly, he kisses nicholas' face back, even as the tears keep flowing, and his hand comes up to comb through the red locks...
/he's finally stabilized enough that he can murmur to the demon
You're doing wonderful... Just keep letting it out.
/those words have a gasp-like sound coming out. A quiet whimper escapes before he buries his face into Akira's shoulder, arms tightly winding around him, pulling him closer.
/and... he does. He keeps letting it out, wave after wave of sobs...
/akira gently shifts so his hand is holding his heart off to the side, and nuzzles quietly into nicholas' hair. they'll probably be there for awhile-- but isn't time fucked up anyway? heh...
/but no matter how long it takes, akira never once gives any indication of getting impatient or frustrated. and at some point, that pain eventually will start to subside for them both... the vulnerability and desperate need to take the heart back becomes less and less... until they finally leave completely, instead leaving the demon with a sense of security, and... perhaps, for the first time in a very long time?
/a sense of peace...
/it's when they're both finally quiet, akira speaks to him softly:
Hey, Nicholas?
/he's drained, by the time he hears his name... Slowly, he lifts his head, looking at Akira with a genuinely peaceful expression - albeit... a very tired one/
Yeah?
/he moves forward, eyes sliding closed as he presses their lips together... and holds it for awhile... and then he just barely parts it, and whispers against them:
I love you, too.
/he leans into the kiss with a swell of eagerness and relief. Those words have a swell of happiness tugging at him - something unfamiliar, to him, but... A tiny laugh slips out, another tear sliding down his cheek before he steals another kiss.
/he hums happily, pressing back into the kiss... and he'll even gently open his mouth against lucas' lips in a quiet request to deepen the kiss
/his breath catches considerably, but he parts his own lips, somewhat... clumsily letting it deepen....
/he gently introduces his tongue, heart beating faster as he does so... his own movements are a little clumsy, himself, but curious, eager, and most of all, tender and patient
/a quiet sound slips out into the kiss, one hand lifting so he can thread his fingers through Akira's hair. He gradually eases into a slightly faster pace for the kiss, but the clumsiness remains for now.
/it's as he's kissing him that he brings up the heart, and gently pushes it back into nick's chest. it might cause a fluttery feeling or a brief spike of vulnerability, but only for a moment. akira continues kissing him throughout it, so hopefully that'll be enough of a distraction from the momentary unpleasantness
/there's a sharp inhale at the increase in vulnerability, but the kiss is a wonderful distraction. He pulls Akira a little closer, in fact.
/after a moment, he gently breaks the kiss, and presses another to the corner of his mouth, murmuring/ It's done now... you did wonderful.
/he slowly combs the fingers of both hands through Akira's hair/
You did, too...
/he gives a happy hum at that, letting their foreheads rest together/ You'll probably start feeling sleepy, soon... /he kisses his forehead, then holds a blink.../ Tomorrow's the trial...
... Yeah. /he ducking his head, gently burying his face into Akira's neck, pulling him closer.../ The final trial.
/he inhales, then lets out a breath and snuggles into nick/ ... we've been here for several weeks, but... /he sounds tired/ I'm still at a loss for how to deal with Jennifer and Shea.
/he nods/ Be careful... is all I can say.
/his brow tenses, and then he kisses nick's neck/ I won't stop fighting until you're free, Nick.
/he closes his eyes and nods/ Thank you...
/his hand strokes through his hair/ Rest now... we have a long day ahead of us.
/he pauses to kiss Akira's face several times/ Yeah. You, too...
/there's a soft, if tired chuckle.../ Someone I need to talk to, first. /he kisses his forehead.../ I'll be back, okay?
/he lets out a quiet sound, but... gives a small nod/ Okay... I'll wait up...
/he shakes his head gently/ If you're tired, sleep. /he touches his face gently for a moment before pulling away, smiling softly before leaving...
/he will steal one more kiss to his lips, first... and then smile faintly before nodding.