|
Post by The First Inhabitant on Dec 15, 2012 23:27:06 GMT -6
TheInhabitants waited ever so patiently for the unconscious nations to stir. They were almost identical in shape, voice and form, so it would be impossible for the nations to distinguish them apart. That wasn't of importance though. The least thing the countries could be worrying about right now was whether they were in the presence of the First or the Second Inhabitant. Eventually, they grew impatient and with a wave of a skeletal hand, the so called immortals were plucked from the depths of unconsciousness. At this time, the Inhabitant slowly waited a few moments for the confusion to set in. The Inhabitants had in fact gone out and knocked the nations out before bringing them to this room, which they nicknamed 'The Gallows' for this very occasion. It was a plain, broadly sized space with no windows, furniture, or any source of weaponry. No, the nations were dragged in as they had been previously, meaning the only thing they had for combat was what they had on hand. Unfortunate for some, but incredibly in favour for others. Though, weapons wouldn't be the deciding factor in these games. “Awaken,” the Inhabitant boomed as the nations were sluggish to stir. It probably didn't help that they were bound by twine and had ragged gags stuffed in their mouths. The Inhabitant could detect the struggle, the possible panic that ailed them before the Death Reaper was certain that it had the nation's attention. The darkness hid the Dead Man from sight, but it's hollow, icy presence was enough to guide the country's eyes and ears in its general direction. “Congratulations...” the Inhabitant began, its voice chilled with venom, malice and the slightest touch of childish amusement. “You have been chosen to partake in a little game. Now I beseech you to listen well because I will not repeat myself nor will I answer questions,” explained the levitating skeleton. It did not wait for any signs of response, because it was more than aware of the gag that stopped the nations from human speech. “It is noteworthy that you have survived this long, but it is likely that your luck will end here. Again, you will participate in a delightful matchup of ours. The rules are simple, little nation. You must either kill, or be killed.” The Inhabitant paused simply for dramatic effect. On the other side of the room, the other nation would be receiving the same speech from the other Reaper. “There is a catch though. You will not be facing a monster...” the skeleton said softly, its face pulling into a hidden sneer. With a snap of its bony fingers, the rope that held the nations in check disappeared, as did the gag. “...You will be fighting another nation.”The words hung in the air as the Manor's Servant watched the individual move. It grinned wickedly, eager to continue pressing the grave news down the nation's throat. “There's more. Someone must die here. It is not negotiable. If you refuse to kill the other and they mirror your choice... well, look downward.”Below their feet, what seemed like solid floor was in fact a mere wire grating. Base the iron mesh were eyes. Yellow, red, white, but they all shared something in common. Hunger, thirst, desire. A low moaning sounded on cue from one of the vile creatures while another clawed anxiously at the grates that held it in check. The Inhabitant wasn't sure, but it swore it could feel a touch of anxiety from the 'immortal' that stood before it. The Inhabitant let the nation have a moment to process what it was implying before it finally continued, ignoring if it had actually said anything. “In case I was not clear, if neither of you will fight, you will be torn apart by these beasts. Don't think you can survive them either; there are more savage creatures below than you could possibly count, even in your extended lifetime. So I will emphasize one last time, kill or be killed. Good luck, Finland/Sealand.” And with those parting words, both Inhabitants disappeared into the air as the light above flickered onto full power. Light blasted the darkness from every inch of the room, save for the cages below that grumbled and growled in response to the stimulus. Brown, stained wood-panels covered all four walls while the ceiling held what looked like a crystal chandelier that dangled a good 15 feet from the floor. Below, the creatures could be seen churned about as they stalked the shadows that the nations created. And now, let the games begin. ___________________________ (In case this was not clear, each nation received the exact same speech [there are two inhabitants]. Someone must die in this game; this is not an option. The posting order is Finland ---> Sealand. You have 2[/u] weeks to make the starting post or we will assume you have no intentions of fighting, hence you will be killed off. This is to ensure people will not feign inactivity in order to not complete this event. After the first post, we expect you to post at least every two weeks UNLESS your posting partner will agree to wait longer. Good luck)
|
|
Untouchable
Offline.
Your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it and you'll ask yourself: Where is my mind?
|
Post by Finland (x) on Dec 16, 2012 19:51:20 GMT -6
“Awaken.”
A slow groan filled Tino's chest as his mind was jarred from the unconscious. Finland's first impulse was to gag. Something was in his and and throat. He began to cough and choke, fitfully snapping alert as he tried to rip an arm forward to tear the thing from his jaws, but his limbs were bound behind his back. The thing in his mouth was dusty, grimy and it made him wheeze as the dust trickled down his throat, ensuing another episode of muffled coughing. He was... he had been gagged! He was choking! Tino could feel his eyes water as his body failed to purge what was ailing it. He inhaled raggedly through his nose, feeling the moisture nearly pour over onto his cheeks. He needed to calm down and try to endure this horrible and awkward cloth stuffed in his mouth.
“Congratulations...” The voice that had stirred Tino from his unknown slumber addressed him once more. He glanced up, but he could barely make anything out in this light. It wasn't absolute darkness, but at the same time, there was no real light source to aid Tino's eyes in guiding him. However, besides his sense of vision, he could not only hear the voice from his flank, but he could also feel a cold presence that numbed the face of his skin. The absence of heat to his right didn't only leave his side cold, but it also sank down into his bones. Something here was fundamentally wrong. This was bad. Really really bad. Trying to squirm against the restraints that held him in check, Tino was soon spoke to once more.
“You have been chosen to partake in a little game. Now I beseech you to listen well because I will not repeat myself nor will I answer questions.” Tino bit into the disgusting gag, straining his eyes to try and glare up whoever was talking to him. Tino knew not the name of the interrogator, or whatever they wanted aside from this game thing. Tino wanted no part in it though. He had had enough of the Manor's stupid little events. He had managed to survive the other things that they had claimed were games as well. Like fighting Sve, though this smelled fundamentally different. This wasn't a doppelganger trick like before. Back in the Ballroom, Tino hadn't had any warning. No, he awoke in a similar manner of not having remembered falling unconscious, but at that time, he had had no warning or explanation. Sve had come in and attacked him almost wordlessly. This was different. Someone was talking to him and assigning him rules. Just who was this person? Was it the spirit of the house? Or something different? Tino would have objected, but he began to choke when he tried to speak. Served him right, as he had been told not to interject.
“It is noteworthy that you have survived this long, but it is likely that your luck will end here. Again, you will participate in a delightful match-up of ours. The rules are simple, little nation. You must either kill, or be killed.” That wasn't anything knew. Tino had been pitted against monster after monster after, surprise, monster. Time and time again, Tino had run some close calls with Death itself as he struggled to stay alive in this hellhole. There was the encounter with the Icelandic spirit from way back, but it seemed like so long ago that he couldn't even remember any of the details. Then there was the Well of death, or whatever it was titled. That had pulled Tino through hell, and to top that, he had to face a possessed Berwald in a one on one match. Tino felt the shiver creep up his spine. Each thing that happened to him progressively got worse. What would happen this time? If what he thought was true... then what could possibly be in store for him? What exactly did this game entail? It had to be worse than simply killing a monster, less the next one was worse than all the ones he had previously encountered.
“There is a catch though. You will not be facing a monster...” the voice trailed off and Tino felt his stomach sink. N-not a monster? What? What else could there be? Memories? Would Tino be put back in a war? What else... What could they be planning? Tino struggled once more before a simple snap filled the silent air and Tino almost burst apart as his limbs were freed. He inhaled rapidly, as the gag has disintegrated into nothing. It still left the ashy taste of grim on his tongue and caused him to hack dirt particles from the confines of his lungs as he wheezed for oxygen. He didn't have time to properly regroup though. The voice spoke again and halted Tino's choking breath in his throat.
“...You will be fighting another nation.”
Tino froze. He didn't breathe. He didn't blink. The only thing that didn't halt was his heartbeat, which was hammering in his ears. A-Another... nation? What? NO! He couldn't kill another country! He had no need to! There was no way he could run through one of his fellow friends. He had good relations with almost every nation, even Ivan! It wasn't like he couldn't simply turn on all of that now! Tino blood began to turn to ice in his veins. He... he couldn't do it. N....no...
“There's more...” More? How could there be more? “Someone must die here. It is not negotiable. If you refuse to kill the other and they mirror your choice... well, look downward.”
Tino could help but shake as his violet orbs shifted down. Honestly, he wished he hadn't looked. Creatures. Mass amounts of creatures who had eyes that glared right back up into Tino's. The Fin paled visibly, even in this light. Not only could he see eyes, but he also saw teeth, mouths, and saliva dripping from the tongues of many monsters. They were here to kill. Kill... if the natons didn't kill. Someone... must die. So... it came to that... Tino tried not to tremble as he looked back to the individual that was giving him instructions. Again, the Finnish nation couldn't make out any details, but he knew that the thing was probably all too happy to orchestrate such a horrible 'game'. Tino needed to think. He needed time to process what he had to do.
Killing wasn't a foreign concept to Tino, nor was it to any other country. They all had their own wars and conflicts that needed to be resolved. And Tino knew all to well that almost every nation served on the front line. The Fin clenched his teeth, feeling the sweat slither down his face. So that was how the Manor would play... it knew that the nations were battle ready and it knew that they could kill. Swallowing dryly, Tino reached into his shirt, pulling out a throwing knife. As much as it hurt Tino, he couldn't die here. He wouldn't. He vowed to go home, to get out with his family. If the Manor thought it could kill the via using another, it was misguided. Tino was the embodiment of Finland, and his determination and Sisu would pull him through this. Alive.
“In case I was not clear, if neither of you will fight, you will be torn apart by these beasts. Don't think you can survive them either; there are more savage creatures below than you could possibly count, even in your extended lifetime. So I will emphasize one last time, kill or be killed. Good luck, Finland.”
Tino stood, brushing himself off before glaring in the direction of the voice. Of course the message was clear. Crystal in fact... Like said before, it was 'kill or be killed'. Tino tightened his grip on his knife, directing his vision to what seemed like the centre of the room. He had... to kill. Tino took in a breath, held it for a few seconds, before expelling it through his nose. He had to block out his emotions. He knew... he knew what he had to do. Swallowing the little spit that remained in his dry mouth, Tino focused his mind. He couldn't let compassion win this time. Again, he had to go home. Tino knew how to look a soldier in the eye. He looked through a sniper's scope too many times. He watched the faces of Russian soldiers as he personally saw them to their graves. Bringing those memories to the forefront of his mind, Tino cooled his anxiety. 'Breathe Tino, breathe. You know what you have to do. Just finish it quickly from a distance.' [/color] The Fin spun the knife on his finger, sighing one last time before he reopened his eyes. Cold violet eyes. Those.. of a killer. The lights flickered on before those violet eyes widened and Tino's heart damn near stopped. The Finnish man's face lost all colour as his vision tunnelled. Aside from the creatures below, there was not a sound uttered in the room. A pin drop could be heard. In fact, the knife that Tino had been handling clanked noisily on the metal floor as Tino's heart, much like his resolve to kill, split into a thousand pieces. “P-Peter...”[/blockquote][/size]
|
|
|
Post by sea on Dec 17, 2012 18:42:02 GMT -6
[style=border: 3px solid #0097BD; height:100px; background:#0097BD;] »-- SEALAND --«
»» and i'll try to sleep «« »» to keep you in my dreams «« »» until I can bring you home with me «« »» i'll try to sleep «« [/blockquote] »» It was a single word that radiated in the room around him that broke him from the unconsciousness that had settled upon his body quite some time ago, one he had not been able to make out, but that was absolutely not the thing or care on his mind when he came to slightly. When the first inhalation he tried upon sluggishly waking ended in failure, it almost completely shook him from the heaviness that had taken over his body and limbs, he tried to let out a cry, to cough, something to release air from his mouth, but the actions proved to only muffle his attempts, the gag in his mouth causing him to choke, something that only increased his futile efforts, hands trying to reach up to feel what actually was there, but unable to actually move from their position behind his back. He could feel tears streaming down his face as he struggled with the binds that would not release, trying to keep himself from suffocating by breathing rapidly through his nose, withering around on the floor as he did such. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “Congratulations...” The voice that had previously woken him spoke coolly once again, startling him, as the young micronation had absolutely forgotten he was not alone with his desperate attempts to free himself. " Help me, oh please help me, I need out of this right now!" His desperate thoughts were begging to be spoken, but not a single word actually escaped from him, not a sound to be broken except for the faint noises made by his struggling. " I need these off, please, I'll do anything, don't just stand there!" In his mind all he saw the speaker as was his savour, someone to free him from the dreadful things that bound him and rendered him immobile, something he absolutely despised and feared irrationally. It was painfully obvious that he had yet to register anything that had been said to you, for the congratulatory word should have made him confused and more willing to listen, instead of the struggling mess he was. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He could feel the never ending stream of tears continuing to trail down his face, as the speaker above him continued on, and it was only halfway into the sentence that he finally began to pay attention, breathing laboriously through his nose as he did such. "Now I beseech you to listen well because I will not repeat myself nor will I answer questions,” Any struggling he had been doing was ceased completely at that, falling absolutely still, only sound he could hear when it drew silent being that of his own frantic breathing, and his heartbeat which pounded in his ears, a result of the terror he felt at being bound up and unable to breathe easily. “It is noteworthy that you have survived this long, but it is likely that your luck will end here. Again, you will participate in a delightful matchup of ours. The rules are simple, little nation. You must either kill, or be killed.”[/blockquote][/div][/size] »» There was a pause, a real pause after its words, whatever was speaking to him seeming to decide to give him time to take it in, and take it in was just what he did. "No, no no please don't make me kill, I don't want to kill or get killed, neither sounds good! Please mister, just let me go and stop teasing me!" His sea green eyes darted around the dark area, and he felt frustrated when he could not find who was giving him these so-called instructions. He would have let out a cry of frustration if he could have; instead just gagging slightly on the cloth that prevented him from speaking or breathing. “There is a catch though. You will not be facing a monster...” Oh what a relief that was to Peter; it was a great one to him. He hated monsters with a passion, and the ones in the manor that he had seen had left him petrified, and with an even higher amount of fear for the evil things. “...You will be fighting another nation.”[/blockquote][/div][/size] »» It was just like that, and he was free, arms that were previously tense against the binds going limp before scrabbling for his mouth, where he coughed roughly as air tinted with things he could not name rushed into his mouth and into his lungs, a much deeper, better way for him to breathe than just with his nose. He lay practically panting, as his thoughts spun, mouth moving rapidly as he tried to form words, to speak the great dismay he felt at that, but nothing came out. " You can't just do this, I won't do it, I'm getting out of here and you cannot do anything about it, and I will tell on you!" He yelled at the being in his mind, being the next best thing to voicing his thoughts out loud, and he would have gotten up and left right then and there if it were not for the fact he felt too drained to do so. He was going to get someone to punish this mean man for tying him up and lying! [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “There's more. Someone must die here. It is not negotiable. If you refuse to kill the other and they mirror your choice... well, look downward.” He swore his breathing stopped for a moment when the words reached his ears, not looking down right away as he processed what was said, that someone had to die. He was going to die, he just knew it, there was no way he could face another like himself, and beat them. He wouldn't even be able to look them in the eye and attempt harm; for even if he launched threats at others when he was angered, or in play, he could never actually do it himself. And with nothing to lose, he allowed himself to shift, bringing his gaze down through what he had believed to be a floor, but was revealed to be wire grating. He was not a huge fan of grates, or mesh in particular, but his mind was not focused on the thing that should have set him off first, but rather what lied deep below, yet within eyesight. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» All he could make out was eyes, different shades of red and orange littered the space below, sparse amounts of white glowing eyes accompanying them. It was clearly obvious that they did not belong to anything human, perhaps an animal, clawing at the sides of the area below, as another let out a low moan, something which startled Peter and he jumped slightly, tearing his eyes away from the grate and section holding the creatures, shuffling away from that certain area a bit, able to hear the beings scurrying around now that he was tuned to the fact they were down there. His chest felt tight with fear and anxiety over everything he was learning about his surroundings, and all he really wanted to do was hide from it all. He was glad he had been released from the dreadful binding and gag, but there was not too much that laid brighter than that, and it seemed to only be growing steadily worse around him. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» A choked sob escaped from his lips as he clenched his hands into the fabric of the faded, worn overalls he wore, feeling absolutely overwhelmed and lost, ignorant to the fact he actually, technically was lost. He squeezed his eyes shut tight, which did nothing to aid in stopping the constant stream of tears that had yet to stop, curling up on his side as the being above him resumed speaking. “In case I was not clear, if neither of you will fight, you will be torn apart by these beasts. Don't think you can survive them either; there are more savage creatures below than you could possibly count, even in your extended lifetime. So I will emphasize one last time, kill or be killed. Good luck, Sealand.” It was the last he would hear from the Inhabitant for a while, something he was not aware of, and despite the fact it had just announced the so-called game was beginning, he did not move, no effort being made to stand. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He would have given up his most prized possessions, any or every game he owned just to be out of there, away from the creatures that sounded hungry, to escape from some of his worst fears that had recently or currently surrounded him. He would be nice for a month, would eat things he hated and do his chores without complaining just to be back home, curled up in his own bed, instead of on the floor made of mesh. Even when the lights flickered on in the room, revealing what lie inside, even with the darkness lessening and the room becoming less haunting, he still wanted out, wanted free, and he was not lying when he would be the best boy ever in turn for it. He hated this place, everything that happened, anything he heard or saw, the constant unhappiness that came with it, and the fact his friends and family were either no where to be seen, or hurt. It upset him to see those he came across so dead on their feet, but he knew there was not all that much he could do to help it. Words only lasted temporarily, and even if he tried to lessen the sadness and dreadful atmosphere the place created, it always lashed back, rejecting his efforts later on. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» I hate this place, I hate it so much. Make it go away, I don't want to be here anymore." He internally screamed, muffled sob breaking into his arms, which he had thrown across his face as he drew his knees to his chest, letting his emotions overwhelm him. He knew it was such a stupid thing to do, especially after all he had been told, but he just could bring himself to stare death in the face. It was so different, much much different than it was in games, way more terrifying, and haunting. He did not want to look another in the eyes, and end their life, for he was aware of the difference between reality and what laid on the screens at home. He could not use what he had to defend himself against those he loved, trusted, knew very well. It was something that probably would cost him his life, he knew, and even if it was something that did not sound any better, at least he would not have to live with the guilt it would undoubtedly leave him with. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " I hate it, I hate it, someone help-" His thoughts were suddenly cut off, however, when a loud sound rang across the room, and he jolted upright, the movement causing sudden but incredibly temporary lightheadedness from having been lain down for so long, but he hardly noticed it, heart pounding in fear as his sea green eyes shot across the room, before resting on a figure, shining silver object on the ground before it. “P-Peter...” He nearly missed it, but due to the silence that had since fallen over the room after the knife having been dropped, and the single, stammered word brought on a new stream of fresh tears, as he let out a wail, any and all thoughts crumpling as he staggered to his feet and made a mad dash for the Fin across the room from him, arms outstretched and anything he had been brought in with left behind, not even noticed by the boy. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He was quick when needed to be, as he ran full-force toward one of the most important nations in his life, someone who was unaware of the shapeshifting tricks the manor could play, wrapping his arms in a death grip around Tino, burying his face into the man and breaking into sobs once again. It was honestly a huge shock that he had to fight Tino, the one he considered his mother, who he loved with all his heart, and any thoughts he may have had thinking he could do this, well they were long gone now. He didn't want to fight the other, but if he refused, and Tino refused, then nothing good would come from it either. "This has to be a mistake, a lie, it is not right! I can't fight Tino, I can't, I won't!" His thoughts were frantic, but he could not form words, nor did he actually attempt to do such, only feeling more overwhelmed, but also relieved, glad that Tino was alright. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» But, he also wasn't alright. Nothing would be alright. They were here to die, and these were their last moments. He had no clue how long they had before those who had spoken before would get restless, for to Peter they seemed like beings that did not like to wait, therefor for all he knew, they could die then and there, without a word of good-bye even exchanged between the two. But even with that weighing him down, he still could barely get his words out, a massive struggle to calm himself down enough to speak. " T-Tino... M... mama... you...I..." He stuttered between sobs, not lessening the grip he had, wishing he was able to pretend everything was alright. He had been known for being a bundle of positive and energy, but there was nothing happy or funny about the scenario they were plastered with, and he would not be the one to laugh about it, or pretend everything was fine. There was a line between trying to brighten it up, and just plain out stupid, pointless attempts. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " I-I-I miss-missed you." He whispered shakily, hoping Tino was able to make out anything he was saying, due to the fact he did not remove his face, keeping it pressed tight and firm against the Fin. "P-Please don't l-leave me al-alone again." He sobbed, clenching the fabric in his hands tighter, feeling himself trembling, but unable to help it. He was so full of relief, but also dread, that he did not know how to react, and he only went with the relief part of his emotions, due to the fact he had not seen Tino in what felt like forever. Perhaps him and the other could get out, flee and somehow make it out alive. Very highly unlikely, but he did not want to kill his parental figure. It would kill himself inside if that was what it resulted to; he just could and would not do it. [/blockquote][/div][/size] [/color] [/size][/style][/center]
|
|
Untouchable
Offline.
Your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it and you'll ask yourself: Where is my mind?
|
Post by Finland (x) on Dec 19, 2012 17:18:11 GMT -6
The sight of the small boy, curled up pitifully on the floor made Tino almost collapse with shock and worry. Didn't the... didn't the Manor know that they were family? That this would be a difficult, if not impossible battle between them? Or was that why it had selected the two to be pitted against one another. Peter wasn't moving... Had the household already decide to end one of them? Tino was so speechless, so horror-struck that the knife in his palm had no way to remain there. The sound managed to jangle through the room and prove that the seaside nation was still alive. Tino would have sighed, but his body was frozen under those tear-filled turquoise eyes.
Tino couldn't breathe. He couldn't move. He could just stand there, wearing a face of confusion and terror at Peter's appearance. Tear tracks clearly indicated the fact that Peter had been crying. Crying hard, because there was a faint red brushing his nose and face, but it wasn't a common blush. No... Tino's heart lurched in his chest. Peter had been sobbing. The Finnish nation couldn't even imagine how horrible this place would have been for Peter. Why was Peter even here? He thought that this had been an adult party, or a party for nations that were older.... Had Sealand followed in secret like he did to almost every world meeting? Did he think that alcohol and good laughs would have allowed him to sneak recognition from several established states? Or... did Peter wonder where his parental guardians were? That would make sense... how long had they even been gone? Peter could have worried and been looking for them after almost all nations suddenly disappeared. Tino didn't know, but that didn't matter at this point. Peter.... Peter had made the foolish mistake of entering the building, much like Tino. Peter... why him? He was just a child! This wasn't.... fair.
Peter let out a frightful wail in response to his name as he rose from his position on the floor and barrelled towards the Fin. Tino... he still couldn't even comprehend what was happening. Peter was here, in this room. No, it couldn't be... 'Please no... [/color] Finland crumpled forward onto his knees when his legs and body couldn't bear to hold the weight of realization any more. Raising his arms up and open as he tried to keep a straight face, Peter crashed against his chest in a collection of sobs that continued to batter at whatever face Tino had managed to keep up. He didn't want to break down. Not in front of the child that was desperately clinging to his torso so tight that Tino's laboured breathing was made even more difficult. He... he couldn't do this though. This was.... This wasn't fair, and he couldn't... Tears began to trickle from Tino's wide eyes as he wrapped his arms around Peter Kirkland, his son. Tino didn't want to admit it, but Peter's sobs were piercing his mentality far more than a knife ever could. Peter was crying his heart out and, in all honesty, there was nothing Tino could do to fix that. He could wipe the tears from Sealand's face, but for what? Peter was smarter than most gave him credit for. And Tino just knew that Peter had gotten the same speech as the blond Nordic had before the lights flickered on. That was the source of his child's anguish and he couldn't fix it. There was no happy ending for them. Not when the Manor had been so concrete with its laws. Kill or be killed. Question was, who would kill who, or would they both fall prey to the creatures below? Tino's eyes sunk downwards, temporarily meeting those of some hungry creature. A creature that could very well be tearing into his son any minute now. Tino quickly snapped his gaze shut and tilted his head down so it rested upon Peter's hair. The hat had been lost somewhere, probably when Peter had been laying across the room. Tino didn't care to look for it though. He had little interest in the Mario hat that he had helped Peter construct for this year's Halloween. Instead, he let his tears seep into the dark sandy hair of the 10-year old that he lived with. That he had legal guardianship over. " T-Tino... M... mama... you...I..." Tino tensed, pulled his arms closer to draw Peter against his chest even more, if that was even possible at this point. “Shh....” Tino said as he tried not to shake. Peter knew. Peter knew what they had been asked to do, but... but the kid couldn't say it. Tino ground his teeth together as he squeezed his eyes shut so tight that it hurt. He couldn't break down. Not now... but what else was there to do? Could Tino honestly... honestly come out of this alive? How could he even begin to think that? How would he explain that to Sve? To his friends? That he killed a mere child to crawl out to live for another day? Tino's chest ached as he buried his face back within Peter's hair. " I-I-I miss-missed you. P-Please don't l-leave me al-alone again." Something cracked that instant, right it half. It happened to be Tino's heart. H-How could Tino even respond to that? Attempting to stifle the sobs that were choking his throat, he merely stroked Peter's back to try and calm him down. What could Tino do? What could he say? No matter what happened here, they could not be together. Death was a release, or an excuse for an escape. Tino couldn't... couldn't guarantee what the afterlife was like. He had never been there, save for the few times that he received fatal wounds on the battlefield. That was different though, because he always returned to life, just with a new scar to add to his collection. Here, Tino was near positive that they no longer retained their national identities. They were no longer immortal in this location, which guaranteed the fact that death was no joke and that it was not reversible. Even with his population back home, he could not feel their strength. And if Tino could not feel the millions of people who occupied his country, what about Peter? Last the Fin checked, the principality had less than 30 confirmed 'Sealanders'... Trying not to burst into guttural sobs that would make the dire situation even worse, Tino had to say something, but what? He had to tell Peter... tell him that one, or both, was dying here. That there was no way he could stay with him. Though, when Tino's mouth opened, his words starkly contrasted his dark thoughts. “I-I won't. I promise...” he whispered, bringing a hand up to run his fingers through Peter's choppy blond hair in another attempt to sooth the blond's cries. Tino squeezed his eyes shut once more and kissed the top of Peter's head before he whispered back, “I missed you too baby... A-Are you okay? You're... not hurt are you?”Tino paused before he rested his chin on Peter's head, staring ahead blankly without focusing on anything in particular. As much as he wanted to just revel in the fact that Peter was alive, cling to him and presence that warmed Tino's skin, he couldn't chase the chill that iced his insides. How long did they had before the Manor got impatient? Before the floor gave out and they were ripped apart once more? How was this in any way fair? Tino hadn't seen Peter in ages, and when he finally got to, he wasn't free from the Manor's clutches and he couldn't even protect the boy. Hell, he couldn't even protect himself. Tino sighed, a shuttering breath that passed through pinched lips as an internal war began to rage within the nation. After the months that had passed within these tainted walls, Tino's survival instincts had gotten a very predominant position in his brain. He acted on impulse to live and said reflexes kept him alive where others would have died. He learned to accept the primitive thoughts and, as horrible as it sounded, act in ways that kept himself alive. This wasn't to say that Tino purposefully did horrible things to others in order to live on, but he accepted his actions without second thoughts or unsettling guilt. Eventually, he learned what had to be done was just a fact that he couldn't change and worrying over it would not change anything. A perfect example was the fact that he had blotted out his emotions before the lights had been activated. He was so ready to kill just to live. Even if there was something outside this room that would kill him instantaneously, he would still kill in order to get the chance to live. It was horrible now that Tino reflected on it. Was he even Tino Väinämöinen anymore? Or was he something else now? Though... this was different from before. Peter was quite possibly the one person that Tino just couldn't shut his emotions off to (the other was Berwald, but the encounter in the ballroom with his possessed form left Tino shaken with that decision). Peter would look at him with those ocean eyes and that would be the end of it. There was that primordial urge in his stomach to do what had to be done to survive, but it was waged against parental instinct and moral reasoning. Tino pulled Peter closer as his mind bantered different outcomes back and forth. Peter... against anyone else, he would be an easy target. He looked like he wore no weapon, nor did Tino really think the kid had it in him to murder (at this point though, Tino couldn't count on that without determining how much the Manor had tainted his son). But... Tino.... he couldn't... Cracking an eye open, Tino glanced around as he heard the low, almost silent moan of something. It took him a minute to realize it, but it was the grating below their feet. 'A warning....'[/color] Tino thought as he tightened his grip on the boy. He hoped that Peter hadn't heard it, as the principality was still weeping into his shirt. He was a pretty poor parent... he couldn't even protect his son, nor would he be able to keep the promise that he had just made. Stroking Peter's hair once more, the urge to pull back and try to talk sense to Peter rising. However, Tino couldn't face those wide, blue-green eyes again, so he stayed with his arms around the boy as he tested his voice. “Peter... can you...” Tino started as his hand slipped from Peter's head back to the Fin's hip, where he drew another throwing knife. He brought it back, pointing the tip away from the boy as he clutched him tight once more. “Close your eyes, okay? Everything's going to be...” Tino trailed off, glancing to the knife before his grip on it tightened once more. “Fine.”[/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by sea on Dec 31, 2012 18:28:35 GMT -6
[style=border: 3px solid #0097BD; height:100px; background:#0097BD;] »-- SEALAND --«
»» and i'll try to sleep «« »» to keep you in my dreams «« »» until I can bring you home with me «« »» i'll try to sleep «« [/blockquote] »» It would have been foolish for him to pretend they were completely safe now, that he had no harm put against him since he found one of those who were dearest to him. It would be stupid if he would just put on a facade, pretend what had been said, what was being thrown at them did not phase him in the slightest. He couldn't try to be happy with the situation, there was no way he could be, not when they both were faced with the threat of death, whether that was given from each other, or those unseen, yet heard beasts that laid below. He was glad he found Tino, but he also wished it had been someone else. Then he would have just accepted his fate so much easier, it would have made everything simpler. He did not want to die at Tino's hands; he knew the other nation would struggle with that afterwards, and he knew he could not kill the other, he had not a single thread of murderous feeling in him. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» The clothing in his grasp felt so worn, so used and dirty, the complete opposite of what he had grown to know on Tino, and it did very little to calm his thoughts, to quiet his crying. He could hear the strained breathing from the other, and his own sounds which reached his ears easily, as he felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around his body. It felt so nice to be hugged by someone after the number of days, the time that had been spent in the manor, but this hug felt different. He could not place his finger on why, but there was something about it that made him question the motion deep inside. But he merely shoved the thought away almost as soon as it came, instead relishing on the fact Tino was before him, Tino was alive. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» But for how long? Did they really have that long of time before the manor occupants would grow tired of the teary reunion, and call it quits, breaking the single thing that held them above the evil things below their feet? He could not provide answers to his own questions, and it was something unnerving, almost as unsettling as the thought that there was hardly anything keeping them safe from the beasts. Oh how he wanted to find out that this was all a dream, that he was really just experiencing lucid dreams that were the result of some sort of sickness. But that idea had very little backing, because this had lasted so long, everything felt so real, so raw, too realistic to be considered even the most vivid of dreams or thoughts. It was nice to think so, but it was absolutely pointless and there was probably no way it was true. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He couldn't keep his crying at bay, tears lining every sentence he managed to speak out, the gentle shushing Tino gave him providing only little help in calming him down. He didn't want to break down like he had, but he was so scared, and happy to see the other, his emotions were just so mixed and this was the only real way he could react to it all. He had been pulled closer, and it was not hard for him to be able to tell Tino was affected by the reunion, and the speech he was sure the other had undoubtedly received. He could feel how tense the other was, the very subtle trembling that nearly went by unnoticed. Was there anything he could say that would comfort the other? There was nothing that came to Peter's mind, no words that he could use that would make everything all better. It was one of those situations where he felt completely useless, a burden on one he cared about so much, and it hurt. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “I-I won't. I promise...” The words were incredibly reassuring to the micronation, as he had no clue that the word was spoken with the complete opposite going through the Fin's head. He felt safe, and comforted just being in the close vicinity of Tino, and the words only added onto the feeling. He could almost pretend they were not in a life-or-death scenario, that there were not hungry, nearly desperate beasts below them, and that they were not being forced to make a move or have it made for them. It was almost like the times when he would run up to the blonde, scared from a clap of thunder, or upset from a small cut or something gone wrong, things that were so tiny and simple, and so much better than what they really were in. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He felt a hand make its way through his hair, a motion he had grown to love as he grew into what he was now, as a kiss was dropped to the top of his head, and let out a sniff, a whimper escaping his mouth right after. “I missed you too baby... A-Are you okay? You're... not hurt are you?” Was he hurt? He really could not remember any encounters that had left him wounded, but his mind was hazy with easily half the things that had happened during his stay in the manor. He was definitely sore, sleep deprived, more worn out than he had been ever before, but was he truly hurt? After thought, he shook his head, not once bringing his face out from its place buried in the Fin's clothing. "No... 'm okay..." He mumbled emptily, tightening his grip on the other, attempting to keep himself quiet. He did not want to miss anything Tino said, for words were being spoken so softly, and he was afraid, unwilling to allow himself to spoil the moments he had with the other. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He just barely heard a sigh from Tino, whose chin lay rested upon his very own head, and he had no doubt the Fin was brooding on their chances of survival, of what to do. He himself was absolutely void of ideas, basically laying all the decision making on Tino. It wasn't like he did not want to be a help; he just could not even begin to think of how they were going to get out! Maybe he had missed the sight of a door, something which was likely in his blind dash to hug Tino, but that also seemed just too easy; there was no way the manor would make it that simple for them to escape. If that were the case, they would have been out of there by now anyways, he had no doubts about that thought. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Tino knew a way out, he had to know a way out. He was just that confidant in thinking the other knew exactly what to do, or at least would come up with a solution to their problems before there came an end to them being able to take action. He did not want to be eaten by those monsters, that was too disgusting and scary and he just did not want that to happen, it could not happen. They would get out, they just had to! They had things to do when they got out, people to reassure, and he really needed to feed Hanatamago by this point, it had to have been a few days at least by now, he really was not positive. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Would the manor let them escape though? That thing that had spoken to him before he was unbounded and allowed free-roam had said that one of them had to die here. He could not kill Tino though, he just couldn't. The one who basically raised him, who he felt the closest bond to, could he really take that knife that had been dropped by the other, and use it against him? It would spare his own life, but at what cost? He would not be able to live with himself if he did that, his own life was not worth Tino's, not worth someone who held an entire country, who had many friends. He was so tiny compared to Finland, he was not even a real nation! Tino would be better off removing him from existence, before someone could very easily take over the duties he held on his fort. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» But perhaps Tino felt the same way about him. Even if he was tiny, basically useless, he had a feeling that the Fin would not be able to use a weapon against him. But there were factors that made him consider the thought; he just was not sure! He couldn't put his mind on a firm idea of what would be to play, it was just so difficult and everything he came up with only scared him more. Why did the mansion have to torture them this way? Why was it such a mean place, something so much worse than any bullies or others he had come across. It was like the worst kind of people and all those bad people who blew places up, all mixed into one, and he didn't like it! [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He hadn't quite realized he had broken into quiet sobs once again, the feeling of fingers in his hair only making him cry even more, feeling so torn and lost, desperate and hoping Tino knew what to do. He wanted to face the other, but remaining buried in his shirt was more comforting in a sense, and he did not want to make the other cry, if he wasn't already, by showing his face. He would look eventually, but he was just not quite ready yet. The hand left his head, and he only leaned into Tino more, keeping his hold tight and firm. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “Peter... can you...” A pause, tiny bit of movement from the other. “Close your eyes, okay? Everything's going to be...” Another halt, concerning to the boy, who would have glanced up at Tino, and nearly did, before catching himself, putting what he was told to do in his mind, and refraining from looking up at the other. He was going to be a good boy, he was going to listen. It would make their escape simpler, he just knew it. “Fine.” Everything would be fine; Tino had just said so himself. They would make it, they could make it, they were not going to let those evil monsters eat them. It was almost reassuring, almost. [/blockquote][/div][/size] [/color] [/size][/style][/center]
|
|
Untouchable
Offline.
Your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it and you'll ask yourself: Where is my mind?
|
Post by Finland (x) on Jan 1, 2013 19:37:06 GMT -6
Peter was unscathed. The news only made Tino's internal battle harder. Had Peter been hurt in some way, then the chances of him surviving outside of this room dropped (meaning that Tino would be more likely to live past this point). However, the information was soothing to Tino's constant worry as a caregiver. At least the Manor had not harmed Peter like it had Tino. If it had... Tino couldn't even picture what he'd do. He knew one thing though; no one got away with laying a finger on Peter. It didn't matter who it was. Manor or no Manor, Tino would protect Peter with his life. So why was this decision so difficult?
Tino's eyes flicked down, seeing his own reflection in the knife that he was holding. He could see the confusion, panic, and horror that hollowed out his purple eyes. He looked unnatural with his whitewashed skin and vivid irises that were as tiny as pinpoints; horror never treated Tino kindly. Finland was at a crossroads. He had to make the ultimate decision that would surely break both a part of himself and the promise that he had stupidly agreed to earlier. How could he swear to never leave Peter alone when death would surely take one, or both, of them away. Tino held the knife as he exhaled, trying to calm his nerves before he took action.
“Mama!”
Tino froze, his violet eyes going wide as the voice sounded in his mind, so vivid and clear that Tino almost thought that Peter had cried out again in his arms. That wasn't right though... the sound should have been smothered by the fabric of his shirt. So why...?
“What is it Peter? And it's not mama....”
Tino blinked, realization slowly clicking in as the memories took over his senses.
“Th... The storm. It's shaking the house! Y-You didn't built it strong enough!” An accusing finger was pointed at the blond Nordic as Tino barely had the chance to rub the fatigue from his eyes. Tino sighed, gazing around for a moment as he toke note of the wood work that he and Berwald had put into the small cottage up in the Finnish Laplands years back. Directing his gaze back to the boy as another flash of lightning filled the room, Tino smiled gently.
“Everything's okay. It's just a storm Peter. There's nothing to be afraid of.”
“I-I'm not scared!”
The thunder that followed the flash of light boomed threateningly, almost to challenge Peter's boastful declaration. Even in the dim lighting of the dark room, Tino could see the kid jump a mile out of his skin. The Fin decided not to comment in order to save the micronation his pride that he was desperately clinging to. Tossing the covers back as he flung his legs to the side, Peter spoke once again.
“I was just... I though you might be... y'know, frightened... so uh... I w-was coming to check on you.”
A smile ghosted across Tino's lips as he looked over to the shadowed figure that stood in the doorway. Tino saw through the lie instantly, but he' decided to play along with the Sealander's little antics. Tino knew that the boy was not exactly comfortable staying with the Fin on such short notice (something had come up in Sweden and Berwald had asked Tino to watch Peter for a few days), so the young Nordic would try to comfort the boy, like a mother father would.
“You're right, I am a little nervous. The thunder is really load and scary and I'm all alone. Do you think you could do me a favour and maybe sleep here tonight? Just to make sure nothing happens? Please?”
Tino swore he had never seen a person move so quickly in his entire life. In less than a second, Peter had dove under the covers, scrambling to huddle between the sheets with the small white dog that he had been sleeping with earlier.
“O-Okay fine. But only cause you asked nicely...” Peter scoffed, soon edging closer towards Tino's side. Repressing a sigh, Tino only smiled as he pulled himself back under the thick covers. He understood what pride was an how it was critical to a man, but Peter was just a kid. Tino would have to have the conversation with him that would explain that being afraid was not the same thing as being weak. Humility was almost, if not more, important than pride itself. Though, that was a lesson that could be taught another day, not in the middle of the night during a summer storm. Tino eased himself back into his imprint in the mattress, getting comfortable once more as light flashed around the room. When the thunder followed, Tino noticed a pair of hands that quickly latch onto his arm. He could feel Peter shaking through the blankets. The surprise flooded through the nation as his head shifted to quickly gaze at the lump of cloth and covers beside him.
“Peter, hey... shhhhh. It's alright,” Tino soothed as he turned, gently wrapping his arms around the quivering kid. Tino was fine playing along with the principality's childish tendencies, but the boy seemed honestly terrified, meaning Tino had severely underestimated how much the nature's storm had affected Peter. Jeez.... he was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Honestly, the micronation had inherited his stubbornness from Berwald. Why couldn't he have just said he was this frightened? Humming a tune softly with the beat of the rain against the windows, Tino whispered...
“Close your eyes, okay? Everything's going to be fine.”
The Fin blinked, recognizing that those last words had come from his mouth in both the present and the past. Flicking his gaze back to the glimmering knife, he bit his lip and gently pushed Peter's head harder against his chest. His mind wouldn't shutoff, and it was honestly making the war within his heart all the worse. The battle between instinct and parental drive was cleaving Tino's options into two clear paths, neither of them being easy. “I... promise.... everything's going to be alright,” Tino said, making more vows that he'd never be able to keep. He was convincing Peter of peace, yet he was ready to take a life with the knife in his palms. Tino realized how cruel he really was as he closed his eyes and raised the knife back. Tino only stopped when he heard more voices from his past bombard his ears.
“Mum look here!”
“Mum mum muuuuuuuuum, come heeeeeeeere!”
“Let's have a snowball fight!”
“Look I drew you! Dad said it was spot on!”
“Dad said you're Santa! Really?! Did you read my letter! I've been a good boy this year!”
“Wha? How are you so good at this game! No fair!”
“Let's race! Last one there's a rotten egg!”
[/right] Tino's hand was shaking so badly that he could barely hold it above shoulder level. His fingers were also beginning to ache from clenching the throwing knife so tightly, but if he let up any tension, the weapon would surely slide from his drenched palms. He could barely breathe with the weight of reality pressing down on his chest. “I-I-I miss-missed you. P-Please don't l-leave me al-alone again.” He... he knew what he had to do but... The grating below groaned loudly once again, impatient with Tino's lack of resolve. The pair didn't have much time left. Action had to be taken, or else they'd both travel to the netherworld together. Swallowing the lump that had steadily coagulated in his throat from the beginning of this match-up, Tino spoke again. “Peter, I love you very much... and... I'm so sorry.”Gripping the knife tight before any second thoughts made him doubt his decision, Tino pulled the weapon into an awkward angle and plunged it down as the thick sound of an object penetrating flesh skewered the heavy air. At that moment, everything stopped. The moaning of the floor, the subtle noises of the monsters below, and even the dust that floated in the air. Everything that had been asked upon the two... the horrible situation that the parent and child had to face... it would all be corrected and settled from the one small action that Finland had done. The debt had been paid and the conditions had been satisfied. Kill or be killed... it really came down to those simple words...and Tino had followed them dutifully. Another few moments of silence fell upon the room before time clicked and the revelation of Tino Väinämöinen's actions struck him. He actually... actually...did it. He had to make sure enough damage had been dealt though, else the parting would need a second blow and that was something that he wouldn't be able to manage inflicting. Giving the weapon a sharp twist, he quickly jerked the tarnished blade out from the wound that it had created. His heart... his heart was hurting. The bloodied throwing knife was tossed aside, clattering across the metal floors as Tino grabbed Peter and held him as tightly as he could manage. Tino didn't want to break down and sob. He didn't want to utterly crack into a thousand pieces, but as soon as the weapon left his hand, he couldn't stop the tears from slipping through his guard to trickle off his face. He held his breath to prevent any further show of weakness. He would put on his bravest face for Peter and for Peter alone, even if he could barely keep it together. The splitting pain of heartbreak threatened to tear his chest into two as he tried to deny his need to silently weep. He couldn't wallow though. There was too much to say and explain with too little time to do so. This was not about him anymore. It was about Peter, not Tino. In fact, it had always been about Peter. “Peter... please try to be strong. You have to go find Berwald...You have to get out.” Tino's grip loosened on the micronation as he pulled back to gaze at his adopted kin. He needed to speak to Peter seriously and make sure that Sealand understood him entirely, but it was incredibly hard to focus. Tino had aimed his blade without looking, but he had fought enough times to know the exact weak spots of his 'immortal' body. Tino knew a lot about the particular organ of his that he had targeted, which was the delicate kidney and liver. He had brought the knife behind him and punched it into his kidney area, hoping to sever the renal artery. Tino knew his anatomy quite well, enough that he knew he hit it. To ensure his end, he had twisted the blade in order to tear the tissue and blood vessels around it, which had nearly caused him to pass out from the raw pain. He had only managed to stay conscious by clinging to Peter tight and focusing on the individual that he had been clutching. Tino couldn't go. Not yet. He sank to his bottom from his position on his knees, gently clasping his hands square on Peter's shoulders. Tino could have done so many other things. It was frighting... he knew how to kill a person through many portals. But... with Peter clinging to his chest, a good portion of those were closed off. Tino could, and rightfully should, have slit his own throat. It was fast, much less painful that the renal route, and he'd be dead in 30 seconds. He didn't though. He couldn't put Peter though that. No matter how much Tino hurt right now... no matter how much pain it cost to tear through his skin, he would die in the way that was easiest on his adopted son. If that meant targeting the most sensitive organ just so that Peter wouldn't be facing the bloody wound, then so be it. Tino could take it. He would endure anything for Peter. Giving Peter's shoulders a squeeze, Tino looked into the boy's sea green eyes. He knew it was a mistake to get caught up in his emotions when he had such little time, but he ended up choking on his breath as he placed a hand on Peter's cheek, stroking the soft skin with his calloused thumb. In combination with what was looming in Tino's short future, the immense pain that he could barely tolerate and the look in those big child eyes, Tino almost cracked. It was all to much to come onto him at once and Tino swayed ever so slightly, on the verge of passing out. He couldn't though, not now. It was too soon. He couldn't leave yet. To prevent Peter from peeking around the Fin to see the knife, avoiding eye contact or simply looking at the blood that was starting to soak down his back and drip through the grating, the Nordic moved his hand under the boy's chin to direct his face upwards. Tino honestly did not want to look into his eyes again. Tino could meet the eyes of any other child, be it a girl from Austria or a little boy from New Zealand on the 25th of December. It was Peter and Peter only that would surely tear his heart out, but he didn't have a choice here and he had to relay everything he knew onto the boy while he still could. “P-Peter... Peter listen to me...” Tino tried, biting his lip to prevent it from quivering. His whole body was beginning to shake, but it was not only from his feelings, but from the dark circle that was blooming on his black shirt. He couldn't ignore this pain. It was too harsh, lashing with every heartbeat as Tino felt dizzy and sick to his stomach. He had to put that to the side though. It wasn't important right now. The only thing that mattered... the only thing that Tino could do at this point was pass on his intel of the Manor to Peter. “This is...a very, very bad place. It is full of...things that will ...try to kill you. Don't go near... any wells or open doors... Stay away from the basement... You have... You have to get out. Get out... and go home... with Berwald.” Tino said, stroking Peter's face once more. 'You have to go home... without me.' Tino couldn't bear to admit those last few words aloud, but he knew that the unsaid statement was true. Tino would not leave this room. He would not go home. He would not see anyone ever again... but... looking back to the young kid before him, so full of life and so new in this world... Tino knew that he had made his choice from his heart. “Here...” Tino said quietly, taking his hand from Peter's chin to reach for his makeshift bag. Inside was the majority of the throwing knives that he had collected earlier, a gift that Berward had bestowed upon him sometime ago in the mansion. Finland had been given them before the Kingdom of Sweden had disappeared... it was only fair to pass them along before Tino too was gone. Leaning more heavily on the boy in front of him as time progressed, Tino pushed the bag of knives against Peter's overalls, his violet gaze intensely pleading the younger male to take them. “Take them Peter... please...” Tino whispered, before he pulled Sealand close once more and rested his forehead against the younger's. The pain that ailed Tino hurt immensely, but after all it did not compare to what Tino was going through mentally. He knew... he knew what would soon come to him. When he eventually bled out, or choked on his own blood, or simply stopped breathing. He was dying... After everything the nation has persevered through, both in history and within these cursed walls, he would die by his own hand. He was going to die. Die. Death. Tino sighed against Peter's choppy hair. After all these centuries... it would end this way. Tino kissed Peter's forehead gently. He regretted nothing.
[Congrats Bracken... you made me cry for the first time ever when RPing XD][/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by sea on Jan 3, 2013 13:49:16 GMT -6
[style=border: 3px solid #0097BD; height:100px; background:#0097BD;] »-- SEALAND --«
»» and i'll try to sleep «« »» to keep you in my dreams «« »» until I can bring you home with me «« »» i'll try to sleep «« [/blockquote] »» The quiet that would fall between pauses, breaks in speech, it was too heavy and uncomfortable for his liking. It was like giving some time to count the remaining minutes, or seconds they had left, before the decision would be made before them. Maybe, that was the Fin's plan after all, as Peter did not have a way to find out for sure, and as much as he did not want it to come to that, there was also no way they were going to kill each other either. He refused to believe that would be what happened, it was just too unrealistic to the boy. But, on the same page of unrealistic things, that's what the entire experience in the mansion had been like. He had never actually seen a monster before he had stepped into the walls of the building, and that alone was something absolutely out of the ordinary. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Not even the imaginary monsters he had come up with, and scared himself with in the past could compare to what he had seen, those he had crossed. They were so much scarier, more evil than he could ever have imagined, quite literally. And he had a feeling he had not even seen half, probably way less than that, of what the manor had to offer. It was like a never ending horror film, a horrible nightmare gone worse. He would never have guessed a feeling like that would have been possible before this all had been introduced. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “I... promise.... everything's going to be alright,” Tino's voice sounded distant, lost in thought or something of the sort, and it made him wonder just what was going through the mind of his parental figure. He could only place guesses of what could be flying through thoughts the other had, and most likely he would be off, or completely wrong with his assumptions. Was Tino lost with decisions to make, what area of action to take? Perhaps seeking out an escape, something which Peter was quite sure the room lacked, but he couldn't be quite sure. He could just ask, but the idea of bringing up the question seemed very out of place, and there was also the fact he had his face buried in the other's shirt, and it was quite hard to talk though tears. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “Peter, I love you very much... and... I'm so sorry.” Sorry? He was completely confused by the apology, as the Fin had not done anything wrong, not harmed or angered him in any way. He gave a quiet sniff, before he completely fell silent when a strange noise hit the air, nearly missed, and something he was not quite sure if he had actually heard it. Silence in the entire room instantly followed the odd sound, and he did not hear a repeat of it, confusing him deeply. It sounded familiar, and he felt he should recognize what the sound was, but he just could not place his finger on it, frowning questioningly into Tino's shirt, remaining unaware of just what it had been. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» The silence did not trail on too long before it was broken again, a sound much like he had heard before yet different floating through the air, before the sound of metal falling on metal completely shattered the quiet atmosphere. He tensed, his own grip tightening on the other, as what seemed like a responded action provided in him being held tightly in return. " Mama... What... what was that?" He couldn't help but whisper uneasily, finding that he was growing increasingly scared, without a direct reason why. Had it been the monsters? That seemed like a reasonable thought, but he swore he heard it much closer than they were, and that metal on metal clattering sounded quite near Tino, not far below. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “Peter... please try to be strong. You have to go find Berwald...You have to get out.” Tino wasn't making any sense! Of course he was going to find Berwald and get out; Tino was making it sound like he was not going to help out in those tasks! Peter wanted to scream, to ask why Tino was being so strange, but he was not given a chance to actually act on the feelings, for the tight, yet comforting hold was loosened, and the Fin pulled back a bit, allowing Peter to finally study the face of the one he loved so much as the boy met his gaze, and even through the endless stream of tears that had yet to stop, he could see the traces of pain on the other's face, the emotions that showed in the once bright purple eyes. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Hands were placed on his shoulders, as the other slumped down, and in that moment all Peter wanted to do was hug Tino, and never let go, for he looked so vulnerable and weak, despite the fact it was not readily shown. He had known the Fin long enough to know something was up, that there was so much more not shown, but he found no voice to ask, doing nothing but staring into the dull eyes, the ones he had always loved the colour of, the unique shade he wanted himself. He couldn't guess what was wrong, he couldn't begin to think, for the reality was everything had gone wrong since the mansion had been entered, and there were no more ideas left. Perhaps, Tino realized there was no way out, and that this was their final moments together. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He felt a fresh wave of tears make their way down his face when his shoulders were squeezed, as Tino brushed his cheek with a thumb, and he closed his eyes briefly, as he tried not to break into broken sobs once again. He was strong, he had to stay strong, Tino had said it himself! He reopened his eyes, as his chin was cupped delicately, and his gaze was moved a bit more upwards; he hadn't realized he had dropped his head when he closed his eyes, keeping his eyes focused on those before him. "Strong Peter, you have to stay strong." Even if he was concerned, confused, anything and everything that his emotions and thoughts could be, he was going to keep himself held onto that, he would do it, he had to. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “P-Peter... Peter listen to me...” Of course he was listening, he couldn't not listen. There was just an air of importance that hung, the way Tino bit his lip as if uncertain after, the trembling. It all was concerning, and he was not just going to push Tino away and claim he didn't want to listen. Something was off, something was way off, and it was becoming increasingly clear as the seconds passed, but he still could not figure out just what it was. “This is...a very, very bad place. It is full of...things that will ...try to kill you. Don't go near... any wells or open doors... Stay away from the basement... You have... You have to get out. Get out... and go home... with Berwald.”[/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Why was Tino telling him things he already knew? Of course the mansion was a bad place, it was horrible and ugly! And there was no doubt they were going to find Berwald, they were going to go home! And so he nodded, in understanding, for to him it seemed simple enough and obvious that was the next course of action. He was going to get Tino some food and rest, and then maybe he would stop acting so weird. " Of course we're... going home..." He murmured slowly, expression confused, cautious. " Hana... She is waiting for us!" He said a bit more confidently, but that was not something to last, face not shifting into any other, remaining puzzled. " S-she will be very happy to see you." He mused with a bit of a laugh, a sound so strange to his own ears, something so empty and without any real emotion in it, and the tremble in it did nothing to provide an uplifting spirit. Little did he know what the real sources behind the sounds he had shoved away as the monsters below, what those really belonged to. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He could feel Tino shaking, the hand that was stroking his face anything but even, and it only seemed to be growing worse, he realized, as he placed his hand on top of the Fin's one momentarily, giving it a reassuring squeeze before he removed his own hand, trying to force a smile on his face. It did not work, and appeared more like a grimace than anything; the complete opposite of what he had intended. " I'll protect you... Don't worry. I've got your back."[/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “Here...” Tino said in a quiet tone, and a very short moment later was Peter being pushed with a bag, contents unknown to him, though he could hear them when the bag moved. "Sounds like... knives..." He mused internally, thoroughly confused at this point, even more so than he had been before. “Take them Peter... please...” Came the whispered addition, and he could not help but question the motive. " Why, though?" He asked without thinking, words escaping his mouth before he had a chance to stop them. He did take the bag into his own hands however, clutching it to his chest, uncertain of the contents or the reasoning behind the gift. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» It was then that Tino pulled him in close again, the bag of knives being dropped with a small clatter to rest at Peter's feet, as their foreheads touched. He received a kiss on the forehead shortly after, which had followed a sigh. " I love you, Mama." He murmured, returning the kiss gently. It felt like the only right thing to say, a simple sentence meant to be reassuring, as he pulled the other in for a tight hug, wanting to make him less serious. Completely serious Tino was a strange thing, at least it was to Peter, who almost always caught him in a relatively cheerful mood. But then he froze. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» What... was that he felt? His fingers felt damp, and he quickly withdrew one of his hands to study the fingers, face morphing into one of horror when he saw just what it was, brain instantly piecing everything together. The odd sounds, the metal on metal, the strange behaviour. He stared dumbly at his hand in question, the fingers tinged with red, with the blood of his parental figure, and he felt his heart drop, almost hesitantly raising his eyes, tears spilling over the rims of them once again. " No... no no." He whispered, shaking his head just slightly. " Y-you're okay, right? T-this, this is just... just... paint? It's paint, r-right?" He stammered, unable to hold back the desperate tone his voice began to form. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " You said... you promised!" He wailed, wrapping Tino up in a tight hug, much like he had when he had realized it was the Fin in the room after they had gotten the speeches. " We're going home, right? We-we're going to find dad, and w-we are getting out of here, a-and you can see Hana and do e-everything you love." He spoke rapidly, stubbornly refusing to comply with what he now knew, what he had missed before, what should have been noticed way before he had. "You promised..."[/blockquote][/div][/size] [/color] [/size][/style][/center]
|
|
Untouchable
Offline.
Your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it and you'll ask yourself: Where is my mind?
|
Post by Finland (x) on Jan 5, 2013 0:07:30 GMT -6
The pain was so prominent in Tino's back at this point that he could barely breathe. With each second, each shuttering breath and each sporadic heartbeat, he nearly cried out from the torturous agony that sent white hot streaks of pain searing along his ribs. He wanted to do anything, anything to relieve such horrible stabs of heat, but he could not. Focusing through it all, he centred his eyes on Peter. He had to ignore it all. He couldn't scream out. He couldn't show Peter how much pain he was in, that he was dying in the worst way. Peter was blissfully ignorant and Tino couldn't alert him to his self-infliction through gasping for air or moaning from the agony. Peter still didn't know what Tino had actually done behind his back and that knowledge alone was almost more painful than the gashing wound that was draining the life from Finland's human body.
Holding Peter like that in his arms... Tino tried not to think of Peter's questioning words that had been tossed his way before. Peter... of course he was too young to recognize a sound like that. To Tino, it was all to familiar. Spear, knife, dagger, sword... they all made the same sound once stuck in the human body. A wet, quiet thud that was reinforced by the gasp of the victim that almost always followed. It was the sound of fighting, of war and of death... thankfully Peter's little fort hadn't experienced much of it. That was something that held a bit of comfort for the Fin. Stroking the sandy, dirt streaked hair with trembling fingers, Tino tried to come up with soothing thoughts as he held his son.
But...
How could Tino possibly begin to apologize for what he had done? For what he was doing to Peter? He knew full well that he probably should have dealt with the situation from the start with a colder demeanour, to just have turned and killed himself before Peter could have even touched him. Instead, he let Peter want... he let him believe that everything would be okay when it really wouldn't. Tino was fully aware of how harsh... how horrible he really was. This would hurt Peter when the child finally figured out what was really going on... Finland opened his eyes to stare ahead pitifully. They really were human here... selfishness had taken a role in Tino's decision. He was too soft, even after all these years. He wanted... he just wanted to hold Peter... speak to him... comb his fingers through his hair, one last time.
One last time...
Tino's heart gave a squeeze with Peter's remarks. He still didn't know. The injury, the words... it hadn't clicked quite just yet. But it would... Tino shook the thoughts from his mind as he rubbed the salty tear from Peter's face. “R-Right... of course...” Tino said, gently patting Peter atop his head. “Make sure you remember to feed her. And no slipping her your vegetables, they're for you to eat... You need to grow big and strong if you want to be a nation, right?” Tino said, trying to smile but he knew the expression didn't meet his hollow eyes. He could never see Peter grow... age... prosper. There were lessons that Tino still hadn't taught him. Like, how it was okay to be afraid sometimes... and how to properly tie his tie because god knows Berwald couldn't... and... there was that time that Tino promised to teach Peter how to snare a small animal in the woods with wire and a stick... Tino still had so much that he wanted to do... but... all those doors slammed shut the instant the lights flickered on in the room and Tino laid eyes on Peter's hunched form.
Tino felt alarm bells ring when his vision began to tunnel out. He couldn't keep sitting up like this. Whether it was the pain or blood loss, something was trying to tug Tino away. It could wait... Tino wasn't ready to go yet. He couldn't stay sitting up though. He'd have to lay down or risk passing out And there were questions of Peter's that he couldn't bear to answer. It hurt too much... Everything hurt too much. Remaining uncharacteristically silent in response to Peter's questions about the knives, Tino tried not to physically wince when he heard three endearing words tossed his way, along with a gesture of kindness. It hurt Tino. It hurt him a lot as he shakily replied, “I-I love you too Peter... more than you know.”
Tino then felt his world sway. It was like the ground was no longer level, but a twisting body that threw him off balance as his head spun. He honestly tried to keep afloat in these waves of nausea as he held Peter, but Tino could only battle it for so long and he collapsed backwards just as Peter pulled back with hesitation over something. Tino tried his hardest, but couldn't repress the quiet groan that battered up from his chest as he choked for a moment, trying to fight what he knew he couldn't hold off for long. Tino's violet eyes flicked open and flocked to Peter's, which soon filled with confusion and panic at the red sticky liquid that coated his fingers.
“No... no no. Y-you're okay, right? T-this, this is just... just... paint? It's paint, r-right?”
Tino tried to keep a straight face as Peter shot into denial before diving down to Tino's level to squeeze Tino tightly. The Fin didn't mind the physical pain that accompanied the gesture; it was the emotional turmoil that sent tears streaking down Finland's increasingly pale cheeks.
“You said... you promised! We're going home, right? We-we're going to find dad, and w-we are getting out of here, a-and you can see Hana and do e-everything you love.”
Tino's throat went tight as he desperately tried to find some way to explain. How could he even begin? He knew this moment was coming and he had dreaded it even since he made his decision from the start. He knew it would hit Peter the hardest, not him. Tino tried to sooth Peter once more with gentled shushing, but two quiet words instantly silenced any effort Tino made to speak.
”You promised..."
The reminder struck into Tino's chest like knives. He couldn't find a good way to explain why he wasn't returning with Peter, other than the term 'sacrifice', but Tino could never put Peter through that. Tino's half lidded gaze rested on the roof... on the flickering flames that were contained in the oil lamp atop the massive chandelier. He tried to keep his breaths even, not the short gasps that he was beginning to undergo, just so it didn't frighten Peter further... Tino's hand came up to support the back of Peter's head. There were so many things he still wanted to do... so many things that he still had to say, but he could feel the hot fluid trickling in back of his throat. He swallowed it down painfully before trying to speak.
“I... I am seeing everything I love...that’s all that matters now...” Tino murmured quietly, using a gentle hand to pull Peter back so the Fin could gaze into the other's face. He saw the betrayal in those eyes, the hurt that forced tears to well within them and Tino couldn't hide the few streams that trickled down his temples. He loved Peter dearly and there was no way he could possibly begin to enunciate that unspoken bond between them with the amount of breath that he had left. It was... growing harder...
Clearing the child's tears once more with a weak hand, Tino finally came up with the words that he had been searching for. He knew the promise he had made earlier was an unwise move, but he... “Peter, I will be with you... always...” Tino's hand trailed down to the boys chest, poking him on his left side, right where his heart was frantically beating. “...Even if you can't see me, I will never leave you again...” Tino couldn't hold his hand up any longer, so it thumped on the metal grating as Tino's vision blurred, but it wasn't due to tears. Or was it...? Tino couldn't even tell at this point. He could just feel the fatigue battling for dominance in his mind, but he wasn't letting it win. Not yet. Withholding a sharp grunt as he shifted awkwardly, Tino winced as he blinked and refocused his violet eyes back on Peter's. He had one last request of the boy... there was something that Tino had to ask before he had to go... his time was coming.
“I know... this is selfish of me to ask... But can you do one last thing for me Peter....? Can you... smile one last time..? Tears... don't suit you...”
Violet eyes laid on sea-blue ones as Tino silently pleaded for his some to grant his final wish. He knew it was so wrong... but...
'I just want... the last thing I want to see before I go... is his smiling face. I don't want to leave with him crying over me. I want to see him happy... like everything used to be... Please Peter... can you answer this one last request before I die?' [/i][/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by sea on Jan 6, 2013 11:37:14 GMT -6
[style=border: 3px solid #0097BD; height:100px; background:#0097BD;] »-- SEALAND --«
»» and i'll try to sleep «« »» to keep you in my dreams «« »» until I can bring you home with me «« »» i'll try to sleep «« [/blockquote] »» There Tino was again, speaking in a way that threw Peter off slightly, the response to his statement about their dog. Of course he was going to feed Hana, and when he forgot, Tino would always remind him! It was something that was as normal as many other things that had been stated, such as eating his vegetables, which sometimes were not the best thing, and he always hoped the other would not notice the slipping of his food to the dog. Maybe the fact Hanatamago would eat less of her own food provided to be a bit of a giveaway in that instance... [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» There was a smile, or what appeared to be an attempted smile that dusted Tino's features that accompanied the reply to his own words, but it did not look happy, almost fake. He had known Tino for long enough to be able to pick up on smiles that were not full, perhaps still felt, but just unable to be what they could be. This worried Peter, who gave the other a gentle kiss with words of love, and he was glad to hear it being returned. “I-I love you too Peter... more than you know.” He knew that the Fin loved him a whole lot, everyone knew that! But that never stopped the warm feeling that blossomed whenever the other would speak words of love, and although the feeling was short this time around, it was still a tiny light in the darkness that was steadily falling upon the two. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» The loved, warm emotions that had fluttered inside of Peter instantly vanished when he discovered blood, and words just flowed out of him at the discovery, as Tino toppled over backwards with the loss of support Peter had been providing until he had pulled away. It was like a wall of reality, which washed away the feelings that perhaps they were finally safe. No, they were never safe it seemed, even when the world around them appeared to be getting lighter. It was quite unnerving and depressing, and he honestly did not like it in the slightest. This place, the mansion that changed and took all who he knew, who he loved, he was growing to absolutely despise it, he could not take it! It was trying to take away his family! [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» It was challenging to try and hug Tino when the other was lying on the floor, but he tried, he wanted to hold the Fin tight and make everything okay. Could he do that, though? It was becoming so very clear that Tino was struggling, and was running on his last legs on this point. He could maybe heal him, but Peter honestly had no clue; he only knew how to do bandaids, and how to help when someone was sick. This was quite different, and there was no way a bandaid would help... whatever the wound was. He knew that if it were bleeding enough to have gotten on his hands that easily, and that much, well, it was not good, not good at all. Anyone would know that. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He could see the tears that trickled down Tino's face, something unsettling, that did not work on the Fin's face. He was supposed to be laughing, they should have been at home, enjoying yet another day in the hot and sunshine... or snow; he really did not know what season it was in anymore. No, Tino wasn't supposed to look this in pain, distant and distraught, he was supposed to be smiling and happy, ready to wrap him up in hugs and cheerful conversation, not the serious ones that had come since they had come together in the eventful room. And so he took his thumb, and brushed it along Tino's cheek, to wipe away the tears, much like the other had earlier, what he had always done when Peter was sad. There were too many things he had learned from Tino... was he going to be able to learn anymore? [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “I... I am seeing everything I love...that’s all that matters now...” A hand guided him back a bit, and he could see Tino even clearer since he was no longer right as close to him as he could get. He wanted to just hug him and keep doing that for as long as he could, but he did not move back, allowing the other to do as he wished. He swallowed thickly when the hand that moved him back wiped his tears, which were almost instantly replaced with fresh ones, and it took all he had not to let out a sob then; it just was not fair. “Peter, I will be with you... always... Even if you can't see me, I will never leave you again...” [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» With those words Tino poked him in the side, and he instantly knew what the other meant by that. But would the Fin actually always be with him? He thought that was just some silly assumption that television shows and movies always came with, since anything was possible in those, and not so much in the real world. But he nodded despite those thoughts, unwilling to voice them. And so he nodded sadly, watching as the other's hand dropped down onto the floor, and he could just see the pain Tino was going through, and it made Peter question just why Tino had done this. They should have tried to search for a way out! It wasn't fair that the Fin had to suffer... and probably die, while Peter got to keep on living. And how would he do that without Tino to guide him along the correct paths in life? He relied on the other a lot, it would be hard to go about without that help. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " This is so unfair! This has to be a stupid prank... B-but why...." Tino was still for a short period of time, before he shifted on the ground, and Peter opened his mouth to tell him to stay still, before pausing when the other met his gaze, the violet eyes that stared into his own sea-green ones looking distant, saddened, and clouded with pain. He bit his lip, and brought his hand down to gently brush along his cheek, running his thumb along it softly. “I know... this is selfish of me to ask... But can you do one last thing for me Peter....? Can you... smile one last time..? Tears... don't suit you...” It was almost a laughable matter, as Peter could say the same thing right back to Tino, and he nearly did, disliking this whole seriousness and the entire scenario. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Could he smile? Was there anything to smile about? Sure he wanted to give Tino what he asked for, especially since it may actually be the last thing the other would see... if this was not all a lie, and he was truly near death. He shuddered, but gave a single nod, and forced a smile on his face. He knew it looked anything but happy, and there was no way it did not look false, but it was the best he could do. Peter then leaned down and pressed a kiss to Tino's forehead, doing his best to keep his tears at bay, keep himself silent. He did not want to make it worse for the Fin, and even if he were going to survive this, he still did not want to make it harder. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» Perhaps he could find help... was it too late though? He really did not want to leave Tino's side, he just could not bare the fact of leaving him alone in the room that was laced with monsters and bad memories. But maybe the other would have a better chance if there was someone who knew how to treat the wounds Peter had actually yet to see with his own eyes; and he wanted to keep it that way. He softly brushed the hair out of Tino's face, as he felt a new wave of tears make their way down his face again, and he sniffed, closing his eyes briefly to try and keep himself together. It was inevitable; he knew Tino was going to die, he could not pretend it was okay anymore. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He stared sadly down at the other, watching him in an uncomfortable silence. Tino had taken his life for him... and he just could not understand why. Surely there had to have been another way. Was he actually worth the life of a strong, friendly nation like Tino? He wasn't sure, he was just so confused, and it was just hard to piece his mind that he would not be escaping the mansion with Tino. And despite that all, he found himself laughing. " Make sure you haunt daddy... I-I don't want him to be sad... M-maybe scare him every night o-or something." The stage after denial; acceptance. " A-and make sure you drink your milk! You... need to stay strong... i-in the afterlife." The words were just spilling, he could not help it. " Please wait for me, Mama... I love you."[/blockquote][/div][/size] [/color] [/size][/style][/center]
|
|
Untouchable
Offline.
Your head will collapse, but there's nothing in it and you'll ask yourself: Where is my mind?
|
Post by Finland (x) on Jan 6, 2013 21:50:54 GMT -6
No matter what Tino did, he couldn't stop the tears. Not his nor Peter's... it was pathetic. He shouldn't be crying! He could face death! Hell, he could welcome a rifle's barrel with welcome arms and a challenging grin. Dying... Tino convinced himself he could meet it. He didn't search for death, but at the same time, he told himself that he didn't fear it. He knew it was coming one day. Whether it was from pollution, economic collapse, or war... Tino knew that they couldn't live forever, but he never thought it would be like this. Even in the Manor, he expected his demise to be from a monster of some sorts. He never imagined that this sort of thing could happen... could rip his heart out and shatter it. At this point, Tino would have rather been eaten alive, ripped apart, or tortured for thousands of years. He didn't want to see Peter like this. Not now, not ever. But if he closed his eyes and let go now...
He couldn't. No. He had to fight. The darkness was coming yes, but Tino would push it back until his dying breath came. He would not be weak and let himself go now. It was a silent battle of tug-of-war between Tino's mind and the fatigue that was drowning it. Tendrils of blackness were pulling him away and sapping the energy from his core. He heaved with all his might to flick his eyes open and look at Peter softly. The action left his breathless and exhausted as he tried to focus on the boy's face.
Tino desperately did not want to leave Peter like this. Alone, helpless, without guidance... Finland knew Sealand was strong, but the Manor was relentless with its cruelty. It broke nations that had existed for many centuries, even millennium. It seemingly knew everyone's weakness and what could hurt them the most, like this match-up between them. How could Peter hope to remain untainted by its evils, especially if he were on his own? Tino took in a shuttering breath, the worries in his mind dimming and the lights in the room seemed to grow fainter. He prayed for Berwald, for Mathias, for Arthur... for anyone to look out for Peter. To protect him in the dark and wash away his fears that the Fin could never be able to do again. That stung Tino's pride as he finally let himself admit his motherly-like tendencies. Someone... would have to take care of his baby. Tino sighed, glancing to Peter as the boy granted his last-minute request and smiled.
It was forced and so wrong from what Tino's memory displayed, but Tino could pretend it wasn't. He was good at seeing the opportunities and positive things from bad situations. He just... the faked upturning of Peter's lips showed that Peter wasn't completely broken... at least, not yet. He was strong... strong enough to go on without him. Tino closed his eyes with a small, sad smile as he tried to ignore the sounds of Peter's withheld sobs. He wanted to remember Peter as the last way he had seen him; a smiling happy boy that couldn't play shooting styled games and that needed to be force fed his green peas. Though the last face Tino had laid eyes on wasn't a natural grin, it was still a smile and Tino would cling to that image in this world and the next.
Peter spoke once more, but what surprised Tino was the laugh that accompanied it. It was, of course, still weighted with sadness and depression, but Peter had bestowed another gift onto Tino without even knowing it. Now Tino had a fresh sound to comfort him, along with the image that he had burned into his memory. A smiling, laughing little boy in a silly Halloween costume. Tino tried to block out all the rest of the facts as his breaths became slower.
“Mmmm, Dad's tough.. like you... but I'll watch over.. you both...I promise...” Tino murmured, eyes still closed as his words began to slur. Pain was beginning to mingle in with his thoughts and Tino couldn't find the strength to fight the pull of the last bit of rope that held his consciousness afloat. He couldn't feel his fingertips anymore and Tino knew from the lack of pulsing in his ears that his blood pressure had dropped dramatically. How much blood had he lost at this point? He'd never know... it seeped through the grating before he could register its absence.
Tino was about to sigh and let everything go, but he realized that he could not leave Peter without making sure the child knew one last important thing. Trudging back to focus was more difficult than Tino anticipated. He was just so tired... he couldn't go yet... not yet. The thread that held him to this world was growing so thin. One thing... one more thing had to be done before Tino could release his fighting grip on reality to be taken away by the sea of numbness. “Peter...” Tino whispered, breath faint and so quiet that he wasn't sure if the word had even managed to get past his lips. He tried again, mustering up his final bit of strength to speak, but his eyes remained shut.
“Always know... that this was... my choice. I have... no regrets...other than... I couldn't protect you...” Tears gathered at the corners of Tino's closed eyes as his words grew softer in the still air. Even the Manor had quieted in order to hear the Fin's last words. Damned house, this was for Peter, not it! Pain flickered across his radar, but he was so tired and so close to slipping away that the sensation went unheard.
“I have... to go. Take care... of yourself... and always know... that I love you...” Tino world swam, the darkness pulling him deeper beneath the surface. Yes, he could not fight this gravitational pull any longer. He was ready. His balled fists went lax as his whole body seemed to collectively sigh in one last breath.
“Goodbye...”
Tino's chest did not rise again.
|
|
|
Post by sea on Jan 19, 2013 16:31:36 GMT -6
[style=border: 3px solid #0097BD; height:100px; background:#0097BD;] »-- SEALAND --«
»» and i'll try to sleep «« »» to keep you in my dreams «« »» until I can bring you home with me «« »» i'll try to sleep «« [/blockquote] »» Even if the smile he had produced upon request had been anything but a real one, it seemed to soothe the Fin at his knees, for a small, though sad smile had spread along the other's face, which did not fade with his words that soon followed, not being removed with the depressed laugh Peter had broken into. His own laughter was not long lived, for within a numb of moments it faded into shattered sobs, unable to be held back even as he tried. He was scared, worried, and he honestly had anything but a clue as what to do, wanting to do nothing than to go and hide somewhere, hope that all would somehow be better, or just bury his face within Tino's shirt, and take comfort from the closeness that it would provide, listen to the sounds of the other's breathing and heartbeat that always soothed him after scary encounters or dreams. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» But he was honestly fearful to do such, scared to touch Tino, and make him worse. He was anything but certain as how to make this all better, and it was not clear to the Sealander whether or not putting a lot of contact and weight on the Fin would give a single benefit. “Mmmm, Dad's tough.. like you... but I'll watch over.. you both...I promise...” The words were laced with exhaustion, broken and uneven in spots, and Tino still had his eyes closed, and despite the fact it made him look a bit more peaceful, Peter found himself silently willing the other to open them again, wanting to see the brilliant violet eyes that he possessed, worried that he would close them and not open them again, as what always seemed to happen in movies where someone was hurt. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He did not provide a verbal response to Tino's words, a mere nod the only thing that escaped him, as he fought to keep his tears at bay, chewing on his lip, and wiping at his eyes occasionally as he stared down at the other, not daring to remove his gaze from him. “Peter...” The words were whispered, nearly missed, and if Peter had not had all his focus on the Fin, he surely would have missed the single breathy word. “Always know... that this was... my choice. I have... no regrets...other than... I couldn't protect you...” Silence met those words, as it seemed like the world had stilled to hear these words, which held an air of importance of which he noted subconsciously. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» “I have... to go. Take care... of yourself... and always know... that I love you...” A goodbye was the single thing that followed Tino's words, and they were also the final one that would ever escape from the other's mouth, as hardly a moment later, and movement completely ceased, not even the tiny movements from Tino's hands or chest making themselves visible, and all Peter could to was stare with a mixed, yet blank expression, as if waiting for the Fin to move around again, and just claim it was all just some stupid joke, or even to wake up and find it was just a dream. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» When minutes passed in an absolute dead silence, and the only movement that seemed to happen in the room was that of Peter's own movements, the shallow, almost panicked breathing, and the eyes that darted to study Tino's frame. When it became clear that the Fin was not going to get up and surprise him, when gentle prodding got not a single thing in return, a wail escaped Peter, as he took to shaking Tino's shoulders, desperately willing him to get up and laugh it off. " No, no, no, this can't be actually happening, this can't be reality!" His mind screamed as tears flooded down his face, which lay crumpled as he unsuccessfully tried to wake the Fin up. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " C-come on, we have to g-get out of here!" He whined unevenly, body trembling as he released Tino's shoulders, taking a hold of his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, something he had known to be a motion of reassurance, like a silent word between two. Like all his previous attempts, this got nothing back in return, and that was the end result for the other various methods he tried, unable to get Tino up, or even to just move, only movement being that of which Peter caused. " He's gone, Peter." His mind told him, but he refused to completely believe it, giving the Fin's shoulders a final shake. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " You promised..." He whispered, blinking rapidly to try and clear the tears that blurred his vision, choking against hiccups that wracked his form. " You- you promised me!" He screamed in frustration, burying his face in his hands, which quickly curled up into fists as he sobbed into them, shaking his head slowly as the sentence repeated itself from his mouth. He had believed that everything would be alright, when it had just been a lie! How would anything be alright with Tino dead ? [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» " I-I thought you were g-going to get me outta here!" He whispered almost angrily, though most of it angled at himself for not having realized the Fin's intentions before now. Perhaps if he had taken the initiative and the lead, and tried to lead them to safety, instead of throwing all the responsibility on Tino, then maybe, just maybe they both would have survived. " I... I'm sorry, Mama." Were his next words, spoken against the silent space of the room, thoroughly meant; he was sorry for all the times he had been a bad boy, and that he could not have protected them both. [/blockquote][/div][/size] »» He rubbed his eyes roughly, at a loss for what to do. He did not want to leave Tino in this room all alone, but there seemed to be no one around. He wanted to try and find someone who could maybe help, in some way, that of which he really did not know, but hope was the single thing he was holding onto at this point. His sea-green eyes shifted over Tino's form one last time, as a new found wave of tears rushed upon him, and he could not help but to press a kiss to the Fin's forehead. With that he raised his gaze, and saw that there now laid a way out of the room, and a tiny smile spread on his face at that, something so faint it was hardly even there, yet it was. There was a chance he could get help, for maybe there was someway another nation could get Tino to move around again. " I-I'll be back, I promise...." He whispered, and gathered the supplies that had been previously dropped, both his own and Tino's - to save them from falling through the grates - and then rushed out of the room, his screams for help fading away as the distance between him and the place of Tino's death grew. [/blockquote][/div][/size] [/blockquote][/div][/size] [/color] [/size][/style][/center]
|
|