IC Contact; Empatheias [CLOSED]

[bondsofsuffering]

[All messages via the crystal network or messenger bird go here!

Be sure to indicate the date and method of communication; messenger bird, text, audio, or image!]

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Telepathic message through crystal - July 5th

[melodyoflogic]

[Around the same time Hizumi is with Eyes, he'll be receiving a very firm mental nudge from Ayumu, along with a message.]

Kanon Hilbert is here.

[It's followed by a mental impression, an image: A younger Kanon than the one they both know, cheerfully catching... what looked to be a lacy white garter.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[And Ayumu will be getting a jolt of shock almost immediately.

Of all people... Kanon's here, too? He remembers only too well what happened the last time he met with Kanon, and he's certain Ayumu must know as well. After all, he'd been dealing with the aftermath of it not long before they arrived here.

It takes a moment for him to form an actual coherent response. This time, it's marked with both agitation and... fear?]

Rutherford is, too. Probably from around the same time by the looks of it.

[And Ayumu will receive an image of the younger Rutherford in turn, looking oddly calm for walking with Hizumi of all people.]

september 30th, hospital, evening

[melodyoflogic]

[After everything that had happened, they'd both been carted to the hospital, tended to and confined to bed. Ayumu remembered that much, at least, though he'd been fumbling in and out of a state of unconsciousness either pain or medically induced for the past 24 hours. Sleep was the most important thing, the nurses had said-- sleep and keeping still so they didn't hurt themselves further. But sleep was hard.... disorientation and stress both interrupting his sleep more often than not tonight. He kept jerking awake, cold and shivering, with images of blood and razor sharp teeth staining his dreams.

Stitched up, bandaged and pumped full of painkillers, he wasn't in the mood to deal with more discomfort.... or more lack of sleep. It's why at about midnight Hizumi will find his blankets being tugged on by a blanket swathed, familiar figure.] Hey.

[bondsofsuffering]

[Hizumi's had a similar time. His entire body aches from the wounds he'd received that day, and the pain, coupled with this sort of setting...

It isn't pleasant, being confined to a hospital bed again. It's only a small blessing that he isn't under strict watch this time. But that doesn't exactly help him get to sleep any easier, both his back and his left arm bringing a dulled but very much present pain whenever he so much as shifted wrong. But he keeps quiet, at least, sucking in a quick breath here and there and silently exhaling again. There's no need to keep Ayumu up over it, either...

But then there's someone by his bed, and though he doesn't have to guess who it might be, his presence still surprises him.]

...Hey yourself. Somethin' wrong?

[He keeps his voice soft, though his concern leaks through. Ayumu shouldn't be up and about...]

January 7th

[melodyoflogic]

[Hizumi had probably already gotten his usual mental nudge when Ayumu got out of work, but it isn't too much after that he gets another. This one carries a hint of worry and alarm, though it's clearly restrained, as well as a tiny need for comfort.

Was he scared? Maybe a little. Last time hadn't gone well, and now...... Things were different.]

Rutherford is back.

[bondsofsuffering]

[The first nudge garnered a rather gleeful response consisting of a deck of odd cards from that new card game that was all the craze. Apparently it was a good hand, judging by the sense of mischief that filtered through.

The second one, however, comes as a surprise. There's an instant feeling of concern when he senses the worry and the longing for comfort, and he sends over warmth, a reminder of the couch at home in front of the fire, available for curling up together once they're both free.

Those feelings fade slightly when he recieves the image of Rutherford.

Surprise comes first and foremost, followed by musing. So he'd returned... perhaps he ought to do a sweep for Kanon while he's at it. But first things first: reassurance, warm and confident.]

We'll figure something out. Lemme finish this up real quick-- I can meet you guys at home.

[He'd been planning to toy with his opponent for a while, but crushing them in an instant is certainly doable.]

6/17, evening

[melodyoflogic]

[Lately the only real privacy they'd both had was in the evenings like this-- when they got ready for bed and curled up together for a little while, just enjoying each other's company, reading or chatting. Tonight was one such night like that, only Ayumu hadn't picked up the novel he'd been reading when he'd curled into bed.

There was something he wanted to discuss with Hizumi, but he wasn't quite sure how it'd go. He knew Hizumi didn't know her like he did, but.......]

Hey.

Do you think we could invite someone over for dinner sometime soon?

[bondsofsuffering]

[Hizumi had flopped into bed and settled down quickly enough, recently being more in the mood to chatter and/or doze while snuggled up to Ayumu until it was time to actually sleep. However, the fact that Ayumu doesn't immediately reach for his book is enough a sign that there's something he wants to talk about, and as a result Hizumi isn't surprised at all when he hears the question.]

You mean pigtails?

[Yeah, he'd run into her too.]

voice telepathy, 7/2

[purrtagonist]

[it'll probably take Akira a while to adjust to the idea that all long-distance communications in Empatheias take place in one's head, but!! at least he's comfortable enough with the idea to make telepathy calls now??]

[either way, PICK UP HIZUMI SOMEONE IS CALLING]

What's the strangest ice cream flavor you've ever seen?

[well, this is random. the call has a purpose he promises]

[bondsofsuffering]

Spinach.

[Is the immediate answer, followed by a beat.]

...I really don't recommend it. Why?

July 1st, late afternoon

[melodyoflogic]

[It's shortly after Hizumi gets home from the cafe that he'll get a little mental prod from Ayumu-- a rather nagging one, even if it's a little hesitant, like he's not sure if he's being a bother. The attempt to get Hizumi's attention persists, however, in lieu of Ayumu being able to go greet him. He really wished he'd thought to keep that crutch from all that time ago--

Ayumu enjoyed his naps quite a bit, as Hizumi well knew, but being stuck in bed mostly alone for days sucked some of the enjoyment out of sleeping. He was bored, he was lonely, Roka had abandoned him after even he'd had enough of cuddles, and though he didn't want to impose much it was overridden by just how much he wanted Hizumi there.

He'd been avoiding him, and Ayumu might be sulking over it a bit.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[There's definitely a pause when he receives the nudge, setting down the book he'd been about to stare holes into thanks to being too distracted to properly read. He's been avoiding Ayumu, trying with every ounce of his body not to give in to the lingering compulsion to hold the other as tenderly as before...

Just like he did when he sought to freeze Ayumu solid, preventing any avenue of escape.

He debates it, for a short while. Weighing his sins against just how long he can hold out against that need, something he'd already had even before this whole mess...

Slowly, heavily, he stands to go to their room. Peering inside, like a guest instead of an inhabitant.]

You okay in there?

August 21st, morning

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu hadn't slept well. The bed was too big, too wide for just him, and over the course of the night he'd rolled most of the blankets around himself in wasted effort to become comfortable. His dreams were peaceful but his sleep wasn't, and that was ultimately how he woke, facefirst in his pillow and longing for a warm body next to him.

It takes a second for clarity to rear it's head through the bleary clouds of sleepiness, but when it does it's like a punch to the gut. He shoots up in bed, glancing around the bedroom only he occupied with wide eyes. The lightbulb in the lamp next to the bed cracks from the force of his horror.

Shit. Shit, he'd...

What had he done??]

[bondsofsuffering]

[It takes a while for Hizumi to stir, though unlike Ayumu, he lacks the option to sit up in surprise. Not with his wrists bound the way they are, blindfold still fastened tight and obscuring his vision entirely. It's far from the best awakening he's had (though yet not quite the worst), and a few weak tugs confirm the raw feel of his skin against rope, the weariness of both the body and the mind.

His body is stiff and his mind is still clouded, though nothing to the extent of before. Although the room is full of crawling shadows, oozing from corner to corner like beasts with minds of their own, it's far cry from the violent movements that usually accompanied his presence these days, as though the shadows themselves were seeking to battle and consume one another.

He's weak. Hungry, too - his mind is muddled and his memories still making sense of the past few days, did he even eat that much?

But he's here. And he's certainly no Devil.]

11/2, voice

[purrtagonist]

[there isn't really a reason for this call. sometimes, you just feel like saying hi to your boss-slash-friend-with-lots-of-secrets]

Do you ever take any of the requests on the task board, Hizumi-san?

[bondsofsuffering]

[And then Akira got punched in the face with jealousy.

There's a brief flicker of a person accompanying those heavy, negative emotions, but to Hizumi's credit he tamps them down quickly.]

Not a good time.

12/25; messenger bird

[novility]

[ On the day of Christmas day, a bird flies over to Hizumi, bringing him a neatly wrapped present dressed up in green paper. Inside there's a bear hoodie and a set of two kitty bowls, spoons and plates. There's also note tucked in with his presents. ]

Merry Christmas, Hizumi-san! May you have the grandest holiday.

PS: Please do share the kitty bowls with Ayumu-san! I hope he likes them.
From, Sonia Nevermind

12/25; messenger bird

[bondsofsuffering]

[The messenger bird is returned with a letter and gift of its own, though it's considerably lighter than her own.

Likely because though it's made of metal, the gifted headband is far more delicate in construction.]

Thank you for the gifts, from both of us! We'll both get a lot of use out of that set of cat dishes for sure. The hoodie's perfect for keeping warm in this weather, too!

It's only a single present but I hope you'll find it to your tastes.

-Hizumi

Mystery Gift - December.

[empc]

[ When Hizumi wakes, he will find that his crystal is glowing! His emotion drops for the month of Ennea have resonated with Empatheias' giant crystal, and a reaction has been formed.

By his feet, he will find a speaker! It isn't connected to anything nor does he need to connect it to anything. At the push of a button, the speaker will generate a beat and Hizumi can talk (or rap) over it!

(Thank you for submitting to the Emotion Tracker!) ]

2/14 [Not Here - Action on behalf of Kokichi Ouma]

[lightthedarkness]

[Waiting on Hizumi's doorstep when he gets home is a mound of candy and roses. There is 1 peach rose with peach ribbons, 3 yellow roses with a yellow ribbon around each, and 3 pink roses with a pink ribbon wrapped around each one. With each rose there is also a box of heart-shaped chocolates with a card. All it reads is:]

- ೭੧(❛〜❛✿)੭೨

[bondsofsuffering]

[...Huh. Well, that's... interesting.

He'll just indulge in the chocolates while trying not to think too hard on the colors, he supposes.]

February 16 | telepathic image

[fabling]

[ The image shows a garden outside, where he's up in a tree, holding onto it while laid out across a branch. ]

Hizumi-chaaaaaaaan, come and play with me, I'm bored!

[ Is this really a way to ask for help? No. Is he doing it this way? Yes. ]

[bondsofsuffering]

Ehh-- I could be busy, you know. Maybe I don't have time to play.

[He's free, actually, already analyzing that image and beginning to walk. Does it look more like the park, or somewhere else?]

during april intro log - audio

[melodyoflogic]

Hizumi?

Kousuke is here.

1/2

[bondsofsuffering]

[The message causes a thrum of alarm on Hizumi's side. Kousuke's... with Ayumu?]

[...But then there's a sensation of relief.]

28th, morning

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu woke feeling much like he'd been hit by a truck, and then backed up over again. He rolled onto his side with a hiss, burying his face in his arms and hiding away from the headache inducing brightness of the sun. There's grass instead of the softness of his pillow or Hizumi's warmth under his cheek... This wasn't his bed. Where was--

Its about that moment everything that had happened all comes back in a rush. He inhales sharply, taking deep, shaky breathes as he absorbs that reality: He'd died. He'd died, but he's come back alive and breathing and, as a quiet assessment of his state proves, in one piece. At the very least, he wasn't bleeding out, choking for every breath around the blood that had filled his lungs.

It was equal parts relieving and disturbing, and he'd probably spend a few minutes more just struggling to compartmentalize that if his last memories weren't of Hizumi desperately pleading with him, terror on his face.

Shit.

He yanks his amulet out from beneath his shirt, noting the newness of it for the briefest of moments before he tries to open a connection to Hizumi. He could deal with his own feelings later.]

Hizumi? Hizumi!

[bondsofsuffering]

[There's a swirl of despair when that message first hits, but it breaks apart, like clouds on a grey day suddenly shifting to make room for sunlight to shine through.

It's morning, but his heart is already racing, anxiousness and trepidation and hope and love all mixed into a confusing mess.]

Ayumu-- it's really you, right?

[Not his imagination, not a lingering dream, he's really--]

Where are you?

12/25

[earphoned]

[ Minato's not sure if Hizumi and/or Ayumu are going to leave their place on the 25th because they might be busy with themselves, but they should figure out that there's something waiting for them on their doorstep sooner or later. Hopefully. The box with Hizumi's name contains cat angel and devil wings and a strawberry flavored non-alcoholic champagne because no sane person would trust Minato with alcohol (and they were right). There's a short message attached, too:

Mewwy Christmas (ΦωΦ) M. ]