PC: Harrowhark

[hardrocklife]

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[hardrocklife]

Sorry--

[He mumbles a quick apology, tugging the scarf over his lower face. His eyes go to the direction she just came from.]

Is that the way out?

[outsidebones]

I think we came from that way, did we not?

[she's not sure anymore; she'll pick herself up gingerly and try to feel around the mirrors.]

[hardrocklife]

Right... It must be that way.

[He just hurries past her, around a corner, and...

nope. more mirrors.]

... Damn it!

[outsidebones]

[she's getting incredibly frustrated with this; she just wants to kick a mirror. but she refrains.]

Why did we even come in here. Why this entire clown island.

[hardrocklife]

They're mocking us...

Everywhere I go, it's always like this...!

[outsidebones]

I'm growing tired of exploring only for everything we find to be of no use.

[hardrocklife]

Of course it is...

That's how it always is, in life and in death...

[outsidebones]

Don't be defeatist. You will never succeed at anything if you're so easily discouraged.

[hardrocklife]

[...

He glances over, meeting her eyes for a moment. Then, with seemingly great effort, takes a few more steps to continue looking for the exit.]

[outsidebones]

[she sighs out in heavy relief, looking as well.]

...Thank you. Let's be clever about this, not wander around in circles.

[she takes a few pieces of bone from her pockets. hmm. but she scatters them on the ground. they look mostly like finger bones, toes, small pieces of rib.]

Step on these, you are heavier than I am. It will create a powder, which we then can use to mark our path and the mirrors.

[hardrocklife]

[Even though he's stopped outwardly panicking, his eyes dart around, casting anxious glances at the mirrors. Then, he looks downward to where Harrow directs his attention.]

... Resourceful of you.

[Should he be bothered that those may be human bones? Maybe, but that's actually one of the less upsetting things in his vicinity right now, so he'll go along with it.

He gives them a firm stomp, putting the weight of his stone body on them. Then he steps away to give her room to work.]

[outsidebones]

[she'll gather up powder and start walking forwards, scattering it in front as she goes so powder falls on the mirrors, sprinkles on the ground where there's a path ahead.]

This way. It wasn't so difficult after all.

[hardrocklife]

[He makes the mistake of locking eyes with his reflection in one of the mirrors... then, tugging his scarf up, he follows hurriedly.]

[outsidebones]

[she's focused on making her way out, not looking at the figures in the mirrors. it's easy for her, to ignore things she knows cannot really be there, though at one point there is a sort of wistful, longing glance back.

they make it out.]

[hardrocklife]

[they make it out.

zelgadis drops to his knees, a hand over his face as he tries to collect himself, one ragged breath after another.

then, he slams a fist into the ground beside him.]

Damn it...!

[outsidebones]

Zelgadis?

[she whirls around, somewhat concerned.]

Are you quite alright?

[hardrocklife]

[He closes his eyes. He's getting more composed, but he's not exactly. good.]

... All I wish is to never look upon this accursed face again.

[outsidebones]

Your face?

[she doesn't have any idea how to comfort people so she just sort of stands there fretting.]

[hardrocklife]

You've seen it, haven't you?

[Even though we did have like a whole thread of them politely not looking at each other. Which he appreciates her for.]

[outsidebones]

Yes, though I see nothing objectionable about it.

[she frowns a little, chewing her lip.]

...I dislike for others to see my face bare. And I dislike to look upon it myself. Perhaps it is similar for you.

[hardrocklife]

[He looks a bit incredulous at "nothing objectionable," then turns his gaze back to the ground.]

... Kind of like that.

This face is not mine by choice, nor by coincidence of birth. It's a daily reminder of my own foolishness... One that I can never escape from.

[outsidebones]

A curse, perhaps?

[she does look more curious, looking directly at him now.]

[hardrocklife]

Technically no, but... close enough.

[Well, he'll throw her a bone (not literally, sorry) and pull his scarf down to show the blue-black rock of his face.]

This body is a fusion of human, rock golem, and blow demon. A chimera.

[outsidebones]

[oh that's so funny for reasons. wow. she grimaces a little at the word he uses.]

...A chimera. I see. How did you come to be?

[hardrocklife]

... I was human. Weak and talentless... I grew frustrated with myself.

A man who knew my desire for strength approached me. Said he would grant that wish... and then did so in his own twisted way.