riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-20 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dahut can do all of these things! Dopal is now on the ground with Arthur, with a giant chasm between them and the Beast.

The first thing Arthur does on instinct is pull Dopal away from the edge, so that she doesn't fall in.

Except then—as mist rises, more monsters fly out from the chasm. Various kinds, like the types you'd find in myths or storybooks. Certainly more than Arthur should be forced to handle alone, but Dahut will understand that Arthur has fought alone for a long, long time now. At this point, it seems that he doesn't know how to do anything but carry it all by himself.]
artificialsweetener: (and i don't wanna die)

[personal profile] artificialsweetener 2024-03-20 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't get paid enough to deal with all of this, goddamn.

Well. It really will start raining cakes now!! EAT CAKE, MONSTERS. Giant flaming cakes and also bowling balls, though none of them will fall around Dopal or Arthur. While this insanity is happening, he idiot sandwiches Arthur's face between his hands.]


I'm not Opal, so don't worry about me, okay? I can fight, but we don't have to! You don't have to. Stop tormenting yourself, Arthur Starling. If you have regrets, wake up and carry them, even if they're heavy. Don't you still have unfinished business?
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-20 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dahut's words strike true, even though Arthur is very, very confused right now. Even though Arthur's heart is heavy, the truth that remains is that he'll always choose others before himself, if it comes to that. Dahut is right, and he must return.

He has unfinished business, after all. Just as Dahut does, even if theirs might be of a different nature. The road to get here has been painful, so utterly painful, and they might both long for a time when things were simpler. When their family was still alive, and they were unburdened by those they failed to save. That doesn't change what the present is, though, so all they can do is keep shouldering this weight.

Should Dahut peer into the chasm, he will see that past the monsters trying to come at them (still battered by flaming cakes and bowling balls), a blue flame flickers. Despite any instincts he might have against this, he intuitively understands that he should take Arthur's hand and jump into the fire.]
artificialsweetener: (don't forget the way)

[personal profile] artificialsweetener 2024-03-21 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
[imagine i just say he doesn't peer into the chasm because he's too busy idiot sandwiching arthur's face

No, he'll look, and fortunately (or unfortunately??) he doesn't have any such instincts that would tell him to not just jump into a fucking monster chasm fire. With the monsters on their way up, he doesn't want to delay things any more than necessary...

All the same, he wants to make sure that Arthur is the one to make this most important step. He moves to the edge, holding a hand out.]


I'm sorry. I know that it hurts and it's really hard and lonely... But I'll hold your hand, okay? I won't let go until you're wide awake. Are you ready?
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-21 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[After a moment of hesitation, Arthur nods and takes the hand reaching out to him. He's ready.]
artificialsweetener: (paperback dreams)

[personal profile] artificialsweetener 2024-03-21 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
[TIME TO GO!! He'll give Arthur's hand a little squeeze and then turn to face the hell pit.]

Yay! Wake-up time!

[JUMPING IN.]
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-21 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Into the fire they go! As Dahut will feel, the flames only lick gently at Arthur's (and Opal's) skin, warming him like an embrace rather than burning him.

Finally, Arthur wakes up.]