melodiesoflife | Event || Doppelgangers

[Jacques offered a reassuring smile to his younger friend, keeping close to them. He had resolve enough for them, given the trials he had been through and would go through to protect his friends.]

"Worry not, my young friend. We are all in this together, and that is 'ow best we will get things accomplished, no?"

[A gentle nudge to Chihiro, trusting the others to have their backs as the taller man scanned around then strode purposefully over to the walls and traced the path ways of red-light. Soon finding a switch, Jacques reactivated the lights.]

"Voila! Let us all 'urry."

Edited (html >.<) 2015-04-18 00:58 (UTC)

Asuka lets out a harsh yell as she strikes with her gunblade to clear the first crystal figure from the door. She backs up, taking up a protective point just behind the two going for the computer, intending to stand as their last line of defense.

Her words are a resentful growl. "You two better know what you're doing! We came all this way to get you here, now get to work." She flicks a long lock of hair behind her shoulder as she brandishes her blade towards the door, ready to fire to cover the last few Heroes coming through. "We'll handle the hard part."

[Daphne was closer to the door, but still in enough to talk so that both parties could understand one another. Dealing a hit to an oncoming monster she was going to make sure that they didn't pass. She wasn't going to let people down. Not like she already had before.

Glancing back for a brief moment she figured she might as well say something right now.]

We'll try and hold them off for as long as possible. I believe in you to do what we came here for. Just tell me how things are going, okay?

[She changed her arm into one from an Eidolon before attacking another crystal figure. So far so good really she thought. She was doing her best.]

For those of who who are fighting, try your best and keep them at bay for as long as it takes.

I'm sorry... Jacques could help you fight if I knew how to read Ancient.

[Chihiro hangs her head shamefully as she takes her seat at the computer, looking over the console's controls and reaching a hand out to touch the screen. There is a brief glow, and she nods as the machine flares to life, inscrutable runes dancing across the display rapid-fire.]

Jacques, you'll have to help me navigate to the information we need. I'll be hacking into protected data clusters, and it's sure to alert someone, so we'll need to be fast.

[As the sounds of the battle rage on just outside the door, Chihiro winces, tears already welling up at the sides of her eyes.]

...Really fast.

[A firm but gentle hand rested on Chihiro's shoulder as Jacques kept close. Supportive and letting the other know he was there, besides being a translator.]

We will get through zis, mon petit-ami. Do what you can.

[His voice quiet and firm, the masculine address of his friend slipping out naturally. Then Jacques attention was focused on pointing out words and helping Chihiro navigate the screens to take them where they needed to go.]

[Chihiro manages a small smile and a nod at the support from Jacques, face reflected in the screen. She doesn't dare take her eyes from it, fingers flying across the keyboard as fast as they can while she scans through the file system.]

What we're looking for will be in one of these protected clusters... we'll probably have to brute force the password. I don't have time to write a program to do it for us.

[With a deep breath and only a momentary pause to concentrate, it's right back to work.]

I'll do my best.

Asuka is holding the final line, preventing any of the crystal figures from passing her, but still close enough that she can watch the hackers' progress. There is a loud ringing sound every time her blade strikes against crystal.

"I can keep this up all day, but if those things keep getting in, while I'm back here babysitting you two," Asuka roars as she slices into another figure. "I hope you're nice and comfy while we clean up this mess!"

There's a vague sense of disapproval, but Asuka can't tell that it's coming from Kaji watching her actions. Instead it just fuels her antagonism towards the girl she's targeted as an outlet for her frustration.

[Even over the din of the battle and the sounds of the system, Asuka's insult cuts through the air like a hot knife through butter. Or at least, Chihiro hears it loud and clear. There's a visible jump even from the back of the chair, followed by a whimpering noise.]

I-I'm sorry! If I was faster, I...

[Already starting to crack under pressure, Chihiro's eyes begin to well up at the sides with tears. It's not doing much to help things, either, as now she has to lift a hand every so often to wipe at her eyes so she can see the screen clearly.]

[Jacques frowned, and concentrated. It was just like Mr. Neitheworld all over again--everyone laughing, because he was a skeleton, in a body building contest. But he had persevered, with aid from friends. Strength deep in his bones, and now he would seek to help his younger friend find that strength too.]

It is alright, petit ami. Focus, as we can not do zis without you.

[He meant that, as his translating was useless without the data, and adding another fighter to the group would not be as productive. It had been explained to them all, when they had broken into groups.]

Zere! Zat looks like it might be promising.

[Pointing to a cluster for Chihiro to explore.

"Don't waste time being sorry, just do better!" Asuka snaps. She pauses in her tirade only to let out a half-shriek, half-yell as she cleaves a particularly stubborn figure in two. "I can't stand excuses!"

There is an extra-loud scream from the fray, Asuka only barely sees what happens to Sandy, but she can see enough to know it's bad. But she can't move from her position. Her reaction is immediate. "We're dying out here because you two are too weak to protect yourselves! Well, fine! They're not taking me with them!" Kaji can sharply feel the fear that cracks behind Asuka's bravado. But it's why she lashes out in every direction, even towards her own allies.

[Telling Chihiro not to apologize for something is like telling water to stop being wet. That panic from before is rising by the moment, reaching a fever pitch.]

I'm sorry! I mean... I'm sorry that I'm sorry! I mean...!

[And then the next words catch in Chihiro's throat at one particular word.

Weak.

It's true. It's always been true. That's why she - no, why he - lives like this. Hiding himself from the world. He can only imagine how much worse Asuka's abuse would be if she knew. But even after so long, he can't bring himself to be honest with the other Heroes of Light. The people he's supposed to trust. The people who are supposed to trust him.

But how could anyone ever trust in someone so weak.

Chihiro freezes up in his seat as those thoughts whirl around his head, and finally, after whispering 'weak' to himself a few dozen times, he finally breaks down in tears.]

Y-you're right... I am weak! I'm useless without a computer, and now I can't even do this! I... I'm so worthless...

Edited 2015-04-21 22:35 (UTC)

[And this is the point at which Chiaki has had enough of being a passive observer and decides to take a more active role in her father's affairs. She had initially resolved - outside of a cursory introduction before - mostly to watch, having played more than enough games where interfering in the time stream inadvertently caused a disaster. But she's played just as many where doing so averted one, and now is the time.]

Father... don't listen to her.

W-what...?

You're not weak. You can do it.

B-but I... I can't!

You can. I know you can. You've never been weak. I think you look really manly when you're programming.

R... really?

Of course. So don't listen to what anyone else says. You're the Ultimate Programmer. You've done amazing things. You've created so many amazing things. [She stops short of saying 'like me.' He doesn't need to think about that right now.] So let me help. I'll hum the Tetris theme to help you concentrate. Just listen to my voice.

[And a certain song begins to play in Chihiro's head. Seemingly snapping out of his reverie, he starts humming it under his breath as well, going otherwise silent as he turns back to the monitor and starts typing at least twice as fast as before. Folders fly open, text scrolls across the screen... it seems that things are back on track.]

I... I can do it! Five more minutes! All I need is five more minutes!

[Jacques was frowning again, his voice raising a bit as his young friend continued to break down.]

Zat is enough Mademoiselle Langley-Sohryu.

[His tone firm, attention taken but for the hand resting against Chihiro's shoulder, addressing their 'guard'.]

IF you 'ave ze time to be flapping your mouth, you 'are clearly not paying attention to your enemies.

[Lydia was cheering him on, before gently prompting Jacques to redirect that focus himself. C'mon Jacques, where's the fire of the Raging Skull? You need to help your friend.

His eyes widened, and he blinked and looked around. That had sounded like Lydia...but she had passed months before.

I'm here. I'm cheering you on! You can do it, Jacques!

Quieter encouragement, but no less enthusiastic as Lydia pointed his focus once more to Chihiro. Nodding to himself, Jacques tuned out anything Asuka might yell that wasn't a warning. Redirecting his attention to his task.]

I believe in you, petit-ami Chi'iro. You are not weak, you are strong in your own ways. Let us find ze information we are looking for, n'est-ce pas?

[Moving once more, rapidly translating and speaking as Chihiro moved through screens. Then...]

Sacre...zat cannot be. 'Zere, Chi-'iro, keep going!

Edited (html woopsie) 2015-04-21 23:00 (UTC)

"Oh, shut it, Frenchie! You wanna trade places, be my guest! Except I don't think these things speak surrender."

Okay, you're hilarious, can we focus now? There are more of these things coming.

The buzzing voice, it's getting more clear, and, for the life of her, Asuka would almost think that it sounds like-

"Kaji!?"

Oh, crap no, I didn't mean to distract you, keep going-

Except that even Kaji has to be silent as Asuka's gaze raises to stare in horror at one of the crystalline figures. It is very clearly himself. The features are all sharp-cut crystal, but it doesn't hinder his recognition, or hers. Her heart thuds in her chest from the shock of seeing him again. She falters, the blade of her sword drops.

No, no! Asuka! Pick up your sword! I don't understand it, either, but that's not me! Asuka!

The crystal Kaji charges, and Asuka barely snaps out of it just in time, raises her sword sideways, to block, hold him back. She braces, and she stands in place, not striking back at him, or the group of creatures behind him, but, for a time, she is successful at preventing any of them from moving towards the hackers.

Oh, you're right... there!

[Chihiro, with Jacques' guidance and Chiaki's added focus, continues to expertly navigate the system. Minutes tick by as they dig through the records. It seems that they've found the right folder, but...]

And now we just have to find the correct...

[File. But it looks as though they have, considering how Chihiro abruptly halts after hearing Jacques' translation. Uncomfortable silence hangs in the air for a moment until he's found his voice again.]

Every two thousand years...? The Heroes and the Calamity... but what does it mean?

[Unfortunately, they might not find out. At the moment Chihiro voices that question, the crystalline creatures come flooding into the room.]

(ooc: To the fighters - don't feel the need to hurry your side of things up just because I'm bringing this part to a conclusion. We'll assume they line up temporally even if one thread is longer than the other. It's just that I can't keep hacking interesting for as long as a fight thread stays interesting.)

[Jacques expression was grim, as he read and read again. Translating and reading it again. Urging Chihiro to search but the same results came up.]

Two t'ouzand years, four t'ouzand, six t'ousand...it just goes on like zat...

[Puzzlement, as that hadn't been what any of them were expecting. Jacques was about to urge Chihiro to keep going again, but his attention was taken by the assault.]

Ohlala ...non! Not now!!

More and more of the figures are swarming, little nicks and cuts are making their way past Asuka's defenses, chipping away at her health one hit at a time. A slice at her arm, a stab into her leg. She slides back, and again, as blood streams down her leg and hinders her footing. But she stays, blocking the path. She can't raise her sword to strike back in any way, and her eyes burn with tears as she can't take them off of the one figure in front of her. Her head shakes back and forth ever so slightly in denial.

Kaji. Why? Why did it have to be him? He wouldn't hurt me, why isn't he here to help me? You're finally here, Kaji, and you didn't come to save me! Did you just come here to watch me die? Why won't you save me? What good are you if you can't save me!?

Asuka! You've got to fight him! Fight me! Something!

The facets of the crystal Kaji's face twist, into something like a grin. It grabs at Asuka's own blade, shoves with the force of all of the enemies crowding behind it, and it overpowers Asuka. The blade turns in her hands, and bites back into Asuka's side, slicing straight through her armor. The screech of pain that echoes in the room is far different from her outcries earlier. Pain, horror, betrayal, shock, all mixed into a single sound. Asuka's form slumps forwards, she even puts out a hand to lay on the enemy in front of her, barely with the strength to push him off.

"Look at me." But her voice is so soft, all the fight is gone out of it. "L-look at me." Asuka raises her head, tears fall as she stares into the empty eyes of Kaji in front of her. Her hand rises, touches the form on the cheek. "Look at me, Kaji. Look at me."

Asuka!

Kaji's hands raise right back, but the cold crystal doesn't embrace her as she hopes. Strong fingers wrap tight around her throat. Asuka's whole body tenses, and she grips at Kaji right back. "L-l...loook..." Her words are cut off with a high-pitched croak.

I see you, Asuka... I fucking see you. I've always seen you.

A wet snap, and a startlingly loud clang sounds as Asuka's heavily-armored form crashes to the ground. The final warning the hackers get that their defense has fallen. But there is no one left to hear the echoing scream in Asuka's mind, until the real Ryoji Kaji wakes back up in his bed.

Asuka...!

[Chihiro turns around, tears streaming from his eyes as he watches her heroic last stand. Asuka was never nice to her, but she didn't deserve an end like this. He's about to burst into tears again, when...]

Don't look.

B-but, I...!

You have to get the message out to the others. I know it hurts, but they need to know the truth of this world.

[Chihiro stares past Jacques and toward the fracas happening in the door for a long moment before nodding and turning back to the monitor.]

Right... yes, that's right. I have to tell the others. They need to know. This might be our last chance. Jacques... I'm sorry, but can you hold them off for one more minute?

[He hates to ask, especially when he can't help, but this is the best thing he can do to help right now. Desperately fumbling with his crystal, he tries to get the message out.]

Everyone! Can anyone hear me? This is Chihiro! Someone, please answer me!

I will give you all ze time I can, Chi-Hiro.

[Jacques was already moving, expression grim as he placed himself between his younger friend and the swarm. Asuka hadn't deserved a death like that, but there was little he could do now save to make sure it wasn't in vain. They would mourn later.]

Be strong, you can do zis, my friend.

[Grim, but determined. Starting with the one that had dealt the blow to Asuka as a fist lashes out towards crystalline face. A solid punch, then another, and the countenance cracks. As he'd mastered the Monk-job, Jacques went into a flurry of motion as best he was able, putting all his determination behind it, taunting as he went to try and keep them focused on himself.]

Hah, you all are nozing but glass! I 'ave faced worse zan you, and come out stronger in my bones each time!

[Too many, there are too many! For every one or two Jacques takes down, there are more coming to replace them. Lydia in his head is watching, cheering him on the whole time before she yells a warning.

Jacques!

His attention was taken by a younger crystalline form, only the faintest resemblance to his younger friend still behind him throwing his timing off. Allowing the entity to slide in and hit him in the gut, winding him before it moved away.

Lydia's warning in his head came at the same time, too late, as his eyes went wide at the smaller crystalline entity smirking as it came towards him. Familiar ponytail bouncing high on her head, and a wickedly jagged long dagger in her hand.]

Sacre bleu...zis can not be.

[Barely dodging the first strike, as the purple-crystalline Lydia continued to smirk at him. Jacques regained his feet, but could not fight back. Not against his friend, one of his older ones here from Crystallis. Had it worn Be-atlejuice's face, it would have been difficult, but not impossible.

But he could not strike back at Lydia...]

Jacques, no...it's not me! Get up...fight!

[Even the small voice in his head that was pleading with him could not break through, as he was a second too slow, didn't pivot fast enough, before a blade was slicing through skin and muscle. All the way until it felt bone, and twisted.]

Mais...non...Lydia...

[A gurgle, as the entity smiled sweetly, and twisted again. Jacques' vision going swimmy, then black--and Lydia saw no more through Jacques' eyes.]

Edited 2015-04-24 17:10 (UTC)

[As Chihiro hears Jacques' cry of pain and anguish, he completely abandons his efforts to contact the outside world. There's no way he can focus after something like that, and not even Chiaki's voice can reach him now. He lets out a scream as he turns to see his friend, blade pierced through his ribs, slumped over next to his chair.]

Jacques... n-no... you can't... don't die!

[Fear and panic in his eyes, Chihiro tries to back into his seat as if it will somehow take him away from all of this carnage. As he looks past the crystalline Lydia, he sees his other comrades, dead or dying at the door. He opens his mouth to scream, but it catches in the back of his throat as he sees another figure advancing.]

...!

[It's a face he recognizes, but not one he ever came to know in his own world - the face of Chiaki. The culmination of all his research into artificial intelligence, though she never told him as much outright. Still, he recognized her voice in his head during all of this, and the word 'father' somehow floats to the forefront of his thoughts as the realization clicks into place.]

Ch-Chiaki... you're...

[It's all he has time to vocalize, his eyes going wide as the manikin produces a razor sharp crystalline playing card seemingly out of nowhere and slices his throat with one quick motion. Blood spills out as Chihiro's hands reach up in a futile attempt to cover the gruesome wound, his mouth producing only choking and gurgling noises as he slumps out of the chair and hits the ground.

And before the dream ends, Chiaki hears the last thoughts of her father and creator.]

...I've failed you all. I'm sorry...

Edited 2015-04-24 19:45 (UTC)

Event || Doppelgangers

Using skeleton icons, but he's human in dream.

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jumping in again to cry - we'll go Jacques, Asuka, Chihiro after this

Works for me. Have at us both, Asuka! ^_^

Why did you guys let me play this character?

1/2

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assuming a bit of Jacques translation going on simultaneously for the sake of this tag

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