Descent into Darkness

[bravenewmods]

As the characters arrive, they will find what appears to be a rather deep cavern. Upon entering, the caverns are quite narrow, with twists and turns everywhere and different tunnels that all seem to be interconnected. As characters travel deeper within the caverns, reality around them will start to warp, they will start to see and hear things that aren’t necessarily there - images of old enemies, past failures, voices of condemnation, visions that strike at the soul and core of the characters. Once this begins, it will only increase in power and volume, demanding it be confronted, lest they be trapped within these caves forever.

[OOC: This event will run for a week. All characters who enter the caves will be subject to some of their deepest fears, darkest demons, and most abject failures. To overcome them, characters must help each other out, finding their purpose through strength of character and resolve to move forward. In general, these visions should require characters to come to grips with themselves. Illusory images and voices can and will appear and can take any number of forms, depending on what is most appropriate to a character. Additionally, characters may thread with each other and are encouraged to help each other out to overcome these personal demons. For those who wish to take part, they are able and encouraged to narrate their own personal demons, which will be on display for everyone who enters their thread. IC threads may be made in this post.]

Comments

[commissionergrump]

[Gordon glances to Rincewind at the hand, and he lets out a slow, shuddering breath.]

I made all these excuses to stay out, to stay away. I was always too busy.

[He lets out another slow breath.]

I know it's not real, I know this isn't them, but... it could be, and I have never been more scared in my life.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

So, it isn't them? That's great. Nothing like a psychological jab to start your day. Except, erm ... they are alive, right? I'm not being insensitive? I remember you telling me you had kids. Or was it just the wife?

[ Bugger his memory. He's about to feel the extreme of either relief or shame in a minute. ]

[commissionergrump]

[Gordon sighs heavily, tearing his eyes away from the upsetting image.]

This isn't the past. It might be the future, or Savior forbid, the present.

[He takes a deep, steadying breath.]

I should make more time for them.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Don't see why you can't. Time's a limited resource. You have to work with what's given. Know what I mean?

If not seeing them enough is really bothering you, I think you should.

[ He gives the grisly scene a lasting look. ]

[commissionergrump]

[Rincewind's simple, obvious suggestion sets off a cascade of excuses, every one of them in Jim's voice, if not as it is now, how it once was. However, not a single one of them comes from his lips, each one coming from everywhere at once, as if the walls of the apartment themselves were talking.]

After the baby's born, I promise.

The city needs me.

After this case.

[The excuses soon blur together into a sort of cacophony, and, when they do go silent, they're replaced by a silence utterly unlike the silence of the absence of noise. The silence seems to be waiting for something. The silence is broken by James' voice, uttered from his own lips.]

There was always time later. Always something more import-- No, not more important.

[He looks at the grisly scene.]

I always thought I'd be able to make up for lost time later. That one day I'd retire and be able to spend all the time I wanted with them.

[He runs his fingers through his wife's hair, and looks at his children.]

I've missed so much. You're right. Time is a limited resource, and I'm suddenly not so sure I've been using mine well.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ A tad spooked by the jumble of excuses coming from everything except Jim. Oh, and the bodies were still there. Nothing like casually talking over bodies. ]

Look, I can see this is eating you up inside, but, ad interim, let's get out of here. There's a time and place for looking at one's life. I don't think this is one of them. Life's hard enough to sort out as it is without a cave having to mirror back all the nasty things in our heads.

[commissionergrump]

[Gordon pushes to his feet, Rex the Stoutland standing next to him as a quiet support.]

In this case, I'd say Union actually does need us.

[He pauses, almost as if expecting the cave to disagree.]

Let's do what we came for, /then/ get home.

[He looks to the younger man.]

Thank you, Rincewind.

[Another look around, and he finds a door. Normally it's a Broom Closet, but in this cave? He opens it, it opening out back onto the caves, a well lit cavern at the other end of a short passage.]

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Not a problem. We're still in one piece, mentally and physically speaking.

[ Rincewind trots along beside him and the Luggage behind them. ]

[commissionergrump]

Wouldn't quite go that far, but I'll manage.

[He steps into the well lit cavern, where Diancie awaits.]