memesinthenight | TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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!tdm

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

Hello and welcome to the In the Night test drive meme for June! Thanks for your interest in our game! Reserves open on June 20, and applications open on June 22.

While you're here...
Take a look at our rules and faq pages to familiarize yourself with the game.
Note that we have a reserve/application cap of ~~20 apps per month~~ (this has been waived for the first month!).
TDM threads can become game canon if both players wish. If the situation isn't something that could happen in-game, you're free to chalk it up to some strange hallucination, a shared dream, or other mysterious circumstance.
Note that this is not limited to new characters threading with characters already in-game. If current players wish to thread out the TDM prompts as canon events, they are welcome to do so.
Though threads can become canon, they cannot count toward AC.
If you plan to apply, please keep in mind that we do require at least one sample thread on the application to be from our TDM (though it doesn't need to be the current TDM).
You're welcome to use the provided prompts or come up with something on your own, but we do ask that all threads take place in our game's setting.

Thank you again, and we hope you'll choose to join us!

log prompts

YOU'RE DEAD, JIM

You haven't been in Beacon long when you find yourself in Bonfire Square, staring into the flames and thinking about how you ended up here. Maybe it was an accident, a sudden freak thing that you never saw coming until you woke up on the ferry, or maybe it's a miracle you made it as long as you did. Maybe death was a relief. Maybe it was just your time. Whatever the case, you can't help but reflect on your final moments as you linger in the firelight.

But however you died, it's behind you now, and you're here, stuck in this little town with just a few buildings and a smattering of other people. You're going to be here a while, so you may as well get to know your neighbors, but... Would it be cathartic to commiserate about your deaths? Or is your time better spent stocking up at the general store? Then again, you've got plenty of time, so why not catch a drink or two (or three) at the Invincible? Pretend you're unaffected by your death, and, well. Fake it 'til you make it, perhaps.

Point is, you have options. You're dead, you died, and this is your "life" now. Better get used to it.

AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES

Currently, there's only one place to live (technically speaking) in Beacon: the Invincible, a tavern and inn located in Bonfire Square. Luckily, the place has working amenities (minus light), and the forest spirits don't charge anything for your stay. Unfortunately, it seems there may not be enough rooms for everyone. Guess you'll have to get cozy!

Maybe you'll try to pick a roommate from around town or in the bar downstairs, or maybe you'll just walk into the first room you see and choose that way. Want a room all to yourself? Get ready to fend off any potential intruders. And the fun doesn't end there.

The Invincible's rooms aren't all created equal. Some may have had their furniture stolen or become a dumping ground for unwanted pieces, resulting in a single bed, five dressers, and other equally distressing situations. Will someone sleep on the floor? Will you nail two beds together to form bunk beds? Maybe you just want to make this room into something more like home— potentially to your roommate's chagrin. Whatever you decide, this is where you're staying for now, so you might as well get comfortable.

network prompts

HACKER VOICE: I'M IN

In order to use the network, you have to register a username. Er, at least, that's how it's supposed to work. For some reason, new users have recently been able to bypass that requirement, allowing them to post anonymously. Time to troll strangers on the magical internet!

Eventually though, you'll need a username in order to use the tablet's other functions, like the direct messaging system. So hey, why not take advantage of the ability to source opinions, and workshop your potential usernames on the network? Share ideas, get feedback, steal ideas, critique others, and figure out what you want everyone to call you.

TURN ON YOUR LOCATION

When you wake up, you're in the woods. An iron shackle complete with a chain leashes you to a tree, and the only light you have is your lantern. You've never seen this area of the woods before. You certainly didn't go to sleep here.

Hm.

But, all is not lost. You find your phone in your pocket, as well as a scrap of paper covered back to front in cryptic scribbles. Are these clues to your location? They must be. You also spot a key dangling from a branch, though it's hanging from a tree you'll never be able to reach from here. Perhaps someone on the network will be able to lend you a hand...

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Death was hardly unfamiliar territory by this point, but this? This was new. The jury was still out on whether that was for good or ill; while it did appear to be an improvement from the usual, these things did have a way of spiralling rather quickly. Better to err on the side of caution, at least for the time being — Not that Hanzo planned to linger any longer than was strictly necessary.

For his part, he had taken the time to investigate what he could of the small town, perhaps familiarize himself with the layout. It had proven a brief outing — The buildings were sparse, and the oppressive gloom had hindered his efforts more than he’d initially anticipated. In the end, he’d circled back in the direction of the bonfire, planning to take a minute or two to centre his thoughts before continuing.

At least, he had until he’d heard the voice.

The blood froze in his veins, and for a moment, Hanzo caught himself hoping that he’d been wrong. If it had truly been his own death that had brought him to this plane, then it would stand to reason that his friend had met with a similar fate — Not at all far-fetched, given how he’d left things. Even had his younger self honoured his final wish, there had never been a guarantee that it would be enough to stop Kronika’s plan. Perhaps they had managed somehow, but then, the victorious could still suffer casualties.

He would hardly call himself an optimist, but Hanzo had never considered that their next meeting would be under these circumstances.

Rearranging his expression into something carefully neutral, he finally stepped out into the warm, orange glow of the flames. The question may not have been directed toward him, but it didn’t stop him from answering.

“No. It is none that I am familiar with.”

Hello, Kuai.

Edited 2019-06-16 07:33 (UTC)

Kuai had set the lantern down next to him after inspecting it, its soft amber glow casting odd shadows around him. It looked incredibly similar to the ones adorning the stone temple back in Arctika: rectangular with a pointed top and a dragon curling around the base as if to protect the fire. He nearly kicked it over when he heard both the familiar footsteps followed by the voice.

Standing up he turned to face him, not sure if the sensation he was feeling was relief or dread or maybe a mixture of the two. He was more than aware of the fact Hanzo had been killed, a revelation that had gotten the best of his emotions and caused him to act without thinking against the messenger of that news. But he'd always secretly thought that Hanzo was incapable of actually dying, that he'd always return like a spectre, that the Netherrealm couldn't hold him.

So to be seeing him here, in this place that seemed to be lost between realms, between death and living, was unsettling. What had Kronika done to the timeline to cause this? Had they been thrown out of time altogether? Was this permanent? All valid questions that ran through his brain without even a moment to consider them.

It took Kuai a little longer to wipe all the emotions off his face, something he'd never been particularly good at; hence the mask most of the time. Inclining his head he gave Hanzo a formal Lin Kuei salute - the best he could do that wasn't rushing forward to embrace him, something he wouldn't ever do in public. Or likely in private either.

"I would say it is good to see you, but given the situation..." He trailed off, because it was good to see him. Kuai could let himself be selfish right now, just the once. "Have you been here long?"

The greeting was returned in kind, Hanzo dipping his head respectfully. He had certainly noticed the concern in his expression, but said nothing of it; there was an unspoken understanding between them, their relationship being one built on reading between the lines. Connecting those particular dots wasn’t particularly difficult, however, given the timing of his own end.

He did have questions of his own, but now was neither the time nor place — Better to focus their attentions on the present, as there was little either of them could do for the others from there anyway. Kronika had apparently anticipated his defeat, but for the threat he posed to her plan, was this level of effort necessary? If this was a more widespread phenomenon brought on by her temporal meddling, should there not be others they knew? He failed to see how this could serve her purpose, when her goal had been to rewrite their very existence.

“Less than a day,” he said evenly, setting his own lantern down next to the other one. Like Kuai’s, its design was a reflection of what he knew, inspired by those found in the Fire Garden — Traditional and plain, with a wood frame. It was only for utility’s sake that he had kept it close by; he was still ignorant as to its significance, but he had noticed that its light was somehow able to penetrate the darkness, where even his own fire could not.

The silence hung between them for a moment, his brow knitting as he considered his next words.

“You should not be here, Sub-Zero. If this is truly a place for the dead..."

That fit with what he'd discovered after speaking to those he'd encountered. Everyone seemed to be newly arrived, the only commonality being their deaths, the lanterns and the tablets. He hadn't inquired after how other's were killed but he doubted that was a common theme either as likely no one else had been overrun by Netherrealm demons.

He managed a wry grin at Hanzo's words, glancing to the ground briefly, "I've evaded death so long that it was bound to catch up with me eventually."

And unlike Hanzo he'd not experienced this before. He'd had his soul ripped out of his body and put into a machine, and then subsequently torn out and put into a body again, but he hadn't truly died. For all the tales he'd heard, and the time he'd spent in the Netherrealm, his current surroundings were not what he'd expected. Especially with so many other people that were likely not of his world. Other realms. Other places. He wasn't sure yet, but ever the optimist he was simply glad they weren't under attack or suffering.

"We brought the fight to Kronika's keep, but the bridge to the hourglass was overrun with her revenants and Shao Kahn's army." There was a pause before he continued, answering the unasked question he knew was on Hanzo's mind. "Your younger self kept his word to you."

The smile did little to lighten the mood, Hanzo’s own expression remaining stern.

It had been an honourable, if ill-timed death. It was the only consolation he could think to offer, though it did hold some weight; the path they’d chosen was not one of longevity, Hanzo’s unique relationship with mortality aside. Death was inevitable, so better that it be with purpose, upholding their oath to defend Earthrealm.

Thankfully, it would seem that his own end had not been in vain either. Trust Kuai to know what he was thinking, selfish as the concern was.

He had hoped that his younger self would learn faster than he had. It had been difficult to face that mirror, to see the grief and pain alive again in Scorpion, but too many years had been lost to his misdirected quest for vengeance already. Kronika knew too well how to manipulate him, just as Quan Chi had — Her promises appealed to the most desperate, broken part of himself, and Hanzo had had only his word that things could be better.

He nodded, dropping his own gaze for a moment.

“Good.”

There was a certain relief in knowing that, even if only temporarily, that he could still be reached. What Scorpion would do now, without his family or the level-headed influence of Sub-Zero, was less clear — But he had come through when they had needed it most, and when Hanzo himself could not.

Then again, there may not have been a future to worry about, at this point.

“From what I have seen, this place does not fit with her new era,” he said finally, glancing back over his shoulder at the town. “Unless her tampering has affected realms beyond our own.”

Which was a possibility, but it seemed an unnecessary effort. Erasing Raiden from the timeline would certainly alter the course of their own history, but its ripple should have been restricted to their own world.

No one would have noticed Hanzo's expression change, his brow furrowed so deep the fire cast shadows across his face, but Kuai had known him for long enough that even the most subtle difference was easily spotted. He could only make guesses as to what he was thinking, yet he knew it had to be about his past. Perhaps wondering about what path Scorpion would take, or what Kronika might do or any of the other myriad troubles that had come to haunt all of them recently.

Both of them dwelled on the past more than they should. Kuai knew that, but even with his optimistic nature and gaze to the future, he still had times where he was consumed by memories of what had transpired before. Not just to himself, or his clan, but to everyone. Guilt and regret mixed together into an amalgam of self-loathing that he had once almost let get the better of him.

But not now. In this new place he refused to focus on only things that couldn't be changed. They might have been erased from time or split from the sands, but that didn't mean the fight was over.

"Her plan to erase Raiden from existence. Where do you suppose he went upon being unmade? Maybe that's what happened to us. To everyone here. What if we have been removed from time and this is where we've ended up." Not alive, but not really dead either. Could this have been triggered by their deaths? Or had the timing been a coincidence?

"That doesn't fit though if you've only been here a short while. More time than that should have passed."

Edited 2019-06-20 18:37 (UTC)

Kuai’s theory held water, but it did raise a few important points of concern. Which Raiden was he referring to? The corrupted Raiden, who had nearly torn the realms apart in his misguided attempt to defend Earthrealm? Or had Kronika succeeded in the end, and eliminated the past Raiden as well? If this was a place for those who had been unmade, and the thunder god was indeed among them, which of his faces would they be dealing with?

If this was the result of being removed from the timeline, was it even possible to reverse such a thing? Or was their fate in the hands of those left behind, and they were to be trapped in a timeless purgatory until they succeeded? At least his removal would not affect his past self, as Scorpion had existed first.

“If this truly is a place removed from time, there is no guarantee that its flow affects us here as it normally would,” he reasoned, the frown deepening.

He was not going to pretend that he fully understood the workings of Kronika’s magick, but given how badly she’d already damaged the timelines, missing hours were not unreasonable.

"Agreed. Anything could be possible." And that was a whole lot to consider.

While the theory sounded good, there were also too many questions to accept it fully. Why would she unmake Kuai? He posed a threat, yes, but not so much as someone like Liu Kang did. What would removing him from the timeline do? Sektor would have succeeded in becoming Grandmaster of the Cyber Lin Kuei, and without Hanzo they would be in service to Shinnok since Sektor couldn't use Scorpion's life as a loophole.

But there was still Scorpion. That had still happened. Unless she had unmade him as well. This was all too confusing and he felt like he was thinking in circles.

"We should see if others from our world are here as well, perhaps they will know more of what happened after the battle." After his death he means.

It wasn’t an exaggeration. There were far too many possibilities to consider, too many ways that the very fabric of their reality could have been corrupted. The Elder Gods had always been slow to share information, and they still had more questions than answers — It was hard to know now if they were running out of time, or would be trapped here with nothing but.

‘After the battle’. The statement stung more than it should have, and Hanzo quickly shoved the feeling aside. The path to madness was paved with what ifs, and there was no changing what had happened – Even had he been there, there was no guarantee that it would have been enough to change Kuai’s fate, or anyone else’s, for that matter. The shadow of his past had haunted him for long enough, without adding possible outcomes to his list of failings.

“I have not encountered anyone else. If all went well, then they will not be here to tell us.”

Not that he had been looking, either. It was only because it was Kuai Liang that he’d made his presence known, not that that part needed to be voiced. Had it been one of the others – like Cage – he might not have revealed himself so readily.

Perhaps against his better judgement, Hanzo reached a hand out to touch the other man’s shoulder. It was apologetic in its way, an attempt at articulating some of the conflict he felt now; this was not a fate he would have wished on anyone, but it was… grounding, somehow, to know he was there.

"Considering the state of things, that does not seem likely." They'd been vastly overrun and outnumbered. He would be shocked if he'd been the only casualty, and almost a little offended if he'd been the only one to die in the entire battle. It had been an honorable death in combat, but not anything incredibly epic. Being ripped apart by demons wasn't nearly as good a story as fighting someone one on one in mortal kombat.

He'd started to say something else but then Hanzo reached out to grip his shoulder and he completely lost his train of thought. His eyes flicked up to Hanzo's face, eyebrows raised and looking somewhat concerned. It was out of character for him to be so forthcoming with his emotions. For as much emotion as a shoulder touch and a look could convey anyway.

Managing a small smirk he rested his hand on Hanzo's wrist, keeping his hand there. "It's fine. Better we should be here than be raised again in service to Kronika."

He didn't know if anyone other than Quan Chi posessed such power, but he wasn't about to tempt fate. That was a dark chapter in his life that he'd rather forget.

"It is good to see you here."

He'd say enough words for the both of them.

“No.” It was his best attempt at optimism, which had unsurprisingly fallen flat.

He may not have been present, but Hanzo didn’t have to be there to know the odds had been stacked against them. Kronika had her pick of the vilest the realms had to offer, alive or dead — The thought that she could resurrect Quan Chi had crossed his mind more than once. Even without him, he had seen her legions crossing the bridge in the Netherrealm; they were outnumbered, even if the Outworlders chose to side with them.

Remembering himself, Hanzo was about to remove his hand when he felt the pressure of Kuai’s touch — He paused at that, allowing it to linger for a few long moments, then attempting once again to pull away.

“Hn. She could try,” he said bitterly, the very idea of it leaving a bad taste in his mouth.

He wanted to say that there was nothing that she could have offered him, and it was mostly true. Hanzo imagined that she might also try to sway him with promises of his family, of his original clan — But he knew better than his younger counterpart. He had seen behind the curtain, and the strings that such offers always had. Never again.

The latter sentiment was a bit harder for him to respond to. It was good to see Kuai, and he simply nodded his reciprocation, even if the idea that the other man might actually be dead left him feeling strangely cold. He had never had a problem facing his own death, but losing others…

“We should search for the others.” It wasn’t the smoothest transition, but this wasn’t a conversation he wanted to continue with others around, especially with how easy it would be to hide in the darkness.

There was no reason why she wouldn't have brought back Quan Chi. The man was loyal to Shinnok and had created the very revenants she now used for protection. It would have been foolish of her not to. And yet he had not made an appearance. There was a chance he was hiding somewhere, doing some foul sorcery, but it had never been in his nature to be subtle - he likely would have been on the front lines taunting them about their resurrected friends.

But that was a worry for another time. There was nothing they could do about Quan Chi, or about Kronika herself from their current location. Though it was easy to dwell on past traumas and an uncertain future.

He tightened his fingers briefly before letting Hanzo have his hand back. Hopefully the gesture alone was enough to convey how he felt, because there weren't any words to do it justice. Though even if there had been he would have been loathe to speak such things out loud. There was the ever present tug of honor, of dignity and propriety that kept him from speaking or acting in any way that might be misconstrued to those watching.

Well. Not misconstrued at all actually.

"Yes. Have you explored any of the buildings yet?" He turned to walk towards one of them, hoping Hanzo would follow and this would appear to be two Grandmasters off to investigate their surroundings and nothing more.

It didn’t matter that no one was looking in their direction, or that, even if they had, there would have been nothing to see. It was a simple gesture, practically invisible to anyone else; but for Hanzo, the meaning of it was incredibly significant. Perhaps that was why it felt as though the entire world could see it for what it was, and he wasted no time breaking the contact.

“Briefly.”

The search was not a thorough one, but it was enough to know that there weren’t likely to be any others there — From their world, or otherwise. The bonfire seemed to be the centre of activity from what he could tell, one of the few places illuminated thanks to the pyre’s glow. There was something strange about just how dark the rest of the town was, and how the light seemed to have trouble piecing the gloom.

It was with that in mind that he bent to pick up the lanterns, pausing to look at the surprisingly familiar design of Kuai’s. How they would have replicated one of the Lin Kuei’s designs here was… troubling, particularly given its stark contrast to the rest of the décor. It seemed safe to assume that whoever had brought them to this place had not done so at random, which would match with their current theory.

“I have checked those closest to the fire. Better that we expand our search.”

If they should find privacy along the way…

Kuai also stepped back, such close contact within sight of other people was stretching the bounds of his delicate sense of propriety.

He took his lantern from Hanzo, running his thumb over the small dragon twisting around the base. It reminded him of home, of Arctika - but it was also strange that he should have it here. This one was slightly different than the ones at the temple he had been lighting since he was a boy, those had pointed bases, designed to be hung from the eaves, where this one had a flat bottom and could be easily set down.

"These are all different. Another I spoke to, his was glass and circular. I assume something familiar from his homeworld." And now that he thought about it, incredibly breakable.

There weren't many buildings to investigate, and even Hanzo's brief search would have likely covered almost all of them. He didn't really want to go talk to others or look for clues right now anyway. What he wanted was to be alone with Hanzo where they could actually talk to each other without prying eyes or ears.

He sent a glance towards his companion, eyes soft, "Let's go to the edge of the woods then, I've been a little ways in without finding anything of substance, but we can walk the perimeter of the town. Or perhaps the woods will hold more answers with two lanterns lighting the way."

“They were expecting us specifically, then.”

An odd detail, but then, nothing about this was normal — Which was saying something, considering what they dealt with on a regular basis. It was like attempting to put together a jigsaw when someone had tossed in several pieces from a completely separate box. None of it seemed to fit together, and while it did seem likely that Kronika was involved… Why bother going to such lengths?

Kuai had been right, however. They didn’t have enough information yet, and dwelling on it was not going to get them anywhere.

Apparently, that was not the only thing they were of the same mind on. Hanzo’s own expression shifted, the usual harshness of his gaze dropping away, and he offered a small nod in response.

Beacon wasn’t going anywhere, and for the time being, neither were they. He knew too well how quickly the situation could turn, so better they take the time now, while they had it; there were things that needed to be said between them, things better not overheard.

(… They might also need to discuss the fact that Kuai had apparently ventured into the forest completely alone as well.)

Adjusting his grip on his own lantern, he turned to start walking toward the treeline.

“Let’s go.”

Kuai followed him, mulling over what he wanted to say. They'd already had a longer conversation in the past few minutes than they'd had in the several months prior. Few words ever passed between them, and conversations tended to stilt along while they exchanged meaningful glances and tried to convey everything through only body language. While that had worked for them so far, this was an entirely new situation and both of them had died.

The trauma of all of this wasn't something that Kuai could convey in only soft facial expressions.

He hadn't come up with anything that didn't sound pathetic by the time they reached the trees. Instead he simply nodded to the forest ahead of them, "Come, see how dark it is in here, but pay attention to not get turned around or we won't be able to find our way back. I was in here for a few hours, but apparently never more than a few paces from the treeline, yet I couldn't see anything."

He disappeared into the darkness ahead of Hanzo, his lantern light swallowed up almost instantly.

Admittedly, Hanzo had been slightly skeptical of his claim. Not that he doubted Kuai’s competence — quite the opposite, really — but while the dark may have hindered a more in-depth search of the town, it had not been enough to stop him entirely. The light of the bonfire only carried so far, and the lantern had been sufficient to find his way. There was something unnatural about it to be sure, but then, there was little natural about the Netherrealm he was familiar with.

When the other man was all but engulfed by the darkness, he felt his heart skip.

“Kuai, wait-” His usual title was dropped, propriety forgotten in the face of their solitude and a fleeting sense of alarm.

It had seemed so abrupt, like a curtain dropping, obscuring him from sight entirely. Without hesitation, he moved to follow, his own lantern raised in a vain attempt to cut through the blackness. Any concern he might have had about future conversations fell by the wayside, and he silently chided himself for relaxing his guard; this might not have been the hell he was familiar with, but he was quickly realizing that it came with its own, new set of hazards.

Edited (... typo) 2019-07-14 05:22 (UTC)

The darkness was absolute, the lantern only casting light faint enough to illuminate a foot or so around them. Anyone in there would have to be incredibly close to another person to even be able to see them.

"I'm not going anywhere." The voice was slightly to Hanzo's left and Kuai emerged from a shroud of darkness, standing far closer than propriety should allow. He had a small smirk on his face, lowering his lantern so that he wasn't shining light directly in their faces. But beyond that there was nothing but darkness. The bonfire was gone, the trees might as well not exist, and it was difficult to even hear the low murmur of the lake lapping against the shoreline less than a mile away.

He hadn't intended to alarm Hanzo, he'd merely, ... well, that was a lie. He'd been nursing the hope that Hanzo would follow him in there so they'd be completely hidden from the view of anyone but each other. The only time he could get that scowl off Hanzo's face was to surprise him and this had seemed like the best opportunity. Kuai still didn't know what exactly to say but at least he knew what to do.

There wasn't even a hesitation as he stepped forward again, closing the small gap between them and wrapping his free arm around Hanzo.

It may have been only half a hug as his other hand held the lantern, but it was more physical contact than he normally allowed himself to have with the other Grandmaster.

There was a small chance that something could see in this darkness, but with everyone else at the bonfire, at least the chances of anyone stumbling on them was minuscule. He was willing to risk it.

It was disorienting, even with the muted glow of the lantern; if he hadn’t already known where they were, he’d scarcely have recognized it as a forest, with even the closest branches barely visible. The sounds of the world around them seemed dulled, as though the darkness were a physical thing, smothering in its density.

At least, until Kuai spoke.

He released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, turning in the direction of his voice; it surprised even him, how quickly the words set him at ease. It had been Hanzo who had died first, but it didn’t change the fact that stolen moments like these were very nearly a thing of the past. Neither of them could make that promise, as it was never guaranteed, but there was still some comfort to be taken, even if it was fleeting.

His usual severe expression softened, his brow furrowed more with concern than anything else.

The intent of their impromptu exploration had been clear, but seeing now just how heavy the darkness was, Hanzo truly understood; it was nearly absolute privacy, as any close enough to stumble upon them would have to have been close enough to be obvious.

The proximity might have toed the line of what they might have allowed in public, but they were well and truly alone now. Decorum be damned — The embrace was not the most wieldy, with both of them still forced to hold the lanterns, but he returned it all the same, the memory of his own death still too near for comfort. Second chances had never been a promise; he’d already been granted more than his share, and he was not about to waste this.

“Nor will I. Not again.”

Not so long as he could help it.

Edited 2019-07-15 03:52 (UTC)

He was close enough that he couldn't see Hanzo's expression, and there was a very real part of him that wanted to stand even closer, to press against him and bury his face in his neck. What if they never got this chance again? What if this place was transitory and they were taken away just as quickly as they had come?

Even in the complete darkness and privacy of the forest he couldn't do it. The fact he'd let the hug go on for this long was already clawing at his sense of honor. Some deep seated notion of how a Grandmaster should act. But he didn't break the contact, his hand digging deep into the fabric of Hanzo's tunic.

"You didn't intend to die." But Kuai couldn't deny that he'd been devastated when he'd heard the news. He hadn't even heard anything else Scorpion had said, probably an explanation of what had happened and why he was there, but it had fallen on deaf ears. All Kuai knew was the sensation in the pit of his stomach that had dropped out, a hollow feeling he'd only experienced before when Bi-Han had been killed. But this was different somehow, he didn't know why. Or how. But he'd attacked Scorpion even as the man was trying to carry out Hanzo's last wishes.

He regretted it now, like so many things in his life, but he couldn't change the past. That was Kronika's domain and he had no intention of requesting anything of her.

All he could do was go forward. Live in the here and now, where he somehow found himself with the rival Grandmaster again. He shouldn't have left Hanzo in the Netherrealm. If he'd been there perhaps... He couldn't say what would have happened, maybe he'd have been killed too, Scorpion had been light on the details of how Hanzo had died. He sighed, he didn't want to speculate on the past, not now.

"But never do it again."

It was rare that either of them was able to express themselves this openly, even during the few private moments they’d managed to snatch back home; their situations had never really allowed for it, the bindings of tradition and expectation difficult to break. Emotional connection of any kind came with a heavy price, as Hanzo well knew.

Then, even if it was a repeated experience, death had a way of reminding one of what was important.

He made no attempt to move away, his own grip firm around Kuai’s shoulders. He didn’t need to be a telepath to know what was on his mind, and the guilt he no doubt harboured, but it had been at Hanzo’s suggestion that they part ways. It was what was best for the mission, and knowing now the end result, he wasn’t sorry that he hadn’t been there to witness it. Might the other Grandmaster’s presence have changed the outcome? There was no knowing now, but Hanzo would never have gambled Kuai’s life on a what if.

He closed his eyes, his lips quirking into something dangerously close to a small, if sad, smile.

“I know my way back.”

Or, he’d thought that he did. Present circumstances would suggest otherwise - Though, they had also brought them back together.

“You would not be rid of me long.”

"Is that a promise?" His deep monotone held the barest hint of amusement. There was no way that Hanzo could guarantee such a thing, but the thought that he might try, and that he would be doing it for him was oddly touching.

There were a few false starts as Kuai tried to say something else. Talking was not really his forte. Especially about himself, and definitely not about... them. Whatever this was. Eventually he managed to find his voice again, "It wasn't the same without you. Fighting alone isn't nearly as effective."

He was definitely not talking about fighting and he desperately hoped that Hanzo understood because he wasn't sure he could explain himself if pressed. Furrowing his brow he tried to summon up a few more words, something that didn't sound so formal and impersonal.

"I .." This was strangely difficult, and he was glad he was standing so close to Hanzo so he wouldn't see the flush reaching his cheeks as his voice lowered to a whisper, "I missed you."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #1

gosh, I wonder who it reminds him of...

it's a mystery

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