EVENT LOG: GRAVES

[inthenightmods]

EVENT LOG:
GRAVES

characters: everyone.
location: Bonfire Square.
date/time: July 12-19.
content: mysterious shrines appear and bring visions of death.
warnings: likely violence and potentially gore.

time to pay your respects.

It happens when no one is looking, when most of the town is asleep and the rest are inside. A makeshift cemetery has come to Beacon, taking up residence in the middle of Bonfire Square. Each monument, shrine, and altar is dedicated to someone who now resides here, a memorial of their previous life.

Some may be drawn by curiosity, others by fear, and some may simply have to pass through this strange graveyard to get to the Bonfire itself. Whenever a person gets near, the altars beckon with a mysterious urge— an urge to approach, and an urge to leave something behind. They will feel compelled to make offerings at the various shrines, but doing so has a curious effect; it causes one to experience the death of the person whose grave they've honored.

Whether you resist the compulsion or give in willingly (or something in between), you'll also have to wrestle with the fact that a grave exists for you. Will you let your death be known, or try your best to keep it secret? Destroying it sure won't work, as it will return— with a duplicate somewhere else in town.

However you choose to deal with this, one thing is hard to ignore— this a tangible reminder of your death, and the fact that it's probably permanent.

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Comments

[reigniter]

A token of gratitude.

[Ignis thought it was obvious enough. And no it's not an apology. Or pre-payment. Or bribery. Or anything else of the sort.]

And no, I do not.

[He places hands in the pockets.]

I wanted to place these as an offering, [the graves are very compelling and perusasive] but there's no use to cold coffee, is there? And stale cookies are not as tasty as fresh.

Also, [Ignis gives him a long, somewhat worried look,] you seem like you could use some.

[donttalktome]

[Gratitude? For what? This sort of thing is a little foreign to Will. People don't just do nice things because they're nice, it's always because they want something. Either a direct exchange now, or a favor later. At the very least, they want to feel good about themselves for having done something good.

But coffee is coffee, and if it didn't come from the bar, then so much the better. Will pulls the cup over, sets the cookies aside, and gives it a cursory sniff.

Doesn't smell like any recognizable chemicals. Probably safe.]

You wanted to place these as an offering. I take that to mean that you didn't? Make an offering, that is. [He squints.] And why do you think I seem like I could use some?

[reigniter]

[Well, Will is about to learn that there are those types of people too. Ignis doesn't have hidden agendas or any favors to ask. His only agenda is to watch after His Highness and make sure he stays out of trouble. He's been successful. For now.

No chemicals. Just warm, strong cup of black coffee. Cookies match the drink perfectly.]

I didn't, that's true. The... "will" to do so has been hard to combat, so I have been lucky to run into you here. I do not like to pry. [And that's what the shrines and tombstones make you do- pry, even if you just wanted to leave a token of thanks.

His lips twitch, in somewhat of a sad smile-]

Because you, sitting here, engrossed with your work reminded me of myself. [He raises his hands-] I'm no scientist or program developer. Just very studios. [He huffs softly-] And the coffee was my savior.

[donttalktome]

[So what, he would've done it if he'd made it outside? It doesn't matter, the point is, he didn't pry, and he doesn't want to. Will can respect that.]

So I've heard, about the urges. I myself have been smart enough to stay inside.

[Though that has sort of put a damper on getting anything done.]

And what did you study? I won't argue about the caffeine. There have been days it's all that's kept me going.

[Does he mean here, or back home? Hard to say. Either way, he's apparently decided Ignis' offering is fine, because he takes a drink while he waits for an answer.]

[reigniter]

[If he had to look for Will outside, he probably would've. Ignis was lucky enough to run into him here.]

I suppose that's why the bar is busier than before, [Ignis looks around at chatty people and bartender who doesn't seem amused by the racket.] What you can't see, you can't do, I suppose.

[He finally takes a seat across of Will, crossing his legs and resting hands on his knees.]

In life, I was to be the Royal Advisor. My upbringing was that of one, as all in my family served the Crown. I was next in the line. [And, he's not going to hide the fact on his face- he was damn happy and proud to be one.]

Countless tomes of social studies, tactics, diplomacy. Countless sleepless nights, meticulously going through each book. Perhaps... I was overdoing it. But I didn't care. And coffee helped. [He leans back in the chair, pushing his glasses up.] During the day, I trained to be a protector. I was happy with it.

I did wish the day had 26 hours, however. [He shrugs, a joke in good nature.] Sleep isn't all that bad.

[donttalktome]

[Will huffs a small laugh.]

Sounds like myself in university. It becomes a habit to keep track of hours out in space. You need to be able to separate your days from your nights without a sunrise. While I was studying, I sort of let that fall by the wayside. I'm sure it didn't do me any favors. "Overdoing it". I was told that quite frequently. But make no mistake, it was all worth it.

[Until he died after only getting to take advantage for less then a decade.]

Sleep is overrated anyway. A waste of time.

[He takes another sip of his coffee.]

So, you were actually happy to do all that? To be this Royal Advisor, just because you were born to it?

[reigniter]

[Ignis smiles easily-]

And that is why I said you remind me of myself. Our outlook on studies is pretty much the same.

[He did like sleep, though. At least- enough so he doesn't fall over in the Council meetings. Six hours are enough, right?]

Hmmm, [Ignis looks very thoughtful,] I met Noctis when he was merely three years old, myself six. We grew up together. Perhaps becoming his friend first was what eased me into my duties. My studying and training became to protect not just the Prince, but my closest friend. Were our parents aiming for this to happen when they introduced us? I do not know. But I am glad they did.

The... string of events that followed merely cemented my resolve. [Marilith, Tenebrae, King Regis getting sicker, then fall of Insomnia. So much in such relatively short time.] When I was finally enlisted as a Crownsguard when I turned 18, I felt incredible pride instead of annoyance that things were laid out for me.

If I am to be honest completely, I was glad to be offered an opportunity to learn how to protect those I care about. [And it worked, splendidly, for a while. Until the Astrals decided that smacking down one person that can save them is a really good idea. There's only so much Ignis can do against Gods.]

[donttalktome]

Hm.

[Will seems to be mulling that over. He suspects Ignis is right to think that their parents planned that friendship. What better way to convince someone to throw his life away than to make sure he cares about the one he's doing it for?

But hey, if Ignis is happy with it, it can't be the worst thing in the world, right?]

I suppose if you're satisfied, then that's all that really matters. [He shrugs.] I can tell you frankly that it would make me absolutely miserable, but then it's not my life, so it's not my concern. Has to be frustrating though. I mean, he's here, isn't he?

[It isn't meant to be malicious, though it could easily read that way. He's just stating facts. Blunt facts, but you know.]

[reigniter]

[Ignis doubts that either of their parents wanted them to die- King Regis, while strict and firm ruler, was very protective of those around him. But such is life in monarchy; it is not the outcome Ignis wanted, but he is happy and proud to have been in service for the Royal line. To be Noct's protector, advisor, and friend. In what little time they had, they made memories and a bond Ignis will treasure forever.]

It was less of satisfaction and more of a pride type of thing. We were at war and our lands are ruled by Monarchs. And I am proud to have stood by them.

[The mention of Noctis being here does cut deep. What he did in Altissia, he'd do it again, without a second thought. He has no regrets about it no matter how selfish it is. But Noct being here is beyond frustrating.]

Indeed. The Astrals that sought my King's help, marking him as a Chosen King, were the same ones that struck him down. [Ignis falls silent for a while, then looks up at Will.] Despite how he appears to be, Noctis has a good heart and even better soul, and light of compassion that many lack. Myself included.

Which is why I will continue to protect him the same way here. [He looks through the window at the black forest and the night sky-] The darkness of this place will have to go through me first. [Will might think Ignis is insane but- Ignis never said he was normal in the first place.]