Multiple Settings Anima Studies

[Yakov011001]

"No. No, no, no!"

As Marianne reached deep into him in an attempt to pull that wretched creature free from him, there was a rejection. Like a magnet that repulsed her in a way that made it clear no matter how hard she reached, she wasn't going to touch that vile, vitriolic ichor. Nikklaüs' grip tightened on her collar, and his face grew desperate and panicked. If it wasn't clear just before, it was now—

"That's not what I need you to say!"

—whatever had taken hold of Klaüs before was long gone, leaving behind a hole that desperately ached to be made whole again. Suddenly he recoiled back violently and dropped Marianne, retreating in a stumble until he fell over to be at a kneel facing away from her. His clawed hand coming up to clutch his mouth in that same grip he had on Marianne's throat, cutting into his face from his own grasp. The temperature in the air dropping much more drastically than it had before, the frost began to overtake even more than his arm. Spreading across his whole body, the ice threatened to freeze him entirely; including over his mouth and nose.

Everything we do is for you, Nikki. Why are you fighting us!?

Nikk, I don't have the time to go to this damn arcade, or that fucking rink, or the card store! I'm not doing all that with you.

I just feel like they took something away from you, Syn. I feel like I lost you to them.

There were tears that threatened his eyes, but he could not cry when they froze over the near instant they appeared. Trembling from the fire that burned in him again: that rage, that wrath; he knew better than anyone that he could never in a million years point that at Marianne. The way he'd lashed out at her already, it was fit to see him executed by the jury of his mind. Yes, that would do. What was he suppose to do with all of this anger and hate, and with no one deserving of holding it? He wouldn't wish it upon anyone in a million years,

no one except himself.

Juju

 

[Verite]

Valerie Vu - It Takes Two to Tango
Interactions: seasonedcat

​

"Eek--!"

Despite the pretense of a brave and resolved face, that expression quickly crumbled as Valerie found herself the sole target of Aries's ire. Well, she always wanted to be the center of attention in everyone's eyes, but perhaps this was a bit too much heat to handle for her. Eyes widening as Aries began to charge at her at superhuman speeds with lethal intent, Valerie listened to the gut instinct screaming at her from within, and her body practically moved on its own. She moved to evade the berserker's horns, leaping and rolling to the side and spinning around to keep herself facing his direction, but indeed, the maneuver caused her to let go of the anima lasso in the heat of the moment, the rope uncoiling from its target like a reeling snake and letting him free as it began to shoot back and disappear into Valerie's hand within a matter of seconds.

Okay, this was getting pretty tense, but this was hardly any time to lose nerve. She still had options, and wherever there was a will, there was a way. Valerie began to stand back up again after her hasty roll, but remained in a hunched over posture for a moment, hand still pressed against the ground as she eyed up Aries. Green eyes darted about as it frantically scanned all over his form to ascertain what she should target next, before making a snap decision.

"Alright, fine. You wanna dance? Then let's tango!" She exclaimed, forcing a degree of bravado into her voice as she stood upright again. It was good that she was blissfully oblivious to the full extent of rage burning within Aries, lest she might sunk to her knees from the sheer storm of emotion. Even so, she persisted. Her hand moved up now to hover over her hip like a cowboy preparing to draw, as she looked at Aries and grinned.

In a flash, she thrust that hand forward, making a finger gun as she began to shoot her signature fireworks straight at Aries, specifically his feet.

"One, two, three, four! Make peace, not war!"

Pew pew pew pew! Pew pew pew pew!

She fired a projectile for every syllable she cheered, hoping to blast Aries off his feet and hit the ground, or maybe at the very least, literally keep him on his toes and make him do a little jig on the spot. Whichever kept him occupied longer. Leveling up since the first day didn't just mean developing her new handy lasso, but also that her little light projectiles packed a prettier punch than before, with a tad more concussive force behind them, but to what extent, even she found it hard to gauge for now. Hopefully, her training sessions with Cobalt would pay off any time now!

 

[Juju]

Words Unsaid Yakov011001
It was no use. The anima was too stable, her own too weak. It repelled her every effort, and even had she been in full health, Marianne realized that there was nothing she could do to pry the filth from her friend. In every sense of the word, her efforts were futile. Hope sputtered out like her vision, strangled with the tightened grip, but in the flickering mess she saw something shift in Not-Nikklaüs’ expression. Something had changed in his anima too.

What was that look? Fear? Hopelessness? It pleaded for something Marianne couldn’t quite grasp. In all her eloquence she had never known the right words to say, especially when they mattered most, like now. It seemed impossible; how could she soothe another heart when hers was left to rot? She didn’t know how, or even where to begin. In every attempt, her words only left wounds.

Marianne tried to apologize to him then, but what spilled from her lips was another ragged cough. It was getting difficult to breathe, let alone speak.

Like a marionette cut free of its strings, she crumbled to the ground after her release. The best she could manage was to land in a strained crouch, her arms and legs shaking with effort as the jarring motion wracked her side in a new wave of pain. She swayed, vision flashing white, but she forced herself to look up.

If he didn’t kill her, maybe not all was lost. As she often reminded her classmates, so long as she was alive, there was little to complain about.

Using the last dredges of her strength, Marianne crawled closer to Nikklaüs. Each movement twisted the pain in her side ever deeper, but her state of mutilation was of little consequence to Marianne. She knew that when the staff arrived she would be healed, but Nikklaüs’ fate was unknown. Would it be a swift solution, or agonizingly drawn out? There was some semblance of control, of something beneath the rage, but Marianne knew better than to hinge her hopes on that.

The one small comfort she could take in all of it was that at the very least she was here this time. Perhaps it was born of selfishness, but she could be here with him, wishing on words she couldn’t quite say. It was more than she had been given last time.

Marianne wasn’t entirely sure what it was he wanted to hear, but she had something she had been meaning to say to him the evening prior.

“Wanted…to tell you…” Marianne wheezed, each word a slow and labored battle. “Last… night. Waited… couldn’t… sleep.”

Unable to crawl much farther, but finally arriving at her destination, she collapsed on the frost-ridden leaves beside him. Laid on her unbroken side, she panted with shallow, rapid breaths. No matter how much she breathed, it was never enough. She coughed again, copper thick on her tongue. Her lung would likely collapse if she was careless, but some things were more important.

Marianne understood that she was the absolute worst person for this, no matter what Leif told her or how much Mariana and Valerie tried to convince her that she was worth the time and effort they wasted on her. Even now, the bloody handprint lingered on her wrist as a reminder, just like the lingering touch of Mariana and Valerie when they had taken her hands and tried to calm her.

It had worked, loathe as she was to admit it, but it left her confused. How could they provide comfort like second nature? Share tears like those that froze in Nikklaüs’ eyes? Marianne would never know. She could never be like them, but maybe just once she could try.

Shivering from frost and pain, Marianne reached out a shaky hand and grasped for Nikklaüs’ free one. She whimpered as broken bones moved beneath her skin, though for once she didn’t care about the pathetic slip in composure. Her fingers curled around his frost-covered hand, holding it even as her skin numbed and ached. In the end all she could hope for was to be a bit of warmth when winter was closing in.

“Nikklaüs….” she choked out between breaths.

Unfocused eyes searched for his, trying to convey sincerity beneath the haze, to let him know that regardless of what happened or what he was, she wasn’t leaving. There was more than one monster here.

Marianne had thought a lot about what she had wanted to say to Nikklaüs last night, but there were too many words and too little breath. In the end she only really needed two. As she finally uttered them there was a ghost of a smile on her face, one that was tired and rusty, but true.

“Thank you.”

 

[November Witch]

Crimson & Mariana
~{Divided}~
Status: Interest & Worry
Location: Forest
Interaction(s): Solirus Juju Yakov011001 Verite

Everything happened so fast, it was hard for Mariana to keep up from within her own body. But thankfully, Crimson still had control, and her experience in fights led her to keep her cool and collected. Her eyes followed the many moving parts of the scene and she took stock of the situation. Aries was acting in a predictable manner, but Crimson didn’t know if Valerie would be able to handle him alone. But Marianne would most certainly not fare well against something that fast and unknown. Whatever was happening with Klaus, she assumed possession, made him unpredictable. He was definitely the bigger threat.

“You’re good with lassos, so use this!”

Crimson told Valerie as an anchor was summoned, but still halfway in the ground. There was no rope or chain connected, giving Valerie the chance to attach her own anima lasso to it, or pass it through the hole. Partially embedded in the ground, the anchor wasn’t going to go anywhere. She could use it to anchor Aries in place if she could lasso him again. Well, hopefully. Or maybe she could use it in a way Crimson wasn’t thinking of. Either way, she felt like she shouldn’t be sticking around here for too long.

“I’ll be back if you need any help.”

All her previous tendrils, damaged or not, had no more purpose for the moment. So, they retreated back into the ground. One large tendril was summoned, and Crimson grabbed onto it tight before it spun her once, twice, then let go, sending her soaring off in the direction Klaus had taken Marianne off in. Below her, she saw Annamarie rushing through the trees in the same direction, and it wasn’t long until she saw the two below her, Klaus holding Marianne by the neck. Mariana gasped, eyes wide and screamed out.

“Marianne!”

But velocity was something difficult to overcome. Crimson landed gracefully a few yards beyond the two, made a 180 turn, and ran towards the two at a breakneck pace. It only took another few seconds, but when she arrived, it seemed Klaus had finally calmed down. At least, compared to earlier. He wasn’t attacking anyone, and Marianne was holding his hand. It seemed whatever had happened, things were well? Crimson was confused, but somewhat thankful no one seemed to be lethally wounded.

But totally eclipsing Crimson’s relief was Mariana’s. She ran forward towards Marianne, leaving Crimson no time to protest or grab her. It was jarring, as Mariana had never essentially stepped out of Crimson’s control like that before.

“Hey-!” Crimson tried to say, but Mariana didn’t listen. Instead, the girl ran towards the possible danger with reckless abandon and fell to her knees between the two. Crimson closely followed up, keeping a close eye on Klaus. “At least get her away from Klaus. He could still be dangerous.”

Mariana didn’t say or show that she had heard Crimson. “Are you okay?!” She asked both of them. Instead of responding to Crimson, she began to look for injuries on the two that might need treating immediately. Marianne seemed incredibly pained and her movements made it seem like she was pretty hurt. Her neck obviously, but the remaining ice helped to keep the blood from flowing.

“S-Stay still!” She told Marianne, panicked, and looked at Klaus quickly. Although she seemed more hesitant, and maybe even fearful, she still did so. Some bruising and cuts to the face, but he didn’t seem to be in nearly as bad a state as Marianne. The girl moved with incredible speed and deft and confidence in this situation. Like the opposite of what she normally did. Perhaps she was one to thrive under pressure? Mariana, feeling panicked and with adrenaline flowing, felt the aching from her body dissipate mostly. Enough to feel comfortable sliding her hands under Marianne, and lifting her up, ready to head back. Marianne was surprisingly light though. Lighter than Mariana expected. Was all her physical training finally paying off?

Crimson, still weary, stepped between the two girls and Klaus, just in case. She looked down at him, her interest piqued, but with her usual gaze. There was no fear, hate, or pity for him, as some others might feel after seeing that. If anything, she thought it was pretty cool to fight the other students. Not like she’d ever say that. “Fight club’s over. Let’s head back.” She extended a hand for him to take.

 

[seasonedcat]

Aries | Park's Forest
with the Aries free from his bindings, Aries lost all care for a conflict with her. As much as he'd love for the foolish and repulsive arcanist to be dead, he still knew his limits... or sort of. His target was Nikklaüs. He was the demon filth, worse than the arcanist he already was. Valerie's shots were not easy to dodge, mainly because instead of moving forward, he was actually moving backward, ready to disengage and chase after the other.

the scents were still thick in the air, and just before he had a chance to pursue, a gust of wind carried an old scent. Nikklaüs. This time, not diluted by demon filth. Aries's bloodlust flipped, this time turning to whoever the fuck that tentacle girl was, to that stupid doll, and then finally to that annoying dog...cat...thing? All of which, were off the menu. Stupid school rules. Just like an arcanist to partner with the one thing they claim to hate.

the bloodlust began to die like a flame with no fuel, smothered the rest of the way by Aries. His horns receded, and his eyes cleared, the hunt over. It took a moment for the line between beast and man to clear again before Aries could think clearly again. Aries dodged out of the way of the last shot with a slight roll of his eyes. "would you shut up already? Here I thought the sword idiot was the most annoying person here. Congrats on proving me wrong." Aries said dully, sending over a glare, "Can I go now? Or do you plan on tying me up again and torturing me with your voice and poor attempts at humor?"
interactions | Verite
mentions | Yakov011001 Juju November Witch

 

[Yakov011001]

Regained

Nikklaüs felt a warmth pass over his hand, there was a disbelief in that. That in the state he had put Marianne in, she was so delusional as to thank him. How was it that even then—

She waited for you.

It was all he could think about. When was the last time someone had done that for him? His anima bled away from that vitriolic violet and began to glow with a cyan flame; a cyan flame that burned away the ice that clung to him and Marianne, burned away the armor that had taken him. When Mariana had joined him, he flinched at the look she’d given him. The rage in his eyes dimmed to a nothingness, and suddenly no one was home. Only when Mariana lifted Marianne into her arms did he move. That hand of his she had taken coming up with her. Maybe she didn’t notice when she pulled her away but there was a sudden desperation that clutched onto Klaüs when Mariana turned away from him. Almost jumping back to his feet with a start, it only amounted to a hopping up from on both of his knees to just the one when Crimson stepped between him and the Maris.

“Fight club’s over. Let’s head back.”

Klaüs looked to the hand Crimson offered him, he supposed only a demon like her could find it in herself to support a demon like him. If support was even the word for it. But it still means something. Take it. Without words, he took that hand into his and hoisted himself up. Still, he couldn’t help the way he looked past her.

“Mariana,” He called to her, but couldn’t bring his gaze up to meet hers. His arms outstretched, he thought only about his recompense. “Please.”

Mariana hadn’t even started walking yet when Klaus spoke to her. She could see it in his eyes. She knew what he wanted without even needing to ask, or be told. But what he had done… Her gaze looked down at the energy rapidly draining from Marianne.

He did all that to her.

But he didn’t kill her.

Demons get more out of their food, drawing out a death, or making them fear death over and over. The anima is the most intense during those times.

What are you saying?

I’m saying there are many reasons he might not have killed her, he might now, or later.

Mariana saw no benefit to letting Klaus carry her. Their main priority was getting her checked out. But there was something about Klaus. His expression, his anima, his voice, his eyes. This meant so much to him. But why? What had happened? She’d never seen someone in such a desperate state before.

“Klaus.” She stared him in the eye. “Can I trust you?”

“Are you serious?” Crimson asked Mariana, incredulously. Humans were fragile and weak. Shouldn’t they be getting her to someone who could help? Humans and their choices continued to baffle her.

The answer was no, right? Even Klaüs was wary of himself, looking upon that bruised, battered, at this point broken body held limp in Mariana’s arms. But even still, he wanted to take responsibility—no. Even like this he had a most selfish motivation.

“It doesn’t matter what I say, does it?” Klaüs started, arms still waiting to receive Marianne. “Despite everything you saw, the fact that you stopped to even ask means that you’ve already made your decision, is that right?”

“Klaus, I don't know what happened. I'm scared and nervous, but I'm asking for a reason. I would say no if I meant it.” Mariana told him sternly.

She didn't know what happened. What had gotten into him. If he had been possessed or just lost a grip on himself. So, perhaps he would know himself if he was done with all this, hence her asking. But if he didn't know the answer himself…

“I won’t ever hurt Marianne like this again. I can’t,” It was automatic, almost unnerving in the way he communicated it like some impossibly unbreakable law as governed by nature itself. “Seriously though, is me carrying her any more of a threat than me just walking beside y’all? Come on, now.” Klaüs’ arms spread out a little, becoming a sarcastic shrug. That sarcastic, laidback Klaüs shining through again just the smallest bit.

There it was. That was it. All Mariana wanted was that confirmation. While still put off by what she had previously seen, she still felt as if she could trust him, so she did. She held out Marianne for the other to take, and didn't really seem to take his last comment to heart. If anything, it further unnerved her. The sudden tone shift, and ignoring the seriousness of the situation.

“Yes, it is.” Crimson answered his seemingly rhetorical question. “I could ask the same thing! Does it really matter who carries her? But I bet you'll have some sappy human answer that it does.” She rolled her eyes, already exasperated with the current turn of events. “Now hurry up. Humans are fragile, and I bet she needs someone to take a look at her. You've wasted enough time talking as it is.” Though Crimson didn't move, as if waiting for one of the two humans to start moving first.

Crimson wanted Klaus to go first, and have his back to them. That way they wouldn't be caught off guard if he tried something again. Which Crimson wasn't convinced he wouldn't. She didn't really care what he did to Marianne, as long as herself and Mariana were alright. Well, that was a lie. She did care about what happened to Marianne. But only because of how it would affect Mariana, and she didn't need this girl going into a depression or becoming more scared of people than she already was. That was definitely the only reason Crimson somewhat cared about Marianne a tiny bit.

“Right, but first we have another mess to clean up,” Klaüs took Marianne into his arms. “It could get a little sticky, but you’re pretty good at what you do so I trust you’ll be able to take care of it if I need you.” It kind of pissed him off, looking down upon her unconscious face. How was it that she looked so peaceful now of all times?

Making a step, Klaüs flinched when his right ankle gave way, sending him straight to one knee. Looking down at it, he could see one of Crimson’s ripped-off tentacles wrapped around his ankle. Shit, looks like I didn’t make it out of that trap untouched after all. Before he could come up from his stumble though, he heard something strange, strange and close.

Meow.

Suddenly by his side—from parts unknown—was a familiar cat.

“Mittens? What’re you doing here?” Without ‘words’, Mittens hopped up onto Klaüs’ shoulder and started to lick at his wounds. “Worried about me or something? Maybe you should’ve stuck with Leo,” He remarked, standing from his kneel. “Guys, look who I found!” Klaüs called back, trying to play off his injured ankle as him just finding Mittens.

It was with a subtle limp, but Nikklaüs then led the way. Not back to the starting area, or the proctor. First he marched back to where he’d left Aries and Valerie. Braced for the worst, he felt a small bit of relief when he saw what looked like Aries bringing himself down off his bloodlust.

“You get it out of your system too?” Klaüs shouted over to him. “Let’s go, it’s time to turn in, and I don’t want to have to explain how I lost my partner any more than I want to explain what’s already happened. Besides, I need to talk to you after this anyhow,” Then he regarded Valerie. “Thanks for the assist, and y’all too, of course.” He flicked his head back around to the Mirror behind him.

Then he started to trek back towards the direction of the destruction, where they had came from and back in the direction of the starting area.

Juju November Witch Verite seasonedcat Solirus

 

[Juju]

Puppet Show Solirus Yakov011001 November Witch Verite seasonedcat
As the ice receded, Marianne couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief overtake her. It was a moment's respite, but it was all that it took to shake the stubborn will that had been keeping her going up until this point. Now that the danger had passed, it was difficult convincing her body to stay awake. Still, She fought against it, clinging to her consciousness like a match burning in a winter storm. Try as she might, there was only one destiny for a fleeting flame, and hers was tired and battered. Despite her best, desperate efforts, her heavy eyes closed.

In the weariness, there was a helpless panic. What would await her when she awoke? She had to stay awake, and so she struggled on, wheezing and breathless as she was. Pale and numb, her hand sloughed away like melted snow as soon as she was moved. Faintly, she was aware that someone had picked her off the ground and held her. Familiar waves of anima shrouded her; Mariana. Had it been anyone else, she might have panicked and struggled regardless of her wounds.

Marianne heard muffled talking, though she didn’t need words to recognize the three voices. They were like crows bickering over a fresh corpse, but in their defense, Marianne played the part remarkably well. Her unceremonious trip through the forest had completely ruined her blouse and left her back a caked mess of dirt, debris and blood. Even her hair had come undone from it all, leaf strewn and in her face. Maybe she should have taken up Mariana’s offer of a hairbrush.

The fact that Marianne wasn’t protesting to any of the cradling or exchanged sentiments was a testament to how poorly she was clinging onto consciousness. It slipped away from her like the stray thoughts and fears.

Eventually the crows finally reached their agreement, and though Marianne was only vaguely aware of it, she was handed over to another source of familiar anima. It had calmed, yet it wasn't the same. A bright blue had layered over the violet, but whether it was a good omen or ill, she couldn't say. Doubt lingered, but she found a sliver of peace in it all.

He is himself. She thought, yet there was an irony to it. Who even was he? Would she even know?

A troubling thought, but alas, it was the last of them before she slipped into the sea of unconsciousness.

[Exit Marianne]
[Enter Sam and Annamarie]

Spoiler: Exclusive Sam POV

Sam was a clever one. He knew by the dwindling, yet stable anima that "Marianne!" was not dead, and by the slackened bindings he also knew he had just enough wiggle room to stretch out his claws. He could take his time, unlike that doll.

Far ahead, Annamarie charged through the forest with wanton abandon. She didn’t seem to care for the branches that snagged at her pretty dress, or even pay mind to her own dwindling anima. Sam, on the other hand, did.

It was not often that he was presented such a delicious opportunity, and the dubious little demon was not one to waste it. Who knew when he would get another chance like this?

Grinning in devilish delight, he scurried his way along Annamarie’s trail with renewed purpose. Fangs clacked together, letting him phase through vegetation and bark without so much as a sound. He might have even been completely silent if it wasn't for the distorted laughter he began to mimic.

It was unusual for Annamarie to be absent from her twin for so long, especially in such a dire state. She and Marianne were near inseparable, and yet when Nikklaüs, Crimson and Mariana dragged out the newest Montgomery corpse from the forest, her creepy doll was nowhere to be seen. It wasn’t until after Nikklaüs shouted to Aries that the reason for Annamarie’s disappearance was at least partially revealed.

The first to burst out of the foliage was Sam, his black paws a blur as he sprinted gleefully towards the group. Clutched firmly in his bright red teeth was the ebony half of Annamarie’s blades. The anima construct sparked where his fangs gripped it, flickering somewhat. Bit by bit, he was consuming the anima.

His spiral-eyes darted this way and that, first to Mariana, and then to Crimson and finally on Nikklaüs. There they settled. One could swear there was a flicker of mischief in his dizzy, swirly eyes.

Annamarie was in hot pursuit, keeping pace with the other demon despite her low anima reserves. She emerged from the woods in the same manner as Sam, sprinting after the creature with her red gaze locked on Sam and her stolen weapon. That is, until Sam abruptly dropped it. The doll skidded to a halt, stooping down to reunite with her stolen half-blade and what little anima she had to spare.

The sound of gunshots echoed through the clearing as Sam bounded towards Nikklaüs. He was grinning from ear to ear, smug as a cat, even as a tentacle emerged from the ground to swat him. Yet instead of sending the rat flying, Sam ran straight through the obstacle as if it were nothing but air.

Snickering to himself, Sam glanced over his shoulder, waiting for Annamarie to look up and then…

BANG!

A bright flash of light erupted from Sam’s horn, momentarily blinding all who were looking in the demon’s direction. Using it as cover, the now hornless Sam dashed for Nikklaüs. Yet strangely, the creature didn’t even touch his 'target'. Much like Crimson’s tentacle, Sam phased right through Nikklaüs and Marianne both.

After hopping through him like a circus lion through a hoop, Sam turned around, smiled, and then began to circle Nikklaüs. He kept himself low to the ground, skittering in a circle and clacking his teeth. His tail lashed from side to side, spiral eyes locked on Nikklaüs, yet the demon didn’t attack.

There didn’t seem to be a method to the demon’s madness until a familiar unnerving laughter began to emit from beside Nikklaus. Then a voice, disembodied but conveniently placed exactly behind Nikklaüs from a certain doll’s point of view.

"Simply amazing, Marianne. You really did remember me this time."

Annamarie recovered enough from the flash-bang to focus her sights on Nikklaüs again. Sword in hand, the damaged doll walked quickly towards Nikklaüs, Mittens and her unconscious twin. Each movement was jarring and mechanical as she stomped closer, grace exchanged for conserving anima.

Sam was practically shivering with glee, trotting in place, clawing digging up the soil. Perhaps getting a little too carried away, he began to echo the unnerving laughter.

 

[Silent Child]

Leander’s breathing was ragged as he trudged forward, every step agonizing yet deliberate. The weight of his two friends pressed heavily on his battered body, but he didn’t falter. They had to be safe. It was all he could think about, the thought repeating in his mind like a mantra that drowned out the sharp pain of his broken ribs and the strain on his legs.

His gaze stayed fixed on the path ahead, the proctor’s bench somewhere in the distance. His once-pristine anima flickered around him, now tinged with a faded purple that seemed to ripple unnaturally, its intensity rising and falling in waves. He could feel it—this alien presence within him—pulling at his thoughts, sharpening them into a singular, unrelenting focus.

Keep them safe.
Keep them safe.
Keep them safe.

Leander’s hands clenched tightly around Cobalt and Sophia, his grip almost too firm. “...Safe,” he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the soft crunch of his uneven steps. He hadn’t realized he spoke aloud. A grimace of pain twisted his face, but he ignored it. Everything else felt unimportant.

The world seemed to blur at the edges as the strange purple hue began to pulse more intensely, his anima flaring unnaturally with each step. His broken ribs burned, but the pain didn’t matter. The strain in his legs threatened to buckle him, but that didn’t matter either. Nothing mattered except this singular goal.

“... Uh... H-Hey, Leo...”, Cobalt’s voice was heard as some resistance was felt -despite being carried off by Leander, Cobalt tried to anchor his feet on the ground so he could walk on his own. “I should be able to walk, so if you could just...”

He tried wriggling out of Leo’s grasp, but found himself unable to, his arms still being numb after suffering attacks from Eyes.

Leander barely registered the voice at first. The sound of Cobalt’s words felt distant, muffled beneath the thrum of his own heartbeat and the mantra pounding in his mind. Keep them safe. His grip on both of them tightened, his arms aching under the strain but unwilling to release either of them.

“...No,” he muttered softly, more to himself than to Cobalt, his voice hoarse and trembling. His focus didn’t waver from the path ahead, even as Cobalt’s faint resistance tugged against his hold.

They couldn’t run, but they certainly couldn’t fall. He couldn’t let them stumble or falter, not even for a moment. If he let go, if he slowed down, something might happen. Something could go wrong. There was no way he would let there be any new risk.

“... Leo?”

Leander’s gaze was unfocused, locked ahead as if the world beyond his friends didn’t exist. The purple-tinged anima flickered again, the unnatural ripple intensifying as his grip on them both remained unyielding. Safe. Keep them safe. Safe.

“... Leo.”

He neared the entrance, where they had last seen Jaquie, the door, and the proctor. Clutching his friends even tighter, only for his arms to ache and being forced to ease up a little bit, he approached ever so steadily. His eyes directly locked on the ground in the center area. That's a safe spot. He had thought, but upon glancing around, Jaquie wasn't there. “Not… safe-” His voice remained a soft whisper and he almost sounded horrified at this. He saw Isaac, damaged, resting against a tree and the proctor still on his bench.

“Leander.”

Leo continued walking over, albeit slowly. His head turned around to make sure there was nothing around to threaten his friends. As he passed the proctor, there was a brief moment where his steps faltered. “E-eyes… is melted…” His voice wasn't all that pleasant, almost like he had to force himself to say it.

“... We killed it.”, Cobalt confirmed with a small sigh, having given up on fighting against Leander’s hold. “There weren’t any civilians in the area where we fought.”

The examiner put down the book he held at the student's declaration. “Very well.” The examiner would comment as he pulled out his clipboard, writing something on it before putting it away.

“Use these. They will heal minor injuries and stop any bleeding.” the examiner extended his hand towards them, offering the small vials.

An awkward silence followed as Leo seemed to hesitate in taking them. “... Leo? Um...” Cobalt alternated his gaze from Leander to the examiner, to the unconscious Sophia resting on Leo’s other shoulder. “... Could you grab them, please?” He tried to will himself to take the vials himself but his arms still weren’t properly responding, a twitch of his fingers being the only sign of them being functioning at all.

Leander blinked slowly, the examiner’s outstretched hand barely registering in his mind at first. The vials, small and glinting faintly, caught his gaze and stirred something in him—an urge that clawed its way through the haze of obsession clouding his thoughts. Help them. It wasn’t just a mantra anymore; it was direction. Slowly, carefully, he adjusted his grip on Cobalt and Sophia, freeing one trembling hand to take the vials.

His fingers curled tightly around them, the glass cool against his palm. Without another word, he trudged forward, heading to the exact center of the clearing. He set Cobalt and Sophia down as gently as his shaking body allowed, positioning himself so he could see everything around them. His gaze darted constantly—trees, the proctor, the edges of the clearing, the sky—searching for anything, any threat that might come near.

Satisfied, though not fully assured, he knelt beside Sophia first. Carefully, almost reverently, he uncorked one of the vials. His hand hovered above her for a moment as if making sure it was the right choice. Then, with surprising tenderness, he tilted her head back and gently opened her mouth. The vial's contents poured smoothly, and he ensured she swallowed before pulling back.

“She’ll be fine,” he muttered, though it wasn’t clear if he was speaking to Cobalt or himself. His voice still carried that strained, distant quality, as if he wasn’t entirely present.

Next, he turned to Cobalt, his movements stiff and methodical. He uncorked the second vial. He then brought the vial to Cobalt’s lips. His hands were steadier now, the process smoother, but his gaze remained sharp, darting from Cobalt to their surroundings as he worked. Once the vial was empty, he leaned back, his eyes still scanning the clearing as he repositioned himself between his friends.

Friends.

He has friends now. How has he not fully realized this? He has friends, friends to protect, friends who actually care and help him.

It's my job to make sure they're safe.

His mind raced constantly, repeating these phrases, and slowly his thoughts blurred together.

It was recess, and the sounds of children laughing and yelling filled the air. Leander was seven, sitting at the end of the playground on a set of faded green monkey bars. He had been watching his classmates play tag when something caught his eye—a dark, misshapen figure lurking near the edge of the schoolyard, where the chain-link fence was tangled with ivy.

It wasn’t like anything he’d ever seen before. The creature stood hunched, its lanky arms stretching to the ground like tree roots. Its skin seemed to shift like liquid, reflecting faint flashes of color—blues, blacks, and sickly greens. Two hollow, glowing eyes stared out from a featureless face, each gaze sending a strange chill through him. The way it moved was the most unsettling part: it twitched in quick, jerky motions, one moment standing still and the next scuttling several feet closer like a marionette.

Leander blinked and rubbed his eyes, but the creature didn’t disappear. He should’ve been scared, but instead, curiosity gnawed at him. What was it doing here? Why was it staring at them?

“Hey, guys,” Leander called, hopping off the bars and running over to his group of friends, who were busy trading Pokémon cards on a picnic table. They looked up as he skidded to a stop.

“What’s up, Leo?” asked Max, the self-proclaimed leader of their little group, a chubby boy with spiky brown hair and a Digimon shirt. Beside him was Anna, her dark hair tied into two pigtails, and Felix, who was carefully organizing his cards in a neat row.

“There’s something over there,” Leander said, pointing toward the fence where the creature loomed. His friends followed his gesture, squinting into the distance.

“What do you mean?” Anna asked, frowning.

“By the fence! Can’t you see it? It’s tall and... weird,” Leander said, his voice rising slightly. “It looks like a shadow, but it’s moving.”

Max exchanged a glance with Anna before laughing. “What are you talking about? There’s nothing there.”

“There is!” Leander insisted. He grabbed Max’s sleeve and tugged him toward the fence. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

Reluctantly, Max and the others followed. Leander’s heart raced as he led them closer. The creature hadn’t moved far, its sunken eyes fixed on him. “There! Right there!” he said, pointing again.

But his friends’ faces twisted in confusion.

“I don’t see anything,” Felix said, tilting his head.

“Leander, are you messing with us?” Anna added, crossing her arms.

“No, I’m not! It’s right there!” He stepped closer to the fence, his pulse quickening. “How can you not see it? It’s huge!”

Max groaned. “You’re just trying to freak us out. There’s nothing there.”

“I’m not lying!” Leander repeated, his frustration starting to bubble over.

The others backed away a step, their expressions wary. “Okay, whatever you say, Leo,” Max muttered, turning back toward the table. “Let’s go, guys.”

Leander’s stomach sank as Anna and Felix followed Max without a word. He stared at their retreating backs, feeling a lump rise in his throat.

“It’s real,” he whispered to himself. “I swear it’s real.”

When he turned back to the fence, the creature was gone.

---

Leander trudged home that afternoon, his backpack feeling heavier than usual. His friends had barely spoken to him for the rest of the day, and whenever they did, it was with awkward glances and forced smiles. By the time the final bell rang, he could feel the growing distance between them, like an invisible wall he didn’t understand how to break.

The walk home wasn’t long, a familiar route through suburban streets with neat rows of houses and carefully trimmed lawns. Normally, he’d take his time, kicking rocks or counting cracks in the sidewalk. But today, his steps were hurried, his eyes darting to every shadow and corner. His mind raced with questions about the creature at the fence. Why could he see it when no one else could? Why was it there at all?

As he approached his street, the sinking sun cast long shadows across the pavement. The golden light made everything look softer, more peaceful, but it didn’t comfort him. He felt a chill crawl up his spine—a strange, prickling sensation like he was being watched.

He paused at the corner of his block, his breath catching in his throat. There, standing in the middle of the quiet street, was another one.

This one was different from the creature at school. It was smaller but no less unsettling. Its body was hunched and spindly, with limbs that seemed to stretch and contract unnaturally. Its head was elongated, almost insect-like, with a jagged crack running down the center like a permanent grin. Its eyes were the worst part: deep pits of darkness that seemed to swallow the light around them, leaving an inky void where its gaze fell.

The creature’s head tilted slightly as if it had noticed him. A low, chittering sound echoed from its throat, a noise that made his skin crawl.

Leander froze, clutching the straps of his backpack so tightly his knuckles turned white. His heart pounded in his chest, but his feet refused to move. It wasn’t doing anything—just standing there, staring at him—but the sheer wrongness of it rooted him in place.

For a moment, he thought about running back the way he came, but something kept him there. It wasn’t curiosity this time; it was fear. What if it followed him? What if it got closer?

The creature twitched, its limbs jerking like broken puppet strings. Slowly, it began to shift, its movements unnatural and stuttering as it stepped toward the sidewalk. Toward him.

Leander stumbled back, his breathing shallow. “No,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Go away.”

It didn’t respond. Its hollow eyes remained locked on him as it reached the edge of the street.

“Go away!” he whispered slightly louder this time, his voice cracking. He squeezed his eyes shut, his body trembling with the effort. When he opened them again, the creature was gone.

The street was suddenly empty, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The only sound was the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Leander’s legs gave out, and he sank to the curb, his backpack sliding off his shoulders. He buried his face in his hands, trying to steady his breathing.

“What’s wrong with me?” he muttered, his voice barely audible. For a long time, he sat there, too afraid to move, until the faint buzz of a streetlamp flickering to life reminded him it was getting late.

He picked himself up and hurried the rest of the way home, not daring to look back. But even as he reached the safety of his front door and heard his mother’s warm greeting, the thought lingered in his mind: Why can I see them?

Leander pushed open the door to his home, the familiar creak of the hinges a small comfort. The smell of dinner wafted through the air—something warm and hearty, probably stew—and his mother’s voice called from the kitchen.

“Leander? That you?”

“Yes ma'am, it’s me,” he replied, forcing a steadiness into his voice that didn’t match the shaking in his hands. He slipped off his shoes and set his backpack by the door.

“Wash up before dinner, okay?”

“Okay.”

The house felt safe, as it always did, its well-lit rooms and neatly arranged furniture a stark contrast to the unsettling encounters outside. But even here, Leander couldn’t fully shake the feeling of being watched. He scrubbed his hands at the sink for longer than necessary, staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His face was pale, his eyes shadowed. He splashed water on his face, hoping to rinse away the creeping unease, but the memory of the creature’s hollow gaze stayed with him.

At dinner, his parents chatted about their days, their voices filling the room with a warmth he struggled to connect with. His father talked about work, his mother mentioned a neighbor’s new garden project, and Leander nodded along, offering the occasional one-word response.

“You okay, kiddo?” his dad asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes sir, I’m fine,” Leander lied, poking at his stew with his spoon. “Just tired.”

His mother smiled softly. “You’ve been working hard at school, huh? Maybe an early bedtime tonight?”

He nodded simply. “Yeah… maybe.”

He excused himself shortly after dinner, retreating to his room. Once the door was closed, he let out a shaky breath and sat on the edge of his bed. His gaze wandered to the window, where the curtains swayed gently in the evening breeze. He got up and pulled them shut, the memory of the creature in the street still fresh in his mind.

---

Leander tried to settle back into his routine. He went to school, finished his homework, and joined his friends at lunch like always. But everything felt different now, like there was a barrier between him and the rest of the world.

He stopped mentioning the creatures, deciding it was better to stay quiet. When his friends laughed and joked, he forced himself to smile and nod, though he barely heard what they were saying.

The creatures didn’t disappear.

He saw them in fleeting glimpses—a shadow shifting unnaturally in the corner of a classroom, a hunched figure perched on the roof of a neighboring house, a grotesque shape lurking at the corner of a clinic. They were always there, but Leander pretended not to see them.

He learned to keep his face neutral, to avoid letting his eyes linger on the things no one else seemed to notice. His friends didn’t ask questions anymore, and Leander was grateful for that.

But the effort to ignore them took its toll. He started waking up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, his dreams filled with hollow eyes and jerky, unnatural movements. His appetite waned, and he felt a gnawing sense of exhaustion that no amount of sleep could fix.

At school, he began sitting at the edges of groups, his laughter quieter and his presence less noticeable. His teachers occasionally called on him, startled by how absent-minded he seemed, and his parents commented on how quiet he’d been lately.

“You sure everything’s okay?” his mother asked one evening, sitting beside him on the couch.

“Yeah,” Leander said quickly, avoiding her gaze. “I’m just tired. School’s been a lot.”

She didn’t seem convinced but didn’t push him further.

The world went on as normal, but for Leander, the creatures had become a permanent part of his reality. He couldn’t explain them, and he couldn’t make them go away. All he could do was pretend they weren’t there and hope—somehow—that he’d figure out why he was the only one who could see them.

---

Leander couldn’t pretend anymore.

One Friday evening, after dinner, as the golden glow of the setting sun painted the walls of their living room, he found himself staring into his mother’s eyes as if her gentle expression could provide the courage he so desperately needed.

“Mom,” he said, his voice low and uncertain. She turned to him, spoon halfway to her mouth as she leaned back on the couch.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“I need to tell you guys something.” His throat felt dry, and he swallowed hard. His fingers gripped the hem of his shirt.

His father looked up from his newspaper, curiosity evident on his face. “Everything okay, son?”

Leander hesitated. His heart hammered so loudly that it felt like it might burst through his ribs. His words came in a rush, unable to hold them back.

“There are monsters… things. I see them. I’ve seen them for a little while now, and I can’t make them go away.”

The room felt too still for a moment. His parents froze mid-motion, exchanging a glance that felt full of uncertainty.

“What are you talking about, Leander?” His father’s voice was careful, steady. They knew Leo was creative, but he wouldn't pull a monster under the bed trick.

“I’ve seen them since last week. They’re always there. I see them in school, on the streets, around those offices in my way home. I don’t know why. I’ve tried to ignore them, but they’re always there.”

His voice cracked, and his chest tightened. His words came in a blur of fear and panic, tumbling out too quickly for him to stop. His father set the newspaper down and leaned forward in his chair, his brows furrowed.

“Leander, honey,” his mother said, her voice soft and soothing but edged with worry, “monsters? What kind of monsters? What do you mean?”

The knot in his throat felt like it might strangle him as he tried to explain, but suddenly he couldn’t find the right words. His hands trembled as he tried to emphasize that it wasn’t imagination—that they were real to him, even if nobody else could see them. His words came faster, more disjointed, fueled by panic.

“They’re creatures, shadows, things that look like nothing and everything at once, and I know they’re real. I’ve seen them only recently, but I promise—please believe me—”

His father stood, approaching Leander cautiously as if testing the air for some invisible danger. His face was unreadable, and Leander’s heart sank.

“Leander,” his father said, “are you feeling okay? Are you stressed at school or with friends?”

Leander shook his head desperately, tears starting to well in his eyes. His parents exchanged another glance—concern, fear, confusion. His mother was the first to break the quiet.

“Maybe you’re just… stressed,” she said gently, her voice hesitant. “Your father and I don’t want to dismiss how you feel, sweetheart, but let’s take you to the doctor. Sometimes these things can be caused by stress, anxiety… or other things.”

The words felt soft but sharp. Leander tried to protest, but his voice crumbled under the weight of their doubt. Before he knew it, they had scheduled an appointment.

---

The doctor was a calm, polite man with graying hair and a sharp smile. The office smelled of antiseptic, and the sound of a distant clock ticking on the wall felt louder than it should have. Leander’s parents sat beside him as the doctor asked him a series of questions—simple ones at first, about his sleep, his diet, and his stress levels.

But as the questions grew more specific, the doctor began to narrow in.

“Have you experienced hallucinations, Leander?” he asked, his voice even. “Visual disturbances that others can’t see? Hearing sounds or voices that others say aren’t there?”

Leander swallowed. His parents glanced at each other briefly.

“Yes,” Leander admitted hesitantly. “I see… creatures. I see monsters. I see them everywhere.”

The doctor jotted something down in his notebook. His parents exchanged a glance again, this time a little more visibly concerned.

The questions continued, focusing on when the visions started, if they happened every day, if they were accompanied by fear, anxiety, or any sort of emotional stress. Leander answered as best he could, but his explanations felt weak, scattered.

By the end of the appointment, the doctor leaned back in his chair and folded his hands neatly over his clipboard.

“Well, Leander,” he said in a tone that felt both neutral and distant, “it sounds like you may have a condition called schizophrenia.”

Leander froze, the words sinking into him like stone. His parents’ expressions were unreadable, and his heart pounded so loudly he could hardly hear the rest of the explanation. The doctor primarily spoke to his parents next.

“It can manifest through hallucinations—seeing and hearing things that others can’t. It’s treatable, though. There are medications and therapies that can help. I recommend we set him up with a psychiatrist to discuss this further.”

Leander’s parents nodded, though their expressions were uncertain. His father placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“We’ll get through this together, son,” he said. “No worries. You’ll feel better soon.”

---

Leander’s life didn’t return to “normal.” Not really. His parents did their best to support him, though the atmosphere at home felt strained and careful, as if they were all walking on glass. His school life grew harder as well, the weight of his diagnosis settling on him and creating new distances between himself and his peers.

He took medication as prescribed, attending counseling sessions and speaking quietly with doctors. Though the words schizophrenia and treatment were clinical and impersonal, they offered him the first real sense that he might not have to face these creatures alone.

But the creatures didn’t go away. They never went away.

The medication dulled the edges of his fears but never erased the monsters from the corners of his vision. Leander learned not to tell anyone about them. His friends kept their distance, as they always had, and he didn’t fight to bridge that gap anymore.

His parents reassured him constantly, though their words felt hollow. “You’re okay,” they would say. “You’ll get better.” And for a while, that hope felt genuine, but as time went on, the monsters persisted.

He stopped fighting them.

Instead, he focused on surviving, on learning to live with them as they lingered at the edges of his perception, shadows of fear and anxiety and the unknown. Leander became skilled at ignoring them, pretending not to see, even as they watched him from their shadowy perches. His parents finally forgot about the issue as if he'd been 'cured'.

The days went on. Life became a routine of school, medication, counseling, and carefully managing his emotions.

And in those moments, he would remind himself: Keep your head down. Don’t let them see you noticing them.

Regardless of the fact they looked... lonely almost, he knew... The world felt fragile, but he could still fit in.

Leander's eyes were still a bit of a foggy mess before clearing up and darting around the clearing again, but noticing no change from previous glances. It was still safe for now.

 

[Verite]

Valerie Vu - All's Well That Ends Well
Interactions: seasonedcat November Witch Juju Yakov011001

​

"Oop--!"

Valerie flashed a smile Crimson's way as she passed by and summoned an anchor, but ultimately it seemed the gesture wasn't needed as Aries regained his senses before too long. Just needed a few bee stings from the look of it, as he suddenly began to speak cognizantly, even taking a moment to dodge her passing shots. She stopped once she heard his voice, much more calm and measured than she'd expected, prompting her to stop, eyes wide with momentary surprise.

"Oh! Are you normal now? Sorry, I couldn't really tell!" She exclaimed, her cheerful tone seeming to contrast against the casually biting words, if she even meant them that way, and as if she'd barely noticed his horns receding. This exchange truly was much easier than she'd expected, but after the run-in with Deerhead, she certainly wouldn't complain. It was a miracle she was even still standing on her feet right now. "Uh, yeah, I guess you can go, if you're not planning on going Joker Mode again any time soon! I still have no idea how this started or why you two started going at it, but..."

Valerie blinked, remembering the other side of this conflict, just as Klaus stepped forward.

"... Oh, right! That's good, you're normal too. Marianne was so stressed out over you earlier, I didn't know what was going on. I had to see... all that to believe it!" She exclaimed, making a vague gesture with her hands to indicate the scene they'd just assuaged. Speaking of Marianne, Val looked down at the unconscious girl in his arms, having spent her body and soul for the day, it seemed. Though she seemed quite worse for wear, Valerie couldn't help but stifle a giggle. It was just like the first exam, in that little haunted house.

"Well, looks like that's a wrap, I guess. All's well that ends well," she merely breathed to Klaus, as everyone began to make their way out of the forest. But oh, they were so, so close. Out of the frying pan, and they forgot about the fire.

And then Sam popped out of the foliage like a bat out of hell. That was where all the trouble started, with that damned smile.

She froze up in confusion, watching Sam move so erratically like a dog possessed. Val had already learned to try not to mind the creature's frantic mannerisms, but this time, she could tell something was wrong. The girl gasped out in shock when Sam flashbanged them all, eliciting a deep groan from her. So that was what it was like to get a taste of her own medicine. Wow, she did not like that one bit!

And just as swiftly, her eyes shot open as she heard a sinister, unfamiliar voice ring out in the air, addressing Marianne. And as she saw Annamarie menacingly walking toward Klaus, Val instinctively stepped to his side protectively, though she wasn't sure what exactly she could do in this scenario, feeling like a child lost in the dark, and unwilling at the moment to take any reckless action.

"Uh, Klaus? This is probably a bit late to ask, but... do you know what's going on here?" She asked nervously, forming a finger gun with her hand as if preparing for another fight, but against who or what exactly, she still didn't really know.

 

[seasonedcat]

Aries | Park's Forest
Aries rolled his eyes at Valerie's words, letting out an annoyed sigh, "Of course, I don't have plans to do that; I don't even know what those words mean. What the fuck are you saying?" Aries gave her a weird look, raising his eyebrows like she was insane. He really did not know what she was trying to say here. Was she calling him some type of clown? Which didn't really make any sense since he was clearly not dressed up as a clown right now.

when Nikklaüs returned, Aries's confused stare returned to his normal harsh glare as he whipped around to look at the other, "Oh great, more talking. And here I thought I was finally getting some peace and quiet." he said with a huff. Aries gazed at Marianne, glancing over her injuries briefly before his gaze flicked to the bush Sam jumped out of just a second before it made itself known.

Aries tensed at the reek of the demons and flinched when his eyes were assaulted with the bright light, but he didn't attack once he saw that they were the 'tamed' demons. Even if he would have liked nothing more than to remove them all. But of course, it was never that simple; none of this damn school was. Here they were, and only two of them(maybe) were not somehow partnered with a demon. So much for arcanists being the good guys defending the world from demons. You may as well just ask the demon nicely to leave you alone; after all, that's what this class of arcanists is going to end up fucking doing after inviting it for tea. Aries hated literally everyone here. But of course, he had no choice but to follow the others back, as far as possible, so that this day could finally be over.
interactions | Juju Verite Yakov011001 November Witch

 

[November Witch]

Crimson & Mariana

~{A happy ending?}~​

Status: Concerned & Scared
Location: Forest
Interaction(s): Juju Solirus Yakov011001 Verite seasonedcat

“There’s no need to thank me.” Mariana replied as Klaus turned to include her in the thanks as well. Isn’t this just what any of them would do for any of the others? Mariana sure hoped so. The human jumped and let out a small squeak of surprise as she seemingly heard gunshots echoing around the forest around them. Due to her aching muscles and fatigued state, she stumbled, but was caught by Crimson, who rolled her eyes and took control of the obviously weary girl. The tentacle she had used to attempt and stop the charging Sam helped her realize he was probably just harmless. If he was gonna jump through that, he was probab;y just gonna jump through Klaus too. So she paid it little attention and continued to walk forwards, meaning she missed the flash, but she certainly saw it reflect off of everything nearby, which earned a huff from her.

The demon would place herself between Klaus and the approaching doll, however. “She’s okay, and Klaus isn’t going to hurt her anymore, so don’t do anything stupid.” She told the doll, letting her approach and see Mariana, but a hand remained at the ready just in case the doll attempted to use those scissors. “Yeesh, you’re still in rough shape. Do you need some more anima?” Crimson mostly ignored most of what else was going on around them. Thankfully, it seemed things were relatively under control now. What a shitshow it turned out to be though. She wondered vaguely if the others had any luck as her gaze remained on the doll she was offering anima to.