aterat | 004 ~ Back from the Dead [OPEN TO ALL]

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004 ~ Back from the Dead [OPEN TO ALL]

Who; Jacob 'Jake' Miller & YOU!
What; Coming back from the dead...
Where; A few places, see below.
When; November 8th thru 22nd
Warnings; Death & talk of trauma & more; will post cw's in thread headers.

MEMORIES OF DEATH: GRAY BUILDING & OPEN SQUARE

[The return is jaring. Not because it is sudden, but because death had always been the end of his depressing story. He knows that one day he would die and no one would be able to save him and that is what had happened. He had been faced with a monster and there hadn't been anyone there to save him… but here he is breathing and somewhat alive. His resurrection comes with a cost but Jacob doesn't mind. He feels disconnected from the world, as if he isn't really a part of it.

He can't feel the world around him anymore.

He isn't hollow, he feels something but he can't feel the cotton against his chest or the discomfort when he cut himself. All he felt was the knot of worry and uncertainty tightening in his chest.

Sleep was nearly impossible but he doesn't feel confident enough to wander far from the safety of his apartment. Not yet. It doesn't matter if the bear is gone. He remembers it coming for him, like it knows exactly where he is and is coming for him.

Jacob swallows a shaky breath and begins to circle around the apartment's courtyard. His earbuds are in his ears, classical music ringing through his head but it doesn't calm him down or erase the memories he's trying so hard to forget.

AN ESCAPE: HARBOR

[The cold winds make his eyes water but it doesn't sting like it ought too. This is a strange place to come back to but he finds comfort in the familiar scent and roll of the waves. Maine is a windy state and for a brief instance, he feels like a young boy again, standing before the great wide world but he's still too far away; too disconnected.

Jacob pulls off his shirt and kicks off his boots before walking to the water's edge.

It's so cold. He knows it's cold but he doesn't feel it. The soles of his feet tingle beneath the weight of his frame but it's just his imagination. He knows it's supposed to be cold and his brain is trying to make up for the lack of senses. His body is trying to warn him, to keep him safe but Jacob doesn't listen to the soft signs. Instead, he wonders if Caelan feels cold or if he's somehow immune to it. What he wouldn't give to be special like that; to have a connection to the world that's more than whatever this life is.

Jacob inhales a deep breath and then jumps, submerging himself into the water. His skin prickles but there is no pain. He can't feel anything. The water curls around him and if he hadn't seen it or known what he'd done, he'd feel like he's swimming through thick air. It's only as he's pulling himself from the water that he realizes how stupic that had been. He can't feel but his fingers and lips are blue from the cold.

Just because he can't feel it, doesn't mean it isn't there.

BACK TO NORMAL: GARRY's CARPENTRY

[Just south of the Market District is an open air carpentry shop where Jacob has been working for the last month. It's been two days since he has awoken from his gruesome death but he was back to work, with a set of earbuds in his ears and a small cord trailing down his back to his butt pocket. The music drowns his thoughts as well as the bustle of the market street beyond the shop.

Garry, the shop's owner, was looking over the books and greeting those who walked by with a friendly grin. He was an older man with a gray head and a well built form. Since Jacob has proven his worth as a carpenter, he has been delegating more work to the young man and has been picking up more orders than the month before.

Jacob is wearing a pair of blue jeans and his usual work boots. His shirt has been discarded despite the fall chill, revealing a simple silver cross that rests against his clavicle.

He doesn't stop working. As the day turns to night, Jacob can be found at the shop. Even after the moon begins its accent into the night sky, when Garry is gone and the shop is closed. Jacob stops focusing on orders and can be found sitting on a stool with a small piece of wood and a simple carving knife. He doesn't want to sleep and makes no attempts to head home until he's too exhausted to think.

[ooc: Quote is from Metallica.]

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[Something is wrong but Jacob finds it hard to believe. It isn't possible that he's lost his sense of touch. He knows what he'd been told upon waking up but it all feels like a dream; not real. There is nothing that signifies that this is really happening.]

Huh?

[He snaps from his thoughts and finally recognizes Nida's worried expression.]

yeah. Of course. Sorry. I just, are you sure I'm not dreaming?

[Even as he speaks, he is moving to follow at Nida's side.]

I'm certain. And if you don't keep yourself cautious, I'm going to carry you.

[Neither of them need that, but Nida truly is considering it.]

We're going to have to fill you with warm food at drink. What happened? Why were you in the water?

[Jacob snorts and shakes his head.]

Please don't. I don't think I could take it. Besides, my legs still work. [Though if they had stopped working, Jacob isn't sure he'd notice.]

I went swimming. I thought I'd feel something but I didn't. I probably should have waited for Caelan or something. He's the better swimmer.

Don't think you could take it? What, am I just that pretty?

[He's worried, when he's worried he panics. But swimming upsets him. A lot.]

It's winter. You could have DIED, Jacob. And Caelan being a better swimmer won't help you in most of the time.

[Jacob snorted a half laugh without meaning too.] Yeah. Not because I'd be carried through the city. [It doesn't matter who is carrying him, it's embarrassing.]

It's fall. [He corrects gently.] I used to swim in the fall. When I was a kid. I didn't think this would be different. I thought I could shock my system... make it- reset or something...

[Jacob feels himself trying to explain, wanting Nida to understand. It isn't that he has a death wish. At least, not anymore. He's just trying to figure this out. Dying had jarred him more than he'd expected.]

Ah, but you'd be cute in my arms.

[Reset? Horrible. He hates the idea. He keeps walking, because he needs Jacob to walk too.]

Fuck this. We're taking you to my place and burying you in blankets and I'm calling Ig to feed you. Reset. Geez. You're mad.

[He's too exhausted and stressed to blush but he does offer Nida a half smile.] You're going to make me die of a heart-attack. You're just as bad as caelan. [Teasing him to a point where he's too frustrated and flustered to argue or fight back.]

You have no idea how often genius and mad go hand in hand...

I thought I was being smart.

[He can't feel his body but there is a weight to his limbs that Jacob recognizes, his body is fighting something.

As they approach Nida's apartment, he begins to lean against his friend; finding each step a little harder.] In this case, I think you're right...

Oh come now, I'm so much better than Caelan. I don't give anyone doe eyes.

[Nothing like quiet jabs at his seal-form. But Nida doesn't mind teasing.]

Don't worry. There is only one person I really want in my arms, and he flusters better than you, my friend.

[But with the weight moving more on him, Nida is beyond worried. At last he gives up on chivalry and just moves to scoop the other into his arms.]

I'm going to have to take care of you, and I'm a horrible nurse.

[Jake laughs.]

You're right. Those damn eyes.

[He knows about Caelan's seal form but it isn't just his seal eyes that have a way of silently disarming Jacob. Any conversation or argument could be finished with just a hapless look from Caelan. It's very annoying.]

Good. You can fluster them inside, take care of them.

[He stops at the common area of the apartment and sits, suddenly exhausted.] Shit. I'm tired. This feels so weird. [Feeling tired and yet nothing all at once.]

Give me a sec.

You're going to catch your death of the cold.

[Just let him carry you, Jacob. Geez.]

As many as you need. And I fluster him on the outside too. He's good like that.

That is- [He shakes his head, trying to organize his thoughts. He doesn't know when his mind became so sluggish.] -not what I meant.

It's fine. Let's go.

[Jacob pushes himself to his feet and staggers a bit before catching himself and following Nida to his apartment. At least they were close though the stairs were going to likely prove to be frustratingly exhausting.

Why is he so tired? It doesn't make sense and Jacob can't pinpoint what it is.]

Just let me carry you, Jacob. Keep your strength up.

[And he really should do it. Instead he hovers nearby, trying to help Jacob to not make him fall down.]

You know I want to help you get better. Just let me do that.

Edited 2020-12-15 18:20 (UTC)

[Jacob lifts his arm and drapes it around Nida's shoulder.]

How about this?

[It's like carrying... right?]

[It's not and Jacob knows it and he should really work with Nida more here. But he sighs and nods as he tries to haul the man up the stairs.]

You're like the younger brother I never had.

[Leaning on Nida sort of works but it's clear that Jacob is fighting to hold onto his strength. If Nida decides to carry him, Jacob can do nothing to stop him.]

I have been told that I am a very annoying younger brother.

[By all of his siblings, all of whom are older than him.]

[The almost stumbling up another step has Nida actively just saying 'fuck it all' and scooping Jacob in his arms, carrying him bridal style up the stairs.]

You really are. Whoever said that was spot on.

Oof. [Jacob exhales sharply as his stomach is devoid of air. Then he's suddenly being carried up the steps.] My sister.

[He grunts a second later.] All of them, really.

[His arms rest against his abdomen and he simply gives in, letting himself be tired. He grabs his hands and while they feel stiff to move, he can't feel the cold seeping into his limbs.

So swimming in the onset of winter was a really bad idea.]

Your sisters are smart.

[Nida's practically bolting up the stairs now, trying to get there faster.]

I'm going to bury you under blankets.

[Jacob closes his eyes but forces himself to remain awake. He knows that you don't go to sleep after jumping into freezing cold water.]

Yeah.

[The next sentence takes him a moment to process and an even longer thirty seconds to form a replay.]

Just throw me on the couch. I don't want to get in your way.

I'm nursing you, dumbass.

[He heads up to his own room and nudges the door open. If only he could throw the guy in a warm bath. But he can't. That would make the guy feel awkward.

Nida lays Jacob out on his couch and moves to the bedroom to start gathering every blanket he can grab.]

Nurse Nida?

[He shakes his head.]

That sounds weird.

[Jacob rests against the soft cushions of the couch but fights off his fatigue. It doesn't make sense. Luckily for Nida, he can feel just how cold Jacob is, even if Jacob can't feel it himself.]

I just need to rest. Then I'll be out of your way. [His words are distant and dreary and it isn't clear if he's trying to talk to Nida or just talking to himself.]

Nurse Nida Nomura. SUPER weird.

[He says this as he returns, arms loaded with blankets that smell like him and his boyfriend. Oh well. Nida starts to pile them on Jacob.]

I wish I had a heating pad. But stay here. I learned out to make a heating pad out of rice. I'm going to do that. We've got to get your body temperature up.

Too many N's.

[Jacob grunts as he's piled with blankets.]

I can't feel it Nida. What is it? The temperature.

[He shifts and some of the blankets slide off. Jacob almost considers just sliding onto the floor with the lost blanket but eventually pulls it back on top of him with the others.

At least both Ignis and Nida smell good...]

No way. Not Enough Ns.

[Nida immediately starts piling the shifted blankets back onto Jacob.]

It's cool out, Jacob. We're approaching winter. And you're just short of hypothermia. So please, stay there. I'm goign to get you some hot soup.

I don't think I could move, even if I wanted to.

[He groans, wishing he could feel more than just the awkward awareness of the blankets against his skin.]

Do you think it's okay to sleep? I just feel so tired.

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