22 Jul 2022, 01:15
Infinite Loop
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All of it was an annoyance he put up with because it would make his mother Panya happy. He had never seen her so proud and tall as the moment he broke the news to her himself. He looked forward to getting to see her walk more proudly in public, the Rumyantsev name had never been a pureblood lineage anyone really talked about, it was his mother's line that Russia and Durmstrang had sought in a bid to empower the Slavic wizarding world with stronger, pure magical talent. Yefim's father told him she was the catalyst, the key to his strength, and so he believed it, and always did everything she told him.
However, she was not the only important person in his life who he wanted to make proud. Mikael had been his first, and for a long time, only friend in the world. Valentin had not only found interest in Yefim, but supported him to any end. The both of them were essential, and while he did not know why he gravitated towards their companionship before, it was now clear. After watching his chosen team participate in training together, he could tell it would take some getting used to, but Mik and Niff always stabilized him, were always on either side to help, to join, to add. He couldn't imagine his life without them, and he didn't want to, nor did he have to. They were his, forever.
While he of course was around them all the time, that didn't mean they got to spend quality time together. In fact, it seemed the more Yefim was lifted up in the school system, the more Mik and Niff started spending more time with one another than all of them together. He was a troublemaker, but he was one who knew all too well when and how to get away with it, he would have to placate dumb adults for a while, at least until his godly power was unleashed and they would no longer have anything to stop him with. Wouldn't that be a great day! Until he could awaken, he would serve as a portent of the destruction to come, and both of them were a part of that force, were the wind carrying the sails of death. Did they know that, did they understand?
As the lot of them were shipped to London once again, they would be traveling with the entirety of the Durmstrang fleet, at least when it came to international sports teams and those allowed to tag along. Honor and distinguished placement would be given to the Hexwizard team, but along with it, a lack of anonymity, and a rush of more annoying adults and peers too excited to keep it to themselves and give the champion a second to be alone with his people.
Once they finally entered into the city properly, Yefim would run ahead along the side walk, hooting and hollaring, as was not uncommon for him when he left a cramped space and entered a wide open space. He didn't go far, carrying his luggage over one big, beefy arm as he breathed in that... okay London air. It was pretty stale compared to the sheer icy wind of his homeland, and the long stretches of wide open land in a blanket of dense black trees. Step one of world domination: raze all the cities and bring back nature.
After he caught his breath, he would beckon his closest compatriots away from the group, leading them through the city to a park he knew of where they could be alone. He'd be momentarily challenged by a chaperone, but with a short bit of name-dropping, and the assurance that he knew where the portkey was, they were given the permission to visit the park.
Once there, the pace would slow. Though he was almost always brimming with excess exuberence, Yefim still felt sluggish from all the energy vampires he had to deal with that day. [”Aaaauuughh finally, we are alone.”] Of course, there were other people in the park, but the three of them were away from most people, on a outcropping where they could see a great distance out beyond them. In a way, a full view of just how not alone on the planet they were was available to point at. [”I have been dying to give you something, something incredibly special!”]
Turning in a spin, Yefim would grin at them, hoping to see that the idea of a surprise gift made them excited. Whether it did or not, he would produce a small bag from his pocket, a simple black one with a drawstring that he swiftly undid. Reaching in, he pulled out a fist and held it out in front of him before opening it to reveal what was inside.
[”So... I don't know if I have ever said this directly, maybe I have, but in that case I'll say it again. We three are one, right? We would never betray one another, we strengthen each other.”] Yefim would waste no time in stating what he considered to be facts, looking from one to the other as he spoke. [”I need you. Both of you. I don't mean like the other people have... I want to have you with me always, do you know what I mean? Spiritually, I want to combine.”]
This would finally be a moment where he actually stopped talking and waited to hear their opinions. He would withold the precious present in his clutch until he knew they wanted the same thing. After all, he wasn't young and dumb enough to think that every single idea he had was going to work, and these two in particular didn't have any reason to fear telling him he had dumb ideas to his face. What mattered wasn't having good ideas, it was always trying.
@Percival Rainwood as Mikael Halldorsen
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood as Valentin "Niffler" Schnell
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
31 Jul 2022, 07:30
Infinite Loop
Valentin’s keen eyes spotted Yefim at quite a distance even before the champion could beckon for him and Mikael. After all, Valya had been awaiting this moment. Yefim’s hooting and hollering was music to Valentin’s ears, and the seeker would follow as surely as he would the pied piper. Yefim, running?! Oh yes, Val would run, too. Valya bolted like electricity off the edge of the sidewalk and down the road alongside him, spinning and firing off long shouts in ascending pitch. This exuberance, this rush-- this was what Val lived for. Away from his team, Valentin could finally pull off the mantle of being Captain Frost, the one Durmstrang’s quidditch team counted on to keep shit together even when the heat was on. Val adored his team and would give almost anything to raise them up, but after the long string of sleepless nights and grueling days running the Schnell-Marchonné (S-M) Boot Camp in Kazan, Valentin needed the breath of fresh air that was his original Durmstrang boys. As devastated as he was when Yef and Mik left the quidditch team, Val never truly let them go.In Russian.
Yef slowed down and Val would, too, even though he wanted to keep playing. As exhausted as his body was, the seeker still guarded explosive charges of pent up feelings with his finger primed on the ‘release’ button. With the big game less than a week away and more quidditch teambuilding slated for the final days to come, Val’s blood ran hot with the need for even momentary catharsis. His team needed him to be perfect, uncrackable ice under the pressure of their stadium battle. Somehow, he needed to find that deep peace inside himself again, and soon.
Joining up with Mikael, the trio climbed to an outcropping with a great distance laid out before them. Val loved places where he could see everything spread out before him, with so much open space and so far a horizon that he felt a firmer grasp on his little corner of the universe.
Yefim spun to face his boys with a grin and the promise of a special gift. Valentin’s eyes grew large, and his lips squeezed into a smaller, pert show of anticipation. He hadn’t expected anything like this. He was already happy just to be with Misha and Fima on their first exciting day in London.
“Oh, Fima…” Gripped with curiosity, Valentin stared at Yefim’s outstretched fist as their champion spoke.
”We three are one, right? We would never betray one another, we strengthen each other.”
Valentin’s lips parted in surprise as Yefim looked at them both. Nodding quickly, Valentin wasted no time in reaffirming his loyalty to them.
”I need you. Both of you. I don't mean like the other people have... I want to have you with me always, do you know what I mean? Spiritually, I want to combine.”
Valentin’s cheeks and nose and then entire face blushed pure red. It was like a dream. Wasn’t this everything he’d always wanted, such unity? The transcendent fusion of wills? He had never imagined that it would be Yefim saying this to him, and he scarcely believed anyone would actually be asking him instead of the other way around. Hand raising to cover his chest, Valentin felt his heart racing, shot full of as much adrenaline as in his most daredevil maneuvers. It was like teleporting into the sky and then having to learn how to fly on the spot.
“Fima, wow…” A lump caught in Valya’s throat and he feared that he might wake up at any moment. Maybe the big game was already over, and Val was in a thousand pieces in St. Mungo’s again… overtaken by a sweet dream now but all too sure to shudder back into staring at a tragic hospital ceiling.
Looking back into Yefim’s dark eyes, Valentin was struck with the boy’s sheer, outrageous dignity. It was so beautiful that this emerged from him, but of course it did. This was Fima. This was their Yefimka.
“Am I dreaming? Is this real?” whispered Valya. People in a dream could hear everything even if it wasn’t said aloud, right? The white seeker turned to look at Mikael. Even Misha seemed to glow under the transcendent beauty of the moment. It was all so intense.
It was all so fast, even for the falcon Schnell-- he hadn’t really considered this possibility before, not beyond childish wishes and starry-eyed longings. Val hadn’t thought about what consequences might come from actually making such a pact. Hand raising to hold his own face by the jaw, Valentin closed his eyes and tried to not swoon backwards. But… but what about Romeo? What if his needs come into conflict with Fima’s, or Misha’s? Who is your priority, Valik? And what of Charles? Indeed, what of Charles? The blonde's words still echoed in his head from almost 3 months ago: "I- you're different... Others depend on you... you can't accompany me... Frost..." Charles was right, back then. It wasn't even just the quidditch team that depended on him. What if Valya needed to die for Fima? Then what could be said for everyone else he was supposed to support?
The boy swallowed. The world had limits. He had limits. His parents were torn away from him, his team devastated, and Misha changed forever, all because the universe had limits. He didn’t want to admit it, but he couldn’t escape the truth, either. Valya wanted a boundless romantic existence where everything was possible and love would make it all work out, where everyone could be ludicrously happy… but none of them were immortal, at least not yet. Opening his eyes, Valya eyed Misha. How did he feel about all this? Did he even feel at such a juncture? Val had never even asked him. After leaving Misha’s house, Val had kept silent, trying to find the right words and the right time to ask him about it. Now, here they were, caught in the open, needing to make a decision.
Looking down at Yefim’s fist, Valentin’s chest ached. It wasn’t as if Romeo even loved him back anyway. Why did the Italian even come back to the team?
The undertow of self-doubt pulling him down, Valentin’s hand fell from his cheek and he looked back at Mikael. Was it all the colddrake’s charm, or the sacrificial ritual of shedding their ruby red… or was it simply and truly Yefim’s raw will? Was this really what Fima wanted?
Valentin looked back at Yefim and found no shred of doubt in the boy’s candid eyes. He was serious. What did Valya want? Staring back just as earnestly, Valentin wanted it too, that ascendant unity of spirit. Of course their connection didn’t need to, and shouldn’t, resemble any kind of normal relationship like those of the people around them. This was what was so magnificent about Yefim, and what resonated so lucidly within Valya-- the will towards transcendence. This kind of calling… what reason could there ever be to say no?
The barriers people put between each other-- Val hated them more than anything in the universe. Yes, people were destructive and dangerous and even corrupt sometimes, and walls could keep people safe. Still, Val hated the separation. Nothing scared Valentin more than the concept that everyone was fundamentally, unconditionally alone. He didn’t want it to be that way; he’d always told himself he would stand against that. He would tear down the wall if a loved one would just want that, too. Well, Valya’s day had come. With Val’s dear Fima offering him the chance now, could he make his sacred oath to destroy the wall real?
This wasn’t just between Valya and Fima, however. Mikael completed this hallowed trinity. Without looking, Valya’s arm reached out for Mik and wrapped around him. Val wanted Misha to be a part of this too. Silver-violet glanced up in search of the boy’s grey-blue eyes, hoping to tell him just that. Come with me, Misha, Val’s pale expression seemed to say, radiating with ambient light. Stay with me, always, even when you’re not around. Squeezing the boy softly, Val snuffled his nose into Mik’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
There was no turning back after crossing this line. The decision would be permanent. Breathing in deep, Valentin released Mikael and straightened up. Valya still believed that, one day, he and Romeo could transcend their limitations, too. As it was, Val would start by demolishing the wall between himself, Yefimka, and Misha. Down to his marrow, Valya knew this was his sacrosanct calling. There was no other right way for him to be.
“Let us combine, forever.”
2 Aug 2022, 18:17
Infinite Loop
Mikael's face was taken up by the perpetual frown as he had to watch the crowds surround the dark-haired boy. The boy seemed to take it in stride as he was whisked away by a sea of large cameras and big smiles. Mikael was unsure how one could not get lost amongst the lack of true connection. Everyone wanted a piece of the god. He knew they would forcefully take it. Gouging out the flesh only to leave the other incapacitated. All in the name of selfish righteousness. It soured his tongue as he watched from a distance with Valentin. Mikael would glance towards the white-haired boy. Though, he was unable to tell what the other boy thought of the situation. Mikael crossed his arms in front of him. A shield against the flashing lights and the stares of a few here and there. Thankfully the majority of people were focused on Yefim, but the few curious stares towards him and Valentin who lingered made his skin crawl.
It annoyed him how being close to Yefim forced him closer to others. To feel so open and vulnerable. The only thing containing his innards was the wool sweater that he always wore. That was a bit too warm for the current weather. Sometimes he could not help but wish he and Yefim could go back to how it used to be. Just the two of them in those large open rooms. Always together, and at one point he had thought forever. That was until everything had changed. Even then Mikael knew what Yefim was. Maybe even before the other truly knew. Though, that seemed far too unlikely. How could a god not know they are a god? Mikael blinked as a brief pause came over him. Why could he not recall how he knew Yefim was a god? It seemed so close and yet so far. Something lost in the sloshing sea of his mind. The understanding was there but the reasoning was faded and gone. Worn away by erosion.
The boy's brows furrowed ever so slightly before shaking his head slightly as if to shake away the drops of water that clung to his hair. Mikael would push off the wall after Valentin. The ever-moving wave pushed forward onto the beach. A constant struggle to remain upon the warm sun-soaked sand. Mikael would offer the brown-haired boy the faintest of smiles. Mikael had to say he thought he was getting better at smiling. The ride to London had been boring something that had drowned away his thoughts. Watching the ground move past quickly. As if it was running away from his gaze. Being freed from the train felt like a breath of fresh air. His lungs would pull in the sharp-smelling air as it burned through his nose. Attempting to grasp the fresh air that was just out of reach. Mikael glanced back down towards the street as he watched Yefim rush ahead. Though fairly used to it he would turn his gaze towards the different shops that lined the street. Coming to Londo was always an interesting time. Being far different from his home.
Mikael would turn his gaze back towards the boy. Slightly surprised at the mention of a gift. Mikael would find his eyes would widen in more surprise as he turned his gaze down towards the small rings in the boy's hands. Such an elegant-looking piece of jewelry. Something that he would have thought his Mother would have used to wear. Mikael would nod his head at the boy's words finding agreement in them. The boy would rather die than betray Yefim. To betray a god seemed like a betrayal of his own body and mind. "You wish for us to become one?" he would ask his throat raw as if he had not spoken in a long time. Here Yefim was in front of him proposing something that could be seen as the highest honor there ever could be. Mikael wondered if he was dreaming. Something far too good to be true. The boy felt like he was floating. Water swirled about the three of them. Pulling them in as it threatened to sweep them off their feet. Mikael accepted the ring carefully placing it upon his finger. Accepting the tether that was now strung between them. Strung so tight that it hurt how much it pulled him towards the two boys. Mikael blinked away the moisture collecting in his eyes. Unused to the feeling as he was hugged by Valentin. Mikael brought up his hand lightly patting the boy upon the back. "I will not betray you Yefim."
Interacting with: @Flash Holmwood [Yefim], @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood [Valentin]
PC: Percival Rainwood
5 Sep 2022, 12:50
Infinite Loop
Though he could barely contain his excitement long enough to wait for their answer, the two of them would be reserved and reverent. Valya clutched his chest, looked around in disbelief and spoke short words of awe, while Mikael stared and said nothing. It was just how Yefim imagined it. After Val said an affirmative, even before Mikael had said anything, Yef would open up his hand to reveal the three gold rings. They were not enchanted, not by Yefim nor some accomplished shop owner, they were just simple gold bands. They reminded Yefim of halos, and all the talk lately of men wanting to marry his mom reminded him of such rituals of binding. Not legal nor magical, these rings were simply a gift. A symbol. If they were all wearing them at once, the message would be clear to anyone, wouldn't it? Even if no one else understood, the two of them would, right?
After hearing the two of them promise their life and soul to him, of course not finding anything odd about that, he would take one of the rings for himself, placing it on his finger as well. He would admire the glimmer of all three, each looking so different on their dramatically differently hued skin. Even if their bodies were different though, it was now official, they were one. The loop was complete, and now their souls were his forever. Centuries from that moment, the next vessel for the chaos god would be eternally side-by-side with his joined souls, inhabiting three trouble makers until the end of time. That was what Yefim honestly believed, and after looking at the rings, he would look at the two of them with excited pride.
[”Look at that. Look at us!”] Yefim would be giggling, though to some it might sound like the sound of an evil maniac on the loose. [”I'm so happy. Let it be known that we are one. We hurt together, we fly together, we overcome together.”]
There were so many thoughts swimming in his head, he wanted to explain all of his ideas for their new status as singular god-being, but how was one supposed to put it in words? Smiling unendingly, he let himself believe that they both perfectly understood anyway.
@Percival Rainwood @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
6 Sep 2022, 03:17
Infinite Loop
Valentin extended his lightning-scarred right hand, stopping to hover just above Yefim’s as Valya’s amethyst eyes examined the last remaining gold ring. It was such a perfect shining thing, and it just lay there for the taking in Yefim’s palm. It didn’t dart about like a snitch, didn’t hide itself away as someone else’s private possession… didn’t do anything but demand Valya’s life and soul in complete silence. Wasn’t it exactly what the niffler had always wanted? Val’s gaze flicked back to meet Yefim’s as the seeker’s heart reached out to the boy.
“Your title as champion means nothing in my decision. I would have done the same before hearing the first whisper about the goblet of fire. I take this to unify with you both and no other reason.” Valentin looked back down at the ring, so innocent and yet so enticing. Stribog guide me, such that I need never choose between Fima and Misha, and that I may never again fail my beloved Romeo. In the blink of an eye, Valya’s long fingers snatched away the aureate band and slid it onto his right middle finger.
As he held out his pale white hand out alongside the others, Valentin found a wild smile tearing across his face, burning into him with warmth and emanating the light of mirth. He was happy. Insanely, fantastically, purely... happy. Whether he deserved this or not couldn't be a question. As his prayer subducted deep inside him under a surge of eumoiriety, Valentin launched himself at Yefim in a leaping hug. Hanging his arms around the boy’s neck, an otherwordly chuckle rang out from inside of Valya.
“Together! Together forever!” sang out the white seeker, smearing a tear across Yefim’s cheek. This was for all eternity, right?
@Flash Holmwood @Percival Rainwood