Dance Macabre | Abel + Viper | Masquerade Car

Viper

If there was one person among the group that wasn’t suited for any of this fancy, stuffy party stuff, it’s Viper. But this fact is equal parts commentary on her overall poor manner and her current mental state. The poking and prodding by those measuring her earned barked cusses and furious, yet weak swats. She didn’t have the patience for this, it was all a bunch of bullsh-t! She should be grateful, but she was a dead girl walking, how was she supposed to just forget that and carry on prancing around like she didn’t just almost die on this godforsaken train? Like she didn’t just watch RNA’s life fizzle out just like that? Sure, they were a machine. But they’d offered to help her. And now they were gone.

They were out of the measuring rooms, and very quickly every touch, every set of eyes on her was starting to burn, and Viper found herself beginning to itch. Her skin crawled, and suddenly every piece of fabric felt oppressive. The mask even moreso. She loosened her choker, unclasping it and rubbing at the small indent on her neck where the material had rested. Her breath was quickening, hyper aware of the fact she was here and she was alive and R.N.A wasn’t.

And that technically, once again, it had been her fault. If she hadn’t been in that cave, if she hadn’t gone too far, they’d be alive. They wouldn’t have tried to save her, and they wouldn’t have died doing so. She retreats quickly from the group no sooner as she arrives, and ushers herself to a corner of the room with the etiquette book inside. Her back hits the wall and she barely feels it, her hand clutches at her chest as her breath heaves and her throat bobs as she gulps in air in an effort to keep oxygen in her lungs.

It’s been a while since she had an episode like this. It was distinctly different from the Library car incident, this was much more terrifying. It made her feel like she was going to die all over again, as the realisation truly caught up with her. She wanted to get out of here. She wanted to move on.

The world began to blur around her, eyes unfocused, as she was pulled into her mind.

Abel Lazarus

Well! If there was one person VERY suited to any fancy, stuffy party stuff, it’s Abel. There’s… Something here. Something familiar. Perhaps the family never did Masquerades and perhaps he hasn’t always enjoyed being at the events recently- but right now?

This is a comfortable familiar. Like a brief break. A return to his normal with a chance to…

Appreciate it.

Maybe he won’t see his family here- but this is a good way to… Learn to enjoy these. Without the active… Issue with the sheer amount of alcoholics wondering around.

Being offered high quality clothing and masks is wonderful- he doesn’t even hesitate to change. He didn’t hesitate to easily take his place in a game he’d know well.

Others around him… Don’t seem to be adjusting so easily. Certainly he may not Quite get not being able to figure it out- but he should really recognize it’s… Not anywhere near as common for people to have family politics so… Particular.

Viper’s quick for him to pick up, though. He… Sort of can get that she’d struggle to adjust. With everything that’s just happened combined with simply… the way she is- He would suspect she’d struggle with this game. Even beyond his already present desire to pay close attention to her- he already would have been a bit more aware of her here.

Viper She retreats quickly from the group no sooner as she arrives, and ushers herself to a corner of the room with the etiquette book inside.

He slips off when she does, following her back into the first room. He’s nervous, being back here again. Technically they probably shouldn’t be in this room- but. It’s not like he doesn’t get wanting privacy somewhere like this.

Really, even with his new idea he’s going to try to not take these for granted- he realistically Would still need many breaks and moments away. He’s hardly acclimated to spending the whole event out- even if he does know what to Do.

The moment she’s on the ground he’s there. Careful to not… Rush her- but still very close and ready to do anything she might request.

Anything to protect her.

“Viper, hey.” He talks quietly to her. “I’ve got you.” His arms are semi open- an offer. If she needs to be held again he’s there. If not- He’s already figuring out how to help her survive this car. By any means.

“You’re safe.” He’ll make sure of it. Even if he has to keep her constantly in his line of sight.

Viper

It’s the first time Viper’s hesitated to throw herself into Abel’s arms, as if doing so would only cause him to end up in the same fate as either R.N.A or Jagal, his words are hitting her but they’re not quite registering at first, her chest still heaves and she scratches at her neck, not wanting to have the stupid provided tie around her neck either. She can’t even tie an obi, let alone a tie. Viper knows she’s going to fail here, at this rate especially.

Eventually she moves, her hand reaching out and gripping onto Abel’s. She still doesn’t hug him, instead gripping him tighter and trying to bring herself back from the swirling fog consuming her mind. To allow him to pull her free from the depths, into the real world again.

“…Am I?” She finally asks, a bitterness to her voice. “…This train’s gonna kill me, I know it will- I know it’s gonna, I jus’ dunno when-” If it wasn’t the train, it’d be someone else. Viper left this part unsaid, however. “I ain’t gonna make it outta this car- How can I? How can I pretend everythin’s okay?!” Her knuckles turned white with how hard she was gripping onto Abel’s hand, fingers shifting to find purchase enough to press in. Not enough to hurt, but enough to feel… present.

“How long until ya or Matsukaze die ’cause’a me? I can’t take it any more, Abel- I…I wanna get off this train. I can’t…”

Abel Lazarus

Viper “…Am I?” She finally asks, a bitterness to her voice. “…This train’s gonna kill me, I know it will- I know it’s gonna, I jus’ dunno when-”

He gently protests- feeling a grip of fear but holding himself down Barely. It leaks into his voice a little but he’s holding on far better than he has in a while. “No- The train won’t kill you. I promise. You’re safe. I’m here.”

He lets her grip onto him- only shifting to make sure she can do so more comfortably.

Viper “How long until ya or Matsukaze die ’cause’a me? I can’t take it any more, Abel- I…I wanna get off this train. I can’t…”

Even if she is holding off on the hug- he isn’t at that point. He pulls her in to hold onto her- careful to keep an eye on things. No Denizens.

“Viper, no. Neither Ito-” Pause. “Matsukaze- or I will die. You won’t either. We’re going to be okay. I’m getting you off this train.” He holds onto her. Clinging like it’s going to make things better. “We will do this, okay? We’ll get off. We’re going to make it through this car. I’ll help you. Whatever you need to help get through here, okay?”

He pulls back and touches the loose tie around her neck.

“Look at me, okay? I’ll help you get through. One car at a time. You won’t die. I won’t die. Matsukaze won’t die. I’ll make sure of it.” Abel pets her hair softly. “We can do this. I promise.”

Viper

Viper is convinced. Convinced that she’s not getting off this train, nor will she outlive Abel or Matsukaze. It’s less of a point of despair, more an acceptance by now, but she’s still… feeling unsafe. Her skin is crawling. It’s a feeling she hates.

He brings her into the hug and she leans her head against his shoulder. It’s comfortable, familiar, and it does help her begin to calm down. Begin to calm enough to stop shutting down on his shoulder. But she’s still not… okay. Not even slightly, and her hand finds Abel’s front and she grips at his jacket like she would float away if she didn’t.

“It…hurts, Abel. It feels… like ya are in danger…. all th’ time. All th’ time, ’s much danger’s I’m in…” Her voice is low and mumbled, fumbled and the words spill out before she even has a chance to stop any of them. “I jus’ can’t cope wit’ th’ thought’a either of ya endin’ up dead or… anythin’ else… ’cause’a me…”

She looks up at him when he asks. Her eyes are wet, her expression pitiful. “…Thank ya…” She leans her face into his arm. “I…don’t even know how ta tie that stupid thing…”

Abel Lazarus

Viper “I jus’ can’t cope wit’ th’ thought’a either of ya endin’ up dead or… anythin’ else… ’cause’a me…”

“It won’t happen.” He softly reassures her. “I’m not dying. You’re stuck with me.” Perhaps even if he did die he’d make sure to haunt her so thoroughly it’ll be like it never even happened.

“I’ll protect you- both of you.”

He holds her again. Letting her have her time to get… Any sort of bearings. He’ll need to keep a close eye on her. Make sure she’s fine. He worries about the mask she’s wearing- wonders if he has something he could give her as a placeholder should something happen but the best he has is… using his ascot as a blindfold.

Which… He worries still wouldn’t help.

Viper “I…don’t even know how ta tie that stupid thing…”

He nods. He’d assumed as much. “Let me.” Abel carefully ties the tie for her- careful to not make it too tight but… also not so tight it’ll feel suffocating. Carefully- he smooths down and fixes up small things- anything he can think of. Anything to lower the margin for error. “Do you know anything about… food etiquette? Dancing? I can dance with you when we get there too.” He looks at her hair.

“I have a brush. Let me fix your hair?” He’ll probably put it all up. Ponytail- bun. Which ever works easiest for her. Might also be best to make sure there’s no… debris left in it. For her sake. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Viper

“Good.” Despite herself, Viper huffed a half-laugh. That was exactly how she wanted it, really. To be stuck with Abel. Because she cared about him, she wanted him to be okay, she wanted to also protect him in return even though he had vowed to protect her. “…Thank you.” Viper knew he was telling the truth- not just because his mask remained in tact, but because she knew that there was no doubt he would do whatever it took to do so.

Viper’s eyes squeeze a little shut as Abel ties the tie, seemingly uneasy at first about the piece of fabric she was really hoping to get away with not wearing. Alas, needs must.

“…Nothin’ whatsoever… Abes, ya realise who ya talkin’ ta, right? I ain’t exactly known f’my proper manner.” Viper watches him fixing up the little things about her outfit that weren’t quite right- it’s all so much to remember…

“…Yeah, okay.” Honestly, she hadn’t really thought about the fact there’s probably a lot of rock debris still stuck in her hair from the cave-in. She’d been way too busy almost dying, and all… but she turns around to face away from him, reaching up and wrestling her hair out of the messier ponytail so it can be brushed. Her hair looks… tangled, to be frank. It’s going to be a lot of work to fix it.

Abel Lazarus

Viper Viper’s eyes squeeze a little shut as Abel ties the tie,

Abel presses his lips thin for a minute before loosening the tie a little bit more. Softly, barely over a murmur, he speaks, “Pull the knot down to loosen more. Pull the back tie to tighten. If you need a moment to breath- you can loosen it a little then easily put it back when you need.”

Viper I ain’t exactly known f’my proper manner.”

He laughs softly. “… Suppose not.”

As she turns away from him he takes the brush from his bag and gently pulls her hair back. He gently begins brushing it- working through any knots carefully so as to not hurt her. He’s keeping an eye on things around them too- making sure they won’t get caught. Since they… Very likely shouldn’t be here.

“… It’s simple once you know some of the basics. Watching other people can help-” He works through a knot silently for a moment, focusing. “Start from the outside and work in with silverware- use the closest glass- Usually put things back where you picked them up from.” He works through another knot before pausing for a moment.

“… And don’t drink. If you can avoid it. Please.” It’s a personal request but he’s hoping she won’t. Better she’s sober anyway.

Viper

“…Okay. Thanks.” Viper reaches her hands up gently, adjusting the tie as instructed. Loosening it, then tightening it again. Okay. That felt… fine, she supposed. She could manage that. “…Eugh. This material is awful.” She huffed, at least… seeming to have mostly calmed down. But there was still a subtle shake to her hands as she fiddled with the tie.

Despite the fact the tugging on her hair hurts a little in places, making her scrunch up her face and wince, Viper seems to relax as the bristles of the brush run through her hair. Her shoulders slack slightly as she heaves a soft sigh, pursing her lips together. She hisses at a particularly stubborn tangle, gripping at her knee and forcing herself to stay still. But at the same time, the experience is… comforting. She remembers how Kanna used to brush her hair back when they first moved in together, when she couldn’t do it herself whilst her injuries healed from her attack.

She was always so soft and gentle, just how Abel was. By this point, it was… a memory that whilst it caused her… pain, to remember it. To think of how Kanna must be feeling right now, it was more than welcome positivity in her mind.

“Ugh… it all sounds so stuffy and booooring.” Viper complained, listening to Abel talk about how to properly use cutlery for a fancy-pants dinner. Too much effort and concentration for her little mind, but… “…Stupid how we gotta do it jus’ ta stop the…” Pause. Little glance around. “Denizens from freaking out.”

“…Don’t worry. Ain’t got a taste f’fancy booze. Only really like those trashy cheap beers anyway.” She knows why he’s saying it, of course she does, but she’s gotta… be a little herself about it… “So y’don’t gotta worry.” She leans back into him a touch.

Abel Lazarus

He glances at the fabric of her tie when she complains about it- touching part of it. Not the worst in his opinion but he could get it. Most people don’t… Wear suits like he does.

And he hasn’t really… Ever seen Viper in anything like. Serious. Granted it’s a pretty limited situation- but the point stands.

He’s making quick enough work of her hair- mostly through practice. Being careful makes it take longer- but it shouldn’t take much more time before he can put her hair back up.

Viper “Ugh… it all sounds so stuffy and booooring.”

He snorts softly. Not his usual sort of laugh but he was clearly trying to suppress it. “It’s… Not the fun lessons.” He vastly preferred others. Math or History- Science. Sometimes. Manners… Well it was a Catholic school and the Lazari are fairly often fans of corporal punishment. Dare I say he might already find pain intertwined with screwing up manners.

“… Just imagine you’re… Around my family and trying to… Convince them to trust you. It’ll help when you meet them later. You can get their guards down.”

He’s silent while she reassures him about the alcohol.

“… Would you like a ponytail or a bun? I can’t get a bun perfect with this much hair and so little time, but I could braid it into one so it’s a little more manageable.”

Viper

Especially not someone like Viper, who last time she would have even had to wear a suit… had instead been at an age where she was far easier to wrestle into pretty little dresses. Quite literally a child, of course. It was… a stark contrast to the vacation dad look she’d been sporting since the Mall Car, and the fact she was forced to wear it only made it much worse and much weirder.

She’s patient as he finishes with her hair. Relaxes into it, and lets him brush out as much as he needs to, and pull it up. It was… nice to feel more pampered, with how awful she felt.

“…Around your family, eh? Don’tcha mean my in-laws? We’re already engaged an’ all.” It… made her feel better to joke around with him. But she was… committed to doing her best. “I…yeah. I’ll do m’best. I can’t…” She furrows her brow. “'S gonna be hard.”

But he asks her about her hair and she hums thoughtfully. “…Yeah, sure, a braid bun would be fine… the ponytail’s gonna be messy in, like, 2 seconds… soooo.” Her hair did have a mind of its own, after all.

Abel Lazarus

Viper We’re already engaged an’ all.”

“Did you already forget we got married a few cars ago?” He starts working on braiding the hair and twisting it up so it’s far more manageable. “Can’t believe it was so easy to forget me…” He teases her lightly. “You telling the kids about it was the only reason we had to rush.”

Viper “I…yeah. I’ll do m’best. I can’t…” She furrows her brow. “'S gonna be hard.”

“… It’ll be hard, yes, but I’ve got you- and I’m sure you can rely on some others to help you get by. Just eat and converse with our companions and… It’ll be alright. Take some breaks, bring a water to take sips so you can stop to think.”

Her hair isn’t the easiest to tame with his shoulder but at least she’s a foot shorter. He won’t need to reach so high. “Come to me when you’re feeling unsure. Next car… we can relax. Talk about everything. Maybe we’ll get a simple one. Or maybe it’ll be something I’m terrible at so you can make me look like an idiot being ten times better than me at it. Like… a gaming car.” He finishes up her hair. “We won’t be here long… These events don’t last forever. In just a few hours we’ll be somewhere better.” He hopes.