Forum Thread

---

---

`꠸ꪻ ᥴꪖꪀ ᦓꫀꫀ ꪗꪮꪊ`

---

1v1 with ~Waveshaper~

---

Six friends. A haunting cabin which echoes of a past none of them dares to speak. A world which has beaten and broken them all beyond repair- and a driving force which has brought them all together.

They expect a peaceful weekend.

Perhaps a respite from the traumas of today.

Even romance- a flame rekindled between Kaoru and her ex-boyfriend.

But danger lurks in every corner. And when what brought them all together is put into question- when the fragility of the world is brought into light- only then will they discover the truth.

It can see you. It has always seen you.

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

Kaoru stared out the window, her chin stubbornly propped on her elbow. Trees blurred by, flickers of green and beige, all contributing to the hideous melting pot of colour that was nature. There was supposed to be wildlife here, far from the city, but she didn't see it.

Sighing, she finally pulled back. Her companions looked about as bored as she felt, and she was fairly certain she wouldn't get any entertainment out of them.

Kubo, backseat man he was, was scrolling through something on his phone. Probably hair stuff on pinterest. Conditioner snorting freak.

Beside him, Suko was displaying their ever present lack of boundaries, their head practically on his lap, obnoxious Mario music blasting out of their Nintendo Switch. Ass. They were probably doing in on purpose.

Stitches was there too. She never really had talked much, but Kaoru was fairly certain she had to be suffering, there in the back with those two. She wondered if putting her hand on the girl's shouder would be too much.

"See something you like?"

Her eyes snapped to Kubo. "Hardly," she retorted. "I was just wondering how she was holding up, in close proximity to a couple of future felonies. Glad to see you haven't shanked her yet."

Suko lazily gave her the middle finger, still tapping away at their Switch with their other hand.

"Give me that." She snatched it from them, and flung it in the glove box. The sound of glass breaking resounded throughout the car, but she kept her eyes on them as she shut it tight.

"That was a special edition." Suko stared at her. "How could you?"

"Yeah, Ru-Ru, not cool."

She huffed, turning back to gaze out the window. "We're going camping. Strict anti-device rules, remember? We've already been over this."

"Ugh, you let Kubo keep his phone."

Without looking, Kaoru offered her hand to Kubo.

"You just had to go there, didn't you?" Kubo grumbled and planted it down in her palm. "There. I hope you're happy."

"Quite. We've just arrived, after all."

Instantly the atmosphere changed. "Yes!" Suko cheered, lunging off Kubo to slam their face into the window. "It's amazing! It's beautiful!"

"It's a pile of mildew and rot," Kubo grunted.

"Mildew! Rot! MILDEW ROT! MILROT DEW!"

Kaoru pulled in, the car squealing as it dragged through the mud. "Alright kiddins. Everyone get out."

---

Stitches felt very... ambivalent during the ride. On the one hand, when Kaoru approached her for an opportunity for a field trip, she wanted to join in. Most of the time, everyone avoided the stitched up girl... but on the other hand, having all this noise around her on her way here really put her into an awkward position. She just felt... trapped in peer pressure despite nobody doing anything yet.

As soon as the car stopped and the first person went out, Stitches leaped out of the car in a huff, getting out and stretching. Her clothing was baggy and long but her tummy and back slightly showed, revealing more stitches around her waist.

"Finally!" A voice in the trunk said, as it jumped up and out came a young blonde male, coughing a bit. He had a suitcase pressing into his chest over the course of the entire ride. "Okay... next time, I won't be drawing straws with you!" It was Mister Fortune himself, Viktor the Unlucky. He looked and sounded as average as possible, if it was not for his constant barrage of bad luck.

"Though it is better than last time! When we got two flats in one ride." He laughs a little and Stitches seems a little nervous... she completely forgot that they had another passenger in the trunk. She just looks away, embarrassed.

---

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

Suko was already out- as idiotically excited over nothing as ever. Kubo sighed, slouching back into his seat, half wishing to melt into it. At least then he'd be dead and out of the company of this pack of mutts.

Kaoru shot him a look, and he rolled his eyes at her. Still perceptive. Still annoying. The hair was new though.

She ran her hands through the green bob as she left through the driver's side. The visible side of her face glowed as the golden sunlight hit her. Probably pretty, if he didn't know what lurked beneath those delicate features.

Kubo braced himself and finally opened the door. The minute he stepped out, he was caught in a flying hug by Suko.

"We're here!" they cried, shaking him back and forth. "Finally! The place of our dreams! Freedom! Victory!" They pumped a fist in the air.

Kubo took the chance to slip out of their grip and take his place by Viktor. Probably the safest one to be around, considering no one else wanted to test their luck against his.

"Everyone get the bags out. It's time to set up." Kaoru put a hand on her hip. "We don't have much time before night falls, and I want us to get some cleaning done."

---

The expressiveness, the energy, the sheer chaotic nature that radiates from Suko normally... well, Stitches knew it from school but they never really interacted more than a few classes... and in those, they had to behave calmly, in danger of being thrown out. So seeing them so unhinged right in front makes her even more afraid, as she backs off a little towards Kaoru. At least she seemed to know what was up and her stare screamed helplessness.

Viktor just laughs a little boisterous, waving at Kubo next to them and raising their fist as well. "You would not believe how cramped it is in there! Say, who is the person with the "Hallowed Seamstress" suitcase? That thing is heavy, it almost knocked my head off!" He cracks his neck as a response, which made Stitches fold back even more. Despite her height... she made herself smaller than Kaoru or anyone else right now. "Wait. Eins, zwei... aren't we missing one?"

Stitches knew about that last one. Right before they left, she had sent a text message to everyone but, knowing Kaoru's "No phone policy", she also gave a note. Reaching into her pocket, she also noticed that she still had her phone! Panicking, she looks around and only made very minor sounds of yelps, before she hands Kaoru both a little post-it and her phone. The post-it just read "I'll come later - Fari". Typical, for being such a dramatic actress, she cannot write for the hell of it.

The silent girl was just... panicking again, shy about being scolded for still having her phone like the others. So, she lowers her head and accepts what was coming...

Viktor looks a little amazed. Leaning to Kubo, he whispers. "Wow, you were able to get her on board? What did you do?"

---

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

Kaoru accepted the phone from the girl. "Thanks, Faythe. I appreciate it." She gave her hand a quick squeeze, then took a step back, surveying the group. "Well? Anyone going to help?"

Probably Faythe, at most, she thought. One couldn't even bother to show up. Lazy bunch of idiots- I guess if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself.

With a deep sigh she started towards the trunk.

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

I'm not here because I want to talk to any of you. Kubo frowned, keeping his eyes pointedly off Viktor. I'm here for the cabin and the money. That's all.

Kaoru even confiscated Faythe's phone. What a wonderful way to get them all trapped in a ghetto cabin ready for some murder.

"Wanna help?" He nodded at Viktor.

---

Stitches' face turns a little red, it was the first time she registered another student call her by that name. Usually, they just call her by the nickname... or worse. She nods at Kaoru, walking right behind and taking the more light items from the trunk.

She puts them down almost immediately, putting them on her feet to not make them touch the ground completely and stretching her arms a bit... probably not used to heavy lifting. Right after, she takes the cases and bags and starts walking again.

----

Viktor looks at Kubo a little annoyed, no need to give him the silent treatment already. He'd have plenty of opportunities to screw up but he hasn't yet. Nodding, he walks to the trunk as well. "What do you need us to do, mein Kommandant?" He asked, loving his little German remark...

"Hope you brought your board games though! Else this will be a stale week or so." He smiles, laughing again... that was Viktor alright. The loud and somewhat charismatic choir guy with an distinct appearance.

---

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

Kaoru hated to admit it, but she was touched by the gesture. She gave Faythe a smile as the two hauled the stuff in. "I appreciate it," she whispered to her. "None of the others would help."

She gave her shoulder a lingering squeeze, then leaned down to pick up the sleeping bags.

Suko slammed into her, sending her reeling back. "There's no tv!" they shrieked. Before she could comprehend what the hell they were saying, they'd grabbed her by the shoulders and were shaking her. "WHERE ARE WE? WE'VE BEEN SENT DEEP INTO THE PAST! SO DEEP YOUR MOM'S TOO OLD FOR YOUR MOM JOKES! OH GOD, SHE'S PROBABLY SKINNY-"

"Suko!" she said sharply.

Suko fell back, breathing heavily. "The tee-veeee," they whined.

"I had it taken out."

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

"Board games," he echoed. God, what an idiot. "We can talk about that later. How about we h-head into the sh-shack for now? It's... it's really cold out here, and I don't wanna... don't want to be out here right now. S-Sound good?"

---

Stitches looks back at Kaoru, smiling a little at first. Her kindness was a nice refresher, a little spark of hope in this weird mesh of a group...

that was completely shattered when Suko decided to yank her off her point of view. The sudden action was enough to startle the sewn girl, dropping the cases onto the ground and walking backwards with a sharp breath and faster heartbeat, bumping into a wall.

Poor girl. Kindness, immediately wrecked by the lack of a television. She didn't even realize that this would be the first time she was disconnected from the internet of any kind.

----

Viktor looks at Kubo, a little surprised by their stuttering and overall behavior. First, silent, now scared? Eh, probably just still upset about not having phones or anything. "Sure, though I bet Kaoru will send us out for firewood or something. You seen this place, I doubt it has heating of any kind."

He kept his smile, slowly pushing him towards the cabin and trying to soften him up a bit with smalltalk. They might not be close friends but hey, maybe if they get out by the end of the trip, that changes.

---

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

"And you knocked Faythe over too." Kaoru frowned, crossing her arms. "Apologize."

"Eh? Knocked Stitches over?" They finally noticed her. "Oh, hey! Sorry, didn't see you there! You're just so unnoticeable when there's a tv problem."

Suko giggled. Kaoru's eye twitched and she wondered if she could get away with slapping them. "Say, how about I help you as an apology? And after that, we can team up on Kaoru and find out where she's stashing our stuff!"

"Absolutely not," Kaoru cut in. "We need to set up- and we certainly don't need the distraction of electronics when nightfall is just a few hours away."

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

No sh*t, dumbass.

"Y-Yeah, I guess... I guess we won't have heating, so firewood is a g-good... good option."

Disembowelment is also a good option, but sadly, I don't think that'll be enough to shut you up. God, can't you tell I don't want to talk to you? You're so annoying.

"I'll get firewood," he offered. "If you help them. T-That way... We would both be... be helping... faster."

---

Faythe backs away again, a little afraid. This much conversation, with her in it, is not really her forte. Well, without the protection of a VPN and screen that is. Well, online, she is a little chatty but... more in the "k thx" kind of deal. The remark went unreplied, but rather because the idea of being unnoticeable is more pleasant to Faythe than her current situation: A tall dork with stitches.

But the idea of double-crossing Kaoru finally forced a (sort of) response out of her, as she shook her head and went behind Kaoru, hiding behind the short girl again. She just... points at her, then herself. A sign that she'd stick to the authority figure. The one with the plan... and probably the only one who knows her actual name.

----

Viktor nods, smiling as wide as possible. "Of course! It's always better together! So, we should both find kindling... and some larger lumber. We don't have an axe... neither are we lumberjacks, so I guess we should go for smaller things mostly. Remember, dry wood is the best!"

He leads the way, taking a random stick off the ground to point towards the woods. "Let's not get too far away though! Do you still have keys or a knife? If so, etch a small marking in a tree nearby so we don't get lost on our first day!"

---

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

Kae-Kae looked kinda surprised! Her eyes were super big. She looked at the girl behind her- and gave a little shrug, as if trying to get her off of her. That was adorable! Those two were super shippable, and Suko endorsed it completely.

"Aww, Stitches doesn't want to talk to me," they complained. "Does she not like my face?" They pinched their cheeks and mock-checked invisible mirrors.

"Of course she doesn't want to talk to you- calling her that insulting nickname. How dare you?"

Kae-Kae scowled at them. So uptight! they stuck their tongue out at her.

"Stitches is Stitches. I call her what I wanna."

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

Axes... The hell does this guy think I am? Some kinda wilderness explorer?

He followed him dejectedly. He'd really hoped that Viktor would take the hint and leave him alone, but that didn't appear to be the case. So he'd be stuck gathering wood with this nutjob- great.

"Brought my pocket knife," he mumbled. "I don't know how effective it'll be though..."

---

Stitches blushes a little and lets go of Kaoru right after, standing up straight and having a faint shade of red on that pale face of hers. She had no idea what to say at all, maybe reply to Suko about their appearance being kind of neat or maybe apologize to Kaoru about her behavior... an introvert, stuck in a conversation. A prison of socialites! T-Though... something inside her came up. Was it inspiration? Bravery?

All of a sudden, she makes a little pouty face and stands up to her full height, slowly walking towards the jokester and trying to make a proud face... but because she went a little too close, all Suko saw was a stitched-up smile from ear to ear, coming from a girl. The fact that their height difference was enough that their eyes met her mouth was not doing this any more comforting.

----

Viktor smiles back at him, he might be dense but at least kind. "All works, when you put enough elbow grease into it!" His optimism shines more than some stars that appeared on the setting sky, as he collected as much kindling as he could, now having both arms occupied with carrying them. "Got some more?"

They were now kind of defenseless, with arms crossed to hold up the wood. He turned to Kubo, still convinced that all they're doing is helping him. After all, why else would he be afraid and stutter like that before?

---

---

---

Third Person POV

---

Suko stared at her, eyes wide. Slowly, their trembling hand raised up, to her cheek- closer and closer, and closer- were they going to hit her?

"Boop!" they chirped, poking her cheek. "Aww, you're too skinny. Your cheeks aren't pokeable." They pouted, ducking away from her, and stood in front of the door. Despite their lackadaisical tone, their smile was shaky. Their eyes didn't move from Faythe's face. "Anyway, I'm hungry! I wanna go eat!"

They vanished into the building and Kaoru sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry about that, Faythe. They're an idiot- you're just right, the way you are." She glanced at the car- Kubo and Viktor- now gone. "I appreciate the help. At least someone's trying."

She hiked up the packs again, and handed Faythe what she'd dropped. "Let's go."

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

Elbow grease. I think I might just cry.

Kubo sighed. "Of... of course." He put a helping of wood into Viktor's arms. "T-There's a.. There's a branch ahead. I think there's a cl-clearing... clearing. Should I g-go... should I go look?"

---

Faythe was gone in the blink of an eye. She... hid behind Kaoru again, this time pouting a little more. Her cheeks weren't pokeable, of course not when you look like patchwork made manifest! She just... nods a little. She wouldn't never admit it but... that was a little fun, being teased. Probably takes a lot to get used to but...


It's a start.

-----

Viktor nods and shuffles a bit, taking out a foldable bag from his pocket and stuffing the fitting branches into it. "There we go, much easier. If you'd like, I can come along now. I got a helping hand now." He laughs, raising his now free hand.

---

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

It was relatively quick, moving everything inside. It was just such a shame that everything was so dusty. Cleaning this would be hell.

Kaoru scrunched up her nose against the dust and studied the cabin. Nothing special- just a few bunks, a pile of moth-eaten sleeping bags, and a rusted kitchen set in the corner. "Well," she remarked. "Could be worse, huh, Faythe?" She glanced at her.

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

Kubo's eye twitched. I'm trying to get away from you, idiot. He heaved a sigh of defeat and said, "Naw. I th-think it's okay... it's okay. We can just go back now."

---

Faythe thinks a little, her gaze going up to the ceiling. That's her usual "thinking" face, her eyes just staring at whatever was on the ceiling while she was in thought. And usually right after, she gives her answer immediately when looking back at the questioner... but when she saw into Kaoru's eyes, she turned red a little and gave a bit of an awkward nod instead, using her shoulders for some reason. Right after she held a hand on her shoulder, gritting her teeth a bit.

Now her eyes went to her own suitcase, then back to Kaoru, then to the suitcase again...


-----

Viktor nods and offers his hand, still smiling like a lumberjack after a busy day. "Well then, if you say so. You're the brains, I'm the heart, you know best I guess!" He tries to spark some kind of confidence in them, tilting his head and still smiling, showing his teeth during it.

---

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

Is he threatening my internal organs? Kubo wondered.

"U-Uh... yeah. Yeah. Let's get going, right?"

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

Huh. That was weird...

Kaoru noticed Faythe's eyes straying to the suitcase. "Do you want something from there?" she questioned.

---

Faythe just nods and walks there herself, opening it while still having one hand on her shoulder. Opening it reveals simple clothing, the most mundane clothing one's mind can conceive, but also a weird bag. It looks like two first aid kits stitched together.

She makes a little move with her finger towards Kaoru, motioning her to turn around but after, did not really notice if she was watching or not. She slides her shirt over her shoulder to reveal another stitch that goes across it, it being slightly open. As she sews it back together, something... odd can be seen.

The injury was kind of dark, like, not blood red or skin colored. A lot more dark, almost black.


----


Viktor nods and simply walks ahead, giving Kubo an opportunity to leave now. He sang though, just in case he'd get lost a little.
Warte, warte nur ein Weilchen,
bald kommt Haarmann auch zu dir,
mit dem kleinen Hackebeilchen,
macht er Schabefleisch aus dir.
Aus den Augen macht er Sülze,
aus dem Hintern macht er Speck,
aus den Därmen macht er Würste
und den Rest, den schmeißt er weg.

---

---

---

Kubo Atsushi

---

The hell's that supposed to be? Some German nursery rhyme? Kubo eyed him, the anger from earlier melting into unease at the haunting tune.

Something about the words he didn't understand caught and tugged at the ends of his heart. His chest felt like it'd split open.

He stopped. "Well, here we are," he announced. "Guess it's time to t-tell... Kaoru. Tell Kaoru about the wood."

---

---

Kaoru Kajiwara

---

Kaoru nodded and turned away, staring at the wall. It was wood, and unfortunately it hadn't escaped from the rot outside. The smell of the mildew made her nose crinkle with disgust- this place needed fumigation, preferably as soon as possible.

"Are you done, Faythe?" she questioned, careful not to turn around. Faythe was a shy girl- she didn't have much in the ways of confidence. It was Kaoru's responsibility to have her treated as decently as possible.

---

Faythe nods when she finished, but then realized that Kaoru would not notice her nodding at all. She gulps and takes a deep breath, both because of the recently applied disinfectant but also because she was winding up to say a word... which would be the first word she said to a fellow student ever since she "became" Stitches. "A-A-A-A... A-"

Suddenly, the door opens and swings fully, hitting whatever was behind the door. Viktor had a kind nature but has the subtlety of a bulldozer when it came to sneaking. Ironic for the guy who used to work for the local church. "We're back! And got a shopping bag of kindling!" He holds it up triumphantly, smiling wide.

In typical Heilstrom fashion, his "classy entrance" startled Faythe Stitches enough that she only made a high-pitched noise, like a rabbit caught in a bear trap. She closes her kit and suitcase faster than the eye can see and pants heavily, holding her shoulder again. Then, she taps on her suitcase... trying to signal Kaoru that she was done.

---