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[ The figure tumbles back, and Gorgug scrambles to draw in his legs, manages, and the next step is to get onto his feet...

Make it stop!

--Except he hears him. Gorgug spins his head to look back, and he sees there-- he doesn't know what he sees. His younger self, Fabian, and the vision is--dizzying: he can't seem to focus on the scene taking place. But he sees himself on top of Fabian, some kind of struggle ensuing, with his younger version's hands pushing down on his friend, who is thrashing his head and limbs.

He needs to help him, he needs to make it stop. Make it stop. Make it stop. ]

Fabian! [ And so Gorgug lunges towards the scene without a second thought, even if he has to crawl over on his hands and knees before he can make contact. But he grabs onto the nightmare him from behind and wrestles to tear it away, pulling it off and away from Fabian. Eyes flickering red, as he goes into a rage when it takes too long; he growls into a yell, fingers digging in, and he tears into the body, pulling it apart into two--

There's no gore, though all he sees is red. The rage inside him burning, his hands crushing against the substance into fists. His pulse is racing inside him, and the violence grows louder over it all; over the fear, over the panic. He hovers over Fabian on his knees, his battle sheet torn in his hands, and his eyes boring down at Fabian--but still not focusing on him, some kind of twisted sneer while he breathes like in a panic.

He can't see anything but the red of his anger. He doesn't want to look at his hands, doesn't want to see what he's possibly done. But he knows he saw Fabian, and so he tries, desperate, voice like a plea under the deeper husk it's taken, ]

Fabian...

[ Please answer. Please tell him he's somewhere, here--please tell him he's in a bad dream right now, and let him get out. ]

[ Okay.

This is-- It's a lot. It's a lot for sure, especially when Fabian may be a lot more used to having to deal with an enraged Gorgug in a month or so, but this is only really the second time Gorgug has turned this full rage this closely towards him. And at least last time Fabian could be sure that it was just the rage he had lost his friend to - despite the way that ended, and he's trying real hard to not think about that right now since it's the last thing he needs in this siutation - this time there seems to be more to it. Something that's gotten into Gorgug's head that isn't there in Fabian's.

His battle sheet getting ripped like that is going to be a pretty big problem, but it's also something he can't afford to think of right now. He first needs to calm down Gorgug, especially with the other hovering over him in this state.

If something made Gorgug tear the battle sheet, then Fabian might just be the next thing to get torn, after all. It's like Gorgug doesn't even really see him there, despite how close the two of them are in this moment. ]

Hey, hey, hey-- [ His way of speaking gets quicker with each 'hey.' ] It's me. It's me, Fabian, I'm here!

[ It didn't seem to help a moment ago. But what else is he supposed to do to let Gorgug know he's here? It's not like he can slap the other while he's in some sort of half-rage half-panic in the moment, because then it'll surely turn into full rage.

The idea does linger in his head though. If he can't slap Gorgug, then maybe he can, at least--

Fabian reaches out until his hand lands on the other's cheek. Not for a slap, but something softer, just his hand resting there. His other hand lands on the other cheek a moment later, and he tries to pull Gorgug's face down a little, just to show that Fabian exists right here, enough to exert influencde on the other's movements like this. ]

I'm here, so-- snap out of it! [ His grip tightens a little bit. ] Come on, I know you can!

[ Gorgug closes his eyes, when he--he thinks he hears Fabian. He does, but there's something there, something inside his head or between his ears that's making everything turn like vertigo when he tries to focus, tries to calm down the roaring that's surging through him that wants to let loose.

But he can't, he doesn't-- he doesn't want to. So Gorgug squeezes his eyes shut tightly, though his body flinches and stiffens when a sensation touches at his cheek. But there's words... there's a comfort that follows it, and Gorgug allows his body to dip down by its lead. Fabian was there. Fabian is there. He really doesn't want to end up getting spooked because of this, but he has to hope that some part of this is real right now... doesn't he?

Gorgug rasps, his breathing closer to someone who just got done running a marathon. He's working to control it, to draw it out, calm his body and to follow what he hears the words that manage to squeeze through the fog of his mind instruct him to do. Snap out of it. Snap out of it! ]

When you're...mad...

[ He mutters it under his breath, and slowly, awkwardly, he lowers his hands to reach for the ground; bumping and groping at Fabian's chest, his lips pinching and holding back on the sorry he thinks to give. The pieces of the battle sheet flutter down, and Gorgug manages to find Fabian's face with one hand--fingers touching at his chin, his lips, an unfortunate trace of dirt brushing off in the action--as the other finds the ground to rest against. He pulls away from the face, but--he's managing to bring down his pulse. Focusing on the touch that's firm on his own face, and he has to ask himself: would Fabian ever touch him like this? Is this something Fabian would do?

But Gorgug remembers, there was a time: back when he first arrived in Etraya, in the middle of a different disaster. Fabian trying to reassure him then, or making him feel better.

He opens his eyes, the red of his pupils starting to drift back into their white, natural state. And he sees there under him, the face he wanted to see; and that memory of another time still in the back of his mind. ]

You're beautiful....

[ ....or maybe not as far back as it should be, said like an acknowledgement, a puzzle piece slipping into place that maybe only Gorgug is aware of being put together.

(There's no maybe about it.)

He does sound a little upset while saying it, for what little it's worth. ]

[ There is something a little awkward about it all. The way Gorgug seems to almost be blindly touching Fabian as if he's looking for something, the faint reminder of Gorgug's-- Gorgug's song-thing, the way Fabian is still resting his hands on the other's cheeks. He's contemplating drawing them back to himself, but maybe the touch is actually helping his friend ground himself in this moment, and in that case Fabian can't really retreat the touch without worrying about Gorgug going all ballistic again. And Fabian would prefer to not be the next casualty after his battle sheet already had to suffer that, thanks.

So he does keep his hands there, a bit of the awkwardness driven away by the relief that fills him when he realizes that at least Gorgug seems to be getting back to his normal self, until--

Well, until Gorgug says that.

Fabian rapidly blinks with one eye, entirely unsure where that proclamation came from. Maybe Gorgug is still out of it? Even while he's confused and kind of weirded out, he feels himself involuntarily blushing, the darker hue spreading across his cheeks and his ears until he finally makes the connection between what's going on here and the words. Fabian hadn't ever thought of it again, so it took a few moments to get back to him--

-- and he quickly drops his hands in surprise, his face still tinted with the blush. ]

W-Wait, you remember that?!

[ They can address everything else in a second. Like what just happened. And Fabian's battle sheet, now in pieces on the ground. But this is urgent, okay. Why is Gorgug remembering that, of all things!! It was months ago! It was just a random moment of Fabian reassuring Gorgug!! ]

[ Ah, look at Fabian.

He's making a funny face.

He's also being loud, which is a very Fabian quality, and Gorgug--he's feeling relieved, because nothing spooky or bad is happening the longer that he looks at him. There's the worry in the back of his mind that it might come, but it's being smothered the longer he can see Fabian, acknowledge him. ]

I saw me attacking you and I didn't know if you were real. You disappeared, and then there was this guy that looked like me, and then he was strangling you? And I didn't know if you were gonna be real.

[ And the worry, the fact that didn't come to pass--it's evident in his voice, his throat. The concern is genuine in the way he looks at Fabian, lingering for a moment before finally, he starts to move back; to give Fabian room to get up, while he sits on his legs. ]

What happened? Did I disappear too?

[ Fabian???? :( ]

[ Fabian would really like to remark something here about the way Gorgug is just absolutely not addressing Fabian's very important question, but there's not much room for it in the face of the things Gorgug is saying and asking here.

Maybe they'll have to circle back on that later. Because even Fabian isn't going to put his own dramatics ahead of a friend's feelings.

.. well, not this time, anyway.

The frantic, flustered energy seems to seep right out of Fabian's body in one go, leaving something more exhausted and slightly exasperated behind, especially when Gorgug doesn't even seem to fully grasp what just happened. ]

Neither of us disappeared, Gorgug. [ He slowly moves to sit up, then starts to get up on his feet again, trying to dust the dirt off his clothes. He can't believe whatever happened here also ruined his outfit..!! ] You were-- hallucinating, I guess. Something along those lines. You were running around, seeing things that were not actually there.

[ It's a very important question that they can circle back around to. Later. When Gorgug isn't staring at Fabian with a growing concern on his face despite the amount that was already in him. Fabian's here, fine, when mere moments ago he thought he was in danger to some-- what, younger version of himself? And he stopped seeing Fabian entirely? Completely?

Gorgug tries to examine the surrounding scenery for any clues, for signs of recognition; but given that it's unnatural to begin with, nothing clicks--it's all forest. A twisted labyrinth made from the trees of Etraya to make it harder to get between the different buildings already separated by the rivers and streams.

...and he sees now the battle sheet in pieces around them, still clinging to his hands--not the blood or pieces of a person in the shape of him he thought he would, and Gorgug's heart starts to lift up into his throat. He did this? This was what he grabbed? But it didn't feel as thin as the scraps now do in his hands, and he doesn't know what to do about them, looking between them and Fabian. ]

I... I didn't know. [ What is he supposed to say? To think? ] Should we, should we turn back? Are we gonna be okay?

[ He should mention the battle sheet. He should say sorry. But what's more important? Are they safe? Will Fabian be safe? ]

We're too far into the forest now. Going back would be just as dangerous as going forward, so we might as well go to the store. [ Not that going to the store should still really be a concern in the face of what they're dealing with here.

But maybe Fabian is trying to downplay it all a little. Because if he thinks too hard about it, then he's going to start worrying about whether he could get influenced too, or Gorgug could lose his mind again, or he'll start feeling bummed about the sheet Riz personally made for him now being totally unusable.

And there's no time for any of that. If Fabian doesn't keep a cool head right now, then they might be fucked. Especially when he has no idea what they're dealing with here, and when it sounds like Gorgug is on the verge of panicking all over again.

Fabian has to stay calm. He has to be in charge of this situation, or they'll let this place get to them all over again, and he's not going to let it. He refuses. ]

We will just have to be careful. [ He bends down, starting to pick up the ripped pieces of his battle sheet. Fabian isn't even sure it can be saved at this point, but it feels respectful towards his other friend to just leave them lying around in the middle of this - apparently crazy - forest. ] If you see anything weird again at all, you have to do your best to stay calm and let me know immediately, okay?

[ .. It's kind of weird though. Fabian sounds so.. un-Fabian about it all. Fabian freaking out sounds like Fabian, or even Fabian keeping a cool head in battle in order to impress other people sounds like Fabian, but everything he's saying right now sounds so lifeless. There's no spirit. It's like a reluctant resignation, more than anything else. ]

[ Gorgug's watching Fabian, since what else could he be doing? Standing up, helping his friend, and the latter does cross his mind. But it's the way his friend is speaking, the way he sounds so despondent that stops him from touching anything.

You did this to him before, his thoughts tell him, keeping his hands from making the movement to help. You got upset and ruined his shit. He's going to hate you. He can't trust you.

Gorgug's watching Fabian, until he isn't. The thoughts are true: he keeps doing this to his friend. He loses it, and then Fabian has to (literally) pick up the pieces? The reality of the fact douses over him, sinks deeper than any cold could get under his skin. He has to stay calm so he doesn't become a destructive mess like he's been his whole life. He has to be better than he is. Show he can be a friend.

Before Fabian thinks he isn't one. He can't keep screwing up. ]

... Okay. [ He answers slowly--but calmly. Sucks in a breath through his nostrils and tells himself what he's going to be. Not someone who panics. He's going to be normal, picking up the pieces of the battle sheet near to him, trying carefully not to damage it any further.

And if Fabian reaches for it, wants it, he'll be ready to hand it over without hesitation. ]

I'm sorry. I, I'll let you know next time. Okay. Thank you for snapping me out of it.

[ He'll stand up once he's picked up the parts that he has, doesn't walk or move. Fabian's the boss here. He'll follow his lead. ]

[ Fabian does reach out for the parts of the ripped battle sheet that Gorgug is holding. Not even necessarily because he doesn't trust the other with them - though honestly, who knows if they'll manage to make it through these woods without either of them getting affected again, Fabian isn't so sure they will - but mostly because he wants to make sure to keep all the pieces together. He opens the bag they were planning to use for the groceries, putting all the pieces in there together.

He even looks around them for a moment, just to make sure they aren't accidentally leaving a piece behind. The battle sheet is just that important to him! Riz made it for him, and Fabian is never one to ignore a gesture from a friend like that.

So it's only when he seems absolutely sure that there's nothing left on the ground that he turns back to Gorgug. ]

It's fine. [ He says - and though it doesn't sound like a lie, it's not quite as warmly reassuring as Fabian can be, most of the time. That bit of spirit is still missing for now.

Even as he turns to start walking again. ]

It's not you. It's this dumb place.

[ There's a weight he can't get off his chest, a guilt that feels too heavy for what he's otherwise telling himself it should be. It wasn't him, it's this dumb place; Gorgug knows it should be true, but there's a tickling in the back of his head, an Is it? that makes him doubtful as he stands there, hands empty. ]

Should we go now? If I look at the ground... [ and he does so, as an example, ] --I can't see anything weird. Nothing can spook me.

[ He's being sincere, as silly as it might seem. But they have to keep going, right? And what if it's going to happen again? Gorgug can't shake off that feeling, either. Won't it just come back? Trick them again? ]

[ It is kind of silly, isn't it.

But on the other hand, Fabian doesn't know what else to tell Gorgug. He isn't sure how the other got influenced at all, or what influenced him in the first place. It's got to be something in this forest, but how is Fabian supposed to tell? If only Adaine was with them, maybe Detect Magic could have helped out right now. It really feels like the only thing he can let the other do.

.. though.. ]

Gorgug, you know that it could do plenty of spooky things to the ground as well, right? [ Gorgug, have you never seen horror movies!! ] If you are that worried, you should just close your eyes entirely.

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