gildead

[gildead]

happy father's day to wario and never ever gold's biological sperm donor

[gildead]

@rcyalpains has birthday presents!

And where there's Anton, his green goblin isn't too far behind. "Hmmm... I HEARD there was a birthday boy 'round here..." Upon finishing her faux thought process, index finger to her chin and all... Annie would finally pull out a... uh... "nicely wrapped" present from her person. And when I say "nicely wrapped", it's a spooky-looking vintage lantern that she fished up and actually took the time to, erm, "restore", with some celebratory ribbon tied around its glass case. It's all cleaned up and it actually looks like something you'd put in your house without attracting mice! Upon handing that over, Annie smirked rather sweetly, hands behind her back and swaying gently. Perhaps in a way to ask "do you like it?" without actually asking aloud? Buuut... nope. This gift exchange simply wasn't done yet. She'd glance around the area for a split second, before leaning in, bringing Gold closer by placing a hand over his cheek, and planting a tiny kiss against the other cheek. "Happy birthday, kiddo~." Ohhh, happy days, indeed~. Flashing one final smirk, she'd turn against her heels, and begin wandering off in the same direction Anton had before her, waving goodbye. "...Ohhh, yeah." Cough. "By the way, the light SHOULD work! Just needs a little oil~. Maybe get--" Cough. "--one of your fire hedgehogs to light it for ya."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH--

Ahem. So sorry. If Gold looks like he's about to explode out of sheer delight upon receiving another of Miss Annie's kissies, that's because he probably is. His usually monochrome face has now turned bright pink as he floats there, vintage lantern nestled in his sleeves.

This is probably, what? One of the nicest, most expensive-looking things anyone's got him? Even if she fished it out of the trash. Like, Gold's a perpetual 13-year-old kid. The most expensive gift he's ever gotten outside of trainer-related paraphernalia was probably his Poké Gear, or a set of earrings Lyra got him for his 13th birthday. You've gotta understand, he never quite hit the age where adults could start really splurging on stuff without worrying about him breaking or losing it.

He looks up to tell Miss Annie how much he adores this. How he'll definitely have Forever or Hurry light it up for him liter, once he's found a good place for it. All that comes out of his mouth, however, is...

"B-b-bubba bobba hob-hobba-hobba wah-wah."

Somehow, it still gets the message across.

[gildead]

@emptyzone has birthday presents!

"Hey, kid. Happy day." Oh look, it's the king of the group chat™️, Mr. Dynamite. He simply holds out a plastic bag-- No fancy wrapping. Sorry, he sucks at that. It's... Filled with t-shirts. Most of them reading some variant of 'I'm just a little guy' and 'be nice to be or i'll be really upset'. Stuff like that. From thrifting, and clearly variants of t-shirts Annie wouldn't be heart-broken over not having... But hey, they'd fit, at least. "Don't mention it. And. I mean it." Not said in a threatening way, but also a 'please shut your big mouth in the chat' way. Which is insane, from Anton. The guy who would usually say it in the threatening way-- And he's already off, immediately heading in the general direction of the nearest bar.

Oh, wow! These were a lot of t-shirts. Gold had considered expanding his wardrobe down the line, especially given how the 'sleeves' of his hoodie were really just psychic projections. Maybe he could get some long-sleeved undershirts to layer under them, have some real 'arms' to manipulate regularly.

He lifts one up with his sleeves, inspecting the graphic on the front. Wow, Anton, these are all really cute. What thrift store are you going to? Gold might have to stop by at some...

Just as he looks up to thank Anton and ask about his thrifting adventures, Gold sees that he's already well on his way away.

"Thank you!" he hollers from a distance.

Damn. For a dead kid, he sure has a strong set of lungs on him.

[gildead]

@tetramulti sends birthday wishes!

Crimson approaches Gold, looking up at him with a small grin. "Shinto sent me to ask you what kind of cake you want for your birthday!" Oh, right, that was soon, wasn't it? Along with... uh. Hmm. "...Does it... uh, ever really stop hurting...?" You know what she's referring to. It wasn't like she had much of anyone else to talk about it with. They didn't really understand.

"Ube, please. With cream cheese icing." What can he say, really? Purple is the perfect compliment to Gold, after all. He may not have had use for the antioxidants in ube anymore, but it still felt good to eat.

His expression softens at Crimson's question. She doesn't need to elaborate.

"...No. It doesn't." Gold's sleeve brushes against his hairline, where one of the many extraction scars once were. Now, it was just another harmony in the chorus of phantom pains that followed him everywhere. "Not fully, at least. I think that's been pretty obvious."

"But Crimson, it does hurt less over time. It dulls. As long as you've got friends and family and other people to support you, you can learn how to live with it."

How to grow from it.

How to heal.

[gildead]

very funny that gold's birthday (tomorrow) is also the official weskerversary of the umbrella event. sorry i did this to you gold :(

[gildead]

"Oi, you both. Could you maybe, y'know... not?"

"NO big German man don't go on that blog!"

"Oh mein gott zhis blog ist full of FREAKSENLOSERS!"

[gildead]

part 2.

important PSA for everyone.

[gildead]

"Such vexing arrogance for one so small."

That's... not Gold's voice.

He was certainly audible within the cacophany that had just come from his mouth, but his voice was no longer the dominating one in his speech. The one layered on top was smaller, more feminine, far more archaic.

For Death, it was far more familiar as well.

Gold's body twists to face XD-BOROS, his expression barely changing from the blank stare in his newly formed eyes. His head swivels on his neck, followed close behind by the rest of his body. He doesn't react to any of the thing's tactics. Not its taunting, not its voice mimicry, not even its boasting of its abilities. Cheap, worthless parlor tricks. All of it.

"Surely, if you are as all powerful as you claim to be, then you know this mind was never one alone." He They Both of them continue to speak without so much as moving their shared mouth. "I have made my home in here as well. Long before the other three saw it fit to join the connection as well."

Gold Celebi inhales sharply. From underneath XD-BOROS' body, tiny glowing green 'veins' of energy sprout out and flock towards Gold, working to drain the creature's energy bit by bit. It's nowhere near enough power to kill it, but there's a clear message being sent.

"YOU WERE NEVER WELCOME HERE."

Just what was this thing? At first glance, Death assumed it must be a manifestation of Gold’s traumas, or something along those lines. But as it went to lower lows with its mimicries and descriptions of past events, a sneaking suspicion began to arise. Its actions were too calculated. Dreams, even nightmares were rather inconsistent in how they played out. They can have themes which last a while, but there will always be a random oddity to break it in time.

Not to mention this headspace belonged to one person. When it began to speak like the snake he had come to detest, evidence towards the reaper’s intuition regarding the being accumulated even more. There was no way it could have known on his end. Unless it was mere coincidence, which he somehow doubted, this winged amalgamation was no mere illusion.

Growling, he tightened his grip on his weapon and took a battle-ready stance. The souls hovering beside him shone brighter than ever. They were prepared to offer him and perhaps even Gold their power, to fell this monstrosity for good.

It was his wordless way of saying ‘we won’t back down.’ No matter what it threw at them, they would—

The sudden sheen of the spotlights nearly blinded him. Sockets narrowed to see clearly, scanning about the space until the noise filtered through. Mirth, madness. Agony, annihilation.

He was aware of its intent. To provoke them. Ignite their rage. Especially as it charged an immense sphere of whipping gales in its maw.

Death knew better. But Gold…

…Gold?

Furious did not even begin to describe how the kid looked. A gasp was caught mid-inhale as a power he had never seen from him flared. Another projectile formed in front of him, and before Death could process what he was witnessing, both beams were fired simultaneously, connecting to unleash a brilliant wave of light.

Squeezing his eyes shut, the deity held his ground, plunging the end of his instrument down to hold him in place. Loose fabric and hair blustered in the ensuing breeze, flapping erratically until the energy dimmed, fading into the ether.

When he raised to assess the situation, his sights fell on the boy beside him.

“Since when could you do that?!” Not that he was complaining, mind. He would have asked more, but his voice was silenced by another notable detail.

Eyes. Full ones. Dark around the edges, irises as green as the forest. Those reminded him of another. One who was tied to him. A greater power who chose to be his associate. It perplexed; it mystified. Though he could hardly afford to linger on it.

Cautiously, he swiveled their foe. That blast was only able to cancel out its attack. They needed to do more if they were going to banish this blight.

“…we can talk about it later.” He scowled. “For now, we have a beast to conquer.”

If only they could discuss some kind of plan. With where they were right now, they may just have to improvise.

[gildead]

zero sleep

[gildead]

I miss when I would get Tumblr asks that actually said things and weren't just digital panhandling scams.

[gildead]

Death came.

He... really came.

Gold looks up at the reaper with shocked sockets as he beholds Death's attack, his pupils tracking as he lands not too far away. As confident as Death looks, Gold has a feeling that this isn't exactly what he expected to find within.

Even more disturbing, however, is that it doesn't even phase the beast.

Just before Gold can open his mouth to thank Death, the voice changes again to a fourth being. One he's never spoken to directly...

But one he's seen on television.

One he knows all too well.

As the scenery shifts around him, Gold barely has time to react. Barely has time to process. His brain plays three simple words on loop as he realizes just what this thing's found in his mind. Just what it's trying to do.

How dare you.

How dare you desecrate her memory like this. Her sacrifice. Her bravery. Her compassion.

HOW DARE YOU. HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU HOW--

The energy blasts connects, bathing the arena in white.

The light dissipates.

Gold's barely moved. His body trembles as he stares down the creature--

WITH EYES THAT ARE NOT HIS.

As promised, Death situated himself beside Gold’s Dream Door, listening intently for any suspicious activity. If the night’s events were anything to go by, a disturbance would evidently arise once the boy eventually succumbed to sleep. He did not enjoy the thought of what little peace he had being decimated so readily, first with the loss and now this – but reality was relentless. Grief, fear, and pain were all key factors for a dream gone astray, whether the victim deserved it or not.

From what he heard, it started innocently enough. It was not abnormal for people to meet the departed in their subconscious shortly after they have gone. However, as he eavesdropped, a sinking dread weighed on his chest. While it could be assumed the scene was compensating for the lack of knowledge Gold had about the specific circumstances surrounding Sea Angel’s demise, its words felt. Oddly specific.

‘The others… they didn’t accept me.’

Was this the truth, scrounged up by the four, now three’s, telepathic link? Or was it merely what Gold assumed, deep in his mind?

Much as the reaper wished to dwell on it, the sounds emanating from within signified a turn in the tides. Just in case, he cracked the entryway open and slipped inside. The oppressively dark atmosphere expertly cloaked him, which should prevent any entities from taking notice.

But it was not as if he was going to linger on the sidelines for very long. Not with the appearance of a massive form snapping up a fabricated Sea Angel’s remains.

What. Was that.

He was not the sort to pry into one’s private matters such as their dreams. Exceptions came up, certainly, though he tended to avoid watching them since they were rather personal and could reveal information they would rather keep under lock and key. It was not his place to dredge up such things, especially if they were traumatic.

This abomination was not exempt from the rule. A mix of the creature who unwittingly tore the youth apart, plus the wretched man who experimented on him after the fact.

And… another had come to join the repulsive concoction.

Crimson’s duplicate, of whom he knew by no particular name. She spoke through the beast’s dripping maws, voice full of crackling static with scarce intervals between.

The temperature seemed to drop as he began to make out what she was saying, exactly.

‘HE DIDN’T CARE TO STOP US.’

Who was she referring to when she mentioned him? A sickening, contradictory possibility seeped into his very soul. It could not be, and yet, who else could—

That thought was cut short as the monstrosity swung at Gold. Fortunately, he deftly dodged the attack, recovering to the side of its gargantuan wing. This at least hinted at his potential, though this did not necessarily suggest he could confront it on his own.

There was a reason why he permitted him to come here. Now, it was clear.

Ducking down, Death summoned a gust of smog beneath him and willed it to launch himself overhead. A warning slice was issued just beside the corrupted avian’s head as he sailed across the sea of blackness, landing right beside the teen he had come to know rather well.

“I hope you know we’re not going to let your aggressions slide so easily.” He snorted, lifting his cap just a tad so the souls within could come out to play. “You think you can keep going on like this without repercussions?”

His sockets sharpened into slits as he tautly twisted his scythe’s grip.

“Then you should think again.”

[gildead]

important PSA for everyone.

[gildead]

🔗

[gildead]

Tampered with.

Gold supposes the old saying is true: hurt people really do hurt people. Somebody tampered with his tormentor, the way he did Gold, Chai, Crimson, Rochester, and who knows how many other people. Whatever empathy Gold could express towards Wesker, however, was tempered by the lack of remorse and introspection on his behalf.

His pupils widen at the nebula-esque flames dancing on Chimizo's figures, and he draws in closer like a Venomoth attracted to light. Frankly, Gold had taken Chimizo's word when he mentioned atomizing Wesker; it wasn't unheard of, and he was certain the older spirit was more than capable of such a feat. Even still, it was confirmation that Chimizo wasn't speaking in mere hyperbole.

The question did occur to Gold: could he learn to do that some day? He couldn't tell whether the thought excited or terrified him.

"Y-You're right." Gold frowns and tilts his head to the side. "He probably had outside help... but I don't know anyone with godlike powers who'd want to help him." Unless his killer had more tricks up his sleeve than he thought, Gold was pretty sure the few allies Wesker had were not as strong as they purported to be.

"Whatever he is, he's not a god." Gold's met gods before. None of them insisted upon themselves the way Wesker did. "But he's dangerous."

"That's why I asked for your help a while ago. To be stronger."

So Wesker could never hurt him - or anyone else - ever again.

Gold flinches at the sound of the junk in Chimizo's grip clattering against the ground. He's sorry. It's not your fault, he's just never been accustomed to loud noises, even when alive. His large, sorrowful sockets remain affixed to the junk on the ground as he processes Chimizo's words.

"No, but... we should've expected something like that." He floats down next to Chimizo's hunched form and sits down, the end of his sleeves pooling in his lap. It's not the most comfortable position, no, what with the scrap metal and debris littering the ground, but somehow he manages to find a perch regardless. "If I could come back, then..."

He shakes his head as he speaks rapidly.

"I don't think he's human, Mr. Chimizo." He's said this before, obviously, but it's gone relatively unnoticed in the crowd of messages. "C-Chris tried to warn us. He said he wasn't that easy to get rid of. Plus, I saw his eyes."

In the midst of all those experiments -- the sedatives, the phasing in and out of consciousness, the loss of vital functions -- he still remembers them. Even from before.

"They're not human eyes."

[gildead]

Gold flinches at the sound of the junk in Chimizo's grip clattering against the ground. He's sorry. It's not your fault, he's just never been accustomed to loud noises, even when alive. His large, sorrowful sockets remain affixed to the junk on the ground as he processes Chimizo's words.

"No, but... we should've expected something like that." He floats down next to Chimizo's hunched form and sits down, the end of his sleeves pooling in his lap. It's not the most comfortable position, no, what with the scrap metal and debris littering the ground, but somehow he manages to find a perch regardless. "If I could come back, then..."

He shakes his head as he speaks rapidly.

"I don't think he's human, Mr. Chimizo." He's said this before, obviously, but it's gone relatively unnoticed in the crowd of messages. "C-Chris tried to warn us. He said he wasn't that easy to get rid of. Plus, I saw his eyes."

In the midst of all those experiments -- the sedatives, the phasing in and out of consciousness, the loss of vital functions -- he still remembers them. Even from before.

"They're not human eyes."

The apparition jolted upright as his name was timidly spoken. Who, what—oh. Somehow, he had not noticed Gold there. I must be losing my edge, he grumbled mentally. To be snuck up on so easily… how am I supposed to function if I cannot detect a single child?

Another side of him retorted. Don’t be ridiculous. Your mind has been wandering. He did not ‘sneak up’ on you, you fool. You simply aren’t primed to react accordingly, currently.

With his insecurities dismissed, Chimizo’s features relaxed a tad. Quiet and collected, he allowed Gold to articulate his thoughts, attentively listening in. A minute pang clattered in his core at the mention of his deed, shamefully glancing away as he went to rid a cough. But his sights did return to him afterwards, eyes shining dimly at the admittance. Did he really come all this way, just to tell him this?

“Thank you,” he sighed, disposing of the junk in his grip by setting it into the pile. “It’s appreciated, however…”

Hunching, his arms folded over his lap. Claws idly hung, useless in their position.

“…it doesn’t change the fact that he came back.”

In spite of everything he did to ensure otherwise. He was a failure, through and through, for permitting such a shady character to ‘assist’ him.

[gildead]

"Mr. Chimizo...?"

Ah, there's that friendly company now. If it weren't for the toll of the bell announcing his arrival, it would have seemed that Gold was here this whole time. He floats over, wringing his sleeves as he does so.

Part of him wants to propose being trained by him again, now that Chimizo's returned from his rescue mission. Seeing the fellow ghost's hunched figure, his hesitant motions, plus his recent outburst in the chat... Gold knows it's not a good time for that. Chimizo is neither in the mood, nor a good headspace.

Even still, Gold would feel bad leaving him like this. Especially after what happened in the group chat.

"I-Is this a bad time?" He floats to his side and peers up at him with wide pupils. "I just wanted to say that, uh... When you said you killed him, I--"

He lets out a wet cough, his sleeves flying to his mouth to shield it. Once he's done, he continues.

"I believe you."

Closed starter for @gildead ! Generated setting: 25. An abandoned scrapyard

Truth be told, he did feel like garbage. Was that what drew him to such a place? Broken, abandoned machine parts lay scattered in a glorified ditch, left to the elements to deteriorate. It was a dreary place, yet oddly nostalgic.

Years ago, at a trash heap not unlike this one, he had stumbled across Jae just minding her own business, collecting parts for her own works. They ran into a bit of trouble, but she was able to see him as he truly was for the first time. Not as Charles, or a ruthless, tainted soul.

But it was short-lived. At the time, he was under Maxim’s command. Just as they were starting to grow accustomed to each other, he was forcibly sent back to Hell and returned to his cell, awaiting his next orders in isolation. Sequestered from his family, his friends. And no one could come to his rescue.

He could sympathize with Crimson’s duplicate on that front. Such an existence was miserable. Debilitating. Fighting it only served to hurt him more. If she revolted, what might become of her?

“…why do I hesitate?” Chimizo mumbled, rotating a dented gadget in his claws. “I know where the lab is. Whether Wesker’s dead or not, I could rescue her and her sibling, couldn’t I…?”

Grimacing, he paused in his fidgeting, thinking the next piece to himself.

‘…but he’d reverse that too. Wouldn’t he?’

The apparition was so caught up in his own thoughts, he did not quite realize he had company. Friendly company, at that.

[gildead]

I'M DEAD..