Chapter Text
CHARACTERS
naomi (6’4”)
crimson (5’8”)
Kaedence (5’11”)
Elias (6’4”)
Void (7’4”)
naomi (POC, gender fluid) has a masculine voice and wears a tuxedo with a bowtie but is still physically a woman
Crimson (Japanese) she/her and hypersexual (due to her history.). Love addict. oiran/courtesan
Kaedence (Indian & Samoan) he/him . Kaedence is a deer hybrid (just has antlers and ears, rest of his body is normal.) whenever he gets nervous his nose bleeds.
Elias (Russian) he/him. Is a vampire and scientist, Eats meat only.
VOID. void (he/him) is the intercom voice/mastermind’s son.
((They all go downstairs. naomi is in her tuxedo and black pants, crimson is back in her bodysuit.))
((Naomi and crimson are holding hands at the center))
Elias: awfully clingy today, you two friends now?
Naomi: yeah.
Elias: Naomi, I want to apologize again for how I acted earlier. Theres no excuse for my actions—but I sincerely mean this. I hope you can forgive me
Naomi: I forgive you, but I won’t forget it. Let’s get started with this realm.
Realm: WALTZ
rules: formally dance with a partner NONSTOP until the timer is up. partners rotate every 5 minutes. If you pause, it will cost you a limb.
Capacity: 4 (everyone)
INTERCOM: WELCOME TO REALM: WALTZ!! The music will not stop for pain.
Your partner will not save you.
And the timer… does not care how tired you are.
So smile.
Hold your posture.
And whatever you do—
Don’t stop moving.
have fun!!
FIRST ROTATION
Crimson & Kaedence
Naomi & Elias
Crimson has a long, solid black and gold stylized kimono.
Kaedence, Naomi, and elias wear a black tuxedo with a bow tie.
Their hands are forced together, posture corrected the second Kaedence slouches.
“One-two-three,” *Kaedence whispers out loud, as he takes his steps shakily*
Kaedence keeps in sync at first—barely. breathing already shaky.
Crimson notices immediately.
Crimson: “Hey, deer boy”
she murmurs softly , eyes forward.
Crimson: Match my steps. Don’t rush.
Kaedence: “I’m trying,”
he pants.
“I just—this rhythm is killing me.”
They glide. Turn. Step. Step. Turn.
Silence stays between them
Kaedence’s foot slips—just a fraction too slow on the third beat.
The music loudens
Before he can correct it, something snaps.
His antlers are gone in an instant—
clean, bloodless, painless. No warning.
the sudden absence of weight, the shock of space where his antlers usually are.
Kaedence gasps
Kaedence: my antlers!!
Crimson pulls him back into reality.
Crimson: “Don’t look down, You’re okay. Keep moving.”
Naomi and Elias don’t see it happen—
Five minutes pass by.
The timer is up.
SECOND ROTATION
Naomi & Kaedence
Crimson & Elias
No words this time.
Naomi notices Kaedence’s antlers are gone the second they’re pulled together. Her eyes widen—but she doesn’t ask.
They dance. Focused.
Kaedence follows Naomi’s counting like a lifeline.
Elias mirrors Crimson’s sync, jaw clenched.
Crimson : good job staying focused
Elias: appreciate it.
They all realize, This round is survival. Nothing more than that.
The rotation timer ends.
THIRD ROTATION
Naomi & Crimson
Elias & Kaedence
[SONG NOW PLAYING: HUIT OCTOBRE 1971]
When Naomi’s hands meet Crimson’s again, something shifts—not enough to be obvious. Just enough to feel.
Their steps align so easily. Natural instinct somehow
Naomi guides crimson with little pressure at her waist, a half-second linger when she spins her back in.
Crimson doesn’t pull away. She doesn’t lean in either.
“You’re doing great, better than Elias haha” Naomi whispers, close enough that only crimson hears.
Crimson scoffs quietly. “Flattery in a death realm?”
Naomi smiles
Naomi: “I mean it.”
They maintain eye contact.
As they switch positions, Naomi spins crimson and dips her, one hand on her waist and another behind where her knee bends.
she dips crimson lower, extending crimsons leg outward herself and gently lifts her calve higher.
during all of this, they hold eye contact. deep, with a purpose.
the song switches.
[SONG NOW PLAYING: impacto by Enjambre]
Across the floor, Elias anchors Kaedence with firm grip, voice low and steady. “Stay with me. Just like this.”
Elias pulls Kaedence in by the waist more, and holds one hand out pairing with his.
Kaedence nods, cheeks flushed. suddenly, his nerves
were calmed.
Elias: “your hand-eye coordination is outstanding,
Kaedence.”
Kaedence: “thanks, haha”
Elias: “you nervous?” *elias leans his neck slightly down so Kaedence could hear.*
Kaedence: “my head hurts, I feel like I’m going to faint. my antlers are gone..does it look bad?”
Elias: “I can feel your heart rate going up, and no. It’s less of a hassle without them, hm? I don’t think the others said anything about it so you wouldn’t lose count.”
Kaedence’s steps fumble.
Elias quickly breaks his form to catch him, he slowly turns into circles with Kaedence
“relax, I’ve got you okay?”
Kaedence rests his head on Elias’s chest. Elias holds his body weight as they continue waltzing.
The music speeds up. Tests them.
No one stops.
The final timer ends.
The waltz ends mid-breath.
They collapse where they stand—shaking, breathless.
Kaedence collapses on top of Elias
Naomi collapses on top of crimson.
Crimson: get this giant off me I can’t get up!! (She jokes)
Naomi chuckles as she doesn’t move. Crimson tickles her and they laugh until Elias and Kaedence walk over.
Kaedence: my legs feel like spaghetti—I can’t walk any longer. Can we sit??
Elias: the realm will lock up soon. Just get on my back.
Elias lifts Kaedence onto his back, they all walk out.
intercom (Void) speaks, impressed.
“great connections tonight.
some things are worth losing pieces of yourself for, aren’t they?”
The doors open.
None of them answer.
All but Kaedence:
Sorry about your antlers, Kaedence.
Kaedence:
haha It’s fine it was painless , this is what I got for messing up my steps
Naomi: are we going for another realm?
Elias: I suppose we could.