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[Bellamy doesn't even reply. Not over the lockets. He's out trying to find some trinket one of the banshees wanted when Clarke's voice comes over, and within seconds he teleports home without thought.]
Clarke? [His tone is ripe with concern as he finds her in the house, moving towards her quickly.] What happened?
[There is something instinctively angry in him too, that familiar hostile protectiveness that comes from seeing her or Octavia like this, but his expression is still soft despite that.]
Clarke? [His tone is ripe with concern as he finds her in the house, moving towards her quickly.] What happened?
[There is something instinctively angry in him too, that familiar hostile protectiveness that comes from seeing her or Octavia like this, but his expression is still soft despite that.]
( it hurts in a way many other things don't. it hurts in a way that tightens her chest, in a way that makes it impossible to breathe, in a way that makes the tears fall hot and consistent down her cheeks, in a way that has her choking back on desperate, devastated noises as soon as she's closed her locket. Bellamy appearing doesn't stifle it any.
instead, she opens her compass from Waver that had once been tied to Lauralae, and she covers her mouth while she plays back their conversation.
it's no less painful the second time and she doesn't know what else to do. )
instead, she opens her compass from Waver that had once been tied to Lauralae, and she covers her mouth while she plays back their conversation.
it's no less painful the second time and she doesn't know what else to do. )
[ just gonna go with a text message because aah heavy backdating, sorry! ]
i know you're out doing very important things, but i just wanted to let you know i finished up with po's shrine. well, okay, i had some help. which you could have maybe mentioned clarke was going to send someone there too! but it's fine, simon's okay. he's a good sweeper, anyway.
i left a mildly creepy handmade doll and a sort of puzzle game i picked up at the station behind as an offering. think that'll be okay? i didn't exactly wait around for someone to come pick it up, but i'll definitely be checking in there from time to time to make sure nobody messes with it again.
but now that i'm done with that, i'm probably going to be out exploring most of the time again. i'll bring rhea. just text me if you need me.
love you.
i know you're out doing very important things, but i just wanted to let you know i finished up with po's shrine. well, okay, i had some help. which you could have maybe mentioned clarke was going to send someone there too! but it's fine, simon's okay. he's a good sweeper, anyway.
i left a mildly creepy handmade doll and a sort of puzzle game i picked up at the station behind as an offering. think that'll be okay? i didn't exactly wait around for someone to come pick it up, but i'll definitely be checking in there from time to time to make sure nobody messes with it again.
but now that i'm done with that, i'm probably going to be out exploring most of the time again. i'll bring rhea. just text me if you need me.
love you.
[Before she shows him the locket conversation, there are too many possibilities, none of which he likes. He hates the look on her face, the way her shoulders sink in brokenly, and when the playback ends, Bellamy is, for a moment, at a loss. His loyalty is to Clarke first, so it's anger at Lauralae that he feels first too, before he just turns and sweeps Clarke up into his arms, pulling her close and holding her tightly.]
[Offering a "sorry" doesn't feel adequate enough, but he's not really sure there are any words good enough right now. So, that's where he starts: just holding her, his grip as gentle as it is enclosing. This is what feels most important right now - he'll get to the other reassurances soon.]
[Offering a "sorry" doesn't feel adequate enough, but he's not really sure there are any words good enough right now. So, that's where he starts: just holding her, his grip as gentle as it is enclosing. This is what feels most important right now - he'll get to the other reassurances soon.]
( there's a heaving sob into his shoulder when he gathers her into his arms, and it takes her a few moments to know she can wrap her own around him. twisting her fingers painfully tight into his shirt, she presses her face into his shoulder and sobs openly, crying only in a way that can be done with someone you entrust yourself to wholly. because at the beginning and the end of all things, Clarke knows that Bellamy will be there.
Clarke leans her weight into him, and not for the first time in her life, it feels like she might not stop crying. betrayal from people she could have called family runs so much deeper, hurts so much more, and it's downright heartbreaking to feel it again. )
Clarke leans her weight into him, and not for the first time in her life, it feels like she might not stop crying. betrayal from people she could have called family runs so much deeper, hurts so much more, and it's downright heartbreaking to feel it again. )
[She doesn't deserve any of this, ever, and he hates it on her, the crushing weight of this kind of betrayal. It's easy to hold her up, to keep her there, no matter how much or hard she leans into him, Bellamy is steady. He cradles the back of her head, muttering nonsensical words of comfort, just to remind her that someone is still there. He doesn't say 'it's okay,' because it's not, not right now. She is so far from okay, and it's incredibly frustrating to feel like he can't do anything about it except keep at her side.]
[He moves though, tiny rocking gestures as he stands there in place, thumb moving gently against her.] I'm here, okay? I'm not going anywhere.
[He means now, he won't leave her now, but it goes for everything else too.]
[He moves though, tiny rocking gestures as he stands there in place, thumb moving gently against her.] I'm here, okay? I'm not going anywhere.
[He means now, he won't leave her now, but it goes for everything else too.]
It lives around here and I can't take care of it. Consider it a new mission.
[ :D here u go
Doesn't that seem nice, Rhea? Kitten? ]
[ :D here u go
Doesn't that seem nice, Rhea? Kitten? ]
( the force of her crying makes her stomach turn unpleasantly, chest burning with the heave of air in and out of her lungs. the panic that rises in her is bone crushing, makes every part of her tremble and shake with the force of it. she had called Lauralae family, loved her, and the pain of this is too much. the loss feels monumental.
it might be that Clarke's tie to the Drabwurld had not been severed, and it may be that Lauralae does not have one that can be cut the way a shardbearers is able to be, but the divide that has been set between them now feels worlds wide, galaxies away. Clarke is sure even if she could reach for her now, Lauralae would be nothing more than a ghost; ethereal, slipping through her fingers, left intangible in the wake of their severed bond.
there's no response to give to Bellamy now, but she does hold on tighter to him; the smallest indicator that she hears him. )
it might be that Clarke's tie to the Drabwurld had not been severed, and it may be that Lauralae does not have one that can be cut the way a shardbearers is able to be, but the divide that has been set between them now feels worlds wide, galaxies away. Clarke is sure even if she could reach for her now, Lauralae would be nothing more than a ghost; ethereal, slipping through her fingers, left intangible in the wake of their severed bond.
there's no response to give to Bellamy now, but she does hold on tighter to him; the smallest indicator that she hears him. )
It's worth asking him if he does; I don't know if he's been to their mountain yet, though.
I'm not sure about weeks, but... Between this and the Shuck, I'm going to speak to Morla. We need to warn the Monarchs of the risk this poses to the people of the court.
I'm not sure about weeks, but... Between this and the Shuck, I'm going to speak to Morla. We need to warn the Monarchs of the risk this poses to the people of the court.
I'm fine. I asked Jason to come over since he's in Diasbaile right now so that I'm not alone.
( she adamantly refuses to wake Octavia up for this; at least Jason's already elbow deep in war things. )
( she adamantly refuses to wake Octavia up for this; at least Jason's already elbow deep in war things. )
[late at night, Bellamy will feel a sharp, searing pain in his left arm, strong enough to wake him if he's asleep. it passes in a moment, but it is exactly what has been promised should the Outpost need to call on him.]
Keeping life going is just as important a mission as taking one. More important, maybe.
[ Even -- or maybe especially -- when that life is a kitten.
And he knew he could count on you, Rhea. Who's a good girl? :D? ]
[ Even -- or maybe especially -- when that life is a kitten.
And he knew he could count on you, Rhea. Who's a good girl? :D? ]
I can think of plenty more important than a kitten.
[He's still holding it though. He even adjusts his grip, making sure it's not too tight or too loose, taking care he won't drop the animal. Rhea just whines at him, and Bellamy pointedly ignores it (mostly).]
Is there actually a legitimate reason here, or are you just dumping a cat on me at random?
[He's still holding it though. He even adjusts his grip, making sure it's not too tight or too loose, taking care he won't drop the animal. Rhea just whines at him, and Bellamy pointedly ignores it (mostly).]
Is there actually a legitimate reason here, or are you just dumping a cat on me at random?
[The pain startles him awake immediately, and it's barely a second later where he knows and remembers what this means. Bellamy scrambles, not thinking hard about what he grabs (it's a sword, an axe, some knives), before he teleports himself to the La Llorona Outpost.]
[He's expecting a fight. He isn't expecting the destruction. Half of the outpost is in ruins, exploded by what he assumes is some sort of magic, and the nearby trees and forest are aflame. Which is important, of course, but the first thing he does is start yelling for the guards, his voice loud and echoing with a wild concern. He projects to draw attention himself too, if the assailant is still in the vicinity, and he uses his ice magic to cut a path through the fire to bring himself closer to it all. It puts some of it out in the meantime, but his focus is on making sure the soldiers are alive first, and he keeps shouting all six of their names.]
[He's expecting a fight. He isn't expecting the destruction. Half of the outpost is in ruins, exploded by what he assumes is some sort of magic, and the nearby trees and forest are aflame. Which is important, of course, but the first thing he does is start yelling for the guards, his voice loud and echoing with a wild concern. He projects to draw attention himself too, if the assailant is still in the vicinity, and he uses his ice magic to cut a path through the fire to bring himself closer to it all. It puts some of it out in the meantime, but his focus is on making sure the soldiers are alive first, and he keeps shouting all six of their names.]
[it's Carac who finds him first, face twisted in a sort of panicking anger, and he remembers Bellamy like they all do. following him leads Bellamy to the rest of them - grouped together, all with weapons drawn, backs against the trees for some and Lilias spelling an area for protection. they're frightened, that much is to be expected from a complete surprise attack, but to their credit they're together and not losing their heads. what matters is first figuring out if anyone's in the area - no one saw the ring used, felt anyone, but it's powerful stuff if it cut through the protections.
Grell isn't far behind. her pain coursed through her shoulder and all she'd grabbed was her sword before she left. the forceful magic pushes through, smothers flame under pressure, and she's not bothering to tone herself down until she sees them, can take stock of them to see if they're injured (minor, if anything).
it's Lilias who comes up with something first.]
...Ascelyn with Bellamy, Carac with the Lady. Scan the damn area, now.
Grell isn't far behind. her pain coursed through her shoulder and all she'd grabbed was her sword before she left. the forceful magic pushes through, smothers flame under pressure, and she's not bothering to tone herself down until she sees them, can take stock of them to see if they're injured (minor, if anything).
it's Lilias who comes up with something first.]
...Ascelyn with Bellamy, Carac with the Lady. Scan the damn area, now.
[The sight of Carac grabs Bellamy's focus, and relief rushes into his face when he finds all six of them, all alive and without any life threatening injuries after a quick glance over. And now that he knows they're okay, it's easier for him to focus on the task at hand, and even easier to bark out some orders of his own, at least to the three of them who'd been taught it.]
Use the ice magic, put some of the fires out along the way! [And he moves with Ascelyn as he scans the area with her, using his ice magic in tandem. But there doesn't seem to be any hint of anyone else, further cementing the idea that this attack was magically done.]
[There's still no sign of an attacker by the time they reach the outskirts, but there is sign of life. Ascelyn scoops up the cat and cradles it, checking for injuries with pure relief to find it alive and unharmed. Bellamy squints at something nearby, moving over and prodding the stuffed animal with his sword first, making sure it's not any kind of bomb, before he grabs it and holds it out at arm's length with bafflement and suspicion.]
[Ascelyn looks at it and shakes her head.] It doesn't mean anything to me.
[They move again, returning back to the others, and Bellamy holds the bear like it's poisonous, a scowl on his face. Now that he's sure the only damage is to the structure and not the people, his concern becomes drowned out by his anger, and his entire body is rigid with it.] Anyone got a thing for bears?
Use the ice magic, put some of the fires out along the way! [And he moves with Ascelyn as he scans the area with her, using his ice magic in tandem. But there doesn't seem to be any hint of anyone else, further cementing the idea that this attack was magically done.]
[There's still no sign of an attacker by the time they reach the outskirts, but there is sign of life. Ascelyn scoops up the cat and cradles it, checking for injuries with pure relief to find it alive and unharmed. Bellamy squints at something nearby, moving over and prodding the stuffed animal with his sword first, making sure it's not any kind of bomb, before he grabs it and holds it out at arm's length with bafflement and suspicion.]
[Ascelyn looks at it and shakes her head.] It doesn't mean anything to me.
[They move again, returning back to the others, and Bellamy holds the bear like it's poisonous, a scowl on his face. Now that he's sure the only damage is to the structure and not the people, his concern becomes drowned out by his anger, and his entire body is rigid with it.] Anyone got a thing for bears?
[they move swiftly, and Carac notices no sign of shardbearers that Grell would miss, no sign of a person at all. no traces of a trap that's exploded, or really anything other than the ruin it is. whoever it was struck hard in one blow that they made count - and despite her seething discontent, there's an efficiency she has to respect. her magic presses out more fire, and when she comes back to the others, she can feel her anger in her chest as a weight.
but Bellamy's question reaches her, and she whips around inhumanly fast to see the object he's holding with such disdain.]
Give me that.
[her voice is softer than one would expect, but she needs to see it, needs to confirm she's not hallucinating this.]
but Bellamy's question reaches her, and she whips around inhumanly fast to see the object he's holding with such disdain.]
Give me that.
[her voice is softer than one would expect, but she needs to see it, needs to confirm she's not hallucinating this.]
[His brow furrows for a moment, but it's clear the bear means something to Grell. He's hesitant to hand it over, if only because he's a little afraid of what it might do to her, if that's the way she's reacting already.]
[But Bellamy tosses it over, even though the distance isn't much between them anymore.] You recognize it?
[But Bellamy tosses it over, even though the distance isn't much between them anymore.] You recognize it?
[she catches it and looks at it in what light there is, grip tightening on the little bear before she rips the heart out of its hands and flings it with enough force to land in a patch of fire they hadn't gotten yet. the anger is almost radiating out of her, and she's holding the bear so tight she could throttle it.]
...You shit.
[the words are hissed towards the bear before she's so angry she could shriek, short but loud and hateful as she throws the thing into her bag to deal with later, turning around to scream her words into the woods.]
Who are you? Who the hell are you, you bastard?
...You shit.
[the words are hissed towards the bear before she's so angry she could shriek, short but loud and hateful as she throws the thing into her bag to deal with later, turning around to scream her words into the woods.]
Who are you? Who the hell are you, you bastard?
[The world was a strange, strange place. The Drabwurld specifically was a strange and sometimes grueling place and despite being almost 16 years old and having lived here for a year and a half, Hiro still didn't quite know how to catch all of the curveballs this place threw him. It had started with hearing about the rumblings of the riots in Sa Choill. They'd made camp and talked about a few things that evening as they planned their journey to Parrais for the big riots. He hadn't slept very well that night and he could only be grateful it was a nightmare he could shake himself out of without waking up screaming or making himself sick.
The trip to Parrais was much easier thanks to the stolen clegs and the third was dedicated to nosing around, learning their way and settling in to camp early to prepare. It was a relatively successful day...or it had been before he was pulled away to answer a call from Jason Todd. He locked himself up somewhere hidden and away from their campsite as he and Jason argued and he learned about the vision Clarke had seen. He'd thought the worst of it was over, but he didn't even get to leave the shack he'd warded before Clarke called as well and started asking questions he didn't have answers for, started making him own up to a few things.
Overall, by the time he came back to camp his eyes were wide open and his expression was twisted into something mildly distraught as he sat on the ground again, staring out into the night toward the city. He'd stay awake watching if he had to, but with those conversations, some of the knowledge he and Bellamy had now and Shuck's curse? There was absolutely no way he was sleeping. He doesn't look at Bellamy though when he finally speaks up after some silence.]
...get some sleep, dude. I'll stand guard for tonight. [He'd noticed that Bellamy hadn't really slept the night before either. If they were going to do this, well, it made sense that one of them was rested at least.]
The trip to Parrais was much easier thanks to the stolen clegs and the third was dedicated to nosing around, learning their way and settling in to camp early to prepare. It was a relatively successful day...or it had been before he was pulled away to answer a call from Jason Todd. He locked himself up somewhere hidden and away from their campsite as he and Jason argued and he learned about the vision Clarke had seen. He'd thought the worst of it was over, but he didn't even get to leave the shack he'd warded before Clarke called as well and started asking questions he didn't have answers for, started making him own up to a few things.
Overall, by the time he came back to camp his eyes were wide open and his expression was twisted into something mildly distraught as he sat on the ground again, staring out into the night toward the city. He'd stay awake watching if he had to, but with those conversations, some of the knowledge he and Bellamy had now and Shuck's curse? There was absolutely no way he was sleeping. He doesn't look at Bellamy though when he finally speaks up after some silence.]
...get some sleep, dude. I'll stand guard for tonight. [He'd noticed that Bellamy hadn't really slept the night before either. If they were going to do this, well, it made sense that one of them was rested at least.]
[Bellamy can't say he's had too much experience with stuffed animals, save Octavia's rabbit, but he's never seen anyone react like that to one either. It's what the bear represents he's sure, more than the fact that it's a bear. It's a message, one meant for Grell that she clearly understood, even if it doesn't give an answer as to who did this.]
[He looks at her both confused and concerned, his pulse is still racing with that same fury over the attack.]
Familiar taunt?
[He looks at her both confused and concerned, his pulse is still racing with that same fury over the attack.]
Familiar taunt?
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