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[it takes her a second to hold herself in enough that she doesn't end up screaming the answer at Bellamy - whoever left the bear is long gone, but she still wants to scream until she found them.]
A month ago, someone stole something from me. Something important. And in its place? The same type of tacky calling card in the Seelie colours.
[it doesn't matter that she stole the Fleece from Clarisse's dying body. what matters is that someone then came and stole it from where she'd hidden it so well, and added insult to injury with the jacket the bear wore. that one was in Caer Scima, a visual reminder of what she had to avenge.]
A month ago, someone stole something from me. Something important. And in its place? The same type of tacky calling card in the Seelie colours.
[it doesn't matter that she stole the Fleece from Clarisse's dying body. what matters is that someone then came and stole it from where she'd hidden it so well, and added insult to injury with the jacket the bear wore. that one was in Caer Scima, a visual reminder of what she had to avenge.]
[Bellamy never sleeps all that well away from home. He's used to it, and he knows how to function on lesser amounts of sleep, pushing himself with the rush and the adrenaline. He's awake when Hiro wanders off, and he doesn't bother trying to sleep while the kid's gone. He'd wake up too quickly anyway, with worry over Hiro only the forefront of reasons. The woods are a familiar atmosphere, but there is no safety to be had this far from home.]
[Not that Hiro's been sleeping much, if at all, either. It'd been a pretty fitless night of sleep for the both of them, the restlessness something Bellamy recognizes deeply, and he's concerned over whatever's hitting Hiro like that.]
[By the time Hiro is back, he looks even worse for wear than he had when he'd left. Bellamy shifts, leaning more comfortably against the tree behind him as he looks over the kid.]
If either of us need sleep here, it's you. [Yes, he definitely noticed your Lack of it, Hiro. He shifts again, out of the need to move, to avoid keeping still.] There's this thing called guard shifts, which means no one person takes it all.
[Not that Hiro's been sleeping much, if at all, either. It'd been a pretty fitless night of sleep for the both of them, the restlessness something Bellamy recognizes deeply, and he's concerned over whatever's hitting Hiro like that.]
[By the time Hiro is back, he looks even worse for wear than he had when he'd left. Bellamy shifts, leaning more comfortably against the tree behind him as he looks over the kid.]
If either of us need sleep here, it's you. [Yes, he definitely noticed your Lack of it, Hiro. He shifts again, out of the need to move, to avoid keeping still.] There's this thing called guard shifts, which means no one person takes it all.
[It's a different tree that's propping Hiro up and he vaguely becomes aware that they'd chosen to camp in a semi-circle of trees in the woods outside of Parrais. It was sort of a smart idea, really, but at the same time having so many trees meant so many hiding places for potential enemies.
Just one more thing to think about, really. He makes a face at Bellamy's remark though, fully intending to brush it off. He's fine, really, though he's oddly still in comparison to his usual demeanor.] Not tired. Anyway I'm kinda used to being on the look-out for stuff. Superhero, remember? [Not that he had really explained a lot about the hero thing to Bellamy. Just that he was one and that it was something recent, something that drove him and motivated him to try and help win this war and get home.]
You must've done this a lot on the ground when you guys first landed, huh? [He can't even imagine how freaked out he'd be being dropped on a planet that might not be safe for human lives.] It's okay. I've got this. [That, and there's something bothering him now thanks to his call with Jason. It's a small suspicion, something he's not sure why he has a hunch but something that tugs at his brain and leaves him with multiple questions.] You didn't sleep much last night either.
Just one more thing to think about, really. He makes a face at Bellamy's remark though, fully intending to brush it off. He's fine, really, though he's oddly still in comparison to his usual demeanor.] Not tired. Anyway I'm kinda used to being on the look-out for stuff. Superhero, remember? [Not that he had really explained a lot about the hero thing to Bellamy. Just that he was one and that it was something recent, something that drove him and motivated him to try and help win this war and get home.]
You must've done this a lot on the ground when you guys first landed, huh? [He can't even imagine how freaked out he'd be being dropped on a planet that might not be safe for human lives.] It's okay. I've got this. [That, and there's something bothering him now thanks to his call with Jason. It's a small suspicion, something he's not sure why he has a hunch but something that tugs at his brain and leaves him with multiple questions.] You didn't sleep much last night either.
[Bellamy is still as he listens, his shoulders taut and ready to strike as necessary, despite the assailant being long, long gone. But there are still fires around them, and Grell is infuriated. It's enough to keep him in a similar state, because anger is a familiar weapon, and the ruin around him is further fuel.]
So we don't know who it is, but we know it's someone on the Seelie side of things. [He scowls. He isn't married to the courts, he still hates the system of it all, but this attack feels so clearly a strike against both the Unseelie and personalized at Grell. It's the latter that gets to him most, alongside the fact that these six soldiers he'd come to teach and care about this much were attacked. It's exacerbated by the fact that they called him when they needed it, a kind of trust in him he doesn't take lightly.]
You don't have any other clues?
[There is a violence in him that, if the attacker were here, Bellamy is sure it'd be enough alongside everything else to push him over the line into murder.]
So we don't know who it is, but we know it's someone on the Seelie side of things. [He scowls. He isn't married to the courts, he still hates the system of it all, but this attack feels so clearly a strike against both the Unseelie and personalized at Grell. It's the latter that gets to him most, alongside the fact that these six soldiers he'd come to teach and care about this much were attacked. It's exacerbated by the fact that they called him when they needed it, a kind of trust in him he doesn't take lightly.]
You don't have any other clues?
[There is a violence in him that, if the attacker were here, Bellamy is sure it'd be enough alongside everything else to push him over the line into murder.]
I'd have to pull through my memories, see what can be lined up with the facts we know - but hell.
[her fury chokes the words from her for a moment, and she instead lashes out with magic, suppressing flames and letting it course through her as something she could do and control.]
The bloody coward can't even face us.
[her fury chokes the words from her for a moment, and she instead lashes out with magic, suppressing flames and letting it course through her as something she could do and control.]
The bloody coward can't even face us.
He doesn't mean it, little one.
[ be nice to the kitten even with your words ]
Mostly the cat. Also wanted to see if you heard the same shit Clarke did.
[ be nice to the kitten even with your words ]
Mostly the cat. Also wanted to see if you heard the same shit Clarke did.
[He makes a face. John's ability to talk to his dog was weird enough, but now it goes along with his cat too, and he isn't sure he's fond of gossiping animals.]
Which shit in particular? If it's about the Glaschu riots, I was the one who went over to look into them.
Which shit in particular? If it's about the Glaschu riots, I was the one who went over to look into them.
[While her magic is good on the fire, Bellamy is mildly concerned about the potential for her to let loose with her anger - which is hilarious, coming from him. He can't bring himself to tell her to calm down, not when he kind of wishes he could lash out in the same way, but they have to do something else, right? It's what Clarke would suggest.]
We need to get the rest of the fires out first, before it spreads, and before it draws any more unnecessary attention.
We'll focus on figuring out who was behind this later. And we will find them.
We need to get the rest of the fires out first, before it spreads, and before it draws any more unnecessary attention.
We'll focus on figuring out who was behind this later. And we will find them.
...I'm going to trust that.
[that's as much as she can get out, too beyond eloquence in the anger and confusion at exactly how powerful this person is. slowly, she takes a deep breath, hands tightening into fists as she exhales. her rage isn't dimmed in the slightest, but Bellamy's right - the fires first. then what would need to be started to work on counteracting the damage.]
Fires first. Then I need ashes. This is going to take some time.
[it at least gives her something to do, a sense of petty accomplishment to smother the fires, and from what's burned she can get the ashes she needs. fire magic might be gone from the Drabwurld, but it's the use for marks she needs.
Carac follows her again, and other guard members take up position around the area Lilias is keeping warded. when the largest danger has passed, then they can discuss who's sleeping where and what to do about things to come.]
[that's as much as she can get out, too beyond eloquence in the anger and confusion at exactly how powerful this person is. slowly, she takes a deep breath, hands tightening into fists as she exhales. her rage isn't dimmed in the slightest, but Bellamy's right - the fires first. then what would need to be started to work on counteracting the damage.]
Fires first. Then I need ashes. This is going to take some time.
[it at least gives her something to do, a sense of petty accomplishment to smother the fires, and from what's burned she can get the ashes she needs. fire magic might be gone from the Drabwurld, but it's the use for marks she needs.
Carac follows her again, and other guard members take up position around the area Lilias is keeping warded. when the largest danger has passed, then they can discuss who's sleeping where and what to do about things to come.]
All right.
Yeah, we will.
I'm leaving tomorrow for the spires with Jason to convince the Barons of the conclave I was telling you about; we'll be gone two weeks or so, but I'll see you when I get back, okay?
Yeah, we will.
I'm leaving tomorrow for the spires with Jason to convince the Barons of the conclave I was telling you about; we'll be gone two weeks or so, but I'll see you when I get back, okay?
The 20th, an hour past sundown, the Lady A's place. Please come.
[He knows what sort of protections had been placed on the outpost, and while it should make him a lot more wary about who found it, who destroyed it, it just makes him even angrier. It makes him want to be better.]
[Bellamy gestures for Ascelyn and Tobin to use what little ice magic they have too, keeping close to the warded area, while he sets out to use his own. It surprises him how much stronger it's gotten, especially when thinks about how he'd been so focused on the fire magic initially.]
Ashes for what? [He sounds gruff, but it's only because of the situation, and his sliding concentration as he tries to summon a larger portion of ice down on one of the bigger fires, smothering it and stopping it from spreading even further.]
[Bellamy gestures for Ascelyn and Tobin to use what little ice magic they have too, keeping close to the warded area, while he sets out to use his own. It surprises him how much stronger it's gotten, especially when thinks about how he'd been so focused on the fire magic initially.]
Ashes for what? [He sounds gruff, but it's only because of the situation, and his sliding concentration as he tries to summon a larger portion of ice down on one of the bigger fires, smothering it and stopping it from spreading even further.]
Drawing. Give me your hands.
[by the time she comes back from her work with the fire, pressing them down and gathering what she needs, the backs of her and Carac's hands have light coming from them, Sol marked out. it'll be enough illumination for the night. too hot to make a fire, and in general it'd draw too much attention outside the remaining half of the place.
the rage is no longer streaming out from her, but it's easily seen that she's just keeping it in check for now, tightly contained so that they can move to what's more immediate.]
[by the time she comes back from her work with the fire, pressing them down and gathering what she needs, the backs of her and Carac's hands have light coming from them, Sol marked out. it'll be enough illumination for the night. too hot to make a fire, and in general it'd draw too much attention outside the remaining half of the place.
the rage is no longer streaming out from her, but it's easily seen that she's just keeping it in check for now, tightly contained so that they can move to what's more immediate.]
[The look he gives Hiro when the kid says he's not tired essentially comes down to you're full of shit.] Even in my limited knowledge, I'm pretty sure superheroes need to recharge.
[Everyone does. Even himself, even if he's not going to acknowledge that at the moment.]
[He sighs.] We set up day and night watches, armed the guards, especially after we realized we weren't alone. [He says we, but the reality was it was mostly him. He organized those kids and created his own militia, and there is a sense in his tone of I, that he was the one doing just that.] But it's not like keeping watch'll ever end.
[Nope, no thanks, remember that whole thing about not acknowledging the sleep he needs? Bellamy shrugs.] At least I got some. [HIRO.] I'm fine, I've functioned on far less.
[It's probably a sad truth, but it's been a reality for him for so long that it doesn't even register as sad. Just normal.]
[Everyone does. Even himself, even if he's not going to acknowledge that at the moment.]
[He sighs.] We set up day and night watches, armed the guards, especially after we realized we weren't alone. [He says we, but the reality was it was mostly him. He organized those kids and created his own militia, and there is a sense in his tone of I, that he was the one doing just that.] But it's not like keeping watch'll ever end.
[Nope, no thanks, remember that whole thing about not acknowledging the sleep he needs? Bellamy shrugs.] At least I got some. [HIRO.] I'm fine, I've functioned on far less.
[It's probably a sad truth, but it's been a reality for him for so long that it doesn't even register as sad. Just normal.]
[He might've hesitated to offer out his hands to her if it were earlier, if it were another situation, but he's on such a similar page to Grell right now that it's easy, especially once he notes the light coming from her hands; it's not a hard conclusion to make of her plan.]
[But the worst of the fires are finally out, dimmed, and the ruined parts of the outpost are down to smolders like the forest around it. Patches are covered in ice, but it keeps the area cool, and it'll melt into water besides.]
[But the worst of the fires are finally out, dimmed, and the ruined parts of the outpost are down to smolders like the forest around it. Patches are covered in ice, but it keeps the area cool, and it'll melt into water besides.]
[Oh he recognizes that look. It's the look Tadashi used to give him when he caught him in a lie. He promptly ignores it, looking just past Bellamy's head as he shrugs.] I'm not Baymax. I can recharge just fine by resting. [Neglecting to mention who Baymax is: the life.]
...Octavia kinda told me a little bit about what you found on the ground. ["Mentioned a dude named Lincoln." He picks up on the tone though and it's the reason he doesn't say "you guys" or anything. He knows Bellamy enough by now to realize that the man probably bulldozed his way through and made things happen. They're similar that way.] Doesn't seem much different than watching what's out here. I'm used to being on the lookout from the sky though.
[He narrows his eyes.] I have, too. [Not this many nights in a row, however, and the wear and tear's a bit more obvious.] I used to pull a lot of all-nighters back home. It drove my aunt crazy.
[He shouldn't ask. He shouldn't, but he knows if he doesn't it'll keep bothering him.] ...what's been keeping you up anyway?
...Octavia kinda told me a little bit about what you found on the ground. ["Mentioned a dude named Lincoln." He picks up on the tone though and it's the reason he doesn't say "you guys" or anything. He knows Bellamy enough by now to realize that the man probably bulldozed his way through and made things happen. They're similar that way.] Doesn't seem much different than watching what's out here. I'm used to being on the lookout from the sky though.
[He narrows his eyes.] I have, too. [Not this many nights in a row, however, and the wear and tear's a bit more obvious.] I used to pull a lot of all-nighters back home. It drove my aunt crazy.
[He shouldn't ask. He shouldn't, but he knows if he doesn't it'll keep bothering him.] ...what's been keeping you up anyway?
Edited 2015-08-19 08:34 (UTC)
[her touch is surprisingly gentle as she places Sol on the backs of Bellamy's hands, the ash lighting up along the rune's line, and she moves to those who're remaining on the ground to offer them the same. those who want to stay in the trees don't need the light to alert anything.]
Right then. We're all fortunate this visitor didn't rid us of the place entirely, else I'd say we'd have to start making our way to Azure. It'll be a tight fit, but I can start drawing up the plans tonight for replicating what magic we channelled into the structure to avoid damaging the trees while we built. The last thing we need is angry dryads on us when we're trying to rebuild.
Right then. We're all fortunate this visitor didn't rid us of the place entirely, else I'd say we'd have to start making our way to Azure. It'll be a tight fit, but I can start drawing up the plans tonight for replicating what magic we channelled into the structure to avoid damaging the trees while we built. The last thing we need is angry dryads on us when we're trying to rebuild.
No, though that's good to know.
[ John takes a breath. ]
The Shuck.
[ John takes a breath. ]
The Shuck.
[He hasn't forgotten he's still holding a kitten, but it's become second nature enough already that his focus is entirely on the conversation.]
You mean his plan? I was with Clarke in Quendi, so yeah, heard it straight from the dog's mouth. [And he does not look sold on it at all.]
You mean his plan? I was with Clarke in Quendi, so yeah, heard it straight from the dog's mouth. [And he does not look sold on it at all.]
I cut ties with Sunlight's Shadow; sent his mirror back.
I won't risk any of us for the sake of getting information.
I'm going to stay at the spire with Ariadne for a few days.
See you on the 20th.
( since she is assuming that he received Grell's message as well, after all. )
I won't risk any of us for the sake of getting information.
I'm going to stay at the spire with Ariadne for a few days.
See you on the 20th.
( since she is assuming that he received Grell's message as well, after all. )
[He's not really used to other people using rune magic on him, but at least the sensation is familiar. And now he's got a light, a flashlight without batteries.]
[He nods along with Grell's plan.]
We'll need to make sure the remaining structure is stable enough - it doesn't look like it was hit, but I wanna check on the magic still in place anyway. [A beat.] I can stay overnight, if you want an extra person here.
[He nods along with Grell's plan.]
We'll need to make sure the remaining structure is stable enough - it doesn't look like it was hit, but I wanna check on the magic still in place anyway. [A beat.] I can stay overnight, if you want an extra person here.
[He makes a face.] What's a Baymax?
[But then he frowns a little, because, well, he loves and trusts Octavia, but there's no telling what her version of events might be. His sister is as quick to his defense as she is to call him out on his shit.] We found a lot more shit than we were expecting. People included.
We had a wall. We watched from behind it, mostly. But we learned how to move through the trees too. At least it prepared me for guard duty here.
[Bellamy narrows his eyes right back.] All nighters at home are a little different from all nighters in a war zone.
[The better question would be what doesn't keep him up? Sometimes it feels like the list rotates, alternates, repeats itself; each night could be something else. Nightmares always seems to be a Big Theme, but it's just one part of his life at this point. He's forgotten what it was like to not have them.]
[He tries for blase. It's enemy territory, duh.] In case you haven't noticed, we're smack dab in Glaschu.
[But then he frowns a little, because, well, he loves and trusts Octavia, but there's no telling what her version of events might be. His sister is as quick to his defense as she is to call him out on his shit.] We found a lot more shit than we were expecting. People included.
We had a wall. We watched from behind it, mostly. But we learned how to move through the trees too. At least it prepared me for guard duty here.
[Bellamy narrows his eyes right back.] All nighters at home are a little different from all nighters in a war zone.
[The better question would be what doesn't keep him up? Sometimes it feels like the list rotates, alternates, repeats itself; each night could be something else. Nightmares always seems to be a Big Theme, but it's just one part of his life at this point. He's forgotten what it was like to not have them.]
[He tries for blase. It's enemy territory, duh.] In case you haven't noticed, we're smack dab in Glaschu.
[There's a very tiny grin as he shifts, reaching into his pocket for something.] Baymax is my best friend from home...some people probably think that's weird since he's a robot, but. [He shrugs and he pulls his hand out of his pocket. Bellamy can probably see the translucent green computer chip, complete with the fading sticker of the smiley doctor and the even more faded tape that barely says TADASHI HAMADA. He holds the chip between two fingers, staring at it instead of Bellamy.] Remember how I said my friends and I are heroes? That includes Baymax, too. I built his armor so that we could fly and check things out from the air. [And because it was really awesome.] ...when I get back, I'm gonna rebuild him. But when the imps brought me here I had pieces of him in my box of stuff. [A beat.] I was unpacking at my lab when they showed up and I didn't want to lose the box.
[With that, Baymax's chip goes back into his pocket.] She mentioned that, too. About meeting people on the ground, but nothing about a wall. [Kinda reminds him of Eren a little.] I don't even know if I've ever asked how long you guys were on the ground before you got here.
[He doesn't give in to that, just keeping that level stare. Sorry, Bell, you're not gonna win. He's had practice...but he's ignoring him. Bellamy's right. All nighters here are different than all nighters back home so instead of verbally responding he settles for curling up a little further into his sweater and leaning into the tree.
He blinks though. That's hardly a cause for anything, considering what else he knows about Bellamy. It's something to worry about, yes, but at the same time...] Being in Glaschu's something to worry about, sure, but this also isn't your first time here. That's why Clarke sent me with you. [i.e. nice try but try again.]
[With that, Baymax's chip goes back into his pocket.] She mentioned that, too. About meeting people on the ground, but nothing about a wall. [Kinda reminds him of Eren a little.] I don't even know if I've ever asked how long you guys were on the ground before you got here.
[He doesn't give in to that, just keeping that level stare. Sorry, Bell, you're not gonna win. He's had practice...but he's ignoring him. Bellamy's right. All nighters here are different than all nighters back home so instead of verbally responding he settles for curling up a little further into his sweater and leaning into the tree.
He blinks though. That's hardly a cause for anything, considering what else he knows about Bellamy. It's something to worry about, yes, but at the same time...] Being in Glaschu's something to worry about, sure, but this also isn't your first time here. That's why Clarke sent me with you. [i.e. nice try but try again.]
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