phaselocknroll | Shenanigans!

I know you don't. [ You. Not I. They're her powers, after all. He's only directing them, like an archer nocking an arrow. ] I just-- [ "don't want to hurt anyone," is on the tip of his tongue, but that's wrong. He wants to destroy the Ravagers, honestly. Wipe them out for stealing him away from his home. But not-- he doesn't think he has the stomach for it like this. Not one at a time. Better to feel guilt-but-not-guilt all at once, he thinks.

And he thinks his mother would be disappointed with the way he's turned out now, hungry for revenge and power, only he doesn't really remember what she sounds like anymore. Maybe if he did, he'd have her voice in his head urging him to take a different path.

He doesn't realize he's stilled, lost in his thoughts, until she speaks -- and he doesn't quite start at the sound of her voice, but he does look up at her sharply. ]

I'm Peter. Peter Quill.

Peter Quill.

[ She tries the name out, and, seemingly satisfied with the sound of it, gives a nod. ]

Where to, then?

[ He shoulders his bag and looks to be at a loss at her question -- honestly, he didn't think he would get this far before the Ravagers caught up to him. ]

... I don't know. [ Away? ] I think the next town is at least a day's journey from here.

[ She chuckles, a small smile on her face ] You didn't expect to get this far, and now you're unsure of what to do, aren't you?

[ He shouldn't be surprised that he's being so terribly obvious, but he is -- and it shows in his eyes, at least for a second. The expression fades though, and he just feels tired. ]

... Yeah. I thought they would've forced me to go back by now.

Or worse.

[ it's not really a question ]

You know, you didn't awaken that relic by accident. There is power in you. I feel it.

[ He flashes her a mirthless smile. ]

That's sweet. I bet you say that to all the idiots who accidentally summon you.

It's not in my nature to coddle or placate.

It took several wizards of the Order of the Impending Storm to trap me in that relic, yet only you to get me out. Surely that means something.

[ He opens his mouth as if to reply -- but he hesitates, thinks better of it, and shakes his head. From his satchel he fishes out a small lantern and crouches down, catching some of the few dying embers from his fire and using it to light the lantern. It's not overly bright, but enough to push back some of the darkness.

Peter assumes the Siren probably has some sort of preternatural ability to see in the dark, but the lantern is a comfort to him, at least, buoys him to finally ask his question. ]

Why did they trap you? Did you commit a crime?

I was under contract with their leader for some time, but I discovered they were attempting to find a way to bind me to him permanently- and without payment. I put an end to the contract, claiming their leader's life as payment for the breech in our agreement, and they thought it fitting to trap me in the relic. I suppose they thought that if they couldn't have me, then no one should be able to.

[ He thinks that's fucked up, but doesn't say it aloud. He also thinks, twenty-seven years is a long time to be alone, and he kind of feels sorry for her. He doesn't say that aloud, either. ]

Well. Someone else must be after you, then. The Ravagers got a job to retrieve the relic -- so. Either someone wanted to keep you locked away in a more secure location, or someone else is interested in contracting you.

[ Peter flexes his palm again -- the pain has faded entirely by now, but even in the dim light he can see the strange mark. ]

If they kill me, what happens to you?

Hm. We might have more than your friends on our tail after all.

[ she gives a little shrug ] The contract will be voided and I'll look for a new one.

But I will do everything in my power to keep you alive. I don't get my payment if you die on me, after all.

Ah, good. I feel safer now. [ His smirk is humorless, as most of his smiles are. But the answer is about what he expected, so no surprises there.

He glances up at the stars, using them to get his bearings, and starts heading off in the direction he believes the next town to be. It's a shame, though, that he didn't get time to properly rest. He thinks it'd be nice to sleep on all this crazy shit that's happened in the past couple of hours, but with the Ravagers hot on his heels and the presence of some unknown third party nagging at him, now, there's really no good time to stop.

Yeah, he thinks. This was all a huge mistake. ]

[ She follows behind him without a sound, in any sense of the word, as her footfalls make no noise. ]

Having doubts?

I think I'm in over my head. [ No point in lying. ]

I thought-- I don't know. I thought I would sell the relic, not use it.

Then why did you accept my offer?

[ Now that's a good question. He flicks a glance over to her. ] You've given me the best offer I've ever gotten.

Meaning... what, exactly?

Well. This way I at least have a chance, right? To make my own decisions.

Last offer I had was "get eaten or fall in line," so.

I could see how that would be preferable.

[ Her gaze slides to the underbrush alongside of where they're walking. ]

You said these Ravagers come in twos, didn't you?

[ He stops mid step and turns to her. ]

I did.

[ She wordlessly indicates a nearby tree with a tilt of her head, and gives him an expectant look ]

[ He breathes in slowly and shuts his eyes. ]

Do you mind taking care of him?

[ She gives him a long look before nodding. She gives a wave of her hand, tattoos going bright, and the Ravager comes walking out of his hiding place, expression slack-jawed and vacant. ]

If you wish to throw them off of our trail, now is the time.

[ ... This is new. ]

What did you have in mind?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject