Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[nostalgiabomb]

I'm just finding it difficult to believe, that's all. If I had any abilities, I'd think they would've manifested by now, in some way.

... Tonight's events withstanding.

[phaselocknroll]

Maybe they have, but subtly. Or in situations where you haven't had time to consider what just happened and why.

Or perhaps you're just a late bloomer.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He sighs -- clearly they're at an impasse with this argument. ]

Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that I've never knowingly done anything magical, aside from break you out of the relic -- and even that was still an accident.

[phaselocknroll]

[ Clearly, but now she's at least got him thinking about it. ]

Accident or no, I am grateful.

[nostalgiabomb]

Still an accident, but if I had known your situation-- [ He glances over at her, looking thoughtful. ] Well. Twenty-something years being stuck somewhere you don't want to be is shitty.

[phaselocknroll]

I'm guessing you can empathize.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He shrugs. ] Ravager for twenty-six years.

[phaselocknroll]

That is a long time to be stuck somewhere you don't want to be.

But the fact that you would have been willing to free me based on my circumstances alone is-- I appreciate it. Truly.

[nostalgiabomb]

Well, it's probably for the best to get the powerful Siren on your side. At the very least I probably could've asked you for a quick favor.

[phaselocknroll]

What sort of favor?

[nostalgiabomb]

Practical jokes. Scare some of the Ravagers shitless. Nothing that'd warrant you taking time off my life, probably.

[phaselocknroll]

You're miserable enough to want them all dead, but you'd ask me to just play some practical jokes?

[nostalgiabomb]

No, I was just joking around. I'd probably still ask you to help me kill them. [ He says it lightly. ]

[phaselocknroll]

Well, I'm glad we cleared that up.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He laughs a little at that before lapsing into silence for a few seconds. ]

Can't remember if it was your turn or mine.

[phaselocknroll]

I think it was mine, but I've run out of questions to ask. You can go ahead.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He looks thoughtful, then, ] Well, you can apparently control minds and capture people in-- some sort of void thing. And you're a healer. Any other cool tricks I'm missing?

[phaselocknroll]

My own speed and strength are above that of the average human, but I have the ability to boost yours as well. I have some elemental spells pertaining to fire and corrosion, mostly.

Also this.

[ There's a flash of light at her back, and a pair of wings appear. They're an interesting combination of bright orange flame and dripping green acid. She hovers a few inches off the ground. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ For a long while, he just stares, caught somewhere between impressed and intimidated. When he finally lets out his breath, he blinks before looking directly at her. ]

That's-- seriously amazing.

[phaselocknroll]

That's kind of you to say.

[ he lighting is strange, thanks to her wings, so he probably can't see the hint of color that touches her cheeks. But her expression definitely says that she doesn't get compliments like that often. Or ever. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Old habits die hard with Peter -- after all, living a life being told that magic was terribly dangerous and not to be trusted meant that he would be slow to trust a being known for her arcane powers; it's only because of this that he's watching her with sharp eyes (and though he wouldn't say so, instinctively he's looking for signs of foul play), and that's how he catches the look on her face. Something-- shy? Surprised? It's the look of someone who doesn't expect praise, certainly.

It's-- oddly human.

His eyes flick down to his feet, ostensibly to better pick out the path, but it's mostly to hide his fleeting look of embarrassment. Embarrassment for what, though, it's hard for him to say. Maybe he feels silly for projecting humanity onto a deadly Siren who burned a man to death earlier tonight through sheer force of will, and who, after a month, will start taking time off of his life. He thinks he can trust her, considering their contract, but Peter doesn't trust anyone. Not anymore.

When he schools his expression into something more neutral, he picks up the conversation again. ]

Tell me about the last guy. Sophis.

[phaselocknroll]

Sophis?

[ She says it as she drops to the ground, wings vanishing. That wasn't a question she expected, and it shows in the way she blinks at him a couple of times, unsure of how to proceed. ]

... There are many things I could say about him, and none of them kind.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter shrugs at that, the motion conveying both, "I've been there," and, "That's fine with me." ]

Not like I knew the man. How 'bout start with what he wanted? I mean, you knew I wanted to be-- powerful. [ He hesitates at the word, because aloud it sounds silly. ] What about him?

[phaselocknroll]

I think control was what he desired most. The Order keeps the little towns near the abbey on a very tight leash, demanding a tithe in exchange for "protection". Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a desire for the throne, but for my part I just helped to keep the "nonbelievers" in line.

Honestly and truly? I hated him. I was a tool, meant to be seen and not heard. He had no room for my advice and no desire for companionship. But a contract was a contract- he had summoned me, after all- and I could not negate our deal myself.

In the end, I'm glad his hubris allowed me to be rid of him.

[nostalgiabomb]

Sounds like a fun guy, like he'd probably be great at parties.

It's too bad he's dead.