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[Eased down crossed-legged in front of his brother, he almost expected the usual green smoke of the ichor to come between them and tie their minds, as was the most common magic he had seen with the Nightsisters. Their bloodtypes matched, so perhaps they could pull something off, though the Force was usually unseen by those who didn't know how to sense its presence.
While he stayed still, his apprehension remained. He trusted his brother implicitly, but a part of him was concerned that Maul being in there would somehow find him lacking. After all, he knew his brother well enough to know Maul would go poking around with the opportunity. Would it hurt? Would he have any power to stop it if it went too far?
He experienced a soft warmth of his brother being in his mind down the connection they had developed. Maul felt confident but jagged in his mind, though some of the rough edges had been smoothed since Deerington and in Trench with experience and exposure to others. While he was good at keeping his emotions in check, in his mind, they were like a strong tide that could sweep up and swallow him in a moment's notice. Underneath it all, there was the most subtle and delicate of ichor staining everything he was. Mother Talzin was a skilled witch, so she buried much of her interwoven spell very deep indeed.
But Savage was far more preoccupied with the memory as it felt like it was playing out in real time in his mind, like watching extremely old security footage. He was struck how close they had been back then, how loyal Maul was to urging him up and getting him going, letting him keep up as the trotted to the Nightbrother village. Life for kits was easier than older boys sometimes because playing and some training was all that was expected of them.
He was smaller than many of the other kits his age, but he wrestled until his energy ran out to not let Maul down. They were brothers, helped each other out in the games they played together under the hazy periphery of adult observation. He ensured Maul had fun as much as Maul ensured he did in their day of fun and exploration. His cough forced him to sit a few times, and there was a wheeze to his breath by the end of the day, but he could feel how happy he had been.
He latched onto the memory because he quite honestly had none of his own when he was so young and feeble. He was also struck how much things would have been different if Maul had never been taken away. His brother would have risen so quickly to clan leader, probably even been considered to replace Viscious.
He breathed a sigh from his nose and reached out along their connection with fumbling attempts to be gentle about it. Would Maul let him return the favour?]
While he stayed still, his apprehension remained. He trusted his brother implicitly, but a part of him was concerned that Maul being in there would somehow find him lacking. After all, he knew his brother well enough to know Maul would go poking around with the opportunity. Would it hurt? Would he have any power to stop it if it went too far?
He experienced a soft warmth of his brother being in his mind down the connection they had developed. Maul felt confident but jagged in his mind, though some of the rough edges had been smoothed since Deerington and in Trench with experience and exposure to others. While he was good at keeping his emotions in check, in his mind, they were like a strong tide that could sweep up and swallow him in a moment's notice. Underneath it all, there was the most subtle and delicate of ichor staining everything he was. Mother Talzin was a skilled witch, so she buried much of her interwoven spell very deep indeed.
But Savage was far more preoccupied with the memory as it felt like it was playing out in real time in his mind, like watching extremely old security footage. He was struck how close they had been back then, how loyal Maul was to urging him up and getting him going, letting him keep up as the trotted to the Nightbrother village. Life for kits was easier than older boys sometimes because playing and some training was all that was expected of them.
He was smaller than many of the other kits his age, but he wrestled until his energy ran out to not let Maul down. They were brothers, helped each other out in the games they played together under the hazy periphery of adult observation. He ensured Maul had fun as much as Maul ensured he did in their day of fun and exploration. His cough forced him to sit a few times, and there was a wheeze to his breath by the end of the day, but he could feel how happy he had been.
He latched onto the memory because he quite honestly had none of his own when he was so young and feeble. He was also struck how much things would have been different if Maul had never been taken away. His brother would have risen so quickly to clan leader, probably even been considered to replace Viscious.
He breathed a sigh from his nose and reached out along their connection with fumbling attempts to be gentle about it. Would Maul let him return the favour?]
They probably enjoy some entertainment of petty drama that humans have with each other. [And Maul. He expected that his brother threw enough drama around to keep the pseudo-gods suitably entertained, not that he'd say that out loud.] Or perhaps they seek to improve on human design, what with everyone here having been changed.
He shrugged his broad shoulders to the explanation. He and Maul had a bond that went well beyond whatever this place had to offer, which was why he had never demanded one of his brother. Sometimes Maul could be prickly about getting close, though that barrier had been broken down almost completely these days. He supposed the death of everyone his brother considered important would do that.
He watched Maul gather everything necessary without actually making any effort to help. He hadn't looked into the ceremony as he hadn't cared enough about it. What could be stronger than the Force bond and that he and Maul were brothers by blood anyway? He at least followed his brother here and there to remain curious of the process.
He raised a brow at the mention of blood and looked at his bare palm.]
That's going to be complicated, since my blood comes out like the Ichor of Dathomir. [In no world did that mean he would deny Maul. Just that it would be complicated getting his blood in there.]
He shrugged his broad shoulders to the explanation. He and Maul had a bond that went well beyond whatever this place had to offer, which was why he had never demanded one of his brother. Sometimes Maul could be prickly about getting close, though that barrier had been broken down almost completely these days. He supposed the death of everyone his brother considered important would do that.
He watched Maul gather everything necessary without actually making any effort to help. He hadn't looked into the ceremony as he hadn't cared enough about it. What could be stronger than the Force bond and that he and Maul were brothers by blood anyway? He at least followed his brother here and there to remain curious of the process.
He raised a brow at the mention of blood and looked at his bare palm.]
That's going to be complicated, since my blood comes out like the Ichor of Dathomir. [In no world did that mean he would deny Maul. Just that it would be complicated getting his blood in there.]
You have revival magics in your world? Death is always the entity that so many fight against but have no ability to master. [Which made Trench rather confusing. He still existed as if he only had one life, and he wasn't keen to die again.
Ah yes, Willow and all her friends. She seemed to have a lot of them, which was - as far as he was concerned - a very human trait. They liked the company of others and trusted far too deeply to be healthy.]
So you don't want me to fight your friends, right?
Ah yes, Willow and all her friends. She seemed to have a lot of them, which was - as far as he was concerned - a very human trait. They liked the company of others and trusted far too deeply to be healthy.]
So you don't want me to fight your friends, right?
Well, we do... but that's not what happened to Buffy then.
[Not that time anyway, but that is a story for another time.]
This was just good old fashioned first aid. Our friend got her back with CPR, but her heart had stopped and she wasn't breathing, so she was technically dead, and that was enough, apparently.
[And yes, she is attached to her friends, and does not want them hurt. Including Savage.]
Yeah, I'd rather you didn't. I mean, that's not something that sounds likely to end well for anyone.
[Not that time anyway, but that is a story for another time.]
This was just good old fashioned first aid. Our friend got her back with CPR, but her heart had stopped and she wasn't breathing, so she was technically dead, and that was enough, apparently.
[And yes, she is attached to her friends, and does not want them hurt. Including Savage.]
Yeah, I'd rather you didn't. I mean, that's not something that sounds likely to end well for anyone.
Ah, basic healing techniques. Those worked and she was normal after?
[He had seen such techniques for kits that had drowned particularly, but they were never seemingly quite right after the fact if enough time had passed. It wasn't call CPR on his planet, but he knew what she meant based on the description of the ailment.
It wasn't a surprise that she didn't want him to fight her friends, what with her being mostly peaceful and such.]
Sparring doesn't end with death.
[He had seen such techniques for kits that had drowned particularly, but they were never seemingly quite right after the fact if enough time had passed. It wasn't call CPR on his planet, but he knew what she meant based on the description of the ailment.
It wasn't a surprise that she didn't want him to fight her friends, what with her being mostly peaceful and such.]
Sparring doesn't end with death.
Yeah, she was. It was rough for awhile, but it worked out.
[It's said with a nod. The death had been traumatic, of course, but Buffy had recovered well from it in the end. Nothing Willow would consider out of the norm, especially not after her time between Deerington and Trench.]
Yeah, I mean, if you want to spar with her, you could ask her, I guess.
[It's said with a nod. The death had been traumatic, of course, but Buffy had recovered well from it in the end. Nothing Willow would consider out of the norm, especially not after her time between Deerington and Trench.]
Yeah, I mean, if you want to spar with her, you could ask her, I guess.
I suppose your world better off for having two slayers.
[As far as he was concerned, every world would be better off with more warriors. If anything, if these slayers were god-touched, they could be a challenge to fight.
However, he wasn't in the mood to making Willow angry because he had a curiosity of fighting. It wasn't worth his time at this point, though sparring with set rules seemed to be on the table. He'd consider it.]
I could, yes. Different fighting styles improve everyone all around.
[As far as he was concerned, every world would be better off with more warriors. If anything, if these slayers were god-touched, they could be a challenge to fight.
However, he wasn't in the mood to making Willow angry because he had a curiosity of fighting. It wasn't worth his time at this point, though sparring with set rules seemed to be on the table. He'd consider it.]
I could, yes. Different fighting styles improve everyone all around.
[It's a long story, and a lot of it isn't Willow's to share. It's up to Faith to decide who she wants to know about her alliance with the Mayor.]
Yeah. I mean, granted it's a big wide world out there. Lots of space for more than one Slayer to fight evil in their own way, right?
[She nods. It's a fair point. There's probably plenty Faith and Savage could learn from sparring with each other.]
It probably wouldn't hurt to ask her, sure.
Yeah. I mean, granted it's a big wide world out there. Lots of space for more than one Slayer to fight evil in their own way, right?
[She nods. It's a fair point. There's probably plenty Faith and Savage could learn from sparring with each other.]
It probably wouldn't hurt to ask her, sure.
[He was still debatable about the notion of good and evil. They had similar representation when it came to light and dark sides of the Force, but both had a place in culture and life in general. As a Dark Side user, he would be considered evil he supposed.]
It seems that way. There is a place for that evil too, I expect. How do the people of the light expect to be their best without it to fight against?
[He nodded his head. He'd consider it.]
Fine. I will later.
It seems that way. There is a place for that evil too, I expect. How do the people of the light expect to be their best without it to fight against?
[He nodded his head. He'd consider it.]
Fine. I will later.
[ A hefty package has been left at Savage's residence addressed to him. It contains a mismatched collection of scrap metal, wires, tubing, mesh, saw blades, and miscellaneous other parts — including actual blades for the teeth — that have been carefully constructed and welded together into the form of an anglerfish. Despite the scavenged nature of the materials, there's a fairly high degree of craftsmanship involved; it's surprisingly symmetrical and sturdy. It could easily withstand, say, being used as a literal weapon. The included note reads:
Savage—
I've been making sculptures out of scrap metal and thought you might like this one. It's based off a type of carnivorous fish known for their fearsome appearance.
—K ]
Savage—
I've been making sculptures out of scrap metal and thought you might like this one. It's based off a type of carnivorous fish known for their fearsome appearance.
—K ]
[Savage wasn't used to receiving gifts, let alone gifts from near random strangers. He was careful in opening the package, expecting it to be dangerous. Then he discovered what it was, and he spent a good hour looking over the entire sculpture from tooth to fin.
It was impressive. It reminded him of the kind things Dirk might do, but the note clearly said it was from the droid.]
It's hideous and dangerous looking. I like it.
[It was definitely getting a place where everyone could see it.]
Someone I used to know could do similar work. Did you know Dirk before he left?
It was impressive. It reminded him of the kind things Dirk might do, but the note clearly said it was from the droid.]
It's hideous and dangerous looking. I like it.
[It was definitely getting a place where everyone could see it.]
Someone I used to know could do similar work. Did you know Dirk before he left?
[ Considering what the sculpture is of, hideous is a compliment, really. It's absolutely meant to look that way. So K considers this a success. ]
I'm pleased you like it.
[ The mention of Dirk after all this time is... surprising, in a bittersweet way. It catches him off guard, enough for there to be a noticeable pause before he answers. ] I did. We were close. [ That's one way to put it. There's a faint note of amusement in his voice as he realises: ] It does kind of look like his aesthetic, now that you mention it.
[ An unintentional similarity, but he could see it. Especially with all the blades. ]
I'm pleased you like it.
[ The mention of Dirk after all this time is... surprising, in a bittersweet way. It catches him off guard, enough for there to be a noticeable pause before he answers. ] I did. We were close. [ That's one way to put it. There's a faint note of amusement in his voice as he realises: ] It does kind of look like his aesthetic, now that you mention it.
[ An unintentional similarity, but he could see it. Especially with all the blades. ]
What would you have done if I hadn't liked it?
[With K not being human, he couldn't quite guess what a lukewarm reception would be. Take it back? Just accept it? Gifts happened in his culture, and this was right in that wheelhouse too.
Given Dirk's personality, he wasn't surprised to hear that he had been well-known around the city. There was something in the pause though which piqued his interest.] Close? Was he in your bed? [He didn't care to ask invasive questions sometimes. He knew he hadn't been the only one, though he had never cared for who Dirk kept the company of.]
He would have added more sex jokes with it.
[With K not being human, he couldn't quite guess what a lukewarm reception would be. Take it back? Just accept it? Gifts happened in his culture, and this was right in that wheelhouse too.
Given Dirk's personality, he wasn't surprised to hear that he had been well-known around the city. There was something in the pause though which piqued his interest.] Close? Was he in your bed? [He didn't care to ask invasive questions sometimes. He knew he hadn't been the only one, though he had never cared for who Dirk kept the company of.]
He would have added more sex jokes with it.
Been disappointed, I suppose. And not surprised by your honesty. [ Because Savage has never struck him as the type to spare anyone's feelings for any reason.
The other question... Considering how Dirk had behaved with everyone, it's an understandable conclusion that that may've been the only kind of "closeness" he was capable of.
After all the heart to hearts he and Dirk had about mutually not wanting to be anyone's dirty secret, and about respecting each other, it's surprising Dirk had never mentioned him to Savage at all. K's left to assume he'd had his reasons. Not like he can ask him now. ]
That's a rather personal question. [ Instead of being flustered, though, he redirects the proverbial spotlight onto Savage. ] No one but my friends have ever expressed an interest in my love life. [ A beat. ] Does this mean we're friends?
The other question... Considering how Dirk had behaved with everyone, it's an understandable conclusion that that may've been the only kind of "closeness" he was capable of.
After all the heart to hearts he and Dirk had about mutually not wanting to be anyone's dirty secret, and about respecting each other, it's surprising Dirk had never mentioned him to Savage at all. K's left to assume he'd had his reasons. Not like he can ask him now. ]
That's a rather personal question. [ Instead of being flustered, though, he redirects the proverbial spotlight onto Savage. ] No one but my friends have ever expressed an interest in my love life. [ A beat. ] Does this mean we're friends?
It makes no sense to lie as far as I'm concerned. It would cheapen the gesture if I faked it. [There were certain aspects of his life that he had once lied about to protect his little brother Feral, but that no longer needed to be the case.
Dirk had been an interesting one, outrageous personality and straight forward. They had had some very serious conversations where he had admitted things that he hadn't even told Maul. He wouldn't call them friends, but their association had been pleasurable on multiple fronts. If Dirk could manage such a connection with him, he assumed it wasn't just about sex with anyone else that the blond would have a go with.
He had never asked about Dirk's other associates, and Dirk had not brought it up. He had seen now and again how people reacted to Dirk on the network though.]
The fact you call it a love life is indication enough of what your association had been. [Not just sex then. An emotional connection.] Why would you want to be friends with someone like me? That's not something my species does well.
Dirk had been an interesting one, outrageous personality and straight forward. They had had some very serious conversations where he had admitted things that he hadn't even told Maul. He wouldn't call them friends, but their association had been pleasurable on multiple fronts. If Dirk could manage such a connection with him, he assumed it wasn't just about sex with anyone else that the blond would have a go with.
He had never asked about Dirk's other associates, and Dirk had not brought it up. He had seen now and again how people reacted to Dirk on the network though.]
The fact you call it a love life is indication enough of what your association had been. [Not just sex then. An emotional connection.] Why would you want to be friends with someone like me? That's not something my species does well.
[ A conclusion K won't confirm or deny right now, because there isn't really a reason to. If he thought there was even the barest chance in hell Dirk would return to Trench, he'd lay out the full truth so Savage could finally really understand the situation... the situation that Dirk should have respected them both enough to have explained himself, probably, but—
But Dirk's gone for good. K knows it with the certainty of someone who's lost nearly every last person he's ever been close with. They never come back. It seems best to let the past remain the past, regardless of whether there's any real chance for a friendship with Savage. And he's sort of hoping there is. ]
Same thing's said about my kind. Mainly by humans, mind you, who think they know everything. Hasn't stopped me from having friends.
[ As for why he'd want to... ]
I like your honesty. I like our conversations. I think I'd like being your friend. [ No point being coy about it. ]
But Dirk's gone for good. K knows it with the certainty of someone who's lost nearly every last person he's ever been close with. They never come back. It seems best to let the past remain the past, regardless of whether there's any real chance for a friendship with Savage. And he's sort of hoping there is. ]
Same thing's said about my kind. Mainly by humans, mind you, who think they know everything. Hasn't stopped me from having friends.
[ As for why he'd want to... ]
I like your honesty. I like our conversations. I think I'd like being your friend. [ No point being coy about it. ]
[The fact that K didn't divulge any more than his guess on their association was questionable as best, but he didn't care to quest further for answers. It made sense why Dirk had stopped coming around and ended things between them if K had developed something far more solid. It was more than he could give, more than he even considered giving to someone else.
His was a society built on hardship where close associates came and went without too much risk of emotional attachment. They had a good time and Nightbrothers fought for each other if they had something to lose, but it was a risk that few took. A Nightsister or any number of creature on their planet could snatch away what they had in an instant after all. So Dirk just breaking it off was something he had no problem accepting as what it was.
He assumed it meant that K had been hit harder when Dirk had left anyway. Probably one of the many reasons not to speak further on the subject.]
Humans gave you the capacity to mimic emotions for their benefit, but from what you've said, they seem to forget that means you have the capacity for emotional attachment. [Some humans liked to forget a lot of what their designs yielded. He never understood the hatred of the droids; they were stupid but followed orders.
He issue a low snort from his nose, a noise of suspicious disbelief.] Are you certain you don't have a few loose circuits? Nightbrothers aren't supposed to have friends, so... [Well, here goes then.] So I never learned how to let it happen.
[That was the barebones of it. He had been around long enough to understand friendship, but after a life of refusing to form one, it was tough to get over the hurdle to accepting his need for associates that actually wanted to be around him.]
His was a society built on hardship where close associates came and went without too much risk of emotional attachment. They had a good time and Nightbrothers fought for each other if they had something to lose, but it was a risk that few took. A Nightsister or any number of creature on their planet could snatch away what they had in an instant after all. So Dirk just breaking it off was something he had no problem accepting as what it was.
He assumed it meant that K had been hit harder when Dirk had left anyway. Probably one of the many reasons not to speak further on the subject.]
Humans gave you the capacity to mimic emotions for their benefit, but from what you've said, they seem to forget that means you have the capacity for emotional attachment. [Some humans liked to forget a lot of what their designs yielded. He never understood the hatred of the droids; they were stupid but followed orders.
He issue a low snort from his nose, a noise of suspicious disbelief.] Are you certain you don't have a few loose circuits? Nightbrothers aren't supposed to have friends, so... [Well, here goes then.] So I never learned how to let it happen.
[That was the barebones of it. He had been around long enough to understand friendship, but after a life of refusing to form one, it was tough to get over the hurdle to accepting his need for associates that actually wanted to be around him.]
Forget or simply don't care, either's as likely as the other. Not to mention their habitual lack of foresight.
[ The circuits remark gets a quiet sound of amusement from him. It's nice having his identity acknowledged, even with the sarcasm. ] Entirely possible. Don't think there's anyone here who knows enough to help with my maintenance now. Dirk was the last.
[ ... okay, so some confirmation that Dirk was more than just a "good time" to him. It's not that he even minds Savage knowing, but more that he doesn't think Savage would care for the sentimental details at this point. Or possibly ever. But who knows.
He can certainly relate to not knowing how to have friends, as well as being socialised to avoid forming such connections with others. Attachments could "compromise" the integrity of an android's programming in ways their human masters disapprove of, which would invariably result in termination in his home universe. But he's been free of that threat for several years now, and it's allowed him to develop far beyond his original programming. To where he's now willingly offering friendship to someone whom most would probably never consider — the close association with Maul likely doesn't help matters... How many have ever even tried having a real conversation with Savage, he wonders. ]
So you'll be starting from scratch. But it isn't impossible to learn these things. [ A pause. ] Do you want to have a friend? I think that's a good place to start, since friendship has to be mutual to work.
[ The circuits remark gets a quiet sound of amusement from him. It's nice having his identity acknowledged, even with the sarcasm. ] Entirely possible. Don't think there's anyone here who knows enough to help with my maintenance now. Dirk was the last.
[ ... okay, so some confirmation that Dirk was more than just a "good time" to him. It's not that he even minds Savage knowing, but more that he doesn't think Savage would care for the sentimental details at this point. Or possibly ever. But who knows.
He can certainly relate to not knowing how to have friends, as well as being socialised to avoid forming such connections with others. Attachments could "compromise" the integrity of an android's programming in ways their human masters disapprove of, which would invariably result in termination in his home universe. But he's been free of that threat for several years now, and it's allowed him to develop far beyond his original programming. To where he's now willingly offering friendship to someone whom most would probably never consider — the close association with Maul likely doesn't help matters... How many have ever even tried having a real conversation with Savage, he wonders. ]
So you'll be starting from scratch. But it isn't impossible to learn these things. [ A pause. ] Do you want to have a friend? I think that's a good place to start, since friendship has to be mutual to work.
Humans seem particularly arrogant and narcissitic in your world. They are restricted to a single planet, yes?
[Savage made a noise at the admittance, and it seemed to solidify many of the unanswered aspects of Dirk's relations with others. The young human had been quite a prodigy when it came to mechanics, but such skills were common enough where he was from. He knew the basics, but there were others.]
There are a few from where I'm from who have good and even excellent mechanical maintenance skills. You would have to trust them enough to get close. [Or perhaps K had already found someone else; he'd leave the option open.
He shook his head a little, sensing that K might be one to understand what others didn't seem to be able to grasp. Even his brother pushed at him to form attachments and connections on a level that would be considered friendship, assuming that it would help with his disposition and ability to fit in. Maul clearly forgot that the more connections made, the more there was to lose when thing inevitably turned to war.]
I don't know. I've never considered a close connection outside of my own species. It's forbidden. We serve only. [Which made it difficult to know what he wanted when he didn't know what it was he was missing out.] Is friendship worth what it will cost?
[Savage made a noise at the admittance, and it seemed to solidify many of the unanswered aspects of Dirk's relations with others. The young human had been quite a prodigy when it came to mechanics, but such skills were common enough where he was from. He knew the basics, but there were others.]
There are a few from where I'm from who have good and even excellent mechanical maintenance skills. You would have to trust them enough to get close. [Or perhaps K had already found someone else; he'd leave the option open.
He shook his head a little, sensing that K might be one to understand what others didn't seem to be able to grasp. Even his brother pushed at him to form attachments and connections on a level that would be considered friendship, assuming that it would help with his disposition and ability to fit in. Maul clearly forgot that the more connections made, the more there was to lose when thing inevitably turned to war.]
I don't know. I've never considered a close connection outside of my own species. It's forbidden. We serve only. [Which made it difficult to know what he wanted when he didn't know what it was he was missing out.] Is friendship worth what it will cost?
[Between being dead herself, the burning of the house, and the death of several of her friends, it takes Willow a little while to recover enough to reach out to the people she's harmed. Genuine apologies rarely come easy, and under the circumstances, an apology alone doesn't feel like it's nearly enough to even begin to make up for what she's done.
Still, it's all she has.
In the early days of August, she reaches out to Savage, after the chaos of July has settled, and all that's left is to try to put the pieces back together after the fallout. She would have gone in person, but she's already died once, and come close a second time.
She doesn't really expect either of them to forgive her.]
Hey. Savage. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to get in touch. Things have been... Well, it doesn't matter. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. About you, and Maul, and everything. I didn't - I wasn't myself. I wasn't in my right head.
[She lets out a quiet sigh.]
I know it doesn't undo anything - it doesn't even make it better, but I still wanted you to know.
I really am sorry.
Still, it's all she has.
In the early days of August, she reaches out to Savage, after the chaos of July has settled, and all that's left is to try to put the pieces back together after the fallout. She would have gone in person, but she's already died once, and come close a second time.
She doesn't really expect either of them to forgive her.]
Hey. Savage. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to get in touch. Things have been... Well, it doesn't matter. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. About you, and Maul, and everything. I didn't - I wasn't myself. I wasn't in my right head.
[She lets out a quiet sigh.]
I know it doesn't undo anything - it doesn't even make it better, but I still wanted you to know.
I really am sorry.
[It had gone quite some time between his and Maul's death and this that he had expected nothing close to an apology. He had moved on with his existence, struggling in his own way, but hearing Willow's voice stirred a festering rage at the situation. It wasn't as hot of an anger as it had been under the influence of The Reckoning though.
So he was silent for a time as he considered her apology, aware that she hadn't been herself at the time. His brothers need for revenge influenced some of his own feelings on the matter, and forgiveness was not something Nightbrothers were known for either.
Then he issued a low growl from his throat.]
I was beginning to trust you. [Which was a huge statement coming from him, admitting what he felt openly to anyone.] Killing me was one thing, but torturing my brother is another. You drove him insane and nearly me as well for a time. [The emotional blood bond had messed him up badly.]
You have many allies and friends. Go back to them.
So he was silent for a time as he considered her apology, aware that she hadn't been herself at the time. His brothers need for revenge influenced some of his own feelings on the matter, and forgiveness was not something Nightbrothers were known for either.
Then he issued a low growl from his throat.]
I was beginning to trust you. [Which was a huge statement coming from him, admitting what he felt openly to anyone.] Killing me was one thing, but torturing my brother is another. You drove him insane and nearly me as well for a time. [The emotional blood bond had messed him up badly.]
You have many allies and friends. Go back to them.
[She hadn't genuinely expected him to forgive her. She certainly doesn't feel deserving of it either, but it still stings, especially when he says he was beginning to trust her.
Faith's words come echoing back to her from Luna's brush with beasthood.
You don't get to choose how people react to the things you did.
There doesn't seem much point in trying to explain what happened, so instead she just gives a small nod in understanding.]
I get it. I just... thought you deserved to know I didn't want any of this to happen. Don't worry. I won't bother you again.
Faith's words come echoing back to her from Luna's brush with beasthood.
You don't get to choose how people react to the things you did.
There doesn't seem much point in trying to explain what happened, so instead she just gives a small nod in understanding.]
I get it. I just... thought you deserved to know I didn't want any of this to happen. Don't worry. I won't bother you again.
[He might be angry, and he also might be used to being betrayed or forced into a position of betrayal. He also liked to think he had spent enough time with Willow to know when she was trying to deceive him.
Her entire bearing was more what he was used to when compared to the encounter between her and Faith. So her life being turned upside down had obviously returned her to some sense of normalcy.]
I know you didn't.
[He'd give her that much. He'd seen corruption and felt his brother's insanity. He didn't believe she had been spared of either.]
Who cursed you?
Her entire bearing was more what he was used to when compared to the encounter between her and Faith. So her life being turned upside down had obviously returned her to some sense of normalcy.]
I know you didn't.
[He'd give her that much. He'd seen corruption and felt his brother's insanity. He didn't believe she had been spared of either.]
Who cursed you?
[He doesn't disconnect. She had fully expected him to. She had fully expected he wouldn't want anything more to do with her, and she would have understood and accepted it. Some things are unfixable. Some things can't be taken back.
The acknowledgement that he knows she didn't want this to happen is something of a comfort.]
I - I don't think it was something someone did to me, so much as something that... happened, if that makes sense? I mean, John - that necromancer guy - he made it way worse. But at first, at least, he was trying to help. I asked him to help me find a way to stop turning into a wolf when I went to sleep.
[She sighs unhappily.]
After what I did to you - I didn't want to hurt anyone else. So much for that, huh?
The acknowledgement that he knows she didn't want this to happen is something of a comfort.]
I - I don't think it was something someone did to me, so much as something that... happened, if that makes sense? I mean, John - that necromancer guy - he made it way worse. But at first, at least, he was trying to help. I asked him to help me find a way to stop turning into a wolf when I went to sleep.
[She sighs unhappily.]
After what I did to you - I didn't want to hurt anyone else. So much for that, huh?
[He had heard of the necromancer guy from his brother who had sought some revenge on the man. It apparently hadn't gone well and the manipulations described were enough that it made him think of his first Master.]
Why would you want to stop that? You are no more vulnerable in such a state.
[He should know, since she had turned him into one for a night. It had been an odd rare freedom to just exist after all, so he hadn't considered it much of a curse until he was trying to open doors.]
You made a bigger mess of things trying to end a small problem.
Why would you want to stop that? You are no more vulnerable in such a state.
[He should know, since she had turned him into one for a night. It had been an odd rare freedom to just exist after all, so he hadn't considered it much of a curse until he was trying to open doors.]
You made a bigger mess of things trying to end a small problem.
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