Inbox (Deer Country)

[opress]

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[frogfear]

[It's no surprise to her that Savage doesn't understand why she wanted to stop so badly, this curse that she never wanted and never asked for. She is not vulnerable, if anything, she is more able to protect herself given she can move much faster on four legs than two, her senses are stronger to help her avoid danger, and she has an impressive set of teeth to defend herself with.]

Because I was afraid someone else would get hurt, or killed. I was scared of losing control. Especially after biting you.

[It comes out sounding a little bitter, especially since he's already pointed out he's well aware she's made things worse. The irony is not lost on her, and she realizes she should offer further explanation.]

Wolfwalking is kind of like werewolves at home a little bit. You get bit, it happens to you too, except it's just at the full moon and the two nights surrounding it. But when you turn, you don't remember anything. You're just... gone. So the monster that's actually you runs around at night, attacking people and sometimes killing them.

[So, exactly what happened in spite of her best efforts.]

If I knew what his 'cures' were doing, I would've stopped him.

[opress]

[The curse had been different in a way for him. He didn't live it every night for one, and he also wasn't afraid of violence and killing to eat or infect someone else. That just wasn't a fact of his life that he would ever shy away from because it generally never affected the few parts of it that he considered important.]

We aren't in control of much in this place. And it still can be stolen from us.

[Maybe he missed the point, which was likely. He understood he was much more cut and dry than most of the species that happened to be here, so subtleties often went right over his head.

Yet, when she explained a little more the experience that she endured, he did understand the horror of it and even could consider why it would be wise to remove the curse. He was still angry with her for what she had done to Maul, but he had calmed down enough to get harbor his resentment rather than strike out like his brother would.]

So you don't even get the benefit of learning from experiences and honing your skills. [Wrong track to take, but hey, he tried.] So his attempts to cure you pushed you into a state of corruption then? And you're still a wolf every night?

[frogfear]

[Savage's words about control, and how easily Trench can steal it away brings a faint hint of a smile at the understanding he offers. For all he claims he isn't as smart as his brother, Willow has seen plenty of evidence to the contrary.

She absolutely does find it a frightening prospect to not be in control of herself. Especially when there's such potential for the consequences to be so extreme.

The smile fades again, though, moments later as he continues. Ah. That's not exactly the point she was going for, but she's well aware Savage does not have the same inhibitions as she does when it comes to violence.]

Well... It's less about learning from it, and more having to be afraid of hurting people - of cursing them too. I mean, at home, I dated someone who was a werewolf, and three nights of the month, if he wasn't locked up, he would've killed me too. So you don't even recognize the people you love when you're... you know. Like that.

[She takes a deep breath. Had he heard that she had been killed? She's not sure, but she suspects he might not have. She's not sure if Maul knows either.]

He stopped it for a little while. After Faith... stopped me, though, and I came back, I'm just back to me again. Nightly four legged walkabouts and all.

[opress]

[Aside from his brother, Savage never cared much when it came to hurting people. Even then, he and Maul fought and played rough so injury was always likely and it was usually him. He accepted it as the way that things were, so it was very foreign to him that someone would be so concerned about hurting random strangers.

He had an easy grasp about hurting those he cared about; he had seen the consequences of a lack of control when it came to Feral's life. It was a wound he carried silently, but he also understood that there was no scenario in which his younger brother survived either. The Nightsister despised weakness and Feral was a roadblock to him being used as a tool elsewhere.]

In that form, your sense of smell was so powerful. Can you not surround yourself with the scent of those you care for to force a sense of familiarity on your wolf brain? [He might not have recognized Maul as kin in that form, but there had been an odd familiarity to the scents of the house before he fled to roam the night.] Or is your control so lacking that imprinting smells won't help steer you away from those you care about?

[He might be angry about the whole attack in the park, but he wasn't nearly as vengeful as his brother. He could still have a conversation he realized. That was odd. He supposed her agony over what had happened helped assuage his bruised feelings.]

You died. Rampages tend to end with death in this place. So you are no better than when you started.

[frogfear]

[Their different views on violence feels as strange to her as it likely does him, even though she's known him more than long enough to grow accustomed to the idea that there are significant differences between their cultures that sometimes become glaringly obvious.]

I mean. It's easier here, in some ways. It's different. I'm still me when at home I wouldn't be, I don't think. It's just... it's confusing sometimes, because my senses are really different when I'm wolfy, and kind of overwhelming. It's kind of like...

[She pauses, trying to come up with the right analogy to describe it, but it's difficult. Wolfwalking is a far different scenario than she ever thought she would find herself in.]

It's kind of like being in a crowded room, and everyone's talking all at once, so it's really hard to hear what anyone is really saying. Kind of like, information overload, I guess? Besides, you said it yourself - there's always a risk of what little control we have in this place being stolen away from us.

[She dips her head when he says she's no better off than she was before, and lets out a sigh.]

Yeah. I know. If anything, it just made things worse. I died, the house got burned down. Ozpin was killed. Faith was killed. I got shot. And there's no telling who else is going to come knocking, looking for a piece of the vengeance pie.

Apologies for the delay! I didn't get the notif from dw

[opress]

[It seemed that things were always different from their own worlds to some of the situations that they found themselves in here. It was probably for the best, since they were a relatively small group (when compared to the galaxy) and seemed to suffer as much here as they would on Dathomir. Perhaps some wheren't used to the constant suffering and the risk and reward choices that had to come with it.]

So you do the best you can with the overwhelming stimulus but live in fear while in your human form.

[It sounded like she should just lock herself up somewhere every night and pace the room. There would likely be just as many other consequences to the suggestion though. So he mulled it over rather than speaking it aloud.]

Revenge is a common symptoms of wrongs. You'll have to endure or you'll have to fight back. Your choice on where you stand.

[He could already tell where she stood. When she wasn't killing him with his own weapons, she was one of the nicer humans that he had met.]

All good! August kind of got away from me anyway

[frogfear]

Yeah. Well. Sort of, I guess. I mean, I thought I had a solution for it, so way less fear. Now... I don't know. I mean, I lived with it for, like, six months before Maul killed me and no one got hurt. I guess I'll figure it out again.

[She had tried after Maul had threatened her, to just stay in, but it was too easy to become restless and the urge to get out had become overwhelming. She had already considered locking herself in her room, but all it would have taken would be one mistake for her to get loose.

She nods as he talks about revenge. It wasn't completely unexpected, of course, that some would come after her for the things she had done.]

Yeah. I guess you're right about that. Just... this whole thing was my fault. It shouldn't come back on my friends too.

[opress]

You should have bitten my brother. He could have experienced the freedom of a wolf for a night. It was quite invigorating when I endured it.

[Of course, he thought his brother might not enjoy it as much, since he couldn't guarantee that those mechanical legs would make the transition over and that would have been a misery. He'd have to run around carrying his brother around in wolf form. He would have done that.

He can be heard shrugging his shoulders.]

Those that are closest to us provide most opportunity for pain. When they are blinded by emotion to strike back, they are weaker and easier to take down sometimes.

[frogfear]

Ohhh, no. I'm pretty sure biting Maul would cause all kinds of problems. I didn't want him to find out about the whole wolfwalking thing in the first place, but the cat's long out of the bag on that one.

[Thanks to that cult of his. It still worries her a little bit - she is well aware that she is vulnerable away from her human body. It's only part of the reason why she doesn't stray far these days when she sleeps.

She smiles a little, though, and the admission comes out a little quiet, and a little shy.]

It was nice to have company for a night, though.

[The smile fades at the explanation of the strategy of going after loved ones.]

Yeah... I get it. It doesn't mean I have to like it.

[opress]

Not as many problems as you would expect, but it's your transformation ability. You can do with it as you want.

[His brother had plenty of people that wanted to be around and find all sorts of information about people that might be useful. He had no doubt that minions were lurking around every corner sometimes, and he'd only had to put one through a wall once to get the point across that he was not Maul, and he had no interest in being 'worshipped'.

He made a noise in his throat, recalling what it was to be a wolf, to hunt with a greatest purity than even he was used to.]

No doubt you would have better closer people to run with than me.

[He made a noise of acknowledgement.]

It isn't something my village does, but many species do. You'll have to learn to guard yourself against it.

[frogfear]

Even if it's just for a night, I don't want to be going around and biting people. I'm pretty sure if I bit your brother, he'd take it really personally, and there's been more than enough death lately.

Out of all the people I could've bitten, I think you were probably embraced it more than anyone else would have. You actually had a good time - which, okay, yeah, bit of a surprise, but also kind of... Not? Given, you know. You. The night I bit you... was a bad night, to say the least. I was so worried it was going to be permanent - like what happened to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm still glad it wasn't. I don't want to pass this onto anyone else, but if it was, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad, especially since you seemed to kind of like it?

[She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She's been taking steps to make sure the people she cares about don't face any further retribution from those who are angry with her, including, in part, her break up with Tara.]

Yeah... I've been working on it.

forever late but wanted to come back to this

[obeir]

[ Dryly: ] If only. They use my kind to rapidly colonise other planets for them, then spread to those. [ It seems inevitable that humanity will remain the dominant species in his universe, at least if they manage not to completely destroy themselves first. And theoretically, as an unaging android, he could live to see how his universe develops over thousands of years, if not more... but realistically, humans will attempt to dispose of him long before then. But it's a fascinating prospect, living through the rise and fall of civilisations. Even better would be getting to explore space freely. ]

Have to trust them not to tamper with things they shouldn't, too. [ It's said thoughtfully, as though he's giving the idea consideration. Because he is. His trust doesn't extend very far with strangers, but perhaps if he could get to know those people first. It isn't clear whether Darth Imperius is counted among them, but K has found him agreeable thus far. ]

For me? It has been worth it. I value every friendship I've had, even once my friends are gone. [ A thoughtful pause as he chooses his words. Their situations are similar enough, he thinks, that maybe it'll help to frame it that way. ] And neither of us have to serve, here. We don't have to be slaves. You can choose to have things that you were previously denied, if you want to.

[ Like friendships. Maybe even friendships with droids! Or at least one android who is himself still learning what life can be outside of slavery. ]

[opress]

Hmmm, Zabrak are known for biting, so he might not mind as much as you think. Though, on principle, he might take offense.

[His brother could become cranky with those who had crossed him in the past after all, and Willow was definitely not one of his brother's favourite people. Right now, he didn't consider her one of his favourite people either, but he saw no reason to refuse to talk to her.

He was reminded of the time that he had had as a four-legged furry beast. It had been enjoyable as much as it was confusing.]

It was a freeing night to be on paws and run like that. The simplicity of the hunt. My sense of smell was so much stronger. [He wouldn't mind another adventure like that either, though right now he wouldn't admit it.]

That's all you can do. If they continually get hurt, it's up to them to protect themselves as well.

<3 <3

[opress]

Then your kind are always in service of some kind then. Humans are also the most common species in the galaxy as well, and they've spent a very long time spreading and breeding. [As long as they left Dathomir alone, he didn't care where they went. That planet belonged to the Nightkin, and they would guard it and its secrets to the last man, woman and child.

Or so he had been instructed as a kit. They didn't welcome strangers unless it was to suit their own agenda. Even still, strangers weren't allowed to stay long. Mother Talzin had made that mistake once he had found out, and it had cost her his elder brother. Humans always took.]

That would be difficult. Trusting is difficult when your innermost secrets are available for anyone to tamper with. I know a little of mechanical maintenance if you absolutely need someone. [It wasn't an offer that he made lightly. He hadn't had a lot of experience with the inner workings of droids, except when it came to destroying them. However, he knew how to maintain a ship with a hyperdrive, so that had to count for something if K absolutely needed something desperately. That's what... friends did, right?

Savage was quiet for a time, thinking about what K said before sighing from his nose.] I wouldn't know how to be a friend even if I wanted to be one. And I will always serve; it's my purpose in life and... [He trailed off because there was always something in the back of his head about service. It was the magic that had twisted him, that forced loyalty he could never break free of without Talzin's permission.]

[frogfear]

I live - well, lived. In a house full of monster hunters and magic users. They're pretty good at protecting themselves already, but I don't think anyone expected anyone to attack our house. I already plan to take steps to keep it from happening again.

[Mostly through magic. She supposes most of those who know her in Trench outside of those she's closest to believes that she's lost her use of magic again once her corruption problem had been resolved.

Vyng has been more than helpful.]

I'm glad you had a good night. That you didn't see it as a curse. I'm still glad, though, I didn't do any permanent harm.

[opress]

That's your ally's first mistake. If you have a base of operation, it is always under threat of attack if the location is known. And Trench has plenty of dangerous people. Best to fortify your defenses.

[It did seem to him that she and her allies had suffered greatly for their negligence. He and Maul had plenty of defenses around their house and so many dangerous animals that it was deterrent enough.]

I only had to heal the bite, and that was nothing I haven't had to do before.

[frogfear]

Yeah, I think we'll be looking into that when we rebuild. I'm sure we'll figure it out. I mean, Remnant was a pretty dangerous world from what I know about it, so I'm sure the others know a lot about fortifying a house.

[She'll do her part too, to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.]

Well, I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious. It still feels a little like dodging a bullet, though.

[opress]

There are many dangerous places in many worlds from what I have come to understand. It's arrogant to think any particular world makes you capable of defending against everything that might come from a place that you've never seen. You have magic; you should use it.

[He knew she had been learning blood magic, and given what had killed him and how, he knew she had plenty of magic to utilize if she wanted to.]

Maybe to you. To me, it was the usual risk of daily life.

[frogfear]

Well, probably not against everything, but if you live in a world where monsters are constantly trying to kill you, I'd guess you'd figure out pretty quick the best ways to keep that from happening.

[She already knows the Grimm are drawn in by negative emotions, and part of it keeping them at bay comes from learning to control your feelings, but Huntsmen and Huntresses are also quite capable of defending themselves. Then there's Salem, and the threat she presented to consider as well.]

I, um. Before the whole... corruption thing, I couldn't use my magic here. Just some blood magic. My own didn't work. Just caused nothing but headaches. We're still working on it.

[opress]

The plants will kill you too. Dathomir wasn't much to look at, but it was my home. You learn to survive there... or you die.

[And when he had had more time and forgiven her for torturing his elder brother, he might even come over to the new place and fortify it. That would take time, but then again, it would take probably as much time for them to rebuild their burnt out house.]

Blood magic is magic. Use what you have, master it and crush your enemies with it.

[frogfear]

Yeah... from what you've said before, it doesn't surprise me that everything there is constantly trying to kill you. I'm not sure about Remnant, but normal plants at home were usually pretty safe, aside from. You know. The poisonous ones and stuff. Anything cursed you had to be more careful of.

[She swallows a little when he encourages her to embrace the new magic and use it to crush her enemies.]

I don't really want to crush anyone, Savage. It doesn't solve anything. Especially not in a world like this where they just come back again anyway. If anything, me going around killing people made things way, way worse.

[opress]

So your plants aren't all safe either. It sounds like there is plenty on your planet that is trying to kill you, but you don't acknowledge the threats all that much.

[There were plenty of planets in the galaxy where it was safer than Dathomir, but there were still dangers to be aware of.

It was also stupid in his mind to have an ability and not use it to defend or be offensive with it.]

It might intimidate them enough to leave you alone. Sometimes the intimidation is all you need to remain safe.

[frogfear]

Well... Cursed plants aren't exactly a normal thing. It's pretty rare that people get hurt by plants, except for - you know - poison oak or poison ivy, which won't kill you, they're just annoying. Or you ate something you shouldn't have, and that's kind of not the plant's fault? It's not like they just grow out in the woods and wait for people to wander by so they can attack them.

[Intimidating her enemies hadn't gone so well this time, had it? The house ended up burned to the ground, her friends had been killed, and she had been wounded.]

I don't know. I don't think many people are intimidated by me even after everything.

[opress]

Those sound similar to plants of my world. Very few are out to kill you directly, but they will kill you if one doesn't know how to handle or consume them. Trench has a few plants that will attack; they aren't that interesting to deal with.

[He expected that she didn't have the kind of reputation to be able to keep people from respecting her ability for violence. She was too nice usually. And she picked fights with the wrong kind of people who were better known for harm.]

No. You are small and nice usually, and that isn't intimidating at all.

Sometime in October [action]

[obeir]

[ In K's endeavour to cultivate a friendship with Savage, he spent September putting together a small device intended for the Zabrak that can project animated simulations of space, depicting all of the celestial bodies in miniature of any given star system. It's a straightforward process to download maps onto it, though more complicated to manually program them in. He's already programmed it to display a full solar year of Trench's sky by default, and there are even cartographic options to display the names of stars and constellations.

His thinking is that it could perhaps provide a reminder of home for Savage, if he has any star maps of his homeworld. K has also made himself a duplicate device for that very purpose. Given that it's the sort of thing that might serve as a night light to comfort a child (which may or may not have been his inspiration...), he isn't entirely sure how it'll be received, but he's hopeful.

October marks the completion of the project. Considering the nature of the gift, he decides to deliver it himself so he can demonstrate the functions. A message is sent to Savage ahead of time to confirm he's home. Then K cleans up and changes into more presentable attire consisting of a dress shirt and tie, vest, and dark slacks, pulls on his customary long coat, and slips the device into a pocket before heading out.

A new month has brought with it new blood effects to contend with. By the time the android has reached the road leading to Savage and Maul's residence, what had started as nagging tiredness has advanced to the point of his vision swimming as he struggles to even keep his eyes open, and he nearly stumbles with each sluggish step he takes. His body feels so heavy. It's an unnatural fatigue, beyond even what he'd experience when healing from life-threatening injuries. He thinks, dimly, to drag himself the scant few feet to the nearest sidewalk bench and rest for a moment. It's so close. But before he can even register what's happening, exhaustion finally pulls him to his knees and then he collapses face first onto the road, unconscious. ]