nysalogs | ( closed ) february catch all

[ Retrieving lost citizens is a task that Cain would have been happy to do for free, but he's not going to say no to being paid for it — and more importantly, he's not going to say no to getting a glimpse at why Voss is so interested in all those crystals he keeps having people gather for him. That Percival had caught him on the way out the door on his way to the Temple and had insisted on tagging along is... well. Things are still a little tense between them, between that aborted confession, the way Percival had caught him bleeding out that one night, and the way Cain still feels a little raw with the memory of his brother pulled so close to the surface.

Still, he can think of few people he'd trust as much to watch his back, and for all his complicated feelings about Percival, Cain does still hold him in high regard. He hadn't put up nearly as much protest as he might have when Percival insisted on accompanying him, only handed off the peach crystal and tucked his own purple crystal into his pocket before setting off.

Now, he's glad to have the company. Facing this group of thugs by himself would have been trouble. Ten men on his own would have been a bit much, but with Percival at his side, he feels quite confident in stepping in front of the people they've been sent to rescue, lifting a hand in a cheery wave, and offering their attackers one last helpful bit of warning. ]

You really ought to surrender, you know. My friend's in a terrible mood.

[ Percival is in a terrible mood. But still, Cain trusts that Percival will hold back and won't actually kill any of these men, no matter how thunderous he may be. It's one of the reasons why Cain— holds him in such high esteem. Yes, that's how he feels about Percival, of course. ]

[ Since the last time they'd spoken, things have returned to normal. As normal as matters can be, and true to his word, Percival actively remains cordial (just kidding when is he ever cordial?) but at a polite distance.

It's easy. He has, after all, always disregarded personal emotions in the face of performing a duty. They were only a hindrance.

The memory of the injuries Cain had managed to get himself into are precisely the reason why he has insisted on going. He also has less of an interest in helping Voss, and much more in helping the people that are apparently stuck in limbo. The thought that people would turn on their own countrymen simply because said people were looking for somewhere less chaotic to live angers him on a visceral level.

His eyes flicker to Cain at that comment, quickly returning to the scene before them. ]

These people have done nothing to warrant being held prisoner like this. Step aside, or we will leave you as little more than ashes!

[ But he's not the only angry one-- two of the men don't take kindly to either of their attitudes, however different they may be. One draws their sword and lunges towards them with a cry of "Traitors! Traitors, all of ya!" The other fires a bullet, one that lands dangerously close to their feet. Percival doesn't spare a moment to think-- immediately, he has drawn his sword and stepped in front of Cain, defensive. ]

[ Well. Cain's glad to have something between him and a bullet. He's significantly less glad to have it be Percival, and he frowns at Percival's back. Percival's very broad, capable back—

Ahem.

Percival's broad back, doing exactly what Cain had been afraid he'd do, being all noble and brave and shielding Cain out of danger. And Cain isn't having it. ]

Now, now, there'll be no burning people to ashes today. [ He elbows Percy in the ribs as he eels out from behind Percy — no murdering! — and makes himself a target again by waggling his finger at the very incensed man whose sword is currently tangled up with Percival's. ] Can't we talk this over? There's no need for any of this fighting.

[ The man with the gun gives Cain a disbelieving look and takes the opportunity for a shot. Cain has to hastily duck, giving the man a wounded sort of stare. ]

[ He's preoccupied enough, with his sword digging against the other man's blade and trying to fend him off, that he only notices Cain has slipped past him when he hears him speak again. ]

Idiot! What are you doing?! Are you trying to get yourself shot?! [ Why yes, it does seem to be a recurring theme...

And it's a bit too late to talk this over, though who knows if Percival's less than kind greeting had anything to do with it.

After a few moments of metal clashing, Percival easily manages to push the swordsman further back, with just enough time that he can reach into his pocket and retrieve the orb. Right as the second man is aiming to take another shot at Cain, he activates it, connecting the three nearest men before them.

He doesn't activate his own powers yet, as he isn't sure they will be needed to accomplish the task, but he is ready if they are needed. ]

Go to the people! I can handle them easily.

[ First up: that guy with the annoying gun. ]

And leave you to fight all of them by yourself?

[ He gives Percival a disapproving look, but... but Percival can take care of himself, and the people they've been sent to find assuredly can't. He doesn't like it, but he knows that he can leave the two attackers to Percival. With a sigh, Cain pulls out his own crystal — and holds out his hand, conjuring a burst of flame. ]

Just don't hurt them too badly.

[ He smiles and gestures, calling a wall of fire out of the flame; he's been practicing. And with that cover, he slips away, his crystal letting him fade away into the shadow of a tree, sneaking past their attackers entirely to see to their victims. ]

Go. This is child's play for me.

[ If he could spare another moment, he might have even feigned (though it's not really feigned...) offense at the perceived lack of confidence. He does have enough time to see that something unexpected rises out of Cain's hand-- a wall of flames that provides convenient buffer to stop the assailants in their tracks and buy both him and Cain a few seconds of extra time.

He grins, just a little, and at the last second, decides to have a change of plans. What sort of person would he be if he didn't rise up to the challenge and prove to Cain that he wasn't the only one with new tricks up his sleeve?

Admittedly, he is less versed in how to do this than simply char them and triumphantly move on, but he takes the risk. He focuses on the man firing his gun repeatedly, and after just a moment's hesitation, strong vines rise from the earth, wrap around his body, and render him immobile. The man cries out in protest, and his accomplices move faster, but Percival activates the crystal, causing a ripple effect that soon imprisons them, as well.

Now, he moves forward, following after Cain, sword still drawn in case others try to test them. ]

[ Cain's reached the people they're supposed to protect, but he knows how Percival fights, and he has his back turned to them, stopped to watch — checking, to make sure he doesn't need to intervene. He lets out a silent sigh of relief as it's not flames that burst from the air but vines from the ground, neatly wrapping the men up tight, trapping them.

Cain finds himself grinning, feeling... proud. He likes it, seeing his own power sprouting from Percival's hands, likes seeing it being used not to harm, but to keep the situation under control, keep the men from being hurt.

He's about to turn back to their charges when the crystal he received from Voss sparks — and the veil he's hidden by falls away.

The group is as startled as Cain is — startled enough, and scared enough, that one of the men screams and lunges for him. Cain has enough time to get his arms up in front of him for protection before he goes tumbling down beneath the man's weight. ]

[ It was not a conscious decision for him to seriously injure them versus simply immobilize them. Percival didn't know just how much he'd done himself a favor in that moment, quite possibly spared them a headache of a conversation later.

The rest of the task should go easily enough, or so he thinks, given that they are just a few yards from where the people are being held hostage. He's relying a bit on Cain's cover, so when it falls, it catches him by ugly surprise, too.

Surprise for everyone!

Percival grunts in annoyance as the man (and subsequently, Cain) go down. Instinctively, he swipes his sword at the man's side, cutting just enough through the flesh that Percival can cast him aside, and off of Cain. The main cries out in pain and falls to the ground, and Percival wastes no time drawing Cain back up to his feet by his arm and trying to continue moving towards their goal. ]

Come! We must move quickly! [ Because now his buddies are going to try lunging at them, too. ]

Edited (wow... smol text) 2018-03-11 01:25 (UTC)

You go.

[ Cain's breathless, stumbling to catch his balance after summarily being hauled to his feet, but he's faced worse. Fought with much worse, too, wounds rather than bruises. Percy's saved him from any real injury, and he flicks a quick smile at Percy in thanks before—

Turning away from the direction they should be heading entirely, putting his back to Percy.

He settles his feet, bracing himself, and holds out his hand.

And shards of rock come flying up, throwing themselves towards the men, who visibly slow, thinking better of advancing. Cain's smile can be heard in his voice. ]

It's my turn to hold them off. I'll buy you time.

Is that so? [ A part of him isn't thrilled about missing out on the action, but this isn't about his ego, it's about making sure those people get back to the safety of the city. He looks back towards Cain, who seems to be getting serious about this promise, and nods quickly before continuing on. ]

Don't let me down, or I'll have to reconsider trusting the garbage to you. [ He runs at full speed now, closing the distance between himself and the hostages, who are currently held in place by two more individuals guarding the perimeter. Swiftly, he activates his crystal again. It glitches, and only actives partially, but two sets of crushing vines are all he needs. ]

Quickly! Follow me! [ He's prepared to lead them back to the relative safety and hiding potential of the woods, but not before he looks back to see Cain's state. ]

[ With the vines to help, Cain's doing just fine holding the men off. He makes a dashing figure — at least, he'd like to think so — with his back (not quite as broad as he'd like) for Percy to see, his sword held aloft, stones floating in the air. Hopefully, it's a commanding enough presence, the situation well enough in hand, that Percival will leave him to it and take care of the men they've been sent to retrieve. ]

I wouldn't dream of letting you down.

[ Cain means it, entirely sincere. He throws himself into battle, entirely intending to be the last line of defense, to hold the line until Percival and the men are safely away. ]

Now get going. Hurry, I'll catch up.

( closed ) february catch all

percival; safe haven

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