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Entry tags:
what people are made of [closed]
Who: Keith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
emblazes) & Lancey Lance (particlebarrier)
What: September Quest
When: Right now at this very moment, to the
Where: Second Chance pawn shop
Warning(s): Violence later on, will update as needed
[Keith's been busy.
He hasn't had to be. He's not bound himself to a contract, hasn't put himself in a hole money-wise. He'll drag out his work days welding and metalworking on purpose, linger around for no reason, occupy himself with voluntarily patrols -- loses himself in the thick of Wyver. He'd been avoiding visitng Cree for more quests, the last he'd taken became unfortunately bloody. It isn't as if he's scarred by it, but taking a life isn't anything to sneeze at...warranted or not.
Tonight, he's taken on a task. Seemingly innocuous, easy enough. Anything to keep busy, especially once the sun drops and night time settles in. It's easy to feel out of place at home then, when the paladins can typically be found together playing house. He's got reasons to avoid both of his housemates, and so he does.
It's a natural instinct, a cowardly inclination to some, probably. Avoidance has been ingrained in him despite his new talent for...opening up, being a pillar of sorts. Handling that development under less-oppressive circumstances (being forced into leading Voltron is suddenly less-oppressive by comparison) was slightly easier.
He'll get over this eventually. He just needs more time.
Another night dodging his feelings has lead him to Second Chance Pawn Shop. He's not by the door, he won't post himself so blatantly. He's lurking off to the sides, using some bushes/the extra shade of trees to his advantage. He's waiting for someone to approach, occasionally glancing to his phone for no particular reason. A habit developed here.
..That's it. This is what Keith would rather be doing than spending quality time with his best pals.]
emblazes) & Lancey Lance (particlebarrier) What: September Quest
When: Right now at this very moment, to the
Where: Second Chance pawn shop
Warning(s): Violence later on, will update as needed
[Keith's been busy.
He hasn't had to be. He's not bound himself to a contract, hasn't put himself in a hole money-wise. He'll drag out his work days welding and metalworking on purpose, linger around for no reason, occupy himself with voluntarily patrols -- loses himself in the thick of Wyver. He'd been avoiding visitng Cree for more quests, the last he'd taken became unfortunately bloody. It isn't as if he's scarred by it, but taking a life isn't anything to sneeze at...warranted or not.
Tonight, he's taken on a task. Seemingly innocuous, easy enough. Anything to keep busy, especially once the sun drops and night time settles in. It's easy to feel out of place at home then, when the paladins can typically be found together playing house. He's got reasons to avoid both of his housemates, and so he does.
It's a natural instinct, a cowardly inclination to some, probably. Avoidance has been ingrained in him despite his new talent for...opening up, being a pillar of sorts. Handling that development under less-oppressive circumstances (being forced into leading Voltron is suddenly less-oppressive by comparison) was slightly easier.
He'll get over this eventually. He just needs more time.
Another night dodging his feelings has lead him to Second Chance Pawn Shop. He's not by the door, he won't post himself so blatantly. He's lurking off to the sides, using some bushes/the extra shade of trees to his advantage. He's waiting for someone to approach, occasionally glancing to his phone for no particular reason. A habit developed here.
..That's it. This is what Keith would rather be doing than spending quality time with his best pals.]
no subject
He didn't get any flashy powers like the other paladins, but having the ability to become invisible at will at least has useful perks from time to time. Like right now. This isn't going to take long, he thinks. It'll just be a quick trip outside to see what all Keith's gotten himself tangled up in that this can't wait until morning. Or maybe it's just nothing. Maybe he just hates their company that much.
He's careful about following, quiet and stealthy. Pretty much the opposite of what Lance is good at naturally, but he's focused and determined. So all that effort leads him to... a pawn shop that's closed for the night?? Not exactly what he was expecting there, but ok. After about a minute or so of just watching Keith do nothing of interest, Lance drops the invisibility and taps Keith's shoulder from behind.]
Having fun out here?
no subject
But it doesn't register that way. He hadn't seen anyone make their way over, and the abruptness of it all has him spinning on a heel; in an instant, he's ascertained what it'd take to cram his elbow into the crook of his assailant's neck, trip him up at the same time and ultimately have him pinned on his back precariously.
Before he can seize and twist the guy's arms, however, he realizes that This Is Not The Burglar He Was Looking For. There's a gasp at the realization--]
Lance?!
[His marmora mask lifts, revealing an owly-eyed Keith breathing unevenly. Holy shit.]
What the hell are you doing here?!
[He's less angry about being stalked and more concerned for his safety. It all just culminates as anger.]
I could have killed you-!
[Not that he's so stab-happy, but it's a possibility in this context.]
no subject
I could've killed you.
Accidentally, he knows. But it's more the implication between the lines that has Lance staring right back at Keith equally owl eyed. Maybe it's too much of a hard read and he's jumped to stupid conclusions.]
Is that what you were doing out here? Waiting to kill someone?
[It's not really an accusation, it's more of a please just tell me I'm being dumb. Not that Keith taking on hit jobs is a novel concept, but it hadn't really crossed his mind that he'd still be doing anything like that while everyone else was sleeping at the treehouse.]
no subject
He'll offer a lingering stare. That isn't a question; it's much worse. He's sitting up, straddling Lance at the hips.]
That's not the point.
[His heart's still racing, adrenaline mixed with dread.]
We're not talking about this here.
no subject
It's like the inertia from being knocked off his feet and pinned down catches up to him all at once, leading to a swooping sensation in his stomach. He feels sick, and he is no longer sure if that's sick with anger or concern. A mix of both, maybe more. He should be trying to get the guy off of him, but he keeps staring instead.]
Keith, I.....
[Whether he likes it or not, there's some sort of mission going on. Distractions are dangerous, potentially lethal. Keith's right that they can't -- shouldn't -- be discussing this here and now. But also fuck that. Team leader owes him an explanation just as much as he owes one himself. Lance grabs him firmly by the wrist.]
Tell me what's going on so I can help you so that we can both get the hell out of here and talk about this.
no subject
[While this position leaves him at a disadvantage as far as scouting goes, he's reluctant to get up, let him up in the process. He doesn't want Lance mixed up in this nonsense, whatever it is, whatever it evolves into. It's dangerous enough, and the safest place he could be is: pinned to the ground.
But that's been the theme between them, hasn't it? Move around as normally as possible. Discuss personal stuff? Why?
He'll roll his wrist once, twice. A feeble attempt at escape.]
It's just something I need to do.
no subject
I'm tired of you acting like I can't tell that serious is going on with you.
[Remember that innocent dream he had of this being some quick invisible jaunt outside? Yeah, neither does Lance. Halcyon days.... He'll force eye contact here if he has to, just to get his point across.]
We don't have to talk about that now, but you need to tell me who or what is supposed to be coming here because we're doing this together. Then we're going home.
no subject
He'll swallow at a bit of nothingness; he's the first to glance elsewhere at Lance's hardened gaze.]
Don't get involved, you can meet me back home.
[Except sending him off on his own is separately concerning; what if the bandits encounter him on their way; what if they rob him or worse? All because he'd been acting sketchy.
It's as if they'd never fought in an intergalactic war together, or something.
He's just overly-cautious now that Lance is back, with or without memories of their romance.]
Do you even have anything on you to defend yourself?
no subject
He outright ignores that first suggestion of not getting involved because that one isn't happening, no matter what kind of a stink Keith puts up about it. But the question of what he's carrying on him... well.]
I... I don't have anything.
[He's dressed in casual clothing -- a T-shirt, jeans, jacket. If Keith had waited a few more minutes to be suspicious, Lance would have been following him around in pajamas. He flushes, embarrassed and feeling called out on his lack of usefulness, then immediately gets defensive.]
How was I supposed to know following you was a health hazard?!
no subject
Now you know better.
[Wah wah wah.]
Can you summon your bayard?
[Under normal pretense, he wouldn't question it as much as demand it, but things work differently here.]
If you can, take it up in this tree. [He'll nod upward, a vague direction.] You can target them from above. [...] They're bandits, I don't know what else they're up to. I'm just supposed to take them out. If you hesitate, it could be over for the both of us. They use magic to break into that pawn shop.
[He's bad at explaining plans; dial back.]
I'm gonna handle things first, obviously, but if something happens..I'm relying on you.
[It's all bullshit if his bayard isn't accessible, though.]
no subject
Summon my bayard.... like I'm summoning my lion?
[Uh. This is news, he didn't even know that was possible?? Frazzled, Lance has to fight the temptation to put his hand over Keith's mouth to get him to shut up for two seconds while he processes this new thing that Keith has now decided is the difference between both of them living or dying.
No pressure though. None. It's fine. It's fiiiiiine.]
I can try, but I've never done that before. I.. [Nervous. He wasn't nervous when this was just a more straightforward brawl.] Can't I just club 'em from behind with a branch or something while I'm invisible and you're keep them distracted.They'll never see me coming.
no subject
This is why we don't follow Keith outside past 6pm Nysa time.]
Forget it. [Doggedly; he'll sit up a little straighter, gazing out over the shrubbery, glancing every which way as if he had something to fret about.] Don't worry about it -- and we're not using your new powers. You don't really know how long you can stay invisible, do you?
[A shake of the head.]
I want you to stay here, alright? We'll talk about it later.
no subject
What do you mean forget it, I haven't even tried yet.
[Thanks for the shining faith in him, team leader. That doesn't sting or anything.]
At least tell me what I'm supposed to do to summon it before you give up on me.
[--Yikes, that was a melodramatic way of putting it, but you know what? It's not wrong.]
no subject
[Sigh. It's not like he's doubting Lance's (eventual) ability to do it. It's just. Not a great time.
Or maybe it's the perfect time -- under duress, slight as it may be at the moment.]
It isn't that much different from calling for you lion.
[It requires much less effort, even. In his opinion. There's no mindlink necessary as much as a genuine need. Slowly, he'll rise to his feet but remain hunched over...just in case. He's gazing over the immediate area, taking a moment of quiet to reestablish that they're alone.
Only after he's deemed it safe enough, he'll extend a hand in offering.]
If you can't do it, I just want you to be safe.
no subject
He'll take that hand as he gets to his feet.]
Picture the bayard, try to connect with it by focusing. On it.
[He closes his eyes, immediately gets distracted by the fact that he hasn't let go of Keith's hand yet and does so in obvious afterthought. Back to thinking about his bayard, chilling at his table at home. Should've just grabbed the darn thing, but ugh.
Please come, old friend. He has a pal he wants to fight with.]
no subject
Christ. He draws back all at once, hurriedly looking about once more...as if he'd fallen asleep on the job rather than allowed himself to indulge in Lance's company for two seconds.]
Yeah. [Finally. Unnecessary affirmation by that point.] Find some cover while you work on that.
[It may end up being a ruse or his efforts may bear fruit. Whatever the case may be, he'd like for it to happen safely.]
no subject
Got it. Don't worry about me. These guys can't be tougher to take down than a fleet of Galra ships anyway.
[ He makes a motion towards the tree Keith first indicated with his head.]
I'll be over there.Bayard or no bayard, I got you.
[Can't yell at Keith for all this if one of them ends up injured somehow??? But with that said, he heads off in that direction.]
no subject
He thinks to catch him by an arm, prevent him from heading off with shoddy ambitions, but refrains. Their conversation wasn't very fruitful in his favor. A prolonged debate about it would do little to change the outcome.
They're both stubborn, Lance won't turn tail so easily.
So he resumes crouching in his spot -- using the natural darkness in his favor, occasionally glancing back at Lance just to check in, but he can't perceive very much for his angle. It favors the predicted route of those bandits.
Bandits, that eventually make their way over, about fifteen-twenty-ish minutes later. Their first giveaway: distant laughter.
No sooner, his knife's at the ready.]
this is so woefully late, I am eternally sorry
It's a pretty frivolous little feeling to be having when he's supposed to be focusing on his bayard. Lance stays out of sight as he tries to block out the rest of the world around him. It's harder than it ought to be when there's so much that's being unsaid about why any of this is really happening in the first place, but eventually concern materializes into proper resolve and resolve is rewarded with a flash of white light and a solid object in his hands. The red bayard materializes into a sniper rifle.]
Hey, I--
[The sound of distant laughter has him immediately stifling the rest of his triumphant announcement. Bad. That could've been real bad.
Scratch that. It is really bad because the laughter comes to a stop abruptly, as does the sound of approaching footsteps. A terse muffled conversation ensues amongst the gang members.
Lance glances guiltily over towards Keith. No apologies because he doesn't want to make any more noise, but he sure looks sorry.]
i am very slow these days, fear naught
Visual aid comes a short while after their unintended announcement of an arrival; the grip on his blade flexes, steadies...
And he jolts out from his hiding spot; he's only grown so patient, after all. It's a wonder how he managed to hold back so long to begin with. There's no rhyme or scheme to his vault over to the small group of four; his focus is on the nearest one, but it's one toward the back that shouts to announce Keith's presence.
It's a moment too late, however.
He manages to trip guy #1 onto his face, an elbow finds the gut of guy two. The third man makes a grab for the wrist clutching his blade. It's a narrow miss; the man ends up slicing his hand on that blade in the process -- the act's marked with a shrill cry.
Drama queen....]