heyfreemagic | My Past Reads Like A Fall Out Boy Song Title [OPEN]

[Daniel's there, minding his own business, learning the lay of the land as it were. He's largely out her because he hasn't been out here before, and that was bugging him, so he's out here, finding out what's out here. Which, is apparently a boy he's never met with power over the shadows.

Cam immediately goes into full combat alert. His tiny greatsword almost materializing in his hands with the speed in which it is drawn and activated, the blade crackling with electricity which seems to come from nowhere. Daniel, in quite stark contrast, does not go into combat mode, at least, overtly. Instead, he just stands there, regarding Aaron with interest and leaning quite heavily on his cane, which appears to have rooted itself to the ground (The damn thing's reacting to Daniel's leaning on it and rooted itself. It's made from several think cables which almost appear to have grown together)] Um... I'm here. Were you expecting someone else?

[Said cripple seems to have a familiar, so Aaron sees nothing wrong with making one of his own. A cat rises out of the shadows, average in every way-- except, of course, made out of shadows. It winds about his ankles, purring silently, as he gives it some illusion of life.]

[He and Daniel seem to be on the same page as ignorance about the land goes. If it comes down to a fight, like that little... thing, probably wants, Aaron can probably flee.]

I wasn't expecting anybody. Why are you out here?

Just taking a walk. I hadn't been this way yet and though it might be worth the time to see what's what in this part of the city. What about you? [Daniel sees no reason to be dishonest with the boy, though that shadow-cat is somewhat troubling. It reminds both Daniel and Cam of The Filth back home, and any memories to do with The Filth are BAD memories.

Cam remains almost stock still on Daniel's shoulder while the scientist continues to lean quite casually on his cane. It's still a somewhat new addition to his arsenal. and he's still working out what he can do with it, pretty much made from scrap as it is.]

Well, this is my place.

[It isn't. Well. It is now, and if Daniel has any grievances he can shove it.]

[Normally, he'd care; ask if they could team up, wander the place together. But he's not normal.]

[He crosses his arms and the cat unwinds, languid and slow, before placing itself in front of Aaron.]

There isn't anything worth your time out here.

Fair enough, though you don't even know what even I'm looking for out here. It's generally considered quite impolite to assume. [Daniel is meeting what seemed to be an order to leave with his own stubbornness to not do what others tell him. Especially when these orders come from someone he doesn't even know the name of yet.

Daniel's foot is slowly healing. But it still hurts to put too much pressure on it. This does allow him a freer range of movement than he's had recently, but not much freer.

Cam is still in a guard position on Daniel's shoulder. As if the tiny robot could jump the distance between Daniel and Aaron... Right?]

I'll assume whatever I want.

[His voice goes hard(er), and he nearly takes a step forwards-- before making the cat do so instead. His side hurts, and moving will only aggravate it further. It looks like he's quarantined to making the shadows do his bidding for now.]

[The cat splits the distance with feline grace, fairly oozing into place. With both master and shadow, though, barely-leashed aggression was obviously present. In Aaron, the overt tenseness in his shoulders. In the cat, a malevolent gleam in it's white eyes.]

Leave.

So you will, But everyone does, so don't worry about it too much. [It's something Daniel banks on after all. He wouldn't be able to get away with so much back on his homeworld if people didn't assume rather than investigate after all.

Daniel closes his eyes, trusting in Cam to keep watch while he sends his mind out in search of technology he can effect. It's difficult, and so far he's only really used it to build things, like his cane, and the lightning cannon that's currently sitting in his workshop space because it's too damn bulky to carry around on a day to day basis.

Reaching out, Daniel finds... A tractor. He spends a moment rooting around inside it's workings with his mind to find what he's looking for before holding what he wants to do with it at the forefront of his mind and opening his eyes once more. The strain has given him a small headache, but considering that this is probably going to get ugly, he can deal with it.] Unfortunately, I can't leave yet, I've got a couple things I need to do in the area first.

[Cam jumps down off Daniel's shoulder and takes a screening position between Daniel and the shadow-cat and Daniel begins to limp in the direction of the tractor. Both of them keeping an eye on Aaron and his cat as they do so.]

Edited 2015-09-03 17:02 (UTC)

I'm not giving you options.

[Vaguely, he recognizes his voice doing what Riddler's had done when he was--

This is not the time to think about that. Instead, he focuses his attentions-- the frustration, steadily rising anger-- towards the cripple.]

Get out, now, or I'll make you.

[Big words from the guy with a hole in his abdomen. A still-bleeding hole, at that.

The cat bounds forwards with inky, razor-sharp claws bared, and Aaron focuses even harder to pull a vaguely bird-like shape out of the well of shadows behind him. His newest creation flies over Cam and towards Daniel. He can't keep that one in a solid shape, but it's flying and has claws, so it'll have to do.]

They never bloody do. [Daniel mutters to himself. Well, that blew up fast. And he was only out here for some spare parts from one of the tractors that he'd already paid for as well.

Grimacing from the spikes of pain in his foot and his head, Daniel's about halfway to the tractor when Aaron throws a shadow-bird at him. Bringing the cane up as if to hit the bird, the three thick power cables that Daniel made the stick of the cane from seem to come alive, lashing at the monster with whip-like quickness.

Somehow keeping his feet, Daniel tries to take a better look at the bird-monster, vision going red as he is reminded very heavily of those hellish days in the Tokyo Infected Zone, fighting The Filth at the apparent source of it's corruption, and Losing.

Cam anticipates the shadow-cat's movement, rushing forward to meet it with a crackle of electricity and all of the considerable strength that the small robot can bring to bear.]

Just come and try me, Boy. I've fought worse. [Daniel is now standing next to the tractor, waiting on Aaron's next move and looking entirely different from the friendly scientist of a couple of minutes ago.]

Edited 2015-09-03 19:26 (UTC)

[Alas, the bird is quite goopy already; it smacks into one of the sticks and starts to ooze down. Aaron didn't expect that, but presses the advantage, and it loses form completely to come rushing down like a tidal wave.]

This is mine!

[The cat slides effortlessly under the robot, liquefying and searching for a chink where it can invade and gum up Cam's workings. Aaron's eyes are wild, black around the edges, and black spittle flecks on his lips when he screams.]

GO AWAY!

Yeah? [Daniel had anticipated this sort of thing, popping the hood of the tractor, Daniel flips the mental switch he'd forged earlier, starting the vehicle. Reaching into one of his pockets with his free hand, Daniel pulls out a pair of jumper cables. The cables practically leap from his hand, connecting the top of Daniel's cane, which is apparently a shaped battery, and the tractor's battery.

Lightning arcs around the goopy remains of the shadow-bird and along the rest of the cables as it rushes towards Daniel's hand, but he doesn't even bother letting go, eyes fixed on Aaron's challenging him.] Not a chance.

[The shadow-cat is going to be a long time searching. Cam's chassis has been in development for around ten years. Plenty of time for Daniel to fix up any cracks, chinks and other things. Swinging their greatsword with skill and speed, Cam continues to attempt to hit the damn thing. And hits that they score will be somewhat shocking, so say the least.]

[The former-cat sizzles and split into two on a successful hit, with additional shadows flooding in to build the mini-cats back to full-size or maybe a little larger. They circle around Cam, fencing it in.

Aaron bares his teeth and glares, watching as some of the goop flickers away into nothing-- and still more keeps flooding down. If it touches Daniel, he may notice that it's frightfully cold and almost painful, gripping, devouring.]

GO! GO AWAY!

[His tone is increasingly frantic and angry, like he's switched from wanting to firmly trounce Daniel to merely wanting to drive him out.]

[Cam is now fighting more defensively. On the back foot now that the numbers assaulting them have doubled. Their attacks are mainly counters now, only going on the offensive if either of their opponents makes a move towards Daniel.

Speaking of, Daniel is concentrating through the mother of all headaches right now. A grinding can be heard from in the inside of the tractor's engine compartment, like something were trying to rip itself free. Lightning is still coursing through and around his cane, the two uncorrupted cables striking repeatedly at the cable still covered in the shadowy goop, causing sparks to fly as they burn the sticky darkness away.

Daniel hasn't broken eye contact with Aaron yet either, he seems to be attempting to stare him down.] Make me. [Daniel's voice is stern, powerful with the stray electrical energy in the air crackling around him. Any nearby lights are likely to go haywire/start exploding due to the stress Daniel's put himself under as he overuses his abilities.]

[He shouldn't even be able to use his magic if he's putting that much strain on them! Maybe it was different for other types, though- Aaron remembers his healing magic sputtering and dying once he was too strained and tired to continue, or maybe he just wasn't good enough.

But he's good enough to use the magic he has now, and so he lets the cats melt into shadow and instead sends a torrent of shadows towards his tiny robot and him. They stick near the ground instead of rising up like he's tried before, and he looks even more frantic.]

I will!

[It's going for his ankles; now-- too much for Cam to hold of on their lonesome.]

[Daniel's been dealing with headaches like this since he was around four years old. He's used to it, but Aaron's right, he won't be able to hold on much longer. But he doesn't have to, as the engine of the tractor pretty much tears itself from it's compartment, metal shrieking as it bends and breaks, disconnected pipes and wires acting as legs and arms, reaching out to grab Daniel and Cam, who has fallen back before Aaron's latest onslaught.

Having gotten what he came for, Daniel directs the engine-automaton, which consists of much of the internal parts of the tractor, back towards the observatory, time to retreat, regroup and recover. As he's falling back, however, Daniel has a few parting words for Aaron.] I've gotten what I came for. Any further fighting would be pointless. [Daniel smiles, a bit of the friendly scientist shining back through.] I'm looking for answers to the puzzle of this world. If you find you need them too, come to where the stars shift nightly. [It's a bad attempt at being cryptic, but Daniel means his workshop at the observatory.]

[He knows well enough that the only reason Daniel is leaving is because he's got what he wants, but it doesn't stop him from chasing him out with whiplike tendrils of shadow to his ankles, snappy enough to be cutting if they hit bare skin.]

STAY OUT!

[Rest assured he will not be going to the observatory any time soon. OR ever, really.]

[Daniel makes sure to leave deliberately slowly, he's not in any danger from the ground shadows as he is still being lifted by his bizarre walking engine, which is infused with his magic. At this point, it's more about making a statement than anything else.

He is quite confident in the curiosity he's instilled in Aaron, it's something about human nature he tends to bank on, that humans are too curious not to seek out potential answers to any questions that they find important to them. It tends to eat at them. Even if they don't notice it at first. And so he and Cam go, without fuss, but without hurrying either, especially if it'll make their encounter with Aaron more memorable to the boy.]

[Greg just needs some air, and some space. There's an awful lot of both out here, and in theory it will be nice far away from anyone in a bad mood, like back at the apartments. It just figures he'd find the exception.

At the sharp call, Greg's hands instantly go up, placating and empty.]

Hi! Sorry. Just passing through. Didn't mean to... uh.

[He's started apologizing on instinct, but as he speaks, a lot of things in front of him start registering. A distinctly unnatural dark behind the guy, for one. Another dark spot on his side, for another. Neither look good.]

You--oh man. You're hurt, do... do you need me to get help?

Edited 2015-09-03 06:23 (UTC)

[Well, Aaron's sorry that his bad mood is ruining Greg's day further.]

[No. He's not. The don't hurt me/I'm not hurting you hands help a little, though. Aaron stands up as straight as he can, folding his arms across his chest like the worst bodyguard ever. The shadows behind him ripple.]

I'm not hurt.

[That... is most definitely a lie. The offer of help makes him cave the slightest bit before he remembers that people with healing magic-- he was the only one, right? Before he gave it up for something stronger, of course-- Lux had laid claim to.]

--Why are you out here?

[Those shadows make his heart kick up to his throat for a moment. He really, really doesn't like the looks of those things, and he remembers what Wash told him about what the shadows can do. There's more than enough plantlife around here if worst comes to worst, but Greg doesn't exactly count on his magic for much.

Still, he's not getting attacked (yet), and no matter what Aaron says, he doesn't look like he's in a good place.]

I was out for a walk. Trying to get away from all the weird stuff for a bit.

[This seems about par for the course, with his luck.]

What about you...?

[His arms fall to his sides again and swing idly for a few seconds. His side does hurt. It wouldn't be too bad to just-- no.

His head swims for a second as the whispering returns, and then he's taking a careful step back. The shadows move with him, although his own shadow seems to have gained a bit of a mind of its own.]

There's lots of weird stuff here, too, you know.

[A small, daresay hesitant pause. He could be lying.]

Were you sent here by someone?

[Despite Greg being as non-threatening as physically possible, Aaron's still backing away. These are not the actions of someone who's doing okay, physically or mentally.]

Yeah, but. I'm getting used to it.

[In the grand scheme of things, he's seen weirder.

He lowers his own arms, but doesn't move forward. No need to invade a panicked shadow agent's space.]

It's just me out here. My name's Greg, what's yours?

[Aaron finally stops moving and looks at Greg, fairly disbelieving. Why would he give out his name-- and the fact that he was obviously sent by Lux-- so easily? But, he's sided with the others; stupid.]

I'm Aaron.

[STUPID. He twitches, and immediately regrets it, and then looks away for a split-second and catches sight of his side wound, which definitely still existed and still hurt. And even though his mind is chanting stupid, stupid, stupid, he keeps talking.]

...How would you be able to help me?

Edited 2015-09-03 18:46 (UTC)

[That's a step in the right direction. Talking is always the better option, in Greg's book, and he takes it as encouragement to keep on going.]

My buddy's a doctor, he can patch up your side. [Though, he's not getting the feeling Aaron wants to meet more people.] Or, I've got a first aid kit. It's not much, but it'll help. I can bring it here, if you don't wanna move.

[Going back can only be a step backwards, but still, it would be preferable to bleeding out.]

Could you bring it?

[His tone isn't quite shy, but it's quieter, and he's more relaxed now.]

All right, pal. I'll be right back, don't go anywhere, okay?

[He shoots an anxious little thumbs up, before turning his back to run off.]

Okay.

[He plops down and wipes the growing black gunk off his palms. All he has to do is wait, and try to stay calm, and-- yep, he's up and pacing again.]

[The farms are a fair distance from the apartments, so Aaron has plenty of time to pace and freak himself out before Greg manages to puff his way back. For the first time, he's really and genuinely glad for being strongarmed into those morning runs, or he'd never have managed it.]

Aaron? Buddy? You still here?

[He swings the backpack he fetched off one arm.]

It's me! You uh, you holding up?

[And freak himself out he does, although he does also manage to avoid aggravating his side any more than it is already. By the time Greg gets back he's thankful; getting stuck in his own head is never fun, especially when sharing it with the Nox.]

I'm right here.

[He comes up in front of him and trains his eyes on the backpack.]

I'm doing okay.

--Thanks for bringing the first aid kit.

[ He fixes Aaron with a lopsided smile, doing his best to think of this as an everyday supply run. Just doing a normal, non-urgent favor. ]

Don't mention it. I uh, packed a couple water bottles, too, and a sandwich. In case you wanted something aside from corn, hah.

Thank you.

[He feels bad for being so antagonistic earlier. But it was necessary.

He needs to clean and bandage the hole, it reminds him.]

Do you need help bandaging the wound?

Yeah, probably. Not really my wheelhouse.

[He hands off a water bottle, and starts leading the way to the barn--better to do this out of the sun and elements.]

[Aaron follows behind him, catching on quickly enough even in his... impaired state.]

I used to be in med school before... all this.

Edited 2015-09-05 19:35 (UTC)

No kidding? So you're a good guy to be pals with, huh?

[There's a bench inside, and Greg sits--it's a little creaky, but plenty stable. He pats it for Aaron to join him, and fishes out the disinfectant.]

I'll trust you to let me know if I'm screwing anything up.

[He plops down obediently onto the bench, which groans in protest but nothing more.

He's watching Greg and the kit intently, hands worrying together in his lap.]

Okay.

[Putting down the backpack between them, Greg pulls out more of the supplies hastily crammed in. He wets a towel with the second water bottle, and steels himself with a deep breath.]

All right bud, lift your shirt up, let me see the damage. I shoved some CDs and a player in there too, if you'd rather tune me out.

No. It's okay.

[Music, he feels, will only make the situation more awkward.

He pulls up his shirt to his ribcage, showing midsection and nothing else. Luckily, the wound was there.

Needless to say, it doesn't look good-- dripping some of the shadowy material that had been on the butterfly, and all-around gross.]

[Well that looks. Bad. No wonder the guy's a wreck. Greg's never been great with blood, nor clearly unnatural spooky magic goo, and he can't stop himself from cringing at the sight of the wound.

Still, he sets his jaw, and starts gently cleaning away the half-congealed mess with the towel.]

[As Greg goes to wipe up the mess, Aaron grits his teeth and fists his hands in the stiff, bloodied fabric of his shirt.

His heels kick against the ground a few times, but he seems to be dealing with the pain decently.]

[As the oozing mess is cleared away, Greg can get a better look at how bad the wound itself looks. Still nasty, but at least not the nastiest.]

Well, I'm sure no medical student, but it doesn't look infected.

Brace yourself, this is gonna sting.

[Here comes the antiseptic cream]

[A strangled, whimpering sound burbles up in his throat at the sting. It's less stinging, more burning, and it really, really hurts.]

Ow! Ow, stop!

[At his feet, the shadows quiver violently before calming back down. Aaron, however, seems to be even more tightly wound.]

All right, all right!

[He pulls back, hands raised. He takes a second to peer at the shadows, just to make sure they aren't about to start bubbling up at him, before focusing on Aaron.]

Take a breather, drink some water, whatever. There's no rush.

[He takes a couple deep breaths, eyes drifting shut and heels scuffing across the ground again.

He takes a minute to stop looking like he's in pain, and by then a clammy sweat's broken out across his arms and stomach in response to it all. He steals a look at Greg, hoping that he's not too disappointed in the outburst.]

I think-- I think I'm okay now.

Edited 2015-09-07 18:24 (UTC)

[Greg waits patiently, if anxiously. Aaron may be a grown adult, intelligent student, or shadow-tossing villain, but all Greg can see in that moment is how very young he looks.

When Aaron's finally calmed himself down, Greg just gives a little nod, and a weak smile.]

Alright. Let's try again. It'll be over quick, I promise.

[Don't tell that to Aaron, or he'll show just how adult he can be.

Not very, in the moment.]

Okay. I'm going to be fine-- just do it fast.

Here we go.

[He's quick, but probably not as quick as Aaron would like, and maybe used a little more than necessary. He really doesn't want you getting infected, okay?

The point is, it gets done. The worst is over, presumably, aside from the other parts.]

Thank you.

[The whole time, he was gritting his teeth and staring at the wall of the barn, so maybe the thanks wasn't as heartfelt as he meant it to be.

And then, his voice gets smaller.]

You may not want to stick around here. I've heard the park's nice--?

[For a moment, Greg was silent. Then he nodded, and stood.]

Yeah, all right.

[He dusted off his pants, and gave Aaron a weary smile.]

You hang on to that stuff for a bit. I'm gonna want it back eventually, though, 'kay?

Okay. Thanks.

[He smiled back, and leaned back in the bench as far as his side allowed.]

I'll be here, probably.

[And, hopefully, fine.]

My Past Reads Like A Fall Out Boy Song Title [OPEN]

Why, a cripple out for a walk of course! PS: Is there any farm equipment nearby?

A tractor in the barn, which is about 10 meters away from their current spot!

Hehehe,just in range for technokinetic shenanigans if it comes down to a fight :D

shadow magic is bad for the brain

Daniel tends to get a little stubborn when people tell him to not go places.

rifp daniel and aaron

This appears to be escalating towards a fight... Oh well :D

*middle schoolers chanting* FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Re: *middle schoolers chanting* FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

don't kill aaron or break his bones pls. anything else is fair game tho

Wouldn't dream of it, please don't kill or maim Daniel either please :D

noooo problem!

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join the nox! benefits include shadows in your head and extreme paranoia

idk man their medical coverage isn't looking too great

it's like an unpaid internship of evil

just think of all the great networking opportunities

greg is so calming... i hope it lasts

he will do his best, chill is his thing. keep cool aaron

cool... haha...

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aaron: fights the urge to take the kit and run

such amazing self control

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that icon made me choke on my pepsi. greg, u ok?

that's not even his awkwardest icon. his life is one of pretending not to be uncomfortable

aaron: is a big baby

powerful shadow warrior

So scary, right??

protect our city from this monster.

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yeah, greg, the park's nice

sure seems like a nice dating spot

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middle schoolers chanting FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Re: middle schoolers chanting FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT