middaeg | There's a reckonin' a comin'.

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There's a reckonin' a comin'.

Who: Niles, L, Azura, Henry, Myr, Connor,
When: Backdated to the 7th, through the rest of the month.
Where: A seedy motel, then an abandoned warehouse in the refugee district.
What: Sometimes people cut off their rival's fingers as self care. Don't judge.
Warnings: Niles cuts off all of L's fingers, it's gonna get nasty.

Mello vanishing was both a boon and a tragedy for Niles' plans. Getting a live grenade out of the picture made things much simpler, but it meant he had no secondary player to keep Myr's attention. The longer that Mello was gone, the more attention would be focused on him, no matter how much he sweet talked L's lackeys. This full moon was his best chance at success, and L was ever so helpfully acting out his self destructive schedule early. The night of the full moon was the perfect time to pounce, and the moment he saw L going for the bottle he gathered his supplies.

Time to get to work.

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Edited 2020-05-11 16:28 (UTC)

[The moment he's sure he's managed to lose anyone following him, he finds somewhere secluded. His voice is low a low whisper and he's panting heavily.]

Henry, it's done. I'm on my way.

Edited 2020-05-11 20:06 (UTC)

[Henry's awfully surprised to receive the call, not entirely abreast of the situation. Though it's not completely unsurprising, and he doesn't betray any manner of surprise.

If anything, he simply offers a hum of amusement over the device.]

Roooger. Hey, I'll be out front for you, 'kay? That way you don't have to come to the door. See ya in a flash!

[And Henry's quick to head outside, wearing a decent sweater provided by his Bondmate — she is a seamstress, after all, and knows he runs a bit cold regardless of the weather. He's alert, ready for Niles's approach.]

Edited (MORE BAD GRAMMAR, MORE HOURS LATER) 2020-05-15 18:51 (UTC)

[Unlike normally, Niles approaches from ground level rather than coming down from a rooftop. As he slinks between shadows on the street it's clear why. He's hurt and bloody, and when he reaches Henry the smell of singed fur and burnt flesh accompanies him. But he's wearing a triumphant smile, albeit one tempered by exhaustion.

He pulls a pouch off his belt, which he presents to Henry.]

Got 'em all. [His head dips down a little apologetically then.] Got interrupted, so I had to leave the collar there unfortunately. [And his smile fades into something more serious. They didn't have time to celebrate.]

I can't stay long, the guard will be after me.

[A change in M.O., eh? Henry's not actually sure what to make of Niles' shift in lurking behavior, but he takes to it about as readily as he might take to a decapitation. What he doesn't precisely take to is the sight of Niles in disarray, though it's not as if he falters much.

It's alarming, at worst.

But Henry's seasoned to this ilk of dealing, and he shakes his head with the same easygoing smile he always wears, hair longer than his usual dancing about his face with the emphasis of it.]

Aw, don't worry about that collar. I don't need it back. I could always fashion up a newer, bloodier model, anyhow. Not that I have any real use for it. [Here, he accepts the pouch. He peeks inside with a laugh.] Whoa, sticky fingers here swiped up some tactile treasure! I'm touched, nya ha!

[The severity or gravity of this situation might be a little lost on someone so gruesome as Henry, who focuses on the gory details. But he regards Niles more carefully — for all Henry kills with great ease, seeing people in pain isn't his favorite thing.]

Do you want some of my healing magic? I've only gotten better at it since Bonding, you know! I'd say I'm the best dark mage healer I know, and I'm not even bragging.

[He doesn't know a single dark mage healer. That's why.]

[Niles giggles at Henry's wordplay, followed shortly by a wince. The stab wounds in his gut didn't respond well to that much movement apparently. He nods appreciatively.]

Yes, thank you.

[The bulk of the damage is on his right arm. The fur on it is scorched, oozing sores ringing the edges where fire bit down directly on skin. His hand is curled into a gnarled and tight fist, spasms occasionally causing his own claws to dig deeper into his palm. He can't unclench it. Trying to move that arm at all is painful, both on a surface level where his burnt skin pulls and tears, and on a deeper, flesh and nerve level. The electricity that L sent coursing through him missed his heart, but it left his arm twitchy, aching, and damaged. By comparison the two deep stabs in his abdomen, (both already bandaged although blood is beginning to soak through the dressings), are trivial.

He takes a step towards the house, but then hesitates.]

Is anyone else inside?

Edited 2020-05-24 03:08 (UTC)

Yeah. [Henry points to the side of the house, as though having anticipated this. He takes a few soft steps in that direction, beckoning Niles along.] We're gonna wanna go around back. My Bondmate's in there, and she's a smart one! She'll wanna play a round of twenty questions with you.

[Henry understands that this is a situation that Niles would not like to play twenty questions with a bossy Lalafell about.]

I've got a shed I do a lot of my magical stuff in. She knows I do Necromancy... Soooo we kind of agreed that I'd keep my shady business out back. Follow me.

[This is an agreeable arrangement, in Henry's eyes. He'd rather find Bondmates who know what he does fully and don't mind, even if they don't like it when he brings dead birds (and fingers) into the house.

When Niles follows along, Henry's able to quickly sweep them both into the shady shack in the back. With a snap, candles light its interior to shed light upon its contents. It's organization found in chaos when it comes to his magical instruments and collection of dead bird bodies, but there's a comfy chair or two. With magical implements available to him, Henry's better able to do healing magic without cutting his own hand open or anything; he takes a vial from a shelf that's a pinkish-red before rolling up his sleeves.]

Man, talk about a job change! Dark mage to healer... It's been months, and I'm STILL reeling. [For the moment, the bag of fingers is placed easily on a work table.] Can I see your arm? Just a guess... But I thiiink that's bound to be the worst of your injuries.

[It looks... pretty bad!]

[He stands for a moment, turning slowly on his axis to be able to take in the whole room with his single eye, and as he inspects the shelves' contents a dreamy smile comes over his face. It's so familiar. A little more bloody and a little less botanical than Leo's own study, but none of the objects would be out of place among his Lord's possessions. He sits with a fond sort of sigh. Then, with a minor wince that doesn't much impact his smile, he extends his arm for Henry to get a better look at. There's a noticeable tremor as he lifts it from his side.]

Yes. Some kind of thunder magic. Took a full shot of it. Probably would have died without the collar dampening what it could.

Edited 2020-05-30 00:52 (UTC)

[Less botanical for sure. Henry would suggest that he'd end up killing any plants that found themselves unfortunately in this shed.

Without any reservations, Henry takes Niles' arm by the wrist with an interested hum, imagining the sort of impact this Witch's dampened magic had on Niles as though in real time.]

Yeah, got you real good. Dunno if I could ever undo this scarring! Which is fine, 'cause it's wicked cool.

[Treating a painful injury lightly, Henry laughs before letting go of Niles' wrist again, uncorking the vial. Enough of its contents are poured directly onto his own palm, which almost alights on contact like kerosene into a bluish light.]

Okay, this should negative hurt, but it might feel a bit weird. Restitching tissue, reversing damage done... You know how it is.

[Henry boldly moves to wave hands over his arm, over fur and oozing sores. An advanced spell, one that penetrates skin and muscle, liable to feel like a cooling energy not unlike a healing staff.]

Did you kill the guy? Just wondering.

[Niles nods. He's plenty familiar with healing magic, but this specific method is new to him. He watches Henry's hands intently as he relaxes into the chair. Now that he's off his feet, now that he's hidden, now that he's safe, the adrenaline is wearing off. He blinks slowly, and shakes his head.]

No. [He gives a mirthless little tch of laughter.] Went to so much trouble not to, ugh. Didn't want to bring lethal force into our feud.

[It's a strange, principled decision, regardless of how Niles describes its practicality.]

But. [His eye sweeps up Henry's arm and to his face.] He's powerless now.

[Indeed, a strange mercy. Henry can't fathom the decision it must take to choose injury and pain over death, which feels right, if the actions warrant anything at all. Henry goes from zero to eleven, no in-between. He hums at the notion of avoiding lethal force.]

Powerless, huh... [Said on an exhale, an easy thing to do when he focuses. Healing's becoming easier and easier to do, especially now that he has a Monster Bond. Especially now that he has a Bond at all. Especially now that he has some semblance of clarity, something he could hardly say he's ever really... had?] Sure hope you're right about that! I'm sure you're good at this stuff, though. Just a hunch.

[His healing can't restore fur to its rightful state, but it can restore the injury itself. It's a gradual process, starting from his wrist and moving up to his shoulder to unwork the damage done.]

Must've been a tactile Witch of some kind. Hence the bag o' digits. But some of us Witches have two methods of practice up our sleeves... I do blood AND incantation. Did you get rid of the tongue, for extra measure?

[A real question!]

[He nods again.]

It's how he managed all this. [Indeed it's probably hard to tell under all the other damage, but on his ring finger there's a nasty bite wound, the rest of the damage radiating down the arm from there.] I was running short on time, couldn't remove the tongue as...neatly as I wanted to. Had to just reach in and yank.

[A little snicker. There's a joke in there somewhere, but he can't put his finger on it. Cat got his tongue... too simple. Henry would manage to make it rhyme probably. Something with paw or claw then? Ah well, he'll leave the wordplay up to the scholar.]

Edited 2020-06-01 00:03 (UTC)

Whoa! I'm right?! Nice one!

[Henry laughs, touching fingers to his bicep this time instead of letting digits hover over skin. A point of contact, something Henry doesn't shy away from. (Is there really anything to shy away from, at this point?)]

Incantation for him, too. [And though he touches his bicep, the other hand skirts down his wrist and lifts delicately his fingers, thinking about what he'd do if someone tried to yank his tongue: bite, hard. Sure enough, it's a spot he'd missed. He giggles, shaking his head.] Stuck your paw right in his maw and got caught. I think they say something about stuffing a wad of cloth between molars to make it a clean removal, but, hey. Whatever's fun for you.

[He doubts it was for fun's sake. It was probably quite the operation, beyond Henry's scope of understanding. All he knows is that it means a lot to Niles to do this... And Niles is a fiercely active and protective sort. Both of those he keeps close, and of himself.]

[He'd had a ring gag along with him, just didn't get the time to use it. Best laid plans...

He's hyper aware of Henry's fingers on his arm, then holding his hand, gently bending and examining his now pleasantly sore fingers. The full moon is on its way to setting, but its effects are still strong on him. He'd been avoiding Azura ever since she declined to end their bond. He was grateful for her choice, but not willing to be pulled off course, so even despite his exhaustion he can feel the feral thoughts and impulses tugging on his brain. He'll need some of that in the days to come. Hiding in the hunting grounds and figuring out how to fake his death would certainly take some reckless and destructive action, but not until after some careful planning and strategy.

He needed to calm down, he needed to rest, he needed to clear his head. He needed a witch.]

Henry. [When his fingers close around Henry's own, his grip is weak, but his hands are warm.] Let's bond again. I've missed you. [His right hand goes back to his belt, fishes around in a significantly less bloody pouch than the one he'd gifted Henry, and resurfaces with a corked vial.] And you're very fun.

Eh? Me?

[Not necessarily at the "fun" part — Henry would consider himself a fun and funny guy, true enough. But the surprise comes at Bonding, until Niles produces a bottle — one he recognizes all too readily as a temporary Bond elixir. He hums, but his surprise dissipates some.]

Is that how you qualify your potential Bonds, Niles? Fun and if you miss 'em? Aw. I'm chuffed. [He grins silly, the slightest smattering of pink to his cheeks.] If you're sure, I'd be glad to.

[With those spindly fingers of his, he reaches for the vial to take it delicately — soft enough that it could instill the worry of having dropped it, but he pinches it between his fingers.]

[As is usually the case with Niles, there's much more to it than that. There's much more at stake for him, but having gotten a test run of their compatibility he feels confident. On top of all the mage has already done for him, Henry feels familiar in so many enticing ways. He nods, a rumble growing in his chest that he chooses not to smother.]

I'm surrrrrre. Drrrrrrink.

Edited 2020-06-25 22:22 (UTC)

[Oh... The purring slur of Niles' words is somehow enamoring, bringing Henry a strange sort of warmth like nostalgia, familiarity, and they're not yet Bonded. How strange of a feeling that is — how strange to feel a feeling at all, he thinks, and he uncorks the vial.

It's not as though Henry would ever deny somebody who wants to Bond. Especially not a Monster. It's congenial that he should already be familiar with - and fond of - Niles. He giggles.]

Alright. Bottom's up, then!

[It's one of the temp vials, he knows. That silvery liquid that he's used plenty of times in the past, Bonding with any which Monster. In fact, he's done it with Niles before, too. Recalling that day is something that heats up and chills him both, even standing here in his Dubious Magic shed...

Long story short, though, Henry drinks the vial like a shot.]

[Once Henry tosses the concoction back, Niles leans in quickly, pressing their mouths together. His good hand slides up the back of Henry's neck, keeping him in place while he deepens the kiss and takes his own share of the potion directly back from Henry's mouth. It's sloppy and clumsy, some of the liquid slipping between them and dripping from Niles chin. He pulls his hand back to wipe at his face, keeping the mess from winding up in his chest hair.

As he feels the bond between them open, his side is alight with gratitude, relief, and a simple kind of happiness. He's still purring, and at their feet his tail curls and uncurls with a giddy kind of energy.]

Thank you.

[He wants another kiss. A less goal-oriented kiss. A real kiss. He starts to lean in, but waits, letting the desire now apparent across the bond ask the question for him. Henry might not be a virgin, but the last time things had gotten sexual between them his nerves had been apparent. It's best to let Henry take just what he wants until he figures out his own preferences.]

[Henry doesn't expect this at all. He thought Niles brought a second vial — he's always done it with two split between, after all. But he slips into role compliantly, slackening to Niles's touch and parting his lips.

Liquid drips between them, silvery and slick, thick like blood and with the sound of it, too. As ever, the dark mage's kisses are far less assertive, far more receiving, far less certain, but his manner's docile and mild yet curious. His head goes fuzzy, as fuzzy as his Chimera Bonded-to-be. (That's a thought to make him smile into their kiss, actually, for all that he can hold a thought.

Niles breaks it, because Henry's not much for action in the realm of making moves. Not yet. The sound of his purring is a welcome, warm backdrop to it all, and Henry remains without breath, licking at the residual Bonding potion that's dripped down his chin. But he hums an affirmative, sluggish and dazed.]

Yeah. Honestly, "thanks" is a lot easier to say than a whole vow!

[Bonding ceremonies sure are something. But he can feel Niles now, can feel that shock of demand, muted though it is compared to a Coven-appointed Bond, and he sees his face so much closer: wisps of curly, white hair frame his features, sharp canines and furry ears flanking his cheeks. It's not especially light in here, but the white of his features catch light and make everything else seem especially dark. The dark, to Henry, is welcoming.

Were he still un-Bonded to Niles, he may not have taken the hint, surprisingly. But he can feel the barest suggestion, and the stilted Witch leans forward in increments: a bit closer, first. The slightest tilt of his head, next. Then, close enough for lips to fit together, a dizziness making him giggle again. But Henry doesn't say much of anything at all when he scarcely brushes his lips to Niles in a reciprocal gesture, soft as his light, thrumming heartbeat.]

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There's a reckonin' a comin'.

Step Five: The Hand-off

watch call

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famous last words

niles...

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