middaeg | Are you brave enough to see? [open]

Entry tags:

Are you brave enough to see? [open]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout Feoveuer
Where: The Wilde
What: Wilde Quest #2 Dragon's Den -- a dragon would like you to stop leaving him food offerings and go away
Warnings: none

((NOTE: Berserker will be in his full-sized dragon form, meaning he's about the size of an elephant, so keep that in mind!))

[ 1. Will you bite the hand that feeds? (Existing CR) ]

[ Food has been showing up at the mouth of the den he'd set up since he showed up in the Wilde. It's been an annoyance and it's not like he can tell them to cut it the fuck out. Instead, he just moves the offerings inside (mostly to prevent drawing in any wild creatures that might want to partake). Well, at least he won't go hungry.

Nearby footsteps draw his attention from where he's laying. He peeks his head out of the den and narrows his eyes. The dragon recognizes who's coming and huffs out a sigh. ]

... You came to find me, didn't you? Don't tell me you brought food, too.

[ 2. Will you chew until it bleeds? (New CR) ]

[ The sound of something being dropped near the opening of his temporary home gets Berserker to stand up and look out. It's not a mirrorbound that's familiar to him, so he's not about to be very friendly to them -- he's out here to be alone, after all. ]

Leave what you've brought and go before my kindness runs out.

[ Someone is a cranky boy. ]

[ 3. Will you get up off your knees? (Wildcard) ]

[ Did we plot something? Have an idea for this quest? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on Discord glitzkrieg#0673 and we can work something out! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Now that gets Trevor an incredulous look, which...is a feat from a dragon, but hey, he does it. ]

No. It's just liquor. Do you think my Bonded would give me something like that and not tell me?

[ Ridiculous. ]

Well I don't know. Who's to say what doesn't affect a dragon won't affect a vampire? Your blood makes me see fucking colours all over the goddamn place.

[ SO JUST SAYING!!

But, swishing the bottle around a little bit again, he takes care in uncapping it and, giving a hum, helps himself to a quick swig of it then. Licking over his lips, he hums. ]

Not bad.

Would you rather drink my blood, then?

[ That was probably unnecessary. It's easier to deal with everything if he just doesn't think about it. Settling into sniping at each other is much more pleasant than thinking about what they went through. The physical wounds had, at least, started to heal. ]

...Your wounds haven't healed yet, have they? I don't smell blood on you, at least.

[ He brings the back of his hand up to brush over his mouth as Berserker speaks and, for a moment, he's quiet. Gaze drifting across the den. ]

I haven't drank any since...

[ All that shit happened.

He shrugs, holding the bottle out to the dragon before he just... awkwardly looks about and places it down somewhere. Yeah. ]

That's because I bathed. You know. Something one should do after smelling like shit.

[ Well...it's easier to do any number of things in his more human appearance so he retreats to the furthest corner of the cave to shift back. It's painful, but he easily endures it. He's left naked, of course, which is an inconvenience...

It's fine. Berserker walks over to where his pile of clothes is as if it's the most normal thing in the world to walk around naked. Casual nudity should be expected from him, really. ]

You're being very defensive about that. All I said was I don't smell blood on you.

[ He pulls on the bare minimum of clothing, a pair of pants and a long sleeved shirt before taking a seat next to Trevor on the bed. The bottle of booze gets picked up and he takes a drink. A long pause follows as he considers the offer he's about to make. ]

And...you can feed, if you need it.

Edited 2020-02-06 01:02 (UTC)

[ Considering things and all, this is just... not too bothersome, really. But it's not like he looks while Berserker changes. He's not a peeper or something, gosh. Wen he joins him on the bed, however, he smiles a bit. Even if it seems strained. ]

It's fine.

[ It's not. Nothing is. ]

You're not just some bloodbag, you know.

I know that. I only offer because... [ I care is too much to say outright. Admitting he cares about anyone or anything is difficult still. ] ...I don't know.

[ It's normal. It's comforting in a twisted way. After everything, it's familiar. ]

Because...I consider you a friend and it's a courtesy I offer.

[ The closest he'll come to admitting that he cares. He takes another drink, savoring the burn in his throat before passing the bottle to Trevor. ]

[ He won't say no to another drink and, with a nod, he takes the bottle and a quick swig is to follow. A lick of his lips, he passes it back to the dragon, sighing as he looks ahead across the den again. They sure look like a couple of sad fucks, don't they? ]

Not really sure I'm in the mood to be all... happy and colourful or whatever.

[ Because Berserker's blood has that effect on him. Even if it's just been the one time thus far. ]

[ The topic of his blood isn't a pleasant one right now, either. That had been taken from him, too, once they figured out its effects...Effects that were discovered after they drugged a friend and forced him to attack Berserker. He takes the bottle back absently and stares down at it. They'd taken so much from him -- from everyone. Not just parts, either, but less tangible things, too.

The dragon allows himself to lean on Trevor without asking. He takes another drink in silence. They may be a couple of sad fucks, but at least they're not drinking alone. Diarmuid would probably be happier knowing he's not drinking by himself. ]

I'd rather feel nothing again than how I feel now. [ A real fucking downer. As much as he'd like to retreat to that safe apathy again, he can't. ] Do you think the parts they took ended up on the market yet or was that operation stopped before then...?

[ Because now he can't stop thinking about his venom and blood being turned into drugs. The thought disgusts him greatly. ]

[ When the dragon leans against him, he lets him. Lets him do as he feels is needed in this moment and listens to the words he offers that even he himself barely mutters to anyone other than himself. ]

I don't know.

[ And honestly... he doesn't. ]

They didn't really take anything from me. [ He says that softly, a gentle nod of his head back, eyes staring up to the roof of this dwelling. ] Think for me it was more along the lines of seeing how much I could resist. You know. Pain tolerance, what does and doesn't heal, what does and doesn't cause a mark.

[ Teeth drag over his lower lip as he finds himself frowning up to the roof with recalling his time spent in that room. ]

Best way to find the weakness of something. Try everything until it finally kills them.

[ Berserker's scales still haven't regrown, not fully. The patch normally visible on the back of his neck is mostly bare, irritated skin, though no longer bloody and there are a few scales starting to grow back in. The other patches on his body are in a similar state. ]

I was too valuable to kill, so they kept me crippled instead... [ Berserker keeps his gaze down on the bottle in his hands. It's strong enough he's getting tipsy off of it already. He passes it to Trevor once again. ] Scales, blood...They forced me into a feral state so I'd spit poison for them to take, too, since I wouldn't give it to them willingly.

[ As if he'd ever give up anything willingly. ]

You weren't valuable to them...I don't know if that's better or worse. If we'd stayed in that place...at least you would've had the relief of an eventual death coming to you.

[ Maybe drinking in this state of mind was a bad idea. Too late to go back, though. ]

[ At those words, Trevor finds himself smiling down to the bottle as he takes it. ]

Jokes on you. I'm still going to die. Soon.

[ He laughs about it, but he knows it's coming. His skin is more pale, eyes have sunken in some, and let's not forget the dark circles! He's not sure if it will be this month or the next... maybe the next after next. But he's not blind to his appearance. To how he can't bounce back as quickly from bruises and marks. Feeding... might help. Sustain him and allow for him to be "balanced" or whatever. But he's still going to die. He has to. Or else he can't become a full vampire. Shit sucks.

A quick swig from the bottle, he brushes the back of his hand across his mouth again. ]

But at least we're here now, right? For what? Who knows.

[ That's right...He'd almost forgotten about that. He'd chalked up Trevor's less than lively appearance to the trauma they'd been through. It's not like he'd been sleeping much, what with the new nightmares and all...He hopes those aren't being shared with his Bonded, but he has a feeling those hopes are futile. ]

That's why you look so bad, then. [ Tactless as ever. Berserker leans against him a bit more, settling in more comfortably. ] ...We're here to drink and forget this shit for awhile, I guess.

[ That's what it was turning into now, at least. Berserker takes the bottle back, takes one last long pull, and caps it; some of it should be saved for later. ]

Because that's all we can do...

[ Until it stops hurting so badly, at least. ]

We make such a cheery pair, don't we?

[ It's said a little sarcastically and to poke fun at the both of them because, let's be real, this shit still sucks.

But the dragon leans against him and Trevor looks up to the roof of this den again before he almost reluctantly brings a hand up and gently, very gently, lets it rest atop Berserker's head. ]

You need anything while you're out here?

[ He can't help but press into the touch, as if he's asking to be pet. It's pathetic and embarrassing if he thinks about it for more than five seconds, but it's more pleasant than dwelling on the despair and worthlessness inside him. Maybe the alcohol is hitting him a little harder than he'd like to admit. Berserker hasn't exactly been taking good care of himself out here. ]

...No. [ Yes. Companionship and a reminder he's still human on days when he tires of being alone; he can't ask for that, though. ] You don't need to concern yourself with my well-being.

[ Dwelling on despair and worthlessness? Yeah, Trevor's sure been there. He'd been feeling better about himself, truth be told. But then the whole kidnapping thing had to happen and it was like taking fifty steps back. So, he gets it. Even if Berserker doesn't outright say it.

He gets it.

Doesn't mean he's not gonna say something though. ]

Stop stealing my lines.

[ The tips of his fingers gently brush through the dragon's crown. ]

And don't drink out here by yourself like a sad fuck. What are you, me?

[ Berserker had been doing extremely well prior to being kidnapped. He was content with his life (which is as close to happy as he could get), accepted his new identity and role, and was relearning so much of what had been taken from him by the Grail and the wish of a selfish woman. Then everything happened. His Bond with Geralt was severed and he was kidnapped. Treated like nothing more than a beast again, he told himself he was a fool for thinking he was anything different.

Berserker slid back into his old way of thinking so easily. He was an idiot for thinking things had changed. The torture he'd been subject to showed him, in no uncertain terms, that he was nothing more than a tool to be used for someone else's purposes. The progress he'd made prior had all but been erased and it would take quite some time for him to get back where he used to be.

Those thoughts are at least pushed aside for now; they'll be back once he's alone. Berserker puts an arm around Trevor's middle to pull him just a bit closer. They may not be Bonded, but the contact is still very welcome. ]

... I'm not drinking alone. [ He mutters without looking up. ] I was drinking with you. Why are you so worried about me, anyway? I'm just...a beast, nothing more. Nothing anyone should get attached to, much less worry about.

Well then I guess that makes two of us, doesn't it?

[ So there. Case closed.

But he lets himself be pulled closer to the dragon, his hand still carding fingers through Berserker's crown while his other hand rests atop his own knee. A glance down, he still sees the blue and yellow of bruises across his fingers. ]

So what's the plan then? Just hide out here until you rot?

[ He asks with a sigh and a tilt of his head back, humming then, as if considering. ]

Maybe I'll do the same. Find my own little cave or something. Personally, I like trees more. You can make them into anything you want. Sometimes I made mine a ship.

No... [ How did Caster phrase it? It's not weakness that forced him out here, rather something different, something more positive. ] I came out here to take care of myself. Whatever I'm feeling...I need to deal with it on my own. I... [ His voice breaks and he stops talking for a moment. Tears sting his eyes, but he ignores them. ] I need time. That's all.

[ It's all so fucking painful to feel this much after living a life of apathy for so long. Feeling nothing but emptiness would be preferable again... ]

I'm not keeping you here, you know...If you want to make yourself at home in a tree, be my guest.

[ At least he can still be a shit, trying as it might be right now. ]

[ Trevor doesn't really expect the tears there??? Oh boy. This is SO NOT GOOD because he is SO FUCKING BAD AT THIS. A man who's suppressed all his own sorrow, loneliness, and emptiness over the years trying to comfort another much as he tried to with Sypha leaving her people behind to help them fight Dracula. This is just... so not his area of expertise.

But... yes, there's a but. He doesn't pull away. Doesn't even look away. Rather, he glances to the dragon out of the corner of his eye before he softly hums to himself and just, sits there with him. Hand slipping away from the crown of the dragon's head to instead rest on his shoulder then and fingers give a reassuring squeeze. ]

What, like outside your den here? We'd be neighbors then. I could keep watch for anyone coming and you could... [ hmmm ] ...take me for rides or something? Probably not a good idea anyways. The sun's going to start bothering me more, remember?

[ A nod, he stretches a leg out then, knocking his head back before he looks around the place Berserker has temporarily made his. ]

Guess you're stuck with me here then.

[ Ignore the tears, it's for the best. Berserker doesn't particularly have the greatest grasp on his emotions after not having them for so long. It's easy to lose control when you never really had any sort of control in the first place. He had given up any sort of warmth in the name of strength and all he had left were negative emotions for the longest time. Apathy, emptiness, and resentment were familiar feelings. Anything else? Not so much. Now that he could feel again, what he felt was painfully strong, amplified by their long absence. ]

It's not like I can fly right now, anyway.

[ The last declaration gets a quiet growl from him, though Berserker doesn't move from where he's settled against Trevor. ]

You're not staying here. My Bonded aren't allowed to stay here...Why would I let you stay?

Because I'm not your Bonded.

[ And he says that as if it's the most obvious answer in the world. ]

[ Trevor, what the fuck.

Berserker sits up to stare at him. ]

You're an idiot. That means there's even less reason for me to let you stay.

Well, I'm tired. So you'll just have to throw me out.

[ And he sure does flop himself down onto the bed and intends to stay there. Yep. ]

[ Berserker crawls over top of him, growling. It's not...quite threatening, but close. ]

It's not my concern if you're tired. You will leave when I tell you to leave.

[ Though with the way he's positioned himself now, he's made that more difficult. ]

I made this den my own and I choose who gets to stay here...

[ Cranky and possessive is certainly a different set of emotions to be experiencing, so good job, Trevor??? ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject