Who: Mephisto and You! What: Various Top Levels for this + next month When: March-April Where: The Grove Warnings: Will come up where applicable, but body horror, violence, and missing limbs are likely.
[ Mephisto has actually moved himself into the Inn’s lobby, and just spends his time writing in the notebook, both to perfect his sketch and add more things that make sense to him. His crutch is off the couch, leaning against him. ]
[Wolfwood was aware that he was young from his age when he was speaking to Steph, but Wolfwood...was not expecting Mephisto to be so.
Small. And frail. Like, he could pick him up easily with one hand. He wonders suddenly if Mephisto's bark is worse than his bite, because...well he can't exactly scrap with a sassy lost child who has glass bones and paper skin, now can he?
He WILL step around to the front of the couch, though, folding his arms across his chest.]
Yeah. And you're gonna tell me what you know, right now.
[ Mephisto looks up from his notebook, closing it briefly and giving Wolfwood a glance up and down for a moment, and thinking for just a little bit before setting his notebook down and crossing his legs. ]
You have a prosthetic leg that's thrown your natural equilibrium off, but an incredible sense of balance so you lean most of your weight into your other leg. You're a very expressive person, which is why you wear those sunglasses. You don't want to be. You like to keep your cards as close to your chest as you can. You're a fighter or mercenary, and... [ Mephisto mimics the way Wolfwood positions his hand naturally, humming a moment. ] a preference for firearms. You're a pessimist, yet you also care far too much for your own good. You're not afraid to kill anyone who threatens that harmony you have with the ones you care for, either. Unless it's someone you find "pitiable". That's what you're feeling now, aren't you?
[...Wolfwood's expression is difficult to read, just as Mephisto determined. His brows furrow, but that's about the only thing he'll see change, save for the way his lip curls as he's read basically for filth. He subconsciously shifts on his legs when they're brought up, but at least he understands being clocked as a mercenary because yeah...you don't get the kinds of scars he does being a civilian.
His tail lashes once behind him, cracking like a whip.]
I mean, I can change my opinion on that real easy if you want me to, punk.
Hmm... you can. You won't, though. [ This is a challenge, if anything. If he doesn't, whatever. ] You're afraid of making Flamebringer upset in case we really are close somehow.
[You ever read the netbook and you're like "haha this is really funny" and then you get the "oh no" vibe when the conversation suddenly ends and you have to go get your not-son and your not-boyfriend and keep them from killing each other?
No? Just him??
Anyway, while this argument has been ongoing, Flamebringer has been hauling ass looking for them, and he busts into the inn just in time to see Wolfwood about to fight a literal goddamn child what the FUCK is wrong with you—
He springs into action behind Wolfwood, hooks his arms under Wolfwood's armpits at the elbows, and hauls him backwards.]
The fuck did I say? I said if anyone had an issue with him, come get me.
[Wolfwood is very suddenly hauled back and away from Mephisto, and for a moment he tenses up and struggles against the hold, until he realizes it's Flamebringer just by the smell of cigarettes and smoke alone before he even starts talking. Somehow though, that's just even worse as his face darkens both with anger and humiliation as he wrenches himself free from the other's grasp.]
You saw what he fuckin' wrote! [He hisses, his eyes glinting above his shades.] You think I was gonna go get you after that?!
He's the type of kid to let you beat his ass. [Flamebringer hisses, staring down at Mephisto and just. Shaking his head. Why must you be like this.] That's what he wants.
Look. [To Mephisto.] Someone has to keep you from getting your ass beat.
[he cannot believe he's gotten to the point in his life where he's playing peacemaker between two of the most violent motherfuckers he knows but here he fucking is!]
We used to work together. That's how he knows me. I'll tell you about Reunion some other time, but you're not beating the shit out of a disabled kid just because you can't control your fucking temper.
[ Wince. ] You... make it sound like I enjoy getting hurt. That's not the case at all, and just goes to show how little you know about me. At least this asshole here doesn't pretend to care like you do.
[Unlike Mephisto, Wolfwood is a lot better at hiding it- as he so helpfully pointed out- but there is a brief flash of hurt in his expression at the implication he ever would beat the shit out of a disabled kid. Like, he gets what Flamebringer is saying, but that doesn't mean it doesn't get under his skin when he's already feeling Some Kind Of Way about Mephisto's heckling.]
I wasn't gonna touch him, but maybe he fucking should get his ass beat once in his life. He's just gonna keep spouting off and acting however he wants 'cause he knows he won't face any consequences. Not really.
[He flashes Mephisto a sneer.]
I don't care who he is, or where he came from, or what his fucking problem is: someone other than me might not be so nice as to pull their punches in the future.
[Flamebringer hisses lowly, a sharp breath through his teeth, and then turns one of his arms to fully put Wolfwood in a headlock. With Wolfwood like this and hopefully unable to move his head, he leans in and hisses under his breath so only Wolfwood can hear:]
You don't know what happens to him on Terra. I do.
[And then, louder:]
Cool it. He's antagonizing you on purpose, and you're being a bitch about it. He's a teenager, they say shit. [good to know flamebringer is bad at comfort as usual.] And you— [Mephisto.] —if I wanted you to get your ass beat or die somewhere, I would've left your ass in the woods. Put words in my mouth if you want.
[Even though he gets on Ezell's case about that... he won't get on Mephisto's about it. Teenagers will teenage. Especially ones who have gone through what he has.]
[ Mephisto presses his lips into a thin line and narrows his eyes at Wolfwood, then to Flamebringer. He isn't one to spout his tale to anyone, even though he's sure Flamebringer knows by proxy of just... being in Reunion. Not everyone knew, of course, but the commanders did talk to one another, and he's friends with W... Still.
He doesn't know what's whispered to Wolfwood, but it doesn't spark any sort of ease with Mephisto. He wishes he were just a little better at reading lips. ]
...Maybe you should have. Your boy here would've certainly appreciated it. Good to know that at least your atrocious tastes in company hasn't changed at all.
[When Flamebringer suddenly headlocks him, Wolfwood makes a sound like an enraged tiger, and for a split second he's about to wheel around and try to flip him over his head to get him the fuck off. He doesn't actually end up doing that though, mainly because of what Flamebringer whispers in his ear, which...it doesn't really mean much to him in this moment, beyond a flicker of insight- maybe- into why this kid is acting this way.
His tail is still lashing angrily as Mephisto speaks up, and god he would give just anything to put the fear of god into this little asshole. Not hurt him or anything, just scare him a little bit...
But if he and Flamebringer know each other, maybe even that isn't possible. He's probably enjoying the show Wolfwood is putting on for him as it is. To that end, he decides to just ignore Mephisto entirely, addressing Flamebringer instead:]
[He releases Wolfwood with something of a shove, but the way he walks around to stand between the two says that he Will manhandle either of them again if he has to.]
Not my boy. [Flamebringer, Wolfwood sort of Is yours though, like you straight up stole him from 3 other people.] You're here now, and whether you like it or not, people aren't going to want you to die off in the woods despite what Wolfwood is saying. That's how the people here are.
[ Mephisto's tone goes deadly flat, muttering mostly to himself. ]
I've figured that much. This place truly is my personal hell.
[ He doesn't want to be here. He knows most people probably feel that way, but... it scares him, to know that there are very good people here in such a shitty, awful place. He doesn't want to see good people broken down until they break.
[Wolfwood stumbles a little as he's shoved, skidding a bit on the heel of the shoe encasing his prosthetic before he manages to right himself. He is still hot under the collar, and more than likely will be for the next while, considering how he's balling his fists at his sides.
He clicks his tongue harshly against the roof of his mouth and pivots on the ball of his good foot.]
Whatever.
[And then he'll storm out, heading for the Church to brood.]
I'm fine. And I'm not taking orders from you. Don't ruin your relationships because you're being weird and fussy over me. As far as I'm concerned, we're strangers now.
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If you need me to wait in the lobby that’s no problem.
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Because he is marching his way to the Inn as we speak, oops-
Anyway Wolfwood busts through the door, his tail lashing behind him as he searches the main lobby for...
...
Fuck he doesn't actually know who he's looking for.]
Mephisto. Are you fuckin' here?!
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Oh? You actually made it.
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Small. And frail. Like, he could pick him up easily with one hand. He wonders suddenly if Mephisto's bark is worse than his bite, because...well he can't exactly scrap with a sassy lost child who has glass bones and paper skin, now can he?
He WILL step around to the front of the couch, though, folding his arms across his chest.]
Yeah. And you're gonna tell me what you know, right now.
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You have a prosthetic leg that's thrown your natural equilibrium off, but an incredible sense of balance so you lean most of your weight into your other leg. You're a very expressive person, which is why you wear those sunglasses. You don't want to be. You like to keep your cards as close to your chest as you can. You're a fighter or mercenary, and... [ Mephisto mimics the way Wolfwood positions his hand naturally, humming a moment. ] a preference for firearms. You're a pessimist, yet you also care far too much for your own good. You're not afraid to kill anyone who threatens that harmony you have with the ones you care for, either. Unless it's someone you find "pitiable". That's what you're feeling now, aren't you?
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His tail lashes once behind him, cracking like a whip.]
I mean, I can change my opinion on that real easy if you want me to, punk.
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Shut. The fuck. Up. Stop actin' like you fuckin' know me.
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No? Just him??
Anyway, while this argument has been ongoing, Flamebringer has been hauling ass looking for them, and he busts into the inn just in time to see Wolfwood about to fight a literal goddamn child what the FUCK is wrong with you—
He springs into action behind Wolfwood, hooks his arms under Wolfwood's armpits at the elbows, and hauls him backwards.]
The fuck did I say? I said if anyone had an issue with him, come get me.
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[ He's picking up his notebook to start writing in it again, as if he'd done nothing wrong, and wasn't about to be headbutted. ]
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You saw what he fuckin' wrote! [He hisses, his eyes glinting above his shades.] You think I was gonna go get you after that?!
[No, he's fucking mad and had to make a point.]
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Look. [To Mephisto.] Someone has to keep you from getting your ass beat.
[he cannot believe he's gotten to the point in his life where he's playing peacemaker between two of the most violent motherfuckers he knows but here he fucking is!]
We used to work together. That's how he knows me. I'll tell you about Reunion some other time, but you're not beating the shit out of a disabled kid just because you can't control your fucking temper.
[FLAMEBRINGER THAT'S BIG TALK FROM YOU]
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I wasn't gonna touch him, but maybe he fucking should get his ass beat once in his life. He's just gonna keep spouting off and acting however he wants 'cause he knows he won't face any consequences. Not really.
[He flashes Mephisto a sneer.]
I don't care who he is, or where he came from, or what his fucking problem is: someone other than me might not be so nice as to pull their punches in the future.
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You don't know what happens to him on Terra. I do.
[And then, louder:]
Cool it. He's antagonizing you on purpose, and you're being a bitch about it. He's a teenager, they say shit. [good to know flamebringer is bad at comfort as usual.] And you— [Mephisto.] —if I wanted you to get your ass beat or die somewhere, I would've left your ass in the woods. Put words in my mouth if you want.
[Even though he gets on Ezell's case about that... he won't get on Mephisto's about it. Teenagers will teenage. Especially ones who have gone through what he has.]
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He doesn't know what's whispered to Wolfwood, but it doesn't spark any sort of ease with Mephisto. He wishes he were just a little better at reading lips. ]
...Maybe you should have. Your boy here would've certainly appreciated it. Good to know that at least your atrocious tastes in company hasn't changed at all.
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His tail is still lashing angrily as Mephisto speaks up, and god he would give just anything to put the fear of god into this little asshole. Not hurt him or anything, just scare him a little bit...
But if he and Flamebringer know each other, maybe even that isn't possible. He's probably enjoying the show Wolfwood is putting on for him as it is. To that end, he decides to just ignore Mephisto entirely, addressing Flamebringer instead:]
Let me go.
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[He releases Wolfwood with something of a shove, but the way he walks around to stand between the two says that he Will manhandle either of them again if he has to.]
Not my boy. [Flamebringer, Wolfwood sort of Is yours though, like you straight up stole him from 3 other people.] You're here now, and whether you like it or not, people aren't going to want you to die off in the woods despite what Wolfwood is saying. That's how the people here are.
[He has a lot of faith in them.]
Wolfwood, we'll talk later.
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I've figured that much. This place truly is my personal hell.
[ He doesn't want to be here. He knows most people probably feel that way, but... it scares him, to know that there are very good people here in such a shitty, awful place. He doesn't want to see good people broken down until they break.
It'd be too painful to witness again. ]
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He clicks his tongue harshly against the roof of his mouth and pivots on the ball of his good foot.]
Whatever.
[And then he'll storm out, heading for the Church to brood.]
i need a 5th comment to make ac hi.
Take five, Mephisto. Go cool off.
[Sighs... why has he become peacemaker, he's not good at making peace, he normally kills whatever the danger is.]
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