sticksandbones | Come On, Come On Now

Come On, Come On Now

Who: Polaris the Renovan Hawk (and Luca too, kinda)
What: She is lonely.
When: The week after Luca's death
Where: Wherever you are. You cannot escape her.
Warnings: The bird has a knife.

[Whether you know it or not, there’s been a shift in the Grove. With a single bite, Luca’s life had been snuffed out. Several of your fellow comrades have found themselves affected deeply by the loss — perhaps you stumbled upon the trail of their stony carnage?

The lives of your fellow villagers are not the only ones to have been affected, though. High in the sky you might spot a familiar bird, feathers showing a deep red in the light of the sun, and a russet brown when perched at the Watchtower Bar. Her tail feathers, not unlike that of a Phoenix herself, trail behind her as she searches the skies fruitlessly. Polaris, the Renovan Hawk, is a familiar sight to any regulars. But she’s never seemed as listless as this.

For days, she shifts about the town. Friends of Luca might find her perched on a nearby branch nearby, her sharp eyes watching them in hopes that they might reveal a clue to his whereabouts. Here and there, she might alight on a shoulder or two, preening hungrily at hair, before fluttering away once more.

And then, one day, she takes to the sky in a rush.

For those that happen to be near the Bar, it should be obvious why. In one moment, it’s a still, spring evening. In the next, a burst of heat washes through the building. Those outside might briefly see flame lick at the windows of the top-most floor, there in one second and then gone.

Polaris is at the window in the ever open window in a second. She disappears for only a moment, then reappears. This time when she opens her wings and takes to the sky, it’s with purpose. Though they’ve been frequent recipients to her efforts thus far, Clive and Kiera (or their windows, should they be inside) will find themselves under a renewed assault by the hawk.

She will not relent until they’re following her back to the bar.]

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[oh. kiera has been progressively more depressed since they returned to the grove following their rampage, and has yet again fallen deep into their cups about it. the clatter at their window gets their attention after a few seconds, and they have to squint for a few more before they recognize the reddish brown shape.

at least a bird can't go around telling people how embarrassing it is for kiera to stumble so hard they actually eat shit on their kitchen floor before scrambling up the windowsill to open it.]

Polaris -- ? Are you alright, girl? [definitely checking behind her to make sure no monster or larger predator is after her.]

[Unfortunately, there are no snakes. She doesn't really like the snakes. She can't eat them, therefore they suck.

Anyway. The second the window opens, Polaris promptly tilts her head forward and bites Kiera's finger. Then she's flying off again.]

[Dachie understands what it's like to have your dad die, his dad died a while ago and he howled every night for a week! Hi Polaris how are you :)

He is owldog shrieking after her. Hi where going? What doing :O]

[Okay, look. You can't be doing a shrieking. What are you, a fucking husky.

Polaris alights on the ground and stares daggers at Dachie. If only she had a real knife.]

[real shit, polaris.

... listen, kiera is so goddamn drunk it actually takes a solid few seconds for them to register that they just got fucking can opener'd. like, polaris is already ten feet away. they don't have the self-control to contain a yelp, but at least the lil cronch did its job. it motivates kiera to stumble out the front door as well, as unsteady on their feet as they are.

now where did that little bitch get off to??]

[Polaris alights on a nearby roof, waiting for Kiera to exit their home. Once they do, they let out a squawk, before divebombing their head. Sober up, bitch, you've got a brother to go get.

From there, Polaris flies up to her perch at the top of the watchtower. There's another noise, this one slightly more agitated than the first.]

[polaris, my dear, sobering up doesn't work like that!! they're definitely making an effort to be more alert as they make their way over to the bar, though. hold your horses, bird, she's going inside. even if she has to break the door in.

she hopes she doesn't have to break the door in.]

[ Without Luca, the bar has stopped being his favorite place to visit, though he goes every day to dart a look to the ghostly keeper in question. And every day leaving in disappointment. And Polaris has become a fixture he's grown used to, feeding her treats at the room window or when he's tending to Ambrosia.

But this is different, as she dives him, clutches at his hair and takes off in a manner that's clearly meant to get his attention. He watches her for a moment before following before she yanks his hair out on her second attempt. ]

All right, girl, I'm going.

[ He's not letting hope warm him, but his heart does beat a bit faster as he trots in the direction of the bar, following the bird. ]

[Polaris hops from rooftop to rooftop. Each time she settles, she looks back at Clive expectantly, only to take off once more when she's satisfied by her findings.

The final leap takes her to the uppermost window of the Watchtower itself. She lets out a noise, something a bit softer than her earlier alerts, before ultimately ducking in through the open glass.

Once inside, Clive will instantly feel just how unusually warm it is. Perhaps the other guests chatter about it, or even the strange flash of light and flame from the private stairwell on the second floor.

The reason should be come clear enough should Clive mount said stairs and enter Luca's quarters. The stone at the center most portion of the room is scorched, as if an explosion had gone off. In the center of it, Luca is half sprawled, half seated as he tries to take in his surroundings. He's managed to pull on a long shirt that covers most everything, but that's about it. Dude's clothes were burned off thanks to Kiera, so RIP to modesty.

Polaris is currently perched upon his shoulder, preening at his hair as Luca tries to take in his surroundings. He startles at the sound of someone approaching, then quickly tries to make the best of what little clothing he has. Even with his legs folded close to his body and obscuring anything more salacious, the final bite to his knee is obvious, now marked by the black sun as it is

Both of those efforts stop as Clive enters, though. Luca stares up at him, brow briefly furrowed, before collapsing into something guilty.]

Clive - [His voice is rough from lack of use, and small besides. He reaches up to rub at the front of his throat, ruffling his feathers in the process, before lowering his hand once more. He... doesn't know what else to say.]

[ He hesitates to climb the stairs, but the heat and Polaris' insistent attempts to get him there finally make him. And, ultimately, he's glad he does because there's Luca, and his gut clenches tight in relief. The sound of his name is what makes him begin to move, and he reaches up to unclasp his cape from around his shoulder as he approaches quickly, using it to cover Luca better before kneeling down beside him onto one knee.

Sorry, Polaris, he's upsetting your perch as he reaches out to gather Luca up into his arms and hug him tightly. Tucking him tight against his shoulder, being careful not to be too rough in case Luca can't handle it yet. His voice is rough itself but with emotion. ]

You came back.

[ He truly was wondering if Luca would... ]

[Thankfully, the door (and the bar) are open. Despite Luca (and presumably Kiera's) absence at the helm, the specter of Cyrus continues on. Said spirit glances up as Kiera bursts in, concerned but ever unable to do anything.

Polaris, thankfully, doesn't attempt to follow Kiera inside. She's content up on her perch, thank you.]

[The cape is more than a relief, all things considered. Luca still feels like he's freezing, and finds himself pulling it tightly around him. Polaris swiftly moves out of the way, both giving Luca room to bundle up, and Clive room to pull him in close. Instantly, Luca curls into him, chasing both warmth and comfort. Luca's head lolls heavily against the man's shoulder, before nosing in close to the crook of Clive's neck. His hands, meanwhile, loop around to grip near his shoulders, though the effort seems weakened. His body trembles faintly from the chill, though the tremors fade between both the man and his offered clothing.]

I didn't think -

[He trails off, unable to finish his sentence. Despite the warnings, he had believed the Blessing would overcome both distance and the venom itself. To know that such a buffer no longer existed makes him feel vulnerable. It's been years since he's feared death.

None of this he says out loud, not yet. He can tell that Clive has been worried. He wants nothing more than to assuage that concern. He presses his lips, light and innocent as he can muster, to Clive's pulse. They're both alive, and oh, what a relief that is.]

I came back.

[of course, kiera is aware that the spirit occupies this place. still, she hasn't seen it since luca perished, and meeting its eyes is a sobering slap in the face if there ever was one.

rather than continue looking at it, they make their unsteady way up the stairs. if polaris is perched high, clearly they ought to follow.]

[As Kiera proceeds through the building, she'll become aware of two things. 1) It is extremely hot in here. 2) Even the guests are unnerved by it. Maybe she'll hear whispers about the sudden increase in heat, or the strange, blazing light that appeared at the top of the stairs.

Should she choose to keep going, she'll discover why. Luca is currently collapsed on the ground. He's out cold, completely nude, but most certainly breathing. Polaris has made her way into the room, nipping at Luca's hand in an attempt to wake him. Eventually, he lifts a trembling hand to gingerly shove her way.]

[yeah, even in her haze, kiera knows this is not normal. their pace quickens as they ascend to luca's quarters and -- they stop the moment they see him, both because the residual heat actually hurts their face, and because he's there.

the shock is pushed aside quickly. as they approach, kiera unfastens their clasp so that they can lay their fur over him, careful of polaris. they debate whether to help him up immediately, or back off and simply wait... eventually deciding on the latter. they know luca's body can be a sensitive subject for him, and they don't want to mortify him the second he wakes.

as soon as he moves to fuss at polaris, though, they make their presence known, from where they hold on to the nearest furniture to keep from swaying.]

Luc. I'm here.

[The presence of the fur manages to further rouse Luca. He blinks his eyes open, looking first to the bird, then up to his sibling. All at once, he becomes away both of the heat and how it settles against his body. It sends him shooting up at once, a terrible mistake judging by the way his head begins to spend.]

Kiera -

[The memories come rushing back. The cold chill of death actually settling into his bones, and followed by the absence of the Phoenix's flames actually chasing it away. The thought alone reminds him to search his mind, and finds the essence of its flames steadily returning.

He isn't sure if he's relieved or not.]

I - fucked up pretty bad, huh?

[they catch how wobbly he is, but still don't feel it's their place to get closer unless he says as much.]

Don't hurt yourself.

[at least he's awake, and alive. kiera looks down at the dresser they're pressed against and gets to pulling out a set of actual clothes for him.]

... We don't need to talk about it. You're here now. Nothing else matters.

[Luca grunts at her command, but doesn't argue. He just kind of... scoots himself across the ground so that he can lean against the bed. It's not far, and at least this way he can cushion his head against the mattress.

After a few seconds of squinting, though:]

Are you avoiding me then? Or just afraid you're going to get burnt?

[kiera just stares at him for a long moment. then tosses the gathered tunic and trousers at him.]

Dear brother, you are without apparel.

[Luca just sighs. That isn't what he meant but... whatever. He quickly pulls the tunic on, and then wiggles the fur downward as a makeshift curtain while he pulls the trousers up as well. Much better.]

Help me onto the bed?

[they look away, to be polite, and once he's clothed properly they do ask they're asked. though they wobble just a bit, their touch is lighter than ever, as if they fear luca may fall apart right before them once again. their uncharacteristically earnest gaze never strays from him, either, as if searching for any lingering wounds.

with their ruff off, a new necklace is obvious, the cord hanging down to a small glass vial tucked at their breast.]

Lingering wounds? No. But Kiera will likely see, just above his wrist, that his earlier bites have now warped themselves. Black suns mark each space, the color alone a regrettable reminder of their shared past.

Whether or not Luca has noticed yet remains to be seen. He settles onto the bed, wiggling up so that he can rest his back against his veritable mound of pillows. Much better.

Only then does he seem to notice the vial and... immediately winces. He isn't a fool, he knows what that is.]

I'm sorry I worried you.

Don't apologize. Not for this.

[maybe if luca had only gotten himself injured, kiera would be of a different opinion. but they can only imagine how much guilt he already feels, and over simply trying to protect them...

... they catch his grimace, and tuck the vial out of sight. then they can make their own disgusted face at the marks of the false god.]

Fuck that wretched thing straight to hell. [sorry luca you get drunk bitch kiera.]

[Similarly, Luca covers the bite mark, pulling his sleeve down all the more. A bitter smile forms on his lips as he shakes his head.]

As if I am not already used to hiding parts of my body. What's one more thing.

[Anyway.]

Come here.

[kiera's gait is getting steadier over time; they don't have much trouble at all sitting on the bed near him.]

I'm still allowed to hate it on your behalf.

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Come On, Come On Now

LEEEEROYYYYYY JENKIIIINS!!!!! cw kiera being an alcoholic

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it's dachie!

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