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Gracious Conversationalist
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 Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:23 pm
Private Metaplot-related RP between Rugovin (Graficcha) & Lauss and Lee Katan (epicZILLA)
Location: Lee's home => out there
Time: Afternoon
Weather: Thick thunderclouds over Vargash- a storm coming up big time
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:50 pm
Hours it had taken him to get here... Every venture deeper into the city made the rogue more wary, almost to the point of feeling the need to erase his own footprints. Tsh.
Don't be paranoid. Might as well curl up under a rock and die if you're that far over the edge.
At least he knew what he was doing this time. ...better than usual. What he'd seen unfold 'back there' was just wrong, so inherently wrong. Vin didn't even know if he should go sick over such ignorance or pity it. Whether or not it was his task or even his right to teach Lauss a lesson 'on the use of weapons and killing', the fact remained that he wanted to, and could do it. Idiot Servicer... He hadn't been able to find out just what Lauss WAS supposed to be doing for the lass, but he highly doubted being a complete idiot hadn't been transcribed into his Purpose.
He'd really get himself in trouble with that attitude someday, and Rugovin highly doubted that the consequences would be anything close to beneficial to his health. No, he'd rather knock some sense into that fool of an Essentic before someone else did.
Abusing his 'gift' -hah, what a gift that was- like this didn't appeal to him that much at all, but the other alternatives were rather moot really. Explaining things he wasn't very good at, never had been, and h knew humans... them, he knew them well enough to know they wouldn't have an easy time getting through to that thick skull of his either. Inconsequent, confusing, conflicted. The other option would be to wait until something really went wrong, but for Lauss' sake and that of the people who'd undoubtedly pay for his errors, he really wouldn't sit back until that happened. Time to risk his own hide again for the good of all. Nah, they could all stick their head up their rear and choke. He'd do this for Lauss.
Oh, he knew well enough he wouldn't make himself too popular this way, oh no. But who cares...
Everybody hates teachers.
But most people needed them. He'd happily be 'the bad man', a long as he could somehow teach his young brother a direly needed lesson. He'd let him face the consequences without doing him any lasting damage -at least, that was the plan. His finer control fluxed at the worst times, he might hurt him too much, or too little, but that was a risk worth taking, he felt. A bullet doesn't calculate its trajectory to cause a limited amount of harm either.
At least this was only pain... only pain. A powerful neurological sensation, as real as the real deal, but there would be no wounds to account for the feeling, no visible mark left by the strain.
_____~
Ah, there it was.. unmistakable sort of home, suited the girl. Lauss' presence was faint out here, but couldn't be missed if you knew what you were looking for.
Now... to find out where the critter was hanging out. Time for some eavesdroppin'... Up on the house, down towards the patio to have a listen. Watch out miss Katan, there's a huge bug on the roof. And it's out to get yo-... well, your bane of existence.
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Gracious Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:14 pm
An unbearable silence fell through the room. Lee looked up from her textbook and out the window. Studying for three hours strait was difficult enough to stay awake in, but it looked as if it was going to storm. She hadn't had many options today. Either study or laze around. For once she felt the need to be productive, and had chosen the first, but she hadn't expected Lauss to be starring at her the entire time. He was very aware by now of her tendency to just scribble on her worksheets or read something that was entirely written for entertainment value. He was watching her like a hawk today, looking over her every move. "Miss Lee, look at your book." She glared at him before doing as he said. She read the first line of a new paragraph, but nothing sunk in. They'd been at it for too long and her brain was dead.
"Lauss, I think the patio door is open down stairs. You should probably close it, don't you think? I mean...I can't do it, I have to study." Hm. She was getting better at deceiving. Something a girl of her status should have already learned, but she hadn't had to. She never once looked up at him, instead trying to look interested in her textbook. Lauss looked outside. She had a point. "Yes Miss Lee. One moment." He headed out of the room and down the hall and stairs until he was in the study. The air was very heavy, and he could feel it just barely starting to sprinkle. He pushed at the door, but it was much too heavy for him -- especially when he had no legs to support himself. But the persistent proto pressed on, tugging and pushing from all angles. "Very... heavy."
While he was gone, Lee had tiptoed to her bedroom door, and, to keep the little pest away, shut and locked it. Now for some painting. She smiled to herself as she stepped in front of the easel, not worrying for a moment about Lauss or school work. He'll find ways to entertain himself. He always does.
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:01 am
If Rugovin could've seen her muss like that, had he known what Lauss' purpose was, he might have been amused. Oh ye gods, the stunts he'd pulled to avoid his own teachers, back in the day... At least his tutor wouldn't have been snared by such see-through ploys, but then again, Lauss' level of gullibility was sky-high at this point in time. It was almost cruel to abuse his trust like this, but he didn't seem to bother interpreting actions for what they were either. So far that seemed to have worked for him.. if you don't mind looking over the bad aspects of those around you, you won't be disappointed in people. The trouble was he wasn't too self-critical either, at least, not in the fields that didn't pertain his academical knowledge. Sure, he was mildly disconcerted at the realisation that he was 'missing out' on something crucial, but the remedies offered somehow overshot the target.
The parrot-Essentic looked down from the roof-edge, observing the busily writhing proto with a mixture of amusement, pity and contempt. Silly thing, NO sense you have. Seeing him struggle, to no avail -surely someone was having a big laugh out of this now, they should know he'd never be able to do this by himself-, was incensing, in a bad way. He heard nobody else moving around, inside our out, so he deemed it safe to get closer. Strong hands gripping on the rain ducts, he quietly lowered himself down, coming down on the patio with only a minimum of noise. After that, it was only a matter of moments to snatch his target.
”Need a hand?”
Addressing him rather dully, with that slightly rough voice of his, Vin grabbed his tail, right above that fluffy fin, gave him a light yank to force him to let go of the door, and clasped his other hand over his mouth. Now don't make a ruckus little one, I'd hate that. At least he followed up on his rhetorical offer, and shunted the door close calmly, keeping Lauss firmly restrained in his hold.
Clack.
There you go, simple huh?
After briefly glancing around the perimeter again, to ensure nobody had been alerted, the Essentic broke into a dash. Off the Katan property, over the hedge and far away. In mere minutes, through rarely used narrow alleys and remote short cuts, even crossing over one of the recyclation sites on the edge of the middle district, he'd taken Lauss far away from his known territory. It was doubtful that even if he'd bothered to follow where they were going he'd be able to find the way back home on his own. All the while, Rugovin kept his vicegrip on him -he'd get really miffed if that silly thing wheedled out of his grip now and made a fuss- and held his essence output low. With another this close to him, it was hard not to let his core react.
__~
Eventually, when he'd reached the edge of a closed-off area, a centre of buildings that would be taken down and rebuilt soon, he halted in the deserted street, and let Lauss go. At least, he let him float again, while keeping his hand clasped around his tail, as if the Proto was some sort of a bizarre helium-filled balloon. Now now, what do we have here...
In this part of town, there was no real danger of being overheard, he knew. Holding Lauss in front of him by his tail, his grip unintentionally tight, he examined him with keen pale eyes from under his hood. He wasn't afraid of retaliation one bit. The youngling didn't have any visible edges or spikes on him -although a headbutt at full speed might yield a reasonable bump- and his physical strength, no matter if high or low for a Proto, was nothing compared to his own. The least concern was his survival-instinct though... something that handled guns like toys without the least hint of fear would rather harm itself than him.
He'd been about to 'say hi' and check how Lauss was taking this, when he noticed he'd overlooked an entirely unrelated factor today though. The sky gave a low rumble, and within moments, the occasional raindrops had gotten reinforcements to the extent of a deluge. Maybe the dark grey clouds should have tipped him off, but he'd had other things on his mind. At least he couldn't ignore the fact he was getting soaked skin-deep in seconds in the deafening downpour. Introductions would have to wait for a moment, kid.
Breaking into full speed again, heading for the nearest safe-looking unlocked door, Rugovin dashed on, tugging the Proto behind him by the tail. Thud thud thud, through the dark waterworld the streets had become, until the noise suddenly dulled down, and was almost completely shut out with another sharp smack of a metal door slamming close.
Breathing deeply through his nose, huffing slightly from that unexpected burst of exertion, Vin glanced around through the veil of drops flicking down his hood and sticking to his face and eyelids, and deemed the place safe enough. Finally, he fully let the Proto go, and spent a minute on shoving his hood back, dragging his long hair out of his shirt and flaring up the feathers laced between the grey strands, giving a brief shudder to get rid of the worst load of dripping. No other doors, no windows here, the only light source in this abandoned concrete dump was the dreary grey coming through the dusty staircase to the second floor. If Lauss tried to get away, he'd have him in no time. He spent him no attention while he wiped the rain off his face and cleared his eyes calmly. He had yet to hear his first stories about something being killed by a bit of wetness, the Proto'd be fine.
When he was sufficiently 'dry', he turned to him again, looking exactly like a soggy bird now, but there was no doubt that he wouldn't be trifled with, not with that look in his eyes.
”Hey.”
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Gracious Conversationalist
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Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:44 pm
Lauss looked up at the other, tilting his head to see a new face outside in the coming rain. He had little time to ponder, it seemed, as he was yanked away from his current task with his mouth covered. It was good in this case that he didn't use a mouth to talk. The joys of being a proto. "Sir, what are you--" The other shut the door in a quick, effective motion, and Lauss purred slightly, happy to see the job done. "Thank you." Oh, how he wanted to bow. That wasn't really possible now, was it? This man was trying to do him a favor? How nice. But really, he didn't need to grab Lauss like that, he could have just asked him to step aside.
And now... he was being carried off in the middle of a storm. This wasn't right. He thought back to the only other similar experience of being grabbed by someone he hardly knew... but, Misha hadn't carried him anywhere. "Sir, I don't believe you're hugging correctly." Wow, Lauss... "If I may ask, could you let me go? I need to get back to Miss Lee." The other didn't seem to be listening. Perhaps he didn't hear him? It was raining now, and hard.
Such a long walk they were taking. Lauss was oblivious to the social norm of everyone around him, but he still knew that this wasn't what most would do. He relaxed in the man's arms, however uncomfortable his grip was, waiting for either the rain to stop or for the running to end. He did not attempt to fight him; he didn't know he was supposed to. He didn't know what was happening, but didn't seem to bother thinking about it either. The man wasn't harmful, so Lauss was more curious than anything.
And now they stopped. After being released, Lauss' front half thudded to the ground. Apparently the balloon the other was holding was a lead balloon. Sorry, not prepared for that... He began floating again, but not before once more being man-handled off into a building, where he was finally release -- which he was prepared for this time -- and Lauss slithered a few feet away to get used to hovering around again. His skin was so that it reacted little to rain, and it seemed to bead off of his back end like a snake's scales might. It was quiet now, and he wondered if perhaps he could be heard again.
Ah, so he could hear. "Hello. I have to get back to Miss Lee. We were studying. And you should practice your hugging more." There. All has been said that needed to be said. Take the proto home now, please.
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:16 am
NO sense this thing had, no sense. Oh well, less struggle for him. This behaviour was exactly what he was meaning to 'correct', or at least adjust. If he'd been any other Proto-napper, not putting up a fight may not be the best of ideas.
Hugging. Seriously now. At least he was aware he was 'hugging' wrong, just failed to recognise he wasn't attempting that at all. Nu-uh, not the time to head back yet. Not yet, youngling, oh no.
At least the rain hadn't harmed him, as predicted. Must be handy to run around 'naked' and not have any trouble with excess water on top... Then again, you'd only appreciate such a thing once you've been soaked one too many times and gotten pneumonia from it. That prickle in his lungs better abate, gishdagnit. Stupid city.
"... studying huh? Is that what you do?" One eyebrow raised in mild curiosity as he spoke, then gave a low rumble to try and clear his throat. Ahem. Hum hum ho hum.
"Didn't catch your name yet either, in fact. How about you stick around for a bit and 'study' with me hmm..." How disconcerting that sounded now... It wasn't so much in the words as in the tone, that slightly threatening edge. Lauss probably wouldn't even catch on though.
"It has come to my attention you're lacking in certain fields, kid. If you don't mind I'd like to teach you a bit of a lesson." Vin coughed into his hand dryly. This time he sounded completely innocent, but the wording was strange. "Don't even think of trying to get back on your own. I'll take you back once I think I'm done with you." Not a threat, just a reminder.
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Gracious Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:12 pm
Lauss, indeed, should be happy this was no ordinary proto-napper, though in all honesty, how many could claim such a title these days?
"Yes Sir. It is my purpose. I am Miss Lee's tutor. I am Lauss." He bowed in his usual manner, seemingly unaware of what kind of trouble he was actually in. He didn't catch the tone, and probably wouldn't have caught it if the other had spelled it out for him.
"Studying would be nice. What kind of subjects do you need help with?" Lee was forgotten about for now. Someone wanted to study with him for once, and he wasn't going to pass this opportunity up.
"You... would like to teach me?" He didn't quite understand. Normally he gathered information on his own by speaking to others, without someone teaching him up front. This would be a new experience, that was for sure. No trying to escape, just learn. He sat down, thinking that this was the way one normally started "class".
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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:59 am
… a... a tutor? Mother of all, why, WHY? No wonder he was so curious. And bookish. Also way too gullible for his own good. I restate, that needs some remedying. ”Hi Lauss. I'm Vin...” Talk about lack of enthusiasm, but at least he could be polite back. He knew how to orate as if he found no joy in life but in big words and fanciful sentences -came with his first education- but he really, really wasn't in the mood for that now.
How eager he sounded there. Teach me? Kid, don't be ridiculous. Oh well, he'd let that slide, no use picking on the youngling for having no sense of relative experience either. ”Err...”
Well crap. Maybe he should've rehearsed this... He hadn't expected Lauss to be quite this easy to push around, let alone to sit tight ready to absorb every word he said. This wouldn't work, what HAD he been thinking, he wasn't a teacher, wasn't some sort of zen-master who knew exactly what to say...
”No.” No! I'm not here to...
”We're not playing teacher and student, Lauss. We're not. This is not a game, kid.”
Yes, he was in control again now. For a moment he'd almost lost his trail of thought, his vague objective, but mother Iris, he was indeed not playing a game here, he wouldn't mess around. Where his voice had sounded uncertain for just a moment, it now had a stern tone, deadly serious. No, he was no longer unsettled by that almost surreal naiveté, he had taken him here to 'cure' him, and that was what he would do.
”You will listen to me. And I will hopefully teach you a few things. It's not important to me if you learn, what you learn, but for you own sake, you better do.” Rugovin began his lecture, and he wasn't planning on talking too much here. Let's get right down to the barest essentials, because we both have other places to be.
”Now, it has come to my attention you play with guns. Weapons. That you'd like to learn how to hunt. How to use those things.” His pale yellow eyes were fixated on Lauss with an intense stare, and gave the faintest of twitches. You think those things are fun, do you?
”Do you have ANY idea what a hunt is? What it's like to be chased? Do you KNOW what it is you're wanting there? What the consequences are of hunting, for the hunter, for the thing being hunted? Because I have reasons to highly doubt you do.”
”Do you know what weapons are for? What people can do with them? No, you do not.”
The Essentic had gone into rhetoric now, his volume rising steadily, but kept tightly in control. He wasn't shouting at him, didn't raise his voice above a strict limit, but it was hard, very hard, to interpret his tone as anything but laced with anger, authority, indignation. No a move in his posture that indicated hostility, but somehow he seemed to be gaining more presence, even more than he had had before.
”Now don't get me wrong, I'm not asking you to define me these things. I assume you don't know them, or at least, don't understand them. I Won't tell you either, Lauss. I'll have you deduct that yourself.” Ever heard of maieutics? Doubt it. Don't give the answers, let the student find them on his own by asking the right questions, pointing out hints.
He knelt down then, took Lauss' hands in his own, dragging him down to his level, with a firm grip, not painfully tight, but harsh enough to leave no doubt -he wouldn't let go.
”I'll ask you one thing. Do you think you'll enjoy learning this lesson?”
Let's see if you have even the faintest idea of what you're risking.
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Gracious Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:48 pm
Short name. No last name either. But that could wait. Vin seemed to have more important things to say, and Lauss planned on prying that from him a bit later. Yes, planned. But it seemed his plans were already going awry.
No...? There would be no studying today? No learning? This wasn't a game to Lauss, and school was serious business. As serious as it came, as this was his only reason for being. No, this man, this "Vin" had his intentions pegged all wrong. It was fun, sure, but only because he loved his job. No games were being played, even that day at the Galvao residence. Guns, weapons, and everything else was an opportunity, not a game. A chance to expand his knowledge; he wanted to learn anything and everything there was to know. And, when the almost impossible chance to learn to hunt came so close, why wouldn't he go for it? He was not goofing off. He was not playing games. He was doing what he was meant to do. Learn and teach.
But that didn't mean he didn't need this lesson.
It couldn't have been more clear than now that Lauss' sense of fear was way out of wack. He valued new experiences over his own safety, perhaps his own life, and this couldn't go on any longer for both his own safety and Lee's.
Lauss never retorted, never questioned, never defended himself. Instead, he let the man talk, and took everything he had to say in. He couldn't help but wonder, with all these questions, if this man was quizzing him. But he was never given a chance to answer, and this sort of atmosphere, this threatening feeling, wasn't even missed by Lauss. Loud voice. Tight grip. Even Lee didn't get this worked up over anything the proto did. Okay, okay, this wasn't a quiz, and they weren't in class. Lauss got it now. Leggo of me now, kay? He tugged his arm away as best he could, not enjoying the feeling on being constricted like this.
He was allowed to speak now, right? "...Mister Vin, it is difficult to learn with this pressure." He tugged a bit more. Golly he sure is strong.
The proto had no clue what was in store for him.
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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:56 pm
Ah, so the little 'game' description had hit target somewhere. Rugovin hadn't felt the need to attack the Proto's purpose, but at least he could now tell Lauss took it seriously, even too seriously. … No sense. Nonsense even?
Indeed the much older Essentic didn't let go. He wasn't sure if Lauss was even aware now what he'd be trying to get into that thick skull of his, but if he was still in the dark, 'keep your questions for after class'. No turning back now... hat weak retort, that beginning struggle, at least that was semi-hopeful, showed Lauss to be at least somewhat capable of experiencing discomfort.
”How apt a conclusion, indeed learning is he last thing on your mind when targeted, when under pressure. Still, you'll learn from this.” Narrowed pale eyes, voice gone almost slithery, stance looming, threatening. You're the prey here, kid. His feathercrest flared up, discharge building up steadily.
The first sensation to cross over the gap was heavy, deep, low. Like a skipped heartbeat, a swelling wave of panic. That brick that suddenly occupied the stomach, the obstruction in your throat. They're onto you, Lauss, whoever they are. The hunters.
”... and this is what happens to those who don't know what they're doing.”
This time, the black lightning was visible across their arms as Vin charged through, sending over a sickening myriad of experiences. Sheer terror, heartbeat-speeding fear, painfully weighing down rational thought, a moment of faltering.
And then, pain. Indiscernible from any other kind of agony, but the older Essentic could tell them all apart. Impact. A sharp flare, localised and spreading out like electricity, acid, heat. Instant loss of control, systems going haywire. Damage survey, torn flesh, ruptured veins, neural signals going in overdrive, nauseating pressure, make it stop, oh gods fix it.
Turn back time, undo it.
Silence.
”... game over.” A hoarse whisper, like from a mourning Death itself. No turning back, no second chance. He wasn't even talking to Lauss, didn't even see if he was still conscious.
Rugovin cut short the transmission, having experienced the after-image himself. These sensations he'd gotten into his system second-hand... Through the body of a companion who had been taken down right beside him. Her struggle had ended mercifully quick, but this was just one of the ways to go. Shot in the heart, shrapnel tearing through armour, slowly withering from bloodloss or starvation... He had never died before, but he knew what it felt like. Making their pain into his, allowing them a slightly less tormented passing, their pain became his weapon. His shield.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:41 am
Lauss' struggle continued as Vin spoke, not particularly wanting to learn this specific lesson. This time it wasn't enjoyable to be taught, it was uncomfortable. "Stop, Mister Vin." Lauss' voice held a force that it never had before, and though not angry, it was certainly assertive.
First wave. What was this? What was it that he was feeling? Lauss stopped all movements for a moment at the sensation. Just for a short moment. Within less than a second he was jerking, pulling, tearing to get away. "Stop! Stop, stop, stop!" His voice was a cracked whine as he frantically flew in every direction, twisting and turning with all his force to release Vin's grip, to escape this place, wherever he was. It was no use.
Second wave. Lauss had no time to take in the intensity of the charge; his movements jerked furiously, his tail flickering rapidly in all directions. Twisting his arm as far as he could, something was breaking inside of him. Loud whines filled the room, Lauss' only way of releasing the terror he was feeling. Twisting further and further, just a little more and he'll be free. Twisting, twisting, twisting.
Snap.
Tendons, ligaments, bones, nothing was certain, and it honestly didn't matter; Lauss yelped with pain, squirming frantically, causing the pain in his wrist to worsen. All breathing stopped for a moment, pain and fear drowning the proto in agony. And it didn't stop. It would never stop, would it?
Third wave. All movement ceased. And it didn't come back. Sound didn't translate to his brain, his voice was completely gone, vision dulled to a fog, but he was still conscience. He still felt every last shock, every last nerve ending firing away the horrible pain Vin was sending him. He couldn't try to escape anymore, and nothing would dull the pain. What may have only taken seconds felt like a lifetime, like an endless, terrifying hell from which he could never be released. Please stop this, Vin. Stop or kill him.
And it did stop. But Lauss' movement never came back. Nor did his eye sight or hearing. His wrist made another snapping, cracking sound as Lauss' body slumped to the ground beneath him. Nothing flickered through his brain. Nothing was given that chance. The aftershock still pulsed through him, and his wrist... That wouldn't go away.
This "lesson" wouldn't go away.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:19 am
During the whole ordeal, Rugovin had been intensely focused on what he was conducting. How easy it was to forget how tender these younglings still were... He knew he had to tone down what he was sending through, had taken the 'edge' off, but still, his own limit was indescribably more elevated than poor Lauss'. He hadn't even registered him struggle, not really. His arm never moved, he could just as well have been made of stone, a living shackle.
Only once he was through did he start retroactively going over the events, in all silence, still as a grave for quite a long time, it seemed. Like time itself had gone viscous, trickling by slowly until Rugovin found his way out of his memories, back into the room he was in, linking off from his source of agony. In him, the doors locked shut again. No more, no more...
Coming to, eyes focusing again, the Essentic first of all glanced around at his surroundings. His ears were ringing, they must've made quite a ruckus. At least the rain would have drowned out most of the poor Proto's cries. Vin finally let him go, now watching him quietly. Looking at Lauss' limp form sent a wave of remorse through him, and he almost turned away, but no. He couldn't, he wouldn't leave it at this, he'd promised him he'd take him back to his master, and he'd keep him safe until he was home again. Feeling oddly drained, ashamed of himself, too, he let himself fall back to sit down, stared at the Proto for a while.
… awh crap. He really, really hadn't meant to do him any real damage, stupid thing, WHY did you have to so suddenly learn what fear is? Ah, at least he was fairly certain now that his lesson had gotten through. He couldn't really help the fact he had trouble gauging the effect and dosing of his ability properly, and once he'd set it off, it would have been even more dangerous to cut it short halfway. Nothing had him prepared to find he had this sort of impact on them, though... come on little one, you're not... you're not really dead, I'm sorry...
Reaching out to him, Rugovin gently lifted him up, cradled him in his arms, feeling the need to apologise now, soothe him somehow, wake him up, but realising he had better things to do now. He'd done as he'd said he would, and he'd gone too far. Good, he was still breathing. Easy there...
”Hey now...” Ye gods, he sounded even hoarser than usually now, whispering as if afraid to break the silence. He softly stroked his forehead, his cheeks, like he was some sort of sleeping kitten, then laid his fingers on the proto's damaged wrist. Opening up the gates just slightly, he felt the sensation, his own fingertips colouring black like the plague when the pain waved up them.This one would last him for quite a while, even with their healing factor... Gods, I'm sorry...
The same quick-test, hand on Lauss' pale scaly chest, gave him nothing substantial to register. Clean-cut short-circuit, a merciful numbness. He'd leave him be for now, and let him come to on his own. He'd taken all of his influence back from him, when he snapped out of it he would only have his body-own pressure left, and that injury to account for. The only thing he could do that wouldn't mean taking more risks, was to get the little one back home now.
__~
And that's what he did. Leaving Lauss in his lap for a moment, he drew his still damp hood back up, then half-wrapped him into his cloak, and got up. Got moving, back into the rain.
The worst of the deluge had finally passed, but it was still raining heavily enough to get soaked again. He really didn't care, couldn't be bothered about that now. If anything, the sudden chill was welcome, soothing, numbing. The cold was on the verge of becoming debilitating, but once he'd gotten up to speed, the effort kept him warm enough to keep going, and to keep Lauss from going too cold as well.
… if the tutor didn't hate him forever after this, Vin didn't know what else would make him do so.
Thud thud splash thud thud.
Ever on the move. I'm taking you home, kiddo, back to where you're safe.
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Gracious Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:59 pm
Lauss couldn't see Vin's reaction, and could only barely sense that the other had said something; it didn't help matters that it was a whisper. There was no flinch when a hand stroked his forehead, though that wasn't exactly possible right then. He could feel it, though, just slightly calming the shock with each soft touch. Vin had hurt him, and now was helping sooth the hurt. How confusing. Though Lauss didn't have the brain power to think about such things. Nor did he have the brain power to fear this man. Vin was helping, so let him help; fear him when he hurts, appreciate him when he heals.
Lauss still didn't have the capacity to hate, even if someone had done what Vin had. Even if the proto wasn't constantly living in the present and judging someone's character to their most recent actions, he wouldn't even know why he was supposed to dislike someone. Kind, mean, good, evil, these words meant little more than extra vocabulary to throw into a sentence. Vin fit none of these. Was he supposed to? Was anyone supposed to?
The pain in his wrist was fading. Was this Vin's doing? Very pleasant. His thoughts had returned to him, but his sight, voice, and hearing had only just barely begun to function again. And suddenly, there was nothing. No pain. Had he really healed that quickly? Lauss attempted to move, but couldn't get up, couldn't budge a finger, couldn't flick his tail. Not pleasant. His new lesson was starting to show through, and his heart began to race. He was paralyzed? Not good. No pain, sure, but no movement either; how was he supposed to help Lee with school work if he couldn't move?
Lauss couldn't feel the shift in positions, but could see that the blurs around him were moving. The dull patter of rain drops were too quiet to be heard over Vin's foot steps, but Lauss sensed they were outside once more. Where were they going? Was he going to be hurt again? What normally would have sparked curiosity in the essentic now pierced at him with dread.
Please don't hurt me, Mister Vin.
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:59 pm
Hurt you? Why should I...
Going on steadily, Rugovin was becoming more and more aware of Lauss' regaining a level of in-touchness. Oddly enough, he still made no move, might as well have been sleeping. Wait, that can't be right... Halting briefly, hiding halfway out of sight behind a patch of bushes, he squatted down for a moment to check up on the proto.
G'morning kid, this your first hangover? Lauss on his knees, he laid his hand on his chest again, felt a low amount of charge buzz like static. His heartrate was sped up, not overdriven, but a significant increase none the less. Yes, he was awake. Hah, so hard to say if Lauss was even watching when he had no eyes to look into. Might actually be a rather large factor in communication-issues, that.
”Hey now... You withdrawin' on me? Don't do that...” he spoke to him quietly, his words chiding, but his tone was oddly warm. ”You get back here, it's not that hard...”
Been a while since he zapped someone into lock-out. At least in Essentics, he had a way of guiding the Essence back, get it back in touch with the body. For that he didn't need his gift, he just called out with his own Essence, tentatively, as if his presence was bashful, too shy to be released into the world outside. Still quite a signal it was though, strengthened with the ages and natural growth.
Again he softly stroked the proto, as if showing him where everything belonged. Head, nose, look, feel the tip? Sure you do, I know you do. Down his cheeks, his neck, his shoulders, chest and tail. We all have muscles, bones in us -okay, most of us do, and nerves, centres of touch and motion. Then his arms, first his undamaged one, then the other, reminding the body of where it started and ended. When he got to the the injured hand, he took the time to examine it, giving Lauss back a degree of sensation there as well. Sure, it would be far from comfortable, he'd really managed to tear his wrist nigh completely out of coherence, but at least he'd be aware again of what his mind was supposed to do with his body.
”I'll take you back to your master soon... But not with you looking dead like this. If you don't move, she'll never even know you're awake.” Come on, kiddo.
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Gracious Conversationalist
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:57 am
It was strange, Lauss being able to watch what was happening to him and see that he was being tossed every-which-way, but not to feel it happening. On Vin's knees, Lauss stared up at him, wondering why they'd stopped and if something unpleasant would happen again. The proto-napper's voice eased his fears, though, and Lauss searched for his own. "Mmm... Mi...Mister Vin..." Testing, testing. There we go. His voice was cracked and weak, as if he had a severe throat ache. And he probably did, making such a ruckus before. Not needing a mouth to speak had come in handy twice today. He certainly was a lucky proto, wasn't he?
He could sense it now, Vin was an essentic. But Lauss couldn't have given it less thought, right now there were other things to attend to.
Lauss observed Vin's movements, watching his move from his head to his shoulders, and noticed that he could feel the rain drops pat on him scales where ever Vin stroked. Feeling? If he could feel then he could move, right? Lauss focused all his energy on his neck, telling himself to turn his head. Success! He could move again! It had only turned about two centimeters, and while it took a bit of effort, he wasn't motionless. Good news, good news, but celebrating could come later. "Why were you trying to kill me, Mister Vin?" No fear, just plain curiosity. Good to see it come back. But honestly, how could he be afraid when the guy was rubbing his belly?
"Don't." A blunt statement, not a beg. Lauss lifted his head as high as he could -- with much more control than a moment ago -- as Vin held his wrist. Don't hurt it anymore. Lauss whimpered a bit as the sensation returned to his hand. Now there was feeling again there, too. Great. This rain was starting to get a bit annoying, especially as it pattered on his wrist. A shoulder was working again, too, and he managed to lift his arm and lay it over his chest. Luckily, for his own good, his fingers wouldn't grip well, and he couldn't prod at his wound just yet. That would surely come later.
He'll take him back to Lee now? More good news, more good news. But what was the point of all this? He took him away from Lee just to hurt him and bring him back? Seemed highly illogical. "What is your purpose, Mister Vin?" Sure, as an essentic, but more importantly, what purpose did his actions hold? It hadn't been clear before. Lauss hadn't managed to make the connection of guns, games, and boo-boos from before. He needed it explained outright if he was ever to understand it. He didn't need it explained to learn the lesson, he just wanted it to be.
Lauss was behaving as if he'd already forgotten Vin was the one who'd tried to hurt him. Or possibly, as if he didn't care that Vin had hurt him, just that he'd been hurt. Hopefully such a progression would be sufficient for what the other was trying to accomplish today.
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