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Magnus staggered a bit as he crossed into the forest. He was breathing heavily, normally dark red eyes having lightened so heavily they were a pale pink. Behind him was a witch eater... or what was left of one. It had been a difficult fight, if the wounds on the reaper were anything to go by. His clothing was tattered, deep wounds across his chest that continued to bleed even when the man pressed a hand over them.

The remains of the witch eater were smoldering, her eyes were wide and frightened and she looked quite like she had been stuck in a microwave and turned on high... her skin was all bubbled and in some places burst. It was grisly... typical of Magnus' type of attacks.

With a grunt he dropped down to the grass, his scythe vanishing as it was no longer needed. With his back against a tree he continued to apply pressure to his chest, his eyes closing. He could feel that suffocating need for magic... a need that made his gaze dart back to the corpse nearby. He couldn't sense anything left and the fact made him chuckle bitterly.

"Stupid... very stupid..." He knew he'd be weak until he could siphon some magic, though the only way he could do that safely... he needed a largely populated area. It wouldn't do to drain one person completely. He also needed some bandages... but it couldn't hurt to just rest for a moment.

Pale and a bit shocky, Magnus was quite still, looking almost asleep, though that didn't stop his blood from trickling between his fingers, staining his clothes and the ground.

Magnus didn't stir at first. It was a challenge, as if he was struggling through a thick haze. He must have lost more blood than he thought... that fact was painfully obvious as he forced his eyes open, vision blurry before it focused on the sound that had stirred him.

It was another man's voice, that was certain, and he squinted to be certain of what he was seeing. He'd hallucinated in a forest before and come to his senses having an in depth conversation with a rock. His druid caretaker had never let him live that one down... and it was a lesson to Magnus in his youth - don't eat or drink something from a druid unless they give it to you. Unmarked things could be harmless or vicious experiments, and they normally didn't like labels.

He didn't respond to the other man at first, instead pulling his hand from the wound on his chest, staring at the bright blood staining his palm before he mumbled, "Nasty run in... tch..."

A weak smirk quirked the man's lips as he directed his attention to the stranger, "You could say that. I think I got the better end of the deal though. I'd rather bleed to death than bake in my own flesh."

He lowered his head a bit, long black hair falling his face a bit. He wasn't above asking for help, but a random fellow in the woods... well wait and see was a reasonable strategy.

Magnus grinned lazily, giving a lopsided shrug, "Bleeding to death isn't quite the plan, though the goal was to try and regain a bit more strength before looking for something that can help. I remember my caretaker using some particular leafy plants that he'd stick on wounds to help them heal faster... and they always helped me get my strength up sooner. Saved my life a few times."

Magnus was more chatty when he was weaker, though there was something else to it as well... he was talking more to keep himself awake. He had a feeling if he let his eyes close once more they might not open again. With a sharp breath he got to his feet again, wobbling a bit and flinching when a fresh gush of blood came from his wound.

"Tch... lovely..."

He kept part of his attention on the stranger as he went over to the still cooking witch eater. Tilting his head and narrowing his eyes, he could sense some of his magic still hissing around in there, "Mm... I'll be needing that back then. And a trophy."

He extended his hand as if he were holding something and... a deep black scythe materialized there. Clasping the weapon tightly he quite abruptly slashed downwards, separating the witch eater's head from her body. The corpse made a hissing pop noise, like popcorn, and Magnus could be seen stiffening his back a bit. Some of that lovely heat magic returned to him, though his eye color was still bordering on that weak pink hue.

He picked up the head by the hair, letting it dangle for a moment as he glared, "You caused me a lot of trouble, stupid monster..." and promptly punted it away from him in disgust. He had no pity for those fallen Majin.

He turned back around then, shoulders hunched, "Alright... now to find those plants. You look like you're familiar with this area... any idea if the plant I mentioned is around?"

Magnus tilted his head a bit, fixing his good eye on Bane. Questions upon questions. He didn't really mind, it was fair enough. He figured he'd go with the first bit first, from before he'd hacked off the witch eater's head, "Mm, caretaker. I grew up in an area like this, a druid took care of me." He eyed the other man's horns for a moment, but didn't say anything.

Lucky for Bane, Magnus only hunted witch eaters. A Majin would need to actually turn for them to register on his radar... and if Bane needed to keep secrets, well, it's not like Magnus was running about proclaiming his own majin status loud and clear. That would be a bad idea... for himself and anyone that heard it.

He leaned down and ripped a long strip of fabric from the corpse's clothes then, using the cloth to press against his wound. He flashed that cocky grin of his and shrugged, "Well, truth is you don't have to trust me. You don't have to help me either. Chances are I'm familiar enough with the plants in the area where I can find at least something I need... but having someone's help would speed things along. Maybe I am better off dead, but I think I still have more to do with my life and I don't plan on letting a stranger dictate when my usefulness is at an end."

He started walking, pausing and tilting his head in the other man's direction, "Besides... going plant hunting with someone that boiled a threat to your forest has got to be more interesting than chewing on a stick, eh Druid? Though if your perch is more interesting, so be it."

Though progress was slow, Magnus started off into the forest, his gaze going to different plants, fingers brushing over some, testing them for something, but obviously hunting down some very particular ones. Now and then he would pause at a plant, reach out to touch it, and then jerk back before doing so and then move on. He did this primarily with the plants that could cause rashes on contact or would release toxins. He was already injured, the last thing he needed was to get poisoned on top of it.

Magnus quirked a brow. At least this one seemed easily amused. He would rather have someone chuckling than trying to shove a dagger between his ribs. Still, the question brought an unexpected bark of raspy laughter from the reaper, "Oh I am a threat, just not to you or the forest. And even if I was after you for some reason, I'm not quite in the condition to do much about it."

He mused idly as he crouched next to some overgrowth, brushing his fingers along a few leaves and leaning in to sniff, "Although one might admit it would be a clever tactic if you were my target for some reason... hmm, might have to keep that in mind for the more tricky ones."

He narrowed his eyes then at the plant he'd been observing, "Mm, close but not quite..." he grumbled before standing up again. A sudden wave of dizziness from the blood loss made him waver and reach out to steady himself against a tree. He hung his head for a few moments, clearly gathering himself again, before he started moving again.

He wasn't going to rely on the druid for help, as it seemed he was more of a curiosity to the other man than anything else, but maybe if he struggled long enough he could at least get pointed in the right direction. While walking though he paused, cocking his head to the right. He could hear water.

Perfect.

He remembered the plants that were the most helpful almost always grew near water sources, and quite abruptly he turned and started heading towards the sound. He wouldn't mind washing out his wound too. He wondered how many questions the Druid would have left and decided to throw out his own, "What's your name?"

Magnus looked up, his gaze squinting as he looked at the other man, "Bane? Well, I'd shake your hand but... you know. Shame I won't make it to the plant." He sighed faintly and turned back to the water. It was a small lagoon of sorts, the grass giving way to stony earth and a myriad of streams that went in multiple directions, helping keep the forest alive most likely.

He hadn't heard of Bane. He might have heard rumors of some rogue druid poisoner from travelers in bars, but those stories had been heard a long time ago and were always assumed the man was too far in his cups to be coherent or honest. Magnus didn't have a reason just yet not to trust Bane... but he knew how druids could be. They weren't really good or evil, they followed their own standards. Sometimes those rules didn't bode well for others.

He knelt down beside the water, dropping the bloody cloth he'd kept to his chest and cringing. The blood flowing from the wound had slowed, but that just meant he had lost a significant amount of blood. He could feel a gnawing at the corner of his mind, a darker part of him practically cackling at him,

No one would know if you sucked the magic dry out of that druid. You're in the middle of nowhere... he would never think you to be a Majin. Anyone that sees your scythe... they would NEVER guess what you really are. You could hide the wings if you changed, still be a reaper, just destroy them instead of the others. It would be so easy, they would trust you... and then all that magic-

Magnus grit his teeth, the hand resting on his wound digging in to make the pain distract him. He couldn't think like that, it was dangerous. Panting a bit he shook his head, "Magnus... I'm Magnus." He directed a strained gaze to Bane, "A healing kit? That would be appreciated. If I die while you're gone, just burn my body." He smiled weakly. His voice was fainter... clearly everything was taking it's toll on him, but he wasn't giving up yet.

He took off his leather coat, carefully removing the tattered shirt beneath, and set them aside. All the scars he had collected over the years were on display beneath those clothes, and the wound he had now... if he lived... would just be another. Dunking the bloody cloth into the water he wrung some of the blood out and started to clean his wound. He was moving almost sluggishly at this point... that healing kit would need to be quick.

Magnus had been fighting hard to keep from dozing off. It would have been so easy too, especially with the quiet forest noises in the background. While waiting for the druid his attention had been taken by a little fish swimming about nearby. His eyes narrowed, "Why couldn't you be a magic fish...?" he grumbled.

Sighing he felt himself slouch, only glancing up when he heard approaching footsteps. For a moment, with the sun in his eyes, he only saw the man's outline, primarily the horns, and it made him think of Uncle Rem. His eyes went wide for a moment, then he relaxed when he saw who it was, "Oh good, your timing was right."

Smirking weakly he nodded, "Well, I appreciate you doing this then. I can assure you that I won't do anything to betray you... and if I think I will I'll just leave. Sounds fair?"

He tilted his head to the side, watching as Bane cleaned the wound. He didn't know what to expect from the man, but this hadn't been it. In truth part of him was expecting some remedies tossed his way... not the good care he was receiving.

Magnus was less peaceful when, what felt like acid, was poured on his chest. A spasm ran through him and he grit his teeth. One hand had been resting on his leg and in clenched, fingers digging in as he kept himself from screaming. Straining like that made him sweat, though it didn't help that his chest felt like it was on fire, and he had only recovered long enough to drink the potion he was given.

It was bitter, but not as bad as expected, and compared to that stuff that had burned his chest it was a walk in the park. Not surprisingly he stayed quiet throughout the process... but when he heard Bane, his gaze went to the needle and he was tense for a moment. He HATED this part.

He looked from the needle, to Bane, then back at the needle... took two deep, steady breaths, and then nodded. He stared at Bane intently the entire time, seeming to focus on the druid rather than the needle that would be piercing his skin. If Magnus could find a focus, he could usually handle anything, and so as his gaze wandered over Bane's face, it paused at the earring he had... and he didn't look away from it.

He was also focusing to keep that over voice in his head from overpowering him. With Bane so close it was practically screaming at him to take the magic and run. He wouldn't do it though. That would count as breaking Bane's trust... and it would break his own moral code. Don't take magic from someone helping you.

It was so very tempting though... it was like being starving and having a juicy steak held right in front of your nose. Magnus would need to do something about that. He knew he'd be able to manage for at least a day before slipping into that danger zone. Surely he'd be back in a crowd soon where it would be safe. The bar.. that would be the place. Drunks never noticed when they were drained. They just figured they were getting more drunk.

Magnus grinned faintly, "Lucky for me then that I ran into a druid of your caliber. It wouldn't be good if I encountered some scatterbrain." His expression was tight as the needle went through his skin. It hurt. A lot. But at least Bane's talking was a decent distraction. He couldn't imagine doing this to himself, though it would be a handy trait.

He grunted faintly, closing his eyes for a moment, "My caretaker used to try and teach me bits of healing or medicine. The most I absorbed was the plant stuff. I'm sure I could manage first aid but.. much beyond that eh..."

His eyes opened again, staring right back at Bane, "Mmm? Well..." Devouring your magic whole, hiding the body, hiding myself, raining bloody retribution upon those that would hunt me- "Er, I was thinking about food. Actually. I'm always pretty hungry after fights like this. Using my magic takes a lot out of me y'see, so I try not to use it much. It's much more satisfying to stab something anyway, if you ask me."

It wasn't totally a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. Quickly though he turned the conversation around. It was distracting him from the stitching which was a bonus, "And you... you said you normally don't do this? What happens to those that need help that don't manage to interest you? Or maybe this isn't a situation you encounter very much?"