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 Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:18 pm
Nalanda was a completely different world than Destiny City, in nearly every way it could be. It was still early morning for them back on Earth, but here on the Wonder, a night sky covered them. It wasn't dark, but that was partly due to the dancing lights above them. Soft blues and pinks and purples flickered, shimmering lights in the sky, and occasionally obscured the stars from sight.
It was warmer here than in Destiny City, but that wasn't saying much in the cold winter; there was a gentle breeze and it felt a bit like nighttime in the spring.
White trees peppered the land around them; the wood seemed to twist artistically and each branch was covered in white, slightly leaves. So much of Nalanda was white; the grass was white, and there were even a few white vines on the rubble of a distant building. Every plant growing seemed to have the faintest iridescent shimmer.
There was a stone path, old and worn, and it disappeared into the tall grass; Nalanda's fingertips brushed against the blades when they arrived next to a patch of it.
"I'll have to see about cutting it but I really don't want to bring a lawnmower up here," Nalanda said when they first arrived; he was still holding Parisite's hand. Unlike his first teleportation here, he seemed much more comfortable.
He had asked if he could bring Yu up to his Wonder, if they could take the opportunity to have some privacy--and maybe spar a little. He was rusty, and nervous. He wanted to be strong enough to protect them if something happened, but he hadn't had the chance to practice in so long. He had confessed earlier that he had healed faster than he should have thanks to visiting up here and some magical help from Soleiyu.
Now, he was convinced he was mostly healed. Now, he was ready. And--worst case scenario, he was on his homeworld, where he was naturally a little more resilient.
"One day, when we have more time, I'd like to show you around. There's a little spring with a small waterfall, it's peaceful. And buildings I haven't begun to explore. But there's an empty space over here, the grass isn't so tall and it'll be easier to move. I appreciate you doing this with me, again. I think you know the parts of me that are still tender--is there anywhere you want me to avoid?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:33 pm
Parisite stared around, eyes wide at the alien surroundings. It was…beautiful. It was like something out of a fantasy movie and it made him wonder if they wouldn’t see fairies, or dragons here. He felt… very dark against the pale colors and vibrant sky. He was also -so damn- embarrassed to see ‘the ponce’ was… His boyfriend. The visual confirmation was sort of a lot to take in. “I… feel like I’m gonna make it dirty.” He admitted, tugging at the dark fabric of his own uniform. Ah… um…No I’m pretty ok. I’m a little stiff but that’s because there were a few…creative sleep arrangements.” He admitted. “No fights, I promise.” He glanced at Priam and felt his ears heat with a blush. “Uh…. I’m, sorry for when I didn’t know this was you, I was kinda a d**k. Like even when I was trying to help I was kinda a d**k.” He admitted. “Is it… it’s really ok to have me, like this… here? I’m not gonna like, hurt you that way somehow yeah? I’m absolutely okay sparring, I just don’t want to be like… poison to your um, fairyland….place.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:59 pm
Nalanda just glanced over and smiled at him. "You know, it's funny. I remember fighting with you while you looked like this. But I can't look back at those memories and find myself upset. I can't even remember what you looked like yelling at me, or what you said. I just remember your smile. I remember you telling me you love me."
Maybe he wasn't sleeping enough. Maybe he was just so smitten that he felt that easy fog of forgetfulness chip away at all the things that used to keep him up at night.
"I appreciate the apology," he said, after a little voice nagged at him not to just accept that transgressions of the sort were permitted. Even if they were enemies, even if they were different people who didn't know who was hiding behind the metaphorical mask. Yu didn't hurt him. Parisite hurt Nalanda. And Nalanda had done the same. It took a lot to apologize, and he appreciated it. "And I'm sorry, too. If I had known it was you, I wouldn't have ever tried to fight you." He squeezed his hand, emphasis on the promise. "And you're not going to sully my Wonder, love. You'll have one of your own soon, I think. It's just safe up here, no one will notice us."
It felt nice to be at his home away from home, to share it with Yu.
...And, if he forgot it, they'd just get to do it all over again.
"This is my realm to share, and I want you here. Besides, if we did this back at the house, we'd probably break something, and Destiny City isn't exactly safe right now, not if we're trying to lay low."
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:10 pm
“That’s… fair.” He admitted. They really would break something around the house, and what if he wasn’t there to fix it? He didn’t want that… He refused to -believe- that Michael could take the upper hand, not now that he knew he was out there. But he had to consider it could happen. Even if it was just time at a Hospital, something… could happen. “Well… Your wonder is…very you.” He said after a thoughtful moment. “I… am so not pulling my knives out though.” He added. “If I had wooden ones to practice with I would, next time we’re all together and it’s warm, we can do that in the back garden. I’ll teach you if you’re comfortable?” He added He brought out one of his knives just to show, why he wasn’t using it. A razored edge, a small hook at the end he thought was a bit ridiculous, like the crochet hooks grew up and took an attitude, but sharp enough he wanted no accidents. “… um… it might be a dumb worry maybe, but what If I don’t have a wonder? Do I just go back to… me?” He asked cautiously. “Is that a dumb thought?” He Was absolute, totally not stalling just to watch Priam a bit and make sure it was safe to spar, or…ogling the surroundings because it still seemed somehow unreal.
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:39 pm
Nalanda tilted his head and a little shudder ran through him as he eyed the blades. "Oh, I'm so glad you never used those on me. Although, if you had, I'm sure you would have come home one night and immediately known who I was."
He squeezed his hand once again, as reassuring as he could manage. If he picked on the stalling, he didn't seem to give any knowing glance. He continued to walk with him, guiding him through the soft, tall grass; a clearing was only thirty or so feet in front of them now, surrounded by lovely white trees.
There was no hesitation in his step, no gentleness to avoid hurting himself. He seemed like he was doing well, especially up here.
"I'd much rather practice with wooden ones in the back yard than those. But," he seemed thoughtful, like he was really considering it, "Soleiyu says there's a place for everyone if they choose to leave the Negaverse. If--for some reason--you didn't have one..."
He seemed thoughtful. "We'd help you find one. You know Sterling and I would move the stars for you. I'm sure there are many places out here that could use a protector. And you, you'd be a good one, I think. If you wanted one!"
He tilted his head to look at him. "...Do you want one? Or would you leave it all behind, if you could?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:49 pm
The idea that they would find him one, made him relax in a way he hadn’t realized it would, his shoulders falling slightly even as the corners of his mouth lifted. He made the knife vanish again, not a trick of speed or skill, just the ‘willing it away’ that he’d learned. “I… I think I do want one. I don’t think I could know that you two are out there, helping people, and not want to help… you help?” He thought he’d said it very awkwardly, but he meant it too. “There are parts of my life I’d leave behind if I could, honestly, but I’m also not sure who I’d be without them. Maybe better adjusted.” He laughed at himself at that. “But, I mean, that’s what therapy is for right? And… being with good people. That doesn't hurt either. That’s therapy all it’s own. Also, you look, like, really… alive here. Like this is as much home as -home- is, you just seem… stronger. Not that I’m saying you’re weak otherwise!” He added hurriedly. “But, like you’re more grounded here.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 2:05 pm
That's what therapy is for.
Priam wondered if it meant he was seriously considering it, that he'd try going if it meant he might have a chance to confront the shadows haunting him.
He didn't ask. Instead, he smiled agreeably.
"I am stronger here. We came here when I needed to heal, Sterling and Soleiyu and I. It felt like this fresh breath of life had been pushed into me. It felt like I healed three months in the span of less than three hours. It was hard to pretend like my body felt as broken as it was supposed to be," he admitted.
"But, it's better now. I took it easy for so long. I've healed. It was hard not to power up when I was recovering, but. I think it paid off." He glanced over at him. "This place makes me feel like I belong. It's...safer here, I think. At least, that's what my heart says. You can say I'm weak otherwise," he added, little smile playing on his lips. "I don't have an impressive constitution, I know. But I'm hoping that if I keep training, it might get a little better. You don't get better if you don't practice, and I am very out of shape. Which won't help us if either of you get attacked. I want to be stronger so I can help protect you. Just like I know you two will protect me."
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 2:38 pm
“If I can teach you to help protect me, it means you can protect yourself as well,” Yu said with a thoughtful nod. “And… the more we all practice together, the better we ….should, I think, be able to work together. After this, we don’t really have an excuse not to watch each other’s backs. Not that we’d make one mind you! But I…like that idea. Being …a team.” He said cautiously. Lord knew even if they loved him, he wouldn’t blame them if they weren’t ready to do that right away. “And… I’m not gonna say you’re weak otherwise, you’re one of the most badass people I know.” He countered. “There are lots of KINDS of badass - the fact you help people, as a doctor, that you get up and keep going after everything Life….and … jerks have done to you? That’s like…” He waved his hands searching for a word that would encompass what he was trying to express. “Like maybe not GOD tier but it -should- be. You’re -nice, like super cool and awesome and nice! And that’s…. sometime’s that’s the hardest thing to be in this….er, to be on earth.” He corrected himself.
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 4:04 pm
Something brightened in him, the idea of a team.
They were already in a relationship, how could that not be a perfect plan.
"Are you saying all those nice things in case I walk into your fist while we're sparring?" he asked, but there was only mirth in his voice and he leaned over, leaving a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"I would love to be on the same team as you. You've seen how Sterling and I together. We could use someone to whip us into shape. You're the perfect compliment to round us out, I think."
He swung their hands as he brought him to the clearing.
"I think you're badass too, for the record. I'm sure you already knew that, though. You're clever, and hard working, and and you get up and go after everything that's happened to you, too. And you're super cool and awesome and nice. You've never been cruel to me. I can't say that for many people. And you've brought such life into my life. I think we'd be a good team. I think, being around you, makes me stronger."
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 5:06 pm
“If I … pop you in the face the next thing you’ll get hit by is SO many apologies and then me trying to figure out how to help you dodge me next time.” He confessed. “Unless like, you have ice available, in which case we’d add ice to that too.” He ducked his head, uncomfortable with the compliments, but trying hard not to just start deflecting them. Instead, he leaned in and stole a kiss. “Then um, here’s to us all been stronger.” He offered with a smile. “You ready to fight?” He grinned and gently squeezed Priam’s hand.”
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 5:02 am
"I have a first aid kid," he promised, but he was so proud of Yu. He couldn't think of him as Parisite, only Yu, in disguise. It made this so much easier. "I'm proud of you," he announced, like a private confession, so as not to fluster him. Reluctantly, he finally dropped the hand and put a little space between them so they could start their spar.
"If you pop me in the face, I'd rather it be you than anyone else. If it's someone else, they want to hurt me. If it's you, I know you're holding back. If it's you, I'll be okay, and you'll help me learn. I don't know what I could teach you in any of this, except to use my magic on you, but..."
He'd probably had enough of that from Sterling.
"I remember the things you were teaching me," he added after a second. "I don't have a knife, now. But I want to learn how to stop someone from draining me. Can you do--what you would do--if you were going to try? And help me figure out the best way out of it? I'm ready to start, but I think, that's what I want to get most out of this."
That, and maybe help on how to avoid having his starseed pulled, but he wasn't going to say that out loud. He could ask Karone about that.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 6:47 am
The mention of magic indeed got a nervous laugh. “Uh… depends, what’s yours DO exactly?” He gave a nervous flicker of a grin. “I mean, I’m ok if it helps you in combat, but uh… man” He shook his head. “N-No offense to Sterling but I really don’t like his magic.” He had to think about the draining though. “…That’s a really good question, I know I had to touch people when I was a Lieutenant, so I mean…break contact is the first. M-maybe distance?” He offered. “Distance is good for uh… a few reasons. Maybe that’s why you guys are all like… mystical and stuff.” “But also, good idea with the kit! .. Ah man, there was one in my …” He started to huff about the car. They could figure that out later. “Want me to try and hit first or try my range on the drain?” He offered.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:40 am
"I don't know what my magic does," Priam confessed. "I've used it once, on a youma. It didn't seem to like it. I don't know how much control I have over it, but one of these days I'll give it a go. I can't guarantee it's any better or worse than Sterling's, though. I'll let you know when I figure it out. Ah," he drew in a breath, relaxed his body, and then just seemed to nod along with his thoughts.
"Hit first," he said easily. "Show me what technique you would use if this were a serious battle. I'm ready. You taught me some moves to throw an opponent off of me. We can try those. You'll know they're coming. If I hurt you though, tell me. I don't want to take you home bruised."
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 9:28 am
Parisite looked thoughtful. “If I'm going to attack you as I would in a fight, you do too, if that means we find out what your magic does, then I’ll at least be able to tell you.” he offered. “Don’t worry so much about bruising me, one of the first things people have to get over if they aren’t that experienced in a fight is learning to actually hit. Lots of people find themselves not wanting to commit to it, either because they are afraid to hurt someone else or they are afraid of being hurt. You’re gonna absolutely have to get past that. Especially with people like….well, there are lots of people out there that deserve a really good hit, okay?” He offered “If you teach yourself to draw back on a punch, especially at this … early point, you’re just gonna keep doing it. Okay? Don’t feel bad, I’m tough!”
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:03 am
Nalanda's expression softened but he nodded. "All right. I love you," he said, like a premature apology for what he knew was going to happen.
He was sure that Yu--as Parisite or otherwise--knew that Priam would hold punches. Priam didn't want to hurt anyone. Nalanda didn't want to hurt anyone.
But, Priam had been thrown off of a building, Sterling's starseed had been pulled, and someone was hellbent on seeing Yu suffer.
If there was that much at stake, he could put a little more force into it. If it meant people might leave them alone? Maybe he could at least try.
He sucked in a breath, stood up straight, and nodded.
"I'll do my best. I won't pull any punches. So don't you pull any, either. I'm ready."
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