|
|
Post by pallas on Dec 23, 2023 19:48:39 GMT
Upon entering River’s room, the other boy didn’t give Lucien much indication of what this conversation was supposed to be about. Instead River busied around the room, so Lucien waited patiently for him to be ready to speak to him.
When the older boy pointed to the table and chairs, Lucien took a seat as instructed. River asked him to help him unwrap the bandage on his injured hand, which already looked bad even with the bandage on. Lucien obliged, beginning to carefully unwrap the bandage. His motion was fairly fluid, though he was a little less practiced than Pascal.
This was new. River had never let Lucien do anything with the injuries he’d gotten on Hallowe’en like this. He couldn’t help but wonder why he was choosing to do this now.
”It’s clean and it was wrapped well,” Lucien commented as he worked on unwrapping the bandage and was able to see the wound. ”that’s at least a positive. How is it feeling? Probably a stupid question.”
He didn’t want to push River too far to talk about the injuries. After all, it was for River to set boundaries about how far he wanted to involve Lucien in this. That was why he’d refused to let Lucien treat them and Lucien had respected his right to choose that. But he thought it was worth testing the water, at least trying to get an idea of what was happening with these injuries. River would let him in exactly as much as he was willing to let him in, that much Lucien knew.
These injuries, he couldn’t help but think, were a reminder of that awful night. That night hadn’t left River, and Lucien didn’t think it ever would. Not fully. Who knew how it might have gone if Lucien and Luka hadn’t made the decision they’d made.
”So,” Lucien said as he finished completely unwrapping the bandage, ”what is it you want to talk to me about, then?”
He stopped to give River the chance to assess his hand if he needed to. Have a look at the injury, see how the hand was feeling. He was ready to help River with making sure the hand was clean and freshly bandaged if he wanted him to, but first he wanted to let River do anything he needed to do.
_____
CHARACTER PROFILE IMAGE CREDIT: ElenaA via Picrew
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 23, 2023 20:02:44 GMT
River didn't speak when Lucien brought up his wounds. He just stared at his hand as it got unwrapped with a content expression on his face.
Of course they looked better than before. He let someone else look at them other than himself. He was being lax when it came to bandaging and the whole time he needed stitches. And it looked like he might need to redo some of them.
He took his hand back and stretched his fingers, raising it to his face to see the stitches better in the light. Where he needed to repair the tear and if he could. Only looked like a couple popped when he slapped Lucien and then the table during the meeting. That he could fix himself.
Getting up he started towards the bathroom and called out to Lucien while he was in there washing his hands. "What are you trying to prove?" he asked. It wasn't accusatory or hostile in anyway. Just a question out of curiosity. "And why?"
|
|
|
|
Post by pallas on Dec 23, 2023 20:38:16 GMT
Lucien watched River assess the wound, checking his stitches, before he disappeared into the bathroom. At that point he called through, asking what Lucien was trying to prove.
So that was what this was about. Trying to understand what was going on with him, get some context.
Lucien had to think for a second about what he wanted to say. Whether he wanted to say it. But he knew River would expect an answer, so he sighed ”I’m not used to people expecting anything of me.” Lucien admitted. ”So it matters to me, doing well here. And I guess I’m not used to caring about things this much.”
His sister was always the one who had big things expected of her. He wasn’t like her, good at school, never stepped out of line. He was the troublemaker who didn’t try hard enough and would never amount to anything worthwhile. Even his sister hadn’t thought he could handle responsibility..
”Then on Hallowe’en Cleo said Luka and I should never have been leaders, and if it were up to them we wouldn’t be. Said we had to stay until we had enough people for a vote, but this was our chance to change their mind.” Lucien recounted, recalling the conversation he and Luka had with Cleo on Hallowe’en, ”I felt even more like I had to prove that I’m capable, can handle responsibility.”
It wasn’t all Cleo’s fault. Some of the pressure was coming from himself. But they’d pushed some buttons with him that had sent him on a bit of a spiral.
”On top of being healer, I guess the pressure has been getting to me. I want to get this right, but I think I’ve been doing the opposite. Trying so hard to prove people wrong that I’ve only proved them right.”
All of this was a lot for him to admit, but he felt better for having said it. Explained his feelings out loud, which helped him understand them better. Sharing them with River was helpful already.
_____
CHARACTER PROFILE IMAGE CREDIT: ElenaA via Picrew
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 23, 2023 21:14:33 GMT
"Look at you," River cooed semi falsely. He emerged from the bathroom and started preparing a needle and thread to fix the stitches. Granted he should have done this first but he didn't think about it. It was fine, he'd fixed himself in worse situations. "Barely had to say anything and you figured it out all by yourself."
Trying to prove people wrong that he wasn't a child or fit to be a leader by somehow looping right back around to proving it. River was almost impressed he was able to it into words so quickly.
Sitting back down with the needle now threaded he started sewing the stab wound on his hand back up. "Do you understand why I don't want you to go?" he asked as he worked. He glanced up once at Lucien once he'd made a single stitch. "Because in the long run it will not work out for us."
He let the silence grow for a second as he focused on making a couple more stitches. Hoping Lucien could see what he was saying before he said it out loud anyway.
"We got lucky getting Pascal back so early but I doubt they'll be so gracious again. They'll kill you because they know how valuable of a healer you are to us. I don't want to cripple us anymore than we are. And I don't want you killed when I could have prevented it. You're stupid but I care," he informed quietly. As if not wanting anyone else to hear the last sentence.
He cared a lot for Lucien. He was a dickhead who always seemed to rush into something without thinking but he had good intentions. he always seemed to have good intentions. He was just a teenager after all. Not that River was so much older. Just a little to know a bit more.
Finishing, River tied off the wound and grabbed a fresh roll of gauze to replace the ruined one. He leaned back in his chair and watched Lucien as he wrapped his hand back up. "Cleo is a piece of shit. You have nothing to prove to them. And as angry as I still am about Halloween, you have nothing to prove to me," he told him matter-of-factly. Lucien had plenty to make up for but nothing to prove. The fact he wanted to prove he could do this was enough.
"Think about the bigger picture before you make a decision. That's it."
|
|
|
|
Post by pallas on Dec 23, 2023 22:09:46 GMT
Lucien snorted with a hint of amusement at River’s comment about how quickly he’d figured it out.
”Occasionally I can be self-aware.” the younger boy joked in response.
He nodded when River talked about why he didn’t want Lucien to go. He did understand. But when River talked about how he cared, Lucien smiled a little, looking down for a second to try and hide that fact. It wasn’t that he didn’t know River cared necessarily, but still hearing it was something a little different.
”I know.” Lucien replied when he met River’s eyes again. ”I care too, about you and the others. It’s why I care so much about getting this right.”
Not just because he wasn’t used to expectations. Not just because of what Cleo had said. Because he didn’t want to let these people down.
The other boy went on to say that Lucien had nothing to prove to Cleo, which had been something Lucien had a hard time telling himself until very recently. He still struggled with it, as he’d shown. And then that he had nothing to prove to River, despite his angry he was for Hallowe’en. That was a weight off his shoulders, because he had somewhat felt like he needed to prove to River that he really meant his apology and really did want to be a better leader and friend.
”Thank you.” Lucien replied, a note of relief in his voice. ”I’ll try to cause you a little less stress in the future. No promises, though.”
The joke was meant in good faith. He couldn’t promise he wouldn’t be a nuisance again, but he’d do his best. Messing everything up all the time got tiring eventually, after all.
When River commented about how Lucien should look at the bigger picture when he was making decisions, Lucien made one more little joke in response to the advice. ”You sound like my sister.” the boy commented, before adding, just so River knew he was taking what he’d said seriously, ”I will. No more decisions made for Cleo.”
He was grateful that River had taken the time to speak to him and try to understand what was going on with him. That even though he’d told him off in the meeting, he’d also asked questions to try to understand why Lucien had acted the way he had.
”It probably won’t happen,” Lucien said, because after all it seemed like it would probably be Cleo, ”but if it did somehow end up being me who goes, I know I can’t promise I’ll be okay but I promise I’ll try to be as safe as I can. Do whatever I need to do to stay alive. I’m stubborn.”
He understood why it would be bad for him to go, but he’d put himself forward and if the vote in the morning went through then that would be that. It was late to backtrack now. He wanted River to know that if it did happen, Lucien would try and do whatever he could to make sure he stayed as safe as he possibly could.
_____
CHARACTER PROFILE IMAGE CREDIT: ElenaA via Picrew
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 23, 2023 22:40:17 GMT
River tested the bandage then started unwrapping it to adjust a certain part. He rolled his eyes when he said that he wouldn't cause so much stress to him in the future. Just lie to his face then.
But, he smiled a little at the thought anyway. His sister sounded like the smarter of the two is she said something similar to him. And then he was suddenly thinking about the fact that Lucien had a sister.
He's never mentioned her before. He has a sister that seems to give similar advice and he still turned out like that? What happened? How did this idiot turn out like this?
Raising his eyes to Lucien's he smirked and rolled his eyes yet again. "I know you're stubborn," River agreed. "You still think anyone is going to vote for you to go when we made it clear you aren't just to cover your bases."
River stood and started towards the door to his room. He opened it and gestured for Lucien to leave. "Now, get out of my room. You piss me off enough as it is and I'm exhausted," He ordered humorously. Leaning against the door he waited until Lucien got closer and then stuck out his hand. "I'm also gonna need my key back."
|
|
|
|
Post by pallas on Dec 23, 2023 23:06:01 GMT
Lucien smiled a little at River’s words. He knew they most likely wouldn’t vote for him to go in the morning. Nobody agreed with him going, even if he hadn’t thought there was a better choice than for him to go when he’d made the suggestion. If it came to a vote, he suspected it would be Cleo.
River then suggested that Lucien should leave. The boy nodded, rising and heading to the door. He paused when River said he would need his key back.
He was so glad to hear that. River finally feeling ready to return as an active leader was a big thing. Of course what it probably also meant was that things were enough of a mess that River felt he should come back, but Lucien was choosing to ignore that part.
River coming back - that was good news.
Lucien took the key out of his pocket, handing it over to River. He’d kept it safe the whole time since Hallowe’en hoping that River would return.
”Welcome back, man.” Lucien smiled. ”Thanks for this talk.”
With that, he stepped out of River’s room, leaving the other boy in peace. He too was exhausted, moving straight to head for his own room in the hope of getting some sleep.
_____
CHARACTER PROFILE IMAGE CREDIT: ElenaA via Picrew
|
|
|
|
Post by 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕪 on Dec 23, 2023 23:45:37 GMT
Passing the halls of the Pantheon, Luka stared at the pendant she now held in her hands. The silver snake had a clip on the back, and two long silver strings that were attached to two beads, bright green in color.
She looked into the pockets of the black jacket she had taken from her room, one that reminded her much of Lucien, and she pulled out a small back she had secured in a hidden pocket. She took note of the items, the amount she had. Sitting at the top of the bag was Theo's comb, and she placed the small snake clip beside it, before closing the bag and placing it in the black bag she had with her. Her umbrella was hooked into the belt she wore, and black fingerless gloves covered her hands.
Plus, some changes of clothes, held within a bag she slung around her back.
It was very late by the point, much later than any sane person should be awake, but it was the best time. Regardless, she scanned the halls carefully as she made her trek through the Pantheon. From the medical wing to the training area, she stepped silently, eyes scanning for others who may be around.
When she reached her destination, she took careful steps into the darkened room, scanning the shelves and walls until she found what she wanted. Knives and her daggers she always gravitated towards. Throwing her bag to the side, she started grabbing a few of the small things and wrapping them in cloth to keep their sharp ends from being too big of a threat. She'd only need a few, for a worst case scenario. Smaller ones were better.
This was the last stop, after all.
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 24, 2023 2:08:44 GMT
Of course he couldn't sleep. Too much was on his mind. Between Jason leaving to be a willing prisoner of the exiles, the meeting had turned to chaos, and then he had one too many conversations with other people.
He was exhausted but neither his body nor his mind would let him rest.
Flicking the light on the training room, he was twirling his compacted spear in his fingers while reading the notes from his journal in his other hand. He was muttering to himself. Strategies, drills, combinations. If his mind was going to keep him up then the least he could do was set up what he was gpoing to be helping Chiara with.
He glanced up briefly and hand to double take when he noticed the black duffel and the small teenager next to it filling it with weapons.
He snapped the journal shut and dropped his arm to the side as he stared at her hard. Not bothering to ask what she was doing or why. Just waiting for her to explain herself and the bag.
|
|
|
|
Post by 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕪 on Dec 24, 2023 4:03:38 GMT
Luka's hands worked quickly to wrap the few weapons she was needing, but she froze as she heard steps and the light came on.
She remained frozen, hoping perhaps it was Jason who came and he was temporarily blind. She doubted it though.
She turned her head, noticing River there who looked shocked to see her too, and she offered a sheepish grin at the other. Her frozen stance was similar to that of a deer in headlights, or perhaps a spooked cat. He was looking at her for an explanation, and she dropped the dagger she was wrapping into her bag and pulled the bag closer to her like a food aggressive kitten.
"Would you believe me if I said I was going on a vacation to..." what places existed? WHY NOW OF ALL TIMES WAS SHE FORGETTING GEOGRAPHY? Wait, where was Lucien from!? "Chee-cog-oh?" She tripped over the words a bit, offering a winning smile to the ginger and turning right back around to pack her things.
Nailed it.
They both knew that was some clever snarky comment, and not the truth. Still, she had nothing more to say. The less he knew, the better.
Oddly somber, she looked away from him, grabbing one of the weapons to inspect it again, she could only take a few after all, and they needed to be easily excusable.
"It's best you get rest," she said, "You-we have a meeting in the morning to prepare for."
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 24, 2023 4:59:32 GMT
He didn't respond to her failed attempt at pronouncing Chicago. There was no reason she needed to go there so no he didn't believe she was going there. And he couldn't believe anything she was going to say because she was being so secretive.
He started walking towards her when she told him to go to sleep. Fat chance that was going to happen now. If he couldn't sleep before he really couldn't sleep now.
Narrowing his eyes at her, River put his hand with his spear in his pocket and angled his head down at her. His finger tapped the notebook in his hand as he stared her down. A range of emotions crossed his face ranging from annoyance, disgust, and finally landing on disappointment.
"So, do you," he added when she mentioned the meeting. He could have been mistaken but he was certain that she was an elected leader too. He gestured to the bag in Luka's arms and her attire. "But it looks like you're going to do something stupid instead," he hissed.
He looked again at the weapon in her hands and scowled. "Put it down," he instructed quietly.
|
|
|
|
Post by 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕪 on Dec 24, 2023 5:17:15 GMT
Luka looked up at him as he approached. As his face cycled through emotions, disgust, annoyance, disappointment. She'd seen it more than he could ever know, and a part of her, deep down, was hurt by it, and another was entirely too used to it. Juliet used to look at her the same way. That's the only way Cleo ever regarded her, Dillon and Irene too.
As he commented on her stupid decision, she deadpanned at him, "yeah, well, they don't call me fucking dumbass shithead idiot for nothing."
She inspected the dagger some more, and when he told her to put it down, she huffed, and dropped it into her bag. That was technically putting it down.
Then she looked at him, a guarded look in her eyes, her eyes dropping to his notebook. "I'm going to give you the credit of assuming your not as stupid as some of the others," she commented, narrowed eyes raising to his face, "So you already know what this is."
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 24, 2023 5:38:21 GMT
He immediately snatched the bag away from her and held his behind him when she dropped the blade into the bag. He held it out of her reach until she decided to act like the person she claimed she was. Not this child who continued to think acting out was going to get her anywhere or help anyone else.
She knew what he meant and was doing something petty to be exactly as she just described herself.
A shithead.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He snapped angrily. He'd had enough of her just doing shit because she thought it was a good plan and wasn't going to run it by anyone else. "Why do you insist on doing things without telling someone? What exactly is your plan here?" he asked. "Do you even have a plan or are you running into this blind like you usually do? Hoping that it'll all just work out somehow?"
He gestured for her to start speaking and quickly.
|
|
|
|
Post by 𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕪 on Dec 24, 2023 6:08:16 GMT
Damn it! Annoying him wasn't getting him to leave. If anything, he seemed more determined to stay here and chitchat. She didn't have the time for it. When he took her bag she stood, reaching out towards it desperately. The keys were in there! The lifeline was in it.
When he asked what was wrong with her, she gave him a deadpan glance, pretty much spelling out 'you want that list alphabetically or chronologically' in just her expression. However his words after it caused her face to fall from the lackadaisical and deadpan expression she had.
"What good has running it by anyone done?!" she questioned, an outburst of anger and upset breaking her mask, though she quickly quieted down, looking at him with fiery eyes but a hushed voice, "Every time I try to work with someone else, it's bitten me in the ass...almost literally!" She hissed it out quietly, but she had to look away from him at that. She was reminded of trusting the others, and losing Theodore because of it. Now they were going to lose Jason too. And potentially Lucien too. Last time she went along with some plan herself, she almost died!
"And every time I've tried to work with them, it just gets worse. No one listens, but I guess pot meets kettle then, huh? No one listened much to you either, not even me." She seemed to have an internal debate then, no one ever listened. At least they were starting to listen to River, but what did it take, almost dying and weeks of isolation? What would she have to go through to get Cleo or the others to listen to what she had to say, to ever even agree? They wouldn't, Lucien had made it abundantly clear, and he was her best friend.
But River, out of everyone, had the most to say about her lack of talking. Her lack of communication had fucked him over in the past. That's why Laurie was gone. If she'd been there, maybe...maybe it wouldn't have.
"I have a plan," she finally conceded, giving him a guarded look. She was trusting him, and she honestly hoped it didn't bite her in the ass. But if anyone would help her...maybe it would be him?
"But I'm...I'm gonna need that bag back for a sec, Rivs," she said, oddly serious for a moment. "And as much as you have no reason to do so, I need you to listen to me. 'Kay?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Leo/ Clundy on Dec 24, 2023 14:30:18 GMT
His scowl only deepened when she insisted that talking to anyone else a running a plan by someone else wouldn't do any good. That nothing good will come from it because the one time she did follow through with a plan it backfired. But, that was one time and it was a bad plan.
It pissed him off how quickly she seemed to give up on things if it didn't work the first time. She was the one who insisted that she be listened to but never listens to anyone with a different idea. She simply brushes it off as they think she's a child instead of realizing it was probably a shitty plan to begin with that would only get more people hurt in the long run.
And who would want to listen to someone who is calling them names and being aggressive? That's the first way for people to stop listening immediately.
She acts before thinking.
River shook his head and took a step back. She wanted him to trust her enough to give the bag back? She needed to earn it faster than she'd been doing in the past.
"Talk first," he ordered keeping his hard stare level at her. "Then we'll see if I give you the bag."
|
|
