RP between Degu, AJ, Ave and Rigby
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Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield had gotten up, doing a decent job of feigning a good night's sleep. In reality he was tired, yawning a couple of times but it was as if nothing had happened otherwise. Joan was none-the-wiser even in all her motherly wisdom and he'd given no hints to his dad either. He'd just claimed he was going to hang out around the house today, little did they know he was laying low. Hopefully no one had any plans to head into the city...
The dragon had slippd out into the forest around the house, you could consider it a 'garden' but the wilderness around here just all blended. Either way he wasn't far from the house, sat beneath a tree with his satchel at his hip and his eyes shut. Normally he'd be playing his guitar but with the strings broken he'd opted to leave it underneath his bed until a time he could buy some new strings safely.(edited)
Ave — 02/23/2021
Jax had not been back to Maxie and Joan’s homestead since he and the Vaidya first stumbled into Hy Brazir. There was never any real need, except to send the occasional letter to harass Maxie and his wife for a good laugh.
Now was different. Jax had seen that poster, and knew what he needed to do. He marched up to their farm, following Enfield’s scent all the way to the woods where he saw the little shit resting beneath a tree. He cared not that he was essentially trespassing.
“YOU!” Jax bellowed, his voice alarming enough to surely draw attention from the kid.
Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield opened one eye even at that booming voice. He knew it well enough already. "Me" he replied before closing his eye again and sinking back, folding his arms behind his head with a stretch and a yawn. "What do you want fatass?" Oh god, he really was feeling full of himself! He distinctly remembered Jaxamir being offended the one time he'd called him fat.
Ave — 02/23/2021
Enfield was a brave chap to call the likes of Jax a 'fatass'. He stared, veins popping out of his face, quickly changing from his tan to a boiling red. "I'M NOT A FATASS!" he shouted, spittle flying out of his mouth as he flexed his muscles. He about tore out his hair, but managed to pull himself back down. "Shut the fuck up, you little runt, and open up your ears." He advanced on Enfield, and made to actually grab him by the ear. If successful, he yanked on it so that Jax could snarl in his face.
"What is the meaning of that poster with your face on it, eh? What the FUCK did you do?!"
Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield smiled smugly to himself and kept his eyes shut even as Jaxamir about threatened to blow his top. He knew just how to be infuriating. He yelped when his ear was grabbed, eyes wide with shock as Jaxamir yanked him closer. He stared into the dragon's eyes with big, hopeless blinks before grimacing "There's a poster...?" he quickly hoped his father hadn't headed into town "You took it down, right? ...seriously, tell me you took it down! I'd have done the same for you!"
AJ — 02/23/2021
Jaxamir was a tall and powerful man that rarely skipped Leg Day, and although the Vaidya had spent years honing their ability to keep up with him when he was possessed like a bat out of hell, they'd dawdled too long to pick up the poster he had ripped from where it had been plastered, piecing it together with a slow hum of recognition. They turned around only to find Jaxamir long down.
So it was with a good half-minute of delay that the little physician came sprinting up the path after the dragon, no doubt following that booming voice. Especially as, once they'd gotten to the farm, they could only guess where he was hiding. 'I'm not a fatass' was a good lead to follow. They made it clutching a lungful of air. "Jaxamir, तुम क्यो फिकर करते हो?" Collecting the bounty was one thing, but they'd think they'd have remembered Enfield pissing in his cereal.
Ave — 02/23/2021
Jax didn’t think to take the horses out here, it would have made for easier traveling. He paused a moment, sensing Vai was near, groaning audibly when they spoke. “क्या! मैं इस ...runt ... के बारे में परवाह नहीं है!” he spat in imperfect Hindi, but enough to get his point across: he took offense to that. He looked down at Enfield angrily.
“Stop evading my questions!” Jax never punched a kid before, but he looked like there was a first for everything. “I’m curious to know WHY you got yourself caught, because...” He scowled, reminded of all the times he and Vai got caught, and the endless bounties made on their heads as a result. Pot calling the kettle black.
“You are a CHILD. What are you doing out there, causing mischief for?” He was shaking Enfield at this point by his ear. “Did you insult someone? Kick their dog? Because it looks like the shit tactics you’d do.”
“Vai, what do you think we should do with him? Turn him in? They only offered twenty fucking shards... that is enough for a hearty meal...” He scratched his beard thoughtfully, picturing himself eating a nice, big juicy steak, and deciding if it was all worth the effort at all. “Shut up, kid, I’m trying to think.”
Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield yelped as he was shaken, tail thrashing against the ground. He heard Vaidya, though he didn't know what they were saying other than Jaxamir's name. He caught sight of them at an awkward angle past Jax and grinned innocently. "Hi Vaidya- Ow! Jax!" he gasped as he was shaken again. When the fellow threatened to turn him in, any normal teenager might have been mortified or afraid of the consequences but the little con artist giggled impishly "Why settle for a measly twenty shards?" he asked with a gleam in his eyes.
He reached into the satchel and produced the ruby and gold amulet, holding it up but not letting go of it "I could cut you guys in for a share, why don't we work something out? ...you find me a fence to get rid of this thing and i'll cut you in sixty fourty, or ...well twenty percent between the two of you." if anyone reached for the amulet he'd try to yank it away.
"I took it. Some off-duty guard saw me and chased me across the city. I lost him but I guess he got a poster put up... I'm probably going to get locked up" he sighed "Dad's gonna be disappointed, but the urge just came over me you know? They were all just there fresh for the taking" dragon puberty was a strong thing, Jaxamir probably knew the desperate need to take pretty trinkets well enough even if it had been long ago for him.
Rigby — 02/24/2021
"You most certainly would not be turning him in."
Evren didn't even need to raise her voice. She might have been wearing (mostly) human-shape, wings curled tightly and tail dearly wishing to thrash like that of an angry cat's, but her composure was stiff, with the underlying sense it may burst at the seams into the roiling fire and chaos that typically comprised the woman.
Those orange and draconic eyes crackling of fire probably helped.
Those eyes also shot Enfield a withering, maternal Look, one that smacked of the of-course-you-won't-be-cutting-those-deals-either variety.
"He needs that ear, I need my son, and I figure the both of you need to leave the farm in one piece sooner or later, so rather than ruin your whole day, I'd like to know what's going on here and spare us all the trouble."
If hands were still on Enfield, she would walk right up and pry them off if she could, knowing full well she'd have seconds to take advantage of her unexpected appearance.
AJ — 02/24/2021
The Vaidya's attempt had likely been to cause offence, so there was a satisfied, if annoyed clear of their throat in response, moving in to hover close. “Hello Enfield,” they answered politely, unable to resist those Social Niceties. Well, there was only the possibility that they may turn him in for currency. That was no reason to be rude about it. Thry nodded their head partly in greeting, partly to catch their breath.
Jaxamir's suggestion was mulled over. “I suppose so.” But impulsive and self-serving, the doctor was still always thinking five moves ahead: “It doubt it would be worth it. You would be further damaging relations with his family.” Not something they had cared about before, but if they did stick around Thornmouth instead of fleeing into the night, it was something to consider.
Enfield’s bargain was probably more up Jaxamir’s alley though, and when he thrust the spoils out for them to see, the doctor delicately held out one of their stained hands in an attempt to inspect them (before he grabbed them back protectively). They looked back to their dragon, studying his expression but expecting him to accept the alternative. Likely for a larger percentage. If they could find a fence.
They weren't given much time to consider, as Evren's commanding voice caught their attention above her form, perhaps their truesight more than sight, the little doctor turning and staring with keen interest. "Son?" That was kept low, for Jaxamir and Enfield's ears, though they didn't doubt hers were just as keen. After all, this wasn't Joan, but the resemblance was immediately obvious. They'd recognized her threats, but the doctor's stare was a thousand yards.
Ave — 02/25/2021
The dragon scoffed. Having a positive relationship with Enfield’s ‘family’ was of little importance to him. “Who cares? Fine job they did of raising the runt,” said the asshole who abandoned his own numerous children. He released Enfield, trusting the kid wouldn’t book it immediately. Even if he tried, he made sure to flank him with the Vaidya.
Jax rubbed his chin thoughtfully, listening to both sides. “Clever kid,” he mused. “I think that will be ideal. I might know someone.” Jax would, considering he had done a number of crimes in secret. It was lucky he hadn’t got caught so far. “You’re incompetent at best, runt. Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to get rich quick—“
Jax ceased speaking when a voice rang out, one that was devastatingly familiar and ingrained into his mind for ten solid years. He went white as a sheet, looking on high alert as he swiveled wildly around to look for the source of the voice. Then, he saw her, approaching them with that wild confidence.
“S-son?” Jax echoed, the first thing to register next to the shock of seeing the one responsible for his many years of pain and misery. He looked at Enfield, then back at Evren. Oh, yes, he can see the resemblance. Well, shit. He shook his head to clear his mind, like a dog ridding its ears of water. “EVREN!” he shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her. Lack of preparation made him forget the niceties he was expected to bestow upon the dragoness. “At last, we meet again!” He advanced upon the woman, but there was no need, she was near to them enough that he only took a few steps forward. “Undo this blasted curse you placed upon me!” It was a demand, yes, but one fraught with raw wretchedness. It was no act. “I have traveled so far for too long, met the most powerful sorcerers and bargained with eldritch spirits, and found NOTHING! I can’t... I can’t live like this!”
Degu — 02/25/2021
Enfield huffed as he was set down, rubbing at his ear. There was a glimmer in his eyes as Jaxamir said he might be inclined to mentor him and the look he gave Vaidya questioned whether they were going to help too, the both of them. But then-
"Mom!" he sounded somewhere between elated and nervous. "You um, saw the poster, heh... ummm I can explain?" she probably heard it all anyway. Shit. That probably meant his dad was reading the damn thing, if Arron hadn't already told him.. no doubt it was on the board outside the butchers anyway. This was bad, maybe he was finally starting to regret what he did but for all the wrong reasons.
"He's okay he just-"
He was stunned into abrupt silence. His mother had asked for an explanation, sure but what came out of Jaxamir's mouth was rather suddenly more important. He exchanged a wide eyed look with Vaidya as if to ask them if they knew about this and then hurried after Jaxamir as he advanced a bit too aggressively on his mother "You know each other..?" he asked with a look between Jaxamir and his mother. They were all red dragons...surely not related though? he felt sweat glisten on his brow. Maybe just some asshole his mother punished for being - well ...Jaxamir.
"Mom? what-" he ran a hand through his hair and stepped forwards a bit in case Jaxamir planned on trying to close the gap to his mother. He was protective even if his mother was stronger than him by a fair bit. "You put the curse on him..? Why? I like Jaxamir" he said with a frown, but all he really did was testify what bad taste in friends he had and how they rarely reciprocated such friendship. "Who is he, mom?" that was a rather more direct question as he turned towards Evren, eyes shining with worry.
Rigby — 02/25/2021
"Explain later, I think I've got an idea, something I think I need to talk to you and the triplets about anyway. Might need a good story for your fathers by the time we're done, though. Arron for sure's at least heard." The butcher hadn't quite crossed into the territory of criticizing how accurate-to-life the poster was. But he was close.
But, oh. Oh, this was absolute taurshit.
"Ohhhh, Jaxamir, you're not dead." Her tone was definitely odd despite the sass - she was already riled up surely, but the inflection broke and her eyes shone. Hello to you, too, Jaxamir.
"Well you weren't around yet!" It was almost a breathless laugh for Enfield but she wasn't even getting her intended delivery out - Jaxamir here, now, putting hands on Enfield was clearly leaving her far more distraught than the incident with Enfield alone could've done.
She'd looked from the Vaidya, to Enfield and Jaxamir. Was it a little hotter around their group? Evren was certainly flushed, and several dead leaves in their vicinity quietly curled to ash.
"Could say we know each other. Ages ago, a king had hired me to slay a mad dragon that had destroyed a village. He's the kind of king you couldn't really say 'no' to. Not in my situation, then."
Notably, Jaxamir remained unslain.
"Couldn’t do it. So I found a way around it. Jaxamir could leave with his life. When the truesighted came around, there'd be no living dragon and no loosed spirit to trace. He could walk right through them and the king’s men would be none the wiser."
And Jaxamir was faced with that shining eyed woman, nearly full to burst of rage - and sorrow?
"You're running to eldritch spirits?!" She'd ALMOST looked like she was about to launch into a long talk with him about THAT. If only she'd known about their shipmate... "I can't! I'm sorry, I can't. That's what it is, that's how these things run their course...I would have thought you'd have found your way into fixing it, by now!" There was still the maddening non-answer there. What had she done?!
But it was Enfield's direct question that she couldn't ignore, and it did have the curious effect of calling off the dogs entirely; she'd stepped back, panting, tears finally unwillingly burst free from their restraint, ran a hand down her face. She couldn't dress it up...but there was a long, long silence before she finally just went straight for the heart.
"He's your brother, En."
AJ — 02/27/2021
This was a circular argument, of going or staying, so they answered him with a 'hm' for now, letting Jaxamir go ahead with his negotiations. That look the young dragon cast between them was returned with quiet callousness. They did everything together; if Jaxamir was going to take him 'under his wing', they'd... Teach him how to get damned good at pickpocketing? Maybe stuff someone's intestines back into their abdomen. Important life skills.
As they turned to face Evren, the physician's simple curiosity was compounded by Jaxamir's more frantic confusion, the obvious recognition in his eyes, and they were fighting to tear their eyes away from Evren to look at him. Another one that was bigger than they should be, something built, something familiarly constructed and soaked in manasciences and rasaśāstra. And familiar.
Finally it was their accomplice's shout that brought them out of it, the doctor reaching up instinctively and grabbing gently onto his opposite arm, the one not pointing accusingly. Not that they could hold him back, really, so it was more an awkward step after him to stop him from doing anything too crazy and further incurring Wrath.
Enfield's look wasn't even returned, but by the hard stare on the surgeon's face, they undoubtedly knew. They hadn't known what to expect, or who to picture, but this was what they'd been looking for. She was more emotional than they expected, regretful and upset, and it puzzled them. Evren's brief glance in their direction got an owlish stare in response. They were used to dry heat, but they weren't ignorant to its source.
"I could." The little doctor's response was muted and flat. Whatever truesighted he was hidden from before, they could. Half dead (again) and seeing something so beyond what their mundane existence could comprehend. Following him dimension to dimension in his quest, and the little doctor stank of the Eldritch Spirits they had encountered and bargained with, simple and human and held together by Deals.
Their grip tightened on Jaxamir's arm, muted stare suddenly on him. Maybe they'd taken that Familiarity out of context. "Jaxamir?"
Ave — 02/27/2021
Jax was taken aback by that, by how the woman said he ‘wasn’t dead’. “Why? Were you hoping?” He growled impatiently, working in his mind how best to get what he wanted from this situation quickly.
“WE ARE NOT HERE FOR PLEASANTRIES OR STORY TELLING!” he roared. “What do you mean you can’t! You put this curse on me, you can undo it, OR ELSE—“
’He’s your brother, En.’
Jax paused, inches away from grabbing Evren with a mind to force an answer out of her. But then she said that, those words that echoed in his head long after it was said, his thoughts coming to an abrupt halt so that it had a nice, long moment to sponge in this gut-wrenching piece of information.
“What did you say?” he said quietly to Evren, dropping his arms weakly to his sides. Feeling left his body as he stood there. It was like having something important inside suddenly packing its bags and noping right out of his body.
The only time Jax was able to snap out of his shock was when he felt a familiar grip on his arm. He turned to look down at the Vaidya, staring for too long.
“I... I have to go.” Without another word, Jax turned away from them all, and walked in the opposite direction, wanting to deal with this new information... somehow. But alone.
Degu — 02/28/2021
Evren answered his question and Enfield was stunned into silence, his eyes wide and his jaw falling slack. He stared at her for a prolonged moment before snapping his attention towards Jaxamir with those same big eyes. Now it made sense how he'd gravitated towards this guy from the start, they were family. Maybe something in him could sense it, maybe it was in the familiarity of Jaxamir's smell.
He stared after Jaxamir as the man turned to leave but felt a well of panic bubble up in him because he felt like he HAD to say something. "I'm happy!" he yelled after Jaxamir, but then paused stiffly "...that we're brothers." he rubbed the back of his neck and looked down to the side. He made no attempt to make Jaxamir stay, he was overwhelmed and really he needed time to process this too.
He figured Vaidya was going to go with Jaxamir, he figured they could discuss the matter of thievery at another time. He instead turned towards his mother and stared up at her with questioning in his eyes. He knew she was hurting too, that it was difficult for her... but... things were swimming around in his head. Would she ever do that to him if she had to? ...he halted that train of thought, what she had done was kinder than killing Jaxamir. She did what she had to.
Those watering eyes darted left and right and the boy sniffed after a moment. He'd thought he was her eldest son too, not that he much cared for the position of eldest son but it still shocked him. "...Are you okay, mom...?" he finally asked her after a time of clear inner turmoil, realizing that in this moment she needed him more than he needed her. He turned to wrap his arms around her and hold her close...and hell, he was getting taller rapidly now, so it was almost an all encompasing hug!
"I'm here."
Rigby — 02/28/2021
"Yeah. Yeah, kid." If there was a way to master anger, sorrow, a challenge and shame all in one tone, Evren managed it right there with her answer for Jax, as she'd layed eyes on Jaxamir as if he were a person and not a thing to overcome, shield, or outwit.
Perhaps this was the first time she'd done so.
"First clutch was stolen." It was almost mechanical, and to nobody in particular. "But I knew. I always know."
She let Jaxamir go without any trouble, wholly inside her own head, blinked back emotion and failed entirely, the surrounding heat fluctuating rather subtly and unstably. Couldn't even muster an apology or an explanation for the Vaidya on the spot, either. Where to even begin?
And she remained with Enfield - and possibly the doctor if they'd stayed around, too - though she wasn't sure of her ability to answer questions in this state.
Her shape was far too small to hold these large, roiling emotions all at once, she'd decided with a grasp at sensibility. Anger was correct, until it wasn't. Sorrow was legitimate, but that would edge out anger. And shame at what she'd done, and even admitting it was a moment of weakness was a specter above all. Human legs shook too much to her eternal annoyance, and so she'd curled into Enfield's embrace, pressing her forehead against his.
"I'm not," was the confession at length, finally. "And I'm sorry you had to see me like this, but I wasn't expecting to see him...or him manhandling you like that!" And even a little giggle managed to bubble up from that hug. "I didn't even get my 'humans-feel-stealing-is-wrong' lecture in so your fathers don't have to, heh." Oh they'd never hear the end from either, really - and humans were supposed to be at least somewhat more noble than her kind around treasure!
AJ — 02/28/2021
The Vaidya's wasn't the more comforting presence, but it was familiar. They couldn't force him to stay, instead letting Jaxamir's arm slide out of their grip as he turned to stalk off back down the path. He would want room, but they couldn't not follow. They stared at his back for a moment, before settling their gaze back on Evren. There needed to be some sort of confrontation, some accountability, something to come from this unlikely meeting. Answers? Any social unease that should have come of standing over this family's emotional exchange didn't stick, staring instead until succumbing to the realization that they might lose Jaxamir if, in his grief, confusion, he left town or otherwise took flight (figuratively).
They turned and took off down the path after him, first at a brisk walk, then a sprint to catch up. They wouldn't engage, but they'd stick close all the same.
Degu — 03/03/2021
Enfield watched the two go and swallowed dryly as his mother explained. "I guess maybe I knew too. I didn't know what I knew, but he felt familiar" he hadn't exactly known why "I met them when they came through the moon gate and I took them home. Joan and dad made them dinner and let them stay....I kept trying to steal the amulet..." he muttered softly.
He regarded the amulet in his hand and sighed, sagging "I can't even regret stealing it... I don't even care....not even about consequences outside of...well...disappointing my family." that was a problem, and he worried about that but at the same time it almost seemed like shackles, times like these he understood why people like Theo kept their distance, but Enfield couldn't abandon the people he loved just to have more freedom. He loved them too much to do that.
"You think I should hand myself in? ...I wouldn't mind some time behind bars. The guards are~" he fanned himself and giggled, ducking away a bit in case his mother whapped him over the head, but hten he was back to hugging her. "Just tell me what to do mom... " after what just happened he didn't want any extra strain on her emotionally. "I'll do whatever you think I should do."
Rigby — 03/07/2021
"I will tell you about all of it...just not now. Can come home with me if you're not up for facing your dad tonight, m'sure your brothers'll only love everything about this." And give Carn another taste of this particular chaos-spawn.
The mad impulse to go chasing after both Jaxamir and his companion was brief but overwhelming. But...to what end?
And the need to protect Enfield overrode all. It was why she was here, after all. She was certain that wearing the human-shape left one victim to the large feelings that consumed it...but she'd not wanted to test otherwise. It was blatant internal deflection, and some part of her knew it.
Enfield did do the two of them a favor then and redirected the subject so neatly that she'd found herself shaken back into the present, properly.
She did manage a little laugh at En's depiction of the guards. "Should at least care enough to worry about consequences." 'Don't get caught' wasn't exactly a human response to all of this, but it was pitch perfect for a dragon. "I don't want to walk down into the square and see you in those stocks, you hear?" Or worse.
"You'd be so bored!" She'd nudged him, then affected the posture and that light German lilt of his birth-father. "Do not get CAUGHT, master Enfield, think several moves ahead of your opponent, and plan for all outcomes." Her voice returned to normal. "Not that I'd say the guards are your opponents! But...s'pose we should probably go and fess this one up." For the sake of the dads, really.
Enfield had gotten up, doing a decent job of feigning a good night's sleep. In reality he was tired, yawning a couple of times but it was as if nothing had happened otherwise. Joan was none-the-wiser even in all her motherly wisdom and he'd given no hints to his dad either. He'd just claimed he was going to hang out around the house today, little did they know he was laying low. Hopefully no one had any plans to head into the city...
The dragon had slippd out into the forest around the house, you could consider it a 'garden' but the wilderness around here just all blended. Either way he wasn't far from the house, sat beneath a tree with his satchel at his hip and his eyes shut. Normally he'd be playing his guitar but with the strings broken he'd opted to leave it underneath his bed until a time he could buy some new strings safely.(edited)
Ave — 02/23/2021
Jax had not been back to Maxie and Joan’s homestead since he and the Vaidya first stumbled into Hy Brazir. There was never any real need, except to send the occasional letter to harass Maxie and his wife for a good laugh.
Now was different. Jax had seen that poster, and knew what he needed to do. He marched up to their farm, following Enfield’s scent all the way to the woods where he saw the little shit resting beneath a tree. He cared not that he was essentially trespassing.
“YOU!” Jax bellowed, his voice alarming enough to surely draw attention from the kid.
Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield opened one eye even at that booming voice. He knew it well enough already. "Me" he replied before closing his eye again and sinking back, folding his arms behind his head with a stretch and a yawn. "What do you want fatass?" Oh god, he really was feeling full of himself! He distinctly remembered Jaxamir being offended the one time he'd called him fat.
Ave — 02/23/2021
Enfield was a brave chap to call the likes of Jax a 'fatass'. He stared, veins popping out of his face, quickly changing from his tan to a boiling red. "I'M NOT A FATASS!" he shouted, spittle flying out of his mouth as he flexed his muscles. He about tore out his hair, but managed to pull himself back down. "Shut the fuck up, you little runt, and open up your ears." He advanced on Enfield, and made to actually grab him by the ear. If successful, he yanked on it so that Jax could snarl in his face.
"What is the meaning of that poster with your face on it, eh? What the FUCK did you do?!"
Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield smiled smugly to himself and kept his eyes shut even as Jaxamir about threatened to blow his top. He knew just how to be infuriating. He yelped when his ear was grabbed, eyes wide with shock as Jaxamir yanked him closer. He stared into the dragon's eyes with big, hopeless blinks before grimacing "There's a poster...?" he quickly hoped his father hadn't headed into town "You took it down, right? ...seriously, tell me you took it down! I'd have done the same for you!"
AJ — 02/23/2021
Jaxamir was a tall and powerful man that rarely skipped Leg Day, and although the Vaidya had spent years honing their ability to keep up with him when he was possessed like a bat out of hell, they'd dawdled too long to pick up the poster he had ripped from where it had been plastered, piecing it together with a slow hum of recognition. They turned around only to find Jaxamir long down.
So it was with a good half-minute of delay that the little physician came sprinting up the path after the dragon, no doubt following that booming voice. Especially as, once they'd gotten to the farm, they could only guess where he was hiding. 'I'm not a fatass' was a good lead to follow. They made it clutching a lungful of air. "Jaxamir, तुम क्यो फिकर करते हो?" Collecting the bounty was one thing, but they'd think they'd have remembered Enfield pissing in his cereal.
Ave — 02/23/2021
Jax didn’t think to take the horses out here, it would have made for easier traveling. He paused a moment, sensing Vai was near, groaning audibly when they spoke. “क्या! मैं इस ...runt ... के बारे में परवाह नहीं है!” he spat in imperfect Hindi, but enough to get his point across: he took offense to that. He looked down at Enfield angrily.
“Stop evading my questions!” Jax never punched a kid before, but he looked like there was a first for everything. “I’m curious to know WHY you got yourself caught, because...” He scowled, reminded of all the times he and Vai got caught, and the endless bounties made on their heads as a result. Pot calling the kettle black.
“You are a CHILD. What are you doing out there, causing mischief for?” He was shaking Enfield at this point by his ear. “Did you insult someone? Kick their dog? Because it looks like the shit tactics you’d do.”
“Vai, what do you think we should do with him? Turn him in? They only offered twenty fucking shards... that is enough for a hearty meal...” He scratched his beard thoughtfully, picturing himself eating a nice, big juicy steak, and deciding if it was all worth the effort at all. “Shut up, kid, I’m trying to think.”
Degu — 02/23/2021
Enfield yelped as he was shaken, tail thrashing against the ground. He heard Vaidya, though he didn't know what they were saying other than Jaxamir's name. He caught sight of them at an awkward angle past Jax and grinned innocently. "Hi Vaidya- Ow! Jax!" he gasped as he was shaken again. When the fellow threatened to turn him in, any normal teenager might have been mortified or afraid of the consequences but the little con artist giggled impishly "Why settle for a measly twenty shards?" he asked with a gleam in his eyes.
He reached into the satchel and produced the ruby and gold amulet, holding it up but not letting go of it "I could cut you guys in for a share, why don't we work something out? ...you find me a fence to get rid of this thing and i'll cut you in sixty fourty, or ...well twenty percent between the two of you." if anyone reached for the amulet he'd try to yank it away.
"I took it. Some off-duty guard saw me and chased me across the city. I lost him but I guess he got a poster put up... I'm probably going to get locked up" he sighed "Dad's gonna be disappointed, but the urge just came over me you know? They were all just there fresh for the taking" dragon puberty was a strong thing, Jaxamir probably knew the desperate need to take pretty trinkets well enough even if it had been long ago for him.
Rigby — 02/24/2021
"You most certainly would not be turning him in."
Evren didn't even need to raise her voice. She might have been wearing (mostly) human-shape, wings curled tightly and tail dearly wishing to thrash like that of an angry cat's, but her composure was stiff, with the underlying sense it may burst at the seams into the roiling fire and chaos that typically comprised the woman.
Those orange and draconic eyes crackling of fire probably helped.
Those eyes also shot Enfield a withering, maternal Look, one that smacked of the of-course-you-won't-be-cutting-those-deals-either variety.
"He needs that ear, I need my son, and I figure the both of you need to leave the farm in one piece sooner or later, so rather than ruin your whole day, I'd like to know what's going on here and spare us all the trouble."
If hands were still on Enfield, she would walk right up and pry them off if she could, knowing full well she'd have seconds to take advantage of her unexpected appearance.
AJ — 02/24/2021
The Vaidya's attempt had likely been to cause offence, so there was a satisfied, if annoyed clear of their throat in response, moving in to hover close. “Hello Enfield,” they answered politely, unable to resist those Social Niceties. Well, there was only the possibility that they may turn him in for currency. That was no reason to be rude about it. Thry nodded their head partly in greeting, partly to catch their breath.
Jaxamir's suggestion was mulled over. “I suppose so.” But impulsive and self-serving, the doctor was still always thinking five moves ahead: “It doubt it would be worth it. You would be further damaging relations with his family.” Not something they had cared about before, but if they did stick around Thornmouth instead of fleeing into the night, it was something to consider.
Enfield’s bargain was probably more up Jaxamir’s alley though, and when he thrust the spoils out for them to see, the doctor delicately held out one of their stained hands in an attempt to inspect them (before he grabbed them back protectively). They looked back to their dragon, studying his expression but expecting him to accept the alternative. Likely for a larger percentage. If they could find a fence.
They weren't given much time to consider, as Evren's commanding voice caught their attention above her form, perhaps their truesight more than sight, the little doctor turning and staring with keen interest. "Son?" That was kept low, for Jaxamir and Enfield's ears, though they didn't doubt hers were just as keen. After all, this wasn't Joan, but the resemblance was immediately obvious. They'd recognized her threats, but the doctor's stare was a thousand yards.
Ave — 02/25/2021
The dragon scoffed. Having a positive relationship with Enfield’s ‘family’ was of little importance to him. “Who cares? Fine job they did of raising the runt,” said the asshole who abandoned his own numerous children. He released Enfield, trusting the kid wouldn’t book it immediately. Even if he tried, he made sure to flank him with the Vaidya.
Jax rubbed his chin thoughtfully, listening to both sides. “Clever kid,” he mused. “I think that will be ideal. I might know someone.” Jax would, considering he had done a number of crimes in secret. It was lucky he hadn’t got caught so far. “You’re incompetent at best, runt. Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to get rich quick—“
Jax ceased speaking when a voice rang out, one that was devastatingly familiar and ingrained into his mind for ten solid years. He went white as a sheet, looking on high alert as he swiveled wildly around to look for the source of the voice. Then, he saw her, approaching them with that wild confidence.
“S-son?” Jax echoed, the first thing to register next to the shock of seeing the one responsible for his many years of pain and misery. He looked at Enfield, then back at Evren. Oh, yes, he can see the resemblance. Well, shit. He shook his head to clear his mind, like a dog ridding its ears of water. “EVREN!” he shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her. Lack of preparation made him forget the niceties he was expected to bestow upon the dragoness. “At last, we meet again!” He advanced upon the woman, but there was no need, she was near to them enough that he only took a few steps forward. “Undo this blasted curse you placed upon me!” It was a demand, yes, but one fraught with raw wretchedness. It was no act. “I have traveled so far for too long, met the most powerful sorcerers and bargained with eldritch spirits, and found NOTHING! I can’t... I can’t live like this!”
Degu — 02/25/2021
Enfield huffed as he was set down, rubbing at his ear. There was a glimmer in his eyes as Jaxamir said he might be inclined to mentor him and the look he gave Vaidya questioned whether they were going to help too, the both of them. But then-
"Mom!" he sounded somewhere between elated and nervous. "You um, saw the poster, heh... ummm I can explain?" she probably heard it all anyway. Shit. That probably meant his dad was reading the damn thing, if Arron hadn't already told him.. no doubt it was on the board outside the butchers anyway. This was bad, maybe he was finally starting to regret what he did but for all the wrong reasons.
"He's okay he just-"
He was stunned into abrupt silence. His mother had asked for an explanation, sure but what came out of Jaxamir's mouth was rather suddenly more important. He exchanged a wide eyed look with Vaidya as if to ask them if they knew about this and then hurried after Jaxamir as he advanced a bit too aggressively on his mother "You know each other..?" he asked with a look between Jaxamir and his mother. They were all red dragons...surely not related though? he felt sweat glisten on his brow. Maybe just some asshole his mother punished for being - well ...Jaxamir.
"Mom? what-" he ran a hand through his hair and stepped forwards a bit in case Jaxamir planned on trying to close the gap to his mother. He was protective even if his mother was stronger than him by a fair bit. "You put the curse on him..? Why? I like Jaxamir" he said with a frown, but all he really did was testify what bad taste in friends he had and how they rarely reciprocated such friendship. "Who is he, mom?" that was a rather more direct question as he turned towards Evren, eyes shining with worry.
Rigby — 02/25/2021
"Explain later, I think I've got an idea, something I think I need to talk to you and the triplets about anyway. Might need a good story for your fathers by the time we're done, though. Arron for sure's at least heard." The butcher hadn't quite crossed into the territory of criticizing how accurate-to-life the poster was. But he was close.
But, oh. Oh, this was absolute taurshit.
"Ohhhh, Jaxamir, you're not dead." Her tone was definitely odd despite the sass - she was already riled up surely, but the inflection broke and her eyes shone. Hello to you, too, Jaxamir.
"Well you weren't around yet!" It was almost a breathless laugh for Enfield but she wasn't even getting her intended delivery out - Jaxamir here, now, putting hands on Enfield was clearly leaving her far more distraught than the incident with Enfield alone could've done.
She'd looked from the Vaidya, to Enfield and Jaxamir. Was it a little hotter around their group? Evren was certainly flushed, and several dead leaves in their vicinity quietly curled to ash.
"Could say we know each other. Ages ago, a king had hired me to slay a mad dragon that had destroyed a village. He's the kind of king you couldn't really say 'no' to. Not in my situation, then."
Notably, Jaxamir remained unslain.
"Couldn’t do it. So I found a way around it. Jaxamir could leave with his life. When the truesighted came around, there'd be no living dragon and no loosed spirit to trace. He could walk right through them and the king’s men would be none the wiser."
And Jaxamir was faced with that shining eyed woman, nearly full to burst of rage - and sorrow?
"You're running to eldritch spirits?!" She'd ALMOST looked like she was about to launch into a long talk with him about THAT. If only she'd known about their shipmate... "I can't! I'm sorry, I can't. That's what it is, that's how these things run their course...I would have thought you'd have found your way into fixing it, by now!" There was still the maddening non-answer there. What had she done?!
But it was Enfield's direct question that she couldn't ignore, and it did have the curious effect of calling off the dogs entirely; she'd stepped back, panting, tears finally unwillingly burst free from their restraint, ran a hand down her face. She couldn't dress it up...but there was a long, long silence before she finally just went straight for the heart.
"He's your brother, En."
AJ — 02/27/2021
This was a circular argument, of going or staying, so they answered him with a 'hm' for now, letting Jaxamir go ahead with his negotiations. That look the young dragon cast between them was returned with quiet callousness. They did everything together; if Jaxamir was going to take him 'under his wing', they'd... Teach him how to get damned good at pickpocketing? Maybe stuff someone's intestines back into their abdomen. Important life skills.
As they turned to face Evren, the physician's simple curiosity was compounded by Jaxamir's more frantic confusion, the obvious recognition in his eyes, and they were fighting to tear their eyes away from Evren to look at him. Another one that was bigger than they should be, something built, something familiarly constructed and soaked in manasciences and rasaśāstra. And familiar.
Finally it was their accomplice's shout that brought them out of it, the doctor reaching up instinctively and grabbing gently onto his opposite arm, the one not pointing accusingly. Not that they could hold him back, really, so it was more an awkward step after him to stop him from doing anything too crazy and further incurring Wrath.
Enfield's look wasn't even returned, but by the hard stare on the surgeon's face, they undoubtedly knew. They hadn't known what to expect, or who to picture, but this was what they'd been looking for. She was more emotional than they expected, regretful and upset, and it puzzled them. Evren's brief glance in their direction got an owlish stare in response. They were used to dry heat, but they weren't ignorant to its source.
"I could." The little doctor's response was muted and flat. Whatever truesighted he was hidden from before, they could. Half dead (again) and seeing something so beyond what their mundane existence could comprehend. Following him dimension to dimension in his quest, and the little doctor stank of the Eldritch Spirits they had encountered and bargained with, simple and human and held together by Deals.
Their grip tightened on Jaxamir's arm, muted stare suddenly on him. Maybe they'd taken that Familiarity out of context. "Jaxamir?"
Ave — 02/27/2021
Jax was taken aback by that, by how the woman said he ‘wasn’t dead’. “Why? Were you hoping?” He growled impatiently, working in his mind how best to get what he wanted from this situation quickly.
“WE ARE NOT HERE FOR PLEASANTRIES OR STORY TELLING!” he roared. “What do you mean you can’t! You put this curse on me, you can undo it, OR ELSE—“
’He’s your brother, En.’
Jax paused, inches away from grabbing Evren with a mind to force an answer out of her. But then she said that, those words that echoed in his head long after it was said, his thoughts coming to an abrupt halt so that it had a nice, long moment to sponge in this gut-wrenching piece of information.
“What did you say?” he said quietly to Evren, dropping his arms weakly to his sides. Feeling left his body as he stood there. It was like having something important inside suddenly packing its bags and noping right out of his body.
The only time Jax was able to snap out of his shock was when he felt a familiar grip on his arm. He turned to look down at the Vaidya, staring for too long.
“I... I have to go.” Without another word, Jax turned away from them all, and walked in the opposite direction, wanting to deal with this new information... somehow. But alone.
Degu — 02/28/2021
Evren answered his question and Enfield was stunned into silence, his eyes wide and his jaw falling slack. He stared at her for a prolonged moment before snapping his attention towards Jaxamir with those same big eyes. Now it made sense how he'd gravitated towards this guy from the start, they were family. Maybe something in him could sense it, maybe it was in the familiarity of Jaxamir's smell.
He stared after Jaxamir as the man turned to leave but felt a well of panic bubble up in him because he felt like he HAD to say something. "I'm happy!" he yelled after Jaxamir, but then paused stiffly "...that we're brothers." he rubbed the back of his neck and looked down to the side. He made no attempt to make Jaxamir stay, he was overwhelmed and really he needed time to process this too.
He figured Vaidya was going to go with Jaxamir, he figured they could discuss the matter of thievery at another time. He instead turned towards his mother and stared up at her with questioning in his eyes. He knew she was hurting too, that it was difficult for her... but... things were swimming around in his head. Would she ever do that to him if she had to? ...he halted that train of thought, what she had done was kinder than killing Jaxamir. She did what she had to.
Those watering eyes darted left and right and the boy sniffed after a moment. He'd thought he was her eldest son too, not that he much cared for the position of eldest son but it still shocked him. "...Are you okay, mom...?" he finally asked her after a time of clear inner turmoil, realizing that in this moment she needed him more than he needed her. He turned to wrap his arms around her and hold her close...and hell, he was getting taller rapidly now, so it was almost an all encompasing hug!
"I'm here."
Rigby — 02/28/2021
"Yeah. Yeah, kid." If there was a way to master anger, sorrow, a challenge and shame all in one tone, Evren managed it right there with her answer for Jax, as she'd layed eyes on Jaxamir as if he were a person and not a thing to overcome, shield, or outwit.
Perhaps this was the first time she'd done so.
"First clutch was stolen." It was almost mechanical, and to nobody in particular. "But I knew. I always know."
She let Jaxamir go without any trouble, wholly inside her own head, blinked back emotion and failed entirely, the surrounding heat fluctuating rather subtly and unstably. Couldn't even muster an apology or an explanation for the Vaidya on the spot, either. Where to even begin?
And she remained with Enfield - and possibly the doctor if they'd stayed around, too - though she wasn't sure of her ability to answer questions in this state.
Her shape was far too small to hold these large, roiling emotions all at once, she'd decided with a grasp at sensibility. Anger was correct, until it wasn't. Sorrow was legitimate, but that would edge out anger. And shame at what she'd done, and even admitting it was a moment of weakness was a specter above all. Human legs shook too much to her eternal annoyance, and so she'd curled into Enfield's embrace, pressing her forehead against his.
"I'm not," was the confession at length, finally. "And I'm sorry you had to see me like this, but I wasn't expecting to see him...or him manhandling you like that!" And even a little giggle managed to bubble up from that hug. "I didn't even get my 'humans-feel-stealing-is-wrong' lecture in so your fathers don't have to, heh." Oh they'd never hear the end from either, really - and humans were supposed to be at least somewhat more noble than her kind around treasure!
AJ — 02/28/2021
The Vaidya's wasn't the more comforting presence, but it was familiar. They couldn't force him to stay, instead letting Jaxamir's arm slide out of their grip as he turned to stalk off back down the path. He would want room, but they couldn't not follow. They stared at his back for a moment, before settling their gaze back on Evren. There needed to be some sort of confrontation, some accountability, something to come from this unlikely meeting. Answers? Any social unease that should have come of standing over this family's emotional exchange didn't stick, staring instead until succumbing to the realization that they might lose Jaxamir if, in his grief, confusion, he left town or otherwise took flight (figuratively).
They turned and took off down the path after him, first at a brisk walk, then a sprint to catch up. They wouldn't engage, but they'd stick close all the same.
Degu — 03/03/2021
Enfield watched the two go and swallowed dryly as his mother explained. "I guess maybe I knew too. I didn't know what I knew, but he felt familiar" he hadn't exactly known why "I met them when they came through the moon gate and I took them home. Joan and dad made them dinner and let them stay....I kept trying to steal the amulet..." he muttered softly.
He regarded the amulet in his hand and sighed, sagging "I can't even regret stealing it... I don't even care....not even about consequences outside of...well...disappointing my family." that was a problem, and he worried about that but at the same time it almost seemed like shackles, times like these he understood why people like Theo kept their distance, but Enfield couldn't abandon the people he loved just to have more freedom. He loved them too much to do that.
"You think I should hand myself in? ...I wouldn't mind some time behind bars. The guards are~" he fanned himself and giggled, ducking away a bit in case his mother whapped him over the head, but hten he was back to hugging her. "Just tell me what to do mom... " after what just happened he didn't want any extra strain on her emotionally. "I'll do whatever you think I should do."
Rigby — 03/07/2021
"I will tell you about all of it...just not now. Can come home with me if you're not up for facing your dad tonight, m'sure your brothers'll only love everything about this." And give Carn another taste of this particular chaos-spawn.
The mad impulse to go chasing after both Jaxamir and his companion was brief but overwhelming. But...to what end?
And the need to protect Enfield overrode all. It was why she was here, after all. She was certain that wearing the human-shape left one victim to the large feelings that consumed it...but she'd not wanted to test otherwise. It was blatant internal deflection, and some part of her knew it.
Enfield did do the two of them a favor then and redirected the subject so neatly that she'd found herself shaken back into the present, properly.
She did manage a little laugh at En's depiction of the guards. "Should at least care enough to worry about consequences." 'Don't get caught' wasn't exactly a human response to all of this, but it was pitch perfect for a dragon. "I don't want to walk down into the square and see you in those stocks, you hear?" Or worse.
"You'd be so bored!" She'd nudged him, then affected the posture and that light German lilt of his birth-father. "Do not get CAUGHT, master Enfield, think several moves ahead of your opponent, and plan for all outcomes." Her voice returned to normal. "Not that I'd say the guards are your opponents! But...s'pose we should probably go and fess this one up." For the sake of the dads, really.
