tushanshu | o1 ♙ video

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[The two conflicting impulses of ‘staying alive’ and ‘finding Shelby’ have fought themselves out in Garrett’s brain, and there is now one very attractive prince sitting on screen. If he seems distracted at moments, it’s because he’s on the lookout for potential wizards coming to kidnap him]

I have to say, this isn’t exactly how I imagined getting out of that cave. Then again, after a month or so, I was starting to wonder if I might not get out at all. So I suppose this is an improvement.

[He glances over his shoulder, before returning to the camera. He’s basically assuming this is some weird kind of magic despite the kedan's explanation, because what is technology.] I’m not sure how I feel about being surrounded by trees again. It’s a hard life for a – for me. My life is difficult. Exceedingly so. [a cough] But I do believe that someone out there may be able to help me, at least with one particular issue.

[He holds up a finger, and hurries off screen. There is the unmistakeable sound of a toilet flushing, and then he’s back] What in Enu’s name was that?

[A beat] Also, there are potentially two people looking for me, here. One of them is called Frances von Magica, and I suggest you stay far, far away from him should he turn up. If you find my empty husk of a corpse lying on the streets somewhere, it was most likely him. [He pauses for a second, and some of the upbeat nature slips from his tone. He drums his fingers against the desk] The other person knows who she is.

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[He's definitely not about to argue with that face] Well then, I'm charging you with keeping him away from my new boots. [He falters for a moment] That is...if you still want to stay? [The most unsure. How do contracts work interdimensionally?

He scowls] anything to do with you concerns me. [a beat] You abandoning me, that is to say. [He stares at her for a moment when she asks that, before just sighing, rubbing a hand back over his head] Not very.

[A faint smile flickers over face.] I said that I would, and I will keep my word to you. [She's going to try this thing that's called honor? It's new. She's not really sure how it works, except that you like it.] Do you intend to send me away? [:c]

Garrett... [Shelby moves around the room, suddenly needing the space. As she does so, she removes the bag and the sword from her person, placing them on the furniture. She hadn't been intending to tell him back home. Just coming back, picking him up, and continuing on their quest. It's not like her to be so twitchy, so she finally stalks back up to him, carefully lifting up her left sleeve to reveal the new and puckered burn scar marring the tattoo on her arm.]

[His own smile returns in the face of hers. And then he panics] What? No! Are you joking? Of course not, you don't joke. [he pauses, taking a breath] Shelby, the last thing I want to do is send you away.

[He watches her walk away, a worried frown replacing that smile. He trusts her implicitly, but he's still wary when she's in this kind of mood, mostly because he's never actually seen her in this sort of mood before. he stays where he is when she stalks back to him though, staring dumbly at her arm] That's - that's your guild tattoo. [Garrett takes a stumbling step towards her, suddenly gripped by a fear he doesn't think he's ever experienced before] Shelby, what did they do to you?

[There's a strange sense of relief that spreads through her, something that's been rare and fleeting throughout her life. He doesn't want to send her away. It's the last thing he wants to do.] Then I still have a job to do, regardless of where we are. You're not home yet, princess.

[Shelby stares back at him. She wished to have kept her face blank, but there's an undeniable sadness there and in her voice as she speaks.] I've gone rogue. [They didn't do anything to her but threaten him, and somewhere along the way, that's become worse than offending the Silent One.]

[Right, of course. He's a job, and her code or whatever says that she has to see it through to completion. He's not sure how he forgot that, considering that he's been comforting himself with it for the last month.

His expression is plainly lacking in comprehension] I don't understand. [Wait] You know what, that doesn't matter. [He holds up a hand, glowing green] Come here, let me take care fo that. Explain later.

[Yeah, that's exactly why Shelby didn't want to explain it to him, because he wasn't going to fully understand what this news meant. She wasn't really sure if she would be able to explain it to him. Instead, she remained quiet, watching his hand as she held out her arm to him.

It's been quite a few weeks since she's been able to see magic. It's such a calming thing.] Thank you. It's been hurting for some time now.

[His hand hovers over her skin. It's harder without Bubbles here, he admits begrudgingly, but he won't - can't - let Shelby walk around hurt like this. So he grits his teeth and focuses, the glow intensifying. It's not until he's certain that he's at least taken the pain away, if not been able to erase the scarring, that he lets the glow fade. His hand stays where it is for a second or two longer, before he lets it drop back to his side] There.

[He's a shade or two paler than he was five minutes ago, but he's not going to mention that. She's more important right now] Since I've met you, your guild has been...everything. [he understands that much, at least] Why would you...? [Her words from earlier come back to him, and a strange, sick feeling settles in his stomach]

[The pain isn't intense, not like the not when she mutilated herself. Not the smartest idea, in hindsight, but Shelby has been finding that when she has been making her own decisions, none of them are quite that intelligent. She wonders what Master Rook would say, but perhaps it's better to not wonder. She knows what he would think of this situation she's found herself, and he'd disapprove.

It's a strange disconnect to find herself not clinging to her master's words.

She smiles when Garrett finishes, the pain gone. Scarring doesn't bother her. She welcomes it, in this case. This is a story she can live with.

For the moment, though, she ignores his question. He might not be mentioning how pale he looks, but Shelby's not an idiot. Quietly, she reaches out for his arm and guides him to a chair, forcing him to sit. When she's sure that he does, she perches on a table across from him, watching him for a moment.] I have had a question of faith. [I am a very bad assassin.]

[He lets her lead him around, sitting obediently when directed and still staring at her. There's a gravity to this situation that he can't quite grasp, is just out of his reach.

His gaze flickers to the burn and then back up to her face. Garrett is naive in many respects and ignorant in more, but he isn't stupid. She comes from a guild of assassins. If they had decided to punish her for something, they'd wouldn't have simply burned her and let her go] You did this to yourself?

[Shelby nods slowly.] I don't... belong anymore? [She doesn't intend for it to be a question of her own, but that's how it comes out. It isn't as though she didn't know what she was doing the moment she killed Neal, but it's been a process that she's had to come back to over and over again during the last month. Without much thought to it, her fingers brush lightly over her tattoo.]

That's why I had to leave. [Her hand drops.] They threatened you.

[Entirely without thinking about it, Garrett reaches out and gently takes both of her hands. They're so much smaller than his, and so much more dangerous.

This is hard to get his head around] What? Why would they threaten me, I was paying you. Had paid, promise of payment-- [He waves his hand] There was money involved, it was a legitimate business transaction. [He's just going to focus on the bits he understands right now] I hope you'll forgive me if I say I'm glad you don't feel as though you belong with a pack of maniacs, incidentally.

[Her lips purse as she stares down at her hands in his. Rook would do this too, sometimes. Mostly when she was younger. She had her mother's hands, he said. Strange that she would think of something like that now. Maybe because she feels safe with Garrett, like she felt safe with her master, with her mother.]

It's not always about the money, and the money is a far away promise with you. [She turns his hands over, examining them.] I don't know why, exactly. I don't know why I was special enough to single out, except for maybe my connection to my master. Maybe because you were paying me for not leaving a trail of blood to soak the ground in. [Her gaze flickers up to his.] I have not been diligent in my service to the Silent One. I am a blasphemer.

[Garrett wishes he knew how to help her. But while Emrys and Enu maybe not be the gentlest of gods, they're at least distant. A crisis of faith - like most things, actually - isn't really on his 'know how to deal with' list. His hands tighten around hers a little]

Because of me?

Yes. [It's one of those things that most people might have lied about, but she can't do that. If she was going to, she just wouldn't have told him at all. Her brows knit together, though, as if she's still trying to figure all of this out and it's not quite working.]

[It's mind-blowing, enough so that Garrett doesn't even know where to start in trying to deal with it.

So he doesn't, focussing on her instead. There has to be something he, the charismatic prince, can say to make this better for her somehow] Once we return to Caunter, no one is going to make you leave. You can remain in my employ, or - or someone else's, and remain with me. [The main thing he is trying to express here is 'please stay with me'] Bubbles too, if you insist. Risdall isn't Kinniburgh, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. And I'm to be shipped off to the Abere Isles, assuming we return in one piece. It's said there's more magic there than air, you'd like it. I think.

Edited 2013-03-15 11:00 (UTC)

If I am in someone else's employ, how do I remain with you? [She's... both surprised and pleased that he wants her to stay with him, and it's a relief that washes over her. She didn't know what was going to happen to her now that she had left the guild.] What would I even do, Garrett?

[Carefully, she removes her hands from his, returning them to her lap as she frowns. She hadn't thought this through.] I have always wanted to see the Islands. They do not often hire outside of their own people.

[He didn't actually think that far ahead. He just gives a slightly stupid smile, because she wants to stay with him] I just - thought that you should have the option. If you wanted it. And you've kept me alive thus far, I'd welcome you continuing to do so once we return to the capitol.

[He nods, hands opening and closing absently when she removes hers] Then that is what we'll do.

[You're a ridiculous man, princess.] I... Have options. [She says the words carefully, feeling them out. She has options. She can do something without thought of the guild or her master. Of course, what she's been deciding is with Garrett in mind, but she supposes that he has to know that already, right?] Bubbles would be welcome, as long as he wishes? [The dragon has options, too!!!]

First, we must get you home and deal with the wizard. He is not going to let you go that simply.

You do! [He actually looks really please - almost proud - to hear her say that. Because he'd been beginning to think that she'd never realise that. Of course, his expression changes then, becomes pain] Yes, I suppose the dragon can come too. No doubt everyone else would love him.

[Bleurgh] Right, yes, Francis. I can only assume from the lack of explosions that he's not yet here.

[There's a complete look of excitement that comes over her when he gives that pleased look, because yay. She's pleased him! Even his dislike of Bubbles can't bring her down right now.] He is quite adorable. I've missed him... I suppose it would be suitable punishment for the gods to have left him behind at home, for what I've done. [And good mood gone.]

Princess, perhaps it's because, unlike you, he is not about to announce himself. [She allows herself a smirk as she leans forward, hesitating only slightly before laying hand on top of his as she stares at him.] von Magica is a clever man; he is not about to announce himself or his intentions as quickly as you are.

[What] The gods aren't punishing you. If they were, why would I be here? I don't remember doing anything to call divine wrath down upon my head. [And also you like him, so if they were punishing you they wouldn't have brought him too okay.

He makes a face, both at the name and what she's saying. It softens when she lays her hand on his, though] Announcing myself kind of came part and parcel with warning them about him. I couldn't in good conscience risk a repeat of Envine.

To continue punishing me. [It's the driest of all jokes. :'| Look, Garrett, see the smallest of smiles as she pats your hand once. As if attempting to be comforting.]

The village wasn't your fault. The wizard is like to do what he wants, when he wants, regardless of what you do. I doubt he would out himself in a place that he could not escape. [Like the case here seems to be. She removes her hand again, nodding slowly.] I'll take care of you, though, if he is here. [Not that she... knows how to fight a wizard or anything, but she'll figure it out. Or die trying.]

[He makes a face at her, and his hand sparks a little, a painless jolt from him to her] Ha ha.

[His expression tightens, and he looks away. He won't be convinced that it wasn't his fault in some way. Shelby removes her hand, and he has to resist the urge to grab it] I can't pay you, here. [Garrett has not really realised that she left the guild for him, specifically. he thinks she is just getting some, you know. Self-esteem]

[She jumps anyway, painless aside. It's fascinating and different and it reminds her that she still has no way of fighting off magic.]

You weren't paying me anyway. [Yet, she supposes, but they've been together for a few months now, and she's been mostly the one to take care of him.] I am not leaving again. Unless you send me away. The money doesn't matter.

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