Yo.
Hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
And this video (Shan Yu's) if you have any interest in character vidz I've thrown together for this story... There's like 30 of them on Youtube so far...
watch?v=3UqJJUPuGco
He sighs as he stands at the top of the cliff, staring out into the water that eventually crashed into the cove.
He was not looking forward to this.
Uma coming to the temple meant he'd really fucked up this time.
There was no way we could foresee Hades feeling the need to drag us to the temple.
Doesn't matter. She's never come out there before. And to drag D and Gil with her? That isn't like her at all.
He couldn't recall a time he'd seen Uma go to the temple.
She'd never had the time to.
Still didn't. Not with the amount of responsibility she was shouldering.
No, I suppose it doesn't.
He frowns as he looks down at the water, tempted to jump.
Don't you dare-
Like I'd ever. He rolls his eyes.
If Deez didn't kill him- One of the others surely would. And they just couldn't afford that right now.
He turns his head to gaze at her sleeping face as it rests on his shoulder with a frown.
Watching her attack the cuffs was never easy-
But this time, the god had been brutal.
Far more harsh.
More vindictive.
They'd tried to stop it.
Him and the imps.
But Senior wasn't listening. At least not to him, though he wasn't sure what Faustina said-
Because it's none of your business.
But you got him to stop.
So be gracious and drop it.
He huffs as he drops his eyes back to the water.
How the fuck do you think she did it?
Care to be more specific?
Got them up here with Gil being dead weight while she had a dislocated arm?
Because she didn't have a choice.
His brow furrows before he nods.
Now stop stalling and get your ass to the base, there is much that needs to be discussed.
No shit, why do you think I'm stalling.
I will navigate down this cliff-
Fine! I'm going- Calm your shit.
He shakes his head before he doubles back and descends the stairs Deez had melted into the rock.
Probably out of 'never the fuck again'.
Which, fair.
He sighs.
Were they already here?
Had he beat them?
Could he just drop Deez and run?
T- Dear brother, can you please walk me through your thought process on why you think that would be a suitable solution to this dilemma we've found ourselves in?
I mean, not with that tone, no.
Good. At least you're not completely fucking stupid. Which is what that idea is. Completely. Fucking. Stupid.
He grimaces.
Got it.
Dread fills him the moment he hears the echo of voices.
He pauses.
Stop being such a coward.
He scowls, I'm not a coward.
Really? Because you haven't moved in the last thirty seconds-
He groans, I hate you.
Just move- Prolonging it is just going to stress you out more.
He sighs as he finishes his way down the steps before he hesitantly follows the voices.
He couldn't recall the last time he'd felt so wary of their family.
Or had ever been so aware of how badly he'd fucked up.
Either way-
It was a shitty feeling.
"Aye, it be a horrible vision ta be sayin' the least." Harry's nervous voice echoes up to them, "I, when the Cap'in be ah sayin' ta run, I could'nah be leavin' without seein' if T an' Faustina could be ah gettin' out."
He grimaces.
Great.
"Did'nah be thinkin' that all the way through, ta be fair, course they be ah havin' ah fail-proof exit, least I hope that be what be goin' boom."
"I see," Yensid's voice carries to him next.
"Ah, an Harriett be ah showin' cause she were ah lookin' for CJ an' Maddy, but leave it ta T ta show up in the nick o' time ta drag us the fuck outta ah trap ready ta slap shut on us. Ow."
"Stop moving," Uma chides, "it is possible to tell a story without moving around."
"Him?" He greets as he reluctantly enters the room.
"T!" Uma drops the small needle in her hand as she turns, her eyes relieved until they widen at the sight of Deez.
"Deez!" Gil cries out, already halfway to him, "what did he do to her?"
He sighs, "does it matter? It's done."
"Problem Child, when has that answer ever actually worked for you?" Uma demands with a scowl.
He steps back as Gil cradles Deez to him securely before he eyes Uma. "He made her try to get the cuffs off."
"That doesn't make her pass out like this." Gil glares at him.
He sighs as he throws his back against the wall, instantly regretting it as pain blossoms in the center of it, "well this time it did."
Uma stares at him before she sighs and walks over, "come here. I know yer hurt too," she explains in a gentle voice he had not expected.
He eyes her suspiciously, "I'm g-"
"So fuckin' help me T," Uma's hand closes around his wrist like an iron shackle, "if you try to lie to me. Right now? I will cry."
Cry?
He winces.
"Just let me take care of the wounds. Please? I need this."
He glances around the room, "later?"
She rolls her lips together as she looks him over before her jaw tenses.
But, she releases him.
"As soon as the reports are done. The moment. You hear me?"
"Promise."
"That all it takes?" Beam clicks his tongue, his face torn between worry as he looks over Deez and amusement as he takes him in, "a promise ta listen? I'll remember that for next time."
He closes his mouth.
That was fair.
"So ya be runnin' in ta Harriett," James prompts Harry to continue as Uma leads him to sit by the pool where the others were gathered.
An impromptu council meeting.
He turns to head towards the opposite wall as Beam, but pauses at a tug on his sleeve..
"Feet in the water." Uma whispers, "Yensid said it will help ground us."
Don't argue. Just do it.
He takes a deep breath before he nods.
"You've all been gripped tonight by fear and terror, separated and unable to know what was happening with each other. That alone is enough to make you need this moment, but those of you who also saw what was being done," Yensid tugs at the end of his beard, "a moment to sort things out seems very needed. This was very unexpected, and unfolded rather quickly."
He eyes the room before he walks around the pool to sit where everyone was in his line of sight.
Gil sinks to his chest in the water, sitting on the step as he cradles Deez's head against his shoulder and chest.
"So, what happened?" Uma gestures to Harry as she sits beside her number one and takes up the suture needle again.
"Harriett were bein' pissed, like she do, cause she be seein' me there. Like I can'nah be takin-"
"Not the point, Harry."
"Right." Harry sighs, "she were tryin' ta get me ta fuck off when T showed up. We um-" he turns uncertain eyes in his direction.
His eyes narrow.
He wants to know if it's okay to disclose everything-
Oh.
He grimaces.
Wonderful.
"We be ah fightin' our way out, an' them soldiers were out for blood," Harry finally continues, "an' then we be hittin' ah wall o' witches catchin' all them that be runnin'. That uh, that were'nah bein' easy either."
You know, the sooner they know what we're up against, the more prepared they'll be.
He sighs before he turns back to Harry, feeling torn before he makes up his mind.
"Atilla-" A shiver runs down his spine as the image replays.
The arc of blood as the blade sang.
A dull thud that would haunt his nightmares.
The way the rolling echoed strangely in the silence, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.
The permanent look of shock on her face as her head rolled to a stop just before her body collapsed at Atilla's feet.
Everything had happened so fast-
But now that he had time to process it?
He closes his eyes.
Cora had never been someone he'd considered worth following-
But even she didn't deserve that.
Exhaustion he'd been keeping at bay suddenly slams into him as the weight above him crashes.
"Atilla set a bar tonight." He finishes lamely.
"A bar?" Uma asks as she sets the needle aside and turns for a bandage.
He turns to her with a frown, "he killed Cora to help everyone-"
The bandages drops from Uma's hand and rolls away-
The image of it leaving an unwrapped trail behind it sends shivers down his spine.
"His words." He finishes.
The room falls silent as Yensid stands and collects the bandage for Uma.
T-
He lowers himself to his back to glare at the ceiling.
He was so fucking sick of that tone.
What?
That list Attila mentioned. I think we're sharing space with a lot of people on it.
He stills as her words settle like a punch to the gut.
Great.
He'd hoped he'd just been paranoid-
But to hear her echo his concerns?
He knew this group was the biggest threat to whatever Atilla and his father were planning.
Out of the corner of his eyes he sees Gil alert to Deez. He pulls her closer, pressing his lips to her ear though neither of them speaks loud enough to be heard by the others.
"So, Atilla is taking out-" Uma closes her eyes before she clears her throat, "killing. He's killing. Leaders? Or was she just-" her cheeks puff as she exhales, "mouthy."
"Hard to tell," He sighs, "but he definitely had a list that he was disappointed with."
"Great." Harry rubs a hand over his face.
"Yep." He slowly pulls himself up. "An' guaranteed all but two names in this room were on it."
"Nobodies are great like that." Beam grimaces.
"So, he be makin' ah example o' Cora-" Harry frowns, "then what the fuck were the cages 'bout?"
He stiffens.
Cages?
He scowls, what fucking cages?
Later T, now isn't the time.
The fuck it-
T, it's been a long day. There's nothing you can do right now. Leave it-
But-
T.
I-
I said later. Just tell them what Atilla said-
But-
T-
"He was saving everyone from his father's plans."
"What, like convincin' folks ta march inta cages?" James slowly shakes his head.
He rolls his eyes, "he made a very compelling argument."
"He's like that," Deez adds softly before she curls tighter into Gil.
Ugh. Not her too.
T, it's not like we're admiring him, just talking about his ability to command and sway crowds.
"What'cha be meanin', Fire Princess?" Harry frowns as he and Uma both turn to her.
"He's got this, I don't know-" Deez furrows her brow as she searches for the right words, "like he can offer you the whole world if you just see things his way."
Uma scoffs, "as if anyone could manage to shove their heads that far up their asses."
Deez turns away from the group, but he couldn't miss the flush on her face before she buries it against Gil.
He knew that had to sting.
Atilla getting into her head was the reason he'd made Gil go get her-
Fuck, forever ago.
He glances down as his calf throbs at the memory.
Prick.
"I don't know Umez," he frowns, "Beam an' you got it too. People just listen. You two might not be 'holier than thou' 'bout it, but you've got it. The like, ability to get people to follow you and shit. Atilla was offerin' protection from what's 'bout to happen." He sighs, "an' think 'bout his captive audience- Who showed up to a Howler. In the middle of this shit. They weren't exactly the sharpest." He glances at Deez, "but I don't think that would'ah changed much."
Uma frowns as she looks between him and Deez, as if she knew she was missing something.
"I mean," he grumbles, "an', not like it's hard, but he's fuckin' tripped me up."
"You mentioned cages." Yensid points out as he continues to tug against his beard.
"Yeah," he sighs, "Anthony was definitely jus' a puppet." He grimaces, "a very disappointing puppet." He shakes his head, "But, yeah, this was like, clearly thought out and shit. Not sure if it was Attila or his dad's idea though."
"So, this was a corral of sorts?" Yensid asks.
He frowns as he nods his head, "Oh for sure." He frowns as he glances at Gil.
Should he tell him?
Yes, you'd want to know.
Yeah, about you. Not fuckin' Junior.
Third isn't a villian T, he just isn't as lucky as us.
"Third and Junior were on the list." He blurts out, "but not like slated- He jus' like, recruited them."
Gil sits up straighter, but glares at the water instead of looking up, "an' they went?"
"I mean," He shrugs, "it was that or get dead- Which ya know, Junior was down with. Pretty sure that's why Third decked him in the jaw."
"Third decked him?" Gil smiles slightly, clearly proud despite the heaviness of the moment.
"Junior's a fuckin' idiot- Didn't leave him much of a choice."
"I know," Gil lets out a sigh of relief. "I was gettin' ready for ya ta say they got themselves killed anyways."
He sighs, "If Junior doesn't learn to- Third has good survival instincts."
A familiar pit forms in his stomach.
T- don't.
But was he? He looked up. Was he hopin'-
Stop.
But-
T, we were by ourselves and horrendously out-numbered and out-gunned. What were you supposed to do? We needed to get out, we didn't have a choice. We would have died against that many-
Since when do you care about that shit?
Since our existence became paramount for other people's survival.
Huh.
"I don'nah be understandin' how the Yu's be gettin' the witches ta be workin' with 'em."
"Like any leader," Yensid explains as if they were in the middle of a history lesson, "with treaties and promises, or threats and shows of power. The Hun army in general has never been known for having magical abilities, but that doesn't mean they won't use what resources are available."
His eyes narrow before he turns to Uma-
Not the time T.
But we need guns.
Are you serious? Do you really think asking Uma to locate and break into a Yu camp right now, when we just barely returned from being killed by them, is a good idea?
I mean, not when you phrase it like that, no.
Good Boy, for a moment there I was concerned you were actually stupid enough to do something that foolish.
Yep.
Halfwit.
"So, the Yu's have made their move." Deez sighs as she slowly pulls back and shifts to lean heavily against Gil's side, "we knew it was coming. Knew we weren't lucky enough for their followers to be that decimated."
She looks around the room, her eyes lingering on each person before she slowly moves to the next, "what do we do? Gaston-"
Gil pulls her closer as she places a hand on his cheek.
"- isn't the leader. It was all part of a plan we had no way to see coming."
She's not wrong. At this point I have no reason not to believe that the Yu's are behind Queen of Hearts and Radcliffe's disappearance. To cause distrust and unrest among the rabble. Confused and desperate people are much more susceptible. It's quite bri-
So help me if you give either Yu one more compliment tonight. I don't give a shit if it's artful or fucking clever or any other bullshit 'bout to pop out of your whore mouth- I don't wanna hear it.
"If they've begun capturing people, there's a reason for it. Shan Yu and Atilla, working together or separately, have not met any resistance." Yensid tilts his head thoughtfully, "except, perhaps the Spider. Didn't you say the god took a dislike of T and Atilla fighting after the reveal?"
"Aye," Harry nods as he turns to glare at him before he finds himself being glared at by James and Beam too.
"That's not fair." Deez frowns.
"It's fine," He mumbles, "I don't-"
"No." Deez shakes her head, "I don't think it mattered what T did in that situation. Something was-" she looks across the pool as if she were watching something.
Something only she could see, apparently.
Not that the look was new-
He just wanted to know what she was thinking.
Deez slowly blinks before she shakes her head and turns back to them, "Something was, bothering him, I think. He was- I mean he's always distracted, but it was bad. And he was all over the place. That. That was new for me. He doesn't usually seem so scattered. Or so quick to anger over something he says is trivial."
That is true, he was rather temperamental today.
Pfft, when the fuck isn't he?
Tempermental? Usually I find him rather jovial, if not a bit clueless, myself.
He blinks.
Are you drinking your damn potions?
No?
His eyes narrow.
Are you, are you fucking lying to me?
You told me to find a new idol, I'm simply just imitating him.
"But…" Deez continues as if each word made her question herself, "he couldn't have known, right? It doesn't make sense."
The cave falls silent besides the gentle splashing of the tide against their "dock".
"Are you thinking Senior sent part of us into a like, test?" Uma eventually breaks the silence.
"I mean, probably." He shrugs. "Everything with Senior is a game. The minute you forget that is the minute you get dead."
It's what made it so addicting.
There's something-
He tilts his head as he finds several sets of eyes on him.
"What?"
He was so volatile when we got back.
"Are you-" Beam huffs as he rolls his eyes. "Of course you are bein' serious." He runs a hand down his face.
And he kept throwing real family at Deez like it was supposed to hurt her. Which was completely not the direction I thought that conversation was going to go.
"What?" He asks again, concerned. "It is."
"Games and deals." Deez points out.
"What's the difference to him, besides the piece is obligated to perform?"
Deez shrugs, "I think that's the best answer. Which is why he makes the specific deals he makes." She shakes her head, "He's always been pretty long term, though I think that's just a god thing. He's also subtle."
He sighs, "I didn't realize shit was gonna go this sideways- I mean, don't get me wrong- I knew it was gonna be bad- Jus' not magic bad. Not so bad I couldn't handle it while entertainin' him." He huffs, wincing as his back hits the ground again. "An' now he's all pissy an' shit 'cause shit ain't surroundin' his bored ass right now."
Lonely. He's just lonely and you're one of the few people who risk his wrath.
Tch, you tell them that.
No thank you.
There you go.
Gil frowns as he pulls Deez closer with a grim expression. "You can tell the difference?"
That hurt.
That hurt where it counted.
"I deserve that."
You really do.
Okay, instigator.
I most certainly am not.
He blanks. Was this bitch really-
You're joking, right?
I can't even believe you would accuse me of such nonsense.
You bitch, you're practicing.
I mean, yes. Not that I need to. I saw the way you got the attention off of me. You love me.
Not right now.
Little liar.
Fine, but why do you gotta make it so hard?
"Still-" Deez slowly shakes her head, "we never talked about what we would do after he made a move."
"Because we thought we'd have more time." He sighs as he studies the ceiling, "so we're gonna have ta be really smart 'bout it-"
"And never underestimate that family again." Deez shivers.
"No shit." He lets his head hit the stone beneath them. "I-" He takes a deep breath, "I know none of you are gonna like this- But just bein' honest. I'mma gonna free those kids."
That's new for you.
Yeah, after this cluster fuck- Ha. No.
Huh.
Uma bites her lip as she watches him, "We have to find them first."
"Oh good, so we're on the same page."
"Aye." Uma nods, "I think we're on the same page. I don't like it, but we can't leave kids-"
"Isle Born." Beam corrects her with a grin.
"Isle Born. We can't leave our fellow Isle Born to whatever plan Shan Yu or Atilla have."
Yensid closes his eyes as his hand stills against his chin.
He sighs, "I hate ta ask Yensid, but think you can manage more rings?"
What are you thinking?
That there are benefits to being nobodies.
"To help keep this group safe as you do the right thing?" Yensid nods solemnly before he looks up, "I will be completely honest here. The best I can do is try. If the barrier decides to function properly the spell will be completely undone and I will have to start over."
He frowns.
Of course.
"Then can ya focus on one for D?" He frowns, "she's a walkin' piece of parchment." He turns his eyes to Deez, "an' yeah, I know ya can take a hit- But, everyone else's shit can be altered by dye. You're like a fuckin' beacon. One look at you an' everyone will know-"
His eyes widen.
Shit.
Attila knew.
How the fuck had he forgotten?
Attila knew he was the Spider.
What do you mean Atilla knows-
After that shit with Maleficent. The heir shit. Before things went fucking sideways. He was there-
That's what he was trying to fucking get at.
He fucking knows I'm the Spider-
His heart stops at her gasp.
He asked if you'd feel more comfortable with your companions, he knows you're connected to the ship!
So where the fuck was the invasion?
Why hadn't they been attacked?
He, Attila, was clearly pissed Uma and the others hadn't shown at the Howler-
But he already knew.
His chest constricts painfully.
What game is he playing at? Who was the show for? Why kick everyone out so the two of you could speak? When-
"T?" Deez's voice pulls him from the swirling panic.
"S'up?"
Her eyes narrow thoughtfully for a moment, "what did you realize?"
Heat rushes his cheeks as he pushes himself back up to sit, "Atilla knows I'm the Spider. We talked after the Spider's first public appearance."
Deez blinks before her brow furrows and she tugs at strands of her hair floating in the water.
"What the fuck do you mean he-"
"Uuuuma!"
Despite the situation his lip twitches.
Be nice!
Not my fault your boy can't handle a tight stitch.
"Sorry Pretty Boy-" Uma takes a deep breath before she finishes the knot and bites the string to free the needle, "there, done." Her dark eyes immediately turn to him, "explain." She orders.
He drops his eyes to the pool absently, "he hit me up after the last of the ring dropped." His brow furrows. "Knew it was me."
"Not like it was that hard." Beam rolls his eyes. "Only Billy Badass to piss his pants in the spotlight."
"I didn't piss myself!" He glares
"Well, not like for real… But, ya weren't solid either man."
His glare deepens at his amusement, "people are fucking stupid."
Beam drops his eyes, "right, so moving on."
"Attila-" Deez bites her lip before she looks around the pool, "what does he really know about you?" She asks as her eyes linger on him, "he knows we're connected. If the Twins are with him then it's just a matter of time before he knows that I'm still here and was seen with Gil," she closes her eyes, "and that we asked if they wanted to join us on the ship."
He grimaces as he drops his gaze, "I don't know. I didn't even remember that meetin' 'til he mentioned it…"
"He brought it up?"
"I mean, kinda? Not like in a in your face kinda way, but like subtle or whatever."
"So he," Deez screws her face up as if she were frustrated, "he never came right out and said you were the Spider?"
"No." He frowns, "figured somethin' out 'bout you though."
Uma lifts an eyebrow as she rolls her wrist.
"You're dot connectin' shit ain't a god thing. He does the same crap." He waves a hand in front of his face, "same expression and everything. Not a fan of it, on either of you. by the way."
Deez slowly nods.
"That being said," he turns to Uma, "we're gonna have to keep some of us on the ship now, an keep her in constant motion. Linger too long in one direction-"
A pit in his stomach drops.
"-and it could cost us the cove."
"Shit." Uma jumps up and collects her notebook, "fuck."
"Sorry," He frowns as he drops his gaze back to the water.
Don't do that.
Don't what?
Wallow. What's done is done. It wasn't done in ill intention. We were going through a lot that day. We all were. So don't.
Yensid shakes his head, "from what I understand, your dip into the character of the Spider was a quickly thrown together idea meant to protect the innocent. A character that continued to morph and change until the narrative was no longer yours alone. Everything we do at this point is a risk, and the best we can do is analyze those risks and decide if the desired outcome is worth it."
"And it is." Deez continues. "I mean, sure, I have no idea why Atilla hasn't mentioned who the Spider is, or the connections you have, but I do know he has his reasons." She takes a deep breath, "it sounds like we need to decide if we scrap the Spider idea, or-" she bites her lip as she tilts her head to the side, "if we risk continuing this plan, and stay in a constant battle with Atilla and what his plans are."
"Personally, I say we stick to the Spider." Beam shrugs after a moment of silence, "Shydow made a pretty sweet deal with your, even more terrifying in person, pops. We get enough of the Isle on our side quick 'nough, his plans won't be a prob, right?"
"Like, if we be ah rescuin' them that be taken?" Harry leans forward, propping his hands on his knees as he looks at everyone, "be thinkin' 'bout it. Isle borns be outnumberin' the OVs."
He tilts his head to the side as icy blue eyes turn to him, "Senior were'nah bein' specific like 'bout who be countin', aye?"
He nods, "as long as it's a third."
Beam snorts, "now that we all be Isle borns, I can be tellin' ya right now we be more than enough o' ah third."
"Aye," James nods, "ain't one of us gotta like it, but 'til we got a better plan-"
"Then-" Deez looks up at Gil apologetically before she turns to the group, "then shouldn't we lean into me being with the Spider?"
"No!"
"Listening." He shrugs.
Deez holds her hand up, her eyes narrowing at everyone until they fall silent. "Think about it Uma, we need to convince Atilla that the ship has nothing to do with the Spider. That means that you and Harry need to stay out of sight, not me. And," she huffs, "not Gil."
"Junior did already out the two o' you." He agrees. "But agree ta disagree StarGazer, ya still need a way 'round the Isle that isn't so- You. When we're like not rescuin' people."
"Isn't that what cloaks and hoodies are for?"
"Not when you're fucking snow white- Literally."
Yensid clears his throat, "an enchantment to conceal from a distance is a simple matter. I could manage a few of those better than layered glamorous."
"Cool," He nods, "then' Diz an' Hook can help with the rest."
"Aye we can," Harry nods with a small grin, "Tiny Princess be beggin' ta work style with me."
"There," He turns to Uma, "that better Umez? Now everyone can be in equal parts shit situation."
"Meaning we're all working together on this? Rescuing them that were taken and propping the Spider up until Hades can throw his weight in there?"
T if Atilla knows we know that he knows-
His eyes widen before he turns to Yensid, "any way to tell someone's lying quick?"
Yensid tugs his bead between two fingers, "aside from studying body language and microexpressions?"
He stares at the mage blankly, "yeah, that's no- Yes, besides that, please."
"I have not done so before, but I recall something from one of my books. Unfortunately it's back on the ship."
"Cool, I'll head back with." He nods, "Tina can help."
"I'll tell Sam to alert us when they're coming back around." Uma says as she scribbles in the notebook, "but you're not goin' anywhere until I see to your injuries. And-" her eyes narrow before she closes the notebook, "actually, today has been a fucking day, and I'm sure you're all exhausted. Food. Sleep. Relax. Captain's orders. Tomorrow we'll get back to work on this with fresh minds."
"Aye Captain," James nods.
"I feel that is an excellent order, Captain." Yensid stands up and dusts his frayed and patched robes off, "I have some work to start on, but as soon as I reach a stopping point I too, will follow orders."
"Ain't hearin' me complainin', Captain." Beam agrees as he lets his back hit the ground. "I'm fried."
"Heard," he sighs as he stands up.
"We're taking the cave on the far side of the lab." Uma informs the group before she takes him by the shoulder and leads him from the pool.
Can you ask her to try the bandages I've been working on?
I mean-
He shrugs, "Umez-"
"You promised," Uma states firmly as her hand tightens around his shoulder, "no back talk."
He snorts. "Kay. But um, boon then, I guess?"
Glancing to the side he catches her frown.
"What kind of boon."
He eyes her carefully, "this isn't going to be what it sounds like-"
Oh my-
Why!? Why are you starting like that!
"I've learned things usually aren't with you."
"Ouch?"
"I ain't sayin' it's a bad thing, just a fact."
"Oh, cool then," He grins, "but uh yeah, my arm ain't like 'bout to fall off anytime soon an-"
"I will be the judge of that." Uma glares.
He snorts, "and we're low on supplies-"
"We were, but then Faustina worked some kind of magic on my uncle and made him seem like he gave a damn about us," Uma grimaces, "for a little bit, anyway."
"Fine, limited, supplies-" He corrects himself, "also, she's terrifying, I told you this."
"The favor?"
"Oh right, can we try the bandages she's been workin' on?"
Uma stops as they enter the lab, "where are they?"
"Here," He walks over to the wall Faustina was keeping her experiments shelved. "These," He pulls the clay jar out.
Uma's brow furrows as she peeks inside, "really? Webs?"
He shrugs, "we've used glue when we didn't have floss right? Shit's twice as sticky."
"We'll see what it looks like." Uma concedes as she takes the jar, "come on."
He nods as he follows her into what was quickly becoming the Captain's Den, before he sighs and walks past her to start peeling off his layers.
"My arm and shoulder took the only real hits." He offers as he plops on his discarded tops. "An, like, thanks for waitin'..."
"I trust when you give me your word you'll follow through," Uma explains as she shifts a light orb to better see.
He sighs at the teal flames before he turns and withdraws their blue one to add to the light.
Uma watches him for a moment before she walks off and returns with a bag, "most of the time you follow through at your own pace,"she teases lightly as she pulls cloth strips and a bottle from the bag, "but, you always get there."
Heat blossoms on his cheeks as he looks away, "I mean, I try to anyways…"
That wasn't exactly what he'd been expecting her to say.
Not after everything he'd put her through.
Today and every other day preceding it since they met.
He shifts.
Was she being sarcastic?
He frowns as his gaze bounces from his lap to her face.
"Something on your mind?" Uma asks as she douses the rags with alcohol.
"Jus'..." His brow furrows, "thanks for like," He pauses, "noticing." he finishes lamely.
"Noticing what?" Uma bends to look at him, her face only a few inches from his cheek, "that you try?" She smiles, "I know I have the temper of a Kraken, T, but that doesn't mean I can't see you."
His gaze drops back to the ground as he shifts again.
"Or appreciate you. I won't say I'm sorry for yellin' and throwin' things, or for telling you to pull your head out of your ass, but, yeah," she shrugs before she gently dabs the cloth to the wounds, the alcohol sting alerting him to how deep a few 'scratches' were, "it ain't always all directed at you."
He frowns.
"I… I really…" His brow furrows, "I'm confused."
"About?"
He shifts, "you. I jus-" He frowns, "this wasn't what I was x'pectin'... Like, even a little- Well, maybe after yelling? I guess? I don't know…" His ears felt like they were on fire.
Uma sighs before the cloth on his shoulder slowly moves again, "you thought I was going to yell about the Howler, or whatever it was?"
"Well, that, and other stuff, yeah…"
"You might have taken off unexpectedly, but you also worked with the others. I'm grateful. That's a whole lot of new for you, ain't it? I mean, yeah, you go out with Pretty Boy, but, it's usually just the two of you."
"It's different…" He sighs, "an' I still don't like all the bits- But I can't be… Selfish anymore."
"Selfish?" Uma snorts, "I wouldn't exactly call what you do selfish. Stubborn. Determined. Set in your ways. Forgetful of details-"
"I don't have a better word for it." He frowns, "that thing when I get upset when one of you are in danger- but don't get why you guys feel the same. That."
"Ah. Yeah, I don't have a word for that either." Uma slowly shakes her head, "but, I think most of us have been there at one point. Maybe not over the same things, but something similar." Her lips twitch, "but the biggest reason why I don't think I'm reaming you right now is because you were honest."
He tilts his head up with furrowed brows.
"You told us exactly what your intentions were. Didn't tell us that we couldn't help you. You didn't just run off on your own while we were sleeping- Didn't try to lie or dance around it. You just, told us what you were planning. It's…" Her brow crinkles before a smile tilts her lips, "a nice shift in the wind."
Huh.
"Ya know, in Catholicism, if ya die for your beliefs you get a free pass ta heaven?"
I know, I know-
Basically just some quick exposition and recap, but it still had some good shit right?
Like D also agreeing with Tina on Atilla's charisma or animal magnetism (new, definitely not original).
God that shit is really getting under T's skin. Complimenting Atilla when he finds himself more awesome-
*Shakes head* The fuck girls? But that being said-
Once more, the fuck is up with Atilla? Is he working for his dad?
Or is his mask simply that crafted?
Think about it. Everyone on the Isle has a mask, that's a given-
And we all know why they have to keep them strapped on tight (thank you shitty parents of the world)
But some masks are definitely more difficult to see through than others-
And with Shan Yu as a parent? You'd have to have a mother fucking good one. Cause don't think for a moment Yu would hesitate to kill him and start from scratch with a more qualified, let's call it mate, even though we all know she'll be a victim.
Not forgetting T was also able to trick the others despite his lack of social prowess-
Admittedly, he confused him. But much like Faustina (and Ariel for that matter) maybe he just wanted to be part of the VK world instead of with his violent, brutal, and destructive father.
If I hadn't made Frollo's kid, Shan Yu would've been my next pick for the 'whatthefuckery' of the characters background. I can just picture it-
Yu pitting his kids against each other until only one remained, Highlander style.
Of course you'd plaster that shit to your face, fuck, maybe even tar it there.
Fuck knows I would.
Moving on-
What do you think of T's admission and open honesty of what he was planning to do?
Kinda different right?
But, he knows enough about himself to know if any of the kids die in the attempt, he would spiral.
IS it selfish?
I suppose that depends on your definition.
But shared guilt is better than guilt just weighing on a sole person alone (at least in my humble opinion, but we'd love to hear yours…)
Speaking of T and his OoC behavior-
T's always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Spent half his life doing his best to save and protect those Faustina deemed worth his effort (Judge much… Almost gave them a 3rd personality instead of making Beam the Spider {think about, judge-F Jury-T Executioner- the Spider} But-
The book was well past long enough without adding that layer of fuckery… However!
if you could let me know if you think that would've been more interesting- For the love of Hades let me know!? (Seriously, let a bitch know what your skeez is.) Add to that how terrified and confused the rest of the family would be and it's a complete fucking story on it's own. Which no thank you.
Also dead, Big Billy Badass T's biggest weakness= Tears
Love it.
LoLz, thank you Faustina (cause she was definitely a cryer, mostly genuine, partly manipulative) I'd say ⅘ … And 'mostly' when they got older (Dark might argue, I'm welcome to the forum).
And the fuck did T mean by:
""Ya know, in Catholicism, if ya die for your beliefs you get a free pass ta heaven?"
Much love
-Twisted