Pestilence (pesticidal) wrote in mythologs, @ 2012-04-06 12:03:00 |
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Pestilence knew something was wrong when he woke up sitting in his wheelchair outside with the sunlight burning on the back of his eyelids and the sound of birdsong chirping in his ears. The nearest patch of grass was six blocks away from his apartment. The air smelled too sweet to be New York. Glancing around, it became painfully obvious what was going on. Some asshole had put him in a maze. If this was someone's idea of an April Fools joke... He wasn't going to trip over himself to thank them for letting him keep the wheelchair.
Echo had also figured out something strange was happening, again, but she was doing her best to take it in stride. Whenever these things happened panicking or getting upset never did any good, and she was trying to keep a positive outlook. That being said, she couldn't see any real issue with this latest place she'd ended up; she liked the outdoors, and at least the weather was pleasant; so she decided it would be a smart move to explore and attempt to familiarize herself with these latest surroundings. She began to walk, pausing as she rounded a corner and saw a familiar wheelchair-bound form. Cautiously, she approached.
It took Pestilence little time to discover his iPhone, a compass, and a small knife in his pockets. Even though nothing had given him any reason to feel threatened, he had the knife drawn when he heard a gentle rustle. Swift maneuvering was laughable in his wheelchair. Rather than make himself look like a joke, he slowly wheeled around. When his gaze landed on Echo, he couldn't place how he felt about seeing her face. Or if he felt anything. He had long ago removed himself from the last shred of emotion he may have had for her when they first met.
"Hello, pet," he said, lowering the blade.
With her phone in one hand and knife in the other, Echo was painfully aware that she was a completely non-threatening individual. Oh, she would certainly attempt to fight back if cornered, but she wasn't exactly skilled at self-defense. Also, while she was self-reliant enough to live on her own she was easily trusting, even when it came to someone like Pestilence who had brought so much pain into her life. She couldn't honestly say she still felt any fondness towards him, however he was once her friend and as such she was a little concerned for him. The smile she offered him was tentative, but a smile nonetheless.
"Pet?" she repeated, clearly confused as she moved closer.
Pestilence didn't expect the nymph to approach him with a smile. Was she really that naive? He scrutinized her carefully. Hindsight... the perishables had an appropriate saying about hindsight.
A well-aimed stab could have drained the colour from her pretty face, but he couldn't ignore the fact that there could be others out there -- others who were actually a threat -- and there was only so much he could do in a wheelchair. The nymph could prove useful.
"Do you know where we are?" asked Pestilence.
Echo wasn't going to get too close to the Horseman. She wasn't that willing to try anymore. She watched him warily, still keeping the smile in place even as she glanced at his hands.
He had lowered his knife, but she kept her grip tight on her own. The clothes she was wearing when they were taken covered everything important, however they lacked pockets. It wasn't as though he had anything to fear from her -- in fact it was more likely he'd harm her -- but she still raised her hands in a gesture of peace.
"Where we are?" Echo mumbled, shaking her head and holding up her compass. Unless something changed, they were still in the east side of this place.
"You woke up with those too?" It couldn't be mere coincidence that they both had a compass and a knife. Pestilence frowned. "Pretty much confirms that they're fucking around with us again."
A simple nod in agreement was given this time, though she struggled against repeating him. Echo shrugged; she'd already assumed as much. This time, when she spoke, her voice had a resigned tone to it. "Again."
"We'll probably have to find a way out of here. Or die." Pestilence didn't seem too bothered by the idea of dying. It appealed to him more than foolishly playing these games. He tilted his head up, trying to judge how high the hedges reached.
"You can go your own way. Or you can stick with me. Doesn't matter."
"Or die." Echo didn't like the sounds of that, but she had to admit that he was right. Either they could explore and see if there was a way out, or they could stay there and face whatever obstacle came next. She preferred the idea of doing something.
"Doesn't matter," she agreed, taking a moment to consider her options. Typing on her phone, she held it out. 'Can I stick with you, for now?'
Reading the screen did inspire a moment's surprise and confusion. Pestilence had expected the nymph to seize on the opportunity to bolt. Why did she want to stay with him? The horseman chalked it up to her stupid, naive innocence.
"For now, pet," he agreed, hitching his shoulders in a shrug.
Noticing the brief shock on his face amused her. Echo knew she should have ran from the horseman as far and fast as possible, but she genuinely felt grouping together could increase their chances for survival. The nymph was also concerned that if left alone Pestilence would be more vulnerable since he was in a wheelchair.
"Pet..." she muttered, annoyance quickly flickering across her face. 'Which way were you heading?'
And seeing that little gem of her annoyance gave the horseman some pleasure. He would have to remember that she didn't like being called his pet.
Pestilence flicked a glance from her face to the maze. He hadn't been headed in any particular direction. There were only two ways to go. Right or left. "Let's go that way," he said, nodding to the left path which curved around a corner.
Her inability to hide her emotions was something the nymph was well aware of. She wished she didn't wear her heart on her sleeve but that was a carryover from her former existence.
Echo followed his gaze. She couldn't think of any reason to object since both paths looked similar and having no idea of where they were made it hard to argue. "That way," she reiterated, pausing for a moment to look meaningfully at his wheelchair. Would she be expected to push him, she asked via her phone.
"Well, if you're offering..." Pestilence didn't see why not. Any strength he could conserve might be useful later. He wasn't completely sold on the idea of letting himself die. His siblings might not forgive him if he let that happen.
"Offering," Echo confirmed. She assumed it would be easier on both of them than her having to wait while he attempted to navigate the pathways. That, and there was a measure of safety in being behind him instead of walking in front of him, in case he got the urge to try something with that knife of his.
"Alright. I'll take you up on the offer," Pestilence said, gesturing to the wheelchair. Yeah, he was taking a risk. She could easily slit his throat from behind. Or shove him into the nearest thorny bush. It was a risk he would have to take until a better opportunity arrived.
"The offer," Echo reiterated, gripping the handles and starting to push. There's would be a tenuous partnership, but desperate times called for desperate measures. This wouldn't end well, she was sure, but for now it would have to do. And who knew, maybe he would prove her wrong.