dylan leafe is not a fan of your perverted druids~ (noladyofthelake) wrote in mythopoeics, @ 2012-02-20 20:32:00 |
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Current mood: | confused |
Entry tags: | !mini-log, !zurvan, nimue, percival |
four~
[What had started out as nothing more than a rumble on the wind and the odd behaviors of local animals had swiftly turned into something more, and Nimue was at a loss. Not over the impending revolt, but over her own worries. As everything had begun to get clearer in her head, her first thoughts had turned not to her brother, Thanatos, but to her friend, Percival.
It wasn't because she doubted Percival's ability to deal with whatever life chose to throw at him; she knew that he was just as strong-willed as both her and her brother. What bothered her was the thought that he might get caught in something far bigger than him, something he would have no control over. Revolution was a dangerous concept, but it was one she and Thanatos had long entertained thoughts of. As far as she knew this type of situation was something gentle Percival - with his silly dog and a sister who depended on him - might not be able to survive. For all her fervent hatred of nobility Nimue had said quite a bit but never openly acted, whereas Percival was just passionate enough to take it upon himself to try.
Whatever was going on, she had to find him and let him know he had her support, and that if the need arose she'd make sure his sister got out safe. Reassure him that she'd be praying for him, because she didn't want to lose a friend.
~*~
It was far more chaotic than expected. Far more so. The townspeople's fervent enthusiasm for a revolt had been overshot, to a point where Percival was entirely sure it was beyond his control. Getting the people to stop wasn't an option, but doing what he could in small doses was. He wondered how Tristan was doing. If he was any better off. He'd lost communication with the man early on.
Axe gripped tightly in hand, he navigated through the streets with an expertise possible only for one who'd known the streets for a very long time. He knew every turn, every corner. Everything was familiar, even many faces. Some of which he'd spotted covered in blood and soot on the ground.
Blood -- not his own -- splattered the front of his shirt from a hit he'd delivered to a guard. His knuckles still ached from it. Somewhere near the palace, he collapsed shoulder-first into a wall, panting for breath.
Where was his sister? Nimue, Tristan, Horus? Was Eve safe? So many questions, not enough time to worry about the answers.
~*~
Making her way out into the streets, watching as people seemed willing to take the law into their own hands, Nimue made sure to grab a dagger to protect herself with in the event things got out of hand. She could see people who she'd come to know and think of as friends fighting for their lives against soldiers with far better weapons and organization than the townspeople could ever hope to have, but none of that phased her.
Walking quickly, keeping her eyes peeled for any signs of Thanatos, Percival, or even Echo, she kept to the side of the road and did her best to blend in with those who had chosen not to fight. While it wasn't her preferred stance, at the moment it made far more sense to only strike out if someone attacked, since if the guards didn't view her as an aggressor they wouldn't stop her.
She was starting to think that everyone she knew had already either made it to the palace, run away, or was laying face-down in the street, when she thought she spotted a familiar head of shaggy hair. Wielding an axe. And some impressive bloodstains on his clothing.
Quickly rushing over to his side, she paused just long enough to make sure none of the nearby soldiers were interested in Percival as well. Once she was assured they were not, she crouched down next to him. "That better not be your blood, Percival, or else we'll be having words.”
~*~
Miraculously, despite the chaos around them, Percival was able to manage a trademark grin. It was a sheepish one, yet he'd not had a reason to smile since the revolt had begun. "It isn't. It belongs in some poor bastard's nose." He gave his friend a once-over, checking her for wounds.
"Have you seen my sister, by any chance?" Somewhere inside, he hoped the answer was yes, and she was hiding somewhere safe, away from the violence.
~*~
Reaching out to brush his hair off his face, Nimue laughed softly at his response. Sheepish or not, the fact that he could grin at a time like this spoke volumes. "It looks better on you than it did in him, I'm sure." She caught him checking her over and grinned. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine." Not that she assumed he would worry.
"I haven't, but I'll head towards your place and see if I can't find her. She's a tough kid, I'm sure she's fine. Besides, she's got that dog, right?" Fat lot of good a dog would do, but still.
~*~
"Wuffles is fierce; I have no doubt he'll protect her," he pointed out, almost forgetting not to lean toward her hand like a pleased pup. Echo, he knew, was strong on her own. If not physically, then mentally. He knew that if he couldn't get through this, she would.
~*~
"He definitely looks it," she agreed, pulling back so she could get a better look at him. "I'll find her, and if I run into Thanatos before I do I'll have him help look. Before I go, is there anything you need?" She wasn't sure if she could do anything to help, but it was worth asking.
~*~
His eyes roamed her face, tracing her features and further memorizing them. As if he didn't already know every curve and every line. A hand, rough from labor, drifted up to return the gesture and brush the hair off her face. To barely cup her cheekbone in a move that was as gentle as he.
"Yeah," he murmured. "There is." And without hesitation, he leaned in to steal a soft kiss.
~*~
She raised an eyebrow at the way he was staring, confused and wondering if there was something wrong. He didn't seem to have any head injuries, but she couldn't be sure. When his hand came up to eventually rest on her cheek she gasped, clearly surprised by the tender action from her friend. What was he thinking?
The kiss came entirely as a surprise to her, unexpected but not unwelcome. A moment passed before she kissed him back, just as softly.
~*~
Percival was pulling away before that tender moment could last too long. His nose brushed hers as he withdrew, his hand remaining in place.
"Give me your word that you'll be careful. Run when you have to, fight if you must. But if you--" Die, his mind finished for him. It was decided it was too serious a word to use. "Find me later if you can," came his whisper.
~*~
Nimue was stunned and unable to react as he pulled away from her; her eyes fluttering open as soon as she felt the warmth of his lips leave hers.
"You give me yours as well," she murmured, resting one hand on his shoulder. Reality was slowly starting to seep into her consciousness again, bringing with it the awareness that Percival had just kissed her. Percival. Her friend. Kissed her. "Oh, I'll find you. This isn't over."
~*~
His smile was automatic, both genuine and warm. "It's yours." Rather than yanking his hand away just yet, Percival allowed his fingers to trace her cheek, savoring the warmth of her skin. He peeled the hand from his shoulder, bringing it to his lips for a kiss to her palm.
"That had better be a promise."
And then he was up on his feet, gripping the axe tight and slipping past her with regret. Regret and worry that it would be his last time seeing Nimue's beautiful face.
It wasn't over.]
[Filter; Thanatos]
Brother, are you safe? I ran into Percival. He kissed me. He seemed unhurt, but asked that I keep an eye out for his sister. If you see her before I do then do me a favor and make sure she gets out safely. I hope to see you soon.
[Filter; Percival]
If you don't make it out of this in one piece... no, nevermind. We will see each other again.