epidemiology | OPEN | left behind folks

Entry tags:

OPEN | left behind folks

CHARACTERS: Magnus Bane + OPEN; Magnus Bane + Alec Lightwood;
DATE: During the week of the storm
WARNINGS: bodies, blood, gore. Also some gay, probably
SUMMARY: Feel free to rescue him from being mugged? Or just commiserate with him over his stolen fish. Also, investigating bodies and stuff.

i. open → seashells by the seashore

[ This is not the worst month he's ever had, but it comes damn close. A part of him just wants to hole up somewhere until all of this goes away, except he's never been good at that. He needs a distraction. He needs something to take his mind off the fact that his magic, which has been a part of him since he was born, has all but fizzled out.

So here he is, at the shoreline where the man on the network had said he'd found bodies. He isn't wrong: there they are, lined up on the beach. Ugh. It's not pretty.

And nearby the shore, a figure. They don't look deer-shaped, so he really hopes it's just another stranded islander investigating like he is and not a Nalawi looking to slice him open, too. ]

Anything interesting or just the same old sacrifices?

ii. open → tiny angry deer folk

[ It's entirely possible it was not a good idea to go wandering in the dark when he doesn't have his magic to protect him. It is entirely possible he should have stayed indoors and avoided this whole mess. It's spiraling out of control faster than the thing with the Mortal Cup had, which is saying something.

So yes. It was an awful idea. Look, he was bored and hungry, there's nothing to drink here, and he's miserable. What was the worse that could happen, really?

Apparently, having a Nalawi that barely comes up to his shoulder assault him for his fish. Magnus sputters and lets it go, because he knows exactly how useful he is without his magic and it is the sum of less than zero. He hates his life. ]

Hey! Really?

iii. closed → slow motion run towards each other

[ Magnus is pacing, up and down along the walls and walls of murals, twisting his ring around his finger until his skin goes numb. He's clearly irritating the Nawali in here. He doesn't care. He knows they don't deserve any of this, but neither does he and the remnants of his sympathies have been chipped into oblivion along with his nail polish.

He doesn't even know why he's anxious. Alec's here. That's good, in a way, but the last time they saw each other, it'd been...complicated and as much as he missed the Shadowhunter, it didn't mean he wanted their reunion to be here. Alec should be back home, protecting Clary, finding his parabatai. It's bad enough Magnus is stuck here unable to help, but now the Institute is down yet another one.

Mostly, he's just not sure how Alexander will really respond to him despite their conversation over the network. He hates being so uncertain. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The thing about running is it used to be freeing. Well. When they weren't running away from something, or towards it. Their runes would keep them from getting overly exhausted, and when he ran, he didn't have to think. Except, apparently, now. He was reliving the moment from when he'd kissed Magnus to the way his mother had barely been able to keep her gaze on him, her eyes flickering to Magnus, the enormous weight of knowing he'd disappointed her falling on his shoulders.

But he knew she was... wrong. About Magnus, about Downworlders.

He didn't know what Magnus was thinking, what he might think of the fact they were both here. (And had been. What about the volcano, the golems? Had Magnus been in the middle of that?) Alec was still sporting red patches of skin that hadn't entirely healed from their burns, and his runes were few and far between.

Alec stepped into the temple, already feeling stifled by the cold stone, his breaths heavy in the closed space. He finds Magnus immediately, not only because he's one of the tallest bodies here, but because it's him. Even when he looks like -- well, like he's been stuck on an island for a month and chased around by storms. Despite wanting to talk to him, he still has to take a deep breath before he approaches.

His heart is hammering. He can feel his pulse jump in his throat.] Magnus? Hey.

[ The second he hears Alec's voice, his head lifts. Alec looks awful, but it's still the best sight he's ever seen in weeks.]

Alexander. [ Magnus strides towards him without hesitation; he wants to kiss him, but they haven't shared a kiss since the wedding (he still can't believe it sometimes) and he doesn't want to frighten Alec off.

So he doesn't. But he does reach for the burns on Alec, standing almost too close to him, his brows drawing together. His fingers twitch, as if he's trying to call on his magic to heal. Of course he can't. Of course that's why Alec hasn't healed, either; his iratzes are not working. ]

Are you all right?

[He thought he was prepare to see Magnus look... not perfect, which he doesn't mind. But it's seeing him haggard, without the perfect lined makeup and his colored nails, hair curled or styled or dyed, whatever he chose; all of that is what makes this even larger.

It's not too close. He's just -- relieved. And confused. And worried. If he looks like this, it means something is wrong. His magic? Like after the eruption, like that girl Sakura?

He doesn't like seeing Magnus like this. Worried, fragmented. And Alec's never been as relieved as he was when he kissed Magnus. Maybe it's another temporary loss of sanity. He could blame it on that, right? He's almost been burned alive at least once, and if they're going to get caught in this storm, he wants at least one more.

So he leans down and kisses him, sharp and quick.]

Fine. [He pulls back, his eyes wide. Angel. Why did he keep doing that?] You okay? Your magic...?

[ It's the second time Alec's caught him by surprise like this. Magnus blinks, and then the kiss is over -- but he doesn't want it to be. He doesn't at all, and Magnus reaches up to pull Alec down to finish what he started. When they part, he doesn't pull back far. His lips are curved a hint at the edges. For a brief moment, everything feels perfectly fine.

Then Alec brings up his magic. He shakes his head, clearly unhappy with this topic. ]

Gone. I can feel it, but it's like a ghost. [ He snaps his fingers the way one might flick a lighter; the sparks that fly are visible, but weak. ] My only comfort is that I'm not alone.

[It's his turn to be surprised; he makes a small sound of concern right before their lips meet again. It's not as brief, but it's --

Wow. It's dizzying. He would've fought twenty more golems for this. (He also wishes Magnus wasn't here, either. Where did ALASTAIR get off --)

Okay. He needs a second to bring his head back; one second apparently is not long enough. Words. Come. It takes some time.]

I... y-yeah. [No magic. So that hasn't changed. He clears his throat, leaving a little more room between them. And because it's been hardwired so deeply into him, he instinctively looks around them, staring down a Nalawi that had glanced at them. The temple wasn't exactly a hot spot, but they weren't alone.] There's others. It's the volcano, I guess, everything's... you were here for it?

[ He's definitely missed this, too: Alec's endearing loss of speech. Magnus pays no attention to the Nalawi around him; they've caused him such headaches and he can damn well kiss a man in their temple if he wants. ]

Explosions? Everyone's magic going haywire? Lava spilling down? Yeah, I was there for it. Luckily, I fixed the girl I turned into a Cocker Spaniel. [ Is he going to elaborate on this? No, he is not. But his gaze does turn slightly shifty for a second before he changes the subject entirely. ]

What about you? Your runes -- you have your stele, don't you?

[Alec still feels a little winded, taking a step back to run a hand through his hair. Magnus was here, without magic, and he couldn't imagine... it was bad enough with his runes, things that shouldn't be affected by anything less than Raziel himself coming down to take their power away. But he couldn't imagine having the power Magnus did and then having it be gone. Alec still had his bow, his strength, his speed. Things the Angel had still given them.]

Wait you -- [Is it really surprising he forgets his words so often? Magnus casually skips from one topic to another, and he's still trying to process that he'd kissed him again.] I, yeah, I have it. Can you go back? You turned someone into a dog? Why...?

[ He holds up a finger. ] Partially into a dog. [ That part's important, okay. ] When the volcano erupted, my magic came back in a flood. She got a little too close.

[ He shrugs, but he's obviously still bothered by it. Not what happened, exactly, because it all worked out -- the girl didn't even seem all that upset or traumatized by it -- but the implications of it linger. He's not used to having his magic jerked around like this; it's been his for so long. He's not sure which is worse: losing control of it or having it just be empty. ]

Anyway, it's been quite the adventure.

[He opens his mouth, closes it abruptly, frowns and thinks about that for a moment. Which part...? Wait, he really didn't want to ask that, did he? He knows Magnus well enough (there's so much you don't know about him) that it wouldn't have been on purpose.]

You could say that. [Alec hesitated, then reached to lay a hand on Magnus's arm. This wasn't too much...? They had bigger problems.] I'm sorry.

[It's not his fault. He knows it isn't, and Shadowhunters don't apologize for much. But Magnus is -- different. He's different in a lot of ways. He didn't know if there was a way to offer himself that didn't sound insulting. For protection. If his magic was gone, something that should have been impossible, they... he didn't want him to get hurt.] It's been one thing after another, and I looked for... I mean, I didn't think anyone else would be here. From home.

[ It's the first time, Magnus thinks, that Alexander has reached out to touch him. It's startling enough that he doesn't dismiss the apology the way he might have with anyone else. From Alec, he knows it's genuine. ]

Believe me, neither did I. I didn't even think to look. [He leans back against the murals, fingers tracing idly over the thick primitive lines. His usually manicured nails are ruined, but he's still wearing his rings.] But if they were going to take anyone, it'd make sense it's you and me.

[The High Warlock and the head of one of the biggest Institutes this side of the continent. Acting head. Whatever. Alec has a better relationship with the Downworlders than Maryse and Robert could ever dream of, and that makes him the official representative in Magnus's eyes. In any case, when he's meeting people like Loki, it's hard to believe this is random.

Then again, there is a 13 year old girl running around. But maybe that just means ALISTAIR's system isn't flawless.]

[Alec can't help but not look, if only because part of his soul is still bound to Jace. He can't... he can feel him, but he can't. Maybe this is how Magnus fells about his magic. It's there, but like it's like a ghost.

Jace isn't a ghost. He would know.]

You, maybe. [He's not arguing the point. Alec steps away from him, turning to look up at the murals that are etched deeply into the walls. This place isn't like anything he's ever seen. It's ancient, it reeks of magic, and it's enough to sometimes believe gods are at battle here. It's not demon armies and the Institute and dependable traffic jams.

Alec wasn't anything anymore. He wasn't the head of his Institute, certainly not at this point, and he wasn't Valentine's daughter -- or son -- and his own parents couldn't look at him for longer than a second. It'd probably be a miracle if the Clave didn't drive him into the ground. If there was a Clave to return to.]

What are you doing here, anyway? [The murals seemed pretty self-evident, but he was out of sorts at being somewhere so old with... someone maybe as old. (He wasn't still thinking about it.)] Reading up on island history?

[ Magnus doesn't comment further, either; he knows how Alec sees himself. And they haven't even touched on the topic if Jace Wayland yet. Magnus doesn't want to. Not now, when there's nothing either of them can do. As long as the parabatai bond is holding, that'll have to be enough. ]

Something like that. The sacrifices had me curious. [ The truth is, Magnus just wanted a place to get some peace and quiet. The beaches are full of carved up bodies, there's not a bar in sight, nearly all of the markets in the city are shut down, and the Nalawi are becoming increasingly aggressive. It's all getting a bit exhausting.

These are not things he wishes to impart on Alec, however. So he turns around and gestures at the paintings, which he has been studying. ] It's all pretty typical. Birth, war, great destruction, sunshine and bountiful gifts. They definitely don't seem to be cat-lovers.

[ Probably best his eyes don't slip. ]

Sacrifices? [He frowns at the murals, rubbing the back of his head. He had enough problems at home, and this was... more Downworlder business. The thing that he was definitely not supposed to get involved with.] You saw them, too.

[They were grisly, but precise. It was something he would've attributed to mundanes a little too desperate for a demon to grant them attention other than anything else. All of this stuff with gods and goddesses...]

Apparently not. [He shifts, holding his bow against his side. He's staring at the hulking cat shapes when he offers:] I could stay with you until your magic's back.

[ Magnus nods, sharper than he means. He doesn't like it, the sacrifices. Even if it's nothing, it speaks of a desperation that can't lead anywhere good. These aren't mundanes who've watched too many horror movies; they're a people who've always intimately known magic. Whatever they're doing, it's...significant. ]

I haven't been keeping count, but from what people are telling me, they're cropping up every day and some have outright gone missing.

[ For a moment, he's quiet until Alec speaks up again. Magnus turns. Right. Of course. He knows what Alec is saying without actually saying it. The implication stings his pride a little, but he isn't stupid. He knows what good he is without his magic and the answer is absolutely none. Still. He's never had to rely on anyone before, least of all a Shadowhunter --

And yet the offer tugs at another part of him, too. One that knows it isn't something just any Shadowhunter would do, protecting a Downworlder. ]

Just until it's back? [ His lips curl, teasing, but his expression is soft. ] I'd appreciate that.

[Alec is still, a finger running over the string of his bow, waiting to be told that it wasn't necessary. He hadn't wanted to imply he was... defenseless, but he knew how much Magnus used his magic. He knew he wasn't the only one was affected by it.

His nod was solemn, but he didn't answer. There were more and more, and this was a bigger problem than just trying to convince them to get off an island. From one island to another, just to get their bellies slit like fish.

His gaze shot back down. The same kind of warmth he'd felt after his wedding swelled in his face.] And after, too. If you want. [His smile was small, but there.] Though you won't need any help then.

[As soon as it came, the quirk in his lips was gone again.] Did you feel anything from them? I don't know how much I can feel, but... they just felt like bodies to me. Not magic.

[ However small, Magnus is glad to see a smile on Alec, though it vanishes too soon. So does his own. He twirls his ring absently, tracing the grooves in the thick silver band. ]

I didn't feel anything, either, though frankly, I couldn't tell you how much that has to do with my magic. Or the lack thereof.

[ Usually, he uses magic to sense magic. His warlocks have always been interconnected with him; now it's just gone, no matter how hard he tries to reach for it. ]

At least you still have my bow and quiver. [ He plucks Alec's bowstring wryly. That felt a long time ago somehow, though he knew it wasn't. Especially not for him. ]

[He sighs. He doesn't mean to be wound so tightly, but -- who the hell would blame him? He knows this isn't a matter of mundanes trying their first hand at sacrificing to some minor demon for fun or profit. This isn't something he can just go look up in the Codex. Sacrificial magic is serious. It's one step above true black magic, and... and he doesn't have much experience with it.

This is something they usually let Downworlder scouts handle.]

Yours? [He blinks back to the present. The string vibrates against him, making the hair stick up at the back of his head.] Right.

[The only thing left he'd had in payment.] I'd give it to you if I thought you could use it.

[Was that... teasing? Nope. No way.]

[ That is teasing. It makes Magnus's eyes widen just a hint in surprise. Something like delight stirs inside him; it's stupid, he knows, but their conversations have always been so serious, so fraught with tension. Even the night Alec had stayed over, Alec's mind had lingered on his parents and the Institute.

He wants to see Alec lighter again, that's all, the way he was during that short time after the wedding, all smiles and bright eyes. It hadn't lasted nearly long enough. ]

Oh, you keep it. But you know, if we find the time, [ his voice drops half an octave, a silky purr, ] I would be glad to learn how to use your bow.

[There might have been the smallest smile on Alec's face right before it vanished in surprise. Oh. Angel. He'd dug his own grave here. That was exactly what he'd asked for and --

It was different. Now. Between them. He wasn't ignoring him, looking away from him at his flirtations. He was.

Hell, he had no idea what he was doing.]

Yours. Your bow. Um. [He hastily pawed at his bracelet which, to his ever-thankful mind, immediately powered up so he could focus all of his attention on the network.] We should see if --

[Anything's changed. He stiffened, cursing under his breath. The hint of ease in him went up in smoke, his muscles stiff, his stance straighter.] Magnus, look. Something's happening. [Alec looked up at him, and his gaze was serious. He knew he didn't have magic now, but if he thought he knew Magnus at all...] Do you want to go?

[ His grin grows ever more coy as he watches Alec fuss with his device, looking anywhere but at Magnus's face. When Alec's brow furrows, though, so does Magnus's. ]

What is it? [ Magnus lifts up a bit on his toes to peer over Alec's shoulder. There's not much to read, as it turns out. The message is cryptic at best and, actually, just downright useless.

But he already knows he isn't going to stay here. It's all of their problem now. If nothing else, he's determined to get his damn magic back. (The thought of being without it for good is not one he's entertaining.)

He nods. ] We should lend a hand. Come on.

[He lowers the holo a little, his frown not lightening up. It looked like this mission was only going to keep getting worse, and now Alec was even more convinced no one knew what the hell they were doing.

He sighed.]

I'm right behind you. [The holo fizzled out. Maybe, if they could figure out where to go, they'd actually be able to help.

No thanks, once again, to ALASTAIR.]

[ ((also this is before she gets the network memo...!))

As a fellow mage, Aqua's suffering the same sense of listlessness without her powers... Feeling something like a fish without oxygen threading through its gills, needing something to fill the space of her metaphorical lungs in the absence of her magic. She continues to search for it like she would a missing friend, with the stubborn and foolish hope that it might return should she look long enough. (...But how do you call for something without a name of its own...?)

—What she finds instead is something else entirely.

(She's seen death on Chantes, and yet...)

This is unspeakable to her. Work done with visible purpose, methodical and cruel, different from the senseless chaos that she'd witnessed before at the hands of Michel and his demons.

She's unable to pry her eyes away until she's addressed, and she starts slightly, looking at the other recruit with ghost-like eyes and a hand pressed to her mouth. ]

Sacrifices...? Is that what this is...?

[ (Sorry Magnus this half-Disney will need a little bit o' educating... Her knowledge of such ceremonies is strictly PG-rated...) ]

[ When the girl speaks up, Magnus relaxes. Good. Look, it's nothing against the Nalawi; he sympathizes with their plight and the fact that a group of strange people have invaded their homeland trying to "fix" their problem, but that doesn't mean he appreciates being accosted or, you know. These bodies. ]

Seems that way. [ He eyes her for a moment with general curiosity before returning to the body. ] I was told this has been going on. Guess they weren't wrong. Apparently, there's been a slight clash in religion lately.

[ Which Magnus doesn't subscribe to, but what he does know is that dark magic of any kind, whether deliberately done or not, never leads to anything good. There are no rules and standards when it comes to these things; most times it's a flop, but he's also seen too many humans accidentally started something they didn't mean to just by messing around. ]

Edited 2016-05-09 00:41 (UTC)

For what purpose...? [ What could such barbarism hope to accomplish? (Though, with Nalawi peace at a constant decline and unrest piling up with each body, it doesn't take much to see ill-omen in all this. The storm, the missing recruits... Nothing about this settles well, if at all.) ]

You mean the goddesses, Nalanni of fire, and Ryba of the sea...

[ It's likely they won't need to ask a local to know which deity these gruesome offerings are meant for.

Steeling herself, she kneels down next to one of the bodies to inspect the markings on the driftwood. Her fingers curl at her side, like she might try to summon a spell to correct this abomination. (Nothing either of them can do, unless Magnus is able to raise the dead with what powers he has left...) ]

You've seen something like this before? [ (Recounting his first words to her.) ]

[ He steps gingerly around the body, careful not to disturb the seashells laid around. Right. The goddesses. ]

Not exactly like this, but close enough. [ This isn't exactly uncommon behavior; every so often throughout the centuries, there's been sacrifices of some kind or another. He only knows of them mostly because they come to his attention from the Clave, who usually want to know if it was the work of mere humans or actual warlocks. Humans messing around with their beliefs isn't exactly good, but at least it doesn't result in demons pouring through the world.

With the Nalawi, he isn't sure. Their gifts -- their magic -- he has no idea how it affects what's happening. ]

I've been trying to look into it, but it's a little impolite to ask the locals if they could tell you all about their gruesome sacrificial traditions.

Are you very familiar with the occult...? [ He doesn't speak as if he condones of such practices, but his words imply he's well-versed with the arcane and with the darker arts. ] I've never seen anything like it, myself...

[ And she wishes she hadn't now, but she can't turn a blind eye. There must be answers somewhere (the same place the secrets of their lost magic lie), but with so many investigations turning up empty, it's difficult to know where else to look than the obvious. (Their hosts.) ]

Surely someone must know, and is willing to speak of it...

[ That is to say, she probably volunteers herself to this effort. (If there's anyone willing to ask around aimlessly for information, surely it's a vidya protag...) It's not quite the same as searching for a 'runaway' kid or even investigating Unversed appearances, though. Whoever is behind this work is actively avoiding attention... Using the cover of night to carry out their wicked deeds. ]

I've seen my share. Not much usually comes of it, fortunately.

[ Eventually, the whole thing slinks quietly away. Nobody likes to talk about it, which is fair. There's only been one occasion he remembers when he looked at the gaping mouth of the Void and he doesn't much like to talk about it, either. You are one of us. Come and be welcome.

He shakes his head, as if dismissing her entire comment. ]

Anyway, maybe, maybe not, but I highly suggest hanging around elsewhere while we discuss it. [ He offers her a hand up, rings winking in the pale light. ] Magnus Bane, by the way.

[ She takes his hand, giving it a firm shake. ] Please call me Aqua.

[ Relocation doesn't seem a bad suggestion, but she's hesitant to leave so quickly. ]

—Shouldn't we do something about the bodies...?

[ Bury them, burn them... She isn't sure which is the proper funeral rite, as none exist in her world. (People simply vanish when their time comes, nothing left to mourn but a memory.) While she isn't eager to jump on the task, it seems almost cold to leave them as they are.

—Then again, it could be potentially hazardous to disturb the corpses... In her current state she isn't able to sense for malignant, magical residue, and wonders if Magnus has any such ability. (Moving the victims might also draw bad attention from any Nalawi onlookers...) Too many variables go into this but her perspective on it all is painfully simple. ]

[ His eyebrow lifts a hint. Did the hair come first or the name? He has to wonder. Magnus decides it would be impolite to ask. ]

Them? No, leave it. It's not for us to do. [ His words leave no room for argument; his magic is too weak to analyze anything right now, but he knows better than to mess around with...whatever this is. Not just for all the potential dark magic consequences, but also because it's technically a crime scene. The Nalawi should be left to handle it, whatever their customs and laws are.

He gestures for Aqua to follow. ]

Come on. We've already ruined one of their islands; I don't need to be accused of desecrating their dead, either.

[ ty for being a bro Magnus... (she didn't have a choice in her name either way...) ]

...All right, then. [ He has a fair point; at times the best course of action is simply no action at all. (And with riots breaking out every so often, there's no need to paint an additional target on their backs.)

She follows him away from the shoreline, though it's difficult not to look over her shoulder as they walk somewhere more discreet—not so close to the village to attract any unwanted ears, not too far to garner any wayward glances.

To start off (or continue) with the obvious, ] Something must be done... [ Even at the cost of being socially and culturally tactless... ] Perhaps one of of Ryba's followers can be asked about this.

[ A Nalanni devotee if it really came down to it... (It's a shot in the dark but she's no criminal investigator, doesn't really know which way to go about it.) ]

Who? Oh, the goddess? [ Right. That whole thing. Magnus has been keeping track, obviously -- it's not like he has anything else to read except these largely inane messages that come onto his device -- and the more he learns, the less he wants to be here. ]

Oh, I'm not doing anything about it. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not get involved with infighting in a world that's not ours. Trust me, that never turns out well. We shouldn't even be here in the first place.

[ This is not their people nor their place. Magnus knows what it's like to have outsiders come in unwanted, policing his kind. He wants to know if the sacrifices will cause any demons or other dark magic to pour into the universe and devour him whole. That's as far as his concern goes. ]

[ Well... They were sent here by ALASTAIR to resolve whatever it is plaguing the Nalawi... Aqua can't help but think these deaths (and putting an end to them) have something to do with whatever it is they must do to 'protect the timeline.' ]

I'm not so sure the Nalawi will be able to stop these murders on their own... [ Likely won't be able to find any measure of calm between the warring sides either, without an outside party to mediate... (Though it isn't to say any attempts at peacekeeping by the recruits have been all-too successful thus far.)

Anyhow, it's not as if Aqua believes she'll single-handedly resolve these conflicts on her own... She just feels the need for some sort of action. (Of course, she won't drag anyone else into this who's unwilling.) ]

...If you hear anything in passing, would you please let me know?

[ She's going to attempt some (unsuccessful) investigation on her own... ]

[ Sorry, Magnus is as laissez-faire as they come, Aqua. ]

That's not our call to make. They haven't asked for our help. [ He shrugs, unwilling to delve further into it. He's not here to debate what doing the right thing is; all he knows is that the last time someone thought the Downworld couldn't police themselves, his people were nearly wiped out. The road to hell and all that.

And look at all they've accomplished here. He can still see volcanic ash in the air.

Eventually, he sighs.]

Look, you can drop by the temple. If anyone knows anything about all this, it's probably the Nalawi hanging around there.

[ It's OK, she just happens to be a workaholic...

Also that is very unfortunate, Magnus... 8( ]

...

[ Silence is her polite way of (not) saying she disagrees. She's naive enough to still have firm trust in the decisions of their superiors, hoping ALASTAIR's operations thus far have ultimately been for the greater good... That wrongs must be righted to the best of one's ability, so on and so forth. (She hasn't Magnus' experience or subsequent, well-earned wariness to these matters, and it shows painfully.)

At any rate, he poses a highly practical suggestion, and she takes a moment to mentally trace a path to the religious grounds. Connects the dots, and breaks off her train of thought with a solemn nod. ]

I'll do just that, then.

[ (Even if he's unwilling to participate, he's still helping her, and she appreciates it. It's more than she can really ask for of any introductions.) She tips him a short bow in gratitude. ] ...Thank you, Magnus.

[ She'll be on her way, then. ]

[ You find familiarity in the weirdest things.

Ramir is on a planet she's never heard of before which might not even have a name, marooned on an island that doesn't even know what a cellphone is, surrounded by tiny deer people that are losing their inherent superpowers. Okay, weird. But this? The desperate hunger that drives people to shit they wouldn't usually consider? Going out at night with your hand in your pocket, ready with a knife, and your eyes and ears open? That's familiar. It practically feels like home.

Maybe that's why she's quick to step in as soon as she catches onto what's going on over here, with the fish and the knife-wielding deer. She takes her chance while the local is distracted with Magnus, slipping in behind the deer to press her own knife into the small of his back. He freezes, just as she'd figured (and hoped) he would. There's not going to be any need for bloodshed here, just the good old threat thereof. ]

Hey. Kinda rude. [ She addresses Magnus over the Nalawi's shoulder, sounding good natured and relaxed despite the circumstances. ] You good to let this dinner go, or what?

[ Okay, the last thing he wants to see is yet another gleaming blade in his vision. (Really though, the one time in his very long life he wants the opposite of excitement and all of a sudden he can't escape it.) His eyes narrow before he recognizes the familiar sharp angle of that hair. Oh. He knows that face.

He looks between the Nalawi and Ramir for a second, then sighs and waves a hand. ]

Let him go. He can have it.

[ Not that he's feeling generous, but he's not interested in sparking any more bad blood than he has to. One fish is most certainly not the hill he wishes to die on. Who knows? Maybe the Nalawi has little deer to feed. The storm hasn't exactly been helpful on the island's already dwindling production.]

[ That's fair. It's not much of a dinner to fight over -- plus, she's pretty sure the ALASTAIR recruits are a little better off than the Nalawi for fishing up things to eat. So she nods and takes the blade away again, stepping off. The Nalawi is quick to scramble away clutching dinner, and Ramir's knife disappears again. ]

Yeah, probably a good call. Those guys hold a serious grudge. [ And don't tell anyone, but it's not like she was gonna just kill him. That'd be crazy. ]

[ Magnus watches the little guy scurry off as if he'd just scored a jackpot. Now he sort of feels sorry for him. Sort of. He can acknowledge that, given recent developments, perhaps the man who'd called them assholes was not a hundred percent in the wrong. ]

Tell me about it. [ He approaches Ramir. He's not opposed to staying near the handy woman with the knife, not at all. ] Thank you for the assist, though. I owe you one, but I'm afraid you'll have to take a raincheck until this business with our powers is resolved.

[ Unless she wants makeup tips. He can do that. ]

You're gonna owe me more.

[ She says it with a warm smile that neither goes exactly with the spike-studded, knife-wielding image, nor lasts long. It's faded back to nonchalant neutral by the time she steps forward to drop a hand to his shoulder and redirect him in the way she'd been headed, to walk with her. ]

Come on, assuming no deer found it and broke in, I got enough dinner to share.

[ His eyebrow quirks. He glances briefly at her hand, but follows her with ease, already feeling a bit better with someone to distract him. ]

Really? Well, I could certainly use some pleasant company for once.

[ He's glad to see she hasn't been swept away by the storm. Not that, you know, he wants to see anyone get swept away by it, but it's nice to have a familiar face or two. ]

So how have you been?

Aw, you've been hanging out in shitty company? Good thing I'm here now!

[ She says it with a laugh, like she isn't pretty shitty company. But even shitty company knows to provide food when food's needed, so at least there's that. She presses them on between the buildings -- non-residential on this island, but made livable by the emergency circumstance of being wholly stuck here. (The place she's found isn't any better.) It gives the whole place kind of a creepy vibe. ]

Alive, same with all the friends I can keep track of. Can't really complain much about that. You?

[ That prompts a smile from Magnus, one that spreads a little coyly over his face. She reminds him of someone, he thinks, and it takes him a second to realize that that someone is Alec's sister. (When did all of his acquaintances become Shadowhunters? Didn't he spend most of the past century avoiding exactly this?) ]

Oh, same, I suppose. [ He gazes up at where she's leading them. It very much resembles where the vampires nest but with fewer gold caskets inside. Probably. ] I have met plenty of fascinating people, which almost makes up for the lack of...every modern convenience possible. I feel like I'm back in the 1800s.

[ Seriously, he needs a real shower. He'd already done his time living without any of that stuff. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OPEN | left behind folks

closed.

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i! tho i feel like i'm interrupting something important... peeks at thread above u///u

shhh its nothing

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ii!

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