epidemiology | [ open ] swift as the coursing rain, with all the force of a great typhoon

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[ open ] swift as the coursing rain, with all the force of a great typhoon

CHARACTERS: McCree; Koltira; yOU
DATE: First few weeks post-arrival in Perdition's Rest
WARNINGS: somebody might hit somebody else
SUMMARY: TRAINING DAY(s)

MCCREE

[ McCree's set up near the northwestern border of the town. He's constructed a line of targets--six flour sacks tied to poles, facing the expanse of desert beyond--and he's spinning his revolvers in his good hand. He's got a mess of other guns piled on top of a nearby barrel, some borrowed from Riza Hawkeye, some purchased from the local munitions shop. Attached to the barrel is a sign:

SHARPSHOOTING
(OR HAND-TO-HAND)
HERE. ]

KOLTIRA

[ Koltira's on the southern outskirts. Anyone conducting business in the town proper can see him just beyond the edges of the last buildings, giant sword in hand, black coattails fluttering behind him as he paces. He has no targets, and no sign, either. He has the sword in his hand, the knives on his belt, and a scowling expression on his face. ]

[ OOC: TRAINING, with either Koltira or McCree. Obviously, totally separate from one another--I just combined the log so as not to spam the community needlessly. If no actual training was discussed on record, but you'd still like to have your character learn something, feel free to handwave that discussion.

McCree offers: sharpshooting; brawling.

Koltira offers: weapons training; magic if you're capable; hand-to-hand also.

McCree is a friendly and patient teacher.

Koltira is not.

Of course, if you'd just like to bother them while they are holding deadly weapons, that is also fine. Please comment to either subheader below for a custom starter! Please specify what you're here for! ]

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[He shouldn't, but he watches him, carefully. Twisted Fate eventually chuckles at the question and shakes his head before he looks away.]

I dunno if I should be insulted you think I can't get away with it or not.

Teasin' you, by the way; nah, I'm fine. Even if anyone came, they can't catch me.

[He prides himself on that aspect.]

Figured I should just air some things out with you. Not exactly been the most forthcoming. [Being straight-forward is not Twisted Fate's best feature.]

[ Koltira holds up a hand in concession. ]

You are quite sly.

[ Really very sly. Koltira takes another sip of the whiskey, frowning slightly. He thinks back on the dance, the drinks before that, and other conversations, too. Yes. Something's been going on. ]

I had a feeling.

Now that I can take as a compliment.

[His fingers fold together, and he considers how to phrase this. Briefly, he wonders how Malcolm would do this.

Be bull-headed, probably, and just say what's on his mind. The man's never had any finesse, no subtlety; not particularly graceful, nor a gentleman. He snorts softly to himself.

So instead, Twisted Fate is careful as he proceeds. He could learn nothing from his ex-partner.]

I'm a river man. Pretty sure I told you before. Where I'm from, bein' as such isn't looked upon with much in the way of respect. I did a lot of things to get by where I'm from.

The man I was when I met Mr. Brightdawn, well. I was fairly impressed. In all my years, no one's treated me like I oughta be treated like that. Still don't know what to much make of it, I suppose.

[ Looks like letting it go is easier said than done. Koltira's grip on the bottle's neck tightens. He wants to be angry about it, and part of him still is--just because he can't help it, just because it comes so easily to him--but he has enough reason left to know that's not fair. Koltira hasn't exactly put the past behind him, either.

So he doesn't lash out, much as he'd like to, much as the hissing pain in his blood tells him he should. He just murmurs, his voice thick. ]

I was kind, back then. You were friendly to me, and you were charming.

[ He half-smiles, weakly, and takes another sip. ]

My people have a weakness for charming humans.

I make it a point to be charming as hell.

[He watches, carefully, how Koltira reacts. He knows this is not a conversation either of them probably want to have. Hell, he'd been tempted to avoid it as long as he could.

But the longer they're here, the more he figures he'll have a harder time to dodging it.]

I'm fond of you. Ain't sayin' it with any expectations. You obviously got plenty on your plate as is. I see pieces of the man you were, but I know he ain't comin' back either.

But I like you enough that you should know where I'm comin' from, I suppose.

[ He murmurs, half to the bottle itself. ]

Yes. Sly.

[ And then he looks up, the lichfire glow in his eyes flaring slightly. ]

Fond of me. What does that mean? You find me attractive?

[ He shakes his head, and pain surges between his temples as he does so. He winces, his ears folding. ]

You have sweet words for everyone, whether they deserve it or not.

[There it is again, the way Koltira reacts. It seems like physical pain, but it does make him raise a brow.

He doesn't call it out. Not just yet.]

You already know that I do. And true enough; I say a lot of pretty things to flatter someone, whether I like 'em or not.

[Makes getting what he wants easier, but this isn't what that's about. Twisted Fate removes his hat and hops the fence, peering up at Koltira.]

But I like you. Well enough that I figured I wasn't bein' overly subtle about it. I'm not askin' you to do much else other than hear that out.

[ He rakes a hand down his face. His main thought is why. At least, it's the only one he's capable of chasing down right now.

He sets the bottle down on the fence, and then grips the fence with both hands, head down, hair falling into his face. ]

I am not a good man, Fate. You shouldn't waste such things on me.

[ From the start, Twisted Fate had never treated Koltira like a monster; never been wary; never been fearful. He'd poked and prodded a bit, but for the most part, he'd been helpful--astute about what Koltira needed without having to be directly told. That's a rare thing in and of itself.

And he is charming.

Koltira shuts his eyes. Light, it hurts.

What will happen when he's overwhelmed? What will happen when Fate sees him for what he is? ]

What we call that is two of a kind.

[And sincerely, he thinks that Koltira is a better man than he is. For him, Koltira doesn't have a choice about what he is. Twisted Fate, on the other hand, everything has been about his choices and the fall out.

He watches how Koltira reacts, and he lets himself sigh, eyes shutting.

There are a lot of gambles he takes. This one needs to be careful.]

I'm not askin' for much. Not even for us to try much. Trust is an awfully big thing.

So why not friends to begin with?

[ Friends. He doesn't have too many of those. Few enough in Audentes, and only the one in Azeroth. A man he's not seen in years, anyway. A man he doubts he'll ever see again.

He curls his fingers against the fence, his nails digging into the wood, chipping the paint. He thinks of Tobias's kiss, and he thinks of Twisted Fate's kiss, and he thinks that this is something else that will be taken from him in time. Perhaps more quickly than he realizes.

It would be best to send Fate away. It would be safe.

But his mouth had been so warm.

Koltira swallows thickly. He lifts his head, and the glow of his eyes burns behind the curtain of his pale hair. ]

Few ever trust a death knight, and that is wise. Few befriend us, either. That, too, is wise.

[ He draws his hair back. Exhales false breath, just to steady himself. He remembers walking through Orgrimmar. How the people had screamed, and spat, and called for a noose. He remembers their hatred, and their fear. It's what he's used to. What he expects. ]

But if you would defy that wisdom, I would not turn you away.

[Sometimes it amazes him how much someone can be so full of self-loathing, but then he knows to an extent how much Koltira has reasoning for it. Regardless, that is all he can really understand of his reactions, the way he grips the fence.

But perhaps it is more than he knows. The questions will probably cost him a few drinks sometime.

Twisted Fate shrugs to him.]

I pick my friends carefully. Ain't makin' the decision lightly.

[As he said, trust is a big thing. Difficult, to be sure. But he thinks, honestly, that the nobly intended elf is not entirely gone and he can count on that, for certain.

And it doesn't hurt to have a death knight for a friend. Not yet, anyway.]

But if you ever get sick of it, you just let me know.

No hard feelings.

[ Koltira's fairly sure that Fate will come to regret this choice. And if Koltira regrets it--which he knows he will--it'll only be because of the pain he's destined to cause, one way or another. ]

I do not tire.

[ Not exactly what Fate meant, and Koltira knows it. But still, the implication is clear. He is not the one in danger. He is not the one who will turn away.

But he manages a smile, small and wry. ]

However, I am afraid most of my feelings are not soft, either.

Right, and you don't get hungry or thirsty. Guessin' you don't sleep, either. But you can get impatient.

[It's spoken, more like teasing, more like the smugness he usually carries in his voice.]

Hell, if it were soft, doubt I'd have wanted to come this far. Not much room for it for either of us, I think.

[Even if it would be nice, on paper anyway. But he knows to be somewhat realistic, not idealistic.]

Now then. Seein' as how you've been ever so considerate, hearing me out and all, is there anythin' you need from me?

[ He tries for a lighter tone to match, and succeeds, if only for a moment, his thin smile in place. ]

I could. I am simply not in the habit. Sleep was forbidden among the ranks of the Scourge.

[ The last time he'd slept was during the mission to Nalawi, and only then because he was dying. He hasn't tried since. He does sometimes wonder what it might be like.

But Fate goes on. The moment passes; Koltira's expression falters.

Does he need anything? He bites his lower lip, his vampire-sharp canine digging in.

Oh, yes.

He reaches forward, too quickly, as if to grab--but he struggles, he fights himself, and instead his open palm settles gently against Fate's cheek.

He murmurs, his head throbbing, howling. ]

A favor.

Well, lucky you, you're pretty damned far from them.

[It's just meant to be a remark; he doesn't know much, but he fathoms that Koltira must be grateful to be far from the Scourge and whatever else has conformed him into this.

He forgets; Koltira is quick, quick enough that Twisted Fate almost fails to react in time, but finds a hand resting against his skin, cool and dry.

Fate's expression relaxes into a smile, almost lazy, as if unconcerned.]

If you need one. Won't even charge ya for it.

[ Sleep is as fanciful a thought as ever to him. Were he not so close to the edge of hysteria, were he not so wracked with spasm, he might have thought on it more. Might have entertained it.

But he has nowhere to sleep, anyway.

Koltira brushes his thumb back and forth over Fate's cheekbone; it's a light, soft motion. He feels the warmth against the chill of his own palm, and he likes it. But he can't let it distract him.

He sets his jaw. ]

The next time you see me, you must run.

[He isn't certain what he expected, but certainly not that.

Twisted Fate reaches up, pressing his hand over Koltira's, as if to invite him to the warmth. Maybe to keep him there.]

You gonna tell me why?

[ Sharp jabs of pain prickle up along his spine; mere whispers of what's soon to come. Thunder before lightning.

He mutters, looking away. Ashamed, wincing.

But he doesn't move his hand. ]

I -- feel it. I'm losing reason. Control. The pain is becoming unbearable. Soon it will be so.

[So that's what it's been, all this time during their conversations. He's been in pain, literal actual pain. That makes more sense, in retrospect.

Fate scowls and gently squeezes his hand.]

Is there anythin' else that can be done?

[ He holds up his other hand. ]

ALASTAIR gave me a ring. Its jewel offers some relief, but--

[ The once white crystal is cloudy. Not completely black yet, though not far from it, either. ]

--its powers are already nearly exhausted.

[ In other words--no. ]

Well, that figures. Suppose they didn't have the foresight to get you another.

[He shuts his eyes for a moment, considering before he looks at Koltira again.]

So what'll happen next?

[ Simply: ]

I will lose myself to the pain. I mean to warn the others properly, as well. I mean to isolate myself, and pray to the Light that it passes with no harm done to anyone who does not deserve it.

[ He'll go out among the bandits, maybe. He hasn't thought it fully it through, because thinking at present is a trial. ]

[Suffice it to say, it sounds as if he can't do anything about that, and Koltira is taking the time to explain expectations.

He offers a smile, a little softer than he's made before.]

But it'll pass? Before it comes back, I reckon. Way you explain it, sounds like it never really goes away.

[ The tips of his ears perk forward slightly, unconsciously, in reaction to that smile. ]

It will pass, or I will tear myself apart. Either way, I must try to ensure that you and the others are safe.

[ He glances down, staring at the cloudy ring, at his bare hand. He could swear he sees a blood stain blossoming over his palm already. ]

It never truly leaves me. I fight it. And sometimes I lose.

[Carefully, he takes Koltira's hand from his face, bringing it around to press his lips lightly against the knuckles. An echo from the last time he encouraged a kiss, and Koltira paid this to him.]

I'm a bettin' man, as you know.

You'll see the end of this. And I'll see you at the other side, whenever it's done.

[He thinks, briefly, of the last time he saw Malcolm: ready to kill Twisted Fate, even as they were surrounded and ready to be taken by pirates. ALASTAIR had good timing, ensuring Twisted Fate's escape, but it's not the first time he'd technically abandoned his ex-partner.

He'd like to think he won't make that same mistake here.]

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