epidemiology | cheer up, you miserable fuck

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cheer up, you miserable fuck

CHARACTERS: Koltira Deathweaver & Twisted Fate
DATE: Sometime after the fire
WARNINGS: nah
SUMMARY: the time has come to talk of many things

[ They don't spend every second together. Far from it, especially lately. Koltira's been so angry--at himself, at the others on the team, at just about everything possible. He's taken to walking in the desert, alone, often leaving without much notice--or any notice at all. Fate has plenty to occupy him, besides, or so Koltira believes. Cards to play. People to swindle. That sort of thing.

Even so, there's been a lot going on, and Koltira realizes that it's not exactly fair to keep literally walking away from it.

So he stands on the edge of town with Bloodmist, wearing a new coat (black, with gold trim at the lapels and tails), a new vest (burgundy), a new silk shirt (also black), and the same hat he's been wearing since he got here. Bloodmist's packs are loaded with wrapped up food--nothing for him, of course--and a few bottles of salvaged wine.

He'd asked Fate to come meet him, and when he sees the man approaching, he lifts his hand in greeting. ]

Bal'a dash. I have something to show you.

[ He pats Bloodmist's flank. She is no ethereal unicorn: the pits of her eyes are lanterns, full of the same blue lichfire as Koltira's own. Her legs burn with the same otherworldly flame, and she is armored from mane to tail. Old, blackened skulls hang in a brace around her neck, and when she whinnies at Fate's appearance, it's nothing short of a demonic wail.

But Koltira strokes her chin as fondly as if she were an ordinary pet, and Bloodmist nuzzles his hand in turn. Still, he knows how it looks, so he adds, half-smiling -- ]

Provided you can bear the transport.

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[While a part of him would appreciate more of Koltira's company, he does nothing but respect his need for space. When Koltira withdraws, Fate leaves him to it, demanding nothing. He figures if Koltira needs him, it'll be said -- and it isn't as if he doesn't check in his own way to make sure that Koltira is still here. Still around.

Admittedly, he didn't expect to be called for a meeting. But he arrives anyway, dressed in his usual finest, a dandy as ever.

The strange steed is not one he expects. It's not the majestic ride on a unicorn with a lively Mr. Brightdawn and Tobias Foxtrot; it is them, now, older. A little more worn. It's a bit more suiting, in some ways. Looking at the horse makes him think, makes him remember faintly.

He hesitates at the noise from the creature, but he suspects if Koltira isn't concerned he shouldn't be.]

'Course I can. Helps there's a handsome man waitin' for me.

Give me a hand up?

[ He raises an eyebrow and looks 'round, as if to say 'no one by that description here'. But at the hesitation, he offers a wry smile. ]

Have no fear. Her bark is worse than her bite.

[ Though Bloodmist does have fangs.

Koltira climbs into the saddle, gets settled. Then, as he did when they were younger, he reaches for TF's hands. With even more deft strength than he had as a living man, he sweeps Fate up and onto the saddle behind him. ]

Arms around me, if you please.

[koltira please]

I trust ya, charming.

[He remembers when they were young, how much Koltira's strength and nobility surprised him then. It shouldn't now, but it still does, and he finds himself quickly on the saddle.

Twisted Fate chuckles and wraps his arms snugly around Koltira's waist.]

Got no problem with that.

[He rests his cheek against Koltira's shoulder.] So. What's the plan?

[ He's carrying a lot of tension at present, concentrated largely in his shoulders--just about where Fate's got his chin settled, in fact. He doesn't relax, nor does he answer right away. Instead, he clucks his tongue, snaps Bloodmist's reins. She obeys with a soft (slightly echoing) nicker and sets off at a robust pace. She's gifted with the same unholy speed as her master; it's not long before the silhouettes of Perdition's Rest fade entirely into the horizon.

After a while, Koltira replies. ]

While I was lost to myself, I wandered. This world is more than just empty desert.

[ The tops of tall pine trees appear in the distance. Koltira pauses, and adds -- ]

Albeit not by much.

[It doesn't surprise him, not really; Koltira's a tense person in general, so to feel him as stiff as he is? About to his expectations.

The forest, not so much. Twisted Fate didn't take to exploring much, so the pine trees give him pause.

...So. Koltira called him out here, taking him on a ride on his mount, to a place he found. A place he wanted to take Fate to. With wine, apparently. If he didn't know any better, this is probably a date.

Or he's being too hopeful.]

How is it? In there.

[ Bloodmist approaches the pine forest, and Koltira finally starts to relax a little. Once she's trotting through the trees, he nudges her gently, directing her towards a particular path.

He was born and grew up in the forests of Quel'thalas. Clusters of trees still whisper home to him, even after his many long years of enslavement, of imprisonment. ]

Peaceful.

[ Bloodmist brings them up beside a sparkling, clear blue pond. Koltira had washed his wounds here, several weeks ago, post-madness. He's glad to see that the blood and gore he'd rinsed into this water have cleared away, leaving it pure again.

Koltira dismounts, then holds up his hands to help Fate down. ]

We can rest here.

[It's been awhile since he's been in the woods, probably not since he'd last visited Ionia. Bilgewater doesn't exactly have much in the way of green life, and Piltover -- City of Progress that it is -- means it clears more trees in the way of technological development than invites gardens.

So. It's been awhile. And it is very lovely, with the pond and all.

He smiles warmly to Koltira, taking his hand and sliding off of Bloodmist.]

Thanks for takin' me here. Almost seems like a special occasion.

[ He pulls the packs from Bloodmist's saddle once Fate's safely down. Kneeling on the ground, he unrolls them--a blanket to sit on, the wine, and a basket of food. Things he thought a living person might like--a loaf of fresh bread; pale, soft cheese; bright red apples; that sort of thing.

He takes a dagger from his belt and uses it to uncork the first wine bottle (red, dry but robust). ]

I have much to tell you.

[ He offers the wine to Fate. ]

But I did want you to see this place for its own sake, as well.

[Well. Damn. If he wasn't a little convinced before that maybe this was a romantic outing, now he's pretty sure. He legitimately cannot remember ever being treated quite like this -- a little picnic in solitude, even though he knows that Koltira's not going to be eat anything.

No, he'd gone out of his way for Twisted Fate. The smile the thief wears becomes considerably softer; he almost feels humbled.

He removes his hat, and he takes the wine.]

Well, I'm terribly flattered. This is a mighty fine arrangement here.

[More than he can properly say right now.

Fate sits down on the blanket, making sure there's enough room for the elf.]

An' you have my attention, of course.

[ Koltira sits, one leg folded under the other. His black coat spills out onto the blanket around him, an ink-dark sea of fabric embroidered with gold. For a moment, he's quiet, waiting for Fate to take a drink. So much has happened in just a few short weeks. Where to begin?

At length, he rolls up the cuff on his left hand, such that the red, sword-like tattoos are more visible. ]

There is a man here named Lancer. He was one of the last people I met while I was frenzied. I nearly killed him, and he gave me the cursed wound on my side in turn.

[ He frowns at the tattoos as though they repulse him. ]

Lancer is not human. He is a spirit of some kind, something called a Servant. They--they require a Master, someone with magical power, to sustain themselves.

[True, he does remember specifically how Koltira did not have those tattoos until after the frenzy was over. But he hadn't been sure what to think of it, how to ask about it, if it even mattered.

Apparently, it does. Maybe it's his fault for not asking.

He remembers the cursed wound, how long it took to heal. Lancer, he does not know.

Twisted Fate frowns a little, thinking. Then raises a brow.]

So. You're his Master now?

That seems kinda ass-backwards for you.

[ Koltira's ears fold, and his shoulders slump. All the tension returns at once, like a length of wire drawn taut. ]

I didn't want to do it. But if he has no power source, he will die.

[Well. That certainly makes more sense.

The wine is set down and he turns to gently cup Koltira's face into his warm hands.]

I can only really imagine how much that decision bothers you, sweetheart.

But if it was either takin' up the roll or lettin' him die, I reckon you did the right thing. He doesn't begrudge you, does he?

[ Koltira looks up at him, startled by the sudden heat. He grasps one of Fate's wrists, leaning into Fate's open palm as he does so. ]

No.

[ Exasperation creeps into his voice; his expression. ]

Lancer is cavalier. Not unlike you.

[He smiles, rolling his thumb over Koltira's cheekbone.

Then he grins at the description.]

Can't be all bad then, can it? [It's spoken wryly before he says more gently:]

You did the right thing, Koltira.

[ Koltira's still not so sure, though it's nice to hear T.F. say it. ]

The tattoos are command seals. I can order him to do anything, three times--and he has no choice in the matter.

[ He scowls, clenching his jaw. ]

I do not plan to make use of them.

[Now, there's a temptation he can't say he'd be able to quite resist, personally.

Fate leans in, lightly pressing a kiss to Koltira's temple.]

Yeah, well. I already know you got some incredible willpower in you.

I know you won't. Considerin' everything you been through. [He may not know details, but he knows well enough.]

[ TF please ]

[ Koltira's eyes shut briefly under the kiss, and he sighs. It's a vile system, and he's still in knots about the whole situation, but he's slowly coming to understand that it is to Lancer's benefit. The thought even occurs to him that Lancer might not mind the kinds of orders Koltira would give--directions to protect, to help, to keep these people safe. But hasn't his whole existence since his death been a fight to make his own choices? How can he rightly force any choice on someone else, even one he thinks is right?

But then -- he shifts uncomfortably, thinking of Riza. Did he do that to her, in bringing her back to life? ]

I appreciate your faith, Fate. You will likely see him with me from time to time. He's got it in mind that he needs to guard me. And goad me. Both at once.

[ He grumbles. ]

In any case, now you know.

Try not to let it become storm clouds over you. You probably saved his life, an' it doesn't sound like he's all that ungrateful.

[He smiles faintly.]

Then I look forward to meetin' with him, whenever it occurs.

Seems like you got plenty on your shoulders as ever. ...You can talk to me, whenever y'need. You know that, yeah?

[ His ears twitch at the thought of Fate and Lancer in the same room together. The smirking. ]

It's inevitable.

[ Half to himself.

He squeezes Fate's wrist gently. ]

Yes. I know I have been somewhat distant. It is only because I did not want to risk taking anything out on you.

[ He thinks of Riza again, and looks away. ]

I simply cannot do right by these people.

[are you ready for that]

Well, I certainly do appreciate that. I figured you had things to work out. Didn't take it personally.

[And he wants, desperately, to make sure that he's respecting whatever it is that Koltira needs.]

I'd say if this is concerning the last violent breakdown y'had, that's been mostly squared away. But... did somethin' else happen?

[ Squared away ... aside from the handful of people who definitely want to kill him. He makes a noncommittal noise in his throat. It's true that he isn't here to keep on about that, anyway, at least not right now. ]

During the ambush at Boneyard Junction, before I found you, I was fighting near Riza. She was some distance from me, sniping from inside a house. But -- the Deemers got to her. They killed her.

[ He looks back at Fate, his lichfire eyes bright. Inscrutable. ]

I brought her back.

Edited 2016-11-14 21:04 (UTC)

[look it means most people forgive you, that's pretty good.

That gives him some pause, and Twisted Fate hesitates, his brows knitted.]

She died.

[Another pause, then he peers at Koltira.]

You can resurrect people from bein' dead?

[ How is this a big deal! He pulls away from Fate's hold, nodding. ]

I can, provided I reach the body in time.

Sorry, I know this ain't the focus right now.

[holy shit my boyfriend can bring people back from the dead]

Okay. Anyway.

[That's going to take time to digest, but he can deal with that later.]

What is it about Riza, exactly?

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