SERPENTINE HORIZON - LEOXORCISM

[neonleon]

We're exorcising! That! Turtle!

Day 50

Comments

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[neonleon]

[When Hunter notices it... A bright blue eye opens in the middle of the goop lining the ceiling, watching him.]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

[ and Hunter just leans up against the wall bodily, frozen in place as he stares back at that eye. Move, dammit. If it’s Belos you can’t just sit here - you can’t freeze up -

He’s frozen for a moment anyway. ]

Belos. You - you really are in here.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

[Grabbing Hunter's hand, other hand holding up the bo between them and EYE]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[neonleon]

[The eye watches them for another moment.

Then closes, the goop flesh closing over the place it was, as if the eye wasn't there to begin with.]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter unfreezes a little, but that means he’s shaking like a leaf now. He huddles behind Donnie and clinging back. ]

Thank you. I - I thought I was ready to face him but -

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

Its okay.

[He will lower his staff, balancing it against his shoulder and focuses on Hunter. Reaching up to gently pat his head.]

This isn't going to be easy for any of us. That's why we have each others backs. Like family should.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter wheezes a bit, but he’s breathing. Slowly. Leaning into that headpat. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I’m - really grateful.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

I know. Just breathe for a minute, nothing is going to get to you right now.

[He won't let it]

[Will even squeeze his hand for that four count.]

[Because...again....three fingers.]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

[ Four works!! Hunter can do four.

Slowly his breathing eases. ]

This is just more proof we have to save him.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

Yes. We will.

Its just important we keep ourselves safe in the meantime. Its a balancing act.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

I get that. But Belos is still here because of me.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

No, he's here because he's got a creepy brother complex and massive control issues.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

He wouldn’t be here at all if I’d never been pulled into this place.

[ Hunter levers himself off the wall now that he’s calmed down some. ]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

And if you go further back then that, it goes right back to the he wouldn't be here at all if he was even a little normal about his brother.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter stops at that, gently tense. ]

Donnie. I get what you’re trying to say. But - I’m trying to psyche myself up, okay? If I give myself an excuse, I might believe it. And then I would just be afraid instead of determined.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

[He looks confused for a moment.]

You need it to be your fault to be determined?

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

Yes! A little bit! Because if it’s not, then why am I here facing him?? I’m just a liability!

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

I am making a note to address that emotional issue at a later time, but sometimes you have to use the bad one for short term goals.

You care about Leo, right?

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

Right! Exactly! Function now, therapy later.

[ Deep breath!! ]

Of course I do. I want him to be my brother too!

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

Function now, therapy later. [Its a legit strategy.]

And you trust us, right?

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

Of course I do. With my life.

[ He taps his shoulder, and a lil gray-gold wing of ninpo flares out. ]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[neonleon]

[As he does, just on the edges, there is the faint hint of blue with it.]

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

[Oh]

....that's why you're here.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter stares at that hint of blue for a moment. Reaching out for it? ]

Yeah. It is.

… so I have to be strong any way that I can. To face down my uncle.

Re: 1st - RIGHT

[othellovonryan]

Either way, you're not a liability.

That connection is going to be what saves Leo.