#thread 6

After hearing all of the traditions that happen around this time of year, Knives knew he needed a Log for Legato, perhaps another to gift Badou as an apology.

He'd been the first truly kind person in... A long time. He didn't know how to respond, he still doesn't know. It's so much to try and redirect after everything he's been through, he doesn't understand.

So he'd set out, heading towards the highlands as he'd heard the packs protecting the logs were fewer in number there. With him, his logging axe he'd taken, content and eager to find the best log available.

What he was met with, deep in the forest however, was a familiar voice screaming in horrid terror. Panic seized his heard before rage consumed every inch of his mind.

The Plant was moving before he could think. Always before he could think, his instincts having him move swift and firm through the brush like it was nothing, careful to be quiet but not slow down.

There was no time to think, only act, one of his humans needed him.

Knives wouldn't have gotten any kind of surprise attack if he had stopped his screaming. He was writhing in a tangled mass of vines, howling like a terrified pup. Was that... Tears on his face?

Knives saw red.

He strode with confidence, with speed, remembering what he'd learnt and struck the beast hard in it's side. The hulking mass roared in surprise, but the Plant rammed his foot into the creature's side and wrenched the axe from it's tangled hide, shoving it back as he skidded just short of tumbling into the human.

He spun the axe in his hand, crouching to snag the one Badou had dropped when ensnared and remained low, weapons ready, clearly prepared to fight.

@professorrosier​ sent...  [ tug ] to roughly grab my muses hair

“You got my attention, Raz...” Wat grunted slightly against the hair pulling, though it barely hurt. He was just being a tease, a sly smile coming to his lips. He kept his head tilted back, in Raziel’s grasp before moving his hands to grasp Raziel’s waist, pulling him forward roughly.

❛  i  was  born  with  wide  eyes  &  a  fragile  heart . ❜

“Oh, that’s perfect...” Cherry leaned forward, writing down the line Frankie had just given and plucked at her banjo again. A gentle, melodic refrain, sweet but sorrowful at the same time. A little like Cherry herself.

@ava-montgomery

There was nothing she could do, she knew this. But, that didn’t keep Ava from walking through the lines of slaves, glancing around and seeing if there was anyone that she felt needed more attention than others.

She gave a soft smile, when she spotted Dhani, and headed over to him. She cleared her throat just a little bit, running her fingers through her hair, before finally starting to speak to him.

“Hey..” she said. She bit her lip a little bit. “Just…keep your head down, try and stay out of trouble, yeah? Maybe, you’ll luck out and get someone decent to bid on you..”

Dhani drew in a breath, listening to Ava talk. She had been decent to him. More than decent. He had spoken to her a little and she had lavished him with presents on Christmas. Gave him a fucking guitar for his birthday. And he felt like he barely knew her. He felt so horridly undeserving of her attention, especially now. He had a cold when they met. And she was nice and they talked and... had he made her feel sorry for him? Had he complained too much to her? He couldn’t remember. But all this behavior Stitches had pointed out, and Anye, it was just ‘how he was’... So how could he change that? All this time he thought he’d been a good person, a good friend...

“I don’t think--” Dhani stopped himself. Someone decent wasn’t someone he should get. And saying so... well, it would just make her feel sorry for him, wouldn’t it? Tell him it wasn’t true. Validate how terrible he felt and make her feel bad... Dhani took another slow breath, opening his eyes. They were bloodshot from crying so much and so hard. But he’d gotten water and gotten back up on his feet.

“Maybe.”

Jody hadn’t expected Raul to have been this bad off. The casts, the cuts and bruises... Clara and Quinten he knew could heal scarring and wounds with their power, and Qhuinn was terribly talented in medicine. Jody gave a small sigh, unable to help it, and came to Raul’s bedside, touched his face and kissing his forehead.

“I’m sorry,” He said quietly, brushing his thumb over Raul’s cheek. He stood up, setting the small antique silver vase of bright pink bougainvilleas on the small dresser in the hospital room where they were out of reach but easily seen and admired. Jody pulled over a chair as close as he could, looking near tears, taking a slow, deep breath.

“I don’t remember this weekend... So... I know that my dark side came out. I don’t... I don’t think I hurt anyone. But I know I didn’t help anyone. I’m sorry, Raul. I’m so sorry...”

Once his cigar was lit Hogan looked back up at Klink who was just taking a seat across from him. “You’re not seriously suggesting you’re gonna miss this place, are you?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and exhaled a small cloud of smoke. “I mean, not that I don’t find my prime view of the delousing station very romantic but I can think of places with better room service.” 

He had lost track of the days. Lost track of how many people he’d seen and how many outfits he’d worn. Mostly he’s just tired of being stuck in a location for so long that it almost felt like forever. Today was no better. He was dressed up in a poor Peter Pan costume - placed in one of the only place that he truly felt comfort in. Unable to look at the row of bookshelves, he had lowered himself down to the ground, eyes kept downcast. The healer that was stationed next to him was taking a short break and that also gave him a moment of peace. Letting out a shaky breath, he shifted uncomfortably in his outfit while rubbing his sweaty palms on his knees. Just when he thought he could stretch out his break, he could feel the presence of someone approaching. Lowering himself even more, he swallowed quickly and turned his head to the side. “I- Please, I just need five more minutes.”

“Oh, for what?” 

It wasn’t curious, it was dismissive. Wat flexed his hand, resisting the urge to grab the slave up by the hair. No, not this one. He recognized the boy, though he’d not met him. One of Dhani’s friends. He had spotted them walking together through the quad, recognizing the excitement in Dhani’s face talking to someone he cared about over something he cared about. He’d never hear the end of it from the boy if he decided to play rough and was tattled on. 

Wat crouched down, as it was unlikely Finn was going to stand up, or even straighten up and be a good little slave... It was late in the week and depending on what station one was in, they were starting to break down. Wat had to admit he’d been plenty rough this week. But not exceedingly so.

“What’s your name? And what will you be for me if I give you five more minutes?” Wat asked, the edge of annoyance not entirely gone from his voice. But it was a challenge.