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[stonefaith]

[ right after the announcement is made, this post goes up ]

Anyone under the age of eighteen. I need you to report in, now. Please.

[ private to: artika, chloe saunders, feferi, jericho, lea, and martin darkov ]

This most certainly includes you.




[ ooc: the plotting thread is over here!

if your character is uncooperative, bariyan (or someone else? other concerned adults, c'mere!) will likely go HUNT THEM DOWN and try to take them to a safehouse built in one of the abandoned subway stations underground (courtesy of robin, anders, and nathaniel). bariyan's got magic powers that let him put people to sleep and he's NOT AFRAID TO USE 'EM so watch out for that too.

note that regardless of anything that happens, chances are that your character(s) will get dragged on missions/out to defend exsilium anyway.


any concerned adults: feel free to report in/threadjack/comment wherever and whenever appropriate! because bariyan obvs can't hold all of these babbus by himself B) ]

Comments

HI DAD

[theguideless]

[shuffling, rustling inside, and harried footsteps to the door. he pulls it open, worry painted all over his face.]

Are we leaving again? Like last time...?

WHADDUP KIDDO

[stonefaith]

Yes. Not as far. You're staying in the city this time.

[ a deep sigh. ]

I may need your help, too....

NM JUST THE USUAL SADFACES

[theguideless]

[a deep frown, acknowledging Bariyan's countenance. he looks awful.

Marty better do everything he can to help and make it better. a quick, little nod.]

What do I do?

[stonefaith]

[ for a second bariyan thinks about all the children who don't want to come along peacefully, and then thinks about sending martin after them. and now he's sorta laughing to himself, and oh gods he is losing his mind.

he puts his face in both hands, and steadies himself. stops laughing. straightens up and looks back down at martin. ]

Nothing, yet. But-- here, I'll explain as we go.

[ He steps back into the hall and goes for the stairs, expecting Martin to follow. ]

[theguideless]

[Bariyan's behavior only makes Martin worry more and more. His fingers curl against the edge of the door and the handle as he chews on the inside of his lip. worry, worry.

he can't let that space grow too much, though; he quickly shuts the door behind him and trots to catch up, shrinking into step behind the other.

worry, worry.] I didn't...I mean, what about telling Alistair? And Miss Anora? So they don't think I'm in trouble... [he's practically wincing the words out by the end; he doesn't want to add any more trouble on.]

[stonefaith]

[ Bariyan hits the stairway and stops to consider Martin's questions, running a hand through his hair, obviously distracted. ]

I'll contact them. And let them know. I'm sure they'll understand.

[ Right. One more thing to add on to his list of things to do. At least this one didn't threaten to be difficult. Bariyan shakes his head, and continues down the stairs. ]

[theguideless]

Oh.

[well

okay :(

Martin follows along in silence, scratching at his shoulder once they hit the bottom of the stairs.]

[stonefaith]

[ And Bariyan takes them straight out of the building from there, at which point he tenses almost visibly. The area directly around the Hold is clear, but Bariyan's not sure how long that will stand. At least it is daylight, this time.... ]

We're going underground. You and the other children are staying there until this blows over.... [ It looks all clear from here, so Bariyan goes, down the street and across. ] But I may need you to help stand guard.

[theguideless]

Stand guard? [he lifts his head and trots a couple steps to catch up, much more attentive now.]

[stonefaith]

Yes. I'm trying to find someone else who's... [ older ] ...fit to help, but it seems that most of us will be gone and the rest are in no condition to be fighting.

So. [ a scowl, obviously unhappy about this ] I ask this of you, instead.

[theguideless]

[a long quiet, just walking and following.

him? responsibility? trusted to...do something? (besides run away, that is)
this isn't computing properly.

but:] Yes, sir. I'll do it.

[but he's nuts to say no.]

[stonefaith]

[ his pace quickens and something changes in the set of his shoulders, but hardly for the better. the line of his back is tenser, unhappier. he doesn't trust martin with this, but there's no one else.

not that he's going to say that aloud. ]

Thank you. [ a beat. a defeated look. a mumble: ] I'm sorry that you're still here.

[theguideless]

[Martin stops.

of course he knows what he means. about how many times Martin insisted on leaving. on needing to fix things. but his body and his heart still felt it differently. I'm sorry that you're still here.

yeah.

yeah...so was Martin. i don't want to be anywhere ever. i don't want...]

I don't want...to leave. Just yet. [his voice thickens.] I'm not ready. Strong enough, I mean. If I can get better...

[stonefaith]

You will get better. [ Answered immediately, flatly. A matter of fact. But Bariyan was not so sure of that. Not with Martin's personality, his temperament. Not with the conditions the boy was facing.

Of course, Bariyan keeps his doubts to himself. He's silent until they reach the entrance into the station: stairs disappearing down into the earth. The way ahead dark and unwelcoming. Bariyan ignores that, and begins to descend. ]

You'll get better, and then. [ He shuts his eyes, briefly. ] We'll get you home. Somehow. [ You promised. ]

[theguideless]

[the last is almost a cut-off echo, spurring Martin back into motion to catch up. his feet ring out considerably louder because of his gait, something he fixes soon enough after a handful of steps. just duller, more methodical clop-clops down the stairs.]

Sorry...For the trouble. [he swallows.] Sorry.

[stonefaith]

Don't be. [ he's said it before, and he's sure he'll say it again. but now he wonders. what is martin, to him? a stranger. a boy. someone in need of him.

or merely someone who conveniently fills a gap in too much wishful thinking.

who is the one who needs to apologize, here?

bariyan tenses, bites his tongue, goes silent. ]

[theguideless]

[well, it's kind of a relief, having that routine back in place. it seemed absent for a time...for all the twists and turns beset the both of them in relation to each other.

i'm sorry and don't apologize were comfortable. heck, throw in a don't call me sir, and Martin's liable to feel much more at peace than he typically feels.

but he doesn't offer the chance for that, rather staying silent for the remainder of the journey below, staying close at-hand.

it's good, right? he's going to be useful, and help rather than harm? right?]