second rune; death; video

[deadelfwalking]

 [When the feed starts, the netbook's camera shows you a view of the forest floor.  A deer carcass lies among the grass and twigs, and it's obvious that the poor thing did not have a clean death.  It's in the advanced stages of decomposition, even though the blood around its body is red and fresh.  The camera does not linger on this image for more than a few seconds; it pans upward, to show Koltira's face.

 He's standing over the deer, holding the device in one hand, holding Byfrost with the other.  Agony creases his expression: his jaw is clenched, his eyes narrowed, every muscle in his pale, sallow face is taut with pain.  The guttural growl of his voice occasionally rises in octave as he talks, as though something is beating the shit out of him from the inside.]

Were we brought here to fight for something, or to waste time reliving the past?  Send.  Us.  On.  A mission.

[He stabs the tree next to him with Byfrost, and the sword glows sickly green; the tree bark begins to decay rapidly, as though it's practically melting.  Diseased fumes pour out of the bark, forming a nasty miasma around Koltira's body.]

I need a battle. [he hisses, and blood trickles from the corner of his mouth as he bites down on the inside of his cheek.]  Now.

Comments

[theguideless]

It was a mistake! [sharply. quickly:] It's not your home, you don't know. You weren't supposed to be there!

[deadelfwalking]

I didn't want to be there. [a wracking pain washes over him, striking every muscle, every nerve. He covers his face, makes a high-pitched, strangled noise. He struggles to maintain clarity and focus, but nothing about the situation--or this conversation--is making that easy. After a few moments, he manages--]

I meant to act only in defense. I had no idea that you would react so poorly to the barrier. It was a shield of protection, against magic.

[theguideless]

[the noises shoot down his nerve all the more, terrifying him. rushed, panicked:]

It, it was a mistake it's not their fault only monsters were out there it's not. Not their fault!

[deadelfwalking]

[oh Jesus. You are definitely equated with the Crusade in his mind, Darkov, because you are clearly a product of severe indoctrination. With perfect, steady calm, using pretty much all of his remaining energy to restrain the agony.]

If you want to kill me for my efforts to help you, and for defending myself against illusions, then fine. Come and do it. I would welcome true death at this point.

[theguideless]

[horrified, scattered:] I...That— I said it was a mistake! I said—!

[deadelfwalking]

[He digs the palm of his hand against his eye. Is this really happening to him right now? SERIOUSLY NOW. He inhales and exhales slowly; it's false breath, but it has a very slight calming effect. Steadily, tired:]

Martin. I hear you. I understand you. You must calm down.

[theguideless]

[psyching himself out big time. a few huffed breaths, and then he just. slaps the computer closed, because horrifying. SUCH A USEFUL BOY.]