swornto: (pic#15268328)
Oz "Vessalius" ([personal profile] swornto) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-06-09 07:08 pm

it catches up eventually

Who: Oz Vessalius, Xerxes Break, & Close CR
What: Oz becomes corrupted and dies, then Break gets stuck in a miserable timeloop.
When: June 15th (forward-dated)
Where: Pandora House & The Forest Around

Content Warnings: Suicidal Ideation, Beasthood Suicide, Child Endangerment



A Cycle of Misery

Please use the top-levels below, because there are timeloop shenanigans to keep orderly!
belovedscars: (4.)

[personal profile] belovedscars 2022-06-10 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Gilbert is still adjusting and learning about Trench, but so far every day has felt too good to be true. He gets to be with his family and see them safe and get the peace they all deserve. He's standing in the kitchen, wearing a black apron, his hair pulled back in a short ponytail, but when he looks up from the sandwich he's preparing and sees Oz with that scythe, he worries. He knows Oz is capable and can fight and has been doing so without Gil around for however long. Still, just because Oz can doesn't mean he should. Gil's heard about these Beasts. The sooner he starts his job as a hunter, the better.

But today is a normal Wednesday. Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing to worry about other than the usual. Gil tries to smooth out his concerned frown so Oz doesn't worried and rushes to finish putting together the container, yelling over his shoulder.]


Oz, wait!

[In a hurry, he runs over to him, holding out the meal he prepared for his trek.]

Don't forget your lunch! If you're going to fight, you need to make sure you're getting all of your nutrients! I tried to make it balance, but I also added a snack in there for later.
belovedscars: (15.)

[personal profile] belovedscars 2022-06-10 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Gil's eyes dart to the scythe, a worried comment warning Oz to be careful not to cut himself on the tip of his tongue, but he stops himself when he really looks at his friend and master standing there, alive and healthy and illuminated by the morning light.

Gil has been tearing up a lot lately. He's trying to tone it down, but he's just so overjoyed. That stubborn expression brings back memories, so instead of commenting on how Oz handles the scythe, or putting his worrying into words, he laughs quietly and reaches out to ruffle Oz's hair. It feels like old times.]


I'm fine, Oz. [He's always had an abundance of nervous energy, but he's less tired than he's been in years.] I need to learn about this place so I can stand by your side, but thank you. [For always thinking about him.]

[He ruffles his hair again.] Make sure you're back in time for dinner. I'm trying a new recipe and I don't want your food to be cold!
payingfordeliverance: (Pensive: Hn)

[personal profile] payingfordeliverance 2022-06-10 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Back when Oz first decided he was going to join the Hunters, Break raised his eyebrows, certainly. But he didn't object or fuss overmuch, the way he would have if someone like Reim had done the same. Oz is young yet, but he has also already fought the Jabberwock of all things with that scythe, and after everything they've been through Break is satisfied that he's well aware of the dangers inherent in such a career. If this is what he wants to choose for himself, at least for now, he has good reason.

Having him along for something real like this still feels weird, however, and Break is far more solemn now than he was during their training sessions at home, when Break routinely wiped the floor with him and then did obnoxious victory dances about it. In part, he's simply "on duty" at present -- the beast he's been picking up signs of seems particularly nasty, and he's concerned about its possible proximity to the house. In part, honestly, he's a little anxious. Break has never truly been a proper teacher, not the way Qrow is. Renowned for his shitty attitude at Pandora, which was deliberate on his part, nobody ever hated any of the new recruits enough to foist them off on the notoriously foul-tempered Mad Hatter. To that end, he certainly knows what Oz needs to know, and has tried to pass it down. He also knows that if Oz is really going to thrive in this role, he needs to be set free to handle himself from time to time. But has Break done a decent enough job at all this that he can stand to let Oz go now...?

Well. Given that Break has already had to send him off to save the world once, probably sending him off to stalk a single beast is alright. Oz wasn't alone at all then, though...hn.]


We'll approach it from opposite directions. I'll send Baltus with you. [His trusty omen, who he never puts away, moves easily to Oz's side. This is clearly not a request.] If anything happens on either side, he'll be able to connect us quickly.
belovedscars: (10. oz)

[personal profile] belovedscars 2022-06-10 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Gil really does try not to tear up when he sees that smile. Seeing Oz get to be happy is what he wanted most and had waited for. If it happened to be in Trench, a place with beasts and where they took up blood rituals as a hobby that was fine. They had faced worse before.

He doesn't fear the scythe or Oz's power. His concern is that Oz will take on too much trying to take care of everyone else thanks to his own insecurities. It motivates Gil to follow in his footsteps. He means it when he says he wants to stand by Oz's side.

...And he can always get up earlier or stay up later. Just wait until he learns about meal prepping, Oz!]


I wouldn't dream of it. [He probably won't be eating tonight. Gil smiles, noticing the shyness in Oz's smile, grateful his friend is expressing himself. He feels the same.] Of course. You can try everything I make!
payingfordeliverance: (Pensive: Frowns severely)

[personal profile] payingfordeliverance 2022-06-10 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Truth be told, Break's misgivings only grow as he watches Oz's back disappear into the trees. Is now really the time for this, with this beast in particular? Should he call Oz back and go himself, try to get a good look at the thing first? Ugh. If he finds excuses to keep Oz close in every excursion they go on, there will never be a "right time". Baltus is a fine guardian, half-shadowed for silence and ears erect to help Oz listen; for all that he looks like a silly noodle, the breed of dog his form reflects was meant to hunt wolves. Break will have to trust that if Oz can't get out of danger on his own, Baltus will snatch him up and spirit him away.

Before he can second-guess himself again, Break sets off too, similarly swift and silent even as he stops often to listen carefully. While he keeps his connection with Baltus open he can't give it his full attention. He's the former Red-Eyed Ghost and he has not lost the skills that made him an excellent hunter back then, in grislier times. But he's certainly not infallible and his prey just now will absolutely kill him if he slips up for even a second.

Hopefully he'll get to the beast before Oz does. Surely then all will be well.]
belovedscars: (14.)

[personal profile] belovedscars 2022-06-10 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Gil smiles nostalgically at Oz's joke, looking down at the floor. They will all have regrets about this later. Gil will be unable to forgive himself for focusing on domestic tasks instead of being there when Oz needed him.

But he doesn't know any of that right now. This place may not be safe, but it still feels safer than what Gil is used to. He looks up from the floor, admiring the confidence Oz holds himself with now. It suits him.]


My room is perfect! [And it is, because it's right next to Oz's.] Would you please pick out some of your favorite foods, and some extra meat for Alice? [Gil pauses and stumbles over his next answer, moved by Oz's considerate question but suddenly shy about it too.] Ah-- please don't worry about me!

[He can't think of anything he would want. All he's wanted was to be with them, and now he is.]

But wouldn't it be better if I started to get our groceries and supplies? I know it's a bartering system and I haven't found much to trade yet, but you already work very hard.
payingfordeliverance: https://www.deviantart.com/akreon/art/Shanol-403902166 (Baltus: Grim grinning ghost)

[personal profile] payingfordeliverance 2022-06-10 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Baltus, too, is turned every which way. Break was right to worry about this beast -- that the creature is stealthy enough that even an omen can't catch it quickly enough to intervene means it's one of the most dangerous they've encountered yet, and it certainly can't be permitted to stay this close to the house. It could slaughter any of them when they're simply out in the backyard, none the wiser.]

Xerxes!

[He calls his person's name mostly for Oz's benefit; Break is already on his way having heard the tree being destroyed. Until he arrives, though, it's Baltus himself who needs to act, and quickly. His first impulse is to attack the beast itself to buy Oz time, as Baltus is the one made of shadows, incapable of being hurt. But Oz, wisely, lashes the thing down on his own. So, then, Baltus needs to grab Oz and get him away from here, quickly, buy Xerxes time to go in front --

-- but something is happening to Oz now, too, something seemingly unrelated to the beast. What Baltus knows is what Xerxes knows. In the past, Oz has sometimes lost control of his powers. If that's what's happening now, it's doubly important that Baltus get him gone. He'll be a liability to Xerxes in this state.]


Oz, focus. You cannot hurt me, but you must stay in control. I will take you away from here.
individualized: (08)

[personal profile] individualized 2022-06-10 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Baltus sure did alert them, and she was immediately out the door with her swords ready. The reckless impulses her Coldblood has been giving her this month motivate her to just charge right in without doing any assessment of the situation, not that she had much time in this case anyway.

Almost silently, Echo leaps from behind Oz and slashes at the Beast's head before landing next to it and immediately hopping backwards to avoid its reach. Her Omen Armelle, looking far more like an adult bear than a cub, tries to push her way inbetween Oz and the Beast.
]
payingfordeliverance: (Baltus: Wispy)

[personal profile] payingfordeliverance 2022-06-10 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
[A chain hits the beast and it yowls in pained anger. Baltus ignores it. He also ignores the chain that slashes at him. It's a simple matter to go completely intangible as the chain strikes through and step easily away from it in a waft of shadow as he solidifies again, though he does respect Oz's request that he not get too close.]

Yes, you can. Remember your priorities, Oz. Remember what those you love wish for you.

[Even as he speaks, he's sending the image of what's happening through to Xerxes. Forewarned is forearmed. Baltus has no idea if his words can get through to Oz, or if Oz is too far gone already, as sometimes happens in Trench. But he can't not try. If there's even a chance he can steal them more time --]
belovedscars: (7.)

cw: cigarretes (implied)

[personal profile] belovedscars 2022-06-10 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Gil just enjoys cooking for his family and friends and what he could think of off the top of his head isn't something he'd send Oz to get or spend his hard-earned bartering items on. Seeing everyone enjoy a meal together is enough for him.

But he does blush sheepishly at the teasing, stammering more as he argues.]


I-- I am not! I've gotten quite good at bartering with people! [That's a lie.] But...if it isn't out of your way or too expensive-- [Gil tugs at his sleeve, clearly struggling to ask his somewhat indirect request.] There was a fruit stand I saw a few days back, and everything looked so fresh and I didn't even recognize everything!
individualized: (94)

[personal profile] individualized 2022-06-10 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
[She glances at him briefly and shakes her head slightly.]

You must be cautious, Oz-sama! I can—

[Echo dodges a strike from the monstrous creature, now very ticked at her for attacking it.]

I've got this!

[She's only witnessed Oz's powers a couple of times, and while she's aware he can handle himself in combat she's just very certain she can take care of this Beast on her own. Plus she's got her Omen there to try to keep him safe in a more direct manner.]

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