13 . autumn catch-all

[necrolord]

Who: John Gaius and company.
What: After a rough summer, the King Undying lays low.
When: September - October
Where: Mostly Gaze.

Content Warnings: Tagged in headers as needed. Note all the usual warnings of this character.

Comments

[necrolord]

Not to my knowledge.

[ John, as ever, helps his case immensely by being a bit of a dick about it. He climbs back to his feet, runs a hand through his hair, and looks generally put-upon. ]

Just the one, if we're counting that. It wasn't really my plan: I was more into fighting the sea.

I'd guess you're a friend of Oscar's?

[bolstafir]

Yeah, gods never do plan for their collateral damage, do they. Half a town here, all of humanity there, no big whoop, right?

[There it is again, that vibe that John has just so happened to walk into the footsteps of the real target of Qrow's ire, somewhere a few paces off to the left.]

He's my nephew, actually.

[Not by blood but it's not as though he's ever really given a fuck about that.]

[necrolord]

You tell me. I'm the one and only, back home... but it sounds like yours haven't been great to take tips from.

[ He dusts himself off. ]

He shot me in the face, he tell you that? I see the resemblance.

[bolstafir]

[An eyebrow definitely raises at that, along with a low whistle.]

You fit the bill pretty neatly, if you ask me. Ours were petty, arrogant, vindictive fuckers.

[...Okay, now he's done.]

What the hell did you do to him, anyway? He's one of the nicest kids I've ever met.

[If Oscar Fucking Pine is trying to kill you, you done fucked up, okay.]

[necrolord]

[ He splays his hands in acceptance. ]

Fair. I deserve that one.

[ But: ]

This was when I was in a fistfight with the ocean... there was a lot happening. I think we're square now, more or less. [ Because one of his inner circle decided this kid was her new favorite, for one thing. ]

[bolstafir]

[He takes a moment to consider this, weighing the potential sincerity of that olive branch against the fact that the main things he knows about this man are from the vision he had of the boat sinking and the fact that he followed it up with that network post.

At length, he lets the tension in his shoulders drop with a tired exhale.]

Alright, well, if he thinks so too, I guess we don't have a problem. But let's just get one thing straight, Mr. Ten Billion Confirmed Kills--I'm not afraid of you. Hurt any of mine again, and I'll become a thorn in your side you will never get out, no matter what you do to me.

[necrolord]

I believe you.

[ He says it low and frank like he means it, and gives his jaw one last cursory rub. ]

But I mean it. That kid's persistent, and he seems determined to be friendly neighbors now. I don't think the whole skeleton army could stop him. He brought me brownies.

[bolstafir]

Pfft, figures. That kid's something else.

[He even tried to wrangle Ironwood, back in the dream. But in the service of being neighborly ....well.]

Name's Qrow, by the way. Like the bird, but cooler.

[He can't outgoth the emperor undying, probably, but he is reasonably certain he can be more of an edgy tryhard poseur!!!]

[necrolord]

[ What an introduction. It gets him to crack a smile, tip his head in appreciation of the style. ]

Could you put in a good word for me with the local corvids? We haven't been getting along. I'm starting to think they don't like poetry.

[ This Poe joke will be lost on Qrow, but most of John's jokes usually are. ]

[bolstafir]

[His own lips quirk up in a cheeky little grin.]

Nah, sorry, those are ravens. Not my department, you know? But hey, maybe if my sister ever shows up, you can try your luck with her.

[Look at these two extremely normal goths telling their own private jokes that the other isn't meant to understand. It's fine. They're doing great.]

[necrolord]

[ He huffs a laugh, at this. Always devastating when the guy who's been getting on your case is funny. ]

You know what? I'll need it.