① [the initial request from nevermind went right past his head. like hell does he care about the tower or anyone else claiming to be "gods" in this place. the pthumerians can go fuck themselves. at least, that's what he usually start out as. unfortunately, the "god" had to throw in a reward for assistance. which always piques dabi's interest. especially since the rewards recently have been rather... rewarding. learning that other sleepers are invited and forming into groups, as well as the allure of hunting along the way, convinces the villain to agree to the trip. not for nevermind, not for the tower, and not even for his fellow sleepers, but rather just for himself. it's how he's survived this long. the presence-masking silver ring on a chain is worth it.
the path itself isn't entirely overgrown, but the trees compressing around them are enough to clog the air and smother the light. dabi hangs near the side of the group, having traded off a mount a while ago. even if he'd prefer to keep riding, he's not stupid enough to go against the entire group. back to walking. cold and clammy weather seeps between the boughs and trunks, chill shadows offering suggestions on what made the noises occasionally wandering through the air. occasional animals dart into the brush amid the casual conversation the group carries along with them. for now, the going isn't too difficult, but it's not a simple path either. and the threat of a beast or monster remains on all minds. dabi's content to keep to his own thoughts and listen to the conversation around him, but if he's bothered...]
What?
[...at least it's a response.]
② [shadows bulge and another set of claws race past with chattering teeth and rattling fur. the company closes in on itself, facing outward in a quick flanking circle while the creatures around them swirl in a rotating pack. he knows what they're doing: trying to pick off a member of the group that manages to get bumped out or strike out first. basic pack hunting tactics. damn things don't seem to be all that strong, considering the corpse of one nearby, but there's a large number of them, and they're pointy and sharp on all sides. dabi's lips curve down in a scowl at the proceedings. it'd be easy to set the entire place on fire, clear out some of the gloom and get some light in here, but doing so would cause the whole forest to go up. originally, he wouldn't give a shit about that, but considering the entire reason they're out here (getting hunted) is to collect that damn piece of fungus.]
Urusei. [growling at the sleeper beside him, dabi's blue flames ignite around his hand, blazing up into light and heat.] You got a better idea?
③ [success. all this work for a piece of blooming rot. losing one or two of their company has hit some of the group hard, though dabi doesn't really care about their deaths. his only real irk about it is spilling sleeper blood for the sake of helping the pthumerians, aka: their kidnappers. but that ire'll pass by soon enough. no one who died was anyone he knew, so whatever. they'll be back. for now, the villain crouches down beside the bloody body, leaving the other sleepers to tend to gathering the mushroom from the tree. he busies himself with looting the dead, taking the silver chain and ring for himself before checking through their pockets. it'll only be a few minutes before the body vanishes, so best work fast.]
Don't bother. They're dead. Ain't gonna do them any good now.
no subject
the path itself isn't entirely overgrown, but the trees compressing around them are enough to clog the air and smother the light. dabi hangs near the side of the group, having traded off a mount a while ago. even if he'd prefer to keep riding, he's not stupid enough to go against the entire group. back to walking. cold and clammy weather seeps between the boughs and trunks, chill shadows offering suggestions on what made the noises occasionally wandering through the air. occasional animals dart into the brush amid the casual conversation the group carries along with them. for now, the going isn't too difficult, but it's not a simple path either. and the threat of a beast or monster remains on all minds. dabi's content to keep to his own thoughts and listen to the conversation around him, but if he's bothered...]
What?
[...at least it's a response.]
Urusei. [growling at the sleeper beside him, dabi's blue flames ignite around his hand, blazing up into light and heat.] You got a better idea?
Don't bother. They're dead. Ain't gonna do them any good now.