14 . winter catch-all

[necrolord]

Who: John Gaius and company.
What: As the cold sets in, the God of Necromancers gets restless.
When: Late November through December
Where: Gaze and the Sleeper Farm.

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

Comments

[necrolord]

This is his luck. It's everybody's favorite guy, here to make a good day better.

"It's a very elegant tactical retreat," says God, balancing on one foot to keep his bare one off the burning floor. He leans against the wall to steady himself and only winces about it a little. "Plans within plans, believe me. Is this where you come for a good time?"

cw: mention of mercy-kill

[survivalthroughhate]

"Certainly not," Maul says with a haughty sniff. "I try to avoid this place as much as possible when the Zealots are out and about." This place holds nothing but bad memories for him from last year, including the one where he'd had to mercy-kill Wesker after the Zealots got to him.

"I can see why they'd want to get their hands on you." With his powers, the Emperor would have fascinated the Zealots and their desire for power and blood both.

[necrolord]

"Everyone does," he agrees, too absently to really lean into the joke. There's a strong undercurrent of miserable impatience, a man on the edge of exhaustion. "I missed the show, last year... and wasn't sorry for it."

He gives Maul a look of consideration, caught between wariness and resignation.

"That makes you our local expert."

[survivalthroughhate]

"Well, there's a way to get out of here, but I'm not sure I want to tell you or not." Maul was definitely still holding a grudge against John. Just because he'd gotten revenge by proxy hadn't lessened his ire one iota.

"But if only one of us can escape, I'll leave you to their tender mercies. Considering how fast you can heal yourself, they'll have fun pulling you apart over and over again." Maul didn't disguise the glee that had entered his tone at the thought of the Zealots inflicting that on the Emperor.

[necrolord]

"Tell me how you really feel," says John, but he doesn't protest it. The overt asshole routine is a hell of a lot better than this guy sidetracking them both with another shot at revenge; it could be worse. He tips his head to Maul and the corridor beyond him, faintly impatient. "We run into trouble, you can throw me to the wolves and make your getaway— but until then, I'll tag along. Deal?"

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul considered that for a moment. He could work with a situation like that, despite knowing John likely wouldn't keep his end of the bargain if push came to shove. Maul's natural distrust of everyone around him would serve him well if he had to have this pseudo-god accompany him.

"Alright," he nodded. "Come along then. Keep your eyes open. If you can rot any of those zealots, I suggest you do so if one makes an appearance."