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--V.S.
WAAPT@tropi.us Legacy → WAAPT: In-Universe → Herbert40k's Wrap-Up Thread
[spoiler]Exactly what it says on the tin, basically. Here I can wrap up any stuff that I want to get done without having to deal with the hectic pace of the main thread.
-Lucille taps her foot impatiently.-
Lucille: Wassa matter? Have I managed to render the terrifying Nightmare Reapers speechless?
-A very haggard, pale and bruised Lucius is currently passed out in a bush somewhere in town.-
"Well... Ah... I guess telling you couldn't hurt." said Lyuri, sighing
Sakura passed by the uncounscious Lucius, but then she stopped on her tracks as she realized and quickly went to help him
"Lucius?! Wake up!" she yelled as she tried to shake him awake.
-Lucille rubs the back of her neck.-
Lucille: I don't wanna impose. I understand that it ain't the sort of thing you tell just anybody. But... well, it probably sounds pretty sappy to admit this, but you're the best friend I got. Pretty much the only friend I got, too. So I'd 'preciate the chance to try and provide some moral support.
-Lucius stirs awake upon being shaken by Sakura, putting an arm in front of his face to try and shield his eyes from the sun.-
Lucius: Guh... morning, Sakura...
-He blinks in confusion and rubs the side of his head, glancing around.-
Lucius: ...It is morning, right? What day is it?
"All right then."
Lyuri sighs again
"... Before I went to Orre I stayed in Unova with Duke while my friends went to Holon, so we were pretty much alone and doing our own things and enjoying ourselves, but then Cipher happened, one of their most cruel admins kidnapped Duke, how that happened is another story entirely, and threatened to kill him if I didn't cooperate. What followed was around 2 months running around being unable to say a word, having to do his dirty job for him and afraid that the slightlest mess up would end up with Duke and maybe even myself killed. I even got really close to killing a friend, because I pretty much had to choose between one or the other... I was taken out of Cipher, rescued by that friend and my sister, but... Well... It's not something that you just forget."
"What happened to you?! You're all bruised and more pale than usual. How long have you been in here?! Today is the 2nd of August!"
-Lucille is shocked into silence for several moments, her expression alternating between pity, anger, and sorrow before finally settling on some mixture of the three.-
Lucille: ...Arceus... I've heard some real nasty stories about those Cipher bastards in my time, but that... I can't even begin to imagine what that musta been like...
-Lucius looks vaguely surprised upon hearing Sakura's answer, though her concern seems to do little more than befuddle him further.-
Lucius: The 2nd...? Man, I really am out of the loop, aren't I...
-He starts trying to get to his feet, swaying dangerously and taking a large portion of the bush with him as he does so.-
Lucius: Could've sworn I only laid down to nap for a few minutes...
"It was... Difficult to sleep for some time, to say the least." said Duke
"Please don't tell me you've been getting into a lot of fights..."
-Lucille shakes her head.-
Lucille: You don't say... did they manage to catch the slimeball behind it all, at least?
-Lucius tilts his head, still looking rather dazed.-
Lucius: That depends... how many would you say is "a lot"? Because I've been trying to bait Titan's new goon squad. The X-somethings... Excubitors, I think he calls them. Whilst they're focusing their attention on me, they're staying away from the other superheroes... say, is it just me, or is the sun really bright today?
"Nope. He escaped, I think now he's working for Neo-Galactic." said Lyuri, sighing.
"He's quite good at escaping, that much I must admit." said DUke
Sakura looks incredibly worried "Lucius, you need to take a break, if you keep going at this pace you're going to get yourself killed."
-Lucille's expressions darkens, as if something unpleasant has taken up residence in the back of her mind. She gives a small sigh.-
Lucille: ...Sorry 'bout dredging all of this up. I dunno what to say, other than telling you that you ain't the one at fault.
Lucius: Maybe. But it means that nobody else is getting hurt because of me, doesn't it?
-He sways on his feet again, nearly toppling over.-
Lucius: Ugh, the world won't stop spinning... I think I need to sit down for a while...
"Yeah, heard that already, lots of times." said Lyuri, rubbing the back of her neck with a rather indifferent expression.
"It was a traumatic experience, but we're both over it now. Life is carrying on and we're doing just fine together." said Duke
"What are you talking about?" she asked, as she offered Lucius some support so he wouldn't end up falling over.
-Lucille now looks rather uncomfortable about having brought the subject up in the first place.-
Lucille: That don't sound like the kind of thing you just "get over" to me... but if you say so.
-Lucius leans on Sakura's shoulder in order to prevent himself from toppling over into the bush again.-
Lucius: What are you talking about? The bit about the hurting or the bit about the spinning?
"Well, we did. It's not like it's something that still hunts us in our sleep to this day or anything like that." said Lyuri
"It has been I think almost a year since it happened, I think that was enough time to heal the wounds, even if it was an experience we're never going to forget." said Duke
"The former. I know sometimes we hurt people without meaning to, but trying to get yourself killed isn't exactly going to make things better."
-Lucille is silent in response, looking as if she's considering saying something but mentally holding herself back from doing so.-
-Lucius looks vaguely offended.-
Lucius: I'm not trying to get myself killed. I'm not stupid. But I know you're scared. All the other superheroes are as well. So I'm trying to give you a reason not to be afraid anymore. I can take the heat, if that's what needs to be done to protect you guys...
"Something on your mind?" asked Duke, rather curious.
"Lucius, I don't need you to protect me. I went into this because I wanted, I knew the consequences of doing this and I knew that at some point I'd get the big guys mad. Remember, I had every intention of working solo and was doing it until you came looking for me. I can take care of myself, I can protect myself, you don't need to get yourself beaten up because of me."
-Lucille shakes her head as she stirs from her reverie.-
Lucille: ...Nah, not really. Just seems a little odd hearing this sob story whilst you two are all dressed up.
Lucius: But you're giving up! Letting them win! I won't let that happen... I can't let them win...
-His eyes become slightly unfocused for a moment before he staggers forwards, nearly toppling over.-
Lucius: Mind if we find a cafe or something? I really need to sit down...
"Hey, it was you that asked for it!" said Lyuri, in mock offense.
"What? No! I'm not letting them win! I'm just lying low for a while to not draw too much attention before I go back into the action."
She sighs
"Well, let's go then, I think there's a nearby cafe here."
She then begins to guide Lucius around.
-Lucille gives a rather solemn smile.-
Lucillle: I know, I know. I just weren't expecting what I heard, is all.
-She sighs and leans against one of the alley walls.-
Lucille: You two have probably got nefarious deeds that need doing. I'll let you get to it.
Lucius: That's all I'm trying to do... draw attention... it's as simple as that, really...
-He follows behind Sakura, still staggering slightly.-
Lyuri smiles "Right, this is probably not the best place to stay in. We'll still be around to help you deal with the trouble that is the business life of your family."
"Just give us a call and we'll get here" said Duke
"Bye"
Lyuri and Duke wave and they leave
"I thought the idea was that Shingeko had to draw the attention of everyone while the Avenger kept working in the shadows."
Lucius: That worked just fine until you started drawing the wrong type of attention...
-He sees a cafe nearby and staggers inside, slumping down at one of the tables.-
Sakura sighs "Just stop putting yourself in harm's way when you don't need to. The heroes helping each other out is nice, but nobody needs a bodyguard."
-Lucius shakes his head.-
Lucius: I'm supposed to be a leader. I can't let the people I'm responsible for end up in danger because I failed to keep them safe...
Sakura sighs again "You're so stubborn, listen, a superhero's job is to get themselves in danger to save others. That's why they're heroes. If you can't allow us to get in danger as you say, then you shouldn't be allowing anyone else to be a hero in the first place."
Lucius: But there's no point if the risk outweighs the reward! I've been pretty much the only active superhero these last couple of weeks... Titan's Excubitors have got everyone else running scared. Hell, even Gaia's disappeared without a trace and that's just making me even more concerned because I've got no idea where she's gone or what could've happened to her...
-He realises that he's talking quite loudly and brings himself to a halt.-
Lucius: ...Maybe we should stop talking about this here...
"Lucius, you're bruised, you're stressed, you fell asleep on a bush for Arceus knows how long. You need to take a break, or else you won't be able to help anyone when they do start getting themselves in danger again."
-Lucius sighs and drops his voice.-
Lucius: I'll tell you what I told Sarah - I don't think I'm capable of taking a break. That's just the kind of person I am. Every time I try, I get this... this itch. You probably wouldn't understand it...
WAAPT@tropi.us Legacy → WAAPT: In-Universe → Herbert40k's Wrap-Up Thread
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