kinaesthesia: (Default)
Gavial the Invincible ([personal profile] kinaesthesia) wrote2023-03-06 07:28 pm
baltimores: (112)

communion (soon to be action), early Emru.

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-07 09:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ Thing is, he's liked Gavial from the moment he met her. That probably isn't too surprising — Amos really enjoys the company of Advocates, what they stand for and all of that jazz, and Gavial fits the bill so fucking well. (She's also a lot of fun, which definitely helps her case, not that she needs it.)

He trusts her. Both in general, and to do the right thing.

And he has a mission coming up. People he trusts are crucial — especially when he might need some help with that last point, considering its nature.

Amos is already at Yima's manor, already in the middle of doing some preliminary organization, when the thought strikes him — he probably needs Gavial for something like this. And so, he wastes no time in pinging her. ]


Hey, Doc. I'm at Yima's. You around? Got something I could use your help with.

[ He is satisfied with that message.

... A second later, he is not. ]


Something above ground. Sorry. Maybe should have led with that.

[ Nobody is risking dissipation today. ]
baltimores: (117)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-08 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
Nah, I'll be right over. Hopefully catch you when you're done.

[ His answer comes jovially, Amos completely at ease — more so, now that he knows he's caught her at a good time; that she's interested, at least to start. He gives the equivalent of a thumbs up react to her directions, then cuts their connection. No need to keep it open when she knows he's right on his way, and this way she can finish up in peace.

He does take his time in heading over, both to ensure he isn't rushing Gavial, and to give him a chance to look around the manor a bit en route. He moved out, what, shit, a little over a year ago? Time flies.

But he can only amble for so long, and within a handful of minutes Amos is outside Gavial's door and knocking. That pleasant tone he carried in communion remains present in his actual voice — this really is two friends meeting up, one to help the other. ]


All good to come in?
baltimores: (077)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-09 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ He comes right in at her affirmation, taking a cursory look around. Honestly, it's not too different from what he'd expect — but he did spend most of his life in space, so he's familiar with the lean-living lifestyle, too. Just looks natural.

The number of weights though...

Amos' attention jerks from there to Gavial, face lighting up as his eyes land on her. ]


Hey. [ And he's returning that grin as he makes his way over to her, figuring he's just gonna. Sit right next to her, nevermind how unmade the bed is or whatever. He's just here to chat, right? ] Got something in the works. For Yima, actually, so I've been trying to figure some stuff out around here. It's kinda big, so...

[ Amos trails off, as though it's only hitting him just now how big it is. Kill Cyrus, yeah, sure, the only part of that that's a big ask are the logistics. The moral conundrum? For him, there is none.

He likes Gavial so much in part because, as it's dawning on him, it probably is one for her.

... Fuck. ]


... How often have you been around Springstar as of late? It's— [ not like him to dodge like this— ] Cyrus. I'm going to kill Cyrus, and I need help.

[ Her help, maybe. He isn't aware of it, but he's almost looking at her like a dog begging for scraps — please help him? ]
baltimores: (071)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-09 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ Amos turns his head to look at her hand on his shoulder, not entirely sure what it's doing there. It's helping take some of the awkwardness away, though. Gives him something else odd to focus on; something far less disruptive than what he's trying to work out how to do.

He looks back at Gavial when she speaks up again, brow starting to furrow the more she goes on. ]


I don't know any other Cyruses. [ There probably are some, though? Springstar's massive. ] So yeah. That one. That's why I need help, because getting to him is going to be a whole thing, and...

[ And he's kind of twisting his hands in his lap now, nervous not because of the mission itself but because of her reaction to it. This really seemed like it was going to go a lot smoother ten or so minutes ago. Hey, Doc. I'm going to go kill Cyrus soon. Whaddya say?

Yeah! she'd say, hefting her axe with a big grin. Let's get him!

Stupid. ]


... I don't— I'm not asking you to help me with killing him. I wanna keep other people from getting their hands bloody if I can. That's why I'm gonna be the one to do it. It's just, getting to him — Springstar's big. There are so many fucking people there — I need help clearing the path, I guess.

[ ... Please help him, ]
baltimores: (056)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-10 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her other hand clenching around her towel doesn't escape his notice. For a second he thinks of Cap — it's something he probably would do, too. That frustration at realizing that people are going to have to die and there's nothing you can do about it; a frustration he will never feel.

But it's important. Amos can't help but watch his own hands for a moment, even though he's the one in control of them. He doesn't need to watch them—

Through his peripheral vision he sees Gavial looking at him, and his blue eyes rise up to meet hers, mildly troubled — at what her reaction might be. Not at what he's going to do.

And at her question, something in his chest that had once been tight loosens. ]


It's just about Cyrus. Nobody else. Nothing else. Not if it can be helped. [ Because, like she put it, this is about to become a real war. People die in wars; it's unavoidable. Hell, in another life he would've been one of those disposable grunts on the front line. ] Meridian's up on us by an Oracle. We cut off their head, they're going to flounder. I don't know what comes after that, but I'm not looking to do anything more. Just get to Cyrus. Take him out. Get out.

[ He stops fiddling with his hands. Rests them on his knees, flat and relaxed. Doesn't break from Gavial's gaze, clear and serious and honest as ever. ]

That's it. That's the entire mission. I just need help getting to him — nothing more.
baltimores: (138)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-12 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ They're almost of the same mind here. Almost. Her sigh is a little worrying, especially since Amos doesn't feel her trepidation in where this escalation is going to go — but Gavial elaborating puts him right back at ease.

Because Amos isn't big on the sneaky shit either; if he could just challenge Cyrus to open combat (and then shoot him Indiana Jones style) he would, but... yeah. That would never happen.

He's of half a mind to reach out and clasp her shoulder, but considering the way she just let go of him... maybe it's better to just leave it for now. ]


Yeah. I know. I get one shot, and it's gotta count. That's why I need help... Thank you.

[ Because yeah, he's got all of Zenith's resources at his fingertips, but he's an Exalt. He has his people. He likes Gavial, trusts Gavial, will feel more confident with Gavial on board. ]

I picked up some more magic that should help me get to him. That Pass Without Trace spell. But it's better if I don't run into anyone else on the way, or if everyone else is distracted, so... yeah. If you can help cause a scene, draw as many people to you as you can, keep them busy... If I can just get to him then it'll be over that much faster. Better chance at success.

[ A beat as he searches her eyes. Doesn't know what he's searching for — acceptance? Acquiescence? Friendship? ]

Better chance that fewer people get hurt too. I can let you know as soon as it's done... I set up a cornerstone in their academic district a while back you could use to get out. Or there might be others around the city. Anything Zenith can throw at this I got available, so you'll have a way out too. No problem.

[ No problem, just like that. ]
baltimores: (067)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-16 10:53 am (UTC)(link)
[ A low exhale. A pause, before Amos decides to reach out to her after all, broadcasted movements before his hand rests on her shoulder. A tentative smile.

Because Amos can't read the conflict in her expression. Would Cap agree to help him with something like this, if he was here, if he was Zenith? ... No, he probably wouldn't, and it's the first time Amos has really considered that. He'd trusted Holden to be on the right team, but it's been years since he last saw him. He's pledged himself to Yima now, and she wants this done, so the part where the two would almost certainly be at odds doesn't so much as register for him.

This is war. War is messy. Yima wants this. Yima is his person now, above all others.

Gavial is determined to help him, and only wants as few people to get hurt as possible. It's a good goal, so that's all he sees. ]


Yeah, I figured you might be. [ Good at causing a scene. A bit of levity, right? Since the peskiness of the matter is solved — Gavial is on board. ] Don't think I should really go there until it's time, but anything you can do to help in advance too, that's awesome. There's gotta be a less populated area nearby or something to draw people to. Somewhere you can get a little destructive without actually hurting anybody. Lure people out of their capital... I think there was a park nearby or something? Last time I was there I was with you, so I dunno...

[ He shrugs it off. Gives her shoulder a friendly little shake before withdrawing, hands folded back in his lap. There's no fidgeting anymore. ]

I trust you. I know you'll do the right thing.
baltimores: (118)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-01-22 10:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ Gavial's goal, a good one: Limit the number of casualties. He's all for it.

Silco's goal, a good one: Sow chaos in Springstar, and it just so happens to be done via letting Ryad off its leash. He's all for it.

At no point does it cross Amos' mind that these two are in direct opposition of one another. They're related, and yet not at all — compartmentalized into totally different slots of his brain as he focuses on laying the groundwork, because the latter is setting the stage and the former is his good friend helping him out for a noble cause.

So as Gavial leans in he reciprocates, like they're affectionate friends speaking in hushed tones so as to not spoil a surprise party for someone else. Everything is fine. Everyone is getting what they want here. ]


Yup. No backing down. [ He says it amicably; confirming that the cake has been ordered. ] I know, it's a little nuts. I dunno if anyone's tried to assassinate a Tribune before, let alone if they pulled it off. Just gotta be smart about it, right? I... embraced Zenith fully, I guess. Figure that'll help me see it through.

[ He doesn't know how many before him have ever fully harmonized — maybe that'll be the difference maker for them and this insane plot. Why couldn't it be, right? ]
baltimores: (128)

[personal profile] baltimores 2024-02-01 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ Amos bumps their shoulders before pulling back a little, smiling as he does. She's got his back; he'll have hers if she ever asks for it, too. What else're friends for, right? ]

Well, yeah. I ain't exactly planning on dying.

[ There's good humour in his voice, though; he isn't dismissing the possibility or being flippant about it, but what else can you do, right? Everything is safe and calm right now; no sense in worrying at this exact moment. Especially not with such good company. ]

I mean, I know I might, but I'm working on taking steps to increase my odds. Picked up a new spell I wouldn't have thought to have otherwise that'll keep me stealthy, and... Shit. That's what I got you for, right? And there'll be others, too. We ain't alone.

[ He doesn't quite beam back at her, but there is warmth in his voice, to his expression. Like down in the basement, like in Highstorm proper, and like they will be on this mission — they aren't alone, and they'll all be the stronger for it. ]