Legion (of Houseguests) for Naugus

[westfallcorndog]

Ixis Naugus, someone is knocking at your castle door. Could it possibly be anyone but the small handful of people who dare to visit? Not this time. Predictably, it's just Harrowheart. Well, not just Harrowheart. He's all done up in his explicitly evil set of blue armor – the one with the skulls and the spikes and the flowing red cape – and covered in wounds and dappled with some kind of green, slime-like residue... And it seems he's being trailed by a small mob of Overlanders. Is this an anti-monster peasant riot? The people certainly look like peasants, half-clothed and tired and wounded. One of them has a gun, a few have shovels and pitch forks. They're following him slowly, advancing after him yet keeping a safe distance.

"Naugus!" he hollers in his deep, worgen voice. He looks up to the windows in hopes he might catch sight of the archmage looking down.

"Naugus, I need your help! Please!"

Comments

[westfallcorndog]

Ooh! Ahh! What a show! How the Overlanders clap, how they smile! It's such a welcome relief after everything they've seen, everything they've been through. And it all culminates in water! They're eager to grab it, though most of them are mindful not to look too much like clawing, desperate animals. Lawrence makes a point of drinking his water in total silence after being teased with it. He doesn't find it funny at all, certainly not, but he's too thirsty to put up a fight. Sheesh, you can't even get a good laugh at the expense of a paranoid refugee these days...

Harrow, of course, follows close behind Naugus. He doesn't have to be told to gather up the things he asked for but does it on his own as soon as the opportunity is presented to him. His ears flatten with what Naugus says, but he continues his picking and stacking regardless.

"I know," he says, at once trying to remain humble and still impress upon Naugus how completely he understands. "I know, and I don't care. I don't know where else I can go for help like this for this many people when all I can pay with is my word. Like I said, whatever you need from me."

Ah, but then his ears swivel forward and he turns his attention to Naugus rather than the closet. "Only thing I won't do is kill my family and one or two particular other folks. Anything else... I'm not above any of it." He clears his throat and raises his eyebrows. "You got somethin' in mind already? You look like it..."

[ixis]

"Faith, Harrowheart!" He looks offended, hand splayed on his chest like a scandalized school marm. "I would never ask that you harm your loved ones! Maybe do something about the robotic arm the one fellow has, but that's not harming. Metal doesn't feel." Is he...kidding?

"But that's all I ask right now, really. Faithfulness. Do as I ask and don't give me reason to question your ability to follow orders. It's been some time since I had a right hand man, after all. Someone to carry out orders and a blade. Someone to listen for things where I am not or cannot be. Someone who can keep secrets. Maybe the occasional call for companionship if you're doing well. Sound like something applicable to a man of your talents?" He already knows it is, but he'd like to hear it from the wolf's mouth.

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow huffs a laugh, both genuinely amused and faintly worried about the jokes at Lawrence's arm's expense. "If you wanna get on Lawrence's nerves, getting rid of his robot arm is only gonna make him like you more. He hates that thing. Hates bein' a 'machine man.'" He laughs a deep, doggy laugh and finds that it's much easier to listen to Naugus' following words after.

Faithfulness. Right hand man. Orders and a blade... He's nodding, his ears are bobbing. All more than agreeable things.

"Sounds perfect, Ixis. Sounds like... Bein' what I'm meant to be."

[ixis]

Naugus sniffs. "Well, maybe Lawrence has sense yet. There's a whole host of options before having to resort to robotics. Craven, classless."

He smiles at Harrowheart's expected agreeableness. "Then we forge a contract. Here and now, and so long as you remain well in my service, your family shall not suffer under my watch or by my hand." He extends his hand, much like he'd done with greeting the family. But now his smile is less cordial and more predatory.

[westfallcorndog]

"And when they leave your land for good, I'm out. Unless this turns out to be a good gig. Who knows, I might stick around."

How convenient is it that he doesn't have to empty his arms of the supplies they're full of in order to bind himself to the service of a dark wizard. One of his floating handpaws grasps Naugus' hand with speed and confidence, and he gives it a sure shake. The deal is on.

[ixis]

Naugus nearly snatches his hand back when the escape clause is added, but there's no escaping floating paws. For that, it gets a particularly hard grip and he makes no attempt to be swift or hide the binding that takes place. The room actually darkens a few degrees and there's a tangible ZAP that shoots between their palms and somehow manages to race up Harrow's arm even with the separated wrist. Though this is nothing compared to the way Ixis Naugus' eyes light up. A malevolent and baleful red that crackles and wavers over his bared teeth.

And then, just like that, it's all gone. The mage gives Harrowheart a pat on the back. "Let's go see how your family is faring then, eh?"

[westfallcorndog]

That shock, that strange sensation of magic that travels less through his body and more through the spells that keep him animated? He's never felt anything like that before. His mouth and eyes open wide in surprise and he regains his senses just in time to catch the last crackles of Naugus' wicked eyes.

Hey, maybe that was a bad deal he just made!

Or maybe it doesn't matter. He's made worse choices, he's sure. And really, what's the worst that could happen? Could it be worse than anything he's already done in his unlife? It's only Naugus, after all, and this is the Nexus. Dubious though his morality may be, this is a safe enough place.

He's lost in thought when Naugus pats him and brings him back to his senses. He laughs uncomfortably and nods his head. His family is waiting, and they're the reason he agreed to this, after all.

Back with the family, everyone has long-ago finished their water. They sit in near-total silence, still worried from their experiences. Lawrence watches the direction his brother and the caster went and is the first to notice their arrival. He's quick on his feet and ready to take and distribute supplies.

With his arms unburdened he reverts to his human form in one quick, magical motion. The sight of the transformation somehow makes these skittish people more uneasy. It's just their son and brother, though. Isn't it? Just their dead family member tying his severed hands back to his wrists. Who would be unnerved by that.

"We can fix ourselves up, Naugus," he says, some lingering uncertainty in his voice. "If you wanna get some blankets or some cots ready? If... You got anything like that?"

[ixis]

Ixis Naugus, ever the gracious host, waves a hand and the crystal cups are once more refilled with water. Just in case anyone needs a second round of hydration. When Harrowheart transforms, the mage looks back and forth between the death knight and his uncomfortable family.

"I assume all the rest of you are part-time Mobians? I'm shocked still that your society appears intolerant of such a thing. Then again, maybe I can." You know how Overlanders are.

At the mention of cots and blankets, Naugus rasps a laugh. "I suppose your family isn't a fan of stone beds either. Perhaps a hurried trip to the Nexus shops is in order? Easily and swiftly done for someone who can become airborne with less than a thought, of course!" Before anyone can argue or wonder about that plan of action, a swirl of wind is gathered underneath the wizard, his cape snapping outright into the shape of dark bat wings. And WHOOSH, he's off, headed for the commercial area of the Nexus, intent on finding some bedding appropriate for people who don't appreciate absurdly firm sleeping surfaces.

[westfallcorndog]

Mrs. Harrow's Mom parts her lips to say something to the 'part-time Mobians' comment, but Ixis quickly goes back to running his mouth and then he fucks off into the air on his cape. She rests her head in her hand and spends a second looking disappointed before she takes a sip of her water.

Harrow joins his family sitting there on the ground. "Mobian means animal-person to him," he clarifies.

Some nod solemnly, others choose not to react. Anna focuses hard on her water, while Lawrence squints suspiciously at Harrowheart.

"We still love you," his mother insists quietly in the same instant that Lawrence says, "We hate you now." Mrs. Weatherhill stares in shock at her rude son, but the longer Lawrence stares at Harrow the more the two men start to smile. Harrow reaches out for a one-armed hug and gets a metal hand around his shoulder in return. The two share a quick and easy laugh even as the rest of the family shifts uncomfortably, unsure of how they really ought to feel.

As Lawrence side-eyes his brother with a familiar, very Harrow-like grin, he says, "You coulda told us, you know?"

Harrow smiles sadly and shakes his head. "Guess I figured some stuff is better kept secret, huh? We'll talk about it later," he assures everyone. "Just rest up a while, wait for Ixis Naugus to get back."

Silence briefly passes as people rub their wounded feet and drink their conjured water until Jacob looks up from his cup. "He's a weird one, ain't he?"

Harrow closes his eyes, resigned, and slowly nods.

Everyone else follows suit.

Verdict reached.