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

[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.