![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
As Xie Lian is pretty sure Jacob expected, after talking with Arthur, Xie Lian goes looking for the other half of the merry duo.
Jacob's in a common room, finishing his drink in his flask. He's got his feet propped up on the table. The television is off, but he's scrolling through pictures on his phone.
[A very sarcastic:] Yes, sir.
[But he does show up a few minutes later, knocking at the door.]
[But he does show up a few minutes later, knocking at the door.]
From here...
She smells like the waterfall; he bets she tastes fresh as that water, too. He brings her close, an arm around her waist, and brushes a kiss along her shoulder as he debates. After a moment's thought, he decides that he really doesn't want to fucking wait it out any longer than this.
"We aren't going anywhere, sunshine," he laughs, turning to press her up against a nearby tree, sliding one hand down along her thigh. "I thought I might kiss you a while here. Get you out of that bikini..."
He's not thinking of the Barge at the moment or Eden's Gate or any of the other myriad of problems that plague his mind from day to day. He's thinking solely of her face, those lips, those legs - the loveliest of distractions, all rolled into this beautiful little package.
"And we'll go from there."
She smells like the waterfall; he bets she tastes fresh as that water, too. He brings her close, an arm around her waist, and brushes a kiss along her shoulder as he debates. After a moment's thought, he decides that he really doesn't want to fucking wait it out any longer than this.
"We aren't going anywhere, sunshine," he laughs, turning to press her up against a nearby tree, sliding one hand down along her thigh. "I thought I might kiss you a while here. Get you out of that bikini..."
He's not thinking of the Barge at the moment or Eden's Gate or any of the other myriad of problems that plague his mind from day to day. He's thinking solely of her face, those lips, those legs - the loveliest of distractions, all rolled into this beautiful little package.
"And we'll go from there."
The sensation of having his lips on an area that isn't normally exposed gets her stomach swirling in excitement. Her other hand travels up his muscular arm and stops on his bicep while the other reaches around and smooths down the curve of one ass cheek. She breathes in a shaky breath, wanting more than anything to feel that hand further inward, but relishing in the build-up.
Laura turns her face towards his, grazing lips against his neck before speaking against his ear. "Take all the time you want," she tells him. "I'm all yours."
Laura turns her face towards his, grazing lips against his neck before speaking against his ear. "Take all the time you want," she tells him. "I'm all yours."
Hey. [He's relatively blunt about things.]
Lark invited me on yer hunt. That a'right by you? I don't wanna be steppin' in anywhere I don't b'long.
Lark invited me on yer hunt. That a'right by you? I don't wanna be steppin' in anywhere I don't b'long.
Yeah. Prefer to have your face there, if I'm honest.
[After Norton receives a file on Jacob, he reads it immediately, scribbling some notes in the margins, and then locks it away in the steamer truck at the foot of his bed. It's a quick task since he already knew all the broad strokes, but there were certainly a few new details and he now feels a bit funny about joking with Zhao Yunlan about cannibalism a few days ago. But he sets all that aside and calls Jacob on the communicator.]
Goodness me, we meet again.
By which I mean we're paired again. Permanently this time. Care to join me in my cabin?
Goodness me, we meet again.
By which I mean we're paired again. Permanently this time. Care to join me in my cabin?
[Fucking hell. He heard the announcement himself and immediately wanted to throw everything around his room in a fit of rage. But Mae's there, the cage is there, and he really doesn't need this shit.
Of all the goddamn wardens, it had to be this one? He doesn't know how he feels about it, or if it makes it better or worse. And after he reads that file - no. He didn't want this.]
Fine. I'm bringing Mae.
[He throws on his jacket and walks the dog over to Norton's cabin, giving two quick knocks.]
Of all the goddamn wardens, it had to be this one? He doesn't know how he feels about it, or if it makes it better or worse. And after he reads that file - no. He didn't want this.]
Fine. I'm bringing Mae.
[He throws on his jacket and walks the dog over to Norton's cabin, giving two quick knocks.]
[From here.]
Jacob notices movement out of the corner of his eye around the same time he notices that his 'assailant' isn't hitting back. Resisting, yes, but he doesn't need to block and he doesn't feel the sharp blows.
It takes him two more hits before the tunnel vision retreats and he can breathe.
He slumps against the wall, confused and disoriented, trying to pull back from him.
Jacob notices movement out of the corner of his eye around the same time he notices that his 'assailant' isn't hitting back. Resisting, yes, but he doesn't need to block and he doesn't feel the sharp blows.
It takes him two more hits before the tunnel vision retreats and he can breathe.
He slumps against the wall, confused and disoriented, trying to pull back from him.
[personal profile] verynormalturnipseller
Wen Ning releases one hand. He's willing to let the other go if this calm continues to take root, but he's not confident enough to give up all his leverage. Jacob knows what he's doing, even if Wen Ning doesn't recognize the techniques.
He does wonder if he's looking at some form of qi deviation. He'll ask once he's more certain.
It's his doctor's voice that emerges, trained into him with all the other family techniques, cool and even and precise. "Hello, how're you now?" As if the man just walked into the clinic at Dafan.
Wen Ning releases one hand. He's willing to let the other go if this calm continues to take root, but he's not confident enough to give up all his leverage. Jacob knows what he's doing, even if Wen Ning doesn't recognize the techniques.
He does wonder if he's looking at some form of qi deviation. He'll ask once he's more certain.
It's his doctor's voice that emerges, trained into him with all the other family techniques, cool and even and precise. "Hello, how're you now?" As if the man just walked into the clinic at Dafan.
[ it's after her quick chat with steve that she decides to message jacob, too. their practically brothers -- he has a right to know. ]
sweeney was one of the victims of that fucking vampire. almost drained him. he's alive but just barely.
sweeney was one of the victims of that fucking vampire. almost drained him. he's alive but just barely.
fucking vampires
he healing on his own or is someone doing it for him?
he healing on his own or is someone doing it for him?
[Abel had come back standing in front of his bathroom mirror. They had been writing back and forth, the equivalent of bitchy text messages back and forth, but what was written there made his heart catch in his throat. 'You never said he was fucking crazy, watch your ba-' And even if he hadn't gotten to finish it, Abel knew exactly who he was talking about.
God dammit Cain. Why did he always have to take things too far? Why did he always have to ruin everything? He's trying to calm himself down, but when he manages to get this message out it's clear that he hasn't completely succeeded. He's angry sure, but there is a deep seated worry on his face. This isnt just going to go away.]
I don't know what he did, but I never asked him to do anything to you. I know you have no reason to believe me, but- [He keeps himself from calling Cain a wild animal because he is sure that wouldn't help.] Im sorry.
[What else could he say? He's positive nothing is going to fix this, but maybe he needs to call Norton again as soon as he finds out what even happened.]
God dammit Cain. Why did he always have to take things too far? Why did he always have to ruin everything? He's trying to calm himself down, but when he manages to get this message out it's clear that he hasn't completely succeeded. He's angry sure, but there is a deep seated worry on his face. This isnt just going to go away.]
I don't know what he did, but I never asked him to do anything to you. I know you have no reason to believe me, but- [He keeps himself from calling Cain a wild animal because he is sure that wouldn't help.] Im sorry.
[What else could he say? He's positive nothing is going to fix this, but maybe he needs to call Norton again as soon as he finds out what even happened.]
Edited 2024-06-12 18:33 (UTC)
I know you didn't.
[That's not how these types work. Jacob knows these types. Jacob is these types.]
Your apology doesn't mean shit.
[That's not how these types work. Jacob knows these types. Jacob is these types.]
Your apology doesn't mean shit.
[Norton is alerted as soon as Jacob is killed. He double-checks the location on his warden item and then teleports there, grabs Jacob by whatever body part is closest, and then immediately teleports out. Whatever managed to kill Jacob, Norton doesn't want to be anywhere in its vicinity if he can help it.
He takes Jacob to Norton's cabin, where he knows its safe, requests the Admiral to resurrect him, and then waits.]
He takes Jacob to Norton's cabin, where he knows its safe, requests the Admiral to resurrect him, and then waits.]
Edited 2024-06-12 20:56 (UTC)
[Jacob wakes, but doesn't actually wake. He sleeps, he dozes, he turns over in the unfamiliar space, and he doesn't open his eyes until he absolutely needs to. It's a mixture of conserving his strength and preventing the inevitable. He did not want to wake up. He did not want to do anything other than fade into oblivion. If he keeps his eyes closed long enough, oblivion might come.
It doesn't. Instead, he opens his eyes to Norton's cabin and groans.]
Why did you bring me here?
It doesn't. Instead, he opens his eyes to Norton's cabin and groans.]
Why did you bring me here?
Sweeney leaves a box with a simple silver chain necklace, along with a note.
This should protect you from Eric biting you.
He also hates the smell of garlic.
He's vulnerable to silver weapons, I just don't know how much.
guess it doesnt work on all vampires
[Astarion is slowly, painfully making his way down the list of the people he feels an acute need to get in touch with. Rosita - who is, to his knowledge, still a vampire spawn - was first. Jacob is next. And honestly that's the entire list.]
You really didn't need to tell him to fuck off, you know.
[But he did. And Cazador killed him, effortlessly, and it accomplished nothing. Astarion should just be annoyed at him for the waste of effort. Instead, he feels frustrated, confused, and...grateful?]
i'll just come right out and ask
did you have anything to do with that guys death?
[ sure there's plenty of people dying on the barge, but abel is the only death that's happened today. ]
did you have anything to do with that guys death?
[ sure there's plenty of people dying on the barge, but abel is the only death that's happened today. ]
[He's going to get caught eventually. Norton's too clever and Malcolm's seen too much already. It was the worst combination of fucking events, but Jacob feels - strangely free about it.]
i warned him
i warned him
[Shortly after all this, once Hilbert is settled in Zero, Norton goes to find Jacob. He's not the only suspect, there are too many people on the Barge happy to cause chaos and death entirely at random for that, but he has both motive and means. What Norton doesn't know is if he had opportunity to acquire the things he would have needed to brainwash Hilbert.
If Jacob is outside his cabin, Norton will abruptly teleport in front of him. If he's inside his cabin, he'll whoosh right outside and knock.]
If Jacob is outside his cabin, Norton will abruptly teleport in front of him. If he's inside his cabin, he'll whoosh right outside and knock.]
[Jacob is on deck and when Norton just appears, he jumps back with a startled cry, dropping his cigarette as he reaches for the gun on his belt.
When he realizes who it is, he stops. He know what this is.]
Jesus Christ, Norton.
When he realizes who it is, he stops. He know what this is.]
Jesus Christ, Norton.
What the actual hell? You enthralled Hilbert?
[This is probably ill-advised, but Abel feels its entirely necessary. He'd like to do it in person regardless of the slowly tapering Death Toll, and the forced down time is enough to drive him half crazy in his own head, but it's given him even more time to think. Know your enemy indeed.]
You and I need to talk. It doesn't have to be now, but this isn't going to be something you and I can avoid.
Let me know when you're available, or don't. I'll find you if you put this off too long.
You and I need to talk. It doesn't have to be now, but this isn't going to be something you and I can avoid.
Let me know when you're available, or don't. I'll find you if you put this off too long.
There is a knock on the door when he's reasonably certain Jacob is in.
Of course he's in. There's nowhere else for him to go.
He sighs, pulling open the door, Mae by his feet.
"Hey Father," he mutters.
He sighs, pulling open the door, Mae by his feet.
"Hey Father," he mutters.
[He makes sure that the communicator is on so that Norton can hear his annoyed groan. But he will let him in. Mae will be happy to see him, at least.]
[A laugh.]
Someone wanting to start shit and I was happy to play along.
[He switches to video and shows him the note that was pushed under his door.]
Someone wanting to start shit and I was happy to play along.
[He switches to video and shows him the note that was pushed under his door.]
[He's sat on this since the moment he'd seen Cain on deck, but it's still worrying him despite having not heard anything concerning just yet. That and he feels like speaking with him again might give him a better idea of what he'd only realized the other day. That and being stuck in so many places, moving forward on one just feels better, even if he isn't sure how this conversation is going to go.]
Do you have a minute? I won't take up much of your time, I just wanted to clarify a few things.
Do you have a minute? I won't take up much of your time, I just wanted to clarify a few things.
[He sends him a video of his stitched up arm and hand, no longer bleeding.
They will make very cool scars.]
They will make very cool scars.]
"Let's get a bed under us first," Astarion teases, a predictably filthy joke, though he moves back just enough to let Jacob do what he has to do.
He missed this. The thought hits him unexpectedly - it really hasn't been that long, but it's true. He missed the ease of just...being with him, in every way they want to be. Enjoying each other without fretting over crossed lines.
He steps into the room as soon as he can, following Jacob and closing the door behind them.
Jacob keeps the lights dimmed but not off, placing his gun on the desk.
"You can make a dirty joke out of anything," he remarks, unlacing his boots. He wasn't expecting this at all, so it's not as if he dressed for the occasion.
Still, there's something he finds comfortable about the whole thing. He kicks them off by the door and reaches for him again. "Don't know how I'm getting you out of those pants. They're fucking painted on or whatever."
"You can make a dirty joke out of anything," he remarks, unlacing his boots. He wasn't expecting this at all, so it's not as if he dressed for the occasion.
Still, there's something he finds comfortable about the whole thing. He kicks them off by the door and reaches for him again. "Don't know how I'm getting you out of those pants. They're fucking painted on or whatever."
[NSFW continuation from this thread!]
"Good," Astarion sighs, voice low and thick with pleasure now. He's getting harder under the warm weight of Jacob's hand. "That's what I want. I want to be the only thing you can think of, right now."
"Ain't just right now."
He doesn't stop his hand, his other arm still protectively around him.
"You're always a goddamn distraction."
He doesn't stop his hand, his other arm still protectively around him.
"You're always a goddamn distraction."
You wanna talk about it?
Or drink?
Something else?
[Sweeney considers offering Jacob space, but he assumes his brother will tell him if that's what he wants.]
Or drink?
Something else?
[Sweeney considers offering Jacob space, but he assumes his brother will tell him if that's what he wants.]
Ain't nothing to talk about.
But I could use a goddamn drink.
I've got some shit squirreled away.
But I could use a goddamn drink.
I've got some shit squirreled away.
Page 1 of 2