ioduanlogs | I was born with lightning in my heels

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I was born with lightning in my heels | March Catchall

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker, and you!
Date: Throughout March
Location: Around Aifaran
Situation: Pepper and Devin are getting used to their new jobs. Pepper has an encounter with building materials, goes on patrol, and walks into a bad neighborhood. Devin deals with some personal issues and gets followed around by a pack of inan.
Warnings/Rating: None yet, will add as needed

A. [Pepper] Verdant Sentry - Justice 5 | Open

Pepper has been dutifully studying and basically trying to be the absolute best recruit possible (she may be trying to skip a few steps in this process given her existing skills), and has apparently had a reasonably good impression. They're not letting her run the place yet, but some members of the Sentry have asked her to describe the legal system back home. Apparently, they're intrigued enough that they take her on a few patrols and ask her what police would do, on at least one occasion she's out and about with them wearing the Rescue armor.

B. [Pepper] Sci-Tech 1 | Open

As cool as flying is to get to know the city, it's important to explore on the ground level, too. Pepper is exploring an area where some construction is ongoing. This is normal, for her. New York City almost always had some sort of construction going on, and the scaffolding is a familiar sight. The sudden alarmed yelling as she walks underneath it, however, is new. Before she even has time to properly process what's happening, her ka appears in front of her. The Knight catches the large hammer that threatened to land on Pepper's head, and is shooting an annoyed look at the workmen above them.

C. [Pepper] Crime 1 | Open

Apparently, this is not a great place to wander into. She's on the outskirts of the city as dusk is falling, and Pepper has a very certain sense of being watched and possibly even followed. Perhaps counter to expectation, she is not all that worried. The dagger Solomon gave her is in her boot, Vee is but a thought away, and she's got enough training to be hard to handle. The utter lack of concern on her part appears to have hooked an actual tail, but she doesn't increase her pace.

D. [Devin] Dreaming Bridge | Leo

Most of the time when Devin is not working at the Academy library, he's either in his room or somewhere else quiet where he can read and remain mostly undisturbed. He's not avoiding people per se, but he's not being particularly social, either. The incident with Trahearne and Klaus is still weighing on him. As a result, the vampire is sometimes less antagonistic than he was last month - although sometimes more. Today is one of those days when his roommates are gone long enough that he can have a little peace and quiet, and therefore is probably in a reasonable mood.

E. [Devin] Somewhere Serving Classy Alcohol | Klaus

While Devin can't really afford the amount of alcohol required to get drunk, he does enjoy the flavor of good liquor and isn't opposed to savoring it from time to time. Recent events have certainly been enough to want to take the edge off things, but even if he can't Devin tends to like the atmosphere of older, well-established bars. The lighting is warm, and there's a small booth in a corner that Devin claims so he can see most of the establishment while he sips at a dark, amber-colored drink.

F. [Devin] Metaphysics 3 | Open

He's going to complain to Leo about this. After the young man foisted the cat-like creature on him and refused to take no for an answer, Devin has had to figure out how to be a pet owner. This meant, predictably, a lot of research, and since the inan displays a reasonable amount of intelligence, Devin decides to start training it. He's in one of the city parks working on getting it to come when called when suddenly there's a small pack of the things that seem to want to use Devin as their own personal jungle gym. The vampire is baffled, but he allows the attention and even carefully tries to return it when they let him. One does nip at him, but it's too gentle to break skin, and Devin actually laughs.

(OOC: Let me know if you want a starter or feel free to write your own!)

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In his observations, Devin has been adjusting his opinion of Fitz. To see a man of royal blood so comfortable with getting his hands in the soil gave him pause. Perhaps he is more grounded than Devin suspects.

Best to test that theory anyway.

"That remains to be seen," the vampire replies, eyeing the other man from head to toe. "I'm looking into the unwelcome attention the Fool has been receiving. I understand you're close?"

Fitz keeps his expression very bland as the man looks him over. It flickers for a moment when he mentions the Fool, however, but he quickly smooths it once more. This must be 'Devin Parker'. He begins storing away tiny observations of his own based on how the other man moves, how he speaks, how he assesses Fitz. Best to keep his more public facade in place until he has some idea of who this man really is and what he wants.

(Besides, as he hears Kettricken's voice advise him tartly, it is at least within the realms of the possible that Devin will turn out to be someone he can trust, at least a little.)

"Indeed," he says mildly. "I hope you're able to assist him in this. Whatever happened must have been unpleasant."

They are a bit like wolves sizing each other up, aren't they? One hopes that keeping the Fool's best interest in mind will also keep them from being at cross purposes.

That was remarkably little reaction from a man whom the Fool claims to love, which only adds to Devin's puzzlement about their relationship. Things must be quite complicated between them.

He raises his eyebrows. "You've seen his face, Fitz. He was assaulted. 'Unpleasant' is an understatement." His tone is almost scolding, like he can't quite believe Fitz would take this so lightly. "I'm working on finding those responsible and politely informing them that any further action against him would be extremely ill-advised." His eyes narrow slightly. "And I want to make sure you don't do anything exceptionally stupid to jeopardize that."

It would be nice. Fitz could certainly use other friends, especially people who care about the Fool.

Fitz isn't about to show a great deal of reaction to this man, and he thinks that perhaps Devin isn't aware of just how much the Fool has been through previously... or just how much the Fool made it plain that he does not wish Fitz's interference. It is not that the Fool's current wounds are nothing and Fitz does not care; far from it. But compared to finding him tortured to death, finding him bruised and battered was not so very bad.

'Complicated' is not incorrect.

Fitz keeps his expression mild with an effort, but his eyes flicker at the last line. "If I can assist you, let me know," he says stiffly.

It is true that Devin doesn't know much about the Fool's past, but he does know the look of trauma that has been etched into a person time after time. The Fool's reaction to this incident was not lost on Devin; some wounds don't heal.

Fitz is fighting to maintain his composure, which speaks well of him, but the comparative ease in drawing those minute responses out. He does have some advantages in that regard, though, and he'll keep those in consideration as they continue to speak.

"Alright. Start by telling me what you would do if you knew who had come after the Fool," he prompts, folding his arms across his chest.

Fitz would assist, if he could. He's not unaware of the depths to which trauma can affect a person, not after his own torture and death years ago. He... is finding it very difficult to not go to the Fool constantly, yet he cannot crowd him. If he has learned one thing about the Fool in the decades of their friendship, it is that. He cannot force the Fool's company. Even when he's managed to not say something glaringly stupid, he cannot force it.

Fitz's eyebrows draw down over his nose. This man is not in authority over him, and he owes him no loyalty.

For the Fool's sake, however.

"Assess the situation. Find out why, when, who else was involved. Who benefits." There. Simple enough, and not betraying his own years of experience as an assassin.

Privately, Devin is grateful to see that Fitz has enough sense to investigate before charging in like a bull. He's being unfair on purpose to the man, and his quarry's responses are tentatively encouraging. Fitz has some experience with this. Later, he may apologize for pushing him this way.

"And if you discover there is a network of people involved, well beyond the Fool's circumstances?" Devin steps closer, verging on invading his personal space. There is a challenge his tone. "Do you start with the underlings or go straight to the top? When do you strike?"

Fitz stiffens, but stands his ground. There is a fight here. He knows not why.

"Why are you so very interested in my judgement, when all I have regarding the situation is these few paltry facts from you, and the Fool requesting my noninvolvement?" he says, and there is fire licking at the edges of his tone. "I have no wish for you to test me, and this conversation nears its end."

So, the man is smart. Good. This is not nearly the worst that Devin could bring to bear in taking a measure of Fitz's patience and temper, but it's more subtle than the people going after the Fool may be. He knows enough about Fitz to prod at potential wounds.

"People are going to test you whether you like it or not, Fitz," Devin points out, keeping his voice level and his posture relaxed. "Particularly the kind of people that want you to make mistakes to their advantage. I'm interested in your judgement because I want to know if you can look at this situation objectively, and whether you can stay that way when someone gets in your face. A blind man could see how much you care. You're involved, full stop. How you're involved is up to you, if you can keep from doing something rash. I don't need you to like me; I need to have full confidence in your restraint if I take you into a room where some cretin is bragging about leaving your friend battered in an alley."

He looks away with a sigh, relenting a little and taking a step back. "It's fine if you can't keep a level head, and perhaps asking you to try is pointless. But you have to be honest about that, if you truly want to help."

This person is an odd mixture of knowledge and complete lack of it about Fitz. Fitz has been tested in various ways for large portions of his life.

He stays silent about that, however, letting Devin talk.

"I have my reasons for wishing the Fool well, and you are aware of some of those," he says in the end. "I have no reason to know why I should accept your authority, or why you wish to insult me quite so thoroughly before asking me to do so. I doubt very much that if I approached you with a similar attitude, that you would gladly fall under my command."

A short nod, and he hefts his small bag over his shoulder.

"Good day."

Devin allows himself a private smile when Fitz turns his back, amused. The man is sharp, and not afraid to voice his opinions. Both are qualities Devin likes. The Fool is his obvious weak point, and one Devin can leverage against-- but there's only so much needling that's necessary.

He closes the gap between them in an instant, falling into step beside his quarry. His tone is pleasant. "You're right, I probably wouldn't; although my first commanding officer took some pleasure in barking insults and orders millimeters from our faces, but you follow who you're told to follow in Her Majesty's army."

The vampire shrugs. "I'm of the opinion, Fitz, that in highly charged situations it is words and reason that are most likely to get you out safely. Most people are trained with weapons, not wit." Devin is utterly unaware of the pun he's just made. "I can learn far more about you from your ability to withstand a tongue-lashing than a physical one, and in far less time than earning each other's trust will take."

Fitz sighs as Devin catches up with him.

He stops, and turns, offering a hand to shake if Devin wishes. He will not give this man everything, but he will give him truth as far as it goes. He owes the Fool at least that much. How Devin responds to this will tell him a great deal.

"My name is FitzChivalry Farseer. I have some skills in various areas, including combat, and basic healing. I am a royal bastard, with no claim to the Farseer throne. I have been the Fool's friend for many, many years, in our joint efforts to serve the throne. Here, I am attempting to find a way back to the Six Duchies, and to help the Fool."

Devin definitely isn't expecting that, and his eyebrows have risen slightly. He likes the bluntness with which Fitz is tackling this problem; it lacks the sharp edge Devin usually brings with him, but gets a point across all the same.

So it's with a wry smile that he takes the offered hand and shakes it. His skin temperature is markedly cooler than humans, being undead. "Devin Parker, vampire elder. Professional vampire hunter, basic field medic, and currently a librarian since my usual day job has no purpose here." He's not opposed to letting Fitz know he hunts his own kind; he has many good reasons for it. "The Fool wants the both of you to be safe--," Not to mention the fate of the world to remain secure and uninterrupted by matters of Prophet and Catalyst. "--and that's what I'm trying to make sure of. I believe we are on approximately the same side, in that case."

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I was born with lightning in my heels | March Catchall

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