[open] as he climbs he dares to deliver the master stroke

[mollymocked]

Who: Mollymauk Tealeaf and whoever wants to join his shenanigans
When: Throughout March
Where: Various places
What: Influence threads!
Warnings: Self-harm if any threads get combative. I will warn accordingly.




a. baby light my fire

[So he's the wizard and the cleric now.

Molly doesn't enjoy doing things for free, even if he's one of the most generous persons around. There's a difference between throwing gold and silver at someone and then skipping off, and being asked (and a little bit expected to help with things for free, but he did agree to take up this bloody Jewel, and he supposes he should make good on an unspecified promise.

The heating spells are easy enough, as are the witchlights, which Molly has been inclined to play with to entertain the frightened and cold children. What he didn't expect was that due to a tiefling's natural body temperature, he is also a space heater in himself.

So there you are, minding your own business, checking on all these homes without power to see if anyone needs anything, and you find (1) tiefling in the dim light of the main room of a home with a pile of children using him as a pillow and the most unhappy look on his face. He mouths "help" very plaintively.]


b. shock it to me

[Molly has obtained more jobs in Draega than he has made up lies about his backstory and that's saying something. Admittedly, he took this one out of curiosity (Jon is that you??) and the hope for a possible fight, because between all of these odd jobs and stopping fires, he needs to do something with his restless hunter energy.

He's not a very smart person on a good day so giving someone who only seems to grasp Craft by accident a complicated task is a bad idea, but he is one hundred percent sure he has it down. Or at least assumes the person he's been partnered with does.]

Was it just me or did it seem like that Councilman could have explained this better? [He rubs his fingers together and then, very pointedly, presses his finger to the back of his partner's neck.

bzzt goes the tiny shock, because he just had to.]


c. dark knights

[Now this is about... half Molly's speed. Still a little more than he really wanted to be involved with, but the Council doing nothing rubs him raw and he's willing to help to be contrary at this point. If Fayura wasn't in a complicated position, she'd probably be fine with it.

Molly's set himself up on a corner, keeping an eye on people as they pass, his cards laid out in front of him as he tries to catch the eye of any passers-by, inviting them to have their fortunes told. Of course, it's all a distraction. The second he notices anything suspicious, he'll be on the prowl again, but for now hey evening Tarot readings.]

Comments

[mollymocked]

[Molly eyes Rhus over the top of the kid's head, while the kid tries to make himself physically smaller in order to just slip through their grasp. Molly feels the start of a shield start to emerge and he tamps down on that fast.] Did you just try to shield yourself?

[The boy's face has turned scarlet in frustration and rage, but he says something.] I think you did. It's a shame we're not landens or that might have actually worked. Is that what you want? An unfair fight?

[There's another tense moment and then the dam bursts and the boy spits, "They're putting the asshole who killed the Councilwoman up like a Warrior Prince. How many other landens d'you think are gonna get similar ideas once they realize they can get away with it?"

[verstoned]

Oho. [Now they're getting somewhere. And frankly, it's interesting to hear what the commonfolk think about the entire situation. Rhus cant exactly just sit amongst them and listen to what they have to say without arousing suspicion, not when he's the only Miqo'te in Draega.]

You think you know better'n the Queen, eh? The Queen, her First Circle, her Court, the Council, everyone else?

Wan' us to quote you on that? Spread the word an' say you were the one who started it? [And get the Blood male a new one ripped because he dared to question her like that?

Because that ripping would get bloody-- he'd bet just the Consort would be glad to do it himself, if the Master oF the Guard didn't beat him to it.]

[mollymocked]

[Now that the truth is out, the Blood just sulks like a child.] So... You're gonna go on a killing spree until they offer the kid's throat for you to slit personally?

[That's all Molly's got. Rhus seems to be handling the rest of it, but what he does do once Rhus has had his piece is cuff the kid hard on the back of his head.] You're an idiot. Go the fuck home and if Rhus and I catch you out here, we will give someone with a piss-poor temperament your description and see what they do about it.

[The Blood starts moving and Molly kicks him in the ass to make him stumble. The Blood picks up his pace and Molly calls after him.] Trust us. I'm like a fucking bloodhound. If you try this again, I will find you.

[He's halfway down the street before Molly doubles over laughing. Picking on jerks is fun.]

[verstoned]

No, no, that's not enough, Mollymauk-- [Rhus pats the tiefling on the shoulder, before pointing at the blood male.] You go do this again, I will come after you myself.

This greatsword is not for show.

[And once again his rough street accent has cleared a little more, as if he were noble born. Though it's not the threat of the blade that makes the Blood male scamper, perhaps. It's likely both Miqo'te and tiefling, really.

Should kill him, in any case. Prevention has always been better than reaction, has it not? That's not Rhus, but a thought from Fray sneaking into his mind as Molly starts laughing. And naturally it's a thought he pushes away quickly as he pats Molly on the shoulder again.]

Might like to breathe some time there.

[mollymocked]

[The accent shift doesn't go unnoticed even now, but Molly is still laughing his ass off too much to comment on it. He wheezes a little more until tears start to come out of the corner of his eyes and he finally, finally.]

What a little shit. They're so bloody tough until they meet someone stronger. Oh gods, that was fun. [He claps Rhus on the shoulder.] Nice bit with the accent, by the way. I have a friend who does that. Really sells the intimidation.

[He will not think about Fjord in chains in the back of a cart. He will focus on the good and the good only.]

[verstoned]

[It wasn't exactly intentional but... well, it worked. Rhus tends to forget that language is irrelevant here, and sometimes reverts to his old, disliked speech patterns. Even after years of having left that behind, old habits die hard.]

'S all 'bout doin' the unexpected. Keeps 'em on their toes, y'know.

Makin' people underestimate you an' then spring it.

[Babbling. He might need to be shut up before he says more shite.]

[mollymocked]

That is exactly how I operate. We should do this more often. [And not just because Molly hates being alone and can barely function alone and can't work without anyone to accompany him. No, they clearly mesh well.]

Not specifically scaring little shits, but y'know... Making sure things stay honest around here. Keep the chaos to a friendly, life-affirming level.

[verstoned]

[Rhus digs his pipe out from where he stored it earlier as they began hunting, and reignites the strands of dried weed inside with Craft. But he doesn't puff on it, not just yet.]

I thought that's exactly how we keep the chaos right an' proper 'round here-- scarin' the souls outta the idiots.

[mollymocked]

You know what? That's a fair point. [He wheezes out another giggle.] Gods, I'm coming to love this place. I wish I could travel a little further before I gain too much of a reputation here, but the place itself is shaping up to be exciting. I might just have to learn to love a reputation.

[verstoned]

Oh? [Travel... well, it's a thought, isn't it? Rhus enjoys travel, but at the same time he cant when there's no other place for him to go, and he has to stay here in case something happens-- and he's still so sure that a war may break out.

Things tend to head that way often.]

You need to build it first. [Rhus pokes at Molly's shoulder for emphasis.] And we only just did one thing.

[mollymocked]

[Molly's response to being poked on the shoulder is to flick Rhus in the ear lightly.] Look around! We've got a reputation by being the Chosen of the Queen or whatever the fuck they whisper about us. We didn't even have to do anything at all and people expect things out of us.

[verstoned]

[In response to his ear being flicked, Rhus turns his head in the direction of Molly's hand and snaps his sharp teeth. If he were serious about biting however, he would have connected with flesh and drawn blood already.]

An' I'm sayin' that we 'ave to build it ourselves, 'specially if it would be something you would like. I don' think they know much o' us to figure how to think 'bout us.

[mollymocked]

That's fair. [Molly bares his own sharp teeth back in a friendly, playful grin.] We still deserve drinks, and if there's any more gossip to be had about these arseholes, maybe we'll find it in the pub.

[verstoned]

Are you askin' me out to a drink then? [Rhus raising an eyebrow-- both, really, but given how heavily covered the other one is by his fringe, only the left can be seen raising.]

'Cause I refuse to pay if you are.

[mollymocked]

I wasn't gonna make you. You helped me out here- you deserve a round. And I always treat my friends.

[And then he winks. Because he's that person.]

[verstoned]

Aye, well then. [Rhus doesn't find any issue with that, given circumstances. He's not so guarded or even overly cautious that he wont have a drink after something like that.

A victory is a victory, even if what they'd just done was scare the piss out of some young fool.]

I accept-- but I do drink a lot if allowed to keep goin'.

[mollymocked]

I don't spent my money on anything but good drink, good food, and good companionship, give or take a few things that catch my eye.

[He's a simple carnie with simple tastes.] So we'll see who can drink who under the fucking table.

[verstoned]

[Paying for "good companionship"... Maybe that means what Rhus thinks it means, maybe Molly is simply speaking of just spending time with someone he considers a close friend, somewhere that requires using up some coin.]

I'll not take that bet, thanks. [Rhus holds his drink rather well, but he's never been in that sort of competition.]