Evan was too focused on getting to the infirmary tent to register Xavier's wave. Or, maybe he did register it on some level, but admittedly didn't want to think about the lieutenant at the immediate moment, much less risk encouraging him to approach. He was well aware he'd need to talk to Xavier at some point today, but there were a couple other things to deal with first. Whatever part of his brain did register the wave summarily dismissed it as information the rest of his brain didn't currently have capacity to handle.
As it was, the captain was relieved to make it to the infirmary tent without having run into Mizu along the way. He ducked into the tent a little hastily, and then cast his gaze expectantly over the fallen soldiers.
And, thank the gods, one of them was in fact awake.
A bright, elated smile absolutely lit up Evan's face, and he shifted his weight into a more comfortable position, one hand moving to rest on his hip just a touch victoriously. Whatever air of tiredness he'd still had before was officially sloughed off; he'd successfully negotiated up with the fucking Demon Queen, and that was just about one of the most energizing thoughts he'd ever encoutered.
"Welcome back, soldier."
Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Moderator: On Dreams And Desire
Re: Part 1
It took awhile for Trevor to register that he was, in fact, back in the army camp. Looking at the other soldiers and the infirmary healers, not to mention the uncomfortable-as-fuck standard-issue military cot, finally helped the scene coalesce in his brain. He tried to sit up in bed and found that all his muscles were sore. It was as though he had been kicked by a horse. It only took him one more try to sit up, however, despite the incredible strain it caused his muscles. He threw his legs off the bed--this time with a loud groan--but goddamn his body was going to work. It was then that Trevor reached up to the place where his neck and his shoulder met with one hand and winced audibly. Pulling his hand away, he realized it came away with thick, partly congealed blood. So, at least that part was real, then. Despite how much stinging it caused, Trevor ran his finger over the wound and confirmed that, yes, it was a bite mark. Fuck.
And that was when one of the captains walked in. Trevor hadn't bothered to remember his name, but the captain appeared to be addressing Trevor.
"Yeah," Trevor responded, rubbing the blood on his hand and fingers across his black pants. "How long was I out?" He looked up at Evan with a squint, his dark blue eyes unused to the light.
And that was when one of the captains walked in. Trevor hadn't bothered to remember his name, but the captain appeared to be addressing Trevor.
"Yeah," Trevor responded, rubbing the blood on his hand and fingers across his black pants. "How long was I out?" He looked up at Evan with a squint, his dark blue eyes unused to the light.
Re: Part 1
Evan's eyes watched the soldier's hand curiously, his smile fading just slightly when he registered that it was blood the soldier was wiping off, which was somewhat alarming on its own. It was both relieving and... oddly frustrating, when he put together exactly where the blood seemed to have come from. The captain pivoted slightly, aiming to diminish the soldier's line of sight to the bite on his own neck, but hopefully without drawing attention to it.
Evan had to glance briefly at the other soldiers to confirm which one this was, in order to answer the soldier's question. The young black-haired one started this whole mess; followed by Blake's insufferable goodie-two-shoes lieutenant (haaaaaaah, Evan had all sorts of new feelings about that now that he knew what the fuck was going on); followed by, yeah, not this one. Evan didn't know the third soldier, but he sure as fuck wasn't forgetting his face anytime soon. So, this must have been the other soldier from the previous night. Good news for him.
"Bout a day and a half. How're you feeling?"
Evan had to glance briefly at the other soldiers to confirm which one this was, in order to answer the soldier's question. The young black-haired one started this whole mess; followed by Blake's insufferable goodie-two-shoes lieutenant (haaaaaaah, Evan had all sorts of new feelings about that now that he knew what the fuck was going on); followed by, yeah, not this one. Evan didn't know the third soldier, but he sure as fuck wasn't forgetting his face anytime soon. So, this must have been the other soldier from the previous night. Good news for him.
"Bout a day and a half. How're you feeling?"
Re: Part 1
Trevor scoffed softly as he placed his hands firmly on his thighs. "Like, shit, honestly. Everything hurts." He wasn't about to go into why, though. Instead of going into more detail, Trevor looked around and remembered that these were the men who had succumbed to the night attacks. Fuck, that's what happened? He had to chuckle a little at that, especially looking at the little one. Wait...
"Why aren't the others awake yet?" It was the first time Trevor had seriously met the captain's eyes, and Trevor registered that the captain was standing at an awkward slant. Well, whatever, but Trevor's expression still became more inquisitive than adversarial.
"Why aren't the others awake yet?" It was the first time Trevor had seriously met the captain's eyes, and Trevor registered that the captain was standing at an awkward slant. Well, whatever, but Trevor's expression still became more inquisitive than adversarial.
Re: Part 1
Admittedly, Evan had only made this stop intending to get information, and he hadn't given any thought as to what information he might give. Now that he was being asked questions, though, he didn't want to dodge them. A part of him wanted desperately to brag - that he had won the soldier's freedom, by seducing the Demon Queen, no less - but he very much thought better of it, for numerous reasons. His eyes narrowed slightly as he puzzled for a brief moment on how to reply, though his smile remained steady and confident.
"We've identified the cause of the attacks, and are making progress on curbing their effects. The others should come 'round in the next couple days."
Hm. Was that keeping the soldier too in the dark? Normally Evan liked to be pretty forthcoming with information - especially about things that affected a given soldier directly, as this certainly did. But he wasn't sure how much the soldier knew about his own experience, and now wasn't the time to get into any long-winded explanations if those would be needed. He recognized that he really did owe it to Mizu to get to her sooner rather than later. Perhaps...
"I'm on my way to talk to the commander now to discuss the situation in further detail; you're welcome to come with, if you're feeling up to it."
On some level, he wasn't keen on inviting any more people into that conversation than absolutely had to be there, but on another level, it sounded pretty fucking appealing to approach Mizu with an immediately-present "Look, I already accomplished a thing!" piece of evidence by his side. Plus, it might save time conveying relevant information to both Mizu and this soldier at the same time. And if Evan and Mizu needed to speak privately, the soldier could always be dismissed. Yeah, here was hoping extending the invitation was the right call.
"We've identified the cause of the attacks, and are making progress on curbing their effects. The others should come 'round in the next couple days."
Hm. Was that keeping the soldier too in the dark? Normally Evan liked to be pretty forthcoming with information - especially about things that affected a given soldier directly, as this certainly did. But he wasn't sure how much the soldier knew about his own experience, and now wasn't the time to get into any long-winded explanations if those would be needed. He recognized that he really did owe it to Mizu to get to her sooner rather than later. Perhaps...
"I'm on my way to talk to the commander now to discuss the situation in further detail; you're welcome to come with, if you're feeling up to it."
On some level, he wasn't keen on inviting any more people into that conversation than absolutely had to be there, but on another level, it sounded pretty fucking appealing to approach Mizu with an immediately-present "Look, I already accomplished a thing!" piece of evidence by his side. Plus, it might save time conveying relevant information to both Mizu and this soldier at the same time. And if Evan and Mizu needed to speak privately, the soldier could always be dismissed. Yeah, here was hoping extending the invitation was the right call.
Re: Part 1
Trevor was genuinely surprised at the offer to come speak to the commander. Had he ever been present for a private audience with Mizu before? Trevor didn't think so, not in the three years he had been part of her section of the army. He felt like he wanted desperately to wash off somehow, and looking around, he did see a washbasin with some fresh water in it. Trevor stood from the bed--not an easy feat for certain--and did his best to walk normally though every part of him was stiff and aching.
Without regard for whether the healers would need the water for something else, Trevor dipped his hands in and splashed his face several times, catching some of the water in his short black hair before wiping the water from his face. He wanted to wash his groin as well, but he wasn't about to stick his hands in his pants with one of the captains present. Another time, then. Hopefully he could wander off sometime later and find a stream to do a better job, but for now, this would have to do.
"Yeah, I'll come along. Not sure I'll be able to add to the conversation, but I would appreciate a better understanding of what's going on." Trevor paused, debating whether to add this last bit. "At the very least, it seems like the myths about..." he was about to say her name but paused and nearly doubled over, remembering viscerally how much he had wanted her touch and feeling for the first time what an incredible loss it was to be outside of her presence. Now there was a new ache that ran all the way through his torso, not to mention a nausea that nearly made him sick. It made him want to say her name even more, though. Fuck if he was going to let her potent fucking magic continue to have an effect on him. Through gritted teeth, he straightened and said it, each syllable its own word because of the strain: "...Dehaljadrun..." And hearing the name in his own voice made his body react even further, the ache intensifying. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to be back with her.
"...are true. Fuuuuuck." Trevor finally finished, a little embarrassed that he was having this experience in front of a figure of authority. Clearly, he should avoid even thinking her name while he attended the audience with the commander. Still, he was ready to go now and felt at least slightly more presentable.
Without regard for whether the healers would need the water for something else, Trevor dipped his hands in and splashed his face several times, catching some of the water in his short black hair before wiping the water from his face. He wanted to wash his groin as well, but he wasn't about to stick his hands in his pants with one of the captains present. Another time, then. Hopefully he could wander off sometime later and find a stream to do a better job, but for now, this would have to do.
"Yeah, I'll come along. Not sure I'll be able to add to the conversation, but I would appreciate a better understanding of what's going on." Trevor paused, debating whether to add this last bit. "At the very least, it seems like the myths about..." he was about to say her name but paused and nearly doubled over, remembering viscerally how much he had wanted her touch and feeling for the first time what an incredible loss it was to be outside of her presence. Now there was a new ache that ran all the way through his torso, not to mention a nausea that nearly made him sick. It made him want to say her name even more, though. Fuck if he was going to let her potent fucking magic continue to have an effect on him. Through gritted teeth, he straightened and said it, each syllable its own word because of the strain: "...Dehaljadrun..." And hearing the name in his own voice made his body react even further, the ache intensifying. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to be back with her.
"...are true. Fuuuuuck." Trevor finally finished, a little embarrassed that he was having this experience in front of a figure of authority. Clearly, he should avoid even thinking her name while he attended the audience with the commander. Still, he was ready to go now and felt at least slightly more presentable.
Re: Part 1
Evan's smile faded and he averted his gaze when the soldier trailed off on 'about...'. Some voice in his brain urged the soldier not to say it, to just let the pause hang in the air, or at least just use one of her titles. Out of the corner of his eye he could tell the soldier was affected by whatever thoughts were swimming through his head, though, and Evan swallowed uneasily. Suddenly he was really fucking questioning his decision to invite this soldier along.
The captain visibly winced when the soldier finally got her name out, and memories of those syllables pouring from Evan's own lips last night escaped the lid he was trying to keep on them, sending a shiver down his spine and a literal fucking shock beneath his pants. Fuuuuuuck.
"Yeah," Evan snapped in reply, though his voice was a bit breathy. He didn't waste any time from there turning back towards the front of the tent and heading out, now a bit irritated. Some part of him wanted to chastise the soldier for saying her name, but that struck other parts of his brain as a little absurd.
He was already less bristly by the time they were both a few steps outside the tent, though, as he got some of the less reasonable parts of his brain back under control.
"To catch you up on what the commander already knows: a priestess helped me and two of my men summon the goddess yesterday, which I'm sure Mizu's none too pleased about. But both you and a second soldier were attacked this last time; with rising stakes, it seemed absurd to sit on our asses while Mizu was with the Shel'ti."
Evan turned his head towards the soldier just enough to catch his gaze with the corner of his eye, his expression now pretty fucking serious and with a good helping of 'we're in agreement on this, right?' Not that he expected the soldier to be offering much in the way of opinions at this meeting (actually, quite the contrary), but to whatever extent he did, Evan would be pretty fucking pissed if he sided against him there.
Once he was satisfied that the soldier had caught his glance, he turned to face forward again and continued, allowing a small smirk to return to his lips.
"Anyway, what the commander doesn't know yet is just how successfully that negotiation went."
((OOC: Evan would be just as happy if they got to Mizu's tent right around there, though if Trevor really wants to get in any further conversation, feel free to make it take longer. Also, uh, Evan's done paying attention to where Trevor's line of sight is in relation to his own bite mark, in case that wants to be seen. Also also not totally sure what etiquette would be about approaching the commander's tent, but Evan would follow whatever the etiquette is in this case.))
The captain visibly winced when the soldier finally got her name out, and memories of those syllables pouring from Evan's own lips last night escaped the lid he was trying to keep on them, sending a shiver down his spine and a literal fucking shock beneath his pants. Fuuuuuuck.
"Yeah," Evan snapped in reply, though his voice was a bit breathy. He didn't waste any time from there turning back towards the front of the tent and heading out, now a bit irritated. Some part of him wanted to chastise the soldier for saying her name, but that struck other parts of his brain as a little absurd.
He was already less bristly by the time they were both a few steps outside the tent, though, as he got some of the less reasonable parts of his brain back under control.
"To catch you up on what the commander already knows: a priestess helped me and two of my men summon the goddess yesterday, which I'm sure Mizu's none too pleased about. But both you and a second soldier were attacked this last time; with rising stakes, it seemed absurd to sit on our asses while Mizu was with the Shel'ti."
Evan turned his head towards the soldier just enough to catch his gaze with the corner of his eye, his expression now pretty fucking serious and with a good helping of 'we're in agreement on this, right?' Not that he expected the soldier to be offering much in the way of opinions at this meeting (actually, quite the contrary), but to whatever extent he did, Evan would be pretty fucking pissed if he sided against him there.
Once he was satisfied that the soldier had caught his glance, he turned to face forward again and continued, allowing a small smirk to return to his lips.
"Anyway, what the commander doesn't know yet is just how successfully that negotiation went."
((OOC: Evan would be just as happy if they got to Mizu's tent right around there, though if Trevor really wants to get in any further conversation, feel free to make it take longer. Also, uh, Evan's done paying attention to where Trevor's line of sight is in relation to his own bite mark, in case that wants to be seen. Also also not totally sure what etiquette would be about approaching the commander's tent, but Evan would follow whatever the etiquette is in this case.))
Re: Part 1
Following Evan out of the tent, Trevor began to feel uneasy about the situation, which did not resolve itself--and, in fact, worsened--when Evan tried to catch Trevor up. His brain tried to process the information, and it took him a few beats to get the story straight.
"You summoned the Demon Queen without Mizu's permission?" Trevor's eyes widened momentarily but then his expression became somewhat more contemplative. "Shit. That's... fucking impressive." Some part of Trevor's mind knew he probably should watch his language around the captain, but with the tremendous soreness in his body and his immense desire to just get back to Dehaljadrun somehow, he couldn't bring himself to care. He planned to be more composed around Mizu, though. Plus, this captain deserved props. He clearly wasn't some duty-bound lackey, and Trevor found that refreshing in their current situation. Yeah, he'd side with the captain on this one, why not?
((OOC: Probably something like "Captain Rutliff requesting permission to enter" would be the most formal way to request entry, but Mizu definitely recognizes Evan's voice and is expecting him, so the formality wouldn't strictly be necessary unless he's trying to suck up a bit. I guess if he just waltzed in, Mizu would be a bit irritated. Trevor's ready to enter whenever Evan is. Mizu is trying to brainstorm ways to help the Shel'ti with the other women without much luck.))
"You summoned the Demon Queen without Mizu's permission?" Trevor's eyes widened momentarily but then his expression became somewhat more contemplative. "Shit. That's... fucking impressive." Some part of Trevor's mind knew he probably should watch his language around the captain, but with the tremendous soreness in his body and his immense desire to just get back to Dehaljadrun somehow, he couldn't bring himself to care. He planned to be more composed around Mizu, though. Plus, this captain deserved props. He clearly wasn't some duty-bound lackey, and Trevor found that refreshing in their current situation. Yeah, he'd side with the captain on this one, why not?
((OOC: Probably something like "Captain Rutliff requesting permission to enter" would be the most formal way to request entry, but Mizu definitely recognizes Evan's voice and is expecting him, so the formality wouldn't strictly be necessary unless he's trying to suck up a bit. I guess if he just waltzed in, Mizu would be a bit irritated. Trevor's ready to enter whenever Evan is. Mizu is trying to brainstorm ways to help the Shel'ti with the other women without much luck.))
Re: Part 1
At first the soldier's rhetorical question made Evan's shoulders stiffen as he braced for judgement or disbelief, but the instant the word 'impressive' hit his ears the captain relaxed, and a grin tugged at his lips. Either the soldier knew exactly how to stroke Evan's ego, or they were already on the same page about the value of stepping out of line when necessary, and it sounded more likely to be the latter since the soldier didn't really seem to be thinking about his words all that carefully. Evan tossed the soldier another glance out of the corner of his eye, this one pleased and appreciative, and certainly not one fucking bit concerned with language.
His grin faded again as they approached Mizu's tent, the nervousness in his gut bubbling up pretty large by that point. He knew at minimum he'd almost certainly have to grit his teeth through some rough admonishment, but at least he was currently hopeful that Mizu would come around once she got that out of her system. Here was hoping, anyway. He was back to glad he'd invited the soldier along, as surely she wouldn't be able to ignore evidence of success right in front of her.
Evan took one last deep breath and willed several of his currently-tense muscles to relax so that he could enter this as amicably as possible. They'd tense up again in no time of course, but best to at least start looser. To that end, he also spoke up with a nice calm neutral tone of voice, hopefully signalling to Mizu that he was approaching respectfully.
"Requesting permission to enter, commander."
Inside the tent, Blake's eyes narrowed as she shifted her gaze towards the sound of Evan's voice. A part of her was irritated that Mizu had let him sleep before demanding a full report, no matter how bad of shape he was in; whatever his condition, he'd brought it on himself. She hadn't voiced any such thought to Mizu, though, as it certainly wasn't her place. He sounded pretty fucking fine now, though, which she had to admit lit her irritation back up. Then again, any sound from Evan would have been pretty fucking irritating, all things considered. Although Blake wanted to be kept in the loop, especially as that pertained to being trusted and relied on by her commander, she was not looking forward to whatever the fuck it was Evan would have to say.
His grin faded again as they approached Mizu's tent, the nervousness in his gut bubbling up pretty large by that point. He knew at minimum he'd almost certainly have to grit his teeth through some rough admonishment, but at least he was currently hopeful that Mizu would come around once she got that out of her system. Here was hoping, anyway. He was back to glad he'd invited the soldier along, as surely she wouldn't be able to ignore evidence of success right in front of her.
Evan took one last deep breath and willed several of his currently-tense muscles to relax so that he could enter this as amicably as possible. They'd tense up again in no time of course, but best to at least start looser. To that end, he also spoke up with a nice calm neutral tone of voice, hopefully signalling to Mizu that he was approaching respectfully.
"Requesting permission to enter, commander."
Inside the tent, Blake's eyes narrowed as she shifted her gaze towards the sound of Evan's voice. A part of her was irritated that Mizu had let him sleep before demanding a full report, no matter how bad of shape he was in; whatever his condition, he'd brought it on himself. She hadn't voiced any such thought to Mizu, though, as it certainly wasn't her place. He sounded pretty fucking fine now, though, which she had to admit lit her irritation back up. Then again, any sound from Evan would have been pretty fucking irritating, all things considered. Although Blake wanted to be kept in the loop, especially as that pertained to being trusted and relied on by her commander, she was not looking forward to whatever the fuck it was Evan would have to say.
Re: Part 1
Mizu bristled at the sound of Evan's voice even though she had been waiting all day to have an actual conversation with him. At the very least, he would have more information on their current situation, even if she would need to address his actions first.
"Permission granted," Mizu said in a very formal tone. She looked over at Elaine and Blake and wondered whether it would be better to ask the two of them to leave. On the one hand, it would be nice to have backup in the event that she needed to do something drastic to Evan, but she suspected that, on some level, he had succeeded, and she had to take that into account. It was very possible that Evan had actually moved events along in a positive direction, not to mention the fact that he had saved her through trouble of officially sanctioning the summoning in the first place. And, some part of her wanted Blake and Elaine to know the full story of what had transpired.
Evan looked considerably more rested when he walked in, but Mizu did not expect there to be a soldier behind him. She did not recognize him and had no idea why Evan brought him along. She grew a little more upset, though nothing about her facial expression changed.
"Glad to see that you have recovered as well as you have," Mizu said more for Blake's and Elaine's benefit than anything. She might have played up how bad off Evan was to avoid looking like she was being soft about the situation. "But it's time to face the consequences of your actions. Though you were specifically instructed not to take action before we returned from the Shel'ti, you participated in a summoning ritual that severely endangered two other soldiers. As I understand it, you also disregarded the lives of the Shel'ti men who are, assumedly, also under the goddess' control. For these infractions, and considering your history of going against your commander's authority, I am very seriously considering stripping you of your title as captain. What say you in your defense, Captain Rutliff?"
Elaine, however, balked at the sight of the soldier behind Evan. It was the other one who had been attacked the night she was on duty. She looked from Trevor to Evan to Mizu and back again with blatant surprise.
"Permission granted," Mizu said in a very formal tone. She looked over at Elaine and Blake and wondered whether it would be better to ask the two of them to leave. On the one hand, it would be nice to have backup in the event that she needed to do something drastic to Evan, but she suspected that, on some level, he had succeeded, and she had to take that into account. It was very possible that Evan had actually moved events along in a positive direction, not to mention the fact that he had saved her through trouble of officially sanctioning the summoning in the first place. And, some part of her wanted Blake and Elaine to know the full story of what had transpired.
Evan looked considerably more rested when he walked in, but Mizu did not expect there to be a soldier behind him. She did not recognize him and had no idea why Evan brought him along. She grew a little more upset, though nothing about her facial expression changed.
"Glad to see that you have recovered as well as you have," Mizu said more for Blake's and Elaine's benefit than anything. She might have played up how bad off Evan was to avoid looking like she was being soft about the situation. "But it's time to face the consequences of your actions. Though you were specifically instructed not to take action before we returned from the Shel'ti, you participated in a summoning ritual that severely endangered two other soldiers. As I understand it, you also disregarded the lives of the Shel'ti men who are, assumedly, also under the goddess' control. For these infractions, and considering your history of going against your commander's authority, I am very seriously considering stripping you of your title as captain. What say you in your defense, Captain Rutliff?"
Elaine, however, balked at the sight of the soldier behind Evan. It was the other one who had been attacked the night she was on duty. She looked from Trevor to Evan to Mizu and back again with blatant surprise.