[ It always surprises Five when people agree with him. He's so used to his family fighting with even the simplest of requests, like focusing on stopping an apocalypse, that when someone actually listens to reason he doesn't quite know what to do. Their current arrangement with Anurr is a risky endeavor, especially on his end, and he expected most of those who remember him to refuse any kind of deal on principle. But the majority had miraculously seen a greater benefit to hiding the Huntress than to piss off beings far more powerful than any of them. It nearly elevated his opinion on their collective intelligence.
In no way did that decision simplify their situation. They have an opportunity with very little room for error and far too much out of his control. The Beastmaster's arrival, the volcano eruption, and the various magical inflections he's picked up all have the potential of putting them very far off course. And as much as he'd like to put his energy into plotting the demise of at least one warlord, his siblings are his first priority. Since he still doesn't know where the others landed, he can at least keep the ones here alive.
He finds time to eavesdrop on anyone who looks like they have a plan, and offers his opinion before they ask. Then he spends the better part of a day gathering boards and nails to better lock up his belongings. (Which is a pain when your hands are still bandaged, but he makes do.) When you can teleport, there's really no need to keep a door anyway. ]
ii. a safe space( hargreeves )
[ After an exhaustive search, Five teleports Allison to where he'd left Diego. The safe room is marginally cramped with all of the supplies he's collected since they came to the village, but there's space enough for three people. There are still chairs and a bed in here somewhere, even if they're mostly covered by now with various boxes, filled with everything from medical supplies, to food, to books and trinkets. Maybe a few potions that he told Hermione he'd stop taking, but they really are better stored here.
He's still slightly on edge when he lets go of his sister's arm. Diego had been easy to find, but Allison took him hours to track down. He half expected to find her back in the volcano, but thankfully she only made it as far as a shrine. He didn't even get his rant out before taking her back here, but he wasn't wasting time on her protests. ]
How many times do we need to go through this? [ He keeps talking before she can answer — ] We need to stick together. I'm not going to be running all over the village looking for you if a major catastrophe happens, which it will.
[ He's done that more times than he can count, and he's already tired for as much as he's jumped around today. Actually finding and getting them both in one room seems like an impossible accomplishment. Looking between the two of them, he takes just a moment to be satisfied that he managed it. ]
We were lucky to get a warning this time, so the best thing to do right now is to ride it out. I already sealed the doors and windows, so nothing can get in. There's plenty of food and water to last us. We're not having another Taravast. [ Pointed. They don't have to like it, they just have to stay. ] Any questions?
iii. the hunt( open )
[ Five was never one to follow his own advice. The forest seems to gain more of a presence as the days go on, up until it's impossible to ignore. Five was never meant to live in the village, and beyond that, he was always too far removed from society to find a place in it. When he inevitably leaves, he finds a welcome moment of clarity that goes hand in hand with the most basic need to survive. The woods are a stark contrast to the wasteland of the apocalypse, but the challenges are all familiar to him. Some nights he follows an oppressive need to prove his skill and naturally honed inclinations, and others he seeks refuge from threats that lurk in every shadow.
The nights he disappears into them, he doesn't return until morning, quieter and eager to rinse the blood from his hands. ]
iv. after tributes rescue( open )
[ The story of the tributes to the volcano, and their subsequent rescue, reach Five not long after his extended stint in the woods. Along with the rest of the village and anyone with eyes who saw the fire and made the logical conclusion. And good for them, but now that their drama has subsided, he sees the chance to finally take care of one thing plaguing him.
He's exhausted and more than a little bruised when he tracks down any of those who were involved. If he's supposed to atone for human sacrifices, fine. He's got plenty of witnesses to choose from. When he finds some of the usual suspects, he appears beside them with little preamble and probably more force than necessary. ]
Where are they now?
iv. wildcard
Anything else! Yes, he did lock his siblings in a room, and they may or may not need a hand. Choose your own adventure for the hunter/hunted scenario and I'll go with it. Also happy to make starters related to the serpents, hassling the Huntress, and any awkward post-hunt scenarios. Plotting comment here as you like! (Action/prose/whatever you want I'll match.)
number five | open
[ It always surprises Five when people agree with him. He's so used to his family fighting with even the simplest of requests, like focusing on stopping an apocalypse, that when someone actually listens to reason he doesn't quite know what to do. Their current arrangement with Anurr is a risky endeavor, especially on his end, and he expected most of those who remember him to refuse any kind of deal on principle. But the majority had miraculously seen a greater benefit to hiding the Huntress than to piss off beings far more powerful than any of them. It nearly elevated his opinion on their collective intelligence.
In no way did that decision simplify their situation. They have an opportunity with very little room for error and far too much out of his control. The Beastmaster's arrival, the volcano eruption, and the various magical inflections he's picked up all have the potential of putting them very far off course. And as much as he'd like to put his energy into plotting the demise of at least one warlord, his siblings are his first priority. Since he still doesn't know where the others landed, he can at least keep the ones here alive.
He finds time to eavesdrop on anyone who looks like they have a plan, and offers his opinion before they ask. Then he spends the better part of a day gathering boards and nails to better lock up his belongings. (Which is a pain when your hands are still bandaged, but he makes do.) When you can teleport, there's really no need to keep a door anyway. ]
ii. a safe space ( hargreeves )
[ After an exhaustive search, Five teleports Allison to where he'd left Diego. The safe room is marginally cramped with all of the supplies he's collected since they came to the village, but there's space enough for three people. There are still chairs and a bed in here somewhere, even if they're mostly covered by now with various boxes, filled with everything from medical supplies, to food, to books and trinkets. Maybe a few potions that he told Hermione he'd stop taking, but they really are better stored here.
He's still slightly on edge when he lets go of his sister's arm. Diego had been easy to find, but Allison took him hours to track down. He half expected to find her back in the volcano, but thankfully she only made it as far as a shrine. He didn't even get his rant out before taking her back here, but he wasn't wasting time on her protests. ]
How many times do we need to go through this? [ He keeps talking before she can answer — ] We need to stick together. I'm not going to be running all over the village looking for you if a major catastrophe happens, which it will.
[ He's done that more times than he can count, and he's already tired for as much as he's jumped around today. Actually finding and getting them both in one room seems like an impossible accomplishment. Looking between the two of them, he takes just a moment to be satisfied that he managed it. ]
We were lucky to get a warning this time, so the best thing to do right now is to ride it out. I already sealed the doors and windows, so nothing can get in. There's plenty of food and water to last us. We're not having another Taravast. [ Pointed. They don't have to like it, they just have to stay. ] Any questions?
iii. the hunt ( open )
[ Five was never one to follow his own advice. The forest seems to gain more of a presence as the days go on, up until it's impossible to ignore. Five was never meant to live in the village, and beyond that, he was always too far removed from society to find a place in it. When he inevitably leaves, he finds a welcome moment of clarity that goes hand in hand with the most basic need to survive. The woods are a stark contrast to the wasteland of the apocalypse, but the challenges are all familiar to him. Some nights he follows an oppressive need to prove his skill and naturally honed inclinations, and others he seeks refuge from threats that lurk in every shadow.
The nights he disappears into them, he doesn't return until morning, quieter and eager to rinse the blood from his hands. ]
iv. after tributes rescue ( open )
[ The story of the tributes to the volcano, and their subsequent rescue, reach Five not long after his extended stint in the woods. Along with the rest of the village and anyone with eyes who saw the fire and made the logical conclusion. And good for them, but now that their drama has subsided, he sees the chance to finally take care of one thing plaguing him.
He's exhausted and more than a little bruised when he tracks down any of those who were involved. If he's supposed to atone for human sacrifices, fine. He's got plenty of witnesses to choose from. When he finds some of the usual suspects, he appears beside them with little preamble and probably more force than necessary. ]
Where are they now?
iv. wildcard
Anything else! Yes, he did lock his siblings in a room, and they may or may not need a hand. Choose your own adventure for the hunter/hunted scenario and I'll go with it. Also happy to make starters related to the serpents, hassling the Huntress, and any awkward post-hunt scenarios. Plotting comment here as you like! (Action/prose/whatever you want I'll match.)