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RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-11-2026
Dark eyes take in the Maverick’s dragon shift, each scale glinting and reflecting the fire that’s caught on the stray dry branches and leaves in the aftermath of the cockatrice fight, the butcher drops down in front of the dragon to slip the body of the charred cockatrice into a bag that he ties off and before he has a chance to rise and sling it over his shoulder, his wrist is taken – dark eyes dropping down to the red angry line where he’d utilized his bloodbane to the spiderwebbing cracks of stone that threaten to petrify him.
It’s with a too confident smile that he drops the edge of the bag in his other hand to reach up and brush his fingers along his lover’s arm. “[say]I too would love to not do this again.[/say]” He agrees belatedly, if only to spare his lover the details he knows he’s waiting for. “[say]As for this, well, it must have pecked me when it got close.[/say]” His nose wrinkles before he vanishes the way his face always betrays him to look up at Danta with a soft smile and confidence that probably shouldn’t be there.
“[say]It has a petrifying peck, but it works slowly enough. I should be fine until we can get somewhere there is a doctor, I just.. might have a gargoyle arm.[/say]” Tail flicking idly, the butcher stands to drag the hand away from his lover’s arm to brush it along his smoke smudged cheek and claim a soft kiss of gratitude. “[say]Thank you for your help, my Wasp.[/say]” He breathes softly but loud enough for Danta to hear over the crackle of the flames that continue to creep closer.
RE: bury me face down - Dantalion - 02-11-2026
Danta listens, uncharacteristically shrewd as he always becomes when the things he cares about are hurt, an eyebrow arching not only at Asta's now-familiar faux confidence, but at the information he delivers as well. [say]"You'll have a wh--"[/say] His outrage is cut off by the warm press of the other man's lips, Danta melting forward automatically and despite wanting to continue to be annoyed about this new information, and he's grumbling good-naturedly by the time they part.
[say]"You can thank me when I no longer have to worry about you turning into a rock,"[/say] he says. [say]"The type of rock fire won't break you out of, presumably."[/say] Letting his fingers hover over the greying cut for a second before huffing out a breath, he wafts a bit of smoke away from his face - a combination of their fight and the fires that had been raging before they'd come along - and bullies his way against Asta's side.
[say]"I figure going back the way we came to Torchline might be best,"[/say] he says. [say]"They'll have healing water on hand the second we get there."[/say]
RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-11-2026
By now it is a little expectant that the butcher would seek out a kiss to nullify anything else Danta might have to harbor outrage about. It’s the mask of faux confidence that the Maverick knows all too well that’s perhaps the only shield as he explains what’s expected, and that’s purely based off of his research. To experience it, the tingling was not described – a strange sensation despite how Danta’s touch is warm against the slowly growing numb stone space of his arm.
“[say]No, not quite our usual stone.[/say]” He admits with a soft sigh, letting the arm that harbors the petrified bite wrap around Danta while his other hoists the bag over his shoulder to keep the Maverick close. “[say]What kind of gratitude would you wish to receive?[/say]” He asks, glancing over at his lover with a smirk, doing absolutely nothing for the fire that continues to rage despite how they walk away from it, leaving it behind to take the path they’d used to get here to get back to the skyship.
Nodding with the mention of Torchline, though, he immediately latches onto it. “[say]Torchline for the fountain water and for the ship back to the Grounds, yes?[/say]” A quick trip, hopefully, because the butcher has found he wants nothing more than to curl up in their own bed for a night.
RE: bury me face down - Dantalion - 02-11-2026
Huffing to himself, Danta leans into Asta's grip and has to stop himself from twisting to look at the petrifying arm every few seconds. [say]"I haven't decided yet,"[/say] he tells him petulantly, even going so far as to conjure little snippets of fire that pretend to bite at Asta's heels like tiny flaming gremlins. [say]"I'll let you know when we're on our way home."[/say]
The going is quicker, at least, now that they aren't on a blind search for a cockatrice and they know the direction to get back away from the Oerwoud and out into the Torchline tropics. Or perhaps it isn't, and Danta is just walking faster to try and beat the stone creeping through his lover's veins. Either way, they settle into an easy rhythm and he manages a smirk across at the butcher.
[say]"Yes,"[/say] he says. [say]"We've been away for quite a while this Longheat."[/say] For very good reason, don't get him wrong, and the twinkle of the ring on his finger says as much, but still. He'd like to be at home for a little while before they head into the desert to stop Asta from tearing anyone's head off.
RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-11-2026
It continues to tingle as it spreads, still so slowly it’s hard to notice. It’s like staring at a pot of water waiting for it to boil, only in this case there’s relief to find that the bubbles haven’t formed against the base of the pot. He does hear the petulant sound that leaves the Maverick, though, his arm tightening a touch even as he catches the snippets of fire that bite at his heels, subconsciously lifting his steps to make sure they don’t connect. “[say]I look forward to it.[/say]” He murmurs, and the smile he shoots Danta’s way proves that he does look forward to it.
The trip back isn’t nearly as bad as it had been getting here, far less of scouting and tracking in favor for finding the way the jungle gives way to tropical shores, and once they latch onto what appears to be like a main thoroughfare, the butcher hums a soft note of agreement. “[say]I do realize that Leafchange is just around the corner, but I would not mind having you all to myself when we get back.[/say]” He drawls softly, leaning in to press a kiss to the other Ancient’s temple. “[say]I do not imagine we shall get that lucky, but a man can dream.[/say]” He lets the dramatic drawl fill his tone, a wistful sigh leaving him as the lush jungle grasses underfoot give way to a stone street to guide them to Torchline proper, thankfully having not made it too far into the jungle before finding their prey.
RE: bury me face down - Dantalion - 02-13-2026
[say]"Oh?"[/say] Danta has fallen into a comfortable silence as dirt tracks and jungle settle into wet sand and, a little later, real road beneath their feet, and he turns to glance up at the butcher, smiling automatically at the sun that casts a radiant halo around his head. [say]"I was feeling rather the same,"[/say] he admits with an easy shrug, head turning to better accept the kiss Asta delivers to his temple. [say]"Leafchange or no, stag or no, I'm feeling quite possessive over you right now,"[/say] he tells him, his tone still breezy but his fingers flexing against the other Ancient's hip.
[say]"And it's true - we might be a little busy first thing when we get back. But after that I'll make it up to you."[/say] Behind closed doors and among their familiar comforts, the Maverick will likely need to be persuaded to emerge again any time soon. That's for later, though - right now they need to make sure Danta isn't wheeling a very fetching statue home, and he nods at a little outpost along the roadside that doesn't seem manned by anyone, but he has a feeling there will be an emergency stash of fountain water. [say]"Shall we check that out?"[/say]
RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-13-2026
Warmth leaks into his hair immediately from the hot sun of Longheat as they break away from the coverage of foliage that the Oerwoud had to offer. The bag shuffles a little on his shoulder as he glances down to see the smile growing on Danta’s face. He offers one back, shoulders sagging a touch as he withdraws from the kiss and feels the twitch of his fiance’s fingers against his hip. “[say]You can be honest, it is because I am turning to stone.[/say]” The butcher drawls with amusement, an almost nasally whine slipping from his nose.
The act drops quickly, though, because he’s already imagining the comforts of their room – their blankets, the scent of smoke and citrus that seems inherent to their spaces, the familiarity of his bone chimes that move each time Moira flies in from the window. “[say]I think, perhaps, I shall be making it up to you, darling.[/say]” He says as their direction starts to drift toward the outpost they’ve just spotted. He nods to answer his question, hazarding a glance back at his arm that’s slowly started to darken, trailing down to his wrist preventing him from being able to bend it. Dark finger stretches of stone reach out for the palm of his hand. “[say]I think perhaps my fyrhund is cursed?[/say]”
He releases the Maverick for him to peruse through the boxes behind the outpost to hopefully find some fountain water.
RE: bury me face down - Dantalion - 02-13-2026
[say]"It's at least partially because you're turning to stone,"[/say] Danta admits with a roguish grin, shrugging his shoulders a bit as they turn towards the outpost. [say]"But not entirely,"[/say] he adds. It's also because they've just gotten engaged and, call him possessive if you like, but given that he's currently the only one with a ring on his finger, he wants to make sure everyone knows Asta is with him. (As if they couldn't tell already).
[say]"Ah, we can make it up to each other,"[/say] the Maverick decides, reluctantly peeling himself away from Asta so he can go rummaging through the crates and boxes. [say]"And you know, I'm inclined to believe you about that shift. A shame though - I know it's your favourite."[/say] Grinning up at the butcher, it takes only a few more moments before one of the crates he pulls out clinks promisingly.
[say]"Here we go,"[/say] he says, withdrawing a glass bottle stoppered and labelled to proclaim it as healing water from Torchline's fountain and rising to his feet. [say]"I'll pour it over your arm, but it's probably a good idea to drink some too."[/say]
RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-13-2026
“[say]Oho, I see.[/say]” The butcher purrs with an easier smile – both of the two men possessive in their own rights regardless of the reason. Not that Asta would ever complain about the Maverick’s possessiveness – at times going so far as to poke and prod at that portion just to receive more of his undivided attention (not that Asta ever goes without, mind you).
As for making it up for one another, the butcher stands there while Danta peruses through the boxes, the sun causing him to squint over at his lover while his shadow vibrates across the sand and stone that makes up this part of the street. “[say]It is my favorite.[/say]” He laments, sighing dramatically until Danta’s rising with the bottle of healing water is procured.
Relief draws his posture up again, setting the bag down seeing as he can’t exactly close his fist around the bottle now with the stone that’s starting to creep in and the tingling that blooms. “[say]Very wise, darling.[/say]” He murmurs, stepping forward as his tail starts to wag behind him, his shadow still vibrating as he reaches for the bottle to take enough of a sip he thinks it’ll get whatever’s inside him out, feeling the tingling slow ever so slightly as he hands it back to the Maverick for him to pour along his arm – positive Danta would do a better job than he would. “[say]I cannot wait for our own fountain.[/say]”
RE: bury me face down - Dantalion - 02-13-2026
[say]"I have my moments,"[/say] Danta purrs. Of wisdom, he means, the Maverick surrendering the bottle to Asta for him to take a drink and accepting it back willingly enough. He tries and fails to hide his soft laughter as he catches the other man's wagging tail, having to make himself focus on dousing the stony looking flesh of his lover's arm so he doesn't waste any water. The going is slow as a result, but it seems to be working he thinks, and Danta doesn't bother to hide the relief to realise as much.
[say]"Ugh, me neither,"[/say] he mutters of the fountain. Wine rather than water, sure, but just as potent. [say]"It shouldn't be too long now, I don't think."[/say] And until then, they'll just have to make sure they visit here often enough to take full advantage of it. [say]"I think that should do it,"[/say] he says. [say]"How are you feeling?"[/say]
RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-13-2026
The tail doesn’t stop wagging, nor does his shadow stop vibrating as he takes the sip of the fountain water. Conceding it back to the Maverick, he holds his arm out to feel the water drape across his arm, slowly bringing it back to normal. The dark fingers of stone begin to draw back into the initial peck point, leaving his skin bronzed and glinting with the liquid on his skin. “[say]It is working quite well.[/say]” The butcher offers as he finally can twist his wrist and regain movement within it.
A few moments later, though, and its gone alongside the small scratch the cockatrice had left behind – and Asta tests out the movement in his arm with a few twists and a few moments longer with his inspection. Then, turning to the Maverick, he reaches out to draw him close and wind his arms around his middle to pull him in. “[say]Like it never even happened, darling.[/say]” He presses a kiss of gratitude to the Maverick’s lips, withdrawing to press his forehead against the other Ancient’s with his relief.
RE: bury me face down - Dantalion - 02-13-2026
[say]"Mm..."[/say] Danta's agreement is a little distracted despite being able to see for himself that the other man's skin is melting back from its petrified state. Evidently he's concentrating to ensure he misses absolutely nothing, and only once the water is all gone and Asta is able to flex his arm and turn his wrist does he properly relax. His lips part to speak but in that moment the butcher is drawing him close, and Danta doesn't need to be told twice to know that there are more important things to do right now.
An arm hooks around Asta's shoulders, Danta kissing him back as if he hasn't seen him for days despite them never having left each other's company, and as his lover parts he's left panting and smiling despite himself. [say]"Good,"[/say] he mumbles, eyes closing for a second to enjoy the warmth of the day and the relative peace of standing here with no one else around. [say]"Well, with a cockatrice dead and you not at risk of turning to stone... take me home?"[/say] He grins.
RE: bury me face down - Astaroth - 02-13-2026
The weight of his lover’s arm around his shoulder keeps him comfortably near, the kiss like a breath of fresh air. Parting only because there’s better, bigger plans in the short future, it doesn’t mean that Asta will let him go. If anything, he keeps him tucked in against him regardless of the ease of which they can walk afterward, plucking the bag up from the ground once they start moving again so the cockatrice isn’t left behind.
At least, what’s left of the cockatrice.
“[say]It would be my pleasure, darling.[/say]” And it is, entirely, for the far more comfortable walk back to soak in all that much more sunshine and heat from Torchline’s shores before they can hop the Skyship back to home where Asta has zero intention of leaving their room for at least a few days. The Dusklight has handled their absence this long, what’s a few more days in the grand scheme?
- FIN