vatheon | (no subject)

Who: Johnny and Serph, Ky, Rinoa, and Sola
Where: ...somewhere between the park and Phanga 13
When: Backdated to the 11th
Style: However you all want, I'll match <3
Status: Closed

[Well....it could have been worse? He had gotten what he'd wanted, Barry's promise that he wouldn't hurt Johnny's family and, as many faults as they had, demon's stuck to their word and that was what mattered.

And, really, he could be lying in the grass somewhere! Instead he was making his way home...slowly. He'd long since discarded the 'napkin' he'd made, the blood having already soaked it to uselessness. That was the worst thing: He'd felt worse the first time he'd done this back home, but the blood was still steadily trickling from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ear; he could taste it and, when it's your own, it loses its appeal.

After a few more staggering steps, he paused and leaned against a building. He'd just...wait a moment, then keep going. He should probably get some water...but how was he supposed to go in somewhere when he kind've looked like he'd just killed someone? That probably wouldn't go over well.

No, he'd just wait a little here and then make his way back to the house...at least he'd made it to the lower district, mostly there!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He winced and looked down, not brave enough to look at her.]

I...I had hoped to, best case scenario...but, you're right. Mostly, I needed you to not be looking for me...in case it didn't work.

I'm sorry.

[For a moment she doesn't say anything, merely stepping over to him and putting his arm over her shoulders so she could support him. She began to walk, although she kept it slow so he could keep up.]

And look at how hurt you got. Johnny, if our positions had been reversed, what would you say to me?

[He went along with her willingly enough but tried to limit how much help he took from her.]

That you're crazy and that was stupid and irresponsible and you should've come to your vampire-buddy for help.

...Do you see where I'm going with this?

Yeah...I know.

But you're human and I need to protect you. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from.

I do... to a point.

[She might be human, but she's not that fragile. And he might be a vampire, but he's not invincible.]

But who's going to protect you? You're not invincible.

[He shrugs as best he can with his arm over her shoulder.]

No one ever has, I'm not going to expect it. Besides...[He was going to get hit for this...] I don't want protection if it means you're in danger.

[She ought to smack him for that, but it's a little hard when she's carrying him. Besides, that won't solve much.]

I can fight. And so can a lot of your other friends. If you're in trouble, we'll all come and help.

Thank you....

[He was grateful to have people who cared about him, it wasn't something he'd had in centuries.]

But...if something happened to you or anyone else...

[He wouldn't be able to handle it. This was part of why he'd stopped getting close to people...he always lost them.]

I just can't ask or expect anyone to fight my battles for me.

[Every second of Chris' fight with Berry had been painful, he hadn't been able to do anything, so he'd killed himself reading that passage, hoping Chris would get the reference.]

Not for you. With you. Alongside of you. If you can, of course.

[Rinoa was starting to maybe understand what Johnny was thinking when they talked about this particular subject of his friends protecting him. Sure, they would take a hit for him, but for Rinoa at least, she had always wanted to fight alongside of him, to help him fight this demon (both literal and proverbial). Not just do it for him.]

[He was quiet a moment, thinking that over. The last time he'd faced off against Berry ran through his head, both the two times here and back home. He was quiet when he spoke, like a man who had lost hope.]

That's the problem, Rinoa. How can you fight with me when I can't fight? I'm useless against him, I'm...not allowed to do anything to him, try as I might.

[He could rip Berry apart, but it never lasted, it only granted him enough time to run and he'd chosen not to run here.]

The only sway I have over him is what I can do to myself.

Just because we're fighting by your side doesn't mean you have to do any actual fighting. Maybe you can't hurt Barry, but you can help us from getting hurt by him, right? You know how he fights.

[She refuses to give up on this, even if he has. Barry can be stopped; she knows it. They just have to figure out the right plan.]

[That actually makes him pause. He knew how Barry fought, yes. More than that though, he could heal himself. Limbs reattached, skin sewed itself back up, just so long as he made sure he'd eaten properly before hand. He was a knight after all.]

I do. I could protect you. [A smirk.] I could be your shield.

[The only reason he hadn't been able to do the same for Chris was cause he'd screwed himself over by reciting the Bible before hand, but he wouldn't have to this time.]

It might work.

To an extent. I don't want you getting too beat up.

[She knew he could take some hits and that he'd be all right, with some blood and rest. But still, she couldn't bear it if he got too hurt.]

But see, there's always a way.

Yeah...guess you're right.

[Besides, Berry was his demon, but he was still a threat to others and that made him a problem for everyone.]

I'd still rather avoid it if at all possible.

So would I. I don't want to have to fight and see people get hurt. But it's good to have a back up plan.

[Especially where someone like Barry is involved.]