She will order her people after us like a pack of hunting dogs.
[ that's what she'd do. or perhaps the Duchess doesn't even need to go that far. the people here have worshipped her for years and they'd know what pleases her even without their leader voicing her desires. Asta would respect that sort of commitment if it was only directed at herself. now she hates it. ]
Have you seen the supplies that arrived? [ is there anything useful left, she wonders. ]
[ There's a pause, while Jesse's brain catches up. ]
The Duchess?
[ Shit. Now he is a little worried. She'd invited them all up to her castle, fed them a fancy dinner...but she'd also put human meat on the menu. And - worse, maybe - she'd kidnapped Daryl, paralyzed him and forced him to be a sex slave for whoever wanted him. Jesse wipes suddenly-sweaty hands on his pants, glancing anxiously at Asta. Shit. Just how much has he been missing here? ]
[ does he know anything? he's probably been busy fucking himself silly all this time. Asta would make a face if she was surprised, but this actually suits her fine, so she just keeps walking. the less he pays attention to his surroundings, the better it's for her. makes him easier to use. ]
Something to help the children sleep better at night when they venture out into the darkness.
[ trash, mostly. nothing that could actually save lives out in the Void. not if the Duchess herself can't handle it, but there could be something that helps them here in the village. ]
[ Oh. Yeah. He knows about that, about the people planning an expedition out to the Void, and his snort of derision says all she needs to know about his opinion of the idea. The way she says it, the fact that she's still here and not out there with them, makes him think she has to agree - and yet even so, half a second later he's casting a worried glance up at her face, hoping he hasn't offended her. ]
You're not - you're not thinkin' about going out there, are you?
[ her face remains unreadable until she suddenly breaks into a smile. ]
Why, I will stay here with you – where I am safe.
[ she states it like a fact. like it wouldn't have even crossed her mind that Jesse might refuse to help her and it's a surprise to her that he needed to ask. this man who wouldn't even recognize her at first? she appears to have placed her life in his hands. ]
[ The way she says it, it almost sounds like it makes sense. Why not? He's got a little place of his own now, near the woodshop where he'd started working, but conveniently for Asta, he hasn't moved in yet. He's still staying at the boarding house with Daryl, trying to fix the place up and make it perfect before he tells him.
So, yeah. Why shouldn't she stay here with him? And there is something about her utter trust in him to look after her that has Jesse's heart (and head) swelling a little with pride. It's not often that anyone looks to him to be the protector. To fight for them.
So he finds himself nodding, almost without even realizing he's doing it. ]
[ she should have found someone bigger, someone stronger, preferably someone with powers, but she's running out of time and he's the only one available. sadly, beggars can't be choosers. at least it won't strain her to keep him in check. maybe it's good for a starting point. ]
Before we go see the weapons... I want to ask you something. [ her voice is soft and she eyes him carefully. ] Can I kiss you? It would give me all the courage I need.
[ Yeah...he's still not so sure about the weapons. But Asta's gentle touch stops him in his tracks, his eyes fixed on hers.
The request is unexpected. He can't stop the way his eyes widen in surprise. But his gaze softens immediately, and Jesse smiles, warm and gentle. ]
Of course.
[ As if he'd say no - but it's not even about him wanting to kiss her, not right now. If it helps her, if it's what she needs, of course he's happy to give it. To do whatever she asks. He steps closer, tilting his face up to meet hers, and slowly presses soft lips against hers. ]
[ he's going to be more sure about the weapons than he's ever felt about anything because it's just not any old kiss. when their lips touch, ancient magic flows from her to him, undetectable and strong despite her current shortcomings. she'd be able to place an everlasting spell on him if she only had her girls (cult) here to strengthen her.
sadly, this spell will only hold for a day or two, but if they keep this up regularly, she'll be able to wear down his defenses and eventually use him as she pleases. she leans into the touch and cups his stupid sweet face in her hands, forcing him to stay still and then slowly, she breaks the kiss just so she can breathe the words into his mouth. ]
[ It would give her the courage she needs, she'd said, but it's Jesse who feels confidence and determination surging through him as Asta takes his face in her hands, murmuring what he already knows into his mouth. He nods, as much as he can with her hands still holding him still. ]
Of course I will.
[ Anything. No matter what it takes. She's depending on him, and he can't let her down. He slides his hands to her hips, squeezing gently. ]
You don't have to be afraid. I'll protect you. I promise.
[ he won't break that promise. she's personally seen to that. but still, for a moment she studies his face, wonders if he's being stupidly chivalrous on his own or if her magic actually worked on him. she's had some doubts since her arrival here. ]
You truly mean that.
[ she finally agrees, sensing a trace of herself in him. it's not much, but it will have to do. she drops her hands. ]
[ Of course he does. Can she really doubt him? He feels a flicker of shame, that she could even question his devotion to her. He has to prove his loyalty to her. Make her see that she can trust him to protect her, no matter what.
He doesn't want to let her go, but he obeys immediately, drawing his hands back and nodding. ]
Where do we find the weapons?
[ He needs to arm himself. To be ready to defend her against anyone or anything that might do her harm. ]
[ they must get to the supplies before the best weapons are taken. she doesn't know what suits him or what he can wield, but under the spell he'll fight with bare hands if there's nothing else. she hopes it doesn't come to that.
she offers him her hand to hold as the walk. now that she's got her magic in him, she tolerates him a little better. ]
[ It's a surprise when she offers her hand, but Jesse's not protesting at all. He takes it happily, holding on as they make their way through the boarding house and outside. Maybe guiding her around corners just a little, ready to block her body with his own if it looks like there's any chance of anyone else bumping into her as they go down the halls.
Unfortunately, the only weapons Jesse has any experience with are guns, and even that's limited. The weapons outside are a lot more medieval in nature, and he picks a sword up gingerly, holding it in a way that makes it painfully obvious he's never held a sword before. ]
Okay.
[ A deep breath, and then he looks up at Asta. The sword's half as long as he is tall, and if he doesn't shift his grip he's likely to break his wrist or cut off his own toes the first time he tries to swing it. He looks ridiculous.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ that's what she'd do. or perhaps the Duchess doesn't even need to go that far. the people here have worshipped her for years and they'd know what pleases her even without their leader voicing her desires. Asta would respect that sort of commitment if it was only directed at herself. now she hates it. ]
Have you seen the supplies that arrived? [ is there anything useful left, she wonders. ]
no subject
The Duchess?
[ Shit. Now he is a little worried. She'd invited them all up to her castle, fed them a fancy dinner...but she'd also put human meat on the menu. And - worse, maybe - she'd kidnapped Daryl, paralyzed him and forced him to be a sex slave for whoever wanted him. Jesse wipes suddenly-sweaty hands on his pants, glancing anxiously at Asta. Shit. Just how much has he been missing here? ]
Uh...no? What supplies?
no subject
Something to help the children sleep better at night when they venture out into the darkness.
[ trash, mostly. nothing that could actually save lives out in the Void. not if the Duchess herself can't handle it, but there could be something that helps them here in the village. ]
no subject
You're not - you're not thinkin' about going out there, are you?
no subject
Why, I will stay here with you – where I am safe.
[ she states it like a fact. like it wouldn't have even crossed her mind that Jesse might refuse to help her and it's a surprise to her that he needed to ask. this man who wouldn't even recognize her at first? she appears to have placed her life in his hands. ]
no subject
[ The way she says it, it almost sounds like it makes sense. Why not? He's got a little place of his own now, near the woodshop where he'd started working, but conveniently for Asta, he hasn't moved in yet. He's still staying at the boarding house with Daryl, trying to fix the place up and make it perfect before he tells him.
So, yeah. Why shouldn't she stay here with him? And there is something about her utter trust in him to look after her that has Jesse's heart (and head) swelling a little with pride. It's not often that anyone looks to him to be the protector. To fight for them.
So he finds himself nodding, almost without even realizing he's doing it. ]
Okay. Yeah, that's - that's good.
That's a good idea.
no subject
Yes, you'll help me.
[ she should have found someone bigger, someone stronger, preferably someone with powers, but she's running out of time and he's the only one available. sadly, beggars can't be choosers. at least it won't strain her to keep him in check. maybe it's good for a starting point. ]
Before we go see the weapons... I want to ask you something. [ her voice is soft and she eyes him carefully. ] Can I kiss you? It would give me all the courage I need.
no subject
The request is unexpected. He can't stop the way his eyes widen in surprise. But his gaze softens immediately, and Jesse smiles, warm and gentle. ]
Of course.
[ As if he'd say no - but it's not even about him wanting to kiss her, not right now. If it helps her, if it's what she needs, of course he's happy to give it. To do whatever she asks. He steps closer, tilting his face up to meet hers, and slowly presses soft lips against hers. ]
no subject
sadly, this spell will only hold for a day or two, but if they keep this up regularly, she'll be able to wear down his defenses and eventually use him as she pleases. she leans into the touch and cups his stupid sweet face in her hands, forcing him to stay still and then slowly, she breaks the kiss just so she can breathe the words into his mouth. ]
You will do anything to protect me today.
no subject
Of course I will.
[ Anything. No matter what it takes. She's depending on him, and he can't let her down. He slides his hands to her hips, squeezing gently. ]
You don't have to be afraid. I'll protect you. I promise.
no subject
You truly mean that.
[ she finally agrees, sensing a trace of herself in him. it's not much, but it will have to do. she drops her hands. ]
Please unhand me. We must hurry.
no subject
[ Of course he does. Can she really doubt him? He feels a flicker of shame, that she could even question his devotion to her. He has to prove his loyalty to her. Make her see that she can trust him to protect her, no matter what.
He doesn't want to let her go, but he obeys immediately, drawing his hands back and nodding. ]
Where do we find the weapons?
[ He needs to arm himself. To be ready to defend her against anyone or anything that might do her harm. ]
no subject
[ they must get to the supplies before the best weapons are taken. she doesn't know what suits him or what he can wield, but under the spell he'll fight with bare hands if there's nothing else. she hopes it doesn't come to that.
she offers him her hand to hold as the walk. now that she's got her magic in him, she tolerates him a little better. ]
They're out in the yard.
no subject
Unfortunately, the only weapons Jesse has any experience with are guns, and even that's limited. The weapons outside are a lot more medieval in nature, and he picks a sword up gingerly, holding it in a way that makes it painfully obvious he's never held a sword before. ]
Okay.
[ A deep breath, and then he looks up at Asta. The sword's half as long as he is tall, and if he doesn't shift his grip he's likely to break his wrist or cut off his own toes the first time he tries to swing it. He looks ridiculous.
He nods, setting his jaw. ]
I'm ready.