oldhound | ( inbox. ) deer country.

Still. You sure you weren't followed?

[ The wards haven't gone off but he's also not trusting it fully. The wait is honestly worse than anything. It's a game of chess with a psycho on a board he can't see. There are only so many moves he can prepare for in advance. ]

We did, yeah. [ Admittedly softly with a nod. His jaw clenches. ] I thought he was too. Not exactly happy to be proven wrong.

We're going to get through this, though. Had worse from that tosser, right?

[ Nevermind that John's already begun to do the reading and the work at reaching out to his Patron should something befall the girls or anyone else he knows. He could've lived with it just being him that Maul was after. Bastard had to go and make it personal. ]

Yeah, I'm sure. I think he's still... you know. Planning.

[She is not a fan of the waiting either, the waiting, the worrying, especially being certain that he won't make a move until he's ready, and until he thinks it's unexpected. In the meantime, all they can do is prepare for war, and remain on edge until it comes knocking on their doors.

It feels like a little like an impending apocalypse, but at least that's something she's had plenty of experience with.]

Yeah... I didn't want to be proven wrong on this either... He even saved my life back in November. I mean, reluctantly. But he did it.

[Willow takes a deep breath and nods at his final statement.]

Well, the last time I crossed paths with him before... You know. Everything. He tore down my house. Since he. You know. Couldn't get to me.

He'll get bored with that soon enough. He's a pretty simple creature, that one.

[ John's faced down countless situations of varying degrees. He's gone up against those that outclassed him by miles and those who thought they could take a piece cause they underestimated him. Gods, devils, demons, demigods, avatars of the ruddy planet. This feels like all of those.

The way it all goes quiet before the real storm begins. The heaviness in the air. He can taste phantom ozone on his tongue. ]

I saved him back there too. From the Zealots. This makes me think I shouldn't have.

[ He won't try to make excuses for that. He knows what he's feeling. He also knows how dark he nearly went during that time as well. That way madness lies. ]

I know. But we've both had worse than this wanker, eh? [ He's less concerned for himself than he is for the others around him. ] Very least, we should be checking in daily until this blows over.

[ If it does. ]

You don't hear from me then you try to get hold of Herc, Zari, or Sara.

Yeah...

[She lets a sigh.]

Even if you hadn't saved from the zealots, it wouldn't have changed anything. Except maybe made him worse, because he would have died again, and maybe even died knowing you could have saved him and chose not to.

Besides, I wouldn't want that for you either.

[She hesitates when he says they've seen worse than Maul, and shifts uncomfortably, but doesn't answer. She has, but not without magic.]

Ozpin, Qrow or Oscar are probably your best contacts at home. If they don't know where I am, either Faith, or Ford Pines. Ford's got a teleportation talisman that will take me right to his lab if I get in trouble.

Wouldn't have changed much between us. He and I haven't gotten on since I showed up back in Deerington, sweetheart. Too much alike in a lot of ways, I suppose.

How'd I manage all you types trying to make something decent out of a mean old man like me, eh? Losing my touch, me.

[ He knows she's still having trouble with her magic. They've talked about it. Worked on it off and on. It's concerning but he still believes in her. She's got a good head on her shoulders. He hates that it's come to leaving lists of names in the event something goes horribly wrong. He reaches out to hold onto her arms above the elbow, rubbing briefly to offer support. ]

I'll remember, check-in if I don't hear anything from you. [ Look out for them as best as he can. ] You know---you could stay here, yeah? I know you can look out for yourself and all but all the same.

Neither of us would mind, Herc was chomping at the bit to go get you and Luna the second he heard what happened.

[ He already knows the answer, though. ]

[She scoffs. John, please. Maul is a psychopath. You are not.]

You two aren't alike, stop that. You don't give yourself nearly enough credit. You're not just decent. You're a good man and -

[She smiles a little.]

You do a pretty good job at the whole being a dad thing too.

[The smile fades as he makes the offer. She knows he means it, and she's sure he already knows what the answer is.]

John... You know I can't do that. The last time Maul tried to get to me and couldn't, he tore down my house instead. He knows where I live. I can't abandon the people I love there either.

[She smirks a little.]

And you don't have space for all of us. Besides, between Ozpin and everyone else... I don't think Maul would dare try to come after me there. He doesn't know I can't use magic any more either. If I can keep him fooled on that -

[She sighs.]

Maybe that will keep him from coming at me. Otherwise... well, with my fun no magic-only-migraines, and not being a fighter...

[ Self-deprecation and self-destruction are old friends. They go hand in hand with loneliness and guilt. They're easier than gentle things. Soft things. He doesn't know what to do with things like that. He never has.

He looks up sharply when she says that, expression softening. Throat closing. ]

That, uh---that means a lot, sweetheart.

[ Her smile fades but he knew what she'd say. ]

Never said you should. We could make it work. Might be a little crowded is all. Proper sleepover.

[ An attempt at levity that he doesn't really feel. ]

I don't think he would either. You're safest there. Don't think I'm getting much of anywhere without a guard dog all my own myself.

[ He takes her hands then to squeeze gently. ]

Not a fighter? Silliest thing I've heard out of you. One of the best I know. Isn't all about magic or muscles. It's about heart. You've got more than plenty.

You don't want us all sleeping over here.

[She smiles a little.]

You guys would never get any peace. Besides, it might not be a good idea for us to all gather under one roof like that - just makes it easier for him to corner us.

[She returns the gentle squeeze of his hands, and looks down at them for a long, quiet moment.]

If anything happens... you'll look out for them, right?

Fronted a punk band back in the day. Had worse sleeping conditions than that.

[ But she's not wrong and it's frustrating. The best thing they can all do right now is stay in their respective homes and wait this out. But then she looks down the way she does, as if she's contemplating something and when she finally speaks---he wishes she hadn't.

Mouth set in a grim line, all he can do is nod. ]

You know I will.

[She knows she has a point about not gathering all in one spot. There's strength in numbers, yes, but there's something to be said as well for spreading themselves out to force him to divide his attention. They all have their own strengths, and she's confident he won't be able to breach their wards.

Mostly.

The cold knot of dread she feels in the pit of her stomach is artificial. It's just the effect of Tara's accidental touch earlier in the month, and logically Willow knows this, even in moments like this when it threatens to become overwhelming. It's not much consolation, but at least she can find comfort in knowing if something does happen, the people she cares for will be looked after until she returns.]

I know... I know...

[She looks up at him, and tries to offer a reassurance she doesn't really feel.]

It'll be fine.

[ There's a niggling feeling. The kind that makes the hair on the back of his neck go up. The feeling of something looming on the horizon. A storm he can taste in the air but the sky is bright and blue and shining. ]

Course it will, sweetheart. You'll see, we'll be back to normal before you can blink. This'll just be a bad memory.

[ Shifting to draw her in for a more firm hug, he holds on maybe a bit longer and a bit tighter than he might normally. As if he can dispel or take on the upset rippling through her by touch alone. He rubs her back with one hand and kisses the side of her head. ]

Now, you ought to get home before it's too late, yeah? You let me know when you're there safe and I'll text in the morning to check in. [ He swallows thickly. ] Off with you.

Yeah. Like all things, this, too, will pass, right?

[She lets him draw her into a hug, and she returns it. It's supposed to be comforting, but under the influence of Tara's unintentional touch, she feels absolutely nothing. Somehow, it makes her feel worse, knowing she should feel differently, but she buries it, and pulls away when he tells her she should go.]

Yeah. It won't take me long to get back.

[She nods and forces a small smile.]

I'll send a message as soon as I'm in.

( inbox. ) deer country.

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