[The thing is, Barcus doesn't expect an apology, which might actually make it even tricker to smooth things over. Now he's confused, and unfortunately mistrustful of this...whatever it is.]
Hello Percy.
You don't owe me anything. If you don't care for my company, I wouldn't force it on you. Perhaps I assumed too much.
I'm happy to continue collaborating with whatever work you wish to do.
[Thank god this is being done over scroll instead of face to face, it allows him the chance to think over his words and to push past his initial agitation over just how difficult Barcus is being.]
I do not have many friends here and I know my recent behavior is not leading towards creating new ones. I am not used to having others that worry about me when I am taking unusual approaches to things and I reacted harshly. I should not of said what I did in the manner that I did. You were a friend and I would like to still consider you as one even when I certainly did not behave as a good one. This is a bit more difficult for me to say but I do mean what I am saying now.
[Barcus has to take a minute to think this over, too. There's some emotional whiplash involved, but then if Percy is being influenced by a demon, that would definitely explain abrupt shifts in his demeanor.
Even if not, some leeway has to be made for him. He's under a lot of strain. Gods know Barcus was ready to pick a barfight when Ashton was missing.]
I've been accused of being too clingy before, by other friends.
[One other friend. It just feels like more.] I suppose it just feels all too plausible that it could happen again.
But if you're saying that's not what you meant, that it was just us misunderstanding one another, then I'm happy to take you at your word. You've been kind to me before when I didn't expect it. I'm hardly going to hold it against you if you have a few harsh words on occasion, as well.
You still have my friendship, for as long as you want it.
I don't wish to simply push this disagreement as a mere misunderstanding.
I was annoyed.
But- I was being especially callous with my words and dispportionally cruel with how I addressed such a temporary problem. I wish that I could say that I would not hurt you with my words again but I also do not want to make a promise that I can not keep for certain. I have too much respect for you to offer empty and preformative promises.
What I can offer is a promise to try to soften my words when bothered, especially when it is not something life altering.
I am glad that I have not burned that bridge of friendship, quite yet, and I offer mine in return.
I want you to be safe, Percy. More than I need you to be kind to me, more than I need to be dignified or diplomatic for myself. I know I was beside myself when Ashton was gone, and if Night Sky and Dorian hadn't been around to talk me out of it I would have worn myself to the bone trying to do something about it.
And I haven't known him for half as long as you've known Vex, so I'm sure whatever you're going through is worse. I'm worried, not because I don't think you're competent, but because I know you're in pain.
But you're an adult and I should treat you like one. I apologize for being overbearing. I won't sit by if I think you're in danger from yourself or anyone else, but I can try to be a little more civil about it.
[Well this feels like forgiveness, or something closely akin. Barcus takes a deep breath and lets it out in a sigh of relief. He's always going to do what he thinks is right, but it's nice that the consequences aren't going to be as painful this time as he feared.]
I'd like that, very much. Can I come visit, then? I'll bring you a bottle of wine.
Barcus disconnects in order to change and collect his things in relative haste. He's slightly ashamed of himself, how relieved he is not to have lost a friend. Percy has been a window of insight into the world Ashton comes from, and he'd hate to lose that in a practical sense, but the emotional connection--and common interests--are more important.
It takes him a little less time to get to where he's going than he predicted, so he's well within the half hour he promised, and he comes bearing gifts. Not just two bottles of wine, but an industrial-quality sapphire he made the night before. Not much use for jewelry, but well worth it for other projects.
"Quick question," he says, peering up at Percy. "Are there any baby dragons in this house? Everyone's seem to be hatching."
"Unfortunately not, one can say that Dragons and Vox Machina are on opposing sides. We have a whole concave of dragons to fight off whenever we head back home and stay there." Percy answered, a small bemused smile hitching the corners of his mouth.
"The closest that you will get to a dragon would have to be Sleeping Beauty and she's just a flaming salamander." Percy said, taking a step back to allow Barcus to scuttle into his workshop.
"I think Dorian and Ashton both have dragon, if I recall correctly?" Percy answered as he hesitantly placed his hand on Barcus's shoulder and gave it a brief squeeze. Hopefully, if things were honestly good between the two friends Barcus would see that small gesture as his own way of reassurance and not something hostile.
"Oh. I'm...sorry to hear that." He blinks. This is a new one. Is there no end to the crises in their world?
Well. It's not like Faerun isn't just as fucked up.
"I only asked because this..." he fishes the sapphire out of the bag he's carrying and tucks it into Percy's hand. "Is meant for your workshop, not a dragon nursery." And that is his way of affirming their friendship, just as that light touch and squeeze to his shoulder is Percy's way.
He smiles up at the other man and at the touch Percy can probably feel the tension leach out of Barcus' shoulders at once. They're good.
"Well, we already took down three dragons. What's two more?" Percy lightly scoffed, his green eyes shining brighter when he felt all that tension in Barcus's shoulders started to ease.
Good... They really are good. That's a relief, Percy honestly did not want to loose his first friend he made in Caldera; even when it felt almost frightening good when he came close to setting that ablaze.
At the sight of the sapphire nestled in the palm of his hand, Percy's mind immediately went down several routes on what he could potentially do with something as expensive as that.
"Ah... Barcus. Are you sure you want to give this to me? It's a bit nice?" Percy asked, his voice much more demure then usual as his thumb brushed against one of the gem's facets, all the sudden unable to look the gnome in his eyes without the sick feeling of guilt something in his stomach.
He looks up at Percy and shakes his head wryly. "Every last one of you makes me feel so out of my depth. You, Vax, Dorian, Ashton...I shudder to think what the problems of your world must be like."
The gnome seems surprised by Percy's reaction, given they already discussed diamond lenses and the like. Hopefully he hasn't just offended him again, but...this doesn't sound like offense. "It's not that high quality. Not jewelry-quality. It's very regular, but the color isn't there. Like I told you, I've been growing my own crystals. You can break this gem down for projects...at least, that was my intent."
"Crystallokinesis is a wildly useful ability to have."
Oh... This was the furthest thing from offense as possible! To be honest, the longer Percy kept the sapphire in his hand the more unworthy he felt holding it.
As such, he gently placed the gemstone next to a small pillow that nestled two small opals- Vex's and Pike's faction gems. "Ah, You would be surprised by what such gems could be used for. My father.... He had a family crest that was decorated with sapphires, diamonds and amethyst. I spent one whole summer reading into the meaning behind the gemstones. Sapphires represents Wisdom, Royalty, Prophecy, and Divine Favor, but I think for this Sapphire ,at least, it would mean something else as well."
There are connotations here that Barcus didn't expect, but the more he watches Percy handle his gift like a...well, a much more precious jewel than it actually is...the happier he is that he brought it.
Really, he could do better, he thinks. It's not the best sapphire he's seen, by a long shot. But that doesn't matter if Percy likes it.
"Sometimes the symbolism behind these things is an afterthought for me," he admits, and for a moment his hand strays to the front of his tunic, beneath which he's wearing the pendant made from Ashton's lock of hair. "I was trained to mine them, and then trained to cut them into facets, and only then did I have a chance to look into their magical properties."
It takes him a minute to realize where those opals must have come from, and when he does, something twists in his chest. Oh. Well, so much for his worry that his friendship doesn't mean much to Percy!
"I don't...know much about where you come from. Your father...?" It's an opening, gentle but curious.
"Frederick De Rolo, Lord De Rolo Of Whitestone or Lord of The city of the Sun Tree." Percy answered as his hand drifted over his desk to shuffle through some loose parchment papers.
"Whitestone is the name of city that my family had long ruled over and it's a core export is a certain rock that the city has gained it's name for. Whitestone can be refined to a green, glass-like substance called residuum. Although it is not inherently magical, Residuum is particularly receptive to arcane energies and is often used to create objects that retain more powerful enchantments. I honestly wish that I had some with me right now, I am sure that you would of put it to good use." Percy lectured, his voice still holding onto that soft and tender quality to it as he finally revealed to Barcus what was on the parchment paper that he was looking at.
It was a hand drawn map of Whitestone, according to what Percy could remember.
"Whitestone's other name- The City of the Sun Tree is pretty self explanatory. The sun tree is the very symbol of my city and it's the core of my family's crest as well. My ancestors came across the Sun Tree after an expedition sailing crash. They had sought protection underneath it's branches and kept protected for a long while. It wasn't until five years ago did any major calamity befall it, and the Briarwoods were almost successful in destroying it and whatever remained of my home." Percy said, that steely tone entered his voice once more when he brushed against the very tender subject of what happened to him.
Barcus listens quietly, fascinated to realize here's another whole side of Percy he didn't know existed. The man is complicated--typical of intelligent people, really, but Percy takes it to a new level.
"My village was called Spindlehollow," he says quietly. Percy may or may not recognize quite what it means for him to be willing to give that detail away, but Barcus has already told him how he left home to protect his settlement's secret. Sharing the name is a sign of trust.
He is of course fascinated by the idea of residuum, nodding wide-eyed as the possibilities occur to him. Ordinary stone can be enchanted, of course, but he can imagine this substance being far more versatile and powerful.
He suspects Percy saying Barcus could put it to good use is one of the greater compliments the man could give him.
The gnome comes a little closer, leaning to look at the drawing, and while none of it is familiar to him, and he has no strong feelings about sun or trees, he smiles, visibly matching Percy's more tender tone. Home is the biggest four letter word there is, next to love.
"'Almost'?" he echoes, sobering as Percy's tone shifts. "Are they gone in your world, these enemies of yours?"
"A few of them, Yes. At least Lady and Lord Briarwood are gone, along with Captain Stonefell and Professor Anders. I really only have one more person that I hold personally responsible for what she did to me. Her name is Anna Ripley and if you ever come across someone using that name- avoid her at all cost. She is very dangerous and worse yet she is intelligent." Percy warned, his posture growing tense as that flickering numbness of fury burned within his chest.
"Be what it is, she is not here and we have more pleasant conversation to be had." Percy muttered after a long drawn out hiss, mentally pushing that rage down in front of Barcus. "You came to see some Blueprints and not hear some sob story, right? So which would you like to see first- a modified version of a gun I'm drafting or one that is already crafted?"
Avoid her. Barcus nods, but hopes to the gods this person never shows up here. After being so meticulously careful not to choose sides with anyone else, he wouldn't be able to be objective with someone so objectionable to a friend, and he'd look like a hypocrite.
"Hopefully that won't happen," he says. And then shakes his head gently. "No, honestly, I'm glad to hear more about you, where you come from. You can always talk to me."
"But we're both better built for blueprints and inventions, so we can change the subject. Show me what you've already crafted first, if you will? I'm curious."
"Then I think Bad News would be the proper one to show you. It's the first gun that I have made with absolutely no outside inspiration. It has earned it's name from the saying: Bad News travels far and fast. Personally I would not want to be on the receiving end of one of it's hits. I used to have bruises along my shoulder from the kickback alone." Percy answered, his mood switching back to something more playful then that dark brooding.
"I think if I was to make something for you- it would be something more akin to my pepperbox. It's smaller and easier to handle and can hold multiple rounds at once." Percy mused, tucking the map of Whitestone away and replaced it with the Blueprint of Bad News.
"You should be honored- you are the only person that I have shared my blueprints with and you are probably the only one to ever have see them. I do not want to be the one responsible for revolutionizing warfare in Caldera. This land has it's own problems and my weapons are not going to assist it."
Barcus grins, amused by the pun. "You have a dark sense of humor, Saer Percy, but you do often make me laugh."
Barcus' humor isn't quite as black, but most deep gnomes have a fatalistic streak. He moves closer, nodding his understanding. "Some gnomes could match you for strength, but sadly I'm not one of them. If the kickback can bruise you, it'd break my whole shoulder."
Still, he's fascinated, gaze scanning the blueprint with bright curiosity and a subtler hunger for new information. He takes a breath, Percy's comment giving him pause, and after a second of hesitation he reaches out and hugs him gently, mostly just around the arm and lower back.
There it is. Percy has a bit in common with Wulbren, but his care for the stewardship of his own invention speaks volumes. "Any secret you tell me to keep, I'll take to my grave," he promises quietly.
"I had a... friend. Who recreated a volatile substance first made, purportedly, by a god. Runepowder. He meant to use it to kill hundreds, maybe thousands."
Just because he wanted to start with the Gondians doesn't mean Wulbren would have stopped there. "He was stopped. Believe me, I understand the trust you're putting in me."
"Good. I adore learning about other people's secrets but I rather keep my own. I am a bit of a hypocrite in that manner." Percy answered, his tone a bit self-depicting only in the manner of him being fully aware of just how he sounds.
"Bad News was never meant to be manufactured for other people to use. I had a brief talk with Finnick about the peacekeepers from his world and how they use guns to enforce their rules. I believe in defense and not force. My family ruled with love not force." Percy admitted as he returned Barcus's hug.
"You're so warm," Percy absently muttered, squeezing Barcus once more reluctant to let his friend go just yet.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 03:59 am (UTC)Hello Percy.
You don't owe me anything. If you don't care for my company, I wouldn't force it on you. Perhaps I assumed too much.
I'm happy to continue collaborating with whatever work you wish to do.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 04:12 am (UTC)I do not have many friends here and I know my recent behavior is not leading towards creating new ones. I am not used to having others that worry about me when I am taking unusual approaches to things and I reacted harshly. I should not of said what I did in the manner that I did. You were a friend and I would like to still consider you as one even when I certainly did not behave as a good one. This is a bit more difficult for me to say but I do mean what I am saying now.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 04:41 am (UTC)Even if not, some leeway has to be made for him. He's under a lot of strain. Gods know Barcus was ready to pick a barfight when Ashton was missing.]
I've been accused of being too clingy before, by other friends.
[One other friend. It just feels like more.] I suppose it just feels all too plausible that it could happen again.
But if you're saying that's not what you meant, that it was just us misunderstanding one another, then I'm happy to take you at your word. You've been kind to me before when I didn't expect it. I'm hardly going to hold it against you if you have a few harsh words on occasion, as well.
You still have my friendship, for as long as you want it.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 02:12 pm (UTC)I was annoyed.
But- I was being especially callous with my words and dispportionally cruel with how I addressed such a temporary problem. I wish that I could say that I would not hurt you with my words again but I also do not want to make a promise that I can not keep for certain. I have too much respect for you to offer empty and preformative promises.
What I can offer is a promise to try to soften my words when bothered, especially when it is not something life altering.
I am glad that I have not burned that bridge of friendship, quite yet, and I offer mine in return.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 02:43 pm (UTC)And I haven't known him for half as long as you've known Vex, so I'm sure whatever you're going through is worse. I'm worried, not because I don't think you're competent, but because I know you're in pain.
But you're an adult and I should treat you like one. I apologize for being overbearing. I won't sit by if I think you're in danger from yourself or anyone else, but I can try to be a little more civil about it.
1/2
Date: 2025-03-07 02:52 pm (UTC)More then what I probably would of been if the situation had been reversed.
2/2 [private]
Date: 2025-03-07 02:54 pm (UTC)These are the ones from my personal collection.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 03:05 pm (UTC)I'd like that, very much. Can I come visit, then? I'll bring you a bottle of wine.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 03:13 pm (UTC)Bring two bottles. I feel like we are going to be in for a long night.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 03:19 pm (UTC)[Yeah, he feels like they're cool, now, or he wouldn't make that joke.]
But yes, I'll be there in about half an hour if that suits you?
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 03:37 pm (UTC)But I am too classy to say that.
I am sure that I can find something to wile the time away, but please do not be late for our date.
[We cool, bro.
For now.]
switching to prose but you can use brackets if you'd rather, nbd
Date: 2025-03-07 04:15 pm (UTC)It takes him a little less time to get to where he's going than he predicted, so he's well within the half hour he promised, and he comes bearing gifts. Not just two bottles of wine, but an industrial-quality sapphire he made the night before. Not much use for jewelry, but well worth it for other projects.
"Quick question," he says, peering up at Percy. "Are there any baby dragons in this house? Everyone's seem to be hatching."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 04:38 pm (UTC)"The closest that you will get to a dragon would have to be Sleeping Beauty and she's just a flaming salamander." Percy said, taking a step back to allow Barcus to scuttle into his workshop.
"I think Dorian and Ashton both have dragon, if I recall correctly?" Percy answered as he hesitantly placed his hand on Barcus's shoulder and gave it a brief squeeze. Hopefully, if things were honestly good between the two friends Barcus would see that small gesture as his own way of reassurance and not something hostile.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 05:21 pm (UTC)Well. It's not like Faerun isn't just as fucked up.
"I only asked because this..." he fishes the sapphire out of the bag he's carrying and tucks it into Percy's hand. "Is meant for your workshop, not a dragon nursery." And that is his way of affirming their friendship, just as that light touch and squeeze to his shoulder is Percy's way.
He smiles up at the other man and at the touch Percy can probably feel the tension leach out of Barcus' shoulders at once. They're good.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 06:03 pm (UTC)Good... They really are good. That's a relief, Percy honestly did not want to loose his first friend he made in Caldera; even when it felt almost frightening good when he came close to setting that ablaze.
At the sight of the sapphire nestled in the palm of his hand, Percy's mind immediately went down several routes on what he could potentially do with something as expensive as that.
"Ah... Barcus. Are you sure you want to give this to me? It's a bit nice?" Percy asked, his voice much more demure then usual as his thumb brushed against one of the gem's facets, all the sudden unable to look the gnome in his eyes without the sick feeling of
guiltsomething in his stomach.no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 06:12 pm (UTC)The gnome seems surprised by Percy's reaction, given they already discussed diamond lenses and the like. Hopefully he hasn't just offended him again, but...this doesn't sound like offense. "It's not that high quality. Not jewelry-quality. It's very regular, but the color isn't there. Like I told you, I've been growing my own crystals. You can break this gem down for projects...at least, that was my intent."
"Crystallokinesis is a wildly useful ability to have."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 06:41 pm (UTC)As such, he gently placed the gemstone next to a small pillow that nestled two small opals- Vex's and Pike's faction gems. "Ah, You would be surprised by what such gems could be used for. My father.... He had a family crest that was decorated with sapphires, diamonds and amethyst. I spent one whole summer reading into the meaning behind the gemstones. Sapphires represents Wisdom, Royalty, Prophecy, and Divine Favor, but I think for this Sapphire ,at least, it would mean something else as well."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 07:21 pm (UTC)Really, he could do better, he thinks. It's not the best sapphire he's seen, by a long shot. But that doesn't matter if Percy likes it.
"Sometimes the symbolism behind these things is an afterthought for me," he admits, and for a moment his hand strays to the front of his tunic, beneath which he's wearing the pendant made from Ashton's lock of hair. "I was trained to mine them, and then trained to cut them into facets, and only then did I have a chance to look into their magical properties."
It takes him a minute to realize where those opals must have come from, and when he does, something twists in his chest. Oh. Well, so much for his worry that his friendship doesn't mean much to Percy!
"I don't...know much about where you come from. Your father...?" It's an opening, gentle but curious.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 08:21 pm (UTC)"Whitestone is the name of city that my family had long ruled over and it's a core export is a certain rock that the city has gained it's name for. Whitestone can be refined to a green, glass-like substance called residuum. Although it is not inherently magical, Residuum is particularly receptive to arcane energies and is often used to create objects that retain more powerful enchantments. I honestly wish that I had some with me right now, I am sure that you would of put it to good use." Percy lectured, his voice still holding onto that soft and tender quality to it as he finally revealed to Barcus what was on the parchment paper that he was looking at.
It was a hand drawn map of Whitestone, according to what Percy could remember.
"Whitestone's other name- The City of the Sun Tree is pretty self explanatory. The sun tree is the very symbol of my city and it's the core of my family's crest as well. My ancestors came across the Sun Tree after an expedition sailing crash. They had sought protection underneath it's branches and kept protected for a long while. It wasn't until five years ago did any major calamity befall it, and the Briarwoods were almost successful in destroying it and whatever remained of my home." Percy said, that steely tone entered his voice once more when he brushed against the very tender subject of what happened to him.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-07 09:18 pm (UTC)"My village was called Spindlehollow," he says quietly. Percy may or may not recognize quite what it means for him to be willing to give that detail away, but Barcus has already told him how he left home to protect his settlement's secret. Sharing the name is a sign of trust.
He is of course fascinated by the idea of residuum, nodding wide-eyed as the possibilities occur to him. Ordinary stone can be enchanted, of course, but he can imagine this substance being far more versatile and powerful.
He suspects Percy saying Barcus could put it to good use is one of the greater compliments the man could give him.
The gnome comes a little closer, leaning to look at the drawing, and while none of it is familiar to him, and he has no strong feelings about sun or trees, he smiles, visibly matching Percy's more tender tone. Home is the biggest four letter word there is, next to love.
"'Almost'?" he echoes, sobering as Percy's tone shifts. "Are they gone in your world, these enemies of yours?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-08 02:58 am (UTC)"Be what it is, she is not here and we have more pleasant conversation to be had." Percy muttered after a long drawn out hiss, mentally pushing that rage down in front of Barcus. "You came to see some Blueprints and not hear some sob story, right? So which would you like to see first- a modified version of a gun I'm drafting or one that is already crafted?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-08 03:19 am (UTC)"Hopefully that won't happen," he says. And then shakes his head gently. "No, honestly, I'm glad to hear more about you, where you come from. You can always talk to me."
"But we're both better built for blueprints and inventions, so we can change the subject. Show me what you've already crafted first, if you will? I'm curious."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-08 03:22 pm (UTC)"I think if I was to make something for you- it would be something more akin to my pepperbox. It's smaller and easier to handle and can hold multiple rounds at once." Percy mused, tucking the map of Whitestone away and replaced it with the Blueprint of Bad News.
"You should be honored- you are the only person that I have shared my blueprints with and you are probably the only one to ever have see them. I do not want to be the one responsible for revolutionizing warfare in Caldera. This land has it's own problems and my weapons are not going to assist it."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-08 03:43 pm (UTC)Barcus' humor isn't quite as black, but most deep gnomes have a fatalistic streak. He moves closer, nodding his understanding. "Some gnomes could match you for strength, but sadly I'm not one of them. If the kickback can bruise you, it'd break my whole shoulder."
Still, he's fascinated, gaze scanning the blueprint with bright curiosity and a subtler hunger for new information. He takes a breath, Percy's comment giving him pause, and after a second of hesitation he reaches out and hugs him gently, mostly just around the arm and lower back.
There it is. Percy has a bit in common with Wulbren, but his care for the stewardship of his own invention speaks volumes. "Any secret you tell me to keep, I'll take to my grave," he promises quietly.
"I had a... friend. Who recreated a volatile substance first made, purportedly, by a god. Runepowder. He meant to use it to kill hundreds, maybe thousands."
Just because he wanted to start with the Gondians doesn't mean Wulbren would have stopped there. "He was stopped. Believe me, I understand the trust you're putting in me."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-10 02:40 pm (UTC)"Bad News was never meant to be manufactured for other people to use. I had a brief talk with Finnick about the peacekeepers from his world and how they use guns to enforce their rules. I believe in defense and not force. My family ruled with love not force." Percy admitted as he returned Barcus's hug.
"You're so warm," Percy absently muttered, squeezing Barcus once more reluctant to let his friend go just yet.
(no subject)
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