eastbound | video | un: slothbaby - after hell is sealed/on their way to safety

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video | un: slothbaby - after hell is sealed/on their way to safety

[A very tired teenager waves at the camera. As usual, she's got a smile on her face. Apparently a lack of sleep, murders, and run in with another crazy person isn't enough to ruin her mood. Kamala Khan everyone.] Hi, guys! Stuff has been super crazy, huh? I'm 90% sure we saved the day so yay! Another win for the team! Great job, guys!

[Those who know her or maybe just have a good ability to read people may pick up on the fact she seems nervous. She keeps chatting away like nothing is the matter.] Irenia is back too! Isn't that awesome? And I got food for us! Look... [She moves her pendant around to show a collection of dead wildlife, berries, etc.] I've been asking around for help preparing this stuff because yeahhhh city girl. No clue how you do this! If you want to help out, please and thank you? There's a lot of it and I know we've all been super hungry for what feels like forever. As far as I'm concerned everyone should eat as much as they can once we get it all cooked and stuff.

[Her eyes dart from side to side. Kamala clears her throat.] You might be wondering how I pulled this off and if you're not? I guess click off? But, yeah.... so I may have been carrying around a doll that belonged to someone else's daughter from a couple of places back? He told me his name is Matthias. I returned it to him because hey I'm not a jerk. It belonged to his daughter so it should go back to him.

He gave me this food in return or I guess his undead friends did. Not going to lie, pretty scary stuff. But, that's how I got the food. We talked about some other stuff too. His home world, Ellethia, and what he used to do for a living when his daughter was alive. His hot take on the whole undead thing. It really got me thinking about their deal. He seemed to know a lot about it.

And you know just out of curiosity, what do we know about the undead? Share if you want since I know we have bigger problems right now. I'm mostly worried about this food going bad.

private to Five and Allison

So, don't panic, but I may or may not be in danger here. Can we talk? About everything? This is pretty much the safe version of what happened. I don't want to freak out the the others, but if I were a questionable guy who didn't get their way just now? I'd totally go after you guys first since spoilers you're my favorite people! And Emilia, but seriously I've seen Emilia in action. I feel sorry for anyone who tries to hurt her to get to me. So yeah. We should talk.

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I'm not with Allison. I try not to follow her around all the time, but clearly, that was a mistake. She probably wouldn't have let me talk to him.

[And they wouldn't be in danger. That's what she feels guilty about. Kamala reads off her current coordinates since that's probably what he wants, right?]

Lesson learned. [ Allison could have done a lot more to get him talking, but more on that later. It was a stroke of genius to give Kamala that compass. Five takes a few deep breaths and tests his powers. Going to Hell was... not as great of an idea, and he hasn't bounced back as quickly as his young body should be capable of.

She might make out a couple quietly frustrated 'come on's and few muttered curses before he appears in a flash beside her. He steadies himself as he looks her up and down for any obvious injuries. When he doesn't spot any, or see anything other than the food she gathered beside them, he doesn't trust it. ]

How long ago was this? Where did he go after you spoke? [ Then, not... at all calmer or waiting for her answers: ] What did he look like?

[Kamala looks both concerned and relieved to see Five in equal measure. That was not as easy as usual. What exactly has he been up to? She approaches him with both emotions warring plainly on her face.] A couple of hours ago. He disappeared. Teleported, maybe? I don't know.

[She digs in her bag for the art supplies Bones secured for her.] I can draw a picture of him. Hang on.

[ Of course. Everyone teleports these days, so he expected as much. He opens his mouth for a follow up question when she suggests drawing him to answer his last. That isn't something he would have thought to ask, but he doesn't stop her and does what he can to swallow his impatience while hovering over her.

That jump took a lot out of him, so he folds his arms and eyes the gathered food briefly before refocusing on Kamala. She thinks she might be in danger. ]

Do you expect him to come back?

[Kamala sits down in a cross-legged position and gets to work. This won't be terribly long. She is a quick, efficient drawer when the need arises. It will take a couple of minutes for certain. She focuses exclusively on putting pencil to paper while chatting.] Sooner or later. I'm pretty sure he's pulling a Najima. He told me a sad, probably kind of true story to get me to do what he wanted. I didn't do it so he'll be back to either try again or punish me for not doing it.

[Kamala explains this with an eery amount of calm, almost frustrated by how unavoidable it is.]

[ As alarming as that is, Five takes a moment to be impressed that Kamala saw a manipulation tactic for what it was. She’s a smart kid. Who, he realizes now, he’s going to need to watch like a hawk. ]

I wouldn’t assume. It’s possible he doesn’t even have a daughter. [ Just saw Kamala alone with a doll and thought she was an easy target. ] What did he want you to do?

[Her pencil movement slows because that actually hurts to consider. Kamala can see where he got the idea from especially after having it confirmed someone watched her long enough to report back to the Merchant.] ... I was sleeping with the doll. Don't laugh, but I thought her face would scare off Djinn.

[She smiles. It'd been the only relief she could get until Allison helped her. Kamala isn't ashamed of what her sleep-deprived brain needed to cope.] I am pretty sure he wanted me to tell you guys that the undead are people too. We shouldn't just destroy them because it leaves their spirits wandering around and in pain.

It goes against everything I believe, but he was so convincing. I think I would have fallen for it enough to share his side of the story if the Merchant hadn't called up to tell me he knew Matthias was talking to me. Super creepy for the record, but the stuff he told me made it pretty obvious Matthias was probably messing with me.

[She adds details to his face with aggressively.] It is actually kind of scary how he knew exactly what to say to get me to listen to him. That stuff about being a dad, his daughter, and the idea that we showed up and hurt people just trying to live their lives because we didn't know better or care... it's like he knew exactly what would hurt me the most to hear. He knew I'd want to make it right.

[She finishes a cartoon-ish, but accurate version of the man she met earlier and shows it to Five. That can't be right, right? He probably just guessed a brown girl from Jersey City would have feelings about dads and people rolling up and wrecking the lives of people native to the land they're in. Maybe he would have said the same thing to you.

[She shrugs like it could be a real possibility and not something she's saying to feel better.]

[ Five listens intently as she recounts what Matthias wanted, and his eye twitches when she brings up the Merchant immediately contacting her. That they picked now, the minute that Hell was sealed, to swoop in on their most vulnerable is... something he should have anticipated.

If he weren't in the state he is — the visit to Hell was almost too much, with the mirror in him still buzzing and threatening his composure if he slips — he might have started pacing as his mind turns around this new information. When she shows him what she's drawn he stares at it for a long while before shifting his eyes back to her.

No, he doesn't think that he would have said the same thing to him. Five has killed far more than the undead, so he'd have used a different tactic. The Merchant always seemed to know that about him from the first time they spoke, and now Matthias is overly familiar with Kamala. Of course, it could just have been what he thought would work on a girl separated from her family, but he won't discredit her suspicions. ]

I've seen him before, in a mirror. [ And a dream, he thinks, but that was too confusing and only left him with an impression. ] He's probably been watching us for as long as we've been following in his footsteps.

This... is good. He's never spoken to one of us before. Now we know that he sees us as a threat, and we're closer to understanding what his motives are. I wanted to track him down, and he came to you willingly. We have an opening.

What else did the Merchant say?

[Her brows furrow together. She is still in the information-gathering stage. Soon that will be extremely disturbing to her. Kamala will know confidently that she made the right call in telling Five everything. Right now she's deeply disturbed by the fact this person has been spotted by both of them.] That's pretty much what the Merchant said. We're following him just because he happened to set up shop on our way back home. He must think we're a threat if he's trying to tell me undead people aren't so bad actually.

[Some doubt seeps into her voice at the mention of the route. It is actually pretty suspicious now that she thinks about it more. That's not the point. She knows she needs to get to the worrying part.] He gave me some of his history with Matthias. I'm getting even more from the others now. We'll have a good picture of what we're dealing with soon.

[Kamala knows she's stalling. She finally decides to rip the bandaid off.] He wants me to play Black Widow. Contact Matthias because he is willing to talk to just me, and give some fake information to throw him off our trail. I want to say for the record that to protect you guys? I'd be willing to do a lot of things including face a guy who apparently might murder me if I disagree with him and turn me into an undead zombie. Seriously the Merchant said that was a real possibility which is why I'm warning you guys because yeah. He could do it to you guys if he can't get to me because Avengers are gonna avenge, you know? They're pretty famous for it back home.

[She exhales sharply because the thought is pretty terrifying.] I think me playing espionage is a bad idea. I think he'd figure it out in a minute. I also know this isn't going away so... [She throws up her hands. Kamala has nothing. She hates that Five and Allison could be dragged into it.]

[ His expression hardens and he's momentarily distracted by the level of violence he'd like to do to both the Merchant and Matthias. He loves to have his suspicions confirmed, but it immediately makes him rethink how he'd just suggested they exploit Matthias coming to Kamala.

That wasn't what he meant. He's not sacrificing a kid to call him out, especially one smart enough to understand how rapidly that would backfire. ]

The Merchant is only out for himself. [ He's always had that Too Familiar way about him. Five knows his type. ] He's used us since the beginning, and we're getting a pretty good indicator why. It's obvious who we have to go after, and it has been for a while. But we're not making a move until we know how to handle it.

That means that no more going out alone. If he is targeting you, he probably be looking for that opening, and we're not going to give it to him. Alright?

Who else knows?

[Kamala hugs her sketchbook to her chest while she listens. Five really echoes what she's come to realize from her post. While they're all clearly loyal to each other, everyone else is using them for their ends. All they can do is what they believe to be right in a tough situation.

She nods at the question, relieved he isn't blowing this off as her problem or yelling at her for talking to strange men while alone.] Alright, we stick to the buddy system.

[She bites down on her lip as she replays the conversations she's had. Kamala isn't trying to intentionally hide things. She also knows only Five and Allison are going to know the full story.] About how I think things could go down? That I talked to the Merchant too because he apparently has people spying on us? Just you. I'll explain the whole thing to Allison too. I made sure everyone knows the rest. That's the important part.

[She gestures to Five with one hand.] You're the only one who knows about Najima. If I tell them I'm paranoid because the last time I didn't play ball with someone with an agenda they tried to kill me and my entire family, they won't take it seriously. Maybe they shouldn't. Maybe he will just shrug and forget he ever talked to me. Maybe I am just a scared little girl who doesn't know anything and needs to grow up already.

[Some hurt leaks into her voice. Kamala really does think that's how others perceive her. Normally she wouldn't care since most people write her off as a silly kid. They're not totally wrong to do it in her book. This isn't just about Kamala which is why she's upset.] That's just not a chance I'm willing to take with your lives. Allison saved me. You've had my back for a while now. You guys are the ones who deserve to know everything.

[ The buddy system, exactly. Five barely has time to nod in approval before she answers that she hasn't told anyone else, and only plans to tell Allison. It's... been a long time since someone put all their faith in his family. In him especially.

He looks at her a bit differently as she goes on. Her spiraling into self doubt reminds him how young she is, but not the way he once was. Five was far too arrogant as a child to admit to his faults. That along with the father he desperately wanted to spite, is why he spent a lifetime in solitude. Even without all the training he went through, she's got something he didn't have. She listens.

She also feels safe enough to be vulnerable around him, which isn't a first for him, but he's hardly practiced in how to respond. He's never been the one that people go to for comfort. There may be things he's left out about himself when it involves Kamala, a lot of things, but he hasn't outright lied to her either. He won't now. ]

You did the right thing. [ If she asks him, paranoia isn't so bad when it keeps you from falling into a trap. ] ...There aren't many adults who could have seen through them so easily and understand the value of information. They aren't on to you yet, so I'd say you did well.

[ As rare, and somewhat awkward, as it is for him to compliment someone, he means it. She played along just enough to see their cards without giving any away. He couldn't ask for more. ]

I've been waiting for one of them to make a mistake. If he wasn't afraid of us, he never would have tried tricking you.

[Kamala falls into a rare bout of silence. It is validating to hear Five say that because he doesn't mince words with anyone from her perspective. He says what he means. That's invaluable to an insecure teenage girl who can never be sure where she stands with anyone. It would be easy to explain she only knows because she learned the hard way once but, what's the point? Five already is aware of that story. She can only accept what he has to say.

She nods softly and elaborates,] That's what the Merchant was saying. He's scared of us now and thought he could use me to manipulate everyone else. Not sure why I was his choice, but whatever. I'm not trying to one-hundred percent get all the evil schemes going on here.

[She crosses her arms, visibly troubled, before asking softly.] We're going to have to fight him eventually, right? That's always what these things are building up to. Thanos came for us eventually on Earth after sending lackies to kill us since I was like what? Four? [She shakes her head. Not important.] This guy will finds us too.

[ Five has more than one guess why he went after her. The daughter story could be real. She was vulnerable and alone. He thought it'd be easier to manipulate a child and that the rest of them would listen to her spread his lies.

Matthias didn't expect her to be too smart for him. Kamala gives him a hint to why that was, but he won't press for the rest of the story about Thanos right now. For once he can tell that she's upset enough without calling up childhood trauma. ]

...Probably, yeah. He's not likely to go away until he's dealt with. [ If he waited until Five wasn't being eaten alive by anguish, that'd be preferable, but with his luck. ] I don't think he's done testing us. I also don't think we're ready to face him.

The Merchant doesn't care about that. Now we know that he'd risk any one of our lives to get to him. Remember that if he asks you again.

[Kamala looks more distressed even if it confirms the reality she knows. The bad guy always comes back until he wins. You have to be ready for him when that day comes. The powers that be will sacrifice others for their cause. Everyone knows that thanks to Black Widow leaking it all over the internet. The Sokovia Accords and their repeal later confirmed it.]

I will. [Her voice is heavy. It's hard not to recall at the moment what the consequences of losing even temporarily back home were. As usual, Kamala searches for the brighter side of things. She finds something after a few seconds of digging.] Guess it's a good thing we're training, right? If I get more control over my powers, it'll be easier for us to win if I don't make it back home before the boss battle.

[She forces a smile. That's one good thing, right?]

[ Five still isn’t used to anyone listening to him the way Kamala does, and by her expression he can see she’s taking his words to heart. As she should. It doesn’t make him any happier that they’re in this situation, and clearly Kamala has attracted attention that they’re going to have to deal with.

Curtly, he nods. He’ll have to work more on her combat training, and he intends to, if he can just… ]

We’ll have to pick it up more. [ He folds his arms around himself and takes a few breaths while he thinks. ] He probably hasn’t seen what you’re capable of if he’s targeting you. That’ll be an advantage.

[Kamala blinks in surprise. She hasn't been careful with her abilities here after seeing Five use his without any pitchforks coming his way. It occurs to her that it wouldn't have been wise to approach her if he did see how she can manipulate the Noor. On paper, she could seriously cause some damage if she wanted to with it.] Oh yeah probably not. I haven't really done any of the cool stuff yet too. The point was to keep the tower in one piece. And even back home I had to pull my punches. Even if those guys were trying to kill me, I didn't want to kill them, you know?

[ Her last comment gets an odd reaction out of him. He tilts his head and observes her for a moment as takes that two ways. For one, she most likely does have potential for her powers that she hasn't begun to tap into. And two, that he has to be very careful about how he trains her to react to a threat.

Let him be the killer. If it comes to that, he'll jump in to spare her from doing what he and his siblings justified way back in their superhero days. That he took much further as an adult than any of them really comprehend. ]

Lucky for you, I can teleport away before you can land anything on me. We'll test what it's like when you don't hold back, and go from there.

[Kamala looks excited by the prospect before reality hits. It is a risky move. One thing she figured out in her first fight as Ms. Marvel is that she is stronger than she thinks. The teen suddenly looks nervous at the thought.] Are you sure? Not to brag, but I kind of punched through a city street and destroyed some military vehicles. And weapons they used against the strongest hero on our planet.

[She grimaces. This sounds really terrible, huh? She should probably give some context so he doesn't think she's some kind of lunatic.] They were trying to murder someone I cared about for having powers while being brown and me obviously. I was mostly worried about Kamran. Turns out I really rise to the occasion when people I care about are about to die in front of me.

[ Five takes what she says in slowly. She's stronger than he gave her credit for, obviously, but his gaze softens when she admits what she would do for someone she cares about.

Eventually, he nods. ]

We'll take precautions. Go somewhere no one can witness. [ And even though he doesn't need to, he reassures her in at least one aspect of his experience. ] My brother had super-strength, so it's nothing I'm unfamiliar with. It's more important that you have control over your powers for when it matters.

[The anxiety slowly starts to melt from Kamala's frame. She feels heard in a way that she needs. This whole ordeal finally feels like it's leading to something good. She can't help that she ran into the worst possible person and got manipulated for a hot minute. Kamala can use it to become stronger and wiser. It's nice to know that she has someone in her corner willing to guide her on that journey.] Oh yeah! I totally forgot that Allison gave me the rundown on you guys. The one with super strength is... Luther!

[She claps. Kamala is very confident she got it right. Her expression soon softens. There is something she should convey and not just insecurely fret over whenever Five helps her with something.] Thanks, Five. I know you don't really need me to have your back since you're experienced and stuff, but I'll always try to be there for you too. You know in case you need help someday. I don't want you to feel like I just take from you and never give anything back.

[ He smiles at her, small and slightly nostalgic for a moment, but still legitimate. Kamala is endearing in a way most people aren't. In a way that rarely manages to get through to him. Something about the innocence of youth. More than that, she pays attention. ]

Luther. Number One.

[ They'd all largely abandoned their original names before Five jumped into the apocalypse, except for him. Still, he'd only just started getting used to 'Luther' before getting stuck for decades. Somehow he's still adjusting. Then there's what Allison said happens to him that nearly distracts him from what she says next.

From his reaction to her offer, that's not something he's heard very much in his life. He has to take a moment to process it. ]

It's... nothing, really. [ That doesn't seem like enough, so he clears his throat and adds: ] You already helped when you came to me first about all this. That's all I ask.

[Her brows knit together. It surprises her that is only Five wants. It only seems to benefit her to have someone she can turn to when things go south. He is not in the habit of telling her what she wants to hear. Kamala doubts he's going to start now.

She decides to take him at his word.] Okay, if that's really all you want then you have a deal. You will always get the exclusive on all the crazy stuff going on from me.

[ She might understand if she knew how few people give him the same consideration. And with what Kamala unwillingly got herself involved with, it’s important that he’s the first to know.

Of course, as soon as he shifts the mirror swirling in him is quick to make itself known. His brows knit as he tenses and mentally pushes it down, but it’s a firm reminder that he still has to take care of something before he can properly train her.

It shortens any speech he had any indication of giving, but he nods and focuses again. ]

Thank you. We’ll figure something out.

[Kamala notes the facial expression. She doesn't know how to read it. Is he nervous? Anxious? As hungry as the rest of them? The teen decides to smile brightly and go for the reassuring angle. He has after all set her mind at ease after an emotionally taxing day.] We will because we're an awesome team. You're the experienced one, Allison is the cool one, and I'm the one who is learning. Great dynamic. No one stands a chance against us.

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somebadnews - 2023-06-19 17:17 (UTC) - Expand

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