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wandermouche ([personal profile] littlesilhouettoofaman) wrote2023-02-04 08:06 pm
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The Brightest Things Fade The Fastest

First they were nothing but echoes, noises without a source or purpose, just something he could blame on the battle he just lost. But echoes changed into soft voices and footsteps and eventually he could even hear the sound of rain outside.
And his body did not hurt after the fall he made, it is merely a familiar sort of uncomfortable sensation of joints popped out of place and cracks that shouldn’t be there. But he had expected to be beyond angry, to feel that rage surge through him, that sense of absolute frustration and that undying desire to serve a certain purpose, that certain purpose. But surprisingly enough there was nothing for now. Just a dreadful, heavy emptiness.

Of course he remembered everything. How could he forget it? Yet another setback. He had been so close to fulfilling his birthright and then that idiot… Oh, yes, the idiot. That buffoon who ranked way lower than him and had the audacity to stand up to a god. And had the audacity to win.

The room is quite dark and when he opens his eyes he can see a couple of figures standing close and half of his mind expects to see the Doctor standing between all of them. But he is nowhere to be seen.

“Get out.”

Did they all come to look at a fallen god? Because seriously, who’d given them the right to do so? So when he repeats the words for a second time they are louder and a lot more threatening.
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (78)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-12 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
The constant pushing of the puppet's foot against his hand now is starting to frustrate him, and Childe decides now that it's not worth having to put up with. It hurts, to use his aching muscles to keep him from pushing a bone into a part of his body where it doesn't belong. Using the strength from Scaramouche's leg, he pushes against it to help him stand up a bit easier, taking a few pained steps backwards from the bed and away from the chair so he can't kick him. Childe sighs, in a way he can see this from his companion's side, but that doesn't mean he agrees with how he's handled himself.

"You should have known it would come to this. Did you really think we'd allow you to keep the gnosis for yourself? There's a reason why I don't enjoy associating with any of the other Harbingers, and this is a prime example. The Doctor simply used you just to see if he could do it, if he could create a god. You were just the guinea pig that didn't work out."

The words are harsh, and quite frankly right now he doesn't care if he angers Scaramouche by saying it. He betrayed the Tsaritsa by first making off with the gnosis, and now he has the audacity to be upset when they took it back from him. Disgusting in all ways.

"And now you want to act like the only possible solution to your downfall is death...and maybe you're right. Maybe I should have left you there to perish."
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-15 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"It would be a simple matter. You've got no power left."

Childe is battered and broken in so many different ways, but he'll still fight until he's unconscious or dead, whichever comes first. But the Eleventh just shrugs and smirks at Scaramouche, as he's already made his stance pretty clear on the subject of killing the puppet off. It would truly be a waste...

"But I didn't protest nor disagree with fixing you, so that's what I'll do. I've taken the precautions to make sure the other Harbingers don't learn of your presence here, so it should be safe for you to stay here for the time being."

He looks out the window almost as if unwanted Fatui eyes could see in, before turning back to his former comrade.

"Can you at least practice a little bit of patience and stay put for the time being? I can already tell I'll need help, and you know I'll have to be careful about who I can trust with this."
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (57)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-17 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
That snap didn't sound good.

Scaramouche's arm hangs limply at his side, and he knows that there will be no use of that arm until it's fixed. Truly a sign of how great and terrible their battle was. He sighs, walking over towards the bed, but still keeping a distance away just in case Scaramouche tried to do something to hurt him even further like kicking him or punching him somewhere that he really doesn't need.

"You're not going to try dislocating something just because your arm seems to have finally given out, are you?"

Really, because he knows how much the guy hates humans.

"If you try something, I'll make you pay. I'm the one here who's still able to stand and use all of my body."
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-18 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shut you down? Ah-"

Despite knowing that Scaramouche was essentially a sort of machine in his own way, he never would have thought to turn him off, like there was a switch that he could just flip and it would silence the puppet for as long as no one touched him. But as if he knew that Childe would dwell on that thought for too long, he shows what lies underneath the clothing that's been hidden away, dents and cracks across his body. The damage shown is a loud contrast to the human face of the puppet he's been exchanging words with.

The sight makes it feel more real, that Scaramouche really is a divine puppet of the Electro Archon, and not just a short little asshole with little patience for most things in life. Half of him is proud of what he's done, the extensive damage showing where he'd clashed with him, how he'd wreaked havoc on Shouki no Kami in their terrible battle. The other half is curious and awestruck by the complexity of the circuitry, the parts and the construction of his insides from what he can see from here. Childe moves closer, looking into his chest, voice a little quieter.

"Alright. Just tell me what to do."

He stands awaiting instruction, his mind already moving forward to how he plans to fix him.
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-19 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
Leaning over, he takes a closer look at it all. It's beyond his understanding, how the inner workings of Scaramouche's body function. He knows how to take care of the outer stuff, what with the joints that are broken and all the cracks and dents. But this is another level, as to be expected of the work of an archon. He hesitantly puts his hands inside of his chest, pushing wires to the side as he makes a mental note of what it all looks like before he really touches anything else.

"I see them."

He looks up at Scaramouche before he pulls the plug on him, his face contorted into a strange look of determination and remorse all at the same time. Like he's about to kill him, and definitely not in the way he'd ever care to do.

"When we begin work on your body, I'll have to wake you up again to ensure things are being done properly. I don't want to fix you and find out later that we did something wrong. You'll need to be awake to help us, okay?"
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-20 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
Childe is only silent for a moment. He knows why he's doing this, but he can't really come to admit it right now, right here, like this. He knows what would happen, he'd get laughed at. That isn't what he wants to hear right now, so the Harbinger sidesteps addressing it any further than he has to.

"My family will be safe, I'll see to it. But I appreciate the concern."

His words are not snide, more determination shining through them and a serious appreciation that Scaramouche, even though he was probably only stating it as a matter-of-fact, an objective truth, would warn him at all. He didn't have to.

And with that, before the puppet can respond, he pulls the plug on him, a quick jerk of his arm. Childe sighs, removing his arm from his chest, standing up straight to look at the now deactivated divine construct before him. It would only be a few days to wait, and he's sure that it'll be like he fell asleep and woke up without knowing how much time has passed. But for Childe, it'll be a lot of hard work and recovery happening all at the same time before they can start.

He makes sure to adjust the body, laying him down on the bed proper, before taking his leave.

---

Recovery takes longer than Childe realizes. The stress of keeping everything under wraps and having to still get up and move from time to time doesn't help him, but he manages. Equipment needed and personnel- being one person who was transferred under Childe's command some time ago who used to work with The Doctor- are sent to Sumeru City in secret, staying away from the prying eyes of his comrades. Some initial work is done on Scaramouche while he sleeps, things that don't require him to be awake for.

But when it's time, Childe finds all the wires needed to reactivate the core that powers him, plugging all of them in to let the core give the puppet life once more, quickly standing back to give him room to sit up.

"Welcome back. I hope you're already finding yourself feeling a bit better than when I left."
Edited 2023-02-20 02:18 (UTC)
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (129)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-24 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Though the Harbinger isn't completely acquainted with the workings of a creation like Scaramouche, he's had plenty of experience tinkering with broken toys and other mechanical objects he's brought home for his siblings. Some of them are huge, the ones that sit in the backyard for them to play with. And of course they break from time to time, a teary-eyed Teucer begging his big brother to fix it, and of course the toy salesperson has to put his money where his mouth is sometimes. He thanks the Tsaritsa everyday now for the knowledge he's gained from that, taking note of how Scaramouche is able to move some of his limbs now, the arm repaired, proud of his work.

He looks over to the second harbinger's former underling, nodding at him to do as the puppet says. That is one of the things they needed to address today, and this is also why Childe needs Scaramouche awake. The guy knows his body better than they do, so it's best to have the expert with them as they work.

"After we're done, you'll barely know they were ever there to begin with."

He doesn't say it as a reassurance, but rather as a confident statement that the promise that Childe has made will be fulfilled. The engineer gets to work immediately, sighing inwardly at the damage. It's pretty bad, and they'll have to cut out the attachments, but at least it can be repaired.

"While he works, tell me how your arms and legs feel right now."

Because that's his own personal handiwork, and there's a large tool kit on the floor that he'd been using to do the repairs. Everything is complicated on the puppet, so he's prepared to make adjustments according to Scaramouche's wishes.
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-25 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Your ultimate purpose isn't for me to decide."

Granted, he wants to fight him again, there's no doubt about that. He's made that clear from the moment they saw each other again after the battle under the Akademiya. But that question feels more like a probe from before, a question he's remained unanswered and unwilling to confront.

"All I want is more chances to test my strength against you. Nothing else."

He's lying and he knows it. Childe has always been able to hide his true intentions well, but when it comes to bald-faced lying, he's not the best. It's part of why he prefers to dabble in half-truths when he's weaving webs of deception while completing his tasks as a Fatui Harbinger, and because he personally doesn't care to lie if he doesn't have to. He hopes that Scaramouche just buys it and doesn't press the issue, much like before.

"Now tell me if I need to make adjustments to you, or you'll have to figure out how to fix your own joints."
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-26 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Something doesn't sit right with him when the puppet picks the toolbox up off the floor and sets it on the bed. He's well aware of what's in there, every tool inside also doubling as a weapon if deemed necessary. He watches Scaramouche like a hawk, wondering what he's going to do. The engineer and him trade glances a few times, silent. Childe doesn't think the former Harbinger is up to any good here, but he doesn't expect what he ends up choosing to do.

The Eleventh's eyes widen when Scaramouche's hand falls onto the shoulder of the Fatui agent, but it's too late. He stabs him not once, but a few times, right in the heart. The agent falls as Childe rushes forward with a hydro blade flashing into one hand, making a grab for the icepick with the other. Rage fills him, the blade coming up to press against Scaramouche's neck before he screams.

"Ulyana! Yaroslav! In here, now!"

He doesn't take his eyes off of Scaramouche for a second, tempted to cut him to shreds right here and now. The puppet's actions are outrageous, and it's taking all of his willpower to keep himself in check and not let his temper get the best of him. The two Fatui rush into the room, seeing their comrade on the floor with their boss at the neck of the other Harbinger.

"Get him out of here now, quickly! He's been stabbed directly in the chest. He won't survive unless you get him to Bimarstan immediately!"

The two obey, moving to grab their now unconscious comrade, while Childe yells at Scaramouche.

"What's the matter with you? He was the only person here with knowledge of how to repair the damage left from the machine! He didn't have anything to do with this, and yet you felt the need to stab him! Determined to make me regret this, are you?"
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LOL IT'S OK

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-03-03 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
"There was no need to stab him if all you wanted was for me to eliminate you," he says with venom, unwilling to give this man an inch. "What are you going to do now? Stab me? Go ahead, make your move- I'll be more than happy to fight you again, right here, right now."

He's well aware Scaramouche has grabbed a hold of his wrist, in his attempt to try to take the ice pick away from him so he couldn't do any more damage. He's weighing his options now, wondering what route the puppet will take with his blade so dangerously close to slicing his head right off.

"If you think I'm calling your bluff, know that I'm fully aware that you've completely given up and you just might press the matter. I just can't believe after all that, you're given another chance at life and you just want to throw it all away because some human beat you. So if I'm a worm, what does that make you? You want to go to your grave like that?"
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-03-05 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Childe's eyes sharpen as Scaramouche lets go of him and moves, picking up the screwdriver now instead. Every single muscle in his body is on springs, ready to move at the drop of a hat. His eyes glance down to the screwdriver in Scaramouche's hand, his expression unimpressed with the makeshift weapon.

"Are you trying to insult me?"

His blade moves with lightning fast precision, the tip of it mere centimeters away from the tool.

"With a flick of my wrist, I could sever that completely off its handle. You won't win. But that's what you want, isn't it? Forget it."

And Childe follows through with what he says- his wrist twists just so to try to cut the metal screwdriver off from the handle, wanting to prove a point. He won't just kill Scaramouche after putting forth all the effort to try to keep him alive, and keep the other Harbingers from discovering him.
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-03-06 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Childe's hand comes up so fast to grab the handle as it flies right at his face, chucking it to the ground as hard as he can, not having it from Scaramouche. He's so tired of this defeatist attitude radiating from the puppet, all he wants is for the Eleventh to end his existence, and he won't do it. He refuses to give him what he wants, and he watches Scaramouche pick up his hat, to place it atop his head as he glares daggers at him.

"I assure you Her Majesty doesn't care that much about you. At worst, The Jester may try something- but I can handle him and anyone he sends. But he'll never find out, so it's a non-issue."

Childe wishes Scaramouche didn't have to be so difficult, but from his perspective, Childe is the one who's taken away being able to die after a sound defeat. There's no doubt it stings, but he's finding that they're just going to be at an impasse forever. He can't please everyone here. He's got to find a different way around this.

"Though I'd like to point out, the only person who's been betraying anyone's trust here is you. Stabbing the one I got to fix you, turning your back on the Tsaritsa...you have no room to talk. To the winner goes the spoils, so you need to be quiet and do what I say. You don't get to decide anymore, do you understand?"
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[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-03-10 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
His hand comes up to swat Scaramouche's own off his shoulder after the mention of what happened in Liyue. He's over it, really, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't sting a little when it's brought up. Especially when they all knew he was just a chess piece in the end- one that was moved around and manipulated by the real players.

"Anything I did in Liyue was doomed to fail, as per the greater scheme set up by those deceivers. And it's not that I'm bad at it," he corrects, "I just prefer not to. There's no need when I can get what I want the way I want to do it."

But that's not the point of contention here, his stomach twisting at part of the reason why the puppet has been so difficult. He avoided the question, dodged it twice now. He doesn't want to play that card, or rather, reveal that he's not playing with a full house- he knows Scaramouche will pounce on that, and he's not sure if he can handle it at this juncture. But...

"If I answer your question, will you at least dial back making me regret letting you live? I've got quite a bit of patience, but things are always made easier when everyone's cooperative. And if you lie to me, I won't kill you, oh no- I'll just make sure you can't do anything about your predicament and force you to live out the rest of your days in a display case."

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haha MOUCHIE UR SO MEAN

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