[Open Post] Gone Huntin'

[mal_badinlatin]

The November rains have finally let up enough that folk can get them some outside work done. The woods are bare now except for the dark green firs and the lighter green pines, and the russet and dark gold and tan of some oaks still holding their leaves. With the month waning, it's getting close to when most folk would be celebrating the harvest.

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[emocaliban]

So here's someone who you last saw beating the crap out of the above kingliness. He looks considerably less dangerous today, although having seen under that, from the dangerous grin to the fluid movements, Mal probably knows better. Cal is currently out in the woods, in fact, doing some more work. It's distracting, mostly, taking his mind off of the unpleasant Halloween he just had.

He doesn't like that tugging feeling and the way it doesn't go away. It reminds him of what happens when he talks to Muraki.

[mal_badinlatin]

There is that side of Cal which gives Mal the wibblies, but as long as that ain't to be seen, the kid's just fine in his eyes. Right now, he's rather pleased to see him.

"Hey there, Cal," he calls out. "Don't mind th' fella out gettin' his Thanks-Givin' turkey." He hasn't bagged one yet, but it's still early enough in the day.

[emocaliban]

Cal spins around and jerks his head up, for a moment looking very much like that side, but then he relaxes, dropping his fighting stance and straightening, still wearing his usual leather jacket and jeans. "Don't mind at all," he says, with a quick little smile that's even almost genuine. "Guess you haven't found it yet; seen any?"

And after a pause, adds, "It's Caliban."

[mal_badinlatin]

"Heard some gobblin' around, but ain't seen 'em yet," he says. "Turkeys ain't th' hardest things t' take down, unless they get up into th' trees. Been known t' happen if they're spooked: usually they'll poke around the bushes, otherwise."

[emocaliban]

Caliban snorts, a little. "Yeah, I wouldn't know. Never hunted anything, though I should probably learn now that I'm here. City boy through and through, and I'm pretty much good with that." He rolls out his shoulders. "How've you been? Feeling better?" With a nod at where the wound was.

[mal_badinlatin]

"Still a bit sore, but mostly mended," he replies, glancing down at his right side. "Long as I don't do nothin' too strenuous."

[emocaliban]

"Glad to hear it," Cal says, with a bit of a thin smile. "You could always find one of the magic folk here, they can fix just about anything like it never happened." Like a bullet to the chest. Cal shudders a little, obscurely. He does not like thinking about...that. Or Jaenelle in general.

[mal_badinlatin]

"Don't put much stock in magic," he says wryly. "Ain't no such thing in my world, 'cept maybe some fakers an' stage illusionists. Ain't about t' start messin' with it now. Guess I'm what they call a rationalist."

[emocaliban]

Caliban outright laughs, a sharp, harsh sort of bark. "Yeah, it's real all right," he says, "But I don't blame you for not wanting to mess with it. Some people here are so freaking - never mind. There's one girl who can practically bring someone back to life." Don't ask him how he knows.

His shoulders hunch. "...but yeah. That kind of shit just - she just freaks me out."

[mal_badinlatin]

"It'd freak me [the hell] out too. Could be wrong, but that sorta stuff ain't natural," he says. "I seen men die an' callin' 'em back ain't proper: every man got his time an' what's dead should stay dead, y' ask me."

[emocaliban]

Cal smiles, a little chilly and a little bit eerie and wrong. "Yeah," he says. "I feel the same way."

If he'd died the first time...then again, Niko would probably not have been too happy. As far as Niko seems to be concerned, alive is the only acceptable state of being for his little brother.

It has been frustrating once or twice, in dark moments.

[mal_badinlatin]

"So, take it this magic-stuff is right thick in this place," he says. "Then an' the knights-an-castles types, too." He doesn't sound too impressed by them, though.

[emocaliban]

Cal snorts. "Ah, so you met the Arthurians. Charming lot, aren't they? They're all nuts. Anita likes them, though. Who knows why." He shrugs one shoulder. "I keep my distance."

The magic stuff is harder.

[mal_badinlatin]

"Gwen ain't so bad: bit weepy, but ain't th' worst. Nothin' I can't handle," he says. He won't let on, but he finds her right pretty when she isn't being whimpery. "But that big one who's dumber'n a rock: I got a hired gun on m' crew every bit as muscular who'd look like a gorram brain surgeon next to him. All I could do t' keep from showin' him how stupid it is to carry a sword round a man what carries a gun."

[emocaliban]

Oh careful, Mal. You might have a very protective, very dangerous half incubus after you if you push that too far. And he is not nice when he's angry.

Caliban winces. "Don't...do that. They're stupid, yeah, but try not to kill people. Or hurt them. Especially Arthurians, from what I can tell they'll just come back pissier than ever."

Oh, like you can talk, Caliban.

He's not worried about Melou, though.

[mal_badinlatin]

"Don't really go lookin' for a fight, they tend t' just come t' me," he says, wryly. "Guy's dumb enough t' go after me with a sword, hope he prays he wore chain Kevlar that day."