Justice in ruin

"I only tell the truth when it makes me sound like I'm lying"

[c-abal-deactivated20201221]

꧁𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 • @flintlock-kaz ꧂

Jonathan personally thinks that there has never been a worse idea than forcing a young man with the ability to teleport anywhere in the known realms of reality who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Luckily the man has filled his prescriptions before the quarantine began and the onsite medical staff are fully equipped to deal with all sorts of scenario —from the most mundane to the insanely supernatural— that may arise from this lockdown. Regardless, the very idea of being confined in a single point in space has got the spellcaster fidgeting all morning. It’s bad enough that he couldn’t travel, but here he is, wandering the empty halls despairing to keep his focus.

As of current situation, he’s counted up to 578 lightbulbs in a desperate attempt to prevent his mind from wandering and to keep him tethered to this reality, when his senses caught on a familiar aura. With his mind still fixated on the overhead lighting, he walked further down the hall, turned to the corner, and continued on until he stopped in front of a room near his. “Oh...” he thought to himself when he realised where he was currently. Standing in front of the closed door he debated for the longest time on what he should do. Unfortunately for the man on the other side of the door, Jonathan’s need for companionship has toppled over whatever was left of his self-preservation instincts. Knocking on the door before twisting it open, he put on a big smile before screaming, “Kazimir! I am bored, come go for a walk with me?”

[flintlock-kaz]

A walk. Of all things to bother him for, it was for a damned walk. Kazimir found himself quite generous when it came to the other on usual days. And it came to a point that he even stretched out his 413 kilobytes of patience to such great lengths that the tips of his hair had slowly started small embers.

There were days when he imagined that this was some sort of hell... Or purgatory. That Jonathan was his personal hellspawn sent to torture him when he's at his most vulnerable.

"I'm not going anywhere outside this room." he declares with the resolution of ten octogenarians refusing to admit they're wrong. "There's no fucking way I'm wasting this indoor time to do anything."

There was a heavy rustling on his end, covering his whole body with the coziest duvet possible. "I'm banning any interaction today after yesterday's mission."

[flintlock-kaz]

How serious are you about that saving my life thing?

I highly doubt that anything I say can be misconstrued as anything other than serious.

That is to say, pretty serious. I dislike having debts, Jonathan.

[c-abal-deactivated20201221]

Please just come here? I promise it’s worth your time. Kazzie, your Jono’s in serious need of his dark knight!!!

[flintlock-kaz]

Kazzie.

I threw up in my mouth a little. Never call me that. Second, you're not my Jono. I am cringing so hard right now.

[flintlock-kaz]

How serious are you about that saving my life thing?

I highly doubt that anything I say can be misconstrued as anything other than serious.

That is to say, pretty serious. I dislike having debts, Jonathan.

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

Okay, A, I am offended by the insinuation that I can be bested by a jar of pickles and B, pretty please? This is serious I promise you! I am about to die here Flintlock!

If this isn’t important at all, I’m gonna call for a restraining order until you get your stuff sorted out right. I’ll be right there in a few minutes. If this isn’t an end of the world scenario, I’m out-

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

For the most parts, Jonathan thinks he’s an adept enough caster. Coming from a lineage of sorcerers certainly has its perks. Having said that, he knows that to utilize his potential to the fullest and in order to bring about the fulfillment of his promise not to fall into the darkness, he still has a long way to go.

Shoot someone beat me to it! He thought to himself as he reached the practice room after his morning jog. He intended to use his time off before he has to go to work to practice his offensive spells, but it seems that his plans were thwarted even before they began. Nevertheless, he went in to see who was the bastard that got his spot.

Kazimir. Jonathan has always found the man’s flames to be a fascinating aspect of his abilities. They almost seemed to be a part of him and act as an extension of his body. The man certainly isn’t the authority on all things Kazimir, but he knows enough that the man has a certain level of discipline and focus that only few could achieve. Which was why it was interesting to see him miss his marks.

Seeing no point in feigning ignorance, Jonathan walked towards the skull-faced man with a graceful smile on his face. “Kazimir, you wound me! I would never make fun of someone for failing that target practice, certainly not a superhero who’s supposed to be the city’s saving grace.” He mused, “that being said, you need to be in control of your projections.” Demonstrating his preaching, Jonathan stepped into the marker he made a series of gestures with his hands and muttered an ancient spell which manifested spheres of power that he shot towards the practice target in front of him.

“I’m not sure if it’s control I’m missing or if I have strabismus.... I don’t know if such a condition can be developed over time though.” he watches the other closely once he puts himself forward. Admittedly, he wasn’t sure what he could learn from Jonathan of all people, but the man was a wildcard, and he knew better than to judge him based on his appearance or capability by face value alone. 

Time and time again, he was proven wrong. And sometimes, he went beyond that. Sometimes, Kazimir needed to be reminded just how powerful the other can be when his focus is not at all absent.

Kazimir’s towering skeletal form was in flames, whether it was blazing far more than usual because of what he thought was a good impression, he wouldn’t tell. But it was easy to notice that he was amused at the very least. “Lots of practice?” he asked as he turned to him, the corner of his lips appearing to tug up for the fastest millisecond before turning to his implacable, expressionless face. “Or was that just plain luck on your end?”

Originally posted by techno-couture

[flintlock-kaz]

How serious are you about that saving my life thing?

I highly doubt that anything I say can be misconstrued as anything other than serious.

That is to say, pretty serious. I dislike having debts, Jonathan.

[c-abal-deactivated20201221]

I’m glad you said that because I am in serious danger right now and I need you to come by my room.

[flintlock-kaz]

I'm calling bullshit. People don't get in serious danger inside these walls. You're not gonna have me over just to open a pickle jar or whatever, are you?

[flintlock-kaz]

How serious are you about that saving my life thing?

I highly doubt that anything I say can be misconstrued as anything other than serious.

That is to say, pretty serious. I dislike having debts, Jonathan.

[flintlock-kaz]

Hey, my roommate is not in tonight so I was thinking... do you want to Netflix and Chill with me? And by chill I mean, we're watching Frozen 2!

Frozen. Chill.

I sense a pattern here. Are you finally going to kill me?

[flintlock-kaz]

Hey Mister Hotshot, I just had to ask, if you take a bath, does your tubwater just start boiling? Cos I gotta say, that puts a whole new meaning to "bubblebath"

Normally, this question would have sucked the un-life out of me. But you seem genuinely curious....

So I'm just going to keep you guessing for some home brewed anguish.

[c-abal-deactivated20201221]

If you can spend all day edging one person, who would it be?

Easy. Kazimir. That guy seems to have so much control I’d like to know if he could last all night without spurting all that fiery juice.

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

Because… no you can’t last a whole night? C’mon now man, where’s your sense of dedication? Going above and beyond and all that superhero crap!

Because no it’s not gonna happen..... And I have no reason to be a superhero in bed? There is not fiery juice to be had around these parts.

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

Jonathan wasn’t always one to go out of a limb to show someone what he is capable of. His more intimate friends would even go so far as to describe him as ‘happy-go-lucky’ and he is fine with that. He liked living a carefree life, if only because he knows what the future holds for him. Pushing himself off the elevator wall, he took a step closer towards Kazimir. Even now, in his human form, he could feel the heat exuding from the man. An ethereal blaze that is neither scalding or irritating. Not for him anyways.

“I’ve never really been one to gamble, but you know what? I’m willing to put my money on you.” Nathan declared then and there. He doesn’t really get where Kaz got the idea that he had to repay Jonathan for what he did all those years ago. He was simply at the wrong place at the right time. Although he has often wondered if some greater force at work has intervened then, he mostly brushed it off to him not having full control over his abilities. Leaning towards the blond man, Jonathan’s lips twisted into a smirk as he asked, “So, if I’m hearing this correctly you would want to make sure my ass is always safe huh? You know, we could always arrange for that.”

“They usually do.” there was a quiet arrogance on Kazimir, eyes widening for a mere fraction of a second betraying the smallest hints of emotion. Of the life he has left in him. An inner flame. Whatever it was, it came out a lot whenever Jonathan was involved. 

Kazimir’s satisfaction towards the more weighted, meaningful conversation of theirs came to a sudden drop when he sees the curling of the other man’s lips and he feels it appropriate to look elsewhere out of exasperation. Why do I feel like I’m 75 and all my organs are deteriorating? is a common complaint of his whenever Jonathan is up to his antics and he has to lean slightly away from him, eyes in full judgment as he replies back. “I don’t intend to be a bodyguard. I don’t think I can handle more than a few hours of you. You’re like a.... hyperactive golden retriever. Impressive? Sure. But you need constant supervision and I’m always tired for reasons being that I’m undead.” the innuendo flew past his head, thinking it nothing more than Jonathan using him as security if nothing else. “Just call when you need me. I’ll be there.”

[c-abal-deactivated20201221]

If you can spend all day edging one person, who would it be?

Easy. Kazimir. That guy seems to have so much control I’d like to know if he could last all night without spurting all that fiery juice.

[flintlock-kaz]

Funny you should say that because no.

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

“Yeah, but you gotta admit It’d be an ironic turn of events if I died from a freak cafe accident, i.e. the steamer blasting me with hot air.” Jonathan said, quite bemused at how that scenario would even play out. Silly as it is, Nathan didn’t actually think his predicament to be as serious as he sought it out to be. Instead trying to jab at Kaz’s funny bone which so far seems to be futile.

Had he seen the frown on the blond’s face, he never showed. Instead focusing on the elevator door while they continued their ascent to the living quarters. Shifting the bag to his side, Nathan thought the silent treatment would’ve lasted longer but upon hearing the man speak again, he turned his attention to the Ghost Rider. “Yeah, I suppose I could do that, but then where would be the fun in it? I mean don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t really go out of my way to die a fiery death but since you’ve mentioned it, I do like it when a guy works extra hard to impress me.” There it was again, an impish grin on Nathan’s face belying his sense of wariness towards Kaz. He wondered if like him, the man could read auras or if he could pick up on the tiniest facial cues? Nathan hoped not, otherwise this whole confident farce was all for naught.

Kazimir had no precognition whatsoever. Nor could he read through multiple instances of cause and effect. But for some reason, he could circle just about which ways there were that could probably one off Jonathan potentially. And this was no doomsday protocol scenario where he’s preparing to get rid of him in case he turned evil, but with the amount of times he and the other interacted, he’s picked up on probably the most incompetent ways the caster would say goodbye.

The steamer blasting hot air seemed to make a lot of sense. And frankly, it alarmed Kazimir to an extent.

Jonathan was capable, sure. But in his perspective, he came off a little... ditzy. Or maybe that was just a front, he’s not sure. He so completely confused him at times. 

“You put your faith in the wrong man if you expect me to work hard to impress you.” the stiffness in his voice was only underlined by the fact that his delivery seemed to be more sharp than it actually was. And so, he details his words for the congruence of the whole idea he presented, their eye contact now lost as he takes a deep breath and wills away the embarrassment of his next statement. “... But a debt is a debt. and I’ll have to keep your sorry ass alive at present. If not, I’ll bring you back from the depths of hell, if need be.”

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

If Nathan’s being honest, he still doesn’t really get Kaz’s deal. I mean, sure he gets it. Normal young adult transported to another dimension against his will as a sacrifice to the Infernal Prince. Had it not been for Nathan accidentally traveling into the wrong place at the right time, who knows what would’ve become of the man’s soul. To this day, he still shudders when he remembers the man’s pained expression just before he died, when his senses trick him into smelling the scent of burning flesh and hear the brittle crack of singed bones.

Had he been a little bit less observant, he would’ve missed it. The flash of skeletal form that had become of Kazimir on that fateful day. It doesn’t necessarily bother him since he could always tell someone by their aura and not by the facade they present to please the public eye. Leaning against the cold metal wall, he lifted his head and shook it with a snicker.

Truth be told, he is still figuring out if Kaz sees him as an adversary; someone who had doomed him to a fate of punishing the wicked or as an unexpected saving grace; the person who protected his human soul from the entities of that damned dimension. Regardless, he’s just grateful for their civility towards each other. “Trust me my man, if anyone’s a big cosmic joke that would’ve been me.”

Resting his tired eyes, he shrugged, recollecting the events of the day. “You know what though? Just because you asked me for it, I’ll try even harder to die a most glorious death! Gotta go out in flames for my fans, right?” Nathan was obviously teasing, smirking as he pushed his head forward, leaned to look at Kaz, and gave him a quick wink.

“I don’t know on what level of self-deprecation you’re in, but you’re not quite on cosmic joke levels, I tell you that.” Kazimir supplied succinctly. In this fact alone, he was sure. Dead sure. Undead sure, for that matter. There was much tragedy in the world and among many, he was convinced his was one of the most tragic. Dramatics barred, Kazimir genuinely felt as such.

A pregnant pause as he catches Nathan’s wink and he can’t quite process if it was innocent flirtation or casual comedic habit. There was a very, very minute twinge upon the blonde’s face: the smallest hints of a frown. Not out of annoyance but confusion. He really didn’t need to do that. Though one can attribute this attitude of no-nonsense to his rigidity more than anything. “Or.” he replies after a long while. “You can just... not die.” he pauses once more. “How about that? Because it’ll be such a tedious job, trying to pay back a life for a life, you know? Don’t make me work harder than I need to.”

[flintlock-kaz]

If it was work ethic alone that people judged the competency of a hero, then Kaz would have been top tier easily. But alas, it wasn’t the only criteria. Day in and day out, when his help was not needed, he would take his time trying to think of new and exciting (as exciting and enthused one such as Kazimir could be outwardly) ways to use his powers creatively. Because if he was lacking more oomph, he intended to make up for it with ingenuity.

As such, on a mundane day as the present, Kazimir stands in his burning glory. The barren skullface of death never looking so comfortable doing target practice by his lonesome. This time, his flames took on the form of thin shrapnel, like burning needles hanging in mid-air and ready to strike.

And they do. 

But not in the way he expected.

He was a few degrees off, embarrassingly so. Managing smaller flame-based weapons was more difficult than he intended, the ordeal made even more humiliating when, as he looks over his shoulder, he catches sight of another individual in the room who might have witnessed said event. Kazimir groans internally, though the pure and unadulterated stoicism never falls from his face and he looks towards the other in exasperation. 

“I really hope you’re here to provide good criticism.” he breathes out softly, the flames dissipating rather quickly as he takes on his human form briefly to speak. “Otherwise, I would rather not hear how much I failed that shot miserably, thanks.”

[berunov]

Caveira legendary skin concept: Motard Fantôme

[ethereal-rpg]

[flintlock-kaz]

c-abal‌:

Jonathan had just gotten off his shift from the Cafe near the university and had come straight to HQ. He would’ve loved to go out drinking in the city, but doing the closing shift was just too much to handle on a Friday. Besides, he needed to get up early for tomorrow’s lectures anyway. Rubbing his eyes awake, he waited for the elevator door to open, which it did just seconds later. “Oh…” He said, quite surprised to see someone inside. “How’ve you been man?” He asked while he got in, pressing on his floor before he continued. “You know, you’d think someone who could brew something that literally grants someone temporary invulnerability, you’d think I would’ve come up with something that’ll keep my hands from getting burned from the milk frother.”

Every moment alone, for an introvert such as he, was like a tiny gilded box all on its own, each containing a tiny precious gem. Kazimir could count every single piece of peace and quiet he’s had so far ever since he joined the group and forcefully reinstated whatever degree of normalcy he had before, while living a dual life in the sidelines.

His eyes were closed. Back pressed against the cool metal surface of the elevator when he heard a ding. The fucking door dinged. And abruptly, Kaz stirs alive as if some Eldritch horror being summoned back to life upon being startled: his mortal visage shed as licks of flame decorated his body and out comes the skeletal apparition that is his true self..

Only for a split second.

The outrage would have been more palpable (Oh? OH? He was disrupted by an oh.) ad it not been for the heavy handed hit of recognizance that had taken him aback. Kaz wasn’t sure if it was the exhaustion on both their parts that made them miss such an important detail. He breathes out deeply, in an effort to ground himself and speaks. “If the person responsible for my ability to exist on this here Earth is gonna be killed by a milk frother of all things, I must be the biggest cosmic joke to ever grace this timeline.” he says, the stiffness in his voice betraying his accent. He keeps his chin up, permeating the silence before saying anything else and looking the other man in the eye. “I don’t suppose you can get a more graceful way of perishing to honor my legacy?”