Hardcore Mage AU

Welcome! This is the PBG Hardcore Mage AU. Hope you enjoy what you see :)

[hcmageau]

Do you all feel like when it comes down to it you'll be prepared for your fight against the dragon?

“For sure.” Ray’s eager to point out his bat. “We’ll be completely prepared when that ugly lizard shows its face again.”

Luke’s a little nervous - for good reason. “It’s a little... nervewracking. We’ve been stocking up these past few days, for sure. Hopefully we’ll have enough...”

A feeling of unease rests upon the group. 

Austin breaks the silence. “We will be ready! No dragon can defeat the power of friendship!”

“Pfft. Sure.” 

“Yeah!”

[hcmageau]

Lucah! Is Jon worried you might not come back? It's a dangerous task you've been set with, after all.

She grimaces a little. “He’s heard the tales. We all have. The adventurers who went off on their own and never returned.” With a shrug, Lucah continues. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Us seven were chosen for a reason, I’m sure.”

“And we’re in a group!” Jeff pipes up, cheerfully. “We’ll always have each other’s backs, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.” 

[hcmageau]

By the way, this avatar was drawn by a super talented friend, @pearofthestars on Twitter! Check them out please their art is fantastic

[hcmageau]

Anyone have a favorite color?

After... whatever happened earlier, Dean rejoined the Squad. It’s dark again - not much seemed to happen that day. 

“A... favourite colour?” Ray questions, frowning a little.

“Yeah! Like... I think you can’t go wrong with yellow or gold.” Dean grins, leaning back. 

Ian scoffs. “They’re not even the same colour. I guess I like purple?”

Lucah pipes up, flushing a little. “I really like blue.”

“A specific blue? Associated with a certain man?” Jeff teases. 

It devolves into playful jabs and laughter. Seems calm.

[hcmageau]

131 157 165 047 154 154 040 141 154 154 040 163 145 145 040 145 141 143 150 040 157 164 150 145 162 040 141 147 141 151 156 056 040 101 040 146 145 167 040 150 165 156 144 162 145 144 040 171 145 141 162 163 040 151 163 156 047 164 040 163 157 040 154 157 156 147 040 167 150 145 156 040 143 157 155 160 141 162 145 144 040 164 157 040 145 164 145 162 156 151 164 171 056 040

“A few hundred- eternity?!” 

[hcmageau]

Hey, Dean. No spoilers, but I just wanna remind you that no one's ever really gone. Don't lose hope.

He’s quiet for a bit.

“Thanks. Doesn’t really help, but... Thanks, I guess.”

[hcmageau]

roses are red, violets are blue, all of your friends will be dying on you.

“Can you just stop?” He snaps, slamming a hand on the table.

Friends are a sensitive topic, apparently. 

[hcmageau]

They'll all be gone, but eventually you'll see them again

The pile of papers is not as neat as Dean would have liked. 

“What do you mean by gone?”

[hcmageau]

The good times won't last

Dean was reading over some notes, something to do with the reason for their adventure. “What? What does that even mean?” 

“Does it have to do with after we get this whole adventure over and done with? I mean, I know Ray’s going back home, but still.”

[hcmageau]

M!A Show Jeff his future

Jeff is busy sorting a chest of various items. 

As the Magic Anon comes into effect, he freezes, staring into nothing.

There are flashes - something black and humanoid, a flash of purple, a world of pale stone and dark pillars, red - a lot of red - and then nothing. 

“What the fu-”

[hcmageau]

Austin, what's your favorite animal? I really like sheep!

“Hey, I like sheep too! I’ve never seen a sheep that’s done me any wrong yet.” Austin laughs, cheerfully. Obliviously. “My favourite animal is probably a dog though. Can’t get enough of them - they’re so cute.”

[hcmageau]

Heya Lucah! I know Jon's back in town, do you still talk to him? If so, how's he and Bagel doing?

(Asks are now back in the Past)

Lucah practically bursts with excitement. “Last I checked, he was doing great! Bagel is just as soft as ever - though I swear just before I left, I heard Jon talking and getting a response... that was weird.” She slows just a little. “I’m loving the adventure, of course, but I can’t wait to get back to him. Just to see them both again. Not too much longer, hopefully.”

[hcmageau]

Dean, how do you deal with your grief?

It’s a little after his outburst earlier. He’s still sat where he was, by the door of the cottage. 

“I barely do. Forget about it, that’s the main goal.” Dean shrugs nonchalantly. “I keep myself occupied enough with testing stuff out and I just try not to think about it.”

[hcmageau]

If they all came back, just for 5 minutes, and you were in a locked room with them. What would you say, Dean? Do you really think they'd listen?

He’s silent. The silence stretches for a solid three minutes. Dean is staring at his hands. 

“... I’d apologise. For... everything. For failing them all. For having this power and not using it to save a single one of them. For just letting it all happen. For... for being a coward!”

He balls a hand into a fist. “I wouldn’t blame them for ignoring it. It’s my fault they’re gone.”

[hcmageau]

Just how is it that you survived, but no one else did? Not even Austin. Why should you deserve that?

“I... I don’t, okay! I didn’t deserve to live over them! Ian, Austin, Ray and Lucah had _lives_, they had people and pets waiting for them, Luke and Jeff, god, they didn’t deserve any of what they got!” 

His eyes flare before the light dies. “I didn’t... mean to.”

[hcmageau]

Dean, at this point, what would you give to have them all back?

“....”

The answer is quiet - almost too quiet to hear.

“Anything.”

[hcmageau]

Hey Dean, have you ever been in love?

(Modern!Dean)

He’s currently being grounded by Bailey for doing something dangerous. 

“Uh... Not really? I’ve had super close friends but nothing like that.”