горобець UA/noun/: sparrow

Rehabilitating Ex-assassin/MCU and DND verses available, more to come/ Multiship/Multiverse/Low activity/AroAce Protagonist Do Not Ship

[songandshield]

a stone’s throw | dorian captured! | open rp

[songandshield]

Dorian couldn’t do much but wait for them to unlock the chain binding him to the bolder. He covered his groin while they working on the various locks, the shackles on his wrists and ankles, then one that tethered him to the cove’s floor. They didn’t seem surprised that Dorian was down here… seemingly not breathing while they had to go back and forth for air.

But then hearing his given name, it made since. Dorian pulled himself up onto the slick rock, his limbs shaking terribly from disuse for two weeks or so. He sat on his knees, nodding at his name, looking around hoping to find Fearne waiting for him. Hoping to see Orym…

But there was this person. And a wolf. They seemed friendly enough. Or at least non-threatening. And his savior acted so causal, Dorian didn’t think they were out to hurt him. Not after all that hassle of freeing him.

And of course there were the dead bodies of his tormentors around the cavern.

He waved a hand, dismissing any help Daria might give and stood slowly. His limbs ached being out of the water, having to adjust from the unwanted weightlessness in suffocating constant submergence.

“Who are you? Who sent you to find me?” Dorian didn’t have to really guess, but he had to make sure. It was either his parents, or enemies of his parents. Or Cyrus…

Dorian straightened up, not bothering to hide himself anymore now that he was a respectable distance from them. He squeezed the water out of his own long hair. He would have used Gust to help dry them off… if he wasn’t naked.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

"Not important." They move to collect what they had found of Brontës things, tossing clothes at him nonchalantly as they give him privacy. They had seen a lot of him already, they were not intent on knowing him that close. As soon as he was clothed at least semi well, they grab him, forcing him to his feet. "Half of the Compound is going to be back any minute, if you cant walk fast you better tell me now."

---

Daria had, in fact carried him. If they needed something done fast, they might as well do it all themself. Not like the weight made them that badly incumbered, they were trained in this as much as killing.

Setting him down at camp, they move to start their Sending spell to tell the Client that Bronte had been retrieved.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

"Not important." They move to collect what they had found of Brontës things, tossing clothes at him nonchalantly as they give him privacy. They had seen a lot of him already, they were not intent on knowing him that close. As soon as he was clothed at least semi well, they grab him, forcing him to his feet. "Half of the Compound is going to be back any minute, if you cant walk fast you better tell me now."

---

Daria had, in fact carried him. If they needed something done fast, they might as well do it all themself. Not like the weight made them that badly incumbered, they were trained in this as much as killing.

Setting him down at camp, they move to start their Sending spell to tell the Client that Bronte had been retrieved.

[songandshield]

"No--" Dorian sighed heavily. Great job, Dorian. For a bard he was forever putting his foot in his mouth. "I'm an outsider because I left. I haven't seen any of them in months and I'm so fucking afraid of not finding the rest of them at all. After what happened to me? And finding Orym like this?" Dorian took in a breath, he didn't want to loose their company. Truly. "Daria, if you want to leave... Fine. I don't blame you. Orym and I have made a few enemies in the past year. It's obvious that we're on someone's shit list. A few lists, probably." He shrugged, shaking his head, then walked closer to them, but not close enough to tower. Him being 6'1 and Orym being 3'3 didn't give much argument to the 'bigger tent' excuse. "But he means the world to me. I'm not leaving him. I would like it if you stuck around, too. But I can't make that decision for you." His aquamarine eyes cast over her for a moment before they were drawn back to the tent.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

Daria had only walked a small bit away, sighing but the swirling in their head continued, Dasha trying desperately and failing to curb the tide. Daria looked up at Dorian, the tears in their eyes betraying their try at a stone faced look.

Then Daria did What they knew best.

Daria punched him.

They were still too short too hook him in the jaw, they'd have to jump a little. They were merciful and hit him right in the ribs, merciful missing his solar plexus from a few inches. "Youre a fuckin-" They sniffle, turning away from him. "Youre an asshole." They didnt look like they meant it, but damn did that hurt.

[songandshield]

Before Dorian could argue the point, as Orym was so small he didn't see how much of a bigger tent was needed, Daria was gone. Dorian sighed, his attention returning to unconscious Orym, making sure the blanket was over him and his sword and shield were in sight when he woke up, if Dorian wasn't.

He moved out of the tent, following Daria, an eyebrow raised, expecting them to explain themselves better or not at all. He expected a little more arguing. Not this sudden uncertainty about their situation.

"Daria," Dorian's voice soften, moving to sit across from them, "You saved my life. And Orym's. You think our friends are just going to give you a pat on the back and ditch you?" Dorian shook his head.

"I would like to find my friends again. Our group. And Orym isn't going to be angry or jealous either, that you're here. So, as the outside member of Bell's Hells, I'm telling you, you'll be welcomed."

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

Daria's thoughts swirling around in their head just made them more and more aggravated. They shouldn't be even feeling this doubt let alone showing it to Dorian. They had to remember, that they were allowed to feel things now, and not squirrel away feelings like that away in some recesses of the mind where they shouldn't - and wouldn't- see the light of day.

Their arms stiffly wrapped across their chest they shrug at the rhetorical question, even as Dorian shook his head.

Letting him finish his sentence, they notice the hole in his logic and blows it wide. “You just said you're an outside member.” their voice not growing louder but instead colder. “Youre an outsider to them, and i will be more of one.”

[songandshield]

Dorian leveled a glare at her as he gathered Orym in his arms, but she wasn't wrong. They had to get out of here. Whatever these people did to Orym was more than just deliberate. They were organized, even a little meant they were more dangerous than previously thought. Dorian didn't think it was the same folks that had kidnapped him... At least they didn't have any identifying signs they were any sort of organization.

"I'm tapped out... But I think he'll be alright..." Dorian glanced to Daria once they have Orym laid out in the tent. Her agitation with them or their situation hadn't abated any, it seemed it was only getting worse. And Dorian would be damned if she was going to blame it on Orym... whenever he woke up.

"What's your problem, Daria?" Dorian said it, half scoffing, half irritated himself. If anything they should be relieved to be alive, to have found Orym and somewhere to camp.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

The feeling was an amalgam of a few, tied into knots to things would be ultimately be too confusing to sit and parse through. Mayhap it was just that Daria had gotten used to being a Duo, now being a trio made them the broken spoke in their wheel.

"We'll need a bigger tent." is the only strand she could pull from the knotted up feelings. Quietly, they fold their arms and walk out of the tents boundary, letting the flap close probably in Dorians face.

"You sure about all this?" Daria muses, looking around the campsite for maybe potential intrusions, but finding only Fern, the intimidating wolf dog scratching her ear. "And that i'd still be allowed to travel with the both of you?"

oh now thats it..

[menacesfromuncle]

Waverly was delighted to have a new informant. Illya had spoken to them over Communications a handful of times and gotten a lot of real, very good Thrush intel from her.

He just hadn’t realized how green she was, and how very chatty. It was nice to speak in Russian. He hazarded about speaking Ukrainian, but they stuck to Russian—much more fun for Illya than English at any rate. English was clunky, often unpoetic, and made him feel like a butcher for some reason. He adapted to the pace of her conversation but still, he hardly got a word in edgewise.

The fact so many men had approached them over the course of their flight and travels nearly frightened him. Did every man have ulterior motives, or was speaking and being polite hitting on someone now? Illya hadn’t been there, and so could only learn from them at face value.

She seemed happy to get out of Illya’s classy, rented vehicle. He inhaled softly, met Solo’s gaze, and loitered outside while they chatted.

“Yes, welcome to the Brownstones!” Napoleon glanced around. Bakery? “They added a little café did they? About time! We can’t exactly sustain ourselves on nibbles from the, er, gentlemen’s club down the road, now, can we?”

Napoleon glanced to Illya, then to the back of the car pointedly.

“I have had quite a long day of travel,” he announced, “so Mr. Solo can help you carry your luggage.”

Smiling to both of them, Illya tucked his way between the two and went up the stairs to his own abode.

Napoleon inhaled. “Let’s get your things upstairs, then we can find something to eat, eh?”

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

They nodded at Illya as he passed, they had felt the same way to be honest but hunger won out me. She didn’t have much in way of luggage, one suitcase that wasn’t too heavy and a messenger bag, it really wasn’t a two person job but she was too tired and headache-y to be stubborn.

Their accommodation was nice. A lot more room than she’d need, and was probably bigger than babushkas apartment in Leningrad. But it would work for the time being.

When they got back outside the sun was just starting its decent, and it was looking like the first snow of the season would be soon upon them. They had walked with Napoleon, mind somewhere else entirely.

It would be a long three months. During their correspondence with NYCB they learned they were dropping in right in the middle of preparation for The Nutcracker, and though they didn’t know what to expect, it felt pretty familiar. It was the same story, she’d be playing the same role, just in a different font it seemed.

There’s a question, she didn’t know who asked but they look up at napoleon and smiled faintly. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

@menacesfromuncle get a kiddo informant for nap and Illya!

——

To be fair, she had very few expectations for New York. She still did most of their snooping and recon in Leningrad, but now that her reputation for being just the slightest of a Nosy Bitch put a target on her back, UNCLE had pulled the strings to have her be a guest soloist at New York City Ballet for ‘cultural exchange’ and definitely not to keep her closer to UNCLEs proverbial chest.

They had talked with Kuryakin through secret channels before, though never about anything other than top secret plans. Seeing him at the airport with the sign was a relief after the long flight. In the car to her accommodation she chattered in Russian about nearly anything. How so many people were smoking on the long haul flight that it gave her a headache, at just how many weird men had flirted with her this month, etc and etc.

Stepping out she’s greeted at the door to the flat by, whom she guessed was, Napoleon. “Privet privet.” She greeted, moving to offer her right hand. “This is all so nice, and having a bakery downstairs too…”

Suddenly she’s hit with the fact that she’s missing out on babas cooking.

“I’m starving.”

[songandshield]

the bait - Daria & Orym / Dorian

[ cont from here cuz legacy posts are a nightmare now ]

@rehabilitating-sparrow

Orym's eyes widened momentarily with the sight of the massive wolf taking down one of the bandits. Where were the Hells? Shouldn't they be here by now?

Who was this person with the wolf? Who was the wolf for that matter?

Thoughts drifted through Orym's mind and soon he realized he was on his knees, then falling over, the blood loss was far too much.

He saw a blue figure at the far end of the fray. The melodic tones of a flute and a wave of force knocked several bandits over, another melody and the pain in Orym's shoulder lessened. It couldn't be...

"Daria!" Dorian called out, jogging to keep up with her after picking up Orym's things. His pack, the bandits having rifled through it, his sword and shield given to him by his late family. Orym would be devastated if those had been left behind.

"Is he...?" There were tears in Dorian's eyes. He'd used the last of his power to stabilize Orym and stop the bleeding, fearing he was far too late when Orym's eyes had closed.

It was odd to think she had saved him, her and Fern the wolf, not their Fearne, and now Orym was being saved in a not dissimilar way. Trapped. Where were the other Hells?

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

"Save your Tears for a Reunion." Daria was curt as ever with Dorian. They had no time to sit around and shed tears on a battlefield. Fern, their Wolf was scouting ahead, farther from the two of them as daria lead the charge on foot. "He's Breathing, that's all that matters."

---

They had returned to their camp a league away, and Daria had shuffled Orym into their shared tent. It was cramped inside with the three of them, but it was that to an extreme with the halfling inside. Daria was half in and half out of the tent, glowering down at the halfling from the threshold as he came to.

it had been a far fetched idea to be fair, to reunite Dorian with the hells, but Daria had conceeded that much. Part of them had wanted for a long time to escape their own precedent anyways, and with dorian they were no longer ... a failed assassin

[songandshield]

a stone’s throw | dorian captured! | open rp

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

With the sudden gust pushing them off of the chain, they began swimming back up quickly pulling themself up to sit at the edge of the cove with their legs still inside. “Ugh.” They let out with some coughing. “Fern!”

The wolf seemed to gleefully trot over as soon as they were out of trouble, holding a severed hand still holding a small key. “Fuck.” Daria states, before taking the key and jumping back in. Well, from what they could tell from the small light in the cove it was him, but it still took a long while to get him freed since Daria had to swim down, undo a lock, and by the time it was done would have to come back up for air etc etc.

Breaching the water, they move to get out before offering a helping hand. Must’ve been real shitty to be down there. “Youre Brontë wyvernwind huh?” They ask waiting for a confirmation. “Good. I didn’t get paid to come down here and almost die for some schmuck.”

Wringing out a small part of her short blond hair, Feeling now improbably cold with soaked wool and leather on her skin, they turn twards the man. "You need help walking or?"

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

With the sudden gust pushing them off of the chain, they began swimming back up quickly pulling themself up to sit at the edge of the cove with their legs still inside. “Ugh.” They let out with some coughing. “Fern!”

The wolf seemed to gleefully trot over as soon as they were out of trouble, holding a severed hand still holding a small key. “Fuck.” Daria states, before taking the key and jumping back in. Well, from what they could tell from the small light in the cove it was him, but it still took a long while to get him freed since Daria had to swim down, undo a lock, and by the time it was done would have to come back up for air etc etc.

Breaching the water, they move to get out before offering a helping hand. Must’ve been real shitty to be down there. “Youre Brontë wyvernwind huh?” They ask waiting for a confirmation. “Good. I didn’t get paid to come down here and almost die for some schmuck.”

Wringing out a small part of her short blond hair, Feeling now improbably cold with soaked wool and leather on her skin, they turn twards the man. "You need help walking or?"

[songandshield]

the bait | orym - open to all

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

Daria Lets out a Whistle, loud and piercing.

Then its quiet.

"No back up for you here, little gir-" The leader spoke, before getting knocked prone with a Ninety pound force of the wolf familiar. The dark wolf was pretty hard to spot in the quickly darkening woods, Even Daria thought She had run out too far. With Fern tearing at the cocky one, They knocked two arrows, aiming for the one across from the little man.

It only took maybe about 3 minutes for every one of the bandits to go down, either knocked out or dead, before Daria actually made it closer to the halfling. To be honest, They were not keen on sticking around. quickly and wordlessly they scoop him up bridal style and took off for safety with whatever he had on him.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

Daria Lets out a Whistle, loud and piercing.

Then its quiet.

"No back up for you here, little gir-" The leader spoke, before getting knocked prone with a Ninety pound force of the wolf familiar. The dark wolf was pretty hard to spot in the quickly darkening woods, Even Daria thought She had run out too far. With Fern tearing at the cocky one, They knocked two arrows, aiming for the one across from the little man.

It only took maybe about 3 minutes for every one of the bandits to go down, either knocked out or dead, before Daria actually made it closer to the halfling. To be honest, They were not keen on sticking around. quickly and wordlessly they scoop him up bridal style and took off for safety with whatever he had on him.

[songandshield]

"C'mon, she's got to be around here somewhere... Maeve said that performers will hang around the side door--" Will was searching for the best access point near the stage to meet up with the performers afterward. "Well, if there was a side door..."

"There--" Orym tapped his boyfriend's head, making the half elf pause, glancing up to Orym's out stretched arm above Will's head. Orym waved excitedly and gave a thumbs up. He didn't know Daria. But he had to tell them what an incredible performer they were. He had to know exactly how they could accomplish such a feat. So many turns!

"No, no, we should wait," Will shifted his shoulders, causing Orym to grip his forehead, something he was plenty used to when letting Orym ride on his shoulders, especially for crowded events like this. "She probably wants to get out of the costume." "Will, what if we wait and she get taken to a party or something? She smiled at us! Let's just go over," Orym patted Will's shoulder, who then started walking towards through the shortening crowd. They did have to wait a few moments, as there were well wishers and congratulations and autograph seekers. It wasn't too often Zephrah played host to a traveling dance company. Will and Orym had shown up to every performance so far.

Once they had their own chance, Will set Orym down on the ground, the halfling immediately shot his hand up in greeting to Daria, "Hi! I'm Orym, this is Will. He's my boyfriend. Gosh, you were just terrific. I mean, really terrific. I don't think-- No, I know, I'd never seen anyone dance like that before!" Orym grinned ear to pointed ear, shaggy brown curls nearly covering them. Will's dark brown hair was in a ponytail, holding out his hand for Daria to shake as well.

"You were awesome," Will concured, smirking a little at Orym's excitement. But out of the two of them, Orym was the dancer, far more graceful than Will. They were just out of school, still trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Will was starting to think he might just loose Orym to this traveling dance troupe. He hadn't seen Orym this excited about anything in a long time.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

They smile at the halflings excitability while he was on someone’s shoulders, though their attention was quickly diverted to the people infront of them. They enjoyed meeting the audience, hearing their kind words instead of just their applause. The flowers were a nice addition too, by the time that the halfling got to Daria she had over fifty roses cradled in their arm.

“Orym and will.” They repeat back shaking both their hands and nodding at the halfling, before a smile met their face as a rush of complements came through. “Oh thank you, the pleasure is mine truly, I’m glad you came to see us perform.” Their voice was small, a little hoarse but meek probably even abit shy.

The director was rather hit and miss with complements. She might complement the petite dancer after a performance or a mission well done, but the wind would change and suddenly they wouldn’t be good enough, or would be in trouble somehow. Part of them wanted to believe that they could receive these deep complements without the need to brace for a slap to the face the very next moment.

But those on the surface didn’t know their true purpose. Daria was born and raised a killer. If they knew, their tone would shift aswell.

“You’re a lovely couple, have you been together long?” They ask, looking at the shorter of the two for the answer.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

@songshieldandselfcare Wanted some angst

---

It was a long showcase. Daria had the role of Black Swan, something deceitful and powerful in the narrative that the dance told. But this also came with a Physical demand. Thirty two Consecutive turns, only power that kept her going from pushing off the ground and whipping their right leg around. But the crowd... the audiences cheers kept them from going mad.

Their part comes to a close, they bow with the director, the woman that took them off the street and into the academy, took all these poor souls around them in as well.

"You did so good mein Knallkörper!" The director squishes their cheeks as she imparts praise onto them in zemnian. Looking to their side they see a couple in the crowd, giving them a small smile as they're still in their recognizable black costume.

[songandshield]

a stone’s throw | dorian captured! | open rp

It was a clever move, he had to hand it to them.

Worst of all, they didn’t have to do it.

There was always three of them in the cove when they came to question him or let him eat. They never stood close enough together and the one that drew the short straw and had to physically deal with Dorian never was armed, despite Dorian’s hands being chained at a length to his ankles when he was taken out of the water.

They figured out he was an air genasi. He didn’t have to breathe. At some point during his capture, Dorian figured they just found it funny to have him soaking wet and naked, shivering with cold depending on the day. The water in the cove wasn’t exactly bath water. Probably horrible for his hair and definitely his skin.

The chain was merely wrapped around a large boulder in the cavern, one guy pulling him out of the water, grabbing his arms and ‘helping’ him out of the natural pool. He was manacled around his wrists, neck and ankles, another chain looped around his waist to prevent him from using the length, however awkwardly he might accomplish it, to hurt them.

He had used Dissonant Whispers more than once on them and they nearly starved him for it.

They didn’t do much talking in response to his demanding to know what they wanted from him. He had felt the crossbow wielding half elf’s presence in his mind more than once, he always stood near the stairs, just gathering thoughts and information. Dorian had to guess they were either waiting for his parents to pay them or even Bell’s Hells. The only person other than them more often on his mind was Cyrus. An even bigger ransom, if they could find him. Or already had him.

That was his biggest worry. Days had gone by. Maybe two weeks? It was hard to tell as Dorian could only tell time by what they fed him, which wasn’t anything to write home about. But Orym would know something was wrong. This was far too long to go without their Stones Call for the night.

The Bell’s Hells would find him. He had absolute faith in that. But where he was, what fortress maybe laid above this cavern system he didn’t really know. He’d woken up twice during his initial capture, taken down a stone and wooden hallway, then down stairs… and then woken up being chained up in the cave.

He could wait a while longer. Being submerged in water wasn’t the most pleasant way, but at least it was fresh water. His friends could still find him, he was sure his things were somewhere upstairs, clothes and items too interesting to be simply sold away so quickly.

Maybe the Sending Stone sat in his pack still, awaiting his reply. Maybe even tossed into the cave pool with him, discarded as a lucky rock.

It wouldn’t sit unanswered for long. They would come. His friends would come.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

Maybe the captors were just off with their food by a couple hours.

or that they had decided to starve Dorian again.

or that small bang had something to do with it all.

Daria, Under contract from a client, had laid siege to the small compound-half underground. It wasn't without some sort of sacrifice of course, The men gave a good fight and Daria was only One. Well. Fern, Their wolfdog familiar, so Two. They guessed that some were out to town, since Daria's headcount was off.

They'd Make Haste.

It took some interrogation to find him, of course. Having a half-elf hobble them over to the base of the cove. Them drawing a knife on them at the base of the water was. a calculated risk.

Splash!

Daria gets pushed into the water, but grips on to the metal brigandine and pulls her in with. They both scramble for the knife, Before Daria puts it through the half elves throat, under the sudden realization there's a third in the cove. Bobbing up for air she thrashes a little, caught on some chain.

"Fern!!" They shout, before going under again.

Daria Realizes that the wolfdog had a propensity to not come when called, but something had hung on to the hope that the wolfdog would come pull them out of the water and seem to save them from whatever third party was in there with them.

[dozydawn]

The Royal Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet curtain call, 2019.

Sarah Lamb, Vadim Muntagirov, and conductor Koen Kessels.

[cupcakesmuses]

“I was supposed to protect you…”

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

They groan. “I handled myself well!” They gesture at the 7 people laying prone either dead or knocked out.

[songandshield]

the bait | orym - open to all

Orym thought he heard his name. He thought he’d heard something other than the pounding of his heart in his ears, drifting closer and closer to unconsciousness. He held on tight to the piece of metal, the rope attached to it. The knot was a better grip but almost too high for him to grasp. His other hand had long felt the slip of his sword from his fingers. He didn’t remember loosing his shield. He remembered the sudden immense pain of the meat hook into his chest, just under his shoulder. High enough not to puncture a lung and on the right side. He wasn’t here to be killed, not immediately. They would have stuck him in the left side for that.

Whoever it had been, Orym hadn’t seen them, but he had a few guesses. He gave a small grunt, adjusting his grip. He was hanging, probably six feet off the ground. A halfling dangling from a hook, quiet a large one. He knew he would probably bleed out soon, the hole was a fairly large one made by the meat hook in his small body.

But he knew what this was. He was the bait. This was a trap.

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

She had heard him before seeing him, Actually. Hearing the struggle, she rounds the perimeter before meeting his eyes afew trees away.

This was a... precarious situation. She could feel the hairs on her arms standing up, something was not good, and she doubted the halfling was left up there alone. With the feeling of being watched, they knock an arrow and pull their bow, aiming at the little man. Such a small target...

thump!

The knot in the string is cut loose from sheer force of the bolt hitting it. the arrow then embedding itself in the tree right above the halflings head.

Now. Now she was begining to see the people about. Maybe Five of them. She knew better than to advance but they could certainly run her down. so she stood her ground.

[songandshield]

“You know, I don’t think talkin’ about what’s on your mind could possibly hurt… Who knows, it might even just make ya feel better for gettin’ it out?”

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

Theres a long pause, Daria sitting next to the automaton, looking out onto a sunset. their alliance was begrudging at best. "No. Not for me, sorry"

[rehabilitating-sparrow]

VXSKXVNIK -> REHABILITATING-SPARROW

/// also mainly making it a Mini!Daria blog aswell bc i have no muse for her adult self! ALSO adding cool verses!!