#worn thin

[much-vexed-glowy-mimic]

I'm wondering if it makes sense to actually have Octavian accept getting turned into an Atlantean? There's 2 pieces left in the sea and he wants to make sure O'Brian recovers and that takes time. It would let Octavian do more things too.

Hmm.

[miqojak]

The Mindkiller

(( Oh boy, alludes to lots of you! ))

The music was just loud enough...to drown out everything else - bordering on almost too loud...for her, anyways. She didn’t want a headache, after all - at least, not until the hangover set in tomorrow. Though...diverting one addiction with another wasn’t really the best idea. But what did it matter, at present?

It wasn’t just the temptation of somnus, though...just like it hadn’t stayed ‘just gambling’. None of this was supposed to be happening. The little thief thought she’d been doing at least a decent job of maintaining her walls, despite those who’d do their best to circumvent them, anyways. She hadn’t, though. 

Over and over in her hands, spun that dagger hilt - so finely crafted it made her chest tighten, just to look at it; it was thoughtful in design, and intent...maybe that’s why she felt like she couldn’t breath? Was that what this was supposed to feel like? Like its blade was already hilted in her ribcage? Not only did breathing take effort - like she couldn’t...couldn’t catch  her breath, but those shredded muscles in her back seized as she paced, pain shooting down her spine - the little woman staggering, growling to herself as she clutched a nearby pillar.

Practically a fucking cripple.

Worthless.

Weak. Because of him, you can’t even face going home alone. You’re wounded, and you can’t even trust the safety of your own den. How does it feel, to need someone’s help with even walking? To need to be protected? 

“That’s why I pay the motherfuckers, isn’t it? So I don’t have to watch my own back while I lick my wounds.” And who was she afraid of? Men who could, for the most part, simply appear within the room anyways - if they knew where to look. What safety was there, after she’d committed to this lifestyle? None. Ever. The Wolf had been quiet long enough that her fur prickled, and she eyed every person that crossed the Bluesky’s threshold with increasing paranoia - he’d come by once, already, when she’d thought this place...beneath his notice? And she was supposed to assist with something ‘soon’ - but she was weak. She’d need to see the gang’s newest mender - having already drained the energy of one healer on this savage wound, she’d move to the next. Fuck the rhetoric about healing naturally - she didn’t have time for that. 

She couldn’t fucking breath - so she eased herself to a nearby bench...and set the alcohol aside. The blue room’s gentle ambiance carried so many mixed memories, now - blood and lust, affection and...passion. And the fish kept swimming, silent spectators to the saga - the absurdity of it all, in the moment, made her feel faint; like she might laugh, if she could only catch her breath...like she might vomit, with how her stomach twisted and lurched like it wanted out. 

You’re just afraid that if you’re wounded, he’ll finally close in - ‘break you’, was it? Nor can you afford to fear what we can accomplish together, if you wish to be strong enough.

She’d wanted it all...and hadn’t she gotten it? Power, gil, allies...and somehow, there were also people who cared about her - she’d bitten and snapped and snarled...and every single one of them had edged in closer. They were, the handful of them, dangerous men in their own right...assuredly that was reassuring, right? They were...well, who would fight harder for her, than men motivated by...well, whatever it was that made them carry a flame for her? Friendship...affection. Still, none of it felt...right? She was supposed to make allies, and stay on the fringe. Eyes ahead, focused on the goal - and she was. Focused. She hadn’t lost sight of her goals.

Yes, but how well can you accomplish them with your spine all but cut in half? Just have The Smuggler bring us a snack, and we can fix the wound. 

Head in her hands, little fingers massaged behind long, thin ears - and the wounded ‘Dragon’ focused on breathing. She’d started to ease off somnus. She was injured. Cooped up. Afraid. Angry. Confused. The Voice wouldn’t leave her be, as it grew antsy as well...and now the notion of people caring for her had been a double gut punch in the last forty-eight hours. The natural impulse was to...run. She didn’t know how else to put it. And though her throat might be closing up, the thought of trying to push them away at this point...that tasted even worse, now.

Running isn’t an option, anyways. Wouldn’t make it far.

So, for now, she’d just work on breathing.

...And maybe another hot bath.

[viduregia-blog]

—  WORN THIN ( Vidu/Jav’nen | The Ten Leagues Cantina on Nar Shaddaa | 3954 )

@javnennavok​ ( content warning: alcohol mention )

Busier than ever, given the way that the galaxy was heading, Vidu-- excuse me, Uria had gotten into the habit of doing paperwork during periods of waiting. As she was then, leaning against the bar in the Ten Leagues cantina, tapping away at her holopad-- everything on it had a stupid number of encryption layers so that no one glancing over her shoulder would know anything, but it was still probably stupid to do out in the open like this. Stress made her less careful, she supposed. 

“Violet,” The bar tender caught her attention as he handed her the drink she’d ordered, not that she was actually going to drink it on the job. Still, it helped with appearances. 

Despite her harried appearance, this was actually Uria’s favorite part of her job at the moment. The chance to get out of the office and check in with agents, or Jedi, hiding under the radar. Even if it meant having to come all the way to Nar Shaddaa-- it eased her mind some just to know that they were alive and how they were getting along. And it certainly didn’t hurt that Jav’nen Navok was one of the most tolerable Jedi she’d had the pleasure of dealing with. 

[much-vexed-glowy-mimic]

Just a visual guide to Riddler's drinks. He drowning his sorrows in WT so I need to see what he's actually drowning in. (And what Crane, Meister, Plas and Joker might have to stop him from drinking.)

Midori Sour, Dirty Martini, Tokyo Tea, Absinthe, Death in the Afternoon, Zolezzi Cocktail, The Last Word.

(Might put the others' drinks in a reblog.)

[much-vexed-glowy-mimic]

An idea I have for Worn Thin that could also work for another AU where Octavian is basically a musical sea menace that has bothered every single Atlantean king and queen after Atlantis sank. He's presumably an Atlantean who has been exposed to Nth metal at some point coupled with being highly magical.

He's considered rather harmless, because he doesn't kill people, he just starts musicals and steals things. He's like some kind of environmental hazard the royals have to inherit and one of Aquaman's rogues.

They've kinda reached the point where they think killing him would unleash some kind of disaster.

His attempted theft of the Royal Ceremonial Harp is like a yearly thing, people get worried if he doesn't try and steal it.

He's likely considered to be some kind of siren because of his singing and he just likes sinking ships with neat things on them.

He typically lairs in really large, sunken ships, doesn't matter if he's sunk them.

I had the idea he's in the crowds when Gamemnae attacks the JLA with her League of Ancients and O'Brian is shattered while the others are killed.

He's already had some kind of run-in with O'Brian who's mentioned being really familiar with him and being immune to Octavian's singing which gets him very curious.

After the battle, he finds O'Brian's head and can tell he's not actually dead. Very weird, very interesting.

He can't do anything for the others, but he can collect O'Brian's broken body and put him back together and restore him. His shattered pieces would be right there at the time.

I think Gamemnae goes overboard as the others are celebrating and there's from that point there's not that much time actually passes? It's always 1000 BC, so I assume JLA team's death->Celebration -> Gamemnae goes overboard->Manitou traps her->Future Manitou sends the others back to beat her. Which might be the day after?

But, Aquaman is freed, the "current" Atlanteans get sent back to the present, Aquaman defeats Gamemnae and resinks Atlantis and they all go home.

Except O'Brian, who they think is actually dead.

Now, Octavian would be able to unpetrify O'Brian. What I'm unsure about is if he's done it by the time Aquaman fights Gamemnae and sinks Atlantis.

O'Brian would be so traumatized and completely out of it, so he's not going anywhere, no matter what.

If he's awake at that time, they'd both be able to hear Aquaman sinking Atlantis.

But he could get restored later when it's quiet and it's all too late. Donno which is better.

No matter what, O'Brian is stuck 3000 years in the past and got saved by Aquaman's little musical menace.

Now, he intends on getting back to the others, doesn't matter if he has to wait 3000 years, he'll get back to them. He preoccupies himself with minding/keeping Octavian company and going on various adventures, eventually befriend/meets various immortal heroes/villains, but kinda keeps them at a distance. They know him as "Plas"/"Ó Briain".

He lives with Octavian because the Atlanteans are xenophobic and wouldn't want him there, I assume.

But 3000 years is a long time to wait for them, so I imagine he keeps forgetting and remembering them as time passes.

Notes on clothes:

-Octavian is still quite short compared to other Atlanteans, so his clothes generally make him look bigger and more intimidating.

-Octopus imagery: His top is shaped like octopus arms. When not floating, it would hanging down around him and look like a dancer's dress. (Like the dancer from the dragon quest games.) -The metal bands on his lower arms has lights in them. The upper ones are likely enchanted, but otherwise normal metal bands. -Legs are covered by a seaweed veil which he remakes every so often.

For Worn Thin he'd get turned into Atlantean because Aquaman REALLY wants him to start a musical so he has an excuse to sing. Octavian would agree because then he isn't dependent on Luthor's tech and he and O'Brian can take things easier.

[much-vexed-glowy-mimic]

Currently laughing over the idea of Joker trying to save a giant piece of cake for Riddler from snake-Plas.

[much-vexed-glowy-mimic]

I...

I have to draw snake Plas in a little winter coat with a fur trim.

[much-vexed-glowy-mimic]

-thinking-

Does he reveal his name here? I think he might