video | after the Hotel Rescue Shenanigans

[rideme]

[It's evening, as evidenced by the general dim light in the room. The living room of Nonah #5 has been the scene of a lot of mayhem, and now doesn't seem to be any different.]

[There's a cut on the Iron Bull's face, and he's holding himself with the care of someone who knows damn well he's hurt something important and doesn't want to make any sudden motions. There may also be glass stuck in one of his horns. More small abrasions decorate his torso. Looks like the aftermath of Motorcycle vs. The Iron Bull didn't end well for anyone.]

[As he records, he's moving gingerly across the house to deposit one (1) unconscious lump of teenager -- namely the Problem Child Tetsuo himself -- into a room. Probably his own room. Only after that's done, does Bull address the camera.]

Hey. Got a message for you, network.

[One might say he forgot it was on, but it's also more likely this was purposeful. Demonstrating the kid is in hand, put somewhere safe and no longer charging through the streets.]

Dear Whoever the Fuck Made Tetsuo's Bike,

You should have made it Bull-Proof.

[It's at this point, he holds up a certain finger on the hand still possessing all of its fingers. Wow, Bull, stay classy. He's about to turn the feed off when someone else pipes in, from somewhere else in the house--]

And would someone come heal my big, dumb boyfriend! Please?

[THANKS CHARLIE. Bull makes a sudden face, and hurries to mash the OFF button.]

Comments

[amadaman]

I know she's a bit scary-looking, but I promise Nemesis won't hurt you. As long as I'm right in the head, all of you here are people who'll be protected by her.

[The healing spell will even ease any dislocated bones back into place. Ken takes this return the gun to its holster, though he keeps his other hand on Bull's still.]

Rather, I'll protect you with her. Nemesis and I are one and the same because she's born from my mind -- this is my power from home.

[rideme]

As long as you're 'right in the head'.

That's. Not exactly as comforting as you think.

[Because he's seen way too many mages suddenly go not right in the head. And the giant monsters they summoned up wrecked a lot of crap.]

... Your power is a little creepy.

[amadaman]

[Creepy is an apt description. Nemesis' wheel keeps on spinning and spinning like clockwork, and her eyes are staring unblinkingly down at Bull, reacting to how Ken's mind is focused on him.]

It means that if I can't tell who I'm attacking, then she might attack too. As long as you can knock me out, she isn't going to be any more effective than if I was in control.

But... I guess it's kind of creepy.

[rideme]

You think it'll come to that at some point?

[Which is. Not a good mental image to have. Not just because of the giant demon wheel monster.]

[... hurting the kid, even just to put him out for a bit, feels wrong.]

[amadaman]

I'm saying it because it already has.

[Ken frowns for a moment, eyes flickering to the house, up to the now-vinyl'd window that is Tetsuo's.]

Crane's gas at the swear-in made me attack people because I saw them as the monsters I fight back home. I attacked Kaneda-san, and I attacked Tetsuo-san, too. I wouldn't have stopped if he didn't make me.

[rideme]

... Maybe it's a good thing I wasn't around for that one.

[Except it doesn't feel like a good thing. It really doesn't feel that way. Just that it means he didn't end up hurting anyone.]

Then let's make sure it doesn't happen again.

[amadaman]

[Ken nods a lot more firmly than he feels. The glow from Nemesis' magic starts to fade now, and Bull should be feeling a lot less pain than he did before all this, even if her healing isn't perfect or complete. Ken hasn't mastered that high level of magic yet]

At least you and Charlie were unhurt. Good or not, I'm glad for that.