[FIN] A Murder of Crows

[TawnyAngel]

Taliesen's expression stilled at Zevran's snapped accusation, he seemed to be struggling for something to say. "That is why you left?" he replied softly after a few tense moments. "I wondered. I'm surprised you'd ask me that though, we had orders Zevran. If I hadn't killed her we'd both be dead now, so you're welcome for that... And as I recall it you were the only one who seemed to find anything about the situation funny."

The words were like a knife in his heart and it took all of his self control to keep his composure. He had laughed at her. Why had he laughed? Why had he let it happen? "We could have run away together," he managed to reply after a few moments, his voice tight with the tidalwave of emotion he was struggling to hold back. "We could have left Thedas and never looked back, let them think we had killed one another." Where would he be now if they had done that? Probably not with Abel, almost certainly not, and yet Rinna would be alive.

"Why would we do that?" Taliesen snorted; his good humour hadn't returned yet but he did seem a little less tense. "The Crows gave us everything we ever needed or wanted. It was a ******** shame about Rinna but," he made an open gesture with his hands, "better her than both of us. At least she died quickly, more than she'd have got if I hadn't killed her."

He really couldn't see it could he? But was that such a surprise? He couldn't have imagined any of this himself a year and a half ago. Had it really been such a short while ago that they had all sat together and talked and laughed and... Perhaps it was a different lifetime, he certainly wasn't now who he had been back then. "And that is all you have to say on the subject?" Zevran asked levelly, his hands and jaw still tense.

Taliesen sighed and shrugged. "What else is there."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Abel listened to the pair talk, one tense and taut with pent-up emotion, the other sighing and shrugging with what seemed almost like resignation, like a somewhat patient person might talk their younger sibling down from what could erupt into a temper tantrum. Almost; there were more guns and death involved. Even though his heart ached at Zevran's tone and how hard he worked to control his voice, the taller blond's gaze never left the other man across the room, with the other Crows only getting a fraction of his attention. No, they weren't the most important right now, nor the biggest threat; if things went south he had no doubt Taliesen would be the one to steer them there.  

[TawnyAngel]

What else was there? Perhaps nothing that could pass between the two of them; the way Taliesen had stilled told him that he felt something but it would never be discussed. "Perhaps nothing," Zevran agreed reluctantly and though he remained tense the feeling that he was about to crumble receded. "But regardless, I am not coming with you Taliesen so you had better get home before you are missed too much." Taliesen wouldn't just leave, not now, so what came next? Perhaps it was all inevitable after all; for a moment he had almost hope they could avoid conflict.

"So." Taliesen's eyes hardened. "You left because of Rinna, and you're staying here because of him." Taliesen nodded sharply at Abel. "Or am I wrong?"  

[BlackFireKitsune]

The tension in the air was palpable and things were slowly, inexorably coming to a head. Zevran wasn't going, and Taliesen wasn't happy about it -- or about him, it seemed, though that could've just been his imagination. Either way his fingers flexed just a tad, feeling as though he should already have a weapon in his hands because he would surely need it in a minute, his focus never leaving Taliesen. He would strike at some point, he was certain, the only question was when... and who.  

[TawnyAngel]

Zevran's fingers twitched with the urge to reach for his pistol, and urge he firmly suppressed. "Yes," he nodded sharply, "that's right."

Taliesen smiled wryly and shook his head. "Well you always were impulsive, part of your charm! Are you worried we'll hurt him? I don't see any need for that."

"I am not coming, Taliesen."

Taliesen sighed again. "Look, you've needed some space to think and you've had some fun along the way - that's fine - but it's time to come home. Really Zev, what are you going to do with the rest of your life here? Get yourself some little job? Be a good boy and follow the rules? You'll snap with boredom!" He then turned to Abel and gestured vaguely to Zevran. "You must like him quite a lot to have come here with him so perhaps you'll see more sense. He's not the sort of person you can cage, he'll be miserable here before long if he doesn't take the chance to come home now; perhaps you can persuade him?"  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Well that answered that question... for the moment, anyway. The answer could change at any moment, Abel wasn't stupid enough to think it couldn't. But still, addressing was much better than shooting, even if the question was ridiculous. Taliesen didn't know that though. Abel's eyebrows lifted a bit. "Me, persuade him?" He repeated, just to make sure he'd heard that right. Zevran was the persuasive one anyway, how could he persuade him? Persuade him to go home? The idea was laughable, utterly ridiculous, because he would never even try. Resisting the urge to laugh - because that wouldn't end well - the taller blond instead loosed a thoughtful hum, "Hmmmm..." He turned his head to look over at Zevran - his boyfriend, his love, one of his two best friends - for a moment or two before looking back at Taliesen with a brief, simple shake of his head, "no." While he wasn't dumb enough to think Zevran wouldn't miss aspects of his old life, he couldn't imagine him being miserable not living it any longer. At least, he hadn't seemed even remotely miserable with him... except when he was discussing his old life, oddly enough. Funny how that worked.  

[TawnyAngel]

Taliesen opened his mouth, closed it again, and pinched the bridge of his nose. After a couple of moments he exhaled and looked at Zevran again, just a hint of annoyance showing in the set of his lips. "Be reasonable Zev, you must realise you're not cut out for," he gestured to Abel now, "whatever you think you've found here. None of us are, Zev, we're Crows. I've gone to a lot of trouble and called in a lot of favours coming to find you, see, so let's just head on home. We can find you a cute blond with pretty eyes within a couple of hours downtown, and then we don't need to say any more about any of this."

Zevran shook his head slightly, his jaw tightening further as Taliesen spoke. "My answer is no, but I don't think you will understand why. Nobody else no matter how lovely could interest me, he is irreplaceable to me."

"And what about me, damnit?" Taliesen's anger was sudden and hot, his voice was a snarl and his hands clenched into fists by his side. "I came half way across the world to find you, to rescue you from your own damn stupidity and you're throwing that- that and twenty ******** years back in my face for a guy you've known for a few months? I won't let you do that Zevran, you're going to come with me and when we get back to normal you'll thank me."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Normally words like Zevran's would warm his heart, but Taliesen's descent from 'patient' straight down into 'incredibly and unquestionably pissed' with a very brief pass through 'annoyance' on the way kind of overruled any good feelings he might've had. The guy was practically livid, and from his perspective maybe it was fair to think that. While Zev might be able to see his old friend's side of the matter, somehow Abel doubted Taliesen would be able to see anyone else's side but his. At the very least he didn't seem to think much of letting Zevran decide this for himself. It was coming, the conflict was coming any minute now, and Abel was ready for it, his expression hardening a tad while his fingers flexed, prepared to reach for his gun the instant it became necessary.

Up on the catwalk Sonia's lips were curled back into a vicious snarl as she stared intently down at the aggressive stranger below the group of pokemon, her claws wrapped tightly around the railing and her upper body practically folded over the top of it with her elbows sticking up in the air. Any second now, any second he or someone would give her cause to act, and she was so ready for it.  

[TawnyAngel]

Was there any coming back from the precipice they were rushing towards? Perhaps he could pretend to go with them and then... And then when he slunk away they would know where to find him and this situation would repeat, only it would be worse. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, paused a moment and then looked up at Taliesen once more with weary resignation. "I am not coming back Taliesen, and you should have stayed in Antiva."

As the words left Zevran's lips Taliesen's expression twisted into something that didn't look entirely human. "Traitorous whoreson!"

The tall Crow drew his pistol and fired in one fluid, lightning-quick movement. Zevran was a split second behind him in doing just the same but Zevran aimed higher and Taliesen only got the chance to squeeze the trigger one more time before he crumpled lifeless to the ground.

Now the more experienced Crows were starting to move, Diego with a cry of rage and grief and the others in grim silence.

Clara snarled and started to leap.

Zevran stared over at Taliesen, one hand rising slowly to his chest where blood was already blooming.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

And there it was; Taliesen and Zevran fired at practically the same instant. Abel's hands darted out just as quickly -- not for his gun, but for his boyfriend. Blood, he was bleeding but still standing - still alive - and the taller blond wasted no time in grabbing first one upper arm to pull him close enough to grab the second. Caleb dove down to the floor in front of his trainer so Abel could pull Zevran down behind the canine, to prop him up against the fluffy fur and out of anyone else's line of fire as quickly as possible. "Amigo, come here!" He shouted, not wanting to wait and see if the Butterfree would rush to his trainer's side of his own accord, and one hand lifted to his love's neck to ascertain his pulse while the other pulled his handgun from its holster, ready to use it the instant another Crow came after him -- because one surely would.

As the lead Crow fell and the rest moved to avenge him or react, and Abel pulled Zevran out of (further) harm's way for the moment, up above Sonia snarled viciously as she swung herself over the side of the catwalk before pushing off of it rather than simply jumping, launching herself with fangs and claws bared at the Crows below as her illusion promptly vanished. Elizabeth and Tania promptly followed suit, the former leaping off the catwalk with flames lining her jaws while the latter stumbled at first before hopping off less gracefully than her teammates.  

[TawnyAngel]

He didn't resist when Abel grabbed him and dragged him down behind Caleb. There wasn't any pain yet, he felt nothing, nothing at all. He had killed Taliesen, and looking down at his chest he supposed distantly that Taliesen had probably killed him too. Zevran pressed a hand to one of his wounds and watched as blood begin to flow around his fingers.

Although Amigo was the first of Zevran's pokemon to react he would not be the first to arrive on the scene, that privilege fell to Estoque who had launched herself at a paler-skinned man who was levelling his gun at Caleb. He fired and the shot zinged off the Skarmory's metal body; she extended her talons with a screech and the Crow's grim expression shifted to one of horror.

The woman identified as Luciana had started forward when Taliesen fell but when the hoard of monsters appeared out of thin air she froze wide-eyed, struggling to pick a target. After a few moments she reached the conclusion that the best target was no target, at least if she wanted to live, and she turned tail and sprinted for the warehouse doors.

The two young Crows, not important enough to be introduced by name, were much slower than their superiors in reacting but it was still only moments before each had a pistol in hand. They drew tightly together and looked around wildly for orders but Luciana was fleeing, Velasco had a metal monster bearing down upon him, and Diego...

Diego didn't seem to care about the huge fiery hound, the smaller one giving chase to Luciana, the leaping dark something with a pointy face, the metal bird, the huge bird on the catwalk that had just launched itself into the air, or any of them. Diego cared about only one thing, and he was dead. The Crow charged, still screaming his helpless rage, and fired wildly around the creature currently sheltering the traitor.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Diego's grief and anguish were palpable and his enraged screaming almost made Abel feel bad -- almost. It mirrored his heart though, the rage and fear and all manner of similar emotions mixed up in a whirlwind deep inside, but he'd had enough experience to quell it forcefully - for now - and focus instead.

Caleb growled and bared his teeth as he turned his head towards his trainer in an effort to further shield Zevran from harm as the angry Crow speedily approached, screaming and shooting the whole way, and as Abel turned his head more than one bullet whisked by him. One even came so close he felt the sudden rush of wind slicing past the side of his head, leaving his ear abruptly feeling cold and numb, but he paid it no mind for now; he didn't feel or notice the blood that immediately began to trail down his ear. His intent, focused expression turned into one of poorly concealed fury a split second before he drew his pistol and fired at Diego in one fluid motion. <******** off."

Elizabeth joined Estoque's side to ensure Velasco didn't escape - even if her assistance was entirely unnecessary - while Tania stormed towards the apprentices with her tiny hands balled into fists. Sonia dismissed both Velasco and Luciana - the former was being taken care of while the latter had beat a hasty retreat - and she trusted her trainer to handle Diego. Opting to assist Tania - or at least make sure the pig-headed little dark-type came to no harm - the Zoroark slammed her front paws down and erupted into thick, billowing black smoke that shot outwards at a blinding speed to smack into the wall before the amorphous shape turned and hurtled towards the apprentices, glowing red eyes forming a split second before cavernous jaws opened wide to reveal a gaping black pit lined with dagger-like fangs. The illusion swept past the Scraggy, enveloping her in an instant before barreling past her at breakneck speed, a guttural snarl flowing up from the depths of its wide, smoky jaws as it headed straight for the pair of apprentices with every intention of swallowing them whole... or at least looking like it would.  

[TawnyAngel]

Diego's scream was cut off abruptly; he crumpled mid stride and sprawled on the concrete floor, pale green eyes glassy and staring.

Estoque struck Velasco's head talons first but the mess this made was quickly hidden from view as she crouched over the fresh body, her toothed beak gaping wide.

Crows even as young as the two apprentices were trained to deal with many deadly situations but clouds of boiling, fanged black death had not been on the curriculum. The boy, he really was no more than that, froze in mute horror and raised his gun instinctively but his companion had more sense; she grabbed his wrist, shouted what could have been a name, and hauled on his arm. A moment later they were both running for the doors in the certain knowledge that their lives really did depend upon it.

As the last of the Crows fled Amigo arrived by Zevran's side and grabbed arm his arm with a cry of distress.

Zevran turned his head slowly to the Butterfree but he couldn't focus his attention and the sense of numb unreality remained; it tasted faintly of copper.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

The instant Diego fell to the ground Abel sat up straight on his knees to look over Caleb for the briefest of seconds: Taliesen dead, Estoque 'dealing with' Velasco, Luciana out of sight with the apprentices hastily following suit. It took only a second to ascertain that the threats had all been nullified, and once assured of this Abel hastily secured his pistol back in its holster and turned his focus wholly to Zevran. "Sonia, c'mere!"

Her illusion barreled after the youngest two Crows, the snarl twisting into an inhuman scream as it chased them to the doors and then out -- where it promptly vanished in an instant. The second it did the dark-type - she hadn't moved from her spot in the middle of the floor yet, despite her illusion rocketing around a large section of the warehouse - turned tail and raced over to her trainer's side.

As Amigo alighted near them Abel pushed Zevran's jacket aside and slid his shirt up high enough so he could see where he was shot -- and how many times. "Amigo, d'you remember when you made webbing to help Zev when Estoque hurt him? Can you do that again? As quick as you can."  

[TawnyAngel]

Under the flow of blood Abel would find two bullet wounds to the left side of Zevran's chest, both too low to have struck his heart but one was not far off.

"Abel?" Abel was speaking. Zevran turned his head to look at him, it seemed to take a lot of effort. "Are - " he coughed, and blood flecked his lips, " - are you hurt?"

Amigo was trembling all over but he managed to nod and then started to spin out webbing as quickly as he could. When he had been a Caterpie he could have done this twice, three times as fast or more! He had been in such a rush to evolve so that he could help his trainer if people tried to harm him and now because he had, he was failing again.

A bark from the doors announced Clara's return, she had chased the woman to the fence and had been tempted to chase further but coming back to Zevran was more important than revenge.

Inverino landed in the doorway just as Clara dashed through and peered out into the encroaching twilight. It didn't think that any of the humans would return but if they did it would be waiting for them.