raisetheearth | Action - Locke City

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Action - Locke City | Text much later OTA

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He thought he was just going to take a break. A nice open spot among the rubble of a leveled building was suitable enough. The ceiling was gone crushed a year ago when the worst of the invasion had hit Locke. Most of the city had been rebuilt, but a few remnants of that fateful day remained. Idly Tony kicked at some debris as he hunkered down for a rest, but suddenly he wasn't in the ruins anymore.

He was in side some really gaudy building, a theater maybe? A church? He couldn't tell, but there was... a spotlight. The events that followed were nothing short of bizarre.

Quickly he found himself a passenger in his own- no, his other's body. This wasn't him, he knew as soon as he realized that no matter how hard he strained he had no command over what was happening. He was simply a witness, riding along while the whole world went completely bonkers around him. As it turns out, his other was quite the actor, as was this strange monocle wearing guy who turned into a beetle or something. What is even happening he just doesn't know.

Meanwhile anyone outside would be witness to quite a show- a one-sided play. Followed by an even more impressive one-sided battle. Much of the already destroyed terrain only got more destroyed as Tony hopped around completely against his will. Bullets flying, Rebellion crushing easily through fallen concrete like it was dry and brittle wood. On his own side he was overwhelmed. The power of this man he was riding along as was immense, almost unfathomable. But the echo held him firmly in its grip, there just wasn't enough time to really think about any of it.

At the end when he was standing still, arm still raised after his final curtain-call bullet shot straight into the air, the echo released him. He let out an alarmed sound and collapsed, thoroughly exhausted. Even during the invasion he'd not fought like that, and it truly did feel like he'd just fought an epic battle against a foe of ridiculous power.

What in the hell?

Tony's just going to stay there for a while trying to sort out his brain and catch his breath, because wow.

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That's it. I want off this ride. I don't give a damn about saving the world or whatever. I've had enough. Shit's gone stupid. I didn't sign up for fucking bullshit mothmen or whatever the fuck all of that was, I'm out. Canceling my subscription. Someone take these goddamned numbers I've had enough.

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Yes. Jacob you are too good to him. He gladly accepts the bottle and takes a swig, grimacing at the awful flavor. Man, that burns almost as much as all that devil power coursing through him. Almost. Ugh, his nerves still feel on fire and yet he wasn't actually there.

Was he?

He starts to speak, coughs, has to stop for a moment and shakes his head. Wooow, if anything could knock a devil on his backside it'll be that. "Fuh, damn. Was like," He coughs again, washes it down with more Everclear, instantly regrets it. Too far to turn back now. "Was like I was there. Living it."

He just kind of makes choking uncomfortable sounds and thumbs over his shoulder toward the ruined building that is presently more demolished than it was to start. If Jacob wants an idea, he can go have a look at all the bullet holes and sword marks.

Jacob almost chuckles at Tony's grimace on the Everclear. Maybe it was too strong for what he asked? And then Tony's coughing. Yea, too strong.

"I have other kinds if that's too hard on you. Whiskey might be better until you can work up."

Jacob develops a confused look.

"Living it? How? I mean, echoes aren't supposed to be that strong, are they? Have you ever had one like it before?" The concern grows more and more in his tone, almost as if he's alarmed by it.

When Tony points him to the wall, Jacob gets up to look. Covered in bullet holes and sword marks, his jaw hangs a little. Even amongst the rubble, the new marks are obvious. Damn... He turns back to Tony.

"Your echo made you do this?"

Too strong. Drinking it anyway. Challenge accepted! Foolishly. To the question Tony just shakes his head, putting on a pout almost as if insulted at the very insinuation that he couldn't take it. He is tough okay.

"Never," He confirms, sipping the Everclear again. Yeah it's like drinking fire. That's sure an interesting experience, so he tries again to make sure. Yup still fire. "Usually there's a reason. Not just because. A pink light, or something similar happening. This just happened." And it's a very alarming realization. Is this how it's going to be from now on? Assaulted with their past lives unexpectedly?

Is Tony really going to have to cloister himself away from everyone so he doesn't accidentally kill someone? All that wreckage could have easily been an innocent bystander. He takes a bigger gulp. Though he says nothing, the haunted expression may say it well enough for him.

"It was a hell of a fight." He finally croaks out after another coughing fit.

Jacob has to really fight back not to snicker at Tony's stubbornness. Your funeral, buddy.

Jacob cringes at the thought of something so extreme 'just happening' like that. He doesn't know if he'll end up with a similar experience, but whatever these things do seems to be traumatizing. "I'm at least here for you if you have anymore." He's not sure how reassuring that will be, but he hopes it shows that he's supportive.

And when Jacob sees Tony's haunted expression, it nearly breaks him. He pats Tony on the shoulder. "Hey, it could have been a fluke. Maybe there was something really significant about that echo that made you reenact it. I wouldn't worry about it. After all, you've never had one like that before, right?"

"It looks like it." Jacob runs his fingers over one of the bullet holes in amazement. He turns around and comes back to Tony, who's still hugging the Everclear. He's all for his friend getting drunk, but... "Let's get you back to my place. You can crash on the sofa, okay? Is Lady with you?"

Stubborn is one of Tony's key traits. That, and crushing self-depreciation but he'll try to not go into that around Jacob. That's not a face you want to show your new friends.

"Not so sure that's a good thing, considering," He thumbed over his shoulder again in emphasis. What if Jacob gets caught in that and he can't stop himself? Tony wouldn't be able to live with himself if he accidentally killed someone, especially doing something as stupid as that. A fight with nothing? Really?

"I've been at this a long time, dude, this shit just gets worse." He pinches the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. Nothing about this bodes well. It's been over a year and things have been quiet, so why now? None of this made sense.

"Hm?" He picks his head up, then instantly regrets it. Oh maybe he shouldn't be drinking this stuff so fast. Nah, it's fine. "She was..." Fortunately it seems like she took cover when the theatrics started. He lets out a sharp whistle, then another, and after some waiting finally hears the scratching and scrabbling of her crawling out of her hiding spot. Not even Lady wanted to get in on that hot mess. "Sorry to scare you, girl." He murmurs, reaching out to give her a reassuring pat before trying to stand.

Yup definitely drank too fast.

Jacob considers Tony's words a moment as he indicates the rubble battle. "I'm not worried about it." Maybe he should be, he has no defense magic as far as he knows. Protecting himself or anyone else could well be out of the question if this happened again. And it's impossible to predict if it can or will, if any memories that intense remain for Tony to discover. But, he'd rather exude confidence and support his friend. That's what you do in this situation. And running scared is the furthest thing from Jacob's mind.

"It'll be alright. I don't think this is something you need to worry about for repeat performances." He can only hope he's right, and that he sounds just as reassuring about it.

Jacob watches Lady come out of hiding, glad she's alright. He picks up the bag and holds out his hand to Tony, to help him up and support him. Maybe handing him the hardest liquor right off the bat was a bit of a poor idea, but he's not going to let him get blackout drunk in a deserted area. Coming back to Locke after all that, he's not sure if thugs hide here or not, and he'd rather not find out.

"Easy does it. Come on, let's get to the teleporter."

He should be, he really should be. Especially if Tony is going to start spontaneously living battle echoes from his other. Something tells him that there's probably a lot of those left to be had, and he'd really rather not destroy anymore places or people because he'd lost himself. Now who is the reckless one, Jacob?

"I wouldn't count on it bein' that easy." Tony grumbles. He's been around this block and it only goes downhill in his experience. At first he tries to stand on his own, but that Everclear hit him a lot harder and faster than even his increased metabolism could keep up with. So he accepts the hand, proving to be heavier than he really looks like he should be. Sorry, Jacob, weird biology happening there.

"Where are we goin'?" Other than the teleporter, obviously.

Jacob can be reckless once in a while. And he has the utmost confidence in Tony to overcome this shit. He shrugs off Tony's discounting comment. Jacob can and will count on it being that easy.

"Well, if I'm wrong, I owe you an ice cream, okay?" He's hoping it's humourous enough to lighten up Tony's mood, if only slightly.

As he tries to pull Tony up, he feels the strain. Holy shit, what do you weigh?! He has to ground his heels and pull himself virtually backward to get the man up, and fights not to stumble when he finally succeeds. Thanks slender build, we appreciate you. Doesn't help that Jacob kind of fits in the squishy wizard category. He makes sure to wrap Tony's arm around his shoulders to give Tony proper support. At least this will be easier now.

"We're going to my place. I'll be damned if I'm letting you stay here tonight." ~~Especially since I gave you alcohol.~~ "You can drink and pass out at my place. It'll be more comfortable than sitting on stone."

Well he was out in the middle of nowhere at night lighting fires at ghosts, so maybe he does have more of a penchant for recklessness than Tony would have initially guessed. But sure, hopefully Jacob's right. He'd really like to not have another one of these echoes on steroids thanks.

"Make it two and you've got yourself a deal," Okay food is a good way to get him in slightly better spirits. Especially sweets, you know his weakness, Jacob. And he is quite heavy, in fact even drunk muddled as he is he notices the effort Jacob has to put in to lift him. Clumsily he fumbles for his sword, digging the tip into the ground to help push himself up. He's heavy, he knows, even for someone not built like a wizard.

"Nph, alright. Sure." He'd make it awkward by tossing out some kind of inappropriate joke but with the way Jacob turned red last time Tony figures that maybe it'll be best to just let that one lay. Lady, meanwhile, is absolutely unhelpful while dancing around their feet.

Oh, yea, for all Tony knows, Jacob is an arsonist. He might have to show Tony that trick later.

Jacob chuckles. "Two it is. Or the whole ice cream shop." Y'know, bribery and things. He recalled once that Tony said he'd eat him out of house and home, so why not the whole ice cream shop? He certainly tries to keep Tony humoured and taken care of.

At least Tony is willing to comply, not that he was too worried that he wouldn't. He just wasn't too sure what he would do if Tony disagreed. Tony's bigger than him, it'd be worse than trying to get a child to do something by using the counting threat, he imagines. And might snicker in spite himself.

Jacob's a little too focused to realise there was even a chance at a joke in there. He's keeping an eye on Lady, and making sure that they don't trip on her in the off chance she gets too close to their feet.

It takes a while, but they finally make it back to Shepherd's Haven. It might take a little longer to get to Jacob's place, as he's making sure that Tony remains steady. If he falls down, he's not too sure he'll be able to pull him back up, and carrying is certainly out of the question. When they get to the stairs, Jacob stops for a moment. He wonders if Tony will be able to climb these without falling back.

"Are you okay enough to climb these? We're almost there, we just need to get to the top."

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