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smilesrobotlover · 2 months ago

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Whumptober day 16- wound cleaning

I’ve been excited to share this one :) hope y’all like it

Warnings for a concussion and violent emotions

~~~~~

He was used to crowds of people watching him, laughing and cheering whenever he did something to exceed their expectations. The children that giggled as they watched him do his performance was always a sound he was used to, and in the beginning, he loved it. He loved being around children, enjoying their sweet, innocent minds, the way they saw whimsy in the world despite it being so evil, and it almost healed him from everything that happened to him at their age.

But now it was suffocating.

Creating puppets that danced around suddenly became insulting as he realized the true power he held; entertaining children and adults became stale and a waste of his time. He stopped finding joy in it, and now only desired power—power to keep the innocent children he used to love safe from people who wished them harm.

Yet the universe seemed to work against him, no matter how hard he tried. The heroes were working against him, and now these men—the strangers across eras—were working against him. They didn’t understand what he was trying to do though; they didn’t know the true evil that was in the world! He wanted to explain it to them, but he didn’t want to share some deep and personal things about himself to get them to understand.

They’d never understand anyways, who would? No one ever did.

“Hey, Seth.”

He looked up to see his fellow performer walking towards him, finishing yet another show in the mountains. His close friend, Dalton, was a phenomenal story teller, and narrated the stories he performed. Dalton was one of the reasons why he still did the performances, not wanting to worry him with his plans. But he wasn’t in the mood to talk to him right now; his head was aching from where that blasted Rito hit him, and the scratch marks on his face stung. He’d rather go somewhere else to rest, but Dalton wasn’t going to let him leave, clearly.

“Is everything alright? You seemed…. out of it back there,” he said, moving his head to get a better look at him, but Seth made sure to wear a veil to hide the scratch marks on his face.

“I’m fine. I’m just tired,” he muttered, hoping to get some alone time, but Dalton stopped him.

“Well, how about we head over to the Fallen Feather Inn? I hear they have good food there.”

He was hesitant, but was too tired to argue. Perhaps eating with his friend would help him clear his head. He’s been alone for a while now.

The two bid their farewells to the rest of the group and headed to the inn, which was on the other side of the village where they performed. The restaurant in the inn was crowded, probably due to the performance, but they were able to get a table quickly. Dalton sat across him, smiling his warm smile as he watched the people around him.

“I can’t believe how many people showed up here just for us!” He commented, watching a goron struggle to move through the crowd. “It’s almost flattering, don’t you think?”

He said nothing, and Dalton frowned.

“Why do you still have your veil on? We’re not performing.”

He paused, not wanting Dalton to see his face. There was going to be fussing and scolding and other things that he was not in the mood for. But he supposed he couldn’t hide it forever, he knew that. Dalton stared at him, his large brown eyes filled with worry and he finally sighed—best to get it over with.

Dalton gasped when Seth removed the veil, and he immediately grabbed a napkin and began dipping it in water.

“Goddesses, Seth! What happened to you?”

“It was just an accident,” he replied simply, not stopping him from dabbing the damp cloth against the scratches. It stung, but Dalton was gentle enough, his brow furrowed as he dabbed up the blood.

“I knew you going up the mountains by yourself wasn’t a good idea,” he said, moving the rag around so the clean side would touch his wound. “This might scar.”

“It’ll be fine. It’s just a scar.”

Dalton smiled and set the rag down, letting out a sigh. “Well, I’m glad whatever that was didn’t hit your eye.”

He nodded, avoiding eye contact. Dalton was silent for a moment, his brown eyes continuing to stare, as if waiting for him to say something, but he finally gave up and went back to people-watching. It was silent for a long moment, until Dalton spoke up again, a teasing grin on his face.

“How’s you and your lady friend? Hope things are going well?”

“I—things are fine.”

“That’s great! I hope you guys don’t elope, I’d hate missing out on being your best man!”

Seth couldn’t hold back the smile. “We’ve only seen each other for a month.”

“Yes, but… you know… anything could happen! I thought I wasn’t gonna marry my wife but here we are!”

He smiled again. Dalton’s wedding was beautiful, and he was so grateful to be a part of it. He wished life was like that again, just… full of joy. But he had more important things to worry about now.

“I don’t think there will be a wedding,” he said, and Dalton sighed.

“Aw, you don’t think it’s working out?”

“It’s… complicated.”

Dalton frowned, but he glanced up at a person who walked up to them and smiled. “Hello!”

He glanced up as well, and felt his heart leap to his throat.

“Hey, what can I get for you two?” The short man asked, his long, curly brown hair tied back and his dark eyes watching them.

Benji.

They were here, the men were here! Seth scanned the restaurant, spotting Leon yelling at a man and Linebeck walking through the crowds of people. Panic settled in, and he instinctively covered his face with the veil, pretending to look at the menu. Goddesses they were here.

But…why were they here? What were they doing waiting tables? He killed one of them, didn’t he? Seth glanced at where Leon stood, his arm in front of a young woman while he yelled at a screaming customer. He… didn’t look like he was mourning… did…

Did Rusl survive?

“Seth.”

He looked up, seeing Dalton and Benji staring at him. Dalton’s head was tilted and he had a forced smile on his face, while Benj had a blank expression. Did he recognize him? No… he doesn’t know what he looks like under the mask. There’s no way. Yet anxiety gnawed at his insides as Benji stared, almost as if he could see right through him.

“I—I’ll just have whatever you’re having,” he mumbled, and Benji leaned forward.

“What was that?”

“I-I–”

“He’ll have what I’m having,” Dalton answered for him, and Benji nodded, walking away. It was silent for a moment before Dalton turned to him, a worried expression on his face. “What’s wrong? You seem nervous all of the sudden?”

Seth turned away, glaring. “Nothing, I’m just not hungry.”

“Really? Then why’d you get what I got? I ordered a lot of food.”

He said nothing, and kept glancing at the men that have been tormenting him for weeks. They were all too chipper for their friend who died a week ago. Anger bubbled in his chest as he realized that his plan to get rid of them was crumbling in his hands, dripping through his fingers like the sands in the desert. Rusl must’ve survived, there was no other explanation. Why couldn’t they just die?

Dalton began striking up conversation again, but he stopped listening. Most likely they didn’t know that he was here, which meant that he could ambush them and finally be rid of them. Yes, things were perhaps looking up for him finally.

He just needed to find out where they were staying, and then he would strike.

~~~~~

It was dead silent as he walked carefully around the building, the only light available being the moon and the stars. Everyone was fast asleep except for him, allowing him to use his training to be in and out in seconds. There were perks to being raised Sheikah he supposed.

He discovered that the men were on the third floor right next to a wall, which was inconvenient, but nothing he couldn’t handle. With one quick jump, he was able to climb to the top and carefully open the window. He took pride in that fact that he made no noise as the window opened, and he quietly jumped inside, his boots barely making a sound against the carpet. His breathing was soft and quiet, and any loud breath was muffled by his mask, making him as quiet as the night. To his relief, he was in the correct room, with Leon and Benji asleep near the couch. He could’ve killed them right then and there, but he was admittedly curious about something, and he instead turned to one of the rooms.

Very carefully, he opened the door, stopping when he heard snoring coming from the armchair in the corner. There rested Talon, who was laid back in the chair, which looked to be uncomfortable, but he supposed it was comfortable enough to sleep in it. But what caught his eye was the blasted Ordonian, resting in the bed with his arm in a sling, his eyes closed and softly snoring, and looking very much alive.

He clenched his fists in anger. His plan was perfect—perfect! He was to control either Rusl or Leon for their sword skills and then use them to kill the others! If not, he’d at least be able to kill them! How could such a foolproof plan fail? How could he survive?

Seth brought out the knife hidden in his belt, moving carefully across the room to where Rusl laid, and he lifted it above his head. He was going to end this once and for all.

But before he could bring the dagger down on Rusl’s throat, something hit the back of his head, and he stumbled forward before falling unconscious, the pain being the last thing he felt.

And then he awoke, his hands tied behind his back and Leon and Benji watching him with furious looks on their faces. They were out in the living room again, this time with a candle lit, and Seth found himself tied to a stand that at least kept him in place. His mask was spotted sitting on the couch, and any weapon he had was stripped off of him. He blinked a few times to clear his head, and he looked up at the two, glaring.

“I knew it,” Benji growled, not moving. “I knew it was you, puppeteer.”

“What gave me away?” Seth asked, his words slurred slightly.

“That stupid headpiece of yours! You think I wouldn’t recognize it even with your hair down?”

Seth blinked, realization hitting him. The moon headpiece he always wore was a gift from Dalton when they first started performing. Dalton had the Sun, while he had the moon. He never thought to take it off.

Goddesses, how could he be so foolish?

“I see,” was all he said, and Leon stepped up, his sword drawn.

“Did you come here to finish the job then? To undo all the hard work we did to heal Rusl?” He asked, his voice as sharp as his blade.

“Of course I did,” Seth said coolly. “But I see that I made a mistake and was caught in the act. I guess he escapes death once again. You all do.”

Leon suddenly lunged at him, grabbing a fistful of his clothes and pulling him close, their noses inches apart.

“You’re sick, you know that?” He seethed. “All you have done is cause us pain and suffering, and I’m tired of it! I’m tired of you!”

Seth didn’t react, and instead he stared straight into Leon’s blue eyes, fury dripping off of them as if they’d kill Seth right then and there.

“What are you going to do then?” He asked, testing Leon’s limits. The man simply pressed his blade up against Seth’s throat, closing the gap between them where he could feel his breath.

“I’m ending this,” he simply said, readying his hand to slit his throat. But Seth only laughed, shaking his head.

“You’re all too slow.”

He finished untying the knot around his wrists and he kicked Leon in the neck, sending him flying back into the couch. In one motion, he rolled back and pushed himself up with his arms, kicking off the wall and leaping over the couch, grabbing his mask.

“Wait—“ Benji shouted, but he was cut off when Seth kicked him in his teeth, sending him to the ground. He would’ve done more, but the door to the other room was torn open, with Ammon on the other side holding his sword.

Seth was too exposed, too weak, too unprepared to fight against them all. He needed to retreat.

Without giving Ammon the chance to attack, Seth teleported, disappearing in a cloud of smoke before reappearing outside under the window. He stumbled, his head stinging worse than before, but he somehow found the momentum to run away from the inn despite stumbling like a drunkard from the path.

It was humiliating, admitting defeat like this, but he didn’t know what else he could’ve done, he was too vulnerable and injured to commit to such a battle. But by the goddesses, he was not going to let them get away with it.

He was going to make them pay for everything.

~~~~

The town was quiet that early morning, with only a few people doing errands and chores, but Seth paid them no mind as he marched to the inn, with the village guards following closeby.

He barged right in, ignoring the young woman who went to greet him, and he marched up to the innkeeper, who looked surprised to see them.

“Oh, hello,” she greeted, putting a letter in her apron. “What can I do for ya boys?”

“Some men staying here assaulted me, so they’re here to arrest them,” Seth simply answered, pointing to the two guards. The innkeeper frowned and leaned against the wall.

“Who?”

“Your servers,” he said, “they were staying here on the third floor.”

She paused. “They weren’t stayin’ here, you got the wrong folks, honey.”

Seth glared. “No, I have the right ones. The servers you had yesterday: the short brown haired man, the tall brown haired man, and the golden haired? They were here, at the third floor where they held me hostage!”

“I’m sorry to hear that honey, but they weren’t stayin’ here. I don’t know where they were stayin’, but it’s not my business to know where my employees are—“

“You’re obviously covering for them!” Seth snapped. He turned to the guards who looked mildly uncomfortable. “Search the room! I know exactly where they are!”

He ignored the innkeeper’s protests and marched right to the stairs, leading the guards to the room on the very top floor. The guards checked the door before beginning to ram it, but the innkeeper stopped them.

“Hey! At least let me open it the way it’s supposed to!” She yelled, pushing her way through and unlocking the door. “Goddesses, do ya know how much these doors cost? It would set me back having to replace one!” The door unlocked and she swung it open. Seth barged in, only to stop dead in his tracks.

The room was completely empty. The living room, the two bedrooms, all void of people; it didn’t even look lived in.

“I toldja no one was stayin’ up here,” the innkeeper said, twirling her key around her finger. “You must’ve hit your head hard or somethin’ honey. You should check for a concussion at the doctor.”

Seth only stared in disbelief. This was the right place, it had to be. He saw Benji enter it the night before, he was tied to the coat stand right in the corner! How was it cleared out and cleaned so fast? How did they escape?

“Sir, we’re going to have to agree with Ms. Shirley here,” one of the guards said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s take you to the doctor, and we’ll do a thorough sweep to find these men that hurt you. But they are clearly not here.”

His hands were shaking—from anger, from confusion, from his injury, from all his emotions crashing down on him at once. He wanted to scream, he wanted to throw things, he wanted to strangle the innkeeper and he wanted to beat the guards until they couldn’t move anymore. But instead he let himself be escorted out, leaving the empty room behind him.

The guards and the innkeeper were talking quietly while Seth stared ahead, having hundreds of thoughts run rampant through his head, but being unable to focus on one. He didn’t notice the guards leading him to the doctor’s, and he didn’t notice them leaving him alone where the healers began to treat his injury. He felt numb.

As his head was being treated, he was finally able to focus on one thought, one thought that made him furious, rageful, but determined.

He wasn’t going to let them escape again. He didn’t care what he had to do or who he had to trample over, but he was going to find those men.

And he was going to end them.

#whumptober #whumptober 2024 #I had so much fun writing the puppeteer guys #strangers across eras #smiles writes #the art isn’t that good and the writing is flaws but #I hope it makes up for the crappy past few days #I was also up late working on the art so whatever #y’all are getting some insight on the guy hehe #didn’t have time to refine this #I’m doing everything last minute gang #dalton’s such a sweetheart

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