#temporary guest: midvalley

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@finncomet​

“Hm? Ah, I believe you’ve misunderstood. You see,” he gave his underling a small shake, causing Midvalley to choke down a sob of pain. “he’s one of mine.”

“K-...kid...?” Blinking blearily, it took a moment to register who this was. The kid from before? What was he doing here?!

[nicholas-wolfwood]

"You're a real charmer, aren't you?" He sighs. He hasn't had enough coffee for this.

“I mean, its okay. But with how much you’re squirming right now, its also pathetic. So I’m having fun. So I’m just gonna keep screwing with you.” His hands formed a heart shape.

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@redjaybird​ || Continued

“And risk damaging them? I don’t think so.”

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@insilentruin​ || Continued

Wolfwood couldn’t help the flinch as the pressure in the air increased around them at Knives’ ire. He could feel the Hornfreak shrinking back, and the priest squirmed a bit with the plant’s attention so focused on him. Maybe this was a bad idea....

...On second thought, remembering Ragyo and her threats had him dismissing that notion; even if Knives got annoyed enough to cut them down right here, it was better than her.

“It’s Ragyo, she-” wait, he didn’t know who Ragyo was, did he? Damn. “She’s an off-worlder, real powerful, an’ righ’ now wants our heads on a platter.” Well, more like the Hornfreak’s head. She had other plans for the priest, plans that made him shudder at the thought.

“I know it ain’t your business, I jus’-... You were the firs’ one I thought of.” As embarrassing as that was.

“Please...”

[nicholas-wolfwood]

Midvalley's going to find sylvia with a slightly new look when he gets the chance

Luckily for him the googly eyes aren't stuck on there permanently and the adhesive residue is easily washed off

WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIS PRECIOUS SYLVIA?!

The Hornfreak is just going to stare in horror at the utter debasement that's befallen her. How could anyone disrespect a beautiful lady like that?!

Sighing, he carefully managed to pull the stupid things off, making a mental note to find a way to clean her off with the splints on. It's a good thing Chapel's not here right now, damn brat probably would have found it hilarious.

[nicholas-wolfwood]

"Hm?" Legato paused when Finn got between him and his underling, eyebrow raising in surprise. "Quite the contrary, in fact. I'm surprised you'd defend a mass murderer, but I admit I'm surprised. Perhaps I'll pick him up later, then." He was curious what Finn intended.

nicholas-wolfwood​:

“As observant as ever, I see.” Legato shook his head. “As I don’t expect you to understand, either. That said, I suppose the lesson has been conveyed.” He looked down at the musician who frantically nodded his head.

“Humans don’t need ‘caring about’, but I suppose I’ll humor you. I’ve taken long enough as it is.” He released Finn, though kept his threads ready. The boy was nothing if not stubborn. “You needn’t ‘care’. I’m just taking him back home where he belongs.” A prospect that, if the musician’s shudder was any indication, Midvalley was NOT fond of.

☄️ Finn let out a sigh of relief, both at being able to move his own limbs again, and the fact that Legato finally seemed bored with the whole ordeal.

“Thank y-” he cut off when he noticed Midvalley’s visible fear. He quickly tried to put himself in between the two, intent on defending the injured man further. “How ‘bout I take him home instead? Y’all seem like you don’t want him around anyway.” 🌼

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@redjaybird​

“Wait- what are you doing?”

[nicholas-wolfwood]

"Does Horny Boy have healing powers?"

"Well, not exactly. You know certain vibration frequencies can encourage and even speed up healing time, yeah? Well, what's sound other than vibrations in the air? It's no miracle cure like that stuff Chapel takes, so I don't think it counts, but it does cut recovery time by a bit."

[nicholas-wolfwood]

Penance

It was a nice night, Midvalley leaving the bar he’d been playing at in a good mood. The air was cool, and Sylvia sang beautifully during his performance, earning him extra tips. His good mood quickly took a turn as he headed back towards his hotel, however, when he felt someone nearby. 

“Hornfreak.”

Midvalley started, whirling around to see his boss standing behind him. How long had he been there!? He swallowed, nervously.

“Legato? I... didn’t expect to see you here tonight, sir.” Dread pooled in his gut at his boss’ smile. It was never a good thing. “I hope you weren’t looking for a performance, I just finished-”

“Don’t play cute with me.” The maniac shook his head, somehow seeming both angry and amused at the fact that the Hornfreak tried to hide something from him. “I know you aided in the recovery of Livio the Double Fang. The open traitor of the Gung Ho Guns. Of Master Knives. I thought you of all people would know better than to interfere with His judgement...” Midvalley felt his heart drop. He raised his hands as if trying to placate the man, backing away. Oh, he’s in trouble.

“Sir, I- I didn’t know-!” He cut off with a muffled yelp when his jaw clamped shut on his own, nearly biting his tongue. Legato’s wires had him, and despite his struggling, he couldn’t move any more than the sadist would allow.

“Liar.” Legato growled, advancing on him. “You knew very well that Double Fang was a traitor, and that his suffering was his punishment for betraying Master Knives. Yet you still interfered.” He didn’t even need to ask why. He knew already. “You’ve been behaving quite poorly lately... We need to fix that.” He could feel Midvalley’s panicked straining against his wires, but to no avail, and his grin widened, twisting his handsome features into something damn near demonic.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you pay your penance.” With the musician caught in his web, Legato had little trouble reaching out and grabbing the man by the wrists, yanking him closer. His grip moved up to the man’s precious hands and Midvalley paled further, nearly beginning to hyperventilate as his jaw was finally released. He couldn’t... He wouldn’t...!

“NO!!”

Midvalley’s fight or flight kicked in and he struggled, digging his heels into the sand, trying to pull free, but he knew it would do no good. Legato didn’t even budge, instead grinning at him in amusement at his rather pitiful attempts.

“I- Legato! Sir! Please! I’m sorry!!” His breath hitched, and he tried to pull away when the maniac used his thumbs to stroke his palms, as if trying to soothe a frightened animal, but his grip stayed fast.

“Shh. Calm down.” 

Midvalley stopped trying to pull away, though he still shook violently, caught in the monster’s grip. His own ears were ringing in his panic and desperation, but he was trying to obey, see?! He looked up at Legato, silently begging for mercy. 

Legato’s hands squeezed, his powers forcing muscle and bone to the breaking point until there were several audible CRACKs, shattering the bones in the musician’s hands.

Midvalley SCREAMED, nearly passing out on the spot from the blinding pain as the monster continued to snap bones in his hands (and he was quite sure the bastard was amplifying the nerves there, too). He felt sick, and barely even noticed how his own screams were distorting uncontrollably, along with the sound around them, but without any instrument and in his panicked state it was wild and unstable. Useless. 

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson.” Legato purred, causing the Hornfreak to whimper in agony. “I’d hate to have to do worse.” Legato’s grin never wavered as he held the shaking man by his mangled hands, giving them a squeeze and pulling another strangled scream from him.

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@redjaybird​ || Continued

“What- Excuse you, my playing is NOT ‘bad’, and they are NOT ‘babying’ me!” Okay, he’s now marginally offended, and nearly puts his hands on his hips for emphasis... before remembering they’re still wrapped up and splinted so instead keeps them behind his back.

“And it’s you that wouldn’t leave me alone, so either way that was entirely your own fault.”

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@stovthearted​

“I’m quite sure Razlo could bitch even Brilliant Dynamites Neon, I DON’T think that’s a fair comparison, here.”

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@cakotopia​ @stovthearted​ || In response to:

The ride back to town had been a NIGHTMARE! Maybe not one of his worst ones, but definitely high on the list of “uncomfortable”. Midvalley had been grateful for the noise and jostling of the motorbike to cover the worst of the accidental distortions that were likely happening with Vash that close (though he was pretty sure Vash had heard a few and gotten annoyed with him, which in turn only made them worse!), but having to navigate back to the city while practically in the damn monster’s LAP was NOT a way he wanted to spend his night again!

The Hornfreak had half expected Vash to just shove him off the bike and drive him off once they returned to his (and Chapel’s) hotel room, but the crowd had caught their attention too quickly. Midvalley lowered a hand to the sidecar to keep Wolfwood from getting up to see what was going on, but once Vash started screaming, the priest’s efforts grew more insistent.

“Whoa- whoa! Easy, Tiger, you’re gonna keel over!” Midvalley had to physically grab Chapel to keep him from trying to run over as well.

“L-Livio...?!” Wolfwood gasped out, feeling his blood run cold. What had happened?! What was going on?! He couldn’t see from here!! He let out a noise of distress when Vash dragged Livio inside, able to smell the blood from here. He attempted to rise from the sidecar again, nearly collapsing when a wave of dizziness hit him.

“Hey, I said be careful!” Midvalley sighed (though he was far more concerned than annoyed), and finally relented, carefully looping a hand under Chapel’s shoulders to help carry him into the hotel before the priest hurt himself trying to get inside.

“Livio!!” Wolfwood’s attention was glued to the Crybaby by the time Midvalley got him into the room he’d shared with Vash, weakly trying to go to him, as if he could somehow help in his current condition. “What happened?! Is-... Is he...?”

[nicholas-wolfwood]

Midvalley greatly appreciates this!

Midvalley can hide behind Zer0, since Nicholas is clearly not currently capable of being a human shield.

[nicholas-wolfwood]

Midvalley would be insulted on Chapel’s behalf at the thought that he could stop the damn brat from doing whatever the hell he wanted...

...Though in his current state, he supposes it might be a different story.

[nicholas-wolfwood]

If ‘nightmare’ means ‘irritating’, then yes.

[nicholas-wolfwood]

@firsthumandisaster​

He’d be tempted if he wasn’t terrified of you, too!