Peeds

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

The mission was, to say the least, challenging, but that was no less than what Wes had expected or hoped for. As the meeting progressed, however, he held his tongue, pursing his lips as he looked on. The most he did was nod at Zoe’s mention of himself, but he still felt slightly unsettled at Nemo’s response to what Wes saw as a perfectly fair point. A ship was bound to be cramped, and that, for someone like him, would be pretty painful to deal with. His magic suppression would certainly come in handy for disabling wards, especially if there really would be so much latent mana to take, but it didn’t mean he had to like it.

Now that he felt he had passed through some sort of initiation, Wes went off to find a room to prepare, considering they didn’t have too much time to prepare before it was time to go. Once he had found one, which was definitely to his delighted liking, the first thing he did was flop down on the bed and mash his face into the squishy pillow. Preparing (and exploring) could wait a little while. His temptation to poke around was overwhelming, but given the distrust he already faced, he didn’t want to start anything or lose focus right before a mission would start with someone walking in on him rummaging through their underwear.

Rolling onto his side, and after a few moments his back, he sighed happily and closed his eyes for the time being.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Wes followed Travis, who hadn't lied - the room was cozy, and certainly pleasant. The plush chairs looked like heaven, but already there were the politics of the group to consider, seeing as some of them didn't seem too happy to share a space with a Hunter. After a few moments of deliberation, he just decided he didn't care and plunked himself down pretty much in the centre, leaning his elbows on his knees to cup his small face in his hands silently as he waited for whatever was about to happen. Until he knew exactly what was going on and what this was all about, it seemed wiser not to open his mouth (and also not to spark anything before Felix could explain).

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Sorry it's been a couple days, been settling into uni and finishing up all the stuff I need for my transfer application. More into the groove now, so I should be good for a post per day when it's needed.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Wes listened carefully to all Travis had to say, though it did seem that it would be pointless to get the breakdown when they were supposed to meet shortly. Suddenly he found himself not feeling quite as hungry, though it wasn't nerves. If anything, it was purpose! He almost laughed at himself but kept his composure, remembering what Travis had said. Wes did his best to be both of those things at all time, but considering the hair-trigger that Raiya...girl already seemed to have, it seemed best to be poker faced most of the time. It'd to to stake everyone out before he decided the best way to approach them, and especially not yet to make jokes at their expense.

Listening to the PA, he smiled pleasantly at Travis. "Well, wherever that is too...please, lead the way."

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"Mm." Wesley couldn't help but force his eyebrows to remain level as he attempted to keep his face serious at Raiya's introduction. Though the condescension ran deep, it felt more like a childlike display of force, a flex to keep him off her back. He took another bite slowly, eyeing her for a few more seconds and allowing the corners of his mouth to turn up ever so slightly, not entirely worried about any consequence. "Charmed," he concluded, letting his gaze wander over the others before him.

The rest of the reactions to him seemed rather lukewarm, but that was to be expected, if he admitted it fairly. Despire it, though he understood Zoey's professed unease, it did not stop him from a resentful pang at still being associated to the world he had left behind years ago. The other girl had flat up just left as well, whether it was because of his presence or not. The skills he had retained from his training were useful, but at the cost of making those he attempted to ally wary. It made finding a partner tiresome, or really, considering he still hadn't found one, impossible. Wes couldn't deny that he was lonely, and so far, it didn't seem that it was going to be any sort of change with attitudes of those around him. Already he began to resign himself to hoping to find pleasure in his work as opposed to his company.

Thankfully, though, at least one person seated had given him a kind word, and so he latched to it gratefully and shifted slightly to face Travis. It struck him suddenly that this man was also an Untalent, but Wes only felt glad for that. He greatly admired those who could turn what was seen as a disability into their strength, and the value of hard work was lost on those who already had the talent (or the Talent). He dabbed his lips slightly with a napkin to ensure there wasn't any residue, pointing his fork in Travis' direction cheerfully.

"Travis. Right back at you." He had quickly lapsed back into less formal speech now that he felt even a mote more comfortable, and he rested his chin on his free hand. "So, seeing as I'm the fresh meat...do you cluing me in on anything I need to know before this debriefing? Or just telling me where the bathroom is."

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Wesley was not used to traveling with others, not after these years of going it alone, but it had been pleasant to have someone alongside him, regardless of who it was. Though he didn't say much of it, he was grateful to be back among the living, and once the cabin had come into site, he did feel a small happy inkling at the presence of others inside it. Others who could kick his ass, fair enough, but even if it all went sour or went beautifully, it was the presentation of a real challenge.

Stepping inside and dusting himself off as best he could, though he had managed to change into some fresh clothing, he quickly tied his hair back into a bun and followed Nemo and the smell of food. Wes was used to going days without eating - he'd come to discover how far water alone could get a man - but it didn't mean that he liked it. He wasn't sure what to do with his stuff, so he simply dropped it outside the doorway to avoid smacking everyone in the face with his gun and bag and stepped inside with a smile.

"Pleasure," he said to the man he assumed to be Felix, shaking his hand. "I'm sure this will be...quite the experience." His eyes raked over the other colourful figures at the table, both who seemed to be quite lost in their meals, but he stepped forwards to retrieve his own. If he was going to be staying here, best blend in as the Romans do.

Sitting down with a nod towards Nemo as thanks, he carefully used his cutlery to slice off a tiny portion of sausage, allowing himself to savour it for several moments before swallowing. It was better to take this slow, avoid taking too much in...being a little hungry did keep the edge, after all, and around people with powers like these, he could not afford to be even anywhere below his best for his first impression.

"Wesley Lan," he stated simply, chewing again slowly as he continued to glance between them. "Sorry to interrupt, but might I know who either of you are?"

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"Mmm, character is not this town's strong suit," Wesley noted as Nemo did his thing, rather pleased with the speed at which things went. The town was as small and generic as they came - Wes could hardly bring it upon himself to even remember its name. "Change isn't always good. I'm sure they'd thank you, too." He checked around once more, trying to remember if he had stashed anything away; satisfied with what he saw, he followed Nemo out the door. "So...how are we getting to...wherever we're going?" There were still a lot of questions, and if wasn't pulled to some Hell dimension now, he was looking forwards to getting their answers.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Wes waved a hand dismissively. "Looks can be deceiving," he said airily, and reached behind the curtain to his side to grab his rifle, slinging it over his back and grabbing the packed duffel bag. "And don't worry about the climax, no matter what...", he raised his eyebrows at the memories of the past few minutes, "this looks like, I'm not looking for drama." His head swam with images of various other roach motels he had stayed at over the past three years, and he inwardly cheered at the thought of having, at the very least, a decent shower. Not to mention the idea of wealthy benefactors - who knew what other things he could find out with the help of whomever else was around there? Or this Felix person, whom he assumed was spearheading the campaign in some way. Sounded like an information bank, and that Wes was willing to part with (though, of course, some cash lining his pockets would not be unappreciated).

"You want me, you got me," he said with a half bow to seal his commitment as opposed to a shake (his arm was bloody, and he didn't exactly relish watching this guy lick that stuff off), but his eyes caught around the messy room, covered in blood and the bullethole in the wall prominent even in the unlit room. "But, uh, anything we can do about this first?" A we very heavy on the you, but Wes wasn't the Talented one. He didn't have any change to spare Ms. Needles, and for this...well, that would be a very hefty tip he couldn't give.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Wes wasn't sorry to see the hunters go, and though he didn't take the threat of their return lightly, he did take it with good humour, saluting the man as he left without comment. Next time he may not be so lucky to get a bunch of incompetents, but they were lucky to have been interrupted before things could progress.

As for what the stranger had come to tell him, well...the offer was almost instantly accepted in his mind, but Wes gave himself a moment to think it over lest he shake on it that very second. The Paragons...these were things he had heard in passing, and a divided issue of believers and naysayers. Given that his scope was more local, he had never thought about pursuing what could be a legend, and he didn't have any use for them, either. But if objects of such power were real, and really were in demand, well, that at last gave him real purpose to his methods and a real goal to attain. All the same, he did have his inhibitions; though he didn't have any lost love for the Arcanocracy - if there was anything worse than using Talent for bad, it was using it as a mule for an organisation that really did not have anyone but their owns best interests at heart - this guy's appearance and little tidbit of information about himself working for a variety of people also did not exactly sit well. If this was some sour job for another group who had equally nefarious plans, well, even having an inside job may not exactly outweigh the negatives of giving some crazies their juice.

Nemo's final addendum made him laugh again, and he tossed the gun onto the bed and stretched his arms above his head luxuriously, leaning against the wall and crossing his legs in an open position. Well, that left a lot of options on the table.

"Understood? Crystal clear, boss, but I do have a couple questions," he said. "One, what do, ah, 'your people' want with these Paragons, and two, if I accept, can I rest assured I'll be..." he searched for the word and gave a small smile, "appreciated?"

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"Proposition..." The word was weight in Wes' mouth, probably because he hadn't heard it in a while, but he could not deny the prospect excited him. It had been a long, long time since he had anything of particular merit or interest to do, and he couldn't even find it in him to be concerned about what he would be asked, nodding in approval as Nemo explained himself slightly more. He did agree for the most part - he preferred to see himself as a problem-solver as well, though everyone did see problems in their own light, Wes knew that. Artistic? Maybe not, he didn't take any great pleasure besides that of a job well done, and he didn't quite have the...methods at the disposal of his fingers as Nemo did. Like stitching arms together with magical spaghetti. He leaned back slightly on one foot and grinned. "Well, why not. I do like to feel wanted."

He flicked the gun at the hunter casually. "After you," he said cheerfully, wanting to get on with this conversation as quickly as possible. Now that she was somewhat neutralised, he had no issue with letting her go free with bruised pride instead of no forearm; if they encountered one another again, and not in present company, perhaps he wouldn't be feeling so lenient, nor so cheerful. Nemo seemed to be feeling the same, but her bravado was grating, and if she did persist...well, it wouldn't be anything on his hands.

To his surprise, the woman shakily began to back towards the door, keeping her eyes on the other three warily. Evidently, her plans to ruin everything had ultimately failed - she couldn't muster up the energy to stop them, and her heart pumped in her chest in humiliation and...fear. Obviously she was scared, no weapon, massive amounts of blood lost, no partner to back her up, and the white eyes of the newcomer did not help to set her at ease - nor the name.

"If you think this is over," she began to threaten, and Wes casually aimed the gun, sending her scrambling back.

"Isn't it?" he asked flatly, impatient. "If not goodbye, you should at least thank your friend." He nudged his shoulder towards Nemo, uncertain of how this was affecting him.

The woman spat instead, trying to grasp the door handle while shooting daggers at them. Wes chuckled again, and the gun lowered, now aiming towards the head of the barely conscious man.

"If you don't get out now," he said very slowly, "neither you or your friend will."

"It is not over," she repeated, and Wes rolled his eyes as she scrambled with the knob to open it, turning to Nemo before she even exited the room.

"So, fire away," he said, smiling at his own double meaning.