[Closed] For a friend

[theonewhodied]

All his life, Naoi been powerless. He was human, not a particularly powerful or intimidating species as individuals. He was shorter and smaller built than most boys his age, he made up for it with learning to shoot. He had willingly forsaken his own identity, hoping to find meaning in his shallow existence, and failed. He made up for it by robbing others of their selves, if only temporarily, forcing them to play roles the way he did. There was nothing finer than the hypnosis he developed, no play thing more amusing and no weapon more powerful.

... but simply toying with people's minds and taking out the anger and rage he inherited on their bodies felt hollow and lacking.

He desired a more complete control. Individuals were no longer enough. If he could, he would love to possess a world of his own. He fancied himself a ruler, but what sad few subjects he had!

But, he was a mere boy, not an army unto himself. The strength to overcome that many at once was beyond him, even with hypnosis, he could not permanently win over so many. If he could only acquire a stronger body...

Yes, a strong body with a mind he could break down and rebuild to suit his needs!

Following that line of thought, he began searching for someone he could use...

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[theonewhodied]

Naoi waited for some time, before he started to wonder if the General found what he was looking for. He couldn't really tell what was going on over there, so he decided to check up on him with a question-order: "... if you've found a ship, take it out. You should be safe as long as you keep on that armor."

In the meantime, Naoi took the opportunity to relieve the guards of their weapons. He wasn't sure how they worked, but they might prove useful.

[double_edged]

Well, that was certainly all he'd needed.

There weren't any specifications on a ship, so the General started moving to the most accessible one, managing to get inside with ease and flipping a button to open the hangar doors. There was no hesitation in his actions, no questioning to its reasoning. He simply moved automatically, still in that strange oversized armour that he had quickly forgotten he was even wearing.

The ship started up and floated out of the hangar, hovering in midair over the small group as the platform came down, awaiting its recipient. The guards could come, or stay. He didn't care.

[theonewhodied]

Naoi stepped back, watching the ship emerge, before running off to board it, the guards he hypnotized, who had just returned, falling asleep after they return from the building, joining the others on the ground.

"Let's leave this place to somewhere we won't be seen for a while. Fly low, but go far. Quickly please."

Naoi was starting to tire from expending his powers, so he wanted to be far enough from them to end his hold on them. It wouldn't matter if they woke up after they already left, but if they woke up before they make their get-away...

[double_edged]

The General is feeling rather lethargic himself, but not enough to drop unconscious suddenly and crash the ship before they could even get too far. No, he's still moving, making sure the boy was inside properly before taking off in the opposite direction. There was a facility down this path, one that had nearly been forgotten about by the locals. His clouded memory only goes so far, but it's enough to know that they'll be safe.

"ETA - fifteen minutes."

Emotion is entirely drained, at this point, the Lombax staring dead ahead through the oversized helmet and not flinching once. For anyone else, it would likely be worrying. For Naoi? He's not losing this one any time soon.

[theonewhodied]

Good, because as soon as they start making way towards the abandoned facility, Naoi lets the rest go. Just this one, his one-man army, is all he needs to keep and it would appear the old Lombax hasn't any interest in escaping his current position.

He'll keep it up until they get there. Fifteen minutes isn't a terribly long time, he only needs to focus for that long.

"... you have a destination in mind?" he asked, a bit quietly from his seat.

He was making an attempt at small talk, which wasn't what he'd normally do with someone he's hypnotized, but he needed something to keep himself going. Powers and skill aside, he was still merely a boy.

[double_edged]

It's certainly not that he doesn't want to talk to you, Naoi. It's just that he can't seem to think for himself enough to instigate any conversation. The Lombax focuses mainly on his goal, flying low and keeping away from the prying eyes of any straggling guards that may have spotted them. But the boy's voice eventually comes and he responds without a beat, straight to the point.

"There is a weapon facility deep within the woods. It is vacant, and we will not be spotted." For the most part. If they did somehow track them down, the General would be quick to do whatever it took to protect the boy from harm. He wasn't sure why, just that... he had to.

"You will not be harmed."

He's quiet after that, mind phasing out of the conversation to focus on piloting the aircraft once more.

[theonewhodied]

"That'll do... that'll do.

"And I know, because you'll be there," he finished simply.

He didn't need a conversation. He wasn't looking for company. He didn't care. All Naoi really needed was a good distraction, maybe some reassurance, because he felt entirely drained.

The trip will proceed without incident. It's almost too easy of an escape...

Which it was, as just as he reaches his destination, Naoi's influence will depart from the General's mind, with the break of Naoi's concentration and middling loss of his consciousness, leaving him to his own thoughts once more.

[double_edged]

Just as Naoi's consciousness seems to depart, the General's slowly seeps back into focus, hazed eyes blinking once, then a few more times as he stares down at his own gloved hands. His mind is still in a tailspin, realizing that he was, in fact, piloting some sort of craft without any clue as to where he could have been going. It's odd... but something the Lombax quickly corrects as he begins to steer the craft around again. Completely disoriented, he rubs at his eyes-- only to realize he was wearing a strange helmet of some sort.

Which was quickly discarded. Orvus... what was he even doing? Perhaps he needed to find a place to land, sleep all of this off.

But just what was 'this'? He remembered coming back to life, speaking with someone... his body would clearly need some more time to adjust to the change. Constant spells like this were dangerous; not that he minded danger, but he would prefer to be aware of it, first-off.

"This is certainly an interesting situation." It comes as a mumble, the Lombax moving to rub at his eyes again. It almost felt like he had been... sleeping, somehow. Sleepwalking?

He'll go with that.

[theonewhodied]

The mumbling rouses Naoi, who blinks groggily awake, before his eyes snap wide open in fear of his sudden realization that the hypnosis wore off.

He needed to calm himself, but it only got as far as making his expression look decidedly less reminiscent of a deer caught in headlights. "... sir? How far to the weapons facility?"

Assuming that remains their destination.

Just testing the waters now. He'd have to re-establish eye contact for this to work again, but he's not just going to come over and turn his head, that wouldn't go over very easily.

[double_edged]

...oh. Oh there was someone else here? Hunh.

The General's mind is very sluggish to catch up, taking a moment to even formulate a response to that question and starting to rub at his head now with a few more disconnected mumbles. "Weapons...? No. Heading home. I don't think I'm fit to be driving much, boy." Not to mention why he was transporting this boy in the first place.

"Orvus-- ...sorry."

[theonewhodied]

"Pardon?" Orvus, really? Who was that?

No matter. If he were still confused, it might do him well to hypnotize him before he's too aware of what's going on.

"Let me help you with that," Naoi said as he stood up, striding over to remove the helmet. "You won't be needing this here...."

An excuse to get close enough to the General to allow him to see his eyes, as well subtly trying to put him in a suggestive state again: it was promises of help that reeled him in the first time.

[double_edged]

Ahh, yes. It was something to do with the odd helmet, he'd assumed. Taking it off may lessen the headache, though his current position was more baffling than anything else. How did he get here, and why?

"Thank you." His vision was still slightly blurred, and as much as he hated to, the General almost felt compelled to ask the boy to pilot the craft for him, while he rested. That, or manage to set it on autopilot for the time being. Something that could allow him to recover momentarily, and get things back on track.

"--what... was I doing, anyway? I can't remember the past few hours."

[theonewhodied]

Switching it to autopilot would be best, Naoi had no qualifications to fly anything.

"... you were assisting me," Naoi responded. "As forward payment for my half of our deal. You must be tired, working so single-mindedly towards your goal... you've lost sight of the present, but don't worry. Soon, you'll have your reunion to look forward to."

He was speaking softly, almost soothingly. If he would stay calm and look him in the eye, he could have him again.

[double_edged]

"Reunion...? What in blazes are you going on about?" Little by little, he's starting to sound like his old self, wincing at a sudden sharp pain in his had but keeping eye contact with the boy. A little voice in the back of his mind advices against it, but thinking on it more just confuses him more. He wants to keep an eye on this boy - where had he come from, and why were they where they were?

"Nevermind. I can rest when we're on safe ground." And hopefully separate himself from this... kid. "What was it you wanted, anyway? How did you get on this ship?"

[theonewhodied]

"Of course, you brought me here," he responded softly, holding the General's gaze as his eyes shift to red.

"You were— and will, once again— assist me in achieving my goals! For the fulfilment of my promise. Become my pilot, my army, my help."

[double_edged]

Perhaps... he was more exhausted than he thought he'd led on, the General's eyelids starting to droop slowly, his body no more than a lead weight. And his own gaze remained fixated on that glow, repeating the words in a murmur to himself, the rest of the world fading out into this one significant moment.

"H... elp... yes. Yes, I... w--ill..."

[theonewhodied]

"Good!" Naoi concluded with an upward tilt of his lips and a proud adjustment of his hat. "Now, focus on the ship! Get us to that facility you spoke of.

"I'm getting quite impatient... so let's put this plan into motion, shall we?"

[double_edged]

The General's shoulders sag a bit, locking eyes with the boy's as he speaks, and feeling his body relax more and more the longer he focuses. It's enough that he starts to block out all distractions instinctively, turning back around in his seat slowly to grasp the steering mechanism once more. Suddenly... he just didn't feel like arguing the matter anymore.

"Yes... I apologize."

It doesn't sound all that sincere, though. Oh well, as long as he can get them to where they need to be. That was what mattered above all, right?

"It's not that much farther."

[theonewhodied]

"Good!"

Then, there was nothing else for Naoi to do but wait. He had full confidence in the General now that he was compliant once more.

[double_edged]

It was much better to let go, to have someone else guide him. He didn't have to worry about thinking, overthing, or messing up. Just let go and let it all come as it may...

Before long, they're approaching the facility anyway, and the General slows to a hover just a bit off. Then, the ship is landed in a good wooded area, obscured by trees from prying eyes. The hatch opens for Naoi, but the Lombax remains mindlessly in his seat.

[Can't have this be /too/ easy~]

[theonewhodied]

Naoi hopped out of his seat, playing with his pistol as he exited the ship, with a casual flick of his hand over-shoulder and not even a backward glance. "Move out! We're going to hide out in here and secure what we can... I'm sure it'll be useful."

He strode confidently out, only to be greeted by several armed soldiers, ready to fire.

but you have the bestest bodyguard forever

[double_edged]

Before Naoi can take another step, there's already a shot whizzing past his head, striking one of the guards dead center in the face, then approaching as the body crumples lifelessly to the ground. The Lombax positions himself in front of his charge, grenades in one hand, and blaster in the other, prepared to take the brunt of their assault to ensure the other's safety.

[The absolute best~!]

[theonewhodied]

So fast! He's still impressed with his good fortune in finding him. Naoi pressed up against the General's back, standing on tip toes to whisper a quick order. "Take down one without killing or injuring him too badly. Maybe a few. Cover me until I can get to him, then, you'll have back-up."

Ditch the bomb for now.

[double_edged]

The rest of that armour might be difficult to penetrate, but the unspoken order is still understood. Relinquish the grenades, and stick to physical force. Several would work out better, if an escape were to be attempted.

Moving away from the boy, the Lombax manages to dodge a few retailiating blasts, wrestling down one guard by brute force alone, before he moves to the next, then two more. The last is held as a hostage, pulled up against the General's chest with one arm, while the other is used to point the blaster at the remaining forces. Perhaps they would catch onto this repeated charade, but it was merely to buy time for his charge.

[theonewhodied]

What strength Naoi lacked, he made up for in speed and marksmanship. There would be no delay, as soon as he has his hostage, Naoi takes the risk and tears out into view, poised to shoot, but never following through. In the instant his eyes shift red, they fall prey to hypnosis.

Well, save for the one who caught on, whose eyes were trained further below and so missed Naoi's gaze entirely, deciding to shoot the hostage's leg. A hostage who cannot walk is worthless, so perhaps the line of thinking was simply to save his comrade by making his capture more trouble than it was worth.

Too bad four slipped under Naoi's control already.