featherdown | [Closed] For a friend

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...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

"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?"

"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."

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..."

"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?"

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."

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Desperation, if anything.

The single guard knew he was outnumbered - by his own, former, comrades, no less - and the Lombax doesn't do more than release the enthralled guard, knowing it was alright to let things simply fall into place. The others, the ones they have allied, all point their blasters at the cornered enemy, with the General keeping close for backup.

The injured comrade stumbles a little as he walks, but eventually, all the pawns are aligned, awaiting the incentive to shoot.

"Kill him," Naoi delivered the order without even the smallest trace of mercy for the condemned, smirking.

[Closed] For a friend

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

but you have the bestest bodyguard forever

[The absolute best~!]

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[Sorry for the delay! Classes. x3;;]