Soul Bound Perhaps

There is a box on Natsuki’s desk in the Trent Factory. It was put there by one of her people this morning. It is dark, hard wood. Polished and intricately carved. It is as yet unopened. And it is something she has been looking for, for some time.

Greg’s notes had always indicated he had a solution in place if Natsuki’s power should ever run amok and start changing people around her. Jericho has experienced some of that change and while it has not been unpleasant for him, both agree that it cannot be allowed to complete. It might trigger a second Trent civil war.

Jericho doesn’t know it’s there. He’s been working most of the day. The process for using it is unlikely to be pleasant.

Natsuki is currently looking at that box, having retreated to their office. The demon attacks have abated a little, their last win on the field seemingly having an effect. Not that Natsuki thinks that’s going to last long.

The box though is important. Jerichos violet eyes are proof of that, particularly now that they’ve married.

Not so long ago, she’d sent a CorSec to find him and request his company for her.

Slowly she picks the box up and turns it over in her hands.

“You rang?” Jericho is leaning in the door frame when she looks up. He’s in his usual black and red Trent colors. His eyes are… somewhat colored. More so today than many days. That box has probably arrived none too soon.

“Gift from an admirer? I hadn’t noticed anyone bringing it in.” The Baronet eyes the box. It’s very very whimsical, especially with the carvings on it. Hard to believe this was something that once belonged to Greg.

It hadn’t originally belonged to Greg, the box that is. It had belonged to someone else who had made it. “You might say from an old one who is no longer around.” The part-elf says quietly, offering Jericho a smile as she turns to look at him. “You look … nice.”

Crossing the floor, box still in hand, Natsu presses a kiss to his cheek. “This is what we were searching for. My people bought it in this morning.” She doesn’t let him take yet, keeps it away from him – it is likely to be unpleasant at best.

She’s mixed feelings about this. She loves that he’s changing, loves he responds to her wild magic like this. But she knows he can’t, his Guild just wouldn’t accept it.

“Thank you.” Jericho says with a smile. He draws a bit closer and kisses Natsuki on the cheek as well.

“Greg’s countermeasure. You found it.” She can see his mixed feelings too. Less mixed than hers. He knows very well what’s at stake here and he is resolved not to lose what he fought for and so many sacrificed for. He will do many things. But he won’t destroy his guild.

“Do you know how to use it?”

Natsu is a realist and she knows he can’t change, no matter how much it thrills her. He’s worked too hard to let this happen and so has she, if not as hard as he has.

“Someone did. Yes. They placed it on my desk this morning.” She draws him over to the couch at the end of the room and sits down. “I think I do. I haven’t seen Greg use it but I’ve heard of how they operate.”

She turns the box to show the catch, her own lavender coloured eyes turning up to his. “When you open it, there’ll be a talisman inside. You’ll need some blood to activate it and you’ll have to hold it.” She hesitates before she continuing “It won’t be pleasant, Jericho and it won’t be last time you have to use it.”

Jericho follows the part elf and sits, canting his head in an oh so elfin way when she shows him the box. “So, it will hurt, and I’ll need it often. How often? For… the rest of forever? Or until it’s all burnt out of me?”

It. The magic he’s absorbed. He doesn’t really want to let it go. It’s part of Natsuki. But he knows that he has to as well.

“Forever.” Natsu answers “Or rather, for as long as you’re with me and insist on standing in my fire.” She’s encouraged him not to before but now she’s not sure she can stop herself, even if she wanted to. Knowing Jericho can weather it … is a heady experience.

“And often. When the symptons start to show.” Maybe Jericho hasn’t considered that prolonged exposure to Natsu’s wild magic is in an ongoing thing.

“There’s a risk though. The talisman might bond with you … given how much wild magic magic you’ve absorbed.”

Jericho takes the box in his hands and sets it on his lap. He opens it but doesn’t take up the talisman just yet. He’s clearly… considering. Weighing.

“What happens if it bonds with me?” He’s going to guess that might also make him some how magical since this thing itself is magic. It’s somewhat ironic that the only way to get rid of magic is with magic but that is how it is…

“And what is the risk to you, if anything?”

“That’s a good question, leannan. The notes Greg left don’t say a lot and he only mentioned it a few times to me. At the very least you’ll have a magical talisman fused with you – which is probably better than becoming an elf but that’s a risk.”

“It might change the nature of the artifact and change you as well. But I … ” she shrugs as she looks at him. “It’s a problem with magic, isn’t it? It has it’s own nature. “I imagine you’ll have constant protection from my wily ways though.”

What’s the risk to Natsu? The question makes her shudder. She had hoped he wouldn’t ask that. “The talisman absorbs wild magic. It will feed from me … if it’s activated and there’s nothing to draw from.”

“What if I don’t want protection from your wily ways?” Jericho says teasing. Some of her wiles are really, really not that bad. Enjoyable, even.

“Then we should make sure you’re away from it when I start.” Jericho pulls out the knife from his side and sets it on his lap. He doesn’t pick up the talisman just yet.

“Whatever you do, whatever this does to me, I don’t want you at risk.”

“Don’t use the talisman.” Natsu answers the teasing. There’s something … sincere … about the statement though.

“You know I can’t do that, Jericho.” She says with a sad smile. “I didn’t marry you, just to lose you.” It’s a reflection of words he said to her not long ago.

She does stand though and steps back, giving him room to activate the talisman. It shouldn’t have a problem with her at the moment. Jericho’s taken a bit of wild magic in, as it is.

“You know I can’t do that. But I always love you.” Jericho says quietly. Then he cuts himself and picks up the amulet.

The Baronet grunts in pain as an aura starts to surround him. The way it ripples it’s clear that the amulet is drawing something out of him. But from the look on his face, it really, really hurts. The aura starts violet. But then turns blue. And eventually deepens to red. When that happens she hears Jericho let out a little… whimper…

He never does that. The pain must be immense. Even from where she sits, she can feel the tug. It’s just not latched onto her from that distance.

“I know …” Natsu answers, watching her husband as he does the one thing she really wishes she had to do.

The purple aura, she expects. The blue … that’s a bit unexpected. The red. She’s sure that’s not good. It’s not just the tug from the artifact she feels, she can feel Jericho’s pain and her eyes water in sympathy.

She tries to a step back, but finds she can’t. The artifact might only be tugging at her but it’s also making it hard to get more distance.

“Jericho … ” She has to wonder if it’s just her wild magic that the artifact is draining. Or if it’s something else. She … doesn’t think so – just yet.

“I know …” Natsu answers, watching her husband as he does the one thing she really wishes she had to do.

The purple aura, she expects. The blue … that’s a bit unexpected. The red. She’s sure that’s not good. It’s not just the tug from the artifact she feels, she can feel Jericho’s pain and her eyes water in sympathy.

She tries to a step back, but finds she can’t. The artifact is making it hard to get more distance, it’s pulling on her and getting stronger.

“Jericho … ” She has to wonder if it’s just her wild magic that the artifact is draining. Or if it’s something else. She … doesn’t think so – just yet.

There is a link between these two. Perhaps she can feel it through that. Perhaps it’s the artifact itself. Whatever the case it’s taking from him. And it’s taking violently and rapidly. Perhaps she expected this much power in him, or in the artifact. Perhaps she didn’t.

Jericho cries out in pain. There’s a sound now. A high pitched whine as the thing keeps draining from him. Is it just wild magic? Or is this thing doing something else to him? Greg’s notes had been vague on a few points but it had seemed safe.

What… did Greg know? And when?

“Jericho …” Natsu takes a breath and lets her guards down, her wild magic rolling out from her. If the talisman wants to eat, it can eat what she feeds it. She suspects she knows what happened – but she’ll address that, later.

Right now, she has to stop this.

“Let it go, leannan. This isn’t right …” She should have thought about this. That he has a piece of her soul.

Drawing closer, she reaches out trying to grab the talisman…. she can barely stand his pain.

Jericho screws his eyes shut and draws the talisman away from Natsuki. “The box!” He has to yell above the whining now and even now he sounds pained. “Get the box, Suki!”

He won’t give it to her. He’d rather let it take whatever it’s going to take than give it to her and subject her to that. Even through this pain. Even if it maims him. Or kills him. He won’t let this thing hurt her.

About which, there might be words later on her part.

The box. That’s on the couch next to him. Natsuki reaches for it, swallowing hard as his pain knifes through her and the talisman just draws from her magic. She’s not a true fae, her magic is weak in comparison – drawing what she has, weakens her.

Flipping the box open, her lavendar eyes flash in annoyance at her prionsa as he draws it away. She knows he’s strong but she hadn’t expected //that// either. “Put it in there, leannan… ” she manages to gasp. Not willing to try and fight him right now.

Jericho slowly – as if in great pain – places the talisman in the box. His hands are shaking. It’s impossible to tell through the aura if he’s physically hurt but she knows he’s in agony at this point. Once the talisman is on the cushions once more he reaches for the lid to slam it shut.

The aura winks out, leaving only Jericho and Natsuki, panting in pain and relief.

“Leannan…” Natsuki gasps again. The pain is almost unbelievable. For him and it’s growing so for her though it’s hard to tell why. The talisman has certainly grabbed hold of her but that link she shares with Jericho is also an experience at that.

Making sure the lid is shut the part elf drops the box on the table before slumping on the floor at Jericho’s feet. “Are are you with me?” She doesn’t ask how he is, she can feel it. Feel how much pain he’s in and it makes her want to weep. “I’m sorry, leannan, I should have thought.”

Jericho slumps forward and wraps his arms around Natsuki. “I’m here.” He croaks. And he is here. Barely.

His eyes are back to normal though. And that feel of elfishness is… gone from him. “I think it worked.” For some definitions of work that is. The Baronet’s face is wet with pained tears and he’s pale and drawn. Color will start returning to him soon, but slowly. His heart is racing.

“Felt like I was being pushed through a meat grinder…”

Natsu drags herself up and cradles Jericho against her, wiping the tears from his face and brushing his hair back. “It worked… at least I think I think it did. I can’t sense … the elvish power about you.” It’s like a hole really but one he needs to have. “It reacted, I think, to the fragment of me that you hold.”

Which might say a lot about just how bound they are.

She won’t tell him what she experienced. At least, not yet. Maybe never. Though he’s perceptive and he might suspect. “Did it. Did it do anything else?”

“Burned.” Jericho says. “Burned a lot. But no. Not that I’m aware of. Didn’t fuse to my skin. I thought for a moment though that it might kill me.”

Jericho looks at the box consideringly, almost worriedly. He is not looking forward to having to use that again. But he will, if it lets him keep the two things he wants most.

“I … could feel it, leannan. What it was doing to you.” Natsu says quietly, stroking Jericho’s hair as they sit there. “It was trying to, I think. I can’t be sure but it reacted far more strongly than the notation indicated.” Maybe Greg hadn’t experienced what Jericho had.

“You’re thinking something leannan…”

Natsu takes a breath, waiting to see if he’s settled a bit and adds “You tried to keep it away from me when I came to help.”

“I’m thinking I’m going to have to do that again. And it might be a problem if it reacts as violently to that as it did to me this time.” He says quietly. Maybe Greg hadn’t extensively experimented with it. That does make some sense. Greg wouldn’t have had many opportunities to do so unless he encouraged Natsuki to do this to people. And he didn’t do that. Did he?

The Baronet looks Natsuki square in the eyes and nods. “I did. It would have been worse to you than to me. And I didn’t want you getthing hurt more than you were.”

“I don’t want you using it again, leannan. It’s dangerous. More dangerous for you than others I think.” There’s steel in her voice. “We have to find another way. I don’t want you hurt or … worse. I’ve only seen this used once before, not long after Greg took me on. I was young and impetuous and my control not what it is now. It didn’t do that.”

That should answer some of what of he’s thinking.

“The worst it would have done is hurt me, Jericho. It might have drained my magic for a while, but is that such a bad thing? You. It might have killed. I’ve asked you before not to protect me and now you’re doing it at risk to yourself. What will your people say if you … die … because of me? I won’t be able to hold your Guild together.”

No matter the ring he’s put on her finger.

“What will your people say if you die because of me?” Jericho murmurs. “I don’t think you understand how things have changed, though, Natsuki. Now… you are one of my people. One of my most important people. ANd I will protect you. That is one of the things the Baronet is for…”

He leans his head against hers and steadies his breath. “We need to find another way if you want me to stop using it. Right now this is our only choice.”

“They’ll blame me, Jericho. I’m … not really one of them.” Natsu will forever have trouble accepting his people might finally come to see her as one of them. She’s been the dirty d-bee, the mongrel granddaughter of a disgraced Dogwood Knight, for so long she’s made the role all her own. “There’ll be a civil war and then what?”

There might not even be a Civil War. Natsu is possibly enough to unite them all.

“And what does it mean for me to be your wife, your Dame, if I’m not allowed to protect you?” She turns his argument back to him.

Still as he leans against her, she strokes his hair some more. “I could … just harness my magic, Jericho and we could avoid the situations where … it’s worse.”

“You could. But do you want to?” Jericho finally gathers enough of himself to tug Natsuki up onto the couch with him, instead of just at his feet where she had been. They had spoken of this before of course. The possibility of just exercising restraint. That had proven difficult for them. To be perfectly honest… the Baronet hadn’t much wanted to.

And now that she’s Dame Trent? He’ll probably want to even less.

“You know that I can. I did for many years before you … took me.” Natsu murmurs, happily pulled onto the couch beside Jericho. “And I could again, for you. But do //you// want to leannan? You have been most adamant that I not hold back.” For a moment she rests her head on his shoulder and falls silent.

But then. “I really would rather not, with you, leannan …”

“I know you can. But do you want to?” She answers that question a moment later and he smiles. “Then you should not. We will use what we have for now. We will be careful. And you can look for another way.”

But Jericho doesn’t know if there IS going to be another way. They searched long and hard for this one. And not much else really came up. There might be more, but if there is it’s out in the wilds, way beyond Dogwood and right now they simply don’t have the time to look. There’s too many things going on.

Truth be told, the amount of time they have for Natsu to expose Jericho to that power is going to be limited while the war about them rages. Being careful though? With each other? That’s … well, neither of them seem to care much.

Natsu strokes Jericho shoulder as she rests her against his chest. “That we shall, then, leannan. You will not use it unless I am around to watch you and you won’t refuse my help … will you?”

She’s not going to let that bone go. No matter how much he tries to avoid it.

“I won’t refuse your help.” Jericho says. “Unless it would put you in danger…” The Baronet smiles a little bit and runs his hand through Nat’s hair. He knows she’ll keep worrying on that bone. And that will keep being his answer.

She’s his to protect. And he WILL protect her.

“Well, now that I am newly… dis-spelled. What shall we do my dear? We have the rest of the day ahead of us. And I don’t need to get back to work just now…”

“Even if it puts me in danger.” Natsu says firmly. “If you’re going to put me in a Puma, you’ll do this.”

She smiles though, leans in to kiss him and looks up at the man she married. “First, I think you need to shower and change and then … well I’m sure we can think of something.”

It might even involve … exposing him to that magic that’s so dangerous.

Jericho sighs. “You know I would never willingly put you in danger. But that does… extend to this as well.” Sometimes that means choosing the lesser of two evils. And he knows that this is something she feels strongly about because well… she feels the same way about him that he feels about her.

“Maybe you should put on something more comfortable while I shower and change. Not that you don’t already look lovely.”