hadriel | [Video]

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[For once Matt has the video on. It's no use to him, but he wants his face to be seen this time, because this is serious. And he's furious.]

I'm going to guess most of us read the post that the ones who call themselves the Null posted. If you didn't, it's because you're on their list. The list of targets they've asked us to kill in exchange for the location of the god killer. I'm not the first to post about it either, but the louder the signal, the less chance it can be missed or ignored.

And it needs to be known.

This is the list of names as of this moment.

[attachment: names.txt]
Jo Harvelle
Ellie
Duck
Fingon
George Lass
Alphys
Chris Hartley
Hanako Nurumi
Seel har Parasiel
Curufin
Will Solace
Gilbert Beilschmidt
Maglor
Cecily Trevelyan
Kate Galloway
Maedhros
Calanthe
Atem
Trafalgar Law

I'm no fan of the "gods" who brought us here. I'm no fan of these null either. But I refuse to stand by while people are used as pawns and killed. This is their game, not ours.

[His voice is low. No sunglasses this time. And even if his eyes can't see, they can absolutely reflect indignation and fury. And they are. Clearly.]

If you know anyone on this list, reach out to them. Warn them.

If you are on this list and cannot protect yourself, reach out to someone you trust to help. If you cannot protect yourself, I can help. I will help. Lives are not games or currency.

[EDITS: FURTHER ATTACHMENTS]
[Update1.txt]
Lup Taako
Aren Brosca
Rydia
Matt Murdock

[Update2.txt]
Temperance Brennan
Terrence Ephemera
Lee Rosen
Margaery Tyrell
Julie Grigio
Kyna
Nathan Drake

[Update3.txt]
Taako Taaco
Eddie Kaspbrak

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[she buries her face in the curve between his neck and his face]

I hope so. I would like to think that no one here could be so cruel as to take the Null up on their offer, but. I've seen some of the worst things people can do to gain or keep power. No one on that list is safe.

[hugging you closer now]

Even if they're not that cruel, they may be that desperate. They're trying to promise some way to get out of here, aren't they? Obliquely, anyway, with this god killer.

Desperation makes people do strange things. But no matter what the motivation... we're not going to just let it happen.

[He smooths a hand over her hair gently. Somewhere along the line, he's grown more than a little protective over her.]

But what of those of us who died before we came here? Would we have to die all over again if everyone is sent back to their home worlds?

[takes a deep breath and tries to summon a smile] Of course we're not. We have to look out for one another.

[she just breathes him in, taking comfort from his presence and his resolve]

Edited 2017-10-28 21:44 (UTC)

[It strikes Matt hard right then. That's right. Margaery died. She's said as much. His arm tightens around her without thinking about it.]

No. You're... all of you are... you're alive here. Whatever the people in this place have done to manage it, you're alive right now. If going back to your world means your death, then we'll find a new world for you.

[He ducks his head just enough to brush his cheek against her hair, taking a moment to bask in her presence, the soft sweet scent of her, how warm and alive she is in his arms.]

[Margaery really doesn't want to die again. the thought terrifies her, especially since she didn't go to the Seven Heavens or Seven Hells. all she remembers of death is nothingness

she nods against him, so he can feel it] Would you--I mean, would it be possible...? [her voice trails off

but she takes a breath and summons her courage] Would you mind terribly much if I went to your world?

[she clings to him. now, the request has been made. the scary part is over, now she just has to hold him close, feel his warmth and presence, and remember to breathe]

[And Matt sure as hell doesn't want to let her die. He doesn't want to leave anyone in this place to return to death, but Margaery in particular. Well. That's personal, is what that is.

He leans back as she speaks, just enough so that he can lift a hand, set it at the side of her face, cupping gently, thumb brushing along her cheekbone.]

I want you to. Come back to to my world, Margaery. Come home with me.

[His world will probably be overwhelming and confusing, but he'll help her figure it all out. He'll make sure she's okay.]

[the moment she saw his name go up on that list is one of the worst she can remember, including the moments she spent trapped in the Faith's cell and the moments right before she died. she felt like her heart had stopped beating.

she leans into his touch, closing her eyes and letting all of her other senses take him in.

and this is more than she'd hoped for] ---really? You want me in your world? Part of it? [she starts to cry happy tears] Matt, I can't tell you how much that means to me, that you want me there, in your life, in your world. I--I don't know why I'm crying. I can't remember being so happy.

[it will be at first, but she's clever. she'll learn. and she wants to do it by his side]

Edited 2017-10-29 04:44 (UTC)

Part of it.

[Matt echoes, voice low, distinctly meant for Margaery's ears only, though they're the only two in the apartment right now. Leaning closer once more, he presses a kiss to her forehead, lingering there, before ducking enough so that he can rest his forehead against hers.]

I'm happy too. [And he is; he's tried not to think about what it would mean when they found their way out of here, for whether or not he'd ever be with Margaery again. He cares about her; that has to be obvious.

He breathes out a soft laugh, even as he brushes at one cheek with his thumb, smudging away those tears.] I didn't mean to make you cry though.

[she laughs. it's a joyous, sparkling thing]

With you. [she says in a murmur, holding him tightly in her arms, her right hand rubbing up and down his back along his spine. she's kissed and it makes her smile. she opens her eyes when he presses his forehead against hers, drinking him in, truly in love for the first time in her life]

I'm so glad. I'm so glad you're happy. [she hiccups a moment from the crying and she can't help smiling, feeling like the young woman she'd never had the chance to be amongst all the plotting and scheming for a throne. what is a throne compared to this? nothing at all]

[she laughs, too, and sniffles a bit, trying to keep the tears in] They're happy tears, believe me.

[It is by far one of the most beautiful things that Matt has ever heard. To hear Margaery happy this way, to know that she wants to come with him, stay with him. There's a tightness in his chest, like it's a little too full.

It's not something he expected to find here, something like this, someone like Margaery.]

I guess happy tears I can live with. You deserve a chance to be happy, Margaery.

[A tilt of his chin, and he finds her lips with his, the first time outside of a dream.]

[and she can't stop smiling. nuzzling against his face so he can feel it. she never imagined that she could feel this way, that she could lower all of her well-trained defenses and truly let someone into her heart. but Matt is there and she's going to hold onto him with all of her might.

she never dreamed she'd fall in love, knowing from early childhood that she'd be expected to marry for an alliance or politics. and she did. three times. this time with Matt is utterly unlike anything she imagined possible]

Good, because I can't seem to stop! Today has just been so--so overwhelming. And you deserve all the happiness in this or any other world and I intend to help make it happen.

[she's kissed and she can't stop the thrill racing through her nerves and in her heart. she kisses back gently, and holds him close, just. feeling so free and happy in the moment]

[It's been such a stressful day, reading that post, each name on that list -- realizing that some of the ones he knew were children. The anger that came with it, the familiar rage. This isn't something Matt can allow, and he's made that clear.

Then hearing that Margaery had gone and went off at the Null as well -- not that he blames her. Honestly, it's what he'd expect, the sort of thing that's drawn him to her in the first place.

But just now, for just a moment, he can forget a piece of that stress in favor of losing himself in how good it feels to kiss her, to have her safe and sound in his arms.]

Then we've got a lot to live for. [A pause.] I'm staying hear tonight. On your couch or on your fire escape. [He'll stick close to her in general right now.]

[Marg doesn't know most of the people on the list, but the sheer fact that the Null made such a list and an offer disgusted her. it seemed like something the Lannisters would do and she's had her fill of that kind of behavior.

and she's so proud of him for rallying the community, pulling people together to stand against the Null. such moral bravery was rare in Westeros and it's a big part of why she's fallen for him.

she's stopped crying, too happy that they're together, that he's kissing her. she kisses back and holds him tightly in her arms, clinging like she's afraid that someone would try to physically pry them apart]

We do. Together. [Marg blushes and summons her courage] Well, if I can't convince you to stay in my bed with me, you should be on the couch. That would be much more comfortable than the fire escape.

[Matt has absolutely no plans on letting her out of his arms right now anyway, not so long as she'll allow him this. Later he'll slip out to patrol through the city, to make sure that the streets are quiet, that nothing is coming of this threat yet. He'll check in at the clinic.

But for now, he's here, with her, exactly where he wants to be. Maybe that's selfish, but he can't help it.

Especially when he can feel the way that blush heats her skin, hears the words she has to say.]

Is that an invitation, Margaery? [And then quieter.] Are you sure?

[Because he really will take very little convincing for an excuse to have her in his arms tonight.]

[she has no intentions of letting him go any time soon. he feels too good in her arms, his scent, his voice, his arms, his very presence making her feel so good. and brave. and proud of him.

she'll have to be considered selfish, too, then. she wants nothing more than to be close to him, as close as she can get.

she's still blushing, but her heartbeat is steady. she meant what she said]

Yes, it is. [she smiles] And I'm sure. I want you with me.

[good, because she wants nothing more than that very thing]

[Even if he can't see her smile, he can feel it, and an answering one settles over his own face. He turns his head to touch a kiss to her cheek, soft and lingering for a moment.]

Then, I'm with you. As long as you want me.

[It's a simple enough answer to give, when eh means it as much as he does.] We'll get through this mess together, okay?

[she sees his smile and it makes hers widen, grow sweeter, yet a little shy. she's in new territory, actually falling in love with a man based on his own merits rather than marrying who will gain her the most power.

after he kisses her, she sort of burrows her way further into his arms, tucking her head under his chin]

I'm glad. . . and what if I say forever?

[she peers at him nervously, hoping he feels the same way as she does]

All right. I trust you. And I believe in you.

[Fingertips touch along her face once more, like he's committing it to memory, the soft, warm skin, the gentle curve of delicate features. But then he's all too happy to shift and wrap his arms tight around her.]

Forever?

[Echoed quietly before he takes a breath. Forever. This woman he had to be torn across universes to meet, remarkable, gentle, stronger than she seems, so sharp, so clever. Who has heard all his worst secrets and never flinched away. When he has her in his arms this way, he can't imagine a place he'd rather be, even as far from home as he is.]

Then I'd wonder how a man like me could be lucky enough to deserve that.

[He ducks his head to steal a kiss.] Forever, Margaery. How could I possibly let you go?

[when he touches her face, she can't help but smile up at him before burrowing back into his arms]

Yes. Please.

[and Margaery can't help being amazed. three loveless marriages, imprisonment by the Faith, her own murder by Cersei's design. . . but she'd rather have died and found herself here in Matt's arms than be the queen of a thousand kingdoms. he's brave, he's strong, he's kind, he understands her in a way that no one else ever has and no one else ever will]

You deserve it because you're you, Matt.

[she kisses back. when she pulls away, she's radiant with joy, cheeks flushed and heartbeat fluttering] No more than I could ever let you go, Matt.

[Margaery is responsible for one of the small contradictions in Matt's feelings about this place. He resents the "gods" for abducting them all here, tearing them out of their worlds and putting them through various games to manipulate them, feed off them. He can't exactly forgive that.

At the same time, they brought Margaery here, away from her death, brought this remarkable woman into his life, and how is he supposed to be anything but grateful for that?

He shakes those thoughts as best he can and smiles at the words, far too great a compliment than he deserves, he thinks. He's a man with demons and flaws, more than his share really.]

Please don't. I need you, Margaery. [Quite desperately actually, and he elaborates.] I feel like I'm coming to a crossroads... I gave up being the devil, the vigilante before I came here; I tried to lose that part of myself. But I don't think I can give it up. Not here. Not when I can help. I just... I don't want the Daredevil to be all that's left of me at the end of this.

[Margaery also resents the gods for toying with their emotions so they can be fed off of and after her ordeal with the Faith of the Seven, she's not sure she even believes in gods anymore.

but, still, they did bring her back to life and brought Matt into her life. two things she'll be eternally in their debt for. so how does she resolve the twin feelings of resentment and gratitude? that's a though for another time as right now she's in Matt's arms and there's a price on both of their heads.

and she's a woman who let the desire for power run her life up to this point. she worries that if Matt knew the full extent of what she'd done and allowed to happen, he wouldn't want her anymore. she shivers, then snuggles against him]

It won't be. I won't let it. I'll remind you as often as I can that you do deserve goodness in your life, that there is more to you than the Daredevil. And right now, this place needs both of you, the man who can rally a community and stand up for what's right and the man who can fight against evil. And I am proud of you. All of you.

[His arms tighten around her at that shiver -- not knowing where it's come from, but entirely willing to chase it away as best he can, hand rubbing gently along her back.

Something in him eases at her words, the faintest bit of tension that bleeds out of his frame, shoulders less rigid, posture less stiff.]

Margaery... thank you. That doesn't seem like it's enough to say, honestly. But I'm grateful for it. For you.

[she snuggles further into his arms, trying to press every bit of herself into every bit of him. she feels him soothing her and murmurs] Thank you.

[she feels the tension leave him and places one hand between his shoulder blades and the other on his lower back, just above where his belt would be. she rests her cheek against his shoulder and leans up a little to press a kiss against his jaw]

There's no need to thank me. I'll tell you that you're a good man as many times as you need to hear it. Do you know how many bad or even just indifferent men I've met? A lot. So as grateful as you are to me, I am as grateful to you. Before I died, I truly begun to think that there were no good men in the world. But then I came here and I met you and everything changed.

[There's so much to thank her for, honestly. He leans his cheek against her hair and takes a deep breath, settling himself. He'll take what strength he can for from her, from her reassurance.]

Margaery... [A good man? He'll do his best to be just that, for her.]

It's getting late. We should try to get some sleep. [It's been a hell of a day.]

[and she breathes him in, taking comfort in his presence. she's never felt this way before about anyone, never even let herself think she could fall in love, but she has and she's deeply grateful for him]

Matt. [she murmurs, leaning into him and listening to his heartbeat]

Yes, we should. It's been quite a day. Follow me? [releases him reluctantly, then takes him by the hand to lead him to her bedroom]

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