Posts by Harkness

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Traitor. Look at you, so eager to turn your back on people. First your family, then your handlers and now your clan. Who's next? The sickeningly sweet voice that taunted him was inescapable, and the doubts it spread in his resolve were bulky. He was a traitor, no matter what he did. If he left Lilith, severed all connections with her, then he was betraying her and her trust, and meeting Lilith was betraying the command of Gabriel, and by extension, The Insignia itself. There were high prices to pay, ones he'd never had to before, but he would face the consequences when the time came. There weren't any excuses to make. You thought they made you into a monster but you've always been one, just a different breed. Who needs murder when you can shatter?

Expression tight, the snow leopard ventured through the trees, searching for Lilith as they'd planned to meet in private, away from their respective clans. [I]Sneaky little bastard, aren't you?

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#jamesbarnes

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James wasn't one to find coping mechanisms, simply because he didn't know where to look for them, or how to even start. He hadn't needed them before. As a child, once his father had vanished, no doubt having been killed, he'd never grieved properly, for there were more important things to concern himself with in a bustling, dangerous city. Even if he had mourned, it would have been cut off short by the abduction and, eventually, the brainwashing. He'd just never known how to deal with these things because he hadn't had emotions up until a truthfully short time ago. With the background he had, he didn't adjust- he ignored. James shoved the hurt down, far enough that he couldn't see it, then pushed it down some more. This kind of pain just didn't accept the fact that he wasn't going to acknowledge it, because it kept surging upwards, beating at the sides of his skull, thrusting needles into his chest. It was too much.

The snow leopard nearly fell from his perch on a sturdy shelf when there was a knock, surprised despite the expectation of Barghest visiting. And he knew it was him- as strange as it was, he recognized the sound of his knock by now. Slipping to the floor, he went and pulled open the door, blinking once he did. "You should set that down," the male recommended as he stepped aside for the canine to enter, traces of amusement in cobalt hues, though it was obvious to anyone who knew him well that there were cracks peeking through the aplomb visage. More quietly this time, James said,"Thank you."
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#jamesbarnes

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It wasn't often that James chose to drink alcohol, and the last time he had was on Barghest's birthday, and that- well. That resulted in Bubblekit, whose current position was not one he cared to revisit. He didn't need to pile more emotions on top of the already gaping wound that was preparing to fester if he kept ignoring it the way he was. "I would," the snow leopard agreed, if only to distract himself, because Barghest already knew that he would and didn't require confirmation. "Physically?" There was a moment where he mentally checked for any signs of an illness he might have contracted, as he'd neglected to pay much mind to his body recently, and he shook his head when he found none. "No. I am healthy." Barghest looked to be, too, so he must have fully recovered from his previous affliction. "Is there any particular order to what we're going to do?" James was planning on doing his best at avoiding the all too conspicuous elephant tucked into the corner of the room, and if that meant eating a lot of food, he would do it, though that wasn't actually a complaint. He had the makings of a sweet tooth.
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#jamesbarnes

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It was always order with James, and it took a higher priority than the outcome itself, because he thought that to do it correctly meant that the outcome would be the best one to have. In this instance, that outcome was undoubtedly going to involve blurred vision, slurred words and stumbling about with no coordination before blacking out from the amount of calories he'd imbibed. If that was possible, as he hadn't ever done that. The snow leopard observed Barghest tear open one of the plastic wrappers, and so he moved to do the same, staring at the encased cake with thinly veiled suspicion. It wasn't that he didn't trust Barghest's tastes, merely that he wasn't quite sure what to think of it. Alcohol he had experience with, as well as the typical things humans threw out in their garbage, but never had snack cakes been numbered among them.

The moment he bit into the pastry resembling food, Barghest spoke, and he was grateful he had his mouth full, as it gave him time to formulate a reply. After a moment, he swallowed, smacking his lips quietly. "You have never been the reason for my troubles. Instead you have provided stability, no matter how...uncertain you happen to be." He set down the cake in its covering, staring at his paws. "Titanic. I have never watched it, but I can assume it sinks. Unless it's merely named after the ship; humans tend to do that."

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#jamesbarnes

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The snow leopard was quiet, staring at the deceased girl with a studiously blank expression, although it was not a reflection of the clashing occurring mentally. Here his love had murdered a clanmate, a pregnant woman, and he was confused, to put it lightly. What was he supposed to say to this? What was he supposed to do in the face of something like this? Wordless, because again, there was nothing he knew to say, James moved by the gathered Insignians to pull the corpse by her scruff, shifting her over to begin the digging of a grave. He didn't know what to say but the least he could do was accept a responsibility for this. It didn't matter if it was or wasn't his fault; he loved the woman who did this, and try as his logic might, it couldn't force his emotions into submission and strip away those cradled feelings.

He wiped dirt from his face, gently rolling the body into the hole. "I am sorry," the male whispered, hardly audible, and then he shoveled dirt over her motionless body.

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#jamesbarnes

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There was a high amount of disapproval present, and James knew they saw this as a type of injustice. He, however, did not. Matteo was an enemy, his past affiliation with The Insignia aside, and giving him special treatment or exception from the role as a foe was illogical, regardless of any connections he had here. Unfortunately, his focus was torn, a seed of guilt -had he known how to fear physical pain he would have that as well- was planted in his gut. He was a traitor, too. He belonged up there, with Matteo, receiving a punishment for betraying the clan, a consequence he knew he deserved, possibly more than Matteo, who hadn't killed any of their members. Neither had James, but that was not the point.

The snow leopard became a silent spectator, indifference written in the lines of his face.

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#jamesbarnes

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James approached, steps hushed as they always were with someone who'd had the rules of stealth stamped into his head at an early age. His gaze was analytical as it roamed swiftly across the larger male's form, assessing him, measuring, but it was not a hostile endeavor, merely a cautious one typical of the quiet snow leopard. It would be an effective way to learn his character to hold a conversation with the lion, although James was not a chatty individual. Quite the opposite, in fact. "James Barnes, or Bucky if you wish."
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#jamesbarnes

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There went another member, leaving them short even more, and if their current rate continued their numbers would be dwindling to a dangerous level. James held the beginnings of a frown on his maw, eyes tracing the crimson prints, noting that there wasn't any disturbed surroundings or other traces of a conflict. The male had just disappeared, and the snow leopard was at least glad an enemy clan hadn't snatched him up for torture, though that was based only on the evidence here. Anything could have happened over the border.

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#jamesbarnes

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He built a memorial for this boy, drove a branch into the sand and wrapped a ribbon around it, and here his son was, alive. Alive. He hadn't lost him to the ocean as he'd believed, and the snow leopard was uncertain of what to say, his brain failing to summon any words that he could speak. "Bubblekit?" Like a fool, James could only stand, frozen in place, eyes trained on the small feline embraced by Barghest, swallowing tightly. It was ridiculous, how he couldn't even manage to admit the keen longing he'd felt for his son, the way his apparent death had shaken him. He was just brimming with so many things he couldn't make sense of.
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#jamesbarnes

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The amount of conflict tearing James in half was immense, occupying every thought, and around the clan he was distracted, even more detached than usual. Lilith had killed one of their clanmates, and he loved her. There was the issue. She'd slit the throat of a pregnant woman, and still that did not wrench the love he had for her from his chest. It only cut him deeply, wounding his trust, his hope, in her and himself. Then there was the matter of Barghest, who was determined to envelop every traitor in his jaws, and James didn't want to know what would happen if Barghest discovered what he was doing, if he hadn't already.

The snow leopard walked through the forest quietly, his head bowed in deep thought. He had to find a way to fix this, somehow.

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#jamesbarnes

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"Have her read the note." The snow leopard set down the piece of paper next to where they now stood, keeping a watchful eye on the road just in case, even if they were now off of it. He hadn't been present for the earlier events, so what he felt was not a remnant of fear from the possibility of her death, but concern, one that he did not allow to reach the surface. He was to stay calm, as he usually was. "She will understand better if it comes from herself."
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#jamesbarnes

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Title says it all, though torture will be involved too, just no removal of limbs or wings. Scar causing wounds, basically. And you can powerplay c:

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"This is his decision," the snow leopard rumbled, monotone, as he approached. It was unfortunate that they were losing another clanmate but voicing disappointment was useless from James' perspective. Clearly, it would not sway the departing male's mind. "Farewell, Adam." He did not see him as a coward- leaving when it was hard was not an act of cowardice, it was a belief that they could not prosper in such conditions. Thinking that the grass was greener on the other side was not a foreign concept. It was just a pity that they were losing so many to that philosophy.
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#jamesbarnes

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YES
I can cross that off the bucket list

Would you rather just bring him here or roleplaying taking him from The Insignia?

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He saw Lilith the same time she saw him, and he too, contemplated whether or not he was strong enough to walk away from her. He couldn't, something he already knew, and the snow leopard approached his love with uncertainty in his chest, one that died beneath shock when she spoke. She was explaining the murder to him, detailing her motive and James shrunk backwards when he saw the scar marking her shoulder. "Barghest? But." He shook his head, brows furrowing, confusion marring his features. "Why?" Why did she warn him in such a matter when it had only angered the deputy even more? Why had she killed a pregnant feline? Why was Barghest- no, he knew why already.
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Everyone knows Bill cx

Yeah! It makes it easier, so you can just bring him on in ^^

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Thanks!

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#jamesbarnes

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James accepted the embrace, returning it, making sure that he didn't hold onto her as tightly as he wanted, for that would no doubt incite pain. "He hates you," the snow leopard echoed, and her plan announcement had James pulling back to look her in the eyes, a frown etched deeply into his maw. "No. That isn't an idea I want you to follow through with. I can't." He cut himself off, frustrated by his inability to say what he meant. He didn't want the two people he loved the most tearing each other to pieces; it would shred him, too. He was a casualty in this, and he despised it. "Lilith." His expression went tight at her admission, the ache wrapping cold fingers around his heart and squeezing.
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#jamesbarnes

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He hadn't been reminding her, he'd been repeating her words as a way to convince himself, to believe that his pain was written in bloodied stone. The snow leopard flinched when she began crying, panic gripping him in its vices. He'd made her cry; worse still, he didn't know what to do. Useless bastard. "Follow through? Follow through with what? I have kept my promises, Lilith. I am here, with you, at the threat of my life and I care for you. Please tell me what I am doing incorrectly."
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#jamesbarnes

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"The Insignia is my home, Lilith." He became himself there, he found his memories, a family, and he couldn't leave it. James wouldn't survive in another clan; he would withdraw, hide away because that was what he did when faced with the unfamiliarity of a different clan. "And- marry you? That- I am not prepared for being a husband." The snow leopard was terrified, muscles bunched up in preparation to flee, or to stand his ground. At this point he didn't know anymore.
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