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    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Posts : 271
    Guild : Guildless
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 259,635

    Completed [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 9th January 2021, 5:39 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    The Hoffman family—a bloodline of men and women born and bred to serve Bellum's wealthiest and most prominent figures. Generation after generation, the Hoffmans were raised to be bought by others, and to live their lives for someone else. Many became private soldiers, others became personal assistants, or maybe their lives were really so expendable that they were bought because they just looked like accessories. The Hoffman Estate was a symbol of subservience, and that kept their bloodline valuable and popular for generations. Even now, they flourished underneath this role they've played in society.

    For the Hoffmans, this cause was a noble one, and their destiny for subservience was the only thing that mattered. You were a product on the shelf, made to fulfill some sort of purpose assigned to you. There was no escaping their destiny, except if you were lucky enough to be betrothed to some other man or woman for breeding purposes, or if you were selected to become the next head of the family. Though, most people probably wouldn't agree that these are acts of luck and good fortune. It was often the girls who ended up being wedded off, and then their only purpose was to have as many children as possible. They were hardly ever happy. The selected heads of the household were the only ones who seemed to benefit from that decision because a lot of the money made from selling Hoffmans went directly into their pocket, and then the rest went into providing for the estate. It was all just one big business, and the generations of children who grew up on that property just internalized that this was how things ought to be—even Leon.

    For his entire life, Leon shared the belief that it was his purpose to serve. His destiny, even. There was nothing valuable about him or anyone else if they didn't accept their role in the world. But he was set up to fail.

    He was born magically inept—that is to say, he had a mana pool but it was so significantly small that it was better to say that he didn't have the potential to wield magic at all. It wasn't defective, or a mutation, or a disorder, or a disease of some kind... it was actually quite common, around the world. But in Bellum, a country that glorified the very existence of magic, nothing couldn't be more shameful. Nothing was worse than being unable to harness the best thing to happen to mankind. It was vile. It was wrong. It was some sort of evil, and it was something that Leon was just born with, and it tormented him for years.

    His family didn't make growing up easy for him. Everything was an uphill battle, and no matter how hard Leon worked, it never amounted to the acceptance and acknowledgment he so desperately yearned for—that he continues to yearn for. The only thing it ever amounted to was a banishment when he turned eighteen, and large, profound scars on his face for good measure. he was sent away to live in Fiore after the confrontation on his eighteenth birthday, and he hadn't heard from his family since.

    . . . . . . . . .

    It had been over a year since his exile, and Leon spent most of it trying to keep his head above water. He didn't have any good skills that made a worker valuable, and that was mostly because Hoffmans were never made to join the workforce. He was in a country he had only ever seen in the newspaper, and he was left to deal with the hurt and bitterness of what had happened to him. He was only able to keep himself from succumbing to poverty by taking on a bunch of low-paying jobs that could easily eat away at someone's soul, but he had no other choice. Every day, he went to bed telling himself they'd send for him to return home. He kept a distance from people to avoid creating friendships in order to avoid abandoning them for what he considered to be his inevitable return.

    His days were a constant struggle of attitude, a tug-of-war between his emotions. Part of him wanted to believe and convince others that he was worth more than his mana, but that would mean overcoming the idea that he was worth less than dirt because of it and growing up in the Hoffman household only led him to internalize that fact. It was like a fire surrounded by glaciers, waiting for a spark to melt away the chains that bound him to the ideas he didn't want to accept, but nothing ever came to spark it. Days felt longer, night drew out, and it seemed like it was less and less likely that his family would reach out to him every time he woke up without word from them. He felt like he was going to suffocate...

    "I think you have some great potential and I... I just wanted to help you train."

    Leon couldn't recall when he began to admire Percy so much, but whenever he thought about it, it was these words of his that came to mind. It was such a typical compliment, nothing short of what he'd hear from old men who wanted to scout him for boxing or professional brawling, but it really just... felt different, coming from Percy. Maybe it was because it felt like he meant it, like he actually saw something in Leon, even if it was for something as trivial as fighting. He was just so sincere...

    It wasn't just Percy, either. For the last few months, Leon was beginning to meet all sorts of people. There was Gwen, Robin, and everyone in the Hunting and River Village. So much had happened that he began to think less and less about his family situation, and woke up eager to return to the life he was beginning to build for himself. He really liked his job, and although they started off on a bad note, his friendship with Percy was finding its stride rather quickly. He had new scars since coming to Fiore, and he didn't want to heal a single one. They all marked a time where he had helped someone he was passing by or something he did that he'd do again if it meant feeling the way he felt. He went to festivals, met some people at a Singles event, got a dog... his life now wasn't easy, and actually came with some unforeseen challenges, but it just... felt different.

    Lately, Leon started wondering about something. If his family never reached out to him, and if this abandonment was really how it was going to be, would he really be so bitter? Could he really move on, and if he could, would he be okay with that? What if he felt okay with that? At first, the idea was absurd, and he pushed it out of his head the moment he conjured it up. But recently, he didn't feel so terrible about his situation. Whenever he fell into a bitter fit about his life in Bellum, he thought about his life now. If he was being honest, he really just thought about the life Percy had given him. The opportunities he's had since he met him. The guy was awkward, introverted, ridiculously messy, a terrible drunk, and was actually pretty easy to read. He bought an ugly Christmas tree for the sake of it, and he only felt comfortable singing one song for karaoke. He was more competitive than he looked, and was completely different inside of a fight than he is outside of one. The semi-redhead was literally one run-in away from being slugged by Leon, and yet he began to look forward to seeing him the most nowadays.

    Honestly, how stupid was that? They started off on bad terms, and now they were friends. It was a little funny, but Leon couldn't get upset. Percy gave him this chance to live comfortably and to do something he liked to do. He gave him security and something to look forward to, so how could he not hold him in high regard? Leon owed Percy more than he could ever repay, but it looked like he'd have a lot of time to do his best to repay that. It looked like that, until this morning.

    "What? You're... you're saying that he wants me back? Tomorrow? In... Bellum?"

    Topless and bed-headed, Leon sat on the edge of his bed in his River Village cabin. It had been a while since he last cut it, so his hair had gradually been growing longer and longer until it was at this length, now. The day started off like any other, waking up early so he could drive to Rose Garden. But the call he received from this unknown number suddenly dimmed his spirits, his eyes wide and full of shock as the static murmur rambled from the other end of the iLac. His bag was next to his nightstand, two art gallery tickets resting on top, and Robin was curled up on the bed next to him, asleep.

    The conversation on the phone was very one-sided, Leon just staring out of the window with a look of alarm and disbelief. He didn't know what to say.

    "Yes, thank you. Understood... bye." Leon chimed back, frowning as he ended the call. He looked over at the art gallery tickets he had received as thanks for his deed back in Hargeon. It was an event taking place next week, but it didn't look like it mattered anymore. He never thought the day would come... the call he had been waiting for. So why did he feel so awful?

    . . . . . . . . . . .

    As usual, Leon drove to Rose Garden, where Percy's home and lab was. He'd normally slide some earbuds in from underneath his motorcycle helmet and listen to the Blues or country music as he rode into town, but today he drove in complete silence. He had a softer look on his face than usual, but not soft with kindness or affection. He looked a little depressed.

    When he arrived, he parked his motorbike in the driveway, but he didn't take off his gear aside from his helmet like he usually would, and he had a little grocery bag with him as well. He walked around the back, knocked on the door, and went inside without waiting for Percy to invite him in. It was his workplace too, after all, and as usual, it was a complete mess. Papers everywhere, items littering tables and the floor, rags here and there... it was chaos.

    "He...! Seriously!" Leon began to curse to himself as he stumbled into the mess yet again, his eyes looking like daggers as he irritably began to place his helmet down so he could organize everything. It almost seemed routine now, but he stopped himself the moment the helmet left his hands. He remembered why he came here today, and it wasn't to work. The ever-so-slight tinge of melancholy came over his features again.

    Leon closed the door behind him and sighed, stepping into the room with his eyes grazing the place for the head of his boss. He looked like he was glaring. Did Percy sleep in the lab? More importantly, had he eaten yet? With the bag from before in hand, it contained just a few things to eat. Some parts of his routine seemed to be too important for him to abandon just yet.

    "Percy, you there? I need to talk to you," Leon called out to him with his usual deep voice, maneuvering through the lab with the sound of crinkling plastic following him.

    He didn't know the guy for very long, and yet every step he took made him feel worse about what was happening. He hated it. A lot.


    || Word Count: 2000 || Thread WC: 2000 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Enemies: ???
    @Percy



    Last edited by Leon Hoffman on 19th February 2021, 12:27 pm; edited 1 time in total


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Faction : The Luminous Covenant
    Posts : 374
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 336,993

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 4th February 2021, 4:12 am

    He'd been so tired lately.

    Percy was by no means the most chipper and alert morning person due to his late nights in the lab, but lately, it had gotten worse. He fell asleep more easily in the middle of projects. Staying the night in the lab was a common occurrence, but usually, he was at least up with some tea in his hands by the time Leon arrived. This morning, in particular, the surprised shuffle from his magic researching corner of the room indicated that his friend's arrival had woke him. He flinched and hurriedly staggered out of his easy chair, the book he'd been translating sliding off his chest and into the floor with a loud bang, which made him flinch again. "Ah...y-yeah," he muttered, blearily rubbing his eyes and shuffling vaguely toward the voice he'd heard. "I'm here, what's up?" Percy asked, navigating to Leon. He stifled a yawn behind his hand but seemed to be waking up quickly.

    Considering his recently made contract with a questionable woman, Percy seemed unchanged. Aside from his slightly paler skin and getting tired easier (two things he hadn't noticed at all), he was neither better nor worse off. He was just...the same, which highly irked him. He'd been giving Leon more mechanical projects while his nose was stuck in any text he could find concerning magical contracts that could bestow magic, trying to figure out why his wasn't taking effect. Percy really thought he'd solved his magic problem this time. And as someone obsessed with this particular problem, there was no way he was giving up any time soon. It was gonna work this time. It had to.

    Finally making it around all his messes to the sound of crinkling plastic, the groggy Percy was more concerned with what might be in the bag than noticing the slight change in Leon's demeanor. He'd been nauseated off and on recently, so he hadn't eaten much. At this very moment, however, he was hungry and would probably eat anything. Smoothing down his mussed hair and patting out any wrinkles in his shirt. Now that he looked more like normal, professional Percy who was capable of having a conversation, though now he was starting to realize exactly what Leon had said. "What do you need to talk to me about?" he asked, looking up into the very familiar, intense face with mild concern.

    [wc: 400 || total: 2400/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Posts : 271
    Guild : Guildless
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 259,635

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 4th February 2021, 4:45 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    When Percy stepped out and stared at him, Leon felt his heart sink into his stomach. This was the moment he was bracing himself for this moment ever since he woke up today, so why was it so difficult to say anything when he locked eyes with him? Every word stopped before it left his mouth, choking him up as he sat on his thoughts and stood in the middle of the room, silent. Percy probably didn't have a clue what was going through his head, and that realization only made his heart sink even further. Leon knew that he'd have to say goodbye to a lot of friends and acquaintances he's made since coming to Fiore, but part of him didn't want to face Percy at all. He thought about just leaving without saying a word. That way, he wouldn't have to face him. And yet, here he was, standing right before him without so much as a word to offer.

    Several moments passed since he finally met Percy face to face, and Leon couldn't help but choke on his words and stare at him with those steely, hard-to-read eyes of his. He didn't know why he was so afraid of this encounter, and it was seriously out of character for him, right? Just like every other thing that's happened to him in the past year, he just had to suck it up and deal with it—like always.

    "I'm quitting," Leon finally blurted out, his hand tightening against the plastic in his grasp as he looked down just a bit. Looking at him was hard enough, but it didn't matter as long as he said what he had to say, right? His long, dark hair dangled in front of his face as he continued. "It's really starting to look like Bellum is gonna go to war with Pergrande pretty soon, so... my family gave me a call, and I'm supposed to be home by tomorrow night. I don't think I'll be comin' back anytime soon so... I... thought I'd say that."

    After that, Leon had thought that the weight on his chest would've been lifted, but it stayed the same. He gritted his teeth together and took a deep breath before outstretching his hand, offering a firm handshake as a gesture to end things properly.

    "These last few months have been really special for me. Without you, I..." Leon trailed off into silence as he choked on his words again, looking at Percy with this strained intensity in his eyes. His open hand slowly coiled back into a hesitant half-fist as memories of the past few months came to mind. It really felt like his new life, like everything was finally falling into place and even though his baggage with his family was fresh and recent, it felt like he could move on from that. He had a nice little cabin in River Village, the cutest puppy, and he was starting to make some good friends. His relationship with Percy was rocky at first, but now it was hard to imagine everyday life without listening to his rambling or yelling at him for not eating properly, or going on one of those insane expeditions to slay some monster. But returning home was what he wanted, right? He shouldn't be upset about this, right? It was his fault for getting comfortable, right? "Thanks for everything... is what I want to say."

    Even though it felt like this was a good way to end things, there were still a few words at the back of his throat. It was suffocating, but he couldn't say them. If he had stopped restraining himself, what would he have said? What would he have done? Would any of it matter now that they were parting ways? Ever since the phone call this morning, it all felt painfully clear. Some people were just born to be unhappy, and he was one of them.


    || Word Count: 657 || Thread WC: 3,057 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Enemies: ???
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Faction : The Luminous Covenant
    Posts : 374
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 336,993

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 5th February 2021, 4:00 am

    Percy's heart sank, then started thumping so loudly that he almost couldn't hear anything Leon said beyond "I'm quitting". No. Don't. He didn't want him to. There was a flicker of pain that crossed his face before it evaporated into utter emptiness. Percy's features blanked of any emotion whatsoever, and he fell into complete, icy silence. His hand didn't extend to accept the offered shake. He didn't answer Leon at all. He didn't know how to process or deal with the intense and complex emotions rattling around, so he borderline shut down and just stared up at him.

    He didn't want to lose his friend. His closest friend. Arguably, his only friend. It was selfish, but the thought of him leaving forever made him feel sick and angry. Had he done something wrong? He wasn't very good with people, and he'd made Leon mad several times, not even counting how they met. Back when they'd been sick, he'd learned a little about the Hoffman family in Bellum. Despite being in something of the same situation and knowing how it felt to desperately want to be accepted, hypocrisy rose up in him. How could he go running back to a family like that? One that wanted to sell him like some sort of animal? He didn't care if that's just how it was, why would Leon go running back so easily to try and prove himself just so he could be sold to hold people's coats? He was so much more than that, and the thought of it tightened his throat and popped the veins out on his forehead and neck.

    Eyes dropping and looking anywhere but him, his mind raced. He wanted to tell him not to go, yet also wanted to scream at him to leave. Both seemed to be actions that his psyche thought would protect him from the hurt. Maybe he could try to reason with him, offer him more jewel or something to make it worth staying? But...if he wanted to go, who was he to stop him? Besides he was being called to...

    Go to war.

    A different kind of panic swelled within him, one less about being abandoned by someone he'd grown uniquely comfortable with (and thus being alone again) and more acutely about of Leon's chances of survival. Before he realized what he was doing, he was on the move. He stepped around Leon and went to a cabinet against the wall, grabbing a deep case on wheels made for transporting equipment. Unsnapping the top, he swung it open and started rushing around the room, still eerily silent but at least moving with some sort of determined purpose. He placed two armored backpacks containing self-equipping exo-suits, assorted weapons and gadgets, portable medical kits, and anything else his impulsive mind could think of that might get the two of them through battle. Things that would keep them both alive. It was a reckless line of thought to just up and leave with his friend to fight in a war that had nothing to do with him or his country, but the thought of Leon going by himself with no magic and hardly any equipment was...unacceptable. He'd go too. He had to.

    Pausing to take inventory, he tossed a few more things in, then moved on to another cabinet where he kept spare work clothes when he didn't want to track grime into his house. Percy threw an assortment of gray, black, and white T-shirts in, some khaki pants, some boxers and socks, and a couple of pairs of boots. He slid an old winter coat onto his back, wrapped a tattered blue scarf around his neck, and pulled a matching toboggan over his hair, then whirled on the case. It didn't want to shut, but after slamming it a couple of times and basically stomping it closed enough to latch it, he locked it and slid his hand into the extended handle. Much like he'd been when the BOVID situation, his forming expression didn't leave any room for contradiction. Leon could save his thanks for later when they were both back in the lab once this was over. "When do we leave?" he finally spoke finally, quite decided on his course of action. It'd be easy for him to give his Dagger security team the slip. He'd email the company that he was taking a sabbatical on the way. Once they got out of Fiore, no one was likely to know or care who he was. He'd keep his head down until then.

    [wc: 759 || total: 3816/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Posts : 271
    Guild : Guildless
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 259,635

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 5th February 2021, 3:02 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    The room went quiet after Leon said what he did—too quiet. Percy didn't say or do anything and continued to stand there without a word coming out of his mouth. Leon was standing just in front of him, but he could only imagine what sort of face Percy was making right now. With his marigold eyes gazing downward, he couldn't muster up the courage to look at Percy in the eyes. Was it an angry face? A sad one? Was it a look of betrayal? For all Leon knew, maybe his feelings were completely one-sided, and Percy took it all with a grain of salt. That would make sense, wouldn't it?

    At the end of the day, Percy was still Percy Dagger. A guy like him had probably gone through his fair share of employees several times, so losing an assistant like him was probably no big deal. Why would it be? They were in completely different worlds, so it was inevitable that things would end up like this.

    Yet, when Percy stepped around him without a word to spare, it really felt like his heart was about to fall apart. It was like watching the light of his life flicker away. Was this really it? His head was all over the place. Leon knew that he had to do this, and that going home to serve his family's wishes was what he wanted for his entire life. He knew that banishment into Fiore was only temporary and that his family would summon him once again. He knew that everything he did and everyone he met while staying here was all just temporary and a way to repay his debts. He knew this, so why did he feel so hurt to see Percy walk right past him like that? He didn't reach out to shake his hesitant hand, and he didn't even say anything about him quitting. Leon's half-fist clenched into a full one as it fell back down to his side, trembling as he stood there with his face tightening up. He knew that he couldn't hide his hurt anymore, feeling his face screw into a frown and one of those glares that came so easily to him. He thought about the two tickets he bought for the art gallery. Why was that coming up now? This was really... pathetic.

    Leon didn't know what to do after that, so he ended up just standing there for a moment more as he tried to recollect himself, although it wasn't working very well. It wasn't until he noticed all of the noise in the background that he could bring himself to look up, and it was then that he saw Percy hastily packing up random things. Backpacks, medkits, a variety of weapons and gadgets, and he even began to pack sets of clothing as well. It looked like he was ready to travel.

    "Hey, what're you..." Leon watched him with this look of surprise on his face. He wasn't entirely sure what he was watching Percy prepare for until after he had completely dressed himself to go out, and for the first time since Leon had said anything, he spoke. Not only that, he asserted that he was going with him to Bellum, and when he did, Leon's face flushed. It was brief, but all of his worries dissipated after that. "Seriously, you...!"

    Honestly, he was a little ashamed for thinking that Percy would abandon him so easily. With everything that's happened, it wasn't surprising that they had become each others' ride-or-dies—wait, hold on! The reality of Percy's words suddenly struck Leon again in a different way, and the warmth in his eyes vanished into shock and outrage.

    "Idiot! What are you? Crazy?" Leon barked at him, suddenly storming over and snatching the handle from him, "Didn't you hear what I said? I'm probably going to war, and I don't know if I'm coming back! This doesn't even have anything to do with you, so why won't you just let me do this properly?!"


    || Word Count: 673 || Thread WC: 4,489 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Enemies: ???
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Faction : The Luminous Covenant
    Posts : 374
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 336,993

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 6th February 2021, 1:07 am

    "I heard you!" Percy shouted back, suddenly very emotive. His face cracked into the frenzied, panicked anger he felt, like the sun peeking in and out of clouds. It was just a flash before it ebbed back into his cold restraint, but it was clear he was just barely holding onto the feelings he was struggling with. "It has everything to do with me because it's you." He snatched his handle back, white-knuckling it against further attempts to wrench it from his grasp. "Even if you never come back to Fiore," he said and then paused, feeling his voice get tense to the point of strangling. It was clear, even in the blank coldness, that he hated the idea. It hurt. He didn't know what to do with it. "I'll make sure you don't die. Then we'll see... if you come back or not."

    His jaw clenched shut and pulsated after that, his eyes carrying the unreasonable determination of someone stubborn about their reckless decisions and confident that they could evade flirting with mortality simply because of youthful ignorance. Most would do anything to not go to war, even for their own country. But Percy was fully willing to walk into one he had nothing to do with just so he wouldn't lose his friend. For a man who made a career of thinking, he didn't do it a lot on the bigger, more life-changing things. "Now, let's go," he said curtly, stepping around Leon again and heading for the door. No longer was he wondering what his assistant had in the plastic bag of snacks. Now he was considering strategy in an unfamiliar territory, hoping he packed enough equipment to get the job done. If only he knew just what he would have to do on the battlefield.

    Walking out the door Leon had just come through minutes before, he pulled out his phone and called for transportation. Assuming Leon had followed him, and probably ignoring any more of his attempts to change his mind, Percy told him to leave his bike. He wheeled around his house and stood waiting for the car, which arrived soon enough and his case was loaded in the trunk. "The airport, please," he told the driver, and as he got in the car, he started sending the emails to those who needed to know that he was taking a break from Dagger Corp for a 'special project'. The driver wasn't the normal Dagger driver, since he didn't want to alert the body guards. With any luck, he'd be long gone before they had any idea where he went, and by then they'd have no choice but to wait for his return.

    [wc: 448 || total: 4937/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Posts : 271
    Guild : Guildless
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 259,635

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 6th February 2021, 11:34 am



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    Out of all of the things Percy had said since Leon's parting words, his next ones struck him the hardest. For a moment, Leon stood there, taken aback by what he said. It felt a lot like the Singles event, where both of them got heated in the corner of the room and then quietly made up afterward as if their anger was only ever short-lived. He knew that what he was doing was wrong. Percy had nothing to do with whatever was happening in Bellum, so he shouldn't be coming along at all. But why couldn't Leon say anything to instantly turn him down just then? His heart held a sea of mixed emotions—part of him was fiercely concerned and rejected the idea of them going together, while another part wanted to hold his stuff for him on their way there. Maybe it was Leon who was the idiot here since he couldn't even get a hold of his own feelings right now.

    Percy snatched the handle back and stepped around him, and the dark-haired assistant stormed right behind him. Even though Leon was vehemently rejecting this idea, Percy didn't pay any mind to his complaints. They waited in front of his house as a car would arrive, his belongings loaded into the trunk, and his phone out as he diligently began tapping away on it. It was like everything was background noise, and all that mattered to Percy was getting to this airport.

    "Percy!" Leon stood outside of Percy's side of the passenger door, arm leaning against the roof of the car as he looked down at him, eyes narrowed and flickering with quiet pain. With the two-toned man sitting in the car he blocked from the outside, he had no choice but to listen, but what was he supposed to say? Leon went quiet for a moment as he looked at him, and after a moment, he released an exasperated but defeated sigh. He slammed the door shut and walked over to the other side to slide into the other passenger seat. Briskly, he placed the plastic bag from before into Percy's lap, looking at him with a frown. "...Here. I know you haven't eaten yet, so finish these before we get on the plane."

    Leon didn't say anything else after that, strapping himself in and looking out of the window cross-armed as they began their way to the airport. Honestly, it wasn't because he was angry as was giving him the silent treatment. He just didn't wanna show Percy his face and the flush he was wearing. No matter what he could've said, Percy would've forced his way to Bellum with him one way or another, and something about that felt comforting and relieving. The life he had built for himself here in Fiore was slipping through his hands before his very eyes, so how could he be upset that out of everything, the one person he cared about most wasn't leaving him? With an arm leaning against the car door, Leon pressed his palm into his mouth. He was smiling.

    . . . . . . . . .

    The last time Leon was at a public airport, it was when he was being sent away from Bellum. He had always told himself that when he'd return to this place, it'd be when he was going home, but it all still felt unreal. With his duffel bag hanging on his side, Leon returned to Percy with two plane tickets in hand—one that had been funded by the Hoffmans, and another that had been purchased with Leon's jewels. At the very least, it was first-class.

    "We're boarding in ten, so just wait for them to call our number," Leon explained briefly, handing Percy his ticket, "You probably don't use public transport that often, right?"


    || Word Count: 638 || Thread WC: 5,575 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Enemies: ???
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 6th February 2021, 8:42 pm

    Percy had only munched on the smallest bit of the snacks by the time they pulled up to the airport. As soon as the morsels touched his stomach, it flip-flopped so violently that he could only force a few swallows before he knew better than to press his luck any further. Since they couldn't take them on the plane, he dumped them in a nearby trashcan as he circled to haul his travel trunk out of the back of the car

    "No, not often," he replied off-handedly, though his face flushed a little as he stared shyly at the ground. For some reason, the question made him self-aware of his privilege. He might not often think about money and prices and threw around his money without much care, but when others drew his attention directly to it, he felt almost ashamed. In the ten minutes that followed, he checked his trunk for transport and purchased a small travel bag with some essential toiletries from the airport shop. While he had some spare clothes out in the lab, he hadn't stopped in the house to get his toothbrush and stuff. By the time that was accomplished, their numbers were being called for boarding and they were making their way onto the plane.

    The cherry-vanilla haired man would let Leon have the window seat, preferring the aisle seat for this trip. He shrugged out of his coat but left it over the front of him like a blanket or some sort of protective barrier. After glancing at the dark-haired man, he again averted his eyes, though he at least did speak again. "Are you nervous?" he asked, though his tone was a bit pale. It was sorta like back in the lab when he'd talk while he was working on something, when his brain was multitasking. Right now, his mind was buzzing with several chaotic trains of thought, but it wasn't fair to spend the whole trip in silence. Yet, even as his mind whirled and he talked to Leon, fatigue tugged at his eyes. Maybe he hadn't gotten enough sleep? He'd only been awake about an hour at this point, so it seemed strange to be so tired. Yawn forced its way out, which he stifled. Without realizing it, he angled his body so that his arm and shoulder pressed against Leon's, drawing comfort from the warmth. Perhaps his question was a projection of his own feelings. Yes, he wanted to check on Leon, but he was also pretty nervous himself. For a plethora of reasons.

    [wc: 425 || total: 6,000/8,000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 6th February 2021, 9:57 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    Leon was pretty blunt about the kinds of things that were on his mind, but he never directly asked Percy about his life as a member of a wealthy and esteemed family. Sure, he was curious, but it wasn't like Leon wasn't familiar with people like him. Growing up, he had visited a number of prominent estates and met a plethora of important people just by virtue of being groomed to serve them, so none of it was too outlandish. Still, Percy bashfully averted his gaze, to which Leon smiled briefly.

    Soon enough, their numbers were called, and the two young men began boarding the plane and getting situated before the plane took off. Travelling was no big deal, but the air felt especially heavy right now. He felt light on his feet and that airplane smell seemed to reek a bit more than usual. Leon took the window while Percy took the aisle, and the silence felt thick. When they weren't talking, he was alone with his thoughts, and sifting through that jumble of a mess filled him with apprehension. Mindlessly fumbling with his phone and plugging in cheap earbuds he bought just before boarding, he quietly scrolled through his Spodify for one of his playlists. Honestly, anything was better than the white noise of the world right now. Meanwhile, Percy prompted a rather simple question, but Leon didn't look at him when he answered. He just stared out of the window.

    "I don't know. A little," Leon responded dryly. He had been preparing for this trip home ever since he was sent away to Fiore one year ago, left to rot with all of the anger and heartbreak that he had brought with him. He went through so many ups and downs that he often lost track, but suddenly he could recall his new life in Fiore with vibrant detail as he slunk back into his seat. For most of his time here, Leon had chosen to live in Neutral Grounds despite its alarmingly high cost of living compared to other towns, and as a result, he had to work so many part-time jobs just to keep his head above water. He might've well been the working poor at that point. He accidentally helped villagers and townspeople by slaying some monsters, saw beautiful sights on wonderful trails, made a few friends, bought a little cabin in the River Village... he really liked it. One year was barely enough time to just begin healing, so a twelve-hour flight to Bellum wasn't nearly enough time to prepare himself to face his family again.

    Wait, his family?!

    "Shit!" Leon suddenly perked up, the disinterest in his expression suddenly vanishing in wide-eyed panicked as the color drained from his face. Why didn't he actually think about that until now?!

    They were easily some of the most spiteful, elitist, and untrustworthy people he knew! He was going to the home he was born and raised in, so Leon obviously knew what to expect, but he completely forgot to factor in the two-toned idiot who had forced himself to come along! Suddenly, images of his parents and siblings flashed in his mind, and this troubled look of irritation and panic stumbled onto Leon's face.

    "Hey—er—so..." Leon looked at him, eyebrows twitching and looking suspiciously serious, "We're gonna be staying at my family estate... you know... with my family. We should book you a hotel room instead, okay?"

    Honestly, he'd rather book a hotel room with Percy so the two of them could just have that space instead of staying at the Hoffman estate. If it weren't for his obligations, Leon probably would've, but that wasn't the case. Even still, it filled him with unrivaled worry to just ditch him at a hotel in an unfamiliar country, especially when he wouldn't know how often he'd be able to see him until they had to go off to war. The official language was Bellia, and Percy didn't seem fluent. The idea felt too irresponsible, but the Hoffman family wasn't exactly... pleasant, either.


    || Word Count: 676 || Thread WC: 6676 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Enemies: ???
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 6th February 2021, 10:41 pm

    There were a lot of things Percy either flat out didn't consider or purposefully glossed over. Pre-war arrangements, Leon's family, where to sleep, not being fluent in the language...all of those things had been unimportant, and despite Leon's sudden startle that caused the poor, drowsy man to flinch back awake and alert, the youngest Dagger still didn't care much about them. He was impulsive to the core, so he rarely worried about most things until they were literally staring him in the face unless it was one of a few things he was passionately obsessed with.

    He stared into the overly serious face of his friend, taking a long moment to examine the expression as if it would reveal all the secrets and obvious worries concealed in such a sudden exclamation. For some reason, even as he obviously fretted over something unsaid, Percy's mouth pulled into a slight smile, though it was a sad one. To think that, if he hadn't come along, he'd never see any more of Leon's intense expressions...and to think that this could still be one of the last ones he'd see if his friend didn't come home with him after this war business was over. Implications of why that thought made him feel like someone was stabbing him in the chest aside, he quickly memorized the features he was looking at and addressed the situation.

    Hotel, hm? Percy just sighed and gave him a slightly perplexed look. "Why? I can just sleep on the floor of your room. It's more practical. I've never been to Bellum, plus I honestly don't trust you to not try to leave me behind and ship off to the frontlines without me," he said flatly. Some of Leon's bluntness was apparently starting to rub off on him. "If they don't want a stranger in their house, I can climb in a window later or something. And don't worry, I won't punch them for being..." he paused to search for a non-offensive word, which admittedly took him longer than it should have to shuffle through several alternatives, "awful to you," he finished, completely misunderstanding the reasons Leon would try to keep him from meeting the Hoffmans.

    Even his next attempt to make sense of it missed the mark. "And I do know a little Bellia. Enough to get by, as long as no one tries to have a long conversation. I can understand most of it when it's spoken to me, but I just can't respond fluently. I'll try not to embarrass you." Percy actually knew at least a little of many of Ishgar's languages for business. He was fluent in Minstrelois, but his Bellian was rusty at best. They were less into technology than other countries because they had their own magic versions of the tech, but he used to make items that ran on lacrima that they were interested in. He couldn't remember if he packed his two-way translator. "Oh hey, since I'm a quick learner, maybe you could teach me on the way?" Percy asked, perking up a little. He loved to learn things, plus he suddenly very much wanted to hear Leon speaking his native tongue. For some reason, of all the thoughts that should be tantamount to the literal war they were walking into, none were more important at this moment than hearing Leon's deep voice say literally anything in Bellian. The curiosity of what it would sound like was almost killing him.

    [wc: 577 || total: 7253/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 7th February 2021, 12:09 am



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    Leon flinched again when Percy mentioned the possibility of Leon ditching him for the frontlines when he go the chance, and even though he hadn't thought about that until now, it still felt like Percy saw right through him. It was starting to feel like anything Leon tried to do in order to keep Percy safe was just going to get thwarted by the man himself, and that was an oddly frustrating feeling. Not only that, Percy continued to completely misunderstand his concerns. His heart was in the right place but...

    "That's... never mind," Leon's fidgeted with a brief smile before his expression faded back into its usual intensity. It seemed like one way or another, Percy was going to end up at the Hoffman family estate, so it then begged the question of how he'd prepare him for his family. It wasn't something he had ever needed to think about, so the thought was starting to drown out everything else. It wasn't until Percy rambled on about his experience with Bellia that Leon fell for the distraction, looking at him with a mildly amused smirk. "Seriously, where do you get that energy? I'll teach you something before we get there, so relax for now. Here."

    Leon handed Percy one of his earbuds, insisting that he take it. If anything, he wanted to listen to some of his music with Percy instead of teaching him some Bellia phrases. Maybe they could put on some of the videos Percy liked to watch. Maybe they could find a movie to put on, and then criticize the characters for being so cheesy. Leon desperately wanted to fill his head with Percy, he wanted his shoulder against his and his annoying quips to be everything that he was hearing. It didn't matter what he was thinking anymore, because, in twelve or so hours, he'd have no other choice but to face his fears head-on. They'd cross that bridge when they got to it, so why not enjoy the walk until they got there?

    Later That Flight, the next evening

    Even though they departed relatively early yesterday, the flight still ended up in Bellum the next evening, when the sun was about to set on the horizon. A Hoffman worker drove the pair back to the estate and left them at the gate. His duffel bag straps wrapped across his shoulders and tall, muscular figure planted in the ground, Leon stood just before the estate's entrance doors with this look of apprehension on his face. How long had it been since he had stood before his home like this? Ever since he was born, he knew he was never welcomed here, despite being a Hoffman himself. He knew that he was just taking up space in this sacred place. But for the first time, he had been summoned back because of his value, but he didn't feel a sense of belonging. Did this building always look so oppressive and daunting? Was he ever this nervous about coming home before? Leon almost couldn't move at all.

    Eventually, he took a deep breath and looked at Percy, grabbing and pulling his arm close with a concerned tightness. Now that they were here and knowing that his family was just on the other side of that door, the protectiveness that had been simmering in the pit of his stomach just before suddenly came spiraling out, knowing well what sort of unpleasant things awaited them. He'd feel better if they weren't here at all.

    "Alright. When we go inside, we're going straight to my room, okay? Don't say anything to anyone, and if they talk to you, try to keep it quick. Don't go anywhere without me, got it? If you need anything, you ask me. And don't—"

    Suddenly, the door to the estate opened, filling the courtyard with the light of chandeliers illuminating the corridor within. Stepping out was a tall woman with a bob cut as black as Leon's hair, sharp and slanted grey eyes, and skin as white as snow. Her nails were polished and although she was plain-looking, she somehow stood out and gave an unfriendly air. It was none other than the eldest Hoffman child, Judith, and Leon's eldest sister. With an unlit cigarette in her hand, she froze when she saw the pair in front of them, and Leon froze when he saw her.

    They looked at one another and said nothing. When Judith finally broke her cold and witchy gaze, she resumed what she was doing as if she had seen nothing at all and lit her cigarette while disappearing into the courtyard past them. Even though it had been a couple of years since they had last seen each other, neither of them seemed to want to say anything at all—not even hello. At least she left the door open.

    "...I'll take your bags, come on," Leon mumbled, his eyes hidden underneath his tuft of unkempt hair. Carefully, he grabbed Percy's belongings and took them inside along with eagerly pulling Percy by his arm. He could hear chatter deep inside the building, and he could already recognize the voices. The moment he stepped inside this place, it all came back to him.

    The dread was so familiar.


    || Word Count: 876 || Thread WC: 8129 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 7th February 2021, 12:53 am

    Any normal person would have been alarmed by this dramatic preamble to meeting a family, yet Percy seemed calm with no more than his usual measure of shyness in the face of meeting new people or being in a strange place. This all sounded like the exact things he'd say if he took Leon to the Dagger Estate, if he was being honest. No wandering around, lest he accidentally run into...literally anyone else but Artemis. Arty was the only one he wasn't horrified for Leon to meet one day, though he also knew that it would be his brother that would probably make some comments that would highlight every aspect of what was unspoken between Leon and Percy. Everyone else was a nightmare. Maybe it should just never happen.

    He tried to give his dark-headed friend a comforting smile, nodding as if to say he understood and would obey the rules laid out for him, but it was interrupted as the door swung open and almost scared his soul out of his body. As the severe woman emerged and shared some sort of chilling stare with Leon, Percy glanced between them and then awkwardly to the ground. He dared not speak. His pre-programmed manners failed him as he couldn't even manage a wave or hello, simply struck by how much the two mirrored each other yet also shared nothing. There was a resemblance but in nothing more than outline. She was like an untouched coloring page, while Leon had been colored in with warm hues. Honestly, she reminded him of about seventy-five percent of the women who attended the ever-popular Dagger galas. It was just a shock how cold she was in comparison to the only other Hoffman he knew. If this was a sample of what lurked inside, he couldn't even envision Leon ever living here. Ironic. He wondered if anyone who knew the Daggers said the same about him or Arty.

    Normally Percy would have tried to free his arm from Leon's grip by now since he was far less accepting of various forms of touching when he wasn't sick, but it felt like Leon needed this more than anything else. He knew what it was like to need an anchor in a difficult situation, so if this brought Leon some form of comfort, then so be it. It was already unnerving to see the wolfish man so twisted up and withdrawn. "What was that last thing I'm not supposed to do?" Percy asked in a whisper, truly hoping they'd make it to his room before anyone else noticed them or he did the thing he wasn't supposed to do on accident. He knew he wasn't blessed with much in the way of social graces, and now he actually was worried he'd make something worse for Leon to deal with. He could keep his cool from years of politely rubbing elbows with the snotty and rude, but that didn't mean he liked it or was especially graceful. He'd just think of them like Grandfather Mephistopheles and speak as little as possible.

    "That was your sister, wasn't it?" he whispered next, still somewhat haunted by the strangely commanding presence of such an otherwise unostentatious woman as he was pulled along. From that small interaction, there was just something eerily familiar about the attitude that made him feel weird... and oddly terrified.

    [wc: 562 || total: 8691/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 7th February 2021, 4:34 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    "Yeah. I knew everyone would be here, but she was bought before any of us, so I kind of thought she'd still be working right now..." Leon looked at Percy as he slowly began to walk into the estate. Judith was his witchy older sister who told it how it was and had a lot of bad habits. She had a pretty undesirable personality, but at the very least, she never directly tormented Leon. Eating the last cookie knowing that her younger brother wanted it was the extent of her malice, otherwise, she pretended like Leon didn't exist, and he seemed okay with that judging by their encounter just now.

    Leon closed the door behind them, completely missing Percy's question from earlier. Honestly, whatever he was about to say, it hardly mattered right now. All he could think about was confronting his other siblings and keeping Percy safe and comfortable. With a family like his, he knew that the instructions he gave his two-toned friend were hardly good enough to evade their malicious advances, so there wasn't much else to worry about other than the encounters themselves.

    "My room is further inside. Once we're there, you can unpack and we can go and wash up together," asserted Leon, with little to no consideration about his demands. Maybe he'd start to relax a little when it was in his own space, but of course, it would never be that easy. Suddenly, further ahead in the corridor, he could he two pairs of feet tap against the hard floor, echoing throughout the hallway with the distinct click of brand new loafers. The rhythm, the swift elegance, the quickness in his steps and the heavy taps that lagged behind every step—Leon perked up, recognizing them immediately, like knowing who was at the door just by the weight of their knocking. The dark-haired man suddenly looked far more serious and displeased than he had all day.

    "(Man, no way! I thought Father was fucking around when he told us that our little man was coming home! Everyone's here 'cept for him. Think he pussied out?)"

    "(I'unno. Maybe. But then he'd have to deal with Grandfather, and even I think he knows better than to do that.)"

    "(You overestimate him, Claude.)"

    Coming around the corner were two chattering men who stood as tall as Leon—Alphonse and Claude, his two older brothers. Alphonse had pale chestnut, wavy hair, and eyes the color of blood. He always overdressed for every occasion and was known for doing whatever he felt whenever he felt like it, including his bad habit of smoking indoors. Claude, the more muscular of the two, had short, spiky black hair and stormy blue eyes. They were the duo who had been responsible for a large portion of Leon's shitty life, and when they saw their younger brother before them as they turned that corner, the look of surprise on their faces turned into joy.

    "(Little man, is that you? You haven't changed one bit! That scar healed up nicely, right?)" Alphonse smiled, a lit cigarette hanging from his lips, hands pocketed as he approached him and his two-toned friend. Instantly, Leon's face contorted into a large frown, eyes sharpening into a glare. Out of everyone he had worried himself sick about meeting again, Alphonse was second only to his grandfather.

    "(His face is as scary as ever, huh?)" Claude chimed in as he'd always do. He was the second oldest son, but he was easily the laziest and most irresponsible.

    "(Where's Father?)" Leon replied, his native tongue deep and crisp as he spoke in it for the first time in over a year.

    "(Talk about a bad attitude. Where's the respect, little man?)" Alphonse, who seemed entertained just by the sight of Leon alone, blew a cloud of smoke directly into the dark-haired man's face, filling his vision with the look of his arrogant smile. Meanwhile, Claude was eying Percy.

    "(Who's this?)" Claude looked at him curiously, but when he took a good look at his appearance, a droopy smile fell onto his lips. Casually, he walked over to the two-toned and leaned down. "What's your name, little guy? You this guy's plus-one?"

    For the first time since their encounter, the Bellian had finally broken the chatter with something spoken in Ishgar. They were all bilingual, after all. It was at that point that Leon flinched and immediately turned to face Claude, but he stopped himself before he grabbed his shoulder. Despite his calm and lackadaisical appearance, Claude hated it when people touched him, and Alphonse hated being ignored.

    || Word Count: 765 || Thread WC: 9,456 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate

    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 7th February 2021, 9:52 pm

    Bought. That word just hung in the air and soured his expression a little. It was just so incredibly....wrong. And sad. The situation was somewhat like his, only if his grandfather or father wanted him to be strong not so their family would remain untouchable, but so he would fetch a good price in addition to not being a blight on the name. He said nothing in this case since he didn't want to be overheard, but it was just so twisted that it was hardly fathomable.

    Then things started to go sideways. This was just as awkward if not more so than he expected. As they made a valiant attempt to make it to Leon's room without crossing any more family members, two appeared. Percy'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested in at least seeing more of Leon's family, if only to see if they all looked like him. The two brothers he faced did favor Leon and were surprisingly handsome in an annoying way, much like the sister before. It was another case of physical similarities, but entirely different vibes. It was almost funny because Leon always seemed the predator to Percy compared to most people he knew, with his wolfish glares and intense scowls even when he was excited, but on Leon's home turf, he was more the prey to these apex predators. It was a change he didn't particularly like. Percy very much wanted to protect his friend, do literally anything to put him back in his rightful place. Stepping in between them was a bad idea and probably extremely against the rules Leon laid out for him, but the instinct was there. He'd resist.

    Standing there beside Leon with a cool expression, his mismatched eyes flickered between the three as they spoke, trying to keep up with the conversation. Admittedly, conversational and informal Bellian was much different than what he was used to from professional business meetings, so he was having more trouble understanding than he thought he would. His eyes paused on Leon as he spoke, distracted for an extra second before he refocused. Was he mistranslating, or were they repeatedly saying 'small man' or something similar?

    His suspicion about what was being said was basically confirmed when the buffer, darker haired of the pair turned on him and called him a 'little guy'. Percy didn't appreciate it, but he seemed pleasant enough. Fake, but pleasant. Leon could probably tell he was irritated, but more insulting things had been said to him in environments where he couldn't clap back, so all he did was offer a chilly, small smile with overly relaxed brows in his attempt to keep them from drawing down. "Perseus Dagger," he answered, extending a hand to shake. "And yes, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you both," Percy said in his most customer-friendly professional voice, appearing as the pinnacle of the wealthy grace and stature expected of him. He'd appear confident.

    wc: 494 || total: 9950/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 7th February 2021, 11:43 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    All eyes were on Percy when Claude put him on the spot, those prying Hoffman eyes watching him and his every move. Leon looked anxious and worried, but Claude and Alphonse looked at that two-toned man like they were looking at a gift—curious and interested.

    "The pleasure is all mine. I'm Claude Hoffman, and that's Alphonse," Claude introduced himself with the same casualness in which he mocked his brother. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was worse between those two brothers—Alphonse, who provoked a lot of the torment, or Claude, who egged him on and gingerly introduced new ideas as it all unfolded. "No need to speak so formally, Percy. We all like jokes here, right?" Claude wrapped his arm around Leon, who only glared to the side without pulling away. Meanwhile, Alphonse was already making his way over to Percy himself.

    "Don't get me started, man! I thought I wouldn't care if I never saw you again, but I was beginning to miss our joking-around, little man. Maybe Grandfather should make it a thing to call you back every now and then, because everyone knows how desperate you are." Alphonse cackled a little, carelessly wrapping his arm around Percy's shoulder and reeling him in close as he puffed his cigarette. It wasn't uncommon for him to do things like this. It was the world against Leon, so no one could blame him for assuming everyone wouldn't mind the mockery. With both of the brothers coiled around the visitors, they looked at their captors with mischievous smiles. "Anyway, we still have some time before dinner, so why don't I give you a tour of the place, hm?"

    Leon flinched and gave Alphonse one of his nasty stares. "Cut it out, Al—?!" he tried to grab his brother's arm to pull him away from Percy, but before Leon could even take a step, the muscular arm that was casually wrapped around his shoulders suddenly tightened. Claude, like some vicious snake, held him in place without batting an eye, his droopy and unreadable smile forever unchanging.

    "Mhm."

    || Word Count: 346|| Thread WC: 10,296 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate

    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Experience : 336,993

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 8th February 2021, 12:39 am

    Okay, this might be a little harder than he thought. Alphonse seemed particularly nasty. Since Percy was treated very well by his brother, he couldn't imagine siblings talking to each other like this. It was the cruel, cold type of mocking. How could they not wanna see their brother? And just mentioning Leon's grandfather made him bristle internally since both of them had discovered a mutual hatred of each other's grandfathers while they were sick. And desperation? Percy didn't find Leon desperate. He would know a thing or two about that. It was getting harder not to say something in Leon's defense, yet he knew it'd only make it worse.

    Percy, who was unaccustomed to pretty much anyone but his brother slinging an arm around him let alone unfamiliar people touching him, tensed the smallest bit as Alphonse pulled him close. His eyes flickered to Leon's with the smallest amount of panic, before he mustered his strength and it blended into more of a reassuring expression. It'd be fine. They could do their worst and he'd be able to keep it together. A tour surely couldn't be that bad. The idea of having dinner with everyone if they were like this was terrifying, but it was what it was. No matter what happened, all of this would pass come tomorrow, right?

    The cigarette smoke burned his nose and caused a small cough, but otherwise, he continued to wear a small, polite smile. "A tour sounds lovely," he said, looking around the house as if interested. Maybe if he played along they'd get bored with him. He could have said more, but less speaking seemed like the best option. If only Alphonse would remove his arm. It was making him more nervous the longer it remained because he felt cornered. No matter how hard Percy was trying to seem at ease, instinct would take over. Percy's arms crossed nonchalantly enough over his chest, but it was definitely a defensive mechanism as if he was protecting himself.

    [wc: 335 || total: 10361/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 8th February 2021, 1:42 am



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    Hearing Percy agree to the tour made some part of Leon's spirit crumble to pieces. It wasn't his fault, and it was wrong to expect him to decline any sort of request in the situation that they were in, but the entire situation just didn't sit well with Leon. He knew that this was inevitable, but seeing Alphonse toss himself around Percy, who tensed up at the touch turned Leon's mood into something even fouler than before. It was a dangerous mixture of apprehension, suspense, and anger as he helplessly let his brothers thwart his plans.

    "Great, then let's take a look," Alphonse smirked, beginning to lead his two-toned acquaintance down the hallway with their bodies still coiled into each other. Yet, for a moment, he paused to peer back at his two brothers. "I don't need to give a tour to you two, right?"

    "Nope. We'll go unpack his stuff. Catch up... you know," Claude waved them away with his arm still wrapped around Leon, who was watching them with this wide-eyed stare. It was hard to do anything with Claude quite literally trapping him in his one-armed snare, and so he watched Percy get swept away just like that.

    It wasn't long before the careless steps separated Alphonse and Percy from the other pair, and they had found themselves further into the depths of the Hoffman estate. They had passed a few rooms already, but Alphonse hadn't said anything about them despite his promise of a tour. It wasn't until they were far from the entrance that he stopped in the middle in front of a room, leading the two into it without introduction. It was a bar, a place many of the Hoffmans frequented whenever they needed to quench their thirst for liquor. Removing his arm from Percy's shoulder, Alphonse released the two-toned man with a puff of cigarette smoke, closing the door behind them just enough to crack.

    "You don't have to worry about him overhearing you anymore," Alphonse started with an honest smirk, "Why are you keeping him around, really? God knows I couldn't pretend to be that guy's friend even if someone paid me. Oh—actually, never mind. I did do that once—for thirteen dinarius. Should've seen little man's face, pft."

    . . . . . . . . .

    Meanwhile, back at the estate entrance, Leon continued to stand there in Claude's tightly dangling arm until Alphonse and disappeared with Percy, leaving them alone. The moment they were left with each other, Leon quickly pulled himself away.

    "Get off of me. I'm gonna go get Percy," Leon frowned and began stepping away before he felt something rough and large grab the collar of his jacket, holding him back with ease.

    "What makes you think that he wants you to go get him? I said we'd unpack their stuff, so let's do that, okay?" Claude suggested, although it was anything but. If anything, it felt more like a threat with the tightness in which he held Leon back. Felt? It was. Leon knew his family better than anyone, and when Claude said that, he could only glare. It was one thing having to deal with their petty quips and malicious behavior on his own, but Percy was a completely different subject.

    "And let you two do something weird to him? Fuck off, man," Leon pulled away again, but this time he turned to face Claude.

    "Haa... seriously, man?" Claude smiled lazily, "Chill out. What's the worst that can happen?"


    || Word Count: 584 || Thread WC: 10,945 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate
    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 8th February 2021, 4:22 am

    Percy grew more suspicious the further they went in without any explanation of rooms, so it only seemed confirmed that nothing good was going to come of this. If only he knew what Alphonse's plans were so he could make some sort of plan of evasion. He could very well get out of this arm clamp if he really wanted, but none of them would maintain the professional air he was being careful to keep or keep Alphonse standing unscathed. It was his strict upbringing and manners keeping him restrained, plus the desire to protect Leon however he could. However, as soon as they were alone in the bar, he knew the jig was up. Venom dripped from the brother's mouth into his ears, and Percy wouldn't stand for anyone, not even family, speaking about Leon in such a disrespectful way.

    While his face remained plastic, his tone became a bit colder. "Oh, we didn't need to wander off from him for me to answer something as simple as that. I would say this to his face," Percy said, smoothing down the dress shirt that he still wore from yesterday and moving over to lean against the bar. Crossing his arms once more, he turned his gaze on Alphonse. The youngest Dagger wasn't one to really embody the attitude and confidence of a wealthy, important person often, but he was sufficiently pissed off to seem at least a little condescending in a way only a high society person could. "I don't have to be paid to want him around. In fact, I pay him to work for me in the lab. He does good work and we're friends outside of work," Percy explained, but the words seemed to pale in the face of the simmering anger swelling. He could have left it at to keep things ambiguously neutral. He could've relied on the more rich-people catty ways of doing things. Most didn't know this about the young man, but he had a bit of a temper, and Alphonse had already stepped over a line.

    Not wanting to be misunderstood, Percy continued, tilting his head with an incredulous smile. He shouldn't continue, but he was starting to wonder if Alphonse was so set on being malicious because he was stupid. "Are you under the impression that I would come to your country to fight in your war beside someone I don't actually like and trust completely? That would be ridiculous," he said with a light snort of air out of his nose. "He's valuable to me, and I don't want to lose him."

    And his words were as absolutely true as they were pointed. Leon meant a lot to him, and if it hurt just hearing he was quitting and going home, he didn't even want to imagine what it would feel like if the man perished on the battlefield. Having only these peoples' opinions of him in his mind in his last moments? There was even more he wanted to say. Was this the [censored] that burned Leon with cigarettes? That question had surfaced in his mind as soon as he laid eyes on the two brothers, and it only grew more prominent the more upset he got with how they treated his friend right before his eyes. Did he want to start a fight with the Hoffmans? No, that wasn't the place of a guest. But this guest also wouldn't agree with such hurtful things just to keep the peace, either. He had more integrity in friendships than that.

    [wc: 590 || total: 11535/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 8th February 2021, 5:55 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    Needless to say, the look of surprise on Alphonse's face after hearing Percy's response made it clear that he wasn't expecting anything good to come out of his mouth in regards to his younger brother. He'd pause for a moment as he gathered everything that had just been said to him and responded in turn with one of his cattish smiles.

    "Ohh, I get it now! You have a crush on him, don't you? I don't blame you. Our little man has nothing but looks going for him, so it can't be helped if people look his way every now and then..." Alphonse plucked the cigarette from his lips and mindlessly held it between his fingers and blew smoke up into the air, though the superficial friendliness in his eyes disappeared into something of a disgusted stare for a brief moment when he droned on. It was brief and subtle, but he had the eyes of someone who held a grudge, but the feigned warmth returned to him as he continued. "But my advice to you is to cut it off while you can. People with his disability aren't worth anything at all, and they're only ever try'n take things from you and bring you down to the bottom with them. You know, I actually read an article the other day that said that people with his disability are scientifically greedier and more jealous. What's that saying? Give a mouse a cookie and they'll... they'll ask for a glass of milk? Fuckin' crazy, man, but at least it explains his shitty attitude."

    Dismissing Percy's cold and condescending behavior, Alphonse persisted in trying to establish a friendly relationship between the two. It was as if he was in denial that Percy had overlooked Leon's "disability" in the pursuit of what he believed to be a crush, and that much was clear in how easily he could badmouth him.

    || Word Count: 317 || Thread WC: 11,852 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate
    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
    ""
    ""
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Experience : 336,993

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 8th February 2021, 7:54 pm

    Despite the wave of complicated panic that rose at the mention of a crush, Percy let it pass without comment. This was the type of person who would only take contradiction as confirmation, and the assumption about his sexuality was the least of the offenses here. This was about Leon (and not about how he was absolutely the most attractive one of the family he'd seen so far), not about himself. Frankly, he'd rather the brothers come at him with all this condescending crap than have to deal with it being relentlessly lobbed at his friend.

    He continued to lean unbothered against the bar, locked in a battle of snotty wits with Alphonse. Listening with feigned patience, he choked down his initial burst of rage that he felt rising up into his throat. Percy knew exactly what he was talking about, but for some reason, he wanted to hear the other man say it aloud. Eyes sharpening, he locked them with the crimson ones of the hateful man smoking nearby. "I'm sorry, what disability is that? I don't see anything wrong with him. He's never been anything but an asset to both my work and the company," he said, knowing what was coming. And he was enraged for both Leon and himself.

    Percy hated that he didn't have magic and was obsessed with getting it, but his perception of it was merely intrinsic. Percy devalued himself as a Dagger due to his circumstance, and it was his worth as a Dagger that meant everything. It was because his family viewed it as a disability that he viewed it that way, but that only applied to himself within the confines of his specific situation. If he'd been from an average family, he'd be nothing more than a normal person, since most of the world's population weren't mages. He didn't view non-mages as weak. In fact, Percy was very touchy about any other mage outside his family pointing out his lack of magic as a weakness, since he looked at his physical and mental abilities as a skill worthy of consideration. Percy had punched out several mages in fights, after all. If anything, a mage's lazy reliance on their magic left them more vulnerable to the general populace than they ever considered.

    Alphonse was looking pretty punchable, but he tried not to let his mind go there. Knocking out one of Leon's family members in their own house would have his grandfather spinning in his wheelchair.

    "As a scientist, that doesn't sound like an accredited study. Since we're trading advice, I recommend studying the sources from articles and evaluating facts before repeating them. Otherwise, you risk misinformation, which can be quite embarrassing later on," the two-toned man said, faking candor. He didn't care if this man made a fool of himself repeating bogus articles. He could easily do it by simply opening his mouth in any capacity.

    [wc: 486 || total: 12338/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

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    Experience : 259,635

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 8th February 2021, 8:54 pm



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    "Magical ineptitude—those kinds of people. Duds. Yet, with your attitude, you might as well buy him at this point. Doesn't have a speck of mana in his body but he makes a good ashtray—I'll give it five stars, personally," Alphonse droned on without thinking too deeply.

    All of this poking and prodding left Percy with dwindling impatience and Alphonse with genuine curiosity, both of them watching the other from across the room, a thin, smokey haze filling the void between them. It was like every time he tried to reach his hand out and connect with the two-toned stranger, it was swatted away like some fly buzzing in his ear. Percy's interest in their conversation was about as superficial as his friendliness, and they both knew it. It seemed that no matter what Alphonse would say, the Dagger wasn't going to entertain any of the thoughts.

    Normally, Alphonse would get pissed off by such a clear and cold rejection, but it wasn't the same this time. For the majority of their lives, Leon had been an object of scorn and belittlement. No one ever explicitly said that it was okay to torment him, but it wasn't like anyone ever intervened when it happened. One word of his "disability", and strangers were quick to accept Leon's place in the social hierarchy between him and his family, along with everyone else. It was like accepting that Claude's eyes were blue and Judith had an unfriendly face—it was what it was, and what happens as a result of those things were only to be expected. But Alphonse had seldom met foreigners in his years of life, and now one shows up, so eager to stand by Leon, of all people? It was more intriguing than infuriating, and Alphonse being the man he is, saw an opportunity in that.

    "You know, Percy, I can tell that you have it bad for that guy, but trust me when I say that he's got nothing for you. A guy with his disability isn't gonna last a second out on the frontlines anyway, so..." Alphonse paused for a moment as he began walking towards Percy. He stopped in front of him with his cigarette loosely held between his fingers, reaching down to gingerly grab his chin, "...why not give me a try? Granted, I've never done any of that with a man, but I can guarantee that it'll be worth more than what he could ever do for you. What do you say?"

    Alphonse gave him one of his catty smirks again, though it was hard to tell whether his words held an ounce of sincerity within them. Out of all of the Hoffman sons, Alphonse was the most frivolous in his sexual and romantic endeavors—a playboy, if you will. He was known by many to be quite the charmer, and while a little foul-mouthed, treated people well and was well-liked. But taking a sudden interest in Leon's male companion... did he have a sudden change of heart or was this some whimsical ploy just to hurt his brother?

    || Word Count: 512 || Thread WC: 12,850 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate
    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
    ""
    ""
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 8th February 2021, 10:33 pm

    Those kinds of people. Duds. Buy him. Ashtray.

    This was the a-hole that burned Leon. He said nothing as Alphonse drew close, though his face did lose the fake friendliness. His mouth pulled into a frown and, despite feeling even more defensive, he dropped his arms from their tight tuck over his chest.

    'A guy with his disability isn't gonna last a second out on the frontlines anyway, so...'

    A shiver went down Percy's spine. That one hurt. It terrified him, but fear and anger were close relatives. It was easy to convert it over to the anger already building. Was this guy coming onto him after just saying he expected his little brother to die in a war? Again putting the whole sexuality debacle aside, this was just...

    The color rising to Percy's face wasn't that of bashfulness or embarrassment, but of pure rage as Alphonse touched his chin. His vision blurred and, for all intents and purposes, he saw red for a moment. His self-control was gone as was any part of his brain that would tell him all the ways his next action was a bad idea. "Don't touch me, lowlife," Percy spat, pretenses gone. Reaching up, one hand smacked the fingers from his chin, and that small action was all it took to break the physical touch dam holding back Percy's temper. The same hand that swatted Alphonse's touch like he had been the entirety of their conversation reached across and grabbed the hand hovering with the cigarette and yanked it forward to compromise his balance, and as he twisted with the momentum, this other arm reached and grabbed Alphonse by the waistband. Using his considerable strength, he deadlifted the taller man in a flash and hurled him like a ragdoll over the bar entirely.

    By the end of it, Percy was holding the cigarette in his fingers, walking around the bar properly to look down upon Alphonse. "I should make you an ashtray. I could right now, you know. Give you some that will remind you of the ones you gave Leon," he said, voice trembling in anger. "This dud could break every bone in your body before you even get your wits together to try anything and before anyone gets here to see what the noise was. You'd deserve every bit of it for what you put Leon through." With that, he flicked the cigarette back down at the man, though he lingered as if he was still tempted to continue the attack. Even as he lost his temper, he was conscious to not do any real damage. This was still Leon's brother. This was their home. But a black eye would probably teach this pompous piece of trash a thing or two...

    [wc: 459 || total: 13309/8000]


    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
    Lineage : Truth
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    Experience : 259,635

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 9th February 2021, 12:41 am



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    After Percy left with Alphonse, Leon begrudgingly found himself eventually unpacking his and Percy's luggage in his room, though Claude wasn't doing anything but watching. Almost all of the bedrooms in the estate felt like small studio apartments, spacious enough for one to live in by themselves. There was a full bed centered against a wall with large, curtained windows, a glass coffee table surrounded by black fabric chairs, and there was even a fireplace. Seeing as the Hoffmans had no intention of ever seeing their son again, the room he had grown up in looked more like a guest room with how bare and empty it was. His cabin in the River Village was empty but was starting to feel more homely. He missed Robin.

    "I guess even people like you could snag a boyfriend. Grace would be heartbroken, you know," Claude commented all of a sudden, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, "Got busy when you got sent away, huh?"

    "What?! No! That's...!" Leon's face turned red when he realized that Claude was talking about Percy, quickly unzipping his duffel bag in a panicked flinch. For some reason, he almost got angry for being called out like that. Whether that was because it was coming out of Claude's mouth or because what he said had some impact on him, he wasn't sure, Leon could only look at Claude with his brows knitted and his face flustered before hastily resuming his unpacking. "It's none of your business anyway."

    "Ehh... no? Really? So, do you drag all of your friends to Bellum the second a war breaks out? Somethin' doesn't add up, little guy," Claude continued to humor the idea as if they were friends, though he loomed around the door like some sort of bodyguard. His presence was deceptively oppressive, as usual. "Hey, I'm not making fun of you. There's no shame in wanting to get laid before you croa—"

    Crash!

    The ear-piercing sound of shattering glass boomed throughout the estate, heard even through Claude's provocative words and the shuffle of clothes being reeled out from a bag. Both of the Hoffman brothers perked up at the sound, but Leon was the first to spring to action without a word to his brother. Unlike Claude, Leon ran out of his room and began running towards the bar with this wide-eyed look of worry on his wolfish features.

    After few moments of running, Leon was finally approaching the source of the commotion, but as he drew nearer, a familiar crowd was beginning to circle around the open door. All of his siblings had gathered outside of the bar, except for Claude who was lazily trailing behind, and Judith, who was probably still outside and ignorant to all of the ruckus. There was Lucas—the youngest son—who seemed too distracted by the scene inside to even glance at Leon, Marie—the youngest daughter, who also seemed too distracted by one particular man within the room, and Henri, the oldest son, who was glancing between the two in the room and Leon. He looked like he was about to say something, but Leon was quick to push past the three of them in order to slide into the room, where Alphonse was picking himself up from a wet floor, alcohol soiling his clothes and dripping from his wavy brown hair, hurling curses at Percy who stood over him.

    "You're crazy! You're both fucking CRAZY! You couldn't take a fucking joke, (bitch)?! (Get off of our property and take that piece of shit Leon with you! Fuck you!)" Alphonse screamed at him, his lip busted and blood running down his nose. It wasn't an alarming injury, but being thrown like that would obviously cause some injury. Before Henri could step in to fulfill his role, Leon was already barging in with a look of sharp-eyed panic on his face.

    "Percy! Are you alright?!" Leon grabbed both of Percy's shoulders and gave him an eager once-over before turning to look at Alphonse with one of his nasty glares. "What the hell did you do to him?"

    "Fuck you, (you piece of filth!) But that's alright! You both are gonna go FIRST on the frontlines and I'm totally here for it! I'm fucking here for it!" Alphonse cursed them again, his face red with anger and a wild grin stretching his lips. Finally, Henri stepped in.

    "Enough! Enough!" Henri intervened with this sympathetic sternness on his face, the warm light of the chandelier gleaming off of his rimless glasses. Out of all of the Hoffmans, Henri had the softest features. "Honestly! Leon, why don't you... take your friend and get ready for dinner?"

    "(Grandfather should have killed you! Maybe he'll do it tonight, and your piece of shit friend can watch! Birds of a feather, little man! Fucking duds!)" Alphonse was managing to get back on his feet now, but not before Leon had set his sights on him like a missile locking onto its target. His face looked malicious now, and he clenched his fists.

    "What the fuck did you just call him?!" he demanded, pulling away from Percy as if he were going to jump his brother right there.

    "Leon, quit it! What's gotten into you?!"

    "Sorry I'm late guys, but... juuust so you know, you might wanna stop—" Claude peeked in from behind Marie and Lucas, pointing to the side, his face still relaxed and droopy as ever, beginning to say something. Marie and Lucas looked at him and then followed his finger before flinching and immediately stepping out of the way.

    "(Shut up, Claude!)" all three of the Hoffman brothers shouted in sync, looking at their brother admist the chaos.

    "Okay~ ♡" Claude immediately stepped into the room and then off to the side, as if making way for someone. It was then that someone in a black tux stepped inside.

    He had long, thin black hair that went down to his neck, and a face so cold and mean-looking that it looked like he'd eat you alive. It looked almost exactly like Leon's, but he was two inches taller than him. He dressed formally and gave off an unfriendly and oppressive air, as if he'd strike you if you spoke without being spoken to. Trailing behind him was a petite woman who, despite her actual age, looked to be quite young. She wore a white wrap dress to compliment her creamy, porcelain skin and the expensive jewelry that minimalistically decorated her fingers, neck, and ears. Like Henri, she had a very soft and gentle look on her face, and neither she nor the man seemed particularly shocked about the scene. Such was common for Adam and Ella Hoffman, Leon's parents.

    The room went quiet when they stepped in, Adam's presence alone enough to snuff out any chaotic bursts of rage that were spiraling between Alphonse and Leon. Alphonse, panicked, quietly struggling to stand to his feet. Contrarily, Leon stared at his father, who was looking at Percy, and also began to panic. He wanted to say something, but he choked on his words.

    "...And who is this?"

    || Word Count: 1190 || Thread WC: 14,499 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate
    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
    ""
    ""
    ""
    ""
    @Percy



    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    Percy
    Percy

    Alt Account- Quality Badge Level 1- Quality Badge Level 2- Quality Badge Level 3- Limited Edition- Buddy Buddy- Taskmaster- Halloween job event participant - Character Application Approved!- Complete Your First Job!- Player 
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    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Percy 9th February 2021, 1:57 am

    Percy, still seeing red, was still standing at Alphonse's feet when the audience appeared. He'd stopped speaking, but he just continued to glare and scowl as the man called him crazy. He was pretty sure he was also told to get out and take Leon with him, but he was about to tell Alphonse where he could go and how to get there when he finally noticed them.

    The regret was instant. The appearance of unfamiliar faces that belonged undoubtedly to more Hoffman siblings threw icy cold water on his seething hot rage, and Percy extinguished. All the air rushed out of his body as he stood, staring between the new faces trying to figure out what happened and the rightfully angry (but deserving) man floundering in a pool of amber liquid. Leon rushed in, but he could barely look at him even as he grabbed his shoulders and asked if he was okay. Percy's shoulders just barely trembled under his grip, and his wide eyes stared with blatant panic into his chest instead of his face. Alphonse hurled curse after curse at them, some he understood and some he didn't, but Percy could only stand frozen and almost a little baffled over what he'd done.

    This was equal to a war crime in the world of Daggers, causing such a disaster in someone else's home. Was he even a Dagger? This behavior was unacceptable, and he knew that even if it had made him feel better. The high-class fought with wit and words dripping in sharpened diamonds, not with violence. Was he adopted? Left on their doorstep? Well, that wasn't entirely true. If anything, this seemed like something Artemis would have done back in his wilder days, but Percy had made sure to avoid the behaviors that got his older siblings in trouble. He had to walk a narrower road due to...well, as Alphonse put it, being a dud. Silent horror gripped him as he wondered what havoc this would land Leon in. This was why Leon had wanted to put him up in a hotel...he should have let him. Then he wouldn't be standing here behind Leon who was now looming over his bloody brother. He wouldn't be wishing either his soul would evacuate his body right this instant or at the very least that he'd die tomorrow on the frontlines as Alphonse wished. He could barely hear the three brothers that were all yelling at each other now, just quietly taking a step back and staring at the floor to avoid all the eyes flickering to him ever so often.

    And of course, it would only get worse. Percy had been able to drown out the chaotic yelling between all the siblings with his own panic, but it was the silence that jerked his eyes back up. He could almost feel it before he saw it. It was the same exact vibe in his own home when one of two people showed up at the most inopportune time. His eyes rose up to meet those of Leon's dad and it was all too familiar. Swallowing hard, he knew he had to speak. He had to trust his voice still worked. "Perseus Dagger," his hoarse voice said, the tightness in his throat solely responsible for keeping him from an intensely embarrassing stutter. "My apologies for making a mess in your home, sir," he followed stiffly with an apologetic bow.

    If Percy could possibly phase out of existence, now would be a great time.

    [wc: 586 || total: 15085/8000]


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    Leon Hoffman
    Leon Hoffman

    Player 
    Lineage : Truth
    Position : None
    Posts : 271
    Guild : Guildless
    Cosmic Coins : 0
    Dungeon Tokens : 0
    Experience : 259,635

    Completed Re: [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon]

    Post by Leon Hoffman 11th February 2021, 12:07 am



    [EVENT] Home is Where The Heart Is [Percy/Leon] YSCQaS0

    Sometimes things that fall apart are actually falling into place



    Ah... he felt powerless right now. When his father stepped into the room, Leon wanted nothing more than to step right in front of Percy, shielding him from Adam's cold and prying eyes and insist that he was the victim, despite not knowing a thing of what transpired. Yet, when his father approached Percy like that, Leon couldn't do anything but stare. Here stood a man who Leon had long sought the approval of for his entire life, gracefully sauntering into the room as if he were walking across a frozen lake, and the smallest glimpse of his pointy, small eyes sent you sinking into the deep below. Ever since the phone call yesterday morning, Leon had braced himself for this meeting, but nothing could prepare him for seeing him again, and nothing could stir him to say what he wanted to say.

    "...I see," Adam spoke softly as his eyes glazed around the room, as if assessing the situation. His eyes eventually fell onto Leon, and he'd flinch when he noticed. Out of everyone in the room, Adam was the most difficult to read. His neutral, unemotive expression seemed to be the only face he ever made. Nothing made him happy, and nothing made him sad, or if they did, Leon didn't know it. But everyone knew that their father had no qualms about being honest about his rigidity and intolerance for those who went against the rules or expectations, so surely a rather heart-tearing reprimand was nigh, but to Leon's surprise, it never came. "Very well—you are forgiven. Since everyone is gathered, let us all have dinner together now that it has been prepared. We have something to discuss."

    He turned away and left the room for the dining hall after that, and everyone followed behind only after he was further down the hallway. As if an immense tension had been lifted, everyone suddenly relaxed their postures the moment Adam and their mother left the room, though no one said anything except Alphonse. The wavy-haired man continued to curse under his breath, glaring at Percy as he stormed out of the room as gracefully as he could manage, Claude wrapping an arm around him and chuckling. Henri shot Leon and Percy a soft, sympathetic smile before leaving himself, pushing a blushing Marie and shocked Lucas along with him... wait, blushing? What was that all about? In any case, the only people left in the room were Percy and Leon, and although they needed to follow everyone else to the dining hall, he stopped for a moment.

    "...You don't have to go if you don't want to, Percy," Leon almost mumbled, his hand quietly falling away from his two-toned friend's arm, his head hanging low and his fists clenched. He stared at the ground with his brows knitted and his lips tied in a frown, his mind heavy with the weight of the situation. He didn't know what a normal family looked like, but this bittersweet tug-of-war between hatred and fervor always kept him coming back to this place. Eagerly, he finally looked Percy in the eyes. "I'm sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner. Leaving you alone with Alphonse was just... dumb of me."


    || Word Count: 538 || Thread WC: 15,623 || WC Needed 8,000 || Job Approval ||
    Notes: Hoffman Estate
    "([dialogue])" - Speaking Bellia
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    @Percy



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      Current date/time is 5th November 2024, 9:33 am