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"I was drifting on the ocean tide, out of hope when I saw your light,"
"We won't- I promise!" Damian said, grinning from ear to ear. Salem rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but grin as well. The Daeva let out a surprised noise as Damian took his hand and rushed down the hall, back to the living room with the Imps scurrying after the duo.
"I'll try to keep them as occupied as I can, but please be careful, John." Daniel said quietly. He had gotten used to being at John's side whenever trouble came up, but someone had to stay with the boys..
Like before, Daniel took John's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Come back safe."
The blonde paused as Daniel grabbed his hand, relief spreading across his face before he collected himself with a quiet sigh. "I'll do my best luv." John found himself squeezing back Daniel's hand a few moments longer than needed.
It was tempting to stay, but... he couldn't. Not with Ruben in trouble.
So, with great reluctance, John pulled back and headed towards the living room.
"If you wanna get out alive, oh, run for your life,"
Ryan was quick as he made his way down the streets of Baton Rouge. Constantine's scent was easy for him to follow, the smell of cigarettes, dusty old tomes and traces of darker magick stood out. Ryan could also smell something else in the warlock's scent. Something that reminded him of.. starlight..?
He was left more unsettled than he already was when he suddenly pickedthe familiar smells of Prince Damian and his Daeva friend, getting mixed in with Constantine's.
Ruben had told him all about it.. what happened when he and Constantine found the boys, but Ryan wouldn't have imagined that they were still with the exorcist.
He prayed that this wasn't about to get any more complicated..
"So lock me up I cannot take it, lock me up I've already lost..."
Finding a bar with outdoor seating wasn't too hard, not to mention the Warlock needed a stiff drink if he was going to get through this conversation. John down the shot he was presented with a satisfied sigh, that burning taste providing a nice distraction from his worries. He made himself not order another shot though.
He wanted a nice buzz, not to be flat on his arse-drunk.
"Don't put your life in someone's hands, they're bound to steal it away,"
"..You're not seriously drinking, are you? I can't believe you-!"
John heard a hushed voice scold him to his left. When he turned to look, he saw a canine with a dirty blond coat looking up at him, ears flat against it's head in annoyance.
"If you think you can get out of helping the Boss by getting drunk, then think again. Cause you're helping me even if I have to drag your smelly butt kicking and screaming." The canine grumbled quietly.
"Lock me up I've gone and jinxed it, hold my cocktail molotov..."
Getting a cigarette ready, the blonde paused when hearing a hushed voice, John looked around- pausing when seeing the canine.
"You're lucky this bar allows pets." The blonde huffed, soon using his lighter to light the cigarette once he had it between his lips. "And I had one shot, relax." He huffed a little. "Now don't sugarcoat it, what the bloody hell happened?"
"Don't hide your mistakes, 'cause they'll find you, burn you,"
He heard Ryan huff at the word 'pet', but didn't address it. "Timeless Trinkets hasn't been doing well ever since the Queen used the Boss to summon you.. rumors have been going around that he's some conman that overcharges his cheap craftsmanship.. and that I'm a violent fleabag." He murmured anxiously.
"I don't care what people think about me. I'm used to it, but the Boss is a good guy. He gave me a good job, he cares about his friends. Even you, despite all his complaints." Ryan pawed at the ground, letting out a whine. "..The Queen.. she had him arrested, Constantine. High Mage Cronos and Captain Aidoneus came by a few hours ago.. said he aided you in treason against Queen Noxera and hauled him off..!"
"I'm in the grave, I'm in the underground (I try)..."
John's eyes narrowed when Ryan brought up the lack of business because of some rumors, he could imagine just who decided to spread such rumors. He swore under his breath though when learning Ruben was arrested. "Who else knows about this?" The Warlock questioned.
"If I go, I can only hope, that I'll make it to the other side,"
"No one.. I thought about contacting his Team.. but.. I know he wouldn't want them involved in all this.." Ryan whispered, taking a moment to scan their surroundings.
"Especially since... since the Queen said that if you don't turn yourself in.. Ruben is gonna face punishment in your place.."
John grimaced and breathed out a plume of smoke. Contacting any other members of the JL was out of the question too, the Queen would just try and either sweet talk them, or demand that they find her missing son.
"How long have we got?"
"Been given 24 hours to tie up loose ends, to make amends,"
"Knowing the Queen's temper.. not long at all.." Ryan sighed. "Even Captain Nomikos seemed uneasy about everything- he even apologized for having to arrest the Boss in the first place.." He added in.
"The less you know, the better." John remarked with a shaky sigh. He couldn't let Ruben face punishment for this, but turning Damian over to a controlling mother was the last thing he wanted. "Don't suppose your boss wants to be busted out of Moriandus?" It would mean he could never return to the realm... but it was better than facing punishment.
"Is there a heaven, a hell? And will I come back? Who can tell?"
Ryan whined at the suggestion. "..The punishment for treason in Moriandus is death. At least.. it is now. Boss said he'd rather take that, than make the Prince go back." He mumbled
"So.. by this point I don't think he'd mind a rescue.. but you know that they'll expect you to do that, right? The High Mage is probably already planning out ways to stop you."
Death? John scoffed under his breath, of course that be the Queen's choice.
It was amazing how people kept choosing Moriandus over the real world. Between Hunters or a power hungry Queen, the Warlock would take his chances with Hunters.
He breathed out a plume of smoke, a thoughtful look on his face before shaking his head. No, even he wasn't that stupid.
No, he needed someone who'd gladly help someone in need- ah, why didn't he think of him sooner? John smirked in thought. "Now who said it'll be me who saves your Boss?" The Warlock regarded with a knowing look on his face.
"Now I can see what matters to me, it's as clear as crystal,"
Ryan tilted his head in confusion. "Uh.. that's the whole reason I called you- ooohh..." The canine wagged his tail a little. "Who's on your mind? What's the plan?"
"This web is craving the world, and it consumes it wanting more..."
John breathed out another bountiful amount of smoke before rising to his feet. He tossed the needed money on the wooden bench he sat at, soon opening a portal. It startled a good many of the others sitting outside as well, "They'll be expecting me to come in and pull of some elaborate trick. Why disappoint them?" He questioned Ryan as he walked through the portal.
"No I need your blessing and your promise to live free- please do it for me,"
Frowning when John didn't answer his question, the Lycanthrope's ears shot up in surprise as a portal was open. He took another brief look around, before following the older blond through.
He hoped calling Constantine for help wasn't the wrong move...
"The other night, I had a dream, it was a world full of kings and queens..."
John breathed out some more smoke from a corner of his lips as he stepped onto the sidewalk of Santa Barbara.
This was a risky gamble, but he needed someone who would help without question, without hesitation.
A simpler, more honest soul.
He soul he hoped he wouldn't ruin by the time this was all over it.
Making sure Ryan was following him, the Warlock headed off down the sidewalk.
"Welcome to Santa Barbara." John commented, chuckling as a few people they walked by cooed at Ryan's form as they walked by, the most notable being little kids. "This is where we'll be getting that trick I mentioned." He pointed out, following the Spiritual Pressure of that more honest soul as they walked. It'd be a few minutes until they stopped at restaurant called Cous Coussier.
John smirked to himself, soon putting out the cigarette with his magick. "There you are."
