behavioural | saltburnmods

( in order to keep up the pretense of his alleged death at the hands of a mystery killer, pierce has been chilling in various empty rooms. he knew that the game was going to influence him to play his part, no matter what antics green team concocted. true to it, he once again resurrected someone.

even if this is meant to be a game, the magic expended still takes a toll on his energy, so when that door bursts open, he is comfortably reclining on a chaise lounge sofa, one long leg stretched out and the other planted loosely on the ground. he takes a steady drag of his cig as he angles his head towards the man at the door.

erik lehnsherr.

he can feel the tether between them now, an intangible invasive thing — magic's very own backlash at him for betraying her natural laws not once but twice. magic can go fuck herself. ) The one who'd resurrected you. ( what a thankless task. ) So, show some gratitude first, mate.

[ The sneer on Erik's face twists as he sees the man in front of him, can feel the way their strange connection settles as soon as they're close together. It's as if a physical weight has been lifted off his shoulders, as if he can breathe again after hours of being suffocated, and the strangeness of it coming from this man instead of Charles infuriates him.

His fury is obvious in the way he narrows his eyes and glares at Pierce, as if that's going to do anything to frighten a man with the power to bring the dead back to life. ]

You haven't answered my question.

[ It's not as if Erik is known for his patience. ]

( erik isn't the only one who's unenthused about the bond.

he isn't exactly thrilled to have a random life now so intrinsically tied to his own — to be able to feel his presence so sharply and so undeniably that he's almost a part of him. fuck. fuck does he hate it. fuck fuck fuck fuck fu— breathe, strickland. not the time to let the discomfort overwhelm you. )

Pierce Strickland. ( his expression nonchalant, even as a corner of his lips curves up. ) Remember it well. Your life is mine now.

No, it isn't.

[ Erik scowls. He doesn't want this, and he didn't ask for this - he's not about to owe anyone, even if he technically does. Owing his life to anyone makes him feel nauseated, and he steps forward, unafraid of their height difference, confident in his strength and his mutation. ]

Whatever reason you had for bringing me back, I don't care. But I don't owe you anything for it.

I didn't expect any thanks in the first place.

( he finally sits up now, tucking one leg under the other as he gets a better view of lehnsherr. )

But I meant it in a more... literal sense. You feel it too, don't you?

I feel it.

[ Look how miserable he is about it, too. ]

How do I get rid of it?

( he releases a wisp of smoke into the air, his brows slightly arched. )

You don't get rid of it. ( he takes another drag, before he points the cig at him. ) Me, on the other hand... ( this is new territory for him, but— ) I can probably severe the link between us, given enough time. It's my magic, after all.

( he is going to look into it, regardless of whether he's asked to or not. the recent resurrections may have been influenced by the game, but the magic still came from him, which means he has the capability to practice and perfect it. a thrilling prospect, isn't it? )

'course, you'll die. But if it's what you want, ( he slowly starts to rise from his seat. ) I'll do it.

No, that isn't what I want.

[ Erik isn't about to give up his life, nor leave Charles in the situation where he has to endure being alone again. His anger is obvious, though, and he steps forward, the metal in the room shifting and vibrating as he tries to reign in his powers.

It's infuriating him, leaving him furious, and when it comes to his rage... He struggles to control himself. ]

Why me?

( starkov had told him that erik lehnsherr would be a powerful ally to have.

she wasn't wrong. but pierce was only bargaining at most for a favor owed. instead, it looks like he has gained a burden, one with a similar propensity for uncontrollable anger. he has experienced the violent throes of unconstrained power, but it usually came from him. should he consider this novel then?

what a humorous bitch you are, magic. )

You were the strategic choice, that's all. Resurrecting you might give us more insight into who had poisoned you.

Strategic to who?

[ It's not as if anyone on his 'team' cares about him, and Charles was, for all that he can see, too busy grieving for the loss. Erik is angry, now, and his mutation is starting to wrap around any metal Pierce is wearing.

Maybe Pierce can feel the echo of it, under his own skin. ]

Who else do I have to thank?

You can thank your team. ( a beat. ) The green team.

( they are the real reason why he had chosen erik lehnsherr. a deal struck was one a strickland never failed to keep. )

But if you're looking for someone specifically, then you have Set to thank. He wants to win this stupid game. I don't really get it, but ( a lopsided shrug. ) whatever makes him happy. ( and in turn keeps him alive. )

Now, ( he feels the tug of his necklace and the slight vibration of the two rings attached to it, kept hidden underneath his shirt. lifting a hand, he plants his palm firmly over them, hazel hues sharpening at him. ) do me a favor and calm down, Lehnsherr. As fun as it would be for me to experience your powers firsthand, I don't like it when people fuck with my possessions.

Good for him. I don't care about the teams.

[ He's been dead for two weeks, why would he give a fuck about it now?

He's not distracted in the least by the threat of accidentally pulling off Pierce's rings, either. When you've literally ripped a filling out of a man's mouth and shoved a coin through another's head, tugging out jewellery is the least of your concerns. ]

I care that I'm stuck like this, forever. Especially if it impacts Charles.

Edited 2024-10-19 22:34 (UTC)

Would you rather be dead? ( a cutting edge to his voice, yet that impassive smile remains unwavering. )

I'm not as fuckin' benevolent as you think I am, mate. If it wasn't for this game, do you think I would waste my energy resurrecting any of you? ( give him a fuckin' break. ) You could stay rotting in a freezer for all I care.

( also like who the fuck is charles? too bad he doesn't give af. )

Maybe I would.

[ The words come out sharp, and bitter, before he can swallow them back. Forcing himself to breathe, Erik takes a step back, trying to reign in his powers and calm himself down. It’s harder, at the moment, and makes his skin prickle.

It’s all too much. He shouldn’t be here. He -

He’s meant to be dead.

Forcing himself to breathe in and out, he takes a step back. ]

What do I have to do? Because of this bond.

( does he look like he has all the answers, lehnsherr? )

You don't have to do shit. ( hate to say it, but— ) This is new for me too. I need time to look into it. The side effects. The conditions. How it all works. Bringing the dead back to life breaks so many fuckin' rules.

( as much as he enjoys pushing the limits of black magic, resurrection is one area that he has never even humored because the consequences are bound to be dire. )

All I know is that you're bound to me now. ( he hates the way that sounds. ) And without that connection, you may as well just be another corpse lying in the morgue. ( it's annoying, but it isn't inconvenient ~~as far as he's aware~~. ) The rest, if there is a rest, will be worked out in due time.

( they're officially in trial and error territory bby )

For now, just live your life. I have no interest in what you do here.

[ Erik almost snarls, a little dangerous and deadly given his own anger and frustration, but he resists the urge. There are more important things to do right now - like find out what happened to Parisa, to Francesca, to make sure Charles is alright, to return to his side.

This bond is annoying, but survivable. For now. ]

Figure it out.

[ Scowling, he turns to storm out of the room, disinterested now. ]

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