You Can Blame It All on Me

[Thomas]

June 14^th

Thomas timorously approached two of Maleficent's goons. They looked him over with open disapproval. "Pardon me," he said with anxiety. "Which way is - ?"

One of them opened his jagged beak and gave a loud croak. Thomas's mouth tightened. He was an ugly thing with the comb and tail of a rooster, though he was admittedly more comely than the more reptilian creature next to him. There was a look of wry contempt across the crocodile's snout as he picked his teeth with a toothpick. They were polite to none except Maleficent, and even in their simplicity, they could see a target in the lad.

The shorter goon then chortled, and the rooster joined in. Thomas wordlessly turned away as they screeched like blue jays.

God, he hated it here.

As Thomas walked, ruminating disconsolately, he saw something in the corner of his eye that made him stop and look. Aha - he thought he recognized that shirt! This must be Perthmail's room.

Suddenly Thomas remembered that Perthmail may not want to talk to him. Months back, Maleficent had punished Thomas for "disrespecting her" by starving him for a whole week, and she had assigned him to Perthmail to make sure he completed his "penance." The days were agonizingly long. Thomas could not get a wink of sleep, and he was so exhausted that he could not focus on anything for longer than a few seconds. His work was shoddy at best, and everyone and their mother would give him a hard time. Only Perthmail had shown him an ounce of compassion. He would not risk them both by sneaking him food, of course, but he would talk to him and do everything in his power to get Thomas's mind off of it. But four days in, Thomas was so desperate for a morsel of food that he took advantage of Perthmail's kindness and snuck off. He did not get very far, and Perthmail had kept a tighter leash on him for the remainder of his punishment. Thomas wanted to apologize to Perthmail, but every time he tried, Perthmail would just bolt.

His mind was in a turmoil. He could not bring himself to keep walking. He had to know. Perthmail was in his room, and there was only one door. He could not run this time.

So Thomas stood on the threshold and summoned his courage.

"We need to talk."

[Perthmail]

Adjustment was always something that Perthmail had to be ready for, life as a Captain on the seas had at least taught him to be tolerant of it. However that did not mean in the least that he liked it. The demon had just grown used to the palace again, becoming accustomed to calling it his home. Only to have those damn Rogues bust in and take it from them. Those bastards were quickly becoming a thorn in their side and while Perthmail was a fan of competition these sneaking wretches were just grating on frayed nerves.

The last thing on his mind was Thomas, he was more focused on trying to brighten his room even in the most minuscule way. The drudge of the Forbidden Mountain reminded him just a little too much of his true home, and while he could draw power from this place. He believed it was just too close to reminding him what he really was, and that unnerved him.

He was a demon, he acknowledged that every day but it didn't mean he was exactly fond of being one. The Sea brought him back to life, so he did her bidding, but he did not like his true face. The monstrous form that he would turn into when he lost his sense of humanity.

Such heavy reminders had him pause in his work. His fingers tightening on a shirt he had attempted to mend. Perhaps he should have never gotten involved in this war, he should have kept his ass parked on a beach enjoying pina colada's and ignoring the universes' problems. Maybe then he wouldn't have to remember what he was, what he was capable of doing...

"We need to talk."

Jolted suddenly from the thoughts the pirate king jerked his head over to Thomas' direction, a snarl on his face before he realized it was just the boy. Icey hues widened a small degree before he scrubbed a hand over his features. "Thomas, lad, has no one told you not to sneak up on comrades. It's a really poor idea." He growled as he turned to face the younger. It was then he caught the look on the younger's face, he seemed just as displeased as himself to be in this place. Not that he could blame him, this place was pure evil in physical form and as far as he was aware humans didn't do well under that sort of pressure.

The king leaned against the wall and exhaled hard. A chilly frost left his mouth while arms folded across his chest. He was aware sooner or later he would have to talk to Thomas but now was not the time he expected and while the magic Maleficent had placed on him was long since gone he could swear he felt the burn on his skin just by the sight of Thomas. "What do you want?"

[Thomas]

Thomas realized he had started badly. "You've been avoiding me," he persisted, his tone way more accusatory than he intended.

Perthmail did not seem moved.

"What do you want?"

Thomas made an aggravated sound and threw his hands in the air. He had run out of patience. "God damn it. Look, I'm sorry, okay?" he broke importunately, the words tumbling over themselves. "I know I stuffed up. I should have never run. I know. But you know what? I saw an opportunity, and...and...Jesus Christ...I had to, okay? I was starving! I was dehydrated! And I had not slept in days. All I could think about was how fucking miserable I felt! I just wanted everything to stop hurting!" 

Thomas closed his eyes tightly, fighting the sudden urge to cry. He could not fall apart now. 

"I - I know what I did was selfish and stupid," he faltered apologetically, his voice dropping helplessly to a whisper. "I was not thinking of you when I ran. And I can't promise you I will if something like this happens to me again. I wish I could..."

[Perthmail]

Brows shot up at the aggravated sound that left the boy in front of him. He watched as the younger broke in front of him, first attempting to stay strong and then nearly failing as his voice broke. It sounded as though at any moment he was going to cry and Perthmail's arms dropped from his chest.

He pushed away from the wall, closing the distance between them before resting a hand on Thomas' shoulder. "What you did was selfish and stupid, but any man would have done what you did. You were desperate for food, for water, you don't think straight when those things happen." A hefty sigh left the pirate king and his grumpy expression dropped into that of understanding as if he had experienced such a thing.

He shook his head, he knew he should keep what happened to himself but he wasn't purposely trying to avoid the kid. He had to due to the pain that burned across his skin in the past. He was extremely tolerant of it but enough became enough after a few moments. Maleficent made sure to make the experience as unpleasant as possible and as someone who had dealt with many things Perthmail did not want to experience that type of pain again.

"I wasn't trying to avoid you, Thomas, I-" He stared at the red head in front of him, struggling to form words for a second. He then pulled his hand away, pinching the bridge of his nose. An exasperated sound left him.

"When you snuck out, myself and Nasira tried to find you," He growled softly, turning his gaze back to the other. "Maleficent found out. I don't know how but she did, and because of that she punished me." His hand moved from his face and went to touch his back, almost feeling the dark magic on him again. "She put a spell on me, anytime I'd see you my skin would burn, it felt like lava burning my flesh. I didn't mean to bolt on ya, lad but even an old demon like me can only tolerant so much and even know it still feels like it's burn even though the magic's well worn off."

[Thomas]

"I know she knows," Thomas confessed unsteadily. "S-she told me she knew when she came to get me. She said she knew everything. God's teeth, I think I believe her." A prickling sensation shot up the lad's spine. Thomas nervously glanced behind his shoulder as if he expected to see Maleficent standing right here.

"She put a spell on me, anytime I'd see you my skin would burn, it felt like lava burning my flesh. I didn't mean to bolt on ya, lad but even an old demon like me can only tolerant so much and even now it still feels like it's burn even though the magic's well worn off."

Thomas stared at him, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Any self-pity he felt evaporated right then and there. "Oh. My. God." She burned him? What the hell? Thomas felt his anger flare. If God was truly just, he'd punish Maleficent for his wickedness. Thomas had no doubt in his mind that the Mistress of All Evil was going to make a bad end. What he was not so certain about was how long it was going to be before that happened. How many more people was she going to burn?

"It's not fair," Thomas went on petulantly. "I'm the one who ran! She knew that! She should have punished me - not you!" Thomas was secretly glad she didn't punish him again (though at the time he was when he found out he was going to work under Edgar), but all the same, he thought it was bull Perthmail had to pay the price. "I'm so sorry, Perthmail! If I had known what she did, I would have stayed away. Honest!"

In his anger, Thomas forgot where he was. "Damn her!" he said heedlessly. "A gun's too good for her!"