21 → [video]

[aperfectthird]

[First, there's the signs. Brightly painted and eye-catching, they read:

COME SEE THE MAN WITHOUT A HEART!
ALIVE!

Then the curtains part, revealing a platform. Another sign above the platform reads, in elaborate script:

THE HEARTLESS MAN

On the platform, sitting - or perhaps slumped is the more accurate word - in a chair near the center, is Percy. He's shirtless, but one's eyes aren't meant to be drawn to the scar on his arm or the fact that he appears to have more freckles than places to have them. Instead, the main draw is the glass pane implanted where his pectoral muscles used to be. His ribs seem to be broken, or missing, because what's visible is part of his lungs - and a black void where a heart should go. His breathing is labored and pained, and when his eyes go to the camera, they are glassy with pain. It seems someone fought his incarceration a little too forcefully, and he's not going anywhere anytime soon.

A moment later, the feed ends.]

[ooc: so ...yeah. Percy went to the circus to check things out after looking in on Rapunzel last night, and things ... did not work out so well for him. Feel free to come visit!]

Comments

[tarot_witch]

Such a splendid, symbolic display! It verges on high art, if I do say so myself.

[aperfectthird]

Is there even a -

- a point in asking you to let me go?

video;

[hexuality]

Percy!

[Pale, drawn, more than a little angry and certainly trying not to be sick.]

I told you not to do anything stupid, I can't believe you— [Her voice breaks.] Perce, talk to me.

[tarot_witch]

No, darling. I'm afraid there really isn't.

video;

[aperfectthird]

Don't - come.

[His voice is ragged, low; words slurring together. He blinks, hard, trying to focus. He's got to warn her away from here; she can't get caught up in this too. Not after Rapunzel and Charlie.]

Don't - come. They'll - hurt you too.

[aperfectthird]

What - what do you - even get out of this? Why?

[tarot_witch]

I don't think you could ever really understand, sweetheart...

video;

[hexuality]

You're my brother.

[And they've already lost one. She doesn't care if you can come back in this place or not; it'll tear at her for ages after, knowing she'd let him get that far to begin with. Not happening. Not after the war. Not for this Gryffindor, not for this Weasley.]

They're not playing this game. Not with our family.

video;

[aperfectthird]

Ginny. No.

[He closes his eyes for a moment, gathering his strength. She can't come. Maybe he's in no position to stop her, but he'll do his damnedest to keep her from coming.]

Don't - come. I'll be - okay. They'll hurt you.

[aperfectthird]

Could you -

[He has to take a break to breathe, every movement hurting.]

- try?

video;

[hexuality]

[She barrels on without listening - ]

Is it magic? Is that what they've done?

[Where the hell is his heart.]

Re: video;

[aperfectthird]

I don't know. Knocked me out - woke up like this.

[He goes quiet for several long moments, overtaxed by the strain of talking. He's not being entirely honest - there is one flash of memory, vague and hazy, of being on a table - but he's not sure if that's real or fake. It's all so clouded over.]

Must be - magic. Wouldn't be - alive other - otherwise.

[tarot_witch]

I can try, but how do you explain wonder to someone who just can't see it?

1/?

[tangledintower]

No...

2/3

[tangledintower]

Oh, God, no no no...

3/3 heh, sorry...she's kind of upset.

[tangledintower]

Percy! Oh, God, Percy, not you too...

What did they do to you...?

[She's going to find a way to get you out. Somehow.]

[aperfectthird]

Wonder? This is - wonder? This is not -

[Another pause to gather himself.]

- wonder.

[aperfectthird]

[His eyes widen slightly, and he shakes his head, then has to stop.]

Stay - stay home, don't - come after me. I'll be - okay.

[tangledintower]

I can't just leave you there like that!

[aperfectthird]

You're not coming back here!

[He goes quiet for several long moments, exhausted from the effort of talking, then musters the energy to continue.]

Stay home, Rapunzel. I don't want you - hurt again.

video;

[hexuality]

Suppose I cast my Patronus, sent it after you.

[She tries to shut down everything else but cool, rational planning. Yes, she's as brash as the next of her House, but the DA taught her a few things.]

Would it be able to lead me back?

audio;

[yourbestguysgun]

Your sister ain't with you, is she Perce? [ He may not know Percy very well, but he knows what Ginny's like. He may not be able to help her brother, but he could look out for her instead. ]

video;

[aperfectthird]

I - expect so; it would -

- no!

[He curls in on himself, silent but for his pained breathing, regrouping.]

Ginny. Don't come here. They'll hurt you.

audio;

[aperfectthird]

[It takes him a moment to place the unfamiliar voice.]

No. Barnes - keep her safe. Keep her - from coming near here.

audio;

[yourbestguysgun]

Planning to. [ He wouldn't let anything happen to Ginny. ] We'll try t'get you out okay? The Avengers are working on it.