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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Post by Spira on May 7, 2021 7:49:43 GMT
Posts for Bloodstain Chalice can be found here!
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
2 likes
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Post by Spira on May 7, 2021 8:24:39 GMT
Phita POV “Good morning, mi amore.”
She placed chaste kisses over his collarbone, his neck, his cheek. Before she could reach his nose, his pale eyes cracked open and she felt frozen; often this was the case when Daenu’s gaze crossed her’s. It was the only time she ever felt less than boiling. Once she was sure Daenu was awake, though his eyes fluttered close, she rose up not caring she was naked. Stepping out of the bed, she strolled towards the kitchen; humming under her breath.
“Espresso?”
“Please. I think my skull is going to split in two.”
Daenu’s voice was melodic, even when he had changed from male to female. From female to male. Phita had never bothered to switch to the opposite gender, Daenu did so occasionally.
“Come back to bed.”
“If I do, we’ll be late.” She continued to hum under her breath.
“So, what if we’re late. Novevu can wait.”
“Sugar, Novevu is not a patient man.”
“Xainayne will keep him busy. Lord knows apart from you.” Daenu’s voice trailed off.
Opening the fridge, she reached for the glass bottle, which was almost empty of its usual contents. She would have to remember to buy more later. She could, of course will it into the apartment but she enjoyed living like a mortal. They always did drink so much coffee. Daenu emerged soon after, a robe adorned and bed hair to the nth degree. As Phita moved through the kitchen, handing him his mug. She sat at the table — cracking open a can of sugar cookies. Daenu on the other hand, who was not as much a sweet tooth as his partner began to prepare his own breakfast. The mere aroma of bacon, made Phita drool, she was going to steal a piece from Daenu’s plate, fuck niceties.
“You’re both late.”
“Good morning to you too Novevu.”
“Damn you both smell like sugar and cinnamon.”
Normally, they would only be within Novevu’s realm as part of the yearly conference — that or when they were choosing souls, nevertheless it was difficult to do anything unnatural around mortals; even with many of the individuals involved in their criminal enterprises being their own children, claimants. Alas, Phita had gotten distracted attempting to steal Daenu’s bacon, and so Daenu had punished her. Though the ache below was nonetheless satisfying.
“Now, we can begin.”
“Not before I eat something!” Quinnox mewled
“I thought you just ate.” Xainayne spat back
“I did, but I’m air. If I’m not drinking, smoking or otherwise I’ll float away and forget to ground myself.” Quinnox uttered under her breath.
“Enough. Do what you have to do, just be quiet about it.”
‘Definitely in a foul mood.’ Phita leant against Daenu, whose hand clasped her own. Novevu began to speak, and whilst they should have been paying attention neither of them bothered to do so. Nammay and Chaemai were the only ones taking any notes — they would inform the others on what was on Novevu’s mind after the meeting in simple succinct notes that didn’t involve tangents.
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Novevu POV
“Pay attention.”
“Novevu, we’ve been here three hours. The humans will have bound to have noticed by now. If they haven’t then the damn children. Unlike you. Whose seemingly uninterested in all of the fun of New York. We have businesses to manage. Clients to meet.”
Alvax mused, and he felt his granddaughter would have continue to speak; if not for the hostile glare he sent her way. Alvax swallowed another swig of whiskey before dismissing herself and going back to Earth. Rubbing his temples, he watched as each of the Ancients involved in human business disappeared to Earth until finally he was left with Xainayne. Whose hands, were now busy massaging the knots in his shoulders away.
“Won’t you come visit. Just for a night.”
“You forget, I am death. I am everywhere. I do not need to visit to be in a certain place. Shadow.”
“Yes, but it’s not the same as actually being there.”
Xainayne’s voice was soft, like velvet and her scent usually brought him comfort, but now all it did was irritate him. He pushed her away and she fell onto her rump. A hiss leaving her lips. Novevu gave her an apologetic glance before leaving the conference room — he needed a drink.
Novevu usually visited the mortal realm when he wanted a drink, usually because it meant no judgement and he could drink in peace. Today however, he was in no mood to be in a bar with all the hustle and bustle of humans, the element of life bothered him particularly so — especially on days like this. He stepped into one of the many hundreds of bars he kept within his residence, there one of his claimants stood behind the counter polishing glasses and whistling. The only other individual was Noxvon, who was hunched over nursing a hangover with a Corpse reviver on the counter.
“Aviation, without ice. Negroni, on the rocks.”
“You sure you should be drinking so much father.”
“You look and sound like death Noxvon.” He retorted.
They drank in silence, occasionally a murmur when another drink was needed, alcohol did nothing for Novevu, usually when he drank himself stupid he was too tired to care, and when he was actually on the brink of actual ‘death’ Xainayne or someone else was already there to sober him up.
“Sir.”
“What is it.”
Novevu’s bloodshot eyes met a Darkness Claimant, entirely out of place within the void. The claimant skittered back and held out a charcoal colour slip of paper, how strange. He grasped the piece of paper and licked his lips clean of alcohol before unfolding the slip, reading it once. Twice. Three times.
“Noxvon. Take the helm. I am going to New York.”
Noxvon who was now sober enough to comprehend the English Language barely got a protest out before his father was gone, he looked to the Darkness Claimant apologetically before thanking the bartender and moving towards his father’s study. Tis was going to be a very long day.
Xainayne POV
“WHO. WAS. IN. MY. OFFICE.”
She grounded out the words, her fists clenched upon her desk as she glared at the two meek appearing security guards, both of them were trembling neither dared to speak. Her eyebrow rose, she hated waiting. Where was the other one, what was his name? Tommy? Theo? Taron? Fuck if she knew— fuck if she cared! The two security guards further panicked when the door behind them swung open to reveal Novevu, whose hands were covered in blood.
“The next time you summon me, tell your staff not to fire at me.”
Tsk. Mortals. Xainayne gave Novevu an adoring look as the two security guards shuffled away. The office was a mess — mostly because Xainayne had arrived back mere moments ago to find her chalice missing, usually it sat in it’s safe waiting for its mistress to return to make a drink. Hence the panic, hence the shouting and the destroying, the killing, the maiming, the threatening calls and the orders to find the damn thing before Xainayne lost it and destroyed the entire American Continent in order to find her beloved chalice.
“So, you have no idea who could have taken it.”
“No of course not, do I look like I have a clue? I can still feel its presence but they’ve masked it with something! I tried just calling it back but the damn thing is literally unable to!”
“Then it must be in a position of being held by one of Alvax’s brood.”
“Alvax wouldn’t do such a thing.” Xainayne snarled
“No, but one of her children would.”
This caused the desk to be flipped, Xainayne had Novevu — drunk as he were, pinned against the wall, normally this would have invited a make out session which would have led to more; but she was in a foul mood and wanted someone’s head.
“We should not worry, someone will think it’s a trophy, they’ll try drinking out of it. They’ll die doing so and the fear will have them sending it back in its overly ornate case before the day is over.”
“You fucking don’t understand Novevu! If that gets into the wrong hands. Particularly a Claimant who knows what it does they could create an involuntary army. One we’d have to put down.” |
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Post by Spira on May 7, 2021 8:35:38 GMT
Alvax POV
“Frankly, if I had it Xainayne. I would not nothing to do with it.”
Alvax waved the cigar smoke away, she had done her best to accommodate her Aunty, in hopes it would appease whatever rumour had been started. Xainayne and Novevu in tow had arrived shortly after the news spread through nearly all of the houses that Xainayne’s precious chalice was missing — presumably stolen by some hotshot light claimant hoping to cause a war. Alvax stood up from where she had placed herself and poured another cup of coffee, lacing it with a good dose of whiskey before sitting down and waiting to see what two of the elder Ancients were thinking.
“I know!” Xainayne clapped her hands together
“What?” Alvax tilted her head, somewhat curious but mostly concerned considering how foul Xainayne had been mere moments ago.
“We’ll let dear old Zyphinex find it. If she does. Then we’ll give her, her freedom and all of this will be forgotten.”
Alvax did not have to say nor do anything to provoke Novevu into screaming at Xainayne, over how ridiculous an idea that was, it had been nearly four hundred years since Novevu had uttered a single word in their ancient tongue, for him to do so meant that whoever it was being directed towards had fucked up royally. For once Alvax was glad that she was his granddaughter – not really, but ancient family connotations meant… unenviable complications.
Zyphinex POV
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Novevu’s dead and the throne is mine.
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
I’ll have Xainayne head
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
I’ll find a way to dominate.
Her nail etched these words into her prison, the walls — what she presumes to be walls, were covered in such sprawls of words and other such things. She examined her work with the criticality of her own creator, betrayer, non-relevant disabled beggar— she was getting lost in her thoughts again and stood up. She’s barely moved by the time she finds herself whisked into Novevu’s throne room. He’s not alone however and she swings atop the balls of her feet as Xainayne and Alvax stand beside him on either side of the throne, whores. Sluts. Petrified— she shakes her head again.
“What do you want.”
“We have a task for you.”
“Don’t want it.”
“Even at the price of your freedom and never having to see us again?”
Now that was tempting, she gestured for them to continue offering her the terms of this so-called task, only the most important words reached her ears and she gave them a wolfish smile.
“So, I find it and you let me go.”
“Yes. Without assistance. If you fail or you attempt to do anything outside the confines of this particular task—”
“No need to threaten me mother.”
Zyphinex licked her lips, as the clothes she usually adorned as one of Novevu’s prisoners melted away and her own clothing was given back. She waited to be offered her weapon back. Holding her hand out in wait.
“It’ll come to you when you call for it. No time else.”
She rolled her eyes, of course they had to make sure she didn’t try anything whilst she was out and about doing their bidding. Once they were assured — she lied for most of the oath. She dissipated from the void and found herself in the middle of broad daylight, on a busy early afternoon strip of cafes and restaurants. She was going to find the Chalice and then make good on her dreams. If she had to make New York and it’s denizens her bitch, then so be it. |
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kaiju
Sigmutt's Wife
109 posts
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are you passing the vibe check?
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last online Nov 8, 2024 16:07:12 GMT
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Post by kaiju on May 8, 2021 18:02:49 GMT
The sun rose over the horizon slowly, almost as if purposefully accentuating the body of the man meditating in its rays. Shinzo Hazashi opened his eyes as the light blessed them, exhaling deeply and releasing his meditation at last. He couldn't possibly foresee what, but there was certainly an odd air about the day already.
He shrugged it off, instead rising to his feet and picking up the sword he'd lain beside him. As his fingertips came into contact with it, a surge of fire flew up his arm and disappeared into his chest. The man exhaled sharply at the one thing he never got used to about being a fire claimant--the sparks.
Shinzo turned to leave, barely making it before the familiar tear in the world outlined by wisps of fire and lava leaking out showed itself to him. There was no need to send a messenger. Phita knew he would drop everything he was doing to serve her as soon as he knew she needed him.
A grave expression befell his face as he clutched his weapon and stepped through the portal. Whatever Phita asked of him, he would do without question, but he still wondered after what could make her summon him so suddenly. As far as he knew, they didn't have any operations currently being executed except for two. Those two didn't count because they were long-term and would pretty much always be active.
The tall man entered the Forge effortlessly, clearing his throat as his skin adjusted to the hellish temperatures. Shinzo was lightly reminded of the first time he'd ever come here--he thought he was in hell. The memory brought an appreciative tug to his lips.
"Phita," he called softly, trying to draw her attention before continuing onto the fiery landscape. His legs carried him across the rocky ground until he was faced with the fire Ancient's door. It was open, the latent flames billowing out in a familiar welcome. The endless, orange ombred fabrics that hung over hollowed out volcanoes that made up the Forge flowed gently overhead. They had no end or beginning Shinzo could ever see; they swayed unabashed and unbothered in an unseen breeze. He took off his shoes before continuing inside. "Phita?" His voice held a bit more concern this time, wondering what would keep her from greeting him for so long.
He finally found her deeper in the structure, a worried expression possessing her usual gentle features. It caused his own brows to lower in response, trying to make his presence known by clearing his throat rather than disrupting her.
Sharp blue eyes drew up to him, her face taken over by a look of extreme pensiveness before going back to pore over whatever documents were on her desk before her. "You're late. Didn't you see me summoning you?".
"I apologize. I was meditating and did not see the Forge calling."
She brushed it off with an errant noise muttered under her breath as she waved him closer, cluing him into the fact that she was looking at a map. "All missions must be put on hold for right now. Including the orders on Yamaguchi-gumi."
"Is there a reason I should be aware of?" He couldn't imagine a more important ongoing mission than expanding Inagawa-kai's influence and reach.
"Xainayne's Artefact has been stolen. It is... well, I can't express how important it is that we recover it."
The man's mouth shifted into a frown. "I was under the impression such a theft was impossible."
That made the Ancient of fire laugh, a pleasant sound that forced a blush to Shinzo's cheeks. He hated how she could do that with just a giggle. It made him feel vulnerable. "You must not know Xainayne." Picking up the map now, she circled a few locations before handing it to her claimant. "Marked are the last places it's been confirmed seen. But New York would be the best start to gather information about its whereabouts."
The location perked his ears up. "Isn't that where--"
Phita did a loud, extremely drawn out sigh. "Yes, the ice claimant will be there. Play nice, would you?"
He smirked. "If it is a direct order, I will not disobey. But you do remember that he murdered Junto Kazumachi directly under my charge. He is already marked, if not by me, then certainly by my oyabun."
The redhead watched him leave with an almost maternal shake of her head as she muttered, "Daenu, what in the Void have we gotten ourselves into with these two?"
Shinzo Hazashi stepped through the fiery portal provided to him by the Forge into New York, immediately fixing the collar and cuff links of his sharp suit. Since it had been early in his home of Atami, Japan, it was late in New York. The cover of darkness worked in his favor, though, as he crept to the marked building on the map of New York Phita had given him. This was apparently one of Novevu's bars and the one place in the city where bloodshed was forbidden. The fire claimant figured this could be a good start for gathering some information.
He sent a quick prayer Phita's way before continuing into the building, his sword sheathed comfortable at his side. It never left his person under any circumstance. He knew he would be seeing Haden Widweim with almost absolute positivity. There was no way the idiot would miss out on a take this big.
As if reminded of him, the old wound in Shinzo's thigh momentarily ached. Like a phantom pain that knew its master, the bullet wounds from a previous skirmish with the ice claimant served almost like an alarm.
Over six feet of yakuza strode confidently through the doors of the establishment, taking in his surroundings quickly. He'd been there plenty of times before--even had a favorite chair--but caution could only be his ally at this point. Spotting one of Xainayne's men, he walked over and tried to ask where the Ancient of Darkness was. The guy was drunk and said he had no idea because he was off his shift.
Amateurs.
The walking inferno decided to calm himself with a drink, approaching the bar and sitting quietly until approached by the bartender.
She smiled as she approached, a welcoming look on her face. "You're here."
He nodded in acknowledgement. "This is too important of a matter for all hands not to be on deck, I assume."
"Maybe so. But you know, if you and Haden fight and destroy his bar again, Novevu will throw you into the Empty."
Shinzo grinned, then chuckled as he considered what she was saying. "Jaiho and--"
"No Void. No judgment. Just you, him, and the Empty." She smiled again as she changed the subject, pulling a glass from under the bar as she explained, "I imported some sake for you, though. I'm no expert, so you'll have to let me know how it is."
His lips finally widened enough for a smile, dipping his head in a small bow. "Amarjeet, if I didn't know better, I would think you like me."
"Do you know better?" She winked as a last addition to their playful back and forth before going back to tend to her other customers.
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Dobu
Ilnonta's Husband
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last online Nov 28, 2024 5:19:38 GMT
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Post by Dobu on May 9, 2021 1:49:24 GMT
![]() The evening was always a good time of the day, or at least that was what he’d like to say. Haden had no idea why but it seemed as if all the ancients were in a panic behind the scenes. He was expecting to check in with Daenu at least once that day and yet he’d heard nothing from her.
“Well, slightly alarmin wouldn’t ya say? No work, no calls, I guess that means ye can all leave me the hell alone!” He yelled at the entourage of men following behind him.
“You know when can’t do that because you always manage to kill someone.” They all nodded and mumbled in agreement with one another, Haden simply rolled his eyes at the comment. “I honestly don’t know why the boss insists on keeping you around.”
Haden reached for the flask that rested loosely in his coat pocket. With a few gulps and a breath of fresh air he continued walking onward with his group of annoyances. “Well ain’t killin what we do? You’re a bunch of ingrates if ya think I’d cast aside a single feck or care for a wee bit a bloodshed.”
“Yeah, but you keep killing our own guys! You off your own company more than you do your enemies!”
“Aye you’re right. Ya keep naggin in my ears like you’re me feckin mother and I might do it right now! Unless ye think you’ve got the pairs to deal with me this very second!” They all stood in silence for a hostile moment. Not like situations of this sort were avoidable when people accompanied him anywhere, even if they didn’t follow him around he’d look for reasons to kill anyone at all. It was a stroke of luck that a few snowflakes caught their attention before they melted on the ground. “Well would ya look at that. Weather is getting pretty iffy wouldn’t ya say? I’m gonna go get a drink and calm my nerves so I’d suggest ye get the hell out of me face.” He shooed them off like dogs as they watched his childish display of dominance. “Alright, I’m countin to three and anyone still standin around like me voice don’t work is gonna get a bullet to the face!”
The entourage turned and began their leisurely walk in the opposite direction as if to spite him which he responded to in kind. Grabbing the gun concealed in his vest and firing a single shot was all it took to have the entire street running into the alleyways and nearby shops. “Pick up the pace next time! Jesus, Mary and Joseph the hard of hearin will die one day!”
A few steps forward and he turned off into an alleyway himself to find the usual homeless and drunken squatting in the places they believed they were welcome. A quick point of the gun and a gesture to leave was all it took to have them scurry off and leave him in peace. It was at this moment that ice crawled from the ground taking on the shape of an ornate door that he knew all to well, the cold air that swirled around it was as welcoming as ever. He wasted no time sliding the door open and stepping inside as the feeling of returning home swelled up inside his chest. That still didn’t keep him from jumping as the door slammed and shattered behind him.
“Christ almighty! You’d think ya could warn a lad before ya sneak up like that!” He removed his coat as he turned to see Daenu who had clearly been waiting for him and not pleased in the slightest as suggested by the look on their face. “Boy oh boy, I can already see the trouble dancin on yer skin. No time for formalities aye?”
“Haden please just shut up and listen for a moment. I’ve got something important for you to do and it takes priority over everything, I need you to focus” Daenu watch as he set his coat aside and took a seat on the nearest chair. “Your attention. Do I have your attention?”
“Aye, you’ve got it. I’m all ears.”
“Good… Xainayne’s artefact has been stolen.”
“You’ve gotta be feckin shittin me!”
“Haden please!”
“Of all the godforsaken, lowdown, absentminded crap that could happen it’s something like this? Why don’t they just bend me over turn me sideways and have their claimants take turns runnin me through! It’s like you’re the only one who uses yer feckin brain with these types of things!"
“Haden! Shut up! Bottom line is that it was taken and you’re going to be looking for it. I don’t care how you feel about the situation, just get it settled!” He made his way over to a desk that sat on the far side of the room and plopped down on the very comfortable looking chair. “I’m only going to ask one that you play nice with the others and find Xainayne's chalice.”
Haden stood and walked over to a shelf which held a plethora of alcoholic beverages and ingredients. “Not an unusual request for sure, but shouldn’t I be a bit more aggressive if I’m lookin for what I assume to be a piece of shite claimant?” He grabbed a bottle of fancy rutte dry gin, luxardo maraschino liqueur, and some grapefruit juice to stuff into a cocktail shaker. “Don’t get me wrong, discretion does seem rather important with the seriousness of the situation. Even so it would probably be easier for me to just go to the last known location and slaughter every bastard in sight.”
Daenu pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned at his claimants eccentric ideals. “While I’m sure you’d love to just kill indiscriminately there will be other claimants who are also working towards the same goal. What’s most important is finding the damn chalice, do I make myself clear?”
Haden strolled over to the ancient and poured him a small glass of the cocktail before hastily chilling the glass himself and placing a previously prepared slice of grapefruit on the rim. “Aye, you don’t have to get yer panties in a twist. I suppose I can play nice so long as the feckin lord of bullshit doesn’t show his ugly mug.”
Daenu slowly turned away whilst taking a sip from the glass.
“Oh c’mon!”
“Haden please, just this once? It’ll be the last time you have to work with him?”
“Ya said that the last time and every other time before that! Ya take me for a fool on a run sodden with your sweet words and throw me out into the wild with that damned lunatic with a sword!” He stomped back over to the shelf of drinks and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. “That man wants me dead, ya know that right? I’m pretty sure Phita in all her wisdom knows it too! The moment he even looks at me funny I’m gonna gun the lad down!”
Daenu watched as the stubborn boy gulped down the entire bottle like water, the sight of it alone making his own throat feel sore. “Haden I’m not asking you to be his friend. Just put up with Shinzo for now until the artefact is found and then you can both go back to tearing out each others throats when it’s back in Xainayne’s hands. That’s an order so make sure you just get the job done!”
He glared at the ancient as if prepared to retort, but instead released a defeated sigh. “Alright alright, I get it. I won’t make yer lass upset and I won’t kill anyone unwarranted. Aye? I’m not gonna like it though. I swear you’re tryin to run me ragged.”
“Thank you. You’re buying me another one of those by the way”, Daenu stated with a point towards the empty bottle in his hand.
"Don’t worry, I always do.”
With their conversation done he grabbed his coat and was quickly sent back to where he once was and where the people he had once ran off were now back squatting again. It was dark out by now yet heir eyes were still locked onto him as he stepped out of the icy door which shattered to pieces behind him. “Ya like what you’re seein eh? Well I’ve got somethin else for ya.” He flipped the empty bottle around in his hand and shattered it over one of their head without bothering to see who. Before they could even react to the attack he shoved the now broken and sharpened half into their neck and watched as they fell to the ground. “Now you’re all gonna get the hell outta me face and I never wanna see ya here again. I’m clear aren’t I?” The remaining few ran off into the distance leaving him in the alley with the body. He hadn’t gotten to kill anyone that entire day and it was a cathartic feeling for him to say the least.
“Oh I need a feckin drink alright. If I’ll have to deal with fuckface for the next god-knows-how-long then I might as well prepare myself.”
It didn’t take more than a few minutes to make his way to the only bar in the city that allowed him inside anymore, a miracle of its own class. He had been leading his babysitters around that entire day but without any jobs he just circled the same few blocks that were near the bar. He couldn’t even make his way inside before the doors swung open and someone he recognized only by face way making their way out. “Oi ya sack of shite! How the hell did ye failures manage to lose a feckin artefact? You’d lose yer own dicks if they weren’t tucked between your legs!”
“Is every person who passes by going to ask us about that? If any of us were there to see what happened then it would have been stopped but we weren’t. Now can I enjoy my downtime in peace?” They pushed past him and began to walk away.
“Don’t get the wrong idea lad, I’ll ask whatever and whenever I feckin want to whoever I feckin choose.” He grabbed the claimant by the collar and pulled him right up to his face. His eyes were like signals telling people to run away and this situation was no different. “When you and yer cohorts do a shite job and I have to pick up the damn pieces then ya don’t get mad and ya don’t talk back unless you’re answerin me feckin questions.” He pushed the claimant away and spit on the ground in front of his feet. “If any of ye failures figure somethin out then ya tell me so someone with a brain can get it settled. Until then I don’t want to see the likes of ya around me again. The nerve you've is astoundin.”
With that settled he quickly made his way into the bar and approached the only person he cared about inside. “If it isn’t the little sweetheart herself, dolled up and lookin as presentable as ever! I might just fall in love with ya if the stars align it!” He removed his coat and sat it on a chair next to someone else who she seemed to be having a conversation with prior to his arrival. At closer inspection Amarjeet just stared at him in what looked like a somewhat worried way. “What’s wrong? Cat got yer tongue lass?” She turned slowly and looked at the man to his left. Confused, Haden turned as well and looked at Shinzo who was now looking strait in his face.
He turned back to Amarjeet, she turned back to him, she turned back to Shinzo, Shinzo turned back to her. “Ooohohoh, let’s try this one again", he said as he turned away and walked out of the bar.
…
A few moments later he made his way back inside with a plume of cold air hitting everyone who was seated before the door closed behind him. He reapproached the bar with each of his steps leaving an icy footprint on the floor behind himself. The cold air radiated off of his person as he placed himself in the seat which he had left the coat resting on and let out a breath of thick cold vapor that faded away in moments along with the cold air around him. “Amarjeet, lass, can I please get a ward eight. Rocks. Dry?”
“Of course Haden. Would you like grenadine this time?”
“No lass, not this time.” He closed his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose as if it would make Shinzo disappear, but when he opened his eyes to accept the beverage which had been prepared for him the silhouette of the man was still in his peripheral vision. “Can I also get some rye?”
“In the ward eight? A glass?”
“Just the whole bottle please.” He looked over at Shinzo one more time and didn’t turn away as he downed his drink and waited patiently for the bottle. “So… yer not gonna start jumpin and kickin at me like some kind of feckin rogue are ya? I’ll shoot ya right here if I have to. Not gonna let me night get ruined because sword boy thinks I kidnapped the feckin emperor.” |
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Post by Spira on May 10, 2021 3:22:00 GMT
Mornings in the Ramirez household were always filled with chatter, stomps of feet and the smell of bacon exploring every room to wake the hungry minds that were at ease for so long. Those mornings were what Athea called home. Her eyes fluttered open when the sound of an old door creaked open and Amelia made her way to Atheas’ bed, struggling to climb onto the tall bed that Athea called her kingdom. “Psst. Athea. Mom said to come downstairs and help with breakfast.” Athea rolled over, her eyes now closed once more so she could pull off a passed out version of herself. A small snoring sound came from her and she could tell Amelia wasn’t having it, hearing an impatient sigh come from her youngest sister who decided then to grab onto Atheas’ curls and tug as hard as she could. “Hey! You little shit! The hell was that for?”
“Mom said to come help with breakfast. What are you deaf or something?”
With that, the little one stomped her way out of Atheas’ room, slamming the door in the process like she was the one that was having the bad morning. Please. Children nowadays were like little demons, plotting, waiting, then attacking when you least expected them to. The majority of her siblings most likely had a layout of some sort on how to kill Athea. Athea could have put money down for how many times they’ve most likely attempted as well. Lucky her. It didn’t take long for Athea to make herself get up and out of bed, her eyes slightly squinted since the sun seemed to be beaming through her curtains like it was some Raisin Bran commercial. Her feet shuffled over to her bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush and finding the button for the radio in the bathroom, static being heard for the first few seconds until an overly enthusiastic male's voice cut in. “And todays weather is looking pretty exceptional today. Slightly sunny with a high of 94 degrees and a low of 90 degrees! Probably going to need a hat and some water bottles to carry around all day today, Folks! It’s gonna be a hot one!” With a small roll of her eyes she bent over, spitting into the sink once she was done, putting her toothbrush up which reverberated with a small sound of clattering before making her way out. As she walked she slipped a hair tie off of her wrist, pulling her hair back into a bun before plopping back down onto her bed.
“Athea! Breakfast! Come on down while it’s still hot, hon!”
Her mothers words bounced off the walls, a wince coming from Athea as she looked at her door. Her voice was so loud the water on her dresser even shook as her mother yelled for her. Scary. But why would water shutter as though a T-Rex were approaching the premises. Well it wouldn’t. Atheas’ eyes watched the water and that’s when a small stream of water came out and shot her in the face like a small water gun. “What does he need now? More sweet tea? More sugar?” Athea muttered, changing into shorts and a t-shirt before disappearing into a small portal. She moved swiftly, making her way into Naiicks small palace, her eyes scanning all the rooms she passed until she found the room he was in, her eyes narrowing.
“Finally you arrive. I thought you would’ve been able to read my mind.”
“I’m here now, Naiick. What do you want? I’m kind of busy.”
“I wouldn’t say you were busy per say. I’d say you have gotten bombarded by a seven year old who seems to have a lot of sass. Amelia is her name, you said?”
“Naiick, what do you want?”
From his spot on the floor, he rose, turning to face her as he made his way towards her. “I have news. Not bad news. Not good either in some cases. But since you are done with training and I believe you are ready to go out there and strut your stuff, I am giving you a task.” Now that had Atheas’ attention. She had been training for years and now he has an assignment for her. She knows she’s ready. No doubt. “What is it? Something dangerous? Mind blowing? Something that no one wants to do?”
“Actually you won’t be alone. You’ll have a few others by your side. One I believe goes by the name Haden and the other is Shinzo. Both very interesting Gentlemen. One carries around a sword on the daily and the other is a Scottish drunk. Anyways you’ll be teamed up with them as far as I know. You're going to be searching and finding Xainayne's chalice.” Athea's eyebrow lifted at that. What good was that going to do for her than probably have two lame brains who probably want to kill her just for being a girl? Is this some kind of joke? “Are there any other assignments you have besides dealing with two most likely ignorant assholes in town? Or am I stuck with this?”
“Oh..you’re stuck with it alright. In fact, they’re all meeting up somewhere tonight. And you’re invited.”
And that’s how Athea found herself in this tub of a bar with drunks surrounding the place. What a way to end a night. Of fucking course Naiick would send her on this fucking sad excuse of a first mission. Retrieve something that has been stolen and bring it back. What does this have to do with her? Her eyes settled on Haden and Shinzo, watching as the loud, scottish one seem to walk out and walk back in with a more dramatic entrance. With a small roll of her eyes she looked at Shinzo, standing and making her way over to the pair. “Sorry to interrupt you guys in your little..argument or whatever the fuck you may call it. But are you Haden? And are you Shinzo?” Her eyes looked between the two, nibbling on her bottom lip nervously. Now she had met people in other houses before but with these two she could feel their power just casually rolling off of them like some kind of aura. Now she wasn’t calling herself weak but she wasn’t calling herself powerful either. But this was going to be an interesting experience for all of them...
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
2 likes
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Post by Spira on May 10, 2021 4:40:04 GMT
Zyphinex POV
“I don’t have it. Please! Spare me!”
She lopped his head off with his own sword, tossing the blade aside and sighing. That brought the count to ninety-three Claimants and fourteen Mortals who had gotten in the way. By now she was sure that if they weren’t all looking, they would be trying to find out who was responsible for the sudden cutting down of their kin. She cleaned herself the blood and gore and decided, maybe she wasn’t looking in the right places. As she left the premises, she dared not look back or smell the scent of death. Novevu would not be pleased tonight with all of the innocent, were they innocent? Souls? damnations? Pre-fuckable agents? What time was it anyway?
She strolled into the bar, it was quiet except for the trio up the front, two of them were ready to launch into outright open combat and one was just trying to defuse? Or was she bothering them. Zyphinex paid them no mind and instead moved directly towards the bar. Placing wads of bloodied cash on the counter — most of it collected from the piles of dead people she had left all across the streets of dear old New York.
“What will this get me? Make it heavy and strong.”
Her mind and its many cogs started to spin as she tapped the bar with her fingers, her whip by her hip and a look of utter insanity in her eyes. She then turned at the mention of a chalice and smiled. Maybe this group knew where the fucking cup was. Thanking the bartend who seemed to have a suspicious air about her. Zyphinex chugged it down before smashing the glass in her clenched hand, this caught the attention of the group.
“Sorry to interrupt your merriness. But I hear you’re looking for the cup. The Chalice. Whatever my mother is calling it these days. If any of you know where it is. I’ll be glad to take it off your hands. Or maybe I’ll just.”
She flicked her whip and sent the glass which she had just shattered at them, she wanted to gauge their reaction, to taste their blood to smell their fear. She wanted everyone to fucking who she was and just how far she was willing to go to announce her arrival. There was a scream as one of the shards hit an innocent mortal bystander.
“My name.”
Her whip wrapped around the neck of the offending, now crying mortal, she yanked it hard causing the poor woman’s head to come clean off. There were gasps and even shouts of others leaving the bar.
“Is Zyphinex. Treasure of Darkness. Nice to meet folk like me. Or not. I can never really tell who’s a friend, a foe or otherwise. They all deserve a gravestone for trying though.”
She waited until there was nothing but silence, the unsheathing of a sword and the loading of a firearm to tell her they wanted a fight. They were brave, but brave meant foolish and Zyphinex hated fools most of all.
“Mortals. They’re so utterly weak. But you lot seem like the children of my… how should I say aunties. Uncles. Fucking who knows the insolent lot. Now tell me, what I need to know. Before your fates and guts are hung up on the wall for all to see.”
Phita POV
“Mistress!”
Phita shot up from where she had been sleeping, Daenu who was also dead asleep moved to pull her back under the covers but, when another claimant burst through the doors, holding an arm that… seemed to have been removed? Or at least they were trying to hold their arm. Daenu rose up and gave them a glare worthy of a blizzard.
“What in blizzards is going on?”
“Some rogue claimant killed a huge number of us. She’s at the bar. Fighting Shinzo”
“Haden too!”
“Some random water chick too.” A third seemed to pipe in.
Phita and Daenu looked at each other and then at the claimants. Who left once they had announced the news. Daenu who was reluctant to get in-between the business of an unknown claimant pulled Phita back down.
“We should go see what it’s about.”
"Or we could not go and see and let the children duke it out”
Before Phita could protest, Daenu was atop, Phita could only half pray that Shinzo was capable of cleaning up whatever mess he had gotten into now. Daenu scowled, Phita smiled. How Daenu hated when she was thinking about anyone but him.
Evyette POV
“Motherfucker. The place was only just renovated.”
Her night had been ruined by her mother. Who had sent a silent message to deal with whatever mess Shinzo and Haden… and some unidentified water claimant and some other force to be reckon to be with. Had gotten into, she could still hear people fighting inside — which could only mean that the fight was not still over, so maybe she’d get some action in after all. Licking her lips, she stepped into Novevu’s usually safe haven of a bar. Pinned by his own sword… which was just out of reach, Shinzo was sending flames towards a dark-haired female who was wrestling Haden. The water Claimant seemed to be discussing something with the bar tend… Amarjeet. Evyette clapped her hands.
“My what a mess. I’ll pay for the damage once this is sorted Amarjeet.”
“Fuck.”
The dark-haired woman, who Evyette still hadn’t seen the face of flew against the opposite wall, stepping over the torn down tables, chairs and light fixtures she freed Shinzo, making sure that he was still in one piece. His mother had emphasised his safety over the rest, Daenu had piped in and said the same about her own claimant. Except Evyette only cared about her own kin and not the likes of the opposite house.
She then turned to meet whoever was causing a fucking mess. Moving past Haden and straight at Zyphinex. Grasping Zyphinex by the collar, she remained semi up in the air as a result of the flames she was using to propel herself up into the air. Zyphinex attempted to call for her whip — which only caused Evyette to duck out one of the shattered glass windows and out onto the street, which was noticeably cleared. Tossing Zyphinex down and onto the ground, the other female barely had a chance to recollect herself before her throat was being crushed underfoot by Evyette, who had decided fuck looking normal she was outright in her pure state of flame.
“I didn’t expect to see you here Zyphinex.”
“I am here on a mission.” Zyphinex choked out
“I presume it is the same on that the other claimants are on. Unfortunately. There was no part in the mission statement that stated you were to go on a damage or killing spree. Novevu might have let you out but you must remember that apart from our parents who are keeping an eye out on most things. There are enforcers like me to ensure no wars break out.” To place emphasis she pressed down harder on Zyphinex’s throat.
Zyphinex was nearly purple by the time Evyette decided that she had learnt her lesson. As Zyphinex sputtered and coughed, trying to relieve the damage Evyette had caused on her throat. Evyette and now even Misnia who had arrived during her solo confrontation with Zyphinex to clean up the bar and discuss the bill with Amarjeet.
Evyette watched as Zyphinex left like a wounded puppy, her tail tucked between her feet. She sighed and then finally went to make sure neither Shinzo or Haden… or the unnamed water claimant who Misnia had introduced as Athea went after Zyphinex. Not on her watch at least.
Levei POV
“You want my help?”
“Yes.”
Zyphinex rubbed her throat still, the mark of Evyette’s heel was still there, though it had now bruised making it a hideous shade of purple and yellow, Levei hissed under her breath, she was in an ice tub to recover from her own endeavours to cut down Claimants left and right. So, it was by no means a total surprise that her favourite psychopath of a cousin would be coming to find her.
“Lick your wounds, take the couch. We can talk about it tomorrow. If you want the Chalice you’ll have to play smart rather than rampage around the city. Keep that up and no one will divulge anything.”
Levei had found it most exciting that one of the Artefacts had gone missing, she had instrumented it of course, he had been so utterly pissed off. He had wanted power and to become something more and she of course had helped. Now it was on him to do it on his own and to not get caught in the process. She dunked her head under the chilled water before lifting it back up as Zyphinex stood in front of the mirror, still rubbing the area, as though her touch would erase the mark Evyette had left.
“No point doing that. It’ll remain for some time. You can wear something over it if you like.”
“I will kill her.”
“We are of the same vein my love.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Then what are you if not my love?”
“Your worst fucking nightmare.”
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kaiju
Sigmutt's Wife
109 posts
1 like
are you passing the vibe check?
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last online Nov 8, 2024 16:07:12 GMT
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May 12, 2021 11:55:13 GMT
Post by kaiju on May 12, 2021 11:55:13 GMT
Her polite expression became more genuine as one of her preferred customers entered, his normally stoic features pausing to greet her with a grin. His long black hair was pulled back away from his face, his tall and slender stature outlined by a slim fit suit. His outfit was something she was used to seeing--there were plenty of yakuza around here and they all looked pretty uniform. The biggest thing, besides his accessories, that made this man different from the others was the large sword he kept on his hip at all times. She had never seen him without it. Kind of like she also never saw him get a haircut--except once. If she could put the context clues together and guess, she'd assume that haircut was what sparked the dangerous feud between the man and the Scot.
Dealing with the two was frustrating, but she could always grin and bear it because they were wildly entertaining. Their skirmishes were always something to look forward to as long as it didn't lead to property damage.
"You're here," Amarjeet grinned as she approached Shinzo. Of course she knew why. Even if she wasn't Novevu's claimant, she was a barkeep, and part of the job was keeping her ear low to the ground. There was hardly a whisper she didn't hear. There was barely a secret exchanged in the walls of this bar that she was not privy to. So it tracked that he was here--that meant it was probably only a matter of time before Haden arrived as well. And probably the rest of the Ancients' heavy hitters.
Shinzo and Haden had proved themselves formidable fighters time and time again. Amarjeet had a healthy respect for their ability, but... She couldn't help the small part of the Void that nagged at her with impossible thoughts. What if they weren't enough? Anyone with the audacity to steal the Artefact of Xainayne, of all Ancients, was either a fool or meticulous beyond anyone's estimations. The madness of the Chalice had always resonated, on some note, with the Void. Perhaps it was the madness, pain, and death; she couldn't exactly be sure. Amarjeet worked every day to ignore it for fear of becoming possessed by the Void's lust for freedom through her, but now that she couldn't feel the Chalice at all, somehow it felt worse.
Snapping back to the present, the woman remembered about the drink she'd imported for Shinzo and went to get it. She'd gotten it to remind him a little of home since New York didn't really have any good sake, according to him. Haden was certainly easier to please when it came to drink choice. She left the Japanese man to drink in peace, instead going back to a group of Darkness claimants that had taken up residence in a corner to lick their wounds. They were pretty drunk now, so she was going to be preparing to tell them she was cutting them off. Not just yet, though. She figured she could squeeze them a little more before they got belligerent. They joked about how this was their 'last night of freedom' before shit got hectic looking for the Artefact. She hated how nonchalant they were about it. In reality, their last night of freedom was the night before.
But it was not her place to correct them, so she kept her mouth shut.
“If it isn’t the little sweetheart herself, dolled up and lookin as presentable as ever! I might just fall in love with ya if the stars align it!”
Amarjeet's brows rose in excitement--she could pick that voice out of a crowd of a million people. She chuckled to herself at his flattery, finishing the drink she was pouring and excusing herself from the counter. How long would it take him to notice? Her eyes cut expectantly between the two longtime foes, giggling once they did finally look at one another.
“Ooohohoh, let’s try this one again," Haden declared incredulously as he backtracked out of the bar. Shinzo grumbled under his breath and rolled his eyes; all of it left Amarjeet in stitches. She couldn't believe how consistently petty the two men were.
The pale-haired woman served Haden dutifully but lingered around the two in case things descended into blows. She'd given Shinzo a warning about roughhousing in the bar, so hopefully he'd be reluctant to let Haden get to him. Of course, she'd be extending the same warning to the ice claimant, but in due time.
“So… yer not gonna start jumpin and kickin at me like some kind of feckin rogue are ya? I’ll shoot ya right here if I have to. Not gonna let me night get ruined because sword boy thinks I kidnapped the feckin emperor.”
Shinzo grunted in annoyance. "You could have sat anywhere in the bar." He thought about it for a moment before raising his glass for Amarjeet to fill again. He didn't usually drink on the job, but Haden was always an exception. "I have a mission and I won't let some fake cowboy and his empty threats distract me from it."
“Sorry to interrupt you guys in your little..argument or whatever the fuck you may call it. But are you Haden? And are you Shinzo?”
The dark-haired man turned to see a woman standing there with a slight scowl on her face, looking frustrated and expectant. He didn't know her from a can of paint. His expression remained even, though he did eventually raise his brows at her. "I don't remember requesting company tonight," he finally said after a moment. "Is she yours?" He elbowed the man pointedly. If he wanted to sit so close, Shinzo was going to annoy him. Well... more than usual.
Amarjeet returned then, offering the new addition a humble smile. "Athea," she said in both greeting and acknowledgment. "How lovely it is to finally meet you. Yes, these two would be Haden and Shinzo. Please do let me know if there's anything you'd like from the bar."
Shinzo scoffed in disbelief. "She's a claimant?" He turned to look at Athea, the fire in his eyes flaring for a moment as he examined her from head to toe. "You are the best your house could muster for the likes of this chalice? What are you, forty-five kilograms soaking wet?"
The doors swung open again but Shinzo was too preoccupied to pay much notice. Amarjeet's expression dulled a bit as she watched the newcomer enter covered in blood. Some of the other people in the building stared at her as she walked, but Amarjeet held fast behind the bar, her lips beginning to tug back up in her familiar smirk of greeting. The woman pulled out a wad of bloodied cash to pay for her "heavy and strong" drink, prompting a look of disdain from the claimant of death. She didn't want to sort through random blood just to get a tip. But then again, she didn't want to get shorted, either.
Compromising within herself, Amarjeet instead decided to just make a drink of the middle grade stuff. It would at least be strong, though, and well paid for.
She produced the glass for the new mystery woman, surprised to hear a thanks in return. Something about the woman just didn't make Amarjeet feel like 'thank you' was a part of her inner lexicon.
As the bartender was considering their interaction, the woman began introducing herself. Amarjeet watched on in disappointment as a glass got shattered against a wall and a woman killed. So much cleaning and money going down the drain, and for what? Just what the hell was this supposed to be?
Zyphinex approached Shinzo, Haden and Athea as she continued to talk, explaining that she was looking for Xainayne's Artefact as well. Amarjeet found herself annoyed with that revelation--what was anyone doing sending someone so clearly unhinged after something already so evil? It didn't make any sense. And to make matters worse, she still felt she didn't truly understand how terrible the chalice's power was. If it was important enough to recover it that they'd force Haden and Shinzo to work together, send Athea for backup, as well as separately assign this demon Zyphinex to it, then just how much trouble were they in?
Shinzo stepped in front of Athea as if he didn't expect her to be able to defend herself. He frowned as he drew his sword, finding this display of violence distasteful and annoying. Haden cocked back the hammer on his pistol. For a long, drawn out second, nobody moved. Then everyone did.
Amarjeet instructed Athea to move for the simple fact that Haden and Shinzo could get destructive when riled up. Of course, she'd rip their heads off for tearing up Novevu's bar, but she supposed it was kind of necessary to deal with this new threat. She still couldn't stop the scowl that was working its way onto her features.
Zyphinex's whip came flashing out of nowhere, almost like it could cut the very air in two. It wrapped around Shinzo's sword, engaging him first in the battle. Haden began firing at her, but she was quick. Fuck was she quick. She was using the environment to shield herself from the shots as well as trying to force Shinzo into Haden's line of fire. She laughed maniacally when it almost worked--the swordsman had barely gotten free in enough time to cut the bullet before it struck him. That save left him open to Zyphinex, who knew Haden had to reload and took the opportunity to take Shinzo out of the fight. She was a blur of giggles and bloody limbs as she maneuvered her whip, targeting Shinzo's hands to relieve him of his weapon. He grunted with effort and exertion, but she still bested him. He couldn't even tell how it happened. He just knew that one second he was keeping up and the next he had his own katana through his shoulder.
He grunted in pain, fire flaring up from his very veins as he got angrier. He was trying to keep calm for the sake of not burning down the bar with everyone inside it, but he really, really hated losing.
The man did his best to try to help Haden with Zyphinex's attacks, but it looked like she was overwhelming him as well. If they were all looking for the same thing, what the hell was her problem?
A loud clap made Shinzo's eyes slide to whoever was coming to join the fray now. He was ready to incinerate them where they stood just to let off some frustration, but when he recognized Evyette, he immediately stood down. If anything, he was embarrassed for her to find him in such a state.
She apologized to Amarjeet for the damage to the bar, who simply dipped her head in acknowledgement. She had been getting ready to get into the fight as well but she had been trying to wait. Seeing Evyette was a relief. One of Amarjeet's eyes had already gone black as she started to give in to the Void to deal with the issue.
Evyette pulled the sword out of Shinzo's shoulder and he cauterized the wound by putting a hand on it and sending out a flash of flame. The treasure continued to deal with Zyphinex, throwing her out of a window and onto the street. Shinzo watched after her solemnly, awed by her raw power. It was amazing. He could only get a fraction of her potential when he unlocked Phita's Rage. It was disheartening on one hand; on the other it was inspiring.
The bar was at a standstill until Evyette returned. It was largely in shambles because of the altercation, but Amarjeet continued to serve drinks. At full price, too.
"Do you reckon she'll come back?" Amarjeet asked the treasure after a moment. "Novevu has never spoken about her."
Shinzo shrugged then winced. "I want to know why we are all looking for the same thing and she attacked us. How does someone like that become a treasure?" He moaned again in annoyance at the pain in his shoulder, steam literally rolling off of his body from his temper. "Now I wish I did arrange for a companion. This is less than satisfactory."  |
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Dobu
Ilnonta's Husband
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last online Nov 28, 2024 5:19:38 GMT
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Post by Dobu on May 13, 2021 5:35:56 GMT
![]()  The evening and start of the night had managed to be rather enjoyable… even Shinzo was quite tolerable after a few drinks in.
"You could have sat anywhere in the bar. I have a mission and I won't let some fake cowboy and his empty threats distract me from it." He responded to Haden's earlier insult. The audacity!
“Oh my, how scathin. If ya weren’t dressed for the opera then I might have taken ya seriously.” He shot back, ill content with the thought of ever allowing him the last word.
It wasn’t until they were approached by a new, unfamiliar face that his mind even strayed from the process of crafting insults he could use to annoy his rival. Petty to his very core for certain.
“Sorry to interrupt you guys in your little..argument or whatever the fuck you may call it. But are you Haden? And are you Shinzo?” The newcomer injected herself into the conversation. Not unwelcomed although slightly troubling that she knew their names.
"I don't remember requesting company tonight. Is she yours?"
“Christ lad, I’ve never seen the lass in me life! I don’t own her like some feckin dog.”
"Athea. How lovely it is to finally meet you. Yes, these two would be Haden and Shinzo. Please do let me know if there's anything you'd like from the bar", Amarjeet cut in. It was almost as if she were trying to stop them from involving the newcomer into anymore of their conversation.
"She's a claimant? You are the best your house could muster for the likes of this chalice? What are you, forty-five kilograms soaking wet?"
“Jesus, Joseph and Mary! Don’t mind the bastard, he’s just too used to fightin alongside samurai warriors and the like!” He turned his attention to Shinzo without missing a beat. “You could at least treat people ya don’t know with more civility sword boy. We can't all be ninjas like you”, he proclaimed as if he were one to talk himself.
Someone he didn’t know being around was a giveaway that Athea was most certainly one of their illustrious group of treasure hunters. At least she seemed to have a good bit of spunk in her veins, not to mention he was glad to know it wouldn’t just be him and Shinzo running errands together.
His attention took a shift however at the sound of shattering glass which, although rather common, he would have taken the moment to at least warn whatever idiot did it how much Amarjeet disliked destruction of her property. He turned to let out the words, oblivious to what was even taking place around him and just like that he was instantly sobered up. The felling of shards of glass blasting him in the face was… unpleasant at most, but it grabbed his focus rather quickly and ruined his good night in moments as if Shinzo wasn’t enough already.
"Who in the fuck?!" His temper was as volatile as ever and his patience was a matter of the past. Shinzo had already taken Athea into consideration which freed him up from the responsibility of focusing on anything but slaughtering whoever this person was. He’d have to repay Amarjeet in some way for this one, it was almost a given that the bar would be ground zero for this little skirmish.
Gun drawn, sword unsheathed, collateral removed from the equation and this newcomer Zyphinex to annoy him the moment she arrived. Daenu told him to play nice, but standing around in this scenario wasn’t going to bode well. He was already ordered to not use his abilities in the past due to extensive property damage so this wasn’t going to be easy to deal with in general.
Just as all fights do it started before he could really get a decent grasp on the scenario. Shinzo was quickly pulled into combat and he deftly took the rear for support, taking shots where he could. She was apparently their ally so why couldn’t she fucking ask for the information she wanted before all of this nonsesnse?
She was no claimant for certain, how many of them could possibly handle this scenario? He had to reposition himself so many times in such a short period due to her consistent use of cover and manipulation of the battle field. Not to mention that the synergy between him and Shinzo was never on the optimal side of things. She had almost made him hit the guy more times than once, thank god he wasn’t a useless fighter!
“Well shit! Sorry about that one lad, she's movin around like a feckin snake”, he shouted out as Shinzo had to defend against his own bullet. “This entire fight is feckin bullshit by the way!”
This lunatic was moving so quickly and flawlessly that it was hard to even keep an eye on her more times than he'd ever give her credit for, as if she needed it. The moment he paused to reload it was clear that things were going downhill for their side the moment Shinzo’s sword had managed to run through his own shoulder. How many times had he fought him and he ever even allowed the thing to leave his own hands?
He could see the fire claimant was also losing his temper, this wasn’t the most prestigious situation they could find themselves in. In fact it was fucking madness and they could barely fight! His top priority was taking Zyphinex down, but now there was also an injured and fuming Shinzo, Athea who had been prioritized as to be protected for now, and Amarjeet who he had never really known to fight unless there was no other option in sight and he wouldn’t want to get the latter two involved if it were at all possible.
The scenario was far too restricting for his tastes and his thoughts were running wild, his focus was straying to his allies and now he was forced into close range combat with someone Shinzo could barely keep up with which meant a loss without the use of abilities.
She was using a whip of all things! He had more than enough trouble dodging swords, knives, even fucking fists! He couldn’t manage to count the amount of times he managed to get scraped or outright hit in the fight.
All he could do was dodge and shoot in between said dodges, and few shots at that. “What an absolute annoyance” is what he wanted to say yet words weren’t worth the slightest ounce of blood at the time. The most he could muster in terms of reducing collateral and controlling the situation was keeping her away from the others and using his abilities to attempt cooling down Shinzo before the floor around him erupted in a blaze, but that was even difficult to focus on with the stinging pain across his body.
"Fuck this!"
Why in the entirety of the world was he holding back? He couldn’t find the answer to the question himself and at this point his heart was racing, trying to leap out of his chest! A feeling that he held considerable hatred for which made his body feel warmer than he was proud to admit, disdain for this Zyphinex was at an all time high! He’d just blast the entire area with ice and deal with his ancient’s anger for it later! Or at least that was what he'd thought.
It was by the grace of Daenu, or more properly Phita, that a familiar face had managed to get him out of this losing situation. He had already sustained more than enough damage trying to fight this monster and simply standing wasn’t something he could easily manage for the time being anymore.
He fell to a knee, another thing he absolutely hated, and watched as Evyette delivered a royal beating to the person they were just struggling against. The difference between claimants and treasures was admirable and yet he was more pissed than anything that he was reduced to this state.
His eyes like volatile amber with a focus still on Zyphinex, his breath a biting cold, he was almost having trouble breaking his focus on her at this point. His instincts were screaming at him to build up every ounce of strength he had and throw it at both of them without a single care for anything. Bystanders, Evyette, the street itself and everything around it wasn’t even slightly on his radar for all of a period of time that seemed like it was moving in slow motion. He already had more than enough trouble dealing with people and the entirety of this situation felt like a giant slap in the face only for to be SAVED at the very end of it!
It was as if Evyette could sense his hunger for violence as the moment he even slightly looked in her direction she shook her head as if rejecting his decision outright, a warning. An action he could only respond to with a sigh and a struggle to his feet. He didn’t dislike her as much as he did Phita so there was no point in getting on her bad side, as if he could put up a proper fight in his current state anyway.
The conflict between the two didn’t even last long before Zyphinex retreated and things returned to a calmer state, Evyette offering to pay for repairs herself which Haden would have normally protested against. He never minded to pay for damages, especially since he caused them often, and he had more then enough money to spare. However he wouldn’t oppose a decision made by a treasure that just saved his hide.
He nearly stumbled back to the ground as he attempted to move yet refused to fall again. His body felt as if he had been run through the gauntlet and the pain still shot through his arms and legs as if he were still locked in combat. This was all but satisfactory and the moment he found a seat that was still intact he sat himself down and proceeded to place his hand on his forehead.
“Everybody alright? No broken bones? Shinzo, yer arm still workin lad?” His eyebrows furrowed at the thought of the damage that could have been caused if no one had shown up to aid them.
He watched as everyone conversed and hypothetically licked their wounds, Amarjeet still doing business although he assumed she was not pleased. No one really had a reason to be pleased.
"I want to know why we are all looking for the same thing and she attacked us. How does someone like that become a treasure?"
He noted the question Shinzo had asked Evyette and made sure to keep an ear to their conversation. If she was really on their side then it would be the deciding factor in him attacking her on sight the next time he saw her or keeping his word and ‘playing nice’. He wasn’t one to question the decisions made by ancients, but he wouldn’t be bringing his personal concerns to anyone else who was present.
Those questions he’d reserve for Daenu who decided it would be best not to warn him. No doubt too distracted by Phita to even take into consideration the scenario they were in if, he had to guess.
"Now I wish I did arrange for a companion. This is less than satisfactory."
"Satisfactory? Oh this is everythin but satisfactory lad. Why did they even tell us to search for this damned chalice if Xainayne was just gonna send her lunatic treasure after it anyway? Treasure, mind you, who doesn't give a single solitary transcendent fuck about all the rules and regulations that have been placed on the rest of us?! I knew I had heard that stupid feckin name somewhere before! The lass over there just got here and could have died!" He proclaimed his distaste regardless of who could hear or their feelings as he stood and pointed towards Athea. "All I wanted was a drink and we all were pulled into mortal feckin combat against an enemy who should be locked away! Fuck!"The boy almost fell over when the feeling of dizziness hit him. Too much damage, too much blood loss, he'd have to calm down for the time being if he wanted to stay conscious. He sat back down in his seat but not before grabbing his coat and took a few long, cold breaths. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his personal flask of considerably strong alcoholic contents and took a long drink before taking another breath and slouching in his seat. "Oi! Sword Boy! Want a taste of a real man's drink to take the edge off lad?" He spoke in an unusually playful manner as he unusually offered Shinzo some of his personal drink with an outstretched arm. Maybe it was the lightheadedness, but he couldn't be bothered to be too difficult to deal with... for now. |
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Jun 15, 2021 11:51:09 GMT
Post by Spira on Jun 15, 2021 11:51:09 GMT
 Evyette POV
She wiped her hands, over and over on the dish cloth now that the battle was done and she was no longer in a state of utter disgusted fury; though the demanding looks she was given by Shinzo, Haden and dear Amarjeet — oh and some water claimant who she believed her name started with A? Told her that her duty was not nearly done. Evyette sighed, she hated the sight of blood on her hands — especially Zyphinex’s blood, it never seemed to come out and swamped the fire treasure like no tomorrow when she did have to come into physical contact with it.
“Well out with it. You all seem to be looking at me like I’ve grown six eyes, three lips and have a penis protruding out of my neck.” She had to remember that the claimants were children, she lessened the harshness of her tone and waited for one of them; any of them to just spit it out. In the meanwhile, other claimants were returning to the bar which was admittedly worse for wear than even Misnia would have liked, she hadn’t really been noticed by anyone but Evyette knew her icy cousin was looking about anxiously, her glances touching everyone like first snow. She waved her cousin over whose eyes then settled on Haden. Compared to many other treasures and even claimants, Misnia looked out of place primarily because she was so frail. A wave of coughs ripped through Misnia who trembled like a leaf otherwise, Evyette sighed and stepped away and closer towards Amarjeet.
“The chick who just caused this establishment a large amount of damage was our dear darkness cousin Zyphinex. If she’s been let out then the bosses up top have given her the same impossible task to discover the location of the chalice.” She held her hand up as Haden’s mouth opened to protest, she looked towards the ceiling and wished she wasn’t there before continuing – this time in a softer tone; as to not spook anyone else who had just entered the bar.
“Which means, everyone in this city is now at risk of losing a limb or otherwise. Misnia and I… as well as some others have been tasked with keeping Zyphinex on a leash whilst the rest of you concentrate on the task.” Misnia nodded in agreement before coughing even more, perpetual cold. Did Daenu not care for the safety and health of his treasure? A handkerchief was offered and the small one, the girl who started with A? Seemed to be murmuring something, as though to aid the ice treasure. Evyette wished she could boil the claimant. “Oi. Water girl. Misnia is none of your concern. You are not an ice claimant. Piss off.” She then looked at Shinzo, he looked better now that he didn’t have his own katana in his shoulder. She smiled deviously. “As for you. Well. Mother has a message for you. Come. Time, we honed that flame a bit more. Leave the children to be children.” Before jumping over the counter — but not before depositing a sizable envelope in Amarjeet’s hands “To cover the damage and a bit more. Novevu can direct his fury at me for once...” Before dragging Shinzo out by the elbow.
Misnia POV
With Evyette’s exit, as well as the fire claimant in tow. Misnia fumbled with her words, a slurry of Dutch, Japanese, German and somehow Finnish slipped out of her lips. She blushed and resumed picking at her fingers before another wave of coughs racked her body and she double over from the effort it took to breathe properly. Some of the others in the bar gave her concerned looks which made her feel even worse. She looked up at Haden — the height difference was uncomfortable, and though she was technically in a position of superiority, Haden definitely suited the title of treasure more than she…. She sighed. “Dad’s glad you’re safe. Sorry I couldn’t do much…” she pressed her nails into the palms of her wrist and continued “Dad says you should take some time to scope the city out… and find out who’s on whose side before you blow any heads off… not that he’s protesting your style of work… he’d just rather not upset… the fire ancient.” With that, Misnia prepared herself to return to the Poles, before halting.
Misnia would have said more, perhaps offered more encouragement and to be grateful for the water claimant who had offered her a handkerchief for her nose but she was worried about the potential scorn that would come with it. Looking at the smaller girl, much smaller than Misnia herself. She smiled “You ought to stay here with Amarjeet. Whilst you did not have to fight tonight, you might eventually and there’s no need for more loss of life than necessary. Stay here. Let the boys have their fun and if they need help. They’ll let you know.” She made sure she had said everything that needed to be said before finally departing, as though she was never there.
Jack POV
He rubbed his jaw, his usually gloved fingers running across the thin area of stubble as he determined what he was going to do with the chalice that now sat on his desk, he had been attracted to it and for no particular reason other than he thought it’d catch a fair price. He was a collector of things, and when he didn’t get what he wanted legally his slippery fingers were sure to secure his prizes; so, it was nothing short of a surprise to see a man with black and white hair, as though peppered sitting across from him, a holster against his hip and a look of utter hunger in his eyes. Jack stood up and stretched, this man who had introduced himself as Phillip had spoken of things like Claimants and Ancients, none of which really concerned Jack. What did concern Jack was the amount of money this Phillip man was offering for the Chalice that sat between them — speaking of some form of impossible power. He scoffed at the idea, it was just a Chalice.
“Your name was Phillip Pickering yes?”
“Yes.”
“Well. Pickering. I’m afraid that even for the small fortune of ten million, the Chalice is not for sale.”
“Then allow me to borrow it. For one night. I’ll show you what it is capable of.”
Jack wanted to laugh at the man, what kind of fool did this Pickering person think he was, he opened his mouth to object again when the door to his office, normally guarded by two men was broken down by a woman? Man? With white hair in full militia kit. Reaching for his own pistol, he was against the wall before he could so much as shout for assistance. Another individual with black hair, and eyes that seemed more alien than real also stepped in and seemed to congratulate the young man, he had to remind himself. Pickering. Once Jack was thoroughly disarmed and tied to his desk chair did the woman? Man? Individual with white hair speak.
“Even for ten million. You said no. It seems we have a purpose for you human.”
“My name is Jack Sinclair! I am not a man to be trifled with.”
“You’re a human. We’re not the same thing. Besides. Now that we have the Chalice. We should have some fun. Dear Zyphinex has been locked up too long.”
He was now definitely sure that it, well they were female. The white hair woman sat down on the desk and picked up the Chalice, Jack felt his body jerk in protest, that was his property he had stolen it and thus it belonged to him and this bitch whoever she was just had her hands over it like she owned the damn thing! He opened his mouth to speak, however her right index finger rested on his lips and she tsked. “Don’t want me to remove your tongue. Now. From the conversation you’ve had for the past three hours. You do not believe Phillip. That’s alright. Let me show you what it does by using it on you. Yes? Then you will know what it is to truly be something other than a pathetic human.”
He watched in silent horror as this woman, cut her wrist open like it was nothing and spilt her blood into the bowl of the large gothic cup; surely, she did not mean he had to drink it? Surely not even now in their modern civilisation was he going to have to drink out of some strange cup? What had she meant that he would be something other than human once he drank from the cup? He had no time to protest, to beg for his meagre life; not that his life had meant much in the grand scheme of things, no one would mourn his death nor would anyone even notice he was gone — if anything they would profit off his of his death, another competitor gone? What criminal wouldn’t want that? So, it must have come as a surprise to his impromptu captors when he took large gulps of the yellowish-green, with the slightest tint of grey-blue liquid which one could easily mistake for liquid chlorine and lead otherwise it tasted sweet and salty and all kinds of other things that he could no longer place, not that he really cared much — and then he screamed; for he was both convulsing, screaming, drowning and imploding all at once. This woman, whoever or whatever she was smiled as he fell to the floor and fought for his life.
“Well, well. I expected him to die.”
“My love, he is far too useful to die just yet. It might have given his system a nasty shock but in no way does my blood want to kill him.” Levei retorted with a malicious grin.
“He’s waking up.”
Evyette POV
Now that they were back in her basement apartment, not the best place but still a place nonetheless, Evyette slipped from her female form into that of her male. As such she, became a him. He looked at Shinzo critically before approaching the cabinet of assorted flames that Evyette enjoyed bringing along for the ride regardless of whether or not those flames were to be used. Rummaging through them, Evyette asked Shinzo.
"What colour is your true flame?"
It seemed like a simple enough question but the amount of times, his fellow fire claimants had failed to know their true flame bothered Evyette to no end. Waiting for a response. Evyette picked up their artefact, a crystalline almost iridescent ring, that looked almost like thorns but not quite, it shone with a brilliant white light, true flame. Evyette gestured Shinzo over and looked him over. Normally Evyette would have argued against what was about to happen however Phita had made it adamantly clear that if Zyphinex was to be involved in this situation than the claimant representing their house would be given a slight if not utterly unfair disadvantage over the other claimants, Phita had explained if they managed to find the chalice first than by all means they would have a hold over Xainayne. Which in turn would be good for the criminal actions of the houses. Evyette slipped the ringlet upon his right hand just as an identical ringlet formed on the same matching finger of Shinzo. "I'm going to give you a boost. I am aware you have Phita's Rage under your belt but mother seems to think that with Zyphinex on the loose... that you'll need a bit more help just in case you stumble across other... less favourable situations. Now hold still. I'm aware you've never been exposed to white flame. You are about to be. Try not to die." Though Evyette was sure to high forge that Shinzo would take the bullet and be fine, it was better to say it just in case. "This is my artefact. Called the Ember Thorn Ringlet. To put it simply. It allows Phita or myself to transfer part of our white flame to a claimant for a short period of time to be used under extreme duress. If you ever find yourself in a losing fight against a greater enemy this is your last trump card. It will also summon my mother to your side." Evyette relaxed into his natural state and smiled at Shinzo encouragingly as the white hot flame shot straight into Shinzo's veins.
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kaiju
Sigmutt's Wife
109 posts
1 like
are you passing the vibe check?
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last online Nov 8, 2024 16:07:12 GMT
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Jun 15, 2021 19:33:12 GMT
Post by kaiju on Jun 15, 2021 19:33:12 GMT
Shinzo groaned to himself as he rolled his injured shoulder, taking stock of his various injuries with an air of extreme aggravation. The battle had bothered him so much he was fresh out of smart remarks to throw at Haden. When the white-haired male offered a flash full of mystery liquid, Shinzo didn't hesitate. He took it and gulped down as much of it as he could before his burning throat stopped him.
"What is this, cat piss? It's disgusting," he complained to Haden before throwing back another swig. Evyette explained that the woman that had just dragged them through hell was the treasure of darkness, Zyphinex. Of course Shinzo had heard whispers about her, but she hadn't been allowed to be active as far as he knew. She was too dangerous. Now it made sense why the Ancients thought that. So to allow her out to chase this Chalice... Well, they must be in deep shit.
He took another swig from the flask before realizing he had been hogging it. He didn't care, though. It was the least Haden could do. Evyette's barking at Athea made him look up, giving the water claimant a fresh once-over. She looked more useless than Misnia but at least she didn't have some weird, perpetual cough. Mostly he felt bad for the ice treasure but it wasn't his place to say so. Still, when she got close, he emanated just a little more heat in the hopes of warming her up.
“As for you. Well. Mother has a message for you. Come. Time, we honed that flame a bit more. Leave the children to be children.”
Shinzo groaned and mentally kicked himself. Fuck, he should've seen this coming... No doubt Evyette was going to relay every detail of the fight back to Phita. He knew he was in more trouble than he could imagine and Evyette knew it too. She laughed as he took his last swig of Haden's flask.
"Thank you," Amarjeet said to Evyette as she took the thick envelope from her. Explaining how all this destruction had befallen the bar would surely be annoying and unfortunate, but at least she didn't have to come up with a plan on how to raise funds to fix it. Novevu's annoyance, if he bothered to care at all, could be curved with this. She idly wondered if he was even awake yet or still fucking off somewhere in a drunken stupor. Then again, she supposed she could check on him after she closed the bar for the night... Well, as much as she could close it with all the holes in the walls.
"I didn't know you knew how to share," she teased Haden as she came around the bar with a broom. The patrons that were left passively cleaned up around themselves but otherwise couldn't be bothered to move.
Amarjeet hummed to herself as she cleaned, oddly content with doing it all herself. She figured she could at least let Haden rest after the ordeal they'd had. She pitied Shinzo a little because it seemed he never stopped training and Phita was much harder on him than Daenu was on Haden. But then again, the Japanese man thrived on his regimen, so she didn't feel too bad.
The door opened behind her and the woman nonchalantly announced, "Excuse the mess and I'll be right with you!"
"She cooks, she cleans, she makes drinks. How are you not someone's beloved wife yet?"
The woman audibly gasped, turning to face the owner of the voice as the broom slipped from her fingers. An ear-splitting grin crossed her lips as she recognized her old friend, running to him and jumping into his outstretched arms. "Lucas!! What--How--Why--?!" She squeezed him and giggled as he lifted her and spun her in a circle.
"Oh, you know I can't resist you," the blonde man responded smoothly, placing a kiss on her forehead when he put her back on the ground.
She swatted his shoulder playfully "Could've fooled me. I haven't seen you in months."
"You know I'm working, woman."
Amarjeet rolled her eyes and gave him a look up and down. "Is that what you're here for today? You're working?"
"I'm always working, beautiful. You know that."
"Well it seems like everyone's here for the same thing. Xainayne's Chalice was stolen, they freed Zyphinex to look for it, and you, Haden, and Shinzo have all been called on." A wry laugh escaped her mouth. "We must be fucked or something."
"What colour is your true flame?"
Shinzo didn't look up from his position, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried not to imagine what Evyette had in mind for him. He knew his performance at the bar had been less than ideal, but he truly hadn't meant for it to turn out so poorly.
"Blue, sir," he answered Evyette confidently, his muscles straining from the kowtow he presented his superior with. His forehead rested against the floor in shame, the only clothes on his body his underwear as he awaited his punishment. His back was littered with cuts and welts from Zyphinex's whip, his shoulder screaming with the way he bowed on the floor.
Evyette nudged him with his foot, gesturing for the fire claimant to rise and come over to where the treasure was standing. The red-haired male held out a ring, introducing it as an artefact and explaining its abilities. Shinzo envied Evyette for all his power but also admired the hell out of him. He was almost too powerful for Shinzo to even wrap his mind around and that was the worst feeling of all. No matter how much he worked on himself, he was still just a claimant.
The black-haired Japanese yakuza enforcer watched in amazement as a ring matching that of his treasure appeared on his right hand. He raised it and stared at it, wondering what made Evyette and Phita trust him with it. Of course it seemed like he needed it, but it was something precious nonetheless. He felt accomplished to be worthy enough to even be considered for it.
"You... honor me," he breathed in awe. All of it sounded so wonderful it was like a dream. Of course, he would have to work to make sure Phita never saw fit to come to his aid. That would be a disaster.
He was still ogling the bright ring when he felt it. Evyette's smile distracted him for a split second, but not nearly long enough. White flames crept out of the ring like serpents, spreading up his hands and to his arm. It disappeared into his veins and lit up under his skin as it coursed through him. It felt like he was being burned from the inside out. He couldn't hold in his screams as he struggled with it, holding his arm away as if it would stop the spread. His screeches only grew as the pain did and he tripped over his feet in Evyette's basement apartment as he writhed in pain. It was like time slowed just to allow every single nerve ending to individually catch on fire. Evyette simply watched on in silent approval.
Something smelled like it was... burning.
Groaning and fighting a terrible headache, the swordsman Shinzo Hazashi opened his eyes with much difficulty. His entire body felt like it had been submerged in a vat of acid, melting away not only his skin, but also disintegrating his bones. After a moment of gathering himself he realized he was still in Evyette's basement apartment.
"Get up."
Shinzo scrambled to his feet and then to another kowtow even though his vision was spinning the world around him. "Ph-Phita, I--"
"Shut up." She kicked him in the stomach as she paced back and forth next to him, her hands tucked neatly behind her back. Her frown was more pronounced than Evyette had seen recently. "Do you know why you have been given the ring?"
He instantly resumed his position of vulnerability at her feet. "Yes--"
She kicked him again. "Shut up. It's not because you deserve my power. It's because you are weak. You disappoint me."
The man grimaced, thankful for his kowtow lest Phita punish him for seeming to disagree.
She stared at him for a long time before moving again, stomping on his outstretched hand. When he yelped, she kicked him again, but harder this time until he was laying on your back. "Didn't I teach you to die before ever letting go of your weapon?"
He coughed and wiped at some blood dribbling from his mouth. She didn't give him a chance to recover, stomping on his other hand and then his chest. "You still can't control your flames?! You embarrass me. You are embarrassing. How many times are you going to have Novevu knocking down my door demanding to know what's happened to his bar?"
It went on like that for several more minutes before Evyette stepped in and put a hand on Phita's shoulder. He didn't think Phita was this hard on him so to allow him to mercilessly beat Shinzo didn't feel right. Besides, the guy was still just a human.
Phita finally stopped, panting with the exertion, and looked down at her claimant. He lay there a bloody mess, his breathing labored and uneven, looking quite worse for wear. Zyphinex hadn't done nearly as much damage as his own Ancient.
"Take him to Eviax," Phita barked, and returned to the Forge without another word.
Evyette scraped a weezing Shinzo up off the ground, feeling bad for the man. He looked quite defeated but he'd never say a disparaging word against Phita. If anything, Evyette knew he'd be thanking the Ancient for the beating later on down the road. That was something he never understood about him just like he didn't understand why Phita was so unforgiving when it came to him. It hardly felt like she cared about her other fire claimants as much as she put effort into Shinzo. Even if it was usually to tear him a new one. |
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Post by Spira on Jun 16, 2021 0:03:57 GMT
Lucas POV
I think thoughts.I think thoughts.These thoughts are not my own. Are they ever my own?Will they ever be my own?I steal thoughts.Thoughts. What a strange word.Thoughts.Thoughts."LOOK OUT." He held his arm out in front of a pair of lovers who were, as always. Human. Of course, when faced with the sight of two treasures ripping into each other; humans are bound to notice and they are bound to scream. So easy to frighten yet so easy to yearn for violence, Lucas nearly blanched, it seemed his finger had for the briefest moment interacted with that of the male in the pair... Sex. Why are you thinking about Sex when two beings greater than you are fighting to the death... well human death? Lord you must have your priorities straight as a bee collecting pollen for the hive. He waited and watched, just like the rest of them to assess the damage, when the battle was indeed concluded and Evyette stood triumphant, Lucas couldn't help but wonder if the other who had slipped nearly perfectly into the shadows was indeed Zyphinex. As for Lucas? Well, he was in dear old New York to see one special lady — well technically he had been provided a chance for a two day break, what better way than to spend it with the love of his life and frankly the only person whose thoughts weren't invasive, pervasive or otherwise. Why dear old Lucas had no idea how to be anyone but himself around Amarjeet, then again she had demanded that much of him; even though he felt like he could never be himself because of his occupation. Opening the door to the bar, a smile cracked up — though she had her back turned to him, ducking past a pair of fire claimants who were chattering on and on about their treasure being the most superior; something that Lucas did not agree with in the slightest, he made sure his voice was loud, clear and hopefully authentic I am always carrying the voices of others. Perhaps it is not even my own voice... how does she know what my true voice is? Can a man like me have one? Or is it as slippery as thoughts can be? he waited till she had turned at just the right angle to finally actually speak. "She cook, she cleans, she makes drinks. How are you not someone's beloved wife yet?" In a trade like his, touch was a tricky invasive topic. He did not like the most dominant of his senses more than he liked walking through mud in a pair of white shoes. Everyone who was anyone who touched him made him feel ill. It was not that he minded, he had stopped caring long enough to do the job and be paid; but that didn't mean he was free of standing under freezing cold water, iron wire and electrical equipment trying to scrub himself clean of the filthy obsessive thoughts of all of his unsuspecting victims. Well not victims? Perhaps... sources of information was a better term? So swept up in his own thoughts he nearly toppled over when she enveloped him. मुझे ताकत दो। {Give me strength}
मैं उसके लायक नहीं हूं {I am not worthy of her}
मैं पिछले पर घर हूं {I am home at last}
"Oh, you know I can't resist you," He swung her around, he was finally at peace. All of the dirty work was gone and forgotten about... the secrets he had stored up to be dissected and analysed by his ancient left his conscious mind and the feeling of not having to trudge through Amarjeet's mind was like an eagle coming home from a long day of looking for field mice in barren winter. When she criticised him for his lack thereof appearance — he was glad she hadn't noticed the bleeding yet. "You know I'm working, woman." a look of hurt crossed her face and he wondered if his game had been blown, Amarjeet had always been unusually perceptive of his tries to diminish his injuries — she rarely let him down for it, in fact he felt she was about to be very. Very angry. Not that he looked hurt outwardly... but his spleen was ruptured and his ribs technically just the ones on his right... broken. "I am fine. Nothing major." he murmured under his breath as bar patrons started to stop and stare at their reunion. She decided to play him off, there would be hell to pay for it later when she could have a closer look at him. "I'm always working, beautiful. You know that." He would drop the 'here for two days bomb' when she wasn't about to go off on a void murder spree.
Three Days Ago
I knew she was devious. Up to something however? On this large a scale? No. Surely not. Once he would have said no to spying on an ancient, because usually they were the ones who employed him but Novevu had insisted that he had to be sure that Phita wasn't fucking him over. Using information against the fire claimants had been too easy, now that Lucas was inside Phita's office though, the blueprints and other documents were a clear worry. None of it made sense and he was running out of time to absorb and remember as much as he could. It had only been by chance that the office was empty — a meeting that Novevu had conveniently planned just so that Lucas would have this chance.
"Well look here." Lucas looked up and felt his whole world began to crumble. Thankfully, fortunately it was not Evyette or Phita but rather one of their claimants. Vincent. He had no other name. He needed no other name but amongst Akiekunai like Lucas, he was not one to be trifled with. "Seems Chaemai got sloppy. Who sent you thought stealer." "I'm surprised you haven't thrown a flame at me yet." "I'd rather bring my mistress. Your head." Now. Lucas was not much a fan of physical confrontations; and definitely not ones against physical powerhouses like Vincent — who admittedly, Lucas should have foreseen would be a problem.
Removing his ornate scissors from in-between his coat, he changed his stance so that Vincent would know Lucas was not here to lose his life. "Normally you really would be dead Lucas. Alas, now that Phita knows you're here. She's tasked me with doing as much damage as I dare try. Though not enough for that other girl. The death one you so dearly love: what was her name? To know who did you pain." "She'll be able to tell." "Not if the people doing the harm are humans." That took Lucas back a bit as the first blue ball of fire shot towards him. This was a live or die situation and Lucas was not in the business of abandoning Amarjeet without at least saying goodbye.
Jack POVOffical police report as follows
Time: 0600 hours Place: Grand Central Station. Creatures present: Two Police Officers, A station conductor, Three Homeless and a stray tabby cat. Event description: Officer Bill Olivera located corpse on track seven. Called for backup. Officer Olivera found deceased later. 0545 hours. 'Reported Body' missing. Olivera was struck to the head, his heart removed with surgical precision. Words etched onto station. WE ARE COMING. FEAR US. signature unknown. "That worked."
He never thought he'd relish the power that now ran through his veins but he did. He was no longer pretty and he must have smelt a corpse but knowing now that he could turn those he touched into the same monsters as he was satisfying. His orders were clear, cause enough a stir that no one would be paying attention when Levei cut down the ancients, easy enough but he supposed he'd need to ramp up the violence if he wanted the claimants to know just how much shit they were in. He licked his lips and patted the head of the aptly named female corpse — He did not care for names, she was just a tool within means to an end. He continued along the path of the station touching each and every thing that had a pulse. The screams would last for only a moment before they would follow silently, moaning and drooling in their wake. "Levei wants hell. We'll give the city of New York Hell. The Ancients won't know what hit them."
Eviax POVShe swallowed another bite of hot chicken and leek pie, she really did love pie. As she cut herself another slice. Florita hummed in the background — making a dish called gumbo. It didn't sound particularly appetising but Florita had promised it was delicious. There was a harsh knock "Let us in." "Who could that be?" Florita murmured under her breath. She did not particularly agree with the drug dealing and mob goings nor the rest of her family being involved... but she wasn't in a place to disagree anyway. Eviax stood up plate in hand and walked towards the door, letting Evyette and whichever person who needed saving now into the medium three room sized flat. Shinzo looked a right mess. Eviax barely recognised the guy... though his sword was a clear giveaway. Evyette placed the Japanese national down before heading directly towards the kitchen to eat, thus leaving Eviax in charge of seeing to the wounds clearly inflicted upon him by Phita.
"You ought not to treat him so... harshly." To which Evyette ignored, Eviax bit her lip and pulled her sleeves up, pie clearly forgotten as she placed her hands upon his chest or at least where she hoped he was not in pain. "Tell me where it hurts. Let me try and help. Deep breath in. I can get some morphine." Keeping her voice low and soothing, Shinzo was going to be out of action until Eviax could be sure that his body would not be in anyway permanently damaged from the events this morning.
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Dobu
Ilnonta's Husband
163 posts
0 likes
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last online Nov 28, 2024 5:19:38 GMT
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Jun 16, 2021 10:17:00 GMT
Post by Dobu on Jun 16, 2021 10:17:00 GMT
His drinks downed and his annoyance still present, but far less than before. He has quickly managed to get himself back into a state he could feel relaxed in which may have lasted longer if Shinzo hadn't drunken almost all of his personal drink! While he wanted to get more upset about he was far more focused on his mistakes in combat. This should have been far easier and yet he found himself holding back. Why? For what purpose? Just to not destroy the property or cause collateral damage? He didn't throw everything he had at her and now here he was in a state so poor he didn't even want to look at anyone. What an embarrassment. All he could do was watch and listen for instructions.
Evyette's action against him made him feel even more inferior, but he held his tongue regardless. She spoke of Zyphinex, this person he couldn't help but feel he had to make sure paid for this shit in some way or another. Fighting her was clearly not a good decision, but he wanted to freeze her skin, her flesh, her blood and bones two or maybe three times over.
At some point he found himself canceling out her words, his concentration was bouncing off the walls. The sounds of all the movement, voices, it was all ringing in his head and for a moment he felt like the drink might have been hitting him a bit too hard. Abnormal to the the least, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose for a sense of relief.
"Dad's glad you're safe. Sorry I couldn't do much..."
Her voice was like a gentle snow pouring over him. He almost couldn't bring himself to look up and meet her gaze after a failure this magnificent and yet he wouldn't disrespect her like that. Oh how it reminded him of his mother every time he saw her, a comfort he felt he didn't deserve. He wanted to open his mouth and speak, say that there was no need to apologize for his own failures. Say that she didn't need to do anything as she shouldn't have to run to his aid and it should instead be the other way around! It all just managed to make him feel like even less than before. He felt so defeated, so weak. He kept the words to himself as in the end what meaning would they truly have to a treasure? His treasure who was sent to help him in his time of failure.
“Dad says you should take some time to scope the city out… and find out who’s on whose side before you blow any heads off… not that he’s protesting your style of work… he’d just rather not upset… the fire ancient.”
"Aye, it will be done. Also thank you... for being here I mean. I appreciate your presence regardless of if you push yourself or not and I'd personally prefer you didn't." Of course Daenu wouldn't. No doubt too busy tending to Phita, both of which could have easily warned them of this situation and it could have been avoided or properly handled with care.
He focused on what he'd have to do now, a new order which would be a good chance to clear his head at the very least.
"What is this, cat piss? It's disgusting", he heard Shinzo's voice through his thoughts as if he tried to pierce through his focus with them like a fine blade through paper. Then he had the audacity to continue drinking it! The nerve!
"And who the hell do ya think you are? You insult a man's drink and then go about yer marry way chugging down even more of it? Give me that you renegade fecker!" He snatched the flask from him the moment he seemed distracted by anything else. "You'll have to earn another drink from me."
"I didn't know you knew how to share", Amarjeet intruded upon his person with such a cruel remark. How could she do this to him?
"I'll have you know I'm a very generous person... when I want to be... which is almost never."
He seated himself again to think up a plan, a way to go about information gathering and scouting but did it really matter? He'd no doubt just go about it the way he always did and go roaming about doing whatever he sees fit, so long as he doesn't decide to shoot anyone then daddy dearest shouldn't have anything to whine about afterwards so it would be easy enough. If all he had to do what figure out who was on who's side then this would be rather easy, surely everyone was on each other's side when things were in such a terribly sensitive state. There wasn't much time to even think about it really. His plan was as sloppy as ever but he'd work out the fine details along the way.
He stood quickly and retrieved his coat to make his exit before a familiar face found it's way in. He had been so focused on the plan that he hadn't even noticed Shinzo had left as well as Evyette and Misnia. The fuck happened? What did manage to catch his attention however was the next person who entered. Lucas. How often had he managed to even see that one? While the urge to throw out an insult the moment he saw him was strong he also knew that their friendly barkeep would be very displeased so he stored it away into the vault. He'd save it for a later date. It was time to leave, but not before addressing the last remaining factor.
"Hey, Athea! I'm heading out to do some scouting, recon, whatever ya want to call it. You can come with me or you can stay here and meet up with us later. The choice is yours. You're on our team so don't pay much mind to the others, just do what you gotta do", he spoke just before taking his leave. He felt bad that everyone treated her like a child. It was bad enough that most ancients and treasures already treated claimants like children, but having other claimants treat you the same way? He'd at least give her the benefit if the doubt until he saw her in action.
Outside at last.
Haden enjoyed the late night bar scene but nothing beat the cool night air brushing against his face. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and placed it between his lips as he walked yet before he could even grab his lighter he bumped strait into someone. He stumbled back a bit, it felt like running into a wall, they didn't even move and inch. His cigarette fell to the ground after being smashed between his face and this unknown person's chest which he looked at as if his very hopes and dreams had fallen to the cold cement.
"Are you feckin serious? I can't even walk out the damn door without some cuck ruining me... night..." Well this was a huge mistake.
His eyes looked up to catch the towering silhouette of a person that familiar wasn't capable of properly describing. All black, eyes that felt as if they were piercing through his very head. What was Gahbreal even doing here? From what he knew the man always managed to stay busy by choice and yet here he was looking at him in a way that seemed as if he were simply a form of prey to be swept from the tide of lives that flowed throughout the city. The way he simply stood there was even imposing.
"So... how's it going Gahbreal? I trust work has been treating ya well of course."
"Watch where you're goin. I ain't gonna say it again. If you have the time to throw out insults everywhere you go then you got time to watch your step."
Haden laughed at his words, an attempt to at least appease the growing anger on his face and yet at closer examination that wasn't just it. The darkness claimant was tired, exhausted, he couldn't even hide it. The dark circles around his eyes and the scruffy, unkempt beard that covered his maw made him look as if he hadn't slept or taken care of himself in days. His clothes were covered in dust and dirt, coat covered in blood that had dried and blood that was still fresh. He looked like a mess to say the very least.
"Hey, are you alright? Ya don't looks so good laddie. If you're going inside you ought to take off that coat as well. Have you been sleeping? Eating?" Haden couldn't hide his concern, Gahbreal rarely ever came here to begin with but in a condition like this it was startling to say the least. His eyes were a dim shade of red and he seemed as if he were barely even paying attention to the words coming out of his mouth. "You hear me? Gahbreal? Lad!"
"Huh?" His focus snapped back to the boy. "Oh, yeah. I've got you... Just takin a small break. I still have work to do."
He removed the coat from his back and tossed it into the nearest alleyway, it wasn't useful anymore as it was. He pulled a cigar from his pocket and handed it to Haden who slowly took it from his hand. The lighter Gahbreal pulled out was rather old and looked as if it were covered in blood. It had a name on it that was unrecognizable, did he take it from a body? Well there was no point in questioning it now since it had already lit the cigar in his mouth.
"And let Phita know that if she has somethin for me to do then she should go into her own fuckin realm next time you see her. I can't keep track of where she's gonna be if she keeps moving back and forth between your ancient and the forge, the fuckin annoyance."
With that he treaded his way into the bar, even his steps looked as if he were pushing past sleep for work. No doubt it was a demanding job, but just how demanding was it?
Gahbreal not questioning him about the chalice seemed to be more troubling than anything else and yet he pushed the thought aside, he had work to do after all. Daenu wanted him to see how things were doing and that was exactly what he'd do. Do a bit of rummaging around and then make his way to a place he hated more than anything, the suburban area. While he enjoyed killing off people he didn't like the thought of leaving someone to die and finding that the ancients took it upon themselves to make them well again. It sent a shiver up his spine to even think about it and yet it did give him the fun of encountering unfortunate enemies again who didn't take his jokes very well.
The sound of distant groaning made his heart stop for what felt like a few seconds as he paused in his tracks. A slow turn later and he caught a glimpse of what seemed like a regular person roaming about in the dark. Some drunk or something, but it wasn't his concern... or at least he thought. We're they looking at him? He leaned to the side and squinted his eyes, gaining a more focused look at this individual. A few steps to his left, a few steps to his right, ducking behind a wall and peeking around it. They were looking at him! Who in the hell was this person and why were they still moaning and groaning like some kind of zombie. Thought alone sent a shock to his head.
"Hey! Areshole! You uh... you alright?" They simply continued to hobble forward as if ignoring his question. "Hey I'm not gonna ask you again! Me nerves only have so much patience for some creep approaching me down an alleyway in the dead of night!"
As much as he tried to seem tough in the scenario presented the moment the thing began charging at him and he got a better look at it the look of perpetual fear could be seen on his face. What the hell was going on with this person? He didn't hesitate to jump back and with a full swing of his arm coat the entire alley with a blistering cyan flame that left small traces of frost on the brick and concrete that surrounded them. The flame only lasted for a brief moment as it was only a creation of ice in the end, but it should be effective at slowing someone down enough to figure something out.
"Eeeeee", he exclaimed as they continued to rush forward regardless of the surely burning cold on their skin.
A mix of surprise and shock was all it took to have him throw forward a wave of pure crystalline ice that engulfed the entire alley. He looked at the person for a moment and they were still trying to move! By now his body temperature had begun to drop drastically and he wasn't having anymore of whatever this was. With a swift motion the ice cracked and snapped before bursting into a white powder of ice shards, the victim included. He looked around for a moment, making sure that nothing else was nearby before relaxing himself. Something about whatever that person was doing only made him feel more uncomfortable the longer it persisted. It would have been nice to capture them but it didn't even look like that would be an option. They fought as if they weren't alive, a thought that made his stomach turn. He knew his fair share of death, but that was just scary!
"On second thought I'm gonna go pay the suburbs a visit, scouting can happen a wee bit later."
He didn't pay much mind to anything else going on around him and opted to simply make his way to an empty table where he could be alone and sit himself down steadily. The sounds of people talking was rather calming, made him feel as if he didn't need his job and yet it was always so short lived. A drink was all he wanted, a drink was all he needed and then he'd be back to work. Coffee and moonshine, something that not many people could drink but with the things he did manage to drink it was only really a means to keep him awake and give him a light buzz. He could see that the place had seen a scuffle before he had arrived just from approaching the place and he was prepared to wait as long as he needed to for Amarjeet to get the place in order. He began to doze off, his eyes had been struggling to stay open and yet the moment he sat down he found them closed. When his eyes were shut it was as if he could feel every single strand of wind against his skin. It was as if it were blowing right through him, separating the fibers of his being and attempting to lull him to sleep. He may have gotten some rest if it weren't for a certain someone's voice sundering his hopes at quelling the exhaustion. "I am fine. Nothing major."His eyes opened in a rather interested manner. He hadn't expected to find Lucas here and yet it was a good chance to see him fail at lying. In the darkness claimant's eyes he was as frail as a pile of sticks, but it was nice to see him at least trying to look strong for someone in a sense. Even so Amarjeet noticed it just as well as he noticed it himself, she had the eyes for seeing things like this and it wasn't as if Lucas were really hiding it in an effective way. It did seem as if she'd let him take his pride and run with it for now however, but was it pride? Maybe it was a sense of something he couldn't remember that drove him to take the pain and push on with it. His posture was off, there was at least a few broken pieces in there, but he wouldn't throw him under the bus so soon or so outwardly. "Why don't you two just kiss already", his voice bellowed through the room as it always seemed to do. He hated everyone paying attention to him, but there was never a way to really avoid it when talking normally. As if it mattered to begin with. "I'm already here so why not let me see a love story in the makin. I don't get treats like this very often."
His head poked around the corner with a smile that could move the heart of anyone... if they already didn't know who he was. "Hey there Shinzo, buddy, I came to visit you. Thought I'd come by and call ya a fecking failure and ask why you're laying about like a mother about to give birth!" He laughed as if he had accomplished a great act of justice as he strode into the room. Eviax and Evyette were clearly less than pleased. "Haden if that was all you came here for then I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I need to focus."
"I was going to tell him to leave because he's being an annoyance and a nuisance but that works too.""Oh ha ha! Well I'm sure you'd both be glad I came here to talk to you two actually." He could leaned against the nearest empty wall he could find and took a deep breath, the cool air that accumulated on his person leaking off into the surrounding air. "So ya see I ran into a person who was particularly not doing normal human things? I thought it was a drunk until they started running at me like a fecking rabid dog! So I hit em with a good wave of ye old frost-fire, wanted to slow em down and bring the weirdo here so you could look at the lune Eviax."Eviax looked at him as if he were speaking gibberish. Evyette giving him a look that said just about the same until Eviax herself decided to speak up. "So does this story of yours have an end that doesn't involve murder? Will I actually get to see this patient?""Heh, well ya see.""And here we go", Evyette sighed at his start. "Is it even possible for you to hold back in the slightest?""Oh well mister high and mighty how about ya go and capture the next one because this one didn't stop! In fact they didn't even slow down! It was like I didn't even do anything to em!"
Evyette laughed in response, an action that only served to get the boy agitated. "Well maybe that's because you're too weak. Did that ever cross your mind?" The sound of mixed coughs and laughter from Shinzo filled the air as well. The nerve of this guy! Even while laying down injured he'd think there would ever be a time of peace for him? "Oh so sleeping beauty can talk? Well fine, I've got more pressing matters to address not including the man who looks to be hospitalized for what I'm assuming was falling down a flight a stairs since ya looked just a tad bit better off last I saw ya", he retorted as the cold air ceased from radiating off of his person. "Anyway, as I was saying, I froze their skin solid and they refused to even slow down. I could see the damn skin tearing and falling apart but they didn't even look like they felt it so I just froze em solid, but... you guessed it! They were still trying to move while incased in a solid block of ice. No abilities, no abnormal strength, just not caring about their wellbeing or their survival. I don't even know if it was a claimant or not!"
The two ancient's expressions became far more serious once he had finally explained the meat of his experience. If what he was saying was in fact true then a more dire situation may have very well already begun, cogs set in motion for disaster before any real progress towards the chalice could be made. "They fought as if they weren't really alive because anyone living probably would stop the moment their skin started falling off. Shadowy fecker was weird as all hell and I mainly came here to let ye know I'm killing em all on sight. I'm revoking Daenu's order as of now and I don't care for whatever punishment I get later, I'm throwing everything I have at these people because I'm not gonna die to some drug addicts in the streets or some shit today." |
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kaiju
Sigmutt's Wife
109 posts
1 like
are you passing the vibe check?
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last online Nov 8, 2024 16:07:12 GMT
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Jun 18, 2021 13:57:49 GMT
Post by kaiju on Jun 18, 2021 13:57:49 GMT
As soon as she hugged him she knew something was wrong. He tried his best not to shy away, but he recoiled just the slightest bit and that was enough to tip her off. He saw the exact moment the realization crossed her mind, dread pulling over him as her brows lowered in confusion. He was trying to figure out how to rebuff her suspicions but it was starting to look impossible.
She squeezed him again, then pressed on his ribs until he couldn't take it and grimaced, throwing a hand over his chest as if it would stop the pain. It caused her to frown, the fingertips on her right hand turning black as the Void fed on her agitation.
"I hate when you lie to me," the British woman grumbled.
"I'm not. Really, I'm okay!" He chuckled amicably, throwing his hands up in the air as he attempted to appease her with his charm.
"I know what a crushed ribcage feels like, Lucas." She tried to calm herself down, looking at the floor in an attempt to lighten her mood back up. At least he was there, right? Then again, he should've sought help from Destodai or Eviax first. Who knew how much internal damage there was? It was difficult to shake the Void as her thoughts consumed her with how hurt Lucas could actually be since she couldn't trust him to tell her the truth.
"Why don't you two just kiss already?"
The voice of her old friend managed to drive away the leech that was her Void Posession. Amarjeet looked up to follow Gahbreal's voice to the source--he had the type that was easy to pick out in a crowd. It attracted the attention of a few other patrons as well, booming throughout the ruined room of the bar. Amarjeet wanted to smack him because she could hear the layers of exhaustion in it.
Sighing, Amarjeet simply shook her head to herself. None of these men took care of themselves and they were all going on her shit list because of it. Haden drank himself into a stupor and acted reckless; Shinzo trained himself to the brink of death; Lucas never wanted to ask for help; Gahbreal and sleep were complete and total strangers. It felt like she was the only one that cared about them.
"He doesn't get a kiss until he tells me who did this," the bartender responded smoothly, staring directly at her significant other as she said so. It was a double-edged sword because more than anything she wanted to kiss him but the chances of him telling her what happened were slim. Asking Novevu was a lost cause: he never told her the details of Lucas's missions. It was only once that she had chased after Lucas but she had been confined to the bar unless she had Novevu's express permission to leave ever since.
The light-haired woman sighed as she went back behind the bar, whipping up a quick drink for Gahbreal. It was tea with dark liquor; she knew it wasn't his favorite but she wasn't in the business of keeping him awake any longer. He was already dozing off at the table and he'd just arrived.
"Here," she said as she set the mug down in front of him. If she looked hard enough she was sure she could see the bags under his eyes from across the room. "You should crash at my flat while you're here. I'm not asking." An encouraging smile lifted her lips after she was done with her idle threat. Amarjeet came around the table and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before returning to Lucas.
"I forgot to ask how long you're staying this time," the death claimant mused once she was back cleaning glasses.
Lucas groaned internally. Of course she'd ask so soon... "Does it matter? It's never long enough."
That gave her pause and made her frown. "You're avoiding the question and trying to charm me because it isn't long at all, is it?"
"Why do you worry so much, lover? Can't I just charm you because I'm charming?"
"Bold of you to assume I honestly find you charming. Maybe I just wanted to use you for your body but I can't because you're broken."
"Of course you--wait, use me for my body?"
She laughed and gestured for him to come closer until he complied. Then she leaned across the counter and gave him a peck on the lips, drawing out a "Where's the rest of it?!"
The woman shrugged and grinned tauntingly. "The same place as my answer to who did this to you, lover."
He couldn't tell if he was dreaming. Shinzo teetered in a place somewhere on the spectrum between consciousness and unconsciousness. He could hear things happening around him but he couldn't open his eyes. Every single part of him hurt. It felt like he'd been flayed, torn apart, and pieced back together by an idiot child. One moment he saw Phita smiling at him and the next he saw his Inagawa-kai underboss sacrificing a finger for his transgressions. It was a burden the underboss was willing to carry if it meant Shinzo could handle a sword unhindered. It was a debt the fire claimant still did not know how he could repay.
His body was being carried by someone one second and set down on a floor the next. He didn't need sight to know where he was. Not only did it smell familiar, but he'd been there so many times, he figured he should start pitching in for rent. Eviax's voice floated around his head as if it were a cloud, though he couldn't exactly make out what she was saying at first. He shuddered when she put her hands on his chest.
"Tell me where it hurts. Let me try and help. Deep breath in. I can get some morphine."
The mans's breaths were labored and harsh. While Phita had mostly left his face alone, speaking still required a tremendous amount of effort. All he could do was groan at the mention of morphine. It would've felt significantly better to have it yet he refused because he wanted to remember this beating. Eviax could heal his body but what would that do if he made the same mistakes because he didn't learn his lesson?
"Arigatōgozaimashita. Watashi wa... anata ni watashinojinsei o... karite imasu," the yakuza enforcer muttered between deep breaths per her instructions. The pain his chest that accompanied the breaths were a punishment even he was not fit to receive. But he endured it because Eviax asked him to.
thank you. i owe you my life.
The treasure of the house of Life didn't have to speak Japanese to know what Shinzo was saying. He'd already said it to her so many times before that she knew without question what he was getting at.
"At this rate I think you only have one left," she retorted pointedly. "I should start a collection."
Just then Haden burst in like a blast of cold air. The fire claimant's eyes slowly opened when he heard his voice; he would've frowned if he had the energy to dedicate to it. Just leave it to Haden to ruin any moment, mood, or scene.
"Kuso kurae," the long-haired man spat.
eat shit.
Haden continued on with his explanations about how he'd apparently fought someone that actually gave him a run for his money. From the sound of it, he was coming off courageous but whatever creature he faced had startled him. To think that the reckless, impulsive idiot Haden could have fear instilled in his heart was unnerving. It certainly could not bode well for their future. The only amusement that Shinzo could find in the situation was that Evyette still called Haden weak.
"Oh so sleeping beauty can talk? Well fine, I've got more pressing matters to address not including the man who looks to be hospitalized for what I'm assuming was falling down a flight a stairs since ya looked just a tad bit better off last I saw ya."
Of course he'd say something like that. He had never been privy to Phita's... training sessins. It wasn't often that she came down herself to punish the fire claimant but he supposed this time warranted her presence. He could honestly consider himself lucky she cared about his performance at all.
Shinzo coughed weakly as Eviax pressed harder on his chest. She gently placed his broken hands over his stomach so she could focus on them as well. This wasn't the worst Evyette had ever brought him to see her but that didn't mean it got easier.
He focused on his senses then, his breaths deepening as he slipped into a light meditation. Eviax's healing wasn't instant though it was a great time faster than his natural ability. His wheezing was already beginning to disappear, the bones in his broken fingers straightening themselves slowly.
Then suddenly, his expression grew into one of intense concentration. Eviax wondered what gave but figured the pain must've been making him delirious. "What's wrong?" she finally whispered.
"I hear something outside." He strained to get up and Eviax firmly pushed him back down.
"Are you crazy? You can't go out there. I'll send Haden."
"There are a lot of them. I hear shuffling and..." His head tilted to the side, ears straining as he put all he had into that one sense. "Noise like moaning. Someone moaning."
"You can hear that?"
"Yes... Phita's training has its advantages." He grimaced as he forced himself to sit up against Eviax's protests. "Please do not worry. I'll be fine. I must ask one more thing of you."
"You're in no shape to fight. Let Evyette and Haden handle it."
"All I need to survive is to be able to hold my sword. Please." His red orbs looked deep into her light, impossibly innocent eyes as he tried to plead with her. "Do this for me and I won't disobey you again." Then, to Haden: "Either you led them here like the dumbass you are or we have been found."
Eviax frowned in annoyance. She didn't like this plan at all. Besides, she could take care of herself. Judging from the look in his eye there was no way to talk him out of whatever stupid idea he had.
"I need one alive," she finally relented. After thinking about it for a moment she repeated the statement to the other two in the room.
"Yes, ma'am."
She blushed, swallowing awkwardly. "Stop calling me ma'am, Shinzo. I'm not your mother."
"Sorry, ma'am." When she slapped the back of his head to accentuate her point, it pulled a light smile from the man. "You're right."
Now she could hear it. Somewhere out in the night was a screeching noise. At first it was faint, presumably because of distance. It faded away and picked up again closer though this time with more voices. It was a cacophony of groans. She could understand why it would be a point of concern.
She helped the long-haired man up from the floor, watching him grit his teeth and try to act like he wasn't in unbearable pain. A sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead as he tried to look around for his pants.
“Oh, that's what I forgot!" Evyette exclaimed from somewhere behind the two.
"You forgot my clothes?!"
“Well you could've gotten them yourself if you weren't so busy getting your shit kicked in." He shoved one last piece of food in his mouth before making his way for the door. “Haden, back me up. Shinzo, don't lollygag."
He groaned his disagreement as Eviax rushed into one of the bedrooms suddenly. He moved sluggishly to where his sword had been leaned against the wall while clutching his torso.
"He's supposed to do somethin' all twisted up like that? Yer out o' ya wee minds." Haden marched up to Shinzo and pushed him to mark his point, disrupting the man's balance. "This isn't like fightin' humans, Fortune Cookie. I froze their skin off and they kept coming. You get me?"
Shinzo's red eyes trained on his longtime rival in an unblinking glare. They stayed like that for a stretched minute, just staring each other down, until Haden turned and left. Eviax returned from the back room with a pair of pants and shirt in hand. Florita had slipped out sometime while Shinzo was drifting in and out.
"You can wear this. Nammay polished your sword."
"Nammay...?" He let his unfinished question linger as Eviax helped him into the clothes she brought. Whatever monsters were approaching them were getting closer and louder. Some seemed to be saying words, almost. It was like someone was trying to speak with their mouths wide open.
The fire claimant kept his complaints to grimaces and grunts as she dressed him. He was surprised the pants she brought fit because he'd assumed they were perhaps Evyette's and the treasure had a height advantage. The shirt she helped him into, however, made her laugh. She'd grabbed the wrong thing... Instead of a regular T-shirt she'd grabbed one of her tank tops. He noticed the mistake and simply frowned. There was no time to fix it now: Haden and Evyette were already engaging in battle. Getting the his arms through the appropriate holes in the shirt was an excrutiating task. Eviax did her best to continue healing him before sending him out but there was no way she could mend all his broken or cracked ribs so fast. She was so much smaller than him that the tank top was skin tight on him and refused to go much further than his second to last rib.
He lurched toward his weapon and groaned before finally forcing himself to stand up straight. He took in a long, sharp breath before taking up his sword. Long, black hair was swept over his shoulder as he opened the door to an icy wind.
"Alive!" the Life treasure shouted after him.
Stepping outside, the world looked like it couldn't decide if it wanted to freeze over or catch on fire. Haden and Evyette were on opposite sides. The redhead was up in the air staving off a wave of at least ten attackers. One of them was trying to jump up to her and she was burning them alive to no avail. On the right, Haden was holding his own, his gun smoking in one hand and the other trapping five of the monsters right where they stood so he could reload.
"Took ya long enough! While you were lazin' about--" Haden quarter turned to be able to look at Shinzo and froze in his tracks. His pale eyes slowly scanned Shinzo from head to toe: hair wild and free instead of its usually pulled back style, a shirt that was 5 sizes too small and was clearly some girl's, high-waisted pants, and no shoes. "I think I'm havin' a stroke."
Shinzo rolled his eyes. "We need one alive for Eviax. Evyette is killing them all."
"Yer the ugliest woman I've ever had the feckin' misfortune of layin' me eyes on."
Shinzo gripped the guard on his sword and began moving forward until he was running at Haden.
"Are ya mad and ugly, comin' at me like that?!"
The fire claimant ignored him, sailing past him to cut down an enemy that had torn its foot off at the ankle to be free of Haden's ice. He didn't have any response for the white-haired man's insults. One part because he did feel just as ridiculous as Haden was saying but also because he had to focus every fiber of his being on staying upright.
The edge of his blade caught fire with a brilliant dark blue flame. It was so dark it was almost black. It glinted in the light before spreading up his sword to wrap around his hand.
Shinzo rolled his eyes. "Get me close."
Haden knew what that meant. He nodded, cocking his pistol and cracking his neck. With his free hand he crafted ice skates around Shinzo's bare feet and a trail for him to skate on. Shinzo accelerated quickly, maneuvering between the monsters Haden had trapped to hack off limbs. He figured if he could prevent them from moving, they wouldn't have to worry about the fuckers being indestructible. |
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Spira
Citadel Mastermind
160 posts
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last online Nov 23, 2024 13:53:45 GMT
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Jul 18, 2021 13:36:04 GMT
Post by Spira on Jul 18, 2021 13:36:04 GMT
Eviax POV
She waited, keeping an ear out for the action outside. Not that she was useless in a fight it was more of a problem that she didn't need to fight. So she waited, patiently listening to the noise outside; she really was glad they were in a neighbourhood full of claimants rather than humans, the mess that would have made. Though she had protested Shinzo's departure — he was outside fighting with Haden and Evyette, she wondered. What it was going to take to understand this new circumstance they had found themselves in.
Taking several steps forward, she approached the window and watched the action, it seemed no matter how many ways they cut down the creatures; they seemed to get back on their feet. At first she wondered if it was Novevu's fault, perhaps he had gotten lazy and the void had opened up accidentally. That couldn't be right, Novevu never got that lazy and even when he did, his work was not sloppy he would clean up incidents like this without a second thought. She doesn't know if she's thinking these thoughts in order to calm herself down, she honestly doesn't know. She shakes her head, continuing to watch the action outside.
"Aim for their chests, they won't die otherwise. Don't bother with their fucking legs or arms, they reattach like something straight out of Novevu's imagination." She can hear her cousin, she's trying not to sound impatient, but knowing Evyette, she was about to lose her cool and cause a deep hole in the middle of the suburbs. "Watch out!" At least Eviax herself could be reassured in the knowledge that the claimants were safe with Evyette by their side. She wondered what Florita and Novevu thought — the nature ancient seemingly disappearing into thin air, she supposed the nature ancient had gone to wake Novevu up, not that anyone she knew could wake Novevu up when he chose to truly slumber. "This cannot be good"
It's only seconds later that Evyette in all of her might, having reverted from her male form hauled in a screaming blabbering creature, it could be easily mistaken for something undead, it was a man — but that was really the only distinguishing feature that Eviax could determine as Evyette tossed the creature into her arms and went back out to fight. Hell bent on violence, this creature tried to get a bite out of Eviax. Which was halted by her forcing it to sleep; that was the thing about the element of life, as long as something had a slither of it inside them she could reasonable knock it out and not have any of the nasty consequences, it was very much a useful tool when trying to operate on bodies to save lives and what have you.
Evyette was the one to announce the battle was over, but it was the smell that told her the battle was over... and the bodies, so many bodies. It seemed once the heart was removed, these creatures went back to being nothing but fragile human bodies, whoever had done this was a sick motherfucker. It was only now that the battle was over that she realized what it was Shinzo was wearing, stifling a laugh she looked to Haden who also seemed to be entirely aware of the fire claimant's current predicament. "I believe you're better off naked, in comparison to whatever it is you're wearing. I didn't know you stole clothes Shinzo. It's not a good look." the jab was light; in truth Evyette knew that it was because she had left Shinzo's belongings at her place that he was dressed as he was for battle.
Returning inside, the only thing left on her mind was getting answers, Eviax was standing over the now... rather unconscious zombie thing that she had earlier brought in. "SO what is it cousin? Cause when they die they become human again. You know like die properly and all." "I'm not too sure.... it's gonna take me some time to figure it out, but I think it has something to do with the chalice on the loose..." "No kidding. What do you need us to do?" "Find the Chalice, and maybe see if you can find any witnesses to these people being transformed... Shinzo should stay for a little longer, I don't want him getting injured again." "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a crush." Evyette winked, causing Eviax to turn beet red.
Lucas POV
He knew Amarjeet was pissed. God why couldn't he just come out with it instead of having to hide behind some kind of lie? But really, he was ok. He would be ok, and he would get all of the medical help now that he was here. He opened his mouth to insist when the stoic, humored voice of Gahbreal broke his concentration. He liked the idea of kissing her, embracing her, under the night stars... his mind trailed off concentrate Lucas. He cleared his throat when she once again demanded to know who had done this to him, there was no point in lying... his cover had been blown — but then he had to weigh the risks, if he told her who had done this to him, then what would stop his beloved from going after Vincent and causing a literal war between the house of Desdon and the house of Rhihon. Why it would mean war between Shinzo and AJ.
He shuttered at the thought; granted if he did tell her it was Vincent then maybe for once the fire claimant in question would learn his place and finally be taught a proper lesson. As he continued to toss his options up, AJ seemed to become a little less patient and a lot more annoyed. He was going to have to say something, anything... so long as it was an acceptable answer by AJ's standards. Then there was the matter of telling her how long he'd be in the city for, by the grace of Chaemai this was a nightmare. "Vincent did this."
Grasping Amarjeet around the waist and pulling her in, he stared directly into her eyes. "But you are not to go after him. He caught me in a sticky situation and so I had to pay a small price." The void was going to misbehave he just knew it. "I. Well. I'm not here for long, two days at most." It seemed tonight would be a night of answers for Amarjeet rather than him hiding under the shroud of lies he tended to build up around himself; hopefully his being truthful would mean less retaliation later on — then again, with Amarjeet he could never actually tell what was on her mind, or what kind of revenge she was thinking of enacting on those who had wronged her loved ones.
Now all Lucas wanted was to forget about the events of the past few weeks, months... why he was starting to feel like he didn't know himself. Of course he knew himself, did he though? No. No. No. No. No. All of the other voices seemed to shout. I am truly done for aren't I. I don't even now my own limits. I'm going to end up dead. Aren't I? This will be the last time I see my piece of paradise and she'll not even know. What will the ancients do, what will they decide to do... what will I become. Will I die and never come back.
He was again struck back into reality by Amarjeet telling everyone the establishment was closed and for him to take his shirt off so she could see how much damage had been caused. He was used to nudeness, so taking his shirt off and even his pants; he waited for her to inspect him. "I'm not too badly hurt." he continued to suggest, though his body was already turning all kinds of ugly shades of purple, black, blue, yellow — that was new. "So what happened, seems like a fight broke out?" When he was given no answer, he knew he had royally fucked up.
Levei POV
"Well would you look at that. What a success."
"It is really too bad that the chest is a weakness."
"Yes but at least now we have their undivided attention elsewhere worrying about these creatures of yours. Whilst they're all running around thinking they are doing a good deed, we will continue with our mission."
"Why don't you do anything for once?"
Levei hated being questioned, she glared at Jack who glared back just as defiantly, she would let him keep his defiance she supposed, for now. Deciding not to answer she picked the chalice up and sighed, why she had all of the power in the world now that she had her hands on one artefact, but she wanted more... she always craved more. Anything to get rid of the ancients and to raise her father. As for Zyphinex well, she was off being manic, trying to root out any source of information as to where they were keeping her dear papa. Extius. She shook her head, she was not to get distracted, she had a new army, which she had to command and ensure did not turn against her. Further she needed to figure out if there were any other artefacts within the city, and if so. How to attain them. Dismissing Jack with a wave of her hand, she took a sip out of the chalice, no longer filled with blood; more so wine and sighed. She had to admit, it was a decent holder of liquid, no wonder Xainayne was infamous for drinking out of it every night.
"Hurry up and make your next moves family members. I don't like waiting. I do hope you like my new toys. I hope they give you hell and I hope all of your children die."
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