caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 20, 2019 21:16:19 GMT -5
Juuust a quick one 'cause I'm bored-
(Title subject to change...I'm not claiming to be clever)
To heavily condense the story: A quasi-governmental organization's attempt to create 'super soldiers' is both a startling success and a devastating failure. Rather than producing humans who are simply stronger, faster, and more durable than average, they've unleashed a plague of 'ghouls': Near mindless bloodthirsty creatures whose weaknesses fortunately- and suspiciously- reflect those of vampire lore. With enough blood and freshly 'born', their still somewhat human minds have allowed them to deal a lasting blow to the world at large, spreading like a virus through bites that not all of their victims survive from.
Our story will follow a group of survivors and will hopefully become more organized as it goes~
[ 'Semi-literate' Please average at least two paragraphs; one-liners are difficult to work with ^^" [ Because I have Horror Game Trauma, you also have the option of making your character a former experiment, so they can have some supernatural abilities of their own to give them a bit of an edge! I'm thinking small things for now, so please ensure there's a balance of strengths and weaknesses! Improbable powers are A-Okay though, so feel free to give 'em a magic slant! Because plot! [ I hope you don't mind my carefully looking over your form! This is very informal so I'll need to address discrepancies earlier [ If you have any ideas for plot or character interactions, feel free to share!
And so on and so forth- I'll add things as they come to me...
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 20, 2019 21:16:39 GMT -5
[CHARACTERS] "Name or Alias" {Relevant links? Just for fun, not required!} Real name if applicablePersonality, doesn't need to be too detailed. | Appearance, if you have a link it doesn't need to be too detailed either~ | Powers, I do need some detail for these! } - - Screenname
______________________________ " Musou" { X X X} Real name unknown -- twenty-four | he/him | Neural Impulse Manipulation Sou is rather...unique in that he seems to have little to no situational awareness. Self-absorbed, vain, arrogant, excessively theatric- all traits that spell out or serve as a warning to his grandiose sense of self. Predictably, his winning personality hasn't won him many friends, but he doesn't seem aware of this either. Musou's egotism actually results in his being rather naïve and guileless, as he can easily fall victim to flattery and only sees the world as he wishes. He's deaf to all sarcasm but his own and finds it difficult to comprehend that there might actually be people who don't like him. Impossible? And yet despite being raised with a golden spoon and having been pushed for perfection, Musou retains a whimsical energy that rarely sees him down for long. He's energetic and resourceful, with a puppy's playful sometimes manic energy and an ever-working mind that turns 'problems' into 'puzzles' and 'disasters' into 'minor setbacks no wait I can fix this-'. His love affair with reflective surfaces and tendency to remind others to appreciate his Face™ in every given moment somehow does not preclude his willingness to start, finish, and instigate as many fights as inhumanly possible. Musou is always ready to go despite his given powers being mentally based. | Sou is 5'11 and fairly lean, a life on the run making him significantly more so, especially considering the fact that he has a tendency to skip meals or eat as little as possible so as to ensure other members of the group are getting enough. He has thick, wavy dark chocolate hair that he teases into varying styles regardless of the hazard long hair presents in combat situations- and burnt umber eyes that gradually bleed into a vivid scarlet during prolonged use of his powers. His only visible scar slices through his left brow and slants diagonally to threaten the corner of his eye. | Musou's power allows him to sense and control neural impulses, with the former usage allowing for telepathy as long as the mind he's connecting with is within his range to make contact with. The latter must first be activated with direct eye contact and starts out limited to prolonged contact until he can get enough of a read on the other person's neural makeup. Once established, Musou can make 'suggestions' that they'll believe to be their own thoughts and will feel strongly compelled to obey. As the potency varies and can only rarely be used on ghouls, Musou often uses it instead to create auditory or sensory hallucinations. He can also use it supportively to energize minds to achieve a higher level of focus, reflex, and sense for combat, and can also increase the surge of neural impulses that are released to perform actions faster. In the midst of combat, he can suppress pain felt by himself and others. The price of his powers is mental energy- Overuse results in his mind slowing down to recover, making him a liability after the fact as he can no longer process even simple things and can fall into a vegetative state. In less dire circumstances, he receives severe migraines that are still debilitating enough to affect his sight and reflexes. } - - caesura" Gael Stefiano" { X } Real name stated -- twenty-nine | he/him | Ability Sensing Gael stands at a solid six foot three, brash and strong from his time in the military as a combat specialist. Having seen death and destruction even before things went awry, the twenty-nine-year-old man has a perpetually stony expression and often fails to take others' feelings into consideration when it comes to fighting or even killing. Raised in extreme poverty with his half-sister, Willow, Gael is extremely protective of her despite her own experience in the military, although hers was quite different. His abilities are less offensive and more defensive - he is not immune to other abilities, per se, but he can tell if he is being affected by them and that gives him an edge. He can also share the ability with one other person as long as he is somehow touching them. } - - Jitterbug" Willow Marks" { X } Real name stated -- twenty-six | she/her | Metal Claw Twenty-six years old, clocking in at 210 of rippling muscle at five feet and eight inches, Willow was a part of the military that the the average citizen, didn't exist. Technically, she didn't exist either once she joined - but assassins never could. Like her half-brother, Willow has some issues seeing when others are bothered by things, but she tends to be a bit more sympathetic. She's faster to fight, which she is exceptionally good at thanks to her training in Russian and Koreans martial arts, as well as an exceptional talent with firearms and archery. She takes no crap, and has been known for knocking people out just for annoying her too much. Her ability is more of a curse. Her left hand slowly warped into a metal claw-like contraption, which feels nothing and is slowly working its way up to her elbow. The claw-like fingers are sharper than a razor blade and she can use to rip someone's throat out. However, if it's too cold outside, the metal frosts over and becomes nothing more than a club. } - - Jitterbug______________________________ [INFO] **Ghouls only drink blood, look a lot like old school vampires, and have similar weaknesses. They can't cross running water, can be decapitated, killed with sunlight or fire, and a stake to the heart. They need permission to enter a building, and are weakened during the day even if they're out of the sun. But they also have superior speed, strength, senses, and enhanced healing. Some are mindless, and some can think and speak, though not to any level of sophistication. Their durability depends on how much blood they've had recently. If isn't it much or has been a long time, a bullet to the head is enough to kill them. If the opposite is true, they could potentially heal a head wound given enough time. Their true weakness is their heart, and any sharpened wood can pierce their skin better than lead or metal bullets.
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 20, 2019 21:56:54 GMT -5
Hi there!! Do you have a specific kind of form you'd like us to fill out?
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 20, 2019 22:35:31 GMT -5
[ Hiya! I was actually just getting to that- I'm about to post my first character and you can kinda go off his, though you don't have to make yours as long. ^^" ]
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 21, 2019 12:53:36 GMT -5
[ Ach. So this is technically open- I'll try for a starter before I work on my other form... ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 21, 2019 13:01:29 GMT -5
First of all, that picture with the drink missing the cup... big mood
Also, I have two characters coming right up!
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 21, 2019 13:35:43 GMT -5
Gael Stefíano (X) Gael stands at a solid six foot three, brash and strong from his time in the military as a combat specialist. Having seen death and destruction even before things went awry, the twenty-nine-year-old man has a perpetually stony expression and often fails to take others' feelings into consideration when it comes to fighting or even killing. Raised in extreme poverty with his half-sister, Willow, Gael is extremely protective of her despite her own experience in the military, although hers was quite different. His abilities are less offensive and more defensive - he is not immune to other abilities, per se, but he can tell if he is being affected by them and that gives him an edge. He can also share the ability with one other person as long as he is somehow touching them.
Willow Marks (X) Twenty-six years old, clocking in at 210 of rippling muscle at five feet and eight inches, Willow was a part of the military that the the average citizen, didn't exist. Technically, she didn't exist either once she joined - but assassins never could. Like her half-brother, Willow has some issues seeing when others are bothered by things, but she tends to be a bit more sympathetic. She's faster to fight, which she is exceptionally good at thanks to her training in Russian and Koreans martial arts, as well as an exceptional talent with firearms and archery. She takes no crap, and has been known for knocking people out just for annoying her too much. Her ability is more of a curse. Her left hand slowly warped into a metal claw-like contraption, which feels nothing and is slowly working its way up to her elbow. The claw-like fingers are sharper than a razor blade and she can use to rip someone's throat out. However, if it's too cold outside, the metal frosts over and becomes nothing more than a club.
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 22, 2019 1:03:28 GMT -5
The day's close; the sluggish descent of the sun on the horizon as it casts its dying rays over previously dull windows. Safety's last hurrah is a splendid display of golds and reds- sunset colors that reflect off the glass for a final hour of distracting beauty over a ruined city before it all sinks out of view. Musou has always had a healthy appreciation for sunset; he can understand the necessity of an exit that makes an impression. Going out in a blaze of glory, so to speak. The brief looks he's receiving for pausing to admire the display suggests that others find this appreciation decidedly unhealthy. Which is understandable, he supposes, the world is a remarkably different place now than it was then- a mere five months ago when it was generally viewed that more pests were active at night than anything. Ghouls, unfortunately, cannot be classified as mere pests. Or even the usual unsavories that would see people avoiding unlit paths. The sheer volume of their group's weaponry is testament to that.
Hands never stray from their weapons as they move silently through amber-limned streets, the air so tense it's more likely to suffocate any waking ghouls than anything. The majority of the overall leery mood can be attributed to their illustrious leader, he's sure. Being simultaneously behind and ahead of whatever schedule he's painstakingly drawn out in his head has set him on near permanent edge. One wouldn't be able to tell with the level and even-tempered way that he portrays himself, but Musou has weathered his confusingly static moods long enough to read the difference between his usual uptightness and the steady descent into a full-on restive state. They weren't even supposed to be out right now, especially now that the day is ending. What should have been a quick supply run had devolved into a prolonged firefight instigated by other foraging survivors. They hadn't wanted to share, and Jae's attempt to negotiate was precluded by a 'warning' shot that Musou hadn't taken kindly to. The rest is history, as they say- yet rather than return on the wings of their recent victory- not particularly hard won, he's even a little disappointed at the lack of a challenge- they're darting through the dying light of sunset as if attempting to hop from one puddle of light to the other.
His only acknowledgment during the entire spectacle had been a brief disapproving side-eye from Jae after his first retaliatory shot, as if the pack of bedraggled fools were ever really going to listen to him. It didn't take much for people to descend into the kind of madness reliance on their baser instincts often required- but that isn't the point. The point is that Jae has yet to thank him for that brilliant kill he'd made. He'd tried to be patient but Musou feels the dearth of attention like an implacable itch and finds his gait has switched from some form of stealth- he has yet to master the art of not being quite so strikingly present- to something a bit more mulish. He's lengthened his stride to catch up to Jae where he's taken point, invariably disrupting the 'formation' that he and the military Wonder Twins had decided on. Jae doesn't so much as twitch as he draws close, dark eyes sweeping over their increasingly threatening surroundings. His lips move near soundlessly, apparently having another of those whispered conversations with himself.
"You're welcome." Musou huffs, and a tilt of the other man's head reveals empty eyes and a smiling mouth, as if Jae is attempting to be appreciative but finds it difficult to get his entire face to cooperate. He's been doing that a lot lately, and has yet to lose the Horror Doll effect. "Ugh, stop that. Express your gratitude in words only." He wrinkles his nose and looks away just in time to catch a flicker of movement in an upstairs window to his right. Three story building, the sun is now mostly hidden behind brownstone but there are still a few rays to light their path, their vehicles are in view and the few they left to guard them are giving a wave to confirm that all is well. It looks like they can make it with some time to spare- or so he thinks until a clawed, bloodstained hand erupts from the rubble beneath him and latches onto his boot like a scene from Night of The Living Dead.
He'd never admit to yelping- even though he would be totally justified in doing so, but some form of sound does escape his mouth as he simultaneously moves to free himself and draw the katana on his back- his handgun would only irritate it- The ghoul erupts through the shards of building as if it were simply standing up in a pool, dust and shrapnel pouring off of its bony shoulders as it simultaneously yanks Musou closer and launches itself at his throat, leading with elongated fangs that briefly fade out of focus when his head strikes cement. Somewhere between upright and the ground, his half-drawn sword has been slid from his grip. This all happens just quickly enough for him to process, but the world abruptly sharpens when Jae interjects the blade between them at the last second, forcing the ghoul to decapitate itself with its own momentum and as much power as he could put into the swing. He kicks the body aside before it can get any more murky blood on Musou than the decapitated head has, and extends a hand to help him up. "You're welcome." There's the taint of something too much like vindication in his mild tone for Musou to be truly appreciative, and he ignores the proffered hand in favor of reaching for his sword. "Unnecessary, but your attempt can be commended, at least."
His disdainful attitude doesn't quite disappear as he rises to fully take in their current situation, but it does take a bit of a backseat to disbelief. More ghouls are clawing their way out of the shadowed ground between them and the road where the cars are parked, forcing the group closer together. There are only twelve in all, but their method of appearance is...highly unusual. Ghouls can usually be found sleeping in buildings or anywhere else they can retreat from sunlight. They aren't supposed to be popping out of the ground like noisome daisies. It's as if they chose the exact moment he had been making his confident assessment to showcase some new skill purely to spite him. Musou returns their hungry looks with one of pure loathing. The nerve.
Jae calls for the cars to be started while he advances toward a Walmart employee who is still in the midst of freeing herself, using the fading light to check the time on his ridiculously expensive watch. "Let's keep this to no more than five minutes."
(_________)
[ A starter but one starring Sou so not much information being shared...I intend to explain more things as I write, however! I'd also like to blame this having no rhyme or rhythm on him as well.. ]
Jae is known by others as Alexander- Musou gave him the nickname Jae. And I'll get to his form soon...but here's the introduction for our leader~ ]
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 22, 2019 1:23:20 GMT -5
[ It is! I also thought it would accurately represent Sou. Sometimes he is holding the cup. Sometimes he is pouring. He spends a lot more time vacillating between being the drink and the cup that is being missed. Honestly I think your link for Gael is a bigger mood though! Fancy jewelry and a fluffy cat. Livin' the life. ]
[ Ah I really like your characters and their abilities~ Willow's is interesting because it doesn't seem to classify as a power, but it'll fit into the lore regardless~ Are you planning on their being former experiments? Also I apologize in advance for Sou, he's already nicknamed them Captain Hook and Jolly Roger ]
[ EDIT: Oh, and can you give me your screenname thingy so I can tag you in your form? ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 22, 2019 12:19:31 GMT -5
Oh gosh, they're going to hate him, hehe. Jolly Roger... gosh, he's going to end up with Willow slicing off his hair. Anyways, yes! Here's my tag thing: 𝙹𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚞𝚐
And Yes, former experiments, although I feel like they were 'let off the hook' early for some reason. I don't plan on Gael being at all powerful, and Willow... well, as she's slowly being eaten alive by the metal, turned out to be pretty dang useless.
Anyways! My reply is coming right up!
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 22, 2019 13:13:22 GMT -5
Gael and Willow had always taken point. The diamond-formation was the best bet at keeping eyes out, with Gael taking the absolute front. The metal lines across her face seemed to glisten in the fading light, and her metallic hand with deadly claws at the end was curled into attack form, the razor-sharp claws that made up what used to be her fingers ready for war. Across her hips was a low holster - one side had a fierce-looking glock, the other held a smaller handgun and a quiver of metallic arrows. Her compound bow was attached to her back for easy drawing. It was one of the only non-firearms weapons her dangerous hand hadn't sliced through.
Willow, on the other hand, was layered in two curving scimitars and several handguns - a rifle was crossed against his back, a formidable weapon that was actually Willows'. She was the snipe of the group, when she wasn't slicing through necks with her 'gift'. Speaking of, she looked to her brother, who just set his jaw and unsheathed a sword, holding it out to his sister.
"What do you think I am, a loser?" Willow just said to him dryly, and he rolled his eyes quietly before holding the scimitar himself, watching Willow stalk towards one of the Ghouls escaping from their prison. It wore a string of pearls, which Willow picked up once her deformed hand had cleanly cut through its neck. As usual, a small pinch of skin held the head onto the shoulders, but it would be enough to put it down. After glancing at it briefly, she simply tossed it over her shoulder as she danced out of the way of a Ghoul that had fully escaped. It was clearly one without any mind left, and she found it fairly easy to whip around and squeeze its neck with her talons, watching skin, tendon, and bone crumple under her metal grip.
The sound of two engines humming to life caught her attention, and she looked over to see her brother holding a fist across his chest. Old military signals, it was a language only Gael and Willow seemed to understand - although not for lack of trying to teach. It was a complicated code, but having been practically raised with it, it was like a second language to the siblings.
"Hey, Jae, we're good to go," Gael said calmly as his sword swiped cleanly through a child's neck. Most people would hesitate, even if she was going for their throats, but Gael never seemed to feel hesitation. Once or twice, he had almost taken out a human, but Willow always seemed to catch him casually. It was testimony about just how often the two had killed humans in their other life - the life before this... era.
Despite the two having been used to leadership positions in their old life, they seemed more than happy to obey Jae's whims and wishes. Willow had once had some issues with it, since she had more or less worked on her own clock before, answered to only names she was supposed to take out - but she knelt soon enough, and now she found herself almost enjoying not snapping at others to follow orders.
But it was known that if the two had to choose who to save, it would be each other. They followed Jae, but they didn't care about anyone but each other. They could see both Jae and Musou have their throats ripped out by Ghouls and they wouldn't even blink, just grab their weapons and take care of the monsters while they were busy - and then they'd do the same to their former companions. Just in case.
So as a truck and a smaller car rumbled to life, Willow headed over to her brother and took out another Ghoul while she was at it, having seen it lunge for Musou while he was taking another one out. Blood splattered the humans' back. but Willow just pressed on towards her brother, her metal hand red instead of its normal green, ashy color. There were only three or four of the monsters left, and two of them were still stuck where they were trying to escape their earthy prisons. Gael took care of one with a casually swipe of his sword and opened the drivers' seat door to the truck, where his sister leaped in, leaning over to crack open the passengers' seat for Jae. Her brother was already in the drivers' seat of the Maxima in front of them, waiting for Musou as he took care of the last Ghoul. The truck would take the lead, since the front was guarded with metal bars that had come in very handy when it came to plowing over the occasional lost Ghoul. The military siblings having been trained to take off-road routes, they normally drove.
"What direction?" Willow asked, cranking the truck into gear and pressing her combat boot against the gas pedal. She checked the mirror, seeing a majority of their weaponry in the back seat.
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 0:23:26 GMT -5
[ Welcome, and thanks! Glad to see you too can relate~ ]
[ Honestly Sou would have entirely too much fun up until that point. And then he'd die because he doesn't have a soul he has beautiful hair. Ah is it invisible? ^^" Sorry I'm new so I'm not sure how to work with that! I don't even know how to erase my name and have it stay that way but it looks cool~ ]
[ I look forward to where you take them! Do you have an idea in mind for how they met Jae/why they joined him? And maybe how long they've been with the group so I can kind of gauge how familiar my characters are with them? Won't make much of a difference with Sou though- he has a tendency to just give everyone nicknames or else call them 'babe' and be entirely too sociable. ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 23, 2019 0:41:49 GMT -5
So heads up, i am 100% totally doped up because I had an operation yesterday and the staples were giving me grief so I am on ALL the morphine
Oh gosh, my SN is made with like a 'fancy text' thing, but it's Jitterbug if you're okay with just 'normal letters'. As for Gael and Willow (Who I had actually named backwards on accident but you know how it is. or maybe your head is on right and I'm a mess. Probably that one) and how they met Jae, maybe they found him in a bit of a fickle and gave him a hand say... a month or so before? And of course with Willow having his huge bad-ass military truck and Gaels' weaponry, they just ended up... sticking together? Which could be why Willow will have issues with authority.
Also, full disclosure, I fully intend for Willow to hate Sou's guts. Like, really vividly despise him. Reason being, he acts like everyone she's ever sniped. Gosh there is so much morphine.
But I imagine the siblings and Jae would get along fine enough, as long as Willow doesn't get into one her moods™.)
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 0:48:26 GMT -5
Musou huffs when the Wonder Twins were first to spring into action- predictable, but no less irksome. Ever since Jae had picked them up they'd taken up a nasty habit of stealing more kills than a gleeful no-lifer in a pay-to-win game. Worse, they didn't even have the good grace to enjoy it or even appreciate the opportunity to really sink blade, claw, or bullet into an enemy. It's all so very...matter-of-fact with them. Just another day on the frankly rather enviable job- but then again it's to be expected, perhaps. They aren't the most talkative and definitely aren't prone to sharing much of anything, but it's clear their training was 'formal' insofar as whatever shady military outfit that they were affiliated with could manage. That kind of training leads to devastating dullness in a person. He is too vibrant an individual to ever be found in ugly camo, but he's known enough military dogs to find a pattern.
"Yes, thank you for such a profound display of your military might!" Showoffs. He mutters, unintentionally hypocritical as he settles into an easy stance with a frankly showy twirl of his sword. It was a gift from Jae- likely 'liberated' from some veteran using it solely for display- and had required quite a bit of maintenance to be made combat ready, but all the effort is well and truly worth it. In addition to having a beauty and grace to match his own, the katana pairs well with his proficiency in kenjutsu and together they elevate ghoul decapitation into a true art form. Though Jae clearly has a timeline in mind, Musou leaves lesser opponents to those maintaining formation behind him- it's unwise to face ghouls without someone to watch your back- and sets his sights on one that still has some human in its warped features.
She- it- is rather tall and apparently strong-willed enough to wrestle some semblance of control over mental functions, fangs bared but body coiled in a defensive crouch at the gleam of his blade in glancing sunlight. The red-gold rays slide over the edge as if already stained by the blood he intends to spill yet ironically halos dark waves of hair that he brushes from his animated face, alight with preemptive glee and anticipation. The humans they'd encountered earlier couldn't compare to what he's facing now. He's somewhat pleased when something in his intent or expression causes it to stiffen as he continues his advance, holding out its dirty hands pleadingly.
"I- we're just thirsty. We're so- Please if you let me go I'll leave and I won't come back! I swear!" Musou tilts his head, considering. It sounds...entirely too coherent to be a lesser ghoul which is first of all, delightful, but also tugs at some important thought...Ah, it means it's fed recently. Doubly brilliant. "Really..?" He drawls, coming to a halt more to put the ghoul at ease than anything. It turns out that this is a good idea because Jae appears abruptly at his side and holds a hand up to stay him. To which he responds with an irritated hiss.
"Was this an ambush?" Jae demands, low voice carrying the imperial fiat that he usually attempts to work out of it when speaking with humans.
The ghoul's fearful expression flickers briefly. "No- we- we were sleeping. The humans kill us if we stay in buildings so we had to find another way-" There's a note of censure in the raspy voice but it's interrupted before the sentiment can fully be shared. "Whose idea was this?" Musou doesn't know whether to widen his eyes pointedly or roll them in annoyance at Jae's continued questioning, instead choosing to gesture emphatically at all the action carrying on around them while they stand around and attempt to have a bloody dialogue that isn't nearly as literally bloody as he'd like. "What is the point of this? What does it matter?"
Its luminous scarlet eyes dart between them in confusion. "I-I don't know? We just started doing it a few days ago."
"Hm."
Musou actually deigns to direct more of his attention to the shorter man at his pensive hum, though he already knows what it means. That regal lift of his chin, a tilt of his head and the near softening of his ever-alert posture. "What? No! Come on!"
The ghoul may not have read his intent, but it knew how to take advantage of a distraction. It was gone with a 'thank you I won't forget this!' ,launching itself at a nearby wall and climbing up with supernatural strength and speed to disappear over the edge of the roof without a backwards glance. So much for the repeated 'we's. Musou whirls on Jae with a scowl, gesturing wildly with his woefully clean sword. "Why would you let it go?! That was the only one worth killing!"
"They're all worth killing." Said in his loathsome 'jedi' voice, which is entirely too calm and gently persuasive for the situations it's routinely used in. "And not that one- not yet. Remember her; she'll remember you." And with that annoying bit of...fortune cookie crap, Jae strides away to let him stew in his impotent anger. Not for long, however. Numbers are dwindling and Musou can't afford to let this continue without his active participation. Though notably sullen, he glides into the fray with an ease born from practice. The remaining ghouls, unlike the coward one, are relatively easy to dispatch due to lacking strength and higher mental functions. All they can do is groan and lunge, but Sou must get some form of entertainment out of this, and so chooses to dance around their clumsy attacks before ending them. It is here where his chosen style of fighting comes a bit into play- graceful, showy, pretty to look at but closer inspection would reveal it to be comprised largely of unnecessary flourishes. Gael and Willow counteract him by being brutal yet efficient. Their paths rarely cross barring a point near the end, where he can hear an animalistic snarl and preternatural claws tearing through flesh as he frees his sword from an emancipated ribcage. Something cool and viscous sprays the back of his bomber jacket and he makes a concentrated effort not to think of what he would have to do to clean it out.
Gael's voice can be heard over the sound of the final body falling, and Jae responds with a brief wave in his direction. He sweeps his gaze over their makeshift battlefield first, ensuring that everyone remains at least mostly unharmed and has already completed the now established routine of cleaning out any left over valuables from the ghouls' persons before making his way toward the cars. As usual, he waits until all of the newly acquired supplies are stored and everyone is inside before getting in himself. Though Musou is in the Maxima ahead of him, he can imagine the brief twitch of Jae's brow as he does so. His claustrophobia is usually controlled by his being behind the wheel- or in daylight, sitting on the roof while they drove. Musou can glimpse him distractedly fiddling with the radio as the truck maneuvers around them, the velvet of his naturally quiet voice drifting from the open window. "The back route. It's unlikely that we'll be followed at this point but I wouldn't like to risk it."
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 1:15:15 GMT -5
[ Oof I hope everything's okay! But that's completely understandable- the last time I was doped up I likely ended up on my doctor's instagram ^^"
Ah, so it's fancy text! I don't mind normal letters I am terrible at anything resembling coding so (As someone who never gets enough any sleep, I probably do know how it is, haha) Hm, got it! Depending, they might be his only highly trained teammates, at least so far, and they could've met while he and his team were in need of more firepower. I imagine he might have offered a partnership as well as sharing his resources and knowledge, because Jae and Musou were rich before money started mattering less and less. If that wasn't already apparent with how they act And the current HQ is his expansive California vacation home. That'll be interesting because Jae has issues with authority too! They aren't readily apparent, though-
Funny you should say that because when I saw how no-nonsense she and her brother are I was like that's it. That's the one. It is Sou's time to shine and be the Chaotic Dumbass he was always meant to be. Jae will constantly have to intercede between them with platitudes that she can't maim him yet. And Sou will mostly be shocked, appalled, offended- Because how dare she even think that he is like anyone else she's ever met? No?
I think so too~ It'd be the quiet kinda get along, but he's very perceptive and is accustomed to dealing with different personalities, although there may be a few incidents where he has a lapse in interpersonal skills...Jae and Sou were experiments too, but they didn't make it out quite as intact as they'd like to pretend. ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 23, 2019 1:26:14 GMT -5
(Ugh, I r e a l l y wish the forums would update while I'm typing or at least give me a notification if they did
I had a big ol' reply and I didn't notice you added more onto this next answer and I deleted it before, you know, copying the first like three paragraphs that could have still been useful. oops. And I am REALLY getting dizzy so I might reply tomorrow morning~
But like gosh, I can see Willow pinning Sou back while he's being a little *beep* and she just saying really low like "The people who i met that were like you are all swimming dead in international waters, and I did it gladly" And then Jae hops in like WHOA DUDE and Gaels' just in the corner like Yeah, this is Normal™, have fun with that
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 1:38:59 GMT -5
[ Aish that sounds like a pain >.< Feel free to do so! My own response might be late because I have classes, but if it's just chatting I could probably slide something in. ]
[ Honestly I can foresee a lot of fun with that because Sou may be a *beep* (pft ha) but he is an oblivious one. Like, he will never see just how much Willow hates him and he's generally too obtuse to ever be truly triggered, so he'd probably make things worse on himself by replying with "You would gladly...take me on a swim? Sure babe~" Meanwhile, Jae is most decidedly not having fun with this, because Sou is annoying but he's useful so he can't let Willow kill him- But also he can understand where she's coming from because he's known him for a depressingly long time- (Ah, also Sou just casually uses 'babe' for everyone. He can be flirtatious but doesn't tend to use it in that context-) ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 23, 2019 12:18:02 GMT -5
(Oh gosh... Willow might actually try and assassinate him. Like, immediately. It'll take Gael, Jae, and all the willpower in the world to keep her from exploding and squeezing his neck like a balloon
And that "Babe" thing will just eat her alive. Oh boy, this'll be fun,
Anyways, I hope your classes go alright today! And I'll get a reply up in a jif!)
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 23, 2019 12:41:21 GMT -5
"If they follow us, I'll just yank out their necks," Willow said calmly behind her glass sheet of facade emotionlessness, cranking the military trunk into gear and slamming onto the gas. She was a hectic but practiced driver - despite the break-neck speeds she could put the truck through, despite the obstacles like abandoned cars, Ghouls, and the occasional stray animal, she never once even touched one. The Maxima trailed behind them just as quickly, thanks to Willows' work on the interior. Gael wasn't much one for cars, but Willow had to always have a getaway car that was faster than the cops'.
Especially after she took out three very tricky politicians.
Willow tapped the breaks firmly when they swung into the dark side-roads, and tree branches started to whip across glass and metal of the truck. Willow inhaled sharply for a moment, brows furrowing as her metal hand flexed and clenched, the metal slowly creeping up her arm. Blood dripped from the place skin and metal conected, and her bone could be heard breaking off into fine particles for the metal to eat. It made her grimace in pain, one of the only expressions she had ever let anyone see, even her own brother. But she bit through it and kept her eyes on the packed gravel trail.
Gael watched from behind, hands calmly on the steering wheel and occasionally glancing in the mirror to see if anything was shambling after them. He didn't say anything at all to the man next to him, although he had to admit he was pretty pissed about the little quip he heard when they were killing off the Ghouls. Careful, Willow might just show you how our military might is when you're asleep, he thought to himself, and a smirk almost graces his blank, calm face. Unlike his sister, he didn't throw up that obvious glass shield, didn't make it impossible for people to see what was underneath. He was far more human than her, occasionally smiling or even chuckling.
The siblings turned several times onto other roads, other trails, and then suddenly they were on a smooth, paved path that was just barely wide enough for the absolute tank of a truck that Willow so loved. They slowed down greatly, and they eventually made it up the winding path to show that it was a driveway, tucked under a thick grove of trees. The gates were closed - Gael gave the wheel to Musou and hopped out, pulling them open. Willow eased her truck inside, careful not to scratch her brother, and swung around the curve to get inside one of the large garages. Gael pressed something next to the gate and those doors opened too, and Willow parked and killed the truck inside before jumping out, her metal arm starting to drip blood. The awful noises had stopped about ten minutes prior, and her glass wall had slammed back up, but it must have still hurt greatly.
Once both cars were stowed and the garage and gates were closed and secured, Gael lead Willow inside and handed her an old towel with lots of red stains. She wiped the blood from her metal arm before she stepped inside, then wrapped it around the base of her metal arm and headed up the stairs silently, ignoring everyone else as she vanished into one of the many bedrooms, the door closing behind her with the loud of the lock sliding into place.
"It's starting to grow much more quickly," Gael muttered to Jae, brows furrowed. No one knew what would happen when it crossed over to her chest, over her heart. it practically ate her bones and skin as it grew - Gael had a deep suspicion that she wouldn't survive with it, but she had refused an amputation to get rid of the metal. She didn't give a reason, and even Gael didn't have a suspicion as for what she stubbornness was protecting. The sound of a shower started upstairs. Gael had managed to introduce the system to a slow river nearby, and after a while of building, labor, and maths, the very cold water now ran through the entire resort. Granted, it wasn't safe for drinking, but there was a large pot on top of a camping burner where Willow regularly boiled water and bottled it for safe drinking. Between the two military soldiers, their survival skills could probably keep all of them alive even if all they had was a tree and some tarps.
Outside, it was nighttime, and Gael quickly started up a very small generator that clanked and clunked as if it were an old man refusing to leave his chair. A few lights dimly lit up downstairs and on the second floor, which was as much power the generator could produce. Which was just well enough - with the curtains closed, the dim lighting was hidden and couldn't be seen, no beacons for Ghouls or the traveling survivor.
"There's an old military post about five miles west of here. I should go and see if they have anything useful for us tomorrow."
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 16:04:08 GMT -5
[ Ah Sou wouldn't take kindly to that- He feels that assassination is cheap but he's all for throwing down in a Denny's parking lot. He'll probably refer to her as his wannabe-rival. Because surely she only wants to fight him because she admires his combat prowess? It's cute! He likes her! This is how he reasons his way through the sheer number of people who have tried to kill him in the past. And present. And future Sou was making enemies since he was three years old. He has stories. ]
[ "Hm, she doesn't want to be called 'babe'? Captain Hook it is!" ]
[ Ah I hope so too~ And thanks! ]
[ I really like how you personify things in your posts~ However I imagine Jae would have a sophisticated water/electricity system because Paranoid Rich People. You need to be able to disappear off the grid at any moment in time so the Feds have a harder time catching onto your shady dealings...He probably commits tax evasion too smh. He'd welcome the siblings' help in maintaining things, however! Oh, and he has at least four members of staff on hand at present. They'll be part of the plot later....A butler and three members of household management. They're kinda wary of him because he was believed to be dead for a long time and suddenly showed up with a bunch of strangers, but they stick around for a better chance at survival. ]
[ I'll likely be gone all day, but I'll try to get a post up tonight! ]
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 22:59:35 GMT -5
"There's an old military post about five miles west of here. I should go and see if they have anything useful for us tomorrow."
[ Quick question- is Gael talking to himself at the end there or is it directed toward Jae? ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 23, 2019 23:06:00 GMT -5
Whoops, sorry, I read the post before this one and then promptly forgot about it (thanks drugs).
For this question, talking to Jae
Edit: Whoops, forgot a question! Would you be okay if I introduced one more character? I am painfully awkward with just one or two, and it would feel much better.
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 23, 2019 23:47:00 GMT -5
[ everybody say thanks drugs ]
[ Got it! And sure~ It's just me, you, and the ghouls at this point~ ]
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 24, 2019 0:00:25 GMT -5
Lakota "Lako" (X) It's hard to imagine that Lako was ever a co-worker of Willows', because he is rather open and friendly. With a deep, low voice and a quick smile, he is often the emotion to Willows' gruff professionalism. Slow to fight and quick to defend others when in trouble, Lako is most useful at home where he can grow herbs and plants for food and medicine. Standing at straight six feet, Lako is rather athletic and takes great care to maintain his physical shape. He has no powers, but he is very talented with natural medicines Jitterbug
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Apr 24, 2019 19:48:26 GMT -5
Alexander continues to play with the radio, curious as to whether or not he can get anything substantial from it considering Marks' paramilitary background. Signs point to her not having a team to share the waves with, but there might be a possibility of his finding a frequency that suits. Existing in a bubble of their own creation would stunt advancement, it's imperative that he know of major events beyond their torn corner of California. His eyes slant to the left when the woman chooses to speak, though he doesn't bother attempting to study her expressionless face. "I'm counting on it." A simple response, accompanied by a wry twist of his lips at her matter-of-fact delivery. "Being able to avoid a situation where that would be necessary is preferable, however..." His attention turns briefly toward the sideview mirror where the Maxima follows in the truck's shadow. Musou may be oblivious to most things, but he's always had something of a sixth sense when it comes to danger. The earlier incident notwithstanding... Nonetheless, all seems well as he appears to be engaging in more carefree chatter, Gael stolidly ignoring him.
He doesn't- can't- relax even with this knowledge, but some amount of tension leaves his shoulders. At least until they pass a looming building that blocks out the moonlight illuminating their path. Gael and Willow haven't been with him for long, and he was confident enough in them to normally send them out on missions alone, so the few instances where he was in a vehicle with them took some getting used to. Willow in particular. Alexander finds his gloved fingers seeking the handle attached to the roof as she takes a turn, face turned toward the window to stare out into the still darkness as a distraction as he cycles through breathing exercises. He doesn't outwardly react to her minute intake of breath and the now familiar sound of bone breaking- the potent steely scent of blood- he hadn't been able to get much information on the what when where how of it, but he can't let whatever this is continue. Alexander's eyes narrow as his free hand brushes the small envelope in his jacket pocket, as if confirming that it's still there.
They make the rest of the ride in silence and unmolested- both fortunate and suspicious, she with her eyes on the road and he slipping in earbuds to listen in to radio stations that he'd been able to access with his phone.
There's some relief when his home comes into view, but he doesn't relax even a quarter until the fairly useless gates shut behind them and the truck comes to rest in the dimly lit garage.
The vacation home is a sharp sprawling affair, windows that invite sunlight but not curious eyes- or bullets- and supplanted with bamboo fixtures to meld with its warm coloring. It's backed to the sea for both security and privacy, the interconnected boathouse visible just beyond the slope of the eastern roof. The property might be a bit more picturesque if neat rows of stakes hadn't been shoved into the earth surrounding it, once perfectly maintained trees and topiaries systematically taken apart to serve as quick weapons. The trees still stood, but quite a number of their branches had been cut so that their skeletons stood guard over the entrance. Alexander's gaze lingers on their misshapen shadows until the garage doors are slid shut.
What follows is something of an established routine, with his 'hunting party' -as Sou cheerfully calls them- unloading supplies and gear to be stored before heading in their own individual directions. He's more or less given them free run of the mansion; Willow in particular heads straight to what is likely her room, wiping blood from her arm with a well-used towel. Musou ordinarily doesn't deign to help unload supplies, but he's hovering around a blonde and harassing her into handing over her loot, so apparently she's injured enough for him to bullheadedly lend a hand. Alexander slings the bag containing his own share over a shoulder as he slips out of the truck, smiling appreciatively at those he passes. It's his fault they were out late today, yet they still collectively completed their mission without major incident.
Ryder strides up to him and keeps pace as he enters the mansion proper, back straight but loafers and blue eyes lacking the shine they once had. The man hasn't been with the family nearly as long as their majordomo, evinced by his only being of early middling age and occasional familiarity with the current head of house, but he continues to serve rather admirably considering the state of...everything at present. "Oi, you're back late." He's also gradually becoming more irreverent, but he supposes that can be expected in staff who no longer have any hope of pay. Yet one would think that their lives would hold more worth...
"Yes." Dark eyes take in the entire entrance hall as if he can spot the most minute of details or changes since he'd left. He's fairly certain he can. He's obsessively combed the entire property six times already. "Any developments I should be aware of?" Alexander shrugs out of his relatively clean jacket and extends it as he brushes some drywall out of his bangs.
"It's been quiet." Ryder waves a hand and takes the proffered jacket in the same movement. As much as he protested 'butler school' and holds disdain for his position in general, old habits have yet to fade and Alexander isn't making an effort to aid them. He smiles when Ryder scowls upon noticing the suit jacket neatly folded over his arm. "Food's in your room." The blond's words are clipped, and he takes a step back with an impatient cant to his head.
"Oh? Thank you, Ryder. I appreciate your foresight." Alexander dismisses him with a smile and the man disappears into an adjoining hall as Stefiano comes to his side. He pauses on the stairs and turns to give the taller man his full attention, brows arching at the observation he shares without preamble. Of course, Marks and Stefiano have always been straight to the point. It's appreciated, especially in situations like these. The dangerous parasitic nature of his half sister's arm couldn't have been made more clear to him in the car.
"Yes." He agrees softly, considering. Another pressing matter to turn his mind to. The envelope fairly burns a hole in his pocket. "I...would like to help you remove it, or at the very least prevent it from progressing... I have resources but I'd need more information on its nature." He taps his fingers against the banister, head canted. "As much as you could give me. Anything. Perhaps when we've freshened up and had some dinner I could hear more?" Here he arches his brows and raises his tone in question. He won't push, but he is concerned. The matter is left entirely up to them, however. Refusal will only make finding the solution more difficult. He doesn't intend to allow Willow to die.
Stefiano's next statement shifts his attention, however briefly. "There could be merit in that- would you mind if I accompanied you?" Alexander brushes gloved fingers over curved lips, dark eyes narrowed at a point in the distance as he shuffles through his thoughts. "I'm curious as to how the military is responding, or failing to respond- This shouldn't be such a protracted conflict, all things considered, they have advance- Ah." Here his expression becomes vaguely sheepish. "A discussion for another time, I'm merely thinking out loud-" He waves his fingers and moves up another step. "I'll leave you to care for your weapons and speak with you later?" With a final smile, he turns to ascend the scuffed marble steps, continuing the conversation with himself in a softer tone.
Shortly after they had parted ways, Alexander 'freshened up' himself with a brisk shower- he chooses to use hot water sparingly- and a change of clothes that are only perhaps a few steps down from his usual formality. 'Apocalypse' or not, he refuses to let it show even in dress. Dinner is a stew comprised largely of canned foods, though one wouldn't be able to tell with Ryder's skill in cooking. Ordinarily Alexander would eat in the dining hall, and though he feels like a cross between an anxious suburban mother and an overbearing 'godfather'- he makes it clear that anyone is welcome to join him. Living in a divide can be hazardous in a world where survival could depend on the person next to you, and he does his best to foster good relations between those in his care. Tonight, however, his mind is too occupied for responsive communication and so he eats his cold meal in silence but for the insistent thrum of his thoughts, watching the security cameras featured on his laptop to give himself the illusion of productivity.
To save his disgruntled staff the trip, Alexander takes the dishes to the expansive kitchens himself, along with those of others who decided to eat in their rooms along his way. Of course this means that he needs to walk back up two flights of stairs and take an entirely different route to get to his office, but It allows him to request a cup of tea in between.
The secondary study- formerly his mother's- is decorated to remind her of home, and has a similar effect on her son. He leaves the door ajar before settling into a cushion on the floor, carefully arranging the teapot and accompanying dishes on the low table before him with a faint sense of contentment. Two cups and saucers at the opposite side of the table are left empty- if the siblings want to talk, they know where to find him. It's likely that if they don't make an appearance, Musou will. At present, Alexander can appreciate the fragrance of iseul-cha and the solace that the warm space provides. Though not for long- as evinced by the folders, notebooks, and unobtrusive envelope that he'd placed to the right of the table. It's still a debate on whether or not to provide full disclosure- he's only known the siblings for a month at most, and he's well-aware of the fact that this arrangement is neither exclusive nor inclusive, but if there's a possibility that Marks' 'curse' is part of the greater mystery... His gaze drifts to the envelope once again before he slips it into one of the table's hidden compartments. Not yet.
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Post by Strawberry Scream on Apr 24, 2019 21:09:24 GMT -5
"She will not take help. She never will."
Form the sound of Gaels' suddenly much lower voice, it seemed that he had already exhausted all efforts of weeding out information about the metal, about what they had done to her in the labs. He could still hear her yelling and cursing if he thought back enough. When all they did was stick him with needles and strange electrical pulses, they had removed something human from her - and now, however they had managed to put that parasite on her arm, it was still eating her alive. In only a month it had gone from her wrist to her elbow, and it only seemed to grow hungrier. He changed his thoughts as fast as they came to him with a brief nod. "Lako would wish to come as well. We'll meet at 0930."
It was well after Alexander had vanished into the study, near a half hour or so, when the siblings entered the room. Well, Gael entered the room with Willow quite literally thrown over his shoulder, ignoring the metal hand wrapping around his neck threateningly as he unceremoniously dumps her onto the ground. "You're a f***ing pest," Willow hissed at him, but he simply shrugged serenely. "You're here, might as well spill the beans." Begrudgingly, Willow glared at the two men, suddenly looking at them the way she looked at Ghouls that were about to die by her hand.
"I've told you before and I'll tell you one last time. I'm not interested in trying to stop it."
She left after that, the door half-closing behind her as Gael shrugged at Alexander. Told you, he seemed to say, twisting off the cap of his water bottle. "I wish I could tell you about it, but honestly? I really don't want to get sniped."
So he took a swig of water and walked on out.
Another hour later, there was the sound of hushed fighting in a room just down the hall. As quiet as the house had gotten and as spacious as it was, it was not hard to hear that it was between the half-siblings - once again about Willows' parasite.
"We need to know how to stop it, Willow. It's going to take your life if we don't, and you know it."
He was seated on a large armchair, one ankle draped over his knee as he watched his sister examine her arm where the metal had stopped that time, curling the metal into a fist as she laid on her back on the bed she had been offered. She didn't say anything, and Gael got to his feet in aggravation. "We don't have a choice. Please, let us-"
"Shut up, Gael."
He glared at her, storming forwards quickly and grabbing her metal wrist. "No! You will listen! We need you here-" There was a thump against the wall, where Willow had gotten to her feet and short slammed her fist into her brother's chest, sending his back hitting the wall.
"No, you will listen to me!" Willow said, her voice slightly raised in a dangerous growl. Her eyes glared into him, metal fist pressing against his chest. "All I'm here for is to be your muscle. I can only do one thing right, and it's killing. I can shoot a gun, I can rip a Ghouls head off like a piece of thread, I can shoot arrows - but I can only do that with both hands, with a parasite or not! So what you are gonna do is drop the subject, let this thing get to my heart, and kill me. Because without it, I'm useless, and I will only drag you down. I'm going to die, and you will let me. Understood, Stefiano?"
Gael stared at her openly, mouth parted in hurt and shock.The way she spoke his last name struck him more than anything, a sharp reminder that while they shared a father, their mothers were strangers, and they would never be 'real' siblings.
"Get out."
The next morning, Lako met Gael downstairs, tossing over the keys to the military truck. Willow was already outside, using her razorblade fingers to sharpen more wooden spikes from branches she snapped off. The siblings didn't look at each other, and Lako didn't bring up their argument the night before as the two men waited for Alexander. "Where we going?" Lako asked, making sure he had his sword and dagger. Gael checked his scimitars and Glock. "Fort Devon. I was stationed there for about three months before it was evacuated for - well, you'll see when we get there. But last time I was there, my troops were dead and the dead don't eat MRE's or drink bottled water."
"Were you-"
"I was lieutenant general of my branch."
"Oh. Wow. What was Willow?"
"Dead."
"What?"
"She couldn't exist. So they called her dead."
Lako let out a low whistle, and Gael snorted. "Yeah, let her hear that. She'll turn you into a Ghoul just to rip you apart."
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caesura
Nothing? Nothing! Nothing, tra la la?
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Post by caesura on Sept 18, 2019 21:19:48 GMT -5
[ Really sorry about my sudden hiatus! Irl things got the best of me for a while! Hope everything's going well for you~ And thank you for writing with me! ^^" ]
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