[7:28 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Angrim
[7:51 AM] ColdToiletSeat: The sounds of arrows being fired, followed by the distinct THUNK only moments later could be heard as a certain bowman practiced his technique. After a bit of a restless night, something as relaxing as practicing archery under the dull lights of the morning sun was just what he needed.
A single thought wracked the artist's mind as he let out a breath, taking a look at where his arrow had landed.
Tch. Just a tad bit off of the mark. Einar taught you better than that, Kalenzo.
Letting out a sigh, the bowman walked up and reclaimed his self-titled 'Harbinger of Perfection' before instinctively nocking it on his bow's taut string. As all this happened, other thoughts pervaded his mind.
I wonder what happened to Auriel... I haven't seen her around recently. I hope she's alright, I couldn't bear to think that I'd lose another person that shares my ideals...
He shook his head, there was no need to burden his heart with that thought. Not now, anyways. Taking in a breath, the bowman focused on his target, imagining the head of that cocky ninja as the red mark in the middle.
[8:17 AM] Emisuro: And among the rubble, she was spectating his practicing silently, not making a sound. She found a certian.. respite in stalking the bowman, perhaps to alleviate her otherwise empty and dull days after Luna's dissapearance. Yet, her eyes followed his arrows as they left the bow, hitting the target. Again and again. Time passed silently, without her not giving a single indication that there was anyone there.
As she spectated the affair, the almost hypnotic repeating motion of "shoot arrow, take arrow, repeat" was all she needed to stay happy. Perhaps there was more to this than she herself realised, but wondering about the unknown wasn't her strong suit either.
[8:53 AM] ColdToiletSeat: As Kalenzo continued to visualize the Ninja's features on the red mark, the more of a distinct hatred seemed to form on the man's face. His slightly sunken eyes narrowed, his open mouth showed gritting teeth and his back seemed to hunch slightly. To anyone looking in, it appeared as though the once cool and composed bowman had dropped the façade and seemed to express somewhat of a strangely controlled rage.
Taking the iron-tipped arrow off of his bowstring and simply casting it aside, the bowman exchanged it for a completely different arrow. One that was more elegant in design and looked quite deadly with it's serrated edges. Kalenzo wasted no time and nocked it while his blood had been set to boil. A single phrase that was more of a whisper escaped the man's lips.
[8:53 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Prepare... for your finale"
[8:53 AM] ColdToiletSeat: In the next moment, the man lifted his bow and by extension his arrow into the air. As this happened he took a deep breath and the world around him ceased to exist, his mind was clear and all that he had focused on was the target he had set out to destroy. Lunging backwards, the man pulled back the string of his bow with a great deal of might, swiftly aiming at the mark and letting his arrow fly.
[8:54 AM] ColdToiletSeat: The wind around the man seemed to shift, his ponytail whipped somewhat and a strand or two of hair fell from his tie. But as the arrow made contact with the target a THUNK greater than all of the others that morning rang out as the entire target itself seemed to lean back from the impact.
Kalenzo took deep breaths as he slowly became more conscious of the world around him. A satisfied grin spread itself across the man's face as the dust settled and a particular arrow stuck out from the dead center of the mark.
"Heh... Perfect."
[8:54 AM] ColdToiletSeat:
[9:07 AM] Emisuro: Clap, Clap, Clap.
[9:08 AM] Emisuro: A short applause sounded from beyond the rubble as Auriel stepped into the light, a sly grin on her face
[9:09 AM] Emisuro: "Wow. Impressive, if I do say so myself. It almost broke straight off."
[9:11 AM] Emisuro: Although her voice didn't show as much immense excitement as it may have done in the past, it still carried clear traces of awe
[9:23 AM] ColdToiletSeat: The clapping at first bewildered the man, he had no idea he was performing for an audience, he had wondered how much they had seen and he wondered how long they had been sitting there. The familiar voice however, came to him like a splash of cold water, but instead of stinging it was, rather refreshing. He turned his head to meet the kitsune with a genuine smile before taking a bow.
"Oh, why thank you, thank you~"
[9:29 AM] Emisuro: "Someone has been training. That's apparent." She sighed deeply, crossing her arms, before giggling to herself
[9:30 AM] Emisuro: "Almost makes me sad that I've neglected my own training."
[9:32 AM] Emisuro: The luminous rune hanging around her neck shined with a faint pink light as they spoke, almost as if it had a mind of its own.
[9:44 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ohoho, well, when you work as diligently as I have for the past couple of years, anything but greatness is an insult." Kalenzo responded, standing himself upright and slinging his weapon over his shoulder.
"Hard work and determination is the key to success, as they say."
As he looked over Auriel's attire however, the faint light of the rune certainly caught the his eye and to that, the marksman furrowed a brow before shaking his head and exchanging his somewhat perplexed look with another smile.
"Well, regardless of that, I'm glad to see you also made it out of that prison too."
[10:17 AM] Emisuro: Auriel snarled at hearing the prison mentioned, as it was a disgrace no matter how they looked at it. Simply being caught is one thing, but being toyed with as well?
She shook her head quickly, slightly offended when recalling the memories.
"Clearly not our brightest moment. I was deeply concerned for you as well, you know."
During the escape, a singular thought had kept Auriel from intertwining when her roomates choose to press the green button. "What if it was Kalenzo on the other side?" It didn't pay off in the end, sadly. But it was still the little thing supressing her mercilessness. As she remembered the moment, she blushed slightly, embarrassed by the effect the man had on her.
[10:33 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "It makes me glad to know you were concerned as well." Kalenzo blushed slightly, enjoying the feeling of mutuality between the two with a bit of a giggle and the end of his words.
Placing a hand on his hip and the other tugging slightly on his bowstring, he began to approach, curious as to what was the deal with the dimly lit stone.
What IS that? I wonder...
[10:38 AM] Emisuro: "Hm? My charm?"
Auriel grinned upon noticing Kalenzo's interest in Zapfkiel.
"Yeah, it's pretty cool right? There's a lot more to it though."
[10:41 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh? Do tell."
Kalenzo wondered as he continued forward, moving the hand on his bowstring up to his chin in order to give his stubble a proper stroking.
[10:44 AM] Emisuro: "Heheh. Well, I suppose its simplest to just show it off. Stand back a bit, would you?"
The rune shined, as a light haze descended upon the area
[10:50 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo stumbled backwards as the rune shined bright, briefly blinding the man somewhat. He quickly brought a hand up to shield his squinting eyes before he slowly uncovered it to properly see just what Auriel had in store for him.
The light haze confused the man, but he stood tall nonetheless with genuine curiosity.
[10:54 AM] Emisuro: The haze curled around her tighter, leaving a thick layer of mist around her. It made the area around them completely covered in a layer of thick mist, before it dispersed again, leaving Auriel in her kitsune form, showing off her serrated blank teeth.
"What do you think? Pretty cool, right?"
[11:12 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "I..." Kalenzo answered, seeming to be at a loss for words as he examined the kitsune before him. His mouth hung open with a look of genuine surprise. He had been familiar with transformations before, but those were just wolfskins. Those smelly, disease-ridden mutts deserved barely if not any of his respect. But this was different, the kitsune seemed like a much more refined species, with a coat that seemed like it was free of any blemishes.
"It's... beautiful." He properly answered, an awestruck look spreading across his face.
[11:34 AM] Emisuro: "Heh. I make an effort... Then again, natural magic keeps me shiny."
She licked a paw absentmindedly, eyeing Kalenzo with a smile
"Now. Want a demonstration, or maybe we could find someone else to demonstrate for?"
[11:50 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "I'd like a personal demonstration, if you don't mind of course." Kalenzo answered, resting his chin on an open palm as he continued to examine the transformed kitsune. He considered taking a seat briefly, but decided against it in case the two needed to move themselves.
[11:57 AM] Emisuro: "In what kinds? A duel, maybe?"
Her grin became even wider, and a silent chuckle-like noise emerged from the kitsune
"If you can, that is."
[12:06 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo let out a laugh before shaking his head.
"Oho... it's funny you think that. I'll have you know I learned my lesson from the first time we met. But! If you'd like to so much, I suppose I could indulge you once more."
[12:12 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "However, I think that's another thing for another time," Kalenzo added with a snicker. "I'd like a demonstration on something else."
[12:18 PM] Emisuro: "Heh. I love the sound of that. Where are we going then, Kala?"
Her.... "voice" was filled with anticipation and exitement. That much was clear.
[12:34 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well, I heard something from around the camp that there are some criminals still locked up that could use some... 'Justice'" Kalenzo offered, failing to keep a straight face as he spoke the word 'Justice,' starting to break down into a small fit of laughter.
[12:53 PM] Emisuro: "Pleeeease. That's hilarious. Wanna go then?"
She breathed deeply, trying to smell the air around them for tracks of individual people. Every single one was indistinct, apart from Kalenzo's. There was nobody she recognized the smell of in the immediate area. At least nobody she found
[1:20 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ah, of course, I suppose I'll lead the way then." Kalenzo offered, rolling his shoulder and the shortbow slung over it. He promptly turned around and began walking towards the Khlinese prison.
"Heh, I never thought I'd see myself going back in to that building..."(edited)
[8:11 PM] Emisuro: "Neither did I. It's disgraceful that we even ended up there."
She followed him closely, at times even brushing into him with her tail.
"I knew people who got imprisoned here. Not sure if some still live."
[9:47 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh, then it can be like a nice little reunion if you'd like." Kalenzo commented jokingly, continuing onward with normally paced footsteps, trying his hardest not to yelp in surprise whenever Auriel brushed him with her tail.
Eventually the two found themselves at the doors to the prison, it's gargantuan walls seeming quite imposing when looking at it from the ground.
"Well, here we are..."
[9:50 PM] Emisuro: "Time to go suspect huntiiiing~"
There was a low key cheer to Auriel's voice, almost making a bit of a melody when she talked. She was clearly excited for their hunt.
"Where do we start?"
[10:00 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well, we can start by pushing past these doors, I suppose. After that... I guess we'll have to find out." Kalenzo answered, approaching the doors and giving the large metal slabs a good push.
With a large creak, the doors slowly opened more and more until the two of them had enough room to enter through.
[10:01 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well then, do you suppose that 'Ladies First' applies here?" Kalenzo offered half-seriously with a bit of a laugh.(edited)
[10:09 PM] Emisuro: "Probably. You are quite the charmer, as always."
She entered the complex, looking down the hallways left and right. A lot of cells were opened, but she still smelled traces. Of people. Some were still in the cells.
"Pick your path then, Kala."
[10:12 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Hmm..." The artist wondered, bringing a hand up to rest his chin atop his thumb and forefinger as he tapped his foot in brief thought.
"I suppose left seems like a good choice."
[10:13 PM] Emisuro: "Go on then. Your taste is better than mine."
She sat down, waiting for Kalenzo to move on
[10:17 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh stop, you make me blush~" Kalenzo commented, looking away somewhat bashfully and giving a single wave from his hand. After regaining his composure, the bowman walked down the aisle, eyeing down the various cells and what they had contained.
[10:24 PM] Emisuro: Multiple of the cells had bloodstains on the walls, while some still had prisoners in them. Men and women, looking at them with angry, begging or fearful eyes. This was clearly not a nice place to be. Yet..... it felt like home.
[10:24 PM] Emisuro: "What do you think? See anything good?"
[10:33 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ah yes, we do have quite the selection here..." Kalenzo wondered, scratching at his stubble as he considered their options.
"Hmm... perhaps this one could work, I like it when they don't fight back." He chose with a snicker, looking at a certain prisoner holed up in his cell, cowering in the corner behind the bars with a genuine look of fear in his eyes.(edited)
[6:25 AM] Emisuro: "I can taste the fear in the air......"
As her echoing voice reached to the man, pushing himself backwards further into the corner.
"Don't fret... Im just a little girl. Here to save you, with my best friend. Isn't that right, Kalenzo?"
[6:53 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ah yes, there's no need to worry!" Kalenzo added with a closed-eye smile, clasping his hands together as he looked at the man practically pissing his pants beyond the bars.
In the moments after the end of his little addition, the artist began walking over to the end of the hall where all of the keys to the cells could be located. He gingerly perused the selection available in the small box on the wall, pointing his finger at each and every key until he had found the right one. With that, the bowman couldn't help but smile.
However, something was off with the selection of keys in the box. There was one missing. A certain paranoia started to settle in the man's mind as he looked down the other hallways, desperate for any signs that he'd be getting attacked... But there was nothing. No signs at all.
And that's what scared him the most.
[7:04 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Gulping down the dry air in his throat, Kalenzo started to backpedal, still wary of either hallway. However, the moment he turned around to face Auriel, only a glint of metal could be seen as it flew towards him. A dart, from the looks of it, found itself a new home in the artist's neck, only millimeters from his jugular.
He let out a brief cry of pain before acting quickly, removing the dart and a little bit of his flesh in his haste. The man grasped at his wound not a moment later, desperate to stop the bleeding as his breaths quickened and his face was quick to pale. He started to walk back towards the cell, only to trip over his own feet and fall to the ground, a shivering mess.(edited)
[7:17 AM] Emisuro: "Kalenzo!"
A gasp, followed by an aggressive snarl left the kitsune. Part of her wanted to dash over to Kalenzo, and stabilize him, but the cold logistics told her otherwise, as she raised her ears and smelled the air, looking for the perpetrator. An uncommon scent, someone who hadn't made their presence known yet, was mixed with the scent of Kalenzo's blood. Her best friend's blood. Someone was dying for this.
[7:17 AM] Emisuro: "I know you are out there... Show yourself."
[7:19 AM] Emisuro: The emotion in her voice shut down, leaving a determined cold tone, the tone of someone who had seen death up close, and saw it as a neccesissity. Yet her double standared thoughts and policies left her unable to leave him behind, instead standing still, wary of every sound
[7:38 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "A-Auriel, I... I..."
Kalenzo spoke feverishly, fumbling over his words as he lay on the cold prison floor, still recovering from the initial shock of the wound. As he vainly tried to get himself off of the floor, fresh blood squeezed it's way past the cracks in between his fingers.
The freed ninja, on the other hand, couldn't help but let out a barely audible snicker as they listened to Auriel make her demands.
"Now why would I do that, little foxie?~" Replied a surprisingly feminine voice, followed by the light footsteps of cloth-wrapped feet. Moments later, a flurry of darts came from the opposite end of the hall, each as crude as the last one that had initially struck Kalenzo.(edited)
[7:50 AM] Emisuro: Auriel dashed out of the way upon hearing the darts, but didn't succeed in dodging all of them. One of them stuck out from her side, yet she seemingly paid no heed to the pain.
"I don't know. For one as confident as yourself, you seem quite content with hiding. Then again, who am I to complain."
A light haze entered the area, similar to when she first transformed, making it slightly harder to see in the mist. A couple of prisoners where clearly exited by the fight, while others were scared. The cold hearted kitsune standing in the haze... had seemingly blended into the mist, her fur changing hue completely to match the soft white fog.
"Then we play hide and seek. The old fashioned way."
[8:07 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Sounds like fun! Ooooh, and mist, how fancy!" The ninja complimented, eager to play Cat and Mouse- rather, Kitsune and Mouse with Auriel. Another round of footsteps, followed by the sudden whoosh of a jump could be heard from the same hallway except this time there were no darts. Childish giggling came from another hallway as the hidden ninja continued to taunt them.
"Oh yeah, I think I forgot to tell ya!~ Those darts have my own special blend of poison on them. If you want your handsome looking boyfriend over there to live, and by extension, you... IIII'd suggest you come and get meeeee~"(edited)
[8:13 AM] Emisuro: "Poison? Old news. I've ingested enough doses daily to be almost completely immune to it. Figuring out when one is in you is easy enough, give me a break."
Although, can't deny that im feeling the numbing effects of this one. Strong stuff.
The mist thickened, and Auriel faded back into it. The childish giggles where complimented by her own, as the wraith walked among the mist. One could almost see her shimmer as she passed through the occassional light.
[8:29 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Actually ingesting poison? That's silly... But I guess it works..." The ninja commented, continuing to sneak her way around the various cells and hallways that connected them.
I suppose I should finish my job, I didn't think that dart would hit him... Oh well, a little bluff can always make things more interesting... She thought, jumping through the air and landing at Kalenzo's still writhing body. As she listened to his desperate gasps for air and pained groans, she drew her proper dagger and knelt close to the man.
"It's a shame you're so attractive, seems like a waste to do this..." She commented, grabbing the man by his hair and lining up the tip of her blade to his gullet as he vainly pawed at her hands, only able to pitifully wipe his blood on her in desperation to make the ninja stop.(edited)
[2:29 PM] Emisuro: "Ingesting poison is smart. Any good assassin would do so....."
The voice seemed to come from all around, as if spoken by the mist itself. The childish giggles silenced as something glimmered behind the agressor.
"It would save you.... from THIS"
A claw emerged, aiming for the neck of the aggressor
[2:57 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Anbei looked on either side of her before going back to Kalenzo. A nervous bead of sweat crawled it's way down her face as she placed her other hand on the pommel of the dagger, ready to slide it into the man's throat.
But the giggling stopped, and the ninja hesitated. Quickly proving to be a fatal move on her part as the claw emerging from the mist sliced out a good chunk of flesh from her throat. With a scream that served only as a prelude to her sealed death, she fell away from the man, clutching her bleeding jugular.(edited)
[3:16 PM] Emisuro: The mist slowly started dispersing, revealing Auriel next to Kalenzo again, looking towards their newly defeated enemy.She paid her no heed to the ninja however, instead curling up around Kalenzo, absorbing the blood from his wound onto her tail.
"Are you... still here?"
[3:29 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo laid motionless for a second, a blank look on his face as blood continued to flow from his wound. But a slight twitching of his eyelids gave Auriel a sign that he still lived. That, followed by a weak chuckling from the man helped dismiss any suspicions that he was dead.
That still didn't stop the man from looking like death, that with his paled skin being colored by the warm crimson color of his own blood. This, however, was heavily contrasted by the man's expression as it displayed a weak and closed eye smile.(edited)
[3:50 PM] Emisuro: "Ugh. What to do now..... I don't have my staves.... maybe...."
Mist coiled around her as she transformed again, back to her deafult human state. She walked over to the attacker, forcefully ripping the knife they threw out of her arm, before forcefully stabbing it into their stomach, watching her with cold dead eyes.
"Nothing personal. Im going to need.... things from you."
[4:00 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Anbei let out a gasp as her own knife pierced her gut. The ninja's body seized as the kitsune forced the weapon deeper and deeper into her stomach until she had finally stopped.
"Why... -guh should I help you?" The attacker asked, continuing to clutch at her neck as the start of a sanguine pool began to develop underneath her.
[4:14 PM] Emisuro: "You wont willingly help me."
[4:14 PM] Emisuro: The knife twisted once again, ripping ever deeper into the girl
[4:15 PM] ColdToiletSeat: This was met by another scream as more of her internal organs were torn into.
[4:16 PM] Emisuro: "Sleep well."
[4:16 PM] Emisuro: Another thrust, this one final stab intending to end it.
[4:17 PM] Emisuro: Now... Does she have safety setups...
[4:33 PM] ColdToiletSeat: As the kitsune made her final stab, the ninja seized once more, this time moving the hands that held her bleeding gullet to the arms of Auriel in some kind of pitiful attempt to preserve her life. As the tendrils of death stole the life from the woman, her grip loosened and her arm flopped onto the floor as the rest of the body went limp.
What Auriel would find on the fresh cadaver is a small bag with no clear label on it, aside from that there wasn't anything else that could be found besides more knives.
[4:37 PM] Emisuro: Auriel opened the bag while walking up to Kalenzo, showing clear concern in her face again
[4:46 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "That was... something spectacular..." Kalenzo commented, letting out a brief chuckle before breaking into a fit of coughing as what little poison in his system started to take effect. Letting out a groan as he continued to lay on the ground, he readjusted his hands as the bleeding from his neck started to slow.
[6:28 AM] Emisuro: The bag contained a small vial, whom Auriel wasted no time uncorking and sampling. The refreshing feeling of the antitoxin felt good, but it wasnt that that brought a smile to her face.
[6:29 AM] Emisuro: There's still life within him. Hopefully this is enough to conserve it...
[6:29 AM] Emisuro: She lifted his head onto her lap, covering his wound with a patch from her yukata.
[6:30 AM] Emisuro: "Im going to need you to be mentally present enough to drink this. Don't leave me just yet."
[9:00 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo's eyelids flickered once more as he listened to the sound of a vial being uncorked. The feeling of what he could only imagine being Auriel lifting his head also helped with stirring the man into consciousness. The first thing he thought of was how warm her lap felt, and how comfortable he was as he laid there. Hell, Kalenzo even considered taking a nap right there and letting all of his worries melt away...
However it was her firm commanding that kept the artist from doing so. He turned his head slowly in order to look at the kitsune before raising his eyebrows, silently asking "What's next?"
[11:12 AM] Emisuro: She didn't answer, she just brought the vial to his mouth, tilting it so he did not have to strain himself trying to drink it.
"Just swallow it. After that, don't worry. I got you."
[11:28 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo did as he was instructed, slowly drinking more and more from the vial as it was poured into his mouth. A certain tingling sensation filled his body as the antitoxin lived up to its name, the vial ending up empty in the matter of seconds.
The man blinked a few times as the vial was pulled away, his breathing seeming to even out in longer and deeper breaths instead of hastened and shallow gasps. He stared up, focusing on the roof of the building as the last three words Auriel spoke repeated in his mind. After that, his body seemed less tense, taking solace in the fact that he'd be okay.
[2:27 PM] Emisuro: Auriel leaned towards the wall, with Kalenzo still on her lap. Curling his tail around him, like a bushy extremely non covering blanket, but hopefully it provided some comfort.
[2:28 PM] Emisuro: Her vision grew hazy as she remembered the wound she had supressed memories of suddenly started aching again.
[2:33 PM] Amasuro: A scream, followed by the sounds of a single explosion, could be heard down the hallway. At the same time, a bright flash of light accompanied the sound, along with the patter of footsteps pounding against the floor. It seemed to be approaching closer to the pair, but it was hard to tell.
The prisoners, trapped in their cells around the pair, began to make worried noises in response.
[2:42 PM] ColdToiletSeat: At the sudden outburst of sound and blinding light, Kalenzo's eyes widened and his body tensed with fear. It also angered him in the fact that he was powerless to do anything about their current situation. He thought this was over, he could've sworn that only one key was missing out of that box, he thought...
Who or what was that?(edited)
[2:43 PM] Emisuro: The explosion gave Auriel clarity again, as she looked down the hallway the light came from.
W... What?.
Her instinct led told her to check it out, but something else took priority for her right now. Whatever it was, they were probably in trouble. Probably. Maybe not though
[2:49 PM] Amasuro: The footsteps continued to sound louder, and louder, until eventually, around the corner in front of the pair, came a ragged looking man dressed in prisoners clothes. He nearly failed to skid around the corner properly, slamming into the wall as he ran, before running towards Kalenzo and Auriel.
"She's...she's coming! She's coming! She's..." The man gasped, his strength finally running out as he fell forwards and collapsed right in front of the wounded pair. Along his back, a searing wound embedded deep into his skin, scorching through his clothes and scaring his back. The wound glowing a strange, light green colour.
[2:54 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo's breathing intensified as the man fell forward, clearly a victim of foul magics. He had been taught many things in the sense of combat from Einar, but dealing with magic was not one of them. His heartbeats grew quicker as he began to shift on the floor, slowly kicking his feet across the floor until he could properly sit up, a mix of fear and adrenaline flowing through him and inspiring his every action.
It hurt, his blood-drained muscles ached, but he did what he had to do to stay alive. After all, his work in this world was far from finished.(edited)
[3:01 PM] Emisuro: Auriel's breathing slowed down while she passed the patch to Kalenzo.
"Press this against your wound lightly. It absorbs the blood. I have more work to do.... clearly."
She held Zafkiel again, feeling the familiar surge that accompanied transformation. With Kalenzo stabilized enough to sit up, she was convinced he could live for at least long enough for her to potentially kill this new threat..... and if she failed, well they were both dead anyway. So why not try.
"Watch out. I can take a magic blast, but I don't think you can."
The haze lowered again, although with Auriel weakened it did not hide them well enough to lie low and wait for the enemy to pass
[3:04 PM] Amasuro: Footsteps again. Only these were slower. Softer. They almost had a calm, methodical feel to them, almost as if its owner was skipping lightly.
The prisoners in the cells began to throw a massive uproar, banging on the walls and cells screaming in fear. Where were the guards, and why were they not coming?
[3:06 PM] ColdToiletSeat: With a quick nod, Kalenzo pressed the patch against his neck, leaning against the wall as the familiar haze filled the air once more. His breaths slowed as Auriel spoke to him, somewhat reassuring him in high contrast to the boisterous noises surrounding the two.
But as he listened, he heard them, the footsteps of whoever was drawing near. They seemed strangely light-hearted and sent a chill down the man's spine. He had a vague idea, but as fate would have it, he couldn't seem to put a finger on anybody specific.(edited)
[3:11 PM] Amasuro: A figure finally rounded the corner. One wearing a lacey, dress whose outline was visible in the dim light of the prison. Her figure was lit up by the soft green glow coming from her right hand, which seemed to be slowly fading as she walked around the corner.
Confused by the small amount of haze that appeared in the hallway for seemingly no good reason, the figure holds her glowing right hand, pointing it directly towards the upper portion of the haze. The light beginning to glow brighter, and brighter...
[3:15 PM] Emisuro: Siiigh...
The "mist" spoke.
"If this is an execution, get on with it."
No fear. No remorse. Nothing. Straight to the point.
[3:23 PM] Amasuro: The green light finally formed into a spell of some sort. A long, glowing green ball almost shaped like a snake with what appeared to be some kind of dragon on its head. The strange spell traveled slowly, passing harmlessly above the pair and going through the haze. As it was angled upwards slightly, it disappears upon contacting with the ceiling of the hallway.
"Who speaks behind the haze? Are you concealing the prisoner?" The figure spoke. A familiar sounding, female voice.
[3:28 PM] Emisuro: "You. Not even trying to be subtle, are you?"
She recoiled a bit as the wound in her side stung, letting out a noise somewhat similar to a yelp, before returning to the regular steel facade.
"You have others... who do that work for you you know.."
[3:37 PM] Amasuro: The figure lowered its hand, watching as the haze reformed itself just moments after her spell passed through it.
"I am not sure I recognize who I am speaking to. Remove this haze at once," the voice commanded towards the group in front.
[3:38 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo swallowed a dry gulp of air as the two started their back and forth, clutching his wound and silently hoping that violence wouldn't be the answer this time around.(edited)
[3:39 PM] Emisuro: "Forgetting your sister's subordinates like that? Ruuuuuuuuuuuude........"
The dragged out vowel pained Auriel to utter, but it was one of her trademark speech patterns. She'd probably recognize it.
[3:42 PM] Amasuro: Ellis lowered her hand, still glaring cautiously towards the man and the Kitsune obscured by haze inside the hallways. Still seeming to be scanning for some sort of trap, she approaches the pair carefully.
"Auriel?" She asks, looking towards the Kitsune.
[3:45 PM] Emisuro: "Yes. We finished your job for you..."
The mist thinned, although it was still there. The person could clearly make out the corpses and the man on the floor
[3:49 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo slumped against the wall as the confrontation seemed like it would end up being harmless for either side.
Oh thank the Gods... He thought, letting out a deep sigh as his breathing slowed and relaxed.(edited)
[3:54 PM] Amasuro: Satisfied with what she saw, Ellis approached the pair. However, still showing signs of distrust in the two, keeping her distance as she looked down towards the two corpses.
"True, I do have others to do that work for me. It seems like you two managed to catch the...other escaped prisoner."
She still stared idly towards the two corpses, as if examining them from afar.
[3:56 PM] Emisuro: "Well. We seem to do your work better than most other people here do, if nobody catched them before that your majesty"
She walked backwards toward Kalenzo again, eyeing Ellis carefully
[4:13 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo let out a weak snicker, moving his legs so that he could make another attempt at getting up, only to let put a pained groan as he tried and failed.
"Aha, my cough apologies, your majesty." Kalenzo regarded the royalty standing before him, referring to her with the same inflection Auriel did.(edited)
[4:16 PM] Amasuro: Her demeanor seemed to change completely, as her incredibly tense pose relaxed significantly until her hands found itself clasped together in front of her dress like how they always were.
"Ah, well, my sincerest apologies," she spoke, bowing to the pair, "I assume the pair of you came down here to investigate the notice that one prisoner had escaped her cell, then? I owe you my thanks."
[4:24 PM] Emisuro: "Pff. Probably. Why were you chasing her though."
Auriel asked her questioningly, almost apprehensive of her
[4:31 PM] Amasuro: "Me? Ah, well, with everyone else so busy in their preparations, I thought I would simply take this job on my own. It seemed to be the most efficient thing to do, rather than waiting for someone."
She bent down closer, to get a better look.
"Kalenzo, was it? You two seem to be injured," Ellis spoke calmly to the pair.
[4:41 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ah yes, quite the sneaky one, that escapee..." Kalenzo commented, shaking his head somewhat as he went with the story Ellis had been so kind as to provide for them. He adjusted the hand on his neck in order to show the young woman a bit of his wound before elaborating on it and properly covering it once more.
"Yeah... Auriel and I had been looking around when I suddenly took a poison dart to the neck. I'd have died if it weren't for Miss Auriel here working as quickly as she did." He spoke, gesturing to the kitsune with his free hand and bowing his head as much as he could before wincing and resting it back against the wall.(edited)
[4:43 PM] Emisuro: "I do what I can."
She sat down, with the red "dot" on her fur slowly expanding
[4:50 PM] Amasuro: "Oh, dear me, it looks like the two of you require aid."
Ellis removed a staff from her back, bending down and pointing it towards Auriel's wound. After a moment, the staff began to glow a soft, blue light, shining directly at the Kitsune's wound.
[4:52 PM] Emisuro: "Thanks."
The mist coiled around her again, before her human form returned, sitting leant up to a wall.
"Of all the people to be running around like that....."
[4:57 PM] Amasuro: "Interesting, I was not aware that you could transform. Is there a reason this has not been utilized in battle before?" Ellis spoke, already moving onto healing the small wound from the poison dart in Kalenzo neck.
[4:59 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Thank you..." Kalenzo breathed as a response, letting his arm and by extension the piece of yukata flop to the ground rather ungracefully as the healing process finished.
Heh, so this is Ellis eh? To think that Sula and I were supposed to assassinate this girl... And here we are now, she's saving my life... Isn't that funny how fate works...(edited)
[5:02 PM] Emisuro: "I like to keep a certian degree of confidentality. Let's just say I was unaware of this for now."
She turned over, picking up the bloody patch again.
[5:04 PM] Amasuro: "You enjoy your confidentiality, then? Very well, I can understand and respect that."
[5:04 PM] Amasuro: Ellis finishes healing Kalenzo, before standing up to sheath the staff back onto her back.
[5:16 PM] Emisuro: "I think you know all about confidentality anyway, miss royal."
[5:17 PM] Emisuro: Her fake cheery tone returned, and a smug grin appeared on her lips
[11:44 AM] Amasuro: "I am not sure what you are suggesting with that statement. There must always exist a small layer of confidentiality sometimes to protect the needs of others."
[10:15 PM] Emisuro: "Maaaaaybe. Althoooough, you never fight yourself... Yeet, you seem preettyyy good at it.... How coooome?"
[10:16 PM] Emisuro: Her trademark "dopey" grin appeared again, concealing her otherwise sinister intentions
[11:27 AM] Amasuro: "Oh, do you believe so? Well, I do appreciate the compliment, but I am not as good as you might believe."
Ellis brushes her dress off, as her face shows no change in emotions besides its usual, warm smile.
"I simply use the abilities I have learned in my time. That is all."
[12:02 AM] Emisuro: "You say so...... Yeeet you walk a paaath of bloood...... Maybe there is more to youuu than I thought..."
She shook her head, going back over to Kalenzo
"I thiiink we are done here anyhoow...."
[12:11 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Sounds-ngh good to me." Kalenzo responded, placing a hand on the wall behind his back as he attempted to stand himself up once more.(edited)
[1:16 PM] Amasuro: Ellis tilted her head, seemlingly curious at the Kitsune's words, "my, I am not quite sure what you mean. But, yes, I have numerous more duties to attend to."
She did her usual bow, before walking past the pair, "I will take my leave. I wish you both a good day."
[3:18 PM] Emisuro: "Maaaybe.... Whatever. You'll understaaand.... sooon enough."
She stood silently next to Kalenzo for a while, crossing her arms once Ellis was completely gone
"You could have died there. If that girl was better at her job, you already would be!"
[3:38 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Wow, I've never heard her take this tone with me before... Kalenzo thought, his pale expression riddled with surprise meeting Auriel's as he stood up. His knees wobbled somewhat before the man could finally stand upright.
"You're right." The artist responded flatly, placing a hand against the wall for support as his posture faltered somewhat. He looked away and hung his head somewhat in shame. "Back there, I wasn't kidding. I got careless and I would have died if not for you."
[10:06 AM] Emisuro: Sigh
"Well, it's fine."
The melancholy in her face dissapeared, bringing forth a genuine smile
"Im happy you survived. There is far more for you to do out there."
[1:14 PM] ColdToiletSeat: The man let out a snicker at the kitsune's words, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looked up once more.
"There is far more for me to do in this lifetime." Kalenzo agreed, giving a nod to Auriel before pausing to find the words for his next statement.
"...There's also so much more for us to do, Miss Auriel."
[1:30 PM] Emisuro: "Heh. Of course. How could I forget."
Her snicker only grew, until she quickly got up right next to him.
"Heheh.... Shall we then?"
[1:44 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Of course." He answered with another nod, his smile widening as he was accompanied.
"...Though, I'd say we're both due for a bit of a cleanup." The artist commented, looking at some of his blood on Auriel's tail before feeling some of the already-dried blood on his own neck.
[1:50 PM] Emisuro: "Eh, its fiiiiine. You didn't seem to enjoy bathing, remember? You timidly sunk away when I said hi."
She gave him a weak push, laughing a bit when remembering the baths.
"Do you not like it?"
[2:00 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Heheh..." He chuckled alongside the kitsune, the not-so-fond memory coming back to him and making his laughing quickly taper off.
"I uh... don't get me wrong, I enjoy feeling clean, but what happened back there at the baths just made me feel..." He gulped, blushing a bit before uttering his next word.
"Indecent."
[12:21 AM] Emisuro: "Perhaps. It was funny anyways."
As they continued, Auriel slowly moved her hand towards Kalenzo's hand, suddenly grasping it, while turning to him and smiling.
[9:55 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo looked away bashfully at the comment, his lips pursed as the rosy tinge on his face took on a deeper hue. However, as Auriel took his hand, his face expressed a bout of surprise before softening and reciprocating her smile with one of his own.
[11:27 AM] Emisuro: "So. Are we friends?"
She went quiet for a while, her grin becoming more smug by the second
"Or.... Something more?"
[1:58 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh... Well I must say, you have me quite interested by the prospect of something more, my dear Auriel" Kalenzo answered, leaning forward as the two walked so their heads would meet at eye level.(edited)
[2:03 PM] Emisuro: "Oh?"
An excitement brewed in her voice, first small, although showing more clearly once she continued
"What more excactly?"
[2:11 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh you know we can be more than just friends." Kalenzo answered, a similar excitement stirring in his voice. He straightened his back, looking up and away as he tapped his chin.
"Perhaps something a bit more... intimate would fit us, no?" He asked, looking back at Auriel
[2:24 PM] Emisuro: "Sūmusu."
The taunt escaped her lips as she smiled, yet it was followed by joyful laughter. As the door opened and they exited back into the sunlight, she asked him again, with a smug tone.
"So, is that a proposal?"
[2:39 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Sūmusu? What might that mean? Kalenzo thought, starting to push the steel door outwards. The light stung somewhat but his eyes adjusted quickly under the shade of his fingers. Auriel's next question, however, took him by surprise.
"I... a proposal?" He asked, somewhat dumbfounded by the kitsune's words. "How do you mean, might I ask?"
[2:43 PM] Emisuro: "Well, we were friends. It's all up from there, you know?"
She sarcastically pointed up to underline her answer. Although the laziness was there, it was remarkably fast, revealing perhaps a small core of true enthusiasm and joy for what was happening.
"So. What is it, then?"
[3:06 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo let out a hum of understanding as he shifted his stance, leaning back on the heels of his feet.
"Well, considering our current situation, I wouldn't see something as drastic as marriage in our near future, but that should be obvious..." The man stated, tapping his chin and looking upwards once more.
"In my opinion, I think the term 'Lovers' would work." The artist finally answered, his eyes drifting back to Auriel. "What do you think?"
[3:12 PM] Emisuro: "Aaaaw, you finally said it. I've been waiting for you for quite a while now... Perhaps it feels longer because of the prison, but an eternity regardless."
Her tone was a clear happy one, the final stage of her progressive joyfullness. The future somehow looked brighter and brighter.(edited)
[3:15 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo's suddenly surprised face went red as he started stammering over some of his words, shattering his façade of cool collectedness.
"Whu-I... Uh... Exactly how long were you waiting on that?"
[3:18 PM] Emisuro: "Uh, I don't know. Perhaps.... No, I've lost track of time. It just feels so... nonexistent, after all these years."
She shrugged, clearly not intending to follow up on the subject.
"Anyway..... I would be absolutely fine with calling us that then, Kalenzo."
[3:34 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo let out a deep sigh, placing his hands on his knees to keep his seemingly collapsed upper body up. After a solid couple of seconds, his head turned back up to meet his eyes with Auriel's, a closed-eye smile on his face.
"Perfect."
[3:40 PM] Emisuro: She gave him no response, only doing a short jump-into-hug combo, laughing while doing it.
"Just imagine all the fun we will have! All the... art to appreciate! Heh, the coming 100 years will be amazing."
[4:09 PM] ColdToiletSeat: The man was taken by surprise once more, letting out a brief "uwoah!" and almost toppling over as the kitsune jumped at him. A large smile erupted on the man's face as Auriel began to talk about all the fun they would be having and all of the art they would appreciate. He reciprocated the hug, making a comment not too long afterwards.
"And I'll be glad to share them with you."
[4:29 PM] Emisuro: "Perfect! Hehehe, this is gonna be great!"
She skipped ahead a bit, stopping and turning to Kalenzo again.
"So are you ready to head back then?.... Together, of course."
[4:51 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "But of course, my dear." Kalenzo answered, walking forward and offering his hand, the large smile still on his face.
[4:54 PM] Emisuro: =END RP=
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