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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Aug 25, 2015 19:26:44 GMT -5
(A/N: This thread contains blood and violent content. Also, Jack's possession of Todd is done with DMis's full permission.)
Compared to the outside world, the hallowed halls of the mall were jarringly empty. Save for a few corpses, some of them still limping or crawling about in their considerable resistance to death, it seemed there wasn't a soul to be found. All was eerily quiet, the stillness punctuated only by the white noise projected by the overhead speakers. Whatever station the radio was tuned into clearly had no one to run it and therefore no music to play.
That could be remedied.
The clacking of footsteps and a wooden cane on the linoleum floor echoed through the food court. A lone figure strolled through the open space, taking a good look around, silver eyes blazing in the near total darkness. Despite the disarray, it was a quaint establishment. It wasn't that sad, or even that messy. Not yet, at least.
Be the Witch of Blood.
Jack adorned his new host's face with a smile as he took a seat on a salad bar.
"Todd, correct? I must apologize.
You must know, if this is to be your demise,
I respect you, just not enough to be outdone.
But I'm sure that together we'll have plenty of fun."
He whipped out one of Todd's violas and peacefully closed his eyes. Without hesitation, he began to play, and he did so flawlessly. All the while, he ignited fireballs all throughout the food court, the explosions and crashes somehow timed perfectly with the beat.
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Post by DMis on Aug 25, 2015 19:41:50 GMT -5
'Yes you remember my F***ing name! Not like you can hear me anyways,' Todd thought in reply. 'Jerkface a**hat.... At least you have a decent taste in music.'
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Aug 25, 2015 19:55:47 GMT -5
High above the city, the camper van cruised through the sky. Mickey sat behind the wheel, head out the window as he gazed at the rolling landscape below. He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel and door, muttering song lyrics to his lonesome self; it wasn't like anyone was in the passenger seat to listen.
"I chime in with a 'Haven't you people ever heard of
Closing a God dang door?'
No, it's much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of poise and rationality..."
He cut himself off and hollered down into the camper, "See anything, guys?!"
"Beyond the usual chaos, mayhem and I don't know what, not really!" Cat called back, having not turned away from the window once in their search.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Aug 25, 2015 20:36:41 GMT -5
Van was a tad too preoccupied to aid in the search for Jack. Through his and Patrick's combined efforts, they had managed to awaken and fully bind Evan. Van needed him conscious for him to study his mind, but that of course put them at risk of Evan attacking them, which he very clearly had the intent to do, so full restraint was absolutely necessary. Pinned against a wall, covered in bright blue light practically from head to toe and all the unclothed parts in between, Evan screeched and thrashed about as much as he could, furiously and desperately trying to break free and rip out this infernal mage's throat.
His face a stone cold stare that masked any fear he might have felt, Van raised a hand, summoning a yellow arcane circle beneath him and the bestial young man. "Alright, Evan. Let's see what's going on in that head of yours."
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Post by DMis on Aug 25, 2015 20:41:42 GMT -5
Beth turned from watching Van and Evan and headed up to Mickey. "Evan is being investigated now. And is bound by blue magic," Beth offered as a report to the driver. Her eyes darted about.
Unseen to the others was the bond lengths. She was hunting for one in particular as she took a seat.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Aug 26, 2015 10:31:30 GMT -5
Cat raised an eyebrow at Van and Evan's reflection in the window pane, then sighed, shook her head and turned her attention back to the outside world, hoping to the Hereafter that Van knew what he was doing.
"Cool cool," Mickey replied, turning around briefly so he could nod to Beth. As he continued scanning the city, he muttered, "Well, I'll give this guy one thing: He's definitely making an effort to not be so frickin' obvious this time around."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Aug 26, 2015 12:27:21 GMT -5
Slowly but surely, Van forged a connection between his and Evan's mind. The first thing that struck him was a powerful onslaught of raw emotions. Anger, confusion, longing, mistrust... a deep-seeded rage and a powerful drive, not to mention a serious superiority complex. It quickly became clear to him that it was these feelings that Evan was acting upon, as his train of through was just as disjointed as his emotional state.
Trapped... weak... can't fight... can'T KiLL...! What is IT? DifferEnT! Can't be DIfferENT! MUsT KILL!!
What's different? Van attempted to communicate telepathically. Are you referring to me? Is this mental force manipulating you into killing me?
Voice? What? Different... Not one of us... CAN't be DiFfeReNT! Must SILeNcE! MUST KILL!!
"One of us"? Van mused. Seems I'm not on the same wavelength as this communal mind you seem to be linked to. I suppose I'll have to dig a little deeper-
CHOMP
"AUGH!" Van hadn't realized how close to his subject he had gotten until Evan finally bit down full force into his hand, his razor sharp fangs digging into the flesh and quickly hitting bone. Hastily and properly panicking, Van pushed against Evan with his foot and free hand, desperately trying to pry the beast away from his hand. "NO, EVAN! GET OFF! BAD!"
Eventually, he managed to summon a spell of pure force that pushed Evan back and forced him to release his grip. Van wisely backed off, cradling his bloody hand, while Evan took to roaring and screeching at him even more loudly than before, blood and spittle spewing from his mouth as he struggled against his bonds and shrieked like a banshee.
Van scowled at Evan and hit him with another powerful impulse, slamming his head against the wall and leaving him comically disoriented for a few seconds. "No! Bad!"
Oh, great strategy, Van, Ray grumbled sarcastically. Why don't we just throw treats at him n' piss him off even more?
"Shut up!" Van snapped, taking a moment to calm down again. "Patrick, if you could...?"
"I'm on it..." Patrick sighed immediately after taking control, covering his wounded hand in purple light.
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Post by DMis on Aug 26, 2015 20:05:22 GMT -5
'Found you,' thought Beth as she spotted a mixed trail of purple and inky black. She gave a smirk. "Head to the right. I think I found a trail," she offered to the pilot. "Call it a hunch as well."
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Aug 26, 2015 21:46:04 GMT -5
"You got it," Mickey replied, sitting up straight and turning the wheel right. The mall was just up ahead.
Cat jumped and whirled around when she heard Evan bite Van. She whipped out Goldenhand, anticipating the need to smack him again, but Van seemed to solve the problem himself. Seeing this, Cat withdrew her weapon and turned back to the window, perking up slightly when the camper van veered to the right. "Whoa, hey, I think they got a lead up there."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Aug 26, 2015 22:08:45 GMT -5
"G-Glad to hear..." Patrick murmured as he healed his hand, partially distracted by Evan's rage. Just what kind of force had taken over his friend's mind now?
----------
As he drew his first song to a close, Jack raised his head a bit at attention. He slipped his goggles over his eyes to see through the fire and turned to face the entrance. It was strange. It almost felt as if he was sensing some kind of bond from a distance.
"Could this be Elizabeth and all of her friends?
It was a matter of time before they found us again.
Heh... They are a persistent bunch, no?
If they want it, fine. I'll give them a show."
He jumped off this perch and turned his host's body invisible, then he began a brisk walk down the nearest hallway, his haunting viola melody echoing throughout the building.
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Post by DMis on Aug 26, 2015 22:47:05 GMT -5
"You're not hiding that easy Jack," Beth mused.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Aug 27, 2015 13:06:43 GMT -5
The camper van descended into the mall parking lot and came to a halt in a spot as far away from the actual mall as possible. Mickey wanted to take precautions; things tended to end badly for all those involved when his van took damage. "This the place? Everyone ready to head out?"
"Hecks yeah, I'm ready!" Cat called, of course being the first to charge out the camper door.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Aug 27, 2015 13:56:06 GMT -5
Patrick looked up just as he finished the healing process. He wanted to help hunt for Jack and save Todd, of course, but was he just supposed to leave Evan in the van? This binding spell wouldn't last forever, and he was growing more enraged by the second.
"Van, thoughts?"
Well, on one hand, leaving Evan alone at this point would be detrimental, Van offered. I'm certain the others would understand if we caught up with them later. But on the other, you and maybe Riordan are the only ones here who can exorcise, and he's still locked. I'd hate to leave them without the means of safely expelling Jack.
You know... Ray spoke up. If I were to, say, enchant Evan to target-
"NO," Patrick and Van boomed in unison.
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Post by DMis on Aug 27, 2015 20:09:25 GMT -5
Beth nodded as she sheathed a sword at her hip. "We've got a demon to hunt," she offered with a smirk. To the siren this felt invigorating.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Aug 28, 2015 10:03:40 GMT -5
Mickey shot Beth a grin somewhere between anticipation and malice, one that was certainly characteristic of the vampire. Then he jumped out of the van, passing harmlessly through the door and flying out into the parking lot.
"Hey, Dr. Jekyll!" Cat called into the camper. "You coming or what?!"
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