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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 3, 2015 21:50:30 GMT -5
"W-What??" Ace didn't even get a chance to question Patrick's discovery before he ran off on her. She inquisitively touched her face, even if this didn't prove anything regarding her eye color, but was still shocked by the revelation regardless.
Was she... really changing back?
Unable to determine this for now, she opted to push these thoughts aside follow the trail of Jack's aura, ready now more than ever to face him again. Hopefully once and for all.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 3, 2015 22:03:02 GMT -5
Back to the ballroom. Back to the room where it all began.
Jack hovered high above in the center of the room, smirking to himself as Ace entered the scene.
"Back for more, are we? Well, good to know.
Let me give you the lowdown for this final show..."
"Please leave all overcoats, canes and top hats with the doorman
From that moment you'll be out of place and underdressed
I'm wrecking this evening already and loving every minute of it
Ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring and..."
He started flying in slow circles above Ace, like a vulture staring down at its meal.
"Please leave all overcoats, canes and top hats with the doorman
From that moment you'll be out of place and underdressed
I'm wrecking this evening already and loving every minute of it
Ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring and..."
Jack then flew down, landing at the front of the room right in front of Ace and striking a pose, one hand holding his cane, the other tipping the brim of his trilby.
"When you're in black slacks with accentuating off-white pinstripes, whoa-oh
Everything goes according to plan"
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 3, 2015 22:09:40 GMT -5
Just keep him distracted. Don't try to fight him. Just hold him off long enough and strike once Patrick makes his move.
Ace took a stance at the center of the ballroom with a staff at the ready. She glared at Jack from beneath the brim of her own hat, raising her free hand and gesturing for him to bring it on.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 3, 2015 22:26:21 GMT -5
With pleasure.
Jack began a rapid dash all across the room, swift and graceful, but quick and chaotic. With each rebound, he released a burst of fire, and with each twirling movement, the shadows swayed in sync, both elements swirling around Ace, and all of it demanding her undivided attention.
"I'm the new cancer, never looked better, you can't stand it
Because you say so under your breath, you're reading lips, when did he get all confident?
Haven't you heard that I'm the new cancer?
Never looked better and you can't stand it"
He landed in front of Ace again. He pointed to the left, commanding his shadows to strike her to the beat. He pointed to the right, repeating the process. He then raised both of his arms, lifting himself off the floor and creating a cyclone of shadows around Ace.
And all the while, under the effects of Van's illusion spells again, Patrick cautiously approached the scene, ensuring that Ace was handling herself and that they were both in optimal position.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 3, 2015 22:33:26 GMT -5
With a remarkably level head, Ace dodged, sliced and electrocuted every shadow that came her way, even as Jack upped the ante in his dance. She was holding up well, all things considered, but she eventually decided that she needed to play the offense part, albeit simply for show. Thus, she flew out of the tornado of darkness, both staffs in hand, and swung at Jack from both sides. She in no way expected to hit him; she only wanted to keep his focus on her ruse.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 3, 2015 22:55:43 GMT -5
As expected, Jack simply flew out of the way of Ace's attack, flipping backwards and twisting around so he "landed" on the wall behind him, appearing as if he was standing on the vertical surface. He chuckled at his stunt and started to strut up the wall, dancing to the beat as the shadows continued to writhe about beneath him.
"Next is a trip to the... the ladies room in vain and
I bet you just can't keep up with... with the fashionistas and..."
He turned around, "walking" backwards up the wall now, and pointed at Ace.
"Tonight, tonight you are, you are a whispering campaign
I bet to them your name is cheap, I bet to them you look like shh..."
Jack reached the ceiling, taking on a dramatic tone and poses to match. He even slid across the ceiling on his knees, striking a pose with arms outstretched as if to embrace his audience of one.
"Talk to the mirror, oh choke back tears
And keep telling yourself that... I'm a diva!"
He then stood up, leaning against the chandelier and casually sliding in circles around it.
"Oh and the smokes in that cigarette box
On the table, they just so happen to be LACED..."
He pointed at Ace.
"...WITH..."
He pointed at... Patrick?
"...NITROGLYCERIN"
I don't smoke, man... Ray muttered. Man, that confusion spell was potent. Was Jack really looking at them??
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 4, 2015 13:52:24 GMT -5
Oh jeez...
Ace severely hoped that was not the case. Whether or not it was, she had to keep Jack's focus solely on her. Thus, she flew up to the ceiling and charged at Jack, aimed to strike him with a staff again. She kept coming at him in sporadic zigzags, staffs swinging wildly. Dodging them would be no easy challenge, and Ace knew how much Jack loved challenges.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 5, 2015 9:14:46 GMT -5
In response, Jack ignited the wicks of the chandelier's mostly-melted candles and started to zip around it, dodging Ace's swipes with tact and grace.
"I'm the new cancer, never looked better, you can't stand it
Because you say so under your breath, you're reading lips, when did he get all confident?"
He then grabbed the chandelier's stem with one hand, swinging around on it with his other arm raised, just not giving a darn.
"Haven't you heard that I'm the new cancer?
Never looked better and you can't stand it"
Suddenly, as Jack swerved away from Ace again, one of her staffs sliced the stem in half, sending the chandelier crashing to the floor. Patrick had to leap aside to avoid the debris and the flames that jumped from the impact. Jack fell with it, coming to a hovering stop over the broken fixture and shooting Ace a wild grin, eyes shimmering and fire illuminating his crystal horns.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 5, 2015 23:30:27 GMT -5
"Ack...!" Darn fire. The less of it Jack spread, the better.
Ace flew down and landed in front of Jack at a safe distance. She kept her staffs raised defensively whilst attempting to inject some logic into the situation. "Jack! Why're you doing this?! I get that you're a loose cannon and your only real motive is to have your sick interpretation of fun, but why are you going to all this trouble just to mess with us?! What is the point in these theatrics?!"
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 5, 2015 23:43:59 GMT -5
Jack had to chuckle at Ace's remark. After all the time they had spent together, he really thought she would've come to expect this.
"Ace, you just answered your own question, dear.
I'd like to have fun so long as I'm here.
There's always time for a show or a brawl,
And in the end, I'll have my way. After all..."
He dashed over to Ace, hovering mere inches from her face and smiling at her both suavely and sinisterly.
"Haven't you heard that I'm the new cancer?
I've never looked better and you can't stand it"
Jack flew around her in slow circles, twirling his cane and brushing his gloved fingers along her wings.
"Haven't you heard that I'm the new cancer?
I've never looked better and you can't stand it"
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 7, 2015 23:30:28 GMT -5
Ace held Jack's gaze with a narrow glare. As he circled around her clockwise, she moved in an evenly-paced counter-clockwise motion. It seemed she had his attention now. If she could just throw him completely off guard...
One hit wouldn't hurt Evan too much.
Practically out of nowhere, Ace swung a staff in a wide upward arc, aiming to hit Jack upside the head.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 8, 2015 0:00:45 GMT -5
Just before she could hit him, Jack dashed away, flying across the room and bouncing off the walls every bit as enthusiastically as ever.
"And I know, and I know, it just doesn't feel like a night out with no one sizing you up
I've never been so surreptitious, so of course you'll be distracted when I spike the punch"
With each impact, the castle shook. Its crumbling structure broke apart beneath Jack's strikes, the ballroom's walls and molding collapsing and blocking every exit.
"And I know, and I know, it just doesn't feel like a night out with no one sizing you up
I've never been so surreptitious, so of course you'll be distracted when I spike the punch"
Finally, once the room was completely sealed, Jack touched back down on the floor, casually strolling around a seemingly empty spot on the floor where an invisible mage stood.
"And I know, and I know, it just doesn't feel like a night out with no one sizing you up
I've never been so surreptitious, so of course you'll be distracted when I spike THE PUNCH!"
He swung his cane at Patrick, forcing the latter to grab it in self-defense. He immediately followed this up with a great burst of light, causing Van's illusions to dissipate in the process.
But Jack, practically unfazed by this predictable maneuver, had already closed his eyes and summoned his welder goggles, quickly slipping them on. Seeing this, along with the demon's crazed grin, Patrick found himself drawing a blank. All he could think about was whether Jack looked scarier with his silver eyes or expressionless goggles.
"Really now, Patrick? No need to be cautious.
This routine is fun, sure, but a bit monotonous.
Always light and holy spells. Surely you jest.
If you intend to stop me, than give me your best!"
Jack pushed Patrick to the ground and flew up, hovering well above him and Ace, twirling his cane and smiling smugly at the duo. One could almost feel the enchantment radiating from his being.
"I would've expected more from an arcane mage
Than a few cheap tricks and some childish rage.
So show me what you've got. Let the real fun begin.
Give me something worthwhile before I win."
Oh crap... This again... Evan knew what was going on. Jack had pulled this exact same stunt with Todd. Plus, it was already pretty obvious that Jack wanted to take control of Patrick and that he was arrogantly confident that he would be successful. Evan could only hope that Patrick would respond rationally.
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 8, 2015 0:08:36 GMT -5
"Rgh..." Ace recognized Jack's tactic as well. Of course, she didn't need to be familiar with his shtick to know that she needed to defend Patrick. That was a given ever since she found the two boys in lip-lock.
Adamantly, Ace stepped in front of Patrick, staffs raised, scowling at Jack. "Don't you dare play Patrick for a fool! It's bad enough you took over his best friend... twice, but do you really think he's going to just put on a show for you then idly sit by and let you take control of him?! He's not about to copy your lame tricks, let alone fall for them!"
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Nov 8, 2015 0:37:15 GMT -5
Shakily, Patrick sat up slightly, staring up at Ace and Jack. Thankful as he was to have Ace backing him up, he honestly wasn't paying much attention to what she was saying. His other selves had grabbed his attention.
Patrick... Van murmured. I have an idea. It's a... completely insane idea, but it's the best I have.
Oh great... Ray muttered, finally starting to regain some coherence. Can't wait to get ragdolled even more.
Okay, granted, for the sake of deceiving Jack, we will have to play along. But once he has us where he wants us...
Patrick's eyes widened as he listened to Van spell out his plan. Sure enough, it did sound crazy, but he couldn't deny that there was a good chance that it would work. So long as the three of them could work together again. And even if things didn't play out in the form of Plan A, the follow-up explanation of Plan B sounded just as plausible.
As the mage strategized with himself, Jack chuckled at Ace's remark, shaking his head as if out of pity.
"Dear, sweet Ace, you make me sad.
After all of the marvelous adventures we had...
You leave and replace me with this small fry.
What does he have compared to one as striking as I?"
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Post by Pink Moon Wolf on Nov 8, 2015 0:51:32 GMT -5
"Pfft. You really wanna know?" Ace scoffed at Jack's question. "Well, for one, Patrick treats others like equals, not like pawns or playthings. He has a little something I'm not sure you've ever heard of called respect. He's cute, he's funny, he's charming in his own weird little way, and he can enjoy life without causing any detriment to everyone and everything he comes across! He has a heart! He has compassion, kindness, and an open mind! And furthermore, we've built a special trust, one not based on how much we amuse each other, but how much we like each other! No, not even like! I love him, Jack, more than I ever foolishly believed I loved you."
Electricity crackled through her staffs. "So if you think you're more deserving of my heart... Oh, who am I kidding? You never cared about my heart. You only cared about my looks and the fact that I gave you any attention. You don't deserve me, and you certainly don't deserve Patrick. After everything you did... After everything I did to myself pursuing you, I sometimes wonder if I even deserve Patrick. But if he's going to give me a chance, then I'm going to take every chance I can for him."
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