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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 9, 2019 13:17:41 GMT -5
...
"Hang on..." Lobo's voice was actually at a normal volume. That's bad news. "He's... he's... he's a what?!" The loud angel slammed a palm on the bar, several shakers falling on their side from the force. He placed an elbow down, pressing his face into his palm. "And you said... there's this horrible dead world on the other side of the cemetery? Fuck."
As Lobo began muttering strange curses, Loba walked over and began petting his shoulders, trying to calm him down. As she spoke, she looked up. "That's a creature from our mythology. It's said to take a familiar form and only shows its true shape when forced." As with Lobo, Loba's voice was actually at a regular volume. "It has no name that translates smoothly to human language. Roughly translated, it's known as the star-devourer, uncaring judge of the heavens, whose breath brings entire civilizations to ruin." She shook her head. "We angels don't place much stock in mythology. They're intended to be tales to frighten small children into obeying. But... it's a perfect match for the descriptions and depictions... And that dead world? Oh, dear..."
---
"Lark is Leanne's magic teacher," Will replied, allowing the nicotine to make its way through his body. "And if what my brother dug up is right, a minor criminal, including one instance of..." He suppressed a laugh, although the smirk betrayed his real thought. "Impersonating the chancellor of Erpoue's daughter."
Walking alongside Scott, Will put the cigarette back on his mouth. "You'll be hard-pressed to miss Lark. He's got stark white hair and pale blue eyes. Kinda creepy, actually." Inhale. Ahh, there's the stress- and lifespan-killing drug he loved and hated. "Not to mention the cloak. It doesn't seem tangible half the time, and it's got space patterns." The blonde turned away from Scott for a moment, releasing a puff of smoke into the air. "You don't find Lark. He finds you. ... Does it feel like we're being watched?"
Hi.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 9, 2019 13:57:52 GMT -5
"Yeah, well, where I come from, it has a different name and a near identical function," Kelsey grumbled, still unfazed by the shocked reactions or the disturbing imagery being described. A deep sigh escaped her throat as she shrugged, then dropped her shoulders like she was deflating. "I mean, in hindsight, it was kinda f*cking obvious and I feel like an *ss for not putting it together sooner. Probably could've saved a lot of trouble."
She almost expected a witty remark from the voice in her head confirming her ignorance. Alas, her shoulder remained ever cold.
"And if he's capable of that level of destruction, then whoever took his soul..." Paul stared anxiously at the table as he mulled over what he knew and what potential outcomes could result. None of them were good, and the dreadful images in his head only worsened his already rattled nerves brought on by the angels and the dragon. There were just too many things to worry about. To many forces to combat.
He slammed a hand down on the counter and gave Lobo a determined scowl. "If it's all the same to you, I think a crash course on wind would do me a world of good. I'm not gonna sit here and fret when so many dangers are mounting so rapidly."
"Probably for the best... I think I oughta bulk up too. I can handle that on my own, though." Kelsey looked over her shoulder at Val, her empty expression finally taking on an emotion in the form of demure guilt. "But I guess I should explain myself before I go."
"Y-You're leaving again?" Paul turned a concerned frown on Kelsey. "But... what about...?"
"I need to take advantage of the time I have. I'm still in control. Just... worry about yourself right now, okay? We'll have time to worry about each other later."
---------------------------
"I'll keep that in mind..." Scott narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips into a hard scowl as Will described Lark. Already he could tell that he wasn't going to like this character. At least he knew what to look for.
He frowned at Will. Were they being watched? Scott couldn't rule out that possibility. "You just said that he finds us. That itching at the back of your neck? It wouldn't surprise me if that was him. Bearing that in mind, I'm mentally preparing myself for whatever gets thrown our way."
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Post by ColArana on Mar 9, 2019 14:33:24 GMT -5
Ranuen was still reeling. "You've got to be... f***ing kidding me..." He breathed. "Why... why didn't he tell us!? Why then didn't--" If he'd known... "Percy you dumbass." Coming from Ranuen a line like that was pretty rich. "Why would he do that!? And now we can't even..." He growled, in a combination of anger and frustration. "....Kelsey, let me tag along with you." He requested. "I'm a deadweight here. I'd join the hunt for Leanne, but Will and Scott are already out of here. If we find them on our way out you can always drop me off with them. In the meantime... Guess I may as well watch your back." As best as he was able anyways.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 9, 2019 16:00:35 GMT -5
"Uhh... yeah... wind magic. Let's just try to... pretend that... the world isn't gonna suddenly die on us..." Lobo cleared his throat, as if trying to get back to his normal speaking volume. "So, then. Paul. Let's just... go off to the side. Where the tables are." Jumping over the counter, Lobo began to walk over to the area in question, although a gloomy aura remained around him...
"... We have an event like that in our mythology. Translated, it comes to the End of History, when the destroyer himself descends to annihilate all that ever was, and all that ever will be." Loba's expression was serious, her volume still higher than normal. "Everything, from the mightiest angel to the tiniest bug, dies at once. The four riders will then descend with their king... And then it cuts off." The pink-eyed angel shook her head. "Of course, I personally don't put much stock in these myths..."
"You. Me. Back room. Now." Val pointed to Kelsey, then at a door in the back. She began walking towards the door, keeping an eye on the demonic girl that stood over Flint's corpse...
---
"Boo."
Will yelped at the sudden voice, swearing as he dropped his cigarette. Scowling, the blonde stomped it out as he glared at the source of the noise. "Oh, my bad. I didn't mean to frighten you prematurely." From what seemed to be thin air, a man with pale skin and white hair emerged, whipping a cloak onto his shoulders. "I heard someone call my name."
"Yeah. Kinda. I just explained what you were..." Will glanced down at the considerably-shorter man, unamused. "... Is that a pink apron?"
"Oh, damn, I forgot to take that off." Lark removed the article in question, tossing it into his cloak, where it seemed to disappear. "Someone has good taste in boyfriends. So... Scot Sellers, hm? Oh, I already know your name and story. In fact, I may know more about you than you."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 9, 2019 16:52:00 GMT -5
"I tried to tell him that..." Kelsey mumbled. She tenderly massaged her sinuses as what little emotional reserves she had regained threatened to pour back out. "I tried to stop this. It just... keeps happening."
She shakily pulled herself off the stool and onto her feet, vacantly staring down at Ranuen. "I won't object if you want to come with me. I'm just worried that you won't like watching what I'm about to do."
"Ranuen, what about fire magic training?" Paul meekly offered. "We don't know how soon Scott and Will might return with Leanne."
"Your call. Just let me know what you wanna do when I get back." Kelsey glanced up at Paul. "Take care of yourself, alright?" Then, with her head held low and her arms folded against her bloody pajama shirt, Kelsey followed Val and disappeared into the back.
Paul watched the girls vanish with a disheartened gleam. Then he sighed and turned back to the angel twins. "I'm not letting everything go to waste. Time stops for no man." He shot to his feet and prepared to follow his new teacher. "Let's just focus on preparing for-"
KNOCK KNOCK
He jumped slightly and turned around, staring blankly at the front door. What now? "Well, as long as I'm up..."
With that, Paul cautiously approached the door, mindful of the chances of this new guest being friend or foe. He opened the door a mere crack, silently peering outside...
A small, green angel stood on the doorstep, dressed in a simple blue jacket and jeans, his hair slicked back with a little too much hair gel, staring into the yellow eye gazing down at him with tears flowing down his own cheeks.
"Hi..."
---------------------------
Scott was quick to whip around and place his hand over the baton hanging from his belt. He scowled at the odd gentleman that had appeared, not surprised but certainly uncomfortable, though his sharp expression did not betray this.
"Charming." The officer stood to full height, scrutinizing Lark, his initial distaste growing more bitter by the second. "I suppose you're waiting for me to question how or why you know who I am or test you on just how knowledgeable you are on my history? Well, I'm not doing that. Don't have the patience for mind games. We're just trying to find Leanne."
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Post by ColArana on Mar 9, 2019 17:01:12 GMT -5
Loba's tale drew Ranuen's attention for the time being. "So the world that Kelsey found... what, is that the future of this one? Did she time travel somehow? Or a parallel universe?" He asked in puzzlement. Looking over at Kelsey, when she agreed to let him tag along, he nodded. "I... Well. That's not important. What I like or don't like, doesn't matter right now." He paused. "Making sure that nobody else has to die. That's... what matters." And by "making sure that nobody has to die" Ranuen meant "Kill the bastards that killed them". Revenge wasn't a healthy mindset, but Ranuen was pissed.
Paul's argument snapped him out of that line of thought for a moment. "...It's true that we don't know when they're coming back for Leanne. If there was... something else I could do, I'd do it, but.." Ranuen sighed. "Look at me clean Paul, and tell me how likely it is they'll be back in time for me to actually get some decent training, and give my strength enough of an increase that it'll make a difference by the time Vutezoth comes rampaging back with a vengeance." He asked him. "How likely do you think that is?" He grit his teeth angrily. "I... want to help you guys. However I can. But. I'm not great at strategizing or planning. I'm not great at thinking outside the box. All I can offer you guys is a sword and a fireball, and right now that sword is dull, and my flames are lukewarm." He replied. Metaphorically speaking, but still.
The door knocked then, and spun around to look at it. "Huh?" Another angel. A green one. Ranuen squinted his eyes. Had he seen this one before. He didn't think so...? Had he?
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 9, 2019 17:56:52 GMT -5
"... The fuck are you?" Lobo glanced over at the little green angel, scowling. "Okay, you can come in, but any funny business and I'll tear your wings off. Got it?" He pointed towards Loba, who walked over to this new arrival with a frown. "Anyways. Paul. Just watch. ... Actually, no. Close your eyes. Trust me on this, I've been doing this for millennia..." The winds once again picked up around Lobo.
"You." Loba's tone was sharp, and she directed the new arrival towards a chair. "I've never seen your face before. Why are you here?" Her watery hands brought a box of tissues towards the green angel. "Wipe your eyes. Or vision lumps. Then give me your name, and why you come to us."
---
When Kelsey was in, Val closed the door to the back room, the only source of light being a magical flame that had ignited upon their entry. The sandy-haired woman sat down on a box, looking over this demon girl. The girl that did something to her dead brother. Val was glad for the relative darkness, her gun resting behind her.
"So," Val started. No need for pleasantries. "What did you do to my brother?" Might as well be straightforward. No need to drag this out longer than needed.
---
"Ahh, Leanne. Of course." Lark's smile bared teeth, but the malice did not reach his eyes, which seemed rather... melancholy? The mage snapped his fingers, a black flame burning between his index finger and thumb. "Now, I can watch you run around in vain for her, or I can show you myself."
"... What's with the black fire?" Let's not accidentally actually piss off Lark, shall we? Well, that was Will's way of indicating to Scott that antagonizing Lark may not be a great idea.
"Dunno." Lark stared down at the black fire as it flickered, turning a mix of purple and red, with the occasional yellow spark. He motioned for the two men to gaze into the fire with him. "... Hmm... the fire's not normally this clear. Oh, how did you get in there, my dear?"
"How did she get in what?!" Clearly, Will wasn't seeing anything.
"She's in the hellhole of the island. I don't know how she got in there... Hmm... so that's why I found this..." Before any further questions could be presented, Lark reached into his cloak, and handed over a pointed, oversized red hat.
Will stared at Lark, mouth agape.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 9, 2019 19:19:49 GMT -5
With Lobo's begrudging blessing, Paul warily opened the door and stepped aside so that the visitor could enter. The diminutive angel complied, sniffling as he shuffled inside, ever aware of the numerous incredulous eyes focused on him. He briefly looked up at Paul, his expression borderline apologetic, then he turned to Loba and nervously stared at the chair she was offering him.
Suspicious of he was by this latest development, it seemed like Paul had other matters to focus on. For now, he nodded to Loba and Ranuen. "Guess I'll have to trust you guys to keep an eye on this one." He looked down at the new angel with a cold glare. "Behave yourself."
"Y-Yes, sir," the angel choked up, watching sadly as Paul stepped away and regrouped with Lobo. In the meantime, he shakily sat down and accepted the tissues Loba offered with a muffled "Thanks..."
She asked for your name. Just say it. You can do this. Come on Mic, old boy, say it!
After dabbing his face relatively dry and cleaning his glasses off, he nervously looked up at the Plasmis standing over him. "M-M-Minokawa... I'm... I'm sorry to intrude. It's just..."
He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth, staring down at his knees with wide eyes, only barely suppressing his panic. "I-I had to come... Th-The Keruv, he's... he's gone too far. Paradiso will never take me back now, knowing what I know. I just... had to tell someone... Someone had to know..."
---------------------------
Kelsey stared at the floor. Val's bluntness was to be expected, and Kelsey had very little outward reaction to it. Lord knew she had it coming.
How to put this delicately...
"I don't think we've been formally introduced," she awkwardly began, aiming to explain this as comprehensively as possible without sounding long-winded. "My name is Kelsey. I'm in a blood pact with an archdemon. All my powers come from him. I can bolster my powers by..."
And there was the choke. There didn't seem to be any way to explain this without sounding completely heartless.
She sighed and slumped with defeat. "Listen, I... I want to apologize. I tend to say and do stupid sh*t when I'm stressed. There's no good excuse for the things I did back there. For scaring you, for snapping at you, for... well..."
Kelsey held a hand to her mouth. She whispered something to herself.
A white, airy wisp shot out of her aura, settling next to her and taking form...
--------------------
"Hm." Scott said nothing as Lark conjured the odd flame, following Will's lead and looking into it nonchalantly as if magic was the most normal thing in the world to him. He eventually raised an eyebrow at the strange man. "Hellhole? How literally are we talking here? Where is this place?"
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Post by ColArana on Mar 9, 2019 20:21:10 GMT -5
Ranuen looked at Mic with suspicion. "The Keruv? What's that?" He asked. What was going on...? And that look he just gave Paul. "Start from the beginning. Tell us everything." He demanded. Perhaps not the nicest way to start things off, but still. It probably was still less than intimidating coming from an ant on the floor anyways. Maybe... just maybe, there was something he could do now after all.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 9, 2019 21:25:37 GMT -5
"Alright. Like I said, wind is the homing missile of the elements." Lobo exhaled and extended out an arm, palm first. The winds swirled, knocking over a chair. "But before you start summoning hurricanes and storm gods, you need to feel the breeze in you first." He walked over to Paul, placing the dragon man's arm identically to how his had just been, before allowing it to go down.
"Close your eyes. Try to feel the breeze within yourself. Do what I just did."
"Keruv is a title within angel society, akin to a human prince or princess, although not necessarily with political power..." Loba explained to Raunen, hand to her chest. She glanced down at Mic. "And just what does he have planned? How do you know this, Prasino?" The look she gave him was enough to say don't try to pull rank on me.
---
"An... archdemon?" Val raised an eyebrow, frowning when she saw Kelsey whisper something to herself. "What are you say-"
And then the wisp came out of Kelsey, taking form. Broad shoulders, a muscular chest with scars, strong arms, large canines, two-toned hair...
"Gah..." The spirit of Flint looked around, eyes a blank, empty white. "I've been dead for, how long? And it's already time to..." He stopped, seeing somebody. Somebody with an armoured corset and sandy blonde hair. Flint's face softened. "Val...?"
Val could only sniffle and look down, a tear falling from her face and hitting the ground. "Sis... c'mere..." He extended his arms, opening up.
After a moment, Val rushed towards the spirit of Flint, throwing herself onto his shoulder, weeping unashamedly. After a moment to ensure he was solid, Flint stroked Val's back, looking briefly at Kelsey.
"You mind if we have a few minutes?"
---
"I'm not sure if it's literal hell, or just a hellish place to live. Probably the latter, otherwise there'd be a fuckin' zombie apocalypse up in here by now." Lark didn't seem phased by the description. "There's lava and it's always on fire down there. Not a place to bring the kiddos on vacation," he added with a dark chuckle.
Will fidgeted with Leanne's hat in one hand, reaching for another cigarette with the other. When he managed to get one out, Lark snapped his fingers, lighting it up instantly. "Nicotine kills, but your anxiety'll kill ya faster." Wow, Will must have inhaled half of it in one gulp. As the blonde was occupied, Lark turned to Scott. "It's below the island. I can get you there in a jiffy."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 12, 2019 17:19:38 GMT -5
Paul cast one last, wary glance back at the newly arrived angel, mentally questioning why the little guy looked so familiar. In the past couple of days, there had been too many things for him to keep track of for him to put his finger on it. Brushing that aside for now, Paul turned back to Lobo and watched him once again demonstrate a simple wind manipulation technique.
As instructed, Paul closed his eyes and took a deep breath, relaxing his body and allowing Lobo to adjust his arm. He had to feel the breeze inside him? Seemed simple enough. "Okay... Let's see then..."
With his eyes still closed and his body standing tall but loose, Paul tuned out the world around him –the sounds, the smells, the very atmosphere that surrounded him– and directed his focus internally. He took note of everything moving within him, from the rushing currents in his bloodstream, to the subtle extensions and contractions of his muscles, to the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat. His attention shifted to his lungs. He felt the cool winds sweep through his nostrils, the whirlwinds stirring in his chest, and the warm gale expelled from his mouth. He immersed himself in that flow. Let it stir through every fiber of his being. Once he had comfortably settled into the current, he mentally redirected it, sweeping the wind down his arm, letting it swirl through his palm.
He reeled his arm back. He thrust it forward, releasing the force within...
.................................................................................
"I'm gonna assume based on that awkward silence that nothing happened."
---------------------------
Mic sank in his seat, awkwardly glancing down at Ranuen, then up at Loba. He stammered for a moment as he scrambled to find the right words, eventually blurting them out with little fanfare. "Well, uh, I, er, um- Th-The Keruv has the Goetia de Tannin!!!"
He froze for a moment as his voice echoed off the walls, eyes closed in a tight cringe. Then he peeked one eye open and bashfully looked up at Loba again. "I-I can't... I couldn't commit to the intense measures anymore. After the brutal means with which he tried to take out your friends, after allying himself with that... that-that monster of a dragon, I just... I-I couldn't just let the suffering continue. I knew I had to stop it somehow. I tried to figure out what he was planning, I tried... but he... and they... I-I'm lucky they didn't just traitor kill me on the spot!"
Mic curled up on the chair, shaking wildly, trying not to cry again. He had no idea how he had managed to get this far without totally blowing his cover. "I didn't know what else to do...! I don't know how to stop the bloodshed...!"
---------------------------
Kelsey looked between Val and the ghostly image of Flint with a sort of exhausted sadness. She seemed distant, drained, but the empathy was nonetheless apparent as she watched the siblings embrace. She knew better than to speak up at this point; as much as she wanted to explain herself a bit more cohesively, she fretted that anything she had to say would ruin the moment, and that thought process only bolstered her guilt. This reunion could've provided her with at least a little comfort, knowing that she had brought the two together again. Instead, all she felt was scummy for the things she had to do to arrange this.
With warm eyes and a heavy heart, Kelsey looked up at Flint, letting his request soak in for a moment before she responded with a gentle nod. "It's the least I can do. Take your time."
She then turn and stepped out of the room. Separation by a door was hardly an issue. Her familiars could remain outside her soulscape for about a mile before they started experiencing pullback. A moment alone with his sister was a simple demand that Kelsey was more than willing to comply with. She only wished she could do so without being privy to just about everything Flint was feeling. More and more, being connected with other people's souls and the conflict within them was becoming a serious burden.
The moment Kelsey left the room, she first spotted Paul, staring worriedly at his hand as he and Lobo discussed something just out of her ears' reach. Then she turned to the rest of the group to see...
She jumped back slightly when she noticed an unfamiliar angel currently being scrutinized by Loba and Ranuen, promptly Kelsey to stop over to them and join the interrogation, ever aggravated by the sight of the winged green pest. "Hey! Who-slash-what-slash-why the f*ck?!"
---------------------------
Scott groaned and pressed his hand against his forehead, not exactly enthused by the description Lark was providing. "Somehow I doubt rushing off to this place is the best idea. Just being in proximity with a lava flow like this would probably be enough to give us non fire magic types second-degree burns, never mind touching the stuff."
He scowled at the horizon. "Then again, I assume we don't have many other options at this point, do we?"
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Post by ColArana on Mar 13, 2019 19:56:59 GMT -5
Ranuen listened to Mic, but again, only caught about half of what was said. The Goetia de Tannin? What was that? Loba was helpful enough to clear up what a Keruv was at least, and he could guess that whatever the Goetia de Tannin was was probably pretty bad, but still. He felt like he was being offered only half the picture from what Mic had opened with. But... maybe things would clear up? Ranuen did spare a look around the room, at Loba and Lobo to see if the word meant anything to them, before looking back at Mic. The next line caused Ranuen to see red. "Monster of a..." Ranuen was human sized in an instant. "YOU GUYS WERE THE ONES THAT SENT THAT SON OF A BITCH AFTER US!?" He snarled, furiously. So it's because of this guy and his peers that Flint is.... Ranuen looked back at the others to see their reactions, but his blood was boiling, and his sword hand was itching. And now he knew how to kill an angel, courtesy of the two here. His eyes bore into Mic.
A part of Ranuen knew that Mic was repentant. Or at least, his betrayal of the secrets he was spilling said as much. And yet.... He was the closest thing to the responsible party within arms reach. And so.... well.
Ranuen made use of the fact that Mic was in arms reach, with a flying fist aimed at the angel's face.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Mar 14, 2019 17:32:36 GMT -5
Lobo shot a look over his shoulder at the green sod being interrogated, before turning back to Paul. Loba had 'em under control. Let's just make sure Paul can learn the basics before he leaves, yeah? "... Nope. Nothin' happened. Wasn't expecting you to get it on your first go, to be honest." He patted Paul's elbow a bit. "Sometimes, to get the breeze, you have to prove that you're serious 'bout it. That means repeat it over and over."
Exhaling, Lobo extended out his arm again, closing his eyes. "Nobody said magic was easy. Hell, I'm a magical species and it took me some time to get it."
---
"The Goetia de Tannin..." Loba repeated. "I thought that was only a myth. But let's say that it's real, if only to speed up the interrogation." When this little green angel mentioned an alliance with a "monster of a dragon" and going by Raunen's reaction... Loba closed her eyes and exhaled sharply through her nostrils. She wasn't going to stop Raunen's punch. She figured it wouldn't kill him.
"So... you fuckers were responsible for the death of a close associate of mine. But you shouldn't apologize to me. Rather, you will apologize to his sister when she comes out."
---
"... Okay, okay. Th-That's enough tears." Val pulled out of Flint's arms, wiping her eyes on her gloves. She took a seat down on a box. Flint sat down next to her, empty eyes meeting her brown. He pushed a piece of hair out of her eye. "Thanks..."
Val inhaled, then looked up at the blank-eyed version of her brother. She took a hand. "... You know... I loved you, you know? E-Even if I was always yelling at you. I just... you... know..."
"... Yeah." Flint looked down. "Y'couldn't... afford to be emotional." He suppressed a sniffle. "Meanwhile, look at me. I always wore my heart on my sleeve. I... And... just..." Flint looked down. "I-If dad's still out there, he's gonna be pissed. So's Obsidian. Pumice'll be heartbroken."
"And... what about mom? What about her, Flint?"
"Mom clearly never gave a shit about us."
---
"Oh, quit yer bellyaching." Clearly, Lark wasn't the type to get wound up over second degree burns. Such a trite concern. "If I do end up warpin' ya there, convection schmection. My magic's a li'l more potent than yer tiny little ember." And there goes the other half of the cigarette. Wow, Will, you okay? Something in the flames caught Lark's attention, the white-haired mage staring into the fire. "Oh? What's this? The beast has returned in his human skin?"
"W-Wha- BLECK ACK ACK!!" Will coughed on the smoke, taking a moment to have his little coughing fit. "Sorry... What are you talking about? Beast? Human skin? Does this relate to Leanne?!"
"Uh, newsflash. Percy, or rather his body, is talking to Leanne. Oh, did we mention he's the beast from the plaza?"
"... Wait, WHAT!? What do you mean, Percy or rather his body?!
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 15, 2019 16:10:55 GMT -5
"Yeah, I guess I wasn't anticipating it being that easy," Paul conceded, staring down at his palm with a light shrug. "Everyone would be shooting wind and fire out of their hands if it was."
Not letting himself be deterred, Paul closed his eyes and held out his hand again, ready to give it another go as instructed. He tried the same method as before, focusing solely on the wind rushing through him with every breath. He took a moment to really study the ebb and flow of the breeze so that he could determine how best to adapt and redirect it. After a moment of introspection, he again attempted to send the air in his lungs down his arm. He could practically feel the cyclone dancing along his muscles. Yet when he thrust his hand forward in an effort to release it, his attempt once again proved fruitless.
He tried again. He tried a fourth and fifth time. Nothing seemed to click. Eventually Paul opened his eyes and turned to his teacher. "Okay, clearly there's something I'm not getting here. I feel like I'm onto something, but... I don't know, is this more of a mental thing or a willpower thing? I'm trying to act more on instinct seeing as how... well, I don't actually know how I managed to summon lightning the last two times. It just kinda happened without me having to think about it."
---------------------------
"YIPE-!!!"
Mic crumbled to the floor, hastily curling up into a protective ball and cradling his cheek. His wide eyes anxiously flicked between Ranuen and Kelsey, equally afraid of them both. "I-I DIDN'T SEND THE DRAGON AFTER YOUR FRIEND! THE COMMANDER DID! THA-THAT BRUTE SCARES THE PISS OUT OF ME! I WANNA STOP HIM FROM KILLING P-D-GUH-ANYONE ELSE!"
Kelsey simply scowled down at the pathetic green angel, scrutinizing him, not bothering to hide the dangerous gleam in her ice blue eyes. "So sending an ancient dragon to kill my friends is a step too far, but deploying an army of angels to conquer a populated landmass and slaughter any opposition is okay?"
"I-I didn't say that, I DIDN'T SAY THAT!" Mic pleaded, letting out a terrified squeak when he suddenly found his wing pinned down by Kelsey's foot.
"Why are you here?!"
"I WAS DISCHARGED! EXILED!"
"And because of that, you've come to us to help combat the people who forsook you?"
"I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of our stupid mistakes...!"
Kelsey grunted and folded her arms, still skeptical of the supposed turncoat angel, but at least willing to see if she could take advantage of this situation. "The only way to stop this bloodshed is to end the war. The war that your former leaders started. If you're serious about this, then maybe you would be so kind as to tell me how we can nip this invasion in the bud before it grows into something beyond control."
Mic timidly looked up at Kelsey, shaking uncontrollably. "H-H-How so?"
"You can start by telling me where the commander may have deployed any units across the island. The less distractions we have when it comes to facing the bigger threats, the better."
Mic curled inward tighter, easily deducing where Kelsey was going with this. "P-Please, leave the soldiers out of this. They're not the problem. Th-They're just doing their jo-OW-HOW-HOW...!!!"
Kelsey ground her heel into the angel's wing. Claws slowly extended from her fingertips. "Give me a reason not to kill you."
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"Oh... Right." More annoyed than he was surprised, Scott groaned and continued to rub his pounding head, bracing himself for whatever volume Will's voice chose to assume. "I take it you didn't put two and two together that Percy was the beast. I guess we did take off before Kelsey could come back and confirm those suspicions. And divulge whatever hell she may have come back with."
He flatly stared back at Lark. "If you can make us fireproof, then fine, I'll go check this place out if it means getting Leanne out of harm's way. And for the love of sh*t, stop enjoying this, ya creep."
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Post by ColArana on Mar 15, 2019 23:39:55 GMT -5
As Mic went down, Ranuen found his anger didn't abate. Actually. Hearing Mic try to make excuses just served to make the swordsman angrier. But before Ranuen could step in to vent his absolute fury, Kelsey entered, stamping down on Mic's wing. "You son of a bitch. Ranuen snarled. Surprisingly.... Ranuen... didn't care as much about the angel army. Well. Kinda. Not exactly in the way Kelsey did at any rate. Ranuen was selfish. He'd probably freely admit it if anyone asked him. While he was dismayed by wanton cruelty, and brutality. While he certainly would fight against what he saw as evil, where he saw it, and maybe even go out of his way to try and help someone if he could, the plights of strangers didn't move him particularly strongly.
But Flint? He actually had known Flint. Not well, perhaps, but he'd known him. Ranuen formed attachments easily, with people who were actually nice to him (and possibly a handful that weren't, although in that particular case he'd often argue it was so that he could let them know their mistake when he got the upper hand on them).
No Ranuen was angry about the other statement, because those angels had gone after Kelsey. He let Kelsey interrogate Mic, with a gaze that looked positively venemous. But then. Then Mic said something unforgivable to Ranuen. Leave the soldiers out of this? Just doing their jobs?
WHAM!
Ranuen threw a kick into Mic's ribs on the opposite side of Kelsey. He knew grinding her heel into his wing probably hurt more, but it still felt good, to vent some of the anger. He'd probably feel guilty about it afterward, but... frick, if he didn't vent this now, he'd explode! "Are you SERIOUS!?" Ranuen bellowed at Mic. "So. You confess, that you had no issues with sending Angels to conquer the island. Knowing full well that innocent people, and that people we care about might get hurt in the crossfire. You did that and shrugged. A million is a statistic right? As long as you have that degree of separation. But the moment that gets turned around on you. That is when it becomes a horrible crime, befitting a monster? IS THAT IT!?" He spat.
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