lucetilogs | If I met you in a scissor fight

[Mithos slips back into consciousness somewhere in the village, sprawled on his side. His entire body tingles with the unpleasant sensation of regaining feeling after a prolonged period of numbness. The specifics of where the Malnosso's bots dumped him are not discernable at the moment, considering that the surrounding landscape insists on shifting in and out of focus. Not without difficulty, he slowly climbs to his feet. A shake of the head in an attempt to clear his vision, and...

...Okay, no, that was a terrible idea. The world spins and Mithos lurches forward, nearly losing his balance but catching himself at the last second. Steadying himself, he suddenly becomes aware of a vague soreness spanning most of his chest and abdominals. Instinctively, he brings his hand to where his Cruxis Crystal was once attached to his body, now one of the main sources of this all-encompassing soreness. His clothes hide from both touch and sight whatever may be at the root of this, however.

But none of that is important right now, because as always the primary question weighing on his mind is that of his sister's safety. For how long had he been gone? What if something had happened to her while he wasn't there to protect her? He grits his teeth and silently curses the Malnosso for interfering with his promise to never leave her. There is no time to waste in returning home to Martel. Even if he isn't quite sure where exactly that is in relation to the present location, and regardless of the persisting dizzy spells and stiffness of his movement, he'll make it back to her.]

Edited 2011-05-24 05:23 (UTC)

[Sheena almost doesn't see him, at first. He's a bit out of the way - maybe the Malnosso's intention - and she would have missed him entirely if not for that stumbling around and falling.

Mithos. For a moment she's ready to take him out, all on her own. He'd have a hard time getting the best of her in that state.

But that's not the plan, not what they agreed to do. So, at a distance still and as quietly as possible, she leaves a note for both Raine and Yuan in her journal with where he is. Then she closes it and moves to the roof of the nearest building. After all, if he gets his energy back or manages to get very far, someone has to be able to slow him down.]

[Thanks to his damaged physical state, the simple task of walking is demanding an abnormally large portion of his concentration. Even as he moves his limbs, they still cling to a state of half-numbness. Which is incredibly frustrating when he wants to get back to Martel right now. He doesn't have time for this annoying weakness.

With all of this occupying him, Mithos almost fails to notice Sheena following him. The presence of mana nearby is easy to pick up on, however, contrasting sharply against the mana-barren surroundings. He turns to try to evaluate its source - there are very few options for who it could be, and none of them are good options. He knows his sister's distinct mana signature well enough to know that it isn't her. She wouldn't be hiding from him either. Paranoia growing, he looks upward. ...That proves to be a mistake, as dizziness washes over him. He stumbles again, landing hard on his hands and knees.]

[When he looks around, she ducks behind the line of the roof she's on. It won't work if he sees her, even though it's obvious he can sense her. Then he falls, and it's easy enough to get behind and above him, ready to attack if necessary.

...Actually. He doesn't even seem like he can stand all that well. Maybe it'd be better to just make sure he can't get anywhere. It'd deviate a little from the plan, and she's not happy about possibly getting beaten again. A lot of her tricks won't work on someone who can sense her mana where she's standing.

But, for at least a few minutes more, she'll just watch.]

[The second Yuan received Sheena's message, he was out the door and headed in that direction. He'd been waiting for this. It's a good thing Sheena found Mithos before he managed to return home- if she hadn't, this entire plan would've been ruined. Martel wouldn't approve, Yuan's certain of that much. Still, it needs to be done.

Once he approaches the location Sheena had passed on, he starts moving more carefully. He can't risk being seen. Not yet. Pressing up against the wall as he goes, he peeks around the corner to see Mithos stumbling and fighting to keep his balance. And there, on one of the rooftops across from him, is Sheena.

Quickly taking out his journal to ping her, he writes down one simple line for her to read. "Across the street." That should get her attention.]

[Gingerly, he stands up. As he straightens out he becomes aware of another presence, one that exudes more mana than the first. His eyes widen in alarm before narrowing coldly. Because he's far more certain about this one, and it's the last person he wants to see in this state. Not good. Multiple enemies converging on one spot, where he happens to be, is never a coincidence.

With deliberate care and a bit of clumsiness due to his limbs not fully cooperating, he draws his sword. Ready to defend. A few steps forward, slowly. Eyes glancing around, trying to stay focused. He has two options at this point: attempt to evade and hurry home before they can make a move, or draw them out and fight. The first has a very slim chance of success, owing to his impeded mobility - they could easily overtake him. The second isn't any better, not when he's like this.

He's trapped. But if he's going to have to fight regardless of what he does, it might as well be on his own terms. Running toward his house would only bring them closer to Martel anyway, the very last thing he wants. He halts, taking up a defensive stance.]

Show yourselves immediately! I know you're there!

[Sheena looks up when Yuan contacts her, easily locating him in his position across the street. She only gets halfway through writing 'He can sense us' before Mithos shouts.

Now she's counting on Yuan being the stronger presence. Mithos also happens to be facing him. That's two strikes in her favor. ...The sword is kind of a hindrance. But she's faster than Mithos, especially with him so mobility-restricted.

It won't take too long for her to make a neat jump down and reach to pin his arms, still silent.]

[Yuan was perfectly aware Mithos would be able to sense him, but he knows he has the upper hand. Especially after the Malnosso had their way with Mithos. This should be easy enough. They'll need to handle it quickly, though, before other villagers see them and interfere.

He summons his trusty saber to his hand and steps out of hiding, intent on drawing Mithos' attention so Sheena will have a greater opportunity to make her move. He won't speak, he won't attack yet. He'll just take a step towards their enemy.]

[Raine receives that ping from Sheena, making note of that location. It didn't make sense for her to be on the scene herself just yet-- that might just alert him more. Instead she sends a note of confirmation back, keeping an eye on the tunnel entrance. The problem was its location in the square, but at least it didn't seem too crowded right now that classes were out for the day.

Actually--the best thing to do would be to start gathering supplies. After all, there would be no power in the tunnels and ensuring that they had access to food and water for energy during this task was also important, among other things. First aid supplies--but she had put together extra medical kits in the school, so it wouldn't take too much time. She'd keep an eye on the journal just in case--if Mithos was stronger than expected even half drugged from a kidnapping, this could be difficult.]

[He has a bitter scowl and penetrating glare ready for Yuan when the other steps into view. He won't make the first move either, because he figures he has a far greater chance of remaining standing if he's still. Let the traitor come to him.]

What do you wa--? [The question (more of a demand, really) is cut short when his arms are jerked behind him, eliciting a surprised grunt. He had been so focused on Yuan that he hadn't even noticed the other presence drawing nearer - it had been washed out by the strong mana emitted by the seraph. He turns his head to try to see who is restraining him. The summoner. Oh, there's a hate-filled look for her too.

He struggles to free himself, which proves to be not very effective when his limbs are all partially numb. His sword is still firmly in his hand (as far as he can tell - tactile senses aren't his strong suit right now) and he'll try to maneuver that around to his advantage. Again, difficult when one's arms are pinned behind his back, but he isn't one to give up without a fight.]

[The hateful look does nothing. She's seen it too many times before to care about it now. Mithos won't get free, and with one quick grab and twist in the wrong direction of his wrist, that hand should release the sword.]

We're not here to have a fight with you, okay? [it may be unclear whether she is speaking to Yuan, too. There's no chance of her letting her guard down, either, or loosening her hold.]

[Whether Sheena's also addressing Yuan is irrelevant; he wanted to avoid a fight anyway. He doesn't take pleasure in battling Mithos, nor does he gain anything else from it. It's just a hassle. In a perfect world, Mithos will give up without a fight.

But this world isn't perfect. That's why Yuan directs his saber at Mithos's throat. It's a warning that should be understood very easily: "Fight or no fight, one false move and I won't hesitate to strike"]

Now drop the sword and come quietly.

[Raine continues her gathering of the supplies; as she brings the medical kit with her as she enters the recently rebuilt grocery store.

Trusting that Sheena and Yuan could handle this. Hopefully no one else would get involved.]

[His fingers fumble to keep their grip on his sword, but it doesn't work out so well. The weapon clatters uselessly to the ground. Snarling, he continues to struggle against Sheena's hold. The saber poised toward him isn't going to make him give up just like that.

Not here to fight with him? As if he can believe that. Then what do they want?]

Is this about Martel? If you do anything to hurt my sister, I'll make sure you regret it!

I'm sick of telling you we don't wanna hurt Martel.

[with careful motions, she nudges the sword away with her foot. A sudden bend from him won't put him in arm's reach of it now]

We don't wanna hurt you either anyway. You look like they did enough.

[Which is almost true. Sheena kind of does want to hurt him. But she can hold that off.]

You wanna do it, Yuan, or me?

[Again with Martel. Is that the only thing Mithos ever thinks about? Even to someone like Yuan, who adores Martel with all his heart, it's sickening. No one should be placed on such a high pedestal.

As much as Yuan would like to claim innocence and provoke Mithos as little as possible, he can't stand back and let Sheena take all the blame. If someone's to antagonize the former leader of Cruxis, it'll be someone who can actually fight back.]

I'll do it. Release him. [Striking Mithos down with his blade is rather impossible, considering Sheena is in too close a range. Instead, he lowers the saber and steps forward. As soon as Sheena lets go, his free hand grabs the back of Mithos' head and pushes it down, before releasing a jolt of lighting. It should be enough to knock him out cold immediately.]

[As Sheena releases him, the thought of reaching out to grab a hold of his sword flashes through his mind. If the dizziness doesn't set in... But that turns out to be a trivial matter. The plan is incredibly short-lived, doused when Yuan shoves him downward.

A brief instant of sharp pain, and then darkness sets in. He's out before he even hits the ground.]

[he doesn't hit the ground anyway. Sheena grabs for his arm again, and between Yuan and her, he shouldn't even brush the dirt.]

You carry him. I'm gonna go make sure Raine got there. [and be there, in case she didn't.]

All right. But you take his sword, then.

[Yuan has half a mind to just sling Mithos over his shoulder, but ultimately decides against it. He allows his weapon to disapper again, then lifts the smaller man into his arms and up against his chest like someone might carry a toddler. This way, it won't seem too peculiar to any other residents they may pass.]

[While Sheena and Yuan had been busy ambushing Mithos, Raine had gone ahead to make sure the cell room deep in the tunnels was prepared. This first involved gathering some food and healing supplies and bringing them down with her, to heading further down the path until the one containing the cells were found-- and making sure the traps in that prison area were temporarily disabled. It would be useless were one of them to go off--and certain people were accidentally clumsy at times.

She does have her journal nearby for checking in case she gets a message from either of them-- hopefully nothing would go wrong. It was almost too good of an opportunity, having him get kidnapped before this plan. Hopefully his injuries wouldn't be too much for her to handle without access to her artes. ]

[As she leaves Yuan with Mithos but brings along his sword, she also sends Raine a message informing her of their success. It's a necessarily short message, but at least she won't be down there wondering what might come next.

And it will only be a few minutes before Sheena drops down into the tunnels herself, making a face as the 'normal' effect takes hold and that sword feels a lot heavier.]

[It really is a stifling effect, when one's body either is naturally already different for what would pass as 'ordinary' human, let alone having items that push it to above and beyond its capabilities. It's not very pleasant. In any case, that's beside the point.

Raine sends a reply to Sheena along the lines of 'already here, watch out for traps'. But it's good to know that the ambush went as smoothly as hoped, all things aside. She just wonders how long it will last.]

[Traps. Right. Well, Raine can't be too far along, anyway.

She'll stop lugging the sword along and drop it once she reaches the cell area where Raine is waiting]

Yuan shouldn't be too far behind me.

Everything seems to be in place from when we checked on it last time. It's almost hard to believe that this is finally in motion...

I can't believe we were the ones who found him.

...He didn't really put up much of a fight, either. I mean, he was trying to, but it wasn't really working.

That too. [She steps inside the cell, opening the medical kit up on the desk inside.]

So the Malnosso already damaged him. Hopefully that was enough to keep Yuan from doing so.

Yuan just knocked him out. [with lightning. Not going to dwell on that one, okay?] He's bringing him. I figured he could handle it if Mithos wakes up again on the walk over.

[truth be told, Mithos kind of freaks her out a little bit still, after that attack. Holding onto him without issue was enough for today.]

Makes sense enough. Hopefully he won't get accosted on the way here.

[looking over at the medical kit off to the side] I dunno how hurt he was to begin with. ...He kept staggering and falling a lot.

They could be internal injuries. [She frowns. Those are the ones she's not too experienced with, and not having magic down here doesn't help.] We won't know for certain until they get here.

[She half-sits on the edge of the desk, feeling restless now.]

He could yell at us just fine.

I doubt there would be much that would stop him from doing that. [Since all he did was yell at them during their final encounter...]

It was all about Martel again. Like we were gonna hurt her or we already had or something.

He can't see very far beyond what he wants to see.

Edited 2011-05-27 03:01 (UTC)

[By now, Yuan has entered the tunnel system as well. He approaches the cell where Raine and Sheena are, looking distinctly uncomfortable to be here. Damn power limitations.

By now, Mithos is slung over his shoulder anyway; He couldn't very well climb down the ladder the way he was holding onto him before. As soon as he's entered the cell, he lowers Mithos to the ground.]

Let's get this over with before he regains consciousness.

Yeah, and before I go crazy from being down here.

[She looks down at Mithos there on the floor of the cell and...takes a step back. It's Raine's turn now.]

Yuan, what d'you think we should do with the sword?

Yuan. [Raine just frowns a little when Yuan deposits him on the floor.]

... There's a cot against the wall. I need to take a look at his wounds, besides.

[Yuan heaves a somewhat annoyed sigh, but he'll comply without any objections. He picks Mithos up from the ground again to drop him on the cot instead.]

Just take the sword. There's no point in him keeping it.

Well I wasn't gonna give it back to him or anything.

[Raine will just shake her head and quietly move over to start taking a look at Mithos's actual injuries.]

... You two might as well go out there and wait, It won't do if we're all standing around when he wakes up.

[Then why did you ask, Sheena? There's nothing to do with the sword except get rid of it, but once/if Mithos finds a way out of his cell, he'll just get a new one anyway. The smithy needs to start doing background checks before just blindly handing weapons out to people.

As much as Yuan would love to leave immediately, he can't just shirk his responsibility in this affair and leave Raine in possible danger.]

You're certain you can handle him by yourself?

I'm not going any further than out the door.

[never put it past Mithos to have a few surprises handy.]

I'll be fine. Besides, he's sure to react worse if he sees that you're still here, Yuan.

[Not that she's trying to really kick him out; it's the principle of the thing. Mithos should full well remember who dragged him down here and why; aggravating it at this point seemed foolish.]

I still won't have any trouble overpowering him when he wakes up.

[This is not arrogance, this is a fact. In his current state, Mithos really doesn't stand a chance.]

Besides, what if you need help? I'll wait just outside.

[Yuan is a big boy and can have his own argument if he so chooses. Sheena is heading out, to sit just outside the cell.]

I'm aware of that. [But she's not in the mood for arguing, Yuan.] Thank you, Sheena.

... Hmph.

[He isn't arguing, he's making sure Raine won't suddenly have a small half-elf trying to rip her to shreds. But if she's certain she can handle it, fine. He'll follow Sheena out the cell and lean against the wall a short distance away. He's not leaving the tunnels just yet.]

If I met you in a scissor fight

part one - the ambush of sorts

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mithos > sheena > yuan > raine, unless circumstance demands otherwise?

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part two

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