|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 11:06 am
Anthony Darrow was not going to take his chances any more. Walking home from work always resulted in his getting attacked by youma or negaverse people. He wasn't fond of it, and certainly did not want to keep letting it happen.
Before, he would justify walking home by how close it was, and how inconvenient it was to bring a car. He also used to say it was good for his leg, which needed the exercise. After that, he used Dogby as a good excuse for walking. It was a lot farther to his new home, but the little corgi had a lot of energy and liked to walk.
Except she didn't. He usually had to carry her after about ten feet from the house, when she would sit down and whine at him to be picked up. After it worked the first time, after all, she had him hook, line and sinker.
So he started bringing his car again. It was a used car, beat up from years of wear that he hadn't put on it, but it was a replacement for his last car. Death by youma. That in itself should have probably told him that even with a car, he was monster fodder.
He left the library late, with Dogby on her leash, padding along beside him because the walk was short and she didn't mind that. He was limping on his cane, one arm full of paper work he was forced to take home with him to get done on time, for some meeting he had not been told about to petition for new equipment in the library. He wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, thinking he could easily and harmlessly make it to his car, a short walk across the parking lot, before any trouble hit him.
Surely.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 12:40 pm
Lt. Gypsum was rather down on her luck. She was having trouble making her energy quota - constantly being interrupted by senshi was becoming an increasing problem, especially since they usually ALSO scared off the hoodlums she'd been stalking. It had gotten to the point where she'd had no choice but to tarnish her lily white morals, or risk seriously angering a superior. Her stomach soured at the thought, but she promised herself to let whomever it was down gently.
She'd been wandering around town, mostly through back alleys and other dark places, hoping to stroll upon some random miscreant. So far no such luck, and it was getting late. She had a stack of physics homework up to her eyeballs that was making her cringe just thinking about it. She looked up - and realized that through some kind of strange irony she was standing right next to the library. She ducked back around the corner as the lights inside dimmed and someone opened the door.
Guen assumed from the fact that he was in the building this late that he was probably either a janitor or librarian - judging by the paperwork, most likely the latter. She bit her lip, considering. He had a limp, and a tiny, adorable dog. She closed her eyes and marched forward. Better to get this over with sooner rather than later.
"Hey! Um. Sir! " she called out, walking a little faster. The click of her heels on the pavement accentuated her greeting. Maybe she could make up some excuse to touch him. And... tell him not to operate heavy machinery? I'll have to work something out as I go, she thought worriedly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 10:41 am
When he heard a voice call to him he slowed and looked over his shoulder. A warm and easy smile lighted on his face as she approached him, the darkness keeping him from noticing her less than normal attire at the moment.
Certainly that would change.
"Do you need any help, miss?"
He tried to balance the papers and the dog's leash, as well as the cane on his arm. He looped the leash around his wrist and gripped the cane with the other hand, under the folders balanced under his arm. This gave him a free hand, mostly, just in case he needed it. If she needed help he would, of course, offer it to her. He couldn't help himself on that front.
Often his downfall.
"The library's closed, if you were hoping to get in. We open bright and early tomorrow, though." He assumed she knew who he was, and wanted to get a last minute book for something.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 8:11 pm
Do you need any help miss? Oh, urgh. She was definitely feeling guilty now. I sure do, but not the kind you'd willingly give, she thought unhappily. She hesitated, still standing at the edge of the shadow of the building. She had to do this. She NEEDED to do this. There was a very physical stack of physics problems goading her from her bookbag all the way across town. She just needed a plan. A little inertia, if you will.
"Oh, no, closed?" Gypsum said, trying to interject some interest and dismay into her voice. Yes, he must definitely work here. She decided to try and make up a story rather than use force. She still didn't want to hurt anybody, especially someone as nice and friendly as he seemed to be. "I uh, you see, I'm writing a paper on um..." She searched for a topic. "Palm reading! I was going to get a book," she finished triumphantly.
"I'm actually supposed to also try some techniques, you know, and write down how they feel about the experience. For class. Uh. English. A paper on suspension of belief." She was a little pleased with herself over that one. It might actually be somewhat credible. Eyeing the dog, she leaned a little forward, half in and half out of the light, and tried to smile reassuringly. "It won't take but a minute?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 8:27 pm
Tony arched an eyebrow at that.
"Palm reading... that's an interesting topic. And not one of the more popular ones, like World War II or space... ah. I'm sure we would have some books on the subject but... I've already shut down all the computers, and turned the alarm on..."
He looked like he was considering going back in and turning everything on for her again. He couldn't help himself. She needed help, and he could easily provide it, if he just went back and opened the place up despite his usual silent reminder not to stay open later because people look at him with big sad eyes.
He was such a sucker.
"Oh, that makes a bit more sense. Suspension of disbelief. Uhm. Well. I suppose... I could let you in for just a moment, to let you check the book out. I'll just write your information down, and put it in the computer tomorrow..." he said the last part to himself thoughtfully, nodding his head. Dogby, oblivious to all things danger most of the time, wagged her stump of a tail.
Since her coat wasn't the most outlandish thing he had seen a Nega wear, he didn't even realize what he was looking at as he offered her a smile.
"Follow me," he said with a nod, walking back toward the door, Dogby in tow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 10:32 pm
Gypsum sighed with obvious relief. She had really not wanted to have to try to do something in the middle of the parking lot. He might have dropped his papers in a puddle. Or lost the dog. Or, you know, been knocked unconscious and left in the middle of the parking lot and left alone to fend for himself. She had STANDARDS, damn it all.
Besides, if she somehow managed to pull this off, someone would definitely find him, it was a library. She'd just have to remember to lock the door behind her so nothing got stolen. Yeah. I mean, she was practically being considerate, right? With this thought in mind she followed him meekly to the door, wringing her hands behind her back. She'd just have to wait for a good moment, and uh.
Strike. Riiiight. I mean, he had a cane. And a limp. She could do this. She bit her lip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 7:52 pm
Tony let her into the library, juggling all the things he was trying to carry without asking for any help. He didn't want to burden her with it, after all. He went to the front desk as soon as he let her in and locked the door to prevent any more late night studiers from guilt tripping him.
It was easier to shake his head and wave his hand at a window than actually have to talk to someone and say no.
He looked at her, noticing she seemed nervous. If he didn't turn on the computers, they couldn't look up books, but he hoped he could at least find her something without having to.
"Are you alright? You seem a bit nervous. I know the library is a bit scary without any lights on, but I promise there are no monsters in here." As far as he knew, anyway. He finally had his arms free, and Dogby toddled over to sit at Gypsum's feet. She had her short, stumpy paws on the Nega's shoe, and looked up at her with big eyes, hoping for pets.
A guard dog she was not.
"So you said something about palm reading? I suppose that would be... psychology... or... hmm... maybe I should turn on a computer..." He moved to one on the counter. Not the one behind it, for staff use, which had a longer boot up process and turned other things on. This one was just for patron use for book searches. He had his back to her as he bent to turn the tower on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 12:45 am
No monsters, huh? Riiight. Even Guen could appreciate the irony in that statement. She stared out into the darkness- and felt it staring back into her. She needed to be composed. She needed to do this. She needed to damn well get this over with. That thought...Didn't feel like hers. But she agreed with it anyway.
She looked down at the adorable dog, and bent over to obligingly scratch his head as the librarian continued to talk. Yeah. Sure. Computer. Why did she decide to do this again? It was obvious she'd managed to pick the nicest nice guy in all of Nice Town. She felt like she was going to be ill. She was supposed to only use her powers for good. Right? That had been her plan from the beginning, but... It wasn't enough anymore.
She stood straight, willing herself to walk toward him. She took a deep breath, then another, and positioned herself behind him. If she did this quickly it wouldn't be so bad. It was like getting a shot, right? Right. As he bent over, she brought up her leg, kicking down swiftly and sharply and aiming somewhere around the back of his head. She didn't go for the leg. She didn't want to really hurt him... She just needed him to be still. And to not struggle, preferably.
She closed her eyes at the last second and looked away. She didn't want to see if she hit him. Gypsum might be up to this sort of thing, but Guen wasn't- not yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:48 pm
Tony wasn't expecting to be attacked.
That was a strange thing for him, as he should have learned by now to always expect to be attacked by something.
When her foot met the back of his head he crumpled against the counter. He was slumped against it, pulled to the side in a half effort to get away from the attack. The instinct might have served him a bit better if he had seen the attack coming, and wasn't reacting based on being hit already. His hands flew up to his head and he let out a surprised sound of pain.
But he managed to not get himself knocked out.
He turned to look at her, stunned.
"What are you doing?" he asked, not getting up. He had dropped his cane and his head was throbbing. She was either a very powerful young woman or, as a creeping sensation down his spine moved with the realization that settled on him, someone who had a bit of help.
"You're one of them! With the Negaverse!" He yelped, reaching for his cane as if to fight back against her. Or, as was his true hope, get her away from him. Dogby, at the first sign of danger, darted from the main lobby and was hiding in the back room, whimpering under a cupboard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 1:13 am
With the Negaverse? She stared at him, shock and dismay displayed plainly across her features. She was at a loss- no one she'd met before who wasn't a senshi knew about the Negaverse! They were a secret- their magic protected her from being recognized by the cops, or by their opponents. How could a LIBRARIAN, of all things, know about the real identity of the so-called terrorists?
Unless...Oh, no.
It was her turn to back away a little, clasping her hands together in front of her nervously. There was NO WAY this old guy could be a senshi, right? Gypsum had to admit she wasn't entirely sure how it worked. I mean, there were a few older Negaverse agents... She bit her lip. This was just her luck, really - maybe it was karma for picking on someone who was obviously a nice and upstanding citizen. She had to admit, if he WAS a senshi, at least now she wouldn't have to feel as guilty.
"Hey!" She scrambled forward as she finally realized he was reaching for his cane - does he use it to transform? Oh God oh god oh... She tried to get a hand, a foot- SOMETHING on it.
"I'm just doing my job! It's not like I'm gonna kill you or something! Dunhurtme," she stuttered out, bracing herself. She sooo didn't want to be a senshi punching bag tonight- she really couldn't afford it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 7:12 pm
Tony used her moment of surprise to regain his composure a bit more. Of course, he was no senshi, but he didn't have to tell her that. Not that he could read her mind and knew that was what she was fretting about. As far as he knew, she just felt bad for surprise attacking him. Or, more likely, was biding her time for another attack. He looked at her.
When she moved for his cane he hurried to grab it, but couldn't pull it out from under her foot before she planted it. He looked up at her, frowning but looking nervous.
Not like someone who could transform and protect himself, maybe. But then, why would he make it obvious and give his identity away?
An identity he didn't have.
The librarian looked at her when she spoke, taking a moment to stare at her with, surprisingly, the same wide eyed expression she was giving him.
"I don't want to hurt you! You attacked me! I just want to defend myself! Did you think you could really just attack someone and they'd sit back and take it? I need my energy, more than you do, and I don't feel like sharing with a thief," he seemed to know enough now to be able to bad mouth her, though he was drawing from many experiences that led up to this point.
Still, there was something about her that sparked a thought. He was sure she was new, or uncertain of what she was doing. She was scared of him, and that was interesting to say the least. Carefully, he moved his hand back from his cane, lifting both in a show of defenselessness. Or rather, peace.
"Let's just take a minute here. You don't look like you want to hurt me, either. So let's just stop for a second, okay?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:04 am
Guen stared at him, guilt and confusion warring across her young face. A thief. She couldn't refute that. Even a rebuttal that it was for a good cause didn't seem to make it any better, in her eyes. She could feel it already - a buoying desire to just give up and run away. Run away again, like she had from every problem she'd faced. Yes, it would be so much easier...
And then he took his hand off the cane.
She nearly laughed in relief. He COULDN'T be a senshi, could he? No, not after the ones she'd met, she thought bitterly. They'd never, what was the saying? They'd never suffer the witch to live. It was both an intense relief and another nail in the coffin of her innocence. He was just another innocent bystander in the war for Destiny City- but to the Negaverse, he was a sheep for the shearing. Well, alright, a rather bigger than her sheep. She stopped thinking, and tried to let herself go in the adrenaline that pumped in her veins. It was too late to stop. She was enough of a disappointment. Guen didn't want to be talked or cajoled into inaction again. She wanted to do something.
Spurred by this sudden impuse, she kicked the cane away and advanced. "Oh, I don't know," she spat out, summoning up arguments with her mother to fuel her anger. "Don't tell me what I want to do! I have to do this. Why don't you just make it easier on me and take this lying down!" She accentuated this cry with another jab of her foot, aiming for his midsection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:44 am
Oh uh.
Tony had made a mistake, that much was clear. Not everyone just wanted to talk, and he certainly knew that there weren't just senshi out there, being nice and saving people. There were the ones that needed to be saved from.
When she kicked him he grunted and doubled up, arms folding over his stomach on instinct. The air rushed out of his lungs and he felt the carpet of the library under his knees. He tried to quickly refill his lungs with gasps of breath but nothing seemed to be sticking, and he couldn't quite get himself together quickly enough.
He was at her mercy at the moment.
Coughing, he tried to get to his feet but they were not cooperating with him. In fact, they might have been made of jello. He grimaced in pain, wondering why that kick had hurt so much when it didn't look like she put as much effort into it as she could have.
"W-wait, please," he tried, but he was basically at her mercy now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:31 pm
Don't think. Don't think. Just Do. It was something she obviously struggled with, but in the end she feared the lash of her superiors more than what remained of her tepid schoolgirl morals. It was time to face the music. She leaned forward to place her hand against his forehead. She imagined she might be able to feel his pulse throbbing as he struggled to regain composure, but her gloves masked any life signs. It was an oddly kind gesture, given what she had set out this evening to do. She took a deep breath. It was too late now, she reminded herself. The deed was all but done.
"Hold still," she whispered. It was so surreal - hadn't she been to this library before, as Guen? And yet here she was, adding assault and a special kind of robbery to a rather long list of crimes against the citizens of Destiny City. She tried to concentrate on the task at hand. She had to coax the energy out of him, first only a trickle. It felt a little like tugging on a thread that slowly became a rope in her inexperienced hands. It was slow, and while doing so she felt exposed - vulnerable. She was ashamed. She didn't want anyone to see.
She just wanted this night to be over with. Gypsum felt she badly needed a long, hot shower.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:47 pm
Tony looked up at Gypsum pathetically. This was a new experience for him, which was terrifying and strange in a new way.
He watched her, helpless, stunned. He expected some sort of pain, considering she had kicked him and it had hurt so badly, but nothing came. It was almost peaceful, certainly quieting, and he realized that she was drawing energy from him. His body relaxed and his eyes grew hazy, distant, as if he were falling to sleep or was very, very drunk.
Except he knew it wasn't the latter, because there had been no fun or drunken singing to regret later.
"Please... don't..." he breathed, shaking.
There had been many times in his life, living in this city, when he had been terrified. Youma, negas, senshi. It was all a little overwhelming. A lot overwhelming. He had been dragged into dream worlds, suffered brutal attacks and broken bones, and was a youma's idea for a snack. But this little moment was ranking high on the list of his scariest times. Was she going to kill him?
He was helpless.
He slumped as she drained more of his energy, collapsing to the floor in a heap. His eyes were closed but he was breathing evenly, slowly, out like a light. If he looked pathetic limping around with his cane, he looked far more so unconscious on the floor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
