Oh for Jack's sake, he said stay away not - Wait. Why was Belladonna being so calm about this? Why was she - What. Mort shot her a look at the insinuation that they would in fact team up, but before he could process past the incredulous idea, the hunter had closed in, hands up in a surprisingly peaceful gesture. Even so, he bristled at her proximity and tensed, half tempted to peel the witch's hand off him just so that his arm was free to swing around for an impromptu battle.
"Safe with her"? Like hell. For all they knew, she was lying about her motives and using that same veneer of friendship like she had with him.
This really was a weird world. Hunter and Halloweener, working together? No, they couldn't, absolutely not, why would . . . It would utterly negate the whole point of him becoming an Initiate if he didn't try everything to destroy their adversaries, even if it was one by one. But at the same time, "Ofelia" could have just summoned her weapon and attack without warning . . . Did he really have it in him to cause more damage when nothing had happened yet?
. . . No. He was aching still from his stint in the mist and had no desire to revisit that violent side again if he could help it. If this Ofelia or Ofie or whatever wanted to stick around and not pick trouble, fine. Maybe an extra eye would help them get out of here quicker.
"Mrrr. Was following it too," Mort said as he forced himself to calm back down, regarding the hunter warily as Thor's fingers rolled in and out of its palm, visible doubt at her sincerity. "Say want truce? Fine. But if so much as point weapon at her, will gnaw that arm off, no questions." His eyes narrowed. "Know what you d-did to Alex, how eye was taken. M'this close to taking yours in return right now, Ofie. Eye for an eye if you or friends decide to make trouble, got it?" It was obvious betrayal wouldn't settle well on this tenuous alliance, but he felt better saying it aloud anyway.
Satisfied (or as close as one could be given the circumstance), Mort passed Belladonna another look that read "I hope you know what you're doing" before looking around to see if there was something more that could be done here. To his eye, though, there were only more shattered vials and half-dissolved pills about. Jack, this place knew how to tease him . . . But in his search, he noticed something was off about the warm light. Squeezing the witch's hand before sliding it off, Mort shambled over to investigate, lifting Thor up to let it spark so he wasn't completely lost in the fog from them; he disliked the idea of leaving her with a hunter for too long, alliance or not.
The moment he saw fire coming at him, the zomboil unabashedly let out a startled shout and almost tripped over himself to back away. The horseman behind the attack stopped before it struck him, silently judging the student as he got back up. "A-Ah, m'ok-k-kay!" he stammered to the two shapes of the ghouls, shivering as the fire was put out. "S'just a-a horsem-man. Think, er, s-something's here . . ."
Rown
This is probably an awkward relay considering they both found horseman with different outcomes OTL
While the witch remained wary of the Hunter ghoul, Belladonna was reluctant to send her away. Not quite like this, especially when she seemed so reluctant and was so repentant and her accent was so..... So..... So very peculiar. Curiosity took over her as Belladonna tilted her head to one side and listened to this ghoul speak, her voice all funny sounding with an odd emphasis on certain words and a nearly missing emphasis on others. It was good this creature was offering to be so chatty, for it took the witch far longer to acquaint herself with the Hunter's accent than she'd been prepared for. Still, it was oddly endearing, even if she'd ignored Mort's request and moved closer. At least she didn't look ready to tear their heads off or anything? "I don't know how I got here, Mort either..." She replied with a wave of her free hand between her and him. Though it quickly turned into a small "oh", as she witch dipped in a half curtsey, unable to enact the full motion with one hand still on Mort. "Oh, ah. This is Mort, and I'm Belladonna. Its......Lovely to meet you, Ofelia." Because regardless if she was a Hunter or not, it was a pretty name and the witch would use it in full. Hopefully her sweet way of saying the ghoul's name would gloss over the fact that she had momentarily floundered on what exactly their meeting was. It wasn't lovely, but it wasn't wonderful either. Maybe in time it would be, but for right now it would have to suffice as was. Though, one thing did stick out to the witch as she flapped a hand softly at Ofelia. "You, ah, mentioned... Some of our friends? Do you perhaps know who, exactly?" Halloweeners had helped save a Hunter? While that wasn't the most extraordinary thing she'd ever heard, it was certainly a bit... Odd. As for the odd crackling of tension between Mort and the Hunter, Belladonna was quick to supply information. Perhaps it was silly, as before she had been hesitant to supply a supposed Hunter with information, but... What could it hurt now? She was already here, already in the middle of everything and it certainly couldn't hurt to give her a clue or two. "Neither of us are certain," The witch once more indicated herself and Mort, as though they were one entity to be taken seriously, "about the details, but we are somewhere in the Haunted House..."
Completely content to receive Mort's look and return it with her own of 'Don't I always?', Belladonna let him slip from her grasp and instead turned toward the other light. Momentarily distracted enough to ignore the bit about where Alexander's other eye went, the witch only continued to take small, hesitant steps toward the light. "The cold light seems promising?" Belladonna offered softly as she decided to go ahead and quickly investigate. Before she could make it all the way a small glint of blue from the ground caught her eye, and with a swift sweep of hand against floor the witch produced a pumpkin pill... Only, only it was very odd looking. Something seemed to be wrong with it, its coloring was off. It glowed blue when instead it should stare back at her, happily orange and black. Still, it was a pumpkin pill and the witch quickly deposited it. Once more she took a few more steps forward, hastening slightly as lights began to bloom on the edges of the fog. Something was here, something that hummed faintly and-- Was suddenly shouting, suddenly-- A shriek echoed around her as Belladonna realized, along with the stinging pain of being shot at, that she was the one doing the screaming. Though she managed to at least close her mouth, she could not staunch the noise from her throat as more pain rained down. Even having the wherewithal to attempt to escape did not immediately do Belladonna much good as the attack seemed to continue as she retreated back to her previous spot. It was further away than she'd anticipated, which was not a comforting thought, but at least after a good run the shooting had stopped. Though, it had not come without significant damage. Even if her FEAR shield had taken the brunt of the attack, quite a few good hits had still landed on her persons.
So it was with an angry glare, as well as a bit bloodied and slower than before, Belladonna returned to their previous spot. "Do not go over there." The witch instructed Mort, only he was currently preoccupied with something else. So instead Belladonna was content to stand there, one arm pulled tight across herself to clutch at the other arm where she was fairly certain a bullet had lodged into her skin. Just perfect. Amazing. Just when she offered kindness to a Hunter, did not outright take the offense and instead tried to be civil, she was naturally rewarded with the opposite. So perhaps it wasn't Ofelia's fault, still, the witch felt the sting of betrayal. Was this what it was always like? Just brash attacks, no questions asked? A whine escaped between her clamped mouth as Belladonna glared down at the fog that billowed around her feet, angry she was so hurt so quickly, and frustrated with the slow flickering of shapes at the edge of her vision.
The last thing Before remembered was dragging Melvin back to the Hunter relief tent to be patched up. He'd gotten himself patched up as well. Just in time for tentacles to drag him and the rest of his fellow Hunters through a portal.
When he came to, he was... alone? That's how it seemed like to the Mist trainee, with his head pounding and his vision a tad blurry, Before began stumbling through the Fog in search of other warm, non-hostile bodies. That was when he heard voices. Familiar ones, to boot! 8D
"H-Helloooooooo?" he called out, hands cupped over his mouth to perhaps further increase the focus and volume of his voice.
((ooc: Rown sent me a PM that said I could post? @ 3@))
AyeAvast
Rown
Ol-j-man
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:31 pm
Ofelia managed to find a few things while looking around, and by a few things she mostly meant only a weird set of corrupted bandages, and she tucked them into her shirt as she listened and listened. The zombie was still harping and Ofelia sighed, deeply. "Look, Ah said Ah wasn' gonna do anythin' so get it through yer head - Ah'm gonna do jus' what Ah said. Which is nothin', at least nothin' 'gainst y'all. Ah dun even wanna fight right now." She spoke, rolling her eye, and at the mention of Alex she bristled faintly. "Ah'll have ya know, he attacked me first. Ah simply acted in defense when all Ah was doin' in the first place was eatin' a sandwich. Also, he kinda looked really rabid, like he wanted ta bite me." She paused. "No, actually he did bite me."
It was true, Alex had ruined her picnic, and she had been rather cruel in teasring him apart as she had. There was no regret though, he did come at her first, and so Ofelia stuck by her words. Screw them both if they thought she was heartless and attacked out of fun - last Ofelia checked she'd opted out of fighting twice but had been forced into it to defend herself. When her rant to the zombie was over she looked at the witch girl (she assumed she was a witch based on her clothing) and listened to what she had to say. Introductions were awesome.
"S'nice ta meetcha Mort, Belladonna." Ofelia was about to extend her hand outward but she caught herself in time, wearily eyeing the male. Any movement that caused him to attack her would see this ending very poorly. So, instead of reaching out, she settled for a wave of her hand and further listening. And answering of questions. "Um...Ah didn' really catch their names - Ah think one was called Lizzy an' the other Junko?" Was that their names? "One was a spider-girl an' the other had really long, pretty hair. The spider-girl held mah hand an' lead me from the fire, an' the long hair girl came back fer me an' mah friend." Ofelia blushed as she spoke, her cheeks a happy red. "Ah'd like ta see 'em again sometime, ta properly thank 'em. S'been a long, long time since someone held mah hand. Felt really kinda nice."
But the conversation seemed to end there, they were off to look at lights, and Ofelia headed towards the warm light from before. . . only to find herself face to face with a Horseman. She didn't even have time to react before a blow struck against her FEAR shield, Rue hissing with angry disappointmet. It was unwise to stay there, not when the others were gathering back, and the teen scurried away and rejoined the duo from before. They both looked hurt and a massive frown covered her lips. She'd taken a hit of her own, sure, but it wasn't going to show on her body like it did for the others.
"The warm light's got one'a them pony peoples, we should stay away from there. Or at least Ah gotta, they're likely ta kill me on sight." She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck, stepped towards Belladonna and holding a hand out. She pointed at first to the witch's wound, motion with a finger for her to hold it out and let her see. "Whatcha both find on yer ends? Whatever it was both'a ya got torn inta." While Ofelia wasn't amazing at testing injuries, or taking care of them, she could at least judge if something was bad after all. These two, they didn't have shields - she would need to protect them.
And then. . . she heard a voice calling, someone searching out. She knew that voice, her face instantly brightening, and she turned (for a moment) awat from Belladonna and shouted out. "Clover! S'at you? It's Ofie, Ah'm over here!" Shouting was probably a bad idea, it would bring others (maybe), but she didn't care. Before was nearby, she'd have a partner if these two turned on her, and that was really all. Turning back to Belladonna she pointed again to her arm. "Lemme see yer wound."
Stats:
Name: Ofelia "Ofie" Tanner HP: 35 FEAR Strength: 100% Insanity Strength: 10% Items: Corrupted Runic Bandages RP Blurb: One-eyed, red-headed hunter in flip flops
Ol-j-man
oh god i am so sorry this is late ;;;;
AyeAvast
internet went down, god bless AT&T > ________ >
Huni Pi
HUNI MY LOVE <3
Rown
Friendly Hunter
Offline
medigel
Anxious Spirit
Offline
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:39 am
Alex would attack first, and the image of him getting to actually bite her where he couldn't made it hard to suppress a proud little grin for his zombro; it wasn't like Hunters had done any of them favors before. So all Ofelia got in response was an eyeroll of his own, especially at the idea of anyone taking a leisurely picnic in the Haunted House, of all places. Really? Humans were strange . . .
Junko and LIzzy being mentioned didn't surprise him so much, though. From what he had gleaned about them during the festival, they seemed to be much like Belladonna in their capacity for friendliness: more warm and inviting than they ought to be with these people. Jack damn it, this was too weird for his liking, and he really was half-expecting a cavalry to come out once they let their guard down -
Gunshots rang out. A primal fear immediately flared up within him, doubly so at the sound of the witch's screaming, and by the time he shambled back to the group she had returned, whole still but bloodied. Worse, it sounded like another hunter was coming their way. Trap, his mind concluded quickly. All a trap. Get out right now before capture. More guns.
Giving a soft hiss at the sight of her wounds, he passed Ofelia a narrowed look as if her presence had led to the event before examining the damage himself; no way was he letting a hunter touch her right now. "We're leaving," he announced in a growl, flicking his gaze between the hunters and the cold light. He put an arm about Belladonna protectively. "Mrrr, you alright? C-Can try to heal after get to safer place if need be."
-Rown
this is late
-AyeAvast
because my wireless went stupid
-Huni Pi
so I kicked it >U
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 12:13 pm
Before had ignored the lights in favor of making a beeline straight towards Ofelia's voice. Sure, in his trek towards his fellow Hunter he gathered up a bunch of supplies, mostly useless junk save for a pumpkin pill that he was pretty sure he's not supposed to ingest. 8C Maybe he could save it as a keepsake? @ 3@a
"Dinaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!" he called out, finally making his way to her and getting a good enough view of the one-eyed Sunny to launch himself at her into a hug. Hey, he'd done the same earlier during Fright Night and she caught him and even swung him around no problem! And maybe he'd tunnel-visioned on her that he failed to realize there were two others around. But even if he hadn't, he wouldn't have kicked up a fuss because he recognized one of the remaining two. "Omigosh I was totes so ******** worried over youuuu!!! You weren't, like, gotten attacked by any Insanity-ridden scaries, were you?" he babbled, arms firmly wound around her.
"I'm totes fine iffin' you wanna ask and-oh hey, it's Bella from earlier, and... OH NO WHO HURT YOUUUUU!?!?!?" DDDDDDDDDD8 he gasped, note that his arms were still locked around Ofelia, possibly pinning the Sunny's arms to her sides, while his own weapon wasn't summoned. "IS THERE ANOTHER INSANITY-THING HERE?!"
Name: Before HP: 50 FEAR Strength: 100% Insanity Strength: 0% Items: First Aid Kit from Hunter Relief Tent, Pumpkin Pill RP Blurb: Brunette with a scar across his nose, currently clinging to Ofelia for dear life. Also no longer motion-sick 8D
The singular knowledge that Ofelia had befriended, and more importantly, been helped by Lizzy and Junko, was all the witch needed to know. Perhaps it may have helped to know how the Hunter had so savagely hurt her two favorite zombies, but even that would have been a bit useless now. And since it was not and had not been fully explained, Belladonna only offered her arm up to the Hunter with an awed expression that began to soften as she looked over the girl. She was a person too, a creature that could feel scared and alone, that could be hurt. And like she'd always thought, Belladonna now found that the Hunters were not a mindless, faceless faction. The lines had been crossed somewhere, the life taken out of their fight, but this hatred everyone shared... How substantial was it? And, just like now, could it as easily be unwound? "If things get too scary, I'll hold your hand too." The witch told Ofelia in a quiet voice, her face starting to hint a smile. A sudden noise made the witch quickly retract her arm as a multitude of things happened at once. Mostly she was just startled by the sudden appearance of the chatty Hunter Boy from before, enough that it made her take a step backwards into Mort. And then Mort was there wrapping her up in his chill. Unsure which to address first, Belladonna looked up at her zombie and gave him a small smile. "The cold light leads to the Hunters... So stay away from there. They shoot." As for leaving, she did not even bother replying to that. No matter what she said would not ease the boil's worries, and as she had since decided not to leave Ofelia, and especially not the chatty Hunter, not yet at least, it was best to leave that unsaid. After being so often burned by the Hunters, the witch was positive Mort would not be able to see the good in befriending the enemy. Even if it was a useless effort, Belladonna refused to give up on this. Maybe this was the other path, maybe this was the way to fix what had gone wrong.
"Y-you were?" Belladonna asked, a little unsure of how to react to... Had Ofelia called him Clover? Had he called her Dinah? Wait, who was who?! "Oh, well, ah... It got worse for me, I'm afraid. I turned into one those scaries... But thank you for being worried?" His exuberance was so much more than her own that she tried to stifle a laugh, but failed quite miserably. His sincerity was endearing, mostly toward Ofelia, but even his concern over Belladonna had her smile a little stronger. "I take it you are no longer feeling sick." That was good for a variety of reasons, mostly for his well being, but it certainly helped that he would not be vomiting all over the place. "Oh, ah! This is Mort, by the way. Mort, this Hunter was very kind to me earlier during the fight." Belladonna told him in a manner that she hoped expressed the idea that the witch was ignoring his statement earlier when he'd said "No such thing as a nice Hunter". At least all this distraction and introductions and general hugging was starting to dull the throb of wounds, but it certainly wasn't ebbing the additional strange noise. Sure to keep close to Mort, the witch angled her head back, eyebrows furrowed. "Do you all hear that? It sounds like... Laughter? Or music? I cannot tell..." Already the fog had begun to mobilize in a more uniform, and faster, motion than its lazy wanderings, but it was still slow. Shapes would appear soon, unless the Insanity really had gotten to the witch and made her further lose her grip on reality.
Ol-j-man
Who is ready
Rown
For the next prompt
Huni Pi
Where everyone goes crazy and Q.Q's?! biggrinbiggrinbiggrin
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 1:42 pm
Ofelia ignored Mort, ignored his eye roll, and instead focused on the wound on the witch's arm. It didn't look to serious but it was very clearly a bullet - and from what Belladonna was saying it was from a hunter. Her brow knitted itself down as she looked at it again, finally releasing it just to. . . rip the hem of her shirt. It came off in a neat strip, seeing as her clothing was already pretty ragged, and she once again took Belladonna's arm in into her hands and started to wrap up the injury. "Ah dunno if this is gonna help, but Ah doubt yer able ta use any'a mah gear. S'not that Ah won't lend it, jus' not sure if Halloween kiddos are able ta handle it." Ofelia spoke, tying off the end of her makeshift bandage. Hopefully it would help, she certainly was getting good at bandaging things (thanks to her own constant wounds), and she took a step back as Mort mentioned leaving. "No, y'all need ta stay wit' me. Ah can keep hunters off ya, an' - " Her words stopped as she heard a familiar voice getting closer, calling her name. Well, her special nickname anyway. Instantly her face lit up again, her cheeks burning red.
It didn't take long for her to catch Before in her arms, once again swinging him around. He was shorter than her and she was a bit strong, so without even being in the monster golem she could still manage a swinging hug (though Before's launching at her certainly did not hurt). Her arms really couldn't get free, most of the swinging had her just turning in a circle, and even though her arms were pinned she rested her head against the crook of Before's neck. He found her, or she found him, and her fear of being attacked certainly lessened. "Clover, Clover, where ya been? Ah took a nap an' then tentacles an' Ah bumped inta these two here." She sort of motioned towards the pair of Halloween students, her hand mostly flapping. "An' no, Ah didn' get attacked. Luckily Ah jus' slept through most'a it, kinda tired fer some reason." Slowly she manged to get her arms out from Before's grasp so she could give him a proper hug, her face still somewhat buried against his neck.
It was then though that she realized Belladonna had said something about holding her hand and the teen moved away from Before and towards the witch, reaching out a hand towards her. The zombie was still holding on to her so she didn't grab her or anything but the charms on the bracelet on her wrist seemed to move unhappily. Rue was hissing inside her head still, making the teen wonder if she wasn't a Boo Hag but rather something snake-y, and she just ignored it. "Ah'll take yer hand at any time, though since Clover's here Ah might jus' wanna hold his hand instead. No offense ta ya but Ah think yer. . .boyfriend? Yeah, yer boyfriend will wanna hold yer hand instead." It was weird, a zombie-sorta human couple, but Ofelia wasn't one to judge. She was sort of curious though what their babies would look like.
Those thoughts quickly stopped as a fog rolled in, the area around the set of four getting quite misty. She blinked a bit and rubbed her eye, hoping everything was just her vision getting blurry because she was getting overly excited. The fog was coming though, getting stronger, and the sound of laughter filled her ears. It pained her, she winced against it, and a hand was raised to the side of her head in regards to it. "Yeah, Ah hear the laughter too . . .an' is that music?" She asked, straining to hear it closer. It did sound like music, overly familiar music, and the teen would have paled if she properly recognized it. "Ah...know Ah've heard this b'for but Ah can't really place it. Any'a y'all know?"
She was asking, hoping everyone was there, but the fog was getting dense and she could only see something in the distance. Was it a person? Why did she feel like she knew this place, recognized the buildings that seemed to be springing up? Without thinking on it she reached over and placed a hand on Before's arm, her lips pursed with worry.
Stats:
Name: Ofelia "Ofie" Tanner HP: 35 FEAR Strength: 100% Insanity Strength: 10% Items: Corrupted Runic Bandages RP Blurb: One-eyed, red-headed hunter in flip flops. Currently holding on to Before because she can
Ol-j-man
my body
AyeAvast
is totally ready (also Ofie now knows where the hunter base is because Bella told her)
Huni Pi
bring it on
Rown
Friendly Hunter
Offline
medigel
Anxious Spirit
Offline
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 2:45 pm
Jack, this new hunter was loud and spastic, and both of the Coats were using odd names that were confusing him as far as who was really whom, and somehow this new guy also knew Belladonna (he tossed her a strange look when she explained), and Ofelia was right there in arm's reach, close enough to claw or bite as she tore her sleeve and bandaged his ghoulfriend despite his hostile aura -
Mort's slow tendency to pick up the ball was showing: it took him a handful of seconds to make sense of all the noise. There wasn't any way to ignore Ofie's kind gesture, however, his mother had raised him to be courteous even when faced with an adversary. So as the sun hunter was crushed by her friend, Mort hesitated, eased a little, and murmured, "Thanks..." He still held a modicum of doubt about this whole endeavor, but slowly he was beginning to face the fact that they were probably going to have to rely on these people while they found a way out. "N-Nice to meet, I guess."
It would have been really nice to not have found the hunter camp, though. He slid his arm away but indeed grasped the witch's hand, unwilling to break contact.
With Bells getting their introductions out and a fourth member added to their group, Mort wanted to suggest that fine, they could stay together and all that but they really should leave - but then he too heard the unearthly music softly playing around them. Shapes made themselves known in the gathering fog, semi-familiar forms of booths and proceeded food etched into existence. But it was all wrong somehow, alien despite its similarities to Fright Night. "Dunno, but don't like," he commented with a frown, his eyes fixated on a specific point in the fog. "Might be new Insanity trick...Should stick close."
A figure was making itself out there.
Huni Pi
totes
AyeAvast
ready
Rown
emotion_dowant
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:45 am
"Yep! I'm totes doing better! Fog is Fog and you can't see s**t but at least it wasn't going all upside-down, topsy-turvy uhhhhh, mebbe I shouldn't have thought about it...." he made a face, then Before had finally noticed Mort and the zombie's protective stance of the witch. Teal eyes blinked and then he managed to put two and two together, "Ooooh, he's the one and not Alex? Okiedokie, good to know, good to know," he nodded, then he remembered something and rummaged through his pockets and held out a Pumpkin Pill to Belladonna. "Since it looks like we're gonna be groupies for the meantime, here. I'm totes sure we Hunters can't uh eat this but imma thinking Bella might have need of it. This is thanks for helping me earlier from hurling my chunks at everyone," he added, grinning sheepishly to Ofelia.
Then, like the others, he too started to hear things. He subconsciously reached for Ofelia's hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze, a promise that he was there right with her. And that was when the figure became visible, though teal eyes couldn't help but focus on the weapon it held.
"Uuuuh, dude, sir, um, imma sorta kinda outta the loop most of the time but, and now imma gonna be totes honest, I ain't exactly the sorta guy to steal," Before insisted firmly, standing firm in his stance. He didn't particularly like being called a thief. But that was when the figure raised its weapon and- "AUUUUUGH!!!!" Before screamed, more startled than in actual pain, his hand spasming tight around Ofelia's hand.
Name: Before HP: 50 FEAR Strength: 90% Insanity Strength: 5% Items: First Aid Kit from Hunter Relief Tent RP Blurb: Brunette with a scar across his nose
More than thankful for the makeshift bandage, Belladonna attempted a small flex of her injured arm's elbow and found it at least had staunched the bleeding. She mumbled a quiet and somewhat sheepish 'Thank you' to Ofelia, feeling the great and plentiful irony of being partially patched up by the so called enemy. Even more was piled on as Before offered the witch a Pumpkin Pill, which she took with an even larger smile and slightly louder thanks. Along with the pill was the attachment that she had helped him, when really she had only offered a bit of good advice. While perhaps Belladonna was more than alright with all of this, she still looked back and up to Mort, eyebrows momentarily crinkling in worry as she stepped back into the safety of his taller frame, her uninjured hand quietly finding his. She gave his hand a good squeeze, one that hoped to imply that she was on his side, was his ally above all, but no words came out. Anything that could be said was left unspoken as the fog swirled up around them. An all too familiar setting formed out of the stuff, one that, if Belladonna remembered correctly, she'd only just left maybe a few hours previously. The booths were all there, all hustly and bustly like they previously had been. A small noise of confusion, and potentially fear, escaped the witch as she stared at all the sights. Quickly, in case this place decide to further torment them, Belladonna wrapped her other hand around Mort's arm as she followed him through the place. "How odd... Why are we back at Fright Night? Is this another trick or... Something else?" There seemed absolutely no method to any of this madness, and certainly no end in sight. What was to become of their little rag-tag group? Where were they to go next, to see next? Momentarily the witch looked back at Ofelia and Before, wanting to offer them even a small smile to let them know this was all alright, but only able to nod at them and hope they kept close. She did not know them, but for whatever reason she felt responsible for their well being. They were so young, but possibly even older than her, but they were merely Human given a special gift. They did not know FEAR and she did, so they were under her charge. Plus, she rather liked how adorable a pair they made and though there was little she could do now to help, if she could at least keep them together...
For a little while longer they wandered, until a sudden and dark figure loomed above them. Forever a coward, the witch pulled back on Mort a little, but when the figure did not raise a hand to harm them, she paused and waited. It spoke in an odd voice, muffled and far away, but with a strange distinction the witch was grateful for. Yet its words made no sense... Belladonna's face immediately scrunched up in disbelief, and she looked up at Mort. This wasn't... This wasn't real, it couldn't be. Her gaze found Ofelia and Before, trying to decide what they thought as well. Surely she wasn't the only one who found this to be false. Still, the figure demanded answers without explanation. With an exasperated sigh the witch looked up at him, not bothering to gesture at him for that would mean loosening her hold on Mort, on the anchor. "What do you mean? I do not understand what you are talking about..." But the figure's reply was only an insistence of theft, as well as a patronizing gaze. This was too ridiculous. This was far too much to be true. As though they weren't aware, the witch rolled her eyes and angled her head to address the Hunter couple. "This isn't real. This is just another illusion from the Haunted House. It has to be." She told them with a frown, before she faced the figure. Still, it stood there and stared down at her, waited. Much like a scareling refusing to do something on a wayward principle, Belladonna only frowned up at it a moment longer. Then, with a swift movement she pressed her face into the side of Mort's arm, closing her eyes and waiting for the figure to leave. Surely just ignoring it would make it go away. Maybe it was a childish thought, but it was the only one the witch had at the moment, and it would have to do. Besides, she had Mort, she had her fingertips dug into the mingled fabric and skin of his arm and if she could concentrate on that, on him, this would fade. They could pass this little test and move on, find the exit, figure out how to escape all this madness. They had to, or else the Insanity would infect them once more.
Ol-j-man
WHOOOO
Rown
WHOOOO
Huni Pi
WHOOO Idk XD
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:49 pm
If Ofelia was put off by Belladonna's less than enthusiastic response she didn't act it, instead focusing on the objects that were forming around them. Even Before's kindness in giving over a pumpkin pill went unnoticed as the buildings around them began to gives themselves shape. The booths, yes - it looked just light Fright Night. Ofelia would have stayed standing, stayed staring, if she hadn't felt Before take her hand. She turned to look at him and an expression of worry ran over her features. If Before was nervous, should she be even more so? Shifting her hand she interlocked their fingers, giving more of a grip to the both of them in case something happened. Before was there as her support and she sure as hell wasn't going to let him go.
But then. . . she heard him scream, felt his hand tighten against hers, and then everything went white before her eye. The pressure of Before's hand in hers felt faint, like he wasn't even there, and she turned and looked to where he'd been standing but saw nothing. She was about to call out his name, call out the names of the others (for they were gone from her sight as well) but the words trapped themselves in her throat as a figure emerged from the mists. She squinted against the fog to make them out, listening to each word. She could faintly hear the voices of the others speaking out, saying things her brain did not compute. All she could hear was the voice of the person speaking and then . . . the figures behind. What...what were those? She looked behind the shadow at the figures though as soon as her eye settled she wish she hadn't.
Before was there even though she faintly felt his hand in hers. Did she really feel his hand or was it her imagination at play? Jordan was there as well, changed and bound, with Rep and Harrison at his side. Why did they all get captured? Rep was a beast, everyone knew that, but to see him bound like this. . . ? Why was Bix there too, should't he be in a group? What startled Ofelia most though was the addition of two people in the corner, a male and female whom she'd just been speaking with. Did Ofelia consider them important enough to have them there? Why were they taken, didn't she just hear their voices, just barely meet them? Perhaps it was because this figure could see into her heart and knew she liked the pair despite their brief interaction.
She could still feel the pressure in her hand from the shake, still hear the scream ringing in her ears, but the words from the Shadow started to outweigh everything. He asked her to choose and she looked at all the faces, finally stopping on Before. She considered him her best friend, likely because he didn't think she was crazy and actually enjoyed being around her, but as soon as her eye met his the Before in front of her turned and looked away. Her hand squeezed against the pressure she was hoping was still there, hoping would squeeze back, as the figure made more demands.
Ofelia didn't like it, her heart was aching, and as she continued to glance at the figures who would not meet her gaze she turned her eye upward towards the shadow. He called her a thief, saying she took something, and instead of responding verbally she simply shook her head. There was no need to speak, nothing would end well, but she cleared her throat none the less. Everyone behind this Shadow were people she treasured, and even if just one could get out it would be okay. Ofelia wasn't someone anyone would miss, they'd all likely leave her behind if it saved their lives and deep down, somewhere in the bottom of her heart and at the back of her mind - she felt like that would be okay. If just one person would be okay then she...would be okay.
" . . . Ah'll give mahself ta ya if ya jus'. . . .let someone go. These are all people Ah treasure, all of mah friends, an' if even one'a 'em can be let free than. . . yeah. Jus' take me instead." She said while trying to keep her voice steady. This wasn't a good idea, offering herself in exchange for the freedom of a person but Ofelia couldn't think of anything else. Rue was silent in her head, perhaps also paralyzed by the strange sounds and the fog. Without Rue's scathing comments the teen had nothing to go on. She had to trust her instincts, trust everything. "Please. Let one'a 'em go an' Ah'll take their place." Ofelia whispered as she closed her eyes, waiting for an answer. When nothing came she opened them again to see a figure rising, being freed. They had become blurry against the fog so she could not tell who they were, but the Shadow was nodding and the figure was coming closer.
Ofelia reached out with her hand, hoping to touch them, but they passed through her as easily as an illusion passes though anything. Had they been a ghost, just a figment of her imagination? She closed her eyes again and counted, wondering what would happen, and when she opened them again the world was no longer white. She could see Before next to her, most certainly feel the pressure of his hand, and without even hesitating she wrapped her free arm around him in a tight hug. She was shuddering, visibly, and without fulling letting him go she looked for the others.
They were there and she felt relieved but also. . . different. Something was wrong, she could feel it in the core of her body, but when she looked herself over nothing had changed. At least, nothing on the outside. The look on her face gave away what she was feeling as she looked at the two Halloween students and her voice cracked as she spoke to them. ". . . .s'all mah fault." Ofelia didn't specify what she meant, didn't go into detail. All she did was turn back to Before to assess him, wondering what had made him scream.
Her shoulders were still visibly shaking.
Stats:
Name: Ofelia "Ofie" Tanner HP: 35 FEAR Strength: 95% Insanity Strength: 25% Items: Corrupted Runic Bandages RP Blurb: One-eyed, red-headed hunter in flip flops. Currently holding Before's hand and looking slightly bewildered
Ol-j-man
prepare yourself
AyeAvast
for a slightly paranoid
Huni Pi
and clingy ofie Q_____Q
Rown
Friendly Hunter
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medigel
Anxious Spirit
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Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:38 am
There wasn't any one word to describe his reaction to the hunters' continual kindness, only a host of them threaded together into a complicated tapestry that just made his head hurt to try and wrap around. So he tried to ignore both the host of moral issues that he would soon be tackling after this and the dull ache that still persisted ever since he had woken up and gave Before a thankful nod along with his ghoulfriend's grateful responses; had the figure not been there, he would have relaxed then, maybe ask a little after the hunters in his growing curiosity.
As it was, the unsettling form only made him more edgy, enough that a small jolt went through him at the sound of the male hunter's scream and, noting that Belladonna still had a clutch on him, he made to apologize - but his mouth shut with surprise as the fog began to rise around their legs, like something had disturbed it. Alarmed, he watched the other three seem to blur into the background as the mists came forth, and if it hadn't been for the witch's hold he would have moved to make sure not all of them left. Just a trick, just a passing trick . . . none of them were moving, so they couldn't be separated, right?
So . . . So why did their voices get more muffled? Why was he slowly losing the feeling of the witch's hold on his arm? Mort wanted to call out, wanted to reach out and make sure that what he was seeing wasn't real, but his limbs felt like they were fighting through jelly all of a sudden. The three were each engaged with something else, and just before the words left his lips he felt compelled, if not forced, to shut his mouth and face forward just as they were.
There was the figure with a teeming mass of people behind him. It spoke to him, but Mort didn't hear at first. No, he was peering at the foggy group behind it, shocked to find not a parade of monsters but a smearing of his friends lined up together, unable to look him in the eye if not regarding him with a vague sense of hostility. Alex, Amrita, Aymet, Mei, Leo, Freya, Sal . . . a smattering of others he knew but had not seen in a while joined them, and tougether their combined mix of fear and unwarranted annoyance made his skin crawl. Strangest and most gut wrenching of all was the dainty, colorless figure of Belladonna who stood among them, her eyes averted but her melancholy expression clear. In that moment he forgot that Ofelia and her partner were part of the group. He forgot most everything really, save for the soft words from the figure and the pang in his core at the sight of his ghoulfriend so dejected.
But . . . Yes, he could still feel a light pressure on his arm where she had been grasping. Or was that the strange power the fog man had over him? No no, Mort had established this was the reality, this was the real Belladonna beside him. No logic was supposed to be able to sway him in that regard. But the house didn't work on logic, no, it fed and regurgitated chaos and unpredictable shifts, and the sight alone of so many people he knew in possible danger reeled him in. Maybe they weren't the actual people themselves, but the fragments of what Insanity had taken during their stay. It was conceivable that Alex had fallen to become part of the mist just as they had, for instance . . . Jack.
Mort didn't know what he stole, but the figure seemed to insistent on it that he didn't fight. With a tight face he surveyed the forlorn shadows of friends, the idea that they were out of reach and unable to be helped maddening him until, with a soft growl, he turned to the figure and said, "Take me instead. L-Let one've 'em go." He knew he shouldn't have the gall to suggest who since he had no leverage, not without knowledge of what it was the thing wanted. But he gazed at the gray Belladonna and prayed and pondered and prayed some more. Better to have them both out of the fog's custody, fake or real - one couldn't be too sure, and he wanted his bases covered. "L-Let her go, please . . ."
Sure enough, the figure nodded and accepted his deal, and the mist enveloped him as he stood tall and rooted to the spot, closing his eyes and waiting for the familiar rush of chaos take him over again -
Only to find that the soft tingle of fog was receding again, and there was more pressure against his arm. Blinking his eyes open, he looked down to see the witch had her face pressed into him as if frightened of something, and a look to the side revealed that the Hunters too were back and in full colors as well - albeit more shaken than before. Mort himself didn't feel as good as he had before, and he glanced at the shifting fog uneasily for a few moments, certain that something still lurked beyond their vision.
"Mrrr . . ." Pushing his glasses up and doing his best to shrug off the subtle layer of chill over him, Mort touched Belladonna's face lightly with his free hand, a sigh of relief escaping him at how warm it felt. "Hey. Bells? S'alright," he murmured, moving to ease her digging nails but not to pry them. "S'alright . . ." Because she was alright now, he was sure.
Ofelia looked particularly shaken, and he remembered how "Clover" had screamed right before the fog had engulfed them. "Y-You guys, er, okay over there?" Mort asked, knowing that the word was an awful description considering where they were. But by Jack, they were probably going to have to go through a few more ordeals before they found a way out, knowing the way fate worked.
Name: Mortimer McNeal Faction: Student HP: 50/50 Fear: 95% Insanity: 15% Visual Reference:Here with the hood down
-AyeAvast
-Rown
-Huni Pi
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:46 pm
For once, the darkness was preferable to sight as Belladonna continued to clutch at Mort's arm. Time passed in an odd, distorted manner where she knew it was continuing on but felt as though it perhaps wasn't. But if she were to relinquish her hold, to surrender the safety of fabric and contact, then she would surely discover that no time had passed and the witch would have to face that imposing figure once more. So she stayed where she was, curled around Mort's arm and turned away, concentrating on what scent that could be gleaned from him. A variety of voices, familiar and unfamiliar alike, echoed around her and though her own curiosity gnawed to know who it was, to look and see what they were speaking of, still she remained. If she gave up, she would surely descend into the madness from before, lose herself in all this fog. This jackdamned fog that was so familiar, like an unwelcome guest who refused to leave. At least this time the voices speaking were unclear, staticy and indecipherable. It was ridiculous to actually stop and be thankful for such, but Belladonna really was glad that she couldn't understand the whispers. Last time they had taunted her, her sisters and her family and lost friends and lost loves. Each person had whispered their hatred, their betrayal and their anger right in her ear, until she had literally broken and had to hide away. Now all there was were the occasional mumble of a phrase, half spoken, half heard and lacking any sort of real menace. The witch could handle that, she could ignore it. What she could not ignore in this odd reverie was the distinct, yet nearly indescribable feeling of numbness under her hands. As Belladonna had concentrated on the strange snippets of words, she had slowly lost the feeling of fabric beneath her fingers. Distracted by one sense, she forgot to remember the other until with a small gasp the witch tightened her grip and could only feel a thin chill of mist beneath her fingertips. It was insubstantial, not the full feeling of a muscled arm. Had the fog taken him too? Had the witch closed her eyes and lost him when she should have stayed diligent, when she had promised not to loose him? For one brief flash of a moment she almost opened her eyes, almost let the darkness go for even just a small bit of blue. No. Keep faith, keep your own light. So even though a small little whimper rose in her throat, Belladonna only squeezed her eyes tighter and pressed her hands together harder, hoping that maybe force could return to her what'd she lost.
It was such a surprise then, when amid the lack of sensation, a chill bloomed on her cheek. Unable to hold herself cloistered in the darkness any longer Belladonna wrenched her head backwards with another gasp and looked up to find Mort exactly where she'd left him. Momentarily she threw propriety to the wind and pulled him down for a quick kiss, even quicker to wipe the little tears at the edges of her eyes away. "Yes, alright." She agreed with a smile as she lowered herself back down and looked over to the Hunter pair. The fact that Ofie, a much taller and tougher looking ghoul, looked so visibly shaken pulled at Belladonna's heart. With a purse of her lips she grabbed Mort's hand once more and gently pulled him closer. Perhaps it was traitorous of her, but she had already silently vowed to help them, and would do and offer what she could. Even if was only a small hand on Ofie's arm, it was still something. "Just an illusion." Belladonna offered with a smile up at her. The fog was oppressing, but they had formed a group. And together they could conquer this. This intangible monster would surely fall to the force of sudden friendship, and even if the witch found that a farfetched idea, it was still one she would cling to. Yet even so, the witch lingered only a moment or two longer before she turned back away, out toward the fog. A glint off in the distance caught her gaze, made her take a tentative step out. The glint became a pull that drew her further out from the group, enough that her hold on Mort became a stretch on her arm as she pulled away from him. As her fingers slid from his, as the witch broke her concentration on the light to glance back at him, the floor suddenly rose up to greet her.
Forcefully she fell forward, hands splayed out to catch herself, but only found the floor and a smeared dark substance. A form was under her feet and she hastily disentangled herself from it, only to discover quite a lot more of the dark substance had leaked from the fallen form. A gaping hole from the mysterious figure's side stared up at Belladonna and with a shriek she threw both hands over it. "Oh Hecate, Mort, Ofie, errrrr Clover? One of you, come help me! There's.... Someone? I can't tell, but they're-- Bleeding, oh batshit!" Pink eyes quickly scanned what she could, as Belladonna attempted to assess the injury. It was really, really bad. This was not what she needed right now, this was not helping and the fallen person was not saying anything. They weren't even moving. Already shaken from earlier, Belladonna began to feel her hands shake even as they remained clamped down on the wound. For one frantic moment she stared at all the blood that had poured onto the ground, onto her, that had stained her white skin. In a flash of pink her card was out and the witch began an attempt to heal whoever this was. "One of you, please... Please come help me... I can't... I can't do this alone..." Belladonna mumbled as a small moon bloomed over the injured person. She'd only taken a few steps away, how had the fog filled in the gaps so easily? How was she already alone but still so close? Still, she waited for a response and only concentrated on the little light her card gave as she worked a healing spell.
AyeAvast
Sparkly Bunny
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Rown
Friendly Hunter
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:01 pm
Ofelia kept herself against Before, even as Belladonna touched her arm, though she did turn her head around and glance at the pair. To have someone worry about her made her heart ache, she was supposed to be helping them, and a faint smile that was clearly forced pressed on her lips. She wanted to say thanks, wanted to do more, but the witch was moving towards something and Ofelia released Before's hand, following closely. She didn't want her to wander away, didn't want her to do anything, but as she witnessed the witch bending down to lend aide to someone the hunter reached over and grabbed the witch's wrist.
Her grip was strong yet gentle, it hadn't been a touch to hurt. Instead she pulled the girl aside, moving her own body in front of the injured party. "No...yer...too pure ta doin' this. Ah...dun wanna see yer kind an' gentle hands be sullied in this way." Was she doing it because she wanted to show them she was willing to heal someone, or was it because she just. . . wanted to help? Was she making amends, or was she just? Rue was still quiet, still so quiet, and the teen bit her lip as she looked down and tried to help in any way she could. She was going to heal the figure, even if she didn't know how, all she managed to do was shred up her shirt in the process. Strips of fabric were okay, everything was okay, this person was. . .
. . . not one of her own, not anyone of her kind. As she finished treating them, as she tried hard to fix the problem, they still expired beneath her hands. Was she trying to save them because she knew they were an enemy, or had she done it because she just didn't want to let anyone die? Still, the figure was gone, their blood was soaking her hands, and Ofelia raised them up to the sides of her face with a hideous shriek. The blood left streaks against her tanned skin, giving the impression she was weeping red from both eyes, and she kept screaming as her nails dug into her flesh.
What had she done, what had she done?!
Stats:
Name: Ofelia "Ofie" Tanner HP: 35 FEAR Strength: 95% Insanity Strength: 50% Items: Corrupted Runic Bandages RP Blurb: One-eyed, red-headed hunter in flip flops. Currently holding Before's hand and looking slightly bewildered
