|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:19 am
"'Insanity is catching'." It was almost a sigh. "The students falling to it I could understand, but we Horsemen are stronger . . ." So he told himself at least. The gryphon's threat to corral him with the Hunters had been met with seriousness after watching him and the others rent their mist creature apart faster than he could get a second attack in.
Slowly, grudgingly, Shik was beginning to accept that Amityville housed quite a few strong Halloweeners.
And then there was Shaheen, whom he was waiting to say something to indicate her sanity - maybe an insult at how close he was to being defeated, or a hilarious observation of how he looked as he fell from the sky. The slap wasn't quite out of left field considering who was delivering it, but Shik was very much going to protest the action (he had just cured her gods damn it, where was that recognition?) when she went and did her usual Shaheen one-eighty and kissed him.
Well . . . that was one way of rewarding him.
He did stop her from falling all the way into his lap, if only because while this was enjoyable there was also a lingering chaos outside to deal with, and if there was one thing the horseman enjoyed as much as this it was battle. "I see you're in good spirits again," he noted simply with a grin, continuing to easer her off so that he might stand from the cot and stretch his wings.(( Insanity Countdown: 2/9 )) -Seussi this is kinda crappy but college qq -Pales he's not ignoring Yuzhi, it's just very hard to ignore Shaheen right now 8D;
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:12 pm
Shik caught her, and that was good, because while she had been putting on a good show of being capable of basic motor skills, she was still feeling weak after her most recent battle and her mind, while clear of the whispers that had haunted it for months now, still felt slightly foggy. She pulled her face away from his, and whispered, "I thought I was never going to get to do either of those things ever again. I can't decide which one I enjoyed more." Her own grin spread across her face, mirroring his as he helped ease her back off of him and to her feet once more. She studied him silently for a moment while he stretched himself, clearly getting himself ready to head back out into the fog. She admittedly wasn't too keen on going back out there, herself, but she knew that this was a war that was being fought, and that she had little choice on the matter. Besides, it would be rather nice to get her revenge on the insanity creature that had done this to her, to begin with. "You saved me." She murmured, reaching out with one hand to glide fingers down the edge of one of his wings, feeling the softness of his feathers, reveling in the fact that she now could do so again. "How? Is it...is it a permanent fix?" She sounded so hopeful, wanting nothing more then to be done with the insanity that had plagued her since The Fall. And then, tacked on at the end, her voice a whisper once more. "I'm sorry I hurt you." Yes, even Shik was getting an apology out of the chieftain. There was a first time for everything. Her gaze flickered over towards Yuzhi, who appeared to be sitting off to the side on her own. She looked so small, so child like, but Shaheen knew better then that, simply from the brutal attacks she had suffered at the conquest woman's spear. "Will you be joining us back outside?" She called out to her, certain that they could use her help and her skills in battle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 4:00 pm
In Yuzhi's little world there was nothing but the stories. A Hero going forth on his travels fighting large, destroying giants, and protecting the weak, things that made heroes worthwhile to read about to the small Scholar as she just continued mouthing the words of tales and rubbing her fingertips against the ground in mindless patterns - anything to keep her mind off of how low she felt, how pathetic people around her made her feel sometimes, possibly without even realizing it.
Hiding her insecurities and pain she was almost unaware of the voice up until the tail end of the question '...outside...?'
Her head snapped up and pale golden eyes looked over toward the pair of War and her expression was unreadable, "I suppose if you want me around," her tone was quiet and indifferent. She was never sure how to accept that sort of invite. Usually, she grabbed sleeves or just told people they were travelling with her, like for example: Zhiqiang.
She felt awkward and out of her stride now as she simply pulled herself up to a stand once more not sure how to behave anymore. Yuzhi hadn't seen anyone else they had been fighting with and simply took it on faith that they were alright. She ignored the worries that tried to invade and make themselves at home. Seussi (It's like that awkward nerdy kid being asked by the popular kids if they want to go hang out or something. Idek.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:48 pm
Hold up, give him a minute to wrap his head around the fact that Shaheen was apologizing. It was sad that he couldn't capitalize on this moment, though, given that her actions had a valid excuse this time. Sigh. But he waved away the apology because just accepting it wouldn't be his style, mimicking the motion with the wing she had touched so that it lightly brushed her arm.
"A warrior makes no apologies for inflicted wounds in combat. Now I'm not sure how long this lasts, but it worked; I won't be ungrateful for that," Shik answered truthfully, deciding to play down the heroic side since, well, to him it hadn't been about heroics - frankly it had been about tossing the damn vial and hoping it worked while trying not to break a wing upon landing. Still, he was grinning nevertheless at the sight of the old Shaheen and wondered just what degree of that remained . . . He couldn't, after all, begin to understand how the Insanity had afflicted the group of horsemen.
To Yuzhi he said, "The more the merrier honestly. We had enough trouble in a group taking on these creatures, so we might as well stay close until we figure out a means to find this ancient. That, and your spear would be most useful." No "Imp" to be heard; Shik must have really been tempered by that last battle. "Shall we?"
(( Insanity Countdown: 3/9 ))
(( Exit pretty much~ ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:32 pm
((Enter))
...Medea has an interesting ability which Eisheth really admired: was it the havoc of the battle, or the chaos of insanity, Head Priestess's voice could always reach each of them, every single horseman of the Lost Clan. Was it the part of the Guidance? The alchemist never truly believed in that Death thing, but practically, - and she could not deny that, - Guidance did worked, or was it the scent of Medea's incense that cleared the clouds of the Insanity around?
Eisheth bowed to the Priestess, and received a vial. The liquid, the colour, texture, and the smell of it were too familiar not to recognize them. For a moment the alchemist wondered, if Medea actually has a huge supply of it...
She turned around looking who else was attracted by their leader's call.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:55 pm
"Shikoba...You are a friend and I was intent on killing you. Despite making that threat multiple times in the past, it was always idle and empty." She just shook her head at him, not wanting to argue over such a simple and silly thing. If he would not accept her apology then there was nothing she could do about it. That didn't change the fact that she was now in his debt, repaying both for what she'd done to him and what he had done for her. So, whatever liquid he had used on her from the vial...the properties of it might not have a lasting effect. That was quite disappointing, to say the least, but at the same time it was hard to be upset when finally for once her head felt clear. If she began to revert...well, she would worry about that when the time came. And now back to Yuzhi. "What he said." She shrugged, more then willing to allow the smaller woman to tag along if she wished. Her hands itched to hold her dagger once more, and she hungered for more battle now that she could rejoin the fray. When Shik made his exit she followed on his heels, casting a glance behind her towards Yuzhi and tilting her head to indicate once again, that she should join them. ((Exit)) Pales sorry this took so long! thanksgiving weekend here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:56 pm
(( Enter ))
For a few moments Mort truly thought he had gotten them lost again. Fog had swallowed everything to the point that he felt like they might have been walking in place, in the same landscape that stretched forever and ever without end. It was only when he smelled something strange that the zomboil managed to get them on track. It was familiar to all three after all: the incense had been used during their mass trance back to the past.
And as he led them by his nose and the fog began to make way for a clearly lit path, Mort pulled the witch close and assured with a soft growl, "Won't let them take you away from me," in utmost seriousness and with utmost conviction, which might have been reinforced all the more if he wasn't also trying to hide a growing wince. The large wound from her Death card's lance would not soon be forgotten, and while one arm was intently keeping the witch close, the other hand was pressed against the bleeding wound as if it could clench it closed.
Better blood than fog though. Every misty lick at his heels made him more and more aware of their growing creeping, and in his refusal to look down he did not see what was also transpiring with his ghoulfriend. All he could focus on was the path.
At length the path ended at a small area cleared of fog, lit by a bonfire that Mort would have steered quite clear of if it weren't for the huddled figure before it. He stared at who he knew was Medea, and yet never had he seen the Head Priestess look so ashen. Alex hadn't mentioned her condition . . . "M-Miss Medea?" he asked apprehensively, trying not to stare. "Did something happen?" And as he asked he glanced at Alex and Belladonna, shooting them a look that said "wat".
If the Head Priestess was in this condition, then maybe it really was folly to keep up hope. He might have been "cured" of Insanity, but even in the clearing there was a vague unease in his mind that refused to leave and that, as they had walked, was slowly taking root with chilly tendrils.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:35 pm
((Enter~)) The fact that Belladonna did not manage to loose Mort along the journey through the fog was incredible on its own, but the very idea that she was allowed into the tent, unmarked and thus un-initiated as she was, made her nearly believe she had fully dove into Insanity. When that little tickle of a scent caught her nose, when the witch only nodded up at her zombie with a dull "I know, thank you love.", she was sure she had lost herself. But yet the enclosure blossomed into her vision, the fire radiated with warmth and though the fog lessened and she felt incredibly vulnerable without its safety, she was still glad to see the comfort of the Clans that remained. From her knees down the witch had formed wholly transparent, all grey and see-through and anyone who cared to looked would notice such. Already the edges of her curled hair were beginning to loose their color, beginning to further curl from her body with a mind of their own. But, somehow, Belladonna managed to hold on, whether it be with her more forceful clutch onto Mort or by sheer willpower alone, she managed to keep herself together for just a little longer. Because she was so insistent on making sure she didn't burst into something that wasn't herself, Belladonna was totally unprepared for the sight of the huddled cloak in front of the fire. She was even more unprepared for who that cloak belonged to. "M-Medea?!" The witch managed in a somewhat hushed voice, as her eyes went wide to take in the sight. This creature... This huddled little form, with its flowers and lack of wings... This small woman, who Belladonna had built up in her head as this all powerful Horsewoman was... Was... Not anything like she had expected. If the witch were being truly honest with herself, Medea looked... A little like herself. Sure, she had seen her from very far away during The Trance, but the witch just figured she had been hiding behind that cloak. Not... Not that she was this fragile little thing in front of a fire, something able to be broken and worn down... For a moment Belladonna stepped forward, prepared to wrap her arms around this small thing who was so like herself, unremarkable on the outside but for her fierce determination to protect those she loved most. But that odd feeling deep within, that something was wrong, that her transparent feet might simply drop her down, made her halt. Instead the witch drew back behind Mort. "Thank you... For letting me into your... Safety." Her voice faltered on the words to the Priestess, unable to fully articulate everything she wanted to say. There were too many emotions pressing in, too much for her to ask and think on. "I like your flowers." Belladonna added with the smallest of smiles, as she fully placed herself behind the zomboil and pressed her forehead to the back of his shoulder blades. Like a child she hid, for that was how all the Horsemen viewed her, a tiny child who knew nothing. If Medea thought the same, it would be a comfort in a suddenly unsettling setting. Momentarily she peeked backwards, to see if Alexander had followed, hoping that she could at least keep two zombies safe. Even if the safety was fleeting, even if she could feel herself fading away into the fog that called for her and Home, it would be an accomplishment. Quickly the witch returned her pink gaze to the Priestess, though she remained partially hidden, only the edges of her body peeking around Mort at the small woman in front of the fire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:50 pm
((Enter)) Of course Alexander had followed. Wasn't he supposed to be leading them here, having already been to the tent once before, himself? Not that it was easy to find the way back, in the thick fog with everything obscured and forever changing. Like Mort the first thing he noticed was the smell, and like Mort he had opted to follow his nose, his sense of smell having never let him down in the past when searching for something to eat. At the moment the witch that accompanied them to Medea's tent, the one small refuge in the midst of all this madness that the horsemen and initiates had, was safe from notice by the zomboil who was concentrating far too hard on not getting lost. Their trek had been silent and steady, and had taken far longer then the zomboil would have necessarily liked. However, once they finally arrived his shoulders sagged in relief, and he waited for both Mort and Belladonna to enter the enclosure before he pushed his way inside himself. It was just as he had left it, the sight of Medea huddled up coming as no surprise to Alex as she looked pretty much like she had not moved even a millimeter since he had been in the tent last. He shuffled forward with the others, for now remaining silent, his hands shoved into his pockets. He was sure Mort would ask pretty much the same questions that lingered on his own mind, after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
