[BATTLE] The Hands of the Devil (Magellan/Thuban/Obsidian)

[derivative]

Derivative

There weren't many out and about at the obscene hour of the morning that Daniela Rymner found herself outside, dressed quite warmly and cutely, but that was how she liked it. In each hand she held a tiny leash, attached to a tiny harness, wrapped around a tiny dog - it was a theme she had going, one that she found adorable. Tick favored yellow, Tock purple, which had the added benefit of being complementary colors. For herself, Dani had chosen her navy sweatsuit, and all together, they could have been an advertisement for Good Dog Parenting, or something similar, if such things had advertisements.

Truthfully, walking the dogs wasn't Dani's favorite activity, but because they were her pets, she had to take responsibility. During the week she generally left the task to after she'd come home from her afternoon jog, but since it was Saturday and the weather forecast promised blue skies, she'd thought it best to get a super early start to her day. She'd already been for her own run, of course, but when she'd headed home to change, the dogs had looked at her so pitifully. There was no way she would've been able to make them wait for their walk.

Pausing to let the dogs potty (because of course the moment Tock went pee, Tick suddenly had to as well) she glanced around, lips pursed slightly. Though the bruises on her face had faded for the most part, she still looked a little bit like a battered girlfriend, and it bothered her. She was used to getting second looks while she was out and about, but for completely different reasons. Next time, she'd have to be more careful to protect her face. It brought up too many uncomfortable questions, some of them at school, and she was running out of excuses that didn't completely cripple her ego.

Brows drawing inward, she muttered, "If I have to tell someone I fell off the rock wall again, I'm going to scream."

The dogs tugged at her hands and she blinked, seeing that they were busily engaged in chasing one another's tails, clearly done relieving themselves. She rolled her eyes, whistling for their attention, and began to walk again.

Though the path was mostly deserted, she heard footfalls behind her and glanced over her shoulder, the action more instinct than design nowadays. After getting her a** handed to her by a youma, Dani was a little jumpier than she'd ever been. What was approaching her, however, was not a youma.

Eyebrows hiking, she realized it was someone she went to school with. And my, did he have fine form.

She didn't want to block his way entirely, so she sidestepped, clucking at her dogs to do the same. Unfortunately, Tock seemed to decide that the boy posed a sufficient threat to his owner, as the hair on his back bristled and he proceeded to yap in the direction of the jogger.

Frowning, Dani commanded, "Quiet, Tock."

Shazari

Being sternly upbraided by a five-pound dog was enough to disrupt Charlie Boyle's morning run.

Every day, at 6 am, Char rolled out of bed, pulled on some clothes, and went for his morning run through Courseview Park -- weather permitting, of course. Today promised sunshine, and the morning fog was lifting, leaving sweaty dew on the grass off the jogging trails. It was a good day for a run.

Charlie liked running in the park along the exercise trail. He'd been coming to Courseview Park since he was a kid, back when it really did have a view onto the golf course on the next spread of acreage over. That was before the golf club had had enough of the complaints about their course not being called "Parkview" and having to see joggers and frolicking children and dogs and frisbees all the time. After that, the golf club had discreetly planted trees between the two lots, and the trees had discreetly grown over a few years into a forest, and 'Courseview' had become inaccurate. The locals all called it Corkscrew Park now, for the way all the jogging paths wound around the numerous little duck ponds -- there was a bit of bad blood between the dedicated park-goers and the golf club, but outright changing the name to something else would have seemed a little petulant.

Charlie realized he recognized the jogger, dressed up for a real workout but hampered by the two dogs. He pulled up short, and glowered decidedly at the yappy little dog who'd accosted him. (There was nothing Charlie was too mature to glower at, nothing.) The girl went to his school. He'd seen her springy, probably-dyed hair before.

"They're only going to slow you down, you know," he told her critically. "Which is no way to get a workout. It's such a waste, people used to go running with real dogs, now it's all these -- fashion pets," he observed with distaste. "Just please, don't tell me you carry them around in your purse."

Derivative

Well. When the Nice View opened its big mouth, the illusion was shattered.

What had started as a welcoming smile quickly faded to an unimpressed lip curl, brows arched in irritation. While he did have good form and obviously knew what he was doing running-wise, Dani didn't appreciate being criticized by anyone, anytime. It didn't matter if they'd been born running. She was just as capable of running just as prettily, and in fact, could probably leave him in her dust if she hadn't had two dogs (Good job, Tock; he's obviously a jerk) occupying her time and attention. Yeah, this guy had no idea who he was talking to, clearly.

Shifting her weight to one leg, she cocked a hip and tossed her hair back, expression cool. When she spoke, there wasn't any of the usual bubble and cheer; instead, she sounded quite nasty, and very typically of a fifteen year-old girl. "For someone who has no idea what he's talking about, you seem pretty sure of yourself."

Because of the scolding, her dogs were poised at her feet, ears cocked toward the boy, bodies all but vibrating with the need to rush forward and become acquainted. Idly, she considered letting them, knowing that her "fashion dogs" would, in their excitement, possibly pee on his shoes. The thought made her lips twitch, but she quickly smothered the smile, not wanting to give herself away.

It was, after all, still an option.

Fisting a hand against her hip, she added, "I've already been for my run, for as much as it's your business, and as to my purse? Completely none of your business."

There was clearly a reason she and Mr. Nice Legs had never become acquainted despite going to the same school.

He was, obviously, a condescending jerkwad.

Shazari

This girl obviously had an ego the size of lower Manhattan. Her ego had obviously climbed the Empire State Building, beat its chest and howled, and then devoured lower Manhattan. Charlie could see no other explanation for her utterly unprovoked bad attitude.

He picked up his right foot and cradled his cross-trainer in one hand, bending his foot up behind him to keep stretched while he continued to accost a girl who had just been going about her business argue about running with a bad-tempered young girl from his school. Then he shifted his weight and did the same with the other foot. "I'm sure I know plenty more about running than you do. You can talk to me about running when you make the varsity track team, or beat me in a race. But until then? Save it."

He pointed sternly down at the dogs. "The both of you, too, if you know what's good for you."

 

[derivative]

Everything in Dani screamed to drop the leashes, then and there, and challenge the boy to a race. She could practically feel her skin hum with the idea of it, and unconsciously, she tightened her hands on the leashes, as if to remind herself that no, really, that wasn't a good idea. Where did this guy get off, anyway? She'd just been minding her own business, taking her dogs for a leisurely walk, and he'd decided it was his solemn duty to bust in and try to criticize on something that came as naturally to her as breathing.

Seriously, did she look like she needed someone lecturing her? She was obviously in great shape, and she'd thought she made it pretty clear that his unsolicited advice was just that - unsolicited, and unwanted. Apparently, Ego Boy couldn't get it through his head, however.

Ugh, she hated boys like that. Precisely the reason she was still single. Precisely.

Shifting so that the leashes were both held in one hand, she pointed accusingly at him, blue brows dipping into a frown. "Don't take that tone with me, prissy pants. Just because you think you're God's gift to the jogging path doesn't mean you are - it just means something's wrong with your head."

Unnecessarily harsh, but she didn't care. He'd asked for it, hadn't he? Standing there in his shorts, looking for all the world like someone she'd totally want to get to know if he maybe, you know, got a lobotomy and a personality transplant. And then he had the nerve to scold her dogs?

All but bristling, she added heatedly, "And don't you point your finger at my dogs, you... you jerk. They haven't done a single thing to you except bark, and last I checked, there weren't any terrible side effects from being barked at."

Huffing out a breath, annoyance and teenaged temper clearly in her face, she fisted one hand on her hip once more and continued to glare at him. Really, it was almost amazing - one might think her face would get tired, but no, not at all. "By the way, I could completely take you in a race."

Because it had to be said.

Because it was totally true.  

[derivative]

(( Note: Sorry, Tsu! I forgot to send you the new link. D= When the guilds were messing up, I thought we had to remake threads or else they'd be out of order, so this one was made. I'll reply after I repost your response! <3 ))

Tsunake

It was a cold morning, the chill doing wonders to wake him up during the early morning hours, and Andrew Collins was feeling pretty good. Snagged himself a cup of coffee, changed into an old track suit, and he'd hit the streets to take what he considered to be a 'light' jog. It'd been about an hour and a half just going around the block, getting his legs warmed up, the usual. He was used to the solitude, especially at this time of day. Gave him time to think before the job--both as a gym teacher and a Negaverse lieutenant.

Heated puffs of air slipped past his lips in slow and steady rhythm as he picked up the pace slightly, rounding the corner. Normally on these types of runs, he didn't really focus on his surroundings; there wasn't anything to pay attention to. So when he spied the older man unexpectedly fiddling with his keys, clearly locking his door before he set off.

Drew knew opportunity when he saw it.

His movements were defined by a patient eagerness now, careful not to tread too closely on the heels of his victim-to-be. The geezer was setting the pace now, and the location too, it seemed. Soon they'd left the urban jungle for a more realistic one, and he had to tread carefully so not stomp on any leaves or twigs to give his location away. At least, until they were out of sight.

He made his move, quick and brutal, driving a knee into the old man's back and shoving him hard down into the cold ground. There was no time for a scream, but he did get to savor a few startled, panicked sounds before he'd plunged his hand into the man's back. It was an easy thing to pluck his star seed free, and when he straightened up, it was no longer Andrew Collins, but Lieutenant Obsidian who idly admired his prize.

And what of his jogging companion? Green eyes flickered to focus on the silent body. Well, he'd be dead soon. With a soft snort, he let the star seed vanish, brushing his fingers together as though dusting them free of filth. There was a reason he never seemed to keep said companions for long...

 

[derivative]

Glaring fiercely as she was, Dani was understandably a bit distracted. Distracted enough that when her dogs suddenly lunged together she lost her grip on their leashes, surprise quickly overtaking her expression. She wheeled around in time to see them speeding of like two dark brown bullets, and she shouted, "Tick! Tock! Get back here!"

On a normal day, they would have. Her dogs were very well trained, able to be silenced by a single sharp command from her or either of her parents. To be utterly ignored by them was a shock, and it roused her temper back to its previous levels quite easily. Not only did she have to deal with Ego Boy, but now her dogs were misbehaving?

She shot the unfortunate jogger a heated look, accusing, "This is your fault, so help me!" before she sprinted off after them.

Well, Dani could run. This much was obvious.

Her dogs had a bit of a lead, though, and had already disappeared between some trees, barking wildly.  

[Shazari]

Charlie had no idea how on earth this was his fault. As far as he was concerned, it was Dani's fault, both for not hanging onto her dogs well enough, and for bringing them out jogging with her in the first place. He was not responsible for either of these things. Nonetheless, he was Charlie Boyle, and his natural instinct when confronted with an unpleasant situation was to complain a great deal and help with the situation. "This is not my fault!" he called back, and set off at a run.

Unfortunately, previously unbeknownst to Charlie, it was a known fact of the universe that any dog, no matter how small, can evade human capture due to its superior maneuverability. Dani and Charlie found themselves racing into the trees, brown leaves crunching beneath their heavy footfalls, twigs slapping them in the face. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't successful, either, till the dogs each stopped, suddenly, cocking their heads. Their ears were pricked. Charlie pulled up to a stop, grabbing one of the little dogs by its dragging leash.

Once they were still, he heard it too -- and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up on end. It was a blunted scream. The dogs both howled. "Dani..." Charlie said uneasily, wondering how quickly he could get rid of her to transform and go fight.  

[derivative]

Dani was halfway through huffily taking Tock's leash back when she heard the muted scream, and it made her heart skip a beat. That wasn't just the average everyday sound of someone who had fallen and hurt themselves. Her dogs wouldn't have freaked out and led her to a jogger who had twisted their ankle -- wait, why were her dogs leading her anywhere at all? Unsteady, she glanced down at them, worrying her lower lip. Were they like, sensors for evil, or something? Did that even make sense?

She shifted her weight from foot to foot, green eyes flicking back to Charlie coolly. If this was what she thought it was, and she thought it was a youma, she needed to get him out of there and transform so she could go kick its butt. She also needed to get her dogs out of there.

They were too far away from home for Tick and Tock to be able to get there, but she turned to them anyway, saying fiercely, "Go home!"

The dogs wasted no time in streaking in the opposite direction, clearly confused as they gained distance, their home not in sight. Dani let out an uneasy breath, at least pleased that they'd be relatively out of harm's way for a little while, and shoved her hand in her pocket.

Henshin pen. But she still had the egotistical jogger to deal with.

"You should get lost," she finally said, no grace or tact. Her fingers curled around her pen, and she had a brief internal debate. Would he recognize it for what it was? Probably not, unless he was a senshi as well. The idea was ridiculous enough that she removed the pen, pointed at him with it. "Like, now."

She didn't call out her henshin, but instead began to creep around the trunk of a rather impressive tree, peering. She cast him another glance, expression clearly saying she wanted nothing to do with him.  

[Tsunake]

His eyes slid to their corners at the faint sound of yapping, listening as it slowly began to swell in volume. Dogs? And, unless the woods had suddenly turned into a sanctuary for wild, possibly rabid beasts, that mean there'd be people with them, too.

No harm in collecting a few more starseeds for the day, right?

The lieutenant turned casually, both listening, and waiting. He saw no reason to hide or disguise himself; if they saw the prone body crumpled just behind his boots and ran, he was confident he'd catch up to them in no time. Better yet, maybe they'd rush over to help. Then he could take his time, toying with whoever it was until he grew bored.

The thought was enough to pull a slight grin on his face, and the man idly tossed the starseed up and down with casual indifference. A man's life, in his palm? More or less. It didn't matter to him, not really. In fact, he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the process.

A sharp whistle burst from his lips as though to better attract the attention of the animals and summon them right to him. He wasn't a dog person by any means, but today would be a rare exception.  

[Shazari]

Charlie's eyebrows twitched at the sound of the shrill whistle, somewhere between a flinch and a grimace, but he didn't go anywhere like Dani had hoped he would. Instead, he looked down at her hand, clutched around her henshin pen, and barked out a short laugh. "No kidding," he marveled, which was at least something less of an insult than, say, 'you've got to be kidding.'

He unzipped one of the pockets of his tracksuit, and produced a pen that looked very, very, disturbingly similar. "I think we shop at the same Staples," Charlie intoned, holding up his pen.

There was a chance that she was some kind of corrupted senshi, or that the pen was fake altogether, and all of this was a Negaverse trap designed to reveal his identity and then take his starseed -- but, being an Occam's razor sort, none of this particularly occured to Charlie at the time. "Thuban Star Power, Make Up!" he called -- and in a few seconds, Sailor Thuban had taken his place.