[1v1] Those That Fight On [Mort/Kat] (FIN)

[medigel]

So that was where they could get their power source . . . Not just from the FEAR of humans, but by sapping some from the shields of Hunters themselves. Though Mort wondered why it was only theirs that this applied to, rather than say a natural Halloweener's or horseman's? Was it influenced by Medea's deep-rooted hatred or just naturally so? The high priestess's power beguiled him so . . .

Well at any rate, there he was. The same misty graveyard of a front lawn, the same looming building with broken windows and rooms that couldn't logically fit in those confines, the same eerie silence he had come to be acquainted with any time he visited. One door was slightly ajar as if to invite him in, but Mort did not answer its call this time. His first few visits had been spent trying to understand how the house worked, but today he decided that investigating the exterior was just as important to his research. He wanted to know both the lay of the land as well as how far he could go, to see just what sort of influences were at work in this strange gray area between humans and Halloween.

It must be like those portals in the trees, Mort thought as he sauntered about campus, hands in his coat pockets. Only at least they had a definitive list of thigns to expect: Christmas with its elves and peppermint-burning JOY, Valentines with its sickly cute gnomes . . . What would the Haunted House be classified as? A weak point? A research point? Both? He "mrr'd" softly to himself as he moved forward.  

[medigel]

Like a good little zombie, Mort took his time in stopping, turning his head, and staring down the barrel . . . Oh dear. Barrels. Staring down the barrels of guns. Two guns. Tiny pinpricks from that distance, but full size pricks to his species nevertheless. For a moment Mort seized up instinctually, metaphorical hackles raised, before he turned his gaze towards the Hunter rather than the weapon.

Did he recognize her? Mmm . . . somewhat. One Hunter looked the same as the next after a while, especially the new ones. But he assumed she was new: Mort had never encountered or heard of a dual wielding gunner in their ranks before. "Yeah?" he called back, casual as you may please. He hadn't been looking for a fight (for once) and had hoped it was possible to investigate the Haunted House without interruption from the Hunters.

Then again, he supposed, it would be like going to a bar and not ordering a drink.

One hand, his still fleshy one, eased out of its pocket and hung by his side, ready to charge if he heard the tell-tale sound of a cocked gun. "Come to investigate house too?"  

[medigel]

Pests, huh? Well he supposed they'd been called worse before . . . Mort offered her a wan smile at her question and replied, "Only if try to make 'em. Friend with many swords did a while back. Not pleasant feeling if can imagine - s'the snap've bones that's hardest, I think." He watched how her expression grew distasteful as she drew near and fought the urge to try and get her stomach turning as well. Not yet. Not unless provoked.

. . . Well alright, maybe a little unprovoked. Mort took a step towards her even as his body screamed not to, his unconcerned air at odds with his tensed posture. Guns guns guns, bad guns bad guns bad guns very bad -

"M'curious if can answer quick question. D'you know Hunter ghoul with dark hair n' red scarf?" Mort asked. "Think had scythes on coat, o-or somethin' curved. Was at coliseum fight," he offered in the case this Hunter had been there as well.  

[medigel]

Mort chuckled a little despite himself at her displeasure, though the guns stopped him from moving further. Still, he placed a hand on his hip and shook his head a bit, amused; he probably wouldn't have been as easy going if there wasn't a FEAR shield between him and a few new bullet wounds. "S'funny. Sometimes forget you're human too, n' not just Hunter," he said with a cryptic smile. "Guess weapons a-aren't from undead then. Or at least nice enough not giving details. If can ask, who are they?"

Her stare was received with only a simple blink. "Wanted, ah, to know how she was," Mort told her. "Heard took some heat at Lair. Had to be carried off by someone else from fight." He was beating around the bush, wondering how much this particular Hunter knew.  

[medigel]

He waved her confusion away, far more interested in the ghoul he asked after. "Scars, huh?" Mort rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the amusement dying with that knowledge and replaced with something more somber. "Mrrr . . . Well s'good to know you Hunters're tenacious lot. Heh, like didn't know already."

Scars. He had left actual scars on a Hunter when so many other times their barriers had protected them. Mort wasn't sure how exactly to feel about that. Elated? Guilty?

He paused thoughtfully, then brought his hand up so that all of his fingers were slightly curved towards his palm. "Guess, ah, what m'trying to say," something went zzzt and thin branches of electricity began to bridge the gap between his fingers, "is give her my regards. N' my apology too - wanted to knock out, not fry."  

[medigel]

He was afraid she'd react as such. Guess not even trying to be contrite worked with these people.

"Know I did," he agreed with a furrowed brow, cutting off the energy in his hand and taking a more defensive stance, where the energy was more properly distributed. "N' will take what you shoot me with if pleases. But will still pass apology on to her?" It was the strangest thing; he never expected to be apologizing to a Hunter, let alone asking one to do it for him. And in the end that ghoul probably wouldn't even take it, assuming his message was delivered.

But he had to clear his conscience one way or the other. While mort was an Initiate, it didn't mean he automatically took well to harming humans on accident.  

[medigel]

Well it was the best that he would get, Mort supposed. Now time to face the music.

Or bullets, rather.

The zomboil visibly winced as he brought his arms up defensively. The bullets made metallic tnn sounds as they scraped Thor, his auto mail arm, and left behind little holes to show it through his sleeve. Never before had he faced guns in battle - it was way different than in the video games. Well just as long as she didn't try going for his head too much, he could pull through . . . Hopefully.

Nodding his thanks, Mort began to charge up Thor and sent a small jolt of energy through his system to get it combat ready - shambling wasn't going to be helping today! Charged, he darted to the side and jumped forward to try and avoid the guns, swinging a fleshy fist her way.

HP: 46
Damage: 6
Distortion Points: 1
FEAR: Recharge Y1 Chill // Upgrade Y2 The Eye // Vengeful Bolts Y3 SS  

[medigel]

When he felt the muzzles press into his side, panic flashed across his face - and then it was succeeded by a yowl of pain as his body was pumped with a barrage of bullets. Why it was he was so afraid of guns, he couldn't quite pinpoint. Maybe it was the loud blasts they issues with each press of the trigger, or maybe it was the make of the projectiles that irritated them, or maybe it was just simply the fact that it was impossible to avoid bullets if they were heading your way.

One thing was for sure: Mort felt sympathy for the ghoul he had injured; he felt nothing for this one.

Teeth clenched, Thor shot out and grasped the Hunter's arm to keep her close, discharging the energy within with a loud hum.

HP: 39
Damage: 5
Distortion Points: 2
FEAR: Recharge Y1 Chill // Upgrade Y2 The Eye // Vengeful Bolts Y3 SS