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 Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 7:46 pm
Mechanics
You must get through 5 waves of attacks to make it through the tunnel.
Simply roll for attack as you would in battle.
If you miss, your character falters in their attacking and is overwhelmed by shadowlings.
After 3 successful hits, you may use your weapon's charge attack.
[quote="Status"]
[size=14][color=#00BFFF][b]Wave: (current wave number)[/b][/color][/size]
[b]Attack Dmg:[/b]
[b]Total Shadowlings taken out:[/b]
[b]Recoveries left:[/b]
[/quote]
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 7:54 pm
It was early evening, the sun just setting. Harland set his hat on his head and secured his red bandana, tugging on his Death Division duster with its gold trim and sliding his phone into his jeans' pocket. Chaps, check. Cowboy boots, check. He ran a hand through his sunny hair, and as a last thought grabbed a thin strip of leather he had lying next to his desk and used it to tie his hair into a short ponytail at the base of his head. Out of the way, because they were about to attempt something that he wasn't too confident about.
By they, it was going to be Alistaire and Harland together. Harland was worried because he didn't know if they could both make it out together. He didn't know what it would be like, once they stepped through that portal. He had healed from their most recent trip to the Sahara, sure, but that didn't mean he was super looking forward to being mauled.
Pain wasn't his favourite sensation in the world. Admittedly, unless it was Alistaire biting him-- he felt goosebumps form just thinking about Alistaire's mouth on his skin, teeth against flesh-- the spark of pain followed by the longing he felt.
Harland cleared his throat as he opened his door.
☆≼I should have made sure you were straight before I called you over,≽ Coyote grumped.
But you're home with me, Harland argued, honest. If Coyote could smile, that's what he'd be doing now: Harland felt a heat inside him, somewhere indistinct, as Coyote felt pleased by the thought that they really were a cohesive team now.
"No time to loiter," Harland said, shutting and locking his door behind him as he headed down to the portal. As he walked, he thought about how they'd be watched this entire ordeal.
It was reassuring, because even if and when something went wrong, they'd be rescued. It was terrifying, and nauseating, because it meant that Harland couldn't touch Alistaire even a little-- even the little that Alistaire'd come to allow. Harland tried very hard not to think about kissing, as he summoned Coyote and wore the gauntlet on one fist. Would Alistaire have beaten him to the portal?
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 8:08 pm
Room 164 was, thankfully, no longer occupied by both of the Rahal-Nazari brothers, seeing as how Ian had taken it upon himself to be possessed by some horrific creature and land himself in the infirmary. Alistaire had already visited him twice; the first to make sure that he was actually still alive, and the second to make sure that he was actually staying alive. And when it became quite apparent that Ian was going nowhere fast, Alistaire had all but tossed Ian's things back into his brother's room, which left Room 164 occupied by its original inhabitant and no one else.
Which would hopefully mean less anxiety over Ian walking in on one of the times that Harland was over.
It had happened several times now, the last ending in an impromptu nap that had ended with Alistaire waking sometime in the late evening to find Harland pressed against his back, their fingers tangled together embarrassingly. The warmth had been very nearly overpowering, utterly enveloping Alistaire, who had lain there in a sort of stupor of anxiety and panic before he had dragged himself away and left Harland asleep on the bed to take a much needed walk outside. When he returned, he'd felt less like his head was going to explode, allowing himself the indulgence of curling up beside Harland again and falling back asleep.
And now, two days later, they were meeting yet again, this time in public.
Alistaire was trying very hard not to think too much about it.
He stood in his room fiddling with his tie (it would never do to be seen in improper clothing, after all), which was a dark green in color and patterned with tiny black diamonds. A pair of black slacks, a black dress shirt, and his white Deus coat made the outfit almost complete - a set of black leather gloves was the final piece, and Alistaire tugged them on carefully, flexing his fingers.
He could still feel Harland's warmth like a cloud around him.
Alistaire left the room quickly and was surprised to see that he was almost late; Harland was already at the portal, and Alistaire slowed his steps as he drew nearer, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, though his stomach was twisting with anxiety.
"Good evening, Mr. Belle. Glad to see you're early this time. I trust you're ready for this?"
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 8:18 pm
Alistaire had this way of making his throat tighten, and his skin grow hot. All he had to do was be there. The second Harland caught sight of him this evening, he remembered how Alistaire had curled against him while he was asleep, waking him. He had been surprised, and yet no matter how uncomfortable it was to fall asleep in his boots and fully dressed and on top of the covers, he'd would be hard pressed to agree to trade those moments for a night of good sleep alone. Thoughts about Ian were growing more distant by the day. Not gone, just quiet, as though the voice that reminded him how he felt was walking away or down a long case of stairs as Harland himself moved up. Upwards, into letting go, and embracing the future.
The future that was smirking at him. Harland's own amused half-smile answered Alistaire before he could. "Good evenin', mo chroi. I learned how it is, I don't plan on making you wait again," he said, his voice clearly burying laughter. "Not sure there's any gettin' ready," he said, shaking his head, his sunny hair saying otherwise as it was still tied up. Abnormal for the cowboy.
"Shall we?" he asked, and stepped closer, as if he was going to shake Alistaire's hand. He leaned in, so that he could whisper, "I know they're watchin' an' I won' say anythin' embarassin' but y' know that feelin' when ye see someone that ye'd give anythin' to kiss?" Harland asked, vaguely, as if he was talking about a fine a** or some acceptable straight and unrelated person.
"That," he said, pulling away and heading into the portal, "I felt that a short bit ago." He laughed to himself as he walked into the darkness.
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kuropeco rolled 2 8-sided dice:
2, 5
Total: 7 (2-16)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 8:43 pm
Harland's greeting reminded Alistaire yet again that he had yet to figure out what mo chroi actually meant. He'd attempted looking it up on the computers in one of the labs, but the Deus headquarters did not have internet, but intranet; meaning he could not just pull up Google Translate and try and decipher it. It had annoyed him at the time, but now Alistaire just took it in stride, letting his gaze flick from the top of Harland's head and his pulled back hair (which looked damn good, though he wasn't about to say so) down to the bottom of his feet before answering.
"Mentally preparing yourself is just as important as physically preparing yourself, Mr. Belle," Alistaire said airily, waving a gloved hand. "Though I suppose you've already showed that you are quite capable of handling things as well as to be expected from a cowboy."
He was lightly teasing, but Harland stepping closer made him automatically tense, Alistaire's fingers shaking slightly. He opened his mouth to say something, but Harland's comments made his face flush red, any sense of calm and collectiveness that he'd had only seconds before immediately dissipating as his heart began to race.
Just like that - one sentence, and his thoughts were a mess again.
Two could play at that game.
Alistaire clamped his mouth shut and followed silently through the portal, any answer he had for Harland reserved until it was just the two of them, ensconced in the darkness. He couldn't see much of anything, Harland's broad outline a few steps in front of him, and Alistaire stepped up behind him, reaching to lightly drag his gloved fingers along the back of Harland's neck.
"Maybe if you do well, you'll get to experience that feeling," he said blithely before removing his hand, a gentle clink of metal indicating that he'd summoned his weapon. A second later there was a flash of silver and green as one of the daggers sliced through the darkness, a squeal as one of the shadowlings dissipated.Status Wave: 1 Attack Dmg: 1 Total Shadowlings taken out: 1 Recoveries left: 1
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Face your demons rolled 2 8-sided dice:
4, 3
Total: 7 (2-16)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 9:36 pm
They were even less alone in here than they were out there, but Harland supposed the writhing masses of shadow would camouflage what was going on inside the room, and all that would save them would be the obvious swarm to summon a full Hunter to save them. At least he was comforted by the idea someone was watching, and yet as Alistaire dragged his fingers along the back of Harland's neck, he wished they weren't watching too closely.
Not because he didn't want others to know how they were, but because he wanted more, and he wished that there wasn't such a pressing need to keep Alistaire safe preventing him from acting upon the urge.
"Doin' well it is," he swore, punching a nearby shadowling that was trying to get a grip on him while he was distracted.
"Just like a date," he joked, "Walkin' through the darkness with the one--" Harland cut himself off, pretending to be very busy with shadowlings.Status Wave: 1 Attack Dmg: 1 Total Shadowlings taken out: 1 Recoveries left: 0
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kuropeco rolled 2 8-sided dice:
4, 2
Total: 6 (2-16)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 10:05 pm
The control that Alistaire enjoyed having seemed to be multiplied when he was around Harland; most likely due to the fact that Harland seemed to always break that control. The little moments he was able to have it back were seized with gusto, Alistaire's innate stubbornness and his desire to be in control of both himself and the situation around him making things more difficult for the both of them.
"Not a date," said Alistaire lightly, eyes narrowed as he watched Harland. "But perhaps a trial run. You do well in here, and I'll give you a prize, how about that?"
His dagger shot out towards a group of shadowlings, missed, and nearly scraped the wall beyond. Alistaire made a hiss of annoyance, staggering backwards into Harland as he attempted to fend off the creatures, the chains clinking along beside him.Status Wave: 2 Attack Dmg: 0 Total Shadowlings taken out: 2 Recoveries left: 0 USING
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Face your demons rolled 2 8-sided dice:
7, 8
Total: 15 (2-16)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 10:27 pm
Harland normally didn't have to think about being in control, or being calm. He just was. Calm, collected, faintly detached from whatever was going on around him. Unaffected by his surroundings. A lifetime of rehearsals had fashioned him in that image. However, when Alistaire was around he was utterly spiralling out, often felt like a plane shot out of the sky. Plummeting.
And yet what worried him more was that he enjoyed the feeling.
He laughed as Alistaire asserted that it wouldn't be a date. He shrugged one shoulder. Their previous date had honestly been enough date for like months, so Harland wasn't too concerned. "Every moment with you's a prize, but sure, if you're offerin' I'll accept happily," Harland said, grinning wide, moving to support Alistaire's weight in case as he staggered backwards. Harland, as Alistaire fell, leaned in and exhaled gently against his neck, before helping him back up if he was able.
Following which he deployed the hookshot directly into the crowd of shadowlings ahead of them and whipped a line clear through them using the razor wire of his thick cable. "After you, mo chroi," he said, tipping his hat to the other hunter, grinning.Status Wave: 2 Attack Dmg:Total Shadowlings taken out: 10 personally, 11 total. Recoveries left: 0
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kuropeco rolled 2 8-sided dice:
5, 6
Total: 11 (2-16)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 11:00 pm
Harland's ability to just breeze through things as easily as though they were nothing was an enviable trait, since most of Alistaire's time was spent fighting for a control he desperately wanted. It was annoying, really, but he was trying not to think about that.
Alistaire had staggered backwards, the chains dragging, but Harland's steady presence and his strong arms kept him from falling. He could feel warm breath on his neck, sending shivers down his spine, and Alistaire forced himself back upright, his face flushed.
Harland's next shot was impressive. Alistaire turned to him and raised an eyebrow.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you, Mr. Belle?" he said lightly, gathering the chains again and snapping them towards the creatures, sending a section of shadowlings flying. Alistaire twisted to look at Harland a smirk on his lips.
"I'm impressed."Status Wave: 3 Attack Dmg: 5 Total Shadowlings taken out: 7 Recoveries left: 0
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Face your demons rolled 2 8-sided dice:
1, 1
Total: 2 (2-16)
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 11:01 pm
Harland admired Alistaire: the cool, coiled power underneath the surface, how much he tried to control his surroundings and often effectively. Alistaire was different, in his own ways. Sometimes, when Harland looked at Alistaire he remembered the night they'd had whiskey together, remembered how Alistaire had reassured him. It's not your fault, was the jist of the thought, and Harland remembered being so relieved it had broken him.
Alistaire was better than he knew, at least with Harland, but he wasn't sure how to show it other than staying by his side to prove that he thought Alistaire was worth that loyalty. "I am, yeah," he agreed, laughing.
Harland didn't really know what happened. He had pulled the hookshot back in after his last move, he was aiming into the shadows, and as Alistaire turned and smirked at him, saying he was impressed, things became a blur-- at some point, he must have accidentally deployed his hookshot.
Because it was gone, and it was not letting go of something in the hordes of shadows where Harland had aimed it, and in fact it was dragging him forward. Very fast. Harland had dug his heels into the ground, and was literally scraping wells in the ground trying to anchor himself and stop the pull.
Seconds later, he was sucked into the shadows, and overwhelmed. The last thing he remembered was darkness, and he hoped Alistaire would make it to the end. He guessed he probably wasn't getting a prize.
His unconscious body had to be hauled out.Status Wave: 3 Attack Dmg:Total Shadowlings taken out: 10 personally, 16 total (?) Recoveries left: 0
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 7:36 pm
He wasn't sure what had happened.
One moment both he and Harland had been fighting of the shadowlings, the next Harland's hookshot had disappeared into the midst of them, and he was being dragged forward. Alistaire's eyes widened, his expression shifting from one of casual amusement to one of surprise and confusion.
"Mr. Belle - " he started to say, but Harland was being dragged further away, and Alistaire, not exactly realizing what he was doing, had lunged forward, trying to grasp the back of his shirt before he disappeared - but it was too late, a second later Harland had been swallowed by the mass of shadowlings, leaving Alistaire standing in the midst of them, his heart pounding.
It's just a game. Stop being so worried.
Worry is irrational. He's not a child. He's not anything.
He's something.
He's not.
When Harland awoke, he would find himself not in the infirmary, but in a little room with a few beds that was set just to the side of the shadow run. It wasn't much; just a spare empty office used for anyone who needed a break, but Alistaire would be found sitting beside Harland's bed, one leg draped over the other, a book in his hands, a pair of reading glasses on his nose.
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 9:57 pm
When Harland woke up, it was to the sight of Alistaire reading. His heart felt like it flipped in his chest, and he would be lying if he said he didn't know why. It was, nevertheless, an unfamiliar feeling. Everything Alistaire did lately seemed to cement the way Harland felt about him.
Waking up to Alistaire was already a prize.
"Readin' somethin' good?" he asked, with a smile, as he sat up. Wincing. Being smothered by shadowlings was never a good feeling, by any means. He knew that first hand now.
"My apologies, Alistaire; didnae mean t' leave you there, I trust ye passed with flyin' colours?" Harland asked, beaming, before he stretched out his arms and examined his physical state quickly. "I should keep tryin' till I'm worthy of that prize," he joked. Then, feigning a crestfallen look: "Unless it's no longer on the table!"
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 10:42 am
He had already determined that he would not show just how stupidly concerned he'd been that Harland had fallen unconscious; after all, Alistaire himself had been knocked out due to the very man lying next to where he was sitting (which was a very embarrassing recollection), but that had been Before, and this was After.
He could hear Harland stirring and then his voice, slightly scratchy, and Alistaire's stomach twisted.
"Dante's Inferno," he said lightly, folding the book shut and lowering it to his lap. He turned to look at Harland, his expression quite neutral; deliberately calm, though inwardly he was a state of anxiety that he hated, all nerves and uncontrollable panic only indicated by the barest tremor to his gloved fingers.
Alistaire shifted his legs, lowering one from over the other only to switch them so that his right was now over his left instead of vice versa. "I did not," he said, the admission coolly casual. "I thought it pointless to continue on without you, considering our agreement to endure that training together, so I came back here to wait for you to wake up."
Mentioning the prize made his cheeks flush. Alistaire cleared his throat and glanced around the room. It was empty, save for the two of them, no sound emanating from anywhere audible. Still, in a public place where anyone could walk in...
"Your attempt was admirable," he said. "You're worthy of one prize already, though perhaps we can attempt the run again for a larger prize."
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 1:14 pm
Harland searched his memory for what he knew of Dante's Infero, automatically. He smiled at Alistaire, as though he had found something funny about what he knew. He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the surface on which he sat still, and let his head rest its weight in his palm, smiling still. "Through a round aperture I saw appear Some of the beautiful things that Heaven bears, Where we came forth, and once more saw the stars," he recited, looking at Alistaire with the weight of the verses, as though he was the subject.
"Took me forever t' read that when I was a boy," he added, shaking his head. He reached back to untie his half-fallen hair, and retie it so it was still out of his way. He didn't have Alistaire's gift for words, not in that way. Sure, he remembered things like it was nothing, but it physically took him forever to make it through a text. Probably why he preferred to read technical books to fiction.
Harland beamed, the colour returning full to his face as he practically glowed with happiness over the prospect of a prize. "Ready when you are," Harland agreed, "An' may I just say, Mr. Mo Chroi, you've surely earned a day or two of lordin' this over me," he joked, taking this opportunity to make fun of how Alistaire always called him Mr. Belle.
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Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 1:24 pm
Sometimes he got confused about the way Harland looked at him; the straightforwardness of his gaze, the sheer intensity of it, as though he were the only person in the entire world to exist. It was overwhelming most of the time, Alistaire's chest tightening as he glanced sideways at him, pressing his lips together.
"You really do have an impressive memory," he said, absently stroking a finger along the spine of the book, distracted by the waves of red and gold as they fell around Harland's shoulders before he pulled the back. "I assume it's just a natural gift of yours rather than one you've perfected over time?"
The gift of a photographic memory was envious. Alistaire glanced around the empty room again and then back at Harland, arching a brow in amusement. For a moment he said nothing at all, and then he reached out a gloved hand to touch the side of Harland's face, running his fingers under his jaw briefly before they fell quickly away, Alistaire standing up.
"Then hurry and get through the training," he said airily. "And we'll see about that. After you, Mr. Belle."
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